Cofon Imagers.
DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO
TOWNS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,
^A^^ TO ''F" INCLUSIVE,
WITH AN
APPENDIX,
Embracing copies, in Fac Simile, of the first Constitution of this Stath
AS adopted January 5, 177G; the Proclamation sent out to the
people declaring the said Constitution to be in force;
AND A Constitution framed in June, 1779, which
WAS rejected by the people. Also, other
interesting and valuable documents.
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATURE
OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
VOLUME XI
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
ISAAC W. HAMMOND
CONCORD, N. H.:
PARSONS B. COGSWELL, STATE PRINTER.
1882.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
In 1878 and 1S79 the editor of this volume, then deputy sec-
retary of state, assorted a large mass of ancient manuscripts
which he found in the various vaults and in the loft of the State-
house, selected such as were of value, historical and otherwise,
and placed them in volumes in the secretary's office. Thev at-
tracted the attention of citizens who were interested in the his-
tory of the state, and in the preservation of everything apper-
taining to it, many of whom expressed a desire to have them
published as a continuation of those edited bv the late Nathaniel
Bouton, D. D.
In June, 1881, Gov. Charles H. Bell, deeply interested in
the history of New Hampshire, called the attention of the
legislature to these papers in his message to that body, and
advised their publication. The result was the passage of the
following resolution :
JOINT RESOLUTION relating to the preservation and publication
of portions of the early state and provincial records and other
state papers of New Hampshire.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Repi-esentatives in General
Conrt convened:
That his excellency the governor be hereby authorized and empow-
ered, witli the advice and consent of the council, to employ some suit-
able 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 pai:)ers of New' Hampshire as the
governor may deem proper ; and that eight hundred copies of each
volume of the same be printed by the state printer, and distributed as
follows : namely, one copy to each city and town in the state, one copy
to such of the public libraries in the state as the governor may desig-
nate, fifty copies to the New Hampshire Historical Society, and the
remainder placed in the custody of the state librarian, who is hereby
authorized to exchange the same for similar publications by other states.
Approved August 4, 1881.
IV EDITOR S PREFACE.
In accordance with the foregoing resolution, the governor,
with advice of the council, on the 12th day of October, iSSi,
appointed and commissioned Isaac W. Hammond as " Editor
and Compiler of State Papers ;" and this volume is the result of
his labor as such.
It is similar, in the character of its contents, to Vol. IX, and
contains documents of great value concerning the early history
of the towns herein i^epresented. These documents have been
carefully copied from the original manuscripts, scrupulously pre-
serving the orthography, punctuation, capitalization, etc. jMuch
of it will be found of interest even to the general reader. It contains
a large number of names of early residents, which are being much
inquired after of late, some papers having been published mainly
for the purpose of giving the names signed to them. All these
names have been carefully indexed, in every place in which they
occur, involving much time and great labor. They are thus
placed where the historian and genealogist can readily refer to
them. The editor has compiled an introduction to each town,
containing in brief many facts relative to its grant, settlement,
incorporation, origin of name, etc., the authority for most of
them being obtained from original records. Great care has been
taken to verify them where they conflict with other wa-iters.
Notes have also been appended to most of the petitions, giving
legislative action, and, when practicable, their final disposition.
They have required considerable research, but the editor
believes they will add materially to the value of the work,
and be of much use to town historians. The editorial notes,
with the exception of the introductions, have been inserted in
brackets, to prevent any possible misunderstanding. In copy-
ing names from original petitions, great care has been exercised,
many of them being badly written, some almost illegible, and
others incorrectly spelled ; but the editor has spared no pains to
obtain a correct solution, and believes that most of them are
printed as they were written. He submits this volume to the
public, trusting its decision will be that he has done some-
thing to rescue from oblivion some valuable material pertaining
to the early history of the towns of New Hampshire.
I. W. H.
Concord, October 27, 1SS2.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
ACWORTH.
Introduction, ........
Reasons for not wanting to be classed for representative,
and vote of the town, 1776, ....
Certificate of non-i"eceipt of precept, 1781,
Petition of John Duncan, about taxes, i7^3'
Petition for authority to tax non-residents.
Petition of selectmen relative to beef tax, 17S6,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1787, .
Petition of Matthew Wallace, poor debtor, 1792, .
ALBANY.
Introduction, ........ 7
Petition to have a meeting called for the choice of ofh-
cers, 17851 .....••• 7
Petition of selectmen about taxes, 17SS, ... 7
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 17S9, • 8
Petition to be severed from Grafton and annexed to
Strafford county, 1800, ...... 8
ALEXANDRIA.
Introduction, ........ 9
Jeremiah Page's statement about Alexandria Addition,
1773, 10
Petition of inhabitants about taxes, .... 10
Petition of inhabitants about representative, i775' • ^^
Request for guns and ammunition, 1776? ... 12
Inventory of town, i777' ...... 12
Inventory of Addition, . . . . . . 13
Daniel McMurphy's petition, soldier, 17S1, . . . 13
Remonstrance of the inhabitants about building a road,
1782, 14
Petition relative to road from Boscawen to Dartmouth
College, 17S6, 15
Petition of selectmen relative to taxes, 1787? ... 16
VI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Alexandria and New Chester for a new
town, 1787, . . . . . . . . 17
Petition for anthorit}^ to tax land for repair of roads,
1790, ......... 18
Petition for a division of the town, i794? ... 19
Votes of town relative to a division of the town, i795i 20
Petition for the appointment of a committee to run lines
between Alexandria and New Chester, i795' • • ^^
ALSTEAD.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 21
Petition for a grant of the township, 1750, ... 22
Statement of grievances, 1777'' ..... 23
Petition of Prudence Baxter, 1778, .... 24
Confession of William Baxter, 1779, .... 26
Deposition of Lemuel Holmes, 177^1 .... 28
Return of representative, 1781, ..... 29
Bounty paid David Abraham, 1783, .... 30
Petition about taxes, 17S3, ...... 30
Petition of Nathaniel Shepard, deer-reeve, 1 7S3, . . 31
Petition of selectmen relative to taxes, 1783, . . 32
Certificate of selectmen relative to taxes, 1786, . . 33
Petition for authoritv to tax non-residents, 1790, . . 34
Remonstrance of inhabitants against setting oti' a parish,
^793' • • • • 34
Remonstrance of selectmen concerning the same, 17935 35
Petition for the incorporation of a religious society,
17935 36
Vote of town in favor of the same, 1793^ • • • 37
Petition of Elisha Kingsbury for a loan, 1794, • . 38
ALLENSTOWN.
Introduction, .......
Certificate of abatement of soldiers' taxes, 1775? •
Return of number of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for abatement of tax, 1786,
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate. 1787?
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789,
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 1790,
Petition relative to bridges over Suncook river,
39
39
39
40
40
41
43
43
ALTON.
Introduction, ........ 44
Jacob Chamberlin relative to election of representative,
1778, 44
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Vll
Petition of inhabitants relative to the same, 1779, .
Petition of inhabitants relative to roads through the
Gore. 17S0, .......
Relative to procuring men for the army, 17S1.
Relative to inability to furnish men for the army, 178:2
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition to have proceedings of town-meeting legalized
17S4, . . . ._ .
Resolve of legislature respectmg the same, 1784,
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1788,
Petition for the incorporation of New Durham Gore
1794, . . _ . . _ .
Petition ot Joseph Peirce relative to the same, 1794,
Petition relative to same, i794i ....
Petition relative to same, 1796, ....
45
46
47
48
49
49
50
50
52
54
55
56
AMHERST.
Introduction, .......
Petition of inhabitants for an incorporation, i753i •
Petition of Lieut. Ebenezer Lyon, soldier, abstract.
Petition relating to a division of Monson, 1763,
Memorial of Rev. Daniel Wilkins, 1763,
Petition of several towns relative to an escape from jail
1773, . . . . .
Certificate relative to Esquire Shepard, 1775,
Petition of Peter Robertson, Bunker Hill soldier, 1776
Petition of Susanna Munroe, 17791
Joseph Wilson's receipt, soldier, 1779, .
Petition of William Hastings, Jr., soldier, i779i
Relative to raising men for the army, i779'
Selectmen relative to the same, 1779,
Petition of Capt. Archelaus Towne, i779'
Petition of north-west parish, 1780,
Petition of William Bradford, Jr., soldier, 1780,
Town bills for supplies furnished soldiers' families, 1780.
Petition to have the north-west parish set oft", 1780,
Petition for a new parish, 1781, .
Remonstrance against the ordination of Rev. Mr. Barn^
ard, 1780, .......
Remonstrance relative to the same matter, 1781, .
Petition of several inhabitants about parish matters
1781, ,• • •
Petition to have the new parish set oft as a town, 1783
Petition of inhabitants of the south-west part, 1782,
Petition of south-w^est part to be set oft' as a parish,
1782,
57
58
59
60
62
63
65
66
66
67
67
6^
69
69
69
70
70, 71
71
73
74
77
79
80
82
83
Vlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Remonstrance against reestablishing the town of Mon-
son, 1782, ........ 85
Deposition of Thomas Wakefield, 17S2, . . . 2/j
Remonstrance against reestablishing Monson, 1782, . 88
Jonathan Smith relative to land given Benjamin Whit-
ing, 1782, 89
Return of number of ratable polls, 17S3, ... 90
Vote of the town on the adoption of the eighth article of
confederation, ........ 90
Memorial in favor of making goods legal tender, 1783, 91
Memorial against M. Thornton's having the exclusive
right to ferr}' people over Merrimack river, 1784, . 93
Soldiers' orders for wages, ..... 94, 95
Petition to have the north-west parish set oft' by " metes
and bounds," 1788, ....... 95
Protest against being set oft' with the north-west parish,
1790, . . . . . . . . . 96
Petition of Jonathan Wilkins, marine, 1790, . . 97
Petition of Robert B. Wilkins, Bunker Hill soldier,
179I' ^ • • : 9^
Petition of Isaac Baldwin, wounded militia man, 1790, 98
Letter, Daniel Warner to Gov. Bartlett, 1791, . . 98
Report of committee on south-west parish, 1 791, . . 99
Description on plan, ...*... 100
Resignation of Hon. Samuel Dana, 1792, . . . 100
Revolutionary soldiers' petition for remuneration, i795» loi
Petition of inhabitants of Amherst and Lyndeborough
for a nev\^ town (Mont Vernon), 1803, . . . 102
Biographical notes, ...... 104, ic;
ANTRIM.
Introduction, .....
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1776,
Consent of certain persons to the same, 1777
Memorial relative to the same, 1776,
Town committee's reasons why it should be incorpo
rated, ......
James Aiken's certificate, soldier,
Soldiers' orders for wages.
Men's names who were in the army in i775
Record of town-meeting, 1779?
Petition for authority to tax non-residents.
Memorial of non-residents about taxes, 1779
Remonstrance to said memorial, 17S0,
Deposition relative to bridges, 1780,
Petition for authority to assess a special tax to build a
meeting-house, 17S3, ......
105
105
106
107
108
108
109
109
no
no
in
112
113
114
GENERAL CONTENTS.
IX
Consent of non-residents to san:ie, . . . .
Petition for authority to assess a tax for road purposes,
1792, • • ' •
114
ANDOVER.
Introduction, ......
Order of selectmen for ammunition, 17/'^^
Petition for appointment of a magistrate, i779'
Petition for an act of incorporation, i779r
Oaths of allegiance of several citizens, 1782,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1794,
6
7
7
7
8
9
ATKINSOX.
Introduction, .......
Warrant for assessing a county tax, 1774,
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 1776,
Certificate of the nvunber of ratable polls, 17S3,
Action of town concerning issuing paper money, 1786,
Committee of legislature appointed relative to paper
monev, ........
Report of said committee, 1786, ....
Editorial note relative to the matter.
Recommendation of Joseph Cogswell, 17S6,
Consent of sundry inhabitants to be classed for repre
sentatives, .......
Action of town-meeting relative to representative, 1786
Petition for incorporation of Atkinson academy, 1791
Petition to have the boundary line established, 1794,
Memorial of Peter Clement, relative to same, 1794,
BARNSTEAD.
Introduction, .......
Petition concerning boundaries, 1764, •
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, i777'
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 1783.
Petition of Jonathan Bunker, concerning a soldier
17S2, . .
Bounties paid to soldiers, .....
Remonstrance to appointment of John Tasker, 17S4,
Statement relative to foregoing, 17S4, ...
Another remonstrance to same, I'jS^,
Petition in favor of appointment of Charles Hodgdon
1788,
Petition in favor of appointment of Jonathan Cheslev
178S,
120
1 30
121
122
122
127
127
130
130
132
134
^35
136
137
138
138
139
139
140
141
141
142
H3
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition relative to Jonathan Cheslev and Charles Hodg-
don, 1789, ........ 144
Relative to bridge over Suncook river, 1792, . I44? "45
HARRINGTON.
Introduction, .......
Petition for the abatement of taxes, 1744,
Deposition of Ephraim Locke, soldier in i749i
Petition of Thomas Johnson, concerning a soldier, 176
Petition of Henry Hill concerning a soldier, 1761,
Moses Caverly, Jr., soldier, 1761,
List of Capt. William Gate's men. Qiiakers,
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 1773?
Petition relative to election of representative, 1774,
Petition for the appointment of John Garland, 1776,
Petition of Anne Runnals. soldier's widow, 1778,
Petition for authority to dispose of the parsonage lot
1779^ , • • /
Petition ot Nathaniel Church, soldier, 1779,
John Garland's statement, .....
Petition of non-resident proprietors concerning taxes
17S1,
Papers relating to Thomas How, soldier, 17S1,
Certificate of number of ratable polls, .
157'
146
146
147
148
149
149
150
150
152
153
154
155
155
156
156
158
159
BARTLETT.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 159
Soldier's order, 1792, . . . . . . . 160
Petition for an addition to the town, 1793, • • . 160
Action of legislature — plan, 1793, .... 161
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, i793i • • ^62
Petition for an addition to the town, i794i • • • ^62
Petition to be severed from Grafton, and annexed to
Stratibrd Co., 1793, . • . . • • 163
Introduction, .......
Report relative to William Grimshaw, soldier, 1786,
Petition of Jacob Bayley for a grant of land, 17S6,
Memorandum of the families in Bath, 1786,
Proceedings of town-meeting, i777^
Selectmen's statement about taxes, i779'
Ratable estate, 1779, .....
Remonstrance concerning doomage, 1783? •
Vote concerning paper money, 1786, .
164
164
165
165
166
167
167
168
168
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XI
Report of committee on allowance for soldiers. 1786,
Memorial against taxing non-resident lands,
jVIemorial relative to legalizing the sale of lots foi
taxes, 17S9, .......
Memorial of Daniel Ba\ ley relative to selling land foi
taxes, 1791, .
Report of committee on Bay ley's petition, .
Petition for assistance to build an iron manufactory,
1797.
168
169
173
174
175
BEDFORD.
Introduction. .....
Roll of Col. Goft^'s sconts. 1746, .
Petition of John Moor, soldier, 1757^ •
Statement relative to counties, 1769,
Soldier's certificate. i'/'/6.
Petition of John Gofle, soldier, 1778, .
Petition of Robert Morrill, soldier, 1779,
Petition of Gofte & Martin, com. of safety,
Petition of John Gofte relative to an attempt
cattle being sent to the enem}', i779'
Another concerning the same matter, 17S1,
Petition of Lieut. John Orr, wounded soldie
Petition of James Bell, soldier, 17S2, .
Vote of town relative to law-suits, 1782,
Vote of town on 8th article of confederatior
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition of Samuel Fugard, soldier, 1784,
Statement of his widow, 179^1
Petition relative to soldiers sent to Coos, i
Petition of Barnard McKeen, soldier, 1787^
Petition of Samuel Remick, soldier, 178S,
Proceedings of town-meeting, 1786,
Certificate of nails made, 1791, •
Petition of James Houston, soldier, 1790,
Memorial relative to fish-wardens. i797'
to p
. 1779
.1783
7S5.
176
177
178
179
I So
180
I So
I So
181
183
183
183
184
185
185
185
1 86
186
1 87
187
1S7
1 88
188
188
BETHLEHEM.
Introduction, .....
Petition for a grant of land, 1798,
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1798,
190
190
191
Introduction, .....
Petition for allowance for soldiers, 1786,
192
192
Xll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Soldiers' certificates, ....
Petition for appointment of a magistrate,
193
193
BOSCAWEN.
Introduction, ......
Petition for a guard, i755i ....
Petition for an act of incorporation, i757' •
Petition for an act of incorporation, 17587 •
Petition of Moses Call, soldier, 1776, .
Petition of John Hale relative to a soldier, 177^1
Petition of John Hale relative to a soldier, 17S0,
Petition of Joshua Danford, bills for supplies, 1781,
Soldiers' depositions relative to their discharges, 17S1,
Petition of Benjamin Sweat, 17S2,
Petition for grant of a lottery, 17S3,
Petition of Samuel Fowder about firearms, 17S3,
Certificate relative to Clement's ferry, 1780, .
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 1783, •
Petition of Henry Gerrish for a ferry, 1785, .
Soldiers' orders for pay, 17S51
Petition of Reuben Middleton, soldier, 1786,
Petition of Peter R. Stevens, soldier, 17S6, ,
Petition for a new county, 17S8, .
Petition for the incorporation of a new town.
193
194
195
197
197
198
199
200
201
201
202
203
203
204
205
206
206
207
207
208
Introduction, ......
Petition of James Cochran relative to land sold for
taxes, 1759, . _ _
Petition of sundry citizens about taxes, 1766,
Remonstrance to petition of John Noxes, 1758,
Proceedings of a town-meeting, 17671 •
Objection to E. Russell as a magistrate, 1776,
Petition for changing the date of town-meeting, 17S0,
Petition of inhabitants concerning a ferry, 17S2,
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition of several soldiers, 1785. •
Documents relative to Benjamin Jenness, soldier.
Petition of Benjamin Noyes concerning a ferry, 1791?
209
210
212
212
213
215
215
216
217
217
217
218
BRADFORD.
Introduction, .....
Soldier's order for wages, 1S74, •
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1787?
219
219
219
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XIU
Town line defined, 17SS, . . . . . . 321
Petition for authovitv to tax land for road purposes,
1788, . . " 221
Record of annual meeting, 1789, .... 232
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 17895 • 223
BRENTWOOD.
Introduction, .....
List of rates, 1743, ....
Report of committee relative to parish affairs, 1743,
Petition of John W. Smith, soldier, 1757,
Petition of Jonathan Pulcifer, soldier, 175S,
Petition of Josiah Bean, soldier, 1758, .
List of Qiiakers, 1759,
Certificate of service done by Qiiakers, 1761
Petition of Daniel Moody, soldier, 1760,
Petition of Bridget Clifibrd, soldier's mother, 176::
Petition of Job Kenniston, Qiiaker, 1762,
Petition of selectmen concerning small-pox, 1762,
Bill for supplies furnished patient sick with small-jDox
1762, ......
Petition of Qiiakers concerning rates, 1769,
Certificates of soldier hired by Qiiakers, 1769,
Action of the legislature on the foregoing.
Petition of Qiiakers concerning rates, 17691
Action of the legislature on the foregoing.
Petition of selectmen about small-pox, 1776,
Soldiers' receipts, 17S2,
Petition of James Bean, Qiiaker, 1779,
Petition of selectmen concerning soldiers, 1779,
Certificate of number of ratable polls, 17S3,
Soldier's order for pay, 1784.
Proceedings of town concerning paper money,
Certificate of nails made, 1791,
231,
223
223
224
224
225
225
226
237
337
338
22S
338
230
330
333
333
333
233
234
234
234
235
236
236
237
237
BRIDGEWATER.
Introduction, ........ 33S
Petition of selectmen concerning representative, 1798, 339
Petition of inhabitants relative to same, 1798, . . 239
Petition of Daniel Burley for a ferry, 1799, . . . 239
Certificate of proprietors of a bridge, 1799, . . . 340
BKOOKLINE.
Introduction,
Certificate of men enlisted, 1776,
340
241
XIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Memorial to Massachusetts legislature about soldiers,
177S5 • • 241
Memorial concerning soldiers. 177S, .... 242
Memorial concerning taxes, 17S3, .... 343
Petition of Wm. Spalding, wounded at Bunker Hill, . 244
Petition concerning annexation of part of Hollis to Raby, 244
Petition concerning annexation of part of Hollis to Raby, 245
Description of plan, 1786, ...... 246
Relative to locating a meeting-house, 17SS, . . 246
Petition for a committee to locate said house, 178S, . 246
Vote to have the name of the town changed, 1798, . 247
Petition for change of the name, 1798, . . . 247
CAMPTON.
Introduction, .......
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776,
Petition to be annexed to Grafton county,
Soldiers' orders, 1784, .....
Petition of Joseph Homans, soldier, 1789, .
Return of ratable polls, 178=^, ....
Petition concerning election of representative, 178=5,
Petition for authorit}' to tax non-residents, 1791, .
Extract from town records, .....
248
248
249
250
250
25^
251
251
252
CANAAN.
Introduction, ......
Petition for a new grant of the township, 1768,
Petition for extension of town charter, 1768,
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776,
Vote of town, and petition relative to taxes, i779'
Pay-roll of Capt. Joshua Wells's company, 17S0,
Certificate of supplies furnished soldiers.
Petition relative to scouts furnished, 1782, .
Petition for appointment of magistrate, 1782,
Town inventor3% 1783^ ....
Relative to appointment of a magistrate, 1785,
Relative to appointment of militia officers, 1785,
Order for a soldier's bounty, 179O'
253
253
.
254
•
255
1
255
i
256
256
257
257
258
258
259
260
Introduction,
Soldier's order. 17S0. .
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
260
260
261
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV
CANTERBURY.
Introduction, ......
Concerning trade with the Indians, 1743,
Vote to set oti'a parish, 1772,
Petition for a parish in south-east part,
Records of town-meeting, i773r
John Melony's power of attorney, 1773,
Records of town-meeting, 1773,
Report of committee on Hne between this town
Chichester, i779" .....
Petition of Abner Aliles, soldier, 177S,
Vote of town appointing committee on line, 1779
Return of ratable polls, 17S3.
Petition for a division of the town, 17S0,
Petition to be annexed to Hillsborough county,
Soldiers' orders, 17S1 to 17S5,
Vote of town concerning paper money, 1786,
Return of ratable polls, 17S7,
Petition for a new county, 1788, .
Biographical note : Hon. Abiel Foster,
Petition for an incorporation of library, 1797,
and
272,
261
262
263
263
264
266
268
268
269
270
270
270
271
273
273
274
274
275
275
CENTRE HARBOR.
Introduction, ....
Petition for incorporation, 1788, .
Report of committee on same, 1789,
Petition for incorporation, 1797-
276
276
277
278
CHARLESTOWN.
Introduction, .......
Record of proprietors' meeting, 1742, .
Petition of William and Joseph Willard, 175O1
Petition of Simon Sartwell, I'J^o,
Petition of Benjamin Bellows, 1750,
Petition of Joseph Wood, .....
Letter, Capt. Phineas Stevens to Theodore Atkinson
.1753
List ot owners of land (about i7=;3),
Petition for a grant from New Hampshire, 1753,
Petition of John Spallbrd, mill destroyed.
Petition of selectmen for a hospital, 1777,
Letter, Jacob Baylev to committee of safety, 1780,
Concerning Simon Powers, soldier, 17S2.
Concerning Rev. Bulklev Olcott, 1784,
Votes relative to setting otl" a parish. 17S4, 17891
279
280
280
281
281
282
283
283
2S4
285
286
286
2S7
2S7
288
XVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of the north part to be set oft', 17S5,
Petition relative to the west bound of town, 1787,
Vote granting permission to Universalists to preach in
the meeting-house, ......
Petition of Academy trustees for a lottery, 1791,
Petition of Academy trustees for grant of land, 1792
Petition for a division of the town, 1793,
Report of committee on division, 1794,
Petition for annexation of part of the town to Langdon
Bill for ferrving soldiers, 1776, ....
Petition relative to soldier, died of small-pox, 1776,
Petition of Capt. Wetherbee, for allowance for sol
diers, 177^1 .......
Selectmen of the town to selectmen of Lempster, 1778
Petition relative to Nathan Spoftbrd, soldier, 1779,
Soldiers' receipts, 1781, .....
Documents relative to soldiers, 17S0, ...
Statement of Col. Bellows relative to same, 17S0,
388
290
390
291
393
293
394
295
396
396
396
298
398
298
399
300
CHATHAM.
Introduction, ......
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 179S,
Richard Kimball concerning roads, 1798,
Obed Hall relative to land tax, 179S, .
301
303
303
303
CHESTER.
Introduction, ........ 304
Record of an ecclesistical council, 1734, . . . 305
Notice of ordination, 1734, ..... 306
Certificate of ordination, John Willson, 1734, . . 306
Record of an ecclesiastical council, i735- • • 307
Record of town-meeting, 1736, ..... 30S
Vote of town electing assessors, 1741- • • • 30S
List of tax-payers, 1741, ...... 309
Petitions for a road to Londonderry, 1742, . • • 310
Record of meeting, minister's salary, . . . , 311
Soldiers' petitions. 175S, 1761, ..... 313
Petition of Samuel Blunt, post-rider, 1776, . . 313
Petition of the Shirleys, Bunker Hill soldiers, 1776, . 313
Petition of John Knowles, Bennington, soldier, 1778, 314
Petition of Susanna Emerson, soldier's widow, i779? 3H
Letter to President Weare, 1780, . . . . 314
Letter, Joshua Wentworth to committee of safety, 1783, 315
Petition of selectmen relative to tax. 1782. . . . 315
Petition of Haseltine and Berry, soldiers, 1783, . . 317
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XVll
Instructions to representatives, 17S3, .
Articles of confederation, editorial note,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for a magistrate, 17851
Petition relative to paper money, etc., 17S6,
Soldier's order, 1784, .....
Petition of Isaac Tucker, soldier, 17S6,
Petition of Jeremiah Towle, soldier, 1788, .
Petition relative to town bounds, i 794,
Petition for incorporation of west parish, 1796,
Petition for incorporation of library, 1797, .
318
319
319
3^1
321
321
322
323
324
CHESTERFIELD.
Introduction, ........ 325
Petition for a grant of the township, 1 75 1, . . . 326
Petition of Jeremiah Wheelwright, 1771, . . . 327
Election of a magistrate, 177^1 ..... 328
Instructions to representative, i'J'j6^ .... 328
Thomas Gibbs's losses at the Cedars, 1776, . . . 329
Petition of Richard Coughlan, assault, .... 329
Statement relative to the Governor's lot, i777' • • 33°
Town committee to committee of safety, 1777, . . 332
Town committee to President VVeare, I'J'J'J, . . 333
Letter — N. S. Prentice to E. Baldwin, 1777, • . 334
Deposition of Snow & Johnson, 1777, .... 335
Deposition of John and Fear Sargent, t777' • • 33^
Ephraim Baldwin's acknowledgment, 1777, . • • 337
Town committee to legislature, I'J'jSj .... 337
Recommendation concerning tories, 1778, • . . 338
Benjamin Kimball's receipt, 1778, .... 339
Petition of William Lee, soldier, 1780, . . . 339
Petition for appointment of magistrate, 1781, . . 340
Petition of Francis Crane, soldier, 1783, . . . 340
Petition for new magistrates, 1783, .... 341
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 342
Nomination for magistrates, 1784, .... 342
Petition for a lottery, 1786, ...... 343
Petition for allowance for soldiers, 1786, . . . 345
Petition of William Thomas for a ferry, 17S6, . . 346
Petition of E. Hale for a ferry, 1786, .... 346
Petition of E. Baldwin for an allowance, 1786, . . 347
Petition for allowance for support of William Loudon,
1787, ..... ... 348
Petition for incorporation of a school, 1789, . . 349
Petition of Josiah Hastings for a ferry, 1791, . . 3"^!
Petition relative to bridge over Connecticut river, . 351
GENERAL CONTENTS.
CHICHESTER.
Introduction, .......
Proceedings of town-meeting, 1776,
Petition for appointment of a magistrate, 1776,
Remonstrance to foregoing, 1776,
Petition concerning election of representative. 1779,
Petition concerning election of representative,
Selectmen requested to call a town-meeting, 17S1,
Proceeding of town-meeting, 17S1,
Petition relative to a division of the town, 17S2,
Petition relative to a division of the town, 17S2,
Action of the legislature on the foregoing, .
Request to be classed with Pittsfield, 1783, .
Petition for a magistrate, 17S6, ....
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1791, .
CLAREMONT.
Introduction, ......
Rev. Ranna Cossitt collated to the church, 1773,
Editorial note relative to foregoing,
Town committee of safety- to the general court, 1776,
Relative to appointment of magistrate, 1777,
Record of marriage, Col. Wait's widow, 1777,
Relative to David Bates as magistrate, 1777,
Relative to service done by Lieut. Taylor, 1777,
Tavlor's petition for an allowance, 177S,
Petition relative to town officers, taxation, etc., 17S2,
Petition relative to town charter, 17S2,
Deposition relative to charter, 17S2, . . . 371
List of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Soldiers' receipts and orders, 17S0, 17S4,
Petition of Reuben Spencer, wounded, 17S4,
Benjamin vSumner's statement, about soldiers, 1785,
Petition of Lieut. Spencer, and roll of scouting party
Soldier's order for pay, ^^S^, ....
Petition of Martha, widow of Col. Joseph Wait, 17S6,
Soldier's order for pay, 1790, ....
Statement relative to inventories of i779i 1784,
Inventory of taxable property, 1 7S4, .,
Petition relative to bridge over Sugar river, 17S5,
Petition relative to a magistrate, 178^, .
Vote concerning paper money, 17S6,
Councillor Kingsbury to President Sullivan, 1789,
Elihu Stevens recommended for magistrate, 1789,
Ambrose Cossitt recommended for magistrate, 17S9,
Petition for the incorporation of the Episcopal Society,
Proceedings of town-meeting, i794? ....
353
353
354
354
355
3S6
357
35^
359
360
360
361
362
363
364
364
365
366
367
367
36S
36S
369
371
372
372
374
374
375
375
376
37<5
377
377
373
379
379
3,So
3S0
3S1
3S1
382
3S3
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XIX
Veto of act incorporating tlie Congregational Society,
Petition for incorporation of same, 1794,
Statement of James Erskine, Universalist, iSoo, .
COLEBROOK.
Introduction, . . . .
Petition for an act of incorjDoration,
i795r
COLUMBIA.
Introduction, ......
Petition for authority to tax non-residents.
Petition for act of incorporation, 1797^ •
Petition of E. De Forrest for a ferry, 1799, .
Petition of I5ailey and Hibbard for a ferry, 1799,
Statement favoring De Forrest, 1799,
CONCORD.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a guard, 1747, .....
Decision of Lords Justices, relative to Bow controversy
1755' . • •
Petition for incorporation, 1764, ....
Petition of Moses Eastman for a ferry, 1767,
Petition of John Alerrill for a ferry, 1773,
Summons to Daniel and John Chase, 1777, .
Petition of citizens of Canterbury to be annexed to Con
cord, .........
Petition relative to same. 17S4, ....
Petition to be annexed to Hillsborough county, 17S5,
Petition of Lemuel Tucker for a ferry, 17S5,
Petition relative to representative, 17S6,
Petition for a surveyor of potash, 17S7,
Statement relative to settlement witli Bow, 17SS,
Petition for charter for Concord bridge, 1795,
Petition for charter for Federal bridge, 1795,
Petition for grant of a township, 1796, .
Petition of William Walker, concerning muster-roll
'753' •
Soldier's certificate, 1776,
Petition of Ezekiel Carter, soldier, 1778,
Receipt, Sarah Pitts, soldier's wife, 1782,
Petition of Jonathan Elliot, soldier, 1785,
CONWAY.
Introduction, .....
Vote of town-meeting, 1773,
Petition for a magistrate, 1769,
3S3
3S4
3S5
386
386
3S7
3S7
38S
3S9
3S9
390
390
392
396
398
398
399
399
400
400
401
401
403
403
404
405
406
406
406
407
407
40S
408
409
409
410
GENERAL CONTENTS.
List of ratable polls, 1773, ....
Statement relative to delinquent proprietors, i77''5
Petition to be annexed to StralTord county, 1778?
Concerning^ authority of civil ofticers, i779'
Petition relative to taxes, defence of frontier, etc., 17S0
Petition for help to build a road to Coos,
Petition relative to defence of the frontiers, 1781,
Statement relative to raising men for the armys 17S1,
Petition relative to refugees from the frontier, 17S1,
Petition relative to a bridge over East Branch, 1781,
Petition of Stephen Coffin for a ferry, .
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Town inventories, 1779-1783,
Petition for abatement of taxes, 1784^ •
Deposition of Nathaniel Merrill, surveyor, 1784
Statement concerning freshet of 1785, .
Estimate of losses caused by same.
Petition relative to representative, 17S6,
Petition relative to forming a new county, 17915
Petition relative to class for representative, 1791,
Petition relative to small-pox, 1792,
Petition for annexation of several " Locations," 1799,
Petition for incorporation of the Baptist Society, 1800
Remonstrance to same, ....
Deposition concerning same.
Action of town, and certificate of selectmen,
Petition of Nathaniel Hutchins, soldier, 1781,
Roll of Lieut. Walker's scouts, 17S1, .
Bill for supplies to same, ....
Petition of Benjamin Heath, soldier, 1784, .
419,
410
411
412
412
413
414
415
4'5
417
417
418
419
420
420
421
421
422
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
431
432
432
CORNISH.
Introduction, .......
Enlistment papers, 1780, .....
Cornishmen at Saratoga, i777' . . • .
Statement of General Chase concerning frontier, 17S1
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Documents relative to Vermont Controversy, 1782,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1782,
Certificate of town-clerk, .....
Protest against action of town-meeting,
Deposition of Matthias Stone, ....
Deposition of Nathaniel Curtice, ....
Deposition of Wm. Pain and Eleazer Jackson,
Deposition of Wm. Ripley and Francis Smith, .
Deposition of Nathaniel Stone, ....
Deposition relative to proceedings of town-meeting.
433
434
434
4^5
436
436-449
437
438
438
43 8
439
440
441
442
442
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXI
Deposition of Chapman and Stone,
Selectmen's statement, ......
Representation of committee of inhabitants, .
Petition rehitive to representative, 17S2,
Memorial of Dudley Chase, .....
Petition of selectmen. 17S3, .....
Petition of Moses Chase for allowance, 17S4,
Deposition of Daniel Putnam relative to ferry, 1784,
Memorial of General Chase. . ....
Petition for magistrate, 17S6, ....
Statement relative to Vermont Controversy, 17S6,
Petition for a poll parish. 17SS, ....
Objection to same, ......
Vote relative to ministerial rates, 17SS,.
Documents relative to Nathaniel Curtice, soldier, .
Petition of Andrew Wilkins, soldier, 1794, .
Petition for a lottery to purchase a medical library.
Petition of Gen. Chase for charter for a canal from Con
necticut river to Merrimack river, 1794.
Petition of Gen. Chase for charter for toll-bridge, .
Petition of Episcopal church for incorporation, 1794,
Petition relative to glebe land, 1795,
Petition relative to removal oi' dead bodies, 1796, .
Petition for incorporation of library, 1797, .
Petition for incorporation of Congregational church
179S, ._ _. . .. ^. . . • . •
Roll of militia companv in Cornish, 1776,
Return of soldiers, 1777, .....
443
444
445
447
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
456
457
457
458
458
459
460
460
461
461
463
463
CROYDON.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a re-grant of the town,
Petition of Mary How, 177S, ....
Petition relative to representative, 1779,
Petition relative to town-meeting, 17S3,
Petition relative to inventory of 1779, .
Proceedings of town-meeting, 1786,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17SS, .
Petition relative to election of representatives, 1793,
Return of ratable polls, 1799, ....
Petition relative to soldiers, 1783, ....
Town claims a soldier, ......
Return of a soldier, 1777, .....
Muster-roll of Croydon men at vSaratoga, 1777,
Soldiers' enlistment papers. 17S0,
463
463
464
465
466
467
468
46S
469
469
470
471
471
471
472
XXll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
DALTON.
Introduction, ........ 472
Petition for a division of the town, 17S3, . . . 473
Consent of proprietors to foregoing, 17S3, . . . 474
Petition of Moses Blake for a ferry, 1791, . . . 474
Selectmen of Littleton recommend the same, . . 474
Selectmen of Lancaster recommend the same, . . 475
Walter Bloss recommends the same, .... 475
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1792, . . 476
Petition of Walter Bloss for a ferry, 1799, . . . 477
DANBURY.
Introduction, ........ 477
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1796, . . 478
DANVILLE.
Introduction, ........ 479
Statement relative to inventorv, 1777, .... 479
Petition of Mary Fellows, 1 77S, 480
Petition relative to election of representative, 1779, . 480
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ..... 4S1
Vote relative to annexation of Poplin people, 17S2, . 481
Petition for a magistrate, 17S5, ..... 482
Petition for an issue of paper money, 17S6, . . . 482
DEERFIELD.
Introduction, ........ 483
Vote for assessing a tax to build a meeting-house, 1770, 4S4
Nominations for magistrates, 1776, .... 4S4
Statement relative to a counterfeiter, 1775, . . . 484
Lieut. Hilton enrolled for half pay, 1778, . . . 4S5
Petition of Israel Clifford about a soldier, i779i • • 4^5
Petition of Dr. Edmund Chadwick, 17S0, . . . 4S6
Petition of selectmen relative to a soldier, i779i • • 4S6
Deposition of Amos Morrill, ..... 486
Petition of Nathan Sanborn, soldier, I'jS^,, . . . 487
Petition of Capt. Simon Marston, 178^, . . . 487
Soldier's certificate, ....... 488
Petition for an issue of paper money, 17S6, . . . 488
Surveyor's certificate, 17S6, ...... 489
Referees' report concerning lot No. 25, . . . 489
Petition for the incorporation of a school, 1799, . . 490
DEERING.
Introduction, ........ 490
Letter, Nenian Aiken to Col. Moor, 1775, . . . 491
Letter of transmittal of the foregoing, .... 491
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXIU
Statement concei'nin^ one Mrs. Hogg, 17S0, . . 491
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ..... 492
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S3, . v 492
Petition relative to laying out a road, 17S3, . . . 493
Petition for a committee to locate a meeting-house, 17S4, 494
Report of said committee, . . . . . . 494
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S5, . . 40)5
Petition relative to tax on land annexed to Weare, 17S71 49^
CertiHcate relative to same, ...... 496
Petition relative to a road, i794i ..... 497
Petition for incorporation of librar}', 17971 • • • 497
DORCHESTER.
Introduction, ....
Names of proprietors, 1771,
Petition relative to state tax, 1779''
Inventory of i777'
Petition relative to state tax, 17S3,
Petition relative to state tax, 17S6,
Petition for a magistrate.
Petition for abatement of taxes.
Petition relative to representative, 1791
Petition for change of date of annual n
eeting,
498
498
499
500
501
502
503
503
504
505
Introduction, ........ 506
Precept for the election of assemblymen, 1694, . . 506
Thomas Edgerley's acknowledgment, .... 507
Return of assemblymen, 1695, ..... 507
Return of assemblymen, 1697, ..... 508
Lists of inhabitants. 1715, ..... 50S, 509
Petition of Dr. Alden, concerning sick soldier, 1724, . 509
Deposition of vSamuel Tebbitts, . . . . . 510
Remonstrance to a division of the town, 1729, . . 510
Action of legislature on the foregoing, . , . 511
Statement relative to boundary line between Dover and
Oyster river parish, 1731, . . . . . 512
Relative to a parish in the west part, 1743, . . . 513
Gov. Wentworth's order to Maj. Davis. 1744, . . 514
Petition of Salathiel Denbo, sailor, 1730, . . . 514
Petition of Eleazer Young, Jr., soldier, 1744, . . 514
Warrant for town-meeting, 1745, ..... 515
Proceedings of same. ....... 515
Sunnnons to assemblymen, 174^, . . . . . 517
Statement concerning election of representatives, i745' 5^7
Parish rates, 1753, ...... 51S-522
Depositions relative to Israel Peirce, soldier, 1753, . 5^2
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Description of plan, ....
Warrant for town-meeting, 1754, .
Petition of west part to be set off, ^75^t
Action of legislature on fore^-oing
Request for calling a town-meeting, 17^4,
Action of said meeting.
Petition of Capt. John Titcomb, soldier,
Petition relative to assemblymen, iJ^J,
Petition of Samuel Wentworth, soldier, 1759,
Petition of Joseph Hall, soldier, 17^9,
Petition of Capt. Samuel Gerrish, soldier,
Petition of Ichabod Bussey, soldier, 1761,
Statement relative to Madbury affairs, 176S,
Statement relative to bridges. 1772,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1770, .
Action of town-meeting relative to bridge, 1770,
Warrant for town meeting, 1770, .
Action of said meeting.
Petition relative to said bridge, 1770,
Copy of record of the laying out of a road in 1711,
Depositions relative to same,
Petition of selectmen relative to the bridge, T773,
Joanna Chase's receipt for beef, 177S, .
Receipts of several soldiers, 1779,
Report of committee to hire soldiers, T7S3,
Petition of widow of a soldier wdio fell in battle,
Petition of Moses Ham, collector of taxes, 17S2,
Petition for a lottery, 17S6,
Relative to navigation and port act, 17S6,
Petition of Elisha Thomas for reprieve. 17SS,
Petition for reprieve of sentence of Elisha Thoma
Ladies' petition for same, ....
Petition of Col. Titcomb, 1790,
Petition of Ebenezer Tebbitts, soldier, .
Petition of Levans and Chandler, soldiers, 179
Petition for a lottery, 1791, ....
Petition for incorporation of a library, 1792,
Record of a meeting of the librarv society, i'/^2,
Petition for a law against billiard-playing,
539'
523
524
524
526
526
5^7
528
529
529
530
5 so
531
532
533
534
534
535
536
537
53^
S40
541
541
542
542
543
543
544
546
547
54S
549
549
550
550
55-^
553
553
554
Introduction, ........ 555
Bill for soldiers' pa}', 17S1, . . . . . . 556
Soldiers' orders, 177S-17S1, ..... 556
Petition of Abigail Bates, soldier's widow% 177S' • 557
Petition of Bartholomew Gover, soldier, 1792, . . ^^y
Certificate of Col. George Reid, ..... 558
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXV
DUNBARTON.
Introduction, .......
Request for powder, 177^' .....
Answer to same, .......
Statement relative to confiscated estates, 177S,
Soldiers' receipts, 1777'' ^77^' ....
Petition of John Hogg relative to soldiers, 177S,
Soldiers' orders, 17S1, 17S4, ....
Petition of John Hogg relative to school lot, i779'
Letter, Robert Smith to general court, 1781,
Petition relative to Stark and Stinson, 17S5,
Petition for a coroner, 17S7, ....
Petition for change of date of annual meeting, 1791?
558
559
559
559
560
s6o
561
562
563
564
565
565
DURHAM.
Introduction, .....
Answer to Oyster river petition, 1715,
Rev. Hugh Adams's complaint.
Rev. Hugh Adams's petition, 1740.
Sherift"'s warrant against the town, i743^
Warrant for town-meeting, 1743, .
Action of said meeting, i743i
Warrant for town-meeting, 1743, •
Action of said meeting.
Petition of Daniel Meder, 1744,
Petition for a grant of land, 1749,
Petition of Dr. Samuel Adams, for an allowance fo
treating soldiers for scarlet fever,
Petition of Hercules Mooney,
Proceedings of town-meeting, i755i
Petition relative to line between Durham and Notting
ham, ........
Petition of Jonathan Bunker, soldier, 1757, .
Petition of George Barns, soldier, 1 761,
Petition of Hercules Mooney, 1761,
Petition of John Lavn, soldier, 1761,
Petition of Thomas Tash, soldier, 1761,
Petition of Benjamin Mooney, soldier, 1762,
Proceedings of town-meeting relative to division,
Petition for division of the town, 1765,
Account of blankets furnished soldiers, I'J'JS,
Petition of David Copps, soldier, 1777,
Town account for bounties, 177S.
Valentine Mathes's account for supplies, i779'
Other accounts for same, 1779-1782,
Soldier's certificate, 17S6, .....
566
566
56S
572
.573
574
574
574
575
575
576
577
57^
579
579
580
5S1
5S1
5S1
582
582
5S4
5S6
5^7
588
5^9
5S9
590
590
XXVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, . . . . . 501
Soldier's certificate, 17S6, . . . . . . rg£
Odiorne's request to be appointed commander of the
fort at New Castle, 17S6, ...... 503
Petition of inhabitants relative to a road, 1793, . . 593
Petition against a change of the road, 1792, . . 594
Petition of Sarah Adams, ...... 1^96
EAST KINGSTON.
Introduction, ........ ^g6
Soldiers in the army, i77^' ..... 597
Petition for a separate military company, 1777, • • 597
Petition relative to a militia regiment, 17S4, . . 598
Appointment and report of a committee on boundary
line, 1797, 179S, 600
Introduction, ........
Petition to have the boundary line established between
this town and Tamworth, 17SS, . . . .
Petition relative to said line, 17S9, ....
Petition for authority to tax non-residents.
Petition for I'atification of town-meeting, 1793,
Petition for annexation to the town of several grants,
^795'
EFFINGHAM.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a road, 177S, .....
Petition relative to a road through Wakefield, 177S,
Petition relative to same, 17S4, ....
Vote relative to paper money, 1786,
Statement relative to taxes, 17S6, ....
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S9, .
ENFIELD.
Introduction, .......
Relative to a convention at Hanover, 1777, .
Return of draft in Capt. Lasell's company, 1777,
Return of men in the army, 1777,
Petition for an incorporation, 1778,
Petition for an incorporation, 1779,
Report of committee on town lines, 1781,
Retm-n of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Petition for repeal of the '' Relhan charter," 17S3,
Petition for abatement of taxes, 17S3,
Petition for repeal of the " Relhan charter," 17S3,
600
601
601
602
602
603
604
605
605
606
607
608
609
610
610
611
611
611
612
613
613
614
614
614
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXVll
Petition relative to doomage, r7^4' .... 6115
Statement relative to the burning of a liouse, 17S4, . 616
Vote relative to issuing paper money, 17S6, . . 616
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 616
Petition relative to lotting the township, 1747, . . 617
Petition relative to building a meeting-house, 1747, . 61S
Report of money raised for ministerial purposes, 1749, 619
Vote relative to laying out a road, 1747, . . . 620
Petition of Jonathan Folsom, soldier, 1756, • . 620
Soldiers' receipts for guns, 177^, .... 621
Petition of Abraham Brown, soldier, 1775, . • . 621
Petition of John VVadleigh, soldier. 1775, . . . 621
Petition of vSamuel Prescott, soldier, 17S0, . . . 622
Soldiers' orders, 1 7S I, ...... 622,623
Petition relative to raising men for the army, 17S0, . 623
Petition relative to Newmarket bridge, 17S0, . . 624
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ..... 625
Petitions for appointment of William Plumer, 17S5, 625,626
Petitions for appointment of David Lawrence, . . 627
Petitions in favor of Nathaniel Rogers for sherifi', 179^? 62S
EPSOM.
Introduction, .....
Relative to John Dwyer, soldier, i779'
Epsom men in first regiment. 1 777-1 7S0,
Petition of Maj. Amos Morrill. 17S0, .
Petition of Capt. Michael McClary, 17S0,
Petition of Wevmouth Wallis, soldier, 1790
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Certificate of nails made, 1791,
Petition relative to road from Concord to Dur
ham,
628
629
629
630
630
631
631
632
632
ERROL.
Introduction, . . ...
Petition for a renewal of the grant, 17S9,
Joshua Heath's account for making roads, ijSg,
Petition for confirmation of the grant, 1791,
Action of legislature on the foregoing, i79'i
Petition relative to proprietors' clerk, 1798,
63.3
633
635
635
637
6^3
EXETER.
Introduction, ....
Soldiers quartered in town, 1693,
Return of assemblymen, 1692, 1694,
639
640
640
XXVlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Precept for election of assemblymen, 1691^, .
Capt. Kinsley Hall's pay-roll, 1696,
Account of wages paid soldiers, 1696,
Petition of Richard Hilton for a ferry, 1700,
Remonstrance to a division of the town, 1701,
Relatiye to a sloop imjDressed, 1710,
Billy Dudley's account, 1709, ....
Petition relative to cutting timber, 1713,
Petition relative to children captured by Indians, .
Assessment on trades and incomes, 1731,
Warrant for seizure of lumber, 17,^9, .
Petition of George Creighton, soldier, 1746,
Petition of Dr. Oilman, Cape Breton expedition, 1741^
Petition of Capt. Ladd, soldier, 1747, .
Inventory of Maj. Oilman's loss at Fort William
Henry, 1757,
Petition of Dr. Lamson, taken prisoner by Indians,
Statement relative to town-meeting, 175^
Statement relative to pay of assemblyman, 177^, .
Petition of Peter Coffin, concerning his son, 1776,
Statement relative to some salt, hoarded, 1776,
Statement relative to appointment of a magistrate, 1776
Petition of Adjutant Elliot, 177S, . . . .
Petition of Richard Jordon relative to paper-mill, 177S,
Petition of inhabitants concerning parish rates, 1779,
Account for supplies to soldiers' families, 17S3, .
Col. Jeremiah Oilman's petition, 17S2,
Petition of Martha, widow of Oen. Poor, 17S1,
Petition of Thomas Haines, 17S5,
Petition of Nicholas Nicholle. 1790,
Petition relative to Phillips Exeter Academy, 17S3,
Statement concerning Nicholas Oilman's donation, 1785
Statement concerning Newmarket bridge, 17S6, .
Petition relative to fire-wards, 1787,
Vote of the Society of the Cincinnati, 1793, .
Petition for incorporation of a library, 1797, .
641
642
643
644
645
645
646
646
647
648
648
649
6^0
650
651
652
653
655
654
654
6^6
6sS
659
660
661
663
663
664
664
666
66j
668
669
669
FITZWILLIAM.
Introduction, .......
Memoiial of Sampson vStoddard against the incor
tion of the town, 176S, ....
Petition for the incorporation of the town, 1773,
Petition of Abigail, wife of Capt Clayes,
Petition of Oen James Reed, 17S0,
Biographical notice of Gen. Reed,
Soldiers' orders, etc., .....
Physicians' certificate relative to Oen. Reed, 1786
pora-
670
670
671
671
672
673
674
^75
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXIX
Petition of Sylvanus Reed, soldier, 17S6,
Town instructions to their representative, 17S3,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S9,
Petition of Gen. James Reed,
Petition for incorporation of library, 1797, .
675
675
679
679
6S0
FRANCESTOWN.
Introduction, ......
Soldiers' orders, 1778, ....
Petition of Nathaniel Boyd, soldier, 17S3,
Certificates of bounties due, 1782, .
Petition for a ministerial tax, 1772,
Petition relative to militia officers, i775'
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for a new town,
680
681
681
682
682
6S3
6S4
6S4
FRANCONIA.
Introduction, ......
Petition of the Morristown grantees, 1793?
Petition of the Morristown grantees.
Petition relative to boundaries, etc., 179O1
Petition for help to build a road, 1790? •
Receipt for taxes, 1795,
Town inventories, 1778 to 1782, .
Petition of Morristown grantees, 1798, .
685
686
688
690
692
694
694
695
FREMONT.
Introduction, ........
James Dockham's discharge, 1780,
Soldiers' orders, .......
Election of delegates to provincial congress, i775'
Statement of Enoch 13rovvn relative to same, 1776,
Statement relative to aforenamed election, 1776,
Enoch Brown cliosen justice of the peace, 1776,
Petition to be joined with Hawke for parochial
poses, 1782, .....
Report of committee on the same, 17S3,
Vote consenting to said annexation, 17S3,
Remonstrance to foregoing, .
Consent of town to same,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Statement relative to representative, 1785,
Recommendation for magistrate, 17851 •
Petition for relief from grievances stated, 1786,
pur
696
696
697
697
698
698
699
700
701
701
701
702
703
703
703
704
XXX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
APPENDIX.
Documents relative to service done in the French war
by the Qiiakers of Dover, Durham, Madbury, Roch-
ester, Barrington, and Somersworth, .... 709
Letter — Col. Theodore Atkinson to Mr. Fisher, 176S, . 712
Proclamation to the insurgents in Cheshire and Grafton
counties, Jan. 13, 17S3, ...... 715
Letter — Col. Seth Warner, sent by express to alarm the
people of the approach of the enemy, 1777, . . 719
Roll of Capt. William Barron's Co., Canada, 1776, . 720
Documents relative to charter records, . , . 721, 723
Letter — Gen Sullivan to legislature, 1788, . . . 731
Letter — Gov. John Wentworth to Gen. Sullivan, 17S7, 732
Action of legislature, 17SS, ...... 732
Documents relative to boundaries of several towns in
Grafton county, 17S0-1793, .... 723-731
Petition for appointment of a committee to settle said
boundaries, 17S0, ....... 733
Vote of convention relative to same, 1779, • . . 734
Petition of proprietors of Canaan, 1781, . . . 735
Convention of township agents. 17S1, .... 736
Memorial of Jonathan Moulton, 1781, .... 727
Petition of proprietors, 17S3, ..... 737
Petition of proprietors, 1793, ..... 738
Report of committee on the boundaries of Orford, Rinn-
ney, Warren, Campton, Plymouth, Wentworth, Pier-
mont, ......... 739, 730
Col. Benjamin Sumner's scheme to secure an alliance
with the Lidians in Canada, iSoo, .... 73^^
Documents printed \\\ fac-sitnile :
First constitution of New Hai"rtpshire, 1776.
Proclamation declaring the same to be in force.
Amended constitution of 1779, which was rejected by
the people.
Index of towns, places, etc , ..... 74i~745
Index intended to contain the name of every person
mentioned in the volume, with reference to every
page on which it occurs, ..... 747-812
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
J^^EW HAMPSHIEE
Early Town Papers,
ACWORTH
This town was first granted by Gov. Banning Wentworth,
Dec. 28, 1752, to Col. Sampson Stoddard, of Chelmsford,
Mass., and sixty-nine others, by the name of Burnet, prob-
ably in honor of Gov. William Burnet. At this time white
people could not live safely in this vicinity at any great dis-
tance from the fort at No. 4, now Charlestown, on account
of the Indians ; and the town, with others, was probably
granted by Gov. Wentworth with a view of asserting New
Hampshire's claim to the territory, which was also claimed
by Massachusetts, and at that time in dispute. No attempt
was made to settle under this grant, and it was regranted,
Sept. 19, 1766, to Col. Stoddard and sixty-four others, by the
name of Acworth, probably in honor of the governor's friend,
Lord Acworth, of England.
In 1767, three young men from Connecticut — William
Keyes, Joseph Chatterton, and Samuel Smith — located here,
and commenced clearing farms. The grant of 1766, being
forfeited by the non-fulfilment of some of its provisions, was
extended by Gov. John Wentworth, May 30, 1772, and was
bounded as follows: "Beginning at a stake and stones &
runs North two degrees West six miles and an half to a
stake and stones, the South West corner of Unity, from
thence running East by the needle five miles & three quar-
ters to a stake & stones, from thence South by the needle
six miles & an half to a stake & stones, from thence West
by the needle five miles & f to the bounds first mentioned."
Documents relating to the matter may be found in Town
Papers, vol. 9.
In 1772 the town contained fourteen houses.
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[i*] S^Reasofts for not ■wa7tting to be Classed for Representa-
tive^ and Vote of Town.']
The reasons why we do not join with Towns of Unity, Ac-
woth, Lemster, Saville, Croydin & Newport as we did the last
year in chusing a Representative is this : viz : then we Sup-
posed they was to act only upon the present Exigencies of the
Government, but now the case is much altered, the Honour-
able Contintal Congress has declared their independence of
Great Britain therefore we think that the present assembly has
not taken right methods in issuing out their precepts for the
choice of Representatives and Counsellors for the year Ensu-
ing, for in the first place they have as to Representatives in
Some incorporated Towns allowed two or three representatives,
to others they have joined five or six towns togather, whereas
we think every incorporated town ought to be represented by
themselves. Then as to Consellors in one Conty they have or-
dered five, in Some others two, and in one County but one,
which we Look upon not according to liberty, for as this State
is but one body we think they ought to be Chose by the people
at large, and also they have ordered that neither of these Shall
have a Seat in the assembly without they have Real estate to
the value of two hundred pound Lawful money, whereas we
think every Lawfull elector is a Subject to be elected.
Voted that the above resons be Sent to the Covmsell and as-
sembly of this State which is to Convene togather at Exeter the
third Wednesday of this instant and that the town Clerk Shal
Sign it inbehalf of the town. This done at a Legal town meet-
ing.
Acwoth December 9'^ A D 1 776
Tho= Putnam Mod""
A true Coppy attest Sam'^ Silsby town Clerk.
[2] [ Certificate of non-receipt of Precept by the Selectmen.']
To Whome it may Conciern.
This may Sertifey that there wase No precept Come to us or
to this town So fare as we know to rais one of the New Emmis-
ion taxes for the year 1781 also one of the specie taxes & there
wase no act come to us or to this town to rais aney beef in the
year 1781.
attest Daniel Grout [ Select
acworth febu'^' ye 12* 17S1 Isaac Foster J men.
* The number at the commencement of each article refers to the page of the manuscript
volume from which it is copied.
ACWORTH.
[3] \_Petition of John Duncan^ in behalf of the Tozvn.']
To to Hon"*^ the Counsil & House of Representatives for the
State of Newhampshire Convened at Exeter Feb"^ 2&^ 1783-
The petition of John Dvnican of Ackworth in said State in be-
half of said town Humbly Sheweth.
That Wheras your Petitioner finds That there is an Extent
issued against Said Town for nonpayment of a New Emmision
Tax for the year 1781 as also for a specie Tax for the Same
year Likewise for a Beef Tax for that year, for all which your
Petitioner beg Leave to inform the Hon*"^ Counsil that we never
Received an}- Precept for assessing any of said Taxes : as will
more fully appear by a Certificate under the Hands of the Sel-
lectmen of Said Town.
Wherefore your Petitioner prays That new preceipts may
Issue to the Sellectmen of Said Town for the assessment of the
above said Taxes and as in Duty Bound Shall pray.
John Duncan.
■^j TT_ [ In the house of Representatives Feb. 26"^ 17S3
Upon Reading & considering the foregoing Petition Voted
that the praver thereof be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence.
John Dudley Speaker.
In Council the same day read and Concurred
E Thompson Secy.
[4] \_Memorial of John Duncan relative to Taxes of iy8i.'\
To the Hon**' the Council & House of Representatives for
the State of Newhampshire Convened at Concord on the third
wensday of December 1783. The memoriel of John Duncan in
behalf of The Town of Acworth in Said State humbly Sueth
That your memorialest on Feb'^^ ye 2&-^ 1 783 Did Petition the
Hon"'* Court Laving before them the Dificulties we Labor under
in having Extents isoued against Said Town : when we Never
had aney act or Precept to inable the Selectmen to asses the
Town in vSaid tax.
One New Emmision tax for the year 1781 also a Specie tax
for the Same year Likewise for a Beef tax for the Same year,
all that your memorialest then praid for wase to heave the pres-
ent Selectmen inabled to asses the town in the above three taxes
all which wear granted, as will apair Reference being had as to
4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the above petition which is Now in heand & we proceeded ac-
cordingly & ordered the Colector to pay unto the tresurar of
Said State the three aforesaid taxes but altho we heave Colected
State Securities to pay Said beef tax with interest according to
Law yet the treshurar says he is Not wilHng to discount Said
tax untill we fetch a resolve of Cort to inable him to take the
State Securities in Lu of the beef & if this resolve is Not gi^ant-
ed to us we shal be obledged to take the State Securites from
the Colector & rais another tax in Specie to pay for the beef
tho we Never had aney pour to rais it which we are in Now
ways able to do at Present altho our wills weare ever so good.
Therefore we pray your Honors to take our Case into your
wise consideration & grant us Releef and as in duty bound Shall
Ever pray.
Acworth Dec°" ye 13* 17S3.
John Duncan
[5] \_Petitlo7i for the Right to Tax Non-residents for Re-
pair of Highxvays^ etc.']
State of New Hamp ) To the Hon. the Council & House of
Ches'^'' ss. j Representatives in Genneral Assembly
at Concord Convened.
The petition of us inhabitants of Lemster, Unity and Ac-
worth humbly Shews that your petitioners Living in a hill
country where there is several Large Streams to Bridge and
Roads to be made and maintained at a Verry Great cost and
charge Several of which is made through large tracts of Un-
improved lands the Owners of S'^ lands must Reap Great ad-
vantage by our labor in advancing their interest yet they are
freed by law from aney tax to highways whil your Petitioners
Unimproved lands is Subjected thereto which is Surely unjust
and opressive.
Wherefore we pray your Honners to take the matter under
your wise consideration and Grant us Relief!' by Passing an
Act that S"^ Unimproved lands pay their proportion of all High-
way taxes, otherwise that Roads and Bridges may be made and
maintained through Unimproved Lands at the Charge of the
Owners or in Such other way as to your hon** may appear just
&c and your Petitionars as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
pray
John Duncan
in behalf of the petitioners.
ACWOKTH.
[6] \_Selectmen''s Petitiojt abo7it Beef^ iy86.~\
Acworth June ye i 1786
To the Hon^' the Senate and House of Representatives Con-
vened at Concord The first v^'ednesday in June instant
The Petition of the Select men of Acw^orth in behalf of said
Town Humbly Sueth that in obedience to an act of Law Passed
in this State the 27* of June 1780 calling on the Towns to fur-
nish the States Collector with beef for the use of the army And
on delivering S*^ beef & taking the Collectors recpt for The same
(which is to S"^ Acworth 3,415 pounds) we should be Creted
for the Same in the Next years tax of NewEmision According-
ly we Delivered 3425 pounds of beef and prodused Our Recpts
to the Tresurar But he tels us that the Collector Did not Return
aney But 1925 pounds of beef and he will not Give us Credet
without an order from this Hon" Cort and as we in obedience
to your Hon""* did deliver the full Sum of 3425 Pounds of Beef
as doth apear by Recpts Now in hand and Likewise John Hub-
bard Esq'''* Testemony Theirfore We pray your Honers to take
our Case into your Serious Consideration and as we are not to
be accontabl for the Neglect of the States Collector in not Re-
turning all the Beef he Collected, theirfore we Trist your Hon-
ers will Direct the Treshurar to Give us Credet for all the Beef
we delivered and for the Remendar of the beef more than setls
the Newemision tax we desier To have it Reducted from the
Beef we ow in the Next year which is the year 1781 or aney
other w^ay in your wisdoms you shall think proper and we as in
duty bound Shall Ever pray.
John Duncan I g^jj^^^
[The allowance was granted. — Ed,]
Daniel Grout ,
Amos Kiyes )
[7] S^Petition for Authority to Tax Non-resident Lands.'\
Acworth September 18"^ 1787
To the honorable Senate and house of Representatives now
sitting at Charlestown. The petition of James Camj^bell in be-
half of the inliabitants of the town of Acworth Humbly Shcweth
That your Petitioner has been at great Expences in repairing
roads and Building a Meeting-house which has greatly Increased
the value of lands belonging to Nonresidents, Granting this to
be the Case your honors will Conclude they Ought to contribute
6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a small moity to defray the Charges that has or may arise. And
we are further incouraged to ask, and expect your honors hear-
ing and Assistance, as we had one bridge over Cold river burnt
with fire, And another Carried oft' by Water, the buttmans of
which cost us Sixty pounds, as we have been great Sufferers,
therefore we pray your honors to consider our case and Grant
that we may be enabled to asses and Collect Two pence on the
acre of all lands lying in said Acworth belonging to Nonres-
ident Owners. And we as in duty bound Shall ever pray.
James Campbell in behalf of the
inhabitants of the town of Acworth.
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 21, 1787. The matter was consid-
ered, and a hearing ordered for the next session ; but I fail
to find any record of anything done in the matter at that
session. — Ed.]
To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire.
The Petition of Matthew Wallace of Acworth humbly Shew-
eth that he was commited to Goal in Keene the tenth day of June
last and not being able to pay the contents of the Execution —
the Honorable the Justice of the Superior Court in October last
admited him to the Oath prescribed in an Act entitled an act
for the ease and relief of Prisoners for Debt and ever since your
Petitioner hath been and is now detained in the Goal in Keene
aforesaid by his Merceliss creditor — and that your Petitioner
hath a large family of small children who are in a suffering con-
dition even for the Necessaries of life and your Petitioner in his
present situation can afford no relief which mvist be peculiarly
depressing to a Husband and a father and more easily felt than
described — and your Petitioner is worth nothing and never like
to be in his present situation and without a friend to pay the
Debt and no one to Shew mercy to him in that way — Wherefore
he most earnestly prays that this Honble court would pass an
act to relieve poor prisoners in this Situation after they have
paid the uttermost farthing that creditors may not be suffered to
triumph in the distress of an honest Debter and in the entire
destruction and Deaths of his Wife and Children
and as in Duty bound will ever pray.
Keene prison June ye i^' day 1792
[8] ^ Matthew W^allace.
ALBANY.
ALBANY.
This town was granted by Gov. B. Wentworth, Nov. 6,
1766, to Clement March and sixty-three others, seven of
whom bore the name of Senter. Among the first settlers
were Orlando Weed, Jeremiah Oilman, and Benjamin Knowles.
A dispute about the line between this town and Tarn worth
was settled by a committee, consisting of Simeon Olcott of
Charlestown, Josiah Little of Newbury, Mass., and Russell
Freeman of Hanover, who were appointed for that purpose
in 1796. They employed Henry Gerrish, surveyor. Henry
Weed acted as agent for Burton ; and the line was run in
December of that year.
Burton was severed from Grafton county, and annexed to
Strafford, November 27, 1800.
By an act approved July 2, 1833, the name of the town
was changed to Albany.
[9] \_Petition to have a Meeting called to choose Toivri Offi-
cers^ I78§.'\
To the Hon''''^ the Senate & House of Representatives for the
State of Newhampshire Humbly Shews. The inhabatance of
Burton in Said State that they are annualy Called upon for
State taxes That they have no officers to asses or Collect Said
Taxes and they know not of any way to obtain a meeting with-
out great cost "& trouble there being no Justice of the Peace for
Said County within more than forty miles of said Burton.
Wherefore we Pray the Hon''''' Court to appoint Some Person
in or near Said Burton to Notifie & call a meeting of the Inhab-
atance of Said Burton for the Purpose of Chooseing all neces-
sary Town officers so as they may be enabled Legally to assess
and collect Said taxes & transact other necessary Business of said
Town and as in duty bound Shall ever pray.
Burton June i8"'"'i785
Joseph Crosby Elisha Weed Isaac George
Benjaman Crosby Ezekiel Gilman Nathaniel Head
Orlando Weed Hanery Allard
Nathaniel Hayford Benjamin Mead
[10] \_Petitio7i of Selectmen about Taxes^ iy88.~\
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire.
The petition of the Selectmen of Burton in behalf of Said
Town humbl3' sheweth that there were Precepts sent to the
8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Town of Burton for Taxes in the year 1784 & in 1785 there
being at that Time only seven Families in the Town & they
chiefly very poor and no Town meeting had ever been held in
the Town, neither were they qualified to hold any and had they
been able to pay a Tax it covild not be collected. In the year
17S6 the Town petition'd the General Court to ennable them to
collect Taxes should any more be sent, the Prayer of which
Petition w^as granted and David Oilman Esq"" was impower'd
to call a meeting in said Town, which he did the same year,
since which time we have assesed such Taxes as have been
sent to us for, and ai"e willing to pay the same, but are of opin-
ion that it is not in the power of the Town to pay the aforesaid
two years Taxes as they remain fev\^ in number and in general
very poor and your Petitioners therefore pray that the Honor-
able Court will abate the Town of the above mentioned two
years Taxes and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever
Pray.
Burton November 5* 17SS.
Benjamin Meed ] Select
Orlando Weed j men.
[11] \_Petition in favor of Benjamin Weeks ^ iy8Q.'\
To His Excellency the President and the Honb' his Council
Humbly Sheweth the Inhabitants of Burton in the County of
Grafton that they Labour under many defecaultys for the want
of a Justice of the Peace being appointed in Said town as there
is no Justice of the Peace within and for Said County within
fifteen miles of us where we Inhabit and our tow^n business is
done, we would therefore Recomend Benjamin Weeks of Said
Burton as a Suitable Person to be appointed to that office, or
some other Suitable Person in said Burton as your Exellency
and Honour Shall See fit and your Petitioners as in duty Bound
pray.
Burton April 17S9.
Orlando Weed Nathaniel Head. Theophelus Brown.
Benjamin Meed. Nathaniel Hayford. Caleb Brown.
Levi Rundlet. Elisher Weed. Isaac George.
Orlando Weed Jr. Ezekiel Oilman. Jei'e. Oilman.
Daniel Head. Ambros Hinds Joseph Crosbe.
[12] \_Petition to be severed fro?n Grafton^ atid annexed
to Strafford Cojinty^ 1800.^
To the Hon*"'"^ the Learslature of the State of New-Hamp-
shire convened at Concord on the first Wednesday of Jvuie A.
D. 1800.
ALEXANDRIA. g
The Petition of the inhabitants of Burton in the County of
Grafton, hiunbly Sheweth, that the God of nature has so formed
a Chain of Mountains as to cut us of from all convenient com-
munication Avith said County of Grafton, & we have to travel
a large distance through the County of Strafford, to get to any
Court that is, or ever will, be holden in Said Countv of Grafton,
we have withheld this Petition for several years, thinking there
would be a new arangement in Counties, & did not wish to give
your Honor any trouble in the matter but we see no likelyhood
of any olteration taking place in the Counties, therefore we pray
your Honor to take the matter under your wise consideration &
annex us to the County of Strafford, & your Petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray. This by a unanimous Vote in
Town Meeting.
Orlando Weed. ^ o i ^
T 1 r^i f Selectmen
ohn L-hase. r c r,
V .1 • 1 T^ 1 t ot Burton.
Aathaniei Knowles j
[Granted by act of the legislature, passed November 27,
1800.— Ed."1
ALEXANDRIA.
This town was granted by the Masonian Proprietors,
March 13, 1762, to Jos. Butterfield, Jr., and others, and in-
corporated November 23, 1782. The first settlements were
made in 1769, by William, Jonathan, and John Moor Cor-
liss. A portion of the town was taken off February 11,
1788, and, with a part of New-Chester, now Hill, incorporated
into a town by the name of Bridgewater.
Another portion of the town was set off June 18, 1795,
and incorporated as a town by the name of Danbury.
By an act of December 7, 1820, a tract of land was sev-
ered from the town of Orange and annexed to Alexandria;
and by an act passed on the 20th of said month a tract of
land was severed from Alexandria and annexed to the town
of New-Chester.
In consequence of so many changes, the shape of the
town at present bears little resemblance to the original
grant.
Alexandria Addition, referred to in some of the following
papers, was incorporated into a town by the name of New
London, June 25, 1779.
10 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
^13] S^Jeremiah Pagers Statement^ Alexatidria Addition^
^773-']
June ye i^' 1773^ by the Desire of Mathew Thornton Esq. and
Mr. Robert MacMnrphy Boath of Londonderry . I have been and
Took a Survey of all the Land Lying between Alexandria and
fishersfield and Part of Parytown on the Easterly Side of the
Pattent Line as is Shewn by the Plan herein Inclosed, and ac-
cording to the Best observation I could make of the quality of
said Land in Generall it appears to be more Ruft" and Poor Land
than any I saw in the Neighbouring Towns it being very moun-
tanious and Rocky the Lov\^er Land Generally Cold and Sprucy
Boggs I did Not See a Grate Deal of Alexandria but Perry-
town is according to the Best of my Judgment much Better
Land in Generall than the Adition to Alexandria which I Lotted
out. Gentlemen Mr Minot Desired my Judgment and to take
Pirticular Notice as to the Goodness of the Land, and to Send
it in w^righting with the Plan. Gentlemen your most Humble
Sevt Jeremiah Page
The above written, is a Copy of a Certificate wrote by Jer-
emiah Page Surveyor, on the Back of a Plan of Alexandria
Addition rendered by him upon oath and i-eturned to sd Grant-
ors by a Com'*^*^ of the Grantees June i773
attest, Geo : Jaftrey Proprs CI
[14] \^Petit{on of Inhabitants about Taxes.~\
State of New Hampshire To the Honourable Council and
House of Representitives in
General Court Assembled
At Exeter For the State of New Hampshire.
The Petition of the Proprietors and Inhabitants of the Town-
ship of Alexandria in Said State who Humbly Shews that
they Aprehend the Sum Required to be Assesed on Said Pro-
prietors and Inhabitants is a Burthen Insuportable for them in
their Present Infant State and is a much heavier Tax than What
is Laid on other Tovs^ns of their ability in Said State and they
Pray that the Honourable Court Would Appoint A Time w^hen
They May be heard on the Premises — and as in Duty Bound
your Petitioners Shall ever Pray.
Proprietors
Robert MacMurphy Joshua Tolford Jonas Minot
John Tolford
ALEXANDRIA.
II
James Russell.
Eliphalet Gale.
John IVIoor Corliss.
Josiah Emerson.
George Corliss.
Difvid Cross.
William Patterson.
Daniel MacMurphy.
Cristopher Bartlet.
Benjamin Hoyte.
Thomas Hoyt.
The Inhabitants
Moses Johnson
Asa Hastings.
Jonathan Merrill.
Jonathan Corliss.
David Atwood.
Jeremiah Ladd.
Nason Cash.
Joseph Atwood.
Jonathan Farrar.
Jonathan Taylor.
James Taylor.
Ebenezer Wells.
William Powell.
Anthony Taylor.
John Tolford.
William Palmer.
Jonathan Palmer
Jonathan Palmer Jr.
Ebenezer Farrar
John Champney.
John Fravier
[15] \^Petition of Inhabitants about Representative^ ^775-~\
Colony of New Hampshire to the Honourable Congress to be
heald at exeter on the twenty first Day of December Instant at
three of the Clock in the afternoon — Wee Pray That the Con-
gress Will Consider our Greyinces in not Haying any fear Chance
in Voting for a Person to Represent us in general Congress
after the Warant Come to the tovyn the town met and thought
it might Answer to Send two of their Selectmen to act for the
town For this Reson Because it was So fare for the Whole Town
to attend they had all Near thirty Miles to gow and the Trayil-
ing So Bad to Whear they apointed the election to be Held and
the two Selectmen met at the time and Place And the Modretar
Refused to Let them Cerrey in Vots for the Legal Voters of S*^
town Without eyir Puting it to Vot to Se Whither the Rist of
the towns Wood consent of it or not and ther is Number of the
Voters of the other towns is Verey much Dissetisfied With His
Presedings and the Selectmens of Plymoth and we the Subscrib-
ers Do Beg that the Honourable Congress Will Let us haye New
choice of a person to Represent us in Congress or wee Shall
think that wee are Very hardly Imposed upon By the Congress
Alexandria December ye 15"' 1775
Nason Cass Jr. Jonathan Palmer Eliphalet Gale.
JonathanPalmerJun Josiah Emerson.
William Palmer Joseph Basfoixl Jr.
Daniel M'"Murphy
John M'^Murphy'
Asa Hastings
Benjamin Hoyt
Dayid Cross.
Nathaniel Lad.
Anthony Taylor.
James Taylor.
William Morrow
Jonathan Taylor.
Robert Morrow.
Ebenezer Farrar
William Powell
Jonathan Clark
John Moor Corless.
William Corliss.
William Polee.
George Corliss.
Thomas Hoit.
Joseph Hoyt
12 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[i6] \_Reqiicst for Gnns and Amniii7iitio7i^ ill6J\
Alexandria June 28 ye 1776
To the Coloney Committy of New Hampshire Gentlemen,
this may Inform you that our Distress Seems Great, We hear
that the French & Indienes are Comeing Down upon us & We
are In Poor Surcomstances as to Guns and Ammunitions, We
are Ready to help Defend ovn* Selves & Cuntry as far as Is in
our Power If your Hon''" Would help us to the above articles
for the Best Security that we Can make We are In Want of
iS Guns & ammunition for a town Stock for 36 men. We the
Suscribers Do Engage to Return the above articles or Pay for
them as witness ovn" Hands
George Corliss David Atwood Joseph Atwood
Jonathan Farrar David Cross Jonathan Taylor
William Polee Asa Hastings William Powell
Nathaniel Lad Benjamin hoit Anthony Taylor
John Lad Jonathan Palmer John Tolford
Jeremiah Lad Ebenezer Wells Jonathan Clark
Josiah Emerson William Morrow John Champney
William Corliss Benjamin Rowell James taylar
Eliphalet Gale Rob' McMurphy jun Robert Murrey
Daniel McMurphy Ezenezer Farrar
made choice of Mr. Eliphalet Gale to Go after the Sade Guns
& ammunition.
[17] \_Iiivento?y of the To"U7i^ iyyy.'\
No. of Polls 18 years old and upwards 36
No. Acres of arabal or Tilage & Mowing Land 93
No. of Horses & Mares 12
No of Oxen 28 No. Cows 42 No. Cattle 3 years old 10
No. of Cattle two years old 15
No of Cattle one vear old 14
One Saw Mill & One Corn Mill
Sum total of Money on Hand or at Interest £100
Sum total of the Value of all Real Estate not Included
Before in Lands No. acres 21358 640.7.1^
320.3.14
Alexandria April 1777
S'' Inventory is Given in on Oath By us Ebenezer Farrar Eli-
phalet Gale Select Men
Bee Fore mee John AIcMurphy Town Clark
ALEXANDRIA. I3
[iS] Inventory of Addition to Alexandria, So Called.
Taken by Ebenezer Farrar Selectman of iVlexandria
But that said Inhabitants Refuse to answer to said Alexandria
being in the County of Hillsborough — and that the Court will
Direct Said Addition to pay Said Farrar for Three Day Take-
ing s*^ Invoice
Number of Polls iS years old and upwards 12
No. Horses & Mares i No. of Cows 6
Sum Total of the Value of all Reatabel Estates Not
included Before in Wile Lands 20230 acres 606.9.0
303.4.10
No Cattel 3 years old 4 No. Cattel 2 years old 2
To Esq"' Thompson Secretary In the State of Newhampshier.
[R. I*] State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon**' the Council and Hon''''' House of Representatives
of said State of New Hampshire, in General Assembly Con-
vened June 14"' 17S1,
Humbly Shezvs Daniel M'^Murphy of Alexandria in the
County of Grafton in said State Gentlemen — That your Peti-
tioner was a Lieutenant in the army and was wounded at the
Battle at Bennington in 1777 whereby he was rendered Incapa-
ble of Labour to earn his Living and was accordingly Enrolled
as a Pensioner in this State. That by reason of the Depreci-
ation of the Present Currency his half pay is I'endered of Little
or no Value to him as to his support.
Wherefore your Petitioner Humbly prays your hon" to take
into Consideration his Deplorable Circumstances, and relieve
him by making up the Depreciation of his half pay, or in any
other way that your hon''^ shall think best — and your Petitioner
as in Duty bound will pray &c
Daniel M'^jMurphy
[R. 2] State of New Hampshire.
To his Excellency the President & the Honb'*' the Senate and
House of Representatives in general court convened, Humbly
shews Daniel M'^Murphy of Alexandria in the County of Graf-
ton Gentleman.
That your Petitioner is entitled to a Lieuts. half pay agree-
able to the resolves of the hon''''' general Court to be paid in
State notes ; which will neither pay taxes, nor purchase the nec-
essaries of life, except by a great discount on said notes. Where-
* R. refers to Revolutionary papers, collection of 1881, in office of Secretary of State.
14 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fore he humbly prays your honors, that you would grant him his
said half-pay or a part in an order upon the treasurer that may
be received in payment of taxes, and your petitioner as in duty
bound will ever pray Daniel M'^Murphy
Concord, Feby. ii* 1785.
[20] \_Remonstrance of the Inhabitants of Alexa?zdria against
Building a Road, and Petition to be Incorporated .'\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives for The
State of New Hampshire in general assembly convened at
Concord June y*' 17S3.
The Petition of the inhabitants of the Township of Alexandria
Humbly Sheweth that whereas the Inhabitants of Cockermouth
have Petitioned the Honorable Councill and House of Repre-
sentatives for the State of New Hampshire Praying that the
town of Alexandria May be compelled to make them a good
"waggon road through said Town which is about seven miles,
with only four settlers on said Road — we the Inhabitants of said
Alexandria beg leave to sav that it will be a Burthen Insuport-
able in our Present Infant State of which we Beg Leave to ofter
a few things to your Honours consideration which are Real facts,
first — That Cocermouth have never Reqviested us to Make or
mend said Roads — That there is no more than Forty Inhabitants
Freeholders in Alexandria — That we have above Forty Miles of
Roads in said Alexandria. That said Roads are very uneaven
Rocky and wet — Several Large Streams to Bridge — we have
already built Three Bridges over Smiths River more are needed
over the same — That there must be Two over the Branches of
Fowlers River one of which we suppose w^ill cost at least one
Hundred Hard Dollars the Stream not being fordable at many
Seasons of the year — That our settlers are much Scattered it
being about Fourteen Miles from one Extream to the other —
that we are not Incorporated therefore Cannot Lay out any
Roads at present. — That our Settlers in general are in low Cir-
cumstances a great part has been obliged to bv;v great part of
their Provisions Hay &c from the Neighboring Towns that has
Run them Considerablv in Debt So that they have not for four
years past been able to pav Their Taxes otherwise than bv Hire-
ing Money for which thev are now In debt and by no means
able to pay — We the Petitioners Therefore Humbly pray that
your Honors will take the Matter into Consideration and grant
us an Incorporation by the name of Alexandria. Beginning at
A Maple in Masons Patent Line about Forty Rods from New-
found Pond thence over part of said Pond South Twelve Degrees
East Five Miles and an half more or less to the Place where A
Hemlock Tree formerly stood and Marked for the Easterly Cor-
ALEXANDRIA.
15
ner Bounds of Alexandria, from thence South fifty Three De-
grees west Eight and hah' Miles more or less to A Beach Tree
Marked — From Thence North Twelve degrees west Four and
half Miles More or Less to the Pattent Line aforementioned,
from Thence Easterly on said Line to the Place first Mentioned,
which Transcript is agreeable to Charter — and that as soon as
we are Licorporated The Select Men or a Committee from Alex-
andria May be ordered to Lay out all Necessary Highways, or
Roads to Cocermouth in order to make the Same Passable as
soon as may be, and that the Cost may be assessed on Residents
and Non Residents as State Continental and war Taxes are —
that your Petitioners be not Distressed till such order Can be
obtained and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever
pray &c.
Dated Alexandria June lo"" 17S2.
Alexander Craige Jeremiah Lad
Joshua Tolford
John M'^Murphy
Hugh Campbell
Joseph atwood
John Putnam
Israel Putnam
Jonathan taylor
James taylor
Ebenezer Farrar
Jonathan Palmer
John Tolford
State of New Hamp''. In the House of Representatives Nov.
20*, 17S3, Upon hearing and considering the foregoing Peti-
tion. Voted that the prayer thereof be granted and that the
Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly. Sent up
for Concurrence Timothy Walker Speaker P. T.
In Council Nov. 21'' 17S2, Read and Concurred
E. Thompson Secy.
[In answer to the foregoing petition, an act was passed,
Nov. 23, 1782, incorporating the town, and authorizing the
selectmen to lay out and make the said road, and assess a
tax upon all the land in town to pay for the same. — Ed.]
William Powell
Jonathan Corliss
Josiah Emerson
George Corliss
Eliphalet Gale
Nathaniel Lad Senr.
John Lad
Nathaniel Ladd
Nathan Barker
Enos ferrin
David Cross
Ebenezer Williams
Jonathan Farrar
Jonathan Clark
Nason Cass
James Wood
Ebenezer Cleffbrd
Christopher Bartlet
Nathan Bartlet
David Atwood
Simeon Merrill
Benjamin Hoyt
[21] \_Petition about the Road from Bosca-ivcn to Dartnionth
College^ iy86.'\
To the Honomal^le Senate and House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire Convened at Portsmouth Febry
1786.
l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Petition of the Select Men of Alexandria in Behalf of said
Town — Humbly Sheweth, that your Petitioners are Informed
that the Honourable Court have Sent a Committee to Look
and Lay out a Road from Boscawen to Dartmouth College
which Road we hear is laid through the South westerly part of
Alexandria about Seven Miles, which Road through Alexandria
we think unnecessary for the Publick and very injurious to us —
as we have been at great expense in making a Road through s*^
Alexandria and part of New Chester [now Hill] to accommo-
date the Publick and some of our Inhabitants, which Road we
have Latelv Laid out and have made many alterations, much
for the better — and find that from Capt. Hoyts in Grafton to
Capt Wiers in Andover is but Ten Miles and an half by meas-
ure with the Alterations we have made through sd Alexandria —
which we think may be made a good way with Labor. — and
five Miles nigher than the other way our Inhabitants are few
Much burthened with Making Publick Roads, most of them in
Low Circumstances, much Scatered it being Fourteen miles
from the Extreme parts of Settlement — Wherefore your Peti-
tioners Humblv pray, That a Committee may be sent to view
the Road which we have Laid out which w^e Doubt not will
appear to be for the Public good and ours we therefore pray
we may be Excused from Makeing the Road Laid by the Com-
mittee through Alexandria, where we have no Settlers nor any
prospect of any at present.
And as in Duty Bound your Petitioners shall Ever Pray &c
Alexandria February y*^ 2^ 17S6
Simon Merrill ^ c 1
Hugh Campbell )- -. ^
David Atwood 1
[23] \_Petitio7t of Selectmen relative to Taxes.']
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
in General Court Convened at Concord the first Wednesday of
June A. D. 17S7. we the Subscribers in behalf of the Inhabi-
tants of Alexandria Humbly Sheweth that the former select-
men of Alexandria have neglected to Return the Constables for
the years 17S1, — 17S3 — & 17S3 by which means an Extent hath
issued against us the Present Select men for a Ballance of £270,
which sum we are by no means able to Collect at present, gi'eat
part of our Inhabitants having their provisions to buy and noth-
ing to spare wherefore we Humbly pray that your honors will
give orders that the Treasurer Receive what we have collected
and stay all Extents against us till the Last of October Next —
that we may have time to collect our Non-Resident Tax by sell-
ALEXANDRIA. 1/
ing their Land if they will not pay without, it being owing to
our lenity to non-residents that our Town is so much in ar-
rears— we having never sold an acre of non-residents land since
the war Commenced, in the meantime we will make every pos-
ible Exertion in our power and hopes to be able to pay up with
other towns of our ability — and as in duty bound your Petition-
ers will Ever pray.
Dated Alexandria June 2^ 1787
Simon Alerrill ] Select
David Atwood | Men
[The foregoing petition was considered by the legislature,
June 19, 1787, and the prayer thereof granted. — Ed.]
[23] \_Petition of Inhabitants of New -Chester a7id Alexan-
dria for a new Town.^
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
Convened at Charlestown the Second Wednesday of Sept'
A. D. 17S7.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of a part of New-Chester Ly-
ing Between Newfound Pond River and Smiths River so
called — and the Inhabitants of the North Part or first Division
of Alexandria, Humbly Shews that we your Petitioners for a
number of years have Laboin-ed under man}- dificultys by reason
of our Scattered Situation it being as much as fourteen Miles
from one Extream part of our Settlements in Alexandria to the
other Extream. — and the situation of that part of New Chester
above mentioned is nearly as inconvenient to either of the
Centers of New Chester which makes it extreamly Dificult
to assemble either to transact Town Business or for Public
Worship — Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that your
Excellency and Honours would grant us an Incorporation by
the name of Beginning at the mouth of Smiths River
so called thence westerly up s*^ River to the Range Line be-
tween the first and Second Div"'* of Alexandria thence North 13
Deg** West to the Pattent Line as lately Run — thence North
Easterly by s'' Pattent Line to the Easterly side of Newfound
Pond thence down the Easterly Shore to the outlet of s'^ Pond
thence South Easterh' by the Range Line Between the Second
and third Divisions of New Chester to the corner of the River
Lott N" 56. thence Easterly on the Line Between t;6 and ^7 to
Pemigesawasset River thence Down Said River to the mouth
of Smiths River first mentioned and your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound will ever pray.
N. B. it was always expected and intended By the Proprietors
3
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Alexandria and New Chester to make four or five Towns or
Parishes of the two, and to Divide Nearly according to the vote
of the Inhabitants of New Chester and this Petition
Alexandria Sepf 3, 1787-
Joshua Tolford.
thomas fuller
Hugh Campbell
Sanders M'^murphy
George Corlis
Simon Merrill
Alex"- M'=Murphy
William Corliss
Ebenezer Ferren
Asa Hastings
William Simonds
Alexander Craig
Benjamin Emerson
W Willerd
Nathaniel Ladd
Theophilus Sanborn. John Sleeper
John tilton Moses Johnson
Joseph Hoyt
Moses Worthen
Moses Sleeper
John simond
Josiah Emerson
John Moor Corliss
John M'^Murphy
Eliphalet Gale
Joshua Taylor
Ebenezer Simonds
NatW Bartlet
Peter vSmith
Benj" Basford
Timothy Simonds
David Cross
Shei'burn Tilton
Sherburn Tilton Jr.
Sherburn Sanborn
Israel Ingalls
Eleazer Taylor
William Morrison
Isaac Ladd
William M-^Murphy
^villiam Ladd
peter Ladd
Jeremiah Ladd
N. B. the following are the Inhabitants of New Chester that
are petitioners as they have signed their names in this Petition.
Theophilus Sanborn John Sleeper
John Tilton Joseph Hoyt^
Moses Sleeper "" '
Sherburn Sanborn
Asa Hastings
William Boyd
Sherburn Tilton
William Corliss
William Morrison
John Smith
Thomas Fuller
Moses Worthen
Sherburn Tilton Jr
Ebenezer Ferren
Alexander Craigre
[The foregoing petition was before the legislature, Sep-
tember 14, 1787, and a vote passed granting a hearing on
the third Wednesday of their next session. February ii^
1788, an act to incorporate the new town, by the name of
Bridgewater, passed the house. The senate concurred the
next day. See Bridgewater. — Ed.]
[24] S^Petition for Right to Tax Land f 07- Repair of High-
way s.'\
State of New Hampshire.
to the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives-
Convened at Concord on the first Wednesday of June A. D.
1790.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the township of Alexan-
dria in Said State Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioners have
ALEXANDRIA. I9
been and still are at great cost to Clear and Maintain Highways
in said township and by Reason of Great freshits have been
obliged to alter Clear and Make New Roads in Many places
and have built Several large Bridges which are Costly to Alain-
tain which Alakes the Burdens heavy upon us as our Number
of Rateable polls is but small therefore your Petitioners hum-
blv pray that your Honours would grant that all the lands in
said township may be taxed one Penny upon an acre for three
years Next in Ensuing for the Purpose of Clearing and Re-
pairing Highways in said township and your Petitioners in
Duty Bovnid will ever pray
Alexandria June 12* i79°'
Simon Merrill \ Selectmen for and in
Joseph Atwood j behalf of said town
[The foregoing petition was before the house, June 14,
and a hearing ordered for the next session. Act granting
permission to levy the tax, passed January 14, 1791. — Ed.]
[26J \_Petition for a Division of the Toxu}i.'\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honb^ the Senate and House of Representatives for said
State Convened at Concord December 34"^ 1794'' Humbly
Shew
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Alexandria that
they labor under many Inconveniencies by reason of the dis-
agreeable form or manner in which said Town lies also by rea-
son of a Large movmtain that crosses said Town about midway
of the length thereof — Said Town is nine miles in Length and
about Six miles in breadth which makes it large enough for two
Towns, and the movmtain in the middle of said Town renders
it almost impossible for the Inhabitants of the South part and
those of the North part to assemble on any occasion whatever
without travelling a great length of way to get by said Moun-
tain.— They therefore pray that your Honours would take their
case under your wise consideration and grant them relief by
making a division of Said Town at or near the middle thereof
which your Petitioners conceive would be of public utility as
well as greatly contribute to relieve the embarrassments of your
Petitioners, and as bound shall pray
Anthony Taylor Peter Smith Levi flanders
his George Niles Samuel Pingry
Athmore x hosking Samuel Pilsbery Jonathan Tolford
mark Job" Tolford Joscph Atwood
Daniel Reynolds Isaac Favour Obadiah Judkins
20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ezenezer Williams Benj" Pinter Eben Carleton
Daniel Weare William Martin Sandrs M'^Murphy
John simonds Eleazer Taylor Josiah Emerson
Benjamin Emerson Timothy Emerson John Moor Corliss
Daniel Corliss William vSimonds Timothy Simonds
Enos Ferren David M'^Murphy Jorg Corliss
Samuel jr Simons Moses Simonds Isaac Ladd
David Atwood Ebenezer Simonds Jeremiah Ladd
Peter Ladd Joshua Tolford Peter Ingalls
thomas Reed Jonathan Burpe Stephen Gale
Robert M^'Murphy William M-'Murphy David Morse
Christopher Bartlet Ziba Townsend John Emons
Jonathan Clark, James Taylor
[-5] [ ^^^^-^ relative to Division of the To%vn.'\
Alexandria March 30"^ J^795
then met agreable to said warrant
ily voted Joshua tolford Modrator to govern said Meeting.
2ly voted to Divid the town.
3ly voted to Divid the town betwen the first and second Ranges
of the second Divishion
4ly voted to Divid the town begining at New Chester Line
betwen the first and second Division from thence to Run
w^esterly at Right angle from New Chester Line to the Patten
Line
5ly voted to Divid the town betwen the second and third
Ranges of the second Divishion
61y voted to Reconsider the two Last votes in Respect of Di-
viding the town and that the first vote shall stand that is
to Divid the town betwen the first and second Ranges of the
second Division —
a tru Cooppey Attest Nason Cass town Clark
[In H. of Rep., December 29, 1794, a hearing was or-
dered for the next session ; meanwhile, a notice was to be
published in the New Hampshire Gazette, and one posted
in some conspicuous place in the town. June 18, 1795, an
act passed dividing the town and incorporating the southerly
part into a town by the name of Danbury. For boundaries,
see Danbury. — Ed.]
ALSTEAD, 21
[27] \_Petition for a Committee to Run the Line betxveen
Alexandria and New Chester. "^
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the vSenate & House of Representatives for
said State Convened at Hanover June 10*'' i79S' Humbly Shew
— The Subscribers Selectmen of Alexandria and New Chester
in behalf of themselves & Inhabitants of s*^ Towns beg leave to
Represent that the Line between said Towns is not a Straight
Line agreeable to the charters of said Alexandria or New Ches-
ter— that in the fall of the year 1793 the Selectmen of the s'' Towns
Employed a Surveyor to Run & Perambulate the s'' line and
found it very croked — in one place crossing the old Line, in
other places more than 60 Rods Distant The Lotts in Each
Town is Laid out as tho there was a straight Line the Settlers
on the one side & on the other are got into a Qiiarrell some
contending for a straight Line & some for the crooked Line &
the worst consequences is to be feared. — Wherefore your Peti-
tioners pray that your Honours would take their case vnider
your consideration & grant them Relief by appointing a Com-
mittee to settle & establish said Line according to the true intent
& meaning of both charters — or as your Honours shall think
best — and your petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Obadiah Judkins) Selectmen Samuel Wells "^ Selectmen
•^ , V ot ( ■Avr Hnsp V
A <-u . -p ,] . r of Carr Huse > of
•^ ' - 3 Alexandria Peter Sleeper j New Chester
Anthonv Tavlor
[In H. of Rep., June 11, 1795, a committee was appointed
to look into the matter and report, but I have not been able
to find that they made any report. — Ed.]
ALSTEAD.
Thi.s town wa.s first granted by Governor B. Wcntworth
to John Towle and sixty-three others, by the name of New-
ton, December 28, 1752; — about the same time the first
grant was made of Acworth, and probably for the same rea-
son, as I believe no attempt was made to settle the town
under this grant.
It was re-granted August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase and
sixty-nine others, by the name of Alstead, and settlements
commenced soon after. In 1771 there were twenty-five or
22
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
more families in town, but some of the provisions of the
charter not having been fulfilled, it was "extended" by Gov-
ernor John Wentvvorth, January 25, 1772, in answer to a
petition from the inhabitants. [See vol. 9, p. 5.]
The governor's reservation of five hundred acres was
located in the north-west corner.
Among the prominent men prior to 1800 were General
Amos Shepard, Nathaniel Sartell Prentice, Absalom Kings-
bury, and Rev. Levi Lankton. Captain Jason Wait com-
manded a company in Col. Bedell's regiment in the Rev-
olution.
[29] S^Petitioii for a Grant of the Toiviiship^ ^TS'^-']
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq. Capt" General &
Governour in Chief in and over his Majestyes Province of New
Hampshire.
The Humble Petition of us the subscribers for ourselves and
our associates being in number Fifty one Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners are desireous of Setleing a Township in some of
the unappropriated Lands in said province.
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that your Excel-
lency will be pleased to grant to your Petitioners a Township
of the Contence of Six Miles Square in some of his Majestys
Land, in said Province of New Hampshire that are not allready
appropriated, Subjected to such orders and restrictions as Your
Excellency in Your Great W^isdom Shall See Meete. And as
in Duty bound they will ever pray &c,
Boston Sep"^ 10, 1750-
Josiah Convers
John Fullton
David Whiteing
Thos. Draper
William Fild
Samuel Winship
Samuel Smith
John Botherick
David Comee
Jonathan Briant
Nathan Newhall
Francis Whitemore
Ebenezer Frances
William Whittemore Tho^ Bennett
Abiel Richardson John Bishop
Ebenezer Shattuck James Pierce
Unite Moseley
Will'" Maxwell
Sam' Servise
Benj* Furness
William Crombie
Nath' Wales
Joseph Scott
Ebenezer Field
Arch'' McNeill
Robert Hill
Jason Winship
Joseph Newhall
Jacob March
John Fowle
Seth Blogget
John Skinner
Jon"^ Bradish
Benj'' Bellknap
R. Cotton
John Hill
Isaac Kidder
W™ Dunlap
Caleb Brooks
John Martin
Noah Richardson
John Douglass
Fran*" Shaw
Will™ Fisher
Tim° Winship
Th" Lambert
Isaac Fillebrown
ALSTEAD, 23
[The grant was made December 28, 1752, to the fore-
going persons and several others, but I think no settle-
ments were made under it, and none of these appear in the
grant of 1763 — Ed.]
[30] \_Sfate/ucni of Grievances^ ^777 •~\
The Inhabitants of the Town of Alstead in Town meeting
assembled Feb. 4, i777 to consider of matters of grievance to
themselves and others to lay before the Hon''^ Committee of the
Council and House of the State of New Hampshire : Do men-
tion the following articles as grievous to them and needing re-
dress.— That the present assembly was not called according to
the direction of the Hon'''* Continental congress bv a full and
free representation thro, the State : for a number of Delegates
from a part of the Towns of the State did without any previous
notice, and before the advice of the Continental congress came
to hand did set up a plan of representation, in our opinion, par-
tial and defective, curtailing and abridging, the privileges of
many of the Towns in this part of the state, as the natural right
of one Town is equal to that of another
Further the present assembly in our opinion is not set up as
the great Lawgiver and Author of Goverment requires : His
order is that Rulers be fearers of Hini^ haters of covetovisness :
whereas the present plan requires no religious or moral, but
only pecuniary qualifications for jDOSts of office, ^vhich serves to
discourage virtue and to promote vice as conjoined with wealth :
The method of choosing Councillors and Representatives has a
tendency this way likewise, as bv just implication every person
paying rates man woman or child, however immoral and wicked,
may vote in the choice of members of the assembly, by which
means if the majority are evil, as like approves of its like, the
vile will bear rule over a state professing true religion. The
present plan of Goverment was set up while we were under
the King of Britain, but now we are independent of him, and
therefore a new form of Goverment ought as soon as may be to
be erected, by a full and equal representation of every incorpo-
rated Town thro the State, and that the plan of the same be
sent to each Town for their approbation, and that which the
majority agree to, be considered as the constitution of this vState.
The act past Septemb'' 19 1776, we view as unintelligible, and
by no means calculated to answer the end pretended of having
an equal representation. The last assembly did not act a disin-
terested party or for the good of the State, in confining all places
of trust as much as they could among themselves : or in reject-
ing Coll Hunt from being High Sheriff of this county, after his
24 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
appointment, even before he refused to accept, which, with the
putting in of Coll Hale we suspect was done by the influence of
a certain well known member in these parts.
Lastly the giving commissions for war, is another article of
grievance, which is a thing unprecedented in any free state, and
s*^ commissions are kept from the e3'e of the people, and they
are unacquainted with the unlimited powers given officers there-
by, we have expressed these matters in a way to be understood,
and hope that they will be attended to by your Honors as their
importance and the Public good requires.
At y*^ aforesaid meeting was chosen Absalom Kingsbury &
Jonathan Shepherd Jur. a committee for s'^ Alstead to present
y^ above to y*^ Hon'^''^ Committee.
Test Absalom Kingsbery Town Clerk
The foregoing is a True Copy of y" voate of the Town of Al-
stead as Matters of Grieveances to be laid before y"" Hon'' Com-
mittee from y*^ Hon'' Assembly of y^ State of New Hampshire
Test Absalom Kingsbery, Town Clerk
The Committees of Mario Surry & Westmoreland concur with
ye within matter of Agreevencis.
[30^] \_Prudence^ the Wife of Simon Baxter — Petition.~\
To the Hon'^''^ Counsel and assembly for the State of New
Hampshire — the humble petition of Prudence Baxter of Alstead
in the County of Cheshire humblv shews and gives your Hon-
ours to be informed that vour petitioner dos not send this prayer
to your honours for riches nor honours — but for mercy and I
may say forfited mercy might be extended to Simon Baxter the
husband of your petitioner — who did in July i777 S^ over to the
enemy — but has ever sence the day he joined them been sorry
for his faidt — and has Repented his Erro with a flood of Tears
• — I dont mean to trouble your patiences with any thing but the
Truth, and Capt Holmns of Walpole and Capt Gilbert of Lit-
tleton Can and will if Called upon Testify that the s'^ Baxter has
for a Long Time past ben a friend to america and Capt Wait
of this Town who is now in the army and has ben a prisoner
with the enemy Can Testify the kindness y*" s*^ Baxter shew to
the prisoners of the united states and ever sence has had a Desire
to Return and sware aligence to the united states and is noAV
Detained in a flag in Boston harbour — and their does earnestly
pray for mercy — and as their is none that is guilty has Less then
he so none a fairer plea for pardon — o spair him I humblv pray
— I ask not for his Estate — only for his Life under such Limita-
tion as you in your wisdon shall see proper to alow — the s'^ Bax-
ter did while hear do his part in the war as my familey has
ALSTEAD. 25
sense without complaining — suffer him I hvunbly pvay to be
once more a subject of this state and have the Liberty of the
oath of aligence to the united states — I Cair not how we Live
or how we are fed, if he can but ha^'e authoritive Liberty to
Live in this state, the small [property] that we did possess shall
with pleasure go only spair him — and as mercy is the Dealing
of god and the Brightest Virtue of the human mind — o Let Bax-
ter be one subject of your mere}' — the glory of a merciful Deed
is in proportion to the Crime for which the Deed of mercy was
Extended.
The arms of america has spread Terrow thro the world — o
that their mercy might not be Confined or Limeted — I do in my
husband name Lay myself and him att the foot stool of this
state for mercy and if we must perish we must perish there — as
in duty bound shall ever pray
Alstead December ye 14"" 1778.
Prudence Baxter
[Capt. Lemuel Holmes of Surry, and Capt. Jason Wait
of Alstead, the men referred to in the foregoing, were pris-
oners of war in New York when Simon Baxter and his son
William were with the enemy, and, being old neighbors,
probably received favors from them.
Simon Baxter's property was declared confiscated to the
state ; and Isaac Temple, Timothy Fletcher, and Absalom
Kingsbury were appointed commissioners on the same, with
the latter as trustee, who made an inventory of his estate,
which includes the following : "A part of the 5*'' Lot in the
eighth Range, about 100 Acres, and one half of Lot N** 17
in the North Range of Lots in Alstead, and two acres in the
Citidale [.?] Lotts — one Dwelling House in the Highway."
Mrs. Baxter petitioned, May 13, 1778, with the "approba-
tion of Abra™ Brown, Nath^ S. Prentice selectmen of Al-
stead," stating that she had a large family of children, some
of whom were small, and asked that the forfeiture of the
estate might not be exacted.
It seems that Simon Baxter left the flag ship in some way,
as he and Benjamin Baxter were taken from Alstead to Ex-
eter about January 21. 1779, and delivered to the Committee
of Safety by Absalom Kingsbury, and was there confined
in jail for some time.
In my boyhood I have often heard my grandparents speak
of " Simon Baxter the tory." — Ed.]
26 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[31] \^Confession of William Haxte?-.']
I left home 28*^ of March 177S & went to Cambridge there I
found my father and he was to be exchanged and said I must
go with him I told him I Did not Love to Leave my mother he
said I had better go with him & I finally concluded to go with
him to Rhode Island which I Did when I got to Rhode Island
I worked with one , . seaven or Eight Days my father Did
not Do any Business that I know of then he and I went to N
York and had the Small pox together and was in N. York about
A month then he told me I must go to Long Island and look out
for myself and Dr. Pomroy [Doctor Josiah Pomeroy was an
*' absentee" from Keene] would get me a place to live at and I
went to Long Island with Dr. Pomroy and left my father at N
York and I Lived with one Abraham Brinkroft' about a week
and then my father come to me and told me he Intended to Re-
turn to Cambridge for they Meaning the Regulars would not
exchange him unless he would go into their servis & he said he
would not Do that — he had Drawn Rations till then and be-
cause he would not go into the Regular Servis they stopt his
Rations then he worked in the same house with me till we went
on board the Carteal that lay at newtown and went to N York
before we went from Newtown my father & Dr Pomroy went
Somewhere and then my father Gave me five hundred £ N
York Currency and told me he had it of Dr Pomroy for which
he told me he gave Dr Pomroy a note for tw^enty Pounds in hard
money and my father told me to put it where the people of the
house could not find it and said when we got back to Cambridge
we could live well I told him we should be found out he was
very angry with me & said he brought me to be a help to him
but instead of that I was nothing but a plague and said he
wished I was at home again — then we went to York and while
we were wating for the flag to come of I went to work to help
Lode the Vesel and my father went Back to Dr. Pomroy at
Newtown and when he came back he brought about A thou-
sand Dollars More as near as I Can Remember and told me
to hide it and said he was to have some more as soon as it
was struck of and Signed — the Next Day he went of again
and brought so much as with what he told me to hide the
Day before Made up A thousand povmds that I saw but how
much more I Dont Know then he had some haixl money and
with that bought Cloathing to send by me to his famely — while
we lay at N York one evening Benj" whiting Sam^ Tarbull Will
Stark Robt L. Fowle Blair two Cummins Benj" Trow my
father and myself ware togather at Jn° Strouts in New York and
I see Benj" Whiting have one thousand Dollars in forty Dollar
ALSTEAD. 27
bills and offered my fether if he would take the Money and put
it of att Cambridge or anywhere in }'' Country he would give
him five hundred Dollars of it which my father took but told me
he Returned it Back then the said Benjamin Whiting Said if he
could not get any Body to fetch it Cleaning the money he would
fetch it himself for all the D'' Rebels would be overcome before
Next year was out — the next Day we Sailed for Boston and
after we had got to Boston I told my father I would not go back
he said he believed I had as good go home and told me to take
the Cloathing with me and carry it home to Mother and he
counted some money to me vis ten forty Dollar Bills & Seaven-
teen tw^enty D" and about Ninety five Dollars in good Money
and told me to be carefull I said I was afraid it would hurt me
he said the money would do him no good and if I was like to
be hurt by it I might burn it — and then I set of for Cambridge
and went to Joseph Welches and he was going to Boston and
said he wanted some paper money and Asked me if I had any
that I could spare I told him yes and I gave him fifty six Dol-
lars for a Joannes and he went to Boston and came and told me
he had got a hors for me and a boy to Cany me to Littleton for
twenty dollars and said if I would give him twenty more he
would find another hors for my baggage and said he had some
more hard money & if I would change fiftv paper Dollars he
W'Ould let me have another Joannes which I Did and if I would
give him fifty six Dollars he would Let me have two Guinnes
which I Did I sav^- a hessian in Cambridge and changed fifty
Paper Dollars for two Guinnes then I left Cambridge and went
to Littleton and Cap* Gilbert & I went to boston to Get my
father out of the flag but Gen' Heath would not Permit him to
come out & there I bought 3 yd^ of Salloon & 3 yds of Lace Sc
Exchanged 3 twenty Dollar bills then I returned to Cambridge
and there I Met a Negro fellow with a watch and I gave him
four twenty Dollar bills and 3 Eight Dollar bills & one four
Dollar bill for y'' watch then I returned to Littleton & from
there to Keen and got to Benj" Halls and his Son Aimanias
asked me if I had got any Catchett meaning countcrlit monev I
told him yes he Looked on it and told me he would put it of
for me & Return me two thirds of it in good monev which I
consented to Do after that Zibia Hall his Brother asked me if I
had any Catchett I told I had not for Anna' had got it he said
he was the wrong Person to give it too for he would be to Ven-
tersome I saw Anny after that he told me that Zibia wanted
it for he had put of A large Some of it which if I mistake not
was four Hundred Dollars & that 30 Dollars was returned Back
which he could not put of So I went home and was Lumeiliately
taken up and then I sent my Brother Joseph to Aima hall for
the money I left with him and he brought 7 forty Dol Bills & i
28 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
twenty Do & i good Do & Keep' two I had Left ten forty Dol-
lar Bills with him & one twenty — My Brother Joseph & I hid
the money he brought from Anna^ Hall in the barn Namely 7
forty Dollar bills & i twenty Do all the Money I mentioned in
the foregoing Account that I have not Called good I suppose
was Counterfit — while I was at Cambridge at Joseph Welches
Welch Inquired of me About the Monmouth Battle & about y^
Brittish troops I told him they Suftered A Good Deal he said
the Rebels had it in there papers that they ware beat but he Did
not Believe it and said he wished to God that he was at New
York with his famely and Enquired if there was any Houses to
be Let I told him yes but they w^are very Dear he Repeated he
Wished he was there Dear as they was — while I was in New-
York I saw one Timothy Lovell of Rockingham and one Hub-
bard of Windsor in y* State of Vermont two Refugees and they
have both stole out since and I saw Lovell in Littleton and he
told me not to Mention to any Body that he was out of New
York for it might hurt him and would not Do me any Good
and he enquired where Maj'' Joseph Blanchard Lived & said he
was going there to Holies but nobody suspected that Hubbard
had ben to N York that I know of and he now Lives peaceably
at home as I have heard I Likewise saw one Joseph Durfey of
New London in y*^ State of Connecticut in New York He said
he Did not know what the Rebells would Do to him when he
came out nor Did not care a D'' t — d.
the foregoing Relation is to the Best of my Remembrance the
truth the whole truth and Nothing but the truth which I can at-
test before the Almighty God.
January 8* 1779. William Baxter
N. B. Said Baxter confessed that his brother Joseph told
him that annanias Hall told him he put oft" a 40 Dollar bill to
one Hall a sadler in Keen, in the following way the Sadler gave
a good 40 Dollar Bill to said annanias to change into small Bills
— and ann** said after taking the good Bill & could not change it,
and then gave him a Counterfeit in Lieu
[See State Papers, vol. x, p. 503. — Ed.]
[William Baxter was arrested by Joel Chandler, constable,
on a warrant from Nathaniel S. Prentice, taken before said
Prentice, November 11, 1778, examined, and sent to the
general assembly. At the examination before " Squire
Prentice," Capt. Lemuel Holmes testified as follows: — Ed]
I Lemuel Holmes of Lawful age Testify and say, That as I
was Prisoner on Longisland when William Baxter who Left his
home in Alstead came their with his flither who came from Bos-
ALSTEAD. 29
ton to Newyork s'' William Baxter whilst he continued Their
Lived with a farmer on Loncrisland & Laboured for him for hier
and did not join in the Brittish servis or Draw Either Aloney or
Provision from them to mv knowledge but Lived in a Peacable
Retired manner with a farmer that appeared To be a friend to
america : I further sav that Simon Baxter father to ye s"^ William
Declared to me that he ordered his son away, and as he found
it more Difficult to support him their Than he Expected he
thought Best for him to Return : S'^ William Baxter came to
Longisland some time in June Last Past according to my Best
Rememberance — further this Deponent saith not.
Alstead Nov/ ye 11, 1778.
Lemuel Holmes
[Sworn to before Nathaniel S. Prentice. — Ed.]
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 18, 1778. William Baxter was or-
dered to be delivered to the sheriff, in order to be " sent
back to New York by the first conveyance." It seems that he
was not sent, however, but was admitted to bail, the bond re-
quiring him not to go beyond the limits of Exeter, In May
following he had a pass to go to Alstead and return in twen-
ty days. In July he was granted a permit "to pass and
repass from Portsmouth to Exeter on Business for the print-
ers ;" and in April, 1780, he was employed by the Commit-
tee of Safety to carry letters "to the County of Cheshire to
call the General Court together," for which he was paid one
hundred dollars. I think some allowance should be made
for his conduct, on account of his age, and his having been
influenced by his father, although I think his statement rel-
ative to Dr. Ziba Hall was not true. Dr. Hall was a respect-
able physician in Keene for many years. — Ed.]
State of New Hampshire, Cheshire ss.
Alstead Nov. 26, 1781.
Whereas the major part of the Selectmen of Surry refused to
obey the within precept, being under oath to the State of Ver-
mont, and having sent the same to the Selectmen of Alstead, the
major part of whom likewise refused to obev the same on the
same account. We the subscribers Selectmen for Alstead and
Surry, and all the Selectmen in said Towns that acknowledo-e
the jurisdiction of New Hampshire, did on the ninth of this in-
stant November notify all the legal inhabitants of the towns of
Surry, Alstead and Marlow within mentioned to meet at the
house of Mr. Timothy Fletcher in Alstead on Monday the 26"*
dayof this instant Nov. at ten oclock in the forenoon for the
30 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
purpose within mentioned. Who being accordingly met made
choice of Mr. Absalom Kingsbury to represent them in the Gen-
eral Assembly within mentioned
Timothy Fletcher, Selectman for Alstead.
W'" Russell, Selectman for Surry.
[R.4]
In Committee on Claims ]
Concord June 13, 1783 j The Bounty paid by Alstead to &
"which has been deducted from David Abrahams account amounts
to Thirteen pounds Thirteen shillings
Attest Josiah Oilman Treas.
[David Abraham served also for Gilsum. — Ed.]
[33] \_Petition about Taxes. '\
To the Hon'''® the council and house of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire
The Petition of the Town of Alstead within said State Hum-
bly Sheweth That considering the great Scarcity of a medium
of currency we feel the greatest Impractibility of Discharging
our Legal Taxes to the State to which we belong by cash. And
as there is a number of Soldiers from amongst us that have
Serv"^ in the continental Service and a great part of there wages
is yet due — the greater part of whom are Nescesetated for pres-
ent Relief and the produce of our Husbandry would be that
that would grant them Relief perhaps as well as the cash — the
former of which is in our Power to Relieve them with when
the Latter is utterly out of our Power to Supply with at present
— Therefore 3'our Petitioners pray that they may be directed in
a mode that your honours in your great wisdom Shall point to
pay our Qiiotas of Taxes in arrears Imediately to the Soldier for
the reasons above mentioned and your petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall Ever pray.
Amos Shepherd ^ Selectmen of
Alstead 29"' Sep", 17S3 Nathan Fay I Alstead
John wood j in behalf and
Tim" Fletcher J by order of the Town
[General Amos Shepherd was one of the leading men of
Alstead from 1777 until his death. He was noted for in-
dustry, economy, honesty, and fidelity, and acquired a for-
tune for those days ; frequently held positions of trust in
the town; was elected state senator in 1786, and reelected
fourteen times ; was president of that body from 1797 to
ALSTEAD. 31
1804 ; was a member of the council in 1785. He died Jan-
uary I, 1812. — Ed.]
[33] \_Petitio7i of Nathajiiel Shepherd^ Dec?-- Reeve. ~\
To the Hon^'*^ the council and house of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire,
The Petition of Nath^ Shepherd of Alstead in the county of
Cheshire state aforesaid.
Humbly Shevveth
That whereas your petitioner was chosen by the Town of Al-
stead Deer reife for the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven
hvnidred & Eighty and your Petitioner in Prosecuting his trust
in that office under oath complained of one Elnathan Jenning
as a person that had Broke the Law of the State in that case
made and provided — Unto Nath' S. Prentice & Thomas Spar-
hawk Esqs* Two of the Justices of s'^ county as Directed in
said act and your petitioner at a Large Expense of his own pur-
sued the steps of the Law and made it appear to the said Jus-
tices that the said Jennings was actually guilty of killing Deer
contrary to Law ; there Judgment accordingly was that he
should pay a fine as the Law Directs which the one half thereof
was promised by said act to the Prosecutor which relying on
the faith of the State he Expected, but to his great Surprise one
of the said Justices Received a Special order from the President
of sd State forbiding him in any way or manner to Demand the
Said fine of the said Jennings whereby he was and hath been
ever since kept out of his Right as promised in s*^ act with an
additional cost of his own Now your Petitioner prays that the
aforesaid order may be Revoked or that your Petitioner may be
Releived in some other way which your Hon"^^ in your great
wisdom shall think proper which your Petitioner Supposeth he
hath an undoubted Right to Expect. And your Petitioner as in
Duty bound will Ever pray
Nathaniel Shepherd
Alstead 23'^ Ocf 17S3.
[The said Jennings proved that he was in the continental
army three and one half years, was driven from Long Island
by the British on account of his loyalty, came to this state
in July, 1779, did not know anything about the law, and
was poor and needed the meat for the subsistence of his
*For sketch of Nathaniel Sartell Prentice, see State Papers, vol. X, p. 36. Mr. Spar-
hawk was of Walpole. Sketch will be inserted in papers relating to that town.
32
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
family. For these reasons President Weare issued a spe-
cial order to stay proceedings — Ed.]
State of New Hampshire \ To the Hon'^''' general
Cheshire ss. j Assembly
the petition of the inhabitants of the town of Alstead in the
County of Cheshire humbly sheweth that whereas there was in
the year 17S0 a Large sum of Continental money Due from this
Town to the state aforesaid — but for several Reasons (which
would be irksome to us, as well as Disagreeable to your Honors,
to mention at this Time we pass them) the aforesaid money was
not paid into the Treasury in season as it ought to have been —
but not out of any ill intention in us, in regard to the money, or
in any manner to Defraud, or keep Back, what was really due
from us, to the said state, the truth of which will appear, by
reciting one or two paragrafts in one of ovn- Town Meetings
about that time.
the I*"' is this — that this Town will make a settlement with New
Hampshire respecting all Debts that we have been with them in
contracting
the second — Voted to chuse a Commitee of three men to re-
ceive accounts from soldiers — (Viz) those that served the last
campaign (meaning under the Authority of New Hampshire)
as three months men, and six months men, and to take the said
soldiers Receipts for the same money so paid, this last as far
as the money amounted, was to answer the first, and from which
we humbly concive, your honors will be Led to see, that the
people in this Town have not been so opposed to the Laws and
orders of the general Assembly, as has been represented, and
that the people have been, was then, and Now are, willing to
pay there full Qiiotas of money to Defray the public charge —
for in that great hurry, and heat of the people those two votes
before Recited ware obtained — Your Honours are as sensable
of the Extreem scarcity of money thro the state as we can be,
and if the Treasurer should be directed to call upon those two
men in whose hands the aforesaid money now remains for so
large a sum of hard money — your honours may Easily judge
the fatal consequences it would prove to them and there fam-
eleys.
We your petitioners therefore in the most humble manner
prostrate our selves at the feet of the general Assembly humbly
praying that your Honours would not in your wisdome and good-
ness by misrepresentation impute too much iniquity to the good
people in this Town — but make some proper allowancies for
human frailty by extending compassion to those two men, and
receive the money they had collected before the time Expired
ALSTEAD. 33
for receiving Continental money as has been clone for other
Towns in this county those two men aforesaid (viz) Nathan
Fay, and Zebulon Crane are men of veracity who are at this
time betrusted with public honours from New Hampshire — and
whose affidavits in all matters may be relied on — this petition is
not the prayer [of] one individual, but the voice of the people
at Large in this Town — who with Confidence in your Clemen-
cy, and Contrishon in our selves present this petition to your
wise Consideration as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Signed by order and in behalf of the inhabitants of the Town
of Alstead
Alstead September 29"" 17S3.
Amos Shepherd")
John wood > Selectmen
Tim" Fletcher j
Accep'*^ & voted that the Select men Sign the Same in behalf
of y*^ Town
Attest NatW S. Prentice Town Clerk
[The H. of Rep., December 26, 1783, —
" Voted, That the prayer of said petition be so far granted
as to receive the money which is now in the hands of Na-
than Fay, one of the constables, amounting to ;!{^i536.. 18*.. o.
Continental Currency & that the treasurer discount the same
out of the taxes called for from the Town of Alstead in the
year 1780."
The council concurred the same day. — Ed.]
[35] \_Cei-t/Jicate of Selectmen about T'axes.~\
these mav Certify that it appears by Samuel Kidders Tax bill
for 17S3 — that Lot N" 5 in the Eighth Range was Taxed in the
war Tax two shillings and tenpence and N" 4 in the Tenth
Range three shillings and nine pence to the same tax — and to
the state tax N" 5 in y'^ Eighth Range 3/10 — and N" 4 in y*
10* Range 5/2 — and in ye County Tax N" 5 in y*^ 8"' Range
1/ all in the said Kidders Tax bills who was constable for
17S3 which said Lots belong to the Confiscated Estate of Simon
Baxter an Absentee
£o..i6..7. Isaac Temple ^ gdcct
Alstead January 21'' 1786 Benj'' Wood I ^ r
Reuben Hatch \ x-, . ■,
T , ^^, ,, Alstead
Joel Chandler J
Portsm" Feby 14. 17S6.
Received an order for sixteen shillings and seven pence
Amos Shepherd
34 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In 1789, Gideon Delano and Eli Snow killed a wolf each
in Alstead, for which they receiv^ed a state bounty. — Ed.]
[36] \_Petition yor aiitJiority to Tax No7i-resideut LajidJ\
To the Hon^^*^ Senate and house of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in general Court Convened at Portsmouth
on the 8* day of January A. D. 1790.
The Petition of the Selectmen of Alstead humbly sheweth
that said Town lies a Large Shair of roads and Bridges to Sup-
port it being a Veri mountainous town and to ad to these burdon
the County have lately laid out a Road through the Southeast-
ei'ly part of said Town through the non-residents Land about
three milds which is no advantage to said inhabitants therefore
your petitioners pray that the Selectmen of said town lay a Tax
of two pence per acor on all the nonresidence Land in Said
town to be Laid out on the roads through there own Lands, or
other ways as you in your great wisdom Shall see meet,
and \\& as in Duty bound shall ever pray
") in behalf of
Oliver Shepard V the Selectmen
) of Alstead.
[January ii, 1790, the matter was before the H. of Rep.,
and a hearing ordered for the next session.
January 21, 1791, a bill granting the authority asked for
was passed and concurred in by the senate. — Ed.]
[40] ^^Remonstrance against setting off a Parish.^
To his Excellency the Governor and Hon''''^ General Court of
New Hampshire.
We the subscribers inhabitants of the Town of Alstead, being
this day informed that a petition is circulating in the east part of
this Town to the general Court praying to be set off as a Dis-
tinct parish ; Now we would inform the Hon'''*^ General Court,
that the situation of this Town is such that a Division would be
hurtfull to the whole on many reasons that might be given as the
matter is suden and unexpected to us till this date, and the No-
tice we had accidental and the voices of the inhabitants have
not been asked, and a day of hearing on the said petition might
be a Large bill of Cost to this Town — we pray therefore that
the petition aforesaid might not have a hearing as in Duty bound
shall ever pray.
Alstead may 31."" 1793.
ALSTEAD.
35
Reuben Hatch
Job Thompson Jr
Joel Chandler
Asa Hatch
Absalom Kingsbery
Edward Waldo
Isaac Brown
John Robbins
Joshua Wood
Josiah Robens
William thompson
John Burroughs
Benj" Baxter
William Slade
Elisha Kingsbery
Richard Emerson
Daniel Perin
John Slade Jr
Daniel Waldo
Elkanah Stephens
Nath^ Rust
David Hale
Frederick wardner
Isaac Cady
Judah Hatch
Phinehas Hatch
Joshua Crane
Asa Grant
Chr^ Williams
Jonas Parke
Mason Hatch
John Fletcher
Jonathan King
IVIichel Grant
James Kingsbery
Elias Brown
Nath" Man
John Worster
Ebenezer Palmer
Paul Robins
Josiah Crosby
Ephraim Kingsbery
Noah Vilas
Moses Farnsworth
Lemuel Barker
Nathi Clark
Tho^ Farnsworth
Nath^ Cooper
Amos Shepard
\\'illiam Simons
Abel Hebbard
Jacob Cheever
Sam' Slade
James Brown
Nathaniel Rightjunr.
Azel Hatch
Jacob Wardner
Thomas Root
Josiah Cook
Dan' Williams
Joseph Cady
Josiah Cook Jr
Joseph Peck
John Ladd
Rich'' Beckwith
Luke Harris
Benj" Cutter
Jesse Watts
David Hodgman
Josiah Brooks
Roswell Waldo
Gideon Delano
[41] \^Reinonstrance of Selective ?i.~\
To his Excellencv the Governor, the Hon''''' senate and house of
representatives in General Court Assembled, may it please
your honors.
We the Subscribers Selectmen of the Town of Alstead, beg
Leave to inform your Honours that this day we ware inform''
that a Petition is now Circulating in the East part of this Town
praying to be set oft' as a distinct Parish or otherwise as the
General Court may think proper — this matter has twice been
before the inhabitants of this Town and twice Rejected by a
Large majority, as a division of this Town at present would be
very injurious to this Town in General, and they have not
brought there petition before the inhabitents to know their
minds on the matter — as selectmen and Guardians of the public
affairs we pray the petition aforesaid might not have a hearing.
Alstead may 31*'' 1793
Isaac Temple \ Selectmen
Oliver Shepard J of Alstead
36
EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[38] \_Pctiti'on for the Incorporation of a Religious Society. '\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled.
The Petition of a number of Inhabitants of the Town of Alstead
in said State.
Humbly Sheweth — That whereas your Petitioners being a com-
pact Society in one part of the Town and some years past built
them a meeting-house and settled them a Minister when there
was no other settled minister in the Town, and have ever since
paid a tax towards the support of their Society by themselves
without being called upon to support the ministry any other
way : but still we find ourselves under some embarrassments
not having legal authority to call on one another for the taxes
so made, and having got the approbation of the Town by their
Vote in Town-meeting legally appointed therefor — Therefore
your Petitioners humbly pray that all those now paying taxes
or that may hereafter choose to pay taxes towards the support
of the ministry & meeting-house with us may be incorporated
into a Society solely for that purpose. — And your Petitioners as
in duty bovmd will pray.
Alstead 36* Nov'' 1793.
NatW S. Prentice
Isaac Kent
Abel Phelps
Oliver Brown
William Wood
Laban Johnson
Spencer Brown
John Wood
John Bridgham
Daniel Newell
Nathan Fay
Thomas Taylor
Jedidiah Johnson
Thomas Wait
Solomon Prentice Jr James Arch
Eli Harrington Larnard Mann
Samuel Smith John Wait
Amaziah Wheelock Stephen Bridgham
Elisha Gale Moses Blanchard
Sylvester Partridge Paul Gale
John Bryant
Jonathan Atherton
Sardis Miller
Thomas Wood
Elijah Holbrook
Jon"^ Newton
Benj" Wood
Asa Whitcomb
Abra™ Brown
John Brooks
John Kent
Jesse Fay
John Brimmer
EplV" Barnard
Sartell Prentice
Phineas Olds
Samuel Ball
Abel Childs
Jonas Newton
[The original was signed also by Abel Button, William
Richardson, Aristides Huestis, Timothy Child, Eleazer
Miller.
In H. of Rep., December 31, 1793, a hearing was ordered
for the second Wednesday of the next session ; meanwhile
the petitioners were to post a copy of the petition in some
public place in the town, and deliver a copy to the town-
clerk, which the following certificates show was complied
with. — Ed.]
ALSTEAD. 37
Cheshire ss. March ii* 1794. This petition and order of
Court thereon was deli\ered to me this day — and this day I read
it in open Town meeting in the Town of Alstead.
Isaac Temple T : Clerk
Agreeable to the order herein contained this Petition and or-
der of Court has ben Posted up in the Town of Alstead.
Tho'' Tavlor ^
Simon Brooks Tr. 01 ^
T 1 ry^i -^T ^ Selectmen.
Job 1 hompson Jr j
James Kingsbury J
[37] [ ^^^^^ ^if Toxvn in Favor of the hicoi-poration of a Re-
ligions SocietyJ\
In a warrant Legally executed for calling a Town Meeting in
the Town of Alstead on the nineteenth day of Nov'"' Last past
was the following article (viz) article 3^
To see if the Town will approve of the persons payi'ng Taxes
to the Rev*^ Levi Lankton to be incorporated into a society by
themselves for the purpose of Maintaining their minister and
Meeting house.
In Town Meeting Nov'''' 19''' i793' article 3*^ the Qiiestion be-
ing put wheather the inhabitants of this Town will approve of
the persons paying Taxes to the Rev'' Levi Lankton to be incor-
porated into a society by themselves for the purpose of Main-
taining their minister and Aleeting house passed in the affirm-
ative.
A true copy of Record
Attest — Isaac Temple T : Clei'k
Alstead Dec'"' 20"* 1793.
[44]
At the annual Meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Al-
stead holden March 10* 1795.
Article 16"^ To see if the inhabitants aforesaid will vote that
the persons that now do or may hereafter pay Taxes to the Rev^
Levi Lankton may be Incorporated into a Society for the pur-
pose of Soporting their Minister and Meeting House.
Past in the affirmative
Alstead Moses Plale
May 13"' 1795. Daniel Perin vSelect
Abel Phelps \ Men of
Jn" Brigham Alstead
Ephraim Kingsbery
The above is a true copy of record
Attest Daniel Perin Town Clerk
38 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The foregoing petitions, etc., resulted in the incorpora-
tion of a society by the name of the Second Parish in
Alstead, the act passing the house June 15, 1795, the sen-
ate the next day, and receiving the approval of Gov. Oilman
June 18, 1795. — Ed.]
[43] \_Petition of Elisha Ki/igsbety for JLoan.'\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire to be Convened at Amherst in
said State on w^ednesday the fourth day of June 1794.
Humbly Shew^eth your Petitioner.
That your Petitioner did in the year 1792 at great Expence
build a Linceed Oil Mill, and in the year 1793, on his own Ex-
pence & on the same Dam build a Paper Mill both which mills
are neax'ly finished and do good business to the great advantage
and benefit of the Public in this part of the State — That your
Petitioner finds a great demand for his Paper, not only in this
but in the Neighbouring State of Vermont so that not onh- the
saving of the importation of that valuable article in this part of
the State is made, but is also likely to bring a considerable
Qiiantity of money into this part of the State. — That the de-
mand for paper has increased so much that he finds himself
unable to procure Stock sufficient to supply all his customers
by reason of this great expence in Constructing his works
Therefore prays that your Honors would grant him the Loan
of two hundred pounds for one or two years upon security of
the Mortgage of the Mill to the state that he may be enabled to
carry on his works to the better advantage of the publick and
save the Importation of those articles into this part of the state.
And your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray
Alstead May 31"' 1794.
Elisha Kingsbery
[The foregoing was before the legislature June 9, 1794,
and a committee appointed to consider the matter, but I am
unable to find any record of their report. — Ed.]
ALLENSTOWN. 39
ALLENSTOWN.
This town was granted in council May ii, 1722, to the
children of Gov^ernor Samuel Allen, and to their heirs, and
described as follows: " A Tract of land of four miles square
adjoining to Chester side line, and Nottingham head line."
A part of this was incorporated with Pembroke in Novem-
ber, 1759. It was named Aliens-Town, in honor of the de-
ceased governor. Among the first settlers were John Wol-
cutt, Andrew Smith, Daniel Evans, and Robert Buntin, who
with others were there previous to 1748.
In June, 18 15, some territory east of Merrimack river,
which had previously belonged to Bow, was annexed to this
town. It was incorporated July 2, 1831.
[R. 3] [ Certificate of Three Soldiers liable to have their
Tax abated r\
Allenston.
this is to searty that george \vins John Jedkins and Jeanis
megoy [McCoy] was in the Continentle serves agrebel to the
vote of thes province past in the year 1775 should be teaken of
John heyes By us
that the pole tax is Benj matthes
0406 p"' head Seclect men
to the state
13/6 Sv\^orn to June 12, i777' before
W™ Parker Jus. Peace.
Joseph Dennet Constable for 1776.
[45] \_Retur7t of Number of Ratable Polls ^ ^/^^J-]
In obedience to the Order of the Hon' General Court we the
subscribers Select Men of Allenstown have made the Following
to be the Exact Number of Rateable polls from Twenty one
years old & upwards in the bounds of said Allenstown viz.
thirty Polls
George Evans ) Select
Samuel Webster j men
Allenstown
December 9"* A. D. 1783.
To the Hon'*' the General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire at Concord.
40 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The above was sworn to before Samuel Daniell, of Pem-
broke, justice of the peace. — Ed.]
[46] \^Petition for Abatej?iefit of T'ax.~\
State of New ") To the Hon''^'' the Senate and House of Repre-
Hampshire J sentatives in General Court Convened the 14*
day of June A. D. 17S6.
The Petition of the Selectmen of Allenstown in the County
of Rockingham.
Humbly Sheweth That said Allenstown in the year 1781 was
called upon by the authority of said State to raise one man to
serve in the Continental Army three years or during the war
between Great Britain and the United States of America at
which time it w^as supposed by s'^ Town that there was then
serving in the Army aforesaid a Man for said Town, which if it
had been true would have prevented said Demand, but on trial
before the Committee of safety it was determined against them,
by means whereof s*^ Town lost a large sum of money which
was paid him for engaging as aforesaid. Your Petitioners after-
wards hired one Samuel Kennistown and went with him to the
Muster Master, who Informed them that a few days before he
was ordered not to Muster any more — since which an Extent
hath been issued against the Select Men of said Town by the
Treasurer for Seventy two pounds twelve shillings, and is in an
officers hands to execute — As the said Town has ever procured
their quota of Men during the late War, tho' but an Handful
compared with the greatest part of the Towns in the State, and
were unfortunately deprived of a Man they supposed that they
had a right to, and who they paid for his Service, beg this
Hon'''® Court would take their case under their Consideration
and relinquish the w^hole or part of said svnu.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
") one, and in behalf
George Evins V of the other Selectmen
) of said Town
[In answer to the foregoing petition the legislature abated
forty-two pounds. — Ed.]
[47] ^Petition for fnstice of the Peace. ^
State of New Hamp'' ] To his Excellency John Sullivan Esq
Rockingham ss j and the honourable Privy Council
for said State. — Humbly shews that the Inhabitants of Allens-
town in said State — That your Petitioners tho' small in Numbers
Consider themselves Entitled To Common Privileges with other
Towns in general in said state, that Ever since the settlement of
ALLENSTOWN.
41
said Town, the Inhabitants thereof have been destitute of a Civile
Magistrate To Transact the Nessary business of said Town, and
have ever been Obleged annualy To appl}' at least six miles and
some times more Distance from said Town To a magistrate To
qalify Town officers, and frequently upon other business which
Proves very inconvenient, and as they himiblv Conceive that
there is a Person who is a Reputable free holder in said Town,
well quallified To sustain such a Commission and the most
likley To give general satisfaction as a magistrate, therefore
humbly Pray that Capt. George Evins may be appointed a Jus-
tice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and your Pe-
titioners as bound &c.
Allenstown Nov. 17S7.
Robert Bunten
Samel Kinstone
Clement M^Coy
Danel Daves
Ede Hall Bergin
his
Samuel Xfisk
marit
Josiah Allen
Jacob Gay
John Trefethen
Moses Leavett
farik Luces
Samuel webster Junr.
Philip Sargent
Zablon Davis
Josiah Johnson
Riley Smith
Roger Dugan
Leonard Harrington
Ichabod Clark
James kinniston
John Tomson
Jerimiah Jonson
John Hayes
Nathaniel Smith
Garshom Dugan
Ichabod Clark
Charles Bamford
Samuel Rowe
Hall Bergin
Samuel kinneson
Samel york
John Jonson
John Robinson
[This petition was not granted,
one following. — Ed.]
See document next but
[48] \_Petitio?i for Authority to Tax Land for Repairing
Highways^ etc.^
State of ) To the Hon'''*^ General Assembly for said State
New Hamp'' j convened at Exeter Januai'y 7* 17^9*
Humbly Shew the Inhabitants of Allenstown in said State —
That from the first settlement of said Town, the Inhabitants
thereof (who are very few in number, not exceeding forty rate-
able polls) have been at the sole expense of maintaining all pub-
lic roads in the same — that from the roughness of the land, the
many streams running through said Town, and the small num-
ber of Inhabitants, they find it exceedingly burdensome to keep
the roads and bridges (some of which are long and very often
carried away by freshets) in barely passable repair — that unless
said Inhabitants can have some assistance from the Non-resident
Proprietors or owners of lands in said Town, (who are by far
the greatest part of the propriety,) they cannot possibly keep
42 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said roads & bridges in proper repair, they therefore pray your
Honours to take this their petition under your wise considera-
tion, and alleviate their distress by granting them liberty to
assess one penny per acre on all the lands in said Allenstown
improved and unimproved for the term of three years, for the
purpose of repairing and making passable and convenient the
roads and bridges in said town, and as bound &c.
John Leonard ^ Select Men for and
Josiah Allen y in behalf of the
Nathaniel Smith J Inhabitants of
Allenstown.
[The foregoing petition was before the legislature Janu-
ary 7, and a hearing ordered for their next session. June
1 8, 1789, an act passed granting the request. — Ed. J
[49] ^^Petition for the Appointment of George Evans.'\
To His Excellenc}' the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire and the Honorable Privy Council Convened at Exeter
May 1790.
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Allenstown in
said State Humbly Shews —
That your petitioners are desirous that a Justice of the peace
may be appointed in said Allenstown (as they never have as
yet had the privilege of having one in said Town) and they beg
leave to recommend to vour Excellency & Honors Capt. George
Evans as the most suitable person in said Town for that office
and we pray that your Excellencv & Honors would take the
matter under your wise Consideration & appoint him y*^ said
Evans a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Rocking-
ham. And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Allenstown 5"^ Feby. 1790.
Ede Hall Bergin Walter Bergin Joseph Y. Bergin
Josiah Morse Hall Bergin Robert Bunten
John Clark Amos Carlton Philip Sargent
John Woodward Capt. Staren Sargent Theod Shackford
John Bergin Jo^'i Leonard Josiah Allen
John Leonard Juner John Hayes Samuel webster
Nathaniel .Smith John Hartford Samel fisk
John Johnson federch Luies [ .^] Samuel gooken
Benjamin Mathies James Hartford Nathaniel Smith
Zebilon Daves Samuel york Charles Bamford
Joshua Cates Daniel Daves Jr Samuel Kinneson Jr
Samuel Kinneson Sr Ichabod Clark Sr
Ichabod Clark Jr
ALLENSTOWN. 43
[This petition resulted in the appointment of George
Evans justice of the peace for the county of Rockingham,
he thus becoming Allenstown's first magistrate. — Ed.]
^50] \_Petition relative to Building Bridges over Stincook
River. '\
To the Hon''''^ The Senate and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Hopkinton on the first Wednesday in
June A. D. 1798.
Humbl}' Shews The Inhabitants of Allenstown in the County
of Rockingham that in the year 1759 ^- Township w^as incorpo-
rated in said County by the name of Pembroke bounded wester-
ly by Merrimac & Sowcook Rivers, Northerly upon Chichester
& Epsom, & Easterly & Southerly by Stincook River: that
when said Pembroke was incorporated, about one mile was
taken off from the Westerly part of Allenstown & included in
Pembroke : That the Inhabitants of Pembroke have unreason-
ably refused and still neglect and refuse to build or keep in Re-
pair any part of the Bridges over Suncook River under pretence
of their not being liable by Law^ to build said bridges nor any
part of the same, said Town being bounded by Suncook River
in the act of Incorporation ; by reason whereof your petitioners
are in danger of being Compelled to build & keep in Repair all
the Bridges across said Suncook River, a burthen which your
petitioners in their present situation are wholly unable to bear
on account of the fewness of their Number & the great expence
of maintaining & keeping in repair the other Roads & Bridges
through their town — that the public have a long time suffered
much inconvenience and Danger for want of good Bridges over
Sujicook River., and that said Bridges are now in a Ruinous
Condition, the lives of passengers being daily endangered in
passing the same : Your petitioners further shew that if that
part of Pembroke which was taken oft' from Allenstown with the
Inhabitants was to be Re-annexed to said Allenstown it would
not be more than their Just proportion of the Highway tax of
said Town to Build and keep in Repair the bridges over Sun-
cook river ;
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pra}^ that that part of
Allenstown with the Inhabitants thereof, which is included
within Pembroke, by said Act of Incorporation, may be Dis-
annexed from Peml^roke, and Joined again to that Tract of land
known and called by the Name of Allenstown, That they may
Thereby be Enabled to build & keep in repair the Roads and
Bridges aforesaid, — or that such other relief in the premises
44 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
may be afforded to your Petitioners as your Honors shall think
Just and proper, And they as in Duty bound will ever pray
Allenstown June 6'^ i79^*
Israel Marden Theod. Shackford Jr. James Clark
John Leonard Simon Johnson Daniel Kinneson
Samuel Webster David Webster Nathaniel Smith
Samuel Fisk George Evens John Gate
Phillip Sargent John Hayes Samuel Davis
John Johnson Theod. Shackford Nathaniel Smith Junr.
Robert Bunten John Fisk Hall Burgin
John Leonard Jr. James Bunten Samuel Wells Jur.
Moses Leavitt John Hartford
[The result of this petition was an act extending the
easterly and southerly line of the town of Pembroke to the
easterly and southerly bank of Suncook river. This act was
approved December 24, 1798. — Ed.]
ALTON.
This town was called New Durham Gore until it was in-
corporated by its present name, June 16, 1796, with the fol-
lowing boundaries: "Easterly on New Durham, northerly
on Wolfeborough, northwesterly on Winnipisiokee Pond,
westerly on Gilmanton, and southwesterly partly on Gilman-
ton, and partly on Barnstead." A description of the bound-
aries (1794) may be found in one of the following documents.
In a petition for incorporation, dated 1794, the inhabitants
asked to have it named Roxbury ; but it was finally called
Alton, by one of the proprietors, after a town in Southamp-
tonshire, England. It was first settled about 1770, by Jacob
Chamberlin and others. Barndoor island was annexed to
the town in 1799. A portion of the town was severed and
annexed to Barnstead in 1840, and a portion to Wolfebor-
ough in 1849.
[51] \^yacob Chamberlin^ relative to Election of Represent-
ative, 1778.']
To the honorable the house of Representatives for the State of
New Hampshire gentlemen
I who am an Inhabitant of the gore have by Accident heard
ALTON. 45
your Honours had sent a precpt to Wolfborough the gore and
New Durham reqviiring these three towns to meet and make
choice of some man to Represent them att the next general
Court and as the Inhabitants of the gore had no Kind of notice
or warning that there was to be such a choice — I applied to one
of the select men of said New Durham to know the Reason why
we were not notified and he told me it was no matter whether
we knew it or not as there would be no choice though I thought
it Very unreasonable that a New Durham selectman should De-
termine whether we in the gore should be represented or not I
cannot think why we were not notified unless it was for this
Reason that as they know Wolfborough never attends the meet-
ings they inight chuse whome they pleased and it seems they
think they have no one in their town fit they must pitch upon a
man near forty miles Distant who we think very little acquaint-
ed with the Circumstances of the gore what ever he may be
with Wolfborough and we Desire to submit it to yovu' honors
whether such a person chosen in such an illegal manner — and as
I have been informed only by 5 or 6 men — is a suitable person
to Represent three towns — if we have no man among us fit for
a Representative we had much rather confide in the wisdom and
justice of your honours to Represent us than that any person
chosen in such an illegal manner should presume to Do it — we
vipon the whole think we are slighted and very ill treated in this
mater and hope that your honours in your great goodness will
see we have Justice Done us — I am in be half of the gore your
most humble Servant Jacob Chamberlin
Gore December the 11"^ 177S.
[52] \_Petltion of the Inhabitants conce7-ning the same mat-
ter.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'''*' the House of Representatives of the State of New
Hampshire.
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of
the Gore in the County of Strafford in Said State, Sheweth
That we have been informed, their Honours the Late General
Court had Sent a precept to the Select Men of New Durham
Directing them to Notify the Inhabitants of Wolfborough and
the Gore to Meet at Said New Durham for the Choice of a
Representative to attend this present General Court and that
notwithstanding the Same Direction we never had any kind of
Notice or warning of such Meeting but the Inhabitants of said
New Durham met and Chose a Representative which appears
46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to US to be illegal and Pray the Said Choice may be set aside,
that we may have the priviledge of Voting at any future Meeting
for the Choice of Representatives which we think we have a
just Right to Claim — And that the Inhabitants of Wolfborough
have never attended Such Meetings on account of the Great
Distance they are from New Durham Meeting House
That they have intimated to us their Great Desire to be pres-
ent at Such Meetings if the Place appointed was such as would
Be Convenient for the three towns and That Lieut. Charles-
Rogers at Merrymeeting Bay would be the most suitable at
which Place they \vould punctually attend. And your Petition-
ers as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray &c.
Joseph Roberts) ^ ,
Charles Rogers >•
i nnothy Davis )
George Horn Olivah Reave Benj'" Bennett
Jacob Chamberlin EphraimChamberlin Ephraim Roberts
Eleazer Davis John Barker
[Col. Thomas Tash was the man elected. The matter
was before the H. of Rep., March lo, 1779, and a hearing
ordered for the 24th ; but in the Journal of the House for
that day no mention is made of the matter, and I think it
was dropped. — Ed.]
[53] \_Petition relative to Roads through the Gore.'\
State of New Hamp"" | To the Hon'''" Covmcil and House of
Strafford ss. j Representatives in General Assembly
convened
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of a Place called
the Gore adjoining New Durham and Wolfborough. Hvnnbly
Shew that upon a certain Petition preferred to the General
Court praying that a Waggon Road should be made & repaired
from New Durham by Merry Meeting to Wolfborough through
said Gore & another Road from said Merry meeting to Gilman-
ton at the Cost of the owners of the Land through which said
Road should run : upon which Petition on the 33'' day of June
1780 — it was enacted that said Road should be made & repaired
as aforesaid at the Cost of the Inhabitants & owners of said
Gore, in the same Proportion as the State Tax, and that the said
Inhabitants & owners shall be liable to the same Pains and Pen-
alties as an}' Town in the State for not repairing Highways —
by which act your Petitioners the Inhabitants of said Gore hrnn-
bly conceive, that they are laid under greater Inconveniences &
Disadvantages than any other Inhabitants of this State, by being
ALTON. 47
subjected to large Costs ; or to Pains and Penalties, for large
Tracts of Land that your Petitioners never had any the least
civil or political Connection with : Your Petitioners the said
Inhabitants being few in number living upon the Borders of
said Gore, owners only of the small Parcels of Land they sev-
erally live upon, without the Benefit of any Incorporation ; being
obliged to make all necessary Roads to their own abodes ; es-
teem it a great Hardship which they are unable to go through
in being obliged to make and maintain Roads through Land of
others that your petitioners can receive no Benefit by : If such
part of said Gore as would accomodate your Petitioners was In-
corporated into a Town or Parish, your Petitioners would then
esteem it reasonable to be made liable, with the owners of Land
within such Incorporation to perform everything necessary for
Highways ; or as that is not the Case your Petitioners are ^villing
that their Lands should be rated in common with other Lands
in said Gore, to all Necessary Highways. In which Sense your
Petitioners humbly conceive to be the Prayer of the first Petition
upon which the aforesaid act ^vas made otherwise your present
Petitioners \vould have taken Benefit in shewing Cause whv the
Prayer of the same ought not to have been granted. Wherefore
your Petitioners humbly pray your Hon'''*' Court to take under
Consideration their present Ciixumstances & inability to fulfil
the Requisitions of said Act & to order that the Lands onlv in
said Gore be taxed towards said Roads, and your Petitioners
shall ever pray
October 12"^ 1780.
Joseph Roberts [ Select
Eleazer Davis j Men
[I have searched the Journal of the House for the next
session, and find no reference to the matter. — Ed.]
[54] {^Relative to Procuring Men for the Arniv.~\
Gore adjoining New Durham March 26* 17S1.
At the anual meating held in said Town by the inhabitants
by law Qiialified to vote in town afiairs.
Voted that the said meating stand adjourned to monday 30*
Day of Ap' to see if the Hon'''*" Court will consider ous in our
Proportion of Taxes for the present year, we the s"! inhabitants
think we are agreved — therefore beg your Honours would Con-
sider ous being but few in Number & Likewis Poor & it is out of
Power to get those men sent for to serve in the Continental ser-
vis as being more than our proportion according to other Towns
attes Joseph Roberts Town Clark
48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Roberts Eleazer Davis Silas Buzzell
Nathaniel Smith r\^• w d Robert Buzzel
T • 1 c VI Oliver X -revey ,^ ^,.,
Josiah Smith ...^^k Moses Gilman
John Glidden Jonas thanlaffin Charles Rogers
^uTm w Tames Dudley
W"' X more -L tt -^
ma;k George Horn
Daniel Rogers Eph'" Roberts
[55] '\_Reprcsentation of Inability to J^urnis/i j\Ien for the
Army.^
State of New^ Hampshire.
To the Hon'^''^ the House of Representatives of the State of New
Hamjishire or in their Recess To the Hon''''^ the Committee of
Safety of said State. The Representation of the Select Men
for themselves, and other Inhabitants of the Gore in the Coun-
ty of vStrafford. Sheweth —
That there is no more than thirty seven rateable Poles in the
Gore, and those in general very poor and necessitous — and dis-
persed over a large Tract of rough wild Land, that we are
much in Arrears for our Beef and Men supplied last year, & the
year before, & that but a small proportion of the Inhabitants
have paid their last years taxes, and say they are not able to
do it.
That there has been demanded from us by the Hon'''" Court
four Men to sen^e in the Continental Army for three years or
during the War, when it is a common thing in other Towns for
forty Men, much more able than we are, to be classed in one
Class, to get one Man.
That we have as we conceive been always much over rated,
and altho' the Hon"^ Court have ordered a considerable Abate-
ment in our Taxes, yet the Treasurer constantly sends his
precept to us for the whole Sum demanded, and we are this
year charged a high price, for the Deficiency of Beef not sup-
plied last year, which we suppose ought not to be the case, as it
is contrary to a Resolution of the Hon'''*^ Court.
And that notwithstanding we Labour under so many peculiar
Disadvantages, we have exerted ourselves to the utmost to get
two Men, hoping if we could have succeeded in the Attempt,
w^e might have been favored as to the other two, but we are
sorry to say that after spending a great deal of Time and Money,
we have not been able to get one Man at any Rate, we have
offered our Cattle, part of our Lands, or any other Thing within
our Reach, to no purpose.
We thought it our Duty to make this Representation hoping
ALTON. 49
that we might be alleviated of some of our Difficulties, and that
you might take such further order herein, as you in your great
Wisdom should think fit.
Gore July S"^ 17S2.
Joseph Roberts ] Select
Jonathan Coffin j Men
The Select Men beg leave to note further, That if their w^hole
proportion of Men are four the number now required of them ;
allowing the above mentioned abatement their just pioportion
would be but about three, altho. they have heard that the Shei"-
ift'has a precept for the whole Sum in Lieu of the four Men.
[56] \_CertlJicate of Number of Ratable Polls^ lySj.']
Straflbrd ss. Pursuant to A Vote of the General Court, This
may Certify that there is forty Rateable Pools From Twenty
One years Old and Upward Living In New Durham Gore
Taken by Order of the Select men
Gore December 3*^ i7^3
Joseph Roberts Town Clerk
Straflbrd ss.
New Durham Gore Dec"" 3*^ 1783- Then the above named
Joseph Roberts made Solemn Oath to the above Certificate by
him signed that it Contained the full number of Rataeble Polls
living in said Town
Coram Matth^ T. Parker Jus. Peace.
[58] [^Petition asking- to have the Aiinual Meetings held i?i
March^ 1784^ legalized.'}
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon''''' the General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire.
The petition of the Subscribers chosen Select-men of the Gore
in the County of Straflbrd in said State Humbly Shews.
That the Inhabitants of the Gore aforesaid, held an annual
Meeting in March last past, when they chose Select-men Col-
lector &c. as usual at slich meetings ; but as their power of
holding meetings ceased with the late proportion Act, their
transactions were void of Course.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that the Choice of Tow^n
Officers, and other proceedings at said annual Meeting may be
established, and the trouble and expense of another prevented.
And your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c.
Joseph Roberts
Joseph Peirce
Eleazer Davis
5
50 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[This petition resulted in the passage of the following
resolution. — Ed.]
[57] \_Resolve legalizing Annual Meeting.']
State of New Hampshire
In the House of Representatives Octo. 29, 17S4.
Whereas the Selectmen of the Gore (so called) in the Coun-
ty of Strafford have petitioned the General Court setting forth
that the inhabitants of said Gore in Alarch last held a meeting
& chose all officers as usual to assess & collect their Taxes, but
as their power of holding meetings ceased with the late propoi"-
tion act their proceedings were void — wherefore they prayed
that the choice of officers & other proceedings at said Annual
Meeting might be established. —
Therefore Resolved. That the meeting held in said Gore in
March last be established and the officers chosen to assess &
collect their Taxes are hereby fully authorized & empowered to
transact the necessary business of their respective offices as fully
as if said Proportion Act had continued in force through the
current year.
And the officers chosen at said meeting are hereby empow-
ered to call a meeting for the purposes aforesaid sometime in
March next : And the officers for the respective years to call
meetings annuallv to choose such necessary officers until a new
proportion of the State Taxes shall be made. Sent up for Con-
currence.
Geo : Atkinson, Speaker.
In Senate October 30, 1784, read & Concurred
M. Weare, President.
[643^] [^Petition of Straffo7-d Cojinty People fo7- an Act of
Incorporation.]
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''*' the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened —
The Petition of the Subscribers who are Inhabitants of a cer-
tain Tract of Land within the following Towns in the County
of Strafford in said State viz'. Rochester, Barnstead, New Dur-
ham and the Gore adjoining New Durham — Humbly Shews
That said Tract described within the following Bounds,
(Namely Begining at the northeasterly part of half moon pond
so called in said Gore, then running North about one mile to
ALTON.
51
the South Side Line of Thomas Packer's Lot of Land n" three in
said Gore then running east about two miles to said New Dur-
ham Line, then running North by said Line about forty Rods to
the Southwesterly Corner of Samuel Oilman's Land in said New
Durham then running North 48° East about half a mile to Tas-
kers River, then running easterly by said River as that runs
about three miles to Rochester Line, then continuing by said
River about one mile, or so far as to take two Ranges of third
Division Lots in said Rochester then running South 48° West
about three Miles to Barrington Line, then running northwest
by said Line to the Northerly Corner of Barnstead, then running
South 48° West upon said I3arnstead foot Line so far as to con-
tain four Ranges of sixty Acre Lots, then running Northwest or
as the Range Line of said Lots run, about three miles, then
running North about three miles to said Pond, and from thence
across said Pond to the Place began at,) is a large Ridge of Land
situate at the Extremites of the above said Towns and would be
very convenient, and seems b}' Nature to have been designed
for a Town or Parish by itself, as it is detached from the Center
of said Towns by Rivers, low meadows, and other natural ob-
structions by means of which the said Inhabitants your Peti-
tioners, are exposed to great Difficulties in attending the annual
and other public meetings so that your Petitioners are led to
suppose they do not stand altogether upon so good a footing,
nor partake of equal advantages with the other Inhabitants of
said Towns by reason of their your Petitioners remote situation
from the Center of said Towns.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly pray that the above de-
scribed Tract may be erected into a Town by the Name of . . .
and that an Act of Incorporation may be passed vesting the
present and all future Inhabitants of said Tract with such priv-
ileges and Immunities as the Inhabitants of other Towns within
said State do enjoy.
And your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Dated May 20"' 1 788
Jacob Chamberlin
Joseph Evans
Nathan kineson
Solomon Drew
Zebulun Davis
Daniel Evans
John Jorden
Nathnel Stevens
Thomas Lanch ( ?)
David Killey
Ebenezer Killey
Benjamin Bickford
Abraham Bickford
Joshua Pevey
John Roberts
David Roberts
Benj" Pevey
Thomas Canney
Moses Hayes
Joseph Jackson
Joseph Canne
Benjamin Dow
Zachariah Boodey
Ichabod Russell
Thos Young Jr.
Chas Young
andrew Bickford
Ebenezer Horn Jr
John akers
Henry Buzzel
Thomas Buzzel
Joseph Allard
John Murrey
52 . EAKI.V TOWN PAPERS.
John Wingate Moses Avery Jonathan Folsom
Joseph Emei-son Winthrop Ayers Timothy Davis
Theoder Richards Thomas Ayers James Jewett
Thomas Leathers James Lock Jun"" Thomas Dame
John GHdden Solomon Crocket John Benor
Jeremiah Pahner EphraimChamberlin Joseph quint
Daniel Durgin Joseph Chamberlin Stephen meder
Abi'aham Chamber- Clement Pinkham moses meder Jun
lin John Pearl Dan X Benson his
Isaac Chamberlin Sam Demeritt mark
Eleazer Davis Edmund Tebbets -. v"' -r> i
T 1 13 A4^ his lames X Palmer
Lemuel B. Mason -^, , "'I ^. , ■, ^ S,\
-D , ^, 1 ,. Elemuel X Richard- y , ^ ,
Paul Chamberlm mari. r Joseph Jackson
Benf Avery ^^^^^^^ ^ -^^^^^^L^^^Abraham Lebbey
Sam' Avery t v, u j o i moses meder
hu Ichabod Pearl t^^. , , r-i- i i
T 1 w A ^.^^T^^^■ \ht- ^ JNicholas (jlidden
Iseral X Avery William vVinget -o • • t -i i
Tohn Aver ^""''"'^ ^^^'''' Benjamin Libby
^JL, -X .. Eleazar Bickford
Ebenezer JN utter
[In H. of Rep., June 17, 1788, hearing ordered for next
session. — Ed.]
[59] \^Pctition of the Inhabitants to have JVew Dza'ha^n Gore
hicorporatcd^ iyg4.~\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives,
for the State of New^ Hampshire, to be convened at Amherst
in said State on the first Wednesday in June next.
The petition of us the subscribers Freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of a place called New Durham Gore, in the County of
Strafford and vState aforesaid.
Humbly Sheweth — That your petitioners have a long time la-
bored under many inconveniencies, for want of an incorporation,
in their not having legal power, to lay out and make roads for
the accommodation of the Inhabitants and public, to build a
meeting-house for public worship, settle a minister of the Gos-
pel, raise money for the maintenance of schools, and to transact
and do many other things relative to town affairs, which the In-
habitants of incorporated towns in this State by law^, exercise
and do, notwithstanding which difficulties they have always
cheerfully contributed their full proportion toward the support
of Government and been firmly attached to the Laws of the
State. Your Petitioners therefore pray that the abovementioned
Tract of Land, now called New Durham Gore, and bounded as
follows — to wit — Beginning at the south westerly corner of New
ALTON, 53
Durham and running north by the side line thereof about nine
miles and three quarters, to the north westerly corner of said
New Durham, then running North forty eight degrees East, by
said New Durham line about two miles and three quarters to
the southerly corner of Wolfborough, then running north west
to winnipeseoke pond, then running by the shore of said pond
as that runs a westerly course as far as Gilmantown line, then
southerly upon said Gilmantown line as far as the line of the
town of Barnstead, then rvnining south east or as said Barn-
stead line runs to the Bounds first mentioned. — may be erected
and incorporated into a township by the name of* Roxbry, and
that the inhabitants thereof may be erected into a Body politic
and corporate to have continuance and succession forever and
invested with all the powers and enfranchised with all the rights,
privileges, and immunities which other towns, in this State hold
and enjoy, to hold to said inhabitants and their successors for-
ever— And that Mr Eleazer Davis may be avithorized to call a
meeting of said inhabitants to choose all necessary and custom-
ary town officers, giving such notice and under such regulations,
as your honors may deem necessary and that the officers then
chosen may be invested with all the powers of such officers in
other towns in this State. And that every other meeting, which
shall be annually held in said Gore, for that purpose, may be on
the second Monday of March forever, or otherwise point out
any other mode of relief to your petitioners in the premises, as
your honors in your wise consideration shall think best, and
your petitioners as in duty bound will ever prav —
New Durham Gore March the 31''' Anno Domini 1794.
Lem^ B. Mason Samuel mc cluer Charles Rogers
Micajah Hanson Ebenezer Place Jr Jonathan Coffin
James M^Duftee Stephen Fall Samuel Rogers
Ebenezer Wentworth Jonathan Molton Simon Clamp
Jun. Moses Meader Jr. Thomas flanders
Joseph Roberts Nicholas Glidden Thomas Lanchlen
Thomas Edgerley Thos. Bennett George Walker
Jon'' M'^Duflee Samuel Elkins Ebenezer Went-
Ephraim Chamberlain Eleazer Davis worth
Jr Benj" Bennett Elisha Drew
John Ra\\lings Dan' M'^Dufiee Jr. Israel vStockbridge
Thomas Dutton Robert E. Buzzel [name illegible]
Silas Buzzell William M'^Dufiee Jacob Chamberlin
Aaron Allard Lemuel Durrell Jr
David Glidden Ephraim Chamberlain Richard flanders
Moses Gilman Jonathan Laighton Jr John Folsom
*The names New Dover and Liberty had been inserted next, and crossed off.
54 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Shepard Ichabod Rawlings Stephen Drew
Jonathan Leighton Jonathan Laighton 3*^ James Woster
Thomas Edgerly Jr Ithamar Bnzel [ ?] Theoder Richards
James Roberts James Rogers Jeremiah Wood-
Joseph Chamberhn pauI Leathers man
Joseph Buzzell Paul Chamberhn Reuben Smith
Andrew Edgerly Eph'" Roberts
Anthony Rawlings Tristram Hurd
[61] \_Petitioii of Joseph Peirce^ I'JQ4.'\
State of New Hampshire \ To the Hon'''*^ the Senate and House
County of Straflbrd j of Representatives in Gen' Court
to be convened at Amherst in said State. — The Petition of Jo-
seph Peirce of New Durham Gore in said County
Humbly Shews — That a petition signed by sundry of the In-
habitants of said New Durham Gore has been presented to the
General Court, praying that the Tract of Land called New Dur-
ham Gore in said County might be incorporated, and have such
Privileges as other towns of said State enjoy — That it is not con-
venient said Tract should be incorporated as the form of the
same is such, that the Inhabitants never can without much diffi-
culty meet together for public worship, for the doing the neces-
sary town business, or for any other public or social purposes,
as said Tract is not six miles wide in the widest part, and that
Part is separated and divided for several miles together by a
large Arm of Winnepisiokee pond called merry meeting bay,
that said tract is nearly sixteen miles in extent from the most
southeasterly to the most northwesterly part of the same, and
the difficulty of passing from one to the other is greatly in-
creased by the intervention of large and almost impassable
Mountains low wet grounds and swamps that the most south-
easterly part of said Gore is an acute angle, and your petitioners
farm is so situated as to make said Angle, and is removed
further from the Centre of said Gore, than any other farm in
the same, is, or can be. That your Petitioners said farm which
contains about fifteen hundred Acres is about seven miles from
said Centre, and the roads leading to the same go over veiy
high hills, and are in general very rough, and ever will be very
uneven, That your Petitioner has left the employments he for-
merly pursued, and has for several years last past engaged him-
self in cultivating waste Lands, making public roads, and ad-
vancing the general good of said State, That your Petitioner
never had any thought that said Tract of Land wovdd be incor-
porated, more especially as said Inhabitants have heretofore at
ALTON. 55
a public meeting held for that purpose, voted that they \vould
not petition the Legislature for such Incorporation — That such
incorporation if had, would evidently lessen the value of your
Petitioner's Interest in said Gore — and would place him in a sit-
uation much worse than he now is. — Therefore your Petitioner
asks of your honours, that, if the Legislature should pass an Act
incorporating said New Durham Gore, that the said farm of
your Petitioner may not be included in said Incorporation, or
that his said farm may be made into a separate corporation, or
that your honours would take such other order thereon, as you
in your great wisdom shall think fit.
New Durham Gore Alay 27'*^ i794-
Joseph Peirce
[63] \_AIemorial relative to Incorporating the Town^ l'/g4.'\
To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire to be convened at Amherst in
and for said State on the first Wednesday in June next.
The petition of the Subscribers, freeholders and Inhabitants
of a certain tract or parcel of land called New Durham Gore. —
Humbly Sheweth That whereas we understand sundry Inhab-
itants of said Gore are about petitioning the General Court of
said State, for an incorporation, which if granted without the
liberty herein after exprest will greatly distress the undersigned
petitioners as well as the Inhabitants of the other remote and
attenuated parts, of said Gore, by reason of its being so exten-
sive in length and running into sharp peaks and narrow cor-
ners, which lap over, cover and lye behind almost impassible
Mountains — and your petitioners living in the southerly peak of
said tract and so far distant, from the intended center as to ren-
der it utterly inconvenient for them to be connected or embodied
with the aforesaid applicants and would greatly lessen their
property. But they are of opinion that a town or parish might
be formed and erected out of the middle of said tract of land by
cutting oft' the several corners of it agreeably to a plan thereof
herewith exhibted.*
Your petitioners therefore pray, that in case said incorpora-
tion should take place, your honors would reserve liberty, for
your petitioners and such others as now do or may hereafter
live in the aforesaid extreme parts or corners of said tract of
land, at any time when either of them may think it convenient
to be set of with their estate and be annexed to anv other towns
adjoining, as they may see fit and which shall be willing to re-
* This plan may be found in the office of the secretary of state, Town Papers, Vol. i. No.
60.
56 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ceive them, in such way and manner and under such regulations
as your honors shall think fit — otherwise we shall forever be
debarred from town privileges merely because it has been our
misfortune to settle in this tract of land, which was left out in
the running the other towns adjacent, for the owners of Masons
right and which we never expected would be incorporated in
its present form, but would be annexed to other towns — which
might have been obtained without difficulty or objection had it
been seasonably requested, but we are sorry to say that we
have every reason to believe, our Brethren are too much biased
to consult the Benefit of their Neighbours as well as themselves
— ^but we are convinced, that a bare suggestion of our situation
to your honors, to whom we look up for protection as to our
Fathers, vs'ill be sufficient.
New Durham Gore May the 27"" A. D. 1794.
Timothy Davis Zebulon Glidden Johi^ Penny
Nicholas Glidden Zebulon Davis Moses Meder
Gideon Davis Thomas Norton
[63] \^PetUion for an Act of Incorporation^ i'/g6.'\
To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Exeter in & for the State of New
Hampshire on the first Wednesday of June Anno Domini
1796 — Humbly Shew
The subscribers, your petitioners, inhabitants of a place called
and known by the name of New Durham Gore in the County
of Strafford in said State. That your petitioners are by means
of their present situation subjected to many disagreeable incon-
veniences, being unincorporated, and of course deprived of
those privileges and immunities enjoyed bv the neighboring
towns. That the land on which your petitioners are settled
and that which remains as yet in a state of nature is good and
capable of rapid improvement, was settlement further encour-
aged by an incorporation.
That we are already more numerous than many places, within
our knowledge, which have been admitted to the enjoyment of
town privileges ; and that a speedy augmentation of numbei's
can only be retarded by the want of an incorporation. That
we are deprived of the speediest and most eligible method of
raising mone}- for the support of the Gospel ministry, schools,
and for the laving out, making and repairing highways. That
your petitioners conceive an incorporation would remedy many
evils besides those above enumerated ; be a means of dissem-
inating knowledge and contentment among the inhabitants,
AMHERST.
57
conduce to a speedy settlement of unimproved lands, and finally
add a respectable town to the State of New Hampshire.
Your petitioners, therefore, pray your honors that they may
be ranked among the happy citizens of this State by being ad-
mitted to an incorporation ; and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Jvme 6"' 1796.
Jacob Chamberlin } o i
James M'^Duffee [
Daniel M-^Duftee ) '^^"
Jonathan Leighton
Jonathan Leighton
3'
James Rogers
Ebenezer Went-
worth
Benj Bennet
Thomas Edgerley
Junr
George Walker
Paul Chamberlin
David M<=Duftee
Jacob Chamberlin
Junr.
Lem' B. Mason
John Rawlings
John Plumer
Thomas Jewett
Silas Roberts
Thomas Lanchlen
Oliver Peavey
Ebenezer Went-
worth Jr.
Joseph Roberts
Esq'
Thomas Edgerley
Samuel Rogers
W"^ M^Dutlee
Anthony Rawling
Charles Rogers
Joseph Chamberlin
Hezekiah Davis
Jonathan Leighton
David Hayes
Aaron Allard
David Wentworth
Thos Bennett
Andrew Edgerley
James Roberts
Eph'" Chamberlin
Junr.
Jon» M<=Duflee
Ichabod Rawlings
[The foregoing petition was before the H. of Rep., June
13, and a vote passed granting the petition; the Senate
concurred, and an act of incorporation received the ap-
proval of the governor, June 16, 1796. — Ed.]
AMHERST.
The town was granted by the general court of Massachu"
setts, in 1728, to the ofificers and soldiers then living, and
the heirs of those who had deceased, that served in the Nar-
raganset war in 1675, and was called Narraganset No. 3 ;
afterward Souhegan West, until it was incorporated Jan-
uary 18, 1760, and named Amherst, in honor of Lord Jaf-
frey Amherst, commander-in-chief of the British forces in
America at that time. The first meeting of the grantees
was held in Danvers, Mass., July 17, 1734. Samuel Lam-
son and Samuel Walton settled there about 1735. They
came from Reading, Mass.
58 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
A large portion of the town of Monson was annexed in
1770; the largest part of the town of Milford was taken
from it in 1794 ; and the whole of Mont Vernon, as original-
ly constituted, in 1803. Amherst had some 275 men, in the
war for independence, in the regular army and in the vari-
ous militia expeditions ; was represented in the " Boston
Harbor tea-party," December 16, 1773 ; and in the " Con-
cord fight," April 19, 1775 ; had a full company at Bunker
Hill, and one at Bennington. It was made the shire town
for Hillsborough county in 1771.
[65] \_I?ihabita?its^ Petition for Incorporation^ ^753'\
To his Excelency the Governor and to the Honourable Council
of the Province of New Hampshire.
This huml^ly sheweth that we the vSubscribers Inhabitants of
a New Plantation or Township called Soughegen West or Nar-
raganset No. 3, being Invironed with many irremidable Dificul-
ties under our present situation as the Barer will Inform earn-
estlv pray that his Excelency with your Hon* would incorporate
us that we might enjoy the valuable Liberties and priviledges of
a Town, and we Beg that the Charter of the Town may Bound
us westerly on the Township commonly called Salem Canada
Northerly on New Boston so called Easterly on Bedford and
part of Merimack Southerly on Souhegan River so called.
All which is humbly Submitted to your Excellencies and
Honours wise Council as we in Duty Bound shall ever pray.
Dated at Souhegan West January y'^ 26* 1753-
Daniel Wilkins Ebenezer ElHnwood beniamin Wilkins
Ebenezer L3-on Ebenezer Ellinwood Jr Israel Towne
Andrew Bixbe John Smith John Everden
Joseph Steel Andrew Seetown Robert Read
Hugh Ross Josiah Sawyer Joshua Abbott
Josiah Abbott Ephraim Abbott Samu' Lamson
beniamin Lovejoy Solomon Hutchinson Caleb Stiles
Samuel Lamson juner Benjamin Taylor Joseph Boutell
Joseph Ellinwood Robart Stuard Sameul Stev^^ard
Beniamin Chevar William vStewart Josep Clark
Daniel Wilkins William Bradford
[Extract from Journal of the House, January 31, 1753 :]
Whereas there are sundry persons inhabiting within the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire, upon a tract of land called and known
by the name of Souhegan west, the major part of which lies
AMHERST. 59
within no township * * * therefore Voted^ that part of
Souliegan west not within any township be one District, * *
and that an act be drawn up to obHge them to pay their propor-
tion of the Province tax, and to enable them to raise the same.
[Extract from Jour, of C. and Ass., January i8, 1760, p.
372:]
His Excellency ordered the Secy to read at the Board the
Petition of the Inhabitants of a Place called Sowhegan West,
pi'aying for a charter of Incorporation, and asked the Council
whether they advised him to grant the same by a charter for
some limited time, to which the council did advise & consent
and accordingly the charter was read & advised to by the Board.
[Under date "Amherst Dec"' 7*^15, 1761," the selectmen
applied for an extension of their charter, which seems to
have been limited to two years, and appointed Col. John
Goff to attend to the matter.
(Town Papers, vol. ix, p. 13.) January 7, 1762, the coun-
cil advised the governor to " continue to the said inhabitants
the privileges and immunities in the aforesaid charter until
his Majesty shall be pleased to signify his approbation or
disallowance of the same." — Ed.]
[R. 5] \^Abstract from Lieut. Ebeiiezer Lyon's Petition.,
Soldier., j'/6o.'\
[In a petition to the governor and council, dated Amherst,
May 9, 1760, Lieut. Ebenezer Lyon states that while in the
province service his gun burst and wounded his hand badly,
for which cause he was laid up at Oswego and Albany, and
asks to be remunerated for his expenses at those places,
amounting to £2^, old tenor, and for the following surgeons'
bills :]
Hollis April 15, 1760. Lieut. Ebenezer Lyon of Sowhegan
Dr. to me for 2 visits & attendance while Lame with his hand
is ten pounds thirteen shillings and fore pence old tenor,
a true account errors excepted
John Hale
Amhirst May y'^ 3'^ 1760.
Lieut. Ebenezer Lyon D"" to me for salves and Oyntments
and attendants when Lame in his hand Eighteen pounds old
Ten"^ — a true account attest
Israel Towns
60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[February 4, 1763, he was allowed two pounds two shil-
lings sterling, money of the last emission. — Ed.]
[66] \_PetitioJZ relating" to Divisloii of Monson^ iy6j.~\
To His Excellency Bening Wentworth Esq. Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over His Majesties Province of
New Hampshire, and the Honovn"able his Majesties Councill
and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled —
The memorial of Ruben Mussey and others Inhabitants of the
Town of Amherst in the Province aforesaid Humbly Sheweth
that latly an advertizement was published in Monson in the
Province aforesaid signed by the dark of the House that not
only a petition was preferred to the General Court aforesaid by
the Inhabitants of Monson aforesaid ; vsdierein they prayed that
the south side of Monson consisting of about a Mild and an
half might be annexed to Hollis by an act of Court, but that
the said Petition was considered in the Assembly and Con-
curred in Councill that the day appointed for hearing and con-
sidering said Petition is the first Wednesday in April next if the
Court be then sitting if not the second day of the next session —
and that anv person concerned may then shew Reason if any
they have why the prayer of that Petition may not be granted —
May it please your Excelency and Honours if we should pre-
sume to give Reasons whv the Prayer of said Petition may not
be granted perhaps some may say that we are busying ourselves
in other mens matters — But we are well assured that your Ex-
celency & Honours will see otherwise when you take the Cir-
cumstances of Monson under your wise Consideration when
the south side is annexed to Hollis ; viz that then their designs
point directly at us, for we are well assured that your Exelency
and Honours will see that they are then brought into Distress-
ing Circumstances not only by the smallness of their numbers
which will consist at most with not more than twenty Set-
tlements but also by the smallness of their Town — which will
be but bearlv three Milds wide one Mild of which is Reputed
very poor Broaken Land not fit to make many if any good
Settlements ; so that it will be necessary that they be annexed
to us or part of us to them — the consequence of which will
be verv fatal to us ; for it will remove our Meeting House and
Consequently our Minister and if it should be a means of his
leaving of us, as he declares he will if these Designs are effect-
ed for he thinks it very hard, and unreasonable that he who be-
gan with us in our Infancy and Spent the Prime of his life
attended with the greatest fatigues in building up a flourishing
AMHERST.
6i
ToAvn to be turned out of Dooi^s with a numerous family in the
Decline of his life to begin the world anew — and further with
the lowest submission we beg leave to she'w your Excelency
and Honours that if our Minister leaves us, by those means we
apprehend that we shall be thrown into the utmost confusion
and a quarrel will commence that will be handed down from
generation to generation and never end, and it is easily seen
that such quarrel and confusion will effect the Government as
it will obstruct the future growth and prosperity of the Town —
Therefore being well assured upon former experience that your
Excelency and Honours in your great wisdom and clemency
will lay no plans to anoy the peace and prosperity of your
most DutifuU subjects, so your Memorialists as in Duty bound
will ever pray.
Dated at Amherst the 2'^ day of March annoq Domini 1763.
Reuben Mussey
Josiah Abbott
Hugh Ross
David Burns
John Mitchell
John Burns
Timothy Smith
John Harwood
Amos Truel
Andrew Shunan
James Cochran
Ebenez'' Weston
William Melendy
Junr
Jacob Curtice
Abijah Lovejoy
William Felton
Samuel Bradford
Joshua Patingall
Ebenezer whettimer
Ebenezer Ellinwood
Ebenezer Holt
Timothy Mackintier
John Cole
Joseph Ellinwood
Joseph Bouttell
Andrew Seetown
James Seetown
Andrew Bixbe
Hezekiah Lovejoy
Jacob hildredth
William Bradford
Moses Truel
Benimien Davies
Oliver Sanders
Kendal Bouttell
Daniel Weston
Jon" Lamson
Joseph Lovejoy
Nathan Fuller
Thomas Towne
John Patterson
Benjaman Lovejoy
Junr
Jacob Dresser
francis Eliott
Ezekiel Holt
Simeon Flecher
Abner Hutchinson
Eben'' Ellinwood Jr
Solomon Hutchin-
son
David Heartshorn
Joseph Prince
Jonathan Lyon
Moses Brown Jr.
Samuel Seetown
Joshua Abott
Thomas Clark
David Truiel
Ephraim Lund
william odel
W^illiam Melendy
John Davis
Benj"* Lovejoy
Elisha felton
Benjamin Taylor
Tho* Wakefield
Oliver Carlton
Nathan Phelps
Benjamin Clark
John Seecomb
Rowlandson Ellin-
wood
Jedediah Ellinwood
John Steward
William Hogg
John Averill
Caleb Stiles
Thos Averill
[See next paper. — Ed.]
62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[67] \_Me?norial of Rev. Daniel Wilkhis^* iy6j.']
To His Excelency Bening Wentworth Esq"" Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hampshire & the Honorable his Majesties Council and House
of Representatives in General Court Assembled.
This memorial humbly sheweth that the Towns of Hollis
and Monson was lately notified of a Petition preferred to the
General Court, to anex the South Side of Monson to Hollis by
an Act which when done I humbly conceive will leave the Re-
mainder under such circumstances, as that they cannot subsist
alone (their Town then being but three Milds in wedth and very
small in number not exceeding Twenty settlements) so that it
will be necessary that they be annexed to us or part of us to
them the consequence of which will not only prove fatal to our
Town, but to me also ; it will not only throw an immense cost
upon them in pulling down our present Meeting House (which
is as large as Meeting Houses commonly are in the Country
lately finished & situated to accommodate more people then
any one Meeting-House can in the Town or in Monson) and
cause them to build two instead of one (too heavy a burden at
present for Amherst) and also this scheem will prove very fatal
to me ; for it will remove the Meeting-house far from me at
least two Milds, the travil of which will be too great a fateugue
for me now in the Decline of life ; and to purchase & build
again I am not able — and besides the present scheem will
doubtless kindle a fire that will not go out in this age if ever ;
so that if the Difficulties of travil could be removed, yet may
it please your Excelenc}- & Honours I must conclude to live in
the flames of Contention or else pull up stakes with a numer-
ous famely now in the Decline of life the latter of which I shall
choose. In a word I am aware of one great Argument they
will use to inforce their Petition, and it is this (Viz) that the
centre of their Town is such a broaken piece of Land that
they cant without a great — be accommodated with Roads, to
this with submission I reply that within half a Mild of the
north side of our Meeting house there begins a Brake of Land
and extends to the north line of our Town, across which a
great number of families mvist travel if we have two Aleeting
houses in the Town ; which Brake of Land I am so well ac-
quainted with that it appear as practicable to me to make a
road over the eminence of Jo-Englishes Hill as to make roads
* Rev. Daniel Wilkins came from Middleton, Mass.; graduated at Harvard college in
1736; was ordained minister of the township, Sept. 23, 1741, and remained there until he
died, Feb. 11, 1784. Among his descendants were Hon. James McKean Wilkins, George
Wilkins Kendall, founder of the New Orleans Picayune, Gen. John A. Dix of New York,
and Rev. E. R. Wilkins of New Hampshire.
AMHERST. 63
feasible for travllling over said Brake of Land ; that this may
more plainly appear to your Exelency and Honours the Select
men of our Town went to look out a Road across part of it the
better to accommodate some of our Inhabitants and found it
impracticable — Now when your Exelency and Hon""* in your
great wisdom consider how I began with this people when they
were small in mmiber, but fourteen families and also the great
fateugues and Dificulties that I endured for many years to build
them up such a flourishing people especially in the Last War
before this in encouraging a small number of families not ex-
ceeding Thirty to keep their Possessions which if I had desert-
ed the whole Town would have disbanded and perhaps had
been a howling Wilderness to this day as in the case of other
deserted places whereas now it is a flourishing Town, capable of
bearing a considerable part of the Province Taxes and would
be a place of great unimimity were it not for the scheem of
splitting to pieces to satisfy the avaritious desire of some par-
ticular Gentlemen — as also the Miserable condition that my self
and my numerous famely will be in if I am obliged to leave
the people by this means, I am well assured that your Exelency
and Hon'^^ in your great wisdom and Clemency will favour no
scheem that has any tendency to make your inost dutifull sub-
ject Miserable and so your Memorialist as in Dutv bound will
ever pray
Daniel Wilkins
Dated at Amherst the 28* March 1763.
[The petition from Monson which caused these remon-
strances will be found with Monson papers. It was granted
a hearing in the house, June 3, 1763, and "dismissed." —
Ed.]
[70]
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq. Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and Over His Majes-
tys Province of New Hampshire, The Hon''^^ His Majestys
Council and the Hon'''" the House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Assembly Convened
The Petition of us the Subscribers, Freeholders of the Respec-
tive Towns of Amherst, New Ipswich, Nottingham West, Dun-
stable, Litchfield, Merrymac, Bedford, Denyfield, Dunbarton,
Hopkinton. Weare, Mason, New Boston, Lyndeborough, Wil-
ton, Temple, Boscawen, and Henniker, all in the County of
Hillsborough in said Province which said Petitioners are Agents
Legally Chosen and Constituted for the said Towns whereof
they are Inhabitants, Humbly Sheiv^ That in the month of July
64 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
A. D, 1772 An Action was brought by one John Hohand against
Joseph Kelly of said Nottingham West Returnable to the then
next Inferior Court to be held at Amherst aforesaid in October
1772 and said Kelly was Committed to Goal for want of Bail.
That at the same Court the said Cause was Called upon Tryal
and said Kelly then a Prisoner and under the Power of said
Court did (as your Petitioners are well informed) Move the
said Court by his Council, that he might be present at the Tryal
of said Cause, or that it might be Continued, neither of which
were granted, but it was Ordered that said Kelly should be
Defaulted : and Entered up Judgment against him in favor of
said Holland for the sum of seventy five pounds Lawful Money
Damage, and Cost of Court taxed at about Three pounds.
That on or about the 14* Day of October aforesaid said Kelly
made his escape from said Goal, and at the Court of General
Sessions of the Peace held at Amherst for said County by ad-
journment in June last upon application made by said Holland,
the Justices made a Grant to said Holland of the said sum of
Seventy Five pounds and Cost on Account of his said Judg-
ment ; Obtained as aforesaid, to be paid out of the moneys of
the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said County ; without
giving the Liberty of a Jury to inquire into the same, and
wheither there had been any negligence in the Sheriff' in the
said Escape.
That your Petitioners (as soon as they were Apprized of
these matters) Agreed in the most Dutiful manner to make a
Remonstrance to the said Court, and did accordingly Petition
said Court in August last past. Humbly Praying to be heard on
the Premises by Council, and that the Court would reconsider
the Judgment aforesaid and Reverse the same as being Errone-
ous and that the Treasurer of said County might be Directed
not to issue the said Sum of money on Account of said Kellys
Escape ; But it was carried by one that the Court had not Power
to reverse the said Judgment, after the Court in which it was
obtained had been Dismissed without Day, and rejected the
prayer of said Petition, and said County is now Liable to pay
the said Money.
That your Petitioners apprehend that the said Sheriff' was
very negligent in his Duty not attending the Goal himself, and
suffering all Deputys and servants to be out of Town on the Day
of said Kellys Escape.
That your Petitioners are Determined upon every Occasion
to Testify their Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty, and all in au-
thority under him ; but think that in duty to the County they
ought not to give up the point, without Petitioning Your Excel-
lency and Honours as the last Resort.
That they Humbly Conceive they have been hardly dealt
AMHERST. 65
with, that if Kelly had been permitted to have appeared in
Court and his Case Committed to a Jury the said Holland would
not have Recovered more than Five pounds (if any thing) .
Wherefore your Petitioners Most Humbly Pray Your Ex-
cellency and Honours consideration of the matters aforesaid,
and that they may have redress therein, either by Tryal of said
Kellys Case by a Jury, or by such ways and means as to your
Excellencv and Honours may seem most meet.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray &c.
Amherst December i**' 1773.
Benj*. Kenrick 1 Agents for
Daniel Campbel J Amherst.
Isaac How | Agents for
Tim" Farrar j New Ipswich
John Hazeltine Junr. Agent for Nottingham West
Jon'' Lovwell ] Agents for
Joseph Whiting j Dunstable
Jon'' Blanchard ) Agents
John Neal V for
William Alld ) Merrymac
Daniel Kendall Agent for Litchfield
James Martin Agent for Bedford
James M'^Calley Agent for Derryfield
Caleb Page Agent for Dunbarton
Stephen Harriman Agent for Hopkinton
Sam' Caldwell Agent for Weare
Archibald M*^]Millan, Jas. Caldwell, Agents for New Boston
David Blodgett Agent for Mason
John Stephenson Agent for Lyndeborough
Jon" Martin Agent for Wilton
John Cragin Jr. Samuel Howard Agents for Temple
Henry Gerrish Agent for Boscawen
Jonas Bowman Agent for Henniker
In Council Jan^ 20, 1774, Read and ordered to be sent down
to the Hon"'' Assembly.
Geo : King D Sec^.
[In the House, January 21, 1774, the foregoing petition
was dismissed.
See Town Papers, vol. ix, p. 21. — Ed.]
[R-6]
This Certifies that Esq. Shepard in Ap' 1775 Went with a
Detachment of the Melitia Consisting of about one hundred
men from Amherst to Cambridge aided assisted & Comforted
them, & at Cambridge left with them two Spanish Milled Dol-
lars. Josiah Crosby
6
66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 7] \^Petitio7i of Peter Robertson^ ivotinded at Bunker
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives In
General assembly Convened at Exeter Sept. 7? i77*^-
Humbly Shews Peter Robertson of Amherst in said State
Taylor That your Petitioner on the alarm of the Battle at Lex-
ington In April 1775. Immediately Repaired to Cambridge
where he did Duty as a Soldier That in may following he in-
listed himself as a private Soldier into The Service of This Col-
ony in The Company Whereof Archelaus Towne was Captain
That on y^ 17"^ of June Following the Company was ordered to
Repair with all speed To Bvmker Hill to Defend the Lines,
That in passing the Causeway a Cannon Shot took oft' pai^t of
your Petitioners Right Arm and by That means he is Rendered
almost Incapable of providing for himself and family (having
entirely Lost his Trade) That your Petitioners Relations &
friends Live in England, that He has been in This Colony but
a few years. That He has no Person to expect any Support
from. That as he was Brave altho unfortunate he Entreats &
Solicits your Honours Compassion and Charity and for whose
Prosperity & happiness with that of This State he will ever pray
Peter Robertson
The Deposition of Ephraim Hildrith of Lawful age Testifies
and says, that on or near about two months before Benjamin
Whiting Esq'' absconded & went to the enemy, he was at my
house & in conversation he said M"" Jonathan vSmith had former-
ly given him a piece of Land adjoining To the goal in Amherst,
which land he the s'' Whiting vSaid he would give it back to the
said Smith. & if he had, had The Deed about him he would
then settle the land on s*^ Smith except there was a prospect of
his Comeing into his ofiice again.
Ephraim Hildrith Jun'' Deposes to the above
Ephraim Hildrith
Ephraim Hildrith Junr.
Hillsborough ss. May 21^' 177S. Personally appeared Eph-
raim Hildrith & Ephraim Hildrith Jun'' & after due Caution
and Careful Examination made Solemn Oath to the Truth of
the above Deposition by them Subscribed
Coram Moses Nichols, J peace.
[R. 8] \_Abstract of Susa??na Munroe's Petit/on, i^/p.']
[Susanna Munroe, of Amherst, wife of Josiah Munroe, a
lieutenant in Col. Cilley's regiment, states in a j^etition to
AMHERST. ^J
the general assembly, convened at Exeter, June 25, 1779,
that her husband is absent in the army ; that there is due
to him ^560, depreciation money, which she needs to sup-
port herself and family, and asks that it may be paid to her;
which request was granted, and the money ordered to be
paid accordingly. — Ed.]
[R. 9] \_Josepk Wilson's Receipt^ ^779-'\
Amherst 1779 In June
Rec'^ of John Bradford and others the Sum of Six Pounds
thirteen Shillings and four Pence L. M. after the Rate of Indian
Corn at three Shillings and Six Pence a Bushel for which Sum
I Promise to serve one year in the Continental armey
Joseph Wilson
[R. 10] \_Abstract of Petition of William Hastings^ y^'"i
ivotinded Soldier. '\
[William Hastings, Jr., of Amherst, in a petition dated
March 8, 1779, says he received a dangerous wound in one
leg while fighting in Col. Peabody's regiment, in Rhode
Island, and asks for an allowance to pay his doctor's bill,
and a further sum to enable him to place himself under the
care of Dr. Kittridge of " Tukesbury." Signs his name with
a cross.
He was wounded by a cannon ball, August 29, 1778. The
committee on sick and wounded soldiers reported that he
was entitled to half-pay, and his name was placed on the
pension-roll. — Ed.]
[72] [^Relative to raising Men for the Army — 7to date., prob-
ably 1779.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable Gentlemen, the Council & House of Rep-
resentatives in General Court Assembled.
The prayer of your Humble petitioners Sheweth that whereas
the Gen' Court of this State hath Repetedly sent to the Town of
Amherst for their Qiiota of men for three year or during the
war, but without any eftect, the Town of Amherst have neg-
lectted to Rais their men until the authority have justly sent an
Extent against the Town for the same faillure —
We your Humble petitioners are so unwilling to be numbered
68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
amonghst those who neglect delay or Refuse to maintain and
support the present war as long as the United States thinks it
nessasary, and whereas the method that this Town hath lately
taken has not answered the purpose to Raise the men, and this
Town Refuses as a towne to take any other meathord to Raise
their men, than by a Rate we therefore your huinble petitioners
pray that your Honovn^s would grant to us to Class ourselves
according to our poles and Estates in order to Rais our propor-
tion of the Men which this Town has lately ben sent to for, for
three years or during the w^ar. And likewise to Excuse us from
paying any part of a fine or Extent that Shall Come against this
Town, Realative to these men lately sent for Provided that we
git our Qiiota of the Men Immediately, which purpose may and
Shall be atiected without delay. And your petitioners as in
duty bound Shall Ever pray.
John Bradford Enos Bradford William Lamson
Joseph Perkins William Bradford Jr John Cole
Jos'^" Wilkins Richard Goold Abijah Wilkins
Eli Wilkins Daniel Goold Nathan Jones Jr
Joseph tuck Joseph Langdell John Averell
Oliver Carlton Jonathan Wilkins Jr Ezekiel Upton
Nathan Flint Enos Upton Nathan Flint Jr
Thomas Carlton Peter Woodbury Alien Goodridge
James Ray James Hopkins James Marvel
Andrew Bradford Joseph Steel Robert Parker
James Woodbury Benjamin Simonds Joseph Farnum
John Mills William Bradford
Moses Nichols in behalf of himself & Class.
[73] \^Selectmen relative to raising Men^ iYyg.~\
To the Hon'^''' the Council and Assembly of the State of New
Hamp''
May it please your Hon"
The prayer of your Humble Petitioners Sheweth That where-
as there is a call upon this Town for a Number of Soldiers as
their quota for the Continental service during the war, and
whereas at the request of the Militia Officers an article was in-
serted in a late w^-^rrant for a Town Meeting To see what
method they would take to raise said men and at said Meeting
it was voted That the selectmen in behalf of the town should
Petition the legislative authority of the state (as some persons
have heretofore refused to do anything Toward carrying on the
present war and have not done anything to forward our Cause
since the commencement of this war) That they would be
AMHERST. 69
pleased to point out some method whereby those persons might
be made to do their equal proportion with others — Wee there-
fore pray That you would be pleased to point out some method
for the same and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray
Amherst June 11'^ 1779. Stephen Peabody "^ Selectmen
Timothy Smith I r
Tho^ Wakefield f , ,^ \
T- c, ^ Amherst.
James Seetown j
[R. 11] \^Capt. Archelaus Toivne's Petitio7t^ ^779'~\
To the Hon^'*^ The Council & House of Representatives & Gen-
eral assembly to Convene at Exeter on Wednesday the 16''*
Day of June Current —
The Petition of Archelaus Towne of Amherst Htanbly Shew-
eth That your Petitioner with his son Archelaus Towne Did
on the 24**^ day July 1777 Set out from Amherst as Volunteers
& marched & Joined the Continental army Commanded by
Gen' Gates. Went Scouts & Did duty as other soldiers — and
was in the battle of the 19 of Sept. Near Stillwater — & Contin-
ued in s'^ army untill about Four Days before Gen' Burgoin
Surrendered, being Very Sick I was obliged to Return home-
ward— for all which Service I have not Rec'' any Recompence
of any Person for me or my .Son — }-our Petitioner prays an al-
lowance for his Time & sons as others had That went as Vol-
unteers & your Petitioner as in Duty bound Will Ever pray
Dated Amherst ye 15"' June 1779.
Arch^ Towne
[R. 12]
This may Certify that I saw Capt. Archelaus Towne of Am-
herst in the front of the battle on the 19"' of Sepf 1777 at Be-
mas's heights and spake with him in the height of the battle —
I saw his son Archelaus the next day & he told me That he was
in s'' Battle which I believe altho' I did Not se him in it —
Robert B. Wilkins
Sargent in Capt. Isaac Frye's Comp'y
[Sworn to before Moses Nichols.
Dr. John Hale, of Hollis, "Surgeon to Col'' Cilley's
Reg™*," also certifies to having seen them both there. — Ed.]
[87] \^North-xvest Parish Protest^ 7-ecorded in Town Rec-
ords.^
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the North W^esterly Part
of the Town of Amherst having Repeatedly Petitioned the
JO
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Town of Amherst to be set oft' as a Distinct parish and
we think have made very Reasonable offers of Doing our
parts of Defraying the Charge of Maintaining the Gospel and
other Necessary charges while We Congregate with this Town
but our petitions have been Hetherto Rejected we therefore
hearby Enter our protest against Mr. Jeremiah Barnards being
settled in this Town as our Minister or any other Ministers
while we Remain in Conjunction with this Town and our Re-
quest not Granted.
Nathan Flint
Larraford Gilbert
Oliver Carlton
Alien Goodrige
Isaac Weston
Joseph Farnum
William Lamson
Benjamin Starns
Nathan Cole
John Averell
Weston
Samuel Stearns
Peter Woodbury
Night Nichols
John Mills
Joseph Tuck
Joseph Perkins
Joseph Langdell
Eli Wilkins
Joseph Lovejoy
Enos Upton Jr.
Jacob Smith
John Cole
Lemuel Winchester
James Woodbury
Abijah Wilkins
Joshua Wilkins
Josiah Dodge
Thomas Weston
William Bradford Jr
John Harwood
James Smith
[This document has no date, but was probably signed
sometime in the year 1780. — Ed.]
[R- 13]
[In a petition dated Amherst, Oct. 14, 1780, William
Bradford, Jr., states that he served as lieutenant in Capt.
Jason Wait's* Co., Cilley's regiment, until Aug. 24, 1778,
and asks for his depreciation money, which was granted. —
Ed.]
[R. 14]
[January 25, 1780. The town presents bill for supplies
furnished by James Woodbury to "those women whose
husbands are in the Continental Army."
Mrs. Tuttle, wife of Nathan Tuttle, ;£ii2 — 12 — 10
Mrs. Cochran, wife of James Cochran, ;Qi<^ — 4 — 4. — Ed.]
[R- 15]
[January i, 1781. The town presents bill for supplies
furnished during the past year to the families of John Mitch-
ell, William Brown, Nathan Tuttle, James Cochran, Farror
Miller, Ebenezer Williams, and Richard Hughes, conti-
nental soldiers. — Ed.]
* Jason Wait was of Alstead.
AMHERST. 71
[R. 16]
[The following is a detailed bill, which will show the
prices of those days :]
The Town of Amherst to Dan^ Campbell Dr.
To the following articles purchased for & Delivered to the
wife of John Mitchel one of their Continental vSoldiers
1780 oct. 30. to 2 Bushels Turnips at 18 Doll* 10 — 16—0
31. to ij4 "■ Potatoes at 20 '' 9— o — o
to 3 " Apples at 12 " 10 — 16 — o
Nov. 10 to 175 w' of Beef at 4 DolP 210 — o — o
14 to 3 Bushels of Potatoes at 20 DolP iS — o — o
25 to I Peck of Salt at 20 — o — o
27 to two Bushels of Potatoes at 20 Dolls 1 2 — o — o
Dec'' 6 to 60 w* of Pork at 5 Dolls 90 — o — o
15 to three Bushels of Rye at 70 Dolls 63 — o — o
to keeping a Cow six Weeks 36 — o — o
479—13-
Stated price taken out 4 — 15
True Errors Except 474 — 7
Dan' Campbel
[88] \^Pctition for N'orth-xvest Parish, lySo.']
To the Hon''''' The Council and House of Representatives in
Gen' Court Assembled at Exeter in the State of New Hamp-
shire
The prayer of your Humble Petitioners Sheweth That in our
Judgment The Town of Amherst is of so great an extent and
its Inhabitants so numerous and scattered That it is more than
any one Minister can take charge of and Propperly doe his duty
to so great and scattered a Congregation and that many People
who live at so great a distance as four five six and some more
than six miles distance from meeting and cannot Conveniently
attend there with their families might be much better Covened
to attend the worship of God at meeting with their families. If
there were a Parish sett of in the Northwesterly part of the
Town of Amherst in the manner folllowing (Viz) Beginning
at the Northwest corner bounds of said Amherst which is a
great Rock at New Boston line from thence runing southerly
on Lyndeborough line about two Degrees east four miles and
an half to a Pine tree marked which is the southwesterly corner
bounds of the lot of land on which Thomas Town Jr. now lives
72 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Then nearly an east point Two miles lacking eleven rods to the
southeast corner bounds of the lott of land on which Amos Green
now lives Then runing about north on the east line of said
Greens land half a mile to land of Elisha Felton to a stake and
stones Then east sixty five rods to a Maple tree blown Down
Then north about Two Degrees west half a mile on the easter-
ly line of said Feltons land to a small heap of stones which is
the northeast corner of said Feltons land Then nearly east by
land of Ephraim Abbott fifty eight rods to a stake and stones
which is the southeast corner of the lott of land on which said
Abbott now lives Then north about Two Degrees west partly
by said Abbotts land partly by the Highway aljout half a mile
to the corner of a stone wall which is the southwest corner
Bounds of Nathan Jones's land Then runing east half a Degree
north Eighty five rods by land of said Jones Then north Two
Degrees west nearly about Three miles to New Boston line.
Then westerly on said New Boston line Two miles and an half
and about fifty rods to the first mentioned Bounds and as there
are some persons living within the Bounds above mentioned
who are unwilling to be set oft' as a Parish We pray That you
would be pleased to set us oft' as a Parish with Town Priv-
ileges, or otherwise if it might as a Town with such part of the
Town of Lyndeborough as by Petition appear to be Desirous to
be set oft' to us, According to the Bounds above discribed allow-
ing those persons who living within said Bounds and are unwill-
ing to be set oft' the Priviledge of being Considered as Inhab-
itants of and belonging to the Town of Amherst and the first
Parish.
Your Honours Compliance will greatly oblige 3'our Petition-
ers who as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Enos Upton Samuel Stearns Jr Richard Gould
Oliver Carlton Nathan Flint Jr Thomas Carlton
Stephen Peabody Nathan Tuttle Alien Goodridge
Joseph Langdell Isaac Smith Abijah Wilkins
Ezekiel Upton Daniel Smith Jeams Hopkins
Thomas towne Timothy Smith Jr Eli Wilkins
Joseph Duncklee Stephen Washer Joshua Wilkins
James Woodbury Nathaniel Heywood John Averel
Robert Parker Amos Stickney James wSmith
Daniel Gould Richard Ward Jacob Smith
Josiah Dodge William Wilkins Henry Campbell
Solomon Kittridgejr Peter Woodbury William Bradford Jr
Joseph Perkins John Cole Nathan Jones Jr
Nathan Cole Enos Upton Jr Joseph Tuck
John Mills Zephaniah Kittridge Daniel Wilkins
Joseph Farnum James Ray Timothy Jones
Knight Nichols Daniel Simonds John Harwood
AMHERST. 73
Sam' Stearns Daniel Simonds Jr Lemuel Winchester
Isaac Weston Nathan Flint
[The foregoing is not dated, but was probably 1780.- — Ed.]
[7"^] \^Pctition of S7indry Inhabitants to be set off ait d consti-
tuted a nexv Parish^ Ij8i.~\
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened at Exeter in the State of New
hampshire on the 14"' of March 1781.
The Humble Petition of the Several parsons whose names
are hereto set and subscribed Inhabitants of Amherst in the
County of Hillsborough Chiefly in the North west part of said
Town. Sheweth that your Petitioners Labour vuider very Great
Difliculties Respecting our attending the Publick worship at
the Stated place in Amherst Besides the Dissatisfaction which
your Petitioners have manifested with thare Settling of M'' Jer-
emiah Barnard as a Minister of the Gospel in this Town and In
as much as your Petitioners have Requested Repeatedly of this
Town to be set oft' as a Parish but have been as often Denied ;
we have likewise Repeatedly Petitioned this honourable assem-
bly to be set oft' as a Distinct Parish but the Honourable Court
did not think meet to Grant our Petition we therefore your Pe-
titioners are Still Left under the Same Disagreeable Circum-
stances and besides our other Grievances, our Local Scituation
is Such (as your Petitioners think) Calls for a Separation, we
therefore your Petitioners Pray that this Honourable Assembly
would be pleased to Grant us a Committee to View our Local
Scituation and other circumstances and make Report to this
Honourable Court as soon as may be that this Honourable Court
may be more fully Informed of our Local Scituation and other
Circumstances. In Patient Expectation of which your Humble
Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever Pray
Nathaniel Haywood Nathan Jones Jr John Averill
Oliver Carlton James Smith Jos'' Wilkins
Joseph Langdell Jacob Smith Daniel Wilkins Jr
Josiah Dodge Joseph Lovejoy Joseph tuck
John Cole Abijah Wilkins timothv Smith Jr
William Lamson Eli Wilkins Nathan Flint
Peter Woodbury Daniel Simonds William Bradford Jr
Daniel Smith Isaac Smith J"bn Mills
Joseph Farnum Lemuel Winchester Andrew Leavitt
Knight Nichels James Woodbury Samuail Starns
John Harwood Enos Upton Ezekiel Upton
Hannah Peabody William Wilkins James Hopkins
74 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Calton Joseph Perkins Amos Stickney
Joseph Dunckle John Dunckle Richard Gould
AHen Goodridge Thomas Towns Jr Nathan Cole
Richard Ward Jeremiah Burnam Daniel Gould
Robert Parker Joseph Steel Timothy Smith
Nathan Flint Jr
We the Subscribers Living in the Southwesterly Part of Am-
herst Plumbly Pray that your Honours would Grant us the same
favor that the above Petitioners Pray for & your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall Ever Pray
Stephen Burnam Andrew Bradford Ebenezer Averill
Elijah Averill William Peabody Jr John Bradford
Will'" Wallace Elisha Hutchinson John Wallace
Benj" Hutchinson Nathan Hutchinson Jr Josiah Crosby
Nathan Hutchinson William Peabody John Burns Junr
Caleb Jones Bartho' Hutchinson Joshua Burnam
Abner Hutchinson W" Crosby Joseph Crosby
Thomas .Spiller Josiah Crosby Israel Burnam
t79] [ ^^py '^f ^ Remo77strance zvhich xvas laid before the
Council "Lvhich ordained Mr. Barnard^ i'j8o.'\
To the venerable the Ecclesiastical Council now convened for
the purpose of setting apart and Ordaining M'' Jeremiah Bar-
nard to the Pastoral Charge of the Church of Christ & Peo-
ple of the Town of Amherst.
The Memorial and Remonstrance of us Inhabitants of s*^ Am-
herst humbly sheweth : That your Memorialists think them-
selves much aggrieved and are highly displeased with the Pro-
ceedings of that part of the Church and People of this Town of
Amherst who have taken it upon themselves (against so much
opposition) to call and invite the s'' M^ Barnard to take upon
himself the sacred Office & Character of a Gospel Minister in
this Place who (strictly speaking) has never even been heard a
Day on Probation for settlement here, As also with the Conduct
of the s"^ M^ Barnard Consequent thereupon. — First then we are
not (now) about to object to the legality of the Towns Proceed-
ings : But however Legal their Proceedings may have been :" We
do aver that they have been by no Means justifiable : (In our
humble Opinion) the Measures that they have adopted have
been rash, hasty. Ungenerous & Imprudent: & in the room of
having a Tendency to promote that Brotherly Love & Aftection,
which for a long time past have been the Strongest Bands of our
Union, have a direct tendency to promote Division Malice 111
Will Dissention Animosities & heart Burnings one against
AMHERST. 75
another Which horrid train of e\ils we humbly deprecate and
earnestly pray God to avert. — It is to be observed that at the
Time the several Church & Town Meetings were called relative
to these Transactions, or for the Purposes aforementioned, the
Severity of the Season was such & the great & extraordinary falls
of Snov\' about that Time rendered a general attendance of the
Town morally impossible : In these circumstances, Gentlemen
(with submission) what ought to have been the Conduct of the
Town ; on a Matter of so much Weight and Importance ; Ought
they not to have adjoin-*^ their Meetings from Time to Time, un-
till the true sense of the People could have been deliberately
taken — On the other hand how have they conducted those most
weighty Matters, have they not push'd them forward with the
greatest precipitation : & notwithstanding they had but a small
Majority of Votes on their side, have Law3'er-Like grasped hard
at a Point of Law : not considei'ing that extreme Right is often
times extreme ivrotig; paying no manner of attention to the op-
position which altho' they are rather the Minority as to Num-
bers are the Majority in the Pay of the Town & in Case M"' Bar-
nard shovdd be settled here ; we must be compelled to pay the
Major Part of his Settlement & Salary, which we humbly con-
ceive will be a grievance which cannot be justified either upon
the Principles of civil or Religious Liberty.
With Regard to M"". Barnard our personal Acquaintance with
him is but slender, neither have we sought every Means & Op-
portunity for a more intimate and perfect knowledge of his
Character & Abilities which we might have done & should have
done perhaps had we really esteemed him as a Candidate on
Probation for Settlement among us — We alledge therefore noth-
ing against his moral Character Life or Conversation — neither
do we mean to accuse him of delivering anything contrary to
Sound Doctrine. But however we must say that he is not the
Man of our Choice, that he is not the Man that we should
choose for our Spiritual Guide : for our Instructor in the great
& deep Mysteries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Neither do
his Discoui'ses (however doctrinally sound they may be) appear
to us to be delivered in Demonstration of the Spirit. & with
that Life Power & Energy that we could wish for : nor yet with
that Clearness & Perspicuity, that we think we should have a right
to expect from a Man thoroughly furnished to every Good Work,
& from one that might come to us in the fulness of the Blessings
of the Gospel of Peace — It is such a Man that we want. And
we think we have a right to covet earnestly the best Gifts Ap^
to teach. To conclude we hope that the sight of so manv names
as will be annexed to this Memorial will be suflicient to con-
vince M^ Barnard that he ought not think of Settling where
there is so little Prospect of his being Beneficial unto the People
76
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
or comfortable to himself. But (with due submission) Should
M"". Barnard be so much mistaken as to think differently, &
should even this venerable Council (in such Case) proceed to
Ordination ; Candor obliges us (however disagreeable the ne-
cessity of dissenting from so worthy a Body) to say that we
cannot (in Justice to our own feelings) patiently aquiesce in a
Decision (in our opinion) so manifestly injurious both of the
Rights of civil & Religious Liberty — We shall however rest
satisfied, that the venerable Covmcil will lay hands suddenly on
no Man : & that the Prayer of this Petition will be fully granted
by their refusing to ordain (under the present Circumstances)
M^ Jeremiah Barnard to the Pastoral Charge of the Church of
Christ & People of this Town. In patient Expectation of which
your Memorialists as in Duty bound will &c.
Stephen Burnham Capt Andrew Brad- Joseph Lovejov
ford '~
Solomon Kittridge
Samuel Henav
Lt. William Brad-
ford Jr.
Nathan Flint
Joseph Dunkle
Lt. Joseph Farnum
William Wallace
Lemuel Winchester
Abner Hutchinson
Elisha Hutchinson
James Woodbury
Solomon Kittredsfe
Caleb Jones Jr.
John Burnes Jr
Benj'' Sternes Jr
Enos Upton Jr
Thomas Burns
Isaac Abbott
Robert Parker
Oliver Carleton
Ezekiel Upton
Jeremiah Burnam
Nathaniel Heywood Joseph Langdell
John Patterson Peter Woodbury
Daniel vSmith James Smith
Benj" Hopkins Jacob Smith
Daniel Symonds Jr Ebenezer Averill
John Averil
John Harwood
Joshua Burnam
Samuel Dodge
Caleb Jones
Amos Stickney
W" Peacock
Knight Nichols
Thomas Town Jr
James Russell
W"' Hogg
Laraford Gilbert
Samuel Sterns
A true copy
Jonathan Graham
Joshua Wilkins
Capt William Pea-
body
John Cole
James Hopkins
Joshua Clark
Daniel Lovejov
Benjamin Hutchin-
son
Joseph Tuck
Samson Crosby
Daniel Gould
attest
Jacob Burnap,
Timothv Nichols
Richard Gould
Darius Abbott
Lt. John Mills
John Stewart
Timothv Smith Jr
Thomas Carleton
Abijah Wilkins
Ephraim French
Timothy Smith
Nathan Cole
Benj" Temple
W" Melendy
John Harvel
John Arbuckle
W'" Lam son
John Burns
Daniel Symonds
George Burns
Capt John Bradford
Richard Ward
William Wilkins
Daniel Wilkins Jr
Nathan Jones Jr
Josiah Kidder Jr
Allen Goodridge
Nathan Hutchinson
Jr.
Josiah Dodge
Eben"" Hopkins
Scribe to the Covmcil
AMHERST. jy
[So]
To the Hon*"*^ the Councel & Gen' of the Hon''^'^ House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly Convened at Exeter in the
State of New Hampshire, 14* March 17S1.
The Humble petition of the Several persons whose names
are hereto set and subscribed, Inhabitants of Amherst in the
County of Hillsborough, living Chiefly in the Northwest part
of s"! Town Sheweth that the Rev^^ IVf. Daniel Wilkins the
former Minister of Amherst Being By age and infirmitites
Rendered incapable of Duty the Town Choose a Committee to
hire preaching until another minister should be ordained. By
wdiich Means the Reverend M^ Jeremiah Barnard was intro-
duced into the Church there, only By way of Supply, the Town
not being in a proper sittuation for settling a Minister, however
the s"^ M^ Barnard Officiated there for some time.
That your petitioners for Reasons hereafter mentioned Could
By no Means Rest Satisfied under his ministry, and openly
Disapproved of him Notwithstanding which a party was form*^
In favor of s*^ Barnard which party taking advantage of Calling
Church and Town meetings, when the Severity of the season
was such and at times when such abundance of snow had fallen
that it was Extreamly Difficult (if not morally impossible) to
have a general attendance of the Town inhabitants, it was Car-
ried By a very small Majority to give the s'^ M^ Barnard a Call,
and an Ecclesiastical Council was Convened at Amherst on the
first Day of March 1780, for the purpose of ordaining him.
That although your petitioners were Convinced to their great
grief and sorrow, (by being outvoted) that they were not the
greatest part of the inhabitants of said Town yet Being Con-
cious of their weight and Importance (as paying a greater part
of Taxes, than those that Voted in favor of M"^ Barnards set-
ling) they did think themselves agrieved in having the s*^ M"".
Barnard imposed upon them, in that unfair mant/er^ and
they did (previous to said ordination) sign and adress a Me-
morial and Remonstrance Couched in the strongest, But most
modest Terms to the said Council, setting forth amongst other
things that with Regard to M^ Barnard they must say, that he
was not a man of their Choise, that he was not the man that
they should Chuse for thire Spiritual Guide, [here follows an
extract from the document next preceeding this — Ed.] and pray-
ing the Venerable Council that the said M''. Barnard might not
be ordained. To which said Memorial yovu" Petitioners pray
leave to refer themselves, and that it may be taken as pai't of
this Petition. That Notwithstanding there are some few of
your Petitioners who did not sign said memorial yet did they
ojDpose the said M"". Barnard's being Settled as their minister
78 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and did in the strongest (though) modest terms, Manifest to the
said Council their disapprobation of the said M'. Barnards be-
ing ordained as a minister of the Church and People of this
Town. — That notwithstanding the said Memorial & Remon-
strance, Council thought fit to ordain and did accordingly or-
dain the said M^ Barnard. In consequence whereof ; for the
reasons aforesaid and also because the said M''. Barnard and his
Party Cany the advantage they have gained in manner as be-
fore set forth with a high hand, your Petitioners cannot in con-
science resort to the now place of Public Worship in Amherst,
nor Can they joyne in prayer nor in communion with the said
M"'. Barnard, nor reap any benefit by his discoui'ses, so that
they wholly absent themselves, and may be said to be without
any settled Minister. Moreover under all these difficulties and
hai-dships, which they labor under, your Petitioners are liable
to be rated their Equal proportion of rates towards the support
of the said M'^ Barnard and as under the foregoing Circum-
stances your Petitioners think Hard of paying them, it seams
to open a doore of Contention & Law suit which they would
avoid.
That your humble petitioners in Expectation of being set of,
as a separate parish, did sometime ago at their own proper
Charge build a Commodious Meeting house at the said N : W :
part of said Amherst and have hired preaching for some time
past hoping at the same time to have enjoyed the priviledge of
a minister of their own Chusing our Local sittuation Being such
as Required the same. But that not Being granted by the then
Hon''''' Assembly Your Petitioners now have Recourse to your
Honours, praying that you would take their most unhappy
Cases into your Searious Consideration. And that they may be
at liberty to bring in a bill whereby they may be severed from
the saidnow meeting house and Minister, and from any future
Minister there and from paying any rates for the repairs of the
said meetinghouse or support of the now minister, or any future
minister of the same, and that your Petitioners may be Invested
with the Power of assessing levying and Raising money for
keeping their said meeting-house in Repair when the same shall
be in want thereof and for seteling and constant maintaining a
Gospel minister in said N : W. Meeting house. And that it may
and shall be lawful for any now minor Children or Servants
of your Pef^ as soon as they shall Come of age to pole off*
if they see fit, and join such future Minister or ministers of the
Gospel at the said Northwest Meeting House, and may in like
manner be declared Independent of said M^ Barnards Meeting
House, and seperate therefrom & from all rates whatsoever In-
cident to the support of that meeting house or minister. — Pro-
vided that Such Child or Children sei-vant or servants, so be-
AMHERST.
79
coming of age do signify to the Town Clk. of Amherst, in writ-
ing, liis, her, or their, desire of Joyning and becomeing Mem-
bers of the said N. W. Society, or parish, or that your honours
will grant your Pet" Relief in such other manner as you in your
Great Wisdom shall see Most meet, and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound will Ever Pray.
Nathaniel Heywood Joseph Langdell
Josiah Dodge
John Cole
James Smith
Daniel Wilkins
Nathan Jones Jr
Joseph Perkins
John Duncklee
Timothy Smith Jr
Thomas Towns Jr
Daniel Simonds
Amos Stickney
Abijah Wilkins
Joseph Farnum
John Averill
Thomas Calton
Eli Wilkins
Joseph tuck
Richard Guld
Nathan Flint Jr
Richard Ward
W^illiam Bradford Jr Jeremiah Burnam
Isaac Smith
Robert Parker
Knight Nichols
Samuail Starins
Ezekiel Upton
James Jenkins
Daniel Gould
Andrew Leavitt
Timothy Smith
John Harwood
Hannah Peabody
Oliver Carlton
William Lamson
John Mills
Jacob Smith
Joseph Lovejoy
Josh" Wilkins
Joseph Dunckle
Alien Goodridge
Nathan Flint
Nathan Cole
Peter Woodbury
Daniel Smith
Lemuel Winchester
Joseph Steel
James W'oodbury
Enos Upton
William Wilkins
[In answer to the foregoing, an act was passed June 30,
1781, setting off the petitioners and their estates from the
old parish, and erecting them into a distinct parish for min-
isterial purposes.
The matter was contested, and some of the testimony
may be found in Vol. i, Town Papers, collection of 1880,
also a plan of Amherst and surrounding towns. The final
result was the incorporation of the north-west parish as a
town, by the name of Mont Vernon, in 1803. — Ed.]
[74] [^Petition to Poll Off to Another Parish, 1781.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable the Council and house of Representatives
in General Assembly Convened at Exeter the 14"' day of
June anno D. 1781
The Petition of us the Subscribers inhabitants of the north-
westerly part of the Town of Amherst with those in the old
Town in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid —
Humbly Sheweth, that whereas a number of the Inhabitants of
80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said northwest part of Amherst with those in the old Town
have petitioned that they niay have Hberty to pole off and be
Released from paying ministerial taxes to the present meeting
house & minister in s*^ Town for Reasons set forth in s*^ petition.
Wee therefore your humble petitionei^s pray your honours, as
we had no opportunity to sign said petition, that we together
with them may have liberty to pole oft' from s'^ meeting house
and minister, and this our petition may be Considered as a part
of that Petition in as full and ampel a Manner as if our names
were subscribed thereto, and your Petitioners as in duty bound
will Ever Pray &c
Amherst June 13*'' 17S1.
James Ray Jonathan Wilkins Zeph"" Kittridge
Robert Parker Jr Ji^m"^ Henry Codman
Timothy Jones Benjamin Simonds
[76] \_Petition of the Inhabitants of the Old Parish to have
the Neiv Parish set off as a Town., I'j8j.'\
State of New Hampshire. Hillsborough ss.
To the Honorable the Gentlemen of the Council — and the Hon-
orable the Gentlemen of the House of Representatives in
general Court Assembled. The Petition of sundry Persons
Inhabitants of the old Parish in Amherst whose Names are
hereunto subscribed — hu7nbly sheweth.,
That at the Sessions of the general Court held at Exeter in
Ma}' Anno Domini 17S1.* obtained an act of the said Court dis-
charging them from that time, the Polls of their respective fam-
ilies & Estates, from anv future support of the Gospel Ministry
& other expense attending public worship at M^ Barnards
Meeting House as particularly mentioned in said Act, and
erecting them into a distinct Parish with incidental Powers : —
Still leaving the said Parishoners to act with the remaining
Part of the Town of Amherst in all other matters proper to
such a corporate Body.
And whereas the disuniting a Body corporate in some things
most commonly does (and probably always will, while human
nature remains the same) disunite them in other matters — and
such a particular disunion is little else ; but to set them at per-
petual variance and discord : — a most unhappy situation ! which
the unfortunate Sufferers lament in vain — while such particular
Laws, perhaps too little adapted to the general good ; made to
gratify a minority ; on the Spurr of present heat & opposition ;
* The names of the fifty-two who were set oflF are inserted here, and as they may be found
on page 79, I think it is unnecessary to repeat them.
AMHERST.
always against the great rule, that the Alajority imist govern ;
chain each struggling Part}' to the vnirelenting Enemy of human
happiness Contention.
And it is the misfortune of these partial separations that they
do not redress, but increase, the evils they are intended to rem-
edy. This we find to be ovu" unhappy case in common with all
those Towns where such Divisions have been encouraged by
Law. Instances would be burthensome to your Honors.
Your Petitioners do not presume, in this instance, to coun-
teract what their Legislative Body have thought proper to pass
into a Law : but their unhappy Situation compels them to seek
redress in your power and wisdom, and thereby to extricate
themselves from the Bondage of continual Discord, party Fac-
tions, and those little uneasy arts, which are but too easily
practiced by disunited Spirits. Those separate interests so es-
tablished by La-ju in this place, make our Town Meetings
Scenes of confusion Irregularity and vexation. Permit us to
part with one of them — and to ask your Honors that the Per-
sons above named who have thus chose to be separated in part,
may be separated from us wholly. We therefore your Peti-
tioners do humblv pi'ay that your Honors would cause it to be
enacted, that the Polls & Estates aforesaid so set oft' in Minis-
terial matters, may be wholly separated from us in all Mat-
ters WHATSOEVER
Your Honors have ample Power to confer on them any Priv-
ileges necessary for their welfare unconnected with us, and
we do not wish to retain them to our mtitual V^exation. (Noth-
ing herein to alter the present method of paying Rev'' M^ Wil-
kins salary) and we do hereby impower Mess''* Daniel Camp-
bell, Samuel Wilkins, Thomas Wakefield, and Ebenezer Wes-
ton, or any two of them, to prefer this Petition to the General
Court and to carry the same into effect — with full power to ap-
point one or more Agents on our behalf for the same purpose,
all which is humblv submitted by your Petitioners who as in
Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Amherst Feby. y*' 24''' 17S3.
Will'" Bradford Jr.
Samuel Taylor
Thomas Woolson
Timothy Hartshorn
Francis Eliott
Amos Flint Jn""
Nathan Kendall
Joshua Kendall
Joseph Boutell
Phinehas Upham
7
Saml. Wilkins
Stephen Washer
James Hartshorn
Jon" Taylor
John Steward
Ebenezer Weston
William Howard
Robert Read
David Williams
Jedediah Ellinwood
Jacob Cvn'tice
Nathan Fuller
John Hartshorn
Nathan Phelps
Amos Flint
Joshua Atherton
Nathan Kendall Jr
Israel Towne
Daniel Stevens
William Steward
82
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ralph Ellinwood
Rolandson EUin-
^vood
William Walker
Benjamin Wilkins
William Dana
Samuel Dana
Kendall Boutell
John Eaton
Andrew Davis
John Tuck
Joseph Jewett
Samuel Seetown
William Odell Jun"-
William Hartshorn
Benjamin Clark Jun'"
Samuel Twiss
Abel Prince
Benjamin Merrill
Hezekiah Lovejoy
Ebenezer Ellinwood
Joseph Small
Francis Lovejoy
Timothy Jones
Reuben Holt
Ebenezer Holt
Joseph Cogin
Timothy Hill
Isaac Jaquith
Moses Kimball Jr
And"' Thomson
David Steward
Elisha Felton
Nahum Baldwin
Thomas Stevens
Robert Means
John Seeto\vn
William Odell
Eleazer Cole
Amos Boutell
Joseph Boutell
Benjamin Wilkins
Jun""
Samuel Standley
Bartholomew Dodge
Benjamin Clark
Samuel Stearns Jr.
Jacob Lovejo}'
Reuben Mussey
Edward Lyon
William Fisk
William Walton
Joshua Patingill
Benjamin Pike
Ephraim Barker
Benjamin Pike Jun''
Joseph Rollings
Ebenezer Batchelor
James M'^Keene
John Roby
Andrew Wilkins
Eben"" Weston Jn''
Ephraim Hildreth
David Hildreth
Jeremiah Hobson
Timothy Nichols
Jun^
Stephen Kendrick
Thomas Wakefield
John Lovejoy
Benjamin Davis
Aaron Boutell
Amos Truell
Ben Wilkins
Henry Kimball
Jacob Standley
Aaron Nichols
John Hartshorn
Joseph Prince Jr
Reuben Diamond
Mussey
Moses Barron
Samuel Henry
Daniel Campbell
William Small
Enos Bradford
John Twiss
Jonathan Lamson Jr
Joseph Cogin Jr
John Batchelor
Aaron Wilkins
Moses Kimball
William Taylor
Tho'* Weston
[03] \_Petitio7Z of some of the Inhabitants of the South-west
Fart, 1781.']
To the Hon^'''^ Council and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Assembly convened at Exeter in the State of "New
Hampshire on the 20*^^ day of June 17S1.
The humble Petition of the persons' whose names are hereto
subscribed — Inhabitants of the sutherly part of Amherst (form-
erly Monson) Sheweth — That your Petitioners have a desire of
being set oft" and haA'e the same Privileges granted with the
petitioners that petitioned to your Honours in March 17S1 liv-
AMHERST. 83
ing in said souther part of Amherst, and your Petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray
Augustus Blanchard Isaac How Daniel Lovejoy
James Russell Israel Towne Jun"" Joel How
[The petition above referred to has not been found. One
for the same purpose, dated May 23, 1782, may be found in
Town Papers, vol. ix, p. 24. — Ed.]
[90] \_Peiitio?i of the Inhabitants of the Sotith-'westei-ly Part
of Amherst to be set off as a Parish^ 1^82.^
To the Honourable the Council and the Gentlemen of the
House of Representatives in general Court convened at Con-
cord in and for the State of New Hampshire on Wednesday
the 13"^ day of March A D. 1782.
The Petition of the subscribers Humbly Shew That your
Petitioners are Inhabitants of the extensive To^vn of Amherst
and the most of your Petitioners live in the south-westerly part
of said Town — That their local situation renders it impracti-
cable for some of your Petitioners and many of their Children
to give a general attendance at the stated place of public Wor-
ship in Amherst. That your Petitioners conceive that it is of
great importance that youth as well as the aged should be in-
structed in Morality and piety — That the settlement of the pres-
sent Minister in Amherst was disagreeable to many of your
Petitioners, and that some of yovu' Petitioners previous to his
ordination did sign a Memorial and Remonstrance setting forth
their sentiments of the matter and that he was not a man of
their choice — That your Petitioners conceive that where there
is dissatisfaction in some and an impossibility of a general at-
tendance of others the great and important designs of Publick
instructions in Morality and piety are frustrated. That your
Petitioners being of the Opinion that Amherst might well spare
them there being nearly three hundred rateable Poles that are
now Taxed to their present Minister and when a sufficient num-
ber to support a Minister desire to be set oft' from so large a
number as there are in Amherst no reasonable objection can be
offered against their request being granted. Provided they
leave as large a number to support a Minister in the former
Parish especially if the Petitioners have lately assisted in erect-
ing an elegant house for Public Worship in the Parish they de-
sire to leave and have paid their proportion (by constraint) to-
wai'ds the settling a Minister there.
Your Petitioners did sometime in the Month of March A. D.
84 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
1 781, Petition the Honourable the general Court to be severed
from the society that attended the Public Worship in Amherst
meeting house to be set off as a Distinct Parish, and the Hon-
ourable Court granted us a day of hearing, but through inatten-
tion the Town of Amherst was not served with a copy of the
Petition and order of Court thereon, and of course we could
not have a hearing — Therefore your Petitioners pray yovn^ Hon-
ours to take our Case under yovu" wise Consideration That we
your Petitioners may have leave to bring in a Bill severing us
from the society that attend the Publick Worship in the pres-
ent meeting house in Amherst and discharging us from any
future taxes for the erecting or Repairing a Meeting house in
that Parish or for the support of their present or future Minis-
ter, and ei-ecting us into a Distinct Pole Parish with power to
levy, assess, and collect taxes for the Building a house for the
Publick Worship of God and for the settlement and support of
a Minister of the Gospel, and granting to us all other Parochial
powers Privilidges and immunities proper for Pole Parishes,
and also directing that the present inhabitants of Amherst that
are or may be desirous of joining in Public Worship with us
within the term of one year from our incorporation shall enter
their names and such desire v\^ith the Clark of the said Parish
and shall also produce to the Town Clerk a Certificate thereof
and enter the same with him, Those that shall hereafter inhabit
said Town that within the term of one year after they become
inhabitants shall enter their names and their desire of joining
with us in Publick Worship to the Clark of the Parish and shall
produce to the town Clerk a Certificate thereof and enter the
same with him and also all those that are or may be minors
that shall within the term of one year after they shall come of
age residing in said Amherst enter their names and their desire
of joining with us in Publick Worship with the Parish Clark
producing a Certificate thereof to the Town Clerk and enter the
same with him Shall be deemed and taken to belong to the Pole
Parish incorporated by this act and Rated there to all Parochial
charges accordingly and be exempted from any other Parochial
Chai-ges Whatsoever during their Residence in said Amherst —
or to grant us Relief in such other way as your Honours shall
think proper and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray.
Amherst Feb. y'' 25"' 17S2.
Nathan Hutchinson Moses Averill Andrew Bradford
Joshua Burnam Josiah Crosby Sr. Stephen Burnam
Israel Town Jr Jonathan Hutchin- Caleb Jones
Abner Hutchinson son William Peabody
John Burns Jur. Samson Crosby James Gilman
AMHERST.
85
Benf. Hopkins
Isaac Abbott
Joel How
Daniel Lovejoy
Josiah Crosby Jr
John Wallace
Darius Abbott
John Burns
Henry Codman
thaddeus Grimes
John Grimes
Bartholome\y Hutch-
inson
Benj° Hopkins 3*^
Samuel Graham
Elijah Ayeril
Tho' Burns
Jonathan Grimes
Isaac Howe
Benj" Hutchinson
Jonathan Lund
Stephen Crosby
Augustvis Blanchard
Jonathan Towne
John Bradford
Israel Burnam
Bartholomew Towne
Benj" Hopkins Jr
Dayid Burnam
William Wallace
Ebenezer Hopkins
Elisha Hutchinson
William Peabody Jr
Stephen How
George Burns
William Grimes
Samuel How
W" Crosby
William Melendy
Samuel Dodge
Nathan Hutchinson
Sr
Benj" Conant
Arter Graham
Ebenezer Ayerill
[89] \^Reino7tstrance of Inhabitants of that pai-t of ATonson
which was annexed to Ho/lis, against reestablishing- the
ancient Tow7t of ^lo ft son.']
To the Honorable the Council and house of Representatiyes to
be Conyened at Concord in the State of New Hampshire in
September Anno Domini 1782.
The answer of the Subscribers to the petition of a number of
the Inhabitants of the Town of Amherst and Holies, praying
that your honours wdll take the said petition in all its parts under
your Consideration and give them Leaye to bring in such a bill
as will place the Ancient Town of Monson in its former situa-
tion as to boundaries, and invest them ^yith such immunities as
other Towns in this state hold and enjoy.
We the said subscribers being Inhabitants of Holies, but
yv^ithin the lines of what was formerly Called Monson, pray
your honours not to Grant the Prayer of said petition for the
following reasons Viz. First — because that long before the
incorporation of Monson the greatest part of said Monson did
belong to Plolles. and the Inhabitants thereof did assist in build-
ing a Meeting house and settling a minister to their mutual
satisfaction.
Secondly ; — because said Monson was incorporated without
the desire or consent of the inhabitants thereof.
Thirdly — because that after said Town was incorporated they
never could agree about their Town affairs (and in particular in
settling the Gospel) but were always in Confusion. —
Fourthly — because the Annihilation of said Monson was
caused by the majority of the then Inhabitants thereof. —
Fifthly — because said petition sets forth, that the contents of
86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said monson is at least five miles square, "whereas in fact said
Town is about eight miles in length and ab' four miles in wedth
and the principal part of the Inhabitants thereof, especially
those who Y^ay by far the largest proportion of taxes are situated
upon the JNorth westerly, and South easterly Corners of said
Town, being the two Extremes thereof, and the Center and the
other two Extremes of the Town is very thinly Inhabited, and
the land in the said two Extremes last mentioned is not Capable
of Settlement — and the Inhabitants in the South easterly &
Northwesterly part, who would pay a large proportion of taxes
Could never be accommodated with roads to the senter of said
Town, more especially in the winter season, being no publick
road within two miles of the senter through the Town —
Sixthly — because that instead of peace and harmony being
promoted it is probably the Contention which will be occasioned
thereby will be much greater, than ever it was before —
Seventhly — because a very few of the Inhabitants of the
Northwesterly & Southeasterly Corners of the Town, which
cannot be accommodated as before mentioned, pay as much or
more taxes than all the petitioners.
Eighthlv — because there are near thirty of the inhabitants in
that part of Holies which was formerly Monson, who attend
publick worship at Holies, are by far better accommodated in
that Respect than they Can be Elsewhere, and many of them
have to travell at least as far to meeting as the principal part of
the petitioners.
Ninthly — because the said Town formerly Called Monson
Continued to be a Town more than Twenty Years, and during
that time they never settled a minister, nor hired one days
Preaching, but attended the public worship at Holies and Am-
herst in general without any expense as a Town, and tis highly
probable that will be the Case again should the prayer of the
petition be Granted.
Tenthly — because a number of the petitioners inconsiderately
subscribed the same, who now are Convinced that should the
prayer of said petition be granted it would be pregnant with the
Greatest Mischief.
Holies Sept 13* 1782.
Robt Colburn William Nevens Dan^ Bayley
Samuel Hayden David Kendrick Thad*" Wheeler
Jonas Willoughby Eben Farley Joseph Nevens
Oliver Sanders Benjamin Nevens Robert Colburn Jun""
Nathan Colburn Daniel Bayley Jr Thomas Powars
Josiah Parker Daniel Kendrick Jr Josiah Parker Jr
Joseph Esta-brooks Joseph Stearnes Zack'' Shattuck
Elnathan Blood Jr Zack'' Shattuck Jr Joel Bayley
Benj'' Colburn
AMHERST. 87
|_86] \_Depositio?i of TJiomas Wakefield, 1/82.']
Thomas Wakefield of Amherst Deposes on oath that he has
resided in Amherst for these twenty years passed, and for these
three years hist passed has acted in the Capacity of Town Clerk
and was at the Chief of the Town meetings when the affair of
Monson uniting with Amherst was adjietated, and he very well
Remembers that a great Majority of Amherst Inhabitants were
averce to their Joining least a division of the Town might in-
sue, and well Remember that when Monson made public appli-
cation to be Received they were Rejected by the Town but still
they were uneasy and often shew a desire of Joining Some few
Inhabitants of Amherst seamed to Favor them Espcialy the
Family of Colo'' Shepard and Capt. Peabody and the matter
was again brought in question and Considirably Fowarded by
Mr. Wilkins their minister and out of Complisance to him and
the Solom promises some leading men in Monson made maney
People ceased to oppose them the promises were that they
would in no case promote a division or aney alteration in Town
This deponent very well remembers that Josiah Crosby was
very urgent for Joining and on its being observed that it would
be a means of breaking up Amherst he said it would not and
himself Solomly promised never to move nor promot any Such
Thing or words to that purpose.
That not long after the Town had agreed to Build a meeting
house they were allarmed with the news that some of Monson
People with others of this Town were about applying for a
Small Town or Parish to be made out of the \vhole upon wdiich
the Committee for Building the meeting house Stop*^ proceed-
ing Maj"" Robert Read was desired to wait on the Govenor and
Lodge Some Reasons against aney such Request this Deponent
went with the Maj'' and after the Business was made known to
the Govenor Col° Atkin[son] and others of the Council they
said no such thing should Take place and the Committee then
went on with building as was before Determined had aney such
Petition taken place as they heard was in adjatation the meeting
house would have been smaller and at considerable Distance
from where it now is — as this Deponent thinks —
This Deponent further says that at a meeting called last June
to see if the Town would oppose the Petition in question the
Petitioners and Parrisoners Living in said Town Claimed a
right of Voting on that article and pretv Generally assembled
with an Intent (as this deponent believes) to outvote those who
would oppose it and then obtained an Entry in the Town Book
not to oppose the said Petition and at a second meeting Called
for the same purpose those persons again appeared and acted
the same part and urged as thev might be Called on for a part
OS EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of the Expense to be incurred in Defending they had a Right to
Vote and Did Vote in every question of that kind, tho. not so
generally as at the begining. and when the Petition last pre-
ferred by Monson People was acted upon there People vizt Pe-
titioners and Parrishoners Voted to oppose the prayer of it but
was Negatived by the Rest of the Inhabitants of the Town.
Qiies. Was that Promise which Mr. Crosby made relating
his never doing anything to divide the Town made before or
after the meeting held in Amherst in which the Petition of Mon-
son People to join with Amherst was rejected — Answer — I do
not remember.
Qiies. Was there any persons that Voted relating to not op-
posing the said Petition First mentioned besides Petitioners and
Parrishoners.
Answer — I remember only two
Dated at Amherst Sept. 14, 17S2.
Tho'' Wakefield
[The foregoing was sworn to before
Nahum Baldwin, Just. Peace.]
[93] \_Remonst ranee against i-eestablishing Monson^ 1^82 J\
To the Honourable the Council, and House of Representatives
within & for the State of New Hampshire
Your Petitioners, Inhabitants of the Southerly part of Am-
herst in the same State, which was lately distinguished and
known by the Name of JSIonson — Beg leave to observe (as we
are informed) a Petition was lately preferred to your Honours
signed by a nvunber of Persons, praying to have the Inhabitants
of the Land not long since known by the name of Monson as
aforesaid Reincorporated into a Body Politic — which we hum-
bly Conceive would be utterly Subversive of the real good and
Benefit of said Inhabitants collectively considered — to enumer-
ate all the Evils that might be consequent thereon we think un-
necessary. May it suffice for us to say, that during the exist-
ence of said Monson various fruitless attempts were made to
Continue it. It was adjudged that the Land in & near the Cen-
ter, w^as so Ban-en Broken and Uneaven and its local Scitua-
tion such as to render the making and repairing of Roads ex-
ceeding diflicult — this Representation (founded in truth as ap-
pears to us now) being made, J\lonson was no more. And we
earnestly pray that it may not now be reanimated or Revived,
— And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray.
John Grimes
Dated August 17S2.
AMHEKST. 89
John Burns Nathan Hutchinson Thomas Burns
Caleb Jones Bartholomew Hutch-David Burnam
Josiah Crosby inson James Oilman
Jonathan Towne Samson Crosby thaddeous grimes
Nathan Hutchinson Ebenezer Hopkins Jonathan Grimes
Jr Stephen Crosby Isaac Abbott
Josiah Crosby ]v Ezra Baldwin Isaac Southwick
Benjamin Hutchin- William Graham Benja. Kendrick
son George Burns Stephen Kendrick
Augustus Blanchard Samuel grimes Isrel Burnam
[The foregoing documents were before the legislature,
Nov. 20, 1782. The matter was sharply contested, several
depositions were presented, and considerable bitterness en-
sued. The petition for reestablishing the town of Monson
was refused, but by an act passed Nov. 23, 1782, Nathan
Hutchinson and forty-six others, with their families and es-
tates, were erected into a "Poll Parish," for ministerial pur-
poses. This new parish was in the south-west part of Am-
herst, and was, with a portion of Hollis, the Mile Slip, and
Duxbury School Farm, incorporated in 1794 as a town by
the name of Milford. — Ed.]
[95] \^Petltion of yoiiathan Smith relative to Laud givett to
Beujamijt Whiting.'\
To the Hon'''*' Council and Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire convened at Concord Sept. 10, 17S2.
The Petition of Jonathan Smith of Amherst in the State
aforesaid. Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner on the 31^*
day of Jan^ 1772 gave a Deed of half an Acre of Land to the
County for to set the jail on as a Present. Also at the same
time gave a Deed of half an Acre of Land adjoining to Benj"*
Whiting of Hollis as a present with a promise that he would
never sell the said Land nor let any Person set any Buildings
thereon. About 2 Moths before he absconded & went to the
Enemy he called and told said Smith as he never gave him any-
thing for the above half Acre of Land that if he was not restored
to his f)ffice again he w : [ould] return the said Land back again
by a Deed to the said Smith and desired said Smith to improve
it as his own property. And as your Petitioner has certain De-
positions to prove as aforesaid prays this Hon''"'' Court to take it
into their Consideration that the said Deed given bv the said
Smith to the said Whiting might be null and void that your Pe-
90 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
titioner might come into full possession of the said Land accord-
ing to said Whitings promise to him. And y'' Petitioner shall
ever pray as in Duty Bound
Jonathan Smith
Amherst Sept 5''' 17S2.
[103^4] \_Ret?/f'its of Ratable PoUs^ Amherst^ 1783 ''\
To the Hon'''*^ the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire.
Pursuant to a vote of the late General Assembly of this State
Directing the Selectmen of the Several Tow^ns in this State to
Return the number of all male Polls j^aying Taxes for them-
selves, to the General Assembly of this State at their first Ses-
sion in obedience to which — the Number of all male Polls pay-
ing Taxes as aforesaid in the Town of Amherst is 339.
By order of the Selectmen,
Tho^ Wakefield,
Town Clerk
Amherst December
Y 15* 1733-
[103] [ Vote of Aiuhei-st on the Eighth Article of Confedej'a-
tion.~\
At a legal meeting of the Town of Amherst in the State of
New Hampshire held Ocf 20* 1783.
Among other things — Voted with Reference to the proposed
Alteration of the 8"^ Article of Confederation and Perpetual
Union between the thirteen States of America that the reasons
for the proposed Alteration do not preponderate with us (with
due deference w^e say, it) as they did with the Honourable
Congress, as appears by their address to the several States re-
specting this matter, nor are We the same in sentiment with our
own Legislators who appear to be Convinced of the expediency
and Utility of the Measure as by their address to this State of
the 30*'^ of Jvuie last past.
We are Humbly of Opinion, that a strictly equal and just Da-
ta or Rule for taking a Valuation is almost, if not v\^holly im-
practicable. Vet we think no Rule can be devised subjected to
fewer objections than from Valuations of the Soil &c, taken in
and by each State. We therefore hereby Instruct & Im power
OUR Representative to use every decent and Laudable means
in his power to prevent the said proposed Alteration
True Copy Attest
Tho'^ Wakefield Town Clerk
AMHERST. 91
[103] \^Me)}ioriaI in favor of jnaking Goods, CJiattcJs, etc.^
Legal Tender for I)ebtsJ\
To the Honourable Council and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire, in General Court assembled at Ex-
eter on the Second Wednesday of February ly^S-
The prayer of your humble petitioners Inhabitants of Am-
herst, and others in the county of Hillsborough, hereby Sheweth
that your petitioners have beheld and do still behold with great
concern and resentment the numerous needless Lawsuits that
have Coinmenced in the year past, and that are still commenc-
ing and carrying on in this State ; and more especially in this
countv ; purely for private debts, it being a time of Great Scar-
city (not only of the necessaries of life) but also of the Silver
courrancy in this State, when all the money that can be found
in this State, is Scarcely Sufficient to pay our Publick taxes, and
procure the absolute necessaries of life. Therefore private
debts cannot be suddenly paid (in money) without great neglect
of Publick debts and damage to the Publick cause. Neither are
private debts often recovered (at this day) by sueing, for all the
money that can be procured is little enough to Satisfy attorneys
and under Sheritls (which your petitioners think are too num-
erous in this county ;) So that the creditors often take notes for
their dues after the debts are sued and leave said notes in the
hands of their attorneys where their debtors are exposed quick-
ly to pay the same (or a greater) cost over again, for as though
the cost of Sueing in the county where both debtor and creditor
reside were too little, the Practise is begun of Sueing to anoth-
er county wdiere neither debtor nor creditor reside which aug-
ments the cost and is a practice which your petitioners view as
very unjust and unreasonable in common cases.
Your petitioners are of opinion that if this extraordinary Sue-
ing be not Seasonably prevented it will have a very bad eflect
on our Publick atlairs as it hath a tendency to disunite imbitter
and allinate the atlection of the good subjects of the State from
each other, in a time when peace harmony and congruity are
very needful, yea the Greatest part of our humane Strength,
this excessive sueing- (if it be not prevented) will fill our Goals
with honest Laborious husbandmen and Mechanicks, and there-
fore leave our Soil (in a measure) uncultivated and our manu-
facturies damaged, it will Starve our army in the field, and our
civil and Ecclesiastical officers at home, it will starve the poor
and needy and Greatly debilitate the wealthy, it will Greatly
Encourage and Embolden our external and internal enemies,
l)ut discourage and dishearten our sincere (but injured) friends.
It will l)uild up Lawyers and vShcriHs onh . and that upon the
92
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ruins and destruction of their fellow men. Therefore it ap-
pears (to your petitioners) needful that Something (constitu-
tional) be Speedily done in order to prevent this increasing Ca-
lamity, otherwise we may expect that Soinething will be done,
unconstitutionally, the dangerous tendency and consequence of
which 3'our Petitioners would Greatly deprecate. Therefore
(for the above reasons) your Petitioners hereby pray that this
Honourable Court would take the above Case into their most
Serious consideration and by a wise and prudent act prevent
this Extraordinary cost of lawsutes : and establish some more
reasonable way for the recovery of private debts, in this time of
publick calamity, by making such lands Goods chattels lumber
&c as the debtor is possessed of to be a Lawful tender for Debts
at such a price as shall be set upon Such Goods &c by foithful
men chosen for that purpose, or such men as the Debtor and
creditor shall choose themselves, which inay be done with little
cost and without the cost of any lawsutes. However your pe-
titioners submit the particular method of proceedure in the mat-
ter to the Wisdom and Prudence of this Honourable Court,
(trusting as you rule for God and are Interested in the common
Welfare and happiness of your country, and are touched with a
fellow feelling of the calamities of the meanest of your vSub-
jects) That you are able and willing to point out and establish
a method, far Superior to any pointed out by your petitioners,
both for the redress of our present Grievances, and for the safe-
ty of this State. In patient expectation of which your humble
Petitioners (as in duty bound) shall ever pray
Robert Parker
Thomas Carlton
Richard Gould
William Wilkins
John Bradford
Joshua Lovejoy
Nathaniel Heywood
Jon'' Taylor
Joseph tuck
Solomon Kittredge
Benj" Davies
Henry Kimball
Eli Wilkins
Oliver Carlton
Isaac Smith
Timothv Kendall
Rob' Darrah
William Wallace
Benjamin Curtis
John Case
James Hopkins
Zacchus Walker
Elijah Averill
Amos Eliot
Benj'' Pike
Isaac Weston
John Patterson
Benjamin Pike
Arthur Dennis
James Woodbury
Nathan Flint
David M-^Qiiig
James Ray
James Nahor Junr.
Richard towne
Samuel Town
Richard Ward
Elisha Hutchinson
David Goodell
W" Walker
Ephraim Hildrith
Elisha Felton
Aaron Smith
Sam' Standley
Hezekiah Lovejoy
John Harvell
major Raby
Daniel Kendall
James Marvel
John Cross
Samuel Chase
[See Atkinson papers for disposition of the matter. —
Ed.]
AMHERST. 93
[104] \^Memorial agaiiist j\I. Thornton's having- an Exclu-
sive Right to ferry people over JMerrimack river. '\
To the Honorable the Council & house of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire to be Convened at Exeter on
the last Tuesday of March 17S4, the Petition of the Subscrib-
ers Humbly Shew That we are Informed that Matthew
Thornton Esq has petitioned your Honors that he may have
the Exclusive right of ferrying people over Merrimack River
where Col" Lutwych formerly kept the ferry and that a hear-
ing is appointed the 2^ Wednesday of your next session.
We humbly pray that his petition may not be granted first
Because it would be unjust that he should have the Benefit of
the ferry when the owners and proprietors of Brentons Farm
have been at so much cost and expence in Reserving Lands on
both sides Merrimack River keeping proper Vessels for & tend-
ing the ferrv 3'Uv because that CoP Thornton sence he has lived
there has paid little or no attention to serve the publick in that
way and if vour Honors Grant his petition the publick as well
as yovn- petitioners will be much Injured as all that are ac-
quainted with him know that he never did attend to such mat-
ters neither can it be expected he ever will — Therefore we
Humbly pray your Honors not to Grant his said petition, all
which your petitioners as in Duty bound sencerley pray
March 4, 1784.
Benjamin Clark Benj'' Davies William Steward
Peter Goss David Hildrith Timothy Hartshorn
Francis Eliott Thomas Woolson Nathan Jones Jr
James Hartshorn Jacob Curtice Nathan Cole
Elisha Hutchinson Henry Codman John Eaton
Nathan Fuller Nathan Kendall Jr Joshua Kendall
Benj" Clark Jr Joseph Small ' J'^cob Hildrith Jr
William Small Rolandson Ellin- Joseph Prince Jr
Sam' Standle}- wood Jeremiah Hobson
Nathaniel Haseltine Thomas Towne Eben Weston Jr
Barthol"*' Dodge Francis Lovejoy Timothy Smith
John Seetown Jr Samuel Stevens William Walker
Jonathan Smith Samuel Shepard Edward Ellsworth
Phineh'* Jones Israel Weston Richard Ward
Peter Woodbury Oliver Carlton Joseph Perkins
Joseph Langdell Richard Gould Abijah Wilkins
John Alills James Woodbury Abner Hutchinson
William Lamson William Bradford Jr James Smith
John Averill Ebenezer Fisk Jacob Smith
James Stickney Alien Goodridge Michael Keef
94 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Andrew Wilkins Jonathan Wilkins Nath^ Henchman ( ?)
Philemon Perkins (?) Josiah Crosby Symes
Eben'' Weston Eph'" Crosby
Ephraim Ilildrith Ebenezer Odell
[Notwithstanding this, the legislature, by an act passed
April 14, 1784, granted to said Matthew Thornton the ex-
clusive right of keeping a ferry for two miles above and
two miles below his house. — Ed.]
[The five documents next following are abstracts from
original documents. — Ed.]
[R. iS]
[Amherst, Dec. 23, 1784. Joseph Perkins requests that
what money is due him for services as a soldier in 1779, be
paid to Joseph Blanchard.]
[R. 19]
[By petition, dated June 7. 1785, "Hannah Peabody Wid-
ow .& Relict of Lieut. Col" Stephen Peabody late of Am-
herst Deceased," states that her late husband served in the
army in R I. in 1778, and asks to have the depreciation of
his wages made up and paid to her ; which was granted.]
[R. 20]
[Amherst, January 20th, 1786.
Henry Harris sends an order to the treasurer for wages
due him for services in the war.
Granted ;^20.]
[R. 31]
[Ebenezer Odell, of Amherst, petitioned the general court,
under date Feb., 1786. stating that he served in Capt. Dan-
iel Runnels's Co., Col. Peabody's Reg't, in R. I., in 1778,
never received anything but nominal wages, was aggrieved
because "stated prices" were not maintained, and wanted
an allowance.
Attested by
"Tho. Wakefield Town Clerk for 1778.
Hezekiah Lovejoy Captain"]
AMHERST. 95
[R. 23]
[Abr™ Littlehale states, in an order dated Nov. 28th,
1787, that he was hired for one year by the town of Am-
herst, and served in Capt. Dustin's Co., Col. Read's Reg't,
in 1779, that the town has rehnquished his hire to him, and
requests the state treasurer to pay the same to Capt. Daniel
Warner.]
[107] \_Petition to have the North-ivest Parish set off' by
" Metes and Bounds^'"' 1/88.^
To the hon^^* Senate & House of Representatives for the State
of New Hampshire, the petition of the Subscribers humbly
Sheweth
That your petitioners labor under great Disadvantages on
account of their great Distance in a roade rough & uneven from
Amherst first parish Meeting House, and that we are all in-
habitants of that part of Amherst hereafter described by meets
and Bounds and Can be better accommodated by being Anexed
to the Second parish in Amherst, that Some of us were minors
belonging to the familys, that were set oft" to said Second pai*-
ish at the time of their incorporation and were Entitled to the
priviledge of being members of that Body had we seaasonably
entered our names with the Town Clerk, as the law directed
but through forgetfulness or Inattention, we omitted it and can
have no help, but by your honours Direction — we therefore pray
that your honours would take the matter into your wise Con-
sideration, and set us oft' as a parish by meets and bounds as
follows (Viz) beginning at the northw^est Corner bounds of the
Tow^n of Amherst thence runing southcrl}^ on the west line of
said Town about four & half miles to the southwest Corner of
the lot of land formerly owned by Joseph Dunkle thence
Easterly on the line between Deacon Elisha Hutchinsons &
Richard Gould & about two miles to the Southeast Corner of
the lot of land Amos Green now lives on, thence runing
Northeasterly on a direct line about one & half miles, to the
Crotch of the road.s between the houses of Lieut. William
Bradford & Samuel Wilkins Esqr. thence runing more East-
erly on a direct line about three quarters of a mile to the South-
east Corner of Benjamin Pike Jun' land thence runing North-
erly on a Direct line to the East line of Henry Spalding land
& so continuing its course about two miles & three quarters, to
New Boston line, from thence runing westerly on the Town line
between Amherst & New Boston, about three miles to the first
mentioned Bounds — and as all your pctitioner.s live within the
96
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
limits aforesaid. Should we be so happy as to Comunicate to
your Honours an idea of our disagreeable situation we Doubt
not we Shall Receive your honovu's approbation and as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray
James Ray
Jacob Kendal
Isaac Manning
John Damon
Ebenezer Batcheller
Aaron Wilkins
Henry Trivett
William Barron
Isaac Jaquith
Ezekiel Holt
Peter Jones
Moses Kimball
Nathan Jones
Henry vSpaulding
Jacob Curtice Jr
Thomas Weston
Moses Kimball Jr
James M'^Keen
John Batcheller
Benjamin Sterns
Amos Flint
Stephen Gould
Ezenezer Odell
Sam' Stearns Jr.
Daniel Weston
Zephaniah Kittridge
Hutchinson Flint
Samuel Peabody
Jonathan Wilkins
William Cogin
John Fiske
Didymus Pearson
John Peabody
Isaac Weston
Eliphlelet Simonds
Joseph Cogin
Enoch Carlton
Daniel Kendal
Peter Abbott
Benjamin Simonds
Moses Peabody
Henry Campbell
[The foregoing petition is in the handwriting of Henry
Campbell. It was before the H. of Rep., June 11, 1788, and
a hearing ordered for the third Wednesday of the next ses-
sion. A committee was appointed, who reported June 10,
1790 (see House Journal, June 12), fixing different bounds
from those asked for in the foregoing petition. The report
was accepted, and an act establishing the same passed the
house, June 18, 1790. The legislature adjourned the next
day, the senate taking no action in the matter : the docu-
ment following will perhaps explain why. The matter came
up at the next session, and an act was passed January 25,
1 79 1, defining the boundaries between the old and the north-
west parishes. — Ed.]
[109] \_Protest agai7ist behig set off ivith the North-ivest
Parish, J790.']
State of New Hampshire. To the Hon'''" the Senate and the
Hon''''' the House of Representatives in general Court now
convened at Concord in s'' State.
The subscribers humbly shew, that by the Report of the Com-
mittee for setting the Line between the old or first parish in Am-
herst and the northwest parish made to your Honours this Ses-
sion, they are to be set oft' to the s"^ northwest parish — and
whereas we your petitioners did most solemnly and voluntarily
AMHERST. 97
contract with the Rev'^ M''. Barnard for the annual payment of
his sahiry together with the rest of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Amherst, more especially with those who were active in Fav''
of his settling with them as their Minister, we cannot but esteem
it a great Grievance that we should be set oft' and compelled to
worship with a Society with whom we never joined in public
worship, and to support a Minister with whom we never made
any contract for such a purpose, while the solemn contract we
made with the Rev"^ JVP. Barnard, and his adherents, is set
aside and rendered null and void — Those who have no right,
thereby claim otir Money ; Those to whom we are under the
most solemn obligations to give it ; loose it — while every senti-
ment and Feeling of our Hearts in the strongest manner impel
us to remain under our former connection, and the full Force of
our Contract made with M'' Barnard.
Wherefore we humbly request your Honours that we with
our estates may be permitted to remain to M"" Barnard's Parish,
that we may have the double pleasure of worshiping the Su-
preme Being with the Society of our Choice ; and at the same
time of fulfilling our Engagement which the Laws of god and
our Religion have pronounced inviolable — and your petitioners
as in Duty bound &c.
Amherst June y" 14"', 1790.
Ebenezer holt Jonathan Lampson Jr Timothy Hill
John Roby Amos Flint Jr.
[R. 23] \_youat/ia}i IVilkins^s Petit io)i^ ^790 — jMarine.~\
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives For
the State of New Hampshire in General Court Convened.
Your petitioner humbly shews That in the Month of January
1783 on board The Frigate Hague Commanded by John Man-
ley Esquire your petitioner was wounded in his Right Leg by a
Shot from the then Common Enemy, which has greatly dis-
abled him, and he has never received any Compensation there-
for, prays your honors To take the matter into Consideration,
and Grant your petitioner some relief in the Manner your hon-
ors may think proper. And your petitioner in duty bound will
ever pray
Amherst June 14"' 1790 —
Jonathan Wilkins
98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 24] \_Petitlo7i of Robert B . Wilknis^ Soldier at Biuiker
Hill.']
To the honble the Senate and house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened at Concord Feby. 11"' 1791.
Hiitnblv Shews Robert B. Wilkins that on the Seventeenth
of June i77'> at the Battle at Bunker hill he received a wound
[musket ball through his right elbow^ joint] which has rendered
it impossible for him to perform the Common and necessary
business of life in Such a manner as to gain a comfortable Sub-
sistence— that your petitioner with a firm Resolution of not be-
ing burthensome to that Country which he thinks he had Sum
hand in preserving from the Ravages of an inveterate Enemy
has never asked for any assistance before but finding it nessary
for his own Subsistance and that of a family to look up to his
Country for Support he begs leave to lay his Case before your
honours fully Convinced that you will Compassionate his Case.
he therefore prays this Honorable body to grant him such Relief,
or to direct him to Such Methods for obtaining it as your hon-
ours in your Wisdom Shall think proper and your petitioner as
in duty bound shall ever pray
Robert Bradford Wilkins
[R. 2=;] \^Abstract from Isaac Baldzuin's Petition., lygi.]
[Isaac Baldwin, of Amherst, in a petition dated June,
1791, states that he belonged to a company of matrosses in
General Lovewell's brigade ; that, at a meeting for drill at
Hollis, October 4, 1790, he was assigned to the duty of
ramming the cartridge, and by premature explosion of the
same he was severely wounded and Lieutenant Emerson
was killed. He asks for an allowance. Simeon Shurtleff,
captain, and John Eaton, lieutenant, certify that he was
wounded as he states. He had been allowed twenty pounds
before, and was granted a further allowance of twenty
pounds. — Ed.]
[R. 27] \_Letter from Daniel Warner to Governor Bartletty
1791.]
Amherst Sept. 26* 1791.
Sir : Being Desired by some of the Hon' Council to forward
a statement of the standing of Captains W"' Bradford and Henry
Fields in Military Rank — have made Inquiry and find (although
AMHERST. 99
I have not seen Capt° Bradford sence I returned from Exeter,
but am Informed) by Brigadier Lovewell that in February 1776
he was appointed Ensign in Col° Bedels Regiment to go to Can-
ady — And in 177S was appointed Lieut, in the Continental
Army and in both Campaigns was taken prisoner and Detained
some time — that in 17S0 he was appointed first Lieut, of second
Company in the fifth Regt. of Militia and in Sept. 1781, his
Capt. Resigned and he was appointed to the Command of the
Company by a warrant from the Brigadier Gen' and was Com-
missioned to the command of said Company in Jany, 17S3, and
a 2*^ Capt"* Commission in Dec"" 17S6 —
Capt Henry Fields was appointed Lieut, in CoP Baldwins
Reg' Sept. 17, 1776 — Second Lieut of the 4* Comp-^ of JMilitia
in Dec"" 20"' 1776, — and Capt. of the 15 Comp^ Jany. S"" 17S2,
and Capt of the 13 Comp-^ Deer. 10, 1786. * * * *
Your Excellencys most obed'
and Very Hum' Serv'
Dan' Warner
His Excellency Josiah Bartlett.
[no]
State of New Hampshire. |
Hillsborough ss. j Pursuant to an order of the Hon'''®
General Covut passed December the 8*, 1791, appointing the
Subscribers a Committee to view the situation of certain Peti-
tioners living in the Southwesterly part of Amherst in s*^ Coun-
ty ; we have viewed said premises and beg leave to report as
our opinion that the said Southwesterly part of said Amherst,
be, erected into a Parish by the following lines, viz. Beginning
at Lyndeborough line at the corner of the Northwest Parish in
said Amherst, thence Easterly to the northwesterly corner of
Amos Greens Lott, called the Mill Lott, thence southerly on a
straight line to the southwesterly corner of the Lott numbered
Twenty — thence Easterly on the Range line to the Northeaster-
ly corner of William Peabodys land, thence Southerly on the
Easterly line of the said Peabodys land, to land belonging to
Jotham and Daniel Shephard ; thence easterly to the northeast-
erly corner of the said Shephards land, thence Southerly by the
said Shephards land to Souhegan River, thence down the mid-
dle of said river to Land belonging to Benjamin & Stephen
Kendrick, thence Southerly by the said Kendricks land to the
Road leading from David Danforths to William Crosbys, thence
crossing said Road & running a South Point to Hollis line,
thence Westerly on said Hollis line, to the Southwesterly cor-
ner of said Amherst, thence Northerly on the said Amherst line
to Souhegan River aforesaid, thence down said River to the
lOO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Southeasterly corner of Duxbury School Farm (so called)
Thence northerly on the said Amherst Line to the bounds first
mentioned.
Which is humbly submitted
Eph"' Robinson Joseph Badger Jr. Charles Barrett
[I do not find any petition or remonstrance, but think
there must have been both. There is a plan with the Am-
herst papers (Vol. I, 1880, No. 108) in the secretary's office
on which is the following : " The Figure B. describes the
tract on which the present petitioners dwell excepting about
3 families who live near the middle of Amherst. The act
establishing the parish A., [the north-west parish] was a
great injury to the town by altering its center — but should
the second petition succeed, a total breaking up of the Town
Imediately takes place. The meeting house when built was
by Universal consent of all these disaffected persons it is a
large House and well finished which must be rendered use-
less if Amherst Charter is to be destroyed in the manner
proposed by the petitioners." — Ed.]
[hi] \_Resignation of Hon. Sam?/el Dana^ i'/g2.']
His Exc^ the President and the Hon''^'' the Council of The State
of New Hampshire.
May it please your Exc^ & Hon''^ to accept the Subscribers
resignation of the office of Judge of Probate for the County of
Hillsboro : hereby made (the Com" is enclosed) — Accept also
his unfeigned thanks for every mark of respect and confidence
shown him by the government of said State, and believe him
sincere when he assures you that he does not resign said office
from anv dissatisfaction with the administration of the govern-
ment in said State or want of affection and respect to the inhab-
itants of said County but principally from a conviction, founded
in experience, of the impropriety of his holding said office, while
he is obliged, for the support of his family, to practice as an at-
torney, there being danger that he may not always distinguish
rightlv between a I^ee to the attorney and a Bribe to the Judge.
And equally sincere when he assures you that he wishes all
happiness to your Excellency and Hon'''' as citizens of the State,
the highest success to your Public Administration, and the most
uninterrupted prosperity to the State of which he esteems it a
peculiar felicity to be a subject.
AMHERST. lOI
And is \vith the sincerest affection, esteem and respect your
Exc-' & Hon''^ most obedient &c. &c.
Sam' Dana
Amherst Dec"" 21, 1792.
[The foregoing resignation was accepted, and on Febru-
ary 13, 1793, Ebenezer Champney, of New Ipswich, was
appointed to the position. Hon. Samuel Dana was from
Groton, Mass. He settled in Amherst in 1781, and was
soon after admitted to the bar. He filled many important
ofifices, and died April 2, 1798. Among his descendants
were James F. and Samuel L. Dana, Hon. Samuel Dana
Bell, Hon. James Bell, and Dr. Luther V. Bell— Ed.]
[R. 31J \_Petition of Revohitionarv Soldiers for Rcm7{ner-
ation for Losses Sustained on Retreat from "Ticonderoga J\
To the Hon''''^ Senate & House of Representatives in General
Court Convened, at Concord on the first Wednesday in De-
cember Anno Domini 179^1
The petition of John Mills and others of Amherst Jiumbly
ShezvetJi that in the late war between the united States and
Greate Britain in the year 177^ '^'^''^^ i'"' the action at the Cedars
so called, where they were taken prisoners bv the Enemy and
suffered the Loss of all their baggage accoutrements and prop-
erty then in their possession, and that your petitioners never
having received any Compensation for those losses, they Car-
ried in their accounts of them to the Committee appointed to
Collect those accounts and which have since, as they have been
informed been transmitted to a Committee of Congress, upon
which and others laid before said Committee thev Conceive a
Considerable ballance in favor of this state has been Carried to
its Credit, your petitioners does not found their Claim to a re-
munerative for those losses which they sustained in the defence
of our Common Country altogether upon the same being allow-
ed by Congress although thev cannot but think that circum-
stance fortifies the Justice of their claim : they are ready and
able to Come forward and to substantiate their demand by in-
contestible Evidence if the aforesaid losses were in fact Sustain-
ed your petitioners cannot find any satisfactory reason wh}' they
should not in some degree be recompensed, others whose
Claims were certainly not preferable to your petitioners been re-
lieved and have had an opportunity to speak of the Justice and
gratitude of their Countrv ; yt)ur pctitit)ncrs wishes that they
102 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
may have the same opportunity and that they may have reason
to say that the Claims of Justice at all times indespensible v^'ill
sooner or later prevail, your petitioners therefore prays the
honourable Court to take their Case under their Consideration
and that such remedy may be granted them as in Justice and
Equity they are intitled to and your petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray —
John Mills Joseph Lovejoy Tho^ Melendy
Daniel Wilkins Obediah Holt Amos Boutell
[On other petitions of same date, and for the same pur-
pose, are the names of William Bradford and John Purple.
In a petition dated Dec., 1796, John Manning, of the same
town, says he was taken prisoner at Hubbardton, "on the
retreat from Ticonderoga in the year 1777," and lost his
baggage ; and Joseph Boutell, of the same town, says he
lost his baggage when the British took Fort Lee, in the Jer-
seys, Nov. 20, 1776. — Ed.]
[112]
State of New Hampshire, — To the Honourable Senate &
House of Representatives in Gen' Assembly Convened.
The petition of part of the Inhabitants of the Towns of
Amherst and Lyndeborough Humbly Sheweth, That a very
considerable part of us live at such a distance from the Court
House in said Amherst (the place where all our Town meet-
ings have hitherto been held) as makes it very inconvenient to
attend publick Town meeting at any season of the year, and
whereas we are laving on the outsides of said Towns in such a
manner as would not be hurtful or injurious to either of said
Towns to have us seperated from them — bvit be very conven-
ient for your petitioners to be set oft' into a seperate Town agree-
able to the following lines (Viz.) beginning at the southwest
corner of the second parish in Amherst thence runing east-
wardly between land of the heirs of D" Elisha Hutchinson &
land of the heirs of Nathaniel Ravmond about two miles to the
southeast corner of land that Amos Green now lives on, thence
runing Northerly about one and a half miles to the crotch of
the roads between land formerly owned by Lt William Brad-
ford & land formerly owned by Samuel Wilkins Esq. thence
more easterly on a direct line about three fourths of a mile to
the southeast corner of land formerly owned by Benjamin Pike,
from thence Northerly on a direct line to the east line of Henry
Spaulding Lott, and so continuing about two miles and three
quarters of a mile, to New Boston Town line, from thence
AMHERST.
103
runing westerly on the Town line between Aniherst & New
Boston to the northwest corner of Amherst, thence more west-
erly, crossing Amherst Town line about half a mile into L/ynde-
borough, to the Northwest corner of Abraham Frenches land;
thence runing southerly on a parallel line with Amherst Tov/n
line about four and an half miles in said Town of Lyndeborough,
untill it Comes directly opposit the southwest corner of said
Amherst vSecond parish, then runing easterly about half a mile
to the bounds first mentioned.
Therefore we pray vour honours to incorporate us into a
Separate Town agreeable to and with the aforesaid lines with
the privileges of other Towns within this State, and your peti-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Alien Goodridge
Abijah Wilkins
Ebenezer Mills
William Bradford
Ezekiel Upton
Lambert Bradford
John Fisk
Josiah Dodge
James C. Mace
Jacob Smith
Abraham French
Cyrus Stiles
Jeremiah Smith
Daniel Smith Jr
Samuel Mitchell
Ezekiel Upton Jr.
William Hastings
Ezekiel holt
Joseph Farnum
Benjamin Pik jr.
Ebenezer Batchellor
Thomas Towne
Timothy Smith
Josiah Ilerrick
Lot Conant
Joseph Cogin
Daniel Kendal
Benj" Pike
Jesse Lamson
James Hopkins
Henry Tri^•et
Jonathan Wilkins
Eli Brown
James Ray
John Ray
John averill Jr
Zeph" Kittridge
Henry Codman Jr.
Benjamin Darker
Ben J" Durant
Tha<i Kendall
Solomon Kittridge
John Harwood
James Smith
Edmund Perkins
William Wallace
W" Bradford Jr
Isaac Smith
Abel Stickney
Amos Green Jr
Jake Peabody
Timothy Hill
W" L. Kidder
John Batchellor
John Batchellor Jr
Joseph Dodge
Isaac Manning
Eli Wilkins
John manning
Peter Jones
Jon" Lamson
James Hopkins Jr
Thomas Cloutman
Jonathan Conant
Nathan Cleaves
Wil'" Wilkins
Robert Parker Jr
Benjamin Stearns
Enos Bradford
Nathan Flint
Aaron Peabody
John Harwood Jr
Isaac Weston
Benj" Nurse
Nehemiah French
Daniel Averill
Jesse Smith
John Averill
Isaac Smith Jr
Nathan Green Jr
John Fuller
John Peabody
Josiah Colburn
Jesse Avrill
Thomas Weston Jr
Daniel Smith
Josiah Kittridge
William Cogin
Jacob Curtice
Jacob Kendal
John Rollings
Ebcn'' Holt
John Lamson
Israel Farnum
Joseph Langdell
Elisha Felton
Thomas Weston
Mark l^urnam
Aloses Peabody
I04 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Carleton John Weston Joseph Trow Junr.
Nathan Jones James Woodbvny Timothy Austen
Joseph Perkins Jr Abijali Spafibrd Enoch Pike
\_Committee Agreed upon by the Agents. '\
We the subscribers have agreed that Rob* Wallace, Rob' Al-
cock, and Danl. Emerson, Esquires, be appointed a committee
at the expense of the petitioners to Report proper lines to be
established in the Town of Amherst as it respects a new Town
petitioned for by the Northwest inhabitants of s*^ Amherst.
Danl Warner for Amherst.
William Bradford \ on behalf of
Joseph Perkins Jr j the petitioners.
[In the H. of Rep., June 8, 1803, the foregoing named
gentlemen were appointed a committee to view the premises
and report at the next session. The committee reported,
under date Oct. 5, 1803, in favor of incorporating a town
with bounds substantially as petitioned for, which included
a portion of Lyndeborough ; but the legislature, by an act
passed December 15, 1803, incorporated only that part
which had belonged to Amherst, and made the town of
Mont Vernon. Other papers relating to Amherst may be
found in Town Papers, vol. ix. — Ed.]
[Among the prominent men of Amherst in the latter
part of the last century, besides those already named, were
the following :
Gen. Moses Nichols, a native of Reading, Mass., settled
in Amherst about 1761 — a physician by profession. He was
an ardent patriot in the Revolution, commanded a regiment
at Bennington, and also at West Point in 1780; was a gen-
eral in the militia after the war, member of the council in
1779, and register of deeds until his death, May 23, 1790,
aged 50.
Hon. Robert Means, a native of Stewartstown, Ireland,
settled in Amherst prior to the Revolution. He was born
Aug. 28, 1742; came to this country in 1764; was member
of the general court in the years 1783, '84, and '89; was
elected senator in 1787, '89, and '91 ; and was a member of
the council in 1786. He was a man of influence, and wide-
ly known. One of his grand-daughters was the wife of
Franklin Pierce.
ANTRIM. 105
Hon. Joshua Atherton settled here in 1773. He was a
loyalist at the commencement of the Revolution, and was
for a time imprisoned at Exeter, but took the oath of allegi-
ance to the state in 1778. Was a member of the conven-
tion which ratified the federal constitution in 1788, member
of the senate in 1792, representative to the general court sev-
eral years, and attorney-general.
Hon. William Gordon, born about 1763, graduated at
Harvard college in 1779 at the age of 16, commenced the
practice of law in Amherst in 1781, was register of probate
several years, state senator in 1794 and '95, and resigned on
being elected representative to congress in 1796. He suc-
ceeded Joshua Atherton as attorney-general in 1801. Died
May 8, 1802.
Stephen Peabody was an active and ardent patriot, and
a distinguished soldier. He was adjutant of Col. Poor's
Reg't. on Winter Hill, 1775; major in Col. Wyman's Reg't,
raised in June, 1776; volunteer captain on the Ticonderoga
alarm in June, 1777; was on Gen. Stark's staff at Benning-
ton ; and Lt. Col. commanding in Rhode Island in 1778. He
died in 1779. — Ed.]
ANTRIM
Was a part of a large tract of land belonging to the Maso-
nian Proprietors, formerly called Cumberland, and afterward
Society Land, from which several towns were formed.
Antrim was incorporated March 22, 1777, and named
from a town in the north-east part of Ireland. It was set-
tled by people from Londonderry, the first one being Philip
Riley, in 1744. He left through fear of the Indians, two
years later, and the town had no inhabitants until he return-
ed in 1761. Dea. James Aiken and others settled in 1766;
he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. According to Rev.
W. R. Cochrane, the town had twenty-six men in the Revo-
lution.
[121] \^Petitiou for an Act of hicorporatioii^ 777<5.]
To the IIoiKunahlc Council and House of Representatives in
the Colony of New Hampshire at E.xeter Assembled — Tlie
I06 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Humble petition of us the Subscribers being a Committee
Chosen by the Inhabitants of a part of the Society-land (so
called) in the County of Hillsborough
Humbly Shevoeth — That your honours petitioners have been
these two years past waiting for a Reconciliation between Great
Britain and the Colonies. Rather than to assume the boldness
to trouble any person or person's Invested with power or au-
thority, to Grant our Request in such Troublesome times, w^e
yovn^ honours petitioners being Ready and willing to pay our
proportion of all the Reats Collected within this Colony these
three years past, yet being Destitute of the priviledges laws or
Customs Granted to other Towns by their Charters. Now^ as
your honovu^s hath wisely plan'd a form of Government, agree-
able to any Good Meaning person or persons, we your petition-
ers do Request an Incorporation from your honours of a Town-
ship In Said Society, the bounds of vv^hich being as follows
(Viz) Begining at the North-East Corner of said Township,
which is the Northwest Corner of Diring, and Runing South-
erly According to the Course of Contacook river. Which River
is the west line of said Diring, so as to make five Miles 'pon a
Strait line. Thence westerly on the North line of N" three in
the original plan of Said Society to the East line of peckers-
field, [Packersfield, now Nelson] thence Northerly on said
peckers-field and Stoddard to Camels-gore Thence Easterly on
Camels-gore and Hillborough to the bounds first Mentioned we
your honours petitioners being Destitute of the priviledges be-
fore Mentioned can't oblidge a man to work one hour upon the
Highways, which is a Gi'eat Damage to our-selves and to the
publick, therefore doe Desire your honours Serious Considera-
tion on the Contents of this petition and we will as in Duty
bound for ever pray —
Maurice Lynch ")
John Duncan v Committee
Sam^ Moore j
[122]
Society Jen.ry the 14*^ i777
this may Certify the genneral Cort of this State of New
Hampshire that the Inhabitants of s*^ Society Living on the
South part are willing the North part Should be incorporated
the half being Left to us which is found upon misuring to be
the Line betwixt Number 3 and 4 mentioned in ther petiton
Moses Morrison George M'^Clourg John Moor
Jonathan Barnet Thomas Miller
ANTRIM. 107
([127] \_^Ie}uoriaI Relative to I)icorporatio7i of Antriffi,
1776.-]
To the Honourable Council and house of Representatives in
and for the State of New Hampshire The memorial of us the
subscribers Inhabitants of Part of a tract of Land Called the
Society land Laying between the townships of Hillsborough
and Peterborough in the state aforesaid Hutnbly Sheweth that
whereas there has been a Petition prefered to your honours
praying that five miles wide west of Contoocook River might
be incorporated and vested with town priviledges this memorial
humbly Shews that if your honours should condesend to grant
the prayer of said Petition or any other of the Like nature that
we the Inhabitants of the South pai't of said Society land will
be left utterly incapable of acting in any manner as a body pol-
itic a Narrow Strip of land only being Left extending west of
Peterborough North west corner on Dublin line with a Jogg
and cannot be connected with any part of the Society Land on
the east side of Contoocook River s'' River being a great part
of the year Impassable and cannot be bridged by reason of
mountains and vast platts and that part wdiich Lays on the west
side of the River is more than six miles in Length and said
west part to the River does not extend to Peterborough North
east corner by Near two miles and will Never be annexed to
Peterborough as they will Not Nor cannot accept of us unless
to their great disadvantage we your memorialists or Petitioners
must be Left in capable of forming into any Society or acting
upon any Social plan we your memorialists humbly pray as a
Remedy for those inconveniences that said Society Land west
of said River may be equally divided in the middle or that
nothing may be done at present untill matters may be better ad-
justed as Several of our Small Number now in their Countries
Service — Your honours Compliance will greatly oblige your
memorialists and they as in duty bound will ever pray
Society Land August 29"' i77^-
Moses Morison Thomas Einglaes Thomas Miller
Sam' mitchel Junr. John Young John Espie (?)
John Moore Jonathan Barnet William Laken
[The foregoing was before the H. of Rep., Sept. 13
1776, and a hearing ordered for their next session; mean-
while the petitioners were to post notices in the locality, and
publish one in the New Hampshire State Gazette, or Satur-
day Circulating Chronicle. — Ed.]
I08 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[i2o] \_Reasons ivJiy Societv Land should be Iiicorporated^
Whereas we the Subscribers have been Chosen as a Commit-
tee, to prefer a petition to your honors for an Incorporation of a
District of Land in the Society (so called) Butted and bounded
as in said petition, which bounds is less than what is Granted
to other Towns, and have Left more unincorporated land than
what we have petitioned for, which we can A'lake appear, and
whereas your honours have Been Delegated to Redress our
Grievances, and ^ve have Just Reason to Complain of it as a
Grievance, that w^e have Been Taxed to support Government
and called upon for our quoto of men to Defend our privi-
ledges, and yet Destitute of the pt"iviledge Granted to other
Towns by their Charters. Therefore if the Request of their
petition is not Granted, that we will take it verv hard to pay
any of our Taxes till we have the same priviledges of other
Towns, but yet is ready and willing, to Defend the priviledges
expecting to Injov them in the ^vhole hereafter
Society Aug' 30"' 1776.
John Duncan Maurice Lvnch Samuel Moore
[In the H. of Rep., Sept. 13th, 1776, the matter came up,
and a hearing was ordered for the next session. Council
concurred; and on March 22, 1777, an act was passed in-
corporating the territory named into a town by the name of
Antrim. — Ed.]
[R- 32]
State of New Hampshire, September 10* i776.
To Nich° Gilman Esq. R. G.*
Pursuant to a vote of Council and Assembly joay James Aik-
en for a coat lost at Bunker Hill Fight Three Pounds L. M.
M. Weare President
[R- 33]
Concord January 4* 177S. this may Cartufi the Honorabell
Cortt that m' Jeams Akin Saured as a Sholder in the Conta-
nenttel Sarves under me in Coll John Stark Regment at wenter
hill in year 1775 Entered may 8 and was Discharge the 11
Day of July and he was not made up in my muster Rol Becose
the paymarster at that time ■whar at medford and he said He
would go and geet His wagers himself By the virter of the
Discharge the Coll gave Him But he Saes he has not got
♦Receiver-General of taxes.
ANTRIM. 109
this wagers But Has Lost the Righting the Coll gave Him and
now Desired me to give from under m\- liand to the Corte the
tim he served with me as witness my Hand
Aaron Kinsman Capt.
[R- 34]
Derryfield 3-^ Feby 1778
Sir Understanding that the Bearer James Aiken Served in
the Army at Winter Hill as a soldier in your Compan}' & was
not made up for his wages if so would be glad you would Give
him a Certifycate how long & how much wages is Due to
him —
& you will oblige
John Stark
Capt Aron Kinsman Concord — ■
[R- 35] •
In H. of Rep. Feby. 17, 1778.
Voted that James Aiken have and receive out of the Treasu-
ry the sum of four pounds two and eight pence lawful money
in full for two months & two days wages at the Camps at Bunk-
er Hill &c, and for his expenses to recover the same the sum of
four pounds more.
Senate concurred same day.
[R- 37]
State of new Hamp"" — To the Treasurer of said State
Sir pleas to pay John Duncan Esq"^ the Bearer all that may
appear Due to me for wages & Depreceation for my Service in
the contenental army & this shall be my Rect. for the same
Moses George
[R- 3S]
iVntrim march y*" 9'^ 17S4.
this may certify I with lieut. John mcCleary being Select
men for s*^ Antrim in the year 1776 Drafted a Gune from Capt
John Duncan prized at twelve Dolars old way for James Dickey
who was killed at white plain & s*^ Gune lost
att' Sam' Moore town clerk
[John Duncan petitioned for pay for the gun above men-
tioned, under date March 30, 1784. — Ed.]
[R. 41] \^Men's Naynes zc/io -jvere hi the Army in ///j — So-
ciety Laiidr\
Mens names Who ware in the Army Last year and according
I lO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Best Enformation we can get are gone into the war this
year also, who belong to the Societe Lands, in the County of
Hillsborough their names are as follows
the tax
Viz )■ Charles Covender o — i — 8")
solom" Lenord o — i — 8
adam Nicholes o — i — 8
George M'^Clurg o — i — 8
£o— 6— 8
James acan John M'^Clarey vSelect Men
Sworn to May 8* 1776 before
Isaac Andrews Just. Peace
[Directed to Col. Nicholas Oilman, Receiver-General of
taxes. — Ed.]
[128] \^Copj' of Record of Toxv7i-7neeting in Antrim^ ^779-\
Antrim March p**" A. D. 1779. In annual Town meeting —
Voted Three Thousand Dollars to be worked out on the high
Ways at Ten Dollars per Day for the present year.
Voted Two Thousand Dollars be raised towards preparing
for building a meeting house the wages the same as for high
ways.
Antrim April 20* A. D. 1779.
Town Meeting by adjournment — Voted that the 4"" article in
the March Warrant is reconsidered — Voted that 2000 Dollars
which was Reconsidered in the 4* article be worked out on
highways excepting three days work of each man to be worked
out at the Center for the prepareing for a meeting house
Voted the Surveyors warn the Inhabitants work out the above
three days at the Center.
A true Copey per = Sam^ Moore Town Clerk
[130] \_Peti'tioji of Afitrit/?^ Deerino-^ a7id Society Land, re-
specting owners of Non-resident I.ands.~\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened.
A. Petition in Behalf of the Inhabitants of Deering Antrim
and Society-land, Humbly S/ietus, that your petitioners being
few in Number are greatly oppressed, by working Roads through
Large Tracts, of nonresidents Lands, to the great advantage of
ANTRIM, III
the owners, while they are Exempted from assisting ; also in
being obliged to advance money to hier men and parches Beef,
in proportion to said lands, which at the low Rate of one Half
per cent, will be assessed in nigh one third of said proportion,
and in some Towns much more, while bv Law they are Exempt-
ed from payment for seven months after the quotos is Demanded,
so that we are Deprived of the means to Enable us to Comply
with the Courts Demands.
Wherefore we your petitioners Relying on your Honnours
protection and Justice, to Redres this our Greavence by Caus-
ing said nonresidents to Defend their Extencive Interest, by
finding their Respective proportions of said quotos ; or Ease
your petitioners by Exempting us from finding their proportion
of said quotos, untill after the time by Law prescribed, for the
Recoverv of the taxes assessed on nonresidents Lands. And
your petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever pray
John Duncan for Antrim ")
Nath' Sweetser D° Deering > Committee
Robert Dinsmoor for Societv-land )
[129] \^]\'Iemorial of jSfon-residents about Taxes, ^779-'\
State of New Hampshire — To the Honorable Council and House
of Representatives in General Assembly convened.
The humble Petition of the Nonresident Proprietors of An-
trim in said State shews that your Petitioners with others are
proprietors of the Town of Antrim in said State, that we have
ever paid the strictest attention to the acts of Government for
raising inoney to defray the necessary expenses of the present
war, and whereas your honors had for the ease and benefit of
the nonresident proprietors of new lands, as well as for the pub-
lic good, made an act directing the collectors of all such taxes
to deposit their lists with your Receiver General at Exeter in
consequence thereof we expected to have paid the Taxes for the
year 1778 at the same office, but that the Collector of Antrim in
direct opposition to the act, and your honors intention & encour-
aged by the designing inhabitants of said Town did designedly
neglect to lodge the list of Taxes at the receivers office, and ad-
vertize the same in the Exeter paper, which we never expected,
fully relying on the benefit of said act, and he availing himself
thereof loaded us with enormous charges & proceeded to sell
great part of our interest there at the very low price of eighteen
pence per acre — Your petitioners would further suggest to vour
honors. That the vSelectmen of said Antrim misconstruing your
honors acts for the support of the warr have not only assessed
the lands of the nonresident proprietors with much more than
112 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
their proportion of the war tax, but have also laid on us a gre-
vious Town Tax, as will appear by the list now in the receivers
office thereby Easing themselves of the greater part of their
Town charges, a part of which is to be appropriated to defray
the expense of building a bridge which was completed many
years ago and have by said list directed us inhabitants of Ports-
mouth to appear and work out our taxes on the roads in An-
trim knowing the improbability of our attending, have affixed
such prices to labour as they think proper —
Your petitioners would still further humbly suggest that the
laws of this State point out a mode whereby proprietors might
raise money on unimproved lands in which we should be enti-
tled to a vote, but by the mode the Town of Antrim has adopted,
we are entirely excluded from that great priviledge — Your pe-
titioners having discharged the sums demanded for the ex-
penses of Government & relying on your honours protection &
justice pray your honors would be pleased to take the matter
into your most serious and wise consideration & make such im-
mediate order as may redress our grevances & prevent the sale
of our lands for non payment of said Town taxes thus illegally
assessed, — and your Petitionei's as in duty bound will ever
pray &c
Portsmouth October 30'*" i779-
Mark H'*'' Went- Geo. King John Penhallow
worth Geo : Jaftrey Daniel Rogers
John Pierce Th" Martin
[The foregoing was before the H. of Rep., December 29,
1799, and a hearing ordered for the next session. — Ed.]
[_Remonstrauce to Memorial of No)i-Residents^ lySo.^
State of I To the Hon' the Council and House of Rep-
New Hamp'" J resentatives in General Assembly convened at
Exeter Feby. 17"^ 1780 —
The Petition and Remonstrance of us the subscribers — Se-
lectmen of the Town of Antrim in s'^ State in Behalf s'' Town
Humbly Sheweth — That we understand that there was a Peti-
tion Prefered to your Hon'''* at your Late Session on the 39"' of
Dec'' Last past ; by the Non Resident Proprietors of s'^ Town of
Antrim among other things setting forth that their Property had
been unfairly taken from them for the nonpayment of Taxes
in s'^ Town aleging that the Colector of Taxes in s"^ Town
ought to have Lodged a List of the Non Resident Taxes
with your Receiver General according to Law and that the
said Colector Neglected to Do the same — We your Hon'''
ANTRIM, 113
Petitioners and Remonstrants beg leave to observe to that Pre-
vious to our Receiving the order of Court for the above said
Purposes, and Colector had Advertized the Non Resident Land
for sale as speedy Payment of the Taxes was Demanded
They also observe in their Petition that we Loaded thena
with Enormous Charges and sold their land for the low price
of eighteen pence per. acre — in answer to which we say we
Taxed them No more than their Proportion and sold the Land
to the Highest Bider by fair sale.
They further aledge to your Hon" that the Town Not only
Loaded them with much more than their Proportion of the
War Tax, but also with a Greveios Town Tax which we
supose to be a Highway Tax — We Beg Leave to observe to
your Hon"''' that all New Settlements Labour under the Greatest
Dificualtys with Respect to making and Repairing Highways
and our town in Particular as there is two Large streams ; and
a Large tracts of Non Resident Land which they Refuse to
sell or settle to the Great Damage of our Town and state. They
further observe to your Hon'"'" that the aforesaid Charges was to
be appropriated to the Building a Bridge which had been Com-
pleted many yerrs ago ; which suggestion we Beg Leave to ob-
sei"ve to your Hon'"'* is groundless as w^e are able to Prove that
the Bridge alluded to is yet unfinished and Dangerous to Pass ;
for these and many other reasons we pray your Hon''^ would
Dismiss the aforesaid Petition ; we your Hon''*' Petitioners and
Remonstrants flatter ourselves that upon Due Consideration
of the Premises vour Hon"'** will put us upon an Equal footing
with our fellow subjects in this state and we shall Ever Pray
John Duncan | Select
Thomas Nichols I men
[125] \^Deposition relative to so7ne Bridges^ iy8o.'\
We Joseph Boyd Alexander Jameson and Alan Anderson of
Lawful age Testefy"' and saith that the two Great Bridges in
Antrim Began in June 1777 over the south and west Branch^ of
Contoocook River is yet unfinished & Dangerous to pass, that
on the south Branch was Rebuilt the last No\'ember and made
much higher and Cover** a new but the Reach being more than
fifty feet between Butmans and no king posts to support the
string peaces the bridge is Likely to be Lost for said bridges
being built at the expense of but few inhabitance as there are
but few in the town antrim — and further saith not
Joseph Boyd
feb' the 2''' 17S0. Alexander Jameson
Allan Anderson
Sworn to before Isaac Andrews Jus' Peace.
9
114 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The foregoing petitions, remonstrances, &c., resulted in
the passage of an act, March i6, 1780, authorizing the
selectmen of the town to assess all unimproved lands owned
by non-residents their just proportion of all taxes for the
following purposes : The continental, state, and county
taxes ; charges for hiring soldiers for the service of this
state, or of the United States ; and for supporting the
wives and families of those officers and soldiers who are in
the service. — Ed.]
[133] \^Petitio)i for leave to assess Lands for the piirpose of
bnildhig a ]\Ieeti)ig-IIouse^ i'/8j.~\
State of I To the Honourable Councle and house of
New Hamp"' j representatives in general assembly Convened.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Antrim in s*^ State humbly
shews that whereas this Town was not granted to any Set of
men nor Any Land given for the Publick Use of this town Not-
withstanding the great benefite the Noneresident Proprietors of
Land in this Town Receives or may expect to Receive By our
labour from the advancement of s*^ Lands which they Do not in-
cline to sell nor settle which is a great damage to this Town
therefore your Petitioners being unable to settle the gosple A
prevelige we must be deprived of which Towns in general
Enjoy and no Prospect of ever being otherwise untill the Non-
residents shall think fit to sell or settle their Land — Your peti-
tioners Pray that your Honours would take our Dificult Cir-
cumstances under your most wise Consideration and grant us a
tax upon all the Land in this Town as your Honours shall think
Proper for the Sole Purpose of Building A Meeting house and
buying a Ministerial Lot of Land.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever Pray &c
James Dike Ja* Dinsmoor Thomas Nichols
[131] \_Non- Residents consent to foregoi7ig Petition.']
State of New Hamp"" 1 To the Hon' the Concel & house of
Hillsborough ss j Representatives in General Assembly
Convened.
The Memorial of us Non Resident Owners of lands in An-
trim humbly shews that whereas a Petition was prepared at the
last Sitting of the Court at Concord setting forth that s'^ town
was not Granted to aney sect of men nor aney land Given for
ANTRIM. I I 5
anev publick use & large tracts of unimproved lands lying near
the Centor &cc
And Prays that a small tax may be Grainted on all the land
in s** town for the sole purpose of building a Meeting house and
purchessing a lote for a minister which privelage hath been
Grainted to other towns in like Sircomstances —
Wherfor we humbly Request your Hon''^ that the subject
matter prayed for in s*^ petition may be grainted as it would ad-
vance our interest and promote the settlement of the town & the
public Good, and your Memorialests as in Duty Bound shall
Ever Pray
John m'Kean Ju'' William Boyd Daniel Moor
Abijah hadley Joh" Patten James Hopkins
Hugh Orr James Eaton Samuel Dodge
Robert M'^kean
[December 31, 1783, an act was passed granting the
selectmen authority to assess a tax of one penny per acre
upon all the lands in Antrim for three years, for the sole
purposes of building a meeting-house and purchasing a
ministerial lot. — Ed.]
[132]
Antrim Dec'' 15'^ 1783.
The No of Poles in the town of Antrim of 21 years old & up-
wards paying taxes Is 57
Attest Daniel Nichols j Select
James Dinsmoor j men
Sworn to before me
John Duncan J. peace
[134] \^Petition for Authority to assess a Tax to make and
repair Roads afid 3 ridges.^
State of New Hampshire — Hillsborough ss.
To the Honorable Senate and Plouse of Representatives at Ex-
eter Convened —
The Petition of the Selectmen in behalf of the Inhabitants of
the Town of Antrim J-Inmbly Sheweth : that we being situate
near the height of land between Comiecticutt and Merrimack
Rivers ; where the land is verry Mountaineos ; which makes our
Roads verry Deficult to make Passable ; on account of the
Rough ground it being verry Rockev. also, we have seven
large Bridges to Maintain over the south and west Branches of
Contoock River, Some of which must be Rebuilt Next Sum-
Il6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
mer, in a special Manner one on tlie south Branch, on the Road
Leading to Amherst, and Boston which is of great Public util-
ity— we being unable to make and maintain said Road and
Bridges, so as to make them Passable, and as there is large
tracts of unimproved lands which some of said Roads pass
through — we your Petitioners Pray ; that a tax of two pence p""
Acre ; may be granted on all the land in said Town under such
Regulations as your Honors may see fit ; for the sole purpose of
making and Repairing said Roads and Bridges, and your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Antrim Nov' 14"" 1792.
Jonathan Nesmith ^ o i
Daniel Nichols >-
Arthur Nesmith ) "^^^^
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 8, 1792, the matter of the foregoing
petition was considered, and a hearing ordered for the next
session.
June 19, 1793, an act was passed granting the authority
asked for. — Ed.]
ANDOVER.
This town was granted in 1746, by the Masonian Propri-
etors, to Edmund Brown and fifty-nine others, and named
New Breton, in honor of the captors of Cape Breton, some
of whom were among the grantees. The town was in-
corporated June 25, 1779, by its present name, the deri-
vation of which is unknown. For bounds, see document
No. 117.
The first inhabitant was Joseph Fellows, who moved from
Boscawen and settled in this town in 1761. He died in 181 1,
at the age of 84. Elias Raino and William Morey moved
in soon after. The following is a list of the Revolutionary
soldiers, as given by Dr. Jacob B. Moore :
John Chandler, Nathaniel Call, Thomas Sleeper, Ezekiel
Fellows, Paul Smith Marston, Joshua Danford, Edward
Danford, Josiah Hains, Joseph Tucker, Benjamin Fel-
lows, Joseph Fellows, Robert Wise, John White, Thomas
Welch.
A church was organized in 1782. Rev. Josiah Badcock
was ordained as its minister, and preached there until
1809.
ANDOVEK, 117
[11^] [ Order of Select?nen for Allowance of Animunition.A^
To the Honorabel general Cort of New Hampshir, Pies to De-
liver to the Barer her of the Poudr and led and flints that is
aloued for the town of New britton and in so Doing you will
oblige your Humbl Sarvnts
New britton Juley the 8, 1776.
Paul S. Marston ")
Nathan Rowe > Assessors
Peter Weare J
[116] \^Petition in Favor of jfonat/ian Weare.~\
To the Honourable Councel and house of Representatives In
the General Court Now Sitting at Exeter the humble petition
of the Inhabatants of the township of New Britain Whereas
the Inhabatants of Said town being Desirous of haveing
a Jestices of the peace in said town the Inhabatants of
said town of New Britain meet on the fourteenth Day of
June Currant and made Chose of M'' Jonathan Weare for a
Jestices of the peace and your humble petitioners humbly
Pray that M" Jonathan Weare might be appointed as he is
aman Well Qiialefied for Said office and as the Eyes of the
people are on him for a Jestices of the peace and as it W ill
Give Great Contentment to the Inhabatants of the whole town
of New britain and W^e your humble Petitioners humbly pray
that M"' Jonathan W^eare may be appointed a Jestices of the
peace at said Court Now Setting as we are in want of a Jestices
of the peace in said town and W^ill sav^e vis a Great deal of
Truble and Expence as your humbel petitioners beges your
honours Will Grant our Reasonable Request as your petitioners
Shall E\'er humbh' Prav
New britain June y*^ 16 — 1779.
Samviel Blake ^ Selectmen
Joseph Philbrick >■ of
Jabez morrill ) New britain
[I am pleased to be able to record that Jonathan Weare
received the appointment. He was a man of integrity, and
much respected ; was a magistrate many years. He died
January 18, 18 16, aged 60. — Ed.]
[117] \_Petitio7i for an Act of Incorporation J\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'''*' the Council and House of Representatives of the
Il8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Convened
March lo* 1779.
The Petition of the Inhabitants & Freeholders of the Town-
ship Called New Britton in the Connty of Hillsborough in said
State. Humbly Sheiveth — That the Inhabitants of said Town-
ship Labour under many Disadvantages on account of their not
being Incorporated into a body Politic & Corporate with Privi-
ledges Powers and Immunities as other Towns Incorporated
within this State have and enjoy — More especially with respect
to their Levying and Collecting the State & Covmty Taxes,
making roads, Highways &c &c in said Township — Wherefore
yours Petitioners Pray that your Hon""^ will consider their cir-
cumstances and Pass an act to Incorporate Said Township and
the Inhabitants thereof into a Body Politic & Corporate by the
name of Andover to have succession forever, with all the Pow-
ers, Priviledges and Immunities that any other Towns in this
State Have and Enjoy — and your Petitioners Shall Pray &c &c
Thomas Blake Jonathan Robards Samuel Blake
William Emery John Rowell Nathan Rowes
Jonathan Stevens Josiah Scribner William Blake
Ebenezer Tucker Nathaniel Danford John Row
Moses Clough Peter Weare Robert Wise
Jabez Morrill Joseph Philbrick Richard nuton
Simeon Rawlings Jonathan Celey William Morey
Jonathan robards Jr Simeon Connors Joseph Chandler
Philip Mitchel Samuel Rano Benjamin Sweat
Ezekiel fellows Paul S. Marston William Morey Jr
Jedediah Sleeper Benjamin Selley Elias Rano
[The foregoing petition was in the H. of Rep., March ii,
1779, "^^^ ^ hearing ordered for the next session, at which
the matter came up, and an act was passed incorporating
Andover with the following bounds : " Beginning at a great
Rock on the Westerly side of Pemigiwasset River which
Rock is the Northeasterly Bounds of Salisbury then Run-
ning West Seventeen Degrees South Ten miles then be-
ginning again at said Rock running up said River so far as
to contain four miles upon a Strait Line thence West sev-
enteen Degrees South ten miles thence on a Strait Line to
the End of the first ten mile Line." The council concurred
June 25, 1779. — Ed.]
[118] [ Oaths of AUegiaiice^ 1782 . ]
I Thomas Blake, I Samuel Blake, I Moses Clough, I Jona.
Silla, I Joseph Fellows, I Joseph Chandler, I Joseph Philbrick
ANDOVER. 119
& Benjamin Silla — Do Solemnly Swear that I Do Renounce
Refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to George the
third King of Great Briton and that I will Do to the utniost of
niv Power Support maintain and Defend the Independence of
all the united States of America as the same was set forth by
the Continental Congress in their Declaration of the fourth of
July 1776 and I Do promise that I will bear faith and true al-
legiance to the State of New Hampshire During my Residence
therein and will Disclose and make known to some majestrate
acting under said State all Treason and Consperaices which I
shall know to be against the united States or any one of them as
Independent of the Crown of Great Britain and these things I
Do Sw^eare according to the plain and Common Sense of the
words without any Equivocation or Secret Reservation whatso-
ever upon the true faith of a Christian. So help me God.
Thomas Blake, Samuel Blake Moses Clough
Jonathan Celey ioseph fellows Joseph Chandler
Joseph Philbrick Benjamin Seley
Hillsborough Andover June ii"* 17S3. This is to Certify
that the above named have taken the above Oath of Fidelity
and Subscribed thereto In presents of Jonathan Weare
Just. Peace
[119] \^Petition for A^ithority to tax ]Von-residefzts.~\
To Hon' Senate & house of Representatives — In General Court
Convened, at Exeter — December 25"^ '■793-
The Petition of the Selectmen of Town of Andover in the
County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire Humbly
Sheweth —
That the Inhabitants of s*^ Andover labour under Many disad-
vantages, by Reason of bad Roads, Highw-ays, Bridges &c in
s"^ Town. Wherefore your Petitioners Pray, that your Hon"
would Consider their Situation, and Pass an act to enable the
Selectmen of s'' Town to Lay a tax on all the nonresident
Land, in s'' Town, of one Penny pr. acre for two years succes-
sively, for the Purpose of Repairing Publick highways, bridges
&c In s'' Town — and yovu" petitioners in duty Bound will ever
pray.
Signed in behalf of") Silas Barnard ~) Selectmen
said Town j Josepli philbrick >- of
James Tucker ) Andover
[This petition was before the H. of Rep., Jan. 27, 1794,
I20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and leave was granted to bring in a bill to levy a tax of one
penny and two farthings per acre on all the lands in An-
dover for the above mentioned purposes. — Ed.]
ATKINSON.
This town was a part of a tract of land which was pur-
chased by the inhabitants of Pentucket (Haverhill, Mass.),
of the Indians, Nov. 15, 1642. It was deeded to them by
Passaquo and Saggahew, with the consent of Passacona-
way, their chief. Settlements were made in 1728 by Benja-
min Richards, of Rochester, N. H., and Jonathan and Ed-
mund Page and John Dow, of Haverhill, Mass.
The town was set off from Plaistow by an act passed
Sept. 3, 1767, and incorporated by its present name, in hon-
or of Hon. Theodore Atkinson, who was for some years a
member of the governor's council, secretary of the prov-
ince 27 years, and a large land-holder in the town. Its first
settled minister was Rev. Stephen Peabody, who was chap-
lain of Poor's regiment at Winter Hill, and whose second
wife was the sister of the wife of President Adams. He
died May 23, 1819.
[135] [ Warrant for assessing County Tax, iy'/4.'\
Province of ") To the Selectmen of Atkinson in said County
New Hamp'' [■ Greeting you are hereby Required in his ma-
Rockingham ss J jestys name forthwith to make an assessment
according to Law on the Polls and Rateable Estates within
your Precinct for the sum of nine pound one shilling and six
pence — Proclamation or other currant money of Equal Value,
being their Proportion of six hundred Pounds A'^oted and Re-
solved by the Court of general sessions of the Peace held at
Portsmouth in and for said County the tenth Day of may 1774
to be Raised on the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants of the
several Towns and Parishes in the said County for the purposes
of Building a Goal in Portsmouth and other Covnity Charges
and you are to cause the same to be Collected according to Law
and Paid to me, or the Treasurer of the said County for the
time being on or before the twenty-fifth Day of December next.
Hereof fail not as you will answer your neglect under the Pen-
alty's of the La\y in that case made and Provided.
ATKINSON. 121
Given under my hand and seal at Exeter the tenth Day of
June in the fourteenth year of his Majesty's Reign Anno Dom-
ini 1774.
£ 9 . . I . . 6.
Peter Gihiian ; County Treas.
[136] \_Peiition in favor of Col. Nathaniel Peabody., abotit
1776.1
To the Hon''^® General Assembly of the Colony of New Hamp-
shire now conyened & sitting at Exeter.
Gentlemen — Whereas it has been represented to us. as the
Minds of the general Court of this Proyince that the Inhabitants of
each Town should nominate some Person properly qualified for
a Justice of the Peace who might be most agreeable to y*^ gen-
erality of the People — We the Freeholders Inhabitants of the
Town of Atkinson beg leaye to recommend Col" Nathaniel Pea-
body for a Justice of the Peace in this Place, as a Person well
qualified and most agreeable to the Alinds of the People in gen-
eral.— And as he has sustained the office of a Justice of the
Peace, and of the Qiiorum to the universal satisfaction of the
People of this Vicinity (except a Small Number of Personal
Enemies) we flatter our selves that it will be agreeable to your
Minds to confer upon him those offices as we apprehend him
likely to promote the Peace and Happiness of this Town and
the Interest of this Coloney
Ezekiel Belknap Enoch Knight Nath' Cogswell
Jesse Page John Dow Jr John Dow
John Ingalls Daniel Page John Knight Jur.
Asa Page Jonathan Page Nathaniel Noyes
Stephen Page Daniel Richards Joseph French
James Noyes Benjamin Emery Jesse Sawyer
Tlio- Noyes Jonathan Page Jr Jonathan Whitaker
Enoch Noyes Bradlcc Richards James Little
Joshua Knight Joshua Emery Humphrey Noyes Jr
Samuel Little John Atwood Joseph Knight Jr
Stephen Dole Steplien Dole Jur. Micah Chaplain
Benj" Hale Ebenezer Parker Joseph Little
Benj" Stone Benjamin Philbrick Moses Belknap
Daniel Poor Jr David Atwood Joseph Chandler
John Knight 3*^
[Col. Peabody received the appointment. — Ed]
122 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[137] \_Ntimber of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
State of New Hampshire | In Pursuance of a Vote of the
County of Rockingham j General assembly of said state we
the undersigners select men of Atkinson in said County have
taken the exact number of all male polls of twenty one years
of age and upwards paying for themselves a poll tax within the
said town of Atkinson and find there to be eighty one —
December 13"' 17S3
-D , /^i , ^ Selectmen
Peter dement t r
Humphrey Noyesjr I ^^J^^^^^^^
I^Sworn to before
"Nath' Peabody Jus' Paice."]
£140] \_Action of Atkinsoji co7tcerning Paper JMoney, 1786. '\
State of New Hampshire.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of Atkinson in the
County of Rockingham in said State held by adjournment at
the meeting house in said Atkinson, on monday the 21^' day of
August Anno Domini 1786.
Upon reading and considering the subject matter of a petition
frorn sundry inhabitants of said Atkinson to the Selectmen ex-
hibited, and on account of which this meeting was called. . . .
The following memorial and petition was reported &c. for con-
sideration (viz) — To the honorable the General Court of the
State of New Hampshire to be convened at Exeter the sixth
day of September next — The memorial and petition of the In-
habitants of Atkinson in town meeting assembled, in behalf of
themselves and their distressed fellow Citizens in said State, beg
leave humbly to make known & request. — When the patriotic
Citizens of this State take a retrospective view of the vast vari-
ety of complicated fatigues and hardships, through which they
have with unremiting ardor, amidst every embarrassment cheer-
fully toiled during the late necessary and unavoidable opposition
to the Tyrannic strides of the king of Britain and his emissaries
— the unparralleled patience, resignation andassiduity with which
they endured every species of accumelated distress, in anxious
hopes, trusting to the righteousness of their cause, that the
great Father of mankind and merciful disposer of human events,
would in due time, crown their feble efforts with success, and
establish their feet upon the stable mountain of peace, plenty,
liberty, and happiness — and lay a pleasing foundation for the
future freedom and glory of unborn millions, their progeny. —
When they reflect upon the immense Treasures that have
ATKINSON. 123
"been expended — the hosts of their beloved fellow Citizens that
have fallen and the rivers of human blood with which the earth
hath been wantonly crimsoned in the glorious conflict^^when
they consider that the sovereignty and independence of these,
nominally, united States and every of them have been acknowl-
edged, and now stand Guaranteed — that peace hath been pro-
claimed, and the clamor and din of war no more heard within
our borders, — they are naturally led to look around them and
■search for the golden prize, — the dear earned promised happy
day — But alas to their chagrin and disappointment they find it
not, though they have sought it diligently with tears, but in-
stead of enjoying the blessings of peace heretofore predicted,
and with confidence accepted, the Citizens of this State now
find themselves in a labyrinth of difficulty and distress, like
Issachar of old crouching under the weight of complicated bur-
dens, an enormous public debt far beyond their ability immedi-
ately to discharge, even if furnished with a medium of trade
competent for transacting their other common and ordinary
afikirs of life. —
Silver and gold hath taken wing and flown to the other side
of the Atlantic, without leaving a substitute or even its shadow,
beside which to support the late war, the private debts of indi-
viduals have in manv instances been augmented — that they are
called upon to pay large taxes in silver and gold which is not to
be obtained — that neither the united States or this State have a
single shilling to call money, but for which they are beholden
to foreigners — the silver and gold heretofore in circulation in
this State, being English, French, Spanish, Portugal, or other
foreign coin —
That for want of a suitable medium of trade the Citizens of
this State are altogether unable to pay their public taxes, or
private debts, or even to support the train of needless and ex-
pensive lawsuits, which alone would be an insupportable bur-
den— To require the making of brick without straw, was form-
erly esteemed arbitrary in rulers — In this deplorable situation,
attended with a variety of other embarrassments, the distressed
Citizens aforesaid, do with great confidence look up to your
honors, being the Guardians and civil Fathers of the people, as
the only constitutional appeal and resort, under God for relief —
Notwithstanding the Inhabitants of this Town in particular
place high confidence in the wisdom and integrity of those in
authority — despise a spirit of faction tumult and disorder, which
tend to weaken the reins of Government — are fully determined
to yield every exertion in their power to support the Constitu-
tion and Laws of the State, until regularly altered or abolished,
to promote manufactures, agricidture, economy and industry,
and in a word to restore and establish public credit, and the
124 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
practice of that justice and righteousness which alone exalteth
a Nation, and without which, vain will be the help of man. —
And notwithstanding the said Inhabitants of Atkinson are fully
sensible of the difficulties naturally attending partial attempts to
remedy the evils complained of, and the variety of other embar-
rassments consequent upon issuing paper money in the present
situation of affairs — that it would be difficult if not impossible
to devise a plan that would not be liable to objections, as either
debtor or creditor of some supposable description might thereby
be injured, nor do they once imagine themselves capable of pro-
posing the most unexceptionable plan that might be devised. —
Yet nevertheless upon mature consideration of all circumstances,
and having been informed that it w^as the wish of the Hon*^'*
Court to know the sentiments of the several Towns respecting
so hazardous an undertaking — the said Inhabitants without dic-
tating to your Hon'''*' Court, beg leave to suggest as their opinion
and request. That the Hon''''' Court cause one Hundred and fifty
thousand pounds lawful money to be emitted in paper bills, of
such sums and denominations, as may be most for the con-
venience of the people at large in this State, to be issued on the
faith & credit of the State, solemnly pledged for the redemption
of said bills, according to the face and tenor thereof, — without
any deduction or depreciation whatever, being hereafter allowed
or demanded, that the said bills bear an interest of Five p'' Cent
to be paid annually if demanded in like money or in silver or
gold, — that a law be enacted to punish with death any person,
or persons, who shall be convicted of counterfeiting any of said
bills, or of altering or increasing the sum originally mentioned
therein : with a proportionable punishment for those who shall
be convicted of knowingly uttering or passing any such coun-
terfeit or altered bills, — That a solemn ordinance be passed &
sacredly observed, for granting a tax justly proportioned, on the
polls and estates, within this State, equal to one Tenth part of
the principal and the arising interest of the aforesaid sum, to be
assessed, levyed, and collected, and paid into the public Treas-
ury of this State, on or before the 25"* day of December Anno
Domini 17S9 ; and for one other tenth part of the principal and
interest of the whole sum so emitted to be paid into said Treas-
ury, in each & every succeeding year on or before the 25"' day
of December, annually, until the whole sum issued shall be re-
deemed and paid in by ten equal annual assessments & pay-
ments— That the tax being so proportioned and assessed, any
person or persons liable to pay the same, or any part thereof,
may pay his her or their respective proportions either in the said
bills according to the tenor and face recning and adding the in-
terest due thereon, or in like sum in coined gold or silver at the
respective rates and value already established by Law, or in
ATKINSON. 125
well \vrought bar iron, or steel, Mei'chantable wheat flour,
pork, beef, hemp, flax, sheeps wool, tobacco, pitch, tar, fish,
oil, potash, pearlash, flax-seed, cordage, sailcloth, all kinds of
materials of the manufacture of this Country necessary for rig-
ging ships ; boards, and various other kinds of lumber, to be
delivered at such places, and at such reasonable rates and prices
as the Hon'"''' Covn't shall previous to issuing said paper money
adjudge equitable, affix and determine. — That as soon as the
said paper money shall be struck oft' and compleated, the money
be issued for circulation as follows, & in all payments whei*e
receivable the principal & arising interest due on said money to
be considered equal to gold & silver, — (Viz) That all public
officers & servants of the State, be paid their respective salaries,
fees & wages, for all kinds of public service arising within the
State, in the said paper money, at the same sums and rates as
though paid in gold & silver, — That the Interest now due, or
shall hereafter grow^ or become due, on the public notes of this
State, be paid & discharged in said paper money, as also such
parts of the principal of said State notes as the respective pro-
prietors may request to receive. That all other debts due from
this State to individuals, and for which notes have not issued,
and where the mode of payment hath not been particularly
agreed upon & determined, be paid & discharged in said
paper money.
And whereas this State is vastly in arrears in the payment of
their quota of the principal & Interest of the foreign debts, due
from the united States, and no means left in their power to pay
and discharge the same, but by the exportation of such articles
& commodities as by attending to industry & economy this
State is capable of producing, and which bear such prices in
foreign markets as will admit of the cost and charge of trans-
portation, and it is impossible this should be effected without
paying a particular attention to ship building, navigation, and
commerce, which can't be carried on to advantage without a
circulating medium of trade sufficient to purchase the pi'oduce
and manufactures of the Country, & for other expenditures
necessary to negotiate foreign commerce, — and in the present
situation of affairs how shall such medium of trade be procured
without drawing into use an Emission of paper monev? — There-
fore it is humbly propos'd as a further method of putting the said
money into circulation, giving life and vigor to business, and
open a way to discharge at least a part of our foreign debt, that
the surpkissage, or remainder of said paper money, that shall
not be so drawn out of theTreasurv and gone into circulation on
or before the day of next be taken out in
such sum or sums, as may be most convenient for the Citizens
of this State, who may apply for the same, and will contract to
126 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pay & discharge within Two years from the time of taking out
such money an equal sum of this States quota of the foreign
debt, either to France, Spain, or Holland, as may be most for
the advantage of the State, and convenience of the respective
contractors ; the said contractors, not to be charged with any
further interest than what shall arise and grow dvie on said
money, until the said Two years shall have expired, — the re-
spective contractors, to give permanent security of three times
the value of the sum taken out, faithfully to pay, and discharge
the sums by them respectively received in the manner and in
the time aforesaid.
In order that the said paper money when issued and put into
circulation may have credit, and sarve better to relieve the peo-
ple under their present embarrassments. — That Laws be enacted
making the said paper money a tender and receivable in all pay-
ments due to the State from the Citizens thereof not heretofore
particularly agreed upon & determined. — that the said paper
money be received in payment and discharge of all fines &
amercements that may accrue by virtue of the penal Laws of
this State. — That the said paper money be a tender to pay, sat-
isfy and discharge all judgments already recovered or that may
hereafter be recovered in any Court of Law, or before any jus-
tice of the peace in this State, whether said judgment be for
debt, damage, cost or otherwise, and for all fees, and emolu-
ments of any and of all the said Courts and their officers, and
for the ballances of all such judgments & emoluments, where
partial payments may have been made, & to pay satisfy and
discharge all executions issued, or to be issvied, from any of said
Courts, or Justices of the peace, whether in wdiole or in part
due, and also to redeem all lands or other real estate, on which
execution hath, or shall be levyed or extended within the re-
spective terms allowed by Law —
And when and so often as difficulty and inconvenience shall
arise with respect to the debtor or debtors, his, her, or their
agent or Attorney making tender and payment to the creditor or
creditors to satisfy and discharge any such judgment or execu-
tion, or for the redemption of any such real Estates, that it may
be lawful for the debtor or debtors, his, her, or their agent or at-
torney, to lodge with the Clerk of the respective Court, or Jus-
tice of the peace, before whom any such judgment hath been,
or shall be recovered, or from whom any execution hath already,
or shall issue, of the said paper monev sufficient to pay satisfy
and discharge any such bill of cost, judgment, or execution ; or
for the redemption of such Estates respectively, and that the
said Clerks of the s** respective Courts, and said Justices of the
peace respectively may be ordered and directed, to receive the
said money, and for customary fees to enter on record, payment.
ATKINSON. 127
satisfaction, and discharge of any such judgment or execution ;
or in full for the redemption of such real estate, and give the
said debtor, or debtors respectively a proper certificate thereof.
— And that the said paper money be a tender to pay satisfy and
discharge all bills, bonds, notes, covenants, contracts, debts,
dues, damages, or demands of every kind, name, or nature, im-
mediately, upon, and ever after any action, suit or process shall
be commenced, or brought forward, against any person or per-
sons, for the recovery of the same, or demand of payment
made, and that the debtor or debtors be in no case liable to pay
or be taxed for any costs that may arise, or accrue by reason of
any action, suit or process that may be commenced, brought
forward, or continued by any creditor or creditors respectively
after the full amount of what may be justly due with the legal
costs so far, shall be tendered to pay and satisfy the same.
Which memorial and petition having been sevei-al times pub-
lickly read and well understood. — Voted that the same be re-
ceived and considered as containing the sentiments of the In-
habitants of said Atkinson, in Town meeting assembled, re-
specting the several matters therein contained. — Voted that the
Town Clerk make out a fair copy thereof duly certified, and
cause the same to be transmitted to the Hon'"'^ General Court at
their next Session.
Attest John Dow Town Clerk.
A true copy taken from the Town book of Records of At-
kinson.
Attest John Dow^ Town Clerk
[Petitions relative to issuing paper money were sent to
the legislature from various towns. The matter was debat-
ed in committee of the whole, Sept. 8, 1786, and considera-
tion postponed until the next day, at which time a sub-com-
mittee, consisting of the President, John Sullivan, Col. John
Bell, Londonderry, Col. Amos Shepard, Alstead, and Col.
John Bellows, Walpole, of the Senate, and Col. Runnels,
Col. Welch, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Bettan, and Mr. McMurphy.of
the house, were appointed to "report the best plan they can
devise for emitting paper money," with directions to report
the next Wednesday. The committee reported, and the re-
port was ordered to be printed, and sent out to the several
towns for their consideration. The following is the report,
as copied from the original : — Ed.]
The committee appointed to report the best Plan they can de-
vise for emitting paper money beg leave to report —
That fifty thousand pounds be Emitted in bills of Credit
128 EARI.y TOWN PAPERS.
the one half in bills not exceeding twelve shillings and none
so small as six, the other half in bills of six shillings
& Downwards all car[ry]ing an Intrest of four p"" Cent
p' annum this money to be Deposited in the Treasury and
ten thousand pounds thereof appropriated to the Discharge of
specie orders on the Treasury & for Defraying the Expence of
Governinent ; That the money be received in all Duties Im-
posts Excise fines forfitures & other money Demands of
Government with an allowance of the Intrest Due on the face
of the Bills to the payer but not to be a tender in any other
Case ; That the remaining forty thousand pounds be Loaned on
landed security of Double the am mount of the sum Loaned to
the Inhabitants of this State on Intrest of six p'' Cent p'' annum ;
not more than one hundred & fifty or less than fifty pounds to
any one person the Mortgages to be payable in six years in said
Money or in silver & gold but if paid in the aforesaid bills the
Intrest is to be reckoned as so much in Discharge of the Mort-
gage any person may at any time within the six years make
payment or fully Discharge his Mortgage not less than ten
povmds to be received in any one payment imless in that which
fully Discharges the Mortgage ; That no lands be received in
Mortgage unless it be improved lands and so Certified by the
sellectmen & that the Mortgagor is in possession thereof & that
it is reputed to be his land & shall also Certify on oath the value
thereof in their judgement & that they know of no incvmi-
brance on the same ; and the person so offering the land as se-
curity for money on Loan shall further produce a Certificate
from the Register of Probate or Register of Deeds in the Coun-
ty where such land lie that the same is recorded as lands be-
longing to such person & that no conveyance thereof from him
appears on record & he shall make oath before the Treasurer
that such lands are his property & that he knows of no incum-
brance or Defect of Title on or respecting said land and in
case of his being Convicted of swearing falsely he shall be
Deemed Guilty of willfull & Corrupt perjury & be punished
accordingly and that the persons living in the remote part of
this State may have an opportunity of receiving a proper pro-
portion of said money your Committee recommends that the
Treasurer shall not Loan to the Inhabitants of any one Town
more than the Rate or proportion of svich Towns Tax untill
after the next .Session of the Gen' Court Each person taking
such Bills out of the Treasury shall allow for the Intrest Due
on the face of said Bills. The Charge of writing & acknowl-
edging of all Mortgages and all other Expences attending the
same to be Defrayed by the Mortgagor And in Order to se-
cure the Credit of said paper Bills and to render silver and Gold
less necessary, your Committee Beg leave further to report ;
AJKINSON. 129
That a State agent be appointed to receive such articles as may
be Colected by Tax of the produce or manufacture of this
state and to Draw bills for the proceeds according to orders re-
ceived from the President with advice of Council agreeable to
the Votes & Resolves of the Gen^ Court That the several
Towns have liberty to Collect what remains Due of the ten
thousand five hundred pounds granted to Congress in part of
the Requisition of the 27'^ of Sep' last in potash pearlash fish
flaxseed and such other articles as the Gen' Court may think
proper provided the same is Collected & Delivered to said
states agent at or befoi'e the first day of Jan''-^' next at such
places & prices as the Gen' Court shall Direct & the said agent
is to Dispose of the same for the purpose of Discharging that
Demand And that all Taxes shall be made in future in the fol-
lowing manner (Viz) one Tax in state notes to Draw in a
twentieth part of the notes outstanding secondly an annual Tax
in Intrest Certificates of such notes sufficient to Draw in the
whole of the Intrest on such securitys
2<iiy a Tax in Certificates of the Liquedated Debt of the unit-
ecf States so as to draw in so much of said securities annually
as will in twenty years bring into the Treasury a sum in those
Certificates sufticient (with what may be in the Treasury) to
produce an annual Intrest Equal to the Quota of Indents as-
signed by Congress to this State.
^thiy ^ Xax in Indents for Intrest on such Liquedated securi-
ties which with the Intrest of those in the Treasury will amovmt
to this States Quota of the Intrest of the Domestic Debt of the
united States.
^thiy ^ 'Yax annualy in the specific articles before mentioned
to be put into the hand of the States agent & Disposed of for
Discharging the Requisitions of Congress for payment of the
foreign Debt & Intrest & for supporting our Delegates in Con-
gress.
6"''-^' a money Tax for Defraying the Expence of Government
payable in those bills or in silver and Gold at the Election of
the payer. The Collectors allways allowing the persons in his
list the Intrest of said Bills up to the Day affixed in his warrant
for payment of his Tax & the Treasurer is to allow the Col-
lectors Intrest on said Bills up to the time the money should
have been paid into the Treasury but no longer, and all pa-
per Bills paid into the Treasury towards Discharge of Mort-
gages to be stop'' in the Treasury & not to be reissued but by
special order of the General Court ; The whole of the ten
Thousand pounds appropriated to the Discharge of the De-
mands against the State to be Drawn in by Tax in four Equal
payments in the years 1789; 1790; 1791 and 1792 and Can-
celled & Burned. That the specie part of the Tax granted the
10
130 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
4*^ of March Last for ten thousand pounds be Collected & paid
in those Bills or in silver and Gold at the option of the payer
all which is humbly submitted by
Jn° Sullivan for the Committee
[It is due to the memory of General Sullivan to state
that the foregoing document is not in his handwriting, sig-
nature excepted. The document was printed and sent to the
towns for their consideration, and at a "very full and legal
meeting," held in Atkinson, Nov. 20, 1786, the plan, report-
ed by the committee of the legislature, was unanimously
rejected, and the foregoing plan of their own adhered to,
with the exception of the matter of interest, which was
recommended to be fixed at 4 per cent, instead of 5. In
H. of Rep., Dec. 21, a committee was appointed to exam-
ine the returns from the towns of the votes cast on the pa-
per money question, and said committee reported, January
4, 1787, as follows : '• That 400 persons voted for the plan,
697 against it, 837 for various alteration and amendments
and 131 the various alterations and amendments — and 1238
against paper money on any plan." Whereupon, "On mo-
tion, can the legislature consistently with the Constitution
and their oaths pass an act making paper Bills of Credit a
tender to discharge private contracts made prior to the
passing such act, the motion being put, voted unanimously
in the negative. On motion whether paper money be emit-
ted on any plan that has been proposed — Voted in the neg-
ative." And thus the scheme ended, and wisely. Histori-
ans say that the first paper money issued in the American
colonies was by the government of Massachusetts in the
year 1690: having no money to pay its troops, it issued bills
of credit. Considerable amounts were issued in the prov-
ince of New Hampshire at various times. Hard money was
scarce, and at times the resort to bills of credit was seem-
ingly necessary, yet they invariably depreciated in value,
and became troublesome. — Ed.]
[143] [^Recommending yoseph Cogswell for Surgeon, iy86.'\
Atkinson Decemb"^ 3"^ 1786.
Sir I understand by the Orders of Congress there is a num-
ber of troops to be raised from this State for the western Coun-
try, consequently there will be wanted a Surgeon or Mate to
ATKINSON. 131
attend them — I have a Brother Joseph Cogswell who has made
a regular study in the Science of Physic & Surgery during
which he was in the Hospital at West Point for near two years
with my Brother Doctor William Cogswell who had charge of
the aforesaid Hospital — he the s'' Joseph now oilers himself as a
Candidate for the office of Surgeon to accompany the troops ;
If agreeable, I wish he might receive the appointment ; for fur-
ther particulars I refer you to the Hon''^'^ J"tlge Calfe
I am Sir, Your Excel-'-^ Most Ob' & humble serv'
Thomas Cogswell.
His Excel'' John Sullivan Esqr.
[144] Sundry Inhabitants of Atkinson and Plaistow Con-
sent to be Classed xvith Hatnpstcad for Representative^
1786.-]
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court to be assembled at Exeter on the First
Wednesday of September Current —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Towns
Plastow and Atkinson in said State and each man paying a Poll
Tax for himself therein. Humbly Shexveth. — That whereas the
Inhabitants of Hampstead Have Petitioned the General Court
Setting forth there desire to be annexed to the aforesaid Towns,
Plastow and Atkinson in Sending a Representative to Repre-
sent said Towns at the General Court in said State. — We your
Petitioners Considering the Situation of the Inhabitants of said
Hampstead They being unrepresented in said General Court
by reason of there not having a Sufficiency of Polls for that
purpose and it being Disconveniat for said Hampstead to be
classed with any other Towns than those above mentioned, for
the Purpose aforesaid. We therefore Freely give our Consent
too and Desire you would annex said Hampstead with said Plas-
tow and Atkinson, and that those Three Towns make but one
Class for sending a Representative for the Future — and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray.
Daniel Poor Samuel Littel J<^hii Jo^""' S""
James Merrill Daniel Poor Jur. John Knight Jur.
Stephen Hayes John Gilbert Enoch Knight
David Noyes Jona Poor Moses Greenough
Joseph Webster Enoch Noyes Humphrey Noyes
William Webster Jonathan Eaton Joseph Noyes
John Merrill Eben'' Green Joseph Knight
Eliphalet Knight John Knight Joshua Emery
132 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Stephen Page Jonathan Page Junr. Joseph Little
Samuel N. Little John Atwood Jacob Stevens
James Noyes Junr. Moses Belknap Joshua Knight
Ezekiel Belknap James Knight Benjamin Emery
Joseph French Thomas Little Samuel Webster
Moses Emery Nathaniel Morrill Ruben Mills
Atkinson September y^ 9 : 1786.
[i_|.i] \^Ac^/ou of Town Meetingr^
State of New Hampshire, | At a legal meeting of the male
County of Rockingham \ inhabitants of Twenty-one years
old and upwards belonging to Atkinson in s*^ county ; Paying
each one for himself a Poll Tax therein having been Duly
warned and held at y" meeting-house in s** Atkinson on monday
the z^ day of Jan>' A. D. 1786, at one o'clock P. M. The s"^
inhabitants having assembled & meeting opened & M'' Hum-
phrey Noyes Jun"' Chosen moderator of said meeting. — The Se-
lectmen produced in town meeting & laid before s"^ inhabitants,
a copy of a petition from sundry inhabitants of the town of
Hampstead in said County, lately prefered to the Hon''^'^ Gener-
al Court praying that s'^ Town of Hampstead might be classed
with the town of plaistow and Atkinson for the purpose of
Representation &c. with the order of Court thereon as mention-
ed and refered to in the warning for this meeting, the subject
matter of which petition & order being read, considered, and
well understood, whereupon voted. That notwithstanding the
inhabitants of said Atkinson Ardently wish at all times to live
in the most perfect amity t*fe friendship with their brethren Citi-
zens of the Town of Hampstead and are fully sensible it would
be saving expence and tend to expedite public business if y^ ag-
gregate body of y'' people Coukf on principles of equality be
constitutioniy Represented by a less number of members than
what now composes the Hon''''' General Court of s'' state yet
when they reflect that Justice & Equality in taxation depends
intirely on all parts of y" community being duly & equally rep-
resented in legislation, and at the same time view a number of
small Destrects not larger than Hampstead entitled to the priv-
iledge of sending a member to the general Court, and not at all
Doubting but that y^ inhabitants of said Town of Hampstead
might obtain the like privilage if Requested, they cannot think
it their Duty to consent that y'" s"^ Town of Hampstead should
be annexed to the Destrict of plaistow & Atkinson and the
whole made into one Destrict for the purpose of Electing only
one Representative until the happy time shall arrive when y*
good people of this State finding it for their interest shall make
ATKINSON. 133
some \vise alteration upon general principles to enlarge the
Destrects for Representation in all parts of the State. There-
fore voted as the opinions of the s'' inhabitants of Atkinson not
at this time to acquiesce in the prayer of the aforementioned pe-
tition, of sundry inhabitants of Hampstead being granted, and
that the Selectmen cause a Copy of the fo regoing yotes to be
transmitted to the Hon''''' Genenil Court as an answer to s** peti-
tion.
A true extract taken from the Town Book of Record
Examined, pr John Dow Town Clerk
[In town-meeting, Nov. 20, 1786, the town voted to ad-
here to the foregoing vote, and chose Peter Clement, Esq.,
Capt. Moses Greenough, and Maj. William Cogswell a com-
mittee to oppose the granting of said petition. — Ed.]
[14^] Petition for Incorporating Atkinson Academy, lygi.']
To the Hon**'" Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened at Con-
cord, January 1791 —
The petition of the Subscribers, hnmbly shezueth — That in
the year 17S7 a number of the inhabitants of the Town of At-
kinson in the State aforesaid — being sensible of the importance
of encouraging morality and literature ; did at their own ex-
pense erect a large and commodious house for the purposes of
establishing an academy in said Town, elected as their trustees
the subscribers, with the Hon'"'" Nathaniel Peabod}' Esq^ and
by the benevolent and generous assistance of the aforenamed
Nathaniel Peabody Esq'' have been enabled to keep a public
school for several years last past, where students have been
qualified for the neighboring Universities, and considerable
numbers have received such education as to be now employed
as instructors of youth in various parts of the State. And such
have been the advantages there enjoyed, as to induce gentlemen
at a distance in this State and from the Massachusetts to im-
prove the academy for the instruction of their sons. — That there
are now near forty students, and at present it is in flourishing
circumstances. — That lotteries are now established in the Mas-
sachusetts, for raising funds to support accademies and for va-
rious other purposes by means whereof considerable sums are
daily drawn from the citizens of this State. — That a spiint of
enterprize, and a desire to become adventurers having generally
prevailed ; as the academy is situated near the borders of the
Massachusetts ; your petitioners doubt not but large sums of
134 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
money may be drawn from thence, and that the tickets will
meet with a ready sale. —
We therefore, encouraged by our constitution, and presuming
upon the known generosity of this Hon"^ Body, to countenance
every exertion to promote literature and virtue ; request that an
act of incorporation may be past in favor of the institution by
the name of the Atkinson Academy under such restrictions and
regulations as in your wisdom may be judged expedient. And
that we might have liberty to raise by lottery one thousand
pounds, or such other sum as may be tho't proper, to be dis-
posed of for the accomplishment of the above laudable purpo-
ses— which together with one thousand acres of new lands
given upon the establishment and organization of said Academy,
that in future may so increase in their value as to enable us to
support a litterary institution which may be extensively useful
to the inhabitants of this .State, and to the public in general. —
As in duty bound shall ever pray. —
Stephen Peabody William Cogswell
Benjamin Stone Peter Clemment
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 22, 1791, the committee reporting in
favor of granting the petition, leave was given to bring in a
bill. The senate concurred Feb. 3, and an act passed Feb.
17, 1 79 1, incorporating the academy. — Ed.]
[142] {^Pctitioji to have the Boundary Lines Established^
1794-1
To the Hon''"'^^ the Senate & house of Representatives in General
Court, convened at Exeter in & for the State of New Hamp-
shire, on the 2^*'' of December i793-
Agreeable to a vote of the Town of Atkinson, passed on the
jyth (^f January 1794. Your petitioners do in their behalf beg
leave humbly to shew that on the third day of September
1767, by a solemn Act of the Legislature of the then Province
of New Hampshire, a Parish by certain lines & boundaries
was set ofi' from the town of Plaistow in said State, & incorpo-
rated by the name of Atkinson, to have continuance & succes-
sion forever, with all the privileges and immunities usually en-
joyed by an incorporated Town. That on the 16"' day of
March 1768, in consequence of a petition prefered to the legis-
lature of the then said Province of New Hampshire by James
White, vSamuel Kimball & others, then inhabitants of the said
incorporated parish of Atkinson, setting fourth their desire for
ATKINSON. 135
particular reasons of polling oft' froni the said parish of Atkin-
son to the said parish or town of Plaistow. — And in consequence
of an agreement between the then committee of Atkinson and
the said White and Kimball for them to poll to Plaistow during
their natural lives with their estates ; a resolve & vote passed
that the said White & Kimball should have liberty to poll ac-
cord i>ig'ly- Since which time the Justice of the Hon''''^' Supe-
rior Court in the county of Rockingham in said State, have
construed the purport of the said i^esolve & vote, in a difterent
manner from what was then understood ; in consequence of
which, the town of Atkinson has been put to much expense, &
many serious difficulties are likely to ensue.
Wherefore vour petitioners humbly pray this Hon'^'" Court to
pass an Act for removing said difficulties, by establishing &
confirming the lines & boundaries of the said town of Atkinson
agreeable to its original Charter. Your petitioners in duty
bound will ever pray.
Atkinson 1 8"' January 1794.
Jona Poor
Tames Noves ^ .,,
\\..,,. ^ ,, Committee
VVilham Cogswell
Samuel N. Little
[146] \_AIe?Horial of Peter Cleinent^ I'jg4..'\
[This memorial bears the same date as the one next pre-
ceding, and is the same as far as the word " accordingly," in
the twenty-second line, and then proceeds as follows : — Ed.]
That on the 6"' Day of January A. D. 1777 your petitioner
purchased the farm on which the said Kimball lived at the time
when the above said resolve was passed, under a full persuasion
of its belonging to said town of Atkinson, That the said farm
is situated almost entirely within said Atkinson, and cannot
without the greatest inconvenience to your petitioner be annexed
to or united with the said town of Plaistow. That he is situ-
ated much more conveniently to attend public worship in said
Atkinson than in Plaistow, is a very considei-able proprietor in
the meeting house & also in the Academy erected is said At-
kinson, is connected with and well situated for the private
schools in said town, and is most closely interested in the wel-
fare thereof. That he has remained in possession of his said
farm ever since his purchase in perfect peace and security. That
he has ever paid taxes in said Atkinson, has largely contributed
towards the support of the gospel and schools in said town ;
136 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and for fourteen or fifteen years last past has had the honor of
officiating as selectman in said town. —
That by a late most extraordinary and unaccountable deci-
sion of the Justices of the honb'*^ Superior Court in the County
of Rockingham in said State, in a cause wherein the estate of
the aforesaid White was concerned, doubts have arisen in the
minds of some whether your petitioner was a legal inhabitant
of said Atkinson or his estate taxable therein — That he is per-
fectly contented in his situation as an inhabitant of Atkinson
aforesaid, and conceives it the greatest of hardships that the re-
solve respecting the said Kimball, his predecessor, should sub-
ject his said estate to the payment of taxes in a town to which
by the lines and boundaries in the aforesaid charter, he does
not belong. Wherefore your petitioner humbly prays this hon-
orable Court to pass an act for removing said doulDts. and for
establishing the lines and boundaries of the said town of At-
kinson, so as that it may forever hereafter include and compre-
hend the lands and farm afores*^, * * * * ^nd as in duty
bound will ever pray
Peter Clement.
Exeter 3*^ January A. D. 1794.
[In H. of Rep., January 3, 1794, the matter of the fore-
going petitions came up, and a hearing was ordered for the
next session. Senate concurred. — Ed.]
BARNSTEAD.
This town was granted by Lieutenant-Governor John
Wentworth, May 20, 1727, to Rev. Joseph Adams, of New-
ington, and 105 others, v/ith the following bounds : " To be-
gin on the Head of the Town of Harrington on the South
West side of the Town of Coulraine and runing by the said
Town of Coulraine eight miles & from the said Town of
Coulraine to run on the Head of Barrington Line South
West forty Two Deegrees six miles & then North West
eight miles then on a straight Line to the head of the first
eight miles." It was impracticable at that time to fulfil the
conditions of the grant, and but few settlements were made
until 1767. The town was well represented in the Revolu-
tionary war, and in the war for the suppression of the Rebel-
lion.
BARNSTEAD. 1 37
[2-13] \_Petition concerning Boundaries^ l'/64.'\
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq. Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire The Hon''''' his Majesty's Councel & House of Rep-
resentatives for said Province in General Assemblv Convened
May 9"' 1764
The Humble Petition of John Knight & Rich Downing Esq.
& Dea. Francies Jenness
That the Boundaries of Towns of Chichester & Barnstead
are for want of due care become uncertain or rather unknown
where they Join and they are as vour Petitioners apprehend in-
croached on by the Towns belo\v them which makes the matter
more Difficult and the Com'*"^^ of the said Towns are too much
Interested to adjust an affair of this nature as more than a mere
parambulation is necesary in this case — as in many places the
Original Marks and Limits cannot be found —
That Besides the objection above hinted to Such Com'"'"'' per-
forming the Service Desired — your Petitioners Conceive that
this Affair cannot come under the Rule of the Province Law
directing that the Boundaries of Towns shall be parambulated
& Renewed by the Selectmen & because the Property of the
Lands is in the Proprietors and the Selectmen are Officers of
the Town a Body of Men Distinct from The Proprietors &
many of them have no property in the undivided Lands and if
they might Lawfully renew boundaries their authority Ends
where the old marks End
Wherefore they Humbly Pray that a Committefe may be ap-
pointed and Duly authorized to fix the Boundaries of the said
Town on every side to prevent those Disputes & other Licon-
veniencies which necessarily arise from Such uncertainties And
they will as in duty bound Pray &c —
John Knight J a Committee in the
Rich'' Downing j behalf of Barnstead
r • T ] in the behalf of
francis Jenny | Chichester
[January 9, 1765, Meshech Weare, John Wentworth, and
John McDuffey were appointed a committee to perambu-
late and fix the lines between the said towns, and report to
the general assembly. — Ed.]
[2-14]
o, ,>■ 1 ) To the Honourable Council and Committee and
Stratlord ss ^ „ . . ^ \? ^ r^ i ■ /-^ 1
j Representatives at Exeter Convened m General
Assembly
We the Humble Petitioners Inhabitants of Barnstead in the
138
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Colony of New Hampshire in the County aforesaid Hvnnbly
Sheweth that Whereas the Said Towns is Taxed in Proportion
to other Towns to the Coleny Tax & under the Necessity Chus-
ing Town olhcers as the Law Directs and to be Qiiolified for
their Office and having Received Orders and Instructions from
time to time which Require a oath Administered which Cannot
be Had without Trouble and Cost So we Yovu" Humble Peti-
tioners Praye your Honours in your Great Pity woud Commis-
sionate a parson for a Justis of the Peace for the Said Town and
we your Petitioners Doth Recommend John Tasker — of said
Barnstead for a Justis of the Peace and Good Order and Safty
& Pray he may be Commissionated and we yovir Petitioners as
in Duty Bound Do Ever Pray
Barnstead June i8 Day i777
Capt. Richard Sin- Tim Davis
Lyman Colbath
John Hawkens
Joseph Nelson
kler
Leut Jonathan Em-
erson
Leut Samuel Pitman John mudget
Insin Benia Nutter Edward vSanborn
John Nelson
nicholas Dudley
Jonathan Bunker
John Furber
Winthrop Smart
John Bickford
Thomas Snell
Samuel Drew
Samuel Chesle
Bradburv Sinkler
Isaac huckins
Stephen Pickren
John Clark
Samuel Eastman
John Elliot
William Lord
Samuel Stephens
Joseph Sanborn
John Weaks
Ben Edgerly
Joseph Bunker
Jonathan Jacobs
Dodavah Bunker
John Sanborn
Nathaniel Pease
Jethro Batchlor
Benjamin Brown
John hook
Samuel Drew
John Edgerly
Nicohlas Wiggin
State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss | Barnstead June y^ 17'" 1777
at a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Barn-
stead M"^ John Tasker was chosen by a Large majority of votes
to be a Justice of Peace for the County afores*^ and as he is the
Town Clerk of s*^ Town it was thought proper it should be cer-
tified by the moderator of s*^ meeting
attest Winthrop Smart moderator
[John Tasker was appointed. — Ed.]
[2-15]
\_N21mher of Ratable Polls in i/Sj.^
Having Received Orders from the Honourable the General
Cort tor the Number of Pole Paving taxes for them vSelves be-
BARNSTEAD. 139
ing Twenty One years of age and upwords we the Select men
find on the Rate List Ninty four atest
Charles Hodgdon | ggig^tmen
in Barnstead. 94 Benja Nutter j
Strafford S'^ Barnstead November y'^ 26 Day 1783
Then Charls Hodgdon & Benjamin Nutter appeared and mad
Solom Oath to the aboye Number of Pole Paying Taxes in Said
Town and b}' them Subscribed Befor
John Tasker Jus Peace
fR. 42] \^Petition of Joiiathan Bufiker^ 1/82.^
To the Hon''^'^ the Council & house of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened the 12'''
of November 1782.
Humbly sheweth Jonathan Bunker of Barnstead in said
State that in April 1778 his son Joseph Bunker then a Minor,
enlisted in one of the New Hampshire Regiments for & during
the war, and continued in said service almost three years when
he died. In which time he never Received but one suit of
Cloaths. That his son in law Samuel Williams enlisted in said
service in the year 1777 and was detained (by mistake) one
year & eight months after s*^ three years were expired, during
which time he never received but one suit of Cloaths, notwith-
standing they had the faith of the State pledged that they should
receive a suit of Cloaths yearly, therefore your Petitioner prays
that the Cloathing due for the afores*^ services may be delivered
(or the value in money paid) to your Petitioner & his said son
in law — and as in duty bound will ever pray
Jonathan Bunker
Ordered to lay
[R. 43] \^Bounties Paid to Barnstead Soldiers^ I'j8j.'\
John Sanborn I3 — 6 — o John Mudgett 22 — 18 — 3
Joshua Sinkler 27 — 13 — 6 Samuel Sinkler 27 — 13 — 6
Bradbury Sinkler 9 — 12 Jon* Judkins 9 — 11 — 5
£109 — 14 — 8
Allowed to Barnstead for bounties to their first 3 years men —
as good money —
Account dated March 15"' 1780 Signed by Richard Sinkler
and Jon" Emerson Selectmen and sworn to before John Tasker
Justice of the Peace.
I40
EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
The above appears by the Committee of Claims Books — At-
test Jos Gihiian
Exeter April 23'' 1785.
The above is for bounties & Supplies.
April 23'^ 17^5* Reed, an order on the Treas"" for the above
sum —
Richard Sinkler
[2-16]
[ Concerning yoJin Taskcr.'\
To His Excellency Meshech Weare Esq'' President of the
state of New Hampshire Humbly shew the subscribers inhabi-
tants of Barnstead and in the County of Strafford that the
Conduct of John Tasker Esq"" one of the Justices of the
peace for said County has been such that we Humbly pray the
said John Tasker Esq'' may not in Future be appointed But
that some other person who may be thought more Worthy by
the people in General and more desirous of doing Justice may
supply his place —
all of which the subscribers without prejudice humbly beg
leave to submit to the Discretion of you Excellencv — and your
petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray June 7"^ 1784
Rich'' Sincler
Eph"' Tebbets
Joshua Sincler
John Mason
David Jacobs
Jos Brown
Sa'" Williams
thomas Brown
Samuel Jacobs
Stephen Bunker
Rufus Ewer
Rich'' Sincler Juner
Charles Hodgdon
Samuel Pitman
Benjamin Avery
Moses Avery
Solomon Crocket
Thomas Ayers
Lem' B. Mason
Ebenezer -Nutter
Samuel Avry
Benjamin Brown
Nathaniel Pese
John Clark
Jonathan Clark
David Rolings
William Brown
William Melard
Edward Sanborn
Volentine Chapman
Nathaniel Dockham
Samuel Eastman
Jonathan Young
John Hook
Benj Egerlv
Ezekiel Eastman
Samuel Stevens
Jonathan Jacobs
Jethro Batchelder
Georg Bunker
John Bunker
Daniel Jacobs
James Brown
Daniel Jacobs Juner
thomas Edgerly
John Nutter
Eben'' Adams
Daniel Jacobs
Daniel Jacobs 3''
Mark Dame
Joseph Bunker
Thomas Bunker
Samuel Drew
John Clark Jr
William Hawkins
[2-17] \_Recantatio)i of two of the Foregoing.^
To his Excellency Masheck Weare Esq' President of the
State of New Hampshire — we the Subscribers Inhabitants of
Barnstead in the County of Strafford humbly Sheweth that a
Petition hath been Sent to your Excellency baring Date y*' 7
BARNSTEAD, I4I
June 17S4 — Praying that John Tasker Esq' may Not be apoint-
ed any more and we the Subscribers have Sind the Same peti-
tion being Pe'' Swaid to Sine the Same which we onestly De-
clare that we the Subscribers Never Saw or Kow to our own
Knowladge any thing that we Can tax him of his unhiwfull
Proceeding as to his Post as a Justis of the Peace and Look
upon him Capble of that Post Praying that our Names may
Not opperate again the S*^ Tasker and your Petitioners in Duty
Bound Doth ever pray.
Barnstead September y'' 26 — 17S4
Nathaniel Docham
Samuel Stephens
[2-18] \^ReIative to the Foregoing PetltionJ^
To his Excellency Masheck Weare Esq"" President of the State
of New Hampshire
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Barnstead in the County
of Straflbrd humbly Sheweth that a Petition hath been Sent to
your Excellencv baring Date y'^ 7 Day of June 1784 Praying
that John Tasker may Not be apointed for the said Town in
Said County as Justis of the Peace and Repsenting his Con-
duct hath Not been agreeable in that Post and finding our
Names in Said Petition we Declare upon our Word and honour
with Onesty we Never Signed Nor Gave any Orders for any
Person to Sign the Same Petition and we are Content in the ad-
ministration of Justis by the Said Tasker in that Post of Justis
of the Peace we hartly wish them that Sot our hands to the
Same Petition may be Brought to Justis and Convicted for the
Same which vour Petitioners in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Barnstead September y'' 23 Day 1 7S4
Thomas Edgerly Nathaniel Peas A^r-n- w 1 \ ■
,, T^ 1 his William X hawkms
tliomas Bunker -xt \ ^- Z, r^\ mark
Tethro Bachelder Voletine X Chapman ,,,
jetmo i5acneiaei „,„,, Jonathan X Clark
Joseph Bunker Joh" Bunker -^ ^^^
Ebenezer Adams -p , , !"'' -r , ^ , I''" ^, ,
David Rllin^s Jonathan X Jacobs John X Clark
[2-19] \^Anothe)- concerning Jolni TaskcrJ^
To His Excellency mesheck Weare Esq"" President of the State
of New hampshire —
Huml)ly vShewes the Subscribers inhabitants of Bearnstead
and in the County of Straflbrd that the Conduct of John Tasker
142
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Esq'' one of the Justices of the peace for Said County has been
Such that we Humbly pi'^iy the said John Tasker Esq'' may
Not in futer be appointed but that Some other person who may
be thought more worthey the Said Petition Earning Date y^ 7
of June 1784 — Now we yovu" Petitioners finding by Expearance
that the Said Tasker is very Tender in Prosecuting Sivel ac-
tions and very Redy to bring Cremelel actions to Speady Trial
and for Peace in the Town and County in the Poste as a Jus-
tis of the Peace So we your Petitioners Pray he may be
apointed again So your Petitioners in Duty bound to Ever
Pray-
Barnstead September y*^ 26 17S4.
John Drew
Thomas Peirce
Israel Peirce J"'
Jeremiah Davis
Samuel Davis
Stephen Pickeren
James Lamos
Samuel Chesle
Samuel Nelson
John Marsh
Samuel Drew J''
Benjamin Emerson
Thomas Snell
David Rand
Jonathan Bunker
Eli Bunker
William Lord J''
William Hill
Depandance Colbath
Joseph Bryant
Arthur Danielson
Timoth}' Davis
Benj" Nutter
Jon" Chesley
Ebenezer Adams
Isaac kenerson
Nichlas vviggin
William Davis
John Hawkens
David Rollings
Samuel Snell
John Elliot
Solomon Muncy
his
Israel X Peirce
mark
Nathaniel Hall
[2—20] \_Peiition i)i favor of Charles Hodgdo}i.~\
State of New") To his Excelency the President and the Hon-
Hampshire \ ourable Council for said State to be convened at
Strafford ss, ) Exeter on the twenty fourth Day of December
A. D. 17SS
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Being Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Barnstead in said County and State Hum-
bly Sheweth that there is No person appointed in the westerly
part of s'' town as a Justis of the peace and your Petitioners La-
boxu" under the Disadvantage of going to the Easterly part of
the town to have our Business Done or be Put to the Disad-
vantage of going into other towns — we therefore pray your Ex-
cellency and honours would appoint and Qiiallify Capt. Charles
Hodgdon as a Justis of the peace as we Beleave him to be a
person of the Best Qiiallifications In Said town Except the
present Justic in the Easterly part of Said town and in grant-
ing the prayer of Said Petition your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray —
Barnstead December y" 23^^ 17SS
BARNSTEAD.
143
Samuel Snell
William Hawkins
John Clark
Enoch Clark
John Clark J^
Jonathan Clark
Ebenezer Adams
Aaron Hanscom
Jacob Wille
Rich'' Sincler J^
Samuel Edgerly
Benf Edgerly
Chesley
Joseph Jackman
David Jacobs
Nathan Hatch
Ezra Clark
Samuel Langmaid
Thomas Snell
Benj* Nutter
Sam' Nelson
Rufus Ewers
Joseph Tasker
Paul Tasker
William Green J''
William Green
James Lamos
Nathaniel Pease
Thomas Edgerly
Scammon Hodgdon
Niclos wigens
Nathan Meserve
Stephen pickring J''
John Eastman
Edward Sanborn
Samuel Hodgdon
Corn'' Kirby
Jeremiah Davis
Josiah Davis
Stephen Pendergast
John Elliot
Dennes Pendergast
William Davis
Samuel Davis
James Davis
Jonathan young
Nelson Chatman
Aaron Chesley
Daniel Dudley
John Tuttle
George Bunker
John Hook
John Stevens
Joseph Sanborn
John Smith
[3-21] \_Petition in favor of yojtatkan Chesley.~\
State of New ") To his Excellency the President and The
Hampshire > Honourable Counsel of the State aforesaid We
Stratlbrd ss J the Subscribers your Humble Petitioners Inhab-
atance of Barnstead in Said County Humbly Sheweth that as
their is but one Justice of the peace in the Town of Barnstead
& he is in one corner of the Town which makes it Very Incon-
veanent for the inhabatance to Git business Done. W^e are frea-
quantly Obliged to go out of the Town to git our Business
Done. We therefore Hvmibly pray Your Honours That Jon*
Chesly may be appointed a Justice of the Peace and we your
Humble Petitioners as in Dutv bound Shall Ever pray —
Barnstead Nov^ 11* Day A'. D. 1788
John Drew
James Lock Jun.
Thomas Ayers
Winthrop Ayers
Ebenez Nutter
William I-Iill
John Beckford J''
Samuel Chesle
Thos. Peirce
John Drown
Jn° Nutter
Benj Emerson
Samuel Pitman
Eph^ Tebbets
Mo" Rand
Jonathan Emerson
John Green
William Green J""
John Bickford
Corn** Kirby
Aaron Chesley
Jetho Pendel
Ezekiel Eastman
Nathaniel Dockham
Daniel Dudely
voltine Chtman
Samuel Stevens
Rufus Evs-ers
Nath' ^leserve
John Meserve
Samuel Avery
John Tibbets
thomas I?unker
144 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nicolas medei^ John Bunker William Jones
Anth Nutter George Bunker William Brown
Joseph Place Thomas Brown
Depand Colbath Robart wells
[2-32] \_Relative to jfonathan Chesley and Charles Hodg-
don.~\
State of \ To His Excellency the President and the
New hampshire V Honourable Coinicil for Said State Conven-
Straftbrd ss. ) ed —
A Humble Petition of us the .Subscribers Being Inhabitants
of the Town of Barnstead in Said County of Stratford Humbly
Sheweth that a Petition the year past was presented to his Excel-
lency and the Honourable Council Praying that Mr. Jonathan
Chesley of Said Barnstead Might be appointed and Commis-
ioned as a Justice of the Peace for said County
Likewise another Petition Signed by a Number of the Inhab-
itants of Said Town praying that Cap' Charles Hodgdon might
Be Commisioned we your Humble Petitioners Not having an
oppertunity of Seing or Signing in favor of the Latter we there-
fore Pray your Excellency and honours would appoint & Com-
mision the Said Hodgdon as a Justice of the Peace, as we Believe
he is a man of the Best Qiiallifications and give the Best Satti-
faction In Said town and your Petitioners as in Duty ■ Bound
Shall Ever pray
Barnstead Dec. y^ 33'' ^7^9
Ezekiel Eastman John Stvens William Messer
Edmon green Ezekiel Edgerley Stephen pickringjun
John Sincler timothy morel William Colbath
John hook Samuel Wilkins David Sinclar
Nichlas Wiggin Stephen Piepier Samuel Chesle
Nathaniel Dockham Isaiah Bunker Stephen Langmaid
John Eastman Da^'id avery
Samuel Stvens James Brown
[3-33] \_JRe?ative to Bridge over Suncook River.']
To the Honourable the General Court of the .State of New
Hampshire to be Convened at Exeter on the Last Wednesday
of December Next
The Inhabitants of the Town of Barnstead in s'^ State Hum-
bly vShews that an act passed the Legislature in Jvme 1792 Au-
barnsteaO.
145
thorizing the Selectmen of said Barnstead to asses a tax of two
pence per acre on all the lands in said Town Improved and un-
improved for the purpose of Building a Bridg across suncook
river and for Repairing public Roads in said Town but by Rea-
son of said acts not allowing but sixty pounds to be laid out on
said Bridge, the good purposes thereby Intended will not be
answered they therefore pray that they may have Liberty to
bring a bill for the purpose of altering the afoi^esaid Act in such
a manner as that they may have liberty to lay out Ninety
pounds on said Bridg and the remainder as by said Act direct-
ed and that a Further time of two years be allow*^ for making
the assessment and Completing the Business as said Act directs
and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray
Peter Hodgdon
John Bunker
Robert Wills
Jn° Nutter
Benj" Nutter
Samuel Nelson
Richard wSinkler
David Rand
Henery Munsey
David Sincler
Samuel Williams
Timothy Sanborn
Benjamin adams
Nath^ Adams
Joseph Adams
Ezekiel G. Adams
Charles Bickford
Joseph Place
James Stokes
Rufus Ewers
Edward Sanborn
Jon'^ Young
george Bunker
Mo^ Rand
William N. Ayers
Corn*^* Kirby
Nicholas Meder
William Brown
James Brown
John Bickford Jun
W'illiam Adams
John Bickford
Dudley G. Adams
Aaron Chesley
Nath' Tasker
Moses Dennet
John B
Ebenezer Nutter
Jonathan Bunker Jun Ezekiel Eastman
Richard Joy Stephen Pickering
Joseph Bunker Anthony Nutter
Enoch Bunker Eph™ Tebbets
David Jacobs John Tasker
[2-34]
The State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of
said State convened at Concord the fifteenth day of June Anno
Domini 1791.
The petition of John Tasker Esquire Charles Hodgdon Esquire
& Jonathan Chesly all of Barnstead in the County of Strafford,
Humbly sheweth, That whereas a Bridge nine rods long and
Eighteen feet high hath been supported in Barnstead across
Suncook River for the Convenience of private and public Pas-
sengers in the road from Coass to Dover — and as the same is by
the effect of use and time almost worn out — it appears absolute-
ly necessary to build a Bridge in the same place anew, of the
aforesaid dimentions — and the Structure thereof to consist (con-
sidering the rapidity of the stream) in its substantial part of
Stones as we have had to build it in s*^ Town twice within six
II
146 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
years and in reparing said Bridge we have been put to great
Cost — Therefore the humble prayer of your Petitioners in be-
half of tlie Town of Barnstead is, that your honors w^ould take
the premises into your wise Consideration and pass an act em-
powering them to asses and raise by a tax two pence p'' acre on
all the lands in said Barnstead to be appropriated to the use of
building the Bridge aforesaid and to the use of Clearing and
finishing two roads one of which is on the north side of said
Barnstead running from Gilmanton to Barrington the Other
from Gilmanton through the Centre of s*^ Barnstead to Barring-
ton which road the Inhabitants of s*^ Barnstead are compelled to
cut out, and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever Pray
June 15* 1 79 1
John Tasker
Charles Hodgdon
Jon" Chesley
[In H. of Rep., June 13, 1792, Voted, that the prayer of
the petition be granted. — Ed.]
BARRINGTON.
The grant of this town was made by Gov. Samuel Shute,
May 10, 1722, " To our Loving subjects the Present Pro-
prietors of the Iron works lately set up at Lampre}' river
(viz) The Hon''^*' John Wentworth Esq. George Jaffrey Esq.
& Archibald Macphedris Esq. & hon Robert Nellson [.?] for
their encouragement & accommodation to carry on & main-
tain the aforesaid Iron works." The first settlements were
made in 1732.
June 26, 1742, an act was passed to enable the propri-
etors to more effectually conduct town affairs. The town
was originally about 13 miles long by 6\. miles in breadth.
By an act passed June 17, 1820, the town was divided, and
the westerly part incorporated into a town by the name of
Strafford. Several families of Quakers resided in town in
1760, who, with their brethren in Dover, Durham, and
Somersworth, held monthly meetings at " Cochecho."
[193] \^Petition for Abatement of Taxes, //.//.]
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esqr. Capt. Gen-
eral & Governor in Chief In and over his Majestys Province of
BARRINGTON. I47
New Hampshire. The Hon''^'' his Majestys Council & House
of Representatives for said Province in General Assembly Con-
vened December 19"" 1744. The Humble Petition of Wil-
liam Cate one of the Select men of the Town of Barrington in
said Province in behalf of the Inhabitants of said Town S/ieivs —
that the number of Inhabitants in said Town was atmost
not above fiftv Families most of which were but in poor cir-
cumstances just beginning their Settlements on a Soil not the
most Encouraging but since the war with France near half the
said niunber is gone to other Towns & have Settled there.
That the Summer last past the Said Inhabitants being in Gar-
risons could do no business to Earn any thing Excepting the
Raising their Corn by Reason of fears they were under from
the Indians Considering their Exposed Situation and upon the
whole of their Circumstances apprehend that they will do their
part of Public Duty if they Maintain their Ground & prevent
the total breaking up the Said Settlement which it is easy to
see must be attended with bad Consequences to other places —
That the Select men of said Town have Received two War-
rants from the Treasurer to Raise about fifteen pounds old
Tenor in the whole upon the Polls & Estates of said Inhabi-
tants for the Current year as their proportion of the Province
taxes which all things considered they are very unable if at all
capable of pa^•ing — Wherefore 3-our Petitioner In behalf of the
said Inhabitants humblv Prays y" attention of this Court to the
Case of said Inhabitants in this Particular and that they may be
Exempted & discharged from Paying the said Taxes & he will
as in dutv bound Pray &c
W" Cate
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 19, 1744, the foregoing was consid-
ered and dismissed. — Ed.]
[R. 44] \_JSpkraim Lock's Deposition^ Soldier in i'/4g.~\
August the 27"^ I7S3'
Ephram Lock appered Before me and mad oth that he had
sarved as a Soldger under Cap' Clamns * at Barenton one
month and three Days in the year 1749 as to the Beast of his
Remembernce ti was the month of august and never Reseved
any Pay yet
Richerd Jennes Just. Peace
[R- 45]
Province of New Hampshire
To His Excellency Benning Wentvvorth Esq"" Captain General
* Capt. Job Clements.
148 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
t} s Province aforesaid — The Hon'*'*^ His Council and House
of Representatives in General Assembly Convened May 26,
1761 —
The Humble Petition of Thomas Johnson of Barrington in
said Province husbandman for himself and on the behalf of his
son John Johnson about eighteen years & half old. That the
Said' John w^as a Soldier belonging to the Company Command-
ed by Capt. Berry in the Regiment Raised in this Province in
the year 1 760 for the Total Reduction of Canada — and marched
and did his duty in said Company and Sometime in the Latter
end of June he being in Camp above the Block house at Went-
w^orth Ferry about five miles as they were Clearing a Road over
from thence to Crown Point the said John was puting his Ram-
Rod in the proper place of his Gun By accident and Great
misfortune his said Gun then fired, she being Loaded with a
Ball and Small Shot, the whole of which Load went through
the Left hand of the said John and Greatly hurt & Damaged
the same put the said John to Great pain and notwithstanding
as good Care was taken of him as the Circumstance of the place
would allow by Docf Cahoon of the Regulars, yet so it is that
said hand is Ruined & Spoiled and he can do very Little if any
service therewith as one of his fingers is quite gone and two
others are Intirely useless, and as there is Two years and half
he still hath to Serve his said Father who is a poor man & he
having had much dependence on the said sons assistance he is
entirely disappointed thereof and if the said John should live
to be free he can do very Little if any thing towards his own
Subsistance —
Wherefore the said Thomas aforesaid Humbly prays as the
same misfortune happened in the immedite Service of this
Province that your Excellency & hon'''' will take the said Case
into your Consideration and Examine the Same and make the
said Thos. Such allowance for the Loss of the help of his said
Son as to you shall seem Equitable and make Such Grant to
the Said John in whole or annually as you shall think best, or
Grant them such other aid and assistance Relating to the afore-
said premises at his arrival at full age as you in your Great
Goodness and Justice shall deem right, and as in Duty bound
your petitioner will ever pray —
Thomas Johnson.
[In answer to the foregoing petition, he was allowed
eight pounds sterling, which was to be placed in the hands
of Thomas Westbrooke Waldron. who was to pay the
father a yearly interest of ten per cent, on the same during
BARRINGTON. I49
the son's minority, and turn over the principal to the son
when he became of age. — Ed.]
[R. 46] \_Petition of Henry Hill, 1761.']
\_Addressed same as the one next preceding. "^
The humble Petition of Henrv Hill of Barrington in the
Province aforesaid Husbandman on behalf of Henry Hill, Rob-
ert Hill and John Hill all Infants — S/ieiveth — That Joseph Hill
the late Son of your Petitioner and Father of the aforesaid In-
fants, Inlisted in the last Expedition to Canada, in Capt Berry's
Companv, in the New Hampshire Regiment : That the said
Joseph was an active and forward man in the attack and taking
of the Island of St. John, and in doing his Duty there as a Sol-
dier in the said Regiment, he was slain by a Cannon Ball shot
from the Enemv, which almost divided his Body. That the
said Infants have neither Father nor Mother and your Petition-
er being in Indigent Circumstances can atibrd them no relief,
and the eldest of the said Infants is no more than five years of
age.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly hopes, that as their Father
fell fighting boldly for his Country, the helpless state of these
Infants will be thought a proper Object of the Pity and Con-
sideration of this Hon'ble Court — and That such Provision may
be made for them and that, in such due time as you in your
great Wisdom shall deem most meet. And your Pef as in Du-
ty bound will ever Pray &c.
his
Henry X Hill
mark
[In council. Jan. 28, 1761, read, and sent down to the
house. In the H. of Rep., June 18, 1761, "Voted, That it
be dismissed." — Ed.]
[R. 47] \_Abstract of Petit io?z of Moses Caverly\ fr.. iy6i.'\
[In a petition dated May 26, 1761, Moses Caverly Jr., of Bar-
rington, states that his son Charles Caverly, enlisted in Capt.
Eph" Berrys Co., Col. John Gofts Reg., April 9, 1760 ; that in
crossing the lake, the " Battoe " in which he was, upset, where-
by he the said Charles was drowned, and his gun lost. He asks
to be paid for \\-\q. gun, and receives therefor the sum of 25 shil-
lings sterling.]
[It seems that the assembly allowed a man pay for his
150 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
son's gun, lost in the service, but nothing to infants who
lost their father in the same service. — Ed.]
[R. 47/^3 [^J^ist of Capt. Williatn Gate's ?nen^ relative to
^z/akers, lySQ to Jj6i.'\
Men that Inlisted.
Ezekiel Willey John Johnson Josiah Frost
Josiah Brown Thomas Foss John Brown
Men that are Draughted
Ephraim Holmes William Fowder Benjamin Young
Joshua Sloper Jacob Horsom Jonathan Daniels
N. B. of the So men in Barrington fit to bear arms 14 are
Qiiakers whose proportion would be between 2 & 3 of the 14 I
was ordered to raise.
Barrington Apr. 17* i759-
W™ Gate.
Barrington february y'^ 4"^ 1761.
This is a List of y** sons [sons of Qiiakers] who Listed in
his Majesties Servis out of my Company of the people called
quakers sence y'' Commencement of y'^ present war In the Can-
ady Expeditions
John Brown Jun. in y*" years 175S «&: 1759 & 1760
Josiah Frost in y* year 1759
Daniel Svs^aine in y*' year 175S
one Ran Sarvent to John Renels in y" year 1758.
David Johnson in y^ year 1758
John Johnson in y^ year 1760
Josiah Brown in y*" years 1759 & 1760
these may sertify that y'' People under y*^ Denomination of
quakers in my Company has always ben as Redy to obey orders
as y*^ Rest of mv Company
W"^ Cate
[194] \_PetltioH in favor of foshua Foss^ y'''i ^773-\
The most humble petition of
Joshua holmes James foss John more
William Stanton Joshua Otes Isaac huckins
Isaiah Felker Joseph Gray Sam^ walise
John Brown Jeremy foss Isaac Runnels
BARRINGTON.
151
Joseph Brown
Thomas Johnson
Thomas How
John Babb
Samuel Brown
Jacob Daniels
Jacob Daniels Jvm.
John Berry
Jethro Lock
Simon Lock
Nathl. Berry
Peletiah Daniels
John macDaniels
Jeremy mcDaniels
Will'" macDaniels
Michael felker
Samuel Berry
Samuel Stiles
William Lock
Obadiah Drew
James Leighton
Thomas Evens
Sam' Buzel
James Durgen
John Boody
Richard parshley
Samuel Starbord
John Banfel parshley
Nicholas otes
James gray
Jeremy gray
Stephen Berry
Benjamin hall
perry hix'n
James Drew
Isaac Hall
mark foss
Abijah pinkham
James Shurburn
Jacob Shepherd
Abraham Allis
Robert Bamford
Robert Bamford Jr.
Nath' foss
mark foss Junr.
Benjamin Jackson
Peter Robinson
Ebenezer Spencer
william gray
Charles felker
John Row
John Young
William Lock Jur.
Isaac Leighton
Azariah Boody
Aaron Waldron
Joshua foss
Daniel vSmith
Cunningham mac-
kutchin
Nicholas Brown
Stephen otes
George parshley
Charles Bamford'
Charles Bamford
Junr.
Jabez Smith
Stephen foss
Samuel Holmes
John parshley
Will'" runnels
John Ham
John hall
Joseph Daniels
Levi Daniels Jr.
Daniel foss
Samuel foss Jur.
Nath' Hanson
Ebenezer young
micajah otes
Elijah otes
Joshua Sloper
Joseph hall
Benjamin pearl
Abraham row
Joseph Pevey
Thomas foss
John Bickford
Ephraim foss
Garland Smith
James Huckins
Noah Holmes
Michael felker Jur.
Jacob Allise
To his Excellency John wentw^orth Esq Captain General and
Commander in Chief in and over his majestvs province of New
hampshire in New England and vice admiral of the same — May
it please your Excellency the Liberty and peace which we En-
joy under your Excellencys administration induces us to Believe
that your Excellency wishes our welfare we your Excellencys
most humble petitioners pray that your Excellency will not
Deny this oin^ hvnnble Request that M'' Joshua foss Junr. may
Be a Justice of the peace for this our town of Barrington as we
Esteem him the said Joshua Foss Junior to the most Suitable
person in the town of Barrington And for the granting this
our request your Excellencys most humble petitioners doth most
Earnestly pray
Barrington July 19 i773 —
In Council " ordered to lay."
152 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[195] \_Petition Respecting Elect lo?t of Representative^
^774-']
Province of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the Prov-
ince aforesaid, convened at Portsmouth this .Seventh Day of
april Anno Domini 1774.
The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
Barrington in the County of Strafford in s*^ Province. quaHfied
by Law to vote in the Clioice of Representatives, most humbly
shews —
That on Wednesday the Thirtieth Day of March last past, a
Meeting of the Inhabitants of said Barrington was holden for
the Choice of a suitable Person to represent them in the Gen-
eral Assembly, of which Meeting, M'' Joshua Foss was Moder-
ator.—
That by reason of the Irregularity and Confusion at said
Meeting many of your Petitioners had not and others could not
have an opportunity of voting before M'' Joshua Foss Junr.
(son of the moderator) was declared to be duly chosen to rep-
resent said Barrington in the General Assembly, which appear-
ing doubtful to your Petitioners, it was desired by more than
seven of them "presently after" that the same be decided by
the Pole — It being granted, the Electors withdrew for that pur-
pose-^— but it being folsely reported that your Petitioners had
waved all Exceptions to the illegality of the Choice aforesaid,
the said Joshua Foss Jnn'' was Entered by the Clerk as duly
elected and the Meeting dissolved before the same was deter-
mined— by means whereof your Petitioners think themselves
greatly aggrieved, and many of them deprived of a Liberty &
Priviledge which others at said Meeting (not qualified) were
allowed Wherefore your Petitioners pray this Honorable House
to take the matter into their wise Consideration and order them
such Redress as is agreeable to Law, and which, in like Cases
hath hitherto been granted — and your Petitioners will ever pray
&c.
Barrington April 7''' 1774.
Paul Hayes J^^hi^ Garland Samuel Hayes
Henery Sevy Elijah vSevy Benjamin Hayes
Daniel Ham Clemt. Ham Hezekiah Hayes
Jonathan Church George Waterhouse John Drew
Ichabod Bodge John Sherburne Ebenezer Jackson
Isaac Sherbiu'ne John McDaniel Peletiah Daniels
Robert Bamford Jr William McDaniel Richard Swain
William Cate Julius felker nathan foss
John Cotter Joseph Hayes ephrai[m] holmes Jr.
BARRINGTON. 153
ephraim holmes John Leighton John foay
James Swain Samuel Buzzell Benjamin Buzzell
Isaac Leighton John Buzzell George Seaward
Jabez Smith Philip Caverly Moses Caverly
Reuben Tuttle James Clark Jonathan Clark
Paul hayes Juner John garland Juner Steven hawkens
Province of | In the House of Representatives May 1 2''^
New Hamp"" j 1774. The within Petition being Read and the
Parties heard thereon It appears to the House that the Election
of Joshua Foss jur. to Represent the Town of Barrington is il-
legal and Voted That said Election be set aside and that a Pre-
cept issue from the Speaker of this House to the Selectmen of
said Barrington to Call a Meeting to Choose a Representative
for said Town of Barrington Giving Proper Notice.
M. Weare CV
[On the 25th of May the sheriff made a return on the
precept issued by the speaker, " That M' Joshua Foss was
returned by the selectmen of said Barrington as legally
chosen to represent said town," and Mr. Foss was admitted,
and sworn in May 26. — Ed.]
[196] \_Petition of Inhabita)its in favor of y oh n Garland^
1776-^
To the Hon"*^ Council & house of Representatives for the Col-
ony of New Hampshire Convened, — At Exeter on Wednes-
day the 6'^ of March 1776.
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of
Barrington Humbly Shexvs that your Petitioners Was Greatly
alarmed at the News of John Garland Esq'' of Said Barrington
being omitted in the Late Appointment of Magistrates for the
County of Strafford He Being a person in the opinion of your
Petitioners of The Best Natural Capacity for Such an office in
Said Town & of Equal acquereiment to any other & while In
that office Performed to General Satisfaction and More Espe-
cially Considering how much he has Exerted himself In the Glo-
rious Struggle for Liberty in which america is Now Contend-
ing wherefore your Petitioners humblv Pray That the Said John
Garland mav be appointed a Justice of the Peace for the Coun-
ty afoursaid wdiich we conci\e Will Be a Benifit conferred not
only on the ton of Barrington But the County afour*^ & your Pe-
titioners As in Duty Bound Will ever Pray
Capt. Mark Ilunking Ensn. John Bickford Simmon Starbord
154
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Capt. William Gate John foey
Capt. Samuel Bru- Azariah Boody
ster
John Waterhouse
Samuel Winkley
Julius felkei"
Richard Swain
James howard
James pevy
James foey
timothy perkins
Joseph pevy
James Clark
John foey Jun''
Josiah Monson
Mark Ayers
Isaiah Felker
Left, william babb
Jeams Row
mickel fulker Jun
william pearl
Richard babb
Ichabod Bodge
Ebenezer young
Jabesh Smith
Garland Smith
Ruben Davius
Lt. John Gate
Ruben tuttle
John Persley
Mark Foss Jur.
Jonathan Glark
Joseph Boodey
John Sherburn
James Wodiar
Joseph Gate
william ham
Stephen otes
paul young
benjamin babb
John cater
James Leighton
Mark Foss
Nathaniel Foss
Lieut. William hayes
Samuel Brown
William howard
Paul Bru ster
Stephen foey
Thomas tuttle
Nicholas Brown
Stephen Drew
Daniel Glark
Ebenezer Jacknson
Isaac Sherburn
James Ghurch
gidon Laighton
george ham
mickel fulker
wintrupt young
timothy waterhouse
Joseph greay
Lieut. Georofe Waterhouse —
[He was subsequently appointed. — Ed.]
[R. 48] \^Anne Runals s Petition — Uusbajid died in the Ser-
vice, 1778.1
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon*'''' Gouncil and Assembly of said State now sitting
at Exeter. —
The Petition of Anne Runals of Barrington in said State,
humbly shews. — That your Petitioners late husband Isaac Run-
als was a Lieutenant in Gol° Stephen Evans Regiment in the
Gontinental service in October last — that owing to indisposition
of Body he was unable to continue in the service, and was
about to return home — that on his way at Ghesterfield his dis-
orders encreasing, he ^vas entirely confined, & there died — that
the expense of sending there after him, together with the Doc-
tor & Nurse's Bills amounting in the whole to fourteen pounds
six shilling (as mav appear by the ac'** and vouchers herew^ith
exhibited) has been paid by vour Petitioner — Wherefore your
Petitioner requests that your Hon" would take the matter under
your consideration & cause the sum she has expended to be
BARRINGTON. 1 55
reimbursed — or otherwise, grant her such compensation as you
in your wisdom shall think meet, for which She as in duty
laound will ever pray
Anne Runals
Barrington May 20"^ 177S.
[The amount was allowed May 22, 1778. — Ed.]
[197] S^Petition for Aidhoritv to dispose of Parsonage Lot^
1779 ■'\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives in
General Court assembled at Exeter the 20"" day of October
A. D. 1779.—
The petition of John Garland Esq. & James Marden Yeoman
both of Barrington in the Countv of Strafford & State aforesaid
in behalf of the parish in said Barrington humbly shews That
in the Charter of said Barrington two hundred acres of Land
were reserved for a parsonage which have in consequence there-
of been laid out at such a Distance from their Meetinghouse as
renders the Design useless. — That the said parish are about set-
tling a Minister, but feel themselves unable to raise his Support
without the benefit of said parsonage and as the said parish con-
ceive themselves not dulv authorized to appropriate said Land
to any other purpose than is directed by said Charter — your pe-
titioners therefore pray that said parish may be authorized by
Act or Resolve to sell said Lands or to exchange them for others
that may better accomodate their Minister & fullv answer the
original Intention of the Reservation in said Charter — & your
petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Barrington Oct° 20"^ i779-
John Garland James Marden
[The foregoing resulted in the passage of an act, Novem-
ber II, 1779, authorizing John Garland and Deacon James
Marden to exchange the parsonage lot for one more con-
venient, or sell it and purchase another. — Ed.]
[R. 49. 50, !^i] \_Abstractfrof>i Pet if ion of Nathaniel CJnirch.,
icoiiiidcd Soldier, ^779-']
[Nathaniel Church, of Barrington, in a petition dated
November 5, 1779, states that he "was a soldier in Capt
156 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Peter Browne's Company in Lt. Col. Stephen Peabody's
Regiment, and was wounded in the action on Rhode Island
on the 29"' of August 1778, by which wound he lost his Leg
& part of his Thigh." He asks to be put on half pay, and
that his expenses for nursing, and the expenses of John
Church and Josiah Felker for going to Providence and get-
ting him home, amounting to ;^59-i2-o in all, may be al-
lowed him.
The bill was allowed, and also half pay, commencing Jan-
uary I, 1779. — Ed.]
[R. 52]
[Oct. 24, 1780. John Garland, at the request of said
Church, states that Church lost his leg by a cannon ball ;
that he is on the half-pay roll ; but, owing to the deprecia-
tion of the currency, the amount he receives "will scarce
pay his expenses of travelling to Exeter to receive it," and
asks for further relief. — Ed.]
[19S] \^Petition of No7t-Residetit Pi-oprietors concerning'
Taxes ^ lySi .'\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened at Exeter June 25* 1781
The Petition of Mark HunkingWentworth Geo. Jaflrev Jon-
athan Warner and George Atkinson /lumbly skews — That the
Collector of Taxes for the Town of Barrington, having called
on your Petitioners for their Taxes in said Town, they find on
inspecting his list, they are respectively taxed more than twice
as much on their Lands, as any Resident in said Town is taxed
on his — They have demonstrated this to be the case to the Se-
lectmen, who are not disposed to afford them any relief; and
as this has been the case not only the last but the preceeding
years, and in all probability will continue, unless prevented by
your Honors, they humblv request, that a stop may be put to
such flagrant iniustice. and that thev mav not be compelled, to
pay more than their equal proportion of Taxes, according to the
value of their Lands — And your Petitioners shall ever pray &c.
Mark H'*"' Wentworth
Jonathan Warner Geo : Atkinson * Geo. Jafirey
[In H. of Rep., a committee was appointed on the fore-
going, who reported that, in their opinion, the petitioners
BARRINGTON. 15/
had been much overrated, but should make their application
to the court of quarter-sessions. — Ed.]
[R. =53] \_Papers relating to TJio?)ias Uozv^ a Soldier^ ijSl .~\
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire.
The petition of Thomas How most humbly s/ieweth that
whereas he was at all times prepossessed with a firm attach-
ment to the States, in i777 he Inlisted in the three years service
under Capt. John Drew* and quit his farm his family his con-
nections and what was most dear to him and chearfully marched
as a soldier for the defence of his Country having an obligation
from the Committee of Barrington for £34. L. my. as a Bounty
only and he to recieve his full wages without any deduction
whatsoever on account of the foresaid Bounty, he faithfully
performed his duty during the foresaid term of three years but
has not as yet received but an inconsiderable part of his Bounty
Clothing and wages for want of which his expenses fitting out
for the service and the Misfortunes he had while he was their
have Reduced him to very low circumstances — He has therefore
at this time presumed to lay these his grievances before your
honours reiving and Depending that you will be fully sensible
of this his situation and grant a satisfactory answer to his i"e-
quest — He does therefore ardently and humblely request and
pray that you will be pleased to remedie the Matter in such a
way as to procure to him his just due, and your petitioner as in
Duty bound will ever pray &c.
Barrington Nov'' y*^ 6*
A. D. 1 78 1— Thomas How
[R- 54]
[The Barrington committee to hire soldiers in the year
1777, consisting of William Cate, Jr., John Hill, Joshua
Foss, Jr., and Silas Drew, signed a certificate dated January,
1 78 1, substantiating the above statement.]
[R. 55]
[Josiah Oilman (August 23, 1782), one of the Committee
on Claims, states that the town of Barrington had been
allowed for the bounty the selectmen charged to Thomas
How.]
*5th Co., 2d Reg't.
158 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. S6-]
[The town refused to pay the said How his bounty, and
he brought suit, but was defeated, as he says, for want of
means to prosecute the suit. How also introduces the fol-
lowing certificates : — Ed.]
[R. 58]
M' Independence Jul}' 6"' 1777.
I Thomas How the subscriber do here say and certefy that on
the 6"' Instant orders came for us to turn out and get the pow-
der out of the Magizien after Cap' Buckland ordered me and
a nother man John Doe by name to Carrey a Chest down to
the landing he sent the weater to Conduct us down It Being
dai'k he led us out of the way and the other man soon left me I
having strict orders I was obliged to see it on Bord the Scuner
which Brought it all most to sun rise Before I could Get back
to my Tent again and when I came there my Gun pack Beding
and Clothes and all that I had except what I had on my back
was lost.
Bemus's Heights Ocf 11, 1777.
This is to Certify that the Bearer Thos. How was ordered as.
within mention by
Stephen Buckland
Captain of artillery
[R- 59]
Moses Creek July the 31*^ ^777 —
I Thomas How Doth testify and make it apeer, That orders
Came for is to Retrate for Sarrey Toge we had not marched
More Than 40 Rod Before The Enemy Came in Sight in oi"-
der to Cut of onr Retreat Which obliged us to Return Back
and Take the Hill in order give them Battle The Artilery
Men woas ordered to Put their Packs in the Bagige Wagin Pur-
pared for That Purpose we had Wounded Men The Wagoner
was ordered to Throw our Packs out and take in the Wounded
I being one of The train and By The Means I Lost My Second
Pack
Thomas How
The under mensend Thomas How Lost is Pack by wittness
of uss Siners — John Neal, Clark Sarjent, Paul Otis, Ebenezer
Crommet
[R. 61]
[December 13, 1784, Margaret Pitman asks the treasurer
to pay Daniel Cook all that was due her late son, Joseph
BARTLETT. 1 59
Pitman, soldier in the 2cl N. H. Reg't. The order is attest-
ed by " Ralph hall, Solomon hall," and certified by " John
Cate, Town Clerk." — Ed.]
[199] \^Nu tuber of Ratable Polls ^ ^7^J-^
Barrington Dec"" 12, 17S3 —
Pursuant to orders we have took the No. Polls which is 2S7
of Twenty one years of age and upwards —
Given under our Hands this 12* Day of T)ec'' 17S3.
Peter Young ^ g^^^^^
George Waterhouse > '~-^
Eliph Cloutman j
Sworn to before "John Garland Justes Peace "
[200]
Diepotion of Samuel Brewster of Lawful age testefieth and
saith that he was apointed as a Commitee man with others by
the general Court to Lay out Roads in Barrington Did Lay out
three Roads through said town one through or near the first
Range agoing to Rochester one through or near the third
Range and one on the west side of said town Called the Prov-
ence Road and several other Roads in said town.
Samuel Brewster
Sworn to February the 13, 17S6, before
Joshua Foss Jr. Justice Peace
BARTLETT.
This town was incorporated June i6, 1790, and com-
prised the following grants : The grant to Lieut. Andrew
McMillan of 2,000 acres, made Oct. 25, 1765 ; to Capt. Will-
iam Stark, same day, of 3,000 acres ; to Lieut. Vere Royse,
September 6, 1769, 2,000 acres; Adjutant Philip Bayley,
August 9, 1770, 2,000 acres; and to Major James Gray,
June 12, 1772, 3,856 acres. It was named in honor of Jo-
siah Bartlett, who was then President of the State.
By an act passed June 19. 1806, the town received a
grant of 600 acres of land belonging to the state, situated
in the town of Adams, 300 of which was for support of
l60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
schools, and 300 for the support of the gospel ; and by an
act passed June 22, 18 19, 50 acres was severed from Ad-
ams, and annexed to this town. July 3, 1822, a tract of
land belonging to Nathaniel Carlton was severed from Bart-
lett and annexed to Adams; and by an act passed July i,
1823, a large tract of land westerly and southerly of the
original town was annexed. June 18, 1836, a tract of land
belonging to Jonathan Mclntire was annexed to the town.
July 3, 1839, the farm of Nathaniel Tufts and Stephen
Carlton, 2d, was severed from Bartlett and annexed to Jack-
son. January 5, 1853, the town was severed from Coos
county and annexed to Carroll. June 30, 1869, a tract of
land was severed from Chatham and annexed to Bartlett ;
and July 2, 1878, a small tract was severed from Hart's Lo-
cation and annexed to this town.
[R. 63]
To John Taylor Gilnian Esq. — Treasurer of the State of
New Hampshire — Please pay to Andrew McMillan Esq"" all the
arrearages due Serg' Jonathan Tasker of the New Hampshire
Line, Gen. Poor's Brigade, Col. Reeds Regt. & Capt. Clays
Co. for services done his Country in the late war, in the years
^777 — ^77^ ^ ^779i ^^^^ ^^^'^^ order shall discharge the state
from the same
Jon" Tasker
Bartlett Nov' 16* 1793.
[3—35] \^Petitiorz for a/i Addition to the Toxvn.']
To the Honourable the senate and house of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in general Court convened at
Exeter on Wednesday the 35 Day of December 1793. —
The Petition of Andrew McMillan Esq. for & in behalf of
the town of Bartlet humbly sheweth that in Consequence of a
Petition from the Inhabitants of Starks, McMillans, Royes,
Baileys and Greys Locations they obtained an Licorporation of
said Location into a township by the name of Bartlet in the
month of Jvuie 1791 ; but it is well known that the whole of
said Location don't contain a tract of Land more than twelve
thousand Acres a great part thereof very Mountainous and
broken, and there can be had no pi'ivilege for a Minister or
school Right or other public uses as other new towns have
and enjoyed in consequence thereof places then in a worse situ-
ation than they were in before their incorporation all which is
a grievance and burthen on the Inhabitants ; but as there are
BARTLETT. l6l
Locations ; together with some unlocated Lands, altho moun-
tainous joining on or near to the town of Bartlet, your Petitioner
prays that a tract of Land located and unlocated may be grant-
ed and incorporated with the town of Bartlet including Rindges
& Pierces Locations : together with a number of hundred acre
Lots laid out by the Committee for making and repairing the
Roads from Conway to Coos agreable to the Plan herewith ex-
hibited giving unto said town a tract of unlocated Land to the
first settled Minister, for a school and all other public Uses as
may be thought proper, and agreable to what is customary in
all other towns in this State, under such Conditions & Regula-
tions as you in your wisdom may think proper and your Peti-
tioner as in duty bound will pray
Andrew M'^Millan,
State of New )
Hampshire j In the House of Representatives Dec 29"' 1793
Upon reading and considering the foregoing Petition of An-
drew MacMillan Esq"' for and in behalf of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Bartlett, Voted that the Petitioner be heard thereon
before the General Court on the Second Thursday of the Next
Session and that in the Mean time the Petitioner cause that the
Substance of the petition and Order of Court thereon be pub-
lished three weeks successively in the Exeter News paper & in
the Independent Chronicle printed in Boston commencing Six
wrecks prior to said day of hearing — also cause that a copy of
said petition and Order be posted up in some public place in
the Town of Bartlett the Same term of time, that any person or
persons may then appear and Shew cause if any they have why
the prayer thereof May not be granted —
Sent up for Concurrence —
Nath^ Peabody Speaker
In Senate December 28"' 1793 Read & Concurred
Nathi Parker Dep^ Sec^
[The plan referred to may be found in Vol. II. doc. No.
26i, Tovi^n Papers, 1880, in secretary's office. — Ed.]
[2-26]
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Court convened ; at
Concord on the first Wednesday in June A. D. 1793
The petition of the freeholders and inhabitants of the Town
of Bartlett in the Countv of Grafton — Humbly sheweth — That
12
l62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
whereas, your petitioners being few in number and very poor,
and the whole Town consisting of Locations fomerly granted to
officers in the Service of the King of Great Brittain, in the
French war (so called) and the greater part of the land in s*
Town, being still owned by the original Grantees, or their as-
signs, who do not live in the Town, and in consiquence of our
incorporation, we are at the expense of making and repairing
all public roads through the Town. And those Gentlemen,
who own by far the greater parts of the lands in said Town, are
in consequence of their being Non-residents exempted from the
cost of makeing and reparing those useful and necessary roads in
the Town — And as there is a road lately laid out, from Conway
to Shelburn, by order of Court, which must go nearly five
miles in Bartlett, and this too, at the expence of the Inhabitants,
which they must make through an uncultivated wilderness, to-
gather with the cost of keeping in repair, the road leading to
Lancaster, North of the White Hills, with other necessary roads
in Town, All which 30ur petitioners view as a great grevience
— Therefore, your petitioners pray that one penny per acre may
be laid on all the lands in the Town of Bartlett, for the purpose
of makeing and reparing the roads in s'' Town and appropriated
to that use as soon as may be, under such order and regulation,
as you, in your wisdom shall think fit :
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Ralph Hall Jonathan Hutchins John Scribner
Anthony Emery John Pendexter James Rogers
Miles Thompson Levi Chubbuck isick Stanton
John wooster Thomas Spring Samuel Fall
Joseph Hall Enoch Emery John weekes
Levi Sevey Thomas Rodgers Humphery Emery
Simon Seavey Joseph Thompson Joseph Pitman
Jonathan Seavey Samuel Stratton george woodes
Jonathan Place Richard Garland Timothy Walker
James Basset Obed Hall
Jonathan Tasker Samuel Seavey
[Granted by an act passed December 28, 1795. — Ed.]
[3—27] S^Petition for an Addition to the Toivn.^
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable General court of said State to be conven*^
at Amherst on the first Wednesday of June next —
Humbly Shews your Honor's Petitioners that whereas a pe-
tition was prefered to the Honourable General court of said
BARTLETT. I63
State at their last Session by Andrew M'^Millan Esq"" in behalf
of the To^^■n of Bartlett praying — that a tract of land might be
aded to said Bartlett and the Town being notified of the order
of court thereon appointed a commitee to examine the prem-
ises and on examining the same found that Burton covered all
the good land on which the prayer of said petition was founded
— excepting a Small tract of Located land — therefore your peti-
tioners pray that an addition be made agreeabley to the plan ac-
companying this petition — it being all that is fit for settlements
on that part of the Town — Said grant to be under such orders
and regulations as you in your wisdom Shall think fit and your
Petitioners as in duty bound will pray
Bartlett May 25**^ "^1794
Enoch Emery
George place Committee
John Scribner V for
John weeks Bartlett
Joseph Thomson Jun.
[2-3S] \_Petition to be severed from Grafton County and an-
nexed to StraJford.~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatiyes of the
State of New hampshire in General Court conyen'd, at Con-
cord on the first Wednesday of June i793-
The petition of the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of
Bartlet and locations humbly sheweth ; the many difficulties
they now labour under ; in consequence of their Being a re-
mote part of the Extensiye County of Grafton ; and particular-
ly your petitioners being nearly Ninety miles distant from any
place where Courts are held : Excepting Justices Courts, for
the tryal of any Cause whateyer : and nearly one Hundred
miles from the registers Oflice, for recording of deeds ; all which
is a verry great grieyance, which can be plainly made appear,
therefore your petitioners pray, that the town of Bartlet and Lo-
cations Northerly of Bartlet may be sot of from the County of
Grafton and anexed to the County of Strafibrd, or make a new
County in the Northerly part of the State, or otherwise relieyed
as you in your Wisdom may think proper and your petitioners
as in duty Bound will Eyer pray.
Richard Garland James Rogers Humphrey Emery
Enoch Emery Jonathan Place John Pendexter
Joseph ILill isick Stanton Joseph Pitman
Obed Hall James Baset Leyi Chubbuck
Leyi Seayey Samuel Fall george woodes
164 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Seavey Jonathan Tasker Thomas Spring
Simon Seavey Joli'^ weeks Timothy Walker
John Scribner Jonathan Hutchins Joseph Pinkham
Jonathan Seavey John wooster Joseph D. pinkham
BATH,
This town was granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, Sep-
tember 10, 1 76 1, to Rev. Andrew Gardner and sixty-one
others. The conditions of this grant were not complied
with, and on petition of Nehemiah Lovewell and others a
new grant was made by Gov. John Wentworth, March 29,
1769.
The first settlement was made in 1765 by John Harri-
man, of Haverhill, Mass. Moses Pike and John Sawyer
settled in 1766 or '^J.
Among the distinguished men of the last century was
Col. Timothy Bedel, an officer in the Revolution, who did
good service in command of troops on the frontier and else-
where. He was chosen to represent Bath in the convention
at Gornish, in 1781, that town being one of the sixteen
which attempted to unite with Vermont.
[R. 63] [^Relative to William Grimshaw, Soldier^ i'/86.'\
The Committee to w^hom was referred a Petition in behalf of
the Town of Bath having considered the same beg leave to re-
port that the said Town be credited for William Grimshaw a
Continental Soldier, late belonging to Hazens Reg* the sum of
sixty pounds with the interest thereof that the same be allowed
in settlement of the charge against said Town for deficiency of
soldiers, and that the Treasurer take order thereon and govern
himself accordingly — The committee further report as their
opinion that the said Town of Bath is intitled to receive a
Twenty pounds bounty for procuring the said soldier.
submitted by Josh. Wentworth,
for the Committee. —
[In H. of Rep., March i, 1786, report received and ac-
cepted ; senate concurred. — Ed.]
BATH, 165
[Z-I]
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'
Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and
over his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire and Vice Ad-
miral of the same and to the Honourable his Majesty's Council
of the said Province,
The Petition of Jacob Bayley Esq'
in the Province of New York in behalf of himself and associ-
ates
Most Humblv Shews
That
your Petitioner being a great Sufferer bv his Land falling into
the Government of New York (which were Granted bv his
late Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq'') your Petitioner be-
ing very desirous of being under the Jurisdiction and Govern-
ment of the Province of New Hampshire —
Your Petitioner therefore in behalf of himself
and associates —
Humbly Requests
That your
Excellency and Honours would be pleased to grant unto him
and them a Certain Tract of Land L\'ing on the North side of
Connecticut River adjoining to Ha\erhill in Cohoss granted by
his late Excellency Bening Wentworth Esq"' bv the name of the
Township of Bath, which said Grant is become void and the
same Reverts and is forffted. because the Grantees never Per-
formed the Conditions of said Grant or Charter, there being
not more than five or six family's on said Town and no Pros-
pect of Increasing —
In case your Excellency and Honours should be Pleased to
Grant the Prayer of this Petition —
on Condition your Petitioner and associates give proper Se-
curity to those already settled on said Township he and they as
in Duty bound shall ever Prav &c
Jacob Bayley
Preferred S"" September 1768
Oct" 19"' 1768 Granted on the Terms stipulated in the Peti-
tion
[2-2]
Memrandom
account of what Families there is in the Township of Bath
Improvements
Lt. Richardson Two Sons & Famaly 10 acers cleared land
Lt. Sawyer Two Sons & Famaly 20 acers
John Sawyer & Famaly 7 acers
1 66
EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Mooses Pike & Famaly 5 acers
Andrew Gardner & Famaly 4 acers
Daniel Been & Famal}- 1
Enoch Hall & Famaly j ^ "^"^^^^
Samuel Martain one Son & Famaly 10 acers
the Single Men in Bath
W" Belnaps
Luther Richardson
Jacob Pratt
W" Dodge
Robert Bedel
Deliverance Sawyer
The names of Sundry Persons now improving in the Town-
ship of Bath lodged in the Secretarys office by M' Andrew
Gardner the 25"^ Oct 1768
Samuel Whittemore Daniel Jones Esq
Elijah Wells
Josiah Jones
John Arms
Thomas Baker
[2-3]
\_Proceeding-s of Town-meetings i777-\
At A Legall meeting held at the House of Cap' Oliver San-
ders in the Township of Bath on monday the 3'' Day of febru-
ary one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy vSeven acted as
followeth (viz)
i*'' Choose M' Elisha Cleaveland moderator
2'y Chose Col Timothy Bedel Commitee man
3'y Voted the Commitee M'' Elisha Cleaveland Col Timothy
Bedel M' william Eastman Capt Sammuel Titus Should Be
our Committee to act in Conjuncun with the united Committee
of the County of grafton whose meeting now Stands ajurned
to the 13"" of february to Be Held at Lebanon, this Town ack-
noledging the Letter from the Assembly Committee of this
Stat and refer them to our Committee for an answer which are
to act in Conjunction with the united Commitee of grafton
County at their above ajurnd metting and that the above Vote
Be transmitted to the Assemblves Committee as quick as may
Be
test Aaron Bailey
Clerk
of s*^ meeting
BATH. 167
[2-4]
Bath June the 8"^ 1779
Esq. King sur it is the Desier of us the selecmen for S'' Bath
that you would Draw a Petition and sine it or git some one to
sine it in our behalf to the General assembly seting forth that
we are over Rated as it may Be seen by the invoice and by the
information that we hear give as folors that more than one half
of the inhabitance of this town Do not Rais thare provision
and are abligd to work for it by the Day in other towns and
tharefor unabel to cultivate thare one lands and many have no
land attole beside the fortegs of the war wdio have mose of us
ben mor or les in the war for sence the commencement of the
war and many vs'idows by Reson of war so that we have many
orphins to maintain and also that we are a frunteer place whear
we have often ben cold out in Scouts &c &c
from your humble sarvants
Elisha Cleaveland
Samuel Titus
[2-5]
The Ratabel Estate of the Inhabitants of Bath Exclusive of
thare Wild Land as it is in Aprel i779
Heds 29 Oxen 18 Cows 41 3 year olds 12 2 year olds 27 i
year olds 11 horses 13 mowing & plowing land 137
Bath Jvme the 8"^ 1779 then parciuabely apeared Elisha
Cleaveland and Sam Titus selecmen for Bath and solomly gave
thare attest to the above invose to Just according to the best of
thare Judgment
town
Befor me David Weeks r r^^ 1
j Clerk
[2-6] \^Ret7ionstrance concerning Doojnage.~\
To the Hon""' the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire to be Convened at Concord in S*
State on the third Wednesday of Instant Dec''
Humbly sheweth
We petitioners Proprietors and other Inhabitants of the
Towns of Bath Landati' Lyman Concord alias Gunthwait and
Apthorp in the County of Grafton and State afores*' that at the
Commencement of the late Revolution the said Towns had
very few settlers, and the most part of them w^ere very poor
Notwithstanding they sem"^ willing and ambitious to turn out
in Defence of the Country and the most of the Inhabitants of
one or more of s*^ Towns Did actually turn out the first of the
war some of which Died in the service some others Continued
in the war until the close thereof &c. that they have Hired
scouts to Reconnoiter the woods on the frontier at a great Ex-
l68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pense and also Built a Number of forts for a Retreat in Case of
an Invasion ; all of which with many other sei'vices are not
Recon'^ as any part of our proportion of the Expence of the
late war as your Petitioners are Inform*^, that we have not had
the order of Cort to make Returns and Never Knew the method
b}^ Reason of not having any Representation that by mean of
which we have been Doom*^ and if obliged to pay according
to their Doomage their whole Estates are not sufficient to pay
the Debt
Wherefore your Petitioners Pray your Honours to take the
matter into your wise and serious Consideration and grant such
Redress of grievances as may seam Just —
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray &c
John Young
in behalf of said Petitioners
Dec"' 12"^ 17S3
[2-7] [ V'ote of Town concerning Paper Money. '\
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bath
held on November 21^' A D. 1786 agreable to both Branches of
the Legislature on the 14 Septem — 17S6 for emitting a bank
of paper Money —
Voted to reject the plan of the sub-committee for emitting
paper Money. No. of votes against Said plan Eighteen. No.
of for Said plan, none.
and the following plan was adopted Viz to emit so much
paper Money as will Call in all the publick Securites that
is against the state and that said Money be a sinking fund
to run out in twenty years, to sink Six pence in every twenty
shillings at the end of every six months, and to be atender in
all Cases.
No. of votes for it Seventeen
One vote not to have it a tender only for Debts hereafter
Contracted
Bath 21''' November 17S6
Jeremiah Hutchins ~) Select
Ezra Child v men of
Henry Hancock ) Bath.
2-73^ \_Report of Co7uinittee on AUoivance for Soldiers.~\
•sj" yi. \ I" the House of Representatives June 22, 1786
The Committee on the petition of Ezra Child agent for Bath.
Reported that the Town of Bath be credited & allowed the
BATH. 169
sum of Seventy Two pounds for one Sam' Parker, Matross in
the third Artillery Regiment, not allowed to any Town in this
State — and that they be allowed and abated out of their out-
standing Taxes the sum of Forty pounds in full of their ac-
counts for services in Scouting, building of Forts, and for
Alarms &c, in the late war — That all Taxes up to the valuation
taken in 1783 — be laid on the land, in said Town exclusive of
the Polls & other ratable Estate in the way & manner provided
by a Resolution of the Gen' Court in march last, and that the
petitioners be heard before the Gen' Court some day in the
next Session respecting the Taxing the lands of Nonresidents
for making & repairing highways Sign'd E. Payne for the Com-
mittee— which report being read & considered — Voted, that it
be receixed & accepted, and that the petitioners cause that the
substance of the petition respecting said Tax & order of Court
thereon be published three weeks Successively in one of the
New Hampshire News papers that any person or persons may
then appear & shew cause (if any they have) why the prayer
thereof may not be granted —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Sparkawk Speaker P. T.
In Senate June 24"" 17S6 read & concurred except the Forty
pounds for building forts &c
J Pearson Sec^
[2-8] \_Enoc/i Bartlett against Taxing the Non-Resident
La)idJ\
To the Honorable the Senate and Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire now assembled at Charlestown in Said
State.
The petition or Memorial of Enoch Bartlet in behalf of him-
self and others who are Nonresident proprietors of the town-
ship of Bath in Said State humbly Slieweth
That your petitioner was ever willing to pay his just propor-
tion of all public charges, and having a due sense of the favour
intended by the legislators to the proprietors of new towns by
directing that all taxes and assessments on their lands. Should
(unless known) be taxed in the name of the original Proprie-
tors and that the taxes Should be loged in An office in Exeter
now kept by M^ Odiorn where the proprietors might on notice
given pay their Several assessments — and I also acknowledge
their favours toward the town of Bath by waiting So long.
But we are informed by M' Odiorn who has advertised an
assessment, that the lands in the town of Bath are not asses'* in
the name of the original Proprietors but according to their
170 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
number by Lotts and Ranges which has prevented many from
paying them under the present Situation of Said town ; and we
would also inform your Honors that the affairs of Said town
are in a very perplex'd vSituation ; and that the town was first
granted to one Gardner and others in December 1762 in 68
equal Shares, and was called about Six miles .Square or 23500
acres ; But at present according to its boundaries and plan it
does not contain 21000. And Said first proprietors laid out the
town and a first division lot of 100 acres to each right, and voted
at Sundry times that to the N" of 34 of the proprietors might en-
ter pitch their rights and clear lands — till they had many Setlers
in the town, vs^hen the then Governor of the province arbitra-
rily excluded the greatest part of the proprietors of Said first
grant and Issued a new grant to his favorites and others to be
divided among s'^ 100 Sharers in that Scanty town, by which a
68"' part was allowed to 26 only who had Settled, and the town
on division was found to contain but 260 acres to a first Setler and
160 acres to other Sharers with a remainder of about 1600 acres
of common lands to be divided in that proportion and that the
township and lotts were laid out accordingly in 1770 but was
never allotted to each pi'oprietor. But the proprietors have
since in 1770 ; 1772 and 1773 voted that they who should pitch
their lots and cut down 5 acres on 100 acre lot or 3 on a 60 acre
lot by a certain day or till December i773'' i^^ ^"^ J^^ii'i Should
have those lots : and that no right has been given Since to pitch
any Lot; yet we find that in 1775 there was about 20 lots en-
tred by the Clerk as pitched lots and that some of them were
on lots pitched in i773 ^'^^' which the duty was done, and that
since 177S they have freelv entred and fraudulently pitched on
all the best Lots in Said Town, and in a very perplex'd Situa-
tion when the to^vn was taxed for all arrearage for Many years
past when the Settlers to cover their fravids, when application
was partially and artfully made to the General Court and bv a
misrepresentation of the case (as I apprehend) Procured (as
they Sa-s') a resolve of Said Court on the first day of March
1786 directing the Select men of Bath to tax their Unimprov'd
lands by Lots — whereby they cautiously endeavored to exempt
all their pitch'd lots and intrusions by improvements (tho' Ille-
gally obtained) from being sold or coming to a just allotment
among the proprietors and thereby destroy all right of redemp-
tion by law as it cannot be known to whom their lands was
sold ; And it may be Qiieried whether we can expect to fare
better if we Shall pay our taxes on our rights in the name of
the original proprietors and whether we can expect to have any
other lots than the refuse of the whole town for our Share.
And tho I have Six rights in Said town that I purchased
according to the first Charter and need not complain on that
BATH. 171
account, ^•et I know that there are many complaints made by
the original proprietors of that and other towns against the arbi-
trary proceedings of the late Governor and their exclusion with-
out any process by law against them, The validity of which may
yet be determined by an action at Law or Qixieted by the power
of the General Court ; and as the taxes in the town of Bath are
equal to about Six mill'd Dollars, on such last granted rights ;
it would be very hard on them to pay such taxes unless their
title is confirmed.
Wherefore we pray your Honors to take the matter into your
wise consideration and if thought needful to Disanul .Said resolve
of the first of March 1 7S6 and afibrd us such further relief as you
may think best. — I do not move in the aflair for any delay of pay-
ment but that the town which have been much embarrassed and
have neglected to draw their lots for many years and even till
they are in danger of loosing them for the taxes ; may have
time to warn a meetting and make a proper enquiry what Lotts
are legally pitched and to make a draught or appropriation of
the remaining lots to the Several proprietors with their propor-
tions of the common lands. — and I hope that the title of the
lands may be more fully assertained soon. And as our wise
lepfislators have been so gfood as to favour us for more than ten
years ; I also hope they will yet wait till our Lotts are drawn,
or till our difficulties may be removed ; as the town will ever
be able to pay taxes or make good the damages, and I as in
Duty bound will ever pray
Enoch Bartlet
[2-9] [^Relative to legalizing the sale of Lots f 07- Taxes^ d'C.'\
To the Honorable Senate & House of representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court to be convened at
Portsmouth on the fourth Wednesday of December 1789
Humbly shcweth the Selectmen of Bath in said State, that
said Town hath been twice granted & that the land is chiefly
laid out into lots, but the lots are not appropriated amongst
either of the grantees & the selectmen knows not to what rights
either the settled or unsettled lots belong, nor do they know the
owners of but very few of the lots, as some may doubtless have
bad titles & some none at all, and many who have deeds of lots
cannot affix their lots to any particular right, as they mention
only the number & range of the lot : for which reasons it hath
hitherto been utterly impossible for the selectmen to assess a tax
either upon the proprietors or owners of the lots, as the law di-
rects. Wherefore the selectmen some \cars past petitioned the
172 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
General Court setting forth their difficulties & praying that
some method might be pointed out to enable them to assess &
collect the outstanding taxes charged against said Town where-
upon the General Court in March 17S6 passed a resolve direct-
ing that the unimproved lands should be taxed by the number
& range of the lots, the law notwithstanding, and that all the
outstanding taxes should be assessed in one bill, distinguishing
each years tax bv itself — In obedience whereto the then select-
men immediately made & committed a tax bill to the constable
with a warrant for collecting the same accordingly — A copy of
which bill the constable sent to M"' Odiorne & had published in
due form and said taxes not being paid said constable proceeded
to advertise the lots of the delinquents for sale — Whereupon
Major Enoch Bartlet of Haverhill in the Massachusetts in be-
half of himself & other prop"^** of said Bath petitioned the General
Court praying that said resolve might be disaimulled & there-
upon the Gen' Court on the S"' day of February 17SS ( a con-
siderable part of said taxes not being then collected) passed a
vote that, '' all sales of non resident lands (in said Bath) be
stayed until tlie decision of said Court " which decision hath not
yet been had — And said vote or order hath hitherto utterly pre-
vented said Constable from proceeding any further in collecting
said tax — And altho said Constable had paid a considerable part
of said tax into the treasury yet notwithstanding all the fore-
going premises, extents for the remainder have diverse times
been issued against said town & they have been obliged to pay
large sums for sheritls fees upon them. —
And an extent now lavs in the officer's hands against them,
& they are every day liable to be committed to gaol or have
their property seized & disposed of thereby ; and all as they
humbly conceive, with out any wilful or criminal default of
theirs ; they having no controul over said proprietors ; there be-
ing but few if any in said town, they think they ought not to
sutler for their neglect or misconduct Wherefore your pe-
titioners pray your Honors that some w^ay may be devised for
their redress ; so that the remainder of said taxes may be col-
lected by authority of law & that they may not be obliged to
pay the same out of their own estates, or their bodies be impris-
oned while the same authority that orders out the extent, pro-
hibits the collection of the tax —
Your petitioners beg leave further to represent that toward
the latter part of the year 1787 the Constable of Bath published
the sale of the delinquent lands in the Freeman's Oracle instead
of the Gazette owing to the general report in this distant part
of the State that the clause of the law confining such advertise-
ments to the Gazette was repealed bv the General Court at their
session in June preceeding & that the Citizens of the State were
BATH. 173
at liberty to improve what printer they pleased or could be the
easiest come at —
That by the sales of land under that advertisement a consid-
erable part of the taxes were collected & paid into the Treasu-
ry : And yovn^ petitioners are fearful that great & insurmount-
able difiiculties mav arise on account of said mistake, That all
the trouble & charges will be lost. That the Town will be oblig-
ed to refund all the money that hath been collected by such sale
— That the purchasers will lose their expected advantage in lay-
ing out their money & the Constable exposed to many harrass-
ing suits upon the deeds he hath given, unless sales can be es-
tablished—
Wherefore your petitioners pray your Honors to take their
case into your wise consideration, & establish the sale of such
lands as legal & valid — or otherwise grant your petitioners re-
lief in the premises as in your great wisdom may appear wisest
& best & your petitioners as in duty bounds shall ever pray &c
TT TT 1 ^ Selectmen
Henry Hancock ^ f " 1
Jeremiah Hutchins ( t, ' ,
Bath December |
15'' 1789 i
[2-10] \_Memo?'ial of Dan/el Bayley relative to Selling Non-
resident La}id for Taxes. '\
State of New Hampshire.
To the hon' Gen' Court to be convened at Concord on the first
Wednesday of June 1791 —
Humbly Sheweth Daniel Bayley of Bath in s'' State, That s^
Town of Bath has been twice Granted That the General Court
in order to relieve the inhabitants of s*^ Bath from many incon-
veniences in Collecting Taxes which they were subjected to by
means of s*^ Town having been twice Granted as aforesaid ; on
the first day of March 1786 passed a Resolve directing the Col-
lection in a different way & manner to that by law pointed out
for collecting Taxes — That doubts have arisen whither s'' Re-
solve can Supercede the law for collecting Taxes. —
That your Petitioner was Constable for s'' Bath for the year
1788 and not in the smallest degree doubting until of late the
force, power and virtue of s'' Resolve & relying that no ditticul-
ty could arise in collecting the Taxes of s*^ year, paid into the
Treasury of his own money ; with what small sum he could
collect from the inhabitants all the Specie part of this Tax for
174 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
s*^ Bath for s'' year and a very considerable part of the paper
Tax — & has caused the Lands to be Advertized by the State
Collector according to law — that inasmuch as s*^ Tax was made
by the Selectmen of s'^ Bath agreably to said Resolve, your Pe-
titioner is in doubt whither he will be safe in selling the Lands
of the nonresident owners, for the payment of a Tax made by
force of s'* resolve —
Therefore your Petitioner prays your Honorable body to take
his case & the case of s'' Town in General respecting levying &
collecting Taxes, into your wise & serious consideration and
Grant them such Relief as the natui'e of their case may require,
so far as may appear just and reasonable & your Petitioner as
in Duty bound will ever pray
Daniel Bayley
Bath May 17* 1791 —
[The matter was referred to a committee, who reported as
follows : — Ed.]
[3-10^ J \^Report of Co)U7nittee on IBayleys Petition.^
Your committee upon the petition of Daniel Bayley in behalf
of himself & the Town of Bath, having considered the prayer
of said petition, beg leave to state the following facts as they
appear to your committee Viz. That the said Township is
chiefly laid out into lots the greater part of which are unim-
proved & belong to non-residents That the proprietors have
not appropriated the lots in said Town to particular rights — so
that the settlers know not to what particular rights their lots be-
long & know them only by the number of the lots & the ranges
& therefore the selectmen cannot tax the lots of non-residents to
the owners — because they are not appropriated — For which rea-
sons the selectmen have never been able to make a tax accord-
ing to the present laws of this state — which require that the
taxes on the unimproved lands of non-residents, shall be set
either to the owners thereof or to the original right to which
they ai'e appropriated — That under the foregoing circumstances
the said Town have not been able to collect their taxes from the
unimproved lands of non-residents for more than ten years
past, neither are they now able to collect them — That some re-
lief ought to be afforded them by this Court. This committee
therefore report as their opinion that the most expedient way to
grant them & others that may be in like circumstances, re-
dress, will be to pass an act in addition to an act now in force,
directing the mode for assessing & collecting taxes upon the un-
BATH. 175
improved lands of non-residents — Impowering the selectmen
for the time being to lev'v & assess all the outstanding taxes
against their respective towns & places, not already assessed as
the law directs in one tax bill, distinguishing each years tax by
itself and commit the same with a proper warrant, directing the
collectors for the time being, to collect the same — and the said
selectmen shall set a just proportion of said taxes upon the
buildings & unimproved lands owned by non-residents both for
state and county taxes — And in case neither the owners of said
lands, nor the rights to which they belong shall be known by
said selectmen it shall be lawful to assess said taxes by the num-
ber & range of the lots or other known & particular description
— And said collector shall proceed in all respects to notify &
advertize said taxes & the sales of said lands, vendues convey-
ing, &c as in & bv said act is directed — & the same mode in
the redemption shall also be observed. * * * *
San ford Kingsbury
[The committee also recommended that a vote be passed
directing the treasurer to return to Mr. Bayley the amount
he had paid in out of his own money. The report was ac-
cepted, and a bill ordered to be brought in accordingly. —
Ed.]
[2-1 1 ] \^Pct it ion of Stephen CoucJi for Assistance to JBiiild
Iron VVorks.'\
To the Hon''' the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
Humbly Shews Stephen Couch of Bath in the County of
Grafton & State aforesaid that at his own risque & expence he
has erected works for the manufactory of Iron conveniently sit-
uated in the vicinity where he lives, and within the said works
has already manufactured Iron which proves of a quality supe-
rior to any ever made within this State, and for the necessary
uses to which Iron is appropriated within this State, equal per-
haps to any in the world. That the expence of bringing the
said works even to their present utility has been great, and to
perfect them will cost considerable more. The utility of said
works to this State when perfected, if properly attended to, will
be very great, particularly to the Inhabitants of the County of
Grafton who are obliged at a great expence to transport their
Iron from Sister States, wdiereas the money yearly paid there-
for, might be saved in our own vState ; and the purchaser be-
sides will obtain his Iron at a reduced price. — That within a
176 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Short distance from his said Works there is the best of Iron Ore
in great abundance, and in various places. That the expence
however of carrying on the business, even after the completion
of the Works, is greater than the pecuniary resources of your
Petitioner will afford Avithout the greatest inconvenience to him-
self and family. Your Petitioner therefore prays your Honors
(having hitherto been totally unassisted in this expensive & ar-
duovis undertaking) to grant him the use of the sum of One
thousand pounds for the term of Ten years free from Interest,
your Petitioner giving Bond w^ith good sufficient Surities for
the repayment of said sum to the Treasurer of this State, or to
his Successor in said Office, at the expiration of said Term ; and
that so much of said sum as is necessaiy for the completion of
said Works shall be appropriated for that purpose. Or that
yours Honors would pass an Act Authorizing a Lottery under
such Managers as your Honors may see proper to appoint for
the raising of said Sum to be by them paid over to your Peti-
tioner for the purpose aforesaid, he giving Bond in manner
aforesaid. It is to the Patronizers of useful Arts and whatever
may redound to the Public good that your Petitioner applies for
assistance. The yearly Interest of One thousand pounds is
comparitively trifling when put in competition with the benefit
that will yearly redound to the State from said Iron Works.
And if your Honors shall see proper to raise said Sum by
Lottery it will in fact reduce nothing from the Treasury of this
State nor burthen any Person. The purchasers of Tickets will
some of them be the Public Spirited, and the rest, those will
be benefited by the Works of your Petitioner. But if your
Honors shall suppose the Sum within your Petitioners Re-
quest more than ought to be Loaned to him, or shall suppose
the means aforesaid not the best that may be devised for his as-
sistance. Your Petitioner, in that case begs leave to pray vour
Honors to take his case under your wise consideration & grant
him in some other way such other assistance as shall seem to
your Honors most proper, and your Petitioner as in duty
bound will ever Pray —
Stephen Couch.
Portsmouth 4"' Nov'' 1797
BEDFORD.
This town was one of the Massachusetts grants of 1733,
made to the surviving soldiers of the King Philip war,
including deceased soldiers' heirs, and was called Narra-
ganset No. 5, also Souhegan East, and was under the
BEDFORD.
177
government of that Province, until the settlement of the
line in 1741. It was incorporated by the government of
New Hampshire, May 19, 1750, and named in honor of the
Duke of Bedford, who was at that time secretary of state in
the government of George the Second, and for many years
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.
The first settler was a man named Stebbins, from Brain-
tree, Mass., in 1736. Robert and James Walker settled in
1737, and Matthew and Samuel Patten the year following.
The settlers from that time on were principally Scotch Pres-
byterians, usually called Scotch-Irish, because they or their
ancestors emigrated to this country from the province of
Ulster, in the north part of Ireland. The following are the
names of Bedford men who served in the " French wars :"
Col. John Goffe, William McDougal, George Orr, Robert
Holmes, Thomas McLaughlin, Samuel Patterson, James
Patterson, Nathaniel Patterson, John Orr, and John Moor,
the latter being taken prisoner at Fort William Henry, and
carried to France.
Among the leading men of the town was Col. John
Goffe, who was born in Boston in 1701, came to this town
from Londonderry, and settled at the place now known as
Goffe's Falls — a man of commanding presence, and an able
military officer. He was in command of a scouting party
of forty-four men, in April and May, 1746;* was an ol^cer
in 1757, at which time he joined the army under General
Webb at Albany ; commanded a regiment raised by New
Hampshire, under General Amherst in Canada, in 1760;
was at Ticonderoga in 1761, and at Fort William Henry
when it was surrendered. He was too old to take an active
part in the Revolution, but was a member of the town com-
*[The following is a list of the names of the men composing the party, as copied from the
original roll, recently presented to the state by Hon. Frederick Chase, of Hanover:
John Goffe Com'd
Nath'l Smith Liet.
Phillip flanders Sarg't
W'm Walker Sarg't
Corp Phillip Kimball
C James Sticknee
Cla'r Sam'l Harriman
Cent's Ezekiel Diamond
humphrey Clough
Sam'l Goald
John harvey
tho's Greenfield
Jon'a Currier
Stephen flood
Jos : Gile
They were out about 2,
13
Josiah heath
Sam'l Heath
abner Wheeler
nath'l watts
Josiah Kent
Solom'n goodwin
Edm'd Morse
Jonaih'n Stevens
Lemuel tucker
Ebener. Martin
John Johnson
thomas wyman
Benoni Rowell
John bastings
halbert Morrison
; days. — Ed.]
James Vance
William McAdams
thomas Rodgers
Robert alexander
William McKen
James Anderson
Joseph Calf
John Sargent
William Craford
Joseph Mcferson
Sam'l Boys
John Cromey
William Rodgers
James Gregg
James mcCormick
178 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
mittee of safety in 1778 ; was appointed judge of probate
of Hillsborough county on its formation in 1771, and held
the office until 1776. He died about 1789. His daughter,
Hannah, married Thomas Chandler, and their grandson,
Samuel, born May 28, 1774, married Margaret, daughter of
Hon. John Orr ; they had seven children, one of whom
was the late Senator Zachariah Chandler, who was born in
Bedford, December 10, 18 13, and moved to Detroit, Mich.,
in 1833.
[R. 64] {^John Moor's Petition^ Soldie?-, i/S7-^
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq, Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire. The Honorable his Majestys
Council & House of Representatives in General Assembly
Convened.
The Humble Petition of John Moor Jun'' of Bedford in the
Province aforesaid Hianbly Shews. That he Inlisted a Sol-
dier in Captain Richard Emery's Comp^, the Eighth of March
A. D. 1757. Was Taken Captive, at Fort William Hen-
ry, from there Carried to Montreal, from there to Quebeck,
there Lay Seven Wrecks of the vSmall-pox, from thence sent to
Old France, There Confined in the Goal & Hospital, Ten
Months, from there Sent to Old England, from thence Trans-
ported to New York. — Before I got on Shore pressed on board
a man of war, from there to Cape Britain, from there to Qiie-
beck, from there To Boston, & the first Day of Nov' 1759, Had
Liberty (as a sick man) to return home, from the time I was
■taken Captive untill this Day, I have not received one peny
from King or Contry, & Lost Sundry Things by the Enemy
as will appear by the annexed ace' & Suffered too many hard-
ships to be Here Enumerated — For all which. Time, Loss &
Suffering, Your Petitioner prays Such recompense as in your
great wisdom & Usual Clemency you think Sufficient, & your
Petitioner, as in Duty bound will ever pray,
John Aloor
Nov' 20"' A. D. 1759.
Taken from me by the enemy at Fort William Henry — a
Good Gun — Good Coat, a W^est-coat, a Good Shirt & breches.
Shoes & Stockings, a Hatt —
John Moor
Sworn to before Mathew Thornton Justice of Peace
BEDFORD.
179
[In council, January 10, 1760, read, and sent down to the
assembly.
In H. of Rep., next day, voted to allow John Moor £127
-10, new tenor in full for this petition. Council concurred,
and Governor Wentworth "consented" to it. — Ed ]
[202] [ Communlcatio7i Relative to Counties^ iy6g.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Capt. General Gov'"
&c. of the Province of New Hampshire The Honourable
his Majestys Council and General Assembly of said Prov-
ince—
We the Inhabitants of Bedford in said Province Return our
most Hearty thanks to your Excellency and Honours for the
wise and Prudent Measures you have taken in Dividing this
Province into Countys Especially the Middle County the par-
ticular lines whereof it appears to us were formed by natural
ones And we doubt not but this County have ability sufficient
to Defray the Necessarv Charges of the same Notwithstanding
anything that may be made to the Contrary. We therefore beg
that no alteration may be made That nothing ma}- be added or
taken from this County That is so beautifully formed and we as
in Duty bound will ever pray
Bedford April 12* 1769.
Math^ Patten
Obahdiah Marsh
Richard Ward
Nathaniel petterson
Sam^ Patten
John Aiken
Thomas murdough
Daniel Moor
Joseph Scobey
John moor 2^
John Wallace
William Boys
Robart Matthes
James Matthes
William Holms
forgees Kennedy
Sam^ moor
John m'^Kinney
Gan Ridell
John Goffe Jr.
John Clark
Robart Morall
Math^ Little
Sam' Vose
James Caldwell
John mcLaughlin
Junr.
Richard m'^alLster
Joseph Wallace
James Vose
Charles Black
Thomas Wallace
William averill
Thomas Boice
William White Jr.
James Little
Daniel m'^kinncy
Joseph Houston
James Walker
John Moor
ffrancis Barnett
Hugh Morrell
Hugh Campbel
Robart Gillmor
John Gillmor
James Gillmor
Samuel Patterson
James Patterson
Wil™ Caldwell
W^illiam Moor
William White
Moses Barron
Robert Walker
James Aiken
John Brown
Jonathan Currier
I So EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 66'] \^Bedford Soldiers^ ^775 <^^^d iyy6.'\
This is to certify that the men whose names are hereunto an-
nexed (being Taxed in the Town of Bedford) Did Serve as
Soldiers in the Continental army in the year 1775 and also this
present year and that their poll Tax to the Colony for the year
1775 was Two Shillings per man, — the names of the men above
mentioned are William Barnett, Jonas Cutting, John Callahan,
Thomas IVPCleary, Thomas Ennglish, Patrick Fling, John
Gofte, Calvin Johnson, Hugh Matthews, Joseph matthews,
James Moore, patrick murphy, John Manahan, William New-
man, James Orr, John Oniel, John patten.
Given under our hands this iS* day of September i77^*
John Gofte ")
Daniel Moor > Select Men
John Orr )
[R. 67, 6^] \_Abstract of John Goffes Petitio7i^ 1 77 8-]
[Under date November 3, 1778, John Goffe states that he
went on horseback in the expedition against Rhode Island,
and lost his horse and saddle, which property was prized by
John Griffin, Stephen French, and Samuel Moor — the horse
at ;^45, and saddle at j[,<^ — and asks to be paid therefor. —
Ed.]
[R. 69] \^Abstract of Robert Mo/'rilPs Petition^ ^779-~\
[Robert Morrill states, in a petition dated March 13, 1779,
that he has been in the service nearly two years for the
town of Bedford, left a wife in said town, and the town will
not do much for her subsistence ; wants something done
about it. — Ed.]
[203] \_Petition of Goffe and Martin^ I'/yS.']
To the Hon' Councel and Hous of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire the Humble Petiton of John Gofte
Esq"" and James Martin — Selectmen and Committee of Safety
for the Town of Bedford Humbly Sheweth Whereas your Pe-
titoners having Attempted to Putt an act of the Hono' Court in-
to force are Involved in the Law We Pray you would take this
BEDFORD. l8l
Our Cause into Consideration and Defend the Same and your
Petitoners as in Dut}- Bound Shall ever Pray
Bedford Nov'' the 3 1778
John Goffe James Martin
[305] \_Petition of John Goffe, 17/p.']
To the Hono' Councel and House of Representatives of the
State of New^ Hampshire. —
The Humble Petision of John Gofte Esq'' in said State Htim-
bly Shezveth — Whereas at the Begining of the Present War the
Congress thought it Necessary to Pass severall Resolves thereby
Impowering the Commitees of Safety and Selectmen and other
Town ofticers to apprehend and take up all Persons Suspected
of Being Enemical to this Country, also to stop and secure all
supplies of all kind of stores which they svispected to be going
to our Enemies, to which Resolves this State Did Conform, and
Passed maney other Additional Acts of the Like Nature.
And by Vertue of which acts of Congress they have done
maney things for the Benefit of the People in stopping of Cat-
tle and Grain and all other Sorts of stores that ware Driving
and Carring to the Enemy — also in apprehending and Confining
maney Persons that ware Enemical or Supposed to be Enemi-
cal to this Country — But at Length the Court thinking fit to Es-
tablish the Original Laws of this Land in its Primitive Purity
whereby these former Commitees and other officers are Liable
to be tryed by a course of Law, and some are actuall}' engaged
and maney others Exposed to be Brought in Qiiestion for their
former Complying with those Resolves of Congress and acts of
this State,
All which your Petitioner Desireth you would take Into your
wise Consideration, and Pass some Act to Prevent these Tre-
bles which impending over the Good People of this State.
also your Petitioner Humbly Sheweth that their is Maney
Persons in almost Every town in this State that have shewed an
unfriendly Disposition to the Cause of America in this Present
war and they are still allowed to Sett in our J.uries in Courts of
Judicature By which means maney of our Caises that Belong to
the State are in Danger of Being Lost and maney other Inju-
ries done to the Good People of this State. Therefore your
Petitioner Desireth that the Towns be ordered to Purge the
Jury boxes of all such Suspected Persons — and likewise that all
Juries of Tryal Shall first take the Oath of Alegance to these
States Before they be allowed To Try aney Caises that be
Brought before them — All which your Petitioner tlumbl}' Pray-
1 82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
€th May be provided for as you in your Great Wisdom Shall
think fit. — and vour Petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Every
Pra}'
John Goffe
Bedford March 8"' Day A. D. 1779—
[I fail to find that any action was taken on the above.
The following will explain Col. Goffe's grievance : — Ed.]
[306]
To the Hon Council & House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire held at Exeter — The Petition of Maj""
John Gofle of Bedford Humbly Sheweth that in the Begining
of the contest with Great Britain and the Colinies, I thought it
my Duty to take the part of my Country and to Defend it
against all its opposers to the utmost of my Power even to Life
and Fortune and I knew that we could not stand against shuch
a powefull an Enemy without Strict Adherence of the People
in General to the orders of Congress & the Laws of this State
& the Town Making choice of me with others to take up all
Suspected Persons that Did not conform to the Laws of the
State I thought it my Duty to see the Laws & orders of this
State put in Execution & Many complaints being made to me
of Michal Dolton & John O. Dobbin going about the Country
Buying up all the Cattle, and Hay & Grain, that they could
Get at any Price & about this time there came an Law from
this Court to stop such Proceedings. Except such as had a
Permit from the Committee of Safety of some Town or of the
State. I then proceeded as I thought agreeable to that Law and
finding that they Defied the Authorit}- of that act. I applyed
to this Honourable Court for Direction in that cace but Got no
other but tcj trv the Law out.
But I finding a Faitier in the Law I thought it Best to Let
him have the oxen again & so I did but soon after he Brought
A wait against me for Trespass but I Thought it my Duty to
Defend the Honour of the States Law, and have Been held
from Court to Court for the space of Three years to my Great
cost & Damage & at Last said Dolton has Recovered Judgment
against me for the' sum of 888 <£ & I Pray your Honours would
take it into your wise consideration and Judge whither Indevid-
uals ought to suffer for your Misdating of your Law or not,
and I Pray your Honours would make some Restitution for my
cost & Damage as you in your Wisdom shall think fit & as in
Duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Bedford March y'^ 14"' A". D. 1781.
John Goffe
BEDFORD. 183
[R. 71] \_Abstract of LicNt. yohn Orrs Petition, i'/'jg.~\
[In a petition dated March 22, 1779, Lieut. John Orr, of
Bedford, states that he was wounded in an engagement on
the 1 6th of August, 1777, near Bennington, and by reason
of said wound was detained there until the next February,
when he hired " Capt. John Parker who was there with a
sley and span of Horses to bring him home to said Bed-
ford;" that Capt. Parker charged him £,}^i-ic)-^, which he
wants the state to pay.
Allowed by the committee.
Lieut. Orr was in Capt. McConnell's Co., Col. Stickney's
Reg't, was on half-pay roll, by virtue of report of a commit-
tee, in which the council concurred March 4, 1778. (R. 70.)
He petitions again, January 6, 1781, stating that " by rea-
son of the rapid Depreciation of our paper currency your
petitioners half-pay has been vastly insufficient to Counter-
vail the Damage sustained by the wound;" that he was con-
fined to his bed in July and August, and had to employ
Doctor Kittridge, to whom he paid one hundred and eighty-
five pounds eight shillings, for which he wanted an order on
the treasurer. (R. 73.) And again, June 23d, 1781, stating
that he has not received all of his half pay ; that he is
indebted to the confiscated estate of Stephen Holland, and
wants the collection of it from him postponed until he gets
his pension. — Ed.]
[R. 74] \_ReIative to yawcs Bell., Soldier, 1/82.']
[In a petition, dated March 15, 1782, James Bell, of Bed-
ford, states that he "entered into the service of this Coun-
try at the Commencement of Hostilities at Lexington, and
became an Inlisted soldier in the Continental service, and
Continued in that service for the space of three years &
nine months ;" that while he was absent in said service the
justices of the inferior court of common pleas for Hillsbor-
ough county rendered judgment against him by default, in
an action in favor of William Gordon, which he believes to
be " Contrary to a Resolution of the General Assembly of
New Hampshire passed the 19^*^ of Sept, 1776, for the bene-
fit of soldiers in actual service." He asks to have said
.udgment set aside. (R. 75) In support of his claim he
-ntroduces a deposition of Simeon Foster, of Hollis, who
184 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
testifies that " he was a soldier in the Continental Army in
January 1778," and knew "that James Bell was at that time
a soldier in the Continental Army." (R. 76) And also one
of Capt. Thos. Burkmar, of Shirley, who testifies " that I
saw James Bell a Continental Soldier at the White Planes
at the oupnen of the Camppan in the year of our Lord
1778 ;" that he endeavored to obtain a furlough for Bell to
go home to attend a lawsuit, but did not succeed. — Ed.]
[207] [ Vote of Toxvu relative to Lazvsiiits.\
State of New Hampshire Oct. A. D. 17S2.
To the Hon*'''' Council and House of Representatives To be
Convened at Exeter on the Second Tuesday of November
Next. —
We your Humble Petitioners beg Leave to lay before this
Hon'^''^ House our Grievances Respecting the Numerous Law-
suits that are Daily Commencing among us for Private Debts
and Nothing but hard Money will Satisfy Said Debts which is
not among us and by that Reason our Cattle and other Movable
Estate must be Sold to Pay Debt and Cost at vendue for Per-
haps one Tenth Part their Real value. — Therefore yovu* Peti-
tioners Humbly Prays that you in your wisdom would make
and Enact Some Law wherebv Creditors mav Receive their
full value (from Debtors) in specific articles or this or the
United States Security and that no Creditor Have leave to Com-
mence any action for Debt until He Shall have made a Proper
Demand on the Debtor for the Same Which we think will Pre-
vent much Unnecessary Cost which we Suppose Hath been for
this year Past at Least Equal to the Support of the Publick War
we are Engaged in and finding ourselves Entirelv vmwilling to
Support So many Gentlemen of the Law to the Entire Destruc-
tion of this State is One Principal Cause of this our Petition —
We also pray your Honors That the Journals of the House of
Representatives may be Printed and Sent to the Respective
towns within this State, to the Intent we may know what we
Pay our Money for — Toui- Compliance will greatly oblidge
your Humble Petitioners and they as in Duty bound Shall ever
Pray &c. —
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bed-
ford held at said Bedford on Thursdav the Thirty-first Day of
October A. D. 1782. The above Petition being Read and the
Contents thereof Duly Considered in Meeting Vote (Nemine
BEDFORD. 185
Contradicente) That the Same be Considered as the Petition of
said town of Bedford and be forwarded to the Hon''''' Council
and House of Representatives as Such.
Attest Thomas IM'^LausfhHn Town Clk.
[209]
Bedford Aug. 37, 17S3.
Wednesda}^ Aug. 27. Town Meeting — The following Qiies-
tions were put —
Q^ Do you approve of any alteration of the Eighth Article of
confederation of the 13 United States
Voted in the negati\e —
Q' Is it vour Minds that the Representative of Bedford gov-
ern himself by this Vote.
Voted in the affirmative —
A true Copy from the Records of Bedford
by John Rand Town Clark
To Lieut John Orr.
[208]
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss,
Bedford Dec. 13, 17S3.
Pursuant to a Vote of the House of Representatives on Nov.
5 last — we have numbered the male Poles of 21 years old & up-
ward, paying Pole Tax for themselves, the number of which is
one hundred & thirty eight —
John Rand \ Select Men
John Wallace | of Bedford
Bedford Dec. 16, 17S3.
The Justice of the Peace of Bedford is not at home & there is
no passing at Goftes Ferry therefore we send this without mak-
ing oath to it, but ai^e ready to do opportunity offering.
John Rand Jokn Wallace Select Men —
[R. 77] l_A5s^racf of Samuel Fugard's Petitio7t^ i'/84.'\
[In a petition from Samuel Fugard, of Bedford, dated June
8, 1784, he states that he was a soldier in the war in the
first New Hampshire regiment, "and on account of the
Asthma & being worn out in long service your Petitioner
was discharged from the service of the United States, & a
Certificate given him by his Excellency General Washing-
ton Esq'' showing that he was entitled to the Provision
1 86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
made by Congress in such Cases, By their Resolve of
April 22, 1782." He says that he has not received what
said resolve entitles him to, and asks to have the same
granted to him.
James Martin, representative from Bedford and Merri-
mack, certifies to the truth of Fugard's statement.
In H. of Rep., February 23, 1785, it was voted that he be
enrolled in the invalid list and paid accordingly. — Ed.]
[R. 78]
[In December, 1791, Abigail Fugard states that her hus-
band, Samuel Fugard, is dead, leaving her with a family of
children unable to support themselves ; that for the time
between July 31, 1888, and March 4, 1789, no pension was
paid him, and asks that it may be paid to her. — Ed.]
[R. 79] \^Petitio7i relative to Soldiers se7it to Coos, l'/8j.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon^''" The Senate and House of Representatives to be
convened at Portsmouth The first Wednesday in June Next.
The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Bedford in said
State Humbly Sheweth That in the year 1782 the said Town of
Bedford was Required by the Said State to send two men as
Soldiers to Coohas whereupon the said Town at a very Extra-
ordinary Expense did hire and send one Robert Jones & John
George Covenanting with them at the same time that The said
Town should draw their wages from the said State when it Be-
came Due, yet when the said Town did Call upon the State for
the said wages the said State Refused to pay the same Because
some Person or persons had Taken or Stole some of the States
powder, of which crime Neither the said Jones or George was
ever Convicted. Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that
you would order the said wages to be paid to the said Town of
Bedford, — and they as in duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Bedford May zf 17S5.
Zackarlah Chandler | Selectmen of
Josiah Gillis j Bedford
[R. 80]
[James Martin had petitioned, February 15, 1785, for this
allowance, presenting an order from Jones and George, on
the treasurer, for pay for five months' service in Capt. Eben-
BEDFORD, 187
€zer Webster's company : amount clue Jones, ^9-11-2, due
George ;CS-io-6, which the House allowed, but the Senate
did not concur. The account was allowed June 14, 1785.
—Ed.]
[R- 83]
[Barnard McKeen, of Bedford, who signs his petition
with a cross, states in said petition, which is dated 1787, —
" That your Petitioner in Sept. 1776 inlisted in Capt.
M'^Connels Company in Col° Baldwins Regiment as a pri-
vate soldier & marched as far as East Windsor in Con-
nec ut," was there taken with a fever "and put to great
Charge," which he desires the state to pay, as he is poor
and has a wife and six children depending on him for sup-
port. September 27, 1787, he was allowed £4-16. — Ed.]
[R. 84] [A6sfracf of Petition of Samuel Remick, i'/88.~\
[In a petition dated Bedford, December 24, 1788, Samuel
Remick states, — "That your Petitioner enlisted as soldier
in the late Continental Army under Capt M^'Connel on an
expedition to Bennington, and in Bennington Battle, so
called, your petitioner received a shot from the Enemy in
his left thigh, and by reason of which wound your petitioner
was put to great trouble and expense." He asks for re-
lief.—Ed.]
[R. 85]
[Said Remick's case was before the legislature March 5,
1778, and the committee reported in favor of his receiving
half-pay until further order, and be paid ;^23-i, for doc-
tor's bill and nursing ; which report was accepted by the
house and concurred in by the council. — Ed.]
[210] \_Proceediiigs of Toivn-JMeeti/ig'^ iy86.'\
At the annual meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bed-
ford March Twenty ninth A. D. 17S6,
Voted To Petition the General Court to have the time of
holding the Annual meeting in Said Town of Bedford altered
from the last w^ednesday in March to the first Wednesday in
March —
IOC EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Voted That the Representative of said Town Petition the said
Court in behalf of the Town for the said alteration —
Attest Josiah Gillis Town Clerk
At the same meeting
" Votedyi^ Stephen Dole to be Select man."
[Mr. Stephen Dole petitioned, "in behalf of said town,"
that the annual meetings might be held on the first Wednes-
day in March, which was granted by the legislature June 14,
1786.— Ed.]
[213] [ Certificate of Nails made by yames Martin.^
State of New Hampshire, Hillsborough ss.
Bedford Jan^ 31^' 1 79 1. We the Subscribers being the Se-
lectmen (or the Major part of the Selectmen, as the case may
be) of Bedford do hereby Certify that James Martin of said
Town has bona fide made or caused to be made in his work
Shop within this State one hundred thousand of ten penny
wroat Nails since February 7* 17^9-
Will"' Moor ] c: 1 ^
0.1 -nv 1 r Selectmen
Stephen Dole j
Attest, Stephen Dole Just Peace —
Feb^, 1791. Received an order on the Treasurer for five
pounds Stephen Dole
[A bounty was paid on nails manufactured in this state,
by act of the legislature. — Ed.]
[R. 87] S^Abstract yames Houston^ Blacksmith^ Petition^
1790.-]
[In a petition dated Bedford, June 10, 1790, James Hous-
ton, blacksmith, states, — " That your Petitioner served as
an Armourer in the year 1775 in the Regiment commanded
by the then Col. now General Stark ; for which service
your Petitioner has never received any Recompence." He
asks to be paid. — Ed.]
[214] \_AIcmo7-ial relative to Pish Wardens, lyQ'/.']
To the Hon''''^ Senate and House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire, convened at Concord the first Wednes-
day of June 1797.
BEDFORD.
189
The petition of the undersigned Inhabitants of this wState,
Humbly Shexcs — That your Petitioners live near the River
Merrimack, and have some knowledge of the benefits arising
to this part of the Community, from Salmon, Shad & Ale-
wives, taken in said River and the waters falling thereinto.
That this privilege has been abused by many who have, un-
duly, obstructed the passage of Fish in said Streams, whereby
they have been much decreased for many years past. That al-
though the Legislature in the year 1795 passed an Act "to
prevent the destruction of Salmon, Shad & Alewives in Mer-
rimack River " which has had a tendency to increase the fish,
yet it is so deficient that it has not fully answered the salutary
ends therein intended. Wherefore your petiti'''' pray your
Hon" to take the matter into consideration and enlarge the
Powers of the Fish Wardens that their authority may extend,
severally, as far as the law^ is intended to operate. That
they be empowered to command assistance (if necessary) in
the execution of their office, & any person resisting pay a fine
of 30 dollars. That if any person be found dragging any Net
in anv of the waters aforesaid at any time when fishing is pro-
hibited by Law he shall forfeit & pay the sum of 10 dollars.
That every net found in a Boat, or on the Stages or places of
fishing, at an\' time, when fishing is prohibited bv law, be
forfeited. Or otherwise make such alterations or amendments
as to your Hon" appear to be for the pul^lic Good.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Zechariah Chandler
Joseph Patten
Thomas Wallace
Parmenter Honey
James Walker
James Mcintosh
Samuel vSmith
Joseph Moor
Sam' Allison
Sam' Smith
Tho. Grirt'en
Jonathan Wood
Dan' Gould
James Wallace
Abel Kimball
Reuben Hall
Phillip P\Mren
Sam' Abbott
Robert ISPGilvery
Josiali Wallace
Samuel Eaton
Sam' Moor
Nath'el Baker
Nathaniel Merrill
Samuel Chandler
Isaac Town send
Thomas Chandler
Joseph Harvel
Alx^ Caldwell
Joseph l^ell
David Riddle
George Clagett
James Black
James M'^Laughlin
Isiah Row
Nicholas Fi'cnch
Theophilus Sargent
John Parker
\V" Parker Jr
Nathaniel Moor
.Samuel IVIoor
William Parker
John M-^Intosh
David Patten
Sam' Houston
Tho* Macloughlin
Ebenezer Hadley
Pat'' M'^Laughlin
Samuel Dodley
Robert MTntosh
Alex"" Gilmor
John M'^Gilvary
David M^allister
vStephen Dole
John Cushing
John Blaisdel Jr
Jon" Baglev
Simeon Simons
Levi Colbv
timothy Johnson
Amaziah Vickere
Nath' Clark
Tho* Saltmarsh
190 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
BETHLEHEM.
This town was incorporated December 27, 1799, with the
following bounds : " Beginning at the northeast corner of
Franconia, thence running north fifty eight degrees west^
about nine miles and three fourths of a mile to the south-
easterly corner of Littleton ; thence north fifty six degrees
east, about six miles and one half, to the southwesterly
corner of Whitefield ; thence south, fifty eight degrees east,
about five miles and ten rods, to the line of Britton Woods ;
thence southwardly about three miles, and thirty rods, on the
line of Britton Woods to the south west corner of said Britton
Woods; thence on a straight line about three miles and one
hundred rods, to the bounds first mentioned." An addition
was made to the town in 1848, and another in 1873.
[215] \^Petition for Grant of Laud.'\
State of New Hampshire, 1 To the honorable senate and
County of Grafton ss. j house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened at hopkintown in and for said state on the
first wensday of June one thousand seven hundred and Ninety
Eight — We your humble petitioners Desirous of Becoming
Setlers and inhabitants on a trackt of Land Laying in a place
Called Bethlehem a part of the same was sold by a Committee
appointed for makeing a Road through Britan woods Down
ammonusick river to Littleton and in Loting out said Lands-
thare is a smal quantity of Land remaining unsold in such Gore
as would not admit of Laying out Hundred acre Lots and is.
chiefly Broken and Mountanous nevertheless their is some good
Lands interparc'^ in it that has given us a Desire to become
setlers on the same could we obtain a title — and we your peti-
tioners beg leave to state to your honours that we some time
past went on and made improvements under Franconia but we-
find the same not to be within their limits and being imprest
with a full sence of our situation we your Petitioners pray that
you would make a grant to us who shall Become settlers and
Continvie the same as your honnours shall Direct of one hun-
dred acres Each on the gores westerl}- of a strait Line Drawn
from the South west Corner of Britan woods to the North East
Corner of franconia included within the black lines Drawn on
a plan hereunto annexed being the lines of littleton whitefield
BETHLEHEM. I9I
Britan woods and franconia — and we your petitioners beg leave
further to state to your honour that w'e Conceive that those
Lands being settled and fited with inhabitants will in futer Con-
tribute something towards the support of Government and be
much more advantageous to the state than to have the same
sold into the hands of speculators and Land Jobers which here-
tofore has been a very great Detriment in the Settlement of this
part of this state and as this Cuntry is very Mountainous and
uneven a great Deal of Labour is necessary to be Done on
Publick Roads and the greater number of inhabitants the bet-
ter they will be made and kept in repair — and we your Peti-
tioners pray that your honours will take under your wise con-
sideration this our Petion and grant us the Lands herein men-
tioned as in Duty Bound we shall ever pray
Dated at Bethlehem May 25'" A. D. 1798
Abraham Taylor John Taylor Nathaniel Snow
Ezra Snow Tim-' Taylor
[The plan referred to is on the document. — Ed.]
[216] \_Pctition for an Act of Incorporation.^
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives to be
Convened at Concord on the third Wednesday of November
A. D. 179S.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of a Place called Bethlehem
in the County of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire
Humbly Shewet/i^ that whereas the said inhabitants are settled
on a tract of land Formerly Belonging to said State and lately
sold by order of said State for the Purpose of making and Re-
pairing the Road From Conway to the upper Coos and down
ammonnusick River to Littleton, and that the Number of Set-
tlers being increased to more than Forty it becomes highly
Necessary for the Peace and Good Order and Prosperity of the
said inhabitants that they be vested with Lawful authority to
Govern themselves and transact such Business as Respects
them as a People which is Nearly impossible to be done
without — Therefore the said People of Bethlehem from the
above Considerations Sincerely Pray the Honourable Court that
so much of the aforesaid Land be Formed into a Town and in-
corporated by the Name of Bethlehem as lies between the fol-
lowing Towns and adjoining the said tract of State land Lit-
tleton on the west Whitcficld on the North Britton Woods on
the East Franconia & Concord on the South Containing about
ig2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
twenty-seven thousand acres. And as in duty bound will ever
pray
Nathaniel Snow ~) Committee
Amos Wheeler > For
Stephen Houghton ) Bethlehem
[In H. of Rep., December i, 1798, a hearing was ordered
for next session ; meanwhile notice was to be given. Senate
concurred. December 27, 1799, the town was incorporat-
ed.— Ed.]
BENTON.
This town was granted January 31, 1764, to Theophilus
Fitch, Esq., and sixty-four others, by the name of Coventry.
Eleven of the grantees bore the name of Weed. Settle-
ments were made during the Revolutionary war, but the
town contained only eighty inhabitants in 1790. By an act
passed December 4, 1840, the name of the town was
changed to Benton, in honor of Hon. Thomas H. Benton,
U. S. Senator from Missouri for many years.
[R. 89.] \_Petition for Allowance for Soldiers furnished^
1786.-]
To the Hon'ble Gen' Court of the State of New Hampshire
now sitting at Portsmouth.
Hvunbly shew the Inhabitants of Coventry in said State that
when called on they hired one Jacob Whittier, & one Edward
Clark to answer as soldiers for said Town in the Continental
army during the war & gave them a generous bounty — That
said town are so far remote from the seat of Government & not
organized with town officers, never made a regular return of
them and that there is an extent now against them for delinquen-
cy, wherefore your petitioners pray that they may be credited for
said Whittier & Clark & have an order to discharge said extent
& your petitioners as in duty shall ever pray &c.
Moses Dow in behalf of said Town
Portsmo. Feb"' 17S6.
BOSCAWEN. 193
[R. 90] \_Edzvard Clark's Certijicate.'\
October y"^ 20, 178S. this may certify that I have served Dur-
ing the war in Cor' Hazen Rigermcnt for the Town of Coven-
try and have Rec*^ full Satisfaction of Sam' Atkinson in Behalf
of said Town for my hire or Bounty and they are Intitled to
Receive all that the State of New-pshire allows me as Such
Rec'' per me
Amos Fisk Edward Clark
[R. 91]
[He presents a certified copy of a discharge, signed by
George Washington, which states that Edward Clark has
been honored with a badge of merit for four years' faith-
ful service. In H. of Rep., March i, 1786, the town was
allowed £,60 for Edward Clark's service. Senate con-
curred.— Ed.]
[215] \_Pet/'tioti in leaver of Obadiah Eastman^ iy88.'\
To the Honorable General Court for the State of New
Hampshire. — The Hour' Petition of great Part of the Inhabi-
tants of the Township of Coventry* in said State Sheweth
their Desire for a Justice of Peace in said Township and De-
sire your Honours would Grant a Commission for that Purpose
to AP Obadiah Eastman of s'^ Coventry which your Hour' Peti-
tioners in Duty Bound will ever pray
Dated Coventry Dec' y^ ii"' 1788.
Ephraim Lund Josiah Burnham Ebenezer Bailey
Jerimiah Bown Joseph flanders Samuel Bowdy
roBed Eellet Timothy LoCkwood Nathan Meed
Daniel Doty John Mastin Silas Lund
Oncsipherus flanders
[Mr. Eastman was appointed. — Ed.]
BOSCAWEN.
This town was granted by the government of Massachu-
setts Bay, June 6, 1733, to John Coflin and eighty others,
citizens of Newbury, in that province ; it was named Con-
* Now Benton.
H
194 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
toocook, and bore that name until it was incorporated as a
town, April 22, 1760, for a term of two years, by the gov-
ernment of New Hampshire, and given its present name in
honor of Admiral Edward Boscawen, of the British navy.
This charter was continued for an indefinite term, by the
same authority, Oct. 7, 1763. The first proprietors' meeting
was held in Newbury, Mass., in 1733, and thirty three of
the proprietors commenced settlements in the town the
following spring.
By an act passed July 4, i860, the town was divided, and
the westerly part incorporated into a town by the name
of Webster, in honor of the great statesman. This divi-
sion of the town was attempted as early as 1791, when the
inhabitants of the west part petitioned to be set off and
incorporated into a " separate town by the name of Bris-
tol."
Boscawen has been the birthplace of many eminent men,
and others who received their early training in the town
have gone to other places and made their marks in various
walks of life. It did its full share in the French, Revo-
lutionary, and other wars, and has a record to be proud of.
[221] \^Petitlon for a Guards ^755-^
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq""
Captain General & Governour in chief in and over his Maj-
esty's Province of New Hampshire. — To the Hon'"'" his Alajes-
ty's Council ; & To the Hon''''' Assembly of this Province of
New Hampshire in General Court Assembled.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Contoocook in the Province
of New Hampshire aforesaid humbly shcweth — That whereas
your humble Petitioners (at least many of them) have their
fields lying at two, or three miles Distance from the Garrisons ;
and if the eneni}' should come down early this spring upon us
(as we humbly think we have just Cause to fear they will) and
should hinder us from plowing our Ground, & putting in our
Seed, we shall not be able to subsist ourselves & families, but
must of necessity break up and leave the Place, and consequent-
ly be reduced to poverty, if we should escape Death, or Captiv-
ity by the Hands of the enemy — We therefore your humble Pe-
titioners humbly pray your Excellency, & your Honours to take
our Case into your wise Consideration, & to grant us so many
BOSCAWEN. 195
Soldiers, for our Guard & Defence as your Excellency & your
Honours in your great wisdom shall think necessary & sufficient
for us ; & to send them to us so as to guard us in Season to
plow. &. put in our Seed — -And that your Excellency & your
Honours would grant us such Guard & Defence thro' the ensu-
ing Summer as in your great wisdom you shall think oiu" Cir-
cumstances shall require —
For which Goodness, your humble Petitioners for your Ex-
cellency & your Honours, as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated at Contoocook March 20"' 1755. —
Andrew bohonen Stephen Gerrish John Webster
Jacob flanders Ezekiel flanders Joel Alanuell
Joseph Easman Jacob flanders William Danford
George Jackman Nathaniel Danford Moses Call
John Fowler Edward Emery
[222] \_Petition for an Act of Incorporatt'otz^ ^757 •'\
Province of New Hampshire, In New England.
The Humble Petition of the Proprietors & Inhabitants of a
Township or Plantation now called Contoocook in said prov-
ince & now residing & Inhabiting there — To His Excellency
Benning Wentworth Esquire Governor and Commander in
Chief under his Majesty in and over said Province And to the
Hon^''' his Majesties Council & To the wor'
The Representatives for the s*^ Province now assembled at
Portsmouth in y* Province afores*" Htimhly Sheiveth — That
whereas^ It hath Pleased almighty God since our Settlement in
this place to take from us bv Death our Late Rev*^ Minister M""
Phineas Stephens whereby we are now deprived of having the
Gospel preached to us here. And whereas we Dwell in the wil-
derness and are exposed to the Insults and Barbarities of Sal-
vage & cruel Enemies & have for a great many years as well in
former wars as in the present ; have been and now are so ex-
posed and have been at a great expense & Charge to erect Forts
& places of vSafegard for ourselves & Families most of our Time
being obliged to dwell in them ; whereby we are not (to our
great damage) able to Live on & Improve our lands as other-
wise we might have done, and divers other Difficulties & hard-
ships have attended us and still continue so on account of our
having no Regular order amongst us, and a great manv of the
non-resident Proprietors refusing or neglecting to contribute or
pay any Thing towards our Necessary Charges as well towards
196
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
y* Supporting the Gospel Ministiy amongst us as other neces-
sary charges relating to the Township or Plantation afores^
which is a ver}- great Burden on us the proprietors and Inhabi-
tants residing & Dwelling in s'^ Tow-nship or Plantation, where-
by we are greatly exposed & Impoverished — Therefore we
your Humble Petitioners being yet a young, weak, and poor
Township or Plantation Occasioned mostly by the Means Hard-
ships & Difficulties afores'' & having no power or authority
vested in us Hereby Humblv pray vour Excellency respectively
together with his Majesties Hon''''' Council & y'^ wor' House of
Representatives for s** Province now assembled at Portsmouth
in s'^ Province That they would Severally & respectively Take
our deplorable case and circumstances into their serious Consid-
eration, and would be so well pleased to Incorporate us into a
Town with such Town privileges powers and Immunities In as
full manner & to all Intents and purposes as are or have been
granted to all other Towns grranted in s'' Province and also that
you will please to make us an Act to -enable us to chose officers
in s*^ Town when Incorporated as afores'' & to made such rates
or assessments for support of the Gospel and other Town
charges as shall be imposed on s*^ Town as shall be deemed
necessary according to y*^ laws of said province for executing y^
same And that the name of y" Town when Incorporated may
be called Newbury, or any other name vour Excellency & Hon-
ours shall think fit
In granting us the above petition we shall forever Humbly
pray as in Duty Bound for y'' Excellency The Hon''''' Counsel &
Representatives afores** who subscribe ourselves with y* most
profound respect your most obedient Humble Servants.
Dated and signed at Contoocook afores'' y'' 21''' of December
in y'' 31"' year of his Majesties Reign Annoque Domini i757 —
Joseph Coffin
Cutting Lunt
Benjamin Lunt
Enos Bishop
William Emery
George Jackman
Stephen Gerrish
Cutting Moodey
Oliver Fowler
Jacob flanders
John Webster
Henry Rolfe
Enoch Rolfe
Benjamin Rolfe
Benjamin Eastman
Timothy Easeman
Richard flood
Joseph Easman
Moses Bm^bank
Joseph fellows
Joel Manuel Junr.
Nathaniel Danford
Junr.
The mark of Jesse X flanders
The mark of Edward Q Fitz Gerald
Joseph Willet
Sam' Moodv
Joel Manuel
Joseph Eastman
William Danford
John fowler
Nathaniel Danford
William Courser
Andrew Bohonnon
George Jackman
Junr.
Moses Call
Ezekiel flanders
BOSCAWEN 19/
[223] \_Pctit/on fo>- a?i Act of Incorporation., J/^8.'\
To liis Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Governonr and Commander in Chief in and over his ISIajes-
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
& being in the Province of New Hampshire (by the late Set-
tlement of the Line between said Province & the Province of
the Massachusetts Bay bv his Majesty in Council) Called and
known by the Name of Contoocook most humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners labor under very great Dit^iculties for want of
Power to levy & collect such sums of Money as are necessary
for Supporting the Gospel Ministry and other Charges necessa-
ry for the promoting Said Settlement — Wherefore your Peti-
tioners Pray 3'our Excellency & Honours to Incorporate into a
Township that Tract of Land Bovmded as follows Viz. Begin-
ning on Rumford Line at the mouth of Contoocook River
where the same falls into the Merrimack River & thence Ex-
tending on a Course West Seventeen Degrees South Seven
Miles & one Hundred Poles thence North seventeen Deg'' West
Seven Miles thence East Seventeen degrees North to Merri-
mack River thence it is bounded Easterly with said River to
the Mouth of Contoocook River the Bound first mentioned
And to give the Inhabitants Such Powers & Privileges as other
Towns in this Province have and Enjoy And your Petitioners
as in Duty bound shall ever pra}' &c
June 20"^ i75>^
Joseph Coffin | Committee in behalf
Stephen Gerrish j of the Petitioners
[In answer to this the town was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council, April 22, 1760, for two years. At the end
of that time the grant of incorporation was revived, " to
have continuance until we shall approve or disallow the
same." — Ed.]
[^- 93] \_Moses CaWs Petition^ j'/yd.']
To the Honourable Coimcil and House of Representatives for
the Collony of New Hampshire in General Court Now As-
sembled.
The petition of Moses Call of Boscawen in said Collony
Humbly Sheweth that His Son Silas Call Inlisted Himself into
the Continental Arm\' in the year 1775 and continued in Said
198 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sarvice till august the 4 at which time he Returned Home by a
Furlo upon his Brother Moses Call's Supplying his place Dur-
ing the time Specified in Said furlo, and that the Said Silas
Call Falling Sick at Home and Not able to Returne againe
That His other Son Moses Call continued in Said Sarvice till
Sepf the 39 in the Said year i775
Your Petitioner Therefore prays your Honours would take the
matter under your wise Considei'ation and allow Him wages
for His Son Moses Call During the time of His Continuance
in said Sarvice and also the cost of Doctring and Nursing the
said Silas Call who lay sick and Not able to Joyne the armey
for that Campayain — and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
^viil Ever Pray.
Moses Call
May 27, 1776
[R. 94] ^Petition of John Hale, J778.']
To the honourable general Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire.
The Petition of John Hale of Boscawen in the State afore-
said, humbly sheweth that my Son Aaron Hale, a minor, en-
listed during the war into the continental Service, in the Begin-
ning of Dec. 1776, and came home to me the last Day of said
month unable for Service, having been in the Hospital three
weeks at Albany, his Pack, Gun, & eighteen Dollars, being sto-
len from him, while in that circumstance. He was vmder the
Doctor's hand, till the last of April, 1777, when he was called
to join his Regiment, at Exeter, where he was confined, with
the Fever & Ague, eight Weeks, at the expense of sixteen Dol-
lars.
Mv Son having never drawn any continental Clothes, I went
to Col. Poor, and he sent me to the hon'''" Committee of Safety
of this State ; I spake with some of the Members, concerning
s'^ Clothes, & they said, that if I would find my Son, the suit
of Clothes, & come to them, — they would pay me the conti-
nental Money therefor, and consider me also for boarding &
nursing my Son. — Now hei'eupon I communicate unto your
Honours, the inclosed Bills of my own Charge, & also of the
Doctor, humbly praying that I may receive according to the
above Encouragement, if your Honours, shall see meet to hear
me.
So prayeth your humble Petitioner
John Hale
Boscawen Feb. 13, 1778'
BOSCAWEN. 199
[Following are the bills referred to : — Ed.]
[R- 95]
Boscawen Janiuirv v* i. i77"-
Received of John Hale four pound ten shillings Lawful
money in Full For Four visits & medicine to Aaron Hale, for
me
Daniel Peterson
[R. 96]
Boscawen April the 12, 1777 ReC^ my father John Hale
one Coat one Jacket one pair Leather Briches two Shurts 2
pair Stockens one pair Shoues one Hat which I Receive for the
first Suite of Clothing I was to Receive from the State as a Sol-
der in the Continal armey
Aron Hale
[R- 97]
The Account of Clothing John Hale found for his Son Aaron
Hale who was inlisted in the continal army
one Coat & Jacket homspun Cloth
to one pair Leather breches
2 pair Stockens
2 Shurts 16. . o. . o I Hat 3.
I pair Shoues
Ulot.
h
35-
24.
4-
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0. ,
■ 0,
19.
I.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
. 0.
93-
. 0.
. 0
John H;
de
[R. 98]
[In 1780 John Hale sends in the following to the honor-
able general court of the state of New Hampshire: — Ed.]
Humblely Sheweth John Hale that Since the war first Begun
in this Cuntry he has had fovn" Sons in the army and two of
their wives & children has been to a great expence to maintain
them in their Husbands absence & Have one son after beeing
Sixteen months in the armv came whome sick and allmost Na-
ked I nursed & Doctored him four months till he was able to
Joyn his Rigerment again but had no Cloths I mad a Journey
to Exeter to his Colonal to no what I must do for he was en-
listed in the Continal armey During the w^ar he told me there
was no Clothing in the Continal Store But if I would Cloth him
I should have the money for it agreeable to the act of Congress
& further sent me to the Committee of Safty & Several member
there told me the same I came whome & Clothed my son but
have not Received for his Clothino; nor for his hire from the
200 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
town nor for his wages one Dollar to this Day which Very
much Distress my famerly & now have Large taxes to pay
Wherefore your petitioner prays he may be allowed the Cloth-
ing his son & the Doctors Bill & you will greatly oblidge him
who has ever beean a friend to his Cuntry
John Hale
[R. 99]
[The committee on above reported that said Hale be al-
lowed the full amount of the clothing and doctor's bills. —
Ed.]
[R. 100]
[In a petition, dated January 19, 1781, Joshua Danford
states that he is a "soldier in Maj. Whitcombs Core ;" has
received no wages for last year's service, or anything from
the town for his family ; wants some money to procure pro-
visions for his family, so that he can " Return to his Core."
By the following bill it seems the town furnished his fam-
ily some provisions the next year: — Ed.]
Boscawen May 2, 17S1. —
Joshua Danford & Family To the Town of Boscawen Dr
To 30'''^ of Salt Pork at 9*^ pr. pound i. . o. . 6
June To Rum Sugar Coffe molasses & Salt Sundry
times
To two pair Shoes one pair mogersons
To one pair Shoes
July To one Cow
To 22^ pound of Salt Pork at 9'^
To pasturing a Cow
To 4!/^ Bushels of Rye
Aug' To one Bushel of Wheat
Nov. To 3^4 Bushels of Indian Corn at 4
To 6^^^ of Pork
To one Bushel of Indian Corn
To two Bushels Potatoes
I. .
17-
7
7
6
6.
0
4-
10.
0
0.
17-
0
0.
9-
0
I.
0.
7-
8.
0
0
0.
H
0
0.
3-
9
0.
4-
0
0.
3-
0
overcharge
in Pork 9. 7
in Rye 4. 6
in Wheat 6
£1:
George Jackman ")
Peter Kimball V Selectmen
Cutting Noyes J
o. 14. 7
Sworn to before Henry Gerrish Dec. 12, 17S3
BOSCAWEN. 201
[R. 104]
[In 1782 his family was furnished, by the town, with pro-
visions to the amount of ^27. i. 2. — Ed.]
[R. 103] \_So/diers' Depositions relative to their Dis-
cJ2arges^ 1781.']
Boscawen Jan\'. i, 17S2.
Then Daniel Shepard personally appeared and Declared that
He had lost the discharge which he Received from his Com-
manding oficer at his Dismission from his six months service in
the Continental armey in the year 1780 — and made solemn oath
that the said Discharge Bore Date the fourth Day of December
1780
before me George Jackman Justice of peace.
[R. 103]
[Joseph Little makes oath to the same, with regard to
himself, and William Jackman testifies that his was dated
December 18, 1780. — Ed.]
[R. lo:;] \_Benjami7t Sxueat's Petition, ij82.'\
[Addressed to the assembly in the usual form. — Ed.]
Humbly Shews Benjamin Sweat of Boscawen in the County
of Hillsborough. That on the first orders for enlisting soldiers
for three years or during the war, he advanced fifty dollars as a
Bounty to one Matthew Holcom, who enlisted in the Company
commanded by Cap' Morrill. That the said Holcom served one
year & then deserted, as will appear by the pay roll now in
your Honors files ; and being afterward taken prisoner and car-
ried to New York, he there died. — That the widow of the said
Holcom, (who is the daughter of your Petitioner) & one child
have been supported solely by him, from the time the said Hol-
com first enlisted. — That your Petitioner having had one Son
three vears in the army, two others five months each, and hav-
ing himself voluntarily turned out at the time of General Bur-
goynes capture, is under the necessity humbly to request your
Honors, that he may be repaid the fifty dollars advanced to the
said Holcom as aforesaid, and may also be permitted to receive
the pay wdiich appears due to said Holcom on the rolls, & your
Petitioner shall ever pray &c
Beni" Sweat.
202
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[230]
\_Petitio?ifor Lottery^ d-c, lySj.']
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
Now Convened at Concord in and for the State of New
Hampshire.
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth that
we being owners of Timber in Merrimack River and Well
Wishers to Good and Wholesome Laws Humbly Pray that
your Honours would make Such Laws as will prevent or put
a Stop to any person or persons Taking Masts Logs or any
other timber (without obtaining leave of the owners) or Al-
tering marks ; which crimes are now become very common,
owing as we conceive to the small penalty affixed to the Laws
now in force against such offenders — We also Pray that your
Honours would Grant a Lottery to Raise a certain Sum of
Money to be laid out on the falls in Said River for the more
easy and Safe Conveyance of Timber Down Said River But in
all matters herein Contained, for your Hon''^ to act as you in
jour Great Wisdom Shall think most condusive for the Public
Good, and we as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray —
Boscawen february 23'' 17S3 —
Joseph Tilden
Jonathan Virgin
Abiel Blanchard
Joseph Atkinson
Simeon Atkinson
Junr.
Isaac Pearson
Isaac Pearson Jr.
Benja Hannaford
David Webster
Jonathan Rollins
David Norris
Nath' Rolfe
Rev'' E. Fletcher
Ephraim Colby
Nath' Green
W" Jack man
Joshua Abbott
Jei'emiah Bo win
Robert Davis
Samuel Cleford
Rich'' Hazn Osgood
Sam' Robie
Thos. vShirla
Sam' Thompson
Samuel Fowler
John Chandler
Caleb Buswell
Nicholas Nicolle
Daniel Gale
Aaron Kinsman
Thos. Stickney
Thomas Cross
Nathan Waite
Joseph Chandler
Henry Moore
Sam' Ham
Joseph Rogers
Thomas Callahan
Jere'' Clough Jr.
Jonathan Stickney
Will"' Walker
John Bowin
John flanders Jr
John Elliot
John Bradley-
Joseph Akinson
W" Chamberlin
Jonathan Eastman
James Vose
Sam' Atkinson
Nath' Rolf Jr.
Isaac Chandler
Benj'' Rolfe
Thomas Shepherd
Jacob Carter
Joseph Gerrish
Reuben Kimball
Jacob Green
David Carr
Daniel Chandler
Joseph Dunlap
Joseph Clough
Obadiah Clough
Isaac Dimond
Thomas Lacy
John morrill
Benj" Noyes
Aaron flanders
Jonathan Hoyt
Samuel Corser
Benj" Emery
James Eaton
Enoch Sawyer
Jesse Johnson
BOSCAWEN. 203
Jere'' Page Eben"' Duston John Hogg
John Neal Moses Kelly Samuel Sanborn
Jon" Alartin Enoch Page John Neele
Jonatlian Stevens Moses Buihank Jr asa heiTick
Nathaniel No^-es Mathew Scales Jonathan Burbank
Humphrey Jackman Henry Gerrish
[R. 109] [_Sa>/iuel Foxvler'' s Petition about Fire-arms^ ^783-'\
To the Honourable the Council And House of Representatives
in General Court Assembled at Concord this 30"* Day of
Dec"" 17S3.—
The petition of Samuel Fowler of Boscawen Humblv vShew-
eth that in march 177^ He entered the service of the State as
a Lieut in Col Beedle's* Regiment — that there were Not a
Suficiency of arms and other Acoutrements at Orford the
place appointed to Receive them your petitioner Received Var-
ble order from Col Beedle and Capt osgood of said Regerment
to purchas the Arms Necessar)' as soon as I arived in Canada
with a promis that I should be paid by the State for the same
at my arival in Canada I purchased Five Guns amounting to
to thirteen pound Four Shillings in the whole which ware De-
livered to the soldiers then Destitute your petitioner has Not
Received aney pay For the Same Sence that time Wherefore
your Petitioner pi-ays your Honours to take the matter under
your w^ise consideration and Grant him the money so paid if
you in your wisdom see fitt and your petitioner as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray
Sam' Fowler
[224]
Boscawen February 21, 1780
This may certify that M'' Nathaniel Clement of Canterbury
served me with a coppie of a petition and order of court there-
on which he preferred to the General Assembly Relative to the
Keeping A Ferry across merrimacke River between Boscawen
and Canterbury.
George Jackman
one of the Selectme'n for Boscawen
[A ferry over Merrimack river was granted to Nathaniel
Clement, of Canterbury, June 19, 1780. — Ed]
• Bedell's.
204
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[235]
^Number of Polls, 1783.']
The Exact Number of male Poles of twenty one years old
and upward paying pole tax in the Town of Boscawen for
April 1783 No. 128
Boscawen Deer. iS, 17S3 —
George Jackman \ vSelectmen
David Corser |- for
Isaac Pearson J Boscawen
[Sworn to before Henry Gerrish, Justice Peace.]
[227] \_Petition for Representation^ 1784.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State in General Court Assembled
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boscawen
Humbly Sheiveth that by there Returns they had not a Suffi-
cient Number of Ratable Poles to Entitle them to A represen-
tative agreeable to the New Constitution and there Situation be-
ing Such as to leave them without being classed with any other
Town — and whereas by the New Constitution Liberty is Grant-
ed To petition the General Court For Relief in Such Cases —
Wherefore your Petitioners pray your Honours To take there
Case under your Wise Consideration and Grant them the liber-
ty of Sending a Representative if you shall think fitt and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray —
Boscawen March 2, 1784.
Henry Gerrish Isaac Pearson
Joseph Gerrish Jr. Moses Burbank Jr,
Joseph Lunt Silas Call
Sam' Fowler
Sam' Ames
Sam' Corser
Joseph Atkinson
Benj" Noyes
Amos Mills
Timothy Call
Daniel Prichard
John Rolfe
Jonath. Corser
David Corser
David Burbank
John Fowler
John Corser
John Atkinson
John Manuel
Mich' Sargent
Daniel Peterson
Benj" Day
Nath' Atkinson
Jacob Flanders
Peter Stevens
George Jackman
Daniel Carter
Peter Coffin
vSimeon Atkinson
Jeremiah Hidden
Eben. Hidden
Humphrey Jackman
John Chandler
Moses Morse Jr
Ones. Flanders
Jonath. Thurston
VVill'" Danford
William Marsh
John Morrill
John Muzzey
Peter Kimball
Sam' Morrel
BOSCAWEX. 205
Ilezekiah Colby thos. Bedel R. Morrill
John Hale William Osborn John Ilsley
Samuel Jackman Sam' Atkinson Thos. Elliot
Eben' Moody John Gerald William Jackman
Wells Burbank Sam' Burbank Daniel Clark
Cutting Xoyes Abraham Sweatt Moses Jackman
Edmund Chadwick Samuel Jackman Joseph Hoit
James Uran Sam Muzzy
[In H. of Rep., March 31, 1784, voted that the prayer of
the foregoing petition be granted, and that a precept be is-
sued accordingly.
A duplicate of the foregoing, dated June i, 1784, was be-
fore the house June loth, upon which the same action was
taken, the senate concurring. — Ed.1
[229] \_Petition of He7iry Gerris/i for a Ferry ^ -^^TS-^
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'''"" the Senate & house of Representatives .in General
Court Convened.
The petition of Henry Gerrish of Boscawen in said State
H7{wbly S/iczveth — That about three years since He purchased
a Farme in the Town of Northfield which was formerly owned
by Jonathan Heath which Farm lyes adjoining Merrimacke
River where there has been a Ferry kept b}- the Said Heath
across said River from Northfield to Salisbury For Nearly
twenty years which has been found very advantageous to the
public and the Inhabitants of said Towns who travel that way
— that your petitioner Since He purchased s'' Farm Has kept a
Ferry at said place and lately has been at Considerable Expense
in Building a New Boat and making Necessary preparations
Sutable For transporting teams or Horses across said River —
Wherefore your Petitioner prays your Excellency & Honours
would grant to Him His heirs & assigns the Exclusive Right of
Keeping a Ferry at said place under such limetations & Re-
strictions as you in your wisdom may think meet — and your
petitioner as in Duty boimd will pray &c
Henry Gerrish
[In H. of Rep., October 22, 1785, petition read, and a
hearing ordered for the next Thursday.
October 28, 1785, the house voted that the petitioner
have leave to bring in a bill.
206 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
"In Senate Feb^ 17*^ 1786,
Read and non-concurred "
The matter came up again in June, 1787, and the grant
was made on the 23d of that month. — Ed.J
[R. no] \_yeremiah Carter a /id Joseph Hoyt^ ^r., orders y
1785-^
Boscawen Feb. ly, i7^5*
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire.
Sir Please to pay the Bearer Nathan Carter what is due ta
me from the State as witness my hand
Joseph Hoit Jun
£5—6—6 Capt Heads Co.
[R. Ill]
[Jeremiah Carter's order is the same, and for the same
amount. — Ed.]
[R. 113] \_Petition of Reuben Aliddleton, iy86.'\
State of New ) To the hon''''' the Senate and House of Rep-
Hampshire j resentatives in General Assembly convened at
Concord on the first Wednesday of June A. D. 1786.
The Petition of Reuben Middleton of Boscawen in the coun-
ty of Hillsborough, humbly shews, that in March 177^ ^^^ ^^~
listed in Captain James Osgood's Company and Col. Beadle's
Regiment for the term of one year and had just performed his
tedious march to Canada, when in May following he was cap-
tured by the Savages and carried, in spite of all his Indeavours.
to escape some hundred Miles into the Desert, the sport of un-
feeling Monsters, whose '' tender Mercies are Cruelty" and thus
confined was your Petitioner for more than two years, when his
bloody Masters sold him to the French in Montreal, where,
with Seven years Servitude he purchased his freedom, and per-
mission to return. And now your Petitioner humbly prays
your Honours would hear his Sufierings, and grant him his pay
for the year for which he inlisted or give order for his obtaining-
it, and also to grant him such pay for the Time in which he
BOSCAWEN. 207
was in Captivitv' as others have received, or such ReHef. and in
such manner as to your Honours may seem meet — and as in du-
ty bound shall ever pray.
Sam' Fowler
In behalf of the Petitioner
[He was allowed ^48 and interest. — Ed.]
[R-II3]
[The next week he presented another petition, over his
own signature, acknowledging "a grant of two years pay
for which your petitioner returns humble thanks," and asks
that he may be allowed at least half pay for the other seven
years he was in captivity. — Ed.]
[R. 115] \_Petitio?t of Peter Roswell Stevens^ addressed to
the Legislature^ Dec.^ Ij86.'\
The Petition of Peter Roswel Stevens of Boscawen in said
State Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioner Inlisted in the Sar-
vice of the united States in the late American War in which
Sarvice he continued faithfully to Sarve his Country for more
than Eight years from his First Inlistment that when the News
of peace was published in the Army your petitioner Suposing
His time was Expired being Inlisted for During the war Inad-
vartuntly left the armey without obtaining a Discharge for want
of which he has Not been able to Draw His bounty Clothing
Rations and such part of His wages as ware then Due — your
Petitioner therefore Humbly Prays your Honours that as he has
faithfully Sarved His Country so long and under Gon so many
Hardships in the Defence thereof that your Honours would be
pleased to take His Case under your wise Consideration and
Give order that He may be Intitled to what he has merited by
so Arduas a Task or other wise Relieve your Petitioner as you
in your wisdom may think meet and your Petitioner as in Duty
bound Shall Pray &c —
Peter Roswell Stevens.
[218] \_PetitionJ'or a new County^ I288.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon''''' Senate and house of Representatives in General
Court convened at Portsmouth Janu"^ A D 1788.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Boscawen in
said State Humblv Sheweth that some time since the said Town
208 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
made Choice of Henry Gerrish and George Jackman Esqr^ to
meet several other persons at the Town of Warner, in pursu-
ance of Circular letters from Robert Wallace Esq. of Hanniker
for Consulting a removal of the Inferior Courts of Common
pleas in the County of Hillsborough as in said letters was men-
tioned, accordingly the above persons met with Instructions
from the Inhabitants of the Town aforesaid to t;se their Influ-
ence to petition the General Couil of this State for a new Coun-
ty but as that could not, at that time be obtained by a Majority
of the persons then assembled — they did Sign a Petition to the
General Court aforesaid praying onlv for a removal of said
Court of Common pleas as in said petition is Expressed, and as
the Granting the prayer of the Said petition will by no means
redress our Grievances in the manner we Could wish, — We
therefore most Humbly pray your honours that a new County
may be Erected and properly Organized, Composed of the
North End of the County of Rockingham Hillsboro and Straf-
ford Or in such other form as to your honours may seem best
and we your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
January 17'^ 17S8
Henry Gerrisli ^ Committee in behalf
George Jackman ,'- of the Inhabitants of
Nath' Green ) the Town of Boscawen
[319] \_Pctitio}i to Jiave tJie West Part inco)-poratcd into a
Town by the name of Bristol^ ^79^ •'\
To the Hon''*'' Senate and House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled.
The subscribers inhabitants f)f the westerly half of the Town
of Boscawen in said state, Humblv beg leave to show That the
Easterly Half of said Town was first Settled, and the Meeting
House built to accommodate that part of the Town only, giving
the westerly part which was then thinly inhabited incourage-
ment for a parish wdien their Numbers were Sufticient, but as
that is not agreable to the Laws of this State, your petitioners
are Exposed to great inconvenience & hardship in attending
public worship Town meetings &c. Especially in the w^inter
season — it being more than five miles from the Meeting House
to the Center of the westerly half of said Town, and that from
the Combination of Ponds Hills Swamps &c. which Lie be-
tween the Easterly & westerly half, v/ill Ever render it incon-
venient to remain in one district, and in our present Situation
can have no redress without the aid of this Court, your peti-
tioners Therefore pray that the westerlv Half of said Town may
be Sett of from the Easterly half & incorporated into a Separate
BOW.
209
Town by the Name of Bristol with the Same privileges as other
Towns in this State, or otherways relieved as your honours in
your wisdom shall see meet & your petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray. —
Boscawen June i, 1791
John Thorla
Samuel Atkinson
Joseph Hills
Moses Coffin
Ben Cass
Nicholas Severance
James Trussell
William Danford
Benj" Austin
Moses Gerrish
Noah Little
Tristram Barnard
Philip Barnard
Thomas Barnard
John Asten
Nathan Stevens
George Stone
William Corser
Enoch Easman
Tho** Easman
Moses Jackman
Benj" Couch
James Little
John Corser
Thos. Thorla
Jon-' Corser
Jedediah Kilburn
Joseph Cass
James Corser
Friend Little
Benj" Little
Joseph Little
Enoch Little Jr
Jesse Little
Nath' Barnard
vSaml. Jackman 3''
Benj" Fisk
John Gerald
Sam' Googin
Stephen Corser
Samuel Beverly
Joseph Little
vSamuel Jackman
John Jackman
Moses Calf
Sam' Morss
Simeon Corser
Dan' Colby
Caleb Knight
Benj" Stickney
Jeremiah Gerrish
Jedediah Danford
Joseph Gerrish
Eldad Austin
Asa Day
Benj" Day
Simeon Jackman
Edward Gerrald
David Carter
Jon" Knight
Samuel Corser
Benj" Severance
David Burbank
Samuel Roby
Benj" Sweat
Thomas Corser
Timothy Easman
James Colbv
Eliphalet Little
Eliphalet Kilburn
Nath' Kilburn
[In H. of Rep., June 9, 1791. Read, and a hearing or-
dered for the second Tuesday of next session. The inhab-
itants of the easterly part, fearing a division, held a meeting
and voted to build a meeting-house in the westerly part, at
the expense of the town, of the same size as the one in the
easterly part, and proceeded to put up the same ; and this
put a stop to the matter of division until i860. — Ed.]
BOW.
This town was granted by Lieut. -Gov. John Wentworth,
with advice of council, May 20, 1727, to Jonathan Wiggin
and many others, including the members of the council and
the governor's friends. It was to contain eighty-one square
15
2IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
miles, and received its name in consequence of the bend in
the river within the hmits of the grant.
This grant was on territory then claimed by Massachu-
setts, and covered lands which had been granted by that
government, and led to a bitter controversy which lasted
many years.
November i, 1759, a part of Bow, Suncook, and "a place
called Buckstreet," were incorporated " by the name of the
Parish of Pembrook." Concord was set off from Bow, and
incorporated June 7, 1765.
By an act passed December 13, 1804, two tracts of land
were severed from Bow, one of which v^^as annexed to Con-
cord and the other to Pembroke ; and June 22, 1815, a por-
tion of the town was annexed to Allenstown, leaving the
town at present about 16,000 acres.
Among the early settlers were Timothy Dix, grandfather
of Gen. John A. Dix, and Col. Aaron Kinsman, an officer in
the Revolution, who owned " Bow Mills " in 1767. He was
a man of little education, but possessed a good amount of
common-sense and integrity. He was at Bunker Hill un-
der Stark, in command of a company of men, one of whom
(John Manuel) was killed, and was a resident of Concord in
1777.
[148] \_yatnes Cochran' s Petition to have a Sale of Land
for Taxes anmilled^ -^759-^
State of New \ To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
Hampshire j Governor & Commander in Chief in and over
his Majesties Prov. of New Hampsh' The Hon"'' His Majes-
ties Council & House of Representatives in Gen' Assembly
now convened. Humbly Shews James Cochran of London-
dery in said Prov'' yeoman That yovn^ Petitioner was Seized in
Fee of a certain Tract of Land in y'' Township of Bow in s*^
Prov*' containing forty acres more or less & is a first Division
or Home Lot (so called) in Bow afores** & is y'' Seventh Lot
in y" Second Range of Lots there & was originally granted &
laid out to one John Leavit late of Stratham in y*" Prov. afores*^
yeoman Deceased & which I ptu'chased of one David Connor
of Bow afores*^ yeoman as may appear by his Deed to me Due-
ly executed & filed to be recorded — That one Francis Carr of
Bow afores'' yeoman frequently apply ed to your Petitioner in y*
Winter last past & proposed to purchase s"^ Lot at Length your
Petitioner consented & agreed to sell him y" same for the sum
of four hundred & thirt>- Pounds old tennor Currencv of v^
BOW. 2 1 1
Prov* aforesaid & should then have executed a Deed accorcHiig-
ly if I'd hud y*^^ above mentioned Deed bv which y'' s'' Lot was
Conveyed to me about me but for want of that & other Reasons
y* s'^ Carr & your Petitioner agreed to defer the Execution of a
Deed for s*^ Lot 'til we should meet again or 'til a more conven-
ient season & your Petitioner thinking that he had fairl}' &
lawfully divested himself of all Right and Title to s'' Land by
y* above mentioned Bargain & that y*^ Property was y*^ s"* Carr's
& at & about y*^ time of s'^ Land's being advertised to be sold
agreeable to a Law of s'^ Province for that Purpose your
Petitioner was out of y*^ Province & necessarily detained to
take care of some valuable Masts which he by Contract was
obliged to procure for his Majesties use. That y*" said Carr
taking y'' advantage of your Petitioners absence & Liattention
as aforesaid attended y* Vendue for sale of y*^ delinquent Pro-
prietors of s*^ Bow their Lands held at Stratham in s'^ Province
in Julv last past agreable to \^ aforesaid Law & finding vour
Petitioner absent & no other person present to represent him, &
y* taxes still unpaid desired that said Lot might be Exposed to
sale & that he would bid for it insinuating at the same time
that he as a Suncook Settler was living upon or improving of
s*^ Lot & that it would be vastly disadvantageous to him if s^
Lot should be sold from him & by these as well other wrong
(not to say false) repres[ent]ations prevailed not only with y®
Collector to set up said Lot but also with y'' Company not to
bid upon him for y^ same and accordingly s*^ Lot was sold at
said Vendue to s** Carr for fifty one Pounds ten shills old Ten""
money of s** Province (which is vastly less than v'' Value there-
of) & a Deed given by Walter Bryant Esq'' Collector duly
executed and filed to be recorded — yet the s*^ Francis Carr
(Notwithstanding his afores*^ Bargain with your Petitioner &
y^ small purchase sum paid y*" s*^ Collector for y^ s"* Lot of Land)
refuses to pay your Petitioner y^ Consideration agreed for as
afores'^ or any Part thereof or to restore him y*^ s'' Lot of
Land tho he offers to reimburse him his expenses on s*
Land but unjustly witholds both — Wherefore your Petitioner
Humbly prays your Excellency & Honours to take his Case
into your Consideration & to order the s** Carr to pay him
the Sum agreed for or to reconvey the s*^ Lot to y' Petitioner
(he reimbursing s^ Carr his Expenses in purchasing said Lot
at s** Vendue) or to order that v" s** Vendue sale may be an-
nulled or otherwise help your Petitioner in such a manner as to
you in your Great Wisdom shall seem best and that he may
have Liberty to bring in a Bill accordingly & your Petitioner
shall as in clut\' bound ever Pray
James Cochran
Portsm" Jan. 4"" 1759
212 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[^49] \^P^i^tion of sundry Citizens about Rates ^ i'j66J\
To His Excellency Banning Wentwortli Esq"" Cap' General
Governor and Commander in Chief In and over His Majesties
Province of New Hampshire to the Honnorable his majesties
Council and House of Representatives for said Province in
General Assembly —
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabatants of the town of
Bow not within Concord Humbly Shexveth that Great Diffi-
culty & hardship hath Arose By our being Rated with old
Arrairgges (in years past) with Concord People and some
Difficulty arises with our being Rated with them now and it hath
ben a Great hendrance to many more Settlements being made
in s*^ Bow — Wherefore your s*^ Petitioners Humble Pray your
Excellency and Honnors to take their Circumstances under
Consideration and Relieve them from Being Rated with Con-
cord any Longer as your Excellency & honnors shall in your
Great Wisdom, and Clemency See fit and your Petitioners as
in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray
James moor Thomas Eatton Elisha Clough
Joseph Rogers Elisha Clough Junr. Edw*^ Russell
James Buswell Francis Carr Thomas Chandler
John Chace Solomon Heath Ephraim Foster
antony mannuell Ed"" Carlton Jolm Robertson
Eliezer Emerson William Parker John Grushe
Will'" Robertson David Merrill Ephraim moor
Samuel Rogers* Joseph Baker Jur. Benjamin Noyes
John Noyes Jr. Samuel Smith Juner
Samuel Alexander Samuel Welch f
In Council July 3, 1766, Read and ordered to be sent down
to the honorable house.
T. Atkinson Jr. Sec^.
[147] \_Select?ne?i's Remonstf-ance to Petition of fohn Noyes ^
1758.-]
Province of | Pursuant to an order of Court made in the
New Hamp'' ) Honorable House of Representatives & Con-
curred by his Majestys Council February y*^ first 1758 upon the
Petition of John Noyes of Bow in Said Province by which or-
der we the Subscribers Select men of the town of Bow afore-
* Samuel Rogers was one of the early settlers of Bow (about 1758) ; was son of James
Rogers of Dunbarton, and brother of Major Robert Rogers of ranger fame ; was a promi-
nent man.
t Samuel Welch was born in Kingston, September i, 1710, and died in Bow, April 5, 1823.
BOW. 213.
said have Liberty Granted us to Shew Cause why the prayer
thereof Should not be granted which^are as follows. first that
a very great majority of Said Noyes his Constituents are Per-
sons that came on there without Right and have Indevered to
with hold the Lands from the Proprietors of Bow the Lawful
owners thereof as appears by many actions that have ben
Brought against them & many more now Depending and as
there is proposals of acomadation made on Both Sides we
Humble Conseive that If they Should be favored with there
Request it would Strengthen them in their Error & weeken
our Just Right & prevent the proposed agreement from being
viguously pursued — Secondly we humbly conseive that If there
was an agreement finished between the tnhabatance & the Pro-
prietors of Bow that they ought not to be so fully Disunited
from the town of Bow & Exempted from Subjection to it as
they ask But that they be a parish in the town of Bow
for we Can not Conseive what end it can answer to make
a township & grant priviledges to a Society to Regulate
them selves according to the Laws of y"' Land when we
Look upon to be an Eragular Society and we are putting
the same Laws in Execution to Dispossess them for these
and many other Reasons that might be offered we humble Beg
the prayer of the Said petition may not be granted — and this
being the Day of our anual meeting the proprietors when Con-
vened talk'd of the affair hearing the petition afore said Read
& Let us know their minds to the same porpose as above
Dated at Stratham, this 6"' Day of april 1758
Abraham Tilton John Dearborn | vSel'
John Stockbridge Joseph Clark j men
[The following is from the town records :]
The Concord Parish having been set of from Bow in 1765
and those living outside not yet acting in the capacity of a
town — a Petition of which the following is an answer was Pre-
sented to Jeremiah Page Esqr of Dunbarton
Province \ In answer to a petition to me Presented by
of > fourteen of the inhabitants of Bow who are
Newhampshire 3 not set of into any Parish ; Humbly Sheweth
that they. Inhabitants of Bow who are not in any Parish Should
he warned to meet at the Dwelling House of William Robert-
son of s*^ Town on Wednesday the eleventh Day of march
next att Ten o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following
affairs — Furthermore all the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of s"' Bow that are not in any Parish are Hereby Notified and
214 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
warned to meet at the Dwelling House of William Robertson
on Wednesday the eleventh Day of March at ten o'clock in the
forenoon then and to act on the following Particulai"s viz :
I**' to choose a moderator to Govern s"* meeting
2'^ to Choose Town Officers if the Town sees Cause
3** to see if the Town will subscribe to build a Meeting
House
4"' to See if the Town will agree on a place to set s'^ house
Dated y*" twenty first Day of February 1767
Jeremiah Page Justice Peace
At said meeting they made choice of Sam'l Rogers for Mod-
erator— William Robertson Town Clerk — Sam' Rogers Ep"^
Moor and .Samuel Welch Selectmen — Francis Carr Constable — •
Edward Russell Elisha Clough & John Robertson Committee
to Examine Selectmens accounts James Moor John Grushee
Edward Carlton Thomas Chandler & Benj'" Noyes Surveyors of
Highway
Voted to build a Meeting House by Subscription
Voted to adjourn s'' Meeting to the i*"' Tuesdavof May next to
meet at the House of Ephraim Foster met and adjovn-ned to
the 1^' Tuesday of July then met and adjourned to the 13* of
s*^ month at which time the aforesaid officers made oath to be
faithful in the discharge of their offices according to law — This
was the first Town meeting of the Inhabitants of Bow a no-
tice of which being served on the Proprietors
At a meeting of the Proprietors of Bow at Stratham on the
first Thursda}' in April 1767 agreeable to Charter we find the
following viz. Whereas it is signified to this meeting under the
hand of William Robertson signing as a Town Clerk for the
Inhabitants of the Town of Bow that s'' Inhabitants Exclusive
of such as are sett of into Parishes have Lately held a Town
meeting Legally called and voted the Persons Hereafter Named
to the following offices in s'' Town of Bow viz.
William Robertson Town Clerk — Sam' Rogers Eph'" Moor
Sam' Welch Selectmen Francis Carr Constable &c and as it
may be Nessecary that s'' Inhabitants should act in Town af-
fairs separate from the Propriety it is therefore by s*^ Proprie-
tors voted that as much as in them Lies thev approve of and
accept of s'' Inhabitants choice of s'' Gentlemen to their Re-
spective Offices aforesaid
Attested by Samuel Lane
Proprietors Clerk
[From this time the inhabitants managed their own af-
fairs, which had been previously controlled by the proprie-
tors who resided in the easterly part of the state, many of
them members of the N. H. government. — Ed.]
BOW. 215
[151] \_Caveai against szvearhi'g E. Russell^ yustice of the
Peacc^ i/yd.^
This Petition Humbly Sheweth, that we the Subscribers In-
habitants of Bow having Received Information that M'' Edward
Russell of this Town is appointed a Justice of the Peace By the
Honorable House of Representatives — Humbly pray your Hon-
ours would Defer Commissioning the s*^ M"^ Russell untill Such
Time as we shall have Opportunity to lay Before this Honour-
able House such Reasons as we think will Be sufficient to Pre-
vent it, and the Town have Opportunity to make Choice of
some other man to Recommend to this Honoui-able House to
be appointed and Commissioned if their Honours should think
Fit
Bow February y^ 3"^ ^77^-
Beniamin Bean Jobi^ Noyes Selectmen of Bow
John Bryant Beniamin Bean | Committee
John Noyes James Moor j of Bow
To the Honourable Commitee appointed to swear into office
the several Justices appointed for the County of Rockingham
[1^2] {^Petition for changing date of Tow 7i- Meetings i/8o.'\
To the Hon''''' the Council and Gentlemen of the Hon'*''' House
of Representatives in General Assembly at Portsmouth con-
vened 24"^ Oct" 17S0.
The humble Petition of John Br3'ant Esq'' on behalf of him-
self and others Freeholders and Inhabitants of Bow in the Coun-
ty of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire. Shcxveth —
That by Charter, the annual Town Meeting in said Bow is ap-
pointed to be held on the first Thursday in April in every year,
which is found to be very inconvenient and too late for the Se-
lectmen to Enter into office, as the Inventory is to be taken in
said Town in that month, — Wherefore your Pef in manner
as afores"^ prays leave to bring in a Bill That in future the said
Town Meeting (instead of said first Thursday of April) may in
each year be held on the first Tuesday of March.
And your Pet' shall ever Pray &c
Jn" Bryant
[The foregoing petition was granted, and an act passed
November 3, 1780, providing that the annual town-meeting
should "be held on the first Tuesday of March annually for
ever hereafter." — Ed.]
2l6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[^53] \_Petition of Inhabitants concerning a Ferry ^ j'/82.~\
State of New Hampshire | A Petition to the Honourable House
Rockingham ss j of Representatives together with
the Hono''*'^^ Council Convened at Concord in this State
Humbly Sheweth — Whereas there is a place on Merrimack
River very Convenient for a Ferry for the Public Between
Dunbarton and Chester Beginning at the Falls on said River
known by the name of Isle a hookset, and to Extend Down said
River as far as shall be tho't proper to Convene said Ferry.
And whereas John Robertson of Bow has a view of having
Lands adjoining said Ferry, where he would give Constant at-
tendance with good Botes for the public good.
Therefore we your Humble petitioners Beseech that your
Honours would take this our Petition under your Mature Con-
sideration, and grant said Ferry to the s*^ John Robertson, for
which great Privilege towards us your Humble Petitioners as in
Duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Dated Bow March y*' 13'^ A. D. 1782.
Reuben Currier
Reuben Currier
David Closh
Ezra Badger
Daniel Carter
Ebenezer Simonds
Elisha Clough Junr
Samuel Smith
Samuel Gault
Bartholomew Hop-
kins
John Do^v
Isaac White
Hazen Osgood
Nathan Noyes
Joseph Rogers
Benj" Bean
woodman Carlton
Joseph Rogers Junr
Jonathan Currier
Elisha Clough
James Busel
Philip Carrigain
Samuel Rogers
John Carter
Joseph Carter
Joseph Carter Junr.
William Currier
Leonard Harriman
Joseph Baker
Francis Mitchell
Jacob Green
Aarin Kinsman
Aaron Noyes
John Noyes
Will'" Robertson
Dunlap Bean
Enoch Noyes
edward Smith
Benjamin Kimball
Timothy Simonds
William Simonds
Thomas perrin
W^illiam Walker
John Robertson
Junr.
John Merrill
Anthony Manuell
John Moores
David Car
Jonathan Sargent
Nathan Waite
James Moor
Ephraim Kingman
Will'" Fifield
Ja Robertson
[The foregoing was in the H. of Rep., March 26, 1782,
and a hearing ordered for the next session. A petition was
presented by Timothy Walker and others, asking that Josh-
ua Abbott might have the grant of a ferry near " Isle a
Hucksett-falls," and on June 19, 1782, a committee was ap-
pointed to consider the two petitions and report whether
BOW. 2 1 7
one or both were necessary. There is no record of any re-
port at that session. An act was passed Februa:ry 23,
1785, granting to James Robertson the right of a ferry over
Merrimack ri\'er anywhere between Moor's brook and "Sow-
cook " river. — Ed.]
[154]
The Number of Polls in Bow from 21 years of age & up-
wards, paying taxes in s** Bow is seventy nine, taken Dec'"' 13"^
1783- " ^
By James Robertson, Select Man Bow
Sworn to before Sam' Daniell Jus' peace
[R. 119] \_Petition of David Carr and others, soldiers.,
addressed to the General Court , February^ iy8^.'\
The petition of David Carr Trader and Williby Colby, Rich-
ard Clough, David Clough, Benjamin Bean, Peter Manuel, John
Dov\^, and Samuel Manuel all of Bow in the county of Rock-
ingham Husbandmen Humbly Sheweth That your petitioners
in July A. D. 1777 were draughted by Captain Bean of Bow
aforesaid to march to Ticondaroga in the Service of this State,
and that vour petitioners at their arrival at Charlestown received
counter orders and returned, being seven days on their march,
and that soon after, the said Cap' Bean died, which has ren-
dered it necessary for your petitioners to apply to this honour-
able Court for their pay for their said Service and their neces-
sary Expenses at that time — * * *
David Carr In behalf of the petitioners —
[In June, 1786, David Carr "of Boscawen " sent in a pe-
tition substantially the same as the foregoing, except that
the name of Moses Noyes is inserted and the name of Ben-
jamin Bean left out. — Ed.]
[R. 116] \_Papers relative to Bcnj. yenness, a Boiv soldier. '\
The Deposition of Jeremiah Abbot of Lawful age Testifies
and says, that he was a soldier in the New Hampshire Line in
the year 1781, and Benj" Jenness was a soldier at the same time,
and to the best of my knowledge the said Jenness was Dis-
charged on or about the middle of December in said vcar.
Jere'' "Abbott.
2l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Sworn to, Pembroke, June 1 1, 1784, before Richard Bart-
lett. Justice of the Peace.]
[R. 117]
Exeter June 28"^ 1784
There is due to Benjamin Jennes a six months man for the
town of Bowe in the year 17S1 Eight pounds one shiUing- and
four pence. — J Gihnan
[R. 118]
Bow august I* 1 781 for vahxe Rec'd to the Paymaster for the
Six montlis men Please to Pay to the Selectnien of Bow my
wedges for the Six montlis Servis & I remain your Very Hum-
ble Servant
Moly Brown
Hur his
Sally X Hukker [ ?] Benj^ X Jennes
mark mark
Bow June y^ 24"* 1784.
Sir Please to pay the contents of the within order to the Bear-
er & you will oblidge yours
James Robertson ] Selectmen
Enoch Noyes j Bow
£155] \_BenJamiu Noyes conco'uitig a Ferry ^ j'/gi.~\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in general court convened.
Humbly Shews Benjamin Noyes of Bow in the County of
Rockingham gentleman, that he has kept a ferry in said Bow
on merrimack river near the mouth of suncook river ever since
the year 1764, in all which time he has endeavored to give
constant & satisfactory attendance, which he conceives has been
greatly for the benefit of the people of this vState ; and likewise
thinks that a continuance of said feiTy will be of general utility.
And as your petitioner from long occupancy hath acquired as
he humbly supposes a natural right to the privilege of owning
and keeping said ferry, he humbly prays your honors 10 grant
him his heirs and assigns a right to said ferry exclusively and
as in duty bound will ever pray
Benj'' Noyes
Concord Jan^' 11, 1791.
[In H. of Rep., January 11, the foregoing was read and
BRADFORD. 219
referred to a committee, who reported favorably, and an act
was passed February 14, 1791, granting said Noyes the ex-
clusive right of a ferry over Merrimack river in any place
within one mile either above or below the mouth of Sun-
cook river. — Ed.]
BRADFORD.
The township was granted to John Peirce and George
Jaffrey, and the first settlement was made by William Pres-
bury in 1771 ; three years later several families from Brad-
ford, Mass., settled here, and called the town New Brad-
ford.
In answer to a petition of the inhabitants the town was
incorporated September 27, 1787, and given its present
name. The act included New Bradford, Washington Gore,
and a portion of the town of Washington, and provided that
it should be annexed to Hillsborough county. By an act
approved December 6, 1796, a tract of land was severed
from Fishersfield (now Newbury), and annexed to this
town, and another June 22, 1859.
[R. 120] \_TJionias Perry ^ soldier from Bradford^ i'/84.'\
To the Treasury of the State of New hampshire
Pleas to Essue all my son Thomas Perry Wagers that is Due
or ma Be Cum Due Ebenezer Perry or order it Being
for value Received by me as witnes my hand
obcdiah Perry
Bradford January the 2 17S4
[Benjamin Thurston certified that Obediah Perry had a
son " Thomas Parrey, who went into the army of the State
& who is said to be dead." — Ed.]
[156] \_PetltloN for ail Act of hicorporatlon^ Ij8j.'\
State of Newhanipshirc i To tlie Senate and House of Rep-
Hillsborough ss. ^ resentatives of Said vState to be Con-
May y'' 30"' 1787. ) vened the firstVVedncsdayof June next.
220 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your Honours petitioners most Humbly Sheweth Being In-
habitants of Said State in the Township of New bradford so
called Labouring under many and great Inconveniencies for
w^ant of Being Incorporated into a Town we your Honours
Humble petitioners Earnestly Desire that Said Township of
New bradford togeather with a part of the Town of Washing-
ton and a part of Washington Goar So Called be Incorporated
into a Town by the name of Bradford with all the priviledges and
Immunities of a Town and be annexed to the County of Hills-
borough, Containing all the Lands within the following Bounds
(Viz) Beginning at a Beach tree on Hillsborough Line thence
running north eighty two Degrees East on Hillsborough Line
Six miles and eighty four Rods to a Hemlock tree thence the
same point of Compass to the south west corner of warner
thence north seventeen Degrees west by said warner four miles
and two hundred and thirty one Rods to Sutton south Line
thence westerly by said Sutton Line to fishersfield East Line
Sixty Rods from Said Sutton south west corner Being a white
oak tree marked thence by fishersfield Line to a Beach tree
marked Being the north east corner of Washington Goar thence
north seventy eight Degrees west three miles three hundred and
ten Rods to a Small Beach marked on fishersfield Line thence
South two degrees west two miles one Hundred an fifty Rods
to a Black ash tree marked thence South twenty seven Degrees
East two miles and one Hundred Rods to the Beach first men-
tioned and in granting these our Desires your Honours will
much oblige your Honours Humble petitioners and we as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &c
Eben' Eaton James Presbury W™ Clements
Eben'' Colby John Brown Daniel Eaton
Daniel Cresey Abram Smith John Stanley
Joseph Presbury Neh"" How Isaac Davis
Stephen Ward Peter How Joshua Andrews
Nathaniel Presbury Nathaniel Presbury Abnar Ward
Jr Enoch Hoyt Moses Bailey
May y^ 30* 1787.
We the subscribers being Inhabitants of that part of Wash-
ington Included in the within petition Desire the prayer thereof
may be granted
Samuel Crane Uzziel Bachelder Simeon Hildrith
Martin Bi-ockway Asa Brockway,
[In H. of Rep., June 19, 1787, the foregoing" petition was
read, and a hearing ordered for the next session ; and on
BRADFORD. 221
the 27th day of September, 1787, the town of Bradford was
duly incorporated. — Ed.]
[15S] \^Lme of Town defined. '\
State of New Hampshire.
In the House of Representatives Feb'' 12* 17SS.
Whereas by an act to incorporate a Township in the County
of Hillsborough, by the Name of Bradford passed the twenty-
seventh day of September Anno Domini seventeen hundred &
eightv-seven, there appears to have been a mistake in describ-
ing the bounds thereof; for Remedy whereof Resolved that the
following shall be considered as part of the bounds of said
Township — Viz beginning at a beach Tree at Hillsborough
line thence running north eighty two Degrees East on the said
line six miles & eighty four Rods to a Hemlock Tree & from
thence Rumiing by Henniker Line, the same course to the south
w^est corner of Warner, anything in the aforesaid act of Incor-
poration to the contrary notwithstanding
Sent up for Concurrence
Tho* Bartlett, Speaker
In Senate the same day read & concurred
J. Pearson Sec^
[157] \ Petition for Authority to raise JMoney to build Poads.^
To the Hon. .Seanate and House of Representatives in Jeneral
Court Conveaned at Concord on the first weadnesdav of June
178S
The Petticion of the in Habitants of Bradford in the State of
New Hampsh. and County of Hillsborough Hu7nbiy SJieweth
that they being but fue in Number that thare Roads are ex-
treamely bad not with Standing thay have Dun much Labor on
them tharefore the Prair of your Pettioners is that you would
grant us Liberty to tax all the Land in Bradford one Pennv Per
acre for the Space of three years which monev Shall be Laid
out for the purpose of Repairing and making Roads in Brad-
ford and we as in Dutv Shall ever Pray
Bradford June the 2, 17SS
Eben"^ Eaton | Select men
Enoch Hoyt j for Bradford
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
January 20, 1789. — Ed.]
222 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[163]
in Annual Metting, Bradtord March 10"^ 17S9.
Voted Samuel Crane moderator to regulate this meeting
Voted Eben'^ Eaton Town Clerk
Voted Eben"" Eaton i Select man for the Present year
Voted Isaac Davis 2 Select man for the Present year
Voted Simeon Hildrith 3 Select man for the Present year
Voted John Brown Tithing man
Voted Peter How Tithing man for the present year
a true coppy Attest
Isaac Davis ] Select men
Simeon Hildrith \ for Bradford
[160] \^Petition for Appointment of a fust ice of the Peace^
To His Excellency and Honnourable Council
As a majority of the in Habitants of this Town Petitioned
the last year to your Honours for a Justis of the pease & we
find that it was Not granted we Pray your Honours to grant
that petetion for w^e find great Nead of a Justis as well as other
Towns Notwithstanding we ar Small But we Donot see the
harm that it Can Do But be to our Benefit in general as a town
and to the pease and good order of the town and in so Doing
you will oblige them that are In Duty Bound to Serve
T T-» • 1 Select men
Isaac Davis [ ^
Simeon Hildrith ( n jr j
J Bradford
Bradford June y^ 6 17S9 —
[159] \_Inhabita71ts' Petition fo7' fustice of the Peace^ iy8g.~\
State of New Hampshire ^ To His Excellency the President
Hillsborough ss. V and Councill of Said State your Pe-
December 16"' 1789 ) tioners Hnmblv Sheiveth Being In-
habitants of Said State in the Town of Bradford Being Desire-
ous of Peace and good order Earnestly Desire that Ebenezer
Eaton of Said Bradford may be appointed a Justice of the Peace
in s** Town and Desire that this may be Annexed to a Petition
Presented to your Honors in June 1788 and we as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever Pray &c.
Neh*" Howe Samuel Cheney Jacob Blanchard
Abraham T. Sweatt moses Baley
Jacob Abbott William Brown
[Ebenezer Eaton was appointed January 12, 1790. — Ed.]
BRENTWOOD. 223
BRENTWOOD
Was set off from Exeter, and constituted a parish by the
name of Brintwood, June 26, 1742. It was, however, not
entirely separated from Exeter in town matters, as they
were to "remain with Exeter as to choice of representatives
till further order of this Court," and by act of November 30,
1742. the selectmen of Exeter and Brentwood were to join
"in making their province rates until otherways ordered by
this Court."
Under date May 26th, 1744, "Andrew Gillman, Nicho.
Dudley & Humphrey Willson" petitioned in behalf of the
inhabitants of Brentwood for an act of incorporation, and in
council, October i, following, it was voted to advise the gov-
ernor to grant the same, but I fail to find any record of the
grant of incorporation.
The west part of the town was incorporated into a parish
by the name of Poplin (now Fremont), June 22, 1764.
[162] [^List of Rates ^ ^74J-'\
The within is a List of the Rates of those that have Petition-
ed the Gen'*" Court to Pole to a house in the Parish of Brint-
wood to settel a minister there by them selves. Whither they
be able is to be Determined or whither Somthing Else is not
Desired Which may Prove fatal
The Whole Sum money Raised in the Parish of Brintwood this
s d
year 1743 as it is sit Down in the Cons'''*' warrant £187-8-10
The widow maryDudleyo- i -6 Stephen Leavit 2- 4- 7
Jeremiah Bean i- 7-19 Samu" Edgerley 1-17- 3
Jo.shua Bean 0-18- 4 mathy Bean 0-1-6
Caleb Brown o~i3~ ^ Jonathan Qiiimby i- i- 9
Edward Colcord 2- =;- i Daniel Qiiimby 0-14- 8
Sam"^' Dudley Jr 1-18- 8 Samu" Smith i- 1-6
Nicholas Dudley 3-10- 3 Halev Stevens i- 5- 6
nicholas Dudley Jur i-i i- 6 Edwd thing 0-15- o
John Dudlev 3- 7- 3 Jonatlian thing i- 5-1 1
Sarah (Gordon Wd 1-0-8 Josiah thing 3- 4- 3
Jeremiah (jillman i- 3- 3 Daniell wormall i- i-ii
Andrew Gillman 2-12- i Humphrey wilson 3-14- 6
224 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benj" Gillman 0-14- 6 Jonathan wadleigh 1-5-
0-0-0
Jonathan Gihnan o~i3~ 6 thomas flanders
John George i- S-ii timothy Leavit 3- 5- 7
Antipas Gihiian i- S- 6 John Holon 0-13- ^
Joseph hoite i- 2- 6 John Leavit i- 8- 6
Dailey Kelly i- 5- 6 John Morgan i- i- 4
Sum total =£51-3-7 thirteen shillings Six Pence on the hund.
[i6r]
Province of New Hamp' Nov' 30* 1743.
We the subscribers haveing reconsidered the affair of Brent-
wood, & think it will be Best, & make most for Peace, for them
to be made two Parrishes according to the within request only
allowing the Eight Persons hereafter named to Pole of to the
South Part (viz') Jonathan Cram Jon'' Robinson Jonathan Ta-
ler Nath'^ Prescot Jer : Rowe Dan" Tilton John James John
Mudget if they desire it, wh'='^ the Parties when we were there
seemed to Consent to — & that the South Part may have Liberty
to come to this House for four years on free Cost if they are not
otherwise Provided for before
Eleazer Russell } ^
TV4- , T 1 r Committee
Mark Langdon j
The remonstrants desire they may be set oft' as follows (viz')
Beginning where Brentwood lower line Strikes the river then
to run up the River to the little falls next above Pickpocket
mill then on a Strait line to the head of David Robinsons land
then on a Strait line to Deer hill mill Pond then on a Parralel
line w"* Kingstowni line to the Extent of Exeter town bound.
[For petition, and other documents relating to this mat-
ter, see Town Papers, vol. 9, p. yy. — Ed.]
[R. I3i] \_PetitioH of John Waldron Smithy soldier^ ^757-\
Province of ) To the Honourable The Generall Court
New Hampshire j or assembly of the Province aforesaid This
Humbly Sheweth That I the Subscriber your Petitioner was a
Soldier in Cap' Isaac Smiths Company in Col Miserves Ridge-
ment of Troops that went in y" Expedition against Crown Point
in y" year 17561 & I went to fort Edward and there was Taken
Sick & Returned Down To y'^ half moon In a Waggon & there
Laid Sick Three weaks & Senceless in which Time my Gun
BRENTWOOD. 275
was Stolen from me : & from thence was Carried To y* flats in
a Battoo & there Laid Sick three months att y^ Point of Death
in which tim my Brother obediah Came up to see if he Could
Gett me home If I was alive But I was so Bad I could not
Come for which I paid him fifty five pounds old Tenor & now
I humbly Beg of your Honours To Take my Grate Deficuelty
& Cost Under your Wise Consideration and in vour Grate Wis-
dom and wonted Goodness alow me Something for these Exter-
oadanery Expences as you Shall See fitt In Which If your
Honours Compley as your Petitioner Releys & Confides in your
fidility you will Exceedingly oblige your Humble Servant
Dated at Brintwood Novb"" y'^ 22*^ 1757
John Waldron Smith
N. B. my humble Request and fervent Charity for you
Gentlemen is that you will alow me for my Gun & longer pay
for my Time — N. B. after a long & Tedious sickness & Grate
Expenc I Came Home January y*" 19* i757- —
[The foregoing was sworn to before Benjamin Veasey. In
H. of Rep., May 26th, 1758, voted that the treasurer pay
said Smith nine pounds, and allow him for the gun. Council
concurred, and the governor consented to it. — Ed.]
[R. 122] Abstract of Jonathan Pulcifer's Petition^ iyj8.'\
[In a petition dated Brentwood, December 18, 1758, Jon-
athan Pulcifer states that his son Jonathan was a soldier in
Capt. Somersby Oilman's company, was taken sick near
Sheffield, on his return from Lake George, and there died.
He asks for an allowance to pay expenses of said sickness,
&c., and is allowed fifty-four shillings sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 123] \_Petition of fosiah Bean, soldier, 1758, addressed
to the Governor and Assembly in due forTn.'\
The Petition of Josiah Bean of Brentwood in said Province
Laborer.
Most Humbly Siiewetii, That your Petitioner was a Soul-
dier in the Canada Expedition in the year 1757^ I'^ the Service
of this Province under the Command of Capt. Richard Emery,
and as such Proceeded to Fort William Henry, where after the
16
226
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
seige he was Taken and made Prisoner by the Indians & car-
ryed to Canada where he remained about the space of four
months and was from thence Transported to Several parts of
France & from thence to Plymoutli In England where he took
Passage to Newfound Land & from thence to New York where
he arrived the Tenth day of November last and Got home about
the thirteenth of the same month.
That the Indians who took him prisoner Stripped him of
Sundry Cloaths Viz : Two Jackets, Two Shirts, Two pair of
Stockins, a pair of Buckskin Breeches & one hatt, Napsack and
Gun — That your Petitioner in the time of his Captivity had the
Small Pox in Canada & the Fever In France which was both
Grievous & Expensive to him — and During his Captivity had
hard fare and 111 Treatment from the Enemy. —
[He asks for an allowance of such an amount as the as-
sembly shall see fit to grant him. The matter was under
consideration March 14, 1759, and said Bean was granted
£>T^, new tenor. — Ed.]
[R- 137]
A List of the men belonging to the People called Quakers
living within the limits of the companys of Capt. John Dudley
and Capt. James Robinson as Returned to me by the said Cap-
tains or the Clerks of their Companys in April 1759-
In Capt. Robinson's Company, effective men
Stephen Dudley
James Bean Junr.
Thomas Gordon
Junr.
Joseph Judkins
John Kenniston
Ithiel Smith
James Dudley
Jon* Glidden
Efiective men in Capt. Dudleys company
Will"' Bean Joshua Bean Will'" Chase
Province of New Hampshire, Exeter Oct'' 6"' 1761.
Examined per Sam' Gilman CoP of fourth Redgment of foot
in Said Province
Jon® Beady
Jeremiah Glidden
Benj* Scribner
Dan' Gordon
Moses Magoon
Joseph Kenniston
Jacob Smith Junr.
Non Effectives
James Bean
James Young
Enoch Bean
Dan' Stevens
Dan' West
Job Kenniston
Josepli Dudley
John Scribner
Thomas Gordon
Dan' Ladd
BRENTWOOD. 227
[R. 13S]
To the honourabel Cort this is to Sigenyfv that these men has
Don thair Equel proportion In going in the Serves — Jeames
Dudley one turn Joseph Judkins two turn in the Servis Daniel
Gorden one turn Job Kinesons Son has bin out two years in the
Searves under him Joseph Kineson to years for himself in the
Scarves — and also Benj" Scribner has paid as a foin £16, —
Jacob Smith has paid £16 Daniel West £16.
Brintwood November 3*^ 1761 — Jeames Robinson Capt.
[R. 139]
An account of the sum or sums of money paid by ye friends
at Brentwood, and how many years servise has Been Done by
them — Daniel West 16 £ Jacob Smith 16 £ Benj"' Scribner 16 £
James Dudley one years servise — Jeremiah Glidden one months
servise a scouting — Daniel Gorden one vears servise — Job Ken-
niston two years servise and Lost a gun in the Capitulation prize
thirty seven pounds ten shillings — Joseph Dudley had a servent
out one year — Joseph Kenniston two years Servise — John Ken-
niston one years servise Joseph Judkins two years servise —
Daniel Stevens one years servise — Joshua Bean had a son one
year in y* ranging servise
[R. 124] \_Daniel Moody s Petition^ 1760, soldier^ addressed
to the Governor and Assembly. '\
[In a petition dated Brentwood, January 23, 1760, Daniel
Moodey, laborer, states that he enlisted with Capt. Jonathan
Blunt, of Chester, for the Canada expedition, was taken sick
before they marched, and was left behind ; that on his re-
covery he applied to Capt. Blunt and to Capt. James Rob-
inson to be sent to the army ; had held himself in readiness
to go at any time, but had received no order to do so ;
wants an allowance to pay his doctor's bill, which he says
he is too poor to pay himself. He further says, — " N. B.
your petitioner has been in The service two Campaigns be-
fore and stands Reddy to go again." — Ed.]
[R. 125] ^Widow Bridget Clifford's Petit io7i., 1^62^ ad-
dressed to the Governor and Assembly. '\
[In a petition dated Brentwood, March 19, 1762, Bridget
228 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Clifford states that her son, Nathan Smith, enlisted "when
about twenty years old under Capt. Jacob Tilton ye last
Summer and went to Crown Point with said Tilton ;" was
taken sick and left behind "when the company was re-
leased," in care of her grandson Jonathan Judkins, who
finally came home, leaving Smith at Albany without means
to return. She asks for assistance to get him home. Peti-
tion " ordered to lay."
(R. 132) Nathan Smith got home July 3, 1762, and the
next January asked the assembly to give him an order for
his pay up to July, which was granted February 4, 1763.
—Ed.]
[R. 136] \_Petition of jfob Kenniston, Quaker ^ addressed to
the Governor and Assembly^ June /j, 1^62 r\
Humbly Shew^eth Job Kenniston of Brintwood in said prov-
ince— That the Selectmen of said Brintwood for the year 1760,
Taxed this petitioner & his Two sons John Kenniston & Joseph
Kenniston towards the Warr Rate So Called which was then
assessed (by an act of the General Assembly) on the people
Called Qiiakers, By means whereof this Petitioner is greatly ag-
grieved, For that in his opinion he has done (by his said sons)
his and their full share of Duty in supporting & carrying on the
Warr, his said son John having been two years in the waiT at
Oswego & his said son Joseph having been four years in the
Kings service under the pay of this province, in which time he
was Robbed by the Indians of his Cloaths & of a Valuable gun
& was held a prisoner by them untill Redeemed by the French
General. —
[He asks relief from paying the said tax. The selectmen
were notified of a hearing, which occurred December 8,
1763, at which the assembly voted to grant the petition.
—Ed.]
[R. 127] \_Petition of Selectmen concerning Sjnall-Pox^ 17^2^
addressed to the Govet'nor and Assetnbly .'\
The Humble Petition of the Select Men of the Parish of
Brentwood in said Province, In behalf of said Parish Humbly
Shows.
That Joseph Moody of said Brentwood was bound in his
majesties Servis in the year 1760 under the Command of Gen-
eral Amherst & in Col. Gofls Rigiment in which Servis said
BRENTWOOD. 229
Moody took the Infection of the Small Pox which he secreatly
brought home to his family where he was taken sick and died
of the same, which sickness & Burials in his family Cost our
Parish Six hundred & five Pounds old tenor Besides his Leav-
ing a poor family of Children with the Small Pox which he
brought to them & Leaving them naked and nothing for their
Suport which Cost a considerable sum to our Parish to get
them under care and nursing — and his Seecreatly bringing the
Infection in amongst us notwithstanding our diligent care &
Pains to Prevent its spreading has so far spread that it has gone
through three Poor Families besides said Moodys and also sev-
eral other Poor Persons which have not wherewith to pay the
Cost the s*^ Parish are obliged to bare the same which amounts
to the sum of abought nineteen hundred Pounds old Tenor —
and also several other famelies have ben at Great Cost In there
famelies by said sickness In which 17 of our Parisheners dyed
— and otherwise our Parish has Greatly Suffered & ben at Great
Charge by our ways being Shut up & our being obliged to
agree with People to Let their fields Lay open for y*" Public
Passing & by our Mills & Iron Mill being shut up &c — Where-
fore Inasmuch as these things Came upon them by the means
of a Soldier In the Comon defence they humbly Pray that they
may be heard on the Premises & allowed an oppertunetv of
makeing their Case more fully known and a proper Remedy
applied and the}- shall as in Duty bound Ever Pray
James Robinson James Bean ] Select Men
Daniel Beede Hawley Marshall j of Brentwood
[They presented the following bills, which they asked the
province to pay, — all charged " old tenor money : "
Daniel Beede JC22..17..6. Nathaniel Whittier £30. .14. .6
Widow M'^Clenen 100.. 5.. — - Joseph Bean 124,. — ..-
Jonathan Smith 95.. — .. — fames Merrill 228.. 0..6
I will copy Merrill's bill entire, that the people of this
generation may know what was considered necessary to
carry a family through an attack of small-pox one hundred
and twenty years ago. As it seems that two of the family
died under the treatment, I do not wish to be understood as
recommending its adoption. — Ed.]
1761, Dec. 6. D' The Parish of Brentwood to James Merrill
for Sundrys provided & expended for the Family of Joseph
Moody late of said Brentwood deceased a Soldier who brought
the Small Pox into said Parish
230 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Rum & Sugar at svmdry times
" building a house to remove said Family
" refuse bords 800 ftt. Joist for s** house 900 ftt.
" myself 3 Days in fencing up said house
" Bord nails 8.. 16 To Rum 50/
" Expense on the house 50/ To refuse bords 9.12.0 i3.
" a Coffin 40/ Sugar 13/ To 13 "" Beef <® 6/-3.12/ 6.
" Rum 40/ to bord Nails & turneps 8/6 3.
" Pork Beef Sugar butter Coffee Bread Meal &c 9. 7.
" Bread Rum Sugar Beef & Pork 11. i.
' ' Pork 1 1 >^ '" 5£ Sugar 34/ Rum 4£ Rum & But' 33/11. 6.
" Rum ^£ Sugar 24/ Rum 30/ Do. 40/ 8. 4.
" Potatoes Turnips & pork 3. 17.
" Beef 43/6 To Cheese for the nurses 16/6 3. -.
" Butter 1=^/ Coffee 16/6 Rum ^£ Sug' 34/ 6. 15.
" Tobacco"" Beef Pork Meal & Coffee 13. 11.
" Coffee Sug'' & Butter 23/ Rum ^£ 5- 3-
" Rum Sug'' & fish 68/ hailing wood 4.10 7.18.
" a Porringer & 3 Coffee Cups 30/ i. o.
" M'' Jeremiah Beans Expense in attendance 4. 5.
" Rum 40/ To cheese for the nurses 43/6 4. 3.
" Attendance on said Moodys Family 40 Days 50. -.
Old Tenor 338. o. 6
[The accounts were sworn to before Benjamin Veasey.
In H. of Rep., January 27, 1763, Voted, That the prayer
of the petition be granted, and that the amount of the sev-
eral accounts presented, amounting to twenty-three pounds,
nineteen shillings, and eight pence sterling be paid to the
selectmen of Brentwood out of the money for paying off the
troops. The council concurred, and the governor consented
to it. — Ed.]
[167] \^^iiake7-s' Petition about Rates ^ jy6g.'\
Province of | To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'
New Hampshire j Governor in chief and over said Province,
The Hon'''" the Council, And House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened 30* March 1769.
The Humble Petition of Joshua Bean and William Bean
both of Brentwood in said Province, Yeomen, Sheweth; That
your Petitioners now are and for a long time have been of the
People called Qltakers. In the year 1757 the said Joshua give
a Considerable Bounty to a man to inlist in the Provincial Ser-
BRENTWOOD. 23 1
vice in the War against the common Enemy ; and the very next
year following a son of the said Joshua then a Minor about
seventeen years of Age inlisted and went in the said Service,
and continued therein for the Space of thirteen months. In
his return home, said Son was taken and Continued Sick for a
long time, by means whereof the said Joshua was at great Cost
in defraying the Expences of his Said Sons Sickness ; in cloath-
ing him (who returned almost naked) and in hiring other Per-
sons to perform the service and labor which his said son might
have done, during his Absence.
That the other of your Petitioners now is and for thirty years
has been a Cripple by Reason of a very bad wound which he
then received in his back — that a son of the said William in or
about the year 1758 was impressed into the war, who was then
obliged to give a very considerable Sum of money to procure
another Man to serve in his stead — Notwithstanding, the Select
Men of said Brentwood well knew all the Premises, they have
assessed and rated your Petitioners towards the Expenses
of last War, as much or more than would have been their pro-
portion, if your Petitioners had not done or contributed any
thing in Manner above mentioned.
All which Rates and Assessments your Petitioners esteem
grievous inequitable and oppressive.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that they may be
Exonerated, discharged and exempted from the Payment of
said Rates and Assessments in such Manner and by such Means
as you shall think most expedient, and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Joshua Bean William Bean
[164]
Brintwood Apriel the 30 1769
This is to Aquaint the honnourable house of Representatives
the year when this Rate was Raised which was in the year 1760
A Tax Laid on the People Called quakers Called a war Rate
which i give hear a coppe of under my hand
Jeremiah Rowe
Joshua Been 62 : 13 : 6
Wiliam Been 84 : 13 : 6
147: 7:0
[165]
thes fu lins Is to vSertfv thee Jenrll Cort that Abner Bean
Paid me an hundred Pound old tcner for goen Into the War for
him as witnes my hand
Darby Kelly
232 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[166]
Brintwood apriel iS*** 1769 We y^ Subscribers Being De-
sired by Joshua Been to signify to y'^ general Court that we are
fully Sadsfyed that he Has Been his prepotion in y^ Late war
his Son Being in the Kings Sarves in y*^ year 1758 and that we
think it unreasonable for him to pay this rate laid on him
Aaron Rawlings David Sanborn Jeremiah Sanborn
John Sanborn Timothy Gorden William Graves
Province of ] In the House of Representatives Apr' 19*
New Hamp"" j 1769. The Parties being fully heard on this Pe-
tition and it appearing Reasonable that the Petitioners Should be
Relieved from paying the tax mentioned in the Petition Voted
and Resolved That they be Each of them Discharged from
Paying their Respective part of said assessment Namely the
said Joshua Bean the Sum of 62-13-6 old Ten"' And the said
William Bean the Sum of 84-13-6 old Ten'' The whole Equal
to Seven Pounds Seven Shillings four Pence one farthing Law-
full Money and the Treasurer of said Province is hereby au-
thorized to Charge the Province with said Sum in his next
acco' as so much Received of Outstanding Debts.
M. Weare CI'
In Council 29* April 1769
Read and Concurred
Consented to
T. Akinson Jun. Sec^.
J. Wentworth
[168] \_^uakers' Petition about Rates^ iy6g.'\
Province of \ To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq""
New Hampshire j Governor in Chief in and over said Prov-
ince. The Hon'''" the Council and the House of Representa-
tives in general Assembly convened February 21''' A. D. 1769.
The Humbly Petition of John Scribner of Poplin in said
Province Yeoman in behalf of himself and Jacob Sfuith of
said Poplin^ Da7ziel West, and yeremiah Glidden both of
Deerjield in said Province yeomen (all being of the People
called QiTAKERs) Sheivs, That they apprehend they have been
rated illegally and inequitably relating to the Tax towards rais-
ing Men to serve his Majesty in the last War.
Your Petitioner humbly conceive that the Act by which the
Men were levied was never designed to tax any of the People
called Quakers who were always ready to contribute towards
the Public Expense, By Sending their Sons, Servants or by
BRENTWOOD. 233
paying their fines if unwilling or unable to Serve in person or
sending other person in their Stead. That the above named
Glidden and West were imprest to serve in the last War who
were obliged to pay a fine for not serving, and that your Peti-
tioner was then a Miller, which he understood exempted from
other public Duty of that kind. And your Petif then offered
to pay his part or Proportion towards Sending Some other Per-
son but was then informed by ya77ies Robinson who was then
Captain, of Brentwood, that your Petitioner was not liable to
pay any thing. But afterwards the Select Men of Brentwood^
in said Province Assessed and rated your Petitioner and
the others in behalf of whom he petitions, towards the Charges
of the then Expedition and your Petitioner and the above
named Qiiakers daily are threatened to be distressed for the
Payment of the said Tax
Wherefore your Petitioner in behalf of himself and others
above mentioned humbly prays that they may be exonerated
And discharged from the Payment of the whole or such Part
of said Tax, as you in your great Wisdom shall think most
proper and expedient And your Petiti'' as in Duty bound shall
ever pray &c
John Scribner
February 23'' 1769.
[In H. of Rep., February 24, 1769, a hearing was ordered
for the next session, of which the selectmen of Brentwood
were to have due notice. Council concurred. — Ed.]
In the House of Rep., Ap' 19"' 1769.
The petitioners and Selectmen of Brentwood being heard on
this Petition and it appearing Reasonable that the Petitioners
should be Discharged from the tax assessed on them bv the act
mentioned in the Petition. Voted and Resolved that they
be Each of them Discharged from Paying their Respective
assessments to said tax Namely the Said John Scribner the
Sum of 55-6-0 the said Jacob Smith the Sum of 35-14-3 the
said Daniel West the Sum of 23-0-10 and the said Jeremiah
Glidden the Sum of 44-18-9 all Old Ten"" the whole Equal to
Seven Pound Nineteen Shillings Lawful Money And the Treas-
urer of this Province is hereby authorized to charge the Prov-
ince with said Sum in his next acco' as so much Received of
Outstanding Debts.
M. Weare Cl^
In Council 29"' April 1769. Read and Concurred
T. Atkinson Jun. Sec'
Consented to J. Wentworth
234 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 140] \_Petition of Selectmen about Soldier^ iyy6.'\
[In a petition dated November 28, 1776, Ebenezer Col-
cord, James Robinson, and Jedediah Robinson, Selectmen of
Brentwood, state that "in July Last one John M'^Goon (son
of John M*^Goon late of Raymond Deceased) a soldier in
the Northern Army, and not an inhabitant of said Brent-
wood, did come into s'* Parish & was taken sick of small
pox," and that they were at an expense of ;£ 7-1 3-0 in his
case, which they ask the state to pay. — Ed.]
[R. 142]
Brintwood the 6"^ Feb^ 1782.
Received of W"" Morrill Esq eight shillings L. My. it Being
For Corn he let my wife have towards her support while I was
in the army, s*^ Sume I order to be allowed s'^ Morrill Esq or
his order out of my wages from the Treasurer
William Cutler —
[Said Cutler also orders six shillings and sixpence to be
paid to Dr. Thomas How Ranney. — Ed.]
[R. 144]
Brintwood December y^ 9'^ 1782.
then Rec*^ of the Select men of s** Brintwood seven pound
one shilling Lawfull money on my husbands wagers William
Cutler Now a Continental solger in y" armey I say Rec*^ by me
Betty Cutler
[R. H3]
Brentwood December y** 30"' 1782.
Then Rec*^ of the town of s*^ Brentwood twelve pounds of
my wagers for the Support of my family for y* year past to
this Date I say Rec*^ by me as witness my hand
Abel Morrill
[169] \_yafnes Beanos Petition to be Released from yailJ\
State of New- ") To the hon'''^ The Council and House of
Hampshire v Representatives in General Assembly con-
Rockingham ss. ) vened at Exeter Nov. 1779
TJie Petition of James Bean of Brintwood in the said Coun-
BRENTWOOD. 23$
ty, htunbly shezveih. That your Petitioner has for Thirty years
past been a public teacher of the Gospel of God our Saviour
among the Sect of Christians called Quakers — That he himself
is a Qiiaker in principle and by profession, and has in the
course of his labours preached to more than twenty different
Societies of the same principles, notwithstanding which he was
by the Constable of said Brentwood, cast into Prison at Exeter
for taxes while all public preachers of other persuasions are ever
exempted —
He therefore prays that your honors would take his case into
your consideration — and order him to be liberated from his
said confinement — and as in duty bound he will ever pray —
Exeter — Prison y'' lo"" November A. D. 1779.
Sherburne Sleeper
in behalf of s** Bean —
[In H. of Rep., November 12, 1779, i^ ^^^^ ordered that
the petitioner be brought before the house for examination ;
council concurred.
In H. of Rep., November 12, P. M., the petition of James
Bean being read and considered, voted that it be dismissed.
—Ed.]
[170] \_Select?fzeft about furnishing Soldiers^ ^779 •'\
To the Hon^'^ Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire.
The petition of The Select Men of Brentwood (at y^ Desire
of their Constituents) humbly sheweth That the people of
Brentwood did Seasonably and at great Expence provide their
proportion of Continental Soldiers, and now a further requisi-
tion is made for Eight men more in order as it is said, to fill up
the Batallions which is said to be Brentvvoods proportion of
Six hundred men, which appears to us to be greater than that
was proportioned to us before, for our proportion of the Three
Regiments was but Twenty Six, and now Eight are required as
our proportion of Six hundred, and further more the people
want to be satisfied in this, whether the new levies are to
fill up the Regiments who lost men by y'' Sword or Sickness,
or whether it is thro y" defect of Some of y* Towns who
have not provided their j^roportion of men, if the latter, we
think it very hard to be an Equal proportion in filling up the
regiments with those who heretofore had not done their propor-
tion. Therefore we think That ever}' Town Should furnish
236 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
their first proportion of men, and then what is wanting to com-
pleat the whole to be proportioned among all y" Towns. This
Seems to be y*^ mind of our Constituents, and what they will
willingly submit to. Thus w^e have signified to you the minds
of y" people when assembled together, and pray you to take
these things into your wise consideration and to grant us y' re-
lief y' you in your wisdom Shall Think belongs to us and your
petitioners as in Duty bovmd shall ever pray
Juney^ 25* 1779.
Robert Rowe Levi Morrill ") Select Men
Joseph Johnson Samuel thing > of
Thomas Gorden ) Brentwood
[I fail to find any action of the legislature on the above
matter. — Ed.]
[171] ^Number of Ratable Polls, 1783. ']
Agreeable to Directions to us sent From the Hon'''* the Gen-
eral Assembly of this State wee have taken the Number of Male
Poles From 21 years of age and upwards Paying Taxes which
is 196
Brintwood the 8"" of Decemb'' 17S3
Tho'* Stow Ranney ") Select Men
Levi Morrill V of
Rich"^ York Jun"' ) Brentwood
Sworn to before William Morrill Justice Peice
[R. 146] \_Daniel Philbrook's Order. '\
Brentwood Nov. 26* 1784.
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
Sir — Please to pay Jn" Nichols or order all that is due to me
I having been a Soldier in the 3*^ New Hampshire Regiment.
Value Rec'' Witness my hand
Attest
Susannah philbrick Danil philbrock
[172] ^^Proceedings in To%V7i- Meeting about Paper JMofiey,
1786.-]
At a Legal Town Meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants
of Brentwood this 20"* day of Nov'" 1786.
BRENTWOOD. 2.37
i'» Voted Sam*' Dudley Esq'' Moderator
2^1? Put to vote to see if the Meeting will have paper Money
upon any Plan and Twenty six votes for it and thirteen against
it—
^diy Put to vote to see if the Meeting will accept the plan
Sent to this Town [see Atkinson papers] by the General Court
for paper money, as it now stands, and past in the Negative by
Twenty Six votes —
^thiy Voted to Chuse a Committee of five men to make such
Alterations and amendments upon Said Plan as they think
Necessary —
^thiy Voted Capt James Robinson Sam" Shaw Deacon Levi
Morrill Sam" Dudley Esq'' Ens. Tho" Gorden to be a Commit-
tee, to Revise the Said plan for paper money, and make such
amendments thereon as to them appears Necessary, and make
report thereof to this meeting at their next adjournment —
gthiy Voted to adjourn this Meeting to the present place to
Wednesday, the ap"' of this present Novemb. at Two o Clock in
the afternoon —
Met according to adjournment, to Receive the report of the
Committee — which is as follows that in their opinion there
ought to be the following amendment upon said plan (Viz)
that the said paper monev Shall be a lawful tender so far as to
satisfv Judgment upon all executions.
ythfy p^^t to vote to see if the meeting will approve of the
above amendment Recommended by the Committee to be made
in Said Plan, and there appeared Eighteen for, and Two against
it — the Meeting Dissolved —
a True Coppy attest
Thos. Stow Ranney T. Clerk
[For the action of the legislature upon this matter, see
Atkinson papers. — Ed.]
[173] \_CertiJicate of Nails made^ i/Qi.']
State of New Hampshire \
Rockingham ss. j Brintwood March 5"" 1791-
We the subscribers, being the major part of the Selectmen of
Brintwood, do hereby certify that Levi Morrill of said Town
has bona fide made, or caused to be made in his work shop
within this State one hundred thousand of Ten penny Wrought
nails since the 7"^ day of February 1789 —
Tosiah Hook ) o 1 .
\\r- w T^ u r Selectmen
Wmthrop Dudley j
Attest Thos. Stow Ranney Just" Paies
238 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
March 18, 1 791. Received an order on the Treasurer for
five pounds —
Levi Morrill
[The foregoing was for a bounty offered by the legis-
lature.— Ed.]
BRIDGE WATER.
This town was part of New Chester (now Hill), until it
was set off, February 12, 1788, and incorporated by the fol-
lowing bounds : " Beginning at the mouth of Newfound
River (so called) thence running by the southerly Bank of
said river to Newfound pond thence by the easterly shore
of said pond to Plymouth line thence by said line to Pemi-
gewasset River thence down said river to the bounds first
mentioned including all the Islands in said river against
said tract."
Thomas Crawford settled on that portion now included
in the town in 1766; Jonathan Crawford and others soon
after.
By an act approved June 24, 1819, the southerly part of
the town was severed, united with the northerly part of
New Chester, and erected into a town by the name of Bris-
tol.
[174] [^Petition of Selectmen abotit Represetztative^ jygS.']
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire ; to be convened at Concord on the third
Wednesday of November A. D. i79S-
Your Petitioners Humbly Shew, that the District of New-
Chester, Bridgwater, Alexandria, and Danbury Contains about
three Hundred Legal Voters, and that the Distance from the
uper part of Bridgwater to Danbury is about twent}' miles
which makes it extreamly inconvenient for the freemen to at-
tend Election Meetings, they therefore Pray your Honors to Di-
vide the said District into two Representative Districts, or grant
them such relief as you in your wisdom shall think fit ; and as
BRIDGEWATER. 239
in Duty bound will ever Pray. Signed for and in behalf of the
Town.
Nov' 13, 179S.
Thomas Crawford ^ Selectmen
Daniel Morse > of
John Harriman J Bridgwater
[175] \^Petition of Inhabitants Relative to the Same.'\
State of New Hampshire | To the Honorable the general
Grafton ss. j Court of our Said State
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Towns of Bridgwater,
New Chester, Alexandria & Danbury, Sheweth^ that whereas,
Said Towns, At Present Contain a Sufficient Number of Inhab-
itants, to Send two Representatives to the General Court of our
Said State. — Therefore we pray your Honors would Divide
Said District for said purpose and class Bridgwater, & Alexan-
dria together, & New Chester & Danbury, and your petitioners
as in Duty Bound will ever pray
Nov-" 19* 1798.
Theophilus Sanborn Selectman of New Chester
Stephen Gale Selectman
Joshua Talford william martin Jonah Tirel
Moses Lewis Moses Sleeper Eben' Kelly
Christopher Bartlet Alexander Craig Peter Ingalls
Benjamin Kidder Nathan Sleeper
Peter Ladd Eliphalet Gale
[The result of the foregoing petitions was the passage of
a resolution, December 24, 1798, classing Bridgewater and
Alexandria, and New Chester (Hill) and Danbury. — Ed.]
[177] \_Pet it ion of Daniel Burl ey for Charter for a Ferry. '\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''" the Senate And House of Representatives in
General Court Convened June 5"" 1799.
Humbly Shews Daniel Burley of Bridgwater in the County of
Grafton that he and the publick labour under Great Inconven-
iences by Reason of not having any Bridg or Ferry over Pema-
gawassett River between the Towns of Bridgwater and New
Hampton and the local situation of said Towns renders it almost
240 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
impossible to Cross said River with horses unless they are Swim-
ed by the side of Conoes. —
Therefore your Petitioner humbly prays your Hon" to grant
him the previledge of keeping a Ferry a Cross said River near
pine hill in Bridgwater This place in s*^ River being within a
Grant of a Bridg CalP Bridgwater & New Hampton Bridge
your Petitioner further prays that he may have the grant of a
Ferry only till such times as said Bridge is built and in no way
to Infringe the Grant of said Bridge for which Favour Granted
as in duty Bound shall ever pray
Daniel Burley
[176]
May y^ 30, 1799.
This Certifies that we the Subscribers are proprietors of a
Grant of a Bridge Call*^ Bridgwater and New Hampton Bridge
and that we are Intirely willing that Daniel Burley of Bridg-
water should have a Grant of a Ferry within the Grant of the
Bridge till thei^e is a Bridge Built so as not to Infringe the
Grant of the Bridge
all Concerned
Daniel Kelly
Benj" Colby
[The foregoing petition was granted December nth,
1799.— Ed.]
BROOKLINE.
The most of the territory included in this town was a
portion of the Dunstable grant of 1673. The town was
incorporated by the name of Raby, March 30, 1769. It in-
cluded the westerly part of Hollis and the "mile slip," so call-
ed, and Samuel Farley was appointed to call the first meet-
ing of the inhabitants. A portion of the town of Hollis
was annexed to this town by an act passed February 17,
1786. In 1798 the town voted to have the name changed to
" Brooklyne," and the legislature made the desired altera-
tion by an act passed December i of that year.
The "mile slip" referred to was a strip of land lying be-
tween the westerly line of old Dunstable and the township of
Mason, the grant of the latter town being made by the Ma-
sonian proprietors, October i, 1749.
BROOKLINE. 24I
[17S] \_CertiJicate of Meti etilisied, jy'/6.'\
Rab}* July 18, 1776
Pursuant to orders from the Hon'''^ Nathaniel Folsom Es-
quire Maj"" Gen^ to me directed to raise Six men in the Compa-
ny under my Command to march and Reinforce the army un-
der General Sullivan In Consequence of said Order I have
Raised & Caused to muster & march in to said service five
Men. Exclusive of one belonging to the Town of Raby who
had Inlisted into said service & passed Muster.
Robert Sever Capt.
To the Hon'*''' Committee of safety
for the Colony of New Hampshire
[179] ^Icmorial to JMassacJiusetts Legislature about Sol-
diers^ iy'j8.'\
State of Massachusetts Bay : To the Hon*''" Council & the
Hon'''*' House of Representatives in General Court Assembled
The Petition of Robert Server & Alex"' Macintosh in behalf of
the Select men & Town officers of Raby In the State of New
Hampshier Hitmbly Shexvs — That in the month of Jany. y®
Last past that Benj : patten of Said Raby in the State of N.
Hampshire aforesaid did inlist himself a soldier & mustered by
James Barrett Esq muster master for the County of Middlesex
as appears upon said muster masters Returns now lodged in the
Secretarys Office of this State.
that in the month of February 17"^ Day Last past that Benj.
Osgood of said Raby In the State of N. hampshier aforesaid
Did inlist himself a Soldier & was mustered by James Barrett
Esq. — muster master For the County of middlesex as appears
upon Said muster masters Returns Now Lodged in the vSecre-
tary office of the State y'^ Petitioners therefore humbly Request
this Hon"^'*^ Court Would Direct Some Suitable person to Re-
ceive of your Petitioners this State Bounty & Likewise the
Continental Bounty if this Court Shall think fit so that said
Patten & said Osgood may Be Returned as Continental Sol-
diers for said Raby In said State of New Hampshier. — And
your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever pray &c —
Raby march 3, 177S.
Robert Server Capt.
Alex'' Mac Intosh
Benj. Patten is Listed into Capt. Maxwells Companv in Co'
Bailey Regement.
* Now Brookline.
17
242 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The foregoing petitioners were given leave to with-
draw.— Ed.]
[iSo] [_]\femo?'lal concerning- Osgood and Patten. ~\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the Senate & Housed: of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire.
The Petition of the Select men of the Town of Raby /lufn-
bly Shews — That Benj" Osgood & Benj'' Patten two privates be-
longing to the ti'ain band in the said Town of Raby in the
year A. D. 1777 inlist into the Service of Massachusetts in the
Continental Army for three years or during war which men
were claimed by the town & were returned by the commanding
officer of s'' Train band in favour of said Town and applied to
the General Court of the Massachusetts for an order whereby
your petitioner might have relief, but upon the principal that
by a general resolve they had made Sufficient provision already
for relief ordered the petition to be withdrawn, as may appear
by the certificat accompanying this petition, whereas the Town
of Raby have been fined for a delinquency of said two men
when they supposed they had fully complied with the requisi-
sions laid upon them Seems to your petitioners not founded in
Justice your petitioners therefore humbly pray your honors to
take their case under your wise consideration and remit the
fine layed on the Town or grant such relief as you in your
wisdom may see fit.
And your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray.
Swallow Tucker") o 1 ,
-r> , ^ o f Select men
Robert Sever v r t:> i
Daniel Tyler j «^ ^^^>^
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This may Certify that in April 177S the Town of Raby pre-
sented a petition to the General Court to pass an order whereby
the said Town of Raby might have the advantage of two men
inlisted into the Massachusetts forces, (Viz) Benj" Osgood &
Benj'' Patten the Court committed the petition to a Committee
who reported that as there was a general resolve of the then
State of Massachusetts which fully took up the matter, that the
petitioners have leave to withdraw their petition
James Locke Chairman of said Committee
This may Certify Benj'' Patten & Benj" Osgood both of Raby
in the County of Hillsb(M-ough & State of New Hampshire
BROOKLINE. 243
were & are the proper Inhabitants of the said Town of Raby
& belonging to my Company as private soldiers & belong to
the Regiment whereof Moses Nichols Esq"" is Colonel who have
lately enlisted into the Continental service as pri-
vates in the same for the space of three years or during the
present w^ar (Viz) the s*^ Benj" Osgood vmder Lieut Jonas Par-
ker of Acton under the command of Capt. Ballard in Col" Al-
dens Regt. and the said Benj" Patten in Capt. Maxwells Com-
pany Col" Bayleys Regt. both in the State of the Massachusetts
Bay by means vv'hereof we ai'e or possibly may be deprived of
two men which we ought not to be bv the resolves of the State
with regard to inlistments in this case made & provided
Raby May 5* 1777
To Col" Moses Nichols
A True Coppy attest Robert Sever Capt.
This may certify that the hire of Benj'' Osgood was paid —
and the hire of Benj'' Patten was tendered.
Raby May 31, 17S4.
Swallow Tucker ) Select
Robert Sever ( Men
[iSi] [^Afemorz'al about Taxes ^ iy8j.'\
To the Honorable the Counsel and Hous of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire —
The petishon of the town of Raby Humbly Sheweth that as
the Constable for s"^ town for the year 1782 having solde his
farme and moved out of town and has not Collected more than
one half the taxes Cometed to him and we vour petishoners
have sense the Removal of s** Constable chosen and agreed
with Mr. Clark Brown to collect the Remand' of s*^ taxes, but
cannot finde any Law of this State which we think enables s*^
Colector to colect the same becos the Constabel Did not move
out of town til the year was Expired for which he was Chosen.
We your petitioners theirfore humbly pray that their may be an
act or resolve past to an able s'' Colector to Colect s** taxes or
grant us Relief in Such other way as you in your wisdom may
think best — as in Duty bound We Ever pray in behalf of the
town of Raby
Waldron Stone | Select
Randel M'^Danels j men
Raby June 10, 17S3
[In answer to the above a resolve was passed, June 20,
1783, authorizing Clark Brown to collect the taxes. — Ed.]
244 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R- H7]
To the Honb'" y® General Assembly of y^ State of New
Hampshire — The Petition of William Spaulding Hutnbly
Sheweth — That he was wounded in the battle at Bunker-hill
by which he hath lost the use of his right hand — that he is on
y® roll for half pay — that he hath lived in Raby in s*^ State up-
ward of twelve years — that the loss of his hand & his poll
Taxes & a large family to maintain hath much reduced him —
and that he was chosen by s*^ Town of Raby a Constable for y'^
year 1782 — and beg'd to be excused but was not released — that
his own Taxes with some small Debts which he ow'd have
brought him into such surcomstances that he in the arear the
sum of £25 — 7 — 3 — 3 to the state Tres"' and that he hath one
state note of £20, & one order of £12 from y'' president both
of them herein which is all he hath to pay with that he is
about to remove to Norrigwalk in on Kenebeck river — There-
fore he prays your Honours to except of the only means he
hath to satisfie y** Tres"' & Grant that y*' Tres" may be Directed
to receive so much of s'^ note & order as you in your great wis-
dom & Justice to my necessities shall se fit & as in Duty bound
shall prav
Will™ Spalding
April 17S4.
[The foregoing request was granted by the legislature,
April 16, 1784. — Ed.]
[1S7] \_Mef)ioriaI asking for part of Hollis to be a7inexed to
Raby.']
To the Town of Hollis
the Petition of the Town of Raby humbly sheweth that we
your Petitioners have for a Considerable Nomber of years La-
bored under maney Disadvantages by Reson of the Town be-
ing So Small which we belong to and we so fue in Nomber that
we are not able to Settel a minister nor to hier preaching but a
Small part of the year. Nor to carre on town affairs without
great cost and as their is a part of the inhabitants of the wester-
ly part of Hollis that have a Desire to be Set of to the town of
Raby which we Sopose mite be very advantagous to us your
petitions and those that Desire to be set of and not a great
Damage to the town of Hollis We therefore beg you to take
our Case into your wise consideration and if you can see fit that
you would give your Consent that a part of the Westerly part
of Hollis be set of to Raby — (Viz) begining at the Sandey
bank So Call'^ on Nissitiset River and from thence a North pint
BROOKLINE. 245
acrost Hollis to amherst Line — which Line we think would Di-
vid the towns of Hollis and Raby much more to the advantage
of the whol then wheir the Line now is —
Jan 18 — 17S4.
Robert Sever ~\ in behalf of
Swallow Tucker > the town
James Campbell j of Raby
[iSS] \^Petitio)i for A)inexatio)i of Part of Hollis.^
State of New Hampshire.
To Honourable the Senate and house of Representatives of
Said State in General Court assembled at Portsmouth in said
State June ly^S-
The petition of Swallow Tucker Robert Sever and James
Campbell Committee in behalf of the Town Raby — hufnbly
Shews —
That the Town of Raby is of Small extent N. & South con-
sisting of about four and a half miles in lenth and E. & W. two
milds 59^^ in bredth and much of the land unfit for cultivation
and more unfit for settlement and consequently thinly inhabited
and unable to Settle or Support the Gospel or necessary schools
for the instruction of youth (so necessary in Society) and other
Town charges, and such is the unhappy Scituation of y'' Town
that should we be anexed to other Town our difficulties would
not be remided. the inhabitants are So Sensible of the import-
ance of the education of youth that they can by no means rest
easy to have their children brought up in Savage ignorance un-
fit members for Scociety either in Church or State — that the
Town of Hollis is a large Town both in quantity of land and
Number of inhabitants & can well spare a part to build up the
Town of Rabv. the Town of Rabv have repeatedly applied to
the Town of Hollis to vote oft' to the Town of Raby some part
of said Town which they refuse to doe, the Town of Raby
therefore find themsehx's constrained to apply to your honors
as to our civil fathers humbly praving vour honors to take their
difficult case under your wise consideration & set oft' from the
Town of Hollis and annex to the Town of Raby the following
tract of land with the inhabitants consisting of nine families
(Viz) beginning at the great Sand bank (so called) and run-
ning parralell with east line of the town of Raby untill it comes
opposite to Northeasterl)^ corner of the s** Town of Raby thence
to said Northeasterly corner, in width about three Qiiarters of a
mile that the inhabitants Settled on said tract of land are desir-
ous to be Sett oft' to the Town of Raby (one excepted), we beg
246 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
leave further to represent to your honors that nature seemed to
design the abovesaid tract of land for the Town of Raby as the
proposed line will run thro, a tract of poor land unfitt for culti-
vation and the Town of Raby at their incorporation had reason
to expect some further help from the town of Hollis — these rea-
sons (w^ith many more which may be given if oppertunity
therefor) \ve submit to the wise consideration of this honorable
Court — praying your honors to grant us relief and your peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Swallow Tvicker James Campbell Robert Sever
[A plan of Hollis and Raby, showing the proposed alter-
ation, and a plan of Raby, accompanied this petition. They
are papers Nos. 183 and 184, Town Papers, vol. i, collection
of 1880, in office of secretary of state. The latter locates
the houses of the residents on the land, which they ask to
have annexed to Raby, with the names of the residents, as
follows : Senters House, James M^Danels, Purkins, Eze-
kiel Proctor. John Cummings, Mr. Farley, Phin* Bennet,
Joshua Smith, Joshua Smith Jr. Also the following as liv-
ing in Raby on the side next to Hollis : Jonas Shead, R.
M*^Danels, Capt. Sever, Widdow Dickey, R. Cutts Shannon
Esq'', James Dickey, Greg, Thos. Asten.
In H. of Rep., June 9, 1785, the foregoing petition was
read, and a hearing ordered for the next session ; senate
concurred same day.
February 17th, 1786, an act passed annexing a part of
Hollis to Raby. — Ed.]
[189] \_ReIafive to locating- a Meeting-Hot<se^ 1788. "]
At a Leagal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Raby
holden on the 14"' of April Last Past the Town Voted to Peti-
tion the General Court for a Committee to Perfix a Place for us
to set our meeting hou.se
A True Coppv
Raby May 30; 1788. Randel M-^Donald T Clark
[190] \^Petitio/i for tJie Appoi)itmcnt of a Committee to lo-
cate the Meeting- House J\
To the Hon''''' the Senate and house of Representatives for the
State of New Plampshire.
The Petition of the Subscribers Select men of the Town of
BROOKLINE. 24/
Raby in the County of Hillsborough in said State, Humbly
shews That the Inhabitants of said Town have voted to build
a meeting house in said Town, but cannot Exactly agree on
any particular spot of Ground to set it upon, and have agreed
to petition your honours to send a Committee to find a Suitable
place for that purpose. Your petitioners Therefore humbly
pray your honours to Interpose and Grant us such a Committee
as your honours in your Great wisdom shall think fit and they
as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Raby May 39''' 1788. James Campbell
Sampson Farnsworth, selectmen of Raby
Randel McDonald
[This petition was granted June 7, 1788, and Timothy
Farrer, Abial Abbott, and John Goss were appointed a
committee to locate the meeting-house, the town to pay the
expenses incurred. — Ed.]
|]i92] \_Rc.lative to Chatiging the Nanic to Brookline^ i'/g8.~\
Att a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Raby
held on this Day, Voted to have the Town of Raby changed
from said Raby and Called by the name of Brooklyne
Mav 30* 1 798
test R. ATDonald T. Clerk
We order Benj" Farley to Draw a petition to the General
Court for the within purpose and to sine our names as select-
men to the same
R. M'^Donald James MTntosh
[And Benjamin obeyed orders by presenting the follow-
ing : — Ed.]
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon''''' the Senate and House of Representatives for
said State Convened at Hopkintown.
Humblv Shezvs — The Subscribers Select men for the Town
of Raby that it is the earnest desire of tiie Inhabitants of said
Town that the Name thereof mav be changed as by their vote
in Town meeting mav appear — We therefore pray your Honors
to pass an Act whereby said Town of Raby may take and hold
248 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Name of Brookline in future — and as in duty bound shall
pray.
Hopkintown June 11'^ 1798-
Randel M<=Donald ~\ select
Benja. Farley > men
James M'^Intosh ) of Raby
[The foregoing was granted by an act approved Decem-
ber 4, 1798. — Ed.]
CAMPTON.
This town was granted October 9, 1761, to Christopher
Holmes and sixty-three others. By the terms of the grant
Mr. Holmes was appointed moderator of the first meeting.
The conditions of the grant not being fulfilled, the town
was re-granted January 5, 1767. When the surveyors went
up to lay out this and some other towns in the vicinity,
they built a camp, and from that circumstance the town de-
rives its name.
A family by the name of Taylor, and one by the name of
Fox, commenced the settlement of the town in 1765.
The first meeting of the inhabitants was held December
16, 1771.
A dispute having arisen relative to the boundaries of the
towns of Campton, Rumney, Warren, Wentworth, Plymouth,
Piermont, and Orford, a committee was appointed by the
legislature, October 27, 1780, to settle the matter, their re-
port to be conclusive. (For report see Appendix.)
The town was annexed to Grafton county September 14,
1782.
By an act approved June 27, i860, a tract of land was
severed from Campton, and annexed to Plymouth.
Campton and Plymouth were connected by telephone in
1881.
[3-31] ^^Petitioii for Arms and Ammunition.~\
To the honourable General Court of the Colony of New Hamp-
shire The Petition of the town of Campton in the Colony
aforesaid humbly sheweth,
That whereas by a reverse of fortune (we have it from good
CAMPTON. 249
authority) that Canady is in possession of the enemy so far as
S' Johns ; — That being a frontier town we are in danger of be-
ing attacked by the Canadians ; —
That our deficiency in arms & amunition is such that renders
us unable in case of an attack to make any resistance ; — there
being 2^ stands of arms wanting for the number of inhabitants
able to bear them ; — & with regard to amunition theie is none
worth mentioning.
These are therefore humbly to pray your honors in this exi-
gence of affairs to furnish us with 25 stands of arms ; — So
pounds of powder ; — 320 pounds of lead ; — & 200 flints from the
Colony store & we will be accountable for the same. —
Signed by order & in behalf of
Dated at Campton Town of Campton
June 27, 1776 By us
Samuel Cook ] Select
Jonathan Cone | Men
P. S. please to deliyer the above articles to Capt. Benj"
Hickcox & Lieu' Tho** Bartlet or either of them taking their
Receipts for the same
Samual Cook | Select
Jonathan Cone j Men
[2-32] \_Petiiion to be Annexed to the County of Grafton^
about l'/82.'\
State of New |
hampshire j To the Honourable Councill and house of
Representatiyes for said State. The Petition of the Subscrib-
ers being inhabitants of the town of Campton in the County of
Strafford humbly sheweth that the said town of Campton joins
to the town of Plymouth in the County of Grafton where one
Sup'' Court & two Inferior Courts & two Courts of Gen^ Ses-
sions of the peace are annually to be held. And that they are
situated about sixty miles from Doyer where the Courts are
held for the County of Strafford. — Wherefore they pray the
said town of Campton may be annexed to the aforesaid County
of Grafton. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall eyer
pray
August 24"' 1 78 2.
Jonah Chapman Darius Willey Joseph Palmer
Samuel Holmes oli\er Taylor Samuel Cook Jur.
William Page Abel Wifley Edward TayloV
Samuel Cook J^'i'i Clark William Baker
Jonathan Cone Moses Baker JSelden Church
250 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Bartlet John Hohnes John Southmayd
Jesse willey Elias Cheney Nath^ Tupper
Gershom Burbank Joseph Pahner Jur. Isaac Fox Junr
[The petition was granted by an act passed September
14, 1782. — Ed.]
fR. 148] [ Ca?npton Soldiers' Orders^ iy84.~\
Sir Please to pay what is due for my son John Hohiies
Wages & arrearages for service in the Continental Army to
Maj"" Moses Baker of Campton, & you will oblige your humble
Serv'
John Holmes
Campton Ocf 6^^ 1784.
The hon'''" John T. Oilman Esq'' Treasurer.
[Samuel Holmes and John Southmayd, selectmen of
Campton, certify that John Holmes is heir to said John
Holmes, who was in Capt. Stone's Co., Scammel's Reg't,
and died in the service. — Ed.]
[R. 149] [Edward Marsh ordered what was due to his
son, Christopher Marsh, to be paid to Moses Baker. Said
Christopher was in the same company and regiment, and
also died in the service. (R. 150.) Isaac Fox ordered what
was due to Joel Fox to be paid to said Baker. Said Joel
was in same company and regiment, and also died in the
service. — Ed.]
[R. 151] {^Abstract of Petition of Joseph Hofnans.']
[Joseph Homans, of Campton, in a petition dated No-
vember 28, 1789, states that " on the 15'*^ day of April 1781
he inlisted himself a Soldier for three years for one of the
Quota of the Town of Kingston, and served in the first N.
H. Regiment until the 20*'* of December 1783, then your
Petitioner received a Discharge ; " states that he was lame
in his ankle, which grew worse, until March, 1788, he ap-
plied to Daniel Peterson, of Boscawen, surgeon, and was un-
der his care until November, when he had his leg ampu-
tated. He asks to have some notes, which he received for
CAMPTON. 2t;i
his pay, cashed, and a further allowance of such sum as the
legislature deem right.
In H. of Rep., December 31, 17.S9, a grant of ;^i8 was
voted to be paid from the specie tax ; senate concurred. —
Ed.]
[2-33] IReturn of Ratable Polls, 1785.']
Campton 17"' October 1785
To all whom it may Concern, This may Certify that there
is Sixty Ratable Polls in the Town of Campton Twenty one
years of age & upwards
attest Jabez Church Town Clerk
[2-34.] \_C0ncer71ing Electio}i of Representative.']
State of New | To the Hon''''^ Senate and House of Repre-
Hampshire j sentatives in Gen' Court convened — The peti-
tion of Campton, Thornton and New Holderness humbly
Sheweth that your petitioners are subjected to great difficulty and
inconvenience by being connected with Lincoln and Franconia
for the purpose of chusing a Representative, as there is no road
by which a Notification for a meeting of the district can be
transmitted to them short of sixty or sevent}- miles travel — and
if we cross the woods it is not less than 30 or 40 — And your
petitioners would further shew that they have a sufficient num-
ber of legal voters to entitle them to the choice of a Representa-
tive without the addition of Lincoln and Franconia — and that
the said Lincoln and Franconia can be better accommodated
in the district of Gunthwaite Bath and others — Therefore your
petitioners humbly request that the said Lincoln and Franconia
may be set off from the district of your petitioners and annexed
to some other district as in duty bound will prav —
Noah Worcester for the Petitioners
Concord Oct. 31 1785
[2-35] [^Petition for Authority to tax Non-reside)it Lands
for repairing Roads.]
State of New Hampshire ) To the Hon'''* the General Court
Grafton ss. j of the State of New Hampshire
The Petition of John Southmayd, Abel Willey and Edmund
March Select men of Campton in said Countv,
humbly sheweth
252 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that there are a number of rapid streams in said Camptoa
which require expensive bridges. —
That by reason of great floods, the town of Campton has
sustained considerable losses in the distruction of bridges, and
by a necessary removal of the roads to a greater distance from
the rivers which runs through the town. —
That this has necessitated the assessment of very heavy taxes
on the Polls & other rateable estate, merely to make the roads
passable, — and that it is still necessary that there should be
considerable more expended in order to make the roads in said
Campton in any measure convenient for passing. —
We therefore pray your Honors to take our case under your
consideration & if it may consist with your wisdom grant us per-
mission to assess all the unimproved lands which are laid out in
said Campton, one penny per acre yearly for two years to be
expended in making & repairing roads in said town —
And we shall as in duty bound ever pray &c
Campton January 14* 1791 —
John Southmayd ~) Select
Abel Willey >- men of
Edmund Marsh J Campton
[Granted by an act passed June 16, ijgi. — Ed.]
[2-36] \^Extracts frotn Toxvn Records.^
At a Meeting legally warned and held in Campton on the 16*
Day of December 1771 Agreable to Notification from Moses
Little Esq"" for Calling the first Town Meeting in said town
James Harvell was Chosen Selectman —
By a warrant for Calling a Town Meeting Dated the Eleventh
day of March 1772
Signed James Harvell Selectman —
At an annual meeting held in Campton on Tuesday the Sev-
ententh day of March 1772 Voted James Harvell Selectman
Extracts from the Records of the Town of Campton
attest John Southmayd T. Clerk
CANAAN. 253
CANAAN.
This town was granted July 9, 1761, to Thomas Giistin
and sixty-one others, most of whom were from Connecticut,
and the town took its name from Canaan in that state.
John Scofield was its first settler, in the winter of 1^66- 6j ;
George and Joshua Harris, Thomas Miner, and Samuel
Meacham settled soon after. The charter of the town,
which had been forfeited, was extended in February, 1769.
March 28, 178 1, a committee, consisting of Jeremiah Page,
Henry Gerrish, and William Chamberlin, was appointed to
settle the boundaries of the town, in answer to a petition of
George Harris, as agent for the proprietors. (See Acts,
1 78 1, p. 220.) The report of that committee was made
valid by an act approved June 18, 1802. By an act approved
July 2, 1846, a tract of land called Dame's Gore was an-
nexed to the town ; and by an act approved July 4, 1851, a
tract called " State's Gore," or " Gates's Gore," was annexed.
Jonathan Duston, who died here, July 4, 18 12, at the age of
93, was grandson of the celebrated Hannah Duston.
[2-37] \_Petition of George Harris for ne'v Grant of the
ToxvH.^
Province of ] To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" ;
New Hamp j Captain General & Commander in Chief in and
over his Majestys Province of New Hampshire and Vice Ad-
miral of the same in Council —
The Petition of George Harris of Norwich in the Colony of
Connecticut Husbandinan in behalf of Himself and the other
Grantees of the Township of Canaan, vnito vour Excellency &
the Hon'''*" Council humbly shews —
That y"" Petitioner and his associates have expended large
sums in bringing forward the settlement of said Township,
which (on ace" of the many Obstructions & DifKcult\s they
have met with for vv^ant of necessary Roads and Mills) they
have not been able to effect, till his Majestys Grant to them
was expired, and as the settlement of New Land is a heavy &
weighty Work, y'' Petitioners pray they may be indulged with
a New Grant of said Township for such time longer as y'' Ex-
cellency may judge necessary and your Petitioner as in Duty
bound shall ever pray —
George Harris in
behalf of Himself & associates
Dec'3'i 1768
254 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-38] S^Pctition for Extension of Charter.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Gov'' and Com-
mander in Chief in and over His Majesties Province of New
Hampshire in New England —
A Memorial of die Proprietors of the Township of Canaan
in s'^ Province humbly represents, that your Excellencys Me-
morialists having obtained A Royal Charter of the s'' Town-
ship of Canaan Did A number of them soon begin A settle-
ment on s'^ Land — but it being A Town in the second range,
and the Town between it and Connecticut River not having-
then begun to settle (namely Hanover) and indeed all the
Towns thereabouts being Destitute of Roads, and also of Pro-
visions (to Spare) which rendered the Settlement impracticable
at that time ; Whereupon the adventurers withdrew untill the
Spring of the year 1766; At which time (the abovs'^ Difficul-
ties being in some measure Removed, and the Proprietors hav-
ing given New Encouragement to the first setlers) Canaan be-
gan to settle indeed, and Encreases fast to this time, and bids
fair to Encrease still — that whither the Proprietors are engaged
to settle the Town your Excellency may determine something
by A coppy of part of Canaan Proprietors records which we
herewith transmit to your Excellency.
But your Excellencys memorialists being sensible that the
time limited in their s*^ Charter for Duty to be done is Expired,
and the Duty not done in full as required in the s"* Charter, al-
though they have made Good proficiencv hereto — Therefore your
Excellencys Memorialists humbly pray your Excellency would
be Pleased to renew their Charter, that so the further settle-
ment of Canaan may be Encouraged, and those who have ad-
vanced their interests thereon not Deprived thei'eof, and the
Hopes of all your Excellencys Dutifull Memorialists Resolved
into Gratitude ; and furthermore your Excellencys Memorial-
ists (apprehending it to be requisite to have the Lines of the
Township of Canaan ran and the bounds Ascertained), Hum-
bly beg Leave to recommend M'' Aaron Storrs to your Excel-
lency as a fit person for s*^ purpose (he being A Surveyor that
is well approv*^ of) and pray your Excellencies favour (if it
may be also yovu" Pleasure) to appoint him to that service,
whom we also appoint to be our agent to Lay this our Memo-
rial befor your Excellency, and to Receive vour Excellencies
answer to this our Memorial — & your Excellencies Memorial-
ists as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Township of Canaan
held in Canaan Aug' y*" 12"' Day 1768 Chose M'' Aaron Storrs
to La}' the above Memorial before his Excellency the Gov'' of
New Hampshire
Test Joseph Crow j- q^^^
CANAAN. 255
[An extension of the charter was granted by the gov-
ernor and council, February, 1769. — Ed.]
[2-39] \^Petition for Amis and Af>imi(nit/on.~\
To the Hon'''" Committy of Safety For the Colon}' of New
Hampshire A Request from The Committv of Safety for the
Towns of Canaan And Enfield alias Relhan in s*^ Colony ;
Whereas we Being in Eminent Danger of being Ravaged and
Destroyed by the Savages, and other of our Unnatural Enemys
And we Being Unable to Defend our Selves in The Lest ; for
the want of guns and ammunition We therefore Humbly Re-
quest that your Honors Would send us Sixteen guns forty two
pounds of Gunpowder and 168""* of Lead 21 Dozen of flints
By Lieut' Sam' Jones of s'' Canaan and IVF Elisha Bingham of
Enfield Which men are Chosen for the Said Purpose. Gent"
your Compliance with this Request will Greatly Oblige and En-
nable us to Defend our Selves in these frontier Towns
Eben'' Fames ") ^
c 11 TVT 1 r Committies
Sam" Meacham )■ r c r j.
Tho^ Baldwin \ «f Safety
Canaan July i^' A. D. 1776.
The Reasons Why this Paper Was not Sign'' By two of the
Committe is Because one is absent and the other is the Bearer
S. Meacham
[2-40] [ Voic of Tozvn relative to Taxes. ~\
State of New hampshier
at a Legall meting, held in Canan voted Lent W™ Ayer make
aplycation to the General Assembly of s"* State for an abate-
ment on the Several Taxe biles Sent by the treasury of s*^ State
to this town & to inquire into what conserns this town & to
agree on anything he shall think proper
attest thomas Baldwin Town Clerk
Canaan June 11"' 1779
[2-41] \_Petitiot7 relative to T'axes.~\
State of New
hampshire
To the Honourable council & House of representatives of said
state
The petition of William Ayers of Canaan in the county of
Grafton in said state in behalf of said town humbly shevveth
256 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that by means of the unsettled state of said County & the claim
of Vei^mont they have never made their state tax ; but are now
desirous to make the said taxes & to discharge the same ; but
the said town being much too high in the proportion of the state
tax the petitioner prays the same may be examined & set right
and said town will immediately proceed to make & discharge
their taxes, and as in duty bound shall ever pray
W" Ayer
Exeter June 17, i779
[R. 152]
A Pay Roll Made for part of Capt" Joshua Wellse's Compa-
ny in Col° Chases Regiment of Militia who were Called forth
in an alarm Oct" 20, A. D. 1780
Days milds
out travel
Capt Joshua Wells 9 — 90 Nathaniel Bai'tlett
L' Sam' Jones 9 — 90 Caleb Clark Ji
Ensy" Thos. Baldwin 9 — 90 Jonathan Sprague
Sergt. Caleb Welch 9 — 90 Daniel Blasdel
Saml. Hinkson Private 9 — 90 Josiah Clark
John Scofield Jun'' 4 — 30 Thos. Miner
John Jones 9 — 90 Sam' Gates
Sam' Meacham 9 — 90 Ezek' Gardner
William Ayer 9 — 90 Benj" Robert Birts
Robert Barber 9 — 90 Joshua Harris
John Bartlett 9 — 74 Francis Smith
N, B. Thirty Mild allowed out of said Travail
count of Drawing Provisions on the way for the Distance of
Thirty milds —
A. True Return Errors Excepted — Signed in Behalf of the
Company
Days milds
out travel
9—
74
9—
74
9—
90
9—
90
9—
90
9—
90
9—
90
9—
90
4—
30
9—
90
9—
90
on the
ac-
Canaan Dec"" 15* A. D. 1783.
Joshua Wells Cap"
[R- 153]
In Com'*"'^ on Claims — Concord Oct" 28"^ 1785
There appears to be due to the Town of Canaan Twelve
Pounds five shillings & seven pence for supplies to Benj" R.
Burts, which sum has been deducted from his depreciation to
Jan^ 1 78 1.
£12, 5, 7.
Ex*^ per Josiah Oilman Jun""
CANAAN. 257
[2-42] \_RcIative to Scouis employed by the T'o'vn.'\
To the Hon. the General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire—
The Petition of the town of Canaan Humbly Sheweth, that
we the Inhabitants of Said Town the Summer past Conceived
Our Selves in Danger From the Canadian and otiier Savages ;
(our Frontier being in a great measure Neglected) and there-
fore by a Vote of the Town Did agree to Raise and pay Three
men for Six months to Scout and Guard &c to which men we
have paid and are obligated to pay ten pounds Each — the men
were Raised by No order nor by the authority of No State but
onlv bv the Vote of the Town — Altho they went into a Regi-
ment Raised by The authoritv of Vermont but Should your
Honors think the}' Rendered any Service to This or the United
States vour Petitioners pray that their Money Paid s'' Soldiers
mav be Reimbursted them or abated on thier Taxes All which
is Humbly Submitted and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
Shall Ever Pray &c
Signd
T^i s TD 1 1 • ^ Com""* in be-
i ho** Baldwm 1 , ,c ro -j
\n.Tm. A r halt of Said
W" Aver t rj^
J i own
Canaan State of New Hampshire Jvme 8"^ A. D. 1782
[Read, and ordered to lay. — Ed.]
[2-43]
Canaan January 22''' 1782
To the Honorable and Generable assemble of the State of New
hampshier greating —
we haveing for a Long time bin under a broken situation the
pretended state of Vermont pretend to Exercise athorrity over
us which causis a great confusion among us & there being more
than one half of the inhabitence of this town that have bin &
now are willing subjects to this state pray that we mite be put
in sum regulasion that we may have a Justise of the peace &
militare otHcers that we may be in a way to defend our selves
against the Enemies of the united States for we think ourselves
in great danger having no athority amongst us but the pretend-
ed athority of Vermont which we are not willing to be under if
we can have anv other N. B. we the subscribers beg the priv-
elege that the Honerable Cort wold commisonate Willian Ayer
as Justise of the peace & that we mite be led to the choyce of
miletery otficeers.
is
258 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Stickiiey Benjamin Burt Samuel meacham
Joseph flint James woodbery Robard Barber
Daniel farnum henry springer Jonathan Stickney
Samuel Chatman Jaspur barber Ezkel wels
Nath^ Bartlet thomas miner David fogg
Joshus wils Damrell Carr John Bartlet
Samuel josen William Smith Samuel Hinkson
Mathew Man Leonard hor
Josiah hall Bartlet Bejaman Sawer
[2-45]
State of New Hamp"" \ A true Inventory of the Polls and
Grafton ss J rateable Estate in the town of Canaan in
said State in the year Anno Domini 1 783 —
Number of Polls 50
N° of Horses 28
N" of Cows 62
N*^ of Oxen 29
N° of 3 years old 14
N" of 2 years old 20
N" of yearlings 10
N" of Acres of Pastering 118
N*' of Acres of Mowing 1 27
N" of Acres of Tillage 34
N" of Acres of wild land fit '
for improvement
A true copy Attest —
William Ayer } Selectmen
William Richardson f of Canaan
[2-46] \^Relative to jfustice of the JPeace.'\
To his Excellency the President & the Hon'''^ the Council for
the State of New Hampshire
May it please your Excellency & Honors We the Subscribers
beg leave to inform you that as we the Inhabitants of the Town
of Canaan are not Represented in the House, to our satisfac-
tion, we cannot rest easy to have advice taken from that quarter
in your Hon''''^ board, respecting the appointment of officers,
Civil or Militar}' , as the peace & well-being of the State de-
pends much on satisfactory appointments, we take the liberty to
inform you that Caleb Clark Esq"" of s** Canaan will give much
the best satisfaction to s'* Town for a Civil Magistrate of any
CANAAN. 259
man in the Town, we therefore pray your Excellency & Hon-
ors that if consistant, he may be appointed to that office & the
favour will be gratefully acknowledged by }-our Hum""'" ser-
vants—
Canaan Jan^ 26"" 1785
Asahel Wells George Harris Samuel Hinkson
Josep Stickney Tvu^ner Peterson William Smith
Benj Harris Samuel meacham William Douglass
Robart Barber benjamin hurts Elias Lothrop
Joseph Flint Jonathan Stickney Thaddeus Lothrop
Jehu Jones Zebulon Gates Humphrey Nichols
Ezekiel Gardner willam Richson Abel Hadley
Caleb Welch James woodbury Benja Sawyer
[3-4S]
To his Excellency the President & the Hon'''^ the Council for
the State of New Hampshire —
May it please your Excellency & Honors — We the subscrib-
ers beg leave to inform you that as we the inhabitants of Can-
aan, in s** vState are not Represented in the House, to our satis-
faction, therefore cannot rest easy to have advice taken from
that quarter, in your Hon*"'^ board, respecting the appointment
of ofHcers Civil or Military, as the peace & well being of the
state depends much on satisfactory appointments we take the
liberty to inform you that Cap' Robart Barber, of s'' Canaan,
will give much the best satisfaction to the inhabitants of s*^
Town for a Field officer, of any Person in s"* Town, we imder-
stand a certain M"^ Jones, has been mentioned, who will not an-
swer the valuable purpose of peace in s*^ Town we therefore
pray your Excellency & Honors that if consistant, Cap' Barber
may be appointed the field officer for the Town of Canaan &
the favour will be gratefully acknowledged by your Hum^*
Servt —
Canaan Jan^ 26"^ 17S5 —
Turner Peterson Joshua Harris William Richardson
Samuel Medium Isaac Walker Elisha Lathrop
benjamin hurts Benj Harris Elias Lothrop
Ezekiel Gardner Asahel Wells Richard Clark
George Harris Ezekiel Wells William Douglass
Samuel Hinkson Jehu Jones
[2-47]
State of
Hampshire | day the eight day of august A. D. 17S6 the in-
State of New ) At a legal meeting holden in Canaan on tues-
Ida
260 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
habiteiits of s*^ Town unanimously voted to have paper money
made
Attest David Fogg j Town Clerk
[See Atkinson papers. — Eu.]
[R. 154] \^S elect in eft's Order. '\
Canaan March 13'^ i79°*
To William Gardner Esq, Treas. Pleas to pay to Jehu
Jones or bearer the sum of twenty pounds with the Interest due
thereon being a Town bounty paid by the Town of Canaan to
one Jon'' Lock a Recruit in 1782.
Samuel Jones William Richardson Selectmen
To be allowed on IN-T Jones tax for 178S.
CANDIA.
The town was set off from Chester, in answer to a peti-
tion, dated March 22, 1763, of thirty-eight of the inhabi-
tants, and agreeably to a vote of the town of Chester of
January 26, same year, and incorporated by an act of the
provincial assembly, passed December 17, 1763. It was
named by Governor Wentworth from an island in the Med-
iterranean sea, where he was once a prisoner. Samuel
Emerson was authorized to call the first meeting. Settle-
ments were commenced in this part of Chester by William
Turner in 1748, John Sargent and others in 1755. The
line between this town and Raymond was established by an
act approved June 23, 1848.
[R- 155]
[ William Hilton'' s Order^ Soldier^ l'/8o.'\
Camp New Hampshire Village, Dec. 22, 1780.
May it please your honors — I inlisted into the service of the
State of New Hampshire at Ticonderoga in the year 177^ —
under the encouragement of ten Dollars per month, since which
have not had an opportunity of being in the State consequently
CANTERBURY, 26 1
could not reinlist under the second encouragement — You will
please to settle with Cap' Moses Dustin, (to whose company I
belong,) for the Deficiency thereof & his Rec' shall be a Dis-
charge from
Gent. Your h' Serv'
To the Hon''''^ the William Hilton
Council & House of Representatives for N Hampshire
[2-44] ^Number of Ratable Polls, lySj.']
Agreeable to Directions we have taken the number of the
Polls in the parish of Candia of twenty one years of age and
upwards paying for himself a poll Tax and find them amount
to one hundred and fifty and five
Sam" Buswell | Selectmen
Ephraim Eaton j of Candia.
Candia Nov^ i8"> 1783
Rockinsfham ss
Decem'' 5"' 17S3 then Samuel Buswell and
Ephraim Eaton the Signers of the above written Personally
appeared & made Solemn Oath to the truth thereof
Before Sam'^ Aloore Jus
CANTERBURY.
This town was granted May 20, 1727, to Richard Wal-
dron and a large number of associates, and comprised the
territory now in the towns of Loudon and Northfield. Set-
tlements commenced soon after, but for many years they
were occasionally harassed by the Indians, and had to
maintain a garrison, notwithstanding which some of the
settlers were killed, and others taken prisoners and carried
to Canada. An act granting the inhabitants town privi-
leges was passed March 19, 1741. An addition was made
to the town on the south-west side, June 13, 1765. The
township of Loudon was set off January 23, 1773; and by
an act passed June 19, 1780, the north-westerly part of the
town was set off, and incorporated into the town of North-
field. A small tract of land was severed from this town
and annexed to Concord, June 2, 1784, and another annexed
to Loudon, January 7, 1853.
262 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
In 1774, Ann Lee, the founder of a religious denomi-
nation called Shakers, came to this country from England,
and a branch of the denomination was established in this
town in 1792. Their first minister was Elder Job Bishop,
who occupied the position many years. They are a frugal,
industrious, and temperate people, intelligent and succes-
ful tillers of the soil, and breeders of stock, and are at
present a prosperous community.
[2-49] [ Concerning Trade with the Indians. ~\
In the House of Representatives X'' the 33*^ ^743
Voted That M'' Jotham Odiorn Jun-- & M'' Hunking Went-
worth be a Comittee to Purchase thirty pounds worth of Goods
to Send up to Canterbury for a Supply to Trade with the In-
dians which Shall be laid out in the following Manner viz'
for Rum £3, ,15
for Blankets £10,,
for Cloth Suitable for Indian Stockings £3, ,15
for Linen for Shirts -£^11
for Powder Shot Bullets & flints £s?i
Knives Pipes and Tobacko £2, ,10
£30
And that the Treasurer pay the Said Sum of thirty pounds
to the Said Comittee for the Ends aforesaid out of the Money
that Shall be in the Treasury for Contingencies after the first
day of february Next, And when Said Comittee have pur-
chased s'' goods they Shall Convey the Same to the Town of
Canterbury & Deliver them to M"" James Scales, who is hereby
impowered to Sell the Same to the Indians, and receive the Pay
in furs &c at Such Prices as Shall be Set b}' Said Comittee,
and that the Comittee be Governed in Rating the Goods &
Furs by the Prices that are Set by the Massachusetts Govern-
men' and that Said James Scales Render an accomp' of the
Sale of all Such vSales of the vSaid Goods as he shall Dispose
of to the Indians as aforesaid to the General assembly Some
time within vSix Months of the Date hereof, and all the Pro-
duce of Said Goods Shall be by him paid & Delivered to the
Treasurer, and to lye there for the use of the Governm' as Shall
be Ordered by the Gen' ass"' And that Said Scales be under
oath for the faithfull discharge of his Trust, and to have Such
allowance made him for his service as Shall be Tho' reasonable
by the Gen' ass'" at the Time of his rendering his ace' of the
Sales & Returns of Such Goods —
James Jeff'rey Cler'' ass""
CANTERBURY. 263
[2-50] [ Vote to set off a Parish^ I'j'j2.'\
At a Reaguler Town Meeting lield at the Meeting House in
Canterbury on Monday y" 5* day of October 1772 — Then
Agreable to the fourth article in the above Warrant —
Voted that the Southeaster!}' end of the Town of Canter-
bury be Set off as a distinct Parish, begining at the corner of
the Town, at the buckshorn beach tree, then runing South-
west acrost the Easterly end of Said Town to that corner
bound — then Northwest upon the Line between Canterbury
and Bow, five Miles, then Northeast to Gilmantown Line —
then Southeast to the first bound Mentioned.
A True Coppy taken from Canterbury Town Records
?■■ Ale Archelaus Moore Town Clerk
Canterbury December y^ 26"* 1772
[2-51] \_Petition fo7' a Parish in the South-East Part.'\
To his Excellency John Wentv^^orth Esq'' Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire The Honorable his Majesty's Council and House
of Representatives in General Assembly convened the 5"* day
of January, 1773
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the North
East part of Canterbury in said Province humblv sheweth
That your Petitioners live at the distance of ten and twelve
Miles (as the Roads now go) from the Meeting House in said
Town That the Roads are very bad and therefore they can't
without great difficulty attend the public worship of God there
nor any public affairs of the Town for which reason they have
petitioned the said Town for their leave to be set off into a dis-
tinct parish in consequence of which the said Town have
voted at public Town meeting as follows viz*. "Voted that the
South Easterly end of the Town of Canterbury be set off as a
distinct parish begining at the Corner of the Town at the Bucks-
horn Beech Tree then running Southwest across the Easterly
end of said Town to that corner Bound then Northwest upon
the Line between Canterbury and Bow, five Miles then North
East to Gilmanton Line then South East to the first Bounds "
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly prav that your Excellency
and Honors would give your Petitioners libertv to bring in a
Bill for erecting a distinct Parish with the Privileges of other
Parishes in the Province within the Limits aforesaid. And
your Petitif)ners as in dutv bound shall ever pray &c.
John Danforth Ezekiel Morrill, Jun"" Eliphalet Rollins
Daniel Bachelder Marston Morrill Nath' Batchclder
264
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Danforth,
Henry Moulton
Jethro Bachelder
Samuel Morrill
Isaac Alorrill
Moses Ardua
Moses Ardua Jun''
George Barnes
Dudley Swanzey
Amasa Dow
Samuel Dow
Samuel Lock
Joseph M'^Goon
Jacob Towle
Enoch French
Solomon Sias
Benjamin Sias
William Davis
William Boynton
Charles vSias
John Glines
Jethro Bachelder
Jun^
Samuel Rogers
Abraham Bachelder
Abraham Bachelder
Jun'
John Sanborn
Philip Judkins
Samuel Sargent
Jonah Rines
Samuel Carter
Jonathan Smith
John Smith
Samuel French
Gershom Mathes
Stephen Perkins
Nathan Bachelder
Jonathan Clough
Joseph Tilton
John Drew
Abel French
Thomas Drake
Thomas Swett
To the Honourable his Majestys Council and House of Repre-
sentatives in General Assembly —
Whereas we the Subscribers have been notify 'd according to
your Honours Directions we therefore shew no Cause why the
South Easterly End of Canterbury should not be set off as a
Distinct Parish according to the Petition Laid before your Hon-
ours for that purpose —
John Hoyt 1 Selectmen
William Ellison V for
Jonathan Clough ) Canterbury
Canterbury Jan. 12*'* ^773
[The parish was set off by an act of the general assembly
passed January 23, 1773, and erected into a parish by the
name of Loudon. — Ed.]
[2-52]
\_Records of Tow7i- Meet ing ^^
At a meeting of the Proprietors of Canterbury Held at the
Meeting house In s'' Canterbury on Day of may i773
M"' Ezekiel Merrill chosen Moderator for s*^ Meeting David
Forster Chosen Clerk to s"^ Proprietors —
Voted To Chuse a Committee to Serch the Proprietors
Books of Records to See if there be any omission or Mistakes
in them & to Collect any Papers Relative to s** Proprietors that
aught to be recorded tSc to get them Recorded & to make Report
to s'' Proprietors & that the s'^ Committee apply to the General
Court if it shall be found Necessary for Power to Record any
of s'^ Proprietors Papers which have heretofore been neg-
lected—
CANTERBURY. 265
Voted Col" John Gage Archelaus Moore & m'' Asa Forster
Committee for that purpose —
Voted Jeremiah Clough Esq"" Cap John Gage & m"" Asa
Forster be a Committee to Settle accompts with any person or
Persons who ha\'e Transacted any business for s'' Proprietors
which have not yet been Settled with —
The meeting adjourned to Second Wednesday in June Next
at one o'clock afternoon —
at a meeting of the Proprietors of Canterbury held by ad-
journment at the meeting house in s"* Canterbury on Wednesday
9"^ of June the follo\ving Votes ware pas*^ —
Voted that John Gage Jun"" Esq"" be Chosen a Committee
man in the Room of his hon'''* Father Col" John Gage who is
unable to attend the business for which he was Chosen.
Voted that archelaus moor Esq'' m"" Asa Forster & David
Forster be a Committee to Call Proprietors meetings for the
future —
Voted that Meeting of s'^ Proprietors Shall be Called upon
Aplication of Sixteen of s'' Proprietors —
Voted that a Warrant for s'' meeting vShall be Published in
the New hampshire Gazzettee & also at the Meeting house in
s"^ Canterbiny —
Voted to Raise four Shilling on each original Right to De-
fray the Charges of the above mentioned articales into Execu-
tion—
Voted that the Committee for Calling meetings be also a
Committee to Raise the above mentioned Rate —
Voted that m"" Ephraim Clough be a Collector to gather the
above mentioned Rate —
Voted to give the Collector Six Shillings on the hundred for
Collecting s*^ Rate —
The meeting adjourned to the 4* of August next two oclock
afternoon at the meeting in s'^ Canterbury on the forth Dav of
August the Proprietors for s** met at the meeting house ac-
cording to adjournment & adjovu'ned to the twcntv fifth Day of
August S oclock the forenoon at the meeting house in s"^ Can-
terbury—
On the 25 of August the Proprietors met according to ad-
journment & Voted that the meeting of s'' Proprietors be fur-
ther adj()in"ned to the first Wednesday in October next at one
oclock afternoon — on the Sixth Day of October instant the Pro-
prietors of Canterbury met according to adjournment & Voted
as follows Viz.
Voted to Except their Book of Records as thev now stand &
Confirm & Establish all Entries therein made by the Commit-
tee appointed for that purpose —
The meeting adjourned to the first "vs'ednesday of Janewary
Next ten o'clock in the afternoon
266 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
On the fifth day of Januaiy the Proprietors afor^*^ met accord-
ing to adjournment & Voted as followeth
Voted that the Rev*^ Abiel Forster be a committee man or
agent to Present a Petition to the General Court & to lav their
Proprietors Books before s*^ Court in order to get the Same Es-
tablished—
The meeting adjourned to the first wednesda3' of April Next
at one oclock afternoon
A True Coppy Test David Forster Prop C 1 k
^2-53] \^Power of Attortiey granted to yohn Jfe/ony.']
Whereas an advertizement has appeared in the New Hamp-
shire Gazette of the 30* of July 1773 Notifying the Proprietors
of Canterbury to meet at the Meeting House in said Canterbury
on the 25* of august next and among other things to See if the
Proprietors will vote to prosecute a Writ of Review in the Ac-
tion originally brought by Richard Melony of the County of
Clare in the Kingdom of Ireland against George Kezer of
Hampstead in the County of Rockingham for Two Forty Acre
Lots in Said Canterbury and (if voted then) to vote how they
will raise Money for that Purpose. The Subscribers being
Proprietors and owners of as many Rights of Land in Said
Canterbury as set against our Respective names, having Con-
sidered the above mentioned Notifycation and think the Same
if voted will be prejudicial to the Interest of the Proprietors,
And not being able to attend said meeting personnally. There-
fore we do appoint John Melony of Canterbury aforesaid yeo-
man to be our Lawful Attorney in our Behalf & stead to attend
Said Meeting, and there to vote according to our Interest (in
the same manner as if we were personally present) against the
proprietors undertaking to Prosecute said Review or raising
any money for that purpose or being anyways concern'd there-
in In witness whereof we have hereunto Set our hands &
Seals August the 9* and in the Thirteenth year of his Majes-
tys Reign George the third King of Great Britain France &
Ireland iVnnoque Domini one thousand seven hvnidred & Sev-
enty three — N° rights
witness for Jon'' Warner Esq"" James Davis i
Chas. E. Warner Samuel Davis i D°
N° rights Sarah Hicks ) R-q-] t
Tho Davis i Joseph Hicks j -^ *
Seth Jacobs for Nath'Lomex i John Woodman 2j4 Rits
right Jonathan Woodman ij^ I'ighs
Sam' Emerson i right Smith Emerson i right
CANTERBURY. 26/
Ephraim Davis i right Simon Rendel one Rit & a
Geo : JaftVey i riglit half
H Wentvvorth 2 Rights Benj Jones three Rights
Jonathan Warner 3 Rights W'" Jenkins one Rit
John Penhallow 2 Rights Rich^ Jenness one Right
E Russell two Rights Robert Leathers i Right
Peter Oilman i right Joseph Stevens i Right
W"' Appleton I right
Province of ~\ august y'^ 10"^ ^773 Then Jam' Davis Sam'
Newhampshire >■ Davis Thorn Davis Seth Jacobs Sam' Emer-
Stratibrd ss ) son Ephraim Davis Widdow Sarah Hicks &
Joseph Hicks all above and Within Subscribed Personally Ap-
peared Before me the Subscriber and Acknowledged the With-
in Written Instrument to be their free act and deed
Sol Emerson Just peace
Province of ~^ aug" 16"' 1773 Then John Woodman,
New Hampshire >- Jonathan Woodman, Smith Emerson, Si-
Strafford ss ) mon Rendell, Benjamin Jones, and William
Jenkins acknowledged the above and within Instrument to be
their free act and deed
Before Ebenezer Thompson Jus Peace
Province of ~\ Then George Jaffrey, Hunking Went-
New Hamp' )- worth, Eleazer Russell Esq% and John Pen-
Rockingham ss J hallow Personally appeared before me and
acknowledged the above and within lustrum' to be their vol-
untary act and Deed —
before me Daniel Rogers J^ Peace
aug**' 12"* 1 773
Then Jonathan Warner and Peter Gilman Esq'' and W'" Ap-
pleton personally appeared before me and acknowledged the
within Instrument bv them Subscribed to be their free act &
Deed
Daniel Rogers Just Peace
Province of ]
New Hamp' j Aug' 30, 1773 then Richard Jeness and Rob-
ert Leathers appeared Before me and acknowledged their In-
strument to be their free act and Deed
Joseph Atkinson Jus' Peace
Province of "^ August the 31"' 1773 Then m'' Joseph Stevens
New Hamp"" '- personally appeared & acknowledgetl the forego-
StratVord ss J ing Instrument to be his act and Deed
before me Jn" Sullivan Jus' peace
268 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-54] \_Proceedings of Tovj?i- Meetings 777J.]
On the Twenty fifth Day of August instant the Proprietors
of Canterbury being Legally Warned Met at y*^ meeting house
in Said Town and Pas'd the following Votes Viz —
Voted That John Gage Esq'' be Moderator for s'' meeting
Voted To Prosecute a writ of Review in the Action original-
ly Brought b}' Rich'd Melony of the County of Clare in the
Kingdom of Ireland against Geoi'ge Kezzer of Hampstead in
the County of Rockingham for Two forty acre Lots in Canter-
bury So far as Sixty Dollars will go —
Voted To Raise Sixt}' Dollars Toward Defraying Charges of
the above Lawsuit —
Voted that John Gage Esq'' be a Committee man or agent to
Prosicute the above said action & to take Care of the above s*^
money —
Voted that John Gage Esq'' hire said Money and the Propri-
tors pay him the Interest for the same till it Can be Rais'd —
Then the Meeting adjournd to Wednesday the Sixth Day of
October Next two o'clock afternoon —
The Same Day John Melony Objected To the Foregoing
Proceedings in Behalf of himself and a number of
Propritors absent as Illegal
Canterbury august y*^ 25"' i773
A True Coppy
P'' me David Forster Prop Clk.
On the Sixth Day of October the Propritors aftbr s'd Meet at
the meeting house afibrsaid according to adjournment and Vot-
ed as folio weth Viz.
Voted that Lot N° 5 in the forty acre Lots shall be Returned
to Daniel Davis for his first Division Lot —
Voted To Establish & Confirm The Transactions of former
Votes and former Committees Except those Imployed in Chi-
chester Lawsuit —
Voted That Ephraim Clough be a Collector to gether the
above Rates —
Canterbury October y'^ 6"' i773 —
A true Coppy P"' me
David Forster Prop. Clerk.
[2-5 1^] \^Rcport of Committee Relative to Line bettveen Can-
terbury and CJiicJiester^ ///p.]
The return of the division Line between Canterbury old
Town & a Parish proposed to be set oft' at the North west part
CANTERBURY. 269
of s*^ Town, run by the Subscribers a Committee chosen for
that purpose. — Begining at a Beech Tree standing by the south-
east corner bound of a hundred acre Lot in the second hundred
acre division hiid out to Joseph Dearborn numbered forty two :
runing south seventy seven degrees west, to a White Pine spot-
ted standing by the turn of the River above Gerrishes Ferry —
Canterbury June 24'^ ^779
Josiah Aliles ^
Edward Blanchard I ^
A I . Ar-1 r Committee
Arch' Mdes [
David Foster J
Archelaus Moore Town Clerk
A true Coppy attest
[2-56]
At a Legal Meeting of the Lihabitants of Canterbury on the
first day of July A. D. 1S79
Voted to accept the return of the Committee appointed to
run the Line for a Parish at the Northwest part of the Town as
they have exhibited their pi-oceedings in s** affair
A true Coppy attes'
Archelaus Moore Town Clerk
[R. 156] \^A3sfrac^ of Abner Ames's Petitioti^ Soldier^ ^77^-'\
[In a petition dated November 2, 1778, Abner Miles, of
Canterbury, yeoman, states that he "Turned out as a Vol-
untier in the service of his Country on the Expedition to
Rhode Island under the Command of Capt. Benj'* Sias &
served there untill the Company Came off the Island ; " was
taken sick, and confined at the house of Joseph Goffe. at
Rehoboth, and remained there until September 24, 1778.
He asks that the bill of said Goffe, amounting to ^39-14
lawful money, and the bill of Dr. Jos. Bridgham of £(^-6,
may be paid by the state, and the said bills were allowed
by the committee on sick and wounded soldiers. Miles
also states that he lost a horse valued at $250 in the service
at Rhode Island, and Capt. Sias certifies to said loss ; and
Miles introduces the following to prove the value thereof,
which was sworn to before Archelaus Moore. — Ed.]
2/0 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 163]
Canterbury March y"= S* 1779
We Jeremiah Hacket and Obediah Clough both of Canter-
bury being appointed by the select men of said Canterbury, ta
apprize a Hose which Abner Miles of said Town Rode to
Rhode Island and Lost Last august when he went a Volenter in
Cap' Siases Company under Col" Moses Nichols in Gen^ Whi-
ples Brigade — We therefore agreeable to the trvist Reposed in
us do truly honestly and Impartily apprize said Horse to the
best of our Judgment at £75, Lawful Money as witness our
hands
Jeremiah Hacket Obadiah Clough
Consented to. | Selectmen
Nehemiah Clough David Forster j for Canterbury.
[2-57]
At an Annual Meeting held at Canterbury on the iS''' of
March 1779 —
Upon application of the Inhabitants of the Northwest part of
the Town to be set oft' as a separate Parish — Voted to set off"
the s*^ Inhabitants accordingly, and that Cap' Josiah Miles,
David Foster, Cap' Edward Blanchard & En'" Archelaus Miles
be a Committee to run a Line of division, & make return to
the Town at the adjournment of this Meeting for their accept-
ance
A true Coppy attes'
Archelaus Moore Town Clerk
[2-58]
The Number of Polls in Canterbury 21 years old & upwards-
paying for themselves a Poll Taxe for 17S3 — 143
r>w -J T^ i. ] Selectmen for Can-
David t orster y , ,
terbury.
[2-59] \^Petition for a Division of the Towii.~\
State of New Hamp'' Rockingham ss. Canterbury March 30"*
A. D. 1780 The Humble Petition of y'' Subscribers Inhabi-
tants of y* North part of s*^ Canterbury to y^ Honourable y*^
Presidant and members of Council & house of Representatives-
of Said State, we your Humble Petitioners Living at a great
Distance from y'' Center of y^ Town Some of us at nine or ten
Miles, & Consequently at a very great disadvantage in Joining
with them in all Publick Town affairs, being encouraged Partly
CANTERBURY.
271
by our Living in that Part of y* Town that was Laid out for
what was called y" upper Parish & Partly by y*" Kind Reception
our Request mett with which we made to y" Town for a dis-
mision but more Particularly by our Confidence in your Hon-
ours desire to Promote y*" Happiness of every Part of this State
Humbly Pray that your Honours would take our Case into your
Serious Consideration and grant that we togather with all who
Live in s"^ upper Part may be Erected & Incorporated into a
body Politick & Corporate to have Continuance by y*^ name of
North field — with all such Powers & Authorities Privileges Im-
munities and Franchises which other Parishes or Towns in this
State in General hold & Enjoy which your Petitioners as in duty
bound Shall forever pray
Will'" Kenistone
James Blanchard
Will'" Williams
Jerem** M'^Daniel
Ben" Blanchard
Tho" Clough Jun""
Joseph Carr
Richard Blanchard
Simon Sanborn
Tho^ Oilman
Charles Glidden
John Dearborn
Joseph Levitt
Shubal Dearborn
Jun'
Will"' Forrest
Shubal Dearborn Will'" Hancock
Jacob Morrill Nat' Perkins
Aaron Stevens Jun"' James Lid Perkins
Sam' Miles
John Forrest
Nat' whitcher
Tho*" Clough
John Cross
Jon" Wadleigh
Abnor Miles
Jacob Heath
George Hancock
John Simons
Joseph Hancock
Benj" Collins
Abra'" Dearborn
Archelus Miles
Edward Blanchard
Will"* ad Perkins
David Blanchard
Aaron Stevens
Reuben Whitcher
Will'" Sanborn
John M-^Daniel
Eben^ Kimball
Gedeon Levitt
Mathias Hains
[The petition was granted. The north-west part of the
town was set off, and incorporated by the name of North-
field.— Eix]
[2-60] \_Petitioti to be annexed to Hillsborough Co7aity.'\
State of I To the Hon'"''' the Senate & House of Repre-
New Hampshire j sentati\es of said State in General Court
convened
The petition of the Subscribers being Inhabitants of the town
of Canterbury in the county of Rockingham humhlv shews ;
that thev labour under great disadvantages, bv reason of their
distance from Portsmouth & Exeter where the Courts are held
& puhlick records kept for said Coiuitv — Wherefore thev prav
that the town of Concord in said County togather with tlie said
272 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
town of Canterbury may be annexed to the Covmty of Hillsboro,
& that for the future half the Courts for said County of Hills-
boro may be held at said Concord, and your petitioners, as in
duty bound shall ever pray &c
Jeremiah Clough Jere*" Clough jr William Hazeltine
Archelaus Aloore John Sutton Obadiah Hall
Thomas Clough Ezekiel Moore Simon Eames
David Morrill John moore John Bean
Sam' Eames Joshua Weeks Joseph Clough
Laben Morrill Nath' Glines John Moore jr
Gideon Bartlett Benjamin vSanborn William Foster
T 1 n!/ TT f Zebadiah Sargent Jonathan Bradley
-^^ "nik ''"^ Shubael Sanborn Masten Morrill
David Foster Elijah Sargent Jesse Stevens
John Carter
[R. 163] Orders fj'om several Soldiers^ I'jSi to I'j8j.'\
Canterbury March 7"^ 1781.
To Nicholas Oilman Esq'' Treasurer for the State of New
Hampshire. S"" please to pay the Select Men for Canterbury
the Sum Total of what shall be made up to Us in the pay Roll
as Soldiers in the Six Months Service the Summer past and
their Receipt shall Answer the same to the Subscribers
his
Thomas Hoyt Ebenezer X Chandler
mark
Benjamin Glines Ebenezer foss
Thos. Hoit £9.. 1 7. 6 — order granted & Roll signed by A Foster
— J Pearson
Please to pay the ballance of the within order to Abiel Foster
Esq^
David Foster \ Select Men
O Mooney j for Canterbury
[R. 164]
[John Sutton, of Canterbury, in a similar order, directs his
wages to be paid to Capt. Laban Morrill, — amount ;^5-5-2,
—Ed.]
[R. 165.]
Canterbury March y^ 31'' 17S3
To the Honorable Nicolas Gilman Esq'' State Treasurer for
the State of New Hampshire, Sir Please to pay my Honoured
CANTERBURY. 2/3
father John GHnes of Loudon the wages Doe to me on muster
Role ; made up by Cap* Ebenezer Webster of Solsbury, for five
months serving as a Soldier under him at Coass, in the year A.
D. 17S3, and this Indorsed shall be a Discharge for said wages
p'' yours to Serve
Eli Glines
[R. 166]
[Samson Bates orders the amount due him for three
months' service in Capt. Nathaniel Head's company, to be
paid to James Norris. Date, January 15, 1785 ; amount,
£4-16-4.
(R. 167.) Thomas Curry orders the amount due him
for three months' service in 1781 to be paid to David Foster.
Date, Nov. 7, 1785 ; amount, ^5-15-5. — Ed.]
[R. 1 68] [A^oa/i Si7tkle7''s Petition, Soldier, I'j86.'\
[In a petition dated June, 1786, Noah Sinkler of Canter-
bury, states, — "That when he was in the Continental Army
at St. John's in June 1776 he received two musket Balls
through his wrist, by means of which he then lost the use
of his hand." He asks the legislature to "grant him such
relief as a faithful soldier may dare to ask, or his ill fortune
may demand," &c.
The committee reported that he be enrolled at the rate
of fifteen shillings per month, from the time his pay ceased,
v^^hich report was accepted. — Ed.]
[R. 169]
[Abiel Foster petitions, December, 1788, to have the
wages of William Ervine, who was three months in the ser-
vice as a ranger, in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company, at
Coos, in 1782, and who had deceased, paid to him for the
benefit of the town of Canterbury. Amount, ;;^8-i9-o.
—Ed.]
[2-61] [ Vote concerning Paper Money. '\
At a Legal Town Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitence
of the Town of Canterbury held at the Meeting House in said
19
2/4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Town on Munday the fourth Day of September A. D. 1786,
Proceeded as follows Viz —
Voted M"" Gideon Bartlet moderator for the well Regulating'
Said Meeting —
Then it was put to Vote to See Wheather or no they would
have a Paper Ciurancy Made or not, and better than two Thurds
of the people Voted in the affirmative to have a paper Currancy
made on Such footing as the General Court in there Wisdom
Shall think best, — and the other part in the negative not to have
a paper Currancv.
A True Copy attest
Archelaus Moore Town Clerk
[2-62] \_Nutnber of Ratable Polls^ ^7^7 •~\
These may Certify whom it may concern that the Number of
Polls, paying Taxes in the Town of Canterbur}' being carefully
Numbered by us the Subscribers do find the Amount thereof to
be Two Hundred and Six as mav more fully Appear by the In-
ventory of said Town for the Year 17S7 —
Obadiah Mooney ] Selectmen for
Obadiah Hall j Canterbury
Canterbury Feb' 9"^ 17SS
[2-63] \_Petition for a JVezu Counfv.~\
To His Excellency John Sullivan Esquire, President of the
State of New Hampshire : The Hon'"'*' the Senate, & House
Representatives in General Court convened at Portsmouth the
twenty-third day of January A. D, 17SS.
Humbly shews
Abiel Foster Esq., David Morrill, & David M"=Crillis Gentlemen
(a Committee chosen & authorized by the Town of Canterbury
for the purpose) that the Inhabitants of said town are subjected
to considerable inconvenience, and to vinnecessary expence by
reason of their remote situation from the County Courts — That
they apprehend the like inconvenience is felt by a number of
Towns in the Counties of Rockingham, Hillsborough, and
Strafford, which Towns formed into a New & distinct County
might be sufficiently large and the Inhabitants thereof much bet-
ter accommodated, than they are at present. And being fully con-
vinced of the disposition of the Legislature to promote, to the
utmost of its power, the convenience & happiness of the Citi-
zens of the State — They are encouraged to Pra3% in behalf of
the said Town of Canterburv, that the following Towns may be
CANTERBURY. 275
formed into a new County — Namely, Concord, Pembroke, Bow,
Dunbarton. Hopkinton, Heniker, Hillsborough, Fishersfield,
Perrystown, Warner, Salisbury, Andoyer, Sanbornton. North-
field, Canterbury & Loudon, and invested with the powers and
priyileges which are enjoyed by the other Counties in said State :
And as in duty bound will eyer Pray.
Abiel Foster ") Committee in
David Morrill ,' behalf of the
David ISPCrillis j town of Canterbury
[Hon. Abiel Foster was born in Andover, Mass., 1735 ;
graduated at Harvard in 1756 ; and was ordained to the pas-
torate of the church in Canterbury in 1761, which position
he held until 1779. He was a member of the H. of Rep.,
1780, '81, '82, and '83. Elected to congress in 1783, he held
the position three years under the first confederation ; was
state senator during the years from 1791 to 1795, and presi-
dent of that body in 1793. Reelected to congress in 1789,
he was a member of the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh
sessions of that body.
Mr. Foster was eminent also for honesty and integrity,
and much esteemed by all who knew him. He died in Feb-
uary, 1 806 — Ed.]
[2-64] \^Petitio7i for an Act incorporating a Library. "^
To the Hon' the Senate & House of Representatives for the
State of New hampshire Now Convened at Portsmouth
Humbly Sheweth
the Subscriber that he with others his associates — inhabitants
of Canterbury have Purchased a Considerable Number of Books
for the Purpose of a Social Library in s*^ Town — therefore pray
that they may be incorporated a body Politic \yith Such Powers
and Previliges as are usually granted in Such Cases — and as in
Duty bound will ever pray
Nehemiah Clough
Nov-29-1797
[The library was incorporated by an act approved Decem-
ber 12, 1797. The grantees were John Sutton, David Mor-
rill, David Foster, John Ayers, Abiel Foster, Jr., and Nehe-
miah Clough. — Ed.]
276 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
CENTRE HARBOR.
This town was set off from New Hampton and incorpo-
rated by an act approved December 7, 1797. Tiie locality
of the present village was known as "Centre-harbour" for
some years previous to the incorporation of the town. Moul-
tonborough harbor, now called Moultonborough bay, being
east, and Meredith harbor, now Meredith bay, being on the
west, made this the centre harbor, and the name was trans-
mitted to the town on its incorporation.
Nathan Hoit was authorized to call the first meeting.
By an act approved July 3, 1873, an addition was made to
the town, of territory taken from the town of Meredith.
The village is located on and commands a fine view of
Lake Winnipiseogee, making it a delightful summer resi-
dence.
{^2-65] \^Petition for Incorporation^ I'j88.'\
To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives for
said State in General Court convened —
The petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of a tract of
land called Meredith neck, of the northern district of New
Hampton and New Holderness, and of the Southern district of
Moviltonborough, — Humbly shews that the lands aforesaid are
so surrounded with ponds and impassable streams running into
& out of the said Ponds, and so remote from the Centers of
the respective Tovs^ns to which they belong that we have hith-
erto found the greatest inconvenience in attending public wor-
ship and ordinary Town meeting, And that the said Districts
are so situated as to render a Communication between their re-
spective Inhabitants extremely convenient, and contains about
twelve thousand acres, a sufficient number to make an ordinary
Township —
Your petitioners therefore humbly -^x^iy that the District
aforesaid bounded as follows — beginning at Col Smiths Mill
(so called) in Meredith aforesaid from thence by the West side
line of Measley pond (so called) to the moutfi of the Brook
running into said pond, from thence on a direct coui'se Rom-
seys Mill (so called) in New Holderness afors'^ from thence
over Squani pond (so called) to the Northwest corner of Red
Hill (so called) from thence on a strait line to the Baron (so
called) and from thence to the bound first mentioned, the said
CENTRE HARBOR.
277
Meredith neck included may be severed
Towns to which they now belong, and
Township by the Name of Watertown.
as in duty bound will ever pray &c —
'New Hampton June 1788
Benningf Moulton John Black
John Pain
Ezekiel Morse
Moses Kelsa
Joseph Senter
Tho^ Warren
Enoch Cate
Samuel Jenness
John Roberds
Amos Pain Jun
Robert Kelsea
Daniel Page
James Moor
Daniel Chamberlain Israel Glines
H. Kelsa
Moses Morse
Abel Morse
Asa Foster
Church Sturtevant
Amos Pain
Winthrop Robinson Edmund Black
David Robinson Weare Leavitt
Jacob Bunker Gideon Robinson
John Been
Moodv Bean
Jon" Frost
Ephraim Doten
John Sturtevant
Moses Senter
from the respective
incorporated into a
And your petitioners
Bradbury Oilman
Robeart Glines
James Lock
Samuel Spiller
Sam' M Senter
Daniel Cass
Levi Towle
James Black
John dockham
Samuel Genness Jun.
Richard Paron
Ephraim Chamberlin
James Tebbits
Benj" Batchelor
IVLark Blake
Jon" Moulton
Peres Sturtevant
State of New
Hampshire j In the House of Representatives Jan^ i, 1789
Upon reading & considering the Petition of Penning Moulton
& others, voted that the Hon. Joseph Badger Esq"" Daniel
Beede Esq — Capt Abraham Burnham, be a Committee, at the
expence of the petitioners, to view the situation of the premi-
ses petitioned for, to be incorporated into a Town & report
their Opinion thereon to the General Coin^t at their next Ses-
sion
Sent up for concurrence
Tho" Bartlet Speaker
In Senate Jan>' 2'^ 17S9 read & concurred
J Pearson Sec^
CojDy Exam'*
Joseph Pearson Scc^
[2-66] \_Thefollozvlng is the Report of the Cof/if/iittee.']
Center harbour may y" 28"' 1789
We the subscribers appointed a Committee to Consider of
the within petition of Penning moulton Esq"" and others and
2/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Report our opinion thereon have met and heard the Par-
ties Concerned and viewed the situation of the Premises Peti-
tioned for and upon due Consideration Report as our opinion
that the petitioners Labour under some disadvantages as they
now are and that the Lands petitioned for would make a very
convenient small town but at the same time we are of opinion
they are too young to be set oft' at present and that it would be a
great Damage to holderness and meredith to have them taken
oft' at Present for it is our opinion it will make them all so
small that Neither of the towais would be able to support Pub-
lick worship
Joseph Badger
Daniel Beede
AbralV" Burnham
|]2-67] \_Petition for an Act of Incorporation^ lyg/.^
To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire now sitting at Concord,
The Petition of the Lihabitants of the North East part of
New Hampton humbly Sheweth, that whereas many Inconven-
iences arise in our present Situation with respect to our Trans-
acting Town Business we your Petitioners, humbly pray — That
your Honours would sett oft' such a part of Said Town as is In-
cluded in the Bounds following, as a Town, that it may be In-
corporated, by the Name of Centre Harbour, Viz To begin at
the Northeasterly Corner of New Hampton, thence on the Line
between Meredith and New HamjDton, to Measly Pond so Call'd
thence to Measly Pond Brook, thence, up the middle of said
Brook to Long Pond, thence up the middle of Said Long Pond,
to the Inlet at the Head of Said Pond, thence North thirty five
Degrees West to New Holderness, thence East on s*^ Holder-
ness Line, to the vSouth East Corner of said Holderness, thence
North on said Holderness Line to the Westerly Corner of
Moultonborough, thence on the Line between Moultonborough
& New- Hampton, to the Bound first mentioned, the aforesaid
Bounds being agreeable to a Vote of the Town of New Hamp-
ton in the year one thousand seven Hvmdred & Ninty Six and
your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever pray —
New Hampton June S, i797
Ezekiel Morse Jesse Stvutevant John Knowles
Church Sturtevant John Sturtevant Abram B. Glines
John Pain Hosea Sturtevant Nehemiah Lee
John Hawkens Amos Pain Jun Penning Moulton
Chase Robinson Stephen Hawkins Daniel Page
CHARLESTOWN. 2/9
Moses Morse William Berrey Benjamin Sturtevant
Hugh Kelsea Jonathan Rohinson John Pain Jun.
Joseph Kenney Joshua Pain Isaac Morse
Daniel Norris Jeremiah Towle James Towle
Robert Kelsa Pelham Sturtevant ^Vaclleigh Cram
James Tebbets Jos. Moulton Joseph Senter
Caleb Towle Jo"'' M. Pain Ephraim Chamber-
Perez Sturtevant Abel Morse lain
James Little Moses Kelsa Clement Hawkins
Winthrop Robinson Smith Cram Stephen Kenney
Walter Pain Joshua Norris Amos Pain
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
December 7, 1797, incorporating the territory asked for in-
to a town. — Ed.]
CHARLESTOWN.
The first grant of the township was made by the govern-
ment of Massachusetts, December 31, 1735. Samuel, Da-
vid, and Stephen Farnsworth made the first settlements in
1740. Capt. Phineas Stevens, Lieut. Ephraim Wetherbee,
and Stephen Farnsworth were the only original grantees
who settled in the town. The first meeting of the grantees
was held at Hatfield, Mass., April 5, 1737, at which a com-
mittee was appointed to lay out sixty-three house lots. The
township went by the name of No. 4, until it was re-granted
by the government of New Hampshire, July 2, 1753, by the
name of Charlestown, in honor of Commodore Sir Charles
Knowles, of the English navy. This grant was made in
answer to a petition from Capt. Phineas Stevens and others,
and the name was probably suggested by him in conse-
quence of his having been presented with an elegant sword
by the English officer, as a tribute to his bravery in defend-
ing the fort at No. 4, April 4, 1747.
The town suffered greatly by Indian and French depre-
dations for some years, on reading an account of which we
may well be surprised that any of the settlers had the cour-
age to remain. During the Revolution a depot of supplies
was kept here, and the fort was a general rendezvous for
New Hampshire troops sent to Canada or northern New
York. Charlestown has been the residence of many emi-
nent men, biographies of whom may be found in Saunder-
son's history of the town.
28o EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
A portion of the town was severed January ii, 1787,
united with a portion of Walpole, and erected into the town
of Langdon. Hon. John Langdon being at that time speak-
er of the house, accounts for the name.
By an act approved June 20, 18 10, three families were
severed from Unity and annexed to this town ; and by an
act approved the same day, the town was divided into two
parishes for parochial purposes.
[3-68]
Whereas in the year 1742. A Certain Number petitioned to
His Excellency the Governor of the province of New Hamp-
shire and to His Majesties Honourable Councel there praying
for a certain Track of Land for a Township on Connecticutt
River above number four as by said petition may appear &c
and the said petitioners being meet at Lunenburg January the
9'^ 1748 then Choose M'' Jonathan Whitney and Cap' John
Spoftbrd to wait on His Excellency and on His Majesties
Honourable Councel above said to have the prayer of the peti-
tioners granted.
attest Edward Hartwell Clerk
[2-69] [jPefif/on of William and yoseph Wiilard.']
Province of \ To his Exelency Benning Wentworth Esq""
Newhampshire J Govener In & over his Majestys Province of
Newhampshii'e —
The Petetion of William Wiilard and Joseph Wiilard of a
Place Called N° 4 on the East Side of Connecticut River Hum-
bly Shueth that your Petitioners own Two Rights In Said
Township under the Masschusetts Grant and Built a House &
Cleard Sundery acers of Land & Improved the Same & In y®
Inden War the House was Burnt But Sence the Sesition of
arms have Improved the s*^ Land & Paid thare Part to Rebuild-
ing the Mill that was Distroyed* and Ben thare Part to all other
Charge that has arissen toward the Bringing forward s'^ Town-
ship all which by the Late Runing of the Line are found to be
In the Province of Newhamp"" Wharefore y*^ Petitioners Hum-
bly pray In Case that your Exelency Shall Proceed to make a
Grant of those Lands that thay may be Favered with the Kings
♦The mill was destroyed by Indians, with fire, April 19, 1 746.
CHARLESTOWN. 28 1
Grant of the .Said two Rights In the Same Lands as to be
Equal to thair former Expectation and your Petitioners In Du-
ty Bound Shall Ever Pray
" March y*^ s"' i75o
William Willard
Joseph Willard
[3-70] \^S/wou SarHveW s Petitio)ir\
To His Exelencv Penning Wentworth Esq'' Governour and
Commander in Chief In and over his Majestys Province of
New hampshare &c
The Petition of Simon Sotwell of N" 4 Humbly Sheweth
That your humble petetioner hath three Rights In Said town-
ship of X" 4 which he purchased for himself att a considerable
sum of money & att y*^ time thought that the Province of Mass-
chusettets had a Good Right to y"^ Said Land But Sence the
Running of the Line Between the Provinces that the Land Ly-
eth In the Province of Newhamp'" your Petitioner Disires that
your Exelency would Grant to him the s'' three Rights on Such
Tearms as your Exelency Grants to others the King Subjucts
Furdermore your Peti" would Inform your Exelencey that he Is
Adminstrators to the Estate of Obediah Sotwell Late of s*^ N° 4
who was Killed by the Indins att s*^ N° 4 & that there Is two
Rights that Belong to s*^ Estate which he disires may be Grant-
ed to the Heirs of the Said Sotwell when your Exelency Shall
See cause to make a Grant of S'* Land In S"* N" 4 upon y^ Like
Conditions that others the Kings Subjects have the s*^ Land &
your petitioner disires that If the s*^ Land be Granted that they
may be the Same Land that was Layd to the above s*^ Rights
thare being a grate deal of Labour done on S'' Land and your
Petetioner In Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray-
No 4 March y*= 4"* 1 750
Simon Sartwell
[2-71] \_Bcnja/?ini Belloxvs J~or Heirs of Captain Ephraim
lVeatherbec.~\
Prov : of I To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq.
N. Hamp"" j Govon"^ &c in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hamp""
The Peti" of Benj" Bellows of Lunenburg numl)l\- Shews.
That your Pet" & the Heirs of Cap" Ephraim Wetherbe Late
deceased do Own under the Massachusetts Grant Six Shares
282 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
being One tenth part of the Township Called N° 4. On Con-
necticut River that they Built the tenth part of the fort there &
have Spent much Labour in Improvements & Building on s*^
Rights now in part destroyed by the Indians
That they like wnse Own thi-ee Rights in N° 2 Called Gould-
ings town the West Side Connecticut River Ag' the S"^ N° 4 — •
all which bv the Late Runing the Province line are found to be
in the Province of New Hamp'' —
AVherefore y'' Pet""" Humbly prays in behalf of Himself & the
s'^ Heirs, that in Case your Excellency Shall proceed to make
grants of those Lands that they may be favoured with the Kings
Grant of So many Rights in those Lands as to be Equall to
their former Expectations & in the Same Land and your Pef
Shall Ever pray &c
Oct 5* 1750
Benj" Bellows
[a— 72] \_yoseph IVood, by yo)iathan Whitney. '\ '
Province of |
New Hamp'' j To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq'
Cap' General Governor & Commander in Chief in and Over
his Majesty's Province of New Hampshire and the Hon**'^ His
Majestv's Council for Said Province —
Humbly Shews —
Joseph Wood of Lunenburg in the County of Worcester in
the Province of the Mass" Bay Yeoman — That One Ephraim
Withersbee Late of Said Lunenburg Yeoman Deceased Died
Intestate on whose Estate your Petitioner had Administr" part
of which was three Rights in a Township Called N" 4 — the
House or Home lots were N" 32, 33, 36 on the East Side of
Connecticut River in the Province of New Hampshire which
part your Petitioner Sold by Virtue of a Licence for that pur-
pose and the Money Raised therebv Applied to the Payment of the
Debts of the Deceased — Which Land your Petitioner afterwards
was Obliged to Repurchase at the Price of five hundred pounds old
Tenor Because the Title of the Deceased \vas Doubtful & the
purchaser from vour Petitioner Dissatisfied which Lands are
now in the Possession of your Petitioner and he has Subdued &
Settled part of the Same & is Still proceding & Carrying on
three Settlements one on Each of Said Rights
Wherefore your Petitioner Humbly Prays That whenever
your Excellency Shall See Cause to make a Grant of the Lands
Called by the Said Name of N° 4 your Petitioner may be Let
in as a Grantee and have the Particular Settlements & Improve-
ments made bv him & Others under him & in the Right of his
CHARLESTOWN. 283
Intestate (the Expence of which has been very Considerable)
assigned to him that he may not Sustain the Loss of that Ex-
pence and of the Purchase afores'' by being Turned off & the
Said Lands Granted to others —
And your Petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray &c
Jonathan Whitney^ by order of
& in behalf
of S-^ Jos. Wood
[2-73] l^Capt. Phineas Stevens's Letter to Secretaty At-
ki7isonJ\
When I Left Portsmouth It W^as My Full Intent to have
Returned thither again Long before this time but our people
ware so Started att the Change of Taking a General Plan that
they Ware for finding out sum other Way of Preceding which
has been a Clogg to the affear But they are Now Pritty well
Convinced that there Is no other way and the Plan Would have
ben In a grate forwardness bv this time but the man I depend-
ed upon to Do the Work met With a hurt and has not ben fit
for Bisness for sum time past But I Shall forward the matter
With the utmost Expedition & Shall be att Portsmouth as soon
as the matter will admit So Remain your Most Humble SeiV
Phinehas Stevens
No 4 Jen" y<" 31* i7=;3
To the Hon''' Theodore Atkinson Esq'' att Portsmouth
[Two plans of Charlestown, with the boundaries described,
follow this letter in the manuscript volume. — Ed.]
[2-74]
A List of The Names of the present Owners of Land at N'' 4
Joseph Wells John Sawyer John Sawyer Jun.
Stephen Farnsworth obadiah. Sartwels Isaac Amsden
Nathaneal Parker heirs' Silvanus Hastings
Seth Putnam M"" Andrew Gardners Obadiah Dickinson
John Hastings Jun"^ James Porter Isaac Parker
William Heywood James Kellogg Ebenezer Putnam
Moses Willard Jonathan Hubbard Joseph Billings
Thomas Adams Joseph Willard David Farnsworth
Seth Walker James Johnson Eben^ Ilinsdcl
Thomas Putnam John Hastings John Spafibrd
284
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Moses Wheeler
Dene
Phinehas Stevens
James Farnsvvorth
Simon Sartwel
Lemuel Hastings
Peter Labaree
Jon"' Page
Isaac Holden
Benj" Allen
M
Jonathan Wetherbe
Abijah Wetherbe
Samuel Wetherbe
Joseph Woods
[2-75] \^Pctition for a Gra7it and Incorporation from New
Hampshire.^
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq Capt General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire and to the Hon^''' his Majesty's
Council for Said Province —
The Humble Petition of Phineas Stevens of a place called
Number four in Said Province in behalf of himself and others
Settlers there, Shews That the Tract of Land called N° 4 was
Granted by the Government of the Massachusetts, to one Jona-
than Wells & others about the year 173=^ who proceeded to do
Something towards making a Settlement, but Soon after the
Grant began to Sell their Supposed Rights — That the present
Inhabit''' there, are Purchasers under the Said Grantees, not
knowing when their Purchases were made but that the Rights
under them Wei'e good, upon which Supposition thev have en-
ter'd, and made Considerable Improvements, there being about
fift^'Men, Settlers on the Spot& all purchasers, and others Com-
ing Daily, So that in Case the Peace Continues, there will Soon
be a Great Number of People there, which will be a great ad-
vantage as it extends the Frontier, & is a Security to Many Set-
tlements within. —
That there is not one of the Grantees aforesaid, who is now
a Claimer there (they having all Sold) and the Present Settlers
under them, have Defended themselves & kept their possession
thro the Last War, at a Great Expence & Loss, by which they
apprehend the Enemy were much disheartened and other Set-
tlers & Planters Spirited to Proceed. —
That your Petitioner & his Associats lay no Claim in Point
of Right by virtue of their Said Purchases, nor make any other
use of them than to suggest that they did not Enter on Said
CHAKLESTOWN. 285
Lands Conscious of a Tort in So doing, and that as they were
Inadvertently Induced to part with their Money for Nothing,
thev think their Case Deserves Pitty — Moreover thev Humbly
Conceive the Stand they made during the War aforesaid, the
Subdueing & Settling a Wilderness Country So far from help,
the General Benefit arising hereby many ways to the Public, are
Considerations which Intitle them to all that favour and Regard,
which those who do their Country Eminent Services may Rea-
sonably Expect —
Wherefore your Petitioner in behalf of himself & associats
Humbly Prays that your Excellency & Honours would in your
Great Goodness Consider their Circumstances — That your Ex-
cellency Would be Pleased to make them a Grant of Said Tract
of Land on Such Easy Terms as their Circumstances Seem
to Claim, and as Will Encourage the Progress of said Settle-
ment, That they may be Incorporated into a Township, that
this be done with as much Dispatch as may be Consistent with
your Excellency's more Important affairs, or That Such other
matters & things may be done In favour of y'' Petitioners as
your Excellency and Honours in your Wisdom & Goodness
Shall Judge proper & 3'Our Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall
Ever Pray &c
Phineas Stevens
[The charter was granted by the governor and council,
July 2, 1753.— P:d.]
[2-76] {.John Spafford's Petition.']
Province of ]
New Hamp' j To His Ec*^-^ Penning Wentworth Esq Gov''
&c
The Petit" of John Spauftbrd of N" 4 ; Humbl}- Sheweth —
that your Peti'" was one of the first Settlers in s'' Township Un-
der the Grant of the Massachusetts which we then Tho' was
by Good Right and that after a great feateague in Gitting there
Making Settlement with a Considerable Improvement Com-
mon Charges my full Share in all the fortifications besides.
Building of two mills at the Expence of at Least a Thousand
Pounds Since burnt by the Indians the Irons Carry'd away &
the Stones Destroyed with fire the Cheif of all which Expence
and Hardships are Rendered almost useless, besides in Defence
of the Cuntry while there was Captivated by the Indians
and Carryed to Canada upwards of 15 months kept in Jail
Suffering Great Loss in all his affairs as well as the great Diffi-
culty and Hardsliips of his Tedious Captivity. That Since his
286 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Return at a very Great Expence, and Rebuilding the s'^ mills,
that for his Encouragement was by the former prop""" given him
and Hundred acres of Land, and by his own purchass one
whole Right and part of a Second Right & Inasmuch as Con-
trary to our then Expectation, the title, fails and becomes Lia-
ble to the Kings Grant — I would begg your Excellencys Conn-
sideration and Favour in the Premises & that I might have the
Grant of two Rights in s*^ Town with One Hundred acres more,
formerly Granted, for my Service on ace' of the mills and those
parts before Severed to be the Same again, and y" Peti'' as In
Duty Bound Shall ever pray &c —
John Spaflard.
[2-77] \_Pct/tio}i of the Selectme)7 for a Hospital.^
To the Hon'^''^ the Council & Assembly of the State ot New
Hampshire
The Petition and Memorial of the Selectmen of Charlestown
in said State hvmibly Sheweth & gives your Hon''' to be In-
formed : that this Town, for Some Months past having been
the general Rendezvous of the Troops of s*^ State and a place
to which the Sick, wounded &c have been generally sent, by
reason whereof the Invalids in s*^ Town are become consider-
ably numerous and likely to be more so. And as there is no
Hospital in s*^ Town and all private Houses being filled by the
owners or those poor and distressed Families that have been
drove from their own Habitations by the Enemy, whereby no
Convenient & Suitable Accommodation can be had for s*^ Sick
&c. Wherefore your Memorialists beg leave to Suggest to your
Hon''" whether it may not be necessary that a Building be erect-
ed for the purposes afores*^ and to pray your Hon''*' to make
such order thereon as in your wisdom may be Judged best, and
your Memo'" as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
Charlestown 12'^ Sepf 1777
Elijah Grout \ Selectmen of
Peter Labaree ) said Charlestown
[A committee to take the matter into consideration was
appointed September 25, 1777. — Ed.]
[2-7S] \_yacob Bayley to Committee of Safety, iy8o.'\
Charlestown 14 April 1780.
Gende" —
A few days since I Rec'' a Letter from his Excellency Gen'
CHARLESTOWN. 28/
Washington In which he says that in case of Danger from the
Enemy on our frontiers we should apply to the state we Belong
to but such is our Situation at Present that we know not what
state we Belong too as this frontier is most contiguous to your
state and we Expect the Desition of Congress Respecting the
Grants will be in 3'our favor. I think myself Bound in Duty
to Represent to you that (Except an Expedition is undertaken
in to Canada) this whole Frontier will be exposed to the Rav-
ages of the Enemv and as soon as the middle of may, and I
think unless an Expedition takes Place or some other measure
is taken to secure the People we shall not be able to keep them
in the Coimtry —
A verv large Party of Enemy Last Feb-^' advanced up Onion
River more than twenty miles, nothing saved us but our Being
Prepared for them.
I am Gent" your most Humble Servant
Jacob Bayley
To Committee of Safety Exeter
[2-79] \_Concernii2g Simon Poxvei-s.'\
Charlestovvn August 26"" 17S2.
Sir We the Subscribers Selectmen of this Town hereby
certify that it appears unnessary to us, to Support our claim to
Simeon Powers a Soldier who was hired for the Town of Ac-
worth as others in Similar Circumstances have been determined
against us
Hon M. Weare Esq Samuel Hunt
Chairman of Com'^^ W™ Heyward
John Hubbard
[2S0]
At a Town meeting held Charlestovvn on y" 2'^ day of March
1784, a moderator chosen, y*^ 4* article in the warrant. To
see if the town are desirous that the Rev** Bulkley Olcott be
dismissed from his ministerial services, and to Choose a Com'*'''
to Confer with him for that purpose — y*" 5"* article. To see if the
town will exempt any person or persons from paving taxes to M''
Olcott who by reason of their Distance from meeting or Dirt'er-
ent sentiments Cannot be benefited b\- his ministr\'.
Voted on y'" 4"' article that it is not the desire of the town to
dismiss the Rev'^ Bulkley Olcott from his ministerial services in
the town
A true coppy of record W'" Hevwood Clerk
288 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-83] [ I'ofe of Tozvii about setting off a Parish.'\
At a legal annual Town meeting held in Charlestown on the
4'*^ day of March 1789, a moderator chosen —
7* article in the warrant — To see if the Inhabitants will Vote
that a town or Parrish be set of at the north end of the town —
Voted, that there be a town Parish or Precinct set of at the
north end of this town —
Voted, that the line be as follows beginning at the southwest
corner of James Farnsworths farm on the east bank of Con-
necticutt river, and proceeding easterly on said south line to the
road, then easterly in said road & crossing the bridge by Mark-
hams mills & crossing Sim" Alvords land & taking the road ■
leading to Acworth and following said road to the east line of
the town —
a true coppy of record
W" Heywood Town Clerk.
[3-84 [ Vote at Meeting held September 20, lyS^.^
Voted, that those persons & there estates that live in Charles-
town that shall poll ofl', by giving in there names to the town
clerk be a poll parrish, and that the General Court be petitioned
to confirm the same at the expence & cost of the petitioners —
a true coppy of record.
W" Heywood Town Clerk
[3-85] [Petition of North Part to be set off, 1783.']
The Hon''''^ Senate and House of Representatives for the State
of New Hampshire to be Convened at Concord the third
Wednesday of this Instant October 17S5 —
The petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town
of Charlestown Humbly Sheweth, our situation in General is
Verry Inconvenient as to attending the place of public worship
it being near eight miles from the meeting house to the north
line of the town, besides our sentiments not agreeing with our
Now Rev'^ Pastor, we are no ways accomadated with Preaching
only what we Git at our own Expence other ways, we finding
it an Hardship Petitioned the town for a devision, accordingly
at a Legal meeting it was Granted by a majority of Votes and
the Devision line agreed on, but their seem"* some perticular
persons dissatisfied, we then petitioned to be a poll parish, by
CHARLESTOWN.
289
that hopeing to Remove Every difficultv, accordingly at a Le-
gal Town meeting it was unanimously Voted and agreed to by
most of the Inhabitants by tar, and a vote to have the General
Cort petitioned for the establishment of the same, Nevertheless
some being disafected have proceeded so far as to obstruct our
proceding although so Legal and Just, — which seems a Hard-
ship and cruel, therefore as free born Subjects we once more
petition to your Honours and Humbly pray we may have the
priviledge as such, and be made a poll parish as heretofore
voted and petitioned for but if your Honours think it not equit-
able we pray we may be set of as a town precinct, parish, or
District with such Bounds as heretofore Voted or may be, be-
fore the hearing this Petition as your Honours mav or shall
think best, by which the Honourable Senate and House of
Representatives will Greatly oblige your Honours Humble pe-
titioners who in duty Bound shall ever pray —
October 15"^ 17S5 —
Isaac Putnam
Timothy Holding
Levi Putnam
Elijah parker
»Sam' Harper
Timothy Newton
Job Johnson
Seth Putnam
Joseph Farwell
Oliver Farnsworth Jr
Seth Walker
William Henry
Asa Walker
Benj" Allen
David Cross
Joseph Powers
Paul Cushman
nathanel holden
Thos. Farnsworth.
Eben farnsworth
David Hubbard
Mathew Walker
Constant Hart
Simeon Hart
John Grow
Nath' Powars
Chandler Porter
David Lynd
Rich" Holding
Jeremiah Johnson
Robart Henery
Robart Hill
W" Farwell
Jonas gould
Noah Porter
William Henry Jr
Isaac tuker
Deliverance Wilson
Levi farnsworth
Oliver Farnsworth
Rich" Glidden
John Harper
Asa Nichols
John Convis
deliverance wilson
Jr.
Jonathan Grout
Calvin Judevine
Jabis Walker
David Henerv
Jeremiah Parker
Moses Wheeler
Abner Powars
Sol" Grout
W" Farwell Jr
Samuel Weatherbe
[In H.
session.]
of R., Nov. 9, 1785, hearing ordered for next
[2-86] [This document is a list of the tax-payers in
town, and the amount of each person's tax. It bears date
June 2, 1787, and is signed by Wm. Heywood, Abel
Walker, Simon Sartvvell, selectmen of Charlestown. — Ed.]
20
290 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-S7] \_Selectinen'' s Petition to have West Bound of Town
extended to West Bank of Connecticut River. ^
State of New Hampshire — To the Honorable the General
Assembly of the State of New Hampshire aforesaid now Con-
vened at Charlestown in said State — Humbly Shews — The Se-
lectmen of Charlestown beg leave to inform that there is two
small Islands lying in Connecticutt river against said Charles-
town one of said Islands may Contain nearly two acres
and an half, and the other about half that quantity, and the
said Islands were formed by reason of the breaking of the
banks of said river, & others are forming in like manner, which
is to the detriment of said Town — Your petitioners pray that
the said Islands and all that may be formed hereafter against
said Town may be granted to the Inhabitants of said Charles-
town, or that the bounds of said Charlestown may be extended
to the western bank of Connecticutt river so as to Include said
Islands — & your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
W" Hey wood \ Selectmen of
Abel Walker j Charlestown
Charlestown, Septem"" x'f^ i787«
[The petition was granted, and an act passed February
13, 1788, extending the bounds of the town to the west
bank of Connecticut river. — Ed.]
[2-89]
At a Town Meeting held in Charlestown on y'' 9"' of
March 1790 — a moderator chosen 6"" article in the wari'ant, To
see if the town will admit of those preachers who profess to
hold universal salvation to preach in the meeting house in the
absence of M'' Olcott —
Voted, that the universalists have the priviledge to improve
the meeting house in the absence of the Rev"^ Bulkley Olcott
a true coppy of record
W" Heywood Town Clerk
[2—90] \_Academy Petition for Lottery., lygi .^
To the honourable Senate and house of Repi-esentatives of
the State of New Hampshire convened at Concord June 4'*^
1791 —
The Trustees of Charlestown Academy beg leave to inform
CHARLESTOWN. 29 1
your honours, that they have attentively considered of, and
attended to, the duties of their appointment ; and are duly
impressed with the importance of it ; The obtaining a fund suffi-
cient to support the institution, is the principal difficulty they
have, or expect to meet with, in discharging their office. A
number of the principal inhabitants in this town built a house
and have supported a school at their own expence, for upwards
of four years past ; They found the number of schollars and
spirit of literature increase to that degree, that it became nec-
essary, in their opinion to enlarge the plan. The situation of
the place, and the benefits that resulted from the exertions of a
few, encouraged them to attempt it ; thev therefoi-e associated
and have erected another large and convenient house, for the
purpose of a public school or academy. Not doubting but the
Legislature of New Hampshire would encourage so laudable
an undertaking, they instructed their representative to apply to
the Legislature for an incorporation, and leave to raise a sum
of money by Lottery. The application was made and consid-
ered at the two last sessions of the Legislature.
The incorporation was granted and leave given to raise one
thousand pounds by Lottery ; but when the bill was brought in
according to order, it was rejected. The Trustees conceive,
that the rejection of the bill must have arisen, either from a
conviction that the Legislature was wrong in the first instance,
or from a competition of interests among the members ; the
first we cannot and the latter we are very unwilling to believe.
However, with regard to the last we beg leave to observe, that
the situation of this place is such that it doth not, in our opin-
ion, interfere with any other institution of the kind. That
the raising the sum proposed by Lotter}^, would not be disa-
greeable or burdensome to this part of the Country ; so far
otherwise, that were it submitted to the wishes of the people,
they would readily grant it. We are further of opinion that the
raising said sum under the direction of the trustees might be so
managed as no wise to hinder or obstruct the raising of any
sums that might be granted by your hon""** for similar purposes
We will only add, that if no assistance is given to establish a
fund for the encouragement and support of the Academy, as
proposed by Lottery, or otherwise ; that the incorporation, to-
gether with the great expence and exertions of the said inhabi-
tants, will become useless to themselves and to the public ; and
an infant seminary die, for want of that nourislnnent which we
conceive you, as parents of Literature, ought to give. We
therefore humbly pray your Honours that the said bill, which
was rejected at the last session, may be passed, or one similar
thereto, empowering said trustees to raise one thousand pounds
by Lottery for the purpose afores'" or otherwise relieve your
292 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
petitioners in such way as your honours, in wisdom, shall think
just — and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Sim. Olcott, at the request
and in behalf of the Trustees.
Charlestown May 25, 1791 —
The committee on lotterys, report that the prayer of the
aforenamed petition be granted in part, that they have leave to
introduce a bill enabling them to raise the sum of five hundred
pounds by lottery for the aforesaid purposes under such re-
strictions as the Court shall direct, which is submitted by Dan-
iel Emerson Jr for the Committee.
[Charlestown Academy was incorporated February 16,
1791, and Hon. Simeon Olcott, Benjamin Bellows, John
Hubbard, Sandford Kingsbury, Samuel Hunt, William
Page, Rev. Bulkley Olcott, and Rev. Thomas Archibald
were appointed trustees. — Ed.]
[2-91] \_Acade?ny Petition for Grant of Land^ IYQ2.'\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire convened at Dover June 15, 1792 —
The petition of William Page of Charlestown for and in
behalf of the Trustees of Charlestown Academy Humbly
Sheweth That said Academy has been brought forward and
supported at the expence and by the exertion of a few indi-
viduals— That they have nearly completed a large and conven-
ient building which will cost upwards of one thousand dollars —
That they have contracted with a Preceptor for five years one
half of which tiine is Expired, That there is now & has been
for more than two years past upwards of forty scholars at said
Academy, and there is every prospect of its being one of the
most useful Seminaries of the kind in the state if it can be sup-
ported. And that your Petitioner is authorized to say it will
not be in the power of the generous founders of said Academy
to maintain and support the same if no assistance can be ob-
tained from Government, And your petitioner conceiving it to
be the design and wish of the Legislature to give every encour-
agement to Institutions for the promotion of Learning ageeably
to the spii'it of the Constitution, altho they are not disposed to
do it by way of Lottery — Therefore your Petitioner pra_ys your
Honors to grant to the Trustees of said Academy for the sole
use thereof a Ti^act of unlocated land lying and being in this
state westerly of the lands Petitioned for by Judge Cogswell
CHARLESTOWN. 293
meaning a line reported by a Committee of the Legislature at
their last session and adjoining the Townships of Thornton,
Lincoln. Franconia, & Breton woods under such regulations
and restrictions as your Honors shall think proper & your Peti-
tioner as in duty bound will ever pray —
W. PAGE—
Dover June 16*'' 1792 —
[2-92] \_Petitionfor the Division of the Tozvn, ^793-'\
To the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire now
sitting at Exeter —
The subscribers Inhabitants of Charlestown in the County of
Cheshire in said State — Humbly Shew
That this Town extends in length from north to south about
thirteen miles : that it would be very inconvenient for the In-
habitants to assemble at any one place for transacting the busi-
ness of the Town, were they well united in sentiment ; but un-
fortunately for them there is a total want of that harmony with-
out which, the public business of a Town cannot be conducted
with pleasure dispatch or advantage — That the Inhabitants at
the north part of the Town are in general of a diflerent relig-
ious denomination from those in the south, that they have a
Minister settled with them ; that the Inhabitants of the south
part of the Town now destitute of a Minister wish to settle
one, which it is out of their power to do as a To\vn while con-
nected with their northern neighbors — For these and many oth-
er reasons your Petitioners are fully persuaded that a division
of the Town at such a place as the Inhabitants should agree on
or as should be ordered by a Committee appointed by the as-
sembly would conduce much to the peace and prosperity of
those interested. They therefore pray that this Town may be
divided and a new one incorporated —
Charlestown Dec"" y" 31, 1793
Sim. Olcott Abel Walker Oliver Hall
Ephraim Carpenter Jonathan Arms John Hubbard
David Taylor Samuel Garfield M. W. Hastings
Roswell Hunt Elihu Dickinson Benjamin More
Jonas Parks W. PAGE Sam Stevens
Samuel Crosby James Bowtell Asahel Hunt
Joel Cooley James Johnson Obadiah Wells
Sylvanus Hastings Jr Aaron Dean Charles Bowen
Timothy Putnam Jr Phineas Stone Timothy Carlton
Benj" Clark Amos Silvester George Kimball
Hazael Simonds Lemuel Hedges Amos Burnham
294
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Carlisle
Jason Wetherbe
Elisha Putnam
John Converse
Richard Gliden
Benj" Brown
Sam' Willard
Oliver Coomes
Thos Geer
Henrv Perkins
Julius Silsby
Stephen Hasham
Joseph Johnson
Osman Baker
Paul Cushinan
Jon" Hubbard
Philip Nichels
Mathew Walker
Samuel Perry
Sam' Harper
Tho'' Putnam
Daniel Browni
Joseph Brown by
Benj" Allen
Sam' Hunt
Peter Page Jr.
Jesse Hill
W™ Heywood
J. Parker
Isaac Tuker
Jabez Walker
Levi Brown
John Willard
Thaddeus Nott
Ebenezer Hart
Benj'' Jones
Sam' Revnientown
John Harper
David harmon Enos
David Hubbard
Asa Nichels
Abel Putnam
thomas Johnson
John Grow
Isaac Hill
Levi Kimball
Ebenezer Nickels
desire & in presence of
Noah Porter
Josiah White
John Hodgkins
Abel Fling
Joseph Brown Jr.
William Bond
John Hastings Jr
Benj" Billings
John AI*^Murphy
John Grow Jr.
John Hastings
John Hewitt
David Pierce
Jonathan Baker
Parker Cushman
Christopher Crofts
Abiah Walker
Benj" West
Horatio Bingham
Peter Page
Walter Bingham
Simeon Church
Nabby Lines
State of New Hampshire — at a Legal town meeting held by
adjournment in Charlestown on Tuesday y" 25 march i794 The
Vote being Called for, for a division of the town, (agreeable to
an article in the warrant for that purpose) was taken by yeas,
and nays, for the Division yeas 112, nays 52.
A true coppy of record
attest W™ Heywood Tow^n Clerk
[In H. of Rep., January 20th, 1794, a committee, consist-
ing of Bezaleel Woodward, Sanford Kingsbury, and Joseph
Burt, was appointed to " view the situation," etc., and re-
port at the next session. They reported as follows : — Ed.]
To the honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire— Your committee within named having viewed the situa-
tion of the Inhabitants of Charlestown and heard their commit-
tee on the subject report That it is the opinion of your com-
mittee that it is expedient that said town of Charlestown be di-
vided into two towns ; and that the following be the divisional
line viz beginning at the northeast corner of the lot number
twenty one of hundred acre lots on the east line of said
CHARLESTOWN. 295
Charlestown — thence running westerly on the north Hnes of the
hunch^ed acre lots number twenty one in the eighth, seventh and
sixth ranges to the northwest corner of the said number twenty
one in the sixth range — thence westerly a strait line to the
northeast corner of the lot number fifty seven in the second di-
vision— thence westerly on the north line of the said lot num-
ber fifty seven to the northwest corner thereof — thence a strait
line to the northeasterly corner of the lot number forty nine in
the second division — thence on the northerly line of the last
mentioned lot to the northernmost corner thereof, and thence in
the last mentioned course viz of the northerly line of the last
mentioned lot to Connecticut river
Which is humbly submitted by
Charlestown " | B. WOODWARD
May 3'' A D 1 794 j Sanford Kingsbury
Joseph Burt
[2-95]
[A plan of Charlestown accompanied the foregoing pa-
pers. It is partially lotted, and shows the proposed divi-
sional line.
At the next session of the legislature petitions were pre-
sented (June II, 1794), to annex the north part of Charles-
town to the town of Unity. Unity people remonstrated, the
project failed, and the town of Charlestown was not divid-
ed. The territory which was to compose the new town is
now known as North Charlestown. Other papers relative
to this matter will be published with Unity papers. — Ed.]
[2-97] \_Petition in favor of Annexing Part of Charlestoxun
to LangdonJ\
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire to meet at Hanover the first Wednesday of June
next —
We the Inhabitants of that part of the Town of Charlestown
which lies between the west Line of the Town of Langdon and
Connecticut River, Humbly vShew, that the Town of Charles-
town, and the Town of Langdon having voted that the north
Line of Langdon be extended to Connecticut River, your Peti-
tioners Therefore Humbly pray that said north Line of Lang-
don may be extended westerly to said river, and that all the
Lands and Inliabitants of that part of Charlestown which lies
west of Langdon west Line may be annexed to the Town of
296 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Langdon, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray
Charlestown May 27'^ i795-
Peter Bellows Jr — Elisha Putnam Samviel Guild
Asahel Hunt Peter Bellows Samuel Bellows
Asahel C. Porter Rufus Guild John Hodgkin
M. W Hastings W"' Drown
[Langdon subsequently voted against the annexation, and
the project failed. — Ed.]
[R. 170] {.P^^^ Harriman^ ferrying Soldiers^ I'/'/d.']
Charlestown — Province New Hampshire July 30*'' 1776.
this may Sertify that Page Harriman Has ferried over Cor-
neticut River on their way to Crown Point fifty seven men Be-
longing to Capt Joseph Dearben Company in Col. Wymans
regiment
Capten JosejDh Dearben
[R. 171]
[Eighteen more of the same company were ferried over
August 2, as certified by Timothy Worthly. — Ed.]
[R. 172] \_SeIectmen''s Petit ioti about a Soldier who died of
Small- Pox ^ i/'/6.']
[In a petition, dated Charlestown, August 31, 1776,
Samuel Hunt, Enos Stevens, and William Heywood, se-
lectmen, state that a discharged continental soldier, by
the name of Nathaniel Hatch, came to that town from Ti-
conderoga on July 23, and was taken sick with small-pox ;
that they furnished the services of Doctor Stevens, and oth-
erwise provided for him, until August 17, when he died ;
that the man had neither friends nor money. They ask the
general assembly to grant an order to pay the bills. — Ed.]
[R. 173] S^Petition of Captain Samuel Wetherbee, 1778.']
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
now Convened at Exeter in the State of New Hampshire —
Humbly Sheweth, The Petition of Samuel Wetherby of
CHARLESTOWN. 29/
Charlestown, did as a Volenteer upon the defeat at Qiiebec,
march a Company of forty men into Canada to assist General
Arnold, in which your Petitioner, underwent great Fetigue and
was exposed to before unknown Hardships, and was at una-
voidable Expence amounting to Ten pounds Twelve Shillings L.
M.y paid at That time for Transporting the soldiers packs &c, for
which your Petitioner hath never received any Compensation,
and on my returne by reason of some diffuculty arising between
the State of New York and Coll" Warner (under whose Com-
mand I was wdiile in Canada), was obliged to make three
Joiu-neys to Albany before I could obtain money to pay my
Company for which your Petitioner hath never had any allow-
ance, and your Petitioner beg Leave to suggest to your Hon"^*
That in Consequence of orders rec*^ from the Commanding
Officer was obliged to Halt his men (at Otter Creek) Consist-
ing of Thirty which your Petitioner was obliged to support &
pay for the same while there. Also your Petitioner paid Two
Sergeants sixteen shillings, the Muster Master (Mr Grout) pay-
ing their first months pay as privates. — And your Petitioner ac-
cording to the best of his Capacity have Endeavored to answer
your Hon" Expectation with respect to the Command given
and Trust reposed in him, and the Campain being over made
returne to the Hon*''*' Committee of Safety respecting some Sol-
diers who were enlisted in your Petitioners Company & had
rec*^ their Bounty and first months pay but never Joined the
same, and the Hon''''' Committee Tho' it best I should wait their
Further Orders and direction upon the same, when unhappily
for vour Petitioner he received a Citation from the Hon*"'"^ House
of Representatives to appear at Exeter to answer a compP Ex-
hibited against him. Supposing your Petitioner Guilty of Fraud-
elent Conduct, which your Petitioner Humbly Conceives could
have been set in a clear point of View to your Hon" Full Satis-
fiiction without his loss of Time and Expense Therefore your
Petitioner prays your Hon''^ allowance for the account annexed
or such part thereof as your Hon" in your Great Wisdom .Shall
Think Just and meet, and your Petitioner as in duty bound will
Ever pray
Sam' Wetherbe
Exeter Feb>' 21, 1778
[Samuel Wetherbeewas appointed captain, June i8, i//^-
—Ed.]
[R. 174] \^Sc/ecimcn of Charlcstoxvti to Selectmen of Lemp-
ster. 1778.']
Gentlemen
There is one William Laiton of this town that is gone into
298 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Continental army to do a turn for Lemster said Laiton has
left a family that has become chargeable to this town agreeable
to an act of this state every town is to bear y*' chai'ge of those
families whose Husbands are gone in y'' army for said town.
These are to desire vou, would immediately Take into your
care s'^ Laitons family That this town be no longer burdened
with them — Gentlemen with all due respect we remain your
very Hum^'' Servants
Charlestown April 20"* 1778.
W" Heywood '\ Select men
Elijah Grout |- of said
To the select men Peter Page ) Charlestown
of Lemster
£R. 175] \^Rclative to NatJian Spafford^ Soldier, ///p.]
[In a petition, dated March 15, 1779, Bradstreet Spafford,
of Charlestown, states that his son Nathan, a minor, was in
the service in October, 1777. in Capt. Abel Walker's com-
pany, Col. Bellows's reg't, and had his leg broken ; was left
at Saratoga, and he had to go after him ; pay expense of
care, etc., in all amounting to ;£,2^>,-\<^-Q), which he wants
the state to pay.
Sworn to before William Heywood. — Ed.]
[R. 177]
Rec** of the Selectmen of Charlestown from Jan^ 1780 to
Jan^' 1 781 Inclusive In sundry Articles of Provisions eight
Pounds nine shillings and Two pence Estimating Indian Corn
at Four shillings per Bushel and other articles Proportional
thereto I say Rec*^
Charlestown May 8'*' 1781.
Att. Lucy Newton
John Hubbard
her
Lydia X Powers
[R. 178] [Lucy Newton acknowledges the receipt of
provisions to the amount of ;^i8-7-4. for the same time.
She was the wife of Timothy Newton, and in the year end-
ing January, 1782, she was helped to the extent of ^15-16—
9.— Ed.]
CHARLESTOWN. 299
||R. 179] S^The Case of Tyler Spafford and Eleazer Hey-
wood, SoIdiers.'\
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives
we the Subscribers Beg Leave to Lay before your Honours our
Distrest situation we engaged in the service of y* united states
To serve Two years and No longer we think we have served
our Times out faithfully after surmounting many Fatigues, we
Then applied for a Discharge and were Denied after Long im-
portunity to no avail we came home without a Discharge we
like the service and the cause but we think it ungenerous that
after we have punctually serv'^outour Times according to agree-
ment we should be treated as Deserters we apprehend it is
not the intention of our Rulers in whom we place much of our
Confidence under God we Beg your Honours to take the mat-
ter vmder your wise consideration and if you shall think Proper
Relieve the Distresses of your Humble Petitioners as in Duty
Bound we shall ever pray —
Tyler Spaftbrd Eleazer Heywood
Charlestown y'' 3'' June 1 7S0 —
P S we have Drew no clothing for more than Two years
nor Received Continental none
[R. I So]
These may Certify that we Tyler Spafford and Eleazer Hey-
wood in the Town of Charlestown who engaged in the Service
of the United States for the term of two years in Capt waits
Company Col" Cilleys Reg' Never Drew Cloathing for more
than Two years nor Drew any Continental Bounty
Attest Tyler Spafford Eleazer Heywood
Charlestown 5'*" June 17S0 —
[Sworn to before Tho" Putnam.]
[R. 181]
These may certify when I inlisted Eleazer Heywood & Tyler
Spaftbrd I agreed with the Towns for their hire The True in-
tent of their engaging was for Two years only and Likewise
gave them certificates for the same and Likewise that Capt wait
when they arrived at Camp Returned them for the same Term
of Time
Peleg Williams
[R. 182] \_Statement of Col. Bellows relative to the forego-
ing matter., addressed to the General Asse?nbly.~\
Hon'' Gentlemen
A regard to Justice the faith of Government and the Public
300 * EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Tranqviility are the inducements to the making the following-
representation to your Honors, which you will make such use
of, and follow with such Resolution as in your Great Wisdom
may be thought necessary for the Publick weal — a number of
men among wdiom are Tyler Spaftbrd and Eleazer Heywood
both of Charlestown engaged as soldiers in the service of the
United States, by agreement with the Towns for which they
went, for the Term of two years only from the time they
enlisted, they have Faithfully served out that time. At the
expiration whereof they applied for a Discharge : some ob-
tained it others were refused ; and sought to be held one year
Longer. They therefore improved the tirst opportunity which
Presented to leave the service and return home, and are now
sent for as Deserters, and if taken will be forced back to the
army and be liable to be treated as such — such a measure must
be productive of the most serious consequences, to the peace of
the State, and to the recruiting of the Army — They will be
rescued by their friends at home, as one has already been from
the officer that took him at Claremont. And men will enter-
tain hard thoughts of Government if it Countenances any De-
ceitful or Fraudulent methods to retain men in the Service be-
yond the time for which they Designedly engaged — For my
own part I cannot be assistant in taking and sending to the
army those men, till I am better satisfied of the Justice of the
measure, and its conduciveness to the Publick utility — I have
refused to assist to retake those men when applied to by Cap*
Dustin a Continental ofhcer. Nor do I suppose it in my Pow-
er (were I desposed which at present I am not) to accomplish
the thing without the most violent and Hostile Exertions,
which must be more Detrimental to the Publick than the ser-
vice of many forced and involuntary soldiers can be Profit-
able— Your Honors will maturely weigh those things in your
minds, and speedily come into such resolutions thereupon as
will be most conducive to the Credit an Safety of the State
and the maintainance of the Common Cause — And in so doing
you will ease the minds of the men above specified, and of all
friends to our Independence, and of none more than your Honors
most obedient and Humble Servant in all things for the Gen-
eral Good —
Benj* Bellows —
Walpole June 9"' 17S0
[R. 183 and 184] [In 1795, Tyler Spafford for himself,
and Samuel Stone and Francis W. Willard for Eleazer
Heywood, Tyler Spafford, Sylvanus Hastings, and Joseph
Wright, petition the legislature, making statements similar
to the foregoing, with the exception of stating that they
CHATHAM. 301
*'left the army publicly in open day, of all which s*^ Captain
was not a stranger," and were not returned deserters un-
til the command of the company fell on Lieut. Joseph
Perkins. They were in Stark's regiment, in the company
commanded by Captain Jason Wait, of Alstead. In this
petition they ask to have their depreciation of pay made up
to them. (R. 185) The committee of the H. of Rep., to
whom it was referred, reported by Christopher Toppan,
chairman, against granting it, and they were given "leave
to withdraw." — Ed.]
CHATHAM.
The town was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth,
February 7, 1767, to Peter Levius and seventy-two associ-
ates, and named in honor of Lord Chatham. It was laid
out ten miles long and four miles wide. Governor John
Wentworth, by a grant dated July 2, 1772, conveyed 1,829
acres of land, near the centre of the township, to Thomas
McDonough, his private secretary, who caused twelve acres
to be cleared the following year. The locality is still known
as McDonough's Location. He was an educated man, and
being a loyalist fled to Canada on the breaking out of the
Revolution. His property was confiscated, and a few fami-
lies settled on the grant. After peace was declared he
returned as British consul to New England, and, his land
being restored to him, attempted to establish a colony of
his countrymen, built three houses, but, becoming some-
what discouraged, abandoned the project. According to
information obtained from Ithiel E. Clay, Esq., the first
settlers moved their families into Chatham in the year 1781 ;
their names were Samuel Phipps, Increase Robinson, and
Isaac Cox. The wife of the latter was something of a
civil engineer, and run many of the lines in the vicinity, often
camping out several nights in succession. She is repre-
sented as being a woman of much physical force, and some-
what educated.
By an act approved June 23, 1817, a tract of land north
of the town, containing two thousand acres, which was
granted to Lieut. Samuel Gilman, March i, 1770, was an-
nexed to Chatham. In the year 1823, the town was sev-
302 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ered from Coos county and annexed to Strafford, and so
remained until the formation of Carroll county in 1840,
when it was included in the latter. The farms of Jonathan
Hardy and Edward Shirley were severed from Conway and
annexed to Chatham, June 26, 1823. The farm of Judah
Dana, containing 500 acres, was annexed to the town July
2, 1838 ; June 30, 1869, a tract of land was severed from
Chatham, and annexed to Bartlett. The westerly part of
the town is mountainous, and covered with a heavy growth
of timber. Mountain pond, situated in a basin on the
aforesaid mountain, is one of the clearest and loveliest bod-
ies of water in the state. Surrounded by dense forests, a
pure and invigorating" atmosphere, it could be made one of
the most heathful summer resorts in New England. — Ed.]
[2-98] \^I)ihabitants' Petition for Authority to tax Non-Resi-
dent Lands J\
To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire, convened at Concord on the first Wednesday of June next,
the Petition of the Inhabitants of Chatham sheweth : that the
Town of Chatham was granted, A. D. 1767, by Benning Went-
worth the then Governor of New Hampshire, to Walter Bryant
and others ; and afterwards regranted by John Wentworth Esq"'
a later Governor of the State of New Hampshire, to Jonathan
Warner Esq, Rev'' Samuel Langdon, and others; that Doct.
Langdon, and Esq"" Warner, some years since, encouraged a
number of persons to settle in Chatham, and cleared Roads to
their Land ; but the whole of the roads cleared by them in the
Town do not exceed three miles and a half, which are almost
imppassible. About six or seven years since, the original Gran-
tees ran the Town into Lots ; encoui'aged a number of Settlers
to the amount of twenty or more, who from that time have been
considered as Settlers for the Proprietors of Chatham : the said
proprietors have never been at any expence in making roads in
said Town, alth" the value of said Township is greatly enhanced
by the Settlers, who sutler the greatest inconveniencies for want
of Roads ; they therefore pray your honors to grant a Tax of
two and a half cents per acre upon all the Lands in said Town,
for the purpose of making Roads in said Chatham ; and to ap-
point a Committee to see the same effected, or point out any
other way that your Honors may seem meet : and your petition-
ers, as in duty bound will ever pray —
Chatham May 25"' 1797.
CHATHAM. 303
Richard Walker Samuel Bradley Jr Asa Eastman
Stilson Hutchins Jonathan Hazletine John Hazletine
Jonas ^^\man William Abbott Abiel Chandler
Jonathan Harder Nathaniel Hutchins Jonathan Shirley
Jeremiah Hutchins Joshua Hazeltine Abraham Hazeltine
Samuel Hazletine John Robbins Isaac Cox
Isaac Robbins John Robbin Paul Chandler
[2-99]
This may certify all whome it may concern that we haye been
w'ell equainted with the town of Chatham from the time It was
first Granted untill now ; and are certain that there has been no
Rode made in said town. Excepting what Doctor langdon and
Jonathan Warner Esq"" made only what the inhabitants ^vho
liyed in said town made from house to house at their own ex-
pense
Conway May the 10"' 1798.
Dayid Page Richard Kimball
[June 13, 1798, the H. of Rep. "Voted that the prayer of
the petition be granted and that the Petitioners have leave
to bring in a Bill accordingly taking care in said Bill to ex-
empt the lands owned by Doct Langdon and Jonathan War-
ner Esq'' — " The senate concurred. — Ed.]
[2-100]
To the Honorable General Court now convened at Hopkin-
ton humbly sheweth Obed Hall in behalf of the Inhabitants of
Chatham that w'hereas the said Inhabitants have obtained leave
to bring in a bill for raising a tax of two and one half cents per
acre on all the lands in said Chatham public Rights excepted
and also the excej^tion of the lands owMied by Jonathan War-
ner, and the heirs of Samuel Langdon, and wliereas difficulties
have arisen in consequence of said exemptions of the lands of the
said Warner, and Langdons heirs said bill has been dismissed —
therefore your Petitioner j^rays that a tax of two and one half
cents per acre be granted on all the lands in said Ciiatham pub-
lic Riglits excepted for the purposes set forth in said Bill — And
in duty bound \\ ill pray —
Obed Hall
Hopkinton June 15 A. D. 1798.
[The foregoing was granted bv an act passed December
27, 1798, Samuel Bradley, Isaac Waldron, and Asa East-
man being appointed by said act as a committee to assess
304 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and collect the tax on all lands in Chatham, except public
rights. The act provided that the proprietors might make
the same void, by paying seven dollars on each and every
right, on or before the 15th day of July, 1799. — Ed,]
CHESTER,
The town was granted August 26, 1720, and was known
by the name of Cheshire until it was incorporated by its
present name May 8, 1722, by Governor Samuel Shute, to
Captain Henry Sherburne and 123 others, in answer to a
petition dated September 24, 1719, signed by about 100
members of the " Society for Settling the Chestnut Coun-
try." This society had held meetings and chosen officers as
early as October 15, 17 19. The boundaries of the grant
were as follows : " To begin at Exeter south'ly corner
bounds, and from thence run upon a West by North Point
Two miles along Kingstown Northerly Line to Kingstown
North corner bound then upon a South Point three miles
along Kingstown head line to Kingstown South corner
bounds and from thence upon a West North West Point
Ten miles into the Country then to begin again at the
afores*^^ Exeter South'ly corner bounds & run seven miles
upon Exeter head line upon a North East Point half a Point
more Northerly Then fourteen miles in to the Country upon
a West North West Point to the river Merrimack & from
thence upon a straight Line to the end of the afores'^ Ten
mile Line."
The first meeting under the charter was held March 28,
1723, and town officers were chosen. December 15, 1763,
that portion of the town known as Charming-fare was set off
and incorporated by the name of Candia. May 9, 1764,
Freetown was set off and incorporated by the name of Ray-
mond. A considerable territory was also set off, which is
now part of the city of Manchester. July 2, 1822, a por-
tion of the town was set off, and with portions of other towns
incorporated by the name of Hooksett. June 23, 1845, Au-
burn was set off and incorporated. Notwithstanding all
this territory has been set off, the town remains of a re-
spectable size ; but being off from any line of railroad, and
having little water-power that can be used for manufactur-
ing purposes, it is not increasing in population.
CHESTER.
305
[2-1 01] \^Ecclesiastical Council to consult about the Settle-
ment of a jSIinistcr at Chester^ //J^.]
At an Ecclesiastical Counsel held at Salisbury [Mass.] Au-
gust 13, 1734 consisting of y^ Elders & Messengers of y**
Churches following (viz)
from y*^ Churches Elders
Salisbury i Chh M'' Caleb Cushen
Salisbury z^ Chh
Exeter
Hampton falls
Bradford
Newbury
Kingstown
M'' Joseph Parsons
M-" John Odling
M'' Joseph Whipple
M'' Joseph Parsons
[Jr]
M' John Lowel
M^ Ward Clark
Amesburv 2*^ Chh M*^ Pain WinJet
Messengers
M"" Justice Brad-
bury
Deacon Jabez True
Deacon Joseph
French
Deacon Onezipt :
Page
Deacon Thomas
Wilson
' Deacon Jonathan
Woodman
M' Jonathan Fy-
field
Deacon Edward
Emerson
Deacon Moses El-
kins
Deacon Joseph
Bartlett
Being regularly assembled by virtue of Letters from y®
Church of Chester to y*^ aforesaid Churches to hear advise &
direct y'' said Church of Chester what may be most proper for
them to do under their present difficult circumstances by reason
of y*^^ Rev"^ : M' : Moses Hale their Pastor being wholy disabled
from sen'ing them in y* work of y"^ Ministry & having made due
Enquiry Into y*" Estate & Case & Circumstances of y*" Said Min-
ister and people they find y* y'= said M"" Hale having done little
or no service among them & being by y" Providence of God
brought under great disorder of body & Distraction of mind &
for a long time beravcd of his reason & understanding & there-
by rendered uncapable of Discharging y*^ work of y'' Ministry
among them & so remaining without any present appearance or
prospect of being restored to his ministery & therefore we Judge
and determine y' it is y* wisdom & duty of y'^ Chh & people of
Chester to proceed in y'' regular steps to call & settle a Gospel
minister among them y' so they may no longer be destitute of
y" word & ordinances of Christ & could also devise & direct y*
21
306 EAKI.Y TOWN PAPERS.
said Chh & people of Chester y* besides allowing y'' said M'' :
Hale y'' town right w"** : accrued to him upon settlement and
what then was else given him to encourage his settlement thev
should not forget their obligation to be ready to contribute to his
support & relief according to their power & ability & so com-
mending them to y*^ God of Grace & peace we subscribe vour
Brethren in Christ
Caleb Cushen Mod'' :
John Odling Clark
In y^ name & behalf of the Counsel
Copia va Attest per Thos : thomson
[2-102] \_Noticc of I)ivitation to Ordination^ iyj4.'\
that whereas a call has been presented by y^ Presbyterian In-
habitants of Chester to y'' Rev*^ M"" John Willson these are to
notify all persons concerned y' if they have any valid reasons
why said M" : Willson shall not be ordained to said Inhabitants
they are desired to lodge y*^ same in writing with y" Rev*^ M'' :
Thomas Thomson at Allan Anderson's in Londonderry on or
before y^ seventh day of October next for if nothing appears to
y^ contrary y'' Presbyterie will proceed to ordination as soon as
shall be convenient Subscribed according to order by
Thos : thomson
September 28 1734
Copia va Attest per Thos : thomson
[2—103] \_CertiJicate of Ordi)iation^ foJin Will soil., 113 4-'\
these are to certifie that I the subscriber together with y^ as-
sistance of y'' Rev*^ Mess^ : Andrew L= Mercier John Moore-
head & John Harvey did by y" appointment of y'' Rev*^ Presby-
terie in N : England ordain y" Rev"^ : M'' : John Willson in Ches-
ter to y" Presbyterians there according to y"^ method of y"" Church
of Scotland & way proscribed by y'' Westminster Assembly in
their directory to v^ Confession of faith given under my hand at
Londonderry this 8* day of March 1737
Thos : thomson
this ordination aforesaid was performed -y" 16'^ of October
1734
[superscribed] For M"' James Campbell or APJohn Talford
occasionally at Portsmouth per M'' Calfe
CHESTER. 307
[2-104] \_EcclesiasticaJ Council^ Chester^ ^735 -^
At an Ecclesiastical Council met at Chester June 4* 1735 to
consider and determine of y" case in controversy between y*
Rev'' Mr. Moses Hale & the people of Chester as proposed
Feb'' 6"^ 1734/5 • We having met upon y"^ desire of s** parties &
having heard their several pleas & aligations and duly consider-
ed the same,
We do judge and declare
1 That we do not find y*^ objections brought against the said
Hale sufficient grounds to remove him from the Pastoral office
among them meerly upon the acco*of his Incapacity to exercise
his ministry it being hopefull that any present indisposition ap-
pearing in him mav in time be removed and we find his char-
acter unblemished But
2 In as much as we find y'' present [word illegible] &
prejudice in this people against his ministry and impatience to
wait any longer upon him which threaten to render his minis-
try useless and unprofitable among them, We Judge it mav be
most for the interest of Religion and comfort of both parties,
That the s** M'' Hale should Qiiit his pastoral Relations to this
people upon y** following reasonable terms and conditions (viz)
I That y" s'' Town of Chester beside alowing him v*^ To\vn
Rights w*^*^ accru** to him upon his settlement, and what they
further advanc' towards his settlement. They shall & do sea-
sonably & punctually pay and make up to y'' s'^ M'' Hale all the
arrears that are behind and Justly Due to him upon y*' ace' of
his whole salery yearlv untill this day of which thev have been
greatly negligent in time past &
3 That in considerations of the low & difficult circumstances
w"^'' the s'^ M'' Hale will be left in upon his laying down his
ministry the s** people of Chester shall be obliged to pay the
whole arrears within 3 months and Int till s'^ whole is paid and
until such time as they shall fuUfiU the payment of y*" afores'^ ar-
rears for y" time past & Finally That upon the said M"' Hales
relinquishing the pastoral office or the peoples accepting v^
aforesaid conditions we do direct and advise them speedily to
take proper steps in order to a regular settlement of a Gospell
minister amcjng them. —
So wishing the God of Grace & peace to be with vou we
subscribe our selves yo" in the Faith & fellowship of y" Gos-
pell ; Voted in the affirmative
Caleb Cushing Moderator Jabc/, Fitch
Jos : Parsons J^^i'i Odlin Joseph Whipple
308 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nath^ Weare W" Bradbery John Lord
Jonath" Fifield Joseph French Thom^ Wilson
[One name illegible. — Ed.]
A True copy attest Caleb Gushing Moderator
John Odlin Scribe
[2-105] [.^^Py of Reco7'd of Toiv7i- Meetings i/j6.'}
Advertisement
These are to warn the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the
Town of Chester to assemble and meet at the meeting house in
Chester on Wednesday the twenty third Day of June Instant at
one of the Clock in the afternoon — to give the Rev*^ mr. Eben-
ezer Flagg a call to the work of the ministery
I By Vote to make choyce of him to be the minister of the
town (3) Vote what sallery he shall have —
Dated at Chester June i*"' 1736 —
Jacob Sargent Ephriem Hesseltine Select men
at the meeting Persuant to the above warning held June the
twenty third 1736 —
Voted Moses Leavite Esq moderator for said meeting
Voted That the Rev'^ m"' Ebenezer Flagg shall be the minis-
ter of the town of Chester —
Voted that there shall be one hundred and twenty Pounds
Paid to the Rev'' mr Ebenezer Flagg as silver at twenty shill-
ings an ounce per annum During his ministery in Chester
A true Copy taken out of Chester town book of Records
page 206* as attest
Sam'' Emerson town clerk
[2-106] [ Vo^e of Town electing Assessors, 1^41. \
At the anneuel meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of
Chester held at the old meeting house in Chester on the Last
Thursday in March 1741, Capt Sam' Ingalls moderator,
amongst other things Voted mr John Tolford and James Var-
num Invoice men ; to take the Invoice of the poles and Estates
of the whole town — a true copy taken out of Chester town book
of Records as attests
Sam' Emerson town Clark —
CHESTER.
309
[The following is a list of tax-payers, as returned by
James Varnum, John Tolford, Invois Men," 1741. — Ed.]
Moses Hills
Henry Hall
Robert Willson
James Willson
Benj" Derbon
William Karr
Thomas Derbon
Charles ]Moore
Jonas Clay Jun''
John Robie
William Powell
Robert Graham Jun''
John Allen
Ithamer Berrey
Benj" Bachilder
King Calfe
Joseph Calfe
Henry Ambross
Jacob Sergant Jun''
Daniel Macfarline
John Clement
James Shirley Jur.
James Qiiainton
John Dickey
Bradbur\- Karr
Daniel Webster
Widdow Elizabeth
Underbill
David Crage
Timothy Ingals
John Wodwell
John Mills Junr
John Carswell
Ens. Jacol) Sargent
Benj" Hills
Thomas Hesseltine
John Talford
Anthony Towle
Benaih Colbe
Isaac Foss
Silvanus Smith
William Healey
Jacob Bassford
Stephen Clay
John Karr
John Webster
Francis Towle
William Crawford
Andrew Crage
John Karr Jr
Paul Mcfasen
Nathanal Wood
James Bassford
Sam' Robie
Titus Wells
William Graham
Thomas Worthen
Joseph Clark
Page Bachilder
Robert Calfe
John Foss
Mark Karr
William Leach
Ebenezer Gial
James Macfasen
Michael Derbon
James Shirley
John Underbill
Jonathan Sanders
Stephen W^ebster
Widdow Elizabeth
Rowell
Samuel Aken
Moses Richardson
William Turner
Robert Mills
Capt. Sam' Ingals
Nathan Webster
William Wilson
John Hesseltine
William Talford
Thomas Smith
Sam' Emerson
Jonathan Moulton
Paul Smith
Robert Runnals
Joseph Bassford
John Smith
Hugh Willson
Sam' Hills
Wintrop Sergant
Sam' Brown
John Aloore
Jonas Clay
Joseph Taylor
Sam' Powell
Robert Graham
Patrick Melvin
Eliphaz Sanborn
Jonathan Hall
James Calfe
Daniel Calfe
John Ambross
William White
John Orr
Nathan Huse
Adam Dickey
Edward Crage
James Willson
Thomas Richardson
Nathan Webster
James Varnum
John Boyd
Thomas Wasson
Robert Gillerees
Mathew Forsaith
Lieut. Ebenezer Der-
bon
John Calfe
Ephraim Hesseltine
Thomas Wells
John Shirley
James Campble
Jonathan Blunt
Ebenezer Derbon
Jun.
Peter Derbon
Joshua Prescott
Ebenezer Blunt
Robert Gorden
Daniel Macaphce
Alexander Crajje
3IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hugh Ramsey Archibald Macaphee Isaac Foss Jun.
Alex Temlington Robert Crage Nathan Colbee
Nathaniel Hall Jethro Tilton Thomas Hill
James Wodwell James MacClure William Grims Junr,
Peter Clifford Joseph Davis Archibald Delaph
Thomas Crage David MacClure
widdow Mary Cars- Thomas Gli nn
well John Aken
[2-1 oS] \_Petition for Road bet-joeen Chester and London-
derry^ 1/42.^
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"' Gov"" & Com-
mander in Chief In and Over his Majestvs Province of
Nev\^ Hampshire and to the Honorable His Majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives in General Court assembled
June the ninth 1742 —
The Humble Petition of the Select men of Chester on the Be-
half of themselves and Constituents Sheweth — That there has
Never been any Road opened between the Body of the Town of
Chester and Londonderry — That the want of Said Road Is a
very Considerable damage to your Petitioners — That your Peti-
tioners have several times spoke to and once Petitioned the
Town vSelect men of Londonderrv for the opening of a conven-
ient Road but have never been able hitherto to obtain our End.
— May it therfore please your Excellency & Hon''* to take the
Premises under consideration and to grant that said Road may
be opened by John Carr's Mills and from thence to run to the
dwelling house of James Caldwell of Londonderry there being
but about one Hundred and twenty Rhods of said Road to be
opened which Road will (as far as we can learn) be most pleas-
ing to the greater part of the Inhabitants both of Chester and
Lon : Derry and your Petitioners Shall ever pray &c.
Ebenezer Dearbon") o , ,
Nathan Webster >-
^ ( men
John Karr )
[2-109] \^Anot/ier Petition for Road^ addressed to General
Co7irt assejnbled on Tuesday, the l6th day of November^
1742-']
The Humble Petition of the Selectmen of Chester in behalf
of themselves and Constituents Earnestly prayeth for a hearing
of our former petition which your Excellency and Honors Re-
ceived June the lo'*" 1742 Requesting for a Road or highway
CHESTER. 311
Jovning to our Road that Goes by John Kar's Mills and from
thence to Run straight past the East End of James Caldwell's
Dwelling house to the open Road in Lo : Derry which is about
an hundred and Twenty Rhods and is also fit and suitable land
for a highway and may be pinxhased on ease and Reasonable
Terms — And we your Petitioners together with some of the vSe-
lect Men of Londonderry have viewed and tryed the Road that
Lieut. Andrew Todd of Lo : Derry made mention of to your
Excellency and Hon""^ in opposition to our petition and find that
said Road is altogether unfit to be made a highway of neither
can we of Chester find convenient and suitable Land Jovning to
said Road, Avhich in our Humble oppinion Renders it almost if
not altogether Impossible to have any Tollerable Road there at
all, and in our viewing of it we found it not opened nor Repair-
ed and allowed to be but Two Rhods wide which is contrary to
the laws of the Province.
We also have spoke to the Selectmen of Lo : Derry in order
to have the highway to Run by John Kars Mill as above Re-
quested and they tell us that they cannot Do it by Reason of a
vote that is in their Town Book to the contrary (viz) That no
highway shall be laid out within a mile of another in their
Town, nor can they either change or stop the other because it
is upon Record.
May it therefore please your Excellency and Hon" to take
this our Humble Petition under your Consideration, and Grant
that the Road may Run as above supplicated for, and your Pe-
titioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Select f John Karr
men | Nathan Webster
[The foregoing, with a plan (vol. 2, p. no), was before the
H. of Rep., May 26, 1743, and a committee, consisting of
George Walton and Richard Jenness, to which the council
added Jos. Sherburne and John Downing, was appointed to
view the situation, and report which was the best place for
a highway. Report not found. — Ed.]
[2-111]
At a meeting of the Presbyterian Parish in Chester held vSep-
tember y* 14, 1753.
ily voted Samuell Akin moderator of s** meeting
2ly voted this meeting is to be caryed on by hand vote
3ly voted three hundred Pound Cellery old tennor to Be set-
tled to the Reverant mr. John willson a year
Jun the 27 1 75 1 at a meeting of the Presbyterian Parish
312 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
I ly voted Capt Andrew Jack moderator of s'^ meeting
2ly the ineeting is to Be Caryed on by handy vote
3ly voted the meeting house is to be moved to a proper senter.
81y the Parisli Excepted of the Commites report for the sen-
ter Between Capt John Tolfords house and Decon Wilham
Leaatchs house.
At another meeting of the Presbyterian Parish held at Chester
march the 12 1750
ily voted Andrew mcfarhind moderator of s** meeting
then voted Capt John Tolford Hugh Cromey Thomas Crag
wilham Leatch James Qiienton a Commitee to find a Place to
move the meeting house too
a true coppy taken out of the Parish Book By
James Quenton Parish Clark
[R. 1S6]
[Jonathan Blunt, of Chester, presented a bill for boarding
and nursing one " Benjamin York a soldier in the Hon-
ourable Col" Misservey Regiment." The bill amounts to
;^27i-i2-o, old tenor. Among the charges is this: "To
Eight Gallons of Rum to Dress his wounds with a 4^ 10
pr. Gallon ^$6. o. o." In H. of Rep., March 21, 1758, he
was allowed £2^. Council concurred, and the governor
" consented." — Ed.]
[R. 187]
[Jonas Clay, of Chester, gunsmith, in a petition dated
December 26, 1758, states that he was a soldier in Capt.
John Hazzen's company ; that at Fort Edward he was or-
dered by Col. Hart " into the Kings Yard to do duty as an
armorer," and filled that position until discharged ; for
which he asks extra compensation, and is allowed forty
shillings sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 1S8]
[James Quenton, of Chester, in a petition dated August
10, 1761, states that his son James "was in the Province
Service in Col° Goffs Regiment in Capt. Todds Company in
the year 1760, and being discharged as a sick man. Came
Home some time in December and in two days broke out
with Small Pox." He further states that his wife and two
children took it, one of whom died. He presented a bill
amounting to ;^i 78-2-6, old tenor, which he asked the
CHESTER. 313
Province to pay. Sworn to before Matthew Thornton.
The bill was allowed, amounting to jQ6-i6 sterling. — Ed.]
[3-113] \_Pctifio?i of Samuel Blunt ^ Postrldei\ i'/y6.'\
Colony of New \ To the hon''"' the Council & house of Rep-
Hampshire j resentatives for the Colony aforesaid The
petition of Samuel Blunt of Chester in the County of Rocking-
ham in the aforesaid Colony Sheweth — That your petitioner
intends if properly encouraged to Ride post from hence to
Canada in order to Carry Letters and bring them from thence
together with all news to and from thence, and he thinks he
shall not be able to Go thro' with the matter so as to save him-
self from expence unless your honours will Grant him some
encouragement therein — Wherefore he humbly prays your hon-
ours to Countenance him in his intention herein and make him
a Grant of a little money towards defraying his Charges for the
present and he hopes, in future, that he shall have such en-
couragement from the People as will enable him to serve the
public, without troubling your honours for any Further Re-
lief— And your petitioner as he is in duty bound will Ever
pray &c.
Samuel Blunt
Exeter June 20* 1 776 —
[R. 189] \_Pcfifio?i of the SJiirleys, Bunker Hill Soldiers.'^
To the Hon''''^ Council & House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened —
Humbly Shew's, Alexander Shirley in behalf of himself &
his Brother John Shirley Both of Chester in the county of
Rockingham, that the s*^ John & Alexander ware in the Battle
at Bunkers hill in Cap' Kinsmans Company where they ware
so unfortunate as to Loose one coat & jacket of Johns valued
at Eight Dollers and one Coat of Alexanders valued at Eight
Dollers & one Knapsack valued at half a Doller — to the am' in
the whole sixteen Dollars, which your Petitioner Prays your
honors would be Pleased to order them Pay therefor or Relieve
them in any other w^ay your Honors sliall think Proper — and
your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray &c.
Alexander Shirley
'' Dismissed "
Exeter June the 8"' 1776
314 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 190] \^yoh?t Knoivles' s Petition^ Bennitigtoti Soldier. '\
[In a petition dated February 13, 1778, John Knowles, of
Chester, states that he was " a soldier in Capt. Stephen
Dearborn's company," and was " wounded in the Battle of
Bennington by a Balls Passing thro' his Body by means
of which he was unable to Git home for two months after
his time was out." He presented a bill amounting to
^18-18-3, of which ;Qi2 was for nursing, and ;^2-2-6 for
rum, wine, and brandy. — Ed.]
[R. 193] \_Susannah JSmerso/i's Petition., 277Q.1 addressed
to Cou7icil and House of Representatives .^
Susannah Emerson of Chester in said State, Humbly shows,
that your Petitioners Husband Amos Emerson Cap' in the ser-
vice of the United states of America was home on Furlow last
winter, but Joyn*^ y^ army very early and since he went away
your Honoi's at a late Session of the General Assembly voted a
sum of money, to the officers Toward making up the Depre-
ciation of money, and as your Petitioner is left with a Large
Family, of children and the Necessarys of life is very expen-
sive, your Humble Petitioner prays that your Honors would
pay the whole or part of said money Due to your Petitioners
Husband, as to your wisdom shall seem meet, and your Peti-
tioner as in Duty Bovmd will ever Pray &c
Susanna Emerson.
Chester June y® 17* 1779
[By vote of the House, she was allowed ;^8oo. Amos
Emerson was promoted from lieutenant to captain in the
first battalion, Nov. 8, 1776, at Ticonderoga. — Ed.]
[2-1 14] S^Letter from Select?nen to President Weare., iy8o.'\
Chester July the 11"^ 1780
Sir : As Lieutenant Jonathan Robins was appointed as
an officer to serve in the corps destined to the Westward
and he refusing to go and his Commission being sent back
by Lieut. Eliot we humbly beg leave to recommend to
your Honor John Webster son to Col" John Webster of this
Town as a Person well qualified to serve in the Capacity of a
Lieut, in that Corps, if your Honor thinks fit to grant him a
CHESTER. 315
Commission. Lieut Eliot who waits on you with this Recom-
mendation will receive it at your Hands and leave it with Col°
Webster
The Hon. M. Weare Isaac Hills ") Select Men
President Josiah Forsith v of
Josiah Flagg ) Chester
£3-115] yoshua Wentwort/i to Cotninittee of Safety^ about
Tax.-]
Portsmo' Mar. 30, 1783.
Gentl'"" The Selectmen of Chester have apply'd twice for
my receiv'g Rum in lieu of Cash On the first application I
desired the Sheriff to postpone leveying the warrant 'til the last
day of this month, for the Town to have an opp'y to obtain
leave of the General Coml, — The Selectmen apply this day to
have a further time allow'd, that they may have an opp'y of
apply'g. to your Honors for reasons they will suggest Was
it in my power to settle the matter I sh*^ receive good Rum in
lieu of what was provided & offer'd, because I suppose they
wei-e deceived in the Qiiality by the person employ'd by them
to procure it & I think any Town w'^^ had made anv provision
to pay their tax, ought to be indulged. — I have lengthened the
time again to the 15"' April next —
I am Gentl'"
Your Obt Serv
Josh. Wentw^orth
Hon''''^ Committee of Safety for State of New Hampshire
[3-1 16] \_Pctition of Select?nen about Ru7n Tax^ 7/^3.]
To the Honerable the Council and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Con-
ven*^ the second Tuesday of June Instant —
The Petition of the Subscribers the Selectmen of the Town
of Chester — Humbly Shews that the Town of Chester was
asses'* the Qiiantity of one Hundred and Ninety Seven Gallons
of west India Rum for the use of s'' State and ordered to Be
Deliver'' to Joshua VVentworth P^sq. the States Receiver of that
article at the Places mentioned in the Act for that Purpose —
That the Selectmen of s'* Chester for theveariySi Purchas**
tlie Rimi but it Did not Prove of such a (^ualitv as the s'' Re-
ceiver could Receive it consistant with his Dutv and order'' an
3l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Extent to Issue against the Town for as many Silver Dollars
As the Town was to pay Gallons of Rum but the Selectmen
have hithertoo obtained so much Indulgence from Col" Went-
worth that the money Has not as yet ben Leave'd and the
Receiver is still Willing on his part to Receive it into Store
Provided he can have the Direction of this Honorable Assem-
blv so to Do and he Further adds that no Injury has arose to
the Publick service by Reason of the Rums not being Deliv*
as Directed by the s"^ Act — That the said Town of Chester
has ever exerted themselves to the Utmost of their Power in
Promoting The Service —
That in this Extream scarcity of money ocationed in a Great
Measure by Raising men for the Continental Service it will be
almost Impossible for the Present Selectmen to Raise the mon-
ey ordered by the s** extent without Distressing the Inhabitants
to a Great Degree and Much more so than by Providing the
Rum — Your Petitioners Therefore most Humbly Pray that this
Assembly will Consider the Premises and the Great ease it
will be to the Town still to have Liberty to Deliver the s*
Quantity of rum in Lieu of the money any cost that has arose
on the Matter your Petitioners will Cheerfully Pay and Procure
the Rum as your Honours shall Direct — and your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c —
Jabez Hoit | Selectmen
Jos. Blanchard J of Chester
Chester June 12"' 1782.
[R. 19=1] \_Petition of Peter Haseltine and Si'fuon Berry^
jySj. — Addt'essed to the General Assembly. '\
The Petition of the subscribers Humbly Shews That where-
as Nathan Berry and Paul Clarke minors Both Inhabitants of
the Town of Chester were Inlisted on the twenty ninth Day of
July 1782 by the Selectmen of said Chester to serve as soldiers
in the States service under Capt Titus Salter untill the Last
Day of the December following unless sooner Discharged said
soldiers were mustered by Col" John Webster and Marched &
Joyned the Company agreeable to the General Courts orders
for that purpose where they served faithfully untill the twenty-
third day of November which was but a few Days before said
company were all Discharged then said Soldiers came away
without orders from their Capt who has returned them as De-
serters—
Your Honours Petitioners therefore most Humbley pray that
CHESTER. 317
This Assembly will consider the premises and Grant to said
Nathan Berry and Paul Clark wages for the time they served
the state and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
pray &c. —
Peter Hasseltine
Simon Bery
Chester October 35'^ 1783 —
[2-1 1 7]
Instructions of the Town of Chester to their Representatives.
To Jacob Chase Esq' and Maj' Will™ White —
Gentlemen — Altho' we have full confidence in your Fidelity,
and conceive that your publick virtues would lead you (with-
out sinister views) to pursue such Measures onlv, as you sup-
pose would tend to the public Good ; yet it mav be no Disad-
vantage to have your Sentiments fortifved, bv those of vour
Constituents ; particularly as the hon''''^ Gen' Assembly have, in
justice to the People, called on them to instruct and impower
their Representatives, respecting a proposed alteration of the
Eighth Article of Confederation and perpetual Union between
the thirteen United States of America — We having duly con-
sidered this Matter, do recommend the alteration of said arti-
cle, according to the proposals of the Hon''''^ Continen' Con-
gress— When we consider the different Produce, the different
method of building, together with the varying qualities of
Land, and varying values fixed to Lands of the same quality in
the different States ; any other Method we can devise is likely
to be attended with more Difiicultv and greater Expence ; and
considering the States collectivelv will not answer the ends pro-
posed better ; at the same time we are not sure, but that some
Inequality^ iTi'iJ arise, from too small a Number of Slaves be-
ing taken into the estimate. You are further instructed, not to
give your consent to invest any one Man with divers offices of
Profit Trust & Honor ; You are to endeavor likewise, that no
Person or Persons of whatever denomination, whom you have
just Cause to suspect, have been, or are enemical to American
Measures ; have aided her enemies, or been Idle Spectators
during the Contest with Great Britain shall sustain, or hold any
office of Trust, Profit or Honor, in the State ; & if anv Persons
of this Character have crept in by art, or been inadvertently ad-
mitted, you are to endeaver their Removal : and in all appoint-
ments, you are to use your Influence, to promote men of trv'd
fidelity, & strict attachment to their Country ; always consider-
3l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
ing, that none but such ought to be accounted worthy to bear
Rule in this Land, that has doneso much to secure the precious
Liberties & Independence thereof — It is with Concern of Mind
we consider the vmcomfortable Circumstances we are in by rea-
son of high Taxes, the scarcity of Cash, & the surprising num-
ber of Law-Suits, which have an evident Tendency to distress
the good People of this State ; you are therefore to endeavor
that something be done either by cutting down the Table of
Fees, by making States Security, or Produce a tender for Exe-
cutions ; or making a Small Bank of Money, which may en-
able the People to pav their Taxes ; and thereby prevent the
growing Evil ; or \vhat else you in vour wisdom, & Prudence
shall think best adapted to that Purpose ; that their Land may
emerge, as soon as possible from that state of Distress into
which it is plung'd, by a long & expensive war
Chester Sept: 30, 1783,
Sam' Emerson town clerk
[The "Articles of Confederation" of the United States
were signed by Josiah Bartlett and John Wentworth, Jr., in
behalf of New Hampshire, August 8, 1778. The eighth
article, referred to in the foregoing document, was as fol-
lows : "All charges of war, and all other expenses that
shall be incurred for the common defence or general wel-
fare, and allowed by the United States, in Congress assem-
bled, shall be defrayed out of the common treasury, which
shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the
value of all land within each state, granted to or surveyed
for any person, as such land and the buildings and improve-
ments thereon shall be estimated according to such mode as
the United States, in Congress assembled, shall, from time
to time, direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that pro-
portion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direc-
tion of the Legislatures of the several states, within the
time agreed upon by the United States, in Congress assem-
bled."—Ed.]
[2-1 iS] \_N?i7nber of Ratable Polls, ^7^3 •']
State of New Hampshire] The Town of Chester Being by
Rockingham ss. j Vote of the General Court Directed
to Return under oath to the Assembly at their next session the
exact number of Male poles of Twenty one years of age and
CHESTER. 319
upwards paying for themselves a pole Tax within said Town
which is as follows (viz.) 362
a true account Errors Excepted
Chester Decern"' i'^' 17S3
Joseph Linn ") Selectmen
Isaac Blasdel >- of
Jabez Hoit J Chester
[Sworn to before John Webster.
The number of ratable polls in 1879 was 296. — Ed.]
[2-1 19] \_PetitioH ifi J'avor of A/it/iottv S. Stickncv.~\
To the Honerbel Presedent and Councel Surs it appers to
us that anthony Somerbv Sticknev is a Parson as Sutubel For
a Justes of the Pease For this County and the End of the town
Whare He Lives or in the Longmedow Parish so coled as eany
Parson thare. and we your Humble Petoners would Requst
his Being appinted
Chester ianery the 15 — 17S5
Samuel Sharley Arthur Dinsmore James Sharley
Thomas Sharley Aren Burbank Johi^ Grimes
William millor James Hunter Thomas Fowler
obadiah Hall Samuel aiken Jun. James Witherspoon
Mansfield APDuftey Josiah Hall Samuel Peirce
James Witherspoon John m'^Duffy
Jun. Peter Akin
[2-120] \_Petitiofi relative to Paper ^ etc.^ 1786.']
State of New Hamp' j To the Honb' General Cort for said
State to be Convened at Concord on the first Wenesdav of June
Instant Humbly Shews The Subscribers Inhabitants of the
town of Chester in the County of Rockingham in Said State
That your Petioners Labour under many and very Great Difii-
culties on account of the great Scarcity of a Circulating me-
dium of trade also a grate uneasiness lies arisen in the minds of
your Petioners and many others on account of a Claime lately
maid to the uncultivated Lands within this State and as vour
Honours are the Guardians of the Rights and Priviledges of
the peopel and as we Have no other regular way of Redress
than by aplying to you therefore wc Humbly Request that \our
320
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Honours would take our case under your wise Consideration
and grant us relief by acting on the following Particulars —
i^' That you would not a Low those Persons Purchasers of
the alien Claime So Called any part of their Claime within this
State
2^y That not any of those Persons that are Purchasers of Said
aliens Claime Hold any Commission of profit or Honour with-
in this State for the space of one year
3'^' that the general Cort take up the matter Respecting the
Masonian Title to Sertain Lands in this State (which we thinke
their titel is not good) and that those Lands Claimed by them
be converted to the youse of said State
4'-' That there Might be a Banke of Paper Money made to Re-
deem this States Securities.
5'-"' That the General Cort Petition Congress to Redeem the
Continental paper Currency that is in the Treasury in this State
the same being more than our proportion of the same
6'y That the Ports and Harbours in this State be Opened and
a free traye [trade] for all except the Refugees
Chester June i^' 1786.
Alex'' Campbell
Benj°
Jacob Blasdel
Ichabod Davis
John Hasseltine
Joshua Copps
James Shirley
Hugh Shirley
John Mills his mark
Robert Graham Jr
William Shirley
James Stevens
Samuel Gault
Joseph Brown
James oterson
David hildack
Ezra Badger
Daniel Harper
Samuel Davice
Robert Dinsmore
Thomas Fowler
Josiah Hall
Samuel Akien
William Hodgkins
mathew tempelton
John Giffin
Husrh Miller
Sam' Hoyt
Thomas Sever
Peter Hasseltine
Richard Hasseltine
Joseph Dearben
Sam' Jack
John Shirley
William Mills
Robert Graheme
Abraham Silver
Eliphalet Poor
Sherben Dearben
William Gault
James Brown
James Brown
Laban Harriman
Jonathan Carlton
John Evens
Peter Akin
Roson M'^Alpine
Adam Dickey
Archibald mackafe
David C. Bean
Obadiah ILill
John Shannon
Thomas IM'^Master
Willime miller
Pearley Chase
Hugh Tolford
Joshua Bradshaw
Rob' Forsith
Joseph Copps
Jonathan Jack
David Mills
Simeon Currier
Amos Emerson
Hail Stevens
David Knox
W" Knox
William Brown
Robert Gordon
Robert Davis
Nath' Martin
James Harper
Arthur Dinsmore
Nathaniel Linn
Daniel Aiken
David Wetherspoon
Stephen Heath
Thomas Sfiirley
William Gilcrest
John Dickey
James miller
Pearson Richardson
CHESTER. 321
Samuel White Edward Pressen Reuben Clark
Benj" Hall Joseph Hills mansefeld m'^Dufe
Sam' Sharlev James Sharley John Brown
Alexander Sharley thomes Sharley John Brown Jun
Benj" Bean Francis Carr
James oterson
[For matter relative to paper money, see Atkinson papers,
ante. — Ed.J
[R. 196]
[Joseph Davis, who signs his name with a cross, orders
all that is due him for service in 2d N. H. Reg't, to be paid
to Jno. Nicolle. Dated Chester, Dec. 20, 1784. Attested
by Burton Pollard, Jr., and Anna Underbill. — Ed.]
[R. 197] \^Isaac Tucker s Petition., I'j86.'\
a humble Potiscion of Isaac Tucker to the honnerible Court,
gentelmen my son Inlisted in the year 17S3 for the town of
Chester in the Contenentle sarvice for three yers and as your
honners verry well knows there was a Bounty of twenty
Pounds Lawful money Provided by Court to Be Payd in four
years after their Inlestment for Every Solger Sent for that year
and Insted of money in hand or cattle as maney other solgers
had for incurrigement to Inlest my son a greed to take that
Bounty for his incurrigement as will apper By JVP Locks order
on the trasure and also from the Select men of Chester — and as
my son was Proceding to the armey according to his orders he
w^as taken sick and Died at Bennington as will appear By Esq'
hathawavs Deposition — and now the four years is Expired your
Potiscioncr Prays your Honners to provide some way to give
him that Bounty Justly Dew to his son — and I Pray the god of
all wisdom to give you wisdom and Knolige to Deal in Justis
and murcy with your humble Potiscioner
Isaac Tucker
[R. 1 98] \^JercniiaJi Touolc's Petitiofz., Soldier .^ iy88.~\
To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable the house of
Representatives in General Court convened at Exeter in and
for the State of New Hampshire on Wednesday the 24"' of
December 17S8 —
The petition of Jeremiah Towl of Chester in said State hum-
bly sheweth —
That your petitioner served as a Soldier in the Continental
22
322 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
army for the term of three years, and that on the 19'* of Sep-
tember A. D. 1777 at Bemuses Hight your petitioner in fighting-
in defence of his Country received a wound in his arm and body,
and by reason of which your petitioner has been but [put] to
considerable expense in procuring physicians to take care of
said wound, of which the said Jeremiah can produce the physi-
cians bills — and likewise that one of said bills was for taking
care of your petitioners wound ^vhen he w'as at said Chester on
furlough, wherefore your petitioner Humbly prays your Honors
for to grant him an oi^der on the Treasurer for the sum of the
said bills amounting to £18. 2. 3 — in pi'esent currency, or grant
him such other relief as your Honors in wisdom shall esteem
more eligible — And vour petitioner as in duty bound will ever
pray—
Chester December 15* 17S8. —
Jeremiah Towl
[He was attended by Dr. Benjamin Page, and the legisla-
ture directed the bill to be paid. — Ed.]
[2-1 21] \_Petition concerning the Western Boundary of the
Toivnr\
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened humbly
shew the Inhabitants of the Town of Chester, that the westerly
line of said Town intersects Merrimack River in two places so
that a small part of said Town is on the west side of the river
in the county of Hillsborough, the principal part thereof being
in the County of Rockingham : which renders it more difficult
and expensive for your petitioners to perambulate said line, than
if the river was the bound between Chester and those Towns
which are situated to the west thereof — They also shew, that
there are three small slips of land, belonging to the Masonian
proprietors, so called, or their assigns, situated between the
westerly line of Chester and Merrimack River which are not in
any town — Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the River Mer-
rimack may in future be the westerly Line of Chester and the
aforesaid slips of Land be annexed thereunto.
Will"* White, Stephen Chase, A. Livermore,
Committee on behalf of the Petitioners.
Chester June i, i794-
[This committee was appointed by vote in town-meeting,
March 13, 1794. The matter was before the H. of Rep.
CHESTER. 323
June 12, and a hearing ordered for the next session, and I
presume a law was passed in accordance with the request,
but I fail to find it.
A plan accompanied this petition, which shows the south-
west corner bound of old Chester — " the three pines " — to
have been a little south of opposite the mouth of Piscata-
quog river. Gen. Stark's house is located, and passing
north is VVhitaker's, Stark's, Emerson's, Stevens's, Carr's,
Dolton's, and Head's, — the latter in the north-west corner
of Chester, above " Patucket falls." — Ed.]
[2-122] \_Pet/'fion J~or Incorporation of West Parish^ I'jg6.~\
To the Hon''^'' the senate & house of Representatives in General
Court to be convened at Exeter on the first Wednesday of
June A. D. 1796 —
The Petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of that part of
Chester near masabesick pond Humbly Shews that in the year
1753 the town of Chester at an anual meeting voted that a
Tract of land in the westerly part of Chester might be Incor-
porated into a parrish by certain boundary lines which are as
follows (Beginning at Londonderry line at a stake and stones
being the S W bounds of Land sold to Thomas Cochran by the
Proprietors of s*^ Chester & run straight to a pich pine tree be-
ing the S W bounds of Nath' Halls land by Penicook path then
N N E by said Halls land so far as that goes & straight to the
S W corner of the 39"^ lott in the second part of the second di-
vision then north 29 degrees E to the N W bounds of the 43**
lott in the aforesaid division & then N N W to Towerhill pond
then straight to the N E corner of Derryfield then S by Derry-
field to Londonderry line and so by Londonderry line to the
first bounds mentioned) accordingly a parsonage lott was laid
out within said lines by the proprietors of said Chester and that
in Mai'ch i793 there was a vote to sell all the parsonage lotts in
s** Chester reserving to the Longmeadow parrish (so called) the
proceeds of the sale of the Hundred acre lotts to their use Pro-
vided they should be Incorporated as a Parrish on or before the
year iSoi that your Petitioners together with some other per-
sons in the lower part of s*^ Town belonging to the Presbyte-
rian Society, have lately erected a meeting house within the
lines aforesaid but are in no Capacity to avail themselves of the
Benefit of s*^ lott without the assistance of your Hon". Wlicre-
fore they Pray that the Inhabitants within the lines afoi-es*^ may
be Incorporated into a body Politic by the name of Chester west
324
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
parrish for the sole purpose of setling & maintaining the minis-
try within said lines and be Infranchised with all the Powers
priviledges & Immunities incident to Corporations of a similar
nature they Giving liberty to all persons living within said lines
to poll to the other parrish that Please & Likewise to Persons
living in any other part of the Town to poll into said parrish
that shall choose so to do, & your Petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray —
Dated at Chester this 15* day of March A. D. 1796 —
Joseph Blanchard
David Currier
Joseph Linn
Adam Wilson
Robert M'^Kinley
Robert Dinsmore
Stephen Merrill
William Brown
Alexander Shirley
Archable M'^Duftee
John Wetherspoon
William Hoyt
David Calfe
James M'^Farland
Joshua Hall
James Eaton
David Carr
James Wason
Caleb Hall
Sam' Crombie
Jonathan Davis
Thomas Anderson
Thomas M'^Master
Peter Akin
Thom^ Sherley Jun
James M*^ murphy
Benjamin Brown [ ?]
Micah Phillips
Henry Read
Barnard merrill
Thomas Fowler
Samuel Dresser
Will"" Letch
William Willson
David Witherspoon
John Grimes
David Patten
Hugh M^Duffee
James Hunter
George Russell
William Crombie
David Hall
Alexander Eaton
Joseph Calfe
Amos Crombie
Samuel Peirce
Stephen worthen
Sam®' Aken
[The matter was in the legislature June 8, 1796, and a
hearing ordered for the next session, but no act was passed
granting the request at said next session, — Ed.]
[2-133] \_PetitionJ'or Incorporation of Library^ lygy.']
To the Honour''''' the senate & house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Concord June i797-
The Petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth that they &
their associates have formed themselves into a company under
the name of the Proprietors of the social Library in Chester and
have purchased a collection of useful books to be kept under
certain regulations for the common benefit of said society and as
no society can well subsist without the aid of civil authority
therefore we pray this honourable court to incorporate those
who now are or may hereafter become proprietors of the s** so-
cial Library in Chester invested with all the powers priviledges
CHESTERFIELD. 325
& immunities incident to corporations of a similar nature & your
Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Chester June 8, 1797 —
Benj" Brown John Emerson Will"" White
Tho** Sarg^eant Simon Towle
[The said library was incorporated by an act passed June
16, 1797. — Ed.]
CHESTERFIELD.
The town was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth,
February ii, 1752,10 Col. Josiah Willard and 63 others.
No settlements were made under this grant, and, the condi-
tions not being complied with, it would have been forfeited,
but an extension was granted June 11, 1760. Indian hos-
tilities having ceased in the vicinity, the first settlements
were made by Moses Smith, William Thomas, and their
families, in the fall of 1761. Simon Davis and Abel Em-
mons settled the following spring, and for ten years the
growth was such that there were about 150 families in town
in 1772.
Mary Thomas, born in 1762, is said to have been the
first white child born in the town. She married Lemuel
Stoddard.
There are several ancient plans of the Connecticut town-
ships in the office of the secretary of state, showing the
boundaries of Nos. i, 2, 3, and 4 — Chesterfield, Westmore-
land, Walpole, and Charlestown ; these show also the
towns of Winchester, Hinsdale, and Upper and Lower Ash-
uelot. Very little change has been made in the boundaries
of this town since the original grant.
Chesterfield has creditably performed her part in war and
in peace, and has been, and is, a substantial farming town ;
contains one of the finest bodies of water in the state,
which is becoming noted as a summer resort. The town is
connected with Keene, and Brattleborough, Vt., by tele-
phone.
326
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-124] \_Petltion for Grant of Town of Chesterfeld^ lyji.']
Province of ] To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq
New Hamp'' j Gov"" in and over His Maj^" Province of New
Hamp'' &c. the Hon' his Maj-^'* Council
The Petition of the Subscribers Humbly Shews that Sundry
of your Petitioners some years before the last Indian War had
entered on a tract of Land Called N" One on the Easterly Side
Connecticut River and adjoining to the same next above Win-
chester, under the Grant of the Massachusetts Bay, but since
the Dividing line Between the s*^ Massachusetts & the Province
of New Hamp'' has been ascertained b}' his Majesty, Wee find
that the same falls within the Province of New Hampshire and
are Desirous to pursue our former Intention of making a Set-
tlement there if we may be favored with a grant from his
Majesty of that township, under Such Restrictions as other
Towns Holding under his Majesty in this Province
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that a Grant may be made
them of the said Township N" one In Such a way and manner
as y"' Excellency & Hon"^* See meet, & y'' Peti'^^as in Duty Bound
Shall ever pray —
Dated y*' of 1751 —
Josiah Willard
John Armes
Oliver Willard
Nathan Willard Jr
William Willard
William Lawrence
Jonathan Hubbard
Simon Cooly
Simon Stone
Thomas Pain
Joseph Wheelright
Benj" Lynde
Lemuel Davis
Elias Alexander
Abraham Kendel
Ebenezer Day
William Spaulding
Robeit Fletcher
David Stevens
James Stoodley Jr
Nathan Willard
John Armes Jun
Oliver Willard Jr
Wilder Willard
Billy Willard
John Hunt
Samuel Kennady
Joseph Willard
Peter oliver
John Wheelright
Oliver Butler
Josiah Willard Jr
John Moor
Caleb Trowbridge
Simon Hunt
Solomon Willard
William Deen
David Hubbard
Natha' Wheelright
Simon W^illard
Jeremiah WheelrightSilas Spaftbrd
John Spaftbrd Joanna Wetherby
Pheneas Wait
John Brooks
Benj" Frentch
John Frentch Jr
Moses Gould
David Field
John Kendel
Volentine Butler
James Whitney
Josiah Brown
Samuel Greley
William Down
Samuel Field
Daniel Kendel
[This grant was made by Gov. Wentworth, February ii,
1752.— Ed.]
CHESTERFIELD, 32/
[2-13^] \^Petition of Jeremiah Wheel-jo rights lyji.']
Prov : of New Hampshire ss :
To his Excellency John Wentworth Cap' Gen' & Gov'' in chief
&c, and the Hon'''* his Majestys Council of s'^ Province
The memorial of Jeremiah Wheelwright of Boston
That your Memorialist by great accident came to the sight of
the New Hampshire Gazette of 31''' of May last in w'^'' to his
surprize he read a Notification w"*" was by order of your Excel-
lency & Honors inserted therein, in consequence of a Petition
of Josiah Willard* of Winchester in s*^ Province Esq: therein
setting forth that there were sundry Grantees in the Township
of Chesterfield in s** Province, & among the rest John, Joseph,
Jeremiah, & Nath^ Wheelwright & others, who have, as he
very groundleslv suggests, to say no more of it, been totally de-
linquent in the conditions stipulated in the charter of said Town-
ship &c, and, if your Excellency & Honors would take his
word for it, that he has been at considerable expence in im-
proving some part of the s*^ Rights, as no doubt was his Duty
so far as concerned him to do ; but has not been so particular
as to mention the total sum of this his considerable expence :
and goes on and pra3'S that s*^ Rights may be vacated &c, and
then with great modesty proceeds & still prays that s*^ shares,
as he calls them, may be regranted to him the s*^ Willard — for
what? viz — that he may be reimbursed the Rates & Taxes w'^'*
by the same Charter he was oblig'*^ to pay & without w'^'' he
must have forfeited his shares —
Your Memorialist begs leave just to mention that he is ap-
prehensive that he has been at as much charge as M'' Justice
W^illard, & that he has very amply paid (as to his knowledge
his Brother Joseph Wheelwright, who is now in London, also
has) a Gentleman of this your Province, & who in Considera-
tion thereof has obligated himself in all Respects to comply
with every Injunction of the afores*^ Charter, viz — one M"' W""
Dawes : Nor was your Memorialist ever apprehensive till he
saw the afores*^ M'' Dawes that he or his Father & Brothers
were in arrears on acco' of any Rates or Taxes &c. he there-
fore humbly prays that his land may not be regranted to M'
Willard, as by him is so earnestly prayed for. Your Memori-
alist will immediately see that every thing on his part shall be,
pursuant to the Charter afores*^ complv'd with, & prays that M'
Willard may be allow'd to withdraw his s*^ Petition ; and your
Memorialist, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray &c
Jer. Wheelwright
Boston June 15"' 1771 —
*See Town Papers, Vol. IX, page 122.
328 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-127] \_yustice of the Peace elected.^
To the Hon'''^ Counsell & House of Representatives
Gent'™ these are to Inform you that the town of Chesterfield
being Leagely warned assembled and made a unanimus choice
of Lu' Ephraim Baldwin for their Justice of the Peace
Chesterfield February y^ 22 : 1776.
test Nath : Bingham") Select men
Ephr"" Hubbard )■ for
Moses Smith Jr j s'^ town
Voted that this Petition Lay for Consideration
[Appointed June 28, 1776. — Ed.]
[2—126] \_Instr2ictiofis to Representative^ ///d.]
To M'' Michael Creasy Representative for the Town of Chester-
field in the State of New Hampshire —
Sir Whereas it having pleased Almighty God to humble
the People of this Land, by permitting the Tyrant of great
Britain & his Minions in the Fulness of their Rage, to prevail
against them by Subverting the civil Constitution of every
Province in his late American Dominions affecting thereby the
activity of Law and Justice, and the Litroduction of Vice and
profimeness attended with Domestic Confusion and all the
Calamities attendant on a Dissolution of the Powers of Civil
Government, which in this alarming progress have made it
absolutely necessary for each state to separate itself from that
Land, from whence their Fore Fathers were exiled by the cruel
hand of Tyranny ; and to form for itself under the Ruler of all
the Earth, such a plan of civil Government as the People
thereof should think most conducive to their own safety and
advantage. Notwithstanding the Importance of an Equitable
system of Government as it effects ourselves and our Posterity
we are brought to the disagreeable Necessity of declaring that
it is our candid opinion, that the State of New Hampshire in-
stead of forming an equitable plan of Government, conducing
to the Peace and safety of the State have been Influenced by
the Iniquitious Intreagues and secret Designations of persons
unfriendly to settle down upon the Dregs of Monarchical and
aristocratical Tyrannv in Imitation of their late British Op-
pressors.— We can by no means Imagine ourselves so far lost
to a sense to the natural Rights and Immunities of ourselves,
and our fellowmen as to Imagine y' the State can be neither
CHESTERFIELD. 329
safe nor happy under a Constitution formed without the knowl-
edge or particular authority of a great Part of its Inhabitants,
a Constitution which no man knows the Contents of, except
that the whole legislative Power of the State is to be entirely
vested in the will and Pleasure of a House of Representatives
and that chosen according to the Sovereign Determination of
their own will by allowing to some Towns sundry voices in
the said house, others but one, and others none, and in a Coun-
cil of Twelve men, five of which are always to be residents of
Rockingham County, who by the assistance of two others of
said Council have the power of a casting voice in all State
affairs ; Thus we see the Important aflairs of the State liable
to be converted to the advantage of a small part of the State,
and the emolument of its officers by the reason of the other
part of the State not having an Equal or Equitable share in the
Government to counterbalance the Designs of the other, you
are therefore authorized and instructed to exert yourself to the
utmost to procure a Redress of the aforementioned greviences,
and in case they will not comply to return home for further
instructions
Chesterfield December y*" 13"' 1776
Solomon Harvey — per order Com.
[R. 201] \_Thomas Gibbs's Losses at the " Cedars."^
I the Subscriber whose name is hereunder written w^as in
Coll° Timothy Beddell Regement But more espeshaly under
the Command of major Butterfield Commander at the Seaders
and was Captivated and Stripped by the Savage of the follow-
ing Articles in y*^ year 1776
Thomas Gibbs
Thomas Gibbs Lost i gun i Coat 16-16-0
£21- 0-0 I pr Shoes 2- 2-0
I New Bever Hatt 1 2-1 2-0 i Snap Sack i Bag i-iS-o
I Brace Ink Stand 0-14-0 i Canteen o- 7-0
I Powder home i- i-o
I Comb 0-3-6 £56-13-6
[Sworn to before Heber Miller.]
Dismist.
[2-1 28] \_PetUio7i of Richard Coughlan.r\
To the Honourable Council & House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of Richard Couirhlan of Chesterfield in the
330 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
County of Cheshire & State afores*^ humbly Sheweth — That
whereas Kimbale Carleton of the Town & State afores"^ &
Divers other Persons on the night of the twenty seventh Day
of January hist past with Force & Violence in a Riotous Man-
ner attacked & Broke open the House of y'' Petitioner &
Destroyed about twenty Gallons of Rum & as the wife of y''
Petitioner in a Peaceable Calm Manner went to appease the
Fury of the People & prevent the Rum being Destroyed they
in an abusive Manner flung a Billet of Wood at her which hit
her in the Breast and knocked her against the Chimney & also
threatened & swore in a prophane Manner & the said Kimbale
Carleton desiring your Petitioner to go with him to Town y""
Petition'' answered he had no business in Town & if he went
he must be compelled thereto, whereupon said Carleton re-
plied and told your Petitioner that if he would not go willingly
he would bind him & at the same time took his straps from his
saddle & ordered those with him to assist in binding your peti-
tioner.
Your Petitioners v^^ife endeavoring to reason the Matter with
said Carleton he the s*^ Carleton (though being an officer of the
Peace) swore by the living God he would lay her on the fire.
Your Petitioner not choosing to risque the abuse he may
receive consented to go with them & after being Detained about
the space of Five Hours without order or Complaint Ephraim
Baldwin of said Chesterfield Esq"" granted a warrant against y''
Petitioner & the time of Trial being adjourned to the eleventh
Day Februarv last past at nine o'clock before noon y'' Petitioner
appeared & no Person appearing to prosecute the Complaint y""
Petitioner was Discharged by s*^ Ephraim Baldwin Esq. —
whereupon y'' Petitioner made application to s^ Ephraim Bald-
win Esq'' desiring that Justice mav be done him for the Dam-
age & abuse he sustained s^ Ephraim Baldwin Esq'' absolutely
refused.
Therefore y'' Petitioner in order to get redress (tho' not with-
out Reluctance) is under the Necessity of making application
to this Honourable Court & prays they would appoint him a
Day of hearing or act thereon as they in their wisdom shall
think fit & y'' Petitioner will ever pray
Rich<^ Coughlan
N. B. y'' Petitioner prays that M'' Micael Cressy Represent-
ative for s** Town of Chesterfield may not be heard on this
Petition or act thereon he being a party concerned as your
Petitioner apprehends —
[2-129] \ Relative to the Governor' s Lot. '\
To the Honourable Council & general assembly of the State
CHESTERFIELD. 33 1
of New Hampshire to be convened at Exeter within and for
said state on the second Wednesday of march inst A Dom. i777
— is humbly presented the memorial and petition of Aran
Smit// and others of the town of Chesterfield in the state above-
said who beg leave to shew that Aron Smith abovesaid about
ten years ago by an agreement with Benning Wintworth Esq'
then Governor of this state settled on 500 acres of unimproved
Land in the town of Chesterfield afores*^ the property of the said
Benning Wintworth Esq'' with a promis of having a title to 50
acres of said Land given to him as a setler notwithstanding
which promis your petitioner hath not had a title to said Land
neither from the said Go^'ernor Wintworth or his heirs ; Hav-
ing ben at great Cost in subduing and cultivating said Land &
building thereon with the Disappointment of remaining at un-
certainties with regard to anv security for the Land he hath cul-
tivated or the cost of doing the same — Moses S?nith another of
your petioners begs leave to shew that since the settlement of
Aron Smith on the Land above said that John Wintworth Esq'
a late governor of this State Declaring that the said tract of
Land abovesaid had reverted to the Crown and manifested a de-
sign of regranting the same upon which your petitioner last
mentioned applved to the said John Wintworth Esq'' for a grant
of said Land in hope to secure to Aron Smith abovesaid the
premises he was upon being sone to your last mentioned pe-
tioner as well as procure Lands for his other sones and upon
applycation to the said Governor John Wintworth had the
promis of said Land and ordered by him to apply to Coll" Jo-
siah Willard to apprise the Land who did accordingly and had
orders or libertv from the said John Wintworth Esq"" to posses
said Land and accordingly gave his sones orders to Labour on
said Land one of which viz Benjamin Smith hath ben in four
years actual Possession by subdueing and bringing forward said
Land for Cultivation ; since which time W"" Thomas one of
your Last mentioned petioners sons in law hath acquired a con-
siderable property in said Land by Labour and money expended
in clearing and subdueing the said Land yet notwithstanding all
the Circumstances relative to said Land as here enumerated it
seams to appear to vour petitioners that the said Land had not
reverted to the Crown as was supposed which reather adds to
oin^ disappointment with regard to procuring it wherefore we
find it Necessary to Apply to Wisdom & justice of the Honour-
able Council & general assembly of the state having ben inform-
ed that since the Commencement discord betwen Great Britain
and the states of America that the proprietors of the said tract
of land have withdrawn themselves from the Continent and that
the said Land is or is likely to become the property of the State
in case it has or should so happne vour several petitioners whose
332 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Names are hereunto subscribed Humbly pray that the Honour-
able Council & General Assembly would grant to your petion-
ers the said tract of Land upon such terms as may in vour wis-
dom seam most fitting or otherways releave your petioners as in
your wisdom you shall think most proper and as in duty bound
shall ever pray
Chesterfield March y<^ 6* A Dom : 1777
Aron Smith Moses Smith
Benjamin vSmith William Thomas
[2-130] \_T'oivji Committee to Committee of Safety. '\
To the Honourable Committee of the General Court of the State
of New Hampshire for promoting peace and harmony throvigh
the State to be Convened at the house of Col Wyman in Keene
on monday the third day of February next —
Gentlemen we repose much confidence in your abilities to
serve the important purposes for which you have the honour to
be appointed to by the General Court should esteem ourselves
happv indeed to find the State freed from Commotions & Do-
mestic Confusions abstract from all cans of complaint through
your kind interposition — the town of Chesterfield have duly con-
sidered vour precept Directed to the selectmen bearing date at
Exeter January y^ lo'*" 1777 ; which being altogether unexpect-
ed and the time for consulting the Numerous and greatly op-
pressed inhabitants of a great Number of towns being so short
as render it impracticable : we beg therefore to be excused from
holding any personal conference with you on the subject : as we
deem it highly inconsistant with the Nature of adjusting*greiv-
ances of any kind to oblige the agrieved individuals to make
separate and unconnected appearances to confer & make an-
swers to matters respecting the whole : unless the assembly con-
sider us as a nvuTiber of captious individuals without connection
or cans of complaint — we have the pleasure to be Gentlemen
your Honours sincere friends and most humble servants
Chesterfield January y* 30"^ ^777
Phinehas Brown ~) Committe of the
Solomon Harvey > town of Chesterfield in
Silas Thompson J the State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable Meshech Weare to be Communicated to the
Committe —
[The committee referred to in the foregoing was appoint-
ed December 30, 1776, "to take under consideration the dif-
CHESTERFIELD. 333
ficulties and Grievances Subsisting & complain'd of by sun-
dry Towns & People in the County of Grafton & any other
Towns, respecting the present Form of Government, and
also concerning ascertaining the Election of Councillor for
said County of Grafton, and to report thereon." The mem-
bers of said committee were Samuel Gilman, Jr., of Exeter;
John Wentvvorth, Jr, Dover; Joseph Whipple, Lancaster;
Benj. Giles, Newport ; Geo. Gains, Portsmouth ; Timothy
Ellis, Keene ; Daniel Brainard, Christopher Webber, Wal-
pole ; Thos. Odiorne, Exeter, on the part of the house ; and
Messrs. King, Blanchard, and Thompson, of the council.
—Ed.]
[2-13 1 ] \_Ckesterjield Cotntnittee to President Weare^ lyj'/ .'\
To the Honourable Court of the State of New Hampshire
The Committee of Safety of Chesterfield in the above s"^
Humbly Shevveth this Honourable Court that Ephraim Bald-
win Esq'' of s'^ Chesterfield hath of late much Displeased many
persons that are steady friends to the American Cause and In-
trist : Very soon after the Retreat from Ticonderoga s'^ Justice
Baldwin procured to himself one of Burgoins Proclamations
and it plainly appeared by his conduct and especially by his
words that he would have us lay down our Arms and Petition
for Peace with Great Briton and having Dispensed with one
Proclamation s'' Justice quickly Procures another ; and from
time to time Improved Burgoynes Language in treating with
the Committee ; and according to his Ability Defended the
Part that the enemies of this Land take : and says with regard
to the Persons Carried to Keene Court last June and there
tried, there \vant anything of Toryism found in them ; and that
they were fined and confined to their farms for y'' sake of y"
Rabble : Said Justice being a member of s"* Court has made it
his business and care to set all those confined Persons at Liberty
Conterary to the Advice of the Committee of Safety of s"^
Town : great Patience extended towards s** Justice & Improved
many appointed times for accomodating the matter with said
Justice yet all Proved fruitless and when the Committee and
good people could no longer endure his conduct then the above
s** Committee Advised with Genl"" of ofiice and Distinction
that belong to this State and their advice to Justice Baldwin
was to make satisfaction to the Comm' if it was in his Power
the Com' have waited Times and again upon said Justice : and
sometimes were treated with Naeglect and sometimes with Con-
tempt, and the Comm' apprehending a delay in the cause very
334 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
dangerous Have therefore Improved Esq"" Miller of this State to
Administer the oath to the Deponents having first Notified s*^
Justice Baldwin of our doings and place and time : Justice
Baldwin Being Present at the several administrations ; Great
care and Pains was Improved with s*^ Justice to Convince him,
and after Certain days the s'^ Justice signed a Piece acknoledg-
ing to the Com' and all good People that he s'' Justice had given
the greatest Reason Imaginable to his friends and Neighbors to
view him as unfriendly to his Country : and signing said Piece
and Delivering it to the Chairman of the Committee y^ said
Piece being on the Table before them s*^ Justice takes the Piece
without so much as asking the Comm' or either of Them and
Betakes himself to another room and erases out some words
and was Putting in others and being enquired of why he did thus
and so ; he said Justice after some words moved that all the
matters of Dispute then depending between him self and Com-
mittee might be Transmitted to the General Court and Particu-
larlv the Piece that he s** Justice signed at that time (being y®
26"' of Sepf last) this Comm' Calling to mind the manv motions
or rather Challenges the s'' Justice has made to have the matter
laid before the State Court Do now Humbly take the Freedom
and Beg the Favour of the Honourable Court to take this
Cause (with the Depositions Relative thereto) and enquire of the
said Justice Baldwin and deal with him as you in your great
wisdom shall see fit ; and this the Committee as in Duty Bound
shall ever Humbly Pray. Signed by order of the Committee
Sam' Fairbank : Chairman
Chesterfield November y'^ 3 : i777
To the Honourable Meshech Weare President
[The following are copies of the documents and deposi-
tions referred to : — Ed.]
[2-134] \_Letter — JV. S. Pretitice to J3aldzvhi.'\
Alstead Sep* 5"' 1777 —
S'' I am informed by Sam' Fairbank of your Town that you
have thro Inadvertancy or good will been endeavoring to Instill
into the minds of your Neighbors to Lay Down their arms and
to axcept of Burgoyns proclamation ; which I could not have
thought could ever have entered your mind by the Little ac-
quaintance I have had with you much more a man in your Sta-
tion must have known it being very detrimental to the peace and
good order of our very much oppressed and Injured Country
and further more that you take it upon you [to] release those
persons from their confinement which were put by the Court at
CHESTERFIELD. 335
Keen of whom you was one : which was done for the safety of
the State and not to satisfie the Rabbel (as I understand }ou are
please to say) notwithstanding their Refusing to take upon them
the oath of allegiance which your Com'^*^ are favored with a
copy of and which was made on purpose for the Benefit of
them very men Laid under them Bonds which upon their ax-
cepting & performing they were to be Released from their
bonds and Not otherwayse and ought strictly to be kept to them
as it is a still further proof of their being enimies — Now S"" as I
have Laid the matter briefly Before you my further advise is
that you make a publick & free Recantation of the oppinion
that it seems you have advanced by the Depositions Before me
& make full and ample satisfaction theirfor if it be in your
power otherways I shall & do advise the Comitte of vour town
to take proper depositions of the matters of complaint & trans-
mit them to the Gen' Court for their determination theiron that
that Iniquity that you have Indeavored to Distill into the minds
of people which is of Dangerous Consequence and ought at all
adventures to be stopped without any loss of time which I
doubt not if done & a steady and firm mind amongst the friends
of America duly cultivated that under God we shall in due time
see this Land an Asylum of Liberty & Religion therefore my
prayer and Desire is that all unfriendly ones may be Displaced
from places of trust & power & even from society from true
friends to her cause.
Nathi S. Prentice
To Ephraim Baldwin Esq""
Sir Having perused the Foregoing Letter I find it agreeable
to my mind
Benj" Bellows
To Ephraim Baldwin Esq
A true coppy of a Letter Esq"" Prentice and Esq"" Bellows to
Ephraim Baldwin Esq'' and to the Comite of Safety of Chester-
field this to be given to Justice Baldwin of Chesterfield forth-
with
Sam' Fairbank Comitcman of
Chesterfield
[2-138]
The deposition of Anne Snow and Abial Johnston being at
the House of Ebcn'' ILirveys in Cliestcrficld on Sabbath dav v°
6"' of Aug 1777 the deponent saitli that she heard Ep'' Baldwin
Esq'' say that if the People did not say less about tliat Procla-
mation which he had (meaning Burgoins Proclamation) he
would get one and set it up at the meeting house and set his
name to it — this deponent further saith the Esq'' said what sig-
336 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
nfys to fight till there is but a Small Posterity left without Law or
Regulation, no, let us send out our ambassadors for Peace and
not hold out sword of war forever and said if we was in the
right of the case why did they come down from Westmoorland
a sabbath day night in a riotous way and manner and take Peo-
ple that were Peacible in their houses and carry them of which
wos a Breach of Sabbath and they that regarded not the Sab-
bath regarded nothing and said that Burgoine was a man of
Honour and a Gen*'man and that he offered America peace and
Pardon and all Liberties & Priviledges they were Born under if
they would come and take Protection vmder him Answer was
made what do we fight for then he said because they loved to
fight and chose war rather than peace and s"" Abial Johnston
further saith that said Ep'' : Baldwin said that it would be Bet-
ter to make application to God and further saith Not
[Abial Johnson was sworn before Heber Miller, Septem-
ber 12. Mrs. Anne Snow was sick, and not sworn, — so say
" Sam^ Fairbank James Robertson Elisha Rockwood Com-
mittee."— Ed]
[2-136] [^Deposition of John Sargent and Fear Sargent^
his %vifc.'\
Ephraim Baldwin Esq'' Being at my house y^ Next day af-
ter his Return from Exeter Did then say that he thought it best
for y" people to y" Northward to Lay down thare arms & Says
that it was the advice of Coll'' Bellows & Hunt Likewise this
conversation was quick after y^ Avacuation of tianteroga &
mount Independent furder adds the Sq"" & Says that he had ben
a jorney & had had conversation with y'' begest & best of men
therefore he had mor Knowlege about them matters than I or
others at home could have I then said to y* sq"' I was shure
that it was not y" minds of y^ people to y^ Northward to Lay
down there arms for I had this day bin with maj'' Wait & mr
Robarson who told me that there people w^are Determined to
to stand farm in their cause and that they had Sent of Capt
Storrs & other for to git them a full supply of arms & amoni-
tion — To which y'' Sq"" Replied & said I am very sorry to hear
that : I had rather heard that they had given up what arms they
had before : for so seartin as they Dont Leave of medling with
guns & warlike wepons they will all get cild, for if wee should
Now all exart owre selvs to build a fort at No 4 & there make
a stand it would not be foure days before the Reguliors would
cum and take it : for owre people could Not stand Brittons fire
I then said is it Not a pittey that we ever undertook to fight
CHESTERFIELD. 337
them To which y* Sq'' said I never could tell what it was that
begun this Warr Nether could he tell what would end it & his
advise was for us all to take to plow y*^ hoe y^ ax y*^ sythe &c
and mind owre owne bisiness
[Sworn to September 12, before Heber Miller. A depo-
sition by Phinehas Brown was included, but because of its
similarity it is not copied. — Ed.]
[2-139] \_JSp/irai?n Bald-jcin' s Acktiowledgment .'\
September y® 25*'* ^777 —
These may certifye y* I Ephraim Baldwin of Chesterfield Do
hereby acknowledge that I have been the Instrumental cause of
Disaftecting the minds of my friends and Neighbours and by my
conduct of Late have given the greatest Reason to them to sus-
pect y* I am unfriendly to the American cause all which I Now
Confess I am sorry for, and promis hereby to Improve the ut-
most of my power and skill in y^ Defence of America Estimat-
ing it my dutv so to do ; but I would Remark this I have not as
yet meant or Desired any Hurt to the United States and all that
has been don by me has been entirely throng Inadvertancy and
Not from anv good will to georg the Brittish King : But as my
outword conduct hath been such as that I have Justly provoked
and moved the commite of y'^ said town to Deal with me as they
have Don and I thank them for their great tenderness in Deal-
ing with me ; and Do not Blame None of y*" evidences, Nor at
all Dispute the truth of what they Do athrm and I hereby Ask
forgiveness of the Committee : and all Boath public and private
that I have offended and promise further to pay the s"^ comitee
for the unnecessary trouble I have put them to In dealing with
me, they being obligated in their office so to do for y*^ safety of
y* state — and as there is much Dificulty in officiating in y* office
of a Justice of y* peac I should be free to Resign if ye principall
part of people are free for it and this confession of mine shall
and may be made in a publick manner
Eph"^ Baldwin
witness
Sam^ Fairbank James Robertson
[2-140] \_Ckeste>'Jicld Committee to Legislature^ I'/yS.']
To the Hon''''' Court of assembly of y® State of New Hamp-
shire— we the subscribers Having in y® month of September
23
338 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Last past Remonstrated to y*" Hon''"' Court our greviences and
Improved means to Inform that Assembly of the Inconsistant
and very Imprudent Administration of Justice Baldwin of our
town : Now Having been Informed that y*^ said Remonstrance
is Neglected : we beg your Hon''^ patience with us and pray that
y* said petition may be heard and considered — We are confident
that if we had Improved some artfull Gent" to Indite our peti-
tion with the several agravated circumstances Relative thereto ;
it might have been of more force in y^ Best and wisest Courts in
America : but we can say that with y'^ very Simplicity of our
hearts we have endeavored to Lay the matter open to the View
of y'^ Court with as much Reservation of ye said Justics charac-
ter as we can find Consistant of the safety of our much oppress-
ed Land : and we your Humble petitioners in this cause Desire
nothing but the peace and safety of y^ State and the good will
and Harmony of y'^ Court and all its Constituents and do now
Subscribe ourselves your obedient and Humble Servants and
petitioners — Signed b}' order of ye Committee of Safety and
Select men.
Chesterfield Feabruary the 6* 177S
Saml. Faii'bank Chairman
[March 2, 1778, the House voted "that Ephraim Bald-
win Esq' of Chesterfield be cited to appear before the Gen^
Assembly on the second Friday of their next session to an-
swer to a complaint exhibited to this Court against him by
the Committee of Chesterfield," &c. The Journal of the
House for the next session has no reference to the matter.
—Ed.]
[2-141] [ Tories recommended to be discharged frofn Bonds.'\
Chesterfield April 6*'' i ']']'^—
Whereas Ebn"" Harvey Eleazer Pomeroy & Sam' King were
Put under Bonds By the Court Held at Kene Last June and
whereas the Last years Committee Rote Some thing to the
Committee of Safety att Exeter Concerning their Taking the
oath of fidelity and as others Taken with them we understand
are Discharged We as the present Committee and select men
of this Town are willing That the said Eben'' Harvey Eleazer
Pomeroy and Sam' King should be Discharged without Their
Taking said oath
Jonatlian Hildreth
Chairman of the Committee for the Town of Chesterfield
Samuel Hildreth Moses Smith Jr '\ Select men for the
Kimball Carleton Jacob Hinds )- Town of Chesterfield
Abner Johnson J
CHESTERFIELD. 339
[They were under bonds in ;!^500 each for good behavior
toward the United States, and not to go beyond the limits
of their respective farms. April 7, 1778, in answer to the
foregoing, they were discharged by Justices N. S. Prentice
and Isaac Wyman.
Jacob Hinds was a captain in Reed's regiment at Bunker
Hill.— Ed.]
[R. 200] \_Be/?Ja7?ii// KhiibaW s Receipi.~\
January 2^ 177S Then Received U William Lee one hundred
and twenty Two pounds Lawfull money which Sum he Re-
ceived to Recruit men in Cap' Emersons Company in Col" Cil-
leys Regiment — wdiich Sum I have Received in the following
manner (Viz) by his account of eighty four pounds paid four-
teen Soldiers as a Continental Bounty' and Twenty four pounds
Twelve Shillings allowed him for Recruiting men and five
pounds Twelve shillings for the eight shillings allowed for In-
listing each man — and in cash seven pounds sixteen shillings
and eleven pence The whole of which makes one hundred and
Twenty Two pounds — I say Received per me
Ben)" Kimball
paymaster of Col" Cilleys Regiment
[R. 202] \_Pefition of Lieut. Wi'llimn Lee for Allowance.~\
To the Hon^'*^ The Council and House of Representatives for
the State of New^ Hampshire in General Assembly convened
at Portsmouth on the twelfth of Ocf A. D. 17S0—
The Petition of William Lee of Chesterfield Humbly Shews ;
that your Petitioner was appointed a L' in Col" Cilleys Regi-
ment on the eleventh of Novem'' A. D. i77^' '"^^^^ continued in
the Service of the United States until Janu"'^ S"' 177^1 when he
was honourably discharged, that he now finds himself deprived
of that consideration, as to the depreciation of Money, which
your Hon''* have tho't fit to allow to other Officers of the Conti-
nental Army, and to which he thinks himself justly entitled.
He therefore humbly prays that your honours would take his
case into your wise consideration, & grant him such relief in the
premises as in your wisdom & goodness you shall see fit, and
as in duty bound shall ever pray
Nath : Bingham
At the desire & in behalf of v^ Petitioner
340 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-143] \^Petition for appointment of Civil Oficers^ iy8l.'\
To the Honourable Counsel & house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire —
Gentlemen — Whereas by the Late unhappy Revolt of a great-
er part of this town and County from their Allegance to the
State of New Hampshire whereby we who still maintain our
Allegance to you are wholly Deprived of officers of all Kinds
Both Civil and Military we a Respectable Number of the Inhab-
itants of the town of Chesterfield humbly Pray your honours for
the safetv of the State & good order of society that we may have
some Civil officers appointed amongst us & for that Purpose as
your Honours are Unacquainted with those Persons who are
Qiialified for Civil Magistrates have assembled in the best man-
ner we were capable & i"*' Voted & chose Phinehas Brown Mod-
erator & Eph'" Russell Clark, 2'^ : Voted to Nominate & Rec-
ommend two suitable Persons for Justices of the Peace 3'^
Voted that Lieu' Michael Cresey & Lieu' Will'" Lee be Rec-
ommended as Persons suitable to be Commissioned as Civil
Magistrates & whereas the Persons Nominated & Unanimously
Chosen by us appear to us to be Persons Suitably Qiialified for
Civil Magistrates therefore Pray your Honours to Commission
them accordingly if your Honours in your wisdom se fit —
Signed by order
Eph'" Russell Clark
Chesterfield Nov' 5"^ 1781
[They were appointed Nov. 17, 1781. — Ed.]
[R. 203] \_Petltlon of Francis Crane, Soldier.']
Chesterfield April y« 7* 1 783 —
Francis Crane of Chesterfield in the County of Cheshire of
Lawfull age Deposeth & saith that he the Deponent having
enlisted into the Continental Servise for s*^ Chesterfield about
the first of July in the year 1780 after which he the Deponent
went & Pased muster at Winchester then going to Joine the
army according to his orders, and being at Glasgo in the Bay
State on or about the Twentieth of s'' July he the Deponent
Did by misfortune & axcident Cut oft' two of his Fingers and
was thereby Disabled to go forward to the army and was under
the care of Doc : Primous a noted and approved Doctor &
Surgeon near four months and further saith not —
Francis Crain
[Sworn to before Michael Cresey, as is also a deposition
CHESTERFIELD. 34 1
of Adonijah Grain, Jr., of similar import. Following is the
doctor's certificate. — Ed.]
[R. 204]
East Windsor June the 27 17S2
wdiereas I was imployed to Doctr francis Grain of said East
Windsor for the Los of too fingers and a weakness in his Breast
which Said Grain was unfit for Soldiers Duty from July 1780
till January given under my hand
Primous Manamit Doctor
[2-144] \_Petitio7i for the Privilege of choosing new Alagls-
tratesJ\
New Hampshire ss.
To the Honorable Meshech Wear president of the General
Gourt to be holden on y'' second Tuesday of June at Goncord
or Exeter
We the Inhabitants of y^ Town of Ghesterfield humbly beg
leave to inform y"^ Gourt of our present State & Gircumstances
— 'Tis true there was a General Revolt of the People through-
out the N : H : Grants in y* year 17S1, and the Inhabitants of
our said Ghesterfield, were very much engaged in forming a
Union with y'' Grants on y^ other side Gonnecticut River did
compleat the same, but many Difficulties and lUconveniences
attended that matter, which caused a Dissolution of the said
Union, and since that Time the people have in General con-
sented to subject themselves to the Government and Authority
of this State ; And agreeable to y' Gharter of our s** Town,
and in obedience to Authority of N : H : a meeting was warned
to be holden on the fifth Day of March Last past ; — The In-
habitants being meet and formed in order ; a Petition was ex-
hibited to the Moderator, Signed by a Number of Inhabitants,
Informing their desire to prefer a Petition to the General Gourt,
praying their Hon" to drop the two Justices that pretended to
act ; and Grant Orders to y" Town to chuse them as in the plan
first proposed by the Authority of this State in v" year 1776.
The motion being made it passed in the afiirmative and but
two Negatives, also voted that the Town Glerk signed s'' Peti-
tion, In behalf of the Town — And now as to the Gharacter of
Esq' Gresy or Esq"" Lee — We Don't pretend to bring any Rail-
ing Accusations against them, but the method and manner of
their coming into office — It was done in the Night & void of
public notice by not more than Eleven Persons ; and thcv not
being men of the Law, and many other Impediments perhaps
342 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
would be thought too barefaced to mention ; The greatest part
of their Administration is so preposterous that their very
Friends are put to y*^ blush, and the minds of the Inhabitants
are so sowered against their Administration, that it keeps us in
Confusion.
We therefore, pray your Hon''* to suspend each of them from
their office, and Grant the Inhabitants Liberty to chuse them,
such men as they can with confidence Repose special Trust in
and submit to be Judged and Governed by.
We beg 3- our Hon'*' to take our Cause under Consideration
and dispose the same as you in your great wisdom & Prudence
see meet — Your Compliance with this our Request will greatly
indulge us, Your Constituents who as in Duty bound shall ever
Humbly pray
Attest Eph™ Baldwin Town Clerk
Chesterfield June z^ 1 7S3
[2-145] \_Nitmber of ratable Polls, ^7^3 •'\
N° of male Poolls of Twenty one years of age and upwards
paying a Pooll Tax For themselves in said Town — 373
Eben"' Hervey '\ Select men
Eleazer Pomerov r
roy V For
Sam^ Davis j Chesterfield
Chesterfield Dec"' 16 17S3
[Sworn to before Michael Crese}*, Justice Peace.]
[3-147] S^Nomiuation of ±^ Ten for Magistrates.'\
State of New Hampshire \ To his Excellency and the
Chesterfield October y"" 30"" 17S4 j Honourable Council of said
State—
We the subscribers beg Leave to Inform your Honours that
the Town of Chesterfield Being Legally met unanimously
Anominated by Ballot two Persons to be Recommended to
your Honours for Justices of the Peace Viz : Col : Sam' King
and Ensign Eleazer Jackson ; which Persons if your Honours
should see fit to Appoint ; it is our opinion they would give
good satisfaction to the Town and Perhaps no Dishonour to
the County, we therefore Pray they may be Appointed if your
Honours should not think it any Infringement upon your Pre-
rogative we would further Beg Leave to say that if any of your
CHESTERFIELD. 343
Honours should suppose that the Reason of our Desire to have
new Justices was on Account of the Vermont Dispute we wish
to Inform your Honours, that is not the case for we Look
upon tiiat to be Buried in obHvion altho this Town after they
Supposed they Belonged to Vermont were almost unanimous
for a while under it yet one of the above Named Persons that
is now Anominated always very much opposed the rest of the
Town Respecting Vermont, we therefore have no Rafferance
to them Disputes Either way — So we Beg Leave to Subscribe
our selves your Honours humble servants
Benj* Haskell ") Select men
Peter Stone > For
Amos Hubbard ) Chesterfield
[3-146]
To the General Assembly of the State of New hampshire Now
Setting —
I do hereby Certify to your Honours that the Select men of
Chesterfield were Petitioned by a Number of Inhabitants of
said town to have said town Appoint Justices of the Peace &
the Inhabitants being met at a Legal meeting the 27 of Sep-
tember last for that Purpose Did Appoint Co' Samuel King &
m'' Eleazer Jackson for said Justices as above mentioned
By order of the Select men
attest Eph"' Baldwin town clerk
October 26 Day 1784.
[2-148] \^Petitio)i for a Lottery to 13uild a RoadJ\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled at
Portsmouth on the second Wednesday in December A. D.
17S6.
The Subscribers Committees appointed by the Towns of
Winchester and Chesterfield in the Covmty of Cheshire, for and
on behalf of those Towns humbly shew —
That the Road leading from the Meeting house in said Win-
chester to the Meeting house in s'' Chesterfield would be if prop-
erly made and put in repair, the best, and nearest way from a
Number of Towns Southward & Eastward to the Towns of
Walpole & Charlestown, that the travelling therein by Horses&
footmen is considerable, but being almost impassable for Teams,
the Lading which they bear is obliged to be carried in a circui-
344 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tons rout, about eight miles further than would be necessary if
said Road was made passable as it ought, That about five miles
of s'^ Road is thro' an unsettled Wilderness, so remote from the
settlements in those Townships as to render it a burthen too
heavy for the Inhabitants to put the same in a passable state in
the usual manner. That the Inhabitants of s** Towns, with
some Assistance from Hinsdale have laid out a Road from the
Furnace in s*^ Winchester on the North side of Ashuelot River
to Sangars Bridge so called, and have cut the same through and
done considerable labor thereon, but find themselves unable to
complete the same although it would be the best, and the near-
est Road yet found to pass, from Petersham, in the Massachu-
setts State to the Connecticutt River at Fort Dummer —
That the Inhabitants of Winchester have laid out & cut a
Road from s'' Furnace to the former road leading from Win-
chester to Northfield, through a Wood of more than two miles
extent which will make a Road equallv good with s*^ former
Road — and a considerable nearer and will tend greatly to com-
mode a number of promising settlements in said Town — as well
as serve the public but with the heavy burthens already upon
them they are unable to complete s"^ Road in the common mode
of making Roads — That the several Roads aforesaid would if
completed be not only advantageous to the Community by ren-
dering the necessary intercourse more easy & expeditious, but
tend to incourage the settlement of large tracts of Lands in
those Towns, which otherwise will long remain uninhabited as
at present — Wherefore your Petitioners pray your honors to take
the premises into Consideration, and Pass an Act for raising by
Lottery the sum of Nine Hundred Pounds lawful Money to be
appropriated to making and repairing s*^ Roads, in the follow-
ing Proportions, Viz' Six Hvmdred and fifty Pounds for the
Road first described to be applied Principally or in the whole
upon that part thereof which lieth between Cap* Willards in
said Winchester & Cap' Pratt's in s'' Chesterfield, and Two Hun-
dred and Fifty pounds be applied to making and repairing the
other two Roads afore described —
Your Petitioners, to avoid increasing the difticulties which
they are fully sensible already rest upon their Constituents on
account of the present scarcity of Cash, have proposed that the
sum to be raised by the s*^ Lottery, shall be received in grain of
every kind and in Cattle — and the Ticketts in each and every
Class thereof Paid for, and the Prizes paid oft' in the same Spe-
cific articles — except such Low prizes as may be made payable
in Ticketts in a succeeding Class — And as the making of said
Roads as proposed will be of essential service to the Inhabitants
of a considerable part of the Massachusetts State, particularly
the County of Worcester, and of a Large Part of the State of
CHESTERFIELD. 345
Vermont, many of whom have expressed their desire and read-
iness to promote a Measure of this kind your Petitioners have
reason to expect huge numbers of the Ticketts will be sold in-
to those States —
Relying- in the Wisdom & Justice of your Honours and on
the necessity & propriety of their request that the same will be
granted your petitioners in dutv bound will pray
Eben"" Fletcher ) .. .^, r
r\i- r^ \ ^ • ^ f Committee tor
Oliver Cobleigh ^ Chestert^eld
ililisha Kockwooclj
Dan' Hawkins ') ^ .^^ r
T 1 -^^ 11 i. f Committee tor
John toilet )- ,,.. ,
•"o- TT-ii J I VV inchester
bimon VV illard J
[Petition not granted. — Ed.]
[3-149] \_Petitio7i for Allowance for Soldiers.'\
To the Honorable Senet and Honorable House of Representa-
tives of the State of New Hampshire to set at Concord the
first Wednesday of June Instant.
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth, That
"whereas the Town of Chesterfield suffered the Fate of a large
Fine for our Deficiencies in the last Cota of Men, — As to that
Point we are consious to ourselves if the honorable House had
been Rightly Informed of what we as a Town have done and
performed in the war our Fines might have been much abat-
ed ; But not casting y^ blame on y*^ Honorable Court, we blame
ourselves for defects in y'' Returns made by y* officers then im-
proved ; We would humbly inform this House, that we hired
one Merifield Vicory who served in Coll : Hazell's Rcgt,
and we have obtain'd his Discharge, we also hir'd one Nath'
Merrild for three years and also one Silas Rav who served dur-
ing y* war, — and your humble Petitioners beg we might have
credit for what service we have done in y*^ war,
Your Honors Complyance with this our Request will greatly
Indulge us your humble Petitioners, which as in Duty Bound
shall ever pray
Chesterfield June y'' i"' 17S6
Alartin Warner ~) Selectmen
William Hildrith )- For y^ Town of
Ezra Day \ Chesterfield
[Allowed f,j2 on account of Silas Ray. — Ed.]
346 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-150] [ William Thomas's Petition for a Ferry^ iy86.'\
To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representatives
in general assembly of the State of New Hampshire when next
Convened after the date hereof, is humbly offered the petion of
William Tliomas of Chesterfield in y'' state aforesaid who begs
Leave to shew that wdiereas your Humble petitioner doth live
on the East bank of Connecticut River in said Chesterfield at a
certain place near the South End of Catsbain island where a
public Road Leading from Chesterfield meeting house doth in-
tersect said stream and Directly oposite to the spot where two
Roads will ever Center on the west bank of the said stream
which will be of great importance to the publick and your pe-
tioner having been at a considerable cost in making fords &
building vessels & giving tendance at the Request of travellers
for several years past which your petitioner has improved to the
satisfaction of the publick and as no other person has in any
way or manner whatever occupied the said premises, or at
present presumes in any wise to claim or improve the same
your petitioner therefore prays that the privilege of improoving
a certain space in said River extending one mile and a half
from the North end of Catsbain island down said River for the
purpose of feriing travellers &c over the aforesaid stream may
be granted to him and his assigns under such regulations as you
in your wisdom se meet and as in duty bound shall ever Pray
Dated at Chesterfield June 6* 1 786
William Thomas
we the selectmen of the town of Chesterfield are fully of
opinion that granting the request of the within petition would
be highly advantagious to the public and no ways injurious to
any individual
Paul Eager Reuben Graves Selectmen for Chesterfield
[In H. of Rep., September 20, 1786, the petitioner was
granted leave to bring in a bill ; the journal of the senate
of that session contains no record of the matter, and there
is no act on record granting a charter to said Thomas. —
Ed.]
[2-152] \^Petition of Eliphalet Hale for a Ferry, 1/86.']
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives in
General Court Conveaned at Concord June the 8"' 1 786 —
The Petition of Eliphalet Hale of Chesterfield in the County
of Cheshire and State of New hampshire humbly shews that
CHESTERFIELD, 347
your petitioner lives and owns land adjoining Connecticut River
whare thare is great need of a Stated ferry to accomidate trav-
elers and as your petitioner owns the land and lives the most
Convenient of any person in Chesterfield to tend said ferry he
therefore prays that he mav have the exclusive right of keeping
a ferrv accrost said River from the North end of Catsban island
so called to the line of Westmoreland which is about two miles
in the hole as there is no other ferry way occopyed or improv-
ed within said limits therefore your Petitioner humbly prays
your Honors to Grant the Exclusive Right of the ferryway
heretofore Described to him and his heirs forever upon Condi-
tions as your Honours in yovu" Wisdom shall see fit as in Duty
shall Ever Pray
Chesterfield June 4'^ 17S6
Eliphalet Hale
[On a copy of the above is the following certificate : —
Ed.]
this Ma}' Sertify that the Within petision And the order of
Cort Has Ben posted at the House of Andrew Hastinges In
holder In Chesterfield as the Law Directed
Chesterfield August 30 / 17S6
Andrew Hastings
In presents of Martin Warner") Select Men
Ezra Day > of
W" Hildrith 3 'Chesterfield
[This petition was granted, and an act passed January
loth, 1787, granting said Hale the exclusive right of keep-
ing a ferry between Catsbane island and the south line of
Westmoreland. — Ed.]
[2-153] \_Ephraim Baldivins Claim^ 1/86.^
To the Hon**'" Senate & House of Representatives Convened at
Concord the 7"' day of June 17S6
The Petion of Ephraim Baldwin Humbly Shueth that vour
Petitiner was Dctaind in the service of the Late war Fourteen
Days at the charge of my own Expences it being in the year
1777 — 'it the time when Ticontaroga was avaqated I was at
Charlestown & by Desire of Col. Ashley I assisted in Dealing
out stores to men going on Alarmes to said ticontaroga & Draw-
ing of Coppyes that come from Conolls then at & beween [be-
348 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tween, probably] said Charlestown & ticontaroga & sent Ex-
press to forward the men &c which is as follows
one to Swanzey £0:13 one to Chesterfield £0:13
one to Brattleborough 0:14 one up as far as Co^ meads 0:15
myself 14 Days at 6/ pr Day 4 : 4
And your Petitioner has not Rec*^ anything for said Sarvices
and am obliged to pay Said foure Exspresses above mentioned
out of his own pocket and as your petitioner is in Low Circum-
stances Humbly Pray your Honours to take his case into your
w^ise Consideration and grant him shuch Relief as you in your
Wisdom shall think proper as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Eph'" Baldwin
[Sworn to before Jonathan Hildreth. The house ordered
it " to lay." — Ed.]
[2-160] \_Petition relative to Support of William Lotidon^
wonnded ivhile Jirittg a salute.^
To the Hon''''' the Court of General Sessions of the Peace
within and for the County of Cheshire —
Humbly Shews the select men of Chesterfield that on the
eight Day of November Last William Loudon a tranchant Per-
son and Not an Inhabitant in this or as we can learn in any
other town or Place in this state or any of the united States of
america being a Native of Scottland and one that served the
united States in the Late war, was grieviously Wounded in at-
tempting to fire a cannon on the arrival of his Excellency Gen'
Sullivan in this town and being a stranger and Not of Known
abillity to Defray the charges of his care the s'^ select men were
obliged to engage for the same and accordingly the several Bills
herewith exhibitid are charged against them, and it still appear-
ing that the s"! Loudon has Not ability to Discharge the s'^ Bills
either for his Doctoring Nussing or Boarding which are as fol-
lows (viz)
Josiah Goodhue surgeon Bill as sworn to £i3, 5.0
Doc : Oliver Athertons Bill 10, 5.2
Doc : Joshua Tyler Bill 6,10.2
Amos Hails Esq' Bill for Board s'^ Loudon & wife at
Putney 6,15.2
Abner Harris Bill for Board and Nussing &c at Ches-
terfield 5^ 5-8
total 41, 1.2
CHESTERFIELD. 349
the s^ men therefore Humbly Pray that your Hon'''' would be
Pleased to take the foregoing matters under consideration that
after your Hon''^ haye adjusted the foregoing accounts & made
such allowance as to your wisdom shall seem mete your Peti-
tioners may be able to Lay the same Before his Excellency for
Payment as the Law Directs and as in Duty Bound shall ever
Pray
Chesterfield June y"" 21"' 17S7
Eleazer Jackson ~\ Select men
Michael Cresey >- for
Benj" Haskell ) Chesterfield
[The accompanying bills show that Loudon was at Amos
Hail's, in Putney, Vt., ten weeks, under the care of " Josiah
Goodhue Jun""," vvho amputated his arm ; and at Abner
Harris's, in Chesterfield, ten weeks and five days, under the
care of " Joshua Tyler Surgeon," and " Oliver Atherton Phy-
sition." The Putney bills were sworn to before Noah Sa-
bin, and the others before Michael Cresey, and the docu-
ments were forwarded, with the following certificate, to the
legislature, the account allowed, and the amount paid to
Solomon Harvey. — Ed.]
[2-159]
To his Excellency John Sullivan Esq
This may certify that the Selectmen of Chesterfield in the
County of Cheshire, exhibited the inclosed accounts, to the
Court of General Sessions of the Peace for said County in June
last, which accounts were, by said Court, adjusted and allowed,
and the Court ordered, that a Certificate thereof should be sent
to your Excellency
Walpole Aug' — i — 17S7
Attest Tho Sparhawk Clerk
[2-161] \^Petition for I>icorporation of School. '\
To the Honab''' the Senate & House of Representatives in gen-
eral Assembly Convened at Portsmouth on the 23*^ Day of
Decern"" instant within and for the State of New Hampshire —
Being sensible of the importance and advantage of promoting
good literature among the youth And as we in this part of the
State live at a Considerable Distance from any Semenary of
Learning being encouraged by the Constitution we your hum-
ble petitioners beg leave to lay the following Petition before you,
350
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Would inform you that a svifficient sum of Money has been
raised by free Donation of the Petitioners to erect a House of
sufficient bigness in the town of Chesterfield in which a Semi-
nary may be kept and still have encouragement of further As-
sistance from the Liberality of many of the inhabitants of the
Neighborhood towards forwarding the Design and therefore
pray your Hon""" to incorporate the subscribers hereto and their
several Associates into a body corporate and politic subject to
such regulations and form of Government as is Common in
other Academias — As in Duty bound your Petitioners shall ever
pray.
Abraham Wood Solomon Harvey")
Moses Smith Silas Richardson >- Committee
Zur Evans J
William Fan-
Simon Willard
Abner Johnson
Eleazer Marble
Arthur Latham
Abraham Wood
Eleazer Pomeroy
Th" Metcalf
Nath' Bingham
Ol' Atherton
John Brown
W^ill'" Robertson
Oliver Hubbard
Oliver Cobleigh Ju'
Benj Haskell
Ebn"- Fletcher
Subscribers Names
Sam' Soper
Moses Smith
Solomon Harvey
Ol'' Brown
Jon'' Fairwell
Silas Thompson
Eph'" Hul^bard
Abel Fletcher
Martin Pomeroy
Antipass Bouker
Willis Secomb
Paul Eager
Martin Hildreth
Amos Hubbard
Elisha Rockwood
Zur Evans
John Pratt
Benjamin Wheeler
Aaron Fisk
Zenas Fairbank
Will"' Fairwell
John Bishop
Sam' Fletcher
John Hooker
John Darling
James Robertson
Peter Hone
Jesse Ware
Silas Richardson
Jarib Jackson
[Chesterfield Academy was incorporated by an act passed
January 12, 1790, and Rev. Abraham Wood, Dr. Solomon
Hervey, Moses Smith, Esq., Silas Richardson, Zur Evans,
Simon Willard, and Abner Johnson, all of Chesterfield, were
appointed trustees by the act.
In January, 1791, the trustees petitioned for the privilege
of raising ;^ 1,000, by lottery, for the support of said acade-
my, which was not granted, but an act was passed in 1808,
and extended in 18 14, allowing them to raise $5,000, by lot-
tery, for that purpose. — Ed.]
CHESTERFIELD. 351
[2-164] \_Petition of yosiah Hastings for a Ferry. ~\
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Petition of Josiah Hastings of Chesterfield in the County
of Cheshire Humbly Sheweth That he has for several years last
past kept a ferry over Connecticut River at a place a little be-
low the southerly bound of Thomas his ferry and about one
mile above the mouth of West River which has been and still is
of great advantage to the pul^Hck and your petitioner conceives
would still be of increasing advantage to the publick in general
and the Town near in particular, provided a grant of a ferry
should be made over that part of Connecticut River against said
Chesterfield which runs between said Thomas's and the mouth
of said West river it being in length about one mile and a half —
Your petitioner therefore prays your Honours to grant to him
his heirs and assigns the exclusive Right of keeping a ferry over
the part of s*^ River above mentioned, forever hereafter under
such Limitations and restrictions as to your honours may seenx
meet — and your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Chesterfield May 28"' 1791 —
Josiah Hastings
[June 14, 1792, the legislature granted " leave to bring-
in a bill," and one granting the right was passed June 20th.
—Ed.]
[2-166] \_Relative to a Bridge over Connecticut River. "^
To the Hon''^'' the General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire—
The Petition & Remonstrance of us subscribers Humbly
shews that having been Informed by the Newspapers Printed at
Keen that Rufus Graves & others Have Petitioned the Hon"''''
General Court for the exclusive Privilege of building a toll
bridge over Connecticut River In Hinsdale against Brattle-
borough in the state of Vermont we Humbly confess that such
a bridge over s*^ River at the most Convenient Place would be
of great Public utility l^ut Beg leave to say that In our Humble
opinion the place mentioned in the aforesaid Petition is not by
far the most Convenient Place for s"* Bridge best to serve the
Public But that a bridge over s** River near Lt : Josiah Hastings
Ferry in Chesterfield against s'' Brattleborough would much
more convene the Public and therefore your Petitioner Humbly
Prays that the s** Hon"'''" Court would be Pleased to Grant unta
352
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
US your Humble Petitioners the exclusive Priviledge of building
a toll Bridge over s'' River in s*^ Chesterfield within such Limits
and under such restrictions as shall be thought Proper : and that
they may be Incorporated a body Politic and Invested with
Powers necessary to carry the same Into eftect
Josiah Hastings
Benj Butterfield
Oliver Hastings
Eldad Granger
Jonathan Colburn
Martin Warner
Amos Daws
Ezekiel Powers
Eli Sergeant
Noah Emmons
Edman Farnsworth
Abel Stockwell
Jonah newhall
Moses Johnson
Jon* Wheeler
John Sergeant
Nathaniel Sartwell
Pearley Harris
Ebenezer Saftord
Moses Farr
Jonathan Farr
Oliver Wheeler
Zur Evans
Levi Sergeant
Noah Emmons Ju''
Enoch Streeter
Israel Johnson
John Cobleigh Jr
Eph'" Wheeler 3^^
Joseph Fuller
Jonth" Hastings
And"' Hastings
Charles Wiggins
Daniel Page Jr
John Harris
Abner Johnson
Amos Thomas
Levi Hastings
Jonathan Merril
Eli Davis
Zebediah Johnson
Amos Smith
John Wheeler 1^
Jonathan Davis
[A hearing was granted, and the petition " dismissed."
—Ed.]
[Among the prominent men of Chesterfield was Hon.
Levi Jackson, born June 29, 1772 ; graduated from Dart-
mouth college in 1799. ^^ ^^^^ ^ member of the state sen-
ate from 18 1 2 to 1 8 16, at which time he was elected a mem-
ber of the governor's council. He died August 30, 1821.
—Ed.]
CHICH ESTER.
This township was granted May 20, 1727, to Nathaniel
Gookin (Googins in the grant) and others, including the
governor, council, and other state officers, the grant being
signed by Lieutenant-Governor John Wentworth, and in-
cluded territory, according to the charter, to the extent of
eight miles square. See copy of charter in Vol. IX, p. 125.
By an act passed March 27, 1782, the northerly portion
of the town was set off and erected into the town of Pitts-
field. Union School District, comprising portions of Chi-
chester and Epsom, was incorporated November 30, 1842,
and an addition made in 1847.
CHICHESTER. 353
Traces of Indian settlements were visible within fifty
years, and stone implements have been frequently found.
The land on the banks of the Suncook river was once a
favorite place of the Penacooks for raising corn.
The first white settler is said to have been Paul Morrill,
in 1758.]
j]2-i 67] \^Proceedings of Tovjii- Meetings iyy6.'\
Colony of New |
Hampshire j Chichester June the 10"^ ^"l^^
At a Legal Meeting of the freeholders and Inhabitance of the
Town of Chichester Met acording to Notification Date of War-
rant June the I**' 1776 —
i'-' Voted Leut. Jonathan Stanyan Moderator to Govern s*^
meeting —
2'^' Voted to have a Justice of the peace in s*^ town —
3*^ Voted Cap' John Cram to Be a Justice of the peace in the
County of Rockingham —
furthermore we whose names are here under writen Being
apointed a Committee of Safty for the town afores"^ do Recomend
the Said John Cram as a man Sutible for that Important Trust
and we beg the honourable Court would Qiiallifye him for the
Same
David Knowlton ~\ Comitee
Jonathan Stanyan >- of
Simeon Hilyard ) Safty
[2-1 68] \_Capf. yohn Cram recommended^ ^77^ •'\
Colony of New \ To the Honourable President of the Con-
Hampshire j gress we your humble pettioners whose
names are here under writen Being fully Sensable of the ne-
cessty of having a Justice of the peace in Chichester in the
County of Rockingham for the due and impartial administra-
tion of Justice therein and that Cap' John Cram of Said Chi-
chester is fully quallifyed and accomplished for that important
trust we humbly Beg Leave to Recommend him to your hon-
ours for that purpos and most Earnestly pray that your honours
would be pleas'' to Constitute and apoiiit him a Justice of the
peace for the County afors'' and your pettioners as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever pray
Chichester march 13"' 1776
Nehemiah Leavat Wadleigh Cram Joseph Marston
24
354
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathaniel Tebbetts
Thomas bickford
John Libbe juner
Thomas Bh\ke
Benjamen Thuston
Dainel Eaton
HuBarT Smith
Samll Philbrick
David Knowlton
Dudley Lyford
John Loverin
Jeremiah Sanborn
Ithiel Cliftbrd
John Chase
Jeremiah Garland
Ebenezer Carter
Benjamen Lamper
John Blake
Thomas Mason
Joseph Clark
Isaac Libbee
Aquila Moftatt
John Worth
John Blake
Joseph Purinton
Jonathan Green
John Libbe
Willem Burgin
Jabez Tucker
Ebenezer Knowltort
Jonathan Eaton
Nathaniel Chase
Jonathan Stanvan
Job Haskell
John Fullonton
Samuel Daves
Thomas Johnson
[3-169]
\^Resi)io)ist ranee to foregoiugJ\
To the honourable Diligates of the Colony of New hampshire
now seting at Exater we the subscribers Being freeholders
and others Inhabitants of the town of Chichester humbly
pray that you would not act apon A petition sent to you for
Cap* John Cram to Bee A Justis a pees in the town of Chi-
chester Except he Bee Chosen by a vouat of the town
Chichester march 15* 1766
Benjamin mason
Benjamin Jackson
Elijah Ring
John Brown
Edmund Rand Leav-
itt
James Morrill
William Langmaid
Theophilus Sanborn
Nathan Marden
Dyer Hook
Simeon Loverin
John Hilyard
Stephen Lang
Amos Blaso
John Langmaid
Micaiah Merrill
masack haines
Jacob Sanborn
Jonathan Edmans
David Brown
Nathan Brown
Simeon Hilyard
Benjamin mason Jr
Samuel James
Jonathan Leavitt
Paul morrill
Samuel Langmaid
Edmund Rand
Jedediah Stanyan
Smith Morrill
Jeremiah Sanborn
[2-170] \^Concerning Election of Representative^ i779-~\
A Petition.
To the honorable general assembly of the State of New
hampshire Convened at Exeter on Wednesday the 15"' Dec' In-
stant humbly Sheweth the Legal Inhabitants of the tow^n of
Chichester that whereas your honors Isued a precept to the
CHICHESTER.
355
Selectmen of Epsom directing them to legally notify the In-
habitants of Epsom Chichester & Allenstown giving them fif-
teen Days notice to meet in Some Convenient place in their
town to Ellect a Suitable person to Represent them in general
assemblv vet your Petitioners have not been notified agreeable
to Said precept whereby we conceive ovu'selves greatly Injurd
therefore humbly pray your honors would take this our petition
under 3'our wise consideration and order another precept to be
Isued whereby your petitioners may Be legally notified to
Chose a suitable person to represent us in general assembly for
the year Current and your petitioners in Duty Bound will ever
pra}' —
Chichester 20"" Dec"^ ^779
Simon Knowles
micaiah morrill
masack haines
Nathan Brown
John Langmaid
Theophilus Sanborn
Smith Morrill
John Worth
Levi Stanvan
Caleb Davis
Moses Davis
Paul Morrill
Samuel Langmaid
Jonathan Leavitt
Ezekiel morrill
Dver Hook
Stephen Fellows
Richard Sargent
Edmund Rand
Samuel Davis Jun""
george Sargent
wiiliam moses
James Morrill
William Langmaid
Jedediah Stanyan
William Chase
Thomas Johnson
Joseph morrill
Joseph morrill J""
Samuel Davis
Daniel Sanborn
Nathaniel Wells
[2-1 71 3 \^Concerning Class for Election of Representative.~\
State of Newhampshire ] To the Hon''''^^ the Council and
Rockingham Ss — j House of Representatives for said
State in General assembly Convened at Exeter iS"' Feb'' 1780
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the
Town of Chichester in the County of Rockingham and State
aforesaid Shevveth —
That the Said town of Chichester for a Number of years
Last past have been Coupled or Joyned with the Towns of
Epsom and aliens Town in Choosing a member to Represent
them at the General assembly and notwithstanding the town of
Chichester is Larger and has more familys living in it than
there is in Epsom and allenstown. both The precept has always
heretofore been diverted to the town of Epsom and the meet-
ings always held in Epsom and many of the Inliabitants of
Chichester could not attend and so the Representative has ever
been Chosen in the town of Epsom and we are Humbly of
opinion that we have not had the priviledges in voting we
ought to have had or what was the Design of Hon'''" Court
356
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when we were coupled, bad the precepts been sent to the
towns of Chichester and Epsom alternately ■we should have
Been Content Wherefore your petitioners Humbly pray that
whereas the town of Chichester Consists of upwards of one
hundred twenty Families they may have Liberty of sending a
member by themselves without being Joyned with any other
town or otherwise Relieved as yovu" Honours in Your Great
Wisdom shall Judge Best and your petitioners as in Duty
Bound will ever pray &c
James Cram
Daniel Sargent
[Illegible.]
Elisha Eaton
Simeon Hilyard
Jeremiah Sanborn
Benj"' mason
John Kenney
Jacob Bachelder
Daniel Eaton
Jonathan Fogg
Timothy sanborn
Nathanael Page
Thomas Blake
Jabez Tucker
Jeremiah Dow
Theophilus Brown
Joseph Yeaton
wadligh Cram
Joseph mason
Jon" Leavitt ju
Reuben Cram
John Blake jun""
Jonah Garland
Samuel Robie
Benj'" Nudd
Sam^ Jackson
Benj™ mason Jun""
Isaac Libbee
Job Haskell
Nathan White
Samll Philbrick
Samuel James
John Cram
David Knowlton
Benjamin Lamprey
John Tilton
Aquila mot^att
Jonathan Sargent
Joseph Marston
Hubartus Smith
thomas Bickford
James Garland
John Eaton
Stephen Lang
Simeon Loverin
Benjamin Jackson
John Blaso
Asahel Green
Jonathan Eaton
Edward Sargent
Samuel Ring
Richard durgain
Jonathan fogg Ju'
Benjaman thusten
Joshua Berry
william Durgen
Nath' Wells
eBanezer Barter
Elipheleat marston
Josiah white
Abraham Sanborn
[2-173] \_ScIcctmen requested to call a Town- Meet itigJ^
Rockingham ss Chichester November y^ 34* 1781
To the Select men of the town of Chichester
Gentlemen wee the Subscribers Inhabitants and Free hold-
ers in the town of Chichester Desire you would be pleased to
warn a meeting of all the Inhabitants of said town Qiiallified
according to Law to vote in town affairs to meet at some Con-
venient place in said town as soon as may be to act on the fol-
lowing particulars (viz)
i^' To Chuse a moderator to Govern said meeting
2'*'^ To see if the town will vote that the second and third
CHICHESTER.
357
Division in said Town .Shall be Sett off from Said town in a
parish to be Invested with town priviledges as other towns in
this State
2<ii.v Xo See if the town will Chuse a Committee to prefer a
petition to the General Court of this State to Confirm the above
vote
Edward Sargant
Daniel Eaton
Isaac Libbee
Edmon Sanborn
Josiah White
Jonathan Brown
Daniel gilmon
Ebenezer Barton
James Drake
Elishar Eaton
Joseph sfoss
John Cram
Nathan White
winthrop Smith
James Sanborn
James brown
Jonathan fogg
Joseph morstan
Josiah Barton
John. Eaton
willam Chase
Jonathan Tinkers
Reuben towl Leavitt Samuel Ring
Ebenezer Prescott Joshua Bery
wadligh Cram Samuel Philbrick
Jobe Haskel
Robert Tibbets
william munsey
Reuben Cram
Jona garlon
Thomas Bickford
Jonathan Dow
Benjamin Thurston
John Tilton
John Blaso
Benjamin Nudd
Ithial Cliford
[2-173] \^Proceedings of Tow n- Meet lug ^ iy8i.~\
State of Newhampshire \
Rockingham Ss j Chichester December 26* 1781 ata
Leagal meeting of the Inhabitance of the town of Chichester
met according to notifycation Date of warrant Deem the 12"*
1781
iLy voted John Cram Esq'' be a moderator to govern said meet-
ing—
2Ly voted that there Be a Commity Chosen on both Sids of the
town to Divide Said town
voted that william Chase John Cram Esq'' Joseph morril
Simeon Hilyard Dyer Hook Elijah Ring and Cap'"' Jon-
athan Leavitt be a Commitee to Divide the town of Chi-
chi ster —
Chichister Deer 26"' — 17S1 then we the Subscribers a Com-
mitee have agreed in Dividing the town into two Parishes
iLy that the whole of the Land in the Second and third Di-
vision below the River and all the third Division above
s*^ River vSIiall be to the north Side of the town
2Ly that the South Side and north Side of the town Shall Pre-
fix the Centers for their meeting houses within three
weaks from this Date
358 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
3Ly that those People that Live on Either Side of the Dividing
Line Shall have Liberty to Poal themselves and their
Estates into Either Side of the Dividing Line that they
Shall think best any time within three months after that
the Centers are to be Perfix' in the South and north
Parts of the town as above Dated
T 1 /^ ^ Commitee
ohn Cram \ ^ t^- • ■,
•^ ^-^ IrnlJivirlp
Will"' Chase
o- TT-1 J r the town
bimeon Hilyard \ ■ ^ .
T *-i r -i-t- J "^to two
onathan Leavitt un. t-, • i
^ J Parishes
2Ly Put to vote to see if the town will Except of what the
Commitee hath agreed upon and Signed in Dividing of
the town and Past as a vote
3Ly voted that the Second Division of Land beloo Suncook
River in S** Chichester with that Part of the third Divi-
sion beloo S*^ River and the Six Ranges in Said third
Division above Said Suncook River with the Priviliges
and Preportion of Publick Lands belonging to Said Di-
visions may be incorporated into a Town or Parrish by
themselves and invested with all town Priviliges as other
towns in this State —
4Ly voted that their may be three months Liberty alowed for
any Person or Persons to Pool themselves and their Es-
tates Either Side of the Dividing Line that way they
shall see best after the Centers are Prefixed —
5Ly voted that John Cram Esqu"' william Chase and Captn
Jonathan Leavitt a Commitee to Prefer a Petition to the
General Court of Said State to Confirm the above votes
a trew Coppy from the minutes
per Dyer Hook town Clerk
[2-174 \^Concerntng a Division of the Toxvn.^
To the Hon''''' the Council and House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire, in General Assembly convened at
Exeter January A Dom. 17S2 —
The Petition of the Lihabitants freeholders, residing in the
first & fourth Divisions in the Township of Chichester Humbly
Sheweth — That a meeting of the Lihabitants of Chichester was
called by the Select Men of said Town in consequence of a pe-
tition of the Inhabitants who reside in the Second and third Di-
vision in said Town for the purpose of severing or dividing the
CHICHESTER. 359
said Town into two distinct Parishes — That at said Meeting a
Major vote was obtained in favour of said Petition— That for
the conveniency of the Town, your Petitioners humbly conceiv-
ed and do conceive that an equal division of the Town into two
Parishes Vv'ould be necessary if the same could be properly ef-
fected— That those said Petitioners have obtained by the afore-
said vote more than an equal division without the voice of the
Propriety of said Township who have never been consulted
thereon, and have not as yet given up the reins of Government
into the hands of said Town —
That if a Petition should be preferred to your Honours in or-
der to confirm the aforesaid Vote, that your Honours would
take this our Petition under your wise consideration and direct
Such Measures as shall be most conducive to the Interest and
welfare of said Town — And Your Petitioners as in duty bound
will ever Pray &c
John Worth Edmimd Rand Leav- Edmund Rand
Levi Stanyan itt Nathan Marden
Jonathan Edmunds John Langmaid Simeon Loverin
Joseph morrill Smith Morrill Dyer Hook
Peter Hook william moses Danill Sanborn
Paul morrill Ezekiel morrill william Langmaid
Samuel Langmaid Jonathan Leavitt James morrill
Samuel James William Seavey Samuel Daves
IJ2-I75] \_Concerning Divisiott of the To-wn.'\
To the Hon'''*' Council & House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in General Assembly Convened at Exe-
ter Jan'-'' 3"^ 1782.
Humbly Sheweth John Cram Esq"' William Chase and Jona-
than Leavitt a Comittee for and in behalf of the Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the Town of Chichester in the County of Rock-
ingham in Said State —
That the Said Freeholders and Inhabitants of Chichester have
at a Legal Town meeting Voted that the Second Division of
Lands in Said Township below Suncook river with That part
of the third Division below Said river and the Six ranges in
Said Third Division above Said Suncook river with the Privi-
ledges & Proportion of Public Lands belonging to Said Divi-
sions may be Incorporated into a town or Parish by themselves,
and Invested with all Town Priviledgcs as other Towns in this
State, and that there may be allowed three months Liberty for
any Person or Persons to Poll themselves & their Estates to
360 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Either Side of the Dividing Line that way they Shall Se best
after the Centres of Each Town or Parish are Prefixed Where-
fore Your Petitioners Humbly Pray your Hon''^ to Pass an Act
to Incorporate the Said Lands and Inhabitants thereof into a
Distinct Town or Parish by the Name of Pittsfield — and to
Invest & Enfranchise them with all the Powers, Priviledges and
Immunities that any other Town or Parish in this State Have
Hold and Enjoy, with the Liberty of Polling as aforesaid ; and
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray &c
John Cram
William Chase
Jonathan Leavitt Jun''
State of I
New Hamp"' j In the House of Representatives March 2Z^ :
1782—
Upon hearing and considering the foregoing Petition
Voted that the prayer thereof be granted with the following
altei-ations and amendments (viz) instead of Six ranges in the
third Division above Suncook River to allow only five ranges
in said third Division, and that no polling shall be allowed and
that the Tract of Land which they Petitioned to have set oft' by
the name of Pittsfield be sett oft'as a Separate Town and called
by that name and to have all Town priviledges distinct from
Chichester except in the Choice of Representatives, and that
the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly
Sent up for Concurrence
John Langdon Speaker
In Council the same day read & concurred
J Pearson D Sec^
[The result of the controversy was the setting off of the
north part of the town, and incorporating the same into the
town of Pittsfield, by an act passed March 27, 1782. — Ed.}
[3-176] \^Request to be Classed with Pittsjield for Repre-
sentative.^
State of New hampshire
Rockingham Ss —
To the Honorable Counsel and general Court of Said State
the Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Selectmen for Chi-
chester and Pittsfield whereas according to the establishment of
the new Constitution or Plan of government it was agreed up-
CHICHESTER. 361
on that that town that hath one hundred and fifty Leagal votters
Should have the Liberty of Choosing and Sending a member to
the general Court and whear one town hant that number of
Leagal voters it was agreed upon that two towns Shall be Cup-
pled together we your Humble Pettisonars vSelect men for the
townes of Said Chichester and Pittsfield humblev Desire ac-
cording to the Desire of the inhabitance of Said towns that we
may be Joyned together and have the Libertv of Choosing and
Sending one member for both towns and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound Shall Ever Pray and So forth
Chichester December the 30 Day y* 1783
William Seavey
Dyer Hook
Jonathan Perkins
James Drake
Select
men for
Chichester
and
Pittsfield
State of I
New hamps™ J In House of Representatives Jan^ 2^ 17S4
Upon Reading & Considering the foregoing petition
Voted that the prayer thereof be granted & that Northwood
proposed to be joined to Pittsfield be Class'^ to Epsom & Aliens-
town
Sent up for Concurrence
John Dudley Speaker
In Council the same day read & Concurred —
E Thompson Sec'^
[R. 207]
Concord June 15, 17S6,
The Bounty advanced by Chichester to Zebulon Colbie a pri-
vate 6"' C°, I'' Reg' amounts to eighteen pounds eighteen shill-
ings, which has been deducted from his depreciation to 17S0.
Ex*^ per Josiah Oilman Jun'
[2-177] \_BliJah Ring recom/ncndcd for Jtistice of the
Pcace.'\
State of New ")
Hampshire V To his Exelancy the president the honor-
Rockingham ss ) able Councle in and for the State of New
Hampshire for the year 17S6 whereas your humble petitisionars
Inhabitants of Chichestere are Distitute of a Justice of the
peace to tranceact that business in the aforesaid town of Chi-
362 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Chester therefore your humble petitisionars humbly Desire your
Exelancy and honors Would appoint and Commision Ensign
Elijah Ring as Justice of the peace In and for the aforesaid
town of Chicher and in this appointment your humble Petiti-
sionars as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Dated at Chichester this thirteenth Day of July in the year
1786.
Nathaniel Batcheldor Abraham true Jacob Sanborn
thomas Lake Jun'' Joseph Sanborn Jeremiah Sanborn
Benjamin Jackson John Fellowes Jonathan fellowes
thomas Lak Edmund Rand John Langmaid
Simeon Loverin Samuel Daves Samuel Daves Jun''
Caleb Daves Jonathan Edmunds
'{[z-iyS] \_Petition for Aiit/iority to tax JVon-Residefit
La)idsJ\
The State of New Hampshire. —
To the Honorable Senate & house of Representatives of Said
State convened at Concord the tenth Day of June Anno
Domini 1791. —
The Petition of Abraham True & Nathaniel Morril — Select-
men of Chichester in the County of Rockingham, humbly
sheweth that the Inhabitants of the Town of Chichester labor
under a number of disadvantages ; — arising from the newness
of their incorporation and scarcity of money ; — one of which
disadvantages is their inability to carry on and finish a house
lately began in Said Chichester for publick worship — and at
the same time to make a publick road necessary for the conven-
ience of the Inhabitants of Chichester ; — as well as for other
Citizens from Capt Reuben Kimbals, in Concord leading
through Chichester, to the Portsmouth Road, thro' Epsom. —
Wherefore your Petitioners, in behalf of the Town of Chi-
chester, pray your Honors to take their Circumstances into your
wise Consideration ; and pass an Act to empower them to as-
sess and raise by a Tax of two pence P' Acre, on all the Non-
Residents Lands laying in said Chichester : — which would en-
able them, both to go on with building their meeting house, &
to make and finish the aforesaid Road. —
and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. —
"^ Selectmen
Abraim True I for the Town
Nathanil morrill | of
J Chichester
CLAREMONT. 363
State of New Hamhspire —
In the House of Representatives Dec. 7* 1791
Upon hearing and considering the within petition
voted that the praver thereof be granted & that the petition-
ers have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly provided the
money be laid out for repairing the highways only —
Sent up for Concurrence
William Plumer Speaker
In Senate the same day read & concurred
J Pearson Sec^
CLAREMONT.
The town was granted October 26, 1764, to Colonels Jo-
siah VVillard and Samuel Ashley, of Winchester, and sixty-
seven others, among whom were Colonel Joseph and Jon-
athan Hammond, of Swanzey, and others from that vicinity.
Colonels Ashley and Hammond were officers in the French
and Indian war, the former of whom settled in the town.
Settlements were made here by Moses Spafford and
David Lynde, in 1762 ; in 1767 others came from Farming-
ton, Hebron, and other towns in Connecticut. The early
settlers were about equally divided between the Episcopal
and Congregational denominations. Of the adherents to the
former was Samuel Cole, a graduate of Yale college in 1731 ;
he was a prominent teacher, and conducted Episcopal ser-
vice in town until the settlement of Rev. Ranna Cossit in
1773-
The governors' reservation, in the south-west corner of
the town, was by him granted to Col. Joseph Wait, who
was a captain in Rogers's Rangers in the French war, and
commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary war until he
died, in October, 1776.
Some of the other prominent men of the town in the
latter part of the last century were Hon. Sanford Kings-
bury (see following papers) ; Hon. George B. Upham, Rep.
7th Cong. ; Hon. Caleb Ellis, Rep. to 9th Cong., the hitter
of whom died in 18 16, aged 49. Hon. William Jarvis. U. S.
Consul to Spain 1810 and 181 1, imi:)orted the first Merino
sheep into this country, with perhaps one exception.
364 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
By an act approved December 29, 1828, a tract of land
was severed from Unity and annexed to Claremont
The town is favored with railroad accommodations, and is
a substantial farming and manufacturing place.
\_Chartei' Records^ vol. 4, p. 171. '\
\^Rev. Raima Cossitt collated to the Church in Claremont. ~\
Province of New Hampshire.
By His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over said Province &C.
— To the Reverend Ranna Cossit first ordained minister of the
Gospel in Communion with the Chmxh of England at Clare-
mont in the Province of New Hampshire aforesaid.
By virtue of his Majestys Royal Commission appointing me
Governor and Commander in Chief of this Province and the
special authority thereby given me to collate any Person or Per-
sons to any Churches Chapell or other ecclesiastical Benefices
within said Province. — I do hereby Collate you the said Ranna
Cossit to the Church of Claremont aforesaid with all ecclesias-
tical Benefices to the same by law & right appertaining — To
Have & to Hold the same during your said ministry —
In Testimony whereof I have caused the Seal of said Prov-
ince to be hereunto afiixed this 38"' Day of June in the 13''^
year of His Majestys reign Anno Domini 1773-
J. Wentworth.
By his Excellencys command
Theodore Atkinson Sec'y-
[He was also collated to Haverhill the same date. Rev.
Mr. Cossitt was ordained by the Bishop of London early in
the year 1773, he having sailed for England in December,
1772, for that purpose. He settled at Claremont as the first
Episcopal minister of that place, and remained until sent to
the island of Cape Breton in 1785. He died at Yarmouth,
Nova Scotia, in 18 15, aged 75. At the time of his settle-
ment in Claremont there were but few church people in the
western part of this state; meetings for the reading of the
service, and printed sermons, had been held in Alstead,
Claremont, Springfield, Vt., Haverhill, and Hanover. At
Claremont the service had been under the charge of Sam-
uel Cole, Esq., a schoolmaster, who gave good instruction in
the service, and in singing. (Rev. Mr. Cossitt's letter,
1773-)— Ed.]
CLAREMONT. 365
[2-179] \_ClaremoHt Covtmittee of Safety to the General
Couf't, 1776.']
To the Worthy and Honourable Members of the State of
New Hampshire, The Committee of Safety of the Town of
Chiremont Beg leave to acquaint your Honours that there are
Thirty or more Men that are of the Inhabitants of s*^ Town
that are as they say Neuters in the affairs of the present day
with respect to the Contest Between Great Brittain and the
Coloneys and under this pretence they do not attend on any
Military Duty among us nor Bear any part in the War —
We beg leave further to inform the State that althoug Cap'"
Benj" Sumner was by Order of the Committee Chozen by the
Congress of New Hampshire Confined to the Limits of the
Town of Claremont yet the s'^ Sumner doth frequently go from
Town to Town upon his own and others Buisiness without
leave from any Committee and in Open defience of the Com-
mittees and the Congress. — and Furthermore we beg leave to
Inform your Honours that the abovementioned Neuters have
not paid any Regai'd to the Proclamation for Fasts or Thanks-
givings for years past as we know of and the Rev*^ M"" Cosset
has not thought fit to read them to his people —
But these Neuters have many of them been seen about their
work on Such solemn days, and these Thirty or more did ut-
terly refuse to Sign the Resolves of the Congress when offered
them and gave no Reasons for their refusal but they would not
Fight any way yet are not quakers but chiefly of the church of
England Except Cap'" Sumner, and all the reason that he has
seen fit to give the Committee is that when the Committee
that Confined him were Chosen the Government acted as a
Congress
But now that they act as a free State and so he says that he
is free from that Order —
And we are sorry to say that we see no reason to think that
any of the persons that were confined to s*^ Town by the Com-
mittee appointed by the Congress, are now any more friendly
to the cause of America than they were before they were Con-
fined to the Town
The Committee of Safety of the Town of Claremont in the
State of New Hampshire, Beg leave to present the following
Petitions to this State and beg that they may be considered at
the next Session or as soon as may be —
First your Humble petitioners Desire that something may be
don by which those Neuters in s*^ Town may be brought to do
their Military Duty at Home, and also to Bear their Just part
in the War abroad either in their own Persons or by hireing
others or by paying A fine on their refusal, or any way or
366 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ways that in your Wisdom and Goodness your Honours may
think fit-
there being so many that Excuse themselves from Serving-
their Country under such pretences that it proves a Temptation
to others to plead neutrality and neglect the Interest of their
Country and so weaken the common cause
Seconly we Humbly desire that some measures may be taken
by which such persons may be brought to pay due Regard to
the Authority of the State with respect to Fasts and Thanks-
givings that the Godly may not be grieved nor the wicked grow
bold in Sin by such bad examples.
Thirdly your Humb*^ Petitioners desire that something may
be done as in your Wisdom and Goodness you shall think best
to prevent the Prophanation of the Holy Sabbath of the Lord
which is much Prophaned at this Day in this part of this State
not only by wayfareing men, but by Persons traveling on the
publick Roads from place to place on the vSabbath and bearing
Burdens & driving Teams on their own private Buisiness — to
the dishonour of God, & the grief of the Godly and we have
reason to think that this is one of the morral Causes of Gods
Controversy with this People at this day thus we rest nothing
doubting but wise and Just measures will be taken to Relieve
all our Grievonses —
Claremont Decem'"' y^ 9, i77^
Stephen Higbe
Barnabes Ellis
Lemuel Hubbard
Elihu Stevens
Mathias Stone
Thomas Goodwin
Jacob Rice
William osgood
Committee
!> of
Safety
[2-182] \_Relative to Elihu Stevens.]
To the Hon''''^ the General assembly of the State of New
Hampshire
The Subscribers Inhabetents of the Town of Claremont
Humbly Shews that the Publick affairs of Said Town are in a
Grate measure Retarded for want of a Proper Officer the
method that Some Town in this State have Taken for Remedy
in Such a Case and there Success Semed fairly to Point out to
your Petitioners that to be the best Mode of Redress the In-
habetents of Claremont Assembled to Gather for the Like Pur-
pose and agreed in a Very Large majority To Nomenate M""
CLAREMONT,
367
David Baits to be a Jusf* of the Peice for the County of Chesh-
ire ; M"" Baits was soon Informed of the Nomination and
Desired Som time to Deliberate What Answer to Give the
Town Consented att the Expiration of Ten Days M"' Baits Re-
turned for Answer that he Could Not Accept of Said Trust
and Desired the Town to Proseed to a New Nomination the
Town Proceeded and Nominated our Worthy Representative
Elihue Stevins whoo after being much urged by the Inhabetents
Was Pleased to accept of our Nomenation and Was Desired to
Lay the Same before the Honor''' General Assembly Expecting
to have him Qiiallefyd for a Justis of the Peice for the County
of Cheshire but to oure grate Sirprize as well as Grate Dam-
aige wee find our Request Not Granted and are Alarmd to
hear that an Opposition arose from a Qiiarter to us so unex-
pected we Cannot account for Such Conduct unless from a
Desire in the Opposer to Occupy the Birth wee think him
Totalh' unfitt to fill Wherefore youre Petitioners Humbly
Pray that our Last Nomination may Stand and that oure Rep-
resentitive may be Qiiallefyd for Said oflice as Soon as may be ;
and vour Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Pray
Claremont may 11 — A D i777
John west
Beriah murray
John Spencer
BenJ" Towner
Benj" Sumner
Joseph hubbard
John Sprague
Jonathan packer
Joseph Clark
Seth Lewis
Stephen Iligbe
W'" Sumner
Olever Ellsworth
Jonas Steward
Samuel Lewis
Sam" Ashley
Asa Jones
Jer'"'' Spencer
Edward Goodwin
Daved Adkins
Patricke field
John Peake
Ebenezer Fielding
W" m'^Coye
Lemuel Hubbard
Oliver Cook
Ephraim french
T Sterne
moses Spaftbrd
Gidion Luis
Barnabas Ellis
Gideon Kirtland
Joseph Taylor
Thomas Goodwin
Amasa Fuller
[2-1 80] \^Record of Marriage. "^
M"" Henry Stevens and the Widow Martha Wait was mar-
ried in February the 26, 1777 the above is a true Coppv of
Records from the Town Book of Claremont
Att David Bates Town Clerk
[2-181] \_Relative to David Bates. "^
To the Honb''' the General Assembly of the State of New-
ham psh ire Genteel men
We have been informed By our Worthy Representative; that
368 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Honb'® Gen' Assembly have Lately ben informed that the
Nomination of M"" David Bates was Renued by the Inhabitants
of the Town of Claremont Last March ; which in some meas-
ure is Absolutely faults and Absurd ; thair was Nothing said
in the Warning Realitive to that aflair Nither in Town meet-
ing ; till our Town affairs were all transacted and peopel
Cheifly Dispersed ; it is truth the aflair was mentioned after
the meeting was over ; and we believe we may say their was
Not more than Eight Votes ; for to have the Nomination
Renued which was Contirary to the minds of the peopel in
General ; these are undeniabel facts We therefor Leve it with
your Honnours to do us Justis in this affair We are with
Submtion your Honnours most Humble Servants
Lemuel Hubbard Comit*^" Clark
Claremont Ocf ii"' 1777
^ Committee
Barnabas Ellis f for the
Stephen Higbe [ Town of
Claremont
[R. 208]
These are to certify, whom it may concern, that Lieut Jo-
seph Taylor of Claremont, being a Gentleman well acquainted
with the Canadians, understanding both their manner and
language, entered the service of the United States of America
by the desire of Lieut. Col. Joseph Wait, & did actually go to
Canada where he was of great service as an interpreter, & con-
tinued there untill after the reti^eat from Quebec as his pass
from Gen' Arnold will show ; for which service he has never
received any reward. — Therefore by his desire we whose names
are under written send this Certificate to the Gentlemen Com-
mittee of War, Submitting of it to their Superior Judgment,
whether s'' Taylor is not justly entitled to a reward for his good
services
Claremont May 26* 1777.
A Hibbbard. Joseph York J'' Reuben Spencer
Jeremiah Spencer
To the Committee of War for the State of N. Hampshire
[R. 209] \_yoseph Taylor's Petition^ iyy8.'\
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire.
The memorial of Joseph Taylor of Claremont in the state
CLAREMONT. 369
aforesaid humbly sheweth, — Whereas your humble Petitioner
induced by the encouragement of Colonel Wright [Colonel
Wait, probably] of Claremont did engage in the year 1776 on
an expedition to Canada with a view to enlist a Company of
Canadians, as your humble Petitioner was acquainted with
the People and language of s*^ Province. In prosecution of
which plan He exerted Himself and doubtless should have
been successful had not aflairs in that Province taken such a
sudden & unexpected turn, which entirely defeated the afore-
said design — And whereas your humble Petitioner was five
Months in the service of the united States, in which He sus-
tained considerable expense and damage, which, tho' Col.
Wright, engaged to see compensated ; yet his death has pre-
vented, and nothing as yet has been received — This is therefore
humblv to solicit the Honorable Assembly to take y" matter
aforesaid under your consideration and attention and in your
prudence and wisdom judge what may be an equivalent com-
pensation for s*^ services. — And your humble Memorialist as in
•duty bound shall ever pray —
Claremont February 5* 177^ —
Joseph Taylor
The above named Joseph Taylor apeared and made Solemn
oath to the above memorial before me
Elihu Stevens Justice peace
[In H. of Rep., March 6, 1778, a committee was appoint-
ed to consider the matter ; they reported that Mr. Taylor
■ought to be " Alowed and paid for four and an half months
service at 40/ per month," but the house voted that it should
lay until next session. — Ed.]
i[2-i84] Relative to Town Officers^ Taxatio7i^ etc.^ i/'82.']
The Honorable the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire. We Your Humble Petitioners Inhabtants of the
Town of Claremont would Beg leave to represent to Your
Honors, that We ever had, and still have a disposition to
Demean ourselves as Peaceable Citizens of the State and are
desirous to Aflbrd every Assistance in our Power that shall tend
to the Weal and Tranquility thereof, and tliat shall best serve
to promote the Common Cause in general, but sensible we
are, that the several Recjuisitions from the Honorable Court of
New Hampshire, wherein We were called upon for Men and
Moneys have not and cannot at present be complyd with as
25
370
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
their is no proper Officers in s*^ Town to take Charge of and
Prosecute them to Etlect. Your Petitioners would further beg
leave to represent to Your Honors, that before the Usual Time
of Holding our Annual Town Meeting, their was Suitable Ap-
plication made to proper Authority to Warn a meeting of s*^
Town for the purpose of Chusing Town Officers, the Town
met at time and place specified in the Warning and proceeded
to the Choice of Officers as the Law directs, and with much
difficulty after several Adjournments had our Officers Elect-
ed ; when s*^ Officers were call'd upon to Qualify them-
selves to serve as Selectmen for the Town, they declined
taking the Oath that is required by Law as a Necessary Qiiali-
fication for a Man to serve in that Office, and still do decline
takeing s'^ Oath. And Your Petitioners would further beg
leave to represent to Your Honors, that at present their ap-
pears a majority in the Town that would Act in favour of
those that would not Qiialify themselves to Serve as Town
Officers they thinking or Supposing that the Oath that is re-
quired to be Unconstitutional, for which reasons We have not
nor cannot have any proper Officers in s"^ Town to Transact
our Publick Matters relative to the State, and thereby are
Utterly Unable in and of themselves to Afford that Assistance
that is required, and would Voluntarily be complyd with, if
their could be any Measure or Measures Pointed out to them
whereby a Just Estimate of their Estates might be Taken,
their Proportions Ascertained, and proper Officers to receive
them. We Ask for Ourselves, we Ask not for the Town as
We have not their Voice in the matter. Therefore Your Peti-
tioners begs that Your Honors would take the Above matter
into their wise Consideration and Grant them relief by point-
ing out to them some way or other whereby their Proportion-
able part of the Taxes may be paid and they properly secured
therefor. All which is submitted to Your Honors Wise Con-
sideration, and Your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever
Prav
Claremont June i" 1782 —
Gideon Kirtland
Thomas Jones
John West
Gideon Ellis
David Matthews
John Sprague
Elihu Stevens
San*^ Kingsbery
Jeremiah Spencer
R. Hinds
Elihu Stevens Ju.
Henry Stevens
Joseph Ives
Abner Matthews
Timothy Pearsons
T. Sterne
Barnabas Ellis
Nath'^' Goss
John Peckers
Stephen Alarks
Rowell Stevens
Patrick Field
Joel matthews
Jesse matthews
Josiah Rich
Gideon Lewis
Sam' Ashley
Oliver Cooke
Levi Higbe
Benj" Towner
CLAREMONT. 37I
Stephen Higbe Joseph Taylor Ebenezer Fielding
Daniel Ford Oliver Ellsworth
Beriah murray Josiah Stevens
[2-1S5J \_Relative to the Charter of the Toivn.^
The Honorable the General Assembly of the State of New
Hamshire. Your Humble Petitioners would beg leave to rep-
resent to your Honors that in Consequence of an Act of this
State that was Passed in Alarch 17S0 wherein it was required
that the several Charters of the Towns in the State should be
carried in to the Secretary's Office in Order to be recorded,
their has been frequent applications made to the Proprietors
Clarke of the Town of Claremont for the Charter of s** Town
and never has nor could be Obtained since s*^ Act was passed it
being mislaid, or by some Illminded Person Conveyed away,
by which means the good People of s*^ Town are liable to be
Injured in their Property and no remedy to be had by Law.
Your Petitioners therefore begs that your Honors would take
the above inatter into their Wise Consideration and Grant them
relief by Establishing the Copy of s'^ Charter now in the Pro-
prietors Clark's Office untill the Original can be found, All
which is submitted to Your Honors wise Consideration And
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray
Claremont May 30* 17S2
Beriah murray Elihu Stevens Josiah Rich
John Peckers Jeremiah Spencer Nath Goss
Jacob Rovs Sam' Ashley Moses Spaftbrd
San** Kingsbery Barnabas Ellis
[2-186] \_Barnabas Ellis^s Deposition concerning Charter. ~\
The Dipposition of Barnabas Ellis of Lawfull Age testifieth
and Saith that Sumtime in the month of October or November
in the year one thousan seven hundred and Eighty I went to
Cap' Benjamin Sumners with others to Serch for the propria-
ters charter of the town of Claremont but found Nothing but
the propriaters book of Records furthermore the Deponant
Saith not
Claremont September 16 AD 1782
Barnabas Ellis
Cheshire ss j September the Sixteenth AD 1782 then the
above Named Barnabas Ellis Personally appeared and made
Solum oath to the above written before me
Elihu Stevens \ Justice peace
372
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-183] \_yosep/2 Hubbard's Deposition^ Ij82.'\
Joseph Hubbard of Lawful age Testifieth & Saith that Sum
time in the month of November in the Year one thousand seven
hundred & Eighty acordind to the Best of my Remembarance
I Went to Capt Sumner with Esq Stephens & Barnibas Ellis &
my Brother George Hubbard to Get the Charter of Said town
of Claremont in order to Get it Recorded aGreable to an act of
this State But Cap' Sumner was Not at Home wee Asked mrs
Sumner for the Charter & She went & Brought the Propriertors
Book of ReCords wee told Her that it was the origenal Charter
that We Wanted She Said that there Was No other Charter in
the House But that & Had Not Been for Sumtime Wee then
Serched the Book to See If the Charter was Not in the Book
But Could Not find it for it was Not in the Book & furthermore
the Deponant saith Not
Claremont September: 16 AD 1782
Joseph Hubbard
State of New ^
hampshire > September the Sixteenth AD 17S2
Cheshire ss )
then the above Named Joseph Hubbard personally ap-
peared and made Solum oath to the above written before me
Elihu Stevens [■ Justice peace
[2-187]
[^ List of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
A Return of the I
of age & upwards p
20* of Decb"" 17S3
Stephen Higbee
Dan" Ford
Cap' Cook
Joseph Taylor
Francis Beaty
William B. Sumner
Assa Jones Ju'
Benj" Sumner
Benj" Towner
Beriah Murray
Jonas Steward
M'' Fielding
Gideon Lewis
Christopher York
nhabitants of Clermont of twenty one years
living for themselves a Poll Tax Made this
Charles Higbee
Stephen Marks
Paul Cook
Ashbel Dickinson
Josiah Rich
Daniel Warner
M^ Eddy
Jacob Rice
Levi Pardie
Josiah Hatch
Jeremiah Spencer
Tho** Sterne
John Spencer
Gershom York
Levi Higbee
Tho^ Goodwin
John Peck
William Jones
John Pickins
Daniel Warner J'
Amos Snow
Jacob Rice Jun""
Ashvu' Robinson
OP Ellsworth
Barnabas Ellis
Sanford Kingsbury
Joseph York
Patrick Field
CLAREMONT.
373
Samuel Ashley
Ol^ Ashley
Asa Jones
David Bates
David Stone
John Goss
Amariah Ainsvvorth
David Bucknam
Jo' Willson
Amo^ Conant
Ol-- Tuttle
M^ Cleveland
James Alden
Reuben Petty
Warner
M^ Twichell
Enoch Judd
W"' M Coye
Jo* Ives
David Dodge
Henrv Stevens
Ichabod Hitchcock
M"' S perry
Abel IVIunross
Benj" Leets
Jon" Parker
Dan" Atkins
Cap' Catlin
Abel Rice
Tho" Duston
Nehemiah Rice
Asa Leets
Eph'" Peterson
Zebel Thomas
Z. Thomas
M' Andross
John Clark
Eben// Brewer
Jon" York
Sam" Lewis
Comfort Towner
Samuel Thomas
Samuel Ashley J''
M"^ Meacham
Matthias Stone
Edward Ainsworth
Nath' Goss
Eleaze^ Clark J--
M"" Bucknam
M"" Osgood
W" Strobridge
Abner Mathews
Joel Mathews
Ebenez"" Judd
M"" Mathews
Jo Holmes
M^ Judd
Benj* Tyler
Abel Batchelor
John Hitchcock
Moses Russel
Roswell Stevens
Tho*" Jones
Abner Meigs
M"" Washburn
David Rich
Sam" Atkins
Tim° Atkins
Dan" Curtis
Gideon Ellis
Tim° Dustin
Jeremiah Peck
M^ Judd
Benj" Peterson
Seth Lewis
Cornelius Brooks
Amasa Andross
Ethan Clark
Asa Stearns
W" York
James Goodwin
M"" Si scon
Eleazer Clarke
Moses Spafford
M"^ Meacham J''
vSamuel Stone
Edward Ainsworth
Ezra Jones
Benj" Clark
Holmes
M^ Osgood J^
George Strobridge
Ambrose Cossitt
John Sprague
Benj" Alden
M-" Mathews J""
M'' Green
M-- Judd y
John Strobridge
Tim° Gi'annis
John West
Elihu Stevens]
Elihu Stevens J'
M' Fisher
Ebenez"^ Edson
Docf Steel
Bill Barns
M^ Belfield
M'' Atkins
Amaziah Knights
Samuel Bates
Eben'' Rice
Eph™ Tyler
Isaac Morgan
Amasa Peterson
Jn" Thomas
Raynor Leets
Jo^ Clark
Dan" Stearns
M — Andross
M^ Walker
Ilczekiah Rice
The before gowing Names are Inhabitants of said and all that
I Can Recollect Returned by me the Subscriber one of the In-
habitants of said Town
Concord 20 Dec"' 1 783
Ben Sumner
374 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2I0]
Received of Cap* Sam' Ashley a Hire of loo dollars for a Sol-
dier During the war in the Servis of the New Hampshire Line
for the Town of Claremont
Jan>' 17 — 1880
Joseph Oilman
[R. 311]
Claremont March y^ 26"' 1784.
To the Treasurer of the State of N. H.
Kind Sir pray send me by y** hand of Ben Sumner Capt &
Representative of y^ Town of Claremont — the whole of the
Wages Due to me from the State for my service in the Conti-
nental Army & his Receipt shall Discharge you for so much as
you send me
Solomon Harris
[R. 213] \^Ads^rac^ of Reuben Spencer'' s JPetition.~\
[In a petition to the general assembly, dated Claremont,
May 28, 1784, Reuben Spencer states that he was a soldier
in Capt. Oliver's Co.. Reed's Reg't, in 1776, and, while on
guard, fell on the ground, injuring his left knee in such a
manner that it was incurable, and he was obliged to have
his leg amputated. He asks for an allowance, and was
placed on the half-pay roll. — Ed.]
[R. 216] [kS. G. Allen's Order, — Soldier.^
To the Committee on Claims for N. Hampshire,
I was a Recruit in the first battallion in the N. Hampshire
Line Cap' Gilmans Company and Recruited for the Town of
Claremont have Received what is my due as by my Receipts
will appear — except from the State of N. Hampshire — you will
be pleased to pay to Cap* Benjamin Sumner all my back arer-
eges and his Receipt shall be your Discharge from your
Test Samuel Green Allen
Claremont Nov'" 16*^ 17S4
paid him all that is due from the State
CLAREMONT. 375
[R. 217]
To the Honorable Senit and House of Representatives of the
State of N. Hampshire —
Humbly Sheweth Benjamin Sumner of Clarement for and in
behalfe of the Town ; that Sam' Green Allin ; and Amos
Ames, ware Recruits During the late war Hired into serves by
the Inhabitants of said Town and as they are Returned for no
other Town, Begg's the above named soldiers may be Counted
and Placed to the Cota of said Claremont as your Petitioner in
Duty Bound Shall Pray
Benj° Sumner
Concord Oct" 28"^ 17S5—
[The town was credited for Samuel Green Allen, b}' the
legislature. — Ed.]
[R. 214] \_yeremiah Spencer'' s Scouting Party, ij8o.'\
The Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire Your Humble Petitioner would beg leave to rep-
resent to your Honors that in August in the year 17S0 it was
reported to your Petitioner that there was a number of the En-
emy from Canada in this and the adjacent Towns, and that they
had taken as a Prisoner an Inhabitant of the Town of Windsor,
In consequence of which report He took under his Command
(being then a Lieut of the Militia) Twenty four men and went
in pursuit of the Enemy and after three days search in the
woods, found Bewil & Johns, Two Lieutenants in the British
Army who fell into His Hands as prisoners of War, with wdiom
he was detained Three days after they were taken with the men
under. his Command, and that vour Petitioner never has direct-
ly nor Indirectly rec'' any Pay for his aboves** Service, therefore
begs that your Honors would order him a Sum of Money that
shall be adequate to his said Services and Expences — and your
Petitioner as in duty bound will ever Pray
Claremont Jan"^' 29"" 17S5
Jeremiah Spencer
fR. 215] \^Roll of Jeremiah Spencer's Scouting Party. '\
Mens Names N" Days Horses Mens Names N° Days Horses
Lieut. Jer'" Spencer 6 i Priv' S. Waterhouse 4 i
Serg' OV Cook 4 Eb" Petty 6
Corp' Jermr Loomis 4 i Chas. Higbee 4
376
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Garshom York
4
Levi Higbee
4
Sam' Spencer
4
Comfort Towner
6
W- York
3
Asa Sterne
4
Henry Stevens
'>
John Spencer
4
Joseph Clark
6
I
Asa Jones
2
Alarm men
Maj"' San** Kingsbury
2
I
Cap' Sam' Ashley
6
Docf Sterne
6
I
Cap' Taylor
■6
L' Jones
2
U Ellis
6
Ens" Jones
4
I
M^ Rich
3
The within is a true Return of the men under my Command
in the taking of Bewil & Johns In Aug' lySo
Jer'" Spencer L'
[R. 2 1 8] \_Order for Money due Joel Rice.']
Claremont Jan" 26, 1785 —
Be pleased to pay to Benjamin Sumner what Ever is Due
•from the State of N. Hampshire or otherways in your hands to
the Late Joel Rice Dec'' of Cap' Duston Company for which
this shall be your Suticiant order
To the Com" on Claimes for s** State
£7, 15, II Jacob Roys
Administrator on s*^ estate
[R. 219]
\_Martha Waifs Petition^ i'/86.~\
To the Honorable the Senet and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire —
Humbly Sheweth Martha Wait ; Relick and widow to the
Late Joseph Wait* Esq'' Late Lieut. Col° in the Contenatal ar-
mey in the New Hampshire Line ; that in the year 177^ "^ ^^^
month of September the 28"" Day he the said Wait Departed
this Life being then in the servis of His Country ; and Left
your Petitioner and a Large famely of small Children in Dis-
tressed Sircumstances and what added to my sorrow the estate
he left was soon Licumbered with a Lawsuit which ended in
the Loss of all the Real and Personal estate he Left for oure
suport —
*Joseph Wait, "of Windsor, county of Cumberland, Province of New York," received a
grant of 500 acres of land in the south-west corner of Claremont, and three islands in Con-
necticut river, from Governor John Wentworth, February 12, 1772.
CLAREMONT. 37/
Therefore your Petitioner Prays she may have the Benefits
usiallv Granted to widows of otEcers of his Rank that Lost
their Lives in the servis of the united States which your Peti-
tioner in Duty Bound Shall Pray
Jan" 17"^ 17S6
^lartha Wait W D
[R. 220]
[The legislature voted "that she receive half pay agree-
able to a Resolution of Congress passed the 24*'' of August
1780, from the time of her late Husbands Death until the
time of her Inter Marriage with her second Husband." and
the children to receive the same for seven years from the
time of said second marriage. — Ed.]
[R. 222] \_Thomas Utitchmsoft's Order. ^
Claremont April 3*^ 1790
To the treasurer of the State of Newhampshire
Sir please to pay David Qiiinton or Bearer all my wages
due for services I having served as a Serjeant in the Second N.
Hampshire Reg. also all the arearages of that
may be found due to me — and this order shall be your Dis-
charge from me
Attest Tho*' Hutchinson
[2-18S] \_Relative to Inventory of i'j'/g.'\
To the Honorable General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire Convened att Concord — June 1784
Humbly Sheweth Benjamin Sumner of Claremont in behalf
of Said Town that the inventory Returned by the Select Men
of the Town in the year 1779 was not Exsepted as Returnd
and a Domage was added of £36, 11, 11 — and thare Taxes mad
out accordingly ; which Laid an Unequal burden on the Sub-
jects of that Town ; and when the order of Cort was made for
the Late Assessment ; or Prepotion through the State in the
year 1783 there being No Select men in the Town, the order of
Court was Not Complied with ; and att the Late Session of As-
sembly att Exeter, the Town was by Domiages Placed in thare
Tax bill att £350.0,0, Since which for the Corent year ; the Se-
lect men of the Town have Made out there Invoice ; and is
Redy to be Delivered in Court with a Deduction of one years
378 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
groath on the same; itt being made in the year 1784 and of
Corse one years groath of Said Town added more than ought
to be ; all which Domages your Petitioner Prays your Honors,
to take under Consideration and grant such Relief as shall be
found Propper Which your Petitioner in Duty bound Shall Pray
Benj Sumner
£2-189] \_I?iventory of Taxable Property^ iy84..~\
The N° of Poles from Eighteen Years Old and Upwards —
196 — N° of Male Negros and Malatto Servants from 16 to 45
Years of Age-i — N" of Female Negros and Malatto Servants
from 1 6 to 45 Years of Age-2 — N^of Acres of Orchard — N°of
Acres of Mowing Land-565 — N° of Acres of Arable or Tillage
569 — N° of Acres of Pastureland 1 190 — N" of Horses and Mares
123— N'^ of Colts 3 Years Old 2— N° of Colts 2 Years Old 8—
N" of Colts I Year Old 4— N" of Oxen 15S— N° of Cows 254—
N° of Cattle 3 Years Old 31— N'^ of Cattle 2 Years Old 74— N°
of Cattle I Year Old 95 — Yearly Rents of Mills Wharfs and
Ferries; repairs being deducted JC40,,o..o Sum total of the
Value of all Buildings and Real Estate unimproved owned
"by the Inhabitants £7979,, 0..0 Sum total of the Value of all
unimproved Real Estate not Owned by the Inhabitants
JEiS33,,o..o Sum total of the Value of Stock in Trade — Sum
total of the Money at Interest in the Public Fund — Sum total
of Money in Hand or at Interest not in Public Fund —
The within is a true Bill of all the Rateable Estate of the
Town of Claremont Taken in April 1784 by Us the Subscrib-
■ers
Asa Jones Sanford Kingsbery ^ c 1
Elihu Stevens Ambrose Cossit >- -nt
T • 1 Tj- 1 i men
Josiah Rich J
Cheshire ss j Claremont May y*' 28 AD 1784
then the above Named Asa Jones Sanford Kingsbery Am-
brose Cossit and Josiah Rich Select men of the town of Clare-
mont Personally appeared and Made Solom oath to the within
written before me
Elihu Stevens > Justice peace
Cheshire ss Claremont May 28* 1784 Personally Appeared
the Above Named Elihu Stevens One of the Selectmen of s**
Town of Claremont and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the
within Writen Bill
before me Sanford Kingsbery Justice
Peace
CLAREMONT. 379
f 2— 190] [ Concerning Bridge over Sugar River J\
To the Hon''''' the Gen' Court of the State of New Hampshire
Humbly Shevveth —
That Your Petioners Who Were appointed a Committee by
a Number of the Inhabitants of the town of Claremont, assem-
bled on the first day of November 17S3 for the Purpose of Lay-
ing a plan for building a bridge Over Sugar River, to Accoma-
date the Main Country Road ; Subscriptions Were Open'd in
the Town aforesaid And the Generous Donations Came in to
the Am' of Sixty Pounds Chiefly by V Petitioners (Except a
few Individuals on the Great road who Expected to be Accom-
adated by Said Bridge) Which Money Was Carefully Laid Out
by y'' Petitioners in procuring timber Which is Now on the
Spot. And in the Meantime When Said W^ork Was Carried
on Subscription papers Were forwarded to the Principal Gent""
in Each Town From Walpole to Haverhill, beging their assist-
ance in So Public & Important A Matter. We had Many kind
Ans""*" from these Gent'" We Adressed, And Wrote to, but When
a return of the Subscriptions Were Come in found the Whole
Am' to be but About one pound ten Shill^ —
That your Petitioners have Since in public Town Meeting in
Said Claremont Urged the Assistance of the town but to No
purpose ; therefore y'' Petitioners beg leave to Represent that
there is Sixtv pounds Worth of timber on the Spot, and the
Cost of Building Said bridge Will be According to the Judgm'
of the best Artificers two Hundred pounds — therefore y"" Pe-
titioners beg y'' Hon""^ to Grant a Lottery that Shall Neat free
of the Needfull Expence two Hundred pounds, to be appropri-
ated to the Use afores*^ And Appoint Such Directors as y''
Wisdom Shall think fitt And y"" Petitioners as in duty bound
Will pray—
Fran** Beatty San'' Kingsbery John Spencer
John Cook Elihu Stevens T Sterne
Josiah Rich Asa Jones
[An act was passed June 23, 1785, authorizing them to
set up a lottery, and thereby raise ^^300 for the aforesaid
purpose. Samuel Ashley, Jr., Sanford Kingsbury, and
Francis Beatty were appointed managers. — Ed.]
[2-191] \_Relative to Elihu Stevens.^
To the Honorable Counsil of the State of New Hampshire
we the Subscribers Select Men for the Town of Claremont
Humbly Shevveth
That whereas Elihu Stevens Late Justice of the Peace for the
380 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
County of Cheshire was Dropt in the New Appointment of
Civil Officers for Rasons best known to Your Honors and as it
is Highly Necessary that Some Person Should be Appointed to
that office in that Vicinity for the benefit of the Said Town of
Claremont as the other Justices in Said Claremont Live on the
Main Road at Least five miles from the East line of Said Clare-
mont and as Said Stevens has Heretofore Given General Satis-
faction in that Character we your Humble Petitioners Beg that
the Said Stevens may be Appointed to that Office all which is
Submitted to your Honors wise Considerations and Your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Claremont May the 2'"^ 17S5
John Cook "]
Ambrose Cossit ! Select
Eben"' Rice f Men
Joseph Ives
[2—192] [ Vo^e of Tonvn concerning Paper j\Io7tey.~\
Agreeable to an Order of the General Court of Sepf 14***
1786 a Legal Meeting was Warned of the Lihabitants of the
Town of Claremont to take under consideration the Plan pur-
posed for emitting fifty Thousand pounds in Paper money
Votes in favor of s"^ Plan 19 against it 3 —
Asa Jones \ Select
Eben"" Rice \ Men
[2-193] \_Councinor SanJ'ord Kingsbury to President Sul-
livan.'^
Claremont July 8"' 1789
Sir
I Rec*^ Your Excellency's Letter desiring me to meet Your
Excellency and Council at Portsmouth on the 15"^ of this In-
stant shall ever feel myself in duty bound to Obey your call so
long as I remain One of your Council when in my power to
Attend Your Excellency is not Unacquainted of the Reasons
why I left Concord before the rising of the Court, am exceed-
ingly sorry that I have the same Reasons for not Attending the
Council at Portsmouth at the time prefixed, M''' Kingsbery is
still in a very poor state of Health, and the greater part of her
time bereaved of Her Reason, but a hopefull Prospect of her
Recovery —
Your Excellency is not Unacquainted with the exertions of
One particular Gentleman against Esq'' Hubbard's being Ap-
CLAREMONT. 38 1
pointed to the Office of Judge of Probate for the County of
Cheshire, this I can say that I have not heard One discenting
Voice against him since my return from Concord
I am Your Excellency's most Ob* and very Humble Serv'
His Excellency Sanford Kingsbery
John Sullivan Esq''
[Sanford Kingsbury was a prominent man in his time.
He was a member of the council in 1789 ; of the state sen-
ate in 1790 and 1791 ; and of the convention to revise the
constitution, 1791-92. — Ed.]
[^2-194] \_EliJiu Stevens recommended. '\
Claremont Dec'' 17* 1789
Honorable —
Sanford Kingsbury Esq""
Whereas the Town of Claremont is becom settled Univer-
sally with Inhabitants and it in our Opinion is Needfull that
we should have more than One Justice of the Peace and as
Elihu Stevens is a man well quallified in Our Opinion for that
Office therefore would Wish you to Use your Influence with
his Excelency the President and Council that He may be Ap-
pointed in to that Office Your Compliance will Oblige your
Humble Serv'°
Bill Barnes Abner Matthews Oliver Tuttle
James Alden Enoch Judd Joel Matthews
Amaziah Knight Phine'* Parker Preserved Clapp
Roswell Clapp Jonathan Parker Abraham Fisher
Joseph Sperry Jacob Fisher Eben'' Sperry
Gid" Ilanderson Thomas Jones Ichabod Hitchcock
Moses Russell John Dunkin Henry Stevens
John Hitchcock Ambrose Cossit
[2-1 95 J \_Ambrose Cossitt recommended. '\
Claremont Dec"" 17"' 17S9
Honorable
Sanford Kingsbury Esq""
Whereas the Town of Claremont is becom Universally Set-
tled with inhabetants and it is Needfull in our Opinion that
382
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
there Should be more than one Justice of the Peace in s*^ Town
and as Ambros Cossit is a man well qualified in our Opinion
for that Ofiice therefore would Request you to use your influ-
ence with his Excelency the Presedent and Councel that he
may be appointted in to that Office your Compleance will
Oblige your humble Serv**
Christo'' Erskine
Joel Matthews
Jacob Matthews
Preserved Clapp
Phineas Cowls
W"^ Strobridge
Moses P. Russell
John moore
Georg Strobridg
Ephraim Tyler
Daniel Atkins
Abraham Livermore
Oliver Tuttle
David matthews
James Alden
Bill Barnes
Moses Stone
William Syms
Solomon Putman
Isaac Cleavland
John Alden
Eliakim Stevens
Joseph Sperry
Ziba Stevens
Jabez Lewis
Solomon Tuttle
Benj" Alden
Joseph Whiston
Abel Rice
Roswell Clapp
Gideon Ellis
martin Andrews
Roswell Stevens
Amos Conant
James Strobridg
Ebene'' dodge
Samuel Whittle
Benj" Cleveland
Jesse matthews
hubbard matthews
Ezra Jones
John Goss
Matthias Stone Jun
David Bucknam
Lemuel Wright
Jesse Matthews Jun''
Enoch Judd
Abraham Fisher
Jacob Fisher
Henry Stevens
John Hitchcock
Elisha Sheldon
Phin"* Parker
Eben'' Edson
Alex"' Peckens
Gershom Hyde
Asa Leach
James Alden
David Stone
Josiah Fisher
Sam" Atkins
And" Wilkins
Abner matthews
David Judd
John Sprague
Nath' Goss
Asa Mecham
Lemuel Ainsworth
David Bucknam Jun""
Gershom Tuttle
Gershom Tuttle Jr.
Meigs Stevens
Jeremiah Fisher
Eben Sperry
John Dunkin
Elihu Stevens
[2-196] \ Petition for Incorporation of Episcopal Society. '\
To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened Humbly shew
Benjamin Sumner & Ebenezer Rice — Members of the Prot-
estant Episcopal Church in Claremont in the County of Chesh-
ire that said Church has laboured under many and great incon-
veniences for want of an incorporation, they therefore pray
your honors to incorporate said society by law and make them
a body politic capable of receiving & holding property both
real and personal and to have & enjoy all the privileges and
CLAREMONT. 383
immunities belonging to a corporate body, and as in duty bound
will ever pray
Claremont December 26"" i793
Benj" Sumner ] In bebalfe of the
Ebenezer Rice j Church
State of New I In the House of Representatives Jan-^' 21
Hampshire J i794
Upon reading and considering the foregoing petition & the
report of a Committee thereon, Voted that the prayer thereof be
granted and that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill
accordingly —
Sent up for Concurrence
Nath' Peabody Speaker
In Senate the same Dav Read & Concurred
NatW Parker Dep>' Sec^
[2-197] \_Proceediugs of Town-AIeeting^ iyg4.'\
State of New") At a Legal Town meeting holden at Clare-
Hampshire >- mont on Monday the Ninth day of June in the
Cheshire ss ) year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred
and Ninety four of the People belonging to the Congregational
Order
i^' Voted & Chose Capt Josiah Stevens Moderator
2^1y Voted to Petition the General Court of New Hampshire,
for an Act, of Corporation, to incorporate the Congregational
People in said Claremont agreeable to the Law, in that Case
made & provided
3''ly — Voted to Chose one Person to present said Petition to
the General Court
4"'ly — Voted & Chose Elihu Stevens Esquire, to be agent to
present said Petition to the General Court, And attend to the
same, as acation may require
5"'ly Voted to disolve this meeting
Josiah Stevens Moderator
attest Ambrose Cossit Town Clerk
A true Copy of record
attest Ambrose Cossit Town Clerk
[2-198] [ Veto of Act hicor para ting the Congregational So-
ciety.]
The Bill Entitled " an act to incorporate the Congregational
Society in Claremont " having been presented to the Governor
384 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
this day, is now Returned to the Honorable the House of Rep-
resentatives with the following Objections —
That it has not been usual in any Town or Parish Incorpo-
rations for Religious purposes, to authorize them to keep a
Common Seal and it does not appear to the Governor to be
particularlv Necessary in the present case
The Bill purports that the Society may hold Real or personal
Estate to the amount of Three hundred pounds neat yearly in-
come, but for what purpose, is not Expressed —
The Bill purports, they may consider persons coming of Age,
or moving into Town as belonging to this Society which has
the appearance of giving preference to them when compared
with the other Society in Said Claremont Incorporated by an
Act passed Febuary 19: 1794.
That it Expressly authorizes them to Tax persons moving in-
to Town or coming of Age, but no mention is made of Taxing
the Society. —
That the Bill does not appear to the Governor to be perfectly
consistent with the Sixth Article in the Bill of Rights —
State of New Hampshire
June 18 : 1794
J. T. Gilman
[3-199] \_Petitio>i for Incorporation of Congregatiotial
Socicty.~\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Amherst on the Third Wednes-
day of June 1794 Humbly Shews
Elihu Stevens of Claremont in said State in behalf of the
Congregational Society of said Town, that said Society has la-
boured under many and great inconveniencies for want of an in-
corporation He therefore prays your honors to incorporate
said society by law and make them a body politic capable of re-
ceiving & holding property both real and personal & to have
and enjoy all the privileges and immunities belonging to a cor-
porate body — and as in duty bound Will ever pray —
Claremont June tenth 1794
Elihu Stevens
[2-200] [_yaffies Erskine's Memorial., — Universalist.']
Claremont Nov"" 14"' 1800
May it please your Excellency
Your Catholic and benevolent attention, to the good of the
COLEBROOK. 385
people of the State of New Hampshire induces me to hiy before
you the following Statement. In the Year 1789 the people of
Claremont being destitute of any Settled Minister, I attended
on such Religious Meetings as happened to come in my way
and after hearing diferent opinions, and diferent doctrins, re-
specting Religion, and due consideration had thereon I joined
myself to a Society of people in Charlestown, known by the
Name of the Universal Society who held to the doctrine, of
Salvation for all men, in March 1796 the people of Claremont,
Settled for their Minister, the Rev'^ John Tappen, I being of a
diferent Sentement, from him & those people which he was set
•over, I took a Certificate from the Clerke of the society in
Charlestown, in February preceding the time of M"" Tappens
Ordination, and presented said Certificate to the Selectmen, in
order to give them a perfect knowledge, that I cold not Join
them, and had Joined myself to a society in Charlestown, the
Town of Claremont did not proceed to Tax me to the support
of their Minister untill the Year i799i when they taxed & oth-
■ers, that never did Join with them, I never attended on M'' Tap-
pens meeting more than half a day, during his Resedence here,
and the Collector come & took my property & sold to pay said
Tax, I Commenced my Action against the selectmen and the
Same was appealled to the superior Court, and in May Term
iSoo the Cause after being fully investigated went to the Jury,
who returned their verdit not agreed so the Action was put over
to October Term iSoo, when I appeared, ready for trial, by
some means or other the Action was quashed, and a Bill of Cost
recorded against me, now if I am obliged to pay taxes to Sup-
port a Religion which I think is rong, & Contry to the holy
Scriptures, or the Doctrine contained in them, my Case is a
hard Case, & not the freedom which I served the United States
for I should view, and shall take it a great favour, if your Ex-
ellency would be kind enough to direct me in this great affair
v\diat to do.
Am your Exellency's most obedient
humble Servant
James Erskines
To his Exellency John T. Oilman Esq"" govnor & Commander
in Chief in & over the State of New Hampshire
COLEBROOK.
The township was granted December i, 1770, to Sir
George Colebrooke, Sir James Cockburne, and John Stew-
art, Esq., of London, England, and John Nelson, Esq., of
26
386 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Grenada, in the West India islands, by the name of Cole-
brooke Town. The town was incorporated by its present
name, by an act approved June 1 1, 1796 — John Farmer says
December i, 1790, which must be a mistake, as I get my
date from the original manuscript. The petition for an in-
corporation follows this. Previous to 1800 the town con-
tained but few inhabitants, numbering 160 at that time.
It is now in a flourishing condition, with about 1600.
[2-201] \_Petitio7t for an Act of Iticorpo7-ationr\
State of )
New Hampshire j To the honorable Senate, and house of
Representatives in general Court assembled —
The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of a place called
Colebrook in the County of Grafton and State of New Hamp-
shire, humbly sheweth, that your petitioners have with much
difficulty effected a settlement in said Township, and the Inhab-
itants thereof are so increased that about thirty rateable polls-
are resident and settled therein : that they suffer many incon-
veninces on account of their unincorporated State, the want of
authority to lay out highways and raise money to make and re-
pair them, to maintain regular Schools for the instruction of
Youth and to conduct many other matters necessary to promote
the interest of the inhabitants and encourage the settlement of
said Township : Therefore your petitioners pray this honor-
able Court to incorporate them, and vest them with all that
power and authority which other Towns in said State do by law
exercise and enjoy, and your petitioners shall ever pray —
Colebrook 15* December AD 1795
Andrew M" Allan Moses Smith Joseph Griswold
Josiah King Ebenezer Brainerd Will'" M-'AUaster
And"' M'^Allaster Joseph Goddard Nehemiah Spencer
Isaac Covil
COLUMBIA.
The township was granted December i, 1 770, to the same
men to whom the grant of Colebrook was made, and named
Cockburne Town, in honor of Sir James Cockburne, one of
the grantees. It was incorporated by an act of the legis-
lature, approved December 16, 1797, and named Cockburne.
COLUMBIA. 387
By an act approved November 30, 1804, a tract of land
called Wales Location was annexed to the town. This tract,
said to contain 5822 acres, was granted May 4, 1773, to Seth
Wales and 17 others. The name of the town was changed
by an act approved June 19, 181 1, to Columbia, the deriva-
tion of which is obvious.
[2-202] \_Pctition for Aiithot'ity to tax JVofi- Resident
Lands.^
To The Honorable Senate and House of Representatives When
at Hopkinton Convened
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of Cock-
burne Humbly Sheweth that they Labor under great Incon-
venence on account of Roads and Whereas said Township hath
been setled a Considerable number of years and no establish*^
Road through said Town renders the traveling extremely irk-
some as well as dangerous for persons on horseback — and your
Petitioners not being able (together with what is now allowed
by Law for taxing the unimproved Lands of nonresidents) to
make said Road passable — fit for wheel Carriages And whereas
the neighboring Towns suffer great Inconvenence by the bad-
ness of the main Road leading through said Township — as
well as odier travellers We your Petitioners Pray the Legisla-
ture of this State to take the matter into Consideration and
grant us relief in the premises by passing an Act granting three
Cents on each acre of Land in said Township for making and
repairing said main Road — or otherwise as you in your wisdom
shall think fit as in Duty bound will ever pray.
Abel Hobart ^ ^ 1 ..
T 1 rr, T f oelect
Jacob ierry Junor >
Noah Buftington J
Com* Buffington Abige"" Lennard John Jorden
Julus Terry Jacob Terry Philip Jordan
Wil'" Jorden And"^ G. huntington Sylvanus Larned
William Wallis Abel Larned Perly Wallis
Nath^ Wales Bradford Hammond
[2-203] \_Petition for an Act of Iticorporation.'\
Gr-ifton ss 1 ^^ ^'^^ Hon*"'^ Senate and Plouse of Represent-
j atives to be Convened at Concord June 1797
Humbly Sheweth that there is a Considerable number of
388 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Inhabitants in the Township of Cockburne who Daily experi-
ence tlie inconvenence of being in an unincorporated state
Wherefore we Pray to be incorporated with all the Priviledges
and Immunities as other incorporated Towns in this State as in
Duty bound will ever Pray
Abel Larned Ebn"' Larned Abel Hobbart
Philip Jorden Jacob Terry Jun'' Ahaz Friench
Julius Teny Jacob Terry William Wallis
Nath^ Wales Abner osgood Abijah Learnard
[The foregoing was granted by an act approved Dec. 16,
1797.— Ed.]
[2-204] \^Elihu de Forrest for a Ferry .~\
To the Hon' Gen' Court of New Hampshire to conveen at
Concord on the first Wenesday of June next
The petition of Elihu de Forrest of Lemington in Vermont
humbly showeth, that there is no ferry on Connecticut River
from Canada line for nearly forty miles down said River & that
there is great need of a ferry On said River between the Towns
of Cockburn in New Hampshire & Lemington in Vermont
both for the Accommodation of travilers as well as the Inhabi-
tants of said Towns ; therefore your petitioner prays your
Honors to grant unto him his Heirs and assigns for ever the
Exclusive right of keeping a Ferry over said River any where
from the head of Blackmans fall to the mouth of Simstream
which is a Distance of about five miles
That your Hon''^ would grant the above request is the con-
stant prayer of Elihu de Forrest
Lemington
May 30"" 1799
[2-205]
Cockburn Nov"" 27*'' 1799
This may Certify that we have been served with an Attested
Copy of the Petition of Elihu D. Forrest Praying for the Ex-
clusive right of a ferry on Connecticut River between Cock-
burn and Lemington as set forth in said Petition together with
the Order of the General Court of New Hampshire thereon,
and being well acquainted with the said D. Forrest k. the
Place he Pi'oposes (in his application to us) to keep the said
ferry, it is our oppinion the Prayer of the said Petition ought
not to be granted
Lyndon Hebard ") Select Men
Noah Bufiington >- of
Eben' Brown ) Cockburn
COLUMBIA. 389
[3-306] \_Bailey and Hibbai-d for a jFcrrv-'}
To the Hon^ the Senate and house of Representatives for the
State of Newhampshire in General Court Convened at Exe-
ter on the first Wednesday in December A D 1799
The Petition of the Subscribers Humbly Showeth That there
is no EstabHshed Ferry Across Conncctticut River from Canada
Line for Nearly Sixty Miles Down Said River That your Peti-
tioners in the Month of May Last Built a Boat Sufficient to
transport Loaded Teams and Passengers which Was Done at
Considerable Expence to your Petitioners, that your Petitioners
Owners and Possessors of the Land on Each Side of the River
Where Said boat has been used That the Publick have Been
Much Benifited by useing Said Boat — that your Petitioners not
having a Grant of a Ferry are Not Authorized to Collect a
Compensation for Carrying Passengers Over Said River — They
therefore Pray that your Honours Would Grant to them their
heirs and assigns forever the Exclusive Priveledge of keeping
A Ferry from Cockburn in Newhampshire to Lemmington in
Vermont Beginning at Blackman falls to Andrew Grisvvold
Huntington in Cockburn Being About two Miles and one half
under such Restrictions as to Your Honors Shall Seem Meet
and as in Duty bovaid will Ever Pray —
Cockburn Nov"" 37"' 1799
Christopher S. Bailey
Luther Hibird
[3-307]
To Mess""^ Lyndon Hibbard Noah Buffington Ebenezer
Brown Selectmen for the Township of Cockburn we the Sub-
scribers whose names are underwritten think that M'' Elihu De
Forest is the most Suitable place for a ferry to accommodate
the public which is the onlv object to be looked at wish you to
take the matter into Consideration and give your approbation
in favour of his Petition if you as we Do Consider it as the
most Conveniant place
Cockburn November 35 — 1799
Abel Earned . Bradford ?Iammond An''"' G. Huntington
Hez'' Parsons Eliphaz Hibod Chancy Curtis
David Curtis W" Jcn'dan Orlan Wales
[Name illegible.] Comens Buffington John Burke
Jacob Terry Jun'' Sylvanus Learned John Jorden
Beniamin Jorden Abel Hobart William Wallis
William Wallis Jun"" Danfred Wallis Almcrin Wallis
Julius Terry Jacob Terry
[The ferry was granted to Elihu de Forest Dec. 24,
1799.— Ed.]
390 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
CONCORD.
The township was granted January 17, 1725, by the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, to Ebenezer Eastman and others,
by the name of Penacook, which name the locaUty received
from an Indian tribe, and had borne many years. Captain
Eastman and others moved into the place and made settle-
ments in 1727. The town was incorporated by the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, February 27, 1733, and named
Rumford, the derivation of which is unknown.
May 20, 1727, the government of New Hampshire made
a grant of the township of Bow, which covered a large por-
tion of the Penacook grant, and these conflicting grants
led to a lengthy and expensive controversy, which was
carried to the Court of St. James, by the Hon. Timothy
Walker as agent for the Rumford proprietors, and decided
in their favor by the king in council, December 27, 1762.
By an act of the legislature of New Hampshire passed
June 7, 1765, the town was incorporated as a parish with
town privileges by the name of Concord, probably with a
hope that thereafter the inhabitants might live in peace and
co7icord W\\.\\ their neighbors in Bow. By an act approved
January 2, 1784, a gore of land containing about one thou-
sand acres was severed from Canterbury and Loudon and
annexed to the " parish of Concord ; " and by an act ap-
proved December 13, 1804, a tract of land was severed
from Bow and annexed to the town of Concord.
The first state-house built in Concord was commenced in
1816, and first occupied by the legislature in June, 1819.
It was remodelled in 1865.
Concord was incorporated as a city July 6, 1849, but the
charter was not adopted until March 10, 1853, the first
election under it being held on the 26th of that month.
Water was introduced from Penacook lake in January,
1873 ; and the Horse Railroad, running from Concord
(south end) to West Concord, in 188 1.
[2-208] S^Petition for a Guards i'/4'/.'\
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General &
Governor of His Majestys Province of New Hampshire — To
the Honourable His Majesty's Council & Assembly of Said
Province —
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of Rumford Can-
CONCORD.
391
terbury & Contoocook humbly Shevveth — That we especially at
the two last mentioned places are greatly distressed for want of
Suitable grist Mills, that M'' Henry Lovejoy has att great
Expence Erected a good Alill att a place the most advanta-
geously Situated to accomodate the Three Towns, that it is the
only Mill in all the Three Towns that stands under the Com-
mand of y^ Guns of a Garrison — That the ill consequences of
abandoning the s*^ Garrison the year past has been severely felt
by us, That the s'' Lovejoy appears Desirous of Residing
there again. Provided he might be favoured with Such a
Number of Soldiers as Just to keep his Garrison with a
Tolerable Degree of Safety & That as an Additional Encour-
agement to us to appear as Petitioners on his Behalf & to
Your Excellency & Honours to grant our S'^ Petition, He will
become Engaged with all Convenient Speed to erect a Forge for
the making of Barr Iron which may also Stand under the Com-
mand of the Said Garrison which Undertaking would probably
be vastly advantageous to all the Towns & Plantations up this
way as well as to the general interest of the Province. We
therefore pray as well on behalf of our Selves as the Said Love-
joy that Your Excellency & Honours would Take the Premises
into your wise Consideration & Grant unto the S*^ Lovejoy Such
a Protection as may Encourage him to reenter & posses his at
present abandoned Garrison for the ends and purposes above
mentioned & Your Petitioners Shall, as in duty bound ever
Pray.
Rumford January y'^ 2"*' ^747
Ebenezer Eastman
Juner
Nathanel Eastman
Nathan Stevens
John fowler
Richard flood
philop Caul
Joel manuel
Stephen Call
William Da n fo r d
Jeremiah Clough
Thomas Clough
Archelaus Moor
Thomas Danforth
James Gipson
William Forrest jun''
Ebenezer Eastman
Stephen farrington
Samson Colbe
Ephraim farnum
Philip Eastman
Joseph Eastman
Ebenezer virgen
George Jackman
Jacob Flanders
John Corser
John flanders
Phincas Stevens
Henry Lovejoy
William Miles
Josiah Miles
Moses Danforth
James Head
William Moor
Sam''' Shcplierd
Jeremiah Stickney
Stephen Hoyt
Ezra Carter
Daniell Chase
Jeremiah Eastman
Daniel Anis
Stephen Gerrish
Richard Jackman
William Peters
William Emery
Phillip flanders
Nath'i Malloon
James Scales
William Forrest
John Gipson
John Forriast
Benjamin I^lanchard
Samuel Moor
John Chandler
Aaron Stevens
George Hull
Nath" Abbott
392
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Isaac Waldron
Isaac Chandler
Abraham Kimball
Jacob Hoyt
Amos Abbott
Amos Eastman
James Osgood
Joseph Pudney
John Burbank
John Chandler
Edward Abbott
Seborne Peters
Ben fifeld
Caleb Burbank
Benjamin Abbott
[2-309] \_Dectsion of the Lords jfiestices at Whitehall^ rela-
tive to Controversy zvit/i Bow, jysS'^
Seal
Crown
New Hampshire
Lion Unicorn
Thistle
Merrill agt.
The Proprietors
of Bow
Order in Council
on hearing the
appeal June i755-
Secretarys Office 1 756. Filed by the Rev'^ M"" Tim" Walker —
T. Atkinson Sec'y
At the Council Chamber Whitehall
the 24"' day of June i755
Present
Lord Chancellor Lord Steward
Sir Thomas Robin- Lord President
son
Earl of Buckingham- Lord Berkeley
shire Stratton
Sir George Lee
The Lords Justices
Duke of Dorset
Duke of Queensberry
of Lord Chief Justice
Ryder
Upon reading at the Board, a Report from the Right Hon-
ourable the Lords of the Committee of Council, for hearing Ap-
peals from the Plantations, dated the 27"^ of last Month, in the
Words following — Viz
" His Majesty having been pleased, by His Order in Council of
the 38"' of March 17=^4, to referr unto this Committee the hum-
ble Petition and Appeal of John Merrill, Setting forth, amongst
other Things, That in 1725, at a General Court or Assembly for
His Maiestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay, Benjamin
Stephens, and others, having applied by Petition for a Grant of
Land at Pennycook, on the River Merrimack, and the said Pe-
tition having been referred to a Committee of both Houses, the
said Committee made a Report thereon, to the Assembly, That
the Lands Petitioned for should be assigned and set apart for a
Township, to contain Seven Miles Square, and to begin where
CONCORD. 393
Contacook River falls into jMerrimack River, which Report was
agreed to by both Houses of the Council and Assembly of that
Province, and concurred in by the Governor — That, on the lo"^
ofMav 1726, a Committee proceeded to that Place, with Sur-
veyors and Chainmen, and laid out One hundred and Thi^ee
Lotts, on the said River Merrimack, agreeable to the said Res-
olution, and in February following they admitted the several
Settlers, amongst whom the Petitioner was one ; — That the Pe-
titioner together with several others of the said admitted Set-
tlers, in the Spring of the Year 1727, went to the said Place to
bring forward the said Settlement of a New Town, and pur-
sued their Purpose with such Vigour, that in 1730 thev had a
Church built, and a jSIiuister ordained, and in 1733 thev were
incorporated into a Township, bv the Name of Rumford, by
An Act of Assembly of the said Province of the Alassachusets
which was confirmed by His Majesty ; And the Petitioner, and
the said other Settlers have been at very great Costs and La-
bour, in clearing and cultivating the Lands, and improving the
same by Buildings, and otherwise, for almost Thirty Years past
That the Petitioner, and the said other Settlers, at the time of
their entring on, and settling the said Lands, had not the least
Doubt but that they were quite safe in so doing under the said
Governor and Company of the Massachusets Bav,
The said Town of Pennycook, otherwise Rumford, being
scituate upon the said River Merrimack, and included, as was
then generally understood, within the Boundarv of that Colony
— That some Years since, upon a Dispute about the Boundary
Line, between the Provinces of the Massachusets Bay and New
Hampshire, His Majesty was pleased to issue a Commission to
mark out the Dividing Line between them, but with an express
Declaration against Private Property being affected thereby —
And upon hearing of the Report of the Commissioners ap-
pointed to settle the said Boundary s, His Majestv was pleased,
by His Order in Council made in 1740? to adjudge and order
the Northern Boundarvs of the said Massachusets Bav to be a
Similar Curve Line pursuing the Course of the said Merri-
mack River at three Miles Distance on the North Side thereof
beginning at the Atlantick Ocean and ending due North at a
Point called Pantuckett Falls, and a streight Line drawn from
thence cross the said Ri\er till it met with His Majestvs other
Governments — Which Adjudication, determining the Boundary
Line of the said Province of the Massachusets to Pursue the
Course of the said Ri\er no further than the said Falls, thereby
excluded out of the Massachusets great Part of the said River
Merrimack, with the Lands thereon adjoining, and particularly
the said Town of Pennycook, otherwise Rumford, which had
formerly been reputed to lye \vithin that Province, and tlirowcd
394 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the same into the said other Province of New Hampshire —
That notwithstanding His Majesty had been pleased, at the time
of issuing the said Commission to fix the said Boundary, to de-
clare the same was not to affect Private Property, and in which all
Persons acquiesced for several Years since elapsed. Yet very
lately certain Persons of New Hampshire being minded to dis-
turb the Petitioner, and others the said first Settlers of the said
Town of Pennycook otherwise Rvmiford, and take from them
the Benefit of all their Labours, On the 14* of November 1750,
brought an Ejectment, by the Name of the Proprietors of the
Common and undivided Lands lying and being in the Town of
Bow in New Hampshire, against the Petitioner, in the Inferior
Court of Common Pleas holden at Portsmouth for the Said
Province, by which thev demanded against the Petitioner Eight
Acres of Land (being part of the Premises the Petitioner had
settled and improved in the said Township of Pennycook alias
Rumford as aforesaid) with the Edifices and Appurtenances,
alledging the same to lye in Bow aforesaid, and laid their Title
back as far as 1727, and alledging that the Petitioner had within
Twenty Three Years then last past entered thereon, and dis-
seized them, and withheld the Possession from them ; To which
the Petitioner Pleaded Not Guilty ; And on the 7* of March
17^0, the said Cause was brought on to Ti'yal in the said Court
before a Jury, who gave a Verdict for the Petitioner with Costs
of Court, and Judgment was entered up for the Petitioner ac-
cordingly. From which Judgment the Plaintiffs Appealed to the
next Superior Court ; And at the said Superior Court of Judi-
cature held the Second Tuesday in December 1752, The said
Cause was brought on to Hearing again, before another Jury,
When (amongst other things) the Plaintiffs produced a Grant,
dated the 20"" of May 1727, made by John Wentvvorth, as
Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire, for the Encourage-
ment of settling a New Plantation to sundry of His Majestys
Subjects whose Names were entered in a Schedule thereunto an-
nexed, that inhabited or should inhabit within the said Grant to
v^^hom he thereby granted a certain Tract of Land beginning on
the South East Side of the Town of Chichester and running
Nine Miles Square, as therein mentioned, and to be a Town
Corporate bv the Name of Bow, To hold to the said Grantees
and such Associates as they should admit, for ever, upon sever-
al Conditions therein mentioned, and, amongst others, upon
Condition of building Seventy five Dwelling Houses thereon,
and settling a Family in each House, and clearing Three Acres
of Land within Three Years — And the Plaintiffs also Produced
a Return of laying out the said Town of Bow, in the latter End
of 172S in such Manner as to interfere with a considerable Part
of the said Town of Pennycook, but it appeared by such Re-
CONCORD. 395
turn, That, instead of beginning the same on the South East
Side of the Town of Chichester, according to the Direction of
the said Grant, they had begun it at the South West Side of that
Town, which was quite contrary thereto, and otherwise it is ap-
prehended there would not have been any interfering between
the said Towns ; And the PI''* also produced some Oral Evi-
dence to show, that they the said Grantees of Bow, in 1738 and
1729, after the Petitioner, and the rest of the said Settlers at
Pennycook, had begun their said Settlement, and were carrying
on thereof, had made some Objections to their Proceeding
therein, but had not pursued any Course of Law against the said
Pennvcook Settlers, in respect thereof, till since the said Bound-
arv Line, between the said two Provinces, was settled by His
Majesty, Yet the Jvuy. on the said Tryal, in the said Superior
Court, gave their Verdict for the Plaintiffs, and found for them
a Reversion of the former Judgment, and the Premises sued for,
and Costs of Court ; And Judgment was thereupon entered up,
that the Proprietors of Bow recover against the Petitioner the
£ s D
Premises sued for with Costs, taxed at 50 : iS : 8 New Tenor —
From which last Judgment the Petitioner, on the 4*'' of June
1753, brought a Writ of Error before the Justices of the said
Superior Court ; And on the First Tuesday in August 1753 the
said Cause was brought on again to Tryal, and the Jury gave
their Verdict for the said Original Plaintiffs, and Judgment was
thereupon entered up. Affirming the said former Judgment in
the said Superior Court against the Petitioner, and that the said
Proprietors should recover Costs of the Petitioner, taxed at
£ S D
18 : 5 : o New Tenor That the Petitioner conceiving himself
to be greatly aggrieved, by the said last mentioned Judgment,
moved the said Superior Court for an Appeal therefrom to His
Majesty in Council, which was rejected, for that the Premises,
for whicli the abovementioned Suit was prosecuted, was not of
sufficient Value for which an Appeal might be granted : — But
upon the Petitioners Application to His Majesty, setting forth,
that though, in this Instance, the Premises sued for are only a
few Acres, Yet the Qiiestion determined therein affecting the
Petitioners Right to several other Lands, held by the Petitioner,
under the same Title, of very considerable Value in the Whole,
and much exceeding the Sum limited by the Royal Instructions,
and also affecting the Rights of many other Persons who are in
the like Circumstances with the Petitioner, and hold under the
same Title, and being intended to settle a general Qiicstion of
Right, and for avoiding a Multiplicity of other like Suits, His
Majesty was graciously pleased, by His Order in Council of
the 28"" of March 17^4^ to admit the Petitioner to an appeal
from the said Judgment of tlie vSuperior Court — And the
396 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Petitioner humbly prays, that the said Judgment of the
said ^Superior Court, on the said Writ of Review, Affirming-
the Judgment of that Court on the Appeal thereto from the
Inferior Court, may be reversed, with Restitution of the
Premises to the Petitioner, and of the Costs thereby awarded
against the Petitioner ; And that the said Judgment of the Infe-
rior Court may be affirmed : — The Lords of the Committee, in
Obedience to His Majestys said Order of Reference, did, on the
15"' of this Instant, and again upon this day, take the said Pe-
tition and Appeal into their Consideration, and heard all Partys
therein concerned by their Counsel learned in the Law, and do
thereupon agree humbly to Report as their Opinion to Your Ex-
cellencys. That the said Judgment of the said Superior Court,
on the Writ of Review, of the First Tuesday in August 1753,
affirming the Judgment of the Superior Court, of the Second
Tuesday in December i7'^2, should be reversed, in regard it did
not appear, that the Premises in Question are comprized within
the Respondents Grant, And that the Appellant should be re-
stored to what he may have lost by Means of the said Judg-
ment."—
The Lords Justices this day took the said Report into their
Consideration, and were pleased, with the Advice of His Ma-
jestys Privy Council, to Approve thereof and to Order, as it is
hereby Ordered, That the said Judgment of the said Superior
Court, upon the Writ of Review upon the First Tuesday in
August 17=^3, affirming the Judgment of the Superior Court, of
the Second Tuesday in Deceml^er 1752, be reversed. And that
the Appellant be restored to what he may have lost by Means of
the said Judgment. Whereof the Governor, or Commander in
Chief, of His Majestys Province of New Hampshire for the
time being, and all others, whom it may concern, are to take
W. Sharpe
[2-210] \_Petltion. for an Incorporation of the T'o'wn.~\
•
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq' Capt° General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire, The Honble His Maj-
esty's Council and House of Representatives in General
Assemblv Convened.
April 1 1"' 1764
The humble Petition of Timothy Walker on behalf of
himself and the Inhabitants of Rumford (so Called in said
Province Sheweth, That the Affiiirs of the said Inhabitants
(so far as relates to Town matters), have been in great Confu-
sion Ever since the Year 1749, for want of the Power which
CONCORD. 397
thev had 'till then Enjoyed ever since the Year 1741 by the
District Act (so called) which this Honble Court say in July
1746 when it was received had been found " Convenierit both
J'or the Government of this Province in General^ and also
the Inhabitants incorporated thereby in particular. ^^
That altho' it has been pretended that they might still have
Enjoyed the same Priviledges (as Inhabitants of Bow) yet
thev never understood Matters in that Light ; And for this
their Opinion and Practice consequential thereupon, they hum-
bly conceive they could give reasons which wo** 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 vmsettled State that thev would have been glad to have acted
Even under the Incorporation of Bow, if they could (altho'
highly inconvenient for them as it blended part of three Towns
together whose Interests had always been seperate, and would
Consequently be apt to create Strife and Contention).
That this Court was apprized of their utter Incapacity of
doing any Corporate Act (Even as Bow) by a Letter signed
"Jeremiah Stickney, on behalf of himself and others, now
on File, together with their dutiful & ready disposition to Com-
ply wMth every motion of tliis Court to the utmost of their
Powers.
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
Nobody has Power to assess and Collect at y" Time when y® s*^
arrears became due and which if now done, must be laid in
many Instances on wrong Persons.
That what they suffered for want of the Powers they itad
Enjoyed by the first mentioned District Act. was mispeakably
more to their Damage, than to have paid 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 nobody has power to assess or Collect it.
They therefore most hum]:)ly Pray That your Excellency and
Honours 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*^ 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 Cliarge of the Prov-
398 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ince, thev may be subjected to pay no more than their just pro-
portion with the other Towns in this Province, or grant them
such other Relief as in your great Wisdom and Goodness you
shall see meet
And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray &c
Timothy Walker
[The township was incorporated by an act passed June
7, 1765.— Ed.]
2-21 1] \_AIoses Eastman yor a Fer7-y.'\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq Governor of his Maj-
esty's Province — of New Hampshire —
We the subscribers Selectmen of Concord in said Province
beg leave to Inform Your Excellency that there is great need of
an Establish'd Ferry across merrimack River at or near the
Place where the Small Brook which Issues from Sewels Farm
so Called Empties into said River not only for the conveniency
of the Inhabitants of said concord but also for Strangers who
have occasion to Travel through the same and we would here-
by recommend M'' Moses Eastman as a suitable person to have
said Ferry settled upon & who on Several accounts has by
much the fairest pretentions to it of any person whatsoever.
We are Your Excellencies most Dutiful and obedient Ser-
vants
Concord 28"* Sep''" 1767
Richard Hasseltin \ selectmen
Amos Abbott \ of
Philip Eastman j Concord
[2—212] \_yohn Merrill for a Ferry. ~\
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq""
New Hampshire ) Governor & commander in chief of s*^ Prov-
ince
The Petition of John Merril Humbly Sheweth That he
(Merrill) at y* general desire of the Settlers of y^ Plantation
then called Pennicook now Concord undertook to tend a ferry
across merrimack River at a Place commonly called Merrils
Ferry in s'^ concord as Early as about y*^ year 1730 That for
many years the Profits did not near answer y** Expence of
Boats & attendance notwithstanding which your Petitioner has
constantly kept a good Ferry at y* s'' Place from that Time to
CONCORD. 399
this — That within y* Limits of y* Plan herewith exhibited to
3'our Excellency there is not nor ever likely to be any need of
another Ferry across y* s** River — He therefore humbly prays
that your excellency would be pleased to Grant & confirm y*
s** Ferry to him his Heirs & assigns for ever in y"" manner &
on the conditions usual on y^ like occasions —
and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
John Merrill
[The ferry privilege asked for in the foregoing petition
was chartered February 6, 1773. — Ed.]
[2—314] \_Summons frot7i General Assembly. '\
State of New ) To Daniel Chase & John Chase both of Con-
Hampshire j cord in Said State Husbandmen
You are hereby Required in the Name of the Government &
People of said State to make Your Appearance before the
General Assembly of said State as Soon as may be, to give
Evidence of what you know Relating to any Treasons Con-
spiracies or Misdemeanors Commited by any Inhabitants of the
said State against the Same : hereof fail not as you Will an-
swer your Contempt at your Peril.
Given at Exeter the 10'^ day of June 1777.
E. Thompson Sec''
[2-215]
To the Honoui-able the Council and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly con-
vened at Concord June the 10* 1783
The Petition of John Hoyt and Others Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioners live upon a gore of Land formerly
claimed by the Proprietors of Rumford and Canterbury, that
when said Rumford was incorporated in the year 1765 by the
name of Concord your Petitioners were left to said Canterbury
since which time said Proprietors of Rumford & Canterbury
have amicably settled said Dispute. Your Petitioners would
further shew that by the late Division of Canterbury, they were
all (except one) set ofl' to the Parish of Loudon, that they are
situated at a great Distance from the Meeting House in said
Loudon which makes it very inconvenient for them to be con-
nected therewith —
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray that the above-
mentioned Gore of Land containing about one Thousand and
400 EARI.V TOWN PAPERS,
fifty Acres, lying at the northeasterly corner of Rumford, with
the Inhabitants thereon may be dissevered from said Canter-
bury and Loudon and annexed to the Parish of Concord.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray &c —
John Hoit .Stephen Crossman Simon Trumbel
Abner Hoit Henry Lovejoy Jeams Glins
Samuel goodin Philip Eastman Amos Heath
Timothy Bradley Timothy Bradley Eben foss
John Chandler J^n'' Benjamin bradley
William Virgin Phinehas Virgin William Stickney
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
January 2, 1784. — Ed.]
[2-216]
To the Hon'''* the Council and House of Representatives, of
the State of New Hampshire convened at Concord Decem""
17" 17S3
The Petition of John Hoit and Others
Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioners preferred a Petition to the late General
Assembly in November last praying to be dissevered from
Canterbury and Loudon and annexed to the Parish of Concord,
the Prayer of which Petition was granted and leave given to
bring in a Bill for said purpose, but the General Court ad-
journed without day before said Bill could be passed in due
form —
Wherefore vour Petitioners humbly pray that they may be al-
lowed to bring in a Bill to perfect said Business agreeably to
said Petition and order of Court thereon herewith exhibited —
and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Timothy Walker
In behalf of the Petitioners
[See preceding document. — Ed.]
[2-217] \^Petition to be severed fro7)i the County of Rock-
ingha}n and annexed to the Coufity of Hillsborough. A^
To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened
at Concord Feb>' the lo"' 17S5 —
The Petition of Timothy Walker in behalf of himself and the
Town of Concord humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioners live at a great Distance from the several
CONCORD. 401
Courts of Law which are held in the County of Rockingham,
that thev apprehend said County is so large that they might well
spare Concord, Northfield, Canterbury Loudon Pembroke Al-
iens Town & Bow.
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays that the above men-
tioned Towns may be dissevered from said County of Rocking-
ham and annexed to the County of Hillsborough, and that part
of the Courts may be held in the Northerly part of the County
last mentioned. — And your Petitioner as in Duty bound will
ever pray &c
Timothy Walker
[2-2 iS] \_Le?f2uel Tucker for a Ferry. '\
State of New ] To the honourable the Senate, and house of
Hampshire j Representative in General Court convened at
Concord on the second Wednesdav in Feb-^ AD 178^ The peti-
tion of Lemuel Tucker of Concord aforesaid Yeoman humbly
sheweth That your petitioner some Years since puixhased a
Ferry in said Concord, known by the Name oi Eastmans Fer-
ry.^ not knowing at the time of said purchase but there was a
proper Grant made by Authority of the said Ferry, to the per-
son of whom he purchased, but has since learned no such
grant has been ever made — It is his prever, therefore, that this
honourable Court would grant said Ferry to your petitioner, as
it is the only way in which he at his Age can hope to support
himself and family the unhappy circumstances of which, he
prays may plead in his favour, and induce your Honours in
your Goodness and Wisdom to grant his praver.
And your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Peter Green At^
for said Tucker
[This request was granted February 22, 1785. — Ed.]
[2-219] \_Rclat/vc to Representative^ iy86.'\
State of New ] To the Hon''''" the House of Representatives
Hampshire j in General Court convened at Concord June
26'" 1786
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Concord qualified by Law
to vote for a Representative, humbly shews — That at a legal
Meeting held at said Concord on the dav of March last,
Col. Peter Green was chosen to represent said Concord for the
27
402
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
present year — Since which another Town Meeting has been
warned, to meet in said Concord, on the twenty fourth day of
June current, at which last meeting, a Vote being repeatedly
called to know if said Town would again choose a Representa-
tive for the remainder of the present Year, the Moderator of
said Meeting, absolutely refused to put said Vote although the
same was several times legally moved and seconded ; Where-
upon, your Petitioners, still considering their former Choice as
legal and unwilling to proceed in another, without a Vote of
the Town therefor, which was not in their power to obtain, —
Your Petitioners therefore pray that this Hon''' House would re-
consider the Choice of the said Col. Green and grant him a
seat, as Representative for said Tovv^n the present Year, — And
as the Inhabitants of said Town at their said Meeting in June
current, contrary to the pressing and repeated motions as afore-
said, and contrary to all Order or legal proceeding, went on to
choose a Representative, in the most partial manner, as a large
Majoritv of the said Voters had left the House — And then and
there chose M'' John Bradley to represent said Concord the re-
mainder of the present Year — in a manner thev judge unjusti-
fiable and altogether illegal, Tis therefore prayed this Hon'''^
Court would consider the premises, and not allow said Bradley
to take a Seat in Consequence of said Choice —
And as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Jn° Stevens Rich*^ H Osgood
Thomas Willson Daniel Carter
Dan Stickney Joseph Abbott
Moses FiField David Stickney
Samuel Bradley John Gage
Dudley Ladd Nath' Kimball
Jn° Roche
William Duncan
Aaron Kinsman
John Currier
Daniel Stickney
Rob* Duncan
Daniel Barker
June 25"* 17S6
[2—220] \^Request for Appoint>}ient of a Sn7-veyor of Pot-
as h^^
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon'''^ Senate & House of Representatives in general
court convened —
Humbly sheweth the subscribers being Inhabitants of the
town of Concord & y"^ adjacent towns in the County of Rock-
ingham. That they labour under great disadvantages by rea-
son of there not being a surveyor of pot & pearl ashes in said
town, or any where in the vicinity —
Wherefore your petitioners humbly prays your honors that a
CONCORD. 403
surveyor of pot & pearl ashes may be appointed in said Concord
agreeably to law — And your petitioners as in duty bound \yill
ever pray —
Concord Jvuie 20"^ 1787 —
Robert Harris W'" Duncan Sam' Duncan
Stephen Harriman John C : Gale
[2-221] [^Relative to Settlement ivith Proprietors of Bow.^^
State of ) To the Hon'*^'' the Senate and House of
New Hampshire j Representatives in general Court convened
the tenth Day of June 1788
Humbly shews Thomas Stickney of Concord in the County
of Rockingham and State aforesaid, that the whole of the Town
of Concord was originally granted in the Year 1725, by the late
Province of Massachusetts Bay to certain Proprietors and In-
corporated by the Name of Rumford, and in the Year 1727 the
greatest part of said Township was granted by the then Prov-
ince of New Hampshire to certain other Proprietors by the
Name of Bow ; that the Right to the soil was disputed by the
Proprietors on each side for upwards of twenty Years ; that in
the Year 177^ they came to an agreement which was that the
Proprietors of said Rumford should have the whole of said
Township, except one Hundred and sixty two Acres of Land,
which was to be laid out by them in some part of the Town,
and the Proprietors of Rumford were to pay ten Pounds to said
Proprietors of Bow for each Hundred Acre Lot which was laid
out by said Bow in said Rumford : Whereupon your Petitioner
with Andrew IVPmillan Esq'' and one Abiel Chandler who is
since deceased, was chosen a Committe by said Proprietors of
Rumford to give security for said ten Pounds for each Hundred
Acre Lot as aforesaid, and receive a Qiiit Claim Deed from a
Committee of the Proprietors of Bow chosen for that purpose :
Whereupon your Petitioner with said M'^Millan and Chandler
met the Committee of Bow, received a Quit Claim Deed, and
gave a Bond upon Literest for the ten Pounds for each Hun-
dred acre Lot. And in March 1773 at a Meeting of the Free-
holders and Proprietors of said Township of Rumford alias
Concord, it was voted to assess the several divisions in said
Township the sum of five Hundred Pounds, which sum would
at that time (it was supposed) pay for each Hundred Acre Lot
and also sixty Poiuids voted by said Proprietors and Freehold-
ers to give the Masonian Proprietors for their pretended Right
to part of said Land. — Whereupon Benjamin Emery Joseph
Hall Jun"" and John Chandler Jun' were cliosen Assessors, and
404 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Timothy Walker Jun'' was chosen Collector, an assessment was
made and committed to the Collector, who collected near two
thirds of said Assessment, which was paid to said Proprietors
of Bow, but as it was doubtful whether said Collector could, by
law, compel any one to pay his Tax, the remainder is unpaid
until this Time. The Bond lies now against your Petitioner on
Interest, and he is liable to be sued for that he never received a
farthing for — Wherefore he prays this Honourable Court would
enable said Collector to finish collecting said Assessment, and
also to enable said Proprietors of Rumford to call a legal Meet-
ing and vote what sum they shall think necessary to discharge
said Bond and assess the several Divisions in said Rumford
alias Concord therefor, in the same way and manner the former
Assessment was made ; and your Petitioner as in Duty bound
will ever pray
Concord June lo"^ 1788.
Thomas Stickney
[In H. of Rep., June 11, 1788, the matter came up, and a
hearing was ordered for the next session. January ly, 1789,
an act was passed authorizing Timothy Walker to collect
the remainder of said assessment. — Ed.]
[2-234] \_P<itition for Charter for Concord Bridge.^
To the Hon"^ Senate & House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in General Court convened. The Petition
of the Subscribers humbly shews
That public convenience requires that a Bridge be erected
over Merrimack River within the Town Concord — The rapid
increase of the country renders it necessary that travelling
should be facilitated — For this purpose they apprehend, that the
erection of a suitable Bridge will meet with the encouragement
of the General Court, Your Petitioners therefore pray that they
& their associates may have a grant of the exclusive privilege
of ei-ecting a Bridge at the rocks below Butters ferry, so called,
and they pray for this grant under such regulations as to your
honors shall appear proper — And your Petitioners as in duty
bound will ever pray
Peter Green Thos Stickney Tim" Walker
Moody Dow Samuel Fowler William Duncan
Robert Harris Thomas Wilson Tim° Chandler
John Thorndike William A Kent Rich"^ Ayer
W™ Partridge W" Manley Eben' Duston
George Hough
CONCORD. 405
[An act was passed January 16, 1795, incorporating the
signers to the foregoing by the name of the " Proprietors of
Concord Bridge," and the structure was erected the follow-
ing summer, where the "Lower Bridge" now stands. — Ed.]
[2-223] \^Petitlon fo)- Charter for Federal Bridge.~\
To the Hon'"''' the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Concord Dec"' 15"" i795 —
Humbly Shew — The undersigned that a Bridge across the
River Merrimac at or near Tucker's ferry (so called) in said
Concord would in their opinion be of great public utility — and
as the Country is fast increasing in population they humblv con-
ceive the Hon''''' Court will encourage everv attempt to facilitate
the communication between the ditlerent parts of the state —
They therefore pray your Honors that they, with such others
as may associate with thein may have the exclusive privilege of
erecting a Bridge over the river Merrimac at the place afore-
said and that they may be erected into a Body politic and cor-
porate for the purpose aforesaid, under such regulations as your
Honors think proper — and your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray.
Tim" Walker, Benj" Emery, William Partridge,
Jonathan Eastman, Joshua Thompson,
[2-222]
Concord Dec' 15"' 1795.
This may certify that I the subscriber have agi^eed with the
petitioners for a Bridge over Merrimac River at my ferry — to
relinquish my right to the Ferry for four hundred and fifty dol-
lars, payable when the Bridge shall be passable, — provided said
Bridge shall be finished in three years.
Eliphalct Tucker
P. Green
[An act was passed December 28, 1795, incorporating the
signers of the foregoing petition, and their associates, by
the name of the " Proprietors of Federal Bridge," and the
bridge was soon after erected near the present site of the
bridge leading to East Concord. — Ed.]
406 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[2-337] \_Petition for Grant of a Township.^
To the Hon''''^ the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Concord Decern'' 1796.
The Petition of the undersigners most humbly sheweth, —
That there are Large tracts of Land unlocated in the Northern
and Northeastern parts of tliis state — That there are many citi-
zens who are good and loyal subjects wdio are obliged to seek
for land to cultivate and places of residing without the bounds
of the Union in the provinces of Lower & Upper Canady —
whereby the state of New Hampshire is Deprived of our young
men the flower and pride of the state — That no encouragement
has as yet been given, nor leave obtained to settle those Lands
which we humbly conceive is the cause of the above mention-
ed-emigration — We therefore pray that we and our associates
may have a grant of a Tovvmship of Land in some part of the
above mentioned Tract under such restrictions and regulations
as to your Honors may seem fust and reasonable, and as in duty
bound shall ever pi'ay.
Concord Decem'' 7"^ ^19^'
Richard Herbert Richard Herbert J"' James Flanders
Philip Flanders y Calvin Flanders Jonathan Herbert
James Herbert Jonathan Chase Aaron Greeley
Tim° Walker Tim° Walker Ju^ Charles Walker
Abiel Walker Isaac Emery Nath' Abbott Jr.
Joshua Abbott Rob* Choate Moses Hale
Aquila Davis
[3-239]
[This document is an elaborate plan of Merrimack river,
from Federal Bridge to some distance below Hooksett falls.
It was presented with a petition from Jonathan Dix for a
ferry, 1774. — Ed.]
[R. 225] [ William Walker's Petitio7z^ ^753 •'\
Province of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable General Assembly for said Province —
The Petition of William Walker of Rumford in said Province
humbly sheweth ; that there is a mistake in the Petitioners
Muster roll lately passed in said Assembly which is as follows
viz': John Rawlings is born on said Roll beginning april 25*'^
& on untilljuly i" then Enoch Webster beginning with July
CONCORD. 407
1°' served in his place untill July 27'** as pet' said Roll appears,
then John Rawlings resumed his service & served untill Octo-
ber 3*^ : being nine weeks & five days for which service and
subsistance he is not made up or born on said Roll and your
petitioner therefore prays that vour Honours would take the
Premises into your wise consideration & grant to the Heirs of
said John Rawlings lately dec*^ wages for his said nine weeks
& five days service & also subsistance money for the respective
person or persons who billeted him the said term & your Peti-
tioner shall as in Duty bound ever pray.
Rumford June 13"', 1753.
William Walker
[Sworn to before Ezra Carter. The assembly granted
him ;^6-i3-7 for wages, and ;!^4-5 for billeting, "new
tenor." — Ed.]
{R. 226] \^yoshua Abbott's Cet'tijicate^ ^77^ •'\
This may sertifye that John Roberson did not draw any
money For his Coat or blanket that was Promised Him During
His stay in my Companey.
Joshua Abbott Cap'
|]R. 227] \^Ezekiel Carter s Petition for TifuotJiy JoJmson^
1778.-]
State of New Hampshire. —
To the Hon'''" The Council & the House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire convened at Exeter August 18*
177S.-
The Petition of Ezekiel Carter of Concord in the County of
Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire. — Humbly Shew-
eth — That your Petitioner's Son in Law Timothy Johnson en-
gaged in the service of this State in July 1777 in Cap' Peter
Kimball's Company in Col" Stickney Regiment in General
Starks Brigade, that he marched to Bennington and was there
taken sick, that he was sent to N" 4 under the care of John
Peters of Concord where he languished for several weeks and
then and there died That your Petitioner expended Four
Pounds Six Shillings and six Pence, according to the Bill here-
with exhibited, in taking care of said Johnson — The said Carter
therefore humbly prays that your Honours would take his case
into consideration and make him a grant of the above sum.
and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever Pray —
Tim" Walker Jun"' in behalf of s'' Carter
[The amount was allowed August 19, 1778. — I^d.]
408 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 22S] \_Sara/i Pitts's Receipt.']
Concord May 31^' 1782.
Receiv'^ of the Select Men of Concord by the Hand of Tim"
Walker Jr : Fifteen Spanish Mill'' Dollars for supplying my
Family in the absence of my Husband Thomas Pitts who in-
gaged as a Soldier during the War, for said Concord, in the
Continental army
I say rec'^ by me
her
Sarah X Pitts
mark
Tes* Rob^ Harris
[R. 229]
[September 5, 1782, Sarah Pitts acknowledges the receipt
of £7-4, lawful money, attested by Mehitabel Harris. — Ed.J
[R. 230] \_yonat/ian ElUof s Petition.]
State of New Hamp"'
To the Honb' the Senate and House of RejDresentatives for said
State in General Court convened, Feb"" 1785-
Humbly Shews. Jonathan Elliot of Concord in said State —
That your Petitioner engaged in the service of the United States
in the year 177^ ^^^ Cap' William Stilson's Company in Col°
Wymans Reg', and served in said Company until discharged,
that at the time of his being discharged there was one months
pay due to said Company that at the Captains return he drew
from the Treasury of this State the money due to said Company
and left the State — The Lieutenant of said Company with al-
most all the Company Petition the then Honb' Assembly for
their pay & had their Petition granted, but your Petitioner living
at a Distance from the Petitioners before mentioned had not the
opportunity of then Petitioning — and has laid out of his just
due to this time and your Petitioner is informed that the said
Cap* Stilson has since returned and paid the money into the
Treasury Wherefore your Petitioner prays that your Honours
would take his case into your wise consideration and give him
an order on the Treasurer for said months pay or otherways re-
lieve your Petitioner as to your Honours shall seem meet — and
your Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall pray
Jonathan Elliot
Concord Feb"' 11* 17S5
CONWAY. 409
CONWAY.
The township was granted October i, 1765, to Daniel
Foster and others, to contain 23,040 acres. Settlements
had been made the year previous ; and between the time of
the grant and 1766, James Osgood, Benjamin Osgood, Eb-
enezer Burbank, and John Dolloff settled in the town.
The first proprietors' meeting was held in Chester, De-
cember 10, 1765, at which Thomas Merrill was chosen pro-
prietors' clerk, and held the office twenty years.
April 6th, 1772, ten of the original rights were regranted
to other parties, for conditions broken. Col. Andrew Mc-
Millan, one of the grantees, moved into the town, from
Concord, in 1774; he was a lieutenant in the French war,
and for his services as such, in accordance with a procla-
mation of the king of October 7, 1763, he received a grant
of 2000 acres of land north of Conway, and now within the
limits of Bartlett, said grant being dated October 25, 1765.
He was a prominent man there until his death, November
6, 1800, at the age of 70.
November 10, 1778, the town was severed from Grafton
county and annexed to Strafford, and so remained until the
formation of Carroll county in 1840. By an act approved
June 14th, 1800, the following territory was annexed to the
town :
Grants of 2000 acres each to Lieutenant Hugh Sterling
of Londonderry, Lieutenant Samuel Stark of Derryfield,
and Lieutenant Archibald Stark of Dunbarton, made in
consideration of services in "our Independent Company' of
rangers" in the French war, and dated October 31, 1765.
June 26, 1823, the farms of Jonathan Hardy and Edward
Shirley were severed from Conway and annexed to Chat-
ham.
[3-2] [ Vote of Town-Meeting:']
At a meeting of the propriators of Conway at the dweling
house of Mr. Joshua Heath inholder in S^ Town on the
30"' of March 1773 Unanimusly Voted, The Thanks of the
Propriators of Conway to His Excellency the Governor & the
Honorable his Ma)estys Council for their Care and kindness to
Said Town in their Endeavors to Promote the Settlement of it
410 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
by making a regrant of Such rights as belong*^ to those that
would not Settle them to other of his Majestys Subjects as
would Ingage to do it — And that the Moderator & Clark be de-
sir*^ to Signify the Same to them —
Timothy Walker Moderator
Thomas Merrill Prop-- Clk.
[3-1] \_Tho))ias Alerrill recom7nendedJ\
Province of \
New hamp'' J To His Excellencie John Wentworth Esq'' Gov-
ernor and Commander in Chief in & over His majestys Prov-
ince of New hampshire & vice adm' of Same the Humble Pe-
tition of Sundry of y" Proprietors & Inhabatance of y^ town of
Conway in S*^ Province & others adjacent — Whereas Said town
of Conway hath a great number of Inhabatance & no person in
the Commission for y*^ Peace within forty miles of S*^ town &
Such a person being Greatly wanting among us we Humbly
Beg your Excellence would Commission a person according to
your Great wisdom to act in S*^ office among us (and we would
Humbly Beg Liberty to Let your Excellency know that we
Should Be Glad & Rejoyce If your Excellency Should appoint
to that office Lieu' thomas Merrell of Said Conway) & as In
Duty Bound your petitioner Shall ever pray &c —
Walter Bryent James Osgood Joseph Eastman
Ezekiel Walker Richard Ayer And"" M-^millan
James gay Samuel Bodwell
James Cochran Daniel Foster
29 Apr. 1769
We the Subscribers of His majestys Councel In New hamp'
Beg Leave to Recommend to your Excellency the Person with-
in Named (vis Lieu' thomas merrell) as a Suteable Person to
be in the Commition for y^ Peace &c —
D' Warner
Theodore Atkinson
T. Atkinson Jun''
Geo. Jaffi'ey
Jonathan Warner
[3-3] \_List of ratable Polls i?? Conivay^ as sworn to May p,
1773, by Abiel Lovejoy and jfo/in Webster, Selectmen.^
Cap' Tim" Walker Ezekiel Walker Tho^ Merrill Esq-"
David Page Benj'' Heath Tho' Merrill Jun''
CONWAY. 411
W" Merrill Enoch Merrill Ja' Osgood
Jeremy Page RicM H. Osgood Joshua Kelly
Jeremiah Farronton John Dolloft' Eben"" Burbank
Joshua Heath Eben"" Farnum Benj" Farnum
John Willson John Webster Peter Chandler
Leonard Harriman And''' M'^Millan Esq"" Enoch Webster
Jona. Cochran Anthony Emery Abiel Lovejoy
Abiather Eastman William Knox Levi Carter
Tho' Russell Nath' Smith Nathan Davis
Cap* Henr}' Brown John Dolloff Jun'' Abraham Colby
Joseph Odell Daniel Buttertield Richard Eastman
John Osgood Benj" Osgood.
Total number polls 43 — arable land 1 20 acres — mowing land 57
acres — Horses 6 — Oxen 34 — Cows 43 — 3 y"" olds 28 — 2 y'' olds
12 — I y'' olds 9 —
[3-4] \^Relative to deliiiquent Grantees.~\
Province of \ To his Excellency John Wentworth
New Hampshire j Esq"" Captain General Governor and Com-
mander in chief in and over his Majesty's Province of New
Hampshire aforesaid &c. In Council —
The Petition of Andrew M'^Millan Esq : In behalf of him-
self and associates most humbly Shews — That the Township
of Conway in said Province was granted by his Majesty's
Charter bearing date the First day of October, 1765 in Sixty-
nine Shares on certain Conditions of Settlement to be per-
formed and fulfilled by the Grantees thereof in Five years from
the date of said Charter,
Also That certain of said Grantees, namely Moses Eastman,
Nathaniel Eastman, Richard Ayers, Jacob Ayers, Nathaniel
Peasly, Peter Ayers, William Ladd, Samuel Ayers, James
Ozgood, Moses Foster Jun' John Carr Samuel Ingalls, John
Lang, Asa Kimball and Andrew Buntin, have not performed
the Conditions of settlement agreeable to Charter
And your Petitioners have been at great Expence in settling
said Town building Mills and making Roads into the Country
at a Time when provision was very dear and to be transported
many miles through an uninhabited Country. —
Your Petitioners tlierefore Pray the Said Rights or Shares
of the aforesaid delinquent Grantees, may be granted to vour
Petitioners under such Conditions as to your Excellency shall
seem meet ; and they as in duty Bound shall ever Pray &c.
Portsm" 29"' January 1771
And' M'=millan
[The rights were regranted April 6, 1772. — Ed.]
412 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-5] \_Petitiofi to have the Towfi annexed to Strafford
County.^
State of New ~\
Hampshire |- To the hon*'''' the Council & House of Rep-
Grafton ss. j resentatives for said State
The Petition of Thomas Chadbourn, Andrew M'^millan & David
Page, a Commitee of the town of Conway in the County of Grafton
and State aforesaid, humbly sheweth. That at a legal meeting
of the inhabitants of said Conway on the 21''' day of Alay A D
1778 the petitioners where chosen to petition the Genei-al-
Court for said State, to disjoin said Conway from Grafton and
annex it to the County of Straflbrd In pursuance of which trust
we do in behalf of the inhabitants of said Conway humbly
pray that your honors would take into your consideration the
peculiar circumstances and situation of that Town — that it is
50 miles distant from any inhabited Town in the County of
Grafton — a still greater distance from the nearest shire Town
in that County and almost 100 miles from the furthest, to wit
Hayerhill. That it lies more contiguous to the incorporated
Towns of Straftbrd, which County is now in a settled, con-
nected State with the other parts of New-Hampshire, which
cannot strictly be avei*red of the s*^ County of Grafton, add to
all this, that it is no new start, but was proposed and voted in
the year i774 to present a petition to the then Gen^ Court to
the same purport with this, but the times put a stop thereto for
all these Reasons your petitioners in behalf of said Conway pray
your honors w** take the matter into your wise and deliberate
consideration, and grant the prayer of their petition if you sh*^
think it promotive of the good of said Conway, and not incon-
sistent with that of the State. — and y'' petitioners as in duty
bound &c
Conway July 7"^ 1778
Thomas Chadbourn") r^ ., r
Andrew APMillan ( <^o"^"^'te of
David Page j ^°"^^''^^
[The above was granted by an act passed November 10,
1778. — Ed.]
[3-6] [ Concerning Authority of Civil Officers.^
Conway June 14*^ ^779
Sir — When the town of Conway was annexed to the county
of Stratibrd by an act of General Court there was no mention
made in the act Respecting those Persons in Commision where
they should be Renewed or otherwise ; Esq"^ Page is one of
CONWAY. 413
those Esq"" Page was made a Justice of the Peace in the year
1776 and has Remained Ever sence in that office to the accept-
ance of the People but by said act is Scrupelous of his author-
ity and Prayes to be set Right by the General Court — in behalfe
of the Town of Conway I am Sir your obliged Humble Ser-
vant—
Thomas Chadbourne
To the Honb' John
Langdon Esq. at Exeter
or in his absence to Hon*"'
John Dudley Esq"" —
[3-7] \_Relative to Taxes^ Defence of Frontier^ etc.^ i'j8o.~\
State of New") To the Honourable, The Council and House
Hampshire >- of Representatives of said State.
Straflbrd ss. )
The Petition of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the
Town of Conway in the County & State aforesaid ; At a Legal
Town Meeting assembled :
Most humblv sheweth,
That the Circumstances, & Situation of said Town are very
peculiar ; that it is a Frontier Town, Ninety Miles distant from
Sea-Port, Fiftv Miles whereof are through a Wilderness almost
uninhabited ; that the great Distance from Market, & Badness of
Roads (especially in the Winter Season) render the Transpor-
tation of Produce & other Articles of Commerce exceeding
difficult, & costly ; that your Petitioners have no other Means
to raise Money but by the common Produce of the Land, &
transporting the Same to Market, and for the Reasons afore-
said, the neat Proceeds thereof are not more than one Third
Part of the current Price at market ; that the incidental Cas-
ualties & Charges of settling a new Township, together with
the Distresses of the present War, have rendered your Petition-
ers extremely poor ; that your Petitioners have always been
chearful in paying their Qiiota of Taxes, when demanded,
excepting the pressent Continental & State Taxes : and your
Petitioners beg Leave to affirm as their Opinion, that there is
not now, nor hath been since the Pavment of said Taxes being
due. One Fourth Part so much Money owned by the Lihabi-
tants of said Town as will discharge the Same : Therefore
your Petitioners earnestly pray that your Honours would take
the Premises into your Consideration, and abate them in Part
of the present Taxes and favour them for the Future, or as you
shall think fit. And your Petitioners farther humbly Shew,
That whereas the Town of Conway with the few adjacent
414 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Inhabitants have always been considered as an Independent
Company of Mihtia, have been at great Expence in equipping
themselves with Implements of War, agreeable to the Law of
said State, & the Rules & Order of said Company, and have
ever defended themselves against their Frontier Enemies ; and
their remote Situation is such, that it must render it extremely
difficvilt & costly for them to be joined to any Regiment what-
soever ; Therefore your Petitioners further pray that your
Honours would take these Matters also into your serious,
wise, & deliberate Consideration, & grant that said Company
may continue in their former State, if your Honours shall
think it promotive of the Good of your Petitioners, & not in-
consistent with that of the State. And your Petitioners, as in
Duty bound, will ever pray.
Conway, Decemb'' 12"' 17S0
Tho's Chadbourn ") o 1 ,.
XT 1 o^ 1- ' Selectmen
Hug-h Sterlmof
D- V 1 T7 4- t ot Conway.
Richard Eastman ) ■'
In behalf of the Inhabitants
[3-8] \_Petltion for Help to build a Road to Coos.^
To The Hon'*'" the Council and assembly of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Conway —
Humbly Shews That your petitioners being anxiously con-
cerned for our Brethren & Neighbours the Inhabitants of the
upper Cohos who altho' our near Neighbors are cut oft" from
an easy communication with us by an almost inaccesable pass
at the Heighth of the land which divides the River Saco from
the River Connecticut —
This pass which is mountanious & interrupted by several
Brooks & small Rivers is not contained within the bounds of
any Located Tract of Land & therefore remains to the State —
& is of small extent — all other parts of the road between Con-
way & said Cohos having lately (at the expence of the owners
of the Lands) been repaired. Our concern on this Occasion
arises from an apprehention that an Enemy may at some time
& Probably this Summer make an attack on Connecticut River
& shou'd such attack be made below said upper Cohos all
means of Retreat for the Inhabitants above will be cut oft" sav-
ing by the said Road which is so difticult of passage that it
would be almost impracticable to remove with safety Women,
Children or eftects of any kind and it would be equally difticult
for the Inhabitants of Conway or the Neighbouring Towns to
CONWAY. 415
repair to the relief of our said Neighbours on Connecticut
River
Therefore vour Petitioners Humbly pray that your Honors
woud take the matter under your Wise Consideration & order
that the said Road Shall be completed by the State in Such
Way & manner as your Honors shall think best — and your Pe-
titioners as in duty bound will ever Pray — &c
Tho^ Merrill in behalfe
Conway
(See Northumberland papers.]
[3-9] \_Relative to raishig Men for the Defence of the
Frontiers^
State of New Hampshire | To the Honourable the Com-
Straftbrd ss. f mittee of Safety for the State of
New Hampshire.
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Con-
way, Sheweth, That the Town of Conway is a Frontier Town
& exposed to the cruel Depredations of the Savages who have
lately made Inroads in the neighbouring Towns ; — That they
have alreadv sent out as a scouting Party all the Men that can
possibly be spared from said Town, but said Party is much too
small to answer any Purpose ; That immediate Succour is ab-
solutely necessary for the Safety of the Frontiers of this State ;
— That they have exerted themselves to their utmost to raise
men on the Terms offered by the Honourable Committee, but
all to no Effect : your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that
the Premises may be taken in to your prudent & deliberate
Consideration, that some other Method may be devised for the
speedv Raising of Men for the Defence of the distressed
Frontier.
And your Petitioners will ever pray &c
Conway, August 20"" 17S1 —
Richard Eastman, Town Clerk.
Bv Order of the Selectmen —
[3-10] [ Colonel foseph Whipple relative to raising' Men for
the Ar?ny.~\
Conway Aug'' 17, 17S1
Sir — On mv arrival here this day I find that the order of the
Committee of the 10"' Instant for raising 30 Men cannot be
complied on the terms proposed of Continental pay &c — The
officer appointed to the Command & sent out by Col. Page has
4l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
been 3 days in the Business & has not procured a single Man —
The Liut' is still out but there is no prospect of his Succeeding
better — Not having myself been acquainted of late with the
business of raising men it was not for me to suggest the im-
practicability of raising them on these terms when I had the
honor with M"" Page to receive the Committees orders — but I
find that ever}^ Town who hath lately raised men for the Ser-
vice hath been obliged to add greatly to the Wages in order to
obtain them, & even then they have been obliged to class &
draught, in some cases at least — I conceive that no method can
be fallen upon to raise the Men immediatelv for this service
but to draught them from the neighbouring Towns Vis, Con-
way, Tamworth, Wakefield, Leavittstown, Wolfb" Moulten-
bor° say such of them or such others as the Committee shall
think fit Conway hath lost more than 300 days already, since
the late alarm in scouting &c which may be a good plea for
excusing them — The circuitous rout of lower Cohos is so
intirely out of the way, besides its being in the heart of the
disatlected part of the State I think renders it of little effect to
call for them there —
The Hon'''" Committee will see the necessity of imediately
raising the men — I think the number before ordered inadequate
to the occasion but if the Committee do not think proper to
encrease it ; when these are raised there will be time to see
w^hat better can be done — We know there ai'e three parties of
the Enemy on the Frontiers of 9 to 11 each & their numbers
may be much increased — the success that each of these parties
met with will be the greatest encouragement to their future
attempts, & to other adventures. — It is my humble opinion that
there ought to be an establish'd force on the frontiers subject
to such regulations as to be speedily encreased when the season
of the year admits of the Enemys travelling the Wood with
ease, & deminished when that season is over — at no time to be
totallv dismissed, but a party stationed for Militia to collect to
as occasion may require. — The Committee will have heard
that the Inhabitants of Shelburn have come in and a single
murder on Connecticut River will send in all the Inhabitants
of vipper Cohos — we are endeavouring to form a small scout
for a few davs till the Bearer shall return — I am using my en-
deavours to prevail on the inhabitants of Shelburn to return &
take care of their Crops, but have not yet suceeded with those
I have seen — I shall not fail of my exertions to keep the people
from removing in (if they once break there is no kno-wing
where they will stop), for that purpose contrary to the Remon-
strance of everybody here I am determ*^ to go forward myself
in hopes that by being on the spot, I may calm the minds of
the people till some force shall arrive — If the men are ordered
CONWAY. 417
to march as above proposed, I think they shoud be directed to
take 6 Days allowance with them, provision cond be rais** soon
after their arrival agreably to the Committees appointment —
I cannot find that the 13 men raised in Col. Websters Rege-
ment are arri\ed — The Bearer M"" Abiather Eastman is the
person appointed to the Command of the party ordered to be
raised & is approved of by the people here — I have the Honor
to be with great respect
Your Honors most Obed' & most
Hb' serv'
J. Whipple
Cap' Eastmans Family being
sick he cannot wait on you
as was intended — the Bearer is Cap' Heath
[3-1 1 ] S^Relative to Refugees fro77i frontier' Towns. ~\
State of Ne^v Hampshire. | To the Honourable, the General
Strafford, ss. j Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire.
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Con-
way, Sheweth, That they have been at considerable Expence
in assisting & relieving the distressed Inhabitants of the
Frontiers of this State, who have suffered by the Ravages of
the Savages of the Wilderness. That they have made out a
just and exact Account of said Expence & sent it by Col. David
Page their Representative, who is to exhibit it to the Honour-
able Court, Your Petitioners humbly pray that the Premisses
may be duly & equitably considered, that the said Expence
may be reimbursed to the said Town. And your Petitioners,
as in Duty bound, will ever pray.
Conway Sept. 15"' 1781. Thomas Chadbourn ^ Selectmen in
Richard Eastman |- Behalf of
Enoch Webster J said Town.
[3-12] \^ReIative to a Bridge over East BraJich.~\
cu ^ nvT Tj 1 • } To the Honourable the General
otate or JNew Hampshire - r^ , -- o • 1 c .
^ ) Court ot Said State
The Humble Petition of The Inhabitants of a place called Starks
Location & the Neighboring Locations Sheweth
That they have been at a considerable expence in Makeing
Roads trough Said Location that there is a Rapid River on S^
28
41 8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Location called the Eastering Branch, Great part of the year
vmpassable that your Petitioners are unable to build a Bridge
over the Same and have a long time Suffered and Endangered
their Lives and properties for w^ant of S"^ Bridge That about
two years agoe this Honourable Court did apoint Coll. Mc.
Millan and others as a Committee to Make or Repaire a Road
through S'^ Land in Conjunction With other Land, and Sell So
much of S*^ Land as Would pay for the Same that the S* Mc-
Millan did take one Hundred acre's of the best Land of S'' Lo-
cation to Himself for that purpose but hath not built S'' Bridge
or laid out one farthing on the Road Wherefore your Petition-
ers Pray that this Honourable Court Will Take the Premisses
in their Wise & Deliberate Consideration and Direct the S*
M-" Mc. Millan to Make s'^ Bridge or otherwise as they Shall
judge Proper and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
Ever Pray
vSigned Tho** Rickard in
Pickwacket, Sept. iS'^, 1781. behalf of Himself and the
Petitioners — — — —
Vere Royse Benjamin Copps
Enoch Emery Richardson Emery
Josiah Copps George Wooddes
Samuel Wooddes John Pendexter
Nathaniel Smith Humphrey Emery
Joseph Pitman Thomas Spring Peter Coffin
[3-13]
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
for the State of New hampshire in General Court assembled
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Conway Sheweth That
the situation of the Town is Such that by the River (called
Saco River) Runing through Said Town Divides it in two
parts which makes it Dificult (especially in freshets) to pass
from one part of the Town to the other —
Wherefore your petitioners humbly prayeth that a patent
may be granted for a ferry over Said River to M' Stephen Cof-
fin and his Heirs for ever agreeable to the proposels of David
Page Esq'' our Representative — and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound will ever pray —
Richard Eastman | Selectmen of
Ezekiel Walker j Conway
in behalfe of the Inhabitents
June 5"^ 17S3.
CONWAY.
419
[3-H]
\_Number ratable PoUs^ -^7^3 •']
Conway December the 12'^ 1783
An Inventory of the Number of male Polls of twenty one
years of age and upward in the township of Conway and Loca-
tions adjacent
The N° of Polls in Conway — 72
the N° of Polls in the Location — 36
N. B. the township of Eaton and Burton consists of forty
one Polls upw^ard of twenty one years of age as near as we can
colect
Richard Eastman") o 1
r men
Ezekiel Walker
James osgood
Straflbrd ss con way December the 1 2* 1 783
the with Named Select men made solum oath that the with
in In Ventory taken and subscribed by them was done accord-
ing to the best of there knoledge and under standing
Before me David Page Just peace
[3-15]
[ Toivn Invent or ies.'\
A Coppy of the Sum total of all the Real and Personal Es-
tate in the town of Conway as was taken by the Selectmen (by
which they have made their taxes) in the years 1779 & 17S0 &
1 781 & 1782 & 1783
April
1779
A D.
17S0
63
Number of Pols
^1
185
N° of acres of arble Land
241
265
N° of acres of mowing
339
34
N° of acres of Pastureing
67
32
N° of Horses
37
72
N" of oxen
88
103
N° of cows
no
41
N° of three years old
35
35
N° of 2 year old
52
41
N° of I year old
37
£6223
Value of Real Estate £
7081
420
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ad 1781
73
227
322
70
43
90
123
34
45
37
£7590
AD
Number of Pols
N° of acres of arable
N° of acres of mowing
N° of acres of Pasture
N° of Horses
N° of oxen
N" of cows
N° of three year old
N° of 2 year old
N" of I year old
Sum total of the Real Estate
1782
77
242
340
74
37
5
.0
IS
II.
• 5-
.0
113
II.
. 6.
.0
33
2.
• 9-
.6
27
I.
• 7-
.0
24
0.
.12.
.0
6375
32.
.10.
.6
The Sum of all the Real and Perso
April 1783 AD
Number of Pols
N° of acres of arable Land
N° of acres of mowing
N° of acres of Pasturing
N" of Horses
N° of oxen
N° of Cows
N" of three year old
N° of 2 year old
N° of I year old
the Sum total of Real Estate
nal Estate
17S3
73
239
359
74
37
75
III
33
27
33
5595
taken in
5'
II.
II,
2,
I.
0.0
5-0
2.0
9.6
7.0
16.6
the Several inventorys within this Paper is a true coppy tak-
en from the original inventorys that the Select men of Conway
hav^e made their taxes by yearly
Richard Eastman \ Select
Ezekiel Walker j men
[3-16] \_Conce7-ning Abatemeiit of State Tax.']
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire.
The Petition of the Select men of Conway in behalf of said
Town humbly sheweth, that when the State was proportioned
for a new Tax in 1779, the town of Conway was doomed ; and
the Sum was greater than their just proportion — said Town
immediately petitioned the General Court for an abatement of
their Tax but to no purpose. Your Petitioners therefore hum-
bly pray that your Honours will take their Case under your
CONWAY. 421
wise consideration and abate so much of their Taxes, since said
proportion was taken, as you in your wisdom shall think meet
& your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Conway June i*' 1784
Richard Eastman 1 o 1
Ti f ociect
ames Osgood V
Ezekiel Walker ) '"^'^
[3-17]
The Deposition of Nath^ Merrill of Lawful age testifiet'* and
saith that he surveyed all the Land that is Laid out in the Town
of Conway and is well acquainted with what is left as Com-
mon or undivided, and that according to the best Estemation
your Deponant can make their is more than the one half of the
Town of Convvav, that is Mountains Pine Plains or Wast Bogg,
and that a Bout three Thousand Eight Hundred acres of that
half is in one Alountain and further saith Not
Nath' Merrill
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Personallv appeared
York ss. Brownheld October 8"^ 17S4 j NathanielMerrill& made
Solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by him sub-
scribed taken at the request of the Selectmen of the Town of
Conway in the State of New Hampshire to be used in the Gen-
eral Court —
Coram Josh B. Osgood
Just Pacis
[3-20 \^Co7icer7iing Freshet of October, I'j8§.'\
To the Hon''^" the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire convened at Portsmouth the second
Wednesday of December A D 1786
Humbly shcwcth Andrew McMillan Esq'' in behalf of the
Inhabitants of the Town of Conway in the County of Strartbrd
in said State : That said Town is situated on Saco River about
twenty miles South East from the White Hills ;
That it is often flowed by sudden and heavy Rains, which
cause great damage; That in the month of October 1785 an
unusual Rain fell, which raised the River to a much greater
height than was ever known before ; The Water overflowing
the Banks, deluged the surrounding Countrv. greatly injured
many Farms, totally ruined others, drowned many of tlie Cat-
tle, carried ofl" almost all the Fences, damaged some Buildings,
422 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
destroyed others, and swept away or ruined great part of the
produce of the Town — the Inhabitants sole dependance for
support, or for the pa3aiient of Taxes —
The said Andrew therefore prays the Hon'''" Court that they
would take the distresed situation of the Town of Conway un-
der their wise consideration and abate the Taxes of the Lands
that were destroyed for the present year and untill a new valu-
ation is taken ; and on account of the extraordinary losses sus-
tained, abate for this year so much of the Taxes of the Town
as to their wisdom shall seem meet. And as in duty bound
will ever pray
Andrew M'^Millan
The following is an Estmiate of the losses sustained in the
Town of Conway by a grate Freshet in October 1 7S5 About
three hundred and twenty seven Acres of Arable and Mowing
Land totaly spoild two Barns carried away With all the Hay and
Grain in them Seven Dwelling Houses and four Barns so much
Damaged as Obliged the Owners to Rebuild them again — and
as the most of the Barns stood on the Interval a grate part of the
hay was lost ten Oxen twelve Cowes Eighty sheep two Horses
and twenty-five swine Drowned ; a large Qiiantity of Flax
which was spread in the Intei'val, a greater part of the Corn
then in the fields : allmost Every rod of Fence in the Town
and Every Bridge great and small two of which Cost the Town
About one hundred pounds also one Tun and a half of Potash
Consumed Besides many other losses —
the above is agreeable to an account taken by the Selectmen
of Conway August 17S6 and Sworne to before
Andrew M'^Millan Justis peace
N B One Saw Mill and one Grist Mill together with Dams
Carried ofi'
[3-19] \^Co7icerHing Electio7i of Represe7itative.~\
to the Honourable House of Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire the Petition of David Page of conway in Said
State in behalf of the town of Eaten burten conway and Loca-
tions Sheweth that the above mentioned Places ware formed
into a Destrict for the purpose of sending a member to the
General Court & it fell by Rotation to burten to Notify the De-
strict this year which they went to Doe but upon exammenation
CONWAY, 423
it was found that they had not mentioned all the Places in the
Destrict in there Notifycation by which means the meeting was
not agreable to the costitution and consequencele there was no
Person chosen to Represent the Destrict, your petitioner there-
fore prays that an order may pass this house Impowering said
Burten to call a meeting and if the Destrict think fit make
choyse of some Person to Represent them in the General court
— and your petitioner as in duty bound will pray
concord June the 7 1 786
David Page
[June 12, 1786, H. of Rep. voted to grant the petition.
—Ed.]
[3-21] \^Concer>iing the fo7-77iation of a netv Co7intv.'\
To the Honourable The Senate and House of Representatives
of the State of New-Hampshire, in General Court convened
at Concord, the first wednesdav of June 1791 —
The Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Conway
by their Selectmen in this ^^etition. humbly beg leave to shew,
That your petitioners being informed that a new arrangement
of the counties througout the State is likelv to take place,
wovdd, with submission, give their opinion with regard to the
northerly part of this State. It is needless to observe to your
Honors, that the town of Conway is the most northerly town
in the County of Straftbrd, and nearly seventy miles distant
from where the Courts are held in and for said County which
is no small inconvenience on many accounts ; and as your
petitioners conceive the northerly part of the County of Graf-
ton labours under similar difficulties — they therefore humbly
pray that a new County may be formed in the northerly part of
this State in such a manner as to include part of what is now
the County of Grafton, and a small part of the County of
Straftbrd, which would greatly encourage the settlement and
population of the northerly part of the State ; an object truly
desirable with every wise Legislature —
Your petitioners further beg leave to suggest, that, in their
opinion it would be convenient that the bounds of the new
County be as follow : Beginning on the line between the Dis-
trict of Maine and the State of New Hampshire to the South
of the Locations which are situated on the South of Conway
near Ossipce River thence running northerly on said line to
Connecticut River or Canady line thence down said River to
the Southerly bounds of Lyman ; from thence easterly to the
424 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
bounds first mentioned ; including Eaton, Burton, and Tam-
"worth ;
Or to be limited otherwise, as yovu" Honors, in your wisdom
shall think fit. — And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall
ever pray.
Richard Eastman ^ Select-
Stephen Webster > men of
James Osgood j Conway
[S^-^S] [ Co7icerning Rep resent at ive Classr\
To the Hon^^® the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in general Court convened at Ports-
mouth Novem*" 30*^ 1791 —
The Petition of the freeholders and other Inhabitants of
Conway, Bartlett and the Locations to the North of Bartlett —
Together with Sterlings, Archibald Starks and Samuel Starks
Location South of Conway — Humbly Sheweth —
That your petitioners finding it very inconvenient for them
to be classed with Eaton and Burton for the choise of a Rep-
resentative among the many inconveniences attending it with
submission point out That the scattered, and Remote Situation
of the Inhabitants, from the places where their Meeting are
held, being nearly thirty miles distance — and in the month of
March when s*^ meeting is held the Roads are so bad and Rivers
high. That Renders it almost impossable for the greatest part of
Conway and the whole of Bartlett to attend yvhen the Meeting
is held at Eaton or Burton altho Conway and Bartlett, have
three times the number of Reatable polls there are in Eaton
and Burton — In consequence of the foregoing inconveniencies
togather with many others — your petitioners conceive them-
selves in some measure, deprived of a voice in the Choice of a
Representative, that they as Citizens are intitled to and of
course a greivance, yovir petitioners pray may be Removed, by
classing Conway, Bartlett, & Locations aforesaid for the choice
of a Representative or otherwise Releaved as you in your
wisdom shall judge Expedient — and your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray —
John Pendexter, Samuel Willd, Elijah Densmore Ju""
Ralph Hall Joseph Pitman, Josiah Thompson
Samuel Wooddes, Jonathan Hutchins, Samuel Carlton,
Enoch Emery, Timothy Walker, George Wooddes,
Joseph Hall Juner, Thomas Spring, Joseph Pinkham,
Isaac Stanton, Joseph Hall. Josiah Hall,
James Rogers, Jonathan Tasker, James Bassett,
CONWAY.
425
levi Sevey,
Samuel Fall,
John Dollof,
Obed Hall,
Josiai^ wekes,
Joseph tompson,
Ja^ Harrold,
Ben^ Osgood
Samuell Howard,
Stephen Coffin.
John Boswell Juner,
Caleb Smith
William Webster,
Stephen Webster,
William Chadbourn,
Joshua Heath,
William Knox,
James Emery,
Eben Bean,
Benjamin Canna,
Daniel Leary,
Thomas King,
Abiather Eastman,
Noah Eastman,
Elijah Densmore
Seno"',
Simon Seavey,
Jonathan Place,
Richard garland,
Josiah Dollof,
Samuel Straten,
Humpary Emery,
miles thompson,
John Wilson,
Moses Osgood,
Samuel Howard
Juner,
Jeremiah Osgood,
Daniel Em'' Cross
Thomas Newman,
Nat. Porter,
Barnet Walker,
James M<=Millan,
Joseph Odell,
Abiel Lovejoy,
Ephraim Abbot,
Douglas Gean,
Amos Barns,
Tho*" Merrill
Austin George,
Jon'' A. Merrill,
Hezekiah Randel,
John Scribner,
Jonathan Sevey
Joseph Seavy,
Levi Chubbuck,
Stephen Densmoer,
mark Pitman,
Jerimeah whitham,
John ■
James Osgood
Dean osgood
James Howard,
John Boswell,
Vere Royse,
Isaac Edes
John Webster,
Jeremiah Abbott,
Eben Burbank,
John Spear,
Ebenezer farnam,
John Thompson,
David George,
William Lovejoy,
Amos Merrill,
Joseph sias,
Richard Eastman,
Moses Randel,
[3-34] [/?/'. Chadbourne^ concern iitg S?na//-Pox.'\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New PLimpshire in General Court convened at
Exeter December fourth 1792 —
The petition of William Chadbourn of C'onwav in the Comi-
ty of Strafford Phvsician. Humblv Shew'eth, — Whereas many
people in Conway and other places thinking themselves in
danger of taking the small Pox the natural way, have fre-
quently applied to your petitioner to Inoculate them for the
Small Pox. But 3'our petitioner declines doing anything ia
that way without being duly authorized as the Law directs.
That on Sunday the 25"^ I)ay of November last one Person
namely Joseph Fi"ye came to the House of Andrew M'^Millan
Esq"" in Conwav and there Broke out with the Small Pox, and
was conveyed from thence to the House of Samuel Stark, in
Stark Location south of Conway — and also two other Persons
has scince been attack'd with the Small Pox & removed to the
426 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
aforesaid House, and Commited to the care of your petitioner
by the select-men of Conway — said Starks House is out of the
bounds of any Township & is nearly one half Mile from any
other Inhabitant & two Miles from any publick roads a very
pleasant and proper place for Inoculation — Therefore in Con-
sequence thereof your petitioner prays that Liberty may be
granted to him to Inoculate for the Small Pox at the House of
the said Stark, from the first Day of March next untill the first
Day of November next ensuing the date hereof, under such
Restrictions & Regulations as you in your great Wisdom shall
think proper and your petitioner as in duty bound will ever
pray —
William Chadbourn
December 7"* 1792
|]3— 3^] Petltioti of I}ihabitants of several Locations to be
an flexed to Co?i'Lvay.'\
To the honorable the Senate & House of Representatives
of the State of Newhampshire in general Court convened June
1799. The Petition of y'' Subscribers humbly sheweth that
your Petitioners Inhabitants of Sterling's Location have en-
countred the first Difficulties & hardships which commonly
attend the Settlement of new Plantations — have cleared Some
of the Land on Said Location, & reduced them to that State of
Cultivation which afibrds us the pleasing Prospect of a com-
fortable Subsistence — That after enduring the intense Labor &
fatigues of Subduing a Wilderness thus far, we do not enjoy
the priviledges common to other new Settlements — We have
none of the advantages of Town Order — no Benefit of Schools
nor any regular Method of Repairing Roads — That this is not
only our present Situation ; but that s*^ Location being uncon-
nected with any other Lands, we can have no Prospect of
enjoying the Priviledges of incorporated Towns or Districts —
that, whereas Said Location lieth adjacent to the Town of
Conway on the South Line of Said Town, we might enjoy the
Priviledges of incorported Society, as fully as we could wish,
or as amply as we or our Successors can ever expect, if we
were annexed to Said Conway — That the two Locations west
of Sterlings Viz. Archibald Stark, Samuel Starks Locations
are precisely in the Same Predicament with this, all ajoining the
South Line of Conway — that the three Locations are of equal
extent with Said South Line, & capable of enjoying all Town
Priviledges in a connection with the Said Town more fully &
amply than could be by being annexed to any other Town, or
Lands in the State. Your Petitioners therefore pray that the
CONWAY. 427
Said Sterlings Location may be annexed to the Town of Con-
way ; also that the three other Locations herein above men-
tioned may be equally annexed to the Said Town ; or, that
Such other Proceedings may be had for the Benefit of your
Petitioners & y*^ Said Locations as to the Wisdom of this hon-
oia-able Court shall seem meet. And your Petitioners, as in
Duty bound shall pray.
June I'' A D 1799
Arch*^ Walker Joseph Walker
James Cofin Jobn Boswell Jun —
Steven Cofiin Hugh Sterling
Samuel Stark Archibald Stark
Jams Starling James Meed
Joseph Meed Theodore Combs
Stephen Whitaker Stephen Webster
[3-31]
Conway May 28"^ iSoo
this mav Certify that we have ben Served with a Coppy of
the order of Court upon the Petition of Archabld Walker and
others (Respecting Sterling Archabald Stark and Samuel
Starks Locations being annexed to Conway) in Season and
Cannot find that there is any objection against Said Locations
being annexed to Said Conway
Noah Eastman ") Selectmen
Leavit Hill ^ of
Jeremiah Page jr ) Conway
[The locations of Hugh Sterling, Archibald Stark, and
Samuel Stark were annexed to Conway by an act approved
June 14, iSoo. — Ed.]
[3-26] \_The Baptist Society asks to be Incorporated. ~\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
in General Court Convened at Concord in June A D. iSoo
Humbly sheweth your Petitioners ; that we formed ourselves
into a society in the year 1794 by the name of the Baptist socie-
ty in Conway, and have ever since been in regular standing in
the Ba])tist Meredith Ascociation : and laboring under many
difficulties for want of an Incorporation —
We therefore, Humbly prav ^■our Honors to take our case in-
428 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to your wise consideration, and grant us an Incorporation by
the name of the Baptist Society in Conway, and we your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Conway May 23'' iSoo
Elijah Densmoi-e Phillip Hariman Johathan Runels
Elijah Densmorejun John Hariman Thom F. Odell
Stephen Densmore Isaac Chase Samuel Bickford
Thomas Densmore Thomas King Samuel Knox
John Densmore Thos merrill Daniel Burrows
James Daniels William Knox William Brotton
Hezekiah Randel Moses Harriman Enoch Merrill Jr
Amf)s Merrill Sarah Thompson John Hariman
Hubbard C. Harri- John Hart
man
[In H. of Rep., November 25, 1800, the petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[3-27] \_Rcmo?istrancc ao-a/nst the Incorporation of the
Baptist SocietyJ^
To the honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire convened at Concord the twentv fifth day of Nov""
1800 — The memorial and petition of a number of the freehold-
ers of Conway in said State humblv sheweth, that there was an
Article inserted in the warrant for the annual Meeting in March
last, to see if the town could by anv means compromise the dis-
putes between the Baptist and Congregational therein which ar-
ticle together with a number of others, was not acted upon
untill the adjournment of the said Meeting and was then the last
article acted upon and at a late hour '■when one half or more of
the People & voters were necessarily retired to their homes at
this juncture the Ba])tists (so called) moved for that article to
be considered and acted upon, which was accordingly done, in
an ungenerous way while a great majoritv of the town were
necessarily absent, which vote and proceedings were trans-
mitted to your honours, and it is worthy of remark that altho'
the persons calling themselves Baptists were all present, and
but few others, yet the vote was passed by a majority of two
only ; they then drew a petition for an act of incorporation and
took every method to procure signers, and obtained five, of
whom four have uniformly paid taxes toward the support of
our congregational Minister ; the other has always professed
himself a member of the Church of England and has been ex-
empted from taxation — On the sixth of this instant Nov'' the
Select Men called a Meeting to see if the Town would oppose
CONWAY. 429
the aforesaid petition, but a great rain falling at this time, and
sweeping away Bridges and boats, this meeting could be but
thinly attended, and indeed the River was rendered impassable
for two weeks so that even public worship could not be attend-
ed as usual, and indeed by this mean it was not known by many
that a Meeting was warned — Your Memoralists therefore wish
that the prayer of the abovementioned petitions of the people
stiling themselves Baptists in this town may not be granted, in
the first place because they have not paid up their arrearages of
minister taxes for two or three years past assessed to them and
committed in due form of law to the Collectors who are charg-
ed with the same ; and also because they have taken undue
methods in procuring signers who in reality ai^e not Baptists
from principle —
We submit this our memorial to yoiu^ honors firmly persuad-
ed that you will grant us such relief as our peculiar circum-
stances require and your wisdom may direct —
And as in duty bound shall ever pray
James Osgood Joshua Heath Henry Sherburne
Stephen Webster Samuel Heath Rich'^ Odell
Tho' Newman David Badger John Dollof
Josiah Dollof Nathan Whitcher Barnet Walker
Sam' Emerson Joseph F. Chase Joseph Lewis
Marchel Lewis Daniel Roberts Nicholas Coffin
Caleb Page William osgood Samuel osgood
Jeremiah Page Jr John Osgood Moses Wilson
Jeremiah Page James Walker
Benjamin Coffin Moses osgood
[3—28] \_Deposition of William Steele co7icerni?ig the fore-
going.']
William Steele, on oath, Says that there was an article in-
serted in the warrant for the annual meeting in march, Left to
see if the Difficulty could be Settled which subsided between
the Baptists and the Congregationalists which article togeather
with some others was not acted upon untill the adjournment ;
and at that adjournment it was the Last article acted upon, at a
late hour of the Day, when a considerable number of the voters
had left the meeting, it was then moved that the above articles
Should ])e put up ; which was done, and carried by a small
majority ; that the Baptists .Should be exempted, from all past
minister taxes if they petitioned for an incorporation.
Some time after, I saw Elijah Densmore, who presented the
petition that the above mentioned Baptists had prepared ; and
Desired me to Sign it ; and then told me he was after Signers ;
and he was determined to get as many as he could.
430 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when the petition and order of court was brought back ; to
my Supprise I found that Cap* John Hart, William Knox,
Stephen Densmore, and Fletcher Odel were in the petition ;
who always said they wei^e no Baptists, and who have as I un-
derstand always payed their minister tax.
Some time after I saw Cap' John Hart and I asked him, how
he come to Sign the petition ; his answer was, that if the
Town were such fools, as to vote them ofl', he would go with
them
I was constable for the year 1799 and all those four men
paid me their minister tax without hesitation and further saith
Not
W" Steele
State of New Hampsher
Strafford ss November the 21 — 1800
The above named William Steel, appear'd and made Solumn
oath to the truth and Justice of the above Depossion by him
Subscribed Befor me
David Page Just pece
[3~29] \_CertiJicate of the Selectmen. ~\
Conway Nov'' 10''' 1800
this may Certify that we have been Served with a coppy of
the Petition of Elijah Densmore and others and the order of
court thereon, and have Laid the matter before the town at a
Publick Meeting and find that the Majority of the town is in
favour of the incorporation Pray** for in Said Petition
Noah Eastman ) Select men
Leavit Hill J of Conway
[3—30] \_Action of Towfi-ATeeting ofi foregoingJ\
Conway May 6'^ iSoo.
The Inhabitants of Conway met at the adjournment of their
annual Meeting and Passed the following vote Voted to ex-
empt the Baptist from all the Minister tax that now Stands
against them in Conway provided the s*^ Baptists Petition the
General Court the next Session to be Incorporated into a sepa-
rate Society and that the town will give their Approbation to the
above proceedings
Attest Jeremiah Lovejoy. Town Clerk —
[The Baptist society in Conway was incorporated by an
act approved December 10, 1800. — Ed.]
CONWAY. 431
[R. 232] \_N'at//a?iicl HutcJii)is's Pefitlo77.~\
State of New Hampshire.
To the hon''''^ the Council & assembly of said State,
Humbly Sheweth Nathaniel Hutchins late a Cap' in the New
Hampshire line in the Continental Service, that he engaged in
the service of his Country at the very beginning of the contest
with Great Britain & Continued therein until the last arrange-
ment of the army, when he was deranged. That in the course
of the war he hath suftered peculiar hardships & difficulties, &
hath exposed himself to the most severe service on all occa-
sions, that he hath ruined his constitution, & bro't on himself a
Large Debt to support himself in the army & his family at
home. That he is now called on by his Creditors, whom he is
unable to pay & is in most distressing circumstances. Where-
fore he prays the Hon''''^ Court to pay him some part of what is
due to him for the depreciation of his wages while he was in
the service, to enable him to discharge such debts as he con-
tracted in passing to & from the army.
He further begs leave to desire (that provided there is not
money in the Treasury to pay him) that he may have an order
on the selectmen of the Town of Conwav for a Sum Sufficient
to answer the exigences of his affairs, who he has reason to be-
lieve will pay the same.
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.
Nath' Hutchins
Exeter March 22"^ 17S1.
[R. 233] {^Lieut. Ezckiel Walker's Scouting Party.'\
The following is a List of a Scouting Party Imployed by the
town of Conway for the Defence of the Northern Frontier who
engaged in that service the 16"' of Aug' 17S1. Carryed of
against each mans Name the time he was Discharged
Lieut EzekielWalkcrPhilip Page Joshua Kelley
Peter coffin John Chase Austin George
charles Hills John Chase Jr John Wilson
Jeremiah Lovcjoy
the first ten dismiscd the 31 of August 16 days each
Elijah Densmorc Seth Spring Steven Merrill
the next three dismised August y* 25 ten days each
Capt James osgood Ebenczer Hawl
432 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Next two dismised September y*^ 6 22 days each
Stephen Webster Jonathan Philbrook
Next two dismised September y^ 12 — 28 days each
The above accou' is toatel time of service Just and true Er-
rors Excepted of men and officers 290 days
Conway October the i**' 1781
David Page
in behalf of the Selectmen of Conway
[R- 235]
The State of New Hampshire to the Town of Conway Dr.
for supplving the scouting party under Captains Osgood Walker
& Dinsmore in 1781 —
To their Rations of Beef i^ "' per day for 302 days
(a) 4I pr lb. 7.1 1. o
To ii^ 1" Flour p'' day ® 27/ hun'' w' 6. 2.0
To 1% bus. Salt 1.4. — To 9 galls & i q' Rum 2.15.6 3.19.6
JC17.12.10
Dec"" 1 78 1 Errors Excepted per
Tho" Chadburne") Select Men
Rich"^ Eastman > of
Enoch Webster ) Conway
[R. 236 \_Petition of BeujatHi'n Heathy Soldier.']
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire.
The Petition of Benjamin Heath of said State humbly shew-
eth that your Petitioner inlisted a Soldier in the service of this
and the united States in the year 1775. Your Petitioner has
continued in the said service without once returning Home or
absenting himself from his Duty until he was discharged ; your
Petitioner served six years and six months of said time in Col'
Hazens Regiment and was told he should be paid in the same
manner as the soldiers in the New-Hampshii-e Line were.
Your Petitioner waited (at a considerable Expence) on the
late General Court in Ocf last to see if he could get any relief,
but was told he could not at that time ; Your Petitioner is
drove to great straits for want of his money and hvnnbly pra3'S
that your Honours wonld grant him his pay as the other Sol-
diers of the State have had theirs.
Your Petitioner would further suggest to your Honours that
CORNISH. 433
as he has been returned as one of this States Quota and has
not been returned for any particular Town ; and whereas fines
have been paid by some towns for being deficient ; your Peti-
tioner hopes that your Honours will consider his almost singu-
lar Case and grant him such relief in the Premises, as you in
your Wisdom shall see meet, and your Petitioner as in duty
bound will pray.
Dated at Conway March 17S4
Benjamin Heath
[R. 237] [Benjamin Heath again petitions, Oct. 19, 1784,
and states that he was in the service from 1775 until the
end of the war, and closes with the following appeal : "Your
Petitioner therefore prays he may receive his pay or sum
part thereof without which he must go to jail or leave his
Cuntery."
He petitioned in January, 1791, and ascertained that his
pay had been drawn by one Daniel Cook on a forged or-
der ; and again the following June stating : " That in the
year 1775 your memorialist inlisted in Cap' Osgoods Com-
pany, in the service of this State, for the defence of the
northern Frontiers, and went to Canada where said Com-
pany was ordered, and remained in said Company during
the term of my inlistment — I then inlisted in Cap' Nelsons
Company for the winter ; and in the spring inlisted for one
year in Cap' Sartels Comp^ Col" Ellmores Reg*, after which
I inlisted in Cap' Sartels Comp^ in Col" Hazens Reg', dur-
ing the war, at the conclusion of which I received an hon-
ourable discharge for six years and six months faithful
service." — Ed.J
CORNISH
The township was granted June 21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel
McClintock, of Greenland, and 69 others. A proprietors'
meeting was held in Greenland in August following, and
the first meeting of the inhabitants was held in the town
March 10, 1767. In 1765 several families, who came from
Sutton, Mass., settled in the town. Capt. Daniel Putnam
and a family by the name of Dyke had lived there the win-
ter previous, in a camp built for the use of men who had
29
434 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
been cutting masts for the royal navy. At a meeting of
the inhabitants, held June 2, 1778, they voted to join the
state of Vermont, in accordance with a vote of the con-
vention held at Lebanon, May 2, 1778. The first meeting-
house was erected by the town in 1773, and occupied by
the Congregational and Episcopal societies.
By an act approved Dec. 3, 1808, the line between this
town and Grantham was established ; and by an act ap-
proved June 24, 1809, some territory was severed from
Croydon and annexed to this town ; Dec. 25, 1844, the
town was enlarged by the annexation of a portion of Gran-
tham.
General Jonathan Chase was for many years a leading
citizen of this town. He was muster-master for the men
raised from his regiment for the Continental service, and
held many important offices in the town.
\_yames Vinton's Enlistment. From General Chase's Papers^
N. H. Historical Soc. Library .^
I James Vinton due Voluntairly Ecknowlege my Selef to have
Inlisted as a Solgear Sarve in the State of New hampshear un-
der the Command of Cap* Sam' Pain for the tearm of Sex
munth and acknowleg my selef to bee under the Rules and
Regelation of the mearlity Laws as wetness my hand this 28
day of June 1 780
James Vinton
S*^ Vinton is seventeen years of age 5 feet 5 inches high Jug*
to be fit for the sarvis by Jon"' Chase Col°
\_Cornish men at Saratoga.., fro7n the Same.'\
A Return of Ofiicers and men with their Names InroF Be-
longing to Col° Jon"' Chases Rig' which marched from Cornish
Sept. 26* 1777
Lieu' Abel Spalden Cornish Caleb Plastridge Cornish
Seg' Sam' Chase do James Cate do
Seg' Joseph Spalden do Joh" Chase do
Corp' Step" Childs do Sol° Chase do
Jos'' Vinsin do Ret Ocf 7 John Morse do
Jabez Spiser do Sim" Chase do
Sol" Wellman do Capt Dyar Spalden do
CORNISH. 435
Jona"' Higgins do Ebe'' Brewer do
James Wellman do Daniel VValdron do
Total 19 Abel Spalden Lieu' —
Ocf 3"*^ 1777 — set out from home
Capt Abel Stephens Jon"^ Craw
Ebez"^ Jannev W™ Richardson
Joined y* 10"* Oct° 1777
[R. 243] [Cz£?;/. yona. Chase^ concerning Wester^i Frontier. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the honorable, the Council and House of Representatives
now convened & holden at Exeter in and for said State. Hum-
bly Sheweth your Petitioner living on the western Frontiers of
said state, that your Petitioner and others the Inhabitants on
said Frontiers, have had, and still have, the greatest reason to
fear the inroads & depredations of savage Enemy upon them, —
that they have the fullest reason to believe and assert that the
Enemy have several times prepared & even attempted the same
that in the month of October last they came upon and almost
totally destroyed the Town of Royalton, & spread their horrid
devastation within less than twelve miles of Connecticut River.
That unless some speedy and effectual measures are taken to
prevent it, it is more than probable we shall be distressed with
another visit from them the present winter.
That the Frontier is near one hundred and fifty miles, in an
entire defenceless situation. — And that unless some speedy re-
lief & assistance present, we have the fullest assurance that
many principal Inhabitance will remove to places of better se-
curity ; as that Frontier is now the only object remaining within
the power & worthy the attention of the northern Enemy. — In
this unhappy situation ; defenceless as we are, where can we
look for relief & assistance but to your Honors? a body posses-
sed with every feeling of humanity, and sensible that in defend-
ing that western frontier, you secure the state at large from the
dangers arising from that quarter. Your petitioners therefore
humbly pray your honors to take the dangerous situation of that
Territory under your wise & serious consideration & grant such
number of men for the defence of that Frontier, as your honors
may judge necessary, or grant such other orders on the Prem-
ises as in your wisdom may seem best.
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
Exeter 12"" Jan^ 1781
Jon"' Chase
436 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-32] \_Nz<?nber of Polls^ iy8j.~\
According to order of the general assembly These may cer-
tefy that the Exact number of the male poles in this town of
twenty one years of age and upwords paying taxes for them-
selves is one hundred and twenty
Cornish Decem'' y*" 13 1783
Wil"' Ripley "^
Attest Reuben Jerald I Selectmen
Daniel Chase [ of Cornish
Caleb Chase I
[3-33] \^Relative to Vennoiit Co)itrove7-syr\
Benjamin Giles of Lawful age testifieth and Saith that being
sundry times in Company with Sam' Chase Esq'' of Cornish
in or about the Month of Febuary also in or near the Month of
April A. D. 17S1 did hear him s'^ Chase very engagedly en-
courage the Union of Cheshire and Grafton Counties with the
State of Vermont so called and upbraided those with Cowardice,
as not persons of resolutioii who made any objections against
the Expediency of s*^ Union and wondered that any persons
should oppose it, for he s'' Chase s*^ he viewed it as a remark-
able step in divine Providence which he thought worthy of no-
tice, that the people were so United even beyond expectation
and that the voice of the people was the voice of Gode and he
appeared to me as I had free conversation with him respecting
said Union to be as much for uniting with Vermont and Exert-
ed himself to accomplish it (in my opinion) as any person in
Cheshire or Grafton Counties, and never in the time above
mentioned did I hear him speak any ways discourageing re-
specting s*^ Union, until the Civil Authority was appointed in
County of Windsor so called, and s*^ Chase being left out in
said appointment, I perceived he was disgusted, because a little
after I came into his house, he expressed himself somewhat
warmly as I thought and said I should not been so served if
Esq'' Giles had been there or been present or words to that
Amount after which I do not remember that I Ever heard him
say one word in favor of the aforesaid Union and further saith
not
Benj'^ Giles
Ques" by Dudley Chase. What did you understand by Sam'
Chase saying that I should not have been so served if Esq""
Giles had been there —
Ans' From the Conversation that followed I understood that
Esq'' Chase was disgusted at his not being appointed as Judge
CORNISH. 437
of the Inferior Court — tho I did not liear Esq'' Chase say that he
was displeased at not being appointed a Judge
Cheshire ss Sep"" y* 4"' 17S2 Then Benj" Giles signer to the
within Deposition personally appearing made solemn oath that
the said Deposition was the truth the whole truth and nothing
but the truth (Sam' Chase & Dudley Chase being present)
before me
Sam" Hunt Just peace
This Deposition opened by me M Weare
[3-34] [ Warrant for To~i.v)i-MeetingP\
These are to Notify and warn the freeholders and others in-
habitants of the town of Cornish to meet at the ISIeeti ng House
in s'' Cornish on tuesday the twelfth Day of March next at ten
oclock in Morning to act on the following articles Viz —
i^' to Chuse a Moderator to govern s'^ meeting
2'^'^ to Chuse a town Clerk —
3'^ to Chuse Selectmen and Constable or Constables and
other town officers as the town shall think proper
4'y to see what money the town will Raise for to be Work-
ed out at the Highways this present year
5'y to see what money the town will Raise this present year
for Schooling
6'y to see what money the town will Raise this present year
for to Defray other town Charges
7'^ to Chuse a Committee for the Sole purpose of Settling
with the men who went up in the 3 alarm
8'-^' to see if the town will allow horses to Run at large
9'-^' to see if the town will allow sw'ine to Run at large
Feb^y 26"^ 1782
Thomas Hall
Sam'' Comings ^g^j^^^^j^^^
iirlea"^ Jackson
Daniel Chase
Persuant to the foregoing warning the Town met and Chose
Moses Chase Esq"" Moderator Voted to adopt the following Pro-
test against the proceedings of a minority acting under a warn-
ing Signed by Sam" Chase Esq'' —
Voted to adjourn to the House of M'" Francis Batey to meet
immedeatly met according to adjournment — then Voted to ad-
journ to the House of M'' Sam" Comings met according to ad-
journment and there proceeded to Chuse Town officers and do
other acts agreable to the above warning and the Laws of New
Hampshire as may appear upon Record
Attest Thomas Chase T Clerk
Cornish September y'' 12"" 17S2
438 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3~3S] [ Certijicate of Toxvii Clerk. '\
This may Certify all whom it may consei-n, that Moses Chase
Esq'' Lieut Reuben Jerrald William Ripley were legally chosen
a Committee to remonstrate to the Coint of New Hampshire
against the unpresented proceedings of Sam" Chase Esq' and
others
Test Thomas Chase Town Clerk
Cornish May y^ 27"' 1783
[3-41] \^Protest against the Action of a Town- Meet ingj^
Voted to adopt the following protest against a minority act-
ing under a warning Signed by Samuel Chase Esq'' —
Whereas an annual Town Meeting of the inhabitants of the
Town of Cornish was legally warned by the Selectmen of Said
Town w^ho was legally elected to that office in order to choose
Town officers for the insuing year — and whereas another warn-
ing for a Town Meeting has been set up for the like purpose
Signed by Samuel Chase Esq'' — and a Small minorriter of the
Inhabitants presume to act thereon which we are fully assured
is directly Repugnant to the peace of the Town and Contrary
to Law— We therefore the inhabitants of the Said Town of
Cornish think fit and do hereby Solemnly and unanimously en-
ter our pi'otest against the proceedings of Said meeting as
wholly illegal and destructive of the peace and tranquility of
Said Town —
The above was Voted in a legal Town Meeting held March
ye j2*'i
Test Thomas Chase — Town Clerk
Cornish May y" 28"' 1782
[3~3^1 \^Rci(itive to Union xvith Vermont. '\
The Deposition of Matthias Stone of Claremont of lawful
age on oath saith that about three or four years ago Esq Sam^
Chase did send a letter to the select men of Claremont myself
being one that a meeting of the Town should be called to see if
the Town would chuse a man to go the Convention held at the
House Moses Chase Esq to come into measures to unite with
Vermont — but as I did not see the letter till it was to late
to warn a meeting it was not laid before s*^ Town but attend-
ed myself as a private person at Convention of which Esq
Sam^ Chase was moderator at which time in Convention with
CORNISH. 439
the s*^ Sam Chase he manifested a great desire that the grants
on both sides of the River should be united into one Govern-
ment— after the adjournment of s** Convention I rec*^ another
Letter of like import desiring that the Town would Choose a
man to attend the adjournment but rec'* to late — Further about
one year ago last Decem. another letter was sent to the select-
men of Claremont sign"^ Sam' ashley and Ben Bellows to see if
the Town would Choose a man to attend the Convention held
at Walpole for the purpose of uniteing the grants on both sides
of the River — w'hich the Town comply'^ with & sent a man
that Convention being adjourned to the Jan following, the
Town was call'^ upon to send Two men which they did at which
Convention the said Sam Chase was Choose President accepted &
serv** & altho, there were Ten that protested against the pro-
ceedings at that time for special reasons Yet the s** president
would not sign the protest at w^hich tim s** Con[vention] was
adjourned to Cornish and there continud for som time till the
minds of the Town were ftdly known & the union Compleated
the s*^ Sam Chase did accompany the Representative from East
sid of the River to Windsor and see them admitted as members
of the Court of Vermont and approved thereof and I have often
heard the s*^ Sam Chase both in public & private conversation
say in transport that there was a hand of Providence in Dispos-
ing the people to unite
Matthias Stone
Cheshire ss : Sepf 4* A. D. 1782 then Matthias Stone signer
of the above Deposition personallv appeared & made solemn
oath that the same was the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, Sam' Chase & Dudley Chase being present
before Sam" Hunt Justice Peace
This deposition opened by me — M. Weare
[3~37] \_Depositioti of JVat/ianicl Cnrtlce.'\
The subscriber of lawful age deposeth on oath & saith that
sometime about thebegining of April last past, he being perusing
some of his own aflairs fell in Company with Benj" Hall, of Cor-
nish, one of the selectmen chosen at a meeting warned by Sam^
Chase Esq"", And said Hall taking me aside said to me if you will
join us & vote for us you will be eased of your taxes and ex-
empted from raising a Continental soldier which I refused and
then be enjoined on me to keep what he had said as a secret and
further saith not
Nathaniel Curtiss
440 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Cheshire ss Sepf y** 4"^ 17S3 Then Nathaniel Curtis signer
to the within Deposition personally appearing and made solemn
oath that the within Deposition was the truth the whole truth
and nothing but the truth, (Sam' Chase and Dudley Chase be-
ing present) before
Sam" Hunt Just Peace
This Deposition opened by me M. Weare
[3~39] \^D epos it ion of William Pain.~\
The subscriber of lawful age on oath deposeth & saith that at
the annual meeting for the Town of Cornish in March last,
warned by Sam' Chase Esq"' your Deponent was chosen one of
the Selectmen But the Conduct and proceedings of the said
Sam' Chase Esq'' and the other select men chosen by the said
Meeting has ever since been such your Deponent could not
serve in that Capacity with them, I had therefore neglected to
take the Qualification by Law directed and farther saith not
William Pain
[3-40] \_Deposition of Eleazer yackson.'^
The Subscriber of lawful Age deposeth on Oath, that a short
time before the union was effected betwean the Counties of
Cheshire & Grafton with the state of Vermont, Sam' Chase
Esq"" of Cornish urged your Deponent to vote in favour of said
Union, alleging that if I knew the advantages of it as well as
he I should have no Objection. He said we were at a great
distance, from the seat of Government in New Hampshire &
that we were not considered as anything when we were there,
therefore it was best to join the state of Vermont, & if they
(the state of Vermont) would not receive us, we would form a
State by ourselves for the Government of New Hampshire over
us here on the Grants was only an assumed Government &
ought not to be regarded
and farther saith not
Eleazer Jackson
[Sworn to before Sam' Hunt.]
[3-42] ^ ^
Cornish November 12"^ 1782
These may Certify that Samuel Chase Esq"" Was Settled With
for his being imprisoned under the authority of the State of
CORNISH. 44.1
Vermont by paying him all damages to the full of his Demands
as We the Subscribers are able to attest when called too
John Weld
Josiah Stone
[3-43]
Cornish Sep'"" 9**^ 1782
These may Certify all whom it may Concern that the Legal
voters who attended the annual meeting in march last under
Esq'' Chase^ Warrant were (after the other party had with-
drawn) thirty Eight in number all whose names were taken
down and Counted vyhen present
attest Jn° Morss town Clerk
[3—44] [^Deposit ioft of William RipleyJ\
The Deposition of William Ripley of lawful age on oath
saith that as he was Town Clerk for the annual march meeting,
adjourned to the april following in the year 1782 — Esq Sam^
Chase being moderator for said meeting did once & again motion
it to me in private, if it would not be for the benefit of the
Town to have it motioned to the meeting and put to vote that
all Town Officers should govern themselves by the Laws of
Vermont to which I objected as being unnescessary — but the
said Sam' Chase toward the Conclusion of the meeting did put
it to vote, upon his own motion and it was carried in the af-
firmative
William Ripley
Qiiestion by Sam' Chase Esq"'
How did you know that I put the above vote upon my own
motion. Ans"^ there was no other person Motioned it publickly
Qiies" How do you know that no other person mentioned it
— Ans'' I served as Clerk was present the whole Meeting and
I did not hear any other person motion it —
[3~45] \^Dcfiosition of Francis Sfiiit//.~\
I the subscriber of Lawful age depose on oath & say that
about the time of forming the Union of sixteen Towns in this
state with the State of Vermont Sam' Chase Esq"' of Cornish
was at my house in Plainfield, when a discourse was Introduced
442 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
between the said Chase & myself concerning the Expediency
of forming the above union when the said Chase said much in
favor of it and against being subject to the State of New Hamp-
shire he said he had much rather be subjected to the servitude
of diging Pine Tumps under a good master than have a seat
in tlie court of New Hampshire. And farther saith not
Francis Smith
(I3-47] \_Depositioti of Natha7iiel Stotte.']
The Subscriber of lawful age deposeth on oath that some time
in the Winter of A. D. 1781 Sam^ Chase Esq'' of Cornish came
to the House of your Deponent & said many things in favour
of forming a Union with the State of Vermont, said he tho't
it would be much best to perfect that Connection From the
whole tenor of his Conversation your Deponent supposed the
said Sam^ Chase Esq"' to be engaged to have that event take
place. And farther saith not
Nath" Stone
Taken and sworn, at Claremont, the adverse party being du-
ly notified to attend, this 4"^ day of Sepf 1782
before Sam" Hunt Just peace
Qriest" by Sam' Chase — Did I propose to have the grants on
both sides the River unite and then petition Congress, to settle
and establish them as a State — Answer. Yes
[3-473/2] \_ReIative to Proceedings of Toivn-Meeting.'\
We whose Names are under writen being of Lawful age on
oath depose. That we being selectmen legally chosen & sworn
under the State & agreeable to the Laws of New Hampshire
for the last year for Town of Cornish, did previous to
the time for holding annual Town meetings in said Town,
give Notice in writing & otherwise to the Inhabitants of said
Town — on what day we should meet for the purpose of
drawing a Warning for the Annual March meeting at which
time & place we were met by Sam' Chase Esq & Dudley Chase
when the s** Sam' Chase told us he came in a friendly manner
to advise us not to proceed — That we were not Select men —
but Rebels by Virtue of Proclamation which had been given
out by the Gen' Court — That he had put up a warning when
we might attend if we would, but should not Vote & if we did.
CORNISH. 443
he would throw our Votes aside for we were not qualified to
Vote being Rebels the State and outlaws, for which we should
be called before the Gen' Court — Yet we proceeded to put up a
warning according to Law — And the Town very generaly met
when Esq. Chase proceeded to open the Meeting he had
warned bv reading his Warning but refused to proceed to Busi-
ness tho frequently requested, ordering the people to disperse
Declaring at the same time that they should not act with him,
for they were Rebels & unless they left the House he wou*^
read the Riot act — That after waiting about two hours for Esq
Chase to proceed with his meeting — We opened the meeting
we had warned Chose a Moderator & adjourned to a private
house where we proceeded to Chuse select men and other Town
Officers according to Law. — and in the mean time Esq Chase
proceeded with his Meeting as we understand to Chuse .Select-
men, and other officers —
Which Selectmen did in the month of April last warn a
Town meeting for the purpose of Chooseing a Representative
for the Gen' Court and a Delegate for Convention — when the
Town met — They were requested to shew their Precept which
Esq Chase refused & after some time adjournded the meeting
(before it had been opened) for half an hour without the voice
of the Town — Tliey met again but refused to open the meeting
Esq Chase & Deacon Dudley Chase forbidding it saying at
the same time that more than half the Town should not vote &
afterward the said Esq Chase as an Lidividual without the
voice of the Town adjournded the meeting to a future Day
and farther saith not
Thomas Hall
Samuel Comings
Daniel Chase
Eleazar Jackson
Question asked by Samuel Chase Esq''
Did you sign a Warrant for commiting me to Goal for not
paying a Tax assessed under the Authority of Vermont?
Answer. Yes.
Did you insert an article in the Warrant for March Meeting
to chose a Delegate to attend a Convention at Lebanon
Answer we do not remember
was there one Anser. we think there was
[3-48] \_Chapman and Stottes Deposition.']
We the subscribers of lawful age testify and say that as we
were on the 15 Day of april last accidentally at a Town meet-
ing of the Town of Cornish we did then and there hear it
444 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
motioned second, and third, once & ag'ain to have the Meeting-
opend agreeable to law, but was forbid by Esq Chase and Dea-
con Chase who positively said that one half or more of the peo-
ple should not vote or act in said meeting — Finally they ad-
journd, the meeting for half an hour (before it was open)
without the voice of the whole — Again having met it was motion-
ed a second & third time to have the meeting open'' but was forbid
by the aforesaid men — motioned & Requested of the Town
Clerk to read the warning but he would not — motioned a second
& third time that the precept sent for the Town to Choose a
Representative might be seen but was denied — Motioned a sec-
ond & third time that all Town Officers might be flung aside
and new ones chosen, but refused Lastly the meeting was ad-
journd by Esq Chase as an individual without the voice of
the meeting
Benjamin Chapman
Caleb Stone
N. B. The said Chapman was not present at the last ad-
journment above mentioned
[3-49] ^^Selectnien' s Statement. ~\
To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire
We the Subscribers Select Men of the Town of Cornish
for the Current Year, in reply to a Memorial against us signed
by Moses Chase Reuben Jerald & William Ripley, and pre-
sented to this house at their last session, beg leave to suggest,
that at the annual Meeting in the Town of Cornish held in
March Anno Domini 17S1 — the Town Officers were chosen in
common form that in April following, at an adjournment of
the same Meeting the Town did vote that all Town Officers
then in Office shou'd act under and Govern themselves by the
Laws of Vermont ; accordingly they assessed & endeavor'd to
Collect the Taxes called for by Vermont, and took and impris-
oned some who refused to pay them, by which vote and the
subsequent Conduct of the said Officers it was the general
Opinion that they ceased to be Legal Officers under New
Hampshire, in consequence of this Opinion an application was
made by a sufficient number of the Inhabitants of said Town to
Samuel Chase Esq"" as a Justice of the Peace to warn a Meet-
ing of said Inhabitants in March last for Choosing Town Offi-
cers for the present Year according to the laws of New Hamp-
shire— which was accordingly done, and the Officers Chosen :
without regarding a Warrant for a Meeting for the same pur-
pose : signed by the Select Men chosen K Dom. 17S1 —
CORNISH. 445
We wou'*^ further observe that as the principle complaint in
s* Memorial is against the Officers hist chosen : for what they
have done in the execution of their several Offices, it seems
imnecessary to answer furthur untill the legality of their appoint-
ment shall be ascertained —
We would beg leave furthur to suggest that the situation of
the Inhabitants of the Town of Cornish is vnihappily such at
present, owing to the divisions and animosities which subsist
amongst them that a determination of the Master now before
the House however just woud be but a partial remedy, & wou'd
not put the Town in such a situation as woud be most for the
benefit of the State, or for the peace, interest & happiness of
the said Inhabitants — And anxious to restore peace & good or-
der in the Town, We wou'd on the behalf of those who are in
the Memorial called the Minority propose a general settlement
of all difficulties in said Town that respect the Town in general
by Arbitration in the following manner (viz) That this House
appoint a proper number of Persons to be nominated by the
Speaker, to hear the Parties fully, & report to this or some
future General Assembly & that some of the principle Men of
Each party enter into Bonds to abide & perform the award so
made, & that tlie whole expence be paid by that party that shall
be found most faulty —
We do not mean to dictate the House by the above, but
should be willing to comply with any direction or orders which
the House shall think proper to give
Cornish Sepf y'' 6"" 1782 Sam^ Chase
Jn" Morse
Benj" Hall
Dudlev Chase
[3-50] \_Re.p7-esentation of the Inhabitants by a Coni?nit-
tee.'\
The Hon''^ the Council & House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire in general Court convened on the
Second Tuesday in June A D 17S2.
We the Inhabitants of Cornish in the County of Cheshire in
said State beg leave humbly to Petition & Shew to your Hon-
ors, That at the annual Town Meeting held in said Cornish in
the Month of March last by virtue of a Warrant from the
Select Men of Said Town they did proceed according to the
Laws of New Hampshire to Choose and appoint Select Men
and other Town Officers for the current Year — and that Sam^
Chase Esq"" one of the Justices of the Peace for said County hav-
ing also warned a meeting of said Inhabitants at the same time
446 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and place and for the Same purposes with that of the Select-
men at which Time and Place the Inhabitants being assembled,
did proceed to open the Meeting under the Warrant of the
Select Men and Chose a Moderator, and by Vote adjourned
the meeting from the Meeting House where it was then held
to a private House and there proceeded to Choose Select Men
and other Town officers according to Law ; and the said
Samuel Chase Esq"^ with a few others (being a great Mi-
nority of the Inhabitants entitled by Law to vote in Town
Meetings) continuing in the Meeting House, did also pro-
ceed to Choose Selectmen and other Town officers : which
Select Men last mentioned have since taken on themselves said
office & proceeded to call Town Meetings and assess said In-
habitants and do other Acts, to which your Petitioners humbly
conceive they have no legal Authority or just right And your
Petitioners beg leave farther to shew, that the Selectmen last
inentioned did receive the orders from this honorable assembly
to call a Town Meeting, and choose a Representative for said
Town and detained the Same from those Select Men chosen by
the Town ; and did themselves warn the Inhabitants to meet
for said purpose as well as to Choose a Delegate to Conven-
tion for framing a Constitution &c ; and Said inhabitants en-
deavouring to avoid all controversies & party dispositions, did
assemble and meet according to said warnings and for the pur-
poses therein mentioned ; But the said Select Men refused to
open said Meeting or transact any thing for which said Meeting
was called ; and the said Samuel Chase Esq'' without any act^
or Vote of the Town declared the Meeting adjourned to a
future Day, and also declared the said Inhabitants to be Rebels,
outlaws & disqualified to vote, and that they never should vote
or act in their meetings ; and the said Samuel Chase Esq'' with
those who adhered to him did afterwards proceed to Choose
and Appoint a Representative and delegate for said Town such
as not one fourth part of said Inhabitants did or ever would
have Chosen, or assented to. Wherefore your Petitioners pray,
that said Person so chosen may not be admitted as a represent-
ative for said Town ; But that a new Writ may be sent to said
Town, and that such order may be taken with respect to Town
officers as to you shall seem good, or such other relief granted
as your Honors may think fit, —
Moses Chase ~) A Committee for this
Reuben Jerald >- purpose chosen by
William Ripley ) the Town of Cornish
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1782, a hearing on the foregoing
was ordered for the next session. — Ed.]
CORNISH. 447
[3-51] \_Co7icerni)ig Election of Represe7ztativcJ\
State of New \ To the hon''' the Council and House of Rep-
Hampshire j resentatives in General Court Assembled
The Petition of Samuel Chase in belialf of the Town of
Cornish humbly sheweth That the said Town of Cornish,
(when the present mode of Representation was adopted) was
coupled with several other Towns for Choosing a Represent-
ative and that by Reason of the late disturbances respecting
jurisdiction &c, the said Town of Cornish hath not been rep-
resented in the Assembly of this State, and cannot be at pres-
ent, as the Towns Coupled with said Cornish as aforesaid, are
at present as they say, very much in a State of Nature, your
Petitioner therefore prays the Hon''' Court that a precept may
issue impowering said Cornish to Choose a Representative to
represent them in the General Assembly and your Petitioners
shall as in Duty bound ever pray
Concord March 31^' 17S2
Sam^ Chase
[In H. of Rep., March 21, 1782, a precept was ordered
to be issued. — Ed.]
[3-53] \_Z)iidIcy Chase s Memo rial. '\
State of New | To the honourable Council and House of
Hampshire ) Representatives for said State in General As-
sembly convened, at Concord the 17 of Decem-
ber 17S3 —
Humbly shews the Inhabitants of the Town of Cornish —
That whereas the difficulties and disputes, so long subsisting
in this Town not being settled by the General Court as was
expected are by no means abated, but rather increased, for the
People do not meet or Act in Town Aflairs, or pay Rates, as
they think they are not on a legal footing, by reason of there
being still two setts of Officers in Town ; which occasioned
there not being more than five or six Votes for the present
Representative and a great part of the People refusing to act
with either party — we therefore most humbly pray that some-
thing may be done for our relief as in your wisdom shall be
thought proper Your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever
pray
Dudley Chase In behalf of
the Selectmen, and by the desire of a great Part of the Inhabi-
tants of said Town —
448 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[3-53] \_Petition of Selectmen^ lySj.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable General Assembly convened at Concord on
the second Tuesday of June A D 1783.
The Petition of the Select men in behalf of the People of
the Town of Cornish humbly sheweth,
That whereas the Honourable Assembly at their session in
December last did divide the District to which we formerly be-
longed, by reason of which, it became necesary that a new Pre-
cept should be issued to each as they now stand, to appoint
Members to represent them in General Assembly ; it so hap-
pened that no Precept was received by the District of Cornish,
owing, (as we suppose) to some neglect in the person whose
business it was to transmit said Precept, or to the Person to
whose care it was intrusted. And it appears, however, that
the said Precept was in the hands of Cap' Ebenezer Green of
Lime who refused to deliver it to your Petitioners, the Select
men of said Town of Cornish, legally chosen, and qualified, or
to any other Inhabitants of said Town ; untill we should make
a settlement of the Difficulties, heretofore, and now subsisting
in said Town. —
By reason of which, it became impossible for us regularly to
proceed to elect a Representative to sit in General Assembly. —
Notwithstanding which, certain Persons who were but a very
inconsiderable part of the people of this Town, did proceed to
warn a meeting, and to appoint Col" Jonathan Chase to repre-
sent this Town in General Assembly. —
Contrary to the mind of a very large majority of the proper
Voters in said Town. In consequence of which, your Peti-
tioners in behalf of the People of this Town, did make propos-
als, to the People of said Town, with w^hom we have been at
variance, for an accomodation viz, submiting all controverted
matter to the determination of indifterent men to be mutually
chosen ; a compliance with which, they entirely neglected.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that the said CoP
Jonathan Chase may not be admited to a Seat as a member of
your Honourable Assembly : — But that another Precept may
be issued, and that it may be sent, by some person who shall
deliver it to the Select men, that they may be enabled to notify
a meeting according to Law, and common usage, that a Repre-
sentative may be elected agreably to the mind of the major
part of the qualified Voters, that this Town may no longer suf-
fer the inconvenience of Non-representation : but that imder
your care and direction, they may enjoy that priviledge to which
they humbly conceive they are entitled, (with other their fel-
low Citizens) in having a free and legal Representation. — We
CORNISH. 449
would beg liberty also to inform, that unhappily from some
cause or other, the Orders of the General Assembly from time
to time to this Town have not been received by us. and we ai'e
very Jealous they have been surreptitiously detained, even the
late Act for a new proportion we have not received : — But as
the Inhabitants in general are free and willing to bear their Pro-
portion of Taxes, they have to the number of ninety Inhabi-
tants given in an Invoice, and only nineteen refused, and some
of that number upon this only principle, that they knew not
who were legally (as they say) the Selectmen. This fact, we
humbly conceive, demonstratively shews the State of this
Town, and therefore in a case so evident, cannot doubt of your
Honour's compliance in granting our reasonable request, or
otherwise in your great Wisdom grant relief and vour Petition-
ers as in duty bound shall ever Pray.
William Ripley^ The selectmen of
Reuben Jerald v Cornish for and
Daniel Chase ) in behalf of the
Town
[For documents relative to the aforesaid controversy, see
Vol. X.— Ed.]
[3~54] \_Petitio7i of Moses Chase. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the hon" the council and house of Representatives of Said
State The petition of Moses Chase of Cornish in the county of
Cheshire in said State Humbly Sheweth — That in the year 1780
there being an alarm for the people, Releive Inhabitants of
Roayalton being then Bcsett by the Enemy — At the Special Re-
quest of Gen" Benjamin Bellows — Who was proceeding for
their Relief with Part of his command I Issued provisions to a
Considerable amount as per Receipt herewith Exhibited which
your petitioner hath never since Received any Compensation
for and in no way heretofore pointed out by the Legislature
therefor — as a Dernier Resort Your petitioner therefore pros-
trates himself with this application to your honours for some
way to be pointed out for his accomptto be Satisfied And prays
that he may have an order on the Treasurer of Said State for
the amount of his Issues — or in any other way, that your hon-
ours in your great Wisdom Shall think most Just and Eqitable
— And your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray
Exeter 9"^ April 1784
Moses Chase
30
450 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3— 5=^] \_Da/ncl Piffna/u relative to Chase's Ferry <'\
Coniish March 26 1784
I Daniel Putnam of Lawful Age Do testify & say that I was
one of the first Settlers in the Town of Cornish and for many
years (in the Infant State of the Town) there was not any Road
on the west side of the Riyer from Charleston up the Riyer to
Winsor and it Became Nesesaiy that there should Be a ferrey
to Cross the Riyer from Cornish to Winsor and the Select men
of Cornish (Haying the Honor to Be one of them m3'self)
Conclud that the most proper place for said ferrey would be to
Cross the Riyer from Col" Jonathan Chases in Cornish to Lieut
Dayid stones at Winsor and so Consequently the ferry Road
must go through Col" Chases Medow and Did go through said
medow for many years to His great Damage the Col" applyed
to the Town for assistance abought makeing the Road and
Build Boats for the purpose Butthay Granted him no Releaf the
Col" made a Boat and Canoe Told Lieut, stone if he would
tend the ferry faithfully he should haye the use of them. Lieut,
stone Did Tend the ferry Very Regular for a Number of years
and as the Contrey increased with inhabetence Consequently
Cattle increased and in such Droyes that I haye known them
Lay in the medow for half a Da}- at a time Before thay Could
posably get them across the Riyer and indeed Did great Damage
to the grain as well as grass Col" Chase aplyed to the Town for
Recompence as he suffered so much Damages without one
tarthing of any adyantage But they \yould not grant him any
Releaf, only told him that he should haye the ferry to himself
and it would Become profitable enough in a short time to make
up his Damages and Consequently the Col" moyed the ferry a
Little further up the Riyer and \yith great Cost made an Ex-
ceeding good Road and Landing place
further the Deponant saith not
Daniel Putnam
State of New") Cornish march y* 27*'' 17S4. parsonaly ap-
Hampshire > peared Daniel Putnam the subscriber to the fore
Cheshire, ss ) Going Decleration and made Solemn oath to the
same to be the truth the wholl truth and Nothing but the truth —
before me — Sam' Chase justice of peace
[R. 244] \_]SIeinorlal of General yonathan Chase. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the honourable Council and House of Representatiyes for
said State in General Assembly conyened at Concord the
18 of December 17S3.
The humble Petition of Jonathan Chase of Cornish in the
CORNISH. 451
Countv of Cheshire and State aforesaid Esq"" humbly shews —
That whereas your Petitioner in the beginning of the hite war
was appointed Col. of a Regiment, and having repeatedly been
called upon by the Court of said State, to muster his Regi-
ment, and to march on sudden alarms and on other services, to
all which calls he ever chearfuUy complied with, for a part of
which services he received public securities (a part of which
yovu' Petitioner thinks himself greatlv injured by reason of the
Courts prefixing ditlei'ent depreciations on said securities) and
also for a months provision for his Regiment being called upon
by the General of the armv for the same, in the fall of the year
when General Burgoin \vas captured — and likewise to furnish-
ing (the then) Col. Hazen with Teams and Carriages to and
from Co'os, with Beef and Flour to the amount of several Hun-
dred Pounds silver money for which your Petitioner has not
received pay or secm'ity — after this being apph'd to by General
Washington and others with the authority of the State of New
Hampshire and the Massachusetts to lay up a Qiiantit}- of grain
in order for an Expedition to Canada which your Petitioner
did to the amount of upwards of a Thousand Pounds silver
money, for which grain your Petitioner was called upon for,
and did make a return of to the Commissary, which grain was
kept in store till it was greatly damaged by weavels, and almost
intirely ruined — applying to the Commissarv he gave orders as
it would not speedilv be wanted for public use for your Peti-
tioner to make the best he could of it — a part of which your
Petitioner sold for paper money for about one half the prime
cost, shortly before said money was of no value, a great part
of which remains now on hand — the remainder of said wheat
was violently taken from your Petitioner to supply the Forces
on the northern Frontiers for which your Petitioner has not
received pay — Besides all this your Petitioner has been at great
Expense with his Regiment upon sudden and frequent alarams,
for all which your Petitioner has not received pay or security,
and now is indebted and called upon for large sums of money
in Boston and elsewhere which your Petitioner borrowed in
order to prosecute and carry on the above orders ; wliich is
not in his power to answer unless some relief may be had from
the state. And further as your Petitioner in the hrst settlement
in this Country has been at great trouble and Cost in Hxing a
Ferry over Connecticut River from Cornish to Windsor and in
making a road through his own land to said Ferry for public
use which is now arrested out of your Petitioners hands by
the authority of Vermont which may appear by their doings
thereon.
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays tliat yom- Honours
in vour wisdom would see tit to grant vour Petitioner a Charter
452
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of said Ferry — and also that your Honours would in your wis-
dom grant relief to the above Petitions — Your Petitioner as
in duty bound will ever pray.
Jon"^ Chase
[The exclusive right to a ferry over a certain part of
Connecticut river was granted to General Chase in 1784. —
Ed.]
[3~57] [ ^^i^^i^^ni Deming's Recoj/imendation.']
To His Excellency the Presedent and Honerable Privy Council
of the State of New Hampshire.
Whereas there is but one Justes of the Peace in the town of
Cornish and very Remote from the Major part of the Inhabe-
tance we your petitioners Humbly Desier that M"" William
Deming may be appointed into that office
Cornish Sep'' 9 — 17S6
Nath^ Carpenter
David Smith
Elisha Herrick
Ebenezer Rawson
Solomon Chase
John Pike Jun'"
Joshua page
Elias Cady
Benjamin Jackson
Dier spaulding
Joseph Bartlet
Jabes shapley
John Bartlet
Sam" Fitch
William Pain
Eleas. Bingham
James Freeman
Reuben Jareld
Eben'' Deming
Seth Deming
Joseph Chase
Nichols Cady
Ephriam French
James spaulding
Joseph stark
Sam" Wickwire
Daniel Putnam
Luther Hilliard
Sam"Hilliard
James Fitch
Hezekiah Fitch
David Higgins
Lovel Kimbal
Samuel Pike
Moses Chase
Sam' Hildreth
Caleb Chase
John pike
Peter Chase
Robert Willson
Sam" Wickwire
David Orvis
Stephen Chase
Joseph Edmons
William Choat
Zebediah Fitch
Eleazer Cate
Jonahan Higgins
James Cate
[3-58]
[^Relative to Vermont Controversy. '\
To the Honorable Senate and the Honorable House of Repi'e-
sentatives of the General Court of New Hampshire in Gen-
eral Assembly Convened —
Humbly sheweth the Petition of the Subscribers Subjects of
s*^ State. That the Inhabitants of a certain territory of Land
West of Connecticut River on the Western Borders of this
CORNISH. 453
State, and within the boundaries of the United States, have as-
sociated together and xA.ssumed Jurisdiction by the name of the
State of Vermont ; Independent of any One of the States in
the confederacy, and without the concent of the United States
in Congress Assembled ; do Exercise many and various Acts of
Opression Injustice and cruelty towards the good Subjects of
the State of New hampshire by seizing and embezzling our
property which lies within their Limits, and under pretence of
dues to them Assesing and lev3'ing contributions on our Lands
for pretended Services whereby we derive no benefit, but much
real, and Escential injury, and such Acts of Extortion and Op-
pression they Sanctity by Laws of their own formation, in Vi-
olation of the Laws of Nations and the principles of the con-
federation of the United States. The most Oppressive of which
ai'e the Survey x^ct and the quieting Act so called ; by the
former their Surveyor-General is directed to Survey s"* Teri-
tory, and exhibit his Accompts to their Council of his demands
for Surveying each Town to be by them Adjusted, and if with-
in thirty days after s'^ Adjustment the Sum Allowed is not paid
in hard money Extents are Issued, and Sufficient Land sold for
Paying the Same, with cost of Levying without any Equity of
redemption. And the lines of s'^ Towns that have been Settled
upwards of Twenty Years so xA-ltered and Curtailed by the
Mere Opinion of s*^ Surveyor or his Deputy without the right
of Trial by Jury, that a new Allotment is Necessar\-. and by
the latter a possession of Land however wrongfully Obtained
and kept eventually Affects the Tittle —
Farther the Inhabitants of s'^ Territory do in a Lawless and
Riotous Manner make Inroads on the Frontiers of this State,
and take from hence the peacable Subjects of New Hampshire
to their Prison, in Open Violation & contempt of the Good and
wholsome Laws of this State which they set at defiance, and
Screan themselves within s'^ Territory —
Your Petitioners therefore Humbly Pra\^ that the Honour-
able Legislature of this State will be pleased to interpose in be-
half of the Persons and properties of the Good Subjects of this
State, and defend them from the Above mentioned and other
injurious measures of the Inhabitants of s'^ Territory and pro-
tect them from tiie pernicious Influence of their iniquitous Acts
of Legislation in such way and Manner as the Wisdom of this
Honorable Court shall direct as the most proper and Eftcctiial
to Obtain the desired End. And your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever Prav —
Cornish May 1786
Sam" Chase W" Deming
Robert Willson Solomon Chase
John Morse Joshua Crosman
454 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
David Orvis Ithamar Chase
Daniel Putnam Seth Demming
Sam" Putnam Joseph Taylor
Jeremiah Morse Sam" Chase Jun''
Joseph Holland Abner Rawson
Eben'' Demming Jonathan Chase
Matthias Stone John Cook
[3-63] \_Pef/t/o?i for a Poll Parish.']
To the Hon''''' General Court of the State of New hampshireto
convene at Concord on the third day of June instant —
The petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Cornish and Plainfield in the County of Cheshire in said State,
Humbly sheweth That the great diversity of Sentiment, in mat-
ters of religion, and the jarring Opinions concerning the most
suitable place for buildings for religious worship, renders it im-
possible ever to ertect such union in either of said Towns as to
enable them happily to settle and maintain the Gospel Ministry
amongst them with that harmony which ought ever to reign in
religious Societies, without a division of said Town into Par-
ishes.— And whereas the inhabitants of diflerent sentiments are
so intermixed in their Settlements that Parish lines would not
effect the desired end — Your petitioners therefore pray the Gen-
eral Couit to grant the Subscribers with such others as may
hereafter join with them such privileges and immunities of a
Poll parish as may enable them to erect and maintain in proper
repair a place for Public Worship and to raise and apply money
for the support of the Ministry among them and with such
other privileges as may be necessary for the well ordering of
parish affairs. —
Cornish, November the ist A D 17SS
Elisha Read Joseph Kinj-on Samuel Bartlet
James Hunter Simon Blanchard Joel Hildreth
Walter Foss Joshua Woodward Samuel Mackres
Thomas Hall Abel Stone Abel Johnson
Nathaniel Higgins Moody Hall James Ripley
Thomas Lewey Will'" Ripley David Read
Abel Stone Ju"" Jesse Johnson Levi Stone
Daniel Freeman John Cadv Joseph Smith
Jabez Spicer Chester Chapman Daniel Cole
John Bartlett Nathan Hains Nathan Whiting
Benj'" Read Hezekiah Fitch James Fitch
John Lucas Nath" Bartlet Andrew Tracy
Jonathan Read Samuel Read Elisha Herrick
CORNISH. 455
John Spaulding Lovil Kimlxill James Ladieu
Reuben Jerald Josiah Stone Moses Chase
John Whitten \\'ill'" Lewey Samuel Fitch
Eliphalet Kimball Moses Barrows David Smith
Jun"' Moses Barrows Jun"'
This Certifies that a Copy of the within Petition and order of
the Court thereon was posted up in a public place in the towns
of Cornish and Plainfield and also a Copy of the same deliv-
ered to the Selectmen of each Town on the first day of De-
cember A D 1 7SS agreable to the order of Court —
In behalf of the Petitioners Attest Will™ Ripley
Cornish December 20"* A D 17SS Reuben Jerald
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 8, 1788, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[3-62] \_Objections to a Poll Pai'ish.~\
To His Excellency the President of the State of Newhamp-
shire, and the Honorable Senet & House of Representatives
in General Court convened,
The Objections of the Town of Cornish against the Petition
for a Poll Parish sheweth as follows : First — That the Town in
full Meeting Voted almost unanimously (except the petition-
ers,) to oppose said petition —
Secondly — That there is a prevailing disposition in the Peo-
ple of this Town, (except the aforesaid) to accommodate the
Town by building a Meeting House in the center thereof, and
there is fair prospect of a general union taking place as there is
a commitee now appointed for the purpose of forming a plan
of lilieral principals, to be laid before the Town at the next
annual Meeting, by which the afore said union may be more
eftectualy completed —
Thirdly That a Poll parish established here would throw
the Town into confusion ; distroy the peace & hermony
thereof; promote discord & strife and lay a foundation for fu-
tur controversy & disorder, and for the afibresaid reasons we
hum1)ly desire that there may not be a Poll Parish established
in this Town — And as in duty bound shall ever pray
Cornish Dec. 17, 1788
Dudley Chase "1
vSanuiel Coming^s r,, r^
T-^ • I r>.i )- 1 own Lommittee
Daniel Chase
Eleazer Jackson
456 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-61] \^Relative to paying Ministerial Hates.']
Cornish Decern'' 19'^ 1788
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Cornish
held the 25* of June A D 17S3 the following Vote was pas'* —
Viz—
That from and after the 39*'^ of Sept next no person Shall be
held or bound by Civil Contract, to pay any taxes for the Sup-
port of the Gospel, unless he Shall previously Consent thereto.
a true Coppy attest Caleb Chase Town Clerk
[3-60]
We the subscribers having formeidy signed a petition to the
General Court for a Poll Parish in the Towns of Cornish and
Plainheld having by more mature deliberation considered its pre-
nitious aftects and finding there is a promising prospect of this
Town generaly uniting in one Society and being persuaded
that a Pole Parish established here would gi'ately impead said
union — do hereby resind from the above mentioned petition
As witness our Hands
Cornish Decern: 21'' 17SS David Smith
John Lucas
Samuel Mackres
Moses Burrows
[R. 247] S^Documents relative to ISfathaniel Curtice^ Sol-
dier.]
The diposition of Moses Chase Jur. of lawful age testifys
and says — that I was in the Continental service in general
gates Departinent and was knowing to Nath' Cvn"tice's being a
soldier there in Cap" Waits Company and belonged to the
artillery
Aloses Chase Jr.
[R. 248.]
The Diposition of Nathaniel Bartlet of lawful age testifyes
and says — that I was in the army in general gates Department
and in the year 1777 had knowledge of Nathaniel Curtises be-
longing to the army and Did the Duty of a soldier in the
artillery-
Nathaniel Bartlet
(R. 249) [Daniel Chase testifies in a similar manner.
They were in General Stark's command. Curtice was
ruptured in the scrotum, so say " David Hall Sol" Chase
Physicians " of Cornish. — Ed. J
CORNISH. 457
[R. 2^0] \_Me/)io?-ial of Andrew Wilkins, Soldier.'] .
[In a petition dated 1794, Andrew Wilkins, of Cornish,
says that he was a soldier in Col. Bedel's regiment in
Canada in 1776; was taken prisoner at the Cedars by the
British and Indians, and the Indians "striped him of all
his clothes except one shirt and one pair of Breeches, also
a very valuable gun," etc., all of the value of ;^io-io,
which he asks the state to pay. — Ed.]
[3~^5] \_Petition for Lottery. '\
To the General Court of the State of New Hampshire now
convened at Concord.
The Petition of Nathan Smith of Cornish in said State hum-
bly sheweth.
That whereas it is a thing much to be deplored that the health
& even lives of the good people of this State have heretofore
been much endangered thro the unskilfuluess of ignorant Phy-
sicians with whom the Country has abounded and with whom it
is highlv probable it ever will be embarrassed untill some en-
couragement is given by the Legislature in order that the Study
of Physic may be pursued with advantage — and whereas the
strict regulations of the neighboring States have caused many,
who have not been regularly approbated, to intrude themselves
into this State ; & who bv their ungrounded pretentions to the
knowledge of Physic have imposed on the incautious. — Your
Petitioner therefore with defference humbly conceives it to be a
matter of high importance to the communitv at large as well as
to the safety of individuals, that something be done to remedy
those evils and that no method will be more effectual than the
encouragement of the regular studv of Physic & surgerv And
whereas your Petitioner has by assiduity and a long study ob-
tained the approbation of the Medical Societies & a degree of
Bachelor of Physic from the university of Cambridge & has for
some years been a Practitioner in the Town afores'd — And
whereas a number of young Gentlemen are desirous of pursu-
ing, under his derections a course of studies & of being regular-
ly introduced into the profession — Your Petitioner being deeply
impressed with a desire to aleviate the burdens of the sick &
distressed and confidentially relying on your patronage to pro-
mote so benevolent a purpose & being unable to furnish his
young Students with a library for their improvement, most
humbly prays that he may have libertv, by a Lottery to raise
the simi of one hundred pounds which he will become obligated
as the general Court may direct to lay out in purchasing a I^i-
458 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
brary of Physic & surgery for the advantage of Students in that
part of the State, and will chearfully become bound with suffi-
cient sureties that said Library shall be considered as public
property and appropriated soley for the benefit of those who
are by study in a regular way accomplishing themselves for the
afores'd profession. And your Petitioner as in duty bound will
ever pray
Nathan Smith
Jan^ 18"^ 1 79 1
[3-66J S^Joiiathan Chase for Charter for Canal from
Connecticut River to ^lerrimack River .^
State of Newhampshire —
To the Hon^'*^ the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Amherst the first Wednesday in
June AD 1794 —
The petition of Jonathan Chase Esq'' of Cornish humbly
prays. That whereas your Petitioner has been at considerable
expence in looking out a convenient place for conveving boats
from Connecticut river to Merrimack by means of locks and
sluices being encouraged thereto by a number of Gentlemen in
Boston and elsewhere ; and as the practicability of such convey-
ance cannot be ascertained without considerable expence in
surveying the %vaters and grounds ; your Petitioner prays for
the exclusive privilege to him and his associates, of cutting a
canal from Connecticut River to Merrimack bv way of Sanni-
pee pond, if such a thing should be found practicable on further
examination. —
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray —
Jon''* Chase
[3~^7] \_yonathan Chase for a Toll-Bridg-e.']
State of New hampshire —
To the Hon'''" the Senate & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Amherst the first Wednesday in June
AD 1794.
The petition of Jonathan Chase Esq"" of Cornish humbly
sheweth, that some time since your Petitioner obtained a grant
for a ferry over Connecticut river, between Cornish and Wind-
sor ; and the inhabitants of Cornish, Windsor, and the adjacent
towns are desirous of having a bridge built over s'' river —
Your Petitioner desires the privilege of building s'' bridge, in
CORNISH. 459
such place as will best accomodate the public, between Cornish
and Windsor. And as he must be at great expence for the
same before it can be any ways profitable, your Petitioner re-
quests the exclusive right for the same, for a certain number of
years with the price of toll stated, as your Honors in your wis-
dom shall think proper; and also the exclusive right of building
a bridge on s^ river, for twenty miles on s'^ river, extending ten
above and ten below s*^ bridge. And as in dut}' bound will
ever pray —
Jon"' Chase
[The foregoing was granted by an act approved January
I4> 1 795 -—Ed.]
[3-6S] \^Episcopal Church for I?icorporation.'\
To the Hon'''^ the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire,
in general court assembled. The petition of the subscribers
members of the Episcopal Society in Cornish, in said State,
humbly sheweth
That for many years, we who once composed the original so-
ciety in said Town, have been subjected to great inconveniences,
for want of public religious worship and instruction, by the de-
sertion of a large part of the people of said Cornish, but ai"e
now unitedly associated, without infringing upon the peace or
prosperity of any other society, and hope by the divine bless-
ing, to become a regular & well ordered congregation.
Encouraged by the Hon"" Legislatures indulging other relig-
ious societies, with acts of incorporation, we hereby request
that we may also be incorporated, by an act of General Court,
by the name of Christ's Church, with power to receive, and
hold property both real and personal, and to have and enjoy all
other privileges and immunities belonging to a corporate body.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. —
Cornish May 20"*
1794
Caleb Chase ) t,- ,
AT 4.1 • 1 TT 11 " ^* ardens
Nathaniel Hall j
Dudley Chase
Dier .Spalding
Jonatlian Chase J- Vestr} men
Andrew Wilkins
Solomon Chase
[The church was incorporated December 24, 1795, by the
name of Trinity Church. — En.]
460 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-70] [^Relative to Lands reserved ^07' Glebe., etc.'\
To the Honourable the Legislator of the State of New Hamp-
shire to be Convened at Concord the first Wednesday of De-
cember.
The Petition of the Select Men of Cornish Humbly Sheweth
That theire is two rights of Land in the Town of Cornish
one Called the Gleab the other the propegating right which re-
mains uncultivated : Consequently are no Income to the town
or any other person and your Petitioners Conceive that Said
Rights of Land was Granted for the benefit of the town.
Your Petitioners therefore pray that your Honours would
take the matter under your wise Consideration and Grant unto
the Said town of Cornish the privilidge of appropriating one
or both of the aforesaid Rights of Land to the Suppoii of
Schooling in Said town or Some other publick use for the Ben-
ifit of Said town as you in your Wisdom vShall think best and
your Petition'''' as in duty bound will Ever Pray
Dated at Cornish first Day of December 1795
Joseph Chapman ~\
Eleazar Jackson > Select Men
David Read )
[3-71] S^Relative to Removal of Dead Persons.']
To the Hon'''" Gen' Court to be conven'^ at Exeter on the fii'st
Wednesday of June
LIumbly sheweth that whereas the dead have been molested
& the body of one man removed from a public Burying ground
in Cornish & in complyance to directions received at our March
Meeting by a unanimous vote of the Lihabitants of the town,
we 3^our petitioners in behalf of the Inhabitants & ourselves
humbly pray you to take the matter into your wise Considera-
tion & pass an act whereby perpetraters may be punished &
the dead securly rest — In duty bound shall ever pray
Cornish 27"^ May 1796
W"' Deming'
MoodvHall|g^l^^^
T3 .„ T->, V Men
Benj'' Dorr )
CORXISH. 461
[3-73] \_Petition for Incorporation of Libra7-y.'\
To the Honorable General Court of the State of Newhampshire
now conven'^ at Portsmouth
Humbl}- sheweth the petetion of the subscribers That they
with a nmnber of others inhabitants of the town of Cornish,
have purchased a considerable number of Books for the pur-
pose of a social Library in said Town, therefore pray that they
with their associates may be incorporated into a body politic,
with such privileges as usually granted in such cases
And as in duty bound will ever pray
Lvman Spalding
Itii'' Chase
Nov'" 37* 1797
[The library was incorporated December 11, 1797. — Ed,]
[3-73] Petition for I}icorporation of Congregat i o)i al So-
ciety.'\
To the Hon'^'*^ General Court of the State of Ne\\hampshire
The petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Cornish in the County of Cheshire in s'^ State Humblv Shew-
eth— That the diversity of sentiments in matters of religion
(there being an Episcopal and a Baptist vSociety in s*^ Town)
renders it difficult to build a Meeting house & settle and main-
tain the Gospel Ministry among them as a Town. And
whereas the People of different Sentiments are so intermixed
in their Settlements, that parish lines would not effect the de-
sired purpose — your petitioners therefore pray the General
Court, to incorporate the Subscribers with such others as shall
be disposed to join with them, into a Society by name of the
Congregational Society in Cornish, with such privileges and
immunities as may ennable them to erect and maintain in
proper repair a House for public worship, and to raise and ap-
ply money for the support of the Gospel Ministry amongst us —
and with such other privileges as may be necessary for the
well ordering of parrish affairs, —
And as in duty bound shall ever pray,
Cornish November the 21st 1798
Andrew Tracy Asa Coburn Elias Marti ndale
James Gage Lemuel Tracy Joshua Wvman
Moses Harrington Philip Taber Jacob Whipple
W" Choate y Ichabod Smith J'' James Hunter
462
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Williams
Dudley Coburn
Simeon Butterfield
Josiar Stone
Daniel Chase
David Davis
Moody Hall
David Smith
Thomas Hastings
Elisha Herrick
Samuel Fitch
Benj" Smith
Samuel Paine
Benj" Dorr
Nathaniel Pierce
Samuel Bartlet 3°'^
Robert Nevins
Joseph Smith
Timothy W. Hall
Thomas Luey
Moody Chase
Reuben Jerrold
James Ripley
Benj. Corning
Jonath" Bingham
Nath' Huggins
Eben"" Martindale
Jabez Spicer
Samuel Bartlet
W" Bartlet
Asa Coburn 3"''
Nathaniel Curtis
James Harlow
Frederick Binaham
vSamuel Whitton
Edward Kimball
Clement Chase
W" Ripley
Eben' Cobb
Eliphalet Kimball Jr
Nathan Rand
Aaron Harrington
Lovell Kimball
Hezekiah Fitch
Samuel Wickwire
Thomas Hall
Joseph Tabor
Isaac Simons
Abel Fairbanks
\\"' Lane
W" Choate
[Incorporated by an act approved June 14, 1799. — Ed.]
\^From General C/iase's Papers. '\
A List of the Foot ]Militia Company in Cornish May the 25th
A. D. 1776.
Capt. Solomon ChaseSimeon Chase
Lieut Daniel Chase Francis Dana
Serg*^ Robert Wilson Nathaniel Dustin
" Eleazer Jackson Zebediah Fitch
" Stephen Cady Samuel Fitch
" Samuel Chase 3d Jona. Huggins,
Corp^ Stephen Childs David Huggins
" Benj. Commings Moses Hall
" Peter Chase Moody Hall
Drummer Sam' Hill-William Pavn
yard
Ebenezer Brewer
John Chase
James Cate
Thomas Chase
Salmon Chase
Moses Currier
Nicholas Cady
Joshua Page
William Ri^^ley
Azariah Spaulding
Andrew Spaulding
Andrew Spaulding
John W iden
James Wellman, Jr
Larm men.
Isaac Wellman
Solomon Wellman
Joseph Vinson
John Well
Josiah Stone
Eben'' Dresser
Caleb Pleastrig
Nathaniel Good-
speed
Joseph Bartlet
Richard Hawley
Joseph Spaulding
Abel Spaulding
Jabez Spicer
John Moore
Elijah Carpenter
W" Darlinsr
Elias Cady
Capt Dier Spaulding
Samuel Chase Jr.
Briant Brown
CROYDON. 463
S^From General Chase's Papers.']
A return of whole Qiiota of Continental men belonging
To Cornish in Col° Jon"' Chase Ridgerment
Names.
Age.
Names.
Age.
Curtis Cady
23
Jon"' Currier
3S
Nath' Curtis
4-
Loring Tomson
21
Daniel Putnam
39
W'" Richardson
23
Moses Brown
20
David Currier
36
Peter Spicer
31
Gail Cole
21
Nath' Bartlet
31
John Bartlett
19
Moses Chase Jur.
19
[The foregoing were mustered January, 1777, for three
years, and were in Colonel Cilley's regiment. — Ed.]
CROYDON
The town was granted May 31, 1763, to Samuel Chase
and others, in seventy-one equal shares; and probably de-
rived its name from an English town. Settlements were
made in 1766 by families from Grafton and Sutton, Mass.
It was re-granted Dec. 21, 1768, in consequence of condi-
tions broken.
By an act approved Dec. 3, 1808, the line between this
town and Grantham was established, whereby some terri-
tory, which had been under the jurisdiction of Croydon, was
declared to belong to Grantham. By an act approved June
4, 1809, some territory was severed from this town and
annexed to Cornish. Croydon was one of the towns which
joined Vermont, and was represented in the convention at
Cornish, April, 1781, by Moses Whipple.
[3-74] \_Pet/'tio>i for a re-grant of the Town.']
Province of New ] To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq''
Hampshire ) Captain Gen" Governor and Commander in
Chief of the Province aforesaid and Vice Admiral of the
same, in Council —
The Petition of Ephraim Shearman of Crovdon in behalf of
himself and the Grantees of said Township Humbly Shews
That your Petitioners have so far complied with the Condi-
tions of the Charter of said Township as to make a settlement
464 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Fifteen Rights, with familys upon them, besides five others
that are now improving, together with Two mills — tho' with
great inconvenience, Expence & Difficultv — having cut a good
Passable Road to about the middle of said Township — and
have now the pleasing hopes of a fine Settlement, if your Ex-
ceW^ and Honors will please to grant them some further in-
dulgences, by continuing their Charter some reasonable time, as
to your Excell*^-^' & Honors shall seem meet & necessary. And
your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Ephraim Shearman
Portsm" I for self and the other Grantees of Croy-
Novem'' 10* 176S \ don aforesaid
[The town was re-granted December 21, 1768. — Ed.]
[3-7^] l^J/ary Howe's Petitio7i.~\
To the Hon. Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hamshire in general Court assembled
The Petition of widow IVlary How of Croydon in vSaid State
wherein She humbly Sheweth that in the month of September
last her Husband James How died leaving three Children : one
Son about Six years old and two daughters younger that the
homestead Farm he died Seized of Contains 150 Acres with a
Small dwelling house and about thirty Acres of improved land
under Such circumstances that it is impossible for her to im-
prove to the advantage of the heirs, and it is the opinion of the
principal men of the Town it will be best for said heirs to have
said Farm Sold as the paper annexed will Shew : and She
humbly prays She may be impowered by the Honorable Court
to Sell Said Estate for the benefit of the heirs and as in duty
bound Shall pray
Mary Howe
Croydon July 28* 17 78
[3-76]
We the Subscribers inhabitants of the Town of Croydon are
of the opinion it will be much best for the heirs of M"' James
How (late of this Town deceased) to have the homestead Farm
he died Seiz'd of Sold
Croydon July 28«^ 17 78
John Cooper Ezra Cooper Timothy Fisher
William Winter Benj" Swineton Joseph Hall
David Powers ISIoses Whipple
CROYDON. 465
[3-77] \_ReIative to Election of Representatives. '\
State of I To the Honorable the Councel and House
New Hampshire j of Representatives Conven*^ at Exeter the
Third Wednesday of Dec'' 1779
We your Hon"'* Petitioners Give your Hon'''' to understand
that thro' some inadvertance or neglect of the Select Men of
Unity the District of Croydon Newport Saville Unity Lemster
and Ack worth were not legally notified to Meet for the Choice
of a Representative and Counsellors altho' the Precept from
your Hon'* was Seasonably Brought into Unity we are inform"^
as by the Notification hereto Annexed will appear which Noti-
fication bears Equal date with those that were sent to the other
Towns in said District and none of the Towns rec*^ Notifications
but about 6 days at most before the day of Choice altho' 15
days is the time Provided by the precept Nevertheless Ten
Persons from the Towns of Ackworth Lemster Saville Croy-
don and Newport and Ten only with a Number from Unity
Mett at Time and Place for Choice &c and made Proclamation
that a Representative was Chosen but we your Petitioners Con-
fiding in your Hon"" Integrity and Steady adhereance to our
Present Necessary Constitution we cannot doubt but if any
Person persumes to ofier himself to be qualified as a member
of your hon''' Body as Representative for the district afores*^
yovu' honors will refuse him Admission the notification not be-
ing Legal your Petitioners presume your Hon''^ Stand in Need
of no other Evidence to Judge the Proceedings of said Meet-
ing Void We would also Give your hon''* to understand that
if the Towns aforesaid had been Properly notified the bigger
Part would not have attended by Reason the district is so
Large that Travil and Cost and the 111 Convenience of bad
roads so Cloggs the Priviledge that under our Circumstances we
think it will not Countervail the difficulties we are exposed to
nor is it more than the bare Name of a Priviledge and as the
aforesaid district tho" Large and Contained Near about i ^o
families when Class'd by the hon''' Assembly for Peace and or-
der Sake readily acquiesced in v"" Hon''* appointment and Have
till this time and Being Assured by the then Plan of Govern-
ment which was out of mere Necessity Adopted in our infant
State and remains still the foundation of the Authority of this
State that as the Numbers in any district encreased so Rep-
resentation should be enlarged in Equal proportion and
the aforesaid District being now increased to 2^0 families or
more Pray your hon""^ that said District mav be Divided
Namely Croydon Newport and Saville be Classed togather and
Lemster Ackworth and Unity and Pray your honors to Issue
Precepts accordingly that we may enjoy a Privilege which we
31
466 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Doubt not y"" Hon''^ will Judge we ai*e intitled to and which we
highly Prize, and altho' there Some popular towns which may
Clame a Larger representation than they now Enjoy as well as
the afores*^ District vet there is a great Difference in 350 Fami-
lies being Scattered all over the Extent of 216 Square Miles
and the Same or a greater Number Living Contiguous, who
may and can upon any occasion meet at Some Central
Place without 111 Convenience but Relying that y"" hon"^^ will Do
what is right Just and Equitable in the Pramisses we rest the
whole affair with vour Hon'''' Superior Wisdom and your Peti-
tioners as in Duty Bound &c
Dated at the afores'^ Town Dec"" 8* 10*^ 11''' 1779
Moses Whipple ) Select men of
John Cooper j Croydon
Aaron Buel ] Select men of
Ezra Parmele j Newport
Joshua Gage ") Selectmen of
Sam" Gunnison j Saville
W- Cary ) o , , r
Elijah Frink Selectmen of
Allen Willeyj ^emster
Henry Silsby ] Select men of
Daniel Mack j Ackworth
[The foregoing petition was granted, and precepts
issued. — Ed.]
[3~79] \_Relatlve to Toxvn- Meeting.^
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon' Council and House of Representatives in General
Court Assembled to be Holden at Concord the third Wednes-
day of December next.
A petition of the Selectmen of Croydon v\dierein they hum-
bly Shew that on the Second Tewsday of March last the Said
Town of Croydon meet agreeable to warning by order of the
Selectmen and the Town by a great majority chose Town
Officers but not more than four men belonging to the Town
had Taken the Oath of fidelity without which no man is allowed
to Vote in Town Meetings ; by an Act of the General Court
of this State we therefore expect to be embarrassed with re-
spect to Collecting the Taxes Called for by the State and Coun-
ty therefore we your petitioners pray your Honors so far to
CROYDON. 467
establish said meeting as to enable us to Assess and the Con-
stable or Constables to Collect Said State & County Taxes and
as in duty bound Shall ever pray
Croydon Sep" 15 17S3
John Cooper "^
Jonah Stow I Selectmen
Lemuel Powers ( of Croydon
Ezra Cooper
[3-S0] \^Inventory of ijSj .~\
Polls 1 8 years old & upwards 53 — No of Acres of Tillage
Land 35 — No of Acres of Mowing Land 1S6 — No of Acres of
Pasture Land 316 — No of Horses 20 — No of Oxen 18 — No of
Cows 43 — No of Horses & Cattle 3 years old 19 — No of Horses
& Cattle 2 years old 19 — No of Horses & Cattle one year old
18 — Value of Real Estate £2232 — Money in hand & on In-
terest £32 8j' — Value of Nonresident Land £1796 35'.
The above is a true Copy of the valuation of the Polls &
Ratable Estate of the Town of Croydon taken by the Selectmen
in december i779 ^^y order of the General Assembly and was
by them Sent Seasonably but did not reach Said Court as we
are informed a few days Since if this failure has Accumulated
our Taxes we humbly pray for redress
Croydon December 20"" 1783
To the Speaker of the House of Representatives
John Cooper ") o i ^
T ID f Selectmen
Lemuel rowers > r r^ ,
-r, ^ t 01 L-roydon
Ezra Cooper j •'
[3-81] [^Relative to Invoice of i'/"/g.'\
To the Hon'*' the Councel and House of Representitives of
the State of New Hampshire now Conven*^ at Concord the Pe-
tition of Stephen Powers in behalf of the town of Croydon in
s*^ State Humbly Sheweth That the town of Croydon Did in
the year 1779 make up there Invoice and Sent it By there Rep-
resentatives and they Never Know but that the Same went in
till very lately but now understand thay were Doomed at about
thirteen Pound more than thare Invoice was at that time as
may appear by a true Coppy of said Invoice and therefore
Pray your Honors to take the matters into your wise Con-
sideration and grant Such Rclefe as you In your wisdom Sliali
Se fit and your Petitioner as in duty Bound shall Ever Pray
December 27"^ 17S3 Stephen Powers
468 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[3-S3] ^^Proceedings of To%vn-Meetlng.'\
Croydon December y® 4"^ 1786
at a Legal Town meetting Called agreeable to Orders from
the Honourable Court and the Vots Being Called for upon the
Report of the Court Committee Concerning Emitting Fifty
Thousand Pound of Paper Money and the Number for it 3
and the Number against it i3
Secondly the Votes Being Called for to See if they Would
accept of the Report of the Coui'ts Committee with this alter-
ration that the abovesaid Fifty Thousand Pounds Shall Be a
Lawfull Tender for Debts and the Number it 1 3 and against
it 3
Attest Stephen Powers Town Clerk
II3-78] \_Petition for Authority to assess a Tax for repair
of Roads. '\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire now setting in Portsmouth :
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of Ci"oydon
in the County of Cheshire Humbly sheweth. — That we your
petitioners Labour under peculiar disadvantages and difficulties
on account of the badness of our roads, there being a large
mountain over which we are obliged to maintain two high-
ways beside several large bridges to build and maintain over
the river which runs through said Town, which burthens we
conceive too heavy for the inhabitants of said Town to bear
without the Assistance of the nonresident proprietors. We
therefore Pray that this Legislature would empower the Select
Men of said Croydon to tax all the lands in said Town one
penny on the acre annually for the term of four years to be ex-
pended in making and repairing roads and Bridges in said
Town or otherwise to grant such relief as your wisdom may
see fit — and your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Dated Portsmouth Feb^ 10* 1788
Stephen Powers in behalf of
s*^ Town
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
CROYDON. 469
[3-S3] \_Relative to EIectio)i of Representative.'^
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court Convened at Concord on the First Wednes-
day of June AD. 1793
A Petition of the Votable Inhabitants of the Town of Croy-
don in the County of Cheshire. Humbly Sheweth. That in
former Years the Said Town of Croydon was Classed with the
Town of Newport and Jointly Sent a Representative to the
General Court untill the Said Newport had a Sutficient Num-
ber of Voters to Send a Member Seperate from us which was
in February 1791. Ever Since we have been Deprived of that
Enestimable Priviledge of a Seat in the General Court. And
as it would be ver}- Ditficult for us to be Classed with any other
Town that hath not a Sufficient Number of themselves And
likewise it apoears bv the Return of our Selectmen that we
have now One Hundred and Ten Voters and bv all Probability
we shall have the full Number the Constitution Requires in a
very few Years. We therefore humbly Pray your Hour* would
take this our Petition into your Wise Consideration and so Or-
der that we may have a Constitutional Right to have a Member
Sit with that Venerable Body at their Next Session and in
future and your Petitioners in Duty bound shall ever Pray.
Jesse Lane In behalf of the
petitioners
Croydon April 22'"^ ^793
At a Legal Town Meeting held this Day for the Purpose of
Petitioning the General Court for Libertv to send a Represen-
tative. Voted Unanimously that the foregoing Petition be Sent
Agreable to the Tenor thereof.
Edward Hall Ju"" Moderator
Attest Jesse Gi'een T. Clerk.
[3-S4] \_Number of Ratable Polls.']
This may Certify that thair is one Hundred and fifty four
Rateable male polls in the Valuation of the town of Croydon
for the year 1 799
Croydon November 29"" 1799
Samuel Powers
Simeon Partridee
Selectmen
of
Crovdon
470 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 351] [^Selectmeti relative to Soldiers fitrjiished.'\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Court assembled — The
petition of the Selectmen of Croydon in the Name and on be-
half of the Town wherein they humbly shew that in the year
1778 the said Town was called on to recruit four men for the
Continental service : in pursuance of said demand among oth-
ers we hired William Sisco of Savell and Perez Richardson of
Acwopth to serve three years in the Continental Battallions and
gave them an ample reward therefor — before the expiration of
said Term the said Sisco & Richardson inlisted during the war
receiving no bounty from any other Town — Your Petitioners
beg leave likewise to shew that sometime in the month of April
last we received an act of the General Coiut wherein we were
required to recruit four men our quota to fill up the Continental
Battallions and in said act the several Towns in the state had
leave to put in their claims for any they had already in the yvar
by the tenth of may following : through Misunderstanding said
act we neglected putting in our claim for said men until some-
time in September when it was to late for the Committee of
Claims to receive them.
We therefore your petitioners pray your Honors to consider
us in the matter and receive the said Sisco & Richardson two
recruits during the war in favor of this Town and as in duty
bound shall pray.
Croydon December 19* 17S2
John Cooper Moses Whipple | Selectmen of
Phinehas Sanger Abijah Hall J Croydon
Croydon paid W™ Sisco Apr. 1778 =£18, iS, — good money
Perez Richardson 17, 13, — 4 do
Perez Richardson claimed by Acworth May 24, 1782 —
[May 20th, 1786, John Cooper, Edward Hall, and Benja-
min Powers, selectmen, petitioned again in the matter, and
presented the following in support of their claim : — Ed.]
[R. 252]
It appears by the Returns from the Army that Perez Rich-
ardson Engaged in the month of Feb^' 1778 and born on the
Rolls for the years 1778, 1779, 17S0, & 1781 — It further ap-
pears that he rec** a Bounty of the Town of Croydon in April
1778 — Whether he was claimed by and answered for any other
Town I cannot say, not having the Books.
Jos. Gilman
December 29"" 17S6.
CROYDON. 471
[Acvvorth presented the following claim : — Ed.]
CR-253]
To whome it may concern This may certify that Perice
Richareson now in Despute betwen Croidan and Acworth was
& is an inhabitant of the town of acworth he was Returned
for a solger for s'^ acworth in Legal Time & never disputed and
sins the time that Croidon had forfeited their Right to claim
him we have Paid him sixty four bushel of rye for serving in
the army during the war for s*^ acworth and as he was not
cleamed bv anev Town but free acording to Law, so we hiered
him & paid him & Trust this is our Right to him & that your
honors will not interfier with our contract with a free man, and
as he was disabled in the sarves and we ar obledged to suport
him & family we trust this with \\hat we have paid will be
considered
John Duncan ~\ Sellect
Daniel Grout r at
William Mitchell ) ^^^"^^
[Croydon was allowed j£6o for Sisco. Their petition
for allowance for Richardson was " dismissed." — Ed.]
\^7^//e three Docionoits foUovjing are from Gejt. Chase's
Papers J\
The Return of the men for the town of Crovdon
Jabes Bride of New molborough Ldisted with Joseph Poller
Lieut in Co' Hales Rigerment
Croydon Sepf y*^ 20 1777
Moses Whipple Capt
A Muster & Pay Rool of Croydon men being part of Col"
Jon" Chase's Rigement of Militia who marched to Saratoga in
the Sarvice of the United states of America in September 1777.
Moses Whipple Capt. £15. 2. o — Jacob Plall Sarg'
Seth Chase Sarg' 2. i. 11 — Phin' Newton Corp'
Aaron Whipple Priv' 7.3. o — Aaron Warrin Priv'
Moses Warrin d° 7.3. o — John Sanger d"
John Druce d° 5.16.0 — Moses Vinson d°
David Stockwell d" 7. 6. o
vSum Totle<£So. 18. i
Col Chase Sir threw forgitfullness Benjamin Thompson of
Croydon was not taken oft' of your Pay Role who sarved the
7-
1 1.
3
7-
7-
I
■ 7-
3-
0
7-
3-
0
7-
I.
10
4/2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
whole of the time wee went to Saletoge if his Name is not put
in the moster Role Pleas to put him in when you go down
agene with soni others that was Left out from your Homble
Sarvent
Moses Whipple
Croydon Febury 33 I'J'jS
State of New Hampshire — we the subscribers do hereby en-
list ourselves as soldiers in the sarvis of the United States of
America to sarve three months from the time of the meeting at
first place of Randovoes in one of the Regerments Latly Revis-
ed by the Hon''^ assembly of New Hampshire an act Passed
June 27, 1780 and do hereby engage obedience to the olficers
set over us : and to be subject to the Rules and Regelations of
the army —
Croydon July 5"" 1780.
Amos Dwinel Edward Hall Jur. Rufus Kimpton
[Sherman Cooper signed a similar paper, same date.
James Hall and John Hall enlisted June 24, 1780, to serve
on the frontier. — Ed.]
DALTON
This town comprises a portion of the territory granted
November 17, 1764, to James Avery and 46 others, by the
name of Chiswick.
The most of the grantees having been bought out by
Moses Little, of Newburyport, Moses Little, Jr., of New-
bury, Mass., Israel Morey, of Orford, N. H., and Alexander
Phelps, of Hebron, Conn., a new grant was made January
18, 1770, to the said purchasers and their associates, one of
whom was George Apthorp, of London, Eng. The town-
ship was re-named for him, and bore the name of Apthorp
until November 4, 1784, when it was divided, and the
north part incorporated into a town by the name of Dalton,
in honor of Tristram Dalton, one of the proprietors, and
the south part into the present town of Littleton. Mr Dal-
ton was from Newburyport, Mass., and was one of the
grantees of 1770. The first settlers were Moses Blake and
DALTON. 473
Walter BIoss. In 1773 the whole township, comprising
what is now Littleton and Dalton, contained but 14 inhabit-
ants.
[3-85] \^Petitio)i for a Division of the T'o~i'iz.'\
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Court assem-
bled—
Humbly shew the Subscribers owners of the Town of Ap-
thorp in the County of Grafton within the said State, that the
said Town of Apthorp is large and capable of making two
Towns by a proper division of the same ; that in its present
undivided situation the settlement and cultivation thereof must
be attended with very great difficulty if practicable ; that the
subscribers are greatly desirous to settle and improve their lands
there as well for the benefit of the State & the country adjacent
as for themselves — That Tristram Dalton and Nathaniel Tracy
Esquires two of the Subscribers own in fee simple in severalty
from the other proprietors of that Town the following part
thereof that is to say beginning at the Easterly corner of said
Town, thence running South fifty six degrees west eighteen
hundred rods adjoining on the South East side line of said
Town thence running North twenty six degrees west about six
miles or be the same more or less until it comes to Connecticut
River ; thence by Connecticut River Easterly till it comes to the
Northerly corner of said Town then North twenty six degrees
East adjoining on the North Easterl}' side line of said Town
about five miles until it comes to the Easterly Corner of said
Town. That your petitioners apprehend that the lands owned
by said Dalton & Tracy are sufficient to form one Town & that
the residue of the lands in said Apthorp are sufficient for anoth-
er Town — and that a division of the Town in that manner into
two Tow^ns would be exceedingly beneficial to the proprietors
and the public — Wherefore the Subscribers humbly pray that
your honours would in your wisdom and goodness divide the
said Town as aforesaid and of the lands therein owned by the
said Dalton and Tracy erect and incorporate a Town by such
name as shall be agreeable to your honours ; and of the residue
of the lands in said Apthorp your Honours would erect and in-
corporate a Town by the Name of Apthorp — And as in duty
bound shall ever pray.
June 1783
Tristram Dalton, Nat Tracy
[The word "Franklin" is pasted under the word Ap-
thorp. The town was divided November 4, 1784. — En.]
474 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-S6] [ Consent of Proprietors to foregoing.'\
Newbury iS*"" June 1783
This is to Signefy that we the Subscribers owners of more
than one Half part of the Township of Apthorp, that whereas
Tristram Dalton and Nath" Tracy Esq""* owners of a part of Said
town, have petitioned for a divition of Said township Into two
towns with privileges of Incorporation, that we do consent that
it is done provided that Said Divition do not Effect property
any way
witnes our Hands
Moses Little
Jacob Bayley
To the Hon''^ the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hamp'''^
[3-87] S^Moses Blake for a Perry. ~\
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
To the Hon^ General Court to be convened & holden at Ports-
mouth on the last Wednesday of November 1791
Humbly Sheweth Moses Blake of Dalton in said State, that
there is, adjoining his land where he lives in said Dalton, a
convenient place for keeping a public ferry across the River
Connecticutt, & that the keeping thereof will very much com-
mode the public. Thei'efore he prays your Honors to Grant
him his Heirs & assigns forever the Sole & exclusive priviledge
of opening & keeping a ferry over said River, begining at the
head of the fifteen mile foils, so called, & so far up said River
as may appear proper to your Honors & he as in duty bound
will ever pray &c
Moses Blake
Dalton Sepf 23*^ 1791
[The ferry petitioned for was granted June, 1792. — Ed.]
[3-88] {^Recommendation of Selectmen of Littleton. ~\
State of New-hampshire County of Grafton ss We the Sub-
scribers Selectmen of Littleton in the County aforesaid — hereby
certify — that we have been informed that M' Moses Blake of
Dalton Petitioned the General Court of this State at there last
Session, for the Grant of a Ferry over Connecticutt River at the
place where the said Blake lives in said Dalton — and we are of
DALTON. 475
opinion that a Ferry at said place would accomodate the pub-
lic, and further that he is the most proper person to attend a
Ferry at that place — and pray your Honors (in behalf of the
Public) to grant the prayer of Said Blake —
Dated at Littleton the 27"^ day of April 1 792
Eben" Pingree ^01 ^
T7 1 m T3 1 f Select
Eph- Ba>- lev ^en
James vVilliamsj
C3"^9] \_Recommendatlon of Selectmen of Lajicaster.']
State of New-hampshire County of Grafton ss We the
Subscribers Select of the Town of Lancastei- in the County
aforesaid hereby Certify — that Information has been given that
M"" Moses Blake of Dalton, adjoining said Lancaster, Petitioned
the General Court of said State at their Session at Portsmouth
last winter, for a Grant of a public Ferry over Connecticutt
River at the place where the Said Blake lives in said Dalton,
and it is our opinion that Granting the prayer of said Petition
would be of public utility — and said Blake is the most proper
person to attend to, and take care of the Same. — therefore pray
Your Honors that a Grant be made accordingly
Lancaster the 26"^ day of April 1792
Emmons .Stockwell ^ Selectmen
John Weeks ,- of
Jeremiah Willson ) Lancaster
C3~9*-'] [ ^o^ter B loss's Recommcndatio)i.'\
State of New-hampshire County of Grafton ss
This may certify that Information has been given that M'
Moses Blake of Dalton Petitioned the General Court at their
last Session for a Grant of a Ferry over Connecticutt River,
where the said Blake lives in said Dalton, and it is my opinion
that the said Blake ought to have tlie liriviledsje, and that he is
the most proper perst)n to attend the Same — and pray Your
Honors to Grant the Prayer of s*^ Blake —
Dalton April 27"' 1792
Walter Bloss
476
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-91] S^Petition for A?(t/writv to assess a Tax for repair-
ing Roads.~\
To the Honorable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire to convene at Exetor on the third Wednesday of Nov'
next
The Petition of the Inhabitants of a Place called Dolton, and
Others of a Place called uper Coos Humbly Sheweth — That
about four Years past the Honorable General Court granted a
Small land Tax on all the lands in said Dolton Public Rights
Excepted, for the purpose of Making and Repairing roads and
Bridges in said Dolton. That by some unforseen fatallity the
business was not Accomplished but a Considerable part of the
road through said Dolton from what is called uper Coos to our
nearest Shire Town (viz Haverhill) is yet almost unpassable,
That the principle part of the Township of Dolton is now
own'd bv persons unknown to us v\^ho do verv little or nothing
to the Roads and only two Families living in said Township
the repairs of the said Roads and Bridges are almost entii^ely
neglected to tlie almost incredible hardship and distress of those
who are obliged to travil through the same — Wherefore your
Petitioners pray that your Honors would grant a tax of tlu'ee
pence on each Acre of land in said Township of Dolton for
the purpose of making & Repairing Roads Bridges &c in said
Dolton in such way and manner as your Honors in your wis-
dom may think proper, — and that a Committee may be ap-
pointed in or as near said Township as may be to Superintend
said Business, with full power to Collect said Tax — and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Walter Bloss of Dolton
October y*^ 4"" 1 793
Inhabitants of Uper Coos
Daniel Spaulding
Elisha Wilder
Joseph Wilder
Jonas Baker
Walter Philbrook
Asaph Darby
Fortunatus Eager
Asahel Biglow
Abr"^ Gile
Jeremiah Stickney
Nathan Lovewell
Elisha Gustin
Joseph Brackett
Jonas Wilder
John Wilder
David Page
Joshua Lamkin
Abijah Darby
John Rosbrook Ju''
Jonathan Cram
Benjamin Orr
John Holmes
Isaac Mann
Robert
Edw'* Spaulding
Will'" Johnson
Em mens Stockwell
Will'" Moore
Isaac Darby
Benj* Twombly
John Rosbrook
Jer*" Eames
Titus O Brown
Charles Rosbrook
Silvanus Cheesman
David Stockwell
Zadock Samson
Moses Page
Dennis Stanley
DANBURY. 477
[3-9-] C Walter JSloss for a Ferry. '\
To the honorable the General Court of the State of Newhamp-
shire to be convened at Concord on the first Wednesda}- of
June A. D. 1799
The petition of Walter Bloss of Dalton in said State humbly
shows
That at a place called Stillwater in Connecticut river about
two miles from the head of the fifteen mile Falls is a suitable
place for a ferry, he therefore prays the priviledge of keeping a
ferry any where from the head of said Still water down said
river the distance of two miles to be granted to him under such
regulations as the Legislature shall think proper, and as in du-
ty bound he will ever be duly thankful —
Walter Bloss
[The foregoing petition was granted December, 1799. —
Ed.]
DANBURY.
This town was set off from Alexandria by an act of the
legislature, approved June 18, 1795, in answer to a petition
from the inhabitants (see page 19), with the following
bounds : — " Beginning at the beech tree on the southwesterly
corner of Alexandria and New Chester [Hill], southwest of
Ragged mountain ; thence north, twelve degrees west, on
the line between Alexandria and New London, about four
miles and a half to a beech tree marked, standing on the
west line of Mason's patent, otherwise called the curve
line ; thence northeasterly on said curve line, about seven
miles, to the range line, between lots numbered nine and
ten, in second division ; thence south, twelve degrees east,
about four miles and a half to the line between New
Chester and said Alexandria, between lots numbered one
and eighteen on said line, in said second division ; thence
south, fifty-three degrees west, to the bounds first mention-
ed, about six miles, on the line between Alexandria and
New Chester." June 10, 1808, the legislature appointed
" William Webster, Broadstreet Moody, and Enoch Colby
Esquires, to determine the jurisdictional lines between the
towns of New-Chester, Alexandria, and Danbury."
478 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
December 19, 1848, land of George W. Dudley and
Archibald Ford was severed from Wilmot, and annexed to
Dan bury.
June 26, 1858, several lots of land were severed from
Hill, and annexed to this town.
July 10, 1874, this town was severed from Grafton coun-
ty, and annexed to Merrimack.
July 26, 1878, another lot of land was severed from Wil-
mot, and annexed to this town.
For matters concerning the earlier history of the territory
now comprised in the town, see Alexandria papers.
[3-93] \_Kelative to a Tax for repair of Roads.'\
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives in
General Court convened,
Humbly shews, The Petition of svmdry of the inhabitants of
the Town of Danbury in the County of Grafton, that, "An
act for laying a Tax on the lands of Danbury " aforesaid
passed to be enacted by the Honorable Senate and Honorable
House of Representatives June 15* and 16"' A D 1796 agreeably
to an attested Copy of said act herewith exhibited, and that the
Selectmen of said Danbury, by virtue of said act, assessed said
Tax, and directed a wan-ant for collection thereof to the Col-
lector of said Town for the time being, and that a part of said
Tax has been collected and appropriated to the beneficial pur-
poses intended by said act ; and that certain clauses of said act
not being sufficiently explicit and defined, your Petitioners are
appehensive that the said Collector has not proceeded accord-
ing to the true spirit and meaning of said Act, whereby he is
now unable by law to enforce the collection of the remainder
of said Tax : Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the said
Collector may be further empowered according to law to pro-
ceed in the collection and appropriation of the remainder of
said Tax agreeabl}' to the true meaning and intent of said Act.
As in duty bound 3'our Petitioners shall ever pray —
Danbur}' Nov. 26, 179S —
Anthoney Tayler | Selectmen of
Samuel Pilsbury j Danburj^
[In answer to the foregoing, an act was passed Dec. 7,
1798. authorizing the completion of the collection of the
tax, and directing that it should be laid out on the road
through " twelve mile woods." — Ed.]
DANVILLE. 479
DANVILLE.
The town was formerly a part of Kingston, and was set
off and incorporated as a town by the name of Hawke,
Feb. 22, 1760; named in honor of Admiral Hawke of the
British navy. Settlements were made there previous to
1739 by Jonathan Sanborn, Jacob Hook, and others.
By an act of the legislature passed June 20, 1783, Daniel
Brown and twenty others were severed from Poplin (now
Fremont) and annexed to the " Parish of Hawke," for pa-
rochial purposes. The town went by the name of Hawke
until it was changed to Danville by an act approved June
18, 1836. June 28, 1877, a small portion of land was sev-
ered from Hampstead and annexed to this town.
[3'"94] \_Relative to Taxes ^ -^777-^
State of New Hamp™ Rockingham ss
To the Hon**'"^ the Council & House of Representatives for said
State in General Assembly conven'd at Exeter, 33'^ Decem-
ber A D 1777
Humbly Shew the Inhabitants of Hawke in the County of
Rockingham afores'* That the Selectmen of Hawke afores** for
the current year exhibited to the last General Court for this
State an Inventory containing (even to the Extent) all Or-
chard, Tillage, Mowing and Pasture Lands & other rateable
Estate in said Hawke, yet your Petitioners find added to the
Amount of said Inventory fifteen pounds Lawful money by
way of Doomage, which Addition they conceive must be
founded upon a mistaken apprehension that the Inventory ren-
dered was deficient — Your Petitioners are now confirmed in
their Opinion that the Addition must proceed from mistake,
when they consider what they are taxed in Proportion with
other Neighbouring Towns whose ability thev kiiow — Tho' your
Petif'* would cheerfullv pay their just Proportion of the public
Tax yet they are luuvilling to pa}' more than their proportion,
or for what they have not. Wherefore they humbh" pray that
your Honors would examine into the Grounds of their Petition
and abate said additional sum of fifteen pounds and yoin- Peti-
tioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Jonathan french Edward Eastman Joseph Clillord San-
Elisha Bachcldcr Josiah Tuxbury born
48o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Tho' Stow Ranney
Am us Campbell
Henry Elkins
William Buswel
Samuel felows
James Lowell
Jethro Sanborn
Samuel Qiiimby
Henry Morrill
Stephen Eastman
Jonathan Clough
Jonathan Jones
Samuel French
Israel Dimond
Joseph Brown
Jer*^ Towle
Samuel Pingry
John Sanborn
Caleb towl
Hezekiah Blake
Samuel Eastman
Jabez Eaton
Ithel fellows
Elias Burisel
Timothy Worth
Jabez Page
Humphry Hook
Reuben True
Israel Hook
John Solly
Abijah Blake
henerv Dear Bon
James towl
George Bartlett
Jonathan Blake
Joseph true Eaton
Nah : Sleeper
Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones Jr
Jedidiah Philbrick
[R. 354]
\_Petition of Alary Fellows.^
To the Hon*^^® the Council and Assembly for the State of
New Hampshire, now convened at Exeter ; The Petition of
Mary Fellows wid* of the Parish of Hawk ; in said State
Humbly Sheweth ; that your Petitioners Husband enlisted him
self as a volunteer Last august, and went to the State of Rode
Island ; and there served as a Soldier in the Regiment com-
manded by Lieut. CoP Jacob Gale ; and in Cap' David Qun-
bys Compan}' ; untill he was discharged by said Col" Gale
and on his Return home he was Seized with a violent Dysen-
tery at a place called Wrentham in the Massachusetts State
where he continued untill the ii"* of Sep' at which time I hav-
ing Sent a man with a Horse and Chair for him ; they sett
out for this State and Got home the 15"^ Day of s"^ Sep' — but
he being verry weak, and the disorder enraging in an uncom-
mon manner he Expired within a few hours after ; and has left
your Poor Petitioner a wid^ with seven small children ; under
verv low circumstances as to the things of this life.
Hawke Ocf 29"^ 1778
mary fellows
[She asks to have the expense of his sickness, &c., paid,
which was granted to the extent of £>'^i js. — Ed.]
[3-96 j \_Relative to Election of Representative.^^
State of New Hamp"" Rockingham ss
[" To the Hon'''* the Council and House of Representetives for
DANVILLE. 481
Said State in General Assembly Convened at Exeter 30"^ Dec'
1779 Humbly Shew the Selectmen of Hawke in the County
aforesaid — that their Annual meeting for Hawke and Sandown
for Chusing a Representative for the year Ensuing hath not
been Carried into Efect — therefore they Pray your Honours to
Cause a warrant to Issue to Call a Meeting for that Purpose
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Mark Emerson") Selectmen
Thomas Page > for
Israel Hook ) Hawke
[3~95] S^Number of Polls, 178J.']
The Exact Number of all the Male polls of Twenty-one
years of age & upwards paying for themselves a poll Tax
within the Town of Hawk is Seventy
George Bartlett ] Selectmen for
Jer. Towle j Hawke
15* Dec'' 17S3.
Rockingham ss Decem. 15**^ ^7^3 then gorge Bartlett & Jer.
Towle above named personally appeared and made solemn
oath to the truth of the above account
before me David Tilton Jusf* Peace
[3-97] [ Vote of To-iVn relative to Annexation of Poplin
People.^
State of New^ Hampshire
At a Legal meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Hawke held by adjournment this iS"" Day of Dec'' 17S2
Voted — that if the Inhabitants of Poplin mentioned in the
warning of Said meeting Should Petition the General Court of
Said State to be annext to the Town of Hawke in Parotial
artairs — that the Selectmen of Hawke afores'^ be Impower*^ to
appear in behalf of Said Town and Desire that their Prayers
may be Granted.
Attest Tho' Page Town Clerk
[Certain people were severed from Poplin and annexed
to Hawke, for parochial purposes, June 20, 1783. — EdJ
32
482
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3~9S] S^Petition for Jtistice of the Peace^^
State of Newhampshire
To his Exelancy the president and Executive Council] for
said State the petition of the Subscribers freeliolders and In-
habitants of Hawke — humbly pray we may hav a justice of
the peace apointed in Hawke and beg leav to Nominate
Thomas page as a sutable pearson and pray your honors he
may be apoynted and your petitioners as in Duty Bound will
Ever pray
January the 19 — 1785
Joseph Williams
ananias witcher
Stephen Eastman
Joseph true Eaton
Jonathan Blake
Peter Sweet
Josiah Tuxbury
Samuel Sargent
Stephen Barnard
Humphrey Hook
Samuel Qiiimby
Jonathan Jones
John Kent
Joseph Elkins
Jonathan Heath
Israel Dimond Jun''
Nathan Jones
Nathaniel Brown
Samuel Plummer
Henry Morrill
Dudley Kinrick
Joseph fellows
Richard Collins
Jedidiah Philbrick
Jonathan French 4
Henry Darborn
david flanders
Daniel True
David Bachelder
Enos Colbey
Asa flanders
Benjamain Eastman
Hezekiah Blake
Nathanael Morrill
William Rusel
moses woodman
Benjamin Page
Israel Hook
Jonathan french
Jabez Eaton
Benjamin Collins,
Jur
Jonathan french
Juner
Georsre Bartlett
David Q_uimby
Samuel Eastman
Selectmen for
Hawke
[3-99] \_Petition for Paper Afoney^ and Relative to A/left's
Claim., etc.'\
To the Hon"^ General Court of the State of New Hampshire
the Petition of us Subscribers Inhabitants of Hawke — humbly
Prays that your Honours would take into Consideration the fol-
lowing articles viz —
i^' That you would not allow those Persons Purchasers of
Aliens Claim (So Called) any part of their Claim within this
State—
3'y That none of those persons who are purchasers of s'' Al-
iens Claim be Suffered to. hold any Commission of Honour or
Profit in Said vState for the Space of one year —
3^y That the Gen' Court take up the matter Respecting the
Masonian title to Certain Lands in this State, whicli Title we
DEERFIELD.
483
Humbly think is not good and that the Said Lands by them
Claimed be Converted to the use of this State —
4'y That there might be a Bank of Paper money made to
Redeem the State Security —
5'y That the Gen' Court petition Congress to Redeem the
Continental jDaper Courancy that is in the Treasury in this
State the Same being more than our proportion of the Same —
6'^ That the Ports and harbours in this State be opened and
a Free trade given to all Except the Refugees And your Peti-
tioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c
Humphrey Hook ju""
Neh. Sleeper
Benjamin Colins j"
Elisha Bachelder
Jon" French jun'
George Bartlett
Jedidiah Philbrick
Jonathan French 3'^''
Jethro Sanborn
Stephen Eastman
Elisha Bean
Hezekiah Blake
Daniel Alorss
Israel Dimond
Peter Sweat
Parker Tande
Enos Colbey
Sam" Qiiimby
Benj" Page
william STorsfe
Dudle}' Kindrick
Caleb Chase
Joseph True Eaton
Nathan Bachelder
Reuben True
Jeremiah Bean
Aaron Qiiimby
David Bacheldor
Joseph Elkins
Asa Flanders
Nathon Jones
Jon" Blake
Israel Dimond Jun''
Sam" Plummer
Henery Dearborn
Sanborn Blake
Joseph Fellows
Joseph Colins
Ezekiel Chales
Joseph Williams
Jabez Eaton
David Flanders
Jon" Sanborn jun""
Daniel True
David Qin'mby
Josiah Tuxbury
John Sanborn
Jon" Jones
Nath" Brown
Henery Morrill
Peter Emerson
Edward Eastman
Sam" Kindrick
Humphry Hook
Nath" Morrill
Jon" Sanborn
Will'" Busel
Sinon Page
[For action on the matter of paper money, see Atkin-
son papers. — Ed.]
DEERFIELD.
The town was formerly a part of Nottingham, and was
included in the charter granted in 1722.
In a petition dated February 23, 1756, the inhabitants, to
the number of 25, asked to be set off and incorporated
with parish privileges. Failing to obtain it at that time,
they petitioned again in 1765, having obtained the consent
of the town. They were successful this time, an act of
incorporation passing the legislature January 8, 1766.
484 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The town was named Deerfield, it is claimed, on account
of the large number of deer found in the vicinity. Among
the first settlers, in 1756 to 1758, were Isaac Shepard, Benja-
min Batchelder, Jacob Smith, and John Robertson. It is
stated that eighteen persons from this town died in the
Revolutionary service.
[3-100] [ Vote for Tax to bit lid a Meeting- IIotise.~\
Att A Legal Meetting of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the
Parish of Deertield held att s*^ Deerfield the Sixteenth Day of
Nov'' 1769 Richard Jenness Esq' was Chosen by s*^ Parish to
Apply to the General Court of this Province for A Tax to be
Laid on all the Lands within s^ Deerfield for the building a
Meetting house & Parsonage house in s** Parish
Deerfield Jan"' y'' 9"^ 1770
A True Coppy Attest
Thomas Simpson
Parrish Clerk
[3-101] \_No7nlnatlons for JMaglst rates. ~\
Colony of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
to the Honourable Counsel and House of Representitves for
s*^ Colony Conven'^ at Exeter Humbly Sheweth that at an anuel
Meeting Held at Deerfield this Ninteenth Day of march 177^ —
We proceeded and Chose Cap' John merrill es moderator and
after Having transacted the most of our buiseness We proceed-
ed to Look out Suitabel person or persons for magistrats for
this parish and after Som Consultation M'' Jeremiah Eas-
man and Mr. Daniel Lad Was Nominated and unanemesely
Voated for and if your Honours Will See fit to appoint s"^ Eas-
man and Lad We doubt Not but it Will be a means of keeping
pease amongst us
Deerfield March 19 : 1776
Nathan Sanborn ") Select men
Benja Page >- for
Robert Page ) Deerfield
[3-102] \_Relatlve to Thomas Perry .'\
To the Hon^^^ Congress for the Colony of New Hamp"" now
sitting in Exeter Humbly shews
Thomas Burley of Deerfield in said colony that there was
DEERFIELD. 485
one thomas Perry a stranger Comitted to his majesty's Goal
in Exeter afores'd for counterfleting an order on a shopkeeper
in Londonderry, who at September court, held in s** town the
Last Year Pleaded Guilty & hove himself on the mercv of tlie
Court, who Fin'd him five Pounds Lawful money, and he be-
ing unable to Pay s** sum or any Part thereof, or any Part of
the Prison charges, the said Perry appearing to be a man of
Learning and an Excellent Penman, & your Petitioner with a
Number of his Neighbors Living Very Remote from any
school, was Induc'd to Give his security for the Payment of
Eighteen Pounds Lawful money for the Liberating of the said
Perry, (which Included the said fine & Prison Charges), for
the sake of the Instruction of his, and his Neighbours Chil-
dren— the said Perry after tarrying about a week witli your
Petetioner Diserted his service & altho' he has taken the ut-
most Pains & been at Great Expense to find him yet has never
been able to Do it wliereby your Petitioner is Liable to Pay
the whole of the s** fine to the King & all the Prison Charges
amounting to the s*^ sum of Eighteen Pounds — Wherefore your
Petetioner Prays Your Honors wou'd be Pleas'd to take his
case into Consideration & Grant him such Relief as you shall
think meet, and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound shall Ever
Pray &c.
thomas Berley
Exeter Sep' the i'' 1775.
[R. 255] \_Llc7it. Joseph Hilton.']
[In H. of Rep., Oct. 31, 1778, the committee on sick and
disabled soldiers reported, " that Lieut Joseph Hilton, who
was wounded while fighting with the enemy on the 7^** of
Oct. 1777, near Stillwater ought to be enrolled and receive
half pay from the first day of Oct. 1778." He was ordered
to be enrolled accordingly. — Ed.]
[R. 256] \_Abstract of Israel Clifford'' s Petition.']
[In a petition dated Dec. 21, 1779, Israel Clifford, of
Decrfield, states, " I'hat in the year 1777 his son Tristram
Clifford then a Minor engaged under Cap* Nathan Sanborn
in the Expedition against Gen^ Burgoyne at Saratoga."
He further states that his said son was taken sick in the
army, and he had to go and get him home. He wanted
pay for his expense and nursing. The petition was " dis-
mist." — Ed.]
486 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 257] \_Petition of Dr. Edmund Chadwick.'\
To the Honourable the Counsell and House of Repi'esenta-
tives for the State of New Hampshire — the petition of Ed-
mund Chadwick of Deerfield in said State Humbly Sheweth
that your petitioner was appointed a Surgeon mate in the third
New Hampshire Regiment about the 5"' day of June, 1777;
your petitioner Remained in the Service untill about the 28* of
September 1778 and your petitioner Humbly Conseves He is
Entitled to the Depreciation for the time He Continued in the
Service tharefore your petitioner Humbely prays your Honours
to take His case into your wise consideration and alowe Him
the sam Depreciation as is alowed to others of the same Rank
and merrit (or otherwise as your Honours shall see meet) and
your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Edmund Chadwick
Deerfield June 8* 1 7S0
[Dr. Chadwick, son of John and Sarah Chadwick, was
born in Boxford, Mass., March 10, 1751 ; settled in Deer-
field in 1779 ; married Elizabeth Gookin in October of that
year. He was with the army more than three years, in-
cluding the winter at Valley Forge ; was member of the
convention of 1788, and representative in the legislature.
He died Nov. 8, 1826. — History of Deerfield?\
[R. 2^8] \_Selecf}}ien of Deerfield concerning- Paul Cook."]
[In a petition dated Deerfield, June 22, 1782, Andrew
Freese, Thomas Jenness, and Joseph March, selectmen,
state " that the said Parish of Deerfield in the month of
March 1779 Hired one Paul Cook to Sarve as a Soldier for
said Parish for three years — that the said Cook was claimed
by the Town of Dover, and that a trial was had on the
claim without your petitioners being Notified before a Com-
mittee of both Houses, by the Report of Said Committee
said Cook was set to the Town of Dover." They ask for
another trial, and present the following deposition: — Ed.]
[R. 259]
the deposition of Amos morrill testefieth and saith that on
or about the month of march in the year 1779 I being at Home
at Epsom & Hearing of one Paul Cook being in those parts
DEERFIELD. 48/
and it was said He was a desarter from the armey I took the
first Convenient opportunity to Examine Him and fincHng He
Had a Certificate from Varick the mustermaster Seting Forth
that He was Exchided in mustering I then thought I Had no
Right to apperhand Him as a desarter some time after that in
the same year I inlisted Him for the Parish of Deerfield from
whance He Received His bounty &c
A. Morrill
Sworn before John M'=Clery J. P, April 36, 17S3.
[July 19, 1782, the committee of safety decided that
Paul Cook belonged to Dover. — Ed.]
[R. 263] \_JVathan Satiborn's Petition^ Soldier.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives Con-
vened at Portsmouth June i*' i7^5-
Humbly Sheweth Nathan Sanborn of Deerfield in the county
of Rockingham in said State Gentleman that your Petitioner
Sarved as a Captain in Col" Stephen Evenses Regiment of Me-
litia for the Defence of the united States in the year i777 — ^'^'^^
in the Battle at Bemouses Heights on the seventh of October
he was wounded by a Musket Ball in his Shoulder which put
him in Great Paine that he was at Great Cost to Surgeons for
to have said wound Healed besides the Loss of his time &
that he has Ever since and Now is Very Lame in said Shoulder
and unable for to Git his Livelywhood by Leighbour by Reason
of said wound wherefore your Petitioner Humbly Prays that
the Honourable Court would take his unhapy Caise into there
wise Consideration and grant him such Releafe as to your
Honours May Sceme Meet, and your Petitioner as in Duty
bound Shall Ever Pray
Nathan Sanborn
Deerfield June i'*' i7^5
[Lieut. Col. Thomas Bartlett certifies to Sanborn's hav-
ing been wounded as stated, and the legislature ordered
him to be enrolled as an invalid pensioner. — Ed.]
[R. 264] Captain Sinio7t Marston's Petition addressed to
'• Gefieral Court "'\
Humbly Sheweth that Simon Marston of Deerfield in the
County of Rockingham, state aforesaid, that your Petitioner
488 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Serv'd as a Captain in Coll. Stephen Peabodys, Regm' at
Rhode Island in the year 1778, that when your Petitioner en-
gaged in said service, By the orders that he received for inlist-
ing men, he was promised For to have, the same Wages and
Depreciation that other Officers of the Continal army were to
receive, that your petitioner has never Received only the nom-
inal sum in Continal money. * * *
Simon Marston
Deerfield June 6'^ 1 7S5
[He asked to have the depreciation of his wages made
up to him, which was granted. — Ed.]
[R. 265]
These certify that the Town of Deerfield's ace' for supplies
to the family of Barnard Serjent in 17S1 was Twelve pounds
eleven shillings & six pence, which sum has been deducted
for the depreciation of his wages, as appears by the Deprecia-
tion Books
Ex"^ by Josiah Oilman one of the Com'^''
£13, II, 6
[3-103] \_Relative to Paper ]SIoney.~\
Deerfield June y'' 9* 1786
At a Meeting (legally warned) of the Inhabitants of the
Parish of Deerfield ; held on the Sixth Day of June Current.
It was unanimouslv Voted that the following Petition be laid
before the General Court ; by their Representative.
To the Honourble Senate, & house of Representatives, of the
State of Newhampshire.
The Petition of the Parish of Deerfield Humbly Shews
That your Supplicants have great cause to Mourn, when by
Reading and Information they are Convinced of the happiness,
those People enjoy (in some of the States in the Union) Whose
Legislative Bodies have emitted a Paper Currency, or Medium,
whereby they are not only enabled to Transact the Common
Business between Man & Man, but likewise is a Grand Means
of preserving Peace & Tranquility through the whole.
We Your Supplicants ; therefore humbly beg. That the
same Method may be adopted by Your honors, that this State
may never More be looked upon as Inferior to the other States
in the Union.
We are fully persuaded that Your honors Abilities and
DEERFIELD. 489
Knowledge (in the Art of Governing a free People) are not
inferior to any Legislative Bodv throughout the State in Union.
We then thus humbly Supplicate, Your honors speedily to
endeavour to Redress the Grievances the People in general
Labour under in this State, Then We doubt not but Your
honors will be fuUv sensible of the Spirit it will animate the
Whole with.
We therefore humbly request that your honors will endeav-
our to Cause a fund to be Established that may have the De-
sired Effect, and make for the honour of New Hampshire Viz.
a Paper Currency
And Your Supplicants as in duty bound Shall ever Pray.
Signed in behalf of the Parish
Nath' ^laloon ^
David Batchelor y Comm.
Tho'* Robinson )
[For legislative action, see Atkinson papers. — Ed.]
[3-104] l^Sarveyor's Certijicate.^
These may Certefye that I the Subscriber Have this Day
Survayed the Lot ; no : 25 in the First Range in Deerfield and
it appears by meshurment there is in s'' Lot 250 Acres & no
Rodds
Deerfield Novemb"" 16 : 17S6
Pr : Jeremiah Eastman Survayor
420 Rods Long
95 2-5 Wide
[3-105] \_ReIative to Lot No. ^j".]
Whereas We the Subscribers being Refcres to determine a
Matter of Dispute between Robert Page & David Bacheldor
sometime in the year 17S2 Respecting the overpluss Land in
the Lot No 25 in the first Range in Deerfield &c are fully satis-
fied that the Qiiantity of Land handed to us by the Partys by
which we made up Judgment was larger bv a Number of acres
then what it appears to be Bv a late Measurement but we Can-
not assertain the exact quantity as we have not the Memoran-
dom Papers &c
Deerfield Jany.31^' 17SS
Jeremiah Eastman
Edmund Chad wick
490 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-106] \_Petitio7i for Incorporation of Public Sc/iool.~\
To the Honorable the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives of the State of New Hampshire in General Court con-
vened.
The petition of Joseph Mills in behalf of himself and oth-
ers Proprietors of the public School, so called, in Deerfield
humbly shews that said proprietors have at their own expense
erected and compleatly finished a school house in said Deer-
field — that they have provided and actually employed an able
and well qualified Master to teach said School — that they have
already been at very great expense and that the sums of money
still to be advanced by said proprietors will be large : Where-
fore they pray that they may be incorporated into a society for
the purposes of maintaining said school by the " Name of the
proprietors of the public school in Deerfield " that they may
have power to assess said proprietors, and others who may
join them, such sums as may be necessary for defreying the ex-
penses of said Corporation and to collect the same with other
powers usuailv granted to Corporations of a like nature. And
your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray
Joseph Mills
Exeter Dec™ 7* 1799
DEERING.
This town was a portion of that tract of land formerly
known as " Cumberland," and afterward as "Society Land,"
belonging to the Masonian proprietors. It was chartered
by Gov. John Wentworth and council, Jan. 17, 1774, and
named in honor of Lady Wentworth's maternal relatives.
Lady Wentworth's maiden name was Frances Deering
Wentworth, taking her middle name from her mother.
The petition for incorporation may be found in vol. IX,
P- 759-
Settlements were made in 1765 by Alexander Robinson,
and soon after by William McKean, William Forsaith,
Thomas Aiken, Francis Grimes, William Aiken, and others.
Of the Revolutionary soldiers from Deering, Nathaniel
Graham served in the First N. H. Regiment from Feb. 19,
1778, to December, 1781. Moses Sweat George was in Col.
Nathan Hale's battalion ; was reported missing at Hub-
bardton.
DEERING. 491
fR. 266] \^Nenian Aiken to Col. DatzicI J\Ioor^ ^775 •~\
Worthy friend — after due Rej^ard I take this opportunity to
let you know my Sentiments with Regard to our held Officers
who was put in arbitrarily Contreary to our Choice as allso the
Minds of those who was Nominated and Chosen at the same
time with myself: We understand Col. Stark was set aside by
the Hon' Congress which maid a vacancy for the Rest of our
Choice which vacancy was maid up by yourself & Col Gill-
man only : our next choice was L' Caldwell, who was seet
aside and by what we can lern for no other Reason but because
he was not there Present and others put in that place which we
Dont so well affect : for w'hich Reason we chuse to Decline
having any Concern under any other that is put into his Room
— Sir we Desire you would use your Influence to have that
affaire Rectifyed and s'' Caldwell put into the vacancy that was
maid by the advancement of the Rest : which if Done we will
Chearfully Serve : this from sir your friend and Hum' Serv'
Dering October y*' 14"^ ^175 Nenian Aiken
To Colonal Daniel Moor
N. B. a certain person asked a Delegate what was the Rea-
son that Caldwell was seet aside to which he answered the only
reason was because he was not there
[Superscription] To the Hour' Col Daniel Moor Bedford
[R. 267] \_Col. floors Letter transjnitting the foregoingr^
To the honorable Matthew Thornton Esq'' President of the
Provincial Congress at Exeter
Bedford 30"' Ocf 1775
Hon*^ Sir — The inclosed papers appear to me of Conse-
quence ; If you are of the same opinion, be pleased to lay them
before the Congress.
I am Sir your most humble servant
Daniel Moor
[3-107] [^Concerning Mrs. LIogg.'\
Deering June y*" iS"' 17S0
To to Hon'''* Committee of Safety for the State of Newhainp-
shire —
Gentel" : I would inform you that tlicir is one Miss Hogg in
this town hous iuisl)aiul is in the States's Servis Duerin<r the
492 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
War, and while this and outher Towns is Disputeing ware she
belongs she & number of small Children is Suffering, should
be glad of your orders what must be Dun ither by the Town
or private purson in this Case your writ'g me may releve the
Distress'd and Oblidge a friend to the States
Nat. Sweetser.
[3-108] \_Number of Polls, lySj.']
To the Hon :bP General Court for the State of New Hamp-
shire
Pursuant to Orders Recev'd we have Numbered all the Polls
of Twenty one Years of age & upwards paying for themselves
a poll Tax and find the N° to be Eighty Six
Polls 86 in the Town of Bearing
Attest Evan Dow | Select Men of
Abraham Gove j Dearing
Dearing Decern"' y*^ 16 ; 17S3
Gentlemen
N B Not having time to go before A Justice Opeace as the
is not one within Eight Mills we must pray to be Excused as
this Return we are Able to make Oath too
[3-109] \_Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents.'\
To Hon''''' General Court For the State of New Hampshire
Now Assembled
We Your Humble Petitioners For and In behalf of the
Town of Dering in the County of Hillsborough And State of
New Hampshire Humbly Sheweth
Whereas we the Inhabitants of the Town of Dering Afore-
said have for a Number of years Suffered for want of Roads,
and there Remains Large Tracts of Land Belonging to Gentle-
men Not Residing in the Town and the Value of there Lands
Increasing Continually And some of the Aforesaid Gentlemen
have been at no Charge With Respect of Settling the Town
Therefore we pray your Honors to be Pleased to pass an Act
that all Lands Belonging to Nonresidents Of this Town May
pay their Equal part Towards Cutting Roads and Maintaining
Bridges and Mending Roads In this Town According to the
Value of their Lands — or Act any Other way Your Honors
DEERING. 493
May think proper As Your Petitioners are in Duty Ever Bound
to pray
Dering ]SIarch y*" 9 : i'/St,
Evan Dow ") Select Men
James Whiticker V of
Abraham Gove ) Dering
[3-1 10] \_Petition relative to laymg out a Road.^
To The Honorable Great and General Court for the State of
New Hampshire now Assembled Your humble Petitioners
JVIost Ardently Sheweth
Whereas this State Increaseth Daily as to her Inhabitants
Especially in the Westerly parts thereof, and passing with
Stores and Travelling in many places very DitHcult, And a
gi'eat Embarasment for want of a good Publick Road Lead-
ing from Chester in the County of Rockingham to Charles-
town in the County of Cheshire, And Especially in the Town
of Dearing in the County of Hillsborough where there is no
passable Road to Convene the Road Aforesaid — Therefore we
humbly Pray your Honors to be Pleased to pass an Act that
there be a Road Laid Through Said Dearing to Accomodate
said Road From Chester to Charles Town And Lay a Tax on
the Lands of The Nonresidents of Dearing Aforesaid (as there
is Large Tracts of Such Lands in Said Town) that the said
Road may be made passible for publick Travelling or Act any
Other Way your Honors May Think best for the Publick W^eal,
as your Petitioners are in Duty Ever Bound To Pray
May y« zi'*' 17S3
Jacob Tuxbury Jonathan Dow Zephaniah Breed
Ebenezer Breed Ithamar Eaton Ezekiel Carr
John Robie Sam' Philbrick John Hodgdon
Sam' Caldwell Elijah Purington James Emerson
Timothy Worthly Caleb Atwood Asa Sargent
Samuel Bayley Jonathan Atwood Jesse Clement
Moses Eastman Daniel gove John Worth
[On another petition of the same import, dated May 22,
are the following names : — Ed.]
Stephen Dow Richard Bayley Levi Hadlock
Evan Dow Wm McKeen John Muzzey
Benj" Rolf Thomas Aiken Robert ferson
Timothy Wyman Jr Bray Wilkins Janes Shcrrcr
Will"" Forsith James Whiticker Nenian Aiken
494 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ebenezer Blood Timothy Wyman William Codman
William Bradford Andrew Aiken Frances grimes
Ephraim Clark Samuel Aiken Nathan Carr
[Ordered to lay until next session. — Ed.]
[3-1 12] \_Petitionfor Coinmittee to locate a Meeting-House.~^
To his Excellency the President The Hon'''* Senate and House
of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire in Gen-
eral Court Assembled — Your Petitioners in Behalf and by
order of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dearing In the
County of Hillsborough Most Humbly Sheweth —
Whereas it is of Great Importance to all Societies and Bod-
ies Corporate, whether great or Small To have Union an
Oeconomy Subsisting Among them Especially in a Protestant
Land to have The Order of the Gospel Established Being
Greatly Conducive To Confirm peace and Harmony in Every
Town and for Strengthening And Confirming the Reins of
Government in this State —
We therefore in behalf of the Inhabitants of Dearing Afore-
said being Destitute of a House of Publick Worship and being
Greatly Desirous of Erecting one, In Order that the Gosple
may be Settled among us. But being so Unhappy as Not to
Agree on a place to build said House on, as having Assembled
Divers Times for Said purpose but all in vain — Therefore we
would Humbly pray Your Honors To be Pleased to Appoint a
Committee and Send to Our Town that They may Fix and
Appoint a piece of Ground as Near the Centre of the Town as
they Shall Judge Convenient to Erect a Meeting House on.
Also we would pray that Said Commitee may be Appointed as
Nigh as Your Honors Shall Think best or Act any Other Way
Your Honors Shall Judge best — As Your Petitioners are in
Duty Ever Bound to Pray
Evan Dow ) Select Men of
James Whiticker J Dearing
Dearing June y* 2'' 1784.
[Capt. Joseph Simonds, John Duncan, and Robert Wal-
lace were appointed June 12. — Ed.]
[3-^3] \_-Report of the Cojnmittee.~\
Dearing July y" 5* 1784
then the Committee appointed to settle the place to build a
DEERING. 495
Meeting house in s** town meet & Upon vewing the Premises
and Considering Arguments Report that the place agreed on
is East of the centor ; about 15 Rods South East of James
Shearors house on Ehfelet Merrills lote, and about five Rods
South of the Road through the Centor of Ranges Right said
place being Marked which is submitted by the Committee
Joseph Symonds ~\
John Duncan ^ Commetey
Robert Wallace )
[3-1 14] \^Petition for uAtithority to tax Non— Resident
Laud to build a ]SIeeting-IIo7ise.^
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Court Convened —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Deering in Said State
Humbly sueth — That whereas the Inhabitants of this Town
are Destitute of a House wherein to meet Either for the wor-
ship of God or other Public Meetings and whereas said Inhab-
etants have Carreyed on the Settlement of said Town at their
own Proper Charge without Receiving anv assistance from the
Proprietors for makeing and Repairing Highw^ays Bridges or
Mills (which being Done by the Inhabitants have greatlv in-
hanced the Price of the Proprietors lands in said Town) and
your Petitioners not having the privilege of a School and Min-
isterial Reight of land in s*^ Town which most of the Towns
throughout the state have had — & the want of which Disena-
beleth your Petitioners from Settleing the Gosple among them
&c — your Petitioners Pray that your Honours would take the
matter under your wise Consideration and Grant us a tax upon
all the Lands in this Town as your Honours Shall think proper
and for the Sole purpose of Bulding a Meeting House and
Purchasing a Menesterial Lot of Land — and your Petitioners
as in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Dering May y-^ 24"' 17S5
Nenian Aiken ^ Selectmen
Alexander Gregg
Samuel Anderson
!Selectm
of
Deriiu
[In H. of Rep., Oct. 27, 1785, leave was granted to bring
in a bill ; senate concurred, and an act passed, November 4,
496 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
granting a tax of one penny per acre on all lands except
those owned by Quakers. — Ed.]
[3-1 15] \^Relative to Tax 07t La7id give7i to Wearer^
To the Honb'^ Senate And House of Representatives in and
for the State of New Hampshire — Your Petitioners humbly
Sheweth
Whereas the Proprietors of the Town of Deering in the
County of Hillsborough have Given up To the Town of Weare
a Certain Tract of Non Improved Land and Said Proprietors
of Deering have Denied paying the Taxes on said Land for
the year 17S6 And Said Land Being Liventoried and Retin^ned
To the Hon''''^ General Court as Belonging to the Town of
Deering as it may Appear hereafter Therefore we humbly pray
Your Honours would be pleased to Abate the Taxes for the
years 1786: 1787 *^^^ Said Land or any part thereof as your
Petitioners are in Dut}- Ever Bound to Pray —
Evan Dow ") Selectmen
Alexander Willson )- of
Thomas Merrill J Deering
Deering June 4'^ : 1787
[3-1 16] \_CertiJicate relative to J'oreg'oitig'.'\
This May Certify all persons Concerned that a Tract of
Land Lying Between Deering and Weare in the County of
Hills*"" in Dispute by the proprietors of Said Towns has Been
Inventoried by the Selectmen of Said Deering as Belonging to
said Deering & Returned to the General Court Being by the
Best Estimation Two Thousand and Eight hundred Acres,
The Tax on said Land to the State for the year 1786 is to the
State in Specie <£2-i3-8 in State Certificate £1-3-4 in Conti-
nental Certificates £3-10 For the vear 1787 in Specie £4-13-4
in Continental Certificates £2-1 1-4 in State Certificates £1-3-4
A True copy Erors Excepted Attest per
Evan Dow ) Town Clerk of
i Deerinpf
DEERING. 497
[3-1 1 7] \_Relative to Road from Hillsborough to Amherst. "^
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
in General Court Convened at Amherst on the First Wednes-
day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven
Hundred and Ninety Four.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dearing
Humblv Sheweth, That whereas a Committee was appointed
by the Honorable the Court of Sessions, in order to lay out a
Road from Hillsborough Meeting House, to Amherst Court
House, the said Committee in passing through the Town of
Dearing, Deviated greatly (as we Conceive) from the purport
of their Commission, by not laying out said Road by the near-
est and best way that might be, and have created such Damage
in laying out said Road as greatly Injures Individuals in said
Town of Dearing, as also the Town in General, by the Enor-
mous Expence which will arise to the Town in Opening said
Road, we also Conceive by Examination of said Road (as laid
out) that notwithstanding the great expence which will arise
to the Town, yet the said Road from the nature of the ground
never w^ill admit of so good a Road as the old Road (so Called)
may be made, which old Road your petitioners are willing to
put into the best possible repair.
We your Petitioners tlierefore humbly pi'^y your Honors
would Appoint a Committee to Examine the premises, and
make such report thereon as to them seems meet, that so your
Honors may take such Order thereon and disannul said Road
or grant such redress to your Petitioners, as you in your Wis-
dom shall think Fit, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall forever Pi'ay
Robert Alcock '\ In behalf
Joshua Folsom > of the
William Forsith J Town of Dearing
[In H. of Rep., June 19, 1794, "Voted that the prayer
thereof be granted with this proviso that the Petitioners
be at the expence of the Committee above requested, &
that Major Oliver Holmes, Mr. Jonathan Fisk & Timothy
Taylor Esq"" be a Committee for the purposes above-
mentioned." Senate concurred. — Ed.]
[3-1 18] \_Petition for Incorporation of Library r^
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in
general Court convened at Portsmoutli November 1797 Hum-
bly sheweth. That Robert Alcock Thomas Merrill Thomas
33
498 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Aiken William Forsith James Sherrier and others their Asso-
ciates Inhabitants of Deering have purchased a number of
Books, for the purpose of a social Library in said Town, but
finding it necessary to be Incorporated, in order to realize the
Advantages thereby Intended, by purchasing books in common,
your petitioners therefore pray that they mav be Incorporated
with such priviledges as are usually granted in such cases, and
they as in duty bound w^ill ever pray
Robert Alcock for himself and
Associates
[The foregoing petition was granted Dec. 6, 1797. — Ed.]
DORCHESTER.
This town was granted July 8, 1761, the first year of the
reign of George the Third, to " Henry Thomson " and
others. It was re-granted Nov. 21, 1766, to Samuel Hobart
and others, and they failing to comply with the conditions
of settlement, it was again granted May i, 1772, to John
House and others, in seventy-two equal shares. For peti-
tions, see vol. IX, p. 187.
Settlements were made under the latter grant by Benja-
min Rice and Stephen Murch, of Hanover, formerly from
Connecticut.
By an act passed Dec. 21, 1791, a special tax of two
pence per acre was authorized for the purpose of repairing
highways, and in 1801 the town was authorized to assess a
tax of three cents per acre for the same purpose.
[3-1 19] \_Naj7ies of Proprietors.^^
april I**' 1 771 acco' of the Number of Each Proprietors Lott
of 200 acres in the first Division in Dorchester
Grantees names
No. of Lot
Grantees names
Ko. of Lot
Samuel Hobart
40
Sam M'^clanathan
24
Benjamin Abbott
I
I3arnard M^'Nutt
21
John Thompson
22
Ab"^ Hunter
3S
Jonathan Johnson
7
Isaac Hunter
8
Noah Thompson
12
Ab'" Hunter Jun""
23
DORCHESTER.
499
Amos Fisk 19
Rufus Thompson 39
John Atwell 57
Mattliew Thompson ^6
Stephen Powers 33
James APclellan 13
Noah Worcester 54
Henry Thompson 3
James Shannon 51
Seth Shaw 47
Daniel Emerson 29
Robert Hunter 52
Benjamin Stevens 43
Solomon Blackmore 45
Benjamin Thompson 27
Lemuel Blackmore 37
Samuel Cumings Jr 35
Zecheriah Foss 20
Samuel Cutt 30
James Lamberton 14
M H Wentworth 53
T. Atkinson Esq 41
John Nelson 25
Society Lott 44
Jacob Smith 26
Jn" Qiianton 39
Tim" mucklewam ii
James Smith Ju"' 31
William M-^mitchel ' 5
W" Scott 32
Rob' Ferrit 50
Edward Cutt 16
Isaac Williams 18
John Marsh 28
Hall Jackson 55
Joseph Welch 15
T. Atkinson Ju' Esqr 46
Sam' Hobart Ju"" 4
James Hobart 34.
Thos Pratt 17
Joshua Smith 2
Hugh Smith 49
Henry Thompson Ju"" 9
John Hobart 6
Glebe Lott 48
Ministerial Lott 42
School Lott 10
N B Eight Rights belonging to his Excellency John Went-
worth Esqr are not Drawn to him being Reserved for the Pro-
prietors they having agreed with him to Give him Twelve hun-
dred acres I^'ing in one body or piece for his s'' Eight Rights
and he having accepted of Said twelve hundred acres in L,ieu
of his said Eight Rights —
Attest Isaac Fellows Clark
a copy examined
[3-120]
\_Relative to State Tax^ etc.~\
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton —
To the Hon'''" the Council & House of Representatives of
the State aforesaid in General Court convened & to be held at
Exeter by Adjoin-nment on the 30"' Dav of October next, Hum-
bly Sheweth Your Petitioners the Inhabitants of the Town of
Dorchester in the County and State aforesaid — That in the
Year 1777 when the Invintory was Sent for to each Town
through the State, to Proportion the State Tax to the Several
Towns in the State, No direction for such Invintory Arriving
to the Town of Dorchester we knew nothinsr thereof till after
500 EAKI.V TOWN PAPERS.
the proportion was Settled which we conceive to be much too
Great for said Dorchester, being a Town Scituated about half
way between the two Rivers Pemegiwasette & Conecticut and
not more than Middling Good considering as a Town Unset-
tled & Unimproved, and the Settlements & improvements be-
ing very Small when the proportion was made & also remain
so not having but Seven Families at that Time nor not Ten
families at this Day That we Labour under many disadvantages
not having any Mills of any Sort in Town at this Day — That
your Petitioners by reason of the Smallness of their Number &
diiiering Sentiments among themselves respecting Incorpora-
tion, Neglected to be Incorporated agreeable to an Act of the
General Court and therefore unablead to assess & Collect any
of the Taxes heretofore laid upon us — And the Authority for
Incorporating as aforesaid being ceased and we being willing
& agreed to pay what will appear to be our just proportion of
the Public Expence upon an Invintory of the Ratable Estate at
the Time when said Proportion was made which Invintory we
herewith Exhibit, We therefore shall leave it with Your Hon"
to make out such Just & eaqual proportion which when You
Consider our Circumstances, Scituation & Estates we doubt
not but it will be much less than the proportion heretofore
made, and also to put us in such a way to Assess & Collect the
same as Your Honours in Your Wisdom shall see most Con-
venient, Reminding Your Honours also that as the Year will
be so far advanced it will be Impossible if we are Incorporated,
to assess ; Collect & pay said Tax into the State Treasury by
the first Day of January next we therefore would leave it with
Your Honours to allow us such further Time to pay the same
into the State Treasury as your Honors in Your Wisdom shall
see reasonable, and Your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray —
Dorchester 15*'' July 1779
Invintory of the Rateble Estate in Dorchester when the In-
vintory was to have been taken in the Year i777
Number of Heads — 9 Cattle 2 Years old — 4
Horses — 4 Cattle i Year old — i
Oxen — 10 Acres of Improved Land 35
Cows — II Acres of Pasture land i
Sum Total of the valine of unimprov'* Land — £2040
Junia Ingraham Jesse Flanders Andrew Hicock
Sam' Fellows John Woodworth
Junia Ingraham Ju Benjamin Rise
DORCHESTER. 5OI
[3~-^] {^Relative to State Tax, lySj.']
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss
To the Honorable Council, and House of Representatives
seting at Concord in the State Aforesaid, The Petition of
the Town of Dorchester in said County And State humbly
sheweth ;
That a settlement was begun in the Township aforesaid,
Some Years ago. That at the Commencement of the War,
there Were but about seven Families in said Town That this
Honorable Court did send a Committee in the Year 1780, to
said Town, which enabled the Town to levy and collect one
Years Tax That Part of the Inhabitants of said Town did soon
after joyn With what was call'd the New State. That this
Union Divided said Town in such a Manner as render'd it im-
possible To levy and collect any Taxes. That therefore the
said Town Is in Debt to this State for a considerable Part of
their Taxes From the Year 17S0, to this present Day. That a
Precept For one Years Tax never came to Dorchester. That
such is the Scarcity of Money with us at present, that we do
not See any Way that we can pay our Taxes provided we could
Levy them.
That if this Honorable Court does demand the Taxes of us,
We must for ought we can at present See, deliver up our Set-
tlements to this Honorable Court. Your Plonors, will Be
pleased further to observe, that we are willing to pay our Pro-
portion of Taxes, if we had ability. May it please your Hon-
ors, our Ability is very small, some of our Settlers are Almost
wholly dependant upon others, and but few of us Able com-
fortably to support ourselves. Furthermore, may it please
your Honors, There are but Seventeen Families in our Town
at present and many of them Poor, our Roads are lenthy and
uncommonly bad for a New Settlement, and we have not had
much, if any help of Late from the Proprietors of said Town,
to mend our Ways. Therefore, your Petitioners humbly
pray. That the Proprietors may be compelled to assist us in
making & repairing The high Ways through the several Parts
of our Town. We trust, that your Honors are convinced that
our Situation On many Accounts is remarkably DifHcult.
Therefore we pray that your Honors, would take our pitifull
Case, into your deliberate Consideration, and enable us to levy
And collect Taxes, to make and repair high Wavs in Manner
aforesaid, or, do that which in your Wisdom & Clemcncv you
May think most proper, and as in Duty bound shall ever
Pray &c
Dorchester June 19"' 17S3.
Jesse Flanders Junia Ingraham Benjman Piper
502 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam' Fellows Benj" Harris Benjamin Rise
Samuel Piper Junia Ingraham J'' Thomas Folsom
John Woodworth David Flanders David Clark
David Folsom Andrew Harris Joseph Clark
[3-122] \_Relative to Tax^ I'j86.'\
To the Honorable the House of Representatives and Senate of
the State of New Hampshire to be holden at Portsmouth
Feb'' next, The Petition of the town of Dorchester Humbly
sheweth
We your Honors Petitioners conceive ourselves to be over
Taxed in a Just proportion with Other Towns in the State and
whereas there is considerable sums in back rearages which we
are now called upon for ; which at present appears impracti-
cable For us to pay and support our Families in this unculti-
vated Wilderness — In the Year i777 ^'^ were called upon for
£13 : 18-0 at which Time we had only six Ratable Polls in
Town Lettle or no Ratable improvement in Town and but
verry few Cattle or Horses and them supported at a Great
expence ; in the Year 1778 for £19 : 17 : o at which Time we
had only seven polls & a small addition of improvements : in the
year 1779 we Were called on for £41 : 14 : o at which Time we
had only Eleven polls and our income No ways addequate to
our Support but a Great part of our provisions we purchased
and Brought from a considerable Distance Which much retard-
ed our settlement ; and never till the Year 1780 had any Town
officers so as to be in a capacity to Collect any Tax, we wish
here to observe that altho There was a valuation taken by the
sellectmen of Cockermouth Dec'' i779 ^^^ conceive by reason
of our unquaintance with them things that our improvements
were set Much too high, and we have been rated until the
Year 1784 on that valuation — We would here observe that the
Dispute In these parts about Jurisdiction rose so high in the
Year 1781 That we acted no way and thereby Lost our Meet-
ing which was Not revived till y" Year 1784 by which means
no Taxes were assessed, (which neglect we readily acknowl-
edge)— We sensibly Feeling the Before innumerated Dihcul-
ties together with our Arduous Strugles in Begining and set-
ling this Rugged Wilderness Our Lands Being something
Broken and not so fertile as most Towns round about us —
Therefore we pray Your Honors to take our Dificult Scitua-
tion into Your Wise Consideration and Grant us such releaf in
the Premises as in Your Wisdom You may think fit, that
thereby our heavy burthen May be lightened and we incour-
aged to exert ourselves in every Possible way to discharg what
DORCHESTER. 5O3
may be found to be our Just proportion — and we Your Honors
Humble Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray.
Dorchester Jan>' 21 AD 1 7S6
Benj" Norris "] Select Men
Joseph Burley ^ in behalf
Ja Ingraham Jr ) of the Town
Gideon Bridgman Sam' Fellows Junia Ingraham
Samuel Piper Benjamin piper
Silvanus Wood- John Woodworth
worth Jesse Flanders
[Another petition of same import, dated May 30, 1786,
is signed "John Woodworth, David Flanders, Joseph Bur-
ley, Selectmen," the other signatures being the same as
the foregoing. — Ed.]
[3-124] \^Petition for yustice of the Peace.']
To his Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire—
The petition of the inhabitants of the town of Dorchester,
humbly Sheweth, that your petitioners labour under many dis-
advantages, being destitute of a Justice of the Peace in this
town ; — therefore your petitioners most humbly request that
your Excellency would supply that defect by granting a Com-
mission of the Peace to M' Joseph Burley, of this town — And
your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
David Flanders John Clark Ezekiel Sanborn
Benjamin Rise Edward Sanborn Samuel Piper
David Folsom Jun Andrew Norris
bengman piper Benj" Norris Jesse Flanders
Thomas Norris Nickles Davis Roson M'^Alpine
Moses Flanders Jacob VV^illes
Thomas Folsom Uriah Howard
[3-125] \^PetUio7i for Ahatevioit of Taxes.]
State of Newhampshire —
To the Hon'*^ Senate and House of Representatives to be con-
vened at Portsmouth on the fourth Wednesday of Jan^ 17S8
The petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of Dorches-
ter Humbly Sheweth That in the year 1779 in December the
Select Men of Cockermouth took an Envcntorv of said town of
504 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Dorchester not being in a capacity thus to do Alhnost all the
Inhabitants of Dorchester were then from Connecticute the cus-
tom was there to give in as many Acres of Pastering as they
had by measure thus we did in regard to Pastering — Respect-
ting mowing land we gave in as many Tuns of hay as we cut
whether good or bad But we find upon enquiry the rest of the
good Citizens of this State have not done thus All our hay
was exceeding course cut upon new Land the Year following
after sown with Grain two lods of which was not equal to one
of common hay so it was in regard to our pastering — Respect-
ing our Buildings which were return'd by the said Select Men,
tho' not given in by us then there was not one framed Build-
ing in the Town encluding and estimating our effects thus we
find our Enventory then amounted to near double in proportion
to any town in the State — Having about £240 to pay in four
years in which four years there were but ten or twelve Familys
in the town and but very little Improvement — and the major
part of those Familys were obliged to purchase their provision
from adjacent towns And we wou'd further observe that the
Inventory taken by said Cockermouth Select Men in the year
1779 — our proportion upon the thousand pounds in conse-
quence of their Inventory was one Shilling & four pence more
upon the thousand than the proportion which was sett to us in
the Year 1784 in which time we were double in income than
what we were in 1779 vvhich last proportion we find to be full
equal to the rest of the adjacent town — We further wou'd ob-
serve that we were doom'd in the year i777 ^^^^ General Court
for the year 17S6 saw fit upon petition to make some abatement
upon the Years 17771 1778 and 1779 which favor we gratefully
acknowledge We pray your Honors to take our case into your
wise consideration and appoint a Committee to examine into
the matter and if it shou'd be found upon examination we are
agreived to make such abatement as to your Honors shall seem
Just And as in duty bound will Pray
Janiah Ingraham Ju''^ Committee directed
Joseph Burley > to sign in behalf of s*^
David Flanders ) town of Dorchester
[3-126] ^^Relatlve to Representative^ I'/gi.']
State of Newhampshire —
To the Honourable the Senate and house of Representatives
in General Court Conven"^ at Portsmouth on the last Wednes-
day of November A D 1791
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dorchester
in the County of Grafton Humbly Sheweth —
that agreable to an act of this State for Classing towns for
DORCHESTER. 505
Representation Said Dorchester was Classed with the town of
Lyme and have Continued so till after the Issuing the precepts
for Calling the last Convention at which time the Inhabitants
of said Lyme finding themselves to be of Sufficient Numbers
to Send a member agreable to the Constitution assumed the
rigfht of Chusing a member bv themselves and notified us of
their Sufficiency accordingly in Consequence of which ^-our
petitioners are wholy deprived of being Rej) resented in the
General Court without the interposition of vour honors
Wherefore your petitioners pray that they may be Classed
with the towns of Cockermouth and Orange for Representa-
tion or otherwise Relive your petitioners as you in your wisdom
Shall See meet and your petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray
Benj" Norris for the petitioners
Portsmouth Dec' y"^ 34'^ 1791
[3-127] Petition foi- Change of Day of Annual Meeting.A^
State of New Hampshire
To the honb'* the General Court of said State convened at
Concord on the first Wednesday of December 1795.
Humbly shews
Your petitioner. That the annual tow'n meeting in Dor-
chester in the Covuity of Grafton, is now by the existing Law
holden on the last Monday in March.
That many inconveniences arise to said town from holding
said Meeting on so late a day in said Month That the inhabi-
tants of said Town in order to avoid such difficulties in future,
have, in legal tow'n meeting manifested their desire of having
the day of the annual town meeting altered from the said last
Monday to the first Tuesday in March forever.
Wherefore, your petitioner, prays leave to introduce a Bill
for making such alteration in said anruial Meeting. And as in
duty bound will ever pray.
Joseph Burley Town Clerk & Agent.
Concord Dec'' 5"^ 1795. —
[By an act approved Dec. 19, 1795, the time of holding
the annual meeting was changed from the last Monday in
March to the first Tuesday in said month. — Ed.]
506 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
DOVER.
Edward Hilton was the first settler of Dover, in the
spring of the year 1623, his brother, William Hilton, either
accompanying him or soon following. This appears by the
positive and explicit statement of the historian Hubbard
(who graduated at Harvard in 1642, and was minister at
Ipswich), and by a deposition of a son of the first William
Hilton, viz., William Hilton, who himself came here in
1624. Edward Hilton, for himself and associates, pro-
cured the " Dover and Swamscot Patent," March 12,
1629-30, which covered the lower part of the present
Dover and Newington, with a small part of Stratham.
Thomas Wiggin, for persons in England who purchased
this patent, in 1633 brought over "about thirty" colonists,
with a minister, and the first parish dates from that autumn.
In 1641 the people of Dover, then an independent govern-
ment, consented to be annexed by Massachusetts.
Dover never had any special incorporation, it being a
corporation from its original settlement. When the bounda-
ries of Dover were defined, the town covered the territory
of the present Dover, Somersworth, Rollinsford, Durham,
Madbury, Lee, and apparently the whole of Newington.
Newington was separated from Dover, as a parish, in 171 3,
and had full town privileges in 1764. Somersworth, in-
cluding Rollinsford, was set off as a parish Dec. 19, 1729,
and made a town April 22, 1754. Durham, including Lee
and part of Madbury, was set off May 15, 1732. Madbury,
part from Dover and part from Durham, was set off as a
parish May 31, 1755, and received full town privileges May
26, 1768. Lee was separated from Durham, Jan. 17, 1766,
and Rollinsford from Somersworth, July 3, 1849. Dover
was long the frontier town in the Indian wars, and suffered
severely. It was incorporated as a city June 29, 1855.
[The foregoing article was contributed by Rev. Alonzo
H. Quint, D. D.]
[3-1 28] S^Precept for the Election of Asseinblymen^ l6g4.~\
Hampsh"^ To the Constables of the Towne of Dover
[Seal] Pursuant to a writt from the Presid' & Council to
me directed these are in their Majestys names to
Require both of you upon Receipt hereof to give public notice
DOVER.
507
to the freeholders of the s^ Towne that they convein on mon-
day y* ^i'"' Ins' by 10 of the clock in the forenoon of y*^ same
day at the usual place of meeting freely & Indiferently to elect
& chuse three fitt & discreet men of y*" s*^ Towne (being free-
holders thereof) w"' full & sufficient power for themselves and
the Comunity of the s*^ Towne to be a Generall Assembly for
the s*^ Province to be held at New Castle on thirsday the first of
9'"" next ensuing ; at one of the clock past meridien it being for
their Majes'* Service and to return the names of the persons soe
chosen to me one day before the sitting of s'^ Assembly as you
"will both of you answer the Contrary at yo'" perils.
Given und"" my hand & Scale at Portsm" this 34"' October
1694 in the sixth year of their Majes'* Reigne
Richard Jose Sheriff'
This warant exicuted acor[d]ing to the tenor of it ; and Cp*
John woodman : william furber : John hall are chosen :
atest hattevill Robbards
Tho : Edgerlv
Constable of Dover
[3-139] {^Thomas Edgerly's Ack)io-ivIedgment.'\
To the Honourable Edward Cranfield Esq"" Govern'' and Com-
mander in Chleft' of this his Maj' Province of Newhamp-
shire.
The humble Petition of Thomas Edgerly once more humbly
supplicates yo"" Honours Pardon for Speaking that rude & hasty
word to Stephen Willey, which comeing to your bono""* ears
hath Justly provoaked yo'' Hono'' to y'' prosecution of his former
offences your Petition' Humbly prays for mercie fav"" and par-
don, yo"" petitioners weakness is still discovered By there be-
haviour but can Treuly say was Lifted up with Joy Received
by your honors pardon, Just then received so graciously from
yo'' Hon'' yo"" pardon shall ever be acknowledged by yo'' pction'
and to have regard to his behaviour for time to come
Thomas Edgerly
[3-139}^] \_RctHrn of Assemblymen^ i6g§.'\
Att a townd meeting held att Dover by the freeholders of the
Townd on the thirtenth Day of may 1695 they have made
Choyce of by writt for tlieir asemblv men : Ca''' John Wood-
man En'" W" flurber and John Hall l)v a faire chovse
Witness John Walker Debety Sherrefi".
508
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Voitts — Cap" Woodman 87 Ens'" ffurber
Jn" Hall 45 Lef tuttell
Clemens 6 Cap" GeiTish
Cap" Cromell i
85
38
[3-130] \^Retu}'n of Assemblymen^ idgy.^
December the twentlth 34 1697
The men so chosen bi the mager part of the freholders of the
Town of Dover for esemblemen are Joshua crommel william
forber James Davis
Nathaniell Meder
Constable of oyster river
[3-131]
The Inhabbitanes that are Nerer y" New Meten house then
y® old
Cochecho Pint
Howard Hendrson
Thomas Pots
Sam' Cosen
Eleisheo Clark
W"' Stiles
Benj" Wamoth
Silvanes Nock
Silvanes Nock Jun""
fileon Stagpool
Jeames Stagpool
Daniel Gooten
Zac : Nock
Thomas Nock
Lt Hatefel Robbards
Thomas Tibbets
John Tibbets
En^ Paul Wintworth
Love Robbards
Sam' vSmith
John Wintworth
W" Clark
Col. Waldron
W"^ Tombly
Joseph Hame
Lt Harde
Tim" Gerrish
Paul Gerrish
John Waldron
John Hame
W" ffose
Thomas Horen
John Horen
John Harde
Benj" Wintworth
Efream Wentworth
Benj-' Wentworth
Jur.
Gersom Wentworth
John Rickerd
Meturen Rickerd
James Hard
Tliomas Downes
Jearemiah Rolenes
Jabes Garlon
John Eles
Mores Hobes
Sam' Crumell
Jeames Gupy
John Winget
John Tomly
Edward Evenes
Benj" Hanson
Nathaniell Young
Mark Giles
John Hayes
Peter Hayes
John Hame
Richard Hamock
Jonathan Young
Joseoh Evenes
Benj^ Evenes
Na"' Hanson
back river
John Drew
ffranses Drew
Isrell Hodgon
Zack. fteeld
John fteeld
Daniel Missarve
Joseph Ginkenes
Jeames Pinkham
Solomon Pinkham
Edward Evenes Ju''
John Croseby
72 fameleys
DOVER. 509
Indiferent famleys
John Bickford Sam' Carell '\ uncertain to w'^''
Thomas Ash Richard Husey > meeting house
Sam" Kenney Edward Cloutman ) they live nearest
The list of seventy two persons being householders & Inhabit'
on the other side according to our best understanding live
nearer to y^ New meeting house at Cochecho than the old on
Dover Neck given under our hands this 25"" of April 1715
Richard Waldron Joseph Roberts | Selectmen
John Downmg Joseph Jones )
Thomas Tebbets
Tim" Gerrish
[3-132]
These are the Inhabertance that Live the nearest the old
metting houes on Dover neck as followeth
Cap' Tuttle Richard ackling Thomas Roberts
Cap' Tebbets Lt Joseph Roberts Samuel Tebets
John Hall Thomas Roberts Samuel W'ille
John foav nathaniell Roberts nathaniel purkines
Joseph Hall John Roberts Thomas Young
Nicholas Harfut Joshua Crumell E" Joseph Bean
the Back River men
m'"Samuell Emerson Thomas Starbord Samuel nute
Richard pinckham James nute
Dover in New Hampshire
The above list of twenty flbur persons being householders &
Inhebit" According to our best understanding live nearer the
old meeting on Dover Neck than the New at Cochecho given
under our hands this 25"^ April 17 15
Richard Waldron Joseph Roberts ) o 1 ^
T 1 T^ • TIT r Selectmen
John Downmg Joseph Jones j
[See vol. Ill, p. 730.]
Thomas Tebbets
Tim" Gerrish
[R. 26S] Z)r. Tho7tias Alden^ s Petition^ addressed to the
General Assembly.^
The Petition of Tliomas Alden of Dover Phvsician, most
humbly sliewcth — That at the request of Joseph Fompery who
5IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
was a Souldier then in the Province Service at the garrison of
Cap' Benjamin Wentworth in Dover yo'' Petitioner did admin-
ister to him the s*^ Pompery in the month of September hist,
who then was taken with a MaHgnant Fever, of which he dyed,
and vour Petitioner is left withont any satisfaction for that his
Services which amounts to Seven pounds Three Shillings and
Sixpence —
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that this honourable
Gen' : Assembly would please to order that yo"' Petitioner be
paid out of the Treasury of this Province in whose Service the
s*^ Pompery dyed And your Petitioner Shall ever pray as in
duty bound &c
Thomas Alden
Portsm" 1 8* Novemb' 1724.
[3~'^33] \_Samnel Tibbets's Depositions^
Capt. Samuel Tibbetts aged sixty seven years who hath
Lived in Dover, in New Hampsh"" all His Days & never knew
old Tho^ Nock but hath heard his Mother say he was Killed
with a Cart that year he the said Tibbets was born & that he
remembers Tho'' Nock Jun"' to be his reputed son and that Sil-
vanus Nock of Somersworth is the Reputed son of Silvanus
the Sun of the old Tho'* Nock Sworn in Court
Febr^ 9"' 1733/4 John Penhallow Clerk
[3-136] \_Re>nonst ranee against the Noi'th-East Part of
Town being set offr\ •
To His Excellency William Burnet Esq"" Cap' Gen' & Gov'' in
Chief in & over his Majesties Pro : of N Hampsh'' &c and
To the Hon**'^ y'' Covmcil & Representatives Convened in
general assembly —
The Inhabitants of y^ Town of Dover their reasons why the
Petition of sundry of y" Inhabitants of y" N. E. part of s*
Town praying they may be set oft' as a Distinct parish ought
not to be granted according to ye boundaries therein men-
tioned—
The Respondents are sensible of y^ Inconveniences y® Peti-
tioners are under by being obliged to go so far to y** public
worship & y"" more so because many of y™ are under y" same
unhappy Circumstances & must always remain so if this petition
be granted in all respects for if y^ dividing line should come so
far South Easterly as y® Petitioners desire y" first parish of Do-
ver would consist of a long square of ab' Ten miles one way &
DOVER. 511
ab' a mile & half the other & there would be then no prospect
that those of y^ Respond''* that live at the greatest distance
from x" meeting house could ever be better accommodated so
that the respond'^ are humbly of opinion y' the benefit y"' Peti-
tioners would reap by having their Petition granted would not
be so great as the damage y'' respond'" would sustain thereby
for tho y^ reason given b}' y*" Petitioners for y'' being set oft' is
because of their being so far from the meeting house yet if y^
dividing line should run where they desire many of them would
have much further to go to meeting than before
The Respond'** therefore humbly pray that if they are set oft'
the dividing line may be but half way from meeting house to
meeting house w"^*^ seems most reasonable or that a Committee of
impartial! & disinterested persons may be appointed to go upon
the spot & after having viewed the places & considered all cir-
cumstances make report to your Excellency & the hon"'' Court
where they think it most reasonable the dividing line should be
also where y** dividing line shall run between Dover & oyster
river that line having never as yet been fully settled
May 13"' 1729 Nicholas Harford
May the 13"* ^729 In the house of Representatives upon
Reading the Petition of the North East Part of the Town of
Dover for their Being set oft' a Distinct precinct as per the Pe-
tition Read in the house ap' 25"' 1729 : and on a Second Read-
ing the same Petition may y* 13"^ & the within answer: to the
said Petition — The Petitioners appearing by their agents : and
being heard by their Councill : and the Respondents Likewise :
and the agents of each Part of the Town of Dover making
choice of JVP Speaker Wiggans : Natt Weare : Theo : Atkinson
Maj' Nicholas Oilman Esq' & M' Eph'" Dennett as a Comittee
to goe upon the spot and first to settle and Run a Dividing line
Between the Precinct of oyster River & Dover old parish and
that the Inhabitants of y* Precinct of oyster River Be notified
of y* order of the Gen' ass'" by Serving them with a Copy
hereof and that the said Precinct of Oyster River precinct may
Make Choice of one or Two Indifterent persons to Joyn with
those persons before Named (if they See Cause) to Settle &
Run the line afore Said : and after that line be Settled that then
the Comittee above Named Do view the old Town of Dover :
& The District Petitioned to be Set oft': and to Settle a Divid-
ing line Between the Two Precincts last mentioned according
to the Best of their Judgmen'% And That oyster River Dover
and the North East' District pay the Comittee in Equall Pro-
portion : And that the Said Petitioners in the mean Time be
free from lieing Rated to the Ministers Rates of the old parish
till tlie line be Settlrd —
512 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
And the Maj'' Part of Said Comittee agreeing & Signing a
Return Shall be acconipted Sufficient : and that it be Bro' to
the Gen' ass"' at their Next Sessions for approbation & Con-
firmation as the Gen' ass"' Shall See meet
James Jeftry CI'' ass"
In Coun' May 14* 1729
Read and Concurred
R. Waldron Cler' Cou'
[3-137] \_Relative to Boundary Line between Dover and
Oyster River Parish^ -which Parish was established A/ay,
1716.']
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Goven"' and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties province of New
Hamp"' to his Majesties Councill and Representatives of the
s** province in Gen" Assembly convened this 24"* day of
September, 1731.
The Addresse and Petition of the Subscribers doth humbly
Shew —
That Joseph Jones of oysterriver in the Town of Dover in
the province of New Hamp'' with vSundry others Inhabitants of
the s'' Parish of ovsterriver, by their Petition made to the
Honourable Jn" Wentworth Esq'' Lieut Goven'' and Com-
mander in Chief in and over the s'' province of New Hamp'' to
the Honourable his Majesties Council and the Representatives
of the s'' province, did humbly Petition, that whereas the s''
Petitioners have always been constant hearers & paid their
rates to the Minister of oysterriver as by the Rate List of
Assesment did appear, and that Sundry of them had been at
considerable charge in Building a Meeting house in s'' Parish
of oysterriver being nearer and more convenient for them to
attend upon the publick worship of God at oysterriver Meeting
house than at Cochecho Meeting house which is a great wav fur-
ther for them to goe, and that they were in danger of being
excluded from their s'' privilege of going to oysterriver by an
Unequal line of Boundar}- about to be Settled between Co-
checho and oysterriver, which if being so Stated will tend
extreemly to their pi^ejudice, and did therefore humbly crave
Liberty of a more Mature consideration of the premises by
his Honour and Gen" Assembly and that there might be a
more equal Line of Boundary for land between them than
what was proposed — and upon the Hearing of which humble
Petition it was ordered that it should be heard upon the third
day of this present sitting of the Gen" Assembly notwithstand-
ing which by some carelesness and JNIismanagement of the
DOVER. 513
persons concerned in and about the s*^ affair it so happens that
the s** Petition is not yet heard and in danger of dropping
through, to the extream injury of the afors"^ Petitioners, and
whereas we the Subscribers at a publick Parish Meeting of
ovsterriver are chosen and appointed as a Committee in the
behalfe of the s** Parish concerning the s*^ Line between Dover
and oysterriver we do humbly pray that Yo' Excellency and
the Honourable Assembly will not determine the Line afors**
before you have had an hearing of the s"* Petition but that you
will please to appoint a day certain at the next Gen" Assembly
for that end and make orders that both parties be duly Warned
thereof — & so You'' Petitioners shall ever pray &c
24"" September Stephen Jones
1 731 Hubbard Stevens
John Woodman
[In H. of Rep., "z"" the 25"\" a hearing was ordered for
the next session. May 15, 1732, the "Precinct of Oyster
River" was constituted a parish by the name of Durham. —
Ed.]
[3-1 3S] \_Relathe to a Parish in the Westerly Part.']
To The Select men of the Town of Dover in the Province of
New Hampshire —
Gentlemen —
We the Subscribers Pray you to Insert a Clause in yourwor-
rant or notification for Calling or Warning The Next Town
Meeting to See whether the Town will pass a vote Signifying
Their Consent that a new Parish may be made in the westerly
part of the Town of Dover aforcs** agreeable to Boundaries Set
forth in a Petition of those who Desire it to The Inhabitants &
freeholders of Said Town —
Septem"' i"' 1743 —
William Hill John Tasker William Bussell
Job Dcmerrett 'j(;scph Jackson Joseph Daniel
John Roberts Henry Bussell Paul Gerrish
Tosepli Hicks Timo'thy Moses xt u 1 "* t-w •
David Daniel Solomon Emerson ^''"-^^ Z, ^''^^''^
Sam' Chesley Jn° Huckins
Vera Copia as on Dover Town Book of Records
Attest Jos : Hanson Jun"" Town Cler
34
514 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 371] [ Gov. WentxvortJi s Order to Afaj. Thomas Davis. '\
Portsm° 24* May 1 744
Sir You are hereby directed to Inlist as Volunteers, forty
men to march under your Command to Canterbury & the pond,
"where I shall order a Company of forty more, under the Com-
mand of Cap' Ichabod Tibbits to Joyn you. If you find any
difficulty in raising Volunteers, you are to apply to Coll° Smith
for his orders to Impress the said forty men out of his regiment
as soon as you have Compleated your [number] you are to
come and Receive your orders from me in what manner you
are to proceed
I am S'' your hu' Ser'
B. Wentworth
The men are allow^ed twenty shiP per month lawfull mony
half a pound of powder to a man Soldiers allowance 20 Musket
balls & three flints each soldier
To Major Thomas Davis at Dover
[R. 269] \_Abstract of Salathiel Denbd's Petition.']
[In a petition dated "9'^' y® 27*'' 1730," Salathiel Denbo, of
Dover, states, — "That your Petitioner was Imprest into the
service of the Province of Newhampshire on the Canada
Expedition and under the Comand of Cap* James Jeffrey
and for want of Saylors, and by request of those persons
apointed to fix out the vessels for Transport & by Leave of
the s*^ Cap* Jeffrey Did Service as a Saylor under Cap*
Clem* Deareing the Master of the Transport wherein our
Company was. Your Petitioner in the s'^ Service under
the then Comand of the said Cap* Dearing getting of
Coales for fireing had his thigh broken." He further states
that he is incapable of laboring, and asks for relief, and
was allowed ten pounds for one year, and five pounds a
year for the next seven years. — Ed.]
[R. 270] \_Abstract of Eleazer Toting^ f''-'^^ Petitiofi.']
In a petition dated Dover, Dec. 14, 1744, Eleazer Young,
Jr., states, — "That your Petitioner Did on the last Summer
past Voluntarily Enlist My Self into his Majestys Service
to March Into the woods as far as Winnipe Sauke Pond
under the Command of Cap* Ichabod Tebbetts and when
DOVER. 5 I 5
near the Pond fireing off my Gun on an Necessary Occa-
sion Providence so ordered that the Gun split all in Pieces
By which means your Petitioner Received a very bad
wound." He asks the assembly for an allowance. — Ed.]
[3-139] [ Warrant for Toxun- Meetings 1^4^.']
Pursuant to a Precept from the Sheriff' to us Directed for
to Cause the Inhabitants of the Town of Dover to be Con-
venied together for the Choyce of assembly men —
To the freeholders and Inhabitants of the Town of Dover
Such as are quallified by Law to Vote for the Choyce of
assembly men These are to give Notice that there is a Publick
Town meating to be held at the meeting house at Cochecho in
Dover on Tuesday the fourth Day of June next Ensuing at one
of the Clock in the afternoon to Choose three fit persons to Rep-
resent Said Town of Dover in General assembly to be Con-
venied and held at portsmouth on Wednesday the fifth Day of
Said June next at Ten of the Clock in the forenoon all persons
Concerned are Desired to give their attendance Punctually at the
Time and place abovementioned
Dated at Dover Tho'^ Millet ^
may iS'^ ^745 John Winget [Select
Tho*^ Wallingford ( Men
Eph : Ham j
At a Publick Town meeting held at the meeting house at
Cochecho in Dover on Tuesday the fourth Day of June i745
first a motion was made by Some Gentleman in Said meeting
that Some things had been wrongly Represented and that it
was reasonable that the matters or things So Represented
Should be Examined into and bro' to Light to which two Jus-
tices one of which was a Selectman and many others Rising
up and upposed the Same Saying that it was alway Customary
when any Town meeting was Called that the Notification had
been usually first to be Read and a moderator Chosen and after
that to hear and answer to any matter and Debate that Should
then arise to which the major part of the meeting Insisted on
as well as the two Justices before named with great vehemcncy
but Some of the Select men still Insisting that those affairs
above mentioned Should be heard and Debated on before the no-
tification was Read and moderator Chose and one of the Select
men Said that the meeting sliould be broken up unless it were
So or words to that Purpose and .So moved out of the meeting
house for awhile and the people still pressing and Insisting that
$l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Town Clerk Should Read the notification and Proceed to
the Choice of a moderator To which the Clerk thought Proper
So to Do in order to prevent any further Disturbance in Said
meeting and when the notification was Read Votes was bro' in
for a moderator which were as follows —
for Thomas Wallingford Esq' 149 votes
for Thomas Millet Esq'' 60 votes
Tho^ Wallingford Esq'' being Chosen bv the majority of
89 Votes
When the moderator was thus Legally Chosen he Com-
manded Silence and Desired that If any person had any thing
to Relate Touching those matters or things above mentioned
and would Draw near they Should be heard — however no one
appearing altho near half an hour was allowed them for that
end then the moderator Desired the people to bring in their
votes for the first assembly man Saying it was usual to Choose
first at that part of the Town Call'^ Dover the votes bro' in were
as follows —
for major Thomas Davis 100
for Thomas Millet Esq'' i
for Thomas Wallingford Esq"" 2
Major Thomas Davis being Chosen by the majority of
98 votes
Then four of the Select men namely Thomas Millet Esq''
Cap' John Winget m'' Eli Demerit & m'' Ephraim Ham ap-
peared after the hour of five of the Clock and ordered the
Clerk to Read the notification and proceed to the Choice of a
moderator to which the moderator before Chosen Refused to
have Done and Desired the people to bring in their votes for a
Second assembly man — which was for John Gage which was
Chosen by 102 Votes —
Then the four Select men above named half an hour after
five of the Clock removed into a pew on the other Side of the
meeting house and begun to Carry on a ineeting by themselves
altho Silence was Commanded by. the moderator; Thomas
Wallingford Esq'' was Chose the third assembly man by 93
votes then the moderator Dismised the meeting at half an hour
after five of the Clock and the Town Clerk gave out a Sum-
mons and the three men above named M^as Summoned to ap-
pear at the Court house in portsmouth on the fifth Day of June
Instant at ten of the Clock in the forenoon and a return of y^
Summons made to the Clerk
A true Coppy of the Notification together with the proceed-
ings of the Town Meeting
Attest Jos : Hanson Jun'' Town Cler
DOVER. 5 i 7
Province of New Hamp""
To Thomas Varney Constable of Dover
you are hereby required in his Majestys Name to Summons
Maj"" Thomas Davis John Gage and Col" Thomas Wallingford
Esq'' to appear at the Court house in Portsmouth on Wednes-
day the fifth Day June Instant at ten of the Clock in the fore-
noon to attend on the General assembly on being Chosen Rep-
resentative this fourth Day of June — 1745 & make return of
your proceedings therein unto myself —
Jos : Hanson Jun'' Town Cle"" :
Province of New Hainp""
By virtue of the within Summons I have Summoned the
Men within Mentioned to appear at the time & place within
Mentioned per me
Dover June 4"" 1745 Tho^ Varney
[3-140] \_T'oxv?i Clerk's Declaration co7icerning Election of
Representatives^ I/4J.^
Whereas the Town of Dover hath Done me the honour as
to Choose me their Clerk in which place & Trust I have offi-
ciated with Justice & fidelit}' — and in our Last tow^n meeting
for the Choice of assembly men I was in no wise Desirous of
any mutinies or Contentions in the meeting but to the Conta-
rary Desiring the People Should agree and accord in Love &
unity and when Some Gentlemen Saying at the first assem-
bling of the meeting that they had Something to ofier to the
people with Respect to Lies or folse Reports which they said
had been spread abroad to Disaftect the people with Respect
to the Common Cause : I was of the Same opinion that the
greatest part of the people was finding by the words of the
notification that the freeholders of the Town of Dover was not
CalH together at that time to hearken to any Lies or false Re-
ports If any Such thing had Even been — but was notified to
appear there punctually at the hour of one of the Clock to
Choose three fit persons to Represent them in General assem-
bly and Consulting the Law of this province which Did not
Say that the Select men had power Either to regulate or break
up the meeting — but Said in plain words (that at Every Such
meeting a moderator Shall be Chosen by a majority of votes
&c) and I must needs Confess and Say that I think the Town
of Dover never Stood in greater need of a moderator then at
that time and according to the usual Custom I Read the noti-
fication and Desired the people to bring in their Votes for a
moderator which was Done in a very fair maimer —
Before I Conclude I would add and Say that when the oppo-
set partie Set up a meeting by themselves on the other Side of
5i8
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the meeting house I Dont Remember that they Said one word
about Informing the people about any Lies or false Reports
Spread abroad as aforementioned but went on in their Choice of
men — If 1 have Err'^ or Said one word amiss I beg forgiveness
of Almighty God and this honourable Court
Dover June 4* 1745
[There is no signature to the foregoing, but it is in the
hand-writing of Jos. Hanson, Jr. — Ed.J
[3-143] Dover Part for the Year 1753 Parish Rates.
Richard Hussey
JohnBickford Jun""
Samuel Chesley
John Leighton
Daniel Misarve
John Field
Henry Tebbetts
Timothy Moses
Jonathan Daniels
Eli Demerit
John Titcomb
Joseph Drew-
Stephen Pinkham
Jacob Daniels
Vincent Tarr
Hetevel Leighton
Aaron Roberts
Benjamin Roberts
Joseph Crumwell
Daniel Jacobs
William Hill
John Roberts Jun'
James Brown
Cap' Joseph Hicks
Lieu* Solomon Emerson
Ens° John Tasker
Lieu' James Davis
Zechariah Pitman
Reuben Chesley
Daniel Misarve Jun"^
James Huckens
Nathaniel Davis
Thomas Millit Esq^
Lieu' Stephen Roberts
Thomas Roberts & Moses
Howard Henderson Ju""
John Bickford
Richard Hussey Jun''
Joshua Perkins
Samuel vStarbird
Shadrach Hodgdon
Daniel Titcomb
Job Demeritt
John Ham Jun''
Ephraim Tebbets 3d
Howard Henderson
Henry Bussell
Robert Wille
John Misarve
Clement Misarve
James Pinkham
Benjamin Wille
James Jackson
W^id. Eliza Young &
Tho** Young
Trustirm Pinkham
Josiah Tucker
Samuel Davis
Thomas Bickford
Bedheld Plummer
Maj. Tho' Davis
Ephraim Tebbetts Jun""
Joseph Rankins
Thomas Roberts Jun"'
I
19
12
6'
8
3'
9i
3
7
5
7
6
6'
6
I
6
6
17
15
6
3
6
6
6
9
3
3
10
I
7
II
6
6
5
9
9
9
H
9
9
3
9
17
18
9
10
16
3
6
9
7
4
6
H
3
13
9
II
6
5
9
9
6
9
II
3
I
II
9
5
10
6
8
6
9
H
II
6
10
6
I
7
3
7
18
I
6
6
I
^
I
5
I
9
I
6
6
15
6
9
6
I
6
6
=?
6
8
6
DOVER.
519
John Smith
Samuel Drew
Joseph Rines
Zebulun Drew
John Giles
Timothy Perkins
Samuel Tasker
Charles Bickford
John James
Derrv Pitman
Jonathan Pinkham
Timothy Clemens
John Huckins
James Jackson Jun""
Nathaniel Perkins
William Fowler
Francis Drew
John Tasker Jun""
Richard Jones
William Gletten
Richard Causewell
Ezeriah Boody
John Demerit
Zechariah Edgerley
Paul Gerrish
William Demerit
John Bussell
1
5
6
9
10
6
5
5
3
9
10
7
5
6
6
II
7
4
6
6
5
I
9
S
3
6
3
I
6
S
6
16
1 1
6
3
6
8
9
'5
3
Joseph Daniels
William Bussell
James Clemens
Reuben Gray
Samuel Crumwell
Benjamin Body Ju''
Ebenezer Demerit
William Tasker
William Brown
John Tuttle Jun""
Samuel Emerson
Samuel Starbird Jun''
John Bickford third
Patience Pooler
Joseph Buzzell
Levi Tuttle
Philip Crumwell
William Alen
Lemuel Drew
Joseph Jackson
Anthony Jones
Benjamin Leathers
William Gerrish
Benjamin Lebbev
William Leighton Ju""
John Leighton
•7
9
6
9
5
3
6
6
5
"?
6
8
6
10
■^
6
5
6
I
I
3
6
6
6
3
6
4
6
4
6
9
6
6
4
6
6
9
4
6
7
6
5
6
3
10
The Cast of the List £57 : 10 : o
Due back or abatement £0 : i 7 : o
Copy Compard With the original per T W W^aldron one of
the Selectmen Exclusive of any abatement
The Westerly Part of Dover for the Year 1 753 Parish Rate.
Maj Thomas Davis
John Leighton
Henery tibets
Jonathan Daniels
Henery Bussell
Stephen Pinkham
James Pinkham
James Jackson
William Hill
Jolni R(;berts Jun"'
James Brown
Lieu' Solomon Emerson
16
6
5
9
I
9
3
6
1 1
6
9
18
9
I
6
6
I
5
Lieu' James Davis
John Demeret
Zachariah Pitman
Ruben Chesley
Daniel misarve Jun''
James Huckens
Nathaniel Davis
John Smith
.Samuel Drew
Joseph Rines
Ebenezer Demeiet
William Tasker
I
6
17
15
I
9
6
i
i
5
8
FO
520
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
William Brown
Derry Pitman
John Huckens
James Jackson Jun''
Samuel Chesley
Job Demeret
Timothy moses
Eli Demerit
Robert Wille
Jacob Daniels
Benjamin Wille
Daniel Jacobs
Samuel Davis
thomas Bickford
CaP Joseph hicks
Ens" John Tasker
azariah Boodey
Zachariah Edgerley
Paul Gerrish
William Demeret
John Bussell
Joseph Daniels
William Bussell
James Clemons
Ruben Gray
Benjamin Bodge Jun'"
Timothy Perkens
Samuel Tasker
5
6
lO
II
7
1 1
6
6
^7
3
II
3
II
9
3
9
9
5
9
7
^7
13
9
I
5
I
5
16
II
9
6
8
9
15
3
'I
9
9
5
6
3
6
5
6
6
5
Charles Bickford
John Bickford 3*^
Joseph Busell
William Fowler
William alien
John Tasker Jun'
Richard Jones
William Glidden
Richard Causewell
Nicules Brock
Joseph Young
Daniel Young
Joseph twombly
William Twombly 3*^
Robert Evans & his son
Thomas
francis Drew
Joseph Jackson
anthony Jones
Benjamin Leathers
Daniel hyes
Ebenezer Garling Jun""
Elezer Young
John Evens
Isaac twombley
John Winget Jun''
Robert Huckens
Samuel Davis Jun""
A Counterpin of the Pai-ish Cochecho Part.
John Gage Esq""
John Gage Jun''
Daniel Plummer
Widow Lydia Harford
James Guppy
Andrew Horn
Robert mase
Ens" Richard Waldron
Benjamin Conour
William Door
John Waldron & his Son
John
Ephraim Kembal
John whitehouse
Will : Horn 3*^ & James
Horn
2
8
7
3
6
I
4
3
6
1
5
5
6
6
9
9
4
6
17
8
5
6
16
6
John Horn
Daniel Titcomb
Benjamin Lebby Ju'
Ebenezer Horn
William Ham
John Hartford
Spencer Wentworth
Grant Wentworth
Nathaniel Horn
Thomas Witheren
William forst Jun"'
John Herd
Joshua Winget
Andrew Gerrish
Cap' Tho' W : Waldron
Samuel Herd
DOVER.
521
Ephraim Plummer
Samuel Ham
Wid. Hannah Willard &
her Son William
Samuel Herd Jun''
James Chesley
William Gage
Richard Kemball
Nehemiah Kemball
John Horn Jun''
W^id : Martha Hayes
Widow Esther Horn
Isaac Horn
Benjamin Lebby
William Gerrish
John Hanson Jun'
Wido : Abagail Went-
worth
Nathaniel Willard
Ephraim Vv'entworth
William W^entworth Jun
James Wetheren
William forst
Benjamin Herd
Cap' John Winget
Nicholas Canada
William Evens
Benjamin Hanson & his
Son George
George Hern
Wido : Jonna Watson &
Joseph Watson
Doughles Baker
Cheney Smith
Andrew Marshal
John Rendel
James Kielle
Ichabod Hayes
William Twomlily
Ralph Twombly
Daniel Evens
Ebenezer Garlin Jun'
Elea Young
Daniel Young
John Evens
Isaac Twombly
6
6
6
6
II
9
15
16
3
6
5
9
15
3
12
3
II
3
2
S
9
5
I
3
2
S
II
3
3
6
6
I
6
9
10
9
J7
4
5
3
6
6
16
7
6
4
61
14
9
5
6
0!
9
5
12
9
6
iS
3
16
6
6
•7
1
12
6
II
John Winget Jun'
Robert Huckens
John Kille
Lew : moses Winget
John Church
John Tebbets
Thomas Hays
vSamuel Watson
Samuel Gerrish
Peter Cushing
Isaac Young
WilliamTwombly J'
Benja : Hanson Ju'
Otis Baker
David Watson
Leu' John Ham
Joseph Roberts &
Lebby
Daniel Hayes
Aaron Hayes
John Twombly Ju'
Jonathan Young & Sons
James & Nathaniel
Nicholas Brock
Joseph Young
Ebenezer Young
Noah Young
Joseph Twombly
William twombly 3''
Robert Evens & his Son
Thomas
Samuel Davis Jun'
Ebenezer Hanson
Edmond winget
William Emerson
Joseph Hall
Dudle}- Watson
Tobias Rendal
Daniel Horn and His Son
Daniel
Reuben Hayes
Josh : and Ephraim Ham
John Hayes Jun'
Ephraim Hanson
Samuel Hodge
Jonathan Watson
7|9
9|3
4|6
93
166
6
6
6
4
6
3
6
6
7
6
7
0
7
3
3
6
5
i
5
9
I
7
9
3
13
9
9
3
10
6
5
8
6
10
3
2
3
II
3
I
I
5
9
4
3
6
6
522
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
George Horn
William M'^cullock
Joseph Brown
Anclre\v Frink
Ephraim Alley
Wido : Abigail Garlin
Elijah Bunker
James Young Jun""
Benjamin Horn
Peter Hayes
Daniel Ham
Dea John Hayes
Benjamin Evens
John VVinget Jun''
Robert Huckens
John Kille
Leu : Moses Winget
John Church
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
6
5
0
7
9
9
4
6
6
6
lO
17
18
3
II
61
7
9
9
4
3
6
9
3
11
3
Cap' Joseph Hanson
Stephens Evens
Cap' Trustirm Coffin
Joseph Abbot
Benjamin Ham
Daniel Waden
Jonathan Evens
Samuel Alley
Samuel Tod
Job Clemens
VVentworth Hayes
Jonathan Gerrish
John Tebbets
Thomas Hayes
Samviel Watson
Jonathan Winget
William Hanson
Copy Examined per Original
Tho^ W Waldron
All abatement on this List as followeth Viz :
Lydia Hartford
Benj Lebby
Abigail Wentworth
Eben"" Young
Sam^ Tod
Samuel Heard
Esther Horn
s
d
I
3
5
2
3
4
9
4
6
5
2
W"^ Gerrish
Aaron Hayes
Daniel Wading
Daniel Titcomb
Cast of this Counterpin is 69- 7-6
Drawbacks 2-19-4
£66-8-2
[R. 272] \^Dcpositions Relative to Is7'ael I^eii'ce.'\
These certifie whome it may concern that in the year 1748, I
the subscriber was appointed Commissar}- to the Company un-
der the command of Cap' Job Clements, & in dealing out the
DOVER. 523
allowances to the soldiers, Israiel Peirce appeared & Received
forty two Days allowance, with the Rest of the soldiers & I
don't Remember that I heard of his Runing or going away
without the Cap'** Leave
Joseph Walker
Rochester 20"" July 1753
To the Honorable mr Speaker Ware
Sir by the Desiare of mr Isaril Peirce I found by my accompt
that I Deliverd to him s** Peirce fourten Days alounce at my
hous in april 174S and I understood he was a Listed Solder
John Gage
July 28'^ 1753.
[R. 274]
The Deposition of Isaril Peirce a solder under the Command
of Cap* Jobe Clement at Rochister I the Deponant well Re-
member that I faithfully sarved Two months at s*^ Rochister in
the year 1748 under the Command of s"^ Cap' Clements and
when I went a way from s*^ sarvice it was By Cap* Clements
leva ' ,i, ^
Isaril X Peirce
mark
[Timothy Roberts, of Rochester, testifies to Peirce's hav-
ing been regularly discharged in his presence. Sworn be-
fore John Gage, justice of the peace, at Dover. — Ed.]
[3-147]
[This document is a plan on which is the following certifi-
cate :] " By order of the Parish of Dover — The Plan hereto
annexed was Run From Johnsons Creek to Jos Jenkins
house & then N. W. & by N to Dover head line by Thos
W^Waldron Moses Winget & Jn» Tasket [Taskar ?] the
other lines are laid down from Durham & Somersworth
charters the whole Plan'd by Tho' W' Waldron Sur^July 10,
1753.
"Jan. 28 1754 Copy Examined
" pr. Tho« W^ Waldron "
Mr. Cushing's meeting-house, Johnson's Bridge, Green
Hill, Beach Hill, etc., are located on the plan. — Ed ]
524 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-148] [ Warrant for Tow7i-jSIeeting.'\
To the free holders and Inhabitants of the Town of Dover
Qiiallified to vote in Publick Town meeting
This is to give notice that there is a Publick Town meeting
to be held at the meeting-house at Cochecho in Dover on mon-
day the third Day of June next at two of the Clock in the after-
noon— first to Chose any Town officer or officers that Shall be
necessary for the present year. 2'^ to hear what M"' Samuel
Emerson has to offer Consarning any part of the Estate of Mary
Saunders Dec** Supposed to be in his hands and to act as the
Town shall think proper thereon 3^^ to hear Sundry Persons
Requesting to have another minister Settled in the Town with
full power to act on said request as shall then appear to have
the best tendency to promote Love peace & unity amongst us all
Persons Consarned are Desired to give their attendance at time
and place
Dover May zz^ 1 754 Tho' W' Waldron
Jos Hanson |- Select Men
SoP Emerson
[3-150] \_Petition of the luhabitajits of the Westerly Part
to be set oJf.~\
To His Excellexcy Penning Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire The Hon""'^ his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for Said Province in General
Assembly Convened January 17* 1754
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the
Westerly part of Dover in Said Province Shews
That your Petitioners Living at a Considerable Distance
(some of them Seven Miles & ujDwards) from the Meeting
House at Cochecho So Called in which the Reverend M"" Cush-
ion Preaches found it very Inconvenient for them and their
Families to Attend the Public Worship at Said Meeting House
& have therefore Built a meeting House & for Several Years
last past Maintaind Constant Preaching at their own Expence
besides paying their Proportion to all Town Charges. —
That they Requested the Town to Consider their Situation &
Exempt them from paying towards the Support of the Minis-
ter of the Town, as they are well able to do it themselves.
That your Petitioners might be the better able to Support the
Preaching of the Gospel So that not only their Women & Chil-
dren might have more frequent Opportunities of Attending
DOVER.
525
but that vour Petitioners might be in a Condition to Settle a
Minister among themselves : which in Public Town Meeting
has been Denied the' the Voters almost to a man Singly wou'd
acknowledge Said Request to be Reasonable — That Your Pe-
tioners humbly Conceive, The Granting that Request wou'd
have been for the Honour as well as advantage of the Town
tho' they Should thereby have been obliged to pay twelve
pence a man more Annually to their Minister, as it would have
Encouraged the Settling of the Lands above & bro't a great
Current of Business to the Town below & Servd them many
other ways — But as they woud not voluntarily do it themselves,
the thing will appear So Reasonable as to Ingage Your Excel-
lencv & Honours on the Part of Your Petitioners in this Par-
ticular, & Oblige the Town to Submit to the Terms they
Refuse to Grant. — Wherefore Your Petitioners Humbly Pray
thev may be Set oft' from Said Town by a Line runing from a
Pine Tree (or where that Stood) on Cedar Point so Called to
the Westerly End of the Dwelling House of Joseph Jenkins
& from thence on a N. W. & by North Course to the Head of
the Township and that all the Poll & Estates on the Westerly
Side Said Line may be by a Special Act Exempted from Pay-
ing towards the Minister of Said Town & Incorporated into a
Parish and Invested with the usual Parish Powers and Privi-
leges that they may Enjoy the Benefit of a Settled Ministry
nearer home than otherwise they can and your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c
James Davis
Joseph Rians
William Tasker
Joseph Daniels
William Fowler
Noah young
Nathaneel Tibbets
Samuel Chesle
Job Demerit
Timothy Moses
Robert Huckins
Lieu' Emerson
John Buzzell
John Evens
Isaac Twombl}-
James Huckins
William Buzzel
Thomas Bickford
Joseph Jackson
William Brown
Thomas Glovier
Ens° John Tasker
Samuel Davis
John Roberts
Henry Buzzel
John Demerit
Joseph Libbey
Zachariah Pitman
John Tasker Jun''
Eli Demerit
John Smith
Charles Bickford
Thomas Bickford
Daniel young
John Buzzel Jun""
Azariah Boodey
John Winget Jun''
John Huckins
Eben'' Demerit
James Jackson
James Jackson
Cap' Hicks
Eben"" Tasker
Jun--
Zachariah Edgerlev Reuben Gray
Joseph Buzzell
Joseph Twombly
Benjamin Leathers
John Demerit
William Demerit
John Demerit Jun"'
James Crown
Antlu)ny Jones
Paul Gerrish
William Twomblv
Timothy pcrkins
William Gliden
Eben"^ Buzzel
Jacob Buzzell
James demons Jun'
Benjamin wille
526 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H, of Rep., Jan. 18, 1754, a hearing was ordered for
February 13, next following; meanwhile customary notices
were to be served on the selectmen of Dover. In H. of
Rep., February 22, Zebulon Gidding and John McMurphy
were appointed a committee, to which the council added
John Downing, " to take a view of such parts of Dover as
may be necessary in order to Judge whether the prayer of
the petition ought to be granted or not, and report to the
Gen^ assembly as soon as may be." The following is their
report : — Ed.]
[3-15O
Portsmouth April y" 24''' 1 754
Province of New Hampshire
We the under Subscribers with M' Zebulon Giding Being
appointed as a Committee to go to Dover, and take a view of
the Situation and Circumstance of Said Town, and Make Re-
port whether that part of Said Town Called Madbury May be
Sett of as Parish aggreeable to a Plan Presented to the Generall
assembly &"
Do make our Report as follows :
That it is our oppinion after our Having been upon the
afores*^ Business, and have viewed the Several parts of the
Town of Dover afores*^ Give as our oppinion that Every Cir-
cumstance Considered Relateing the Premises that the Prayer
of the Petition Relateing to that affair is Reasonable &c
John Downing
John MacMurphy
[An act passed the assembly, May 31, 1755, incorporat-
ing the west part into a parish by the name of Madbury^
and Solomon Emerson was authorized to call the first
meeting. — Ed.]
[3-1^3] \_RcqHcst to have a Town- Meeting called. '\
Province of New Hamp""
To Thomas Millett Es' Thomas Westbrook Waldron Solomon
Emerson & Joseph Hanson Jun"" all of Dover in Said Prov-
ince & Selectmen of Said Town for the Current Year
Gentlemen We the Subscribers being freeholders of Said
Town Require & Desire you to Call a meeting of the free-
DOVER.
527
holders of Said Town to be held In Said Town as Soon as
may be Done with Conveniency & to Insert into the Warrant
for Calling the Same a Clause Sufficient to Authorize those of
them who Shall be Present at Said Aleeting to Vote whether
they will Consent to Settle & Maintain at the charge of the
Town tow Ministers of the Gospel in Said Town (that is to
Say another Besides the Reverend M"' Jon" Cushing already
Settled) one to Preach Constantly at the Place in Said Town
Called Madbury to Cause a Committee to Agree with such
Ministers for that purpose & to agree with him for Salary
Dover May 2^ 1754
John Tasker
William Demerit
Eben'' Demeret
John Huckins
Joseph Twombly
Robert Evins Jun''
John Evins
James Davies
Joseph Rynes
Zachariah pitman
Timothy perkins
James Jackson Jun''
Samuel Davies
John Roberts
Job Demeret
John Tasker Jun'
Samuel Chesle
Robert Huckins
azariah Boodey
Daniel Hayes
Paul Gerrish
Nathaniel Davis
Joseph Mesherve
Benjamin wille
Charles Bickford
Zachariah Edgerly
Timothy moses
James Jackson
John wingate Jun""
Samuel Davis Jun""
John Demeret
Joseph Hicks
Frances Drew
W^illiamin Tasket
James Huckins
Thomas Bickford
Henry Bozey
[3-153]
\^Acfion of Toxv 71- Meeting. '\
At a Publick Town Meeting held at the Meeting house at
Cochecho in Dover on the third Day of June i754 —
Voted 3*^'^ In Relation to the Petitioners — Requesting to
have another Minister .Settled in the Town — The Moderator
made the following Proposals to them Viz* Whether or no in
Case they Should be Exempted from Paying Rates to the Rev"^
M"" Cushing — they would oblige themselves to Keep Constant
Preaching amongst themselves to which their agents Refused —
the Moderator also Proposed to them whether or no they would
be Content to accept of as many as would willingly pole ofl' in
Said Destrict and So to Maintain a Minister to which their
agents also Refused to accept of —
A true Coppy as on Dover Town Record
attest —
Jos : Hanson Town Clerk
This may certifie that the within is y^ whole of the votes
recorded with respect to the affairs of Madbury Petitioners of
the meeting of that day
Attest Jos : Hanson Town Clerk
528 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 37S] [ Capt. jfo/in Titcojjib's Petition addressed to the
General Assembly^ conve?zed yan. 7, //J/.]
Humbly Shevveth, John Titcomb of Dover in the Province
of New Hampshire, That your Petitioner hath always in time
of war been forward to inlist himself a Volunteer in the pay of
this Province, and at the Glorious Expedition at Louisbourg,
your Petitioner was then wounded & had the honor to Gain a
Good Caracter, and in the Expedition against Crown point in
1755 — your Petitioner was an officer and did his duty therein,
and in the Late Expedition against Crown point in which your
Petitioner had the honour to be Captain Lieu' your Petitioner
on the Second day of August (Going to Reenforce Coll : Hart
who was that night to be attacked by a Supe'' Number of the
Enemy), was attacked by the Enemy and in the Skirmish was
shot down where he lay untill morning and then Could not
assist himself by reason that the shot went thro' his breast and
Shoulder and cut of Nerves and vSinews which caused a Great
Effusion of Blood and your Petitioners life Greatly dispaired
oft' but thro' divine goodness he is Restored to a Comfortable
state of health in body but his hand arm and shoulder are
Rendered Litirely useless and ver)^ painfull unto him and he
apprehends his wound will never be well, nor that he shall ever
have any use of his right arm so that he shall ever be able to
do anything in his business towards maintaining himself and
family — Wherefore your Petitioner Prays your Excellency and
honours to take the case of your Petitioner in Consideration
and make him such grant for smart money and maintainance
as in your wisdom you shall see meet, and your Petitioner shall
as in duty bound ever pray
his
John X Titcomb
mark
[He was allowed £,^0 out of the money in the treasury
for the Crown Point expedition. — Ed.]
[3-1 C55] \_Relative to Assemblymen. ~\
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq'" Governor &
Commander in Chife (& the Honerble His Majestys Coun-
cel) of the Provviance of Newhampshire Li New England
the petition of Freeholders (Inhabitance) of the Town of
Dover
Humbly Sheweth —
That the Previledge of Sending three Persons to Represent
Said Town in gen' assembly had been Enjoyed By Said Town
DOVER.
529
from the Convening the hrst assemble in the Province To the
year i755 t^'it the Number of our Inhabitants are More then
when the town was so Priviledged by the Crown which privi-
ledge we Never Heard our sovereign had Reassumcd or the
Town had Forfeted & Taking it for granted that Neither of
them is the Case We Most Humbly Implore your Excellency
& Honours that so ancient & Dear a liberty May No longer be
Discontinued & that a precept ISIay be Issued Requiring the
Town aforesaid to Elect a fit Person to Represent Them In the
present general Assembly (Many Reasons to Enforce the
favour Might be offered but Rather than Make a prolix Intru-
sion on your time at This besey season) we add No More Save
that we Shall allways as In Duty bound Ever Pray
Dover November y"^ 28 : 1757 —
John Gage
John Drew
James Kielle
John Tasker
Solomon Emerson
Eli Demeret
Thomas Bickford
John Wingett Ju'
Ralph Twombly
Benj* Hanson
Stephen Evens
John Evens
Stephen Hanson
Tho** Davis
Eben'' Demerit
Ichabod Canney
James Davis
John Roberts
Samuel Davis
Daniel Young
Robert Huckins
Benj Evens
Zechariah Edgerl}^
Vincent Torr
Silas Hanson
Jo^ Hanson ju''
Stephen otis Jun
Sam' Emerson
Thomas Tuttle
Job Demeret
James Jacksons
Zak"^ P'itman
Daniel Hayes
Elijah Estes
Tho^ W Waldron
William Demerit
Daniel Evens
[R. 379]
\^Sa 1)771 cl We>/tzvorth's Petition. 1^
[In a petition to the general assembly, March 23, 1759,
Samuel VVentvvorth, of Dover, states, — "That your Petitioner
was an enlisted soldier last year in Canada Expedition un-
der Cap* Tash in Col° Hart's Regiment." He further states
that he had not been paid. William Evans, "one of the
volunteers in the expedition to Crown point in 1758 testi-
lieth and saith that I wall knew that Samuel Wintworth
under aige was sick a coming home last fall and he lay sick
fourteen days on the Roade and furder saieth not." He
was allowed thirteen shillings sixpence, sterling, which was
probably for the time he was sick. He entered the service
April 12, 1758, and was discharged the thirty-first of the
following October. — Ed.]
35
530 EAKI.y TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 281.] \_Biis/oyi Joseph Ha/I.']
[In a petition dated March 12, 1759, Joseph Hall, who
was ensign of Capt. Thomas Tash's company, in Col. John
Hart's regiment, states, — "That about the first day of Au-
gust pursuing a party of the enemy y*" Petitioner fell over a
log which caused a rupture in his belly." He further states
that he was under the care of a doctor ten days at Fort
Edward ; then removed to Albany, where he was discharged
Aug. 19, 1758. He asks for an allowance, which was
granted to the extent of ;£'j lys. sterling. — Ed.]
[3-127!/^] By the Select men ^. 10 m° 16^2
Given and granted unto William ffurber William Wentworth
Henry Langstur Thomas Canny the accomodation of fresh
Creek for the erectting and setting up of a saw mill The
bounds of the Timber are from the head of the Creek from the
flo\ving of the Tide three miles up into the woods betwixt the
two freshets the southermost freshett comeing out of the marsh
beside the great hill at Cochecho the northermost freshett
bounding Cap* wiggins and M"' broadstreets grant at Qviomphe-
gon and also what Timber Lyes in Common that they shall make
use of betwixt fresh Creek and Cochecho — they are to pay five
Pounds P' year so long as they Continue Possession thereof
Provided that the Inhabitants have Libertie for Cutting of Tim-
ber according to the order bearing date with these Presents and
allso in Case they make any use of any Trees for masts above
Twenty fower Inches Threw that they are to pay Tenn shillings
for every such mast as they make use of the Time of the Rent
to begin the first of march next Com Twelve months in the
year 1653—
A Trew Coppy Taken out of ouer Town Book Aug*^* 25*''
1719
Per Jn" Tuttle Town Clerk
it is to their heirs and assigns as other grants
[R. 28S] \_Petitioji of Capt. Sa^nuel Gerrish^ addressed to
the General Assembly.']
The petition of Sam^ Gerrish of Dover, Humbly Shews that
your petitioner was a Captain in Col" John Gofie Esq"" Regim
in this Governm*'* Service the Last year, & when at portsm",
DOVER. 531
preparing his Muster Roll was obliged to go home, & left all
his papers Inlistments &c, at AP Stoodlys In this tovyn, & be-
fore his return to portsm" wh'^'' was In a day or two, the said
Stoodlys house was Burnt, & therein all your petitioners papers
Relative to the Expedition was burnt, by which means three of
his Company was left out of his Roll, Viz' Sam' Stagpole
Thomas Wentworth & John Peavy, who Inlisted the Eighth
Day of March 1760, John Peavy Deserted Immediatelv the
other two proceeded \\ith said Regim', did their duty as ftiith-
ful soldiers & stayed out the whole time w'^'' your petitioner is
Ready to affirm to. Wherefore he humbly prays that your hon-
ours would take this matter under your wise Consideration, and
that the said Stagpole & Wentworth may be allowed their
wages. * * *
Samuel Gerrish
[The petition was granted, and a warrant issued for their
payment. Said Wentworth and Stagpole are not on Capt.
Gerrish's roll, as printed in adjutant-general's report, 1866.
—Ed.]
[R. 2S9] [^Petition of Ichabod Biissey^ addressed to Gen-
eral Assembly ^ May .?/, iy6i .~\
The petition of Ichabod Bussey [probably Buswell] of Dov-
er Humbly Shews, that your petitioner Inlisted himself In said
province Service In Col" Jn" Goffe Esq"' Regiment, In Cap'
Eph"" Berrys Company, & went with said Regiment & Did the
Duty of a 'faithfull soldier therein till the 6''' Day of Octob"",
when the provision was short & being over persuaded by some
fellow soldiers I came away not thinking it any determent to the
Governm' as the Grand Design we went on was the Total Re-
duction of Canada & Looking on that as over, did not think it
a crime, & your petitioner having been a soldier In this Prov-
ince Service for five years Last past & behaved as a good Sol-
dier both to King & Country, Viz' In 1756, under the Com-
mand of Cap' Sam' Gerrish, In Col" Nath' Meserves Regim', In
1757' under the Command of Cap' John Titcomb In Col°
Nath' Meserves Regim' In the year 1758, under the Command
of Lieu' M'^Dufiy, In said Meserves Regiment In the year
1759 served as a Rainger under the Command of Cap' W"
Stark & In the year 1760, your Petitioner inlisted & was as be-
fore mentioned, & In the year 1759, was one of those luihappy
number of fourteen who came thro' the Wilderness from Cana-
da to escort Mont Meserve a Lieut, of the artillery to carrv dis-
532 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
patches to Gen' Amherst at New York from Governor Mury of
Canada for which your petitioner & each one of the fourteen
Avas promised twenty Guineas Each, but as for my part I never
Rec'^ one farthing for the officer we Conducted through, when
we arrived at the Eastward, we asked him for the twenty
Guineas for Each man, & all the answer we had was Dam you
&c.
Wherefore you petitioner humbly prays the Consideration of
your Honors, & that if possible the sin of Ignorance might be
winked at In him for such it was as to any Desertion In the last
years Campaign, & humbly prays that the matter may be taken
under Consideration & grant him such Reliefe In the premises
as you In your Great wisdom may think proper & your peti-
tioner as In Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &c
hia
Attest Ichabod X Bussey
mark
A. Clarkson
[He is on some of the rolls as Buswell, and on others as
Buzzell. — Ed.]
[3~^5S] \_Relative to JMadbury Affah's.~\
Province of New Hamp"" To the Hon'''*' The House of Repre-
sentatives Conven*^ In General Assembly att Portsmouth In
Said Province —
Whereas the Parish of Madbury have Presented a Petition
To His Excellency the Governor His Majesty's Council & As-
sembly Praying that an additional act may be made to their
Parish Priviledges — & after Reading of said Petition a Vote of
Said Assembly was Pass'* that the Select Men of Dover should
be serv** with a Coppy of Said Petition Which Said Coppy we
Rec** But In the afternoon of this Day & therefore have not
time to Consult the Town on Said affairs — & Pray that Said
Petition may not be acted on until the Town Can have Time
to Consult thereon So that they may Shew Cause if any they
hav^e why said Petition may Not Be Granted —
Dover Feb^ 29, 1768
Ji r^ T r 1 oeiect
ohn Gage un"^
TS.T .-1 1 u \X\Q\\
Nath' Horn \ r
EplV" Ham \ r^
^ J Dover.
[The foregoing is addressed to the " Speaker of the Gen-
eral Assembly, Portsmouth." — Ed.]
DOVER. 533
[3~^59J \_Relativc to Bridges.'\
To His Excell-^' the Gov'' the Hon''''' His Majesties Council and
House of Representatives of -a- Province Ma\- it Please
Whereas by Misunderstanding and a Party Spirit Prevailing
among the Inhabitants of Dover in s'^ 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 y®
Town the other by Your Petitioners and the Dispute Running
so High Which should be the King and Countrys Bridge Each
Partv Strenously Contending for their own they having the
Town Vote in their Favour and we Antiquity and Convienien-
cy on ours to End or Determine which We Petitioned your
Excell-^ and Hon""^ to say which shall be the Established Bridge
for the use of His Majesties subjects which you were Pleased
to Determine in our Favour W^hich we Gratefully acknowledge
and Return our Sincere acknowledgements for said Favour But
by your Act or Determination vou Enabled the Select Men of
Dover to assess the Poles and Estates in s*^ 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 s'' act or
other wavs for Pavment of the Established Bridge we petition-
ed the Select Men But they Deny'' then we Petitioned Two
Justices Unus Qiiorum to call a Town Meeting of the Inhalii-
tants of Dover to see if they would Vote to Pay for the Iiuild-
ing Established Bridge a Meeting was Called by said Justices
and the Town Voted in y" Negative —
Therefore We Pray you will Direct and Enable the Select
Men of Dover to assess the Poles 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 1772
.Signed by us Inhabitants of said Dover
9
John Heard Paul Varney William foss
Daniel Heard I'imothy Varney Silas Hanson
John Waldron Ju"' John Kimball Eph'" Kimball
John Whithouse Tim>' Roberson J"" Ebenezer Horn
Nath" Horn Samuel Ambros Daniel Heard Jun""
John Hayes Samuel Hurd John Ham
John Varnev Richard Waldron Ezra Kcmbal
John Horn Tho' Hanson Joli'^ Waldron
Joscpli Robarts Stephen Hussey Timothy Hussey
John Varney J' Jediah Varney Nathan Varney
moses Rand Ephraim Wentworth Reuben \\'ciit\\orth
534 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Goudy Elisha Purinton Joshua Varney
Thomas Varney Paul Welland Stephen Varney
John Conner Jethro Heard John Waldron 3**
Paul Hussey John Harford Ben Hanson Ju'
James Chesley Josep Waldron Tho Hanson Ju''
Nehemiah Kimbal Paul Kimball Joseph Peaslee
Isaac Horn Isaac Horn Jun William Horn
Timodiy Robinson Elijah Tuttel James Varney
Ichabod Varney Elijah Varney Mordacai Varney
Moses Robert Timothy Clemens John Pinkham
James Tuttle vSamuel Tuttel
[3-160] [ Warrant for Toxv}i-^Iecti)ig.'\
To the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town of Dover No-
tice is hereby Given that a Publick Town meeting is to be held
at the Dwelling house of John Titcomb Esq'' Inn-holder in s*^
Dover on monday the 32'^ Day of Jan^ Ins' at 10 "Clock In the
forenoon i^' to Chuse a Moderator to Regulate Said meeting —
a*^'-^' to Se if the S'^ Freeholders & Inhabitants then Conven"* will
vote to Build a New Bridge over Cochecho River So Call*^ 3*^'^
if voted to Build a New Bridge, then to vote what place Said
Bridge Shall be Erected at to pass over Said River & after Said
votes are past to vote any matter Relating the Building Said
Bridge In Each Particular as the Conven*^ Shall then think pro-
per & also to act & vote at S*^ meeting what may then Be
thought Needful Relateing the Inhabitants & others Passing &
Repassing over S'' River until S*^ New Bridge may be Erected
& Passable — all Persons Concern*^ are Desired to attend at time
& place afores*^ — By ord'' of the Select men
Dover Jan-^' 13"' 1770
Eph'" Hanson Town Cler
a true Copy
attest
^ Eph'" Hanson Town Cler
\^Action of toxvu-mceting Relative to Building a Bridge.^
At a Publick Town Meeting Legally warn'' & held at the
house of John Titcomb Esq'' In Dover y*^ 33*^ Day of January
1770—
Voted i"' Lieu' Joshua Wingate moderator to Regulate S*^
meeting —
2'5'y Voted that a New Bridge be Built over Cochecho River —
3^"-'' Voted that S'' New Bridge voted to be Built be Built over
the upper ware so Call'' Next Below Cap' Tho** W' Waldron'
mills at Cochecho Below y" Lower falls, So Call'' 4''' voted
DOVER. 535
that S** Bridge be Built by Labour 5''' voted that Thomas
Tuttle, Eph™ Hanson & Nath' Horn be a Committee to Car-
ry on the Buikhng S*^ Bridge — 6'-' voted that Each Common
Labourer liave two Shillings Lawful money Each, per Day
finding themselves —
7'y voted that the Peers of S*^ New Bridge be Built of white oak
timber — S'^' voted that the vString pieces of s^ Bridge be Tim-
ber pine So CalF, & white oak timber —
9'y voted two hundred Pounds Lawful money be raised by a
tax to Defray the Charge In Building Said Bridge — lo'^ voted
that the Covering of S*^ Bridge be of hemlock plank four
Inches thick — 11'^ voted that the Inhabitants & others passing
& Repassing over S** River until S'' New Bridge be Built &
passable be appointed & Stated at the Discretion of the Se-
lect men of S'^ Town for the time Being — 12'^ voted that S<^
New Bridge be Built as Soon as may be Conveniently Done
— 13'y voted that the Committee for Carrying on the Build-
ing S* New Bridge have two vShillings Lawful money per
Day finding themselves
Then the moderator Disolv^ the meeting
a true Copy attest
Eph'" Hanson Town Cler
[ W^arrant for Tozv n- Meet mg .'\
To the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town of Dover Pur-
suant to a Petition of Sundry of the Freeholders & Inhabitants
of Said Town of Dover to the Selectmen of said Town Direct-
ed— Requesting them to Call a meeting of Said Town as Soon
as may be To Se if Said Town will Reconsider the vote past
at a meeting held In vSaid Town the 23*^ Day of January Last
Concerning the New Bridge then voted to be Built over Coche-
cho River — In Regard To the abovementioned Petition — The
Said Freeholders & Inhabitants of Said Town of Dover Qiiali-
fied Ijy Law^ to vote In Publick Town meetings are hereby No-
tified that a Publick Town meeting is to be held at the (Quakers
old meeting house at Cochecho In Dover on monday y*^ 26"^
Day of February Ins' at i "Clock afternoon to act and vote
agreeable to the aforesaid Petition viz. to Se if Said Town at
S*" meeting will Reconsider Said vote past for Building Said
Bridge — & to act & vote any matter Relateing the Building a
New Bridge (if S'^ vote be Reconsidered or Not) as the Town
at vS** meeting may then think Needful — all Persons Concern**
are Desired to attend at time & place afores*^
Dover Febry 17"' 1770
By ord"" of the Select men
Eph'" Planson Town Clerk
a true Coppy attest
Eph'" Hanson Town Clerk
536 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[_Act/ofi of aforesaid Jileeting.'\
At a Publick Town meeting Legally warn** & held In Dover
at the Qiiakcrs old meeting house y*^ 26'^ Day of Feb^' 1770
voted i'^' Lieut. Joshua Wingate moderator —
2"'' voted by poleing that the vote past y" 22'' Day of Jan^
Last for Building a New Bridge over Cochecho River at the
upper weare So Call*^ next below Capt. Tho" W' Waldrons
mills at Cochecho below the Lower falls So CalF Should not
be Reconsidered & So Enter*^ by ord"" of the moderator — Then
the moderator Dissolv*^ the meeting without any other vote be-
ing past —
a true Coppy attest
Eph'" Hanson Town Clerk
It Being Expedient for the Benefit of the Inhabitants of Do-
ver & others that the New Bridge voted to be Built over the
River at Cochecho In Dover be Spedily Built & as the Com-
mittee Chosen for the Carr3'ing on the Building Said Bridge
have Let out the timber to Sundry of the Inhabitants of Said
Town to Get to Build Said Bridge with, Considerable of which
has not as yet Been Brought by those that undertook to Get it,
These are therefore to Desire all those Persons that have Not,
Brought the timber that they Ingaged to Get to Bring the Same
W'ithin the term of Seventeen Da3's from the Date hereof & De-
liver it to S*^ Committee at a Convenient place near S"^ River at
the Place where S*^ New Bridge was voted to be Built at the
upper ware So Call'^ Below Cochecho Lower falls, or otherwise
the S** Committee will be obliged to procure timber of other
Persons for the Speedv Carr^-ing on the Building S'^ Bridge, &
Shall not accept of any Timber Let out as afores'^ Brought after
Said term, if Bought of others as afores'^ after S*^ term & those
Persons that have hall*^ Timber for S*^ Bridge & have Left it a
Considerable Distance from where S** Bridge is to be Built as
afores*^ it is hereby Desired that they Convey Said Timber
within the afores'* term to a Convenient place Near where S*^
Bridge is voted to be Built at the ware afors*^, otherwise they
mav Expect that the Charge thereof if Done by S'' Committee
will be Deducted out of the wages for hailing Said Timber.
Dover April 14"" 1770
Eph"' Kanson ] ^ ...
TVT^i 1 xj r Committee
Nath' Horn j
a true Coppv attest
Eph"' Hanson
DOVER. 537
[3-162] \_Pctiiiofi relative to aforenamed B ridges. '^
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"' Governor & Com-
mander in Chief in & over his jVIai'estvs Province of New
Hampshire The Hon''^* his Majestys Council and House of
Representatives for said Province in General Assembly Con-
vened the 13"' 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-
ments about the Place of building a new Bridge over Cochecho
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 so passed had the meeting been General
(many Persons being then absent in the Woods) or could they^
have Obtained a Second fair meeting so that those who were
for having the bridge placed below the falls proceeding on the
authority of Said Vote have built a Bridge below, and the Place
where the old bridge stood, being in an Ancient highway and
most convenient for travellers, the Inhabitants who were for
having the bridge there, Supposed the Town to be under a Ne-
cessity of Building one there also, which was done in the course
of the last Summer and there are now two Bridges at Said Falls
which your Petitioners apprehend to be needless —
That the Lower Bridge is not so Cenvenient for travellers,
nor so well approved of b}' them, nor can the Town dispence
with the duty of maintaining a bridge above, where there has
been One for near One hundred Years past and therefore a Vote
for 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 & had it been ever so fairly obtained could 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 Qiiestions 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 & maintaining one where it
used to be — whether their proceedings have been fair & 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 Necessitv of maintaining
both said Bridges and if not which tlie Town shall be at the
Expencc of Building and maintaining for the Future — with
Such other matters & things as in your great wisdom & (jood-
ness you shall find incidental & necessary to be determined in
538
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
order to the regular proceeding of Said Town in making their
Rates which is not yet done & for the Setthng Peace & good
order in said Town and your Petitioners as in duty bound Shall
ever pray &c
How** Henderson
John Cenney
Silas Hanson
Thomas Hanson
Eph"' Kimball
John Kimball
Joseph Varney Ju
Ephraim Wentworth
John Whitehouse
Moses Roberts
Stephen Varney Ju''
Moses Horn
John Pinkham
Jn° Haves
Jethri Heard
Zacheus Purinton
Eliphalet Coffin
Thomas Varney
Timothy Varney Ju
Isaac Horn
James Tuttles
Samuel Ricker
Thomas Goudey
George Young
Joseph Waldron
George Horn
Jonathan Door
John Gage 3''
Isaac Horn Jvf
Timothy varney
mordecai Varney
Thomas Horn
John Conner
Ephraim Tebbits
Joseph Clemments
William Waldron
Timothy Robinson
Jun
John Waldron
James Varney
William Husse}- Ju
Paul husey
Tobias Varney
Spencr Wentworth
Samuel Ambros
aron Roberts
John Plarford
John Horn
James Chesley
William Forest
Joshua Varney
John Ham
Nathaniel Horn
Pavd Varney
Benjamin Hanson
S'-
Jeddiah Varney
Tiniothy Robinson
William Horn
moses Rand
Joseph Peasley
Timothy Hussey
Nicholas Harford
Amos Varney
William Gage
Daniel hains
John Varney Ju""
John Varney
Richard Waldron
John Estes
Samual mills
Samuel Tuck
Ezra kimball
Timothy Clemments
John Waldron Jun
Nehemiah Kimbal
thomas hanson Ju
William Hussey
Daniel Varney
Stephen Varney
Ruben Wintworth
John Heard
Joseph Roberts
Nathan Varney
William Robinson
Paul Kimball
Tobias Randel
Jacob Sawyer
Benjamin Ham
Paul Welland
Daniel Heard
Solomon Varney
John Horn Ju''
ELijah Tuttles
Elijah Varney
Ebenezer Horn
Jeremiah Tebbits
Elsha Purrinton
David Rand
Stephen Ham
Phinehas Ricker
tho'" Shannon
Ichabod Varney
Ebenezer Varney
Richard Kimball
Josiah Wille
Daniel Heard Ju''
Dusie Downs
[3-163]
\_ReIaii've to locati/ig Roads.']
Province of ) Her Majestys Gen' Sessions of the Peace this 6"*
New Hamp' | Day of march 17 lo-ii
DOVER. 539
Present John Plaisted. Sam''' Penhallow, Cha. Story Joseph
Smith, George Vaughan, Theo : Atkinson. James Davis, Theo.
Dudley Esq^ Justices, Shr. & Ch".
There haveing Sev'^' Complaints been made about the want of
roads from Town to Town being Laid out thro'out S*^ Province
Ordered that a Committee be appointed out of Each Town to
run Such road ways as they shall think fit & Convenient where
there is none already Laid out from Town to Town in Each
Town of this Province & y' they make return unto ye Next Ses-
sions of their Proceedings Laying them Each four Rod Broad
the Selectmen of Each Town Paying the Persons So going five
Shillings per Diem Every Day Spent in Such Service
( Cap* Hunking C Cap' Tuttle
For Portsm" - Cap' Vaughan Dover -^ Cap' Davis
( Cap' Pickerin (^Joseph Jones
New Castle | Jotham Odiorne . ^j^^^y g^^^^^j^
f Cap' Jona. Thing Hampton -. Jn° Gove
iixitei I j^t j^^^^^ Wadleigh ( Cap' Wingate
Vere Copia Benj'' Gambling,
and from Lampereal River as Strait as it may be to the old
Bridge by y" moat so as y^ way goes to Graves his Land thence
to the falls to make the whole four rod wide and there y*^ way is
to open on y^ Left near Stimsons & at Robert Huggins his house
So. at w"" Jacksons pasture to y'' head of Jacksons Creek Strait
as y" old Road went then Joseph Jenkins to open on y* Left &
all others to make y" way four Rods wide to Fields Garrison &
to Cap' Gerrishes Grist mill as y*^ way goes to Cochecho till it
goes to Eben'' Varneys Corner against Tristram Hcards house
where the way turns which is to be Cut of to make it four Rods
wide till it goes to Ezekiel Wentworths Garrison So along the
open Road Both to Qiionphegon & Salmon falls —
The beforegoing is a Coppy of Part of a Coppy of the ord'' &
Laying out roads v'' taken from a Coppy on file with the Rec-
ords of Dover
Eph'" Hanson Town Clerk
£3-164] ^^Depositions relative to foregoing niatter.'\
The Deposition of John Horn aged upwards S3 years Testi-
fieth & Saith I well Remember that about forty & near fifty
years past I being at Col Waldrous at Cochecho Bridge & See-
ing Some men Coming over Said Bridge I asked my unkel Jo-
seph Ham who was there present what them men v\ere about
540 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
who answered they were Laying out the Kings Highway I
knew none of the men but m'' James JaftVey & I Remember I
used to pass over that bridge Seventy years ago & Ever sine
when I had occasion to pase that way & I never heard any way
being Laid out over the River below the falls but Sometimes
people waded over below the falls with their oxen & Sometimes
Led them over above over the bridge & that the Town of Dover
has Ever since my Remembranc been at the Cost of Supporting
said bridge by mending & making new ones at that place &
further Saith not
the mark of John Horn X
m'' Benj'^ Ham aged 76 years well Remembers that he pased
over the Bridge above mentioned Seventy years ago which was
a foloating Bride only for men & horses to pase & when people
wanted to pass with teams they used to wade over below the
mill but never knew or heard of any way being Laid out below
the falls & I well Remember that many years ago I heard a
Committee was Sent to Lay out the Kings Highway through
the Town of Dover to Salmon falls & always heard the way was
Laid out over the River where the Bridge now is above the falls
& further Saith not
Benjamin H Hams mark.
Samuel Heard aged 75 3'ears Testifies & Says he well Re-
members that he pased over the Bridge by Coll° Waldrons
above the falls near 70 years past which was a floating Bridge
& that the Inhabitants of Dover as well as other Towns used to
pass & Repass over Said Bridge & others built sence to this
Day Exept when out of Repair & that he knew of no other way
Exept wadeing over below the falls with oxen & further saith
not His
Sam" 8 Heard
mark
Province of ] the Deposition of Major Tho** Davis being
New Hampsh'' j as old as any beforementioned Testifies &
Says that he well Remembers he pased over the Boom at Co-
checho above the falls 70 years ago which Boom was mad of 3
or 4 hewed pieces Layed side by side wide Enough for horses
to pass & oxen unyoaked but in that day when people wanted
to cross the River to haull loads they used to wade over below
the falls
Tho" Davis
[These depositions were sworn to before John Wentworth,
Justice of the Peace. — Ed.]
DOVER. 541
[3-1 71] \_Pct/tion of Selectmen relative to Bridge.^
Province of ) To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"'
New Hamps"' [- Captain General Governor & Commander in
Rockingham ss \ Chief in and over his majestys Province of
New Hampshire & To the Honourable his majestys Councill
Humbly Shews the Select men of Dover in Said County
That a Certain Petition was Exhibited at the present Session of
the General Court by a number of persons praying an allow-
ance for Building a Bridge at Dover & yesterday there was a
hearing thereon before the House of Representatives w'ho
voted to allow them forty pounds bv which vote or Determina-
tion your Petitioners apprehend themselves greatly aggrieved &
Doubt not to make it plainly appear to your Excellency & hon-
ours That this Determination will have a great Tendencey to
Destroy .order & Regularity among the Inhabitants of Said
Town & Incovn'age an Obstinate Alinority To assume the Rule
& government of & over the Majority Wherefore they most
Humbly pray your Excellency & honours not to Concur the
Said vote untill they are Indulged with a hearing before your
Excellencey & honours Thereupon & your Petitioners as in
Duty bound will Ever pray
Portsm" June 6'^ 1772.
Jn" Sullivan attorney
to the Said Select men
[Documents Nos. 168, 169, and 173 are plans showing
the locations of the two bridges, on one of which is the
following :
"A Plan of two New Bridges Lately Built over Ouoche-
chaw River and the road Leading to and from said Bridges
in the Town of Dover in the Province of New Hampshire
— Taken at the request of M'' John Horn and others — In-
habitants of said Dover, Jan-^, 11"' 1771.
per James Gowen Survey^'."
Another shows the location of the meeting-house, Han-
son's house, Titcomb's, Waldron's, Cochecho Landing, etc,
—Ed.]
[R. 294] \_yoa>/fia Chase's Rccc/pt.'\
Capt Enoch Chase wife Received of John Waldron for the
year 1778 one hundredweight of Beef at 2 / — per pound
£10,
I say Received by me
Joanna Chase
542 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 295] \^Ha}inah Hanson\s Receipt.^
anthony hanson "wife Received of John Waldron in Cash
i£2-S- and in pork 6"*^ i. \()=£\-'] for the year 1778
I say received by me
her
Hannah X Hanson
mark
attest David Hanson
[R. 296]
[In a receipt dated Dover, April 3, 1779, Hannah Han-
son acknowledges the receipt of provisions to the amount of
;^8o-i-o, of Andrew Torr, in behalf of the town. — Ed.]
[R. 297] {^Soldiers' Receipt. '\
Dover July 13"" 1779
Received of Joshua Wingate John Gage & John B'" Hanson
Select men for the Town of Dover Eleven pounds Thirteen
shillings each of us which is in full for the Travil to provi-
dence in the State of Rhode island at Two shillings per mile
witness our hands
his his
Samuel Repley Richard X Garland Joseph X York
mark mark
his liis
Edward X Ellis Benjamin X York
mark mark
Witness Ichabod Horn
[R. 302]
This may certify all whom it may concern that we the Sub-
scribers being chosen a Committee by the Town of Dover at a
legal Meeting on the 5* of May 1777 for the purpose of hiring
Soldiers for filling up this State's Qiiota of the Continental Ar-
my did soon after hire Isaac Watson & John Critchet to serve
as such, and they did pass Muster, and actually served as Sol-
diers in the said Army for the Term of three years, and we the
said Committee did agree with the aboves*^ Soldiers to give
them thirty four Pounds each over and above the Continental &
State Bounty, and they were to be according to our agreement
entitled to all their pay, and whatever else was customary to be
given to Continental Soldiers —
Dover Feb"^^' 15"" 17S3
[- Committee
Cap* Thomas young j
DOVER. 543
[R. 307] \_Lydia Wa1Ungford''s Petit ion. '\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'"' the General Court for said State convened at
Portsmouth — Humbly Shews Lydia Wallingford alias Cogswell
late widow of Sam' VVallingford Esq'' deceased that your Peti-
tioners late Husband Served as Lieut, of Marines on Board the
Continental Ship Ranger in the Service of the United States
that on the 24''' of April 1778 being in an engagement with the
British Ship Drake he fell in battle while exerting himself in
the glorious cause of freedom by which means your Petitioner
was left with one child to seek their fortune in a wide world
but as by a Resolve of Congi'ess the widows of officers who
were slain in their Countreys cause are entitled to half pay for
seven years — Your Petitioner prays that your Honours would
take her case into vour wise consideration and grant her the
priviledge allowed by said Resolves and your Petitioner as in
duty bound shall pray
Amos Cosfswell
in behalf of the Petitioner
to lav
[3-173] \^Moses Harris's Petition.~\
State of I To the Honourable the Councel and House
Newhampshire I of Representatives Conveaned Att Exeter on
Tuesday the 12* Day of November 1782 —
The perticion of moses Ham of Dover Humbly Sheweth
that In the year 1780 I Served the Town of Dover as a Collect-
or of Taxes and I went on and gathered the taxes according to
my Warrent. that was in paper money and in Soldiers Boun-
ties notes And there being at that time a Number of officers
and Soldiers at Home on furlow and their furlow was out that
thev was to go onto The Army But they had not any money at
all to bear their Expences And Capt Enoch Chase applyed to
the Treasuery for money for to Billet Himself and men to the
army, but the Treasuery told him That their was no money in
the Treasuery at all. and the Treasuery Told Cap' Chase that he
had Better Call on the Collector of his town And get the money
of him, and the State Security would answer to Pay taxes as
well as the money, and also the Soldiers wifes and families Was
upon Suffering for want of Subsistance and upon what Capt.
Ciiase Said tliev applved and I gave them the paper money in
lue of their notes And I thought 1 was a doing good to my
544 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Country and I was in hopes No Damage to my Self and I am
Sure that I had no View of making Any thing to my Self at all
for I gave them all the Intrust that was Due on their notes, and
I Sent tlie notes with a Considerable Sum of old Emison Money
to Exeter By our Representative and the Treasuery took the
old Emision money and Refused the notes Because there was
no order of Court To Receive them at that time, and then I Did
not know what to do I Seed I Should be undone and I metion-
ed to Some of my friends about The matter and they advis-
ed me to get my notes Renewed or Else I should Loose them.
So I sent and got them Renewed and took a Surtificit for The
Intrust I am willing to Reduct the Intrust out from the time
That I w^as to make up with the Town for the Treasuery sent
an Exstent To the Select men of the town for the money and
then they Came upon me And ateached all that i had in the
world for their Security and that will not Discharge half the
Det at this time, and within a few Days after What I had was
ateached my family accidentally took the Smallpox there I
with my family was Confined forty two Days and Every thing
that I had Was in a Distroying no Body to take no Care of
nothing thirteen of us Down with the Smallpox all at once or
Else I Could Exchanged the notes for New Emision money my
action was Called when I Lay Sick with The small pox and
was Continued on that account to the October Court and Then
I appealed to the Superior Court in Nov"" that I might have an
oppertunitv to Perticion to your Honours to see if you would
take the Notes in Lieu of the New emison money for which I
see no other way that I can discharge the det for if you take
what little intrust I have away from me when I Have the States
Security in my hands What shall I do I can do nothing with
them at all for they will lay Dead in my hands And for which
peculiar favour Granted your Petitioner As in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray &c.
Dover 13"' Nov"" 17S2
Moses Ham
[3-1 73] \_Petition for a Lottery to build a Bridge^ addressed
to the General Court. ^
Humbly Shew the Subscribers Freeholders & Inha])itants of
Dover & other Towns Adjacent — That by the great Freshet the
last Fall both the Bridges at the Falls at said Dover having
been swept away the Inhabitants of said Town set about the
Business & early erected one in the Place of the lower Bridge
being Contiguous to the Landing & the most beneficial &
Convenient for Trade — That the said Bridge is with difficulty
DOVER.
545
kept in Repair on accoinit of the jNIultiplicity of Teams &
Horses which daily pass it, having of late so encreased as many
Times wholly to obstruct the Passage and impede the jorogress
of Travellers in their Journies — That the want & indeed the
absolute necessity of having a Bridge immediately Built in the
place of the upper one (especially for the accommodation of
Travellers) are more & more Discoverable — But as the present
scarcity of cash would render the Task of Building said Bridge
as early as necessity requires too chargeable to the Inhabitants of
said Dover — your Petitioners pray your Honours to authorize
the Inhabitants of said Town by an act of the Legislature to
raise by Lottery the sum of three Hundred pounds for the pur-
pose of Building said Bridge — The Plan of said Lottery and
the Direction for the management thereof to be such as your
Honors shall see fit to give.
and as in Duty Bound will pray &c.
August 30''' 17S6.
Edward Varney
Elijah \"arney
John Baker
Joshua Wentworth
Elijah Tibbitts
Samuel Ricker
Jon" Norris
Amos Wallingford
Richard hoyt
Heard Roberts
Reuben Ricker
John Ham
George Ricker
William Foss
Thomas vShannon
George Watson
Richard Waldron
James Burnham
Noah Goodwin
John Ham
Samuel H'' Horn
John Perkins
Isaiah Gould
John Purintcjn
Ebenczcr Plumer
Joseph Dow
John Heard Jun"^
John (jage Jun''
'36
John Heinry Heinre
Joseph Knight
Joseph Tebbets
Daniel Heard
James W^aldron
Ebenezer Varney
thomas varney
Eph"" Ham
Henry Rust
Matth^*^ Parker
Paul Pink ham
Richard Tripe
James Varney
Richard Kimball
Solomon Loud
John Varney
Moses Ilodgdon
Aaron Roberts
Jonathan Twombly
George Burnham
W" More
Gershom Lord
Gideon Walker
Tho" dishing
Nathaniel Ham
Richard Downs
^Vndrew Gilman
Noah Kimball
John Kimball
John Wentworth
Francis A Drew
David Langley
Ep'" Kimball
Jed"" Varney
David Corser
The" Dame
Sol° Clark Jn'
John Heard
Stephen Twombly
Isaac Horn
John Foss
Wentworth Twom-
bly
David Wingate
Stephen Tebbets
W" Trickey
James Young
John Knowles
Solomon Varney
Samuel Downing
Aloses Varney
James Bickford
Josiah Folsom
moses Ham
John Trickey
Hatevil Kniirht
546
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
William Watson Thomas Roberts Isaac Watson
Joseph Holmes
Richard Walker
Timothy Coi^ey y
Jotham Ham
Ichabod Corson
[3-176]
Benjamin Varney
Jacob Chamberlin
Richard Waldron
Anthony Peavey
John Sandford
Joseph Drew
Richard Place
James Calef
Jonathan Plorn
[Another petition of same tenor, dated December, 1786,
contains the following names : — Ed.]
Isaac Wentworth
Hanson Varney
Benj'' Dame
Joshua Knight
Moses Hodgdon
John Remick
Peter Horn
Jon'' Norris
Eleazar Davis
Moses Roberts
Hunking Colbath
Joseph Leavitt
Richard Waldron
Daniel s^arlling;
william Henderson
James McDutiee J''
Jon" Richards
Moses Baker
Paul Pinkham
Stephen Varney
Th" Shannon
Joshua Merrow
Tobias Twombly J''
Moses Ham
Charles Knight
W illiam Rogers
George Watson
Ephraim Tebbets
W" Waldron
vSamuel Downing
Hatevil Knight
Ebenezer Hanson
Gideon Walker
Wentworth Twom-
bly
Jedediah Varney
Benjamin Palmer
Josiah Folsom
Peter Cushing
Sam" Chamberlain
Isaac Watson
[3-174] [ Concerning Navigation and Port Act.']
Dover June S"^ 1 786
We the Subscribers certify that during the last Summer from
June untill the Fall Lumber was in so little Demand (occasion-
ed as we conceive by the Navigation & Port Acts) that we
could in all that Time but Seldom purchase Rum for Boards
&c : In Conseqvience of which we have not dispos'd of half
the Qiiantity of Rum either by Retail or Wholesale we should
otherwise have done had the Ports been open and our Lumber
in Demand —
W™ Home
Janvrin Fisher
John B'" Hanson
John Tibbets
Thomas Shannon
Nathel Cooper
Isaac Watson
Ebenezer Tebbets
Amos Coofsvvell
Sam' Bragg
Mich' Reade
Benj" Peirce
Jon" Gage
DOVER. 547
[3-177] \_Elis/ia Thomas s Petition.'^
State of New ) To his Excellency the President & the most
Hampshire j Honorable the Privy Council for said State of
New Hampshire.
The Petition of Elisha Thomas now a Prisoner in the Gaol
at Dover in the County of Stratford in said State — humbly
Sheweth — That at the Supreme Court of Judicature for said
State, holden at Dover in said County of Straftbrd, on the third
Tuesday of April instant, your petitioner was convicted upon
an Indictment for the Murder of Captain Peter Drowne of New
Durham upon the fourth day of February last, upon which
conviction the Hon''''' the Judges of said Court passed upon
your petitioner the Sentence of Death & appointed Thursday
the twenty second dav of May next for carrying into execution
the dreadful Sentence. The love of life implanted by the Su-
preme Creator & disposer of it, in the breasts of all his Crea-
tures, the anxious sollicitude each Child of Nature discovers to
grasp one short space more ; added to a full conviction of the
necessity of a serious & solemn preparation, to meet the Judge
of Judges, Empires & Worlds — induces him most humbly to
implore your Excellency & Honors to respite for a space, that
to you may appear reasonable, the execution of the awful Sen-
tence,— that thereby in the fragment that yet remains of a life,
like that of other Mortals, greatly sullied & dishonored by
frailty & imperfection ; he may have an opportunity of impor-
tuning an all merciful God for the pardon & expiation of hi&
many Sins, of Secm-ing an interest in the sufferings of his Re-
deemer, and of obtaining that peace which the World cannot
give, & without the attainment of which, he and all his fellow
Mortals must forever be m.iserable —
Your Petitioner might here suggest, that he has an Innocent
Wife, & two remaining Children, whom the hand of public Jus-
tice is about to bereave of their only hope of Support. — for
whom he feels the most earnest Sollicitude — & whom he should
wish might be so left, as to be above necessit}- — or compulsion to
depend upon the cold hands of Charity, — that as he is about to
quit the W^orld, he would also wish to do justice to his fellow
Mortals & thereby be enabled to die in peace with all men. —
From the Benevolence Humanity and mercy, which constitute
so conspicuous a part of the Characters of your Excellency &
Honors, he is fully sensible, that your Goodness will add a few
to the days of life now allotted him ; and while he approaches
the throne of Grace and most devoutly implores the pardon of
all his Sins, he shall not cease ardently to pray, that Heaven
will be pleased to bless yuur Excellency and Honors — with
548
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wisdom Health & long and uninterrupted happiness, and his lat-
est breath while employed in requesting Mercy for himself will
also implore the benediction of Heaven upon you & your Pos-
terity—
Dover April iS«^ 17SS.
Elisha Thomas
[3-176] \_Petifioii fo7' Reprieve of Sente?ice of Elisha
T'/iomas.~\
State of New ) To his Excellency the President & the Hon"'^
Hampshire j the Council for said State Humbly Show the
Subscribers and Inhabitants of the Town of Dover —
That actuated by those general principles of humanity which
belong in common to every child of Nature, touch'd with the
regard they each have for Life, however rendered wretched,
they would approach your Excellency & Honors & endeavour
to excite your commisseration in behalf of the unfortunate
brother of Humanity now under the Sentence of Death in said
Town the}' would request you to prolong the period of his life
for a few days, from a thorough conviction that even misery
itself will grasp with anxious sollicitude for one short space
more, of time, & at last quit its hold with reluctance — they do
not pretend to dictate to your Excellency and Honors the pro-
priety or impropriety of their request — but rest assured that
your own Wisdom will lead you to such measures as may be
deemed the best for the public weal — such as are consistent
with Justice tempered with Humanity — & such as your own
Hearts can approve. — But should their request be granted, it
will aftbrd them great & sensible pleasure, while it will fill
with tears of transport the unfortunate Convict. —
Dover May 19* 17SS
Robert Gray
Joseph Allen
Benjamin Pierce
Peter Man
Janvrin Fisher
Doglis Stacpole
Charles Waldron
Joseph Burham
Jon" Simond
Caleb Hodgdon
George Watson
Sam' Bragg;
Ezra Green
Otis Baker
John B'" Hanson
John Odiorne
Benj" Hanson
Daniel Perkins
J. S. Gil man
Benj'' Dean
Abraham Hanson
Peter Hodgdon
Dominicus Hanson
Jon" Hanson
Nathel Cooper
Jon" Gage
Eben"" Tebbetts
John Remick
Thomas Jewett
Isaac Watson
Will'" Twombly
David Hanson
Caleb Johnson
William Watson
Ebenezer Hanson
James Libbey
DOVER.
549
Enoch Chase
Henry Mellen
Chas. Clapham
Thomas Shannon
Michael Reade
Mark Walker
W"' Home
Aaron Roberts
Josiah Gilman
Jacob Kittredge
Gideon Walker
W"> vShannon
Tho^ Young
Ben" Titcomb
Elijah Hodgdon
Jon'' Raw son
John Lindsey
Will'" King '
W"' Pitt Moulton
[3-1 7S]
[On a petition for the same purpose are the following
names of "ladies of Dover :" — Ed.]
Tamsin Baker
Bethiah Evans
Deborah Reade
Margaret Went-
vvorth
Lydia Cogswell
Lydia Gray
Lydia Tibbets
Lucy Watson
Mary Tappan
Hannah Kittredge
Polly Shannon
Peggy Wentworth
Peggy gage
Prudence Guppy
Patty Cooper
Lucy Gerrish
Betsey Bragg
Nabby Gage
Rebekah Gage
Lillath Shannon
Eleanor Shannon
Polly Johnson
Mary W^atson
Elizabeth Swan
Elizabeth Watson
Rebekah Sawyer
Mary Bragg
Lydia Peaslee
Nabby Waldron
Betsy Wentworth
Sally Hanson
Nancy Watson
Lydia Watson
Nabby Watson
Betsey Watson
Elisabeth Hanson
Abra Wentworth
Mary Walker
Sarah Ham
Susannah Hanson
Rebecca Tibbets
marv pierce
Susanna Green
Abagail Cooper
Polly Remick
Kezia Hoag
Betsey Gilman
Elis" gage
Sukey Hanson
Betsy Peirce
Polly Watson
Sukey Toppan
Nabby Bragg
Betsey Hanson
[R. 30S]
[^/. Co/. Benjamin Titconib.'\
[In a petition dated January, 1790, Lt. Col. Benjamin
Titcomb states, "That while in the Service of his Country
he was several times badly wounded — and was for sometime
upon list of Invalids — but altho at the last call, he applied
to the Committee, by this Hon''' Court appointed for exam-
ination of Invalids, & said committee pronounced him enti-
tled to received half pay — yet by some unaccountable mis-
take his name was not sent forward in the list." The legis-
lature voted, January 21, 1790, to "write to Congress" to
have his name placed on the roll.
550 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Benjamin Titcomb was appointed Lt. Col. of the First
N. H. Reg., March 24, 1780, and was "deranged" (retired
on account of wounds) January i, 178 1. He had been a
captain in Col. Poor's regiment, and a major in Col. Reid's ;
was severely wounded at Hubbardton, and twice wounded
in other battles ; and was retired January i, 1781, on half-
pay. — Ed.]
[R. 309]
[Ebenezer Tibbetts states that he " marched on the ninth
day of August 1778 as major of Col" Stephen Evans Regi-
ment upon the expedition to Rhode Island ; " that he was
transferred to Col. Wingate's regiment, and served until
September 8 following, for which he asks to be paid. — Ed.]
[R. 311] \_N^oah Leva/is and Joseph Chaudler. so/die.rs.~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon' Gen' Court of s'' State convened, and now sitting
at Dover
Humbly Sheweth Noah Levans, and Joseph Chandler Sol-
diers in the late war with Great Britain in a Corpse of Rangers
Commanded by Maj"" Benjamin Whitcomb — that they inlisted in
said Corpse at the times hereafter to be mentioned, namely, the
s*^ Noah on the fifteenth day of March 1780, and the said Jo-
seph on the eighth day of November 177^ — that by some fatal
mistake, without the interposition of your Honors, he the said
Noah was not put upon the books of this State in which the
soldiers thereof were inroled till the first day of Jan^ 1781 —
which was the time the said Noah Joined the main Continental
army and was put into another corpse, or Regiment, by reason
that the s** Whitcomb was deranged — that he was in actual Ser-
vice from the time he inlisted till he Joined the main army
aforesaid, that by reason of said mistake, he never received any
pay from the time of his Inlistment to the s'' first day of Jan^ — that
the s'' Joseph served as a faithful Soldier from the time of his In-
listment till the 15* day of June 1779, at which time, owing to the
depreciated state of the then money, he was constrained either to
leave the said service or his family must, as far as he could then
see suffer accordingly ; from a consideration whereof he left
the said Corpse, and was from that time returned a Deserter
but from a desire to do all he possibly could, in support of the
war, and being called upon to Join the army ; and upon a
DOVER. 551
Proclimation of pardon signed by Gen' Washington, your Peti-
tioner hired and sent one Will"^ Kimball, who was accepted in
his place & stead and continued in the arrny till the close of the
war, and was then honorably discharged therefrom — that by
means of all which he never had it in his power to obtain any
of the Depreciation due to him while he was in actual service
— wherefore your Petitioners prav your Honors to take the
premises into consideration, and take such orders thereon as
may appear Just and reasonable and they as in duty bound will
ever pray &c
Dated at Dover June 16"^ 1792 —
Benj" Whitcomb
in behalf of the Petitioners
[The committee on the above reported that Levans be al-
lowed his depreciation from March 15, 1780, to January i,
1781, and that Chandler be allowed his wages from Novem-
ber 8, 1776, to June 15, 1779, provided their names ap-
peared on the original roll in accordance with their state-
ment ; which report was adopted. — Ed.]
[3-180] Pctitio7i for A7tthority to raise JMofiey by Lottery to
build a Bridge J\
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened, at Con-
cord, the first Wednesday of Jan. 3, Anno Domini 1791
The petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Towns of
Dover, Rochester, Somersworth, Barrington, & others Humbly
sheweth, That more than 50 years ago, a Bridge was built over
the River at Cochecho (so called), in Dover near & above the
lower falls in said River, on the direct public Road, leading
from Portsmouth to Rochester, & the upper Towns in the
County of Strafibrd, That said Bridge continued till the year
1772, when it was carried off by a large Freshet; but soon af-
terwards another was built in its Place, which was approved &
confirmed ])y the General Court of the then Province & the ex-
pence of l^uilding the same defrayed bv a Tax granted by their
autliority — That the Bridge last mentioned remained till the
memora]:)le Freshet of October 1785, wiien it was swept away,
in common with most others in this eastern part of tlie State,
That travellers through Dover have since that time been obliged
to go round over the lower bridge by the Landing, which
makes the distance much greater, besides their going over a
large Hill, which was entirely avoided while the Bridge above
5S2
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the falls was standing. But in addition to these inconveniences,
it very frequently happens, from the great Quantity of Lumber
haled to the landing, that the lower road is in fact so crouded
with Teams, that it is difficult for horses & almost impracticable
for Carriages to pass that way. These disadvantages, while
they have been the subject of the repeated Complaints of casual
Travellers, ever since the Bridge has been gone, have been
more severely felt by your petitioners & others whose business
has more commonly led them that way.
The Road which led over the old Bridge, is as well the most
antient, as the most direct road, to the upper Towns, as it was
laid out soon after the Town of Dover had become well settled
& (previous to the building of the Bridge) had been always
passed by means of a Boom which was placed across the Stream
for that purpose.
Your Petitioners are ver}' desirous that a bridge which would
be of such general Advantage to the public, & so particularly
accoinodate the Towns in which they live, might be erected in
such a way, and manner, as your Honors, ever attentive to the
■public Good may think proper They are of Opinion that a good
bridge would cost about £300 & might be completed for that
Sum, and with due Deference beg leave to propose, that the most
practicable, and expedient way of raising that sum would be
by a Lottery well regulated & with good Managers & they re-
quest that your honors would grant a Lottery for that purpose
& appoint 3 or more suitable persons as Managers of the same
& as in Duty bound your petitioners will pray.
Otis Baker
Charles Clapham
Joseph Estes
James gerrish
Joseph Clark
Jonathan french
Otis Baker jun
Will'" Twombly
Joseph Leavitt
Joseph Evans
Jonathan Twombly
Samuel Heard
Peter Cushing
James Adams
Benj* Hussey
Micah Emerson
John Lindsey
Daniel Libbey
Ahiman Watson
Theop^ Dame
Michael Reade
John Richards jun
\Villiam Brewster
Josiah Folsom Jun
James Stevens
William Watson
Eliphalet Coffin
George Watson
John Harford
John Hill
Caleb Tappan
Sam' Wentworth
Moses Varney
Miles Hanson
John Heard
Nathaniel Swazy
Peter Man
John Wentworth
Henry Mellen
Sam" Estes
Samuel Knowles
Will'" Atkinson
Edward Varney
Stephen Twomblv
Simeon Jenks
John Remick
Joseph Bickford
W'" P. Moulton
Jacob Joy
John Rilev
John H. Hiner
Jonathan Hogg
James Libbey
John Heard jun
Nathaniel Han^
Ham Libbey
Eph'" Bickford
DOVER. 553
John Gage 3*^ David Wingate Joshua Merrow
John Pahner Edward Rollins Zacheus Purinton
Benj" Wingate Silas Tebbets Rich'* Nutter
Benj" Hanson David Hanson Tho"* Footman
Albert Dennis David Copp James C. Hayes
Jacob Kittredge Josiah Folsom Aaron Varney
John Varney ju George Roberts Jacob Hanson
Daniel Heard James Burnham William Foss
Eph'" Ham ju'' Nathaniel Watson John Baker
hia
Stephen X Harford
[3-1S4] \^Petltion for Incorporation of a Library. ~\
State of New | To the Honorable the Senate and House of Rep-
Hampshire j resentatives in General Court convened at Ex-
eter Nov"" 1792
The Petition of the Subscribers in behalf of a Library Com-
pany in Dover humblv Shews.
That for the ditlusion of useful knowledge, and for the culti-
vation & improvement of the mind in polite literature ; said
Society at a very great expence, have established a Library in
the town of Dover ; which consists of several hundred Volumes
upon various subjects — that they have formed themselves into a
Society for that purpose, but are fullv sensible of their weakness
in many extensive & important matters, without the helping
hand of the Legislature. Thev w'ould therefore pray this hon-
orable body, that the Society aforesaid by an Act of the Legis-
lature, may be incorporated, by the name of the *' Social Libra-
ry Company in Dover " — that they be therein empowered to
pass good & wholsome by laws, for the regulation & govern-
ment thereof, to sue or be sued in their corporate capacity ; and
to be invested with all the powers & privileges that bodies cor-
porate, ought necessarily to have and enjoy.
As your Honors have nearly at heart, the encouragement of
that knowledge, which serves to illume the mind. & better the
heart ; they liave not the least doubt, but their petition will most
readily be granted — And as in duty bound they will ever pray.
Jon" Rawson Agent for said Company
Dover Nov"' 26"' 1792.
[3-185] \_Rccord of fleeting of Library Society. '\
At an Annual Meeting of the .Social Library Society in Do-
ver, holdcn at Dover, June 26"" 1792 —
Voted, That this Societ}- will make application to the Legis-
554
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
lature, at their next Session, for an Act of Incorporation with
bye Laws — and that Col Jonathan Rawson be desired to pre-
pare and present a Petition for that purpose.
The Names of the Society.
WilHam Hupper ju"" Ichabod RolHns
Jonathan Hamilton Joseph Haven
Eben' Tebbets
Eleazer Davis
Robert Gray
Caleb Hodg'don
John B™ Hanson's
Heir
Ezra Green
Stephen Evans
Joseph Allen
Timothy Emerson
John Plumer ju''
Asa Tufts
John Kielle
Benjamin Peirce
Charles Clapham
Otis Baker
Daniel Hayes
Eben'' Demerit
A true Copy — Attest — Nath" Cooper, Clerk
[The library was incorporated December 15, 1792, by the
name of "The Social Library Company in Dover." — Ed.]
Jonathan Rawson
Shadrack Hodgdon
Thomas W' Wal-
dron's Heir
Nath'^ Cooper
John Wentworth's
Heir
James Calef
Theophilus Dame
[3-179] \_Petition for a Latu against Billiard- Play ing.'\
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire. The petition of the subscribers inhabitants of the
town of Dover in said vState & the towns adjacent thereto —
Hvmibly Sheweth That by an act of the Legislature of this
state passed June 14*'' A. D. 1791 entitled " an act regulating
licensed houses" It is among other thing enacted that no li-
censed person shall suffer any person or persons "■ to play at any
unlawful game or sport, such as cards, dice, nine pins, or bill-
iards within his house or houses, out houses, vards, gardens, or
places to him belonging on penalty of paying a fine of forty
shillings for each offence," but that almost all the evil conse-
quences, which the well meaning projectors of said act (so far
as it respects billiards) designed to prevent are experienced in
some part of this State by the permission which said act tacitly
gives to unlicensed persons to erect or suffer to be erected bill-
iard tables in their own private possessions. That, by this
tacit permission, persons, who seek their own emolument in
preference of the public good, & a life of dissipation in prefer-
ence of a life of sobriety erect billiard tables for the purpose of
playing themselves and encouraging others to play at one of the
imlawful games mentioned in said act. That by the said infatu-
ating game of billiards the Husband is induced to spend not on-
ly long evenings, but nights & days at those resorts of iniquity,
DUBLIN,
555
leaving- his sohitary wife, whom it is his duty to cherish and
support, no other consohition, than to regret his folly & its
cause. That by said pernicious game of billiards, the son is
tempted to leave his home by stealth, in violation of his par-
ents injunctions and spend much of his time and money to no
better purpose, than that of becoming a sott, a gambler & a
first rate proficient in the school of imorality. That by the
said illicit game of billiards, the apprentice is inveigled to leave
his masters service & spend his time & masters money in pre-
paring himself for a pest, instead of a valuable member of so-
ciety. Nor are these but a part of the baleful consequences
which flow from the game of which we are speaking. For even
the day dedicated to the sen'ice & worship of almighty God is
not surtered to pass unprofaned by the votaries of these unhal-
lowed tables — The immediate cause of our troubling your Hon-
orable body at this time is, that many of the inhabitants of this
vicinity have heretofore severely suflered under the scourge of
the above game & another table has been lately erected in our
neighborhood, which threatens all the baleful consequences
above described — We therefore pray for your Legislative inter-
position & that a law may be made which shall render it equal-
ly penal for an unlicensed as a licensed person to play at or suf-
fer to be played at in his house, or houses, or out houses, yards,
gardens or places to him or her belonging, or that some other
means may be devised as you in your wisdom may think proper
to prevent this growing evil — as in duty bound shall ever
pray—
Dan' Hanson Ezra Green
Philemon Chandler Ezekiel Hayes
John Wheeler Tho'* Footman
George Watson Paul Horn
Winthrop Watson Elisha Pike
Amos Wood
John Hurd
Nath' Horn
John Kiclle
Andrew Torr
thomas Burrows
Benj" Peirce
Sam' Bragg
Ezra young
Stephen Patten
Ichabod Tebbets
Joseph Gage
W" Shannon
Daniel Pierce
Moses Wingate
Israel Hanson jn
David Ham
Sam' Genish Jun.
Reuben Twombly
W" Twombly
Joseph Howard
Samuel Shackford
DUBLIN.
The township was granted November 3, 1749, by the Ma-
sonian Proprietors, to Matthew Thornton, Sampson Stod-
dard, and others, by the name of Monadnock No. 3. Set-
556 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tlements were made about 1762 by Thomas Morse, John
Alexander, Henry Strongman, and Wilham Scott. These
men were natives of Ireland, and named the town for the
capital of that country, which name was established when
the town was incorporated, March 29, 1771. The petition
for an act of incorporation may be found in volume IX,
page 188.
Dr. Amos Twitchell, an eminent physician residing in
Keene for many years, was born in Dublin, April 11, 1781 ;
he died May 26, 1850.
June 13, 1818, " certain persons and their estates" were
severed from this town, and annexed to Marlborough.
In 1793, Benjamin Mason, Capt. Reuben Morse, and Rob-
ert Muzzey were each paid a bounty for killing wolves in
town.
[R. 315]
State of New Hampshire, to the Town of Dublin Dr.
17S1 for paying 2 soldiers in CoP Daniel Reynolds Regim'
their travel money to Springfield — Moses Mason & Asa Bul-
lard per Rec' £1, 6, 8
Errors Excepted per Stephem Ames
[This bill was allowed in committee on claims, June 15,
1786, and paid to Stephen Ames. — Ed.]
[R. 316 to 320]
[The following named soldiers ordered what was due to
them for service in the continental army to be paid to Reu-
ben Morse, by orders dated May and October, 1784.
Jonathan Morse, for service in 1781.
Wilard Hunt, for service in 1778 and 1779.
John Wight, for service one year from June 25, 1779.
Elisha Adams, for three months in 1781.
John Stone, for the year 1781.
The latter was in the ist N. H., — entered April, 1781.
He was discharged the following December, but probably
served through 1782.
Francis Mason, age 35, Caleb Hunt, age 17, and Jno.
Swain, age 39, were in Blodgett's Co., of Col. Nathan Hale's
2d Bat. Hunt was wounded at Hubbardton.
DUBLIN. 557
Nathaniel Belknap was enlisted for service in Rhode Is-
land, July 9, 1779. (Revolutionary Papers). — Ed.]
[R. 314] \_Petitio?i of Abigail Bates.']
To the Hon^^'' the House of Representatives assembled and
Conven"^ at Exeter : State of Nevvhampshire &c.
The memorial of abagil Bates widow of the Late Nathaniel
Bates of Dublin Dec*^ Humbly Shew^eth that y'' memorialist
was Left a widow with two small children and only a New
Lot of Land containing forty one acers only and but five
acers Improved Labour and Provisions being scarce and Dear
Renders it Imposable to manetane hir self and children with-
out selling said Land — These are therefore humbly to Solicit
your Hon"'* to take it into your wise Consideration and give or-
der that the same might be sold. * * *
ocf 28-1 77S
Abagill Bates
N. B. Said Nathaniel Bates was killed at Stillwater Last
3'ear By Generall Birgines army. —
[R. 331] \_Bart/ioIometu Goyer's Petition.']
State of New hampshire
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives in General Court Convened at Dover on the first
Wednesday of June Anno domini 1792
The petition of Bartholomew Goyer of Dublin in the Coun-
ty of Cheshire humbly shew's that in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and eighty one he Inlisted into the
Continental army in Captain Dustins Company and Col" Reads
Reg' and served a soldier in said Company till June 17S3 at
which time being on Command at mohawk River he was sur-
prised by a party of Indians and carried into Canada where he
remained a prisoner untill September 17S3 and as it w^as re-
ported that he was killed by said Indians Return was made ac-
cordingly and your petitioner was not made up in any roll and
Consequently drew no pay dureing the whole time of his Cap-
tivity— and also after his return out of captivity he being poor
and also not possessed of that knowledge which was requisit to
direct the proper way to obtain a recompence for his scrvises in
558 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
behalf of his Country both he and his family hath greatly suf-
fered on that account
Wherefore your petitioner Humbly prays your Honours to
take his Case into your wise Consideration and grant him the
pay for his serveses in the Cause of his Country for which he
has Received no Compensation and your petitioner as in duty
bound shall ever pray
Dover June ye ii*'' 1792
Bartholomew Goyer
[R- 323]
I certify that sometime in June 1782 the Indians attack'd car-
ried & burned a mill on Mohawk river in which was a Ser-
jeants party belonging to the Regim' then under my Command
that the bearer Bartholomew M'^Goyer being in the party in-
stead of being taken was supposed to have been killed, and was
accordingly returned dead in consequence of which his pay-
ceased —
Given under my hand at Londonderry this 6"" day of June
1792—
Geo. Reid then L' Co' Comd'
2*1 N Hamp^ Reg.
[He was allowed ^30, and interest. — Ed.]
DUNBARTON.
The township was granted by the Masonian Proprietors
in 175 1 to Archibald Stark (father of Gen. John Stark), Ca-
leb Page, and others, and was called Starkstown until it
was incorporated, August 10, 1765, by its present name, in
memory of the town of Dumbarton, Scotland, whence
Stark, Stinson, and others of the first settlers emigrated.
Joseph Putney and James Rogers made settlements in
town prior to 1746, and in that year were driven away by
Indians. In 1749 they returned, and made permanent set-
tlements.
About 1751 William Stinson, Thomas Mills, and John
Hogg settled in the westerly part of the town. Capt. Will-
iam Stinson, who came from Londonderry, was an ener-
getic and useful man. James Rogers was the father of Ma-
jor Robert Rogers, of ranger fame. The first settled min-
DUNBARTON. 559
ister was Rev. Walter Harris, D.D.. in 1789. He was a
graduate of Dartmouth in 1787, and died December 25,
1843, at the age of 82. Cjpt. Caleb Page was pro{Drietors'
clerk for many years, and delegate to the provincial con-
gress in 1775. In Stark's history is a list of 27 revolution-
ary soldiers, but it does not contain the names of William
Wheeler and Abel Hadley, who were mustered July 20,
1779, fo'' ths defence of Rhode Island.
July 2, 1822, the town of Hooksett was incorporated, and
included a portion of Dunbarton.
January 7, 1853, an act was passed establishing the line
between this town and Goffstown.
[3-1 SS] \_Request J~or Poxvder.'\
The humble portition of the Select Men of Dunbarton to the
honourable Counsel! and hovise of Representatives now Seting
in Exeter humbly Sheweth that the town of Dunbarton Stands
in Need of Sum Powder tharefore Prayes that the honorable
Court wold Suply them With a half a Barrell or about fifty
wate for a Small Stock if granted we ^vill be accountable for
the Same for Which Wee Ever Pray —
Dated Dunbarton October y'' 12 : 177^ —
Jeremiah Page | Select men of
John Hogg j Dunbarton
[3-1 87] \_Ans~Joer to above.~\
In the House of Representatives Ocf iS"' 1776
Voted, That there be delivered to the Town of Dunbarton
one half Barrel of Powder to be by them accounted for, And
that the President give order accordingly —
Sent up for Concurrence
P White Speaker
In Council Eodem Die read & Concurred
E Thompson secy
[3-1S9] \_Relative to Confiscated Estatcs.~\
To the honor'''" Counsel and house of Representives now
Seting at Exeter in the State of Newhampshire ; the humble
Portision of tiic Selectmen of Dunbarton humblv sheweth that
your Portitioners Diil last march Take intf) Custody the Real
and Personal Estate of Col' William vStark and John Stinson of
560 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Said Dunbarton who went over to the Enemy (as is supposed)
Sum time in September ; 1776 and have made a Return of
Said apprisal to the Secretary office at Exeter, Said Stark and
Stinson Left thare wifes and Children on Said Estates who
have ocepied and improved Said Estates Ever Sence they Left
home Said Stark Let out Part of his Estate before he Left
home to one Joseph Oardaway (as he Sayeth) who Refuses to
Pay the Rent of s*^ Estat to us for this State or to move off and
Leave it, altho Being thare unto Requested by your Portish-
ners, and your Portishners Pray your bono'''' would propose
Sum methord for Taking Care of Said Estats as the Personal
Estate now Layeth upon hand they Gave Bonds to Deliver it
to your Portisheners when Requested, and further Prayeth to
your hon^ to Give us orders what to do with said famelies
now on said estats the season of the year Being so far advanced
they have Planted and sowed there Grane, and hath not given
any security to your Portisheners for this years rent, as your
Portisheners as in Duty Bound Do Ever Pray
Dated at Dunbarton this 23 : Day of may : 177S
Samuel Burnam ] Select men
Jacob Green J for Dunbarton
[R. 337] [^Soldiers' Receipts.']
Dunbarton April y^ 15; 1777 — this day Rec'^ the sum of
fifteen Pounds LawfuU money of Nathaniel Hutchins for the
town of Dunbarton to Sarve in the Continatle army for three
years to Come I say Rec'' Per me
Jonathan Sterns
[R. 32S]
March y*" 15, 177S — Received of John Hogg the sum of
nine pounds Lavvfu mon for Going in the Continental armey
for three years for the town of Dunbarton I being this Day
mustered for that purpos
John Dor man
[Said Dorman had been paid ^36 the day before. — Ed.]
[R. 329] \_yohn Hogg's Petition.']
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'"^ The Council &L House of Representatives Con-
vened at Exeter 5"^ March 1778
Humbly Sheweth — Your Petitioner, agent for the Town of
Dunbarton, Setting forth that said Town in obedience to a
DUNBARTON. 561
Resolve] of January 2*^ 1778, Chose a Committee to Raise &
Engage the Proportion of Continental Troops for said town —
the Comm'^" Took the meaning of said resolve to be, the rais-
ing of said Men for two years. & they to Receive Cloathing,
Bountvs &c — upon these Terms said Com'^ inlisted six soldiers
For the Term of two years, Likewise gave them a reward
From the town ; & marched s*^ soldiers to Concord to pass
Muster — the mustermaster Declin'd mustering said Men on
them terms — the Com''"'^ of said town has used all their Influence
to Engage those men for one year More ; but Cannot obtain
them — Wherefore vour petitioner prays in behalf said Town,
that the s"* six soldiers now Engaged may answer for s*^ Town,
and That they mav be mustered & Receive their Bounties
Cloathing &C, & your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever
pray
John Hogg
[The committee on the foregoing reported that men en-
listed for two years should receive two thirds the bounty
and clothing promised to three years men, which report
was adopted. — Ed.]
[R. 331] \_Soldiers' Orders.~\
Dunbarton July y" 6"' 17S1
for valu received of the Select men of Dunbarton please to pay
to them or their order the whole of the wages that shall be
allowed to me for sen'ice which I noAV engage to do in the
Continental army for the term of Six months for the Town of
Dunbarton to commence from the date hereof as witness my
hand
William Ordway
to Nicholas Oilman State treasurer or his successor in ofice.
[R- 332]
Dunbarton Julv y*^ 10"' 17S1 for value received of the Select
men of Dunbarton, please to pay to them the whole of my wages
which shall be allowed to me for Service which I now engage
to do for the Town of Dunbarton until! the Last day of Decem-
ber Next unless sooner discharged.
Andrew Kaughow
To Nicholas Oilman State treasurer
[R- 333]
To M*" John Oilman Esq' treasurer for the State of New-
hampshire S' please to pay or Deliver to the Selectmen of
37
562 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Dumbarton or their order, vSix months Wages Due to me for
Service Done in the Continental armey for the year 1780 and
this shall Be your Rec' for the Same —
his
Robert X Cunningham Jun'
mark
Alerrim'^ March 6* 1784
Test Jonathan Gillis James Darrah Sam' Jackson
[3-190] [^Petition of yohn Hogg relative to School Lot ^ etc.']
State of Newhampshire.
To the Honorable the Counsel and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened March y" 17"' A. D. 1779
The Humble Petition of John Hogg Agent for the Town of
Dunbarton Sheweth that when the Lands in said town were al-
lotted Lot number nine in the third Range was Laid out to the
use of the school forever, afterwards in the year 1760 Cap'
William Stark mooveed on with his Famaly on said School
Lot afterwards on the tenth day of June 1761 the Proprietors
of said Dunbarton voted to exchange the School Lot with Will-
iam Stark of said Dunbarton if he would purchase Lot num-
ber Twelve in the fourth Range for the use of the School for-
ever— which Lot number Twelve wee are told the said Stark
afterwards purchased for his own use but hath never Conveyed
the same for the use of the School according to the condition of
said vote and Lickwise your Petitioner apprehends that if the
said Stark hath purchised Lot No 12 it is of them that have no
Legal Title to the same, afterwards at a supposed meeting of
the Inhabitance of Dunbarton afores'^ which meeting was called
within six days after the warrant therefor issued and the same
warrant put up in a vary private place it was voted by a few of
the Inhabitance that James Stinson of said Dunbarton should
have the Lot number Twelve Called the School Lot in ex-
change for fifty acres ofi'the easterly end of Lot number eleven
in the third Range and the half of the easterly end of Lot num-
ber twelve in the same Range in Consequence of which vote
obtained in an unfair and private manner the said Stinson Pe-
titioned the General Cort setting forth the Purport of the same
Vote and that an exchange of the same Lots would be a mutual
Benefit Whereupon the General Cort Resolved that upon the
said Stinsons making and executing to the vSelectmen for the
use of the Town of Dunbarton aforesaid a Deed of the afore-
said Fifty acres of the easterlv end of the Lot number eleven in
the third Rang-e and half of Lot number twelve in the same
DUNBARTON. 563
Range for the use and Support of a School in said Dunbarton
forever that then the town aforesaid should Be impowered to
appoint some person or persons to make the said Stinson his
Heirs assigns forever a Good and valid Deed of the said Lot
number twelve in the fourth Range since said Resolve the in-
habitance of said town have at two legal meetings Voted not to
Exchange said lot No 1 2 as they apprehend they have no Legal
Titel to the same but that the Lot number nine in the third
Range remains the School Lot in said Town ase it was Laid
originally for that Purpose and that if they were the Owners of
the Lot N" 1 2 in the forth range called the school Lot would
not exchange the same because it is much Better situated and of
Double the value of the Lands preposed to be given by said
Stinson in exchange But as every Measure at that time wase
taken to proswead & terify the town of Dunbarton to vote an
Exchange of said Lot agreabel to said resolve which so mutch
Desturbed the Peace of s'' town that on May y*" 11 AD 1774
Cap' Caleb Page of said Dunbarton Petitioned the Gineral Cort
in behalf of him salf and a number of the inhabitence of said
town Praying that the before mentioned resolve might be maid
nul and void and for an order thereon to stop any further Pro-
seadings thereon the Petition Being read & Votead to hear the
Petitioner on the Second Day of the setting of the General
asambly next after the tenth Day of June next But the
Cort Being Desolved and the Petitioner wase not heard and
the said Stark still Continued in posation of the School Lot in
said town till he Obsconded and went over to the Enemy and
Left his family in posation of the same which still continues in
said posation to the Great Damedg of said town therefore
your Petitioner Humbly prays in Behalf of said town for your
order hereon to anebel said town to injoy their school Lot ase
you in your known Wisdom shall think Just and your Peti-
tioner ase in Duty Bound shall ever pray
John Hogg
in behalf of said Town
[3-1 91] \_Robcrt S/nit/i's Letter to the General Court. ~\
Londonderry Dec"" iS"' 1781 —
The Subscriber Begs Leave to Make Use of this Method to
Liform The Honb' the Gen' Cort Assembl** at Exiter That In
the Month of October Las I was at Boston & there Being In-
form'' of one John Stinson an Absentee Late of Dunbarton in
this State, then & there Being upon Parrowl in the town of
Boston & Noddles Island I Well Knowing By the Information
of Gentlemen of Probetty That s'' John Stinson Had often Pass-
564 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ed & Repassed Between the Enemy at Newyork & Dunbarton
I then Drew aformal Complant Gainst s'' Stinson which was
exhibeted To the Govenor of Masetusets. signiting that s"^ Stin-
son had often Ben In Dunbarton and at other Places in the
State of New hampshier Within Two years Last Past The
Gov"" : then ordered said Stinson to Be Emediately Confined
Who Now is in Boston Goal Your Honours Will Considder
of The Matter Whilest you Have this Information from your
Hum^^ Ser',
Rob' Smith
[3-194] \_Select7nen relative to Stark and Stinson^ addressed
to the Legislature^ Febrjiary ij, J78j.'\
State of New'' Hillsborough ss
To his Exelance the PresedeUhe Hon'-'"'*^ the Senet and house of
Representatives Conven*^ at Concord Feb'' y" 15 : 17S5 —
the Petition of the Selectmen for Dunbarton in Said County
of Hillsborough humbly Sheweth —
that one John Stinson and one John Stark ; who Left Said
Dunbarton some time in the year 1776 and Joyned ower Ene-
mys then at Newyork ; and with them took armes against the
LTnited States are now Residing in Said Dunbarton that the
Said Stinson hath for about Nine months Last Past mad his
home at Said town ; and by liis insults the People of Said town
not only by his Personal appearance but with his abusive Lan-
guage and thrattening words and as thare is foure more of Such
Persons now with the Britons of the Same Class ; that formerly
Belonged to Said town that are Expected hear Very soon if
Said Stinson and Stark is Promited to Stay among us which is
Verv alarming whareby the Peace of Said town hath been and
we fear will be much Disturbed ; and your Petitornors fear it
will Cause afusion of Blood : Except Provented by vSum order
of your homers —
Wharefore your Petitioners Prayes your Exalancy and honors
would take this matter under your wise Consideration ; and
Pase Sum order thai-eon ; So that the Said Stinson and Stark
may be Removed and that none of those Parsons may be Pro-
mited to Reside among us who in the Late war fought against
us ; unless Liberty furst had from the Legislative body of this
State, and your Portisherns as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray—
T 1, T-> 1 Select men
Jei-e; Page ( ^^^.
David Story I t^ 1 .
- ) Dunbarton
DUNBARTON. 565
[3-191^] S^Petltion for a Coroner. '\
Dvmbarton June v'^ 27"^ 17S7
Sir
I Would Beg Leve to inform your Exelency tliat there is no
Currener in this town nor hath not Been Since I Had the Hon-
er to Hold that Offis and as one Seems to be Wanted I Would
Mention Jaremi Page Juner as a Proper Parson to apoin Should
Your Exelency and their Honers the Councel See Fit to Mack
any appointment I Have the Honer to be With Grat respect
your Very Humble Sarvent —
John Hogg
NB the parson above mentioned is a son to his Honer Jare-
mi Page Esq'' and there is another Jaremi Page in this town So
that the Man I meen is the third
[3-196] \^Agent Appointed. '\
Dunbarton April 12"' 1791
at a legal town Meeting holden by adjournment Voted that
Jere'^ Page Esq'' Petition the General Court that the holding of
the annual Aleeting of Said town May be altered from the Sec-
ond Tuesday of March to the first Tuesday of March for the
future true Coppy
David Stor^• Town Clerk
[3-197] S^Petitiou for a change of day of Annual Meeting.^
To The General Court of New-Hampshire The Petition of the
Inhabitants of Dunbarton in said State humbly Sheweth
That the annual Meeting of said Town for Chusing Town
Officers &c hath ever heretofore been held by Charter on the
second Tuesday of March annually & Your Petitioners have
found that it would be much more agreeable to, & convenient
for, them to have said Annual Meeting appointed to be holden
on the first Tuesday of March Annually for the future — Your
Petitioners therefore prav that a Stature be made by which said
Meeting Ma}- be altered & established for the future to be hold-
en on the first Tuesday March annually & as in Duty bound
shall Prav
Dunbarton Jeremiah Page
Nov'' 25"' 1 791. in behalf of the Town
appointed
[The foregoing was granted by an act passed December
14, 1 79 1. — Ed.]
566 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
DURHAM.
This town was formerly a part of Dover, and was called
Oyster River until it was incorporated, May 15, 1732, byits
present name. It included Lee in its incorporated limits.
(Vol. IX, page 234.) January 16,1766, the town was divid-
ed, and the westerly part incorporated as " a Parish by the
name of Lee," with full town privileges.
Settlements were made on Oyster River early in the
seventeenth century, and, being on the frontier, the inhabi-
tants suffered severely from Indian depredations for many
years.
The town furnished its full share of men for the Canada
and Revolutionary wars ; among the latter were Maj. Gen.
John Sullivan and Col. Winborn Adams, and the names of
many others will be found in the following documents.
Hon. Ebenezer Thompson was a resident of this town.
He was the first secretary of this state after the adoption of
a state government ; member of the committee of safety
from May 19, 1775, to January 31, 1781 ; and justice of the
supreme court in 1795-6. He died May 17, 1802, aged 65.
By an act passed July 2, 1870, a portion of the town was
set off, and annexed to Newmarket.
[3-198] [_A7z Ansxver to Oyster River Petitions^ J'TJ'S-']
To The Honourable Governour Councell and Repre-
sentatives Convened in generall assembly
Whereas there Is a petition Laid before your honours By part
of the Inhabitants of oyster River Expecting thereby to Serve
their own Interest though it be with much hardship to their
Neighbours
We the Subscribers being Residents or free holders within
those districts as in petition mentioned do humbly Referr to
your Consideration these things as Reasons of obiection against
the said petition
1 That we ought to have had knowledge and to have Confer-
red with them about the said petition and whereas they keept it
private from us it Showeth a Secret plotting and Contriving
against our Interest
2 That Some of their Subscribers as we Suppose are neither
Residents nor freeholders within the said districts
DURHAM. 567
3 That Some of their Subscribers do den\'e part or all the
petition
4 That if your honours Should See good to grant the Said
petition we being farmars Shall then be So bound up within
those districts not haveing Room to advance our Estates — that
we Shall not be able to subsist our familyes and to mentain a
minister honourably
5 That a Settled Schoolmaster will be of no Service to us in
teaching our Children because we do Live So Remote and are
also divided with a River and Creeks — but rather as we have
hitherto done to hire a Schoolmaster for ourselves and our adia-
cant neighbours
6 We are very well Satisfyed with our towns generall Elec-
tion of Select men Seeing we have two within our districts who
are well aquainted with our affairs and we do account it hard-
ship to be denyed our former privilidg
these Reasons we give haveing many others which we are
Loath to trouble your honours withal — we humbly hope that
you will not grant their petition — Except it be only to the pe-
titioners and pleas to grant us the Libertyes that our fathers had
that first Settled this place
We Remain vour most Humble Servants
1 Thomas Edger- 23 Moses davisjuner 44 John Rand
ley Sen 24 John daves Sen 4^; Samuel Egerley
2 John Meder Sen 25 timmothy davis 46 Joseph Kent
3 EdwerdusWake- 26 Stephen Jonsones 47 Thomas footman
ham 27 John Bickford 48 Joseph Stevenson
4 Thomas Drew 28 beniamin mathes 49 William Glines
5 John Daniell 29 Joseph Edgerly 50 Bartholomew Ste-
6 Joseph Meder 30 John willes Sen- venson
7 Ichabod follet " ior t '"' ''""K . ,
o T 11 T u TD J '^i Tames T Luigley
Q Joannes bunker 31 John Rand j J t> ^
9 John Williains 32 John wille jvmer 52 william worm-
10 Nathaneal Laim- 33 John Pender wood
34 Beniamen Pender 53 Eleazar Bickford
35 J'*'""'^ footman 54 Amos pinkham
sener 5:; James Davis
36 John vSmith jun"" Juner
Ills ' his
37 william X ilurgin ^6 John M Mondro
mark ' ' nmrk
16 thomas Rines 38 James Thomas 57 Thomas Davis
17 Samuel Williams 39 Sellathan denbo 58 Dancl Mishorne
18 Beniamen bodge 40 John : Smith Jun'' 59 Daniel Davies
19 Sam" Smith 41 vSamuill wille 60 Joseph ginkens
20 John meder Ju 42 francics Mathes 61 James Davis the
21 nicoles meder Jun"' Son of Moses
22 Jn** ambler 43 william pitman Davis
mos
1 1
william hill
12
Henrv Rines
13
John Edgerlev
H
P'rancis Mathes
15
Ricliard denbo
568 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-199] S^Rev. Hugh Adams's Complaint.^
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Cap* General &
Commander In Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire In New England, To the Honourable the
Council & Representatives In General Court Assembled The
Complaint & Petition of Hugh Adams Clerk the Gospel Minis-
ter and Pastor of the Church at Durham within s'' Province —
Humbly Sheweth
Forasmuch as your Complainant Petitioner hath been more
than one and twenty years last past a Labourer In the Word &
Doctrine of Christ sincerely to the utmost of his Ability amongst
that People, altho the good Laws of this said Province so far
have requir'd of them ; and their own Contract or agreement
wath him. Voted by them in the first week of the Month of
April Anno 1717 ; as bv a copy of the record of Oyster River
Parish or s** Town, as also by the Evidences of some of their
then Select Men & Committee may appear in order for his sup-
port with a competent salarv of one hundred and four Pounds
dureing his ministry there, even then when silver money was
not of more Value than ten shillings per Ounce annually to be
paid as then understood in the real value thereof and not only
in the bare name of so much & unanimously agreed by their
then Committee to be paid punctually each year, one half of s"^
Salary I : E : £52 at the end of or within each six months I : E :
the first week in October & April with other material Articles
of s** Agreement for his maintenance among them which also
hath obliged them thereunto, yet have they not in any one year
of s"^ time of Three Apprenticeships since their s*^ Contract been
honest nor faithfull by the pavment thereof in the just value nor
in due season, so that the hire of his ministerial labours so much
& long being keept back by their sacinlegious fraud hath been
crying in the ears of Christ the Lord of sabbaoth so to expose
them & their Covenant & silent Neighbours in this s"^ Province
unto ye Curse denounced which hath been so long and often
executed in such a variety of destroying terrifying & impover-
ishing Judgments of God too many herein to be enumerated &
so much thereof evidently occasioned by said Parish & Town,
being therein so long tollerated with impunity, as an Achan in
the Camp & As the seven sons of Saul in the days of King
David ; and as Jonah in the ship of the Commonwealth of this
Province aforesaid. And especially whereas the principal
Article in the said Contract insisted on by their said Minister
w hereunto their then Selectmen & Committee Agreed by man-
ual vote & voice (Nemine Contradicente) but was not enter'd
by their then Parish Clerk John Smith who deceased Anno
1722 with or after the other Articles thereof in the Record Rolls
DURHAM. 569
of their then Parish of Oyster River or since Town of Durham
since yearly or very fervent intreatys to have the same Articles
enter'd upon their s'^ Records and observed for the yearh- per-
formance thereof for the future, whereunto nevertheless they
have been inexorable beyond all reason & Justice, hitherto in
disregardino^ said above hinted Article, viz. That Each year one
half of s** Salary of £104 which is £52 should be paid in to liim
or his Order at or before the End of Each six months or half
year I : E : the first week in October & April which Committee
Vote or vow of theirs has never yet in any one year of the
twenty-one years of mv ministry amongst them been perform'd :
but mostly defer'd until at least three months after said former
half year's Harvest was ended ; when the Price of provisions
was raised at least 25 per Cent Dearer than at the Harvest or
Ingathering thereof, which Delinquency of theirs in s*^ 21 years
hath been to the damage of said minister above .£520 in said
Parish & Town especially where he has been necessitated, rath-
er than starve, to borrow considerable sums of money upon 6,
10, 15, & 20 Per Cent Interest yearly, & running on Interest
upon Interest, yet unto this day, to his impoverishing oppres-
sion & sinking discouragement, and reduced his Salary of £104
of late years to the name thereof when in present Value as the
alter'd prices of all necessarvs for livelihood are about 200 Per
Cent dearer than when their s*^ Contract was made his Salary
now is scarce more in real worth than £36 each year altho their
i-atable heads, Familys Cattle and lands have increased treble
their ability more than at first Agreement. Also this year 1738
the Majority of S*^ Durham Inhabitants ha\-e stopt their Ears at
the Cry of the poor at their t\\'o publick Town meetings altho
it's threaten'd they shall Cry themselves but shall not be heard.
Therefore now the oppressing necessity's of the Complain-
ant Petitioner constrain him to pray he may be regarded by
this Great and General Court Assembled in these his following
requests as Christ Jesus Imman'uei, to encourage Each of his
foithfull Ministers testifveth Saying " He that hcareth You,
heareth me " —
I Request that the Records of s"* Parish then named Oyster
River & now Charter'd Town of Durham may be so far im-
peached as that the said Article may be enter'd by the present
Town Clerk Lieu' .Samuel Smith & accordingly that he may
be summon'd to bring Durhams Town Book of Rolls & like-
wise Cap' Francis Mathes the former Town Clerk to bring the
record Rolls of s"^ Oyster River Parish if yet in his Possession ;
& likewise Lieu' Abraham Bennick & m' Sampson Doc then
of the Select Men & Committee for said Parish in that year
1 71 7 to give in or renew their Oaths or affidavit Each of them
for confirming the Truth of said Article.
570 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
2 Request that the Petitioners Salary of £! 104 may be En-
acted for the future during the Remainder of his Ministry in
s** Town to be made good in full value as really as in name &
to be paid in due season according to the request & Article
aforesaid with sufficient Penalty for any Delinquency thereof
which as written in the Divine Law moral is the 5"" part of the
principal to be added unto it as Evident from Lev : V : 15 : 16.
Num. V : 6, 7, 8.—
3 request That Delinquents from the payment of any lawful
settled Ministers Salary within s'' Province may be Enacted a
criminal Case or matter Presentable by any Grand Juror upon
Complaint made to him at Each or any Court of Sessions
Quarterly as in the Massachusetts Province Government, which
I perceive by Psalms 41, i, 2, 3 is the Principal reason why
they have been hitherto proportionably spared from the throat
Pestilence & other impoverishing more than New Hamp-
shire.
4 Request That Daniel Davis of s"^ Durham may be sum-
oned & Judged by this most Honourable Court of New Hamp-
shire Province afores'^ for his sundry years trespassing upon &
inclosing within his fence & detaining so forcibly from s*^ Min-
ister several years previous Possession thereof, vSvmdry Acres
of Upland, & salt Marsh & Thatch bed, belonging to the Glebe
Land or Parsonage, possessed by, Improved for, as also granted
to, the Minister of said Parish or Town at least sixty years, & for
Evidence thereof That Cap' Francis Mathews & his next Neigh-
bour Jonathan Willey the Eldest & Joseph vStevens his son &
W'" Willey may Each of them be summoned, moreover the
s"^ robbed & defrauded Minister prays that it may be likewise
ordered. That the Select men of said Each year may rescue s*^
Parsonage land from him the said Daniel Davis and Every
other unjust Incroacher thereon and on Each other Parcel of
Glebe land or Parsonage (as viz) the Long marsh & that Par-
cel of Ministerial land lying on the highway leading S. & B
W toward Lamperreel River & bounded E & by S. on Potter
Masons land & S : & B. W on Rich'* Denbow's Land Each of
which is incroached upon by one or other of adjacent Neigh-
bours & altho their Minister as their spiritual father so long
seeking their welfare in gathering of a Church first amongst
us on March 26, 171S his prevailing as the Dresser of their
Church Vineyard with Immanuel Christ Jesus the Lord there-
of— for his Grant of four vears Probation whether the barren
Figg Trees might by a Ministerial Husbandry Expended on
them be prevailed with to bare fruit proportionally that It
might be well with them as in the Gospel Parrible thereof
Luke 13 — 7, 8, 9, and when the Indian War began anno 1722
that it might Continue no longer than 3 years as written In Isa.
DURHAM. 571
16, 14 which punctually Ended in 17^5 & that 5 Persons were
cut down thereby in our Parish ; who hath likewise prevailed
with the Heavenly Prince of Peace to make & keep his Cove-
nant of peace with & for us as written in Ezeikel 34 25 yearly
pleaded & Granted these thirteen years hitherto
Notwithstanding the so repeatedly many Rumours of Wars
free from the reallity thereof. Likewise in the year 1729 when
Cap' Sam" Emerson & Lieu' Jon" Thompson and Hubbard
Stevens Dea., harress'd their Minister with an Antichristian
Council Eclesiastical countenanced by the then Commander In
Chief after which the s** Emerson & Korite Companv bv their
negative clandestine Votes robbed him of the 5o£ addition to
his Salarv the^• granted him the preceding vear 1728. Li his
so provoked Subjection to Passion as Elias In James ^"^ 17, 18,
he the said Minister while it was yet more than three months
to the Harvest prayed it might not rain, and it rained not untill
three months after ; when in regard to the Importunity of some
friendlv Brethren he appointed & Conscientiously Sanctified a
Church Fast, from evening to evening, abstaining three meals
from Eatiiig Di'inkitig & snwk/ng- any thing. In beginning
of September that year 1729; & the Lord Christ was pleas-
ed to hear in Heaven & grant such repeated plentifull and
warm Rains, as recovei^ed the languishing Corn & Grass &
Fruits of the Trees, unto a considerable Harvest thereof ; so
as was then remarkable. And in that year 1733 when the said
Parish by the General Court was chartered into the Township
of Durham in answer vnito their said Ministers Petition for its
Privileges & said name as therein pleaded for, and the Inhabi-
tants of s'^ Town proceeded by their Chosen Committee at their
most General Meeting to divide their Commons voting their
Minister aforesaid should as he did draw Lots for them all, yet
he cant prevail with the Lot Layers to survey his Lot of 25
Acres, nor inform him where he may have it laid out for him,
neither have said Inhabitants fulfilled their Condition of hon-
ourably supporting their Minister — And since no Inferior
Court in this said Province hitherto could do Justice to your
Petitioner ; He is therefore now necessitated to flee for refuge
to this supreme Legislative Court of nursing Fathers ; in each
of which requests. Your so long oppress'd Petitioner importu-
nately asketh for Justice, firmly believing after that God will
be Intreated tor the land In New Hampshire
So Complaineth & prayeth the above named Petitioner
Huijh Adams
5/2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-200] \_Petition and Reinonstrance of Rev. Hugh Adams ^
1740.']
At Portsmouth In New Hampshire Feb^ 6* 1739/40
To His Excellency The Governour Jonathan Belcher Esquire,
And The Honourable The Council, And The Representa-
tives In General Court Assembly.
The Remonstrant-Petition of Hugh Adams Cler^ Minister OF
CHRIST Yet Sojourning At Durham, Humbly Shevveth, as
following.
That Forasmuch as There hath been a Party of the Inhabi-
tants of Said Durham in the 14 months past, which (Evidently
to Revenge themselves on Him their Said Minister for His Re-
covering A Judgment against them In the Supreme Court of
Appeals, November 7"" 173S.) Did immediately Call An Ec-
clesiastical Council against Him, To Turn Him away After He
had been 22 Years In His Gospel Ministration amonst them.
The Only Advisive Result of Which Council of Pastors & Del-
egates Is Ready to be Produced.
Which Result, and The Said Party's of's male-content peo-
ple's non-compliance with their Share of S*^ Result has been
so long an intollerable Oppression And Aggrievance to Your
Petitioner and His Church Flock Yet Adhering To's Ministra-
tion, and To's Distressed Family which are yet in hopes of
some Redress of Said Aggrievance to be had from Such Po-
lytical Fathers, As His Excellency and Their Honours In Said
Legislative Court of Equity.
And Therefore Your Petitioner humbly Pray's For A Day of
Audience To be Granted and Appointed, And a Summons for
Needfull Evidences Likewise In Said Case. Wherein I Must
Beseech Ye Men In Authority Hearken unto Me ! That God
Our Saviour May Hearken unto You ! So Prayeth Your Pe-
titioner
Hugh Adams.
In the House of Representatives — The above Petition Read,
and the Petitioner called in to Explain his Petition, and after
hearing — Voted the Petition be Dismis'd — James Jetiry CP
Ass'" fte'' the 6"' : A. D. 1739-4°
In Conn' feb : 9* 1739-40 — Read and Concurred unani-
mously
Rich'^ W'aldron Sec^
DURHAM. 573
[3-201] [S//cr/^''s War rani against the T'ozvn.'\
Province of New Hamp""
George the Second by the Grace of God of
Great J^ritain tlrance & Ireland King Defender
of the faith &c —
To the Sherrift' of our Province of New Hamp"" His under
Sherrift'or Deputy Greeting
Whereas Hugh Adams of Durham within our Province of
New Hampshire Clerk By the Consideration of our Governour
& Council as a Court of Appeals holden at Portsm" for and
within our Province of New Hampshire afores*^ (by Adjournm')
on the 23*^ Day of May Last pas'd recovered Judgm' Against
the Inhabitants of the Town of Durham in the Province of
New Hampshire afores'' for the Sum of fifty Six pounds five
Shillings Lawfull money Debt or Damages & Ten pounds
Three Shillings like money Cost of Suit as to us appears of
record whereof Execution remains to be done
We Command your therefore that of the goods Chatties or
Lands of the Inhabitants of the s*^ Town of Durham (within
your Precinct) you Cause to be paid & Satisfyed unto the s*^
Hugh Adams at the Value thereof in money the afores*^ Sums
being Sixty Six pounds Eight Shillings in the whole with Two
Shillings more for this Writ & thereof alsoe to Satisfy your
Self for 3our own fees & for want of Goods Chatties or Lands
of the Inhabitants of the s*^ Town of Durham to be by him
Shewn unto you or found within your Precinct to the Accept-
ance of the s*^ Hugh Adams to Satisfy the Sums afores'' We
Command you to take the Body of the s'^ Inhabitants of the s'^
Town of Durham & them Commit unto our Goal in Portsm" in
our Province of New Hampshire afores'^ and Detain in your
Custody within our s"* Goal until they pay the full Sums above
mentioned with your fees or that they be Discharged by the s*'
Hugh Adams the Creditor or other wavs by order of Law
Hereof faill not & make returne of this writ with your Doings
there in unto our S'' Court of Appeals to be holden at Portsm"
within our Province of New Hampshire afores'^ upon the Sec-
und Tuesdav in October next
Wittness Penning Wentworth Esq our Governour & Co-
mander in Chiefi'in & over our S'^ Province of New Hamp"' the
first Day of September in the Seventeenth year of our reigne
Annoq Domini 1743
Theodore Atkinson Sec''^
Octo"4i743—
574 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The within Execution came to my hands too Late to Serve
Tho** Packer Sher
Copy Exam*^ :
Per Theodore Atkinson Sec''^
[3-202] [ Warrant for Tozcn- Meeting-. '\
To all the Inhabitants of the Town of Durliam
These are to Give Notice of a publick Town meeting to be
holden at the meeting house at the falls in Durham on monday
the 19"" Day of this instant September Curant at ten of the
Clock in the forenoon then and there to See if the Town wmII
be free to Pass a vote to impower The Select Men To Raise
the money for Air. hugh adams that he Recovered Judgment
for before the Governor and Councell and to Chuse a constable
or Constables to Colect the same and Likewise to Receive m''
Hugh adamses Proposals and all Persons Concerned are De-
sired to Give there attendance at time and Place Dated at Dur-
ham this 30*'' Day of Sep'' 1 743
A TREW Copy Test
Sam' Smith Town Cler
At atown meeting Caled the 19''' Day of Sep"" i743
Then the Meeting was adiourned to monday the 3"^ Day of
October 1743 at a Publick town meeting held at Durham falls at
the meeting house on the third Day of October 1743 b}' ad-
iournment Voted Joseph Jones Cler Contemprorery Voted that
the select men Lav assessments on the inhabitants to Raise one
Hundred Pounds new tenner for the Use of the Town Joseph
Jones Cler P tem and Sworn before me Sam' Smith Jus of
Peace
Atrew Copy Test
Sam" Smith Town Cler
[3-203] [ Warrant for Tozun- Meeting'.']
To All The Freehoulders axd Inhabantaxce of the
Town of Durham These are to Give notes of a Public
town meeting to Be holden at the meeting house at the falls in
Durham on mounday the 26 Day of this Instant December Cur-
ant at 10 of the Clock in the fournoon then and there to Pass
such Votes as shall be thought Proper in said meeting in order
to Rase such sum or sums of money as the Inhabatance shall
think titt to Defray any Charge that have a Risen or shall a
DURHAM. 575
Rise or to Discharge anv Execiin : that shall Be thought Law-
full aganst the Inhabanatance of said town or any outher mat-
ter as Shall Be thought htt Conserning the same and to I m pow-
er the select men to Rase the same and all Parsons Conserned
are Desiered to Give there Attandance at time and Place
Dated at Durham Joseph Atkinson | Select
This ly*"" Day of De- Epreham Davis j Men
CEMBER 1/43
[3-204] [^Acfion of To-vn- Meet i >ig r^
At atown Meeting holden at the ]Meeting house at the Falls
in Durham on Monday the 26 Day of Decemb'' 1743
Then John Woodman Chose moderator for the Regulating
Said meeting
Then Voted that a Sum of money be Raised
Then Voted that one Hundred Pounds of the new tenner to
be Raised Then Voted that the Select ]Men have full Power to
Raise the said sum on the Inhabitants of Durham afors"^ for the
use of Said town — then there was the Decents Entred of
Sam" Smith
W°' Bruce
W" Drew
nicolas meder
Eli Clark
against all The Work of the said Day
a trew Cop\- Test
Sam" Smith Town Cler
[3-205] \_Da)n'eI Meder ^ relative to collecting TaxJ^
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"' Governor &
Commander in Chief in & Over His ^Majesty's Province of
New Hampshire the Hon**'® His ]Majestv's Council & House
of Representatives for Said Province in General Assembly
Convened the 22'' Day of Feb^ i743" 4
The HiMHLE Petition' of Daniel Meader of Durham in
the Province of New Hampshire in behalf of himself & the
People Called Qijakers Inhabitants of Durham afores'' Shews
That your Petitioner was Chosen Constable of the said
Town at their Annual Meeting in March last for the Current
Year and at the same time one Isaac Clarke was Chosen a
Constable or Collector of the Minister's Rate thereby Intending
to Exonerate the Constable of the Town (properly so Called)
576 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
from that Service — That Since tliat there being a Judgment of
the Court of Appeals Enter'd, against the said Town in favour
of M'' Hugh Adams & they obliged to Raise Money to Satisfy
it they Called a Meeting & in a Covert disguised manner
worded a vote for the Raising of money to Satisfy the said
Judgment purposely Concealing the use & Design to which it
is to be Applied with an Intent as your Petitioner Conceives
both to Oblige him to Collect it and the Qiiakers to pay a part
of it who are Really exempted by Law from paying any part
to the use the said Aloney was truely designed for, and in Com-
mitting the List of Rates whereby the said Aloney is to be
Raised the Selectmen or Major part of them made use of Con-
trivance & Artifice to Lnpose on yo"" Petitioner to get it into
his hands — in which all Denomenations are Taxed — That as the
Laws of the Province do not Oblige any Man or Men, to pav
towards the Support of any way of Worship, but that which
he, or they attend, much Less will they Compel any Man, to be
a Collector of money, which is to be Applied, to the vSupport of
that worship, from \vhich he Dissents. And the ]Money Adjudged
to M'' Adams, Comes as fairly under these Rules, as any Sums
to be Raised for AI' Oilman, whom they look upon to be their
Legal Minister of the Gospel — Wherefore your Petitioner
Hvmibly Prays, That he may by a Special Act, or a Resolve of
the Gen' Assembly, be Discharged & Exempted from Collect-
ing the Rates Committed to him for the purpose aforesaid,
That the Qiiakers living in the said Town who are Rated in
the Said List & for the End afores*^ may be Discharged & Ex-
cused from paying any part thereof, as they are Illegally &
unjustly Assessed thereto, and that the whole matter Respect-
ing the premises may be Determined by the Authority of the
General Assembly, as it will be preventive of Law Suits, & the
Expence of much Monev & time and your Petitioner as in
Duty bound Shall ever Pray &c
Daniel meder
[3-205] S^Petition for a Grant of La7id, iy4g.']
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire and the Hon''''' His JSIajesty's
Council for Said Province —
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of
Durham in Said Province Shews That your Petitioners are
Persons Desirous of Cultivating and Improving of Lands and
would Exert themselves Industriously for that Purpose if they
might Obtain a Suitable Spot which would Incourage & Spirit
DURHAM.
577
their Iiulustry That Some of Your Petitioners have been long
in Waiting for Such a Season as would be proper to make
Grants of the unappropriated Lands within Said Province
which Your Petitioners humbly Hope Your Excellency will
Judge this to be —
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that Your Ex-
cellency & the Hon'"''' Council will be pleased to Grant to them
& their associates A tract of Land of Six Miles Square in
Some place where you shall think best & where the Land is
good & your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray &c
y' Reverant John
Adams
Joseph Chesle
Jacob Tash
Francis Drew
David Davis
Benjamin Benick
Paul Chesle
John Durgain
Jonathan Durgain
Sam" willev 3*^
James Burnnum
Eliezer Bickford
Eliacum Bickford
Thomas Bickford
Ebenezer Durgain
John Kent
Nickalus Gogin
Robert Mason
Joshua Durgain
Nathanael Randel
Joseph Smith son to Col. Smith
William Parker Esq"' abraham Benick
Ebnezer Smith John Drew
Joseph Drew Junir Samuel Buss
winborn Adams william Durgain
John Bickford Junir Joseph wheeler
Jeremiah Drisco James Durgain Junir
Elifalet Daniels f James Davis Junir
Joseph Baker ' "
Benjamin Jenkins
John Cromit
william Shepard
James Smith
Ebenezer Davis
Winthrop Smith
Stephen Wille
Ben more Dudy
Daniel Rogers
Sam" Adams
Job Runals Junior
Simon Randel
James Drisco
Son to David Davis
Teworthy Durgain
Sam" Jov
Sam" Bickford
Sam" Durgain
Benjamin ALithes
Jur.
William W^ille
Benjamin Mathes
Robert M'Daniels
Valintine Mathes
Miles Randel
Thomas Young
Junr.^
Sam" Warner
[R. 336] [/);'. Safuncl Ada?ns's Pctiiio/i.'\
Province of New Hampshire.
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Cap' Gen' & Gov-
ernor in Chief in and over his Maj''' said Province to the
Hon'"'*' Council & Llouse of representatives of said Province
in Gen' Assembly convened June 1753 —
The Petition of Samuel Adams of Durham Physician hum-
bly Shevveth —
That in the year 174S — The souldiers in his Majestys Service
within said Province under the Command of Cap' Jon" Ches-
3«
5/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ley were many of them very sickly with y^ yellow feaver &
other distempers Contagious and Mortall — and having no Phy-
sician appointed bv the Government to administer any thing
unto them Your Petitioner at y" desire of said Captain Chesley
took many and very dangerous Journeys to visit v® said soul-
diers at Nottingham and did administer to them in their sick-
ness such medicines as was suitable and Necessary by means
whereof many recovered after long and tedious Sickness The
Medicines which your Petitioner used were his own Purchase
& Several months attendance with y* same has been veiy
Expensive to your Petitioner & for all which he has had noth-
jJ-JOf" •* * *
Sam' Adams
[He asks to be paid the amount of the following bill
out of the province treasury. The petition was " Dis-
missed."— Ed.]
[R- 337]
The Account of what I Did in Doctring Soldirs under the
Command of Cap' Jonathan Chesle from y'' first of July to the
Last of September 1 74S
Derbon Black D' to 15 Journeys or visits to him at
Nottingham at 15/0 p'' Jovn^ney £11. 5.0
To Medesons & tendance 6. 0.0
Eleazer Bickford D"" for Ditto 8. 0.0
Benjamin Davis D'' for Ditto 'j.io.o
John Mondro D'' to Ditto 3. 0.0
Ezekiel Lethers Junir D"" to Ditto 4. 0.0
John Jenkins D*" to visits tendance & medesons 5. 0.0
Joseph Ellis D'' to Ditto 2. 0.0
46.15.0
Errors Excepted
Sam" Adams
meaning new tenor
[R. 339] S^Hcrcules Mooney's Petition^ addressed to the Gen-
eral Assembly J\
The Petition of Hercules Moony Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner had a son Viz' Benjam" Moony who is a
Minor, that Inlisted himself a soldier, in the Late Expedition to
Crown point under Cap' John Shepherd in Col° Nathan' Me-
serve Esq"" Regiment, who had the Misfortune to be Captivated
by the Enemy, (with his Cap') who took from him his Gun
DURHAM.
579
Cloaths &c, & by said Misfortune Lost all his other Cloathing
&c, which was Left at the Camp, a particular ace' of the sun-
drys is herewith exhibited. By which your Petitioner is a very
great Sutlerer, & is more than your Petitioner at present is able
to bear — Wherefore your petitioner Prays an allowance for said
ace', or such an allowance as you in your great Wisdom shall
think proper, and your petitioner as in Duty Bound shall ever
Pray &c
Hercules Moony
[The account presented amounted tO;!^73, ^^^^ he was al-
lowed ;£"i8.5. — Ed.]
[3-20S] [^Proceeditigs of Town- Meetings ^7SS-'\
At a town-meeting held at the falls In Durham on monday
the 20"^ Day of October 1755
Then Lieut Philip was chosen moderator for the well Regu-
lating of said meeting then Hut Jones had 29 vots & Left Thom-
as had 28 vots then the moderator Declered that Lieut Jones
was the man chosen but then there appeared Seven men that
Desired a pole which was granted and accordingly thav had a
pole & then as it was Reported that Lieut Thomas had 39 vots
or polers, and Lieut Jones had 32 vots or polers whereupon
The moderator Directed me to enter Lieutenant Thomas a Rep-
resentative and emedetly Desolved the meeting a trew copy
Sam^' Smith Town Cler
[3-209] \_RcIative to the Line betiveen Dur/iam and Not-
tingham— addressed to the General Assembly. '\
The Humble Petition of Samuel Smith & Ebenezer Smith
Esq' and Ephraim Davis yoeman all of Durham in said Province
as Agents for and in behalf of the said Town of Durham Shews
That there is a Dispute between the Inhabitants of said Town
and the Inhabitants & Proprietors of the Town of Nottingham
part of which joins on said Durham concerning the Dividing-
Line between them for the Settlement of which several attempts
have been made by Committees which have hitherto been Inef-
fectual for that Purpose and there is Reason to think that all es-
says of that kind will hereafter be so (if any were to be made)
as such Committees are Parties in the Dispute & Interested in
the event. That your Petitioners apprehend the Line of Dur-
ham at the head ought to be the same that was the Line of Do-
ver before Durham was Incorporated which began at a Certain
Red Oak Tree which was formerly Fixed as the Westerly cor-
580 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ner bounds & from thence runs on a Strait Line to a Pitch
Pine Stump which is a Corner Bound of Barrington the course
of which Line will be now found Nortli about forty Degrees
and half East in which Line many old marked Trees are Still to
be found to which Durham ought to come & to hold — but the
Agents for said Nottingham Deny it and alledge the course of
said Line from said Red Oak ought to be North forty two De-
grees East by which many of the Lots of Land laid out by Dur-
ham will be Curtailed & the Possessors under Durham Ousted
' — Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that as there is no
Probability the said Line will ever be otherways settled a Com-
mittee of a suitable Number of Disinterested Persons may be
appointed and authorized to hear the Parties Concerned & final-
ly to settle & Determine how the said Line shall be Run, &
to Run & mark out the same and that your Petitioners may
have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Pray &c
Sam' Smith Ephraim Davis
We Sn. In the behalef of Ebenezer Smith
[April 20th. 1758. In H. of Rep. the parties were heard,
and Jeremiah Webster, of Kingston, and Samuel Emerson,
of Chester, were appointed a committee, to which the coun-
cil added Joseph Newmarch, to " examine into the matter
and report." They reported as follows (Town Boundaries,
p. 166) : — Ed.]
Prov : of New-Hamp Sept. y® 24"^ ^759 — We the subscribers
being a Com'*"^ appointed by the General Court to hear the Par-
ties & examine into the matters in Dispute, relative to the
within Petition ; have accordingly so done, & from what ap-
pears from the evidences laid before us, do report. That the
westerly corner bounds of Dover, before Durham was encor-
porated ; begins at a certain Red oak Tree & from thence to
run Northerly on a straight line to a Pitch Pine Stump which is
the corner bound of Barrington & which line so far we adjudge
to be the true head line of Durham
Jos : Newmarch \
Jeremv Webster > Com'"
Sam" Emerson j
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 18, 1760, the report was accepted.
Council concurred.]
[R. 341] \_Abstract from yonathan Bunker s Petit/o/i.'\
["John Mathews servant Boye " to Jonathan Bunker,
cordwainer, was impressed and sent to Charlestown in
DURHAM. 581
Major Thomas Tash's company, in August, 1757, had his
gun broken by the fall of a tree, and asks for an allowance,
which was granted to the amount of forty shillings. — Ed.]
[R. 338]
[Hezekiah Marsh was in Crown Point expedition, 1756. —
Ed.]
[R. 343.] l^Geor^e Barns' s Petition, addressed to the Gen-
eral Assembly.^
The Humble Petition of George Barns of Durham in said
Province humbly shews — That vour Petitioner was a Soldier
in the Pay of this Province in an Expedition to Crown Point
in Col° Meserveys Regiment in the year 1756 and in the month
of June [August] in said year was taken prisoner by the Ind-
ians near Lake George and Carried to S' Francis by the Indians
aforesaid and suffered many severitys and hardships being
striped of his Cloaths and beat with Staves and Clubs &c —
where he Tarry'd till Major Rogers Surprized, and took the
aforesaid Place when he returned with him to Crown Point in
November 1759 wherefore your Petitioner Pravs the Consider-
ation of the General Assembly in making him such allowance
as they in their Great Wisdom shall think adequate to his
Losses and Sufferings and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
Shall ever Pray
January 21^' 1761. George Barns
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 10, 1761, voted that George Barns
be allowed one hundred and seventy-two pounds, new
tenor, in which the council concurred. — Ed.]
[R. 344] \_Abstract yrotn Petition of Hercules Mooney.~\
[In 1761, Hercules Mooney petitioned for an allowance
for care of and getting home his son Jonathan, who '• was
a Soldier in the Canada Expedition in Coll. Goffs Regi-
ment." He states that he was taken sick with a fever at
Crown Point, taken to Albany, and there had the small-pox.
He was allowed ;^i 3-6-3, York money, and ;^8-5, ster-
ling.— Ed.]
[R. 347] {^Abstract from yoJin Layi/\s Pet it ion. "^
|In a petition dated May 26, 1761, John Layn, of Dur-
ham, gunsmith, slates, " that he inlistcd in the service of
582 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
this Province in the Late Expedition for the Total Reduc-
tion of Canada, with Cap' Samuel Gerrish, under the Com-
mand of Coll : John Goffe, and was promised by them that
if he would work as armorer for the Reg^ he should have
pay as such." He further states that he furnished his own
tools, worked as armorer, and had received no extra pay.
He was allowed ^4 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 346] \_Petition of Major TJiotnas Tash^ addressed to the
General Assembly. '\
The petition of Major Thomas Tash Esq''
Humbly Shews, That your petitioner being in the service &
pay of this Governm', In the year 1757, & being appointed to
the Chief Command of that party of the provincial Troops,
that were posted at N" 4, on Connecticutt River, & by reason
of the great Desertion of the Troops under my Command
found myself under a necessity to send an Express to Inform
his Excellency the State & Condition of the Forces under my
Command there (& knowing it to be my bounden Duty as well
as for the Interests of the Governm*) I Imprest a horse belong-
ing to Cap' Trueworthy Lad. & sent an Express to His Excel-
lency to Inform him of all the Deserters, & the State of the
Forces there, & In Coming back the Horse by hard riding &c
fell Lame, & the Express was oblige to leave him at the Tavern
at peterbourour & get another. The person with wdiome the
horse was left makes his Demands on me for Eight pounds Old
Tenor, & Cap' Ladd Likewise for Thirty pounds old Ten"'
more for the use of his horse, which was much Damaged, &
your petitioner Is obliged to pay said money & has no way of
Relief unless aided by your Honours : Wherefore your peti-
tioner humbly prays this matter may be taken into Considera-
tion, & that you would In your great Wisdom & known Clem-
ency Grant him such Relief as may appear to your Honours
most reasonable & Just & your petitioner shall as In Duty
bound ever prav &c —
Tho^: Tash
Dismissed June iS"" 1761
[R. 347] S^Betijamin Mooney's Petition, addressed to the
General Assembly. '\
The petition of Benjamin Mooney of Durham —
Humblv shews that Your petitioner being a Lieu' in Cap'
Samuel Gerrishes Company of the New Hamps' Regiment In
the Year 1762, While In Said Service was appointed by R. El-
liot L' Col° of the 55"' Regiment to Carry S' Jeffrey Amherst
DURHAM. 583
Dispatches to Cannada, to His Excellv Governour Gage there,
& to wait his Excellency's order for Returning back, As may
more fully Appear by Said orders Given me, which is here-
w'ith presented. On which Embassy Your petitioner was at
Great Cost & Charge, Viz' thirty five dollars & a half, by being
placed at a house In Mountreal where their Extravigant De-
mand was a dollar a day for thirty three days, for Victuals On-
ly, & at the Isle of Nox at the Charge of two & a half Dollars
for Victuals for himself & men all which your petitioner is still
out ort' to this Day as he Could have no Compensation there-
for, & which money Your petitioner borrowed to pay Said Ex-
treordinary demand of one Malcum of Boston, & which is not
paid him vet Altho he demanded it of your petitioner, he be-
ing not Able to discharge the same besides a Large Charge of
Expence at s** time for myself Wherefore your petitioner
humbly Prays Your Excellency & Honours that you'd be pleas-
ed to take his Case under your Consideration, & Grant him
Such Relief therein as You In your great Wisdom Shall think
proper & Your petitioner as In Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
&c
Benj" Alooney
Memorandum of Benj" Moonevs Expences at montreal
To provision Boug' for myself and three men at the Isle
Nox 2^ Dollars
To 33 days board at montreal 33 dollars
he borrowed this money of Malcum
[R. 348]
Orders to Lieu' Mooney to carry the Mail to Montreal un-
open''
This with a letter for General Gage & one for His Secretary
N. B. the party is victuld to y*^ 3 March Included
J Wilkins
maj'' of Brigade
By Lieut. Colonel Robert Elliot commanding His Majestys
Forces in the Northern district. To Lieu' Mooney of New-
hampshire Troops
Agreeable to The Generals S'' Jeffery Amherst Orders of this
Ins' You will take charge of the mail for Canada containing
His Excellency's dispatches for Governor Gage & letters from
England for the Troops in Canada, and proceed on your march
early tomorrow morning with the four men order** to carry the
mail to Montreal, which you will deliver to Gabriel Maturin
Esq'
And as this mail may require the most convenient vSpeed, all
Officers are desired to forward you Accordingly with Horses
584 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
&c, In this case you will leave your four men at the place you
take Horse till you return from Montreal, Otherwise you will
march your party there, and wait His Excellency General
Gage's Orders to return to this place.
All Officers are hereby required to assist vou with provisions
&c
Given under my hand at Crown point this 20 Feb"" 1762
R : Elliot
L' Col : 55'h Reg'
[3-21 1] \_Relative to a Division of the Town.']
Pi'ovince of Newhamp"" at a Publick Town meeting, (Le-
gally Notified) held at the Meeting house at The Falls in Dur-
ham, on monday The Third day of vSeptember AD. 1764 —
Joseph Atkinson Esq"" was Chosen Moderator, for the well
Regulating Said Meeting — Voted That There Should be a
Committee Chosen To Run a Line across Said Town of Dur-
ham, from Paul Chessley'' house, near madbury Line ; to the
house of John Smart upon Newmarket Line being according
to The Request of Sundry of The Inhabitants of Said Town,
Requesting That ; all the upper or western end of Said Town,
above the afores** Line, may be voted, to be Sat of as a Parish —
Voted That Leiu* Joseph Sias, m"' Miles Randel, and, m""
Nicholas Duda of The Petitioners and Capt Benjamin Smith,
Cap' Stephen Jones, and M"" Thomas Chesley, of The Lower
Part of The Town, be The persons, to be Employed as a
Committee for The afors*^ purpose — Voted, Likewise, That if
the Said Committee, Dont Think The Line petitioned for to be
Suitable to fix any other Line That They may Unanimously
agree upon and make Report Thereof accordingly to The
town on The 24 Inst. The meeting adjournd To The 24 day
of September Instant, to 2 of the Clock in The afternoon.
Met according to adjoiu-nment, Sep' 24"" and The Committee
made The Following Report in writing, under their hands, To
the Town.
Whereas, we The Subscribers, were Chosen, at a Publick
Town meeting, of The Inhabitants of Durham, the 3'' Ins' To
Run a Line, across Said Town, agreable to a Petition, Exhib-
ited to Said Town, by Sundry of the Inhabitants Requesting,
the western part thereof, to be Sat of into a Parish, it was
Likewise voted — That if we The Subscribers, Dont Think the
Line Petitioned for proper, to fix Some Other Line, that we
might agree upon, and make Report to the Town accordingly.
Pursuant Thereto, we have Run the Line petitioned for, and
indeavored to Veiw, and Inform ourselves, into the Circum-
DURHAM. 585
Stances of Said town, and Do Unanimously agree, That a
Strait Line ; Beginning one hundred and Twenty four Rods,
above the Dwelling house, of paul Chesley, on madbury Line,
and So to Run a Strait point across to Newmarket Line, to
one mile and a half, above the Dwelling house, of John Smart
mav be a Suitable Line.
N B it is the intent of the above Resoh'e, that the Line
Fixed upon. Run from the house of paul Chesley, North 6 de-
grees East, to Madbury Line, & then to Measure up 124 rods,
by Said madbiu'v Line.
Stephen Jones Miles Randel ")
Benjamin Smith Joseph vSias r Committee
Nicholas Dudea Thomas Chesley )
The meeting adjourned, to the 8"* day of October next, to 2
of the Clock in the afternoon. October 8"* met according to
adjournment, and Voted That Cap* Benjamin Smith And Leiu'
Joseph Sias, be appointed, a Committee, to draw a Vote in
writing for the western part of the Town to Be Sat of as a
parish and Bring it to the Town, at Some publick townmeet-
ing — the Town meetting Dissolved.
November 18* 1765 — at a Publick Town meeting, (Legally
Notified) of the Lihabitants of Durham, held this day at the
falls in Durham — Joseph Atkinson Esq"" Chosen moderator, for
Said meeting — Cap' Benj'" Smith Esq"' and Cap' Joseph Sias
Brought the following Vote to the Town in writing — That The
western End of Said Town of Durham, be voted, to be Sat of
as a parish, Agreable to the Result or a Report of a Commit-
tee, (Chosen and appointed for that purpose,) and Brought
into publick Town meeting, the 24"' day of Sep'"' 1764 — with this
addition, thereto, that the Said parish, (when an act may be
Obtained for that purpose,) Shall take Their proportionable
Part of the poor now Supported bv the whole town, and Like-
wise That the Said parish Shall not in any Respect Litcrfere
with any Lands belonging to the proprieotors in Said Town —
Voted, that the above vote. Brought Bv Cap'" Smith and Sias,
is agreable to the Sense of the Town, and that it be Recorded
accordinglv.
The above, & within, are True Coppves, as on Durham
Town Records.
attest — Ebcn'' Thompson T Clcr
[The west part was set off and incorporated as a parish
by the name of Lee, Jan. 16, 1766. — En.]
586 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-212] S^Petition for a Division of the ToivnJ\
Proviftce of New Hamper To his Excellency Benning
Wentvvorth Esq' Governor and Commander in Chief in and
over his majesty's Province of New Hampshire to the Honour-
able his majestys Counsel and the House of Representatives in
General assembly Convened — The Petition of Sundry of the
Inhabitants of Durham most humbly Shexveth That in said
Town of Durham there are Inhabitants Sufficient for two Par-
ishes and to maintain and support the Charge thereof That
many of the Inhabitants lives more then Eight miles from the
Place of Publick Worship and where all Town meetings and
the Publick of Affairs are holden and Transacted which Ren-
ders it verv Difficult for them to Attend there at any time but
more Especiallv in the winter Season that the Consequence
thereof it is Probable will be that many of the Youth in said
Town will be brought up in great Ignorance unless the Diffi-
culties be removed and the Petitioners are in a great measure
prevented the use of their Privilidges in their present Situa-
tion— Whei-efore your Petitioners most humbly pray your Ex-
cellency and Honours, that there may be two Parishes in said
Town and that the Dividing Line between the Two Parishes
Beginning at Paul Chesles house at Beech Hill so (Called)
then North Six Degrees East to the line Between said Durham
and Medbury then running westerly on said line one hundred
and twenty four Rods then Beginning and Running from
thence to New Market line to one mile and half above the
Dwelling House of John wSmart which Line was agreed upon
by a Committee Chosen by the Said Town of Durham in the
year one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty four and Voted in
Publick Town meeting and so to Include the whole of said
Durham above this line We therefore hutnbly pray your Ex-
cellency and your Honours to take our Case into your wise
Considerations and Set said Parish ofl' by said Line with the
Powers and Privilidges of Other Towns or Parishes in this
Province and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever
pray—
Dated at Durham November iS"' 1765
Hercules Mooney Joshua Woodman Israel Randel
Gideon Mathes Ju"'' Francis Durgin
Winthrop Durgin John Giles Joshua Burnam
Elijah Denbo Joseph meder Samuel Carter
Samuel Jackson Thomas Huckins Thomas huckins jr
Joseph Thomson Nicholas Duda Solomon Sias
James Hall Eben"' Lethers frances Allen
Jonathan runnels William Renely William Cashey
Samuel pitman francis Eliot Edweard Scales
DURHAM.
587
John follett
Benjamin Bradly
Joseph Jackson
Josiah Johnson
Timothy Davis
thomas Yourk
stolen tutle
Miles Randal
Samuel Langley
Moses Davis Jun""
Will'" Waymoth
James Davis
Hanary tufts
nathanel Watson
Andew watson
Isaac Small
Joseph Hicks
John Sanborn
Edward Hill
Thomas Snell
Eli Clark Juner
Eben Randel
Micah Emerson
Joseph Clark
Joseph Sias
John Elliot
[See preceding
Benjamin Bickford
mason Rendel
Joseph Clay
Nathaniel Stevens
Jun.
Bartholomew Smart
Nichole Tuttel
Samuel Burley
Nathaniel Randal
Reubin Hill
Clement Davis
James Watson
Nathaniel frost
Samuel watson
Josiah Durgin
John Durgin
John Shaw
Benjamin Woodman
Samuel Sias
David munsey
Benj" Clark
Moses Dam
joseh doe
Benj-' Durgin
Ebn Jones June""
document. — Ed.]
Samuel bickford
william Rendel
Job Runels
John Clark
David Davis
Gorge tutle
Jonathan Stevens
Zaccheus Clough
John Davis
James Giles Bunker
Robert York
Jonathan Stevens
Ebenezer Dow jun
Nathaniel Watsonjur
Joseph Huckins
John Shaw Jun''
Ichabod Denbow
Thomas Wille
John Snell
Eli Clark
hunkin Dam
Thomas Noble
Ebenezer Jones
Nathel Sias
Nathaniel Stevens
[R. 350] \_Accoun^ of Blankets furnished Soldiers.']
1775 — Ace' of the Blankets provided by the Selectmen of
Durham for the Soldiers gone in the Army —
3 at 95 . . . . . £1,, 7,, o
12 at los ...... 6 — o.
T^ a lis I — 13 —
20 a \2s . . . . . 12 — o
3 « 13-y r— 19—
12 a 145 ..... 8 — 8
53 in Numb
£31-
The Names of the IVIen who had the Blankets are as fol-
lows— Cap' Winborn Adams Lieu' John Gritlin, Ens Zeb"
Drew — Robert Leathers, Nicholas Tuttle — William Smart —
Sam' Demerit Isaac Tuttle — James Thompson — Joseph Ren-
dal — Charles Bamford Tim" Davis — John Collins — John Dris-
co — John Starboard — Eliph" Durgin; John Buss — Sam' H
588 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Clark — Tobias Leighton — Joseph Bickford — Solomon Run-
als — John Colbath — Dudley Davis, Lemuel Nutter — John
Neal — John Shepard — James Leighton, David Cops — Abijah
Blassdel — Will'" Adams — Stephen J. Thomas, Joseph Smith —
Jon" Williams — James Thomas — David Rand ; Eb" Chesley
Thomas Polluck — Robert Willie — Sam' Sawyer — Thomas Da-
vis— Enoch Green — Nath' Jenkans — Moses Medar J' Jerem^
Yomig — Sam' Runals, Sam' Thompson — John Clough — True-
worthy D Durgin Sam' Clough John Glover, Micah Davis,
Thomas Footman & Philip Durgin —
The two last belong to Cap' Shortridge's Company, the
others to Cap' Adams's —
Samuel Chesle ] Select
John Smith — J Men
Exeter Septem"" 20"" 1775
Received the Contents in full of Sam' Brooks
John Smith
[R. 3'>i] \^David Coppss Petition.'^
State of New^ Hampshire
To the Councill & the Honourable House of Representatives
now Convened at Exeter for the State aforesaid —
The Humble petition of David Cops in said State Wheel-
right —
That the Said Cops has from the Beginning been in the
Service of the United States, Untill the 11"' October past — The
s'' Petitioner was in the Action on the Lake, Under the Com-
mand of General Arnold, at which time & place the Said pe-
titioner received a Shot in the Knee, which he Can't have
Extracted, Besides the loss of his Cloaths, and the Expences
of thirty & a half Dollars in geting home, so that your Peti-
tioner by no means Cannot Work, at his Trade, by means of
all which said Petitioner, is Reduced to the lowest Ebb of
poverty, that he Can't procure the Necessaries of Life, for
himself. Wife, & two Children, which Oblidges him to make
his Case known, to your Honours, That your Honours in your
great Wisdom, may see Cause to Relieve this Object of Char-
ity So doing your Petitioner will ever pray &c —
David Cops
Durham 7"' Jan-^' ^777
[R- 352]
These certify that the Subscriber, Surgeon of Col" Win-
gate's Regiment the last Summer at Mount Independence has
by more than fifty Men's Testimony Reason to think that L*
DURHAM. 589
David Copps of Durham in the State of New Hampshire was
wounded by a Musket Ball on Board the Fleet late commanded
by Gen' Arnold on Lake Champlain, the last Fall, and the
Subscribers (after said Copp's Return to his Reg') dressed his
Wound untill the Reg' was dismiss'd, and the Subscribers like-
wise knew that said Copps had the Articles specified in Capt°
Arnold's Ace' as he was in absolute Necessity of them by Rea-
son of his loosing almost all his Cloathing in the unhappy
Affair of the Defeat of our fleet —
Sam' Wigglesworth
N. B. The Shirt tore mentioned in Capt" Arnold's i\cc"
was to dress L' Copp's Wound —
Durham Jan-^ 13. 1777.
Memorandum of the Articles Lost by David Cops aboard the
fleet—
1 Blanket 3 Pair Stockings
3 Shirts 3 Pair of Breeches
2 Pair Shoes i Jacket —
Catrouch Box & powder Horn
David Cops
[R. 353] [_Tozvn's Account for Bounties.']
177S The State of New Hampshire to the Selectmen of
Durham Dr.
Aug' 5"" To Cash advanced to the following persons who en-
gaged as volunteers in the Rhode Island Expedition Viz'
Timothy Emerson, John Smith, James Thomas Trueworthy
Davis Durgin, Benjamin Smith, Jon" Chesley Jeremiah Pindar,
John Spencer, Thomas Applebee & Arthur Branscomb at £10
each £100, o, o
Errors excepted J. Smith
Committee on Claims | Jon" Chesley is made up in CoP
Exeter March i*"' 17S0 \ Wingates Staff' Roll; the others
served in Capt" Hiltons Comp^ the io£ is stop'd for each of
them in the Rolls J. Oilman
Rece'd an Order on the Treasury for one hundred pounds in
behalf of the Selectmen of Durham
J, Smith
[R- 354]
[Account of Valentine Mathes for supplying soldiers'
families from April, 1778, to March, 1779:
James Edgerley's family, ;^209-7-6
Edward Burnham's family, 36-9-0
590 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Mitchell's family, 10-11-6
John Drisco's family, 5-8-0
Samuel Thompson's family, 5-8-0
David Copp's family, 5-8-0
The accounts are itemized, and he charged ;!^i 1-8-0 for
his trouble. — Ed.]
[R. 3^5 10358] \_Acc021nts _for Supplies to Soldiers' Fam-
ilies.'\
[These documents are detailed bills against the town for
supplies furnished soldiers' families. The editor thought it
unnecessary to copy them entire. The following are the
names and amounts :
John Clough, supplies furnished Mrs. Durgin, £,60, O, O
Jonathan Woodman do do John Hull 630, 2, 9
do do do do Stephen Noble 556, 15, o
do do do do John Neel
do do do do John Mitchel 368, i, o
do do do do James Edgerley 439, 19, 10
do do do do John Drisco
" Widor" 42, 13, Q
do do do do Samuel
Thompson 23, 5, o
do do do do John Colings 10, 18, O
do do do do Downing
Colbath 193, 13, 6
do do do do Samuel Will-
iams 50, 8, O'
do do do do Henry Durgin 6, o, o
do do do do John Smith 120, 16, O
The foregoing are in 1779 & Jan'y, 1780.
Jeremiah Folsom, supplies to Mrs. Noble, 17S2, 21, 5, 7
do do do to Mrs. Henry Dur-
gin, 1782, 17, 8, 8
—Ed.]
[R. 359] \_Samuel Ward's Certijicate.']
This may certifie all whom it may Concern that I the Sub-
scriber was in the service of the United States as a Soldier in
the Second Regiment of New Hampshire and continued in
Said Regiment till the armey was disbanded
Samuel W^ard
Durham Jan 37"^ 1786.
Sworn before Geo : Ffrost Ju' Peace
DURHAM. 591
[3-214] S^Numhcr of Polls. lySj']
Pursuant to an order from the General Court of Newhamp-
shire we the Subscribers have taken an Inventory of all the
polls of twenty one years and upwards pa3ing taxes in the
Town of Durham and find them to amount to 190. —
December 10"' 17S3 —
T , r^ -a- ^ Selectmen
John Gnrien [ r
Ebenezer Smith I
Durham.
Durham December 15''' 17S3 Then the above named John
Griffin & Ebenezer Smith personally appeared before me the
Subscriber and made solemn oath that the foregoing Inventory
was truely and impartially taken to the best of their knowledge
Before Eben"' Thompson Jus peace
[R. 360] \_Heitry Dicrgin^s Certijicate.'\
I Henry Durgin of Durham herebv Certify that while I was
a Soldier for said Town & engaged during the war in Cap'
Fogg's Company — I received a Wound in one of my Feet,
when at home on Furlough in or about the year 17S3 — & that
Docf Nathaniel Kidder of New'market had the care of s"^
wound until it was healed —
Durham Jan'-' 30"' 1786 —
his
Henry X Durgin —
mark
Sworn before John Smith 3'' Jus. Peace
[3-215] \_Petition in favor of fo/ui Smith, J*/.]
To his Excellency The president and the Honorable The Coun-
cil of the State of New Hampshire.
Although we are convinced That in General the Multiplying
of Officers while it only serves to gratify the ambition of Indi-
viduals Tends to bring Contempt upon Government & Injiuy
upon the Subjects yet we flatter ourselves that your Excellency
and Honors w ill pardon an application in behalf of a Gentle-
man who has not only distiriguished himself as a patriot but
from his Early youth by an upright & irreproachable Conduct
gained the Esteem & Confidence of all liis fellow Citizens who
have had the pleasure of his acquaintance, we beg leave hum-
bly to suggest that although the number of Justices in the Town
of Durham may be more than proportionably Equal to that of
the other Towns in the State — an Acting Justice near Durham
Falls may still be usefull to the publick & for that office we
592
EARI.V TOWN PAPERS.
humbly recommend John Smith the Third Esq"" This Gentle-
man at the Commencement of our Contest with Great Britain
took a decieded part in favor of his Country was in its Coun-
cills till he saw freedom & Independance Established in Amer-
ica— The proficiency he has made in Literature is not equalled
by many, his Love of Justice & Talent of discernment has oc-
casioned his being appointed as a refleree in the most important
Disputes & procured him the Honor of being appointed a
Special Justice of the Inferior Court. If therefore an addi-
tional Justice can consistently be made in this Town we rest as-
sured that your Excellency & Honors will not only pardon but ap-
plaud our Endeavors to promote a man of unblemished reputa-
tion of inflexible Integrity whose patriotism has been conspicu-
ous amidst the greatest and most Threatning Distresses of his
Country whose services have been so Essential and whose for-
tune has been much injured by his attention to the public Inter-
est and permit us to add a Gentleman to whose Decision we
can with the highest confidence submit the most important Dis-
putes which we may be involved in — We have the honor to be
with the most unfeigned respect — Your Excelleny & honors
most obedient Servants —
Joseph Chesly
Tho'* Taylor
Benjamin Doe
Ephraim Clough
Joseph Thomas
David Davis
Benmer Duday
Reuben Bickford
Ephraim Clough J"" Eleazer Bennick
Jabez Langiey
Samuel Chesle
Joseph Stevens
John Blydenburgh
Lemuel Jackson
Samuel Pinkham
Ephraim Davis
Zebulon Durgin
Robert Leathers
William Jackson
Samuel Rogers
Eben"' Perry
Abednego Leathers
Thomas Wille
Thomas Rolins
Thomas Crommett
Eben"' Sullivan
Jeremiah Bunam
Robert Wells Jun"-
Archelaus Wood-
man Jur
David Davis jun""
Phillip Chesle
Rob' Lapish
Isaac Medar
Eben'' Thompson
Jun--
James Wille
James Gilman
Jn" Sullivan
Patrick Furness
Stephen Jones
Geo. Chesle
Tho*" Pinkham
Step" Cogan
Truworthy Durgin
Edmun Pendergast
Joseph Wormwood
Henry Tucker
Daniel Davis
Benjamin Doe J""
John Clough
John Langly
John Stevenson
John Libbey
]n° Colbath
Nath' Demerit
Ebenz"" Crummett
volintine Laighton
James thomas
Ebenezer Thompson
Enoch Jackson
George Knight
Eph'' Folsom
James Laighton
Tim" Emerson
John Pendergast
John Monrow
Joseph Wormwood
y
Aaron Cheslev
Step" Parker
vSam' Wigglesworth Jeremiah Wille
volintine Wells John Stevenson
Robert Rogers Jer" Folsom
DURHAM. 593
Noah Jewett Abijah Pinkham Theophilus Hardy
Joseph Durgin o i w r^ ... George Dam
T 1 r- -a- fctamuel X Cromett r^ • t> ^ .
John Grinen nmrk Denis rendergast
[3-216] \_Sa>HJ(el Odlorne asks to be appointed Co?n>nander
of the J^ort.']
To his Excellency John Sullivan Esquire President of the State
of New Hampshire, and the Hon" the Privy Council
The humble Petition of Samuel Odiorne of Durham in the
county of Strafford and State of New Hampshire sheweth
That whereas the Castle at the Entrance of Piscataway River
is now destitute of a Commander and that the appointment of
such Officer will come under your Excellency's and honor's
consideration at your next Session — and your Petitioner think-
ing himself well qualified for that hon* and important trust —
from his long and faithful services to his Country during the
late War — as also from long Experience of a military life in
former Wars — Prays that your Excellency and honors wou'd
take the matter under your wise consideration and appoint him
to the Command of the same Fort. If upon examination your
Excellency and honors find him qualified therefor
And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Durham 4"^ September 17S6
Sam' Odiorne
[3-219] \_Petition of the Inhabitatits relative to a Road.']
To the Hon'''^ the Senate and house of Representatives now
convened at Dover within & for the State of New Hamp-
shire—
Humbly shews the Subscribers Inhabitants of Durham, tha
a highway leading from the Meeting house in said Town to fox
point ferry (so called) is very crooked and embarassed with a
very steep and almost impassable Hill, that the hill may be
avoided by Altering the highway for about 40 or 50 rods. That
by laying out a new road directly from the Meeting house to
the Barrs used to enter from the road now used to pass to Sam-
uel Burnhams dwelling house will shorten the distance about
one half, it being nearly a mile by the way now used That the
owners of the land thro' which the new road will pass, can
conveniently take the old road in lieu of the land taken for the
new as they all adjoin it ; and are willing to have the new road
laid out, but as there is no provision made by law to Authorize
the Selectmen to shut up the old highway, or to exchange it for
39
594 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a new one, we are under the Necessity of Applying to your
Honours for relief in the premises —
Wherefore your Petitioners pray, that they may have leave to
bring in a Bill authorising a Committee to compleat the afore-
said bussiness, and that your honours will pass the same into a
law, and your Petition" as in duty bound will ever pray —
Durham June 13"" 1792
Volintine Mathes John Blydenburgh Robe' Burnham
Valentine Mathes Tho^ Pinkham Valentine Langley
jun^'' winthrop Bickford Abraham Perkins
Robert Bickford James Wille Stephen Brock
Obediah Langle William Brock Michael Ryan
Theophilus Hardy John Langley Joseph Richardson
Jon* Woodman Tim" Meserve Joseph Langley
John Stevens Jed' Binder
[3-2 20 J \_Petition against a Cha)ige of Road. '\
To the Hon'^'" the Senate and House of Representatives to be
convened at Dover in the State of New Hampshire on the
first Wednesday of June Anno Domini 1792 —
The Subscribers, being Lihabitants of the Town of Durham
in said State — willing that every necessary alteration should be
made in our Public highways — and anxious that the intended
communication between Concord & this Town should take
place — Yet, must beg leave, humbly to remonstrate against the
alterations proposed by your Honour's Committee in runing
through said Town —
The nature of our ground is such, that very little of it can be
improved for Roads, without great expense — And we think it
almost impracticable ever to make a good road on the land they
have run upon — but are certain, that it will require many years,
with large sums of money, to make it passable with safety —
Besides, we cannot conceive the advantages that will accrue to
the Public from the amendment, will be adequate to the injury
the Town must sustain ; — as we shall be obliged to purchase the
land for the new road at an extravagant price, and likewise
forced, not only to support that, but also the old one for the
benefit of individuals long since settled upon it, a great part of
whose interest must fall a sacrafice to the proposed exchange —
When the saving in distance will never exceed one hundred
Rods, & that soon to be lost by the Traveler in passing over
hills and through mires, which will abundantly be found. The
way now occupied is free from Hills, and with much labour,
DURHAM.
595
for a hundred years, is now a very good Road — vasth' better,
we presume, than the new one will be the same number of
years hence —
For those Reasons We humbly pray that so much of the Re-
port of your Honour's Committee as respects the alterations of
highways in said Durham may not be receiv'ed or accepted by
your Honours
And we as in duty will ever pray —
Durham 21"' May 1792 —
Step" Evans
Reuben Bickford
Eben"" Meserve
Benj" Thompson
Ephraim Smith
Ebenezer Durell
Stephen Jones
W" Appleby
Benjamin Chesley
Joseph Richardson
Tho'' Pinkham
Benjamin Mathes
winthrop Bickford
Joseph Langley
John Crommett
John Edgerly
Reuben Webster
John Smith 3*^
ISaac Bennick
Thomas Ham
George Smith
Jn"^ Colbath
John Angier
Andrew Emerson
John Stevens
Joshua Neall
Benjamin Tripp
John Bickford
John Langley
J Boynton
Samuel Edgerly J''
Lemuel Jackson
Enoch Jackson
Lemuel Nutter
Jeremiah Burnam
Robert Lapish Jun""
Thomas Pendexter
James thomas
Samuel Savage
William Jones
Ebenezer Thompson Patrick Furness
Robert Smith
volintine Mathes
Valentine Langley
Valintine Mathes
juner
James Wille
Beniamin wille
Samuel Edgerly "*
John Footman
Thomas Durgin
Geo : Ffrost
Abraham Bennick
Joshua Davis
George Pitman
Benjamin Bickford
Benjamin Doe
Benjamin Chesle
John Welch
Constantine Leathersjohn Starbord
Joseph Appleby Jonathan Williams
Abijah Pinkham Stephen Noble
Samuel Thompson Augustus Odlin
Robert Burnum Jonathan Crocket
Jonathan Woodman Jonathan Thompson John Thompson
Isaac Chesley Samuel Woodman Samuel Leathers
Samuel Chesley Eben'' Crommett
Elcazer Bennett Phillip Chesley
Jon" Woodman Jun' David Davis Jun
Robert Jones Zach" young
William Ballard
James Laighton
John Clough
Obidiah Langley
Edward bun ham
Jeremiah Binder
Jacob Crommett
S-^Eliphalet Daniells
John Footman "^ 3"*
John Smith
John Bennick
Benjamin Smith
John Smith
Nath' Demerit
John Blydenburgh
Tim" Emerson
Tim" Meserve
John Grover
Thomas Appleeb
Theophilus Hardy
Micah Davis
Lemuel Woodman
Joseph \vormwood Ju
James Butler
Edmund Pendergast
Eben Thompson Jun""
Samel Yeaton
596 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph wormwood John Woodman MoSeS Edgerly
Michael Ryan Jn" Dame Jo"^ Steele
Ebenezer Burnum Abraham Perkins John Stevnson
[R. 361] [ Widow Sarah Adams's Petitio7i.'\
To the Hon*"'" the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire.
Gentlemen. Your Petitioner hvmibly sheweth that her Hus-
band late Lt. Col" Adams of the 2°"^ New Hampshire Reg' fell
in Battle on the memorable 19"" of Sepf 1777, and left her a
helpless widow destitute of the means of procuring a Liveli-
hood as her sold dependence was on her Husbands pay, her on-
ly son having been ever since in the service of this state — That
it has been with extreme difhculty she has since procured a
scanty subsistence with her own Industry & the Charities of her
friends — That she has delay'd petitioning hitherto in hopes that
the Honb'*^ Legislature of the State would have made a general
provision for the mourning widows & helpless orphans of those
who have fell in defence of the Liberty & Property of their
Friends & Country — But that she is now compelled to the disa-
greeable Necessity of imploring the assistance of that Country
in defence of which her late husband fell, and humbly request-
ing that the Honb'*^ Legislature would grant her the half pay of
her late Husband, or such other allowance as they in their supe-
rior Wisdom shall think proper, so as to raise her above the
pinching hand of poverty, and inable her to support a Life ren-
dered melancholly and unhappy. And your Petitioner as in
Duty Bound will ever pray &c
Sarah Adams
[Mrs. Sarah Adams was the widow of Lieut. Col. Win-
born Adams, who was killed in the battle of Behmus's
Heights. She was allowed half-pay for seven years from
the death of her husband. In a petition dated 1782 she
calls herself " of Exeter." — Ed.]
EAST KINGSTON.
This town was formerly a part of Kingston, and was set
off as a separate parish by the name of Kingston East
Parish, November 17, 1738, and incorporated with town
privileges.
EAST KINGSTON. 59/
The line between the two was established by an act
passed August 7, 1740, and reestablished by an act approv-
ed June 16, 1798.
Among the first settlers were William and Abraham
Smith. Rev. Peter Coffin was settled as minister of the gos-
pel soon after the town was incorporated, and remained un-
til 1772.
December 6, 1824, a small portion of the town was an-
nexed to South Hampton, and by an act approved July 2,
1845, a small portion was taken off and annexed to New-
ton.
[R. 363] \_I£ast Kingston Soldiers^ \'j'/6.'\
There is but three men gone in the armey this year that went
last year that pays Rates in the Parish (Viz) Phillip Tilton
Enoch Greeley and Edward Fifield and their Rates on the head
to the Province is two shillings & three Pence
Est Kingston march y*" 20"" i77^
Jonathan Collins ] Select men for
Ezra Currier ( East Kingston
[3-221] \_Petition for a separate Military Company.^
State of New Hamp"' Rockingham ss
To the Hon'^'" the Council & House of Representatives for said
State in general Assembly convened at Exeter 4, June i777
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers freeholders and
Inhabitants of Kingston East Parisli in said County SJieiveth
that the Company belonging to said Parish sometime last July
w^ere notified by the Lieu' Col. (in the absence of the chief
Col) to meet and chuse their officers — The Company (of which
your Pet'"'* are part) met accordingly & chose Samuel Stevens
for their Captain, whereupon the Lieut Col immediately dis-
missed them — Sometime last March the Col of the Regiment
notified the said Company to meet and chuse their ofiicers,
the Company accordingly met and chose Ezra Cin-ricr for
Captain (who immediatelv refused to accept) They then pro-
ceeded & chose Jacob Ordway Captain and Richard vSniith first
Lieut, after which the Meeting was adjourned for a week at
which time the Company again met when the said Ordway re-
fused to accept the appointment. Then part of the Company
together some Continental Soldiers and (as your Petif^ con-
598 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ceive) some Inhabitants of other Towns were about to chuse
other Officers (without any Regard to the s*^ Smith who was
before chosen Lieut & had not refused) whei'eupon ^-our Petit"
withdrew after which the remaining part of the Company with
the Continental Soldiers and the supposed Inhabitants of other
Towns proceeded and chose said Currier Captain Jacob Ord-
way first Lieut. Nathan Batchelder second Lieut, and Josiah
Batchelder Ensign of said Company Which irregular Proceed-
ings have divided, & disaffected the Company in such an un-
happy manner that your Petit" can conceive no Prospect of
their reuniting under the present officers, — Wherefore they
most earnestly pray that they may be made a Seperate Compa-
ny or joined to some other Company in said Regiment and your
Petit" as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
Enoch Chase Ezekiel Merrill William Fifield
John Morrill Jonathan Lad Web- Richard Smith
Eliphalet Webster ster Abraham Smith jun'
Jabez merrill andrew mace Levi Shaw
Samuel grelev Enoch Bagley David Clough
Richard french Trueworthy Palmer Nathanel Gove
Jacob Graves True Pearkins Edward Greeley
John Sanborn David Sanborn James Busel
Nath" G. Bacheldor Jonethan Cass Moses Stevens
vSamuel Stevens Samuel Palmer Jonathan Pearkins
Moses Greeley Joshua french
[The foregoing petition was granted June 18, 1777. — Ed.]
[3-322] \_Relative to Militia Regimetit.'\
To his Excellency the President and the Hon''^^ Executive
Council of the State of New hampshire your Petitioners
Humbly Shew
That the Legislature of this State at their last Session
Thought proper to take off from the Seventh Regiment of Mi-
litia in this State Commonly Called Kingstown Regiment the
Southwesterly part thereof Viz : Salem, Plaistow, Hampstead,
atkinson & Sandown and Erect them into a Distinct & Seperate
Regiment and have added to the other part of Said Seventh
Regiment the Town of South hampton taken from the Third
Regiment that in Arranging the Said Regiment the Southwest-
erly Regiment altho the youngest part of Said Seventh Regi-
ment are by Some mistake allowed the Rank of the Seventh
Regiment while the oldest part of Said Seventh is Reduced to
the Twentith your Petitioners are of opinion the Said arrange-
mant was made in haste and without properly Considering of
EAST KINGSTON.
599
the Same & make no Doubt that when the matter is properly
hxid before the Legishiture at their next Session that the mistake
will be Rectified We therefore Pray your Excellency & Honors
to Postpone the giving out any Military Commission in Either
of said Regiments till after the next meeting of the Legislature
when we Expect the mistake will be amended or otherwise we
are apprehensive Very great Difficulties will Ensue and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever pray &c
East Kingstown November 15'^ Day 17S4
Philip Morrill
John morill
Philip Tilton
Jacob ordway
Nath' Bachellor
Josiah Bachelder
Abner Morss
Moses Rowel
John Currier
Jonathan Colles
Nath Greeley
Ebenezer Fi field
moses Blasdell
Ithamar Emerson
Tho* Challes
Andrew Greeley
Edward Greeley
Jonathan Gi'eeley I'r
Samuel Stevins
James Gale
Richard Smith
Abner Shepard
Joseph Bean
Eliphalet Webster
Enoch Greelev
David Tilton
Trustrum Sanborn
Nathan Bachellor
Jonathan L Webster
Moses Greeley
John Blasdel
Christopher Challis
Andrew mace
Malachi Daveis
Beniamin thompson
Caleb Webster
Jeremiah Currier
[In H. of Rep., December 19. 1797, a committee consist-
ing of Ebenezer Thompson, Robert Wallace, and James
Sheafe, was appointed to hear the parties relative to a dis-
pute about the line between Kingston and East Kingston,
and report to the legislature. They made the following re-
port : — Ed.]
£3-224] \_Ileport of Committee on Boitfidary LineJ\
State of New Hampshire The undersigned a committee ap-
pointed by an Act of the Legislature of this State, a copy of
which is herewith exhibited, have agreably to their directions,
duly notified the towns of Kingstown, and East Kingstown,
Viewed the premisses, and heard the parties with their allega-
tions. And have agreed to rep(jrt that considering all circum-
stances, the line herein after described, will be the most proper
to divide said towns, viz Beginning on New Town line and
running North through, or across the Center, or middle of a
line drawn from the meeting house in Kingstown, to the meet-
ing house in East Kingstown, being the same line established
by an Act of the legislature in the year of our Lord 1740. And
so continuing North until it comes within the distance of one
mile and Eighty rods of Brentwood line. Then to turn ofi", and
600 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
run Straight to Exeter line at a place three quarters of a mile
distant westerly from Kensington corner. Provided however
that Peter Sandborn Esq'' with such of his estate as he now
owns, and was formerly polled into Kingstown be considered as
belonging to said Kingstown during the natural life of said
Sandborn. And that such estate of Col° Ebenezer Stevens as
lays in East Kingstown and was formerly polled into Kings-
town be considered as belonging to Kingstown during the nat-
ural life of said Stevens.
Witness our hands at Kingstown the 20"" of Api'il 1798
Ebenezer Thompson
Robert Wallace
James Sheafe
[The foregoing report was "received and accepted" June
13, 1798.— Ed.]
EATON.
This town was granted November 7, 1766, to Clement
March, of Portsmouth, and 65 others.
A dispute arose in 1788 relative to the line between this
town and Tamworth. In 1796 the legislature appointed
Hon. Simeon Olcott, of Charlestown, John Peirce, of Ports-
mouth, and Josiah Little, of Newbury, Mass., a committee to
investigate the matter, and settle the line, their decision to
be final. Mr. Peirce refusing to serve, Russell Freeman, of
Hanover, acted instead. Their report, dated February 8,
1797, is recorded in Charter Records, vol. 4, page 263.
December 24, 1795, five grants of land, of 2000 acres
each, which had been made to retired officers of the French
war, were annexed to this town.
December 22, 1808, another committee, consisting of Will-
iam Webster, Noah Robinson, and Abraham Burnham,
were appointed to establish jurisdictional lines between this
and other towns. They reported that it was inexpedient to
make any change in the then existing lines.
By an act approved December 17, 1852, the west part of
the town was set off, and incorporated into a town by the
name of Madison.
EATON. 60I
[3-225] S^Petition to have the Bounds betxveen Eaton and
Tai7ixvorth established. '\
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire.
The Petition of the Selectmen of Eaton in behalf of the
Town, and of the Proprietors of said Town humbly sheweth.
Whereas requisitions have been made upon us for the support
of Government which your Petitioners are willing to comply
with, as much as their abilities will enable them, only request-
ing that some remedy may be provided against (as we suppose)
an undue Claim of the Town of Tamworth, taxing a consider-
able part of Eaton, leaving us (according to the best survey
that we can procure) only about twelve thousand Acres which
they don't claim, instead of twenty-three thousand & forty
Acres granted us by Charter. The Inhabitants of the afore-
said part of Eaton, after pa^'ing us their Taxes, being after-
wards taxed & distrained by Tamworth & their property taken
from them. Therefore your Petitioners prav your Honours
will appoint a Committee to assertain & prefix the Boundaries
between Eaton & Tamworth or otherwise relieve your Peti-
tioners as you in your Wisdom shall see fitting & as in duty
bound shall ever pray
Dated at Eaton May the lo'"' 17SS.
Jacob Blasdel ") Selectmen Heniy Weed ") Proprietors
Henry Woods V of Eaton Joshua Nick- |- Committee
Thomas Danford Ju ) erson
[3-226] \^Relative to the Disptited Line., iy8g.'\
To the honourable the general court of the State of New-
hampshire the petition of the Inhabitants living on a certain
tract of land in or near the westerly part of eaton who setled
as eaton setlers But some of us were on said land Before any
tax was cald for in eaton and the select men of tamworth taxd
us But as soon as a tax was cald for in eaton we were cald on
By them also we Being willing to pay in the town that we Be-
liev we are in But think it hardship to pay in one town and to
Be Distrained on in the other your petitioners Being verry poor
and not able to Dispute the matter in a course of law humbly
pray that your honours would point out some way whereby
your Petitioners may Be relieved By setting us ofi' to one or
the other town so that we may Be free from Being taxd in two
places if we may have choise should chuse to Be anext to eaton
as we Believ we are in that town or otherwise as you in your
602 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
wisdom Shall think proper, as in Duty Bound we shall ever
pray—
Seth Gannett Henry Blasdel Henry Weed
Isaiah Forrist Jacob Blasdel David Buker
Samuel Bver Samuel tappan Josiah Parsons
Ichabod Hatch Alden Washburn Abner Blasdel
David Hatch Gamaliel Hatch Jabez Hatch
[Ordered to pay taxes to Eaton. — Ed,]
[3-237] \_Petitlon for Authority to raise Aloney to repair
Roads. ~\
To the Honorable the Senate and the House of Representi-
tive in Genral Court Conven** at Dover on the first Wednesday
of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hun-
dred and Ninety two the petition of the Select Men of the
town of Eaton Humbly Sheweth that whereas this town
is but thinly Inhabitted and the Roads are Long and verry Bad
and A Number of Long Bridges in town to Maintain and the
Inhabitents Being unable to keep the Roads in Good Repair
for the use of travelers pray that your honours would make A
Special Act to Enable your Petitioners to Lay and Collect A
tax of Each Proprietor and on Each tract of unimproved Land
the Sume of one half Penney on Each achor for the terme of
three years Next Ensueing for the Sole purpose of Repairing
Roads and your Petitioners As in Duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray—
Matthew gannett | Select Men
John Banfill j of Eaton
[A hearing was ordered for the next session. — Ed.]
[3-228] \_Petitio7i for Ratif cation of Proceedings of Toxvn
]\IeetingsJ\
To the Honourable the sennate and the house of representi-
tives of the state of Newhampshire in general court convend
at Concord on the first Wednesday of June in the yr of our
lord 1793 — the petition of the Selectmen of eaton in said state —
Humbly sheweth that some time in the year 1784, David page
esqr was appointed By the honourable general court to call
meetings for the organizeing of the unincorporated places in the
county of Strafford, and the town of eaton at that time was
Distitute of town order and the said David page esqr without
makeing proper search into the matter seposed that eaton was
EATON. 603
unincorporated, and cald a meeting acordingly, and select men
were appointed and they without ever applying to the charter
vmderstood that the annual meeting for electing town officers,
was to Be holden on the last monday of march and the town
has acted ever sence accordingly, and held the annual meeting
on said last mondav which has renderd all our (town) pro-
seedings illegal to this time and we tliinck that not one person
in town had any mistrust of Being rong in the matter, untill
last winter a coppy of the charter was Brought into town and
it appeard Bv said charter that the anual meeting of our town
should Be holden on the second tuesday of march so that your
petitioners and all the other inhabitants of said town find them-
selves in the greatest Difficulty and confution and without the
interposition of your honours we By said unhappy mistake
almost ruind, therefore your petitioners most humbly pray
that all the oroseedings in our said town may By an act for
that purpose. Be Rattified and made as vallid to all intents and
purposes as tho said annual meetting had in the first place Been
legally notified and afterwards had Been holden on the right
Day as perfixd in our said charter or relieve us in such other
way as to your honours shall seeme meete, and your petitioners
as in Duty Bound will ever Pray
Eaton June "'I 1793 J^cb Blasdel ") Select men
Joshua Nickerson ^ of
Enoch Danford ) eaton
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1793, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[3-239] \^Petition for the An?iexatioii of several Grants to
the Toivn.^
To The Hotiorable the Senate, and House of Repre-
SENTiTi\'Es, in General Court, convened at Hanover the first
Wedncsdav of June in the year of our Lord Seventeen Hun-
dred & Ninety \\\q. The Petition of the Inhabitants of Eaton,
and the Inhabitants living on some officers grants adjoining
said Eaton, Humbly sheweth, that your petitioners li\ing on
said grants, first settled on said land under the proprietors of
Eaton, and supposed it to be in said Eaton, and also, have
always acted in all Town Matters Jointly with the Inhabitants
of Eaton, And as said grants are not convenient, nor will ever
make a Town or Parish of themselves, that is — A Grant made
to one M"" Colwall, one to Joshua Martin, one to Nathaniel
Martin, one to Alexander Blair, and one to Daniel M'Neal,
Containing two thousand acres each — Your petitioners pray,
6o4
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that the said land described, as above, may be Incorporated
■with the Town of Eaton, and be under the jurisdiction of, and
be known by the same name with Eaton, said Incorporation
not to afiect any right of title, only the right of jurisdiction,
This your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray
Samuel Tappin
Daniel Fitch
Jacob Blasdel
John Banfill
Joseph Calls
Daniel Jackson
James Heard Juner
Eli Glines
Enoch Danford
Thomas Danford
Thomas Burk
Matthew Gannett
Anthonv Sherman
Seth Gannett
Henry Woods
Colman Colby
Rob Boyd Orr
Abner Blasdel
James Jackson
hercules Mooney
Isaac Glines
Samuel Danford
James Danford
Joseph Banfill
Jon" Mooney
Eben Jackson
Nathaniel Beals
Isaiah Keith
Hubbard Colby
Jabez Hatch
Jon" Frost
Samuel Jackson
James Heard
John Glines
John Berrv
James Allyn
Samuel Banfill
Alden Washburn
Thomas Garland
Thomas sherman
Thomas Whitman
Nathaniel B gannett Philip Jackson
[In H. of Rep., June 8, 1795, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. By an act approved Dec. 24, 1795, the
following grants to officers of the French war were annexed
to this town : John Colwell's, Alexander Blair's, Joshua
Martin's, Nathaniel Martin's, and Daniel McNeal's — each
containing 2,000 acres. — Ed.]
EFFINGHAM.
This township was one of the Masonian grants, and went
by the name of Leavitt's Town until it was incorporated
by the legislature.
The following is copied from the council records of
Aug. 18, 1778: "An act to Incorporate a place called
Leavit's Town in the County of Strafford by the name of
Effingham having been read three times Voted that the
same be enacted." As there is no such act on record, or
among the original acts of that year, it is presumed to have
been lost before the recording of the acts in 1829. Some
settlements were made in town prior to the Revolution, the
town containing eighty-three inhabitants in 1775.
In 1820 a gore of land was severed from Wakefield and
EFFINGHAM. 60$
annexed to this town. By an act approved June i6, 1831,
the north part of the town was set off and incorporated as
a town by the name of North Effingham, which town is
now known as Freedom.
[3-231] \_Petition for a Road.']
To the Hon'''* Councill and House of Representatives of the
state of New Hampshire in Generall Assembly Conveaned
the Day of March 1778
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of a Place called Leavitt's
Town in the State afores'' Humbly Shew that vSaid Leavitts
Town has been Inhabited by some of your Petitioners about
Eight years and by most of them five years Dureing Said Time
there has not been a Passable Cart road (with Loaded Teemes)
from Said Inhabitants to the settlements in Wakefield your Pe-
titioners have applyed to the Inhabitants of Wakefield By Peti-
tions & other ways, for a roade ; but Still remain destitute of s*^
roade and being but few in number and having a Grate Ex-
pence of making Bridges & Roads in Leavitts Town are not
able to open s** road to Wakefield, Therefore Humbly Pray
your Honours to Consider our Dificulties and cause a Passable
road to be made Near the Sledway we at present use Leading
from M'' Benj" Philbrook^ in said Wakefield to the Pond called
the Province pond & from thence to the North East corner of
Said Wakefield which your Petitioners Humbly Conceive will
be of Publick Utillity and a Grate advantage to them as Well
as to a Number of Inhabitants in a Neighbouring Township in
the State of Massacutts Ba}- and your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound will Ever Pray
william palmer James tichtum Noar Dowe
Tho'* Parsons Carr Leavitt John Leavitt
Levi tows Weare Drake Jeremiah Leaitt
Benjamin Lamper Levi Lamper Joseph Palmer
William Palmer
[3-233] \_I\clative to a Road through Wakejield.'\
To the Hon'*'* Councill and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in Generall Asembly conveaned the
Day of March 1778 —
We the Subscribe's Inhabitants of a Place called Parsons
Town in the County of York and State of Machusctts Bay —
Humbly Shew that we your Petitioner^ have Sucli Conec-
6o6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tions in Traid and other ways with die Inhabitants of the State
of New Hampshire as Obloidges your Petitioners Frequently to
Travill through wakeheld to sundry Towns in Said State, and
for three years Past have been at Extra : Cost & Trouble for
want of a passable Roade through Said wakefield and have at
our own Cost cutt and cleared a Passable Road, about Two
miles in said Wakefield, leading from the Province Pond to
Cap' Cop^ meddow so Called ; having at the Same Time In-
coragement from the Inhabitants of Said wakefield that they
would compleat & make Said Road Passable from Said med-
dow to m"' John Scribners to the road Leading to m'' Benja
Philbi-ooks Notwithstanding y*" s"^ Inhabitants of wakefield Con-
tinue to Neglect opening Said roade, which grately Injures your
Petitiones and Likewise the Inhabitants of Leavitts Town
Therefore your Petitioners Pray your Honours to consider of y®
Difuculties we are Under & order Said road to be mad Passable
for Loaded Teems as Soon as may be, which we Conceive will
Grately benifitt your Petitioners & be of Publeck Utillity and
your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
Samuel Marston David marston Levi inarston
Sam" Hobbs James Hobbs John Batchelder
Amos Blaso Gideon Doe John Doe Jun''
Benjamin Hilton John Cenestone Jonathan hicks
Josiah marston Jobe Allen John Brown
Jacob SCagel Jacob Scagel jun'' Sam" Dalton
Joseph Granvel Jonathan SCagel Samuel Page
Jeremiah Avery James Marston Beniamin Brown
Andrew Hilton John Doe Enoch Libby
James Chapin Mesheck Libby David Hicks
[3~233] \_Relative to Roads.~\
To his Exelency the Presiden
the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives irt
General Court Convened at Portsmouth the fourth Wednesday
of October 1784 —
Humbly shew the Subscribers Inhabitants of Eflingham In
the County of Strafford & Towns adjacent That The Road
Leading from Effingham Through wakefield in the same County
to Dover is so much out of Repair owing to its not having
been Established by authority as a public Road that it is in that
part thereof which lies in the ossipee gore so called altogether
impassable & said gore not being regularly settled but owned
by the masonian proprietors there is no method prescribed by
the Laws of the state to compell the said proprietors to Clear
out and repair the ^aid Road Therefore your petitioners most
EFFINGHAM.
607
humbly pray that your honors will pass an Act to Establish a
public Road through the said gore either in the place where it
originally ran or in such other convenient place as to your hon-
ors shall appear most for the public Interest — and your petition-
ers as in Duty bound will Ever pray
Effingham June *'' 2^ i 784
Carr Leavitt
Joseph Palmer
Tho^ Parsons
John Leavitt
Weare Drake
James Hobbs
Benjamen Lampry
Benjamin Darbon
Simon Philbrok
Benjamin Leavitt
John Drake
William Taylor
Jeremiah Marston
David Llobbs
Jamiah Leavitt
Ashal Page
Simon Brown
John marston
Richard Taylor
Abraham ISlarston
John Costelloe
[3-234]
\_Relative to Paper A/oney.^
State of New hampshire Strafford Ss
Agreable To The Request of Th Honorable Commetee of
Said State for The Opinion of The people on the Plan for a
paper Currancv The Inhabitants of EfHngham Being Legally
Notified and Mett and after Due Consideration of Said Plan
Came To the following Alterations Unannimously Voted
That Fifty Thousands Pounds as is Sett forth in The plan Be
Emmited \vith The Alteration. That it Be a Lawful Tender in
all payments of Debts past present and To Come
2'^ Voted That Unimproved Lands or wild Lands Shall Be Inti-
tled To Draw The Said paper Money as well as improved Lands
and That The Intrest Upon The Same Be four p"" Cent and no more
— 3'-^ voted That The Title of Said Lands Be Authanticated as
The plan Setts forth 4'^ Voted That our Proportion of The
Ten Thousand five hundred pound Granted To Congress in
Part of The Requesition of The Twenty Seventh of September
Last Be paid in Lumber Delevered at Dover Landing or Sum
other Convenient place in This County in Sleding Seasons and
To Be allowed The Market price for The Same
A True Coppy of The Vote Attest
Weare Drake i ^, ,
j Clerk
EfHngham Novembr 27. 1786
[See Atkinson papers. — Kd.]
6o8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3~^3^] \_Relatlve to utipaid Taxes J\
To The Hon'*' Senate and house of representatives in Gen'
Court Conven'^ at Exeter the 7* Day of September 1786. The
subscribers Inhabitants of Effingham in the County of Strafford ;
Humbly shew That when Under the former State of Gover-
ment, The Gen'' Court resolved & Enacted, that Unincorporat-
ed Towns, should be Invested with Power to chuse Officers for
the purpose of raiseing a Tax for the Use of Goverm' But no
penalty was Anex'' to S*^ Acct, The Inhabitants of Effingham
altho apprised of being Not subject to any Fine by refusing,
With a View of paying respect to Goverm' proseed'^ to Chuse
the Officers required, & in 1775 made a Tax for the Sum of
£4-- 12 and Committed a List to y* Constable, The Constable
Soon after he Receiv'' it moved out of y* Goverm*, The Select-
men CalF a Town Meeting, at Which Meeting, The Inhabi-
tants Aledgs That thev ware only 15 Respectable poles in Num-
ber & mostly very poor, & had a Long Extent of road to Main-
tain leading from Wolfsburrough to Conway, & a Very Expen-
cive bridge over pine river on S'' road w^hich was of little use
to them. They living five miles Distant ; and haveing all the
roads they made use of In Town to maintain. Likewise a road
leading from them to Wakefield through Ossipee Gore & an
Expencive Bridge which they Could git no releaf from Altho
they had Several ways Petition** for it, and Grate part of y*
Winter season they ware without any Other Convevance to
market but on rackitts, and without any legal representation in
the Gen" Court — Therefore Conclued'' it most prudent for them
to Chuse no Constable or any Other Office Your Petitioners the
Present Inhabitants being only about thirtv Ratable Poles no
More than Six of the Number ware Inhabitants when the
Above matter was Transacted Have ever Since we Ware incor-
porated Cheerfully paid the Demands of Goverment So far as
We have been Able at the Same Time are subject to most of
the Inconveniency^ Above Mentioned. And are Now Called
upon by the Treasurer of the State to pay the Sum of £4-- 12
for 1775 £2-- 15 for 1776 £i3--S--3 for 1777 £17-- 15 - -9 for
1778 Which Sums ware proportion'' bv the Former State of
Goverm* before we Ware Incorporated being now so Indebt to
Goverm' we are much Discorag'' not knowing how to git
Through it Pray y"" Honours to Consider our Difficulties &
Grant a Discharge from Paying the Above Sums and y"" Peti-
tioners as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray
Effingham June i^' 17S6
Weare Drake Carr Leavitt Joseph Palmer
Elisha Smith William Taylor James Titcomb
EFFINGHAM. 609
moses Cooper Rich'' Taylor
Abraham Marston Benjamin Dearborn Asahel Dearborn
Jeremiah Leavitt Josiah Dearborn John Drake
Jeremiah Marston Benj'' Lampr Josiah Taylor
John Leavitt Jo^i''' Taylor
[3-236] S^Petitioji for Aut/ioritv to Tax Non-Residents.'\
State of New hampshire Strafford ss
To the Honnorable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled at Concord June 4"" 17S9 Humbly
Sheweth the Selectmen of EtKngham That whereas Bv The Re-
quest of the Inhabitants of said Effingham atTheir Annual Meet-
ing Last past, Taking into Consideration the Large Extent of
Roads they have to Maintain in Said Town Many of which are
veary Expencive in Clearing Causeing Bredging and more Es-
peciely The Bredge over pine River and the Road from thence
Through Lands owned By Nonresedant Proprietors, and vearv
Remote from the Inhabitants which roads The Said Inhabitants
have keept in Repaire Ever Sence the Begning of The Late
war having had no Releief from the said Nonresedants and Be-
ing of no use to The Inhabitants more Than the Public Good
of the State The Inhabitants of Said Effingham Being few in
Numbr and not able to keep Said roads in Repair without The
Assestance of The Nonresedants and Consedring the Bennifit
it will Be in Cutting Sum New roads in Said Town Through
Nonresedants Lands which will Be of public Utillity — ivhere-
f ore your petitioners pray your Honnors would Grant a Tax
To Be Levyed of one peney upon The Acre upon all The Un-
improved Lands To Be appropriated to the use of makeing and
Maintaining roads in Said Town That the Inhabitants may
Thereby Be Eased of a Burthan Thay have So Long Laid un-
der and are not able To Bare, and your petitioners as in Duty
Bound vShall Ever pray
Effingham May 27"' 1789
Weare Drake ) c 1 f
Nathaniel Hobbs
William Taylor \ "^^^^
The Committee on the within Petition report that the Peti-
tioners be heard thereon the next Session of the General Court
which is submitted by
Nat. Rogers for the Comm
[In H. of Rep , January 6, 1790, the foregoing petition
was granted. — Ed.]
40
6lO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ENFIELD.
This town was granted July 4, 1761, to Jedediah Dana
and 60 others, by the name of Endfield. It was regranted
August 8, 1768, in 90 equal shares, by the name of Rclhan ;
and was incorporated by an act of the legislature, enacted
August 18, 1778, by the latter name.
The first settlers were Nathaniel Bicknell, Jonathan Pad-
dleford, and Elisha Bingham. Elias, the son of the latter,
was the first male child born in town.
The people called Shakers commenced settlements in this
town about the year 1782, and were organized as a society
in 1792 by Elder Job Bishop, who organized the society at
Canterbury the same year. They are a peace-loving, tem-
perate, and industrious people, and their agricultural and
mechanical products are known in every New England
market.
By an act passed March 28, 1781, Jeremiah Page, Henry
Gerrish, and Wm. Chamberlin were authorized to " run out
and settle the lines & boundaries of the Township of En-
field alias Relhan," and Canaan and Grafton.
By an act passed January 3, 1784, the act incorporating
the town by the name of Relhan was repealed.
June 18, 1802, the report of the committee on lines, ap-
pointed March 28, 1781, was adopted.
January 13, 1837, a tract of land was severed from Gran-
tham, and annexed to this town.
[3~237] \_Relative to a Convention^ -^777-']
State of New Hampshire Enfield February 3''^ '^^^^
Whereas the Genei'al Asemble of this State have Apinted a
Comittee to Meet at Hanover on the Tenth of this Instant to
Give Sum Information of the Proceedings of the General Cort
the Inhabitants and free-holders of this Town Would Hvunbly
Request the Honorable Comitee to omit Meeting at Hanover
on the tenth of this Instant and Meet at Lebnan at Landord Ord-
way on the thirteenth of this Instant Febuary at ten oCIock A
M. for the purpose above mentioned
We are in Behalf of S** Town Your humbel Servants
r^ . , TT ^ Select Men
Daniel Hovey f ^^ g<i
Samuel medham v m
i own
ENFIELD. 6ll
\_The three following are copied from Gen. fona. Chase's
papers.'\
Enfield July y*^ 34* ^777 — Pursuant to orders
S' I make you this return, of the Draft made in my compa-
ny, of one forth part, for the serves now in adgetation, with
their Names &c — Viz ;
Daniel Hovey, Elisha Bingham Abner Paddleford
Test John Lasell Cap'
To Col' Jonathan Chase of Cornish
State of New Hampshire |
Grafton ss. j Enfield April y" 23*^, 177S
A return of the men with their Names, places of abode, stat-
ure, age, complection, and Nativity, that is engaged for the
Town of Enfield viz, Thomas Dunkin «fe George Knox.
Thomas Dunkin, Nativity unknown ; place of abode Hart-
ford Vermont ; age about 30 ; Stature 5 feet 8 ; Complection D.
Black time of engagement may 1777 — time engaged 3 years
George Knox, Nativity Westfield Connecticut ; place of
abode Enfield ; age 33 ; stature 5 feet 10 ; Complection malato
Dark; time of engagement April 23*^ 1778, time engaged Dur-
ing the war.
Test John Lasel Cap'
To CoP Jon" Chase of Cornish
A return of my doings to Col' Jonathan Chase
Enfield Sep' 25"^ 1777 — A Reterne of the Names of the men
Belonging to my Companey are as follows — Nathan Bicknell
Elias Lymon Asa Williams Daniel Hovey Philop Padlford
John Lasell Cap'
[3-23S] {^Petition for an Act of Incorporation under the
Rclhati Grant r\
Relhan June 30 : 1778
The Humbel Petition of the Inhabitants of Relhan in the
State of New Hampshire sheweth that whereaa the S** town of
Relhan not being Incorporated much trouble has already been
occasioned for want of proper authority in S'' Town and it
seems that much more is Coming on a pace we would there-
fore pray the Honorable Council and Assembly of this State to
take our Case into their wise Consideration and grant us an In-
6l2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
corporation if they shall Judg best as in Duty bound we shall
ever pray
Jonathan Padelfoard Abner Padelfoard Jonathan Padelford
Nath" Hovey Phillip Padelford junir
Benjamin Fuller
[The foregoing request was granted by an act passed Au-
gust i8, 1778. — Ed.]
[3-239] \_Petltion for an Act of Incoi-poration under the
Enfeld Grant.^
To the Honoui-able Councel and assembley of the State of
New Hampshire Gentlemen youer Petitioners Humbeley Shew-
eth that we the Inhabitents of a place Called Enfeild which
Twon was Incorporated By the name of Enfeild By Bening
Wintworth Esq'' then Govonour of new Hampshire and as there
has Been an unhapey Dispeute in this place Cheafly Risen on
accoump' of the Inhabitents making Settlement under Two
Charters (viz) Enfeild & Relhan and a miner part of the Inhab-
itence of this place who ware for the Relhan Tittle Pettioned
this Court for a Incorporation and obtained the Same By the
name of Relhan, which gave Great uneaseness to the Inhabe-
tents of this Town as the Greater part of the inhabetence of
this place never New or So much as heard of any Such Pettion
Being Drawn or Presented : youer Pettioners humbley pray
that this Court would take into consideration ower Case and act
as you in your Wisdom Shall think best, and Either Establish
the Enfeild incorporation or Grant us a new Incorporation By
the name of that we may in joy the Priviledge
that other incorporated Towns in this State Injoy : and we are
Desirours to be Peaceable Subjects of this State & injoy the pro-
tection of the Same youer Compleyance with the above will
much oblige youer Humbel Petitioners
Daf^ Enfeild alls Relhan June 3'' 1779 —
Elisha Bingham Jacob Choate Noah Kidder
Asa Williams Thom^ Huntington James Jewell
Joseph Stanley Cornelius Goodell Henry Lunt
Archelaus Stevens Joseph maston John mills
Moses Powell Asa Patee Nathaniel marston
Nathan Bicknell Ezekiel Stevens Isaac marston
James Mills John Tallman Ezekiel Lunt
James Stevens Nath" merrill
Asa patee jr John Pattee
[The act of 1778, incorporating the town by the name of
Relhan, was repealed January 3, 1784. — Ed.]
ENFIELD. 613
\_Report of Comtnlttee on Town Lines. JFrom " Town Bottnd-
aries" page 2og.~\
Whereas By an act of the General Assembly of the State of
New Hampshire Passed the 28'^ Day of March 17S1 Jeremiah
Page Esq'' with us the Subscribers was appointed a Committee
to Settle the Lines and Boundaries of the Township of Enfield
Alias Relhan and those Lines and Boundaries of the Townships
of Canaan and Grafton which are or may be Contiguous thereto
or depending thereupon — pursuant to said appointment the Sub-
scribers have performed said service in the following manner
(viz) Beginning at the Southeasterly Corner Bound of the
Township of Lebanon which is the Southwesterly Corner of
the Tovv'nship of Enfield Alias Relhan, Commonly caTd Sum-
ners Bound and thence Running South fifty eight degrees East
six miles and three fourths of a mile to a Hemlock tree Marked
H G. W C &c Thence Ruiming North forty Degrees & forty
five Minits East about five miles and one half mile to a Spruce
tree Mark** as aforesaid which is the Dividing Line between
Enfield and Grafton and is the Northeasterly corner of Enfield
Alias Relhan and the Southeastwardly corner of Canaan thence
Running North Fifty Eight Degrees West Seven Miles and
Sixty Rods to a Birch Stump which is the Corner of Lebanon
— Enfield and Canaan thence by Lebanon to the Bounds first
mentioned
Boscawen July 9* 17S1
Henry Gerrish r --,
W"" Chamberlin
To Ebenezer Thompson Esq. Secretary for the State of New
Hampshire
[The foregoing report was adopted, and the lines were
established by an act approved June 18, 1802. — Ed.]
[3-240] S^Nunibcr of Polls ^ ^7^3 ■~\
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss
Enfield December ye 13"' A D 1783 Number of male polls
from 21 years and upwards paying a poll Tax for themselves 83
Taken by us the Subscriliers under oath
David Curtis | Select
Elisha Bingham j men
6l4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[3-241] \_Petition for a Repeal of the Relhan Charter. '\
State of New Hamp' To the Honb' the Council & House of
Representatives for s** State in General Assembly Conven*^
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Enfield alias Relhan hum-
bly Shews. — That some years ago one Nathanael Hovey with a
few other persons Petitioned the General x^ssembly for an Incor-
poration of a Township of Land called by a Regrant, Relhan
and obtained the Same without giving notice to the Inhabitants
— which Township was first Granted & Incorporated by the
name of Enfield, That the Inhabitants of said Township have
all Settled under the Enfield Charter and are desirous of con-
tinuing under the Same — Therefore pray your Honours that the
Act incorporating s'^ Town by the Name of Relhan may be re-
pealed & as in Duty bound Shall pray
Jesse Johnson In behalf of said Inhabitants.
Concord June 17"' 17S3
[3-243] [^Petition for ait Abatement of Taxes. ^
State of New^ Hamp"" To the Honb^ the Council cSi House of
Representatives for said State in General Assembly Conven*^
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Enfield alias Relhan hum-
bly shews — That in the Last proportion for taxes your Petition-
ers were unrepresented in the General Assembly, that the Town
was doomed and has been sent to for Taxes ever since in pro-
portion to the Said Doomage which Proportion your petitioners
conceive to be much larger than in the neighbouring Towns —
That the Difticulties have been such that no Taxes have been
Collected for Several years past, that those unhappy disputes
have so for Subsided that there is a probability that Some Taxes
might be now Levied and Collected, if the Same were in pro-
portion with other Towns — Wherefore your Petitioners pray
that your Honours would enquire into the matter & grant an
abatement on our Taxes since the Last proportion, and as in
Duty bound shall pray —
Jesse Johnson In behalf of said Inhabitants
Concord June 17"' 1783
[3-343] \_Petitio?i for Repeal of Relhan Charter. '\
State of New Hampshire To the Hon"' the Council & House
of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire in General
Court assembled Decemb' A. D. 17S3
Humbly shew the Inhabitants of Enfield alias Relhan, that at
ENFIELD. 615
the last Session of the late General Court tliey preferred their
petition. Setting fortli, '' that some years ago, one Nath" Hovey,
with a few other persons, petitioned the then Gen' Assembly,
for an Incorporation of a Township of Land called by a Re-
grant Relhaii — & obtained the same, without giving notice to
the Inhabitants — which Township was first granted tt incorpo-
rated by the name of Enfield — that the Inhabitants of said
Township have all Settled under the Enfield Charter, and are
desirous of Continuing the same — And therefore prayed, that
the Act incorporating said Town by the Name of Relhan might
be repealed" — The prayer of which petition was then granted
& the petitioners had leave to bring in a Bill accordingly — That
before 3'our petitioners had time to prepare a Bill for that pur-
pose, the Gen' Court adjourned without dav
Therefore your petitioners pray your Honors to give them
Liberty, to bring in a Bill agreable to the praver of their former
petition to the General Court now sitting in order that the same
may be enacted And your petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray &c
Jesse Johnson In behalf of said Inhabitants
Concord Dece'' 30 — 17S3.
[3-244] \_Relative to Doomage and Inventories. ~\
State of New Hampshire To the Hon'"'* the Council & House
of Representatives of the said State now sitting at Exeter
Humbly Shew The Inhabitants of Enfield in said State that
they have for years past labored under many difliculties in town
affairs, so as not to be able to make & return to the Secretarys
office regular Invoices of the Polls & rateable Estate in said
Town, which has occasioned a Doomage upon them, as they
humbly conceive, much above their just proportion that they
have now the happiness of uniting in the management of their
Town affairs — & have Collected Invoices, for a number of years
past in the best maimer in their power — & would therefore pray
your Honors, to examine the same & make such abatements, in
their taxes And apportionments, as may appear just tSt reason-
able— And your petitioners as in Duty bound ever pray &c
Exeter 8"' August 17S4.
Jesse Johnson Jun'' in behalf of s'' Enfield
[3-245] \_Relative to the Burning of Noah Kidder' s IIouse.'\
To the Hon'''"= the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire these Certify that the Dwelling House of mr. Noah
6i6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Kidder the Evening of the 24 Day of Febuary Last took fire
and was Consumed together with all his Household furniture by
which means all his wirteing, and papers of Every kind was
lost, as he Saith and we look upon him to be a person of Truth
and Veracity whose word ought to be taken both in and out of
Court
Certify"^ by your Hon""^ Humble Servants
Enfield June y« i^' AD 17S4
David Curtis ") Select
Nathan Bicknel > men of
Richard Currier ) Enfield.
Elisha Bingham Town Clark
Joseph Johnson
Amos Worthen
Richard Lyman
W™ Grove
Jacob Choat
Elisha Fox
Levi Webster
Ezekiel Lunt
Jesse Johnson
Thophilus Currier
Neisfhbours
[3-246]
State of New Hampshire
At a legal meeting holden at Enfield in s*^ State on thursday
the 17* day of August AD 17S6
Unanimouslv Voted that paper money might be made
Attest Jesse Johnson town Clerk
Enfield Aug' i7*h 17S6
[For legislative action on paper money matters, see At-
kinson papers. — Ed.]
EPPING
This town was formerly a part of Exeter, and was set off
and incorporated as a parish February 23, 1741. The in-
habitants held their first meeting the year following. "Na-
than Sandburn, Jon" Noris & Sam^ Smith " were appointed to
call the first meeting.
The town did its duty in the Revolution, and in the War
EPPING. 617
of 1812, furnishing brave men and ofificers of distinction.
Among the latter were Henry Dearborn, colonel of a regi-
ment in the Revolution, and major-general in the war of
1812. He also served as United States secretary of war,
collector of customs for the port of Boston, and U. S. min-
ister to Portugal.
John Chandler was a brigadier-general in the War of 18 12,
and served in both branches of the congress of the United
States. William Plumer served in both branches of the
state legislature as presiding officer; was representative in
the i6th, 17th. and i8th congresses of the United States,
and in the senate from 1802 to 1807. He was governor of
the state in 1812, 1816, 1817, and 1818.
By an act approved June 19, 1818, the line between this
town and Lee was established.
[3-247] [^Relative to lotti}ig the Toivnship.'\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Captain General
and Commander in Chief in and over His Alajesties Province
of New Hampshire and the Hon" His Majesties Council and
House of Representatives for vSaid Province ; —
The Petition of John Dudley of Epping in Said Province
Yeoman Humbly Shevveth. —
That the Committe appointed to Lay out Lands in this Par-
ish where they thought Proper Left Lands for High Ways but
as they were not then well Acquainted with the Suitableness or
how they would accommodate the Settlers there being then no
Settlements made Some of them are found by Experience to be
very Liconvenient Particularly one which was So ordered as to
Separate a Strip of Land Ten Rods wide and Half a Mile
Long of the Southerly part of my Land from the Rest which
the Selectmen without Due Consideration Did afterwards Re-
turn by the Perswasion of Some others but since the Settle-
ments "in the Northerly Part of tiie Parish are Increasing and
no way to them it Seems to appear to all to be much More Con-
venient and there is much Better Ground for a way on the
North Side of my Land Next to Cap' Israel Gilmans Land and
this the Parish being fully made Sensible of Did at a Legal
Meeting by a vote manifest their Desire that the Same might be
Altered as aforesaid which as it would be for my Advantage as
well as for the Publick Good has Enduced me in this manner
Humbly to Petition your Excellency and Honours that by your
6l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Authority the aforesaid way may be Stop*^ or Shut up and that
a Highway in Lieu of it may be Laid Through my Land Next
to Cap' Gihnans as aforesaid and your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever Pray &c :
Epping March y^ 26"' 1 747
John Dudley
[3-248] \^Relative to B7iildiiig a Aleeting- House ^ etc.'\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Captain General
and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesties Province
of New Hampshire and the Hon" His Majesties Council and
House of Representatives for s** Province the Humble Peti-
tion of the Free Holders and Inhabitants of the Parish of Ep-
ping in Said Province Humbly .Sheweth —
That your Petitioners Having with Great Labour and Ex-
pence Surmounted manv Difficulties that Have Attended our
first Settlement in this Place, are yet very Likely to much Bur-
dened by Charges Necessarily Coming on the Parish in order
to the vSettlement and Support of a Minister of the Gospel Buy-
ing Land for a Parsonage Building a Parsonage House and a
House for the Publick Worship of God all which we Appre-
hend very Necessary to be Done but our own Inability together
with Some other Difficulties have Caused these things (Neces-
sary and Desirable as they are) to be yet unaccomplished. —
That there is Scaixe one Fifth Part of the Land in the Parish
Improved the owners of many Large tracts Living out of the
Parish who are not Obliged by any Law in Force to bear any
Part of the Publick Charges So that the Improvers and Settlers
alone have Hitherto been obliged to bear not only the Burend
of Taxes but to Clear and Repair the High Ways and to Alain-
tain Several very Chargable Bridges and all this under the
Troubles and Hardships of the War. — That the value of the
Non Resident Lands is much Increased by the Settlements
which we are making amongst them in almost all Parts of the
Parish. — And that the Building a Meeting House and Settle-
ment of a Minister being Designed for the Good of the W^hole
Parish it is Likely that many of those owners of Lands Here
who are not at Present Inhabitants may be Equal Sharers with
us in the Benefits Accruing therefrom. — We Do therefore
Humbly Petition your Excellency and Honours to take the
Premises into your Consideration and if it Shall Appear Just
and Reasonable — by a Law to Impower the Select Men of the
Parish Afores'' to Rate all the Owners of Lands in Said Parish
who are not Inhabitants in it or to Charge their Said Lands in
Such Proportion and for So Long a time as to your Excellency
EPPING.
619
and Honours Shall Seem Proper for the Ends aforesaid and
your Petitioners Shall as in Duty bound Ever Pray &c :
Epping March y'' 30* 1747
Job Rowel
obadiah worth
Edward vStevins
Ephraini Sanborn
Ebenezer Bean
Ezekiel Brown
Richard Samborn
James Whidden
Robord Hinkson
Jonathan Page
Samuel Smith
Ithial Cliford
Israel 131ake
Thomas Robson
Abraham folsom
Abraham Brown
Joseph Gorden
Thomas Burley
Jonathan Robson
Jacob Freeze
Danil Elkins
Joseph Edgerly
John Dudley
John Hinkson
Jonathan Smith
Elezer Elkins
Jermh Elkins
Israeli Gillman
Jonathan Gliden
Elias smith
David Lawrans
Jonathan folsom
David hains
Daniel ladd
Jonathan Rundlet
Nathan Samborn
Thomas Rawlings
James Chase
Jonathan norris
James noris
Jeremiah Present
Joel Judkins
Caleb Gillman
Samuel Elkins
John Rowell
[In answer to the foregoing, a tax of two pence per acre
per annum was granted for four years, to be applied toward
building a meeting-house and settling a minister. — Ed.]
[3-249]
At our yearly meeting hild in Epping on mondav the Ninth
Day of march in year 1747 then voted that Cap" Isiael Gillman
Shuld be ther man to undertake in the behalf of the vSd paresh
to Carey in a pertition to the General Cort in order to Get the
wilde land rated
David Lawarns Par Clark
[3-250J \_Selcctmctis Report relative to ^Mofiey raised for
Min isterial Pu rp osesr\
Pro of New Ilampsliire To his Excellency Penning Went-
worth Esq'' Commander in cheife in & over his Majesties prov-
ince of the New hampshire & his Honourable Counsell and
House of Representatives now mett, whereas there was an act
past in this his majesties Court in the year i747 that all the
Lands in the parish of Epping Should be taxed in order to En-
able the Inhabitants to Build a meeting House purchase a par-
sonage, and Build a house for the minister of y' Gospel, and
Likew ise By Said act the Select men are oblieged to Lay an ac-
count of the Disposall of Said money Before your Hon" annu-
ally or forfeit Said money, wee therefore the Subscribers would
620 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lett your Honours Know that there was no money Raised up-
on Said Lands in y* year i747 -^y Reason of the war that Sum-
mer which was a hindrance to Runing Lines Betwen other
towns and measuring grants which was Necessary in order to
make Said Rate But in the year 1748 wee the Subscribers have
made Said Rate and Disposed of the Same as followeth
Money Raised Two Hundreds & Fifty Seven pounds
Four ShilHns 257 : 4 : o
Copies out of the propriators Records —
Runing the Lines Betwext other towns and Said
parish
Makeing Rates
Advertiseing
Collecting
Expence and makeing up accounts with v^ Consta-
ble 14 7 — o
The Remainder of the money By a Vote of the parish paid
toward Building a house for our Rev*^ minister
Dated at Epping this Eighteenth day of June Anno Domeni
1749
Ezekiel Brown ^
Nathan Samborn i Select
Benj" Baker | men
John page J
1 1
: I :
0
47:
II :
2
4:
0 :
0
12 :
0 :
0
i^:
0 :
0
[3-251] S^Relative to a Highivay.~\
At our yearly meting hild in the Parish of Epping on mondey
y' 9 : Day of march in y^ 1 747 thare was a cleare Vote Fast
in Sd meting that the high Way that is Laied out throwe
Nicklos Dudley Land for Robert hinkson by the Select man of
Sd paresh and Now we think it will be most Servesabel for
the Publick to Remove the Sd way betwean Ca'n Israel Gill-
mans Land and Sd Dudleys Land over the Redoak hill
A true Coppey Given out by me
David Lawrans Parsh Clar^
[R. 364] [_yo?/at/ian J^o/so/fi's Petition^ Soldier^ addressed
to the Ge?ieral Assef?ibly.~\
Hutnbly Sheweth Jonathan Folsom of Eppin in the Prov-
ince aforesaid Husbandman — That your Petitioner Enlisted in
EPPING, 621
the late Expedition against Crown Point in the regiment Com-
manded by the Honourable Joseph Blanchard Esq : That vour
Petitioner received a Wound by a shott through his right shoul-
der in the Battle fought at Lake George on tlie 8"' September
last Between Cap' Nathaniel Folsom & a party of French &
Indians ; That said wound has so weakened & disabled your
Petitioners shoulder that he is not able to do any sort of
Husbandry work that's attended with any degree of hard
Labor. * * *
March 4"* 1756. Jonathan Folsom
[He asked for an allowance, and was granted "for smart
money & damage Twenty five pounds." — Ed.]
[R- 365]
Epping June 19"" 177=;
Received of the Select men for the parish of Epping for the
time being one gun prized eight dollars which I Promis to Be
accountable for on Demand
James Gordon
[Same date others receipted for guns as follows : Na-
thaniel French, Frances Chambere, David Fullonton, Will-
iam Brown, Jonathan Killey, William Page. — Ed.]
[R. 366] \^Abstract from Abraham Broivti's Petition^ Sol-
dier.']
[In a petition dated August, 1775, Abraham Brown, of
Epping, states "That your Petitioner engaged himself in the
service of this Colony as an P^nsign in Cap' Daniel Moor's
Company and on or about the 19^'' of April last repaired to
Head Quarters in that Quality and there did the duty of
an Ensign (as well as that of an orderly Sargeant) untill
the 18''' day of July last when he was discharged by Col"
John Stark." He further states that he was paid as a pri-
vate, and wants "justice done him" in the matter. — Ed.]
[R.367] lAbstracffrom John Wadleigh' s Petition, Soldier.]
[In a petition dated Epping, Oct. 31, 1775, John Wad-
leigh states,— "That he enlisted in the Service of this Col-
ony under Cap' Daniel Moore in the United American
622 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Army & was in the Battle at Bunker Hill — That he was
soon after taken sick and advised by the Doctors to come
home to recover his health." He further states that he has
been under the care of a doctor since he came home, and
presents a bill due Dr. Ebenezer Fisk for thirty-six shill-
ings, and wants the state should pay it. — Ed.]
[R. 368] [Jonathan Perkins, of Epping, was ordered by
the legislature, March 6, 1778, to be " Commissionated as
an Ensign in Cap* Jason Waits Company, in Col° Cilleys
Regiment," from July 29, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 369] \_Samiiel Present's Petition^ Soldier.']
Epping Feb'' 2^ 1780
To the Hon''' Gen' Court
Your Petitioner humbly Sheweth that, in the year 1778, he
was a soldier at Rhode-Island, in the Service of the State of
N. Hampshire, where he was taken very ill, and put to the ex-
traordinary expence of two Hundred Dollars by the way as he
was returning Home, as the state of the Paper Currency then
■was ; which, may it please the Hon'*'* Court to order to be
allowed, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever Pray
&c. Samuel Present.
Taunton, Aug* 31" 1778 — Rece'' of M"' Joseph Present of
Epping in Hampshire State six Pounds sixteen shillings in full
of all accompts for Medicines & attendance & sundries,
per me Job Godfrey —
Distmist
[R. 370] \_SimoJt Winslow's Order. ~\
Epping Jan. 8* 1781
Sir — Please to pay the Bearer Jonathan Winslow the whole
of my wages Due to me for m}^ service in the Continental
Army for six months for Kensington
I Belong to third New Hampshire Reg' Majors Compa —
To the Paymaster of Col Scammels Reg* or the Person em-
ployed to pay the same
Simon Winslow
[R. 371] [John Stearns, of Epping, says that he enlisted
EPPING. 623
in the service of the state as a soldier, in 1779, for one
year. He wants the depreciation of his pay made up. —
Ed.]
[R. 372] \_Z)a?iicI yo//f/son's Deposition.^
I Daniel Johnson of lawful age who testifieth and saith that
in the year 1781 I was a soldier in Cap' Farwells Company for
the term of six months and further saitli William Mellen then
of Epping was a soldier in said Company during the term
aforesaid and served the Company with me. * *
Daniel Johnson
[Sworn to March 11, 1791, before Nathan Hoit at Moul-
tonborough. — Ed.]
[R. 373] [Morris Tucker ordered what pay was due his
son, John Tucker, a soldier, from Epping, who died in the
service, to be paid to Daniel Smith.]
[R. 374] [Jonathan Perkins, in a petition dated December,
1793, states that he was an officer in the New Hampshire
line, and presented a claim against the United States, to
the committee appointed to settle claims, amounting to
£>^})~7^ ! he thinks the committee allowed the same, and
wants the state to pay him. — Ed.]
[3-252] \_RcIative to raising Men for the Army.'\
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
To the Honourable Council And House of Representives Now
Setting in Exeter in the County of Rockingham in the State
of New Hampshire may it Please your Honours
your Humble Petitioners Humbley Shews that tlie Honour-
able Nicholas Oilman Esq"' CoUonel of the 4"' Rigement of
militia in the County of Rockingham has sent forth his orders
to the Several Captains of the Companvs in Eppin in Said
County under his Command Requiring them forthwith to Inlist
or Draft ten Able Bodied and EtVective men out of their Compa-
nys being their Prf)poi-tion of Six hundred men &c — and Pursu-
ance to Said orders tlie Said Captains exertaicd themselves in the
Best way aud manner they posably Could in order to Procure
I
624 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Said ten men but Could not engage them — by Reason that the
Said Captains has been very much obstructed by one Cap'
Ezekiel Woiihing of Eppin aforesaid for that whereas the Said
Worthing have entered the next State and have undertaken to
Inhst a number of men in their Service and accordingly have
returned back to Eppin and have Inlisted twelve men all be-
longing to Eppin aforesaid and the Said Worthing Says that it
is now in his Power to hurt Eppin and that he means to do it,
if it is to the Velue of a hundred thousand Dollars and will
Inlist as many men as he Can in Eppin for the use and Service
of another State and many other Injeries and hard Speeches
the Said Worthing have uttered against the town of Eppin and
against the Government of this State which is to the great
Damage of the town of Eppin in vSupporting the Common
Cause that we are now ingaged in and in Consideration of the
ill treatment that the town of Eppin have Received from the
Said W^orthing — w'e the Subscribers Humbley Pray vour Hon-
ours will be Pleased to take this our Petition under your wise
Consideration and examine into the facts Set fourth in this our
Humble Petition against the Said Ezekiel Worthing — as we
are in Duty Bound and ever Pray —
Eppin June y" 33"^ A.D : 17S0
William Coffin ] Selectmen
Abraham Perkins ] of Eppin
[3-253] \^ReIativc to Nezvtnarket Bridge.^
State of New-Hampshire
To the Hon''''' Council and House of Representatives for Said
State in General assembly Conven'd A.D 17S0 — at Ports-
mouth 21'*' October —
Humbly shew We the Subscribers freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Eppin in s'' State, that Newmarkett, and
Strathani Lottery Bridge so Called is now become ruinous
and almost impassable and unless Speedily Repaired the great
Expence of building it, and great Benefit & Convenience the
Public Might Still Receive therefrom, will be entirely Lost,
As the Bridge was Built by Lottery for the Public advantage
and as no particular Towns are chargeable with the Repairs
thereof your Petitioners humbly conceive that a Lottery for the
Repair of Said Bridge would be found the most elegible way
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray, that your Honours
would (as in Some cases you have) granted a Lottrey for that
purpose or that the Same bridge may be Supported in future
at the Charge of the County of Rockingham or in Such other
EPPING.
625
Manner as your Wisdom may dictate and 3'our Petitioners as in
Duty bound will ever pray
Jon''^ Eliot
Jeremiah sanborn
Jonathan Meloon
Samuel Veazey
David Jewett
Timothy Jones
Tristram Sanborn
James Johnson
Phinehas Blake
Thomas Rawlins
Simon Drake
JMoses Coffin
Josiah Tilton
Brad' Oilman
Samuel Oilman
Benj" Johnson
Daniel Sanborn
Zebulon Edgerly
Joseph Hodgdon
Jonathan Rawlins
John folsom
Nathaniel mansfield
William Oill
Samuel Jewett
Moses Dalton
John Barker
Thomas Burley
Simon Derborn
Joseph Witchers
[3-256] \^Nti7nber of Polls ^ 1^83. '\
State of New-Hampshire Rockingham ss.
Pursuant to an Order of the Oeneral Court requiring the
number of the Male Polls of twenty one years of age & up-
wards paying for themselves a Poll Tax ; the Selectmen of
Epping according to there best judgment find that there is in
said town of Epping two hundred & sixty Polls of the above
description —
Epping Dec. 1'' 1 78;:
Seth Fogg ") Selectmen
David Lawrence [- of
Wm. Plumer J Epping
Rockingham ss December i^' 1783
then seth Fogg David Lawrence & W™ Plumer made oath
that the above account by them Subscribed was takeing accord-
ing to the best of their Judgment
Before Enoch Coffin Ju*^ Peace
[3-258] \_Petitlon in favor of William Plunier.'\
To his Excellency MesechWeare Esq"" and the Honorable Coun-
sel of the State of New Hampshire your Petitioners freeholders
& Inhabitants of the town of Epping impresd with a Sence of
the importance of having A Sufficient number of civil Officers
in the town & of these officers being properly Quallifyed to
Discharge there Duty \vith honor to themselves & advantage to
the Community Do humbly pray that your Excellency & Hon-
ors would Orant a Commition of Justice of the peace to Will-
iam Plumer of this town Whome We humbly Conseive is
41
626
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Qiiallifyed for the Office — and your petition'' As in Duty bound
shall Ever pray &c
17S5
Jeremy Smith
Epping Jany zf'
Reuben osgood
W" Rowell
James Norris y^ 3*^
Joshua Lane
Sanders Carr
Henry Sanborn
Simon Fogg
James Chase
James Rundlet
micah prescot
Jonathan present
Senir
Dudley Gordon
Joseph Bartlett
James Rundlet Jvn*
Josiah Stearns
Jonathan Prescott
John Page
Joseph Shepard
Jonathan Chase
James Rundlet 3*^
Samuel Prescot
Stephen Prescot
Nathaniel Brown
Simon Dearborn
Benjamin Dearborn Jonathan Gordon
Thomas Calley
Robert Clark
Seth Fogg
Simon Dearborn
Senor
John Towl jr
Levi Tilton
Ebenezer Blak
Benjamin Rallens
Caleb Fogg
John Carr sen
Enoch Osgood
W"' Lowniey
Jonathan Eliot
Nathaniel Smith
Gordon Frees
Paul Ladd
Thomas Drake
Jonathan fifield
Josiah Chase
Joseph Blake
Benaiah Dow
Eliphalet Norris
Ebenezer Swane
William osgood
Jon* Clark
Thomas Norris
James Noris
Phinehas Fogg
John Blake
Nathan Sandborn
Jacob Freeze
Nathan Present
John Prescot
Benjamin Brown
Jonathan thustain
Henry Pike
John Rowell
Ben* Hoit
Stephen Clark
Chase Crocket
Simeon tole
Ebenezer Straw
David Rallens
W" Straw
John Carr Ju''
Chase Osgood
Theophilus Blake
Abraham Brown Ju""
Benj^' Clark
[3-2 c; 7] [ William Ph(mer rccomjucnded.']
To his Excellency Mesech Weare Esq, and the Honorable
Council of the State of Newhampshire your Petitioners the
Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town of Epping —
Impressed with a sence of the Importance of having a Suffi-
cient number of Civil Officers in the Town & of these Officers
being properly qualifyed to discharge their Duty with Honour
to themselves & Advantage to the Community, Do Humbly
pray that your Excellency & Honors would grant a Commis-
sion of Justice of the peace to William Plumer of this Town,
whom we humbly conceive is qualifyed for that office,
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray.
Epping February i 17S5.
Robart Judkins Ebenezer Currier Thomas Haley
EPPING.
627
Samuel Haley
thomas Burley
Job Parsons
Ebenezer Currier
Jur
L^•ford Dow
Nath' Ladd
John Page
Trustram Samborn
Brackit Johnston
Gordon Burley
Nathaniel Parsons
Josiah Clark
David Folsom
Jonathan Barker
John Shaw
Timothy Jones
John Barker Jun""
Eliphelet Peas
Stephen Clark Juner
Daniel Dow
Winthrop folsom
John Barker
Daniel Sanborn
Simon Johnson
[3-260] \^Petition hi favor of David Laxvrence^ ^r.]
To his Excellency the President, and the Honorable the Coun-
cil of the State of New Hampshire —
The Subscribers Your Petitioners — Humbly Shew That as
the appointment of Civil Officers is now taking place, they
have no doubt but 3'our Excellency & Honors, will accept the
information of Neighbors in a matter of such importance —
That they wish to see Magistrates appointed who will faith-
fully serve the public, & be respected by the people —
They do not mean to dictate but they beg leave to mention
to your Excellency and Honors David Lawrence Jun"" of Ep-
ping as a person suitable to sustain the Office of a Justice of
the peace, that his character and conduct tend to make him
respected among them —
Your Petitioners therefore pray your Excellency & Honors
that the said David may be appointed to that Office, if he shall
by you be thought worthv.
And as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Jonathan Eliot
Stephen CliHbrd
Henry Sanborn
Joel Judkins
James Rundlet
Semeon Towle
Brady Cilley
Noah Robinson
benj Norris
Benf Hoit
Joshua Brown-ir
Enoch Coffin
Benjamin CliHord
Andrew Hanson
Joseph French
Josiah Tilton
W"> Hook
Winthrop Dow
Theop'' Stevens
Joshua Lane
Joseph Taylor
Samuel Parsons
Moses Davis
John Carr Ju""
John Pease
John Carr
James Norris y*^ 3*^
Gordon Freeze
Jonathan Robinson James Norris Junr
Joseph Jenness
\Villiam Barton
Jonathan Prescott
Samuel Morrill jr
Benjamin Johnson
Juner
Nehemiah Wheeler
william morrill
Nathaniel maxfield
Thomas Robinson
Richard Elkins
Daniel Sanborn
Daniel tilton
Samuel brown
Samuel Wilkinson
I^liphalet Calley
Benjamin Dearborn
Thomas Bolcy
628
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jeremiah Sanborn
Nathaniel Brown
Solomon french
John page
Robert Clark
Job Parsons
Jonathan Cilley
thomas Towl
Simon Dearborn
Junr
Jeremy Smith
Phinehas Fogg
Stephen Clerk
Jacob Blasdel
Samuel Jewett
Reuben French
John Prescott
Simon Dearborn
John Pike
[3-361] \_Petition in favor of Nathaniel Rogers for Sheriff.'\
To his Excellency the President & the Honorable the Council
of the State of New Hampshire
The undersigned Inhabitants of the County of Rockingham
beg leave to recoinmend to your Excellency and honours the
Honorable Nathaniel Rogers Esq"" for sheriff' of said County ;
confident that he would discharge the duties of that important
office with ability, integrity, and to the general acceptance of
the County —
And as in duty bound will ever pray.
Epping — Oct"^ 13* 1 791 —
Nehemiah Wheeler Josiah Norris
Seth Fogg Jon'' Fogg
Samuel Prescott - - - -
James Martin
Thomas Norris
Josiah Chase
Benj* Brown
Chase Osgood
Joseph Blake
John Carr
Edward Burleigh
Joshua Brown ir
Tim^ Johnson
Jonathan Eliot
Caleb french
Jacob Blasdel
Paul Ladd
Zebulon Edgerly
Daniel Watson
Jonathan Prescott
Nathan Present
John Perkins
James Rundlet
Simon Drake
Nathan Bachellor
Stephen Clifibrd
Joseph Sliepard
theophilus Blake
Joshua Folsom
James Norris
Ebenezer Blake
Jon" Eliott Jr
Zebulon Dow
Jonathan Winslow
Jonathan Perkins
Joshua Brown
David Lawrence
James Chase
Theophilus Stevens
Samuel Osgood
Joseph Shepard Jr
Henr}- Sanborn
Benjamin Folsom
Jeremy Smith
Benjamin Page
Reuben french
Joseph french Junr Ezekiel Clough
Nathaniel maxfield Levi Towle
Samuel Plumer
Jonathan Gorden
W'" Plumer
James Rundlet Juner
William Morrill
juner
EPSOM.
This town was granted to Theodore Atkinson and others,
May 18, 1727, and named for a town in the county of Sur-
ry, England. The grantees, among whom were Joshua
EPSOM. 629
Frost and Capt. Samuel Weeks, lived in Rye, Newcastle,
and Greenland, and the first meeting of the proprietors
was held Nov. 20, 1727, in the ferry house at Newcastle.
The first proprietors* meeting held in the town was in 1743.
Among the first settlers were Andrew McClary, Charles
McCoy, William Blazo, and Samuel Blake.
By an act passed June 7, 1765, the proprietors were au-
thorized to sell some unappropriated lands, and use the
proceeds to build a meeting-house.
Some of the descendants of Capt. McClary became dis-
tinguished men, both in military and civil life.
■^' 377] \_Relative to yoJin Dzuyer^ Soldier.~\
Camp at Ridgefield September 17"^ 177S.
these ai'e to Certifie that we the subscribers have for a num-
ber of years Back, Been perfectly acquainted with Michael
Dwyer of Rumney, During which time we have always un-
derstood that the said Mich^ was Brother to John Dwyer of
Epsom Deceased and that the said Mich' is the sole Heir in
Law to the said John Dwyer of Epsom
Given under our hands
A. Morrill Cap' Ebenezer Frye Cap'.
Camp at Danbury Sep' 19"' 1779.
I verelv beleve that the above Certificut is trew
Jo^ Cilley Col° of the first Ridg'" from N. Hamp
[John Dwyer is on the roll as of Allenstown, enlisted
January, 1777; died July 7, following. The following Ep-
som men were in the first regiment :
Theophilus Cass entered Jan. i, 1777 ; discharged Decem-
ber, 1781. He is reported, Jan. 10, 1778, as having been
left at Albany, wounded.
Richard Drought entered April, 1779; discharged De-
cember, 1780.
John Jenness entered April, 1779 ; discharged December,
1781.
Moses Lock entered Jan. 19, 1777 ; discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Samuel Lock entered Feb. i, 1777; discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Lieut. Col. Jeremiah Gilman ; resigned March, 1780. —
Ed.]
630 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 376] \_Major Amos MorriWs Petition.~\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives
for said State in General Assembly Convened, June 1780,
Humbly Shews, Amos Morrill Capt. in the first Regim' from
said State, now in the service of the United States, That your
petitioner has for some months lately past, been necessarilv de-
tained upon publick business at Exeter in behalf of the New
Hampshire Brigade, during which time he has nearly exhaust-
ed his fund of the present circulating currency — that although
your petitioner hath Notes from this State, for the depreciation
of his wages, which are negociable, yet he cannot exchange
the same for Currency unless he should sell them greatly under
value — that your petitioner is now ordered to Camp immedi-
ately, and hath not wherewith to defray his necessary expence
thereto — Therefore prays, that your Honours would advance
to your petitioner Nine Hundred pounds, in the present Cur-
rency from the Treasury of said state and for which sum he
will account as may by the Hon""'" Court be thought proper —
Therefore your petitioner will ever pray
Exeter June 15* 17S0 A. Morrill
[Amos Morrill was first lieutenant of the Eighth com-
pany of Stark's regiment in 1775, and was at Bunker Hill;
promoted to captain, Jan. i, 1777, and to major, March 24,
1780, and served through the war. — Ed.]
[R. 325] ^Michael Mc Clary s Petition.']
To the Honorable Gen' Assembly Convened at Exeter 19*
April 1780 —
The petition of ^Michael McClary Humbly Sheweth that
your petitioner was by the authority of the state appointed to
the Command of a Company (in Defence of his Country) the
eighth of November 1776 — Continued in his Command, till
Sept 1778 — Then by reason of a bad State of Health was
obliged to resign his command — And notwithstanding the
many Fatigues & hardships he has been obliged to encounter
(which has ruined his Constitution) he is by a late resolve of
the Gen' Assembly deprived of the benefit of having the de-
preciation of his wages made good — Therefore prays you
would take the matter under your wise Consideration and make
the depreciation of his wages good up to the time he left the
sen- ice —
And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray —
Mich' M-^Clary
EPSOM. 631
[In H. of Rep., April 25, 1780, the foregoing petition
was granted.
Michael McClary was a grandson of Andrew McClary,
one of the first settlers of Epsom, and nephew of Maj. An-
drew, who was killed at Bunker Hill. He was at Bunker
Hill as second lieutenant of the Eighth company of Stark's
regiment, and was in command of the Fifth company,
Scammel's regiment, in 1777 ; was adjutant-general of the
state from 1792 to 1813, and state senator from 1796 to
1802, inclusive. — Ed.]
[R, 37S] [^Petition of Wcyt7iouth Wallis, Soldier.'\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Honourable, the Council, & house of Representatives
in Gen' Assembly Convened —
The Petition of Weymouth Wallis of Epsom Humbly Shew-
eth that your Petitioner was a soldier in the Continental Ser-
vice, under the command of Capt. Henry Dearborn in Col"
Starks Reg' in the battle on Bunker Hill, had the misfortune
to be Wounded by a musket ball that Pass'd through his right
Arm, whereby your Petitioner underwent much pain & loss of
Blood, And is thereby rendered unfit for duty in the field,
Also incapable of geting a living for himself & Family, There-
fore prays that your Honors will take this his Petition under
your wise consideration and grant him such relief as you in
your wisdom shall see fit — and your Petitioner as in duty bound
will ever pray —
bis
Weymouth X Wallis
mark
[The above is not dated ; another one similar to it bears
date, June, 1790. — Ed.]
[4-2] \_Number of Polls, 1783.']
Agreeable to a requisition from the Gen' Assembly for mak-
ing Out & returning to the Gen' Court an exact N° of all polls
of Twenty One years & upwards paying for Themselves a poll
Tax, — we have Accordinji^ly Numbered Those belonging to the
Town of Epsom, which Number Amounts to Ninetv Nine.
Epsom 16"' December.
Jeremiah Prescott ] vSelect Men
Thomas Babb ( for Epsom
632 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
State of New Ham"" ") December 16"" 17S3
Rockingham ss j
Jeremiah Prescott & Tho^ Babb above Nam'd made Oath to
the Truth of the above return by them subscrib'd. —
Before
Michi M-^Clary JP.
[4-3] \_CertiJicate of Nails made.~\
State of New Ham'' | This may certify That Amos Morrill
Rockingham ss j has within twelve months past wrought
in his Own Blacksmith Shop in Epsom one Hundred Thou-
sand of Ten penny nails, and that he is Intittled to a bounty
agreeable to a law of this State,
Epsom 16*'' March 1791
Thomas Babb ] Select Men
George Sanders j for Epsom
Rockingham ss March 16*'' 1791
This May Certify that Amos Morrill has made it appear to
me that he has within Twelve months past wrought one Hun-
dred Thousand of Ten penny Nails in his own Blacksmith
Shop in Epsom
Attest
Mich' M'^Clary JP.
Aug 12, 1 791 —
Received an Order on the Treasurer for five pounds
A. Morrill
[4-4] \_Relative to a Road from Concord to Durhatn.']
To the Hon'ble the Senate & house of Representatives of New
Hampshire in Gen' court convened at Dover on the first
Wednesday of Jvnie 1792
The Petition of the Selectmen of Epsom in behalf of said
Town Humbly Shew That the General court at their last ses-
sion held at Portsmouth passed an Act appointing and Author-
ising Joseph Badger, Nathan Hoit & Henry Gerrish Esquires
a committee, to look & lay out a road from Concord to Dur-
ham, & that the sum allowed by said committee to Individuals
for the damage done them by Said road going through their
lands & the expence of clearing & making Said road Should
be done at the Several Towns through which it went. — That
Said committe have agreeably to their appointment laid out
Said road. Which is exceedingly Injurious to the Town of
Epsom, as they have heretofore been at a very great expence in
ERROL. 633
making roads & bridges in Said Town. That the Two last
years past they have built a bridge over Suncook River which
cost the Inhabitants upwards of Six hundred dollars & that
they have one more bridge over the Same river to support as
well as many Others in Said Town, which is expensive to the
Inhabitants that the road through Said Town, that has been
used upwards of Fifty years is by the Industry of the Inhabi-
tants become very good. That the road lately laid Out by the
committee through Epsom cannot without a very great ex-
pence be made passable & impossible ever to be so good for
traveling as the road now used
That the distance Saved (by the new laid out road) is prin-
cipallv from Concord to Suncook river in Epsom — that the
fields & pastures in said Town will be very much damaged if
said road should be cleared, where it is now laid Out. Where-
fore your petitioners in behalf of Said Town pray your honers
would take their cause vmder your wise consideration & grant
them relief by repealing the Act so far as that Said road shall
not be considered as laid out any further in Epsom then from
Chichester line to the new bridge over Suncook River or Other-
wise Order that the expence of purchasing & making said road
through said Town should be paid by the State or County of
Rockingham and your petitioner as in duty bound will pray —
Amos Morrill ~) Selectmen
Thomas Babb > for
Josiah Sanborn j Epsom
ERROL.
The township was granted Feb. 28, 1774, to Timothy
Ruggles and others. A large portion of the grant was
purchased in 1778 by men living in Salem and Danvers^
Mass. But very few settlements were made prior to 1800,
and the town contained but 26 inhabitants in 1820, and i6l
in 1880. The town was incorporated Dec. 28, 1836.
[4-5] ^Pctitio7i of the Proprietors for a Rcncvoal of the
Grant .^
To the Hon"'' the Senate h the Hon*''*' the House of Repre-
sentatives of the State of Newhampshire in General Court
convened December 17S9. —
The Petition of the Subscribers proprietors of Errol & Mills-
field in s'' State humbly sheweth, That in the year One Thou-
634 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
sand Seven hundred & Seventy Nine, we employed a Com-
mittee & Surveyors with Necessary attendants & at the great
Expence of Two thousand one hundred & Eighty pounds
transported provisions by Packmen through the Wilderness
Sixty Miles Nearly, without any Road, & laid out s*^ Towns
into hundred Acres Lots, That by reason of the War, and
other difficulties, we were at that time induced to lay aside our
purposes of Compleating the Settlement of s*^ Towns, — that
we have since renewed our Intentions, and by our Agent Major
Joshua Heath have begun to make improvments, by felling of
Trees, clearing of Roads, & putting up Log Houses in s*^
Towns, by raising the Sum of Fifty pounds Eight shillings. —
That it is our unanimous Resolution, to pursue the original
Design of Compleating the settlement of s*^ Towns with as
much Speed as may be ; provided we can be Accommodated,
with Roads, & be allowed a further Time, to compleat the
the Condition of our Grant.
Your petitioners therefore pray the Lands from Conway to
Errol, may be made liable to pay the Expences of making a
good passable Road, through the several Grants, under the
Direction of such a Committee as this Hon'ble Court shall see
fit to appoint ; & that a further time to fulfill the Conditions of
our Charters may be granted, or that such other proceedings
may be had for the Relief & encouragement of your Petition-
ers, as to this Honorable Court shall seem meet, and as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c. —
Salem 9"" Dec'' 17S9
Benj" Goodhue Jonathan Ropes W^"' West
Jon'' Peele \V'" Shillaber Abraham Rand
Jacob Ashton Edw"^ Norris Sam^ Ward
Eben"- Beckford W" Vans Joshua Heath
At a Meeting of the Proprietors & Owners of the Township
of Errol at Salem, on the 9"^ December 17S9.
Voted, That Major Joshua Heath be appointed to present
the foregoing Petition to the Hon'''* the General Court of New
Hampshire at their next Sitting. —
A true Copy from s'^ Proprietors Records
Att. Edw. Norris Propri. Cler.
[I cannot find any action of the legislature on the fore-
going.—Ed.]
ERROL. 635
£4-6] \_yoshua Heath's Accoiint for rnaking Roads ^ etc."]
Proprietors of Erroll to Joshua Heath D""
To Labor clone in Clearing of a Road to & in said Erroll &
in building of Houses from the 15"" day of October to the I3*
day of November 17S9 viz
Sam Mash — — — 25 days
Jacob Evans — — — 25
Dean Osgood — — — 25
Jerem" Osgood — — — 25
100 day ^ 4/ 20,, o,, o
Nath Porter — — — 15 days
Moses Ingalls — — — 15
John Stephens — — — i ^
^ 45 'It 4/ 9" o,, o
Enoch Webster — — — 8 at 4/ i,, 12,, o
To myself — — — 27 days 6 //;-day 8,, 3,, o
Three Horses — — — — — — — i,, io,,o
To two journeys to Salem — — — — — 3,. 13 —
£43,, 16,, o
Deduct for overcharge — — — — — — 3 —
£40,, 16,, o
By Cash & my own taxes — — — — — 37,, 16 —
Ballance due M"" Heath — — — — — 3,, o,,o
A True Coppy of Major Joshua Heath's (of Conway New
Hampshire) account as settled Dec'' 10"' 1789 — Attest
W"' Vans prop" Treasurer
[4-7] S^Pctition for a Confrmatlon of the Grant. ~\
To the Hon''"^ the Senate, & the Hon"'" the House of Repre-
sentatives of the General Court assembled. —
Your petitioners humbly shew, that some time in the Year
1778" "^^'e purchased & paid, a valuable consideration for more
than three fourths of the land, in two Townships in the County
of Grafton, known by the names of MillsHekl, & Errol ; & in
the Next Year the Sum of Twenty one hundred & eighty
pounds, of the then currency, was expended in laying out these
townships, in lots of one hundred acres each, — at the time
these purchases were made your petitioners together with other
636 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
proprietors who were inhabitants of the State of New Ham-
shire, determined as soon as a peace should take place between
this Country & Great Brittain, to comply with the Conditions
on which the grants wei'e made. — Since the Year 17S3 We
have been constantly endeavoring by very advantageous otlers
to engage persons to undertake the Settlement of them, but the
almost impassable woods between them and the inhabited part
of the countrv, vv^as an obstacle to the intended settlement,
which we could not remove, but by the cutting & clearing of
roads through other places, at an expence, which we are sure
you would neither expect or desire. — We flatter ourselves^ that
you will view us as situated very differently from the proprie-
tors of many unsettled townships, which border immediately
on others, through which there are good roads ; for we have
been long expecting that Such proprietors from the compari-
tively easy Access, to their townships, would at least have
opened roads through them ; that their Neighbors, who were
disposed to make Settlements, might have had it in their power,
without the additional expence of making roads, for those, who
had so long, and so unreasonably Neglected their duty ; — at
length after repeated disappointments, we agreed in Septem"^
17S9 with Capt. Joshua Heath, to procure a Number of Men,
and cut a road through the woods to Millsfield, & Errol ; this
thev ertected ; they cut down a considerable quantity of Wood
in different parts of the township of Errol, and erected a num-
ber of log houses, intending the following Year, to place Sev-
eral Settlers there ; but doubts arising in the minds of some,
respecting the propriety of proceeding, untill w'e had obtained
from Your Honors, a confirmation of our right to the land in
question, put a stop to our exertions, and induced us to trouble
you with this Application ; — The attempts we have made to
accomplish Settlements, particularly the last mentioned one,
were attended with great expence, and though productive of but
little real benefit. Yet are indisputable proofs of our intentions
to comply with the terms of the grant ; — if the Grantees of any
lands in the State have a claim to your indulgence, and to a
further time for the performance of the conditions of the grants,
we have no doubt You will consider those of Millsfield &
Errol of the number. We have so much confidence in your
wisdom, & equity, as to believe, that as you have the power,
so you have the inclination to do us ample Justice — we there-
fore pray, that you would grant us such further time to com-
pleat the Settlement of the two Townships of Millsfield &
Errol as to your hon^ may seem meet, & at the Same time
give such directions respecting the clearing of Roads between
our land & the inhabited part of the Country, as shall remove
any extraordinary difficulties, which at present lay in our
ERROL. 637
way. — Any thing further, we Neither expect, or \yish, & as in
duty bound shall eyer pray &c. —
Salem January 15"" 1791
W" West S.Goodhue Attorney to Benj" Goodhue Esq
W™ Vans Joseph Sprague W" Shillaber
Jon* Peele Jonathan Ropes Sam^ Ward
Edvv*^ Norris George Dodge Eben'' Beckford
Jacob Ashton Jn" Fisk Elias Hasket Derby-
Robert Foster Joshua Crippen Bart Putnam
Abraham Rand
[4-8] \^Ac^/ou of Legislature 011 foregoing Petition.'^
State of New Hampshire
In the House of Representatives Decem'' 13"^ 1791
Upon reading & considering the petition of William Vans
and others in behalf of the Proprietors of the Townships of Ei"-
rol & Millsfield in the County of Grafton in said State setting
forth, that by reason of a variety of complicated embarrass-
ments, the Proprietors have not been able to make the cultiva-
tion & settlement of said Townships agreeable to the condi-
tions subjoined to the original Grants or Charters of said
Townships respectively, and among other things prayed that a
further time be allowed to the said Proprietors for completing
the same — which appearing reasonable — Therefore Resolved,
that a further term of Ten years from the passing of this re-
solve, be, and hereby is allowed to said Proprietors to complete
the settlements & cultivation in said Townships respectively :
Provided that within one year from the passing of this Resolve,
the proprietors of said Township of Errol pay into the Treas-
ury of this State the sum of one hundred & eighteen pounds
six shillings. Lawful Money : And that the Proprietors of said
Township of Millsfield pay into said Treasury the sum of one
hundred & one pounds eight shillings Lawful money — which
sums upon examination are computed & stated to be the full for
the Arrears or proportions of those Townships respectively to
all public Taxes, that have, or ought to have been apportioned
to said Townships respectively, to make them equal with other
Townships under similar circumstances witliin this State as to
the public Taxes that have been called for upon the apportion-
ments heretofore made in this State.
And it is hereby further resolved in all public Taxes call'd
for in future, the proportion of the said Township of Errol
shall be seven shillings upon each thousand pounds to be raised
in the State, and the proportion of the said Township of Mills-
638 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
field shall be six shillings upon each thousand pounds so raised
until a new proportion shall be made among the several Towns
and places in this State —
Sent up for Concurrence.
William Plumer Speaker.
In Senate Dec'' 13* 1791 read & concurred
Josiah Bartlett President.
[4-9] \_Relative to the Propj-ietors' Clerk ^ etc."]
To the honorable Senate and the honorable house of Represent-
atives of the State of New Hampshire in General Court con-
vened at Concord the 21''' day of Nov- 1798
the petition of the Subscribers inhabitants of Salem & Dan-
vers in the State of Massachusetts —
Humbly sheweth That vour petitioners are largely interest-
ed in lands lying in the Township of Erroll in the County of
Grafton & State of New Hampshire ; that the proprietors of
s** township at a legal meeting holden at Portsmouth Dec' ii***
1792 in pursuance of a warrant from John Pickering Esq'' au-
thoriseing them among other things to agree upon a method of
calling Meetings in future.
Voted that the mode of calling future meetings should be by
an application of the Proprietors of more than one sixteenth
part of said township to the proprietors Clerk for the time be-
ing, upon which application such Clei'k should duly notify a
meeting of s*^ Proprietors ; that the Proprietors of more than one
sixteenth part of s'^ Township in conformity to said vote made
application June 3'''^ 1796 to John Saunders jr. Esq'' then clerk
of the Propr* of s"* Township, to notify & call a meeting of s**
Proprietors to be holden at Plastow August 2, 1796 to choose
among other things a proprietors clerk ; that the same meeting
was notified and holden accordingly ; that another Proprietors
clerk besides the s*^ John Saunders jr. was then chosen ; that
notwithstanding the said choice the s'^ John Saunders jr. refused
upon demand to deliver up the Proprietors books, records &
papers to his said successor, and never has since delivered them
up ; that the said Saunders resides in New York in the State of
New York, and is 3'our Petitioners believe so large a proprietor
in s*^ township as to be able at pleasure to rechoose himself pro-
prietors Clerk of s'^ Proprietors should they make of him a
legal demand of s*^ proprietors books records & papers ; that at
a legal meeting of s'' Proprietors holden at Hampton Falls the
fourth day of Julv last the s** Saunders did not attend nor for-
ward the s*^ books records nor papers ; that your petitioners in
EXETER. 639
common with most of the other Proprietors are unable at Pro-
prietors meetings or other times to obtain a sight or examina-
tion of s*^ books, records, or papers without applying to s**
Saunders at New York ; that the said books records & papers
being in the possession of a person so far distant is a great in-
convenience to 3'our petitioners by preventing their learning the
real situation of their property, & also putting it out of their
power safely to take anv steps to encourage the settlement of
s** township ; your Petitioners therefore earnestly request the
enaction of a Law forbidding an}- Person being chosen proprie-
tors clerk who does not reside within the State of New Hamp-
shire ; or the enaction of a Law apportioning the number of
votes to each proprietor in a smaller proportion than the num-
ber of shares he may hold, or any other measure to remedv the
inconvenience under which your petitioners now labour, which
you in your wisdom may deem proper
And as in duty bound will ever pray —
Salem August, 13, 1798.
Jacob Ashton
Jon"^ Peele
John Jenks
Rob' Foster
W" Shillaber
EXETER.
The first considerable settlement of Exeter by white men
was made by Rev. John Wheelwright and his companions,
in the spring of 1638. They came from Boston and its
vicinity in the Massachusetts Bay, and were banished thence
on account of their religious opinions. The tradition is,
that a few persons had settled before that date about the
falls of the Squamscot, among them the family of Hall,
whose descendants still dwell there.
Wheelwright, when he came, purchased the land of the
Indian occupants, to the extent of thirty miles square.
Belknap, and most other authorities, state that he had taken
a similar conx'eyance as early as 1629; but this has been
denied, and the question can hardly be said to be conclu-
sively determined.
As there was no system of government in New Hamp-
shire at that early day. Wheelwright and his company, on
the 4th day of July, 1639, entered into a compact in writ-
640 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ing, which provided for a method of self-government, under
which they Hved peaceably until 1642, when this, with the
other settlements in New Hampshire, placed itself under
the government of the Massachusetts Bay.
There are four towns whose territory formerly belonged
to Exeter, namely, Newmarket, incorporated December 15,
1727 ; South Newmarket, set off from Newmarket June 27,
1849 ; Epping, incorporated February 23, 1741 ; and Brent-
wood, incorporated June 26, 1742.
[The foregoing article was contributed by Hon. Charles
H. Bell— Ed.I
[R. 380] \_Relative to Soldiers in To%v?i.'\
New Hampshire Exeiter y" 17*'' of march 1692/3
The Soulders under my Command quartered by y" Inhabit-
ants of Exeiter: from the first day of desem'"' 1692, to the if^
of march 1692 /3, the Number is twenty and two, — and two
quartered at M' Andrew wigens one of them sence the Arrivall
of thayer Maj"*^' Goverment in this provence to the 17* of
march 1692/3, the other quartered fiveteen weeks in y'' foresaid
time=:
per me Tho Thaxter Cap'
The Above is A true account of y"" soulders quartered by y**
Inhabitants of Exeiter
Jonathan Thing Cap'
[4-10] \_Return of Assembly- Men ^ l6g4.'\
Att a Leagall meeting of y*" ftree holders of y"" towne of Exiter
the 29'^ octob'' : 1694 there were chosen by y"" ftree holders Lef
Kinsle Hall and m'' John ftblsom for to serve as assembly men
w"" full power for themselves and y'' Community of y'^ s*^ : towne
by me
Nathaniell Wright Constable
of Exeter
OctoV : 29 1694
[4-1 1 ] \_Returti of Assembly-Men^ i6q2.~\
New hamshier — Exeter 28"^ of Septeni 1692
Att a publique meeting of the ftree holders of this Towne in
EXETER. 641
persuanc of a precept sent by the heigh sherif of this provinc ;
Capt : William More and Lieut : Sam" Leavit are chosen Rep-
resentatives for this town for the Generall Assembly,, for the
time being to be holden for this provinc at porthm* on y** first
tusday in octob"" next insuing this present date
Attest : David Larans Constabell
£4-13] \_Precepi for Election of Asse7nbly-Men^ i6gj.']
Province of New Hampsh"'
To the Constables of Exiter
r Seal ^ Pursuant to a Precept from the Hon'''* Jn"
-! Father time >- Usher Esq"^ L' Govern'' &c of s*^ Province,
(^with scythe ) These are in his Majes'* Name to Require and
Comand you and both of you, that you fourthw* upon Receipt
hereof warne or cause to warne the freeholders of your Towne
of Exiter to assemble and meet to geather at sum usuall Place
there to chuse and Depute Two able Sufficient men and duly
qualified according to law, to Represent your s** : Town at a
Generall Assembly to be held for his Majest" : in this Province
at New Castle on Wednesday the fiefteenth of this Ins' : May at
two of the Clock in the afternoone, the men so chosen for His
Majes''* : Service to attend dediem in diem during the s"^ Ses-
sion, and make Returne of the Persons names so Chosen w"^
this Precept to me at New Castle by tuesda}' next at one of the
Clock in the afternoon hereof faile not at your Perrill,
Dated New Castle May lo"* 1695 :
Per Theo"' Attkinson Shereft'
your meeting must be on Munday next
[Constable's return on the back of the foregoing: — Ed.]
Exeter y^ 13"' May 1605
This Day according to y^ within presept I have called a Gen-
erall Town Meeting according to law and then were Legaly
Chosen to Represent s"" : Town of Exeter in s"* : Assembly on
y* : 15 Ins' at New Castle and have given the men soe Chosen
notise thereof
Cap' Kinsly Hall M^ Jn" Folsom
William Scammon Constable
[4-14]
[This document is another precept for an election, dated
November 2, 1695. The seal on this is two arrows crossed,
42
642 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
piercing a heart, signed by Theo. Attkinson. The return?
on the back shows that Moses Leavitt and Theophilus Dud-
ley were elected. The following order is also on the back
of the precept:
"You are Required to give notice to the Cap^ of yo"^
Towne that he stands upon his Guard : the Indians being
on the frontiers
W" Redford Dp*
By or*^"" of the Govern''." — Ed.]
[R. 381] \_Captain Kinsley HalVs Pay-Roll^ i6q6.'\
Prest men in Exiter who served His maf-^ in Exiter and oys-
ter River from november y" 4 : 1695 —
Jn" young sen Jacob Smith Sanders Gording ffrancis Steel
Job Judkins from y*^ 4 : nov"" to 2 dec""" 95
Tho ; Rawlins Jn° Sinkler Joshua Gillman Edw'' Masry Jn°
Judkins from y'' 14 nov"'' to 12 dec""" 95
Edward Dwyer Eben foulsham Jn" ffickett Jethro Person
Strong home from y* 2 dec"''' to 30 dec""' 95
Sam" Beane Jeremy Coner Ed Cloutman Sam" Dolhuf
James Rundlet from y^ 1 2 dec""' to 9 Jen 95
Jn° Beane James Beane israll Smith James Leavit Stephen
Gill" from y*" 30 dec"" to 27 Jen 95
Sam" piper Nick Smith Nick Gillman Philip spendlow
Moses Rawlins from y*^ 9 Jen to 6 feb 95
Will™ Grans Clem moody Jonathan Smith Jn° Leavit from y*
27 Jen to 24 feb 95
ffrances Lvford bylel Dudly Sandrs magoone Nat Lad from
y^ 6 feb to y* 5 march 96
Nick Gording James Yong mark stasy Will"' powell from y*
24 feb to y*^ 23 march 96
Peter foulsham from y* 5 march to y" 2 april 96
The whole account of y*^ Soulders wages from november y*
4, 9=; to apriell y** 2^ 1696 Is 52-16-00
Compared with y^ debenter per me
Kinsley Hall Cap'
Jonathan Thing he went to Oyester River to Seuerve his
Majstys In Garson one y" second of this Instant Apperell to this
Eight of Apperell and their Remains still a soulder and
lb s d
amounts to when his month is out i — 4 — o
Sixteen men Returned from Ovester 2 Davs per man a mount-
Ib s d
ting to 2 — 13 — 4
the wholl accountt amountt to 56 — 13 — 4
per me Kinsley Hall Cap*
EXETER. 643
This is a tru account compared this S Aprill 1696
By me John woodman Cap'
Wages 56 : 13 : 4
Billetting And : Wiggins 6 : 16 : 2
ditto Edw"* Hilton 6 : 16 : ^
ditto Rich*^ Hilton 5 : 0:0
[R. 3S3] [^JSxeter^s Account yor Soldiers ]
Province of New Hamp''
An acount of Exitors Charge of Clames for Souldiers Sarve-
ing his majesty in garrisons at Exiter from y*^ 13'^ of aprill 1696
untill y* 9 of novem""
Job Jenking Allixand'' gourding D. messervy Charles Run-
lett Arme Stronghorn Ebenezer foulsum ftVansis Steale John
Gourding Nathan Taylor Rich** Dolhouse
The above souldiers sarved from y^ 13"^ of aprill 1696 untill
y* 3** of august being foure months Comes to Aight}^ Pounds it
being for wages and subsistance 80
David Larrance Rich"^ morgen Joel Jenkings
Thorn : willson Jonathan Clark David Roberson
John Oilman Ephrim fowl sn
Iserell young Sammuell Dudly
The above souldiers sarved from y" 3** of august untill y* 31
of y^ same month it being one month wages and svibsistance
Comes to twenty pounds 20
Charles Gleadin Goarg Gorly Jonathan wodlash
Goarg Pearson Nicolas Norris Danniell Bean
William Taylor Elexand"" Goarding Roger kelly
William Jones Se"
The above soulders sarved from y* 31 of august 1696 untill
y* 28 of September Icf6 being one munth for wages and sub-
sistance comes to twenty pounds 20 lb
James Gillman Moses Kiining Benj : Jones
Phill : Huntoon Theophilus Smith Moses norris
Phill : Dubv Jerriniiath Gillman
Jacob Smith Joseph Rawlings
The above souldiers sarved from y" 28"^ of September 1696
untill y* 26 of October 96 being one month for wages and sub-
sistance comes to twenty pounds 20 lb
Moses Levite sarved his majesty in garrison in Exiter from
644 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
y'' 28* of July 1696 uiitill y*' 32"^ of September 96 it being two
months for wages and subsistance corns to foure pounds 4 lb
for John Gillman and Nathaniell Steavens goeing post to
s
haverell by y^ Lf Governors order two dayes 10
James Godfrey for Rideing y"^ governors hors from Exiter to
s
y® Bank 3
lb s d
The sum totall ^44 • 10 : 00
This is y*" trew acount for wages and subsistance for y*^ within
A Counts Acording to order by me
Kinsley Hall Cap'
To subsistance of two Hampton men att M"' Wigginses 6
days a pece from 7 Aprill to 13 00 — S — 00
two Hampton men at M"' Hiltons from the 9 of Aprill to the
12 or 13 for subsistance o — 4 — 00
per me Kinsley Hall Cap*
Cornelius lary Jeremiah Beane Ben : Tayler
Jo" Bean senior Abra. fibulshem Jonathan Robinson
James Gordin Will : Scamon
Caleb Gilman Richard Morgaine
senior
This TO Souldiers above named served his majestic in Garri-
son from the 26'^ day of October to the 9 of november 1696
lb s d
which was 2 weeks wages & diat come to 10 — 00 — 00
lb s d
per me Kinsley Hall Cap' Sum totall 155 — 5 — o
Poi'tsm" Novemb"" 13"^ 1696 — Aproved and Examined by
Kinsley Hall Henry Dow John Woodman | ofy*
John Tuttle Theodore Attkinson W" Redford j Comitty
[4-22] \^Richard Hilton^ s Petltio)i for Ferry. "^
Province of New Hampshire.
To the Hon''^*' the L' Gover" Councill and Representatives Con-
vened in Gen^^ asembly
The humble petition of Richard Hilton of the Town'^ of
Exeter — Humbly Sheweth :
That there being a great occasion for travellers and other
persons Liveing neare yo'' petitioner to transport themselves
& horses over the River from Swamscott to the other side op-
posite to yo'' Petitioner's House ; for the cutting the way by
EXETER. 645
sever" miles short to Lamperell River and other parts, and
there being noe ffery settled ; yo"" petitioner Humbly prays that
yo'' Hon" would be pleased to Grant unto him Liberty for keep-
ing a ft'ery betwixt Swamscott and his owne House for the
tearme of fifty vears and that he have Liberty to keep a public
House as is accustomed to all fteryes
Richard Hilton
12"" June 1700 read at the Councill and allowed and Ap-
proved of
[4-23] \_ReTnonstrance against being set offfrotn Exeter. '\
To the honourable The Lieutenant Governoui and commander
in cheife and the council.
Your honours humble petitioners whose names are under-
written, being inhabitants of the town of Exeter, and who
have been at great charges to build a meeting house & settle
the ministrie there, and in that it is most convenient for us to
belong there ; we humbly & earnestly request that we & our
lands may still belong to Exeter as we have lately done ; we
entreat your honours to consider how prejudicial, it will be
unto us. to be taken oft' from Exeter & laid to any other town,
and so favourably grant this humble request of your honours
humble servants.
Exeter Sep' 9"' 1701.
Thomas Rawlins Thomas Rawlins Moses Rawlins
Sen"' ^v\\\^ Joseph Rawlins
Benjamin Tayler Nathaniel Stevens
Nathaniel wright Thomas Reed
[4-24] \^Relative to Francis Lyford's SIoop.'\
Exeter the 21 feburary 1710 A noat of disburstments This
are to Enforme whome it may Concern that francis Lyford of
Exetter hade his vSlope Imprest by Cap' John perkins of ports-
mouth and promised to pay six pound for the Runn of here to
sacoe and from thence to picescataquack againe to bring away
the distresed inhabitance whcne the Lidians were burning and
destroying all About them william Jefry and thomas Lyford at
the same time in said slope wich ware About twenty one yeare
since at the same time was bureses flechers & scamans fami-
lies & goods in said slope with several more unknowne to me
to the Comity Apointed for the disburstments
646 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-25]
Exeter 31* feburary 17 10 the disburstments of francis Ly-
ford of Exeter in dieting of solders in the Indian warre
At Cap' kinslyes halls garrson too men under the Comand of
Cap' bancraft eight weeks and of Cap' thaxter men at M"" moses
gillmans garreson ten mene five monthes to say in the winter
fall & spring
to the Comity Apointed for the disburstments
[4-26] ■ \_I)lley Dudley's Accou?it.~\
To the honerebel Commetey seting at Poi'tsmouth to examin
the provnce depts as foleth, this is to inform you that I Biley
Dudley have subsistid on of Leftanant Bancrafts solders about
5 monts Leftenant Bancraft bein then Comander in Chef her at
Exitur In the year 1690 Atest hereunto —
Left Petr ffblsum susanar ftblsum
And Lyckwis a blanket prest by the order of Peter Cofin
esquire for the Cuntry sarves when the solders went to pig-
wockit under the Comand of Capn John Oilman which said
blankit was prized by Thomas VVebster & Nicoll Goi'den at
sixteen shilings
fabray 3i 1709
[4-37] \_Petition relative to Cuttitig Timber^ etc.'\
To his Excellency ftrancis Nicholson Esq
The Petition of Sundry the Principal Inhabitants of Exet"^
In behalf of y'" selves, and others —
Most humbly Sheweth —
That being Inform'd Your Excellency is Impowered by her
Majesty to Inspect her Majesties Woods referring unto Mast
Trees &c — Doe humbly crave leave to acknowledge her princely
Wisdom In Impowering Your Excellency therein who in sev-
eral Instances have distinguished yourself every way just to
her Royall Interest, and in a particular maner ready upon all
occasions to redress her agrieved Subjects, in these her Majes-
ties Plantations —
W^hereupon wee your Petitioners humbly crave leave to In-
form y'' Excellency, that M"" Bridger, her Maj'** Surveyour Gen-
erall hath of late prohibited all maner of persons to fell any
sort of timber in her Maj*'* Subjects in these parts, for that
thousands of trees which will never bee fit for Masts will una-
voydably perish which otherwise would be sawn into boards,
wherein many hundred, whose Estate in mills, and dependance
EXETER. 647
thereon, is concerned ; the greatest part of sliippuig throughout
New England Imployed, and all the West Indies supplyed
therewith —
Therefore pray that after the Surveyour Generall as afore-
said, has markt all such trees as are or may bee fitt for masts
that wee may bee then suffered, to Improve the remainder,
without any lett, or paying of any acknowledge't
And whereas the Winter season is so farr advanced and our
teems lye unemployed would further pray, that wee may forth-
with bee permitted to Improve them, in our usual way of log-
ging ; which otherwise will render the succeeding summer alto-
gether useless —
and y"" petitioners Shall Ever pray &c
Decb'' 4"^ 1713
[The original of the foregoing is on a half sheet, which
contains no signatures ; the other half, which probably con-
tained them, is missing. — Ed.]
£4-28] \_Richard Dollof's Petition^ relative to Children
captured by Indians^ addressed to the Council and As-
sembly.~\
The Humble Petition of Richard Dollar of Exeter in s'' prov-
ince— Most Humbly Sheweth —
That vo'' Poor Petitioner went some Time Last Summer to
Canada by Land to Redeem Three Children I had made Cap-
tive by y'' Indians, but Could gett but one of them for which I
paid £12, 17, o to y* Indian Captor at Canada, & when I came
to Fort Albany I paid him £12, more, for which I Gave my
Bond to maj'' Skiler, w*^'' : y"" Petitioner hath not been able to
Discharge As yet so y' it still stands in Force against me w'^^ I
cannot Possibly Discharge of myself; being very Poor, my
afores*^ Journey having been very chargeable w*^^ I have bourn
myself without any manner of assistance, and yo"^ Poor Peti-
tioner Intending to go again to Canada this Summer to gett my
other two Children (a french Gentleman having promist me to
Redeem them from y*' Indians) humlilv Implores vo' Excellency
and Honours Christian Compassion in Giving me Relief in this
my Great Distress, by ordering my afores'' Bond to be Dis-
charged & some Further help Given me to Enable me to pro-
ceed in my aforesaid Journey and yo'' Poor Petitioner shall Ever
pray as in Duty Bound
Richard Dollof
[The assembly voted that said Dollof be paid ;Q2Q out
of the treasury. — Ed.]
648
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-29] \_Assessment on Trades and Incomes^ iyji.~\
the Domings of mens trads and Incoms for their merchandize
and trading in this towne of Exeter this present year 1731 by us
selectmen and assers
John Lord o, 3
abner Therstain o, i
Caleb Kimbell o, 2
Thomas Healy o, i
Widow Hannah Hall o, i
Thomas Dean o, 5
Benjamin Smith, o, 2
Daniel Favor o,
John Kimbell o,
Nathanael Oilman o,
Nathanael Bartlet o,
Stephen Lyford o,
John Hayns o,
James Young o, 2
Samuel Sebly o, 3
John Downing o, 2
Joseph Young o, 2
moses Swet o, 2
Samuel Oilman o, 3
Cortee Oilmon o, i
abner Coffin, o, i
Jonas Clay, o, i
Benjamin Porter o, i
Edward Ladd o, 2
John odlin o, 2
Henry Marchal o, i
Taylor Lamson o, 2
This is a true list of ou
o
6
9%
o
o
o
6
6
3/2
10
6
7
6
6
o
6
6
6
o
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
Daniel Lovrin
Josiah Oilman
John Bowden
Nicholas Parryman
William Lovrin
Samuel Richardson
Ephraim Philbrick
Theophilus Hardee
Samuel Therstain
Lt. John Robinson
Jonathan Robinson
Richard Smith
Timothy Leavit,
Nathanael Oliden
Benjamin Smith Jacob-
son
Daniel Oilman
major Bartho Thing
Daniel Lovrin
Josiah Oilman
John Bowden
Nicholas Parrvman
0,
2
6
0,
2
6
0,
2,
6
0,
2
6
0,
I
,6
0,
I
6
0,
3
, 0
0,
I
, 0
0,
2
6
01
0,
4
2
6
6
0,
0,
3
0
0
,6
0,
I
6
0,
I
0
0,
2
4
0,
0,
5
2
I
0,
2
,6
0,
2
6
0,
2
6
5,6,9
dooming which we made our Prov-
ince rat by in the year 1731 — given vmder our hands at Exeter
aforesaid this 26* Day of January 1 731/2
John Oilman ^ John Oilman
Thorn** Webster | c i f James Leavitt
eremiah Connor v
Caleb Oilman
Joseph Thing
Assessors
[4-30] [ Warrant yor the Seizure of Lumber ."^
Province of New Hamps""
To M' Peter Oreley und' Sheriff of s"^ Province
We having rec*^ a warrant from his Excellence y^ Oovener
EXETER. 649
for y* assisting the Surveyer General of y" woods in taking into
his Possession sundry parcels of white pine Boards Condemend
to y* use of his majesty by v* court of vice admirality — wich
boards Lay at Copey Hold mill black Rock mill the three mills
at Pickpocket ; Litle River mill two Tuckaway mills Gilmans
mill Halls mill at Piscasset — Wadleys mill hook mill and sec-
ond rtalls mill — and it being suggested that y"" s'* Boards are all
Removed from s'' mills to v" end that Certan Intelligence may be
had thereof — These are in his majesteys name to Command
and Require you forthwith to Repear to s'^ mills all being in
y* town of Exeter within s*^ Province and Examine into what
quantey of white pine Boards Remain theare of those that
weare Condemed as above s'' and make Return thereof unto us
so soon as you convenantly Can you are hereby Impowerd to
Impress a Guide or Guides if you have ocation for such for
wich this is your warent
Dated at Portsmouth Nov' y* 2^ 1 739
Geo : Jaffrey )
Josh : Pirce j J Pace
a trew Copey Atts*^ Peter Greley und"" sheriff'
[R. 384] \_Georg-e Creighton^s Petition. '\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq]' Captain
Generall Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his
Majestys Province of New Hampshire and To the Hon''''' his
Majestys Councill and house of Representatives Convened in
General Assembl}- —
Humbly Shews George Creighton of Exeter That he w\as at
the Reduction of Cape Breton as Clerk of the Company under
the Command of Cap' Daniel Ladd and Performed his Duty in
that Company untill the Third Day of September Last when
at the Request of the Remaining part of the said Company to
Collo' Samuel Moore he obtained Leave of absence and to Re-
turne to New England to Take Care of Such Things as their
Friends might see fit to send them and then by the First Con-
venient opportunity to Return to his Duty at Louisbourg. And
accordingly your Petitioner retiu'iied to New England and used
his utmost Dispatch in Procuring Such Necessarys and Taking
Care of them, and in Returning to his Duty at Louisbourg
where he arrived on the Twenty fifth of November last, when
he was appointed a Sergeant in the Company under the Com-
mand of the said Coll" Moore, where your Petitioner Did his
Duty by himself and his brother (who he hired part of the
Time) — untill Coll" Moore Returned home. And your Peti-
650 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tioner having had nothing allowed him for Said Service from
the time of his first return to New England untill his return
home with Collo' Moore, Your Petitioner humbly prays Your
Excellency and hon''^ will consider him herein and allow him
what your Excellency & hon"'' in your Great Wisdom Shall See
meet — and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Ac-
Dated Aug. 20"" 1 746 George Creighton
[He was allowed twenty-fiv^e shillings per month for nine
months and eleven days.]
[R. 38=5] \_Dr. Robert Gibnafis Petitioti addressed to the
''' Gen^ Court Assembled.'''^
The Humble Petition of Robert Gilman of Exeter one of
the Doctors in the late Expedition to Cape Bretton, Humbly
Shews that on or about the first day of June last at Cape Bret-
ton afores*^ your Petitioner was greatly wounded in his left heel
by a piece of a bomb by means whereof he was obliged on the
7* of said June to return home with Capt" Wise & to pay
Capt" Wise for necessarys on the Passage five pounds old tenor
& to M"' Peacock at Portsmouth for his dyet Lodging and at-
tendance forty shillings old tenor and your Petitioner after his
return home was at great Cost in Curing his wound besides the
great pain he endured both at Cape Bretton and at Sea & a
month after he came home and never expects to have the free
use of his heel as before wounded.
* * * Rob' Gilman
Exeter Nov' 27'^ 1745 —
[He asked for an allowance, which was granted to the
extent of five pounds, July 31, 1746. — Ed.]
[R. 3S6] \_Capt. Daniel Ladd^ Jt'-^s^ Petition^ addressed to
the General Assembly-^
The Petition of Daniel Lad Jun''
Humbly sheweth, that your Petitioner enlisted on the Expe-
dition for Canada under Cap' Odlin ; & when Order of Gov-
ernment required some to go down to Nova Scotia freely went
in his Majestys Service thither, were he was taken by the
French, by them imprisoned in France, used very hardly, re-
duced to the utmost weakness & ill habit of Body, & not till
several months relieved by Cartel and lodged in the Hospital
EXETER. 65 1
at Gosport where he underwent much by a Fever & a Con-
sumptive Cou.2,h for two months, & soon after seized with
Small Pox, All which being very afflictive, expensive, with
more Loss of Time than perhaps any of my fellow Soldiers
have : * * * Dan' Lad
Nov. ii"" 1747 Voted that this Petition be dismissed The
Petitioner being a Kings Soldier
D. Peirce Clk
f R. 387] [ The folloxving shozvs the Equipment of an Officer
in the Fre)tch War :'\
An Inventory of Cloaths &c Taken bv the Indians from
Major John Oilman after the Capitulation at Fort William
Henry in August 1757 — Viz.
To I Great Coat £15, — three other Coats £40 — £^5.0,0
3 Jackets .£30 — 3 Waiste Coats £12 — 42,0,0
I Gown £9 — 3 p'' breeches £14 — 33,0,0
5 White Shirts £25 — 4 Striped Do <£io — 3^,0,0
1 pr boots 90 s — 2 p'' Shoes 50 s — 7iO,o
3 Worsted Capps 33^- 6 — 3 Linnen D" 30.s- — 3,3,6
2 black ribbands 335 6 — 3 Silk handk*'' 60^ 4,2,6
I Tea pot 15^- — I Cofte pot 9^ — 2 tin pint pots ^
7^6- I
1 D" y^, pint 2s I D" Jill i^ 6 I Tunnel 2s— \ 2,6,6
Grater 156 |
2 Tin Sause 6y — 3 Tea Spoons li' 9 j
4"' Chocolate 20s i"" Tea 355' — S"* Coffee 325- 457^0
3 p"" worsted stockins 1005 — 3 p'' Cotton D" 755 —
3 p"^ yarn D'' ^2s 6 — 1 1,7,6
I gold Laced Hatt £\2 \ Ditto plain £4 16,0,0
I Wigg 905 — 2 tin Canisters 10^- lib. Ginger ^s S»5,o
Bible 3 \'ols 60^^ Sermon book io.t Ivory book 155 4,5,0
I book of Militarv discipline 0,15,0
2" Pump nails 2.s- 6, 14 ' lo'i Ditto 3^—1 lirass Ink
pot 10^ — 0,15,6
1 Pocket knife & fork "]$ — i paper Ink powder 5^ 12,0
2 p'' gloves 20^ — I bridle 20^ — Saddle baggs 405 4,0,0
I Comb \s 6 2 blankets £6 — i Chest Lock 2o.v — 7, 1,6
I Gun £17,10,1 Sword Silver hilted £20, — i
Flask 30^- — 39,0,0
I Watch £20, 1 Tin paper Case 7^- 6 20,7,6
I Pocket book 5.V Cash 505 — Table Cloth 15^- ) ^
1 glass bottle 2s — i wooden Ditto ^s — j S'^^'O
2 flat Irons 335' 9, i Punch bowl 13^- 3'' — 2,7,0
652 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
63^"' Pewter 605 9*^ — ^ Doz Tea Cups & Sau-
sers 15^— 3ii5'9
Yi Doz knives & folks 335 9*^ Yi Doz wine
gksses 33^ 9 ^ 3,7,6
I pepper box 25 — a Cuttoo 65 — ^ Pins 4^^ — 0,1 2,0
2>A }'** QLuility for gunstring 35 — i hodd 12^ 6 0,15,6
I Sword belt 15^ — 6"' Soap iSj- — i^iS^o
To ni}' Negro boy's Gun & Cfoathing \
he being taken & Carry*^ to Canada j 30,0,0
New Tenor SSo^iS'S
Errors Excepted per John Gihnan
Sworn to in y* house May 5, 175^ —
Memorandum
The Great Coat within mentioned was of Drabb Kersey
ahnost new — one of the other Three Coats & one pair of the
Breeches were of bkie broad Cfoth Fine (hitely made) such as
is now sold for £27 old Tenor per yard — another of the said
Three Coats was of Fine Duroy lined with the same — about
one Qiiarter worn — The other of said Coats was of Light Col-
oured broad Cloth had been Turn'd & New lined — one of the
Jackets was of Scarlet broad cloth fine and new lined with
white Tammy — another of the Jackets was of Cutt Velvet
Figured — The other Jacket w^as of Green Silk Camblet Trimed
with Silver Twist on Vellum — The other pair of the Breeches
were of New Deer Skin — both of the waiste Coats was of
broad cloth light coloured about half vv^orn
[In H. of Rep., May 5, 1758, he was allowed £\6o. In
1761, Major Oilman petitioned for an allowance for the loss
of time, clothes, etc., of his " negro slave by the name of
Ceaser Nero," who was in Capt. Richard Emery's company,
and taken prisoner at Fort William Henry in 1757. He
was allowed ;£^8o new tenor. — Ed.]
[R. 3S9] \^Dr. yo/iH Lamsoti's Petition.']
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Captain General,
Governer and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties
Province of New^ Hampshire —
To the Hon'''^ his Majesties Council and House of Representa-
tives for said Province — Conven'd in General Assembly De-
cember 26'^ 175S —
The Petition of John Lamson of Exeter in said Province
Surgeon — Most Humbly Sheweth — That on the Twentieth day
EXETER. 653
of June 1757 Your Petitioner was Employ'd by the Hon'''®
Comittee of Warr as Surgeons ISIate to the New Hampshire
Regiment then on the Canada Expedition and Accordingly
Proceeded with a part of said Regiment to Fort William Hen-
ry, where your Petitioner, after a Siege of Seven days was
taken Prisoner by the Cohnewagoe Indians & Carried to Can-
ada where he remained a Prisoner for about the Space of Four
Months, and was then transported to Several Parts of France,
and from thence to Plymouth in England where your Petitioner
took Passage in the Norwich Man of War and arriv'd at Bos-
ton the Seventh day of October last & got home on the twelvth
of the same Month — That the said Indians strip'd your Peti-
tioner of his Cloaths and other things, An Inventory of which
is herwith Exhibited — That in the time of your Petitioners
Captivity he had the Small Pox in Qiiebec, and the Nervous
Fever in France, both which, were verv Chargeable and Ex-
pensive, as well as very Grievous and Distressing; With many
other Scenes of Diflicultys and Troubles too Tedious to be
here Enumerated — Wherefore Your Petitioner most humbly
prays Your Excellency and Honours to take his Case and Con-
dition under your wise Consideration And Grant him such
Relief, and in such Way and Manner as Your Excellency &
Honours in Your Great Wisdom and wonted Clemency shall
see fit —
And your Petitioner as in Dutv bound shall ever Prav &c
John Lamson
[He was allowed ;^i6o new tenor. — Ed.]
[4-31] \^Ephraun Robinson'' s Declaration relating to a
Town-AIeeti7tg at Exeter^ Dec. 2, //jj".]
Memorandom of the meating
After the moderator Was Chosen he ordered the People to
bring in their Votes in Writing Which they Proceeded to Doe
& when I came to Put in my Vote the Selectmen W'ith a num-
ber of other men Ware Set Round the table so that I could
not Put in my Vote Witliout Reaching over mens heads or the
hatts held out to me — & oliscrved it the Like with others \\hen
the Votes Ware numbered & the Person Declared to be chosen
the moderator was told the Votes Ware not all Brot in to
Which he answered it Was to Late to Bring in then for the
Person Was Chosen ; then their Was a Pole desired by 7 Per-
sons or more & it Was Denied and the moderator Said he
wold Procede to the Coice of a Second Person to wich he was
answered that the first Was not chosen vet and that We Should
654 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
not Proced to the choice of a 2*^ till We had a Pole for the first
& he Still Refused to Doe it ; then I Desired the moderator
not to Proced till We had given our names in Writing that De-
manded a Pole the Names of 14 Persons or more Being Given in
Writing the moderator Still Refused to Grant a Pole Was asked
— the Reason Whye he Would not Grant it — to W^hich he an-
swered that he thought he could not tell So Well By Poleing as By
Proxes Who Was qualified Voters and Who Was not ; in Vote-
ing for the 2*^ Person a number of Persons Declared they
Would not Vote till the first Vote Was Decided ; and in Voting
for the Last Person their Was i Vote Changed after it Was Put
into the hatt ; and Some more W^as asked to be changed ; and
When the Second Person Was Declared to Be chosen their
Was a Pole again Demanded By 7 Persons or more But not
granted the Whole of the meating Was carried on With the
greatest Irregularity & confusion after the moderator Was
chosen that ever I See in any town meeting Before —
The above is to the Best of my Remembrance on the above
Perticklers. Errors Exepted Pr me —
Eph" Robinson
[4-32] \_ReJative to Joseph Bartletfs Pay as Member of the
Assembly .'\
Know all men that wheiras Joseph Bartlett Esq has this Day
Sined an obligation to ous the Subscribers thereby Promising
to Drow or Receive no pay for his Servis for Seting as a mem-
ber in Congress Save for his travil Excepting what ye town
Shall See cause to alow him — we promise that if the town
Shall Refuse to Submit the Same to ye judgment of men that
may be agreed upon by ye s*^ Bartlet & the town that wee will
Deliver to the s'^ Bartlet the Quitence now sined to us
Exeter November 16"' d ye 1775
Stephen Bartlet
Samuel Hoit,
Daniel mooss
[4~33] \_Peter Coffi?i's Petition.']
Colony of
Newhampshire
To the Hon"« the Councill. and the Hon"'''^ the House of Rep-
resentatives of the Colony of Newhampshire in General
Assembly convened by Adjournment on the Sixth day of
March at Exeter 1776 —
Humbly Shews the Petition of Peter Coffin of Exeter in the
County of Rockingham in Said Colony Clerk — that on or
EXETER. 655
about the begining of June last, your Petitioners Son Elipha-
let Coffin of Exeter aforesaid Physician (having the Difficuhies
and Dangers of the People of these Colonies much at heart)
Enlisted himself as a Private Soldier in the Company of Capt
Samuel Oilman in the Service of this Colony in the American
Army, Then formed and forming for the defence & Security of
the Invaded Rights, Liberties, Lives and Properties of the good
People of the L^nited Colonies of North America — & in that
quality — Intended to Serve, but Soon after his Arrival at Head
Quarters, was called Upon to attend the Hospital among the
Sick and Wounded, As a Surgeon's and Physicians Mate ; in
which Offices & Department he Used and Exercised himself
Even in the lowest, the most Serviceable Offices to the Sick
Until the Ninth day of January when he came home on fur-
lough, to See ; and make what Small provisions he could for
his wife and two Small Children in Indigent circumstances, but
was taken Sick on the road home and Soon after languished
and Died —
That your Petitioner Since & before the death of his Said
Son has been often informed that He was greatly Serviceable
to the Sick in the Hospital and Elsewhere, That he greatly de-
served much more than a Private Soldiers wages, for his
great care of the Sick and wounded — That the Widow and
Children of said deceased have been Sick a long time before
and since his Decease — That the laws and Customs of the Land
(not to say Natural Affections) Devolve upon your Petitioner
the future Support of them as far as his Ability will Extend — ■
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays your Hon'* to take
the matter of this Petition — under your wise Consideration,
and grant such relief and in such manner as your Hon'"' Shall
See fit —
And yovu" Petitioner Shall Ever pray &c
Peter Coffin
[4—35 [^Relative to some hoarded Salt., etc.~\
To the Hon''''' Council & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral assembly Convein'd, the Memorial & Petition of a Num-
ber of the Freeholders & Inhabitants of the Town of Exeter
in the Colony of New Hampshire, Humblv shews, that there
is in store in this town a Qiiantity of Salt, which is an article
absolutely Necessary, & at this Season of the Year in an Espe-
cial manner, & that the owner or owners of s'd salt Refuse to
sell the same wherebv the Inhabitants of this & the Neighbour-
ing Towns will soon be Brouglit into the Greatest Distress —
which we fear will Drive People to that madness & Despera-
tion that is the natural Consequence of Extortion & oppression,
656
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
unless your honors Interpose In the affair, we assure your hon-
ors that it is with the utmost concern that we have ahnost Daily
Instances of Extortion & oppression before our Eyes in the
Extravegant Prices Demanded for West India Goods of all
kinds which with the Enormous Prices of Linens & Woolens
that are Necessary, causes a Burden that is Extreamly Griev-
ious and Distressing & which we humbly apprehend cannot be
much Longer Born — Wherefore we Humbly Pray your honors
Sereious Consideration thereon & that you wou'd take some
Effectual measures to Prevent that Evil which we fear Vizt.
Desperation & confusion, & yr Petitioners as in Duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c
Exeter July 5"^ 1776
Sam' Gilman j'"
William Bennett
Theodore Carlton
Josiah Weeks
Jonathan Nelson
moses Louge
James Creighton
Josiah Rawlins
Samuel Tenney
Robert Light
Benj" Boardman
James Thurstin
Joseph Stacy
John Thusten
Daniel Robinson
James Folsom
Eliphalet Davis
Simeon Ladd
Biley Gilman
Thomas Folsom
Moses Holman
Sam" Folsom
William Hackett
James folsom
John W. Gilman
Peter Coffin Jun""
W" Elliott
Samuel Gilman
Samuel Dutch
Daniel Jones
Winthrop odlln
Samuel Connor
James Johnson
John Dean
Joshua W^iggin
Peter Folsom
Josiah Beal
Sam' Harris
Tho* Gilman
Daniel Gi'ant
Dudely Leavit
Robert Kimball
Samuel Rost
Joseph Boardman
Will"' Odlin
Noah Emery Jun''
Daniel Gilman 3**
Charles Rundletjun'' Jedidiah Jewett
Joseph Lougee Lemuel Davis
James Haynes Ichabod Davis
Trueworthy Folsom Stephen Thing
Eliph' Gilman James Rundlet
[4-36] [^Relative to Theophil us SmitJi s Appoint >nentr\
To the Hon'''^ The Council for the Colony of New Hampshire
Humbly Shews,
The Subscribers, Inhabitants of The Town of Exeter in said
Colony, that we understand that Cap' Theophilus Smith of
said Exeter has been chosen & appointed by the Hon**'® the
Assembly of said Colony a Justice of the Peace for the County
of Rockingham ; That we conceive the appointment of him to
that Office will be verry disagreeable to the Generallity of the
said Town, As he has apparently been unfriendly to the Liber-
EXETER.
657
Wherefore we prav That your Honours would not concur
the Vote for his Appointment to said Office till the said Town
may have an opportunity of Manifesting their Opinion relative
thereto —
Exeter June 37*'' 177^
VV" Elliot
Sam" Folsom
Winthrop odlin
Samuel Rost
James Rundlet
Nich. Oilman
Jedidiah Jewett
William Hackett
Will'" Odlin
Caleb Oreenleaf
Adams
Charles Rundlet
Jun^
Eliphalet Hale
Dudlev Becket
Benj" Jenkins
Peter Coffin Jun"'
Samuel Thing
Sam' Harris
Robert Light
Jonathan Perkins
Timothy Chamber- John Oilman
lain
John W. Oilman
John Hopkinson
Charles Rundlet
Thomas Creighton
William Meeds
Daniel Orant
Samel Dutch
Joseph wiggin
[4-38]
Col. Nicholas Oilman, Sir Pleas To Pay To Sam" Oilman
All the Wages Due To Us for Keeping the Ouard at Jale and
his Receight Shall Bee your Discharge and In So Doing you
will Oblige yours To Serve
Exeter mar'' 28 17 78
Theophilus Folsom
John Carr York
Samuel Rust
Will'" Odlin
Sam' Harris
Simeon Palmer
James Rundlett
[R. 39=5] {^Adjutaftt William Elliofs Petition addressed to
the General Assembly^ March 2, I'jj8.~\
Humbly Sheweth William Elliot of Exeter in the County of
Rockingham and state afores** Oentleman,
That your Remonstrant engaged in the Continental Service
as Adjutant to Col Hales Regiment the second day of last
April — The first of last May he marched with the Regim' for
Ticonderoga — was taken prisoner at the Battle of Flubberton,
in which he was wounded and stripped of his cloaths & other
propert}' to the amount of three hundred pounds lawful Money.
After being kept a prisoner untill the 18"' day of September
last he was retaken and returned home
* * * William Elliot
43
658 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 396]
State of New Hampshire — Rockingham ss.
We the Subscribers do acknowledge ourselves Inlisted Sol-
diers for the Town of Exeter for the Tarme of three years To
Sarve in the Continental armey & promis obedience To the
Rules & Regulations of the Camp ,,i,
Exeter April the fourth 1781 John X Edmards
Test Saml. Folsom ■"""
April 17"* 1781 Ephraim Dudley
his
April 23 1781 Eliphelet X Rolings
mark
Test Saml Folsom
[4-39] \_Richard jfordan, relative to Paper- AIilL'\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon*"'^ the Council and House of Representatives of
Said State of New Hampshire Convened in General As-
sembly Nov"" 9* 1778.
Humbly Shews Richard Jordan of Exeter in Said State Pa-
per maker —
That Your Petitioner has at a Great Expence Erected a Pa-
per Mill in Exeter aforesaid which he Conceives will be of
Great Benefit to this State, if he Could be Encouraged by the
Authority of this State in the Collecting raggs for making pa-
per, in the doing of which he has already been put to Great
Expence and Trouble, and has Chiefly Collected his Late and
Present Stock from other States. —
Wherefore Your Petitioner Prays this Hon'''* Court to Pass a
Resolve Similar to one Passed in the State of the Mass"'* Bay
Feb-^ 16"' 1776, in the following words Viz
"Whereas this State Cannot be Supplied with a Sufficient
Qiiantity of Paper for its own Consumption without the Par-
ticular Care of its Inhabitants in Saving raggs for the Paper
Mill — Therefore Resolved that the Committees of Correspond-
ence, Inspection & Safety in the Several Towns & places in
this State Be and they hereby are required Imediately to Ap-
point Some Suitable person in their respective Towns & places
(where it is not already done) to receive I'aggs for the Paper
Mill, and the Inhabitants of this State are hereby Desired to
be Very Carefull in Saving even the Smallest quantity of raggs
proper for making paper, which will be a further Evidence of
their Disposition to Promote the Public good" — or to Pass
Such other resolve Concerning the same as Your Honours
Shall See fit — and Your Petitioner w'ill pray &c
Richard Jordan
EXETER. 659
[4-40] \_Relative to Parish RatesJ\
To the Hon''^^ Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hamp'' in General Assembly conven'd at Exe-
ter the 27"^ of March 1779
The Petition of a Number of Inhabitants of the Town of
Exeter of both Parishes Humbly Sheweth That in the year 1755
An Act passed the General Court to Set off a Number of Per-
sons therein named from the Old Parish in said Town & formed
them into a new Parish, in which Act there is a clause that
obliges all Persons that move into said Town or that arrive to
the age of Twenty one years shall within three months after,
enter their names with the Clerk of the New Parish, and then
carry a Certificate from said Clerk to the Town Clerk and get
him to enter the same on the Town book signifying their de-
sire to belong to the New Parish, and if that formality is neg-
lected by any means, they shall belong to the Old Parish, & be
obliged to pav towards the Support of a Minister whom per-
haps they never heard which said Clause has caused great un-
easiness in this Town & been a great means of keeping up
discord between the two Parishes, because a number of Per-
sons belonging to the New Parish having through Ignorance or
forgetfullness neglected to enter their names as aforesaid within
three months are afterwards rated at the old Parish from year
to year & Constantly attend worship at the New Parish, which
your Petitioners think is a very great hardship. Wherefore
they Prav that the aforesaid Clause in the said Act may be Re-
pealed & made void & that all Persons may have libert}' to pay
where they attend worship & not be obliged to pay else-
where. Or that your Honours would grant such other relief
as you in your wisdom shall think best, & as in duty bound
your Petitioners will ever pray
Harvey Colcord Joseph Boardman George Colcord
Tho° Odiorne Alex' Morrison Isaac Williams
Josiah Oilman Sam" Oilman Ward Clark Dean
Daniel Oilman Josiah Barker Jn° Taylor Oilman
Trueworthy Oilman Stephen Thing Benj° Boardman
Ebenezer Swasey Elip*" Ladd Robert Light
Thomas dean Stephen H. Creigh- Simeon Ladd
Gideon Lamson ton Edward Colcord
Jonathan Call Caleb Green Adams Josiah Ladd
John Py Williams Enoch Poor John Dean
Truew-^' Folsom Dan" Oilman Noah Emery Jun'
Nicolas Nicolle Bradbray Sandborn Josiah WSatt
Benjamin Lamson Benj" Smith Eliphalet Giddings
Josiah Oilman Jun' Edmund Looge Josiah Beal
66o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jonathan Lord
Looge
Nath" Giddings
Nicholas Gihnan
Jun"-
Samuel Brooks Jun''
Joseph Swasey
Jeremiah Leavit
John Ward Gilman
Theophilus Folsom
Winthrop Odlin
Daniel Jones
Thomas Gilman
Jabez Dodge
John Hopkinson
Sam' Gilman 3''
Caleb Robinson
John Swett
Daniel Tilton
James Folsom J
moses Louge
Jonathan louge
Sam' Tenny
Jonathan Folsom
Samuel Sawyer
John york
Benj"^ Saftbrd
Joseph wiggin
Eliph' Gilman Jun""
James McClure
Sam' Blodget
Joseph Tilton
James Folsom
Benj Robinson
Samuel Duth
James Thurstin
Joseph Adams
James Rundlet
Jon'' Kinsman
Joseph Osborne
[R. 398] \_Account for Supplies to Soldiers^ JPamilies r^
1 78 1 The State of New Hampshire to the Town of Exeter
for supplying Soldiers familys —
To paid Maj. Daniel Tilton for supplying Sam' \
Marshes family in 17S1 as per Rec* ) £ 6,0,0
To paid Joseph Cram for supplying Benj^ Morses 1
family in 1781 as p"" his Rce' j 6,0
To paid Cap' Trueworthy Gilman for supplying "j
Jon" Floods wife as p'' her Rec' in the year |-
1781 ) 10,18
To paid Eph'" Robinson for sundrys supplyd |
Thomas Websters family in 17S1 as p'' ace' J '^•,'^^'^
To p'' ditto for Cash supply'' Ditto in Continental \
Currency £109, 4, o j
To paid ditto for supplies to Carter Gilman's femily \
in 1781: p"" ace' 15 6 j 0,1,6
To paid James Thursten for supplying ditto in 1781 \
as per his ace' j 2,2,3
Exeter March 1782
Errors Excepted per
26,9,6
Tames Thurston ^01 .
•L. i.1 /".-I Selectmen
1 rueworthy Gilman 1 r
I Exeter
Eph'" Robinson
Joseph Cram
[The families of Webster, Marsh, Morse, and Flood were
assisted in 1782. — Ed.]
EXETER. 66 1
[R. 400] \_Lt. Col. yeremiah Gilman''s Petition addressed
to the General Assembly ., Nov. 2, 77<?2.]
The memorial of Jere' Oilman late L' Colo' of Col" Joseph
Cilleys Reg' from s"* state in the service of the united states of
america —
Humbly Sheweth — That your memorialist zealous to con-
tribute to the emancipation of his native Country from that
Labyrinth of accumulated distress in which it was involved, by
the artful machinations of the British Ministry, and the more
Infernal stratagims of Internal Foes; early in the Campaign of
1775 — entered the service of this Country as Captain of a
company in the ^"^ Massachusetts Reg' Commanded by Col"
John Nixon in which station he endeavoured to the utmost of
his ability to discharge the arduous duty incumbent on him
with iidelity, and as he hopes with some degree of approba-
tion, from those he had the Hon"' to serve with, 'till the close of
the Campaign in 1776 — when a new arangement of the army
took place at which time the Hon''' Commissioners from the
state of New Hampshire being then in Camp, after the fulest
information from the Gen' and other officers respecting the
ability, conduct, & merrit of candidates for officers did your
memorialist the Hon'' of appointing him a Captain in the first
N. Hampshire Reg'
That on April 2^ '777 — yo'-'r memorialist had the further
Hon' of being appointed Major of the i'' N. Hampshire Reg'
commanded by Col" Cilley. and early in the Campaign of that
year joined the Reg' at Tyconderoga where he continued to
discharge the duty of that appointment and to the best of his
knowledge unimpeached, till the 5"' of July tlien following be-
ing the time of the unhappy retreat from Ticonderoga during
which retreat the extream rain which fell, the forced marches,
want of proper covering, and of necessary sustenance, and
other hardsips which in the faithful discharge of you memori-
alist duty in those circumstances were unavoidable so far in-
jured his health that it was with great difficulty he ever arrived
at Saratoga, and which was productive of such complicated
bodily disorders as by their long continuance since hath well
nigh ruined his constitution — immediately on his arriving at
Saratoga he consulted a Physician who foiuid the ill state of his
health increasing and no probability of sudding relief advised
that he should be sent out of Camp — whereupon Gen' Poor &
Col" Cilley sent him down to Albany which Journey tliough
not more than half a days ride your memorialist with great
fatigue & industry was four days in performing & as soon as he
had reached Albany was exercised with a sevear fever which
obliged him to lie bed rid for several weeks. That on y*' 20"^
of Sept. 1777 your memorialist had the additional hon' of be-
662 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ing appointed L' Col° of Col" Cilleys Reg* — that just as he was
beginning to recover a little from his disorders the fever ague
made a most violent assult on the feble & shattered body of
your memorialist which continued its outrages with very little
remision 'till after the army had marched to the southward,
notwithstanding the skill & attention of Doctor Treat one of
the Physicians Gen" who attended the memorialist & fed him
with Peruvian Bark by wholesale — & who frequently advised
him to endeavor to ride homeward, if possible, in hops that the
change of air might assist in throwing oft' the fever ague not-
withstanding which such was your memorialists attention to
his duty & attachment to the army that as soon as by the addi-
tional aid of the cold weather his disorders was so far mitigated
that he was able to ride though but a small distance in a day
he set oft' in pursuit of the army & Joyned the Regt before they
crosed the Delaware then proceeded to Valley Forge where
the Reg' was cantoned for the winter when Col" Cilley &
Lt Col" Reid returning home your memorialist had the Hon'
of commanding the Reg' that winter & as he humbly con-
ceives to the entire satisfaction of that part of the army with
which he was connected — That in the spring of 177^ yo^i"
memorialist was obliged by Gen' orders to take the small Pox
which was followed by the fever ague & which had like to
have proved fatal however after considerable time he so far re-
covered his health that when the enemy left Philadelphia he
was able to pursue them with the Reg' Col° Cilley being de-
tached with Gen' Lee your memorialist had the Hon'' to com-
mand the Reg' in the battle of nionmouth & also had the
further Hon'' of shareing with others in the favourable opinion
his Excellency the commander in chief was pleased to express
of the officers & soldiers on that occasion — and no considerable
movements happening afterward that campaign 'till the army
moved to vjJiite plains & from thence to Hartford where your
memorialist was taken down with a putrid fever, which brought
on a severe dysentery, where he lay dispared of by his Physi-
cians for more than three months — mean while the Reg' moved
on & took winter quarters at Danbury — in this situation the
memorialist applied to a private Physician which with other
incidental charges cost him some hundred of dollars for which
he never rec'* a farthing — That in the month of Dec"' Gen' Poor
& Col" Cilley called to see the memorialist when on their way
home & finding him unable to travel gave him leave to return
home whenever he thought himself able to undertake the task
— That the latter end of Jan u^' 1779 — the memorialist set off"
for home who with difficulty after many days with great ex-
pence arived home having been absent almost two years — That
when Gen' Poor & Col" Cilley were going on to Camp in the
EXETER. 663
spring they called to see the memorialist & finding him to con-
tinue so unwell that it was impossible for him to join the army
& thereupon ordered him to tarry at home if possible to recover
his health & then proceed to camp — but notwithstanding great
care & expence the memorialist continued in a very low state
through the summer, & toward the close of that campaign as
he had often done before solicited Gen' Poor to procure him
a discharge from the service which the Gen' had as often
refused observing that as the memorialist had lost his health
& probably ruined his constitution in the service of his Coun-
try that it was wrong for him then to resign — but the memori-
alist continuing in so ill a state of health dispaired of ever
being able to serve his country again in the field & that it was
painful to him to stand in the way of a better man that could
render actual service to his Country continued to solicit a dis-
charge & at length from the commander in chief obtained one
bearing date March 24"* 17S0 — the tennor of which cannot op-
perate to the dishon"" of the memorialist — That notwithstanding
your memorialist was so very unfortunate as by the fatigues of
a Camp life to loose his health & vastly injure his constitu-
tion— yet he humbly conceives himself, by the resolves of the
Hon**'* Gen' assembly of the state, as fully intitled to receive the
depreciation of the money paid him for w^ages during the time
he belonged to the N. Hampshire line of the army, as his broth-
er officers who have been more happy in preserving their
health & constitutions & more fortunate in obtaining some
allowance for the depreciation of the money paid them for
wages &c
* * * Jere"' Gilman
[R. 401] \_Abstract J'ro?n Martha Poors Petition.'\
[In a petition dated March 24, 1781, Martha Poor states
" That Brig"" General Poor her late Husband entered into the
service of the State at the Commencement of the present
war. That he continued in said service 'till his death which
was on the Eighth day of September last." She asks that
the depreciation of his wages may be made up to her. She
petitions again in 1784, asking to be placed on the half-pay
roll, according to "act of the Hon^'*^ Congress of the 24'**
of August 1780," which was granted April 16, 1784. — Ed.]
[R. 404] S^Abstract frotn Petition of TJiotnas Haincs.~\
[In a petition dated June 2, 1785, Thomas Haines, of
Exeter, states, " That whereas your said petitioner having
664 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
been a Continental Soldier in the first New Hamp'' Regi-
ment, and by reason of a wound which rendered him unfit
for duty either in the Field, or Garrison, has got a regular
Discharge Signed by His Excellency Gen^ Washington Esq.
Recommending him to the State of New Hamp'^' as one
who has ever behaved himself like a good Soldier, and In-
titled to the provision made by Congress in such cases."
He asked to be enrolled as an invalid pensioner, which was
granted. — Ed.]
[R. 405] \_Abstract yrom Nicholas Nlcholle^ s Petition.^
[In a petition, Nicholas Nicholle, of Exeter, about 1790,
states, " That at the Commencement of the late war with
Great Britain he entered into the service of this State &
continued in said service until peace took place." He fur-
ther stated that he had become blind and infirm, and wanted
an allowance. The petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
[4-41] \_Relatlve to Phillips Exeter Academy.^
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon''''' The Council and House of Representatives in
general Assembly convened at Exeter Feby 25"* 1783
The petition and remonstrance of us (whose names are un-
derwritten, inhabitants of the Town of Exeter, for themselves
and others, Citizens of the State of Newhampshire) humbly
sheweth That Nath' Folsom Esq"" Nicholas Oilman and Samuel
Folsom Esq'^'' have preferred a petition to the Hon'''*' Legisla-
ture, requesting, that the clause in the act of incorporation of
Phillips Exeter Academy whereby the real and personal estate
given for the use of s'^ Academy, shall be exempted forever
from all taxes whatsoever may be repealed —
That we conceive s'' petition not to be founded on principles
of public utility, or on reasons that will warrant a compliance
with it. That all the lands, tenements &c the Hon''''' John
Phillips Esq' has convey'd to the Trustees of s'' institution will
be wholly devoted unquestionably to the use of the public, and
not be limited to the benefit of any particular Town or place —
That the Trustees most freely consent to an explanitory addition
being made to the s** act of incorporation, setting forth, that
it is not the spirit and design thereof, to exempt any of the
lands or tenements of s^ Academy from taxes any longer than
EXETER. 665
they continue to the use of the Trustees for which they were
given.
That the proprietors of the Town of Sandwich, never re-
quested s** Trustees prior to their petition here referred to, to
contribute any thing toward defraj'ing the expenses, arising
from any lawsuit, either now or heretofore depending, about
the title of any lands in Sandwich.
That s*^ Trustees will freely give bonds from under their
hands, that thev will contribute their part in proportion to their
lands, in defraying the charges that have arisen or may arise,
from any suit in law, that has been depending or is still de-
pending, about the title of proprietary lands in Sandwich. That
they conceive it unconstitutional, and a dangerous precedent,
to give redress to the Proprietors afores"* otherways than as
hereby specified.
That repealing anv part of s'^ act of incorporation, thereby
abridging or diminishing it otherways than by explaining the
clause of s*^ act exempting the real estate of s^ Academy for-
ever from taxes, will be taking property from the Trustees
without their consent ; for they, tho a body corporate, have as
such, no voice in the legislation of the State.
That it will be taking from them a civil right, which is ab-
solutelv unalienable, but bv misuse or rong application.
That it has been almost iniiversallv agreed, bv all nations,
and is a settled principle in common law% thro' the civilized
world, that no charter or grant can be constitutionally abridged
or diminished, without the consent of the grantee.
That to grant the petition of the proprietors of the Town of
Sandwich, will be in danger of subverting the design of the
institution, for which your petitioners are now interceeding.
That we humbly conceive one charter or grant may as con-
stitutionally be abridged or diminished as another, — and conse-
quently, all propertv. may rest on, the precarious foundation of
circumstances, perpetuallv liable to change.
That we do not conceive, your petitioners, for themselves
and others, owning lands in the Town of Sandwich, are in any
degree injured by an abridgeinent of their Charter or grant, by
the act of incorporation of the Academy afore"''. That, moreover,
the consequences resulting from this cxemptino clause of the act
afores*^ will not be even incidentally oppressive to the proprie-
tors afores**, ther land thereby exempted from taxes, being on
sale ; and it being unquestionable, that it will be actually sold,
as soon as possible, it being necessary to the verv existence of
the rising institution in order to the acquisition of monies, for
the annual support of a Preceptor. For these and other rea-
sons, that might be luged, your petitioners humbly pray this
Hon"*-' Court, not to repeal any part of the act of incorporation
666
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
referred to, in the petition of y* proprietors of the Town of
Sandwich ; and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray—
James Rundlett
Isaac Williams
Joseph Tilton
James Folsom
Robert Parkes
Eph'" Robinson
Thomas Gilman
Eliphalet Ladd
Benj Lamson
Sam Brooks
Thomas Dean
Alex'' Morison
Eliphalet Hale
Joseph Swasey
Gideon Lamson
Timothy Chamber-
lain
William Bennett
Moses Kimball
John Shaw
Samuel Tenney
John Fogg
Sam' Harris
Joseph Louge
O. Peabody
Isaac Mansfield
Nath' Gilman
Joseph Osborne
John Hopkinson
Jedidiah Jewett
Josiah Beal
John Dean
William Meed
Josiah Wyatt
Sam' Hobart
Joseph Swasey Jun Benj" Smith
Josiah Ladd John Connor
Spencer wallis
Josiah Robinson
James Leavitt
Ward Clark Dean
James Thurston
Samuel Brooks j'
Dudley Nicholle
Jacob Pearson
Robert Light
Sam' Gilman
Peter Coffin
Kinsley Hall
Edmund Pearson
Simeon Palmer
Daniel Rogei's
Benjamin Conner
Trueworthy Gilman W"" Parker J'
Stephen H Creighton Han'ey Colcord
Robert Lord
James M'^Clure
[Phillips Exeter Academy was the first one incorporated
in this state. The late Hon. John Phillips, of Exeter, is
entitled to the credit of founding the institution by a gen-
erous gift of real and personal estate ; and on the third day
of April, 1 78 1, an act was passed incorporating its trustees
and their successors, " for the purpose of promoting piety
& virtue, and for the education of youth in the English,
Latin and Greek Languages ; in Writing, Arithmetic, Mu-
slck, & the Art of Speaking ; Practical Geometry, Logic,
and Geography," etc. For more than one hundred years
the institution has been in successful operation, and num-
bers among its alumni some of the ablest men this country
has known. — Ed.]
[4-42]
\^Relative to Nicholas Gihuans Donation.']
Exeter octob^ 1 7"* 1 785
Hon-^ S^—
I mentioned to you some time ago concerning a Petition that
is now before the'Gen" Court by a Comite of the new Parish
in Exeter for an act to be passed to make alterations in the will
EXETER. 667
of my Late broth' Nich" Oilman, who has been Dead 40 years
wherein he bequeath** a Large Donation as you will see by the
will to be Lnproved as is mentioned in the will for the Use of
the ministry of the Ch'' meeting in said New meeting house or
other Pious L^ses S** Donation has been ever since Improvd
for the use of the ministry of that Ch"* but two of the Trustees
being Dead and my Self the only Surviving one have not Power
to act and some have unless the Ch'' be a body Corporate that
they have not power to Act in the afiair and as some of the
Parish have a design as it appears to Divest the Ch"* of the
Power Granted them by the Doner & Invest the Parish with
Power to Dispose of it as they shall think best : which I think
would be unjust, as to my Self I am desireous the hon'''*' Court
if needed Invest the Ch'' with power to Carv the will in Execu-
tion ; according to the Design of the Doner & for no other
Purposes whatsoever I am }our very hum'"''' Ser'
Peter Oilman
John Sulivan Esq to be Communicated
[4-44] \_Relative to Netvmarket Bridge.A^
This may Certify all whom it may concern that we the Sub-
scribers Inhabitants of the Town of Exeter, do hereby offer as
our opinions, that if the Bridge over Exeter River from New-
market to Stratham were remov'd from the Place where it now
is to the Newfields agreable to a Petition now before the Oen-
eral Court for that purpose, it would not incommode the
Navigation of said River so much as where it now stands.
We also beg leave to suggest that whether it be remov'd or not
that it is necessary that the Ships Passage or draw part be
made at least thirty one feet wide and that the Bridge be rais'd
two feet higher than it now is & the Piers made with half Dia-
monds up & down River —
Feb>- 13'h 1786
W Clark Dean Sam' Oilman James Folsom
Nat. Oilman J(>li'i Ilopkinson Nath' Oiddings Jun''
Theo' Oilman Elip' Oilman W"' Parker J""
Geo. Odiorne Elip' Dean Dudley Oillin
Jos. Tilton Jacob Pearson Thomas Dean
Moses Jewett J, S. Oilman James M'^Clure
Benj" Boardman Eliph' Ladd Eliphalet Hale
Daniel Tilton Sam' Folsom Simeon Ladd
Sam' Ilobart True^ Oilman Joh" Oitldings
Eben"^ Chadwick Benj" Lamson
Ebenezer Swasey J. T. Oilman
668 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4—45] \_Relative to the Election of Fire-zvardsr\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon''''' the Senate and the Hon''^'' the House of Repre-
sentatives in General Court Convened
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Exeter — Humbly Shews that in & by an Act of the General
Court passed the 6"^ day of April Anno Domini 1781, the free-
holders & other Inhabitants of Portsmouth being qualified voters
might at their annual or other Town meeting chuse a suitable
number of freeholders who should be denominated Firewards
and did therein after pointing out the duty of said Firewards,
enact that any Town or Towns in this State at their annual or
any other Meeting call'd for that purpose might adopt the afoi-e-
said Act, in which case it should be considered to extend to
such Town or Towns adopting the same as fully to all intents &
purposes as to the Town of Portsmouth —
That the Freeholders & Qiuilified voters of the Town of
Exeter did at their annual Meeting in March last appoint a
suitable number of Freeholders as Firewards —
That the Inhabitants of said Town of Exeter are possessed
of a Fire Engine, but find that by the law aforesaid the fire-
wards are not authorized to appoint a Company to take care of
& work said Engine in case of the breaking out of fire —
Your Petitioners therefore prav your Honors to pass an act
to enable the firewards in said Town of Exeter to appoint a
suitable number of the Inhabitants of said Town, not exceed-
ing twenty, who shall be a Company to take care of & work
said Engine in case of Fire, and who shall be exempted from
common training, and liable to be called on to do military duty
by the Officers of the Alarm list only —
And as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Exeter June 9"' 1787
Isaac Williams Phineas Richardson Sam' Chamberlain
William Brooks Sam Gilman Sam' Hobart
Sam. Brooks John Thompson Benj'' Conner
Josiah Gilman James Folsom Eliphalet Gilman
Joseph Louge Samuel Philbrick George Colcord
Enoch Chase Jeremiah Leavitt Stephen Fogg
Harvey Colcord Joseph Osborne James Gilman
Trueworthy Gilman James Gorden Ezra parker
True-^ Folsom Stephen H. Creigh- Thomas Sweasy
Nathaniel Harrod ton Jacob Randel
Benj'' Lamson Josiah Beal Joseph Eldreg
Caleb mitchell Josiah C. Smith W" Parker
Sam' Folsom Benj. C' Gilman Joseph Tilton
John Phillips Pelatiah Lakeman Elip' Ladd
Benj" Boardman James Leavitt Alexander Morison
EXETER. 669
James Rundlett Thomas Dean Nath' Parker
Jos* Bangs Sam. Tenney Jonathan F Louge
James Folsom Benj" Page J"l">» Dean
Sam' Odhn Samuel Colcord John Hopkinson
The' Odiorne Jabez Dodge Joseph .Salibrd
Edwad Colcord Eliphalet Hale Rob' Parkes
£4-49] [ J^ofe to Petition for the I)icorporation of the So-
ciety of the Ciftcinnati.^
Exeter Sep' 30"* 1793
At a meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati in Newhamp-
shire — Voted that Major Jonathan Cilley be impowered and he
is hereby impowered to petition the Hon'''*' General Court in
their Behalf praying for an incorporation of said Society in or-
der that the Charitable and benevolent purposes thereof may
be better carried into etlect
Extract from the Minutes
Jere Fogg, Sec^
[4-50] \_Petition for Incorporation of Social Library. "^
To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable the House of
Representatives in General Court convened —
The Petition of the subscribers with sundry others their
associates
Humbly shews
That they, fully convinced that Social Libraries conduce
greatly to the dissemination of Knowledge, have expended con-
siderable sums in the purchase of Books for their use in com-
panv, that they cannot carry their intentions fully into eftect
without an incorporation ; they therefore pray your honors that
thev, with all such as mav hereafter unite with them, may be
incorporated into a Body Politic, by the name of the Pro-
prietors OF THE Social Library in Exeter, with all the
privileges incident to corporations ; and as in duty bound will
ever pray —
Exeter June 7* 1797 —
Sam' Tenney
Oliver Peabody
Benjamin Abbot
Gideon Lamson
Eben^ Clifford
[The library was incorporated by an act passed June 20,
1797.— Ed J
670 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
FITZ WILLIAM.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors,
January 15, 1752, to Roland Cotton and forty-one others,
and was known by the name of Monadnock No. 4. The
conditions of the grant not being compHed with, a re-grant
was made to Col. Sampson Stoddard and twenty-two asso-
ciates, and it was sometimes called Stoddard's town, until
May 19, 1773, when it was incorporated by the governor
and council by the name of Fitz William, in honor of an
English Earl. In 1760 settlements were commenced by
James Reed (who afterwards commanded one of the New
Hampshire regiments at Bunker Hill), John Fassett, and
Benjamin Bigelow.
When the town of Troy was formed, June 23, 18 15, about
4.000 acres of Fitzwilliam territory was taken from the
north part of the town and now constitutes a part of Troy.
The line between this town and Rindge was established by
an act approved June 17, 1847.
[4-51] [Co/. Stoddard relative to Incorporation.^
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & Over his Majestys
Province of New Hamp% the Hon"^ his Majestys Council
for Said Province —
The Memorial of Sampson Stoddard of Chelmsford in the
County of Middlesex & in the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay Shews —
That there is a Tract of Land in the Province of New
Hamp'' of the Contents of about Six Miles Square Granted
by the Purchasers of the Right of John Tufton Mason Esq"" to
Your Memorialist & Others Called the Township of Monad-
nock N" 4 — That the Greater part thereof is finally Vested in
him, that he has at a Great Expence Settled a Very Consider-
able Number of Inhabitants thereon
Wherefore your Memorialist humbly prays that the Lands
afores'' may not be Incorporated into a Town & the Inhabitants
there Infranchised with all Town priviledges without their first
Giving Notice to him of their Design of applying to y"" Ex-
cell^ & honors and your Memorialist Shall (as in duty bound)
Ever pray —
Sampson Stoddard
Portsm" July 11, 1768 —
FITZWILLIAM. 6/1
[4-52J \_Petition for Incorporation.'^
To His Exceli-ency John Wentwortii Esquire Captain
General, Governor, and Commander in Chief in and over
his Majestys Province of New Hampshire and Vice Admi-
ral of the Same in Council
The Petition of James Reed of Monadnock N" 4 in the
County of Cheshire in the Province aforesaid Esq' and Clerk
of the Proprietry of said Monadnock N" 4 unto your Excel-
lency & Honors humbly Shews
That your Petitioner together with Joseph Hemmenway and
John Millins at a legal Meeting of s'^ Proprietors held in s^
Monadnock N° 4 on the 31''' of March last were chosen a Com-
mittee to petition this Honourable Court to incorporate the said
Monadnock N° 4 into a Township with the usual Priviledges
and Franchises of other corporate Towns in the said Province
for the following Reasons Viz'
That the Inhabitants of said Monadnock have settled a Min-
ister & built a Meeting House and have a large Number resid-
ing there, besides others daily coming to settle there That they
humbly conceive their Number intitles them to the Indulgence
of this Hon'''*" Court as in the present Mode of Provincial Tax-
ation, they are subject to the Controul of the Selectmen of
Neighbouring Towns, and they would humbly wish to have
the Priviledge of chusing Selectmen and other Town Officers
of their own which would quiet the Minds of the Inhabitants
and promote the Interests & good Government of s'' Monad-
nock N° 4 — That being destitute of Town Privileges the Peti-
tioners cannot legally w^arn out any vagrants that may come
there, and many other Inconveniences Wherefore Your Peti-
tioner in behalf of s** Proprietors humbly pray that this Hon'''*
Court would grant their Petition & as in Duty he & they shall
ever pray —
James Reed
Committee man and Proprietors Clark
[The town was incorporated May 19, 1773. — Ed.]
[R. 2-1] ^Petition of Mrs. Claycs.']
The Hon" Counsel and House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in General Court assembled —
The Humble petition of Abigail Clayes widow to the late
Captain Elijah Clayes deceased of the 2d regiment of the New
Hampshire Line — Urged by her distressed situation ; begs your
attention ; as she is left with a famley of small Children with-
6/2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
out any other means of subsistance but her own Industry for
there support. Impelled by these Circumstances and the Hor-
rid Idea of want, being fully impressed that the Honorable
Body before this her petition will be laid, supported by there
natural feelings as well as Justice and Humanity towards those
in distress ; will exert every nerve for so desirable an end ; as
to soften as far as in their power the distress incident to the
widows and Fatherless ; and Consequently extend their gener-
osity towards her by a grant of half pay agreeable to an act of
Congress of the 15* of May 1778 in such Cases made and
provided and renewed and extended the 24 August 1780 which
will enable her to bring up her Children in some degree of de-
cency and live above contempt, resting assured of your strict
attention to this her Petition — Your Petitioner as in duty bound
shall forever pray
Abigal Clayes
[Elijah Clayes was captain of the Seventh company of
the Second regiment in 1777 ; Joseph Potter, of Fitz-
william, was second lieutenant of the same company.]
[R. 2-3] \_Gene?'al ya??2es Reed's Petition.^
Keene Decem'"' 18*'' 1780
To The Hon''' Council & House of Representatives Con-
vened att Exeter this twentieth Day of Decern'"' for the State
of New Hampshire —
The Petition of James Reed of Keene in the County of
Cheshire Esq'' Humblv Sheweth your Petitioner ingaged in the
Sarvis of the united states in the year 1775 — Tho Exposed to
manv Dangers & hardships did continue in an intiar state of
helth till after the Retreat from Canady — at the head of Lake
George was voielently seazed with the Narves feavor that in-
tiarly Deprived him of his Eye sight & allmost of his hearing
& exceeding weeke — which continued for a Number of munths
altho no Pains nor cost was spaired for Recovery of sight or
helth tho to no avail as to the sight — tho your Petitioner was
Hon*^ with a Commition of Rank under Sarting Limetations of
Established Pay finding the Depreciation of the Currency so
greate & his Expences so high tliat he very erly in the year
1778 Laid his case before the Hon''' Continentall Congress &
having no Returne depreciation of the currency still increasing
his helples Surcumstances by Reson of total blindness, — tho in
sum meashure Recovered, as to helth and hearing — his Expen-
cive Surcomstances obliged him to Parte with a considerable
Parte of his Real Estate (Viz) Half of the township of Errol
FITZWILLIAM. 6/3
in this State & six wrights in the township of Cambridg Pur-
chased of M"' Nath' Rogers which money was hiid in his chest
which by an act of this state he was obHged to give in to the
assei's to be Rated s*^ Rats Runing so high & the Depreciation
so grate almost consumed the whole sum — whereupon your
Humble Petitioner Petitioned this Hon'^''' Corte for sum Relief
bv way of the avacuated Farms for which he had hazarded
His Life & for the convenens of Exercise and sum oather Rea-
sons mentioned to this Hon'*''' Corte Docf Josiah Pomroyes
of Keene as he was an absentee the Hon''' Corte was gra-
tiously Pleased to make him a grante of a Parte of s^ Farme in
November (1779) under sarting Limetations but as your Peti-
tioner could not enter by vartue of s** grante he was obliged to
pay 350 £ L : M : [lawful money] for the use of s*^ Farme un-
till the first Day of may (1781) s*^ Farme being now the Prop-
erty of this State is to be inventoreyed & sold att vandue — your
Petitioner hath made inquiarey & finds that the s'* Docf Pom-
royes Purches was sum moar than Seven hundred Pounds &
that the s*^ Estate owes Sum moar than Five hundred Pounds —
the Proseser of one not of moar than Four hundred Pounds
against s*^ Estate will not give up the obligation shorte of the
value in Silver money or att the common Exchange altho your
Pettitioner has never Rec*^ any alowence from the Continent for
the Depreciation in his established Pay altho he was obliged to
pay the above 350 £ for the use of s*^ Farme one year out of
the nomenal sum of Established Wages your Humble Petti-
tioner Prays this hon''^ Corte to take all the above surcum-
stances under your wise consideration & grante your Pettitioner
the Priviledge of Purchasing the whole of s"^ Farme without
its being Exposed to Public vandue — or oatherwayes Relive
as in Dute bound Shall Ever Pray
James Reed B. G.
Attest Hinds Reed
[General James Read was one of the early settlers of
Fitzwilliam, and proprietors' clerk for some years. When
news reached him of the battle of Lexington, he raised a
company of volunteers and marched them to Medford ;
was commissioned as colonel by the government of Massa-
chusetts, and raised four companies of troops ; but failing
to obtain enough for a regiment he went to Exeter, was
commissioned by the government of New Hampshire, had
two companies of Stark's men turned over to him, and
bravely commanded his regiment at the battle of Bunker
Hill. He became totally blind, resulting from a fever con-
tracted in the campaign of the following year in Canada,
44
6/4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and thus the American cause lost the services of an ardent
patriot, and a brave and determined officer. It will be un-
derstood that the foregoing petition is not his production,
as he was blind at the time ; documents in his handwriting
of an earlier date show that he was a man of good educa-
tion for his time. After becoming blind, he occupied for a
while the confiscated estate of Dr. Pomeroy of Keene,
which was leased to him by the state. In March, 1782,
Daniel Kingsbury and Thomas Baker were appointed to
appraise the rental, and the following is their report : — Ed.]
[R. 2-4]
Keene April 18'^ 1782.
We the subscribers being under oath to appraise the value of
the Rent of the within mentioned Premises for the Term of
one year have appraised the same at the sum of fourteen
pounds, and it is our opinion that General Read has expended
the sum of six pounds in repairing the said Premises since he
hath had the use & Improvement thereof — which sum of six
pounds ought to be deducted out of the above mentioned four-
teen pounds.
Tho' Baker Dan' Kingsbury
Sworn to before Calvin Frink [of Swanzey]
[R. 2-6] \_Soldiers' Orders.^
To the Honourable John Taylor Oilman Esq'' Treasurer &
Receiver General of the State of New Hampshire —
Sir Please to pay to the Bearer what money is due to me
as Wages & Clothing for twelve months service Done in the
Continental army beginning June A. D. i779 Col" George
Reids 'Regiment Capt Rowels Company & this Shall be your
Discharge for the same
Test Anna Wilder Joseph Muzzey
Abel Wilder
[Acknowledged before Abel Wilder. — Ed.]
[Stephen Richardson was in First Regiment from Feb. 23,
1781, to Sept. I, 1781, and in 1782 as corporal. Stephen
White was in the same from February, 1781, to December,
1781, and again in 1782. — Ed.]
FITZ WILLI AM. 6^$
[R. 2-9] \_Relative to General Read.'\
This may certify all whome it may consearn that I was called
to visit Brigadier General Reed of Fitzwilliam in February
A. D. 1777 and found him Intirely Blind and Labouring under
many other Bodyly Infirmaties at the same time wich Ren-
dered him Incapable of taking care of himeselfe and he re-
maines Blind and in my opinion ever will
Royalston January 19"^ 17S6.
Stephen Batcheller Physition
[R. 2-10] \^SylvaTius Read's Petition.'^
To the General Assembly of the State of New Hampshire now
sitting at Portsmouth —
Humbly Shews — Sylvanus Read of Fitzvv^illiam in the s^
State — That he served as adjutant of a Battallion of Troops
raised in this state for the defence of the New England states
&c and Commanded by Lieut Col° Stephen Peabody Esq. as
appears by the Commission herewith presented — That your
Petitioner is informed some allowance has been mad those
officers on acc't of the Depreciating of the money they were
paid in — Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that your
Honors will order such Depreciation to be paid to your Peti-
tioner as is Customary in Such Cases — and as in duty Bound
shall ever prav &c
Dated Feb^'y^ 2^ 17S6
Sam^ Kendall
in behalf of the Petitioner
[The foregoing petition was granted Feb. 21, 1786. — Ed.]
[4-53] \_Instructions to their Representative, lySj.']
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitz
William, held upon adjournment august 14"* 1783 ; Voted, To
give their Representative for the ensuing Year, the following
Instructions —
To Major Elisha Whitcomb —
S"" You being Chosen to Represent the Towns of Swansey
and Fitz William for the present Year, in the general assembly
of the State of New Hampshire ; — The Town of Fitz William,
a part of your Constituents, in Complyance with the request
of said assembly, and from a Sense of Duty at this Critical
period, do now openly, candidly & Sincerely Speak, & instruct
6/6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
you, not only with respect to the article Recomended, but
other things we conceive necessary to the well being of the
Community —
We shall begin with the Recommendation of the Honorable
Congress, relative to an alteration proposed in the Eighth
Article of the Confederation & perpetual union between the
thirteen united States of America —
Congress, we find, View it Expedient, & even Necessary
that such an alteration, as they have Recommended, be made ;
and the general assembly of this state appear to be of the same
mind ; for they say, " they are fully convinced of the Expe-
diency & utility of the Measure " — with all Due Deflerence to
the collected Wisdom of the Continent, & of this State ; as we
are called upon to shew our minds, we would say, that we
have taken this matter into deliberate & mature consideration ;
and are of opinion that the proposed alteration is neither Expe-
dient or necessary —
We conceive that it cannot be so just & equitable a mode of
Proportioning Taxes, by the Number of Inhabitants of every
age, Sex & condition, as by the Value of Land &c, which each
State is possessed of, & which enables each State to pay the
proportion — we apprehend, that, according to the present pro-
posed method of Proportioning Taxes, there is a Door opened
for some States to be eased & others burdened — but Reason
Justice and Revelation Demand an Equality, that each State
pay in proportion to what it is worth ; and no more —
And as the Number of inhabitants according to the pro-
posed alteration, is to be taken triennially — and as it is found
necessy for proportioning taxes within each State to take the
Valuation of all Lands &c, we conceive that by the proposed
alteration much needless Cost must arise to the good people of
these States, already Loaded with Taxes ; and know not which
way to discharge them — nor can we think that the Numbering
of Souls is a Justifiable method ; witness the conduct of David,
& dismal consequences thereof; left no doubt upon Sacred
Record for national admonition —
We think it advisable, that one mode of Valuation, both as
to poles & possession, should be adopted throughout the united
States ; as this appears to us the most Rational & equitable
plan that can be devised ; altho we are Sensible there can be
no mode fixed upon, but that Some objections may be raised
against it —
We do therefore recommend it to you. Sir to use your influ-
ence to prevent any alteration being made in the above men-
tioned Eighth article of the Confederation —
We Shall now take the Liberty to address you upon some
other subjects, which we conceive important & necessary ; in
our present Situation of aftairs —
FITZWILLIAM. ^Tf
By a Resolution of Congress of the 3i of October 17S0, we
find they have promised the officers of the american army, half
pay during life — & by a Resolve of said congress, bearing date
March the 32 17S3, they have engaged them five 3ears full pay
instead of the half pay promised before — upon which we
would observe, that we have ever been, and still are ready to
Exert ourselves in Supporting our army ; and to Reward those
who have jeoparded their lives for us in the high Places of the
field, fought our Battles, Bled in our Cause, and under God
have been our defence — we are willing, we say, amply to re-
wai-d them — '^ none deserve more highly than our Brave army ;
none shall have our Money more freely. So far as is Justly
Due ; and if there has been any failure on the part of govern-
ment in fulfilling their contracts, let the injury and all their Just
Demands be made up to them as soon as mav be" — yea So
cheerful & ready are we, to have them fully compensated for
their services, y* we are willing if it cannot be otherwise
effected. To allow Both officers & Soldiers, over & above their
Stipulated wages, one years full pay — far be it from us to
wrong our soldiers ; — we are desirous to settle honorably with
them ; & seasonably & fully to discharge all our public & for-
eign Debts —
But we cannot see the Reasonabness & Justice of giving the
officers of our army half pay during life, or full pay for the
term of five years, after they are Discharged from the service —
we think the soldiers who have born the Burden & heat of the
day as well as the officers, have an equal Right to claim a share,
in proportion to their pay —
We doubt not, but that Both officers & soldiers have suffered
much in their Countries Cause — and the temporal Interests of
many have herby been diminished ; an has not this been the
case with thousands tliat have generally been at Home — they
have many a time been called off' from their employments, been
obliged to gird on the harness & take the field, for a time, in
the common defence ; & why ought they not to be rewarded
over & above their Stipulated pay, in proportion to the time
they were gone & Services which they Performed.? — it appears
to be as reasonable as that the officers of our army should thus
be rewarded —
Besides do not the officers of our army hope & expect, to
share in the Blessings of Peace & independence? we are will-
ing they should ; wliy then are they not willing to Suffer with
us, & lend a helping hand to support us under our Burdens? —
we think they ought to be — & not make government, instead of
Being a Blessing, an unsupportable Burden to the j^eople —
We cannot sec, if they have a reasonable recompence for
their services, why tliey do not stand upon an equal footing with
6/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
their Brethren — we therefore request you, Sir, to use your in-
fluence to prevent this pay being given to the officers of our
army, as we cannot consent to it, or any thing that is so sub-
versive of the Principles of american Revolution —
Further, we must Depend upon your Exertions, and if need
be that you Strain every nerve, to prevent the return of those
persons called Tories, or absentees, who have withdrawn them-
selves from us, gone over to the Enemy, & either virtually or
actually taken up arms against us — & many of them shed the
Blood of their Brethren — in the judgment of charity we can't
but View them in an odious light — they deserve censure — yea
many of them have long since, forfeited their heads as well as
their estates to their countries Justice — we doubt not but their
situation is disagreeable, & that things have turned out quite
contrary to their wish & Expectation ; but are we to Blame for
that? — had they chose it, they might have continued with us,
& enjoyed their estates, which we view they have now forfeited,
& all the priveledges & immunities of free citizens ; & Shared
in the Blessings of independence — but they have chosen their
side, & we desire that they would abide their choice, & not
Presume to trouble us any more — Friendship to them, & Safety
to ourselves & dear Countr}-, forbid them to be any more in-
corporated with us — we have sufficiently Proved them, & un-
derstand their temper & disposition, by their inhuman & savage
conduct towards us — we are convinced that we cannot put any
confidence in them ; they have proved themselves traitors to
their country ; can we then receive you into our Bosoms again?
by no means — let them therefore Depart. & repair to the frozen
Regions of acadia, the Place destined for them by their Royal
Master, and Spend the rest of their days in deep Repentance
for their Past follies —
And as Religion is much Decayed in our Land, the Lords
Day shamefully profaned, the holy name of God abused, & all
manner of Vice prevalent & Barefaced, we Expect that you
will use yom" Best endeavors, to have such Laws enacted & put
in Execution, as shall tend to surpress Vice, secure the honor
of Gods holy name, & the Sanctification of the Sabbath, and
to promote Religion & useful Literature among us —
and that you give your constant & seasonable attendance at
Court, in the time of its Sessions, that neither your Constitu-
ents, nor the Public may be come Sufferers by your neglect —
but a word to the wise is sufficient —
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fitz-
william on the 14 Day of this Instant, August — Voted that
These Instructions Should be Deliver to you Sir by the Hand
of Ens" Samuel Kendall at your hous in Swansey
Fitzwilliam August 16* 17S3
Atest Samuel Patrick Town Clerk
FITZWILLIAM. 679
[4-54] \_Pctition for Authority to tax No n- Residents^
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Court to be
Assembled att Concord the third Day of June Curent —
The Petition of the Town of Fitzwilliam Humbly Sheweth
that your Petitioners Being Chosen by said Town for the Pur-
pose to Present to your Honours and to Request that your
Honours Would take into your Wise Consideration and Grant
Some Relief. We your Petitioners Humbly Shew the Situa-
tion, we are in and the Dificulty we Labour under on account
of our Roads as we are Situated in a Rough Part of the State
and have the Great Road which leads to the upper part of the
State, to take Cai"e of which is eleven Miles in Length in said
Town : Which is a Large Road and much Improved, and We
are Liable to fines if it is not kept in Good Repair, and the
Town have of late widened the Great Road through s*^ Town
and have Cut of a Great Number of Crooks or Turns in s*^
Road to make it more Comodious to the Public ; Which makes
Considerable Cost and Charge to s'' Town ; and there is a num-
ber of other Road for the benefit of s*^ Town which arc New
and uncultivated, all which are to be attended unto, and your
Petitioners Humblev Shew that there is a Considerable Qiian-
tity of unimproved Lands in said Town owned by Nonresidents
which are not obliged to Doe aney thing toward making or re-
pairing s*^ Roads some of which leads throng part of said lands
which must Increse the value thereof if kept in good Repair
and your Petitioners Humbly Beg that there may be a Tax of
one Penney, Layed on each Acre, throughout s*^ Town except
Public Lands for the term of three years and to be Layed out
for the Repairing said Roads, and your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall ever Pray
Fitz William Abner Stone ~\ Selectmen
May 27 : 17S9 John Fassett V For
Stephen Brigham ) Fitz William
[The foregoing petition was granted June, 1789. — Ed.]
[4-55] \_Pctition of General fames ReadJ\
To the Hon''''' the Senate and house of Representatives con-
vened at Concord —
The petition of James Read most humbly sheweth —
That your petitioner, during the late prosperous and glorious
contest for liberty, in which he was conscientiously engaged,
was unfortunately and totally deprived of the use of his eyes, a
greater loss than which no mortal can sustain : That by this
painful circumstance he is altogether deprived of his usefulness
680 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to his Country, and of every opportunity of procuring suste-
nance for himself and family, and the only consolation he re-
ceives, is, that America is become free, in part, through his
struggles : That in this most deplorable situation of himself
and family, your petitioner has heretofore frequently applied to
the General Court, whom he conceives to be the guardians, the
fathers of the people for assistance ; but has hitherto most un-
fortunately failed in his just applications : That he has in this
unutterable distress, and frightful indigence, been constrained
to put his dependence on the Constables for several years past,
for succour and support, both for himself and family ; still
looking forward with full hope and expectations that you, who
are rightly stiled the redressers of grievances, would have con-
certed some effectual means for his livelihood, agreeable to re-
solves of Congress for that benevolent purpose — Wherefore
your suppliant petitioner most humbly prays, that this Honb'^
Court wou'd give him orders on said Constables which may
fully answer for the Continental tax due from said Constables
and" that the same be charged to the Continent agreeable to said
Resolves — or otherwise relieve your petitioner's pitiful situa-
tion, as in your great wisdom you may think best —
And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray —
James Read
[4-56] \^Petition for Incorporation of Library. "^
To the General Court of the State of New^ Hampshire now
Conven'd at Portsmouth humbly Sheweth Nahum Parker
that he w^ith a number of others Inhabitants of Fitzwilliam
purchased a Collection of Books for a Social Library but find
it necessary to be incorporated in order to realize the advan-
tages Contemplated Therefore pray that they may be incorpo-
rated with such privileges as are usualy Granted in such Cases,
and as in duty bound will pray
Nov' 27"^ i"797
Nahum Parker, for the purchasers
[The foregoing petition was granted Nov. 29, 1797. — Ed.]
FRANCESTOWN.
This town was incorporated June 8, 1772, and was con-
stituted from a tract of land called New Boston Addition,
and a part of a tract called Society Land, and was named
Frances Town, by Governor Wentworth, in honor of his
wife.
FRANCESTOWN. 68 1
The territory comprising the town belonged to the Ma-
sonian proprietors until alienated by that society to indi-
viduals. Settlements were commenced about 1760, by John
Carson and others. By an act passed Dec. 11, 1792, "the
two East ranges of Lotts of Land in the Township of
Greenfield heretofore called Lyndeborough Addition," were
annexed to this town. June 17, 1802, another portion of
the Society Land was annexed to Francestown.
A quarry in the easterly part of the town has produced
a large amount of freestone since it was opened in 1804.
[R. 2-13] \_Lieut. yames Hopkins's Order. ~\
To Deacon Archibald McMillan —
Sir These may Sertify that Jesse Martin of Frances-Town
Sei-\ed as a Good Soldier in Col. Gilmans Reg' & Cap*
M'^Connels Company & has Never had his pay Due from ye
Trasuerv at Exeter Witness my Hand this ly''' Day of Jan"^
177S-'
James Hopkins
Lieu' of S"^ Com"y
\Jesse Alar tin's Order. '\
New boston January the 27* 177S
To M'' Niclas gillman tresurer Sir pleas to pay the bearer
Archibald m'^millan what wages is due to me from the State
as I served three Months and fifteen days, and this shall be
your rect from your humble servant
Jesse Martin
[R. 2-13] \_Nathaniel Boyd's Petition.']
June 5'^ 17S3
To the Hon"'' Committc of Safety of the State of New Hamp-
shire—
The Petition of Nath' Boyd of Francestown in the County
of Hillsborough humbly Sheweth —
That your petitioner went a short Campaign to Cohoss for
the Term of about six Weeks in Defence of his Country two
years ago past last March, and was chosen Lieut, under Cap'
Thomas Nickles, and thro' some Mistake not having as yet re-
ceiv'd any pay for his Trouble, and being well informed that all
who went with him at that Time Officers as well as privates
682 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
have, he only excepted thinks it very Strange, therefore prays,
that your Honors would take the Matter under your candid and
serious consideration and grant him a Redress by making him
some Retaliation for his Time, fatigue and Expence and as in
Duty bound shall ever pray —
Nathaniel Boyd
[R. 2-14] \^CertiJicates of Boutittes Due.'\
In Committee of Claims Exeter July 13"' 1782
This Certifies that there is due to the Town of Francistown
for Bounty paid to William Dickey Twenty two pounds Eight
shillings & six pence which is deducted from his depreciation
Ex"! J Oilman
£22,, S,, 6
[R. 2-15]
June 14* 1786
The Bovmty paid by Francestown to Abel Walton in 177S is
Ninteen pounds which has been deducted from his depreciation
£19,, o,, o Ex*^ pr Josiah Oilman Jun''
[4-61] \_Petition for a Ministerial T'ax.'\
Province of Newhampshire County of Hillsborough
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain Oeneral
and Oovernor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province
New Hampshire and to the Honorable his Majesty's Council
& House of Representatives and Oeneral Court assembled —
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly shew^eth
That whereas Francestown in the Province and County
aforesaid hath no land left or laid out by the original Proprie-
tors for the encouragement of the first Oospel Alinister to set-
tle amongst us We your humble Petitioners humbly desire
your Excellency and Honors to make an Act to collect or raise
a Tax of a penny half penny p'' Acre more or less as your Ex-
cellency and Honors shall see fit upon all the unsettled Lots or
Land within the Town aforesaid except every Lot at present
settled or possed by an Inhabitant and also all the Lots owned
by the Masonian Propriety at present formerly belonging to
that part known by the name of the New addition of New
Boston for the settlement of our first Minister and building a
Meeting house.
Your Excellency and Honors Compliance herewith will
serve very much our Interest and encourage the settlement of
FRANCESTOWN. 683
the wilderness. And your humble Petioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray —
Frances Town Dec"" 3'd 1772
Robert Hopkins James Hopkins William Qiiigley
Samuel Nickels vSamuel Dickermen Samuel Gregg
Thomas Warren Olipher Holmes William Holmes
Nathan Fisher Charles Alellan David Lewis
Thomas Qiiigley David Gregg Joseph Dickey
Will"> Butterheld W'" Buttertield jun' Henry M<=farson
William Starret Samuel Nutt Tho^ Qiiigley jun""
Adam Dickey John Qiiigley
John Dickey John Hopkins
[4-60] \_Relative to Militia Officer sJ^
To the honorable the Provincial Congress who set at Exeter in
and for the Colony of Newhampshire Gent" —
The Pettition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants of
Francist"" Humbly Sheweth that about a Week since there Came
a Letter to s*^ Town vSighn'd bv vSamuel Patten Chairman in
behalf of the Committees of Gotlstown Derritield & Bedford the
Contents of which were as follows (viz) That they had met at
Goflstown on y® 10 of this present Month to Consult upon
Several Matters recommended by the Continental and Provin-
cial Congresses relating to the Militie and to enquire into the
State of Col : Gotls Regiment & have recomended it to this
Town to meet and Chuse their Melitie Officers before the 21^*
of s^ Month at which time they required the Officers Chosen
to meet at Goffstown to Chuse their Field officers which we
humbly Conceive is Contrary to the Advice of the Continental
Congress Neither did we know by what authority they were
about to Regulate s** Regiment wherefore the ISIajority of s**
town Judged it unnecessary to pay any Regard thereto but a
Small Part of s** town asembled according to the V'^enirc above
mentioned & made choice of Persons intirely contrary to the
sense & meaning of the town in General therefore your Peti-
tioners humbly pray that s'' men may not be Confirmed imtill
the Town has an Opportunity of makeing a fair & regular
choise and then wc shall esteem it in the highest Regard our
indispensable Duty tacitly to acquiece in the Determinations of
this Honorable Congress and Your h''''' Pettitioncrs as in Duty
Bound Shall ever pray —
Francistown Agust the 3i'' 1775
Thomas Quigly William Quigly Thomas Qiu'gly Jun''
684 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Tarns ADams Robert Fulton Archibald Cuning-
Sam" Nutt Hugh morel ham
James Fisher Jo^"*^ CarSon adam Dickey
William mc mester John Dickey William Cristey
thomas mellen Thomas M'^Laughlen Charles Mellen
The Small party which carried on the Meeting aftbresaid did
not exceed Ten in Number exclusive of the Officers some of
which had No Risfht to Vote
[4-59] S^Number of Polls, 1783.']
Francestown December 3'^ 1783
A Return of the male Poles in Francestown Paying Taxes
for themselves according to the Request of the General Court
the No is Sixtv Five
John Dickey "J g^j^^^
William Starrett W,
AT- \ Men
Asa Lewis )
[4-57] \_Petitlon for a Neiv Tovjn.'\
Hillsboro, ss.
To the hon'''^ Senate & House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire — Humbly Shew —
That your petitioners being Inhabitants of a place called So-
ciety Land, Francestown and Dearing, now do & for a long
time past the greatest part of them have laboured under very great
& distressing difficulties by reason of lying very remote from
:any place of public worship and almost destitute of any Town
privileges : And judging it will appear highly reasonable to
your Honors upon due information pray that they may have an
incorporation, agreeably to the bounds hereafter mentioned (to
wit) Beginning at the Northwest corner of Greenfield thence
along the line of s*^ Greenfield continuing a direct Course into
Francestown as far Easterly as to take in M'' Benjamin Danes
Farm, thence northerly bv the Easterly line of said Danes farm
to the North line of Francestown, thence easterly to the East line
of M'' William Aikens land ; thence northerl}^ to the South line
of Packers right so called thence westerly by the South line of
said right to the west line of M'' William M'^Fersons land from
thence a direct course to the eminence of Hedghog Mountain
(so called) thence along said eminence to the northwest part
thereof, from thence to the River Contocook, from thence along
said river to the bounds first mentioned —
FRANCONIA.
685
And as your petitioners judge the prayer of their petition to
be highly reasonable they earnestly request the hon'^'* Court to
grant them the prayer of s** petition or the favor of an impar-
tial Committee (at their expence) to view their Situation and
to report whether the prayer of said petition ought not to be
granted in whole or in part as to your Committee & your Hon-
ors will seem most just & your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray —
Joseph Huntington
Matthew Gibson
Joseph Putnam
Solomon Pilsbury
Jacob Puffer
John Dusten
John Puffer
Gawen iVrmor
John Mitchel
James Wilson
Eliphet Dusten
Ebenezer Newman
Fitch Gibbens
George Sumner
Zacheus Dustin
John Falch
Benj" Killam
John Colby
Matthew Puffer
Joel Reed
Moses Favour
Samuel Burns
James Burns
Samuel Barnet
Robert Forsaith
Thomas Newman
James Mills
Daniel Dane
Eleazar Nutting
Andrew Taylor
Gideon Dodge
True Webster
Samuel Blasdel
John Thomson
John Burns
Oliver Mitchell
John Highland
James Masterman
Matthew Obrion
Seth Hart
Daniel Dane, Jun''
John Gibson
The Committee on the Petition of the Inhabitants of the So-
ciety Land and others, haveing vewed the Situation of the
Several tracts of Land Mentioned in said Petition and it ap-
pears to us that it would be very injurious to the Towns of
Francestown and Dearing to have So Great a part of said
Towns Anexed to the Society aforesaid — it is therefore the
Opinion of your Committee that the Prayer of said Petition
Ought not to be Granted —
Which is Submited by
Robert Wallace for the Committee
FRANCONIA
This town was first granted February 14, 1764, to Jesse
Searle and others, by the name of Franconia. No settle-
ments were made under this grant, so far as I can learn,
prior to June 8, 1772 ; at which time a grant was made
which covered this town, and all or part of the township of
Lincoln (which was granted in January, 1764) to " Sir Fran-
cis Bernard Bart." and twelve other notables, among whom
were " His Excellency Thomas Hutchinson " and " The
686 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
hon^'® Corbyn Morris Esq^" The thirteen were granted
from 350 to 800 acres each. There were twenty-eight other
grantees, and the town was named Morristown, for the
above-named grantee.
Settlements were made in 1774 by Zebedee Applebee,
Capt. Artemas Knight, and Lemuel Barnett. The town
contains a valuable iron mine, from which is taken some of
the finest ore in the country. Furnaces were erected in
1808 and worked for many years ; the property has recently
passed into new hands, and a vigorous prosecution of the
industry is expected.
The " Old Man of the Mountain," that singular curiosity,
is located in this town, and is visited by thousands every
summer.
[4-63] \_Petition of the JSIorristoivn Grantees,~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in
Session at Exeter, begun on the twentj'-fifth day of Decem-
ber in the year of Our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety-
three — Humbly Shews —
John Taylor, in behalf of the proprietors of a tract of land
heretofore granted under the name of Morristown, that the
General Court at their session in the month of December in the
year of Our Lord seventeen hundred and ninety three, on the
petition of s*^ proprietors, appointed a committee to inquire
into, and report some redress of, the grievances of s** proprie-
tors ; who in conformity to their appointment reported as fol-
lows, to wit,
"That in June 1772 a tract of land was granted to twenty
eight persons bv the name of Morristown, that prior grants had
been made of said lands in two Townships called Franconia
and Lincoln, that the s*^ Town of Morristown was charged with
State taxes untill the year 1782, which they have paid to the
amount of seven pounds seven shillings and three pence in
specie, one hundred and eighty nine pounds & five shillings in
new emission, & three thousand seven hundred & twenty
pounds in bills of old emission, equal at the time of pay-
ment of s*^ old emission to seventy nine pounds eighteen
shillings & ten pence in specie; that in the year 1782, and
since said lands have been taxed under the names of Fran-
conia and Lincoln, but the taxes remain unpaid ; that the pro-
FRANCONIA. 68/
prietors of Morristown have been at great expence in clearing
roads, building mills. & putting on settlers in s*^ Town. That
the said tract of land is now claimed & settled under the pro-
prietors of Franconia & Lincoln. And that considering the
peculiar situation of the proprietors & their embarrassments, the
committee did report that the s"* proprietors of Morristown have
a grant of twenty four thousand acres of land adjoining to
Franconia & Lincoln, or as near it as may be ; so as not to
interfere with any other grants heretofore made by the late
Province now State of New Hampshire ; & that s*^ proprietors
at their own expence cause the same to be surveyed b}^ some
suitable person to be appointed by his Excellency with advice
of Council, and that s** surveyor return a plan thereof to the
next Session of the General Court "submitted by George
Gains for s"^ Committee" —
The s.^ Proprietors beg leave to remark that their former
grant under the name of Morristown, exclusive of public
rights & other reservations contained thirty five thousand acres —
That by i/ie/r cultivation those lands have risen to more than
double their original value — That at the lowest rate of compu-
tation, the bare labour which they have bestowed, & the taxes
which thev have paid upon them (to the present State of New
Hampshire,) greatlv exceed the value of the same number of
acres of any unlocated lands in this State — That they entered
with perfect confidence under the charter of the former Govern-
ment, & have no doubts, if that had remained, but that their
lands would now have been safe under it — That, as the now
State of New Hampshire continued to tax them for a number
of years in succession, they were induced to believe this a sanc-
tion & confirmation of their grant — But that, as the government
has once made a compensation to the Grantees under a second
charter ; as the name of Morristown is dropped, and the lands
now taxed under the names of the first grants ; & as council
able and learned in the Law give not the least incouragement
of a second grant holding untill an eviction upon the first.
Your petitioners see no prospect of reaping any advantage by
their grant, or their services, or the taxes which they have paid,
unless extended to them in this way ; that the proceedings of
Government have frustrated and totally defeated any further
settlement of their lands, & that they are oppressed with greater
hardships than they are willing to think this Hon'''* Court will
be disposed any longer to Countenance — They therefore pray
that this Hon'''* Court would either take up the report of their
former committee & act upon it ; or if there can be any doubt
with regard to the truth of the facts stated in that report, that
a new committee mav be appointed to inquire into the subject,
& report some redress suited to the case — or that some measure
688 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
may be adopted whereby common justice may be done to your
petitioners — & as in duty bound shall ever pray.
John Taylor (in behalf of s'^ Proprietors)
[4-63] \_yoh71 Taylor hi behalf of Mo rrist own Grantees.'^
To the Honourable General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire, now Convened at Concord —
The petition of the proprietors of the Township of Morris-
town humbly shews, That theay have not as yet, had any rec-
ompence for all their Extraordinary Sufferings and services
performed to the State, by the Vast Expendatures of Money
and hard labour, in first Settleing and Cultivateing the Town-
ship of Morristown from a barran wilderness, to a fruitful!
field, which your petitioners have now the Mortification to See
the former grantees, of said Township, (which had treated the
oflicers of Government with the utmost Contempt, by neglect-
ing to perform any kind of duty upon the Express Conditions
on which their grant was made,) now allowed to rise up, from
their long ambush of Idleness and take the Cruel advantage of
gathering the ripe fruits of all our labour and Expence, often
insulting, and Challeng us, to get any recompence. Either for
the lands which we have So dearly purchased (by our Extra
Exertions aforesaid,) or the money and labour laid out upon
them, by any Existing law of the State, altho we were Encour-
aged under the legal goverment of Newhampshire, to perform
said duties, and had Every reason to Expect the promised re-
ward for our dear Earned Services, as we Could not then be
Suppose, to foresee, the Events of the approaching revolution
which is acknowledged to be the Sole Cause of all our Suffer-
ing in this respect, nor had we then the least reason to believe
but what the present government of the State of New Hamp-
shire, would Cheerfully grant us as generous a reward for our
Services affbresaid, as though we had remained under the gov-
ernment of the Crown of Greate Brittain, — since the Same
lands which were invested in the Crown, are now by the happy
revolution become the property of the State, as the object of
both governments in granting for the due Encouragement of
Settleing, remains the Same, and your petitioners Can hardly
believe that under our Excellent Constitution of goverment,
wisely Calculated to do Strict and Equal justice to all its Sub-
jects, that any instance w^hich affords no practicable avenue to
justice, will be longe vSuffered to Exist in the State of New-
hampshire and your petitis are .Still further Encouraged to
hope for justice in their peculiar Case, by the acts of the pres-
ent government, as theay still continue to Call on us by the
FRANCONIA. 689
name of Monnstown, for all the goverment taxes, the whole
of which, Ever yet paid, on said lands, under whatever name
theay have been Called, have been faithfully paid into the pub-
lick Treasury of the State, by your petitioners, lately amounting
at one time, to near nine hundred dollars in Siher, and we
Cannot, witliout affronting our own understanding Suppose,
that it is the wish or intention of the goverment of Newhamp-
shire, to take from us such Capital Sums of Money, in addition
to the loss of the Toile and labour upon it, for taxes on lands
which theay do not mean we Should Enjoye, or that have no
Existence in the State, as is pretended, all which unjust Suffer-
ings theay must undergo, till theay — (Can by Some means,)
have reliefe from the government of the State, which your pe-
titioners have the more reason to Expect, by way of petition-
ing, as it is now the only means left them by the faderal
Government, for redress, to Come at justice, as the whole
power, in all Such Cases, is now^ lodged and intrusted with the
respective State goverments, with the fullest Confidence, that
there is Sufficient Honnour and dignity in Every State go^■ern-
ment, in the union, to preserve them from abusing So impor-
tant a power and trust, in which the fideral law, now makes
them the Sole judges in their own Cause, respecting the loss
and Sufferings of individuals injured by a State, that in all
such Cases it is Expected that the goverment of such State,
will Cheerfully do Strict, Equal, and impartial Justice, to all
that fall under their Jurisdiction, (and Especially to their faith-
. full Subjects,) without Exposing individuals to Expensive law-
suits, which theay are not able to bare, and the provision here-
tofore made by law, in this State, for recompence, in a Court
of Chancery respecting the grants of land, have been found so
deficient in their form, and Construction, as to prevent any
practice upon them that in Stead of the protection, for which
it was pretended, theay were designed, theay have become the
mock ridicule, and protection of all those offenders who ought
long since to have been brought to Justice by them, and under
these peculiar Circumstances your petitioners humblv Conceive
it a duty which theay owe to themselves and fiimilies, once
more with due respect and Submission, to look up to the legal
authority of the State for, redress and protection as the politi-
cal fathers and guardians of our just rights, humbly imploring
their attention and Compassion, to take our hard, and unprece-
dented Case into their wise Consideration, and grant us Such
relief, as theay in their wisdom Shall think just, — as your pe-
titioners in duty bound Shall Ever pray —
John Taylor agent for tlie proprietors of Morristown.
45
690 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-64] [ Trouble betweett Franconia Grantees and Alorris-
toivn Grantees. "l
State of Newhampshire County of Gi'afton June 2^ ^79°
To the Honourable the Senate and Hon"* house of Repre-
sentatives in General Court at Concord assembled —
The petition of the proprietors of the Township of Morris-
town Most humbly Shews, our deplorable Condition and Situa-
tion for want of a just and accurate Survey of the Townships
which border on and lay in the Vicinit}' of said Morristown, a
Number of which Towns have not to this day Run Even the
out lines of their Grants and Charters by any actual Survey
and true measure, So as to Enable them to make Just Returns
to authority according to the true intent and meaning of gov-
ernment by said grants but have only formed the outlines of
their grants in theory on paper, by their own wild imagina-
tions, and Some Towns have Extended their Claims and
bounds so far beyond their Just limits by Self interested Sur-
veys and measure as to Swallow up and Encroach on the just
Rights of other Towns, to that degree that tis impossible at
this day as matters now stand, to distinguish the true and Just
devideing lines betwixt one towai and another, which must in
the Sequel Expose thousands of individuals to Spend their
whole Substance in Endless Lawsuits to defend, and assertain
what is their own, if not timely prevented by authority, who
we humbly Conceive have a legal and Constitutional Right to
determine the just bounds and limits of their own Charter
grants according to the true intent and meaning thereof, or we
know not where to look for Redress, as we Conceive that no
Writ of Ejectment Can be Supported in law, till the true
bounds Can be proved, — and the fear and dread of these disad-
vantages has already discouraged and drove away hundreds of
Valuable Settlers to other States who might otherwise have
now been usefull members of Society in this State, and it is
the general Voice and Complaint of the people in this part of
the State, that they are almost discouraged from Strikeing
another Stroke till they know what ground they Stand upon,
and what title they may Safely purchace under among So many
different Claims and grants of the Same land which boundary
lines we humbl}' Conceive Canot be properlv assertained, till
authority appoint an Impartial disinterested Committee who
Shall be duly Sworn to the faithfuU discharge of their trust to
mak out and Return an accurate Survey of these disputed lines,
according to lenth of line and point of Compas given to Re-
duce Each Town to their just limits the Expence of which we
are willing to pay our due proportion without Cost to gover-
ment —
FRANCONIA. 69I
Your petitioners beg leave to further observe that the pro-
prietors of the Townships formerly granted by the names of
Franconia and Lincoln paid So little attention to their grants
as never to lav out or Run Even the outlines of their grants of
the lands which they now Claim by said grants, nor did they
Comply with one Single Condition upon which s*^ grants were
made, that goverment finding that the grants of these Town-
ships were Justly forfeited for the Reasons aforesaid, did then
proceed to Execute to our predecessors under the Seal and
protection of the State, a new grant and Charter by the name
of Morristown which Covers a part of the Same lands which
Franconia and Lin" aforesaid now Claim by these old forfeited
grants, Notwithstanding the proprietors of Morristown have
Ever paid the Strictest attention to the Requisitions of Gover-
ment, to advance the Settlement of the State, did at their Sole
Expence make and Return an accurate Survey according to
the direction of their Charter, and went on to Clear Roads
build mills lav out lots put on Setlers &c, and thinking our
Selves and Interests Safe under the Seal and protection of the
State, did Constantly adhear to the Requisitions of Gover-
ment who Repeatedly Called on us by the name of Morristown
for the annual taxes of goverm' on Said Township, which have
Constantlv been paid up according to the Various Calls of gov-
erment on us from year to year for which taxes we Still hold
their treasvu'er's Recp' for the last farthing of said taxes, but
the proprietors of Franconia aforesaid, finding that our Exer-
tions and Cultivations in said Township were like to make it
Valuable they then wake up from their Indolent Slumbers and
put on airs of Importance for the unmerited favours of gover-
ment, and by force and arms go and take possession of our
Township aforesaid, and by Virtue of their old Claims afore-
said which have been justly forfeited more than twenty years they
pull down our fences lay wast our Enclosurs and Convert the
produce of our labours to their own use and have Constantly
done all in their power to discourage our Setlers from pur-
chasing or making any further Improvements, by threats and
telling them that w^e have no Right to any land there, notwith-
standing we have from the bcgining warned them oH' of said
land at their peril — and in the Honour and dignity of the gov-
erment and authority of the State of New Hampshire do we
Still put our trust for Redress, nor do we yet believe that they
would grant us — (under the Seal and protection of the State)
what they never ment tliat we Should Enjoy or take our Money
and labour from us to give the benefit to those who have totally
neglected their duty —
And all these Services and Sufierings without a Single Rea-
son, or Charge against us for any fault of ours — and we hum-
692 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
bly Conceive that your honours will be more Surprised Still
■when they Come to find that the proprietors of Franconia
-afor*^ went in november last for the first time to lay out their
Township where their forfeited Charter directed them to begin
twenty-eight years ago, and have now laid and loted out near
thirty four thousand acres to the Township of Franconia, when
their Charter Confines them to twenty four thousand acres by
imeasure, and all this Extention of their lines does not yet In-
terfear with Morristown and not a Single family have these
Spacious Claimers under the grant of Franconia, to this day
Settled within this large territory which they have So laid and
lotted out, and we wish to Know whether the Name of Mor-
ristown was Erased out of tlie Treasurers books and the names
of Franconia and Lincoln placed in Room by order of author-
ity or by the artfull Intreigues of any person or persons Inter-
•ested in said Townships aforesaid — for these and many other
Reasons we noyy think it our Indispensable duty to first hum-
lily address and Implore the protection, and direction of gov-
erment in our behalf, that they would be pleased to Either
Confirm and Establish the goverment Seal and Charter of
Morristown, or if otherwise that we may Spedily Know our
fate, that we wast no more of our Substance in fruitless at-
tempts to Enjoy our property in peace, or otherwise as your
honours In their wisdom Shall See fit to direct — as your peti-
tioners in duty bound Shall Ever pray
John Taylor in Behalf of himself and the Rest of the
Prop'' of ISforrlstown
[4-65] \_Petitioti for Help to bttild a Road.~\
State of New Hamshire County of Grafton October y'' 1 1*''
1790
To the honourable Senate and house of Representatives in gen-
eral Court assembled —
The Petition of the proprietors and inhabitants of the Town-
ships of Concord, Lyman, Landaft", Morristown, Franconia,
Bath and Littleton, humbly Shews, That Nature hath So
form'd the land with the waters and Mountains of that pai't of
the Country, as to Render it of the greatest importance and
most pressing necessity for the Encouragement of Setling those,
and many other new Townships above, and to benefit those of
your petitioners already Settled, that they Should as Soon as
possible, have the most direct Road from those Towns to
Thornton, that the land will admit, to accommodate them to go
to Portsmouth, Plymouth, and all the towns below with whom
FRANCONIA.
693
we must have Communication for our market and Supplyes of
goods, which Road would Save us thirty miles travel in Every
journey down, and accommodate the people quite to the upper
Cohoss, your petitioners therefore humbly Request that your
honours would be pleased, to appoint a Committee to Look
and lav out said Road, in the most Convenient place to Serve
the publick and promote the Settlement of that part of the
Country, and that a tax may be granted on those lands Suffi-
cient to make said road. Your petitioners beg leave further to
observe that they have already at their own Expence look'd
out, marked and measured, through to Thornton line, where
they Esteem to be the most Convenient place for said Road, to
answer all the purposes above s'' and have Cut through into
about Six miles of s*^ Thornton line, and find that a Very good
and direct Road may be had withought any Interuption of Bad
hills or Streams But finding the burden too heavy for new and
Infant Setlers to bear the whole Cost themselves, therefore
humbly Request your Honours assistance as above described,
or in any other way which they in their wisdom Shall See fit
to direct, as your petitioners in duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Eben'' Sandborn
Isaac Moor
Stephen Smith
Joshua Bedle
Jon" Moulton
Sam' Way
Jona Kimball
Benja kimball
Simon Oakes
John Hatch
Benja Knight
John Page
Jacob Stan-
David Jewett
Peter Eastman Jr
John Taylor
Amos Wheeler
Amos Baker
Nicholes Powers
Bigford Spooner
Thomas Spooner
Nathaniel Snow Jr
George Howland
Savoury Petty
John Whitimore
Isaiah Morse
David Weeks
Salter
Bosenger Salter
Job Moulton
Noah Moulton
John Barber
James Snow
Anion Judd
Joseph Chandler
David Atwood
Nathaniel Rix
Alexander Hodge
John Grost
James Eastman
Jacob Hurd
Nathan Kinsman
Thomas Hatch
Plenrv Gale
Artemes Knight
Timothy Taylor
John Aldrich
Eseck wheelock
Solomon Cook
Benj" Currier
Nathan Wheeler
Cyprian Pearce
Sam' Lang
Ezra Child
John Rowell
W" Moulton
Daniel Aloulton
Amasa Burk
Simeon Eastman
Samuel Titus
Levi Judd
Moses Jackman
Linus Moss
Andrew Webber
Eph™ Corey
Na' Rix
Aaron Bayley
Benjamin Brown
Nathan Wliceler J'
John Drury
Zebedee Applebee
Edward Oakes
Alexander Jesseman
Ono Snow
John Clark Jun'
David Moulton
Langdon Drury
694 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[4-66] \_Receipt fo7' Taxes. '\
November 10* i795- Received of John Taylor by the hand
of Thomas Thompson Esq"" Eight hundred & twenty dollars &
thirty eight cents, being the amount of State taxes & charges
on the Township of Morristovvn alias Franconia — also received
of s*^ Thompson thirty nine dollars & twenty nine cents the
amount of County taxes & charges on the Township of Mor-
ristown — the said County tax being for the year 17S2, and the
s*^ State tax being for the year 1782, & the s*^ State tax being
for the year 1782, & for every succeeding year up to 1790, in-
clusive—
David Webster Sheriff'
[4-67] [ Town Inventories of Various £)ates.'\
By examing the Books of the Treasury it appears that the
sums hereafter mentioned were assessed on Morristown and
discharged in the following manner Viz, —
In the year 1777, a Warrant was issued by the
Treasurer for JE48,,I3,, 4
1778, " 9h. 6„ 8
1779, first Tax, " 304,, 3,, 4
1779 second Tax " 547, ,10,,
1780 " 2,722,, 10,,
1778 June 22°'' paid by James Richardson Esq'' 48,513,, 4
1779 Jan^ 26*'' paid by ditto 97,, 6,, 8
1779 Nov' 8"^ paid by " 304,, 3,, 4
1780 April 29"' paid by " 547, ,10,,
1782 May 3*^ paid by Gen^ James Reid — 3, 722,, 10,,
The above sums were in Continental paper Currency.
1781 first New Emission Tax JE151,, 5,,
1 78 1 second New Emission Tax 37,, 16,, 3
1781 first Specie Tax 5, ,13,, 5
1781 second specie Tax i,,i7,,io
1782 May 3** paid by Gen' James Reid — 151?? 'J??
37..16,, 3
5,, 13,, 5
i„i7.'io
The first mention of Morristown, on the tax Books of the
Treasury, was in the year 1777, and Franconia is not named
from the year 1775 to 17S1 inclusive —
The above is a true Statement taken at Exeter the 30* day of
November 1798 —
By Nat. Gilman
FRANCONIA. 69$
[4-6S] \_Another Petition from yohn T'ayIor.~\
To the Hon'''^ the Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
Humbly shews John Taylor in behalf of the proprietors of
the grant of Morristown that he must once more state the un-
fortunate situation of said proprietors to this honorable Court.
He laments the necessity they are under of petitioning from
year to year for relief, and should not again request a hearing
did they not feel oppressed with injury & injustice.
jMany years since the tract of land covered by Morristown
charter had been granted in two parcels & under the names of
Franconia & Lincoln with the usual conditions annexed — that
after the period had elapsed in which said conditions were to
have been fulfilled viz in the year 1772 the government, finding
that no part of said conditions had been fulfilled, & in conform-
ity to received ideas of the operation of law in such cases
regranted the said tract of land by the name of Morristown —
that the proprietors of Morristown grant went on immediately
at a great expence & cut a road through the woods fifteen miles
in length to get on to said tract — carried mill irons from Exeter
to Morristown (not being able to purchase any nearer) — built
mills — allotted the town — put on settlers — & paid in taxes to
the State of New Hampshire Prior to the year 1782 seven
pounds seven shillings & three pence in specie, one hundred &
eighty nine pounds five shillings in new emission money, and
three thousand seven hundred & twenty pounds in old emission
bills equal at the time of payment of said old emission to
£7911187110 in specie & that since the year 1782 they have paid
to David Webster Esq'' Sherifi' of the county of Grafton in
specie Eight hundred & twenty dollars & thirty eight cents for
State taxes & charges — & thirty nine dollars & twenty nine
cents for county taxes & charges that after all their labours &
expenditures they are unable to retain by law one single foot of
the land granted to them — that the settlers under them have
been obliged to purchase their lands again of the Franconia &
Lincoln proprietors — that they have been defeated in the pos-
session of the land granted to them by an alteration in our
judicial determinations — & that they felt themselves obliged
to pay the taxes before & since y" year 1782 in consequence of
being recognized <£ taxed by the General Court of New
Ha mpsh ire —
They need not comment on these facts. The liare recital is
distressing to every man of feeling. We confidently anticipate
the good offices of this honorable Court — & think they will not
refuse to make us a suitable compensation out of the unlocated
lands belonging to the State which at present lie useless, upon
696 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
"johich people are daily settling without any authority^ &
which would be of essential service to us —
Wherefore your Petitioner in behalf of said Proprietors
prays this General Court to take this business under their wise
consideration & grant such compensation to them in wild lands
as shall quadrate with their services rendered & monies paid to
the State —
Concord Nov. 26* 179S—
John Tavlor
In behalf of the Proprietors of the Morristown Grant
[He was granted " leave to withdraw." — Ed.]
FREMONT.
This town was a part of Brentwood until it was set off,
June 22, 1764, and incorporated by the name of Poplin.
James Merrill was authorized to call the first meeting of
the legal voters to choose town officers.
By an act passed June 20, 1783, a number of the inhabi-
tants of the south part of the town were authorized to join
the parish of Hawke (Danville) for parochial purposes.
The town was known by the name of Poplin, until by an
act of the legislature of July 8, 1854, it was changed to its
present name in honor of Gen. John C. Fremont.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers from the town were
the following in First N. H. Regiment :
Thomas D. Bates, entered March 25, 1778; discharged
October, 1779.
David Hunt, entered January i, 1778 ; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
[R. 2-16] \_yames Dockhani s Discharge.^
I do Certify that James Dockham new levie soldier in the
second New Hampshire Regiment, being rendered unfit for
duty for want of Cloaths. is hereby honorably discharged the
Service
Given under my hand in
To Whome Concerned ] Camp Highlands This 5"^ day Dec""
civil or Military j '80
Geo Reid L' Col° Commd' 2"'^ N
for Poplin Hampshire Battalion
FREMONT. 697
[R. 2-17] \_A'^lc/ioIas Smith Hoyf s Order. '\
State of New | this is to Desire the Committee of Chiims to
Hampshire j pay to the Selectmen of Poplin all the State
wages due to me the Subscriber for four months in the Con-
tinantal Service in the year 17S1 —
Poplin february the iS — 17S2
Nicholas Smith X Hoyt
Witness — Nathan Merrill
Thomas Beetle
[R. 3-iS] \^yacob yudkins's Order. '\
State of New | This is to Desire the Committe of Clams
Hampshire j to pay to the Select men of Poplin all the
State wages du to me the Subscriber for fovu^ months in the
Continantal Sarvice in the year 1781 —
Poplin february- the 9 — 1782
Jacob Judkins
Please to Pay Lieu' Abraham Sanborn the Contents of this
within Order
Enoch Smith ) o 1
-r> , , ^ ,^ - Selectmen
tizek' (jodrrey j
[4-69] \_Election of Delegate to Provincial Congress. '\
At a legal Parish meeting held in Poplin at the Dwelling
house of En" Nathan Browns inholder in s*^ Poplin on the 8'^^
Day of May 1775 : Voted Dec" Stephen Sleeper moderator to
govern s"^ meeting
Voted Esq'' Zaccheus Clough a Deligate to Join the Congress
to be held at Exeter —
Voted Dec" Stephen Sleeper a Deligate to Join the Congress
if in Case Esq"" Cloughs health Should be So impard that he
Could not go —
A true Copy taken oft' from the Parish Records
attested P' Ezek' Godfrey Parish Clerk
[4-70] [J/r. Clough's Commiinication.^
Sir After My Complyments to you This is to Inform you
698 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that I am not Able to attend at Exeter at the Debety's Meeting
therefore Expects you will attend
Sir I am your Hum^ servant
Poplin May y'' 15"* 1775
Zacch : Clough
To Deaken Stephen Sleeper
[4-71] \_Enoch Browfi's Statej7ietit.~\
This is to inform this Hon. Coart that i Could not attend in
Coart by Reason of my being in a poor State of health but i
thot it Propper to rite how i understud the aftare for which i
was Summonsd to appear hear this Day — & allso how i under-
stud the voat that was past whan De : Sleeper was Elected Esq
Clough was first put to voat and was faerly Elected but he Ex-
ens'^ himself & Said he was un well & Could not go — but it
was Said to him by Sum in the meeting it may be that you will
git well by that time the Congress Sits — he Says it is not likele
i Shall for i have ben in a poor State of health for Sum time —
upon that thare was a moshun mad by Sum in the meeting to
Chous another man — and if Esq'' Clough Should not git well
enough to go than the man that we Should Chous was to go —
upon that, De : Sleeper was nominated & he being the modera-
tor i put him to voat & as i think put him to voat thus — if it
be your minds to Chous De : Stephen Sleeper as a Dilegate to
Represent this parish in Congress if Esq'' Clough Should not
git well enough to go Signefiet by the ussal Sign this voat past
in the positive by which De : Sleeper was Elected
Poplin Sep' the 4*'' 1776
Enoch Brown
N B — i thot Esq' Clough Did not intend to Sit in Congress
any part of the time for he told me Soon after the meeting was
Desolved that he wold not go if he was well — & that he would
tel De : Sleeper before thay parted that he must go —
[4-73] \_Relative to the Election of Delegate^^
Colony of New Hampshire —
To the Hon"' the Council and House of Representatives of
the Colony of New Hampshire in General Assembly Con-
vened at Exeter by Adjournment on the Fifth day of June
Anno Domini 177^ —
Humbly Sheweth the Subscribers Freeholders & Inhabitants
of the Parish of Poplin in said Colony
That they, being required to Send a Delegate to the Late
FREMONT,
699
Congress holden at Exeter in May i775? "^^t Accordingly on
the S"" day of May 1775, & Voted Zacheus Clough Esq' a
Delegate to Join the said Congress, who then & there repre-
sented to the said Parish That his Health was much Impaired
& that by reason thereof he Could not Attend the said Con-
gress, Whereupon the said Parish then Voted Deacon Stephen
Sleeper a Delegate to Join the said Congress in Case the said
Clough's health should be so Impaired that he Could not go —
And Accordingly the said Clough Tarried at home and said
Sleeper Undertook to, & did represent said Parish, in said
Congress, During the Sitting of said Congress (Excepting a
few days of their last Session but one) and we Depended upon
said Sleeper to represent us During the Sitting of said Con-
gress, and not to pay any other Person in Case he first had a
Seat there, but we understand that said Clough after he had
done his Summer work Assumed a Seat in said Congress and
Drew pay out of the Treasury for his Travel & Attendance,
which if we are Taxed for will be a great Grievance to us as
we are a Small parish & never meant to be represented but by
one Delegate — \\ herefore We pray your hon""' That we May
have a Day of Hearing before your hon" upon the Premisses,
or be relieved in Such way as Your hon"'^ shall See Fit — and
Your Petitioners Shall pray &c —
Poplin June 4"^ ,
Thomas Chase
Jonathan Hoyt
Josiah Robinson
William Towl
Abraham Sanborn
Elias Swain
Joseph mudget
Samuel Prescott
Bean
Winthrop merill
John French
Daniel Brown
Jonathen Brown
thomas Rowell
Abraham Smith
his
Ephiram X
mark
776.^ .
W^illiam Eastman
Stephen Fellows
William Chase
Nathaniel Sleeper
Joseph Godfrey
Benjamin Cram
Samuel Flanders
Banjamin selly
Nathan Merrill
Dudly Merrill
Stephen hobbs
John Hoyt
Abner Shephard
Joshua Kimball
Jonathan Smith
Nicoles Jorden Jr
thomas Beede
Josiah Robinson Jun
Ezekiel Eastman
Joshua Lane
Ezek' Godfrey
Thomas Clark
David weed
Sherburne Sleeper
Edward Bean
Samuel Scribner
William Tailor
Joshua Abot
Jonathan Roberson
Benim Kimball
John Clough
John Scribner
[4-74] S^Etioch Brown chosen yusticc of the Peace.'\
Rockingham ss at a Parish meeting held at Poplin (on the
22d day of January 1776) Legally notified to Chose, a Justice
Peace in this Parish —
700 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
istly Voted Abraham Sanborn moderater to govern s** meet-
ing—
a'^ly Voted En" Enoch Brown of s*^ PopHn for a Justice of
Peace in said Pophn ; being Clark of s*^ Poplin —
Given under our hands
Dated Poplin James Merrill | Selectmen
Jan-^' 23** 1776 Ezek' Godfrey J of Poplin
[4-76] \_Petitiofi to be jfoined with Hazuke."]
To the Honourable the Council and house of Representatives
convened at Portsmouth —
The petition of us the subscribers humbly shew^eth, that we
are a compact body, resident on the South side of Poplin, & so
situated that we are unable to support the preaching of the gos-
pel among us, agreeable to our Religious sentiments ; by rea-
son of our being so few in number ; and the more part of the
inhabitants of s"" Poplin, on the north side, are of different per-
suations, in point of Religious worship ; and nature has so
formed the land as to render it very unlikely that ever the
Town will agree to meet in the senter of said Town, by reson,
that a large tract of land in the middle of said Town, is very
unfertile, & not fit for settlements ; and whereas we are situ-
ated adjacent to Plawke, in such a manner as to render it very
convenient for us to be annext to said Hawke.
Your petitioners therefore, humbly pray your honors, to an-
nex all that part of Poplin, to Hawke for parotial privileges,
that lies South of the following bounds viz Beginning at Copy-
hold bridge (so called) thence following Black-rocks road (so
cal*^) to Cap* Nathan Brown's, also including said Browns
estate thence westerly to Black-rocks mills (so called) standing
on Exeter River, thence following up said River to Raymond
line. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray,
&c —
Poplin Dec-" 20"' 1782
Daniel Brown Abraham Smith Walter Haines
Enoch Smith James Tucker Elisha Hook
John Kimbal John Brown Sherburn Sanborn
Enoch Brown matthew Bryant Elijah Brown
Joshua Abbott Joshua Kimbal Ephraim Abott
Stephen Hobbs Jonathan Robinson Willaba Taylor
Benjamin Brown John Hoyt Will'" Grigg
We the Subscribers bv the order & in behalf of the Town of
FREMONT. 701
Hawke do join with the above petitioners in praying that the
prayer of the within petition may be granted
Hawke Dec' 20"' 17S2
Jer. Towle | Select Men
Neh. Sleeper j for Hawke
[4-77]
State of New Hamp' In the House of Representatives Feb^
20"" 1783 —
The Committee to Consider of the Petition of Daniel Brown
& others beg leave to Report as their Opinion that the Petition-
ers have leave to bring in a Bill to set off the Southerly part of
Poplin to Hawke for the purposes mentioned in said Petition,
agreable to the Lines prayed for except taking in Cap' Nathan
Browns Estate and that six months be allowed to the Inhabi-
tants and Nonresidents included by said lines, and who are not
Petitioners to enter their Names with the Clerk of the said
Parish of Hawke and on their so doing they and their Estates
to be considered as not annexed to said Hawke, Signed J.
Bartlet for Committee, which report being read and consid-
ered— Voted that it be received & accepted
Sent up for Concurrence
John Dudley Speaker
In Council Feb^ 21, 1783 read & concurred
J. Pearson D Sec^
[The report was accepted. The petitioners were set off
by an act passed June 20, 1783. — Ed.]
£4-78] [ Vote co7tsenting to the Annexation to Haxvke.~\
State of New Hamp"" — Rockingham ss.
At a Town Meeting held by the Legal Voters in Poplin y*
io"> Day of Feb"->' 1783—
After Chooseing a Moderator to Govern said Meeting —
It Was put to Vote to See if the Town Would Concent that
Daniel Brown and Others, Petitioners to the Number of Twen-
ty one. Should be annext to the Town of Hawke for Parochial
Privileges, a Greeable to a Coppy of a Petition Exhibited to
the Selectmen of said Poplin by order of Court and past in the
Positive
At»' per Enocli Smith T Clk
[4""79] \_Refnonstra/ice to the Foregoing.'\
To the Honarabell Counsall Hous of Representeives —
Gentellman — We would Humbly Baag that your honars
702 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Would tak it into your Consideration and Let us Remain And
our Estats as Befour in the Parish of Poplin and not to Bee
anexed with the Parish of hork By the foouelling Resans
Because that the Parish of Hoork Refuses to arect a meating^
hous in the Sentuer either by tax or by Distance of way
but insists upon it that thair meating hous Shall Remain
whare it now is untill that thare is a unanmas agreamant and
that we Conseave Will not Bee thearfore we think it not our
Duty Nor intres to Join with the Parish of Hork unless that
theay will agree to arect a meating hous in the Senter
Dated at Poplin febuerey 17 y* 1783
Nathan Brown
Jonathan Brown
Nathan Brown Juner
[4-S0] [ Towns Consent r\
State of New Hamp' Rockingham ss
At a Town Meeting held by the Legal Voters in Poplin on
y^ 10* Day of Feb-^ 17S3
After Chusing a Moderator to Govern s*^ meeting The Copy
of a Petition Exhibited to the Selectmen of Poplin by order of
Court was read in the Meeting ; after reading the Petition, it
was asked bv the Moderator If any Body had any thing to Ob-
ject against that part of Poplin mentioned in the Petition being
set of to Hawke for Parotial Privilidges If they had they ware
desired to make their objections. Upon no objections being
made, It was Put to Vote to See If the Town w^ould Concent that
all that part of Poplin mentioned in the warning of Said Meet-
ing Should be annexed to the Town of Hawke for Parotial
Privileges and past in the Positive —
Ezek' Godfrey Moderator
[4-81] [^Number of Polls in 178 J.']
Pursuant to Directions from the Hon^'^ the General Court of
the State of Newhampshire Requesting the Exact Number of
male Pools of twenty one years of age and Upwards Paying
for themselves a Pole tax in the town of Poplin wee the Sub-
scribers Selectmen of s*^ Poplin find Said Number in s'' Poplin
to be Ninety Six
Given Under our hands at Poplin Decem'' y*" 9* 1783
John Scribner~) Selectmen
Enoch Smith > of
Ezek' Godfrey ) Poplin
FREMONT.
703
Rockingham ss December 9'*' 17S3 Then the within named
Selectmen made Oath to the truth of the within returne by
them Subscribed before
John Dudley Jr
[4-82]
\_Relative to RepresentativeJ^
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable house of Representatives in General Court
Assembled —
We the Subscribers free holders and Inhabitants of the par-
ishes of Raymond and poplin In said state humbly sheweth
that by mistake our Last meeting for the Election of a Repre-
sentative In march Last being Illegally Calld by the Selectmen
of Raymond which agreeable to the Constitution should have
been called at Poplin It being so Late in the month of March
as not to permit of an Election of one Agreeable to the Consti-
tution— For which we therefore humbly pray to be restored to
the Privalige that order may Issue for the Election of a Repre-
sentative as In Duty Bound shall ever pray
may the 30* 17S5
John Scribner
John Cram
Nath' Dudley
Francis hodgkins
Josiah Gorden
W" Grigg
Biley Liford
Prayer granted.
Abraham Sanborn
Jon* Swain
James merrill
Sherbne Sleepure
Danill Sanbern
moses Brown
Joshua Lane
Thomas Gorden
Daniel Norris
Thomas Bean
John Clough
Manoah Scribner
[4-S3] \^E. Godfrey recommended for Magistrate.^
To His Excellenxy Mesheck Weare Esq_, and the Honour-
able Council, of the State of New Hampshire —
May it please Your Excellency and Plonours The Petition of
us the Subscribers, being Freeholders and Inhabitants of Pop-
lin ; in the State aforesaid, Together with Some of the Free-
holders, within the line of Brintwood, Humbly Shews, That
Whereas it is Necessary, there should Be Justices of the Peace,
upon many Accounts, and there is none amoung us, or very
nigh, that we know of at Present We conceive they Ought to
be Men, not onlv of good Moral Characters, but also posses'd
of natural and Acquired Abilities In a good Degree : Together
with a Disposition to Seek the things that make for Peace, and
704
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
things whereby the Union of the Community may be main-
tain'd. We look upon Ezekiel Godfrey, of Poplin afores'd
Gentleman, to be Measurably posses'd, with Each Qiiallifyca-
tion we have made bold to mention ; and Moreover He has
been a Steady friend to the Liberteys of America.
We Puting Confidence, in your wisdom & willingness, to
Appoint Such men, w^hen their Characters are made Known.
Your Petitioners Humbly pray, your Excellency, and Honours,
to grant the Said Godfrey a Commission, for a Justice of the
Peace in Poplin aforesaid, as your Petitioners in Duty bound
Shall Pray—
Dated At Poplin April 19* 17S5.
Abraham Sanborn
Daniel Dolloft'
Ezekiel Eastman
Jeremiah Brown
Samuel Sleeper
Step Sleeper
Richard Cliftbrd
Benjamin Cram
Samuel Tilton Cram Joseph Brown
Josiah Robinson
Thomas Beede
Joseph mudget
Biley Liford
Benjamin Judkins
Abraham Clark J^
Nathan Brown
Timothy Gordin
Samuel Flanders
Phinehas Beede
Job Keniston
Josiah Gorden
Robert Row-
Coffin Sanborn
Jeremiah Rowe
Joshua Lane
Jonathan marston
William Eastman
Nathanael Daviss
John Carr Juner
David Weed
Joseph Mudget Jun"" Benjamin Mudget
Jonathan vSanborn Joseph Shaw
Edward Tucke Abrm gorden
Benjamin Brown Eli Beede
Nathan Brown Juner Truorthy Marsh
John Tucke
Abraham Clark
William taylor
Enoch Gorden
Samuel Shaw
Samuel Marston
Joseph Hilyard San
born
Joseph Sanborn
Stephen Fellows
Nicoles gorden Jun''
Benoni Gorden
Elisha Hook
Abner Sanborn
[4-S4] \_List of Grievances — Petition for Relief .'\
To the Hon^^ the General Court of the State of Newhamp-
shire Siting at Concord on the first Wensday of Jvuie In-
stant—
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Pop-
lin in Said State Sheweth that at a Legal meeting of Said in-
habitants on thirsday y' i^' Day of June Instant warned in Con-
sequence of a Petition of a Great Number of the Respectable
Inhabitants of Said town — to See if the inhabitants of Said
town would Vote to Petition the Said Hon'^ Court that meas-
ures Might be taken by Your honours that would Give Some
Relief in the Present Public Destress
Voted a Committee of five Persons to Draw a list of Grev-
FREMONT. 705
ances and Shew wherein the Same May be Remedied — ad-
journed Said meeting to Monday y^ 5"^ Day of June Instant at
4 O, Clock A. AI ; Said Committee meet on Said Business and
agree to Report the following Perticulars
i^' truely Distressing is the Present Day when wee Consider
the Great weight of Publick Burdens and the Extream Scarcity
of a Medium of trade oweing Much as wee Suppose to our
Ports Being Shut up — it Brings to Mind that of an antient
African Monarch Deliver the full tale of Bricks, but no Straw
Shall be Given —
Therefore wee Believe it to be Necessary to the last Degree
that the Said Ports Should be Immediately Opened to an Eu-
ropean trade and Pray Your Honours to Etlect the Same if it
be within the limits of your Power
3*^'^' that whereas large Sums of Money appear to have Been
voted by the General Court in time Past for trifeling Services —
we Pray your honours to Be Cautious in Voteing Sums larger
than a Reasonable Compensation for actual Services
^diy -whereas Great hinderances to our Courts and Many Un-
just Representations are Made therein by those Men Called
Lawyars therefore wee Pray Your Honours to Provide Meas-
ures that May be Effectual to Prevent any further Mischief
ariseing from their troubleing Said Court — Meet on Said Ad-
journment Put to Vote to See if the town would Except the
foregoing Report and Pased in the Positive — Put to Vote to
See if the town would vote to Petition Said Hon'^ Court to
make a Bank of Paper Money on Such a Plan as Said Court
Shall Judge Most Suitable to answer the Present Necessity and
Pased in the Posetive Voted to transmit the foregoing Proceed-
ings to the Said Hon'^ Court and humbly Submit the Same to
the Determination thereof
James Merrill Stephen Fellows " Signed in Behalf of
Enoch Brown Ezek' Godfrey .? Said town Poplin June
Thomas Chase S y« ^«'> 17S6
c
U
46
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
[The four following documents relate to the service done
in the P'rench war by the Quakers of Dover, Durham,
Madbury, Rochester, Barrington, and Somersworth : — Ed.]
[12-1*]
To Benning Wentworth Escf Governor and Commander in
Chief in and over the Province of New Hampshire — and the
Council and House of Representatives —
Wee Hereby Inform you that wee understand that there was
an act of General Assembly of this Province that a number of
men should be Raised by this Government & Employed in his
Majestys Service & in Every Regiment where there are any
Quakers Liable to be Impressed the Colonel or Chief officer is
to hire into the Service So many men, as by the act, are Liable
to be Impressed from the Quakers in their Room and Stead in
a Due Proportion to the other part of the Regiment, now to
make the Proportion, wee understand the Captains have num-
bered the People & Called a Great Niunber Quakers more than
wee in Justice Can Call Quakers, and wee understand that out
of that number which they Called Quakers there were Several
men Enlisted and went into the Service if not their full Pro-
portion and yet not one man Called a Quaker when their names
was Returned — therefore we think there has not been Justice
Done — Wee understand that there was two men out of that
number they Called Quakers in Somersworth to go, — and wee
think there was two Enlisted & went — and yet two men there
was hired and wee that Live in Somersworth are taxed for
that money over & above the Province tax, & Dover, &
Durham are Liable to be tax** after the same manner, which
♦State Papers, Collection of 1880, in Secretary's office.
710 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
you well know that wee pay our Equal Proportion in full
of all Charges of the government and this Laid on us over
and above the Province tax and wee Look on it to be a Burthen
Laid on us — therefore wee offer these things to your Serious
Consideration, and wee Humbly Pray the Court that they in
their wisdom would Relieve us —
By order & in behalf of our Monthly Meeting held at Coche-
cho in Dover the i8"* Day of the lo* month 1760.
Joseph Austin Thomas Tuttle Samuel Austin
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 28, 1761, the foregoing petition was
read, and a hearing ordered for the 5th of February follow-
ing.— Ed.]
[12-2] \_Afe?i hired as Stihsiitutes.~\
A List of Men Hired by me the Subscriber in the Room of
Quakers for the Service of this Province agreeable to act for
the year i759 —
For the Quakers in Dover Viz'
Benjamin Wingate 9, 4,0 Aaron Ham 9,12,0
John Brewster 9, 0,0 Ezra Kimball 9,10,0
Samuel Harford 9,10,0 William Hanson 9,12,0
Joshua Wills 9, 4,0 Benjamin Twombly 9, 0,0
Love Kenny 7,10,0
9— 82,3,0
For the Quakers in Somersworth Viz'
Paul Libby 9, 4,0 George Gerrish 9, 0,0
2 — 18, 4,0
For the Quakers in Rochester —
Mark Leighton 9^12,0 Joseph Bussell 9, 4,0
2 — iS,i6,o
For the Quakers in Barrington —
William Evins 9,12,0 Joseph Libbey 9, 0,0
2 — 18,12,0
For the Quakers in Madbury —
Isaac Hanson 9,10,0 Reubin Chestlee 9, 4,0
Joseph Bunker 9, 0,0 Benj" Gerrish 9,16,0
4— 37'iO'0
For the Quakers in Durham —
Timothy Roberts 9, 4,0 Aaron Hanson 9, 4,0
David Cops 9,12,0 John Weymouth 8,16,0
4— 36,16,0
23 men 212, 0,0
APPENDIX. 711
[12-3]
Account of the men that inlisted in the Kings Service In
Somersworth —
Isaac Hanson in the year 56 & 57 & 59
John Hanson in the year 59 & 60
Samuel Horn inlisted and hired a man in his Room and went
himself in the year 60
Robert Hussey inlisted and hired a man in his room Barns
year 55 and inlisted and went himself, and his son went in the
year 59 & 60
Account of the men that Inlisted in the Sarvice in Dover —
Mark Giles Enlisted and hired W" Watson in his Room
Richar Cook In the year 60
John Cook In the year 60
Jacob Sawyer* Sarvant John Lain 58-59-60
Thomas Hanson* Sarvant Joshua Wells 59-60
Moses Sawyer hired Abraham Johnson & his Sarvent Cle'
meeder Went In the year 5S-59
John Cloutman In the year 60 —
Nathaniel Austin & Sarvant won year
Thomas Canneys Sarvent i }'ear
Thomas Laightons 2 Sons Gidon & Theodore year 59 and
to the amount of 7 years in the hoU
Nathaniel Lamus in the year 59
James Nute in the year 58
And Paul Nute in the year 59-60
Joseph Runnels his Sarvent Ichabod Busel 2 years
Sam Starbird* Sarvent W'" tomson i year
Sam Drew went & Died in the Sarvis In 59
Tho Ransom He has bin four years wone year in 59
Nathaniel Hanson Went 3 years won years in 59
W" Jenkens his Sarvent Jeams Meloney i year
Amos Pinkham went 3 year won year in 59
Sam Young went won year
Moses Young went in the year 58-59-60
John Yoimg went in the year 60
Joshua Cromet went in the year 59
Edward Whitehouse' Sarvent Jeams Thomson went in the
year 5S-59-60
Reuben Chesley & Sons has bin as much as to amount to 7
years in the holl
Durham —
Enoch liunker went in the years 58-59-60
Joseph Bunker went in the year 59
Nicholas Tuttle went 2 years and his Son Stoten went in the
years 57-58-59-60
712 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Rochester —
Solomon Laighton went 2 years
John Nute went i year
Solomon Pirkens went i year
In Somersworth —
Edward & Sam' Allen Paid £33,0,0 old tenor
■ Jobe Hussey Paid — 12,0,0
In Dover —
John Varney Paid £16,0,0
Timothy Robertson Joseph Bickford & Benjamin Roberts
hiered Love Caney in the year 59 in Dover.
[12-1]
In H. of Rep.. Feb. 6^^ 1761, This petition being read & the
parties heard fullv thereon — Voted — That the prayer thereof be
granted & that the Taxes ordered by the Treasurers warrant to
be assessed on the people called Qiiakers in the Towns of Do-
ver Durham Somersworth Rochester & Barrington in the year
1760 be Remitted & that the same be added to the province
Tax of s"^ Towns for the year 1761 & that Jon" Lovewell Esq""
be a Committee of this house to joyn with such as may be ap-
pointed by the Hon"'' Council to prepare a Bill accordingly.
A Clarkson Clark.
In Council Feb. 7, 1761, After hearing the Partys read &
concurred
Theodore Atkinson Secy.
[12-7] [ Copy of Letter ff-om Col. Theodore Atkinsoti to Air.
Fisher., in London^ December., iy68.'\
Portsm° N. H. Decemb"' 13 1768.
D^ Sir-
Agreeable to promise I now propose to give you sundry
Hints relative to the late Bounds fixed by his Majesty to the
Government of N. York 6l in the first Place I take for granted
that you are fully acquainted that the Council of Plymouth by
Several Grants conveyed to John Mason Esq all that Tract of
Land between a Line running West'^ at the Distance of three
miles North of Merrimack river & Piscataqua river & to be
Bound'* by a Line at Sixty miles from the Sea — Mr. Mason the
Grantee in the year (I think) 1635 undertook the Settlem' of
his Grant & expended great Sums at least £30,000 Sterling be-
fore he Died, he left a Will & bequeathed the Premises to his
APPENDIX. 713
Grandson by his Daughter then married to Mr. Tufton (of the
Family of the now Earle of ) & intailed the same &c —
the Heir being an Infant at the Death of the Grandfather did
not come over to this Phmtation til many \ears after the Death
of the Grandfather nor til he came of age when he arrived he
found the Testators Tennants (with a mixture of Strangers)
settled on the Land claiming the same as their own Property &
having settled the Lands for near 10 or 12 miles back from the
Sea & they being too numerous Comfortably to subsist without
a regular Governm' Courts, Majestrates, &c — the Mass" took
them into their Jurisdiction & exercised authority over the
whole of Masons Grant & this without any regular authority
till Masons heirs Complained to his Majesty, when upon a
hearing the IMass. Disclaimed all right of vSoil & Governm'
from y*^ 3 miles north of Merrimack to Piscataqua river the
King then assum*^ the Governm' & appointed a President &
Council who were to call General Assemblvs &c &c — from this
time arose Disputes about the Boundary's & constantly increas-
ing as the Lands were settling — In this Troublesome situation
(in my Time) it remained at least forty years when the King
upon repeated solicitations Constituted by special Conditions a
Court to be held near the Dispute with Power to hear both
Parties & Determine the Dispute ab' the Boundaries this
opened the first Prospect of Peace we had & of Putting an end
to this Tedious Dispute you' remember Gov"" Belcher was
Govern'' of Both Provinces at this Time & was by the Consti-
tution of the Court to adjourn the respective Gen' Assemblys
to such Places as should be near the Court — accordingly the
Court met at Hampton the Mass" Assembly at Salisbury & N
Hamp"" at Hampton the Commissioners were 3 from Nova-
scotia 3 from Rhode Island & 3 from A^ezv York the eldest
Councelors in each — they received our respective Demands &
entered Judgment from which both Parties appealed to his
majesty in Council where Judgment was rendred & were in
that Parte that relates to our Present Purpose was to run Due
West cross JMerrhnack river & to extend til it fnet his
Maj*^y^ other Governm^ & this was to be (as every Person must
see) the Dividing line between the Contending Parties — & this
Line was agreeable to his Majestys Instructions to Gov-
ern^ Belcher run & marked til it cjtds 20 ?niles easterly of
Hudson river & when Govern'^ B. Wcntvvorth came over his
(85) Instruction recites the whole aftair & directs the Govern'
under the Pain of his highest Displeasure & of being removed
from his Govcrinn' to take especial Care that his Majestys
Command in this behalf be executed in the most effectual &
most expeditious manner to the end that his Majestys good
Intentions for promoting the Peace & Qiiiet of the s"* Province
714 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
may not be frustrated or Delayed &c — now north of this Divid-
ing' Line -was ive think expressly within New Hampshire
that is we imagined this Government was not [to] be reduced
by narrower Lines the Commission to Gov"" B. Wentworth
gives these as the Bounds of Jurisdiction within which he w^as
enabled & Impowered to grant all the ungranted Lands He
pvu'sued this Commission & Granted many of the Lands ad-
joining to a north Line at 20 miles eastern distance from
Hudson river & many of those Townships settled & settling
when 2inexpectedly His Alajesty directed that the Line be-
tween New York and this Prov*^ should be the Western Bank
of Connecticut river his majesty must certainly be unac-
quainted with the Geography of that Part of the Continent I
think this will appear from the following Particulars
1. Because this Dispute was commenced & carryed into
Judgment to settle the Disputed Line of Governm' & Property
& therefore may be rationally supposed to end at the same
Point Namely, his Majestys other Governtti*^ otherwise it
would not be a Divisional Line
2. The odd shape it will give both to New York & N. Hamp''
for if you Consider that New York is to be bounded by a
north Line 20 miles East of Hudsons river beginning at the
southerly or South Westerly Corner of Connecticut then run-
ning on the head of that Governm' til comes to the corner of
the Mass" then following that Line til it comes to y* north or
North Westerly Corner thereof then Instead of pursuing the
North Line afores*^ it now turns oft' & runs East by our Divisional
Line to Connecticut river which is about 35 miles & then to be
bounded on Connecticut river as that runs which in course up
the river Trends so much to the East that it runs into the
County of York & is there a cottsiderable river before 6"'*
Ferdifiando Gorges Pat tent or Grant is run fnore than half
the 120 miles from the Sea — this will open another Dispute
with the Mass" & N. York at 6 or 7 Hundred miles Distance
from their Capital so that by there late Bound of New York
coming East to Connecticut river this Province will be too
small to support the charge of a Governm' & New York as
much too large to carry on affairs of Governm' with Comfort
or Propriety — as the Country is now Settled on Connecticut
river the Inhabitants have no way to their Capitall nor can
hereafter have an}- road but through the whole Prov'' of New
Hamp' the whole of the Mass" & the whole of Connecticut
Governm*' before they arrive within fifty miles of the City of
York a hardship this that must forever render all Intentions of
Settling the Land abortive — but then if it is considered that N.
Hamp' supposing the Tract between Connecticut river & the
North Line drawn from the Mass" north west Corner suppos-
APPENDIX. 715
ing this Tract be part of X. Hamp'' the Govern'' with advice of
Council granted great Part tliereof into Townships which were
most of them setthng with Harmony & Courage — These Grants
•were made agreeable to Gov. B. Wentworths Commission &
Instruction and also exactlv conformable to a Judicious Deter-
mination of His late Majestv in Council on a dispute between
the Mass" & New Hamp' relating to the Garrison Fort Dum-
mer a Small Fort built by the Mass" on the West side of Con-
necticut river but on running the Divisional Line fell into this
Province & a Dispute arose which Prov" should garrison it
this was Determined by his Majesty
[The document from which the above is copied is in
Secretary Atkinson's handwriting, and docketed " Copy to
M' Fisher in London Decern^" 1768, N" 18 A." — Ed.]
[The following is the proclamation referred to by Dr.
Bouton in a note at the foot of page 475, Vol. X, State
Papers. I have since found it, and placed it in the volume
entitled "State Papers, Vermont Controversy," page 336. —
Ed.]
State of New ) a r> i 4--
TT 1 • ^ A Proclamation.
Hampshire )
Whereas a number of Towns, in the Counties of Cheshire
& Grafton in this State, did at the commencement of the
American Revolution, by a full Representation, by their Dele-
gates in the Congress Assembled on that occasion, unite with
the Delegates from the several Towns in the other Counties, in
the then Colony, now State of New Hamp"" in an application
to the United States in Congress Assembled ; requesting leave
to take up Goverment ; and by their Advice, did accordingly
concur in forming & adopting a Constitution & Plan for
the Governing this State, during the contest with Great Brit-
tain ; and afterwards, afl'ected to join themselves to a body of
People, dwelling on the western side of Connecticut River,
claiming to be a seperate & independent State, by the Name of
Vermont ; and have since their Union as aforesaid, refused
submission to the Authority & Goverment of New Hamp% or
to contribute their proportionable part of Taxes & supplies,
for prosecuting the War.
And Whereas the United vStates in Congress Assembled,
always have, and still do, in all requisitions for Men, Monies &
Stores of ever kind, calculate the Qiiota of New Hamp"^ ac-
cording to the number of Inhabitants, contained on tlie terri-
tory under its Jurisdiction, at the time of the revolution ; And
7l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
as the said Congress, by the Confederation, particularly, the
first, and second Articles thereof, guarantee to the several
States, that they shall severally retain their " sovereignty, free-"
" dom & independence; and every power jurisdiction and"
" right, which was not by the Confederation delegated to the "
" United States in Congress Assembled," And also, did enter
into a ''•firm League of friendship with each other, for their"
" common defence, binding themselves, to assist each other,"
"against any force ofiered to, Attackts made upon them, or"
" anv of them, on Account of Religion, sovreignty, trade " &c ;
And likewise, by their Resolution of the seventh and eighth of
August seventeen hundred eighty One, do expressly confine the
New Hamp'' Grants & State called Vermont, to the west side
of Connecticut River — and Resolve in the words following
(Viz.) " That, in case Congress shall Recognize the Inde-"
" pendence of said People of Vermont, they will consider, all"
" the Lands belonging to New Hamp'" & New York respect-"
" ivelv, without the limits of Vermont aforesaid, as coming"
" within the mutual Guarantee of Territory contained in the"
"Articles of Confederation; & that the United States, will"
" accordinglv Guarantee svich Lands, and the Jurisdiction"
"over the same, against any claims or encroachments from"
" the Inhabitants of Vermont aforesaid," And as by a follow-
ing Resolution, passed on the twenty first of August A. D.
1 78 1, Thev do in the most explicit and peremptory terms, de-
clare their " fixed purpose, to adhere to the guaranteeing of the
States of New Hamp'' & New York, as contained in the Reso-
lution " above recited, making it the preliminary of admitting
Vermont to independence & the federal LTnion.
Yet notwithstanding, that New Hampshire hath at all times
had the undoubted right as aforesaid, to the jurisdiction over
the Towns in the Counties of Cheshire and Grafton ; she hath
foreborn fullv to enforce the same, in expectation that time &
lenient methods, would awaken their attention, conciliate their
artection & dispose them to consult their interest, by peaceably
acceeding to her rightful Authority, And at the same time,
New Hamp'' hath been in expectation, that the Hon''^* the Con-
gress, would finally determine, respecting its claim to the Ju-
risdiction on the western side, of the River Connecticut ; but
while waiting for this event, so earnestly to be wished, certain
persons on the eastern side of the s*^ River, who in some in-
stances at least, have appeared unfriendly to the Revolution ;
and who may therefore, be suspected of the most dangerous
designs against the United States, have taken advantage of the
unsettled State of things in that Territory ; and under the pre-
text of joining Vermont, and establishing the Authority thereof,
have openly & avowedly resisted the Authority of New Hamp' ;
APPENDIX. 717
and proceeded to molest some of the good Citizens thereof, to
threaten & injure others for the supposed crime, of denying &
resisting their assumed Authority ; and even to drive them from
their habitations.
Therefore, the Council and House of Representati\es, in
General Court Assembled, have found themselves reduced to
the painfull necessity, of ordering such an Armed force into
that quarter, as may eflecutally protect the civil Magistrates,
acting under their Authority in performing the duties of their
respective Oifices, and in carrying the good & wholsom Laws
of this State into execution, for the restoration of order, and
the protection of all their good Citizens, And they do hereby
solemnly declare, that in pursuing this necessary, tho' disa-
greeable ineasure, they have no other Object in view, than the
preserving & restoring the public peace.
And whereas, the Authority of New Hampshire earnestly
wish, the late glorious struggle for American Liberty, now ap-
parently approaching to an happy issue, may not be tarnished
by civil dissensions ; they hereby call on and exhort the Inhabi-
tants of the said Counties of Cheshire and Grafton, to keep a
watchfull Eye on the insidious Arts, of factious & evil minded
persons, who to serve their Ambitious Views, and disturb the
general Peace, would sacrifice their best interests, And to con-
vince the People of those Counties, of the mildness and lenity
of that Government, to which they wish them to return, they
hereby engage to all persons therein, who may have accepted
Offices under the s'' State of Verinont, and who under the pre-
tended Authority thereof, have imprisoned ; or by any means
Molested, hindered or disturbed, the public Officers of New
Hamp', or liroke the Peace thereof, that they shall receive full
indemnity therefor, so far as the State is concerned, on the con-
dition, that within fort}' days, from and after, the issuing this
Proclamation, they repair to some Magistrate of the State of
New Hampshire, and who hath not joined Vermont : and in
his presence subscribe a declaration in the words following viz.
We whose Names are hereunto subscribed, do acknowledge
and declare, that the State of New Hampshire doth, and of
right ought, to extend to the western bank of Connecticut
River ; and that we will demean ourselves in future, as peace-
able Citizens of said State.
And in case any person or persons, shall from and after the first
day of February next, presume to disturb or molest tlie exer-
cise of the lawful Authority of New Hampshire, or to exer-
cise, aid or abet, the pretended Authority of Vermont afore'd
within those Counties, he or they, shall be denied Enemies to
this, and the United States & delt with accordingl}-.
7l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
State of ) In the House of Representatives Jan*^ 12*
New Hamp'' j 17S2 Upon reading and considering the fore-
going Proclamation Voted that it be received & accepted and
that two hundred and fifty copies thereof be immediately print-
ed and sent to the Several towns within this State —
Sent up for Concurrence
John Dudley — Speaker P : T.
In Council same day read & conc*^
E Thompson Secy
[12-8] \^Maj. jfohn Gilman's Petition. '\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General
& Commander in Chief in & Over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire the Hon**'® His Majestys Council and House
of Representatives June 20"' 1757 —
The Humble Petition of Major John Oilman of Coll. Me-
serve's regm' in behalf of the Soldiers of s*^ regiment now in
his Majestys Service under the Command of Lieut. Colonel
Qofle — at Fort Edward — Shews, That the said Troops were
ordered to March from N" 4 (where with much fiitigue they
had arrived) to Fort Edward and in their Way rested a while
at Albany Flatts from whence by order of Said Colonel & the
Request of the Captains Emery Moony & Bayley your Peti-
tioner Came to Represent the Condition & Circumstances of
said Troops which are greatly Fatigued & Dispirited by Such
a Long & unexpected March & want of Necessary Supplies —
That there is need of a Tent for the Officers of Each Company
& one for Every Six Soldiers — Kettles, Cantoons, & Beds
for the Sick — An allowance of Rum & Sugar — Store of Shirts,
Waste Coats Shoes & Stockings — Some farther allowance for
fresh Provision — Provision for their Relief in Case the Small
Pox Should Prevail & Spread among them it being very Gen-
eral at Albany & in all Probability at Fort Edward wither they
are Bound — Billeting from the time of Enlisting till they
Marched — An Armourer a Doctor a Chaplain — A Baker An
allowance for the Officers Table — Money to pay the Extraor-
dinary Charges in Marching up to Fort Edward & other Inci-
dental & Contingent Charges —
These being the most Material Articles of which the Said
Troops stand in Great Necessity Your Petitioner Humbly
Prays Pursuant to his order That the Premises may be Con-
sidered that Speedy Relief therein may be Provided that the
Said Troops may not be Dispirited and their Present uneasiness
& Discontent may be Removed — And your Petition'' shall Ever
Pray &c —
John Oilman
APPENDIX. 719
[12-9] \_Letter from Col. Seth Warner., z///.]
Manchester July the 20"^ ^777
Gent'"—
The Dehiyin;^ of the Mihtia from your State and the Necessity
of help from Some Qiiarter Imidiatly to assist us, oblidges us to
again Send to you for to Forward them on with all Possible Dis-
patch, by all we Can Learn from our Scouts & men Coming
from the Enemy as well as by Prisoners taken from them, that
the Number who are now at Castleton & Destined to march
Down through the Newhampshire Grants So Call"^ are about
4000, they are Suposed to march this Day and with Cannon
the number of Troops we at Present have Collected Dont Ex-
ceed 500, and unless we have speedy help, (should the Enemy
aproach) we must be obliged to Retreat before them, and
Leave them to Possess a Great Part of what we have — you
may Conclude that the Frontier will be where there is a body
of Troops Sufficient to Stand the Enemy — all are Desired to
Bring kittles & utentials for Cooking — this Express is to alarm
the Inhabitants as he Goes through, my order from the General
for Calling upon your State was Inclosed in the Former Ex-
press.
I am Gent'" with Due Respect your obedient Sv'
Seth Warner Col°
In Council of War —
To the Genl : officers Comanding the militia in the Several
Countys of Newhampshire State or Committee of Safety
Goft''s Town July 23'' ^777
These may certify that Richard Coughlan of Chesterfield has
Deliver'd an Express to me sent by Col" Seth Warner bearin
Date the 20"" Ins' s** express being to be forwarded to Gen' John
Stark he being on his way to Charlestown — N" 4 I have taken
a Coppy of the same —
Daniel Moor Col :
To Carrying the within Mentioned Express, for myself &
Morse &c Notifying the Militia 5 Days a 18 p"' Day
Chesterfield FclV 3" 1 7S6
Richard Coughlan
Read & referred to the Committee on Eph'" Baldwins Peti-
tion
Attest lohn Calfe
720 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
\_Roll of Capt. Williatn Barron'' s Company^ lyyS.']
[In the Adjutant-General's Report, 1866, vol. 2, pp. 289
and 290, in the roll of officers of Col. Joshua Wingate's regi-
ment, it seems that one company was omitted. This fact
has been brought to light recently through researches made
by Hon. George C. Gilmore, of Manchester, a descendant
of Lieut. Whitefield Gilmore, who found the original muster-
roll of the company in the Adjutant-General's office, and
caused it be published in a circular. The following is copied
from the original roll : — Ed.]
Muster and pay roll of men raised for Canada, out of Col.
Daniel Moore's regiment, mustered and paid by Moses Kelley,
July 22, 1776.
William Barron, Lyndeborough, Capt.
Whitefield Gilmore, Bedford, i*"' Lieut.
Stephen Bartlett, Pembroke, 2*^ Lieut.
David Scobey, New Boston, Ensignr
David Gregory, Bedford, Drummer.
Bedford — George Orr, Samuel Fugard, Patrick Murphy,
James Steel, Jonah Tirrel, William Karr.
Goffstown — George Little, Joshua Bell, Benjamin Walker,
James Man, William Houston, Samuel Smith, Timothy John-
son, Joseph Fyence, John Todd, Matthew Kennedv, Josiah
Wood.
Francesto~vn — John Brown, John Nichols, William Mont-
gomery, William Brown, Robert Butterfield.
Lyndeboroiigh — John Reynolds, Isaac Dey, Samuel Ste-
vens, James Barnam, John Ro\ve, Philip Fletcher, Reuben
Batchelder, Nathan Batchelder, Peter Russell, Asahel Stiles,
Hezekiah Hamblet, Joseph Allinwood, John Carkin, John
Bosee, Samuel Butterfield.
New Boston — Tobias Butler, SanV Patterson, James Coch-
ran, Thomas Langdell, Joseph Haselton, John Smith, Thomas
Smith, James Clark, Sam' Spiller, Abner Hogg, Alexander
Walker, Robert Walker, Robert Patterson.
Dnnbarton — John Jameson, Thomas Huse, John Mills,
Asa Burnam, Jacob Sargent Colby, Nathan Carr, Samuel
Colby.
Pembroke — Samuel Kimball, Nathaniel Lakeman, David
Frye, Benjamin Hagget, Levi Carter, Asa P^orster, Junr, James
Head, Jonathan Elliot, Ephraim Garvin, Samuel Kelly, Thomas
Stickney, Jeremiah Abbott, William Knox, Nath' Smith, Eli-
phalet Connor, Sam' M'^Connel, John Lauder, John Qiiimby,
John Cook, Eliphalet Norris, John Knox, Phedris M'^Cutten,
APPENDIX. 721
John Cochran. James Knox, Joseph Cochran, Nath' Martin,
John Beten, Benj" Xorise, John Jenness, James jSIartin.
Societv Land — Thomas English.
\ August 22''. I the subscriber agreeable to appointment of the
Council f& Assembly, have mustered the within named per-
sons, Soldiers gone in Col. Joshua Wingate's Regiment to
Canada cS: paid them the several & respective sums set against
their Names in this Roll they all being good able bodied &
effective men.
Moses Kellv Muster Master.
\^Documents relative to Charter Records. '\
[When Gov. John Wentworth left the province of New
Hampshire, he took away four manuscript volumes contain-
ing the records of the charters, and grants of lands, ferries,
etc., made by himself and his predecessors. After peace
was declared, at the request of the legislature Gen. John
Sullivan opened a correspondence with him relative to their
restoration, which, as the following correspondence will
show, was successful. The books are now in the ofifice of
the secretary of state, and are frequently consulted. — Ed.]
[12-10]
Portsmouth, Jan^>' 9"' 17S8
Sir—
I have the honor to Inclose for the Information of the hon-
orable House Governor Wentvvorths Letter to me of the 26'^
of november last in answer to mine written at the Request of
the General Court some time since ; requesting him to forward
the Books of Records to the hon''''= Daniel Rindge Esq'. Those
Books are now in this Town and I would submit to the wis-
dom of the House whether it would not be adviseable to
appoint a Committee to Inspect the Books before They are re-
ceived or receipted for by me — ^
I should do great Injustice if I ■ neglected to Inform the Gen-
eral Court that since I had the honor of their appointment to
obtain the Records Mr Rindge has used every possible Exer-
tion^to assist in procuring them
I have the honor to be very respectfully
sir your most obed' serv'
Jn" Sullivan
The Hon'''* the Speaker of the
House of Representatives
4"
722 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[12-11] \^Gover?ior WentivortJis Letter. '\
Halifax Nova Scotia 26"^ Nov"" 17S7
Sir, —
I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's letter, re-
questing me to deliver to Daniel Rindge Esq., the Books of
records that belonged to the late Province of New-Hampshire,
which are now in my possession ; Previous to my late official
absence from this place, to which, I returned the 19* instant,
I had not any proper opportunity to convey these books ; I,
with great pleasure, have this day entrusted them to the care of
Gregory Townsend Esq : a very respectable Gentleman of this
place, who takes passage on board the Brigantine Prince Will-
iam Henry, for Boston, where M"" Townsend will deliver the
package to M'' Rindge, on his arrival. There are four volumes
in large folio, of the Provincial Records, and one volume folio,
of the Clerks office, for the County of Grafton. I request your
Excellency wou'd transmit a Certificate and Declaration, speci-
fying my having delivered these Records to the Legislature of
the State of Nev/ Hampshire, in conformity to the seventh
article of the treaty of Peace. Permit me to assure you, Sir,
that I shall gladly embrace any occasion to approve myself
with great truth and respect.
Your Excellency's most obedient
and very humble Serv
J. Went worth
President Sullivan
[12-12] \_Action of the Legislature.~\
State of ] In the house of Representatives Jan'''' 31*
N : Hampshire J 1788 —
The Committee for examining the Books of Record returned
to this State by John Wentworth Esq'' late Governor, Report-
ed that the books referrred to (viz) books of Record of Char-
ters &c N° I, N° 2, N° 3 and N" 4, and one book of Records
belonging to the Inferior Court of the County of Grafton, are
in good order and have been carefully kept —
Whereupon, Voted that his Excellency the President be de-
sired to receipt for said Books, and that they be lodged in the
Secretarys office —
Sent up for Concurrence —
Tho^ Bartlett Speaker
In Senate the same dav read & concurred
J. Pearson Secy
APPENDIX. 723
[The following, relative to the boundaries of several
towns in Grafton county, is published for the reason that
inquiry has frequently been made at the secretary's office
about the matter. The copies are made from tlie original
documents, which may be found in Vol. 12, collection of
1880.— Ed.]
[12-13]
State of New \ To the Hon*"'" the Council & House of Rep-
Hampshire j resentatives of the State of New Hampshire in
General Assembly Convened —
The petition of the Subscribers being Agents for the Pro-
prietors of sundry Townships within the County of Grafton in
s'' State Humbly Sheweth that the several Townships of Lime,
Dorchester, Cockermouth, Plymouth, Orford, VVentworth,
Rumney, Campton, Piermont, Warren, Trecothick, Thornton,
Haverhill & Coventry, were granted by Charters, to Contain
certain Qiiantities of Land, respectively, described by Length
of Line, and point of Compass in said Charters mention*^ de-
pending the one upon the other — And that the same were never
ascertained, by any proper metes & bounds, named in said
Charters. And that the said Townships have never been laid
out by any other Authority, than each Set of proprietors laying
out their own respective Townships. And that your petition-
ers conceive that there is Land sufficient if properl}' laid out to
satisfy each Charter — Altho by means of each Township being
laid out by its own respective proprietors and by mistakes in
their measuring the length of lines & in the points of Compass
they run. also by means of some of the above mentioned Char-
ters interfering with each other some Townships enroach sev-
eral miles upon others — And some Townships that should be
six miles square, have not more than about four miles square
left for them ; and that scarce one of said Townships can ascer-
tain where their true boundaries ought to be, or what, or how
much Land each respective Township ought to tax towards the
public Charges — Neither can they lay out their Lands into lots
& enjoy them without Danger of endless Lawsuits —
Wherefore your petitioners humblv pray, that Ebenezer
Thomson, Joseph Badger, Ebenezer Smith Levi Dearborn &
John Smith Esq"" May be appointed (by an Act of the General
Court for this purpose) a Committee to survey & lav out, by
sufficient metes & Bounds all the Townships aforesaid, or so
many of them as have signed this petition — according to Char-
ters and to make return thereof into the Secretary's office and
that their surveys & returns of them or the major part of them
may be binding upon all parties —
Provided that no settler shall be disturbed in the possession
724 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of the Lot he has improved upon under any of the Townships
aforesaid — But that the proprietors vvhose land he has wrong-
fully taken up, shall be satisfied out of the unimproved Lands
of the proprietors under whom any such settler respectively
settled and that this survey & return may be made at the Ex-
pence of the proprietors represented in this petition —
And your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c —
December 2'^ ^779 —
Daniel Brainerd
Charles Clark
Alexander Craig )■ Agents for Rumney
Edwin Everett
Mich' Dwyer
Enoch Page } Agents for Wentworth
W"' Hacket j and Warren
Sam' Emerson ")
Samuel Livermore > Agents for Plymouth
Moses Dow j
Tohn Holmes ") » ^ r r^
•^ 1 TT 1 r Agents lor Lampton
Samuel Holmes j ^ ^
Rich*^ Tenness ) . ^ c -a- 1.
T R TvS^ li. I Agents tor Piermont
Jon* Moulton j ^
Ton* Moulton ] » . r r\ c j
<■ ^;r ,, T T r Agents for Orford
Jos Moulton J un'^ j ^
Agents for Lime
Agents for Haverhil
[In H. of Rep., June 20, 1780, a hearing was ordered for
the next session. — Ed.]
[12-14]
At a Convention of Committees from the prop^ of Town-
ships in the Countys of Grafton and Straflbrd in Order to adopt
some measures to settle the Lines & boundaries of said Town-
ships, held at Rumney by adjovirnment 2 Dec'' i779
Voted — Sam" Livermore Esq'' Phillips White Esq"" & Cap*
William Hackett or either of them be x^gents or Agent to pre-
fer their petition to the Gen' Court & see the matter carried
into Execution
Extract from the minutes — Attest Moses Dow Clerk
June 1, 1780
Convention adjourned to 3 Thursday in Aug' next at i P. M.
APPENDIX. 725
[12-15] \_Pefition of Proprietors of Canaan. '\
To the Honourable Councel and House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire in general assembly convened
at Exeter —
The Petition of the proprietors of Canaan in the county of
Grafton in State aforesaid unto this Honor*^ Court Humbly
Shews —
That your Petitioners Hold their Lands by a Charter under
the great Seal of the late Province of New Hampshire there
being the Test of Benning Wentworth Esq"" then Govenor of
Said Province that the Said Charter Describes the bounds of
said township to begin at the Northeast corner of Lebanon and
to run South 58 deg. East being the same Course with the
North line of Enfield as it was then supposed to be, but upon
Surveying the Town agreable to the words of the Charter the
s^ Survey run in upon your Petioners Grant near a mile which
much surprised them, as the then north line of Enfield was
the reputed South line of Canaan, upon examining into the
mistake, your Petitioners found there was a gore of land lying
on the North Side of Grantham between s"* Grantham & En-
field which was not claimed by the proprietors of Grantham
w^hich Land youer Petioners found ought not be a gore but
was occasioned by a literal Error of the person who drew the
charter of said Enfield, by writing Sixty Eight Degrees instead
of fifty Eight Deg* for as it now stands the lines do not any
w'ays comport with the other Descrptive Parts of the Grants,
and interferes with and confounds all the lines of the adjoining
Towns, but by Correcting said Error from Sixty Eight to
fifty Eight Deg* the whole is Reconciled and makes the charter
Uniform which literal Error is so very obvious that it is to be
seen at the first Glance
The petitioners beg leve further to Suggest that thare are a
very considerable number of peaceable inhabitants now Settled
under the Charter of Canaan on the lands so en^oneously in-
cluded in the charter of Enfield, which unless said literal Error
shall be rectified by your Honors Speedy Determination on the
Premises may ocasion a variety of Distressing Lawsuits the
natural consequences of which will undoubtedly be to increase
a spirit of discontent that has for a long time retarded the Set-
tlement & Culture of new lands, and being injurious to the
State in General —
Youer Petitioners humbly pray that this Hon' Court would
ajDpoint a committee t(j look into your Petitioners Case & to
make such Report thereon as may be found necessarv to relive
your Petitioners bv ordering said literal mistake to be Rectified,
which will make the former Surveys of all the adjacent Town
726 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
appear correct and correspondent with the Bounds thereof
which Determination if your Honours should think best, youer
Petitioners presume will not be opposed by the Proprietors of
Enfield, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Exeter January 5"' 1781
^ TT • ) In Behalf of
(jeorge Harris V , i xa
'^ j the Proprietors
[In the H. of Rep., Jan. 6, 1781, a hearing was ordered
for the next session. — Ed.]
[12-16] \_Rcport of Committee Appointed March 28, l'/8i.'\
Whereas by an act of the General Assembly of the State of
New Hampshire Passed on the 2S"' Day of March Last Jere-
miah Page Esq"' was appointed with us the subscribers a Com-
mittee to Settle the Lines and Boundaries of the Townships of
Enfield alias Relhan and those lines and Boundaries of the
Townships of Canaan and Grafton which are or may be Con-
tiguous thereto or Dependant thereupon — Pursuant to said
appointment the Subscribers have attended said Business and
by and with the Consent of all the Parties have performed said
Service in the following manner viz. Beginning at the South-
erly Corner Bound of the Township of Lebanon which is the
South Westerly Corner of the Township of Enfield alias Relhan
Commonly CalF Sumners Bounds and Running South fifty
eight Degrees East Six miles and three fourth of a mile to a
Hemlock tree Mark*! H G. W C &c thence Running North
forty Degrees and forty five minits East about five miles and
half to a Spruce tree marked as aforesaid which is the Dividing
Line between Enfield and Grafton and is the North Easterly
Corner of Enfield alias Relhan and the South easterly Corner
of Canaan thence Running North fifty Eight Degrees West Seven
Miles and Sixty Rods to a burch Stump which is also the
North easterly Corner. of Lebanon & the South westerly Corner
of Canaan thence by the Township of Lebanon to the bounds
first mentioned —
Boscawen July 9*'' 17S1
Henry Gerrish r p
William Chamberlain
[12-17] \_CoHventio7i of the Toiviiship Agents. '\
\\\ Convention of the Agents or Committees of the proprietors
of Piermont, Orford, Warren, VVentworth, Rumney, Plvmouth
& Campton that Signed the Petition to the Gen' Court for Set-
APPENDIX. 727
tling the lines & bounds of said Towns voted That whereas
the Time is near Expired that the Courts Com'^^ agreeable to
the Act of the Gen' Court are to make return into the Secre-
tarys office of the Settlement of the bounds and lines of said
Towns and as the same cannot be Compleated before the said
Time is expired — Therefore Col° Jonathan Moulton Esq' is ap-
pointed in behalf of this Convention to Petition the Gen^ Court
to Extend the Time one Year more from the time already per-
fixed by the Gen' Court agreeable to said Act —
Plymouth 35"' Sep' 1781
o 1 T^ ] Clerk of
Sam' Emerson Y ^ r^
s°- Convention
[12-18] S^Jonathan Mozilton's Me?norial.'\
State of New Hamp"" —
To the Hon*''" the Council & House of Repi'esentatives of the
State of New Hamp' in Gen' Assembly convened & now
setting at Exeter in s** State —
Humbly sheweth Jonathan Moulton of Hampton in the
County of Rocking'" & State afores"^ Esq"" in behalf of a num-
ber of Agents from the proprietors of the Townships of Pier-
mont Orford Warren Wentworth, Rumney, Plymouth &
Campton —
That An Act of the Court afores'' intitled " an Act to sur-
*' vey & establish the bound of sundry Towns in the County of
"Grafton & Straflbrd " limited the time of doing the business
by said Act intended to be done to the twenty seventh day of
Oct° last past which proved to be too short a time for the Com-
mittee by said Act appointed to do said business —
Therefore your petitioner in his said Capacity prays your
Honors that a further time of one year from the said 27"* Day
of Oct" last may be allowed for the purposes in said Act men-
tioned & that he may have liberty to bring in a Bill accord-
ingly—
And vour petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever prav &c —
Nov'S'" 1 78 1
Tona Moulton
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 14, 1781, the foregoing request was
granted. — Ed.]
[12-19] \_Proprietors'' Petition^ ^7^3 •']
State of New | To the Honourable the Council and House
Hampshire J of Representatives for said State —
The Petition of the Subscribers Agents for the Proprietors of
728 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sundry Towns in the County of Grafton Humbly Sheweth
that some time passed, an Act was Passed by the Authority of
s^ State appointing a certain Committee therein named to Set-
tle the lines & Bounds of Sundry Towns as aforesaid, viz Ply-
mouth, Campton, Rumney, Warren, Wentworth, Piermont &
Orford, which Act having been lengthened out. is now near
Expiring. That the said Committee has begun. Proceeded and
Accomplished the greater part of the said Business of their
appointment and would have finished the same had it not been
for the Extraordinary difficulty of the season being exceeding
Rainey and Wet, and dificult working in the Woods, and the
finishing the same will be of great advantage to the Towns
aforesaid, we therefore pray that an order may Pass the Au-
thority of the State for the further lengthening out said Act for
such further Time as Your Honours shall think sufficient in
order that the aforesaid Business may be legally accomplished,
and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray
In Convention of the Agents of said Proprietors held at
Durham this 24**^ of October 17S3
Moses Little y Agents for Campton
Attest — Sam^ Emerson 1 o 1 t:' ] tdi ^.u
r-^^ , c A r^ ^- r Sam' Emerson > Plymouth
Clerk 01 s" Convention J j
Enoch Page | Warren &
W" Hacket I Wentworth
[12-20] ^^Proprietors' Petition^ ^793 ■~\
To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire —
The Memorial of the Underwritten humbly sheweth — That
your Memorialists having Concerns in the several Townships
of Bath Lyman Concord, alias Gunthwaite Franconia & Lin-
coln in the County of Grafton, and finding frequent Disputes &
Altercations among the New Settlers of said Townships about
their Boundaries much to the detriment of their Interest, as
well as greatly retarding the Settlement of that part of the
County wishing to have all the Outlines of these Townships
well ascertained & being very desirous of removing these Diffi-
cultys as speedily as possible — Do now request of the Honor-
able Court a Committee may be appointed to join Committees
from Each of those Townships before mentioned as may chuse
to appoint them, for the purpose of perambulating their sev-
eral Bounds, & if practicable so to adjust them as that they may
all be duely settled & confirmed by this Honorable Court to
prevent future Strife & Altercation when at the same time may
APPENDIX. 729
be run the closing' Lines on any unlocated Lands in that Qiiar-
ter — w'"' will be most undoubtedly of public Utility —
The Expences of this Business y'"' Memorialists expect may
& will be defrayed in due proportion by the proprietors of the
several Townships or agreeable to the Directions they may re-
ceive from the Honorable Court — All which is humbly sub-
mitted—
New Hampshire Jonas Minot by his Son
Concord June 13"^ ^793 Sam' ISIinot
John Hurd
[12-21] \_Report of Cominittee on J3o7(?zdartes.~\
Pursuant to an Act of the Council & Assembly of the State
of New Hampshire passed the 27"^ day of October 17S0 ap-
pointing us the Subscribers a Committee to survey & lay out
by proper Metes & Bounds the following Townships in said
State viz Rumney, Wentworth, Warren, Plymouth, Campton,
Piermont & Orford, We have carefully attended said Bussiness
and proceeded agreably to the directions in said Act, and laid
out said Towns in Manner following viz Orford, beginning at
a Pine Tree by Connecticutt River being the Bound between
Lime & Orford thence South sixty three degrees East six Aliles
and three hundred rods to a dry Spruce Stub : Thence North
Forty one degrees East five Miles and three quarters of a mile
to a Beech Tree. Thence North Fifty Eight degrees West
Seven Miles to a hemlock Tree standing near Connecticutt
river, thence by said River to the first bound.
Runiney, beginning at a Beech tree the North East corner
Bound of Dorchester thence North Forty five degrees East six
Miles to a Bass tree, thence South Fifty nine degrees East five
Miles & three quarters of a Mile to a Spruce tree thence South
Twenty Eight degrees West five Miles & a half mile to a hem-
lock Tree the North East corner bound of Cockermouth thence
by said Cockermouth North Sixty one degrees West seven
Miles & fifty one rods to the bound began at.
Warren beginning at a Bass tree being the North west corner
bound of Rumney thence North Twenty four degrees East five
Miles & three quarters of a Mile to a Maple Tree Thence
North about Seventy four degrees W'est Eight Miles to a Beech
Tree being the South East corner of Haverhil thence South
five degrees & a half West five Miles and a half mile to a
Beech Tree the North east corner of orford thence on a
Straight line to the Bound began at.
CafHpton beginning at a red Oak tree at the Pitch of the
great falls on pemigewasset River commonly called convinse
730 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
falls being the Northwest corner of New Holderness thence
East six Miles to an Ash Tree, Thence North five Miles to the
old North West bound of Campton, thence West five Miles to
a Beech tree by Pemigewasset River, thence South Twenty
degrees East one hundred & Twelve rods, to a Maple Tree,
Thence South Eighty Eight degrees & forty minutes West two
miles & three quarters of a Mile & Thirty Eight rods to a
Spruce Tree being the North East corner bound of Rumney
thence South Twenty Eight degrees West by Rumney five
Miles and a half mile to a hemlock tree the North east corner
bound of Cockermouth, thence North Eighty six degrees East
about five Miles to the Red Oak Tree began at.
Plymouth^ beginning at a Pine tree on the Western Bank of
Pemigewasset River opposite Holderness corner where the
line of Campton crosses the river, thence on Campton line
South Eighty Six degrees West about five miles to a hemlock
tree the North East corner of Cockermouth, thence South
Thirty degrees West five miles one half Mile & fortv rods to a
Beech tree, thence South Thirty Seven degrees West, five
Miles & two hundred & Eighty five rods to a Beech tree on
Grafton line, thence South Sixty five degrees East tvv'o hundred
& Sixty Rods to a Beech Tree Standing on the Curve line,
Thence following the Curve line about Twelve miles & a half
mile to a White Oak Tree standing on the Bank of Pemige-
wasset River, Thence by said River to the bound began at.
Wentivorth^ beginning at a Beech Tree the North East
corner of Orford, thence by said Orford South Forty one de-
grees West five miles & three quarters of a mile to a dry
Spruce tree the North East cornei bound of Lime, thence South
sixty one degrees East Six miles & Fifty six Rods to a Beech
Tree the North East corner bound of Dorchester, Thence
North forty five degrees East by Rumney six miles to the
South East corner bound of Warren being a Bass Tree, thence
by said Warren on a Streight line to the bound began at.
Piermo77t^ beginning at a hemlock tree standing on the bank
of Connecticut river being the Northerly bound of Orford,
thence South Fifty Eight degrees East seven miles to a Beech
tree being the North East corner bound of Orford, thence
North five degrees and thirty minutes East five miles & a half
mile to a Beech tree the South East corner of Haverhil thence
North Fifty three degrees West five miles three quarters of a
mile and fourteen rods to Connecticutt river, thence by said
River to the first Bound. Nevertheless it is to be understood
that the line between Haverhil & Piermont as here set forth is
not to interfere, obstruct, or Alter any agreement relative to
said line from Connecticut River to the Southeasterly corner of
^he Hundred Acre Lots laid out by Haverhil as settled by the
APPENDIX. 731
Proprietors of Haverhil and Piermont and a Jud<^ment of the
Inferior Court of common pleas in the County of Rockingham
consonant with such agreement. — We have returned herewith
& annexed hereto a plan of the laying out of the Towns afore-
said and noted at the several corners the Bound Trees all which
Trees we have marked with the initial Letters of our respective
names, and generally heaped Stones about the Bound Tree,
excepting the Bound Trees at the Easterly corner of Campton,
and the Pine at the Southwesterly corner of Orford, by Con-
necticut river
Witness our hands the fourth day of September 1784
Ebenezer Thompson
Joseph Badger
Ebenezer Smith
Levi Dearborn
John Smith
Received and filed in the Secretary's office this 4"* of Sep-
tember 17S4 —
Attest — E Thompson Sec''^
[The foregoing committee was appointed by the legisla-
ture, Oct. 27, 1780, and their report was to be "binding
and conclusive in law upon all persons and parties what-
soever."— Ed.]
[12-22] \_Col. Benjamin Sumner s Scheme to secure an Al-
liance Tvith the Indians in i8oo.~\
Grand River U— C— July 16'" 1800
Sir I have been hear in this Vicenety Neer Twelve month
on Domestick business and am in Duty Bound —
Your wisdom will direct wheather it is advisable to apply to
the Federal Government — the facts I will lay before you in Part
so as to open the scene for your advice on the subject — Capt
Joseph Brant the selebrated Indian Chief of the six Nations —
and grand Counselor of all other Nations in U. C Has Resined
all his offices and Implovments so far as Relates to aney Nego-
tiations with the Brittish Government — the Contest is of long
standing, and most serious and like to Continue — Conserning
the fee simple of their lands granted them by Gineral Ilalde-
mand when governor of Qiiebeck for a Compensation for the
Losses they sustained in the late war with the U. S. —
I will Venter to say that the Preemption Right by gift or
Purches from the Federal Government of a Tract of Land
from Cuyahoga River to Sanduskce Bav of about one and a
halfe million of acres near the bigness of the Tract they sup-
732 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
posed they had a Title to from the Brittish Government would
be gratefully Rec*^ Duely and Perpetualy ackn'* and Immedi-
ately setled by them, and som white People their associats —
What would be the Consequence of such a Plan carried into
Execution —
The Confederated Nations of Indians would become Allied
to the U. S. —
The mohawks have been in unshaken alliance with the Brit-
ish Mounoruck for about Two Hundred years without the lest
Variation or Wavering a Nation to be Confided in ; all other
Nations court their favour ; and they are Transmutable beyond
a Doubt with propper Incoredement the Plan prudantly and
Virtuously car'd on would in a short time Turne the current of
the North west Trade to the Federal Union ; and be more than
a Compensation for the before mentioned Land ware they given
by the U. S. to the Nations before mentioned ; beside the
over much Ballance of Power in case of future Wars — The
111 Treetment the Tarters Rec^ from the Emperor of Russia
made them ; to the amount of about 30000 in the year 1750
gow over to the Chinees and abot the year 177° — 7°*^°° more
followed their Example they ware all Provided for ; and that
formed a Barrior for the Latter against the former Nations — on
this subject Door — Closed — and Inviolable Secrets kept — if
worthy of your notice Write to me at Claremont in September
or October at which Time I shall be at home and will soon wait
on you —
I am Sir your Most ob*^ Serv' —
Benj. Sumner
Exclencv T- T. Oilman Esq"" ) . j ^ ^1
Gov^N. H. j ^ ^''^'■'^ ^"^ ^^'"^ ^^''^^
[13-23]
Hon*^ Sir — In consequence of the late conversation I had.
with you, as a counsellor of the state of New Hampshire, as
to the advantage the United States might derive from an alli-
ance with the various tribes of Indians under the immediate
care of the Celebrated Cap' Brant, & now in alliance with
Great Brittan, I shall take the liberty of communicating to you,
my Ideas on the subject in writing & in as concise a manner
as possible ; hoping they may meet your approbation togather
with others in Government with you, who you are requested
to lay this before — If the plan is honorable & interesting to the
U. S. as I really think it is, it must be discovered by his Ex-
cellency the Governor & the Hon*''^ council at the first blush —
As I have lately spent fifteen months, with & in the neighbor-
hood of the Indians in Upper Canada, have had a great oppor-
tunity to form an acquaintance with them, & I know their com-
APPENDIX. 733
plants & disputed, with the Brittish Government, which are of
long standing and like to continue, as it relates to the lands
given them, by Gen""' Haldermand for a compensation for their
losses sustained in the late War with the U. States, Govern-
ment holding the fee in themselves ; the Indians look on their
situation as Tennants at will under the Brittish administration,
a thing they dispise ; but with all their remonstrances & Peti-
tions, they cannot remove the difficulty, therefore they find
themselves under greater imbarrassments, than the}' were when
they left the Mohawk & Gennessee. to fight for the King of
Great Brittan, when as they contend they not only lost their
Blood & treasure, but their Liberty which is dearer to them
than life itself — Those and many other complaints too numer-
ous to mention, have occasioned many councils to be holden
among the various Tribes of Indians ; & they are forming a
combination under one general Government ; that combination
has now become of consequence, & undoubtedly will be more
so ; as the various tribes have to the amount of about thirty,
chosen Brant for their chief war Cap' & grand Councellor of
State ; with as much unanimity as the U. States ever chose the
never to be forgotten Washington to the Presidency, those
tribes that have put themselves under Brant make no contracts
with Government without his consent & direction. Many of
the above Tribes depend entirely on agriculture for their sup-
port many of them are great farmers ; the arts & sciences are
much cultivated, and the English Language is well understood
by many in each Tribe, as there is a school for that purpose at
the jMohawk Castle constantly kept, which has the decided
approbation & incouragement of Brant & every tribe has the
benefit thereof — The acquaintance I have formed with Cap'
Brant gives me a great oppinion of his abilities & integrity,
his Powers in war & Prudence in peace, has procured him
esteem beyond all his Colour, that have gone before him, And
it appears to me that as Providence raised a Washington to
give freedom to America, so he has raised a Brant to bring the
Natives into civil & religious libert\', which is the height of his
ambition as it appears from repeated conversations on the sub-
ject for this six months past with me, which I shall state as
accurately as possible —
Brant in company with white and read people wish to obtain
the Preemption right, of a tract of land, of twelve or thirteen
millions of Acres, on the Navigable waters of Lake Er\-, at
sanduskee bay, Miame River, and form a government or state,
have the privileges of Citizens with freehold estates subject too,
& in union with the united States in confederation. The reason
why this place is pitched on is, first because it is in the united
734 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
states 2"^'^ it will with the influence of the Indians command
the northwest Trade, and 3*^'^ Brant & the councils of the Na-
tions had rather be in alliance with or Citizens of the united
states, than be slaves to a monaixh at three thousand miles dis-
tance, who can hear no complaints or oppressions, only from
the Agents of Indian aftairs who are continually defrauding &
oppressing them —
To have the confederated power of Indians in combination
with the U. States is a matter of the greatest consequence, not
only in the time of War, for we must consider their strength
as by no means contemptable but in the time of peace ; This
plan being affected with such alterations and regulations as
government may choose will effectually centre the North west
trade in the federal government, which will be more than ten
times a compensation for all the lands they may give to the set-
tlers & adventurers who will undertake the settlement in com-
pany with the Indians, to aid and assist them in Civilization —
It may be said by some we don't want the assistance of the Ind-
ians ; but those are ignorant of their strength, wealth, power,
numbers & policy ; this we may be assured of that if we do
not take them into confederation with us they will be against
us, & I will ventur to assert, from the best authority, that the
united states may have them, togather with their Trade, which
undoubtedly is the most Lucrative in America, and on better
Terms than as Allies — Look of the Spanish, French & Brit-
tish, they all have their agents among them, and still they are
people of such firmness & judgment that they prefer a union
with the United States — As I have had many conferences with
Capt Brant, I shall relate some of our conversation in con-
firmation of his & the nations sincerity in the business, about
six month since. Brant informed me, when he was in Phila-
delphia he had some offers made him by our Government, but
at that time it was out of his power to accept, & that he should
never let slip another opportunity of this kind ; but did not ex-
plain to me what those offers were — While I was in the Prov-
ince I wrote to his excellency Govenor Gilman & Chief j*
Olcott on the above subject. Brant not only read the letters but
carried them to the post office at Canadoigue 220 miles with
his own hand that thev might safelv arrive —
Some time in August last Brant waited on Gov'' Hunter at
York in the upper Province to get redress of grievances, the
interview was short & the conversation pointed, but no redress
given — The next day one of the councel & Clerk of the coun-
cel in conversation with Brant assured him, if he would apply
to government, he should have his two sons educated at the ex-
pence of the Crown ; his reply was that, that Government
should never refuse him another favour, & that he should send
APPENDIX. 735
them by his friend, to the states for their eckication, at his own
expence, on his retiu'n home he called on me, & gave me some
hints of his success as above stated ; and of his intentions in
future. In his conversation says, that Hunter says Damned
Indians — But in reply says I can whip Hunter in the woods or
in the field and I am a man for him when & where he pleases —
which is an oath equal to any ever taken by an Indian — A few
days after Cap' Brants return a council was called & Brant re-
signed all his offices, so far as related to any negotiations with
the Brittish Gov'. And the Grand Council of the Nations resolved
that they, as heads & chiefs of the seven nations there pres-
ent, would do no business, with the Brittish Government with-
out the aid and assistance of Capt. Brant, which will prevent
any immediate negotiations w4th Government — About one
month after this there were sent out by the great Chief and
Council, as a committee, a Cap' Jones & a Cap' Elliot who
married Red women, Cavihoga their high Priest, & several
Chiefs to view the lands before mentioned expecting to be about
three months, and in hopes of a kind reception by the Federal
Gov' they will make their returns some time in Nov"" ins',
Many other circumstances I could mention that prove to me
their sencere intentions but think it unnecessary —
The two young Chiefs were delivered to my care, when I
left the Province, & according to my orders, I have left them in
charge of the President of Dartmouth College, who rece** them
with strong proftesslons of Friendship, being the sons of that
Chief who in his youthfull days rece** his education of Letters,
Piety & virtue, under the Tuition of the Late Rev'^ Docf
Wheelock —
The Chiefs Conduct shews plainlv he is more attached to the
manners of the New England People than the Brittish — Their
sincerity I have no doubt of, & shall spare no pains to bring
the much desired object to pass — But this with due defierance
is submitted to the wisdom of the wise —
But give me leave to suggest, that when I view the situation
of the United States & their Connection with the powers of
Europe, or rather to say their seperation from all Powers, and
the opportunity that now presents itself without infringing on
any treaty or Nation, acquiring an alliance of great strength,
the wealth of the northwest trade, and a permanent peace to
our frontier, togather with many other advantages too numer-
ous to mention, I think that no time should lie lost —
'Should the Brittish know of this plan they would stop it at
the expence of a million.
Should this meet the approbation of the Gov"" & Council of
N. II. at tlie sliortest notice I will appear before them, & give
tlicm furtlicr information of the time & place of meeting on
736 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the subject, By Cap' Brant, other Chiefs & myself, then to go
on to the seat of our Government for further directions —
May the state of New Hampshire have the name of bring-
ing so great a good to the federal Government —
I am sir with due respects
your most obedient, devoted & very Humble Serv'
Benj"* Sumner
Claremont Nov'' 15"" 1800
Honb'* Sam' Stevens Esq''
[Hon. Samuel Stevens was a member of the governor's
council at that time. I find no mention of the matter in
the records of the council. — Ed.]
OLD DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN FAC-SIMILE.
The following interesting documents are printed \w fac-
simile from the originals in the New Hampshire state
library, which are very rare, if not unique.
The first, bearing date January 5, 1776. is the original
printed issue of the first constitution of New Hampshire,
which was also tJie first written constitution of any of the
United States.
As early as October 18, 1775, our delegates in the Con-
tinental Congress received instructions from the colony of
New Hampshire to " obtain the advice and direction of the
congress with respect to a method of our administering
justice and regulating our civil police," which they commu-
nicated to congress on that day. And on November 3,
1775, congress adopted the following resolution:
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the provincial
convention of New Hampshire, to call a full and free rep-
resentation of the people, and that the representatives, if
they think it necessary, establish such a form of government
as in their judgment will best produce the happiness of the
people and most effectually secure peace and good order in
the province during the continuance of the present dispute
between Great Britain and the Colonies."
Thereupon, on November 14, 1775, the Provincial Con-
gress of this state adopted a plan for representation, upon
which an election of delegates was held, who assembled in
convention, December 21, 1775, and on January 5, 1776,
adopted this first written constitution of government, and
resolved themselves into a house of representatives there-
under.
The second of the documents herewith presented is a
proclamation of the council and assembly to the people, that
48
738 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
this constitution was in force, and that officers had been
chosen and qualified under it, etc.
The third document is the result of an attempt to form a
second and more complete constitution. A convention for
that purpose was assembled, which, on June 5, 1779, voted
to submit to the people the bill of rights and constitution
which they had framed. The convention reassembled on
the succeeding third Tuesday of September, and on exam-
ining the returns of the votes of the people found that their
work was rejected. Thereupon the convention was dis-
solved.
Another constitutional convention met in June, 1781,
which, after various failures, succeeded at length in produc-
ing a bill of rights and constitution which were acceptable
to the people, and which went into effect, as the second
constitution of New Hampshire, on the first Wednesday of
June, 1784.
[The above article is furnished by Hon. Charles H. Bell.]
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INDEX
INDEX OF TOWNS, PLACES, ETC.
Acworth, 1-6, 287,288,465,470, 471
Adams 1 59, 1 60
Albany 7-9
Alexandria, 9-21, 238, 239,477,478
Allenstown. . .39-44, 210, 355, 361
401
Alstead 2 1-38. 364
Alton 44-57
Amesbury, Mass 305
Amherst 57-io5i 497
Andover 16, 116-120
Antrim 105-116
Apthorp 167,472,473
Articles of Confederation,
votes on, 90, 185, 318, 675-678
Ashuelot, Upper 325
Ashuelot, Lower 325
Atkinson 120-136, 598
Atkinson Academy. 133
Barndoor Island
Barnstead 44, 50, 53, 136-
Barrington.. .51, 136, 146-159,
580, 709,
Bartlett. ... 159-164, 302, 409,
Bath 1 64-1 76, 251, 692 ,
Beach Hill
Bedford. . .58, 63, 65, 176-189.
683,
Bemus Heights.. 69, 158, 322,
Bennington, Vt 187, 314,
Benton 192-
Bethlehem 190-
Billiards
Blackman's Falls
Boscawen, 15, 63, 65, 116, 193-
217,
Boston, Mass
44
146
551
712
424
728
586
491
720
4S7
596
407
193
192
554
389
209
250
458
Boundaries of several towns in
Grafton Co 723
Bow. . . .39, 209-219, 263, 390, 392
394, 397. 401, 403
Bradford 219-222, 305
Brattleborough, Vt.. .325, 348, 351
Bretton-woods 190, 293
Brentwood, 223-238, 599, 640, 696
703
Bridgewater 9, 15, 238-240
Bristol 208, 238
Brookline 240-248
Buckstreet 210
Bunker Hill... 66, 98, 108, 109, 244
213, 339, 622, 630, 631, 670
Burton. ... 7-9, 419, 422, 424
Cambridge, Mass 457
Camp Highlands 696
Campton 248-252, 723-731
Campbell's Gore 106
Canaan 253-260, 610, 613
725
Canal 458
Candia 260-261
Canterbury, 261-275, 39°- 399> 4°°
401
Cape Breton 364, 649 ,650
Castleton, Vt 719
Catsbain Island 346
Cedars, battle at loi, 457
Centre Harbor 276, 279
Charlestown 279-301, 325, 343
347, 450, 493, 580, 600, 719
Charming- fare 304
Chatham 160, 301-304, 409
Charter Records 721, 722
Cheshire 304
Chelmsford, Mass 670
742
INDEX.
Chester. .. .227, 260, 304-325, 409
493, 580
Chesterfield 154, 325-352. 719
Chichester.. .43, 137,268, 352-363
394. 633
Chiswick 472
Cincinnati Society of. 669
Claremont 363-385. 439- 732
Cochecho 509, 512, 533
Cockburne 386, 389
Cockermouth 14, 15, 502, 503
723-731
Colebrook 385, 386
Columbia 386-389
Concord 210, 213, 261.390-408
594- 632
Connecticut 498
Constitution, first in N. H 740
Contoocook 195, 391
Conway. ... 162, 191, 302, 409-433
608
Cornish 433-4^3
Couleraine 136
Counterfeit money 26
Coventry 192, 723-731
Crown Point. . . . 148, 228, 296, 528
529, 581, 621
Croydon 2, 434, 463-472
Cumberland 105
Dalton 472-
Dame's Gore
Danbury 9, 20, 238, 239,
478,
Danvers, Mass ,
Danville 479-483,
Dartmouth
Dartmouth College 15,
Deerfield 232, 483-
Deering no, 490-498,
Deer-reeve
Deer Hill
Derryfield,63, 65, 109, 323, 409,
Dorchester 498-505, 723-
Dover. 146, 333, 486, 506-555.
580, 606, 709, 711,
Dublin 107, 555-
Dunbarton.. . .63, 65, 409, 558-
Dunstable 63, 65,
Durham 146, 506, 513, 523,
596, 632, 709, 711,
Duxbury School Farm 89,
-477
253
477
662
633
696
559
735
-490
•31
224
683
73'
566
712
558
565
720
240
566
7(2
100
East Kingston 596-600
Eaton 419, 422, 424, 600-604
Effingham 604-609
Enfield 225, 610-616. 725, 726
Epping 616-628, 640
Epsom, 43, 352, 355, 361, 362, 486
628-633
Errol 633-639, 672
Exeter 223, 224, 304, 305, 333
616, 639-669
Farmington, Conn 363
Fire- wards 668
Fish, protection of. 186
Fishersfield 10, 219, 220
Fitzwilliam 670-680
Fort Dummer 344, 715
Fort Edward. 312, 530, 718
Fort Lee 102
Fort William Henry, 177, 178, 225
651, 652, 653
Fowler's river 14
Francestown 680-685, 7^0
Franklin 473
Franconia. .190, 251, 293, 685-696
728
Freedom 605
Freetown 304
Fremont 479, 696-705
Freshet of 1782 544
Freshet of 1785 421,451
Gilmanton 44,46, 53, 263
Gilsum 30
Glebe Lands 460, 499, 570
Goffstown 559, 683, 719, 720
Goulding"s town 282
Grafton 610, 613, 726
Grafton, Mass 463
Grantham 434, 463, 610, 725
Greenfield 681, 684
Green Hill 523
Greenland 433, 629
Gunthwaite 167, 251, 728
Half-moon pond 50
Hampton 539, 644, 713, 727
Hampton Falls 305
Hampslead, 131, 132, 266, 479, 598
Hanover. . . .7, 254, 364, 498, 600
Hart's Location 1 60
Hartford, Vt 61 1
Harvard Coll 105,506
INDEX.
743
Haverhill.. .165, 364, 379, 412, 476
Hawke 479, 696, 700, 701
Hebron, Conn 363, 472
Henniker 63, 65, 221
Hill 238,477.478
Hillsborough.. . .106, 220, 221, 497
Hinsdale 325, 344, 351
Hollis. . .28, 60, 62, 85, 89, 98, 183
240, 244, 245
Holderness 730
Hooksett 304, 459
Hooksett Falls 406
Hopkinton 63, 65, 248, 303
Hubbardton, Vt 102, 550, 559
Indians 12, 147, 206, 226, 228
255, 261, 262, 279, 281, 285, 326
353. 363. 415. 4J7. 557> 570.581
621, 642, 645, 647, 653, 731
Ipswich, Mass 506
Iron Works, 146, 175, 229, 344, 391
Jackson's Creek 539
Johnson's Bridge and Creek... 523
Keene. .27, 325, 333, 335, 556, 672
Kingston.. .224. 250, 304, 305, 479
580, 599
Lancaster
Landaff 167,
Langdon 280,
Leavittstown -416, 604,
Lebanon. . .434, 443, 610, 613,
Lee 506, 566, 585,
Lempster 2, 4, 297,
Lincoln. . . .251, 293, 686, 695,
Litchfield ' 63
Littleton. .. 190, 191,472,473,
Londonderry.. . .210, 306, 310,
Longmeadow Parish ,
Lotteries. . . 133, 202, 291, 343,
457.551.
Loudon ....261, 390, 399, 400,
Louisbourg 528,
Lyman 167, 423, 692,
Lyme 448, 723-
Lyndeborough. .63, 65, 71, 99,
Lyndeborough Addition ,
692
295
606
725
726
617
465
728
65
692
323
55S
323
379
624
401
649
728
•731
104
720
681
Madbury. . .506, 526, 527, 532, 584
586
Madison 600
Manchester (see Derryfield). . .304
Manchester, Vt 719
Markham's Mills 288
ALarlborough 556
Marlow 24, 29
Mason 63, 65, 240
Meredith 276, 277
Meredith Harbor 276
Merino sheep 363
Merrimack 63, 65
Mile Slip 240
Milford 58, 89
Millsfield 633, 635,636, 637
Monadnock No. 3 555
Monadnock No 4 670
Monmouth 662
Mont Vernon 58. 79. 104
Monson 58, 60, 62, 82, 85, 88
Morristown 686-692
Moultonborough, 276, 277, 416, 623
Moultonboroiigh Harbor 276
Mount Independence 158, 588
Narragansett No. 3 57
Narragansett No. 5 176
Nelson 106
New Boston, 58, 63, 65, 71, 95, 720
New Boston Addition 680
New Bradford 219
New Breton 116
Newbury.- 219
Newbury, Mass 305, 472, 600
Newburyport, Mass 472
New Castle 507, 629. 641
New Chester, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 238
477
New Dover 53
New Durham... 44, 45, 50, 53, 547
New Durham Gore 44
New Hampshire Gazette, 107, 172
266, 327
New Hampshire Grants 341
New Hampton. .239, 276, 277, 278
New Holderness 251, 276, 277
Newington 136, 506
New Ipswich 63, loi
New London 9. 10, 13, 477
New Marlborough 471
Newmarket, 566, 584, 586, 591, 640
Newmarket Bridge 624, 667
744
INDEX.
Newport 2, 333, 465, 469
No. 4 582
Noddle's Island 564
Northfield 261, 271,401
Northfield, Mass 344
Northumberland 415
Nottingham 483, 577, 579
Nottingham, West 63, 65
Nova Scotia 364, 722
Orange 9, 505
Orford 248, 472, 723-731
Otter Creek, Vt 297
Ossipee Gore 606, 608
Oyster River. . ..511, 512, 513, 566
568, 642
Paper money... 122, 168, 236, 273
318, 320, 380. 468, 482, 488, 607
616, 705
Parson's Town 605
Patiicket Falls 323
Pembroke 39, 43, 210, 401
720
Penacook 390, 392, 393
Penacook Path 323
Perry's Town 10
Pentucket 120
Pentucket Falls 393
Peterborough 107. 582
Pickpocket Mill 224, 649
Pickwacket 418
Piermont 248, 723-73 1
Piscasset 649
Pittstield 360, 361
Phillips Exeter Academy. .664, 666
Plainfield 441
Plaistow. . . 120, 131, 132, 134. 598
638
Plans 406, 523
Plymouth 11, 238, 248, 692
Poplin 232, 479, 481, 696
Portsmouth 333, 551, 600, 645
650, 668, 692
Pot and Pearlash 402, 422
Putney, Vt 349
Quakers.. . .146, 150, 226, 227, 228
23c, 232, 235, 496, 536, 575
709-7 r 2
Quochechaw river 54 1
Quomphegan 530, 539
Raby 240
Ranger, privateer 543
Raymond 234, 260. 304, 703
Relhan 610
Rhode Island 622
Rindge 670
Rochester. . .50, 120, 523, 551, 709
712
Rollinsford 506
Royalton, Vt 435, 449
Kumford 390, 393, 403
Rumney 248, 629, 723-731
Rye 629
Salem 598
Salem, Mass 633
Salem, Can 58
Salisbury 118
Salisbury, Mass 305
Sandown 481, 598
Sandwich 665
Saratoga 158, 298, 434, 471
Saville 2, 465, 470
Shakers 262, 610
Shelburne 162, 416
Small-pox. .178. 226, 228, 296, 312
425, 544, 581, 651, 653, 662, 718
Society Land. . . 105. 106, 680, 684
721
Somersworth . . .146, 506, 510, 523
551, 709, 71 1, 712
Souhegan, East 176
Souhegan, West 57, 58
South Hampton 597
South Newmarket 640
Springfield, Vt 364
Squamscot 639
Stark's Location 424, 426
Starkstown 558
Sterling's Location 424, 426
St. Francis 581
Stillwater 69, 485
Stoddard 106
Stratham.. .210, 213, 214, 506, 667
Sumner's Bound 613, 726
Suncook 210
Surry 24, 25, 29, 30
Sutton 220
Sutton, Mass 433, 463
Swanzey 348, 363, 674, 675
Tamworth 7, 416, 424, 601
Temple 63, 65
INDEX. 745
Thornton. . .251, 293, 692, 723-731 Washington 219
Throat distemper 570 Washington Gore 219. 220
Ticonderoga. . . .101, 102, 177, 217 Watertovvn 277
260, 314, 333, 347, 661 Weare 63, 65, 496
Trecothick 723-731 Webster 194
Troy 670 Wentworth 248, 723-731
Westfield, Conn 611
Unity, 2,4, 280,295, 364,465 Westmoreland. . .24, 325, 336, 347
Upper Canada 73^-736 Whitefield 190
White Plain, N. Y. . . 109, 184, 662
Valley Forge 486, 662 Wilmot 478
Vermont Controversy. 2, 23, 29, 32 j Wilton 63, 65
256, 257, 329, 332', 340, 434, 436 Winchester 325, 327, 343, 363
43S-448, 452, 463, 715 Windsor, Vt 439, 450, 458
Winnepesaukee 44
Wakefield 416.604,606 Winter Hill, Mass 108, 109, 120
Wales's Location 387 Wolfeborough..44, 45, 53, 416, 608
W^alpole 31, 280, 325, 333, 34.3 Wrentham, iMass 480
349. 379, 439
Warner 208, 220, 221 \ale College 363
Warren 248, 723-731 Yellow fever 578
INDEX TO xNAMES OF PERSONS.
Abbott, Abiel 247
Amos 392, 398
Benjamin 392, 498, 669
Darius 76. 85
Edward 392
Ephraim 58, 72. 425, 700
Isaac 76, 85, 89
Jacob 222
Jeremiah 217, 425,720
Joseph 402, 522
Joshua. ..58, 61, 202, 406, 407
699, 700
Josiah 58, 61
Nathaniel 392
Nathaniel, Jr 406
Peter 93
Samuel 189
William 303
Abraham, David 30
Ackling, Richard 509
Acworth, Lord i
Adams, Benjamin 145
Caleb G 657, 659
Dudley G 145
Ebenezer.. . 140, 141, 142, 143
Elisha 556
Ezekiel G 145
Rev. Hugh, 568, 572, 573, 574
576
James 552, O84
Rev. John 577
Joseph 136, 145, 660
Nathaniel 145
President 1 20
Samuel 577, 578
Sarah 596
Thomas 2.S3
William 145. 588
Winborn. . .566, 577, 587, 596
Aiken, Andrew 494
Daniel 320
James 105, loS, 109, 179
John 179, 310
Nenian 491, 493,495
Peter 319, 320, 324
Samuel, 309, 311, 320, 324, 494
Samuel, Jr 319
Thomas 493, 498
William 684
Ainsworth, Amariah 373
Edward 373
Edward, Jr 373
Lemuel 382
Akers, John 51
Alcock, Robert 104, 497
Alden. Benjamin 373, 382
James 373, 381, 382
John 382
Thomas 509
Aldrich, John 693
Alexander, Elias 326
John 556
Robert 177
Samuel 212
Alise. Abraham 151
Jacob 151
Allard, Aaron 53, 57
Henry 7
Joseph 51
AIM, William 65
Allen, Benjamin 284, 289, 294
Edward 712
Francis 5^6
Job 606
John 309
JosL-ph 54-'^-554
Josiah 4I, 42
Samuel 39. 7^2
748
INDEX.
Allen, Samuel G 374, 375
William 519, 520
Alley, Kpliraim 522
Samuel 522
Allinvvood, Joseph 720
Allison, Samuel 189
Alvoid, Simeon 288
Allyn, James 604
Ambler, John 567
Ambrose, Henry 309
John 309
Samuel 533-538
Ames, Amos 375
Jonathan 293
Samuel 204
Stephen 556
Amherst, Sir Jaffrey, 177, 532, 582
583
Amsden, Isaac 283
Anderson, Allan 113, 306
James 177
Samuel 495
Thomas 324
Andrews, Isaac 1 10, 113
Joshua 220
Martin 382
Andros. Amasa 373
Mr 373
Angier. John 595
Anis, Daniel 391
Applebee, Joseph 595
Thomas 589, 595
William 595
Zebedee 686, 693
Appleton, William 267
Apthorp, George 472
Arbuckle, John 76
Arch, James 36
Archibald, Thomas 292
Ardua, Moses 264
Moses, Jr 264
Armes, John 166, 326
John, Jr 326
Armour, Gavven 685
Arnold, Gen 297, 588
Ash, Thomas 509
Oliver 373
Ashley, Samuel, 347, 363, 367, 370
371, 373' 439
Samuel, Jr., 373, 374, 376, 379
Ashton, Jacob 634, 637, 639
Asten, John 209
Atherton, Jonathan 36
Atherton, Joshua 81, 105
Oliver 348, 349, 350
Atkins, Daniel 373, 382
Samuel 373, 382
Timothy 373
Atkinson, George 50, 1 56
John 204
Joseph, 2Q2, 204, 267, 575, 584
585
Nathaniel 204
Samuel 193, 202, 205, 209
Simeon 204
Simeon, Jr 202
Theodore. . . .87, 120, 2S3, 364
392, 410, 499, 511, 539, 573
628, 641, 644, 712
Theodore, Jr 410, 499
William 552
Atwell, John 499
Atwood. Caleb 493
David... .11, 12, 15,16,17,20
121, 693
John 121, 132
Jonathan 493
Joseph II, 12, 15, 19
Austin, Benjamin 209
Eldad 209
Joseph 710
Nathaniel 710
Samuel 710
Thomas 246
Timothy 104
Averill. Daniel 103
Ebenezer 74, 76. 85
Elijah 74. 85, 92
James 93
Jesse 103
John, 61, 68, 70, 72, 73, -j^, 79
103
John, Jr 103
Moses 85
Thomas 61
William 179
Avery, Benjamin 52, 140
David 144
Israel 52
James 472
John 52
Jonathan 606
Moses 52, 140
Samuel 52, 140, 143
Ayers, Jacob 41 1
John 27s
INDEX.
749
Ayers, Mark 154
Peter 411
Richard 404, 410, 41 1
Samuel 411
Thomas 52. 140, 143
William 255, 256, 257, 258
William N 145
Winthrop 52, 143
Babb, Benjamin 1 54
John 151
Richard 1 54
Thomas 631, 632, 633
William 1 54
Bachelder, David 482, 483
Elisha 479, 483
Nathan 483
Badcock, Rev. Josiah 116
Badger, David 429
Ezra 216, 320
Joseph 277, 632, 723, 731
Joseph, Jr 100
Bagley. Enoch 598
Jonathan 189
Bailey, Aaron 1 66
Christopher S 389
Ebenezer 193
Moses 220, 222
Bayley, Aaron 693
Capt 718
Daniel 86, 173, 174
Daniel, Jr 86
Ephraim 475
■ Jacob 165, 286, 474
Joel 86
Philip 159
Richard 493
Samuel 493
Baker, Amos 693
Benj 619
Jonas 476
Jonathan 294
Joseph 216, 577
Joseph, Jr 212
Moses 249, 250, 546
Nathaniel 189
Osman 294
Otis 521. 54^, 55^, 554
Otis, Jr 552
Tamsin 549
Thomas 1 66, 674
William 249
Baldwin, Ephraim. ...32S, 330, 333
334, 338, 342, 347, 719
Baldwin, Ezra 89
Isaac 98
Nahum ..82, 88
Thomas 255, 256,257
Ball, Samuel 36
Ballard, William '. . .595
Bamford, Charles. .41, 42, 151, 589
Charles, Jr 151
Robert 151
Robert, Jr 151, 152
Bancraft, Capt 646
Banfil, John 602, 604
Joseph 604
Samuel 604
Bangs, Joseph 669
Barber, Jasper 258
John 693
Robert 256,258,259
Barker, Daniel 402
Ephraim 82
John 46, 625, 627
John. Jr 627
Jonathan 627
Josiah 659
Lemuel 35
Nathan 15
Barnard, Ephraim 36
Rev. Jeremiah. .70, 74, 77, 97
Nathaniel 209
Philip 209
Silas 119
Stephen 482
Thomas 209
Tristram 209
Barnam, James 720
Barnett, Francis 179
Jonathan 106, 107
Lemuel 686
Samuel 685
William 180
Barnes, Amos 425
Bill 373,381,382
Ceorge 264, 581
Barrett, Charles 1 00
James 241
Barron, Moses 82, 179
William 96, 720
Barrows, Moses 455
Moses, Jr 455
Barter, Ebenezer 356
Bartlett, Christopher, i i , i 5, 20, 239
Enoch 169, 1 72
George 480, 481, 482, 483
Gideon...., 272, 273
750
INDEX.
Bartlett, John.. .256, 258, 452, 454
463
Joseph 305, 452, 462, 654
Josiah..99, 159, 318, 638, 701
Josiah H 258
Nathan 15, 18
Nathaniel. ..256, 258, 454, 456
463, 648
Richard 218
Samuel 454, 462
Samuel, 2d 462
Stephen 654, 720
Thomas, 221, 249, 250, 487, 722
William 462
Barton, Ebenezer 357
Josiah 357
William 627
Basford, Benjamin 18
Jacob 309
James 309
Joseph II, 309
Bassett, James 162, 163,424
Batchelor, Ebenezer.. . .82, 96, 103
Jethro 138, 140, 141, 264
Jethro, Jr 264
John 82, 96, 103, 606
John, Jr 103
Batchelder, Abel 373
Abraham 264
Abraham, Jr 264
Benjamin 277, 309, 484
Daniel 263
David 489
Jacob 356
Josiah 598, 599
Nathan. .264, 598, 599, 628, 720
Nathan G 598
Nathaniel 263, 362, 599
P^ge 309
Reuben 720
Stephen 675
Uzziel 220
Bates. Abigail 557
David 367, 373
Nathaniel 557
Samuel 373
Thomas D 696
Batey, Francis 437
Baxter, Benjamin 25, 35
Joseph 27
Prudence 24, 25
Simon 24, 25, 33
William 25, 26
Beady, Jonathan 226
Beal, Josiah 656, 659, 666, 668
Nathaniel 604
Bean, Abner 231
Benjamin.. .215, 216, 217, 321
Daniel 166, 643
David C 320
Dunlap 216
Eben 425
Ebenezer 619
Edward -699
Elisha 483
Enoch 226
James 226, 229, 234, 642
James, Jr 226
Jeremiah 223, 483, 644
John 271, 277, 642, 644
Joseph 229, 509, 599
Joshua. .. .223, 226, 227, 230
232
Josiah 225
Martha 223
Moody 277
Samuel 642
Thomas 703
William 226, 230, 232
Beaty, Francis 372, 379
Becket, Dudley 657
Beckford, Ebenezer 634, 637
Becwith, Richard 35
Bedell, Thomas 205
Col. Timothy 22, 164, 166
206
Robert 166
Bedle, Joshua 693
Beede, Daniel 229, 227
Eli 704
Phinehas 704
Thomas 697, 699, 704
Belcher, Gov 713
Belknap. Benjamin 22
Ezekiel 121, 132
Moses 121, 132
Nathaniel 557
William 166
Bell. Charles H 640, 738
James loi, 183
John 127
Joseph 189
Joshua 720
Luther V lor
Samuel D loi
Belfield, Mr 373
INDEX.
751
Bellows, Benjamin. ..281, 292, 298
300, 335, 439, 449
John 127
Peter 296
Peter, Jr 296
Samuel 296
Bennett, Benjamin 46, 53, SJ
Eleazer 595
Phinehas 246
Thomas 22, ^T)^ 57
William 656, 666
Bennick, Abraham.. .569, 577, 595
Benjamin 577
Eleazer 592
Isaac 595
John 595
Benor, John 52
Benson, Daniel 52
Bergin, Ed. H 41,42
Hall 41, 42, 44
John 42
Joseph Y 42
Walter 42
Berkley, Lord 392
Bernard, Sir Francis 685
Berry, Ephraim 531
Ithamar 309
John 151. 604
Joshua 356,357
Nathan 316
Nathaniel 151
Samuel 151
Simon 316
Stephen 151
William 279
Beten, Jolin 721
Betton, Mr 127
Beverly, Samuel 209
Bickford, Abraham 51
Andrew 51
Benjamin 51, 587, 595
Charles. ... 145, 519, 520, 525
527
I^leazer 52, 567, 577. 578
Eliakim 577
Ephraim 552
James 545
John. ..138, 143, 145, 151, 153
509, 518, 567, 595
John, Jr.... 143, 145, 518, 577
John, 3d 519, 520
Joseph 552, 588, 712
Reuben 592, 595
Bickford, Robert 594
Samuel 428, .^yy, 587
Thomas 354, 356, 357, 518
520, 525, 527, 529, S77
Winthrop 594, 595
Bicknell, Nathan. .. .610, 61 1, 612
616
Bigelow, Asahel 476
Benjamin 670
Billings, Benjamin 294
Joseph 283
Bingham. Eleazer 452
Elias 610
Elisha 255, 610, 611, 612
613, 616
Frederick 462
Horatio 294
Jonathan 462
Nathaniel 328, 339, 350
Walter 294
Bishop, Enos 196
Elder Job 262, 610
John 22, 350
Bixbe, Andrew 58, 61
Black, Charles 1 79
Derborn 578
Edmund 277
James 189, 277
John 277
Blake, Abijah 480
Ebenezer 626, 628
Hezekiah 480, 482, 483
Israel 619
John 354, 026
John, Jr 356
Jonathan 480, 482, 483
Joseph 626, 628
Mark 277
Moses 472, 474, 475
Phinehas 625
Samuel ....117, 118. 119, 629
Sanborn 483
Thomas. 118, 119, 354, 356
626, 628
William 118
Blackmore, Lemuel 499
Solomon 499
Blair, Alexander 603, 604
Blaisdell, Abner 602, 604
Abijah 588
Daniel 256
Henry 602
Is;iac 319
752
INDEX.
Blaisdell, Jacob, 320, 601, 602, 603
604, 628
John 599
John, Jr 189
Moses 599
Samuel 685
Blanchard, Abiel 202
Augustus 83, 85, 89
Benjamin 271, 391
David 271
Edward 269, 270, 271
Jacob 222
James 271
Jonathan 65
Joseph. ..28, 94, 316, 324, 621
Moses 36
Richard 271
Simon 454
Blaso, Amos 354, 606
John 356, 357
William 629
Blodgett, David 65
Samuel 660
Seth 22
Blood, Ebenezer ■•494
Elnathan, Jr 86
Bloss, Waiter.. .473, 475, 476, 477
Blunt, Ebenezer 309
Jonathan 227, 309, 312
Samuel 313
Blyndenburgh, John. .592, 594, 595
Boardman, Benjamin 656, 659
667, 668
Joseph 656, 659
Bodge, Benjamin 567
Benjamin, Jr 520
Ichabod 152, 154
Bodweli, Samuel 410
Bohonon, Andrew 195, 196
Boice, Thomas 1 79
Boley, Thomas 627
Boody, Azariah..i5i, 154, 519, 520
525, S^l
Benjamin, Jr 519
John 151
Joseph 154
Zachariah 51
Bond, William 294
Bosee, Joh n 720
Boswell, John _ 425
John, Jr 425, 427
Botherick, John 22
Bouker, Antipas 350
Boutell, Aaron ..82
Amos 82, 102
James 293
Joseph 58, 61, 81, 82, 102
Bowden, John 648
Bowdy, Samuel 193
Bowen, Charles 293
Bowin, Jeremiah 202
John 202
Bowman, Jonas 65
Boyd, John 309
Joseph 1 13
Nathaniel 681
William 18, 115
Boynton, J 595
William 264
Boys, Samuel 177
William 179
Bozey, Henry 527
Brackett, Joseph 476
Bradbury, Justice 305
William 308
Bradisii, Jonathan 22
Bradford, Andrew. ..68, 74, •](i, 84
Enos 68, 82, 1 03
John 67, 68, 74, 76, 85, 92
Lambert 103
Samuel 61
William.. 58, 61, 68, 103, 104
494
William, Jr. .68, 70, 72, 73, 76
79, 81, 93, 95, 98, 102, 103
Bradley, Benjamin .400, 587
John 202
Jonathan 272
Samuel 303, 402
Timothy 400
Timothy, Jr 400
Bradshaw, Joshua 320
Bragg, Betsey 549
Mary 549
Nabby 549
Samuel 546, 548, 555
Brainard, Daniel 333, 724
Ebenezer 3S0
Brant. Joseph 731, 732
Branscomb, Arthur 589
Breed, Ebenezer 493
Zephaniah 493
Brewer, Ebenezer. ...373, 435, 462
Brewster, William 552
John 710
Bride, Jabez 471
INDEX.
753
Briant, Jonathan. . 22
Bridgham, John 36, 37
Josepli ...269
Stephen 36
Bridgman, Gideon 503
Brigham, Stephen 679
Brimmer, John 36
Brock. Stephen 594
William 594
Broclcway, Asa 220
Martin 220
Nicholas 520, 521
Brooks, Caleb 22
Cornelius 373
John 36. 326
Josiah 35
Samuel 588, 666, 668
Samuel, Jr 660, 666
Simon, Jr 37
William 668
Brotton, William 428
Brown, Abraham. .25, 36, 619, 621
Abraham, Jr 626
Benjamin.. .138, 140, 294, 324
325, 606, 626, 628, 693, 700
704
Caleb 8, 223
Clark 243
Daniel . . 294, 479, 699, 700, 701
David 354
Ebenezer 388, 389
Edmund 116
Eli 103
Elias 35
Elijah 700
Enoch 698, 699, 700, 705
Ezekiel 619, 620
Henry 411
Isaac 35
James.. 35, 140, 144, 145, 320
357, 5i«. 519
Jeremiah 193, 704
John . . [ 50, 1 79, 220, 222, 321
350, 354, 606, 700, 720
John, Jr 150, 321
Joseph 140, 151, 294, 320
480, 522, 704
Joseph, Jr 294
Jonathan 357, 699, 702
Joshua 628
Joshua, Jr 627, 628
Josiah 150, 326
Levi 294
49
Brown, Molly 218
Moses 463, 703
Moses, Jr 61
Nathan 354, 355, 697, 700
702, 704
Nathan, Jr 702, 704
Nathaniel. .482, 483, 626, 628
Nicholas 151, 154
Oliver 36, 350
Phinehas 332, 337, 340
Samuel. ... 151, 154,309,627
Simon 607
Spencer 36
Theophilus 356
Thomas 8, 140, 144
William 70, 140, 144, 145,
222, 320, 324, 519, 520, 525
621, 720
Bruce, William 575
Bruster, Paul 154
Samuel 1 34, 1 59
Bryant, John 36, 215
Joseph 142
IVIatthevv 700
Walter 211, 302, 410
Buckinghamshire, Earl of 392
Buckland, Stephen 158
Bucknam, David 373, 382,
David, Jr 382
Buel, Aaron 466
Buffington, Cornelius 387, 389
Noah 387, 388, 389
Bullard, Asa 556
Bunker, David 602
Dodavah 138
Eli 142
Elijah 522
Enoch 145, 711
George 140, 143, 144, 145
Isaiah 144
Jacob 277
James G 587
Joannes 567
John 140, 141, 144, 145
Jonathan 138, 139, 142, 580
Jonathan, Jr 145
Joseph, 138, 139, 140, 141, 145
710, 711
Stephen 140
Thomas 140, 141, 143
Buntin, Andrew 411
James 44
Robert 39, 41, 42, 44
754
INDEX.
Buibank, Aaron 319
Caleb 392
David 204, 209
Ebenezer 409, 41 1, 425
Gershom 250
John 392
Jonathan 203
Moses 196
Moses, Jr 203, 204
Wells 205
Burgin, William 354
Burgoyne, Gen. John 333, 335, 451
485
Burk, Amasa 693
John 389
Thomas 604
Burkmer, Thomas 184
Burley, Daniel 239
Gordon 627
Joseph 503, 504, 505
Samuel 587
Thomas 484, 619, 625, 627
Burleigh, Edward 628
Burnap, Jacob 76
Burnam , Asa 720
David 85, 89
Ebenezer 596
Edward 589, 595
Israel 74, 85, 89
James 577
Jeremiah, 74, 76, 79, 592, 595
Joshua 74, 76, 84, 586
Mark 103
Samuel 560
Stephen 74, 76, 84
Burnet, William 1
Burnham, Abraham 277, 600
Amos 293
George 545
James 545, 553
Joseph 548
Josiah 193
Robert 594, 595
Burns, David 61
George 76, 85, 89
James. . .685
John 61, 76,85, 89, 685
John. Jr 74, 76, 84
Samuel 685
Thomas 76, 85, 89
Burpee, Jonathan 20
Burroughs, John 35
Burrows, Daniel 248
Burrows, Thomas 555
Burt, Benjamin 256, 258, 259
Joseph 294
Busel. James 216
Busell, Ichabod 711
Busiel, Elias 480
Buss, Samuel 577
John 587
Bussell, Henry 513, 518, 519
James 598
John 519, 520
Joseph 520, 710
William 513, 519, 520
Bussey, Jchabod... 531
Buswell, Caleb 202
James 211
Samuel 261
William 480
Butler. James 595
Oliver 326
Tobias 720
Valentine 326
Butterfield, Benjamin 352
Daniel 41 1
Joseph, Jr 9
Robert 720
Samuel 720
Simeon 462
William 683
William, Jr 683
Buzel, Samuel 151
Buzzell, Benjamin 153
Ebenezer 525
Henry 51, 525
Ithamar 54
Jacob 525
John 153, 525
John, Jr 525
Joseph 54, 519, 525
Robert 48
Robert E 53
Samuel.. 153
Silas 48, 53
Thomas 51
William 525
Byer, Samuel 602
Cady, Curtis 463
Elias 452, 462
Isaac 35
John 454
Joseph 35
Nicholas 452, 462
INDEX.
755
Cady, Stephen 4'^)2
Cahoon. Dr 148
Caldwell. Alexander 189
James 65, 179, 310
Lieut 491
Samuel 65, 493
William 179
Calef, James 546, 554
Calfe, Daniel 309
David 324
James 309
John 131, 309, 719
Joseph 177, 309, 324
King 309
Moses 209
Robert 309
Call, Jonathan 659
Joseph 604
Moses 195, 196, 197, 198
Nathaniel 116
Philip 391
Silas 197, 198, 204
Stephen 391
Timothy 204
Callahan, John 1 80
Thomas 202
Calley, Eliphalet 627
Thomas 626
Campbell, Alexander 320
Amos 480
Daniel 65, 71, 81, 82
Henry 72, 96
Huyh 15, t6. 18, 179
James... 5, 245, 146, 247, 306
309
Canada, Nicholas 521
Canna, l>enjamin 425
Canney, Ichabod 529
John 538
Joseph 51
Love 712
Thomas 51, 530, 711
Carell, Samuel 509
Carkin, John 720
Carleton, Amos 42
Eben 20
Edward 212, 214
Enoch 96
John 105
Jonathan 320
Kimball 329, 338
Natiianiel i6o
Oliver... 61, 68, 70, 72, 73, 76
79. 92, 93
Carleton, Samuel 424
Stephen 160
Theodore 656
Thomas. 68, 72, 74, 76, 70, 92
Timothy 293
Woodman 216
Carlisle, Samuel 294
Carpenter. Elijah 462
Ephraim 293
Nathaniel 452
Carr, Dam rill 258
David 202. 216, 217, 324
Ezekiel 493
Francis 210, 212, 214, 321
John.. 310, 411,626,627.628
John, Jr 704, 626, 627
Joseph 271
Nathan 494, 720
Sanders 626
Carrigain, Philip 216
Carson. John 68 r, 684
Carswell, John 309
Mary 310
Carter, Daniel 204, 216,402
David 209
Ebenezer 354
Ezekiel 407
Ezra 391, 407
Jacob 202
Jeremiah 206
John 216, 272
Joseph 216
Joseph, Jr 216
Levi 411, 720
Nathan 206
Samuel 264, 586
Cary, William 466
Case, John 92
Cashey. William 586
Cass, Benjamin 209
Daniel 277
Jonathan ^qS
Josejjh 209
Nason 11. 15
Nason. Jr 11
Theophilus 629
Cate, Eleazer 452
Enoch 277
James 434, 452, 462
John 44, 154, 159
Joseph 154
Joshua 42
William 147, 150, 152, 154
157
756
INDEX.
Cat tin, Capt 373
Causwell, Richard 519, 520
Caverly. Charles 149
Moses. Jr 149, 153
Philip 153
Cenestone, John 606
Chadbourne, Thomas . . . .412, 413
414. 4171432
William 425
Chadwick, Ebenezer 667
Edmund 205, 4S6, 489
John 486
Sarah 486
Challes, Christopher 599
Ezekiel 483
Thomas 599
Chambere, Frances 621
Chamberlin, Abraham 52
Daniel 277
Ephraim..46, 52, 53, 277, 279
Ephraim, Jr 53> 57
Isaac 52
Jacob 44. 45, 46, 51, 546
Jacob. Jr 53, 57
Joseph 52, 54, 57
Paul 52, 54, 57
Samuel 546, 668
Timothy 657, 666
William. .. .220, 253, 610, 613
726
Champney, Ebenezer loi
John II, 12
Chandler, Abiel 303, 403
Daniel 202
Ebenezer 272
Isaac 202, 392
Joel 33,35
John... 1 1 6, 202,204,391,392
400, 617
John, Jr 403
Joseph. .28, 118, 119, 121, 202
550, 693
Paul 303
Peter 411
Philemon 555
Samuel 178, 189
Thomas ...178, 189,212,214
Timothy 404
Zachariah 178, 1 86, 1 89
Chapin, James 606
Chaplain, Micah 121
Chapman, Benjamin 444
Chester 454
Chapman, Jonah 249
Joseph 460
Nelson 143
Samuel 258
Valentine 140, 141, 143
Chase, Caleb... .436. 452, 456, 459
483
Clement 462
Daniel 391, 399, 436-437
443, 449, 455, 456, 462
I^udley 436, 437, 439, 440
442, 443. 445, 447, 455, 459
Enoch 541, 543, 549, 598
668
Frederick 177
Isaac 428
Ithamar 461
Jacob 317
James 619, 625, 628
Joanna 541
John ...9, 212, 354, 399, 431
434. 462
John, Jr 431
Jonathan. . -.256, 406, 434. 435
448, 450, 458, 459, 463, 471
61 1, 626
Joseph 452
Joseph F 429
Josiah 626, 628
Moody 462
Moses 437, 438, 444, 446
449, 452, 455, 456
Moses, Jr 456. 463
Nathaniel 354
Perley 320
Salmon 462
Samuel... 21, 92, 434, 436-447
450, 453, 463
Samuel, Jr 462
Samuel, 3d 462
Seth 471
Simeon .434, 462
Solomon . ..434, 452, 453, 456
459, 462
Stephen 322, 452
Thomas. . . .437, 438, 462, 699
705
William.... 226, 3S5, 357 > 359
699
Chatterton, Joseph i
Cheesman, Sylvester 476
Chesle, Benjamin 595
Ebenezer 588
INDEX.
757
Chesle, George 592
Jonathan 577. 578
Joseph 577, 592
Paul S77^ 584. 585. 586
Philip 592
Samuel 138, 142, 143, 144
588. 592
Chesley, Aaron 143, 145, 592
Benjamin 595
Isaac 595
James 521. 534, 538
Jonathan.. . 142, 143, 144, 146
Philip 595
Reuben 518, 519, 710. 711
Samuel 513, 518, 520, 525
527- 595
Cheney. Elias 250
Samuel 222
Cheever. Benjamin 58
Jacob 35
Child, Abel 36
Ezra 1 68, 693
Stephen 434, 462
Timothy 36
Choate, Jacob 612. 616
Robert 406
William 452, 462
William, Jr 461
Chubbuck, Levi 162, 163, 425
Church, Jabez 251
James 154
John 156, 521, 522
Jonathan 154
Nathaniel 155
Selden 249
Simeon 294
Cilley, Benjamin 118, 119
Bradbury 627
Jonathan... . r 18, 119,628,669
Joseph. ..66, 69, 299, 339, 661
662
Claggett, George 189
Clamp, Simon 53
Clapp, Preserved 38 1 , 382
Rosvvell 38 [, 382
Clapham, Charles ... .549, 552, 554
Abraham 704
Abraham, Jr 704
Benjamin, 61, 82, (;3, 293, 373
587, 626
Benjamin, Jr 82, 93
Caleb 258
Caleb, Jr 256
Clark, Charles 724
Daniel 154, 205
David 502
Edward 1 92
Eieazer 373
Eleazer. Jr 373
EH 575- 587
Eli, Jr 587
Elisha 508
Enoch 143
Ephraim 449
Ephraim R 340
Ethan 373
Ezra 143
Ichabod 41, 42
Ichabod, Jr 42
Isaac 575
James 44, 153. 154, 720
John 42, 138, 140, 141, 143
179, 249, 373, 503587
John, Jr 140.143,693
Jonathan... . 1 1, 12, 15, 20. 140
141. 143. 153, 154, 626, 643
Joseph. .58, 213, 309, 354. 367
373- 37(^^ 502, 552. 587
Joshua 76
Josiah 256, 627
Nathaniel t,^, 189
Paul 316
Reuben 321
Richard 259
Robert 626, 628
Samuel H 588
Solomon, Jr 545
Stephen 626, 628
Stephen, Jr 627
'Thomas 61 . 699
Ward 305
William 508
Clay, Ithiel E 301
Jonas 309, 312, 648
Jonas, Jr 309
Joseph 587
Stephen 309
Clayes, Abigail 671
Elijah 671
Cleaves, Nathan 103
Cleaveland. Benjamin 382
Elisha 166. 167
Isaac 382
Ml- ?,72,
Cleftord, Ebenezer 15
Samuel 202
758
INDEX.
Clifford, Benjamin 627
Bridget 227
Ebenezer 66g
Israel 485
Ithiel 354, 357> 619
Peter 310
Richard 704
Stephen 627, 628
Tristram 485
Clemens, James 519, 520
James, Jr 525
Timothy 519, 534
Clement, Jesse 493
Job 522, 523
John 309
Joseph 538'
Natlianiel 203
Peter 122, 133, 134, 135
Timothy 538
William 220
Closh. David 216
Clongh. David 217. 598
Elisha 212, 214, 216
Elisha, Jr. 212, 216
Ephraim 265, 268, 592
Epiiraim, Jr 592
Ezekiel 628
Humphrey 177
Jeremiah 265.272,391
Jeremiah, Jr 202, 272
John.. 588, 590, 592. 595. 699
703
Jonathan 264. 480
Joseph 202, 272
Moses 118, 1 19
Nehemiah 270, 275
Obediah 202, 270
Richard 217
Samuel 588
Thomas 271, 272, 391
Thomas. Jr 271
Zacheus. . . .589, 697, 698, 699
Cloudman, Edward 509
Cloutman, Ed O42
Eliphalet 159
John 711
Thomas 103
Cobb, Ebenezer 462
Cobleigh, John, Jr 352
Oliver 345
Oliver, Jr 350
Coburn, Asa 401
Asa, 2d 462
Coburn, Dudley 462
Cochran, James. ...61, 70, 210, 410
720
John 721
Jonathan 41 r
Joseph 721
Thomas 323
Cockburne, Sir James. . . .385, 386
Codman, Henry 80, 85, 93
Henry, Jr 103
William 494
Coffin, Abner 648
Benjamin 429
Eliphalet 538, 552,655
Enoch 625, 627
James .427
John 193
Jonathan 49, 53
Joseph 196, 197
Moses 209, 625
Nicholas 429
Peter. .204, 418, 431, 597, 646
654. 666
Peter, Jr 656, 657
Stephen 418, 425, 427
Tristram 522
William 624
Cogan, Stephen 592
Cogin. Joesph 82, 96, 103
Joseph. Jr 82
William 96, 103
Cogswell, Amos 543, 546
Joseph 130
Lydia 549
Nathaniel.. . 121
Thomas 131
William 131, 133, 134, 135
Colbath, Dependance 142, 144
Downing 590
Hunking 546
John 5S8. 592, 595
Lyman 1 38
William 144
Colburn, Benjamin 86
Jonathan 352
Josiah 103
Nathan 86
Robert 86
Robert. Jr 86
Colby, Abraham 41 1
Be nja m i n 240
Beriah 309
Coleman 1,604
INDEX.
759
Colby, Daniel 209
Ebenezer 220
Enoch 477
Enos 4S2, 483
Ephraim 202
Hezekiali 205
Hubbard 604
Jacob S 720
James 209
John 685
Levi 1 89
Nathan 310
Samson 391
Samuel 720
Willougliby 217
Zebulon 361
Colcord, Ebenezer 234
Edward 223, 659, 669
George 659, 668
Harvey 659, 666, 668
Samuel 669
Cole, Daniel 454
Eleazer 82
Gail 463
John. .61, 68, 70, 72, 73, fd, 79
Nathan. .70, 72, 74, 76, 79, 93
Samuel 363, 364
Colebrooke, Sir George 385
Colles, Jonathan 599
Collins. Benjamin 271
Benjamin, Jr 482, 483
John 587, 589
Jonathan 597
Jf'seph 483
Richard 482
Colvvell, Joiin 603, 604
Combs, Theodore 427
Comee, David 22
Comings, Benjamin 462
Samuel 437, 443, 455
Conant, Amos yjT,, 3.S2
Benjamin 85
Jonathan 103
Lot -103
Cone, Jonathan 249
Connor, Benjamin. .. 520, 666, 668
David 210
Eiiphalet 720
Jeremiah 648
Jeremy 642
John 533. 538, 666
Samuel 656
Simeon 118
Converse. John 289, 294
Josiah 22
Cook, Daniel 1 58, 433
John 379, 380, 711, 720
Josiah 35
Josiah, Jr 35
Uliver 367, 370. 372, 375
Paul 372, 486
Richard 711
Samuel 249
Samuel, Jr 249
Solomon 693
Cooley, Joel 293
Simon 326
Coomes, Oliver 294
Cooper, Abigail 549
Ezra 464, 467
John 464, 466, 467, 470
Moses 609
Nathaniel.. ..35, 546, 548, 554
Patty 549
Sherman 472
Copps, Benjamin 418
Captain 606
David 553, 588, 590, 710
Joseph 320
Joshua 320
Josiah 418
Corey, Ephraim 693
Timothy, Jr 546
Corliss, Daniel 20
George 11, 12, 15, 18, 20
Jolm i\I 9, II, 18, 20
Jonathan 9, 11, 15
William 9, 12, 18
Corning, Benjamin 462
Corser, David 204, 545
James 209
John 204, 209, 391
Jonathan 204, 209
Samuel 202, 204, 204
Simeon 209
Steplien 209
Thomas 209
Corson, Ichabod 546
Cosen, Samuel 508
Cossitt, Ambrose. . ..373, 378, 380
Rev. R 363, 364
Costelloe, Jolm 607
Cotter, Jolm 152, 154
Cotton, R 22
Roland 670
76o
INDEX.
Couch, Benjamin 209
Stephen 175
Coughlan, Richard 329, 719
Covender, Charles no
Covil, Isaac 386
Covvles, Phinehas 382
Cox, Isaac 301 , 303
Craford, William 177
Crage. Andrew 309
David 309
Edward 309
Robert 310
Thomas 310, 312
Cragin, John, Jr 65
Craig, Alexander. . 15, 18, 239, 309
724
Cram, Benjamin 699, 704
James 356
John.. 353, 356, 357, 359, 703
Jonathan 224, 476
Reuben 356, ;iS7
Samuel T 704
Smith .279
Wadleigh..279, 353, 356, 357
Crane, Francis 340
Joshua 35
Samuel 220, 222
Zebulon 33
Cranfield. Edward 507
Craw, Jonathan 435
Crawford, Jonathan 238
Thomas 238, 239
William 309
Creassy, Michael. .. .329, 330, 340
341, 349
Creighton, George 649
James 656
Stephen H 659, 666, 668
Thomas 6^y
Cressey, Daniel 220
Crippen, Joshua 637
Cristy, William 684
Critchet, John 542
Crocket, Chase 626
Jonathan 595
Solomon --S^, 140
Crofts, Christopher 294
Crombie, Amos 324
Samuel 324
William 22. 324
Cromell, Capt 508
Joshua 509
Samuel 50S, 519
Cromey, Hugh 312
John 177
Cromit, John 577, 595
Crommett, Ebenezer..i58, 592, 595
Jacob 595
Joshua 711
Samuel 593
Thomas 592
Crosby, Benjamin 7
Ephraim 94
John 508
Joseph 7, 8, 74
Josiah.35, 65, 74, 84, 87, 89, 94
Josiah, Jr 85, 89
Samson 76, 84, 89
Samuel 293
Stephen 85, 89
William 74, 85, 99
Cross, Daniel E 425
David II, 12, 15, 18, 289
John V92, 271
Thomas 202
Crossman, Joshua 453
Stephen 400
Crow, Joseph 254
Crown, James 525
Cromwell, Joseph 518
Philip 519
Cummings 26
John 246
Samuel, Jr 499
Cunningham, Archibald 684
Robert 562
Currier, Benjamin 693
David 324, 463
Ebenezer 626
Ebenezer, Jr 627
Ezra 597, 598
Jeremiah 216, 599
John 402, 599
Jonathan 177, 179,463
Moses 462
Reuben 216
Richard 616
Simeon 320
Theophilus 616
William 216
Curry, Thomas 273
Curtice, Jacob 61, 81, 93, 103
Jacob, Jr 96
Curtis, Benjamin 92
Chancey 389
Daniel 373
INDEX.
761
Curtis, David 389, 613, 616
Nathaniel. . .439, 456, 462, 463
Cushen, Caleb 305, 307, 308
dishing, John 189
Jonathan. 524, 527
Peter 521, 546,552
Thomas 545
Cushman, Parker 294
Paul 289, 294
Cutler, Betty 234
William 234
Cutt, Edward 499
Samuel 499
Cutter, Benjamin ^S
Cutting, Jonas liSo
Dalton, Moses 625
Samuel 606
Tristram 472, 473, 474
Dam, George 593
Hunkin 587
Moses 587
Dame, Benjamin 546
John 596
Mark 140
Theophilus 545, 552. 554
Thomas 52
Damon. John 96
Dana, Francis 462
Jedediah 610
Judali. . . 302
Samuel 82, 100, loi
Samuel L 101
William 82
Dane, Benjamin C84
Daniel 685
Daniel, Jr 685
Danford, Edward i lO
Enoch 603, 604
James 604
Jedediah 209
Joshua 116, 200
Nathaniel 118, 195, 196
Nathaniel, Jr 196
Samuel 604
Thomas 604
Thomas, Jr 601
William. ... 195, 196, 204, 209
391
Danforth, David 99
John 2O3
Moses 391
Samuel 2f >4
Danforth. Thomas 391
Daniels, David 513
Elipliaiet 577, 595
Jacob 151, 518, 520
Jacob. Jr 151
James 428
John 567
Jonatiian 150, 518, 519
Joseph, 151, 513- 519' 5^0, 525
Levi, Jr 151
Pelatiah 151, 152
Samuel 40
Danielson, Arthur 141
Darby, Isaac 476
Asaph 476
Abijah 476
Darling. William 462
John... 350
Darker, Benjamin 103
Darrah, James 562
Robert 92
Davis, Andrew 81
Aquila 406
Benjamin. .61, 81, 92, 93, 578
Caleb 355, 362
Clement 587
Daniel. .41, 268, 567. 570, 592
Daniel, Jr 42
David 462, 577, 587, 592
David. Jr 592, 595
Dudley 588
Ebenezer 577
Eleazer. .46, 47, 48, 49. 52. 53
54'^J. 554
Eli 35^
Eliphalet 656
Ephraim...267, 575, 579, 592
Gideon 56
Hezekiah 57
Ichabod 320, 656
Isaac 220, 222
James, 143, 266, 267, 518, 519
525, 527, 529, 539, 567, 587
James, Jr 567
Jeremiah 142, 143
John 61, 567, 587
Jonathan 324, 352
Joseph 310, 321
Joshua 595
Josiah 143
Lemuel 656
Malachi 599
Micah 588, 595
762
INDEX,
Davis, Moses 355, 567, 627
Moses, Jr 567, 587
Nathan 41 1
Nathaniel. .513, 518, 519, 527
704
Nicholas 503
Reuben 154
Robert 320
Samuel 44, 142, 143, 266, 267
320, 342. 354, 355, 359, 362
51S, 520, 525, 527, 529
Samuel, Jr., 355,362, 520, 521
527
Simon 325
Thomas 266, 267, 514, 516
517, 518, 519, 529, 540, 567
588
Timothv..46, 52, 56, 138, 142
567, 587
William 142. 143, 264
Zablon 41, 42, 51, 56
Day, Asa 209
Benjamin 204, 209
Ebenezer 326
Ezra 345, 347
Isaac 720
Daws, Amos 352
William 327
Dean, Aaron 293
Benjamin 548
Eliphalet 667
John 656, 659, 666, 669
Thomas 648, 659, 666, 667
669
Ward C 659, 666, 667
William 326
Dearborn, Abraham 271
Asahel 609
Benjamin.. .309, 607, 609, 626
627
Ebenezer 309, 310
Ebenezer, Jr 309
Henry, 480, 482, 483, 617, 631
John 213, 271
Joseph 269, 296, 320
Josiah 609
Michael 309
Peter 309
Sherburn 320
Shubael 271
Shubael, Jr 271
Simon 625, 626, 628
Simon, Jr 626, 628
Dearborn, Stephen 314
Thomas 309
Levi 723, 731
De Forrest, Elihu 388, 389
Delano, Gideon 34, 35
Delaph, Archibald 310
Demeritt, Ebenezer. .519, 525, 527
529. 554
Eli 516, 518, 520, 525, 529
Job. ...513, 51S, 520, 525, 527
529
John 519, 525, 527
John. Jr 525
Nathaniel 592, 595
Samuel 52, 587
William.. . .519, 520, 525, 527
529
Deming, Ebenezer 452
Seth 452
William 452, 453, 460
Denbo. Elijah 5S6
Ichabod 589
Richard 567, 570
Salathiel 514, 567
Dennett, Ephraim 511
Joseph 39
Moses 145
Dennis, Albert 553
Arthur 92
Densmore, Elijah. . . .425, 428, 429
430- 431
Elijah. Jr 424, 428
John 428
Stephen 425, 428, 430
Thomas 428
Derby, Eiias H 637
Diamond, Ezekiel 177
Isaac 202
Israel 4S0, 483
Israel, Jr 482, 483
Dickenson, Asahel 372
Elihu .293
Obediah 283
Dickerman, Samuel 683
Dickey, Adam.. 309, 320, 683, 6S4
James 109, 246
John 309, 320, 683, 684
Joseph 683
Widow 246
William 682
Dike. James 114
Dinsmoor, James 114, 115
Robert in
INDEX.
763
Dinsmore, Artliur 319, 320
Robert 320, 324
Dix, John A 210
Jonathan 406
Timotiiy 210
Dobbin, John 0 182
Dockham. James 696
John 277
Natlianiel. . .140, 141. 143, 144
Dodge, Bartholomew 82, 93
David 373
Ebenezer 382
George bTfj
Gideon 685
Jabez 660, 669
Josiaii. .70, 72. 73, 76, 79, 103
Samuel 76,85.115
William 166
Doe, Benjamin 592, 595
Benjamin, Jr 592
Gideon 606
John 158. 606
John, Jr 606
Joseph 587
Sampson 569
Dole, Stephen 121, 188, 189
Stephen. Jr 121
Dolhouse, Richard 643
Dolhuf, Samuel 642
Dolloff. Daniel 704
John 409, 41 1, 425. 429
John Jr 41 1
Josiah 425, 429
Richard 647
Dolton, Michael 182
Door, Jonathan 520
William 520
Dorman, John 560
Dorr, Benjamin 460, 4(12
Dorset, Duke of 392
Doten, Ephraim 277
Doty, Daniel 193
Douglass, John 22
William 259
Dow, Amasa 264
Benjamin 51
Benaiah 626
Daniel 627
Ebenezer, Jr 587
Evan 492, 493, 494, 496
Henry 644
Jeremiah 356
John.. .120, 121, 127, 133, 216
217
Dow, John, Jr 121
Jonathan 357, 493
Joseph 545
Lytord 627
Moody 404
Moses 1 92. 724
Noah 605
Samuel 264
Stephen 493
Winthrop 627
Down, William 326
Downing, John, 311, 509. 526, 646
Richard 1 37
Samuel 545, 546
Downs, Dusie 538
Richard 545
Thomas 508
Drake, James 357, 361
John 607, 609
Simeon 625, 628
Thomas 264, 626
Weare 605, 607, 608, 609
Draper, Thomas 22
Dresser, Ebenezer 462
Jacob 61
Samuel 324
Drew, Elisha ^'^
Francis 508, 519, 520, 527
577
Francis A 545
James 151
John... 142, 143, 152, 157, 2O4
508, 529, S77
Joseph 518, 546
Joseph. Jr 577
Lemuel 519
Obediah 151
Samuel 138, 140, 519, 711
Samuel, Jr 142
Silas [57
Solomon 51
Stephen 54, 154
Thomas 567
William 575
Zebulon 519, 589, 628
Drisco, James yjj
Jeremiah 577
John 587. 590
Drought, Richard 629
Drown, John 143
Feter 1 5O
William 296
Drowne, Peter (murdered) 547
Druce, John 471
764
INDEX.
Drury, John 693
Langdon 693
Duby, Philip 643
Duda, Nicholas 384, 585, 586
Dudy, Benmore 577, 592
Dudley, Billy 642, 646
Daniel 143
Ephraim 658
George W 478
James 48, 226, 227
John. . .223, 226, 413, 617, 619
John, Jr 703
Joseph 226, 227
Mary 223
Nathaniel 703
Nicholas 138, 223, 620
Nicholas, Jr . 223
Samuel 189, 237, 643
Samuel, Jr 223
Stepnen 226
Theodore 539
Theophilus 642
Winthrop 237
Dugan, Gershom 41
Roger 41
Duncan, John 3, 4, 5, 106, 108
109, III, 113, 115, 381, 382
471,494,495
Robert 402
Samuel 403
Thomas 61 1
William 402, 403, 404
Dunklee. John 74, 79
Joseph 72, 74, 76. 79. 95
Dunlap. Joseph 202
William 22
Durant, Benjamin J 103
Durgin, Benjamin 587
Daniel 52
Ebenezer 577
Eliphalet. 587
Francis 586
Henry 590, 591
James 151
James, Jr 577
John 577, 587
Jonathan 577
Joseph 593
Joshua --,■]■]
Josiah 587
Philip 5,S8
Richard 356
Samuel 577
Durgin. Thomas 595
Trueworthy 577, 592
Trueworthy D 588, 589
William 356, 567, 577
Woodbury 586
Zebulon 592
Durrell, Ebenezer 595
Lemuel 53
Dustin, Capt 557
Eliphalet 685
John 685
Moses 261
Nathaniel 462
Timothy 373
Zacheus 685
Duston, Ebenezer 203, 404
Jonathan 253
Hannah 253
Thomas 373
Dutch, Samuel 656, 657, 660
Dutton, Abel 36
Thomas 53
Dvvinel, Amos 472
D wyer. Edward 642
John 629
Michael 629, 725
Eager, Fortunatus 476
Paul 346, 350
Eames, Ebenezer 255
Jeremiah 476
Samuel 272
Simon 272
Eastman. Abiather. ..411. 417, 425
Amos 392
Asa. 303
Benjamin 196, 482
Ebenezer 390, 391
Ebenezer, Jr 391
Edward 477, 483
Enoch 209
Ezekiel 140, 143, 144, 145,
699, 704
James 693
Jeremiah 391, 484, 489
John 143, 144
Jonathan 202, 405
Joseph 195, 196,391,410
Moses 398, 411, 493
Nathaniel 391, 411
Noah 425, 427, 430
Obadiah 193
Peter, Jr 693
INDEX.
765
Eastman, Philip 391, 398,499
Richard 411, 414, 415. 417-
421, 424, 425, 432
Samuel 13.S, 140,480,482
Simeon 693
Stephen 480,482,483
Thomas 209
Timothy 196, 209
William 166, 699, 704
Eaton, Alexander 324
Daniel 220, 354, 356, ^S7
Ebenezer 220, 221, 222
Elisha 336, 357
Ephraim 261
Ithamer 493
Jabez 480, 482, 483
James 115, 202, 324
Jonathan 131, 354, 356
Joseph F 480, 482, 483
Samuel 189
Thomas 212
Eddy, Mr 372
Edes, Isaac 425
Edgerley, Andrew 54. z^y
Benjamin 138, 140, 143
Ezekiel 144
James 588
John 138, 567, 595
Joseph 567, 619
Moses 596
Samuel 143, 223, 567, 595
Samuel, Jr 595
Samuel, 3d 595
Thomas.. 53, 57, 140, 141, 143
507, S(>7
ThomMs, Jr 54i 57
Zachariah. ..519, 520, 525, 527
529
Zebulon 625, 628
Edmunds, John 658
Jonathan 359. 362
Joseph 452
Edson, Ebenezer 373, 382
Eldridge, Joseph 668
Elkins, Daniel 619
David 52
Eleazer 619
Henry 480
Jeremiah 619
Joseph 4.S2, 483
Moses 305
Richard 629
Samuel 53, 619
Ellenwood, Ebenezer. ...58, 6i, 82
Ebenezer, Jr 58, 61
Jedediali 61, 81
Joseph ^.58, 61
Ralph 82
Rolandson 61, 82, 93
Elliot, Amos 92
Francis 61, 81. 93, 5S6
John.. .138, 142, 143, 202, 587
Jonathan. ...408, 625-628, 720
Jonathan, Jr 628
R 582
Robert 1 93
Thomas 205
William 656, 657
Ellis, Barnabas 366-372
Caleb 363
Edward 542
Gideon 370, 373, 382
John 508
Joseph ^jS
Lieut 376
Stephen 372
Ellison, William ,.264
Ellsworth, Edward 93
Oliver 367, 371, 372
Emerson, Amos 314, 320
Andrew 595
Benjamin 18, 20, 142, 143
Daniel 104
David 499
Edward 305
Eleazer 212
Ithamar 599
J'imes 493
John 325
Jonathan 138, 139
Joseph 52
Josiah II, 12, 15, 18, 20
Lieut yS, 325
Mark 481
Micah 452, 587
Peter .-.483
Richard 35
Samuel 260, 266, 308, 309
318, 429, 519, 524, 529, 571
580, 724, 727, 728
Smith 266, 267
Solomon. ...267, 513, 518, 519
524, 526, 529
Susannah 314
Timothy. 20, 554, 589, 592, 595
William 521
y66
INDEX.
Emery, Anthony 162, 41 1
Benjamin. ..121, 132, 202, 403
405
Capt 718
Edward 195
Enoch 162, 163,418,424
Humphrey. . 162, 163,418,425
Isaac 406
James 425
Joshua 121, 131
Moses 132
Noah, Jr 656, 659
Richard 1 78, 225, 652
Richardson 418
William 118, 196, 391
Emmons, Abel 325
John 20
Noah 352
Noah, Jr 352
English, Thomas. ... 107, 180, 721
Enos, David H 294
Erskine, Christopher 382
James 384
Ervine, William 273
Espie, John 107
Estabrook. Joseph 86
Estes, Elijah 529
John 538
Joseph 552
Samuel 552
Evans, Benjamin. .. .508, 522, 529
Bethiah 549
Daniel 39, 51, 521, 529
Edward 598
Edward, Jr 508
George 39, 40, 41, 42, 44
Jacob 635
John. ..320, 520, 521, 525, 527
529
Jonathan 522
Joseph 51, 508, 552
Robert 520, 521
Robert, Jr 527
Stephen 154, 487, 522, 529
550, 554, 595
Thomas 151, 520,521
William 521, 529, 710
Zur 350, 352
Everett, Edwin 724
Everden, John 58
Ewers, Rufus 140, 143, 145
Fairbanks, Abel 462
Samuel 334-338
Fairbanks, Zenas 150
Fairwell. Jonathan 350
William 350
Falch, John 685
Fall, Samuel 162, 163, 425
Stephen 53
Farlev, Benjamin 247, 248
Eben 86
Samuel 240
Farmer, John 386
Farnsworth, David 279, 283
Ebenezer 289
Edmund 352
James 284, 288
Levi 289
Moses 35
Oliver 289
Oliver, Jr 289
Sampson 247
Samuel 279
Stephen 279, 283
Thomas 35, 289
Farnum, Benjamin ..411
Daniel 258
Ebenezer 41 1 , 425
Ephraim 391
Israel 103
Joseph.. 68. 70, 72, 73, 76, 79
103
Farr, Jonathan 352
Moses 352
William 350
Farrar, Ebenezer. ... 1 1, 12, 13, 15
Jonathan 11, 12, 15
Timothy 65, 247
Farrington, Jeremiah 410
Stephen 391
Farwell, Capt 623
Joseph 289
William 289
WMlliam, Jr 289
Fassett, John 670, 679
Favor, Daniel 648
Moses 685
Favour, Isaac 19
Fay, Jesse 36
Nathan 3°- 33- 3^
Felker, Charles 151
Isaiah 1 50, 1 54
Josiah 156
Julius 152, 154
Michael 151, 154
Michael, Jr 151, 154
Fellows, Benjamin 116
INDEX.
1^7
Fellows, Ezekiel 1 1 6, 1 1 8
Isaac 499
Ithiel 480
John 362
Joseph, 116, 118, 119, 196,482
Mary 480
Samuel 480, 500, 502, 503
Stephen 355. 699, 704. 705
Felton, Elisha . .61, 72, 82, 92, 103
William 61
Ferren, Ebenezer 18
Enos 15, 20
Philip 189
Ferrit, Robert 499
Ferson, Robert 493
Fickett, John 642
Field, Ebenezer 22
David 326
Henry 98, 99
John .508. 518
Patrick 367, 370, 372
Samuel 326
William 22
Zachariah 508
Fielding, Ebenezer. .567, 371, 372
Fifield, Benjamin 392
Ebenezer 599
Edward 597
Jonathan 305, 308, 626
Moses 402
William 216, 598
Fillebrown, Isaac 22
Fisher, Abraham 381. 382
Jacob 381, 382
James 684
Janvrin 546, 548
Jeremiali 382
Josiah 382
Mr 373, 712
Nathan 683
Timothy 464
Wilham 22
Fisk. Aaron 350
Amos 499
Benjamin 209
Ebenezer 93, 622
John 44, 96, 103, 637
Jonathan 497
Samuel 41, 42, 44
William 82
Fitch, Daniel 604
Hezekiah 452, 454, 462
Fitch, Jabez 307
James 452.454
Samuel 452, 462
Theophilus 192
Zebediah 452, 462
Fitzgerald, Edward 196
Flagg, Ebenezer 308
Josiah 315
Flanders, Aaron 202
Asa 482, 483
Calvin 406
David, 482, 483, 502, 503, 504
Ezekiel 195, 196
Jacob 195. 196, 204, 391
James 406
Jesse. . . , , .196, 500, 501 , 503
John 391
John, Jr 202
Joseph 193
Levi 19
Moses 503
Onesipherous 193, 204
I'liilip 177. 391
Philip, Jr 406
Richard 53
Samuel 699, 704
Thomas 53, 224
Fletcher, Abel 350
Ebenezer 345, 350
John 35
Philip 720
Rev. E 202
Robert 326
Samuel 350
Simeon 61
Timothy 25, 29, 30, 33
Fling, Abel 294
Patrick 180
Flint, Amos ... 81, 96
Amos, Jr 81, 97
Hutchinson 96
Joseph 258, 259
Nathan, 68, 70, 73, 76, 79, 92
103
Nathan. Jr 68, 72, 74, 79
Flood. Jonathan 660
Richard 196, 318
Stephen 177
Foay. James 154
John 133, 154, 509
John, Jr 154
Stephen 154
Fogg, Caleb 626
768
INDEX.
Fogg, David 258, 260
Jere 669
John 666
Jonathan 356, 357, 628
Jonathan, Jr 356
Phinehas 626, 628
Seth 625, 626, 628
Simon 626
Stephen 668
Follet, Ichabod 567
John 345.587
Folsom, Aljraham 619
Benjamin 628
Davicl 502, 503, 627
Ephraim 592
James 656, 660, 666-669
James, Jr 660
Jeremiah 590, 592
John 53, 625, 640, 641
Jonathan. .. .52, 619, 620,621
660
Joshua 497, 628
Josiah 455, 546, 553
Josiah, Jr 552
Nathaniel 241, 621, 664
Peter 656
Samuel, 656, 657, 658, 664, 667
668
Theophiius 656
Tiiomas. . . .502, 503, 657, 660
Trueworthy 656, 659, 668
Winthrop 627
Footman, John 567, 593
John, 3d 595
Thomas 553, 555, s()7, 588
Ford, Archibald 478
Daniel 371, 372
Forrest, Isaiah 602
John 271, 272, 391
William 271, 391, 538
William, Jr 391
Forsaith, Josiah 315
Matthew 309
Robert 320, 685
William 493, 497, 498
Foss, Daniel 151
Ebenezer 272, 400
Ephraim 151
Isaac 309
Isaac, Jr 310
James I ^o
Jeremy 150
John 309, 545
Foss, Joshua 151, 152
Joshua. Jr., 150, 152, 153, 157
159
Mark 151, 154
Mark, Jr 151, 154
Nathan 152
Nathaniel 151, 1 54
Samuel, Jr 151
Stephen 151
Thomas 1 50, 1 5 1
Walter 454
William 508, 533, 545, 552
Zachariah 499
Forst, William 520, 521
Foster, Abiel, 266, 272, 273, 274
275
Abiel, Jr 275
Asa 265, 277, 720
Daniel 409, 410
David, 265, 266, 268, 269, 270
272. 273, 275
Ephraim 212
Isaac 2
Moses, Jr 41 1
Robert 637, 639
Simeon 183
William 272
Foulsham, Abraham 644
Ebenezer 642, 643
Peter 642, 646
Susanna 646
Fowle, Ephraim 643
Robert L 26
Fowler, John. ... 195, 196, 204, 391
Oliver 196
Samuel 202-204, 207, 404
Thomas 319, 320, 324
William 150. 519, 525
Fox, Elisha 616
Isaac 250
Isaac, Jr 250
Joel 250
Frances. Ebenezer 22
Fravier, John 11
Freeman, Daniel 454
James 452
Russell 7, 600
Freeze, Andrew 4S6
Gordon 626, 627
Jacob 619, 626
Fremont, John C 696
French, Abel 264
Abraham 103
INDEX.
769
French. Ahaz 388
Benjamin 326
Caleb 628
Enocli 264
Ephraim 76, 367, 452
John 699
John, Jr 326
Jonathan, 479, 482, 552
Jonathan, Jr 482, 483
Jonathan, 3d 4S3
Joseph, 121, 131, 305, 308, 627
Joseph, Jr 628
Joshua 598
Nathaniel 62 1
Nehemiah 103
Nicholas 1S9
Reuben 628
Richard 598
Samuel 264, 480
Solomon 628
Stephen 180
Frink, Andrew 522
Calvin 674
Elijah 466
Frost, George 595
Jonathan 277, 604
Joshua 629
Josiah 150
Nathaniel 587
Frye, David 720
Ebenezer. 629
Isaac 69
Joseph 425
Fugard, Abigail 186
Samuel 185, 186, 720
Fuller, Amasa 367
Benjamin 612
John 103
Joseph 352
Nathan 61, 81, 93
Thomas 18
Fullonton, David 621
John 354
Fulton, John 22
Robert 684
Furber. John 138
William 507, 508, 520, 530
Furness. Benjamin 22
Patrick 592, 595
Fyence, Joseph 720
Gage, Elizabeth 549
General 583
50
Gage, James 461
John... 265, 268, 402, 516, 517
520, 523, 529, 542
John. Jr ...265, 520, 531,545
John, 3d 538, 553
Jonathan 546, 548
Joseph 555
Joshua 466
Nabby 549
Peggy 549
Rebekah 549
William 521, 538
Gains, George 333, 687
Gale, Daniel 202
Eliphalet....ii, 12, 15, 18, 239
Elisha 36
Henry 693
Jacob 480
James 599
John C 403
Paul 36
Stephen 20, 239
Gambling, Benjamin 539
Gannett, Matthew 602, 604
Nicholas B 604
Seth 602, 604
Gardner, Andrew. . ..164, 166, 283
Ezekiel 256, 259
William 260
Garfield. Samuel 293
Garland, Abigail 522
Jabez 508
James 356
Jeremiah 354
John 152, 153, 155, 159
John, Jr 153
Jonathan 357
Jonah 356
Richard 162, 163, 425, 542
Thomas 604
Garling, Abigail 522
Daniel 546
Ebenezer, Jr 520, 521
Garvin, Ephraim 720
Gates, General 69
Samuel 256
Zebulon 259
Gault, Samuel 2i('), 320
William 320
Gay, Jacob 41
James 410
Gean, Douglas 425
Geer, Thomas 294
770
INDEX.
George, Austin 425, 431
David 425
Isaac 7. <S
John 186
M OSes 109
William 483
Genness. Samuel, Jr 277
Gerald, Edward 209
John 205, 209
Gerrish. Andrew 520
Benjamin 710
Capt 50S, 539
George 710
Henry 7, 65, 200, 203, 204
205, 208, 253, 610, 613
632, 726
James 552
Jeremiah 209
Jonathan 522
J oseph 202, 209
Joseph, Jr 204
Lucy 549
Moses 209
Paul.. .508, 513, 519, 520, 525
527
Samuel .... 521, 530, 531, 5S2
Samuel. Jr 555
Stephen ; . 195-197, 391
Timothy 508, 509
William 519, 521, 522
Gial, Ebenezer 309
Gibbens, Fitch 686
Gibbs, Thomas 329
Gibson, Mr 127
John 685
Matthew 685
Giddings, Eliphalet 659
John 667
Nathaniel 660
Nathaniel, Jr 667
Zebulon 526
Giffin, John 320
Gilbert, Capt 24, 27
John 131
Larraford 70, 76
Gilcreast, William 320
Gile, Abraham 476
Benj 333.436,437
John 519, 586
Joseph 177
Mark ^08, 711
Gill, William '. 625
Gillis, Josiah 186, 188
Gillis, Jonathan 562
Gilleres, Robert 309
Gil man, Andrew 223, 545
Antipas 224
Benjamin 224
Benjamin C 668
Betsey 549
Billy 656
Bradbury 277, 625
Caleb 619, 644, 648
Carter 648, 660
Daniel 357, 648. 659
Daniel, 3d 65$
David 8
Eliphalet 656, 667, 668
Eliphalet, Jr 660
Ezekiel 7, 8
Israel 617, 619
James 84, 89, 592, 643, 668
Jeremiah.. 7, 8, 223, 629, 643
661
John.. 224, 643, 644, 646, 648-
651, 657, 718
J. S 667
John T 384, 548, 659, 667
John W 656, 657, 660
Jonathan 224
Joseph 374i47o
Joshua 642
Josiah.. 30, 157, 218, 256, 488
549, 648, 659, 668, 682
Josiah, Jr . .". 361, 659
Moses 48, 646
Nathaniel. .648, 666, 667, 694
Nicholas. .110, 272, 511,623
642, 657, 664, 666
Nicholas, Jr 660
Peter 121, 267, 667
Robert 650
Samuel. 51, 226, 301, 625, 648
655, 656, 659, 666, 667,668
Samuel, Jr 333, 656
Samuel, 3d 660
Somersby 225
Stephen 642
Thomas. . . .271, 656, 660, 666
Theophilus 667
Trueworthy 659, 660, 666
667, 668
Gilmore, Alexander 189
George C 720
James i 79
John 179.
INDEX.
771
Gilmore, Robert. , 1 79
Whitefield 720
Ginkens, Joseph 508
Gipson, James 391
John 391
Gleaden, Charles 643
Gletten, William 519
Glidden, Charles 271
David 53
Jeremiah 226, 232, 233
John 48, 52
Jonathan 226, 619
Moses S3
Nathaniel 648
Nicholas 52, ^3-, 5<3
Richard 289, 294
William 520, 525
Zebulon 56
Glines. Abram B 278
Benjamin 272
Eli 273, 604
Isaac 604
Israel 277
James 400
John 264, 273, 604
Nathaniel 272
Robert 277
William 567
Glinn, Thomas 310
Glover, John 588
Thomas 525
Goddard, Joseph 386
Godfrey, Ezekiel. . . .697, 699, 700
702, 704, 705
James 644
Job 622
Joseph 699
Goffe, Col. John.. 59, 149, 177, 181
530,531,581,718
John, Jr 179, 180,182
Joseph 269
Gogin, Nicholas 577
Gokin, Nathaniel 352
Goodell, Cornelius 612
David 92
Goodhue, Benjamin 634, 637
Benjamin S 637
Josiah Jr 348, 349
Goodridge, Allen.. 68, 70, 72, 74, 76
79. 93. 103
Goodspeed, Nathaniel 462
Goodwin, Edward 367
James 373
Goodwin, Noah
Samuel
Solomon
Thomas 366, 367,
Googin, Samuel
Gookin, Elizabeth
Samuel
Goold, Daniel... 68, 72, 74, 76
Richard. .68, 72, 74, 76, 79
93
Samuel
Stephen
Gooten, Daniel
Gordon, Abraham
Benoni
Daniel 226,
Dudley
Enoch
James 621, 644,
Jonathan 626,
Joseph
Josiah 703,
Nicholas
Nicholas, Jr
Robert 309,
Sarah
Thomas. . . .226, 236, 237,
Thomas. Jr
Timothy 232,
William 105,
Gording, Alexander
John
Nicholas
Sanders
Gorges, Sir Ferdinando
Gorly , George
Goss, John 247,373,
Joseph
Nathaniel.. 370, 371, 373,
Peter
Goudy, Thomas 534,
Gould, Isaiah
Jonas
Moses
Gove, Abraham 492.
Daniel
John
Nathaniel
Gowen James
Goyer, Bartholomew
Graham, Arthur
Jonathan
545
400
177
372
209
486
.42
. 79
189
,92
. 95
,177
.96
508
704
704
227
626
704
668
628
619
704
646
704
320
,223
703
226
704
183
643
643
642
642
714
643
382
357
382
93
538
545
,289
326
493
493
593
598
541
557
.85
..76.
TJ2
INDEX.
Graham, Robert 309. 320
Robert, Jr 309, 320
Samuel 85
William 89, 309
Granger, Eldad 352
Grannis, Timothy 2)']'^
Grant, Asa 35
Daniel (3^,(0, 657
Michael 35
Granvel, Joseph 606
Graves, Jacob 598
Reuben 346
Rufus 352
William 232
Gray, Lydia 549
James 151, 159
Jeremy 151
Joseph 1 50, 1 54
Reuben 519, 520, 525
Robert 548, 554
William 151
Green, Amos 72, 95, 99, 102
Amos, Jr 103
Asahel 356
Ebenezer 131, 448
Edmund 144
Enoch 58S
Ezra 548, 554, 555
Jacob 202, 216, 560
John 143
Jonathan 354
Nathan, Jr 103
Nathaniel 202, 208
Peter 401 , 404, 405
Susanna 549
William 143
William, Jr 143
Greenfield, Thomas 177
Greenough, iMoses 131, 133
Gregg, Alexander 495
David 683
James 177
Samuel 683
Gregory, David 720
Greeley, Aaron 406
Andrew 599
Edward 598, 599
Enoch 597, 599
Jonathan, Jr 599
Moses 598, 599
Nathaniel 599
Peter 64S
Griffin, John 180, 589, 591, 593
Griffin, Thomas 189
Grigg, William 700, 703
Grimes, Frances 494
John 85, 88, 319, 324
Jonathan 85, 8g
Samuel 89
Thaddeus 85, 89
William 85
William. Jr 310
Grimshaw, William 164
Griswold, Joseph 386
Grost, John 693
Grout, Daniel 2, 5, 471
Elijah 286, 298
Jonathan 2S9
Solomon 289
Grove, William 616
Grover, John 595
Grow. John 289, 294
John, Jr 294
Grushe, John 212, 214
Guild, Rufus 296
Samuel 296
Gunnison, Samuel 466
Guppy, James 508, 520
Prudence 549
Gustin, Elisha 476
Thomas 253
Hackett, Jeremiah 270
William 656,657, 724. 728
Hadley, Abel 259, 559
Abijah 115
Ebenezer 189
Hadlock, Levi 493
Haggett, Benjamin 720
Haines, Daniel 538
David 619
John 648
Josiah 116
Mathias 271
Meshech 354, 355
Nathan 455
Thomas 663
Walter 700
Haldemand, General •]2)'-,
Hale, Aaron 198, 199
Amos 348
Benjamin 121
Col 24
David 35
Eliphalet. .346, 657, 666, 667
669
INDEX.
773
Hale, John. ..59, 69. 198, 199, 205
Moses 37, 305, 307, 406
Col. Nathan 556, 657
Haley, Samuel 627
Thomas 626
Hall, Abijah 470
Annanias 27
Benjamin. .27, 151, 321, 439
445
Caleb 324
David 324, 456
Ebenezer 431
Edward 470
Edward. Jr 469, 472
Enoch 166
Hannah 648
Henry 309
Isaac 151
Jacob 471
James 472, 586
John. ..151, 472, 507, 508, 509
Jonathan 309
Joseph. .151, 162, 163,424,464
509, 521, 530
Joseph, Jr 403, 424
Joshua 324
Josiah 319, 320, 424
Kinsley 640, 641, 642, 644
646, 666
Moody 454, 460, 462
Moses 462
Nathaniel.. 142, 310, 323, 459
Obed 162, 163, 303, 425
Obediah.. ..272, 274,319,320
Oliver 293
Ralph 1 59, 1 62, 424
Reuben 189
Solomon 159
Thomas 437, 443. 454, 462
Timothy \V 462
Ziba 27, 29
Ham, Aaron 710
Benjamin 522, 538
Clement 152
Daniel 152, 522
David 555
Ephraim....5i5, 516, 532, 545
Ephraim, Jr 553
George [54
John ..151, 508, 521, 533, 538
545
John, Jr 518
Joseph 508. 539
Ham, Jotham 546
Moses 543, 545, 546
Nathaniel .545, 552
Samuel 202, 521
Sarah 549
Stephen 538
Thomas 595
William 1 54, 520
Hamblet, Hezekiah 720
Hamilton, Jonathan 554
Hammond, Bradford 387, 389
Jonathan 363
Col. Joseph 363
Hamock, Richard 508
Hancock, George 271
Henry 168, 173
Joseph 271
William 271
Handerson, Gideon 381
Hanaford, Benjamin 202
Hanscom, Aaron 143
Hanson, Aaron 740
Abraham 518
Andrew 647
Benjamin. . .508, 521, 538, 528
553
Benjamin, Jr.... 521, 529, 534
Betsey 549
Daniel 555
r^avid 548, 553
Dominicus 548
Ebenezer 521, 546, 548
Elizabeth 549
Ephraim. ...521, 534, S35^ 53(^
539
George 521
Hannah 542
Isaac 710, 711
Jsrael, Jr 555
Jacob 553
John 513, 711
John, Jr 521
John B 542, 546, 548, 554
Jonathan 548
Joseph 522, 524, 527
Joseph, Jr. .516, 517, 518, 526
529
Micajah 53
Miles 552
Nathaniel 151, 50S, 711
Sally 549
Silas 529, 533, 538
Sukey 549
774
INDEX.
Hanson, Susannah 549
Thomas 533, 538, 711
Thomas, Jr 534, 538
William 522, 710
Hard, James 508
Hardee, Theophilus 648
Hardy, Jonathan . . . .302, 303, 409
Lieut 508
Theophilus 593, 594, 595
Harford, Lydia 520, 522
John 520, 534, 53S, 552
Nicholas 509, 511, 538
Samuel 710
Stephen 553
Harlow, James 462
Harper, Daniel 320
James 320
John 2S9, 294
Samuel 289, 294
Harriman, H. C 428
John 164, 239, 428
Laban 320
Leonard 216, 41 1
Moses 428
Page 296
Philip 428
Samuel 177
Stephen 65, 403
Harrington, Aaron 462
Eli 36
Leonard 41
Moses 461
Harris, Abner 348, 349
Andrew 502
Benjamin 259, 502
George. ... .... 253, 259, 726
Henry 94
John 352
Joshua 253, 256, 259
Luke 35
Mehitabel 408
Pearley 352
Robert 403, 404, 408
Samuel 656, 657, 666
Solomon 374
Walter 559
Harrod, Nathaniel 668
Harrold, James 425
Hart, Constant 289
Ebenezer 294
John 428, 430, 529, 530
Seth 685
Simeon 289
Hartford, James. . , 42
John 42, 44
Hartshorn, David 61
James 81, 93
John Si, 82
Timothy 81, 93
William 82
Harvel, James 252
John ^6, 92
Joseph 189
Harvey, Ebenezer 335, 338
Ephraim 342
John 177, 306
Solomon... .329, 332, 349, 350
Harwood, John.. 61, 70, 72, 73, 76
79' 103
John, Jr 103
Haselton, Joseph 720
Hasham, Stephen 294
Haskell, Benjamin. . .343, 349, 350
Job 354, 356, 357
Hastings, Andrew 347, 352
Asa II, 12, 18
John 177, 283, 294
John, Jr 283, 294
Jonathan 352
Josiah 351,352
Lemuel 284
Levi 352
M. W 293, 296
Oliver 352
Silvanus 283
Silvanus, Jr 293
Thomas 462
William 103
William, Jr 67
Hatch, Asa 35
Azel 35
David 602
Gamaliel 602
Ichabod 602
Jabez 602, 604
John 693
Josiah 372
Judah 35
Mason 35
Nathan 143
Nathaniel 296
Phinehas 35
Reuben 33, 35
Thomas 693
Haven. Joseph 554
Hawke, Admiral 479
INDEX.
775
Hawkins. Clement 279
Daniel 345
Hezekiah 152
John 138, 142, 278
Stephen 1 53, 27S
William 140, 141, 142, 154
Hayes, Aaron 521, 522
Benjamin 152
Daniel 521, 527, 529, 554
David ^i
Ephraim 521
Ezekiel ^n
Ichabod 521
James C 553
John, 41, 42, 44, 508, 522, 533
538
John, Ji- 521
Joseph 152
Joshua 521
Martha 521
Moses 51
Paul 152, 153
Peter 508, 522
Reuben 521
Samuel 152
Stephen 131
Thomas 521, 522
Wentworth 522
Hayden, Samuel 86
Haylbrd, Nathaniel 7, 8
Haynes, James 656
Hazeltine, Abraham 303
John 65, 303
Jonathan 303
Joshua 303
Nathaniel 93
Peter 316, 320
Samuel 303
William 272
Hazzen, Col 423. 433, 451
Jolm 312
Head, Daniel 8
James 391, 720
Nathaniel 7, 8, 273
Healey. William 309
Thomas 648
Heard, Daniel.. 533, 538, 540, 553
Daniel, Jr 533, 538
James 604
James, Jr C04
Jethro 534, 538
Jolin 533. IZ^^ 545. 552
Jolin. Ji- 545. 552
Heard, Samuel 540
Tristram 539
Heath , Amos 400
Benjamin 410, 432
General 27
Jacob 271
Jonathan 205. 482
Joshua 409, 41 1. 425, 429
634, 635, 636
Josiah 177
Samuel 1 77, 429
Solomon 212
Stephen 320
Hebbard. Abel 35
Hedges, Lemuel 293
Heinre, John H 524
Hemmingway, Joseph 671
Henay, Samuel 76
Henderson, Howard.. 508, 518, 538
Howard, Jr 515
W^illiam 546
Henry, David 289
Robert 289
Samuel 82
William 289
William, Jr 289
Herbert, James 406
Jonathan .406
Richard 406
Richard. Jr }.o6
Herd, Benjamin 521
John 520
Samuel 520, 522
Samuel. Jr 521
Hern, George 521
Herrick, Asa 203
Elisha 452, 454, 462
Josiah 1 03
Hesseltine, Ephraim 308, 309
John 309, 320
Richard 320
Thomas 309
Heustis, Aristides 36
Hewitt, John 294
Heywood, Eleazer 299, 300
Nathaniel 72, 73, 76, 79,92
William 283, 287, 288, 289
290, 294, 296, 298
Hibbard. A 368
Eliphaz 389
Luther 389
Lyndon 388, 389
Hickco.v. Benjamin 249
17^
INDEX.
Hicks, Capt 525
David 606
Jonathan 606
Joseph. .266, 267, 513, 518, 520
529, 587
Sarah 266, 267
Hicock, Andrew 500
Hidden, Ebenezer 204
Jeremiah 204
Higbe, Stephen. .366, 367,368, 371
372
Higbee, Charles 372, 375
Levi _. .370,372, 375
Higgins, David ;■; 452
Jonathan 435, 452
Nathaniel 454
Highland. John 685
Hildack, David 320
Hildrith, David 82, 93
Ephraim 66, 82, 92, 94
Ephraim, Jr 66
Jacob 61
Jacob, Jr 93
Joel 454
Jonathan 338, 348
Martin 350
Samuel 338, 452
Simeon 220, 222
Hill, Benjamin 309
Charles 43 1
Edward 587
Henry 149
Isaac 294, 315
Jesse 294
John 22, 149, 157, 552
Joseph 149, 209, 321
Leavitt 427, 430
Moses 309
Reuben, 587
Robert 22, 149,289
Samuel 309
Thomas 310
Timothy 82. 97, 103
William 142, 143, 513, 518
519' 567
Hilliard, Luther 452
Samuel 452, 462
Hilton, Andrew 606
Benjamin 606
Capt 589
Edward 506. 643
Joseph 485
Richard 643, 644
Hilton, William 260, 506
Hilyard, John 354
Simeon 353, 354, 357, 556
Hinds, Ambros 8
Jacob 338,339
R 370
Hinkson, John 619
Robert 619, 620
Samuel 256, 258, 259
Hinsdell, Ebenezer 283
Hitchcock, Ichabod 373, 381
John 373, 381, 382
Hoag, Kezia 549
Hobart, Abel 387, 388, 389
James 499
John 499
Samuel 498, 666, 667, 668
Samuel, Jr 499
Hobbs, David 607
James 606, 607
Moses 508
Nathaniel 609
Samuel 606
Stephen 699, 700
Hobson, Jeremiah 82, 93
Hodgdon, Caleb 548, 554
Charles 138, 140, 142, 144
145, 146
Elijah 549
Israel 508
John 493
Joseph 625
Moses 545, 546
Peter 145. 548
Samuel 143
Scammon 143
Shadrach 518, 554
Hodge, Alexander 693
Samuel 521
Hodgkins, Francis 703
John 294, 296
William 320
Hodgman, David 35
Hogg, Abner 720
John 203, 558-562
Jonathan 552
Mrs 491
William 61, 76
Hoit, Benjamin 626, 627
Jabez 316, 319
Joseph 205, 224
Joseph, Jr 206
Nathan 276
INDEX.
717
Hoit, Nathaniel 623, 632
Samuel 654
Holbrook, Elijah 36
Holcom, Matthew 201
Holden, Isaac 2S9
Nathaniel 2.S9
Richard 2S9
Timothy 289
Holland, John 64
Joseph 454
Stephen 183
Holnian. Moses 656
Holmes. Christopher 248
Ephraim 150, 153
Epliraim, Jr 152
John 250, 476, 724
Joseph 373, 546
Joshua 150
Lemuel 24, 25, 28
Noah 151
Oliver 497, 683
Robert 177
Samuel 151, 250, 724
William 179, 249, 683
Holon, John 224
Holt, Ebenezer. ... 61 , 82. 97. 103
Ezekiel 61, 96, 103
Obediah 102
Reuben 82
Homans. Joseph 250
Hone, Peter 350
Honey, Parmenter 189
Hook", Dyer 354, 355, y:,T, 359
361
Elisha 700, 704
Humphrey 480, 482, 483
Humphrey, Jr 483
Israel 480, 481, 482
Jacob 479
John 138, 140, 143, 144
Josiah 237
i'tter 359
William 627
Hopkins. Bartholomew 216
Benjamin .76, 85
Benjamin, Jr 85
Benjamin, 3d 85
Ebenezer 76, 85, 89
James. ..68, 72, 73, 76, 92, 103
115,681, 683
James, Jr 103
John 683
Robert 683
Hopkinson, John. . . .657, 660, 666
667, 669
Hor, Leonard 258
Horen, John 508
Thomas 50S
Horn, Andrew 520
Benjamin 522, 540
Daniel 521
Ebenezer 520. 533, 538
Ebenezer, Jr 51
Esther 521, 522
George 46, 48, 522, 538
Ichabod 542
Isaac 521, 534, 538, 545
Isaac, Jr 534, 538
James 520
John ..520, m^ 538, 539, 540
541
John, Jr 538
Jonathan 546
Moses 538
Nathaniel . .520, 532, 533, 535
536, 53S. 555
Paul 538
Peter 546
Samuel 711
Samuel H 545
Thomas 538
William.... 534, 538, 546. 549
William, 3d 520
Horsom, Jacob 150
Hosking, Athmore 19
Hough, George 404
Houghton, Stephen 192
House, John 498
Houston, James 1 88
Joseph 1 79
Samuel 189
William 720
Hovey, Daniel 610, 611
Nathaniel 612, 614
How, Isaac 65, 83, 85
James, 464
Joel 83, 8s
Mary 464
Nehemiah 220, 222
Peter 220, 222
Samuel 85
Stephen 85
Thomas 151, 157, 158
Howard, James 154, 425
John 555
Samuel 65, 425, 552
778
INDEX.
Howard, Samuel, Jr 425
Uriah 503
William 81, 154
Howland, George 693
Hoyt, Abner 400
Benjamin 11, 12, 15
Captain 16
Enoch 220, 221
Jacob 392
John . .264, 399, 400, 699, 700
Jonathan 202, 699
Joseph II, 18
Nicholas 697
Richard 545
Samuel 320
Stephen 391
Thomas. . . , 11, 272
William 324
Hubbard 28
Amos 343, 356
David 2S9, 294, 326
Ephraim 328, 350
George 372
John 5, 287, 292, 293, 298
Jonathan 283, 294, 326
Joseph 367, 372
Lemuel 366, 367, 368
Oliver 350
Huckins, Isaac 138, 150
James.. 151, 518. 519, 525, 527
John... 513, 519, 520, 525, 527
Joseph 587
Robert 520, 521, 522, 525
527, 529
Thomas 586
Thomas. Jr 586
Hughes, Richard 70
Huggins, David 462
Jonathan 462
Nathaniel 462
Robert 539
Hull, George 391
John 590
Hunking, Captain 539
Mark 153
Hunt, Asahel 293, 296
Caleb 556
Colonel 23
David 696
John 326
Roswell. 293
Samuel 287, 292, 294, 296
437, 439' 440, 442
Hunt. Simon 326
Willard 556
Hunter, Abraham 498
Abraham, Jr 498
Isaac 498
James 319, 324, 454, 461
Robert 499
Huntington, Andrew G. . .^Sy, 389
Joseph 685
Thomas 612
Huntoon, Philip 643
Hupper, William, Jr 554
Hurd, Jacob 693
John 555, 729
Samuel 533
Thomas 720
Tristram 54
Huse, Carr 21
Nathan 309
Hussey, Benjamin 552
Job 712
^aul 534, 53S
Richard 509, 518
Richard, Jr 518
Robert 711
Stephen 533
Timothy 533-538
William 538
William, Jr 538
Hutchins, Jeremiah. . 168, 173, 303
Jonathan 162, 164, 424
Nathaniel 303, 431, 560
Stilson 303
Hutchinson, Abner. .61, 74, 76, 84
93
Bartholomew 74, 85, 89
Benjamin 74, 76, 85, 89
Elisha. . .74, 76, 85, 92, 93, 95
Jonathan 84
Nathan 74, 84, 85, 8g
Nathan, Jr 74, 76, 89
Solomon 58, 61
Thomas 377, 685
Hyde, Gershom 382
Illsley, John 205
Ingalls, Israel 18
John 121
Moses 635
Peter 20, 239
Samuel 308, 309, 411
Timothy 309
Ingraham, Junia 500, 501, 503
INDEX.
779
Ingraham, Junia, Jr.
.500, 502
503. 504
Jack, Andrew 312
Jonathan 320
Samuel 320
Jackman, George. ... 195, 196, 200
201, 203, 204, 208, 391
George, Jr 196
Humplirey 203, 204
John 209
Joseph 143
Moses 205, 209, 693
Samuel 205, 209
Samuel, 3d 209
Simeon 209
William 201, 202, 205
Jackson, Benjamin ..151, 354, 356
362, 452
Daniel 604
Ebenezer 152, 154, 604
Eleazer 342, 349, 440, 443
455' 462
Enoch 592, 595
Hall 499
James.. 518, 519, 525, 527, 529
604
James, Jr... 519, 520, 525, 527
Jarib 350
Joseph... 51, 52, 513, 519, 520
525, 5^7
Lemuel 592, 595
Levi 352
Philip (.04
Richard 391
Samuel 356, 562, 586, 604
William 539, 592
Jacobs, Daniel ...... 140, 518, 520
Daniel, Jr 140
Daniel, 3d 140
David 140, 143, 145
Jonathan 138, 140, 141
Samuel 1 40
Seth 266
Jacobson, Benjamin S 64S
Jaffrey, George. ..10, 112, 146, 156
219, 267, 410, 649
James.. 262, 512, 514, 540, 572
William 645
James, John 224, 519
Samuel 354, 356, 359
Jameson, Alexander 113
John 720
Janney, Ebenezer 435
Jaquith, Isaac 82, 96
Jarvis, William 363
Jenks, John .639
Simeon 552
Jenkins, Benjamin 577, 657
James 79
Job 643
Joel 643
John 578
Joseph 523, 525, 539, 567
Nathaniel jy, 88
William 267, 1 1 7
Jenness, Benjamin 217, 218
Francis 137
John 629, 721
Joseph 627
Richard 147, 267, 311, 484
724
Samuel 277
Samuel, Jr 277
Thomas 486
Jennings, Elnathan 31
Jerald, Reuben. .436, 43S, 444, 446
449' 452, 455
Jesseman, Alexander 693
Jewell, James 512
Jewett, David 625, 693
James 52
Jedediah 656, 657, 666
Joseph 82
Moses 667
Noah 593
Samuel 625
Thomas 57, 548
Johnson, Abel 454
Abial 335, 336
Abner 338, 350, 352
Abraham 711
Benjamin 625
Benjamin, Jr 627
Brackett 627
Caleb 548
Daniel O23
David 150
Israel 352
James 283, 293, 625, 656
Jedediah 36
Jeremiah 41, 289
Jesse 202, 454, 614-616
Job 289
John, 41, 42, 44, 131, 148, 150
177
Jonathan 498
Joseph 236, 294, 616
78o
INDEX.
Johnson, Josiah 41, 58
Laban 36
Moses II, 18, 352
Polly 549
Simon 44, 627
Thomas. ... 148, 151, 294, 354
355
Timothy . . . 189, 407, 628. 720
William 476
Zebediah 352
Jonsones, Stephen 567
Jones, Anthony 519, 520, 525
Asa.... 367, 373, 2,7^^, 378, 379
380
Asajr 372
Benjamin 267, 294, 643
Caleb 74, 76, 84, 89
Caleb, Jr 76
Daniel 166, 656, 660
Ebenezer 587
Ebenezer, Jr 587
Ensign 376
Ezra 373, 382
Jehu 259, 260
John 256
Jonathan 480, 482, 483
Joseph 509, 512, 539, 574
Josiah 166
Lieut 376, 579
Nathan . . .72, 73, 96, 104, 4S0
482, 483
Nathan, Jr. . .6^, 72, 76, 79, 03
480
Peter 96, 103
Phinehas 93
Richard 519, 520
Robert 186, 595
Samuel 255, 256, 260
Stephen 513, 584, 585, 592
595
Thomas 370, 373, 381
Timothy. .72, 80, 82, 625, 627
William . . .144, 372, 595, 643
Jordon, Benjamin 389, 704
Jacob 697
Job 642
Joel 619, 627
John 51, 387, 389, 642
Nicholas, Jr 699
Philip 387,388
Richard 658
Robert 626
William 387, 389
Jose, Richard 507
Josen, Samuel 258
Joy, Jacob 552
Richard 145
Samuel 377
Judd, Anion 693
David 382
Ebenezer 373
Enoch 373, 381, 382
Levi 693
Mr 373
Mr., Jr 373
Judevine, Calvin 289
Judkins, Jonathan 139, 228
Joseph 226, 227
Obediah 19, 21
Philip 264
Karr. Bradbury 309
John 309, 310, 311
John, Jr 309
Mark 309
William 309, 720
Kaughow. Andrew 561
Keep, Michael 93
Keith, Isaiah 604
Kelley, Dailey 224
Daniel 240
Darby 231
Ebenezer 239
Joseph 64
Joshua 411, 431
Moses 203, 720
Roger 643
Samuel 720
Kellogg, James. 283
Kelsea, Hugh 277, 279
Moses 277, 279
Robert 277, 279
Kempton. Rufus 472
Kendall, Abraham 326
Daniel 65, 96, 103, 326
George W 62
Jacob 96, 103
John 326
Joshua 81, 93
Nathan 81
Nathan, Jr 81, 93
Samuel 675, 678
Thaddeus 103
Timothy 92
Kendrick, Benjamin 89, 99
Daniel, Jr 86, 92
INDEX.
781
Kendrick, David 86
Stephen 82, 89, 99
Keniston, Job 704
Kennedy, Forges 179
Matthew 720
Samuel 326
Kenneson, Daniel 44
Isaac 142
Nathan 51
Kenney, John 356
Joseph 279
Love 710, 712,
Samuel 509
Stephen 279
Kenniston, James 41
Job 226, 227, 228
John 226, 227, 228
Joseph 226, 227, 228
Samuel 40, 41, 42
Samuel, Jr 42
Kenrick. Benjamin 65
Kent, Isaac 36
John 36, 482, 577
Joseph 567
Josiah 177
William A 494
Keyes, Amos 5
William I
Kezer, George 266, 268
Kidder, Benjamin 239
Isaac 22
Josiah. Jr 76
Nathaniel 591
Noah 612, 615
Samuel ^^
Wm. L 103
Kielle, James 521, 529
John 521, 522, 554, 555
Kilburn, Eliphalet 209
Jedediah 209
Nathaniel 209
Killam, Benjamin 685
Killey, David 51
Ebenezer 51
Jonathan 62 1
Kimball, Abel 189
Abraham 392
Asa 411
Benjamin. ..339, 216, 693, 699
Caleb 648
Ebenezer 271
Edward 462
Eliphalet, Jr 455, 462
Kimball, Ephraim.. .520, 533, 538
545
Ezra 533, 538, 710
George 293
Henry 82, 92
John... 533. 538, 545, 648, 700
Jonathan 693
Joshua 699, 700
Levi 294
Lovel 45-' 455. 462
Moses 82. 96, 666
Moses, Jr 82, 96
Nathaniel. 402
Nehemiali 521, 534, 538
Noah 545
Paul 534,538
Peter 200, 204, 407
Philip 177
Reuben 202, 362
Richard 303, 521, 538, 545
Samuel 1 34, 720
Robert 657
Kiming, Moses 643
Kindrick, Samuel 483
King, George 65, 1 12
Jonathan 35
Josiah 386
Samuel 338, 342
Thomas 425, 428
William 549
Kingman. Daniel 674
Ephraim 216
Kingsbury, Absalom. .22, 24, 25, 30
35
Elisha 35, 38
Ephraim 35, 37
James ^s^ 37
Sanford 175, 292, 294, 363
370, 371, 372, 376, 378, 379
380, 381
Kinsman, Aaron.. 109, 202, 210, 216
402
Jonathan 660
Nathan 693
Kinrick, Dudley 482, 483
Kinstone, Samuel 41
Kinyon, Joseph 454
Kirby, Cornelius 143, 145
Kirtland, Gideon 367, 370
Kittridge, Doctor 67, 183
Hannah 549
Jacob 549, 553
Josiah 103
782
INDEX.
Kittridge, Solomon 76, 92, 103
Solomon, Jr 72, 76
Zephaniah ....72, 80, 96, 103
Knight, Amaziah 373, 381
Artemas 686, 693
Benjamin 693
Caleb 209
Charles 546
Eliphalet 131
Enoch 121, 131
George S92
Hateville 545, 546
John 131, 137
John, Jr 121, 131
John. 3d 121
Jonathan 209
Joseph 131, 132, 545
Joseph, Jr 121
Joshua 121, 132, 546
Knowles, Benjamin 7
John 278, 314, 545
Nathaniel 9
Samuel 552
Simon 355
Sir Charles 279
Knowlton, David 353, 354, 356
Ebenezer 354
Knox, David 320
George 611
James 721
John 720
Samuel 428
William 320, 411, 425, 428
430, 720
Labaree, Peter , 284, 286
Lacy, Thomas 202
Ladcl, Daniel 226, 484, 619, 644
Daniel, Jr 650
Dudlev 40-
Edward 648
Eliphalet 659, 666-668
Isaac 18, 20
Jeremiah 11, 12, 15, iS, 20
John 12. 15, 35
Josiah 659, 666
Nathaniel. .11, 12, 15, 18, 627
642
Paul 626,628
Peter 18, 20, 239
Simeon 656, 659, 667
True worthy 582
William 18, 411
Ladieu, James 455
Laighton, Gideon 711
Isaac 151, 153
James 151, 154
John 15s
Jonathan 54, 57
Jonathan, Jr 53, 57
Jonathan, 3d 54, 57
Solomon 712
Theodore 711
Thomas 711
Lain, John 711
Laiton, William 297
Lake, Thomas 362
Thomas, Jr 362
Lakeman, Nathaniel 72a
Pelatiah 668
Laken, William 107
Lambert, Thomas 22
Lamberton, James 499
Lamkin, Joshua 476
Lamos, James 142, 143
Nathaniel 567, 711
Lamprey, Benjamin ..354, 356, 605
607, 609
Levi 605
Lamson, Benjamin. . .659, 666-668
Gideon 659, 666, 669^
Jesse 1 03
John 103, 652
Jonathan 61, 103
Jonathan, Jr 82, 97
Samuel S7^ 5^
Samuel, Jr 58
Taylor 648
William.. 68, 70, 73, 76, 79, 93
Lane, Jesse 469
Joshua. .626, 627, 699, 703,704.
Samuel 214
William 462
Lang, John 411
Samuel 693
Stephen 354, 35^
Langdell, Joseph 68, 70, 72, 73
76, 79, 93, 103
Thomas 720
Langdon, John 280, 413
Mark 224
Samuel 302, 303
Langley, David 545
Jabez 592
John 592, 594, 59S
Joseph 594, 595
Obediah 594, 595
Samuel 587
INDEX.
783
Langley, Valentine 594,
Langmaid. John..354, 355, 359.
Samuel 143, 354, 355,
Stephen
William 354, 355,
Langstar, Henr\-
Lankton, Rev. Levi 22,
Lapish. Robert
Robert, Jr
Larned, Abel 3S7-
Abijah 387,
Ebenezer
Sylvanus 387,
Lary, Cornelius ,
Laselle, John
Latham, Arthur
Lauchlen. Thomas 51, 53
Lauder, John
Lawrence, David ... .619, 620,
627, 628, 641,
William
Layn, John
Leach, Asa
William 309, 312,
Leathers, Abednego
Benjamin 519, 520,
Constantine
Ezekiel
Paul
Robert 267, 587,
Samuel
Thomas
Leary, Daniel
Leavitt, Andrew 73
Benjamin
Carr 605, 607,
Dudley
Edmund R 354,
Gideon
James 642, 643, 666,
Jeremiah. ...605, 607, 609,
John.. .210, 224, 605, 607,
Jonathan... 354, 355, 357,
Jonathan, Jr
Joseph 271, 546,
Moses 41, 44, 308, 642,
Nehemiah
Reuben T
Samuel
Stephen
Timothy 224.
595
362
359
144
359
530
37
592
595
.3S9
388
3X7
389
644
611
350
. 57
720
625
643
326
581
382
324
592
528
595
578
■•54
592
595
.52
425
. 79
607
608
656
359
271
668
660
668
609
642
359
356
552
643
353
357
641
648
Leavitt, Weare 277
Lebbey, Abraham 52
Benjamin 519, 520, 522
Benjamin, Jr 520
Joseph 525
Lee, Ann 262
Nehemiah 278
Sir George 392
William 339, 340,341
Leets, Asa 373
Benjamin 373
Raynor 373
Leighton, Gideon 1 54
Hateville 518
James 588, 592, 595
John 518, 519
Mark 710
Tobias 588
Valentine. 592
Leonard, John 42, 44
John, Jr 42, 44
Solomon no
Levans, Noah 550
Levius, Peter 301
Lewey, Thomas 454
William 455
Lewis, Asa 684
David 683
Gideon 367, 370, 372
Jabez 382
Joseph 429
Marchel 429
Moses 239
Samuel 367, 373
Seth 367,373
Libbe. Isaac 354, 356, 357
John 354
John, Jr 354
Libbey, Benjamin 52
Daniel 552
Enoch 606
Ham 552
James 548, 552
John 592
Joseph 710
Meshech 606
Paul 710
Liford, Billy 703, 704
Light, Robert. ..656, 657, 659, 666
Liudsey, Joiin 549, 552
Lingley, James 567
Linn, Joseph 319, 324
Nathaniel 320
784
INDEX.
Little, Benjamin 209
Elipliaiet 209
Enoch 209
Friend 209
Gt'orge 720
James 121, 179, 209, 279
Jesse 209
Joseph 121, 132, 201, 209
Josiah 7, 600
Mattliew 179
Moses 252, 472, 474, 728
Moses, Jr 472
Noah 209
Samuel 121, 131
Samuel N 132, 135
Thomas 132
Littlehale, Abraham 95
Livermore, A 322
Abraham 382
Samuel 724
Lock, Ephraim 1 47
James 242, 277
James, Jr 52, 143
Jethro 151
Jonathan 260
Moses 629
Samuel 264, 629
Simon 151
William 151
William, Jr ... .151
Lockwood, Timothy 193
Lomax, Nathaniel 266
Loomis, Jeremiah 375
Lord, Gershom 545
John 308, 64S
President 392
Robert 666
Steward 392
William 138
William, Jr 142
Lothrop, Elias 259
Elisha 259
Thaddeus 259
Loud, Solomon 545
Loudon, William 348
Lougee, Benjamin 659
Jonathan 660
Jonathan L 660, 669
Joseph 656, 666, 668
Moses 6^6, 660
Lovejoy. Abiel 410, 425
Abijah 61
Benjamin 58, 61
Lovejoy, Benjamin, Jr 61
Daniel 76, 83, 85
Francis 82, 93
Henry 391, 400
Hezekiah 61, 82, 92, 94
Jacob 82
Jeremiah 430, 431
John 82
•Joseph . .61, 70, 73, 76, 79, 102
Joshua 92
William 425
Lovell, Timothy 28
Lovering, Daniel 64S
John 354
Simeon.... 354, 2S<^^ 359, 362
William ..648
Lovewell, Jonathan 65, 712
Nathan 476
Nehemiah 164
Lowell, James 480
John 305
Lowney. William 626
Lucas, Faric .41
John 434
Lucy, Thomas 462
Lund, Ephraim 61, 193
Jonathan 85
Silas 193
Lunt, Benjamin 196
Cutting 1 96
Ezekiel 612, 616
Henry 612
Joseph 204
Lutwyche, Edward G 93
Lyford, Dudley 354
Francis 645,646
Stephen 64S
Thomas 645
Lyman, Elias 611
Richard 616
Lynch, Maurice 106, 108
Lynde, Benjamin 326
David 289, 363
Lj'on, Ebenezer 58, 59
Edward 82
Jonathan 61
Mace, Andrew 598, 599
James C 1 03
MacCutchin, Cunningham 151
Mack. Daniel 466
MacDaniels. Jeremy 151
John 151, 152
INDEX.
785
McDaniels, William 151, 152
Mackintire, Jonathan .' . 160
Timothy 61
Mackres, Samuel 454
Magoon, John 234
Moses 226
Sanders 642
Maloon. Nathaniel 391, 489
Man or Mann, Isaac 476
James 720
Larnard 36
Matthew 258
Nathan 35
Peter 54S. 552
Manahan, John 180
Manamit, Primous, Dr 341
Manley, William 404
John 97
Manning, Isaac 96, 103
John 102, 103
Mansfield, Isaac 666
Nathaniel 625
Manuel. Anthony 212, 216
Joel 195, 196, 391
Joel, Jr 196
John 204, 210
Peter 217
Samuel 217
Marble, Eleazer 350
March, Clement 7. 600
Jacob 22
Joseph 486
Marchal, Henry 648
Marden, Israel 44
James 155
Nathan 354, 359
Marks, Stephen 370, 372
Marsh, Edward 250-252
Hezekiah 581
John 142, 499
Obediah 179
Samuel 635, 660
Timothy 704
William 204
Marshall, Andrew 521
Hawley 229
Marston, Abraham 607, 609
David 606
Eliphalet 356
Isaac 612
James 606
Jeremiah 607, 609
John 607
51
Marston, Jonathan 704
Joseph 353, 2,S^^^ 357> 612
Josiah 606
Levi 606
Nathaniel 612
Paul S 116-118
Samuel 606, 704
Simon 487
Martin, Ebenezer 177
James.. 65, iSo, 1S6, 18S, 628
703, 721
Jesse 68 I
John 22
Jonathan 65, 203
Joshua 603, 604
Nathaniel. .320, 603, 604, 721
Samuel 166
Thomas 112
William 20, 239
Martindale, Ebenezer 462
Elias 461
Marvel, James 68, 92
Mason, IJenjamin. .. .354, 356, 556
Benjamin, Jr 354, 356
Francis 556
John 140, 712
John T 670
Joseph 356
Lemuel B 52, ^t„ 57, 140
Moses 556
Potter 570
Robert 577
Thomas 354
Masterman, James 6S5
Martin, John 193
Masry, Edward 642
Mathes, Benjamin .39, 42, 567, 577
595
Benjamin, Jr 577
Francis 567, 569, 570
Francis, Jr 567
Gershom 264
Gideon 586
James 179
Robert 179
Valentine . .577, 589, 594, 595
Valentine, Jr 594, 595
Matthews, Abner. 370, 373,381, 382
David 370, 382
Hubbard 382
Hugh uSo
Jacob 382
Jesse 370, 382
786
INDEX.
Matthews, Jesse, Jr 382
Joe] 370, 373, 381, 382
John 580
Joseph 180
Maturin, Gabriel 583
Maxtield, Nathaniel 627, 628
Maxwell, William 22
McAdams, William 177
McAffee, Archibald 310, 320
Daniel 309
McAllan, Andrew 386
McAllister, Andrew 386
David 189
Richard 179
William 386
McAlpine, Roson 320, 503
McCalle}', James 65
McClanathan. Samuel 49S
McClary, Andrew 629, 631
John 109,110,487
Michael 630-632
Thomas 180
McClellan, James 499
McClennan, Widow 229
McClintock, Samuel 433
McClourg, George 106, no
McCluer, David 310
James 310, 660, 666, 667
Samuel 53
McConnell. Capt 681
Samuel 720
McCormick, James 177
McCoy, Charles 629
Clement 41
James 39
William 367, 373
McCriliis, David 274
McCullock, William 522
McCutten, Phedris 720
McDaniels, James 246
Jeremiah 271
John 271
Randall 246, 247
Robert 577
McDonald. Randall 246-248
McDonough, Thomas 301
McDougal, William 177
McDufifee. Daniel. Jr 53
David 57
James 53
John 137
Jonathan 53, 57
William 53, 57
McDuffy. Archibald 324
Hugh 324
James, Jr 546
John.. 319
Mansfield 319, 320
McFarland, Andrew 312
James 324
McFarline, Daniel 309
McFerson, Henry 683
James 309
Joseph 177
Paul 309
William 684
McGilvary, John 1S9
Robert 189
McGoon, Joseph 264
Mcintosh, Alexander 241
James 1 89, 247, 248
John 189
Robert 189
McKean, Bernard 187
James 82, 96
John, Jr 115
Robert 115
William 177, 493
McKinley, Robert 324
McKinney, Daniel 179
John 179
McLaughlin, James 189
John 179
Patrick 1 89
Thomas 177, 185, 189, 684
McMaster, Thomas 320, 324
William 684
McMillan, Andrew. ..159, 160, 163
403, 409, 410, 411, 412, 418
421, 425
Archibald 65, 681
James 425
RIcMitchell, William 499
McMurphy, Alexander 18
Daniel 11, 12, 13
James 324
John. ..II, 12, 15, 18,294, 526
Mr 127
Sanders 18, 20
Robert 10, 12, 20
William iS, 20
McNeal, Daniel 603, 604
McNeill, Archibald 22
McNutt, Barnard 498
McPhedris, Archibald 146
McOuig, David 92
INDEX.
787
Meachain , Asa 382
Mr 373
Samuel, 253, 255. 256, 258, 259
Mead, Benjamin 7, 8
Means, Robert 82, 104
Meder, Daniel 576
Isaac 592
John 567
John. Jr 567
Joseph 567, 586
Moses 52, 56
Moses, Jr 52, 53, 588
Nicholas 144. 145, 567, 575
Stephen 52
Medham. Samuel 610
Meed, James 427
Joseph 427
Nathan 193
William 657,666
Melard. William 140
Meigs, Abner 373
Melendv, Thomas 102
Mellen,' Charles 683, 684
Henry 549, 552
Thomas 684
William 623
Melony, James 711
John 266, 268
Richard 266, 268
William 61, 76, 85
William, Jr 61
Meloon, Jonathan 625
Melvin, Patrick 309
Mercier, Andrew L 306
Merrill, Amos 425, 428
Barnard 324
Benjamin 82
David 212
Dudley 699
Enoch 411
Enoch, Jr 428
Ezekiel 264, 598
Jabez 598
James.. 131, 229, 696, 700, 705
John. ..131, 216, 392, 398, 484
Jonathan 11, 352
Jonathan A 425
Micajah 354, 355
Nathan 697, 699
Nathaniel. . 189, 345,421,612
Simeon 15-19
Stephen 324, 43 1
Thomas, Jr 410
Merrill, Thomas. 409, 410,415, 425
428, 496, 497
\\ illiam 411
Winthrop 699
Merrow, Joshua 546, 553
Meserve, Clement 518
Col 718
Daniel 508, 518
Daniel, Jr 518
Ebenezer 595
John 143-518
Joseph 527
Nathan 143
Nathaniel. . [43, 531, 578, 581
Timothy 594, 595
Meservy, D 643
Messer. William 144
Metcalf, Thomas 350
Middleton. Reuben 206
Miles, Abner 269, 270, 271
Archibald 269, 270, 271
Josiah 269, 270, 391
Samuel 271
William 391
Miller, Eleazer 36
Farrer 70
Heber 329, 334, 336, 337
Hugh 320
James 320
Sardis 36
Thomas 106, 107
William 319, 320
Millet, Thomas 515, 516, 518
Millins, John 671
Mills, Amos 204
David 320
Ebenezer 103
James 612, 685
John, 68. 70, 72, 73, 76, 79, 93
loi, 102, 320, 612, 720
John. Jr 309
Joseph 490
Reuben 132
Robert 309
.Samuel 538
Thomas 558
William 320
Miner, Thomas 253, 256, 258
Minot, Jonas 10. 729
Samuel 729
Mishorne, Daniel 567
Mitchell, Caleb 688
Francis 216
788
INDEX.
Mitchell, John. .61, jo. 71, 590, 685
Oliver 685
Peter 118
Samuel 103
Samuel, Jr 107
William 471
Moffatt, Aquila 354, 356
Mondro, John 567, 578, 592
Montgomery, William 720
Monson, Joseph 154
Moody, Bradstreet 477
Clem 642
Cutting 196
Daniel 227
Ebenezer 205
Joseph 228, 229
Mooney, Benjamin 578, 582
Capt 718
Hercules. ..578, 581, 586, 604
Jonathan 581, 604
Obediah 272, 274
Moor, Archelaus 391
Daniel, 179, 180, 491, 621, 720
Ephraim 212, 214
Isaac 693
James 212, 214-16. 277
John 177-179
John, 2d 179
Joseph 189
Nathaniel 189
Samuel 391, 179, 180, 189
William 179, 188, 391
Molton, Jonathan 53
Moore, Archelaus. . .263, 265, 269,
272, 273
Benjamin 293
Charles 309
Daniel 115
Ezekiel 272
Henry 202
James 180
John. ..106, 107, 216, 272, 382
309, 326, 462
John, Jr 272
Samuel 106, 108, 109, no
261, 649
William 1 50, 476
Moorehead, John 306
Morall, Robert 179. 180
More, William 48, 545, 641
Morey, Israel 472
William 116, 118
William, Jr 118
Morgan, Isaac 373
John 224
Richard 643, 644
Morrel, Samuel 204
Morrell, Hugh 179
Morril, R 205
Morrill, Abel 234
Amos. .486, 629, 630, 632, 633
David 272, 274, 275
i-zekiel 263, 264, 355, 359
Henry 480, 482, 4S3
Hugh 684
Isaac 264
Jabez 117, 1 18
Jacob 271
J'imes 354, 355, 359
John 202, 204, 598, 599
Joseph 355, 357^359
Joseph, Jr 355
Laban 272
Levi 236-238
Marston 263, 272
Nathaniel . .132, 362, 482, 483
Paul 353. 354, 355- 359
Philip. 599
Samuel 264
Samuel, Jr 627
Smith 354. 355, 359
Timothy 1 44
William 234, 236, 627
William, Jr 628
Morris, Corbin 685
Morrison, Alexander, 659, 666, 668
Halbert 177
Moses 106, 107
William 18
Morrow, Robert 11, 12
William 11, 12
Morse, Abel 277, 279
Abner 599
Benjamin 660
Daniel 239, 483, 654
David 20
Edmund 177
Ezekiel 277, 278
Isaac 279
Isaiah 693
Jeremiah 454
John 434, 441, 445, 453
Jonathan 556
Josiah 42
Moses 277, 279
Moses, Jr 204
INDEX.
789
Morse, Reuben 556
Samuel 209
Thomas 556
Moseley. Unite 22
Moses, Timothy, 513, 518, 520, 525
527
William 355, 359
Moss, Linas 693
Moulton, Benning 277. 278
Daniel 693
David 693
Henry 264
Job 693
Jonathan .. .277, 309, 693. 724
Joseph 279
Joseph, ]x 724
Noah 693
William 693
William P 549, 552
Muckleman, Timothy 499
Mud<^ett, Benjamin 704
John 13S, 139. 224
Joseph 699, 704
Joseph, Jr 704
Muncey, David 587
Henry 145
Solomon 142
William 357
Munroe. Abel 373
Josiah 66
Susanna 66
Murch, Stephen 498
Murdough 179
Murphy, Patrick iSo, 720
Murray, Beriah 367, 371, 372
Murrey, John 51
Muzzey, John 204, 4<;3
Joseph 674
Reuben 60, 61, 82
Reuljen D 82
Robert 556
Samuel 205
Nahor, James, Jr 92
Neal,John ..65, 158, 203. 588, 5()0
Joshua 595
Neele, John 203
Nelson, John 138, 385. 499
Jonathan 656
Joseph 138
Samuel 142, 143, 145
Nero, Caeser 652
Nesmith, Arthur 116
Jonathan 116
Nevens, Benjamin 86
Joseph 86
Robert 462
William 86
Newhall, Daniel 36
Jonah 352
Joseph 22
Nathan 22
Newman, Ebenezer 685
Thomas 425, 429, 685
William 180
Newmarch, Joseph 580
Newton, Jonas 36
Jonathan 36
Lucy 298
Phinehas 471
Richard 118
Timothy 289, 298
Nicholle, Dudley 666
Nicholas 202, 659, 664
Nichols, Aaron 82
Adam no
Asa 289, 294
Daniel 115,116
Ebenezer 294
Humphrey 259
John 321, 720
Knight 70, 72, 73, 76, 79
Moses.... 66, 68, 69, 104, 243
270
Philip 294
Samuel 683
Thomas 113, 114, 681
Timothy "jd
Timothy, Jr 82
Nicholson, Francis 646
Nickerson. Joshua 601, 603
Niles, George 19
Nixon, John 661
Noble, Stephen 590, 595
Thomas 587
Nock, Silvanus 508, 510
Silvanus, Jr 508
Thomas 508, 510
Thomas, Jr 510
Zachariah 508
Norris, Andrew 503
Benjamin. . .503, 505,627, 721
Daniel 279, 703
David 202
Edward 634, 637
790
INDEX.
Norris, Eliphalet .626, 720
James 273, 619, 626, 628
James, Jr 627
James, 3d 626, 627
Jonathan . . .545, 546, 616, 619
Joshua 279
Josiah 628
Moses 643
Nicholas 643
Thomas 503, 626, 628
Norton, Thomas 56
Nott, Thaddeus 294
Noyes, Aaron 216
Benjamin 202, 204. 212
214, 21S
Cutting 200, 205
David .".... 1 3 1
Enoch 121, 131, 216, 217
Humphrey 131
Humphrey, Jr.. . .121, 122, 132
James 121, 135
James, Jr 132
John 212, 215, 2i6
John, Jr 212
Joseph 131
Moses 217
Nathan 216
Nathaniel 121, 203
Thomas 121
Nudd. Benjamin 356, 357
Nurse. Benjamin 103
Nute, James 509, 71 1
John 712
Paul 711
Samuel 509
Nutt, Samuel 683, 684
Nutter, Anthony 144, 145
Benjamin.. .138, 139, 142, 143
145
Ebenezer. . . .52, 140, 143, 145
John 140, 143, 145
Lemuel 588, 595
N. D 52
Richard 553
Nutting, Eleazer 685
Oakes, Edward 693
Simon 693
O'Brion, Matthew 685
Odel, Ebenezer 94, 96
William 61, 82
William, Jr 82
Odell, Joseph 411, 425
Odell. Richard 429
Thomas F 428, 430
Odiorne, George 667
John 548
Jotham 262, 539
Samuel 593
Thomas 333, 659, 669
Odlin, Augustus 595
Dudley. 667
John.^ 305, 307, 30S, 648
Samuel 669
William 656, 657
Winthrop 656, 657, 660
Olcott, Rev. B 287, 290, 292
Simeon 7, 292, 293, 600
Olds, Phineas 36
Oliver, Peter 326
O'Neil, John 180
Ordway, Jacob 597-599
Joseph 560
William 561
Orr, Benjamin 476
George 177, 720
Hugh 115
James 180
John ..177, 17S, 180, 183, 185
309
Robert B 604
Orvis, David 452, 454
Osborn, William '. 205
Osborne, Joseph . . . .660, 6G6, 668
Osgood. Abner 388
Benjamin.. .241, 242, 409, 411
425
Chase 626, 628
Dean 425. 635
Enoch .626
Hazen 216
James. . 206, 392, 409, 410, 411
419, 421, 424, 425. 428,431
Jeremiah 425, 635
John 41 1 , 429
Josh B 421
Moses 425, 429
Mr 373
Reuben 626
Richard H 202, 402, 41 1
Samuel 429, 628
William 366, 429, 626
Otis, Elijah 151
Joshua 150
Micajah 151
Nicholas 151
INDEX.
791
Otis, Paul 158
Stephen 151, 1 54
Stephen. Jr 529
Otterson, James 320, 321
Packer, Thomas 51, 574
Paddleford, Abner 611, 612
Jonathan 610, 612
Jonathan, Jr 612
Philip , 612
Page. Asa 121
Asahel 607
Benjamin.. .322, 482, 483, 484
628, 669
Caleb 65, 429, 559, 563
Daniel 121. 277, 279
Daniel, Jr 352
David. .410, 412, 417-419, 422
430, 432, 476, 602
Edmund 120
Enocii 203, 724, 728
Jabez 480
Jeremiah . . .10, 203, 214, 253,
411, 429, 559, 564. 565. 610
613, 726
Jeremiah, Jr 427, 429, 565
Jesse 121
John.. .620, 626, 627, 628, 693
Jonathan .. .120, 121, 284, 619
Jonathan, Jr 121, 132
Joshua 452, 462
Moses 476
Nathaniel 356
Onezipt 305
Peter 294, 298
Peter, Jr 294
Philip 431
Robert 484, 489
Samuel 606
Simon 483
Stephen 121, 132
Thomas 481, 482
William. . . .249, 292, 293, 621
Pain, Amos 277, 279
Amos, Jr 277
John 277, 278
John, Jr 279
Jonathan M 279
Joshua 279
Samuel 434, 462
Thomas 326
Walter 279
William 440, 452, 462
Palmer, Benjamin 546
Ebenezer 35
James 52
Jeremiah 52
John 553
Jonathan 11, 12, 15
Jonathan, Jr 11
Joseph 249, 605, 607, 608
Joseph, Jr 250
Samuel 598
Simeon 657, 666
Trueworth y 598
William 11, 605
Pardie, Levi 372
Parkes, Jonas 35, 293
Robert 666, 669
Parker, Ebenezer 121
Elijah 289
Ezra 668
Isaac 283
Jeremiah 289
John 183, 189
Jonas 243, 294
Jonathan 367, 373, 381
Josiah 86
Josiah. Jr 86
Matthew 545
M. T 49
Nahum 680
Nathaniel. . . 161 , 283, 383, 669
Phineas 381, 382
Robert.. 68, 72, 74, 76. 79. 92
Robert, Jr 80, 103
Samuel 169
Stephen 592
William. . . . 189. 212, 577, 668
William, Jr 189. 666, 667
Parmalee, Ezra 466
Paron. Richard 277
Parryman, Nicholas 648
Parsons, Hezekiah 389
Job 627, 628
Joseph 305, 309
Joseph, Jr 305
Josiah 602
Nathaniel 627
Samuel 627
Thomas 605, 607
Partridge, Simeon 469
Sylvester 36
William 404, 405
Patrick, Samuel 678
Parshley, George 151
792
INDEX.
Parshley, John 151, 154
John B 151
Richard 151
Pattee, Asa 612
Asa, Jr 612
John 612
Patten, Benjamin 341 , 342
David 189, 324
John 115, 180
Joseph 189
Matthew 177, 179
Samuel 177,179,683
Stephen 555
Passaconaway 120
Passaquo 1 20
Patterson, James 177, 1 79
John 61. 76, 92
Nathaniel 177, 1 79
Robert 720
Samuel 177, 1 79, 720
William il
Pattingill, Joshua 61, 82
Payne, E 169
Peabody, Aaron 103
Col 67
Hannah 73, 79, 94
Jacob 103
John 96, 103
Moses 96, 103
Nathaniel ..121, 122, 123, 161
383
Oliver 666, 669
Samuel 96
Stephen . .69, 72, 94, 105, 156
488, 675
Rev. Stephen 120, 134
William 74, 76, 84, 09
William, Jr 74, 85
Peacock, William 76
Peake, John 367
Pearce. Cyprian 693
Pearl, Benjamin 151
Ichabod 52
John 52
William 154
Pearson, Didymus 06
Edmund 666
George 643
Isaac 202, 204
Isaac, Jr 202
Jacob 666, 667
Joseph 169, 272, 277, 722
Timothy 370
Pease, Eliphalet 627
John 627
Nathaniel ..138, 140, 141, 143
Peaslee, Joseph 534, 538
Lydia 549
Nathaniel 411
Peavev, Anthony 546
John '. 531
Peck, Jeremiah .373
John 372
Joseph 35
Peckens, Alexander 382
Peckers, John 370, 371
Peele, Jonathan 634, 637, 639
Peirce, Benjamin. .. .546, 548, 554
555
Israel .522, 523
Pendal, Jethro 143
Pender, Benjamin 567
John 567
Pendergast, Dennis 143, 593
Edmund 592, 595
John 592
Stephen 143
Pendexter, John. 162, 163, 418, 424
Thomas 595
Penhallovv, John 112, 267, 510
Samuel 539
Penny, John 56
Perkins, Abraham... .594, 596, 624
Daniel 548
Edmund 103
Henry 294
James L 271
John 545, 628, 645
Jonathan 361, 598, 622, 623
628, 657
Joseph.. .68, 70, 72, 74. 79, 93
94. 301
Joseph, Jr 104
Joshua 518
Nathaniel 271, 509, 519
Philemon 94
Solomon 712
Stephen 264
Timothy. .. .154, 519, 520, 525
527
True 598
William A 271
Perrin. Daniel 35, 37
Thomas 216
Perry, Ebenezer 219, 592
Obediah 219
INDEX.
793
Perry, Samuel 294
Thomas 219. 484
Person, Jethro 642
Peters, John 407
Seaborn 392
William 391
Peterson. Amasa 373
Benjamin 373
Daniel 199, 204, 250
Ephraim 373
Turner 259
Petty. Ebenezer 375
Reuben 373
Savory 693
Pevey, Benjamin , . . 51
James 154
Joseph 151, 1 54
Joshua 51
Oliver 48, 57
Phelps, Abel 36, 37
Alexander 472
Nathan 61. 81
Philbrick, Benjamin 121
Ephraim 648
Jedediah 480. 482, 483
Joseph 117. 118, 119
_ Samuel. 354. 35^, 357-493> 667
Philbrook, Benjamin 605, 606
Daniel 236
Jonathan 432
Simon 607
Walter 476
Phillips, Lieut 579
JVIicah 324
John 664, 666, 668
Phipps, Samuel 301
Pickerintr, Capt 539
John 63S
Stephen 138. 142, 145
Stephen, Jr 143, 144
Pickens. John 372
Pierce, Betsey 549
D 651
Daniel 555
David 294
Franklin 104
Israel 142
Israel, Jr 142
James 22
John 112, 219, 600
Joseph 49,54
Joshua 649
Mary 549
Pierce, Nathaniel 462
Samuel 319, 324
Thomas 142, 143
Pike, Benjamin. .. .82, 92, 102, 103
Benjamin, Jr. ..82, 92, 95, 103
Elisha 555
Enoch 104
Henry 628
John 452.628
John, Jr 452
Moses 1 64, 1 66
Samuel 452
Pillsbury, Solomon 685
Pilsbury, Samuel 19, 478
Pinder, Jedediah 594, 595
Jeremiah 589
Pingree, Ebenezer 475
Pingrey, Samuel 19, 480
Pinkiiam, Abijah. . . . i 51 , 593, 595
Amos 567, 711
Clement 52
James 508, 518, 519
John 534. 538
Jonathan 519
Joseph 164, 424
Joseph D 164
Paul 545, 546
Richard 509
Samuel 592
Solomon 508
Stephen 51S, 519
Thomas 502, 594,595
Tristram 518
Pinter, Benjamin 20
Piper, Benjamin oOi, 503
Samuel 502, 503, 642
Stephen 144
Pitman, Dciry . . . 519, 520
George 595
Joseph. 158, 162, 163. 418,424
Margaret 158
Mark 425
Samuel 138, 140, 143, 586
William 567
Zachariah. ..518, 519, 525, 527
529
Pitts, Sarah 408
Thomas 408
Place, Ebenezer, Jr 53
George 1 63
Jonathan 162, 163, 425
Joseph 1 44, 145
Richard 546
794
INDEX.
Plaisted, John 539
Plastridge, Caleb 434, 462
Plumer, Ebenezer 545
John 57
John, Jr 554
Samuel 628
William. . .617. 625, 626, 628
638
Plummer, Bedfield 518
Daniel 520
Ephraim 521
Samuel 482. 483
Polee, William 11. 12
Pollard, Burton, Jr 321
Poller. Joseph 471
Pomero}', Eleazer. . . .338, 342, 350
Josiah 26, 673, 074
Martin 350
Pompery, Joseph 509
Pooler. Patience 519
Poor, Daniel 131
Daniel, Jr 121, 131
Eliphalet 320
Enoch 659, 662, 663
John 131
Jonathan 135
Martha 663
Porter, Asahel C 296
Benjamin 648
Chandler 289
James 283
Nathaniel 425, 635
Noah 289, 294
Pots, Thomas 508
Potter, Joseph 672
Powell, Moses 612
Samuel 309
William. .. 1 1, 12, 15, 309,642
Powers. Abner 289
Benjamin 470
David 464
Ezekiel 352
Joseph 2S9
Lemuel 467
Lydia 295
Nathaniel 289
Nicholas 693
Samuel 469
Simon 287
Stephen 467, 468, 499
Thomas 86
Pratt. Jacob 166
John 350
Pratt, Thomas 499
Prentice, N. S..22, 28, 31. 36, 334
339
Sartell 36
Solomon, Jr 36
Presbury, James 220
Joseph 220
Nathaniel 220
Nathaniel, Jr 220
WMlliam 220
Prescott, Ebenezer 357
Jeremiah 619, 631, 632
John 626, 628
Jonathan 626, 627, 628
Joseph 622
Joshua 309
Micah 626
Nathan 626, 628
Nathaniel, Jr 224
Samuel 622, 626, 628, 699
Stephen 626
Pressen, Edward 321
Prichard, Daniel 204
Prince, Abel 82
Joseph 6r
Joseph, Jr 82, 93
Proctor, Ezekiel 246
Puffer, Jacob 6S5
John 685
Matthew 685
Pulcifer, Jonathan 225
Purington, Elijah 493
Elisha 534, 538
John 545
Joseph 354
Zaccheus 538, 553
Putnam, Abel 294
Bart 637
Daniel 433, 450, 452, 454
463
Ebenezer 283
Elisha 294, 296
Isaac 289
Israel 15
John 15
Joseph 685
Levi 289
Samuel 454
Seth 283, 289
Solomon 382
Thomas 2, 283, 294, 299
Timothy, Jr , ... 293
Putney, Joseph 392, 558
INDEX.
795
Queensbury, Duke of 392
Quainton, David 377
James 309, 312
John 499
Quigley, John 683
Thomas 683
Thomas, Jr 683
William 683
Quiniby, Aaron 483
Daniel 223
David 480, 482, 483
John 720
Jonathan 223
Samuel 480, 4S2, 483
Quint, Alonzo H 506
Joseph 52
Raby, Major. . 92
Raino, Ellas 116, 118
Samuel 118
Rallens, Benjamin 626
David 626
Ramsey, Hugh 310
Rand. Abraham 637
David 142, 145, 538, 588
Edmund.... 354. 355, 359, 362
John 185, 567
Moses 143, J45> 533. 53^
Nathan 462
Randall. Hezekiah 425, 428
Moses 425
Randall, Ebenezer 587
Israel 586
Jacob 668
Joseph 587
Mason 587
Miles m, 384, 585, 587
Nathaniel 577, 587
Simon 577
William 587
Rankin, Joseph 518
Ranney, Thomas S.. .234, 236, 237
480
Ransom, Thomas 711
Rawlings, Aaron 283
Anthony 54, 57
Ichabod 54, ^-j
John 53, 57, 406
Jonathan 625
Joseph 643, 645
Josiah 656
Moses 642, 645
Simeon 118
Rawlings, Thomas. . .619, 625, 642
645
Thomas, Jr 645
Rawson, Ebenezer 452
Jonathan 549, 553, 554
Ray, James. 68, 72, 80, 92, 96, 103
John 102
Silas 345
Raymond, Nathaniel 102
Read, Benjamin 454
Col 95
David 454
Deborah 549
Elisha 454
Henry 324
Hinds 673
Gen. James. .339, 374, 670-673
(ilS^ 679, 694
Jonathan 454
Michael 546, 549, 552
Robert 58, 81, 87
Samuel 454
Reave, Oliver 46
Redford, William 642, 644
Reed, Joel 685
Sylvanus 675
Thomas 20, 645
Reid, Col. George... .557, 662, 696
Reidel, Gan 179
Remick, John 546, 548, 552
Polly 549
Samuel 187
Renely, William 586
Rendall, Simon 267
Rendel, John 521
Tobias 521, 538
Repley, Samuel 542
Reymentovvn. Samuel 294
Reynolds, Daniel 19, 556
John 720
Rice, Abel 373, 382
Benjamin. ..498, 500, 502, 503
Ebenezer 373, 380, 383
Hezekiah 373
Jacob 366, 372
Jacob, Jr 372
Joel 376
Nehemiah 373
Rich, David 573, 376
Josiah. 370, 371. 372, 378, 379
Richards, Benjamin 120
Bradley 121
Daniel 121
796
INDEX.
Richards, John, Jr 552
Jonathan 546
Theodore 52, 54
Richardson, Abiel 22
James 694
Joseph 594, 595
Lemuel 52
Lieut 165
Luther 1&6
Moses 309
Noah 22
Perez 470, 471
Phineas 668
Samuel 648
Silas 350
Stephen 674
Thomas 309
William. 36, 258, 259, 435,463
Rickard. John 508
Meturin 508
Thomas 418
Ricker, George 545
Phineas 538
Reuben 545
Samuel 538, 545
Riddle, David 189
Right. Nathaniel, Jr 35
Riley, John 552
Philip 105
Rindge, Uaniel 721,722
Rines, Henry 567
John ..'. 519
Jonah 264
Joseph 519, 525, 527
Thomas 567
Ring, Elijah 354, 357^361
Samuel 356, 357
Ripley. James 454, 462
William 436, 438, 441 , 444
446, 449, 454, 455, 462
Rix, Nathaniel 693
Robards, Jonathan 118
Jonathan, Jr 118
Robbins, Isaac 303
John 35, 303
Jonathan 314
Josiah 35
Paul 35
Roberds, John 277
Roberts, Aaron.. 5 iS, 538, 545, 549
Benjamin 518, 712
Daniel 429
David 51
Roberts. Ephraim 46, 48, 54
George 553
Hateville 507. 508
Heard 545
James 54, 57
John... .51, 509, 513, 525, 527
529
John, Jr 518
Joseph. 46-49, 53, 57, 509, 533
538
Love 508
Moses 518, 534, 538, 546
Nathaniel 509
Silas 57
Stephen 518
Thomas 509, 518,546
Thomas, Jr 518
Timothy 523
Roberson. Timothy, Jr.. ..533, 538
Robertson, James.. . .216-218, 336
337, 350
John 212. 214,486
John, Jr 216
Peter 66
Timothy 712
William . . . .212-214, -^6, 350
Robie, John 309, 493
Samuel 202, 209, 309, 356
Robinson, Asher 372
Benjamin 660
Caleb 660
Chase 278
Daniel 656
David 224, 277, 642
Ephraim. . ..100, 653, 660, 666
Gideon 277
Increase 301
James. .226, 227, 229, 233, 234
237
Jedediah 234
John 41, 407, 648
Jonathan . ..224, 279, 619, 627
644, 648, 699
Josiah 666, 699, 704
Josiah, Jr 699
Noah 600, 627
Peter 151
Sir Thomas 392
Thomas 489, 619, 627
Timothy 534, 538
Timothy, Jr 538
William 538
Winthrop 277, 279
INDEX.
797
Roby, John 82,97
Roche, John 402
Rockvvood, Elisha... .336, 345, 350
Rogers, Charles 46, 48, 53, 57
Daniel.. 48, 112, 267, 577, 666
James. . ..54, 57, 162, 163, 212
424, 558
Joseph 202, 212, 216
Joseph, Jr 216
Major 581
Nathaniel 609
Robert 212, 558, 592
Samuel.. 53, 57, 212, 214, 216
264, 592
Thomas , 162, 177
William 1 77, 546
Rolens, Jeremiah 508
Rolfe, Benjamin 196, 202, 493
Enoch 196
Henry 196
John 204
Nathaniel 202
Nathaniel, Jr 202
Rolings, Eliphalet 659
Rollins, Edward 553
Eliphalet 263
Ichabod 554
Jonathan ... 202
Thomas 592
Rollings, David 140-142
John 103
Joseph 82
Root, Thomas 35
Ropes, Jonathan 634, 637
Rosbrook, Charles 476
John 476
John, Jr 476
Ross, Hugh 58, 61
Row, Abraham 151
Isaiah 1 8g
James 1 54
John 151
Rowe, Jeremiah 224, 231, 704
John 118, 720
Nathan 117, 118
Robert 236, 704
Samuel.., 41
Rowell, Benjamin 12
Benoni 177
Elizabeth 309
Job 619
John 118, 619, 626, 693
A'loses 5()9
Rowell, Thomas 699
William 626
Royes, Vere 159, 418, 425
Roys, Jacob 371, 376
Ruggles, Timothy 633
Runals, Job 587
Job, Jr 577
Rundlet, Charles 643, 657
Charles, Jr 656, 657
James. .626-62S, 642, 656, 657
660, 666, 669
James, Jr 626, 628
James, 3d 626
Levi 8
Runnels, Anne 1 54
Col 127
Daniel 94
Isaac 150, 154
John 150
Jonathan 428, 586
Joseph 711
Robert 309
Samuel 588
Solomon 588
William 151
Russell, Edward 212, 214, 215
Eleazer 224, 267
George 324
Ichabod. 51
James 11, yb, 83
Moses 373, 381
Moses P 382
Peter 720
Thomas 411
William 30, 482, 483
Rust, Henry 545
Nathaniel 35
Ryan, Michael 594, 596
Ryder, Lord Chief-Justice 392
Sabin, Noah 349
Safford, Benjamin 660
Ebenezer 352
Joseph 669
Saggahew 1 20
Salter, Bosenger 693
Titus 316
Saltmarsh, Thomas 189
Samson, Zadoc 476
Sanborn, Abner 704
Abraham.. . .356, 697, 699, 700
703, 704
Benjamin 272
798
INDEX.
Sanborn, Bradbury 659
Coffin 704
Daniel. 355, 359, 625, 627, 703
David 232, 598
Ebenezer 693
Edmund 357
Edward 138, 140, 143, 145
Edward, Jr 503
Eliphaz 309
Ephraim 619
Ezekiel 503
Henry 626-628
Jacob 354, 362
James 357
Jeremiah. ...232, 354, 356, 362
625, 628
Jethro 480, 483
John... 138, 139, 232, 264, 480
483, 587, 598
Jonathan 479, 483, 704
Jonathan, Jr 483
Joseph 138, 143, 362, 704
Joseph C 479
Joseph H 704
Josiah 633
Nathan 484, 485, 487, 616
619, 620, 626
Peter 600
Richard 619
Samuel 203
Sherburn 18, 700
Shubael 272
Simon 271
Theophilus . .18, 239, 354, 355
Timothy 145, 356
Tristram 599. 625, 627
William 271
Sanders, George 632
John, Jr 638
Jonathan 309
Marv 524
Oliver 61, 86
Sandford, John 546
Sanger. John 471
Phinehas 470
Sargent, Asa 493
Barnard 488
Clark 158
Daniel 356
Edward 356. 357
EH. 352
Elijah 272
George 355
Sargent, Jacob 308, 309
John 177, 260, 336, 352
Jonathan 216, 356
Levi 352
Michael 204
Pbilip 41,42, 44
Richard 355
Samuel 264, 482
Staren 42
Theophilus 189
Thomas 325
Winthrop 309
Zebediah 272
Sartwell, Obediah 281, 283
Nathaniel 352
Simon 281, 284, 289
Savage, Samuel 595
Sawyer. Benjamin 258, 259
Deliverance 166
Enoch ...202
Jacob 538, 711
Jesse 121
John 164, 165, 283
John, Jr 283
Josiah 58
Moses 711
Rebekah 549
Samuel 588, 660
Scagel, Jacob 606
Jacob, Jr 606
Jonathan 606
Scales, Edward 586
James 262, 391
Matthew 203
Scammel, Alexander 622, 631
Scammon, William 641, 644
Scobey, David 720
Joseph 1 79
Scofield, John 253
John. Jr 256
Scott, Joseph 22
William 499, 556
Scribner. Benjamin 226, 227
John... 162, 163, 164, 226, 232
233- 42 5' 606, 699, 702, 703
Josiah 118
Manoah 703
Samuel 699
Searle, Jesse 6S5
Seaward, George 1 53
Seavey, Jonathan 425
Joseph 425
Levi '. 425
INDEX.
799
Seavey, Simon 425
William 359, 361
Sebley, Samuel 648
Seecomb, John 61
Willis 350
Seetown, Andrew 5^, 61
James 61, 69
John 82
John, Jr 93
Samuel 61, 82
Sally, Benjamin 699
Senter, Joseph 277, 279
Moses 277
Samuel M 277
Servise, Samuel 22
Sever, Robert. . .241-243, 245, 246
Thomas 320
Severance. Benjamin 209
Nicholas 209
Sevey, Elijah 152
Henry 152
Jonathan 162, 164
Levi 1 62, 1 63
Samuel 162, 164
Simon 162, 164
Shackford. Samuel 555
Theodore 42, 44
Theodore, Jr 44
Shannon, Eleanor 549
James 499
John 320
Lillath 549
Pollv 549
R. C 246
Thomas 538, 545, 546, 549
William 549, 555
Shapley, Jabez 452
Sharpc, William 396
Shattuck, Ebenezer 22
Zachariah 86
Zachariah, Jr 86
Shaw, Francis 22
John 587, 627, 666
John, Jr 587
Joseph 704
Levi 598
Samuel 237, 704
Seth 449
Shead, Jonas 246
Sheafe, James 599, 600
Shearer, James 493, 495, 498
Shearman, Ephraim 463
Sheldon. Elislia 382
Shepard, Abner 599, 699
Amos. . 22, 30, 33, 35, 127
Benjamin 54
Daniel 99, 201
Isaac 484
Jacob 151
John 578, 588
Jonathan, Jr 24
Joseph 626, 628
Joseph, Jr 628
Jotham 99
Nathaniel 31
Oliver 34, 35
Samuel 93» 39^
William 577
Sherburne, Henry 304, 429
Joseph 311
Sherman, Anthony 604
Thomas 604
Shillaber, William. . .634, 637, 639
Shirla, Thomas 202
Shirley, Alexander. ..313, 321, 324
Edward 302, 409
James 309, 319, 320, 321
James, Jr 309
John 309, 313, 320
Jonathan 303
Hugh 320
Samuel 319
Thomas 319, 320, 321
Thomas, Jr 324
William 320
Shortridge, Captain 588
Shunan, Andrew 61
Shute, Samuel 146, 304
Shurburn, Isaac 152, 154
James 151
John 152, 154
Shurtlef, Simon 98
Sias, Benjamin 264, 269
Charles 264
Nathaniel 587
Joseph 425, 584, 585, 587
Samuel 587
Solomon 264, 586
Silsby, Henry 466
Julius 294
Samuel 2
Silver, Abraham 320
Silvester, Amos 293
Simonds, Benjamin 68, 80, 96
Daniel 72, 73, 76, 79
Ebenezer 18. 20, 216
8oo
INDEX.
Simonds, Eliphalet 96
Hazael 293
John 18, 20
Jonathan 548
Joseph 494, 495
Moses 20
Samuel, Jr 20
Simeon 189
Timothy 18, 20, 216
William 18, 20, 216
Simons, Isaac 462
John 271
William 35
Simpson. Thomas 484
Sinkler, Bradbury 138, 139
David 144, 145
John 144, 642
Joshua 139, 140
Richard 138-140, 145
Richard, Jr 140, 143
Noali 273
Samuel 1 39
Sisco, William 470, 471
Skinner, John 22
Slade, John, Jr 35
Samuel 35
William 35
Sleeper, Jedediah 118
John 18
Moses 18, 239
Nathan 239
Nathaniel 480, 699
Nehemiah 483, 701
Peter 21
Samuel 704
Sherburne 235, 699, 703
Stephen 697-699, 704
Thomas 116
Sloper, Joshua 150,151
Small, Isaac 587
Joseph 82, 93
William 82, 93
Smart, Bartholomew 587
John 584, 586
William 587
Winthrop 138
Smith, Aaron 92, 330
Abraham 597, 699, 700
Abraham, Jr 598
Abram 220
Amos 352
Andrew 39
Benjamin.... 33 1, 462, 584, 585
589, 595, 648, 659, 666
Smith, Andrew, Jr. . 72, 73, 76, 79
Caleb 425
Cheney 521
Daniel 72, "jt^, 76, 79, 103
151, 623
Daniel, Jr 103
David 452, 455, 462
Ebenezer. . .577, 579, 591, 723
n^
Edward 216
Elias 619
Elisha 608
Enoch 697, 700-702
Ephraim 595
Francis 256, 441
Garland 151, 1 54
George 595
Hubert 354, 356
Hugh 499
Ichabod, Jr 461
Isaac 72, 73, 79, 92, 103
Isaac, Jr 103
Israel 642
Ithiel 226
Jabez 151, 153, 154
Jacob.. ..70, 72, T^, 76, 79, 93
103, 227, 232, 233, 484, 499
642, 643
Jacob, Jr 226
James... 70, 72, T^, 76, 79, 93
103, 577
James, Jr 499
Jeremiah 103
Jeremy 626, 62S
Jesse 103
John 18, 58, 143, 264, 309
519, 525, 568, 588-590, 595
720, 723, 731
John, Jr 567
John, 3d 591, 595
John W 225
Jonathan. .66, 89, 93, 229, 264
619, 642, 699
Joseph. .454, 462, 539, 577, 588
Joshua 246, 499
Joshua, Jr 246
Josiah 48
Josiah C 668
Moses 325, 331, 350, 386
Moses, Jr 328, 338
Nathan 228, 457
Nathaniel. ..41, 42, 44, 48, 177
41 1, 418, 626, 720
Nathaniel, Jr 44
INDEX.
80 1
Smith, Nicholas 642
Paul 309
Peter i.S, 19
Reuben 54
Richard 597, 598, 599.648
Riley 41
Robert 563, 595
Samuel i, 22, 36, 189, 216
223, 508, 567, 569, 574, 575
579, 616, 619, 720
Samuel, Jr 212
Silvanus 309
Stephen 693
Theophilus 643, 656, 720
Thomas 309
Timoth)' 61, 69, 74, 76, 79
93. 103
William 258, 259, 597
Winthrop 357, 577
Snell. John 587
Samuel 142, 143
Thomas 138, 142, 143,587
Snow, Amos 372
Anne 335
Eli 34
Ezra 191
James 693
Nathaniel 191, 192
Nathaniel, Jr 693
One 693
Solly, John 480
Soper, Samuel 350
Southwick, Isaac .S9
Sonthmayd, John. . . 250,251, 252
SpaiTord, Abijah 104
Spalding, Abel 462
Andrew 462
Andrew, Jr 462
Azariah 462
Daniel 476
Dyer 434, 452, 459, 4r,2
Edward 476
Henry 95> 96, 102
James 452
John 455
Josei)h 434, 462
Lyman 461
William 244, 326
Sparhavvk, John 1 69
Thomas 31, 349
Spear. John 425
Spencer, Ebenezer 151
John ..367, 372, 376, 379. 589
52
Spencer, Jeremiah 367, 398
370-372, 375
Nehemiah 386
Reuben 368, 374
Samuel 376
Spendlow, Philip 642
Sperry, El;enezer 381, 382
Joseph 381, 3S2
Spicer, Jabez 434, 454, 462
Peter 463
Spiller, Samuel 277, 720
Thomas 74
Spofford, Bradstreet 298
John 2S0, 283, 2S5, 326
Moses 363, 367, 371, 373
Nathan 298
Silas 326
Tyler 299, 300
Spooner, Bickford 693
Thomas 693
Sprague, John . .367, 370, 373. 382
Jonathan 256
Joseph 637
Spring, Seth 431
Thomas. ... 162, 164,418,424
Springer, Henry 258
Stacpole. Douglass 548
Stacy, Joseph 656
Mark 642
Stagpole, Fileon 508
James 598
Samuel 531
Standley, Jacob 82
Samuel 82, 92, 03
-Stanley. Dennis 476
John 220
Joseph 612
Stanton. Isaac 162, 163,424
William i co
Stanyan. Jedediah 354, 35^
]o"'it'i;"i 353- 354
Levi 355. 359
Starboard. John 587, 595
Samuel 151, 518, 711
Samuel, Jr 51^
Simon i 53
Thomas 509
Stark, Archibald. .. .409. 427. 558
John. . . 108, 109, 323, 621, 558
564- 719
Jr>se|)h 452
William.. 26, 159, 531, 559, 562
564
802
INDEX.
Stark, Samuel 409, 425, 427
Starr, Jacob 693
Starret, William 683, 684
Stearns. Asa. . 2,11^ "hl^^
Benjamin 70, 96, 103
Benjamin, Jr 76
Daniel 373
Doctor 373- 376
Francis 642, 643
James 720
John 622
Jonathan 560
Joseph 86
Josiah 626
Samuel 70, Tl, 76, 79
Thomas 367,370, 372, 379
Steel, Joseph 58, 68, 74, 79
Steele, Jonathan 596
William 429
Stephens, Abel 435
Elkanah 35
John 635
Phineas 195
Samuel 138, 141
Stephenson, John 65
Sterling. Hugh 409, 414, 427
James 427
Stevens, Aaron 271, 391
Aaron. Jr 271
Archelaus 61 2
Benjamin 392, 499
Daniel 81, 226, 227
David 326
El)enezer 600
Edward 619
Eliakim 382
Elihu..366, 369, 371-373' 378
379' 3^1-384
Elihu, Jr 370, 373
Enos 296
Ezekiel 612
Hail 320
Haley 223
Henry. .367, 370 373, 376, 381
382
Hubbard 513, 571
Jacob 132
James 320, 552, 612
Jesse 272
John.. 143, 144, 402, 594, 595
Jonathan. .. 1 18, 177, 203. 587
Joseph 267, 570, 592
Josiah 371, 383
Stevens, Meigs 382
Moses 598
Nathan 209
Nathaniel.. . .51, 5S7 644. 645
Nathani-il, Jr 587
Peter 204
Peter R 207
Phineas 279, 283-285.391
Koswell 370. 373. 382
Samuel.. 93, 138, 140, 143, 144
293, 598, 599' 720. 736
Theophilus 627, 628
Thomas 82
Ziba 382
Stevenson, Bartholomew 567
John 592. 596
Joseph 567
Steward. David 82
John 61, 76, 81
Jonas 367. 372
Robert 58
Samuel 58
Stewart, John 385
William 58, 81, 93
Stickney, Abel 103
Amos 72, 74, jG, 79
Anthony 319
Benjamin 209
Daniel 402
David 402
James 93, 177
Jeremiah 391, 397, 476
Jonathan 202. 258, 259
Joseph 258, 259
Thomas 202, 403. 404, 720
William 400
Stiles, Asahel 720
Caleb 58, 61
Cyrus 103
Samuel 151
William 508
Stillson, William 408
Stinson, James 562
John 559, 563, 564
William 558
Stockbridge, Israel 53
John 213
Stockwell. Abel 352
David 471, 476
Emmons 475, 476
Stoddard, Lemuel 325
Sampson i , 555, 670
Stokes, James 145
INDEX.
803
Stone, Abel 454
Abel, Jr 454
Abner 679
Benjamin 121, 134
Caleb 444
David 373, 382. 450
George 209
John 556
Josiah 441,455. 462
Levi 454, 462
Matthias 366,373,438, 439
Matthias. Jr 382
Moses 382
Nathaniel 442
Peter 343
Phineas 293
Samuel 300, 3 73
Simon 326
Waldron 243
Stoodley, James, Jr 326
Storrs. Aaron 254
Story, Cliarles 539
David 564, 565
Stow, Jonah 467
Stratton. Samuel 162, 425
Straw, Ebenezer 626
William 626
Streeter, Enoch 352
Strobridge, George 373, 382
James 382
Jolin 373
William 373, 382
Stronghorn, Arme 642, 643
Strongman, Henry 556
Sturtevant, Benjamin 279
Church 277, 278
Hosea 278
Jesse 278
John 277, 278
Pel ham 279
Perez 277, 279
Sullivan. Ebenezer 592
John... 1 27, 130, 241, 267, 348
3S1. 541. 566, 592. 667, 721
Sumner, Benjamin. .363, 367, 371-
376, 382, 383, 731
George 685
William 367
William B 372
Sutton, John 272, 275
Swain, Daniel i 50
Elias 699
Jiimes 153
Swain, John 556
Jonathan 703
Richard ...152. [54
Swan, Elizabeth 549
Svvane, Ebenezer .626
Svvanzey, Dudley 264
Swazey, Ebenezer 659, 667
Joseph 660. 666
Joseph, Jr 666
Nathaniel .' 552
Thomas 668
Sweat, Abraham 205
Abraham T 222
Benjamin 118, 201. 209
John 660
Moses 648
Peter 482. 483
Thomas 264
Sweetser, Nathaniel 1 1 1 , 492
Swineton, Benjamin 464
Symonds, Daniel, Jr 76
Syms, William 382
Taber, I^hilip 461
Joseph 462
Talford, Hugh 320
John 306, 308, 309. 312
Joshua 239
William 309
Tallman, John 612
Tande. Parker 483
Tappen, Caleb 552
Kev. John 385
Mary 549
Samuel 602, 604
Suky 549
Tarbell, Samuel 26
Tash, Jacob 577
Thomas. 46, 529, 530, 581, 582
Tasker, Ebenezer 525
John...i38-i4i, 145, 146, 513
518, 520, 523, 525, 527. 529
John, Jr.... 5 19, 520, 525, 527
Jonathan. . ..160, 162, 164, 424
Joseph 143
Nathaniel 145
Paul 143
Samuel 5i(), 520
William 519, 523,527
Taylor. Abraham igj
Andrew 685
Anthony ...11, 12, 19, 21 . 478
Benjamin 58, 61 , 644, 645
8o4
INDEX.
Taylor, Capt ZlCy
David 249
Edward 249
Eleazer 18, 20
James 11, 12, 15. 20
John... 1 91, 609, 686, 688, 689
692-695
Jonathan 11, 12, 15, 81, 92. 224
Joseph 309, 367-369, 371
372,627
Josliiia 18
Josiah 609
Nathan 643
Oliver 249
Richard 607, 609
Samuel 81
Thomas 36, 37, 592
Timothy 191, 497, 693
Willaba 700
William. .82, 607-609, 643,699
704
Tebbetts, James 277, 279
Nathaniel 354
Robert 357
Temlington, Alexander... 310
Temple, Benjamin 76
Isaac 2S, 33.35- 37
Templeton. Matthew 320
Tenney, Samuel. 656, 660, 666.669
Terrv, Jacob 387-389
Jacob, Jr 387-389
Julius 387-389
Thaxter, Thomas 640, 646
Thing, Bartholomew 648
Edward 223
Jonathan. ..223, 539, 640, 642
Josiah 223
Joseph 648
Samuel 236, 657
Stephen 656, 659
Thomas, Amos 352
Elisha 547, 548
James. .567, 588, 589, 592, 595
John 373
Joseph 592
Lieut 579
Mary 325
Samuel 373
Stepiien J 558
William 325, 331,346, 2>S'^
Zebel 373
Thompson, Andrew 82
£ Benjamin.. .471, 499, 595, 599
Thompson, Ebenezer. .. .267, 399
566, 585, 591, 592. 595, 599
600, 613, 623, 731
Ebenezer, Jr 592, 595
Henry 498, 499
Henry, Jr 499
James 587, 71 1
Job 35, 37
John.. .425, 498, 595, 668, 685
Jonathan 571, 595
Joseph 162, 425, 586
Joseph, Jr 163
Joshua 405
Josiah 424
Loring 463
Matthew 499
Miles 162, 425
Noah 498
Rufus 499
Samuel 202, 58S, 590, 595
Sarah 428
Silas 332, 350
Thomas 306, 694
William 35
Thoria, John 209
Thomas 209
Thorndike, John 404
Thornton, Matthew .. .93, 178, 313
491, 555
Thurston, Abner 648
Benjamin 354, 356, 357
James 656, 660, 666
John 656
Jonathan 204, 626
Samuel 648
Tibbetts,Capt 509
Ebenezer . .546, 548, 550, 554
Edmund 52
Elijah 545
Ephraim... . 140, 143, 145, 538
546
Ephraim, Jr 518
Ephraim, 3d 518
Henry 518, 519
Ichabod 514, 555
Jeremiah 538
John... 143. 508, 521, 522, 546
Joseph 545
Lydia 549
Nathaniel 525
Rebecca 549
Samuel 509, 519
Silas 552
INDEX.
805
Tibbptts, Stephen 545
Thomas 508, 509
Tichtum. James 605
Tilden, Joseph 202
Tilton, Abraham 213
Daniel 627, 660, 667
David 481, 599
Jacob 228
Jethro 310
John 18,356, 357
Joseph 264, 660, 666-668
Josiah 625,627
Levi 626
Pliilip 597> 599
Sherburn i^
Sherburn, Jr 18
Tinker, Jonathan 357
Tirrel, Jonah 239, 720
Titcomb, Benjamin 549, 550
Daniel 518, 520, 522
James 6c8
John 518, 528, 531, 534
Titus. Samuel 166, 167, 693
Tod, Samuel 522
Todd, Andrew 311
John 720
Telford, John 10-12, 15, 19
Jonathan 19
Joshua 10, 15, 18, 20
Tomson. John 41
William 711
Toppan, Christopher 301
Torr, Andrew 542, 555
Vincent ... .518, 529
Towle, Anthony 309
Caleb 279, 480
Francis 309
Jacob 264
James 279, 480
Jeremiah .. .279, 321, 480, 481
701
John 21, 22
John, Jr 626
Levi 277, 628
Simeon 626, 627
Simon 325
Thomas 628
William 699
Towne, Archelaus 66, 69
Bartholomew 85
Lsrael 58,59,81
Israel, Jr 83, 84
Jonathan 85, 89
Towne, Richard 92
Samuel 92
Thomas 61,72,93, 103
Thomas, Jr j\, 74, 76, 79
Towner, Benjamin. . .367, 370, 372
Comfort ^72,, 376
Townsend. Isaac 189
Gregory 722
Ziba 20
Tows, Levi 605
Tracy, Andrew 454. 461
Lemuel 461
Nathaniel 473, 474
Trefethen, John 41
Trickey, John 545
William 545
Tripe, Richard 545
Tripp, Benjamin 595
Trivett, Henry 96, 103
Trobridge, Caleb 326
Trow, Joseph, Jr 104
True, Abraham 362
Daniel 482, 483
Reuben 480, 485
Truel. Amos 61, 82
David 61
Moses 61
Trumball. Simon 400
Trussell. James 209
Tuck, Edward 704
John 82, 704
Joseph. ..68, 70, 72, 73, 76, 79
92
Samuel 52S
Tucker, Ebenezer 118
Elipiialet 405
Henry 592
Isaac 289, 294. 321
Jabez 354. 356
James 119, 700
John 623
Joseph 1 16
Josiah 518
Lemuel 177, 401
Morris 623
Swallow 242, 243, 245, 246
Tufts, Asa 554
Henry 587
Nathaniel 160
Tupper, Nathaniel 250
Turner, William 260, 309
Tuttle, Captain 539
Elijah 534, 538
8o6
INDEX.
Tuttle, George 587
Gershom 382
Gershom, Jr 382
Isaac 587
James 534, 538
John 143, 530, 535, 644
John, Jr 519
Leftenant 508
Levi 519
Nathan 70, 72
Nicholas 587, 711
Oliver 373, 381, 382
Reuben 153, 154
Sanniel 534
Solomon 382
Stoten 587, 711
Thomas 154, 529, 710
Tuxbury , Jacob 403
_ Josiah 479. 482, 483
Twitchell, Dr. Amos 556
Mr 373
Twiss, John 82
Samuel 82
Twombly, Benjamin 476, 710
Isaac 520, 521, 525
John 508
John. J r 521
Jonathan 545. 552
Josejjh 520, 521, 525, 527
Ralph 521, 529
Reuben 555
Stephen 545, 552
Tobias, Jr 546
Wentworth 545, 546
William 50S. 521 , 548, 552, 555
William, Jr 521, 525
William, 3d 520, 521
Tyler. Benjamin 373
Daniel 242
Ephraim 373. 3S2
Joshua 34S, 349
Underbill, Anna 321
Elizabeth 309
John 309
Upham, George B 363
Phinehas 81
Upton, Enos 68, 72, 73, 79
Enos, Jr 70, 72, 76
Ezekiel..68, 72, 73, 76, 79, 103
Ezekiel. Jr 103
Uran, James 105
Vance, James 177
Vans, William 634, 635, 637
Varnum. James 308, 309
Varney. Aaron 553
Amos 538
Benjamin 546
Daniel 538
Ebenezer 538, 539, 545
Edward 545, 552
Elijah 534, 538, 545
Hanson 546
Ichabod 534, 538
James 534, 538, 545
Jedediah.... 533. 538, 545, 546
John 533, 538, 545, 712
John, Jr 533, 538, 553
Joseph. Jr 538
Joshua 534, 538
Mordecai 534, 538
Moses 545, 552
Nathan 533, 538
1^'aul 533, 538
Solomon 538, 545
Stephen 534, 538, 546
Stephen, Jr 538
Thomas 517, 534, 538, 545
Timothy 533, 538
Timothy, Jr 538
Tobias 538
Vaughan, George 539
Veazey, Benjamin 225, 230
Samuel 625
Vickere, Amaziah 189
Vicory, Merritield 345
Vilas. Noah 35
Vincent, Joseph 462
Joshua 434
Moses 471
Vinton, James .434
Virgin, Eljenezer 391
Jonathan 202
Phinehas 400
William 400
Vose, James 179, 202
Samuel 179
Waden, Daniel 522
Wadleigh, John 621
Jonathan 271, 539
Wait, Jason. .22, 70, 299, 301, 336
456,622
John 2^
Joseph 363, 368, 369, 376
Martha 367, 376
INDEX.
807
Wait, Nathan 202, 216
Pliiiieas 326
Thomas 36
Wakefield, Thomas, .61, 69. 81, 82
87, 90, 94
Wakeham. Edward 567
Waklron. Aaron 151
Charles 548
Colonel 508
Daniel 435
Isaac 303. 392
J^mt;s 545
Jolin 508, 520, 533, 538
Jolin, Jr 533. 53^
John, 3d 534
Joseph 534. 538
Nabby 549
Richard. .. .261, 512, 509, 520
533, 538, 545. 546, 572
Thomas VV 148, 519,520
523, 524, 526, 52(,, 534
536, 539, 554
William 538, 546
Waldo. Daniel 25
Ed ward 35
Roswell 25
Wales, Nathaniel 22, 387, 388
Orlan 389
Seth 387
Walker, Abel... 289, 290, 293, 298
Abiah 294
Abial 406
Alex.mder 720
Archibald 427
Asa 289
Barnet 425, 429
Benjamin 720
Charles 406
Ezekiel 410,418-421, 431
<^eorge 53, 57
Gideon 545, 546,549
Isaac 259
Jabez 289, 294
James 177, 179, 189,429
John 5x37
Joseph 427, 523
Maik 549
Mary 549
iMatl hew 289, 294
Richard 303, 546
Timothy. ... 162, 164, 390, 392
396, 400, 401,404-406, 410
424
Walker, Robert 177, 179, 720
Seth 283. 289
Timothy, Jr. .404, 406, 407, 408
William. ..82. 92, 93, 177,202
219, 406
Zaccheus 92
Wallace, James 189
J"li" 74. >'^5. I79- 185
Joseph 179
Josiah 189
Matthew 6
Robert 104, 208, 494, 495
599, 600. 685
Samuel 1 50
Thomas i 79, 189
William.. . .74, 76, '6^. 92, 103
Wallingford, Amos 545
Lydia 543
Samuel 543
Thomas 51 5-517
Wallis, Almaiin 389
Danfred 389
Perly 387
Spencer C66
Weymouth 621
William 387-389
William, Jr 389
Walton, Abel 682
George 311
Samuel 57
William 82
Ward, Abner .220
Richard.. 72, 74, 76, 79, 92, 93
179
Samuel 590, 634, 637
Stephen 220
Wardner, Frederick .35
Jacob 35
Ware, Jesse 350
Warner, Charles E 266
Colonel 297
Daniel... 95, 98, 104, 372, 410
Daniel. Jr 372
Jonathan. .. 156, 202, 266, 267
303, 410
Martin 345, 347, 352
Samuel 577
Seth 719
Warren, Aaron 471
Moses 471
Thomas 277, 683
VVashburne, .Mr 373
Alden O02, 604
8o8
INDEX.
Washer, Stephen 72, 81
Washington, General 185, 193
451, 664
Wason, James 324
Wasson, Thomas 309
WaterhoLise, George.. 152, 154, 159
John 154
John S 375
Timothy 1 54
Watson, Ahiman 552
Andrew 587
Betsey 549
Daniel 627
David 521
Dudley 521
Elizabeth 549
George. .545, 546, 548, 552, 555
Isaac 542, 546, 548
James 587
Jonathan 521
Jonna 521
Joseph 521
Lucy 549
Lydia 549
Mary 549
Nabby 549
Nancy 549
Nathaniel 552, 587
Natlianiel, Jr 587
Polly 549
Samuel 521, 522, 587
William 546, 548, 552, 711
Winthrop 555
Watts, Jesse 35
Nathaniel 177
Way, Samuel 693
Waymoth, John 710
William 587
Weare, Daniel 20
Jonathan 117, 119
Meshech 32,50, 108, 137
Nathaniel 308, 511
Peter 117, 118
Webber. Andrew 693
Christopher 333
Webb, General 177
Webster, Caleb 599
Daniel 309
David 44, 202,693,695
Elienezer 187, 273
Eliphalet 599
Enoch 406, 41 1, 417, 432
635
Webster, Ezekiel 598
Jeremiah 580
John.. 195. 196, 309, 314, 316
319, 410, 411, 425
Jonathan L 598, 599
Joseph 131
Levi 616
Nathan 309, 310, 311
Reuben 595
Samuel 39, 42, 44, 132
Samuel, Jr 41
Stephen 309, 424, 425, 427
429, 432
Thomas 646, 648, 660
True 685
William 131, 425, 477, 600
Weed, David 699, 704
Elisha 7,8
Henry 7, 601, 602
Orlando 7-9
Orlando, Jr 8
Weeks, Benjamin 8
David 167, 693
John 138. 162-164,475
Joshua 272
Josiah 425, 656
Samuel 629
Weld. John 441, 462
Welch, Caleb 256, 259
Colonel 127
John 595
Joseph 499
Samuel 212, 214
Thomas 116
Welland, Paul 534. 538
Wellman, Isaac 462
James 435
James, Jr 462
Solomon 434, 462
Wells, Asahel 259
Ebenezer 11, 12
Elijah 166
Ezekiel 258, 259
Jonathan 284
Joseph 283
Joshua 256, 258, 711
Nathaniel 355, 356
Obediah 293
Robert 144
Robert, Jr 592
Samuel 21
Samuel, Jr 44
Thomas 309
INDEX.
809
Wells, Titus 309
Valentine 592
Wentvvortli, Abraham 549
Abifjail 521, 522
Benjamin 508, 510
Benjamin, Jr 508
Benning...!, 7,301,302,331
514, 573, 713
Betsey 549
David 57
Ebenezer 53, 57
Ebenezer, Jr 53' 57
Ephraim.. ..508, 520,533,538
Ezeixiel 539
GerslTom 508
Grant 520
Hunking 262, 267
Isaac 546
John 22, 136, 137,301,331
364, 394. 499' 508, 540, 545
552, 554' 721, 722
John, Jr 318, 333
Joshua 315, 545
Mark H 112, 1 56, 499
Margaret 549
Paul 50S
Pegsy 549
Reuben 533, 538
Samuel 529, 552
Spencer 520, 538
Thomas 531
William 530
William, Jr 521
West, Benjamin 294
Daniel 226, 227, 232, 233
John 367, 370, 373
William 634, 637
Weston, Daniel 61,96
Ebenezer 61 , 81 , 94
Ebenezer, Jr 82, 93
Isaac 70, j;^, 92, 96, 103
Israel 93
John 104
Thomas 70, 82, 96, 103
Thomas, Jr 103
Wetherbee, Abijah 284
Ephraim.. ..279, 281, 282, 284
Jason 294
Joanna 326
Jonathan 284
Samuel 284, 289, 296, 297
Weymouth, Benjamin 508
Wheeler, Abner 177
Wheeler, Amos 192, 693
Benjamin 350
Ephraim, 3d 352
John 555
John, 2d 352
Jonathan 352
Joseph 577
Moses 284, 289
Nathan 693
Nathan, Jr 693
Nehemiah 627, 628
Oliver 352
Tiiaddeus 86
William 559
Wheelock, Amaziah 36
Esech 693
Rev. Dr 735
Wheelwright, Jeremiah . ..326, 327
John 639, 326, 327
Joseph 326, 327
Nathaniel 326, 327
Whidden, James 619
Whipple, Aaron 471
General 270
Jacob 461
Joseph 305, 307, 333, 415
Moses.. 463, 464, 466, 470-472
555
Whiston, Joseph 382
Whitcher, Annanias 482
Nathaniel 271
Nathan 429
Reuben 271
Whitcomb. Asa 36
Benjamin 550
White, Isaac 216
James 134
John 116
Josiah 294. 356, 357
Nathan 356. 357
riiilip 724
Samuel 321
Stephen 674
William. . . .179, 309, 317, 322
525
William, Jr. 179
Whitehouse, Edward 711
John 520, 533, 538
Whiteing, Benjamin 66, 89
David 22
Whiting, Benjamin 26
Joseph 65
Nathan 454
8io
INDEX.
Whitman, Elisha 675
Thomas 604
Whitney, James 326
Jonatlian 280, 282
Whittai<er, James 493, 494
Jonathan .... , 121
Stephen 427
Whitten, John 455
Sanniel 462
Whittemore, Ebenezer 61
Francis 22
John 693
Samuel 166
William 22
Whittier, Jacob 192
Nathaniel 229
Whittle. Samuel 382
Wick wire, Samuel 452, 462
Widen, John 462
Wiers, Captain 16
Wiggin, Andrew 640, 643
Charles 352
Jonathan 209
Joseph 657, 660
Joshua 656
Nicholas 138, 142-144
Speaker 511
Thomas 506
Wigglesworth, Samuel. . . .588, 592
Wight, John 556
Wild. Samuel 424
Wilder, Abel 674
Anna 674
Elisha 476
John 476
Jonas 476
Joseph 476
Wilkins. Aaron 82, 96
Abijah...68, 70, 72, T},, 76, 79
93> 103
Andrew.. 82, 94, 382, 457, 459
Benjamin 58, 82
Benjamin, Jr 82
Bray 493
Daniel... 58, 62, 72, ■]•]. 79, 81
87
Daniel, Jr ^t^, 76, 102
Eli.. 68. 70, 72, 73, 79, 92, 103
Elijah R 62
James M 62
Jonathan 94, 96,97, 103
Jonathan, Jr 68, 80
Joshua... 68, 70,72, 73, 76, 79
Wilkins, Joshua J 583
Robe'rt B 69, 98
Samuel 81 , 95. 102, 144
William. 72, 73, 76, 79,92,103
Wilkinson, Samuel 627
VVillard, Billv 326
Francis W 300
Hannah 521
John 294
Joseph 280, 283, 326
Josiah 325-327, 33 1' 363
Josiah, Jr 326
JVIoses 283
Nathan 326
Nathan, Jr 326
Nathaniel 521
Oliver 326
Oliver, Jr 326
Samuel 294
Simon 326, 345, 350
Solomon 326
W 18
Wilder 326
William 280, 326, 521
Wille, Benjamin. 518, 520, 525, 527
595
Jacob 143
James 592, 594, 595
Jeremiah 592
John 567
John, Jr 567
Josiah 538
Robert 518, 520, 588
Samuel 509, 567
Stephen 577
Thomas 587, 592
William 577
Willes, Jacob 503
Willet, Joseph 196
Willey Abel 249,251,252
Allen 466
Darius 249
Ezekiel 150
Jesse 249
Jonathan 570
Stephen 507
William 570
Williams, Asa 61 1, 612
Christopher 35
Daniel 35
David 81
Ebenezer 15, 20, 70
Isaac 499, 659, 666, 668
INDEX,
8ll
Williams, James 475
Jolin 567
Jolin P 659
Jonailian 588, 595
Josepli 482, 483
Pelej; 299
Samuel. 139. 140, 145, 567, 590
Thomas 462
William 271
Willis, Joshua 710
Robert 145
Willou^hhy, Jonas 86
Wilson. Adam 324
Alexander 496
Deliverance 289
Deliverance, Jr 289
Hugh 309
Humphrey 223
James 309, 685
J( re niah 475
John ..306, 311, 411, 425, 431
Moses 428
Robert 309. 452. 453. 462
Thomas 305, 308, 402, 404
643
William 309, 324
Winchester, Lemuel. .70, 73, 76, 79
Wingate, Benjamin 553, 710
Captain 539
I^avid 545, S53
John 52
Joshua 542, 588, 720
Willi<im 52
Winget, Edmund ...... 521
John 508, 515, 516. 521
John, Jr.. . .520, 521, 522, 525
526, 529
Jonathan 522
Joshua 520
Moses 521-523
Paine 305
Winkley, Samuel 154
Wins. George 39
Winship, Jason 22, 24, 25
Samuel 22
Timothy 22
Winslow, Jonathan 627
Simon 622
Winter, William 464
Wise. Robert 116, 1 18
Witchers. Joseph 625
Witham. Jeremiah 425
Witheren, James 521
Witham, Thomas 520
VVitherspoon, David 320, 324
James 319
James, Jr 319
Jolin 324
Wolcutt, John 39
Wood, Abraham 350
Benjamin 33, 36
James 15
John 30, 33, 36
Jonathan 1 8g
Joseph 282, 284
Joshua 35
Josiah 720
Nathaniel 309
Thomas 36
William 36
Woods, Amos 555
George 162, 163, 418, 424
Henry 601. C04
Samuel 418. 424
Woodbury. James. ...68, 70, 72, 73
76,' 79, 92, 93, 104, 258, 259
Peter 68. 70, 72, 73, 76, 79. 93
Woodlash, Jonathan 643
Woodman, Archelaus 592
Benjamin 587
Jere 54
John.. .266, 267, 507, 508, 594
596. 643. 644
Jonathan. ...266, 267, 305, 590
595
Jonathan, Jr 595
Joshua, Jr 586
Lemuel 595
Moses 482
Samuel 595
Woodward, Bczaleel 294
John 42
Joshua 454
Woodwell, John 309, 310
Woodworth, John.... 500, 502, 503
5'3
Silvanus 503
Woolson, Thomas 81, 93
Wooster. James 54
John 35. 162. 164
Worcester, Noah 251, 499
Wormall. Daniel 223
Woomwood, Joseph 592, 596
Joseph. Jr 592, 596
William 567
Worth, John 354, 355, 359, 493
8l2
INDEX.
Worth, Obediah 619
Timothy 480
Worthing, Ezekiel 624
Wortlien, Amos 616
Moses 18
Stephen 324
Thomas 309
Wortlily, Timothy 296, 493
Wright, Joseph 300
Lemuel 382
Nathaniel 640, 645
Wyatt, Josiah 659, 666
Wyman, Isaac. 296, 332, 339, 408
Jonas 303
Josiiua 461
Thomas 177
Timotiiy 496
Timothy, Jr 493
Yeaton, Joseph 356
Samuel 595
York, Benjamin 312, 542
Christopher 372
Gershom 372, 376
John 660
Jonathan 373
Joseph 372, 542
Joseph, Jr 368
Richard, Jr 236
Robert 587
Samuel 41, 42
York, Thomas 587
William 373, 376
Young, Benjamin 1 50
Charles 51
Daniel 520, 521, 525, 529
Ebenezer. . .151, 154, 521, 522
Eleazer 520, 521
Eleazer, Jr 514
Elizabeth 518
Ezra 555
George 538
Isaac 521
Israel 643
James. .226, 521, 545, 642, 648
James, Jr 522
Jeremy 588
John 107, 151, 168, 711
John C 657
Jonathan. . .140, 143, 145, 508
521
Joseph 520, 521, 648
Moses 711
Nathaniel 508, 521
Noah 521, 525
Paul 154
Peter 159
Samuel 71 1
Thomas 509, 518, 542, 549
Thomas, Jr 51, 577
Winthrop 1 54
Zaccheus 559
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