'] F.S.Crawford, '|
|.> BI KDER, .^
\ rONCOlUi, N. n. 1
c . .
C0fon papers.
DOCUMENTS
KELATINO TO
TOWNS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE,
GILMANTON TO NEW IPSWICH,
WITH AK
APPENDIX,
Embracing some Documents relative to Towns which have
been returned to the State archives since the
publication of Volume XI.
PUBLISHED BY AUTIIOKITV OF THE LEGISLATURE.
VOL U ME XII
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
ISAAC W. HAMMOND
CONCORD, N. H.:
PARSONS B. COGSWELL, STATE PRLNTER.
18S3.
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 Representatives hi General
Court convened:
That his excellency the governor be hereby authorized and empov^f-
ered, with 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 papers 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.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
In this volume is continued the publication of the same class
of papers published in Volume XI, commencing with Gilman-
ton, and taking the towns, as alphabetically arranged, to New
Ipswich. They extend over a period, in some towns, of one
hundred and fifty years, ending with the year iSoo.
The editorial introduction to each town is intended to give
data relative to the grant, charter, and incorporation, and all
severances and annexations of territory, and all divisions for the
purpose of forming new towns, said data being compiled from
the manuscript records of the state in all cases. The petitions
for various purposes are valuable, as furnishing much historical
matter not elsewhere in existence, and the names of the inhab-
itants at various dates. They have been in all cases copied as
originally written, scrupulously preserving the orthography,
punctuation, capitalization, etc. Many valuable documents rel-
ative to soldiers of the various Indian and French and Revolu-
tionary wars may be found in this and the preceding volume.
Volume XIII, the printing of which has been commenced, will
contain the remainder of this class of documents.
The editor desires to express his gratitude to many citizens
of the state, who are especially interested in its history, for
encouragement given him in his labor, and for the many favor-
able comments awarded to Volume XI, and particularly to His
Excellency Charles H. Bell, for valuable advice and support.
Should this volume be as favorably received as its predeces-
sor, the editor will be entirel}' satisfied with the result of his
labor, and encouraged to future eflbrts. i. w. h.
Concord, May, 18S3.
GENERAL CONTENTS.
GILMANTON.
Introduction, ........ i
Petition for authority to assess and collect taxes, \^2)'7i ^
Petition of inhabitants relative to a road, 1770, . . 3
Petition for a magistrate, ...... 4
Letter from Col. Joseph Badger to committee of safety,
1776, ......... 5
Roll of men of Col. Badger's regiment, mustered July
2.3' 1776, , • • • • • • • . 6
Roll of officers in Col. Badger's legiment, 1776, . . 8
Gilmanton soldiers' orders and receipts, ... 9
Return of ratable polls, 17S5, . . . . . 10
Petition for a magistrate, 1 7SS, . . . . . 11
Petition to have courts held at Norway Plains, 17S9, . 11
Action of town relative to Gilmanton Academy, 1792, . 14
Thomas Cogswell to Hon. Abiel Foster relative to the
academy, i794' ....... 16
Thomas Cogswell to Hon. John Prentice, relative to the
academy, ........ 16
GILSUM.
Introduction, .......
Petition for a grr.nt of the towaiship, 1752, .
Petition to have the charter lengthened out, 17631
Relative to boundary line between this town and Stod
dard, 176S, ....
Relative to a wire factor}', 1776, .
Relative to collection of taxes, 1782,
Return of ratable polls, 1784,
Petition for a new town, 17S6,
Certificate of vote of town, 1787,
Non-resident land-owners, 1793, .
iS
18
19
20
21
22
23
23
24
25
VI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
GOFFSTOWN.
Introduction, .......
Relative to church matters, .....
Petition from Presbyterians, 1 77 1,
Relative to the settlement of Rev. Mr. Currier, 1771,
Remonstrance to Mr. Currier's settlement, 1771, .
Proceedings of town-meeting, 177^'
Relative to a dispute at town-meeting, 1772,
Petition for a lottery to build bridges over Piscataquog
river, 177S, .......
Petition for the privilege of sending a representative
without being classed with Derryfield, 1779,
Documents relative to soldiers, 177S, .
Col. Kelley to Col. Stickney, ....
Relative to Joshua Wilson, soldier, 17751
Warrant for town-meeting, 1780,
Petition relative to church atlairs, 1781,
Request relative to management of town-meeting, 1783
Deposition relative to constables' pay, .
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Warrant for town-meeting, 1783, ....
Protest against action in town-meeting, 17S3,
Trouble between the Congregational and Presbyterian
parishes, 1783, ......
Protest against proceedings of town-meeting, 1783,
Petition to have the line between Goffstown and New
Boston established, 1787, ....
Goftstown men in first N. H. regiment,
25
26
27
28
29
30
30
32
33
34
35
35
36
38
39
39
40
41
41
42
44
45
46
GOSHEN.
Introduction, ........ 46
Rev. Elias Fisher's certificate, 17961 .... 47
Petition for relief from paying ministerial taxes in Lemp-
ster, 1796, . . . . . . . . . 47
Vote of Lempster relative to ministerial taxes paid by
Goshen, 1796, ........ 48
GRAFTON.
Introduction, .....
Petition for incorporation, etc., i777' •
Petition for incorporation, 17785 •
Petition relative to taxes, etc., i779'
Justice of the peace elected, i779'
Account of service done in the Revolutionary war.
48
49
50
5^
52
52
GENERAL CONTENTS.
VU
Petition for the passage of an act making produce, etc.,
legal tender for debts, 17S3, ..... 54
Documents copied from Gen. Jonathan Chase's papers, 55
Grafton men drafted, 1780, ...... 56
GRANTHAM.
Introduction, ........ 56
List of grievances, i777» ...... 57
Documents copied from Gen. Jonathan Chase's papers, 58
Relative to town lines, 17S1, . . . . . 58
Inventory for 1775, ....... 59
Petition for a parochial parish, 17S0, .... 59
Petition to have the name of the town established as
New Grantham, 1787, ...... 60
GREENFIELD.
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be annexed to Fran-
cestown, 1792, ....... 61
Petition for annexation of some lands to Greenfield, 1793, 63
GREENLAND.
Introduction, .......
Petition to have the boundaries established, 1714,
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 1730,
Relative to ministerial taxes, 1739,
Military officers elected, 1775,
Vote relative to forming a state government, 1776
Relative to Thomas Packer, Jr., soldier, 1779,
Soldier's order, 17S1, .....
Matrimonial agreement, Thomas Packer and Molly
Tarlton, 1779, ......
Relative to election of representatives, 17S3,
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to build
a bridge, 1789, .......
64
65
66
67
67
6S
69
69
69
71
72
Introduction, ........ 73
Election of justice of the peace, i779' ... 74
Relative to a road through Plymouth, etc., 17S1, . 74
Petition relative to a road through Alexandria, 1782, . 76
Capt. Edmund Shattuck recommended for a magistrate,
1785, • • • 77
Petition relative to boundaries, 17S5, .... 'j8
Petition for change of name of town, 1788, ... 79
Petition of Cockermouth people for a new town, 1791? 80
vm
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Plymoutii people for a new town, 1791, . 80
Capt. Edmund Shattuck's resignation, 1791, . . 83
Petition to have the name of the town changed to
Groton, 1796, ........ 82
HAMPSTEAD.
Introduction, .......
Assessment of rates, about 1764, ....
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 1746, .
Committee to prosecute the foregoing petition, 1748,
Request relative to foregoing petition, 1749,
Committee to defend Kingston lawsuits, 176S,
Votes in town-meeting relative to Kingston claims, 1760
Votes of town relative to Kingston claims, 1767,
Committee appointed to settle with Kingston, 1767,
Relative to the settlement of Kingston dispute, 1768,
Elijah Heath's account, 1760, ....
William Heath, Jr., soldier, 1760, ...
Benjamin Morse, soldier, I 763, ....
John Sawyer, soldier of the R. I. expedition, 1778,
John Eaton's petition, soldier, 1780,
Petition to be classed for representative, 17S5,
Petition relative to paper money, etc., 17S6,
Relative to Revolutionary matters.
Petition for a magistrate, 17SS, ....
Certificate of nails made, 1791, ....
Certificate of nails made, 1793, ....
82
83
85
86
86
87
87
88
88
89
90
90
91
91
91
92
93
95
96
91
98
HAMPTON.
Introduction, .......
Depositions relating to boundary line between Hampton
and Portsmouth, 1669, .....
Agreement relative to boundary between Hampton and
Portsmouth, 1669, ......
Election of assemblymen, 1691, .
Vote relative to granting new town, Kingston, 1694,
Disbursements for soldiers, 1694,
Selectmen about a new town, 1694,
Election of assemblymen, 1694, ....
Hampton soldiers, 1695, 1696, ....
Hampton men in garrison at Exeter, i695-'96,
Hampton soldiers, April to September, 1696,
New Hampshire to Hampton men, 1696,
Warrant for muster of the militia, 1697,
Hampton men sent to the fort, 1704,
Hampton soldiers, 1708, .....
99
99
100
lOI
102
I03
102
103
103
107
109
109
I 10
III
GENERAL CONTENTS.
IX
Remonstrance against a township being granted at
Squamscot, 1709, ....
Another of same tenor, 171=5,
Weare's petition for a township, 1717,
Warrant for parish meeting, 17 19,
Falls men present at said meeting.
New Parish men present at said meeting,
Petition for grant of a township, 1731,
Bill of expense for constructing a pillory, 1732,
Petition of North Hill inhabitants relative to paying
ministerial rates: addressed to Gov. Belcher and the
assembly, 173S, .....
North Hill parish declaration, 1739,
Report of committee concerning lines between
Hill and the old parish, 1742, .
Remonstrance to foregoing report.
Abstract from Dr. Anthony's memorial, 1757,
Abstract from Nathan Blake's petition, addressed
governor and assemblv, Jan. 2S, 1760,
Relative to small-pox, 17^8,
Relative to a lottery, 1790, ....
Vote of town relative to a lottery, 1790,
Petition for authority to raise money by lotterv
pair a bridge, etc., 1791, ....
Relative to aforenamed lottery, 1791, •
Relative to church matters, 1796,
List of land-owners, about 1 73S, .
North
to the
to re
12
'3
15
16
17
17
19
20
20
23
24
25
■25
.26
27
28
HAMPTON FALLS.
Introduction, ........ 130
Petition for grant of a township, no date, . . . 130
Petition of John Brown, innholder, for the privilege of
a town fair, about 1734, ...... 131
Deposition of Joshua Pierce, ..... 132
Petition relative to making a new town of the west part,
1736; • _. • • _ 133
Committee appointed to fix division line, and report of
said committee, 1736, ...... 133
Action of legislature, 1737, ...... 135
Petition for a change of dates of the fairs, 1738-' • • '35
Petition for the granting of a township, 1749, . • 136
Petition of Quakers relative to service in the army, 1761, 137
Relative to incorporation of Seabrook, 176S, . . 138
Objections to the meeting called by Justices Brj^ant and
Emery, 1770, . . . . . . . . 138
Petition for the appointment of a committee to settle
parish difficulties, 1770, ...... 139
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Report of the committee, i']^Oi
Louisbourg soldiers, 1746, .
Crown Point soldier, 1756, .
Abigail Dwinnell's petition, 1759,
Petition of Isaac Tobey, 1760,
Jonathan Knowlton, soldier, 1760,
Isaiah Row, soldier, 1760, .
Eleazer Qiiimby, soldier, 1760, .
David Steward, soldier, 1761,
Proceedings in a parish meeting, i773'
Summons to witnesses in foregoing matter, ,
Petition concerning aforesaid dispute, .
Another statement relative to the foregoing dispute,
D. Bachelder's statement concerning same, .
Election of a magistrate, 1776, ....
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Recommendation for appointment of magistrate, 17891
Relative to working highway taxes in Hampton Falls
and Seabrook parish, 1791? . . . . .
140
141
141
141
142
142
142
142
142
M3
H3
144
146
147
149
149
150
246
HANCOCK.
Introduction, ........ 152
Consent of inhabitants of the east side to the incorpo-
I'ation of Hancock, 1779, ...... 152
Petition for an incorporation of the town, i779' • • ^5^
Petition relative to taxes, 1779: ..... 153
Report of committee to locate a meeting-house, 1785? • ^54
Petition for special tax to build a meeting-house, . . 155
Petition for appointment of a committee to locate a
meeting-house, 1785? • • • • • • ^55
Petition for authority to levy a tax to build a meeting-
house, 1785, 156
Relative to building a meeting-house, 1787? • • 156
Petition of Jos. Putnam to be annexed to Hancock, i793? i57
Consent of the town to the foregoing, .... 157
Relative to militia regiments, 17851 • • • • ^S^
HANOVER.
Introduction, ........ 159
Vote of the town relative to its boundaries, 177^' • ^59
Petition for an additional grant, 1771, .... 159
John Crane for leave to establish a hospital, i773'> • ^^^
Jonathan Freeman relative to Hanover addition, i774' ^^^
Precept for the election of a representative, i775' • ^^^
Vote of the town relative to the matter in dispute, . 165
Petition of Lieut. John House, 1779, .... 165
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XI
Petition of Thos. Clark, soldier, addressed to the gen
eral assembly, 17S3, .....
Petition of Lieut. James Goold, 1783, .
Peter Johnson, Bunker Hill, soldier, .
Soldiers' orders, 17S6, .....
From Gen. Chase's papers, .....
Petition to have a part of Hanover incorporated into a
new town, 17S3, ......
Return of ratable polls, 17S3, ....
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate, 17S4,
Petition for an issue of paper money, 17S4, .
Relative to a road through town, laid out by a legisla
tive committee, 17S6, .....
Petition for a grant to make a canal, etc., 1792, .
Isaac Rogers's petition for a ferry, 1794,
166
166
167
167
16S
170
171
173
174
175
176
HAVERHILL.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 177
Petition for a ferry, 1772, . . . . . . 177
Extract from grant to Asa Porter, . . . . 178
Report of the committee on the matter of granting a
ferry to Thomas Johnson, . . . . . 179
Relative to dead body found, 1776, . . . . 179
Enoch Bartlet's complaint, 1780, . . . . 180
Abstract from the petition of Geo. Moor, soldier, 1783, 181
John French, armorer, 1780, . . . . . iSi
Moses Dow declines to accept an election as a member
of the congress of the United States, 1784, . . 182
Vote of town relative to paper money, 17S6, . . 183
Selectmen's protest to the grant of a ferrv to Ezekiel
Ladd, \ . . 183
Petition for an act of incorporation for the academy,
1793, ......... 184
Subscriptions towards building a bridge over Connec-
ticut river, 1794, • . . . • . . 185
Asa Porter for a ferry, . . . . . . 186
John Hurd relative to roads, 1774, • • • • 1S6
Representation of services done by the town during the
war, and its present condition, 1798, • • • 1S7
HENNIKER.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 189
Petition of the inhabitants to have the town incorpo-
rated, 1768, 189
Return of men raised for the army, 177^' • • • ^9^
Roll of Capt. Aaron Adams's company, 1776, . . 192
xu
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Joseph Patterson, wounded soldier, 1778, . . . 193
Abraham Kimball, wounded soldier, .... 193
Soldier's order, 1779, ....... 194
Petition for the appointment of a committee to locate a
meeting-house, 1786, ...... 194
Introduction, ......
Petition to be incorporated into two towns, 1776,
Arms and ammunition asked for, 1776,
Petition to be incorporated, 1778,
Certificate of soldiers exempt from poll tax.
Deposition of Capt. Edward Everett, .
David Emerson recommended for coroner, 17S2
Return of number of ratable polls, 1783,
Deposition of Joseph Emmons, 17S1, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S5,
Petition for a division of the town, 17S7,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789,
195
196
197
197
198
198
199
199
200
200
201
202
HILLSBOROUGH.
Introduction, ......
Hillsborough soldiers in R. I. expedition, 1778,
A list of alarm men in Hillsborough, 1776, .
Return of a soldier, 1779, ....
Bounties advanced by towns, 1782,
Lieut. Sam. Bradford's petition, 1781,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 17S0,
Relative to drawing town lots, 17S4, .
Relative to date of annual meeting, 1785,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1785,
Relative to Robert Tinney, soldier.
Relative to incorporating a town library, 1797,
203
203
204
205
205
205
206
207
20S
209
209
210
212
HINSDALE.
Introduction, .......
Col. Josiah Willard's account for supplies furnished sol
diers, 1750, .....
Col. Ebenezer Hinsdale's bill, 1785,
Relative to Dummer's ferry.
Relative to abatement of taxes, 1779, •
Relative to Vermont controversy, 17S1,
Petition for a grant of a ferry, 1785,
Relative to aforesaid ferry, 1786,
Another petition relative to same, 1786,
213
214
215
216
217
218
2IS
219
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Xlll
Deposition of Josiah Wheeler, 17S6, .... 219
Deposition of Nathaniel Stearns, 17S6, . . . 220
James Hubbard for a ferry, 17S6, . . . . 221
Petition for a magistrate, 17S9, ..... 222
Petition for authority to send a representative, 1793, . 222
Petition for the privilege of a lottery, 1795, . . . 223
Petition of Nathan Willard for a grant of Gravel Island,
1795' • • • , 224
Petition of Zebulon Moflatt, soldier, 1776, addressed to
the general court, . . . . . . . 225
Account for soldiers' bounties, etc., .... 225
HOLDERNESS.
Introduction, ........ 226
Petition for a regrant of some forfeited rights, . . 226
Petition for arms and ammunition, 1776, . . . 227
Hercules JMooney's petition, 1779, .... 227
Holderness soldier, 1782, ...... 228
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 228
Relative to class for representative, 17S5, . . . 22S
Maj. Sam. vShepard recommended for a magistrate,
17891 229
Against the appointment of Sam. Shepard, . . . 230
Petition for the laying out of a road from Plymouth to
Hill, 179S, ' . . 230
Introduction, . . . , . . . . 231
Peter Wheeler's petition, 1761, ..... 232
Joshua Wright's ])ctition, 1760, ..... 232
Selectmen's account for taking an inventory of New
Ipswich, 1 761, ....... 232
Petition from inhabitants of Dunstable to be annexed to
Hollis, 1762, ........ 233
Vote at a town- meeting, 1764, ..... 234
Vote at a town-meeting, 176S, ..... 234
Appointment of Sam. Farley, agent, 176S, . . . 234
Petition for the formation of a new town, 176S, . . 235
Petition for the formation of a new town, 1769, . . 2325
Boundaries of Raby, 1769, ...... 236
Agreement relative to extending the town further east,
1.773' .236
Petition of Dunstable parties to be annexed to Hollis,
^773 , • . • • • • 237
Consent of Dunstable to the foregoing, i773' • • 238
Relative to a Hollis man enlisted in Massachusetts reg-
iment, 177S, ........ 239
XIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Relative to appointment of officers in the militia, I'J'JS,
Relative to the estates of absentees, i779'
Estates of Hollis absentees, 1779?
Account of sale of confiscated counterfeiters' tools, 1780
Petition of Capt. Reuben Dow, 177^1 •
Aid to the fiimily of Jacob Danforth, 1779, .
Soldiers' Petition for an allowance for the depreciation
of their pay, 1781, ......
Relative to Lemuel Blood, soldier, 1783,
Testimony of Reuben Blood and Wm. Cormick con
cerning the same, 1780, .....
Deposition of Jeremiah Prichard, 1778,
Soldiers' orders, .......
Relative to estate of Wm. Brown, an absentee, 1784,
Relative to the restoration of Monson, 1782,
Petitioners' tax, 1782, ......
Statement of a grievance, 17831 ....
Relative to articles of confederation, 1783, •
Petition of certain persons to be set oti" to Raby, 1783
Opposition of Hollis to the petition of Raby, 1785,
Petition for a magistrate, 1784^ ....
239
240
241
243
242
24s
244
244
244
245
245
245
246
246
247
248
249
250
251
HOOKSETT.
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 252
Petition of Joshua Abbott for a ferry, 1782, . . . 253
Petition of Dustin and Martin for a ferry, 1782, . . 253
Petition of McGregore and Duncan for exclusive privi-
lege of locking Hooksett falls, 1794, . . . 254
HOPKINTON.
Introduction, ........ 255
Petition for the privilege of having a representative,
1773. 257
Relative to the formation of counties, 1772,. . . 257
Proceedings of a town-meeting, 177^1 • • . . 259
Relative to the formation of counties, 1772,. . . 259
Capt. Stillson relative to soldiers, 1776, . . . 260
John Hale declines the appointment of major, i777' • 260
Petition of Timothy Clements, 1778, .... 261
Remonstrance to the appointment of Benj. Wiggin,
1785, .' . . 261
Petition for the appointment of Benjamin Wiggin as a
magistrate, 1786, ....... 262
Another petition in favor of Wiggin, 1786, . . . 263
Petition in favor of Lieut, Joshua Morse, 1786, . . 264
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XV
Another remonstrance to Mr. Wiggin,
Enlistment papers, i77^' ....
Depositions relative to service in the army, 1777
Enlistments, 1781,
Certificate of soldiers mustered, 1 78 1, .
Petition of Joseph Marsh, soldier, 17S7,
Petition of Samuel French, soldier, 17S7,
Petition of Elijah Smart, soldier, 1791,
Hopkinton men in the First N. H. Regiment,
Remonstrance to the ordination of Rev. Jacob Cram
17^9^ •
Another remonstrance of the same import, 1789,
265
266
266
267
267
268
268
269
269
270
272
HUDSON.
Introduction, .......
Nottingham West men in First N. H. Regiment,
Complaint concerning Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, 1747,
Granting authority to Mr. Cummings to petition the
legislature, 1747, .....
Relative to ministerial affairs, i747?
Alleged illegal voting, 1747,
Petition relative to foregoing, 1747,
Statement in favor of Moses Hadley's petition,
Relative to Jonathan Searle, 1775,
Relative to land of Wm. Brattle, 1777,
Relative to the protection offish, 1778,
Petition relative to aforesaid act, 17795
Petition of Thomas Caldwell, 1783.
Depositions of Cummings, Cross, and Hale, 17S3
Statement relative to building the road, 17S3,
More relative to said road, 17S3, .
Petition of Sarah Bradbury, 17S0,
Petition of Richard Cutter, soldier,
Asa Davis recommended for a magistrate, 1785,
Petition for an incorporation of a library, i797'
273
273
274
275
275
276
277
27S
278
279
280
280
282
283
284
2S5
286
286
2S6
2S7
JACKSON.
Introduction, ......
Petition for an incorporation, 1796,
Anotlier petition relative to incorporation, i797'
Another, relative to incorporating a town, 1799?
288
289
290
290
JAFFREY.
Introduction, ........ 291
Bounds of the township, as granted Nov. 30, 1749? • 292
Petition for an incorporation of the town, i773i • • 292
XVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Case of assault before courts were established In the
county, 1775, .....
Evidence relative to foregoing,
Petition of Daniel Russell, soldier, 1777?
Petition of Ephraim Adams, soldier, 1779,
Soldiers' orders, .....
Petition of Lucy Wesson, 1782, .
James Turner, soldier.
Petition of Benjamin Dole, 17S5,
Return of ratable polls, 17^31
Relative to Kendall Parsons, soldier, .
Petition for authority to raise a company of cavalry
1786,
Relative to Peterborough Slip, 17S7, .
Protest against setting off a portion of the town, 17S7,
293
294
295
296
296
297
297
298
298
299
299
300
300
JEFFERSON.
Introduction, ........ 303
John Goffe, relative to township bounds, 1770, . . 304
Order to survey a tract of land for David Page, 1773, . 30^
Petition for an act of incorporation, 1793, • • • 305
Inti'oduction, .......
Agent appointed to get the town incorporated, 1750?
Jeremiah Hall appointed agent to obtain an act of in
corporation, 1750, ......
John and Ruth Dinsmoor's petition, 1750? •
Benj. Guild appointed to assist Capt. Hall, 1750?
Petition for an incorporation of the town, 175I5 •
Another petition for an incorporation, 17^3?
Relative to inoculation for small-pox, 1776,
Petition for a lottery for the purpose of building :
bridge, 177S1 .......
Relative to a lottery for the purpose of building :
bridge, 1778, . . . .
Relative to trial of several royalists, 1777,
Jeremiah Stiles chosen magistrate, i777'
Deserters from the army, I777' ....
Documents relative to Capt. Sam. Weatherbee, 177^?
Col. Wyman's certificate, .....
Deposition of Ebenezer Putnam, .
John Hart's discharge, 1776, ....
Resignation of Maj. Timothy Ellis, i779'
Substitute for Nehemiah Town, 17S0, .
Nehemiah Brown, wounded soldier.
306
307
308
308
309
309
310
311
312
313
3H
315
316
316
316
316
317
317
317
3^8
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Charles Rice, Bunker Hill soldier, 1791,
Warrant from Vermont for the election of two repre
sentatives, 17S1,
John Balch, post-rider, 17S1,
Timothy Balch, post-rider, 1785,
Relative to taxes on estates of absentees, 1783,
Resignation of Timothy Ellis, 17S2,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Relative to the county jail, 17S3, .
Taxes on land of absentees, 1785,
Certificates of nails made, 17S9, .
Election of a representative, 1794,
318
31S
319
320
320
321
321
322
322
323
323
KENSINGTON.
Introduction, ........ 324
Petitions of soldiers, ....... 324
Petition for a grant of land, ..... 325
Ebenezer Brown's complaint, 1778, .... 326
Petition for a paper currency, 1785, .... 327
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ..... 327
An appeal for Dr. Benj. Rowe, about 1785, . . 328
Petition for a coroner, 17S6, ..... 329
Jeremiah Fogg's declination of the office of Adjutant-
General, 17S6, ....... 329
and specification
KINGSTON.
Introduction, ....
Petition for a confirmation of the grant
of its bounds, ....
Precept for an election, 1710,
Kingston men's names, 1727,
Relative to taxation by Massachusetts, 173I1
Petition of inhabitants of the easterl}' part for a
parish, 173S, .....
Petition for a grant of land, 1738,
Action of town-meeting, 1 742,
Petition for lands, 17SO1
Action of town relative to roads, i755'
Petition relative to a road, i755' •
Report of a committee on the foregoing, 1755,
Petition for encouragement to manufacture salt.
Petition for a lottery, 1777' • • • •
John Prescott, soldier, 1753,
Abstracts from petitions of French War soldiers
Capt. Samuel Fifield's certificate, 1762,
Petition of John Dent, soldier, 1759, .
2
1776
330
331
332
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
339
340
341
341
342
342
343
XVlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition of Paul Pressey, soldier, 1759,
Certificate relative to foregoing, 1759, .
Jeremiah Bartlett's petition, 177S,
Soldiers' orders, .
Petition of Sarah Hobart, 1797,
Relative to the militia, 17S4,
Another concerning militia, 1785,
Certificate of nails made in 1791,
LANCASTER.
Introduction, ......
Petition of David Page for more land, 1773,
Relative to representative, 1775, .
Return of ratable polls, 1 7S3,
Petition of Col. Bucknam for the grant of a ferry, 1784
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1787,
Petition relative to roads, 178S, .
Relative to the formation of Coos county, 1790,
Petition for a new county, 1791, .
Petition to have the right of ferries vested in the tov^^n
1792, . ._ .
Petition for authority to levy a special tax for road pur
poses, 1792, ......
Petition of Eleazer Rosbrook for a ferry, 1792
Petition for special tax to make roads, 1793,
Record of a town-meeting, 1793, .
344
344
344
345
345
345
347
350
351
351
352
352
353
353
354
356
356
357
35S
359
359
360
LANDAFF.
Introduction, .......
Town-meeting proceedings, i777i
Petition for an allowance for services in the war.
Relative to representative class, 1788, .
Landaff claims Edward Marden, soldier, 17S6,
Relative to a Bunker Hill soldier, etc., 1794^
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789, .
Petition relative to sending representative, 1799, .
1786,
361
361
362
363
364
365
365
366
LANGDON.
Introduction, ........ 367
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789, . . 367
Petition for special tax to build a meeting-house, i793? 368
Vote of town relative to extending its north line, 1795, 368
LEBANON.
Introduction, .....
Report of committee on boundaries, 1768,
369
369
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XIX
Return of arms and equipments, 1775,
Petition of Nathaniel Bugbee, soldier, 1777,
Certificate relative to foregoing, 1777, .
Petition of John Slapp, 177S,
Soldier's order, 178^, .
Documents copied from Gen. Chase's papers, i777'
Wm. Dana's return, 17771 ....
Relative to a committee of conference, 1777,
Letter from Nehemiah Estabrook, 1777,
Complaint of N. H. adherents, 177S, .
Relative to an alleged riot, 17791
Protest against the action of the town, 1780,
Call for a conference meeting, 1780,
Relative to Vermont controversy, 1782,
Disputed jurisdiction, 1783,
Relative to recording grants in office of the secretary of
state, 1782, .....
Protest against the incorporation of a district to b
called Dresden, 1783 : incomplete, .
Relative to the collection of taxes.
Relative to the incorporation of Dresden, 1783,
Relative to the incorporation of Dresden, 17S3,
William Dana's petition for a ferry, 17841
Petition for a new town, 1785,
Samuel Bailey for a ferry, 17S5, .
Relative to the charter of the town, 1786,
Relative to town boundaries, 1 786,
Report of committee on boundaries, 17S6,
Certificate of nails made, 1791,
370
371
371
371
372
372
373
374
374
375
376
376
377
378
379
380
38 1
382
382
384
3S4
3S5
386
387
388
388
389
LEE.
Introduction, .......
Relative to Edward Dearborn, soldier, 1778,
Edward Leathers's order, 1784, ....
Dr. James Brackett recommended for a magistrate
17S5, •.
Assessment list for taxes, 1787? ....
Notice of a meeting of alarm-men, T787,
Officers chosen at said meeting, ....
Job Runnels recommended for a magistrate, 1789,
Paul Giles recommended, 1789, ....
390
390
391
391
392
394
394
394
395
LEMPSTER.
Introduction, ......
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1783,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
396
396
397
XX GENERAL CONTENTS.
Civil magistrate wanted, 1785, ..... 397
Assessment list, 17871 .••.... 398
Relative to town boundaries, 1788, .... 399
Opposition to the north-east corner petition, 1790, . 399
Remonstrance to having the north-east corner set oh\
1790, ......... 400
Petition to have the north-east part set off', and with
other territory incorporated into a town, 1791? • • 401
Vote of the town relative to the foregoing, 1 791, . . 402
Vote of the town of Newport relative to same, . . 402
More opposition, ....... 402
Portion proposed to be taken from Lempster to form a
new town, ........ 403
LINCOLN.
Introduction, ........ 404
Petition for re-grant of township, ..... 404
LISBON.
Introduction, ........ 404
Representatives chosen to attend the convention at Leb-
anon, 1 777' ........ 405
Statement of condition of the town and service in the
war, 1786, 406
Statement of town affairs, 1787, ..... 407
John Young relative to town affairs, 1789, . . . 410
John Young wants a patent for building chimneys,
179!' • • • . 4^2
Capt. Samuel Young's petition, ..... 413
LITCHFIELD.
414
416
416
417
Introduction, ......
Warrant for town-meeting, i743i
Vote at said meeting, 1743, ....
Relative to paying rates in two towns, 1746,
James Hill's receipts, 1745,
Invoice of Lieut. Pelatiah Russell's equipments lost in
the service, 1757'' . . • . •
Capt. John Parker's petition, 1776,
Litchfield men at Ticonderoga alarm, i777'
Relative to being classed for representative, 1780, . 419
James Underwood relative to some confiscated estates,
1780, 420
William Patterson relative to some confiscated estates,
1782, 420
417
418
418
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXI
Selectmen concerning soldiers, 17S3, .
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Relative to their quota of soldiers, 17S3,
Petition for a bridge at Cromwell's Falls, 1794,
421
422
422
423
LITTLETON.
Introduction, ......
Relative to taxes, 1786, ....
Relative to a tax for building roads, 178^, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1788,
Relative to taxing non-residents, 1791,
Lieut. Peleg Williams's petition, 1793,
424
425
425
426
427
428
LONDONDERRY.
Introduction, .......
Relative to the burning of Alatthew Clark's house
1725. .• • .
Order relative to laying out some land, 172S,
Warrant for town-meeting, 1733,
Charge against the legality of a town-meeting, 1736,
Precept for the election of an assemblyman, 1736,
Two sets of town oflicers chosen, 1737,
Relative to a new parish, 1737, ....
Relative to a parish in the westerly part of the town
1739'
Proposals for peace, 17371 .....
Return of laying out a highway, i73^' •
Petition from persons formerly belonging to Dracut for
a parish, 1741, ......
Londonderry bounds, ......
Relative to a road, 1743, .....
Certificate of service of a notice, 1742,
Report of a committee on roads, 1743?
Petition for a reduction of the number of licensed tav
erns in town, i75^' ••••••
Special town-meeting called for, i745i
Relative to taxes, 1745, .....
Order to the constalDle to collect taxes, 1764,
Relative to the election of an assemblyman, 1762,
Election of assemblyman disputed, 1762,
Abstracts from petitions of French war soldiers, .
Relative to the formation of counties, 1769, •
An address to the governor, i773' ...
Relative to parish afiairs, i 774, ....
Petition to have an election set aside, 1774? •
Protest against the foregoing named town-meeting,
429
430
431
431
432
432
433
435
436
437
440
441
442
443
443
443
444
445
446
446
447
448
450
451
454
455
456
457
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Reimbursement wanted for money paid men who turn-
ed out on the Lexington alarm, 1775,
Petition of Thomas Lannen, 1764,
Deposition of Thomas Davidson concerning a son,
Certificate of James McGregore, 1776,
Petition of David George, soldier, 1776,
Service of minute men, 1775,
Petition of Wm. MacMurphy, 1777,
Thomas Archibald, soldier, 177^5
Sergt. William Morrill, 1776,
Soldiers' enlistments, 1779, .
Samuel Thompson's petition, 1780,
Col. vScammel recommends Lieut. Asa Senter for pro
motion, 17S1, .
Statement of John Nesmith, 17S2,
Joseph Hogg's order, 1784,
Petition of Samuel Houston, one of Washington'
guard, 1785, _ .
Petition ot William Adams, 1791,
Relative to Lieut. Robert Barnet, 177^1
Petition for the release of Stephen Holland, i777'
Petition of certain persons to be annexed to Nottingham
West, 1778,
Relative to certain persons being annexed to Windham
1778, . _ . . . .
Recommendations for military officers, 1780,
Relative to the enlistment of Londonderry men by
Massachusetts, 1781,
Relative to the line between this town and Windham
17S2,
Relative to foregoing matter, ....
Verbal agreement made, 1782, ....
Protest against Mrs. Jane Holland's being permitted to
return, 1782, .....
Abstract from town inventories, 1782-83,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Petition to be exempted from paying ministerial tax in
the old parish, 1783,
Instructions to representatives, 17831
Relative to counterfeit money.
Petition of sundry persons to be annexed to the east
parish, 1783, . ^
Relative to parish affairs, 1 7S4,
Petition to be annexed to the west parish, 1784,
Petition for a Sunday act, 17S4, .
Relative to paper money, etc., 1786,
Vote of the town on paper money, 1786,
459
460
460
460
460
461
462
462
462
462
463
463
463
464
464
464
465
465
467
468
469
469
470
471
471
471
473
473
474
475
476
476
477
478
478
479
482
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXlll
Lettei', — Col. Reid to the president of the state, . . 482
Daniel Reynolds elected to fill a vacancy in the house
of representatives, 17S7, ...... 482
Petition of Congregationalists for an incorporation,
1796, ..•••• 483
Committee chosen to present the petition, 1797. . . 4S4
Introduction, ........
Petition to have a portion of the town annexed to Con-
cord, 17S2, .......
Benjamin Sias recommended for a magistrate, 1785?
Vote relative to paper money. 17S6,
Joseph Smith recommended for a magistrate, about
17S5, ........
Another recommendation for Joseph Smith,
John Sanborn recommended for a magistrate, 17S9,
List of soldiers in the army, 1776,
Soldiers' enlistments, 17S0-S1, ....
Soldier's receipt, 1780, .....
Soldiers' orders, 17S4-85, .....
4S5
485
486
4S7
488
489
490
491
491
492
492
Introduction, .....
Petition for an extension of the charter,
Relative to taxes, ....
Town invoice, 1777? ....
Petition for abatement of taxes, 17791 •
Report of a committee relative to a soldier.
Relative to soldiers furnished for the war, i
Petition of non-residents, 17S7,
Petition relative to a ferry, 1790, .
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, i
Vote of town relative to a ferry, 1791, .
Petition of Jacob Hurd for a ferry, 1793,
7S6,
786,
79O'
492
493
494
495
495
496
496
497
498
499
499
500
Introduction, ......... 501
Thomas Sumner relative to the town grant, 1768, . 501
Condition of the town, 1768, ..... 502
Town inventory, 1773 : names only printed, . . 503
Vote of town relative to the convention at Lebanon,
1777. -504
Letter, — Jonathan Childs to Hon. Jacob Bailey, 1776, 504
Petition of Capt. Ebenezer Green, 1781, . . . 505
Report of committee on soldiers, 1786, . . . . 505
XXIV
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Documents copied from Gen. Chase's papers, . . 506
Petition for charter for a ferry, 17S4, .... £506
Complaint rehxtive to representation, etc., . . . 507
Petition for the annexation of Grant's Island to the
town, 1788, ........ 508
LYNDEBOROUGH.
Introduction, ......
Recommendation for a coroner, 1776, .
Recommendation for a magistrate, 1779,
Letter from Benjamin Lynde, 17791
Petition for a division of the town, 1780,
Remonstrance to foregoing petition, 1783,
Another remonstrance, 17S4,
Statement from the petitioners, 17S4,
Another statement of the situation, 1784,
Report of a committee of conference, 1785,
Remonstrance to a division of the town.
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Soldier's order, 1784, ....
Soldier's bounty, .....
Lyndeborough men in First N. H. Regiment,
Relative to military affairs, 17851 •
Nehemiah Rand recommended for a magistrate, 1786,
Relative to warning Elisha Wilkins out of town, 1788,
Committee report relative to foregoing,
Petition for the setting off of the north-west part of the
town, 1790, .......
Inhabitants of Lyndeborough Gore for an incorpora^
tion, 17901 •.....■•
Consent of Peterborough to foregoing, 179O1
Report of a committee on the foregoing.
Proceedings of a town-meeting relative to the foregoing
1791, . . . ... . .
Remonstrance of sundry inhabitants to being set oft
1791, . . . .' . . .
Report of a committee on the foregoing, 1791?
Petition from inhabitants of the south-west part to b
annexed to Temple, i795i .....
Action of town on foregoing petition, 1796, .
Rev. Mr. Goodridge's statement, 1776,.
509
509
509
513
516
51S
519
521
521
52X
522
522
525
524
525
526
527
528
528
529
532
533
534
535
535
MADBURY.
Introduction, .......
Petition for the appointment of a magistrate,
Pelatiah Daniels, soldier, 1760, . . .
536
536
537
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXV
Daniel Pinkham, soldier, 1776,
William Twombly, soldier, 1779,
Bounty to George Ham, 17S4,
James Jackson's order, 17S5,
Return of ratable polls, 17S3,
Petition for authority to elect a representative, 17S6,
538
538
538
538
539
539
MANCHESTER.
Introduction, .........
Petition of Hadley and Kidder, 1759, ....
Ebenezer Newman, soldier, 1779, ....
Letter from Col. John Gofte to Gov. Wentworth rela-
tive to trespasses and some sharp practice at an elec-
tion in Derryfield, 1766, ......
Jeremiah Stevens for confirmation of a grant of land,
1742, • • . •
Relative to the discontinuance of a road, 1753,
Relative to the alewive fishery, 1776,
Relative to being classed for representative, 1780,
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Relative to Sabbath-breaking, 17S4,
Proportionment of foreign, domestic, and state debt
1787. • • . •
Petition for the appointment of a committee to settle
the north line of the town, 1789,
Vote of the town relative to line, 1789, .
Petition for an incorporation to erect a bridge over Mer
rimack river, 1792, .....
Relative to Amoskeag bridge, 1792,
Petition for a grant of land, 1794, .
Petition to have a gore of land incorporated with Der
ry field, 1795, ......
Samuel Blodgett for a charter to construct a canal
around Amoskeag Falls, 1794? •
Petition for legislation to protect fish in Cohas brook
1797'
Blodgett's canal, 1798, .....
Petition for the incorporation of a company to construct
a canal from Merrimack river to Massabesic pond,
1799^
Petition for authority to raise money by lottery to com-
plete the canal, i799» ...••••
Relative to locks and canals on Merrimack river, etc., .
Another petition for the protection of fish in Cohas
brook, 1800, ........
540
541
543
543
545
545
547
549
550
551
551
553
554
554
555
556
557
558
559
559
560
562
565
XXVI
GENERAL CONTENTS.
MARLBOROUGH.
Introduction, ......... 566
Petition for an act of incorporation, i775' • • • 5^7
Another petition for an incorporation, 1775, . . . 568
Petition for an incorporation, 1776, .... 568
Petition of Maj. Andrew Colburn, .... 569
Calvin Goodenow, soldier, 17S2, ..... 570
Relative to taxes of Elijah Williams, 1781, . . . 570
Certificate of nails made, 179O5 ..... 570
Against the appointment of William Parker, 1790, . 571
Relative to boundary between this town and Fitzwill-
iam, 1795, . ." 571
MARLOW.
Introduction, ......... 572
Inventory of 1773, . . . . . . . . 573
Relative to the election of representative, 1776, . . 573
Relative to the east line of the town, i777i • • • 574
Relative to the settlement of the east line of the town,
1778. '-575
Relative to taxes, 1784, 575
Relative to east line of the town, 1798, .... 576
Remonstrance to the establishment of the east line as by
the act of 1797, ........ 576
MASON.
Introduction, ......... 577
Petition for a town charter, 1768, ..... 578
Relative to an alleged theft, 1775, ..... 579
Relative to paper currency, i777i ..... 579
Vote relative to paper currency, 1786, .... 580
Soldiers' orders, ........ 5^^
MEREDITH.
Introduction, ... ...... 5^^
Petition for an incorporation, 1768, .... 582
Soldiers' orders, 1777, '83, '85, 582
Relative to William Maloon, soldier, 1791, . . . 583
Petition for a change of day of annual meeting, 17841 • 584
Petition of the Baptist societv for an incorporation,
1797^ \ .... 584
Vote of town relative to the Baptist society, i797' • 585
MERRIMACK.
Introduction, ......... $86
Sarah Lutwyche, relative to ferry, i775' • • • 5^^
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXVII
Report of committee on the foregoing, 1775, • • 587
Remonstrance to petition of Matthew Thornton for a
ferry, 1784, 588
Another remonstrance to same, 17S4, .... 589
Nathaniel Garfield, quarter-master, i779' • • • 59^
Soldier's order, 1782, ....... 592
Relative to William Cowen, soldier, 1784, . . . 592
Petition in behalf of James Taylor, 1785, . . . 592
Relative to the election of representative, 1762, . . 593
MIDDLETON.
Introduction, ........ 594
Petition to be incorporated, ..... 595
Soldiers' orders, 1784, '85, '92, ..... 596
Petition of John IBarter, soldier, 1788, . . . 596
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1783, . . 597
Petition for a division of the town, 1785, . . . 598
Remonstrance to the foregoing, 1785, .... 599
Relative to the town's quota of soldiers, 1786, . . 600
Vote relative to paper money, 17S6, .... 601
Petition for abatement of taxes, 1787, .... 601
Petition for a magistrate, 1790, ..... 602
Relative to division of state tax, 1794, . . • 603
MILFORD.
Introduction, ........ 603
Asa Lewis, soldier, 1776, ...... 604
Soldier's order, 1785, ....... 604
Petition for an incorporation, 1779? .... 605
Remonstrance to foregoing, 1779? .... 606
Remonstrance from Amherst, ..... 607
Petition for an incorporation, 1780, .... 607
MONSON.
Introduction, ........ 609
Vote of the town, 1761, ...... 610
Vote relative to locating a meeting-house, 1756, . • 610
Hollis asks for a portion of Monson, 1763, . . . 610
Benjamin Hopkins's bill, 1761, ..... 610
Relative to annexation of a portion of Monson to Hol-
lis, 1773, 611
Petition to be annexed to Hollis, 1762, . . . 612
Reasons for not granting foregoing petition, 1763, • 612
Address expressing satisfaction with the county arrange-
ment, 1769, ........ 614
Vote of Monson, 1770, . . . . . . 615
Opposition to reestablishing Monson, 1782, . . . 6i6
XXVlll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
MOULTONBOROUGH .
Introduction, . . . . . . . . 6i6
Petition for an incorporation, 1773, . . • . 616
Letter from Col. Joseph Senter to the legislature, 1776, 617
Petition for an incorporation of the territory into two
towns, 1777^ ........ 617
Relative to Rev. Samuel Perley, 1779, • . . 618
Relative to doomage, 1780, ..... 620
Enlistment, 17S0, ....... 620
Petition of non-residents, 1790, . . . . . 621
Vote to change date of annual meeting, 1791, . . 622
NASHUA.
Introduction, .....
Vote of town relative to bridge over Nashua
Relative to bridge over Nashua river, 1753,
Relative to representative, 1762, .
Trouble at a town-meeting, 1762,
Petition relative to the foregoing, 1762,
Notice of meeting, 1762,
Votes relative to " One Pine Hill" matters.
Relative to the formation of counties, 1769,
Relative to bridge over Nashua river, i773i
Petition for authority to elect a representativ
Return of ratable polls, 1783,
Lieut. Jonathan Emerson's petition, 1779,
Dr. Hale's certificate, 1779,
iver, 1753,
e, 1783^
NELSON.
Introduction, ... ....
Petition for an incorporation of the town, i773' •
Petition for change of the name of the town, i777'
George Brintnall's order to march, 17781
Relative to taxes, town records, etc., 177S, .
Relative to estate of Thomas Packer, etc., 1780, .
Return of ratable polls, 1783, .....
Relative to a division of the town for the formation of
Sullivan, 1786, .......
Petition of Ruth Batcheller, concerning her husband's
confiscated estate, 17S9, ......
Certificate of number of ratable polls, i794i
Relative to representative, 1794, .....
622
623
624
625
626
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
634
635
635
636
637
637
637
638
639
639
640
641
641
NEW BOSTON.
Introduction,
John Burns, soldier
1760,
642
642
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXIX
House burned, 1756. . . ...
Petition foi' an incorporation, 1760,
Relative to boundary lines, .....
Relative to the petition for an incorporation, 1761,
Relative to locating a meeting-house, 1765, .
Relative to ministerial lot, 176S, ....
Relative to the formation of counties, 1769,
Petition for the incorporation of a new town, 1771,
Statement from the committees of safety of New BoS'
ton, Weare, and Francestown, 1775,
Concerning Dr. Jonathan Gove, 1777. •
John Hunter, wounded at Bunker Hill, 1776,
Rhode Island soldiers, 1778, . . . ' .
Robertson and McMillan, wounded at Bunker Hill
178O'
Jonathan Margery, wounded at Saratoga, 1781, .
Relative to Johnston Smith, 1782,
Relative to Samuel Boyd, .....
Return of ratable polls, 1783, ....
Concerning Dr. Gove and Silas Hedges, 1786,
Instructions to representatives, 1 7S7,
Relative to boundarv line between this town and Goffs
town, 1 788, .......
Report of committee on town lines, 1788,
Report of committee on town lines, 178S, .
Petition from soldiers who were captured at the Cedars
1795^ • • ^
Soldier's order, 1798, ......
643
643
644
645
645
646
647
648
649
650
653
652
^53
653
654
654
655
655
6s6
6sS
659
660
661
662
NEWBURY.
Introduction, .......
Relative to incorporating the town, 177S,
Committee to petition for redress of grievances, 1781,
Petition of aforenamed committee, 1782,
Petition for authority to tax non-residents, 1789, .
Remonstrance to foregoing, 1789,
Petition for the incorporation of a new town, 1791,
Vote of town relative to foregoing, 179I1
Petition of sundry inhabitants to be annexed to Brad
ford, 1796, .......
Report rekitive to town lines, 1797^
662
663
664
664
665
666
66^
668
668
669
NEW CASTLE.
Introduction, ....
Relative to settling a minister, 1682,
Petition of Humphrey Spenser, 1682,
670
672
673
XXX
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Stai
1704,
1750.
ndent-
Petition for a tavern license, 1682,
Joseph Purmort for tavern license,
Statement and petition of Joseph Purmort, 1683
Remonstrance of Portsmouth selectmen, 1682,
Precept for the election of an assemblyman at
Island, 1694, ......
Relative to town bounds, ....
Precept for election of assemblymen, 1695, .
Summons to assemblymen, 169S,
Warrant for militia muster, 1697,
Return of assemblymen, 1698,
Col. Romer, relative to Fort William and Mary,
Col. Romer's memorial, 1705?
Supplies for soldiers, 17055 ....
Relative to a bridge, 1719, .
Petition of Rev. John Blunt, i737i
Rev. Stephen Chase accepts a call to the ministry,
Petition of Dr. Nathaniel Sargent, 1746,
Petition of Joseph Langmaid, soldier, 1756,
Petition of John Odiorne, Jr., for a divorce, 1759
Eunice Odiorne binds out her child, a unique i
ure, 1754, . . . .
Relative to tax on Trefethen's mills, 1763,
Relative to ministerial matters, 177^' ■
Relative to soldiers attending church, 1773'
Relative to harbor defences, 177*^'
Memorial relative to fishery business, 1776,
Petition for authority to establish a lottery, 1778,
Report of committee on damage done by the troop
Relative to legislative representation, 1784^ •
Petition for authority to establish a lottery, 1789,
Petition from Rye relative to the lottery.
Petition from sundry inhabitants to be annexed to Rye,
Petition from George Jaftrey for an allowance for dam-
age caused by building the fort, ....
NEW DURHAM.
Introduction, ......
Petition from Canada soldiers, 1764,
Petition from Elizabeth Doe,
Petition from Peter Drowne, soldier, 17S5, •
Petition from Samuel Runnels, soldier, 1788,
Soldier's order, 1784, .....
Petition from Elisha Thomas, soldier, 1787,
Petition from Richard Colomy, 1791, .
Relative to Robert Karson, soldier.
Return of ratable polls, 1783?
673
674
674
675
677
677
678
678
678
679
679
680
681
681
684
685
686
6S6
686
688
689
690
691
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
699
700
701
702
702
702
703
703
703
704
704
705
GENERAL CONTENTS.
XXXI
Resignation of Col. Thomas Tash, 1791,
Petition relative to library, 1797, .
706
NEW HAMPTON.
Introduction, ........ 706
Benning Moulton recommended for a magistrate, . 707
Another for same, ....... 708
Vote of town to set off the north-east part, 1796, . 709
Soldier's order, 1792, ....... 709
NEWINGTON.
Introduction, ........ 710
Newington men sworn, . . . . . . 710
Concerning irregularities in town-meeting, 1737? • • 711
Additional petition concerning foregoing, . . . 712
Irregularities in town-meeting, 1745, . . . . 712
Deposition of Hateevil Nutter, ..... 714
Relative to a road laid out in 1656, .... 714
Deposition of Thomas Tibbetts, Joseph and Abigail
Richards, . . . . . . . . 715
Statement concerning aforesaid road, 1753, . . . 716
Schedule of petitioners, ...... 717
Deposition of George Walton, . . . . . 717
Deposition of Samuel Huntress, ..... 718
Proceedings of court of general sessions, i753' • • 7^8
Proceedings of court of general sessions, i754' • • 720
Report of committee on said road, i755' • • • 721
Relative to dividing line against Portsmouth, 1763, . 721
Military officers chosen, 1775, ..... 722
Benjamin Adams's statement, unique, .... 723
Relative to election of representative, 1782, . . . 725
Petition for authority to send representative, . . 727
Another communication from Benjamin Adams, . . 727
Remonstrance to appointment of Mr. Adams, 1787, . 738
George Gains relative to the aforesaid, . . . 729
Petition for the incorporation of a library, . . . 729
NEW IPSWICH.
Introduction, ........ 730
Petition for authority to levy special tax, 1762, . . 731
Remonstrance of non-residents, 1763, .... 732
Relative to paying committee to locate a meeting-house,
176S, ......... 733
Relative to establishment of counties, 1769, . . . 734
Vote of town relative to lots, 1772, .... 734
XXXll
GENERAL CONTENTS.
Petition concerning same, ......
Petition for pay for service done in the war, and lists of
men who turned out on Concord alarm, .
List of men who turned out on Royalton alarm, .
Petition for pay for horses lost in the service.
Appraisal of estates of absentees, 177^'
Relative to oath of allegiance, 1783,
Relative to militia regiment, 17S5,
Service of Samuel Walker, .....
Petitions of John Thomas and Ezra Towne, soldiers.
Petition for an allowance for bounties.
Petition for the incorporation of New Ipswich Acad
emy, ........
Petition for a lottery for the benefit of said academy,
735
736
738
739
741
741
743
744
745
746
747
747
APPENDIX.
List of .Saratoga men, 1777, ....
Boscawen enlistments, 1776, ....
Boscawen, relative to John Allen,
Boscawen returns of soldiers, 1778 and 1779,
Bow, William Rogers's complaint, 1776,
Bow returns of soldiers 1776 and 1778,
Bow enlistments, 17S0, .....
Canterbury train band, .....
Canterbury enlistments, 177^' ....
Canterbury enlistments, 1780 and 1781,
Chichester, return of Capt. Cram's company, 1776,
Concord enlistments, 1779 and 1781, .
Agreement between the town of Exeter and Edmund
Oilman, 1647, ......
Deed of Wadononamin to Edward Hilton, 1660,
Docvnnents relative to a convention of delegates from
towns in Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, .
Address from said convention, ....
Address from Amos Dakin, chairman of said conven
tion, ........
Action of the legislature concerning same, .
Index to names of towns, places, etc., .
Index to names of all the persons mentioned in the vol-
ume, .........
751
is-^
15^
753
753
754
754
756
757
758
758
759
760
762
764
767
767
771
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
NOTE.
The documents in this volume were copied from the manuscripts in
Vols. IV, V, VI, and VII, of the collections of 1880, and Vols.
II and III, " Indian and French Wars and Revolutionary Papers," in
the office of the secretary of state. They are numbered to correspond
with the originals.
]^EW HAMPSHIEE
Early Town Papers,
GILMANTON.
This is one of the old townships, and was granted May
20, 1727, to Nicholas Oilman and one hundred and seventy-
five others, but was not settled until about 1761, when
Benjamin and John Mudgett moved into town with their
families and there settled.
The Masonian Proprietors claimed the land, but a settle-
ment was made whereby they relinquished their claim to all
but eighteen shares, giving the town proprietors a cjuit-
claim deed June 30, 1752.
Iron ore was discovered in the town, and works for the
manufacture of iron were built as early as 1763, but the
business not proving remunerative was in a few years aban-
doned.
Governor's Island was annexed to the town December
30, 1799. June 16, i8i2,the northerly part of the town was
set off and incorporated into a town by the name of Gilford.
July 5, 185 1, a tract of land was severed from this town and
annexed to Gilford.
By an act passed June 29, 1859, ^he town was divided,
and the north-westerly part incorporated into a town by the
name of Upper Gilmanton, which name was changed to Bel-
mont June 24, 1869.
Gen. Joseph Badger was the first magistrate, and for
many years a prominent citizen of the town. He was a
member of the council in 1784, i790-'9i, i795-'96. Gen.
Badger was born in Haverhill, Mass., January 11, 1722, and
died April 4, 1803 ; was grandfather of Gov. William Bad-
ger.
3
2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-8^^] \_Petitioii for AiitJiority to assess and collect Taxes.,
^737^-']
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq"" : Gov"" and Com-
mander/?z Chief in and Over His Majesty's Province of New
Hamp'"'' : The Hon''''' His Majesty's Council & House of Rep-
resentatives for Said Province in Gen' Court assembled —
The Petition of a Committee of the Proprietors of Gilman-
town in the Province afores'' in behalf of the said Proprietors
Humbly Sheweth — That the Propriet'^'' afore^"* live in Several
Towns within this Province & Some of them who became So
by Purchase live in the Province of the Mass"^ Bay — whereby
they can by no means already Provided, Collect the money
Voted by the Propriet" afores*^ to carry on the Settle m' &
other matters relating to the Said Townships & Propriety, any
further than they Voluntarily pay the Same. —
That for want of Legal Authority to Collect the Said money
the Settlem' of the Said Town is greatly Retarded, and an un-
equal Burthen bro't upon Such of the Said Proprietors as are
Diligent & forward in carrying on the Settlem* who are Some-
times obliged to pay more than their proportion to prevent a
total neglect of the Settlement.
That the Proprief^ who are zealously Concern'd to promote
the Said Settlem' have been at Great Charge to Cut a Way up
to the Said Township, & building houses of Defence, Laying
out their Lots &c — which they only have Defrayed —
Your Peticon'''' in behalf of tliemselves & their Constituents
therefore Humbly pray This Hon""'^ Court that you would be
pleased to Enable their Selectmen for the time being to tax the
Said Proprief^ to all Legal Charges relating to the Said Town-
ship And also the Constables or Collectors for the time being to
Levy the Same on the Lands & rights of the Propriet" who
Neglect to pay their Said Taxes in Season and to make Sale of
So much of the Said Lands of any Delinquent Proprief^ in the
Same or Some vSuch manner as Constables of Towns are En-
abled to do with the Goods of Such as do not Seasonably pay
their Town Rates or in Such other way & manner as you in
yo"" Great Wisdom & Goodness Shall See meet —
And Your Petition'^ as in Duty bound Shall ever pray &c
John Gilman
John Brown
In The House of Representatives. Voted That The Prayer
of the Petition'^'' be granted with this Amendment —
That the Constable before the Sale of any Lands Destraned
upon Give forty Days Notice in Some one or more of the pub-
lick Prints of the destres and Sale of Such Lands, and that y^
GILMANTON. 3
Lands So distraned upon be sold to the highest bider and after
the sale thereof if there be any overplush besides a Suficiency to
Pay that Assesment and the Charges acruing thereon, that y®
Constable pay the Said Surplusage to y^ vSelect men of S*^ Town
and there to remain in S'^ Select mens hands and y'' to remain,
in order for y'' Said Delinq' or Delinquents Proprieters to Draw
out the Same when they Demand It — and if not demanded be-
fore a new Asesment then to be disposed of to defray S"* Charges
of the new Asesments — Provided this act Continue for the Space
of ten years & no Longer and that the Sale of Such Lands be a
good title to y® Purchaser any Law usage or Custom to y" Con-
teray notwithstanding and that the Pet'^ have Libertv to Bring
a Bill accordingly
James Jeftrey Cle'' ass'"
In Coun' March 30"' 1737 —
Read and non-concurr'd unanimously —
Rich'' Waldron Sec^
[4-86] \_Pctitio)i of I)ihabita)its relative to a Road^ J/yo.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq""*^ — Captain General
and Governour in Chief the Hon'*''' Council and the Hon'''*
House of Representatives of His majesties province of New
hampshire in New England —
The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Gilmantown, Humbly shew that by an act of this Government
the proprietors of said Town were obliged to make a Road
through the same and that we have Been always Informed that
the Inhabitants had no Concern in it and the proprietors liave
Disobeyed the Courts order and voted that they would not make
the Road and the Courts Committee have Been obliged to Do it
and we understand that some of the proprietors of said Town
are Desirous that this Great and Honourable Court would order
that all the Lotts in said Town should be Taxed to pay that
Charge which we apprehend would be a Grievous Burden upon
us that are Inhabitants there for the Inhabitants have Ventur''
their Lives and fortunes to settle that town and have had no
help from the proprietors to make an}' Road in it or but a very
little and are obliged to be at the Expence of two Hundred Dol-
lars a Year to make and maintain their Necessary Roads and if
the Expence of making the province Road should be paid by a
Tax on the Lotts there is a Great Number of proprietors who
own Large Interest in the Common Lands that will pay Little
or nothing by Reason they have sold the Greatest part of what
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
is Laid out and at an Exorbitant price bv Reason of the settle-
ment and Roads we have made at our own Expence
Therefore your Petitioners Humbly pray that Your Excellen-
cy and this Great and Honourable Court would take the matter
into Consideration and Grant us some Releif as Your Excellen-
cy and Honours in your Great wisdom shall Judge proper
and your petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmantown afores*^ Nov"' zo'** 1770
Sami Fifield
John Dudley
Simeon Bean
Beniamin James
Samuel morrison
Joseph Avery
Abnar Clough
John Sanborn
Samuel Clough
Benjamin Weeks
Sam" Avery ju''
W"' Smith
Matthias Sawyer
David Edgerly
Philip Pain
Joshua Bean
NatW Wilson
Beniamin dow
Eliphalet Gilman
Gil man Lougee
Samuel hatch
Edward Lock
John Moody
Dudley young
Nath" Elkins
Samuel Gilman
Lemuel Rand
Benj* Avery
Andrew Glidden
John fox
Samuel Avery
John Been
Stephen Bean
Daniel folsom
Daniel Stevens
Nicholas Gilman
Benjamin Gilman
wintrop Gilman
Jeremiah Connor
David Elkins
Stephen dudley
Summersbee Gilman Edward Gilman
Jotham Gilman thomas mudeet
Ephraim morrill
Edw"^ Gilman jun
Ebenz'' Paige
Jonathan Edgerly
Joseph Philbrick
Samuel Ladd
Simeon mudget
Jude Bean
Jerem}' Cogswell
Jrimiah richisen
Jonathan Gilman
4-S7]
\^Petitioii for a AIagistrate.'\
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss.
To his Excelency the President and the Honourable Council for
Said State Convened.
The humble Petition of us the Subscribers being Lihabitants
of the southerly part of Gilmantown in the County and State
aforesaid humbly sheweth that whereas the said town of Gil-
mantown is large and Consisting of near Four Hundred Rate-
able Poles & as there is no person that is appointed and Qtialli-
fied as a Justice of the peace in the Southerly part of the Said
tovv^n as Afores'd and we Your Petitioners pray your Excelency
and Honours would appoint and Qriallify M"". John Shepard of
said town as a Justice of the peace for said County ; as we think
him to be a man of the best Qiiallification with us for the same :
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
GILMANTON.
5
Joshua Bangs
Nat' Oilman
John melcher
Daniel Evens
Reuben osGood
John Tucker
Theophilus Drew
Stephen Hutchinson
John Melcher juner
Benjamin Grant
scribner muget
Micajah Morrill
Ephraim morrill
Aaron moses
Joseph flanders
Samuel Osgood
Natha Wilson Jur
Paul Merrill
Stephen Ben"
Joseh Looge
John Swain J""
Jonathan Avery
Samuel Prescott
Winslo Page
John Lougee Jr
Samuel moses
Stephen Swain
Joseph Oilman jun
Samuel Smith Jun""
David meeder
Samuel Avery
Jonathan Flanders
Jonathan Hutchinson
Josiah Rundlet
Pitt Lougee
Sam'' Shepard
True Page
Elisha Hutchinson
Jonathan Oilman 3
Josiah Avery
Elisha Sweat
Nathan Morrill
Henery Barter
Oeorge Moses
John Chase
Joseph Jones
Ebenz'' Paige
Joseph young
Josiah Avery Juner
Jotham Oilman
John Huckins
Jeremy Cogswell
John Edgerly Jr
[Revolutionary Papers, Manuscript, pages 12 to 15.]
\^Letter from Col. Jos. Badge}' to Co7nmittec of Safety.'\
To the Hon"'' The Committee of Safety for the Colony of
New Hampshire — Oentlemen Pursuant to orders from Nath'
Folsom Esq Maj"" General I have proportioned the men sent for
on the several Companys in my Regiment and the ofhcers have
Returned the Names of the men and as sent for except two
wanting from Leavitts town [EfHngham] and two from IVliddle-
town, and as there is no militia officers chosen there I applyed
to the selectmen and Committee of Safety and they say that their
men are so many gone in the warr that they cant raise any more
as to Leavitts town if their should be danger of Indians I think
they are exposed as they are the outside and the selectmen dont
Incline to spare any out of their town and so I shall come four
short of the Number sent for which I hope you' please to abate
as Leavitts town Tamworth and Sandwich are frontier towns as
my Regiment is so Extensive for Land I have ordered my men
to'be muster'' next frieday at Oilmantown and to come prepared
to march forward as they shall have orders there is Between
fifty and sixty that are to pass muster who are to have Liberty
of Chusing their officers they have unanimously agreed upon
their Capt. and first Lieut, if they can have Incouragement they
will equip themselves and go with the men. the men will be
all mustered on frieday and ready to march and wait your fur-
6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ther orders I am Gentlemen your Hon" most obe* & Hvmi'
Sert
Gilmantown July y"" 15"^ ^77^ Joseph Badger Colonel
of the tenth Regiment of militia in the Colony of New hamp-
shire
\_Roll of Men of Col. Badger s Regiment., mustered fzily 2J^
1776.-]
Colony of New hampshire |
Straflbrd ss. j Gilmantown July 33'^ 1776
Pursuant to a vote of the Council and Assembly and bv orders
from the Major General of this Coloney I have Raised out of the
Regiment under my Command to Reinforce the Army supposed
to be at Crown Point the several men hereafter named as follows
viz
Mustered by James Knowles Esq and marched in Cap* Bad-
gers Company.
Joseph Badger Jr. Stephen Hutchins Stephen Scribner
John Parsons Nathaniel Dow John Fullerton
Francis Blake William Ray John Piper
Winthrop Durgan John Marston William Rogers
Bradbury Sinkler Ebenezer Blake John Folsom
Richard Sinkler Jonathan Magoon Stephens Burley
Jeramiah Richardson Samuel Meeloon William Burley
Stepen Dudley John Drake William Eastman
Robert Tibbitts Jonas Carter Chase Wiggin
David Clough John Cooley Jonathan IBuzzell
Joshua Sinkler Benj" Burley John Barker
John Avery Stephen Gilman Jonathan vSmith
Thomas Currier Ethridge Jonathan James
Jonathan Gilman John Glidden
Jabez James Jonathan Lary
Mustered by Coll Baker and gone in the same company
Ephraim Roberts John Powell
Mustered by Coll Baker and gone in Cap' Drews company
Joseph Runnils Job Allard Richard Colomy
John York Jesse Wiggins John Wentworth
William Chandler Henry Wentworth Benjamin Home
Peavey Josiah Wiggins
Benj'^ Moonev Listed with Cap' Harper
Samuel Winslow gone with Cap' Marston.
OILMAN TON. 7
Mustered by Col' Walker and gone with Cap' Shepard
Moses Randal Samuel Mackeriss Jonathan Morrison
Jonathan Smith Jr Thomas Crosbey Timothy Somes
Ezekiel Danford Jonathan Smith Elisha Cummins
65 men in all
There is eight wanting of the number required, which are
from Leavitts town two from Tamworth two from Middletown
three from Sandbornton one — The reasons are as follows viz.
Leavitts town having no officers nor selectmen nor Committee
of Safety I applied to Tho^ Parsons Esq who said that they were
so exposed being the frontier town that he thought it would not
be safe to spare any men out of that town, and did not think he
could possibly raise any
The Cap' of Tamworth writes to me that the state of their
town is that they have fourteen men now in the service and but
twelve men at home fit for duty but with great difficulty he has
obtained one man who appeared on muster day but on hearing
his complaint and the Captains Letter by advice of Deac Knowles
the muster master I Released him
The selectmen of Middletown were desired to Raise five men
that being their proportion and they made return that there
were so many of their men now in the service that they had
done all in their power and could raise but three men and on
muster day one of the selectmen came with two of the men and
said that the third was taken sick and like to remain so there
was but two mustered
The Cap' of Sandbornton sa3'S that they have twentv six men
now in the service but notwithstanding he raised the men sent
for but Col° Walker the muster master put by one by reason he
was so small and the Captain prays he may be excused from
raising another to supply his place by reason it would be attend-
ed with so much difficulty
Col' Evans Taxed me Publickly at Concord for obtaining an
order for my men to march by misrepresenting the number of
my Company but if I did it was what was Impossible for any
one to avoid for if I remember I wrote that my Company would
consist of Between fifty and sixty men and at that time I had
Return of five men from Wakefield five from New Durham,
one from Middletown and one from Tamworth, that they would
appear on muster day but afterwards ten of them enlisted with
Cap' Drew and one proved sick and one I released which no
man could foresee which twelve men added to forty four now
gone would make fifty six which would 1 think agree very near
with what I wrote Notwithstanding all Col' Evans parade
8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
about the superiority of his Regiment and of the ancient town
of Dover when we mett at Concord it was in the power of my
men to have chosen every officer but when the Cap* was chose
I spoke to my men and desired that the}' would consent that
Col' Evans'' men should Nominate the two Lieutenants which
they unanimously agreed to had CoP Evans'* men been more
in numbers than mine I believe it is the opinion of the Gentle-
men spectators that he would not have advised as I did. I would
not have been so troublesome but as my Character Laboured I
thought it necessary to sett the matter clear
I am your Honours most ob' Hum' Serv'
Joseph Badger
To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Colony
of New hampshire
[Ibid, p. 27.] \_RoU of Officers in Col. Badges-' s Reg't^ I77^''\
[Col. Badger's Tenth Regiment, as returned by him in
1776, was composed of the follow^ing companies:]
Field Officers
Joseph Badger Esq Colonel Ebenezer Smith Esq Lieu' Colonel
Vacant First major Bradbury Richardson Esq second major
First Company in Gilmantov\'n — Officers
Captain First Lieut. Second Lieut.
Nathaniel Wilson Joseph Philbrick Daniel Stevens
Ensign Jonathan Clark
Second Company in Wolfsborough not yet returned
Third Company in Sandbornton
Chase Taylor Josiah Sanborn Jacob Smith James Gibson
Fourth Company in Meredith
Joshua Chrockitt John Kimball William Ray Robert Bryant
Fifth Companv in Barnstead
Richard Sinkler Jonathan Emerson Samuel Pittman
Benjamin Nutter
Sixth Company in Moultonborough
Nathaniel Ambrose Johii Adams William Plaistead
Joseph Richardson
GILMANTON. Q
Seventh Company in New Durham
Robert Boody Shadrach Allard Thomas French John Glidden
Eighth Company in Sandwich
Daniel Beede Ju'' Joshua Prescott Josiah Bean Jacob Weed
Ninth Company in Middletown vacant
Tenth Company in Watcefield vacant
Eleventh Company in Leavitts town vacant
Twelfth Company in Gilmantown
John Moodey Samuel Ladd Simeon Bean Noah Dow
Tliirteenth Company in Tamwoith
Stephen Mason Jonathan Choat Joln^ Fowler
Jonathan Burgees
Fourteenth Company in the Gore [now Alton]
Joseph Robards Ephraim Chamberlain John Glidden
Timothy Davis
Dated at Gilmantown march y" 5"^ A : D : 1776
Joseph Badger Colonel
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
for the Colony of New Hampshire.
[R. 2-19] \^GiI))ianton Soldiers' Orders arid Receipt s.~\
Gilmanton march 17"' 17S3 Received of the Town of Gil-
manton Twelve pound Lawful money It being In full for my
part of my Husband Nehemiah Leavitts wages For one year
who Is a Soldier In the Continental army For said Town I say
Received by me From the 13"' Day of Febr^ 17S3
her
Sarah X Leavitt
mark
Test Benj" Sias Edw'' Gilman J''
To the Treasurer for the State of New Hampshire for the
time being please to pay unto the Select men of the town of Gil-
mantown the whole of the wages Due to me for my Service in
the Continental Army the Last year for said Town it being for
value Received of said Town
Ammi Choat
Gilmantown March y^ 21^' 1782.
lO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The following soldiers order their wages to be paid to
the town :
Benj^ Libbey, for six months in 1781.
Jonathan Taylor, for six months in 1781.
Joseph Morrill, for six months in 1781.
John Cotton, for six months in 1781.]
[R. 2-20]
[Samuel Saunders orders his wages to be paid to Jn** Nich-
olls ; John Taylor orders his to be paid to Joseph Badger;
Mary Parry orders the wages due her, as heir to her son,
Samuel Parry, deceased, to be paid to Penning Pickering,
and the selectmen certify that she is heir to said Samuel]
[4-90 \_Rettirfi of Ratable Polls, ^7^5 ''\
State of New Hamp'"
In the House of Representatives Nov"' 5"' 1783-
Voted, That the Selectmen of each Town & Place within this
State be directed to return under oath to the Assembly of this
State at their next Session the exact number of Male Polls from
twenty one years of Age & ujDwards paying for themselves a
Poll Tax within the said Towns and Places in Order to appor-
tion the Representation of this State according to the new Con-
stitution—
sent up for concurrence
John Dudley Speak'
In Council the same Day Read & concurred.
E. Thompson Sec''^
a True Copy
Attest" E Thompson Se'^
No 31^2 Polls In the Town of Gilmantown Paying for them-
selves a Poll Tax in the year 1783 — being the age of Twenty
One Years —
Gilmantown December the I3 17S3
Edward Oilman ) Selectmen of
Joseph Parsons ] Gilmantown
state of Newhampshire straf^brd ss —
Gilmantown, Decern'' y^ 13* 17S3
Then the above Named Edward Oilman and Joseph Par-
sons Personally appearing made solemn oath that the account
GILMANTON. I I
of the Number of Polls in the Town of Gilmantown by them
Exhibited as above is Just and true according to the best of their
Judgment sworn before Joseph Badger Justice of Peace
[4-91] \^Petitioii for a Alagistrate^ i^SSr^
To His Excellency the President of the state of New hamp-
shire and Honour'"''' the Council of s*^ state the Petition, of us
Inhabitants of the town of Gilmantown, —
Humbly sheweth — that the town, of Gilmantown, is a Large
tract of Land as Large as three six mile towns and that the
southeast part of said town are fully settled with Inhabitants
and that there is no Justice of the Peace within about five miles
of them, and it would be very Convenient to have one in that
part of the town. Your petitioners therefore pray Yoin* Excel-
lency and Honours that Cap' Joseph Parsons may be appointed
to that office he being in our opinion, a suitable person for the
office and Lives in the most Convenient place to serve the peo-
ple of that part of the town, and Your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmantow^n, Decem'' y"' 22"^ 17SS
David Bean Noah Dow Charles Rundlct
Joseph Huckinsjun'' John Nelson Samuel Greely
Robert Rogers Thomas Cogswell Peaslee Badger
Simeon Taylor Robert moulton Daniel Gale
Nathaniel Dow Peter Folsom Antipas Gilman Jur
Joseph Clifford Nath" Willson Jonathan Ross
Edward Gilman Ju John Sanborn peter folsom 3
John Gilman Thomas Flanders Ju""
Peter Gilman Simeon Copp
[Joseph Parsons was appointed January 28, 1789. — Ed.]
[4-92] \_Petitio7i to have Courts held at Norway Plains^
1789.-]
To His Excellenc}' the President the Hon*"'^ Senate and the
Hon'''^ the House of Representatives of the state of New
hampshire In General Court Assembled June y^ 4* 1789
The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town
of Gilmantown, in the County of straftbrd Humbly sheweth that
all the Courts of said County are now Held at Dover and Dur-
ham, which places are at the Very Lower End of the County
12
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and many of the Inhabitants of the County have to travel from
a Great Distance some fifty and some sixty miles which is a
Great hardship upon the people —
Therefore Your petitioners pray Your Excellency and Hon-
ours that all the Courts of said County may be moved to nor-
way plain, in Rochester in s'^ County where we apprehend to
be the most Convenient place as all the Roads seem to Center
there and a Convenient place for publick Buildings and Good
accommodations for the Court
And Yoiu" Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c
Joseph Badger
Daniel Grant
Abraham Smith
Benj* W" Dean
Noah Marsh
Jesse Louge
Peaslee Badger
Jeremiah Sanborn
Jacob Kelley
Elisha Odlin
Stephen Dudley Jr
Joseph Garman
Samuel Brown Jur Wiggin Taylor
Abraham Smith Jur Benjamin Stevens
John thurston Jeremiah Morrill
John Sincler Nicholas Gorden
Thomas Hayes Jonathan louge
Simeon Taylor Robert moulton
Andrew Page David vSanborn
William Thompson Daniel Moulton
Joseph Avery moses Page
Abner Evens Jur Jeremiah Gorden
Nehemiah Lousfe Nathaniel Dow
micajah Kelley
Daniel Gilman Ju""
Simeon Copp
Stephen Gilman
Samuel thurstan
Ephraim Libbee
Benjamin Smith
Nathanael Kimball
Benj" Dow
William Price
William Price jun
John Bond
John Marston
Joseph Clark
alexander Gorden
[On three other petitions of the same date and wording
are the following names : — Ed.]
Jacob Currier
Charles Rnndlet
Joshua Gilman Jr
William Rowell
Stephen Swain
Daniel Gale Jun
Ezekiel Hoit
Zebulon Gilman
Paul Merrill
Joseph Cliftbrd
David Bean
Jonathan Sargent
Simeon Bean
Jacob Rowe
Jacob Tucker
Isaac Currier
Jeremiah Chandler
Mark Emerson
Jonathan flanders
Jotham Gilman
William Rand
vSamuel Follett
Peter Gilman
Joshua Gilman
Samuel Dockham
Isaac Batchelder
Stephen Bean
Samuel Mudget
William Casey
James Elkins
John Nelson
James Ladd
Jonathan gilman
John Swain
Joseph Gale
Richard Jones
Joseph Huckins
Nicholas Gilman
William Nelson
John Bean Ju
Jonathan Dow
Benjamin Pain
Dudley Hutchinson
John Swett
John elkins
GILMANTON.
13
Sami Fifield
Jeremiah Richeson
Peter folsom
BartholomewGilma
John Weeks
William Dame
Samuel maxfeald
David Folsom
Scribner Mudgit
David Fifield
Ebenezer Stevens
Perkins Dow
William Louge
Dudley Oilman
Peter Dudley
David meeder
Ebenezer Page
Winthrop Giluman
Samuel Smith
Micajah Morrill
Jude Bean
Jeremiah Connor
W" Smith
Dudley Milman
Paul Bickford
John Parsons
Enoch Hvmt
Samuel Prescott
Samuel Clough
Nath" Webster
Samuel F. Oilman
Samuel Blasdel
Abel Hunt
Stephen Leavitt
Samuel Ladd
William Bennet
Jacob Jevvett
Nathaniel Oale
John Sanborn
Charles Currier
Jeremy Connor
Dudley Oilman
Samuel Oilman Jr
David Clough
Joseph Richardson
John Lang Weeks
Caleb James
Jacob Oale
Joshua Bradford
Jonathan Elkins
n Joseph Richardson
Daniel folsom
Joseph Morrill
Matthias Weeks
Bezaleel Beede
Samuel osgood
John fifield
Peter Bean
william Edwards
Joseph Huckinsjun
Jonathan Ross
Stephen Dudley
Ezekiel Edgerlv
Hibbard Morrill
Samuel Oreeley
Joseph voimg
Zebediah Wattson
Ebenezr Page Jr
Joseph voung Ju''
Antipas Oilman
Samuel Oilman
Dudley Prescott
Israel Farrar
Nath' Wilson
Rul)en osOood
Thomas Flanders Ju""
Samuel Tilton
Lowel Sanborn
Philbrick Row
Levi Oilman
Stephen Oale
Samuel Jewett
Samuel Jewet
David Page
John Shepard
John Bean
Jonathan Oilman Ju
Stephen prescutt
Jonathan Folsom
Jeremi Richardson
Jur
Benjamin Weeks
Thomas Sewall
Jonathan Morrison
Daniel Row^ell
Nathan Heart
Nathaniel Oilman
Benjamin Richardson
Thomas morill
wintrip Barret
Matthias Weeks Ju
Elish Sweat
Joseph Jones
Nathaniel Tilton
Caleb Bean
Noah Dow
Israel French
John Dudley
Dudley Young
Jeremy Cogswell
Ira kimball
Edward Oilman Ju
Timothv Smith
Isaiah Clough
Joshua Bangs
Thomas Oilman
Jonathan Nelson
Jonathan Oilman
John moody
Ephraim Bickford
James Chase
Abner Clough
John Tilton
Josiah Rundlett
Benjamin thurstan
Jacob Rundlet
Malachi Daveis
John Oilman Jun'
John Mash
John Wadleigh
Jon a flagg
thomas foster
William Parsons Jr
Jonathan Prescott
Jonathan Rundlet
John Bradbury
Eben'' Eastman
Benj" Richardson
Samuel Young
John Edgerly
Simeon Hoyt
14 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
wintrop Oilman Jonathan Thing winthrop Thing
John Bennet jun'' Noaii Weeks Jabez James
John Folsom Nath Weeks Josiah Weeks
Benja Bodge Jeduthan farrar Jonath Edwards
William Morrison Samuell Clark Enoch Clark
Joseph Badger 3'^ Robert Morrison George Wamouth
Joshua Mudget Simeon Mason Levi Bean
Edward Bean Saml Ames
[4-96] \_Action of Town relative to Gihnanton Academy^
1792.']
At a Legal Town meeting held by the freeholders and other
Inhabitants of Gilmanton on Thursday the Eighth day of March
1792—
Voted to Choose a Committee to Consist of Twenty men to
take under their Consideration the appropriating the School
Right in said Town for a Publick Academy to be set up in
some Convenient place in said Town and to make report at the
adjournment of this present meeting —
Co' Antipas Oilman Mj"' Samuel Ladd Thomas Cogswell Esq""
L' Samuel Folsome Oilman D'' Jonathan Hill Co' Badger Col
Oreeley Capt Joseph young Thomas Taylor Benj" Weeks Esq""
William Price Joseph Parsons Esq"" Hon Joseph Badger Esq"^
John Shepard Esq'' U Dudley Thing Josiah Avery Micajah
Morrill Moses Page Rev*^ M' Smith and M"' Powers were Chos-
en for the above Committee
Voted to adjourn this present nieeting to the first monday in
May Next at Two of the Clock in the afternoon
Monday May 7"' i79-^ pursuant to the adjournment met
Voted to Except the Committes Report respecting the appro-
priating the School Right to the benefit of an Academy in said
Town and is as follows —
April 19* 1792
at a meeting of the Committee to Consider of the propriety
and advantage of Establishing an Academy in Oilmanton
Voted I*' that it is the sense of the Committee that establishing
an Academy in this Town would be useful to the Inhabitants
and beneficial to the Publick —
2'^ Voted as it has been Represented to the Committee that
the value of five Hundred pounds would be subscribed by Indi-
viduals for the above purpose therefore under these Consider-
ations We the major part of your Committee do agree and it is
our Opinion that the appropriation of the School Right towards
GILMANTON. 15
Establishing an Academy in this Town would be agreable to
the Spirit of the Charter and the design of Goverment and there-
fore that it ought to be appropriated accordingly
Isaac Smith W"" Price Joseph young "^ ^
Micajah Morrill Antipas Oilman Thomas Cogswell -y
Samuel Greeley Joseph Badger Ju' Walter Powers [ 'g
Moses Page Ben'f Weeks Joseph Badger
Dudley Thing Samuel Ladd Joseph Parsons
John Shepard
upon the Towns voteing to receive the above Report of the
Committee Respecting the School Right in Gilmanton, voted
that the whole of said Right Excepting the Northwest half part
of the first Division forty acre Lot which is reserved for Public
uses be Given and Granted forever hereafter for the benefit and
Support of an academy in said Town of Gilmanton when ever
there shall be a Sufficient fund subscribed to Set up the same
attest W" Smith Town Clerk
At a Legal Town meeting held by the freeholders and other
Inhabitants of Gilmanton on Monday the 37"" Day of Inst,
(meaning) August 1792
Voted to Choose a Committe to consist of Seven men to take
the Charge of the Right of Land voted at the last Town meet-
ing for the use of an Academy in Said Town and to apply to
the General Court to procure an act for Incorporation and to
open a Subscription for the benefit of said Academy
Hon. Joseph Badger Esq"" Co^ Ebenezer Smith Co' Samuel
Greeley Joseph Parsons Esq"" Co' Antipas Gilman Thomas
Cogswell Esq' and Joseph Badger Ju'' Esq"" were Chosen for the
above Committee
attest W" Smith Town Clerk
At the annual Town meeting held by the freeholders and
other Inhabitants of Gilmanton March 14"" 1793
voted that the proposed Academy shall be set on Co' Badgers
Land within Thirty Rods of the School House by Huckins'
Brook so Called —
voted to adjourn said meeting to Monday 35th of March In-
stant at one oClock P M —
March 35"* Met according to adjournment
The vote that was passed fixing the place where the proposed
Academy should Set is voted to be reconsidered
Voted that a meeting be Called by the Selectmen and be
Seasonably Notified to he held on the first Monday in Septem-
ber to determine where the proposed Academy Shall set
Attest Joseph Parsons Town Clerk
1 6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
At a Legal meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabitants
of Gilmanton on Monday the Second day of September 1793
voted that the proposed Academ}' shall be Erected on Joseph
Badger Jun'' Esq"" Land near Huckis** Brook within fifty Rods
of the School House
attest Joseph Parsons Town Clerk
[4-97] \_Thojnas Cogswell to Hon. Abiel Foster relative to
the Academy r^
Amherst 14"^ June 1794 —
Sir—
The duties of my Office require my attendance on Tuesday
next, at Moultonborough, Eighty or ninety Miles from this
place — Since I was before the Hon' Senate a Doubt has arisen,
whither the Land voted by the Town, of Gilmanton for the use
of an Academy, can be holden for the use of Such an institu-
tion ; If it should turn out that they cannot be holden, there
would be a great impropriety in the vote of the Town carrying
so large a feature in the Act — What amendments the Hon'" Sen-
ate may propose — I shall be so unfortunately situated, as not to
know at present — vmder these circumstances. If my Proposals
of amendment should not meet the approbation of the Hon'^
Senate, & no relieaf granted, I must, under all circumstances
request the Hon'" Senate to Postpone the Bill until the next
Session of the Gen' Court — Perhaps before that time we shall
compromise & Settle the matter, which at present appears to
be in dispute between us —
I am Sir with much etseem Yours &c —
Thomas Cogswell —
Hon' Abiel Foster
[4-9S] \^TJiomas Cogsxvell to Hon. John Prentice^ relative
to the Acade7)iy .^
Amherst June iz"" 1794 —
Sir
it often happens that a Citizen doing Business with the Leg-
islative Body of the State is under the Necessity through you
to Communicate his Sentiments on a Subject that is not only
interesting to himself but the jDublic, under these circumstances
I trust it will be a Sufficient appoligv for me to request you to
lay before the Representative Body of this State the following
Sentiments — Viz. — Sometime Since the Town of Gilmantown
appointed Joseph Badger Esq and others a Committee to open
GILMANTON. If
a Svibscription for the Benefit of an Accademy in Said Town,
and to apply for an Act of incorporation early in this Session a
Petition was prefer'd to this Honerable Body for an Act of in-
corporation of an Accademy in Said Town and an Order of
this Court Issued with Leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.
The Act for that purpose now under consideration contains a
Clause fixing the place of said Accademy in Said Town which
to me appears to exceed the power of the Committee or agents
from the Town. — to exceed the request of the Petitioners, to
Exceed the Order of Court thereon and is difterant from any
other grant of this kind, known in the Union — it will have a
tendency (if So continued) to enhance the Board of pupils and
many ways discourage and hinder the increase and prosperity
of Such a Semminarv of Learning — under these considerations,
I Flatter myself it will be considered when I Suggest the Idea
of the Clause fixing the Accademy at a Certain place to be
Struck out, that I have no other view than the General Good —
I am Sir
with Every Sentiment of Esteem
your Most Obe* hum' Servant
Thomas Cogswell
The Hon*"'® John Printis Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives Stat N Hampshire
[4-99
To the Honourable the senate and House of Representatives
for said state Humbly shew
We the subscribers agents appointed by the Town of Gilman-
ton, to apply to the General Court for an Incorporation of an
academy in Gilmanton, we therefore pra}^ Your Honours that
an act of the General Court may be Passed for the establish-
ment of said academy with Powers and privileges Enjoved by
other academys in said state and Your Petitioners as in Duty
Bound shall Ever pray &c
Dated at Gilmanton, May y'^ 5"' 1794
Joseph Badger Eben"" Smith Antipas Oilman
Samuel Greeley Joseph Parsons Thomas Cogswell
Joseph Badger Jr
[Gilmanton Academy was incorporated June 20, 1794,
with the following gentlemen as trustees : Hon. Joseph
Badger, Rev. Isaac Smith, Rev. Joseph Woodman, Rev.
Jedediah Tucker, Rev. Simon Fenley Williams, Joseph Bad-
ger, Jr., Thomas Cogswell, Ebenezer Smith, Joseph Parsons,
and Samuel Greeley. The institution has been successful,
and numbers many eminent men among its alumni. — Ed.]
4
l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
GILSUM.
This town was granted December 28, 1752, to Joseph
Osgood and others, by the name of Boyle. None of these
grantees ever settled in the town, probably on account of
the depredations of the Indians, and the grant was forfeited.
It was regranted July 13, 1763, to Samuel Gilbert and
others. Said Gilbert and Thomas Sumner were prominent
in procuring the grant. Their families were connected by
marriage, and the town was named by taking the first sylla-
ble of each name and coining the word Gilsum.
Jonathan Bliss and Josiah Kilburn were the first settlers,
in 1762. March 9, 1769, the west part of the town was set
off, and, with a portion of Westmoreland, incorporated into
the town of Surry.
September 27, 1787, the south-east part of the town was
set off, joined with portions of Keene, Stoddard, and Pack-
ersfield (Nelson), and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.
A dispute relative to the boundary line between this town
and Stoddard was settled by an act passed June 27, 1797,
by which the " curve line of Mason's Patent" was made the
dividing line of the two towns, and Gilsum lost another tract
of land.
In 1873 a few acres of land were taken from Sullivan and
annexed to this town.
Every man in town signed the " Association Test," and
the town did its full share in the Revolutionary war and in
the suppression of the Southern Rebellion.
Among the prominent men of the town was Hon. George
W. Hammond, for many years an eminent physician. He
was a member of the constitutional convention of 1850,
member of the state senate in 1855-56, and died January
30, 1872, at the age of 70 years.
[4-1 11] {^Petition for a Grant of the Townships i'j§2.'\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Gov'' of the Prov-
ince of New^ Hampshire &c.
Humbly Shews —
The Petition of William Lawrence of Groton & Thomas
Read of Westford in the Province of the Massa"^ That they to-
gether With fifty Six more of their Neighbours Are desireous
GILSUM. 19
of Setling a township in the Province of New Hampshire many
of them not Having a Sufficiency of Lands in the Massachusetts
to Employ them Selves in Husbandr}- And haveing Account of
a tract of Land Yet ungranted by Your Excellency, that we
Apprehend is Capable of Setlement. (which Lyes Northerly of
the Upper Ashuelot and Westmoreland and Easterly from Wale-
pool Adjovning to those towns, and Extends Eastward to make-
the Contents of Six miles Square) and in case we may Obtain
the favour of your Excellency in making us a grant on y'' Con-
ditions, Other of his Majesty s Lands there are Gi'anted, Shall'
make a Spedy & Eftectuall Setlement there
Wherefore we pray that v"' Excellency would See meet to fa-
vour us with Libertv to Survey the Same Under your directions,.
And that we mav Obtain a Grant Accordingly And as in Duty
bound Shall pray &c
Groton March 16: 1752 William Lawrence
Thomas Read
[4-1 10] \_Petition to have the Charter lengthened out, iy6j.'\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Gov'' & Com-
mander in Chief in and Over his Majesty's Province of New
Hamp' and To the hon*''* his Majesty's Council for Said Prov-
ince
The memorial of Thomas Sumner in Behalf of himself &
Others Prop'''* in the Town of Boyle in Said Province, Shews
That in the Year 1752 Your Excell-^' & Honors Granted the
Townsliip of Boyle upon the Conditions & imder the restric-
tions as Per Charter Declar'd —
That by the Litervention of the Late War your Memorialist'*
Constituents have been (till Very Lately) Prevented from Doing
the Duty, but Notwithstanding they have Sever'd & Drawn by
Lotts the Said Tract of Land to & among all the Prop", that
Many of Your Memorialists Constituents are now Actually Liv-
ing with their familys on S'' Tract of Land & Many More Going
Early In the Spring & there are Now Many Acres ofWHieat
Sowd there & In all Probability the Township Will be Intirely
Settled According to the True & Intent & Meaning of the Grant
by Next Summer But as the Time Prefix'd in the Grant Was
Elaps'd & that Before it Was Possible (for the reason afores*^)
for 'em To Enter & Improve, they Conceive it Absolutely Nec-
essary that Your ExcelP' & Honors (if you think fit) Sho"^ Grant
a Suspension of the forfeiture & further indulge 'em with Such
a Term of time as they may be Enabled to fulfill the Duty afore-
said & are Encouraged to Ask the fav"" Because your Exc^ &
20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
honors are Wonted To Endulge Prop''^ in the Like Circumstan-
ces & Your MemoriaHst Shall Ever pray —
Jan^' 24 1763. Tho^ Sumner
[The foregohig petition was granted by a regrant of the
township by the name of Gilsum, July 13, 1763. — Ed.]
[4-109] \^Relatlve to Boundary Line betzveen this town and
Stoddard r\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq''^ Cap' General Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief in & Over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New Hamp'' The Hon*^'^ his Majestys Council for Said
Province —
The Memorial of Sampson Stoddard & Jonathan Blanchard
for themselves & Others Prop"'^ of a Tract of Land Called Mo-
nad*" N° 7, in Said Province Shew
That on the 13"^ day of July 1763 his Majesty by his Letters
Patent under the Seal of Said Province Granted a Tract of Land
of the Contents of About Seven Miles Square to Samuel Gil-
bert Esq"' & Others by the Name of Gilsum That a Considera-
ble part was Laid out (as We apprehend By Mistake) within
Masons Patent So Called Long Since Granted, to us & asociates
That the Grantees of Said Gilsum have faild Making any Set-
tlement on any part So falling within Masons Claim that to pre-
vent Disputes Between his Majestys Good Subjects We pray
that We May be Allow*^ to Improve our Lands as far West as
the Patent Line afores** for the Benefit of our Selves & Fam-
ilys — without Any Literuption from the Grantees of Gillsom &
We as In Duty bound shall Ever pray —
Sampson Stoddard
Portsm" July 13, 1768 — J^^"" Blanchard
[The foregoing was granted. See introduction. — Ed.]
[4-108] \_Relative to Gen. yames Reed., i'jy§.'\
To the respectable Body of Delegates Assembled in Provin-
cial Congress at Exeter in New Hampshire — The Petition of a
Considerable number of the Inhabitants of Said Province.
Humbly Sheweth — That your Petitioners are Strongly at-
tached to the true Interest, welfare and safety of this their native
Country, and are willing to Exert themselves to the utmost in
GILSUM. 21
the Defence of their Just and Constitutional rights and Privi-
ledges and imagine that any man or Bodies of men who en-
deavor to wrest them from us ought to be anathematized —
It is real anxiety and concern for our Distressed Country,
which causes us thus to trouble you at this time. Your Petition-
ers apprehend (not that we would Presume to Dictate) that all
Persons who have in any measure or Degree Discovered them-
selves inimical to those Persons, (who have from the first rise
of the Controversy Betwixt Great Brittain and the Colonies, ap-
proved themselves to their Fellow Countrymen true and Disin-
terested Patriots, or those who have Derided and Set at nought
the Proceedings and resolutions of the united Wisdom of the
Colonies in the Late Continental Congress) ought not to Sustain
any Office, Either Civil or military in this Critical conjuncture
of aftairs — Upon a review of these Sentiments, we were not a
Little Surprised to here that James Reed Esq of Fitzwilliam
was not only in nomination but Actually Appointed a Com-
mander of a Regiment in the Army to be raised for Defending
those rights and Immunities which, by some past Conduct we
have reason to think were not very highly Esteemed by him ; it
is truely painfull for us, thus to Impeach the Character of a re-
puted Gentleman, much more that, of one who otherwise is
really so ; yet we imagine the Exigency of our affairs will in a
Great Measure, if not altogether, attone for Such a Measure of
Proceedure, — We Earnestly Desire that neither he or any other
Person (who have not Approved, themselves Steady and real
Friends to the Great and Glorious Cause in which w^e are En-
gaged) Should be Promoted Either in the Civil or Military
Lists, Gentlemen Your Influence in this matter will Oblige
Thousands besides Your Humble Servants
May S"" 1775 Jonathan Smith
Joshua Darte
thos Darte Ebenezer Dewey Ebenezer Dewey ju
Gershom Crocker John Row John Row jun''
Pelatiah Pease John Chapman Thomas Harvey
Josiah Goldsmith
[4-107] \_Relative to a Wire Factoiy^ ///d.]
To the Honorable Council and house of Representitves of the
Colony of New Hampshire.
The Petetion of Joel Kilbourn of Gillsum in said Colony
Humblv She\veth Whereas Your Petetionor being Desirous to
Carry on the Business of Makeing Wire and having found by
Experience that he can make any Size of iron Wire to Good
Perfection yet not being able to Set up the Works unless said
22 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wire is Sold at much Grater Price than usal — Therefore Hum-
bly Desires Your Honours to take the matter into Consideration
and if in Your Wisdom You think Proper to Encourage Said
Manafacture by Allowing Your Petitioner a Sum that may En-
able him to Set up s'' works he will Engage to Sell Said Wire
as Cheap as Possable he Being Desireous to Serve the publick
in the Best Manner he is able for Which Great Liberality tow-
ards him and the Public your Petetioner as in Duty bound Shall
Ever pray —
Gillsum May 24"' 1776 Joel Kilburne •
We the Subscribeis being Desireous that the Manufacture of
makeing Wire may be Set up and being Acquainted with the
ingenuity and fidelity of the Petetioner by his Desire have Set
our Names here to Stephen Griswold | 01
Ebenezer Dewey Ju
Pelatiah Pease
Signers in Keen
Ephraim Dorman Tho'' Baker James Hunt
Tho'* Wells Jolm Houghton Benj" Hall
Elijah Blake Achilles Mansfield Silas Cook
Benj Archer Rob' Gillmor Israel Houghton
Eliph' Briggs Joseph Blake Daniel Kingsbury
Josiah Richardson William woods Simeon Washburn
[4—103] \_J^eIative to Collection of Taxes^ jy82.'\
Cheshire ss June 7* 17S3
Then Personally appeared James Roe Constable for the
Town of Gilsum for the Year 17S0 and to whom a Warrant was
directed and delivered for Collecting the Qiiota of Continental
Money for said Town of Gilsum, assessed upon said Town
agreeable to an Act passed the Gen' Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire March i:;th 17S0, for calling in the s*^ States quota or
Propoi'tion of the Bills of Credit emitted by the Continental
Congress, and after being Carefully examined and cautioned to
testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth made
Oath, that the enclosed Continental Currency counted by, and
told by me amounting in the whole to seven hvmdred and twelve
dollars and four shillings was taken and received, the same
Identical Money upon the Rate to me delivered, 3nd upon s*^
Warrant, before the twenty seventh day of June 17S1 and is part
of the said Roes collection on said Warrant and none of said
Money was received after the said twenty seventh day of June
Tho^ Baker Just Peac^
GILSUM. 23
[4-104] \_Retztrn of Ratable Polls^ 1284.']
Surry 23'' March 17S4
To Nath' S Prentice Esq"" — Representative for Alstead Surry &
Marlow
Sir from the principle Inhabitants of Gilsom the Town Class*^
with Surry we are certified that there is Sixty Eight Male polls
paying Each One a poll Tax for himself within there Town
which you may venture to certify to the Gen^ Court at your
Option Lem^^ Holmes Town Clark Surry
[4-105]
The legal Voters of the town of Gilsum that are quallefied
acording to law^ to vote for repi-esentation are 71
Dated at Gilsum Levi Bliss ) Select
March 26"* 1784 Ebenezer Church j Men
[4-106] \^Petition for a New Townr^
Cheshire ss State of New Hampshire
To the Town of Packerfield in said county the Petetion of us
the Subscribers Humbly Sheweth —
That Whereas your humble petetioners Living in the most
Remote Corners of the Several Towns viz the Northeast Corner
of Keen the Southeast Corner of Gillsom and the South west
Corner of Stoddard many of us living Six or Seven miles from
publick Worship and the roads being exceding bad and by rea-
son of many inconveniences we labour under on that Account —
we therefore humbly pray that the Town of Packerfield would
take our Circumstances into Consideration and insert an Article
in the Warrant or Notification of your next Annual meeting to
Se if it be the minds of the Town to Set oft" Some part of your
Town viz from the Northwest Corner East Two Miles and
South two Miles and half that so with the Corners of the Above
mentioned adjoining Towns we should be able to form a Dis-
tinct Town — which Request if Granted we your Humble pete-
tioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray —
To the Hon Select men of the Town of Packerfield
Jonathan Burnam John Rowe Timothy Dewey
Thomas Morse William Burnam Samuel Seward
Oliver Carter Ezra Osgood Timothy Dimock
24 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathan Bolster Nathan Ellis Simeon Ellis
Benj" Ellis Jonathan Horton Josiah Seward
Joseph Ellis Joshua Osgood Ezra Metcalf
Zadock Nims Eliakim Nims David Rugg
Roswell Hubbard Erastus Hubbard James Lock
Ebenezer Birdet James Rowe
Packersfield march y^ 29"^ 17S6
Voted to aloue the within Protision
Provided that the other Parts Jenly and Severly Jone togather
Consider osgood ) Select
Amos Child I men
[4-103] [ Cei-tijicate of 'Vote of Town, lyS'/.']
Gilsum Sep' 10* AD 1787
This may Certify the Honourable General Court of the State
of Newdiampshire Next to be holden at Charlestown That at A
Legal town INIeeting of the inhabitants of Gilsum holden in said
town the first Day of December Last the third article in the
Warrant for Said Meeting Being to Se if the town would take
any method to oppose the East Part of the town Being Set off
Passed in the Negative it Being the Last time that any Article
has Been inserted in any Warrant for That purpose —
A true Coppy
Attest Timothy Dewey T. Clerk
[4-101]
Gilsum December i"* 17S6
This may Certify the Honourable general Court of this State
that the town of Gilsvmi Have Been Servd with a Coppy of the
petition and order of Court thereon with Regard to Being incor-
porated into a Distinct town when Connected with a part of
Stoddard keene and packersfield agreeable to a petition sent to
the honourable Court the Last sessions —
Jonathan Adams ) Select
Ebenezer Bill j men
[The south-east corner of the town was set off, and, with
portions of Stoddard, Nelson, and Keene, incorporated into
the town of Sullivan by an act passed Sept. 27, 1787. — Ed.]
GOFFSTOWN.
25
\^Non-Reside7it Land- Owners^ lygj.']
[An inventory of Gilsum, certified May 30, 1793, by Za-
doc Hurd and Robert Lane Hurd, selectmen, and sworn to
before David Blish, gives the following non-resident land-
owners.— Ed.]
Josiah Kilburn
John Biggelow
Jonathan Lovelaud
Noah Beebe
Uriah How
Nathan Hayward
Eliphelet Dart
Samuel Gilbert's heirs
Philip Munro
Levi Blood
Jobe Gleason
Oliver Prime
John Boyinton
Moses D. Field
Jonathan Smith
Benony Olcutt
Jonathan Ramont
Abel Allen
Isaak Hammond
Woolston Brockway
Unprey Lion
Joseph Sibley
GOFFSTOWN.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors in
1748 to Rev. Thomas Parker, of Dracut, Mass., and others.
It took its name from Col. John Goffe, and in the act of in-
corporation it is given " Goff's Town."
It was incorporated June 16, 1761, by the governor and
council of New Hampshire, to continue a corporate body
until March 25, 1763 ; and April 5, 1763, the incorporation
was revived, to continue "until we shall please to approve or
disallow the same."
July 2, 1822, a portion of the town was taken, and, with
portions of Dimbarton and Chester, incorporated into the
town of Hooksett.
June 20, 1825, some islands in Merrimack river were an-
nexed to the town.
June 18, 1836, the farm of Isaac Parker was severed from
New Boston, and annexed to this town.
The line between Dunbarton and Goffstown was estab-
lished by an act passed Jan. 7, 1853.
July I, 1853, a portion of Goffstown was annexed to Man-
chester, the town previously extending to the Merrimack
river.
26 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 1 3] \_Relative to Church j\Iatters.~\
County of Hillsborough Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Cap' General &
Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire, and to the Honorable his Majesties Coun-
cil, and House of Representatives
We his Majesties loyal Subjects, living in the town of Gofts-
town in S*^ Province, beg leave to ofler to your Excellency &
Honors our Remonstrance against the Petition of a Number of
the Inhabitants of S*^ town, who call themselves Presbyterians,
and who have prayed your Excellency & Honors to set them of
as a distinct Parish — and to be invested with priviledges as
such.
We humbly beg leave to inform your Excellency & Honors,
that the Town of Goftstown is by no means at present able to
Support two Ministers of the Gospel, and the Salary which
they now give is very Small, by reason of their incapacity ; as
was said when voted & therefore voted part to be paid in labour
& in the Necessaries of Life, the town Subsists of about ninety
Families ; Soiue of which are under very poor Circumstances,
not able to raise their own Bread Corn — or Scarcly to clothe
themselves and Children in any comfortable & decent Manner.
And the town Considering the illconveniences which would
unavoidably arise from their Being at present, in their weak
Circumstances set of into two distinct Parishes, proposed &
offered at a legal town Meeting, to those who were inclining to
be Presbyterians — that if they would assist & dwell together in
Love as becometh people professing Godliness — when ever it
should be supposed by reasonable & indifferent Persons, that
the town was able in a decent Manner to support two Ministers
— they would assist them in building a Meeting as far as they
had already assisted in building the present One. this proposal
was rejected by them —
We would likewise beg leave to acquaint your Excellency &
Honors that some of the Petitioners who want to be erected into
a distinct Parish in Goffstown, were never Inhabitants of S^
town, neither were ever rated in S*^ town Some of those which
live in S*^ town were never educated, in what they call the
Presbyterian Way, but thro' the importunity of others were
perswaded to joyn them
It is likewise certain that a learge Number of them have had
their Children baptized by congregational Ministers & without
the least dissatisfaction —
therefore we pray your Excellency & Honors to consider our
Circumstances, and how unhappy we should be, if made into
GOFFSTOWN.
27
two distinct Parishes — neither Parish would be able to support a
gospel Minister among them, & of consequence both must be
destute — and being bound in Duty Shall Ever pray
Ebenezer Wood
Benjamin Richards
Joseph Sanders
Jonas Hestins
Benjamin Stevens
juner
Timothy farrain
Hannary Dow
Samuel Sanders
Benj Tiffany
Sam Blodget
Aaron wells
Jonathan Martain
Thomis Stevens
his
Richard -}- Colby
mark
Richai^d Collins
Joshua Martain
Moses Littel
John Sargant
Andrew Kimbal
Joseph Hadley
Tho" Huse
Benj. Richards
moses Littel
Tho" Stevens
Jonathan Stevens
Elez : Emerson
Tim^ Stevens
Benj. Dow
Jos. Dow
John Smith
Simon Tuttel
Robert Richardson
Tho'* Karr
John Gorge
Jonathan Stevens
Joseph Emons
Joseph Dow juner
Simon Tuttle
Eleezer emmison
Obadiah House
Jothan Tuttle
Benjamin Stevens
Job Dow
hb
John -\- Colby
mark
Henry Hlasdel
moses wells
Joseph O Wady
David Hall
Alex^ Walker
John : George
John Clogston
John Hadley
Enoch Page
widow Butterfield
Job dow
Eb'' wood
Joseph Littel
Joshua Corles
Eb"" Johnson
Jos. Dow Ju"^
Jotham Tuttel
Samuel Richards
Hugh macCalley
Jacob Sargaint
Timothy Stevens
James Eaton
Benjamin Dow
Josiah Wood
William Bell
Enoch Page
Joseph Dow
Joseph Little
Thomas Saltmarsh
Philip Noyes
Ezekiel Wells
Moses Wells iur
Job Kider
Elias Sargant
Caleb Kimbal
asa Pettey
John Davis
Philip Ferren
Enoch Eatton
Sam' annes
Benj Steven Ju'
Rob"" Gill more
Benj Stevens
Geor : Hadley
Tim-^' Johnson
Henry Dow
Tim-^ Ferren
[4-1 14] \^Petition from Presbyterians^ i'/'ji.'\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire in N England And to the Hon-
orable his Majestys Council and House of Representatives in
General Assembly convened
The humble Petition of his IVLijesty's Subjects Inhabitants of
Goflestown and Province aforesaid sheweth
28
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That your Petitioners most or all of them have been educat-
ed in the Presbyterian persuasion and look on themselves as
bound in conscience still to adhere to the same persvvasion
That your Petitioners generally inhabit one part of the said
Goffestown which renders their associating together for public
Worship more convenient
That your Petitioners have had some Supply of Preaching
from the Presbytery to which we are connected and expect
more from time to time and soon to be in a capacity (through
Providential Smiles) to build a Meeting House and settle a
Minister of their own persuasion
May it therefore please your Excellency and Honors impar-
tially to consider the premises and by your Authority to enact
that your Petitioners may be a distinct Society cloathed with
Parish powers that so they may be in a legal Capacity of levy-
ing Parish Charges and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray &c
Dated at Goffestown November 2.^ 1771
William M=Doal Thomas Shirla
Alexander Gilchrist John Dunlap
John Gilmore
John Orr
Daniel M'^Farland
Tho^ Miller
Tho' Kennedy
Wilam M<^ferson
James Barr jun''
Silas Walker
John Dinsmore
Robert Spear
Sam'M'^Farland
Alexander Kennedy
James M'^Ferson
James Barr
Samuel Kennedy
George Cunningham
David M<=Cluer
George Adison
James Marr
James M'^ferson jun''
Daniell Marr
Robart Kennedy
James Moor
Joseph Kennedy
Alexander M'^Coy
John M'^ferson Late of Haverhill now of Bedford
William Dunlap Belongs to Chester
John Butterfield Bread a Congregational
Antipas Dodge Bread Congregational
Jn° Little Swore he would do all in his power to Ruen Goffs-
town
Daniel Allen not Rated
David Currier Bread a Congregational
[4-1 15] S^Relative to the Settleinent of Rev. Mr. Currier. ~\
Whereas there is a Town Meeting Legually Warned to be
held in Goffstown this 15*^ Day of July 1771, and one of the
Particulars that is Noted in the Warrant to be acted Upon is to
See if the Town will Choose a Committee to Setde M'' Currier
as a Gospel Minister, in the Town We the Subscribers Being
Presbyterrians by Proffession, and having at Different times
GOFFSTOWN. 29
Renewed our Covenant With God and Vowed to him to Main-
tain the Doctrins Discipline and Government of the Church of
Scotland Whereof we Profess our Selves to be Members there-
fore we Do Not as yet See our Selves in Duty Bound to Cast
these our Vows Behind our backs and Settle a Man of Another
Proswasion, and as we Would Not be found Lukewarm and
Indifferent in a Matter of So Great Import We thought to Cer-
tify our Bretheren of this Matter in this Manner
Alex'' Gilcrest Thomas Miller Johii Dinsmoor
Antipas Dodge James Barr Daniel Marr
James Barr Jun"* Jobn Todd George Addison
Daniel M'^farland William madoel David M'^Cluer
Robert Speer James Person William Person
Jam^ Person Jun'' Sam" M"=farland
[4-1 16] \_Renw7istrance to j\Ir. Curriers Settlement. ~\
Whereas there is a Town Meeting Legally Warned to be
held in Goft'es Town on friday the Thirtieth day this Instent
and the Particulers that is insearted in the warrant to be acted
upon that Day is mostly Concearning Ordaining m"^ Currier as
a Gospell Minester in the Town and to Do Something more
towards finishing the Meetinghouse, and we whose names are
under written being of a Difl'erant Perswasion and are not De-
tarmined to Settle m' Currier as our Minester therefore we Pro-
test against Every particualer in the fore mentioned warrant as
we are not Determined to act on any thing at that meeting
Neither are we a mind to pay aney part of m"' Currier' Rates as
we are Presbytereans by profession
Goffes Town August 31 1771
Will'" M'=Doel George Addeson Tho^ Shirla
Alex*^' M'^Coy John Dinsmoor Xj'^mes Moor
X Daniel Marr James Marr Thom" Miller
X David M'^Cluer "x Daniel M-^farland Sam" M^'farland
XTho^ Smith XAlex'^'- Gilcrest XRobart Spear
John Todd Robart Kennedy Sam" Kennedy
Xjoseph Kennedy James Barr Xjames Barr Jun""
X John Little X John Orr X James forson Jun''
XMathew Kennedy Antipas Dodge X Silas Walker
XWill'" Kemp " XDaniell Allen Xjohn Butterfield
James Person Jolm Dunlap X John Seshons
Will'" ferson Tho' Kennedy Will"' M<=Dougall
XThose of this mark were not at the Meeting
A true Copy of Record attest
P' Alex^J^ Walker
Town Clark
30 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 16] ^^Proceedings of Toxvn- Meeting-^ lyyi.']
Province of New Hamp'
At a meeting Legally warned and held at the Meeting house
in Gofles Town on Friday the Thirteenth Day of August 1771
Votted Sam" Blodgett JEsqr Moderator
Votted That the meeting Be Carried on by a hand Vote
Votted That the Protest Signed by Will'" M'^Doel and others
against the Legallety of this Meeting held this Day by vartue of
a warrant Dated August 17 1771 We Look upon it to be of no
Velidety therefore the Signers have a Liberty to Vote this Day
if they think proper for the Several Reasons here after Exprest
firstly Because Sundrey of the names in Said protest Doth not
Appear to the Town they Ever signed Being in number Eigh-
teen. Some of which are Said to be Disartors the names of
those absent are as followeth.
James Moor Daniell Marr David M<=Cluer
Daniel M'^farland Thomas Smith Alex*^"" Gilcrest
Robart Spear Joseph Kennedy James Barr Jun""
John Little John Orr James Person Jun'
Mathew Kennedy Silas Walker Will™ Kemp
Daniel Allen Johi"i Sashons John Buterfield
A true Coppy of Record attest p''
Alex'^'- Walker Town Clark
[4-1 17]
Goftstown may 29'" i77^
This may Certify that I the Subscriber was one of the Select
men for the town of Goftstown for the year 1771 and attended
the Last anual march meeting a Dispute arose concerning the
choice of a moderator and it appears to me that Sam Blodget
Esq' had twenty five voters and m"' alex'^'' Gillcrest had but
Twenty four votes by pole Exclusive of Jonathan Rowell &
John Pettey who ware in my oppinion neighther of them Legal
voters
attest
Alex'''" Walker James Karr
[4-1 18] \_Relative to a Dispute at Town-AIeeting^ iyy2.'\
To His Excellency John W^entworth Esq"" Captain General Gov-
ernor and commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same
The Honourable his Majesty's Council and House of Repre-
sentatives for said Province to be convened at Portsmouth in
said Province on Tuesday the 19* day of May Current
GOFFSTOWN. 3 1
We the subscribers Inhabitants of Goftstown in the County
of Hillsborough in said Province Humbly Complains
That the Inhabitants of said Goffstown at their last Annual
March Meeting haveing some disputing on the Business of the
day after which the selectmen published who were Legal Vot-
ers according to the Law of said Province After which the
Votes were brought in for a Moderator The Votes were Twen-
ty five for the Honourable Samuel Blodget Esq"' and Twenty
Six for Alexander Gillcrest. On which said M"^ Blodget said
one John Pattee was not a legal Voter (Who had Voted for said
Gillcrest' being Moderator) The Selectmen said he was but M"^
Blodget Insisted he was not and that his Vote should be thrown
out which was done Then the Votes stood 2=^ for one and 25
for the other After which M"" Blodget pulled a power of Attor-
ney out of his pocket and Read it Given by one job Rowel (who
is since Dead) to his son Jonathan Rowel (a Alinor and who
had never been Rated) Impowering said Jonathan to Vote at
said Meeting and M'' Blodget insisted that said Jonathan had a
legal right to vote in said meeting by Vertue of said power
Which said Jonathan did and Voted for M'' Blodget to be Mod-
erator which turned the Vote in M' Blodgets favour And that
said Pattee was not Allowed to Vote And the said Jonathans
Voteing and Pattee being deprived caused Diferent men to be
chose town officers than would have been By Which means We
humbly conceive we are much Injured and Deprived of our
just and Legal Rights
Wherefore we your Complainants and petitioners Humbly
prays Your Excellency and Honours to take our Case into your
considerations and Grant us such Relief as in your Great Wis-
doms shall seem meet and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray
Dated at Goffestown the iS"' day of May AD 1772
William fearson James ferson John Orr
David M'^Cluer John Dunlap Asa Pattee
William madel George Addison Joseph Kennedy
Matt"' Kennadey John Dinsmoor Sam" M'^Farland
Robert Spear william Dunlap Thomas Shirla
Antipas Dodge John Clogston Daniel Allen
Silas Walker John Butterfield Jeames fearson
Daniel m'^farland David Currier Geor Hadley
Alex"' Gilcrest John Little Thom' Miller
Dan" Marr James Marr James Moor
James Barr iuner Alexander m'^Cay James Barr
Tho^ Kennedy Thomas Hadley Samuel Kennedy
John Patee Robert Kennedy George Cunningham
32 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[In council, June 3, 1772, the proceedings of the fore-
going meeting were declared illegal, and a new election
ordered. — Ed.]
[4-1 19] \_Petition for a Lottery to build Bridges over Pis-
cat a quog River ^ 77/(5'.]
To The Hon^^^ Councel and Hojise of Representatives of the
good People of y^ State of New Hajupshire i?z General
Court assembled December 177"/
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Goffstown, County of
Hillsborough & State aforesaid and others,
Humbly Sheweth
That, There are two Large Streams, running through said
Town, more Particularly one known by the name of Pis-
cataquog River, which is well known to be wide, and Verry
rapid, at Sertain Seasons, Passing through the Center of said
Town,
That your Petitioners, are under the Necessity of Support-
ing, three Large Bridges, over said River, for the Publick ben-
efit Viz'—
i" a bridge near twenty Rods in Length, (verry much Im-
proved) on the great County Road, that Leadeth through
Ware, &*= many Different ways. Northerly & Westerly to The
Interior Parts of the State, —
1^ another bridge, near 15 Rods in Length, of great use to
the Publick, & near the Center of the Town that the Major
Part of the Inhabitants are under necesity of crossing it to at-
tend Public Worship —
The Third Bridge is on the North Branch of said River,
Near the Division line, of New Boston & Goffston on the
Leading Road through N. Boston, to the Western Part of the
State—
The other Stream is called Black Brook, large, and verry
rapid at Sertain Seasons, where we are oblidged to Support
three other expensive Bridges, also a large share of Smaller
Bridges, which with the aforementioned, — make an almost In-
tolerable Burden, for a Town so thinly Inhabited to bear, and
what still adds to it, we have never been able to make a bridge
cross the Piscataquog of but few years Duration, and as their is
an absolute and Imediate Necessity of rebuilding %^ Bridges,
and we are not able to go to the expence of Stone piers & But-
ments (which we find necessary,) your Petitioners humbly Pray
they may be Indulged with the Benefit of a Lottery To raise
Two Thousand five hundred Dollars which will Enable them
to build Sutable & Durable Bridges in such Places as shall be
GOFFSTOWN.
33
most convenient, an Beneficial to the Publick, as the moneys
raised by said Lottery will be apply* to so Necessary & Im-
portant a Purpose — We doubt not of a Speedy Sale of the
Tickets, by which we shall be Imediatly enabled to enter on
this great work —
And your Petetioners as in Duty bound will ever Pray &"= —
James Eaton
David Gregory
David Richards
John Bell
Robert Spear
John Dinsmoor
Sam'i M-^Farland
Robert m'^Calley
nethen towle
Joseph Buswell
David Stevens ju
John Patee
Will"" Rogers
Sam" Richards
Job Dow
tho^ Stevens
John Little
John Creaig
Stephen Tuttle
John Monahan
Robert Oilman
Ebenezer wood
James Shirla
David M'^Cluer
George Addison
Sam^ Kennedy
George Little
John Buswell
Eben"" Costar
Benjamin Stevens
magnes Burke
moses Little
David Hale
Jacob Stevens
John Butterfield
Philip Ferren
Jonathan Bell
Samel Karr
William Bell
Jonathan Wood
Alex"' Gilcrest
Tho^ Miller
Rob' Kannedy
wilimen herenton
Caleb Little
Timoth}^ Stevens
Sam" Blodget
Enoch Sawyer
Joseph Little
James Clement
Peter Butterfield
Eben"" Coster
Nathaniel Stevens
Ebenezer Ferren
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 26, 1778, petitioners granted leave
to bring in a bill for said purpose. — Ed.]
[4-120] \^Petitioii for the Privilege of se?zdi?zg' a Repre-
sentative xvithotit being Classed with Derryfeld.~\
To the Honourable Council & House of Representatives of the
Good peopel in the State of New Hampshire Conveaned at
Exeter &c.
The petition of the Inhabitants of Goffstown when in Town
meeting assembled, — your petitioners beg leave once more to
remind your Honours, that they have for three or four years
past, contrary to their wish & will, been coupled with Derry-
field, by the precept sent them by your Honours for the choice
of a Representative, alth° your petitioners have repeatedly
beg'd the favour of your Honours, that a precept might be sent
them Independant of any Town whatever, which they Humbly
conceive they have an Undoubted right to as well as any other
Towns in Similer Circumstances with Goffstown ; which con-
sists of near One Hundred & fifty families ; when at the same
5
34 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
time, we would observe to your Honours, that their is noless
then Nineteen Towns in this State, & all less in Numbers as to
their Inhabitents, then Goffstown, & Yet, have precepts sent to
Each of them, Independant of any Towns whatever; and some
of them have litle more than half our Numbers ; surely this is
w^orthy of your Honours consideration, as well as the attention
of your petitioners who must be void of fealing at this day. If
not tenatious of their Natural Rights and liberties ; are we not
Spending our Blood and Treasure in defence of them against
Create Brittan, and was not Taxation without a full and free
Representation a pearte of the dispute. Surely it was, and can
Goflstown be said to have a full and free Representation when
compeled to Joyn with a nother Town and contrary to their
wills ; we your petitioners do not meen to call your Honours
authority in question, it is our Just Rights we are pleading for,
which has hearetofore ben denied us, for we cannot conceive
upon an}'^ Just principles why any Town that consists of 1 150
families can be denied a full and free Representation & Inde-
pendant of any other town ; at least nothing has been offered in
any of our leate Conventions to the contrary, it Seemed the pre-
vaiing oppinion theire was, that 100 famelies had an undoubt-
ed Right to Send a Representative and we hope and trust your
Honours will Remain of the same Oppinion, and If the Custom
should be contineued for Issuing precepts, we trust and hope
your Honours will provide for Derryfield in som Other way, &
that Goflstown be allow'd their previledge in common with
Other towns, which to their great mortification, has ben too
Long withhild from them ; in granting of wdiich, your petition-
ers in Duty bound will Ever pray
Goflstown Ocf 26"' 1779
at a legal meeting in Goflstown hild this day voted that Sam'
Blodget Esq'' present the above petition to the general Court
hild in Exeter, in behalf of the Inhabiters of y^ Said Goflstown
Alex'^^ Walker Town Clark
[R. 2-19] \_Documents relative to Soldiers^ jy'/S.']
Goflstown, febury y'^ 4"' 177S
then Received of John Dunlap one Pound Sixteen Shillings
L. M. for carrying Samuel Rimecks from Goflstown to An-
dover to be Doctred of his wounds he Received in the Battel at
Banintown
per me Thomas Shirla
GOFFSTOWN. 35
These certifies That Samuel Remicks was a soldier in Cap*
McConnels Company in Col" Stickneys Regiment at Bening-
ton in 1777 and was wounded in the Battle there last August
Robert Gillmor Lieut.
Goffestown, Feb'" 3" 1 778
[Col. Thomas Stickney certifies to the same. — Ed.]
[R. 2-20]
Sept. S"" 1 780. This certifies that on the first day of JNIarch 1 777
The Committee of Safety (as appears by their Journal) agreed
to give William Bell Twenty Shillings per month over & above
his w^ages as a Soldier as a recompence for the time of his
assisting M'' Noah Emeiy in the Commissary's Department
attest E. Thompson S'^
[Joshua Bell, son of William Bell, of Goffstown, enlisted in
1777. He was in Capt. Livermore's company, Scammel's
regiment, and was discharged sick, after two years' service.
(R. 2-22, 23, 24.) — Ed.]
[R. 3-34^] [Co/. Kelley to Col. Stickney.']
Goffstowai Jnly y*^ 19, 1779.
Der Sir
after due Complements to you and Mr* Stickney, I perseve
that M"" Eastman of weare have inlisted a man in haneker in
your Regiment by the Name of Pope to do a tower of dute in
the armey for said weare but Capten bowman Refuses to let
him go for them, and the mater is left to the determination of
you and me if vou think with me according to the orders from
the Committee at Exeter april last, he ought to be held for
weare the inlistment I think is good and will and ouglit to hold
him for them —
Sir I am witli grat esteem your most obedient and very hum-
bel sarvent
Moses Kelley
To CoP Thomas Stickney Concord
[R. 3-31] \_Relative to Joshzia Wilson., Soldier., -^7750
I Samuel Richards of Goffstown do testify and say that I
Commanded a Company at winterhill in the service of New
36 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hampshire State, in tlie Spring of the year 1775, and that
Moses Littel Esq'' was then my Lieu' who Inlisted Joshua Wil-
son in said Goflstown wlio stiled himself an Inhabiten of the
same, and at the Expiration of Eight monts the said Joshua
Wilson Reelnlisted under me for said State & for Twelve
month Longer Still Calling him self of said Goftstown and did
actually Receive a Blanket and Gun of the Inhabitants of the
said Goftstown together with provisions for his march to win-
terhill previous to joyning my Company as he Informed me
and further saith not
Samll Richards
[Sworn to July 10, 1782, before Robert McGregore. — Ed.]
[4-133] \^Warrantfor Toivn- Meet 172 g^ 1/80.']
The freeholders and other Inhabitants of Goftstown Qiialli-
fied to Vote in Town-meetings According to law, are Desired
to meet at the Meeting-house in Said town on Monday the 8*
Day of January Next at one "Clock after-noon then and there
to act on the following Articles (Viz) First to Choose a Mod-
erator
3*^ Article in Said Warrant. To Know the minds of the
Congregationals (so call*^) with Respect to the Presbyterians
being set oft' a Distinct Parish by themselves. 4th Article and
whither they will Vote the Parsonage on the South side of Pis-
cataquage River to the sole use of the Gospel in that way they
the said Presbytereans Relinquishing any Futer Pretentions to
any Income Either to themselves or to the suport of the Gospel
in their way to the Other Two Lots on the North side of Pis-
cataqage River Called the Parsonage Lots, —
Goftstown Decern'' 22*^ 17S0
Sam" Blodget
Joshua Martin
Tho'* Shirla
To George Addison Constable
Goftstown January 8"' 1781
Select
men
this may Certify the Inhabitants of Goftstown have been Le-
gually Notified by Posting According to Law, George Addi-
son Constable —
At a town meeting Legually warned to be held at the meet-
ing house in Goftstown on the Eighth Day of January 1781,
Voted CoP Moses Killy be Moderator
Voted on the Third Article of the Warrant that the Town
GOFFSTOWN. 37
will Choose a Commity to Treat upon Matters Raletive to Sep-
erating Parishes.
Voted that the Commitee Consist of Six men, Voted Moses
Kelly, Sam" Robie, Philip Clement. Alex"' Gilcrest John Craig
and John Butterfield, be said Committee Voted that the 4'^
Article in the warrant be Referred to the Committee aforsaid
for their Consideration, and to be laid before the Town at their
Next Meeting — The Report of the forsaid Commitie made at
the Next meeting by Adjournment Jan^^ 29, 17S1, is as follow-
eth. Agreeable to a Vote of the Town at a meeting held at
the meeting-house on the Eighth Instant Whereby we the sub-
scribers were Unanimously Chosen, as a Commitie to agree
upon a Method of Seperating the town into two Distinct Par-
ishes Beg leave to make this Report of what we have Done —
First it was taken under Consideration, whither it was best
to seperate or Not. Unanimously Resolved in the AfHrmative.
Secondly that the two Parsonage Lots on the North side of
Piscataquage River be for the Congregational parish, and the
Lot that is on the south side for the Presbyterian Parish.
Thirdly that the Presbyterians Give up what they Did to the
meeting-house in Common with Others to the Congregationals
they Agreeing that when the Presbyterians Shall think fit to
build a Meeting-liouse in the Town the said Congregationals
will help them to the Value of one Qiiarter part of the frame
and Boarding and Shingling, a house as Large as the one that
is now in the Town
Dated at Gofistown January 26, 1781
Sam" Robie Alex'' Gilcrest Moses Kelly
John Craig Philip Clement John Butterfield
January 29 17S1 The town met According to Adjournment
Voted that what was acted at the Opening Said meeting Rala-
tive to the third and fourth Article in the warrant for Calling
Said meeting was acted vipon Agreeable to their minds, 2**
Voted that the town Agree to seperate Parishes 3*^ Voted that at
to Relinquishing the Right to the Parsonage the Congregation-
als act at one End of the meeting-house and the Presbyterrians
at the Other 4"' Voted by the Presbyterians that they will Re-
linquish their Rights to the Two Lots of the parsonage that is
on the North side of Piscataquage River, to the Congregation-
als t^"^ Voted by the Congregationals that they will Relinquish all
their Rights to the Parsonage Lot that is on the South side of
Piscataquage River to the Presbyterrians. 6'^ Voted by the
Presbyterians that they Will Give up what they Did to the
meeting-house in Common, to the Congregationals 7"^ Voted
by the Congregationals that they will Give to the Presbyterians
(when they think fit to build a meetinghouse in the Town), the
38 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Building of one Qiiarter-part of a meeting house frame as
Large as tlie one that is now in the town and the boarding and
Shingling the same
Goflstown March 26 ; 1781
A true Coppey of Record Examined
attest P' Alex^^ Walker Town Clark.
[4-1 21] \_Petition relative to C/iiirch Affairs^ i'/8i.'\
State of Newhampshire To the Honourable The President,
and Members of the Council, And House of Representatives
in General Court Assembled, The petition of us the subscrib-
ers inhabitants of Got^stown, Humbly Sheweth That Your pe-
tioners are of Two Different presuations of Religion Viz
Congregationals and Presbyterrians, by which many Disputes
and Lawsuits have happned among us, much To our Damage,
and we think it has had a Tendency to hinder the settlement of
the Gospel among us in the Town.
Therefore after Duly Considering the matter the Town has
Entered into this Resolution, that the Inhabitants that are of
these Denominations Caled Congregationals & Presbyterians,
(as Above) may be in two Distinct Parishes, by the Names of
The Congregational Parish, and the Presbyterrian parish —
We pray y"" Honours by Your Authority to Enact that Each
of these may be Cloathed with parish Powers, that they may
be in a Legual Capacity, to Colect Taxes for the Support of
the Gospel among themselves And Your petitioners as in Duty
bound will Ever Pray —
Goflstown March 22'' 17S1
James Kitridge Jonathan Bell Benjamin Stevens 3*^
Sam*^' Karr Eben'' Kitridge Robert Gilcrest
Thos. Miller Abel wright Nathan Shed
Enoch Sawyer Sam" M'^Farland James Eaton
Benjamin vStevens Edmund Sawyer Simon tuttle
Jun"" Philip Clement Enoch Page
Tho' Vickere Vose Jonathan Stevens John Little
Timothy Johnson Timothy Stevens Nathaniel Stvens
George Little Thomas Stevens Peter Butterfield
Moses Little Andrew Kimball Sam' Robie
John Butterfield
[In H. of Rep., March 29, 1781, petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill for the aforesaid purpose. — Ed.]
GOFFSTOWN. 39
[4-133] {^Request relative to Management of Toxvn- Meetings
1783.-]
Sir We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Goffes Town being
Discontent with the manner of carrying on our prisent Annual
Meeting for that a Considerable Number of the Men that Voted
were not Qiiallified as the Law Directs and when we Requested
the suposed Moderator to put the Vote to See if the people
were Content to have the meeting Carried on in that manner
we were Denied the Request Likewise when we Desired you
as Town Clark, to open the meeting again and Let the Voters
be Quallified we ware Denied the priviledge we Earnestly pray
that at the hour appointed this Day as it is adjournment of the
Said meeting, you would open the meeting and let the Voters
be QLiallified that our town officers may be Legally Chosen,
Gofles Town march 24 17S3
Alex<i^ Walker Esq^ Town Clark
Philip Ferren Alex-^^ Gilcrest Will™ Sawyer
Samuel Sherley Tho' Shirla Moses Little
Jonathan Stevens Enoch Page Timothy Stevens
John Richardson Nathan Sheed John Little
Philip Clement Enoch vSawyer John Craig
Sam" Robie James Eaton Timothy Johnson
A true Coppey of Record Exemened atest
Alex"^ Walker T C
[On another document of the same import and same
date, are the following names : — Ed.]
Moses Kelley Benjamin Stevens Tho' Vickcry Vose
Joseph Buswell Jur
[4-124] \_Deposition relative to Cofistable^s Pay.'\
The Deposition of Steven Tuttle of Goftstown of Lawfull
age do Testify and Say that on Monday the Twenty fourth day
of March in the 3^ear 17S3 at the adjournment of the annual
meeting held in Said Goffstown in the State of Newhamp'
Sam" Blodget Esq'' being the moderator of Said meeting a mo-
tion was then made in said meeting to give the Constables Ten
Dollars pr year for their Services your Deponent then objected
against the motion the then moderator spoke with a Loud au-
dible voice in the Ingllsh Language and said dont you Tuttle
40 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
vote against it for it is not Likely that you will be Called upon
to serve as Constable Soon ; and I will pay your parte of that
Tax and any further your Deponent Saith not
Stephen Tuttle
we the Subscribers do afferme that w^e ware present at the
adjournment of the Said meeting and did hear the moderator
make the proposals of paying the parte of his the said Stephen
Tuttle Tax if he would not object against the giving the Con-
stables Ten Dollers p'' year for there Services in the office of
Constable p"" us
Philip Clement
Benja™ Stevens jun""
[4-1 3^] \_Retur7t of Ratable Polls^ ^7^3 •']
Persuant to a Voate of the asembly we have Number'd all
the Male Poals of Twenty One years of age and Upwards pay-
ing for them Selves a Poll Tax within Our town acording to
the best of Our Judgment and finde One Hundred and Sixty
Eight—
Ilenerey Blasdele ) Selectmen of
Joshua Martan ) Goffstown
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
Goffstown Dec' the iS : 17S3 the above named Henerey
Blaisdel & Joshua Martain apeard and made to the above by
them Signed befor
Robert M'^Gregore Jus* Peace
[4-126]
To Alex"^ Walker Town Clerk of Goffstown Sir
Please to Begin the Town Meeting this Day as Soon as may be
Conveniantly, and let the Voters be Qiialified in So Doing You
will Oblige us the Subscribers Inhabitants of Goffstown March
John Richerson Jeams Eaton true Sargent
timothey Stephens Bengiman richerds Caleb little
Alix'' Gilcrest Enoch Page Moses Little
William Sawyer John Craig Enoch Sawyer
Sam^ Robie Jonathan Stevens Edmund Sawyer
timothey Johnson Philip Clement Tho** Shirla
Nathan Shed Joseph Buswell Philip Ferren
GOFFSTOWN. 41
[4-127] [^Warrant for To-W7i- Meetings I iSj^^
State of New Hamp'' Hillsborough
To mr Issaches Ring one of the Constables in Gofles Town in
Said State Greeting —
You are hereby Required in the name and by the authority
of the good people of Said State to warn the Freeholders and
other Inhabitents Qiiallified by Law to Vote in Town meetings
to meet at the meeting house in Goftes Town on munday the
third Day of march next at tea O Clock in the forenoon then
and their to act on the following articles
i'^* To Chuse a moderator to Regulate vSaid meeting
2'y To Chuse all Town officers for the Insuing year as the
Law Directs
3'y To See if the Town will allow the Select men their ac-
compts and others that may be brought before the Town
4^y To See if the Town will Give the Constables their pole
Tax the year past
5'y To See if the Town will Raise money for a School the
Insuing year and how much
6'y To See how much money the Town will Raise to Defray
Town Charges the Lisuing year and Likewise to Repair High-
ways
7'y To See if the Town will make aney adition to the wages
Set by the town in Building the new bridge accross the River
near Job Dows
8'y' To See if the Town will Sell the School Right or aney
part thereof to Suport a School in this Town for which this
shall be your Sufficient warrant
Given under our hands and Seals at Gofies Town this fiftinth
Day of Febuary 17S3
Henry Blasdell ) o 1 ^
Sam" Kermedy >- ""
James Eaton )
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex'^' Walker Town Clark
[4-128] \_Protest against Action in Town- Meetings iy8j.~\
We the Subscribers Lihabitence of Gotfestown do hereby
Enter our protest against anv thing that may be Acted in A
Meeting to be holden in Said Goftestown this thirteenth Day of
October AD 17S3 as the Warning is not Legal
42 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Alex'' Gilcrest Enoch Page Timothy Stevens
Moses Little Enoch Sawyer Moses Kelly
Philip Clemant Timothy Johnson Philip Ferren
A true Cop23ev of Record attest
Alex-J-- Walker Town Clerk
[4—1 29] [ Trouble between the Cotigregational and Presby-
terian Parishes^ ^7^3 •~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council & Gentlemen of the Honour-
able House of Representatives in General Assembly at Con-
cord convened the Seventeenth day of December Anno Dom :
17S3-
The humble petition of the several persons Inhabitants of
Goflstown in the County of Hillsboro' and State aforesaid
whose names are hereunto set and subscribed, Sheweth,
That the said Goflstown consists of two seperate and dis-
tinct Parishes, one of them distinguished by the name of the
Congregational Parish, the otlier the Presbyterean.
That on the first Monday of March in the present year (the
day appointed by Charter to hold their Annual Meeting) two
of the Selectmen, the Town Clerk, and a few of the Inhabi-
tants met (without having previously warned the said last Par-
ish) opened the Meeting, and proceeded to choose a Moderator,
Town Clerk and Selectmen by hand Votes, and here your pe-
titioners beg leave to observe that amongst those few who voted
several were not quallified for that purpose according to law —
That afterwards, when the Inhabitants were generally as-
sembled at their usual time of attending and before the said
new Officers had taken their several Oaths of Office, ten of the
Inhabitants of said Town who were qualified Voters, moved
the Moderator, to put it to Vote by polling, to see if the In-
habitants then present were content with the transactions of
that Meeting or not, but the Moderator refused to put it.
That a petition (herewith exhibited) was then signed by
more than twenty of the Inhabitants legual Voters and deliv-
ered to the Clerk desiring him to open the Meeting again ; and
to let the Voters be qualified, but this was also refused. We
then entrd a protest against tlie proceedings of the Meeting, as
being illegiial in our opinion and amongst the rest, they had
Voted a gratuity to the two Constables of said Town of Ten
Dollars each without the least hint thereof in the warrant.
GOFFSTOWN. 43
That the said Town Meeting being adjourned to the 24 day
of the same month, another petition was signed and deHvered
to the Clerk to the same purport as above mentioned, but the
same petition was again rejected and the Clerk refused to de-
liver it Back to the petitioners, but told them they might have
a Copy. That they then entred a second protest against said
Meeting — That the said Selectmen afterwards called another
Town Meeting without warning the said distinct Presbyterian
Parish and the same was held on Monday the 13 day of Octo-
ber, where they also voted to raise 700 Dollars to defray a pre-
tended Debt of said Town on account of Beef and Rum, not-
withstanding a sufficient Sum of money had been voted &
assessed before that time to answer the same — and your Peti-
tioners again, protested against said Meeting and voted not.
That the said Selectmen since have called another Meeting for
the purpose of choosing a Representative and without warning
the said Presbyterian Parish of said Choise, have elected a man
to represent them in General Court, said Meeting was held on
Monday the 8"" day of December Instant and your Petitioners
entered a protest against said Meeting and Voted not.
Therefore your Petitioners have taken the liberty of laying
before your Honours the Difficulties they labour under, and
shewing how hard they have struggled in a legnal way in De-
fence of their Rights and Priviledges.
We petitioned the Commitee of Safety as early as April but
without effect. The same petition was preferred to the Hon-
ourable Council and House of Representatives at their June
Session but without its desired effect —
afterwards we petitioned the same Honourable Coui't in Oc-
tober when a day of hearing was appointed and an Order of
Court given thereon, but before the day commenced the said
Court desolved yet as the matters of Complaint are still in-
creasing, and as your petitioners & others are obliged to submit
to a part}', headed by some person full of Craft, Cunning &
Design Your Petitioners humbly hope that your Honours will
be pleased to interpose in their behalf in this day and that the
said petition and papers belonging thereto which is now in the
Office together with this petition be taken into your wise con-
sideration and that all the said arbitrary Proceedings may be
declared null & void, or give such other remedy, as to you in
your great wisdom shall seem most meet, and Your Honours
petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Ja^ Pike Tho' Vickere Vose John Richardson
Caleb Little John Smith Nathan Shed
George Poor Edmund Sawyer Samuel Eaton
Timothy Wells Samuel Smith Edward Wood
44
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Timothy Silver
Joseph Little
George Little
Sam' Boyd
Thomas Stevens
Sam' Robie
Enoch Sawyer
Philip Ferren
Moses Little
Jonathan Stevens
Benjamin Stevens
James Eaton Jun''
Ebenezer Wood
John Busv^^ell
Jonathan Bell
Nath Clark
David Hale Ju
Tho** Shirla
Joseph Bnswell
Enoch Page
Philip Clement
Matthew Richard-
son
Timothy Kimbeall
Timothy Stevens
John Little
John Butterfield
Peter Butterfield
Alexander Gilcrest
John Craig
James Eaton
Timothy Johnson
Benj* Stevens Jun''
John ONeill
Wood Clark
We whose names are underwritten beg leave to inform Your
Honours, that we signed a petition to the Honourable Court
that was met at Concord last June, certifying our contentment
with the transactions of our last annual meeting, being urged
thereto by designing men but on further consideration of the
matter and seeing the managments of the Town Officers since
that time now pray your Honours to grant the prayer of the
within petition
Ebenezer Hadley Ephraim Wright Thomas Guy
David Hale Prince Johonnet
[On another petition of the same import, dated Oct. 28,
1783, are the following names : — Ed.]
Ensign Chubuck
John Bassett
Jonas Farmer
William Moor
John Smith
Joseph Sargent
Jonathan Wood
Seth Wyman
Lot Little
Charles Sergeant
Joseph Davis
Jn° O Neil
Philip Jones
William Story
John George
Benja Richards
David M^Cleary
Moses Kelly
Tru Sai"gent
Moses Page
[4-130] \_Protcst against Proceedings of Town- Meeting. '\
Gofles Town March y<= 3 17S3
To Alex''"' Walker Town Clerk we the Subscribers do hereby
Enter our protest against the proseeding of this meeting as the
Said meeting appears to be Illegal and pray that the Same may
be Entered in the Town Book
Caleb Little
Sam" Eaton
Nathan Shed
Timothy Stepens
Joseph Buswell
John Little
GOFFSTOWN. 45
Alex"^' Gilcrest John Creaig Moses Little
Tho' Shirla Jonathan Stevens Philip Ferren
Enoch Page Timothy Johnson Enoch Sawyer
Sam" Robie Philip Clament
A true Coppey of Record p"'
Alexia Walker Town Clark
[4-134]
At the annual meeting held in Goffes Town on monday the
third Day of march 1 783
Voted that the Town allow Each Constable Ten Dollars for
their Services this year Exclusive of their perquesets
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex'^^ Walker Town Clerk
At a meeting held in Goftes Town on monday the thirteenth
Dav of October 1 783
Voted that there be two Hundred and ten pounds Raised to
Discharge the Towns Debts
A true Coppey of Record attest
Alex^i' Walker Town Clark
[4-136] \_Petitio?t to have the Line bet'ween Goffstown and
Neiv Boston established^ //c?/.]
State of Xewhampshire
To the hon'''" the Senate & house of Representatives for S*^
State
Humbly Sheweth
That the Line between Newboston & Goffstown has not been
run or perambulated for many years, before last year & it was
then run by Judge Page of Dunbarton who wag mutually
Chosen by botli Towns, this Line was not agreable to some of
the Inhabitants of New Boston, and it was since run by Sur-
veyors belonging to S"^ Newboston & Goffstown, with this Line
some of the Lihabitants of S'' Goffs Town were much dissatis-
fied because it took oft' almost one whole Range of Lotts from
S** Gofts Town, upon the Northwest Corner, the Lihabitants of
S*^ Gofts town in Town Meeting rejected the Line as it was then
run, & bv a Committee of S** Goffstown requested Newboston
that S*^ Line might be run by Indifterent Surveyors belonging
to Neither of S*^ Towns & the S*^ Town of Gofts Town agreed
46 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to abide the Determination of vS"^ Surveyors, but this the Town
of Newboston hath absohitely refused, we therefore pray that a
Committee may be appointed bv the hon'''^ Court to perambu-
late & establish Said Line between Said Towns aforesaid as
soon as Conveniently may be at the Joint Cost of both Towns
& your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray
Sepf" lo"^ A. D. 17S7
rx-., 01 • 1 ") Selectmen
1 hos. Shirla (^ r
^ ' *' ) Goflstown
[In H. of Rep., February 6, 1788, a committee, con-
sisting of Jeremiah Page of Dunbarton and Daniel Camp-
bell of Amherst, was appointed to perambulate and estab-
lish a line between the two towns, and report at the next
session. They reported, and the report was referred to a
committee, who advised that the matter be referred back
to the first committee, and Aaron Greeley was added to it.
Report not found. — Ed.]
[ Goffstoxvii j\Ien hi Fb'st N. H. Regiment. A^
[Samuel Davis, entered July, 1777, discharged Dec, 1781*
Joseph Hadley, enlisted Jan. 1, 1777, discharged Sept. 2»
1779.
William Kemp, entered Jan. 4, 1777,, discharged Sept, 6,
1777.
Reuben Kidder, entered Feb. 27, 1781, discharged 1781.
Samuel Smith, entered Jan. 20, 1777, discharged Dec,
1781.
William Thompson, entered May 7, 1781, discharged
June 7, 1781. — Ed.]
GOSHEN.
This town was formed from portions of Fishersfield
(Newbury), Wendell (Sunapee), Newport, Unity, and Lemp-
ster, and incorporated December 27, 1791.
The act of incorporation provided that the inhabitants of
the portion taken from Lempster should continue to pay
ministerial taxes to the support of the Rev. Elias Fisher,
and did so until said provision was repealed, Dec. 8, 1796.
GOSHEN. 47
By an act approved June 22, 1797, the boundary lines of
the town were established, and the same were in part
changed June 17, 1806.
A tract of land was severed from Unity, and annexed to
Goshen, July 6, 1837.
The portion of the town taken from Sunapee was first
settled in 1769, by Capt. Benjamin Rand, William Lang,
and Daniel Grindle.
Why the Bible name Goshen was given to the town is
unknown to the editor.
[4-139] \_Ivev. Ellas Elsher's CertlJicateJ\
Lempster Sep"" 14, 1796.
this may certify that if in case the Town of Lempster see
cause to give their consent that the People in that part of Go-
shen which was taken from Lempster should not be holden to
pay any part of my Salary After the present Year, that I will
not exact of S^ Town any Augmentation of my Salary on Ac-
count of the increas of list on S'^ Lihabitants —
Elias Fisher
The Above is a true copy of an Original certificate lodged in
the Town clerks Office (Lempster)
Attest James Bingham Town Clerk
[4-1 40] \^Petltloi2 for Relief from paying Ministerial Taxes
In I^e?npster.'\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives to be
Convened at Concord in the state of New Hampshire on the
fourth Wednesday of Nov"' Listant —
We your Petitioners Humbly Sheweth
As their is a Clause in an Act Entitled an Act to Incorporate
a Town by the Name of Goshen Empowering the Selectmen
of Lempster to Assess the Inhabitants of that part of Goshen
that formerly belonged to the Tow^n of Lempster towards the
Support of the Reverend JVL Fisher so long as he shall remain
the Minister of said Lempster and empowering the Collector of
said Lempster to Collect said Taxes as though said Act of In-
corporation had not been passed —
We your Petitioners Inhabitants of that part of Goshen (for-
48 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
merly Lempster) being Taxed in both Towns towards the sup-
port of the Ministry makes it very Burdensom and having ob-
tained the Consent of the Town of Lemster Humblv Pray that
the Said Clause in Said Act may be Repealed (and your peti-
tioners have all the priviledges and Immunities that any other
Towns Do Enjoy) or otherwise as your Honours in your Wis-
dom Seem meet And your petitioners as in Duty bound Shall
ever pray
Goshen November y^ i6"' ^79*^
John Tomson Calvin Bingham Allen Willey
Micah Morse W"' Stoiy Hez'' Emerson
Reuben Willey Daniel marston Nathan Willey
James Philbrook Silas Smith Na' Beckwith
[In H. of Rep., December 8, 1797, the aforesaid clause
in the act of incorporation was repealed. — Ed.]
[4—138] [ T^o^e of Lempster relative to JSIiiiisterial Taxes
paid by GoshenJ\
Town Clerks Office Lempster
At a legal Town meeting held in Lempster on the first mon-
day of Nov^ AD 1796 —
On reading and considering a Petition from the Inhabitants
of Goshen — Voted that in case the inhabitants of that part of
Goshen which was taken from Lempster will punctually pay
up all the taxes now made up Against them for the payment of
the Rev*^ M'' Fishers Salary, the Town will release them from
paying any part of S"^ Salary in future
The above is a true copy taken from the Town Book of Rec-
ord of S'' Lempster. Attest
James Bingham Town Clerk —
GRAFTON.
The township was granted August 14, 1761, to Ephraim
Shearman and others, and named in honor of an English
nobleman.
This grant was surrendered by a vote of the grantees, De-
cember 27, 1762, and the township was regranted Septem-
ber 12, 1769, to Josiah Willard and others, many of whom
were from towns in Cheshire county.
GRAFTON. 49
The first settlement was made in 1772 by Capt. Joseph
Hoyt, of Poplin, now Fremont. Capt. Alexander Pixley
and family settled soon after.
The town was incorporated by the legislature November
II, 1778, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants,
Daniel Sanders being authorized to call the first meeting.
An act relative to the boundaries was passed March 28,
1781, and one establishing the same was approved June 18,
1802. See Vol. XI, page 726.
A fine quality of mica has been mined in this town for
many years, and excellent specimens of beryl are occasion-
ally found.
[3-142] \_Pet/iio?i J~or Incorporatio7z, etc.j i7y7-'\
the
Grafton May 9 AD 1777
Hon gentlemen of the general Asembley in the State of New
Hamsheir Wee take this Opertunyty to in form your onners
that you Demand More of us then Wee are Able to perform for
you Require of us a valiation of our Ratibel Estates Which val-
iation must Bee taken By our seleck men Which Your Hon-
ners Never Empowred us to Chuse And Wee your humble pe-
titioners Do pray that your honours Will authorise and grant us
Liberty to Chuse our select Men : and incorporate us : and
Chuse a gestes of the Pees for us in the town and We take Leave
to Nominate Capt Aaron Barney to Be the man ; and then
Wee Will Com in town order: and then W^e Will give your
onners A true Estamation and one faviour more Wee ash of
yours honours that is to have A privilegs to Leve a Part of our
tax upon the Wild Land if Your Honners see Cause to tax us
and the Reason Wee give for that is this there is Men that has
a grade Dele of Land in our town Which Lives out of this
state and they Will not Due any Duty on the Rodes Except
Wee mak their Wild Lands Do it and our Rodes are very Bad
and Wont a gradel of Work Don on them And We pray your
Plonners to take this in to Consideration and the Bouns of our
town is as follers Be ginning at the North West Corner A hem
Lock tree and then Running south sixty five Degrees Est six
miles and half a mild to a Burch tree Marked J B With stones
Round it from thence south thur ty six Degrees West five miles
and A half mile to a Burch that is Marked J B from thence
Running North seventy two Degrees West six miles and a half
a mild and from thence North Eleven Degrees West three hun-
dred and Eighty three Rods to a small Beech With stones
6
50 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Round it from thence North fourtv three Degrees Est five miles
and half mild to the hemlock that Wee Bee gun at: and there
is A gore of Land that Lise ginning to our town Betwene the
Petten Line and our town and there is two famelies on it and
they Desire to gine With our town if your onners see fit
And We Bege that your onners Wold take this in to Consia-
tion and grant us oui Pertision and Put us in order that We
may Do our Bisenes in our one town And Where in Wee have
mised it Wee Bage that your onners Wold for give us for it is
thrue our Ignorence and We Bage that your onners Will De-
rect us to Do Better for the futer and We here from other towns
that Wee in these Newtowns shall Never have the privileg of
Chusing a Representatives and We Wont to now Whether it
shall Be so or not and We hope your honours Will send us Bak
Word By the man that Brings this pertision to your Honners
as sone, as our Pertision may Be grantted — for Wee Ecknowleg
ourselves to Be under the laws and Derecktions of your On-
nors sonomore
But We remain yours to sarve
Aaron Barney Jabez Bosworth Bar- Josep Hamelton
Charles Aldrich ney Jonatha Buftlim
Jonathan Nickles Russel Mason Matthew Peck
Hezekiah Bullock Israel Winchester Daniel King
Nathan Aldrich Peck Abraham aldrich
Oliver Williams William Aldrich Jeremiah Williams
Nathaniel Andrews William Williams Christopher Smith
[In H. of Rep., June 6, 1777, a hearing was ordered for
next session. See next document. — Ed.]
[4-141] \^Pet{tion for hicorpoj-atioit^ J'/'/8.~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon^'" the Council and House of Representatives of Said
State of New Hampshire In General Assembly Convened at
Exeter Nov"" S^MyyS.
Humbly Sheweth Daniel Sanders of Grafton in the County
of Grafton in Said State as agent for and in behalf of the In-
habitants of Said Township of Grafton That the Said In-
habitants Labour Under many Difficulties, Particularly that of
Assessing & Collecting Taxes on the Inhabitants & Nonresi-
dent Proprietors of Said Township, by reason of their not be-
ing hitherto Incorporated into a body Politick & Corporate,
GRAFTON. 51
with Such Powers and Priviledges as other Towns in Said
State have & Enjoy —
Wherefore the Said Daniel in behalf of the Said Inhabitants
(whose names are also hereto xAffixed) Humbly Prays that this
hon^'^ Court will Consider their Case and Pass an Act to Incor-
porate the Said Township of Grafton into a Body Politick &
Corporate with Such Powers Priviledges and Immunities as
other Incorporated Towns in Said State have & Enjoy — And
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c —
Grafton October 15"^ 177S.
Daniel Sanders in behalf of
Benjamin Bullock Christopher Smith Jonathan Buffum
Charles D'^Marain- Aaron Barney John Clark
ville John D''Marainville Zurel Haskell
Jabez Barney Abraham Aldrich Jonathan Nickels
Samuel Braley Perez Mason John Johnson Jun''
William Williams Seth Martin William Aldrich
Joshua Caswell Charles Aldrich Hezekiah Bullock
Oliver Williams William Bowen Nathaniel Mason
Nathan Aldrich Abial Knapp James Sanders
Matthew Peck Daniel King
[The town was incorporated by an act passed November
II, 1778. — Ed.]
[4-143] \_Pctitio?i 7-eIatlve to Taxes., etc., ^779-~\
State of Newdiampshire Grafton: ss :
The humble Petition of The Town of Grafton To the Hon-
ourable Councill And Jentleman of the house of Representa-
tives Humbly Sheweth That we Labour under low Circum-
stances & we Pray your Honours to take hour Petition under
Your wise Consideration And Make an abatement in our taxes
as You in your wisdom May think Proper our Condition is
Such we humbly Concieve That if we Should bee obliged to
Pay the tax thats Proposined on us and that we Expect to fol-
low it would Reduce the Most of us to be a Specttickle of Pitty
to All human Cretures a Great Part of hour People Came in
to this Wilderness in Such dificult times that it has all most
Redused Them to Nothing But familys of Small Children We
have not above three familys in town that Ever Raised their
Bred Corn and in other Nessarys we have Skarse any that will
Raise any thing to Spare to Purchase Such Nesasarys as they
must have to Keep their familys from Suffering and our town is
Tw'o Thousand acres of Land less then our Charter Contains
52 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and Sence our town was incorperated there is a Considerable
tract of Land and Some People on it that we Cant tax though
they were Recond with us Before we humbl}'^ Pray your hon-
ours to due what You in your wisdom thinks Just as Your
humble Petitioners in duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c
Grafton July y*" 37 AD 1779
Jabez Boz"' Barney Town Clerk
By order of the Town att A Legal Meating
[4-144] \_ytistice of the Peace elected^ ^779'\
Colo. Timothey Walker Sir this is to Sartify that At a legal
Meating of the Inhabetants of the town of Grafton At Legally
warn*^ for that Purpose They Made Choice of Liut Daniel San-
ders to be A Jistes of the Peace for the County of Grafton
Grafton March ye 20 AD 1779
test Jabez Boz* Barney town Clark
[R. 2-25] \^Accoiiut of Service done in the Revolutiojiary
War.l
State of New Hampshire
Grafton December y** 22 A. D. 1783
A List of The Servis Dun In the war for said Town from the
year 1775 untill Now
June 9*'' 1777 on the Alarm at tye
1 Capt — 3 Sargents — 3 Privets — i month i week i day
July y^ 20 AD. 1777 at Benington
I Lieu' — r Sargent — 3 Privets — S months 6 days
On alarm at Ticonteroga
I Lieu' — I Sargent — 4 Privets — 3 weeks
On alarm at Ticonteroga
I Cap' — I Lieu' — i Sargent — 19 Privets — 2 years 10 months
On alarm at The taking of Burgoine
I Lieu' — I Pack boss — travell of the hors not paid
On alarm at Royalton
1 Cap' — I Lieu' — i Sargent — i Corporal — 18 Privets — 3 Pack
hoss 7 months — Travell of three horses 416 miles Recieved
Know Pay for the larm
June A D 1780 at cohos
2 Privets — i year — 4 months
GRAFTON. 53
At Peekskill 1776 — i Privet 3 months
At the Seders 177 — 61 Privet 3 months. Lost articles to the
value of £6-18-10
On alarm 1777 — i Lieu' 6 clays
at Cohos 1776 — I Privet 3 months
Inhabitants of said Town Before they came In to s*^ Town
have Dun 34 years 9 months i week Sarvis in other states
A True Coppey of the Officers of said town and privets that
has Dun servis In the other states
Select men
Russell Mason c c •^ .
for said town
N : B Said Town has had three men has sarved three years
each and one going on his third year in the Continantal Servis
for s*^ Town
[4-H5]
To the Hon'^*^ the Councel and house of Representatives in
gel a Sembly Convened at Concord in and for the State of
Newhampshire in June 17S3 the humbel Pertion of the free
holders and othe in habetants ofgraftonin Said State honbly
Shueth that it is With the gratitis greef and Destress of mind
that we are Constrained to Lav Before your honours the De-
plorable and Shoking Setuation of the People of Said towir in
Regard to our wilfair as to this wirlds goods, firstly VVe wold
humbly Shew your onners that about the time of the Commins-
ment of the Late Wor this town Began to Setle And as People
was in Destres and Drofe from the old Setleed towns After
they had Lost a grate Part of their in trust and fled here With
a very Small intrust : and as our Lots hath Cast us here and a
grater Part of the People Remains Pore and Destresed And
Being So nie the front ters we have Ben much Distresed in the
Lonums We have Ben at Sundry times all Cold for in the
aLorrums and So man}' of our men hath gone that We hath
Not Raised one half of our Daly Seport and We have Ben
obliged to go a grate Distance for our Brat and then was oblig-
ed to give a very Extragant Price and our Being at a Distance
from the Jenaral Cort Never had the Acts of that onnarable
Court and Lately we have Ben Destrest By Extents from your
honners of Which taks Bil VVe never was notyfied and as it Now
Stans : we humbly Shue your honners that wee have Abselute-
ly Came to A Reselution to gite in to Regelation And intreet
your honners to Stay all further Perseedings until the Next Ses-
sions of a Sembly when and where Wee your Pertishanors Pro-
54 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
perly State the matter and Lay it Befour your onners and also
take A valeation and Lay that Befour your onners : for your
wise Consideration on that mater As wee Look on your onners
to be the gard Deens of our Rights : our Eiys are on you for
Releas in this time of Distress : And Releaf we Pray your on-
ners to grant us : and your Pertishenars As in Duty Bound Will
Ever Pray.
Graftown June y^ 13 AD 17S3
Signned in Behalf of the town
Russell Mason town Clark
[4-146] \_Petition for the Passage of an Act making Pro-
duce^ etc.^ Legal Tender for Debts, jy8j.'\
To the Honourable the Council & House of Representatives In
General asembly Convend at Concord in & for the State of
Newhampshire in October — 17S3 —
The Petition of the Fi'eeholders & other inhabitants of the
Town of Grafton Humbly Sheweth that it is with The Gratest
Grief & Distress of mind that we are Constrained to Lay before
your Honours the Deplorable & Shocking Situation of the Peo-
ple of this Town Paper Currency So amediately Sinking & the
Great Scarcity of Cash almost None Surculating in this Part of
the State that the Like was Never Experienced by a Free Peo-
ple our Taxes are Large & Not Money in the Town to Dis-
charge one Twentieth Part of the Tax & it Seems at Such an
innormous Rate there is Not Money to be had to Pay Even for
the Copy of the Rits & if there is NotSomthing Done we Shall
Soon be Reduced to a State of abe' Begary therefore we Pray
your honours to Pass an act to inable the People to Pay there
Debts without money for we have Property if your honours
would in your wisdom Pass an act that State Securities of any
of the four New England States Shall be a Tender & Stock &
any kind of Marchantable Produce to Discharge Debts in order
to Stop Suing or to Pint out Some other Method to Releave
your Distressed Subjects as we look on you to be thee Gar-
deens of our Rights we as Loyal Subjects Men not to Dictate
nor Direct but meen to Let our Condition be known Not in the
Least Doubting but that your honours will Point out Some
Method to Releave us or we are to all intents & Purposes an
undone People our Crops are Cut off more than one halfe Si we
Desire your honours to Deal kindly with us & your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray —
Andrew Aldrich | appointed Committee
Russell Mason j for S'' Town
GRAFTON. 55
\_The follow ifig Docutnents are froi?i the " Geiieral yonathan
Chase Papers" in Library of N. H. Historical Society. ~\
Grafton May 12"' 1777
Cournnel Chase here is the Return of the men that is drafted
By me
Capt Joseph Hoyt
Lieutainant Seth Marten Sargent Perez Mason
Sargent Israel Wenchester Peck Cristerfor Smith
Marthevv Peck Nathan oldreg Nathaniel Mason
Simun Bullock Simun Wheton Joseph Sevcy
Grafton July y* 24 A D 1777
Colol Chase Sir here is the Return of the men that I have
Drafted according to your orders
by me Cap' Joseph Hoyt
Daniel Sanders Serg' Russell Mason Simeon Bullock
Nathaniel Mason thomas Howard Martin Barney
To Col" Jonathan Chase S'' These certify that Nathaniel
Andrus of Grafton Belonging to my Company twenty years of
age five feet nine inches high Enlisted into the Continental Ser-
vis for three years in one of the three Regiments of the state of
New Hampshire on the 3*^ day of March 1778 and also that
Alexander Pigsley of said Grafton 25 years of age 5 feet 6
inches high and Benjamili Pigsley of said Grafton 31 years of
age 5 feet 8 inches High Boath Belonging to my Company —
Enlisted into the Continental Servis in March i777t»y Enlisting
into Ebenezer Soper' Company belonging to a Regiment in the
Massachusetts Bay the Col" of which I have now forgot but is
Mentioned in one of my former returns Made to yourself.
Which three Men Make up the Qiiota that was proportioned
for my Company to Raise of the Continental troops and there-
fore have not Raised any men upon the last orders Sent to me
&c
from S"" Your obedient Hum' Sv'
Joseph Hoyt Cap*
Grafton 21'^' of April 1778
Grafton August y" 3 A D 1779
Col° Chase Sir this is the Return of the Solders in my
Company thirty Soldiers Sklusive the otKcers and four in alai^am
List
By me Ca])' Joseph Hoyt
$6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Grafton July y" lo 1780
Colo Chase Sir I have hiListed two men Daniel Beean
and Robart Raynold for six months
Yo most humb Ser*
Joseph Hoyt Cap'
[ Grafton JSIen drafted^ i'/8o.'\
grafton July the 11''' Day 17S0
to the Honourabel Jonathan Chase Esq Con' of the Redg-
ment of the County of Graftown Sir after j'Ousing every pos-
abel Meens to inlist the three men for three months my aforts
was all in vain and I am Now oblidged to Draft and I hear
Send you Sir a Return of the three Drafted men viz Joseph
Hambelton Aaron Barney and John Buftbn Sir with grate
Respect I Remain yours to Sarve
Joseph Hoyte Cap"
[Capt. Joseph Hoyt was from Poplin (Fremont), and v^as
the first settler in town. — Ed.]
GRANTHAM.
This town was granted July 11,1761, to John Kathan
and others. No settlements were made under this grant,
and it was forfeited.
It was regranted June 8, 1767, to " Col. William Simms"
and others.
June 23, 1780, the westerly part of this town and the
easterly part of Plainfield were erected into a parish for
parochial purposes, which has since been known as Meri-
den.
February 5. 1788, in answer to a petition, the name of
the town was changed to New Grantham, and so remained
until June 12, 18 18, when it was changed to Grantham.
December 2, 1808, an act was passed establishing the
lines between this town and the towns of Cornish and
Croydon.
GRANTHAM. 5/
By an act passed January 13, 1837, a tract of land was
severed from Grantham, and annexed to Enfield.
December 25, 1844, some territory was severed from this
town, and annexed to Cornish.
By an act passed June 25. 1858, the gore between Gran-
tham and Springfield was annexed to this town.
Grantham, or New Grantham as it was then called, was
one of the towns which attempted to form a union with
Vermont, and was represented in the convention at Cor-
nish, April 5, 1 78 1, by Capt. Abel Stevens.
[4-147] S^List fo Grieva7ices^ ^777'^
A List of Greavances complain'' of by y*^^ Town of New
Grantham
i^' Unequal Representation. We hold that every Body Poli-
tick has an inherent right of being Represented in General As-
sembly and that no power on Earth is able to take that power
from us no more than they have to take away y^ title of our
Lands for y® same power that gave us y" one gave us v"" Other
and y*" one is as assential as the other.
2"** that when y^ Late General Court was chose they were chose
for y'' sole purpse of acting on y" exegency of y'" ti mes and in y" room
of that they immediately set up a Lasting plan of Goverment
Vv^ithout either asking liberty of their Constituents or whether
such a form of Goverment would suit them or not for we hold
that y* right of instructing our Representatives is an assential
prop in Civil Liberty
3*"^ In the System of Goverment. We hold that a Council
is as much the representatives of y'' State at Large as a Repre-
sentative is of a perticar Town and therefore ought to be chose
by y** state at Large and not have y^ stat struck out into De-
stricts for that purpose.
4"''y ye Code of Laws made on that system are of y" Same
tenure of those we have Revolted from and for that reason we
are Spilling our Blood and treasure for nothing
Signed in Behalf of y^ Town of New Grantham Feb. 4**'
1777 Abel Stevens a Committeman
for that purpose
[Some other towns sent in similar documents. See Vol.
XI, p. 23. These opinions led to an attempt to unite with
Vermont. — Ed.]
58 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
\_F}-om Gen. Jonathan Chase s Papers in JV. U. Historical
Society Library.']
[ Grantham Revolutionary Soldiers.]
A Muster and pay Roll of New Grantham men being part
of Coll° Jonathan Chase's Rigerment which Marched to Sara-
toga in the sarvice of the United states of America in Septem-
ber 1777
Abel Stevens Cap' Jo'"!" Parkhurst Ju"" Priv
Eben'' Jene Sarg' Jon" Parkhurst D<^
Lem" Colton Priv Joi^"^ Crow D°
Nath" Parkhurst D°
N. Grantham Augusust 2'^ ^779
Sir. Agreeable to Orders receiv*^ dated July 16"' i779 -^
have Enlisted Lemuel Colton for y'' Rhodeisland Service for
this Town
I am your humble Ser' Abel Stevens Cap'
Co' Jonathan Chase
N. Grantham August 2^ ^779
Sir. Pursuant to orders Receiv"^ Dated July 23'' 1779 a re-
turn of y'^ Number of men in y® Trained Band and Alarm List
in Cap' Abel Stevens Company
I Capt I Se"" 14 Rank and file 2 alarm men
Pr. Abel Stevens Cap'
Co' Jonathan Chase
N. Grantham July 27 1777
Sir I have Lilisted our Complement of men agreeable to y®
orders of the 23 Instant their names are Isaac Jenne Stephen
Colton and Lemuel Colton, But they have receiv*^ no Orders
when nor where to march
I am your humble Servant
Abel Stevens Cap'
To major Francis Smith
[4-148] \_Relative to Town Lines.]
These may certify whom it may Concern that Canaan has
Served the Select men of this Town with the coppy of a Peti-
tion to y^ Ho" y^ General Court of N Hampshire concerning y*
Lines of S'' Canaan
N Grantham March y"" 14, 17S1
Abel Stevens | Select
James Jenne J men
GRANTHAM. 59
[4-149] S^Invciitory for I'/'/S ]
Inventory of the Poles and i^ateable Estate in the Township
of New Grantham for the year 1775
Number of Poles 14 — Number of horses 5 — Number of
oxen 9 — Number of Cowes 13 — Number of horses and cattel
3 yr old 2 — Number of horses and Cattel 2 years old 4 — Number
of horses and Cattle one years old o — Number of acres of
plowing and moing land 33 — Number of acres paster Land o —
Number of Writes of wild Land 66
The abov writs Prized by the Select Men at ten pound a
write
The above is a true Copy of the Inventory of the Poles and
Rateable Estate of the Town of New Grantham for the year
1775—
Attest Abel Stevens ) Select
Elijah Gleason ) Men
Cheshire ss New Grantham June the 2"'^ Day 17S7 Parson-
aly apeared the above Named Abel Stevens and Elijah Gleson
and maid Solom oth to the truth of y" above Inventory before
me
Nathan Young Just Peace
[4-150] \_Petitio)i for a Parochial Parish, iy8o.'\
To the hon''^" the Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened
June 17S0 —
Humbly Shews
Benjamin Giles Esq"" in behalf of the Inhabitants of the
westerly part of Grantham and the easterly part of Plainfield in
the County of Cheshire.
That from local Circumstances they labour under great diffi-
culties & inconveniences with Respect to Parochial Matters,
which might be removed if they could be united into a Parish —
That the westerly part of Grantham is separated from the
easterly part thereof by a Ridge of veiy high mountains run-
ning quite across said Town so that there is scarce a possibility
of passing from one to the other — That it woud be much more
convenient for the Inhabitants of the Easterly part of Plain-
field, in those matters, to Join and be connected with the west-
erly part of Grantham than with the other part of said Plain-
field—
That the other Inhabitants of said Towns are willing they
should be separated from them & incorporated into a Parish for
60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
the Purposes aforesaid — Wherefore he prays that they tnay be
erected into a Parish within the following bounds beginning at
the North line of Plainfield three Miles & Eighty Rods from
Connecticut River thence running south forty Degrees West to
a beach Tree marked standing in the South Line of said Plain-
field then Easterly by said Line & the South Line of Grantham
to the Top of said Ridge then Northerly by the Top of said
Ridge to the North Line of Grantham then westerly by said
Line & the North line of Plainfield to the place where it began,
to have continuance & Succession, forever And that they may
be invested with the Power of Assessing levying & raising
Money for the Sole Purpose of building a Meeting house &
keeping the Same in Repair & for Settling & constantly main-
taining a Gospel Minister in the Same — & that they may be
liberated & exempted from paying towards the Same in other
part of their Respective Towns & as bound Shall pray &c —
Benj" Giles
[The parish asked for in the foregoing was incorporated
June 23, 1780. It has ever since been known by the name
of Meriden. — Ed.]
[4-151] \_Petition to have the Name of the Town established
as JVexu Granthatn^ iy8'/.'\
To the Honourable vSenate and House of Representatives now
sitting at Charlestown the Petition of Samuel Duncan in be-
half of the Inhabitants of New Grantham humbly shews,
That whereas the s'^ Township is recorded in the Treasurers
Office by the Name of Grantham, and the Inhabitants of s**
Township being settled under the Name of New Grantham as
appears by the Charter, it makes it verv difficult for s'' Inhabi-
tants to collect any Taxes ; the Warrants issuing from the
Treasurers office in the Name of Grantham and the Inhabitants
and nonresident Proprietors holding their Title by the Name of
New Grantham, are unwilling to pay s*^ Taxes, and the Col-
lectors do not conceive themselves sufficiently authorized by s*^
Warrants to dispose of their Land for the Payment thereof
your Petitioner therefore prays your honours would Order the
Name of said Township to be altered in the Treasurer's Office
and that all Proceedings of s*^ Inhabitants in consequence of
collecting Taxes by Order of s** Warrants may be established.
And your Petitioner further prays that said Inhabitants may
have an Abatement of their Taxes in those Years in which they
were doomed, they conceiving s** Doomage to be much more
GREENFIELD. 61
than their Proportion of Taxes which they are ready to make
appear by their Lists, and also desires your Honours to look
into the State of the Fine laid on s"^ Inhabitants for neglecting
to send Soldiers, and if it shall appear reasonable, make an
Abatement of the same, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound
shall ever pray —
Samuel Duncan
Charlestown Sept 20 17S7
[The foregoing petition was granted, as to the name, Feb.
5, 1788.— Ed.]
GREENFIELD.
This town was incorporated June 15, 1791, and was
composed of portions of Society Land, Peterborough, and
Lyndeborough, and land between the two last named towns,
called Lyndeborough Gore. Daniel Emerson, Esq., was
authorized to call the first meeting.
By an act passed Dec. 28, 1791, the boundaries of the
town were changed and established. Dec. 11, 1792, the
two east ranges of lots of land in Greenfield, in that portion
which previous to the incorporation of the town was known
as Lyndeborough Addition, were annexed to Francestown,
together with the following inhabitants : Ithamar Wood-
ward, Andrew Cresey, Francis Epes, Jacob Dutton, William
DrajDer, John Batten, Isaac Balch, Israel Balch, and Rich-
ard Batten.
July 4, 1872, another portion of this town was annexed
to Francestown. A portion of the territory now comprised
in Greenfield was settled in 1771 by Major A. Whittemore,
Capt. Alexander Parker, Simeon Fletcher, and others. It
has been stated that the name Greenfield was given the
town by Major Whittemore.
[4—153] \_Pctitiou of Si/iid/y Inhabitants to be annexed to
Francestown^ 7793.]
To the honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of
the State of Newhampshire in General Court convened the
first Wednesday of June ADomini 1792
Humbly shew
The Subscribers now living, within the bounds of the Town,
lately incorporated, in the County of Hillsboro' in said State,
62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
by the name of Greenfield — That it is with unspeakable sorrow,
they consider themselves as included within the bounds of said
Greenfield, to which they have been uniformly & decidedly op-
posed, since the first movement with respect to said Greenfield,
& with which they never can with any degree of contentment
be connected — The high opinion they entertain of the wisdom
& integrity of the honorable General Court, convinces them
that their situations & dispositions were misrepresented to the
Court, or they never would have passed an Act, which your
petitioners consider, as totally disfranchising them from all
Town priviledges, to which they were before entitled in Lvnde-
borough. There they had spent their best days in bringing
forvv'ard the Towai, building a meeting house, settling a minis-
ter & providing for the education of their children, & flattered
themselves, that under the enjoyment of our present constitu-
tion, the second article, of the bill of Rights^ would have been
a sufficient security against their being deprived, of those means
of happiness without their consent, & are so pained at the Idea
of finding themselves and their posterity in a place, where the
greatest part of the buixlen, incident to new Towns, are yet to
be submitted to, & their future prospects of ever enjoying the
advantages, they once had of the Gospel — & of Schools &c. —
that they are constrained to apply to your honours, and with
the most profound humility, but greatest importunity supplicate
the further attention of the honorable General Court to their
unhappy situation — With the provision made for their poling
to Lyndeboro', they cannot consider themselves, as properly
belonging to any town, or entitled to priviledges in any — With
Greenfield they cannot join, with Lyndeboro' they can claim
no rights, tho' they doubt not of a friendly reception ; but do
not wish to be viewed as interlopers or enjoy priviledges by
mere Courtesy — The beg leave to suggest to your honours, that
the Estates of your petitioners, all lay contiguous to each other,
& are not mixed with those of any persons, who wish to go a
different way, That they are all on the borders of Francestown
& within two or two & a half miles of Francestown meeting-
house & the shortest distance from said lots to said meeting-
house but one mile & seventy one rods, & a good road leading
thereto — That they have long attended public worship in s**
Francestown, not only on account of its being the nearest &
most convenient for them : but on account of the minister
whom they highly esteem — & can be better accommodated with
Schools there, than in any other place — That the distance from
the place, now talked of, for holding public worship in Green-
field, is a quarter, or a third further, from your petitioners &
the road much worse, & always likely to be so, & the real
centre of Greenfield still more distant, and the annexing
GREENFIELD. 6$
your petitioners to Francestown will mend the form of that
Town without injuring that of Greenfield — Your petitioners
therefore prav that they may be rescued from the bondage of
belonging to Greenfield, or living within the limits of it, & be
annexed to Francestown, where they can enjoy privi ledges,
which they will consider, as a compensation, for those they
had a right to in Lyndeboro' & on account of local situation,
superiour to any they ever can hope in Lyndeborough or in
Greenfield — Wherefore as your petitioners always have been
averse to any connection with Greenfield, as their interest, con-
venience, inclination, & local situation all so stronly lead to
Francestown — as Greenfield will not be hurt in its form, and
Francestown will be mended by our being set from one Town
to the other — as Lyndeborough have consented to release us &
Francestown to receive us And Greenfield have no present
right to us & will be better able to do without us in all proba-
bility hereafter than at present, we therefore beg vour honours
to set oft' the two east ranges of Lyndeboi^o' adition so called
containing six lots from Greenfield, annex them to Francestown
& thereby deliver your petitioners from their present distress &
misery, and they as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Ithamar Woodward Andrew Creesey Francis Epes
Jacob Dutton Reuben Kimball William Draper
John Batten Isaac Balch Israel Balch
Richard Batten
[The foregoing request was granted, and the petitioners
and their estates annexed to Francestown Dec. ii, 1792. —
Ed.]
[4-154] \^Pctition fo7- Annexation of sojne Lands to Gree7t-
Jield, 1793-']
State of New Hampshire County of Hillsborough
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives Con-
vened at Concord in said State the fifth Day of June one
thousand seven hundred and Ninet}'^ three —
The Petition of We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town
of Greenfield in the State & County aforesaid Humbly Sheweth
that it appears by the Charter of said Greenfield that the South
Range of the Odione Right so called, is divided nearly the
middle, and it being much to our Damage to be the outskirts
of two towns — We therefore prayj^ow Honours woud take into
consideratioji and annex the remaining part of our Lands to
64 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the town of Greenfield the Bounds as follows beginning at the
Norvvest Corner of Greenfield, thence by the River to the
North line of the aforesaid South Range, thence Easterly upon
the North side of said Range as the Lines Runs to Frances-
town Line, thence Southerly to the Northeast corner of Green-
field on the Crotchet Mountain so called — & Your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall ever pray —
Samuel Hixon Samuel Butterfield J. H. Eaton
bengbeew Whitnee Jacob Johnson William Willson
William Willson Ephraim Hildreth James Bayley
J
un'
GREENLAND.
This is one of the old towns, and was settled in the latter
part of the seventeenth century, at which time it belonged
to the town of Portsmouth. John Farmer states that it
"was incorporated as a distinct town in 1703 ;" but I cannot
find any mention of it in the records of the council and
assembly for that year. The following documents seem to
show conclusively that Mr. Farmer was mistaken.
In May, 1705, the inhabitants petitioned for the privilege
of having a minister and schoolmaster among themselves,
and to be exempt from paying towards the support of the
church and school at Portsmouth, which was granted, and
Rev. William Allen was ordained there July 15, 1707.
Greenland was assessed by the assessors of Portsmouth,
and paid province rates in connection with that town until
1721 ; after that year they were assessed by themselves, but
had no representative in the assembly until the fall of 1732.
Jan. 3, 1 7 16, the inhabitants of Squamscot Patent, living
on the east side of the "line running from Wall Creek to
Hampton bounds," were "joined to the Parish of Green-
land." When Greenland became a town I am unable to
ascertain. It was called a parish in an act passed in 1757.
Dec. 18, 1805, some land belonging to Brackett Weeks
was severed from Stratham and annexed to this town ; and
on July 2, 1847, a tract belonging to Samuel Hatch was
also taken from Stratham and annexed to Greenland.
By an act approved June 23, 1859, the divisional line be-
tween this town and Stratham was established, but said act
was amended June 27, i860.
GREENLAND. 65
[4-155] \^Petitlo7i to have the Bou?idaries established^ iyi^.'\
To His Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq'' Governour and Com-
mander in Chiefe of Her Majesties province of New Hamp-
shir and the Honourable Her Majesties Council and House
of Representatives now Conven*^ in General Assembly
The humble petition of the Inhabitants of the parish of
Greenland Humbly Sheweth,
That there is great occasion for your petitioners to Know the
Bounds of their parish that they may not be Oppressed by be-
ing taxed as Some of them is Said to live in portsm" parish or
in Bloody point parish ; but that a line may be Run betwixt
Greenland parish and Bloody point parish ; but that a line
may be Rvmn betwixt Greenland parish and Bloody point par-
ish and betwixt portsmouth parish & Greenland parish that
Every Inhabitant may know wdiat parish he properly belongs
to. And that Such persons as your Excellency and thes Hon"'''*
Board may think meet be appointed for doeing the Same ; And
that your Excellency and the General Assembly would be
pleased Soe to Order that your petitioners in Maintaineing the
principle School and poor among themselves may be Exempted
from all other Charges Save only the province tax, and tax of
the assembly ; all which wee humbly conceive to be Reason-
able
Wee therefor most humbly Crave your Excellency & their
Honours Concurrence to these our requests, and your petition-
ers as in duty Bound shall pray &c.
Jam* March Ebenezer Johnson Nathan Johnson
Tho^ Perkins J*^^!!" Cate James Johnston
Jonathan weeks Beniamin Skilen Nathaniell Berey
Joseph Berey Israel March James Berrey
William Haines Robart Goss matth bans
Willa"' hodg nath' hugen Joh>^ briant
Sam" Daves daniel Alien daniel davses
Tho : Packer Josh Peirce Sam" weeks
Joshua weeks John Johnson Sarah Jackson
Joseph weeks Johi^ Philbrok Johi"! Philbrok
Sam" neal John neal John Alien
nathaniel watson robart briant junyer John Docom
[In council, May 12, 17 14, Colonel Waldron, Mark Hunk-
ing, Speaker Gerrish, George Jaffrey, John Downing, and
Samuel Weeks were appointed " to ascertaine the Limits of
the said Parishes." 131oody Point was named Newington,
the same day, by the governor. The committee reported,
7
66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
July 28, 1 7 14, that " We are of Opinion the Parish of New-
ington be Bounded from the River of Piscataqua by the
Inhabitants following viz. James Gray Henry Bennet Joseph
Johnson Sam' Tomson and Thomas Pickering upon the
Great Bay and that these present Inhabitants, with the
Lands and Estates they live upon and whosoever shall live
upon them hereafter or build within the Limits aforesaid
shall pay their parish taxes to Newington. And that the
parish of Greenland be bounded upon the Great Bay by the
ffarm of the widdow Jackson Joshua Pearce and Israel
March and soe to Packers bridge, and thence to Joshua
Haines M'' Gates and Edward Ayres ffarme and from thence
Southwesterly to Hampton Bounds." Signed by the com-
mittee.— Ed.]
[4-156]
At a parish meeting holden In greenland march y^ 15''' 1721
Voted Cap' Samuell weeks Cap' James Johnson Cap' Joshua
weeks for A cometey to treate with y'^ onroabell Lift""' goviner
that greenland be set of a destink parsh that we may have pour
to Rais our porposion of provance takexis within our parish
by John Gate P^ Clark
[In council, March 21, 1721, the petition was granted,
and a committee appointed to establish their proportion of
the province tax. — Ed.]
[4-157] \_Petitio7i for Authority to elect a Representative^
1730.']
To his Excellencie Jonathan Belcher Cap' Gen" and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Maj'"'''' Province of New-
hampshire to the Hon''''' the Council & house of Representa-
tivs Conven'd in Gen" ass'" —
The Humble Petetion of the Select men of the parrish of
Greenland most humbly Sheweth — That the parrish of Green-
land being set oft' a particular precinct from Portsmouth and
Since they have been so set oft" hath not had any Vote in Chus-
ing any assembly man : nor hath not any powder in their pre-
cinct to Make Choice of any person to Represent them in the
Gen" ass"'
Therefore they humbly pray they may have Liberty and or-
GREENLAND. 6^
ders to Chuse a Proper person out of their precinct to Repre-
sent them att all times in the Gen" ass™ & your Petitioners,
shall as in Duty Bound Ever pray &c
x"" the i' 1730 —
Matthias Haines ] Select
Daniel Lunt
Dismissed
[4—158] [^Relative to Ministerial Taxes^ iyjp.'\
These may Certify y' M"' Thomas Packer, M"' Thomas Mars-
ton & Will"' Simpson Are Clear"^ from paying Rates to the
Minister of this Perish By atending devine Worship at the
Church in Portsm*^
And likewise Will'" Jenkins is Exempted being quaker
John Weeks Perish Clerk
Greenland Febur. iS'*' 1739/40
[4-159] l^Mititary Oncers Elected^ ^775 '~\
Whereas we the Subscribers inhabitense of gree
Nland being duly senseble of the Importance of
Being instructed in the militery art in this
Alarming cricis & willing to be taught the same that
We may be prepared to defend the libertvs of our
Country which we hold dearer then our lives and
Whereas our officers heartu appoynted
And commissioned by the governer have been negle
Gent in larnying us the same we have tharefore
Thought fit to choose thomas berry captain
Greeleaf dark first liu' david slmson second
Liu' thomas Johnson ensign we tharfore pray that the
Hon'''*' congress woud conferm our said choyce and
Yure petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Greenland June 26 1775
Thomas Marston Ebenezar Johnson John Rawlings
Th' Brackett Sen'' Noah Haines
Thomas Nudd Thomas Berry Ju'' william Lucy
Joseph Wiggin Joseph Cate Samuel Philbrook
xi • ^- ""^ ■\^ 1 Jeremiah Holmes Nathaniel Marston 3'*
Benjamm X Nud <j., 1 a/t ^ xr t • 1 ^
■' his Nathanael MarstonJ"^ Jeremiah mason
Nathaniel Avery Johnson Hoore ^t^, i''\'"J"''V.i
hi3 o 1 TVT J 1 J- ho^ X Blaso
T 1 Ty ,1 . • Samuel Nudd
Joseph X thustam ^ . , ,,.. . -p,., t?
•^ ^ „,ark David Wiggin Pike Burnum
68
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joshua Berry
John Haines jr
Nathan X Haines
Winthrop Johnson
Joshua Johnson
George Lang
David Johnson
Matthias Haines
John Folsom
Joshua Brackett
Abraham Dearborn
WilHam Simson J''
Simeon Norton
James Berry
Samuel Dearborn
Thomas Lang
Job Chapman
John Philbrook
WilHam Berry
John Johnson J""
William pirkins
John Johnson
Nathaniel Haines
thomas dearborn
Richard Tarlton
Samuel huggens
Abraham Johnson
Joshua call
William Simson
William Berry J''
Benjamin Norton
Benjamin Norton
JuiT"
Phinehas Weeks
[4-160] [ Vofe relative to forming a State Governmetity
1776.-]
Colony of New Hampshire
To the hon'''® Council & House of Rejiresentatives lately ap-
pointed for said Colony —
At a legal full Meeting of us the Freeholders & Lihabitants
of Greenland in the County of Rockingham, on Friday y^ 12"^
Day of Jan^ 177^' ^^ consider of the Propriety & Expediency
of forming a new Government in this Colony — After mature
Deliberation upon this very interesting & important Concern,
We are clearly of Opinion that the erecting of a new Govern-
ment in this Colony at this critical moment is unnecessary &
impolitic, unnecessary as all the Business of the Colony might
as effectually be done in Congress as under the present new
form of Government and impolitic as it wears the appearance
of a permanent Government & savours of Indcpendance and
in its Consequences is likely to prove detrimental to the glori
ous Cause in which all the Colonies are embarked and to dis-
arm our Friends in great Britain of the most powerful Weap-
ons in our favor Wherefore we humbly pray that the hon'''*
Council & House of Representatives would resolve themselves
again into a Congress which was the Line in which their Con-
stituents expected they would conduct —
Voted, unanimously That William Weeks Esq'' be desired in
Behalf of the Town to present the foregoing Draught
A true Copy
attest : William Pickering Clerk
Po T.
[R. 2-36]
[This is a detailed account of Joshua Haines, of Green-
GREENLAND. 69
land, for going to Billerica, taking care of and carrying
home one James Haines, a soldier, amounting to ^.T^. He
was allowed £,Z, 15. — Ed.]
[R. 2-29] \^Relative to Tho7)ias Packer^ J^'i Soldier.^ ^779''\
[In a petition dated " Greenland, Nov^" 8'^ I779-" Thomas
Packer, Jr., states that he " Engaged as a Volunteer in the
expedition to Rhode Island in the Company Commanded
by Cap' John Folsom, in Col** Moses Kelleys Regiment,"
was taken sick of dysentery and fever, wants the state to
pay the bills, which amount to ;!^3i, 12. Capt. Folsom cer-
tifies to his having been a good soldier, and the account was
allowed. — Ed.J
[R. 2-32] \_Soldter's Order. '\
Greenland Sep'' 29*'^ 1781 —
This may certify that I William Wallis of Greenland in y*
County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire do here-
by renounce and give up to y" Selectmen of Greenland the
wages which I as a soldier enlisting into y^ Militia may expect
to receive from this State As witness my hand
William Wallis
[4-161] \_Matri7nojiial Agree7ne7tt.i Thomas Packer and
Molly Tarltoft., 1779.']
This Indenture made this twenty fifth day of December A :
D. 17779 by and between Thomas Packer of Greenland in the
County of Rockingham and State of New-Hampshire husband-
man on the one part, and Molly Tarlton of said Greenland
Spinster, on the other part Witnesseth, that whereas a marriage
is intended and proposed shortly to be Solemnized between the
Said Thomas & the Said Molly, in consideration thereof and of
the Mutual love the parties bear to each other
It is hereby Covenanted, granted and agreed by the Said
Thomas for him Self and his heirs, ex'rs & Adminisf* to and
with the said Molly her ex'rs & adm'rs that in case the said
Marriage should take Effect, and she the Said Molly should
survive the said Thomas, there shall then be paid to the Said
Molly her ex'rs & adm'rs out of the Estate of the said Thomas,
JO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
annually during her widowhood the Sum of Twelve pounds at
the Value of Money when Corn is Sold at the Rate of Six
Shillings per Bushel, and shall be entitled to live in the Man-
sion house of the said Thomas in said Greenland during her
widowhood free of Charge, have the use of the Cellar & What
it Contains Roots and Provisions liquors &'' from year to year
the Produce of the Farm — and besides the General use of the
said House, Cellar Dairy &'^ shall have the southwest room in
said House, With one Bed Solely to her own use during her s^
widowhood Which shall be fitted up for that purpose by Said
Thomas's Executors. And it is further Covenanted, granted
and agreed by the Said Thomas for himself his heirs, ex'rs and
adm'rs, to and with the Said Molly her ex'rs and adm'rs that
in Case said marriage Should take Effect, and the Said Molly
should Survive the Said Thomas That then the Said Molly
her Ex'rs and adm'rs shall have and receive to her and their
use all the apparel & furniture that belonged to her at the time
of her Marriage — But in Case the Said Molly Should again
marry after the death of the Said Thomas Then from that time
the Said annuity Shall cease with the right to live in Said
house & to the Produce of the Said Farm ; and in the stead
thereof she shall receive out of the Estate of said Thomas The
Sum of Twenty four pounds in money of like value with that
before Mentioned to be paid her on Demand by the heirs, ex'rs
or adm'rs of the Said Thomas — Provided that the said Covenant
Grant and agreement with the Said Molly to live in said house
and to receive sufficient Provisions off' the Farm for her support
shall not be binding in case the s'' Estate is adjudged not to be-
long to Said Thomas's heirs after his decease —
In consideration thereof the said Molly for her Self her heirs
ex'rs and adm'rs doth hereby covenant grant and agree to and
with the said Thomas his heirs, ex'rs and adm'rs that she will,
in Case said marriage should take Effect and she survive him,
never ask or demand any Dower in the real Estate of the Said
Thomas nor anything as thirds in his Personal Estate, nor ask
Demand or receive any part of the Said Thomas's Estate,
whether real or Personal, and that neither she, her heirs, ex'rs
nor Adm'rs shall make any demand on the heirs or Assigns of
the Said Thomas for Dower, nor on his ex'rs or Adm'rs for any
thing Whatsoever that She might otherwise be entitled to as the
said Thomas's widow further than wliat is granted in this In-
denture, and that She and they Shall forever be barred and pre-
cluded of all other demands by Virtue of these Presents and that
after the said Thomas's decease She Shall and will at any time
on request, release and quit Claim forever her Right of Dower
and Power of thirds in Said Estate — To the due performance of
the Covenants aforesaid the Parties Mutually bind themselves in
GREENLAND.
71
the Penal Sum of Six Hundred Thousand Pounds, and inter-
changeably Set their Hands and Seals the Day and year afore-
said
Signed Sealed & DeF
in Presence of
Joshua Haines
Jacob Haness
SanV Hutchings
Thomas Packer
her
Molly X Tarlton
mark
[4-163] \_Relative to Election of Representative^ iy8j.~\
State of New Hamp'' Rockingham ss
To the hon"*'® the Councel & House of Representatives for said
State in General Assembly conven'd at Concord the 25*** day
of Decern'' A D 1783
Humbly shew the subscribers being a majority of the legal
voters for the choice of Representatives in the Town of Green-
land in the County of Rockingham and State aforesaid that the
Inhabitants have long had the exclusive right of electing a Rep-
resentative for themselves and that they have very nearly the
number of male Inhabitants paying a poll tax for themselves
which the new Constitution requires to intitle them to send a
Representative and that the Inhabitants of said Greenland are
so situated as to render the classing them with any other Town,
Parish or Place very inconvenient. Wherefore your Petitioners
humbly pray that your honors would issue a Writ for the said
Town to elect and send a Representative to the next General
Assembly and vour Petitioners as in dutv bound will ever pray
&c
David Simpson
Jacob Haness
William Cate
Isaiah Berry
Nathan Cate
John Weeks J""
Ebenezer Johnson
Nathaniel Goss
Nathan Marston
Joshua Ayers
William Jenkens
Ichabod weeks
William Norton
Robert Tuften Phil-
brook Jr
John Poor
Bradbury Sanborn
Thomas Berry Ju''
Samuel Hugginsjun""
George Weeks
Noah Haines
Volintine Dame
Andrew Cate
George Lucy
Sam^ Pickering
Jonathan Bailey
Benjamin Norton
Benjamin Norton J''
Josiah Haines
Sam^ Philbrook
Thomas Berrey
Moses Brown
W" Weeks
Joshua Brackett
Nathanael Marston J'
John Weeks
Joseph Cate Jun'
John Thompson
Abraham Dearborn
W^illiam W^illis
Simeon Norton
Rob' tufton Phil-
brook Senor
Joshua Weeks
William Jenkens
72
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John J Dearborn
George Philbrook
John Grant
Richard Tarlton
Sam' haines
Sam' Avers jr
Samuel Gate
James VV hidden
Joh Ayers
Josiah Weeks
Clement March
John Haines
Sam' Dearborn
James Brackett
Samuel ayers
Joshua Neal
Tho'* Packer
Will"" Pickering
Mark Jenkins
Thomas Johnson
George Brackett
Simeon Dearborn
John Haines jr
David Wiggins^
Jotham Johnson
Eliphalet A}ers
Enoch Clark
Jeremiah Gate
Bradbury Sanborn
Lewis Haines
David Johnson
Joshua Johnson
[4-163] \_Petitio7t for Authority to raise Money by Lottery
to Btiild a Bridge^ i/Sq.^
To the honourable Senate & honourable House of Representa-
tives for the State of New Hampshire in General Court as-
sembled—
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Greenland and others,
humbly shevveth that Rebuilding the Bridge over what is called
little Harbour River whereby New-Castle, or what is called
great Island may be joined to the main Land and a free Com-
munication opened between s'' Island and the Country, is of
great Importance not only to New-Castle & Towns adjacent,
but to the State in general — That by increasing the Numbers
& Wealth of New-Castle, the Fishery will be increased ; and
the Wealth thereby obtained, be in the Issue thrown into the
Lap of the State in general and so the rebuilding the Bridge
afores'' become of extensive & general Advantage — That on the
other hand if s'' Bridge is not rebuilt New-Castle must empov-
erish & dwindle, & in Time must sink into Nothing to the di-
minishing of the Fishery and Wealth of the State in general —
.And whereas the Inhabitants of s'' New-Castle & their Neigh-
bours adjacent have not Strength to the arduous Work without
the public Aid : these are therefore most earnestly to request
the Legislative Body of the State to hear our joint Petition &
Request with the Inhabitants of s'' Town of New-Castle &
others, and grant a Lotterv to raise a Sum not exceeding fif-
teen hundred Pounds for the Purpose of rebuilding the Bridge
afores*^ under the Care and Management of such Trustees as the
honourable Legislature shall appoint — Which we your Peti-
tioners most dutifully pray &c. —
Dated at Greenland December 34*'' 17S9
George Brackett Nathaniel Goss James Brackett
Joshua Brackatt Nathan Johnson J. Nathan Johnson
GROTON.
73
Thomas Johnson
Ichabod Weeks
Thomas Berry J''
Job Chapman
Enoch Clark
Enoch Moody Clark
Joseph Cate
Josh" Weeks
Samuel Nudd
Willam Jenkens
John Dearborn
John Wingate
Job Jenness
John Potter
Chas VViggin
William Haines
Sam' Chapman
Levi Dearborn Jun'
Christopher Smith
Mark Jenkins
John Ayers J""
Francis Berry
Dan' Pickering Junev
Jon* Bailey
Jabes Sanborn
George Simson
Thomas Lang Ju''
Jonathan Wiggin
David Simpson
Thomas Lang
Joseph Clark
Ebenezer Johnson
Jun
Gawen Patterson
Josiah Lang
John Weeks
Mark Meloon
Jonathan Downing
John Fogg
Sam' Dearborn
Will"' Norton
Reuben G. Dear-
born Jr
Jonathan Piper
Noah Haines
Simeon Norton
Benj" Dearborn
John Hains
R Tufton Philbrook
Joshua Ayers
Sam' Pickering
Job" Pickering
Jonathan Bailey J""
fames Wedgwood
George Libbey
Clem' March
David Johnson
Joseph Dearborn
John Haines jr
Thomas Marston jr
Josiah Haines
William Haines Jr
W" Weeks
George Weeks
Stephen IMarch
Levi Dearborn
Dan' Gookin
Rich'' Jenness
Tho'' Marston
Mark \\'iggin
Joseph Dearborn
Nathaniel Alarston
Benj" Norton Jun'
Benj" Swett
Benfa™ moulton
George Philbrook
John Ayers
William Jenkens
Absalum Pickering
George Pickering
Richard Tarlton
Abraham Dearborn
GROTON.
The township was granted to George Abbott and others
July 8, 1 76 1, by the name of Cockermouth. No settle-
ments being made, the grant was forfeited, and on Novem-
ber 22, 1766, it was regranted to John Hale and others,
who made some settlements in 1770, — James Gould, one of
the grantees, Capt Ebenezer Melvin, Jonas Hobart, Phine-
has Bennet, and Samuel Farley settling that year. The
full conditions of the latter grant, however, were not com-
plied with, and Governor Wentworth granted an extension
January 24, 1772, for three years.
In 1792 a portion of this township was united with a por-
74 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tion of Plymouth, and incorporated into a town by the name
of Hebron.
By an act approved December 7, 1796, the name of the
town was changed to Groton, in answer to a vote of the
town.
By an act approved June 26, 1845, a tract of land known
as the Gore, and some other lots, were severed from Hebron,
and annexed to Groton.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers from Groton were
Gideon Fletcher and John Hazelton, in the First Regiment.
[4-164] \_Election of Jtistice of the Peace ^ lyyg.^
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
To the Honerable Counsel and House of Representatives
May it plese your Honours that the freeholders and other In-
habetants of the town of Cockermouth at a Legal meeting may
10 1779
Voted that the Select men of S*^ town of Cockermouth make
aplication to the Counsel and House of Representitives for a
Justice of the peace for S'^town also Voted that Cap'Eben Ken-
dall be S'^ Justice of the peace
therefore your petitioners Humbly Request that your Hon-
ours would appoint Said Kendall for a Justice of the peace and
that He be authorized for that purpose
and your petitioners as In Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Cockermouth may 30 i779
I,..,,. T-, ") Select men
Wuliam rowers ( r ^\ i.
■Di • 1 Tj i-i. ^ 01 the town
rhmehas Bennett I r /^ 1 iu
) of Cockermouth
[4-165] {^Relative to a Road through Plymouth^ etc.^ I'j8l.'\
To the Honb' Council And House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire in Gen' Assembly, convened at
Exeter, on the Second Wednesday of this Instant,
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, Dorchester,
Lyme, & others; Humbly Sheweth,
That your Petitioners have ever Since the Settlement of these
Towns Labourd under many hardships, & great Inconven-
ienses, for want of a good Carriage way through that part of
GROTON. 75
Plymouth, that falls between Cockermouth and Alexandria,
upon the road that leads from Docf Bartlett's Farm in S*
Cockermouth, to M'' John APMurfey's in S*^ Alexandria ; which
is So extreme Bad at present, that it is not passable without
the greatest Difficulty on horse-back, inuch less with Teams. —
Besides there is a road, located and mark'd through the N.
W. part of S'^ Cockermouth, part of which is already cut out
and Cleared, and the remaining part, will be Cleared imediate-
ly into the Township of Wentvvorth, which Town is also, pre-
paring a Road, in the most direct line of communication to
Cooss. Your Honours will be pleased to observe, that when
this Road is Compleated, the Inhabitants of Cooss with the
Towns adjacent thereto, & likewise the Easterly Part of this
State, that have concerns thither ; as also the greatest part of
the Massachusetts, may have access & recess, to & from each
other ; fifteen or perhaps twenty miles nearer, than the Road
that is now travel'd : which your Petitioners humbly presume,
■will be readily granted, by all the impartial, that are acquainted
with that part of the Country and also that it may be made as
good or better Road than that which is now occupied. — And
besides, the many disadvantages, that accrue to your Petitioners
and others, at present from the badness of that Road, throug
that part of Plymouth above mention'd. your Honours, will be
pleas'd to take Notice also, that the principal Impediment, with
respect of this new Road to Cooss, lies in this way through
Plymouth. — And that Some of your Petitioners, have made re-
peated application, to Plymouth for a reparation of tliis Road,
but hitherto it has been to no effect.
And the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, have also Petitioned to
this Honb' House heretofore, for redi'ess upon this Head, which
was then read, and postpon'd, by reason of the member from
Plymouth, engaging that this Road Should be repair'd immedi-
ately ; but it has Still been neglected.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly conceive, that your Hon-
ours, will at once See the Necessity, Propriety and public
Utility, in the immediate Reparation of S*^ Road, and humbly
Pray that the Township of Plymouth, may be compell'd Speed-
ily, to Clear, Bridge, and Caswa}', this road. So that it might
be render'd convenient, for passing — Or that your Honours,
would be pleas'd to appoint Some other method whereby S**
Road may become Commodious for the Public benefit.
And as in Duty bound your Petitioners will ever Pray &c.
March 2^ 1 78 1
Sam^ Piper Benj" Piper Sol" Blood
David Clerk Step" Ames Peter Oilman
Elijah Noyes W™ Powers Nath' Fyfield
7^
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam' Page
Pelatiah Bartlett
Jotham Gillis
Tyschal Cleaveland
Tho** Gilbert
Benj" Rise
Silvanus Wood-
worth
John Woodworth
Jacob Ceaford
Tho' Clement
Asa Foster
Jon"* Bates
Abr"^ Buell
Sim" Lovejoy
Sam' Hazeltine
James Colburn
Isaac Powers
Eben' Melvin
Sam' Farley
Tho^ Caldwell
James Walker
James Goold
W" Taylor
Tho^ Folsom
David Flanders
Abner Ingraham
Andrew Hicok
Alex'' Jameson
Tho^ Mills
Joseph Rogers
Tho^ Nevins Jun''
Eben'' Melvin J''
David Hale
Enoch Noves Jun''
Jerath' Bowers
Timothy Blood
Nehemiah Hardy
Sam' Perley
Sam' Fellows
Alex^ Caldwell
John House
Nath' Lord
Jn° Sulloway
Junia Ingraham Jun'
Junia Ingraham
Gideon Bridgman
Daniel Jameson
Nath' Green
Zeb" Gilman
Eben'' Phelps
Sam' Phelps
Nath' Ball
John Hale
Jacob Lovejoy
Step" Ames Jun
Eben'' Kendall
N. Gilman
Peter Gilman J'
[4—166] [^Petition relative to Road through Alexandria^ i'/82.'\
To the Honorable Council, and House of Representatives for
the State of Newhampshire, In General Assembly Convened,
at Concord March 1782.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Cockermouth, Dorchester,
and others :
Humbly Sheweth, That the Road from the Northerly Line of
Alexandria through which Town Your Petitioners & others
must pass, to Transact near all our Publick Business of import-
ance is Extreme Bad, and uncomfortable to Travil in. That
Some of yoiu" Petitioners have often Broke their Slays, Sleds,
and Carriages in Conveying the Necesaries of Life to our Fam-
ilies through S** Town. Our Selves, Oxen, and Horses have
often Been Greatly Ingur'd, by the Badness of S'' Road, and
this too, more or Less, at all Seasons of the Year.
Your Honors will further Observe, That Repeated applica-
tions have Been made to the S'' Alexandria, to make S'' Road a
good Waggon one, Notwithstanding which the S'' Road Re-
mains as is above Represented. Wherefore Your Petitioners
Humbly Pray that the S'' Alexandria May be enabled and Com-
pell'd or the Proprietors of said Town to make us a good
Waggon Road, from the Road lately Repaired By the Propri-
etors of Plvmouth on the Northerly Line of S'' alexandria, to
GROTON. 77
Joshua Tolphords Esq, in S*^ Town, and as In Duty Bound
your Petitioners Shall ever Pray &c.
Cockermouth March 12 1783.
Jonth Bartlet N Oilman Gershom Hobart
Zechariah Kemp John Haselton Jonathan Bates
Thomas Nevens Enoch Noyes Samuel Perley
Samuel Hazelton Peter Oilman Hazel- Eb"' Kendall
Evan Bartlett tine Jasariah Crosby
Jerathmel Bowers Eben melven Jonas Hobart
Thomas Nevins Ju'' John Hobart Stephen Ames
Uriah Pike Sam" Farley Nath" Oilman
Nehemiah Hardy Zeb" Oilman Ezekiel Metcalf
Jeremiah newhall Abraham Buell Jacob Perkins
Peter Oilman Jr Simeon Lovejoy Stephen Ooodhue
Isaac Powers Timothy Blood Henry Phelps
[In H. of Rep., March 27, 1782, a hearing was ordered
for the next session. — Ed.]
[4-167] \_Capt. Edmund Shattuck recommended for a Mag-
istrate^ i'/8j.']
To his Excellency the Presedant of the State of New Hamp-
shire
May it please your Excellency
We your dutifull Petitioners free holders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Cockermouth in the County of Orafton
and State aforesaid we understand that we have know Commis-
sion of Peace Oranted to us although this Town is but Small as
tis in Number we think that we Stand in need of a Commission
of the Peace in it by reason of our Loes and other Circum-
stances So tharefore we Humbly present this petition to your
Excellency that if it wold Please your Excellency that you would
Grant a Commision to Cap' Edmond Shattuck of this town.
and as in duty bound Shall ever Pray &c
Stephen Ames Nathaniel Blood William Powers
Ezekiel Metcalf Samuel Metcalf Ebenezer melven
Peter Oilmen John Hall David Plall
Eben melven Ju Abel Lovjoy Thomas Ross
Asahel Buell Jeremiah Ames William Blood
William Colburn Nathaniel Blood Samuel Ooodhue
John Woodbury Juner
7^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-16754] \_Pctition re/at ivc to Boundaries^ lySj.']
State of New | The Hon''''^ the Senate and house of Represent-
Hampshire j atives convened at portsmouth in the state
aforesaid the Tenth day of June Anno Domini 17S5.
The petition of the Proprietors of the Town of Cockermouth
in said State of New Hampshire —
Most Humbly sheweth That in October Anno Domini 1780
The State made an act intitled "An Act to servey & establish
the bounds of sundry towns in the Counties of vStrafford & Graf-
ton " which towns are particularly mentioned in said Act And
also in & by said Act among other things impowering Ebenezer
Thompson Esq'' & others as Committee to survey & lay out by
proper metes & bounds the following towns viz — Rumney^
Wentworth, Warren, Plymouth, Campton, Piermont & Orford.
And a return of s"^ Survey being made into the Secretaries Office
under the hands of s'' Committee or any three or more of them
in one year from the passing said Act, should be binding &
conclusive in Law upon all persons upon certain conditions &
limitations therein mentioned —
And whereas the running the lines of the afores*^ towns, your
Petitioners apprehend will be very detrimental to the town of
Cockermouth for the following reasons viz — First, That altho'
said Act sets forth that public notice had been given & no per-
son had appeared to oppose the same yet that the Proprietors
of Cockermouth who are mentioned in said Act & are material-
ly concerned in the Issue of running lines, never were notified,
neither was said Cockermouth ever notified as a town. —
Secondly — That the lines of the towns of Lyme, Dorchester
& Cockermouth were all surveyed by order of the Honorable
the Superior Court of the Province of New Hampshire, more
than ten 3'ears ago, which surveys were made use of in trials of
actions at law then depending between the said Proprietors of
Cockermouth & Plymouth, And that agreeable to said Surveys,
said proprietors of Cockermouth recovered in all said Actions,
& have constantly possessed, occupied & improved said land,
paid the taxes thereof, & defended the same against the Com-
mon Enemy throughout a tedious war & that a considerable
part of the land in said Cockermouth has been sold for State &
proprietory taxes within that time —
Thirdly — That by the return of the Committee who were
authorised by the before mentioned Act, your petitioners are in-
formed, the said town of Plymouth will have one line of about
two miles in length more than their Charter gives them, —
whereas in fact it appears that they should come to a point, &
leave out the said line of two miles, whereby a very large tract
of land is included, more than Plymouth Charter contains.
GROTON. 79
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray a day of hearing
may be assigned them and that in the mean time the said town
of Plymouth may be ordered not to make any assesments upon
the poles and estates of the inhabitants within the Claim of the
township of Cockermouth, until the boundaries of s** Plymouth
& Cockermouth shall be established by the General Court, and
that your Excellency & Honors would be pleased to pass such
further order thereon as you in your wisdom shall think fit —
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
R : Cutts Shannon ^ r^
TVT 1 Tir ^ I Committee
Noah Worcester r ^i
T 1 Tj 1 ^ oi the prop"^
ohn Hale ( c r^ X
T7 1 1 ci 4-t 1 I oi Cockerm
JLdmund ohattuck j
of Cockermouth
jciuuiuiiu ouaiiucK J
June lo* 1785
[4-1 6S]
It is agreed between the Com**'^^ of Cockermouth & Plymouth
that the Petition concerning the boundarys shall be forther post-
poned to the next Session of the gen' Court in Concord which
may happen after the first Wednesday of June next.
May loth 1787.
S Livermore for Plj'm"
Sam' Hobart \ r
Noah Worcester > r^ , ^,
T> /^ ii. ou \ L^ocker mouth
R : Cutts Shannon )
[For documents relative to foregoing, see Vol. XI, page
723.— Ed.]
[4-169] \^Petitioti for change of JVame of Tozvn.']
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
To the Honarabel the General Cort to be holden at Concord
within and for said state on the first WednesDay of June
Next
the petition of the Inhabetants of the town of Cockermouth in
the County and State afore said Humbly Sheweth that whereas
we the Inhabetants of S** Town have for a Longtime been Dis-
satisfied with the Name of Cockermouth being afixed to said
Town these are therefore to in form your Honours that the In-
habetents of S'' town by there Legal meeting Did meet in town
meeting in S*^ Cockermouth on the Eleventh Day of march 1788
and bv their unamus voice agree to and Voted to petition this
Honourable Court to Change the Name of S*^ town from that of
Cockermouth to that of Danbury as by their Vote on s** 11"^
Day of march may more fully appear these are therefore to
80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pray your Honours that by an act of your Honours the Name
of s*^ Cockermouth may be Vacated and that the Name of
Danbury be affixed thereto and Known in Law as Such and
your petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Signed by order of the town
Eb"- Kendell ) Select
W" Powers ^ men
Cockermouth may 30"^ 17SS
[In H. of Rep., June 9, 1788, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill. — Ed.]
[4-170] \_Petition of Cockermo7ith People for a new Toxvn^
1791.^
His Excellency the President, The Hon. Senate & House of
Representatives for the State of New Hampshire in Gen'
Court convened.
The petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth, that the
Southeasterly part of the Town of Cockermouth (by its natui*al
formation is so situated that a connection with the Southwest-
erly part of Plymouth (in all matters) would render it exceed-
ingly advantageous to us inhabitants of said Cockermouth. —
Wherefore we pray that a certain part of said Cockermouth
(beginning at the Southwesterly corner of the lot Number six-
teen in the first range & first division in said Cockermouth
thence running North thirty degrees East to Rumney line which
makes about a mile in width) may be set oft' from said Cocker-
mouth, annexed to and incorporated with that part of said Ply-
mouth now petitioned for as a New Township —
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Cockermouth Dec ^^ 1791 —
John Haselton Samuel Haselton W"' Cummings
Timothy Farley Nath" Ball Sam' Phelps
Jaazariah Crosby Abraham Parker Ebenezer Wise
[4-170] \_Petitlon of Plymotith People for a New Town^
1791.-]
His Excellency the President, the Plon'''^ Senate & House of
Representatives for the State of New Hampshire in Gen'
Court convened
The petition of us the subscribers humbly sheweth, that by a
late establishment of the boundaries of the Town of Plymouth
GROTON. 8 1
(of which we are Inhabitants) our connection with said Town
of Plymouth is rendered exceeding difficult, as the road at pres-
ent is new and in a great measure unoccupied, and the length
of way from the principal part of us nearly six miles to the now
Centre of said Plymouth. And further that the greater part of
us have been at a great expence in settling a Gospel Minister &
supporting the Gospel among ourselves without any assistance
of the Town of Plymouth aforesaid, & having previously ob-
tained approbation of the inhabitants of said Plymouth by a
unanimous vote herewith inclosed and preferred to your Honors
signifying that our desires may be fully gratified
Wherefore we pray, that such a part of said Plymouth as is
expressed by metes and bounds in said vote herewith preferred
by the bearer William Cummings may be set oft' & incorporated
into a Township and that we the Inhabitants of the same may
be invested with Town privileges in such way as your Honours
in wisdom may Judge fit and we your Honours petitioners as in
duty bound shall ever pray —
Plymouth Dec. 7* 1791
William Cummings Evan Bartlett Jerahmeel Bowers
Jonathan Morss David Cheney Josiah Hobart
Jonathan Bartlett Eben' Kendall Ebenezer Kendall
Uriah Pike Simon Lovejoy Jun'
John W. Kendall Jacob Kendall James Colburn
Samuel Hasalton Benj" Haselton
Feb, 2^ 1792 Serv'd the select men of Plymouth with a true
Copy
per W™ Cumings
Feb. iS"" 1792 the Petitioners comply'd withy'' within order
of Court by serving us with an attested Copy
,,r„. r^ • ] Selectmen of s*^ Cockermouth
W" Cummgs \c ,^^,
° j tor 1 79 1
T^j OT i-i. 1 \ Selectmen for
Edm Shattuck ' a (^ 1 4.1
s'' Cockermouth
am Goodhue r l r ^ ^
^ J for 1792
March 1792
[The foregoing petitions were granted, and the portions
of the two towns asked for were set off and incorporated
into the town of Hebron. — Ed.]
8
82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-1 71] [^Capt. Ed?mind Shattitck's Resignation^ i'/gi.'\
To His Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire—
The request of your Petitioner humbly sheweth that for
many years even from infancy of the Town of Cockermouth,
he has born a large Share of the hardships not only of settling a
new Town, but has for considerable time Sustained the Trust
of Cap' of the Company of militia in s'' Cockermouth and inas-
much as he is in advanced age prays that he may be releas'd
from military exercises & your Excellency's Petitioner as in
duty bound ever prayeth —
Cockermouth Jany 5"^ 1791 —
Ed'" Shattuck Cap'
[4-172] \_Petitioft to have the Name of the Town changed to
Groton^ i'jg6J\
The Hon^'^ Senate & house of Repi^esentatives of the State of
New Hampshire in Gen' Court convened
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth That,
Whereas the Inhabitants of the Town of Cockermouth at a late
Town Meeting unanimously manifested their Desire that the
Name of said Town of Cockermouth might be altered and an-
other Name for said Town Substituted in Stead therof —
Wherefore we pray that your Honours would gratify the In-
habitants of said Cockermouth and order by act of the Hon'
Gen' Court that said Town be Called Groton — This your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Cockermouth Nov. 24* 1796
Ed"" Shattuck | Selectmen
David Hale j of s'' Cockerm''
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
December 7, 1796. — Ed.]
H AMPSTEAD.
Previous to the establishment of the line between this
state and Massachusetts, the territory comprising this town
was considered as parts of Haverhill and Amesbury, and
went by the name of Timberlane.
HAMPSTEAD. 83
Settlements were made in 1728.
The town was incorporated by the government of New
Hampshire January 19, 1749, and named by Governor
Wentworth from a town in England.
A dispute arose, about theyear 1757, between the proprie-
tors of the town and some Kingston parties, who claimed
land under a grant from Massachusetts, which created con-
siderable bitterness, but was finally settled by the payment
of ;:^3,000 old tenor, amounting to ;^I50 lawful money, by
the town of Hampstead, and the procuring of a grant from
the governor of a township, from which land enough was
transferred to the Kingston parties to satisfy them. It is
said that men from both sides went to the township thus
granted (situated in what is now Sullivan county) with bit-
terness in their hearts, but came to an amicable settlement,
shook hands, and parted in Unity, and named the town in
commemoration of the happy event.
By an act passed June 23, 1859, '^ portion of Atkinson
was annexed to this town.
June 28, 1877, a small tract of land was severed from
Hampstead, and annexed to Danville.
Among the noted early inhabitants of the town was
Richard Hazzen,a graduate of Harvard college in 1717. He
was a surveyor, and in March and April, 1741, surveyed the
line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from the
south-east corner of the present town of Pelham to Connect-
icut river. He died in 1754.
Hon. John Calfe, born June 13, 1741, was judge of the
court of common pleas for twenty-five years, and for the
same number of years clerk of the house of representatives.
He died October 30, 1808,
[5-1] \_Assessfnent of Rates^ about lyd^.l
An assessment on the Lands Possessed By those Persons
whose names are under written ; assess' By Vartue of a vote of
the free holders of the Town of Hampstead : in order to Settle
the Long & unhappy Despute that has Subsisted between the
Said freeholders of Hampstead that Settled under Haverhill &
Amesbury Title ; and the Proprietors of Kingstown or Clam-
ers under them :
John Atwood, Joseph Brown, Thos Crawford,
Sam" Brown, John Calfe, Eben"" Copp,
84
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joshua Bayley, Wid. Sarah Clark,
John Chase, Josiah Davis,
Asa Currier, Caleb Emerson,
Dr. Peter Eastman, John French,
JosephFrench, Jun., Capt. Eben'' Hale,
Will'" George,
Reuben Harriman,
David Hadley,
En. Will'" Heath,
John Harriman,
Capt. John Hazen,
Stephen Johnson,
Charles Johnson,
Daniel Johnson,
John Kent,
Eben Kezar,
Sam" Little, Esq.,
Stephen Little,
Moses Little, Jun.,
Enoch Little,
John Mills,
Lieut Peter Morss,
Joseph Noyce,
John Plumer,
Lieut. Benj" Emer-
son,
Dr. Joseph French,
Nathan Goodwin,
Capt. Hezekiah
Hutchens,
Bartho™ Heath,
Wid. Judith Hadle}^ Joseph Hadley,
Will"> Heath, Jun., Nath" Heath,
Benj" Heath,
Heirs of Richard
Hazen, Jun.,
Sam" Johnson,
Caleb Johnson,
Dr. Benj'^ Kimball,
Wid. Kimball,
Will'" Hunt,
Benj" Hale,
Wid. Sarah Hazen,
En. Jesse Johnson,
Zech. Johnson,
Moses Kimball,
John Kezar,
Wid. Merebah Rob- Joseph Pilsbury,
Eben"" Kezar for his Daniel Little, Esq"",
wife, Joseph Little,
Joseph Little, Capt. Moses Little,
Moses Little, Benj" LitUe,
Clerk Benj" Little, John Muzzey,
Lieut Will"' Moulton, Capt. Will"' Marsh-
Abel Merril, ell,
Hannah Moors, John Merriel,
Wid. Judith Plumer, Benj" Pilsbury,
erds,
Benj" Stevens,
Sam" Stevens,
Daniel Stevens,
Joseph Sawyer,
Jesse Turriel,
John Webster, Esq
Otho Stevens,
Dc"" Wait Stevens,
Levi Stevens,
Joshua Sawyer,
Enoch Sawyer,
Wid. Sant clear,
, Tho'' Williams,
Wid. Mehe' Worthen, Abner Sawyer,
Dinah Roberson,
John Bardet,
Dr. John Bond,
Stephen Bayley,
Job Rowel,
Will'" Stevens,
Arch. Stevens,
Wid. Anna Stevens,
Edmund Sawyer,
the Rev'i M-" Henry
True,
Will'" Richardson,
Tho-^ Wadley,
Joshua Copp,
John Muzzey
Edmund Morss
John Mills
Committee
At a meeting held at Timber lane on the
th . . - .
[5-2]
Province of , ^^ ^ -.-
New Hamshire j 13"" of July Listant it was voated that Mr
Richard Hazzen & Daniel Little Esq"" and m"" John Webster be
a Committee to prefer a petition to the Govenor and Council of
said Province to see if that Hon''''''' Court in their wisdom will
HAMPSTEAD. 85
Incorporate Timber lane and Almsbury peak into a Parish or
Township
George Little Jun""
Timber lane Clerk
[5-3] S^Petition for an Incorporatio7i of the Town, l'/46.~\
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governor and
Commander in Chief in and Over his majesties Province of
New Hampshire the Hon'''''^ his majesties Councill July 2()^^
1746.
The petition of the Subscribers for themselves & in behalf of
Sundry others to the number of About one hundred who live
in that part of Haverhill District Commonly called Timber-
lane together with that part of South Hampton District which
is usually called Almsbury Peak.
Humbly Sheweth That the Lands whereon your petitioners
Dwell as herein described and bounded & containing near a
five miles Square viz. Begining at the Southeasterly corner of
the farm commonly called Tyngs farm : thence runing North-
westerly by Said farm till it comes to Belknaps Land, So take-
ing in Belknaps Land & Richard Heaths Land, thence runing
by Land of Lieu' Caleb Page till it comes to Land of Richard
Hazzen, thence running betwixt said Hazzens Land & Clem-
ents Land till it comes to the Islandy pond, thence to the South-
east corner of Edward Flynts Land, including the Great Island
in s*^ pond, thence running by Flynts farm and takeing in
the same till it comes to Stevens Land, and by Land of Ne-
hemiah Stevens Northeasterly to y^ Twelve rod wa}', thence to
y* Southwesterly angle of Sleepers fifth Division Lott, thence
Northeast to a line Northwest from Holts Rock, & from thence
to y* mouth of ye Angly pond so called, thence Southeast till
it comes to y*^ Northeast Corner of Woodbridges farm thence
Northwesterlv by Said farm till it comes to y'= way Leading
from Capt Follingsbees to y"' Angly pond, from thence to North
East Corner of Obadiah Avers fifth Division Lott thence South-
westerly by Said Lott to the Twelve rod way, thence to y^
Northwest Corner of Lieu' Hales Land & by his Land to
y* Southwest Corner of it, thence to y^ Northeast Corner of
Tyngs farm & by S*^ farm to y^ first bounds are very vSuitable &
Commodious for a Town or parish and that we who inhabit
said Lands are so compactly situated, & by the blessing of God
have made such Improvements as that they are now able to
support a Gospell Minister amongst ourselves. We would
further Humbly Suggest to your Excellency and Honours that
most of us now Live far from y^ public worship of God (unless
86
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when carried on amongst our Selves) that we cannot possibly
attend upon it without the utmost difficulty & hazzard. We
therefore earnestly request your Excellency & Honours to Com-
pasionate our Circumstances & incorporate us into a Township
with y* powers & priviledges that other Towns in y^ Province
have, or that you will at least invest us with power to tax y®
people to support y*^ Gospell amongst ourselves as to your Ex-
cellency & Honours shall seem best for us, & for your Excel-
lency & Honours. Your humble petitioners as in duty bound
shall every pray,
Daniel Little
Benjamin Heath
Benjamin Stevens
Moses Gile
Ebenr Gile
Moses Copp
Otho Stevens
benjamin kimball
Nathaniell Heath
Samuel Plummer
Thomas Clark
Benjamin hadley
Thomas Williams
Jonathan Hunt
John Muzzey
John Johnson
William Hancock
Lemuel Tucker
JohnATen Gile
Stephen Johnson
David Copp
Jeremiah Eatton
Caleb heath
Hugh Tallant
Ebenezer Johnson
Richard Hazzen
George Little Junr
Peter Easman
Stephen Johnson Jur Benjamin Eatton
Peter Morss
John Plummer
Edmund Sawyer
rechar-d goodell
Henry Trusell
Jonathan Stevens
John Webster
Abner Sawyer
amos Clark
Bartholomew heath
Joseph Hadly
[In answer to this the town was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council Jan. 19, 1749, and named Hampstead,
from a town in England, near London. — Ed.]
[5-4] [ Committee to prosecute the foregoing Petition^ l'/48.~\
At a Meeting held Jan. y^ ii"" 1747/8 at the House of John
Bond By a Society of the West end of Kingston John Hogg &
James Graves were Chosen a Committee to Prosecute a Peti-
tion said Society have now in Court.
John Bond Clerk
for s"^ Society
Copia vera
[5-5] \_Req2test relative to foregoing Petitio?i^ lY4g.'\
Kingst" July 17"" ^749
May it Please your Excellency & Hon"
It is the desire of us the Subscribers that if our Petition ac-
cording as we were Sett of by Kingston should not be granted
HAMPSTEAD. 8/
and 3'our Excellencie & Hon''^ See Cause to Establish Timber-
lane that we may be established with them and that the North
Line may include the Farm that was formerly Sam^^ Graves
Deceas'd & the west Line may be the agreement Line between
Kingston & Londonderry
John Hogg
James Graves
John Bond
Edman Easman
[5-6] [ Co7nmittee to defoid Kingstoti La-jusuits, iy68.'\
Hampstead August 22'"' 1758
At a Leagal Town meeting held this Day Persuant to a war-
rant from the select men of this town the following things were
voted,
i'' Voted to Chuse a Committee to Defend and Carry on to
final Judgement and Execution the Case alredy Commenced
against Some'Persons in this town by Kingstown in Respect of
Land title or any Person in this town that may be sued, By
Kingstown in Respect to Land title upon the Cost and Charge
of the freeholders of this Town — every one to Pay his Propor-
tion according to the value of his Land Calling it as wild or
unimproved Land
2nd Voted that those Persons that Settled under Kingstown
title are free*^ and Excluded from Paying any Part of the above
Said Cost & Charge.
The Committee Chosen to Carry on any Case in Law against
Kingstown are Lieut Peter Morss Nath" Heath John Webster
John Muzzey and Eben"" Gile.
Hampstead October 24"" 1768
A True Copy
n i. T^ i. ) Town
Peter Eastman >- ^, ,
j Clerk
[5-7] [ Votes in Toivn Meeting relative to Kingstoti Clai?ns,
1760.']
Hampstead Sepf i*' 1760
This Day a meeting is Held Pursuant to a warrant from the
Select men of this Town and the following things were voted
(viz)
i^'. Voted to Give twelve Hundred Pounds old tenor to Kings-
town Proprietors for a Settlement with them in Respect of
their Claims, in this Town.
ond Voted to free those Persons that Settled under Kingstown
Title from any Charge in Said agreement with Kingstown.
88 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hampstead Sepf 19*'' 1760
At a meeting held this Day Persuant to an Adjournment of
the above meeting the Town Voted to Give the Proprietors of
Kingstown three thousand Pounds old tenor to Qiiit their
Claims to all the Lands in this town that was settled imder
Haverhill & Amsbury title. Voted Likewise to bare half the
Charges in Gitting a Grant of the new township which was
Fropos*^ to them.
Hampstead October 24'^ 1768
A True Copy
Peter Eastman [ ^, ,
Clerk
[5-S] [ Votes of Town relative to Kingstofi Claims^ iy6y.'\
Hampstead February 9'^ ^7^7
at a leagal Meeting held this Day (by the free holders of
Hampstead that Settled under Haverhill & amesbury Title) by
vartue of a warrant from the select men of this Town The fol-
lowing things, were Voted, (viz)
John Webster Moderator
John Muzzey Chosen Clerk for Said meeting
This meeting is adjourn'* to monday the 23** of this instant
febr^ at one oClock in the after noon.
Febr^ 23*^ at the adjournment of the above said meeting it
was voted as followeth
I voted to Raise the three thousand Pounds old tenor form-
erly voted to Give to Kingstown Clamers, of Land in Hamp-
stead for their Claims, in said Hampstead : Providing they Give
us, the Deed already signed by a number of said Clamers : and
Likewise Give sui^cient Bonds to Defend us against any that
may hereafter Chalenge Land in Hampstead under a Kings-
town Clame.
2'y voted that John Muzzey Leiut Edmond Morss and John
Mills be a Committee to Take a valueation of the Land in
Hampstead belonging to the above said freeholders : and assess
the above Said money and for Defraying the Charges of the
Settlement with Kingstown
March 21^' 1768 A True Coppy
"J Clerk
John Muzzey > for said
) meeting
[5-9] [ Coitimittee appointed to settle -with Kingston^ i7^7-\
Hampstead Dec'' 8"^ 1767
At a Leagal meeting held this Day by the freeholders of
HAMPSTEAD. 89
the Town of Hampstead, that settled under Haverhill and
Almsbury title Pursuant to a warrant from the Select men of
said Town the following votes were Past
I voted that John Webster Esq"" John Muzzey Benj" Kimball
& Jesse Johnson, Be a Committee to Give security (to Kings-
town Clamers) for the three thousand Pounds old tenor that was
formerly voted to Give them for their Claims in Hampstead.
2'y voted that the above said Committee, shall apply to the
General Court to be enabled to Colect the Rate that is allready
assesst in order to Compleat the agreement with Kingstown
Clamers.
A True Coppy of those Purticuler votes Exam^ & attested
John Muzzey Clerk.
[5-10] \_Relative to the Settlcjnent of Kingston Dispute^
1768.-]
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Govenor and Com-
mander in Chieff in and over His Majestvs Province of New
Hampshire & to the Hon^*^ his jVIajestys Councel and House
of Representatives Convean'' in General assembly for Said
Province —
The Petition of us the Subscribers in behalf of the freehold-
ers of the Town of Hampstead Humbly Sheweth That Where
as there has Been an unhappy Dispute Long Subsisting Be-
tween the freeholders of the Town of Hampstead (who hold
their Lands in said Hamps'' under the ancient Grants of Haver-
hill & Almsbury) and the Proprietors of Kingstown and others
Claming under them : Respecting the title of Land within said
Hampstead : and to Settle this unhappy Debate ; the said free-
holders of Hampstead have Past a vote to Give the agriev*^
Party Claming said Land under Kingstown the sum of three
thousand Pounds old tenor Equal to one Hundred & iifty Pounds
Lawfull money ; and Likewise to be at one half the Charge of
Gitting a Tonship Granted in order to Give to the Said agriev^
Partv for their Clames in Hamps'' and it hath Pleas'' His Excel-
lency our former Govenor to Grant a Township by the name of
Unity ; that there might be an ammicable Settlement made be-
tween the Contending Parties ; Now the agreiv'^ Party Claming
under Kingstown has Recc** a Deed of the Township of Unity
from the Grantees of it and have taken the same in Part of the
above said Settlement, and now the one Hundred & fifty Pounds
yet Remains to be Paid to Compleat the agreement; and al-
though the money be assess*^ for the Payment of the above said
sum and for Defraying the Charges ; agreeable to a vote of said
90 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
freeholders, yet we suppose that we have not Power to Colect
the same or any ones Purportion that Refuses to Pay it ; which
there is maney ; Some have farms or tracts of Land in said
Hampstead and Live out of this Province ; and others are Late
Purchessers and are unwilling to Pay their Purportion unless
they Can Come Back upon their Warrantees, for Damage as
being an incumbrance upon the Land when they Bought it.
So that we Labour under a Great Difficulty and Cannot finish
the agreement. Therefore the Prayer of your Petitioners, is
that your Excellency and Honnours would be Pleased to Take
our unhappy Case under your Wise Consideration and Grant
us Power to Colect the above said assessment as in your Wis-
dom Shall be thought most Proper. So that these unhappy
Disputes which have subsisted above thirty years may be
brought to a final and Happy End.
And your Hum'" Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever
Pray.
Dated at Hampstead February 3'^ 176S
John Webster
John Muzzey
Ben'" Kimball
Nath*' Pleath
Jesse Johnson.
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 24, 1769, voted that the petitioners
have liberty to bring in a bill to enable them to collect said
assessment. — Ed.I
[R. 2-40] \_Elijah Heath's Accoiait^ l'/6o.'\
Province of New Hampshire, Hampstead January 21'' 1760:
I the subscriber namely Elijah Heath being a souldier in Col"
Lovewel Rigement under Capt Todd ; and as I was going to
osswago I lost my Gunn going over the fauls it fell out of a
batto
Elijah Heath
Sworn to before Daniel Little, Dismissed.
[R. 2-41] [ WilUajn Heathy Jr. ^ Soldier^ 1/60.']
[William Heath, Jr., in a petition dated Hampstead, Jan.
18, 1760. says he was "a soldier under Capt. John Hazzen
in Col° Harts Rigiment," that he had his gun stolen coming
home, and wants pay for it. His petition was " dismissed."
—Ed.]
HAMPSTEAD. 9I
[R. 2-42] \^BenJamin J\Iorse^ Soldier^ I'j62.'\
[In a petition addressed to the governor and assembly,
Jan. 4, 1763, Peter Morss, of Hampstead, says, "Your Pe-
titioner had a Son a Minor in the service of this Province
in Col° John Goff's Regiment & Cap* John Hazzens Com-
pany in the year 1762 at Crown Point ;" that his said son
was taken sick on the way home at the house of Alexander
Robbe in Peterborough. He presented a bill for care and
expense of getting him home, amounting to ^^34, 12, o —
and was allowed eight shillings and six pence sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-43] [ yohn Sawyer^ Soldier of the Rhode Island Ex-
peditio7i . ]
[John Sawyer, of Hampstead, states that he was a vol-
unteer in Capt. Jesse Page's company. Col. Gale's regiment,
in the Rhode Island expedition, and had his horse stolen
from him, and wants the state to pay 13 pounds 10 shill-
ings. He was allowed $4$, Nov. 17, 1778. — Ed.]
fR. 2-44] l^^ohfi Eaton^s Petition^ Soldier^ lySo.^
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honourable the Council & house of Representatives for
said State in General assembly convened Nov"" S*^** 1780.
The Petition of John Eaton of Hampstead in said state
Humbly Sheweth — That your Petitioner engaged in the service
of the United States in Nov' 1776 as an Ensign in Capt. Ben-
jamin Stones Company in y* 3'' New Hampsh'' Battalion and
continued in said Service until August 1778, when the circum-
stances of your Petitioners family was such that he was induced
to ask Liberty to Resign, which was granted and a Discharge
obtained, Dated Aug' 2^ 1778, as will appear by said Dis-
charge—
Wherefore your Petitioner prays that he may be allowed
Depreciation for the Time he was in said Service equal with
others of like Rank.
John Calfe in behalf said Petitioner.
[He produced a discharge, signed " General Headquar-
92 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ters August 2"^ 1778, by order of his Excellency the Com'
in Chief
John Fitzgerald
V Aide de Camp."— Ed.]
[5-1 1 ] \^Petition to be classed for Representative^ l/'8^.~\
State of I To the Honb'" the General Court for Said State
Newhamp''" j convened at Concord octo' 19'^ '^^^S —
Humbly Shews the Subscribers inhabitants of the Town of
Hampstead : That the General Court for Said State in the year
1783 in Classing the Several Towns that were not constitution-
ally entitled to a Representative Left the Town of Hampstead
unclassed which has occasioned our not being Represented un-
der the new Constitution, and your Petitioners esteeming it a
great priveledge to be Represeted in the Gineral Court, but not
wishing to add to the public expences by adding to the num-
ber of Representatives and being informed by some of the In-
habitants of plastow & Atkinson that they are willing that
Hampstead should be Classed with them Therefore pray that
your Honours would appoint a day of hearing on this our Peti-
tion and Call on the Towns of Plastow and atkinson to shew
Cause, if any they have why the said three Towns may not be
made one Class for Representation
and your Petitioners as bound shall pray.
Abner Rogers Timothy Goodwin Joseph Webster
Edward Greeley John Harriman Daniel Little
Micaj*" Little Caleb Webster John Brown
Jonathan Little Amos Clark Levi Hildreth
David Dexter John Richardson Joseph Noyes
Ebnzer Coops 'William Richardson Heze'' Hutchins
Noah Johnson Eliphalet Davis
Abner Sawyer Ephraim Hutchins
[5-12]
[Another petition of the same tenor and date contains
the following names : — Ed.]
James Brown Samuel Brown John kimball
Joseph Chandler John True Jesse Johnson
John Bond Moses Little Jn° Wiear
John Gooden John Adams Thomas emery
Austen George David Poor Joshua H. Noyes
HAMPSTEAD. 93
Samnel Johnson Samuel Johnson Jonathan Carlton
Juner Amos mills Joseph French
Samuel Little moses Brown David Moulton
Thomas Wadley Timothy Stevens Moses Atwood
James Huse Andrew Biyant Robard Darling
James Atwood Joseph Johnson Jacob Currier
Benjamin Tuxbury Joshua Eastman James Shepard
Edmund Eastman John Atwood Jun Thomas Muzzey
Ezekiel Currier Johii Eaton
Jona. R. Hale Job Kent
[5-13]
[Still another bears the following names : — Ed.]
Samuel Johnson William Griffin Edmund Morss
Nehemiah Kelley Thomas Emery Moses Emery
John Brickett John Richardson Walter Little
Thomas Wadley Reuben Harriman Moses Richardson
Isaac Heath Jabez Hart Jun Joseph Noyes Jun
Moses Morss Joseph Currier William Moulton
Samuel Currier Henry Johnson Joseph Chase
Jonathan Eastman Jonathan George Benjamin Kimball
Jesse Heath vSamuel Currier Jun Abraham Johnson
Thomas Williams Joseph French Ju Barthol''' Heath
John Calfe John Williams Peter Morss
[The town of Atkinson opposed the foregoing petition —
see Vol. XI, page 132. Hampstead petitioned the next
year for the privilege of sending one by themselves, which
was granted. — Ed.]
[5-14] \_Petition relative to Paper Money^ etc.^ lySd.^
State of New ^ To the Honb' General Court for said state to be
Hampshire >- conveaned at Concord on the first Wednes-
) day of June Instant —
Humbly Shews
The subscribers Inhabitants of the Town Hampstead in the
County of Rockingham in said state that your petitioners La-
bour under many & very great Difficulties on account of the
gi'eat scarcity of a Circulating medium of trade also great un-
easiness has arisen in the minds of your petitioners and many
others on account of a Claim Lately made to the uncultivated
Lands within this state and as Your Honours are the guardieans
94 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of the Rights and priviledges of the people and as we have no
other reguhir way of redress that your Honours would take our
case under your wise Consideration and grant us releaf by act-
ing on the following particulars
I'^'ly that yould not allow those persons purchesers of the Al-
len Claim so called any part of their Claim within this state
2'^ly that not any of those persons that are purchesors of said
Aliens Claim hold any Commision of profit or Honour within
this state for the space of one year
3'^ly that the General Court take up the matter Respecting the
Masionan title to certain Lands in this state which we think their
title is not Good and that those Lands Claimed by them be Con-
verted to the use of said state.
4"'ly that there might be a Bank of paper money made to Re-
deem this states security
5ly that the General Court 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.
61y that the ports & Harbours in this state be opened and a
free trade for all Except Refugees.
Hampstead June i"' 17S6 —
Joseph French Amos Clark Job Kent
Joseph Conner Bartholomew Heath moses Brown
John Leach Jesse Heath Reuben harriman
Austein George Thomas williams David Dexter
Jon" R. Hale Joshua Corliss Joseph Noyes
Ben'" Kimball John Harriman Jur John Richardson
isaac Kimball J"hri Atwod Eliphalet Davis
Jonathan Eastman James Atwood moses Richardson
Joseph Kimball David Moulton H. Hutchins
Peter Eastman James Huse Joseph merrick
John Kimball Timothy Stevens Jonathan Little
John Eaton Beniamin Tuxbury William Richardson
Samuel Kelley Joseph Johnson Ebenezer Copp
John Colby Joseph French ju Parker Stevens
Joshua H. Noyes moses Atwood Ezekiel Currier
Samuel Johnson Da\id Poor Peter morse
Nehemiah Kelley John Darling Watts Emerson
Samuel Johnson Jun John Atwood Benjamen Emerson
Timothy Goodwin Andrew Grant Jn° Wiear
John Harriman Willi'" moulton
John Brown Moses Wadley
[For legislative action on the paper money question, see
Atkinson Papers. Vol. XL — Ed.]
HAMPSTEAD. 95
[5-15] \_Relattve to Revolutionary Matters.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon' the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened —
The Petition and Memorial of the Inhabitants of Hampstead
in said state to your Honours respectfully sheweth — That early
in the late war with great Britain your Alemorialists not only
willing to comply with every requisition of the Honb' Legislat-
ure, but anxious to have their quota of men in the field, gave to
several persons considerable sums of money over and above
what the public promised as an inducement to engage in the
defence of the Country — amongst others they hired one Brad-
ley Richards to serve three years in the Continental army and
paid him therefor Thirty pounds besides promising to take care
of and supply his family in his absence which they did to the
amount of upwards of twelve pounds more than he left money
with them to make provision with — That before said term ex-
pired the Army Petitioned the General Court to have the de-
preciation of the then paper currency made up to them which
said Court agreed to do on the following conditions, namely,
that all supplies Gratuities Town Bounties &c should be allow-
ed in part satisfaction for the depreciation and accordingly or-
dered the Several Towns to charge the state with the Sums by
them advanced as bounties or Supplies, as may be seen by a
Resolve of the Legislature of the 26''' of March 1779 in order
that each Town in the state might bear an equal proportion
according to their proportioned value and also to reward the
volunteer in as full and ample a manner as the hired Soldier —
That in consequence of the method pursued b}' the Legislature
there was with-held from the said Bradley Richards the Sum
of forty two pounds and upwards of the depreciation that would
have been his due had not the Town paid him said Sum — That
afterwards (to wit) Jan, 16"' 17S2 an Act passed the Legislat-
ure which entitled the Several Towns to receive the Sums by
them advanced — That the said Richards has now brought an
Action against your Memorialists for said Sum of forty two
pounds and upwards for money had and received which if he
should recover it would open a door by which every Soldier
Similarly circumstanced might recover what has been stopped
out of tlieir depreciation on account of the Sums to them sever-
ally advanced by Towns and Individuals which would intirely
frustrate the righteous design of the Legislature and leave the
burden upon such Towns as were foremost in the cause while
Towns that did not exert themselves nor procure any Soldiers
96 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
but such as enlisted for the pubHc bounties only would go free
of any part of said burden.
Your Memorialists taking the matter into consideration &
knowing that hundreds if not thousands, of Actions might be
commenced on the same footing which might occasion much
uneasiness in the state and also knowing that Several persons
have been busy in procuring at small expence powers to recov-
er said sums thus deducted from the soldiers depreciation,
thought fit to state the matter to your Honours, not knowing,
but that you in your wisdom would think proper to interpose
so far as to point out some method of relief whereby your Peti-
tioners and others in Similar circumstances maybe saved harm-
less, or point out such remedy as to your Honours shall appear
most agreable for which Interposition of your Honours, your
Petitioners at this time pray &c
John Hogg
in behalf of said Inhabitants
[5-1 S] S^Petition for a Magistrate^ I'j88.'\
To his Excellency the President the Hon^'*" the Council of the
state of New Hampshire —
The petition of the subscribers freeholders and Inhabitants of
the Town of Hampstead in said State in behalf of themselves
& others Plumbly shew
That the Hon"'' John Calfe of said Hampstead Esq'' is the
only person Commissioned as a Justice of the peace in said
Town — that he is one of the Justices of the Court of common
Please in the County of Rockingham and sustains other public
offices & appointments in said state which Occasions his being
absent from said Town a great part of the Time By means
whereof the good People in said Town & the vicinity thereof
often labour under great difficulties & embarrasments in trans-
acting their business, for want of some other suitable person
being appointed to the office of Justice of the peace in said
Town — That the subscribers are fully sensible it is not their
Constitutional right to nominate or appoint a person to that
office yet they entertain Such an opinion of the Candor & good
intention of your Excellency & Honours that it is only neces-
sary for you to be made acquainted with the wishes and real
interest of the Citizens of this state to ensure your favorable at-
tention— The subscribers therefore take the liberty to mention
as their opinion that Major Edmund Moores, of said Hampstead
is a Gentleman well quallified for the office of Justice of the
peace, and would give great satisfaction to the most reputable
HAMPSTEAD. 9/
part of his acquaintance and would render service to the people
in this vicinity & do honor to himself & those that should ap-
point him — much might be said in favor of this Gentlemans
quallifications and Character in life & respecting the services he
has rendered his Country in the day of tribulation but as the
subscribers have already trespassed on the patience of your Ex-
celK & Hon"—
Therefore only beg leave to request that the said Edmund
Moores may be appointed & Commissioned a Justice of the
peace for the County of Rockingham and as in duty Bound will
Pray
Hampstead May 9"^ 17SS
we also pray that Thomas Muzzey
who we hear is Petition** for may not
be appointed a Justice of the peace
Hez*^ Hutchins Joli" True John Richardson
Samuel Brown Daniel Little Watts Emerson
Ebez"" Copp Micajah Little Abner Rogers
David Dexter Thomas Emery Job Kent
Moses Little Jabez Hoit Beniamin Tuxbury
Thomas Reed Samuel Little Nathan Hadley
John Brown David Poor Joseph merrick
Nathan Goodwin Austein George Joseph Noyes
Caleb Adams Joseph French Joseph Noyes Jun
moses Richardson Timothy Goodwin Amos Howard
John Atwod William Richardson Samuel Kelley
John Kimball James Huse
Nehemiah Kelly Joshua H. Noyes
[5~^9] \_Certificate of Nails made^ lygi.']
State of New Hamp''^ ) To his Excellency Josiah Bartlett Esq'
Rockingham ss. j President of the State of New Hamp'®
These certify that James Shepherd of Hampstead has made
it to appear to us the Subscribers that he has bona fide made
and caused to be made one hundred thousand of Six penny nails
in his work shop in said Town since the Certificate given in his
favour the last year —
W™ marshall ") o 1 ^
T^i s i\4- t Selectmen
1 ho^ Muzzey )- r tt j. j
T 1 rr^ -^ V for Hampstead
John irue ) ^
Hampstead June 27'^^ i79i'
John Calfe Jus* Peace
98 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[5-20] \_Certi/icate of Nails made^ iyg2.'\
These certify that Dudley Kimbal of Hampstead has made
and caused to be made in his work Shop one hundred Thou-
sand of six penny wrought Nails, as he has made appear to us
the Subscribers
attest W'" marshall
Hampstead February 6* 1792
Attest Tho^ ISIuzzey Jus' Peace
To his Excellency
Josiah Bartlett Esq"" President
of New Hampshire.
T 1 rr^ r Selectmen
J ohn 1 rue
[5-21]
These Certify that James Shepherd of Hampstead has made
and caused to be made in his work shop in said Town one hun-
dred thousand of four penny wrought nails, as he has made ap-
pear to us, the Subscribers since he obtained a former Certifi-
cate from the select men of Hampstead for making nails —
Hampstead Jan 17"* 1792
Attest W" marshall '\ o ,
Attest John Calfe Jus' Peace
To his Excellency
Josiah Bartlett Esq' President
of New Hampshire.
Tho° Muzzey .- c
T 1 T- -^ t for 1 79 1
John 1 rue ) ' ^
[5-22]
This Certifies that Edmond Morss of Hampstead has Made
and caused to be made in his work Shop Two hundred thou-
sand of Ten penny Nails & Two hundred Thousand of Six
Penny Nails and one hundred Thousand of four penny wrought
Nails, as he has made to appear tc^ us the Subscribers
Hampstead February 6"^ 1792
Attest W™ marshall
T , T^ I Selectmen
John 1 rue
Attest Tho' Muzzey Just. Peace
To his Excellency Josiah Bartlett Esq""
President of the state of New Hampshire
HAMPTON. gg
HAMPTON.
This is one of the oldest towns in the state, and origi-
nally included the territory which now constitutes the towns
of Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Kensington, and Sea-
brook. It was formerly a place of considerable importance
in the fishery business and in ship-building, and for some
years past its beaches have been much resorted to in sum-
mer by persons seeking health or pleasure. Settlements
were made as early as 1638, the place at that time being
called Winnicumet. The present name was given by the
general court of Massachusetts in 1639. It was " allowed
to be a town and hath power to choose a constable and
other ofificers," June 6, 1639, by the government of Massa-
chusetts, which claimed jurisdiction over it.
Considerable matter relative to the early history of
Hampton may be found in Vol. I of this series.
The south part of the township petitioned, in December,
1709, for parish privileges, which not being granted they
petitioned again in May, 17 10, and were virtually success-
ful, so far as related to ministerial purposes. (Vol. Ill, p.
428.)
North Hill parish was set off November 17, 1738, and
incorporated into the town of North Hampton November
26, 1742.
Considerable dispute arose at sundry times relative to
boundary lines between this and other towns, and docu-
ments concerning the matter may be found in a volume
entitled " Town Boundaries " in the office of the secretary
of state.
[4-173] \^Depositions relating to Botindary Line between
Hampton and Portsmouth^ i66g.'\
The deposition of Thomas Marston aged about 52 years & of
William ffifeild aged about 55 years
These Depon'* do testifie y' about y^ yeare 1654 when m""
Seth ffletcher lived in Hampton wee y" s*^ depon'* were ap-
pointed to treat with Cap* Bryan Pendleton & John Pickerin
in y^ behalfe of y^ tovvne of Portsmouth concerning y* setling
of y® bounds betwixt Hampton & Portsmouth by y^ Sea side &
wee y^ s'^ depon'* mett y^ men abovsd & shewed them y^ power
100 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
y' wee had to act by & they shewed us their power w'^'^ was full
& ample for y^ ends abovsd ; but y^ s*^ Cap' Pendleton & John
Pickerin sen"" did question y^ power given to us by y* town of
Hampton not to bee suffitient for y^ attaining all y^ ends intend-
ed, whereupon y" s*^ Cap' Pendleton & John Pickerin staid att
Hampton untill wee obtained a meeting of y^ Select men & had
full power to act in y"" behalfe of y"" towne of Hampton & then
wee y* s"^ Tho : Marston & william ffifeild did treat \v"^ y^ s**
Cap' Pendleton & John Pickerin & after a treaty wee did agree,
& conclude & all hands y' Hampton bounds should
begin to measure to y*" northward of y" Casway y' goeth
over to y* beache & from miles norward neare y*^ sea
side —
Testified upon oath by Thomas Marston & Willi : ffifeild y*
ninth of March 1669 before mee Sam" Dalton Commiss
Sworn before y" Court held at Salisbury y* 29'^ of Aprill
1673 by adjornm'
vera Copia per mee Tho : Bradbury rec**
as attests Tho : Bradbury rec*^
And Thomas Marston & John Samborn sen"" doe farther tes-
tifie that y" next day after y"^ agreem' that 3-^ s'^ line was meas-
ured, by Cap' Pendleton & Tho : Marston & John Samborne, &
y"^ s"^ line ended on y" north Side of Jocelins Neck where
wee sett up a stake & layd stones & finished y'' s*^ bounds ac-
cording to y^ agreem' vmder there hands
Testified upon oath y^ 9"^ i*' m° 1669 before mee
Sam" Dalton Comissr
Sworn before y® Court held att Salisbury y* 29'* Aprill ; 1673
by Adjournment as attested
This is a true as attested Tho : Bradbury rec"*
[The original manuscript is torn, which is the cause of
the blanks in the foregoing. — Ed.]
[4-174] \_Agreeme7it relative to Jyouftdary between Hampton
and Portsmouth.'^
Wee whose names are under written Viz Bryan Pendleton &
John Pickering for y*^ towne of Portsmouth N. E. &c & Willi ;
ffifeild w"* Tho : Marston for y** towne of Hampton have ac-
cording to power given by y^ severall towns to debate agree &
determine abovit & concerning a line to divide between y*^ afore-
said towns upon y'' Seaside & y*^ extent thereof.
Wee y" above named persons do consent & agree y' y^ afores"^
town of Hampton shall begin at y^ Cawsway lying Eastward
HAMPTON. lOI
from y* said towne towards Pascataway ten rod distance from
y* said Cawsway there to begin & runn five miles upon as
direct a line as may bee, keeping neare unto y* common way :
The w'^'' line being runn ended on y* Edg of Jocelins neck on
y** north side ; the said neck is y® next to y*^ northward of y*
long stony beach Bryan Pendleton
The marke of Jn" (A) Pickering
Will : ffifeild
Tho : Marston
This is a true copie as it stands recorded in y* i"' Booke of
records for Norfolke pa : (46) as attests
Tho : Bradbury rec
It was recorded as appears by y* booke betvveen y* 12"* m°
1655 & y^ 24"" of y^ said m° : Tho : Bradbury rec
The deposition of Major Brvan Pendleton aged about 70
years ; This depon' saith that hee with Jn° Pickering was im-
powered by y'' towne of Portsm" (but whither by y*" select men
or y" whole towne hee doth not att present remember) to de-
bate agree & determine, not as arbytrators, but being sent by
y* town according to an act of y^ gen^^ Court about & concern-
ing a line to divide between y^ afores*^ towns upon y^ seaside &
y^ extent thereof, & y' y'^ above written was our determination
& further saith [not]
Sworn y'' 2'' 5"' m° 1669 before mee
Elais Stileman Commiss''
Entered & recorded in y*^ County records for Norfolke (lib :
2 : pa 145) y^ 16"" 5 m" 1669 as attests
Tho : Bradbury rec
[4-1 7S] \^Election of Assemblyme?t, i6gi.~\
According to a warrant by me Received from Richard Jose
Esq"' High Shereft'for the province of New Hampshire for to
convene the flreholders together upon this day being the 27"^ of
September 1692 to choose three ffitt and discrett men to serve
as Assembly men the flree holders mett accordingly and made
choyce of
Left John Smith M" Joseph Smith & John Hussy
to serve as assembly men according to sayd warrant
As Attests timothy hillyard
Constable of Hampton
I02 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-179] [ Voie relative to granting New Tozvfz, Kitigston^
i6g4.~\
Att a legall meeting of the tireholders of y^ towne of Hamp-
ton May 17 1694
3'^" It was voted that Capt" Henry Dow should goe to New
Castell : the iS"' of this instant month in the behalf of the towne
to the Honorable left"* Governor and Councell in obedience to
an order Received barring date the 15"^ instant to manifest the
towns earnest desire that no township may be granted to any
persons to come within Seaven miles of Hampton meeting
House westward upon a streight Line
Voted James Prescott Senior appearing at the meeting in the
behalf of said petitioners did consent to this voat above.
vera copia taken out of Hampton Towne Booke
As Attest Henry Dow Clerk
[4-1 So] [^Disbursements yor Soldiers, i6g4.'\
Hampton Ace" Disbursm'^ 10*"" 1694
To Souldiers at oysteriver whose wages ] ^ o
as per perticular Ace* allowed 4 m° j 47 ' '
allowed to Capt Dow for subsistance of]
Sould" at the Fort 3 b"'^ Ind Corne j °' 9'
To horse & man to bring s*^ Corne o, 2, o
Hen : Green Jun"" for y^ ni° service at his grandfath' o, 12, o
To Jonathan Marston 2 da3's service Do, o, 3, o
To m"" Hen : Green Sen"' to subsistance of) (k f,
sold'' : 17 : days j ' '
To Ephraim Marston going post from Hampton to
Boston o, 14, o
To Jn° Tuck for his horse for s*^ Marston o, 8, o
To Dan' Tilton for bringing letter to New Castle |
that came from Boston &C j ' ' '
To Cap* Dow for quartering Massachusetts soul*^ 1 ^
ace' as one man 13 weeks ^z at 3^ per J ' '
To Cap* Dow for a man & 2 horses for the Cap' of]
the Massachusetts sould" to Portsm° \ ' '^'
5' 2, o
[4-1S1] [Selectmen about a New Town, i6g4.'\
Pursuant to an order from the Lieu* Gove'' and Councill
Baren datte the 1 1*"^ of may 1694 to the Select men of Hampton
HAMPTON. 103
Consarning A purtishon presented to the Lieu' Gover'' and
Counsel Consarning the plantten of A new Planttaion And we
the Select men are bound up by the Towne nayther to give A
way Lande nor to Enter Change Lande with aney men therfor
we the Select men cante doe nothen Consaren Lande with out
the advice of the Towne
May 14* 1694
Samuel Dow by order and in the
behalf of the Select men of Hampton
[4-182] \^Electioti of Assetnblytnen, 1694.']
Att a legall meeting of the ffreeholders of the Towne of
Hampton the 29 October 1694.
left°' John Smith M"" Nathaniel Batchiler Senior and Ens.
Thomas Robey were chossen by the major voat tibr to Serve as
Assembly men
as attest Ephraim marston
constable of hampton
[4-1 87 and 188]
[At a meeting held May 14, 1695, the foregoing three
men were reelected. December 24. 1697, Capt. Henry Dow,
Lieut, John Smith, and Benjamin Fifield were elected.
"As Attests Thomas Robey Constable." — Ed.]
[4-191]
[December 26, 1698, Dow and Smith were reelected,
with Joseph Swett, as certified by Henry Dow, Ephraim
Marston, John Tucke, and John Gove, selectmen. — Ed.]
[R. 2-33] [^Hamptoti Soldiers, ^^QSi i6g6.'\
A true accompt of y® Soldiers & Provisions I have Impresd
out of Hampton for his Majestys Servise at garison at oyster
River Since Novemb' 2"'' 1695 until '96*
£—6*. d
Novembr 2 i Sent to oyster River Caleb Perkins 28
X days and John Nay 28 days and found
( themselfs provitions 3, 12, o
•The year commenced in March, O. S.
I04 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nov 30 J Isaac Green 28 days & found provltions i, 16, o
I Eben Gove 28 days i, 04, o
Decembr zS**" J Jonathan Philbrook 28 days i, 04, o
\ Joseph Cram 28 days i , 04, o
Janury 25"^ j Chris Pottell 29 days I, 04, 10
I Jacob Clifford 29 days I, 04, 10
Febru^ 24 Samuel Hely 29 days i, 04, 10
Jos Fanning sent y^ same day &
Returned y^ 28"^ being 3 days o? o5i o
March 23 Sam" Shaw sent and sent whome y* 6* day o, 05, o
Sam" Melsher sent whome y^ 6'*^ o-^ 05, o
a horse Impressed to carry y® Pro vi son
and a man o? 03? o
Joseph Smith Capt
This accoumpt Compared by me
Dated Apr' 7"^ 1696.
13, 12, 06
John Woodman Capt.
The accoumpt of what was ordered to Exeter since Novem-
ber 14: 1695 until 96
Novembr 14* Nath ffrench 28 days & Timothy
Hilyard 28 days 2, 8, o
Decembr 12 Joshua Purington 28 days & John
Mason 28 days 2, 08, o
January 9''' Joseph Swet 28 days & Joseph fifield 28
days 2, 08, O
Februry 6"^ Moses Swet 29 days & Henry Dow 29
days 2, 09, 08
March 6'^ James Stanyan 28 days & Will'" Swain 28
days 2, 08, o
April 3*^ to y* 27 John French 4 days & Sam' Case 4
days o, 08, o
12, 09, 8
Jos : Smith Capt.
The above accoumpt Compared by me
Kinsley Hall Capt
a horse Impresed for y^ Post from Hampton to New s d
Castle bount to Pemiquid and a man to bring him back 3- 6.
Dated Apr' 7"^ 1696
HAMPTON.
105
[R. 2-34] [^Hampton Me7i in Gar?-ison at Exeter, ^^95i
i6g6.'\
A tru account of what is due to Hampton men for keeping
garrison att Exeter ffrom the 14 of November last to the 8"* of
Aprill 1696
£. S. d
To Tho. Dearborn Junor one month
To Caleb Towle one month
To Ephraim Marston and others one month
To William Lane and others one month
To Isaac Godfrey and others one month
To Samuell Dearborn and others one month
To Tho Ward and others one month
To John Knowls and others one month
To William Sambourn and others one month
To Jabez Dow and others one month
To Steven Sambourn and others one month
To Daniel Wedgewoods and other one month
To James flog and others three weeks 2 day
To Ben Shaw and one more
To Sam' Palmer one month
To Simon Dow and others one month
To Jonathan Marston and other one month
To Ichabod Robey & Humprey Perkins a day apiece
and sent home
To Robert Drake & others one month
To Daniel Wedgwood & others one month
To Tho Robey i week diet his man
To two Samborns a day apiece sent home |
ftrom Richard Hiltons )
This is a tru account compared By me
The Above is a tru account
Errors only Excepted By me
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
— 4 — o
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
—4—0
— o — o
0-12 — o
-4—0
-4—0
-4 — o
0—3—0
0—3—0
Sum 22-09 — *-*
Kinsley Hall Capt
Henry Dow Cap"
Due to Hampton men ffbr wages at Garrition att Oyster River
and other disbursments ffrom November 1695 to Aprill 8"*
1696 —
I06 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
2- 8-0
8- 8-0
Nov'' to John Marston Jo" Redman Roger Shaw"] £ S d
2 ftVancis page Chris : Smith Sam Dearborn !
with their own provition each man i [ 10-16-0
month J
No : 2 to Sam'^ ffogg one month i- 4-0
No""" 30 to Sam" Nudd with provition one month 1-16-0
No. 30 to Ebenezer Webster* James Senter Moses")
levitt peter Johnson Jonathan Elkins Sam^' ^ 7- 4-0
Johnson each man his month )
Dec'"' 31 to Joiin Taylor Isaac Webster James Moul- ~)
ton Ben James Ben Thomas Eben. Dear- V 8- 8-0
born Moses Elkins each man his month )
January 27 to John Hobs ftbr his man and |
James Senter each man a month j
24 February to Daniel Kincaid Thomas levitt Sam'^
ftbgg Sam' Smith Nehemiah Hobs Jo- \
seph Moulton Roger Shaw each man a [
month j
24 March to Henry Dow ftbr 143 pound pork ftbr the)
sayd men att 3'' per pound ) -^ "
to Joseph Moulton when his month is out i— 4-0
43- 3-9
This account is owned by me
John Woodman Capt"
24 february to a man & Hoss imprest to carry the said
pork to oyster River Round by Exeter the
way being bad o- 5-0
Tanuary 27 to 4 men sent to ovster and sent home )
agani bemg 3 days apece ) -^
Mar 24 to five men sent to Oyster River and )
sent Home again 3 days apece
I- 5-0
£44- 8-9
22- 9-0
£66-17-9
A true account Errors only Excepted
By me Henry Dow Capt"
*Ebenezer Webster was a son of Thomas Webster, who died in Hampton iri 1715, aged 83.
He had a son Ebenezer, and a grandson by the same name, who was born in Kingston in
1739, and settled in Salisbury in 1763. The latter was one of" Rogers' Rangers," and was
in the army in 1757 to 1759. He commanded a company at Bennington, and was the father
of Ezekiel, born 1780, and Daniel, born 1782.
HAMPTON.
107
[R. 2-35] \_IIampton Soldiers, April to Septeitiber, l6g6.~\
Province of New Hampshire
Account of Soldiers Impresed to keep Garrison Since Apr* y*
7"' 1696 untill Sep"' y" 30"' 1696 at oyster River Exeter and
Hampton by warrant from me out of one of y* Companys in
Hampton
1696
from Ap' 7
to Ap' 13
from Ap' 13
to May 1 1
from May 1 1
to June 8
from June 8
to July 6
from July 6
to August 3
from August 3
to August 31
from Ap' 13
to Septem'"' 30
1696
Octobr y* i
to Octobr 29
John fTrench & Sam" Cass at M'
Wiggoms at Exeter, to each 6
days, Kinsley hall Capt £10-0
Philemon Blake, John Chase, &
Wil'" Smith at oyster River 28
days to each 3-12-0
John Garland, Caleb Shaw, and
Ben" Batcheldr, at oyster River
28 days to each 3-12-0
Richard Sanborn, Edw ffifield, &
Josiah Shaw, at oyster River 28
days 3-12-0
Philip Towl, Sam" Melser, & Jo-
seph french to oyster River 28
days 3-12-0
Jacob Clifford at oyster River 28
days 1-4-0
Natt' Blacklidge Service two
months Due to Joseph Smith O
River as per Deventerfrom Cap'
Woodman 2-8-0
one man posted at Dan' Tiltons
Garrison in Hampton being 6
months and 3 days 7-6-6
25-16-6
Account of Soldiers Impressed to Garrison
from octobr y*^ first 1696 untill octobr y^ 29"*
1696
Nath : ffrench and Thomas Ste-
vens at Garrison at oyster River
28 day to each £2-8-0
Joseph ftaning & Benjamin Per-
kins at Dan' Tiltons Garrison in
Hampton to each 28 days
Errors Excepted
Joseph Smith Cap'
I08 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Portsm" Novemb'' 13"^ 1696
The within acco' Examine! & aproved by
Kinsley Hall Henry Dow ")
John Woodman John Tuttle [- of y* Comitty
Theodore Attkinson W"^ Redford j
[R. 2-36]
The Province indebted to thes persons for keeping of Garri-
tion as Souldiers att Oyster River since y® 8"" of Aprill last in
1696 due to Hampton men
[The following are allowed ^^^r, 4 for one month, except
where otherwise stated : — Ed.]
13 April Jonathan Elkins James Johnson peter Johnson fran-
cis page Caleb Towle Ben Thomas James Senter
Samuel Son Tho. Dearborn Tho Dearborn Junor
James Moulton
II May Christopher Smith Ebenezer Webster Joseph Tayler
Sam' fogg Junr Samuel Palmer Jo" Redman Stephen
Batchilder Ben : James Moses Elkins
8 June Isaac Marston Samuel Smith Jonathan Moulton Tho
levitt Roger Shaw Ebenezer Dearborn Samuel Johnson
Jo" Son Ens Moulton Jonathan Marston
6 July Samuel Nudd Peter Johnson Moses levitt Sam' Son Tho
Dearborn Tho Son John Dearborn James Senter Ben
Thomas 5 weeks francis page Jonathan Elkins
3 August Ebenezer Webster James Moulton Samuel Palmer
Ben James Joseph Tayler Ichabod Robey John Red-
man Chris : Smith 26 days Sam' Johnson 3 weeks
31 August Roger vShaw 31 days Caleb Towle Jonathan Moulton
Tho levitt Jo" .Son Ens : Moulton Israil Smith Sam-
uel Moulton
1°' of October Samuel Colcord 10 days Ebenezer Dearborn 10
days Ensign John Moulton S days John Tuck 8
days Jonathan Marston i week John Redman 2
days
from i^' October Samuel ffog Junr 28 days James Souther Jon-
to y^ 29 athan Elkins 8 days James Johnson 22 days
£70 — 2 — o
A true account Errors only Excepted per me
Henry Dow Capt°
This Account Is ound by me to be a trew Account
John Woodman Capt°
HAMPTON.
109
[R. 2-36] \_Ne-w Ha77ipshire to Hampton Me7i.~\
A tru account of what is due to thos persons the province of
New Hampshire is indebted too since the S"" day of Aprill last
for keeping garrition and subsistance of Souldiers 1696 October
29 Att Daniel Tiltons Garrition
Mepheboshith Sam- Ichabod Robey
borne Joseph Towle
Humphrey Perkins John levitt Junr.
Isaac Webster
James Perkins
Simon Knowles
Sam' flbge Senior
John Berry
William lane
John Hobs
Ben Lamprey
Jacob Browne
Edman Johnson
Daniel Moulton
Steven Samborn
A tru account per me
Isaac Godfrey
Tho : Webster Junr.
Samuel son of Hen
Dearborn
Arretas levitt
Jo" son Hen Moul-
ton
James philbrook
Samuel Colcord
Henry Dow Cap"
[The above were allowed six shillings each. — Ed.]
Stephen Bachilder i month att oyster River Nov. 2, 1695
Caleb Marston & Nathaniel lock 3 days apece at Mr. Tiltons,
Ap' 9 to Ap' 13
Portsm" : November 13"^ 1696
The within acco' Examind and approved by
Kinsley Hall Henry Dow \
John Woodman John Tuttle >ofy^Comitty
Theodore Attkinson W" : Redford j
[Capt. Kinsley Hall was of Exeter. Capt. Dow of Hamp-
ton, Capts. Woodman and Tuttle of Dover. Attkinson was
of New Castle. He was sheriff of the province for some
years following 1692, and was father of Hon. Theodore At-
kinson, who was for many years secretary of the province.
—Ed.]
[4- 1 89] [ Warrant for JSIuster of the Militia^ j6g'j.~\
Hampton the 11 December 1697 —
for Major Joseph Smith
In obedience to & pursuant of orders from White Hall bar-
ring date 27 October 1697 directed ftbr his majesties Speaciall
no EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Service to the Honourable John Usher Esquire His Majesties
Left Govenour & Commander in Chiefe of his majesties prov-
ince of New Hampshire in America &C You are in his majes-
ties name required to give notice to all Capt°^ militia officers &
Souldiers in the Town of Hampton to appear in armes on
Munday next being the 13"" instant att ten of the clock in the
fourenoone in order to Comply ance with sayd orders as thay
and every of them will answer the contrary for the Highest Con-
tempt Given under my Hand and seale att Armes the day and
yeare above written
John Usher Left"' Governour
& Commander in cheife
To Major Joseph Smith
A copie
To Capt° Jacob Green
Pursuant to the above written warrant you are in his majes-
ties name required to give notice to all officers and souldiers
under your command to appear according to the above s'' war-
rant att the meeting House in Hampton to morrow at ten in the
morninge
Dated December 12* 1697
Joseph vSmith Major
Vera Copia of the oridginall In the Hands of Cap'" Jacob
Green Compared By me
Henry Dow
Jesfice of peace in new Hampshire
[4-196] \_Hampton Men sent to the Fort^ iy04.'\
Hampton 20 June 1704
ffi'iend John Bickford according to order Received I Have
sent five laborarers and a Souldier to the ftbrt that you must
sett over (viz) John Dearborn Humphrey Perkins John Sam-
born William Marston John Redman & William ffifield Besids
the Sherrift' Have ordered a carpenter to be prest out of my
Company that was, but is now a trooper if he come that make
seven in all besids Cap' Greens & he should send flour which is
all needfull ftrom your flriend
Henry Dow Capt"
[John Bickford kept a ferry at Little Harbor, and took
the men over to the fort. Others were sent as follows : —
Ed.]
HAMPTON.
Ill
May 19 Jabez Dow Jonathan Moulton James ffogg
" 30 Philemon Dalton Icabod Robey John Knowles
" 3^ Joseph Towle a souldier
June 9 Ben. Moulton Josiah Moulton peter Johnson
Robert Drake a souldier
June 30 Seth ffogg Stephen Samborn Tho Ward James ffuller
Sam' Brown Samuel Chapman
July 12 Sam' Dearborn Sam' Marston Icabod Robey
Joseph Taylor James Moulton Labourers
John Taylor a souldier James Johnson a carpenter
July 34 Ensign Samuel Marston a carpenter
Samuel Smith Caleb Towle Jonathan Elkins
Hezekiah Jinnis Isaac Webster labourers
John Chapman a souldier
[R- 2-37]
\^Hampton Soldiers^ i7o8.~\
A List of Souldiers Names, and Time they Served att her
Majesties ffourt, W"' and Mary at New Castle in the province
of Newhampshire New England 1708.
[The following are Hampton men. The others will be
given in connection with the towns to which they belong :
—Ed.]
May 18 to June i.
Christopher Pottle Jon" Philbrook
J n° Wedge wood Chr : Palmer
Jn° Hobbs
June I to June 15
W" Mastin Joseph Brown
Daniel Lamprey Isaac Green
Moses Blake
June 15 to June 39
Jn° Green Ebenezer Gove
Sam' Palmer Stephen Palmer
Jn° Brown
June 39 to July 13
Christopher Page Jn"Sambourn
Sim° Knowles W'" Brown
July 13 to July 37
Jon'^ Taylor Zach Philbrook
Daniel Lampree Caleb Perkins
Benj" Cram
Jn° French
Anthony Crosby
Seth Fogg
Jn" Gove
Benj* Green
Th" Mastin
Richard Taylor
Jacob Brown
Stephen Palmer
Israel Blake
112
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
July 27 to Aug 10
John Pickering- Abraham Brown
Jn° Lunt Benj* James
Tim" Blake
Aug. 10 to 24
David Moulton
John Garland
Tho : Batcheler
Tho : Phillbrook
Aug 24 to Sept 7
Jas : Chapman Ja : Carr
Phillamon Dalton Abraham Libey
Sam' Tilton Israel Shepeard
Sept 7 to 21
Tho : Marston
Abra" Libbey
David Tilton
Sept 21 to Oct 5
Tho. Levett
Jn° Dow
Oct 5 to 19
Robert Moulton
Oct 6 to [9
Benj" Perkins
Oct 19 to Nov I
Sam' Dow
Edward Williams
Isa : Phillbrook
Josiah Dow
Caleb Swain
W™ Sandburn
Jn° berry
Tom Dow
Jer : Marston
W" Lunt
Benj" Hillyard
Joseph Palmer
Sam' Melcher
Tho : Harris
W" Norton
Jn° Garland
Jacob Cliford
Stephen Sandburn
The men work att Six pence per Day
the ftburt
the Marsh for Sodes
the use of the gondalow for bringin
Day att i^ 6'' per D
Jn° Cram
Shadrach Walton Cap'
in Repairing )
the Sodes 15 )
2-0-0
I -0-0
1-2-6
£4-2-6
[4-200] \_Reino7istrance against a Totvizship beijzg granted
at Squamscot^ lyop.^
May it pleas your Excellency
Wee whose names are under written living within the peti-
tioned bounds of Qiiamscot doth earnestly desire that your Ex-
cellency and Honnors would be pleased to deny y® Request of
HAMPTON. 113
those petitioners for a town ship in Quamscot as for y® gener-
ality of y^ said petitioners are poor people and several of them
according to y*' best of our knowledg instead of defraying any
town charge are reather likely to be a town charg themselves.
Your earnest desirers
Qiiamscot desember y^ fifth 1709 —
Edward fifield david Robison Joseph Rolins
Benjamin Brown Nathaniel Stephens Tho : Rolins
John Robards Moses Rolins Moses Leavitt Juner
Israel Smith John Clark Charles Rundlit
William Chiles John Mead Josep Lawrence
Nathaniel Ladd Nathaniel Right
benjamin Taylor ionathan Robison
[4-201] \_Another of same tenor, iyi^.~\
to his Excellency the Governour & Councell Sitting at ports™"
this 23 day of Aprill, 1715
Wee the Representatives for y* town of Hampton pray that
where as there is a petition of a Company of persons for a
township at a place called Quamscock we pray there may be
no proceeding in y*" matter before the westward line of Hamp-
ton be run for that Sundry of y*" petitioners are persons y' have
no Land of their own but have entered into hampton mens
Land laid out into lots to perticular men & possessed more than
60 or 70 years since & there being severall writs against some
of them y* above s*^ petitioners Causes them to endeavor to
gett a grant of other mens possessions &C
Your humble Servants
Joseph Smith Peter Weare Joshua Winget
[4-201 J^] Wears Petition for aTotvnship 8^'^ J^ lyiy.
Too His Excelency Samuel Shute Esq"" Govern"' in Cheeft'of His
Majesties Province of New Hampsheir, &C. & to the Hon-
ourable the Council of said Province —
May Itt Please your Excellency and your Hon"
In as much as ther is a great quantity of Land in this Prov-
10
114
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ince unsettled & nowayes belonging to any particular Township
we y*^ subscribers do become your humble & ernest Petitioners
that A certain Tract thereof may be granted & La3'd out for y®
Regular settel'"' of A Township for us & our Heirs & other His
Maje'^ Loyal & good Subjects — The Bounds of which Town-
ship we desire may Run from y" Massachusetts Line I3 miles
Norward & so 12 mils squar in y*" Chestnut Countrey Commonly
so called — In granting of which Petition your Excellency will
greatly oblidge your Humble Servants
Joseph Tilton
Daniel Weare
Benjamin Pearkins
Joseph Sanborn
William Healy
Charles Stanard
Samuel Page
Zachrias Cliftbrd
Benjamin SanBorn
Jacob Garland Sener
Tho^ Crosbie
Jabez Smith
Nath" Samborn
Benj'' ffi field
Jethro Tilton
Richard Sanborn
Jacob in'' Garland
Nemiah Heath
Nathaniel Healy
Jeremiah Samborn
ruben SamBorn
James garland
David Tilton
Elisha Smith
Thomas Waite
Jacob Stanyan
James Present
Joshua Pi'escut
James Sanborn
Joseph Swett
Jacob Moulton
Hen : Lucas
pheliman Blacke
Bennoney ffogg
Joshua Winget
Jonathan Dearbon
Jn" Tuck
Josep Page
John Sherburn
Benjamin Thomas
W" Lock
Tho : Ward
Jn° Sanborn Rich :
Son
Tho : Dearborn John
Son
Nat' Bachelder jur
Josiah Sanbourne
John Smith
Abraham Drack
Jonathan tailer
Thos Philbrick
John Green
Charles Hunt
Edward Williams
James Stanyan
Jonathan ffifield
William Sanborn
Sen"-
Ichabod Robie
Roger Shaw
David moulton
Jn" Nay
'Nat' Bachelder Sen""
Benja Tole
Josh Lane
Jonathan Cass
Peter Weare
Jonathan Garland
Seth fogg Senior
Nathaniel Drack
Caleb towl
John Casse
William Ripp
Benja Shaw Jn''
James Dow
Edwaid Wear
Samuell Shaw
Jn" W^ebster
Joseph Lett Jur
James Foog
Josep Tole
Josep Cass
Tho : Marston Sen""
James Perkins
Abel Ward
Jacob Carsfoot
Roberd Drack
John Webster Juner
Seth Fogg
Joseph Chase
Timothy Blake
William Couch
Joseph Low
Sam' Blake
Sam' Cass
Moses Downer
[The foregoing are Hampton and Hampton Falls names.
The petition was presented to the council October 3, 1717,
by George Jaffrey, in behalf of Major Peter Weare. — Ed.]
HAMPTON,
115
[4-205] [ War 7' ant for Parish Meetings i'jig.'\
This is to give notice to ye ftVeeholders of Hampton that they
meet on Munday the second day of Maixh next att y*" old meet-
ing house in Hampton att eight A clock in y*^ morning to choose
Town officers &c. — And y*^ tiVeeholders of y^ old parrish to con-
sider then & order about Raising the new meeting house and
order something about y*^ seates, & glass of y® old meeting house.
flebruary 21^' 171S/19 Nath' Sargent Justice of Peace
Tabez Dow ^ c 1 i.
T • 1 TVT li. t oelectmen
losiah JVloulton r c ^^
T o nk u I 01 Hampton
Jn" Dearborn J ^
Vera : Copia Test Jn° Tuck Town Clerk
[4-204] \_Falls Men present at said Afeeting-.'\
Att y^ meeting of y* freeholders of Hampton March y* 1''
1718/19 men there present of y* fales side & voted with rest of y'
freeholders to choice of Town officers
Philemon Blake
John Swaine
Jn° Green
Moses Blake
Jonathan Philbrick
Jethro Tilton
Nathan Longfellow
Caleb Swaine
Jn° Bachelder
Sam' Blake
Jacob Stanian
Ichabod Robie
Nath' Batchelder
Enoch Sanborn
Sam' Shaw
Robt Row
Jacob Moulton
Nath' Hodge
Cap' Jos Swett
Cap' Joseph Cass
Cap' Jos Tilton
L' Benj" Hilyard
[4-206] \_JVeiv Parish Men presettt at said Afeeting:']
Wee whos naims are hear under Subscribed being at y* town
meeting y*^ 2"* of March 171S/19 did vote for Chusing town offi-
cers and thought it was our Duety and according to act of y*
honer'''* Governer & Councell and have Reson to think all our
people that was thair at the town meeting acted in y® same
Nath' Bachiler Sen'^ Joseph Tilton Samuel Shaw
Joseph Swett Nathan Longfellow Jonathan Philbrook
Joseph Cass Enoch Sanborn
The above Subscribers are all the Leding men allmost in the
new parish & of Estats Save M' hilard who is Redy to Sub-
scribe but is at Boston which is a princble man
Il6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-207] \^Petitio?t for Grant of a Townships lyj I. '\
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq' Governour and Com-
mander in Cheif in and over his Maiesties Province of New
Hamp''and to the Honourable his majesties Council the Peti-
tion of sundry Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton in the s**
Province humbly sheweth —
That most of the Towns and Parishes within the province of
New Hamp'' have been favoured respectively with Charters for
considerable tracts of his Majesties Wast Lands within this prov-
ince for the making of new Towns proper to them, and though
it was proposed in the time of granting these Charters that a
Charter should be granted to the Inhabitants of the Town of
Hampton, yet through neglect due notice was not given to the
greatest part of the Inhabitants of that town to seek after a right
in any of the new Towns or in any entire body of Land for their
proper use, most of whome have done verv great service in this
his Majesties province as souldiers against the Indian enemy but
have not been favoured with any share in the new grants, at
which they are extremely grieved, and therefore earnestly pray
for help from your Excellency and Honours, and pray that you
will please to grant your Petitioners who are represented by the
subscribers and a List of their names hereto annexed, a Tract of
Wast Land within this province to be embodied into a Town as
the other new Towns be, or that whereas your Petitioners are
informed that the Charter of Chichester is forfeited by the Pro-
prietors by their neglect of fulfilling the conditions thereof, which
Town was originally designed for the Town of Hampton that
your Excellency and Honours will please to make them a grant
thereof, and yo'' Petitioners will punctually comply with the con-
ditions to be set thereon and shall ever pray as in duty bound
&c
May 1 731. Joseph Towle Thomas Marston
March y^ 23 1731 an account of the mens names that peti-
tioned for a new Township
Timothy Dalton Samuel Hobs Benoni ftuller
Samuel Darbon Joseph Towle Beniamin M marston
Jeremiah Darbon John Garland John Towle
Joseph Johnson Jonathan Towle Thomas ftuller
Elisha Page Jonathan Elkins Jur Amos Knowles
Caleb Towle junior Beniamin Hobs Samuel Smith
Moris Hobs William Moulton John Hobs
Josiah Hobs Joseph Page Joseph Taillor Jur
Zacriah Towl frances Towl James Towl
Henry Batchelder John Page Thomas Page
Nathaniel Dearbon Beniamin Towle jur John Marston
HAMPTON.
117
James Godfree
John Weedgwood
James Hobs
John Leavitt
Ebenezer Godfree
Samuel Leavitt
Thomas Marston
Christopher Pahner
Joseph Batchelder
Jonathan Dearbon
Jonathan Godfree
Nathan Bleak
Joseph Moulton
Jonathan Sandborn
Jeremiah Marston
Henry Dearbon
Benjamin Towle
Moses Perkins
John Tailor
Obadiah Marston
Jonathan Tuck
Thomas Jams
Joshua Towl
Joseph Prescut
Beniamin Prescut
Jonathan Darbonjur
William Sandborn
Jur
Beniamin James Jur
Jonathan Marston
Jur
William Sandborn
Richard Tailor
Caleb Marston
Abner Sandborn
Thomas Nudd
Wintrip Marston
John Nay Jur
Thomas Elkins
Nathaniel Mason
Jeremiah Towl
Samuel Lock
Daniel Sandborn
Edward Moulton
John Johnson
Joshua Brown
Edmund Chapman
Reuben M marston
Caleb ALarston Jur
Thomas Hains
Caleb Towl
Reuben Dearbon
Daniel Collins
Gidian Shaw
Josiah Brown
James Leavitt
James Marston
Joseph Philbrick Jur
Stephen Smith
Thomas Batchelder
John Knowls senior
Nathan Marston
[In council, May 5, 1731.
sion." — Ed.]
" Suspended till next Ses-
[4—209] \_Bill of Expense for Cofistructifzg a Pillory^ iyj2.'\
for Time and expense for the Pillorey that wee caused to be
built att Hampton In June Last Past by order of his Majesties
Court of sessions then sitting their the wholl charg forty Shil-
lings
Jonathan Marston
Benjamin Dow Select men
Sam" Palmer
Hampton June 1732
[In H. of Rep., April 29, 1733, 25 shillings was allowed.
— Ed.]
[4-210] \^Petition of North Hill Inhabitants relative to pay-
ing" Ministerial Rates : addressed to Gov. Belcher and
the Assembly, lyjS.']
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the North Part
of Hampton in said Province humbly Sheweth That your peti-
tioners labour under great difficulty as to attending the Public
Il8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
worship of God at the meeting house at Hampton Town by-
reason of the distance from it, That there has been for some
years past a meeting house erected at Nortli Hill so called in
Hampton aforesaid, where there has been preaching at times
for some years past, that the charge of Supporting the Preach-
ing there has been carried on by a few, who at the same time
have paid the full of all Town Charges, That in many of your
Petitioners familys there are six or seven that generally attend
the publick worship of God at North Hill meeting House when
there is preaching there, when at the same time not more than
two or three of them at most, could attend at Town, That your
Petitioners are very desirous of having the Public worship of
God among them so as they and their familys may constantly
attend thereon —
Wherefore your Petioners Humbly Pray your Excellency the
Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in your
Great Wisdom and Goodness to take your Petitioners Case
under Consideration and to exempt your Petitioners Estates and
Polls and the Polls under them ratable, from being rated tow-
ards the defreying any part of the Town Rate or Rates of Hamp-
ton afores*^ for so long time as the Public Worship of God shall
be carryed on and maintained at the said North Hill and your
Petitioners as in duty bovuid shall ever pray &c.
John Darbon Samuel dearbon John B. Redman
Jonathan Godfree beniamin hobs John Marston
John Widgwood Job chapman Thomas Marston
Jeremiah Dearborn John Godfree senior Daniel Samborn
John Marston Jun Simon Dearbon Benjamin Marston
Jonathan thomas Beniamin Marston John Godfree Juner
Jonathan Marston Jur Winthrop Marston
Henry Dearbon Nathan Samborn John Johnson
David Jewell John Leavitt henry Bachelder
Daniel marston David Moulton James Godfree
[In H. of Rep., September 3, 1738, a hearing was order-
ed for the next session. In same, November 15, 1738, the
parties were heard, and the house " Voted that the Petition-
ers be Poled off from Hampton old Town, and that their
persons families & estates be cleared from paying to the
ministry of the old Town, and from any payment to the
Widdow of the Late Reverend m^" Gookin, and from pay-
ment to the Town School so long as they keep and maintain
an able orthodox Minister of the Gospell amongst them."
The council concurred, with this amendment, — "That they
be exonerated from paying to the support of a school at the
old Town no longer than they support a writing & reading
HAMPTON. 119
schoolmaster amongst themselves," — and further, that they
should not be discharged from paying their proportion of
the grant made by Hampton to the widow of Rev. Nathan-
iel Gookin, who died in 1734. House concurred, and Gov.
Belcher " assented." Act passed accordingly, November 17,
1738. The parish thus set off was incorporated as North
Hampton November 26, 1742. — Ed.]
[4-212] \_North Hill Parish Declaration^ -^73 9-^
To the Rev'^ Ministers whom we have invited to be our mouth
in addressing the throne of Grace For direction in the impor-
tant affairs before Us & to others whom it may concern —
North hill in Hampton May 24* 1739 —
Rev*^ Sir^ Seeing there is a misrepresentation of our designs
In our present proceedings made to you by our Brethren &
neighbours as tho' we were about to Involve them in charge &
contention against their wills. These may inform you that our
Designs & aims are to set up & support the Gosple among us
which we trust will be to the Glory of God & the great advan-
tage of our selves & families
And we think we shall be able honourably to support it tho'
our numbers be not increas'd for we trust that God will bless
the labour of our hands to enable us to Bear the charges of it
as he has heretofore done — And it is not in our design (were it
in ovu" power) To bring any into our Society untill they are
willing Tho' they live never so convenient being sensible that
Peace and Unity are what God is well pleased with and what
will be our greater comfort & Security than larger numbers —
This declaration we make & engage to Stand by and accord-
ingly promise that we will not petition for any Parish line
untill the major part within that line shall joyn in the petition —
So desiring your prayers & directions we remain Rev*^ S"
your humble Servants — Sign'd by
Deacon John Dear- John Leavitt William Godfrey
bon Sam' Dearbon Beniamin Hobbs
John Marston John Godfrey Job Chapman
Thomas Marston John Wedgwood Benjamin Marston
Daniel Sanborn Josepth Dearbon Henry Dearbon
John Marston Ju"" Daniel Marston Winthrop Marston
Henry Bacheller James Godfrey Simon Dearbon
David Jewell Jeremiah Dearbon
[The names are all in one hand on the document. — Ed.]
I20 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[4-214] \^Report of Co7mnittee coticerning Lines between
North Hill and the old Parish^ 1^42 J\
Whereas we the subscribers with others Being appointed By
the Gen^ Court at tliere Sessions on Sept. 17*'' 1742 To Go To
hamton old Town & north Hill Parish and see whether it be
Convenient to have a Line Setled between the old Town of
hamton & north hill Parish or not If a Line then where to State
It, or whether both Ministers shall be paid by one General Rate
&c — In pursuence whereof we with Peter Gilman who was
also one of Said Comitte niett at s"* hamton on October 4"*
1742, and viewed both Parishes and heard the arguments used
by the agents of s*^ Parishes, and have Determined as fol° : That
we think It most Convenient That the ministers Rates of Both
Parishes be Paid by one General Rate. But if the Gen'
Court should think Proper It should not be then we are of
opinion they have a devideing Line between s** Parishes : and
that it be as fol" : The Line to begin at the Country high way
that Leads from Portsm° to hamton one Rod to the Southward
of Cap' Joseph Taylors new dweling house and from thence to
Run on a Strait Line to the Sea Striking the Sea Eighty rods
to the Southward of the mouth of the Litle River where it now
Emties Into the Sea, & then to begin at the high way afores** at
the Place where the Line before-mentioned first begun & from
thence to Run a Strait Line To the Corner bounds between
Exeter and Stratham at hamton Line. That To be the Devid-
ing Line between the two Parishes —
which is according to the best of our Jugem'^ and is Humbly
Submited To the Gen' Court as our Report
Portsm° Novemb'' 16"" 1742
-r ^, r^ T ^ Mai"' Part of the
otham Udiorne r^ ■' -.^ .■, .
•i 1 T-w • r Comitte that was
ohn Dounmg i .. . « r •
•^ J actmg m y^ atair
[4-21 f;] \_Renionst7'ance to foregoing Report. '\
The Humble Petition of Sundry Persons Inhabitants of the
Northern Part of the Town of Hampton in said Province Shew-
eth—
That your Petitioners have been Informed that the Parish-
ioners of the North Hill Parish so called have Petitioned the
General Assembly for a Line of Division between that & the
Town or old Parish In pursuance of which a Committee has view-
ed & Reported their Opinion (which your Petitioners were in-
formed of before) that both ministers should be maintained by one
Rate — or that a Line should be fixed as set forth in their Return
— as to the first part, we humbly conceive it would be Intro-
HAMPTON.
121
ductive of Multiplied Confusions & alltogedier Impracticable
for any length of time but as that is more Immediately the Con-
cern of the Town we wave it & Refer it to those whose Prov-
ince it is — But as the proposed Line greatly affects us we beg
leave Humbly to Remonstrate That we families & estates will
be thereby Comprehended within the North Hill Parish utterly
against our Inclinations as well as Interests — That as this Parisli
was at first erected without our agency we think it Reasonable the
charge of it should be supported without our aid and it would
be a very hard case (as we conceive) to compel us to contribute
to the ease & Conveneiency of others at the Expence of our own
or that the wills of our neighbours should abridge or rather
Destroy our Liberty & that in direct Contradiction to their own
solemn promise —
That there has not been a Parallel Instance at least within
our knowledge but whenever Parishes have been erected those
who were unwilling to belong to them have by the Indulgence of
the General Court (agreeable to the Example of the Legislature
at Home) had leave to continue as thev were & were Poll'd off'
accordingly from the new Parishes which is but just and Rea-
sonable for otherways it would be in the power of a few men
frequently in a sort to Tyranize over their neighbours — That the
Inconveniency hereby bro't upon us will be greater than those
the Petitioners would be under if they were Reduced to their
former condition & belong'd to the old Parish or at least equal
to them —
Wherefore we most Humbly pray that this Court would
according to their wonted Goodness in Such Cases if a Line
shall be Settled let us Poll off" Families & Estates from the said
North Hill Parish &
pray &c.
John Smith
William Moulton
beniamin Johnson
John Taylor
beniamin Smith
nathaniel mason
Joseph Towll Jr
Danil Dow
Thomas Dearbon
Samuel darbon
Nathaniel Moulton
Abriam Dreak Ju
Jon a Palmer
Daniel fogg
Thomas Hains
Obadiah Marston
v"" Petition'* as in dutv bound shall ever
Richard tayler
Ruben Derbon
david marston
Simon Knovvles
William Palmer
James Towll
Jonathan Towll Jr
Caleb Marston
Thomas Rowly
Josiah hobbes
Beniamin fullor
Morris hobbes
Benjamin Johnson iu
John Shaw
John Smith Ju
beniamin mason
David dow
zechariah Towll
Samuel Fogg
Joseph knovvles
Samuel bachelder Ju William Moulton Ju
James Tomas Jona Knowles
Joseph Page Joseph Moulton
francis Page Benjamin Lamper
Jeremiah Page Morrice Lamprey
Elisha Marston
122 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[An act was passed November 30, 1742, incorporating
the said North Hill parish into a parish by the name of
North Hampton, with the following line between that and
Hampton : " Beginning at a great rock in the Highway in
Hampton afores*^ between the Dwelling Houses of Caleb
Marston & Joseph Towle Jr. which is the first Great rock
in the Highway afores'^ to the Southward of the Dwelling
House of the widow Mary Levet of Hampton afores'^ Tav-
ernkeeper & running from the afores" Great rock on a strait
Line to the Sea at the mouth of the Little river where it now
emtieth itself into the Sea — then to begin again at the
afores'^ Great rock & to run therefrom on a strait Line to
the corner bounds between Stratham & Exeter at Hampton
Line." They were to be joined with Hampton for repre-
sentative, and were to continue to pay their proportion of
the grant made to Mrs. Dorothy Gookin. — Ed.]
[R. 3-3S] \^Ahstr act from Dr. Anthony Emery's Alemorial^
^57-']
The memorial of Anthony Emery of Hampton
Humbly Sheweth : That your memorialist by the request of
His Excellency, on the eighteenth day of April in y"^ year 1755
Inlisted himself into his Majestys Service in an expedition
against Crown Point, as Chirurgion of Col Joseph Blanchards
Regiment. And as Chirurgions wages was not an adequate
encouragement for your memorialist to leave his business, His
Excellency gave your memorialist a Lieut^ Commission in Capt.
John Moors Company, without which your memorialist would
not have gone in s"^ expedition. * * *
[Dr. Emery was discharged December 5 following. He
claimed pay for a horse broken down in the service, and
was allowed ;^2 5 out of the money "for the Crown Point
Expedition." — Ed.]
[R. 2-39] \^Abstract from Nathan Blake' s Petitioti., ad-
dressed to the Governor and Assembly., fan. 3<?, //do.]
Most Humbly Sheweth — Nathan Blake of Hampton in the
Province aforesaid yeoman that whereas I the petitioner the
said Nathan was out in his Majestys Sarvice in the last Sum-
HAMPTON. 123
mer in the new Hampshier Ridgiment Command by Col John
Gofte in the Company Commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Mars-
ton and came from number four about the 20* of november last
and got home to my own house the 29"* of said november, and
well when I came home and after I had been at home eleven
days I was taken sick and brook out with the small pox which
was verey shoking and destresing to me and to my family who
all left me and went to a house at a distance and no body with
me for some days but onel}^ Ceazer Long. * * *
[He was attended by Dr. Emery and Tristram Redman.
Supplies were furnished by Major Moulton, for all of which
he presents a bill amounting to ;^io, 8, 3, new tenor, which
was ordered to be paid, and charged to the expedition fund.
Ed.]
[4-216] \_Ilelative to Stnall-Pox^ l/j8^
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esqr Captain General
& Commander in Cliief in & over his Majesties Province of
New Hampshire And to the Honorable his Majesties Coun-
cil And the General Assembly of this Province now Conven'd
Aiay it please Your Excellency & the Honorable Council &
the General Assembly —
The Humble Petition of the Minister & Two vSelectmen of
Hampton Town, Humbly Slieweth —
Whereas it hath pleased God in his Sovereign Providence to
send the Small pox among us, & we have the Greatest Reason
to fear it will soon spread into divers parts of the Town If
Speedy & Effectual Care be not taken to prevent it — And
though The Select Men have Impressd several houses to re-
move suspected persons into, according to Law — Yet they have
been resisted by the owners of those houses — & their Lives
threatned — So that tlie Major Part of the Select Men are dis-
coraged & Determind to do Nothing further. And our present
Danger being extremely great — We do therefore most humbly
& Earnestly Entreat that the Legislature of this Province now
assembled, would be pleased Imediately to appoint & empower
some sutable persons to Come Imediately & remove these In-
fected persons to Sutable places. One of which lives so near to
the Meeting house, that the publick worship of God must be
broken up if not remov'd, & the other person Living close upon
the Country Road in the Heart of The Town — which will pre-
vent all Travellers as well as Endanger Considerable Neighbor-
hoods— We do therefore earnestly beg the Imediate help of
124 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
You Our Civil Fathers, According as You in your Great Wis-
dom Shall see fitt, And so Your Petitioners shall ever pray &c
Hampton May 30: 1758 —
Ward Cotton
John Weeks — Two of ye
Josiah Shaw — Selectmen
N B : One is supposed to have broke out yesterday & the
other is expected to Break out every Day
[4-218] [ Vote of Town relative to Ministerial Rates ^ 1768. "]
Province of Newhampshire
at a Legal meeting of the freeholders & Inhabitants of the
town of Hampton held at the meeting House In said town on
tuesday the twenty-first Day of March 1 76S
I voted Chrisf Toppan Esq'' is Chosen moderator for said
meeting
ii"* voted to Excuse, mr Amos Coffin & Stephen Page from
Paying their ministers Rates for the three years Past —
Hampton march 27"^ ^770 —
a true Copy attest — Joseph Dow : town C^
[4-219] \_Relative to a Lottery^ i'/go.'\
We the Subscribers being informed that there is a Town
Meeting Called in Hampton to see if the Town will Vote to
petition the General Court for Liberty to raise a sum of money
by Lottery Sufficient to Raise Hampton Causeway to such a
hight as to make it Safe and Convenient passing at highwater
when the Tides are high and as we have been informed that
some persons have Doubted whether the owners of the marsh
and Meadow Laying above said Causeway would Consent that
it should be raised we being owners of said Marsh & Meadow
have no objection but are desirous that it may be done Provided
there be sufficient sluceways for the water being Sensable of
the very great advantage it would be to travellers Especially to
Strangers the passing over which Causeway often times is not
only Dificult but dangerous & at some times Impracticable
December the 14"* ^^790
To the Select men of Hampton to be Communicated to the
Town at the meeting
Anos Coffin Cotton Ward Simeon Shaw
Samuel Drake John Taylor John Fogg
HAMPTON. 12$
Josiah Shaw David Bachelder Caleb sanborn
Sam' Weare Robert Marshall Mickel dalton
Stephen Coffin Simon Brown James Wedgwood
Reuben Dearbon Joseph Dow John Drake
Benjamin Shaw
[4-220] [ Vote of ToiV7t relative to a Lottery^ lygo."]
State of Newhampshire —
Rockingham ss at a Legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Hampton held at the meeting-House In said Town
on monday the 27''' Day of December 1790 —
Voted unanimous to Petition the General Court at their next
session for a Grant of a Lottery, in order to Collect a Sum of
money Sufficient to pay the Cost of Raising the town Cause-
way in said Hampton so High as to prevent High Tides &
freshets overflowing the Same —
Voted Joseph Dow Philip Towle Josiah Moulton Jonathan
Garland Josiah Dearbon John Fogg & Cotton ward be & hereby
are Impowered a Committee (in behalf of said Town) to pre-
pare a Petition and present the Same to the General Court for
the purpose as above mentioned —
Hampton Jan^ 3*^ ^79^ —
a Copy attest Joseph Dow : town Clerk
[4-221] S^Petltion for AutJwrity to raise Money by Lottery
to repair a Bridge^ etc.^ iygi.'\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''"^ The Senate, & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened, January 5"* 1791 —
Respectfully Shews,
The Subscribers, in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hampton ;
that the main Road from Boston, to Portsmouth, in passing
through said Town, crosses one main Branch of Hampton
River, & Salt Meadow Ground, for about half a Mile in
length ; over which the Inhabitants of said Town by much labor,
& Expence have built a bridge & a Causeway, & have kept the
same in as good Repair, as could possibly be expected consid-
ering the smallness of the Town, & the very great Expendi-
tures it required — Nevertheless by high Tides & Freshets, it is
frequently rendered impassable, & at other times dangerous, &
difficult for Travellers ; & as the Cost of raising said Causeway
126 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to such an height as to make it safe & convenient passing at all
Seasons, would exceed the Abilities of the Town, & consider-
ing the great Advantage it would be to the publick to have it
done ; Induces us to petition your Honors for Liberty to raise a
sufficient Sum by Lottery to effect it, under such Regulations,
and Restrictions as you may think proper, & your Petitioners
as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Joseph Dow
Philip Towle
Josiah Moulton
Ton" Garland V ^.^iiun ui m
T • \ r\ 1 iown or
osiah Dearbon tt
s- , ^:^ Hampton
John r ogg | ^
Cotton ward j
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 22, 1791, the foregoing petition was
granted, with the proviso that any surplus should be the
property of the state. — Ed.]
Committee in
behalf of the
[4-222] \^Relatlve to aforenamed Lottery^ i/gz.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon^'" the Senate & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Convened June 7"^ 1791 —
Respectfully shews That a petition was presented to the
General Court at their last Session by Joseph Dow Esq"" and
others a Committee in behalf of the Town of Hampton pray-
ing for liberty to raise a Sufficient sum of money by Lottery to
raise Hampton Causway — the prayer of which Petition was
granted by the then Hon''^"^ House but was ordered to lay by the
Hon*''^ Senate the Subscriber begs leave to request of your
Hono^ that you would take the Subject matter of said petition
into your Consideration & make such order thereon as you may
think proper and as in duty bound will ever pray
Christo'' Toppan in behalf of the
Committee
The Committee on petitions for Lotteries, Report that the
Committee for the Inhabitants of the Town of Hampton have
leave to Inti^oduce a bill to Raise by lottery the Sum of Eight
hundred pounds, under such Restrictions as the Court shall
direct, for the purposes afores'^
which is submitted by Daniel Emerson Jr for
the Com*
HAMPTON. 127
[4-223] [^Relative to Chtirch Matters^ I'/gS.']
State of New-hampshire
To the honourable Senate & House of Representatives for said
State in General Court convened at Exeter the first Wednes-
day of June 1796 —
Humbly shew the subscribers inhabitants of Hampton in the
county of Rockingham and state aforesaid. That they always
have iDeen and are conscientiously of the congregational persua-
sion which has been the established mode of public Worship in
said Town ever since the first settlement thereof uiitill very
lately — When about one third of the church and a major part
of the congregation, professing themselves Presbyterians, called
& Settled a Minister of the presbyterian oi'der, notwithstanding
the rest of the church and congregation dissented therefrom.
The dissentients being conscientiously of a diflerent persuasion,
and desirous of worshipping their creator in a social manner,
according to the dictates of their conscience j have since the
unhappy separation took place, provided a house for public
worship and procured preaching at their own expence, and
being anxious to join with the church of congregationalists in
said Town, in settling a minister of their own persuasion Your
petitioners pray that they with the congregational church there
may be erected into a Poll Parish and vested with such rights
and privileges as other parishes have and exercise, and your
petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c
Samuel Dow Joseph Leach Morris Hobbs
Simon Marston John Lamprey Jeremiah Marston
James Philbrick Ephraim Marston John Dow
moses Brown Jonathan Lock Samuel mace
Josiah Dearbon Joseph Philbrick Ju Amos Knowles
Abraham Perkins Joseph Palmer Jon" Garland
Jun" Benj" B Shaw John Batchelder
Daniel Ware Abner Page Nathan Brown
James Philbrick Jur moses Perkins Josiah mason
Nathaniel Johnson Samuel Drake Samuel Sanborn
Stephen marsten Joseph S Dearborn Sam" Page
Samuel Philbrick Winthrop Sanborn Daniel Marston
Simon Lane Samuel Blake James Lane
Elisha Towle Elisha Moulton Joseph mace
Reuben Dow Samuel Palmer David LamPrey
Elisha Marston Jonathan Gofery jun Nathaniel Lock
Samuel Philbrick ju Jacob marston Jeremiah Hobbs
Phinehas Feltch Daniel Lamprey Simon Lane Jr
John perkins John Brown Simeon Shaw
Ashel marston Joseph Redman Sam" S. Page
128 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Readman Simon Brown John Green
Joseph Dow Christo'' Toppan Elisha Towle J""
Zaccheus Brown Jeremiah Knowles Isaiah Dow
Daniel Brown EHsha Brown Reuben Lamprey
Samuel Marston Simeon Blake Joseph Palmer Jun'
Trustram Godfree Josiah marston
[4-225]
State of New Hampshire
To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives for said
State in General Court convened at Concord November 23''
1796.
Humbly shews the subscribers inhabitants of Hampton in
the county of Rockingham and State aforesaid had not an oppor-
tunity to sign a petition in June last to be incorporated into a
Congregational poll parish in Hampton and that they desire to
be considered as if they had then signed said petition
Hampton November 33** i79^-
Joseph Towle Moses Shaw Joshua mace
Josiah Dow David Philbrick
[In H. of Rep., June 6, 1796, a hearing was ordered for
the next session, at which, on the 6th day of December, an
act was passed to incorporate the " Congregational Society
in Hampton." — Ed.]
[4-326] \_List of Land Owners^ about i'/j8.']
A List of the Land owned in Hampton When North Hamp-
ton was Set oft" as a Parish & Since owned as Rateable in Said
Parish
Qiiantity
Former owners of Land Present owners
Reuben Sanborn i3 acres Cap' Hoite
Jona Dearborn 24 Ditto Josiah Dalton
Henry Dearborn 74 jenny
Joseph & Ezekiel ] o t -d p iu
•^ -..'■ ,^ y Ao Tona. Brown & others
Moulton ) ^ -'
Samuel Palmer 24 Jona Page
Willi'" Smith 16 Stephen Page & others
Thomas Nudd I3 David Page
James Towle I3 Stephen Page
HAMPTON.
129
Joseph Towle
Jona Mavston
Joseph Radman
Peter Johnson
Joseph Batchelder
Caleb Towle
Jona Sanborn & )
James Johnson )
John Batchelder
David Dowe
Jacob Marston
Jona Godfrey
Chrisf Page
Edward Wilmot &
Nathan Godfrey
Zechariah & )
Sam" Brown )
Sam" Palmer Esqr
Sam" Brown & )
Thomas Nudd (
Peter Johnson
Thomas Brown
Simon Dowe
Jonathan Freess &
James Johnson
Epharim Marston )
Moses Perkins )
Zechariah & ^
Sam" Brown )
Sam" Palmer
Jona Garland
Jeremiah Monlton
Joseph Radman
John Moulton
Sam" Dowe
Nehemiah Hobbs
Joseph Taylor
90
40
140
25
20
30
25
15
10
20
30
18
18
12
6
12
9
6
6
36
12
10
854
James Godfrey
Ebenezer Loverin
Daniel Dowe
Doct"^ Dearborn & others
Decon Sam" Batchelder
Simeon Marston
Joseph Garland & others
Decon Benj" Hobbs
Zachariah Towle & others
Joseph Moulton & others
Joseph Moulton & others
Joseph Moulton & others
abner Fogg
Isaac Jennes & others
Moris Lamprey & Thomas
Cotton
Jacob Brown
Tristram Radman
John Brown
Josiah Batchelder & others
Thomas Cotton
Tristram Radman
Tristram Radman
Benj» Philbrick
Tristram Radman
Henry Batchelder
the three following Farmes the most of them was ound in
Town Since they were Sett off as a Parish Viz
Capt Abner Fogg Esq'
James Batchelder &
Jona Brown
II
130 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
HAMPTON FALLS.
This town was formerly a part of Hampton.
In 1709, by a vote of the council, the inhabitants of that
portion of the town of Hampton west of Taylor's river,
called Hampton Falls, were authorized to choose assessors,
and raise money for "the maintenance of such learned and
orthodox minister to officiate in the New Church" as they
might call to service there, with advice of Rev. Mr. Cotton.
In 1685 there were 212 inhabitants in what is now
Hampton Falls.
In council, May 12, 1718, Peter Weare and others "of the
new parish" petitioned that it might be separated from the
old parish, and were granted the privilege of holding annual
meetings to choose selectmen and other ofificers to manage
their parish affairs, and to choose one representative to the
general assembl}', but were to pay province rates as they
had before. In accordance therewith they met and chose
Peter Weare as assemblyman, who took his seat October 7,
1718. He was speaker of the house in 1724.
John Farmer says Hampton Falls " was separated and
incorporated in 1712." I do not find this to be the fact;
but do find that they were not entirely separated in parish
affairs until November 23, 1726. After that each parish
was to be free from the other in raising their ministers'
salaries.
The west part of the town was set off April i, 1737, and
incorporated into the town of Kensington.
June 3, 1768, the town was again divided, the south part
set off, and incorporated by the name of Seabrook.
By an act passed December 4, 1742, a part of the town of
South Hampton was annexed to this town.
December 7, 18 16, a small tract of land was severed from
this town, and annexed to Seabrook.
[4-237] \_Petition for Grant of a Township — no date. '^
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governour and
Commander in Chief In and Over His Majest3''s Province of
New Ilamp.s"' ; in New England ; And the Hon'''* his Majes-
ty's Councill in Said Province —
The Humble Address and Petition of Sundry of his Majestys
Loyal Subjects Inhabitants of Hampton-falls in Said Province \
HAMPTON FALLS.
131
Praying that Your Petitioners may be Sharers in Such Grants
of Land as may be made to his Majesties Subjects in this Prov-
ince : That Your Petitioners may have A Township Granted
them of Ten Miles Square Lying Upon Amuskieg fall or In
Such other place and of Such Dimensions as to Your Excellen-
cy And Honours in Your Great Wisdom And Goodness shall
Seem Proper: And Your Petitioners As In Duty Bound shall
Ever Pray
Joseph Tilton
Benj" Swett
Ralph Butler
Josiah Bachelder
Richard nason
Bradbury Green
Jacob Stanyan
Samuel Lane
Timothy morgin
John Treadwell
Jonathan Nason
Joshua Purinton
Sam" Present
Nathan Tilton
Jeramiah Pearson
Benjamin Swett
Juner
Elisha Present
Robard Row
Jonatha Cram
Ebnezer Prescut
Charles Stuard
Simon fogg
Jacob Brown
John Philbrick
Jonathan Gove
Abner Philbrick
John green
Job Haskell
Jabez Smith
Sam" Shaw
John Brown
Timothy Hilyard
Abner Sanborn
Walter Williams
Thomas Brown
Jonathan Stuward
Edmond Brown
obadiah worth
Daniel Peirkins
John Robie
Timothy Tilton
Enoch Carter
Abaraham Bachel-
der
Joseph Whipple
Robert Miller
Abraham Green
Edward Gove
John Gove
Jonathan Green
Amos Cass
John Clatibrd
Jonathan Tilton
David swett
John Tilton
John brown Qyiarto John Gove Juner
Caleb sanborn
John Swain
Stephen Swett
Winthrop dow
thomas Boyd
Robert quinbe
Timothy Blak Juner
Benjamin Sanborn
Ebenezer Sanburn
Thomas Cram
nathanel Gove
Meshech Weare
Joseph Bachelder
Thomas Leavit
Enoch Gove
Edward williams
Jacob Freese
Matthew Morton
John worth
John Swain Jun"^
Reuben Sanborn
theopillus Bachelor
Dan' swett
Jonathan Hilyard
Hanary Robie
Enoch Sanborn
Benj" Hilyard
Ebenezer Gove juner
Abraham dow
[4-229] \_Petition of yohn Brotvn, Inn holder^ for the priv-
ilege of a Town Fair^ about iyj4.~\
Province of Newhamp""
To His Exelencey Jonathan Belcher Esq' Capt" general Gov-
ournor and Cumander in Cheaf in and over y^ Province of
Newhampshier and Province Massachusets bay in New-Eng-
land &c —
132 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To the Hon''''' His Maj^'^ Councel and Hous of Represent^ Now
Setting in Portsmouth in The Province of Newhampshier —
By an Ajournment — The Humble Petition of John Brown
Inholder in Hampton-falls Most Humbly Sheweth —
That whareas Thare Hath Been in the Year Past Two Meet-
tings of Not ondly y® People of This province But of the Nigh-
bouring province also att Your Petitionours Hous for to Bye
and Sell all Sorts of Quick Stock and Sundry othor Traidings
Which hath Proved Greatly Benificial to many in This our
Province and to many others farthur East then our Province
Extendes Aas also to y*" Byers many of them Came from Boston
and from y* Nighbouring towns thare unto and bought many
Hundred Pounds worth of fatt Cattle fatt Sheep and Lambs and
y* Like Thay haveing a Carttain market to go unto —
And whare as Your Petitionour* Hous is Thought to Stand
in y"' Most Accommodaiting place espeschaly for y^ byers thay
Cuming from y'' South-ward y" Most of Them as also whare y*
Roads meet from all y'^ Towns in This Province And upon y"
Great Road from y^ Eastward and So Most Accomodeating to
ail-
Therefore Your Petitionour Most Humbly Prays that This
Cort wold Grant y* Liborty of haveing three fairs in a year att
your Petitionours hous in Hampton-falls Yearly and y' y* first
may be upon y^ Second wedensday and Thirdsday in May And
yW^Seccond fair be upon y*^ Seccond Wedensday and Thirdsday
in Augost and y'^ Third upon y^ Last Wedensday and Thirdsday
in Octob'' — And as In Deuty Bound shall Ever Pray —
[The selectmen petitioned, October 10, 1734, for the
same privilege, which was granted. See Vol. IX, page 340.
—Ed.]
[4-22S] S^Deposition of yoshua Peirce.']
The Deposition of Joshua Peirce Esq'' who Testifies and Says
that he very well Remembers that in or about the year 171 7 the
Log House that did belong to Peter Wear Esq*" late of Hampton
Fails Deceased in which he formerly keept Tavern was Licenced
for that Purpose by the Government and that he always under-
stood it was So Granted as to be a Privilege annexed to the Said
Estate and alienable with that the Depon' being a Member of
the Lower House at the time the Said Grant was made
Josh : Peirce
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 33
[4-230] \_Petition relative to ynaking a new Town of the
West Part^ ^7S^']
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq'' Governour and Com-
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties province of New
Hamp"" to the Honourable his Majesties Council of the s**
province, and the Representatives in gen" Assembly con-
vened at Portsm° in the s*^ province, this S"' day of March
an: Domini 1736/7
The Petition of Joseph Wadley Ezekiel Dow John Batchel-
der and Jonathan Prescut John Wear most humbly Sheweth
That at the Sessions of the gen" Assembly of this province
in the month of May — A : D : i735- Your Petitioners with Sun-
dry others to the Number of about Sixty who were Inhabitants
of the West part of Hampton Falls parish did prefer a Petition
to Your Excellency and the Honourable Assembly praying that
they might be Set of a Seperate Parish by themselves, which
Petition was acted upon at the last Sessions of the assembly
after a full hearing of the s** Parish by their Attornies, on the
one part and Your Petitioners and their other Companions on
the other part and there it was ordered by Your Excellency and
the Honourable Assembly that a Committee Should be ap-
pointed to goe upon the Spot and make enquirv into the aflhir,
to Survey the whole parish and to See whether it was big
enough for Two, and if tliey found it was big enough for Two
then to prefix a Line and to make a return to the gen" Assem-
bly on the third day of their Sessions, and your Petitioners fur-
ther Shew that Soon after the passing of that order both the
Petition and order are Consumed to ashes in the burning of
the Secretaries house in whose keeping they were, and that
notwithstanding they were So consumed and destroyed yet the
Committee who were appointed have proceeded and acted
thereon, and it being now the time appointed for them to make
their return thereof, they are accordingly attending for that end,
your Petitioners therefore pray that your Excellency and the
Honourable Assembly will please to accept thereof and to con-
firm the Same, so your Petitioners Shall ever pray &c
Jonathan Prescut Joseph wadleigh John Bachelder
John Weare Ezekiel Dow
[4-231] \_Committee appointed to Jix Division Line, ana
Report oj" said Comjnittee, i'/j6.'\
Prov of New Hamps'' Aprill 24 — 1736
In the House of Representatives
The Inhabitants of the West end of Hampton was heard on
134 EARLY TOWN PAPERS, ■"*
theii'e Petition for a Precinct, according to the day Limitted
Last Sessions and tlie parrish of Hampton falls was present by
their Selectmen and both parties heard —
And voted that there be a Committee
Entred on the Back of the Petition viz
The within Petition was Read & the Petitioners and the se-
lect men of Hampton falls parish was heard thereon by their
Councill
The House having Considered thereon
Voted Capt Edward Hall and m"" Samuell Palmer be a Com-
mittee of this House to Joyne with Such as the Hon'''^ the Coun-
cill Shall appoint, to Go and view Hampton falls parish, and
See if at present its Reasonable there be a new precinct Set off,
and if in their Judgment it oft So to be. Then to view the
precinct and Consider what district may be Set off to them
having regard to the Qiiaintity & Qiiallity of the Land, and to
make return to the next Gen" assembly on the third day of their
Sitting and Each party pay half the Charges of Said Committee
James Jeffry Cle'' ass"
the same day a Mess* Came down that the Board had Con-
curr'd with the above Vote and that Theodore Atkinson & Jo-
seph Sherburn Esq'' were appointed a Committee by the Board
to Joyne the Committe of the House on the affaire of Hampton
falfs—
Copy out of the Journall of the House of Representatives
Attest James Jeffry Cle"" ass°*
According to the within Vote we whose names are under
written have been at Plampton falls Parrish & do report thereon
that we apprehend that the best Place for a Dividing Line in
case the Governm' Should think Proper to Divide the S*^ Par-
rish is to begin at Stone Bridge & run West & by North half a
mile & from thence on a Streight Line till it Crosses Horse hill
road forty rods below or to the Eastward of Jon" Browns House
& so on a Streight continued Line till it Litersects the Dividing
Line between Salisbury & Hampton & from the beginning of
the first S** Half mile above Stone Bridge the S'^ Line to Extend
on the Same Course as from Salisbury Line to Exeter Line
Septemb'' z^ 1736
Joseph Sherburn
Theodore Atkinson
Edward Hall
Samuel Palmer
HAMPTON FALLS. 135
[4-230] [^Ac^io?z of Legislature. '\
Mar. 2(f^ ^17)1' I" th^ House of Representatives The Peti-
tioners of the within Petition was heard (the opposite parties
not appearing) & voted : That the prayer of the Petition be
granted, and the Petitioners be set of a Distinct Parish accord-
ing to the Bound prefixt In the Returne Committe ; and that
they have Liberty to Bring in theire Bill accordingly
James Jeffry CI' Ass"
In Council March 30: i737
Read and Concurred Rich*^ waldron Sec"^
Same day assented to J. Belcher.
[An act passed. April i, 1737, incorporating the territory
asked for into a " distinct parish by the name of Kensing-
ton." The following September another act was passed
slightly changing the bounds. — Ed.]
[4-233] \_Petitio7i for a Change of Dates of the Fairs.^
1738.1
To Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Cap' Genaral Govournour and Cum-
ander In Cheaf In and Over his Majest" Province of y*
Masachusetts Bay In Newengland And thes His Majestes
Province of Newhampshier
The Most Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Selectmen
for y^ Parrish of Hampton falls in Behalf of s'* Parish Most
Humbly Sheweth That altho with humble Thankfullness we
Acknowledg your Exelencyes and Hon""* Goodness and favour
done unto us in Granting unto us & our Successors for Ever to
Hould And Keep Two P^airs in a Year the first to begin upon
the Last Tusday in Apriel And the other to begin the Last
Tusday in October Yearly Which Grant was made y* 24*** day
of Ocf A. D. 1734
Yett Since it So happens that our first Fair proves to be in
the midest of our planting Seasond — Viz, that in Apriel And
that in October proves to be too Late upon Account of what we
have to Despose of Cheafly As Grass fead Cattle Sheep &c —
Which to Geather with many Other Reasonds too tedeious to
Trouble your Exelencies and Hon"^^ with
We Your Most Humble Petitionours most Humbly Pray
That Your Exelencie And this Hon''^* Councel wold pleas to
alter our Fairs for the feuture
That for the Time to Come the Fairs here may begin upon
the Second tusday in June and Continue two days —
136 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Also That for y^ time to Come our fall Fair begin upon the
third Tusday in September Anualy and for ever & continue two
days And that a Clark be also Appointed to attend s*^ Fair Ac-
cording to what may be Coustomary or Necessary for y** Good
of the publick And what Others Mesurs to prevent Disorders
eviel Deeds and all breaches of Law As You In Your Great
wisdom may See meet —
And As in Deuty Bound Shall ever pray —
And we Humbly Pray that M'' John Brown may be aloued
to prefer this our Petition And to Make Answars if Need Re-
quire
Hampton falls Novemb" 7 : 1738
Josiah Bachelder \ Selectmen for
Thomas Cram > the Parrish of
Benj* Hillyard ) Hampton falls
[4-233] \^Petition for the granting of a Township, iy4g.'\
To his Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq' Governour and
Commander in Chief in and Over his Majestys Province of
New Hamps" in New-England, And the Hon'''" his Majestys
Councill for Said Province —
Humbly Shew Your Petitioners Inhabitants of the Parish of
Hampton falls in Said Province That Your Petitioners being
Informed that Your Excellency now proposes to make Grants
of Tracts of Land Sutable for Townships, And we having most
of us families for whose Settlement we are Concern'd to Pro-
vide, so that a Grant of Land would be Very Serviceable to us,
And many of us having hitherto had no Share in Grants which
heretofore have been made And being Desirous to Share with
others in Such Grants as may now be made, We pray that we
may have a Grant of a tract of Land Sutable for a Township in
Some Convenient Place, And as the Season of the Year will not
Admitt us now to look Out a Place and take a Plan thereof,
We pray that we may have the Liberty when the Season of the
Year will allow thereof to Look out some Sutable place with-
out the Grants which are already made. And take a Plan thereof
And may have the Same Granted to us And Your Petitioners
shall Ever Pray &c
Hampton falls Feb^ 19, 1749
Nath' Weare Meshech Weare Stephen Healey
Jonathan Fifield Josiah Bachelder Jeremiah Brown
Jonathan Green Joseph Perkins Sam" Present
Richard Nason Joseph Whipple Joseph Bachelder
HAMPTON FALLS.
137
Elisha Prescut
Jon* Chase
Benj'' Moulton
Stephen Cram
Abner Philbok
Nathan Tilton
Henrey Robey
Samuel Lane
Samuel Tilton
Jonathan Hilyard
Jonathan Prescutt
Ruben Sanborn
Benj" Prescutt
Joshua Blake
Thomas Brown
Thomas Cram
Abner Sanborn
Jonathan Cram
John Tilton
Jonathan Sweatt
Benj* Cram
Benja Sweatt Juner
Amos Leavet
Pain Row
John Chase
James Moulton
Eben"' Prescut
Enoch Gove
John Swain
Joseph Worth
Jonathan Green jun''
Jonathan Tilton
Benj'' Hilyard
Samuel Melsher
Edward Gove
Bradbury Green
Benj'' Sanborn
Benj'' Moulton
Richard Smith
[4-234] \_Petition of Quakers relative to Service in the Army,
1761.']
Province of New Hampshire
To Benning Wentworth Governour and Commander in Cheif
in and over said Province the Council and assembly of said
Province. In General assembly February 3, 1761. —
The Petition of John Brown and Elijah Brown of Hampton
falls in the Province aforesaid Husbandmen. Being members
of the Friendly Society Called Qiiakers —
That in the war Some time about four Years Since the Peti-
tion" then living togather on their farm in Common and undi-
vided and Elijah Being a minor under the age of Twenty one
Years, he was Iinpressed to go into the war which he Refused
to obey as being against his Relegion upon which Refusal Na-
than Green a Clerk of a Companv to which they said we did
Belong Came with a Warrant from the Cheif officer of said Reg-
iment and took a Yoke of good four Year old Steers and Sold
them and hired a man to go in the Room of Elijah, the said
Steers then being also undivided. But this Grevance would not
have been Repeeted had not Something farther been laid upon
the Petitioner By an act of the Goverment Called the Quiaker
act, past the Last Year which they apprehend you have before
you to Refer you to it, b}' which act they are apprehensive that
the Court laid a Burden on Some of the Qiiakers that was never
intended by the Court, and Especially on the Petitioners, for
after a man being hired out of their Joint Substance tliey are
Tax't by means of the Act aforesaid upwards of fifty pounds old
Tenor Each to pay for their part of the people that was Called
the Quaker proportion the Last years War Which the Petitioner
138 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
apprehend as a Very Great burden on them as they think they
wei*e properly Cleard from that Duty for the Reasons afore-
said—
Wherefore the Petitioners would be Glad of the Considera-
tion of this Court on the matter, and order us Such Releif in the
Last mentioned Tax as to you may Seem Right.
John Brown
in behalf of himself & Brother
[For other matter relative to this, see Vol. XI, page 709. —
Ed.]
[4-235] \_Relative to Incorporatioti of Seabrook^ iy68.~\
Province of New Hamps^
In the House of Representatives March 10"* 1768
Whereas a Number of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls have
Liberty by the Votes of the General Assembly to be set ofl' as a
Distinct Parish the Dividing line between the Old Parish and
the New to be Setled by a Committee to be Appointed by the
General Assembly And have moved for Such a Committee to
be Appointed
Voted That Josiah Bartlett Esq'' Doc'' John Giddings And
Doc'"Ebenezer Thompson be the Committee to Settle the Divid-
ing Line Above mentioned And make Report to the General
Assembly As Soon as mav be
M Weare CI'
In Council March 18"' 1768
Read and concur'd
Geo : King Dep^ Sec'^
Assented to J Wentworth
[In accordance with the foregoing, an act was passed June
3, 1768, setting off the south-westerly part of the town, and
incorporating it into a parish by the name of Seabrook. —
Ed.]
[4-235^] \_Objecttons to the Meeting called by yustices
Bryant and Emery, i/yo.^
Province of New Hamp"
To the worshipfull Walter Bryant and Noah Emery Esq"^ two
of his majestys Justices of the Peace for said Province who
have warnd a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls to
be held the 30'" Jan^ 1770
HAMPTON FALLS. 139
The following Objections to the Legality & Propriety of the
Calling and holding said Meeting are humbly offered —
I, Justices have no authority to Call town meetings unless
the Selectmen Refuse — But such a meeting as is now Called
hath not been Requested of the Selectmen or Refused by them
Consequently the Justices authority cannot take place
2 The Denial of the Selectmen must appear to be unreason-
able Otherwise Justices have no authority and the Justices can-
not know that the Denial is unreasonable without hearing what
Reasons the Selectmen have to offer unless they will Judge
Exparte which cannot be presumed — But in the present case
the Selectmen had vSufficient Reason to give (if they could have
had Opportunity to have offered them) why they Did not call
the meeting Requested So that if the warning for this Meeting
had been the same as was Requested of them their Denial was
not unreasonable
3 On Supposition that in Strictness you might have authority
yet it is humbly Submitted whether it is Prudent to call a meet-
ing for such Purposes as have a Direct tendency to bring the
Parish into much Greater Confusion and Difficulty than any
already arisen : and this appears to be the tendancy of the
present warning
[No signature. — Ed.]
[4-236] \_Petition for the Appointment of a Co??imittee to
settle Parish Difficulties^ ■^770-~\
Province of New Hamp*
To his Exellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General Gov-
erner and Commander in Cheif in and Over his Majestys
Province o{ New Hampshire. The Hon"* his Majestys
Councell And House of Representatives for said Province in
General Court Assembled March 26* 1770
Humbly Shew Your Petitioners Freeholders and Inhabitants
of Hampton falls in said Province, That many Disputes and
Difficulties have Arisen and Still are Subsisting in said Parish
Respecting the Situation and Building of a Meeting House for
the Publick Worship of God in said Parish — That at present
there Appears no Prospect of Accomodateing Matters and Set-
ling said Disputes But Great Danger that Lawsuits may Arise
And the Parish be Greatly Divided And put to Great Expence
and Difficulty if not wholly Broken up without the Interposi-
tion of this Honourable Court.
140
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Pray that a Committee
may be Appointed to view the Situation of the Parish to hear
what Any Party may have to offer Respecting the Situation
And Building of A Meeting house And to Make Report to the
General Assembly what is best to be Done by the Parish to put
An End to those Disputes which have Arisen Respecting these
Matters. And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
Pray cS:c.
Ralph Butler
Philip Burns
Joseph worth
Joshua Chase
W-" Blasdell
Jonathan Stanyan
Josiah white
Meshech Weare
Abner sanborn Jun
Nathan Rowe
Stephen Lang
T 1 ]• 1 v*"^ O;,. Dudley Sanborn
Jedediah X Stanyan ^^^^J^ ^^^^.^
Enoch Sanborn Abner Sanborn
David Bachelder Simeon Hilyard
Theophilus Sanborn Samuel Shaw
Nath" Hub"" Dodge Jonathan Fifield
malachi Shaw Nathan Green
Richard X meder
mark
Stephen Cram
Jacob Saturlay
Richard Nason
Pain Row
Nathan Cram
Francis Marshall
Isaiah Lane
Jon'' Stuward
william Lang
Caleb Sanborn
Samuel Prescutt
juner
Sam' Weare
Zebulon Hilyard
John keney
Ebenezer maloon
Christopher Blake
Hilyard Shaw
Jonathan Fifield Jur
[In H. of Rep., April ii, 1770, Thomas Westbrook Wal-
dron, Richard Downing, Esqrs., and Dr. Ebenezer Thomp-
son were appointed as a committee to look into the matter,
and report. — Ed.]
\_Report of the Co}n7nittee.'\
Province of New Hampshire, June ii"" 177°
Pursuant to the order on tliis Petition, we have viewed the
Parish of Hampton Falls and heard what the Petitioners &
others of said Parish tho't proper to offer on the Subject matter
thereof — And altho' it does not appear that the new Meeting
House is placed as it could have been for conveniency when the
Parsonage House &c is bro't into consideration, yet it is well
Situate for a House of Publick Worship for said Parish. And
therefore are of opinion that all concerned would do well to
accept of it as such.
And for conciliating affairs in the Parish, we think two
things would have a tendency that way, viz, That such persons
of the Parish who in three months signify their inclination to
HAMPTON FALLS. I4I
have Pews in the new Meeting House, should by some resolu-
tion of said Parish (after said three months, to be taken) be put
on the same foot relative to having Pews as tho' no sale thereof
had been.
And Secondly that those persons who are better accommo-
dated by the new Meeting House & assisted in building the
same, (and no others) should present the Rev*^ M"" Pain Win-
gate, with the Sum of Sixty pounds, in order to provide Suit-
able carriage &c for Travel of himself & family to and from
Meeting. And this seems reasonable, in consideration the
House of Publick worship will be near Two miles distance
more from him than it was when he settled ; and in general so
much the more commodious to those on which this otherwise
seeming burthen is proposed to be laid.
All which is most Humbly submitted by
Tho' W Waldron
Rich*^ Downing
Eben' Thompson
[R. 2-45] \_Louisbourg Soldier^ J/46.']
[In a petition dated May 6, 1746, Sarah French, of Hamp-
ton Falls, states that she is " Widow and Relict of John
French Late of Hampton falls who Died at Louisbourg in the
service of his King and Country and left a Large family of
Small Children." She asks for assistance. The petition
was dismissed, as her husband was in the service of Massa-
chusetts.— Ed.]
[R. 2-46] [_ Crown Point Soldier^ l/jd.']
[William French of this town was in the Crown Point
expedition, Ezekiel Worthen's Co., Col. Nathaniel Me-
serve's Reg. He entered May i ; dismissed October 18. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-47] \_Abig-ail DwijiiielVs Petitio7i^ ^759-\
[In a petition dated May 15, 1759, Abigail Dwinnell, of
Hampton Falls, states that she is the widow of Amos Dwin-
nell, who " was a soldier in the Service of this Province at
Albany in the year 1756 where he died." — Ed.]
142 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-4S] \_Petitiofi of Isaac Tobey, l'/6o.~\
[In a petition dated January 15, 1760, Isaac Tobey of this
town states "That your Petitioner was a soldier in the Ser-
vice of this Province the Summer Past, That while he was
in the Service at Sarratoga he had his Gun Stolen." He
asked for an allowance for the same, but the petition was
" dismissed." — Ed.]
[R. 2-49] \_yonathan Kitoxvlton^ Soldier^ lydo.^
[Jonathan Knowlton, son of Ebenezer, was in the service
under Capt. Marston in 1759, and was taken sick at Albany
Flats. His father went after him, and took him home, where
he died soon after. His father presents bill of Dr. John
Weeks for attendance, which was allowed to the extent of
thirty-two shillings sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-51] \_Isaiah Row^ Soldier^ lydo.']
[Petition of Isaiah Row, of Hampton Falls, who states
that he was in the province service in 1760, returned home
in December, and was soon after taken with small-pox. He
was attended by Dr. Anthony Nutter, and presents a bill
for all expenses, amounting to £,^2^ old tenor, and was
allowed ^^13 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-54] \_Eleazer ^tiimby^ Soldier^ 1/60.']
[Petition of Eleazer Quimby, who states that his brother
Elisha was in the service in 1760, came home in December,
was taken sick with small-pox, and died. He was allowed
£7, II, 2.— Ed.]
[^K. 2-57] [^Dav/d Steward^ Soldier, ^7<^^-]
[David, a minor son of Jonathan Steward, was at Crown
Point in 1761 ; was sick at Keene on the way home. His
father went and got him home, and was allowed 30 shil-
lings.— Ed.]
HAMPTON FALLS. 1 43
[4—237] \_Proceedings in a Parish Meetings ^773-'\
We the subscribers being present at the Annual Parish meet-
ing at Hampton falls 9"" of march 1773. — Jon" Fifield Esq'' was
Chosen moderator after which he the Moderator ordered the
Voters to bring in their Votes for a Clerk in wrighting and
after the Moderator had counted them he declared Cap" Caleb
Sanborn was Chosen Clerk — A Dispute Immediately Arose and
a Poll demanded, which was denied some Considerable space
of time, but more than one hour after the first demand, the
Moderator granted a Poll, & ordered them that were for M'
Benj" Tilton to be Clerk, to go out at the east end of the Meet-
ing house, & them that were for Cap' Caleb Sanborn, to go out
at the west end, & ordered m"" David Batchelder to number
them, said Batchelder said, the number for Tilton was forty
Three — But those that were for Sanborn kept there places, in
the meeting House, & would not go out to be numbered the
Moderator & others then said Sanborn was Chosen by Proxy,
& that was the end of the Law The party for Benj" Tilton still
required a fair Devision by Poll, & about Twenty then again
demanded it — After some time more was Spent in dispute the
Moderator ordered all them that were for m"" Benj" Tilton to be
Clark to go into the Womens seats, and them for Cap' Sanborn
to go into the mens seats, and again m*^ David Batchelder Num-
ber'd both parties — After which said Batchelder said the num-
ber for Tilton was fifty five and the number for sanborn did not
exceed Thirty three — and directly after said Batchelder had
reporeted the numbers, the Moderator Administered the oath
of a Clerk to Cap' Caleb Sanborn — Our Judgement by Appear-
ance of the Numbers is that their was more than two for Tilton
to one for Samborn —
John Lane Henry Elkins Abraham Sanborn
Samuel Tucke Jo'i'^ Blake Jesse Tucke
[4-238] \_Sumtnons to Witnesses in yoregoing- matter. '\
Province of New Hamp"^*^
To Major John Lane of Kensington Cap' Henry Lane Elkins
Ensign Samuel Tuck David Batchelder
You are hereby required to make your appearance before the
General Assembly on Wednesday next then to give evidence of
What you know relative to a Petition preferred by sundry of the
Inhabitants of Hampton falls of & concerning a dispute at their
last annual Town meeting with regard to the Choice of a Parish
Clerk as by said Petition more fully appears —
144 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Hereof fail not as you will answer your default under the
pains & penalties of the Law
Dated at Portsmouth the thirteentli day of May A D 1 773 —
Geo : King D Sec'^
Province of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
May 13*'' 1773.
I have Summoned all the within named Witnesses to Appear
According to the within Summons —
Per Jonathan Cram
[4-339] \_Petitio)i concerning aforesaid Disptite.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"' Captain General Gov-
erner and Commander in Chief in and Over his Majestyes
Province of New Hampshire ; To the Hon*^''" his Majestys
Councill, And to the Hon''''^ House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court Assembled May 1773.
Humbly Shew your Petitioners That at our Annual Parish
Meeting in March Last, after the Moderator was without contro-
versy or Opposition Chosen it was moved that the Parish Clerk
Might be Chosen by written votes, they were Accordingly
Called for and Regurlaly brought in and no Exceptions taken
or Complaint made that the Ballot was not fair, untill it ap-
pear'd by counting the Votes that Cap' Sanborn was Chosen,
Then a Poll being Demanded was granted. And the two Parties
who were for or against the Clerk that had been Declared
Chosen being Seperated and no Exception taken that the Sep-
aration was not Sutficient for Determining the Poll exactly, the
Moderator desired One of the Last years Selectmen to Count
those on One Side and who were of his party, while he Care-
fully Numbered the Other Party himself; at length M' Batchel-
der, who was the person Desired by the Moderator to Count one
side Returned to the Moderator, and without Exspressing any
uneasiness as to the Manner of the Poll or doubt as to the Num-
ber of persons he was Employed to tell, Declared the Number
precisely, and the Moderator Declar'd the Number on the Other
Side, Whereby it appeared that Cap' Sanborn was Chosen Clerk
by Poll as he before had been by Ballot — nor did any Dispute
Arise about the Regularity or Validity of the Poll that had
been taken untill the Number were Declared on both sides and
it Appeared who was Chosen. Then a Poll again Demanded
which was Judged needless and unreasonable by many and they
HAMPTON FALLS. I45
declined paying any regard to it, Insisting that the Clark was
clearly Chosen already both by Ballot and Poll, and the Mod-
erator altho' willing to have gratifyed even an unreasonable Re-
quest yet thought it incumbant upon him and did proceed to
Admit him bv Oath to his Office — That as the Selectmen and
Other Parish Officers there is no dispute of their being legally
Chosen and so no pretence for having the Choice of them made
void, had the adverse Party been a Majority at the Meeting as
has been pretended they might have had an Oppertunity of
Shewing it by After Pollings and Choosing such officers as they
pleased. But as we doubt not they being Conscious that they
were the Minority withdrew and left the Majority peaceably to
Choose those Officers they saw fit. That at the Adjournment of
the Meeting, upon a Motion made by one in Opposition to the
proceedings of the Meeting it was put to vote whether the Par-
ish would reconsider their Votes respecting the Choice of Parish
Officers and it passed in the Negative, That the Selectmen and
Other Officers have proceeded in their business as bound by the
duty of their Offices Excepting wherein the}' have been pre-
vented by some persons unreasonably keeping the books and
Other necessary papers belonging to the Parish out of their
hands — That it would put the Parish to very great Trouble and
Expence to Call a new Meeting, and Especially to Choose all
the officers anew wou'd throw many Affiurs into great Confu-
tion such as takeing the Invoices for Taxation as by law Di-
rected, paying the School Marster and the Like which we trust
will not be done only in Case of necessity and much less where
there is no pretence of Dispute in any transaction of the Meet-
ing except in the Choice of Parish Clerk and in that as we
humbly Conceive very unreasonable. And we apprehend that
the Major Part of the Parish who were at Said Meeting are not
only fully Satisfied that the Meeting was legally and fairly Con-
ducted but also well Contented with the Persons Chosen to the
Several Offices, We are led thus to Lay before your Excellency
and Llonours an Account of tlie Proceeding at Said Aleeting be-
ing informed that a Number of the Inhabitants of Hampton falls
have Petitioned the General Assembly representing the Proceed-
ings at said Meeting to be illegal and unfair and praying they
may be Set aside A Copy of which Petition with the order of
Court for a hearing thereon has been Read to, but Refused to
be left with the Moderator of Said Meeting, so not being Ac-
quainted with any thing more then the General purport of the
Petition cannot make so purticular a Reply As Otherwise he
might. But can only give a true Account of the Proceedings of
the Meetings by which we trust it will appear Clear to your Ex-
cellency and Honours that their Petition is Groundless and Cal-
culated to keep up Divisions and Disputes in the Parish —
12
146 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly Pray That said Petition may
be Dismiss'd, and as in Duty Bound we Shall Ever pray &c :
Richard Nason Jon"* Fifield Jur Ralph Butler
Hilyard Shaw Francis Marshalls Aai-on Smith
Philip Burns Jon'' Tilton Jr Nathan Weare
Abner Sanborn Jun" Gideon Marshall Nath" Hub*^ Dodge
David Norton Richard Mace Pain Row
Caleb Sanborn Obadiah Worth Malachi Shaw
Jacob Saturlay Joseph worth Simeon Hilyard
Abner Sanborn Jon'^ Stuward Samuel Robie
William Lang John Gove Davaid Nason
Joseph Wells moses Norton Joseph Batchelder
Isaiah Lane John Kenney Joshua Chase
Zeb" Hilyard Stephen Cram David Pearkins
Walter Williams Stephen lang Jonathan Fifield
Theophilus Sanborn Husev Hoag Meshech Weare
Chaney Smith W" Blasdell
I was not present at the Meeting but from all the Accounts I
have Since had Am fully Satisfied the foregoing is a true Ac-
count of the transactions of the Meeting respecting the Poll
[The last clause is in the handwriting of M. Weare. —
Ed.]
[4-240] \_Another Statefnent relative to the foregoing
Dispute.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esquire Captain General
Governer & Commander in Chief in & Over his Majesties
Province of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''* his Majesties Councill and House of Representa-
tives for Said Province Convened in Generall Assembly —
Most Humbly Sheweth
The Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Parish of
Hampton-falls in the County of Rockingham in Said Province —
That at the Annual Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhab-
itants of Said Parish held at the New-meetinghouse in Said
Parish on the Ninth day of March AD 1773 — Jonathan Fifield
Esq'' was Chosen Moderator for Said Meeting, and Called upon
the Voters to bring in their Votes for a Parish Clerk, whereupon
one Party Voted for Caleb sanborn and the Other Party (of
which your Petitioners are) Voted for Benjamin Tilton to be
Parish Clerk for the Currant year, and upon Sorting the Votes
HAMPTON FALLS. I47
the Said Moderator Declared that Capt Caleb Sanborn was
chosen, But we (Suspecting that Several who Voted for Said
Sanborn were not Legal Voters and that some had put in more
than One Vote Each) to the Number of Eighteen Desired and
Requested a Poll, which was for some time Denied us, but at
length Granted, and David Batchelder one of the Select men
was Ordered to Number the Polls of the Voters, who made Re-
port to the Said Moderator that there was Fifty five Votes for
the Said Tilton & Thirty two or thirty three for Said Sanborn —
Notwithstanding which the Said Moderator then (to our great
Surprise) declared the Said Sanborn to be Chosen Clerk and
imediately Administered the Oath to him Accordingly —
Which Proceedings We humbly Conceive to be Unfair, Ille-
gal and Designed by the Said Moderator to hurt and Injure the
Major Part of the Legal Voters in Said Parish —
Wherefore and for many other good Reasons to be offered &
Proved to your Excellency & your Hon''^ upon a hearing of this
our Petition We Humbly Pray your Excellencv & Honours to
take our Case under your wise Consideration and Nullify and
make Void the Proceedings of said Meeting and Order the
Selectmen for the last year or some other Person or Persons to
Call and warn another Meeting of said Freeholders & Inhabitants
as soon as may be for the Choice of all Parish officers in said
Parish for the Currant year, Or Otherwise grant us Such Relief
in the Premises as to your Excellency and Honours Shall Seem
Meet. —
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray &c
Hampton falls March 29* 1773.
Jonathan Bm^nam Jeremiah Blake Jonathan Cram
Stephn Swain Nehemiah Cram Benj" Tilton
Peter Tilton William Present Samuel Melcher
Stephen Tilton Michael Tilton Juner
Benjamin melcher Radmund moulton Caleb Tilton
James Prescutt Samuel Lane Jun"^ Ebenezer Tilton
Malcher Ward Nathan Tilton Joshua Blake
Elisha Prescutt Nathan Tilton Samuel Melcha
Richerd moulton Samuel Prescot Samuel Lane
Caleb Swain James Present juner John Swain
John flood William Swain Benjamin Sanbun
Jeremiah Lane Jediah Sleeper William Davison
Benja moulton henry Blake
[2-242] [Z?. Bachelder^ s Statement concerning same. ~\
David Bachelders Decleration of the managment of the an-
nual metting Held in Hampton Falls on march 9"' 1773 being
148 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
one of the Select men to Call Said metting first Jonathan Fifield
Esq"" was Chosen moderator one part Carried their Votes for
Cap' Sanborn to be Parish Clerk in Number 38 the other Voted
for m'' Benjamin Tilton to the Num"" of 37 But we being Scrup-
lus of Some of theirs being Legal Voters we Desired a pole
"which was for Some time Denied we Nev^ertheless Continued to
Desire a fare opportunity Tiiat the matter mite be Farley Deter-
mined who was Chosen to the office of Parish Clark & after
Somthing more Then an our the moderator Grainted a pole &
ordered Thouse That where for Cap' Sanborn to go out at the
mens End Door & thouse who where for m'' Tilton to go out at
the womans End Door & Desired me to Number thouse that
went out at the womans End Door and Said That he would
Number thouse that went out at the mens Door Immediately
thouse who where for M"" Tilton went out at the womans Door to
the Number of 43 but Not one went out at the mens door For
Cap Sanborn we where tould by the moderator That Cap' San-
born was Chosen by Proxes & That That was the End of the
Law our party was Stil Very uneassy & Stil Desired a fare Dis-
sission of the Distute by a pole to the Number I thought of 15
or 20 at Length the moderator ordered that thouse which where
for m'' Tilton to Draw into the womans Seats & those that
where for Cap' Sanborn to Draw into the mens Seats & Desired
me to Number them I accordingly Numbered them as Near as
I Could 6l Found fifty five for m"" Tilton & about thirty two or
thirty three for Cap' Sanborn I immediately tould the modera-
tor the Number of Voters on both Sides but then Directly to
mv Great Supprise the moderator administraed the oath to Cap*
Sanborn to be parish Clark & then proseeded to Chose the Se-
lect men This relation I am Ready to give oath is matter of Fact
& as Near as I Can relate the management of the meetting
Hampton Falls march 13"' 1773
David Bachelder
the following are the Names of those that Disired a pole
Cap' Jonathan Tilton Samuel Lane Elisha Present
Nathan tilton Samuel Present Jeremiah blake
Jeremiah Lane John Swain Nehemiah Cram
Jonathan Cram David Bachelder James prescut Juner
Henry blake Cap' Jonathan bur- Benjamin Sanborn
C"P Benjamin moul- num Stephen Swain
ton william Davidson
Voted that the Meeting mentiond in the Petition "has been
Illegally Conducted & that it thereby is Dissolved & that a New
Meeting be held & in consideration of the Division in said Pai*-
ish that CoPJn° Philips Esq'' a member of this house be a Mod-
HAMPTON FALLS. I49
erator of Said Meeting he giving Notice of the time & Place
& design of holding the same & that the Legal Charge the Per-
sons who were Chosen Select Men have been at in the Service
of the Parish shall be defrayd by the Parsh as tho the Said Meet-
ing had been Valid and that the Petition" have leave to bring in
Bill accordingly
[In H. of Rep., May 19, 1773. The proceedings of the
aforesaid meeting were declared to have been illegal, and
another meeting was ordered to be held, and in considera-
tion of the "division in said Parish, Col° Jn° Phillips Esq"
was appointed to act as moderator. — Ed.]
[4-243] [^Election of a Magistrate, 1776.'\
Colony of New Hampshire
Hampton falls July i^' 1776
att a Meeting of the freeholders and Inhabitants of Said
Hampton-falls and when meet Samuel Weare was made Choice
of for a Justice of Peace for Said Parish by a Unanimous Vote
Samuel Pi-escot ") Select Men
Abner Sanborn V of
Jeremiah Blake Jur, ) Hampton falls
To The Hon'''^ Philips White Esq Speaker of the House of
Representives
[4-244] {^Return of Ratable Polls, iy8j.~\
State of Newhampshire County of Rockingham
Pursuant to an order from the Hon"*^ General Assembly of
Said State We have taken an Exact number of the Male polls
of Twenty one years old & uj^wards Paying for themselves a
Poll tax within the Town of Ilamptonfalls and find them to
amount to one Himdred & Six Persons — 106
James Present ju" ") Selectmen
Caleb Tilton V of
Benj" Pike ) Hamptonfalls
Exeter December the 5"* 17S3 —
the above Subscribers made oath to the truth of the above Re-
teturne before me —
Nath" Folsom
Jus' Peace —
150 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-59]
Account of supplies to Soldiers Families from the Town of
Hampton falls from January first 17S3 till July first 1783
Jonathan Millers Family iC^, 7, n,
Edward Wades Family 7, -^, o,
John Rawlins Family 4, 10, 6,
Melcher Wards Family 5, 18, 7,
James Present Jn"") Selectmen
Caleb Tilton y of
Benj* Pike ) Hampton falls
Sworn before Sam' Weare
[4-245] S^Recomtnendation for Appointment of Magistrate.'\
Hampton Falls Nov'' 4"^ 17S9
Sirs
We the subscribers beg leave to Recommend to your Excel-
lency and Honors, Col. Caleb Tilton of this Place as a Person
well qualified for a Justice of the Peace, and beg he may be
appointed to that Oflice —
We are Sirs, with due Respect your Excellency and Honoi's
most Obedient Servants, —
His Excellency the President and Hon'''® Council —
Caleb Sanborn Abner Sanborn Jon* Burnham
Isaiah Lane Josiah Peaver Peter Tilton
Jeremiah Lane Benj* Pike James Prescut ju**"
Aaron Wells Nath" Hub'' Dodge Michael Tilton
Simeon prescutt Benj'' Tilton George Fifield
Joseph Wells Meshech Sanborn
Nath" Dodge James Prescutt
[4-246] \_Relative to working- Highway Taxes ifi Hampton
Falls and Seabrook Parishes, iygi.~\
To the Hon'® President Senators and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled.
The Petition of the Subscribers chosen as a Committee in
HAMPTON FALLS. I5I
behalf of the Parish of Hampton falls at a Legal Meeting of the
freeholders and Inhabitants Thereof in August last passed for
the purpose of making application to the Honorable General
Court, humbly Sheweth —
That some Years ago, upon the settlement of the Rev"* M'
Wingate as the Minister of this Parish, — Seabrook was taken
off from Hampton-falls and made a distinct Parish on account
of their dissent from said settlement ; and a line of Division
was Drawn betwixt the said Parishes by Order of General
Court.
That notwithstanding the said line of Division Liberty was
given by the Court to any Person on either side of said Line to
Poll off with their Estates into the other Parish within Tv^^o
Months after the said Division was made the plain Design of
which was that they might have their choice as to the enjoy-
ment of the Privileges of religious worship in one Parish or the
Other—
That in consequence of this Liberty some Persons within the
Line of Seabrook Polled into Hampton falls ; and likewise sun-
dry Persons within the line of Hampton-falls Polled into Sea-
brook ; by which means much difficulty hath been occasioned
as to doing their part in repairing highways :
Whereas it would be more convenient for both Parishes if
they who have Polled ; might be Obliged to do their part of
Labour on the Road within the Lines of the Parishes in which
they belonge ; why this was not mentioned in the Charter was
entirely thro' forgetfulness :
Therefore it is our Humble Petition that Your Honours in
your wisdom would Pass an Act that all those Inhabitants who
Lives within the Bounds of s** Hampton falls who have Polled
into Seabrook be caused to work or pay their proportion of
Taxes According to their Polls and Estates on Roads or High-
ways within the Bounds of s** Hampton falls; Also all those
Inhabitants who Live within the Bounds of Seabrook who have
Polled into Hampton falls be caused to work or pay their pro-
portion of Taxes According to their Polls and Estates, on Roads
or highways within the Bounds of Seabrook, — As in Duty
Bound shall Ever Pray.
Dated at Hampton falls November 26 AD 1791
ico
[Petition granted December 6, 1792. — Ed.]
Abner Sanborn
David Bachelder \ Committee
Georsre Fifield
152 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
HANCOCK
This town was incorporated November 5, 1779, and
named in honor of Gov. John Hancock of Massachusetts,
who was one of the original proprietors of the town. The
territory comprised in the township was a portion of Society
Land, so called, belonging to the Masonian Proprietors,
some of which had been settled by John Grimes in 1765,
and, within four or five years from that time, by Moses Mor-
rison, William Lakin, and others.
January 16, 1794, the farm of Joseph Putnam, of Society
Land, was annexed to this town.
January i, 1849, ^^^ farm of John Flint, of Antrim, was
annexed to Hancock.
[5—23] [ Consent of Inhabitants of the East Side to the
Inco7'poration of Hancock^ I'j'jg^
State of New hampshire And County of hillsborough
These may Sartfy the honorable Council And house of Rep-
resentatives for said state That we whose names are underriten
and Sined who Live in the Society Land So Called on the
East Side of Contoocook River have no obctions to make
against the in habintients on the weast Side of S"* River in the
Society afore S'^ to be incorporated Into Town and Likewise ta
be Disanexed From those on the west —
Society Land April 20''' i779
Robert Rogers James gragg Isaac Butterfield
Charles Lawrance John gragg Samuel Butterfield
Alexander parker Samuel Dickey
[5-24] {^Petition for afi Ifzcorporation of the Town^ -^779-^
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives for
the State of New hampshier in general asembly Conveen"^ at
Exeter in the mounth of June i779 —
the Humble petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of that
part of the Society So Called Laying on the west Side of Con-
taucook River and South of Antrim North of petterBorough &
Dublin & East of Packersfield—
HANCOCK. 153
Humbly Sheweth that by Reason of the Lai'ge flats on Each
Side of s"^ Contaucook River it will Ever be Impractable to
Build any Bridge and therefore there Can be no Communica-
tion with those that inhabite on the East Side of Said River all
which will Render it inconvenient to be incorporated into one
Body and them Inhabiting on the East Side of S** River have
Signed their willingness to be Disanexed from those on the
West—
furthermore your pettitioners would Inform your Hounours
that the tract of land on which we Inhabit from the River west
to packerfeild East Line is Six mills and one Half and from
Antrim South Line to Pettersbrough North Line is five mills
and near one Half and the Land is so good that it will make a
very Comodious town or Parish and your petitioners pray your
Honours that they may be Incorporated and invested with all
town priviladges as other Incorporated towns — your Honours
Compliance with the above petition Will greatly oblidge your
petitioners and they as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
Society June the 3'' ^779
Robert Duncan John Cumings Asa Adams
Moses Morison Joseph Simonds Nathan Meriam
Jonathan Bennett Timothy moors Adam Patterson
Thomas Miller Reuben Cumings Arther grayham
John Moor Joel Russell David Ames
John Miller John Cumings Juner William Lakin
Thomas English Oliver Lawrance John Foster
Stephen Bennett James Davis
william williams W'" Williams J''
[In answer to the foregoing the town was incorporated
November 5, 1779. — Ed.]
[5-25] \_Petltio7i relative to Taxes ^ ^779-^
State of New Hampshire
To The Hon*''^ the Council and House of Representatives for
the State of Newhampshire afores** in General Assembly
Covened —
The petition of the Inhabitants and Proprietors of the Lands
of the place called and Known by the Name of y*^ Society Land
in the County of Hillsb° in the State of New hampshire afores^
humbly sheweth —
That y* said Place called y* Society Land is Taxed for y*
154 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Current Year for a Larger Sum than other places and Towns
in Proportion, intlie same State, being One pound five shillings
11*^ to Every Thousand pound — and we further Shew that in
fact we the said Inhabitants are very poor and Low in the
world, our Lands are a great Part of them Low and Sunken,
we have many Large ponds and some very mountainous and
Rocky Land — which are not nor Ever Can be improved — The
Road thro y^ Township could not be made Good and passable
for Teams, in One year, for y^ whole Sum y® Township is
worth, it being so Exceeding Rocky mountainous and Sunken —
We declare our Selves Good and faithfull Subjects to the state
afores*^ and Truely willing to pay our full Proportion of publick
Taxes ; but at the same time upon considering Every Circum-
stance, we are assured and do plainly See that our Valuation
was given in three Times too Large, in Proportion to other
Towns, Therefor We humbly pray for an abatement in our
Tax in such proportion as your Hon" in your Wisdom shall see
fit, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray —
Society Land Septemb'' y"* ^779
Signers Neames
Jacob Ames David Ames Moses Morison
Robert Duncan Jonathen Bennett Thomas Miller
John Moor John Miller Robert Wyllie
Williams Clarck Jesse Cristey Benj"' Wilson
Asa Adams Stephen Bennett William Williams
Adam patterson Williem Lakin James Davis
Edmund Davis Jon'' Davis Charles Barrett
David Hubbard Amos Barrett Jonas Wheeler
Thomas Barrett Joseph Hayward John Preston
\.S~'^5}^'\ \_Report of Committee to locate a Aleeting-House.^
State of new Hamp"^* ) Hancock may y*' 3*^ ^7^5
Hillsborough county j
Your committee appointed to fix on the place for bulding a
Metting house in said Hancock having meet and viewed the
Ground & heard the pleas, beg leave to Report — that the place
Agreed upon for the aforesaid porposs is on the plain at the
South End of noraway Pond so called there marked out and
shown to the Inhabitants which is submitted
John Duncan
Levi Spaulding
Jo : Young
HANCOCK. 155
[2-26] \^Petition for Special Tax to Build a Meeting- House J\
State of New Hamp''^ ) to the Hon' the sennat and House of
Hillsborough ss j Representatives in Gen' Court at Con-
cord convened
The Memorial of us Nonresident Owners of lands in Han-
cock shews that whereas a Petition hath been perfered Request-
ing a tax to be Laid on all the Lands in s*^ Hancock for the
purposs of bulding a house for publick worship & it appeare-
ing to be for our intrest & the publick Good we also pray that
the subject matter prayed for in s"* petition may be Granted and
your Memorialests as in Duty Bound will ever pray &c —
James Davis Jo"'' Davis John Preston
Amos Barrett Ben" Knight Moody Morss
Elezer Cumings Charles Barrett Elijah Hills
James Hosley Noah Wheeler
[5-27] S^Petition^for Appointment of a Committee to locate
a Meeting- House ^ iy8§r\
State of new Hamp*^
To His Exalancy the Presidant the Honerable the Council and
House of Representatives in general Assembly at Concord
Convened —
A Petition in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hancock humbly
shews that we have been at pains and cost to find the Centor of
our town in Order to buld a House for Publick Worship : but
Unfortunatly it falls in a Bogg where it is not possable to buld :
and altho we have Meetings Called Reppitedly for that pourpos :
yet we Cannot all Agree where to move it to find the Ground
that will be most Suitable and Convenient : W^herefor we pray
that your Honors would appoint a Committy of three Persons
out of towns ajacent that is not Intrested for the porpos afore-
said as we have agreed to abide the Judgement of s*' Comitty
and pay the Cost : and your Petitionars as in Duty bound will
ever pray
Hancock Jen^ y"= 20"' 17S5
T T^ ^ a Commit-
James Duncan f r
Seth Hadley C u ,
•^ ) Hancock
[In H. of Rep., February 10, 1785, a committee was
appointed, consisting of John Duncan, Esq., Capt. Levi
Spaulding, and Dr. John Young. For report, see ante. —
Ed.]
156 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-2S] \_Petitio7t for AutJiority to levy a Tax to Build a
Aleeting- House ^ i'j8§.'\
State of New Hamp''^ ) to the Honerable the Sennet & House
Hillsborough County S of Representatives in General Court
Convened —
A Petition in behalf of the Inhabitants of Hancock Humbly
Shews : that s"^ Hancock was not Granted to any number of
persons as other towns in this State have Been nor aney Lands
Given for aney publick Use but a Great part of the land in s"^
town is owned by non-Residants the most of whome lives in the
massachusetts who do not incline to Sell or Settle their lands :
so long as they find them advanceing by our labour : whilest all
the burthing of Roads &c : layeth heavey on the oppressed
inhabitants : & Whereas other towns in the same sittuation have
Upon applycation been Relived : which incorigeth us to hope
that we will not be worse Used than other subjects wherefor
we pray that your honors would Grant us a small tax on all the
Land in s'* Hancock for the sole purpose of bulding a house for
Publick Worship : and your petitioners as in Duty Bound will
Ever Pray
Hancock may y*" 16"^ 1785
Seth Hadley 1 ^ .,,
■c- ^z • 1 *. \ Comittee
Lnes Knight j
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
November 4, 1785. — Ed.]
[5-29] \_Relative to bttilding a Meeting- House ^ ^7^7 •'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Great and General Court of said State to be conven'd on
the first Wensday of June next. —
The Select men of the Town of Hancock in behalf of s*^
Town Humbly Shews. — that they received an Act passed by
said Court upon the 2'^ of November, 1785, Impowring the
Select Men of Hancock to Assess the Lands in said Hancock
for the purpose of Building a Meeting house in s'^ Town at one
penny an Acre for the term of three years. — But in s^ Act there
appears liberty for the whole thereof to be paid in Certificates
— which liberty must of Necessaty prevent our Building at
present for we Cannot purchase one article for Building with
them so as to answer our purpose — we therefore pray the Hon-
orable Court to take our Case into there Consideration and
HANCOCK. 157
reverse that Clause of said Act which has respect to said Tax
being paid in Certificates, and Order it to be paid in hard
Money Grain and Lumber, or some other way, to Answer our
purpose, as they in their wisdom shall see meet, and your
Petitioners in duty bound shall ever pray
Hanocock April 26'^ 17S7
Edmond Davis ") selectmen
Samuel Gates > of
Oliver Lawrence j Hancock
jjQi-jbie |.j-jg General Court —
[The petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
[5-30] \^Petition of Joseph P7itna?n to be annexed to Han-
cock, 1793 •'\
to the Legeslature of the State of New hamp™, in general Court
Convened at Concord on the first wensday of June 1793
the petition of Joseph Putnam of the Society land in the
County of Hillsborough humbly shews that your petitionar
lives Remote from any neighbour in Said Society and a great
part of his land lays in Hancock and he attends publick wor-
ship there and owns a pue in the Meeting house and cannot
conveniently be joyned to any other Society and now pays taxes
for a great part of his Intrest there — Wherefore your petitioner
prays your honners that he with the whole of his Intrest be dis-
anexed from the Said Society where they injoy no previlages
and be anexed to the town of Hancock and as. in dutty will
ever pray
Joseph Putnam
[5-2934] S^Consent of the Toiv?i to the forcgoing.'\
At a Townmeeting held in Hancock upon the 13"^ of may
1793 — James Duncan Moderator — Voted to Receive W"" Joseph
Putnam of Society so called as an inhabitant of said Hancock
and approve of his being annexed thereto provided the Gen-
eral Court shall Concur therewith.
Coppy attest
James Hosley Town Clerk.
[Joseph Putnam's farm was annexed to the town January
16, 1794. — Ed.]
158 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-31] \_Relat/ve to Militia Regiments^ I'j8§.'\
To His Execellency the Presedent and the Hon^'^ the Senate &
Hon**'^ House of Representatives of the State of New Hamp-
shire In General Court Assembled at Concord in said State
Humblety She-weth the Selectmen of Hancock in the County
of Hillsborough — In behalf of the Inhabitants of s*^ Town —
That at the last session of the Gen^ Court a vote past by which
the 12* Rig' of melitia was Divided and the west part Call*^
N° 12 and the east part Call*^ N° 23.
The Real situation & all the Circumstances of the towns that
Now Compose the East Rigement we suppose was not then
laid before the Hon^'*' Court for we believe if the}^ had it would
not have passed — wherefore we beg leave to say That the East
Rig' (viz) New Ipswich mason Wilton Temple Peterbor-
ough, Lyndsborough societ Hancock & Peterboroughslip Was
L s d
all formerly of the fifth Regiment — That they pay 49-15-10 to
every £1000 of the State Taxes as will appear by the last pro-
portion Act — And that the west or 12"' as by s*^ vote (viz)
Ringe Fitzwilliam Jaffery Marlborough Dublin & Packersfield
s
pays but £32-13 which is not two thirds so much or in other
s d
words we pay £17-2-10 more to every £1000 than they which
is more then half they pay — That we are Nine towns to their
six — That more than iioo poles w^as return'd in the last Inven-
tory in y"^ Nine & but little more than 600 in the west Rig'
And That the most of the Towns in the East Reg' was settled
(viz), New Ipswich Wilton mason Peterborough & lyndsbor-
ough a Number of years before there was one Inhabitant in the
six towns which Now takes away ovu" Number — And that there
is now four Field officers within the this Reg' (to wit) Heald
Willson Abbot & Clerk (which Cannot by the melitia Rules,
which is only Honour) renew their Commitions in the 23**
regim' — That in every point of view we Consider ourselves
agreaved by said vote — Wherefore We Humbly pray your Ex-
celency & Honours that the East Regiment (to wit) New Ips-
wich &c which is now call'd the 23'' regiment may be restored
to their former Number Or that The Devision of s** 12"* Regi-
ment may be made nul & void and be put to Gether as but one
regiment & as In Duty bound shall pray
Jan'y 27"^ 17S5
David Hubbard
Edmond Davis
Moses Dennis
Selectmen of
Hancock in
behalf of
the Town
HANOVER. 159
HANOVER.
The township was granted July 4, 1761, to Edmond Free-
man and others.
Col. Edmond Freeman, who came from Mansfield, Con-
necticut, made a settlement in town in May, 1765. The
following year Benj. Davis and Benj. Rice, from the same
place, made settlements, and others came soon after from
Coventiy, Conn.
In 1770 there were about twenty families in town, living
in log-houses. In September of that year Rev. Eleazer
Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn., settled in the town, and
established Dartmouth college, a charter having been ob-
tained from Governor Wentworth, dated December 13, 1769,
for that purpose.
An additional grant was made to the proprietors of the
township January 9, 1775, of some 2,000 acres on the north
side of the town, in consequence of some misunderstanding
concerning the bounds of the original grant.
About 300 acres of land in the south-west corner of the
town was granted to Dartmouth college December 19, 1771,
and 200 acres adjoining to Rev. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock,
president of the college.
[5-32] [ Vote of the Town relative to its Boundaries^ iy/2.']
x\t a Meeting of tlie Proprietors of Han"" Sep' 23*^ '772 Voted
that wheras it now appears to this Propriety uncertain whither
they have a Legal Title to all the Land Contained within y®
reputed Boundaries of s** Hanover, we therfore think it Expedi-
ent to have the Matter relative thereto truly represented to his
Excellency our Governor And to appoint Jon* Freeman as an
agent for that purpose to act thereon and take such Methods for
secureing the Charter of all y® Land within s** Boundaries (if
needful) as he shall think proper
A True Coppy of Record
Jon"' Freeman Clerk
[5-33] \^Petition for aji additional Grants iyyi.'\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Cap' General Gov-
ernor & Commander in chief in and over His JSIajesty's prov-
ince of New^ Hampshire, and Vice Admiral of the same, In
Council
l60 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The petition of Jonathan Freeman of Hanover in the County
of Grafton and province afores*^ as Agent for the propriety of
said Hanover, humbly sheweth — That whereas by the original
Survey of s*^ Hanover the Boundaries on Connecticut River
were about Two hundred & twenty rods further distant from
each other than the length of Lines as mentioned in said Char-
ter, and the proprietors being ignorant of the same, run each of
said lines from the river Connecticut S. 64° E. agreeable to the
courses given in s*^ Charter, and have lotted out and settled on
said lands to each line, and have given considerable Tracts
adjoining to each of said lines for the use of Dartmouth College,
and being nov\^ convinced that said lines contain about Twenty
seven Hundred Acres more than the Contents of s'^ Charter,
which if taken from the Propriet" of Hanover will throw the
Town into great confusion by breaking up Divisions, remove-
ing Settlers, &c. We therefore humbly pray that Your Exc^ and
Honors would grant to us the land contained with the above
said Lines & not granted in the former Charter And we beg
leave to assure your Exc^ and Honors that (as we have already
One Hundred & ten Male Inhab" upwards of sixteen years of
Age) so we will further pursue & encourage the settlement of
s*^ Town.
And your pet" as in duty Bound shall ever pray
Dated Wolfboro' Oct" S"^ 1773.
Copy Exam*^
Province of New Hampshire
In Council Feb^ i^' ^773
The within petition having been Read — Order'd thereupon —
That the Clerk of the propriety of Lime, or the Select Men (if
any there be) be served with a Copv of the petition & order of
Council thereon at the cost of the pet" that they may be heard
thereon on Tuesday the 23*^ of March next to shew cause why
the prayer of s'" petition may not be granted.
Copy
Theodore Atkinson Sec''
Province of New Hampshire
Lime 22*^ of Feb 7 1773
Then read the foregoing petition and Order of Council there-
on within the Hearing of the selectmen of the Town of Lime,
Jon''' Freeman Agent
for s*^ Hanover propriety.
Theodore Atkinson Sec*^
HANOVER. l6l
and likewise left a True Coppy of s*^ petition and Doings of the
Council thereon, with the Clerk of s*^ Lime Propriety
Peters Grant
Indifferent person
[5-35 is a plan showing the line in question. The grant
was made January 9, 1775. — Ed.]
[5-36] \_yoh71 Crane for Leave to establish a Hospital^
^773-']
Province of | To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Cap-
New Hamp""® J tain General Governor & Commander in Chief
in and over his Majesty's Province afores"* and
Vice Admiral of the same in Council —
The Humble Petition of John Crane of Hanover in the
County of Grafton in the Province aforesaid Physician unto
your Excellency and Honours shews —
That you Petitioner has a great Inclination of erecting an
Hospital for Enoculation for the small Pox in some remote Part
of said Town of Hanover under such Regulations as your Ex-
cellency & Honours may subject the Institution. Your Peti-
tioner humbly concieves that there are many advantages that
may result to the Public from his Intentions if permitted by y"^
ExcelK & Hon" especially as that Part of the Country will short-
ly be exposed to travellers from the Province of Canada and
your Petitioner has in thought making the Hospital of publick
Utility which he begs leave to lay before y"" Excellency & Hon-
ours in Person, if he may be indulged with an Audience and
y"" Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Portsmouth May 28 1773
John Crane
[5-37] \_jfonatha7t Freejna?i relative to Hanover addition.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Cap' General Gov-
ernor and Commander in chief in and over His Majesty's of
New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the same in Council
The Petition of Jonathan Freeman of Hanover in the County
of Grafton and Province afores'' Humbly sheweth That your
Petitioner being appointed as an Agent for the Proprietors of s"*
Hanover (on the 23*^ of Sepf 1772) to procure a Charter of a
piece of Land lying on the Northerly part of said Hanover to
be confirmed to said Town and your Petitioner did on the 8'^
13
l62 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Ocf 1772 Petition your Excellency and Honours for a grant
of the aforesaid Land which Petition being read in Council
Feb^ i^' 1773 it was ordered that the Clerk of the Propriety of
Lime or select Men of s*^ Town should be served with a Coppy
of the said Petition and Order of Council thereon, and that the
said Select Men and Proprietors were accordingly served with
a Coppy of the said Petition on the 2Z^ of Feb^' 1773, all which
may appear by the records and files of council and likewise by
order of the Surveyor General a survey of the said Land has
been made and return'd into his Office, all which has been at-
tended with considerable Expense to your Petitioner and as the
Proprietors of Lime have not appeared to shew cause why the
prayer of the said petition should not be granted and the Pro-
prietors of said Hanover having in Consequence of the encour-
agement hereby given us, of a grant of said Land proceeded in
the cultivation and Settlement of the same. We therefore Hum-
bly pray that your Excellency and Honours would be pleased
to complete the grant agreeable to the prayer of the aforesaid
Petition and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Dated Portsmouth July 23'^ 1774
Jonathan Freeman
agent for Hanover prop^
[4-38] \^Precept for the Election of a Representative^ ^77S-'}
In Congress at Exeter December 26'^ ^775' whereas a writ
issued from the late Congress of this Colony directed to the
Selectmen of Hanover requiring them to notify the legal In-
habitants paying Taxes in Hanover, Lebanon, Relhan [Enfield],
Canaan, Cardigan, [Orange] & Grafton to meet at said Hanover
and choose one Person to Represent them in General Congress
to be held at Exeter the Twenty first day of December then
next which Writ has been Returned by the Selectmen of said
Hanover, and no return thereon Certifying the choice or ap-
pointment of any Person as directed. Therefore to the end
that the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Town may not be unrep-
resented in the Present Congress. Resolved that the foi/ozui?i^
Writ Issue.
Colony of New Hampshire.
THE CONGRESS OF SAID COLONY
To THE Select-men of Hanover — in said Colony,
Greeting. You are hereby required to notify the legal Inhab-
itants paying Taxes in the Towns of Hanover, Lebanon, Rel-
han, Canaan, Cardigan & Grafton (giving them fifteen Days
Notice) to meet at some convenient Place in your Town, to
HANOVER. 163
elect one Person (having a real Estate of the Value of Two
Hundred Pounds Lawful Money in this Colony) to represent
them in General Congress now setting at Exeter — And to im-
power such Representative for the Term of one Year from the
21^' of December cur' to transact such Business and pursue
such measures as they may judge necessary for the public Good.
And in Case there should be a Recommendation from the
Continental Congress that this Colony assume Government in
any particular Form, which will require a House of Repre-
sentatives, that thev resolve themselves into such a House as
the said Continental Congress shall recommend, and it is re-
solved that no Person be allowed a Seat in Congress, who shall
by himself, or any Person for him, before said Choice, treat
with Liquor, &c. any Electors, with an apparent View of gain-
ing their Votes, or afterwards on that Account.
And the Person who shall be elected. You are to notify, that
he attend at Exeter abovementioned. And make Return here-
of with your Doings thereon.
By order of Congress,
MATTHEW THORNTON, PRESIDENT.
Exeter Nov. the 14th 1775.
E. THOMPSON, Secretary.
[No return was made on the back of the foregoing, as no
representative was chosen. A similar precept, dated Sept.
30, 1776, was sent to the town, which was returned with the
following endorsement on the back : — Ed.]
[5-39]
Hanover Nov'' 27"" 1776 —
Pursuant to the within Precept We notified the Inhabitants
paying Taxes in the Towns of Hanover Canaan and Cardigan
to meet at the meeting house in said Hanover this day for the
purposes within mentioned — Who being met passed the follow-
ing Votes. Viz.
1. Voted unanimously That the Address of the Inhabitants
of this and otlier Towns, to the People of the several Towns
thro' this Colony, published by their Committees in July last,
is truely expressive of our Sentiments respecting Representa-
tion and the unconstitutional Formation and proceedures of the
present Assembly of this State —
2. Voted unanimously that we will not chuse a Representa-
tive as directed in the Precept issued by the Assembly of this
State for the following Reasons Viz.
I. Because no plan of Representation is as yet formed in this
164 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
State consistant with the Liberties of a free people ; in that the
people have not universally had a full Representation in any
Assembly since this State was declared independent of the
Crown of Great Britain, by which declaration we conceive that
the powers of Government reverted to the people at large and
of course annihillated the political Existence of the Assembly
w^hich then was ; notwithstanding which they have since pre-
sumed to act in the name of the people, and in their precept
undertaken to prescribe & limit the mode of proceedure in our
Choice of a Representative which it does not appear that they
are to be chosen for the purpose of recognizing the rights of
the people and assuming such Government as shall be agreeable
to them, tho' nothing of that nature has at any time been done
in this State ; except a Plan formed by the Representatives of a
part of this State, by which the whole Rights of the People are
assumed by that House.
II. Because the Precept in Consequence of which this meet-
ing was called is inconsistant with the Liberties of a free peo-
ple ; in that it dii'ects to have diflerent corporate Towns (who
have a right to act by themselves in all Cases) to unite for the
purpose of chusing a Representative and Counsellor
III. Because it limits us in our Choice to a Person who has
a real Estate of £200. L. M. whereas we conceive that there
ought to be no pecuniary Restriction ; but that every Elector is
capable to be elected.
3. Voted Unanimously that the Select Men be directed to
make return of the foregoing Vote with the reasons annex'd to-
gether with the Precept to the Assembly proposed to be held
at Exeter on the third Wednesday in Dec' next.
4. Voted unanimously that we will not give in our votes for
a Counsellor as directed in the Precept I. Because we can see
no important end proposed by their Creation, unless to negative
the proceedings of the House of Representatives ; which we
humbly conceive ought not to be done in a free State,
II. Because every Elector ought to have a Voice in the
Choice of each Counsellor (in Cases where they are needful) —
and not be restricted in his Choice to any particular Limits
within the State — For which Reason we protest against a Coun-
sellor being chosen in this County, as directed in the Precept.
t^. Voted unanimously that the Clerk be directed to make
return of the last Vote with the Reasons annex'd, and our Pro-
test, as the Precept directs relative to Vote for a Counsellor.
6. Voted that this meeting be dissolved — And it was accord-
ingly dissolved
Attest""
Ichabod Fowler \ Select Men
Thomas Durkee ] of Hanover
HANOVER. 165
[5-40] [ Vote of the Toivn relative to the matter in Dis-
pute.']
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hanover
Feb^ 3'' ^777 Warned for considering and acting upon any mat-
ter that might relate to a Hand Bill from the Hon'''" Meshech
Weare Esq'' in behalf of a Committee appointed b}' the assem-
bly at Exeter Informing that the said Committee propose to be
at m"" pains, at Hanover on the 10"' of this Inst' Feb^ to con-
verse with any persons the people shall appoint in order to give
them all the satisfaction they can with regard to the proceedings
of the said assembly for the promoting peace harmony &c.
This meeting having taken the matter under consideration and
being desirous of facilitating any design to promote peace and
Harmony as well as secure the Liberties of the people thro'
this state Think it necessary that m"' Weare be informed that
this Town have heretofore appointed their Committee to join
with the Committee of a number of Towns within this State
for the purpose of pursuing some proper measures to obtain a
redress of those Grievences we Labour under in consequence
of the proceedings of the late Congress and Assembly at Exe-
ter, that the doings of said Joint Committees have been laid
before and approbated by said Town, that their meeting stands
adjourned to the 13"' of this Instant Feb-^ at M' Ordways at
Lebanon ; and that we think it Expedient that in this matter
we act in concert with said Joint Committees as it appears to
us the most likely method to answer the End proposed namely
to satisfy the minds of the people and promote Harmony and
peace which we Earnestly desire may be efl'ected on reasonable
Terms, for which reason we omit appointing any persons to
meet the Committee at m' Fains and refer them to the aforesaid
meeting at Lebanon.
Voted that the select Men be desired forthwith to send a
Coppy of the Above to m' Weare
David Woodward Moderator
A True Coppy Attest Jonathan Freeman Clerk
To The Hon'''" Meshech Weare Esq : and the other gentle-
men of the Committe appointed by the Assembly at Exeter to
endeavour to satisfy those persons in the western part of the
State of N. Hampshire who are Dissatisfied with the proceed-
ings of s*^ Assembly on their Journey to Hanover Via Walpole
[R. 2-63] [^Petition of Lieut, yohn House., ^779-]
To the Hon*"'" the Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in general Assembly convened
l66 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Humbly Shews John House of Hanover in the County of
Grafton That in September 1775 upon the Requisition of the
late General Montgomery for the People upon Connecticut
River within this State to turn out to his Assistance at the Seige
of S' Johns Capt Israel Curtis & your Petitioner raised a Com-
pany of men who engaged as Volunteers for two months (of
which Company he was chosen Lieutenant) & served at the
said Seige — That in order to the Equipping & marching said
Company as Expeditiously as possible the said Captain & he
upon their joint credit supply*^ said Company with Thirty five
Blankets & Six Camp Kettles — That after the Reduction of
S' Johns the said Company was taken into the Continental Ser-
vice & the Command thereof devolved upon him That the said
Articles were worn out or lost in said Service in Canada — That
the said Captain died in Canada, insolvent & your Petitioner
has since been apply** to, for pay for said Blankets & Kettles &
has accordingly paid for the same Wherefore he prays the
matter may be taken into Consideration & that he may have an
adequate Compensation granted him — & as bound shall pray &c
March 24"^ 1779
John House
Dismist
[R. 3-64] \_Petitio7i of Thomas Clark, Soldier, addressed to
the General Asseinbly, l'/8j.'\
The Petition of Thomas Clark of Hanover in the County of
Grafton — Humbly Shews — That at the Commencement of the
present War he inlisted as a soldier during said War in the first
New Hampshire Regiment — That in the year i777 ^^^ ^^'"^^
wounded, & rendered incapable of service — That in April 177^
he procured a Furlough and returned Home, where he re-
mained sick, and unable to do any business during the term of
Fifteen months — That on the sixteenth day of June Anno Dom-
ini 1 781, he procured an able bodied Man to serve in his stead
during the War, and on the same day was discharged. That
he paid to the Man he so procured one hundred Spanish Mill'd
Dollars, * * * —
Sam' Maccluer in behalf
of the Petitioner —
[R. 2-65] \ Petition of Lieut, yames Goold, l/8j.^
To the honorable General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire Humbly Sheweth
The petition of James Gould a Lieutenant in CoP Cilley's
HANOVER. 167
Regiment in Cap' Houses company in the Continental service —
That your Petitioner being wounded in the Continental service
in Sep'' 1777 ^"*^ thereby rendered unfit for duty was afterwards
placed on half pay — and that he has not received the deprecia-
tion money due previous thereto — * * *
James Goold
Concord Nov' 5* 1783.
[R. 2-68]
[In a petition dated June, 1793, he, the said Goold, states
that "a short time before the taking of Gen' Burgoyne, in
an engagement with the enemy he received a wound by a
shot of a musquet ball through his body." — Ed.]
[R. 2-61] \_Peter jfohnson^ Bunker Hill Soldier.~\
[The two following documents have come to light since
the Enfield papers were in print : — Ed.]
State of New Hampshire
I the subscriber do certify that Peter Johnson Now an inhab-
itant in the town of Enfield in said state was a soldier in Capt
Goardin Huthens Compiny and Col Starks Rigimant and was
personely Preasent in the Battel at Bunk hill then and there
Receive a wound by a muskit ball in his Rite arm I then being
a Chirurgeon in said Rigimant took care of said wound and
with my own hand extracted several Peases of Boons out of
said arm and found the Cords very much damaged
Certifyd By your very Humble Serv'
Doctor Benjamin Tiffany
hanover December the 21 : 17SS
[David Curtis, Moses Jones, and David Choat, selectmen
of Enfield, certified to his being unable to support his fam-
ily of five small children, in consequence of said wound.
Dated Dec. 15, 1788.— Ed.]
[R. 3-60.] ^Soldiers' Orders^ i'/86.'\
Sir please to pay the bearer the whole that is due to me as a
l68 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Soldier in Cap' Samuel Paiiies Company to the Northward in
the year 1 780
Nathaniel Ketchum
Hanover Jan 7* 1786.
to the paymaster of said Com^
£10, 13, 9.
[Orders bearing the same date, in similar language, were
signed by John Durkee, £10, 13, 8, and Benjamin Smith,
£11^ 14, 9. The following men signed orders for pay for
service done in Capt. Abel Stevens's company, in 1780.
Elinda Brown £8, 16, 2 Corpl. Silas Tenney, £9, 10, 9
Jonathan Woodward 8, 16, 2 " robud Hase," 10, 14, i
Salmon Dow ]o, 14, i Daniel Jacobs 8, 16, 2
—Ed.]
[From "A return of Provisions which Hanover Men in
Cap' Freemans Comp In Col° Jonathan Chases Reg*
Brought from home with them Sep* 26, 1777" I copy
the following names. — Ed.]
Edmund Freeman Nat Wright W"" Woodward
David Eaton W™ Dewey Salv^ Freeman
Jehial Woodward Silas Tinney Elisha Smith
David W^right Jon* Curtis Tho^ Brown
Benj" Davis Dan' Kindrick Nat Lord
Jos'' Curtis Step'' Benton Dav"^ Chandler
W"' Chandler Hem" Durkee John Durkee
David Tinney Elij'' Smith Step'' Murch
\^From Gen. Chasers Papers.'\
A List of the ofisers & Soldiers Engaged in the Continental
Service out of the Second company of militia in Hannover un-
der the command of cp' Joshua Henda
in new hampshear Service
Leu' Daniel Clapp Sergant William Winton
Sergant jotham Stearns
Privates thomas Clark Jobn Baldwin
HANOVER. 169
in the Service of new york and the State of Vermont
Major John Whelock Cap' Comfort Sever
Lieu' Elezer Whelock Lieu' John Payne
Sergant Asa huntington Sergant Samuel Clap
Isac Osbon Jonathan gillit Elijah Hammon
William Broughton Benjamin Chase John Wilcoks
Benjamin Larrabe Zebina Curtis John Stockbridge
This return made By Simeon Dewey Ensign of s*^ Company
hannover Sep. 8"* ^777
Cap' Freemans Return [no date].
Names of Hanover men
Sarg' Sam' Slade Aaron Smith Ezekel Parker
Able Bi idgman Deliverance Wood- Zopher Kitcham
Robert Mason ward Jr Elez^ Hill
Ruben Tenney Danel Taylor Medad Taylor
A return of the men that went into the continental service
out of my company for the state of New Hampshier
William Winton aged 42 five feet six inches high place of abode
when listed was Hanover
Jotham Stearnes aged 35 six feet high place of abode when list-
ed Hanover
thomas Clark aged 36 five feet five inches high place of abode
when inlisted Hanover
the three men above written inlisted with Cap' House in Col'
Sillevs Rigement
John Bolden an indion five feet eight inches high aged 28 his
place of abode has generally ben at Dartmouth Colege in
Hanover he inlisted with Cap' Farewell in Colo' Silleyes
Rigement
Joshua Hendee Cap'
Hanover April y* 13 177S
To Colon' Jonathan Chase att Cornish
Col. Chase
Sir I have with the officers and the Concurrence of the town
have proseede to Raise the three months men and have done
as follows have inlisted four men and Drafted the other too.
the Names of the inlisted are as follows Silas Tenny Elinda
I/O EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Brown Daniel Jacobs and Jonathan Woodward — the Drafted
ones Ebenz'' Kindrick and Abijah Smith Mr Kindrick has paid
his fine
Thomas Durkee Lieu'
Hanover July the lo Instant 17S0
To Col" Jon^ Chase
S'' This may Certify that Robert Mason John Pindal & Me-
dad Taylor all of this Town have this week inlisted into Cap'
Houses Company Col" Sillys Regiment for the Term of three
years and have been mustered by Maj. Jon" Child Muster Mas-
ter
Hanover march 30* 177S
Attest Jon" Freeman L'
also Davis by information of L' Durgee
([5-41] \_Petition to have a part of Hanover incorporated
into a new Town^ iy8j.'\
To the honorable Council and Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire. Humbly sheweth The petition of the subscribers
residents of a destrict of land hereafter described in the vicinity
of Dartmouth College in the county of Grafton and State of
New Hampshire That at the settlement of said College in the
southwest part of Hanover A. D. 1770 it was proposed that a
distinct town or parish should be formed contiguous to it out of
the towns of Hanover and Lebanon ; in compliance with which
proposal the said towns have passed votes expressing their
consent that it may be effected — That the inhabitants within
said territory have formed settlements there in expectation that
such town would soon be formed ; and great inconveniences
must arise on account of their situation from a connection with
Hanover and Lebanon in town matters — That in consideration
of such inconvenience and by consent of said towns the said
inhabitants have transacted matters separate from the said towns
for near six years last past, which necessity has at many times
in the course of the war compelled them to in cases of alarms
&C as a separate militar}' company was established there be-
fore the commencement of the war — Your petitioners therefore
humbly pray that all that part of the town of Hanover bounded
southerly by the southern line of said town, eastwardly by the
two mile road (so called) and the second hundred acre lots
drawn to the original rights of the first Minister and Prince
HANOVER.
171
Freeman northwardly by the southern and western lines of the
second hundred acre lots drawn to the original rights of John
Sherwin Stephen Walcot Nathan Wright and Otiss Freeman
and the fifty third river lot. and westwardly by the western line
of said Hanover — Also all that part of the town of Lebanon
bounded as follows viz. Beginning at an hemlock tree (marked
4 on the south side and 5 on the north side) being the north-
west corner of said Lebanon thence running eastwardly on the
northwardly line of said town three miles to a white pine tree
marked 3 thence turning off at right angles and running south-
erly one mile and a half, thence turning at right angles and
running westwardly to the westward line of said town, thence
northerly on said line to the first mentioned bovmd be incor-
porated and erected into a distinct town and be invested with
such privileges and immunities as other towns within the State
have and enjoy, and so as shall best subserve the rights and in-
terest of said College,
And we would further request that Bezaleel Woodward Esq*"
(whom we have appointed our Agent in this matter) may be
heard on the premises in our behalf as occasion may require.
And as in duty bound shall ever pray &C
Dresden October 24"' 17S3
John Young
Joseph Lee
Asahel Warren
Sam''' Green
John Smith
James Goold
Beza Woodward
Dan'^' Porter
Eben Brewster
Simeon Dewey
Aaron Storrs
John Crane
Sam' Maccluer
Jabez Bingham
Daniel Clapp
Laban Gates
Benoni Dewey
Parker Smith
Daniel Gould
Joseph Green
Luther Ingals
Benj" Colt
Ebenez. Fitch
George Eager
Svlvanus Ripley
Eleazar Wheelock
[5-42] {^Return of Ratable Polls, ^7^3 •'\
State of Nevs^ Hampshire Grafton ss Dec' 21'' A D 1783.
Then Russel Freeman and Aaron Storrs a committee of the
town of Hanover each personally appeared and made solemn
oath that they have carefully computed the number of male
polls of twenty one years of age and upwards paying for them-
selves a poll tax in said Hanover and find the said number to
be one hundred and fifty four.
Sworn before Beza Woodward Justice of Peace
1/2
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-43] \_Petitio7i for the Appointmetzt of a Magistrate^ i'/84.'\
To his Excellency, the President: the Hon. Council for the
State of New Hampshire.
The Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the town of
Hanover, in the County of Grafton in s*^ State ; Humbly Shew-
eth that the Inhabitants of the Town ; are so large, as to be
moi^e than a Competent number for one Representative ; and
that the Settlements are made in almost every part of s** town ;
and at present, w-e have no Justice of the Peace appointed, ex-
cept IVP Woodward ; who lives in that part called the College
District, which is at one Corner of the Town, and remote from
the main body of the Inhabitants ; which renders it very in con-
veniant for the People back from the College part.
We therefore, pray, that your Excellency, and Hon", would
take our Case into your wise and Candid Consideration ; and at
your Next meeting to appoint the Authority, in the State, would
Nominate, and appoint M'' Russel Freeman : to the office of
Justice of the peace : and your Petitioners, as in Duty bound,
will ever Pray.
Hanover Nov"" 27""* 1784-
Stephen Herrick
Salmon Dow
Calvin Toplit^'
Simeon Forbes
Augustus Storrs
Nathaniel Wood-
ward
Benjamin Plumley
Elijah Hurlbutt
william woodward
Silvanus Freeman
John Ordway
John Wright Jun.
Edw^ard Smith
John Tenny
Solomon Jacobs
Nat. Heaton
Samuel Slade
Phinehas Page
Deluno Wright
Thomas Miner
Joel Brown
John Durkee
David Tenny
Lemuel Dowe
Silas Tenny
John Williams
Thos Durkee
Eldad taylor '
Abijah Durkee
Timothy Owen
Nathaniel Ketcham
Abel parks
Webster Hall
Perley Buck
Asa hill
Eliezar hill
Daniel Chandler
Samuel Hase
David hase
Robart hase
Benjamin Tiffany
James Tifl^any
Israel Camp
Nathanae^ Hurlbutt
Jun.
Reuben Tenny
David Woodward
Asahel Warren
Abijah Smith
Asa Parker
Timothy Parker
John Smith
Elijah Wolly
Robert Mason
John Wright
Peter Knap
David Wright
Peter Walker
Zadoc Brown
Elinda Brown
Peter Knap Jn
HANOVER.
173
[5-44] \_Petitio7i for an Issue of Paper Money ^ 1^84^^
State of Newhampshire
To his Excellincy the Presidant the honourable the Senate and
house of Representatives for Said State in general assembly
Convened
The petition of us the Subscribers being inhabitants of Said
State Most humbly Shueth that your petitioners with others the
inhabitants of this State Labour under great Inconveanancy for
■want of a Courancy or medium Sufficient To transeact the Com-
mon busness between Man and man But more Espeically for
the payment of publick taxes in this State and as the State is
greatly in debt and have Issued their State Nots to a Large
amount for the Interest of which they are annually Taxed as
well as for part of the principal and wheras the State is also
Caulled upon and Taxed for a Very Large Sum for the pay-
ment of interest on Contenental Loan office Certificates issued
in this State the payment of all which is Rendered Next To
imposable for the Scarcety of money — Notwithstanding your
petitioners are Desireous to Discharge their publick Debets
with the Strictest honour And integrity that Nature of Things
will admit your petitioners therefore Pray your Excellincy and
honours would ammediatly Make and issue a Sum or bank of
paper money Sufficient to pay of and Discharge all Such State
Notes and Contenantal Loan office Certificats issued in this
State as aforesaid and that Said paper money might Be made a
Tender in all past or future taxes in this State and answer in
all payments in the publick Treasury and in all payments in all
private Contracts what.Soever — or otherwise Releave your peti-
tioners as to your Excellincy and honours in your wisedom
Shall Seem meet and your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever pray —
Hanover Sep"' 28* 17S4 —
Ebe"' Brewster
John marshall
Benj" Chase
Sam" M<^Cluer
Daniel Gould
Zechariah Weston
Nicholas Oilman
George Foster
Joel Brown
W™ Taylor
Luther Lincoln
Aaron Storrs
John Payne
Jabez Bingham
James Goold
Ebenezer Fitch
Ralph Wheelock
Calvin Waldo
John Ordway
Nathaniel Hulbert
Jun^
David Woodward
Tilly Howe
John Crane
Parker Smith
Benoni Dewey
John House
Benj"" Coult
Joseph green
Enos Kellogg
Tho^ Durkee
David Tinny
Stephen Benton
174 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathaniel Heaton Webster Hall Eldad Taylor
James Murch John Willis David Eaton
David Chandlar Sam' Hase Able Parker
David Hase W™ Hunt Silas Tinny
Jacob Eaton J<^lii^ Bridgman Joshua Cushman
Jon" Curtice Stockm" Sweat J^n" Beard
Asa Hill Gideon Rudd Ebene"" Wright
Lemuel Dowe Andrew Tenny Reuben Tenny
John Williams John Tenny David wright
[Some of the foregoing were students at the college, and
not residents of Hanover. — Ed.]
[5-45] \_Relative to a Road throtigh Towii^ laid out by a
Legislative Comfuittee^ J'/86.'\
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hanover in
the County of Grafton Humbly sheweth
That in the oppinion of your petitioners, the Countv road as
laid by the states Committee through said town of Hanover,
May be altered to great advantage to the public in general as
well as to this Town in particular, as we are fully persuaded
we can show where a road may be laid through said Town on
more suitable land for the purpose both on account of the Hills
and dryness of the Land, and the distance of which from the
College to the Southeastly corner of said Town will not be so
great as where y*' road is now laid by more than one mile &
half — That this alteration will save y" Town great expence in
making said road, and as the Committee who laid said road
had not the Benefit of viewing this place. Your petitioners
would Humbly pray your Honours to take this matter into your
wise consideration, and to appoint an Lnpartial Committee to
look into the aforesaid matter and act thereon as may be most
conducive to the public good —
And your petitioners and in Duty bound shall ever pray
June 3^^ 17S6
Nath' Babbit ") A committee in behalf
Gideon Tiffany J of Said Town
HANOVER. 175
[5-47] \_Petition for a Grayit to make a Canal^ etc., iyg2.'\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Newhampshire to be convened at Dover June
1792—
The Petition of Ebenezer Bruster Aaron Hutchinson & Rufus
Graves
Humbly sheweth That whereas the rendering Connecticut
river navigable for boats is an object of the greatest Importance
to the Inhabitants of that Country and ingrosis the attention of
all the states thro' which the river passes and grants have actu-
ally been obtained for locking all the falls below the Towns of
Lebanon & Hanover in this State
And whereas the erecting of a Bridge over said river against
one or other of said Towns would also be of great advantage to
said Country and the public in general, and your Petitioners
being disposed to undertake said Business provided they can
meet with sufficient encouragement— Pray your Honors to grant
to them their heirs and assigns forever the exclusive priviledge
of cuting a Cannal and locking all the falls between the south
line of Lebanon and the north Line of Hanover aforesaid and
of erecting a Bridge within the limmits aforesaid Under such
regulations and restrictions as your Honors shall Judge prop-
er—
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Hanover June i*' 1792
Ebenezer Brewster
Aaron Hutchison
Rufus Graves
[In H. of Rep., the foregoing petition was referred to a
committee, who made the following report : — Ed.]
[5-46]
State of New Hampshire
In the Plouse of Representatives June 13* 1792 —
The Committee on the petition of Ebenizer Brewster and
others reported, That the prayer thereof be so far granted, as
that the petitioners have leave to cut canals and lock all the falls
in Connecticut River between the mouth of Mink brook in
Hanover and the eddy below the lower bar of White River falls
in Lebanon, and likewise the privilege of building a toll bridge
over said River in any place within the limits aforesaid, not to
interfere with private property, or the grant of any ferrv, with-
176 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
out compensation to the owner ; and that they have leave to
bring in a bill accordingly — Which report having been read and
considered it was voted that the same be received and accept-
ed-
Sent up for Concurrence
Jn° Sam Sherburne Speaker
[They were incorporated by an act passed June 20, 1792.
—Ed.]
[5-48] \^/saac Rogers's Petitio7i for a Ferry^ ■^794-^
To the Honourable The General Court of the state of New
Hampshire to be holden at Amherst the first Wednesday in
June 1794
The Petition of Isaac Rogers of Hanover in the County of
Grafton in s"^ state; humbly sheweth, that there is no public
ferry kept over the River Connecticut from Brewster^ ferry in
Lime so call*^ to the Colledge ferry in the lower part of s*^ Han-
over, the distance of About nine miles, that there is About four
miles of s'* river opposite to the upper part of s"^ Hanover, which
remains ungranted ; that your petitioner Owning the land Ad-
joining to s'^ river within the Aforesaid ungranted part ; and
where a ferry will be most Convenient ; He therefore pray^
that Your Honours would Grant to him his heirs and assigns
the Exclusive right of keeping a ferry over s*^ river, from Lime
for three miles down s*' river ; and Your petitioner as in duty
bound will ever pray
Hanover May 28* 1 794
Isaac Rogers —
The Subscribers select Men of Hanover are satisfied that the
facts stated in the within petition are true that the s*^ Ferry will
be A public benifit are desii-eous the prayer of the within peti-
tion may be granted
Joseph Curtiss \ Select
Samuel Slade j Men
Att a Legal Meeting held March 8"" 1790
Voted that Gideon Smith of Hanover have the Approbation
of the Ferry
True Copy Attest Joel Brown T. Clerk
HAVERHILL. 1 7/
This may Certify the Honourable General Court that I Gid-
eon Smith have sold the land Adjoining s*^ river to the Above
petitioner and humbly pray that the Above Grant be made to
the within Petitioner
Gideon Smith
HAVERHILL.
The township was granted May i8, 1763, to John Hazzen
and 74 others, some of whom were from Haverhill, Mass.,
and the town derived its name from that place. It had pre-
viously borne the name of Lower Cohos, and was a favorite
place with the Indians, who had a fort on the bank of the
river, near where Capt. John Hazzen settled in 1764.
By an act approved June 21, 181 5, the town was divided
into two parishes. Samuel Morey of Orford, Jonathan
Merrill of Warren, and Samuel Hutchins of Bath, were
appointed to run the divisional line between the two par-
ishes.
Among its prominent men prior to 1800 was Hon. Moses
Dow, a native of Atkinson, and a graduate of Harvard col-
lege in 1769. He was elected a member of congress by the
legislature of this state in 1784, but declined the honor. He
was a member of the New Hampshire senate in 1784, and
of the council in 1785 and 1786, and again in 1792, and was
a judge of the court in Grafton county at the time of his
death, March 31, 181 1, aged 64.
[5~49] \_Pctition for a Ferry ^ I'j'j2.'\
To his Excellencey John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General
Governor and Commander in Cheif in and over the Province
of New Hampshire and vice Admiral of the Same In Coun-
cill—
The Petition of Thomas Johnson of Newbury in the County
of Gloucester & Province of New York, humbly Sheweth that
by Charter, there is but one Ferry, Across Connecticut River
in Haverhill in the County of Rockingham, by Charter allow-
ed to be kept, which by said Charter ought to be kept within
one mile of the Point of the little Ox Bow (so Call'd) as said
1/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
River runs and that said Ferry so allow'd to be kept, hath hith-
erto been, kept, more than four miles above said Point, as said
River runs, and that there hath, for a number of Years before
the making-out said Charter, a Boat been kept and us'd, for the
Conveniency of Travellers, passing said River, at y'' Place
where the publick Highway passes s*^ River from said Haver-
hill to said Newbury near the now Dwelling House of Richard
Chamberlin in said Newbury which place is almost two miles
below s*^ Point, of the little Ox Bow, where your Petitioner
beggs Leave to Say a Ferry ought Still to be kept for the Con-
veniencey of Travellers, Whereupon your Execellency's Peti-
tioner, humbly prays, that Your Excellency would Grant him,
Liberty to Sett up & keep a Ferry, accross said River, at or
near s*^ places where said Highway passes, from said Haverhill
to s"^ Newbury by v^ House of s*^ Chamberlin under usual Reg-
ulations & Restrictions and as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
Ports" Novem"" 13, 1772.
thorn' Johnson
[5-5^-]
[A plan of a portion of Connecticut river. The ferry
asked for was granted November 11, 1774. — Ed.]
[5-50] \_Ex tract from Grant to Asa Porter.~\
the Sole right of keeping a Ferry & keeping useing and em-
ploying a Ferry Boat or Boats for the Transporting of Men
Horses Goods Cattle Carriages &c from the Shore of Haverhill
afores'' — cross Connecticut river to the opposite Shore of New-
bury & from s"^ Newbury to the oppose Shore of Haverhill with-
in one Mile on a Strait Line from that Part of HaverHill called
the Point of the little Ox Bow being a Point of medow Land
now in Possesion of Cap' John Hazzan To Hold &c
And as a further encouragement to the said Asa Porter in and
about the premises, we Will that none of our loving Subjects do
presume to molest or interrupt the s** Asa Porter in his said Fer-
ry or set up any other Ferry upon or Across the said River Con-
necticut, within One Mile above or below the Ferry of the said
Asa Porter.
The above Two Paragraphs extracted from the Record of the
Grant of Mr. Asa Porter's Ferry across Connect' River from
Haverhill to Newbury, and are truly Copied from thence
Attesf Theodore Atkinson Sec''
HAVERHILL. 1 79
[5~5i] S^Report of the Committee on the flatter of Granting
a Ferry to Thomas yohnson.'\
Pursuant to a Vote of Councill appointing us a committee to
consider of the petition of Thom' Johnson for the priveledge of
a Ferry across Connecticut river between the Towns of Haver-
hill and Newbury also the grant made to Asa Porter Esq'' of a
Ferry priveledge between said Towns beg Leave to report as
follows. The grant made to Asa Porter Esq' we suppose fixes
the place where said ferry is to be kept at the point of the little
Ox Bow and that the priveledge of one mile above and one mile
below said point is to be measured upon the river agreable to
its general course, but upon viewing the plans exhibited to us
by the Parties we find that the ferry now kept by AP Porter is
between three & four miles upon the river above said point &
the place fixed upon by AP Johnson is near Two miles upon the
river below the aforesaid point, it also appears to us absolutely
necessary for the public utility that two ferries be established
across the River between the aforesaid Towns & nearly in the
places now fixed upon by Aless" Porter & Johnson as there is
no Spot upon the river within a mile either above or below said
point convenient for keeping a ferry we would also humbly sug-
gest that care should be taken in all such grants that the Taxes
arising therefrom should be paid in this Government
D Peirce
D Roeers
[5-52] \_Relative to dead Body founds iy/6.^
M' Crocker
The Bearer JVP Chamberlain informs me, that the Body of
poor John Presson drowned this afternoon is just now taken up
and they are in quest of a Coroner to set upon him — I woud
inform you, (if you are not already knowg to it) that you were
appointed by the General Court at Exeter a Coroner for this
County, and in Case you are willing to accept the Office, I am
ready to administer the Oath — that you may do the Dutv neces-
sarily required & w*^^ please to let me know immediately —
Yr hum Serv'
JHurd
Haverhill 9*'' Aug'' 1776
M"" Crocker returnd this Billet with an Answer, that he did
not chuse to accept the Office, for he did not like our form of
Govern'
l80 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To M"' And"^ S : Crocker present pr M' Chamberlain
CoP Hurd begs leave to recommend M"" Simeon Gooding of
Haverhill (in the room of And"' S : Crocker) — for a Coroner —
[S^SS] \_E)wch Bartlefs Complaint^ i'/8o.'\
To the Hony'' the Council And Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire in General Court Assembled
The Petition Memorial And Address of Enoch Bartlet of
Haverhill Humbly Shews. —
That he Your petitioner has latel}^ Suffered Much injury by a
Sort of Banditti who in Contempt of all laws did at Northum-
berland in the County of Grafton in Said State in September
last without Any colour of right commit a most horid ravage,
by entering Upon his Your petitioners Grist Mill And Saw Mill
in Said Northumberland (lately erected or repaired at a great
expence) And Cut and destroy'd the wheels Shafts &c And took
Away all the Iron Work of Said Mills Mill Stones and other
Gear And a Quantity of Boards and Carried them a Cross Con-
necticut River into the State Called Vermont And improved
them for other Mills — And have Since when demanded refused
pay for the damages done — And that he having Apply'd to
Gentlemen of the law in order to bring his Process Against the
trespassers is informed by them, that Unless Some further pro-
vision is Made by the legislators of the State the good And
wholesome laws of it Cannot be carried into execution — And As
it has ever been esteem'd a great and most valuable part of our
English liberties And Constitution founded on Magna Charta —
That Justice and right Should Not be delay'd or denied to Any
Man — And as the Suppression of laws And good Order in a
State is Attended with Anarchy And the most fatal Conse-
quences— He therefore humbly prays that you As the guardians
of the just rights of the people And as legislators of the State
will make provisions for the due And just Administration of
Justice by law in every part of it —
And your petitioner is humbly of Opinion that if Such fla-
grant Acts of injustice Are conniv'd at And Not prosecuted.
Every ones property in that county will be in danger, And that
if he Shall Again furnish Stones Iron truck &c And repair Said
Mills for the benefit of the Inhabitants he cannot think they will
be Secure Against Such Free Booter}- — And your petitioner
also further Says — That he has Suffered much at the town of
Bath in s'^ County for that he could not enforce the Contract
Against his Tenant who has improved his house And land there
HAVERHILL. I«I
for Some Years past — And for that on his Said Tenants leaving
it without Notice, He by his attorney was obliged to let it on
Very disadvantageous terms to procure one to enter immediate-
ly, To prevent one who was going to enter And get Possession
of it without leave
And Further Says that he cannot Suppose that his affairs
(tho not the most trivial) will alone put you Upon Acting on
the affair ; But that a due consideration of the many Instances
of Fraud, Injustice and oppression that prevails in that County
Since the laws were Suppress'd — will inffuence You to Make
the Necessary Provision Pray'd for And he As in duty bound
Shall ever pray —
Enoch Bartlet
June 2 2^ 17S0 —
[R.2-71] \Abstract from the Petition of George JMoor, Sol-
dier, 1 78 J.']
[In a petition, dated Haverhill, June 6, 1783, George Moor
stales that he leased a piece of land in Haverhill of Capt.
Joseph White, of Newbury ; that said White left and joined
the enemy in Canada, and thereby his property was confis-
cated by the state. He wants the state to recognize his
claim as lessee, and sell him the land for what it was worth
when he took the lease. He further states, " that upon the
breaking out of the Troubles at Lexington he went down
as a Volunteer and Engaged in the service for Eight Months,
and afterwards engaged with Colo : Bedel and went to Can-
ada and was under the command of Gen^ Sullivan upon the
Retreat, and have since been in all the different calls for
Men." — Ed.]
[R. 2-72] \^yoh7i Fre7tch, Armorer, i/'So.']
Haverhill 21''' Nov' 17S0 —
This may Certify that John French work*^ as an armour for
the Troops Raised for the Defence of these frontiers by the state
of New Hampshire three months in the year 1780 —
Benj" Whetcomb
Major Com<*'
[John French, of Haverhill, petitioned November 7, 1783,
for pay for said service, and was allowed " three pounds
over and above the pay he received as a soldier." — Ed.]
1 82 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-54] [^Afoses D01V declines to accept an Election as a
Member of the Congress of the C/nited States.']
Haverhill Oct° 4'*^ 17S4.
Sir
Having lately received from your Secretary a copy of the
vote of the Gen' Court, appointing the Hon'ble Abiel Foster,
Jon" Blanchard & John Langdon Esquires, with myself delegates
to represent this State in the Congress of the United States,
the ensuing year. I take this opportunity to make my sincere
and hearty thanks, to your Excellency & the Court for the hon-
or done me in this appointment.
I feel the most agreeable sensations, when I find, that I pos-
sess so much of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, as leads
them to such an election and as I have always made it my prin-
cipal design, uprightly to endeavor the promotion of the public
good, my ambition is highly gratified, while I thus experience
the public approbation.
I acknowledge the appointment, to be honorable, & very
respectable, and conceive, the tour & employment would be
exceeding pleasant and agreeable — and that all the unhappiness
I should find in the pursuit, would arise from a consciousness
of my inability to render that service to the State, my inclina-
tion would dictate.
As I have had no apprehension, but some two of the three
worthy Gentlemen, at the same time elected, who are experi-
enced, & much better cjualified for the purpose, at this impoi"-
tant and critical juncture, when matters of the last Consequence
are before Congress, which require the greatest wisdom & per-
severance, would have undertaken the i-epresentation of the
State, I have intirely neglected every necessary preparation.
The present infirm state of my health, the real conviction of
my inequality to the business of the mission, and many other
circumstances, unnecessary to be mentioned, render it extreme-
ly difticult, or rather impossible for me to engage in a trust so
arduous & interesting ; And I doubt not but the candor of your
Excellency, and of the worthy members of the General Court,
will readily apologize for, and excuse me, while I say that I
cannot conceive it to be my duty, or by any means, see my way
clear, at this time, to undertake an appointment of such weight
& importance
With the highest sentiments of esteem, I have the honor, to
subscribe myself,
your Excellency's
most obedient & most humble Servant
Moses Dow
His Excellency Meshech Weare Esquire President of the
State of New Hampshire.
HAVERHILL. 1 83
[It is difficult in these times to believe that any man
would decline to accept an election as member of the Unit-
ed States Congress, on the plea of a lack of ability to fill
the position. — Ed.]
[5-55] [ Vote of Towii relative to Paper Money ^ lySd.^
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Ha-
verhill the Eleventh Day of December 17S6, Voted Unani-
mously, that a Paper Currency be Emitted on the following
plan — Viz
That One Hundred Thousand pounds be Emitted, — Twenty
Thousand pounds to be in Suitable bills to defray the Charges
of Government & to Exchange for such publick securities as
may be offered at their current Exchange, which is to be Asser-
tain'd, and to carry no Interest but to be receivable in Taxes &
all demands of Governm' and a tender in all cases equal to
silver and Gold & to be called in by Taxes Annually — The res-
idue to be made in different Bills Expressing their import & to
be Loaned to individuals at five per cent on landed Security of
double the value & to be paid into the Treasury at proper times
which shall carry an Interest of Two & half per cent, & so re-
ceivable in all Demands of Government and a Tender in all
cases as above — with the Interest due on said bills at the time
of Payment —
A true Coppy
Attest Andrew S. Crocker Town
Clerk
[For action of the legislature on the matter, see Vol. XI,
p. 130.— Ed.]
[I5-56] {^Selectmen's Protest to the grant of a Ferry to
Ezekiel Padd.~\
To the Hon'ble the Senate & the Hon'ble House of Represent-
atives of the State of New Hampshire in General Court to
be convened at Exeter on the fourth Wednesday of Decem-
ber 17S8
Humbly shew the Subscribers Selectmen of Haverhill, in
behalf of said Town that they have been honored with the copy
of the petition of Ezekiel Ladd Esq' for the grant of ferry in
this Town & the order of Court thereon & beg leave to object
to granting that privilege to an individual, when very many of
the inhabitants of this town have equal pretensions to it — This
184 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
town was a frontier during the late war & much exposed to &
harrassed by the enemy — whereby they were obliged to expend
great sums of money, as well as time & labor, for their own
safety as well as for the public good, for a great part of which
they have hitherto laid no claim for reward or compensation —
That the grant of all privileges of ferries in this Town, not
already made, would be considered by the inhabitants as some
compensation for said services & sufferings
Wherefore your petitioners, in behalf & at the direction of
said town pray your Honors that all the privileges & emolu-
ments of ferries across Connecticut river against said town, not
already chartered, may be granted & secured to & for the bene-
fit of the Inhabitants of said Town & their successors forever
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
Charles Johnston ~^
Andrew S Crocker [ Selectmen
Joseph Hutchins | of Haverhill
Naf^i Merill
[5-57] \,P(^tition for an Act of Incorporatio7i for the Acad-
emy, 1793.']
To the Honorable the Senate, and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire ; In General Court to be
Convened at Exeter on the Twenty-fifth day of December
1793—
Humbly shew the Subscribers, that they have lately Erected
and finished a large and Commodious Building for an Accad-
emy In the Southwardly part of the Town of Haverhill, and
have employed a Gentleman of Liberal Education every way
eminently qualifyed for a Preceptor of an Accademy at their
own Expence ; and about thirty Pupils are already admitted
there for Education, In the Usefull arts and Sciences ; and the
prospect is very flattering to be of great Utility to the Publick
and especially to the rising Generation ; and the undertakers
are determined to spare no pains to make it answer every pur-
pose that can accompany such an Institution —
Wherefore they pray your Honors ; to grant them an Incor-
poration, to enable them with more propriety and Efficacy to
pursue their Object, and render Service to the Publick —
And your Petitioners as In duty bound shall ever pray —
Dated at Haverhill iS"' Dec"' 1793
Charles Johnston Asa Boynton Moody Bedel
Sam' Brooks Jonn Page Joseph Bliss
Michael Johnston Israel Swan Moor Russell
Amos Fisk Joshua Young Chrisp B Noyes
HAVERHILL. 1 85
Managers (viz)
Charles Johnston Joseph Bliss John Page
Esq'' Samuel Brooks
Moses Dow Esq'^
[The petition was granted Jan. 14, 1794. — Ed.]
[5-58] \_Subscriptions towards building a Bridge over Co7i-
necticut River, lyg^..']
Whereas Benjamin Chamberlin of Newbury proposes build-
ing a bridge over Connecticut River betwixt Haverhill & s'^ New-
bury at or near the place where he & his fathers have kept a
ferry for more than thirty vears, that is from the beginning of
the first settlements in said Towns to the present time — which
is upon the nearest — best & oldest road for passing said river
from the State of New Hampshire into the State of Vermont
& to the northerly & north westerly settlements therein & to
Canada — And has petitioned the General Court of the State of
New Hampshire to grant hinv the privilege of building & tend-
ing a bridge at said place for reasonable toll
And whereas we the subscribers are of opinion that this
is the best & easiest place of any betwixt said Towns to build
a bridge & the place where it is most likely for a bridge to
stand — & best situated to serve the public —
Therefore We are desirous of becoming adventurers & un-
dertakers in promoting a plan so beneficial to the public good
& as we conceive, advantagious to our own interest And do
hereby agree & promise severally to advance & pay towards
building a bridge at the place aforesaid the sums annexed to
our respective names — upon condition that the said Chamber-
lin shall obtain such grant, & of our receiving our several pro-
portions of the profits arising therefrom, agreeably to the sums
by us respectively subscribed — Witness our hands —
Dec'' 30* 1794 —
Moses Dow four hundred dollars
Tho' Johnson three hundred dollars
Ezekiel Ladd 100 dollars
Josiah Little 100 dollars
Nath' Chamberlin 100 dollars
Benjamin Chamberlin 100 dollars
John Montgomery 100 dollars
Samuel Ladd — 50 dollars
Stephen Couch — 40 d°
Martin Phelps — 20 d°
1 86 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Pearson — 20 d°
Joseph Ladd — 30 d°
Ezekiel Ladd jiin"" — 20 d°
N. B. There is one more subscription paper in Newbury
which could not be procured, on account of the river being
impassable at this time — which may contain as large a sum as
this, tho not known —
Copy per Moses Dow
[5~59] [Asa Porter for a Ferry^^
Province of New Hampshire —
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Governor & Com*^
in Chief of s'^ Province in Council —
The Petition of Asa Porter of Haverhill in the County of
Rockingham Esq'' humbly sheweth —
That in behalf of the Towns of Haverhill & Newbury on
Connecticut River He would represent the Necessity of an es-
tablish"* Ferry over s*^ River to be kept at a convenient Place
near the Center of the afors*^ Towns to accommodate the In-
habitants and many Others that occasionally travel that way,
which He the s*^ Porter would willingly undertake to do having
a large Boat well suited to the Purpose, Therefore prays your
Excellency would be pleas'^ to favour Him with a Grant of
such a Ferry to be established at certain Rates & with a Privi-
lege including s'^ River within the Compass of five Miles from
the Place where s*^ Ferry shall be kept, or otherwise under such
Limits & Directions as to your Excellency may seem meet —
And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Asa Porter
[5-60] \^yoJin Hurd relative to Roads ^ lyy^.']
Province of New Hampshire
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief — The Honble His Majes-
ty's Council, and The Honble House of Representatives in
in General Assembly convened —
The Memorial of John Hurd of Haverhill in the County of
Grafton Esq'' humbly Sheweth — That the late Act of the Gen-
eral Assembly made for the purpose of opening a Road thro'
the new settling Towns Westward, to Haverhill, or Coho'os,
HAVERHILL. 1 8/
on Connecticut River, being expired — but a considerable part
of the said Road remaining yet unfinisli'd, and that thro' the
most difficult & mountainous Tracts of the Countr}- to the great
Detriment & Discouragement of the New Settlers ; as the
Transportation of all Their necessary Stores thro' this Road in
its present Situation is not only very expensive but dangerous
for Man & Beast, being miry, rooty, rocky, & narrow with bad
pitches in many places — And whenever it may be necessary for
the Honble Judges of the Superior Court to attend their Busi-
ness at Haverhill, unless something is speedily done upon the
Road, will render their Journey very tedious & hazardous —
But as the Expence of immediately making the said Road good,
& safely passable, will be a peculiar Hardship on those partic-
ular Towns lying on the Highth of Land in their now infant
State, without the public Aid, tho' if once completed would be
greatly advantageous not only to the Upper Settlements, but to
this lower part of the province to w'=^ all their spare produce
may then with Ease be conveyed — Your Memorialist humbly
prays in behalf of all the Settlers on that part of Connecticut
River, & the Towns adjacent — Your Excellency & Honors
woud take this Matter into Consideration — that the aforesaid
Act may be revivd with the addition of a New Committee to
prosecute the Business, and such Alteration or Amendment &
such public Assistance as to vour Wisdom may seem meet.
And Your Memorialist as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. &c.
John Hurd
Portsmouth 26'^ May 1774 —
[5-62] \_R e present at io7i of Services done by the Towti during
the War, and its Present Condition, jyg8.~\
To the Hon'ble Senate & Hon'ble House of Representatives in
General Court now convened at Concord
Humbly shew the Subscribers
That in the year 1776, James Bayley, Ephraim Wesson,
Charles Johnston, Joseph Hutchins Joshua Howard & Simeon
Goodwin, were appointed a Committee of safety for the Town
of Haverhill, — In which year, this western frontier, was much
exposed to & in eminent danger of being ravaged, by the ene-
mies from Canada — Insomuch that many of the inhabitants of
this town removed, to more safe & central parts of the State —
Those that stood by the shipp spent a great part of their time,
& considerable part of their property in building forts, that is
150 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
four large ones in this town, supporting & paying guards, &
scouting parties, in order to keep up a frontier at this place —
That we were very poorly suppHed with arms & many poor
persons, tho perhaps the best soldiers, were intirely destitute —
We considered the cause as common to the whole Country, &
greatly interesting to all, & were zealous to do everything in
our power to contribute to the salvation of the Community —
Thus circumstanced, and disposed, we in our said capacity,
employed Major Jonathan Hale, then a reputable citizen of said
Haverhill, & in behalf of said Town — to make a tour to Exe-
ter, where the Convention or supreme Government of the State
or Colony were then in Session, and make application for pro-
tection or means, to help us to defend ourselves, & contribute
our mite in holding this frontier & aid in the protection of the
State — Maj"' Hale failed in procuring the arms of the State as
we wished & expected — Yet the government, advanced to him
two hundred pounds of the then paper money, out of the treas-
luy, to procure arms for the common defence
Accordingly Major Hale after receiving said money traversed
the sea coasts as far as Salem, & round the adjacent parts of the
Country — & purchased up at very exorbitant prices, tho doubt-
less to the best advantage that the time & circumstances would
admit. Guns & parts of Guns — such as, barrels, locks & stocks,
in detached parts — & brought to Haverhill & delivered them to
said Committee — & said Committee, gave said Hale their obli-
gation for said Guns &c & for his cost in going to Exeter — get-
ting said money, purchasing said Arms & transporting them
here.
The Committee, disposed of said Guns, to poor persons who
were not able to pay for them, but vet perhaps the best sol-
diers, for no more than the first costs paid bv said Hale, & took
their obligations — Manv of which obligations if ever paid, were
not paid till money had depreciated, to ten, twenty & perhaps
forty for one —
That two of said Committee viz Bayley & Wesson are
removed, at a distance out of this State & the burden may fall
upon the residue, the obligation being out lawed in Vermont
Your petitioners would further suggest, that they are inform-
ed, that sundry towns, who were favoured with money out of
the treasury about the same time have been considerably fav-
oured, by the State in the settlements thereof —
That they have applied to & petitioned the States Committee
for abatements in a settlement thereof but said Committee, not
feeling themselves authorz'' for that purpose recommended, pe-
titioning this honoui'able body — We therefore, pray this Hon'-
ble Court to take our case under their candid consideration &
grant us such abatement, or deductions, in our settlement with
HENNIKER. 1 89
said Hale or his settlement with the State, which will dispose
him to settle with us in the same proportion, as reason &
justice under our peculiar situation & circumstances, in your
Honors wisdom, prudence & benevolence may seem reasonable
& just —
And vour petitioners as in duty bound pray &c
Haverhill
Nov'' 22*^ 1798 Charles Johnston
Joseph Hutchins
Simeon Goodwin
Joshua Howard
[5-63]
[This document is a plan of Connecticut river, and the
ferries of Johnson and Porter. — Ed.]
H ENNIKER.
This township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts in December, 1735, but the grant was not located
and confirmed until 1737. It was called No. 6 in the line
of towns, and sometimes New Marlborough, many of the
grantees living in Marlborough, Mass.
On a settlement of the state boundaries in 1741, the
township proving to be in New Hampshire, and within the
limits of the Masonian Proprietors' Purchase, was granted
by them July 16, 1752, to Andrew Todd and others, mostly
Londonderry men. It was incorporated November 9, 1768,
and named by Governor Wentworth in honor of John Hen-
niker, of London, Eng.
The township was granted six miles square, and I believe
no territory has been severed from it or added to it since.
[5-65] \_Petition of the Inhabitatits to have the Town incor-
porated^ iy68.~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General Gov-
ernour and Commander in chief, in and over his Majesty's
Province of New-Hampshire, in New-England; And To
his Majesty's Council in the Province aforesaid —
IQO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Place called Num-
ber Six of the Line of Towns ; or New Marlborough, in the
Province aforesaid, humbly sheweth,
That whereas your humble Petitioners, whose Names are
hereunto subscribed, find our selves under great Inconvenien-
cies & Difficulties for want of the Powers and Privileges which
incorporate Towns in this Province enjoy : And We, your
humble Petitioners humbly pray your Excellency & your Hon-
ours to take our Case into your wise & compassionate Consid-
eration ; and if you think it proper & necessary, you would in-
corpoi'ate into a Town, indued with the Powers & Privileges of
other Towns in the Province, that Tract of Land, which is the
sixth in Number of the Line of Towns which was first laid out
by Order of the General Court of the Province of the Massachu-
setts-Bav. & granted to some of the Inhabitants of Marlborough
in said Province : and was since granted by the Masonian Pro-
prietors to some of the Inhabitants of Londonderry, in this
Province of New-Hampshire, (Said Tract of Land lies between
Hopkinton & Hillsborough,) We your humble Petitioners hum-
bly pray that your Excellency & your Honours would incor-
porate the said Tract of Land, with the Inhabitants, present &
future, their Polls & Estates, into a Town, included within the
same Bounds and Limits wherein it was included when it was
first granted by the General Coui't of the Massachusetts Prov-
ince : and when it was granted by the Masonian Proprietors
(not infringing, or hurting any private Property) : And that
your Excellency, & your Honours will be pleased to appoint, &
impower, M'' Eliakim How, M'' Ebenezer Hawthorn, and m'
Jonas Bowman; (now Inhabitants of said Tract of Land;) or
any others whom your Excellency & your Honours shall think
proper, as a Committee to call the first Meeting of the Free-
holders, & Inhabitants in said Town.
For which Goodness, your humble Petitioners, for your Ex-
cellency & your Honours, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray —
Dated at N" 6, or New-Marlborough, aforesaid, the fourteenth
Day of March, 1768.
William Eastman Ezekiel Stone Ebenezer Hawthorn
Jephthah Tyler David Willson Silas Barns
Jacob Whitcomb Adonjiah Tyler Josiah Ward
Hezekiah Newton Eliakim How James Joslin
Amos Goold Jonas Bowman William Powers
Thomas Pope David Pope Timothy Ross
Jesse Ross William Presbury Joshua Tyler
william Peters David m'^Killips John Johnson
Ezekiel Smith Joseph Williams
HENNIKER. IQI
[In answer to the foregoing petition the town was incor-
porated by the governor and council November 9, 1768, and
named Henniker by the governor. — Ed.]
[R. 2-73] \_Return of Men raised for the Arjny, I726.'\
Henniker Sep' y* 20 : 1 776
Col" Stickney
S' In obedience to your orders I have mustered my Com-
pany and Raised five men for this Expedition their Names are
as follows
Samuel Smith Nahum Newton Joshua Whitney
Joseph Patterson Isaac Patterson
this from your obedient Servant
Aaron Adams Capt
[R. 2-74]
To Col° Thomas Stickney
S"" the Following is a list of men Raised by the Town of Hen-
nicar for three years agreeable to yovu" order
Jesse Campbel Hennicar")
Daniel Squire Hennicar V Cap* Cloys Company
James Peters d° )
Joseph Marsh Hennicar Cap* Frj's Company
Benj Adrews Hillsborough Cap' Adams Company
Jonas Bowman Cap*
[R- 2-75]
A True State of the Seventh Company and Thirteenth Rig*
of Foot Commanded By Cap' Jonas Bowman
Training Band No 75
Laram Men No 25 totel 100
Henniker March 19'" 1777.
192
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-76] \_Roll of Capt. Aaron Adams's Company^ iy^6.'\
A list of Cap' Adams's train^ Soldiers
Sarg' Benj'' Clark
Sai'g' Jon" Basford
Sarg' Phinehas Ward
Sarg' Joseph Paterson
Fifer Joseph Williams
Jonas Alexander
William Chambers
William Clark
James Durston
Samuel Frisel
Noah Gile
Otis How
Thomas Howlet
James Joslin
John M'=Duftee
Hezekiah Newton
Moses Powell
Jonathan Ross
Ezekiel Smith
Ezekiel Stone
Charles Whitcomb
Alexander Whitney
Jabez Alexander
Eliphalet Colbey
Solomon Childs
Jon"* Eastman
Isaac Gates
Joshua Heath
William Heath
Sargent Heath
Joseph Lewis
Nathaniel Merril
Nahum Newton
Isaac Paterson
Lemuel Ross
Moses Smith
Benoni Tucker
Ruben Whitcomb
Samuel Wadsworth
Corp' Joshua Heath
Corp' Samuel Steel
Corp' Tho^ Townsend
Corp' James Stone
Drum''Josiah Paterson
Abiather Bowman
Benj" Currier
Robert Campbel
Aaron Eastman
Timothy Gibson
Moses Huse
John Harthorn
Joshua Kimball
Ephraim Morrel
Samuel Morrison
David Pope
Jesse Ross
Daniel Rice
Samuel Smith
Jacob Whitcomb
Josiah Whitridge
we have 10 men gone in the Army
mager Chandler S"", in obedience to your orders I have
warn'd my Company to Apear on ye 21 Instant to view the Cit-
uation of the Company, but the more part did not Apear but
Acording to the Best Acompt that I can give Above half have
No arms
Aaron Adams Cap'
Henniker May the 21^' ^776
A Larm list for said Henniker
Ecclesiastical Clark Jacob Rice
Cap' Eliakim How
Ens" William Heath
Esquire Joseph Kimball
Thomas Stone Timothy Ross
John Putney Thomas Pope
Alexander Paterson Stephen Spaldwin
Uriah Amesden Francis Withington
Lent Jonas Bowman
Cap' Josiah Ward
Coroner Samuel Kimball
James Peters
Elijah Rice
John Eastman
Dea Eben"^ Harthan
HENNIKER. I93
[R. 2-77] S^yoseph Patterson^ wounded Soldier. "^
In the House of Representatives Nov"^ 13* 177S.
The Committee on the Petitions &c of wounded soldiers &c
reported their opinion that Joseph Paterson, a soldier in Cap*
Emery's Company in Col" Baldwin's Regiment who was wound-
ed at White plains and lost sundry articles to the amount of five
pounds fourteen shillings be allowed & paid the said sum of five
pounds fourteen shillings, which is submitted —
signed Nich' Oilman for the committee
[The said amount was allowed and paid. It has been
handed down in the family that Joseph Patterson was on
guard at the time of attack by the British troops at White
Plains, October 28, 1776. He fired an alarm, and was im-
mediately shot, the ball entering back of the ear, and pass-
ing out through the cheek. He fell, and was for some time
unconscious, but reviving he found the enemy passing over
him. Watching his opportunity, he rolled under a log, and re-
mained apparently dead till all was quiet. He then succeed-
ed in getting to a house, in an exhausted condition, found the
woman friendly to the cause of the colonies, and was cared
for by her for some weeks. When sufficiently recovered, he
gave the woman all the money he had, and started on foot
for New Hampshire. He had received an overcoat from
home just before the battle, and attempted to take that with
him ; but one day, while attempting to ford a rapid stream,
the coat became saturated with water, and being too weak
to stem the current with it on, he was obliged to take it off
and let it drift. He reached home, and lived to tell the tale
to his grandchildren, to one of whom, Hon. James W. Pat-
terson, I am indebted for the foregoing. — Ed.]
[R. 2-7S] \_Ab7-ahani Kimball^ wounded Soldier. '\
[In H. of Rep., November 14, 1778, Abraham Kimball,
" a soldier in Cap* Baileys Company Col** Stickney's Regi-
ment & General Starks Brigade wounded in the Battle of
Bennington i6th of August 1777" was allowed ^27, 14, 6
for his doctor's bills, nursing, etc. It was also voted that
he was entitled to half pay for two years, from September
18, 1777. Council concurred. — Ed.]
15
194
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-79]
\_Soldier' s Order ^ ^779-~\
Henniker Sepf 13*^ 1784
M' Gilman S"" Be Pleased to Pay to Robert Wallace or
Bearer all My Wages Travel Money Deficiency in Cloathing,
and all that is due to me for my Serving in the Continental
Army one year in Co" Reeds Reg' in Cap* Rowels Company
which time Began Jvdy i779 ^^^'^ ^^'^ vShall Be your Discharge :
and you will Much [oblige]
Witness Present your Humble Serv*
Wi"" Wallace Simeon pope
William Partrick
[5-663 \_Petition for the Appoitttment of a Conijnittee to lo-
cate a Meeting- House^ l'/86.'\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representative of the
State of newhampshire now Seting at Exeter in Said State —
we the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Henniker
Humbly Sheweth whereas we are about Building a Meeting
house in Said Town and are So unhappy as not to agree upon
the Spot where to Set Said house although we have had Two
Commitee to Perfix the Place for Said house and they reported
to Two Different Places and the Distance Between the Two
Spots is about one hundred and forty rods where four we Pray
your honnours to appoint a Disinterested Commetee from the
Neighbouring Towns Consisting of three men to View the Sit-
uation of the Place and hear the Pleas and Determin the Spot
where Said house Shall Be Set and we your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound
Henniker September y 11"' 1786
Jonas Bowman
James Wallace
Joshua Heath
Nathan Putney
Michael Archer
Thomas poop
David M'^Killips
William Sargent
Joseph Chadwick
Francis Withington
Joshua Wright
John Campbel
Jesse Campbell
Thomas willson
Johnthing Connor
David poop
Isaac Putney
Stephen Spelgren
Samuel Estman
Oliver Noyes
David Clough
John Chadwick
Elias Withington
Samuel Morison
David Morrell
Benjamin Currier
William Wallace
Abiathar Bowman
John Smith
John Putney
Bengben Clogh
Joseph Lewis
John Withington
Samuel Barr
David Chadwick
Si mi on Pope
William Morison
Thomas Stuart
Benjamin Hoyt
HILL.
195
John Campbell Jun'' William Patrick Nahum Nuton
Thos Townsend Semieon Simonds Benjamin Clai'lc
George Hoyt Jf>hn Smith Jun J°^ Marsh
Moses Hoyt Phinehas ward Oliver Clough
Thomas Howlett Timothy Ross Jonathan Ross
Samuel Dunalls Josiah ward Jesse Ward
Joseph ward Alexander parker Mather withington
[In H. of Rep., September 13, 1786, a committee was
appointed, consisting of the following men : Major Isaac
Chandler of Hopkinton, Ninian Aiken, Esq., of Deering,
and Samuel Caldwell of Weare. Their report has not been
found. — Ed.]
HILL
The township was granted by the Masonian Proprietors,
September 14, 1753, to eighty-seven proprietors, mostly
Chester men, and went by the name of New Chester until
January 14, 1837. ^^ 1768, settlements were made by Capt,
Cutting Favour and Carr Huse. The latter was town-clerk
for thirty-three years, and held other ofifices. Several other
families from Chester settled the same year.
The town was incorporated November 20, 1778, in answer
to a petition from the inhabitants, and named New Chester
at their request.
The town being about nineteen miles long, and in one
place not more than one mile wide, made it very inconven-
ient, and it was divided February 12, 1788, the north part
being incorporated into the town of Bridgewater.
In answer to a petition from the selectmen, an act was
passed by the legislature, June 11, 1808, appointing William
Webster, Bradstreet Moody, and Enoch Colby " to deter-
mine the jurisdictional lines between the Towns of New
Chester, Alexandria, and Danbury," and report to the legis-
lature.
By an act approved June 24, 18 19, all that part of the
town "which lies northerly of Smith's river" was, with a
portion of Bridgewater, incorporated into a town by the
name of Bristol.
196 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
December 21, 1820, the town was enlarged by the annex-
ation of a portion of Alexandria ; and by an act approved
December 21, 1832, a tract of land was severed from New
Chester, and annexed to Wilmot.
The name of the town was changed, January 14, 1837, to
Hill, in honor of the Hon. Isaac Hill, who was at that time
governor of the state.
The town lost another portion of territory June 26, 1858,
when certain lots of land were severed, and annexed to Dan-
bury.
The town was in Grafton county until July i, 1868, at
which time it was annexed to the count}'^ of Merrimack.
IJI5-67] [^Petition to be Incorporated into two Towns ^ iyy6.~\
To The Honourable Council and House of Representatives of
The Colony of Newhampshire
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of
]>^ew Chester Wee the Inhabitants of S** N. Chester Do Labour
under many Grievances and disadvantages for want of an In
Corporation whereby wee might have officers Endowed with
Power and Authority as other Towns in this Colony Do En-
joy We therefore Humbly Pray your Honours to Grant us a
Charter of In Corporation — Investing us with the Powers Priv-
iledges and Authorities as other Towns within this Colony
have it is the Desire of your Humble Petitioners that the S*^
Township may Be In Corporated into two Distinct Towns if
your Honours Please, By Reason of the Township Being Very
Long, which will abundantly Best Accomodate the Inhabitants
of S*^ Town Ship, it is Desired that S*^ Towns may Be Divided
at New Found River So Called Allowing the upper Town to
InClude the priviledges for mills upon S^ River within the
Limits of S*^ Town, and your Humble Petitioners as in Duty
Bound Shall Ever Pray
N. Chesf Decemb"" 24*'' 1776
Jonathan Crawford Robert Crawford Benj M'^Allester
Josah heath Nason Cass Rob' Forsith
Thos Crawford Jun' John Mitchell Beniemin Emery
John Clark gideon Sleeper Carr Huse
Cutting favour Reuben Wells David Emerson
Jonathan Ingalls John Smith Joshua Tolford
Joseph Sanborn Nathaniel Sanborn Tilton Bennet
Jacob wells John Bussell
HILL. 197
[5-68] \_Arms and Ammunition asked for ^ i'jj6.~\
New Chester June y^ 29'^ ^77^
To the Honourable Colony Committe
We the Subscribers being A Majority of the Select Men and
Comittee of Safety for the Township of New Chester being
willing to Defend ourselves and fellow Country men to the
Utmost of our Power — But finding our Selves Destitute in A
Gret Measure of Arms and Amunition Humbly beg You
would use your Interest to procure About 56"" of Powder and
112"'° of Lead & about 150 Flints and Fifteen Guns which we
Bind our Selves to the Honest payment of as Witness our
hands
Abner fellows
Joshua Tolford
Thos. Crawford
Jonathan Ingalls
Cutting favour
Ebene' Ingalls ~\ Select Men
Beniamin Emons > For
Carr Huse ) New Chester
for
Committee
[5-69] \_Petition to be I?icorporated, iy/8.'\
To the General Court of the State of Newhampshire —
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Township of
New Chester. Wee the Inhabitants of S*^ Tow'nship Do La-
bour vmder Many Grievances and Disadvantages for Want of
an Incorporation whereby wee might have officers indowed
with Power and authority and that wee might Lay out our
highways So that wee Might make and Repair them So that
travilers might Safely travel, or pass through the Town Ship
Saifly for want of which wee are Sensible Some of your Hon-
ours are Sensible of and many more Difficulties which wee
Labovu' under, we therefore Humbly Pray your Honours to
Grant us a Charter of Incorporation Investing us with the
Powers Priviledges and authorities as other Towns within this
State Do Injoy, and your Humble Petitioners as in Duety Bound
Shall Ever Pray
New Chester October 15"^ 1778
It is Desir'' that the Town May Be Incorporated By the name
of New Chester
Carr Huse Jacob wells Tilton Bennet
Cutting favour Abner fellows John Emery
198 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Chase fuller Beniamin Emons Eben"" Ingalls
Jonathan Crawford Simeon Cross Jesiah heath
thomas Lock Samuel worthen Jonathan Ingalls
moses Worthan Theophilus Sanborn Peter Sleeper
Gideon Sleeper John Cleaveland John Kidder
John Bussell Nathaniel Sanborn
[In answer to the foregoing, the town was incorporated
by the legislature Nov. 20, 1778. — Ed.]
[R. 2-So] [ Certificate of Soldiers exe7)ipt fro?ii Poll- Tax. ~\
Whereas wee have Received a Vote of the Congress which
hath excused all non Commissioned officers and Soldiers who
served in the Continental Army and shall enlist there for the
year Coming from paying any poll Tax, and an account being
exhibited under oath by the Select men of the number of such
Soldiers in their Respective Towns and the amount of their
poll Tax to the Colony Treasurer, in obedience thereto we have
Return*^ their names and the amount of their poll Tax.
£. s. d. q.
Nathaniel Bartlett 0-2-4-3
John Crawford 0—2-4-3
Joseph Davis 0-2-4-3
Totals 0-7-2-1
Carr Huse | Select men
Rob' forsith j for N. Chester
[R. 2-81] \_The Deposition of Capt. Edward Everett.~\
I Edward Everett of Rumney in the County of Grafton and
State of Newhampshire Gentleman Testifyeth and saith that
Some Time in the Fall of the year 1776 that I heard David
Emerson of New Chester agree with a man at Mount Independ-
ent for to serve in the Continental Servis during the war for
twenty dollars and also Saw the man Sign a Receipt and gave
to David Emerson which Receipt I witnessed with my own
hand but as it has been some time since I have forgot the Mans
name but should know the Receipt if I could See it & further
saith not Edward Everett
[Sworn to Oct. 13, 1781, before Carr Huse. — Ed.]
HILL. 199
[^-yo] \_Davzd Emerson recom77ie7ided for Coroner^ iy82.'\
To the Honourable General Assembly of the State of New-
hampshire now Setting at Concord in Said State —
The Humble Petition of Us whose names are under written
think it very necessary that there Should Be a Coroner in the
Town of New Chester as the Town is almost twenty miles in
Length as the Road Goes through the Town and as there has
Been two men found dead within said town within Six years
and no Coroner within twenty five miles of them wee Recom-
mend to your Honours David Emerson Esq"" of New Chester
to Be a Suitable Man as he has been a Coroner Some years
agoe wee pray your honours would Commission him therefor
and your Petitioners as in Duety Bound Shall Ever Pray.
New Chester September lo"" 1782
Eph"" Webster Nathaniel Sanborn t , ^'^ o ,
^\ 01 ci u T^-u losesh X Sanborn
Peter Sleeper Sherburne 1 ilton -' „„,,
John Cleaveland Jonath Ingals Gideon Sleeper
Eben" Ingalls thomas Lock Jonath Ingals Juner
David Stiles Emery Josiah Heath John Kidder
Jacob pesLee Jo^'""^ heath Joseph Emons
Chase fuller Beniamin Emery Willam Powell
John Sleeper Amos Steven oliver smith Blake
thomas Rowell tilton Benet Jacob wells
John Straw William Benet
[5-71] \_Return of Nutnber of Ratable Polls, 1783. '\
State of New Hampshire
New Chester December 12'*' 1783
A Return of the Number of Male Polls from Twenty one
years of Age & upwards paying for themselves within the Town
of New Chester, No 66
Carr Huse ) Select Men
Peter Sleeper \ For N. Chester
Grafton ss Alexandria Dec'' 12"* ^7^3
Then the above Named Carr Huse Esq"' and Peter Sleeper
Select Men of New Chester Made Oath to the Truth of the
above Return By them Sign"^ Before me —
Joshua Tolford Jus' Peace
200 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-72] \_Deposition of Joseph JE?7tmons, iy8i.'\
I Joseph Emmons of Alexandria in the County of Grafton
and State of New Hampshire, yeoman Testifyeth and Saith
that sometime in the fall of the year 1776 soon after the orders
came out at mount Independent for men to Inlist during the
war I heard Joshua wilson say that he would Inlist and do a
Turn for David Emerson of New Chester during the war for
twenty dollars & the s'^ Emerson agreed with the s*^ wilson at
mount Independent & the s*^ Emerson had a Receipt which
he shew me that he said the s*^ wilson gave him soon afterwards
and further saith not
alexandria October 15"" 17S1.
Sworn to before
Joseph Emons
Carr Huse Just Peace.
[5-73] \^Petitio7i for AutJiority to Tax JVon-JResidejits^ i/Sj.']
To His Excellency the President, and to the Honourable the
Senate & House of Representatives in General Assembly
Conven** at Concord Ocf 1785
Wee the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of New Ches-
ter Being Desireous of Promoteing the Publick Good and the
Settlement of the western part of the State which at Present is
a great part of it Uncultivated and as it is highly Necessary that
good Roads Should Be Made and kept in Repair in order that
People might pass and Repass From one part of the State to
the other with as Little Trouble and Difficulty as possible, and
the Town of New Chester is a very Long Town it is Between
nineteen & twenty miles in Length as the Road goes Besides a
very Bad Mountain which Must be Cros'^ and wee have Several
Long Bridges Some of which wee have Been obliged to Build
twice in a year By reason of Freshets, in Short wee have up-
wards of Fifty Miles of Roads already in the town to maintain,
& But Eighty Six polls in the town which makes it Such a Bur-
den to us that wee are not able to Make our Roads Good with-
out Some help therefore wee pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to grant the Town the Liberty to Tax the Lands of the
Nonresidents Lying in the Town to the highways in Such a
way and Manner as your Excellency & Honours in your wis-
dom Shall think Best, and your Petitioners as in Duety Bound
will Ever Pray
New Chester Septemb'' 24'*' 1785
HILL.
20I
Benj° Boardman
Joseph marshall
Peter heath
Simeon Cross
Joseph sanborn
Joseph Hoyt
Winsor Goolden
Michael Mosher
Case fuller
John Sleeper
Carr Huse
Tilton Bennet
Josiah heath
John Bussell
Tho= Crawford
Jonathan Crawford
Peter sleeper
Elias Bordman
Seth Spencer
David Craig
Cutting favour
David plum
william murray
John Cleaveland
Thomas Lock
Jacob Peaslee
John tilton
David Emerson
Eph™ Webster
Jacob wells
Reuben wells
John Smith
Abner fellows
Sherburn Sanborn
John Mitchel
Josiah Brown Jr
Alexander Craig
Jonathan Merrill
Nathan Colby
Jacob Gurdy
John Cleaveland Jun''
Daniel Heath
Shurburn Tilton
John-
willom Benet
Nathaniel Sanborn
Thomas Rowell
thomas Wells
Nason Cass
Moses Sleeper
Theophilus Sanborn
[5-74] \_Petition for a Divist'oft of the Town, 1/8/.']
State of New-Hampshire
To the Honourable Sennate and House of Representatives of
said State to be convened at Charlestown on the Second
Wednesday of September AD. 1787 —
The Petition of the inhabitants of New Chester in said State
Humbly Sheweth, Wee your Petitioners Labouring under many
Difficulties and Disadvantages in our present Circumstances by
Reason of the Town Being Exceeding Long and in one place
but a very little more than one mile wide, which makes it very
Difficult for the Major part of the people to attend Publick
Worship when wee have preaching in the Town, and like wise
to Attend Town Meetings, as it is Commonly bad — traviling
when wee have our Annual Meetings, the Town is more than
Nineteen miles in Length. Wee your Humble Petitioners
Earnestly Request that your Excellency and Honours would
Divide the Town of New Chester into two Towns, and that it
may be Divided at Newfound River So Called (Vz) Beginning
at the mouth of Newfound River and running up said river
untill it comes to Newfound pond, then running on the easterly
Shore of said pond untill it comes to the Town line between
New Chester and Plymouth, and your petitioners as in Duty
Bound will ever Pray
New Chester August 23'^ 17S7
202 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Carr Huse Nathaniel Sanborn David Emerson
Reuben Wells Eph™ webster Thomas Rowell
John Bussell Cutting favour Joseph Jonson
Nathan Colby Michael Mosher Thomas Lock
Peter heath Thomas Huse Samuel worthen
Jonathan Ingalls Jun John fellows Benj" Boardman
Elias Boardman Jonathan Holt John Mitchel
Jona"^ Ingals Josiah Brown Jacob Fellows
Joseph marshall Jonathan Carlton Seth Spencer
Joseph Emons Ephraim Clark Isaac Senter
Moses Fellows John Mitchel Jupr Jonathan Crawford
Simeon Cross Ziba Townsend Beniamin Emons
Daniel Heath Chase Fullar William Powell
James heath Joh'^ Ladd Josiah heath
Jonathan heath Samuel Drew John heath
David powell David Craig James Craige
Alexander Craige Rob' Craige
[An act was passed Feb. 12, 1788, incorporating the
north part into a town named Bridgewater, and authorizing
Thomas Crawford to call the first meeting. — Ed.]
[5-75] \^Petitio7i for Authority to tax JVon- Residents.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
convened at Portsmouth the Fourth Wednesday of Decem-
ber AD 1789.
The Petition of the inhabitants of the Town Ships of New-
Chester and Bridgwater in said State Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners have been and Still are at great Cost to clear
and Maintain Highways in Said Town Ships 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 Maintain which Makes the burden
heavy upon us as our number of Rateable polls is but Small,
therefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Honours
■would grant that all the lands in said Town vShips may be taxed
one penny upon an Acre Public lots Excepted for three years
next Ensuing for the purpose of Clearing and Repairing high
ways in Said Town Ships and your Petitioners as in Duety
Bound will Ever pray.
New Chester December 16'*" 1789
HILLSBOROUGH. 203
Theophilus Sanborn Reuben Wells Michael Mosher
Jonathan Carlton Thomas Crawford
Select Men For and in Behalf of Said Towns.
[The authority asked for was granted Jan. 14, 1790. — Ed.]
HILLSBOROUGH.
The township was granted by the government of Massa-
chusetts previous to the settlement of the province bound-
aries in 1741, and settlements were made by James Mc-
Calley, Samuel Gibson, and others, under this grant, but
were broken up and deserted through fear of Indians.
A settlement of the province boundaries decided the
land to be in New Hampshire, and being within the limits
of the Masonian Proprietors' Purchase, it was granted by
them to Col. John Hill, of Boston, and derives its name
from him. Hill was one of the proprietors under the Massa-
chusetts grant. The town was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council Nov. 14, 1772, to contain about six miles
square of territory, and none has been added or severed
since that I am aware of. Petition for incorporation may
be found in Vol. IX, p. 380.
Hon. Franklin Pierce, president of the United States
from 1852 to 1856, was a native of this town, where he was
born Nov. 23, 1804. He graduated at Bowdoin college,
1824, was a member of Congress two terms, from 1833 to
1837, when he was elected to the United State senate.
\_Hillsborough Soldiers i?i Rhode Island Expedition^ ^77^'^
[Revolutionary Papers, p. 373. — Ed.]
Hillsborough Agust 8 1778
By orders Esued from the Commitey of Safety of this State
This May Sartify that we the Select men of Hillsborough have
Dron out of Archrball Tagart hand Constabel for the year 1777
Eightty Pounds LawfuU money which we have Paid to the
204
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Volintears which Tornd out of this Town for the Experdishon
to Proverdance or Rodisland
Ten Povmds to John Graham
Ten Pounds to Archibel Tagart
Ten Pounds to Will'" Pope
Ten Pounds to William Gammell,
Ten Pounds to Alexinder m'^Clintock
Ten Pounds to Daniel Gibson
Ten Pounds to Samuel Preston
Ten Pounds to Solomon Andrews
Atest Tim" Bradford
Samuel Bradford
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
io,o,o,
80,0,0,
Select men
[R. 2-82] A List of Laram Men in Hills^.
the R'' Jonathan Barns
Cap' Joseph Symonds
Lieu' Sam' Bradford
Decon John Meed
M^ Timothy Wilkins
M'' Andrew bixbe
M"" william Jones
M"" George Booth
M' Will™ Hutcheson
Cap' Sam' Bradford
Leu' Daniel M-^Neal
En' Timothy Bradford
M' Nathaniel Coledge
M"" William Tagart
M"" Joshua Estey
M'' Thomas Murdough
M'' Joseph Clark
Mens names Belonging to the training Band in the town of
Hillsborough including under officers
alexander MClintock John MClintock
John Gibson
Lot Jenison
Jonathan sargent
william Symonds
Benjman Ruft'
James Gibson
Nehemiah wilkins
Andrew Bixbe Ju"''^
Elias Cheney >
Jedediah prston
Benjman Lovjoy
william Booth
Joseph Gagart
Jonathan Durant
Daniel Gibson
William Love
Samuel Merdough
Nathaniel Howard
thomas Murdough
Jun^
abel wilkins
Jonathan Graham
nathan Taylor
Honored S'' among those of the above named we have about
twenty Guns and sum of them not fit to go into the war, the
best of our Guns are gone in the war either sold or our men
these five newly
r put into the List
HILLSBOROUGH. 20$
with them. I should have sent your Honner a List before this
time, but could not without sending on purpose
S'' I am your Hon° most Hum' Ser
June the 3^ 1776 Isaac Andrews
To Honered Col° Stickney Living in Concord
[R. 2-83] \_Return of a Soldier^ i779-\
Hillsborough July 14* 1779
Persuant to orders Rece*^ from your Hon. I have herewith
ordered William Hutcheson to appear at Concord in order for
passing muster — Beg the favor he may Return to Hillsb** a few
days before he marches for Rhodisland — These from your
Humb' Se'' Isaac Andi'ews Cap'
To The Hon' Tho' Stickney Coll. at Concord in New Hamp-
shire
[R. 2-84] \^Bou7ities advanced by Towns ^ iy82.'\
In Committee on Claims, Exeter June 17, 1782.
The Bounties and Supplies advanced by the Town of Tem-
ple amount to Two Hundred & Fifty one pounds two shillings
and ten pence — and the Bounties advanced by Hillsborough
amount to Fifty Three Founds eight shillings — and the Boun-
ties & supplies advanced by Peterborough amount to Ninety
six Pounds eight shillings and seven pence good money which
sums have been deducted from the soldiers depreciation
Ex'' Per Josiah Oilman Jun'
The Bounty advanced by Packersfield [Nelson] to Bunker
Clark which was deducted from his depreciation amounts to
Eighteen Pounds twelve shillings good money
Ex*^ Per Josiah Oilman Jun'
[]R. 2-85] \_Lieut. Samuel Bradford's Petitiott^ lySi .'\
[In a petition dated Jan. 2, 1781, Samuel Bradford states
that he " engaged in the Service of the United States of
America in Nov'^ 17/6 as a Lieutenant in the Second New
Hampsh'^' Regiment and continued in said Service until the
206
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
13*^ of Sept'' 1778." Being sick at that time he received a
furlough from Gen. Poor, and did not again enter the ser-
vice. He was in Capt. Claye's company in 1777. When the
regiments were reorganized he was left out on account of
his disability. — Ed.]
[5-76] \_Petition for Authority to tax Non-Residents^ lySo."]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and Assembly of S*^ State in
general Court Conveaned
May it Please your Honors we the Subscribers freeholders
in the town of Hillsborough in S** State Beg Leave to Petitions
that whereas the Late John Hill Esq"" Boston who was Sole
Proprietor in this town Did Before the Com.mencement of the
present war Promies to give one hundred Acres of Land to-
wards Buildings a Bridge over Connecticut River So Called in
this town which Bridge we should have Built foore or five
years a goe had it not Ben for this unhappy War but at Last
we have Compleated s'^ Bredg and the Shairs of the s"^ Jho°
Hill Es'' Have Ben Solisted to Make good there father Promies
but refuses we therefore humbly petition that yoore Honnours
would order a tax to be Leved on the Non Risidents Land ly-
ing in town to dyfree the Chrges of building s*^ Bridge as we
Labour under heavy Burdens in town and s*^ Bridge will be of
grate Sarvis not ondly to this town but also to the Publick as
s*^ Bridge cost us two thousand three hundred and three poond
as Money was Last October and if yoore honours shall in yoore
wisdom Se fit to grant this, our Petition we as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray
Hillisborough the Eighth Day of May Anoq DoD 1780
Samuel Bradford jur
w" taggart
Calven Stevens
David Wright
Nathaniel Haywood
James Dutton
Benj"" Jones
thadeus monroe
John Mead
Lot Jeneson
Jesse Rolf
Jonathen Durant
Zebediah Johnson
archibald taggart
George Willy
Isaac Andres
Sam' Jones
Isaac Andrews Jun'
John Duton
John Shed
timothy Bradford
Daneeil Rolf
William Booth
Andrew Wilkins
Jacob flint
Joseph taggart
Samu' Bradford
william Pope
James Jones
William Jones
Benjamin Dutton
Nemiah wilkins
William Grout
Smith Robertson
Jonathan Sargant
George Booth
HILLSBOROUGH. 20/
Joshua Easty Benjamin Kimball william taggart Jun''
James taggatnt William Gammett Nathanell Colledge
Joseph Symonds Samuel Symonds Robert Taggard
Daniel Gibson tristram Cheney John Cheney
John m'^Calley William Hutchinson John Gibson
Andrew Bixbe John m'^Clary W™ Jones Junr
Alexander m'^clintok John m'^Clintok Fortunatus Wheeler
[5—77] \_Relative to drawing Town Lots., 1284.']
State of New Hampshire
To the honorable the Council & House of Representatives now
sitting at portsmouth within & for the said state of New
Hampshire
Humbly Shew the Subscribers that at the time of settleing
the Town of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough &
State afores*^ many of your petitioners received Deeds from John
Hill Late of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth
of Mass" Esq' Deces** of Lots of Land in the first Division in
said Town & after settleing the Lots in the first Division, Drew
by virtue of said Deeds which also conveyed them an undivided
Share in the residue of said Town other Lots in the Second
Division annexed to their first Number, & that those of your
petition who did not purchase from said Hill purchased from
others who held under him as afors*^ That on the Severance of
the Second Division as afores** a plan was made of said Divi-
sions, & Entries made by said Hill of the Numbers Drawn to
each original Lot & the persons Interested Entered into the
same have cultivated improved & they & those who purchased
from them have held & possessed the same severally to this
Day agreably to the Division plans & Drawing afores** that the
said Hill at the time possessed himself of the plan & minutes
afores** & held the same in his possession untill his Death &
from his Decease the same have come to the hands & possession
of his heirs & Executors who have Suppressed the Same & now
claims the Lands against your petitioners who have nothing but
oral Testimony to prove the Severance aforesaid or to Secure
to them the fruits of their Labor for many years past expended
upon their several possessions wherefore they most Humbly
pray that on their producing to your honour clear and indis-
putable proof of the facts aforesaid that your honors will by an
Act Establish the aforesaid Severance & Secure to them their
possessions or give tliem such other relief as to your honors in
your great wisdom Shall appear Just & Equitable
208
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Robert m'^Cluei-
James m'^Calley
William Pope
John M'^Calley
Andrew Bixbe
John Gibson
James Taggart
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 17, 1785, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-78] {^Relative to Date of Annual Meeting-, 178 J. "]
State of Nevvhampshire
To the Hon'''^ Senate and House of Representatives in General
assembly Convened at Concord the third w^ednesday of octob''
Anno Domini 1785
The Petition of the select men & other inhabitance of the
Town of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsboro'' and state of
New Hampshire aforesaid —
Humbly sheweth that our annual meeting being held on the
Last thursday of march Discommods us sum Times it happens
to be on the Last Day of march the Town officers not being
sworn on that Day we are obliged to adjourn our annual meeting
into april ; which is attended with much Difficulty on ace' of
taking our invoice early in the month of april and by Reason
of many Conveyances being rnade between the first Day of
april and the time of taking the invoice it is Defec' matter to
take the invoice so that Every person my have Justice.
Your Petition therefore pray that our annual meeting may be
held on the first monday of march annually for the future insted
of the Last thursday
and your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c —
October 20"^ 1785
Isaac Andrews
John Dutton
Wm. Taggartjuner
[Select
of
Hillsb^
Select men
)f
illsborough
Jedidiah Preston
William Taggart
John mead
David Wright
William Booth
Joseph Symonds
Benjamin Dutton
Jonathan Danforth
Daniel Killam
Paul Cooledee
William Parker
Eliphalet Bradford
Andrew Bixbe
Jonathan Sargent
Daniel Rolf
Samuel Bradford
David Marshall
Benj" Gould
Ephraim Train
William Jones
Benj'* Kimball
John Hartwell
Otis How
Gorge Booth
Joshoa Estey
James Dutton
Uriah Cooledge
Samuel Danforth
James mcCalley
James Jones
HILLSBOROUGH. 2O9
Elijah Beard Isaac Andrews Perkins Andrews
William Little Calvin Stevens Nehemiah Wilkins
John Shed John mcNeall Moses Steel
William Hutchinson Samuel Symonds William Love
Timothy Gray Solomon Andrews John gibson
William Symonds Nath" Symonds
[In H. of Rep., Oct. 31, 1785, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
C5-79] \_Return of Ratable Polls, i/Sj.}
State of New Hampshire —
Hillsborough Decern'' the 16"" 1783
We find by Estimation Ninety Eight Male poles upwards of
twenty one years of age paying Taxes in s"^ Town
John Dutton ) Select
Isaac Andrews Jun"" ) Men
Hillsborough ss December the i6"* 17S3
Then the above Named John Dutton & Isaac Andrews Jun''
Each personally Appeared and made solemn oath they had
taken the N" of the male poles in the above s*^ town Before Me
Isaac Andr" Jus peace
[5-81] \_Petition for Authority to tax Non- Residents, lySj."]
To His Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire the Hon*''" Senate and House of Representatives in
General Assembly Convened at Concord the third Wednes-
day of October Anno Domini 1785 —
The petition of the Select men & other Inhabitants of the
Town of Hillsborough, in the County of Hillsborough and
State of New Hampsliire aforesaid
Humbly sheweth that the Land in said Town is very rocky
and that the Inhabitants have been at Great Expence, in mak-
ing, mending and making passable the highways therein, and
Also by means of a Number of Large bridges, which they were
obliged to build, and Maintain over Contucook River, the
Charges of said roads & bridges have become Excessively
heavy and burdensome —
Your Petitioners therefore pray that a tax of one penny per
16
2IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
acre may be Laid upon all the Lands in said Town to be
appropriated for the sole purpose, of making repairing, and
maintaining said roads and bridges, or that your Excellency
and your honours would in your Great wisdom, be pleased to
Grant them such other relief as you shall think fit and your
petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
October 20'" 1785
Isaac Andrews ^ Select men
John Dutton > of
W™ Taggart Juner ) Hillsb^
Eliphalet Bradford John Hartwell John mead
Jonathan Danforth Benj* gould Samuel Danforth
Daniel Killam Ephr"" Train James m'^Calley
Paul Cooledge Andrew Bixbe Otis How
David Wright Gorge Booth William Booth
Daniel Rolf Joshua Estey William Parker
Benj'' Kimball William Taggart Joseph Symonds
Samuel Bradford James Dutton Benjamin Dutton
David Marshall Uriah Cooledge Jonathan Sargent
Jedidiah Preston William Jones James Jones
Elijah Beard Isaac Andrews Perkins Andrews
William Little Calvin Stevens Nehemiah Wilkins
John Shed John mcNeall Moses Steel
William Hutchinson Samuel Symonds William Love
Timothy Gray Solomon Andrews John gibson
William Symonds Nath^^ Symonds
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 28, 1786, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-83] \_Relative to Robert Tinney, Soldier.']
To the Hon*"'^ Sennate and hon"'' house of Representatives
in General Assembly Conveined for the State of New Hamp
the 3'' Wednesday of octo'' Instant at Concord in s** State
The Petetion of the Select men of Hillsborough in the Coun-
ty of Hillsborough and other of the Inhabitants of said Town
Humbly shews — That the Select" for s'' Town in the year 17S1,
by the names of Samuel Bradford and John M'^Calley Signed
a note of hand bearing date March y^ 14"' 17S1 thereby prom-
ising to pay one John M'=Clintock or order one hundred and
ninety two Bushells of Good Merchantable Indian Corn or as
much money as will jDurchase it, at or before the fourteenth day
or March then next with Interest till paid &c — That the above
HILLSBOROUGH.
211
note was Given to the Said M'^Clintock for the hire of a Certain
Robert Tinney who the said JVPClintock had procured to enlist
into the Continatal Army said Year as a man for the said Town
of Hillsborrough — That notwithstanding the Said Note was
given to the s*^ M'^CHntock as hire for said Soldier he the said
Soldier immediately after his Muster Diserted and Never Joined
the Army at all and your petitioners Vehemintly Suspect that
this Disertion was advised and Countinanced by the s'^ M^Clin-
tock That the Town of Hillsborrough were so Well Satisfyed
that the said M'^Clintock was not entitled by either Law or
Equity to the corn or money promised by the s** note that they
universally discountinanced the paymint thereof and suffered a
suit to be brought against the Signers of the said Note intend-
ing to dispute the same before the Superior Court of this State
but by the inattention of one of the Signers to the said Note
when the tryal came on before the inferior Court for the County
of Hillsborough which was held at Amherst the 4"^ day of Aug'
1782 — a Default issued and Judgment Entered against the Per-
sons who Signed the said note for the sum of 47,, 16,, 8** Dam-
age and 3,, 13,, 8'^ Cost of Court as appears of Record — Both
which Sums has since been paid to the said John jVPClintock
by the said Town of Hillsborrough notwithstanding the s^
Tinney never Served in the Army one day in Consequence of
this Hire —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honers
will Order the said M'^Clintock to return the said money he has
received as afores*^ or Order a New Tryal in such a way and
manner as the nature of the said Contract made with the s^
M'^Clintock may be enquired into by some Court proper to Try
the same that Justice may be done in the premises — or in any
way that shall Seem to your Excell^' and honers —
and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
Dated at Hillsbourough Octo' 20"^ 1785
Isaac Andrews
John Dutton I- Selectmen
W" Taggart June'' 3
I
Andrew Bixbe
William Parker
Samuel Danforth
Nehemiah Wilkins
William Love
John gibson
Joseph Symonds
Benj" Dutton
Jonathan Sargent
Otis How
Benj" Kimball
Daniel Killom
John Shed
Timothy Gray
William Symonds
Samuel Bradford
David Marshall
Gorge Booth
David Wright
Jonathan Danforth
Calvin Stevens
John m'^Neall
Solomon Andrews
Nath^' Symonds
James Dutton
Uriah Cooledge
William Booth
212
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Daniel Rolf
William Taggart
John mead
James m'^Calley
James Jones
Perkins Andrews
Joshua Estey
Eliphalet Bradford
Benj^ gould
Paul Cooledge
Elijah Beard
William Little
Jedidiah Preston
John Hartwell
Ephraim Train
William Jones
Isaac Andrews
Moses Steel
William Hutchinson Samuel Symonds
[5-84] \^Relative to Incorporating a Town Library^ ^797'^
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
general Court convened at Portsmouth November 1797
Humbly sheweth Benjamin Peirce Joseph Symonds Isaac
Andrews Jonathan Barnes Calvin Stevens and others their
Associates have purchased a number of books for the purpose
of Establishing a Social Library in the Town of Hillsborough,
but finding it necessary to be Incorporated in Order to realize
the advantage Anticipated, by purchasing books in common,
therefore pray that they may be Incorporated with such privi-
ledges, as are usually granted in such cases and they as in duty
bound will pray
Benjamin Pierce*
[The foregoing petition was granted Dec. 6, 1797. — Ed.]
HINSDALE.
Previous to the settlement of the divisional line between
the provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusetts in
1 741, a large portion of the territory now comprising this
town and a portion of what is now Winchester belonged
to Northfield, Mass. Settlements had been made here by
authority of a grant from the government of that province,
and a fort had been built by Col. Ebenezer Hindsdale on
the east side of Connecticut river a little north of the old
line of Northfield, as shown on an ancient plan which is No.
842- in the volume from which the following papers are
copied. Fort Dummer was situated on the west side of the
[*Hon. Benjamin Pierce was born in Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 25, 1757. He was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war; sheriff from 1807 to 1814, and from 1819 to 1827 ; represent-
ative eleven years, and for six years a member of the council. He was elected governor of
the state in 1827, and again in 1829. He was the father of Franklin Pierce, president of the
United States from 1852 to 1856. He died April i, 1839.— Ed.]
HINSDALE. 213
river, a short distance above the mouth of Venters brook,
and was built by Hon. William Dummer, Anthony Stod-
dard, William Brattle, and John White, of Boston, who
owned by purchase the tract of land west of the river
known as the " Equivalent Lands." It was named for Mr.
Dummer, as was also the town of Dummerston, Vt,
The inhabitants and others petitioned the government of
New Hampshire for a grant of the township, and were
favored with one dated Sept. 3, 1753, which covered all the
territory on the west side of Connecticut river now in the
town of Vernon, Vt., in addition to what is now Hinsdale,
except the north part east of the river, which was contained
in the grant of Winchester, made July 2, 1753, and by which
the north part of Winchester extended to Connecticut river.
On the 26th of September of the same year. Gov. Went-
worth, with advice of the council, decided and declared that
the east line of Hinsdale, instead of running no further north
than the old north line of Northfield, should run through
to Chesterfield, thus taking a considerable portion of land
that had been granted to Winchester, but leaving the latter
a more compact township.
The name of the town is derived from Col. Ebenezer
Hindsdale and is so spelled in the charter, and in many
other documents prior to 1800. So far as I have seen, the
colonel always wrote his name as above, and it is so written
in most of the original manuscripts of the documents pub-
lished in Vol. IX. The petition for the charter may be
found on page 382 of that volume.
On the formation of the state of Vermont the town lost
about one half its territory : with that exception I believe no
change has been made in its boundaries since Sept. 26, 1753.
[5-S5] [ Col. yosiah Willard's Account fot- Supplies furtiish-
ed Soldiers, lyjo.^
Fort Dumer July y* 6"^ ^750
John Gofle Esq"" Cap' W" Shackford Richard Downing Jon*
Tilton & Zach-- Tole D^ to Col° Josiah Willard—
To Pork loi"' a ii"! p' "> a
To Beaf 13"' a 9<^ p^ "^ a
To Cheas 22'*' a 9 p'' "* a
To Bread 71^'^ a 6<* p"" a
To Beanes one Peek a
4-
12.
7
0.
9-
9
0.
16.
6
I.
15-
6
0.
2.
0
214 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Meal i Peek a
To w Rum 6 gall" a io° p' gal a
To Sug"" 2'" a i" : 6^ p' ^^ n
Boarding 1 2 men 3 Days a 2' 6'' p"" Day ]
D° 9 men 1 Day a J
To Cash Paid Cap' Fairbanks moore Lieu' Volintine
Butler & William Willard for Boating
To Cash Paid David Farnsworth
To Cash Paid James Johnson
To Pasteiung 7 horses 14 Days a 6^ p^ Day
0.
1-3
3-
0. 0
0.
3- 0
ig
2.
5-
0
2.
10.
0
I.
0.
0
Day
2.
9-
0
24.
'7-
I
Total
Josiah
Willard
£6.
o. o
[5-S6] [ CoL Ebenezer Hinsdale s Bill^ 1755 •'\
Province of } to Ebenez"" Hindsdales and others
New Hampshire] D"" 17=55
1755 — June 7'^ To a man & Horse Riding Post to Fort
Dum"" & So to Charlestown to Notify y* People of the misheif
Done by the Indians at Hoosock £10. o. o
June 1 2"^ to a man & Horse from Deerf** to No- \
tify the Frontiers of the mischief Done by the Ind- \ £\o. o. o
ians at Chailymont j
To an Express of 2 men to N° 4 to Notify of a )
body of Indians Descending on our Frontiers }
June 27 to an Express to Charlestown &c to No- \
tify of a l3ody of Indians Killing & Captivating 3 I £6. o. o
families near Hindsdales Fort ,'
(JVol allow"^) July 1 7 To Ten Horses i Night 64 /, )
62 meals for y* men that Come to bury y'' Dead & \ £i'J. 10. o
Follow y® Enemy j
July 27 to an Express from Maj Bellowses of )
2 men to y^ great meadow Charlestown & Keen to > £6. o. o
Notify of 2 men Killed near His Garrison j
July 22** to a man & Horse to Deerfield when the ^
men were Killed & Taken at Hindsdales Garrison
in order to get men to go out & bury y" Dead and
pursue y'' Enemy
to be paid \ To the Entertainment of 31
by y* Com'"^ of war > men & their Horses who 10-
£19. 10 J come to bury Ordeway and j ■^'
pursue the Enemy |
to a Winding Sheat for Said Ordeway J £4. o. o
£4. o. o
10. o
HINSDALE. 215
To the Hire of a Horse from Winchester to Ports- \
mouth for Timo* Wells a Soldier Caring the No- > £7. 10. o
lice of the above mischeif to His Excell-^' )
July 27 To an Express from Maj"' Bellowses to
y* great meadow to Notify of y* Enemies attacking 1 ^
Maj"' Bellows & men & besetting m"" Killbourns
House
Total Old Ten' £88. o. o
Left to be paid for
Expresses £51 Old Tenor
To His Excell^ Gov"' Wentworth with the Honourable His
majestys Councill or y^ Honr'''* the Committe of warr.
May It please Your Excell^ & Honr' : The above ace'' are
Justly Charged & as it would be a great Hardship for me or y*
particular persons who have been Sent on Such Emergencies
Should bear the Expence I Intreat It may be allowed & paid to
Maj"" Bellows or whom you may order for y* Severall persons to
whom it belongs
from your Excell^' & Hon" most Dutifull &
obedient Serv'
Hindsdale Dec' aG''^ 1755
Ebenez"" Hindsdale
In Councill Jan'^ 15"" 1755
The foregoing Acco' Examined by the Council who are of
opinion that the Sum of Twelve Pounds fifteen Shillings N
Ten' be allowed in full of the Sundry Charges for Expresses the
other articles not being Directed to them are not Considered in
the said allowance
Theod' Atkinson Sec'^
£5—87] \_Relative to Duniiyier's I^erry."]
To the Honourable Members of the general Cort Now Set-
ting in the State of N : Hampshire whereas we the Subscribers
have been Informed that there hath Been astrife Between one
Allen willard And one James Hubbard Each One of them hav-
ing Exhibited a Pertion to the Board of this State Requesting
the Privaledge of having the Bennefit of the Ferra Commonly
nown by the Name of Dummers Ferra Now as to the matter of
M' Allen Willard having the farra Stated to him as his Situation
is Very Rermoat in Deed we Viewe it much Contry to Right
And good Reason the above s** James Hubbard having for this
2l6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
four years and Above owned the Land that Must Necesarly Im-
proved by all that Cross the River at that Place for s'^ Hubbard
Bought the Land of M' Henry Gibbs of Old Salem and hath a
warrantee Deed and all the Privaladge that apertaine thareunto
And as to the Land that s"^ Hubbard Bought is not Seficant to
Seport a famualy on But Varry Conveanant for a farra man,
and we do Challang of Proffit belongs to the Town of Hinds-
dale as the Line Between N Hampshire and York was Precise-
ly afixed to the west Banks of Connectacut River Now the s**
Hubbard is Allowed to be a man of good general Character
aud wold be Likely to Indulge Passengers Even to his Best
Abilety & we the .Subscribers Bag the fovour that Even for the
good of the Publick that the s<i James Hubbard might be a
Pointed & Improved as a farra man
& we understand that if Allen Willard gits the farra that it is
to be Kept on the west Side of the River by another man
Daniel Shattuck
Benj Stone
Ebenezer Soule
William Lyon
David Bishop
Samuel Batchelder
John Streeter
Elijah Barret
Nathan Thomas
Gideon Shattuck
Henley Ward
Oliver Doolittle
Elihu Stebbins
Elijah Cooper
Isaac Barret
Makpeac Shattuck
Samuel Thomas Ju
Ivory Soule
Philips Barret
William Davenport
Israel Thomas
Isaac morgan
Eldad Wright
Amasa Burt
Aaron Blanchard
Edward Morgan
Cyprian Peirce
Hezekiah Elmer
Asa Philips
Silas Barret
often Burnam
Billey Burnham
daniel thomas
[5-88] \_Relative to Abatement of Taxes ^ i'/yg.'\
To the Honorable the Council for the State of New Hampshire
and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled at
Exeter on the day of October 1779. —
The Inhabitants of the Town of Hindsdale in the County of
Cheshire humbly Shew. That in the Year 177S Your petition-
ers prefer'd a memorial to the General Court, Setting forth That
The Inhabitants of said Hindsdale were taxed more than Their
Just and Equitable proportion to the State tax for the Years
1777 & 1778, and pray'd an abatement thereof, in Consequence
of said memorial the Honorable Court did take the Case of your
petitioners into Consideration and did order that an Inventory
of all the Polls and Rateable Estate in said Town (the Common
& undivided Land excepted) be taken & return'd into the Sec-
retarys Office within three months in which Case your petition-
HINSDALE. 217
er should have an Allowance in the next years Tax, and that in
Consequence of said Order the Selectmen of said Hindsdale did
make an Inventory agreable to the directions of the General
Court, and as 3'our Petitioners had no Representative in this
Honora''" Court except Coll Ashley One of the Council for said
County, said Inventory was Committed to his Care to be deliv-
ered agreable to the directions of the General Court, but your
Petitioners finding no Relief in their assessment for the present
year, immagine that the Case of your Petitioners was pass*^ over
in Silence. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray That this
Honorable Court woud take their Case into Consideration and
Grant them such Relief as in Your Great Wisdom shall seem
Meet, as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Aaron Cooper ) Selectmen
Micah Rockwood \ of Hindsdale
[5-89] \_Relative to Vermont Controversy^ lySi.^
New hapshir. To the Honorable the Commitee of the State
We the Subscribers Holding our selves as good subjects of
the State of New Hapshire are Now purplexed and vexed : a
number of Designing men as we apprehend who with a Dissign
to Distro}' the quiet & peace not only of this town but in all the
towns in the New hampshire grants on the East of the River
have got commissioned by the Govcnor of the State of Vermont,
both in the civil and military order, and Now Require of us the
most strictest obedience which if we Refuse we are punished &
Delt with according to thir Laws whos juriousdiction and au-
thority we Deney and Humbly pray for your Protection and as-
sistence in Defending our Selves —
Hensedal July y'' 13 17S1
Oliver Doolittle Zeph^ Richmond James Peacock
Daniel Shattuck William flagg Baz^ Grandey
gershem Densmere Ephraim Eaton Elisha Belding
Joshua Frost Jo^""^ Evans Nathaniel Collens
Uriel Evans Remembrance W^right Asa Flagg
Amasa Burt Nath' Sanger Isaac Barret
Cyrus Shattuck Eldad Evans Philip Barret
Silas Barret Makpeace Shattuck Jonathan Barret
Gideon Shattuck j , v Fl o- Darius wright
Aaron Wright *^ ^.y, '''^ Jedediah Smith
Ivorj' Soule oliver Smith
John Peacock David Bishop
2l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-90] {^Petition for a Grant of a Ferry ^ lyS^^
To his Excellency the President the Honorable Senate and
House of Representatives in General Court convened.
Humbly shews your respectful Petitioner the Subscriber, that
over Connecticutt River in the Town of Hinsdale at a place
known by the name of Fort Dummer there has been a ferry
way much improved for a long time —
That the same has been supplied with boats and attended
upon by the late father of your petitioner and others of the said
family for the space of fourscore years —
That the land on both sides of the river belongs to the heirs
of his said father — that one of the heirs at present waits at the
same ferry, and has convenient boats for the conveyance over of
passengers & their Cattle & Carriages of all kinds. The prayer
of your petitioner therefore is, that he may have a grant of the
exclusive right to said ferry way upon such terms and under
such I'estrictions as to your Excellency and Honors shall seem
expedient. And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever
pray
Allin Willard
Octo"" ye 12, 1785
Hindsdale May lo"" 1786.
We the subscribers having been served with the Petition and
order of Court pray that your Honours would grant the Peti-
tioner his Prayer And would Inform your Honours the Road to
& from said Ferrie is layed out, on land of the Heirs of Capt.
Nathan Willard dec^
Micah Rockwood ) Select Men
Hollis Taylor j of Hindsdale
}
[5~9^] S^Relative to aforesaid Ferry ^ iy86.'\
We the Subscribers being applied to by James Hubbard with
an Instrument of Writeing Signifying the Necessaty of a Ferries
being keep in the Town of Hindsdale on the East side of the
River Opposite Dummer Landing — And that he might have the
Benefit thereof, and that we would Signify our approbation to
the Same, Accordingly there was a Town Meeting Called by
the desire of s*^ Hubbard, — And it was the Opinion of the
Town, And allmost an Unanimous Vote, that as the Heirs of
the Willard Family own'd Land on Both sides of the River, &
Cap' Nathan Willard Dec"^ had keep the Ferrie for a great Num-
ber of years, — that his Son Allyn should have the Preheminence,
We are therefore of the Opinion of the Major part of the Town,
HINSDALE.
219
& we do hereby Revoke and Disannul our Names being to s"^
Hubbards Instrument, and we do Annex the same to Allyn
Willards Petition, — For the foregoing Reasons And for s*^ Hub-
bards giveing us a Rong Representation of the same.
David Lyon ") Q 1 f en
Hindsdale Jan^ 25"^ 1 7S6 Cyrus Shattuck [ ^^ Hindsdale.
Eldad Evans )
[5-93]
\_Another Petition relative to same.'\
Hinsdale Jan^ 12"^ 1786
We the Subscribers Select Men & Inhabitants of the Town
of Hindsdale, having taken the above Petition into Mature Con-
sideration,— and as the Heirs of Cap' Nathan Willard own Land
on both sides of the River, — We strongly Recommend it to
your Honours, that he may have an exclusive right to the Fer-
rie, in s'' Town of Hindsdale on the east side of the River, it
being in the County of Chesshire and State of New Hamp-
shire,— and Opposite the old Landing known by the name of
Dummer Landing in the town of Brattleborough and that said
Allyn Willard may be Established in the same & enjoy the
Benefit thereof
Yours &c &c
Cyrus Shattuck ") Select
Eldad Evans >- men of
David Lyon ) Hinsdale
Abner Comins
gershem Desmore
Ephraim Eaton
Seth Bishop
Aaron Wright
Hollis Taylor
Jedediah Smith
Thos Beebe
Joshua Frost
Uriel Evans
Jonathan Wright
Aaron Cooper
Benja"" Sanger
Oz" Elmer
Drius Wright
John Medcalf
John Peacock
Timothy Beebe
Nathan Willard
Jon* Carver
Daniel Jones
John Gardiner
Isaac Crain
Thomas Rockwood
Jesse Hill
John Evens
Hezekiah Elmer
Thomas Taylor
Nath" Sanger
Tilley Wilder
Luther Winslow
W"' Smith
[5-94] \_Deposition of yosiah Wheeler^ Ij86.'\
Cheshire ss Hindsdale April y* 19"" 17S6
The Deposition of Josiah Wheeler of Hindsdale afore"^ of
Lawfull age who Testifys and says that sometime about the first
of January Last Past I the Deponent being in Company with
Chearles Evans he presented a certain Paper to me the Depo-
220 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
nent to sign in faviour of Alain Willard of s'^ Hindsdale that
he the s'^ alain mite have the Priviledge of the fearry acrost
Conecticut River at a Place called Dummer in sd Hindsdale ; I
told him I should not ; he the s"* Evans then told the Deponent
that I had better ; for s"^ he you will want to cross often and you
hant always money Implying as I understood that If I would
not sign said Paper I should not be carried acrost s*^ farry with-
out the money in hand ; thereby attempting to force me to sign
$'' Paper and farther invited me to go to town-meeting and take
a Drink with him and further the Deponent saith Not
Josiah Wheeler
At the same time and Place I Edward morgan of Hindsdale
of Lawfull age testifies and says that on or about the fifth day
of January last past being in Town-meeting in s*^ Hindsdale I
saw considerable of cherry Rum handed about to be Drank in
the meeting House in s*^ Hindsdale and Drank of the same
myself and farther the Deponent saith Not
Edward Morgan
Cheshire ss : April y^ 19"* 1786 then the above said Josiah
Wheeler and Edward Morgan signers to the above Decla-
ration personally appear'd and after due caution and careful!
Examination made solemn oath to the truth of the above Dec-
larations by them severally Signed and subscribed
Coram Michael Cresey Just : Peace
[5-95] \^Depositlon of Nathaniel Stear7ts.~\
Cheshire ss : Hindsdale April y'' 19"^ 17S6
The Deposition of Nathanel Stearns of s** Hindsdale of Law-
full age who Deposeth and saith that he the Deponent being in
Company with Alain willard of Hindsdale afore"'^ att s'^ Hinds-
dale about the first of January last past ; and discoursing with
him the s'^ Willard about the ferry at a place called Dummer in
s** Hindsdale which ferry he the s'' willard and James Hubbard
of s'^ Hindsdale both Claims the Previledge of; and there being
then a town meeting of s*^ Hindsdale warn*^ to Know the minds
of s*^ town concerning the s*^ Dispute ; the said Willard then
and there desired me the Deponent as I was soon going toward
the lower end of s*^ town to Inform sundry Persons that if they
would come to s*^ meeting and vote in faviour of him the s'^
willard he would give them as much Groge as they could drink
and further the Deponent saith not
Nathaniel Stearns
HINSDALE. 221
Cheshire ss : April y^ 19''' T7S6; then the above Named
Nathaniel Stearns signer to the above Declaration personally
appear'' and after due Caution and careftdl Examination made
solum oath to the truth the above Declaration by him sub-
cribed —
Coram Michael Cresey Just Peace
C5~97] [_y-ames Hubbard for a Ferry ^ iy86.']
The State of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''* John Langdon Esq'' President of said State : The
honourable Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court assembled.
The petition of James Hubbard of Hinsdale in the County
of Cheshire in said State Yeoman :
Humbly sheweth : That there being great need of a stated
Ferry over Connecticut River, in said Hinsdale against where
the Fort called Dummer formerly stood ; as there is much travel
with Teams Horses Carriages &c — And as said Ferry has not
been properly provided with Boats, to carry over loaded Teams
by which means mens lives and properties, have been much
exposed, and some have sustained, great damage and loss.
And whereas, your Petitioner owns the Land on east side of the
River, at the Landing ; and has a Dwelling House, about eight
Rods distant therefrom, which is the only house within half
a Mile on this side of the River ; and will enter into sufficient
Bonds, obliging hemself, his heirs and assigns forever ; to pro-
vide and keep suitable Boats ; and give proper attendance at all
Times, to transport over said Ferry, subject to such regulations
as the Honourable Court shall order : provided the exclusive
priviledge, of keeping said Ferry, at the Place where it now is,
and one mile and a half up the said River ; and three Miles
down ; may be granted to him and his heirs forever.
Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays, the Honourable
Court, to take the matter into their wise consideration ; and
grant the exclusive priviledge of keeping the said Ferry, to
your Petitioner and his Heirs forever ; or otherwise order, as
you in your Wisdom shall think proper ; and your Petitioner
as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Hinsdale January the 2^ 17S6
James Hubbard
[The ferry was granted to Willard, June, 1786. — Ed.]
222 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5~9S] \_Petition for a Magistrate^ iy8g.~\
State of New Hampshire )
Cheshire County ) Hindsdale Ocf y^ 12'^ 17S9
To His Excellency John Sullivan Esq'' Captain jeneral & Com-
mander in Chief in and over the Province of New hamp-
shire —
We your Informers Humbly Beg leave to shew that the Town
of Hindsdale is Now Destitute of any justice of the Peace
within s'* Town which is much to the Damage of the same we
therefore with advise of others Do Recommend m' uriel Evans
for that Purpose ; we therefore Pray your Excellency to Qiialify
& Commission the said mr uriel Evans for a justice of the
Peace for said Town of Hindsdale and we Shall Greatly Ac-
knowledge your Excellencyes favour for the same
Nathaniel Stearns ) Selectmen
Samuel Robbins ^ for Hindsdale
[5-99J \_Petition for Authority to send a Representative^
1793 ''\
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hindsdale
To the Honorable Senate & house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court conven**
Whereas in & by the Constitution of the State of New Hamp-
shire it is Requir"^ that a Town shall have One Hundred &
Fifty Rateable Polls of Twenty One years of age and upwards
to be Intitled to the Previledge of a Representative Whereas
the Town of Hindsdale has not the Number requir** and Cannot
with any Convenience be Clast with any other Town parish or
place and we your Petitioners conceive that we Labour under
many Disadvantages for the want of the previledge of a Rep-
resentative to many to be innumerated in this Petition and we
the Selectmen of Hindsdale by order of the Majority votes of s*
Town to Petition the General Court Above Mention'' that Said
Hindsdale may have the previledge of a Representative in s**
Court we the Subscribers humbly request that the previledge
may be granted to the s"* Town of Hindsdale as in Duty bound
shall ever pray
Hindsdale May 30'^ 1793
Cyrus Shattuck ~\ Selectmen
Uriel Evans > for
Perley Marsh ) Hindsdale
HINSDALE. 223
[5-100] \_Petition for the Privilege of a Lottery^ i'jg§.~\
To the Honorable General Court of the State of Newhampshire
convened at Hanover June 1795 —
we your Petitioners the Inhabitants of Winchester Hindsdale
and others humbly sheweth tliat vour Petitioners as well as the
Publick at large suffer great Inconvenancy for want of a good
Publick Road leading from the Furnace in Said Winchester on
the North Side of Ashewillet River till it strikes the grate Road
at or near Whelers mills in Said Hindsdale that leads from
Northfield to Chesterfield allso another Road Begening about
one Mile East of Said Whelers Mills on the first Mentioned
Road and runing a Northerly course till it Strikes Said Chester-
field Road Sixty or Eightv Rods Southerly of M"" Daniel Fish-
ers House allso to make Two stone butments two stone pillors
for string peaces to lye on for the Bridge over Ashewillet River
nere Said Furnace and whareas between three and four miles of
Said Intended Road there is no Inhabetants live and by reason
of Hills and Brooks there will be much diging and Bridging to
be don on Said Road which will make it very Expencesive al-
tho when don will be of grate utility to the Publick as well as
Individles b}- shortning a grate Roade four or five miles leading
from the Country to the seport Towns and whare as it is Too
Havy a Burthen on the Inhabitants living near Said Road to
make it passable for Teams &'' — in this Situation we cheerfully
Bring forward this our Petition Looking up to your Honours as
the gardiens of the People, that you will take our Case into
your Wise Consideration & grant us a Lottery to raise fifteen
Hundred Dollars for the purpose of making Said Roads &
Bridges with the other Expence & as the major part of the
Tickets will be sold out of this State this with the grate advan-
tage which will arise to the Publick frome the object we make
no Doubt your Honours Will Grant our Request and as in
Duty bound Will Ever pray —
Thomas Gould William Humphrey Elisha Knapp
Reuben Alexander J"" Stephen Flawkins Nathan Parker
Ezra Parker Jun'' Asa Alexander Abel Oldham
Ephraim Hawkins Ezra Healy Thadd : Bancroft
Sam" Warren Richard Gale Paul Richardson
Noah Pratt Henry Pratt Daniel Severance
Nathan Pratt Samuel Hill Abel Hammond
Justus Jewell Asa Allexander Ebenezer Bancraft
Moses Chamberlain Josiah Ward Asa Bancroft
Charles Conant Emery Gale Joseph Williams
Jacob Rich Robart Flemin William Bencraft
Asa Conant Enoch Robbins John Erskine
224
EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Joseph Jones
Abraham Scott
Philip Goss Jr
William Gould
Jon" Howard
Josiah Wheeler
John Barret
Thomas Butler
William Howe
Lemuel Whitney
Rob' R Field
Thomas W : Daven-
port
Cyprian Pearce
Samuel Or vis
Erastus Sargent
Nathaniel Sanger Jr
Daniel Fisher
Elihu Stebbens
Dan' Healy
Daniel Hawkins Jun'
Levi Ripley
Heniy Foster
David Hammond
John Everden
John Follet
Henry Thayer
Joseph Allen
Hezekiah Willis
Ezra Parker
Amasa Houghton
Elijah Butler
Benj" Conant
Jesse Scott
James Scott
Henry Ashley
Elijah Cooper
Stephen Coye
Joshua Frost
David Wolley
William Reed
Gard"' Chandler
Eben' Hoyt
Edward Morgan
Elisha Pierce
Jonathan Burt
Allyn Willard
John Evens
John Badger
Abraham wheeler
Eleazer Lawrence J"^
Eleazer Ripley
Jacob Fisk
Nath Bartlett
Abiel Naramore
John Alexander
Jeremiah Pratt
Ebenezer Kelmarn
Samuel wood
Samuel Healy
Eben'' Scott J''
Jesse Spaulding
Ezra Conant
Daniel Ashley
Philip Goss
Curtis Gould
John Alexander
Cyrus Shattuck
Vine Coye
John Barret Jun'
Nathan Thomas
Sam' Wellman
Elisha Briggs
Benj"* Doolittle
Wm. Paterson
David Joy Jr.
Thomas Sargeant
Daniel Thomas
William Fisher
Edward Gustine
Eleazor Lawrence
George Farrington
William Ripley
Daniel wise
Tho's Curtis
James foster
Lemuel Taylor
Tertius Lyman
Ziba Ware
Theodosius Moore
Nehemiah Healy
Lewis Wotkins
Reuben Alexander
Benjamin Linkfield
To the Hon the Senate & House of Representatives of the State
of New Hampshire in Gen' Court convened
The Petion of Nathan Willard of Hinsdale in the County of
Cheshire & State afors*^ humbly shews
that whereas there is a certain small Island situated in Con-
necticut River within the Township of Hinsdale called Gravil
Island unlocated and which never has been claimed as the prop-
erty of any person or Persons known to your Petioner and the
s*^ Isleand (tho of small value) would greatly benefit the s*^ Na-
than Willard as in a time of Low Water it almost communicates
with the Land extending to the adjacent Banks and as the s*
HINSDALE. 225
Island can never be of any real value while it remains in its
present situation your Petioner prays that the same may be
granted to him — And as in duty bound shall ever pray
Nathan Willard
Hinsdale May 30 A D 1795
[Petition granted June 10, 1796. — Ed.]
[R. 2-S7] \_Petition of Zebulo7t Moffatt^ Soldier^ ^JJ^t ^^"
dressed to the General Court. ~\
Zebulon Moftatt of Hindsdale in the County of Cheshire Hum-
bly shews and gives your Honors to be informed that in the
year 1776, your Petitioner was a soldier in the Continental
Army And served for the State of New Hampshire in Capt
Hinds Company, and in the Regiment of which General Reed
was Colonell & your Petitioner during the Campaign Furnished
himself at his own Expence with a Good Firelock and other
Implements necessary for a soldier expecting to enjoy his own
property and bring the same home with him, but when your
petitioner left the army the Firelock or Gun above-mentioned,
by order of the Commander in Chief, at Fort George, was taken
from your Petitioner, without his Consent and without ever be-
ing allowed anything in satisfaction. * * *
Chesterfield June 18* 1777
this May Certify that the Firelock taken from Zebulon Mof-
fatt was his property taken at Fort George 19"^ August 1776 &
Returned into the Continental Stores S*^ Firelock Valued at
£3, 12, o, for me
Jacob Hinds Cap'
[The said amount was allowed. — Ed.]
[R. 2-S9] \^Account for Soldiers' Bounties^ etc.~\
State of New Hampshire to the Selectmen of Hindsdale Dr.
1779 paid the State Bounty & travel money to
July 22 Thomas Bishop a Soldier rais'd for the
defence of Rhode Island, per Rec' 41, o,
27"^ paid Joel Preist State Bounty for i year
in the Continental Army pr Rec' to Cy- \ 60,-"-"
rus Shattuck,
17
226 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
■^"g' 3 paid Samuel Robins State Bounty for
one year in the Continental Army per |- 60,-
Rec' to Cyrus Shattuck
£161-"-"
Errors Excepted in behalf of the Selectmen of
Hindsdale per Moses Smith
In Committee on Claims Exeter Septem"' 16"^ 17S6
This account by the Scale, amounts to Ten pounds Eighteen
shillings — The vouchers are lodg'd in this office
Ex*^ per Josiah Oilman Jun''
June 20**^ 17S7 Rec*^ an order on the Treasurer for Ten
pounds eighteen shillings in full of the within account
Moses Smith
HOLDERNESS.
The township was granted Nov. 10, 175 1, to John Shep-
ard and others by the name of Holderness ; the conditions
of this grant not being fulfilled, it was forfeited. It was re-
granted Oct. 24, 1761, to Major John Wentworth and others,
some of whom were grantees by the first charter. Six of
the grantees bore the name of Shepard, and seven the name
of Cox. In this grant the town was named New Holder-
ness, in honor of Robert Earl of Holderness, and retained
that name until June 12, 18 16, when it was changed to
Holderness, in accordance with a vote of the town. It was
in the county of Strafford until it was annexed to Grafton,
Sept. 14, 1782. By an act approved July i, 1868, the south-
west part of the town was set off and incorporated by the
name of Ashland.
[5-103] \_Petition for a Regraiit of some forfeited Rights. '\
Province of Newhampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq Governour & com-
mander in chief & to the honourable his majestys councill
for said province of Newhampshire —
The petition of Samuel Livermore of Portsmouth in said
province Esq humbly shovveth that in and by the Charter of
HOLDERNESS. 22/
New Holderness One right or sixty seventh part was granted
to Sam^ Wentworth Esq. of Boston and One h'ke right or share
to Murry Hambleton ; that the said Grantees are both deceased
without taking any step towards fullfiUing the conditions of set-
tling said township, according to Charter. And that he this
Petitioner hath agreed with the heir that claims the right of
said Hambleton & purchased the same from him. The peti-
tioner therefore prays that said Hambletons right may be re-
granted to this petitioner & that the said Sam' Wentworth Esqrs
right may be granted to such person as will eftectuallv fullfiU
the conditions of the Charter & pay the taxes Due thereon.
And your petitioner as in duty bound shall pray &c
Sam Livermore
[5-103] \_Petition for Arms and A?nnuinitio7i^ ly/d.']
To the Hon''''^ the great and general Court or Committee of
Safty for the Colony of New Hampshire
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of New Hol-
derness, having gain'd Intelligence, that a considerable Part of
our Army in Canada have lately been forc'd bv our unnatural
Enemies (the British Troops in s"^ Canada) to retreat, and
relinquish their Ground ; and apprehending ourselves in the
greatest Danger from the s*' Troops, and scouting Parties of
Indians that may be sent down to annov and destroy us ; and
being in no Capacity for Defence do in Behalf of the s*^ Town
pray your Honours to send us by the Bearer hereof M'' Samuel
Curry the necessary Powder, Musquet-Balls and Flints for
thirty three able and effective men, (belonging to the s^ Town)
who are ready with their Lives and Fortunes to assert and
maintain the american Cause ; and we your humble Petitioners
as soon as may be will pay to your Honours, or the Committee
of Safety for the Time being, an Equivalent for the same ; and
as in Duty bound will ever pray &c
William Cox \ C^ Sam' Sheperd ) O
Samuel Curry j rT And"' Smyth > g
Nath" Thompson
o
3
[R. 2-90] \^Herc7des JMoofiey's Petitloft, iy/g.'\
To the Hon''''' the Council and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened
Humbly Shews Hercules Mooney Esq'' that in the year 1777
228 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
he was a Lieut Col° of a Regiment in the Service of the United
States of America at Ticonderoga — That the unfortunate Evac-
uation of the Fortress there he in the common Calamity by the
loss of his Horse the most of his Clothes and all his Camp
Equipage to a very considerable value — that he has never had
any Consideration for his Losses — that being now appointed to
the command of a Regiment to go to Rhode Island he is under
a Necessity of supplying himself with such articles as he then
lost the Expence of which he cannot conveniently support un-
less he is compensated for his said Losses — * * *
Exeter June 26"" 1779
Hercules Mooney
[The petition was ordered to lie until the next session,
and he was " allowed ;!^200, to be accounted for." He peti-
tioned in June, 1786, representing himself as of New Hol-
derness, for the depreciation of his pay, which was allowed.
—Ed.]
[R. 291] \^Holderness Soldier, iy82.']
I have this Day mustered Isaac Head to serve as a soldier
three years in the New Hampshire Line and to serve for the
town of Holderness
Pembrook July 26, 1782
E. Frye Cap' m ma''
[5-104] \_jRefut'n of Ratable Polls, 1783. ']
We the Subscribers Do hereby Certifie that we have this Day
Numbered the Rateable polls of the Male Inhabitants from
Twenty one Years old & upwards of the Town of Newholder-
ness, which we find to Amount in Number to 37 Polls and No
More Given Under our Hands Newholderness December the
8"^ 17S3
Mich' Dwyer j g^j^^^ ^^^
Samuel Curry j
Grafton ss December 8"" 1783 The foregoing return was
sworn to by the said selectmen.
Cor. Sam' Liverraore Chief Justice
[5-105] \_Relative to Class for Representative, lyS^J^
Sir, this is to certify, that it is our Desire to be Disconnected
HOLDERNESS. 229
with Lincorn, and frankcony, as we are at two great a Des-
tance, to attend their meetings there or they to attend here and
as we Suppose there Is Enough of freeholders in tliese tliree
towns, to answer for a Destrict —
We requst, to have our Desires presented to the Court, in so
Doing you^ oblige your humble Servants —
Andrew Smith
Mich' Dwyer
>• Selectmen
The number of voters in this town is forty five
New Holderness October 20, 17S5
Noah Worcester Esq'
[5-106] \_Major Samuel Shepard recotnmended for a Mag-
istrate^ i/8g.^
State of New Hampshire
To his Excellency the President and Honourable Council for
the State aforesaid
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the Town of New
Holderness and other Towns adjacent Humbly sheweth that a
Justice of the Peace is much wanted in said Town therefore
beg leave to nominate and recommend Major Samuel Shepard
of said Town as a person well quallified and Suitable for that
office who they pray may be appointed thereto and your Peti-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray &C —
Portsmouth December 23'' 17S9
Richard Shepard Samuel Curry Andrew Baker
John Thompson Nath thompson John Bayley
Levi Drew Edward Senter william Plaisted
William Hodgkins David Webster Jun'' Mich' Dwyer
Thomas Crawford Willm Piper Sam' Shepard
Tho' Hill Jolii^ Shepard John sweeny
S. L. Blair Joseph Shepard Joseph Senter
John Shaw Samuel Bickford Bryan Sweeny
Joseph Cochran Charles Cox 3'''' Robert Hill
John Whitten William Hogan Charles Cox
David Blair John Lowd Joseph Sheperd
Jacob Shepard John Cox Thomas Sheperd
William Cox Nathanl piper Stephen Morse
Jonathan Crawford Jacob Ellison
David Webster John Mooney
230 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-107] \_Ag-ainst the Appointment of Samuel Shepardr\
To the Honourable president and Council of this State —
Whereas there is a petition Circulating in the Town of New
Holderness for Maj. samuel Shepard to be Appointed Justice
of the peace, and whereas the inhabitants of said town have
ben misled to sign said pertition, and whereas the j^ertitioners
upon a Reconsideration do think that the two Justice, alReady
in town, is sufficient for said town, therefore your pertitioners
do humbly pray, that said shepard may not be appointed — and
your pertitioners will allways pray — &. C.
Joshua Smyth William Smyth Hugh Ramsey
And''' Smyth James Smyth John Whitten
John Clark Archelaus Innis James Cox
John Smith Jo'"'i^ Innis
Robert cox Caleb Smvth
[5-10S] {^Petition for the laying out of a Road from Ply-
mouth to Hill^ lygS.']
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
The Subscribers respectfully shew that a road from Plymouth
Court House across the River into New Holderness and thence
on the most suitable ground near the River through New Hol-
derness and New Hampton and across the River again to the
house of Captain Cutting Feavour in New Chester would be
very useful to the public — That the Laws of this State do not
empower any Court to lay out such Road, the same having to
pass through a part of two Counties — Wherefore they pray the
Legislature to pass an Act authorizing some suitable persons,
at the expence of the petitioners if thought proper, to survey,
and if in their opinion the public good requires it, to lay out
such Road, ordering the Towns respectively to compensate In-
dividuals for damage done by means of the road passing on
their Lands —
Nov' 1798 —
W'" Webster Chauncey Holmes Samuel Cook
Israel Blake John Blake David Webster
Rob' Towle G W Livermore A. Livermore
Thomas Bartlet Moody Cook John Lowd
Eben'' Little William Smyth Samuel Holmes
John Brown John Porter
HOLLIS. 231
MOLLIS.
Thomas Brattle, Jonathan Tyng, and 24 others, petitioned
the general court of Massachusetts, Sept. 15, 1673, O. S.,
for a grant of land on what was then and for many years
thereafter the frontier; and on the i6th day of October fol-
lowing (October 27, 1673, N. S.) received a grant of the
large tract of land afterwards known as the township of
Dunstable, which included nearly all of the present town of
Hollis.
Dec. 28, 1739, the westerly portion of Dunstable was
"erected into a separate and distinct precinct" by the gov-
ernment of Massachusetts, and went by the name of West
Dunstable until April 3, 1746, when in answer to a petition
from the inhabitants about one half of it was incorporated
with full town privileges by the governor and council of the
province of New Hampshire, and named Holies. I think
there can be no reasonable doubt about the origin or
orthography of this name. Benning Wentworth was gov-
ernor of the province, and owed his position to Thomas
Pelham Holies, Duke of New Castle, who was colonial sec-
retary. It is well known that Gov. Wentworth named many
of the towns in this state in honor of his friends, sometimes
when the inhabitants had petitioned to be incorporated with
a name of their own choosing, they preferring to accept a
name which was distasteful to them rather than incur
the governor's displeasure, and perhaps refusal to grant
their charter. As to the orthography of the name of
the Duke of New Castle, I think John Farmer is mis-
taken in writing it Hollis, as there are manuscript docu-
ments in the ofifice of the secretary of state to which the
duke signed his name " Holies New Castle." That the
town was named for him I think there can be no question ;
and because of his ignorance and detestable character, its
citizens were justified in changing it to Hollis, as they evi-
dently did to perpetuate the name of Thomas Hollis, the
benefactor of Harvard college.
Dec. 13, 1763, the place called One Pine Hill was annexed
to Hollis, thus extending its domains further east. March
30, 1769, a strip was taken from the west side of the town
one and a quarter miles wide, and with " mile slip " incorpo-
rated into the town of Raby (Brookline). A small addition
232 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
was made to the town May 14, 1773, of land taken from
Dunstable.
On the 17th day of February, 1786, a strip three quarters
of a mile wide, the entire length of the west side of the
town, was annexed to Raby.
Hollis has a record for service in the Revolution not
exceeded by any town of its size in the state, and the town
furnished more than its quota of men for the suppression
of the slave-owners' rebellion. Many eminent men were
born or received their early training in the town: among the
latter was Joseph E. Worcester, LL. D., the lexicographer.
[R. 2-92] \_Peter Wheeler's Petit ioft^iySi. '\
[In a petition dated " Holies January the 27*'^ 1761," Pe-
ter Wheeler states that he "was in his Majestys Sarves in
the year 1759 in Cap* Nemiah Lovewells Company in Col*
Zac"^ Lovewells Regiment, and that your Petitioner was
taken sick about the 23'^ day of July at Ticontiroga and sent
down to Albany flats," was sick there, and also on the way
home, where he arrived Nov. 15. He asked for relief, and
was allowed jQc^, 15, sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-93]
[Joshua Wright, of Hollis, had a son in the army in 1760,
name not given, who was taken sick and died at Crown
Point. — Ed.]
[5-1 11] \_SeIectmefi''s Account for taking- an Inventory of
New Ipsivich^ l'/6l.'\
Persuant to a Precept from the assembly to bring in a True
Inventory of poles Lands &c Signed by M' Clarkston we the
subscribers Select men for the Town of holies have ben to N :
Ipswich & taken a True Invoice according to y* best of our
Judgment we was three Dayes upon s*^ business & Charge £.iz
p^ Day old Ten"" which sum please to pay to Ensign Sam'^ Ho-
bart and you' Oblige Y"" Humble Serv*^
Holies 15 Ap^ 1761 ^n"w^K°/ [ Select men
Total £36-0-0 Abel Webster j
MOLLIS. 233
[5-1 1 2] \^PetUio7i from Ifihabitants of Dunstable to be An-
7iexed to Hollis^ iy62.'\
Pi^ovince of New h amp —
To His Excell^ Benning Wentvvorth Esq Gov^ &c of the Prov-
ince of Nevvhamp : the Hon''''^ his Majestys Council and As-
sembly of said Pi^ovince —
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants
of the North Westerly Part of Dunstable in said Province
Humblv Shews, that your Petitioners Live very Remote from
the Meeting house in said Dunstable (the Chief of us near
Seven miles) by reason of which we cannot Attend the Public
worship of God there without Great Inconveneancey to our-
Selves & Familys and as we Lye very Contiguous to Holies
meeting house where we once belonged and hclp'd settle a
Minister there before w^e were Incorporated to Dunstable and
have ever since done Considerable towards his Suport and At-
tended his meeting — Notwithstanding all this we have cheefly
paid our full Proportion towards Preaching in Dunstable when
we could have no Priviledge thereby by reason of the Distance
we Live from there meeting house we have often requested
of Dunstable to Either abate our Minister rate or set us oft' to
Holies but they Wholley Refues to do either which Constrains
us to make this Application to y"" Excels & Hon" Desireing
your Consideration and Aid in y*^ Premises by freeing us from
Suporting the Gosple where we can have no benefit thereby
and add us to Holies or otherwise as y"' Excels & Hon''* shall
see meet and y"' Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
&c—
Dated at Dunstable Sep"" S : 1762
Amos Phillips Ebenezer Hartshorn Jonathan Hobail
Daniel more J^^h'^ VVilloughby David Hobart
Gersliam Hobart Joseph ferly Jonathan Russ
Elnathan Blood Benj=' Parker James Hobart
[The foregoing petition was from the inhabitants of what
was called " One Pine Hill." It was strongly opposed, and
for the time defeated, by Dunstable. The following spring
the Pine Hill people procured the services of Col. Samuel
Hobart, and renewed the contest. A committee appointed
by the general court went and investigated the matter. It
was a bitter fight, but resulted in the annexation of Pine
Hill to Hollis by an act passed Dec. 13, 1763. — Ed.]
234 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-113]
Att a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies
March the 5"* 1764 —
Voted to measure east from Holies meeting house to the East
Line of the Town and then measure west from the said Meet-
ing House the Sam Length of line and all to the west by a
north and south line to be settofl'to the Mile Strip* So Called
A true Copy p"" Sam" Cumings Town Clerk
Holies May the : 1764 —
[5-114]
Att a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies
March the 7"' 1768 —
Voted ofl' the West end of the Town according to a Vote of
the Town att their meeting march the 5'^ 1764 Provided they
fulfill their obligation that was made Relating the same — and
Messires Sam" Farley and Sam" Brown has Renewed their ob-
ligation according to said vote
Holies may the 17* 1768 —
Pr. Sam" Cumings Town Clerk
[5-1 15] \_Appotnime7it of Sa?mi el Farley^ Age7it^ i'/68.~\
We the subscribers Inhabitance of the Westwardly part of
the Town of HoUis & the Inhabitance & the freeholders of the
Tract of Land Call** the Mile Slip, in the Province of New
Hampshire do constitute and Appoint Samuel Farley of Holies
Gen' to be our agent Attorney and Trustee in our names and
Stead to Petition His Excellency the Governer, the Honour''^*
His Majesties Counsel & House of Representatives, That we
the Inhabitance afores*^ may be set off & Incorporated as a Dis-
tinct Town —
January 6"^ 1768 —
George rusell Samuell Russel mathw Wallis
archibald M'intosh Daniel Shed Jonathan powers
James mcDannell William Blanchard Isaac Shattuck
Thomas Asten Benj Shattuck Swallow Tucker
Nathanael Patten james Conek Robert Sever
Sam' Brown Elexander M'^intosh Peter Honey
[* A piece of ungrauted land between the Masonian grant of Mason and this town, now
in Brookline. — Ed.]
HOLLIS. 235
Isaac Stevens Joh" Cumings Sam^^ Farley
Simeon Blanchard James Nutting Rose Dicky
Josua Smith Fra' Buttrick william Spaulding
Abegill Spaulding Henery Spaulding Robart Cambell
James Cambell Clark Brown James Nutting Juner
[5-1 16] Petitiott for the Fo7-7natio7i of a Neiv T'ozvti, l'/68.'\
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq'' Governor & Com-
mander in Chief, in & over his Majestys Province of New
Hampshire, & the Honourable his Majestys Council of said
Province —
Humbly sheweth Samuel Farley of Holies, in said Province,
in behalf of himself, & sundry of the Inhabitants, living in the
westerly side of said Holies, & in a Tract of Land adjoining to
the same. Called the Mile Strip ; that those persons live very
Remote from the Meeting House in said Holies, that to attend
the Publick Worship of God there, is attended with much
Travil.—
Wherefore your Petitioner prays in behalf of said Inhabi-
tants,— that the westerly part of said Holies may be set oB', &
Joined to the Tract of Land called the Mile Strip, & be made
a Town (or a seperate Parish from Holies) or otherwise as
your Excellency & Honors shall see Meet, & your Petitioner
as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated May 19''' 1768
Sam" Farley
[5-109] \_Petitio)ifor the Forinatio^t of a Netv Tozvn^ ^7^9-]
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General,
Governor & Commander in chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire And to the Honourable his
Majestys Councel for said Province —
The Petition of Samuel Farley, in behalf of himself, & a
number of the Inhabitants, in the westerly part of Holies, &
the Mile Strip so called, in said Province humbly sheweth, that
your Petitioners, in the said westerly part of Holies, are so re-
mote from the Centre of said Town, by reason of the distance,
that they cannot attend Town priviledges, without great diffi-
culty & expence, & that the Inhabitants of the Mile Strip afore-
said, are not Incorporated, but are destitute of Town privi-
lidges, wherefore your Petitioner Prays as aforesaid, that your
Excellency & Honours would take of the westerly part of Hoi-
236 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
les aforesaid & Incorporate the same together with the Mile
Strip, into a Seperate or distinct Town, witli the same Privi-
ledges of other Towns & your Petitioner as in Duty Bound
shall ever pray
Sam'^ Farley
[A plan accompanied the foregoing (Vol. 5, No. iioi)
with a description of boundaries as follows : — Ed.]
[5-1 10] \_Boundaries of Raby^ iy6g.'\
Beginning at a Stake & Stones in the South Side Line of the
Town of Holies which is also the Province Line which Stake
stands about two miles due East from the south west Corner of
said Holies, thence running north by the Needle cross the said
Town to one other Stake & Stones standing in the North Side
Line of Said Holies, leaving the meeting House in said Holies
in the midle between this Line & the East Side Line of Holies,
then running from the last mentioned Stake Westerly by Holies
to the North West Corner thereof then continuing that Line
cross a Tract call'd the Mile Slip to the easterly side Line of
Mason —
thence turning off & running south by the Needle on the
easterly side Line of Mason — afores'' to the Province Line then
due east partly on the Province Line & partly on the South
Side Line of Holies afore Said to Stake began at
[The foregoing petition was successful, and a new town
was incorporated by the governor and council, March 30,
1769, in accordance with the above described boundaries.
The town was named Raby for a town in the north of Eng-
land, whence came some of its settlers. That town is now
called Brookline. — Ed.]
[5-1 1 S] \_Ag-reenient relative to extendhig the Toxvit fiirther
East, 1773.']
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies held
April y^ 12*^^ 1773 —
We the Subscribers being a Committee of the Town of Hol-
ies, to Agree with Dunstable, or their Committee, with respect
of extending the easterly line of Holies so far east as to Include
Messers Merrel & Jaquith with their Improvements and to be
Annexed to Holies, in order for an Accomodation with respect
of the Bridge &c
In consequence whereof we have met with Dunstable Com-
HOLLIS. 237
mittee and have mutualy agreed that the easterly line of s^
Holies be extended eastwardly on the following Bounds, viz
To begin at a stake and Stones about fifteen Rods below Buck-
medow falls at the River which is j\r Jaquiths northerly corner,
thence running southerly on a Straight Line to a Pine Tree on
the River bank, wich is said Jaquiths southwesterly^ corner —
April y« S'"" 1773
John Boynton ^
Reuben Dow V Comt'®
Sam" Cumings J
Voted to Except of the Above Report, and the easterly Line
of Holies be extended According to said Bound
A Trew Copy Attest Sam'^ Cumings Town Clerk
[5-1 19] \_Petition of Dunstable Parties to be an?iexed to
Hollis^ i773.'\
Province of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Prov-
ince, and the Honourable his Majestys Council, and House
of Representatives in General Assembly Conven*^ in May
1773—
The Memorial of the Subscribers Humbly sheweth, that
Your memorialists are Inhabitents in the southwesterly corner
of Dunstable in said Province, that our Situation is so Remote
from the Meeting House in said Dunstable, that we and our
Families cannot conveniently Attend the publick Worship of God
there, by Reason of the Distance ; & that we are about three
Miles nearer to the Meeting House in Holies, then we are to
Dunstable ; that if we & our Lands were Annexed to Holies,
it would be much more for our benefit & Advantage and Your
Memorialists beg leave to Acquaint Your Excellency and Hon-
ours, that Nashua River is the Boundary Line where we live,
between said Dunstable and Holies, that the River there is not
in Either of the Townes, as Dunstable Bounds on the east side,
& Holies on the west side, that a dispute haith Arose between
these two Towns with Respect to Building a Bridge Over said
River, on A Publick Antient Road leading through our Im-
provements, and as the River is not in either of the Towns
where said Road Crosses, so the Bridge could not be built
Unless by Subscription, (as the Bridge built there, by Sub-
scription was Cary** away, by y® water & Ice) or by Applica-
tion to the Legislature, and in order for an Accommadation we
238 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
proposed that if Dunstable would set us ofl" to Holies, and that
if Holies would receive us, that we would do considerable part
towards building said Bridge, over and above our Quota ;
whereupon the said Towns Agreed to accept of our proposals,
and Agreed that we and our Lands should be Annexed to
Holies &c —
Wherefore we pray that Your Excellency & Honours would
be pleased to Attend to our Memorial, and annex and Incorpo-
rate us, and our Lands to and with Holies by the following
lines & Bounds According to our agreement viz. Begining at a
stake & stones on the Bank of the River, standing about fifteen
rods below buck Medow falls so called, which is the northerly
Bound of said Jaquiths Land, thence Running Southerly a
Straight line to a Pine tree on the River Bank, being said Ja-
quiths Southwesterly Corner, thence down the River Including
the same to the place began at ; and that we may be Exonerated
and Discharged from paying any Taxes, and proforming any
Duty's at said Dunstable and that all said Tract of Land Im-
proved and Unimproved, may be made a part of Holies, as
Much to all Intents and purposes as if it had ben within the
Original Boundarys, and Incorporation thereof, and we as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.
April 30"^ 1773 Daniel Merril
Ebenezer Jaquith
[The foregoing petition was granted by an act passed
May 14, 1773. A plan of the line is to be found in Manu-
script Vol. 5, No. 121. — Ed.]
[5-120] \_Coiisefzi of Dii}7stable to the _foreg'oi?tg:~\
At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Tov^^n of Dun-
stable April the 19'^ 1773
Voted that the Easterly Line of Holies be Extended Easterly
to the following Bounds (Viz) to begin at a Stake and Stones
about fifteen rods below Buck Meadow falls at the River which
is M"" Jaquiths northerly Corner thence Runing southerly on a
strait line to a Pine Tree on the River Bank which is said Ja-
quiths Southwesterly Corner, according to a Vote of the s*^ Town
of Holies april the 12 1773: Provided that the s*^ Town of
Dunstable be forever Excused from any future Cost to Effect
the same, & Building & maintaining a Bridge over Nashua
River at or near s*^ Jaquiths Mills —
A True Copy, Attest Jo^ Whiting Town Clerk
MOLLIS.
239
[5-122] \_Relative to a Hollis man enlisted t?t Massachusetts
Regitnent^ lyyS.']
State of the massachusetts Bay —
In the Hows of Representatives Jan'' y* 31 — 1778 on the Pe-
tition of Uriah Wright In Behalf of the Selectmen of the town
of Holies In the State of NewHamp" setting forth that one
Eli Stiles of Said Holies did Inlist Him Self Into the Service
for the town of Littleton In this State and Wase mustered by
James Barrett Esq"" and Receved the Contenantal and this States
Bounty and Whereas said Eli Stiles Is also Inlisted In said
Holies & Reckoned for a Soldier for said town and also Reck-
oned for a Soldier In said town of Littleton —
Resolved that it appears to this Court that the said Eli Stiles
ought to be Considered as a Soldier for the town of Holies he
belonging to said town and Not to be Reckoned for the town
of Littleton and that upon the said uriah Wrights paying back
to James Barrett Esq' both the Contenantal and this States
Bounty the said Eli Stiles be Discharged from being a Soldier
for said Littleton the said James Barrett Esq"" to be accountable
to this Court for the Bounties afore Said
Sent up for Concurrence J. Warren Speaker
In Counsell Janwary y^ 31 — 177S
Read and Concurred — John Avery D^ Secrety
Consented to by the ma' Part of the Counsell
A true Copy Attest John Avery D^' Secretary
[5-1 23] [^Relative to Appoint>nent of Officers in the Militia^
i775-'\
Colony of New Hampshire —
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holies —
Publickly Notified, Voted Unanimously that this Town accept
& highly Approve of the Plan proposed by the Hon" Congress
as a Rule for a General Representation for this Colony in future,
it also represented to this Town that the Hon" Congress for s**
Colony propose to Appoint Field officers for the Regiment
lately Commanded by Col" Lutwyche,* at their next sessions at
[*Col. Edward Ooldstone Lutwyche came with his mother, Mrs. Sarah Lutwyche, to Mer-
rimack in 1760, and occupied a farm and ferry which his mother possessed by a legacy from
a relative. He was an educated man, and by profession a lawyer Wht^n news came of the
battle at Lexington, April 19, 1775, he was in command of the Fifth regiment of the provin-
cial militia, and was importuned by his officers and men to march them against the " com-
mon enemy," which he refused to do, and tried to discourage others from going. Some
time during the night of the 20th of April, he left home clandestinely and joined General
Gage in Boston. He was at Long Island in January, 1777, and probably went to England.
His property was confiscated by the state, and the ferry privilege granted to Hon. Matthew
Thcrnton, signer of the I 'eclaration of Independence; and the locality still bears the name
of Thornton's Ferry — Ed.]
240 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Exeter, therefore unanimously Voted that this Town beg Leave
to Recomend Col" John Hale Esq"" as a suitable Person to Com-
mand s'^ Rigement — also Unanimously Voted to Recomend
Major Robart Reed as a suitable Person to be Lieu' Col° of s*^
Regiment
Holies Ocf 35* 1775
A True Copy Attest
William Nevens Moderator
To the Hon" Congress
for the Colony of New Hampshire
[5-124] \_Relative to the Estates of Absentees^ ^779'~\
State of Newhampshire Hillsborough ss
To the Hono''' the Consel and General assembley of Said
State—
This Information and Petition of the Select men of the town
of Holies In s'^ vState In Behalf of the town Humbly sheweth
that thair is In this town several tracks of Land that belonged
to the absentees of the State of the massachusetts Bay (Viz)
the one half of five hundred acres that Belonged to Col°^ Will-
iam Brattle In Partnership With andrew oliver Esq"" of Salam
and one third of three hundred acres that Belonged to Co^
William Brown In Paitnership With the Heirs of the Late
Colo' Brown and a Lot of about fifty or sixty acres that be-
longed to George Curwin of Salam — and s^ Land Hase Ben
taxed agreeble to the Law of this State and No Person having
appered to ^^ay the taxes on s** Browns and Brattles Land alltho
the other owners have paid thair part of s*^ taxes as to Curwins
Land thair Was a Peace of that Sold to pay one years tax and a
Person appears to pay the Rest but We apprehend it is With
Desire to Keep the Land and to Prevent it from falling to the
State Where it belonges and as thair is three years taxes Now
Dew on s*^ Browns and Brattles Land amounting In the Whole
to the Sum of £52-15-5 With some Cost of advertizing the
two Last years taxes it Being advertised for Sail but the Van-
due Wase stoped as We found out that it Wase Land that be-
longed to absentees and so Would of Cours fall to the State —
the tax Now Due on s** Curwins Land is JC 10-7-0
Wherefore We Pray your Honors to take the matter Into
your Wise Consideration and Pase Some order Which Way
We Shall Come by said taxes as our taxes are Large and our
Constables are uneasy to be Called on for money and thair be-
ing Some part that thay Cant git and thay think that thay must
MOLLIS. 241
Sell the Land to Pay s*^ taxes if No thing is Don In the afair,
and your Petitioners as In Deuty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Holies October y^ 23 — 1779
The Cost of advertising Hase Ben JC3-0-0
Noah Worcester ] Select men
Oliver Lawrence j of Holies
[5-135] \_Estaies of Hoi/is Absentees, Jy'/Q.'l
State of Nevvhampshire Hillsborough ss.
To the Hon**^ The Council and General assambley or Com-
mittee of Safety of S*^ State —
In obedience to a Resolve of S*^ General assembley Pased
November y*^ 10-1779 We Doe Inform and Hearby Return that
thair is In the town of Holies The Folowing Places and tracts
of Land (Viz) A Farm owned By Benjemine Whitting Esq""
Containg good Buildings and about 50 acres of Land In Several
Peaces the taxes assest thair on Have Ben Reccovered Without
Selling of the Land.
allso a farm owned By Samuel Cumings Esq"' Consisting of
good Buildings and about 120 acres of Land the taxes of W hich
Have allso Ben got Except £3-9-0- In y^ year i 778
allso A Place owned By Breed Batchelder Esq'' of Packers-
field Containg about 50 acres With Some Building thair on the
taxes of Which Have Ben all paid By the Improver
allso 200 acres owned By Co' William Brattle In Partnership
With andrew oliver Esq'' of Salam
allso 100 acres owned by Co' William Brown of Salam In
Partner Ship With the heirs of the Late Co' Will"' Brown the
taxes of Which are all Due Which are as folowes (Viz)
In 1777 S'' 300 acres Wase taxed the Sum of £6-13-6
In 1778 £5- 1-6
In 1779 £39- 0-0
Total -£54- 4-0
Holies Janewary y^ 14-1780
N B We Had Ben at the Cost of advertsing olivers and Brat-
tles Land Before We Knew it to Be tory Land
Which Wase £^-0-0
£54-4 Noah Worcester^ Select
3-9 Stephen Ames ^ men of
3- Oliver Lawrence 3 Hollis
18
242 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-126] \^Acco?ifi^ of Sale of Conjiscated Counterfeiters^ ToolSy
1780.-]
Agreable to the order of the General assembley of this State
Pased february y^ 12-1780 the folowing is an account of the
Sail of Sundry articles that I Had In Possion Innumerated In
Said order to Geather With my Bill of Expences (Viz)
The Whole of the articles Sold at Vendue Came to £113-0-0'
an account of my Bill of Expences (Viz)
to a Serch Warrent £2- 5-0
to my time In Said afair Examining mr farnsworth
and Indeveouring to make further Discoverys 6- 0-0
to Cash Paid to the officsor and His assistance In
Several Serches 27-16-0
to a Journey to Esq'' Claggets for advice 4-19-0
to my Journey to Exeter 62- o-O'
to the Cost of the Vandue 10- 0-0
total £1 13- 0-0
Holies Apriel y^ 13-17S0
Erors Excepted per Noah Worcester
I Rest it with your Honors Wisdom and Generousity Weather
you Will make me any further alowance for the Service I Have
Don the State In my Exerting my Self In order to Detect and
Bring to Light the Said Vile and Distructive Plan and gitting
Position of a Whole Set of money tools — and Remain your
most Plumble Servant
Noah Worcester
To the Hon*"^ The Counciel and asambley of the State of New-
hampshire
[R. 2-94] ^Petition of Capt. Reuben Doxu, 1778.']
State of New Hamp"^
To the Honorable The Council & House of Representatives for
said State in General Court Assembled at Exeter December
1778.
The Petition of Cap' Reuben Dow humbly sheweth
That your Petitioner animated with a true Zeal to serve his
Country Ingaged in the Service of the United States of America
immediately upon the Commencement of Hostilities & had the
honor to Command a Company, & attended his duty in that
Station with great delight & pleasure to himself & to the satis-
faction & approbation of the Public
HOLLIS. 243
That on the 16* Day of June 1775, he togethei' with his Com-
pany with others was ordered to take possession of the ground
near Bunker Hill, & on the 17"' day was in the Heaviest part
of the Battle at said Hill, at which time he had the Alisfortune
to be wounded in his right Ancle, by a musket Ball, which
broke & much fractured the Bones, which caused him great
pain & distress for a long time before it was healed — by means
whereof he has lost the use of that joint, which renders him in-
capable of performing his duty in his Station, or undergoing
the fatigues & hardships of the war — & whereby he is prevented
from using and exercising (in a great measure) his usual and
necessary occupation and business, for which he has received
no consideration —
Wherefore he humbly prays your honors to take his case into
your consideration & grant him such relief as your honors
shall see fit, & your Petitioner as in Duty bound ever prays
Reuben Dow
Holies December 20"' 1778
N. B. Cap' Reuben Dow Rec** his pay as Cap' untill the last
Day of Decem'' A. D. 1775 —
[The committee on sick and wounded officers and soldiers
reported that he was entitled to half pay for one year from
Jan. I, 1776, and quarter pay thenceforth until otherwise
ordered.
Captain Dow's company, of fifty-nine Hollis men, was in
Col. William Prescott's Massachusetts regiment. This town
also had four men in Capt. Moor's company, same regiment,
and eight men in Col. Reed's regiment. — Ed.]
[R. 2-95] \_Aid to the Family of yacob Danfo7-th^ i'/yg.'\
Hollis November y" 15, 1779 Received of the selectmen of
Holies thirty-three Pound three Shillings and three Pence In full
for my travel visits and medicions for the wife of Jacob Dan-
forth one of our Continental Soldiers for three years
Per me Jon'' Fox Physicion
I acknowledge the above Charge of Doc' fox against my Hus-
band Jacob Danforth to Be Just and true
her
Per me Anna X Danforth.
mark
Janewary y^ 1S-1780
244 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[She also acknowledged the receipt of provisions amount-
ing to £114, 9, 6, which she had received at different times
during the year 1779. — Ed.]
[R. 2-96] \^Soldiers' Petitio?i for an Allowance for the De-
preciation of their Pay ^ i'/8l.~\
The petition of the subscribers inhabitants of the town of
Holies in the County of Hillsborough and vState of New Hamp-
shire.—
Most Humbly Sheweth, That in July 1779, there was a Re-
quisition for a number of men to Go into the Continental Ser-
vice for the said Town, and your Petitioners were hired to Go
for one year. * * *
Holies June 9"^ 17S1
Caleb Stiles Joseph Stearns Ephraim Pairce
Simeon Foster William Tenney for JerathMeel bovvers
[These men served in Col. Moses Nichols's regiment. —
Ed.]
[R. 3-97] \_Relative to Lemuel Bloody Soldier^ I'j82.'\
The Deposition of Lemuel Blood of Holies In the County of
Hillsborough and State of Newhampshire of Lawful age who
testifies and says that he was a Soldier In the Contenental army
in the year 17S0 for the term of six months for the town of Hol-
ies and that he was on Command Near North Castle and was
taken prisoner by a party of the Cow Boys so Called on the
Ninth Day of November 1780 and was Caried to New york and
that he made his Escape from the Enemy on or about the tenth
Day of December 17S0 and that he understood that the six
months men was all discharged so that he did Not Return to
Campt to git a discharge But made the Best of His way home
and found all the soldiers that he went with at Plome Holies
June y* 15, 1782 Lemuel Blood
[Sworn before Noah Worcester. — Ed.]
[R. 2-98]
[Reuben Blood and William Connick testify as to what
they know about the matter. They were in the service at
the same time, and were discharged Dec. 4, 1780. — Ed.]
HOLLIS. 245
[R. 2-100]
[Jeremiah Prichard, " of Holies," states that he was ap-
pointed "adjutant to the First Regiment of the New Hamp-
shire forces in January, 1778, and did that duty until June
following, when a new arrangement took place." He asks
for extra pay for said service. — Ed.]
[R. 2-101] \_SoIdiers' Orders.']
[William Hale ordered what wages may be due him for
service in the army, in 1780, to be paid to Augustus Blan-
chard. (Date cut off.)
John Bonner ordered ;^24, which was due him for service
in the Second New Hampshire Regiment, in 1 781, to be
paid to Samuel Walker. This order was dated November
23, 1782, and has attached an acknowledgment before Jer-
emiah Pritchard, selectman, dated " Holies, July 26'^ 1784."
—Ed.]
[R. 2-102]
To John T. Oilman Esq"" Treasurer for the State of New
Hampshire Pleas'd to pay Daniel Emerson Jr. all that is due
to us for our Service in the Continental army one year (from
July 1779 to July 17S0) in Cole' Scamil Regiment and his Re-
ceipt Shall be vour discharge from us and you will much oblige
your humbel Servants
Holies July y« 5"^ 1784
Test Solomon Rogers ) Caleb Stiles Caleb Stiles Jun
Sam' Emerson f Ephraim Pairce Grant Powers
his
Simeon Foster Jacob X Hobart
his mark
Joseph X Starns
mark
[5-127] \_Relativc to Estate of WiUiai7i Broxvn., an Absefitee,
1784--]
in the year 1782 the Land of Col" William Brown in Hollis
an Absentee was taxed Seventeen Shillings & two pence one
246 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
fai'thing — which we pray may be allow'd according to a Partic-
ular act of this State in that Case made &c —
Hollis Ocf iS"^ 17S4
W™ Cumings ) Select
Jeremiah Prichard J men
Re'' an order on the Treasry for the above Sum
Daniel Emerson Ju""
[5-1 28] \_Relative to the Restoration of JSIonson^ i'/82.'\
To the Hon'"'*' Council and house of Representatives to be Con-
vened at Concord in September Anno Domini 1782 —
We the Subscribers or a number of us vSubscribed our names
to a petition praying that your honours would Restore the An-
cient Town of Monson to its former Situation as to boundaries,
& that it might be invested with the same powers & immunities
which said town formerly held and Enjo3'ed — And whereas
upon further Consideration we are well Satisfyed that it will be
a Great Disadvantage to all the inhabitants of the tract of Land
formerly Called Monson if the prayer of said petition should be
Granted, because we Consider that the inhabitants who are set-
tled up thro' the middle of the town are Chiefly new, and pay
but a very small proportion of taxes, as yet, and we see that our
present taxes are heavy, and making new roads from the various
parts of said town to the Centre, together with the many other
Charges to which Towns are Subjected, we are Convinced will
be Exceedingly burdensome —
Wherefore we humbly pray your honours would not Grant
the prayer of said petition, but that you would Alltogether Re-
ject the same, and 3'our humble petitioners will ever pray &c.
Holies Septem^ 14"" 1782 —
David Wallingsford
Rich*^ Bayley
[5-129] \_Petitio7ters' Tax^ 1/82. '\
The first State Tax for 17S2 —
Neh'' French
£1, 14,
2, 3
William French J
2,
18,
9
Benj* Messer
iS,
2,
Tim" Emerson J"" i.
, 2,
6,
I
Joseph French
I, 6,
7' 2
Tim° Emerson
17.
0,
3
Ivory Hovey
15.
9,
Silas Spaulding — i.
16,
3'
3'
William French
12,
I, I
Jonas Shattuck —
iS,
2,
Oliv"' Bowers
I, 17'
10, I
Eben"" Gillson
19'
I,
Jerahmeel Colb;
urn new
Comei
'
~
"~"
£15;
;iS:
7-
2
I,
I,
2,
I
15.
9.
14^
6,
3
£i6,
18,
8,
I
15.
iS,
h
2
HOLLIS. 247
DavidWalIingford£3, 6, 4, John Starns
Edward Foster — i, 8, 1,2 Jotham Starns-
Starns Needham i, I3, 5, 3 Rob' Perkins —
Jon'' Danforth 3, 3, 9, 3
Tho^ Emerson i, 16, 11, i
Merah™ Leamon i, i, 11,
Jon. Spaulding i, i, 10, I
Benj Emerson 15, 9, Total 32, 17, 3, 3
The above sums affixed to the Names above written is their
first State Tax for 17S2 taken from the Town Records —
Attest WilHam Cumings, Town Clerk
HollisNov^ iS'" 17S2—
The first State Tax for 1 7S2—
Rob* Colburn — £1, 19, 11, 2 Rob' Colburn J"" £2, 14, 8, 2
Nath" Colburn — 2, 8, 8, Benj Colburn — 2, 15, 1,1
Dan' Bay ley — 2, 8, 5, 2 Joel Bay ley — 18, 2,
Dan'BayleyJr 12, 1,1 Sam' Hayden — 3, 2, i
Dan' Kenrick, 4, iS, 10 Thad" Wheeler 3, 2, 9, 2
Jonas Willoughby 2, 13, 11 Eben"^ Farlev — 3. 10, o, 2
W" Nevins 3, 10, 3, i Jos Nevins i, iS, 4, 2
Benj Nevins i, 6, 7, 3 oliv'' Sanders 2, 2, 6,
Tho' Powers i, 7, 5, i Josi Parker — 5, i, 6, i
Josi Parker J'' 19, 4, 2 Jos Eastabrooks — 16, 9,
Jos. Stearns — r, 14, 3, 3 Zacch"" Shattuck 2, 13, i,
Zacch'ShattuckJ^ I, 9, 8,1 Elath" Blood J""— i, 4,10,
£55, 14, 7' 2
The above Sums affixed to the Names above written is their
first State Tax for 1782 taken from the Town Records —
HollisNov^ 18, 1782—
Attest W'" Cuminsfs Town Clerk
[5-130] \_Statemcf2t of a Grievance, lySj.']
To y* Hon'''* Committee of Safety for y* State of New Hamp-
shire—
Gentlemen,
Sensibly Touch'd with a matter of Grievance, I take an Op-
portunity to acquaint your honours with it in as few words as
Possible concerning the Extant issu'd against the Town of Hoi-
248 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
lis which not to impeach the Authority, as a Town we take it
exceeding hard —
not to magnify Our good Deed, we must remind your hon-
ours of our faithfully answering every Requisition thro' a
Series of Hardships in the past Calamitous Times we have not
been Deficient a pound of Beef neither has a man been Want-
ing on our part, even the man in Dispute with vs^hat we give
him the Supplies of his family Exclusive of this last Trouble
cannot be computed at less than £100 Lawful money —
Your honours are Sensible of the Grievous burden of Taxes
our People are under which we bear with Patience as appro-
priated in Defence of a Righteous Cause, but add to all this, for
the People of Hollis to bear the Odious name of being Cor-
rected for Deficiency while Innocent, this may it please your
honours causes us to sigh deeply at heart and is it not enough
to fetch Tears from our Eyes You alone Gentlemen can rec-
tify this matter and as the Eyes of Servants are to their masters,.
or rather as the Eyes of Children full of Grief, are to their
Tender Parents so our Eyes are to you, while we Esteem it
a Blessing of heaven that we have those at the head of Our
affairs who are ready to hear and we have not in our hearts to-
Suppose your honours would willingly see us injured. Where-
fore we implore your kind interposition in this matter which
so nearly concerns us and that no advantage may be taken by
reason of our Papers being out of Our hands for we are not
disputing a Nice Point in the Law nor are we able to for we
are illiterate men and want nothing but Justice if we offend by
Speaking too much we willingly ask Pardon and desire to Ac-
quiesce in your Determination while with duty & Respect we
rest your honours most Obedient & Humble Servants —
Hollis Ocf 21^' 17S3.
W" Cumings \ Selectmen of
Solomon Wardwell > of
Ebenezer Jewet j Hollis —
[5-131] \_Relative to Articles of Confederatiott^ iy8j.~\
Hollis Ocf 13* 1783, the inhabitants of the Town of Hollis-
aforesaid with the freeholders being met on adjournment after
having maturely debated matters under Consideration —
Voted, that our Representative use his inffuence in making
the propos'd alteration, respecting the eighth Article in the
Confederation of Perpetual union taken from the Records —
Attest W" Cumings Town Clek
Hollis Oct^ 30"^ 17S3—
Hon''^ Council & House for N. HampE —
HOLLIS. 249
[5—132] \^Petition of Certain Persons to be set off to Raby^
1783-']
To the Town ot Hollis —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitence of the West-
erly Part of s*^ HoUis, Humbly Sheweth that by Reson of many
Inconvenences We Labour under by Living in such a Remote
part of Hollis so fare from meting and at such a Distence from
the other Inhabitence of s"* town that We are Depriv*^ in a great
measure of the prevelege of Schoolling and by Reson of the
Badness of the Rods it is Verey Deficult for sum of us to git
to the Town of Hollis and at sum Sesons of the year it is Even
impracticable Except We first goo into the town of Raby and
travel Sum Ways in the sam.e before We Enter Hollis again —
and as we live much more Compact with the Lihabitence of
Raby and think it mite be more Convenent for us to belong to
the town of Raby to which if we ware set of it is Lickly the
s** Inhabitence of Raby and us your Petitioners mite both Injoy
the ^Dreveleges of preaching and Schoolling — &c — in a more ful
and ample manner then Ither thay or us can under our present
Sittuation we theirfore beg you to take our Case into your Wise
consideration & if you in your Wisdom can see fit that you
would give your Consent to have a part of the westerly part of
Hollis set of to Raby — (that is that part that Raby formely ex-
pected) Begining at the .Sandv bank so cold at Nissitisit River
and from thence a North pint by the Nedel acrost Hollis which
we huinbly conseve would not be a great Dammag to Hollis
But Verey advantagus to the town of Raby — and us your Peti-
tioners
December — 5 — 1 7S3
James M'^Donels Simeon Senter James mcDanielsJun
Jesse parkins Phinehas Bennet Jr Joshua Smith
John Cumings
[The foregoing petition did not meet with success, and
another in similar language, dated " Hollis Oct'^' 15 — 1785,"
was sent to the legislature, signed by the following men :
James M^Donell Simeon Senter Ebns"" Gilson
Jesse parkins Joshua Smith Joshua Smith Jur
Thomas Lawn-ence Ezekicl Proctor Phinehas Bennet.
The petition was opposed by Hollis, as may be seen by
the following document, but the petitioners, assisted by the
inhabitants of Raby, succeeded in procuring the passage of
an act, Feb. 17, 1786, setting off a strip three quarters of a
mile wide from the west side of Hollis, and annexing the
same to Raby. — Ed.]
250 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
C5~^3^] [ opposition of Hollis to the Petit iott of Raby^ I'j8§.'\
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Hollis
Sep' 15"^ 1785 _
Voted that this Town will oppose the Petition preferr'd to
the Gen' Court, by the Town of Raby, That Daniel Emerson
Esq. be fully impower'd to oppose said Petition, also voted that
Noah Worcester Esq. Cap' Dow Ens. Jerem'' Ames William
Cumings & Cap' Goss, be a Committee to State the matter fairly
and give said Emerson Instructions in writing relative to the
same, taken from the Town Records
True Copy Attest William Cumings Town Clerk
To Daniel Emerson Esq. Representative for the Town of
Hollis—
Agreeable to the above votes of the Town of Hollis. impow-
ering You to Oppose the Petition of the Town of Raby, & us
to give you Instructions thereon. You are hereby instructed to
oppose said Petition — in behalf of the Town of Hollis, for the
following Reasons (viz).
first as the said Petitioners represent their Weakness and in-
abilitv to Support the Gospel or maintain Schools, it cannot be
supposed that the addition of nine families .Settled on such a
Tract of Land as they Represent unfit for Cultivation if Grant-
ed could remove the Difficulties of which they complain —
3'^ as they represent in said Petition, that they at their Incorpo-
ration had reason to expect some further help from said Town
of Hollis, that we know of no Reason that they had to expect
any such thing unless it was by some mistake in their own
Measure as they themselves measured it before the incorpora-
tion, that the Town of Hollis never measured nor Joined in
Measuring until after the Incorporation, That the Votes of the
Town of Hollis, previous to said incorporation of Raby were
design'd to fix the meeting House in the Sentre of the Town
east & west, which Votes of said Town were confirmed by the
Charter of the Town of Raby —
3*^ That as they in their Petition request to begin at the Great
Sand Bank so Called, and run a Paralel line with the Town of
Raby opposite to their Northeast Corner, then a closing line to
their Northeast Corner, which if granted will leave a Tract of
land with a Number of inhabitants on the same about two miles
Square, belonging to Hollis. at the northerly end of Raby ex-
tending as far west as the west line of Raby excepting the
width of the mile Strip —
4* That the meeting-House in Hollis now stands on a plat
of Ground which it seems nature form'd for that purpose being
pleasantly Situated, that the Town has been at a Great Expence
MOLLIS. 251
in laying Out and making Roads to accommodate the same,
which well convenes the Inhabitants from all parts of said Town
That if said Petition should be granted, consequently, the meet-
ing house would not be in the sentre of the Town — which may
probably cause an uneasiness in the Easterly part of y* Town,
which might cause the Town to live in Contention or lay them
under the disagreeable Necessity of building a New meeting
house, and of being at a Vast expence to accommodate Roads,
to the same, which never can be done with that Convenience
that it now is —
Noah Worcester")
Hollis Sep^ 28"^ Reuben Dow | Com*" in behalf
17S5 — Jeremiah Ames )■ of y* Town of
W" Cumings | Hollis —
John Goss
[5~^33] \_Petition for Magistrate^ IJ84.']
To his Excellency the president and Hon*"''" Council of the
State of New Hampshire —
We the subscribers principal Inhabitants of the Town of
Hollis, By this our petition
humbly Shew : That whereas the Inhabitants of said Town
are numerous : Business frequently Arises which requires the.
Aid of an assistance of two Justices. Unus Qiiorum : for wan
of whom we are often put to great Inconveniency besides Trav'
eling to a distance to get our Business accomplished. There'
fore we desire that we might be Indulg'd the priviledge of
having two Justices in s'' Town and tliat one of them might be
of the Qiiorum ; and as Daniel Emerson Jun"' our Rcpresentitive
for the time being ; Is a person of Fidelity & Trust universally
esteem'd and one who (we conceive) will give the greatest Con-
tent we beg Leave to recommend him to your favour, And that
he might be appointed and commissioned as a Justice of the
peace ; in Addition to the present, and as In Duty bound shall
ever pray —
Hollis June 2^ 1784 —
William Poole William Read Jacob mooar
Uriah Wright Solomon Wardwell Ephraim Lund
Benj" Wright Nathan Colburn Stephen Jewett
William wood Daniel Kendrick Elijah Clark
Daniel Bayley Junr Aaron Bavley Joseph Nevens
Eben Farley Benjamin Farley Jonathan Taylor
Stephen Farley Nehemiah Hardy Joel Bayley
Timothy Emerson jr Ju"" Timothy Emerson
252
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Thomas Emerson
Daniel Kendrick
Jur
Isaac Hardy
Abram Bovnton
Eliphelet Brown
Caleb Stiles
John Attwill
Joseph Wheat
Nicholas voungnian
Nathan Phelps
James Farley
Timothy french
George Abbott
Benjamin Abbott
Ephram Pirce
Simon perce
David emes
Francis Powers
Benjamin Emerson
Benj'' Colbnrn
JSamuel Hayden
Oliver Bowers
Levy Hardy
Joseph Haskell
Joshua Smith
Fi field Holt
John Willoughby
John Phelps
Sam" Jonson
Benj Farley third
Jonas woods
Amos Eastman
Joseph Ha3'wood
Jonathan Dix
Isreel kinney
Joseph Lasley
Abijah Smith
Benj'' Astin
Silas Spaulding
Oliver Bowers Ju'
Benjamin Nevens
Jonas Leslie
Francis Blood
Jacob Jewet Ju
Sam Willoughby
Samuel Wright
Lemuel wright
Caleb Farley Jur
W'" Cumings
Jonathan Eastman
Josiah Woodbury
Cyrus Proctor
John attwill Jun
William Brooks
[This resulted in the appointment of Dea. Emerson as
requested. — Ed.]
HOOKSETT.
This town was incorporated by an act approved July 2,
1822, and was composed of portions of the towns of Ches-
ter, Dunbarton, and Goffstown ; set off from those towns in
answer to a petition from the inhabitants. The name " Isle
au Hooksett" and "Isle au Hooksett Falls" was attached
to the locality many years before the incorporation and nam-
ing of the town, but the editor is unable to ascertain its
derivation. As long ago as 1746, a pond in the north part
of Chester was called " Isle Hook's pond," by one of Capt.
Ladd's scouts, who says they camped near it. It is now
known as Lakin's pond. I am inclined to think the locality
was named by Indians or Canadian French.
The following documents do not relate to Hooksett as a
town, but to the locality, and for that reason are given in
this place.
A slight change was made in the boundaries of the town
Jan. 5, 1853, when a small tract was severed from Hooksett
and annexed to Allenstown.
HOOKSETT.
253
[5~^53] \^yoshua Abbott for a Ferry ^ ^7^2.']
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Court convened at
Concord the 1 1'** Day of June 17S3 —
We the Subscribers inhabiting near Isle a Huckset Falls on
Merrimack River apprehend a Ferry is much wanted at or near
said Falls, which would greatly accommode the Public, and
Joshua Abbott having purchased a Piece of Land and bargained
for a Boat in order to keep said Ferry, Wherefore your Peti-
tioners humbly pray that your Honors would make a Grant of
said Ferry to said Abbott and your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever pray —
Laben Hereman
John Hart
Jonathan
John Carter
Nath'' Abbott
Ebene-- Hall
Timothy Hall
Abner flanders
Richard flanders
Richard flanders
Olivr flanders
Phenehas
N. C. Abbott
Rob' Harris
Benja Planaford
Enoch Brown
Nath Green
Daniel Hall
John Blanchard
Richard Ayer
William mestin juner Joshua Abl^iott
Moses Carter Daniel Abbott
William Fifield
John Odlin
Samuel Davis
Bruce Walker
Joseph Carter
William Brown
Brown John
John Carr
Simeon Carr
Dan Stickney
Sm'i Willard
Thomas Cochran
Francis Mitchell
Daniel Brown
Ephraim Kinsman
James Moor
Ephraim moor
Moses moor
Luther Clay
Tim" Walker Jun^
Joseph Abbot
David george
Aaron Stevens
Stephen farington
Timothy Bradley
Enoch Coffin
Philip Abbott
Nathan Green
Paltiah
Stephen Hall
Joseph Hascltine
Thos Stickney
Thomas Chandler
Samuel Farrington
Ephraim Colby
James Walker
Stephen Abbot
Stephen Kimball
Benj" Fifeld
Robert Davis
Micah Flanders
Daniel Carter
[Mr. Abbott did not obtain the grant. — Ed.]
[5-154] S^Diistin and Martin for a Ferry-, 1/82.^
To the Honourable the Council and Assembly of the State of
New Hampshire Now Convened at Concord Li said State —
We the Petitioners John Dusten & Daniel martin of Chester
In the County of Rockingham in said State humbly sheweth
that your petitioners has Lived many Years In said Chester on
the Bank of merimack River In such asituation for keeping a
254 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Ferry, as Is Ver}^ convenient to accommodate a great Number
of the Inhabitants of Goffestown Dunbarton and of many other
towns a bove who have Occasion to travil to the Lower Part of
this and the massachusetts State that highways have been Laid
out by the town Joining on both Sides of the River to said
Place and w^ell made and Repaired and that Your Petitioners
has been at a considerable Expence In building and maindening
of boats and giving constant attendance to Ferry People across
for more than sixteen years when the profets was Very Incon-
siderable and In Nowise Equal to the Expence and that there
is now considerable traviling and dayly increasing Being fovmd
to be Vei'y advantageous to the publick and that your Petition-
ers suspects that a petition will be prefered to your Honours
for a Licence to keep a ferry on said River about two or three
miles up said river from where your petitioners keeps their
ferry (where there ai'e no Roads Laid out on neither side of
the River to the place) with an Intent to prevent your petition-
ers from any profit by their ferry wherefore your petitioners
humbly prays that you would grant them a Licence to keep a
ferry where they now Does and that if a petition shall be pre-
fered as Suspected that you would Dismiss the same or appoint
a Commitee In the Vicinity to View the place proposed for a
ferry with the place for Roads on both sides of the river as well
as your petitioners ferry and the Roads leading to and from the
same and make Report that your petitioners may have an op-
portunity of appearing on Any future day you may appoint to
shew cause and your petitioners as in duty bound will Ever
Pray—
Chester June 14"' 1 7S3 John Dusten
Daniel martin
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 19, 1782, a committee having viewed
the premises reported in favor of establishing the ferry asked
for by Dustin and Martin, instead of the one asked for by
Mr. Abbott, and a vote giving leave in accordance therewith
passed the assembly. The locality is still known as Mar-
tin's Ferry. — Ed.]
[5-15^] \_j\IcGregore and Duncan for Exclusive Privilege
of Locking Hooksett Palls^ iyg4.'\
To the honb'" the Senate and house of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire, convened at Exeter on Wednesday
the 3^*'* of Dec. 1793. —
Humbly shew your petitioners, that they conceive the advan-
tages arising from canals opened round the falls of Rivers in a
HOPKINTON. 255
Country of such vast extent as ours, and at a gi'eat distance
from the sea-ports, to be almost innumerable. That the enter-
prize and public spirit of the present age, have afforded ample
proofs of this, and have inspired your petitioners with an in-
tention of commencing a work of such universal utility. That,
should the river Merrimac, as is projected, be made navigable
for boats, timber &c from its mouth, round Amoskeig-falls ;
the benevolent intention of the legislature w^ould be rendered
quite useless, unless a canal was also cut, for that jDurpose, by
Isle-a-hooksett-falls, upon the same river and above the said
falls of Amoskeig. Your petitioners are sensible that an un-
dertaking of this nature is hazardous and expensive, and at-
tended with almost insurmountable difficulties. — But that the
public may be accommodated with a work of such obvious
utility, your petitioners have resolved, with the encouragement
of the legislature, to cut and pei'fect a canal round the said
Isle-a-hooksett-falls with all possible deligence. —
They therefore pray, that this honorable bodv would grant
to them the exclusive privilege of cutting a canal round said
Isle-a-hooksett-falls, for said convenient purpose of navigating
boats, timber &c, by said falls with safety and dispatch ; and
that they would allow them such reasonable toll to compensate
their trouble and expence as they may think proper. And that
they may have leave to bring in a bill accordingly. And as in
duty bound will ever pray. —
Exeter January i*' 1794- — Robert M''Gregore
William Duncan
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 4, 1794, the petitioners were granted
leave to bring in a bill. Subsequently the privilege asked
for was granted, and the same was extended in 1797. — Ed.]
HOPKINTON.
This town was granted by the government of Massachu-
setts, Jan. 16, 1735, and was No. 5 in the "line of towns"
granted by that province on territory which the settlement of
the line in 1741 decreed to be in New Hampshire. The grant-
ees were men of Hopkinton, Mass , and this township was
called New Hopkinton until it was incorporated by the gov-
ernor and council of New Hampshire, Jan. 10, 1765.
John Jones, of Hopkinton, Mass., was authorized, Nov.
256 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
24, 1736, by the general court of that province to call a
meeting of the grantees of No. 5.
The grant of this town covered some of the territory con-
tained in the grant to Bow by the government of New
Hampshire in 1727, and trouble arising in regard to collect-
ing the province tax, an act was passed Dec. 13, 1763, de-
creeing that Abel Kimball, Timothy Kimball, Timothy
Clements, Eliphalet Colby, Green French, John Chadwick,
Abraham Kimball, Jeremiah Kimball, James Kimball, Moses
Straw, Jonathan Straw, John Eastman, William Peters,
Hezekiah Foster, Jeremiah Kimball, Jr., Thomas Jewell,
Reuben Kimball, Daniel Watson, Obediah Perry, Joshua
Bayley, John Kimball, John Jewell, Parker Flanders, Isaac
Colby, Thomas Hoit, the widow Susanna Kimball, and
their estates, which were within the limits of Bow grant,
should be joined to the " District of New Hopkinton."
(See Vol. IX, p. 406.) A house was built "near the meet-
ing house spot" by Henry Mellen, prior to Sept. 30, 1738,
as a proprietors' meeting was called to be held in his house
at that time.
Among the early settlers was John Jones, who settled in
the westerly part of the town. Aaron Kimball from Brad-
ford, Mass., came about 1739, and built a fort about a mile
east of the present village of Hopkinton. He was the father
of Abraham Kimball, the first white male child born in
town. Samuel and John Putney, from Amesbury, Mass.,
built a fort on what is known as Putney's Hill. David
Woodwell came from Hopkinton, Mass., and built a fort
near the location of the present village of Contoocook ; the
place is identified by the depression made in excavating the
cellar. It was surprised by Indians in April, 1746, and
eight persons captured. The first minister was James
Scales ; the second, Elijah Fletcher, from Westford, Mass.,
ordained Jan. 27, 1773. His daughter. Gratia, was the first
wife of Daniel Webster.
The township was within the bounds of " Mason's Patent,"
and was regranted by the Masonian Proprietors, Nov. 30,
1750, to Henry Mellen and others, but for what considera-
tion is unknown.
The legislature held sessions in this town in 1798, 1801,
1806, and 1807 ; and it was for some years one of the shire
towns of Hillsborough county, prior to the formation of
Merrimack county in 1823.
HOPKINTON. 257
The reader is indebted for much of the foregoing to
C. C. Lord, Esq., who kindly furnished the editor with an
able article, the result of much research, from which ex-
tracts have been made.
{^5-152] \_Petitio7i for the Privilege of having a Repre-
sentative^ i77J-~\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General, and
Governour in chief, in and over his Majestys Province of
New-Hampshire ; And vice Admiral of the same —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Hopkinton, in the County
of Hillsborough in the Province of New-Hampshire aforesaid,
in Town-Meeting assembled, on Thursday the twenty eighth
Day of October, Anno Domini 1773, and in the fourteenth Year
of his Majesty's Reign, humbly Sheweth —
That whereas your humble Petitioners think it would be an
Advantage to them to be represented in the great General Court
of this Province by a Man of their own Town, and of their
own chusing. Therefore we humbly pray that your Excellency
would, in your great Goodness grant us the Liberty & Privilege
of chusing & sending a Man to the General Court for that Pur-
pose, now, and for the future — For which Goodness, "b'our
humble Petitioners, for your Excellency, as in Duty bound
shall pray —
Voted in the said Meeting, That Capt" John Putney prefer
the above Petition to his Excellency the Governour.
Joshua Bayley* Town Clerk
Isaac Chandler") Select men of Hopkinton
Joseph Putney > in the Name & Behalf
John Putnev ) of the Town
j_5-i5i] \_Relative to the Forination of Cotitities^ ij'j2.'\
To his Excellency John Wintworth Esquirer Captain general
and governour in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire and Vice Admiral of the Same —
To the Honovu"able his Majestys Council And to the Honour-
able House of Representatives in general Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Inhabitants and free Holders of Hopkin-
*Joshua Bayley came from Plymouth, Mass., pricr to the incorporation of the town, and
settled about a mile east of the present village ; commanded a company at Bennington ; was
at Stillwater in 1777, and in the Rhode Island expedition in 1778. He died April g, 1806, at
the age of 68. — Ed.
19
258 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ton in the County of Hillsborough and Province aforesaid hum-
bly Sheweth That whereas some Defficulty has arisen of Late
among us in this town which we cannot decide our Selves and
which we think Requires the Wisdom and Authority of the
Honourable general Court to adjust and Determine. We there-
fore your Humble Petitionors hereby applv our selves to yovir
Excellency and your Honours with all Humillity for Direction
and help — Our Difficulty began Emediately after the Publica-
tion of an Act of the Legislature of this Province approved of
by his Majesty in Council for Dividing said Province in Coun-
tys which after following the first County Line, from the mouth
of Piscatqua River Round to Concord Line (It says) Thence
Round the westerly lines of Bow Concord and Pembroke to
Merrimack River — which if it means the westerly line of Bow
as it was first laid out or the Line to which we the Inhabitents
of said Hopkinton purchased — Then it will Nessacarily follow
that all that Part of said Hopkinton which was within Bows
Claim is in the County of Rockinham and then said Hopkinton
is divided part into the county of Rockingham and part into the
county of Hillsborough which makes a great difficulty respecting
our town affi^irs therefore we your Humble Petitioners Earnestly
pray that your Excellency and your Honours would be gra-
ciously pleased to take the matter into your Judicious Consid-
eration and Resolve us in this thing (Viz) Whether your Hon-
ours ment or Litended that all Hopkinton agreeable to their
Incorporation should be in the County of Hillsborough or
Whether you Intended that all that part of Hopkinton that was
formerly in Bows Claim Should be in the County of Rockin-
ham if the former we are fully satisfied but if y* Latter we
humbly Beg that your Exelency and Honours would so order
and Determine that all our said town may be in the County of
Hillsborough and that we may be all one as we were agreeable
to an act of the Honourable General Court in January 1765 by
which act all that part of said Hopkinton that was within Bows
Claim was separated from said Bow and was joined with and
United to said Hopkinton to all Intents and Purposes for which
Favour your Humble Petitionors for vour Exellency and Hon-
ours as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Dated at Hopkinton May y' S"' 1773
Signed by
John Putney ") A Committee apointed
Isaac Chandler | by and in the name
Abel Kimball J> and behalf of the
Joshua Bayley | town of Hopkinton
James Scales j
HOPKINTON. 259
[In H. of Rep., May 27, 1772, "Voted that the whole of
said Hopkinton be determined to belong to the County of
Hillsborough."
Council concurred. — Ed.]
[5-150] \_Proceeding-s of a Towii-Meeting^ i'/'/2.'\
At a meeting Legally Cold and Held at the meeting House
in Hopkinton on thirsday the 2 Day of January 177^ '^t one of
the Clock in the afternoon then Vote on the folewing articles
1 Voted that Capt Putney moderator to Regulate Said meet-
ing
2 Voted to send a man to Portsmouth to See if the Town is
Devided in to two Countys
3 Voted that Leiu' Jonathan Straw Should be the man that
is to Represent the Concarns of the Town to the Gineral Court
with a Petition to have all of the Town in one County
4 Voted that James Scales Esqu'' Cap' Putney Leiu' Chandler
Abel Kimbal and Joshua Bayley be a Committe to Sine a Pe-
tition in the Towns l)e-half to Send to the Gineral Court
a true Copy taken of from the Records By me —
Joshua Bayley Town Clerk
Hopkinton may 25 1772
[5—149] \^Relativc to the Foi-mation of Counties^ 7772.]
Province of New-Hampshire Hopkinton, May 25"' 1772.
Pursuant, and in Obedience to an Order of the General As-
sembly of this Province, bearing Date May 20"^ 1772, brought
hither by Lieu* Jonathan Straw of this Town, last week ; Said
Order having Reference to a Petition, signed by a Committee
of the Inhabitants of said Hopkinton, & presented to the Gen-
eral Assembly by the said L' Straw ; said Petition bearing Date,
May 8"' 1772. I Joshua Bayley One of the Committee that
signed the said Petition, served the major Part of those of the
Inhabitants of Hopkinton who live within the Township of
Bow with the said Petition and Order, by reading both to them ;
and then leaving a Copy of the said Petition with one of them,
viz. m'' John Jewett.
And we, Nathan^ Clements, & Timothy Farnham of said
Hopkinton, went with the said Joshua Bayley, from House to
House among the Inhabitants of said Hopkinton who live
within the Township of Bow, and heard the said Bayley read
260 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the said Petition, and Order to the Major Part of said Inhabi-
tants ; on Saturday the 33'' day of this instant May ; and on this
35"* Day, in the Evening of said Day, we saw the said Bayley
deliver a Copy of the said Petition and Order to m'' John Jew-
ett, aforesaid, to be left with him the said John Jewett
Joshua Bayley
Nathaniel Clement
Timothy Farnham
[Sworn to before James Scales. — Ed.]
[5-148] \_Capt. Stillson relative to Soldiers^ iy'/6.']
Hopkinton July the 19* 1776
S'' I, Can Inform you that m"" Hoit has Enlisted Foui'teen
men, and they have passed muster and Paid by Colonel Walker,
as the men Chuse him for an Officer and to go With me, I un-
derstood by your Honours that any man that wou'd Enlist a
Num'"' Sufficient should be intitled to a Commission, it is Reck-
on'd he can Git a Num'"' more if he Can be Sure of a Com-
mission
From your Plum'"^ Servant —
W" Stillson
To Coll" meshech Ware
[5-147] l^yohn Hale declines the Appoi7itment of Major ^
1777 ■'\
Flopkinton March y*" 3^ 1777 —
Hon-J Sir—
I am informed by Cap' Livermore that you have wrote me
two Letters neither of which has com to hand I acknowledg my
self much indebted to you for the Hon'' you have done me in
appointing me to the office of maj'' — when I consider the im-
portance of the post & how much I fall short in filling it my
Excepting would rather Injure then help that Service which I
have much at heart, I am also settled in a New Country Dis-
tant from Neighbors & must be under the Disagreeable necesa-
tity of breaking up house keeping which will almost put me in
a ruinous Condition. Humbly beg you"^ be pleased to appoint
Some other person in my Room & am Gentleman your most
obedient & very Humble Serv' — John Hale —
HOPKINTON. 261
[5-146]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable Council and Assembly Convenied at Exe-
ter—
May it please ^-our Honours your Humble Petetionor having
Lately come out of the Service of the United States with his
two sons and wanting Lands to Settle on has taken up three
hundred acres of Land one hundred for himself and one hun-
dred for each of his said sons on that tract of Land called Fish-
ersfield which was Granted to John Fisher Esq'' who is Sup-
posed to be an enemy to the Glorious Cause of Liberty now
Contending for by the United states of America — and as such
your Humble Petetionor Supposes that the Lands of the said
Fisher will be forfited to this State and of Consequence be dis-
posed of by the Authority of the same should this be the Case
and the Matter come Under your Honours Judicious Consider-
ation your humble Petetionor prays that he and his sons may
be Qiiieted in their Possessions and be considered as Settlers
or have the Liberty of purchasing their lands as wild Lands
without Its being Exposed to Publick Sale — And your humble
Petetionor as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Hopkinton May y^ 14''' 1778
Timothy Clements
[The foregoing was dismissed. — Ed.]
[5-145] \_Re7Jionstrance to the Appohitment of Befijamin
Wiggin, lySj.^
To His Exelency —
President for the State of New Hampshire ; — and to His
Hon'* Privy Council ; —
We Y"" Petitioners humbly sheweth ; That whereas the Town
of Hopkinton, has Been Very Unanimous In the Cause of
America, in Y* Late struggle with Create Britton Except A
few Persons, who always in Discourse and Actions Seemed to
Us ; To favour Britton and to be Against the Causes of Amer-
ica ; and we Understand one of those person Are in Nomin'tion
to Bee A Magistrate in this Town, Viz ; M' Benjamin Wiggin ;
if he Should Attain to that Office We think would be Very
Disagreeable to the People of this Town in General, therefore
Our Petition to Y'' Exelency and Hon^ is that You would Neg-
lect putting the Above Named M"" Wiggin into Office ; and in
Sted Thereof Would Grant S"* Office to Some person Which
262
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
has Appear*^ to be A steady Good friend to his Country, — and
Y'' Petitioners As in Deuty Bound Shall Ever Pray. —
Hopkinton Nov"" 2"**
Peter How
John Chadvvick
Eliphelet colby
John Clement
Moses Gould
Jonathan Chase
David Kimball
Elias Gould
Robert Knowlton
William D : Colby
7S5.
Joseph Chandler
Thomas Webber
Stephen Harriman
Thomas Bayley
Jonathan Straw
Abel Kimball
Jacob Straw
David Fellows
Henry Blake
John George
Enoch Long
John Putney
Enoch Eastman
Isaac Chandler
Joshua Morse
Isaac Bayley
Enoch Long J'
Samuel Chase
[5-144] \_Petitioti for the Appointnie7it of Benjamitt Wig-
gin as a Alagistrate^ i'/86.']
To his Exellency John Sullivan Esq"" President of the State of
Newhampshire and to the Honourable Privy Council in
Concoixi Convean'd
Whereas Wee your Humble Petitioners understand that M'
Benj"^ Wiggin of Hopkinton hath been on the List for a Justice
of the Peace but as yet hath not been appointed to the Dissa-
pointment of us your humble Petitioners and perhaps Many
others, alltho there are two Justices of the Peace in Town all-
ready yet Wee humbly Conceive it to be Convenient to have
one more and as M"" Wiggin in our opinions is as Well Qualli-
fy'd as any Person in town in a Convenient Situation and a
person well Dispos'd humbly pray he may be appointed Justice
of the jDcace and Wee as in Duty bound Will Ever pray
Hopkinton 14"* June 17S6
Jaems Emerson
Benj thurber
Rich'^ Cresy
John Ardway
Caleb Burbank
Moses Titcomb
William putney
Joshua Clement
Jon" Herrick Ju*
moses Clement
John Farnham
Noah Pearson
francis thurber
William Stanley
John Ardway Jur
Thomas Bickford
Ralph Cross
John Eastman
Joseph ardway
Joseph Putnee
Lawrence M'^Laugh- David Young
lin
David Clement
James Buswell
John Webber
James Smith
Timothy farnham
John Currier
Nathaniel Clement
Nicholas C Buswell
Tappan Evans
Daniel Stickney
Jons Clough
HOPKINTON.
263
j]5-i43] \_Another Petition in favor of Wiggin^ iy86.'\
To his Excellency John Landon Esq^' Presedent of the State of
New hampshire and to the Honourable Privy Council Next
Sitting at Portsmouth
Whereas We your Humble Petitioners are Informed that there
was a Petition Prefered to your Excellency and your Honours
at your Last Sessions at Concord Intimating that M"" Benj' Wig-
gin of Hopkinton Was unfrindly to the Cuntrey in the Late
war Which wee Believe to be groundless wee Never Knew but
that m'' Wiggin freely and Voluntarily offerarded his assistence
through the whole war Nither do wee know of aney unfriendly
act by him Perpetrated but in our opinions is well disposd and
in Some good measure quallifyd and wee your Humble Peti-
tioners Pray that he may be appointed Justice of the Peace and
wee in duty Bound will Ever Pray
Hopkinton 24''' January 1786
William Morison W^heeler Wilder
phinehas Campbell Samuel Kimball
Simeon pope
Moses Adams
Jo" Marsh
Samuel Barr
Oliver Noyes
Thomas Brown
David morrill
Daniel Tyler
Micah How
Jesse Campbell
Benjamin Currier
Joseph Lewis
Jonathan Parrish
John Morrill
Jn° Goodenow
John Tucker
Elisha Barns
Luke Eager
Nehemiah How
Nathaniel Joslyn
Edw*^ Hunter.
JoB Campbell
Noah Amsden
Benj" Hoyt
Eben herrimen
Nathan Putney
Frances griams ior
Ephraim morril
David Bowman
Joseph Gibson
William Sawyer
Joseph Eager
Jonathan Sawyer
Joshua Heath
Ebcn'' Howe
Francis Whittiar
Levi Kemp
William Chambers
Samuel Dunlap
John Campball
Win Partrick
Joshua Wright
Elijah Kemp
Gideon Adams
[On another petition, No. 141, of same date, and for the
same purpose, are the following names : — Ed.]
John Tewksbury
Timothy Wiley
Nathaniel Fifield
Archibald Stinson
Jn° Webber
Da^ Young
John Currier
Aquila Davis
Isaac Babson Laurence M'^Laugh-
Jacob Stanly lin
James Hogg Jn° Chad wick Jun'
Wil'" Tenny William Stintson
Jonathan Allenjuner Thomas Stickney
Isaac Long Jonathan alien
Tappen Evans Moses Titcomb
James Wallace David Bagley
264 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Simean Eastman William Stanly Benjamin Thurba
Jams Emerson Ezzra waldron francis thurber
Nathaniel Eaton Rich'^ Cressey Noah Pearson
Joshua Eaton Tim" Gibson James Clough
Timothy Farnham Henry Eastman Ezra tucker
John** Farnham Sargent Currier Ebenezer Virgin
ralph Cross John Easman W" Tyler
[Benjamin Wiggin came from Stratham in 1774, and kept
a tavern, in front of which a reception was given to Gen.
LaFayette when he visited this state, as says C. C. Lord^
Esq. — Ed.]
[5—142] \_Petitlo7i in Favor of Lietit. J-os/ma Morse^ i'/86.'\
to His Excellency President of the State of New Hampshire
and His most Honi^" Privy Council. —
we y'' Petitioners Inhabitants of the town of Hopkinton
Humbly Sheweth that we Understand that Several Persons of
this Town are in Nomination for the office of a Majestrate and
Likewise that Neither of them are as yet Commision'' therefore
our Petition to your Excellency and Hon" is that the office may
Be Granted to Lieu* Joshua morse as we are well Sattisfied as
to the Abilites and Qj-ialifications of the Gent" man above
Named for office also we Beg Leave to Inform y"' Excellency
and Hon" that in the time of the Late Contest with Great Brit-
tan he always appeared to Be a steady friend to the Glorious
Cause of our Independence Likewise may it Please y' Excel-
lency and Hon" for y'' further Sattisfacton as to the Carrector of
the Gent" man we y'' Petitioners Shall take it as a favour that
you will be Pleas'^ to Consult our Representative at the Next
Sessions and Hearby we flatter our Selves that Every obstable
may Be So far Remov*^ from y'' minds as to Commission him as
Soon as may Be Consistant with the Rules and Regulations of
our Constitution and we your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever pray
Abel Kimball David Kimball Enos hunt
Nemiah Colby Samuel Jewett Richard Webber
Josiah Nickels Eliphclet Colby Green french
Stephen Jewett Robert Knowlton Abraham Kimball
Ezekiel Knowlton Levi Hildreth Isaac Cheney
Moody Smith Josiah Smith Jonathan Herrick Se""
Isaac Qiiimby Jonathan Qiiinby Nathaniel merrill
Daniel Herrick Henry Blake Smith Kimball
Peter Darling John Trussel William Colby
HOPKINTON.
265
Jonathan Henick Ju'
Timothy DarHng
Nathaniel Kimball
Moses Hills jun''
Moses Trussell
John thing Connor
Jeremiah Story
Nathan Story-
Ezra Hoyt
Jacob Straw
Stephen Smith
Ephraim Colby
John Kimball
Elijah Durgin
thomas Webber
Thomas Bickford
Moses Gould
Benjamin Homes
Moses Chase
David Clough
Joseph Burnham
Samuel kimball
moses Emerson
Samuel Chase
Jonathan Chase
Jonathan Allen Ju
Joseph Story
Isaac colby
John Hoyt
ZabuLon Norris
Joseph colb}-
Caleb Smart
Joseph Smart
Samuel Straw-
Jeremiah Storyjun
william putney
Enoch Eastman
Samuel Harris
Thomas Story
Enoch Long j"'
IMoses Darling
Gideon Gould
Jonathan Straw
Peter How
Daniel Tenny
Zechariah Story
Jonathan Allen
Joseph Colby
John Boynton
Samuel Farington
Benning Smart
James Straw
Marl Morrill
John gage
Joseph putney Jr
Elijah Homes
Joseph Barnard
Nathaniel Rowell
[5-140] \_Anot/ier Remonstrance to Air. Wig'g'in.']
To his Excellency the President of the State of New Hamps*"'
and his Honorable Councel
it being the earnest desire of a great number of Good men in
Hopkinton that I would write to your Excellency on a Matter
that much disturbs the greatest part of the People in Hopkinton
is a Petetion which has been Spread in this and the Naboring
Towns Last weak i Could wish only to have the matter farely
Stated to your Excellency as I trust it will be by Lt Darling So
that the authority of the State may not be imposed upon by
having Petitions Prefered to them : that was handed about and
Signed on public Days over a Cup ofgroog this being the
meathod that was taken to obtain the greater part of the Signers
that is in favor of M' Benjamin Wiggin being on the Sivel List
and as this Petetion in fave of M"" Wiggins refers Back to one
that was Sent to your Excellency and Honarable Coimcil when
Seting at Concord which Petetion was Signed by Sum of the
Principel men in Hopkinton thay Could have had the Cheeafof
the men in Hopkinton to have Signed it if thay had thought
Proper those men that Signed the Petetion that wos prefered to
your Excellency when at Concord is able and ready to Support
what thay then Charged m"" Wiggins with if M"" Wiggins Sign-
ers Could make out that he ever did any thing that appeared
266 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
frindly to this State through the war it would Be in his favor,
as Hopkinton went through a teados war without the help of
this Valuable Wiggin it is thought that we Can do with out
him it is the Prayer of many that M"' Aaron Greeley may Be
Honered with a Commission of the Peace it is most Likely to
me that he may Sarve the Public the Best of any man in Hop-
kinton
Hopkinton Februaiy i : 1786
I have the honour to Be your Excellency & Honnors most
obedia" and Humbell Sarvant
Joshua Bailey
[The foregoing documents not only contain the names of
probably nearly all the men in town, but show the earnest
endeavors put forth by the men of those times for the ofifice
of justice of the peace. — Ed.]
[R. 2-103] \_Etilistment Papers, J'/j6.'\
Hopkinton Septem'' 17, i77^'
We the Subscribers do volintarly inlis into the Continall
army to sarve at new york till the first Day of December next
insuing to Sarve as Solders under the Command of Such Cap-
tain and See Boltens as Shall Be appointed By the Field Offi-
cers of this Rigement as witness our Hands
William Darling Ezekiel Straw Jacob Hoyt
Timothy Darling Nathaniel Kimball Benj Bach''' Darling
William Godfree Sargent Currier
Elias gould Gideon Gould
[R. 2-104] ^^Depositions relative to Service in the Army.']
Then Jacob Tucker of Warner Thomas Story William Clem-
ent Joseph Standley Thomas Bigsford Abner Colby Joseph
Putney Jonathan Putney Ebenezer Eaton of Hopkinton all in
the State of New Hampshire and County of Hillsborough
yeomen Parsonally appeared and Being Duly Examined and
Corshened maid Solem Oath that thay Sarved as Soldiers in
Cap' William Stilsons Company and Colo Isaac Wymans
Rigement at mount independence in the year 1776 and that
thay Never Receivd any Saus money for the whole of the time
that thay were in Said Wymans Rigement and that for the
HOPKINTON. 267
month of November thay Never Received any wages nor travil
money Horn Direct nor inderect
Examined and Sworn before
Joshua Bayley Jus* Peac
Hopkinton Novemb. 7 : 1777
[Jacob Waldron of Warner and Stephen Hoyt of Hop-
kinton made oath before the same justice that they " Sarv-
ed as Saboltens in Cap' William Stilsons Company at
mount independent in the year 1776." Dated Hopkinton,
November 8, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 2-105]
[Reuben Trussell, who was wounded at Bennington, was
allowed ^^23, 12, 4, October 31, 1778, for doctors' bills, etc.,
and placed on half pay from September 19, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 2-106] \_Enlistments, lySi.']
Hopkinton September 20: 17S1.
S'' agreeable to your orders I have inlisted Seven Men to
Serve three months theare names as follows
Moses Colby Stephen Putney Samuel Eastman
Richard Smith Moody Clement Daniel Stickney Jur.
of Hopkinton and David Stickney of Concord
the men have marched this day
Joshua Bayley
To Col Thomas Stickney of Concord
[R. 2-ioS] \_CertiJicate of Soldiers Mustered^ Ij8i.~\
This May Certify that Tim^ Farnham Abraham Currier John
Eaton has this 5 Day of April pas*^ Muster for the Town of
Hopkinton for three years & Benj'' Cresey the 6 april pas'* Mus-
ter for three years for the town of Hopkinton & that Ephraim
Hildreth, Sam* French, Michael Stocker, John Robinson has
pas'* Muster for the Town of Hopkinton Dureing war with
great brittain all Mustered at Amherst ye 5, &, 6, of April
1781
Moses Nichols M Master
To whom it may concearn
268 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[R. 2-1 1 1] \_Petitwii of yoseph Marshy Soldier^ i'j8'J.'\
Your Pertitioner Humbly Sheweth that he Inlisted into Cap*
Daniel Runnels Company and Cor' Nathaniel Peabodys Rige-
ment in the years Sarvice in the Expedition at Rhode Island in
the year 1778 and when he received his wages it was of but
Very little value to what the same was when he Inlisted * * *
Hopkinton June 13, 1787
Joseph Marsh
[In June, 1778, £,^^2^ of continental paper money was
equal to p^ioo in silver. In June, 1779, it took ;^ 1,342 of
the former to equal ^lOO of the latter. Marsh petitioned
to have it made up, but for some reason the petition was
" dismissed." — Ed ]
[R. 3-1 1 3] \_Petition of Samuel French^ Soldier: addressed
to the General Courts J/Sy.^
Humbly shews Samuel French of Hopkinton in the County
of Hillsborough and State aforesaid, that he your Petitioner in
the year 17S1 Inlisted into the Continental Service in Cap' Mo-
ses Dustins Company and pi'oceeding on his march to White
plains, from thence I was ordered to March to Mohawk River
and was there taken by the Indians and carried beyond Canada
and has remained a prisoner ever since June 17S3 until March
last, when he returned Home — for all which he has received no
compensation Wherefore your Petitioner Humbly prays that
this Honb' Court would take his case under their wise consider-
ation and make him such compensation as thev in their wisdom
shall think fit
Concord June 14"^ 1787.
Samuel French
[He presented another petition the following December,
with the following documents to substantiate his statement :
—Ed.]
March y^ 17 1783
I due here by sertify at Samuel French Hath fuly payed for
His Redemsian from the Indians
John Cambill
Hopkinton June 20"^ 17S7
This may Sartify that Samuel French of Hopkinton was
taken by the Indions Sum Time in June in the year 17S2 at the
HOPKINTON. 269
Little falls in Moohook River according to the best Integence
we had Being Soulders Stationed at Saratoge the same year
Timothy Farnham
John S. Farnham
Meredith September the i 1787
this is to Certyfy that Samuel french was taken By the indens
at the Little falls of the mohock River he Belongin to Cap*
Bells Company in the 3 N. H. Rigment with me
Oliver Smith
Pursuant to a vote of the General Court passed Feb^ i^* 1788,
I have entered Samuel French in the Depreciation Books for
four years wages, commencing June 17S3, amountingto Ninety
Six pounds. Literest to be paid annually
Attest J. Oilman
Exeter Feby 15"^ 1788—
[R. 2-1 15] \_Petition of Elijah Smarts Soldier^ iygj.'\
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon''' Oeneral Court now setting at Concord
The Petition of Elijah Smart Humbly sheweth, that in the
year 1777 he enlisted for three years in Cap' Nat. Hutchen's
Company in Col° Cilleys Rig"^' and in the year 1778 was taken
sick in the Camp, of the Yellow fever and Carried to the Hos-
pital at Valley forge and from thence was removed to the Hos-
pital at the Yellow-Springs, where he had the Mortification in
one of his feet which Occationed the loss of several of his
toes. * * *
Elijah Smart
Hopkinton Jan. 19: 1791
[Hopkinton men in the First New Hampshire Regiment :
Daniel Cressy, entered April 10, 1777; discharged April
10. 1779.
Moses Colby, entered April 4, 1777; discharged April 4,
1780.
Ephraim Cross, entered April 16, 1777; discharged 1780.
John Chadwick, entered April 6, 1777 ; discharged April
5, 1780.
John T. Connor, entered April 8, 1777 ; discharged April
5, 1780.
Ebenezer Collins, entered April 6, 1777 ; discharged Oc-
tober, 1777.
2/0 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Cressy, entered April 6, 1781 ; discharged
March 17, 1782.
Alva Currier, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged Decem-
ber, 1 78 1.
Joseph Eastman, entered April 10, 1777; discharged Oc-
tober 30, 1777.
John Eastman, entered April 10,1777; discharged July
8, 1777-
John Eastman, Jr., entered May 6, 1779; discharged
John Eaton, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged December,
1781.
John S. Farnham, entered May 5, 1779; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
Timothy Farnham, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged
Enoch Hoit, entered July 3, 1777; discharged July 2, 1780.
Ephraim Hildrith, entered April 5, 1781 ; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
Jona Judkins, entered April 10, 1777; discharged April
10, 1780.
James Lamb, entered March 10, 1777; discharged
March, 1780.
Samuel Stocker, entered April 10, 1777; discharged
March 7, 1780.
David Smith, entered April 10, 1777 ; discharged August
4, 1778.
Elijah Smart, entered April 7, 1777 ; discharged April
10, 1780.
Caleb Smart, entered April 7, 1777; discharged April
10, 1780.
Jona. Sav^yer, entered April 4, 1777; discharged April
5, 1780.
Some of the foregoing were in the same regiment again
in 1782 and in 1783. — Ed.]
[5-138] \^Remo72strance to the Ordination of Rev. Jacob
Oram., I'j8g.'\
To the Council appointed to Ordain M"" Jacob Cramb in the
work of the Ministry —
Reverend Sirs ; we would inform you that when M' Cramb
had a Call from the people of this Town to Settle in the work
HOPKINTON.
271
of the Ministry in a Town meeting we Suppose there was not
more than one fourth part of the Voters, in Town that voted
for his Settling as aforesaid : Since that time we understand
there has many informed him before he had given his Answer,
that they had no desire he should settle in this Town, as afore-
said ; and Considering the present Circumstances of the Town
and other Reasons which might be given we have No desire
that he Should settle in the work of the ministry, as aforesaid
And we would inform you that it is much against our opinions
to do any thing toward his settleing in said Town or support
him if settle'd : and we apprehend that if Ar Cramb, should
Settle in this Town it will be the means of Causing Law
suits, and Cause of much Confusion in said Town. Therefore,
we would pray you to advise. M"^ Cramb not to settle in said
Town and you to Desist from ordaining of him in Said Town ;
and in So doing you will oblige your Humble Petitioners —
Hopkinton Feby. 10'^ 1789
Moses Long
James Clough
Isaal Gould
Steph Herri man J''
Joseph putney ]'
Thomas Eastman
John Emerson
William Peters J""
Samuel Currier
Thaddeus Ladd
Joseph Clark
Nathaniel Eaton
Isaac Perley
Samuel Sawyer
Jacob Straw : 3
Gideon wood
David Clough
Reuben Currier
Elijah Holms
Moses Jones
David Clement
Christopher Gould
Jacob Clarke
Henry Blake
Levi Bavley
Abel Rowell
Jeremiah Fowler
John Eastman
Calib Burbank
Moses Kimball
Mathew Stanly
Abr"' Currier
Noah Pearson
Jeremiah Emerson
Amos Bayley
Thomas Clough
Benjamin Hoyt
John Perley
Robert Hanaford
Jeremiah Flanders
Jon"" Sawver
Jacob Hoyt
Rich'^ Cresey
John Holmes
Jaob Stanly
Timothy Emerson
Abrahain Rowell
Amos Gorden
Nicolas C Buswell
Ichabod Gould
Stephen Putney
James Emerson
Ensley Brown
ralph Cross
Henry Currier
Ezekiel Hadley
Solomon Bayley
Enos hunt
Timothy Flanders
David Morrill
Samuel Page
Nathan H Morgan
Samuel Straw J""
John Gould
Stephen Harriman
Abner Hoyte
John Eaton
Samuel Hoit
Daniel Flanders
Joseph Hastings
Jacob Straw
Daniel Tenny
Moses Kezer
A Copy of Said Petition
Samuel Wood
Scribe of S'* Council
272
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Mr. Cram was ordained notwithstanding. See following
document : — Ed.]
[5-137]
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon'''* the Senate and House of Representatives for said
State to be Convened at Portsmouth the fourth Wednesday
of December AD 1 7S9 —
Humbly shews the Subscribers Inhabitance of the Town of
Hopkinton in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid
That it is Rational to Suppose and favoured by the Constitu-
tion of Said State that no person ought to be Compelled to pay
Taxes for the Support of a Minister of the Gospel whose Senti-
ments in Religion are Different from his That in February last-
the Revd. Jacob Cram was Ordained in Said Hopkinton Pre-
vious to v\diich many of us by ourselves and Agents Objected
against his being Ordained thinking his Sentiments not agre
able to ours Notwithstanding he was Ordained and we are
Taxed toward his Support We think it Cruel that we Should
in a day when a Spirit of Liberality in Religious Sentiments
Pervades the Continent and not a Single Constitution in the
United States compells a Man to pay where he cannot Consci-
entiously hear & be Compelled to Pay this Man ; We wish to
Support the Preaching of the Gospel at the Same time Wish
for a Man of our own Choosing We therefore Beg that we may
either have a Poll Parrish in Said Town or that the same may
be divided in Such manner as the Hon""'^ Court shall think best
And as in duty bound Shall ever Pray
Thaddeus Ladd
Jacob Straw, 3
Joshua Eaton
John Gould
Ebenezer Ordua
William putney
Samuel Straw
Amos Bayley
Stephen Harriman
Rich'' Cresey
Sargent Currier
Danill Gunnison
Jon'' Sawyer
Abraham Rowell
Noah Pearson
Benjamin Hoyt
Israel Gould
Moses Jones
John Emerson
Isaac Perley
Nathan H Morgan
Timothy Emerson
John White
Ichabod Gould
Abner Hoyt
Ezekiel Hadley
Caleb Burbank
Abr-" Currier
Simeon Dow Junr
Moses Hastings
Moses Kezer
Samuel Hoyt
Jonathan Gorden
Amos Gorden
Levi Bayley
Reuben Currier
John Perley
Jacob Rowell
Nathaniel Eaton
Samuel Sawyer
Thomas Eastman
Nathaniel Morgan
Joseph Clark
David Merrill
James Clough
Nathaniel Rowell
Joseph Hastings
Jacob Straw
Jacob Hoyt
Gideon woods
HUDSON. , 273
[In H. of Rep., December 26, 1789, a hearing was order-
ed for the second Tuesday of their next session, at which
time, June 15, 1790, the matter was further postponed to
the second Tuesday of their next session. I fail to find any
further action in the matter. — Ed.]
HUDSON.
The largest part of the territory contained in this town
was included in the ancient grant, by the provincial govern-
ment of Massachusetts Bay, of the township of Dunstable,
October 16, 1673, O. S. In 1722 a portion of this grant
was annexed to the town of Londonderry, and in 1732 all
that remained of Dunstable east of Merrimack river was
incorporated into a town named Nottingham.
In 1734 the north part was taken off, and, with other
territory, incorporated into a town named Litchfield. The
aforesaid changes were made by the general court of Mas-
sachusetts, the territory being considered a part of that
province until the line was established in 1741.
Settlements were made on the banks of the Merrimack as
•early as 17 10, the people living in garrisoned houses, and
planting their corn on land cleared by Indians for that pur-
pose.
The town was incorporated by the governor and council
of New Hampshire, July 5, 1746, in answer to a petition
from the inhabitants (Vol. IX, page 417), and named Not-
tingham West, and retained that name until it was changed
to Hudson by an act of the legislature approved July i, 1830.
The south-westerly part of Londonderry was annexed to
this town by an act passed March 6, 1778.
{^Notthighatn West Men in First N. H. Reg-ifnent .']
[Robert Burts, entered April 28, 1777; discharged July
8, 1780.
Nathaniel Hardy, entered May i, 1777; discharged
March 5, 1778.
Amos Kenney, entered April 3, 1777; discharged Octo-
ber 7, 1777 ; killed.
Thomas Barry, entered April 12, 1779; discharged April
10, 1780. — Ed.]
20
274 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-173] \_Complaint concerning Rev. Nathaniel Merrill^.
To His Excellency Beuning Wentworth Esq'' Cap' General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & Over His Majestys
Province of New Hampshire the Hon**'* His Majestys Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Province in General
Assembly Convened the 3'^ day of December, 1747.
The humble Petition of Josiah Cummings & others whose
Names are hereunto subscribed Inhabitants of Nottingham
West in said Province shews
That the Inhabitants of said Town since their Incorporation
as a Township under this Government, hav'e proceeded to call
& settle one M"" Nath' Merril as the Gospel Minister of said
Town which your Petitioners Opposed and from which they
always dissented Requesting tliat they might be Excused both
from calling him & paying towards his Support because they
could not like him for tlieir Minister.
That notwithstanding the different Sentiments of your Peti-
tioners in this matter & the steps they took to discover their
dislike of the Proceedings the Town have calld & settled the
said Minister & have rated your Petitioners as others who have
been Active therein — and your Petitioners supposing the Town
in general was not desireous of compelling them to join against
their Inclination have Requested the Select Men of said Town
to Insert a Clause in a Warr' for calling a Town meeting to see
if the Town would not Excuse your Petitioners & discliarge
them from paying as afores'' till they should attend the Ministry
of M"" Merril (which as yet they do not) or to call a meeting
for that purpose both of which has been denied by the select
men —
That your Petitioners conceive had such a motion been regu-
larly made at the Town meeting the Town would have dis-
miss'd your Petitioners & Exonerated them from any charge
having the Example as well as the Advantage of such a Dis-
mission made by the Town of Dunstable of a Number of their
Inhabitants who dissented from the proceedings there Relating
to the Settlement of a Minister whereby the Town of Notting-
ham will not upon the whole be prejudiced — But however that
may be your Petitioners humbly conceive it to be a hard Case
to oblige them to belong to & to support the Ministry they can-
not like & do not attend & when they may attend the Ministry
at Dunstable to their Satisfaction & with Equal Conveniency
as in Nottingham Wherefore they humbly pray that they may
be discharged both Polls & Estates from paying any thing to-
wards the support of the Ministry at said Nottingham so long
as they attend else where & they shall Ever pray
HUDSON. 275
Josiah Cumings Jeremiah Blodget John Snow
heenry Snow Samuel Jewet Benjamin Frost
Reuben Greley Beniamen Snow
Eleazar Cumings Samuel Hushton
[In H. of Rep., March 9, 1747, the matter was postponed
until the selectmen of the town had called a meeting to see
if the town would consent to the foregoing request. — Ed.]
[5-1 71] \^Granting Authority to Mr. Cummings to petition
the Legislature^ Ij4y.~\
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of Nottinghamwest Author-
ize and Impower M'' Josiah Cumings of said Nottinghamwest
to Petition the Gen" Court of New Hampshire that we may be
Excused from paying Taxes to the Rev*^ M' NatW Merril in or-
der that we may pay at Dunstable where we attend and to Act
fully in our behalf relating that affair said M"" Merril being set-
tled in said Town contrary to our Consent and conience like-
wise we having entered Protest Against the vote where by he
was settled the Selectmen having Assessed us for the same not-
withstanding and having refused to put our desire of being Ex-
cused in to a Warrant for a Town meeting
Nottinghamwest Sep"" 14"' 1747
Eleazar Cummings Jeremiah Blodget Ruben grele
John Snow Samuel Juewet Josiah Cumings
Beniamon Snow Samuel Huston
henry Snow Benj" Frost
[5-170] [^Relative to JSIinisterial Affairs., ly^y,']
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable
in the Province of New Hamp'' on the fifteenth day of Septem-
ber 1747
an Extract from the votes of said meeting a vote was pro-
posed as followeth —
Whereas this Town of Dunstable on the 31' of Aug' last
voted and chose y* Rev*^ M"" Samuel Bird for the settled minis-
ter of this Town and Joseph Blanchard Esq"", Henry Adams,
John Lovewell Ju"" Jo^ French, Jon'' French, Jon" Combs,
Josiah Swan, Sylvanus Whitney, Ephraim Butterfield, Tho^
Blanchard, Joseph Butterfield, Richard Stratton Ephraim Ad-
ams, Tho^ Adams Phineas Adams, Sam^ Searles, William
276 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lund Ju% Phineas Lund & John Combs having manifested
their dissatisfaction with the choice and unwilHngness to attend
his Ministry therefore voted and Agreed that said persons and
their poles for the time being Lyable by law to be rated and
such Tenants for the time being as shall live on their Estates
unless such tenants shall give their attendance at said M' Birds
meeting be and hereby are Excused and discharged from all
rates and taxes what So ever that shall be raised and Assessed
on the Inhabitants of this Town for the settlement vSalary or
support of the said M'' Bird and all other their Estate Real and
personall while in their Possession equally discharged also for
the Errecting and finishing a meeting house where the said m'
Bird shall preach Always reserving as the condition of this
Grant or vote that the Persons discharged as afore said do not
vote in any aftaire relating to the said m' Birds settlement Sal-
ary or support or the placing ordering or Building the said
meeting house and in case any of them for the future do thus act
in any of the atiairs as afore said then the afore going vote to be
void as to such person also provided that when any of said per-
sons shall give their Generall Attendance on the said m"" Birds
ministry the afore said vote where by they are Excused to be
void as to such person —
voted in the aftairmative
A True Copy Exam*^ per Jon'' Lovewell Town Clerk
[5-169] \^Alleged Illegal V^othtg in ij4'/.'\
Where as we the subscribers Lihabitants of Nottinghamwest
in the Province of New Hampshire in New-England being
present at a meeting of the Inhabitants of said Nottinghamwest
y® 9* day of March 1746/7 when several persons ware Allowed
by the Moderator to vote in said meeting that was not Qiialli-
fied by the Laws of this Province to vote in Town affairs and
Altho Objection was then made against said persons voting they
ware still Allowed to vote in said Meeting and there by votes
ware made in said Meeting which if they stand will be Hurtfull
to us the Subscribers and many other Inhabitants of this Town
as well as contrary to the Laws of this Province therefore we
the Subscribers desire and Impower M'' Josiah Cumings of said
Nottinghamwest in our names & behalf to Petition his Excel-
lency the Gov'' & the Honou'^ Council and Representatives of
said Province to Know if said Meeting shall stand Good or
not —
Nottinghamwest March y' 30"* ^747
HUDSON. 277
Zacheues Lovewell Eleazar Cummings
Samy*' Huston Arthur Darrahe
Elexander Thomson Ezekiel Hills
Joseph Snow William Taylor
John Snow Ezekiel Grele
John Mitchell
[5-168] \_Petition relative to foregoing in 77^7,]
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Cap' General
Governor and Commander in Chief in & over His Majestys
Province of New Hampshire the Hon'''® his Majesty's Coun-
cil & House of Representatives for said Pi'ovince in General
Assembly convened the 12"' Day of May 1747
The Humble Petition of Josiah Cummings of Nottingham
West in said Province in behalf of himself & Sundry other In-
habitants & freeholders of said Town shews
That on the 9th Day of March last past the Inhabitants &
freeholders of said Town met to chuse the Town Officers for
the Ensuing vear & to transact other atlairs proper to a General
Town Meeting and after chusing of a Moderator they proceeded
to business, in the conduct of which the Moderator was greatly
negligent of his duty in suffering Persons to Vote who were
not Qiialified for nor Intitled to that Privilege by which means
things were carried against the Minds of a Majority of the
Qualified Voters & such Votes past as will (if put in Execu-
tion) be very prejudicial to the Interest of the Town as well as
many particular Persons and tho' Objection was made to the
Moderator against admitting such unqualified voters yet he dis-
regarded & over Ruled the same against Law & Right
That as this is a thing of a very pernicious tendency & Dan-
gerous consequence & which ought not in any Instance to be
tolerated as it is an abuse of a very great Privilege as well as a
breach of the Good & wholsom Laws in that case provided
every honest man ought bear Testimony against & do his En-
deavour to have discountenanced by that Authority which is the
Guardian of English Liberties as well as Enacter of good
Laws —
Wherefore your Petition"" Humbly prays the premises may be
Inquired of and if found in any Degree as above Represented
that the said Meeting be declared Void & the proceedings &
Votes then & there past Vacated, a new Meeting Called for the
purposes of the first, and a suitable Person Appointed Modera-
tor to Govern the same and your Petition'' as in duty Bound
shall Ever Pray &c —
Josiah Cumings
State of Newhampshire —
2/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To the Honoroberle Counsel and house of Representative —
Gentehnen —
may it Pies your Honours that we the Subscribers Humbly
shew that we ware Notifyed With A Copy of moses Hadlys
Petition of Nottingham west to appear at Exeter the Eighteenth
of march Instant and shue cause Why the petition should not
be ansurd but so far from that we Pray that the Petition may
be ansurd
Samuel marsh Selectman
David Laui'ance
Samuel Wason
Moses Johnson
Samuel Greelee
[5-1 66] \_Relafive to yotiathau Searle, 177 5 •'\
Nottingham west June y^ 9"^ ^775 —
We the Subscribers being Neighbors to m"" Jon"' Sarles and
have been acquainted with him this some time, and for his
Relief we are Desirous to Let all Generous People know his
Conduct, & Cirumstances, &c —
Pie has Lived this some years in the Town of Nottingh™
west, and is, (as far as we know) an honest Principled man
and has been honest in his Dealings with mankind as far as he
was Capable of, to the utmost of his Ability, — But fortune has
not favoured him with the Good things & comforts of this Life,
by Reason of Sickness & other frowns of Providence, for he
has had Sickness in his family at certain times for many years
Past, and more Especially since about five years ago Last April
he hath had a Daughter Sick & under the care of Physicians
the biggest Part of the time, and She is Reduced as it were to
a Skeleton & a mear nothing, and is Exceeding Troublesome,
for she has been confined to her bed this two or three years
Past, and we Don't know as she is Likely Ever to be any bet-
ter, but mav continue so, this many Years, he has had for her
the Advice of many Physicians, to no Purpose — he has also two
Children besides her, that will never be capable to maintain
& take care of themselves — one of them is 22 years of age, or
near it & has had convulsion fitts from a Child & is an object
of Pitty. The other is about 18 years of age, which is Inca-
pable of Doing much Business, for Nature & Providence has
not Endowed him with faculties & Activity Enough to Provide
for himself, & besides all this, he is scarcely Ever well in
HUDSON. 279
"health, & is very often under the Doctors care — M"" Sarles him-
self is purblind, and of late his Sight is much Depraved & Im-
paired being something Advanced in years — and therefore he
is not fit to Do much work — he has also another Child that is
not Endowed with Active Lively faculties & foresight, sufficient
to manage without Directions from time to time, & Likewise
being not so well calculated for business as is Common, by
Reason of the Total loss of the sight of one Eye, Even from
a child Therefore if you that see these Lines, think that you
can bestow something to such a Needy person and help him a
Little in his Great Difficulty & trouble it would be a Deed of
•Charity in your so Doing, to help the Poor & needy in their
Distress —
Signed by John Mussey. their family Physician also by D'
Cummings
Let the Chearful heart be open, & Revive
The weak & feble, while they are yet Alive —
Pelham Oct^ y' 27"^ 1783 —
This may Certify, that Jacob Sarles is in a weak Infirm State
■of health —
John Mussey
■(^5-165] S^Relative to La fid of Williatn Brattle^ i777-'\
To the Honorable the Council & the House of Representatives
setting at Portsmouth the fourth Day of November next —
The Petition of w-e the Subscribers humbly sheweth — That
whereas there is a Tract of land containing about 250 Acres
lying in Nottingham-West, in the County of Hillsborough, &
State of New-Hampshire, belonging to the Heirs of William
Brattle Esq ; deceased : who in his life time fled from his Coun-
try to the Enemies of America ; And whereas it is probable
that said Land will become the property of this State : And
whereas great waste and dammage has heretofore been done to
said Land by striping it of Timber that grows upon it, and as
there is the highest probability that still greater wastes will be
made in time to come, if no measures are taken to prevent it —
From a Desire, therefore to preserve the Property of the State,
we beg your Honors, to take such measures, as you in your
wisdom shall see meet, to prevent, for the future, the Destruc-
tion of the Timber growing upon said Land —
As we your Petitioners in Duty bound shall ever pray —
Nottingham-West 31'' Ocf 1777 —
Abraham Page John Hale Jona. Bradley
Stephen Kenney John Hestine Gideon Butler
Page Smith Timo Smith Jn° Caldwell
280 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-163] \_jRclative to the Protection of Fish ^ I'j'jS.'^
To the Honourable the Council and House of Repi"esentatives
for the Stat of New Hampshire at Exeter Conveind —
Gentlemen —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly sheweth that
Whereas there is a Brook in the Town of Nottingham west and
County of Hillsborough that Riuis from Woo Tannack So
Called in s** Town to Meriraack River in Which large numbers
of Fish known by the name of Alle Wives has freequently
Rune which would be a Great Benefit to the Publick provided
said Stream could be kept clear and Also the mouth of the
Brook upon the River And all Ell pots and Obstructions by
which means some Evil Desposed Persons are detirmanded to
stop the General Rune of said Fish to y^ Great damage of the
Publick therefore We your Petitioners Prays your Honours in
your Wisdom would take into consideration the same and pro-
vide such measures as may be thought by you proper so that s*^
Town may be Enabled to lay Restractions on such evil minded
Persons for the Future and we your Petitioners as in Dutey
Bound Shall Ever pray —
February y* 7"^ 1778 —
Jno Caldwell Asa Davis Henery Hale Junir
Robert Glover henry hucy Will'" Gibson
James Caldwell Nathaniel Haseltine John Haseltine
David Cumings Nickles Eastman Seth Wyman
Ebenezer Barker Timothy Smith Jon'' Bradley
Thomas Wason Daniel Marshall Giden Butler
James Wason Page Smith Philbrick Colby
James Caldwell John Hale David Glover
Alexander Caldwell Samuel Smith William Glover
Abraham Page Stephen Kenney Bengamon malven
Eliphet Hadley Henery Hale
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 18, 1778, the foregoing were granted"
leave to bring in a bill, and an act granting protection was.
passed March 5. — Ed.]
[5-162] [^Petition relative to aforesaid Act., iyyp-~}
To the Honorable the Council and house of Representatives,
for the State of Newhamp'"'' in General Court —
May it please your hon" we your humble petitioners under-
standing that there is an act made in this Honorable Court
ordering a Sluice to be made through Moses Hadle^'S mill Dam
in Nottingham-west and to continue open about 3 months which
of course will draw of the water so that the Mill will be En-
HUDSON. 281
tirely useless till the water can be raisd again which cannot
be done till fall of the year and as s*^ mill is of the utmost
service in the time when s'' Sluice is to be open all the other
mills round at that season being dry and cant grind and this
mill if there is no Sluice to draw off the water can and does
Supply a great number of Familys wherefore your Humble
Petitioners pray that s"^ act may be reconsidered and ordered
that instead of a Sluice (which will ruin the mill) that there
may be a ditch at one End of the dam which may Easily be
made so that the fish mav go up and down and it will not draw
the water so but the mill will be of great use to many distressed
Families while the water is running in s** Ditch and we Like-
wise pray that the time set forth for the water to be running
may not Exceed six weeks which will be long Enough for the
fish to pass and repass in gratifying us in these things you will
oblige your Humble petitioners Ever to pray.
Feb' 18 1779 —
Moses Hadley Richard Hardy Will"' Gibson
Samuel marsh Philip Hills Sam' Burbank
Danil Marshall Oliver Hills Sam' Burbank Jun""
Ebenezer Cumings Reuben Spaulding Moody Hardy
Eben"" Perry Joseph Wilson Andrew Sceavy
Daniel Hardy George Burns Samuel Durant
Peter Cross Samuel Moses Johnson
John hall Samuel Brown Thomas winn
Elezear Cumings Natha' Merril Jur Samuel French
Isaac Merril Elijah Hill Joseph merrick
Joshua Chase Ezekiel Grele Seth Cutter
Justus Dakin Joseph gould Ebeneser tarbox
Samuel Pollard Nathanael Davis Moses Barret Juner
Ebenezer Pollard Moses Barret James Barret
Josiah Cummings James Barret Jun Thomas Barret
Henry chase Richard Marshall Elijah Marshall
Jos Greele Isaac Page Jamas marsh
Jonathan Hardy Jr william Cummings Abiathar Winn
Stephen Chasejuiner David Marsh Joseph Winn
John hardy Jonathan Marsh Joseph Winn J""
Joel Barrat Joseph Blodget Joseph Winn J""
William burroughs George Burns Sam*' moor
Rich'* Cutter William Burns Stephen Chase
Isaac Page Jun. Sam' Greele Benja Marchall
Joseph Cross edward farmer John Walker
Simeon Barret Ichabod Esman John Pollard
David tarbell Alexander Caldwell Eliphalet hadly
David Lawrance Samuel Caldwell Benjamin Hadley
Joshua Peirce Robert Glover Enos Hadley
Isaac Barret Eliphalet Hadley John
252 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-173] \^Thomas CaldweWs Petition^ iy8j.~\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives in
General assembly Convened —
The Petition of Thomas Caldwell of Nottingham-west Hum-
bly Shews
That about three years ago your Petitioner requested the Se-
lect" of said Town to lay him out a public Road from his dwell-
ing house Northerly to the Country Road crossing Jon'' Searles's
land and all the objection they then had was the Towns being
Obliged in Such case to pay for the land — your Petetioner than
applved to the Court of Sessions for the County of Hillsborrough
praying for an Order to Lay out such a Road and in pursuance
thereof a Committee was appointed who with great Circum-
spection view'd the premises, v^'hen all parties were present, and
then lay'd out the road requested and it was afterwards estab-
lished by the S*^ Court — and Searles's Damages awarded him —
and the road ordered to be Opened as mentioned in the Said re-
port—
That the Select" of Said Town have lay'd out a road quite
aCross your Petetioners Farm and to make all things easy he
has offered to Abate the Town the Sum awarded him as dam-
ages Provided the other road Could be opened and the said
Searles paid his damages (which is not a larger sum than Or-
dered your Petetioner) but Still the same is not don neither is
there any appearance of it — and now it Seems Som restless peo-
ple are about applying to this assembly to have this report re-
versed, or altered in a manner very prejudicial to your Petetion-
er and to deprive him from his main road to Meeting Mill Mar-
ket &c — the other Road not being of the least Advantage to him
for any of the afoi^esaid purposes, and was lay'd there purely to
Serve a few individuals and not for any general purpose — and
now your Petetioner is inform'd that some persons in Notting-
ham are about Presenting a Petetion as herein before hinted at
— & that your Honers mav have Som Just notion of the matter
this representation is humbly presented and your Petetioner is
encouraged to hope that Such light will be thrown on the Mat-
ter as to prevent a Formal hearing of any Such Petetion and to
have the Same rejected, as a thing already Settled by a Court
Proper for Such matters whoes determination ought to be final
& so rest unless Greats and Manifest^ injury is done
This matter of Petetioning your honors has been agitated in
public Town meeting when the inhabitants were prety Gener-
ally assembled, and the Vote against Petetioning was very unan-
imious and now is Prosecuted only by a few Designing men and
for no good Purpose as may be Shewn in the Sequel —
HUDSON, 283
Your Petitioner Therefore most heartily relying on the Pru-
dence Justice and Wisdom of this Honerable Body of men and
that they will prefer Public good to Private Pique and rather
discourage Such Applications as Can Only Tend to impede and
Obstruct the Ordinary State Business And Tend to promote
Such Petetions in numberless Instances, he therefore humbly
hopes the Said Order Respecting the Laying out the Said Road
made and Establish'' by the Court of Sessions for the County of
Hillsborrough may not be Altered But any Petition for the Same
may be dismis'd — and Your Petetioner as in duty bound Shall
Ever pray &c —
We the Subscribers being in habitants of Said Nottingham-
west have perused the foregoing Petition and think it Contains
a very fair representation of the matter wherefore we do hereby
Signify our desire that the road lay'd out by the Said Commit-
tee may be opened and repared as ordered in the Said report
Alexander Caldwell John Pettingill Samuel
Samuel Caldwell Xath^' merrill Juner George
henry hucy Thomas Pollard Samuel
Will'" Burns Benjm Marshal James Caldwell
Andrew Sceavey Henray Marshel James Wason
Isaac Merrill Friend moody Nathaniel Seavy
[5-161] \_Deposition relative to foregoing^ l/8j.^
Abraham Page of Lawfull age Testifieth and Saith that he is
knowing to a Town Road being laid out and Iproved as a Road
in Nottingham West which Road went a cross a part of the
Westerly End of Flukers Lot So called which Lot Thomas
Caldwell now Resides on and your Deponant further Saith that
he looks upon the Road that tlie Courts Com''"' lately laid out
through Jonathan Searles' Land will be a great Damage to S**
Searles. he and his famaly being in Low circumstances and very
unable to fence S"* Road
Nottingham West Abraham Page
November 3*'' Day 17S3
[5-160] \^Depositio7ts of C7i7n7nings^ Cross ^ a?id Hale, Jj8j.'\
Ebenezer Cuming Peter Cross and John Hale all of Lawfull
age Testify and Say that they are well acquainted with a Road
that the Courts Committee has lately laid out through Jonathan
284 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Searles' Land to Thomas Caldwells, that Said Road goes on
Said Searles^ land upward" of one Hundred and Twenty rods
upwards of Eig-hty of which is unfenced, and your Deponants
look upon vS'' Road if kept as an open Road to be of great Dam-
age to Said Searles, as he and his famaly is in Low Circum-
stances and unable to fence s** Road as also it will Expose a
great quantity of his apples of being lost by reason of falling in-
to S*^ Road, and that their is an open Road Laid out across the
Lot that said Caldwell Lives upon that is the Easterly End of
said Lot
Nottingham west Ebenezer Cmigs
November 3"^ Day 17S3 Peter Cross
John Hale
State of New Hampshier Hillsborough ss
nottingham west November 3*'' Day 17S3
then the above & hear named Dec. Ebenezer Cumings & Left
Peter Cross & John Hale & Cap' Abraham Page all personally
appeard and after Due Caution and Careful axamination made
Solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by them Re-
spectivly Signed and that is all they knew of the matter they re-
late to which tistimonys were taken to be used at the General
Court now Seting at Concord taken at the request of Jonathan
Searles the Petitioner the adverse partie nameley Thomos Cald-
well was present at Time of Caption Sworn out of Court
Before me Asa Davis Justice of peace
[5-159] \_Statetnent relative to Building the Road, lySj.']
Where as we the Subscribers are well acquanted with the
Dispute that hath for a long time subsisted betwixt Jonathan
Searls and thomas Caldwell Both of Nottingham West respect-
ing a Road from said CaldwelP by said Searls' House into the
country Road leading from Henry Hucy' to Alexander Caldw^
We think it highly reasonable on account of Both Caldwell^ and
Searles' Benefit and the Neighbours in general that s*^ road
shold be opned and whereas the said Searls seems to be unwil-
ling on account of the cost in building the fence on which ac-
count we have no desire said Searls should be burdened in Tes-
tamony whereof we promise that on condition the above said
road should be opened in Order to help said Searls to make said
fence each one of us for ourSelves will work or Cause to be
wrought at said fence the Time afixed to Each of our Names
Nottingham west October 30"" 17S3
HUDSON.
285
Moses Hadley —
Nathan Winn
George Burns
Isaac Hard
James wason
James Wason
Jame Caldwell
Samuel Wason
Thomas Wason
John smith
Joseph
Hanry Hardy
Bar^ Gibson
Thomas Caldwell
Nathaniel Sceavy
Mens Work
two days
Self one day
three days work
tw'o days work
Two days work
I day
I D
two Days
Two Days
Three days
two days
Two days
3 day^ —
4 Days
3 Days
Ox Work
2 day*
3 Days
[5-15S]
[^jMore relative to said RoadJ\
To the Hon*"'* the council and house of Representatives for y'
state of Newhampshire in general assembly convened at Con-
cord the First thursday of November Annoque Domini 1 7S3 —
The Petition of Nathaniel Sceavy of Nottingham West in the
county of Hillsborrough and state aforesaid Blacksmith
Most Humbly sheweth, that whereas Jonathan Searls of Not-
tingham aforsaid did in the month of June 17S3, prefere a peti-
tion to the Hon'''' council and assembly of the state aforsaid
praying that the report of a committee of the Hon'"''' the Court
of General Session of the peace for the county aforsaid Respect-
ing a road laid out by said committee of two rods wide from
Thomas Caldwell^ House as the road was then trod by s*^ Searls'
House into the country i-oad — and the order of the aforsaid court
thereon, might be Nullified and said road be made subject to
gates and bars — which will be Verry Injurious to your petition-
er and many others. — Your petitioner have Built a House and
settled on a piece of Newland about seventy Rods south of said
Caldwell and is determined to work at the Blacksmith'* Trade
and have not the lest prospect of the priviledge of a road as a
Town Inhabitant any other way only by the aforsaid Road
therefore your petitioner Most humbly prays your Honours will
Establish the aforsaid committee* report and order of the hon**'*
court of session thereon or grant your petitioner such other
helps as to your Honours in vour Wisdom shall seem just and
Equal and your petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray
November 3"^ 1 783
Nathaniel Sceavy
286 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-1 1 6] \_Petition of Sarah Bradbury^ 1780 : addressed
to the General Assembly.']
The petition of Sarah Bradbury of nottinghamwest In said
state widow Humbly shueth that your petitioner's Husband en-
tered Into the Contanantal army about three years ago and that
he Died on His Return from a march to the Indean Cuntry
with general Sullivan Last fall that your petitioners s^ husband
has had the Caracter of Doing the Duty of a faithful good sol-
dier both In the most of the Last french war and the present
war with great Bretton In the Capasity of a Sargent. * * *
Nottinghamwest february 10"' 1780 —
Sarah Bradbery
[She further stated that she was left with a family of
small children, and asked for assistance. — Ed.]
[R. 3-1 1 SJ [^Petitioji of Richard Cutter., Soldier., Ij84.'\
The Petition of Richard Cutter of Nottingham-West Humbly
Sheweth That your Petitioner was a soldier in Cap' Samuel
Darbin Company of Colo Stephen Peabody^ Regiment in the
year 1778, from the tenth Day of June to the first Da}^ of Janu-
ary, which is six months and twenty Days — That your Petition-
er for all that service, received only one months pay, from the
hands of the Muster Master Colo Noah Lovewell — That your
Petitioner has very frequently requested his wages of Cap' Dar-
bin (who had the money from the state to pay the Soldiers) but
never could obtain a farthing, nor ever expects to. Therefore
beg your Honors to make him a compensation for the afores*
Services :
Rich'' Cutter
Nottingham- West March 18"' 1784
[5-157] \_Asa Davis recommended for a Magistrate., i/Sj.']
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough
To his Excelency the President of Said State, and honorable
Council Convened the humble petition of us the Subscribers of
Nottingham-West in S*^ County, Sheweth that whereas by our
new Constitution we under Stand that all Commissions both
Civel & military are now Vacated, and that a new arrangement
is to take place we your petitionrs in be half of S'' Town Hum-
bly pray that your Excelency, and hon'% in role Asa Davies
HUDSON.
287
Esq'' to Continue as Justice of the peace for S*^ County and
Town as he has given general Setisfection in S*^ office, and as
in duty bound Shall pray,
Dated Notingham west Jan'^ y^ 26 y"" 17S5
Robert Stuart
Samual burbank
Henry Chase
Joseph Winn
Jonathan Hai'dy
Joseph Wilson
John Merrel
Isaac Coburn
bengamen marshel
Zaccheus Colburn
Samuel Pollard
Thomas Pollard
James Pollard
Thaddeus Wilson
Henry Farwel Mar-
shall
Abigail Winn Wd
Joseph Winn
John Chase
Joseph B Wilson
Jonathn Gould
Joseph Gould
Andrew Sceavy
James Sceavy
Isaac Chase
Thomas Whittaker
Abner Watkins
Capt David Cum-
James Wason
Thomas Wason
James Caldwell
Joseph Caldwell
Samuel Wason
Nath*^' Sceavy
Eliphlet hadley
Enos hadley
Abraham Page
Benjamin hadley
Nathaniel Haseltine
Henery Hale iu
Page Smith
Wid Sary binney
Henry Morrill
John Hale
Robert petane
Jonathan Bradley
Alexander Caldwell
Henrey hucy
Samuel Caldwell
Robert Glover
Jonathen Sarles
Elelhen Sarles
Samuel vSmith
Samuel Smith Junir
Hugh Smith
John Smith Juner
John Smith
Samuel Smith the 3
thomas Smith
Sith Wyman
friend moody
Joshua frensh
Sam' french
Peter Youngman
John Butler
John butler Jun
Jams farmer
Ebneser Poolerd
Jeremiah Blodget
Asahel Blodget
Benaiah Blodge
Joseph Blodget
Joseph Blodget J"
Phinihes Wheeler
Blodget
Jonathnn tenney
Jonathen blodgat
James Pemberton
William atwood
Joseph Bradly
Eliphalet Hadley
Stephen Hadley
Jacobet Esmons
[5-1 1^6] \_Petitio7t for an Incorporation of a Library^ //p/.J
To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives in
General Court Convened at Portsmouth November 1797
Humbly Sheweth that the under Signed Inhabitants of Not-
tingham west with their associates, have been at Considerable
Expence in purchasing Books in order to astablish a Library in
Said Nottingham — but finding themselves under Some Disad-
vantages for the want of an incorporation pray your Honours
that they with Such others as may hereafter Join them, may be
incorporated into a body Politic for the purpose aforesaid, and
288 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Such Rules and Regulations as your Honours think proper —
and as your petitioners in Duty Bound will Ever pray —
Sam*'' Marsh
Joseph Winn
Phinehas Underwood
Eleazer Cummings
John Pollard
Joseph Greeley
Nottingh™ West November 20* 1 797
[An act was passed December 9, 1797, incorporating the
library by the name of " Nottingham West Social Library."
—Ed.]
JACKSON.
This town was incorporated December 4, 1800, by the
name of Adams. It included Fowle's Location ; the grant
to Lt. Samuel Gilman, of Newmarket, of 2,000 acres, made
March i, 1770; the grant of 3,000 acres made to Capt.
Richard Gridley, February 5, 1773 ; the grant to Capt,
Robert Rogers, of Portsmouth, of 3,000 acres, made July 4,
1764; the grant of 8,740 acres, made March 4, 1774, to
Mark Hunking Wentworth, Daniel Rogers, and Jacob
Treadvvell, of Portsmouth ; and 13,893! acres of land be-
longing to the state. Jonathan and Clement Meserve peti-
tioned for the incorporation in 1796, and again in 1797. The
grants to Gilman, Gridley, and Rogers were made for ser-
vice in the French war, by virtue of a proclamation of the
king, of October 7, 1763.
Capt. Gridley was in command of a regiment under Gen.
Amherst at Crown Point in 1756; was at Louisbourg in
1758, and '• went from thence with the Fleet, and acted at
the Seige of, and Reduction of Quebec in 1759, with the
forces under General Wolfe."
June 14, 1806, 300 acres of state land in Adams was
granted the town for school purposes.
June 22, 1 8 19, the farm of " William Stephens " was sev-
ered from Adams, and annexed to Bartlett.
July 3, 1822, the farm of Nathaniel Carlton was severed
from Bartlett, and annexed to Adams.
JACKSON. 289
July 3, 1839, the farms of Nathaniel Tufts and Stephen
Carleton, 2d, were severed from Bartlett, and annexed to
this town.
The name of the town was changed to Jackson, July 4,
1829, in honor of Andrew Jackson, then president of the
United States. It received its first name when John Adams
was president.
£5-174] \^Petitio}i for a7i Incorporation^ I'jg6.'\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Exeter on Wednesdav the first day
of June 1796
The petition of Jonathan Meserve and Clement Meserve hum-
bly Sheweth your petitioners having moved with themselves &
Families on Gridley's Location in the Countv of Grafton and the
most northerly part of the State of New Hampshire and the most
Mountanious part of the State, and perhaps the most mounta-
nious part of North America, but by the Industrv & exertions of
your petitioners & Families has been a means of bringing a num-
ber of good Settlers on the other Locations adjoining viz Went-
worth's Roger's, Gilmans, and Martins Locations, and Land sold
by the Commitee for makeing & reparing Roads from Conway to
Cohas, — but Still your petitioners & other Settlers is put to many
difficulties in that Mountanious Country for want of haveing
good Roads & in no regular order to do anything in respecte to
Roads Schools &c but what every Alan thinks proper to do by
his own free will. All which is a very great Greviance and Dis-
couragement to the Settlement of the Northerly part of the State
therefore your petitioners pray a Township mav be laid out
joining Southerly on Bartlett Easterly on Chatham, Northerly
on Shelburne Addition and Westerly on the White Hills, In-
cluding the Locations before mentioned, According to a plan
herewith exhibited & incorporated with all the privileges that
other Towns in the State have & enjoy and your petitioners
pray that all the unlocated Land contained in said plan may be
granted to your petitioners and associates on such terms & Con-
ditions as you in your wisdom shall think proper and your pe-
titioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray. —
June y*" 25 1796 Jonathan Meserve
Clement Meserve
[The plan is No. 175 in manuscript volume. It is well
executed, showing points of compass and distances, bounds
of the locations, etc. — Ed.]
290 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-176] S^Another Petition relative to Incorporatioti^ ^797-3
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Corte convened at Con-
cord on the first Wednesday in June i797 —
Respectfully Shewethjonathan Meserve and Clement Meserve
now living on Gridley's Location in the County of Grafton and
State aforeSaid in behalf of themselves and those of your Citer-
sons living upon the Tracts of land hereafter Discribed and for
those who may hereafter reside thereon. That the present In-
habitants labor under many and Singular Disadvantages by rea-
son of not being in a situation to trancat public buseness, and
also that the granted lands within Said limits is not Sufficiant to-
make a Town. That their are some ungranted lands within
Said limits but mostly mountains which cannot be of iio real
service to this State but if granted might be Som to the Set-
tlers Wherefore they pray your Honors to Incorporate all the
Lands with the Inhabitants thereon within the lines and boun-
darys herein after Set forth into a Town by the name of
and grante to them your petinors and their Heirs and Assigns
forever all the ungranted lands within Said lines and boundarys
under such restrictions as may appear proper Beginning at the
Sothwesterly corner of fowlses Location thence running wester-
ly by Bartlet to Bartlet norwesterly corner bounds thence north-
ley to the Southwesterly corner of Rogers and Wentworths Lo-
cation then running nothley to Shilburn addition leaving the
white hills to the west so to include Martins Location and others
then by Shilburn addition to the Province of main thence by Said
province of Main to Chatham north westerly corner thense by
Chatham to the first mention bounds. These petitioners further
pray your Honors that if to you it Shall Seem proper that a
hearing on this petition may be granted at your next Session
and that in the mean time Sum Sutable measures may be pur-
sued as will furnish you with the evidence whairby to enable
you to Judge and Determine respecting the propertity of grant-
ing the prayer of your Petitioners and they as in Duty bound
will ever pray —
Jonathan Meserve
Clement Meserve
[5-177] \_Anot/ier, relative to I>icorporating a Towtt, //pp.]
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Fowls Gilman's Gridley's
JAFFREY. 291
Rogers' Wentworth's and Treadwell's Locations in the County
of Grafton and State of Newhampshire Humbly shews —
That your Petitioners are greati}' incommoded by reason of
their unincorporated situation — That they forego many & singu-
lar advantages which Towns corporate enjoy, and labour un-
der embarrassments from which, in a corporate capacity, they
would be exempt — That they, by legal process, are unable to
make and repair necessary roads & highways and to raise mon-
ey for the support of schools and the Ministry in the aforesaid
Locations — That the Grievances abovementioned can only be
redressed by an act of Licorporation — That the aforesaid Loca-
tions are capable of forming a convenient Town — Wherefore
your Petitioners humbly pray that said Locations may be formed
& incorporated into a Township to be known and called by the
name of and as in duty bound shall ever Pray —
May 16* AD 1799 —
Petitioner's Names —
Clement Meserve Samuel Gray Junier Joseph Pinkham
John Young Timothy Perkins George Pinkham
John Parkins Samuel Gray Benjamin Copp
Isaac Meserve Daniel Nute Benjamin Copp
Samuel Jenkins Jonathan Meserve Junyer
Jonathan Meservejun John Meserve William Copp
Henry Sawyer John Nute James Trickey
Natthanniel Davis Ralph hall Ephralm Trickey
Isaac Darburn Daniel Meserve Daniel Pinkham
James Canney Benjamin Pitman Rufus Pinkham
Silas Meserve Joseph Pitman Samuel Rogars
Ephraim Meserve Joseph D Pinkham
Andrew Chesley Nathaniel Chesley
[They were successful this time. The town was incorpo-
rated by an act approved Dec. 4. 1800, and named in honor
of President John Adams. — Ed.]
JAFFREY
The township was granted November 30, 1749, by the
Masonian Proprietors, to Jonathan Hubbard and thirty-nine
others, residents of Hollis, Dunstable, and Lunenburg, and
was known by the names of Monadnock No. 2, Middle Mo-
nadnock, and Middletown, until it was incorporated by the
292 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
governor and council August 17, 1773, and named in honor
of Hon. George Jaffrey, a member of the council. The first
meeting of the proprietors was held in the house of Joseph
French, of DunstalDle, January 16, 1750. Settlements were
made by Moses Stickneyand others in 1752, but were aban-
doned. In 1758 permanent settlements were made by John
Grout and others. Wolves had dens on the Monadnock
mountain, and occasionally one was killed. In 1793 Benja-
min Dole killed four and 13enjamin Spaulding one, and each
received a bounty therefor.
The township granted was a parallelogram, nearly rectan-
gular, five miles by seven, and so remains to this day.
Lieut. John Harper, Jacob Pierce, Benjamin Dole, John
Dole, and Dudley Griffin were in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Ebenezer Hathorne was a veteran of the French war, and
was taken prisoner by the Indians at the surrender of Fort
William Henry. He manufactured steelyards as early as
1775, and one of his make is now in use in the family of the
editor of this volume, who is, maternally, a lineal descendant
of said Hathorne.
[5-178] \_Bo7inds of the Townships as granted Nove^nber
30, i749-\
The Bownds ofy^ Towaiship of middle monadnock N° Two
In y*' Countv of Cheshire and province of New Hampshire as
By y^ origiiiall Charter Signed By Joseph Blanchard Esq'' of
Said Township appears is as follows (viz) —
Begining at y'' Southwest Corner of Peterborough Slip So
called from thence Runing North Eighty degrees west Seven
miles to a Hemlock Tree marked from thence Runing North by
y" Needle five miles to a Hemlock Tree marked from thence
Runing South Eighty degrees East Seven miles to a Beach
Tree marked in y'' west Line of Peterborough from thence
South by y" Needle to y* first Bounds mentioned —
a True Copy Examined —
per Matthew Wallace Pro' Clerk —
[5-180] \^Petitioji for an lucorporatiofi of the Toxvn, 1773.']
Province of New Hamp'
To His Excellency John VVentworth Esq'' Captain General,
Governor and Commander in Chief, in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire, and Vice Admiral of the Same
in Council :—
JAFFREY. 293
The Petition of Enoch Hale of Rindge. in the County of
Cheshire in the Province aforesaid Esq'' in behalf of the Inbi-
tants of a Township commonly known loy the Name of Monad-
nock N° 2 or middle Monadnock, unto Your Excellency &
Honours humbly Shews —
That the Said Township is now setled with more than forty
Families, And many more that have begun Settlements that
they will shortly remove on, That they are destitute of the
legal Privileges & Franchises of Corporate Towns, whereby
they sutler many Inconveniences for Want of Town Officers,
and especially at this Time, when they are taxed for the Sup-
port of the Government, but cannot legallv assess or collect the
same, and are also unable to warn out any Poor, idle Vagrants,
That too frequently force themselves into New Towns, to the
manifest Injury of such Towns in particular, & the Province in
General
Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays (in behalf of his
Constituents, the Inhabitants aforesaid) That Y'' Excell-'' &
Honours would be pleased to condescend, to indulge them with
the Corporate Priviledges of other Towns in this Province, for
the Purposes aforesaid, and That they may have a Charter
thereof, by such a New Name as your Excellency may think
proper to give unto said Township, and as in Duty bound, Yr
Petitioner & his Constituents shall ever pray —
Portsm'' Aug"' 16"^ 1773. ' Enoch Hale
[In answer to the foregoing, the town was incorporated
August 17, 1773. Col. Hale was employed by the town as
agent in the matter. — Ed.]
[5-18 1 ] l_Case of Assault before Courts -were established in
the County^ ^775'^
To the Honourable Provential Congress Gentelmen
Whereas IVP Benjemin Nutting of Petterborough Slip So
Called has Entred a Complaint to us the Sub" (the Committee
of Corrispondance for the town of Jaflrey in the County of
Chesher and province of New hampshire) Against M"' John
Davis Jun' of Jaffi-ey in the County and province Aforesaid,
that upon the Second day of October instant as he came to the
house of John Eaton in this town upon Some Bussiness he was
assulted By the Above said Davis and Abused in the Most
Solem maner as appears By Sundry Evidences Produced by S^
Nutting and Notwithstanding S*^ Davis was Notified to Attend
to hear the Evidence Examind he Refused to attend and he has
often Been Requested to Settle the matter But he Remains Ob-
stinate and persists in his Villany with insolence we have Care-
294 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fully Examind the Evidences and have herein inclosed their
Depotions we Earnestly Desire you to take this Matter into
your Consideration and Either Determin the Matter Between
them, or invest this Committee with a proper Authority to Act
thereon also we Desire Some instructions how to proceed in
Said Case, Gentelmen your Complyance will Greatly Oblidge
your humble Servants
Dated at Jaffrey October y^ 27"^ i775'
Tesher Bailey ~) r-' -^i. c
\A7-iim T- ( Comittee of
vViH"' iurner r r-^ ■ j
T-, /-,., t Corrispondance
Roger Cjilmore ) ^
N. B this Davis Mentioned by the Evidences in their Depo-
tetions is the Same John Davis Jun"" Mentioned Above
\_Evidetice relative to foregoing.^
M"" Eatons Evidence on the 2** day of October 1775
I heard M'' Nutting and m"' Davis Disputing Concerning
Some Accompts Between them & M"' Davis would have Nutting
oftsett Some part of their accompt and he would not for some
Reasons which he then Mentioned and S*^ he would Die first
Davis S*^ then he Should Die then he Seized him By the Collar
and Struck him on the head twice and then Struck him on his
Shoulders three or four times and threatened him that he w^ould
Strip his Skin off his Back and Break his Bones and knock his
teeth Down his throat and make him keep his Bed three weeks,
and then pulled him Down the hill toward the River and Said
he would throw him in the River But he did not and Struck
him again twice on the Road and then he Let him Come up
again to the house and then took him By the Shoulders and
Struck him twice again, & I heard him Say he had then taken
the Intrest and it Should Not Be Long Before he would have
the principal, and During the Whole Affair I did not hear M""
Nutting threaten nor abuse M'' Davice Neither with bad Lan-
gage nor otherwise
John Eaton
Jaffrey October y'= zf^ 1775
on the Second Day of October 1775. I Came to M' John
Eatons and I See John Davis Jun"" take M' Benj" Nutting By
the Collar and Shak him and Strike him twice and threatened
he would pull him Down and throw him in the pond M"" Nut-
ting Received all this iVbuse with patiance and did not abuse
m"" Davis with Bad Langage nor otherwise
Nehemiah Porter
Jaffrey October y*" 27'^ 1775
JAFFREY. 295
Some time Since the Quarrel Between M"" Nutting and m""
Davise tliese two Gentelmen above mentioned Aleet accedenti-
aly at my house m'' Daniel Davise Being also at my house we
Motioned to them to have them accomadat their Difficulty M"'
Davise answered he wase in a passion But he Did not Care a
Divels tord about it and he Swore he had taken the Intrest and
he intended to have the principal soon
James Haywood
JaflVey October y* 27'^ ^775
upon monday the 33'' Dav of October instant AP Davise Came
to my house I asked what induced him to Qiiarrel with M""
Nutting he Said that their was No other way to Get his Dues
and all he was .Sorry for was that he had No Given him as
much Again and that there was no other way to get his Debts
and that was as good a way as any he also told me of one man
that killed another at Nottingham Latley and Said their was no
Law if one man did kill another, he Said the Congress had put
the Above mentioned man in Goal But Could not do nothing
with him and was oblidged to Let him go
Jaffrey October y" 27"' 1775.
John Stanley
fR. 2-1 19] \^Petition of Daniel Russell^ Soldiery z///.]
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State —
The Petition of Daniel Russell Humbly Sheweth that your
Petitioner Engaged in the service of his Country in the begin-
ning of the year 1777 "^"^ "^''^^ wounded thi-ough his body the
19 of September following while fighting with the enemy near
Stillwater which wound Disabled him from fighting From
thence he was carried to Albony Hospitual where he Received
A Furlough as soon as he was able to Return Home, and im-
mediately put himself under the care of the best Surgeon, or
Surgeons he could Find, and was unable to Return to his Reg-
iment or any other corps, till October 177S then went to Bos-
ton and was found unfit for anv Duty and Received a furlough
of the Hon. Gen^ : Gates and Returned Home and was under a
Necessity to put himself under the care of a surgeon and when
his Furlough was Expired then Returned to Boston and was
found unfit for any Duty and again furloughed and so from time
to time untill the three year he engaged for was Expired Then
the Honourable Court Put him under half pay as he was unable
to earn his support — The wound your Petioner received was
296 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
open from his side to his Back Ahiiost five years by reason of
his Ribs being Fractured. * * *
Daniel Russell
JaftVey June 3'' 1783.
[He further stated that his pension was paid him in notes
that were of Httle value, and asked for some relief. In a
petition dated Maixh 4, 1779, the said Russell stated that
he was in Capt. Blodgett's Co. of Col. Hale's Reg't ; that he
was furloughed at Albany October 20, 1777, and was eleven
days getting home, after which he was under the care of
Dr. John Young of Peterborough," and Dr. Jonas Prescott ;.
was examined in Boston by " Dr. John Warren, Surgeon
General." After that he was under the care of " Doc' ado-
nijah How of Jaffrey." March 5, 1779, Roger Gilmore and
Abrm. Bailey, selectmen, and Dr. How certified to his con-
dition as stated in his petetion. — Ed.]
[R. 2-132] \_Petitio7z of Ephraim Adams, Soldier, ^779-\
[In a petition dated Jaffrey, June 10, 1779, Ephraim Ad-
ams stated that he enlisted in the R. I. expedition in Au-
gust, 1778 ; took his horse with him, and said horse was
taken from him by order of Gen. Whipple for the use of the
army. He asked to be paid ;^I30, which was the sum ap-
praised by Roger Gilmore, Hugh Dunlop, and William
Turner, selectmen of Jaffrey. This petition was not grant-
ed, but one presented in 1786 was, to the extent of ;i^i5. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-126] \_Soldiers' Orders.^
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
S'' Please to Pay to the Barrer Will"' Smiley all the Wagers-
that is Due to me for my services in the year 1781 Per me
Benjamin Dole
Jaffrey Feb, 7
Nev^^ Hampshire ) these may Certify that Benjamin Dole of
Cheshire ss ) Jaffrey in the County of Cheshire is Soule
heir to John Dole Late of Jaffrey Deceased who Dyed at Albany
march the 15 day 1782
Joseph Thorndike Justice Peace
Jaff\-ey Oct" y* 14*^ 1784
JAFFREY. 297
Jaffi-ey Feb. 7'^^ 17S5
To the Honourable John Taylor Gilman Esq"' Treasurer for
the State of New Hampshire Sir Be pleased to pay the
bearer my whole wages which is due for three months service
in the Armey in the year Eighty one in Cap* Philip Thomas
Company and this shall be your discharge
£4, 14, 4. Asaph Brigham
[R. 2-127] [^Petition of Lucy Wesson^ iy82.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Councill and House of Representatives
of said state —
The Petition of the Widow Lucy Wesson Humbly Sheweth
that your Petitioners Husband Isaac Wesson inlisted into the
years service 177S and was born upon the musterroll till the
First of April 1779 and has not returned nor been hear of sence
but by the best information is Dead, your Petitioner is left with
a Family of small Children and stands in need of her Hus-
bands wages (what there is due) and cannot find out as there
is any way for her to come at them She prays therefore that
your Honours would take her case under your wise Considera-
tion and Grant her such Releaf as you in your wisdom shall
think Fit and she as in duty bound shall Ever pray.
Jafirey Sept. 12 1782
Lucy Wesson
This may Certifie all hoom it may con earn that Lucy Wes-
son was the wife of Isaac Wasson when he Entered the Con-
tenantal Sarvis
per us John Gilmore \
Benj" Prescott > Selitemen
James Stevens •
[Nov. 16, 1782, she was allowed four months' pay and
depreciation. — Ed.]
[R. 2-128] \^yamcs Turner^ Soldier r\
[In a petition dated Feb. 14, 1785, James Turner, of Jaffrey,
stated " that he served as a soldier in Cap*^ W™ Scotts Com°y
& Col° Henry Jacksons Reg* in the Continantal Army,
three years." He further stated that he had not received
his allowance for depreciation : he asked to have it allowed,
which request was granted. — Ed.]
298 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-139] \_Petition of Benjamin Dole^ ^J^S-^
To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representatives
Convened at Portsmouth on the first Wednesday of June
1785-
The petition of Benj"" Dole of Jaftrey humbly shew^eth that
his Brother John Dole w^ho by will made your Petitioner his
heir did serve in the army the first eight months & being in the
Service constantly to his death had no opportunity to receive
his pay from the paymaster untill it died in the depreciation of
Continental money. This humbly prayeth your Honours in
your wisdom to interpose for your petitioner that he may not
be injured by his constancy in Public Service & your Petitioner
as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Jeflray May 1 785
Benjamin Dole
Exeter June 6"" 1785.
This may certify, that the wages due to John Dole was
j£^. 8, 8, no application was ever made to me for his wages,
untill paper was taken out of circulation
attest "Sam^ Hobart P M
[John Dole was in Capt. Thomas's company, Col. James
Reed's regiment, at Winter Hill in 1775. The petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[5-183] \^Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. '\
A return of the Number of male polls of Jaftrey Twenty one
years of age & upwards paying a poll tax for themselves in said
town Viz one hundred & ninety polls
JaftVey December 13"' 1783
Jedidiah Sawyer '\ Selectmen
John Briant \ of
Jereme Underwood ) Jaffi'ey
To the General Assembly of the State of New Hamshire —
Cheshire ss Jeffrey Dec"" 10* 1783
Then the Above Named John Briant & Jereme Underwood
personlly Appeared & made oath that they head in Makeing
out the Above Return Acted fiiithfully & Impartailey —
Before me Joseph Thorndike Just Peace.
JAFFREY. 299
[5-1 S2J \_Relative to Kendall Parsons^ Soldier. ~\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
of said State —
The Petition of John Gilmore Humbly Sheweth that you
Petitioner did in the year 1779 hire Kindal Parson to Serve
in the armey one year and while the said Parson was absent
your Petitioner' Did Supply the s*^ Parsons Family with Neces-
saries of life and when the s*^ Parsons returned home finding his
Family in poor Circumstancies and could get no releaf without
a bondsman your Petitioner was bound for the said parson and
was obliged to pay the obligation, and could get no Satisfaction
Except an order upon his wages he had Coming from the State
and as the said Parson is now in the Army your Petitioner
Prays that your Honours would take his Case under your wise
Consideration and grant the said Parson's Wages according to
his order if it can be consistant and he as in duty bound shall
ever pray —
Jaffrey June 7 17 S3.
John Gilmore
[5-184] \_Petitio7i for Authority to raise a Company of
Cavalry., l'j86.~\
May it please your Excellency
We the Subscribers inhabitants of the Town of Jafirey Beg
Leave to inform you that the inhabitants of the towns of Jaffrey
Rindge Fitzwilliam and Marlborough in the County of Chesh-
ire do Conceive it highly Necessary for the better Regulation
of the Militia in these towns and the defence of this State that
one Company of Light horse be inlisted and formed out of the
Militia in the above mentioned towns and as the first Officer for
said Company (viz) the Cap' is the Naturel Right of the town
of Jaffrey and we understand that the abovesaid towns have
Consented thereunto We would therefore for that purpose
Nominate and Recomend our trusty friend and well disposed
Citizen Namely Peter Jones as a person well Qiialified for that
important trust and Whereas we whose Names are Under
written are determined to Join said Company if our wishes
take place we would intreat your favour to Appoint and Com-
mission the above Named person as Cap' of said Company as
soon as may be if your Excellency shall think proper, We in
the Mean time Reiving on vour friendly disposition toward the
Enlargement and defence of this state and being Senceble of
300 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Honourable Seat and Caracter you Sustain we willingly
Submitt our above-mentioned Requsition to your Wisdom to
Conduct as your Excellency shall think proper and we the
Subscribers as in duty bound shall Ever pray
JaftVey Dec-" y'' 21'' 17S6
Joseph Crosby David Gilmore James Davison
William Emery Moses Cutter Robert Harkness
Josiah trench Jonas Adams Samuel Foster
Peter Bullard James Turner Alpheus Crosby
His Excellency John Sullivan Esq"" General President and
Commander in Chief of the State of New-hampshire
[5-1 85] \_Relative to Peterborough Slip^ i'/8'j.'\
Jalfre}^ }w\\^ "'3 17S7
This may certify that at a Legal meeting of the Freeholders
and other inhabitants of the town of Jatirey (qualified by Law
to vote in town meetings) meet on may the 10 — 17S7 foi' the
Porpose of Seeing what the town would do in regrard of Peter-
borough Slip'' haveing a mile oft' the east Part of Jaftrey. —
Voted unaimous not to let Peterboi^ough Slip have any part
oft' the east part of S*^ town. Voted to Chuse a committee of
five men to Petision and Remonstrate the General Court of this
State that the Prayr of the Petision of Peterborough Slip be not
Granted Chose M'' Laban Ainsworth Esq'' Roger Gilmore,
Lieu' Josepli Bates, Adonijah Howe Col" Jed'' Sanger —
Voted that the Committee make a Draught and Lay the Same
before the town at an adjournment of this meeting Voted to ad-
journ this meeting to Thursday "' 24 of May instant at three
O Clock afternoon May "" 24 17S7 the inhabitants of S** Jaftrey
being meet acording to adjornment the Remonstrance Draught-
ed by the aftbre Said Committee being read Voted to except the
same. Voted that the remonstrance be Presented to the Gen-
eral Court of this State
A true Coppy Attest
Adonijah Howe Town Clark of
Jaftrey
[5-1 86] \_Protest against Setting O^a Portion of the Town^
1787.-] '
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives,
Conveened at Concord, in S** State, on the first Wednsday in
June
JAFFREY. 301
We the Subscribers, being a Comittee in Behalf of the town
of JaftVey, beg Leave to present this our Address and Remon-
strance to this Hon'*' Assembley, against a petetion that has
been perferred to the General Court at their Last Session, by
Com" of the inhabitants of Sliptown, So Called, praying that a
Strip one mile wide may be taken off the Southeasterly part of
this our town of Jaftrey, and that the Same be Annexed to the
west end of Said Sliptown, Which Measure, if Admitted, will
Exceedingly injure, and destroy our publick priviledges and
Enfranchisments, which were granted and Confirmed by our
Charter to the inhabitants of Jaffrey and their Successors for
ever, and leave us in a State of Anarchy and Confiission, and
tend greatly to Create debates, divisions and anomosities among
the now peacefuU inhabitants of this town, and as the altering
of Charters, and adding and Lessening of the Territory and
Jurisdiction of States and districts by the Brittish Ministry, in
the Late Revolution, were Some of the great Evils we Com-
plained of, as being Contrary to the true Spirit and design of
the English Constitution ; and in order to prevent these and
other unjust acts of the Brittish Parliament taking place in these
States, we Spent our Blood and Treasure, and obtained a Com-
pleat and Glorious Victory over all Opposition, So as we Con-
ceive this Greavance we hereby Remonstrate against, is in
Some measure Simaler, we do Apprehend that no authority
men, or Body of men, on any pertence whatever, have any
Right by Law, or by the Constitution, to alter, or deminishour
Terretory or Jurisdiction, or deprive us of any of the priviledges
and immunities granted, or Stipulated to us, by our Charter,
without our Consent. Neither do we imagine, that any per-
son, or people, have any Right to Require, or demand any of
our Sacred or Civil Rights, that are granted and Conveyed to
us, by oiu" Charter and Seek toAgrandize, and build themselves
up upon the Ruins of any of our invaluable Rights antl privi-
ledges, and in order the more fuUv, and Efiectualy to Represent
to your hon^ the great Evil, and distructive tendancy, which the
above mentioned Greivance, if Carried into Execution, will
produce in this town, we will hereby. Lay before your hon", a
detail of Some of the Evils, and disadvantages that will Nature-
ly attend this measure if admitted, in the first place, we have
Raised, and finished on an Eminence a Large, and Statly meet-
ting house, 60 by 45 feet, and near 30 feet post, Verry near the
Centre of our town, we have Laid out ten acres of a Common,
on which the Meetting house Stands, and have Cleared the
Same, and Spent thereon a great deal of Labor, we have laid
out on Said Common a Large Burreing Yard, and fenced the
Same with great Stone wall, and there is a great Number in-
terred there, we have Settled a Minister, and given him a large
302 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
farm adjoining Said Common, and he has built him a Large
house and Barn Verry Near the meetting house, and their is on
the East Side line of Said Common a Row of Large and Ele-
gant Buildings, which together with the Meetting house makes
a Beautiful appearance, and the Roads in Said Jaftre}- are laid
out, and opened. Leading to the meeting house So as to Con-
veen the whole town, and the town is divided into School dis-
tricts, and Some of these districts have built their School
houses, and as the town is now Scituated, the Most Remote in-
habitants are Content, and the whole town is Compleatly Unit-
ed, and Chearfuly Contributes for the Support of its publick
priviledges, but Should this unhappy Measure take place the
western part of the inhabitants of this town will make applica-
tion for the priviledges above mentioned to be moved to a New
Center and the grounds westward from the meetting being Low
and Swampy and Verry inconvenant for a New Center would
Create an Ever lasting Qiiarrel and dispute amongst us and
be attended with great Cost and trouble, Moreover their is a
Verry great mountain in this town and a great Number of
Large ponds which Renders about the fourth part thereof not
habitable besides a great deal of other wast Land which makes
the habitable part of this town but barely Sufficient to maintain
our minister and Support our publick priviledges also the in-
habitants that would be taken oti', provided one mile is Set off
to Sliptown is Unanimosly against being Set oft' as it would
greatly discomode them in their publick priviledges and Cause
them to be at the Expence of Begining all anew to Build a
meetting house and Settle a Minister and then be a great dis-
tance from their Centre when at the Same time they have Con-
tributed their porportion here for the Same priviledges and in
order to Manifest their desire they have hereunto Set their
names, furthermore as Sliptown does lay only against about the
one half of the East part of this town their would be a Leg
about one mile wide Left which if the meetting house Should
be Removed would leave the inhabitants of this leg at a great
disadvantage, also the County line is between this town and
Sliptown and if one mile is Set oft' one part will be in this
County and the other part in another County and as Sliptown
is Now Nearly Six miles from East to west one mile taken from
this town would make it almost Seven miles long and about
two or three miles Broad we Cannot Conceive any advantage it
would be to Sliptown to take one mile from the South East
part of this town and add it to that
The above mentioned Reasons Contain a part of the evils and
disadvantages that would attend Such a Seperation in the mean
time we Refer the above matter to your Wise Consideration and
flatter our Selves that your wisdom will interpose in our behalf
JEFFERSON. 3O3
and deliver your Remonstrants from the Evils that threaten us
and we as in duty bound Shall ever pray
Jaftrey may y* 24"" 17S7
Laban Ainsworth"
' Roger Gilmore
Joseph Bates J^ Committee
Adonijah Howe
Jed** Sanger
We the Sub" being inhabitants of that part of Jaftrey which
is prayed for in the petition of Peterborroughslip do hereby give
our Consent to the within Address and Remonstrance and have
hereunto Set our Names
Benj" Prescott
Nathan Cutter
William Pope
David Stratton
Moses Burdoo
Benj" Nuting
Oliver Gould
Oliver Prescott
James Cutter
JEFFERSON.
The township was granted October 3, 1765, to Col. John
Goffe of Derryfield and others, in 64 equal shares, by the
name of Dartmouth. As in case of most of the Wentworth
grants, one share was reserved for a glebe for the Episcopal
church ; one share for the first settled minister ; one share
for the benefit of the " Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts ;" and one share for the benefit of
a school in said town.
The proprietors not making settlements agreeably to said
grant, it was regranted June 26, 1772, with new boundaries,
to Hon. Theodore Atkinson and other influential men in
different parts of the state, among whom were Col. Joseph
Hammond, Col. Josiah Willard, and others from Cheshire
county. Col. Joseph Whipple and Samuel Hart, of Ports-
mouth, made settlements in the town soon after the regrant,
but the population increased slowly, and there were but
twenty-four families in town in 1793.
304 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
It was incorporated with town privileges December 8,
1796, and named in honor of Thomas Jefferson.
By an act of the legislature, approved December 7, 1842,
some territory was severed frem Kilkenny, and annexed to
this town.
[5- 190] \_yohti Goffe relative to To-iVnship Bounds^ I'/'J0.'\
Province of New Hampsh""
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"' Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province aforesaid in Council —
The Petition of John Gofte of Derryfield in said Province
Esq"', in behalf of Himself and the other Proprietors of the
township of Dartmouth unto y"" Excellency & the Honourable
Council most humbly shews
That your Petitioners obtained a Grant of the said Township
from Penning Wentworth Esq'' late Governor of this Province
in Behalf of his Majesty, with whom y'' Petitioners entred into
certain Stipulations on their part to be done and performed in
Settlement of said Township, which they humbly beg leave to
assure y"" Excell^' & Honours that they should have fulfilled, but
the Want of Roads, the scarcity of Grain, the distance of its
Situation from Settlements, and in a more especial manner, the
Difficulty they have been at to ascertain the Locality of said
Township by Reason of the Bounds of Lancaster being very
loose & uncertain through the Geography of the River of Con-
necticut not being at the time of their said Grant particularly
known, as it has since by actual Survey been found, whereby it
made a material alteration in y® bounds of s*^ Lancaster, and
consequently affected the Lines of Dartmouth, all which Diffi-
culties have necessitated y'' Petitioners to supplicate y'' Excel-
lency & Honours to extend your favours, by granting them a
further time to fulfill their Charter, as they are determined to
pursue it having got clear of chief of those embarrassments and
been at great expence in compleating their necessary Roads
which are especially and materially conducive to their Designs
— Wherefore they humbly pray y'' Excell^ & Honours to grant
the Prayer of this Petition for the Reasons sett forth, and as in
Duty bound, y'' Petitioners will ever jDray. —
Portsm° Dec"" 12* 1770
John Goffe
[This extension was not granted, but the township was
regranted to other parties, June 26, 1772. — Ed.]
JEFFERSON. 3O5
[5-1 88] [ Order to survey a Tract of La7id for David Page^
1773-1
Province of New Hampshire —
To M"" Edwards Bucknam of Lancaster in said Province —
You are hereby required and directed to survey and admeas-
ui'e and plainly and impartially to mark out for M'' David Page
(who is to pay vour Expence) a tract of Crown Land in said
Province to contain one thousand acres & no more, and make
return thereof into my office with all convenient speed for which
this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Dated at Poitsm° the 26"* day of January i773
Is : Rindge
[Isaac Rindge was surveyor-general of lands for the prov-
ince. The following is Bucknam's return : — Ed.]
this Plan was Laid Down in the form that David Page Esq''
Proposed to have it Laid out to him at y*" South Eastcrlv cor-
ner of Dartmouth as he had a warrant By order of Court from
the Surveyor general for the survey of 1000 acres of Land where
he should Please to Pitch it, in any ungranted Lands, which
warrant was Directed to me
Edw*^ Bucknam Surveyor of Land
[The plan is a rude rectangular parallelogram, represent-
ing a tract 320 by 500 rods, bounded on the north by Dart-
mouth line. — Ed.]
[5-191] \_Petitioii for an Act of Jncorporatioti, I7Q3-1
State of New Hampshire.
To the honorable Senate, and house of representatives convened
in general assembly.
The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of a place called
Dartmouth, in the Countv of Grafton, and State of New
Hampshire, humbly sheweth, that said Dartmouth is inhabited
b}' twenty four families, which labor under many inconven-
iences for want of legal authority to conduct town business, in
consequence of which, they suffer much on account of high-
ways being neglected, which not only injures the inhabitants,
but has a tendency to retard further settlement : wherefore your
22
306 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
petitioners pray this honorable court to consider their case, and
incorporate them into a town, that they may be vested with
such authority as other towns within said State by law exercise
and enjoy. And your petitioners shall ever pray
Dartmouth 2<f^ May 1793.
John Marden John holmes
Samuel Hart Samuel holmes
Richard Stalbird Elijah Moulton
James Rider
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1793, a hearing was ordered for
the second Thursday of the next session. Notice was to
be published in the N. H. Gazette, and posted in the town,
which Samuel Marden, on the eighteenth of December,
1793, certifies was done. This petition was not granted,
and another was presented by Col. Joseph Whipple, as agent
for the town, dated May 20, 1796, which was granted. — Ed.J
KEENE.
This was one of the Massachusetts grants, made in ac-
cordance with a vote of the general court of that province
of July, 1733. On the 19th of October following, a commit-
tee, consisting of Joseph Kellog, Timothy Dwight, and
William Chandler, was appointed to lay out the townships
on Ashuelot river forthwith. They reported in February,
1734, and the township was lotted in May or June follow-
ing. The first proprietors' meeting was held in Concord,
Mass., June 26, 1734; and in September following Jeremiah
Hall, Daniel Hoar, Josiah Fisher, Elisha Root, Nathaniel
Rockwood, Seth Heaton, and William Puffer visited Upper
Ashuelot, as the place was called, and held a proprietors'
meeting. Some settlements were made, and a fort built
soon after, but the town was abandoned in 1746, in conse-
quence of the atrocities of Canadian Indians, and not again
occupied until 1750.
The settlement of the province line determined the town-
ship to be within the limits of New Hampshire ; and a peti-
tion, dated February 2, 1753, was addressed to the govern-
or, asking to have the grant confirmed, and the township
KEENE, 307
chartered. Their request was granted, the town being in-
corporated April II, 1753, and named by the governor in
honor of Sir Benjamin Keene, an English baronet.
The main street was originally laid out but four rods
wide, and the city owes a debt of gratitude to the proprie-
tors, who, at a meeting held September 30, 1736, voted to
widen it, giving the proprietors of the lots on the west side
four rods wide on the rear of their lots, they surrendering
four rods in front, thus making a beautiful street eight rods
in width, which is admired by all visitors.
The north-east corner of the town was set off September
27, 1787, united with portions of Gilsum, Stoddard, and
Packersfield. and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.
Another portion was set off from the east side December
9, 1812, united with portions of Packersfield and Marlbor-
ough, and incorporated into the town of Roxbury.
An act passed the legislature in 1865, granting a city
charter, but they refused to adopt the same. Another act
was passed July 3, 1873, which was adopted.
Col. Isaac Wyman was Lieut. Col. in the First Regiment
under Stark in 1775, and until appointed colonel in July,
1776. Among other prominent Revolutionary men were
Samuel Wetherbee, Davis Hewlett, and William, Timothy,
and Benjamin Ellis, all of whom held commissions, and did
good service in the field.
Keene owes much of its beauty to the good sense of the
inhabitants in years past in keeping intact, in many instan-
ces, the original lots, thus giving ample grounds around
their residences, and avoiding that crowded and irregular
appearance that mars so many of our New England cities.
[5-194^ and 195 are ancient plans of Keene and Swan-
zey. — Ed.]
[5-196] \_Agent appointed to get the Toivn incorporated^
^750.']
We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed Inhabitants of
the upper Ashuelot for a Long time Labour under many Great
Difficulties for want of Town Priviledges we Do Therefore
Hereby Constitute and Impower our Trusty friend Cap' Jere-
miah Hall to Represent our Difficulties to his Excellency the
308 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Governor of New Hampshire and to Any Others Concerned
In that affair that we may be Incorperated Into a Town and
Likewise we give power to him to Chuse a man to asist him In
the affaires
Upper Ashuelot February y'= ii"^ 17S0
William Smeed Jonathan Under- Michaell medcalf jr
Ebenezer Nims wood Oliver Medcalf
David Nims Jobn Rogers Abijah medcalf
Ephraim Dorman Nathan Blake Jabez Hill
Nathan Fairbanks Ebenezer Day David Foster
Joseph Elles Gideon Ellis Amos Foster
Michaell Medcalf
C5~^97] \_y<^f^'ni<^h Stiles appointed Agent to obtain an
Act of Incorporatiott^ IJ^O.^
We the Subscribers Do hereb)- Impower Cap' Jeremiah Hall
to Pertition In our behalf for the Upper Township on Ashuelot
River where we Dwell to his Excellency the Governour of
New Hampshire and all Concern'd in that affair In the same
form that it was laid out by the Massachusetts
Upper Ashuelot Feb''^' 11* 1750
William Smeed Ebenezer Day David Foster
Ebenezer Nims Gideon Ellis Oliver medcalf
David Nims Michael Medcalf Michaell medcalf jr
Ephraim Dorman Jabez Hill Abijah medcalf
Nathan Fairbanks Jonathan underwood Samuell Hall
Joseph Elles Joli" Rogers Jesse Hall
Nathan Blake Elijah Dorman
[5-198] S^John and Rnth Dinstnoor's Petition^ lyjo.^
Prov of Newhamshore
To his Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq"^ Govor" &c In &
over his Majestys Province of New hampshore
The Peti°" of John Densmoor & Ruth Densmoor his Wife
Humbly Shews that Josiah Fisher of upper Ashaulott In the
Province of Newhamshore decesed Late Husband of the said
Ruth had In his Lifetime a Grant from the Massachusettets
Goverment of one Whole Wright or Share In s* township &
that In his Lifetime Bult an house & Cleard & In proved Near
forty acres of Land In s** township & In the Begining of the
KEENE. 309
War with y* Endins the s*^ Josiah Was Killed & the s*^ Ruth y'
Wedow of the Dec'** was left with out any Children by the de-
ces** But she still Continued att y^ said Ashualuett & In proved
s"* Lands tell y^ Endins Drove of the In habitance of s*^ town &
Sence the Sasition of arms the s*^ Ruth with hir Present Hus-
band hath fenced & In Pi-oved the s"^ Lands afore s'' wharefore
your Petitioners Humbly Pray that your Exellency Would be
plesed to Grant to your Petioners the s'' Lands afore s'' upon the
Condition that your Exellency grants to others y^ Kings subjects
In s*^ Province & your Petioners In dutv Bound Shall Ever
Pray—
Nov™ y^ 8* 1750 Johi'' Dunsmoor
Ruth Dunsmoor
[5-159] [^Benjamift Gidld appointed to assist Capt. Stilcs.~\
We whose Names are Hereunto Subscribed Being Propria-
tors of the Upper Ashuelot Township so called Do hereby Im-
power AP Benjamin Guild to joyne with Cap' Jeremiah Hall in
Petitioning His Exelency the Govoner of the Province of New
Hamshire He observing the Instructions Given by others of the
Propriators to the said Cap' Hall
Wrentham Feb"' 3o"' 1750
John Whiting Asa Richardson Abigail Guild
Daniel Haws Sarah Greene Robart Blak
Joseph Fisher Joseph Richardson Seth Heaton
Samuel Fisher Daniell maceene Elijah Blake
Benjamin Guild William Hancock Josiah Fisher for the
Obediah Blake Samuel Danils hares of Aaron
Ebenezer Daniells Esther Messenger Fisher
Nathaniel Ware Jonathan Whiting Nathan Bucknam
Hannah Dale Jacob Bacon
Abner Ellis Nath" Fairbnks
[5-300] [^Petition for a?z Incorporation of the Toxvn^ ^75^ •'\
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys Province of
New Hampshire and to the Honorable his majestys Councill
for said Province
The Petition of Jeremiah Hall and Benjamin Guild in behalf
of them Selves and others Inhabitants Setlers and Proprietors
of a certain Tract of land Called the upper Township on Ash-
3IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
uelot River in the Province of New Hampshire on the East
side of Connecticut River (a plan of wliich Tract of land is
herewith presented) most humbly Sheweth, that in the year
1737, in virtue of a Grant from the massachusets Government,
a plantation was begun on said Tract of land — That in the year
173S a minister was settled there and a meeting house built —
That before the last Indian War with the Indians there were
Thirty one Dwelling houses built on said Tract of land Sundry
barns and a Fort of near a hundred foot square having eighteen
jfire Rooms within said fort a Saw mill and Grist mill built —
that the setlers and others who were preparing for setling there
before the Indian War had made large Improvements there and
laid out their Substance in doing the Same —
That in the Spring of y*^ year 1747 — The Indians burnt down
all the dwelling Houses there except four — also burnt down
all the Barns but one also burnt down the meeting house and
the Fort also much household Stuff and killed Considerable
Cattle Horses Sheep and Swine That the s*^ Settlers and Pro-
prietors are returnd and returning on to the said Tract of land
in order to cultivate and Improve the same and in case a peace
Continues with the Indians in a few years there will be forty
or fiftv familys in case there was an Incoi'poration — Wherefore
your Petitioners most humbly Pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to Incorporate the s'' Tract of land agreeable to the bounds
thereof by the plan annexed and grant to your Petitioners and
others their Constituents such Immutys and Privileges as other
Towns Enjoy in this Province & your Petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray &c
March y*" 4"' 1 750/1 Jeremiah Hall
Benjamin Guild
[5-301 ] {^Another Petitio7i for an Inco7-poratlonof the Town^
1753 ■'\
Upper Ashualot Feb" y" 2^ 1753
We whose names are underwritten Do hereby Authorize and
Impower oiu" Trusty Friend M"" Ephraim Dorman to Prefer a
Petition to his Excellency the Governour of New Hampshire
for a Township known by the Name of the Upper Ashuelot
and to Pray his Excellency to Grant a Charter of this Land to
the Inhabitants and others Concerned in said Lands and to In-
sert a Clause in said Petition Praying his Excellency thajt if it
might be Consistent with his Pleasure he would Insert a Clause
in his Charter whereby every man may be Intitled to those
Lands which he Thought himself to be the Honest owner of
KEENE. 311
Tie Paying the Charges that have arisen on said Lands to Pre-
vent Endless Law-Suits and other Difficulties Impending over
us and to set forth in said Petition the Great Cost and Expence
we have been at in Building two Forts and Defending the
Kings Lands and the Great Losses we have Sustained by the
Enemy as set forth in the Petition Lodged with IVr Atkinson
Secretary and to take the Names Lodged with M"" Livermore
and annex to said Petition
Jeremiah Hall Samuel Reed Isaac Clark
William Barnes Benjamin Larrabee Nathan Blake
Ebenezer Daniells David Foster Michael medcalf ju
Jabez Hill Benjamin Twichell Joseph Elles
Timothv Harington David Nims Gideon Ellis
Daniel Twitchel Ebenezer Day Eleazer Sanger
Amos Foster William Smeed Jonah French
Titus Belding Ebenezer Nims
[The foregoing petition was successful, and a charter was
granted April 11, 1753. — Ed.]
[5-202]
At a Legal meeting of the Town of Keen in Dec"' 1776 made
Choice of Capt Jeremiah Stiles for a Justice of the Peace in
said Town
Attest Ichabod Fisher Town Clerk
£5-303] \_Relative to Innoculation for Small-Pox^ J77^-\
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire The petition of us the vSubscribers
Freeholders of the Town of Keen in the County of Cheshire
Humbly Sheweth —
Whearas Sundry Persons have Set up houses in this Town
for the purpose of Inoculating for the Small pox, by which
Means the Small pox has been Spread and Still Continues to
Spread in this and other Towns, to the Great Determent of the
publick Good — and a Number of UsefuU members of Society
have lost their Lives thereby and the prosecution of mens Nec-
essary Callings Rendered Dangerous — and the Repeated En-
deavour of the Towns to lay Persons Concer'd und proper
Restrictions and Resfulations — have been inefectual We there-
312 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fore your Petitioners humbly Pray tliat you would in Your
wisdom So Interpose by Your Authority that a Speedy and an
Effectual Stop may be put thereto for the present — as Your
Petitioners in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.
Keen Novem'' 22'' '77^
Jer'^ Stiles Benj Archer Jun Josiah Ellis
Isaac Estey Jesse Clark Timothy Ellis Jun""
Ebenezer Nims Thomas Field Elisha Brings
Reuben Partridge William Goodenow Nathaniel Briggs
Gideon Ellis June"" Joseph Blake Benj'' Balch
Robart Spencer VV"^ Ellis Cephas Clark
Jonathan Pond Aaron Gray John Balch
Ebenezer Day Aaron Gray Jun' Jonethan Archer
John Day Jesse Hall Abner Ralston
Jedediah Wellman Ebenezer Newton
Stephen Larrabe Abijah Metcalf
Nathaniel kings- Ry^^l Blake
buery Henry EUes
[5-205] Petition fo)- a Lottery for the Purpose oJ~ Building'
a Bridge, ^77^-^
To the Honorable the Council and General Assembly of the
State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Keen in the
County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire ; Humbly
Sheweth —
Whereas by Reason of the Scituation of the Town of Keen
Several Rivers and Large Streams of Water Centre in Said
Town which Causes a Large Number of Bridges and Caus-
ways to be Necesary in Said Town ; and by the Rapidity of
some of said Rivers Especially in Time of high water it very
often happens that Bridges are Carried off which has been of
Great Cost and Charges to the Inhabitance and Likely so to
Remain Especially Upon a Certain Rapid Stream Called the
East Branch of Ashuelot River where of Late a Large Bridge
is almost Ruin'd and the Banks of Said Stream being of Loose
Gravel it often happens they are torn and the Course of the
Stream much Altered and makes it almost Impossible to make
a Bridge to Stand any Considerable Time which Causes great
Difficulty and Danger to Travelers Espeially in high water —
However there is a Certain place upon said Stream at some
Distance from place now used — where a Bridge might be made
KEENE. 313
that would much Beter Accomodate Travelers to Boston Ports-
mouth or any other Port then the place now Used but the Town
by Reason of so many Other Bridges are not Able to Build
one at said place as the Cost would be considerable ; we there-
fore your Humble Petitioners pray in the Name and behalf of
the Town that your Honours in your Wisdom would Order
and Appoint Some way that we may have Some Assistance
Either by Granting a Publick Lottery or any other way which
your Honours Shall think proper it being a Road much Used
from Different parts of the Contr\' with which if your Honours
Do Comply your Humble Petetioners as in Duty Bound Shall
ever pray
Keen May 14"^ 177S
Jeremiah Stiles ~|
Silas Cook > Select men
Simeon Clark )
N B : It is Suposed that the Sum of 6500 Dollars would be
a Suficient Sum to make a Good Bridge and Causway at Said
place
[5-204] \_Relative to a Lottery for the Purpose of Building
a Bridge^ i778-'\
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representitives of
the State of New Hampsliire the Petition of the Subscribers
being Select men of the Towns of in said state
in Behalf of said Towns Humbly Sheweth —
Whereas your Petitioners are Informed That the Town of
Keen have Petitioned praving Your Honours to Grant them As-
sistance by a Lottery to Enable them to Build a Bridge over a
Certain Rapid Stream Known by the Name of the East Branch
We therefore your Petitioners being Senseable of the Great
Benefit that would Accrue to the Publick thereby, and at the
Time Knowing the multitude of Bridges and Casways which
the Inhabitance of said Town Are Obliged to Build and Keep
in Repair and the Charges of the Same by Reason of Freshets
which often happens and also the Great Probability of a Bridge
standing Safe in the place wliich is proposed, together with the
Good Accomodation of the place to Every Publick Road — We
therefore humbly Pray that the Petition of said Town of Keen
ma}^ be Granted Being of Opinion that it will be a Great Pub-
lick Benefit it being a Place which may be passed in high water
with much more Safety than the old Road that Lead thro' In-
tervails and Low Grounds — which Petition if your Honours in
314
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
your wisdom think proper to Grant, we Your Petitioners as in
Duty Bound Sliall ever pray.
July 23<i 177S
Joseph Greenwood \ Selectmen
Reuben Morse
Eli Morse
Roger Gilmore
Abr'" Bailey
John Stanley
Enoch Hale
Edw-i Jewett
Francis Towne
of
j Dublin
! Selectmen
of
Jaftrey
Selectmen
of
Rindee
[I fail to find any action of the legislature on this matter.
—Ed.]
,[5-206] \_Relative to Trial of several Royalists^ i'/jy.~\
Walpole Sep* 9"^ 17 78
The State of New Hampshire To Nath" S. Prentice D'
agreeable to their order of the 22"* Aug' Last past Directing me
to pay Cap' Benj° Floods pay Roll To Cash paid Cap' Benj*
Flood towai'd S'^ Roll, £29, 10, o as pr. Receipt
To Cash paid by CoP Benj" Bellows out of the money Lent
toward Carring on gun making in his hands as p'' receipt
47, 2, 6
Total of the Roll £^6, 12, 6
Return of the names of the Persons found guilty of missde-
menors against the States by a Special Session held at Keen
June 1777 as p' minutes on file with the sum fin*^ & order
thereon
Col Josiah Willard
Maj'' Josiah Willard
Eleazer Pomroy
Eben'' Harvey
Rev*^ Micah Lawrence
Benj"- Mellvin
Benj'' Mellvin Jr
Nathan Willard
J[oseph Collins
Sam'' VVadsworth
205
John Gould 405
30^
Alexander Rolstone 405-
20.y
Paul Richardson 40^^
40^
Nathan Rugg 40^'
205
Rev'' Clement Sumner 405
405
Cap' Henry Coffin 20s
40^^
Sam" King 405
10^
John White 405
20^-
Simon Willard 105
405
Total £29-]
KEENE. ' 315
Ordered that the several Persons fin'* for Misdemenor, Re-
cognize in the sum of £500 as Principal with Two Surties to be
of a Peacable Behaviour towards the State & to be Confin**
within certain Limits untill this Court or Sum other Authority
shall Discharge them therefrom —
order"* that Cap' Benj" Flood Receive £12 — out of the fine-
money to Billit his guard with he to acct therefor —
order** that the Remainder of the fines be Reposited in the
hands of Nath' S. Prentice Esq to wait the County Sessions or-
der thereon
a Coppy from the minutes on file
Nath' S. Prentice Clerk of s** Sessions
[Some of the evidence used at said trial may be found in
Vol. VIII, page 593. Ebenezer Harvey, Pomeroy, and
King were ordered to confine themselves to the limits of
their farms in Chesterfield, but were released from said
bonds and limits April 7, 1778, by recommendation of the
committee of safety of said town. — Ed.]
[5-207] \_yere??iiah Stiles chosen Magistrate^ 1777 -^
At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitance of the Town of Keen
on January the 14"^ '777 — Voted that Cap* Jeremiah Stiles of
this town be in Nomination for a Justice of the Peace for this
County
Attest Ichabod Fisher Town Clerk
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire — Humbly Shews,
We the subscribers, Inhabitants of the Tow^n of Keene in the
County of Cheshire, beg leave to inform your honours, that
Cap' Jeremiah Stiles, at a legal meeting of this Town, as may
appear by the copy of the vote hereto annexed, was unani-
mously nominated for a Justice of the Peace : And, for reasons,
not known to us, is not appointed. * *
Keene, October 12, i779
Abraham Wheeler James Wright Zadok Wheeler
Benjamin Osgood David Willson Daniel Willson
AbrahamWheeler iuEphraim Wright John Houghton
Ebenezer Cook Benjam Osgood Ju Davis Howlett
Isaac Griswold Alpheus Nims
[They requested his appointment, and it was granted. —
Ed.]
3l6 EAKLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-132] \_Dcscrters J'ro77i the Army, z///.]
Deserted from Cap' John Griggs's Company in Cor^ Scam-
mills Rig' Epraim Hall 24 years of age Six feet high Dark hair
Blew Eyes Light Colered Cloths formerly belonged to Lyn :
Whosoever will take up S"* Deserter and Return him to his
Company att Keen or X" 4 : in the State of New Hampshire
shall have a harnsom Reward and all Nesesary Charges Paid
by me
John Griggs Cap'
Keen May y^ 5"^ 1777
[He also advertises for one Nathan Gale, " 21 yers of age
6 feet Hi Well Set Dark hair."— Ed.]
[R. 2-133] \_Documents relative to Capt. Samuel Weather-
bee^ ij'j8.'\
I Davise Howlett of Keen in the County of Cheshire and
Province of Newhampshire, testifieth and saith that Eighty five
men appeared on mount Independence that belonged to Cap'
Sam" Weatherbees Company in the year 1776 and that two
other men enlisted by s*^ Capt Weatherbee, Namely Roswell
Shephard who Died of the Small Pox as I was informed and
Tho^ Wilder who to my knowledge Did Die of the Small Pox
before march*^
Keen feb'-^ 10-1778
Davis Howlett Lieu'
[Sworn to before Isaac Wyman. — Ed.]
[ Col. Uy man's CertiJicateJ\
This mav Certifie whome it may Concern that Cap' Sam"
Weatherbe First & Largest Return of his Company was 84
men Test
Isaac Wvman
[R. 2-134] \_Depositio7i of Ebenezer Pzttnam.']
Charlestown Jan'' 23"^ ^77^
Deposition of Eben'' Putnam Being of Lawful age Doth tes-
tify and say that some time in July 1776 Cap' W^eatherbee ask^
KEENE. 317
me what I would give him to Discharge me : I told him Noth-
ing where uppon he told me that he would Discharge me for
Twenty Dollars or five weeks work I told him I would give it
then he turned about and went and got a man to go in my
Rhoom and I set of to go home but Before I got home I got
sick of My Bargain and went and told him I would go My Self
and pay him for his trouble for gitting the man he told me if I
would go and tell the man that I would go into the Service that
should pay the s*^ Cap' for his trouble after I was Inlisted I ast
the Cap' if he was willing that I shoidd take the Small Pox he
said No by No means for perhaps we may be call** for before
you will be Ready to march then I was advis*^ by Cap' Geer
and M'' Olcott to ask Col° Hunt advise about the matter where
upon he said he would advise any man that was a going to
Enocolate as he thought it was not safe to go w'ithout
Ebenezer Putnam
Sworn before Benj" Bellows.
[R. 2-135] \_yo/i?i Hart's Discharge^ i77^-~\
Charlestown august 6"^ ^77^ —
These may Certify That in Consideration of Ten dollars To
me In hand paid by John Hart I do hereby discharge him from
my Company in The Continential Service in Col" Wymans
Regiment of the New hanlpshire forces as witness my Hand
Sam" Wetherbe Cap'
[R. 2-137]
[This document is the resignation of Major Timothy
Ellis, dated Keene, October 19, 1779. — Ed.]
[R. 2-13S] \_SHbstitute for N^chemiah Tozvn, l/'8o.'\
These may certifie That I Josiah Reed of Chickabv in
Springfield in Consideration of Certain agreements Between
Nehemiah Town of Keen in the State of Newhampshire and
myself have Engaged and do hereby Engage to serve in his
Room & Stead in the Newhampshire Lines for the Town of
Keen for the space of six months as witness my hand at Spring-
field July y* 20"" 1 7S0
Josiah Read
3l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-140] \^Nehemiah Jyrozun, ivotinded Soldier.~\
To home it may Conserne
This May Certifye that Nehemiah Brown a Soldier in the
Melisha in the Battel at Loomes Cock in the year 1777 ^'^^
Shot throw his Leg was under my Caire & was not fitt for anny
busness for for or five month
Tho' Frink Surgeon to s*^ Brown
Keene y* 14"* of Octob"" 1785
[R. 2-141] \_Petitio7t of Charles Rice^ Bunker Hill Soldiery
1791-']
To the honb'le the Senate and house of Representatives in Gen-
eral Court convened at Concord. —
Humbly Shews, Charles Rice of Keene, that in the year
1775 being a Soldier in Captain Jeremiah Stiles's Company &
Col" John Stark's Regiment he received a most distressing
wound through the breast at the memorable battle of Bunker
Hill — which has ever since rendered it impossible for him to
gain a comfortable subsistance for himself — much more for a
numerous family which daily look to him for that assistance
which he would most readily aflbrd were it in his power. —
That your petitioner has never received the least assistance from
his Country being entirely ignorant of any feasible method of
making application — He therefore pravs your Honorable body
to compassionate his case and lend him such assistance as in
your clemency you shall judge proper — And as in duty bound
ever prays
Jeremiah Stiles in behalf of the petitioner
[He petitioned again May 19, 1795, complaining that he
had not been allowed for "arrears of pension," and desired
to have the legislature intercede in his behalf. — Ed.]
[5-20S] [ Warrant from \^cr?nont for the Election of Twa
Representatives^ iy8l.~\
State of Vermont
In generall Asembly Windsor Aprell 7* 17S1
to either of the constabels of the town of keen in the County
of Cheshire greeting — Where as by a late union of the whole of
the New Hampshir grants with the state of Vermont a solid and
KEENE. 319
permanant basis is laid for one free Sovering and independant
State the union of indivudills the right of the peopell and the
exigencys of afairs the arangement of oficers tlie estableshment
of govermant and the vigirous aforts of this state to be made
against the comon enemy requires an imeadiate full and fair rep-
resentation of the peopell at this Asembly these are therefore
to direct you upon sight hereof to warn all the freeholders and
other inhabitants in s** town of keen that have a right by law to
vote to asembell at the usuall place for holding town meetings
in s*^ town as soon as may bee and that you then and their call
upon them to bring in their votes succesivelly for two represen-
tatives of Said town to take their seats forthwith in this hous as
law directs that you make declaration of the persons chosen and
return the same to this Asembly
excrats from the Journalls
by order of asembly
Noah hopkins Clark
[Keene voted against the union with Vermont, and did
not send any representative. — Ed.]
[5-209] \^yohn Balch, Post-Rider, i/Si.']
State of New Hampshire
In Com''^* of Safety Exeter July 27"^ 17S1
Pursuant to a Vote of the General Assembly of the 27"* of
June 17S1, Authorizing the Committee of Safety to establish a
Post to ride from Portsmouth to the western part of this State
and agreeable to the Proposal of M' John Balch of Keene, He
the said John Balch is hereby appointed a Post to ride for the
term of three months, to set out from Portsmouth on Saturday
morning & to ride to Haverhill by the way of Concord & Ply-
mouth, and thence down the River to Charlestown, Keene and
to Portsmouth again, which Tour is to be punctually performed
once in each & every fourteen days during said term, unless
this Committee shall think it most convenient for the public
Good, that the said Balch should sometimes alter his rout.
The said Balch is to Convey all public Acts, Letters & Dis-
patches free of Charge — For which .Service he shall receive
from this State seventy hard Dollars or paper money equiva-
lent.—
M Weare Pres*
I, John Balch do hereby agree to the foregoing proposals and
engage punctually to perform the duty of Post-rider agreeably
thereto — John JBalch
320 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-310] [^Timothy Balch, Post-Rider^ ^7^5 •']
To the Honble General assembly of the State of New Hamp'
Now Convein'd at Portsmouth — in Said State —
Humbly shews,
Timothy Balch of Keen in this State
That he has been a public Carrier for near two years from
Portsmouth to Charlestown in the County of Cheshire which
Rout he has perform'd once a Fortnight — except in exceeding
bad Traveling and the pay he has had for carrying News pa-
pers and private letters has been very inadiquate to his Labour
Expence &c
That when your Petitioner engaged in this Service he had
encouragement from the Committie of Safty and the Treasurer
of this State for a proper compensation for the Business Your
Petetioner from time to time Should do for the public and as
almost two years is expired Since he engaged in this Service
wou'd be glad Some Allowance might be made him therfor —
Your Petitioner therefore most Humbly prays that your Hon-
ers wou'd take the Matter under Consideration and grant Such
Relief as the Case and Service Requires — and he as in duty
bound Shall Ever pray &c —
Tim° Balch
Jvme 10. 17S5
[5-211] [^Relative to Taxes on Estates of Absentees^ i'/8j.']
This may Certify that the Land of Elijah William Esq' late
of Keene Absentee
was in the year 1781 taxed hard money 1^ 11-2
& New Emishon £1:7:11-5
& the Land of Doct Josiah Pomeroy an Absentee
was taxed the same year the sum in hard
money — £ o: 15: 3 : i
New Emishon £10: 9:1:1
Keen August 26 17S3
David Nims Jr ") Selectmen
Jonathan Baley V of
Nathan Blake jur ) Keene
In behalf of the Select men R*^ an order on the Treasury for
the above sum
Benjamin Hall
KEENE. 321
[5-213] \^Resignation of Timothy Ellis ^ jy82.']
Keene Sepf 14-17S2
Sirs
I retain a due Sense of Gratitude for the many favors and
Honors bestowed upon me by the General Assembly of the
State of New Hampshire ; and in particular for their appoint-
ing me Colonel of the Regiment, which I now Command. I
am still tenacious of the Rights and Liberties of Mankind, and
attached to the State of New Hampshire. The Appointment
was very unexpected, and (as I thought I had neither Leisure,
nor Ability to perform with Honor the Duties which that Sta-
tion required) verv undesireable to me. However, I accepted
the same, hopeing that I should soon be succeeded by some
person more suitably qualified. But as I find myself disap-
pointed in that Respect, I must beg Leave to decline acting any
longer in that Capacity, and Send this my Resignation ; trust-
ing that the Hon^''^ Assembly will Soon appoint Some person
to take the Command of this Regiment, who will conduct with
Wisdom, understanding, Fidelity and Honor. I am, Sir,
your most obedient humble Servant
Timothy Ellis
To the Hon''''^ IMeshach Weare Esq'' ; to be communicated to the
General Assembly. —
[5~2i3] \^RctHr)i of Ratable Rolls, 178J.']
Cheshire ss To The Hon. Ebenezer Tompson Esq' Secetary
of the State of New Hampshire —
Hon-i Sir
Pursuant to an Order from the General Assembly we the
Subscribers have taken the Number of all the Rateable polls
within the Town of Keene from the Age of Twenty one years
and L^pwards and find them to be Two Hundred and Twenty
Eight
Josiah Richardson ~\ Select
Timothy Ellis ^
lothy Ellis ^ men of
David Nims Jr J Keene
Cheshire ss Keene Decem'' 13"' 17S3
The Above Named Josiah Richardson Col Timothy Ellis and
David Nims Jun'' personally Appeared and made Solomn Oath
that the Above is the True Number of all the Rateable polls
within the Town of Keene from Twenty one years old and Up-
ward according to the best of their Knowledge Before me
Tho' Baker Just Pac'
23
322 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[5-214] \_Relative to the County jfait, ^7^3 •'\
To the Hon'^^® Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled this
twenty Eighth day of Ocf AD 17S3
Dan Guild Gaoler, and others (Subscribers belonging to
Keene in the County of Cheshire) humbly shew that they con-
ceive it would be very beneficial not only to the Publick but to
the Town of Keene in general, and the Poor Prisoners in Gaol
here in particular, that y"^ Limits of the Yard of the Prison here
might be extended beyond what it now is by law, sixty feet, so
as to take in a Barn and Shop that would be very convenient
for them to labour in and thereby to Earn something for their
Support during their being obliged to remain in said Gaol un-
till they can sware out ; As there is a considerable number of
Prisoners in that Predicament — Wherefore Your Petitioners
pray that an Act may be passed to extend the Yard of said
Prison as aforesaid which will be a great relief to the Prisoners
in Gaol, and to the Gaoler, and as we humbly conceive no dam-
age to the Publick. And as in duty bound will ever pray
Dan Guild Gaoler Abner Sanger
Tho' Baker Nathan Blake jur
N : Cooke Thomas Field
Benja Hall Israel Houghton
Jer Stiles
[5-215] [^Tizxes on Land of Absentees^ J'/8^.'\
Extract from a tax or assesment in Keene being the State tax:
on the town of Keene for the year 1783 —
5 d
Elijah Williams' land £ i.. 8.. 9
Josiah Pomeroy's land 10.. 14.. ij^
Extract from a tax for raising continental men in the year
17S2—
j' d
Elijah Williams' land £ i.. 10.. 10
Josiah Pomeroy's land 11.. 10.. 9
The above are true extracts from the Original assesments
Attest I assessors
Ichabod Fisher > for the
Reuben Partridge j year 1782
Feb. y*4"' 1785—
R*^ an order on the Treas''^ in behalf of the Selectmen for the
Above Benjamin Hall
KEENE, 323
[5-216] \^CertiJicate of Nails made ^ i'/8g.'\
The State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
To whom it may concern —
We the Subscribers the major part of the Select Men of the
Town of Keene in said County of Cheshire do hereby certify
that Ezra Hervey of Keene afores*^ Nailer has bona fide made
or caused to be made at his Workshop in Keene aforesaid be-
tween the months of October AD 1787 and December AD 1788
— two hundred thousand of four penny wrought nails — In Wit-
ness whereof We do hereto set ovu" hands & seals this 35"' Day
of December AD 1 789 —
Dan' Kingsbury
Jeremiah Stiles
Ebenezer Robbins
P Sprague
Cheshire ss Dec"" 23* 1789 — I the subscriber being the near-
est Justice of the peace to the above named Ezra Hervey, do
certify that the said Hervey has bona fide made or caused to be
made in his Work Shop in Keene afores'^ the above number of
nails within the Time aboves'^
Tho^ Baker Just pac'
Jany 12, 1790
Received an Order on the Treasurer for six pounds as a
bounty on nailmaking in behalf of Ezra Harvey
Isaac Griswold
[Similar certificates were presented in favor of the fol-
lowing, for the purpose of obtaining the bounty offered by
the state :
Elijah Baker, 400,000 ten-penny wrought nails in 1790.
Ezra Harvey, 200,000 four-penny wrought nails in 1790.
" 400,000 " " 1 791.
Elijah Baker, 100,000 ten-penny wrought nails in 1791.
" 300,000 " " 1792.
Ezra Harvey, 400,000 four-penny wrought nails in 1792.
—Ed.]
[5-231]
State of New-Hampshire Cheshire ss.
At a legal Meeting of the Freeholders and others Inhabitants
of the Town of Keene held Aus' 25"' 1794 — Hon"* Dan' New-
324 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
comb Esq"^ was chosen to Represent said Town in General
Court the present Year instead of Jeremiah Stiles Esq'' resigned.
Keene Aus' 25* 1794
Attest Lock. Willard T. Clerk
n
A Wilder j of Keene
KENSINGTON.
The township was set off from Hampton Falls, April i,
1737, and "erected into a distinct parish" by its present
name, which is probably derived from some English town.
John Weare, Joseph Wadley, and Ezekiel Dow were author-
ized to call the first meeting.
A mistake was made in describing the bounds in the act
above referred to, which was rectified by an act passed the
26th of the following August. Rev. Jeremiah Fogg was
settled as parish minister in November, 1737, and remained
until he died, December i, 1789.
Kensington was a populous town at the breaking out of
the Revolution. The following are the names of their men
in the First N. H. Regiment :
Joseph B. Hoit, entered March 21, 1781 ; discharged De-
cember, 1781.
Orson Lock, entered April 14, 1777 ; discharged Septem-
ber 19, 1777.
The latter was killed.
[R. 2-143]
[William Evens, of Kensington, states that he was a sol-
dier in Capt. Folsom's company in the summer of 1759, and
lost his gun, for which he asks to be paid. The petition
was dismissed. — Ed.]
[R. 2-144]
[Samuel Elliot, of Kensington, says he was in the service
in 1760, went as far as Wentworth's ferry, and came home
from there by permission of his officer, notwithstanding
KENSINGTON. 325
which he was returned as a deserter by Capt. Marston. He
wants to be righted. The petition was dismissed March
13, 1761.— Ed.]
[R. 2-145, 146, 147]
[In a petition dated June 9th, 1763, Benjamin Page, of
Kensington, stated that he had two sons, minors, in the ar-
my in 1759, ^" Capt. Samuel Folsom's company, one of
whom died, and the other was wounded. He asks for their
wages, and presents the following certificate : — Ed.]
Kensington June y^ 9"" 1763
To the Honourable House of Representatives —
This is to Signify to your Honours my Judgment and opin-
ion of Samuel Page Son of Benjamin Page of this Parish he
was in the army in the year 1759 and Came home sick with the
purging Called the Camp Disorder and wasted and Died with
the same in about six weeks after he came home I visited him
as a physician in the time of his Languishment and according
to the Best of my Judgment he died with the Camp Disorder
and likewise would Signify to you that Jeremiah Page Son of
Benjamin Page Being at oswego the same year that his Brother
was and that he was wounded in actual Service By Reason of
which he hath lost the Spring of his great Toe which is greatly
to his Damage —
Benjamin Rowe
[He was allowed ^4-17-6 sterling. — Ed.]
[5-232] \^Pctition for a Grant of JLa)id.'\
To His Excellency Benning VVentworth Esq"^ Governour &
Commander in Chief in & over His Alaj^^ Province of New
Hampsh'^'' in New England and to the Hon^' His Mai*^ Coun-
cil—
Humbly Shew your Petitioners Inhabitants of the Parish of
Kensington in s'' Prov*" —
That your Petitioners do themselves (many of them) Stand in
need of Tracts of Land for to settle on & Improve, and your other
Petitioners have Either Sons or such as they are Concerned to
provide for, who Stand in need of the Same. — That most of
your Petitioners have not had any Shai'e & the other but a
326
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
small Share in any Grants of Townships which have been Al-
ready Made. — And your Petitioners Hope (as they are Part of
an Ancient Town which has paid a Large Share of Taxes in
the Support & Defence of the Government ; & do (themselves)
still pay more Taxes then Some other Parishes that Have y®
Privilege of a Representative) That they Shall be Remembered
with the other Parts of the Town (which are now Petitioning
your Excellency) in such Grants of out-Lands as may now be
made —
We therefore Pray Your Excellency that we may have a
Grant of such a Qiiantity of Land as may accomodate the
Number of your Petitioners, according to what is usually
allowed in Grants of Townships. We also Request that the
Grant mav be adjoyning to those that maybe made to the other
Parts of the Town or that we may be otherwise provided for
as your Excellency & Honours shall Judge Best — And your
Petitioners Shall Ever Pray —
The Record
Henery Lampre
Israel James
Joseph Chase hil-
yard
Benjamin Page
Daniel Blake
M"" Fogg
Ezekiel Dow
James Pirkens
moses Blake Jur
Samuel Page
John graves
Philbrick Palmer
Josiah Dow
John Page Juner
Theophilus Page
Obadiah Johnson
Jonathan Dow^
Jonathan Brown
moses Shaw
Jonathan Palmer
Moses Grifen
Nehemiah Brown
Joseph Pike
Caleb Shaw
Benjamin Prescutt
Joseph Weare
John Batchelder
Benjamin James
Abraham Moulton
Benjamin Brown
Juner
John Weare
Simon Batchelder
Nathan Clough
W illiam Evens Jun^
Jeremiah Green
Jeremiah Batchelder
Jeremiah Sanborn
Joshua Gilman
John Dow
Elijah Connor
Benjamin Brown
Josiah Blake
Samuel Cliftbrd Jur
Isaac fellows
Phebe Purenton
Abel Word
Philip Dow
Stephen Brown
[5-234] \^Ebe}iezer Broxvii's Cotuplaint^ ^77<^-]
M'' pickerin this is to inform you that the in habitance of
Dear field has past and re past through My land with out leav
or Usance wich is a grate Damage to me you must thnk by
Sides a great Charge that I have bin att I am obloyegd to Make
three Mils and a Qiiarter of fence be Sides loosing my land and
2 hundred pounds expends and I think No Man of reson Can
KENSINGTON. 32/
Say that is not a dama2;e they have returnd Me Som land for
my satisfaction hut I will not take it for it is within My bounds
be fore but I will not take land for it if thare ever So much
kinsington Alay the 20 177S
Ebenezer Brown
£5-235] \_Petitionjfor a Paper Currency-, I78j.~\
To the Hon'''* the Gen' Court of the State of Newhampshire to
be held at Concord by Adjournment on the third Wednesday
of Oct'' current —
The petition of the Inhabitants of the parish of Kensington,
in the County of Rockingham & State of Newhamps'' Humbly
sheweth, — That by reason of the extream scarcity of a Circu-
lating medium, that business of almost all kinds have ceas'd,
or must shortly cease, to the Distress of your petitioners, & the
Community at large —
Therefore your petitioners Humbly beg that your honours
would Emit a quantity of paper money sufficient to Discharge
the State Debt, or Devise some way or means whereby the out-
standing Taxes may immediately be paid into the Treasury,
that the Treasurer may thereby be enabled to discharge s** Debt ;
or otherwise relieve your petitioners as you in your great wis-
dom shall think meet, & 3'our petitioners as in duty bound, will
■ever pray —
Kensington Ocf 14"' 17S5 —
Abraham Sanborn \ Committee in behalf
John Page > of the parish
Isaac Fellows ) of Kensington
This Committee w^as chosen by a large Majority of the parish
for the above purpose —
Atest INIoses Shaw jr Parish Clerk
[See Vol. XI, p. 127. — Ed.]
'[5-236] [^Return of Ratable Polls, 178J.']
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. —
Pursuant to a vote of the General Court of said State We the
Subscribers do hereby return the number of male polls of
328
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Twenty one years of age and upwards paying for themselves a
Poll Tax within the Town of Kensington 153.
Kensington Decern'' S"' 1783
J. Bachelder ~\
Nathan Dearborn ,- Selectmen
Joseph Brown )
Sworn before Benjamin Rowe
[5-237] \_An Appeal for Dr. Benjamin Rowe., about i/Sj.']
To his Excellency Meshech VVeare, President of the State of
New Hampshire And the Hon'''® Council for said State —
The Petition of us whose names are under written Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Kensington, humbly sheweth, That Doc-
tor Benjamin Rowe Esq'' of said Kensington, before the present
Constitution of Government existed, and served the public in
the capacity of a Justice of the peace, and we conceive he
served with ability fidelity and in honor. To call in question
his ability to act in such a capacity, would be condemning the
Judgment of that honorable body that appointed him to his
office. * * * * That we conceive while we would by
no means call in question your wisdom and Integrity in your
appointments ; that it is a Priviledge we may reasonably hope
you will indulge us with, to appoint and commission the said
Benjamin Rowe Esq'' to be Justice of the peace under the pres-
ent "Constitution. * * * *
Winthrop Rowe
Jonathan green
David Stuard
Jacob Worthen
John Page iu
Hanson Hodgdon
David Sanborn
Jona Tilton
Theophilus Folsom
Abraham Sanborn
Jonathan Prescott
Jonathan Rowe
Paul Blake
Samuel Prescutt
John Melcher
David Prescott
Elihu Chase
Nathan g-ove
Benj'' Moulton
John Page
Benjamin James Jur
henry Sanbun
Charles Page
Theophilus vSanburn
John Lamprey
Joseph Palmer
Abner Eastman
Benjamin Eastman
Enoch Worthen
Robert Pike
Stephen Page
Stephen Brown the
Jethro Brown
Jeremiah Dearborn
David Shaw
Stephen Brown
Timothy S. Eaton
Nathaniel Dow
Nathaniel Weare
William french
Stephen Brown jr
Weare Nudd
Jonathan Flanders
John Green
Stephen Green
obadiah Johnson
David James
John Chase
Ephraim Abbott
Caleb Brown
moses Blake
Richard Samborn.
Jon"* Prescott Ju
KENSINGTON.
329
Caleb Brown
Enoch gove
Elijah gove
Josiah Blake
Hezekiah Blake
Samuel Dearborn
Jos C. Hillard
Benjamin James
Benjamin Tilton
Abraham Prescutt
William Brown
Noah Hobbs
Simon Prescutt
Joseph Prescutt
odlin Prescott
Benjamin Prescott
Josiah Batchelder
Edward Lock
Joseph Rowe
Moses Shaw
Elisha Blake Jur
Nathan vShaw
Abraham Shaw
Elisha Blake
Stephen Chase
John Palmer
Josiah Brown
martin Prescott
Joseph Clifford
Nathan Page
Samuel Clirtbrd
Benjamin Loveren
Ebenezer Loveren
John Graves
Jolin Bacheler
Jeremiah Tilton
Joseph Brown
David Philbrick
Joseph Hilliard
Joseph Dow
Josiah Dow
Benjamin Dow
Isaac Fellows
Jonathan Palmer
John Batchelder
David Chase
Samuel Rowe
Joseph Wadleigh
Jewett Sanborn
[5-238]
\^Petitioii for a Coroner. iy86.'\
To the Honorable the President and Council of New Hamp-
shire—
Gentlemen —
We the Subscribers desirous of having a Coroner or Coroners
appointed in Kensington take liberty to recommend M"" Nathan
Dow and M' Newell Healcy as fit for that Oflice —
Kensington jMay the 15"' 1 7S6 —
Eben' Clitlbrd
Jere. Fogg Jun"'
Jere : Bachelder
Winthrop Rowe
Samuel Rowe
John Batchelder
Philemon Blake Jr
Joshua Lane
Jon'' Fellows
Eben-^ Potter
Stephen Page
Enoch worthen
[5-239] [ jferemiak J^oo-^'s Declination of the Office of Ad-
j ntant- General^ l'/86.'\
Kensington July y^ 6"" 17S6 —
Gentlemen —
About the beginning of last Month I rec* the inclosed Com-
mission from the hands of y® deput}' Secretary —
The Honor done me by the late Executive in an appointment
so important as that of Adjutant General of the State is grate-
330 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
fully acknowledged — And while I realize the Dignity as well
as necessity of such an Office I regret my inability to fulfill it
and the Necessity I am under to decline an Acceptance. —
I am with much esteem Gent"
Your very humble Servant —
Jere: Fogg
To the Honorable the President and Council of New Hamp-
shire—
KINGSTON.
The township was granted Aug. 6, 1694.111 the sixth year
of the reign of William and Mary, by Lieut. Gov. John
Usher, to James Prescott, Sr , Isaac Godfrey, Thomas Phil-
brick, Jr., Gershom Elkins, Samuel Calcott, Thomas Web-
ster, Samuel Dearborn, William Godfrey, Jacob Garland,
John Mason, Ebenezer Webster, Nathaniel Sandburn, Ben-
jamin Sandburn, John Moulton, Daniel Moulton, Francis
Tovvie, and others, mostly of Hampton. It was named
Kingstown, the derivation of which is obvious, and the name
was generally so spelled until about the year 1800. This
grant covered the territory which is now contained in the
towns of East Kingston, Danville, and Sandown. Settle-
ments were commenced soon after the grant, but little prog-
ress was made until after the treaty of peace with the Ind-
ians, which was signed at Portsmouth, July 11, 1713. Rev.
Ward Clark, ordained in 1725, was their first settled minis-
ter.
Nov. 17, 1738, the easterly part of the town was set off
and incorporated by the name of Kingstown East Parish.
The west part of the town, as originally granted, was set
off April 6, 1756. by the governor and council, and incorpo-
rated into the town of Sandown. Another portion was in-
corporated into a town by the name of Hawke (now Dan-
ville), Feb. 22, 1760. In consequence of these acts, the
town at present contains but a small portion of its original
grant.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett commenced practice in this town in
1 761. He was a member of the state committee of safety
from May 19, 1775, to Jan. 20, 1776 ; from Jan. 20, 1777, to
May 28, 1778; and from Jan. 5, 1779, to May 29, 1784;
KINGSTON. 331
one of the justices of the supreme court from Nov. 14, 1782,
until he was elected president of the state in 1790, holding
the ofifice of chief executive four years. He died May 19,
1795, at the age of 65.
[5-240] \_Petition for a Conjirination of the Grant ajzd
Specif cation of its BonndsJ\
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq' Captain General,
Governour and Commander in Chief in and over his Majes-
ty's Province of New Hampshire in New England and to the
Honorable his majesty s Council for said Province
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Kingstown
in the Province of New Hampshire Most Humbly Shews
That on the Sixth of August A. D. 1694 — John Usher Esq'
then Lieutenant Governour & Commander in Chief in and over
said Province with the advice & Consent of the Council for s*^
Pi-ovince by a Charter of that date did give and Grant a certain
tract of land lying within the said Province of New Hampshire
described and bounded as in the said charter (reflerence thereto
being had may fully appear) unto the persons mentioned in
said Charter, and unto Severall others of their Majestys loving
Subiects, that then did or Should Inhabit within the said Grant
— That from the Date of said Charter till the Settlement of the
Boundary line between the Province of New Hampshire on the
South and the Province of the Massachusets Bay on the North
there has been both a publick and private dispute Subsisting
which has been no Small Detriment to the said Town of Kings-
town—
That your Petitioners apprehend the Boundary Line between
the Two provinces is now fixed and that the Southern Bounds
of Kingstown is the same as the dividing line between the Two
Provinces —
That there is some ambiguity and uncertainty in the said
Charter as to the bounds of said Grant — which, for want of an
Explanation may possiblv hereafter be the occasion of disputes
and expense of much time and Money, which by your Excel-
lency and Honours in your great wisdom may be prevented
Wherefore your Petitioners pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to take this Petition and the Charter afores"^ (a copy of
which your Petitioners will lay before your Excellency & Hon-
ours) under your wise consideration and to Confirm the afore-
said Grant and to rectify any mistakes and uncertaintys there
may be touching the description or bounds of the said tract of
Land intended to be given and granted by the aforesaid Charter
332
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
SO that the said Grant may take effect according to the true in-
tent and meaning thereof — And your Petitioners as in Duty
bound shall Ever pray &c —
Eben'' Stevens \ Select Men of Kings-
Jedidiah Philbrick > town & in
John Hunton } behalf of said Town
[5-241]
\^P7-ecept for ati Election, I'/I0.'\
Province of New Hampsh''
to the Constable of Kings Town you are in Her majestys
Name Required to Convean the free houlder of your Town to-
gether on munday the 28 day of this Instant august at two of
y* clock in y" afternoon : and being So meet you make Choyce
of a meet person Qiialified according to Law : to RepreSent
your Town in Generall Assembly to Sitt att portsmouth the
and y' you Certifie the person so Chosen to
the assembly at the time abovesaid — for which this Shall be
your Warrant —
Dated August 24: 1710 —
[5-242] Khigston Mens Names Sxvorn to K g 2'^ : 17 2^.
Samll Judkins
Nathll tfrench
Joseph Welch
Simon flVench
Joseph Elk ins
John young
Sam" Webster
John Gillman
Sam" Tucker
Eben"" Webster
Ephraim S eve reus
Nathan Prescot
Luther Morgan
Phinehas Batchelder
Benj judkins
Sam^ Colcord
Phillip Moodey
Richard Cliftbrd
Edward Eastman
John Webster jur
John Sweat
Ichabod Clough
Jonathan Sanborn
Moses Sleeper
Daniel Giles
Theop. Griffin
William Long
Ralph Blasdell
Nathan Batchelder
Sam" Welch
Nathanaell Rundlet
John Lad
Jeremy Webster
Benjam Choatt
Sam" Colcord
James prescutt
Ichabod Robe
John ffifield
Joseph ffifield
Aaron Sleper
Joseph 3oung
Daniell Lad
Eben'' ff ellows
Joshua prescutt
Elish winslow
John webstr
Eben"' Sleper
philep Row
Isac Greeften
Daniel Been
Sam" Been
Jonathan Lauerence
Jonathan Choatt
philip hunton
Elish Swett
Daniell Gillman
Sam" Robe
Josiah bachelder
Sam" ffifield
william busell
nath" fiVench Ju
M^ Eben^ Colens
Thomas Corbin
KINGSTON.
333
Andrew Webster
Samll ffrench
Ephraim Elkins
Daniell Young
Jonathan Webster
Benj. Welch
Joseph Young
Sam" Estmun
Sam" Stevens
David Qiienbe
Isac godfree
Jeremiah hubbard
Eben'' Estman
Jeddiah philbrock
Benjamin Swett
abraham watson
Sam" Sanburn
moses Rovvell
thorn* Geoarg
moses Elkens
Carneilas Clough
[5-243] \_Relative to Taxation by Massachusetts^ iyji.'\
To his Excellencie Jonathan Belcher Esq'' Cap' Generall and
Commander in Chief in and over his Maj"*"^ Province of New
hampshire to the hon''''' the Councill, and house of Represen-
tatives Now Coin'en'd in Gen" Assembly
The humble Petition of Samiiell Graves of Kingstown in
newhampshire for himselfe and in Behalfe of the Proprietors of
the Said Town of Kingstown Most humbly Shewcth —
That vour Petitioner is an Inhabitant of the Said Town of
Kingstown on part of that Town that Lyes Neare seventeen
Miles Dew North from the River Now Caled Merrimack : Yet
So it is that the People In habiting Havereill in the County of
Essex in the Massachusets Bay pretending Right to the Soile
where your Petitioner Liveth : (and alsoe to a Great part of the
Said Town of Kingstown) which lyes Some tive, Some ten
Miles, and Som fifteen, Sixteen, or Seventeen Miles North
from Said Merrimack : and the Goverment of the Masachusets
assumes Jurisdiction over all the Dimentions afibre Said : and
hath Taken y"" Petetion"" by vertue of the writs and process out
of the Courts of that County of Essex : and he hath been De-
tained in the County Goale in Ipswitch in Sd County of Essex
above .Seventeen Weeks — and Since Your Petitioner has at his
Great Expence Discharged himselfe : yet Since y' his Neigh-
bour Jeremiah Clough that Joynes upon y"' Petitioners Land fif-
teen or Sixteen Miles to the North of the S"* River Merrimack:
hath been taken by process out of the Courts belonging to the
Said County of Essex : & there put In Goale and forc't to find
pledges & suerties to Answer in the Courts of the Said County
of Essex —
Notwithstanding the Said Courts Cannot pretend any Juris-
diction So far Northward of the Said River Merrimack and tho'
your Petitioner Did Exhibit a Petition in his own and the aftbre-
said Cloughs Name to the Gen" ass™ of the Mass" praying that
they might have Some Relief, and that things might Rest till
the Setlem' of the lines: yet Could hav^e no Redress — and was
answered they would not Estop themselves unless this Province
334 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
would Do something first (or be tyed as well as them from any
prosecution) —
Your humble Petitioner Most humbly prayes that your Ex-
cellcie, Councill & house of Representatives will In y'' Wisdom
as Seems most meet proceed to Do Something that may put a
Stop to any further proceedings untill Such Time as the Lines
May be Setled — and your Petitioner Shall Ever pray
May the 4* 1 73 1
Samuel Graves
[5-244] [^Petition of hthabitajits of the Easterly Part for a
New Parish, 1738.']
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq' Cap' Gen" and Gov-
er° in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New
Hamps : in New England, And to the Hon'''® his Majesties
Council and Representatives in Gen" Court Assembled May
y« 21 1738
The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Kingstown in
the Easterlv part thereof, In the Province afores'' Humbly
Sheweth : That Whereas divine Providence (which Sets
Bounds to all our habitations) hath placed us at a great Dis-
tance from the place of Publick worship up in Town And so
rendered our attendance there very Difficult & often Impracti-
cable for our families — This has put us upon Building a New
Meeting House Among our Selves to Accommodate our women
& Children as well as our Selves that we might More Conven-
iently attend the Publick worship of God And with more Ease
& Comfort Enjoy the word & Ordinances and Means of Grace
which are So Necessary to our Spiritual Edification and Eter-
nal Salvation Upon which we being desirous to Maintain the
worship of God among our Selves at our own Cost And Charge
applyed our Selves to the Town to Set us oft' to be a Distinct
Parish or Precinct from them But they not Duly Considering
our Difficult Circumstances have unreasonably rejected our re-
quest ; Wee therefore now humbly Apply our Selves to your
Excellency and Hon" for relief And pray that this Hon**'^ Court
would please to Consider and Compassionate our Difficult Case
and Make us a Distinct Parish or precinct by fixing a Parish
Line, or Polling oft' our persons & Estates who are Subscribers
hereunto that we may be Discharged from paying to the Min-
istry or School in the other part of the Town and enjoy the
Powers & Priviledges of a Distinct Parish by our Selves ; We
have paid our part of the Towns Extraordinary Charge in
Building A New Meeting House, and Settling a new Minister,
KINGSTON. 335
& buying a Parsonage House & Land Among them ; And they
are Numerous And Sufficiently able to Carry on without us, It
Seems then very unreasonable for them to deny us our request,
and we have been at an Extraordinary Charge to Build A
Meeting House and to procure preaching for Some time as well
as to Maintain a School among our Selves at our own Cost,
and hope God will Enable us Still to do it Cheerfully and pros-
per us in so good an Undertaking which tends so much to pro-
mote religion and the best good of our families & Children;
And we pray that yom- Excellency and Hon" would in your
great Wisdom and Goodness Encoui"age us in so good a design
and Accordingly Grant our request
So Shall we as in duty Bound Ever pray &c
Benjamin French John Clifford Sam" Emons
Richard Cliftard Andrew Webster Ebenezer Sleeper
John Darling Josiah Tilton Ebenezer Collins
Joseph Grele Isaac Godfrey Orlando Bagly
Theophilus Griffen Isaac Grefin Ebenezer Webster
william Boynton John Webster Thomas Webster
Joshua Present Caleb Clough Jnn''
Jeremy Webster Abraham Smith John Clifford Jun""
William Smith Samuel Lock Joseph Greele Junr
Nathan Bachelder John Webster Ju'' Jonathan Blasdel
Phinehas Bachelder Joseph eastman Daniel Rowell
Jonathan Greele theophiLus CLough Enoch Blasdel
Jeremiah Prescot thomas eastman Samuel Tompson
Stephen Merrill Ichabod Clough Joseph Gould
Josiah Bachelder Ebenezer fellows Thomas Brown
Edward fifield Edmund Titcomb William Whiclier
Benjamin Morrill Philemon wells John Darling Jun''
Ebenezer Bachelder James Tappin Jacob Gale
[It was set off and incorporated as Kingston East Parish,
November 17, 1738. — Ed.]
[5-245] S^Petitiott for a Grant of Land, I'jj8.'\
To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esquire Commander in
Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire
and to the Honourable his Majesties Council
The Humble Petition of us Inhabitants of Kingstown, —
Most Humbly sheweth.
That with Earnest desire of Enlarging the dominion of the
Supreme of the English Territories ; and to Accomodate our
336
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Posterity under the most happy Administration on Earth : WE
have exposed our Persons and Families Goods and Fortunes to
the Ravage and Insults of a barbarous Enemy, and many of our
dear Friends and Relatives have lost their Lives in the Enter-
prize, and Others undergone a long and Sore Captivity and
some of them redeemed with vast Labour and difficulty and
great Expence which has so impoverished many of us that We
have been Obliged to sell much of our Lands to the Lihabitants
of Other Towns in which distressing and Calamitous Wars- we
have been their Barrier, and thro' the unhappy Disputes arising
between this and the adjacent Province much of our Lands has
been Seized and Setled by the Inhabitants of the neighbouring
Province which has caused Some of us Inhabitants great Tryalls
and Perplexities in being harrassed with Uncomfortable &
Chargeable Lawsuits ;
On These and several other Motives we did humbly Request
a Tract of Land near adjoining to Ammiskeeg Falls which has
laid upon File near Fourteen Years, thro' the unsetled state of
this Province in respect to the Line. WE Have been at the
Charge of sending a Number of Men to view the Inland and to
give VIS a plan of a suitable Tract of Land which may be indis-
putable and thro' the Guidance of Providence they have found
such a spot between Winnepeseokke & Pemissewassett Rivers.
WE Therefore humbly Request the favourable and Compas-
sionate consideration of your Excellenc}' and Honours in the
Grant of a Township there of Ten miles square or of such
other Dimensions and Qiiantity as in your Wisdom may seem
meet, and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray
&c.—
Samuel Judkins
Samuel French
Jacob Alorrill
William Buzwell
Ebenezer Stevens
Jonathan Sanborn
Joseph Seecomb
Jedediah Philbrick
Simeon Brown-
John Sweet Jun""
Joseph Easeman
Ebenezer Easeman
Ebenezer Stevens
Francis Batchelor
Peter Sanborn
Samuel Bean
Cornelius Clough
William Wicher
Benjamin Choate
Jim'-
Joshua Woodman
Joseph Clifford
John Clifford
Daniel Young
Nathaniel French
Theophilus Clough Benj'' Easeman
Joseph Greele Jun"" Samuel Easeman
Benjamin French
Jonathan Greele
John Clark
Benjamin Judkins
Benjamin Stevens
Jonathan Young
Benjamin Sleeper
Joshua Webster
Moses Sleeper
Aaron Young
William Siloway
Benj'' Adams
William Long
Philip Huntoon
Nath'^ Smith
Jonathan Sanborn
Tert :
Abraham Sanborn
Jonathan Sanborn
Jun;
Jeremiah Hubbard
Samuel Huntoon
Joseph Young Jun' Joseph Bean Jun""
KINGSTON.
337
Jonathan French
Thomas Elkins
Benjamin French
Jun^
Benjamin Morrill
Benjamin Ladd
Samuel Robey
John Newton
Elisha Sweet
Benjamin Stevens
Daniel Oilman
Joseph Fellows
John Hubbard
Nathan Sweet
John Fifield Jun'
Elisha Winslo
Samuel Tucker
Joseph Fifield
Isaac Cliftbrd
Samuel Colcord
Tristram Sanborn
Benjamin Webster
Jonathan Choate
Benj" Wodley
Jacob Oilman
Samuel Fifield
Samuel Sleeper
John Huntoon
Tristram Sanborn
Jun^
Joseph Adams
Samuel Webster
Ebenezer Colcord
The whole number is 8i persons.
[5-246]
l^Ac^wfi of Toivft- Meetings 1^42.^
At A Legal towm meeting held by the Inhabetance and free-
holders of kingston y*" second day of march : 1741/2: 15 ly
voted that sq. Ebe"" Stevens Jedidah Philbrock & Jeremiah Web-
ster are Chosen a committe to bring forward the petition which
is allready Laid before the governor & Councel by sd town of
kingston or to prepare any other petition for sd town to the sd
govrner & Councel This is a true Copey taken out of kingston
book of Reackords as a test by me —
Tristram Sanborn town Clerk for kingrston
[5-247]
\_Pciiilofi for Lands^ jyjo.^
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq"" Governour &
Commander in chief in & over his Majestie's of New Hamp-
shr* & To the Hon*"' his Majestie's Council of s^ Prov.
The Petition of Jedediah Philbrick of Kingston in said Prov-
ince, Humbly Sheweth, as well on his own behalf as on the
behalf of his Associates That your said Petitioner &c — have
lived in a Frontier Town during some of the late Wars exposed
to all the Dangers & Difiiculties of such a Situation of which
your Excellency & Honours we doubt not will be thoroughly
sensible upon the bare mention without enumerating of them
And we never yet having had any Grant of Lands made us as
many of our Neighbours and fellow Subjects have had & we
being desposed to cultivate & improve some of the wast Lands
of this his Majestie's Province aforesaid Humbly hope & pray
that y"" Excellency & Honours would be pleased to grant to us
& our Associates (a list of which is herewith humbly presented
or such as your Excellency & Honours shall be pleased to join
24
338 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
with us) a Township to the Northward of & joining to No. 4
(so called) & bounding on the East side of Connecticut River
and if we may not have it there we pray that it may be allotted
us in some other place, commodious for a speedy settlement or
elsewhere as your Excell-^ & Hon" in your great Wisdom shall
see meet and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
Fray-
Kingston lo**" Sepf 1750 —
Jedidiah Philbrick Benjamin Choat jun'' Joshua woodman
tristram Sanborn Joseph Greely Eben'' Bachilder
Elisha Sweett Natt" Hunton Isaac Smith
will™ Busiel Daniel Gillman Abraham Green
Samuel fifield John webster jun' Joshua Brown
John Voung Joseph Elkins Joseph Greely Jun""
Benjamin Stevens Jonathan Choat Hezekiah Young
Peter Sanborn Eben'' webster Joseph Eastman
John fifield jun"" Elisha winslow J^^^
Benjamin Sweett Eben'' Long Eben'' Paige
thomas Eastman Sam" Robey Daniel Brown
Sam" webster Jeremiah Philbrick Nathan Bachilder
Natt" french Edward Sleeper Benjamin Morril
Benjamin french jun"" Joseph Secombe Eben"" Collins
Obediah Clough Peter Coffin Daniel Clough —
Benjamin Sanborn Benjamin webster
Joseph fellows Joshua webster
Epheraim Seaver- william Calfe
ance jun""
[5-250] l^Ac^/on of Toivn relative to Roads ^ -^/SS-I
Kingston march 24"' i755
I'y Decon Elisha Sweet was chosen moderator
2'y voted that we will prefer a Pettison to the Generall Court
for Liberty to sell that Grant of a high way between m'' John
fields Land and m' Stephen Gillraans Land
a true Copey taken out of Kingston Book
Eben'' Stevens town Clark
I'y at a lagel Commoners meetin held march y^ 24"' i755
Decon Elisha Sweet was Chosen moderator for s'^ meeting
2'^ voted that we will prefar a Pettison to the Generall Court
for to Exchang the high way that was laid out in the West pai"t
of the town foi" a nother way in a mor Conveniant place whear
the town has purchased it
A true Coppey taken out of Kingston Book of Record
attest — Eben"" Stevens town Cleark
KINGSTON. 339
[5-252] \_Petition relative to a Road^ ^755-^
Province of New Hamps :
To his Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq. & Govern'' in &
over his Majesties Province of New Hamps; And to. the
Hon^'* his Majesties Council, And House of Representatives
in Gen" Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Subscribers Select men for the Town of
Kingstown in s"^ Province Humbly Sheweth — That whereas
there was a High way formerly laid out by the Inhabitants of our
Town of Kingstown to Accommodate the Inhabitants of London
Derry & people above, to come down through our s*^ Town to
Portsmouth &c which s'' way now itcoms to be wanted is found
to be very bad ground for A High way in part of it viz : from the
Westerly end of the Two Hundred Acre Grants (so Called) in
s*^ Town to the Rode going by Lieu' James Graves's & exceed-
ingly prejudicial to private men by Cutting their Land very
much in pieces & also go over a burying place which the In-
habitants have made & already laid their Dead ; wherefore your
Petitioners have been & view'd & have found & purchas'd
a far more Convenient way in all respects viz : it being
much better ground for a High Way viz : much easier made
& much Easier & Cheaper kept in Repair and much Cheaper
purchased & f:ir less prejudicial to private persons in regard to
their Lands, & shorter & so nearer for Travellers : to go from
s*^ James Graves's to the s"^ end of the Two Hundred Acre
Grants ; wherefore your Excellency & Hon" Petitioners Hum-
bly prays that your Excellencv & Hon'^ would be pleasd to
Consider our Case & Abrogate & make Null & void the s'' way
in that part of it viz : from s*^ Graves's Rods to the s** West end
of the s** Two Hundred Acre Grants, And by your Excellencys
& Hon" Com* "^ or otherways as your Excellency & Hon" shall
in your wisdom Se meet lay out confirm & establish the fore-
mentioned New way Looked out & viewed as afores*^ & so your
Excellenc}^ & Hon" Petitioners shall as in duty bound ever
pray &c —
Kingstown March the 31^' day 1755
Sam" Winslo ") Select men
Samuel fifield \ for
Elisha Sweet j Kingstown
[In H. of Rep. the matter was referred to a committee,
who reported as follows : — Ed.]
[5-249]
Kingston the 15"* of april 1755
Province of New Hampshier
by order of the General assembley, we have Enquired and
340 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
examined into the Subject Matter of the two Petitions Prefer*^
by the Select men of Kingston, and are of Opinion that the
Praier of the Pittioners Should be Granted, Saving a Spring or
Place of water in the westerly Ende of that high Way Laid to
the Spring Medow, which Spring with Land adjoyning of Said
way not Less then four Rods wide, be Left open to the high-
way or Cuntrey Road which Leads throw the Town — which
is — Humbly Submitted by us the Subscribours.
John Macmurphy ] ^
^ , T) • ( Committee
John Paige J
[The foregoing request was granted, and an act passed in
accordance therewith. — Ed.]
[5-253] \_Petition for Encouragement to Manufacttire Salt^
1776. ~\
To the Honourable the Council, and House of Representatives
of The state of Newhampshire
The petition of Ebenezer Griffing of Kingstown in the
County of Rockingham in said state Humbly shewxth
That the Great Scarcity of the Necessary
Article of salt and the Difficulty of procuring in the Usual way
by
Importation, has induced your petitioner to be at Considerable
Expence in Order to Erect works for Making the same from sea
water
That if proper Encouragement is Given he has Reason to think
that
He shall in a short time be Able to procure Large Qiiantities
that way
That the Erecting proper works for that purpose will be At-
tended
With Very Considerable Cost and Expence And as the
Manufacturing that Very Necessary Article will be of Very
Great
Advantage to the jDublick, He humbly prays that your honors
will
Take the Matter into your Consideration and Grant him such
Encouragement as to you in your wisdom shall think fit —
And as in Duty Bound shall Ever pray &c.
Ebenezer Griffing.
KINGSTON. 341
[He erected works for the manufacture of salt, as may be
seen by the following document : — Ed.]
[5-254] \_Petii/o?i for a Lottery^ ^777-'\
To The Honb'*' The General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire Humbly Shew —
Ebenezer Griffing of Kingston in said State, hath, at his
own Cost, and Charge, erected, Salt Works : within this State,
as well for the Publick, as, his own particular Benefit — being
moved, thereto, from the Present — and future prospect of the
great Scarcity, of the Valuable and very necessary Article Salt
— on Reflection, he finds his Works Insufficient to make a
Quantity barely sufficient to Supply the Wants of his Vicinity
— the Uncommon Demand of Salt throughout this State being
such as strongly urges your Petitioner to make further Trials
(in the Art of Salt making) he haveing allready by Labour and
enquir}' made good progress therein) to Effect which he finds
he must make further Additions which must be Attended with
great Cost too much for him Individualv to hazard, that Salt
is absolutely necessary for Publick and Private Use that it is
now uncommonly Scarce and the Demand therfor dailv increa-
seth — and that there is no Present prospect of Supplvs from the
former Resources are facts notorious to your Honours your Pe-
titioner Therefore prays your Honours to take Under Consider-
ation the Subject matter of this Petition & if Consistent — grant
him Power to form and Accomplish a Lotter}^ under the Im-
mediate Inspection & Direction of the Hon'''® General Assem-
bly of this State for the Sole purpose of Assisting him in his
Endeavours of Increasing the Qiiantity of Salt Sufficient for
the Demands of the Publick & your Petitioner as in Duty
Bound Shall pray
June 36"" 1777 —
Ebenezer Griffing
[R. 2- 1 48] \_yohn Prescott^ Soldier, ^7S3-'\
[Joshua Prescott petitioned for an allowance to pay for
nursing and doctoring his son John, who was a soldier at
Louisbourg, was taken sick, and died soon after his return
home. He further stated that he (Joshua) was 65 years
old, and not able to pay said bills. The petition was " Dis-
missed."— Ed.]
342 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-149] \^-^bstracts from Petitions of Frefich War Sol-
diers.^
[John Blaisdell and Samuel Fifield, of Kingston, stated
that they were in Col. Meserve's regiment, in the Crown
Point expedition, 1756. In another petition (R. 2-150)
Samuel Fifield stated that he "was ordered by Col*^ Meserve
to stay at Albany Flatts to take care of two sick soldiers
viz Waldron Smith of Brentwood, & John Blasdell of s'^
Kingstown," and did not get home until! January 19, 1757.
He was allowed £,<^ new tenor. (R, 2-154) John East-
man, of Kingston, stated that he was in Capt. Trueworthy
Ladd's company, Col. John Hart's regiment ; had his gun
taken from him at " AlBiny," for which he wanted pay.
His petition was dismissed. (R. 2-155) Iddo Webster, of
Kingston, stated that he belonged to same campany and
regiment ; had his gun stolen on the way home, and also
put his elbow out of joint, and asked for an allowance.
January 29, 1760, dismissed. (R. 2-156) Josiah Judkins, of
Kingston, stated in a petition dated May 7, 1759, that he had
an apprentice named Richard Tucker in same company and
regiment, who was sick on his way home, and was put to ex-
traordinary expense in consequence, which he wanted allowed.
Ordered '"to lay." (R. 2-157) Benjamin Sweat, Jr., in a
petition dated March 19, 1760, stated that he was in Capt.
Jacob Bayley's company. Col. Lovewell's regiment, in the
spring of 1759; marched to Dunstable, and from there to
Leicester, Mass., where he was taken lame, and left. "And
when Cap* Bayley Came to Pay off the Men under his
Command, I went to him to see if he had Money for Me,
and he Shew*^ Me that against my Name Was only Sy-
phers." He was allowed 36 shillings sterling. (R. 2-159)
John, son of Jonathan Webster, was in the service at Fort
Edward in 1759. (R. 2-162) David, son of Asa Flanders,
served in the Crown Point expedition in 1756. (R. 2-163)
Samuel Webster stated that his son Barnum was in the
Canada expedition, and died coming home from Fort Ed-
ward in 1758. Also, his son David "was in mager tashes
Regment at number fore and died their" in 1757. — Ed.]
[R. 2-164] \_Capt. Satmiel -Fif eld's Certificate., 1^62. '\
This may Sartifie Home It may Consarn that Jonathan Bede
Hath Paid an Equeal Perposion in Suporting the war in my
KINGSTON. 343
Compenywith other Solders Since this Present ware — this from
your Humbel Servent —
Samuel fifield Cap'
Kingston august the 23** 1762
[Jonathan Beede belonged to the Quakers. — Ed.]
£R. 2-165] \^Petition of yohn Dent^ Soldier^ ly^g : addressed
to the General Cot(rt.~\
The Petition of John Dent of Kingstown in the Province
aforesaid — Humbly Shews — That your Petitioner having been
for more than seven years in the service of his King & Country
.as a Soldier : particularly in the last years Campaign after the
Reduction of Louisbourg & Territories &c (your Petitioner
being a Ranger in Cap' William Starks Company) which with
others was sent up S' John's River in the Province of Nova
Scotia where by hard & Incessant Labour (in January the very
dead of winter) in wet & cold ; being obliged to work, in
■water, snow, & Ice, & extream cold ; and when Nights come
on ; then to Lodge between the Heavens & the Earth ; and
besides this; had not a Sufficiency of the Common & Necessa-
ry supports of life &c — which exceeding Difficultys bro't upon
your poor Petitioner such soi'e disorders & diseases of Body as
•caused a long & tedious sickness which at length fell into his
feet ; for which both of his feet have been cut off & yet they are
not healed ; and in this distressed state your petitioner was
•obliged to spend all his wages : which was all his substance for
Chirurgery ; & other Necessaries ; and now tho' through Gods
Rich Mercy & goodness to your petitioner he is escaped (thus
far) with his life & got to his Native Town yet being without
■estate, & is ever entirely Incapacitated for Labor and so is now
(even if he should get well) in a very distressed state & condi-
tion and inasmuch as this evil came upon this unhappy crea-
ture ; by hardships endured in the service of his King & defence
of his Country; he Humbly cries unto this Court praying for
an Interest in their compassion ; Intreating that something may
be allotted to him that may at least in some measure contribute
to his support & subsistance while he may exist in the present
state ; and so your poor & distressed Petitioner shall as in Duty
Bound ever pray &c
John Dent
Kingstown June the 13"^ day 1759
Voted, dismissed Octob' 12* 1759
344 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-166] \_Petitio7i of Paul Pressey, Soldier^ ^759' <^d-
dressed to the General Assembly. A^
The Humble Petition of Paul Pressey of Kingston in said
Province — Shews That your Petitioner was an enlisted soldier
in this province Service in the year 17581 under the Command
of Cap' Trueworthy Ladd, of Col" John Hart Esq"^ Regim' for
the Reduction of Canada, who proceed*^ & went in said Ser-
vice as far as any of the Regim', But so it was that on the 28"^
of July 1758, the Enemy Cutt ofl'a number of Teems, & Killed
many of the soldiers, & women &c, that Convey*^ them, & your
Petitioner with a Large number of this province Troops, were
ordered by their sup'' officer to march Immediately to their
reliefs did, & In the Fight there your petitioner had the mis-
fortune to be shot by an Indian in the Left Breast, the bullet
Log^ in the back part of his shoulder, was afterward Cut out by
Doc"" Clark. * * * * & when your petitioner was one
hundred & fifty miles from home was obliged to sell his shoes
oft' his feet for sustenance In order to get home. * *
Paul Pressey
[R. 2-167] S^CertiJicate relative to foregoing.'\
To tlie Honorabile Gentelman of the House of Repreizen-
tives of the Province of Newhampshir this is to Inform your
Honours What We the Subscribers Know Concerning M'' Paul
Pressey Sence he Came Home from the Lake the said Pressey
was not able to Do any work of any Valy till a Bout the first of
December 17=^8 and after that he was often Complaining of his
Shoulder as he was Shuing of oxen for Sume of us and other
times he was Saing that his wound hurt him in his Labour
Dated att Kingston march y*" 12"' 1759 —
Jeremiah Hubbard Jonathan French Ephraim Paige
Joshua Webster Juner Joseph Worth
Dyer Hook Daniel Brown Caleb tovvl
Jonathan French John Paige Caleb towl Junr
Humphrey Hook Jonathan Harvey Aaron Qiiimby
[Dr. John Kittredge, of Andover, Mass., testifies to hav-
ing taken care of his wound. He asked for relief, and was
allowed ;^8 sterling. — Ed.]
[R. 2-16S] S^Jeremiah Bartletfs Petition, 1778. ~\
[In a petition, dated " Kingstown April 2'M 778," Jere-
miah Bartlett stated that he was '• a soldier in the company
KINGSTON. 345
commanded by Capt Ezra Currier, in Col*^ Abraham Drake's
Regiment, that marched from this State Last fall and joined
the northern Army near Stillwater." He further stated that
he was taken with a fever near Fishkill, and wanted pay for
his expences in getting home, etc. He was allowed ]£6o.
—Ed.]
[R. 2-169] \_SoIdiers Orders.'\
Kingstown January 24, 177^
Please to pay to Samuel Peirson or Order all the pay due to
me for my Rations as an Adj' in CoP Drakes Reg' from Sep' 8
to this day for which his receipt shall be your Discharge &
you'll oblige yours &c
pr. Nath' Bacheller
[Thomas Severance, of the F'irst Regiment, orders what is
due him to be paid to John Nicolle. \Vitnesses, Jona. Blake
and Samuel Favour.
Christopher Challis, of the Second Regiment, orders his
wages to be paid to same. Witness, Jeremiah Graves. —
Ed.]
[R. 2-173] \_Petifion of Sarah Hobart, 1797. '\
[In a petition, dated Kingston, November 20, 1797, Sarah
Hobart, " late widow of Col Windborn Adams," who was
killed at Stillwater, September 19, 1777, asked to have some
interest, which she claimed to be due her, allowed and paid.
—Ed.]
[5~255] S^Rclathc to the Militia^ J784.']
To his Excellency the President and the Hon^'« Executive
Council of the State of New hampshire — your Petitioners
Humbly Shew —
That the Legaslative of this State at their Last Session
Thought Proper to take oft' 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 and vSep-
errate Regiment, and have added to the other Part of Said
346
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Seventh Regiment the Town of South Hampton taken from
the third Regiment, That in aranging the Said Regiments
the South westerly Regiment akho' the youngest part of
Said Seventh Regiment are by Some mistake allowed the
Rank of the Seventh Regiment while the oldest Part of the
Said Seventh Regiment is Reduced to the Twentieth, Your
Petitioners are of oppinion the Said arrangment was made in
haste and without properly Considering of the Same, and make
no Doubt that when the matter is Properly Laid before the
Legislature at their Next Session that the mistake will be Rec-
tified, We therefore Pray your Excellency and Honours to Pos-
pone the giving out any military Commitions 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.
Kingstown Nov'' i6"^ 17^4- •
John French
John CleflarD fifield
Peter Fifield
William Sanborn
Peter Sanborn
Peter Sanborn jun''
Jacob Hook
John Hunton
Abraham French
Jon" Blake
John Eastman
Amos Gale
Thomas Elkins
Joseph Woodman
John Judkins
Joseph Judkins
David Sanborn
Henry Judkins
Ebenezer Lang
Ebenezer Griffing
Eben'' Stevens
John Lad
Ebeneser proctere
Daniel Colcord
Moses Huntoon
Jacob Foot
Nathaniel garland
Joseph Tucker
William Patten
Joseph Calef Ju
Joseph Calf
Jacob Webster
Jonathan Sanborn
Samuel Favour
Nathaniel Darbon
Benjamin Webs' Sul-
la way
Calab Sever
Stephen Stuart
Jonathan Collins
Jonathan Severance
John Davis
Daniel Qiiimby
Samuel Fluse
Phines Davis
Stephn Badger
John Tucker
Aaron Qiiimby
Samuel Qiiimby
Benjamin Qiiimby
David Qiiimby
Joseph Williams
Peter Sweat
Isrel Dimond
Enos Colbey
Hezekiah Blake
Elias Buriel
Nathanael Morrill
Richard Collins
Samuel Sargent
moses Woodman
Dudly Kinrick
Jonathan French 4
Jonathan French
Juner
Jethro Sanborn
Thomas Page
Jedediah Philbrick
Peter Elkins
Joseph Elkins
Elisha Bachelder
David Tilton
Humphry Hook
Jonathan Heath
Israel Hook
Jonathan french
Jonathan french 3'''^
Caleb Towle
James Towle
John Kent
Henery Dearbon
Reuben True Jr
Daniel True
Seth. Bartlett
George Bartlett
Jeremiah Bean
Jonathan Sanborn
KINGSTON.
347
John Singleton
John Procter
John Ciilef
Aaron young
Caleb judkins
Will"' Sweat
Aaron Hunton
Benj" Cooper
Jonathan sanborn
Junr
John quemby San-
born
Samuel Stevens 3*^
Nathan Sweat
Solomon Wheeler
Henry Morrill
Israel Dimond juner
Samuel Plummer
David flanders
Jonathan Jones
Samuel Eastmen
Benjamen Eastman
Jabez Eaton
Joseph true Eaton
Nathaniel Brown
Stephen Eastmen
Asa flanders
Benjamin Collins
Juer
John Challis
Jonathan Sanborn
jun""
Peter Emerson
Phinehas Bachalder
Reuben True
Jon" Procter
Jeremiah Elkins
Thomas Elkins
Henery french
Joseph Homan
Samuel Calef
Isaac Cleflbrd
Caleb long
Ebenezer Stevens 3'''^
Peter Abbot
[5-256] \_Anot//er concernitig ]\Iilitia^ ^7^S-^
To the Honourable the vSenate and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Con-
vened at Concord the 9"' day of Feb^ ^7^5-
The Petition of the Subscribers humbly shew that in the last
session of the General Assembly, among otlier alterations and
arrangements of the regiments of Militia in this State, they
thought proper to take off the Town of Southhampton from the
Third Regiment commonly called Hampton Regiment, and
annex it to the seventh commonly called Kingstown Regiment,
and then to devide the last mentioned regiment into Two sep-
arate & Distinct regiments ; that with great Difterance to the
opinion of the Legislature your petitioners humbly conceive,
that the devision of said regiment might be made in a diflerent
manner to more advantage, and beg leave to request that it
may be taken up again and altered if it shall seem proper
to your Honours — that in giving Rank to the said two Reg*'
the southwesterly regiment, by much the youngest part of
the said Seventh Regiment, is allowed the Rank of the Sev-
enth Regiment, while the Northeasterly regiment by much the
oldest part of said seventh Regiment, is reduced to the twen-
tieth— that the Town of Kingstown is the first Chartered town
in the State, and was first settled after the four old towns, as
they are called, viz Portsmouth, Dover, Hampton, & Exeter;
and your petitioners can conceive of no good reason why the
said town, togather with the two parishes thereof viz East
Kingston & Hawke which make up the greatest part of the
said Northeast regiment, should be degraded from their former
rank to which they are so Justly intitled by age, and which they
348
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
have not forfeited by any misconduct as they humbly Con-
ceive.—
That at the time the arrangement was made, we are informed
that the two Representatives from the said Northeasterly regi-
ment were both necessarily absent from Court, and so had not
an opportunity of laying the matter properlv before them,
which we conceive is the reason that the arrangement passed
as it did, as we have too high an opinion of the wisdom & jus-
tice of the Legislature of the State, than to suppose that it would
have been passed in the manner it was, had the matter been
properly laid before them : —
We therefore pray that your Honours will be pleased to take
the matter of this petition into your wise Consideration, and if
it shall seem to you proper, make some alteration in the lines
Deviding the said former Regiment ; And that you will be
pleased to restore to the Northeasterly regiment their former
rank of the seventh regiment, to which we humbly conceive
they are justly intitled ; And your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever pray &c
Josiah Bartlett
Thomas Elkins
John Hunton
Will™ Henderson
Moses Huntoon
Ebenezer Giffing
Joseph Tucker
John Lad
John Singleton
Daniel Colcord
William Clitibrd
Sam" Sanborn
Jo^ Williams
Gideon George
John Wheeler
Philip Tilton
Andrew Greeley
Enoch Greeley
Jeames gale
Nath' Greeley
william Smith
John Sanborn
Jonathan Clough
John Emons
Benjamin Thomp-
son
Ebenezer Fi field
Richard Smith
Nathan Bachellor
Caleb Webster
Thomas Elkins Junr Nath' Bachellor
Henry French
Jon"* Proctor
Joshua Hill
Will'" Sweat
James Carruth
Samuel Fifield
Francis Hubbard
Jacob Foot
Jacob Hook
Benjamin Stevens
Samuel Calef
Eli Hunton
John Currier
Malach Davis
Andrew mace
Jeremiah Currier
Abner Morss
Ezra Currier
Jacob Gale
Henry Gale
Jacob Rowell
Philip Morill
John Samborn
William Patten
Jabez Eaton
Benjaman Eastman
Samuel Plummer
Samuel Eastman
Samuel Sargent
Nathan Jones
Jonathan jones
Asa flanders
Stephen Eastmen
Joseph true Eaton
Nathaniel Brown
Elias Burisel
Henry Morrill
Nathanael Morrill
Willum Gorg
Hezekiah Blake
John Chalies
Joseph Colins Juner
Edward Brown
Jonathan Blake
Israel Dimond
Israel Dimond Juner
Peter Sweat
Jonathan Houlton
Enos Colbey
Samuel fellows
Benjamin Collins
Juner
KINGSTON.
349
Isaac Clifford
Aaronhuntoon
Sam' Griffing
Ebeneser proctor
Stephan Huntoou
John Calef 3
Gilman Gale
Benjamin Loverin
William Proctor
Charles Chase
Nathannel Calfe
John George
Jon'' Blake
Nathan Sweat
John Proctor
John Calef
Benjamin Stevens
junr
Henry Judkins
Joseph Judkins
Joshua Pluntoon
Sam french
Edward Greeley
John Cleffbrd fi field
Abraham French
John Judkins
Richard Sleeper
Joseph Woodman
Peter Sanborn
Benjamin Sleeper
Benjamin Sleeper
Junr
Rezia Beede
Daniel Bacheller
Benjamin Magoon
Simon Magoon
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith Junr
William Sanborn
Benjamin Sanborn
Noah Sanborn
Peter Fifield
Amos Judkins
Robert S. French
Jacob Ordway
David Tilton
Richard Tilton
Peter Abbot
Nathaniel Darbon
Beniemen Webster
Jacob Webster
Natha" Fellows
Ephr"' Severance
Stephen Badger
Jonathan Sanborn
Samuel Severance
Edward Sleeper
Jonathan Sleeper
William Collins
Phinias Davis
John Sleeper
John Stevens
Samuell Favour
Samuel Huse
John Severance
Jonathan Severance
Jonath Severance ju
John Davis
Daniel Qin'mby
Jonathan Collins
Bartholomew winslo
Ephraim winslo
William Sleeper
willam Challis
Jacob Peaslee
Daniel wodley
Greely Sillaway
Jem Webster
benjamin hubbard
Thomas Sever
elijah vSever
Elisha Sever
Gideon Webster
Amos Burman
James Noyes
Jonathan Pollard
Calab Sever
Philip Davis
Webster Davis
Benj" Webster Sulla-
way
Thomas Severance
Isaac Pollard
Nath"^" flanders
John Sweat
Samuel Kinrick
Joseph willams
Samuel moulten
Josiah Tuxbury
Sanborn Blake
Richard Collans
Stephen Barnard
willam Busel
!Moses Busel
Aaron Qiiimby
Elisha Quimby
Samuel Qiiimby
Daniel Qiiimby
Paul Qiiimby
Dudlv kindrck
Benjamin kindreck
Benjamin Page
Joseph fellows
Jonathan fellows
Israel Hook
John Kent
Jeremiah Elkins
Reuben Tracy
Henery Darborn
Henery darborn
Juner
John kent Juner
Daniel Page
Daniel True
Joseph Homan Sold-
o'er
Jonathan french
Juner
Jonath" french the
forth
Jonathan Sanborn
Jun--
Peter Emerson
David Bachelor
Jonathan Sanborn
John Sanborn
Enoch Sanborn
Jethro Sanborn
Obadiah Sanborn
Jer, Towle
James Towle
350
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Josiah Tilton
Eliphalet Webster
David Gordon
Trustum saborn
Ichabod Colby
Thomas Challis
moses Greeley
Jonathan Greeley jr
moses chandler
John true
John morill
John Tappan
James Tappan
Josiah Bachelder
Benja. Remick
Daniel Tilton
Nathaniel Tilton
Humphrey Flood
thomas Colby
John Stevens iu
Thomas Bootman
Henery Hunt
Nehemiah Hunt
abner Hunt
Moses Hunt
Stephen Stuart
Sam" Stuart
Moses Welsh
Aaron Welsh
Stephen Sturt
Joseph wellch
David Quimby
Neh Sleeper
Ezek Challis
Moriss whitter
Jacob Eastmen
Jedidiah philbrk
Gideon Sawyer
James Sawyer
Reuben Sawyer
Joseph Elkins
George Bartlett
Isaac Bartlett
Jonathan Heath
Tho^ Page
Simon Page
Jonathan French
Jonathan French the3
Humphry Hook
Humphry Hookjun'
Sam'' waite
Caleb Towle
David Flanders
[5~257] \_CertiJicate of Nails made i7t i'jgi.'\
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
Kingstown Ocf 3'' 1791
This may Certifie that it appears to us the subscribers That
John Phillbrick of this Town has Really & Bonafidely made in
his black smiths shop in said Town since the seventh Day of
February 17S9 One Hundred & Nine Thousand well wrought
tenpenny Nails & also Twenty eight Thousand & eight Hun-
dred sixpenny Nails
Abraham French
Simmons Secombe
Selectmen of
Kinsfstown
Kingstown ocf 3** 1791 This may Certifie that I have no
Doubt but that the said Philbrick Really & bonafide made the
Nails mentioned in the Above Certificate —
Simmons Secombe Justice of peace
Oct° 7 1 79 1
Received an Order on the Treasurer for five pounds
John Philbrick
LANCASTER. 35 I
LANCASTER.
This township was granted July 5, 1763, to David Page
and others, and named for a town in Massachusetts. The
following September, David Page, Jr., and Emmons Stock-
well cut a path through from Haverhill to the township,
built a camp, and wintered there ; and in 1764, the senior
Page and his family, with Edwards Bucknam, and others,
moved in and commenced settlements. The conditions of
the grant, however, were not fully complied with, and on
the 20th of September, 1769, an extension was granted.
Indian depredations during the Revolutionary war caused
most of the inhabitants to leave : others came when peace
was restored, so that the town contained twenty-four fami-
lies in 1787.
By an act approved June 22, 18 19, the tract of land known
as Barker's Location was annexed to Lancaster. This was
a tract of 3,020 acres, which was granted to Capt. Joshua
Barker, Oct. 21, 1773, for service in the French war.
The farm of E. Winchester was severed from Stark and
annexed to this town Dec. 4, 1840.
Lancaster was still further enlarged by the annexation of
a portion of Kilkenny, Dec. 15, 1842. It is now one of the
most flourishing towns in the northern part of the state.
[6-6] \^Petitio72 of David Page for more Land, ^773 •'\
Province of New Hampsh :
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief & to the Houble His Maj-
esty's Council of said Province —
That your petitioner having been at great trouble & Expence
in first attempting & since prosecuting the settlements at Upper
Coho'os on Connecticut River which then was forty Miles dis-
tant from any other settlement, and that with incredible fatigue
he has often travelled that wilderness Country back & forth to
bring on his own with several other Familys having five of his
own Children married & settled about him who have made
considerable progress — besides frequently assisting others to
explore the New Roads — by which means his small stock &
substance is almost exhausted & himself impoverished in his
old Age — He prays your Excellency & Honors Consideration
352 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
that for his Assistance & Releif in his present Difficultys — he
may be favourd with a Grant of some vacant Tract of Land if
to be found in that part of the Country, as to Your Excellency
& Honours may seem meet, and your petitioner as in Duty
bound will ever pray, &c. &c.
David page
Portsmouth 23*^ Jan 7 1773 —
[6-5^] \_Relative to Representative^ ^775 •~\
To the Honarabel Provincial Congress conveaned at Exeter
Dec. 20, A D 1775. —
Respected Gentlemen — we would take this opportunity to
inform your Honorable House That the nine Towns in the up-
per Cohos have not complied with the precept of the last Con-
gress issued to them for the election of a Representation the
reasons of which conduct are these — first, the neady circum-
stances of the peple render it impossible for them to be at the
expence of supporting one
2 the distance of the inhabitance and difficultv of communa-
cation is so greate that it prevented a general attendance in the
meeting for to chuse a representative we write to your honor-
able house as individuals but at the same time as being well
acquainted with the minds of the people it is their universal
desire not to be taxed to defray aney Expence of delegates
maintaing this principel that their ought to be no taxation
without representation w^e are with the highest respect for your
house much respected Gentlemen your most obedient humble
servants tn -j d \ Selectmen for The
David Page > , r t
° ) town ot Lancarster
Lancarstar Dec"" 14*'' 1775
T -r, ) Select men for The
ames Urown > . r 04. ^r j
•^ ) town 01 btrattord
Josiah Walker
inhabitant of Stratford —
[6-7] {^Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. '\
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss : —
Lancaster, Dec" 2^ 1783
The Number of all the male Poles from twenty one years old
LANCASTER. 353
and upwards in the town of Lancaster that pays taxes for them-
selves—
Number — 10 — men which is the exact Number taken by us
Edw'^^ Bucknam \ Select
Emmons Stockwell J men
Northumberland 2^ Dec"" 1783
Then the above named Edwards Bucknam & Emmons Stok-
"well personally appearing made Oath to the above Account
Before me — Jer'' Eames Justic Peace
[6-S] \_Petitio7t of Col. Bticknam for t/ie Gi'aiit of a Ferry.,
2784.']
To the Hon''''' the General Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire
The Petition of Edwards Bucknam of Lancaster in the
County of Grafton in Said State Humbly Sheweth that there
are Catteracts or falls in the River Connecticut adjoining
Northumberland in Said County convenient for Building Mills
and for keeping a ferry Boat
Your Petitioner is Now Actually erecting a Set of Mills both
for Sawing and Grinding on the Said falls
Therefore prays that the Hon'''*' Court would be pleased to
Grant and Convey unto him his heirs and Assigns the privi-
ledge of using and improving the Earth and waters between the
Eastwardly and Westwardly Banks of Said River in width ;
and in length the Distance of one Mile each way from the cen-
ter of Said falls
And your Petitioner will pray
Edw*^' Bucknam
Lancaster oc' S"" 1784
[The request in foregoing petition was granted in 1786.
—Ed.]
[6-9] \_Petitio7i for Authority to tax Non-Residc7its., I78'j.'\
To the Honourable the senate and the Hon'''^ House of Rep-
resentatives in General Assembly convened on the second
Wednesday in September A, D, 1787 —
The Petition of the Town of Lancaster in the County of
Grafton humbly Sheweth
That the inhabitants of said Town labour under many and
25
354 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
great inconveniances, and without that succour and releif which
every infant Country expects from the Government to which
she owes her allegiance, they must remain in but very indigant
circumstances ; and the state not receive that emolument, that it
might justly expect from a Country so fertile as this, when prop-
erly peopled. Nothing more effectually hinders the emigra-
tion of inhabitants to this part of the state, than the badness of
our roads, and the want of a conveniant place to worship that
being, to whom all owe their existance. The formation of the
town being very peculiar, on account of marshes creeks and
large streams and the number of inhabitants being but very
small ; consequantly the expence of making and mending
roads, building bridges meeting house &c must be very great —
One large stream, known by the name of Israels river, is so
formidable where it must be bridged, to accomodate the travel
up and dowMi Connecticut river and likewise the travel to and
from Portsmouth, (our most advantageous port) that it must
cost, at a moderate Computation two hundred pounds. The
inhabitants have solicited the nonresidant land owners, for as-
sistance (many of wdiom live out of the state,) but they have
entirely refused, —
Your petitioners are therefore, necessitated to pray your hon-
ours to pass an act empowering the selectmen of said Lancaster
to levey, and Collect a tax of three pence on each acre of land
(Publick Rights excepted) for the purpose of making roads
building bridges meeting house &c, &c, and a continuation of
one penny on the acre, annually for the term of five Years, to
be appropriated to the aforesaid purposes. And that the prayer
of your petitioners be granted, or such assistance or directions
be given, as Your honours may see fit; your Petitioners as ia
duty bound shall ever pray
Lancaster y* 4'^ September 17S7
per order of ( Jonas Wilder
the Town < Edw^'' Bucknam > Committee
!
(^Emmens Stockwell
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
[6-10] \_Petitio7i relative to Roads ^ l'/88.']
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives
for the State of New hampshire (humbly Sheweth) The In-
habitants of A Place Called Uper Coos That they began Setel-
ment at that Place mor than tvventithree Years ago and Ever
Since have Continued their Setelment through many Dificulties
LANCASTER.
355
Especialy on account of the Badness of the Roads through Lit-
tleton and Dalton which have never been properly Cleared nor
bridged by which means wagons or Sleighs pass with the
greatest Danger and never more than half a Load which Sub-
jects the Inhabitants of Said Coos to very Large Expence in
transporting necessary foreign articles and others in Removing
with their famileys and Efects from Connecticut Massachuesetts
and the Easterly part of New-Hampshire to the Same Diticul-
ties which very much Impedes & hinders the Setelment of the
Towns on Connecticut River &c Lying above S*^ Littleton &
Dalton Your Petitioners beg Leave to farther Sugjest that the
Townships of Littleton and Dalton being owned by only a few
Gentelmen and the Towns not Vested with Power nor the In-
habitants of ability to Lay out Clear bridge and !Make Passable
Said Road through which Your Petitioners must Pass on any
Business belonging to the Probate, or County Matters, Where-
fore your Petitioners Pray Your Honors to take their Case into
Your wise Consideration and order that the Road be made Pas-
able and keept in good Repair through Said Towns of Littilton
& Dalton to the acceptance a Commitee to be appointed for that
Purpose or by Some other way as Your Honors Shall See fit
and Your Petitioners Will Ever Pray
May lo'" 178S
Inhabitants of Lancaster
Jonas Wilder
Aamasa Grout
Jonas Baker
Joseph Brackett
Edw'^'* Bucknam
Phinehas Hodgin
Jer** Eames Ju""
Thos Eames
Joseph Peverly
Hez^ Fuller
David Jnoson
Heth Baldwin
Elijah Hinman
Joshua Lamken
John Cole
Francis Willson
John Weeks
Abijah Darby
Walter Philbrook
Samuel Johnson
Hopestill Jenison
Northumberland
Abner osgood
J. Whipple
Daniel Spaulding
Stratford
Archippus Blodget
Jabez Baldwin
Elijah Blodget
Oliver Lamkin
James Curtiss
Piercy
Caleb Smith
David Page
Emons Stockwell
Ephraim Griggs
Will"' Johnson
Jonathan Hartwell
Abel Bennett
thomas Burnside
James Burnside
Josiah Blodget
James Brown
Nucomb Blodget
Benj" Strong
William Curtiss
356 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-1 1 ] [^Relative to the Formation of Coos County^ lygo.^
To the Honourable senate and house of Representatives of the
state of Newhampshire to be convened a Concord on the first
Wednesday in Jan'' next,
The petition of the select Men of the towns of Lancaster
Northunnberland and Stratford, for and in behalf of the respect-
ive towns, Humbly Sheweth ; That our located situation in the
northern part of the state is such, that it will be perticularly
beneficial for us, to have Conway and adjacent towns annexed
to us, in the formation of the northerly County in s'' state, not
only on account of the occupancy and improvement of our most
advantageous road to seaport, but in order to promote emi-
grants, and agriculture in this fertile & healthy territory ; the
promotion of which, we humbly conceive w^U be of publick
utility and the state to which we owe our allegiance, will re-
ceive emolument in proportion to the opulency of this part of
the state — And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever
pray —
Lancaster Dec'' 29*'' 1790
Edw'^^Bucknam "']
Emmons Stockvvell
Francis Willson
Select Men
for Northumberland
Joseph Peverly ^ Lancaster
Jer'" Eames and
Elijah Hinman Stratford
James Brown J
[6-13] \^Petitlo)i for a JVezv County, jygi.'^
To the Honorable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Lancaster in the County
of Grafton
Humbly Sheweth
That Your Petitioners live at the distance of near sixty miles
from the nearest shire Town in this County
That a very considerable part of the Inhabitants of this part
of the County live above us and are under similar disadvantages
with us,
That the Roads to Haverhill our nearest shire Town are .ex-
ceeding bad and at some seasons of the year unpassable,
Wherefore we your petitioners pray that we may be seperated
from the said Count}- of Grafton and made a new County by a
LANCASTER.
357
line drawn from Conecticut River between the Towns of Con-
cord alias Gunthwait and Littleton and on Eastward taking in
the Towns of Conway Eaton &c to the Province line so call'd
and we as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Lancaster Nov'' 22°"*
Edw*^* Buck nam
William Bruce
Stephen Willson
Jeremiah Willcox
1791.
John Weeks
Jon" Hartwell
Nathan Lovewell
Joseph W'ilder
Emmens Stockwell Samuel Johnson
Robert Gotam Dennis Stanley
Francis Willson Isaac Darby
Joseph Bruce Phinehas Bruce
Jonas Wilder junur Elisha Wilder
Asaph Darby John Rosbrook
Jonas Baker Ezra Reves
Jonathan Cram Benj" Twombly
Edward Spaulding Walter Philbrook
Will"" Moore
Joseph Brackett
Ephraim Wilder
Aloses Page
John Mackintire
Abijah Darby
Bradfor Sanderson
Zadock Samson
Jonathan ros
Daniel How
David Stockwell
Daniel Chany
John Wilder
Jonas Wilder
Manassah Wilder
Charles Rosbrook
David Page
James Twombly
Coffin Moore
Phinehas Hodgdon
William Johnson
[Coos county was formed in 1803. — Ed.]
[6-13] \_Petition to have the Right of Ferries vested in the
Tozun^ i'/g2.'\
State of New Hampshire
Lancaster y* 30* May 1792
To the Hon''''^ Gen' Court to be holden at Dover in said State
on the first Wednesday of June 1792 —
Humbly Sheweth the Selectmen of Lancaster in behalf of
said Town, that there is a necessity for keeping ferries a cross
the River Connecticut from Lancaster to Guildhall & Lunen-
burgh in Vermont — They therefore pray your Honors to grant
to the said Town of Lancaster the exclusive privilege for ever
of keeping ferries a cross said River extending so far as said
River runs through said Lancaster And your Petitioners will
ever pray —
John Weeks ] o 1 i.
T? Ci- 1 11 r Selectmen
Emmons Stockwell J
Lancaster y^ 12"^ Nov'' 1792
We Certify that the within Petition & order of Court thereon
358 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
has been posted up at the house of Col" Jonas Wilder as the
most Public House in said town more than six weeks
John Weeks ) o i ,
T? e^ 1 n r oelectmen
iLmmens Stockwell j
Jonas Baker Town Clerk
Jonas Wilder
Edw'^'* Bucknam
Joseph Brackett
Joseph Wilder
[Not granted. — Ed.]
[6-14] Petition for Authority to levy a Special Tax for
Road purposes^ i'jg2.'\
To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable House of
Representatives of the state of New Hampshire to Convene
at Exetor on the third Wednesday of Nov' Instant —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Lancaster
Humbly Sheweth that about four years past the Honorable
Gen' Court Granted a tax on all the lands in said Lancaster
public Rights excepted for the purpose of making Roads
Bridges &c in said Town that by some unfourseen fattallity
the business was not Accomplished and a considerable part of
the roads through said Lancaster to our nearest seaport and
Shire Town is yet almost impassable, That a Considerable part
of the Township is owned by Nonresidants and the settlements
very Inconsiderable in said Town and the Roads being very
lengthy being about nine Miles on Connecticutt River and the
Roads leading from said Connecticutt River Eastward to Dart-
mouth almost as far Distance the making passable said Roads
being very Chargable and Insuportable to the Inhabitants ;
therefore your Petitioners pray Your Honours to order that a
Tax of two pence per acre for two Years may be Assessed on
all the lands in said Town and that a Committee may be Ap-
pointed to lay out said Tax in the most advantagious maner or
grant such other Releaf in the premises as your Honors shall
think best — And Your Petitioners as In Duty bound shall ever
pray —
Lancaster y^ 12"^ Nov'' 1792
Fortunatus Eager Jonathan Cram John Rosbrook
John Rosbrook J""" Titus O Brown Emmens Stockwell
Charles Rosbrook John Holms Joseph Wilder
Jonas Wilder Elisha Wilder Asahel Biglow
William Bruce Phineas Bruce Nathan Lovewell
LANCASTER. 359
Benjamin Orr David Page Edw*^ Spaulding
David Stockw^ell Abijah Darby Will™ Johnson
Moses Page Joseph Brackett Coffin Moore
Dennis Stanley Walter Philbrook
W" Moore Jonas Baker
[6-16] \_Petltio7t of Eleazer Hosbrook for a Ferry ^ iyg2.'\
State of New Hampshire —
Lancaster June 1^* 1792
To the Hon^ Gen' Court to be convened at Dover in said State
the first Wednesday of said June —
Humbly Sheweth Eleazer Rosbrook — that he has opened
and kept a Ferry across Connecticutt River at said Lancaster
for several Years past by means of which the public have been
considerably benefited — that for and during the time which he
has kept said ferry it has been rather an expence to him than
otherwise, and most probably no great advantage can arise
thereby for some time yit to come, though it may be profitable
at some future period — wherefore he prays Your Honors to
grant him his Heirs and assigns the exclusive priviledge of
keeping a ferry across said River under such restrictions and
regulations as may appear proper and Your Peti"" will ever
pray—
Eleazar Rosbrook
[The foregoing petition was granted. — Ed.]
[6-17] S^Petition for Special Tax to make Roads^ i/gj.'\
The Hon'''® General Court of the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Town of Lancaster in said State humbly
sheweth —
That the said town of Lancaster is such that the public Road
leading through s*^ town on Connecticutt River is upwards of
ten Miles in Length and is attended with many Creeks Valies
and Streems that leads into said River, where Bridges and
Casways are needed to be built, and the Road leading through
said town up Israels River towaixls Conway is attended with
the like Impediments and that one other Road is much wanted
to be opened through the Center of said town from Connecti-
cutt River leading a Corse through said town and Whitefield
and on to Thornton and Plymouth which road if opened would
360 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
shorten the Distance from Lancaster to Plymouth about thirty
Miles which Road will in all probability be opened in said
town the Ensuing Year — The Inhabitants of said Town being
but small in Numbers, having the season past erected a large
meeting house and are loaded with great Expences for the
same, their Roads &c ; and the Major part of the proprietors
and land owners of said town live at New York and out of this
State and are unwilling to Assist the Inhabitants of said town
in these Burthensome Matters altho, — they are as much beni-
fited thereby in the Rise of their lands as the Inhabitants of
said town Therefore youx" petitioners pray your Honours would
make a Grant of three pence on each and every Acre of land
in said town viz one penny each year the three next succeeding
Years and appoint a Committee to levy and Collect the same
and apply it in opening the New and Repairing the other
Roads and Bridges in .said Town — And Your petitioners will
ever pray —
December y*^ 21''' 1793
Edw""' Bucknam 1 Committee
Emmons Stockwell > in behalf of
Jonas Baker J the Town
[4-1 S]
At a Legal Meeting of the Voters of this town of Lancaster
held this 22"^ Nov'' 1793 —
Voted to petition the Hon^'* Gen' Court for land tax to re-
pair the roads Bridges &c in s'^ Town —
Voted Col° Edwards Bucknam Cap' John Weeks and Jonas
Baker Committee to make out a petition to the Hon'''^ Gen^
Court for the above purpose —
Dec"" 21'*' 1793 — Met agreable to adjournment and Voted to
chuse a Committee to sign the petition to the Hon'"'^ Gen' Court
for a land tax as made out by the Com''^'' chosen for that pur-
pose and Chose Col° Ed'''' Bucknam Cap' Emmons Stockwell
and Jonas Baker for s^ Committee — Voted Col' Ed''* Bucknam
Ajant for the Town on s'' petition —
A true Coppy from the Records attest —
Jonas Baker Town Clerk
[Capt. John Weeks settled in Lancaster in 1787. He was
the father of Hon. John W. Weeks, who commanded a com-
pany in the war of 18 12, and was brevetted for gallant ser-
vice at Chippewa. He was a member of the state senate
in 1827 and 1828, and of congress in 1829 to 1831. He
died in 1853.
LANDAFF. 36I
Emmons Stockwell was one of the first settlers, a sturdy
old hero, who refused to be frightened away by the Indians,
and occupied his castle in that frontier town during the
Revolutionary war. — Ed.]
LANDAFF.
The township was granted Jan. 31, 1764, to James Avery
and others, who failed to comply with the conditions of the
grant, and it was declared by the governor and council to
be forfeited,
Jan. 19, 1770, the tract was granted to Dartmouth col-
lege, with the usual conditions and reservations. Settle-
ments were made under the latter grant to some extent,
roads opened, and a mill built at the expense of the college,
and on the nth day of November, 1774, the town was in-
corporated by the governor and council.
After the Revolutionary war the first grantees claimed
that their alleged forfeiture was not legal, and maintained
their claim : the college had to abandon its title and lose
what it had expended in making settlements. A com-
pensation was however made to the college soon after, by
the grant, Feb. 5, 1789, of a tract of land containing 40,960
acres on Connecticut river.
By an act approved July 2, 1845, a tract of land was sev-
ered from Lincoln and annexed to this town. June 23,
1859, all that part of Landaff lying north-west of Ammo-
noosuc river was annexed to Lisbon.
The town was divided July 20, 1876, and the east part
incorporated into a town by the name of Easton.
[6-1] \^To~vn- Meeting Proceedings^ ^777 •'\
At a Legal meeting of the Inhabitance of the Town of Lan-
daff holden at the House of mr Joseph Warner in s** Landaff
on the i^' Day of febuary 1777, to Consider and Determin what
they will Do relitive to the Letter sent to them by the Assem-
blys Commity bearing Date Jenuary 10'^ ^777 I" Answer to
which Voted that this town Appoint mr Joseph Warner Cap'
Nathaniel Hovey and Leu* Josiah How who are our Commity
362 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of Safety to act In our behalf In treating with the Assemblys
Commity and that our s'' Commity do not enter into any
measure for accomidation with s'' Assemblys Commity but In
Conjunction with the united Commity whose meeting now
stands Adjon"^ to the 13"* of february Instant to be holden at
Lebanon and that a Copy of this Voat be transmited to the
Assemblys Commity as quick as may be
A true Copy of the original minits by order of the Com-
mity—
Joseph Warner")
Nath" Hovey >- Selectmen
Josiah How )
Test Nath" Hovey Town Clark
To the honorable Meshech Weare Esq"' &c Committee from the
Assembly at Exeter.
[6-3] \_Petition for an Allorvance for Services in the IVar,
1786.-]
State of New Hampshire County of Gi'afton —
To the Honorable the general Court of the said State, to be
convened at Portsmouth on the first day of February ADom.
1786—
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Landaft' in
said County, humbly sheweth ; that innumerable & inexpres-
sible were the difficulties and distresses your petitioners suf-
fered thro' the course of the late war in America ; by being
situated in a large extensive uncultivated Country almost desti-
tute of Inhabitants, inviron'd about with a barbarous, cruel &
merciless enimy, we were undefended and utterly unable to put
ourselves in a warlike state of defence against those sanguinary
Savages, who were lying in ambush to kill, burn, lay waste
and destroy indiscriminately, all that were opposite to their
vile & inhuman proceedings. Being thus exposed and living
in constant jeopard of our lives, we were frequently alarm'd
and obliged to join our feeble efforts on sudden emergences for
the immediate preservation of our lives and properties, and
were at great expence in guarding, scouting, building Forts &c.
for which service we have never received any recompence or
reward, from the State. Notwithstanding, if we could sup-
pose ourselves to be upon an equality with other towns in this
State, and that we had done no more than our just proportion,
we should rest perfectly easy and satisfied with the benefits
accruing from the glorious Conquest obtained by the loss of
immense quantities of Blood and Treasure. Altho' our Cir-
LANDAFF. 363
cumstances at this day are very difficult indeed by reason of the
extreme scarcit}^ of Money ; taxation is almost an insupportable
burden, nevertheless your petitioners will exert every Nerve,
with the greatest alacrity for the due observance of all your
laws & regulations, but as it hath been a Custom heretofore to
reward those that have done service or expended Money in
the Common cause for the Defence of the State, we take en-
couragement therefrom, and most ardently pray your honors to
take our Circumstances under your wise Consideration and
make us some allowance for our former Services as set forth
in this petition, or otherwise as your honors shall think proper.
And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Landaft'Jany y'= 25'''
ADom. 17S6 — Jon" Blake \ for Said
James Sawyer j Inhabitants
Selectmen
C^~"3] \_Relative to Represe7ttative Class^ i'/88.'\
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton —
To the Hon''''^ the Senate & house of Representatives to be con-
vened at Concord on Wednesday the fourth day of June
next —
The petition of Nathaniel Hovey, Jonathan Blake, John
Clark, Nathaniel Webber, James Snow, Jeremiah Hutchins,
Jacob Hurd, John Cleaveland, Henry Hancock and John Mer-
rill in behalf of themselves & the inhabitants of the Towns of
Landafl' and Bath in said County, humbly shews — That the
difficulties and inconveniences attending the said Towns being
classed with Gunthwait, Lymon, & Littleton to chuse a Repre-
sentative, are numerous and almost insuperable, on account of
the great distance the people have to travel, (more especially
those that live in the extreme parts of said Towns,) to attend
the meetings held for that purpose, at a season of the year
when the Roads are generally extreme bad and the Rivers open
or about breaking up, so that it is very dangerous and some-
times almost impossible to pass over them P"or which reasons
and others that might be ennumerated, the choice of our Rep-
resentatives heretofore has been very unequal and commonly
made by a small number. The situation of the Contry is such
& the people live so remote from each other that they never can
assemble together in any one place in this District as now
formed, without much fatigue & difficulty ; and the said Towns
of Landati' & Bath having at least one hundred & forty one
legal voters therein, and are so well situated to form a District
that might be attended with many advantages, and the people
364
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
favoured with many privileges that they cannot otherwise enjoy ;
therefore your petitioners most ardently entreat your honors to
take the premises under your wise consideration and grant lib-
erty for the inhabitants of said Landaft' & Bath to send a Rep-
resentative to the general Court of said state, and that the meet-
ings for electing one, might be held annualU^ at the dwelling
house of Cap' Jeremiah Hutchins in said Bath — or otherwise
as you may think proper And your petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray &c —
Landaft' May y'= 20"^ 1 7S8—
Nath" Hovey
Jon» Blake
John Clark
Nath" Webber
James Snow
Jeremiah Hutchins ]
John Cleaveland
John Merrill ( for said
Henry Hancock J Bath.
1
Committee
for said
LandafT.
! Committee
[R. 2-176] \^Landaff' claims Edzvard Mar den ^ Soldier r\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon" General Court of said State to be Convened at
Portsmouth on the first Day of Feb^ next by adjournment —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Landaft' humbly sheweth —
That when the Requisition for soldiers was made to the State
said Inhabitants being inform'd that they ware cal'd on to fur-
nish one man for three years or during the war at great ex-
pence hir'd one Edward Mardin then lately come to Town, to
serve and answer for their Proportion of said Requisition. —
That through some mistake said Mardin was returned for
Northumberland, without the knowledge of said Mardin, Lan-
daft', or Northumberland, — That said Mardin was never an In-
habitant of Northumberland. * * * *
Landatl' J^i^J 21'' 17S6. —
Jon'' Blake
for s'^ Inhabitants —
[The town presented a sworn statement of Marden's, cer-
tifying that he was hired by Landaff and paid £^0 ; was
never an inhabitant of Northumberland. The committee
reported in favor of Landaff, which was adopted. Marden
served in Whitcomb's corps. — Ed.]
LANDAFF, 365
[R. 2-1 So] \_Relative to a Bunker Hill Soldier^ etc.~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened —
Humbly shews — James Mitchell of Landaff in said State,
that in June 1775, he furnished his Brother William Mitchell,
then a soldier, with a valuable Gun and some other articles (to
the amount of four pounds) necessary for the then intended ex-
pedition against the British Troops in Boston which gun and
other articles were lost at the Battle at Bunker Hill, where the
said William lost his Life — that in September 1777 he hired
one Amos Hastings, and in July 1778 one Stephen Hall, to go
into the service of the United States for him, for which your
petitioner gave them about eleven pounds as a Bounty expect-
ing that at some future period some equitable mode would be
devised for reimbursing those, who had contributed more than
their proportion in defence of their Country — for all which
your petitioner has received no kind of compensation — Your
petitioner begs leave further to shew, that in September 177S,
at the special desire of Major Henry Jvloore, then a Collector
of Cattle for the use of the army, he purchased thirteen oxen
and gave his notes for the same, amounting to six hundred and
sixtv five pounds payable in six weeks ; expecting within that
time to receive the money of the said Moore ; — that he was put
to great ex})ence in keeping and driving the said oxen, and was
kept out of the money so long, and so distressed by law suits
for it, that your petitioner sustained a loss of one hundred and
fifty pounds at least, and was obliged to sell his Farm for a sum
much below its value. * * *
Jany, 2^ 1794
James Mitchell
[6-4] \_Petition for A7ithority to tax No7t-Residcnts^ iy8g.'\
To the Hon"'' the Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court convened —
Humbly shews the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
Landaft' in the County of Grafton and State aforesaid, that the
Public Highways leading through said Town are in a very
bad condition, and in many places almost and totally impas-
sible,— that the expence of making altering and repairing said
Highways will be large, — that whatever has hitherto been done
in making & repairing Highways in said Town has been at the
expence of the Inhabitants & Residents in said town, without
any expence to Nonresidents —
Your petitioners therefore pray your Honors to pass an Act
366 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
authorizing the raising of a Tax of three cents per acre on
Resident & Non-resident Lands in said Landafl'for the purpose
of making aUering & repairing highways within said Town &
your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Landaff June * 1 798 —
Eben"" Eaton John Cogswell John Clark Jr
Benj Currier Nath" Rix Joseph Jewett
David Atwood Rich*^ Clement Simeon Edwards
Sargent Currier Jon'' Noyes Joshua Belknap
Thos Noys Joseph Morrill Birnsley Edwards
Jacob Moody Jonathan Clark Sam' Mann
James Snow Eph"* Edwards Jn° Johnson
Ephraim Cushman Nathaniel Noyes Moses Noyes
Samuel Noyes Jun"" Jon" Poor Alexander M'^Keen
Jereh Martin Isaiah Cross Jeremiah Bowin
James Simonds Jon'' Simonds Aaron Wodley
Luke Libby Savory Patee Day Patee
Alexander Hodge Jon'' Blake Peter Carleton
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 29, 1798, the foregoing petition
was granted. Senate concurred. — Ed.]
[6-5]
To the Honourable Senate & House of Representatives to be
convened at Exeter on the first Wednesday of December A. D.
1799 Most Humbly sheweth —
That the selectmen of Bath presented a certificate to us the
undersigned Selectmen of Landaft' purporting that there was
entered on their valuation for the vear 1799 more than one
Hundred & fifty rateable male polls of twenty one years of
Age and upwards, and that they should not join with Landafl;'
& Lincoln in sending a representative to the General court in
future — therefore your petitioners (at the request of the inhabi-
tants) of s*^ Landaft' most humbly pray that an act pass that
the Towns of Landaft' Franconia and Lincoln be classed to-
gether for the purpose of sending a representative to the general
court in future — and your petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever pray —
Joseph Morrill '\ Selectmen
Ezra Chandler y of
Peter Carlton ) Landaft
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 27, 1799, the foregoing request was
granted. Landaff was classed with Franconia and Lincoln.
—Ed.]
LANGDON. 367
LANGDON.
The town was formed from territory taken from the towns
of Charlestown and Walpole, and incorporated Jan. 1 1, 1787.
It was named in honor of Hon. John Langdon, at that time
speaker of the house of representatives.
Settlements were made on territory now in this town by
Seth Walker in 1773, and by Nathaniel Rice and Jonathan
Willard the year following. Rev. Abner Kneeland, who
was ordained over a Universalist church here in 1805, was
one of the leading men in that denomination in New Eng-
land for some years, and published a periodical devoted to
his peculiar tenets, called the Boston ///t'fj-/?Vrt/^r. In 1795
the town might have been extended to Connecticut river,
but it refused, by vote, to accept the proffered addition.
[6-20] {^Petition for Atdhority to tax No7i-Residents^ iy8g.'\
State of New Hampshire May 27"' 17S9 —
To the Hon'''* Senate and house of Representatives Conveined
at Concord June 4"* 17S9
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Langdon
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners are few In number and inhabit a new
Town or District of land a considerable part of which Is owned
by nonresident proprietors and that they are not able to make
the necessary public Roads and Bridges and in particularly a
Bridge over Cold River so called which is very Rapid and in
the bpring and Fall at high water is not passible and the Ex-
pence of build the Bridge and making said roads exceeds the
ability of your petitioners They therefore most Humbly pray
your Honors to Impower them to Leavy a Tax of one penny
on each acre of the non resident proprietors Land in said town
for the purposes aforesaid or grant your petitioners such other
Relief as you in your Wisdon shall think Propper and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever prav —
John Prouty ^ Select Men for and in be-
Ezra Read V half of the Inhabitants
Jeremiah Howard ) of the Town of Langdon
Langdon May 27"^ 17S9
The Committee on the within petition Report a Tax of one
368 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
penny be laid on each Acre of Land in said Town for one Year
& they have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly
Nat Rogers for the Com
[In H. of Rep., June ii, 1789, the report was adopted.
Senate concurred. — Ed.]
[6-21] \_Pctition for Special Tax to b7illd a Meeting- House^
1793 •']
To the Honourable General Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire to be holden at Concord on first Wednesday of June
Next —
The petition of the Select men of Langdon Humbly Shew-
eth — that whereas the Inhabitants of said town are aboute to
Build a meeting House for the better Conveannance of meet-
ing for publick worship &c as soon as thay think them Selves
in a Sittuation to accomplish it and Considering that there is in
said town Considerable Land of Non-residents which by build-
ing said meeting house wall be likely to be more Valueable,
these are therefore to pray your Hounoiu's to Grant Liberty for
said town to Tax said Lands two pence on Each acre which
inoney to be laid out toward said building whenever said town
shall see fit to build said house or otherways Do as you Hon-
nours in your wisdom think best and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound will Ever Pray
Langdon May 27 i793
James Egerton ") Select men
Sam' Prouty >• of
John Prentiss J Langdon
[6-22] [ Vote of Tozv?i relative to exteiidlng' Its North Line^
^795-1
At a Legal Town meetin in Langdon the third Day of march
1795 the following Vote was taken for extending Langdon
North Line to the River Connecticut thare appeared to be
thirty three Votes for extending said Line to said River and
thirty against Extending said Line to said River at A Legal
town meeting in Langdon May ii"" 1795, Called at the Requst
of a Number of Free Holders to Know the mind of the Town
if thay Will have Langdon North Line Extend to the River
Connecticut acording to the Vote Recorded at our Last annual
meeting or Not — thare appeared to be thirty seven Votes Not
LEBANON. 369
to Extending said Line to s*^ River and twenty three Votes for
extending said Line to said River
A Trew Coppey Record
atest — James Egerton Town Clark
Langdon May 13* 1795
[The town of Charlestown had given its consent to the
annexation of that portion of its territory lying between
Langdon and Connecticut river to the latter town, and the
inhabitants residing thereon had petitioned to be thus an-
nexed (Vol. XI, p. 295). Had this project succeeded, both
towns would have been more symmetrical, and Langdon
would have had a river front and a railroad within its bor-
ders.— Ed.]
LEBANON.
The tovv'nship was granted July 4, 1761, to Nehemiah
Estabrook and 59 others, in 68 equal shares, with the usual
reservations. Some of the grantees were from Lebanon,
Conn., and the town was named for their old home.
The first settlements were made by William Dana, Silas
Waterman, William Downer, and Nathaniel Porter.
Lebanon was one of the towns that attempted to unite
with Vermont, and was represented in the convention at
Cornish, April 5, 178 1, by Col. Elisha Payne and Elihu
Hyde. Some documents relative to the matter may be
found among the following papers.
This was the first town settled on Connecticut river north
of Charlestown, and has been for many years one of the
leading towns in that section in wealth and population.
Lead and iron ore were found here many years ago, and a
copper mine, more recently discovered, is now being devel-
oped by the Mascoma Mining Company.
[6-23] \_Report of Committee on Boundaries^ l'/68.']
Sir —
With Submission, these wait upon you with Respect, and
may Serve
26
370 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
To Inform that we the Subscribers, Com'^''^ for the proprieties
of
Lebanon and Plainfield, in pursuance to your advice, have
Established a Bound Between the Said Towns, and as near
The Centre as possible, Sd. Bound being a Large White
Pine tree, mark'd. 3 and 4. and Standing a Little Below the
Meadow. Called Hedgehog meadow, in Said Lebanon Just in
The bend of the River : on the N. Side of a hill, on the East
bank
Of Connecticut River —
These are therefore to Desire the favour, of your Hon' if you in
Your wisdom Shall Judge our proceedure in Said affair to be
Legal and Conclusive ; To Certifie the Same, to his Excel-
lency
For his approbation, thereof, that the Same maybe Established
As to Law and Custom doth appertain —
And we as in duty bound, beg leave to Subscribe. —
Your Honours most Obedient
And very Humble Serv'^ John "VVheatley
Nathaniel Porter
Dated in Lebanon Charles Hill
New Hampshire Oc' i^' 1768 — Thomas Gates
Thomas Gallup
John Stevens
[6-24] \^Rettirn of Arms and Equipments^ ^775 •']
Grafton ss — Lebanon August 21^' i775 —
A Return of Fire arms now in Said Lebanon Judged to be Fit
for actual Service, Firelocks 55
Other Accoutrements now in hand, or to be procured immedi-
ately— Fire arms wanting to Compleat the whole of the
inhabitants of vSaid Lebanon able to bear arms 27
it is the Humble Request of the Select men of Said Lebanon,
in behalf of Said Town, that the Hon'''^ the provincial Con-
gress, would make provision for the Supplj-ing the above Defi-
ciencies in Said Lebanon, according to the proposal made by
Said Congress — For the Equipting of the militia throughout
this province —
Nehemiah Estabrook ~) q , ,
Tn- Wheatlev f aT
T 1 r- • "^11 i Men —
John Gnsvvold )
[Superscription] To The Hon"'"^ Matthew Thornton Esq""
Chairman of the provincial Congress.
LEBANON. 371
[R. 2-181] \_Petition of Nathaniel Biigbce^ Soldier: ad-
dressed to the General Assef?il)ly.'\
May it please your Honours : the petition of Nath^ Bugbee
Humbly Sheweth ; — That your petitioner Listed a private Sol-
dier, in the year 1777 in Cap' John House^ Company & Col"
Sylley* Reg' of foot, Raised by the s"^ State for three years ser-
vice in the Continental Army ; * * * *
Nathaniel Bugbee
[R. 2-182]
These May Certify that Nath^ Bugbee Inlisted April 22"^ 1777
for three years, in the Comp^ Formerly Commanded by Cap'
John House, in the i^' New Hampshire Regiment, in the Con-
tinental Army, and served in said Company untill April 23,
1780, Excepting the time he was Absent which time I am Not
Able to Assertain
Daniel Clapp Cap' L' —
To whom it may Concern
The Bearer Nathaniel Bugby of CoP Silley' Reg' Cap' House*
Company being unfitt for Duty has a furlow for two months — ■
by order of the Director
M"' Treat Chir : Gen' N D
Gen' Hospital Northern Department Octo"" 25"' i777 —
[He also presented a certificate from "John Williams
Physician," dated Lebanon, May 26, 1778, relative to his
condition ; and one dated October 24th, 1785, signed Nehe-
miah Estabrook, Elihu Hyde, committee of safety, and Theo.
Huntington, Simeon Peck, selectmen. — Ed.]
[R. 2-185]
[In a petition dated May ir, 1778, John Slapp stated that
his " son Edward Slapp of Lebanon Listed into the Conti-
nental Service April 25'^' 1777. in Cap' Jn° Kouse^ Compy
— in Col° Cilley® Reg' & was at Ticonderoga when that
important post was Evacuated ; " that he was taken sick,
and died at the house of Ichabod Cross, of Shaftsbury, on
the way home. He asked for an allowance. The follow-
ing endorsement is on the back of the petition : " Stop a
little while till they pay Taxes." — Ed.]
3/2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
[R. 3-1 86] \^Soldie7''s Order, 1785.']
To his Excellency the President of the State of New Hamp-
shire
Sir please to Pay unto James Norris or his order all the
Money due to me for three Months Service in Cap' Woodmans
Company it being for value rec"* p"" me
Lebanon Jan^ 12 1785
Joseph X Steavens
mark
Witness Jon'' Norris .£4, 3, 4 —
\_The follotving Docmneiits are copied from '■^ Gen. jfojia.
Chase's Papers " in N. H. Historical Society's Library.^
Lebanon Sept, the 27 i777 State New hampshier
Sir Pursuant to your order of Saturday Last we have Pro-
cured & sent to Join you the Names of men hearafter mention-
ed
Drafted Lieu' Levi Hide
Joseph Tildan Jn'' in John Greys Rom
Solomin mellington
Volontiers Hugkins Stors William Downer Jun'
Nehemiah Estabrooks") Comitty
Azariah Bliss >- of Safty
John Griswold j Lebanon
The Names of the Men Drafted in Lebanon 24"' July A D 1777
Serg' Oliver Oris- Joseph Downer Zalmon Aspenwall
wold Constant Storrs George Wales
Corp' Joseph Martin Joseph Tilden Jr Eleaz"" Mather Porter
Rufus Baldwin Ebba Peck Jeremiah Griswold
Azariah Bliss Jr Joseph Wood Jr
Asa Colburn Isaiah Bliss
Lieu' William Danas Return
A Return of Contanantal men that Enlisted out of Lebanon for
3 years — In Col"Sylla^ Rigerment in Cap' John House^ Com-
pany in April 1777
LEBANON,
373
Names
Age
Discription
John Colburn 33 Light Complextion 5 feet 9 inches h
Phinehas Wright 27
Jonathan Conant 17
Edward Slapp 27
Luther Wheatly 18
Jonathan Wright 22
Nath' Bugbee 25
Benj"^ Owen 19
Jon'^ Kingsbmy 28 Dark Complextion 5
Dark
Li^ht hair & Eves K "
5
6
7
10
10
1 1
8
eh
The following men Inhabitants of Lebanon engaged for 3
years in the states of Coiniecticut & Massachusetts Bay
Elisha Tilden 26 Dark Brown hair 5 feet 9 inches high
In Col" Wylly' Rigerment
Stephen Tilden 21 Light Complextion 5 feet 8 inches high
In Col° Durkee^ Rigerment
John Landee 26 Light Complextion 5 feet 7 i'^'^^i^s high
Samuel Paine Cap'
William Dana Lieu'
Samuel Estabrook Ens°
[ William Dana's Return.'\
Lebanon y^ 3*^ Sep' 1777
A Return of Both Officers & Soldiers, that are in the Conti-
nental Servis, for three years, or During the present Contest
with grate Britton
Viz for the State of New Hampshire
Ens" Tho' Blake Phynahas Wright Luther Wheatly
Sarg' John Colburn Edward Slapp Jonathan Conant
In Cap' Houses Company Syles Regiment
Hired out of this State —
Nathaniel Bugbee Jonathan Wright Benjamin Owen
for the State New York
Cap' Sam" Paine Charles Tilden Stephen Manning
374 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for the State of Connecticut
Elish Tildin Stephen Tilden
Test WiUiam Dana Lieu'
John Slapp Clark
To CoP Jonath" Chase
[Noah Paine enlisted July i, 1780, for six months. — Ed.]
[6-25] [Relative to a Committee of Conference^ i777-'\
State of N : Hamp'^ Grafton ss —
Jan'' 30*^ 1777 —
Whereas, the Select men of Lebanon have Rec"^ a printed
Letter, in behalf of a Com'"" Said to be appointed by a Gen^
Assembly of this State, to treat with Such persons, or Com'""^
as Shall be appointed by any Town or Towns, that are Dissat-
isfied with what is Called a plan of Government in Said State
— In a full meeting of the inhabitants of Said Leb" Resolved,
that Said Com'"" appointed as aforesaid Be Reftei'ed to the
Gen" meeting of the Corresponding Com'""' of Several Towns
in this State, to be Holden at Said Lebanon on Thursday the
13th £)^y of pei^y next, at, 10 0th. Clock A M. at the Dwelling
House of Dea" John Ordway. inn-holder in Said Lebanon — for
the purpose aforesaid —
Attest Silas Waterman C^
[6-26] \_Letterfrom Nehetniah Estabrook^ ^777-^
Lebanon Feb-'' 5"" 1777.
Gentlemen,
The enclosed have been transmitted to me with desire that I
wou'd forward them to you by the first Opportunity, which I
now do by the bearer M'' Porter.
I am likewise desired by Committees of various Towns to
inform you that those Towns in these Parts, which are aggrieved
with the proceedings of the Assembly at Exeter have united
by their Committees to concert measures to obtain redress ; and
that their meeting is to be held by adjournment at the House of
Deacon Ordway at Lebanon on the 13"" Instant — And as it ap-
pears to be the general Sintiment in these Parts that the only
effectual means of producing that harmony and union you pro-
pose will be a Conference with said meeting of Committees, I
LEBANON. 375
am desired to request the favour that you will attend said meet-
ing that a solid Foundation may thereby be laid for effecting
those desirable and important Purposes.
I am Gentlemen with much respect,
Your most obedient
and humble Servant
Nehemiah Estabrook chairman of
said united Committees
[6-37] \_Complaiftt of N. H. Adherents, 1778. '\
To the Hon''''' the Council & Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire —
We the Subscribers, being Inhabitants of Lebanon in the
County of Grafton and State afores'' Humbly Petition and give
your Hon" to be Informed, that for Some Time past we have
been greatly abused & harrassed by a Power, usurped without
Riglit, to which we neither owe nor own Allegiance, and by
which we have been prohibited, from Yielding that Subjection
& Obedience to the State of Nevv Hampshire which is Justly
due. and whereby we are deprived of those Rights and Privi-
ledges to which we are Justly entitled as Subjects of s** State,
and are liable to many & great Evils and Burdens for want of
that Protection which we humbly conceive, may be dutifully
requested and demanded from the State of New Hampshire —
Wherefore we most humbly pray that your Hon" will take
Such resolutions on the premises as may effectually redress the
Grievances of your Petitioners and restore them to their Just
Rights & Priveledges & the Protection of said State, and may
be duly represented in the Gen' Assembly and have Justice ad-
ministered under the Authority of the Same —
And your Pet" Shall ever pray &c
Lebanon 15*'' Dec'' 1778
Charles Hill Sam" Bailey Phinehas Wright
William Downer jur James Jones Sam" Millington
Solomon Millington John gray Jesse Heath
Ebenezer Bliss Jabez Baldwin W™ wakefield
Isaac Cory Beniamin fuller William Downer
Joseph Tilden Jr Simeon Hovey Josiah Hovey
Joseph Wood Eliezer Robinson James Fuller
December 24 — at a Meeting of the Within Named petioners
376 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Voted S*^ Petition be Shewn to the Select men of 3'e town
Voted that this meeting Be Adjourned to the 28"^ instant
Jesse Heath Clark
Dec'"" 38"' the above petitioners met by adjournment and
Voted mr. wilHam Downer their agent to present S*^ petition to
the Hon''''' Asembly of S*^ State or in there reses to the Hon"^
president and Council and Receive Their answer —
Jesse Heath Clarke
[6-28] \_Relaiive to afi alleged Riot^ ^779 •\
Lebanon Newhamshire July 27"" ^779
To the Hon''' Meshack Ware and the Hon''''' Councel of the
State of Newhamshire —
Gentlemen : your petitioners desire to inform your Honersof
A late disturbance in this town : against all Law both Humane
and divinezirand in defyance of the authority of the State: a
number of men went to the dweling House of m"" Jams Joans
in the Evening of the 22*^ inst. And by force and Violence,
toock him from his bed and bound Him on a horse with his
face to the horses tail : and he was obliged to Ride in that
maner four or five miles^to a tavern they following him with
Bells horns &°=:at the tavern they abused him in a most Shock-
ing maner with words and blows: then Return'' about half a
mile made a halt and abused him as before : Even thretening
with death till He was oblig*^ to Comply with thir unreasonable
Demands, your petitioners are Very much threttened if we
Say any thing against Such Conduct, therefore we pray your
Honers to take the mater into Considerration. and Afford us
Such assistance as you in your wisdom Shall think best
Jesse Heath
Sam' Baile}' ^ Com"
Charles hill
[6-30] [^Protest against the Action of the Tozvn^ l'j8o.~\
State of Newhampshire County of Grafton
Lebanon 31^' March 17S0
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Said Lebanon
Who hold our selves in duty bound To be League Subjects of
the State of Newhampshire —
Do hereby publickly remonstrate and protest against the Ille-
gal proceeding of the Town of Lebanon (viz) theTown Voting
LEBANON. 377
to pay no regard To the Authority of the state of Newhamp-
shh-e "and that thay Would Yeild no Obedience to any precept
sent to them from the Authority of Said state for raising men
for the defence of the United states or any other wise —
The Town enacting Laws in town meeting repugnant to the
Laws of the state and adopting the Laws of Connecticut to gov-
ern them Selves by in open violation of the Authority of the
state of Newhampshire Altho thay have Unanimously Ac-
knowlidge themselves under the Jurisdiction of Newhampshire
by Vollentarily confiderating with said State and the Town
under a pretence of authority in a high handed manner fre-
quently stop men in the highway Rob them of their property
even when they have a Certitflcate from proper authority to
pass unmolested and Blocking up the publick Highway by
falling Trees Across the path so as to Render it impractible for
Travilors to pass Whereby Travilers have been much injured
and to the disgrace of the Town and many Other Illegal pro-
ceedings inconsistant in themselves and injurious to the public
peace of this and Neibouring towns, — To be Communicated to
the Town forth with
Sam' Bailey Jesse Heath Charles Hill
Eben' Bliss W"" Downer W" Downer Ju'
Phinehas Wright Sam' Millington Sam' Millington Ju'
Soloman Millington Benj" Fuller James Fuller
James Jones John (jray Joseph Tilden Jun"'
Elezer 'Robinson Jabez Baldwin W'" Wakefield
Joel Kilburn Gideon Baker Nathaniel Hall Jun""
[From Gen. Chase's papers.]
\_Call fo)' a Conference JMeetmg"^ l'/8o.'\
Lebanon New Hamshire Grants 33'' October 17S0.
Whereas the present Day calls for every Exertion touching
the publick Cause, that our Lives & properties may be safe &
secure from Invasions of our natural and unnatural Enemies &
that we have reason to believe, we have many of the most
abandoned Wretches, that are lost to all the fealings of hu-
manity among us, who do intend the Destruction of this
flourishing Country if not prevented. — We whose names are
here inscribed do request that no time be lost in taking up
all suspected Persons that are Enemical to the Liberties of
this Country — That every Town would exert themselves for
that purpose — That the Towns on this Frontier would form into
some Plan, for the design & purpose of purging out this Detest-
3/8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
able Leven. We desire the Committee & Selectmen & the
Principal Inhabitants of the Neighboring Towns would attend
at M"' Bliss's Inholder in Lebanon, on Monday the 30"^ of Octo-
ber 17S0 for this purpose
Nehemiah Estabrook j Committee Simeon Peck ) c i
Elisha Lathrop > of Theo-Huntington > ^
Elihu Hyde ) Safety Nath> Stores j ^^^^^
A Coppy of a Letter sent to the adjacent Towns
Attest Elijah Dewey Jun""
1^6—29] \_Relative to Vermont Controversy^ iy82.'\
State of New Hampshire Grafton County
Lebanon 15 : May 17S2
To the Hon''''^ the Council and General Assembly of the State
of New Hampshire —
We the Subscribers Did prefer A Petition to your Honours
Dated at Lebanon 15* Decem"" 177S. Setting forth Some Diffi-
cultys & grievances we Laboured under. — & praying for Re-
dress in the premices, — We Rec'^ an Answer to Said Petition
from the Com"*^® of Safety Dated S^^Jan^ '779 informing us that
the General Assembly had Resolved to take up & Consider the
matter and Endeavour to Redress our Grievances, — Recom-
mending to us to pay no Obedience to any Authority but what
was Derived from the Legeslature of New Hampshire, which
Recommendation we have Steadily Adheared to — and have
publicklv Remonstrated against the Illegal & irregular proceed-
ings of the Town in Town Meeting, as will Appear by A Re-
monstrance herewith Exhibitted, which was Laid before the
Town &c —
We would inform your Honours we have always Stood
Ready to pay our Equal proportion of the Taxes CalF for by
the Authority of New Hampshire, but by Reason of being
over powered by Numbers Could Never obtain to have A Reg-
ular List made up to have our Tax proportioned or any Legall
officer to Collect, by which means the money haith Died in our
pockets, —
We now putting Confidence in your Great wisdom and Good-
ness being fully purswaded that you will Compasionate & hear
the prayer of your Distressed Leage Subjects, Do now again
most Earnestly Petition to your Honours to Consider our Case,
and grant us Such Releife in the premises as in your wisdom
you Shall think Just & Reasonable, So as that your Petitioners
may be as Little Sufferers as possible by the Disorderly & Dis-
LEBANON. 379
obedient Conduct of the Town, and the Great Evils and Disad-
vantages they have involved themselves in by not Continuing
Loyal Subjects of the State, and paying their Taxes in Season —
Jesse Heath ) p ^
Charles Hill J ^"""^
[6-31] S^Dispiited yurisdiction^ 1/82.^
To the Hon*"" the Gen" Assembly of the State of New Hamp""
To be Holden at Ports'"" in s<^ 'State, the third Wednesday of
Dec' Instant, —
May it jilease Your Hon'"''
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Towai of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton in S*^ State ; having taken into Consider-
ation the Several Resolves of the Hon"*'" the Continental Con-
gress, Respecting the Disputes that have Arisen about the Ju-
risdiction of the State of N : Hamp'^ over the H a mp"'*' Grants
(So Called) are of the Opinion that S*^ Resolves, implicitly de-
clare it to be the Opinion of that August Body, that that part of
S** Grants Lying East of Connecticut River (in which we are
included) Should be under the Jurisdiction of the State of New
Hamp""" ; with which we Readily Comply ; and Acknowledge
the same ; Yet, Nevertheless for us to be Obliged to pay the
back State Taxes ; for the time being that we have been uncon-
nected with the State of New Ha mp''' in matters of Govern-
ment, we Look upon it to be a Hardship, & Trust that your
Hon'* will Consider us in that matter ; & as there is a Consid-
erable Number of the inhabitants of this Town that wholly De-
ny the Jurisdiction of N : Hamp'S — if your Hon" should find
yourselves Laid under the Disagreeable Necessity of using Co-
ercive measures, with Opposers. to your Authority we Hope
that your Hon" will make a Specitick Difference between them
& Us, & we as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Joseph Tilden Sam^ Bailey Solomon Millington
James Jones Sam" Millington Sherebiah Ballard
Jesse Heath Gid" Baker Ziba Hall
Stephen Billing Tho' Bingham Heze Waters
Nath' Hall Ju' Charles Hill Jn" Wheatley
Joseph Chamberlin Simon Slapp Oliver Penney
Rufus Baldwin Dan Metcalf Stephen Tilden
James Hartshorn Charles Tilden Tho' Wells
Joel Kilborn Joseph Wood Phinehas Wright
Barna Tisdale David Hinckley William Downer jur
W'" Downer Joseph Downer Randol Evans
David Crocker Silas Waterman
An'' Wheatley William Dana
380 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[Documents relative to the dispute concerning the juris-
diction over the New Hampshire grants, east of Connecti-
cut river, may be found in Vol. X. — Ed.]
[6-33] \^Relative to recordhig Grants hi Office of the Sec-
retary of State^ jy82.'\
To the Honourable Council of the state of New Hampshire and
to the general Assembly of said State to meet at Concord in
said State on the second Tuesday of June in the Year of our
Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty two —
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton in said State humbly petition and shew
to your Honors — That they are, either original Grantees of
land, granted either by Benning Wentworth, Esq ; or John
Wentworth, Esq ; late Governors of said State, or claim land
by virtue of conveyances from such original Grantees — That in
consequence of the confusion that has prevailed in said County
but a small part of the Laws of said State have been received
in said County, for a number of Years so that your Petitioners
never heard of the act of the General Assembly of said State,
entitled An Act For Recording Grants, Locations or Charters
of Lands granted by the late Governors thereof — passed March
the fourth in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and
Eighty, until the time limited in said Act for filing said Grants
&c in the Secretary's Office in said State was elapsed — That
your Petitioners have latelv been informed that the time of fil-
ing said Grants &c as aforesaid has since been lengthned by an
Act of said Assembly, but that the time allowed by this Act
had also expired before they received this information — And
that your Petitioners are in danger of losing their lands in con-
sequence of their not knowing of the passing of said Acts —
Your Petitioners therefore pray that a further time may be
allowed for the receiving and recording such Grants &c as
aforesaid — or that such other relief may be granted to your Pe-
titioners as to your Honors shall seem meet, as in duty bound
shall ever pray
Sam" Bailey W" Downer Charles Hill
Phinehas Wright William Downer Joseph Downer
James Jones ju. Solomon Millington
Gid" Baker Sam" Millington Eliezer Robinson
Joel Kilborn Benjmin Wright Joseph Tilden Ju''
John Gray Nathaniel PLdl Ju''
LEBANON. 381
[6-33] \_Protest agaiJist the l7ico7-poratio7i of a District to
be called Dresde?i^ jySj — incomplete.']
Objections against the Incorporation of a part of Lebanon &
Hanover in the County of Grafton into a distinct Town —
I — The freeholders of that part of Lebanon, which is sub-
ject to taxation, & proposed to be taken into said corporation,
are unanimously opposed to such an Incorporation — That is,
those of them, who reside in said Lebanon — Fourteen hundred
and forty Acres are all the land (exclusive of College lands)
lying in said Lebanon proposed to be taken in — Thirteen hun-
dred Acres of which are owned by said resident Freeholders,
and a considerable part of the one hundred and forty Acres re-
maining are owned by a Minor —
2. That the said resident Owners, have done already their
proportion for building up Dartmouth College, and they can
see no reason why thev should be subject to the Authority of
said College and their dependants — They have given one hun-
dred and fifty Acres of Land, and in money and labour, to the
amount of Fifteen pounds — Altho but eight in number, and
subject to those difficulties, which generally attend tliose, who
settle a new Country, And if such an Incorporation should be
made every vote would be carried according to the Inclinations
of the said Autohrity, who will always have a sufficient num-
ber of Dependants to assist them in carrying any point — where-
by the situation of the said resident Owners would be exceed-
ingly imcomfortable. —
3. By such an Incorporation the said Freeholders wmII be ex-
cluded from all benefit to public rights, and to ministerial and
school privileges in s** Lebanon — The public rights in s*^ Leba-
non are so far improved and disposed off that a considerable
sum accrues to Lebanon from such Imjorovements and disposal,
A minister is settled — a meeting house and several School-
houses are built —
From which benefit, the s*^ Freeholders Avould be excluded
by such an Incorporation —
4. Many new roads must be made to accomodate such a
Town as is desired — whereas if the s*^ Freeholders remain as
they are in conjunction with Lebanon, the expence of said new
roads will be saved —
5. That the s'^ Incorporation will ever greatly be burthened
with poor to maintain — Dependants must be introduced and
not warned out 'till they become a town-charge —
6. That the expence of maintaining town order will be great,
& a very large part of that expence will fall upon the s*^ Free-
holders in proportion to their interest. The s'' Freeholders are
the owners of double, if not treble the land in s*^ proposed
382 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
township, which will be subject to taxation — and the College
will ever own stock and other ratiable propert}^ whereby the
s'^ Freeholders are apprehensive that they shall be obliged to do
a great, if not the greatest part towards supporting the poor,
and discharging other town expences, which they feel unable
ever to perform —
7. That it would be unprecedented to seperate any from a
particular Corporation, they had joined without their consent
either explicit or implicit
[See Hanover papers, ante. — Ed.]
[6-34] \_ReIative to the Collection of Taxes. '\
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire now setting in Concord —
The petition of the Select Men of the Town of Lebanon in
the County of Grafton Humbly sheweth
That from the year 1777 till the year 17S1 — sundry sums of
money were from time to time voted by said Town for defray-
ing necessary Town charges, and for defending ourselves on
the Frontier against the Common Enemy, that tax bills were
from time to time made out agreeable to said Votes, but Col-
lected only in part, untill the year 1781 when at a Legal Meet-
ing of the Lihabitants of said Town M'' Constant Storrs was
appointed to Collect the aforesaid Taxes, and they were accord-
ingly Committed to him to Collect — That as said Bills were
made on Inventories not conforming to the then Laws of this-
State, though at the same time makeing the Average to each
person so taxed very nearly the same, as the law in that Case
would have done, and were made by the General Order Vote,
and direction of the people of s** Town, yet as we apprehend
it unsafe to proceed to collect said Taxes unless the said Col-
lector is duly authorized so to Do —
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Honours
would pass such act or resolve as may enable said Collector to
complete the Collection of s"^ Bills
And 3'our Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Concord 12"' of David Hough,
June 17S3 in the behalf of s*^ Select Men
[6-35] \_Relatlve to the Incorporation of Dresden^ iy8j.'\
To the Speaker of the house of Representatives of the State of
New Hampshire Now Seting att Concord —
LEBANON. 383
Sir : Should thare be any moshon on thursday Nex to See if
the a Sembly will in Corperate in to a Destinct town a Sarting
tract of Land lying on Conotocut River so called being part of
Hanover and part of Lebanon by the name of Drisdon I Beg
Sir — you would in forme the Honorobel house that thare is a
potishon or praor to vSd house not to Encorperate in to a Des-
tinct town the Lands potishond for last seting of a Sembly
those that signed a Ganst incorporation owne more than one
half the ratobol land Contand in the potishon for incorperation
you Sir and the house in General are Sensobol the Coledg
Lands and Ofosors of Coledge are not taxt Sir thare is not
much if any more one hundred and seventy acors under Em-
provement taxabol lands in Sd tract potishond for inCoperation
Sir we heare thare was an order of Cort upon thare Potishon
that the matter should be heard and Reson shone if any why
it should not be in Coperated and that the order of Cort should
be publeshed in the publick papers we have No knowledg of
the orders being Complyd with Sir; the Reson of my trough-
bling you with this letter was, I was Desired to a tend Cort
and see that the potishonors protest a ganst in Coperation was
lade be fore the honorabel house when I Sot out better than a
fortenate a Go from home Expected to a Returnd home time
anough to a ben Down bv the Day and Left the Potishon with
the Signors being wethor bound find I Cant Comply with thare
requsti feare thay will have opertunity to send thare potishon
on with thare reasons why thay would wish not to be in Cop-
erated in to a Distinct town —
Sir, tho you are a Stranger to me the Stashon or place you
stand in is Sofishont Evidence to me that you are Gentelman
of Vorasoty and must feale for Every Injured Suftbrer in the
State in which asembly that you are the Speaker of that Body
that we under God have no whare Els to look for help in mat-
ters of this nature —
Sir — if you think that we are not to poore to be Notest hav-
ing but small interest Liabol to pay what Ever is put upon us
without ever having a Voice in Representation Liabol to make
and mend the Rodes threw all the Coledg land with out thare
help which Rods are Verey bad and the few and poor inhabo-
tonc will be oblige to make and mend or Suffer the penalty ot
Law <'or Not Doing it that you will att least Continue oure
trial or delay incorporating said town untill the Next Seshon,
att which time Hanover and Lebanon will be represented as
thay are not Know as thay Consider it —
if a Sembly under the Consideration that we Cant by Reson
of the rods being bloct and Som other matters that the house
ought to Know upon oure trial that Cant be said before the
a Sembly this Seshon if thay in thare wisdom would Give us
384 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
a heare ing att the nex Seting we should think oure Selvs in
Duty bound to pray
December 20"" 1783 —
Gideon Tiffan in behalf of
Signers a ganst in Copration of Dresdon
[6-36] \_Relative to the Incorporatioii of Dresde^i^ lySj."]
Know all men by these Presents — That we the Subscribers
Freeholders of the town of Lebanon in the County of Grafton
and State of New Hampshire do by these presents severally
constitute & appoint Joseph Tilden of s'^ Lebanon our lawfull
Attorney in all causes moved or to be moved for us or against
us in our respective names to appear plead & pursue to final
Judgment and Execution — Particularly to repair to the General
Assemblv of s** State to sit at Concord in s"^ State in December
instant, & in our names to oppose the granting the prayer of a
Petition presented to the s*^ Assembly at their last Session, by
Bezaleel Woodward and others, requesting the Incorporation
of a part of said Lebanon & a part of Hanover in said County
into a distinct town — In our names to appear at any Session of
the said Assembly, & there to transact any matter or inatters to
prevent the s*^ Incorporation, that we might respectively do
were we personally present — with full power of substitution —
In witness whereof we have hereto respectively set our hands
& Seals the 19*'' day of December Anno Domini 1783 —
Joseph Tilden Jr Rufus Baldwin Rufus Baldwin Ju
Charles Tilden Joel Tilden Samuel Baldwin
Stephen Tilden
[The scheme for the incorporation of Dresden did not
succeed. See Hanover papers, ante. — Ed.]
[^~37] [ William Dana for a I^erry-, ^784.']
To the Hon''' the General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire to sit at Exeter in March in the Year of our Lord Sev-
enteen hundred & eighty four —
Humbly shew^s William Dana of Lebanon in the County of
Grafton in s*^ State — That he was one of the first settlers in s"^
Lebanon, that he has suffered greatly by the passing of persons
thro' his land, in going over Connecticut river, to Hartford in
the State of Vermont (so call'd)— That the privilege of a ferry
LEBANON. 385
in s^ river parallel with s*^ Lebanon has not been granted — But
the profits of assisting to the crossing s*^ river against s*^ Leba-
non have been ingrossed by those that live not in the State of
New-Hampshire, & have no estate therein, & can easily evade
any law of s'^ State for the regulation of Ferries — Your Peti-
tioner therefore prays, the granting to him & his heirs the privi-
lege of a ferry, beginning at the Northwest Corner of his house
Lott in s'^ Lebanon — thence extending across s*^ river in a direct
line with the north line of s'' Lott to the western bank of s**
river — thence south on s'' bank one mile & an half — thence east
across s'^ river to the North bank of the river Mascoma — thence
North on the eastern bank of the first mentioned river to the
first mentioned bound — as in duty bound shall ever pray
William Dana
[Petition granted. — Ed.]
£6-38] \_Petition for a nezv 7ozv?i, iy8j.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honarable the Senate, and House of Representatives in
General Court to be convened at Concord on the Third
Wednesday of October instant —
The petition of Elisha Payne and others Inhabitants of the
Towns of Lebanon Hanover — Enfield and Canaan in said
State, humbly shew that their local situation is such, being in
the four adjoining corners or parts of said towns, and so remote
from the centre of the Respective Towns to which they belong,
and the places of their holding Town and other publick Meet-
ings that renders it very inconvenient and allmost imposable
for them to attend especially on the sabbath or Lords day.
That the Territory of land here after discribed, being about
four Miles square is so situated, and the laying of the rhodes
through the same such, that makes it convenient for them to be
a district or Town of themselves, and will Not hurt or injure
the respective towns from which they may be taken off. Your
petitioners therefore humbly pray Your Honers to take their
case into Your wise consideration and Grant them relief, by
allowing them an incorporation with Town privileges agreeably
to the following limits and boundaries, viz begining at the
Northwest corner of lot N'' 50, of the village lots so called,
in the line between said Lebanon and Hanover from thence
runing south 23° west by the westerly line of said Village lots
untill it comes to Masquama River, then turning and runing
up said River and crossing the same to the southwest corner of
Lot N° 36 on the southerly side of said River from thence
southerly a strate line to the southwest corner of lot N° 9 on
37
386 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Northerly side of Enfield Rhode (so called) Thence south
72 degrees east by said Enfield Rhode to the east line of Leba-
non called the Freeman line, and to continue the same course
in said Enfield one Mile and a half thence turning oft' and run-
ing North 36° E. parilel with the Town line vmtill it comes to
said River thence up the River to the Bridge standing on said
River in Canaan from thence North 36° East so far as one Mile
and a quarter from Enfield North line thence turning oft' and
Runing North 64° west through part of Canaan and into said
town of Hanover to the Northeast corner of Lot No. 13 and by
the Northerly line thereof and by the Northerly line of three
lots, No 3 untill it comes to lot No. 17 thence turning oft
by said lot No 17, 18 and 19 and so continue the same cours
to the line between Lebanon and Hanover thence by said line
to the Bounds began at which tract or ter-
ritory of land as above discribed, Your Petitioners pray May
be by Your Honers incorporated into a district or town by
name of and the inhabitants thereof invested with all
the powers priviledges and immunitys that other towns or dis-
tricts under the like circumstances within the State have and
injoye, or in some other way grant Your petitioners relief in
the premises as Your Honers in Your wisdom shall Judge
Most convenient and Your petitioners in duty bound will ever
pray—
Dated Lebanon 12"" da}' of October, 17S5 —
Walter Peck Ebba Peck Nathan Blodget
David Hinckley Edm'' Freeman Gid" Baker
John Crowell David Stoddard Lonard Hoar
Daniel Swetland James Bellows Jonathan Bingham
Abiel Willes Ephraim Brown Sam'^^ Karr
Daniel Willes Elisha Payne Thomas Howard
Benjamin Wright Jeriah Swetland Clap Sumner
Daniel Alden Enoch Redington Phinehas Allen
Diarus Allen Simeon Cooke Solomon Millington
Joseph Basford
[The petitioners did not succeed in their efforts to obtain
the incorporation of a nev^ town. — Ed.]
[^~39] \_Samuel Bailey for a Ferry^ lySj.^
State of New Hampsh""
To the Hon'''*" Senate & house of Representatives in General
Court Convend at Portsmouth on y'' first wensday of June
1785-
The Petition of Samuel Bailey of Lebanon humbly shewetb
LEBANON. 387
that your petitioner hath purchas'd afarrn adjoining Conecticut
River where there has been a ferry kept for several years like-
wise your petitioner has purchased the boats that has been Im-
proved at s*^ Ferry wherefore your petitioner humbly prayeth
that your Hon" may take his Case under your wise considera-
tion and grant to your Petitioner the Exclusive Right of a ferry
from the mouth of white River to y* mouth of Mascame River
being about one mile & an half to him and his Heirs and as-
signs and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
Sam" Bailey
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 10, 1786, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[6-40] \_ReIative to the Charter of the Toivn^ I'/Sd.']
State of Newhamp'''^
To the Honourable the Senate, & house of Representatives
Convened at Concord, the first Wednesday in June 1786 —
The Petition of the proprietors of Lebanon humbly sheweth,
that in the year 1765 — after the Charter, & Records of said
Proprietors, ware Transposed, from Mansfield, (in the then
Colony of Connecticut.) to said Lebanon, the said Charter, was
kept by Lieu' Levi Hyde, in a Chest, fill'' with Clothes, into
which Chest some mice Got in, unperceived, & Doubtless ware
lockt in, as two of them wai'e found Dead, in said Chest, some
time after, & we suppose .that in the time of their Confinement,
they happened to find the way to said Charter, which was
folded together ; and did Eat, and Deface it : Considerably : yet
not so as to Destroy it, as may appear on view thereof, and as
there was an Exact Entry made of said Charter in the Records
of said proprietors, (which we have sent by Rob' Colburn Our
Agent, to Satisfie your Honours of the truth of facts,) we
humbly Conceive that your Honours will find no Reasonable
Objection, against Your Honours Granting the Request of vour
petitioners ; which is, that your Honours would please to Order
the Secretary of said State to make an Entry of said Charter,
in the Records of said State and as we Trust; that Justice &
Equity, is the Grand and invariable Bases, of your Honours,
Determinations, in all matters, and things that Relate to the
State in General, as well as Single Communities ; We the more
Chearfully Crave your Honours Compliance with our Request ;
And as in Duty bound ; Shall Ever pray —
Dated in said Lebanon This loth Day of June, 17S6 —
Jn° Wheatley Prop'" Clerk-
By order of, & in behalf of s'' prop'"'*
388 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-41] \_Relatlve to Town Bou7idaries^ l'/86.'\
To the Hon'''" the Senate & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampsliire convened at Concord the first
Wednesday of June AD 17S6
The Petition of Elisha Payne of Lebanon in the County of
Grafton Esq"^ agent for the Proprietors of the Township of
Lebanon aforesaid, & Jesse Johnson of Hainpstead in the
County of Rockingham Esq"" agent for the township of Enfield
in said County of Grafton — Humbly shews that the Proprietors
of Lebanon & Enfield aforesaid for the amicable settlement of
divers suits & controversies have appointed your Petitioners as
their Agents to request your Honors to empower & authorize
three persons, hereafter to be named by your Petitioners, to be
a Committee with full power & authority to settle & establish
the boundaries & lines between the Towns aforesaid — And that
if any person or persons who have purchased lands of any of
the proprietors of Enfield should fall within the limits of the
Township of Lebanon the said proprietors of Lebanon shall
relinquish all right to such lands to such purchaser or purchas-
ers upon their paying the value of said Lands estimating the
same as wild unimproved Lands — & so vice versa if any person
or persons who purchased lands of the proprietors of Lebanon
should fall within the limits of Enfield.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Concord 16"" June 17S6
Elisha Payne
Jesse Johnson
[111 H. of Rep., June 16, 1786, the foregoing petitioners
were granted " leave to bring in a bill." The following is
the committee's report : — Ed.]
[6-42] \_Report of Committee on Boundaries^ I'j86.'\
State of New Hamp'^ Grafton ss
Whareas we the Subscribers Being Oppinted a Committee
by the Honor" General Assembly of said State to Establish the
Boundaris between the towns of Lebanon and Enfield have
meet acordingly upon said towns and after Due Examination
of the Bounds and Lins of s'^ towns of Lebanon and infield,
Porceeded as foloweth firstly begain at a white Pine tree marked
on the Easterly Bank of Conacutt River which is Caled the
agreement tree between s'^ Lebanon and Plainfield and thence
mesured easterly on the line Between s'^ Lebanon and Plainfield
LEBANON. 389
six milds to a Stake and Stone Comonly Known by the name
of Sumners Bound then Examined the Lins and Records
Shewen us Between s*^ Lebanon and Enfield and find a Bound
Standing at the Northeasterly Corner of s'' Lebanon Comonnly
Known by the name of the Birch tree but s*^ tree being fell
Down a Stake and Stons Eracted in the place whare said Birch
tree stood ; and we Do Establish the first said Stake and Stons
Coled Sumnors Bound to be a Bound between s*^ Lebanon and
infield on the Southerly Side of s*^ towns, and the said Birch
tree (now Stake and Stons) to be the northerly Bounds between
s*^ Lebanon and infield and Do order that a Strat Line be
Drawen between s'' Sumnors Bond and said Birch tree or Stake
standing in the place of said Birch to be the Deviding Line
between said Lebanon and said infield, and have Recommended
to said Committee to settle with all Pursons who are on Land
in ether of s'^ towns which shall fiill out of the town which he
settled in the best way which thay Can acording to ower orders
from s*^ Gen" assembly
which is Humbly Submited
October y*" 23 : 1786 —
Charles Johnston ")
Jeremiah Page > Committee
Moses Chase )
[6-43] [ Certijicate of Nails made, iygi.'\
This certifies that Daniel Robinson of Lebanon in the Coun-
ty of Grafton and State of New Hampshire has made or caused
to be made three hundred thousand of wrought ten penn\' nails
between the eighth day of Feb^' Anno Domini 17S9 and the
twentieth day of Jan^ current —
In Witness whereof the vSelectmen of s'^ Lebanon hereunto
set their hands & Seals & the nearest justice of the peace coun-
tersigns this 28"" day of Jan-^' Anno Domini 1791
Jesse Cook ] Selectmen
Stephen Billings j s^ Lebanon
Attest Aaron Hutchinson Jus. pacis
Feb^ 179^ Received an Order on the Treasuier for fifteen
pounds —
Jon* Freeman
390 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LEE
The township was set off from Durham Jan. i6, 1766,
and incorporated with full town privileges, by the name of
the " Parish of Lee " For petition, see Vol. XI, pp. 584,
586. "Joseph Syas Gent"" was authorized to call the first
meeting.
A dispute arose concerning the south boundary line of
Lee and Durham, which was settled by an act approved
June 19, 1818, establishing the line as follows : " A straight
line from an ancient red oak tree, being the south corner
bounds of the town of Nottingham, and the western bound-
ary between said Lee and Epping, to a large picked rock
in the south butment of Durham and Lamperell River
bridge so called, beginning at said red oak tree, and running
south eighty-three degrees east, nine hundred and fifty-five
rods to the easterly line of Epping and the westerly line of
Newmarket ; thence the same course four hundred and
eighty-seven rods to the westerly line of Durham, thence
the same course six hundred and ninety eight rods to the
aforesaid picked rock."
[R. 2-1 86] [^Relative to Ediva7-d Dearbot-Ji^ Soldier: ad-
dressed to the General Courts i/"/8.~\
The Petition of Samuel Snell of Lee in the County of Straf-
ford, & State afores'^ most Humbly Sheweth, that on the 33"*
of December last, one Edward Dearborn (brother to your peti-
tioners wife) a Soldier belonging to Cap' John Drew's Com-
pany in Col" Hale's Regiment, in the Continental Service,
who was wounded in Battle on the 7* of October last at Sara-
toga, came to your petitioners house in distressed Circumstan-
ces, a Musket Ball had pierced thro' his arm above his elbow,
he was poor, without money or Friend to assist him unless
your petitioner had taken care of him. * * *
Samuel Snell —
[He was attended by Dr. Marshall, of Lee, whose bill,
amounting to sixteen dollars, he asked to have the state pay,
and it was granted. — Ed.]
LEE.
391
3[R. 2-1S7] \_£dzvard Leathers' s Orde?\ 1784.']
Lee Dec"^ 10 17S4
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire —
Sir Please to pay Daniel Cook or order all that is clue to
Mv Sun Edward Leathers he having been a Soldier in the 2^
New Hampshire Reg' — Value Rec'^ Witness my hand
his
Witness — Edward X Leathers
mark
Joseph Chesle Sarah Chesle
[6-44] \_£)r. jfamcs Brackett reco7n7)ie7ided for a Magis-
trate^ //^j.]
To his Excellency the President and the Hon^'*^ the Council of
the State of New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the Town of Lee in the County of Strafford, humbly
Shews —
That many conveniences would attend the Appointment of
.another Justice of Peace in said town, the Justice already
appointed living at one extreem part of said town which is
large. —
We therefore humbly pray your Excellency & honours that
Dr. James Brackett of said town may be appointed and com-
missioned a Justice of Peace for said county of Strafford and
your petitioners as in duty bound shall pray —
Lee 6"^ August 1785 —
Reuben Hill Samuel Emerson
Thomas Langley Aaron Hanson
Sam' Sawyer
Elijah Cartlan
George Tuttle
Samuel Mathes
"william gleden
Smith Emerson
Ranah Bickford
Aaron Davis
George Dutch
Jeremiah Lad
Richard Martin
■George Curtis
Miles Randel
Josiah Dow
George Shaw
Ebenezer Samborn
John Layn
Willi™ French
Josiah Bartlet
Enoch folsom
John Stevens
James Davis Jun'
Andrew W^atson
Samuel Smith
Micaih Bickford
Anthony Pickerin
James Smith
Job Runels
Miles Runels
Richard Elliot
Joseph Sias
Paul Giles
Josiah Durgan
Jonath Clark
Samuel gleden
Joseph Randel
Timothy Langley
Joseph meder
John kinston
Clement Davis
John Davis
Elijah Fox
Joseph Follet
Levi Langley
392
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Pickering Thomas Huckins
William Waymouth Micah Emerson
amos Furncld Samuel Watson
Fracis Mathes Asa Folsom
Josiah Bodge Winthrop Frost
Jonathan Thompson;
Gideon Mathes
Beniamin Bodge
David Davis
[6-45]
\_Assessmefit List ^07- Taxes ^ ■^7^7-']
Joseph Sias Esq''
Samuel Emerson
Thomas Huckins
William Gledden
William Way moth
Andrew Watson
Robert Thompson
Elijah Fox
George Dutch
Timothy Moses
Samuel Chapman
Enoch Folsom
Ens" Samuel Smith
Ephraim Davis
Aaron Kinnison
William White
Ens" Josiah Dow
Simon Huckins
Josiah Durgin Jun''
John Bunker
George Curtis .
Amos Fernald
John Mathes
David Rundlet
John Hide
Jonathan Stevens
Lieu* David Davis
Eliphalet York
Henry Tufts
Widow Mary Bryant
David Wiggin
Nathaniel Stevens
Jun'
John Davis Jun''
Ens" Josiah Burleigh
James York
Joseph Duda
Philbrook Barker
Lieu' Zaccheus
CI o ugh
W^illiam Jenkins
Samuel Mathes
Miles Randel Esq""
Thomas Langley
John Davis
Aaron Hanson
Col" vSamuel Chesle
Cap' Robert Parker
James Jenkins
Christopher Faxon
Widow Sarah Huck- Cap' Jonathan Lang-
ms
Cap' Reuben Hill
Samuel Watson
John Kennison
Charles Rundlet
William French
Jonathan Dow
Jonathan Runals
Widow Sarah Raw
lins
Docf James Brackett Joseph Burleigh
Edward Woodman Fernald 'Wallace
ley
Lieu' Miles Runals
Thomas Tufts
Thomas York
James Davis
Ichabod Hilton
John Tash
Lieu' John Folsom
Nicholas Duda
John Stevens
Job Randel
Ranah Bickford
John Mitchel
Ebenezer Harvey
Ebenezer Hill
John Randel
Benjamin Elliot
Thomas Langley
Jun'
Benjamin Clark
Daniel Chesle
John Snell
Lieu' Aaron Davis
Lemuel Chesle
Joseph Clay
Cap' John Layn
Aaron Leathers
John Glover Jun'
Solomon Emerson
Esq'
Simon Randel Jun'
Isaiah Williams
John Leathers
Joseph Clay Jum'
Paul Leathers
Nathaniel Callwell
Thomas Noble
Micah Emerson
Moses Davis Jun'
Israel Babb
Joseph Randel
George Shaw
vSamuel Thompson
John Pitman
Benjamin Jones
Maj' John Demerit
Simon Randel
Benjamin Bodge
LEE.
393
Thomas Tuttle
Moses Davis
John Page
Thomas Kinnison
Thomas Rawlins
John Hill
Jeremiah Ladd
Francis Mathes
Joseph Roberson
Joseph Tuttle
Josiah Batchelder
Benjamin Mathes
Widow Susanna
Durgin
Joseph Emerson
Tobias Cartlan
Widow Abigail
Pickering
Josiah Kinnison
Joseph Meeder
Gideon Mathes
Joseph Cartlan
Jonathan Rawlins
Ens" Jonathan
Thompson
Lieu' Job Runals
Nathaniel Clough
Samuel Hill
Samuel Bickford
Ebenezer Jones
Daniel Shaw
Cap' Josiah Bartlet
Ebenezer Burnam
David Munsey
John Williams
Wille Hill
Matthias Jones
Anthony Jones
William Leathers
Solomon Emerson
Jun"'
Timothy Glover
Josiah Bodge
Cap' Timothy Emer- Moses Lamos
son
Ricard Elliot
William Bly
Richard Martin
Elias Critchet
Ebenezer Randel
John M-^Crillis
Lieu' Andrew Hilton
Samuel Clay
Ezra Clark
Deacon Joshua Burn-
ham
John Sias
James G Bunker
Jonathan Warner
Esq''
Samuel Durgin Elijah Cartlan
Cap' Hubartus Neal Benjamin Elliot
Jun^
James Pickering
Lieu' Joseph Brack- James Davis Jun""
ett
Josiah Durgin
William Rawlins
James Brackett
Samuel Saw3'er
Joshua Burn ham
Jun'
Dennet Wavmoth
Samuel Gledden
Phinehas Sanborn
Winthrop Wiggin
Lieu' Asa Folsom
Thomas Badger
Mark Spinney
John Rundlet
Jeremiah Dutch
Samuel Burleigh
Jacob York
Hunkin Dame
William Laskey
Samuel Langley
Lieu' Paul Giles
Joseph Follet
Joseph Chesle
Cap' Smith Emerson
Edward Leathers
Widow of Joseph
Stevens
John Jones
John Williams Jun""
Edward Hill
William Callwell
Andrew Torr Esq'
Widow Mary Jones Ebenezer Thompson
Ens" Micajah Bick
ford
Clement Davis
Eli Furber
Samuel Williams
John Jenkins
Nathaniel Hart
Hunkin Fax son
Peletiah Thompson Walter Philbrook
Samuel French Daniel Smith
Cap' George Tuttle Thomas Hill
Nathaniel Stevens Dodifer Plummer
A true Coppy Attest —
Josiah Dow
James Brackett
Esq'
Widow Lois Pinkum
David Munsev Jun""
Ezekiel Wille Jun'
Nathaniel Randel
Isaac Williams
Ebenezer Chesle
Gideon Garland
Robert York
Lieu' Winthrop Frost
Timothy Langley
Select Men
of Lee
394 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The original list contains the amount of " Foreign Debt,
Domestic Debt, State Debt," assessed against each man. —
[Ed.]
([6-46] \_Notice of a Meeting of Alarm-me7i^ iy8/.^
State of New Hampshire —
The Gentle-Men belonging to the alarme List in the Parish
of Lee are Desired to attend at the House of Elijah Cartlan in
said Parish on Tuesday the Seventeenth Day of April Current
at Two of the Clock in after Noon, For to Chuse the Necessary
officers for to Command said Company
Nottingham April 4"^ 1787
Tho'' Bartlett : B. General
\^Oficers Chosen at said Aleeting.^
Strafford ss Lee April 17* 1787
at a Meeting Duly Notified & heald in Lee on the said 17'
Day of april for the Choise of officers to Command the Com-
pany of alarame List in said Town the Votes being Called for
•& Brought in it appeared that George Tuttle was Chosen to
Command said Company Cap' John Layn for the Second officer
M' Josiah Dow for the third officer
attest Tho« Bartlett B. G
[6-47] [ fob Runnels recofntnendedfor a Magistrate^ ^7^9- ]
State of New Hampshire — Straftbi"d ss —
We the Subscribers Do humbly petition that his Excelency
and the hon° Senate would Anominate and Appoint Lieu' Job
Runels of Lee to Be a Civil Magistrate in the Lower part of
the Parish there being No justice of the piece within five Miles
of the above Named & therefore we do humbly pray that your
honours would Grattify our desires —
Dated at Lee this 19"^ December AD 1789
Richard Elliot Jonathan Runals Sam^ Hill
Jn° Footman Christo' Faxon Ebenezer Randel
Levi Langley Amos Furnald Abraham mathes
Samuel Smith Sam' Burley John Sias
Sam Chapman Valentine mathes Clement Davis
John Chesley Fancies Mathes John Clough
Joseph Randel Israel Bunam John williams 3*^
LEE.
395
Samuel Follet
William Clough
Nathan Runels
Benj Elliot
Mark Hill
James Davis Se
Anthony Jones
Joseph Burley
Jonathan Runals
Juner
Reuben Hill
Nathanel Stevens
David Davis
John Leathers
Miles Runels
Joseph Follet
Jonathan Randel
John Randel
Aaron Bickford
George Tuttle Juner
James Harvey
Thomas Langly
Daniel Watson
Pelatiah thompson
Josiah Burleigh
George Tuttle Sen
James Davis Ju"'
David Munsey Juner
Hunking Faxson
Jonathan Thompson
Thomas Langley
Mosses Firen
Nathaniel Stevens
Josiah Bodge
Josiah Durgin
Thomas Noble
Nathaniel Randel
Jacob York
Jonathan Stevens
John Drew
David Bunker
[6-4S] \_Patd Giles reco?nfnended, iy8g.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To his Excellency the President and the Hon^' the privy Coun-
cil of said State —
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lee, finding
great inconveniences arise from the want of a Civil magistrate
near the Centre of business in said Town, would request your
Excellency & Honor that some suitable person may be Com-
missioned of the peace — and if it would not appear too assuming,
would beg leave to mention Cap' Paul Giles as a man calcu-
lated to give universal satisfaction to the Inhabitants in said
Office—
Your Excellency's & Honors attention to this request will
greatly oblige Your very humble Servants —
Lee Ocf 32"^ 17S9.
Jonathan Thompson John Jones
William Jenkins Nathaniel Calwell
Andrew Hilton Winthrop Frost
Joseph Chesley Edward Leathers
Sam' Wigglesworth Josiah Durgin
Jonathan Dow
John Clough
John Jenkins
John Williams Jur
Simon Huckins
William Waymoth
Simon Randel
Nathaniel Randel
John Snell
James Jenkins
Edward Hill
Josiah Dow
James Davis Ju''
Thomas Randel
George Dutch
Aaron Davis
Josiah Durgin Junr Ranah Bickford
William French
Dodavah Plumer
Josiah Huckins
David Davis
Daniel Chesle
Aaron Leathers
John Williams
John Stevens
Clement Davis
Ichabod VVhidden
John Chesle
John vSias
39^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LEMPSTER.
The township was granted Jan. i, 1753, to Samuel Clark
Pain and others, by the name of Dupplin. This grant was
made four days later than the grant of Acworth, and prob-
ably for the same purpose.
No settlements were made under this grant, neither were
any attempted or expected. A re-grant of the territory was
made Oct. 5, 1761, to Benadam Gallop and others. The
conditions of this grant were not fulfilled in the matter of
settlements, and another grant was made Jan. 5, 1767, to
Dudley Woodbridge and others, in sixty-seven equal shares.
Settlements were made under this grant, by people from
Connecticut, about the year 1770; and in January, 1772,
there were eight families in town, not enough, however, to
comply with the conditions of the grant, and on the 21st day
of that month the time for completing the settlement was
extended three years. See petition, Vol. IX, p. 466.
By an act passed Dec. 27, 1791, the north-east part of the
town was set off, and, with portions of Unity, Newport,
Fishersfield (Newbury), Wendell (Sunapee), incorporated
into the town of Goshen.
The jurisdictional line between this town and Washing-
ton was settled by an act approved Nov. 27, 1812.
[6-49] \^Relative to the Toxvit's ^iiota of Soldiers^ iy8j.'\
To the Honourable General Assembly to be holden at Concord
on tuesday the Twenty Eighth Day of this present October,
we your Humble and Dutiful petitioners the Town of Lemp-
ster beg leave to lay before your Honours a matter Respecting
an Extent now Against s'' Town for Sixty pounds the One half
of which we pray may be taken of and we flatter our Selves
that when your Honours Understand the matters as they are
you will Release s*^ Town therefrom the matters of fact are
as follows that Some time in the Year 177S we Received Orders
from his Hon'' General Bellows to Join in with the Town of
Acworth and Raise one man for three Years or during the war
to serve for Both Towns and Accordingly we Agreed with one
Mathew Grear for three years and paid s"* Grear About forty
Pounds as our half of his bounty and Cap' Keyes of Acworth
Agreed to go with the s*^ Grear to the muster master and have
him mustered and set to the Town of Lemster but Contrary to
LEMPSTER. 397
that had him set to the Town of Acworth and Returned for
them and the s*^ Grear in a few months Aftei' inHsted During
the war whereby the Town of Lemster were intitled to the one
half of s*^ Grear and in 1782 Each Town made a Return of s**
Grear to the Committee of Safety and s"^ Committee gave Us a
Citation for s*^ Acworth to Appear and give Reasons if any they
have why the Town of Lemster should not hold s'^ Grear but
Advises us to Agree with s'^ Acworth and we went and Agreed
with the Selectmen of Acworth to have one half of s*^ Grear
Credited to s*^ Lemster and the Other half to s** Acworth
Carried their Certificate for that purpose but the s*^ Comittee
said they could not Divide a man and so Laid the whole of s^
penalty on the Town of Lemster and now we Request no more
of your Honours Only to Divide s*^ Extent and The s'^ Lemster
to pay but One half as they that were of Acworth Requested
the Hon*''" Committee of Safety to, And we your Dutiful Peti-
tion Shall Ever pray —
Allen Willey \
Jabez Beckwith > Select Men
Elijah Frink j
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 8, 1783, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[6-52] {^Return of Ratable Polls, 1783. '\
The Number of Ratable Polls in the Town of Lemster Twen-
ty one years old & upwards is fifty three to be Returned persu-
ant to the with in Order taken by us
Allen Willey '\
Jabez Beckwith J- Select Men
Elijah Frink )
C^~53] \^Clvil Magistrate xva7itcd, lySj.l
To the Houn'^ Council —
Gentlemen —
as their is a Veakency in Lancaster for a Justice of the peace
I as a Representative for that Town have taken Sum pains to In-
quiar who is the fittest person for that Office, and the people
Differ Sum in Sentiment — But Capt william Cary and mr Elijah
frink is held up to Vew — as proper persons Either of them for
that office —
398
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Leaven it to your Honours to Apint One of them as you in
your wisdom think fit —
Daniel grout
Concord febuary 17* 17S5
[6-54]
\_Assess7ne/it List^ i'/8'/.'\
To J T. Gihnan Esq"" Treasurer for the State of New Hamp-
shire— A copy of the proportion of the Foreign Domestic &
State Debt — for the Town of Lemster made by us the Sub-
sci'ibers —
Lemster June 5,
Allen Willey
Abraham Davis
Benjamin Bushe
Comfort Wilcox
Daniel Chappel
David Taylor
Elijah Bingham
Eleazer Cary
Eli Hull
Freegrace Booth
Harris Bingham
Isaac Tatten
James Bingham
Jabez Hurd
James Rich
John Way
Milan Hebard
Nathaniel Way
Oliver Cary
Philermon Andras
Richard Chapman
Shubael Hurd
Sam' Roundye
Timothy Nichols
Vine Bingham
Zacheus Spencer
Andrew French
George Atkinson
17S7
Allen
Jabez
Elijah
Asa Hebard
Alvin Roundye
Barnabas Phelps
Calvin Bingham
Daniel Noyes
David Willey
Elijah Frink
Eliot Cary
Elizabeth Jackson
Francis West
Hezekiah Huntley
Israel Smith
Jabez Bra i nerd
Jonathan Prentis
John Scott
John Way Ju''
Niles Beckwith
Nathan Willey
Oliver Booth Ju''
Peter Lowell
Resolved Wheeler
Sam^ Huntly
Silas Bingham
Urijah Bra i nerd
William Cary
Allen Willey Ju""
Wi"^>^ } Select
Beckwith \ ^^^^^^
T^ . , t men
Frnik )
Andrew Dodge
Charles Willey
Charles Miner
David Roberts
Elijah Abell
Epaphras Booth
Elijah Frink Ju^
Elisha Thacher
Gam' Huntington
Isaac Dodge
Jabez Beckwith
Joshua Booth
James Rogers
Jonath" Taylor
Luther Martin
Nathan Scovil
Oliver Booth
Phinehas Abell
Roswell Bingham
Reubin Willey
Sam' Nichols
Tho^ Eggleston
Uzel Hurd
Will™ Story
Non-resident owners. —
David Wheler
John Sabens
John Ormsby
Jacob Arnold
LEMPSTER.
399
Joseph Beckwith
Jabez Avery^ Hr^
John Langdon
John Avery
^s[athan Blake
Tho^ Scovil
Eben"' Spaulding
Joseph Wilcox
James Hickey^ Hr
John Ashley
John Perkins
Russel Miles Hr^
William Iseham
Eliph' Barkers Heirs
Jacob Spaulding
John Bachelor
Nath' Shaws Hr^
Shubael Brainerds
Hr^
Israel Jennings
[The original return shows the amounts assessed against
each man. — Ed.]
[6-55] \_Relaiive to ToiV7t Bo7itidaries, l'/88.'\
To the Hon' General Assembly of the State of New Hamp-
shire to be convened at Concord on wednesdav the 13"* day of
June Instant. The Petition of the proprietors of the Towns of
Lemster & Marlow Humblv sheweth — that the Eastern line of
s*^ Towns being in such a Situation that thev cannot be Affixed
So as to give satisfaction without an Order from Your Hon" —
therefore the prayer of Your Petitioners is that the Hon'
Court make order that the Surveyor Gen' or his Dep-^' or a com-
mittee be Appointed to settle S'' lines at the expence of S*^ pro-
prietors or any other way your Hon"" Shall Judge best to An-
swer the Above purpose —
and Your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Lemster Jan"" 14, 17SS.
Allen W^illey
Jabez Beckwith
Elijah Frink [Proprietors
Lemuel Miller f Committees-
Sam^' Royse
Sam" Canfield
[6-5S] \^Opposition to the JVorth-cctst Coriter Petitioji., iygo.'\
Lemster May 17, 1790
We the subscribers inhabitants of S*^ Lemster are opposers to
the Petition which was presented to the General Court at their
last Session praying that part of S'' Town might be taken off
and incorporated with part of Sundry other Towns mentioned
in S'' Petition
Jabez Beckwith
Phinehas Abell
Elijah Bingham
Tim" Miner James Bingham
Urijah Brainerd Peter Porter
James Rogers Jun'^ Nath' Rogers
400
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sylvester Abell
Jabez Braineid
Eli Hull
W™ Isham
Shubael Hurd
Cornelius Wheeler
Jonath" Preiitis
Freegrace Booth
John Scott
Benj" Phelps
David Taylor
Isi^ael Smith
John Way
Charles Miner
John Sabin
W"^ Cary
James Rogers
Sam^ Nichols
Harris Bingham
Comfort Wilcox
Jabez Hurd
Sam' Roundye
Niles Beckwith
W™ Way
David Gordon
Nath' Way
Rich"^ Chapman
iVbner Hoyt
Jonath" Taylor
Benj" Way
Elias Fisher
Oliver Booth
Oliver Cary
Josiah Rogers
Nath" Scovil
Alvan Roundye
Tim° Nichols
Tho" Egelston
Barnabas Phelps
Hezekiah Huntly
Oliver Booth Jun""
John Thacher
Daniel Bingham
Barnabas Philps Jn'
Dan' Noyes
Jonathan Booth
Sam' Ayers
David Stoddard
Stickney Chase
W'" Cary Jun''
Sam' Roundye Jun""
Uzel Hurd ^ Select
Daniel Chappel ) men
[6-57] S^Remonst ranee to haviiig the JSfortJi-east Corner set
off, i7go.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable House of Representatives in General Court
to convene at Concord on the first Wednesday of January
next —
The Petition of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Lemster liveing in that part of Said Town which is included
by a plan which was exhibited to the General Court at their
session in December last with a Petition signed by Daniel
Grendell & Others : which Petition Requested the Honorable
Court to incorporate the Teritory included by Said plan into a
Township — Your Petitioners beg leave to inform your Honours
that we are very unwilling to be incorporated as requested by
the Above mentioned Petitioners that the line will divide our
farms leaveing part in one Town and part in another : and if
our cituation is remote from the center as is represented in the
Above mentioned Petition : we would inform your Honors that
we had much rather live in a remote part of the Town of Lem-
ster than in a remote part of their intended new Township —
Your Petitioners are sure that to divide the Town of Lemster
will be a very material injury to our own Interests & to that of
S** Town in General — Therefore your Petitioners most Humbly
request yoiu- Honors that the Petition of the Said Daniel Gren-
LEMPSTER. 401
•dell and others (so far as it respects S"^ Town of Lempster)
may not be granted and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall
ever Pray
Lemster December 25. 1790 —
Vine Bingham
W" Story
David gordon
Calvin Bingham
[It seems that a petition had been presented to the legis-
lature to have a new town formed from portions of Lemp-
ster, Unity, Newport, and what is now Sunapee and New-
bury, but said petition and plan have not been found. The
matter was presented to the legislature again, as may be
seen by the following : — Ed.]
[6-5634] \_Petition to have the No7-th-east Part set off^ and
xvith other Territory incorporated into a Toxon^ iygi.'\
To the Honrable Senate and House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire to be Convened at Concord on the
First Wednesday of June Next,
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitens of Lempster
being fully perswaded that the Northeast Corner of the Town
of Lempster with a part of Sundry other Towns adjoining
ought to be Incorporated into a Town for the Situation of the
Inhabitants is Such that they cannot be accomodated without
great Damage to the other parts of Said Town and in our opin-
ion it will not hurt the Town of Lempster as the Situation of
Lempster is Such but will leave ft in a better Situation without
them than it will to have Said Corner Continued as it now is
and therefore your Petitioners are So fully Satisfyed that it will
be for the Interest of this Town as well as for the Peace and
happiness of the Same to have them Set of as Soon as may be
as your Honours in your Wisdom Shall See fit. And it is our
opinion that the Town of Lempster will not make any more
Opposition against it, And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray,
Lempster May y^ 24"^ 1791
John Thacher Calven Frink Allen Willey
Charles Willey benj Annass Ezra Miner
David Willey Nath" Way Israel Smith
Amasa Loveridge Moses Huntley Joii'^ -^ogg
Hezekiah huntle Alexander Hogg Silvanus Noyes
28
402 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benjamin Bushe Resolved Wheler Elijah Frink
Peter Lowell Luther Frink Elijah Frink Jun""
Phinehas Abell SyF Abell Elijah Abell
[6-62] [ Vote of the Town relative to the foregoitig^ lygi.^
At a legal Town meeting of the Freeholders Inhabitants of
the Town of Lemster held on Tuesday the 15 day of November
1791, in consequence of a Petition's being preferred to the Gen-
eral Court at their Session in June last Signed by William Story
& others praying for part of S** Town of Lemster to be Set of
with part of Sundry other Towns —
A Vote being taken to see whether the Town were Opposed
to haveing part of Said Town taken off as Set forth in the
Above mentioned Petition it passed in the Affirmative by a
large Majority
(A true cop}')
Attest James Bingham Town C^
Nov"" 21. 1 791 —
[ Vote of the Toxvn of Newport relative to same.']
This may Certify that we have received a petition signed by
William Storv and others Praying that a part of this Town may
be incorporated with parts of several other Towns Unity Lemp-
ster Wendell Fishersfield and order of Court thereon
Newport October y^ 10* 1791 at a Legal Town meeting on
November the 7"^ the above petition and order of Court being
Read and there was no objection against said Prayer being
Granted
Jesse Lane ) Selectmen
Uriah Wilcox ) of Newport
[6-59] [J/cre Opposition.]
We the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Lemster
hereby certify that whereas we did not Attend & give our votes
at a Town meeting held in Lemster on the 15, of Nov'' Instant
to see whether the Town would Oppose a petition which was
preferred to the General Court at their Session in June last
Signed by W™ Story & others praying that part of S*^ Town
might be set oft' — and as we understand that the Town Voted to
LEMPSTER. 403
Oppose the prayer of S** Petition's being granted we do there-
fore fully Join with the Town in S*^ Vote as we think it unjust
& unreasonable that the prayer of S^ Petition so far as it Effects
the Town of Lemster should be granted —
Lemster Nov" 21- 1791 —
Richard Chapman Josiah Rogers Cornelous Wheeler
Elias Fisher Eli Hull Jabez Beckith
TVT-i v!- r> 1 -u Tabez Brainerd Vine Porter
JNiles X Beckwith tj -n i i n 1 1 t
mark Benj" phelps Barnas phelpes Jur
Sam'^ Silsby W" Isham John Wa}^
Benj" Way Tho' Way John Sabin
[Depositions of Peter Porter, Nathan Willey, Charles
Willey, and Allen Willey were introduced, from which it
appears that one reason why the town opposed the separa-
tion was the extra tax it would be on those who remained
to support Rev. Elias Fisher. A compromise was effected,
however, as will appear by the following document. Por-
tions of the several towns were taken, and incorporated into
a town by the name of Goshen, December 27, 1791. — Ed.]
[6-60] \^Portion proposed to be taken from Lenipster to
form a New T'own.^
The part taken from the Town of Lemster to begin at the
Northwest corner of lot N° 25, 2'' division thence to the north-
west corner of lot N" 29, of S** 2'' division thence to the North-
east corner of S** lot thence Southwesterly to the Southeast
corner of lot N° 33 of the 2'^ Division thence on a Strait line to
the Northwest corner of the Town of Washington —
That the contract with the Rev"^ M"' Elias Fisher be held
sacred & fulfill'd by those persons liveing in S*^ Lemster includ-
ed within the lines Above mentioned in the same manner as tho
they had remained a part of the Town of Lemster —
Agreed on by —
James Bingham for Lemster
Elijah Frink for the Petitioners
404 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
LINCOLN .
The township was granted January 31, 1764, to James
Avery and others in seventy-one equal shares. It is a
mountainous tract of land, and but few settlements have
ever been made in the town, the population numbering but
66 in 1880.
[6-S4] S^Petition for re-gra)it of Toxv)iship.'\
Province of New-Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Cap"" General, Gov-
ernor & Commander in Chief, in & over his Majesty's Prov-
ince of New-Hampshire & Vice Admiral of the same, & to
the Honorable his Majesty's Council for said Province.
The Petition of Stephen Maynard of Westbury in the Prov-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay & Associates unto your Excel-
lency & Honors humbly shews,
That your Petitioner & Associates are desirous of settling a
Tract of his Majesty's unappropriated Lands within said Prov-
ince of New Hampshire of the Contents of six Miles square
being the same Tract which w^as granted
to a humber of Grantees by the Name of Lincoln, who hav^
fail'd to fulfill any part of the Conditions of their said Grant it
now remains forfeited & reverts to his Majesty Wherefore your
Petitioner in behalf of himself & his said Associates humbly
Prays your Excellency & Honors would be pleased to grant the
Prayer of their Petitioner & that the said Tract of Land may be
laid out by the Surveyor General & your Petitioner be thereby
prepared immediately to settle the same under the usual condi-
tion of such Grants & your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever pray
Stephen Maynard In behalf of him-
self & his Associates
LISBON
This township was first granted, August 6, 1763, to
Joseph Burt and others by the name of Concord. This
LISBON. 405
grant was made, and the town thus named, nearly two years
prior to the incorporation and naming of Concord in the
county of Merrimack. Very nearly the same territory was
again granted, January 31, 1764, to John Fansher and
others, and named Chiswick. Why this grant was made
does not appear. It seems to have been ignored, and the
township regranted at the end of five years from the first
grant, at which time, October 20, 1768, the grantees failing
to fulfil the conditions of the same as to settlement, it was
regranted to Leonard Whiting and others, in ninety-four
equal shares, and named Gunthwaite. The boundaries of
the latter grant varied somewhat from the former, but began
and ended at the same place in both. Settlements were
made by virtue of titles from the grantees of 1763, and some
by virtue of titles from the grantees of 1768, which natu-
rally led to a bitter controversy, as may be seen by the fol-
lowing documents. An act passed January 9, 1787, appoint-
ing Col. Charles Johnstone, of Haverhill, to call a meeting
of the proprietors and inhabitants to choose officers to assess
and collect the taxes, contained the following : " Provided
nothing in this act, shall be construed to affect the title of
any person claiming lands under either the Grant made to
Gunthwaite or Concord." The town, which was incorpo-
rated in its last grant by the name of Gunthwaite, assumed
the name of Concord, and in state papers was alluded to as
"Concord alias Gunthwaite," and later as "Concord in the
county of Grafton," until June 14, 1824, when it was
changed to Lisbon by the legislature.
By an act approved June 23, 1859, all that part of Lan-
daff lying north-west of Ammonoosuc river was annexed to
this town.
[6-S5] ^^Representatives chosefi to attetid the Conventio?i at
Lebanon^ 7777.]
At a meating of the Inhabitants of Gunthwaite Held att the
House of Cap* John Young
Jan>-3o«' 1777
i^' Voted M'' John Young J"" Chairman of S'^ meeting
2^y Cap* Luther Richardson Clerk
3*^ Voted that we send a Committee in Conjunction
With the United Committee^ of the County of
Grafton to treat with the assemblies Committee att
406 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lebenon on the 13"' of Feb^' Next on the adjournm'
Of the Counties Committee To bee held at tiiattime
And place
4*'' Chose Cap' John Young & M'' John Young jr
To Represent us at S"* Committees Meeting
5"^ Voted that a Coppy of our proceedings bee
Transmited to the assemblies Committee as
Soon as may Bee
John Young Chairman
To The Assemblies Committee In Behalf of the Town of
Gunthwaite
John Young Committee
Luther Richardson Clarck
[6-S7] \_Siaieme7it of Condition of tJie Toxvn and Service in
the War, 1/86.^
vState of New-Hampshire Grafton ss Jan^ 12* 1786
To the Hon' General Court of said State to be Convend at
Portsmouth on the first Wednsday of February Next by Ad-
journment—
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Concord in
said County Humbly sheweth — That at the commencement of
the late war with Great Britain there were very few setlers in
said Town as by Return herewith Exhibited may appear — all
which had then very latly moov'd there from various parts of
the Diflerant States — and it is well known that men of fortune
seldom turn out into uncultivated par^s of the Country — there-
fore conceive it unnessary to make mention that we were poor
as well as few in number at that time Notwithstanding when
the noise of war was heard in this part of the State almost
Every man In this Town turn'd out in Defence of the Cuntry,
and march'd to Canada under the Command of Gen' Mont
Gomery for the term of six months, — that a number of them
Inlisted in the service for the year 1776 — at the close of which
several persons Inlisted for three Years and During the war —
some of whom Died in service and left their families in very
poor Circomstances —
That we never suppos'd any of those persons which in fact
went from this Town could be turn'd over for any other Town
untill we had Credit for our proportion therefore rested very
easy knowing that we had more than could possably fall to our
Quota of soldiers in service —
That we living in the Exterior part of the State Expos'* to
LISBON, 407
the Ravage of the savage Enemy who were dailey scouting
among us, having the promise of Bounties for prisoners scalps
&" were many times cal'd out on alarms leaving women and
Children to hide in the woods to suffer the fear of being slain
by the Enemy
That we built a fort in said Town (wdiich cost at least one
Hundred pounds to shelter ourselves in) at our own Expence —
That had it not been for poverty (which in many Instances
is mens only protection) we should have left the Town and
very probably the State long before the close of the war —
That Notwithstanding the distresses and Difficulties we have
Gone through in time of war as aforesaid ; we are inform'd
that there is now an Extent out Ready to be serv'd on the
Selectmen (if to be found) in said town to the amount of two
Hundred and sixteen pounds and twelve shillings for want of
our proportion of soldiers in said war — and that there are very
Jarge charges against us for arrears of Taxes —
all of which we humbly conceive is very unjust Therefore
most humbly pray that your Honours would take our singular
and distressed case under Your wise and serious Consideration
and Grant us such Redress and Relief respecting the premises
as to your Honours may appear just and your petitioners will
Ever pray &*=
At a Meating of the Inhabitants of this town — Voted that
Major Samuel Young be Requested to proceed to Portsmouth
in Concert with our Representative at the Session of the Gen-
eral Court on the first Wednesday of February Next — and lay
the foregoing Petition before said Court — and doubt not but
every attention will be paid thereto that the nature of the case
Demands —
Joseph Dexter Caleb Dexter Lemuel Dexter
Will'" Belknap Josiah Whitcomb John Whitcomb
Benj" Whitcomb John Johnson Sam" Jameson
Paul Robbins Edward Mardin John Hasseltine
Philip Vorback Samuel martain Josepli Haynes
Timothy Bayley Jesse young Josiah Bishop
Robert Kay David Young
[6-SS] {^Statement of Tozun A fairs, 1787.']
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss —
Concord June 12"^ ^7^7 — '
To the Honorable General court of said state now setting at
Concord in the county of Rockingham & state aforesaid —
Humbly sheweth —
408 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That the proprietors & Inhabitants of said Concord setled
before the kite war & kept up thier settlement during the same
at great risque, trouble & expence on alarms scouts & building
forts & garrisons & in supplies &c —
That the Inhabitants, by reason of persons living among us.
unfriendly to the revolution, & by means of the Vermont
faction — were not organized with town officers till within a few
years nor represented in the gen' Court, in consiquence of
which they laboured under very heavy arrears of Taxes —
that the Inhabitants within two years last past have been at
great expence, after gitting leagally organized with Town Offi-
cers, in collecting this arearage for about two years back — stat-
ing their extra Accounts of expenditures during the war & in
supporting their agents at the gen' Covul about one hundred
Days, to effect a redress of greivences they labored vmder — so
that the gen' Court in consideration of their expenditures, & in
full of their accounts were induced on the 2^ of Alarch 1786 to
pass a resolve abating about one half of their arrearages — &
enabling the select men of said Concord to assess the i-emainder
which was done & committed to the constable to collect ac-
cordingly, who having collected a considerable part thereof &.
got through the necessary rules established by law in order for
compleatting the same, they found themselves surprisingly de-
featted by an obscure Intricate unintilligible, & as we conceive
an unconstitutional act passed at the instigation of one Leonard
Whiting, calling himself agent of the proprietors of Gunthvvaite
— & by the more subtle insinuations of his advocate in framing
said act in a very different maner from what was necessary to-
releive from the grievence stated in their pitition Or the prayer
of the same thereby involving your petitioners in matters &
consequences affecting the peace & quiet of society & the titles
to the land they live upon, & to plunge them unnessarily into
numerous long tedious & oppressive law suits which we believe
was not the Intention of tlie Legislature, but incompassed by
the intrigues of said Whiting, and his Advocate notwithstand-
ing it is expresly declared in the last clause of said act that
nothing therein contained shall any way effect the title of the
different Claimants to said Township — But to what purpose is-
it to declare in an act that it shall not effect title to lands when
the oppuration thereof will immediately turn the possessors out
of their Habitations into the uncultivated woods — and your
petetioners are still more surprized when they experience the
purposes, said act is used to effect, — owing to the Intricacy or
unintelligableness thereof, as no inhabitant upon the primises
was allowed to vote at said meeting unless he wood acknowl-
edge himself a holder of land under the regrant, when at the
same time one person & a Non Resident was allowed to carry
LISBON. 409
twenty six votes without shewing title under either Concord or
Gunthwaite, or that there ever was a grant by the name of
Gunthwaite or that the persons he said he acted for were gran-
tees, if there had been such a grant & the Inhabitants possess-
ing hirge farms were denied the privilage of carrying one vote
because they wood not acknowledge thier title to be under
gunthwaite grant, which they did not know ever existed nor
was it shewn in said meeting — your petitioners humble con-
ceive that the Intintion of the legislature in said act was that
every Inhabitant upon the premises shood have equal right
to vote in said meeting with any Other Individual that might
appear there let his intent or agency be more or less, as no
order was made in said act to vote according to Intirest —
Your petitioners further beg leave to Obsei've to your hon-
ours that the meeting was called on the 23^^ of May last, and
without any Clerk being chosen to record their doings, as ex-
presly pointed out in & by said act, the meeting was declared
by the moderator to be adjourn'' when a great Majoritv was
against the adjournment to the Eleventh of June then next at
one of the clock afternoon ; & although we supposed the ad-
journment wood be Illegal the Inhabitants attended at time &
place & there waited untill after five Oclock then withdrew to
their respective homes, at about six Oclock, the Moderator &
three persons not residents in this Town appeared and said
they had a right to negative all the Inhabitants of the Town if
they were present and at about seven Oclock s'' Meeting was
opened & the Moderator proceeded and a number of the Inhabi-
tants not present for reasons aforesaid all of which we humbly
conceive to be directly contrary to the laws of this state,
wherefore your petitioners pray that your honours wood repeal
said act and declare the doings thereon to be nul & void or
make the same Intiligable in such a way & manner as your
petitioners may enjoy their natural rights & town privileges
as the law and Constitution in such cases made & provided
directs —
and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Isaac Moore a nonresident Pro'' of Five Rights
John Bay ley do
Jacob Bayley by Power from Carter Ward Apthorp owning
twenty five rights under Concord —
Nath Chamberlain Nonresident Propri'"' for 6 Rights —
Eliphalet Northe}' Jotham Shearman John Haseltine
Joseph Haynes Jr John Whetcomb Reuben Cliaftin
Joseph Haynes James Shearman James Smith
Philip Vorbach Edward mardin Robert Kay
David young Joseph Dexter Benj'' Whetcomb
410 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sam^ Young Asa young Samuel Jameson
Josiah Whetcomb Ebene"" Richardson Caleb Dexter
Ozias Caswell John Young Lemuel Dexter
Reuben Shearman John Vorbach David Northey
John Jewett Nathaniel Jewett Sam^^ Hoyt
Joseph Jewett david jewett
I Benjamin Sawyer of lawful age, & Disinterested person
testify & say that I was at the House of Major Samuel young
in Concord alias Gunthwaite on the eleventh day of June Cur-
rent at work & when I came in to Dinner a number of the In-
habitants of said Town were assembled at said youngs, and I
understood that it was on account of an adjourned Meeting of
the Proprietors & Inhabitants of said Town to be holden at one .
Oclock on said day, and about six or Seven Oclock on the
same Day I was present & many objections was made by the
Inhabitants to the Meeting going on, & the following are some
of the objections, namely first because there was, nor could be,
no legal Record of the adjournment as no Clerk was chosen at
the first meeting — 2^ because a great number of the Inhabitants
had withdrew to their homes at about half after five oclock the
Moderator not then being present &'^ and one Captain Leonard
Whiting urged that the Meeting should go on — saying if all the
Inhabitants were present he alone had a right to negative them,
the Moderator accordingly proceeded, & no one was allowed to
vote unless he could be made sattisfied he owned an Interest in
Gunthwaite under the Proprietors thereof, & in that case to vote
in proportion to his or their Interest, which proceedings was
protested against by a number of the Inhabitants —
Benj'^ Sawyer
Grafton ss Haverhill June 15"" 17S7 —
Personally appeared Benjamin Sawyer signer of the foregoing
Deposition & after due caution made solemn oath to the truth
of the same, Coram
Jer'' Eames Just. Peace
[6-S9] S^yoJm To ling relative to Town Affairs^ 17^9 •'\
State of New Hampshire June 22"^ 1789 —
To the Honorable General Court of said State now seting at
Concord —
Humbly sheweth the Proprietors and Inhabitants of Concord
in the County of Grafton — That in consideration that the said
Proprietors, who are Setlers, & the other Inhabitants had dur-
ing the late war made many Exertions in defending themselves
LISBON. 411
against the common Enemy, the General Court of said State
were Induced, on the 2*^ day of Maixh 17S6 to pass a Resolve
abating about one half of their Taxes, and enabling the Select-
men to Collect the remainder from the Proprietors, — that said
Selectmen took the necessary steps for Collecting the same, —
That afterward, namely on the 6'" day of Jan-^' 17S7 the General
Court passed an act at the request of Leonard Whiting Esq"^
nullifying the proceedings of said Selectmen upon said Resolve,
and making the said Inhabitants liable to pay the same again,
if the proceedings thereon shall be considered to be according
to the Spirit & meaning of said Act, — Your Petitioners beg
leave to make known to your Honors that a Meeting by virtue
of said Act was cal'd on the 23'* day of May last & by the
Moderator declar'd to be adjourn'd to the eleventh day of June
then next, without any Clerk being chosen as expressly pointed
ovit in & by said Act — That notwithstanding w^e conciev'd no
legal Meeting could be holden by virtue of such Decleration,
the Inhabitants attended at one Oclock on the said eleventh day
of June w hich was the Hour that the Moderator declar'd said
Meeting to stand adjourned to and tarried there until half after
five Oclock, then a considerable number of said Inhabitants
withdrew to their respective homes, at six Oclock the ISIodera-
tor appear'd, & three persons with him, who are not residents
in said Town, at Seven Oclock the Meeting was opened much
against the will of your Petitioners, & the Moderator suflered
said Nonresidents to vote by Rights as in Propriety Meetings,
which we Concieve was not agreeable to the Spirit and mean-
ing of said act, by means of which a Clerk was chosen liveing
out of said Town, a Major part of the assessors live out of
TowMi, & the Collector in Holies in the County of Hillsbor-
ough,— and if the proceedings of said IMeeting is consider'd to
be legal our Incorporation which has ben had according to Law
is totally set aside, — Your Petitioners would further beg leave
to add, that at the time of passing said act it w^as not pretended
that any thing therein Contain'd should prevent any legal voters
in town meetings from liaving equal right to vote for the choice
of their officers, & if there was to be a negative by any one
person against all the Inhabitants why were they Notify'd of
said Meeting ; was it to see a man living an Hundred and forty
miles from said Town carry on a Meeting in just such way as
he might have done in his own Chimney Corner, for was not
the Laws as Good for enabling the Proprietors of one Town to
call Pi^opriety Meetings as another, if so then what need was
there for passing a Special Law for them, could they not have
cal'd a Proprietors Meeting without said Act, to raise money
could thev not have applyed it for what purposes they pleas'd,&
was there any danger of tlie Lands being sold for payment of
412 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Taxes if they were paid without such sale, — but perhaps it
may be said there is no Danger of said Act being used to affect
any bad purposes, but how can yonr Honors Determine
whither it will or not, as there is a Dispute concerning the
property ; then ought there to be any act of the Gen^ Court
against either of the Grants we do not mean to Impute any
thing to Your Honors in passing said act, but only pray you
to consider whether it is such an one as our Constitution will
warrent, — & although the greatest part of the Rights under the
Regrant, are own'd by persons who have left the States and
join'd the Enemy thereof they expect to make use of said act
to Eject the Setlers under the Original Charter, or in some way
git an advantage against them, notwithstanding we have many
of us ben Residents through the late war, & although not one of
the Regrantees were in Town during the same, —
Therefore your Petitioners pray your Honors to take thier
case under your wise consideration & Repeal said Act & de-
clare the doings thereon to be nul & void, or otherwise order
& Determine as may appear just & your Petitioners will ever
pray,—
in behalf of the Petitioners —
John Young agent
[6-90] \_yo/in Young wants a Patent for Bjiilding Chim-
neys^ i'jgi.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable General Court of said State holden at Ports-
mouth on the thirtieth day of Navember 1791 —
Humbly sheweth John Young of a place caled Concord in
the County of Grafton in the State aforesaid — that Your Peti-
tioner has invented and found out a method & Art of building
Chimnies, & of altering those already built, which will render
Chimnys built & altered according to his plan, intirely certain
of drawing Smoke — which art is new and has never been pi'ac-
tised in this State, nor to the knowledge of your Petitioner, in
any part of the world — that the publication of said art would
be of great utilitv to the public not only as it respects the moral
certainty of Chimnies drawing Smoke when built & altered
according to said plan — but also as it respects the vast saving
of that very costly article, of fire-wood, which may be made
by having Chimnies built upon said plan — because that when
Rooms are tight & well finished, the Chimnies will draw smoke
as well, or better than in Houses & Rooms open & cold — where-
fore Your Petitioner pray Your Honors to take the premises
LISBON, 413
into consideration, & Grant him his heirs & assigns the Sole &
exckisive previledge of building and altering Chimneys accord-
ing to his plan within this State forever or for such term of time
as Your Honors please, or take such order respecting the same
as shall appear most proper & Your Petitioner will ever pray
Portsmouth Nov"" 30"^ 1791 —
John Young
The Committee on the within Petition report that the prayer
be so far granted that an exclusive right be given to the Peti-
tioner for fourteen years & that he have leave to bring in a Bill
according —
W. PAGE for the Committee
[In H. of Rep., Dec. 2, 1791, the foregoing report was
accepted, and on Dec. 12, an act was passed granting John
Young the exclusive right of building chimneys in the way
described as his invention. — Eu.l
[6-86] [ Capt. Sa7?iiiel I'oting'' s Petition^ i'jg'/.'\
To the Hon''''' Senate and House of Representatives convened
at Concord & now setting —
The Petition of Sam' Young of Concord in the County of
Grafton humbly shews that on or about June 1775 your Peti-
tioner for and at the request of the Inhabitants of Concord and
other adjacent Towns, made application to the then new hamp-
shire Congress for ammonition to defend themselves from the
ravages of the enemy that he received a cask of Powder and
gave his receipt or note therefor to be paid if it was not wanted
for publick use, lead & flints your Petitioner pin-chased &
transported them to said Concord with the Powder and depos-
ited said powder lead & flints in the Custody of Cap^ Richard-
son who was to deliver the same to the Soldiers of his Com-
pany if it appeared necessary, —
that said ammonition was made use of in alarms — that in the
year 1776 soon after the defeat of General Montgomery your
Petitioner marched to Canada, that fire arms for part of his
Company could not be obtained that on my arrival at S' Johns
I made application to the Commanding officer of that Garrison
for Guns — he Informed your Petitioner there was no spare arms
in that garrison, but gave directions to purchase Guns of the
Soldiers who had them & were discharg*^ & on their march
home your petitioner purch*^ twenty six of s*^ Guns for the use
of his Company and gave from eight to twelve dollars apiece
414 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for them — that when youi" petitioners Comp'y was discharged
he agreed with a wagoner to transport said guns from Mount
Independence to Cliarlestown N° 4 had made a chest & put
them therein on which Gen^ Gates ordered that they should be
deposited in the stores or Magazines for the use of the Army
and that your petitioner should receive pay therefor from the
state of New hampshire, your petitioners situation was such
that he was obliged to purchase said Guns as he had received
marching orders from the commanding officer at S' Johns &
was obliged to deposit them in the public stores & has not yet
been able to git any settlement or pay therefor. * * *
Concord 1 3"' June 1 797
Sam' Young
[An arrangement was made by the legislature, June 15,
1797.— Ed.]
LITCHFIELD.
The territory embraced in this town was a portion of the
old Dunstable grant, made by the government of Massachu-
setts Bay, Oct. 16, 1673, O. S. (Oct. 27, 1673, N. S.)- Sev-
eral "farms" had been granted in this vicinity prior to this;
one, of territory now in Litchfield, was granted to William
Brenton, who was afterward governor of New Jersey, and
the locality was known as " Brenton's Farm." At the time
of the Dunstable grant, the Naticook Indians occupied the
locality now known as Thornton's Ferry, and relinquished
their claim to the Dunstable grantees for a small sum of
money.
In 1732 all of the Dunstable grant lying east of Merri-
mack river was incorporated by the government of Massa-
chusetts into a town by the name of Nottingham, which in
1734 was divided, and the north part incorporated by the
name of Litchfield. The settlement of the province line
in 1741 decided the territory to be in New Hampshire; and
in answer to a petition from the inhabitants, the town of
Litchfield was incorporated by the governor and council of
that province, June 5, 1749, — the town of Nottingham be-
ing thereafter designated as Nottingham West until its
name was changed to Hudson in 1830.
LITCHFIELD. 415
Settlements were made in the part of Dunstable now in
this town about the year 1720, by families from Billerica
and Chelmsford.
Hon. Wyseman Claggett, who resided in town during the
latter portion of his life, was attorney-general of the prov-
ince from 1765 to 1769; of the state from 1776 to 1778,
and again in 1781 ; a member of the council in 1776 and
in 1 78 1. He died Dec. 4, 1784, at the age of 63.
[6-68] [ Wai'rant for Town- Meetings //^j.]
Province of New Hampshire —
To William Reed Constable for the District of Litchfield on
the East side of the River Greeting
You are hereby Required in His Majesties Name to warn all
the freeholders and other Inhabitants of the District of Litch-
field on the East Side the River to meet and conven at the
Meeting house in Litchfield upon Munday the thirty first Day
of ocf Instant at two of the clock in the after Noon then and
ther when Meet —
To See if the District will Chouse one man or moi'e to go to
Portsmouth to the General Court to make answ' to a Petition
Nath" Hills James Hills John Robinson and others have Lodged
theire and to Impower the s'' man or men that may be chosen
with full power to act in Behalf of the District in aney affier as
he or they so chosen Shall think convenent —
and See that You make Due Return of this warrant and your
doings thereon to our Selves before or upon the day and time
before mentioned as You will Answer Your Default at Your
Perrell—
Given Under our hands and Seal Dat' at Litchfield the 34"' Day
of ocf anno Dom, 1743 and in the Seventeenth Year of his
Majesties Reign —
A True Copy Examined by me —
John Bradshaw Town Clerk
Thomas Karr
T 1 TT 1 r Selectmen
John Usher
By virtue of this warrant I have warned all the freeholders
and other Inhabitants of the District Called Litchfield on the
East Side of Merrimack River
William Reed Constable
A True copy Exam** by me John Bradshaw Town Clerk
4l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[ Vote at said J\Ieeting.'\
At a Town Aleeting Regualery assembled at Litchfield on
ocfy<'3i* 1743—
Voted that John Bradshaw be moderator for s'^ meeting —
Voted that Jo^ Blanchaixl Esq'' and Dec" John Cummings
and m'' James Nahor be a Comitte to make answer to a Peti-
tion that Nath'^ Hills James Hills and John Robinson and
others have made to y® Greate & Gerneral Court of y" province
of New Hampshire to answer to s"^ Petitioners
A True copy Examined by me —
John Bradshaw Town Clerk
[The petition of Nathaniel Hills and others, referred to
in the foregoing, was for the purpose of obtaining a charter
for a town to comprise the north part of Nottingham and
the south part of Litchfield, which did not succeed. See
Vol. IX, pp. 468-471.— Ed. J
[6-69] [^Relative to paying Rates in tzvo Tozvns^ ly^d.']
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq'' Governor &c the
Hon^'^ his Majesty s Council & Assembly in Gen" Court Con-
veined at Portsmouth in New Hampshire April 1746 —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of that tract
of land formerlv in the town of Dunstable lately Incorporated
into a District Called Litchfield & in that part of s*^ District
which Interferes with Londonderry bounds According to the
late runing per M"" Walter Briant —
That y^ Petitioners Setled under the Grants of y* Massachu-
setts Bay And have Continued to pay their Rates to Litchfield
by whome their poles and Estates was with Litchfields Envoice
Returned to this Hon'^ Court but so it is that this Last Year
notwithstanding they were Rated as Usual to Litchfield And
there pay'd their full proportion to town minister And Province
Taxes yet thay were also Rated in Londonderry and by their
Constables Destrained for the same & have paid it as per Rec
which your Petitioners Humbly Apprehend a great Flardship
and know of no Relief unless your Excellency & Hon'''' should
see meet to Relieve us —
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly pray You to Consider
the premises & direct that One of the s"^ Towns Return the
LITCHFIELD. 41/
rates Rec*^ as aforesaid or Otherwise relieve us as may seem
meet & y"" Peti" as in Duty Bound shiall pray &c —
Ebenezer Spauldyng
Stephen spauldyng
william butterfield
lennard commins
[6-70] \_yames Hills' s Receipts, 1745.']
Litchfield January y" 22"^ 1745
Received of m'' Ebenezer Spaulding the Sum of Three
Pounds old Tenor being in full of one List of Rates to me to
Collect bearing Date June y^ 28"" 1745
Rece^ by me —
James Hills Constable
[6-71]
Litchfield Jenewary the 29 1746
recvied of Ebenezer Spolding for town and provence reats
the Sum of three Ponds and Euight Shillings old tener I Say
recvied by me —
James Hills Constable for Litchfield
[R. 2-188] \_Livoicc of Lieut. Pelatiah RusselVs Equip-
jjicnts Lost in the Service, 1757 •\
A Good new^ Beaver hatt tow new worsted Caps and one
Linnen one tow new Linnen Shirts and one Wollen Shirt three
good Jackets and one Coat and tow Pair of Leather Breetchis
three Pair of Stockings and one Pair of Shoes and one Pair of
Mogezens one Silk-hankerchief and one Cotten hankerchief
and a Gun and Snapsack and Powder horn —
Province of New Hamp"' —
September 23'^ 1758
Then Olive Russell of Litchfield in the Province of New
Hampshire Widow personally appeared and made solemn Oath
that the articles of Cloathing above mentioned is a just and true
ace* of what her Late Husband Lieut : Pelatiah Russell carried
along with him when he went from home in the Province ser-
vice in the year x757
Sworn Before Math"^ Patten Just : Peace
29
4i<
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 30, 1758, "Voted That there be
allowed ;!^ioo. In full for this acco*^ & In full for three
months wages allowed him as a Gratuity, being Carried a
prisoner to Canada." Council concurred. — Ed.]
[R. 2-1 89] \_Capt. yohn Parker's Petition^ ^77^-]
[John Parker stated that he commanded a company in
Col. Bedel's regiment in Canada in September, 1775, " That
upon his return home, three of his Company Viz* Aaron
Quimby, Ebenezer Collings & Daniel Murray, exhibited a
Complaint to your Honors ag**^ your Petitioner for an over-
charge in his Muster Roll &c " He asked for a hearing,
which was granted. — Ed.]
[Rev. Pap., p. 35] \^LitchJield Afeu at Ticonderoga Alarniy
1777-']
Abstract of a Pay Roll of a Number of men who marched
from Litchfield for Ticonderoga on the Alarms June 29'*^ &
July 6'" [1777]
David McQuig
W"' Patterson
James Darrow
Willian Barker
William Read
Oliver Emerson
Jacob Kendel
Thomas Whittle
Zechariah Holden
James Harrod
John Eaton
Samuel Chase
Samuel Cochran
Joseph Barns •
James Nahur
Simeon Chase
James Hildreth
Ensign
£1
13, 0
Serg'
Private
2
3
S, 9
7' 2
do
2
7^ 2
do
3
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
do
2
7' 2
Major
2
'4' 4
Cap'
Private
2
2
14.4
H' 4
do
do
do
2
2
2
14. 4
14, 4
H' 4
Exam"!
J. Gilmt
n —
LITCHFIELD. 419
[6-72] \_Relative to being classed for Representative^ iy8o.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon"' the Council and Gent" of the Hon''*' House of
Representatives in Gen' Assembly at Portsmouth Convened
13* October 17S0
The humble Petition of the several Inhabitants of Litchfield
in the County of Hillsborough & State aforesaid, whose names
are hereunto set and subscribed.
Sheweth that upon taking up Government the said Litchfield
■was joined to Nottingham West, for the purpose of chusing a
person to represent them in General Assembly, And Altho at
the time of such Junction there was a great Majority in favour
of said Nottingham as their members greatly exceeded Litch-
field, Yet were your Pcf^ content at that time.
But now so it is. May it please Your Honors that by Act of
Gen' Assembly, many Families from Londonderry claim, have
been added lately to said Nottingham West, so that that Town
now consists of upwards of 100 families, and Litchfield of lit-
tle more than 40, By means of which inequality Your Pef^ are
always liable to be out numbered and out voted (if the Lihabi-
tants of said Nottinghman West shall see fit), and to lose all
benefit and priviledge of Election.
Your Pef' therefore pray leave to bring in a Bill, whereby to
seperate them from said Nottingham West, and that they may
be joined in future for the purpose aforesaid to the Neighbouring
Town of Derrifield, between which & them there is a good
understanding and with whom Your Pet'^ will stand more upon
a Par And that as to the place of Election a Preference may be
given to such of the two towns as shall pay most taxes to Gov-
ernment
And shall ever pray —
James Nahor Ju' ~)
Jon* Parker ^. Selectmen
John Parker Ju' )
Wyseman Clagett Samuel Cotton Daniel kendall
Simon M^Qiiesten Thomas Whittle Jun Abel Senter
David ""^Qiiig Timothy Kendall Joseph Chase
Rob' Parker W" Danforth Tho^ Russell
William ""^Qiiesten Gershom Harvell William Parker
Joseph Reed William Read Josiah Richardson
John Cochran vSamuel Cochran Daniel Blodget
Josiah Richardson J' Benj'" Blodgett Joshua Blodget
Samuel senter James Underwood Rob' Darrah
Jacob Whittemore John Harvell William Patterson
Peter Patterson Daniel Bixby John Parker
420 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Committee appointed on Matters similar to those set
forth in tlie within Petition beg leave to report their opinion
that Litchfield & Derryfield be joined in the Precept to send a
Representative to the next General Court
Geo : Atkinson for the Com^*
[The report was accepted, and Litchfield and Derryfield
were classed for a representative. — Ed.]
[6-73] \^Ja7nes Underwood relative to some cojijiscated
Estates^ lySo.']
Litchfield 27"* June 17S0
M' Speaker —
Sir —
The Committee have Yesterday finished the Sales of Zacheus
Cuttlers personal Estate have been to Col" Bauldwin the Agent
or Trustee of said Estate and find he will Only pay or alow us
our Costs in takeing an Inventory Vendueing &c of s*^ Estate
when we have Don the Business through this County taking
Inventory Leaseing out &c that Estate being sold thereby pro-
cured money to Discharge our Expence in our Duty & what
money was Overplush put into the State Treasury we now
desire the Court would now take some Order that we may
make a final setlement and be properly discharged as I have
been three times to Exeter to settle that matter, with that of
CoP Lutwyches as our business extended through the County
Costs & Expence are so blended together can not be well sepo-
rated Therefore pray the Agents may be Impowerd, or some
Other person, or persons, to settle these matters as Col" Nichols
is Nominated to go into the Servise I take this Opportunity to
Inform the Court that the Committes Acco' is so blended to-
gether that they can not be Settled without the whole of the
Committe pray sir press the matter that the Committe of
Safety may be Impowed in recess of the Court if nothing better
Can hQ done —
I am your Honors Ob' & Very Humb' Se'
James Underwood
[6-74] [ Wllllaju Patterson relative to sotne cofifiscated
Estates, 1782.']
To the Hon''' the President of the Committee of Safety for the
State of Newhampshire —
S' I Beg leave to inform you that I am now Seventy three
years old and have lived on lands which formerly belonged to
LITCHFIELD. 42 1
M'' Thomson now an Inhabatiant of Great Britain 33 years said
land lying in Litchfield I took a lease of said Thomson of the
farm I now live on to pay him the sum of sixty dollars yearly
to be paid in money or improvements on the farm which I have
Comply"^ with : untill last year when I was about putting Seed
into the Ground in the mounth of April I was informed that the
State had taken the farm into their hands and appointed an
Agent to rent out the same ; Some evil minded person as I sup-
pose offered to give one hundred dollars yearly rent : having
done a considerable part of my Spring Labour was Constrained
to give that Sum or move off: your Hon'' and every Gen'" in
the Hon''' Commitee must be sensable that the Public Tax for
the Defence of the present war is very high which with the
rent aforesaid and the hire of Labourers amounted to a very
great sum I Beg leave to Observe that I have had no notice to
move off before very leatly when I have prepared for a new
Crop I Expected to have had the farm at the rent that I Con-
tracted for last year tho very high yet I would been content but
to my great Surprise I have been informed that some person
have offered more ; the Agent Co" Chase being sensable that
the rent paid last year with the Tax that will be Called for this
year is as much if not more than the farm is worth
He desired me to send to your Hon" to know whither I may
have the farm at the same Rent that I paid last year I paying
the whole Tax for this year ; which is not Customary when a
Tennant takes a farm by the Shares he pays half of the Tax
only ; I Beg further that a person or persons may be appointed
to settle all Back arrirages and to Receipt for the same and to
put me in full possession in the name of the State I would fur-
ther Observe that I have been Oblidged for several years past
to purchess the greater part of the wood for my use there being
little wood on the farm as I am an old man and wilHng to give
the whole value for the farm Reather than move of at present
your Hon""^ Compliance will much Oblidge your Hon"
Most Hub' Ser'
William Patterson
Litchfield April t,'^ 17S2
[R. 2-190] S^Sclectmen conceriiing Soldiers, lySj.']
To the Hon''''' the Councel Sl House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire Convened at Concord June 1783
The Humble Petition of the Select men of Litchfield in the
County of Hillsborough — Humbly shews that said Town filled
up their Quota of Soldiers in the Continental army for the first
422 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
three year service & gave each soldier Fifty dollers as a Towns
Bounty — one of said Soldiers, Viz' John Loring who was an
Inhabitant of said Town, was in the Massachusetts line Tho'
by a vote of the Hon'''^ Assembly of this state he was to be
accounted to the Town he belong'd to, his Family was sup-
ported for three years for which no allowance has ever been
made them — That said Town by Order of Court raised four
men to reinforce Gen' Sullivan in Canada & paid them fifty
dollars each as Bounty that in June 1779 said Town Inlisted
one William Raymond during the war & paid him four hun-
dred & fifty pounds Lawfuil money That we have at all Times
done our full proportion in the war & had our Qiiota of men in
the field, Notwithstanding all which Col° Kelley sherift' of said
County has brought an Extent or Execution against us for sixty
pounds for a soldier said to be wanting in the war. We are
Consious to ourselves that we have done our full proportion in
the war as to soldiers &c and ought not pay said Extent
Wherefore we pray your Honors would Postpone the pay-
ment of said Execution untill the matter may be fully inquired
into * * *
James Underwood > Select
Samuel Chase ) men
[The foregoing was referred to the committee of safety.
—Ed.]
[*^-75] {^Retiirn of Ratable Polls, 1783. 1
Decem" 9"^ 1783
A True Acco' of the number male Polls in the Town of
Litchfield upwards of Twenty one Years of Age paying for
themselves a poll rate which is fifty five
James Underwood ) Select
John Cochran ) men
Hillsborough ss Decem'' 9"* 17S3 then James Underwood &
John Cochran personally Appear'd and made Solemn Oath to
the truth of the above Number of polls in said Town before
John Goffe
Justice of Peace
[6-76] \_Relative to their ^?iota of Soldiers, iy8j.'\
To the Honourable the Council and Gentlemen of the Hon-
ourable house of Representatives at Exeter Convened the
Twelfth day of February 17S3 —
LITCHFIELD. 423
The Humble Petition of the Selectmen of Litchfield in the
County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire whose
Names are hereunto Subscribed
Shevveth that the Inhabitalits of the said Town have had the
Honor of being distinguished, by many General assemblies, for
their Loyalty and Zeal in promoting the Public Welfai'e, ac-
cording to their utmost Abilities
That — the premises being granted Your Honors may easily
conceive, that your Pet" must be under the deepest concern,
when they find themselves, and their Constituents, lie under
the Imputation of Disloyalty at this day, and the Sherif ap-
proaches with an Extent to levy a large sum of money on Your
Pet" Estates, in tlieir said Capacity, upon a Supposition that
one Soldier is wanting in their Qiiota.
That the Matter arises from the desertion, of one William
Raiment, whom the Town procured in i779i 'it a very great
Expence, to serve them as a Soldier, during the War, whom
they saw duly mustered — receive his proportion of provisions
shoes, and Stockings at Exeter, and march to Worcester with
the rest of the Soldiers — What co*^ the}' do more ?
But — Your Pet" pray leave to refer Your Hon" to the Depo-
sitions herewith exhibited, In humble confidence, that upon
mature deliberation of the premises you will be pleased to re-
solve, that the Sherif of the County aforesaid, may be Injoined
to surcease the said Extent, and that your Hon" will resume
the Consideration of the premises, and grant such relief therein
as to You in your great W^isdom shall seem most meet.
And Your Pet" as in Duty bound sliall ever pray &c
Rob' Darrah ) Selectmen for
Timothy Kendall ) Litchfield
1^6-77] \_Petltio7i for a Bridge at CromwelV s Falls^ iyg4.'\
To the Honorable Legislature of the State of Nevvhampshire
to be convened at Amherst on the first Wednesday of June
1794—
A Petition for a Bridge at Cromwell's Falls
Whereas from experience it is found practicable and of great
publick convenience to have Bridges over Merrimack River
and as one at Cromwells falls at the lower end of the Town of
Lytchfield would greatly facilitate the passing from the westerly
part of this State to our Metropolis — Therefore we pray your
Honors to make us a grant for that purpose similar to that made
to Col" M'^Gregore & others at Amoskeig Falls — And your pe-
tioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Lytchfield June 3 i794
424
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Gershom Harvell
Simeon Chase
William Bixby
Daniel Bixby
Robert Chase
John M'^Gilvery
W" M<=Cluer Ju^
William Clagett
David Whtemore
David Campbell
Samuel Chase
James Nahor
Herbert Moors
John M'^Cluer
Thomas Bixby
Nathaniel Wliitte-
Joel Conant
Hugh Nahor
Robert Parker
Sam" Chase J""
Tim° Kendall
Simeon Kendall
Edward Clagett
LITTLETON
This town embraces the southern portion of a grant
made, Nov. 17, 1764, to James Avery and others, by the
name of Chiswick, which grant also comprised the present
town of Dalton.
The grantees were bought out by Moses Little, mer-
chant, of Newburyport, Moses Little, Jr., of Newbury, both
in the province of Massachusetts, Israel Morey, of Or-
ford, N. H., and Alexander Phelps, of Hebron, Conn., who
petitioned for a re-grant of the township. The request was
favorably considered by Gov, Wentworth, and on the i8th
day of January, 1770, the township was re-granted by the
name of Apthorp to the foregoing, with George Apthorp,
of London, Eng., Nathaniel Carter, Benjamin Harris, and
Tristram Dalton, of said Newburyport, and Samuel Adams,
of Boston, as associates. Five hundred acres each were
reserved for Benning Wentworth, Theodore Atkinson, and
Mark H unking Wentworth, they being grantees under the
Chiswick charter. The town bore the name of Apthorp, in
honor of George Apthorp, until Nov. 4, 1784, when by an
act of the legislature it was divided, the north part incor-
porated by the name of Dalton, in honor of Tristram
Dalton, and the south part by the name of Littleton, in
honor of Moses Little, both of whom were large owners in
the townships respectively. The first settler was Capt.
Nathan Caswell, about the year 1770. The town did not
gain in population very fast, and contained but fourteen
ratable polls in 1785. Since 1800, however, the increase
has been more rapid, and the town is now one of the most
enterprising and prosperous in the state.
LITTLETON. 425
[6-79] \_ReIative to Taxes^ i'/86.']
State of New Hampshire —
Littleton June 3'' 1786
To the Honourable General Court of s** State to be Conven'd
at Concord on the first Wednesday of June instant —
Humbly sheweth the Inhabitants of Littleton in the County
of Grafton & State aforesaid ; that they were at the Commence-
ment of the late war just beginning Settlement on said tract of
land which has untill very lately been known by the name of
Apthorp, that they being poor and much expos'd to our Enemy
during said war never paid any Taxes into the Treasury of said
State — That notwithstanding the Division of said Apthorp into
two Towns Precepts have lately been sent to the Selectmen of
Apthorp for sums much too Large as may appear by our re-
turn herewith exhibited — we therefore pray that our Doomages
may be taken oft' and the Selectmen of Littleton be enabled to
assess and collect any and all sums of money now Due, within
the lines thereof on the proprietors of said Littleton or other-
wise as may appear Just — and your Petitioners will pray &.•=
Nathan Caswell
For and at the Request of said Inhabitants
[An inventory of the polls and estate of the town for the
years 1775 to 1785 shows that in 1775 the number of polls
was 3 ; 1776,4; i777-'78-'79. 5; 1780, 4; 1781-82-83,9;
1784, 12; 1785, 14. — Ed.]
[6-8 1 ] \_Relative to a Tax for building Roads^ lySs-']
State of New Hamsphire —
Concord 16"' June 17SS
To the Hon'''* Gen' court of said state now setting —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Littleton in said state
humbly sheweth, that your Petitionors for eighteen years last
past, have laid under many and grevious dificulties — your Peti-
tionors cannot ascertain the number of acres of Land in said
Littleton, neither can we find out the original Proprietors of
said Town, so that we can not Tax said land except we have
a special act of this Hon'^'^ court for that purpose, your Peti-
tioners woo'd further Inform your honors that although we were
promised by said Proprietors or owners of land (as they cal'd
themselves) to have our land given us for settlement & that the
compliment of setlers according to charter shoo'd then soon be
426 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in Town, that they woo'd make good roads through said Town
Build Mills &c — all of which is neglected by said land owners,
and although it is eighteen years since said Town began to set-
tle, there is but nine families in it at this time, and there is no
mills in said Town, nor can we git at any under fifteen miles,
the Publick Road that runs through said Town is eleven miles
in length, and almost Impossible to pass in the same, which
road your Petitioners have to travel to git to mill, to market, to
courts, and almost every kind of Business — so that your Peti-
tioners have got under such poor and dificult circumstances, that
we cannot live in said Town nor move out of the same, except
your honors will Interpose in our behalf
Therefore your Petitioners most humbly pray that your hon-
ors woo'd take our singular Situation under your wise consider-
ation, and grant that a special act of this court be made that
said Town be setled according to charter in years from this
date your Petitioners further pray your honors that a special
act of this Hon''''' court be made, to assess and collect the taxes
now due or that may be due from said Town — we further pray
your honors that a committee be appointed by this Hon'''* court
to lay out and make a road through said Town, and that the
cost be paid by the land owners thereof and on their neglecting
or refusing to pay said cost of laying out and making said road
your Petitioners most humbly pray your honors to give order
that so much land in said Town be sold as will pay the cost
aforesaid or otherwise as your honours shall think most expe-
dient and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray —
Peleg Williams
In behalf of said Inhabitants
[6-S2] \^Petition for Atitho7'ity to tax Non-Residents^ J'j88.'\
State of Newhampshire Grafton ss
Littleton December the 12 — 178S
To the Honorable Gen' Court of said State to be Conveaned at
Exeter on the 24 Day of Instant December —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of said Littleton humbly
Shews that it is Eighteen years since the Town began to Settle
and the setlers ware promised by the owners of the Land that
thay wood make a good Rode throw said town erect and keep
in good repair a grest mill and saw mill in said town and that
thay wood Soon have the Town settled with such a number of
Setelers as to make it Convenient for your petitioners all of
which thay have neglected and thare is now in Town but nine
families and the Country road through the same is twelve miles
LITTLETON. 42/
and is verey wet hilly and Stoney, your Petitioners Cannot git
at any mill Short of twelve or fifteen mildes and if a Scarce
time of grinden must wait for the Inhabnie' of the town to
which the mill belongs to have thare grist ground first besides
we have the aforesaid road to travel through without our horses
being Shod as thare is no Blacksmith neigher than a mill your
Petitioners are not only few in number but poor and must re-
main so Except the aforesaid Difcilties Can be removed all or
allmost all of said town is owned by two Gentlemen one of
which Living in Massachusets the other in Vermount and we
know not who ware the oreginal Proprietors of said town or
how much Land thare is in the Same as it has bin granted and
regranted and Divided and Subdivided so that under every cir-
cumstances if your Petitioners Should be Cald on by your hon-
ours to do thare duty as others Towns it will be more than we
Can possably Do —
wharefore your Petitioners most humbly pray your honors to
take our Singelur Case into your wise Consideration and grant
a tax of two pence on Each acre of Land in said town for the
purpose of making and repairing a road through the same and
that a Committee be apinted by your honours to Carry the
Same into afect your Petitioners further pray your honners not
to Call on us for any State taxes untill the town Shall be so
settled that we Can possably git a Living tharein but that the
owners of Land in said town may pay all the taxes tharefrom
untill the present time and that Sume person or persons be
apinted by vour honours for the purpose of assaing & Collect-
ing the Same or that we may have releafe in Sum other way or
manner which to your honours may apeare Just and rasanable
and your Petitioners are in Duty bound Shall ever pray —
Peleg Williams Thomas Miner Samuel Learned
Benj"'" Nurs Nathan Caswell Isaac JMiner
Nathan Caswell Jr Robert Charlton
[6-83] [^Relative to taxing- Non- Residents^ ijgiJ^
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representitives in
General Court convened and now siting this la*"^ day of
February 1791 —
The petition of the Selectmen of Littleton in said state Hum-
bly shew that an act passed the General Court January 17S9 —
directing the Selectmen of said Town for the time being to
assess and cause to be collected all publick Taxes due there
from prior to the first day of January 1789 on the lands of the
proprietors of said Town in one tax bill in way and manner as
428 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
taxes by Law are collected of Non, resident proprietors in
other Towns in this state which act your petitioners would
have most chearfuUy complyed with had it been in their power
but said Littleton together with a Town or part of a Town
known by the name of Dalton, was first granted by the name
of Chesuwich afterward by the name of Apthorp then divided
into Littleton and Dalton to particular Gentlemen and not in
proprietory shares as is usually the custom in other towns in
this state — your petitioners would further Sugjest that the act
for taxing Lands in said Littleton and Dalton for the purpose
of making and repairing roads therein is under the aforesaid
Imbarisments —
Your petitioners would therefore pray your Honors to pass
an act Impowering the Selectmen of said Littleton for the time
being to assess and cause to be collected all publick taxes due
from said town in one tax bill on the lands therein not confin-
ing them to any particular rights but to sell as much of said
Lands in one body as will pay said tax with Incidental charges
also in the same way and manner to sell as much land as will
compeat said road throug said Town as also that they may be
Impowered in the same way and manner to sell as much land
in Dalton as will complete the road leading through the same
and give a reasonable time to levy and collect said Taxes or
grant such other relief in the premises as to your Honors may
appear reasonable and Just and stay the extents against said
Littleton untill a final determination be had and your petitioners
as in duty bound shall ever pray —
Sam' Voung
in behalf of the Selectmen of Littleton & Inhabitants of
Dalton
[R. 2-191] \_Liei(L Peleg Williams's Petition, l/QJ.']
State of Newhampshire —
To the Honb'*^ Gen' Court of s'^ vState convened at Exeter on
the twenty fifth day of December 1793 —
Humbly sheweth Peleg Williams of a place caled Littleton
in said State — That in November 1776 he engaged and was
commissioned as a Lieu' for said State in the late war — That
on account of his ill State of health, contracted in s'' service,
he, in the month of may 1778 resigned not in the smallest de-
gree doubting he had a right so to do * * *
Peleg Williams
[He stated that he had not been paid the depreciation of
his wages, and asked to have it done. — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 429
LONDONDERRY.
The township was granted, June 21, 1722, by Gov. Samuel
Shute to John Moor and one hundred and seventeen oth-
ers. The grantees were Scotch Presbyterians, who came
in 1718 from the north part of Ireland, where their ances-
tors, emigrants from Scotland, had settled about one hun-
dred years before. By an agreement dated March 26, 1718,
Rev. William Boyd was appointed by them as agent to
obtain a grant of land from Gov. Shute, and succeeded in
obtaining a promise of a grant whenever they decided upon
a location.
On receiving this encouragement they came over, landing
in Boston Aug. 4, 1718. A portion of them went to Casco
Bay, then in the province of Massachusetts, with the inten-
tion of settling there ; but not being pleased with the coun-
try, they returned and located here in April, 17 19, O. S,
Many of them came from the city of Londonderry, Ireland,
and named this town in honor of their old home, which
some of them had helped to defend in 1689 against the
emissaries of James the Second. They were an industrious
and thrifty people, and strongly attached to their religious
opinions.
The town was divided into two parishes, by an act ap-
proved Feb. 25, 1740, in accordance with a vote of the town
passed in 1735.
Feb. 12, 1742, the southern portion of the town was in-
corporated into a parish by the name of Windham, the first
meeting of which was to be called by Robert Dinsmore,
Joseph Waugh, and Robert Thompson, on March 8th of
that year.
The north-west part of the town was taken off Sept. 3,
1751, and with other territory incorporated into the town
of Derryfield.
A portion of the town was annexed to Nottingham West
(Hudson), March 6, 1778.
Sept. 26, 1777, sundry persons and their estates were sev-
ered from Londonderry and annexed to Windham. Nov. 26,
1778, Samuel Clark and his estate were also annexed to
Windham, and the line between these towns was established
by an act passed Nov. 22, 1782.
Another portion of this town was annexed to Windham,
Dec. 25, 1805.
430 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
An act was passed July 2, 1827, dividing the town nearly
in the middle, and incorporating the east half by the name
of Derry.
People from Londonderry were among the first settlers
of the towns of Bedford, Merrimack, Antrim, Acworth,
Cherry Valley, N. Y., and other places.
[6-91] \^Relative to the burning of Alatthevo Clark'' s House ^
1725 ''\
To all Christian People to whom these Presents shall come
Greeting :
The humble Petition of Matthew Clark of Londonderry in
in Newhampshire,
Humbly Sheweth
That on Fry day the third of this Instant in the dead time of
the Night an awfull and dreadfull fire seized upon his dwelling
House and consumed it to Ashes, together with his worldly
Substance therein contained, as Household furniture, cloaths,
Provisions and Money, whereof there were four pounds, four and
Six pence of the Bills of this Province, Your Petitioner with
his wife and small Children narrowly escaping with their Lives
through the mercifull Providence of God —
May it therefore please such Christian People to whom these
presents shall come to consider of this case in the bowels of
Christian charity and afford such relief to your Petitioner as
thev shall think fit, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray.
We believe the Truth of the Above Petition, and have great
Compassion on the Petitioner as being of an honest and Chris-
tian Character. Done at Londondeny Dec"' 23. 1725.
Ja : Macgregor
Daniel Cargill
John macmurphy Cler.
Samuel Graves
Robert Bo^'es
James morgan
James Greg
James M'^Keen
X^ the 28—1725—
In the house of Representatives Mathevv Clark the Petitioner
Made Oath that he had actually Burnt in his house of this
Province Bills of Credit the sum of foure pounds foure Shillings
& Six pence —
James Jeftry
CI' assm
LONDONDERRY. 43 I
[He was allowed the foregoing amount by the assembly
out of the money in the treasury next to be burned. — Ed.]
[6-92] [^Order relative to laying' out some Land^ 1^28. '\
Whereas there was Given & Granted to Mess" M'^Gregor
M*=Keen Cargil Greg and Goft'e Several Tracts of land in y^
Town of Lond" Derryover and above their Proprietors Share
for their good Service in promoting the Interest of y® People
there as appears per y* Charter of S'' Town which said Tracts
of land have been laid out to the s** Grantees in y* refuse and
Most barren part of the said Town w"* an aim to render y'^ s*^
Grants of no value and to defeat the good designs of the Same
It is therefore In Coun' May 25"* 1728 — hereby Voted and or-
dered that the laving out of y* said lands be and are hereby
declared to be nul void and of no Eflect, And that the Lot-
layers of v' s'' Town within twenty days from y"" Date hereof
proceed to lav out y" s"* Grants upon oath to the s^ Grantees in
some of y^ Common lands of y"' s** Town — Such as are of a
Middling quality (ie) Neither of y* best or worst but midway
between both, an that y* lotlayers Deliver returns of y'' laying
out s** land to y^ Grantees in Convenient time after y* busyness
is done for y* Usual and legal fees y' y"^ s** returns May be re-
corded by y* Town Clerk in y^ Town book
R. VValdron Clr : Cou.
[^"9.'^] [ Warrant for Town-Meetings lyjj.']
Province of New Hamp* —
To the Selectmen of the Town of Londonderry within the
Province afores*^ Greeting —
Pursuant to his Ma]""' writ to me directed for Convening a
Generall assembly within the said Province, you are hereby re-
quiied in His Maj'"'' name to Cause the freeholders of the town
of Londonderry aforesaid duely quallihed (giving them fifteen
days previous notice) to assemble at such time and place as
you Shall appoint within the said town then and there to Elect
and Chuse or depute one fit person quallified in the Law to
represent the said town in General assembly appointed to be
Convened and held at Portsm" w"" in y^ Province aforesaid on
Tuesday the first day of January Next at ten of the Clock before
noon and you are alike required to Cause the person so Elected
and deputed by the maj' part of the electors present at the Elec-
tion to be timely notafied and Summoned by one of the Con-
432 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
stables of the said town to attend his Maj"*^' Servis in Gen'^
assembly at the time and Place above Prefixed and so de Die in
Diem dureing their Session or Sessions and you are to make
return of this Precept with your doings thereon and the name
of the Person that Shall be Elected and Deputed as afores"^
unto my Self on or before the first day of January next to be by
me transmitted into the Secretary's office at or before the time ap-
pointed for the Convening of the said Gen" assembly and Here
of you may not fail —
Given under my hand & Seal at Portsmouth the Eleventh day
of Decem'^'' 1733 & in the Seventh year of His Maj''"
Reign —
Eleazer Russell Sheriff
[The meeting was held Dec. 28, 1733, and Robert Boyse
was elected. — Ed.]
[6-95] [^C7ia?'g'e against the Legality of a Toxvn-AIeeting^
J 736.]
Londonderry April y^ 13* 1736
We the under Subscribers all freeholders of the aforesaid
London-Derry doth protest against all the actings of our March
meeting this being part of it by adjournment (for these reasons)
that the said meeting was not legall in itself, neither was it
legalee Caried on for a great many of them that was votters in
it was not Qualified according as the law directs and also that
a great manv of the voters was only transient persons and paid
no rates in this town besides many other reasons —
Given under our hands the day and year above
Robert Boyes William Humphra John Moore
Hugh Wilison Archibald Clendinen
A true Coppy taken out of Londonderry Records as
Attests p'' John Macmurphy Town Clerk
[6-96] \_Precept for the Election of an Asse?nbly-nian ^ I'jj6.~\
Province of Newhamps®
George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Brittaine
France and Ireland King defender of the Faith &*=
To the Sherrif of the Province of Newhampshire Greeting
We command you that imediately on sight hereof you make
out a precept Directed to the Selectmen of Londonderry within
LONDONDERRY. 433
our said Province of Newhampshire Requiring them to Cause
the Freholders and other Inhabitants of said Town Duly Qiiali-
fied to Assemble at such Time and place as they sliall appoint,
to Elect and Choose, or Depute one Suitable and Meet person
(Lawfully Qiiallified) to serve for and represent them in our
Gen" assembly of our said Province at Portsmouth and to cause
said person so Elected by the Major part of the Electors pres-
ent at the Election to be timely Notified (or Summoned by one
of the Constables of the said Town) to attend our Service in
our said Gen" assembly on the fourteenth day of March Cui*-
rant, and So De Die in Diem during their Session or Sessions,
and to Return the said prsecept with the Name of the Person
so Elected unto your Selfe whereof you are to Make Return to-
geather with this Writ and of your doings therein under your
hand unto the Clerk of our House of Representatives at or
before the s"^ fourteenth day of March Currant hereof you may
not faile at your perrill —
Witness Andrew Wiggin Esq'' Speaker of our said House
of Representatives at Portsmouth March the tenth in the tenth
yeare of our Reigne Ann Dom" 1736 —
And"' Wiggin Speaker
James Jeftry Cle'' of the Assembly
By order of the House of Representatives
Prov : of New Hampsr
Pursuant to the within Writt I Issued out my Precept to the
Selectmen of London Derry to Elect a person to Represent
them in a Generall assembly Now Sitting at Portsm" and they
make return that they have made choice of Robert Bo}es of
s"* Town to Represent them
Portsm" March y« 14"^ 1736/7 R Wibird, Sheriff.
[6-97] \_Txvo Sets of Tozvn Officers cJiosen^ ^737-~\
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq'' Governour & Com-
mand'' In Chief In and over His Majestys Province of New
Hamp"' the Hon''''^ His Majestys Council, and the House of
Representatives in General Court assembled —
The Petition of Sundry the Inhabitants of the Town of
London-Derry in the Province of New Hamp'' — Most humbly
shews —
That It hath been the Custom in said Town, ever since they
have acted as a Town, at their General Town meetings in
March yearly to allow all persons that payed rates in said town
30
434
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Vote in chusing town officers until at the town meeting held
in said Town on the fifth day of March Instant when the Select
men for the last year produced a list of Persons names who the
select men said should be voters only. — That notwithstanding
a Considerable majority of the persons present proceeded ac-
cording to the usual method of said Town to Chuse a Modera-
tor, and then to chuse a Town Clerk, selectmen and other town
officers, and that the two Justices in said Town refused to
swear any of said officers so chosen, and that a minor part of
the persons then present in a by-part of the meeting-house made
choice of another set of Town officers, which last sett the Jus-
tices in said Town have since sworn, which has already occa-
sioned much disorder strife and confusion in said Town, and
will We fear tend to the utter ruin and destruction of the peace
and good orders of said Town unless something be done by the
General Court to redress our Grievances. —
Therefore Your Petitioners most humbly Pray Your Excel-
lency the Hon'''* the Council and House of Representatives
In your Great wisdom to ratify & Confirm what was done at
the last meeting in said Town according to the former usage and
Customs of said Town, or to Explain that paragraph in the Act
for regulating Townships, choice of Town officers and setting
forth their power relating to the qualification of Voters in Town
meetings, and order that There be another Town meeting in
said Town to Chuse Town officers, and your Petitioners as in
Duty bound, Shall Ever Pray —
John Moor
Sam' Allison
Ronald Alexander
John Stewart
Rob' Cochran
James Bo3'es
Hugh Rogers
W"' Cochran
W" Candinon
Thomas Morrison
Joseph VVallis
Hugh Wilson
Abr™ Holmes
John Givian
Rob' Wear
Sam' Miller
John Craig
Patrick Duglas
W" Humphrey
Alexand' Macdorn
John Reade
Sam' Morrison
Thomas .Steel
John Barnet
John Durham
Tho' M-^Master
Arch'' Candinon
Jesse Cristi
W"' Holmes
Robert Boyes
James Dalop
John Wilson
John Cochran
Robert M'^cuixly
W" Gregg
Moses Barnet
James M'^curdy
John Holmes
John M'^clary
Benf Willson
Halbert Morrison
W" M'^Neal
Peter Cochran
Robert Wallace
W™ Moor
James Wilson
Sam' Kinkerd
John Alexand""
Thom^ Hoag
Jaines Patterson
John Duncan
David Vance
John M'^konoihy
Sam' Morrison
John Stewart Jun""
W'm Kelley
Thom* Bogel
John Mitchel Jun""
Andrew Clandinen
W" M"M aster
LONDONDERRY. 435
Robert Givian John Smylel Alexand"" Parks
Sam' Mitchel Hugh Bolton John M'Cleary
Sam' Morrison Thorn** Wallace Francis Smaley
Alexand"' Rankin Peter Cochran John Wallace
John Morrison Sam' Morrison James Calwel Jun'
Thomas Cochran Henry Comee W"" Cochran
Arch*^ Miller John Cromey Joseph Ball
John Steel Patrick Fisher James Glines
James Morrison David Alorrison Allen Anderson
Dan' Anderson John Humphry W" Murdoch
Thom^ Mellavy John Ware
James Cochran John Ramsey
Mem° I have copyed the names as well as I could read them
but am not certain that they are right
R. Waldron Sec^.
[6-98] \^Relative to a ?iexv Parish^ ^737-'\
Provence of new hampshier
To his Excelence Jonathan Belcher Esq"' Governor and Com-
ander in Chief in and Over his Majestys Provence of New
hamp" the honorabl his majestys Councel and hous of Repre-
senteties In the Generall Court asembled —
The Petition of Sundrey of the Inhabitents of the Westerly
Part of Londonderry In The Said Provence of new hampshier
Most humbly Sheweth —
that Your Petitioners with Sundry others the Inhabitents of
the Wasterly part of Sd town at the last siting of the Genr' Court
In new hampshier Prefared a petistion therin Praing to be Made
a parish by our Selves which Was Granted to us by the Gen-
erall Court But with this Restriction for to Countinow with the
Worship of God in the Miting hous Which was then Bult
amongst us which is the Most Convenient Place in the parish
to Shout the Popel of the Sd parish yet So it is that a part of
the old Parish of the freand and Relations of M"" Macgrogre with
Som others and Som amongst ourSelvs Without aney Regard
to what was then Don in that afair by the General Court have
without aney Consent of us yea even against our wills obtained
ane ordenation for m"" macgrogre out of our Miting hous and a
litel Time after hath left of to preach in our Aliting hous and
preacheth in a privet hous above the mils from our miting hous
and in about one mile and a half from the old miting hous and
So our miting hous is Left Desolat and forsakin and thereby
hath Defated our Good Desgn in Praying to be Set of as a Par-
436 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ish And also the Gracious Design of Generall Court in Sating
us of and allso would Render us Disobdient to Goverment
Which never entred into our thoughts and would have us Joyn
with them in bulding a new miting hous which they are about
to Arect nerer the old miting hous then ther prasent Place of
worship which is at one Cornor of the parish which if Done will
tend more to the fomenting of our Presant Debats and Stireng
up Strife and Contensions amongs us and to the Destrouing of
Religon then aney thing Els Wherfor your Petisthoners most
humbly Prayeth your Excelence the honorable Counsal and hous
of Representitves in your Wisdom to order us the worship of
god in our miting hous as it Was ordred Befor and your Peti-
shoners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Londonderry March the 5 1736/7
Thomas Wallace John Blear David mc allester
Joseph Bo3's John holens James ^E^rs
James murray Thomas Wallace William m^allester
Samuel Dickey John Barnet James wilson
Joseph bell James Petterson Hugh Grahams
Thomas Hoop Samuel Thompson John Senter Juen""
William dickey micheall M'^Clinto William Wallace
James Wallace William m'^Clinten william thompson
John Duncan John Senier
Joseph Wallace Robart Wallace
[In H. of Rep., April i, 1737, the foregoing petition was
dismissed. — Ed.]
[6-100] \_Relative to a Parish in the tvesterly part of the
Town, 1739-']
To his Exelencey Jonathan Belcher Esq"" Governer and Com-
ander in Chief in and over his Magiestys Provence of New-
hampshier the Honarebl his Magiestys Councel for Sd Pro-
vence and the hous of Represenitive in General asembley Con-
vened
the Pitition of Sundrey of the Inhabitence of the Westrly part
of Londondery in the Provence of new hampshier humbly Shu-
eth—
That at the General Court at Portsmouth in and for the for-
said Provence in aprel 1736 ther was a Pitition preferred to the
General Court of Said Provence that ther Might be a Parish Set
of in said town in the westerly part of Said town AGreeable to
a vote of Said Town that the General Court was pleased by a
vote to Set of for a Parish In the Westerly part of Said town
LONDONDERRY. 437
acording to the folouing Bounds Beginning of the Southerly
part of the toun at a place kown by the name of Ston Dam
thence Runing up Bover Brook to the South west part of Charels
mclorgs lot thence Runing a Straight line by the Norwest Cor-
nar of ninen Cochrans home Lote to amascige Road thence
Runing alongst the Sd Rod to a place none by the Name of the
twelve acer mido Brook thence Runing a noRth to the toun Line
then torning westerly and roning Round the toun line till Bover
Brook then Runing to the Bounds firs menshoned and that the
Miting hous Should be Wher it then Stod in the Westerly Part
of Sd toun and that to the Number of thirty five in Said west-
erly parish might Remain to the old Parish and as Maney of
Said Number as Should go from the Newe Parish to the old So
maney of the old Should go to the new parish and that Befor
the Said vote of the Generall Court was Redused to one act
the Secriterys hous was Consumed by flaims and the vote
amongst other papers was burnt Wherfor your Petitioners most
humblv pray Your Excellency the Honorabl the Councel and
hous of Representitive to Set of a Parish in the westerly part of
Sd town Agreeable to the former vot of the Genarel Court and
your Petishoners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray &c
Dated at Londondery October 12"^ ^737
John M'^leriee William wollac Abram holms
Robart Bell Jr)hn Blair Robart Wallace
Thomas mclire Thomas Hog David morison
William holems david BoGel Samul morison
Thomas BoGel Joseph BoGel Joh" morison
Samul thomson John Wallace Joli" holems
William thomson iohn Crage Ninin Cochran
Angus Mcalester John willson Better Cochran
William """alester Benjamen willson Samul Tood
John Care Andrue todd william hairs
Thomas vv^ollace Aalexander Crage Thomas Wallace
James ares Aalexander mc : ol- Joseph Wallace
Robart Gaye om John Barnat
David mcalester Samul morison First Joseph Bell
James thomson Nethaniel willson James muray
michel mclinton Robart Gifen James woUace
Joseph Boys John mclorg James Paterson
[6-101] \_Proposals for Peace^ ^7J7-'\
To our Christian friends and Brethren of y^ old Congregation in
London Derry ; proposals of peace
Breth"
It is a lamentable Truth, Too evident To be denyd, y' the
43^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Scandalous divisions, both in Civils and Ecleseaiticks, which
have Too long Subsisted among us, are a stain to our holy pro-
fession ; that they have a Natural tendency, to provoke God ; to
procure Judgments and to render us a hissing a reproach and a
byword to our Neighbours and that these are aggravated from
our circumstances, we being Strangers, which ought to excite
us to a stricter amity and unity among our Selves.
but then Seing it is not Complaints & lamentations only, but
proper remidys also, that are Necessary to effect an accomoda-
tion among us ; we therefore out of a Sincere and Disintrested
view To peace, do Chearfuly & unanimously make 3" following
proposals.
Proposal I**' whereas it has been (as we are Inform'd) Sug-
gested or Insinuated, that The design of us who belong to the
New Congregation, is To draw away the Strength of v" old Par-
ish, and Consequently To build upon its Ruins ; we propose
that we who are already Incorporated in the new parish, with
Those who are at present willing to joyn us, who in all are not
one half of y^ town, will oblige our Selves to maintain the Gos-
pel in Our own Congregation, without demanding any help
from our Neighbours in the Other parish ; or if this will not
Satisfie, we propose that the Salary's of both Ministers be asess'd
in common, and equaly levyd from y*^ whole town in general.
As to the Ecclesiastick part of our divisions, we wou'd be
heartily glad that this also were Accomodated : that which ren-
ders a reconciliation in this particular more difficult, is the want
of a Synod, To whose Judgment all partys Consonant To pres-
byterian principles behoof'd to be Subjict : but Since we have
not this Superior Judicature To have Recource To, in this part
of the world : Since appeals to a foreign Church, in Our pres-
ent Scituation and Circumstances is Impracticable even in the
Opinion of Several of y" ministers of y'' own party, whose dis-
ent against Such Apeals, is extant in y*^ minutes of the presby-
tery ; and Since there is a Schism among the Members of pres-
bytery. So that they being partys cannot be admitted as proper
Judges, what must be y*^ Consequence, as Things are thus Cir-
cumstanced, but that Except Some other methode be fovmd out,
Our uncumfcM'table Debates be protracted time without End :
for Remidy wherof we propose.
Proposal 3'^ that a number of ministers, of y"^ Congregational
perswasion. Such as you and we can mutualy agree upon ; Shall
be Invited To meet on this affair ; and that haveing heard the
whole of what is To be Said Pro and Con by the Respective
partys, they Shall then draw up in writing their Result : whether
S** Result Shall be finaly deciseive or Not, we leave to be Con-
sidered. Note, y'' S*^ Ministers Shall be Obliged to judge the
affair agreeable to presbvterian Rules. We for see no objection
LONDONDERRY. 439
of any Seeming weight that can be made against this last pro-
posal but Such as follows; to which by way of anticipation we
Return Some Answer.
Objection i'*' the persons whom you propose as Judges are of
a dit^'arent perswasion ; we Answer bv Concession we grant
they are So, but the Difference is not So wide, but that Some
of y* greatest Divines of y*" presbvterian perswasion, and even of
those who have wrote against them, particulerly the judicious
M'' Rutheroord, has Adress'd them with the friendly Epithet of
D"" Brethren ; for our part we firmly believe, that Notwithstand-
ing the Difference in principle, there are To be found among
them, Many men, of Learning, Goodness, Candor, Impartiality,
and Every qualification, which may Render them very fit Judges
in this affair.
Object" 2^ this proposal if Complyed with, wou'd cast a Re-
flection on the Presbyterian Goverment. as if it were not Suffi-
cient to answer all the Ends of Goverm', without being beholden
To another perswasion : we Answer y*^ objection has no weight
in it; for i*' let it be Concidered that presbyterian Goverm'
Consists in a Subordination of Judicatures, The Inferior To the
Superior ; Now if we had a Synod To apply too and yet this
Remidy were Necessary, it wou'd then Argue a Defect in the
Constetution ; but otherwise the Objection is of No weight.
2*^'^ let it be Concidered, that the judges we propose, tho of an-
other perswasion, are bound to judge by Presbyterian Rules :
the Salutary Medicin is Still the Same, though the Application
be made by Other hands.
we are far from being wSo premptory or wedded to Our own
proposols, as to Say that these and these only are the terms
on which we will be at peace ; but these Are what we look on
as Resonable and Christian ; and if you think them Not Such,
"we wou'd be glad to hear Some from you that are more So.
In the Conclusion we beseech you Brethren, Seriously To
Consider that 'tis your as well as Our Duty if it be possible, as
much as lies in you, To live peacably with all men. to Seek
peace, and pursue it. to lay Down your Gift at the Alter, and
go be Reconcil'd with your Brother : and that Ecept we Do so
Our Religion is Vain, that tho we had all faith to y'^ Removing
of mountains and have Not Charity, we are as A Sounding
Brass and tinkling Cymbal, and that he who Says he loves God
and hates his Brother is a lyar : let the Serious Concideration
of these Awful and weighty truths, leave Such a deep Impres-
sion on us, that we may be willing for peace, on the most Rea-
sonable terms ; and let us look on All Such as wou'd diswade
us from hearkning to Reasonable proposals of accomodation, to
be publick Nusances, the Bane of Civil Society, y" obstructers
of Brotherly love, and the Active Instruments of Satan, and as
440
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Such let US Avoid them with detestation, we are your friends
and Brethren in Christ.
London Derr}' April y" 19"' 1737
Georg Duncan
Jolin Gofte
James Mckeen
James Adams
John Jamison
James Anderson
Daniell macDufie
James Reid
John : m'^Laughlin
James Nesmith
James Clark
Rob' Campbell
Tho** Boies
John Richey
Alex"- m"=Neall
John Blair
Thomas gregg
James Willson
Thomas Clark
John Archibald
John Mckeen
Charles M^Cloarg
Robert Arbuckle
Josiah Arbuckle
James Wallace
Rob' M'keen
Hugh montgomery
James Blair
James Taggart
James Lindsay
William Adams
John Creaig
Daniel m'^'keeney
Jolm taggert
william nutt
John Anderson
Samul andrson
Bart andrson
John Cochran
William Dickey
James Aiers
James Leslie
Samuel m'^keen
James Gregg
mathou tylor
Daniel Macgregore
Hugh Morison
Nathaniel Aken
James Moor
Samuel Dickey
Samuel Graham
Hugh Graham
William Maclintock
James Adams
Pathrick taggart
John Gregg
Robertt Anderson
Andrew Cochran
John Scobey
Samuell Gregg
Archbell m'^cormick
Will Gregg
Robert morison
Hugh moor
Hugh mountgorey
Nathan m^farlan
william Jameson
John Bell
Robart kendey
Williain Aiken
James Rodgers
Henderv mitchiell
David Hunter
thomas tyson
John Woodburn
Sam" Barr
matthew Reid
David Archibald
James Nesmith Sen""
Samuel Huston
[6-103] \_Return of lay i fig- out a Highxvay, I'jj8.'\
Provence of Newhampshire Londonderry May : 15 : 1738
then laid out a highway in said town begining at that Cross
highway that goeth along by Patrick Duglas and William Ad-
amss and so Runing Down the line betwixt s*^ Duglas and
adams as far as his land goeth and so along betwixt s*^ Duglas
and James Callwell upon the line betwixt them to Chaster line
and so Runing aCross the End of s'' Duglas land upon Chaster
line to Chaster Laid out highway note that said highway is to
be two Rhods Wide one Rhode oft' s"^ Duglas land and the other
LONDONDERRY. 441
off the s"* Adams land and s'^ Callwells land laid out by the select
men of Londonderry
Rob' Wear "]
Hugh Willson I g^jg^^
Moses Barnett }\j
Tho^ Willson I ^^-^^^
Andrew Todd J
Recorded the 2S"' of May 173S atru Copeay per Moses Bar-
nett town Clark
We of the Inhabitence of Londondary and hath Ben Survers
of the Within Said Road Dothe asertifey that it is not good
Land for A Contra Road — Neither Cane it bee Made a good
high way
for the year 39 Will"' Murdoc
for the year 40 Mathew wright
for the year 42 James ColKvall
[6-105] \_Petitio7i from Persons formerly belonging to Dra-
cut for a Parish^ ly^i.']
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq'' Governor and
Commander in Chief Li and over His Majestys Province of
New Hampshire in New England, and Vice Admeral of y^
Same, To the Honerable His Majestys Council, for said
Province —
The Petition of the Subscribers being Inhabitants and Pro-
prietors of a Tract of Land formerly belonging to y^ Town of
Dracutt in y^ County of middlesex and Province of y" Massa-
chusitts Bay but Now of y"^ Province of New Plampshire afore
Said —
Most Humbly Sheweth —
That whereas your Petitioners Inhabitants of y* Place afore
mentioned being Latly Sepperated from y*" Province of y®
Massachusitts Bay, by the Settlement of y^ Boundary Line, are
Labouring under many Great and Greavous difficulties, and
disadvantiges at present, and divers of us having suffered many
wronges and Injuries by y* Inhabitants of Dracutt who still pre-
tend to have Jurisdiction over us, and are Dayly Expecting
many other Difficulties to arise, And being distetute of a House
Convenient for y^ Publick worship of God, and being divested
of y* previledge of acting as a Town, and as we being Entirely
willing and Content to yeld all due obedience and submission
to y^ Government of New Hampshire, so we desire in all hum-
ble wise to be protected thereby —
442 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Therefore Your Petitioners Most Humbly pray that your
Excellency and Honers will take our Case into your wise Con-
sideration so far as to Erect us into a Destinct and Sepperate
Township vested with all such powers and previledges as other
Towns in this Province enjoy encluding all those Lands on y*
North of y^ province Boundary Line which was formerly
granted by y^ province of y^ Massachusitts Bay to y^ Town of
Dracutt according to y" Boundarys thereof, (which your peti-
tioners humbly Conceive may prove an Effectuall Remedy for
many of our Greavences)
as Your Petitioners by Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
zechariah coburn thomas Sheria
Josiah Gage Isaac littelhall
Moses Gage edward wyman
Daniel Gage Ebenezer Richardson
Amos Gage Henry Richardson
Simon Beard Joseph Wood
Joseph Wyman John forgison
Thomas Gilmor iVlexander Forgnson
[The foregoing was accompanied by " An abstract taken
from a Plat of Dracutt Township as it was laid out by
Cap" Jon^ Danforth y*^ 26: 3'^ 1702"
Said plan is No. 106, in manuscript volume. — Eu.J
\_Londoiiderry Bounds.^
The Bounds of Londonderry being ten miles Square or so
much as amounts to ten miles Square and no more begining on
the north east angle at a Beech tree marked which is the south-
east angle of Chester and running from thence due south on
Kingston line four miles and an half and from thence on a west
line one mile and three quarters & from thence south six Miles
and a half & from thence west northwest, nine miles and an
half and from thence north eleven miles and an half & from
thence north north east three miles from thence South South
west to the south west angle of Chester and from thence on an
east south east line bounding on Chester ten miles unto the
Beech tree first Mentioned —
[6-107 is a plan of the town, endorsed " Greggs Plat of
Land." — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 443
[6-109] \_RcIative to a Road, I'J43.'\
Province of New Hampshire —
Londonderry May y* 24"* 1743.
These may Certifie that I the Subscriber, am Hartly Satis-
fied and willing that the town of Londonderry, shall enjoy and
Improve the Road laid out by the Select men of that town
about five years aggo leading from the Cross Road that goes
aCross my land, and from thence runing upon the land of Pat-
rick Douglas Will*" Adams »& my Self, untill it meet with the
Road that the town of Chester have laid out to the line between
Chester and Londonderry ; Provided they will pay me for what
land the Road takes according to the prise I paid for it when
I Bought it—
As Witness my hand the day & year above
James Caldwell
[6-1 10] [ Ccrtifcate of Service of a Notice, ^74^ •~\
Londonderry fieb'^ 6*^ 1 741/2
These may Certifie Whome it may Concern that William
Gregg of said town hath served us the Subscribers with the
Copy of Pettition of Severall people in this town that hath
suplicated the Honourable Court at Portsmouth to be sett off'
as a parish by themselves and we have Notified the people
Acordingly and their is none that makes any Obiection that
they should not be sett off" Except three or foure that belongs
to the New parish that hath land Lying in the Bounds of your
petitioners —
Wittness our hands
John Barnett "^
Thomas Cochran j
David vance [> Selectmen
Robert M<=Curdy |
Rob" Cochran J
[6 in] ^Report of a Coiuniittee on Roads, 1743 -']
Province Newhamp''
Persuant to a Vote of the General Court Bareing Date May
26"' 1743, to us the Subscribers a Committee Appointed by the
Gen" Court to goe up to Chester, and London Derry to view
a highway ftbrmerly laid out by Chester and London Derry
and Recorded in Each Town, and also aNother way petitioned
444 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for by Chester and to Make report of your Doeings therein to
the General Court att their Next sessions — We haveing been
up, and View'd Both Ways and Doe find that the Way ftbrm-
erly laid out from Derry to Chester is the Most Conveniant
way for the Accomidation of both the towns aforesaid and for
Other Travelers, in General —
Sepf Z2^ Day, 1743
John Downing, Jur")
Geo Walton ^ Committee
Richerd Jennes )
[In H. of Rep., Sept. 22, 1743, the report was accepted,
and the road established as recommended by the committee.
—Ed.]
Londondery May the 11 1743
I the Subcraber doth Sartifey that I have receved No Sattis-
faction for my Land for highway to Chester Nor is the said
Rode not opned nor Repared
As wittenes my hand —
Parick Douglass
[6-1 12] \_Petition for a Reduction of the Number of
licensed Taverns in Town^ iyj8.'\
To His Excellencv Benning Wentworth Esq. Captain, Gen-
eral, Governor, & Commander, in Chief, in & Over his Alaj-
esty's, Province of New-Hampshire, The Honourable his
Majesty's Council, & House of Representatives, in General,
Assembly, Convened.
The Humble Petition, of the Subscribers Inhabitants of Lon-
donderry & Province aforeSaid, Humbly vSheweth, That the
Number, of Taverns, are so Multiplied, in Londonderry Afore-
said, they are become a Snare to the Youth, & of Evil Ten-
dency, to every Age of Injudicious persons, & if they are All
Continued (or which is worse Increased) we fear they will
More & More Debase, & Debauch, the Manners & Morals of
All such persons as Abovesaid.
Therefore Your Petitioners Humbly pray, that for the future
there may be but four Taverns, & Retailers, Alowed in Lon-
donderry, aforeSaid, & the Inn-holders, to be Chosen by A
majority, of Votes at the Annual Meeting, & so Annually Un-
till the Circumstances, of the Town Requires a greater, Num-
ber, & them that are pro Tempore, to be under such Regula-
tions, in Respect to Travellers, Towns-Men Sabbath-Days, &
LONDONDERRY.
445
every night, as in voui" Great Wisdoms you think Most Con-
venient, & most Conducive, to Incourage Virtue & Discourage
Vice, & your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, Will ever Pray.
Samuell Gregg
Sam" Alison Jun'
Sam'' miller
his
So" o Alls
mark
hugh young
James Taggart
James Anderson
Robert Craig
James Doack
Nathaniel Aiken
Nathanel Holms
Jo° Wallace
Rob' Parkeson
Joseph Cochran
John gill more
Robert Boyes
Mathew Thornton
William Wallace
Thomas Gregg
James Ervins
James Campbell
Robert Logan
William humphra
Samuel morrison
John Ramsey
Samu' moore
Samu' Alison
John morrison
Rob' Wallace
James Wallace
Thomas Willson
Ja' M'^Gregore
James Blair
John m'^keen
John moor
Hugh Montgomery
David mountgumrey
Robert morison
David anderson
Jn° Wiear
Thomas Morison
Sam" Mitchel Jur
thomas Creaige
David Steel
Mo^ Barnett
Andrew Clendinin
James Wallace
Thomas Wallace
[6-1 14] \_Special To'vn- Meet ing called for ^ i'/4§.'\
To The Hon'''*' the House of Represen' for the Province of New
Hamp"" now Convened —
The Petition of James Nesmith and Sam' Barr two of the
Select men of the Town of Londonderry in the Province afores''
in behalf of the other Select men of the Said Town, for them-
selves, an in the behalf of the said Town Humbly Sheweth —
That by the Malefeazance of one of the Constables of the Said
Town and the Literruption and Disturbance made by a party of
the Inhabif* at the Meeting of the Said Lihab'^ to Choose a Rep-
resent''' for the Said Town, the End and Design of the Said
Meeting was Intirelv defeated and the Same broke up without
Choosing any as y*" Hon'"'" House may See bv the Return of the
Sheriff' &c. — So that the vSaid Town is now in this Session of
y"' Gen' Court without a Representive which may possibly be of
111 Consequence to the Same — wherefore yo'' Petition''^ Humbly
pray that the Hon*"'® House would order that the Inhab''' of the
Said Town, may meet Lnmediately & Choose Some proper
Person to Represent them in this Court and in order thereunto
to Direct a precept to the proper Persons to See that matter
Effected, or proceed in Such other manner as the Exigence of
44^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the affair Requires and as shall to you in yo"" Wisdom Seem
meet —
Yo'' Petition" will as in Duty bound ever pray
James Nesmith
Samuell Barr
[6-1 15] \_Relative to Taxes, i'/4§.'\
Provence of New hempshier Londondery February th 37 1745/6
Reseved from Ebeneser Spalding the Sume of two Pound old
tenor for his toun and Provence Rats for the year 1745 as wit-
nes my hand Samuel Dickey Constable
[6-1 16]
Londonderry December th 4 i745
Joseph Butler is Reated i- 5-8
Gorg Bures is Reated o-iS-i
Moses Beeret is Reated 1-05-5
James Beeret is Reated 1-02-2
this is a true Copey taken out of the list Comited to me by
the Select men per
Samuel Dickey Con'
[6- 1 1 7] \^Order to the Constable to collect Taxes, iy64.~\
Provence of Newhampshir
Londonderry Agust the 21 : i'/6^,
to Robert Barnett Collector for the old parish on westerly
Side of Bovour Brook In Said Londonderry : you are hereby
Required and Commanded to Collect the foiling Somes as they
are anexed to Each persons names in this List it being all old
tener In order to pay the Rev'' W'" Davisons Sallary for his La-
bours amoungst us in the ministry for the Corrant year for which
he Shall have an order for from us the Subscribers for the Som
you are to pay and the Remainder you are to pay to us or our
order to Defray the parish Charges In the present year and
whom So Ever Shall Neglect or Refuse to pay the Som or Somes
anexed to ther nams you are to make Distres as tlie Law Di-
rects and for want of Goods or Chattels wheron to Distrain you
are to take the Bodeys of them that So Refuses or neglects to
pay and Committ him hir or them Into the Common Goall at
LONDONDERRY.
447
Portsmouth in Said provence ther to Remain untill they pay the
Som or Somes So afixed to ther nams with all Lawful! Charges
arising ther from or otherwise untill they be Discharged By due
Cource of Law and the Soms So Colectted you are to pay and
answer the order as above at or Before the Last Day of Novem-
ber next InShuing the Deat and this Shall Be your warent
Given under our hands and Seal the Day and year above
Androw Todd") o i
SI TO I oelect
anur Barr >
John Gilmor )
Men
Londonderry September th i3 : 1766
Recivd of Fetter Evins the Sume of nine Shillings Lafull
money it Being in full for the Redemison of Goods taken By
Distress from him By me By Vertue of a waren from the Select
Men of the town of Londonderry for the Collecting the Salery
of the Rev' W" Davison for the year 1 764 —
Robert Barnett Colecter
Wittness Present
Jn° Caldwell
Robert Morison
[_6-ii8'\[^J?elaiive to the Election of an Assemblyman^ 1^62.']
Provance of Newhampshire
Lond'y, Jan"^ y« iS'^ 1763
In Obedence to the within warrant, it being Legally Call**,
the freeholders of S'^ Lond'^ and windham Met on S*^ Day, and
after Reading the warrants for S*^ meeting, they Chose for Mod-
erater for S'^ meeting Coll" Andrew Todd then the moderater,
put it to a vote to See if they would have the assembly man
Chosen by a writen Vote or an hand Vote, and it Carried to
have him by a writen Vote, and by the moderaters orders I
Rec*^ the Vots and Counted them, and their was in Noumber
for Coll" Barr Seventy Six, and for Ensin M'Greger Eighty
Seven and for m'' Rob' Clark thirty Six, then theire was a Con-
test Rose in the meeting before the vots was made publick that
the vote was not fair in the afors*^ vote, and they Contested
about it for Some time, and then the Moderater told them that
he would Give them the vote againe, and also he Give them a
vote to See wither they wold be pol'd off, or have awriten Vote,
and it Carried to have awriten Vote, and I was ordered by the
moderater to Recive the Vots the Second time, and theire was
for Coll" Sam" Barr Seventy two, and for Ensin James M*^Greg-
44^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
er Six, and for Rob' Clark two, and I Retorned the Noumber
to the Moderater, and after wards he Nomenated Coll" Sam^
Barr Chosen to be our assembley Man.
a true Copey of the minits of the afores'' meeting
attest per Mo' Barnett town Clerk
[6-1 19] S^Election of Assemblyniau disputed^ l'/62.']
To y® Honourable House of Representatives, for the Province
of New-Hampshire^ in General Assembly Convened,
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants, & Freeholders,
in Londonderry, & Windham, in the Province Aforesaid,
Qiialified by Law to Vote in Electing Representatives, Humbly
Shews ; —
That Your Petitioners, together with Other Inhabitants, &
Freeholders, Of the Towns Afores'^, Qiialified as Afores'\ Being
Notified Agreeable to Usual Custom, Met in Londonderry
Afores*^, & then & there proceeded, as May Appear by a Copy
of S*^ Meeting herewith Exhibited.
And Whereas, it has Allwiys been the Custom in London-
derry Afores*^ in Chusing a Representative or a Town Officer,
That he who had the Majority of Votes Compaired with any
other Individual voted for, was Deem'd Legally Chosen :
Therefore. Numbers of your Petitioners, when it was known
that James M'^gregore, Gent" had the Majority of Votes By
Eleven Compaired as Above, Left the Meeting, & far the
greater Number of those that Staid, beleiving as Aboves*^, Did
not Vote, But if it is, as Some Alledge, that the person Chosen
Representative, must have the Majority of all the votes then by
our Mistake we have Mised the Opportunity, & neglected to
Emprove our Priviledge of voting for or Against a Representa-
tive ; & the Gentleman s'^ to be our Representative, was not
Chosen by the Majority of Voters, belonging to the Aboves*
Towns Nor by the Majority then present as will Ap2Dear by the
Above s*^ Copy. Now if our Custom is According to Law,
James M'^gregore aboves^ is Representative for the abovesaid
Towns, & we Doubt not will be Declared so by your Honours,
& Accordingly Allow'd a Seat in your Honourable House ; But
if y* Latter is Law, we beleive you to be. Gentlemen, of too
much Justice, Integrity, & Disinterested, Love for the Liber-
ties, & properties. Of your Fellow Subjects, to Take the Ad-
vantage of our Unacquaintedness with Law, or to let any man
have a Seat in your Honourable House, that Obtain'd it any
Other Way but by the free Choice of a free people, or that
LONDONDERRY.
449
would hold it any other Way, if in his power. Therefore,
Your Petitioners Humbly pray your Honours to Declare the
S<i M^gregore our Representative, or order the Selectmen of
Londonderay, & Windham afores*^ to Warn, the Inhabitants
Qiialified as afores*^ to meet at Such time & place as you think
fit, & Elect a Representative, According to Law, & Such a
man as the Majority, will be willing to Intrust with their Lib-
erties, & Properties, & Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will
ever pray.
Dated at Londonderry Jan^ 25''' — AD 1763. —
Mathevv Thornton
Robert Boyes
Samuel Rankin
James Rogers
Robert Mack Jun''
William Rankin
Joseph Cochran
James Cochran
John Wiar
Thomas Campbell
Robert Adams
Alexander M"Mur-
phy
James M'^'Murphy
James Blair
John Wadle
William Adams
Jonathan Adams
Robert Boyd
Hugh Moor
Robert Campble
Samuel Graham
John Clark
Edward Aiken Jun'
William Aiken
William Adams Jun"" James Anderson
Patrick Dugless
William Eayrs
Robert Morrison
David Mountgomery James M"Murphy
Daniel McNeil
Daniel M^Duffy
James Adams
Jonathan Gilmore
George Moors
Jesse Christey
Thomas Christey
Robert M'='=Farland
Samuel Karr
James Campble
Samuel Archibald
Matthew Taylor
Nathaniel Aiken
William Cunning-
ham
Elias Serjeant
Jun^
Robert Fultin
Samuel Fisher
Samuel Morrison
John Hilandes
Thomas Hilandes
Moses Wattes
Robert Davidson
John Aiken Jun'
James Aiken
Benjamin Nesmith
John Rogers
John Moor
James Boyes
George Duncan
John Duncan
John Duncan Jun""
Truworthy Serjeant William Duncan
John Taylor
Hugh Greeg
John Patten
James Miltimber
David Anderson
James Anderson
31
John Aiken
William Boyd
Robert Cunningham
John Senter
Samuel Senter
Reuben Senter
James Gregg
William Alexander
John Woodburn
William Dickey
Joseph Willson
John Thompson
Samuel Thompson
Alexander M"Ales-
ter
Matthew Clark
Joseph Moor
Thomas Nesmith
Thomas Burnside
William Dinsmore
Robert Dinsmore
John Cochran
John Dinsmore
James Jamison
William Layers Jun"' William Jamison
Edward Aiken
Nathaniel Aiken
John Bell
Matthew Pinkerton
James Hopkins
John Hopkins Jun'
John Hopkins
Sampson Moor
450 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Lindsay Isaac Bruster Thomas Craig
Stephen Holland John Scoby John Nesmith
John Wallace John Pinkerton Jun"' William Miltimber
George Clark David Pinkerton James Clark
George Clark Jun"" John Mack William Taylor
Alexander Patterson Robert Mack Jun"" George Scoot
Robert Patterson William Wallace David Archibald
Thomas Willson Christopher Eayrs William Fisher
John Brown James Betton George Clark the
Robert Archibald James M^Cormick third
Robert M'^'^Murphy John Mountgomery Samuel Clark
Samuel Huestin James Campble Jun"" John M'"^Keen
Alexander Huestin James Taggart John Gregg
John Hunter Robert Logan Samuel Gregg
[Set aside, and a new writ from the house sent out-
Ed.]
[R. 2-192] \_Absti'acts from Petitions of French War sol-
diers.^
[In a petition dated " Londonderry this 5^^ day of Feb-
ruary 1757," Daniel McMurphy stated that he was in the
service in 1756, in Capt. John Shepard's company, and lost
his gun, for which he wanted pay, and was allowed ;^8, 5.
—Ed.]
[R. 2-193] [In a petition, dated March 17, 1757, James
Ligget stated that he was in Capt. John Moor's company
in the Crown Point expedition, enlisted April 28, 1755, and
was discharged October 10, 1755. — Ed.]
[R. 2-194] T'""^ Petition of Moses Grimes of Londonderry
Labourer, Most Humblv Sheweth, That your Petitioner was a
Souldier in the Canada Expedition in the year 1757, In the Ser-
vice of this Province under the Command of Cap' Hercules
Mooney & as such Proceeded to Fort William Henry, where
after the seige he was Taken & made Prisoner by the Indians
& Carryed to Canada, where he remained about the Space of
four months & was from thence Transported to several parts of
France & from thence To Plymouth in England where he Took
Passage to Newfoundland & from thence to New York where
LONDONDERRY. 45 I
he arrived the Tenth Day of November 175S & got home about
fourth dav of December, That 3'our Petitioner During his Cap-
tivity had Hard fare & 111 Treatment from the enemy. — * * *
Moses Grimes
[He asked for an allowance, which was granted to the
amount of £,']^ new tenor, March 14, 1759. — Ed.]
[6-130] [^Relative to the Formatlo7z of Counties^ i'/6g.'\
Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq' Gov'' & Commander
in Cheif And to the Honourable his Maj'* Councel and House
of Representetives for s"^ Provence in General Assembly Con-
veen'd —
The Petition of us the subscribers being Inhabitants of the
Town of Londonderry in s'' Province Most Humbly sheweth
that Your Petitioners being Inform*^ that the province is About
being devided into Countys for the ease and benefit of the Inhab-
itants in General in transacting their business of a Publick na-
ture & being also Inform'^ that the General Assembly have Voted
a small County to be sett off adjacent to the Westerly side of
Merrimack, VVe Your Petitioners pray that the Towns of Bow
Chester Londonderry Pelham Plasto salem Hampsted Sandown
which lay Conveninently situated to s*^ County May be anexed
thereto as it wou'd save the most of the Inhabitants of s^ Towns
thirty Miles travell in transacting their busines with Courts
Judges of Probate Register &c And no other persons whatso-
ever wou'd (as your Petitioners Concieve) be Injur'd thereby —
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
Sam" Boyes Will'" Clendinen Math* Taylor
Geo Reid Rob' Clendinen Samuel Taylor
John Steward Jo'i'i Morison Ju' John Hughes
Samuel Wilson mathew Reid Ju Adam Taylor
Thomas Steel John Reid Jolm Durham
John morison James morrow Henry Scott
Nath^ Martin John Hopkins John Douglass
Jn° Steel James thompson John Durham
John Stewart Ju'' James Nesmith
[Other petitions of the same date and nature contain the
following names : — Ed.]
452
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Gregg
Nath" aiken
John Cofren
Samuel paten
John Patten
John Gregg
James Gregg
WilHam Gregg
George Gregg
Benjamin Gregg
Sam" AHson
Sam' Allison — Ju""
thomas Creage
David Craige
John Gate
James m*^ murphy
Joseph Hogg
Abra"' Duncan
Tho'' m'^Cleary
Samuel Morrison
Maur. Lynch
moses wats
John Aiken
Thomas Hilande
Robert Boyes
David m'^clearey
John Watts
Mathew Thornton
George Duncan Ju
Charles mellen
Robert Craige
John moor
Robert moor
John moor
Patrck Dugles
Samuel Clark
Samuel morison
James Cochran
Johtithen Cochran
Samuel miliar Juner
John miller
Hugh mountgumry
John dicky
addam dicky
Josaph Bell
Will™ Hogg
Ja^ Hogg
Jn° Hilands
Adam Wiar
Will"" Wiar
Willia Holms
John Duncan inner
John Duncan
James Aiken
Joseph Oughterson
David Oughterson
william Duncan
george Duncan
James Doack
John Doack
James Doack
James Miltmer
n"" william Miltmer
James Hopkens
Daniel Miltmer
John Thompson
James Wallace
Joseph Cochran
James Donaldson
Samuell Renkin
James Ewins
William Elliot
Alexander Kelso
W" Adams
George Cochran
Robert Moor
Nath' Clark
Alexander Cochran
John Cochran
Willam Cochran
Edward Clemison
Georg Duncan
Robert Duncan
Robert Barnett
John Barnett
John Barnett Junr
James Duncan
Sam' Dickey
Adam Dickey
Robert Dickey
William Wallace
Joseph Clyd
James Millican
Nethanel Hemphill
Thomas Clark
Will"" Dickey
John Armstrong
John Armstrong Ju'
David Gregg
Thomas Cochran
Elijah Cochran
[The following are from Windham :]
Robert Smith
Nath' Hemphill
James anderson
John Clyd
Hugh Clyd
John Campbel
James Betton
David Armstrong
Will™ Campbel
Robert Hemphill
[The following are from Londonderry :]
Will'" Rogers
George Davidson
John Davidson
John M Cartney
Joseph morrison George m'^Allaster
Abraham morison Edward Aiken
James Shellis William Layers
Joseph Morison Jun"' John Woodburn
LONDONDERRY.
453
Alexander Davidson
nenian cochran
William Alexander
John Alexander
Robert Anderson
James Anderson
John Anderson
John Steel
John Steel jur
moses Steel
William steel
Joseph Steell
Isaac Page
Moses Grimes
Frances Grimes
Frances Grimes
Juner
John Campbell
thomas Smith
William adams
Hugh Smith
David Campbell
John smith
William Hood
James Barnet
Reuben Page
Reuben page inner
Simon Bradcest
Richard marshall
iuner
Richard marshall
the third
David Lawrance
Peter Robinson
Benjamin Kidder
Daniel Marshall
Andrew Cummings
Isaac Cumings
John marshall
wilyam Graham
Richard marshall
Samson Kidder
Mathew Reid
William Pettarson
Thomas Campbell
Daniel m'^Neal
Robert morison
William Alexander
Isaack Cochran
Sam" Cochran
Sam" Wallace
W"' Johnston
David Clendinin
Hugh Danshe
John Crombie Junr
W"' Eayrs
James Christy
James Crombie
John Wallace
James Lindsay
James Blair
John Ramsey
W" Blair
John Crombie
Eliphlet Dusten
William Brodneck
Rob' Clark
Jno Clark
Sa" Clark
James Ramsey
James Ramsey Jun''
William Ramsey
Jam* Eyars
Charles Cox
William Cox
William Cox Jun""
Rob' Smith
Will'" Ranken
Samuel morison
Mo* Barnett
John Barnet
James Barnet
Rob' Barnet
Alexander Miller
Steph" Holland
Reuben Senter
Jabes Town
William Boyd
James anderson
Benjamin Wilson
James anderson
Thomas mann
Edward Aiken
Joseph Boyd
Sam*^ Senter
Benjamin Senter
Robert Mack junr
Robert Patterson
Thomas Patterson
John Patterson
Rober' Thomson
Rober' Fulton
David mountgumrey
Samul graham
Adam Dickey
Elisha Cumings
Hugh mountgumrey
George Burrows
David Peabody
Philip marshall
Robert MacMurphy
Robert Adams
Jolm Moor
william morrow
Jonathan Adams
John Holmes
John Dinsmoor
William Dinsmoor
Rob' Dinsmoor
Sam" Morison
David Smiley
John Morison
John Stewart
Benjamin Thom
Sani" Morison J'
William Thom
Robert Park
David Hopkins
Gain Armour
jn° Morrow
jam' Morrow
Moses Dutty
Aurther Darrah
James Gillmore
Alex"*-^ Park
Sam" M^Adams
Mark Coin
Joseph Smith
Alex'^'' Wilson
John Wilson
thomas wilson
454
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Boyes
Robert Boyes
Sam' Greg
Abram Reed
John Livingston
AUexander Stewart
John Barr
James Alexander
Andrew Jack
James Cochran Jur
John Stinson
Nathan Stinson
James Stinson
Archibald Clindenen
David Morison
James Patterson
Ebenezer Patterson
John Clark
Samull Thompson
John Thompson
Joseph Willson
John Willson
James Gregg
David Woodburn
John Woodburn
thomas willson
Petter Patterson
Alex** Richey
Tho"" Jameson
James Jameson
william Jameson
Ailex*^'' Simpson
Adam Tempelton
Charles Annes
Rob' hopkin
And"" Armour
Jam^ Thomson
]n° Tufft
Hen""-^' Campbel
Alexander m^allster Sam" Campbel
Archibald m^VllasterWill'" Campbel
John m^Allaster jn° Karr
[6-128] \^An Address to the Goveriior^ ^773 •\
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Cap' Gen' and Gov"^
in chief in and over his Majestys Province of New Hamp-
shire—
The inhabitants of the town of Londonderry, beg leave to
approach your Excell^ and to express their sentiments of grati-
tude, and affection, to your Excellency's person, and adminis-
tration.—
We esteem it a peculiar mark of the favor of his gratious
Majesty, that he has appointed to the supream command here,
a Gentleman whose birth, and education, have been in the
province, over which he presides. From these circumstances,
and your ExcelP'^ known character, we early conceived, the
most sanguine hopes, from your administration. Nor have we
been disappointed. The unabated attention you have given to
the intrests of the Province, has not only been felt by the peo-
ple of your charge ; but has been observed (we had almost said
envied) by our neighbours who are without the line of your
jurisdiction.
The cultivation of land within the government, and the ex-
tention of settlem' even to regions that were scarce known
when your Excell^ came to the chair, must be attributed in a
great measure, to your care, and the benignity of your Govern-
ment, But it has not been in this view alone that you have been
the Patron of this people. To extend settlements, or to culti-
vate lands, while the people that settle and cultivate, are with-
out the means of knowledge, might be rather injurious than
beneficial. But these have not escaped your Excellenc^'^ atten-
tion. The institution of a College in the wilderness, and the
LONDONDERRY. 455
liberal encouragement it has received from your hand is an
abundant evidence of this attention, —
We cannot help mentioning as a peculiar happiness, of the
people under your Excell'* charge, that your ears have been
always open to their voice. — The easie access they have gain'd ;
and the polite reception they have Met with ; from you has
afforded them the means of communicating and vour Excell'^
of receiving all necessary information of their wishes, and of
their wants. —
We have been excited to make this address to your Excels as
a testimonial of our sense of your benign Administration ; and
as an evidence of our opinion of any suggestions, that may
have been made to the prejudice of vour Excellencv in these
respects. And to assure you of our loyalty to the King and
our affection to your Person —
That your Excell-^ may live long ; and long continue the hap-
py Instrum' in the hands of Providence, of much good to this
people, is our ardent wish and prayer
Londonderry April 29 A. D 1773 —
The Above Address was Read in a town-Meeting Legally
Called for that purpose and it was Unanimously Voted that it
should be presented to His Excellency John Wentworth Esq.
Atested per Henry Campbell Town Clerk
[6-130] [^Relative to Parish Affairs^ 1774.']
Rockingham ss Londonderry Febr^ 14"' 1774
To James Betton — Esquire one of his Majestys justices of the
Peace for said County of Rockingham
The Petetions of us the Subscribers being freeholders and
Inhabitants of the old Parish of Londonderry in the County
aforesaid humbly sheweth that by an Act of the general Asem-
bly of this Province pased in the year 1739/40 there was A
Parish set of from said Town Called the west or New Parish
with Parish priviledges notwithstanding which they the said
New Parish have always assembled and Voted with the peti-
tioners in the Choice of Select men and other Town Officers
and your petitioners have no proper officers of theire own to
Call a meeting but have Lost that Priviledge
Your petitioners terefore pray that aCording To the Law of
this Province in such Cases provded your honours would isue
a warrant or notification to the freeholders and Inhabitants of
45^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
said old parish in Londonderry qualified by law to vote in town
aftiiirs to meet at the meeting house in said parish on the c;'^
Day of march next at ten of the Clock in the forenoon for the
following purposes namely to choose a Moderater Town Clerk
Select men and all other town officers for the ensuing year and
your petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Stephen Holland James Cochran
Robert Clark Robert moor
James Wallace william vance
Samuel Alison James Alexander
moses Barnet John m^Cartney
Samuel Barr David Craig
A true Coppey of the affors'^ Pitition
Attest Mo' Barnett town Clerk
[6-13 1 ] \_Petition to have an Election set aside^ iyy4.'\
Province of Newhampshire
To the hon*"'" House of Representatives for said province in
General assembly Conven**
The Humble petition of us the Subscribers freeholders in
the Town of Londonderry and windham in s*^ province sheweth
that Sam" Livermore Sam" Barr and Stephen Holland Esq"
and Robert Moor and John Crombie Gentlemen under Collour
of being Select men of a pretended east Town in London-
derry issued a warrant for Calling a meeting of the free-
holders in the pretended East town in s'' Londonderry and
allso a Notification to the freeholders of the west parish in
said Londonderry for the election of a Representative for said
Londonderry in the then Next General Assembly in Conse-
quence of said warrant so illegaly issued as your petitioners
Conceive there was a Meeting of part of the freeholders in s^
LonDonderry at which Meeting the part that inclined to Vote
Chose Stephen Holland Esq'' as a Representative for said town
Y"' petitioners Conceiving the s^ Meeting illegal in every Re-
spect Did Not Vote but protested Against the unwarrantable
proceedings of the Same Wherefore they pray s"* Election May
Be adjudged Void and that they May have a New Choice and
your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray
Londonderry April y*^ 12 i774
Andrew Todd Benj" Gregg Ja^ Nesmith
George Duncan Mathew Clark Jacob Chace
San" Fisher Dav Anderson Hugh Moor
LONDONDERRY.
457
John ISJesmith
James Paul
David Paul
John taylor
Adam taylor
Samuel Taylor
James m'^keen
Jonathan Gillmore
Rob' Morison
Rob' Hunter
Robert archbold
Arthur archbold
James M'^Gregore
Ja* Adams
Rob' adams
Rob' M'farland
John Karr
Rob' Wallace
James Hopkins
Sam" Elis
will"" Cunningham
Simeon Morral
Barnes Morral
David Colby
David Colby Ju''
David Tayler
will"" Taylor
Danil Cheney
Stephen Johnson
John Greg
Joseph Gregg
Sam" Gregg Ju""
James Milltimber
John Guniou
George Reid
Ja^ willson
John Nesmith Ju''
John Hopkins
John Hopkins Ju'
Rob' Hopkins
Sam^' willson
George Clark
Sam''' Clark
Isaac Cochran
Thomas Anderson
will'" Gregg
Ja' Gregg
George Gregg
Sam" Marsh
John Marsh
will'" Milltimer
John Cochran
John Annis
John M'^keen Ju''
Rob' M-^keen
Thomas Clark
John M"^keen
David M'keen
John Dunkan
Thomas Hi land
Ja^ Donaldson
Sam" Morison
Ja^ Nesmith Ju''
John Dunkan
will"" Dunkan
Rob' M'Cluer
James AIacGregoi"e
Sam" Karr
John Ailven
Nath" aiken
Ja^ Aiken
John Bell
Isaac Bruster
John Pinkerton
Abraham Dunkan
Ja' M"=Murphy
Ja^ Taggart
George Dunken Ju'
Thomas Taggart
Rob' MacNeil
John Hunter
Jonathan Adams
Daniel Hunter
Sam" Huston
Alex'' Huston
Ja' Adams
John waddel
James Waddel
Joini Wallace
Ja'' Wallace
George Wallace
Sam' Renken
will'" Renken
will'" Cox
Ja' Gorman
Joseph Cochran
John Weiar
[The election was declared illegal, and a precept for an-
other one issued. — Ed.]
[6-134] [_Pt'otesi agahtst the foregoitig named Tovjn- Meet-
ing.']
To Sam" Livermore and Samell Barr and Stephen Holland
Esq'* and Robert Moor and John Crombie Gentlemen We the
Subscribers Inhabitants of Londonderry and windham Having
heard that you have ordered warrants to be Set up to Call a
Meeting at the Rev*' william Davidsons Meeting House on
Saturday y'' 2^ of April Next to Chuse a Representative to go to
the General Court — we Do Hereby Take this Opportunity of
458
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Entring our protest Aginst any of your proceedings that May
Be Transacted at Said Meeting as your Warrant we think is
without any Just foundation for the following Reasons —
Viz that we Do Not Look upon you to be the Select men o
LonDonderry or any part thereof and that you have Taken Hold
of the Sherrifs writ Directed to the Select men of Londonderry
to warn Said Meeting without Bringing the Matter in Dispute
who are the Legal Select men for Said Town before the proper
Judges who are to Determine the Same Given under our hands
y*^ twenty Eighth of March 1774
John M'keen
Ja^ MacGregore
Rob' MacNeil
Rob' Adams
James Adams
Rob' Adams Ju'
James Hopkins
John Karr
Robert M<=forland
Robert Wallace
will"^ Cunningham
Sam" Eli
william Tayler
David Tayler
Simeon Morral
Barnes Morral
Stephen Johnston
Abraham Page
Daniel Cheney
Ja^ Cheney
Daniel MacDufte
James M'^Gregore
Jonathan Gillmore
Archbold M^'Murphy
Jonathan Adams
John Livingston
Rob' Morison
Robert Hunter
John Hunter
John Wallace
Rob' archbold
Daniel Hunter
Sam" Ren ken
Samuel Huston
John Waddel
will™ Renken
will™ Cox
Joseph Cochran
will™ Gregg
John Nesmith
David Anderson
John Gunnison
Math" Clark
James Gregg
Isaac Cochran
Thomas Anderson
Thomas Clark
George Gregg
John M<^keen Ju""
David Colby
John Tayler
James Paul
David paul
Sam" willson
John Anniss
George Re id
Adam Tayler
Adam Dickey
Thomas Taggart
John Barnet
James Taggart
John Dunkan
George Dunkan Ju""
Ja'' M<=Murphy
John Craige
Samuel fisher
John Cate
James Milltimber
Sam" Karr
Edward Eli
Robert Boyd
Sam" willson Ju'
Sam" Marsh
John Marsh
Ja^ willson
will™ Miltimber
John Hopkins
John Hopkins Ju""
Robert Hopkins
John Nesmith Ju''
Thomas Nesmith
Sam" Clark
David M'^keen
will™ Dickey
Abraham Dunkan
Jacob Chase
John Dickey
Joseph Bell
John Pinkerton
John Dunkan Ju'
will™ Dunkan
John watt
George Dunkan
John Barnet Ju''
James Donaldson
Thomas Hiland
James Nesmith Ju'
Robert M-^Clure
Hugh Moor
John Gregg
Benjamin Gregg
Sam" Gregg
Joseph Gregg
John Aiken
James Ewins
James Aiken
Nath" Aiken
LONDONDERRY.
459
Ja' waddel
James Adams
Mathevv Pinkerton
Ja' Dinsmore
James Wallace
James Blair
Alex"" Huston
Rob' Smith
John Dinsmore
will'" Dinsmore
John Cochran Ju''
Isaac Cochran Ju''
James Cochran
Thomas Jamison
Thomas Craige
James MacUeen
George Wallace
John Bell
David Pinkerton
John Pinkerton Ju""
Isaac Bruster
Thomas Craige Ju'
Evidence to the above paper
Samuel gregg Robert mckeen
[6-135] \_Relf?iburscmen( zvanied for Money paid Men -who
turned out on the Lexington Alarm, ly^S-']
Londonderry October y* 9 : i775-
To the Honourable Congress of the Colony of New Hamp-
shire Convened at Exeter —
Gentlemen We the Subscribers being Selectmen for
Londonderry Begs leave to lay Before your Honours
That upon the Comencement of Hostilitys by the
Kings Troops Last april we raised a Company
of fifty men and Sent Down upon that Emergency
and we advanced Twelve Pound L : M : for their
Support as Billiting money Said Company Remained
There upon Duty Eleven Days untill they were
Dismised for that Time in order to Inlist a full
Company to Join the Contenentall army uiitill
The last of Next December and when said
Company was raised we again advanced Six
Pound L : M : as Billeting money to Carry them
To Head Qiiarters
Wherefore we Pray that vour Honours would Take
This matter under your Consideration and
Reimburse Said Sums with the wages of said
Company for the aforesaid Eleven Days unto
your petitioners as said Company is very
Earnest upon us for their Wages and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Mo' Barnett
Will-" Duncan
Sam" Allison
Hugh Montgomery
John Bell
460 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-195]
[In a petition dated June 14, 1764, Thomas Launen, of
Londonderry, stated that he " Served his majesty as a Sol-
dier in Cap* Nehemiah Lovells Company in the Pay of this
Province in 1762." His pay had been drawn on a forged
order. In H. of Rep., June 15, 1764, he was allowed
£7, 14, 6.— Ed.]
[R. 2-197]
[Thomas Davidson, of Londonderry, stated that his son
William was "a Soldier in the year 1762, under the Com-
mand of Cap* John Hazzen in Col" John GofTes Regiment."
He was sick at Crown Point, and there died January 10,
1763. Samuel Barr, acting as attorney for said Thomas,
petitioned for the wages due said William. — Ed.]
[R. 2-199]
This May certify that the bearer John Livingston within
named went to Exeter and Brought A Horse and Cart from
there to Londonderry and Carry^ His Tools from there on his
Expence to Medford to work as an armourer for y" Continentall
army
James M'^Gregore
April y* io"> 1776
[He presented a bill of expense amounting to ;^i, 7, i.
—Ed.]
[R. 2-200] \_Petitio7t of David George^ Soldier^ iyy6.'\
[In a petition dated Londonderry, February 20, 1776,
David George stated that he was " in Col° Arnolds Regm*
going from Head Quarters to Canada and going up Kene-
bunk River the Batue overset and I lost my gun ;" and
further stated that he " Bought another gun from Samuel
Cherry, and at the Time when generall mountgomery
attempted to Storm Quebeck your Petitioner was sick in
Hospitle and my gun was taken by a soldier who was taken
Prisoner and I Lost her." He asked to be paid for the
guns. — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 46 I
[R. 2-201] \_Service of JSIinute Men^ ^77S''\
To the Gentlemen members of the pi^ovincial Congress in
Assembly Conven'd we the Subscribers Inhabitants of London-
derry humbly shews that we the said Inhabitants of said town
afores*^ on hearing of the alarm and dangerous Estate of our
fellow brethren on the nineteenth of April last and likewise
after the battle at Bunker Hill repaired severall of us to their
help which cost us much both money and time which we hum-
bly pray you to consider and if you see fit be pleased to allow
us a reasonable consideration as a Retaliation for the following
charges occasioned by the same
at Concord alarm
James Nesmith for travel in going and coming from London-
derry to Cambridge 90 miles and 3 days service
John Morrison Jun'' for travel 90 miles & 3 days service as
above
Robert Wilson for travel forty five miles also 8 lb of pork and
25 lb of bread
John Barnet 9 lb of Poark and 9 lb of Bread
Samuel Morrison for travel 45 miles
Matthew Dickey Ditto 45 miles
After the battle at Bunker hill
Robert Willson Serving as a Capt, being chosen tor an
Emergency as a minute oficer for travel 90 miles and 3 days
Service
Joseph Hogg as a Lieut, for travel 90 miles and 3 days Ser-
vice
James Nesmith Ju' as an Ensign for travel 90 miles and 3
days Service
Samuel Morrison for travel 90 miles and 3 days Service
John Watts Ditto 90 miles and 3 days Service
Moses Watts Ditto 90 miles and 3 days Service
Josiah Duncan 90 miles and 3 days Service
Robert Hodge for 90 miles travel and 3 days Service
Hugh Jameson Ditto 90 miles and 3 days Service
James Boyes Jur for 90 miles travel also 3 days Ditto
James Boyes y'^ 3'^ Ditto 90 miles travel and 3 days Service
Jonathan George for 90 miles travel and 3 days Service
John Moor Ditto 90 miles travel and 3 days Service
the following persons travelled about 40 miles and then re-
turned home again on their hearing that they were not needed —
462 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
James Thompson and James Donaldson as Sergeants
will'" wier w™ Lyon Thomas m'^Cleary James hogg Alex'
Craige John Morrison
[R. 3-202]
[William MacMurphy stated, in a petition dated March
21, 1777, that he was "a soldier in Cap* Joseph Estabrook
Company in Col° Timothy Biddies Regiment was taken
Prisoner at a place Called the Cedars in Canada in may
1776 and lost a Number of articles to the amount of five
pounds thirteen shillings and sixpence," for which he wanted
to be paid. — Ed.]
[R. 2-203]
[Daniel McMurphy, lieutenant in Capt. Elliot's company,
was wounded at Bennington, August 16, 1777. — Ed.]
[R. 2-204] \_Thomas Archibald^ Soldier^ lyyS.']
These may Certify that Thomas Archibald a soldier under
my Comand at Fishkill by the misfortune of falling into the
River Took a Lameness in one of his knees that Rendered him
unfitt for Duty as a soldier and also unfitt to gain his Living by
labour Which cost him a large sume of money to Doctors and
Nurses and also for horse hire to bring him home
Daniel Runnels Cap*
Londonderry march y* 9"" 177S
[R. 2-205] \_Sergt. William Alorrill^ J'77'^-Ji
These Certify that Sarg"' VV"' morrel of Captain W" Stillsons
Company of Coll" Isaac Wyman's Regiment has drawn no
wages in s*^ Regiment for the month of October Last
W" Stillson Cap'°
Mount Independance Novem'' 13"' I'J'jS.
[R, 2-206] \_Soldlers' EnlisttneTtt^ i'j'jg.~\
Londonderry July y^ 26"' 1779
We the Subscribers being Lilisted Soldiers for Londonderry
to serve the United States of America for six months acknowl-
LONDONDERRY. 463
edge to have Received from John Moor ten Pounds each of
us as traveling fees to Providence Rec"* by us
his
Thomas Drew W inser X Golden Johr* mccarty
mark his
archebald John Ross Neil X Macgee
mark
Witness present William Alexander Daniel m'Duffee
[R. 2-207] \_Samuel Thompson's Petition^ lySo.^
The humble Petition of Samuel Thompson of Londonderry,
Inholder, Sheweth — That your Pef^ late son Samuel Thompson
entered early into the Service of the united States — was an En-
sign in Bunker Hill fight, and afterwards at Ticonderoga caught
the Small Pox and died there Intestate without Issue. That
the said Samuel the son in his life time viz' about the year 1774
Bargained with one John Rogers of Acworth attorney & agent
to Col° James Rogers, (now with the enemy) for two hundred
acre Lots in said Acworth then belonging to said James & be-
ing Lots No. 5 & 6 in the first Range there. * * *
Londonderry June 8"* 1780
Samuel Thompson
[He stated that his son paid ;!{^i8 for said land, and had
made some improvement thereon, and that he wished to
have it excepted in the confiscation of Col. Rogers's proper-
ty, which was granted. — Ed.]
[R. 2-20S] [Co/. Scatmnel reconijnends Lieut. Asa Senterfor
Pro?notion.i I'j8i.~\
New Hampshire Village 17"' of May 1781 —
Cap' Simeon Sartwell late of the first New Hampshire Reg',
having Resigned the eleventh Ins' I do certify that Lt. Asa Sen-
ter being Senior L' in that Reg' is justly entitled to y*^ Promo-
tion of a Captaincy & to take Rank from the twelfth of this
Month
To the Honb' the President Alexd"" Scammel Col°
State of New Hampshire i" N. H. R.
[R. 2-210]
[John Nesmith stated, Jan. 2, 1782, that he engaged "as
a Lieut in the year 1777, and served as such until the 25***
464 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
of Sept. in the year 17 y<)" when he resigned, but had lost
his discharge. — Ed.]
[R. 2-215] \_yoseph Hogg's Order. '\
M"" John tyeler Sir Please to Pay to M"' John Neell the hole
of M' Robert mc Nits wedges that is Due to him for Being
acontell Shoger and In so doing you will obledge yours to Serve
you
Londonderry September y* 6'^ 17S4
Joseph Hogg
[R. 2-217] \_Sa7nuel Houstoti^ one of Washington's Guard.'\
[In a petition dated Feb. 9, 1785, Samuel Houston, of
Londonderry, stated " That your petitioner was draughted
from €01** Stark's Regiment into his Excellency General
Washington foot-guard in February A D. 1776, and on the
first day of January A D. 1777 your petitioner engaged in
the third Regiment of Light Dragoons, for the term of three
years ; which full term your petitioner compleated in said
service and was honorably discharged." He stated that he
had received no pay from this state. — Ed.]
[R. 2-218]
[This document is a petition from William Adams for an
allowance for the depreciation of his wages, dated London-
derry, June 7, 1791. The following explains his case : — Ed.]
[R. 2-222]
This may Certify whom it may concern that William Adams
your petitioner was a Sergeant in my Company in Col" Pea-
body's Regiment in the year's service at Rhode-Island in the
year ^77^ —
Londonderry December 6* 1792
Dan^ Reynolds Cap'
This may also certify that the aboves*^ William Adams never
received any Bounty from this Town for the abovesaid year's
service
Dan' Reynolds '\ Select Men
Thomas Patterson > of
John Bell ) Londonderry
LONDONDERRY. 465
[R. 2-223] \_Relative to JLieut. JRobert J5arnei.~\
[In H. of Rep., March 5, 1778, the committee on sick and
wounded soldiers reported " that said Barnett was seized
with a Fever and Scorbutic Disorders at Ticonderoga ;" that
" he sustains the Character of an able & brave officer." Said
committee recommended that he be employed in some suit-
able service, and he was, on the first day of June, 1779, Clus-
tered into the regiment of invalids as lieutenant, as may be
seen in R. 2-224, ^"^ the following : — Ed.]
[R. 2-225]
This may certify that Lieut Rob* Barnet has been Mustered
in the Invalid Reg' from the first of June i779 but has drawn
no pay in said Reg' untill the first of January Sz and as it is
Recommended by Congress for each state to settle with their
troops up to the commencement of the said year 82 he is Rec-
ommended to the state of N : Hampshire to which he Belongs
for a settlement of his back pay due
West Point Talmage Hall L' Paymaster Invd Reg'.
Novemb' 2*^ 1782 Lewis Nicola Coll" tnv"^.
[Lieut. Robert Barnet was placed on the pension list at
three pounds per month, commencing June 25, 1783. — Ed.]
[6-138] \_Petiiion for the Release of Stephen Holland^ -^777 2
To the Hon'''* the Committee of Safety for the State of New
Hampshire —
Humbly Shew
The Subscribers Inhabitants and Freeholders in London-
derry—
That the distressed situation of our neighbour Col° Stephen
Holland, a Person naturaly of a Slender Constitution, now
greatly impaired, by his long Confinement (in a loathesome
Goal, replete with the noxious fumes of an infectious Vault)
under which we conceive, nothing but conscious innocence,
& the Expectation of an Honourable delivery by the impartial
Verdict of his Country could have supported him, induces us to
interest ourselves in his behalf —
That, as the Superiour Court of Judicature, at which he ex-
pected to have his Trial next week, is, as we learn, to be ad-
journed to the twenty first Day of October next, we apprehend
32
466
EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
that before that time, unless he is speedily releived by an Alter-
ation of Diet, fresh Air & Exercise, his Strength already almost
exhausted, will totally fail him, & the State by his dissolution
be prevented of that Enquiry into his Conduct which Justice to
it & him demands —
That as the inflicting Punishment upon any Person, for a
Supposed offence, is incompatible with Justice, & the Princi-
ples of a free Government, so we conceive it is far from your
honours intention with Regard to him ; but would humbly sub-
mit to your Candid Consideration, whether such a tedious Con-
finement as he has undergone is not of itself a punishment;
especially, if, in this State, no person, supposed guilty of the
Offence, he is accused of, was ever deemed not bailable —
Wherefore we Humbly pray your Honours in your great
Humanity, to commiserate his Condition, and admit him to
Bail, upon such Security as in your wisdom, you shall Judge
adequate — And as in duty bound Shall ever pray &C
Londonderry Aug**' 27* 1777 —
James Cochran
Alexander Lesley
Andrew Smith
Dinis Halev
Thomas Smith
John Stinson
Nathan Stinson
[Other petitions for the same purpose contain the fol-
lowing names : — Ed.]
John Clark
Sam" Clark
William Cox
George Cochran
Charles Cox
James Crombie
John Crombie
Sam' Campbel
Abraham morison
Mathew Reid
Richard Emerson
Joseph morrison
Robert Clinding
James Clandanein
Abraham Reid
Elisha Woodbery
John morrow
Benj" Davis
Samuall Sandrs
Jeofrey Donohue
thomas Jameison
Hugh Kalley
Peter Kalley
Thomas mitchel
John Reid
Samuel Morison
Chelles Sargent
Samuel Sargent
John Steaurt
Thomas Stuart
Will'" Humphry
Thomas willson
John Cochran
Rob' Clindinin
James Thomson
James Cochran
Samuel morrison
thomos Creige
John morison
Rob* Barnett
Sam" Allison
Andew Allison
Jesse anis
Bradley mitchall
Jonathan Cochran
Petor Petorson
Simon Williams
Minister of the Gos-
pel of Peace
Isaac Thom
Alexander Simpson
William Simson
John Kerr
John Simpson
Richard Kelly
Joseph Morison Jun'
LONDONDERRY. 467
[Col. Stephen Holland was a prominent man in town
prior to the Revolution ; was a member of the provincial
assembly from 1771 to 1775, being succeeded by Matthew
Thornton in April of that year. Having been suspected
and charged with being unfriendly to the American cause,
he appeared at a town-meeting in Londonderry April
29th, and made a public declaration to the contrary. (Vol.
Vn, page 463.) He also signed the " Association Test " in
1776, notwithstanding which he proved to be a tory, was
arrested and imprisoned, and his property confiscated. —
Ed.]
[6-1 41] \_Petition of Certain Persons to be annexed to Not-
tinghafn West, Ij'j8.'\
To the Honourable the Council and assembly of the State of
New Hampshire convened on the Eleventh day of Feb"^ Ins*
at Exeter, within & for said State
The petition of us the subscribers being Inhabitants of the
soutli westerly part of Londonderry, Humblv shews, that we your
petitioners live very remote from that part of Londonderry
where all Bussiness of a public nature is transacted, nor is it
but very seldom we can hear of the public Meetings of the said
Town, And should we hear of such Meetings the distance is
so far that but very few of us could Attend at all, & those who
do, must do it at a Considerable Expence having Eight or Ten
Miles to Travel for that purpose
That it very often happens, that when any Material Business
is to be transacted, meetings are held, without our Knowledge,
by which we loose the privileges enjoyed by Others. And as
our Situation is much Nearer to the middle of Nottingham
West it would be greatly for our Interest to be Annexed to that
town, which we think will not prejudice Londonderry, as we
pay no part towards supporting the Gospel in that town, but do
it to the town of Nottingham West where we have helped to
build a Meeting House and settle A Minister, and the Chief
of Other Town Charges will diminish in proportion to the de-
duction made in Consequence hereof.
Your petitioners therefore most humbly pray that your Hon-
ours, will take the premises into consideration and give us
leave to bring in a bill to Annex the south westerly part of
Londonderry as described by a map of the same to be shewn
the day of hearing, to the town of Nottingham West, agrea-
ble to a Vote of the said town of Nottingham for that purpose,
468 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
or otherwise as your Honours in your Wisdom shall see meet.
And we your petitioners, as in Duty Bound shall ever pray
Feby 3"* 1778—
Levi Andrews William Graham
John Smith Moses Barret
Josiah Burroughs Ezekiel Greele
Ebenezer Tarbox David Peabody
Simeon Robertson George Burrows
Simeon Barret David Lawrence
John Marshall Sampson Kidder
Tames Barrett Richard Marshall
William Hood Benjamin Kidder
W. Elener Graham Hugh Smith
Joseph Steel Will'" McAdams
Isaac Page Thomas Smith
Philip Marshall Joseph Hobbs
[The foregoing request was granted, and the territory
annexed to Nottingham West, now Hudson, March 6, 1778.
—Ed.]
[6-142] \_Relative to certain Persoits being annexed to
Windham^ 1778.']
To the Hon'''" General Assembly for the State of New-Hamp-
shire, Convened at Exeter, Nov"' 17"' AD 1778 —
The subscribers select men for the Town of Londonderry the
present 3'ear Humbly shews. —
That one Samuel Clark of said Londonderry, has informed
your petitioners, that he has petitioned your Honours, to be
disannexed from Londonderry, & annexed to Windham, & as
there are sundry in Londonderry, & Windham in similar cir-
cumstances, with said Clark, & as Londonderry are very de-
sirous to make a just & Equitable Exchange with Windham
for the whole by a Committee from each Town. —
Therefore your petitioners Humbly pray for time, & Oppor-
tunity to make such agreeiuent, — Or in Case we are Obliged
to trouble your Honours, that we may have the Liberty to lay
the whole before you at once, & your petitioners as in Duty
will ever pray &c
John m'^keen \
James Wallace > Select men
Robert MacMurphy j
LONDONDERRY, 469
[6-144] \^Recom7nendat ions for ISIilitary Officers^ J'/8o.~\
Londonderry June y^ 19* 1780
In a Legal Town Meeting of the Inhabitants of said Town
partly for that purpose Called and held this Day it was voted
that John Bell Esq'' be reccomended to vour Hon" to be Com-
missioned as Chief Colonel and Maj"' Daniel Runnels as L*
Colonel of the Reg' of malita Late Col. Thorntons —
John Moor town Clark
Test-
James Wallace ^
Robert M'^Neill 1 Select
James Nesmith Ju"" J Men
Andrew mack j
[6-145] \_ReIative to the Enlistment of Londonder?y Men
by JMassacJntsetts^ Ij8i.^
To the Hon""'* the members of the Council and House of Rep-
resentatives in Gen' Assembly Convened at Exeter in the
State of Newhampshire —
The Petition of your Subscribers humbly shevveth — That we
the Subscribers select men for the town of Londonderry being
Called upon by your Hon" to furnish and raise for the filling
up of the Continental army Thirty Three men the which has
not yet been fully Compleated — In the mean time several Gen-
tlemen from the State of the Massachusetts Bay Came into the
town of Londonderry and have Inlisted into the service of s*^
State a Large Number of the Inhabitants of s'' Town which we
Esteem a Great Prejudice and Grevance to us the Inhabitants
of s*^ Town on account of the want of Inhabitants in said town
If Called upon for a new Levy and also on account of the De-
ficiency of this States Qiiota as well as the want of tlieir part
of the proportion of their Tax in these Difficult Times and
understanding that Timothy Harrington and four others from
said Town were on their March to Join said Massachusetts
Troops — we the Selectmen of said Londonderry thought it
Adviseable to detain said Harrington and Company and hold
them in Custody untill your pleasure herein is known —
we therefore in behalf of -s^ Town as well as in behalf of the
State in Gen" pray that your Hon" would take the Same into
Imediate Consideration and take some Effectual measures (If
your Hon" sees fit) that the same may be finally prevented as
well as all others from g'oinsf into the Service of s** Massachu-
470 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
setts State untill this States Qiiota is fully Compleated and your
Petitioners Shall ever Pray &c —
L : Derry March y^ 19"^ 1781 —
James Wallace
Daniel Hunter
Andrew mack
James Nesmithjr
Select-Men
[6-146] \^Relatlve to the Line between this Toxvn aitd Wind-
ham^ I'/82.'\
To the Honorable the Council, and House of Representatives
of the State of New-Hampshire in general Assembly con-
vened at Concord, the 10* Sepf 17S2, the petition of the
selectmen of Londonderry humbly sheweth, that,
Whereas, by an act of the general Court of the Province of
New-Hampshire, passed the 12"' February 1741-3, a certain
district was laid off' the south side of Londonderry, and incor-
porated into a town, by the name of Windham, limited by cer-
tain metes and boundaries (viz) beginning at the house of John
Hopkins, and thence running eastward and westward, as ap-
pears from a copy of the act ; it was generally supposed by the
inhabitants living near the line, that the easterly line would
strike a certain internal angle of said Londonderry, as seems to
have been the intention of said act; but, contrary to expectation
when, about four years ago, the said easterly line was run, it
was found to leave the said angle a little to the southward, by
which means a strip of land, one mile and three quarters long,
and but about fifty five rods wide, is included in said Windham,
as appears from the plan herewith presented ; and some of the
owners of land in said strip are taxed in W'indham for the
same, which has always been considered and taxed as belong-
ing to Londonderry, which is looked upon by us as a great
grievance : we, therefore, your petitioners in behalf of the town
and the aggrieved, humbly pray your Honors that the said
easterly line should be continued no further than till it comes
opposite to the said angle, or that it should run directly from
the said John Hopkins's house to the said angle —
And your petitioners shall ever pray &c.
John Aiken ^
John m'^keen Ju'' | Select-men
Robert Thomson \ of
Abel Plummer j Londonderry
Daniel Hunter j
[In H. of Rep., Nov. 15, 1782, leave was granted to bring
in a bill for the aforesaid purpose. — Ed.]
LONDONDERRY. 4/1
1^6-147] \_Relative to foregoing Matter.'^
This may certify that the internal angle of Londonderry com-
monly called the Crank is but fifty two rods and nine links
from Windham line, as measured b}- —
John M^keen
Caleb Duston
Londonderry 3 Sept. 17S3.
[6-148]
This is to Certify that we the Subscribers Selectmen of Lon-
donderry for the year 17S1 Did Not Make any Aggreement
with windham Select men Concerning tiiat Disputable Land of
Lieu* Pauls
witness our hands
Londonderry Sepf y*" 6"* 17S3
James Wallace
James Ramsey
Daniel Hunter
[6-149] [ Verbal Agreement Alade.']
These may Certify whom it may Concern that We the Sub-
scribers were Sellectmen for the Town of Londonderry in the
year 1781 Whereas there was a petition prefered to the then
Gen' assembly of the State of Newhampshire by the Sellect-
men of said Town setting forth that by the Act for Incorprat-
ing Windham into a parish it included a Certain peace of land
which ought not to be included in the same and W'hereas the
Hon**' Court Did recomend it to the Sellectmen of both Towns
to settle the Matter : in Consequence of said recomendation we
the Sellectmen af Lond''^ Did meet with the Sellectmen of said
Windham and made a Verbal agreement Concerning the same
Wittness our hands
Oct'"' 5"* 17S2 Andrew mack
James Nesmith, Ju""
[6-150] \_Protest against Mrs. fane Holland's having per-
itiission to return^ iy82.'\
To the Honourable the Council and Gentlemen of the Hon'''*
House of Representatives in General Assembly at Ports-
mouth Convened December iS"' 17S2
The Humble Petition of the several persons Inhabitants
472
EAKLY TOWN PAPERS.
within the State of New Hampshire whose names are hereunto
set and Subscribed
Sheweth
That your Petitioners have heard with the deepest Concern
that the hite General Assembly at their last Session in Exeter
passed a Resolve therein Granting leave that M" jane Holland
(the wife of Stephen Holland Esq' an Absentee and an avowed
Enemy of the United States) may Return for some time to this
State
That they Conceive this will encourage the Rest of the
Absentees in alike mode of Application contrary to the Sense
of Congress and the neighbouring Common wealth of Massa-
chusetts
That the People in General are Greatly Alarmed as heleiving
sho'* that Lady return she will be the Channel of Inteligence
and correspondence between our Enemies at New York and
those here amongst us, And your Petitioners dread the Conse-
quence
Therefore
They most Humbly pray your Honours to take this matter
into your serious consideration and that M'* Holland may be
prevented from coming back Eiether by Rescinding the said
Resolve or in some other manner as your Honours in your
wisdom shall think best And your petitioners as in Duty bound
will ever pray
Hezekiah Lovejoy
Eli VVilkins
Will'" Wilkins
William Steward
Amos Stickney
Nathan Fulle/
Amos wilkins
Richard Gould
James Woodbury
William Bradford
Jn.
Joseph Perkins Ju""
William Bradford
Elisha Hutchinson
Abijah Wilkins
Joseph Perkins
John Cate
Oliver Carlton
Ben" Lewis Jn
Ephraim Hildreth
Peter Woodbury
Joseph Steel
William Lyons
Isaac Duncan
John Morrison
Jonathan Nesmith
James Nesmith
Robert Nesmith
James Bo^-es
George M'^Allaster
James Boyes the 3
James Boyes
Samuel White
Joseph M'^Clenche
Alichael Keef
Robert Dinsmoor
Rob' M^Cluer
John Giles
Ebenezer Giles
Robert Morrison
James Aiken
John Dinsmoor
John Aiken
John Barnett
Robert Waugh
Jn" C M<=Neill
william Boyes
W"' Livingston
Robert Campbell
Archibald M^Alester
Daniel M<=Neill
John Smith
Thomas Willson
Benjn M*^allaster
Josiah Warren
Antipas Dodge
Silas Walker
Alexander Willson
James Caldwell
James Willson
John M'^Laughlon
Nathaniel Martin
John Davis
Joseph Leach
James Cairns
LONDONDERRY. 4/3
John m^millan Ju'' James Hunter Robert Patterson Jr
Jeams hoptings alexander willson Joseph Heselton
Joseph Langdell Robert Willson Elijah Cochran
John Mills Elisha Dodge Elisha Dodge Ju
Solomon Kittredge Benj" Dodge Robert martin
Timothy Smith Robert Patterson Joseph Davis
William Duncan Jacob Hooper
James morrison John Wells
[6-161] \_Abstr act from Town Itiveniories, l'/82-8j.'\
1782 1783
No. Polls from 18 to 75 years 453, 442
No. of female slaves 3, 3
No. of acres of orchard 2S3, 2S3
No. of acres of arable land ^?>-Si 1290
No. of acres of mowing 2650 2602
No. of acres of pasture 2643, 2662
No. of horses & inares 298, 2S2
No. of oxen 599, 5S0
No. of Cows 823 S35
No. of horses and cattle 3 years old 392, 270
No. of do. do. 2 years old 338, 335
No. of do. do. I year old 412, 446
Sum total of the value of buildings &c
£38925, o, o. £37166, o, o
Sum total of real estate owned
by non-residents £0,0.0, £2225,0,0
Sum total of stock in trade -£375' O' °' £240, o, o
Sum total of money in hand &c ^-^TSi O1 O1 -^Oj ^1 o
Jonathan Giiifin James Aiken ~\
David Paul David Adams > Selectmen
John M'=Kean Jur j
Sworn to before Jo'^'"' Bell Justice of Peace
[6-162] ^Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.1
Province of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
Pursuant to a vote of the Gennerall Assembly of the state
aforesaid ordering and Directing the selectmen of Each Town
in said state to return under Oath to the General Assembly of
the state aforesaid the Exact Number of Male Polls of Twenty
one years of age and upwards paying for themselves a pole Tax
474 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in said Towns in order to apportion the Representation accord-
ing to tlie new Constitution — we the subscribers — selectmen of
the Town of Londonderry have accordingly Taken the number
of male polls in said Town from Twenty one years of age and
upwards and the number of said polls are four hundred and
fifty three
Londonderry zz^ Dec'' 17S3
and thier is also nine Polls of twenty one years and upwards
living on Londonderry land which was Exempted from wind-
ham —
Jonathan Griffin ]
James Aiken I Selectmen for
David Paul [Londonderry
John m'^keen Ju"" j
Rockingham ss 22^ Dec'' 17S3
Then the above named Jonathan Griflen James Aiken David
Paul and John MacKeen Jun'' all personally appeared and made
solemn Oath that the above Number of polls was taken faith-
fully and Impartially, —
Sworn Before John Bell Justice Peace
[6-163] S^Petitiott to be exempted from 'payi)ig' Mhiisterial
Tax in the Old Parish^ i/8j.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
for said State to be Convened at Concord Upon tusday y* 10"*
Day of June 17S3
The Petition of the Subscribers Humbly sheweth that we
were Members of the Church and Congregation leatly under
the Tuition instruction and pastoral care of David M^Gregore
late of Londonderry in said State Clerk Deceas', that since his
Death we (some part of the time) hired Preaching in that par-
ish, A privilege we highly Esteamed, and should be Happy if
we Could longer Enjoy it in peace, and the loss of it Most
sencebly touches the fellings of every Christian, and we are
Allways Ready to pay Ministerial tax where we preform De-
vine worship according to the laws and liberties of the Gospel
and that Religious Liberty that has been so earnestly contended
for by the United States (viz) that of Consceiences — Notwith-
standing the Selectmen of the Old Parish (as they Call them-
selves) in said Londonderry for this some Years past Have
LONDONDERRY. 475
Assesed and taxed Us for the Support of the Rev"^ William
Davidson whorne we never Chose for Our Instructor or Pastor
and whome we Cannot Receve As Such, and the Meeting
House is all Privet property and is far from being Centeral and
the Greater part of Us has No priviledge in it all thovv some
of the valuable part of it is the property of pearsons that are
Not taxed for, Nor Contribute Nothing (in that way) to the
support of the said M'' Davidson, nor can we be addmited
within the same without Incroaching on other mens property —
Yet Notwithstanding they tax Us — and for the payment of the
same some of us they Have Destrained — others they Have
repetedly Imprisoned and has put Your Petitioners to Great
truble and Cost those \\ ith other Reasons we could Offer is
looked Upon as a Greate Greavence By Us —
Wherefore we pray Your Honours to take our case into your
Wise Consideration and Exempet Us from paying tax for the
support of the said JVP Davidson and that we have leave to pay
our tax where we chose to attend Devine worship or relieve Us
in such a way and manner as Your Hon""^ shall Se fit —
And your Petitioners as in Dutey Bound Shall Ever Pray
Ac-
John Gregg John Tavlor Thomas anderson
James m'^keen James Taylor John Gunnion
Robert MacMurphy John Taylor Jun'' William Alexander
James Paul David Taylor James Gregg
John Nesmith Joh" Carr Joli" Gregg Junr
William Taylor Rob' IVPMurphy Joseph Gregg
Jonathan Adams Juner Daniel Miltimor
Adam Taylor Alexander M^Mur- Robert VVillson
James VV^illson phy James Miltmor
Samuel Taylor William Miltimer Matthew Clark
Daniel Hunter mareyan marsh Jean orr
James Dinsmoor John Hopkins Rob' Smith
David Paul John Hopkins Jun'' John Taylor 3*^
James Waddell George Gregg Jonathan Adams
William mac mur- Isaac Cochran Joner
phy Joseph Gregg Jun""
[6-164] \^T)istriiction to Representative^ lySj.']
To Col° Daniel Reynolds and Li" Archibald M<=murphy Rep-
resentatives for the Town of Londonderry for the present
year-
Gentlemen —
As it is our undoubted Right at all times to instruct our Rep-
4/6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
resentitives we do now Solemnly in Town meeting Instruct
you to oppose by every method in your power the Grant of
five years full pay to the Continental officers as recommended
bv Congress as it is unreasonsble unjust and Verey opprisive it
would lay such a burden on us as we nor our children should
ever get clear of
Londonderry September y* 29* 17S3
Voated to accept the forgoing as Instructions to said Repre-
sentatives
Test Will"" Anderson Town Clerk
[6-165] \_Relative to Counterfeit ]\foney.~\
The Comittie of Safety in Londonderry think it thier dutey
to inform the Committee for the State or General Asembly
that M"' Mathew Diky of lawfull Age and Good Reputte Will
Testify if Caled that John Moore of Londonderry told s** Dikey
that Dinnes Oheley had Neer the Bignes of A Bible of Coun-
terfit Money and that s'* Oheley would give to Any of his Com-
rads a Thirty Dolar Bill for a Gill of Rum —
Joseph Gregg C. Man
[6-166] \_Pctition of S7mdiy Pei-sons to be annexed to the
East Paris/i, i/Sj.'}
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon^''' the Council and House of Representitives in
General Assembly conven'd at Concord.
Deceniber 17S3.
The subscribers Inhabitants of Londonderry in the County
of Rockingham and State aforesaid
Humbly Sheweth that by a partial line drawn between the
two Parishes in said Londonderry your Petitioners fell into the
West Parish, that we are but One Mile distant from the Rev**
M' William Davidsons Meeting House in the East Parish, and
upwards of Three miles from the Meeting Plouse in said West
Parish, that we own pews in the Rev** M' Davidsons Meeting
house and constantly Attend divine service there, that we are
Tax'd to the Ministereal and other Parochial Taxes in the West
Parish, where we do not receive and considering our local
situation cannot receive any benefit, that our Lands are in one
Compact body in the extreme corner of the Parish there will
LONDONDERRY. 4/7
be no difficulty in Annexing us to the said East Parish, and it
appears highly probable to us that a very considerable number
of persons in the extreme part of the last mentioned Parish
would gladly joyn with the west Parish. —
Wherefore we humbly pray your Honours would take our
case into your Wise consideration and if it appears reasonable
Annex us and our Estates for all Parochial matters to the said
East Parish, and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever
Pray. —
Londonderry Dec"" 20"^ ^7^3'
William Wallace
John Holmes
Jonathan Reed
John Wallace
John Neal
[In H. of Rep., April 7, 1784, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[6-167] \_Rclative to Parish Affairs^ iy84.'\
Londonderry February the lo"* 1784
At a legal meeting of the Inhabittants of the Town aforesaid
Called by more then thirty of the Inhabitants of said Town —
Voted that Cap' John Neal Leiu' william Wallace Leiu' John
Holmes and Jonathan Reid members of the west Parish with
thier Estates that they are now posesed of according to the
ammount of Invoice be Exchanged for Thomas Anderson
Samuel Cochran Isaac Cochran widow Alary Alexander will-
iam Alexander and Hugh alexander members of the East Par-
ish with thier Estates that they are now posesed of according
to the amount of Invoice and that the said John Neal william
Wallace John Holmes and Jonathan Reid with thier Estates
shall belong to the East Parish and that the said samuel Coch-
ran Isaac Cochran Thomas Anderson Mary Alexander william
alexander and Hugh alexander with thier Estates shall belong
to the west Parish and voted that the selectmen Request the
generall Assembly to Confirm the above vote
Test William anderson Town Clerk
Jonathan Griffin "^
lohn Mackeen lu o 1 .
•<iT,,, r r oelectmen
W" Lyons j
Will'" Adams J
478 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-168] [^Petition to be annexed to the West Parish^ i'/84.'\
Londonderrry March the i6th 1784 —
This May Certify to all that it Doth Concern, that it is the
Desire of us the Subscribers to be Exchanged from the East
parish in s"^ Town into the West Parish — For L' Will"" VVallace
& L' John Holms Capt° John Neal and Jonathan Reid accord-
ing to a Vote of the Town
Witness our Hands —
Thomas Anderson
Isaac Cochran
Sam" Cochran
Hugh Alexander
Willam Alexander
[6-169] \^Petitio7t for a Sunday Act, lyS^.^
To his Excelency the President the Honourable Senate and
House of Representatives of the state of Newhampshire to
be Conven*^ at Portsmouth in said state on the third Wednes-
day of October Next —
The selectmen of the Town of Londonderry for and in behalf
of the Inhabitants of said Town humbly sheweth that it ap-
pears to us that the Lords Day is not kept holy agreeable to the
command of the supream being by numbers of People who
are so bold and daring that they will prosecute thier secular
business on said Day such as Driving loaded Teams riding
Jornevs and the like contrary to the Command of God which
practice is very heinous and we fear if not speedily prevented
will bring down the Judgments of a righteous God upon this
land The act of law now in force for keeping said Day we
think is not Explicit Enough nor officers Enough Injoined in
said act to carry it into Execution Wherefore we pray your
honours would take the matter under Consideration and in your
gi'eat Wisdom establish a law for the due observation of said
Day and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray
&c—
Londonderry sepf the 15"": 17S4
Jonathan Griffin ^ Selectmen
Samll Pilsbre [- for
Will'" Lyons ) Londonderry
LONDONDERRY. 4/9
[6-172] \_Relative to Paper Alojzey, etc., iy86.~\
State of New Hamsphire —
To the Honourable General Court of said State to be convened
on the first Wednesday of June next
Humbly Shews —
The Subscribers inhabitants, of the Town of Londonderry
in the County of Rockingham in said State; that your peti-
tioner labours under many and very great difficulties on ac-
count of the great scearsity of a circulating medium of trade;
Also great uneasiness has arisen in the minds of your petition-
ers and manv others on account of a claim lately made to the
uncultivated lands within this state ; and as your Honours are
the Guardians, of the Rights and privilidges, of the people ;
and as we have no other regular way of redress, than by apply-
ing to you, therefore we humbly request that your Honours,
would take our case under your wise consideration and grant
us relief by acting on the following Particulars,
i^' That you would not allow those parsons purchasers of
the Allen claim so called any part of their claim within this
state.
2^'y, That not any of those persons that are purchasers of
said Allen's claim hold any commission of profit or Honour
within this state for the space of one Year.
3'"y That the General Court take up the matter respecting
the Masonian title, to the certain lands in this state, which we
think their title to is not good ; and that those lands claim'd by
them be converted to the use of said state.
4"'ly. Ihat there be a bank of paper Money made to redeem
this States security.
5"'ly. That the General Court 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"'ly. That the Ports and Harbours in this state be open'd and
a free trade for all except the Refugees.
Londonderry June 5"^ 1786.
Richard Adams James Eayrs Nathaniel Jewett
Jonatlian Adams William Eavrs John Crombie
James Boies Robert M'=Neill
Peter Colquhoun James Ramsey
Will™ Eayrs Sin' that a bank of money may Be meade on
land Securetey —
Sa' Clark James m'^gregore Alexander Blair
James Dinsmore Matthew Pinkerton Timothy Harington
Will"" Adams Josiah M'=Neill Jonathan Adams
Samuel Adams David Adams Nathaniel Brown
48o
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathaniel Brown Signs that Money be not made on State
Security since they are bought by the Gentlemen almost for
nothing.
William Adams James Adams Moses Rolfe
Daniel m'^Duffee David Blair
[Other petitions for the same purpose contain the follow-
ing names : — Ed.]
W" Moor S.
W"' Moor J
John Anderson
Joseph Leech
Enoch Burbank
Deniel Heatton
Jonathan
Joseph Ayer
Samuel m'^Adams
Sam' Grihams
James Anderson
Joseph Anderson
Allen anderson
Robert Andrson
David anderson
Alex"*"- Boyd
Tho^ Boyd
Simeon Robinson
To mas Dwinel
Elijah Town
John marsh
Jacob Nickels
James Nickels
Charles Cavandar
John George
James Eastman
James Folinsby
Reuben Senter
Reuben Senter Ju'
David Woodburn
Isaac Dodge
William Dickey
James Gregg
Jonathan Greg
James Gregg
josiah Jones J'
Joseph Chapman
Jesse Jones
Jonathan Jones
Elijah Dwinell
John Clark
Matthew Clark
James Clark
Joseph Curtice
James Thomson
Robert Clark
Isaac Cochran
John Hughes
James Rogers
Sam' Ames
Thomas Rogers
Josiah Jones
William Anderson
Joseph Anderson
Ezra Burbank
John Corning
James Donaldson
Robert Bartley
Robert Lyons
James Wyllie
Will™ Lyons
Phinehas Pettingill
Henere Osman
James Lyons
John Allen
Moses Watt
Thomas M^ClearySr
Thomas M'^Cleary
John M'Cleary
William Wier
James Watt
John M'^Clenche
James Hogg
David Adams
Amos Sawyer
George M<=Allaster
Ephraim White
Robert Morrison
James Page
James Boyes
James Boys Jur
Samuel Corliss
James Nesmith
Robert Nesmith
Thomas Grear
Samuel White
Robert Boyes
Samuel Boyes
Samuel Boyes Jur
John Corning
Beniamin Corning
Amos Stickney
Georg Corning
Ebener Giles
John Giles
Joshua Corning
John Watt
Moses Watt Ser
Hugh Watts
Joseph Hogg
Thomas Hogg
James Hogg
Thomas Hilands
Matthew Dickey
John Dickey
Ebenezer Dickey
Jonathan Griffin
Moses Griffin
Samuel Morrison
Nathan Plummer
Nathan Burpee
Davied Crowel
Sam' Crowel
LONDONDERRY,
481
Robert Dickey
Thomas Lennon
Thomas Holmes
Jiohn Norse
John Barker
Joseph Danforth
James Alexander
Joseph Gregg
James Orr
John Alexander
James Willson
Robert Willson
Nathaneal Hemphill
George Gregg
Ebenezer Gregg
Daniel Moore
Jonas Adams
Hugh Montgomery
William M'Crae
Thomas Anderson
Daniel Anderson
James Anderson J"''
John Anderson J""^
Sam' Cochran
Sam' Cochran Joneir
Hugh Alexander
William Alexander
John Alexander
Edward Ela
James Macmurphy
Laurins Beckley
John Marshall
Jonathan Reed
Daniel Marsh
John G r egg J u n r
Josep Gregg
James Gregg Junr
John Archibald
Willam Clark
Alex-^'- Clark
Joshua Bay ley
Abraham Safford Jur
33
Jsse Annis
Oliver Sanders
John M"^keen Jr
James M'^keen
Cheles Sargent
Daniel M'^Keen
Samuel M'^Keen
Stephn Holman
John Bailey
William Clinding
Stephen Reid
Abraham Safford
Joseph Prout
John Sartbrd
George Russell
John Clindinen
Thomas willson
John Reid
Samuel morison
David Morison
John Warner
John Warner Junr
Nathaniel Warner
William Taylor
John Taylor
Samuel Taylor
Adam Taylor
Samuall Taylor
John Bond
Gilber Bond
Joseph Bond
Jonathan Bond
Am mi Bond
Josiah Stevens
Thomas mitchel
Robert Cochran
George Cochran
Moses Cochran
James Humphrey
Jun"-
John Steel
David Steel
James Humphrey
Jacob Procter
Abraham moreson
Robert Clindenin
James Cochran
Peter Kalley
Nathaniel Symonds
John Emery
James Barnett
Parkur mooers
Adam Taylor
Robert Mckay
Willm. Humphry
Stephen Johnson
Samuel Savory
John Taylor
John Tavlor Jun
David Davidson
David Colby
David Colby Junr
Simeon morrill
Barns morrill
Alexander Kelsey
James Doack
Jonathan Kelsey
Jonathan ferren
William fisher
David Ela
Alexand" Nickls
James Nickls
Jonathan Nickls
Sam' Karr
Robert m*^Farland
William Gilmore
John M'^Curdy
Samuell
Alexander Boyes
Plumer
Danel plumer
William Keesey
David Morrison
482 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-172] [ Voie of the Town on Paper Money ^ iy86.]
Londonderry September y' 9"^ 1786
on the Second Artickle the Number of Votes were taken for
the Emission of a Bank of Paper money and found to be One
Hundred and Sixty two by Poll for the affirmative and None
Polld against it —
p"" Robert MacMurphy Town Clerk
[See Vol. XI, page 130. — Ed.]
[6-176] \_Letter^ — Col. Reid to the President of the State y
1787.-]
Londonderry March 17''' 17S7 —
Sir—
The time is near at hand when we did expect your Excellen-
cy in this quarter in Order to make a General review of the
Troops under your command — I should be exceeding happy in
seeing you here on that Occation, but Coll. Reynolds has inti-
mated to me his sincere wish, that the review of his regiment
might be postponed untill next fall ; I believe his reasons are
something weighty, to my knowledge three of the companies in
this Town are in the utmost confusion & disorder, occationed
by the late unhappy disturbance, I beleive he is useing his
greatest exertions to have matters arranged and put in the best
order possible, himself will give your Excellenc}^ his reasons
for this request more fully —
I have the honor to be
Your Excellencys most
Obed' Hble Serv'
Geo Reid
[6-177] {^Daniel Reynolds elected to Jill a Vacancy in the
Hotise of Represetttatives^ 17S7.']
Londonderry Nov' y^ 19"' 17S7 —
Then at a Legal meeting of the Lihabitants of S** Town Col.
Daniel Reynolds was Chosen unanimously to represent them in
the next or any future Session of the Gen^ Court of this State
LONDONDERRY, 483
up to the first Wednesday of June next in the room of John
Prentice Esq"" who is appointed Attorney Gen' of this State —
Attested p'' us — John Bell "] Selectmen
Geo. Reid. >■ of
J. Nesmith Ju' ) L. Derry
Test William anderson To° Clerk
[6-178] \_Petition of Coftgregationalists for an Incorpora-
tion^ iyg6.~\
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Exeter in and for the State of
New Hampshire June 6"' 1796
Humbly sheweth
That whereas the Town of Londonderry is large in its
extents, and numerous in its Inhabitants, and but Two Socie-
ties established for religious worship, both of which are of the
Presbyterian denomination, and that a very considerable part
of the Inhabitants of said Town have been Educated under, and
are in Sentiment with the Congregational denomination, and by
reason of many scruples of Concience, cannot freely subscribe
to the Creed of either of the societies aforesaid, And that an-
other very considerable number of said Town, altho Educated
under the Presbyterian government, have been unused to the
riged & Abitrary mode of Government, adopted by the present
Presbytery of Londonderry, and that the government of said
society, under the present mode of Administration, is so riged,
and arbitrary, as gives much occasion for complaints to those
who have submitted thereto. Your petitioners therefore Inhab-
itants of Londonderry, being desirous of forming themselves
into a Congregational society and of worshiping God in a social
manner according to the dictates of their own Consciences, and
when of sufficient ability, to settle, and in a corporate capacity
to contract with a minister of the Congregational denomination,
Humbly pray, that they with such other persons as may here-
after join them in said Town, may be incorporated into a poll
Parish, and vested with such powers, rights, and privelidges,
as other Parishes enjoy, And your petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray —
Jonathan Adams William Adams Levi Neal
Willim Miltimore James Adams Robert M'^Neill
Daniel Miltimore Nathan Stinson William M'^Neill
James Miltimore Humphry Morss James M'^Gregore
484 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jonathan Wallace Isaac Thorn Edmund Black
James Doake Robert Wilson Robert Clark
Robert Ramsey Will'" Humphry James Palmer
Willim Wallace Benj° T. Humfrey James Palmer Jun''
John Miltimore Robert Clindinen Humphry Morss
John Neal 2^ Robert Dinsmoor Andrew Moor
Daniel Aiken Robert MacMurphy David Patterson
John Hunter Rob' ^PMurphy Ju"" William Eayers
Jonathan Adams Jur John Neal Johi^ Prentice
[6-179] S^Comtnittee chosen to presettt the Petition^ ^797 ''\
At a meeting of the Petitioners for a Congregational Poll
Parish in Londonderry held at the House of Isaac Thorn Nov'
23d i797_
Voted to chuse a Committee of three persons to prosecute
their petition now pending before the General Court & that
John Prentice James M'^Gregore & Isaac Thom Esquires should
be said Committee
Attest Isaac Thom Clerk for the Petitioners
Londonderry Nov'' 23"^ 1797
[6- I So]
To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire to be convened at Ports-
mouth on the fourth Wednesday of this instant November —
Humbly Shew that we the Subscribers, inhabitance of Lon-
donderry in the County of Rockingham in said State, had not an
opportunity to sign the petition, now pending before the Legis-
lature of said State, praying to be incorporated into a Congre-
gational Poll Parish in Londonderry aforesaid ; and for other
good Causes now pray the Honorable Legislature to consider
us petitioners in the same vvay and manner as it would have
done, had we have signed the original petition.
Londonderry November ii''* '797
John Miltimore Ju"" John Hum : Clin- Joshua Dodge
John Cochran dennin John Slingsby
Peter Cochran David Clark John Boies
John Clark John Burnham William Eayers J''
Thos M'^Kinley Henery Downs James Ramsay
LOUDON. 485
Benjamin Palmer Charles Cox William Cooper
Stephen Reynolds Robert Rogers William Moor
John Dodge
[The society was incorporated by an act approved De-
cember 9, 1797. — Ed.]
LOUDON,
This town was formed of territory taken from Canter-
bury, and incorporated "into a distinct parish by the name
of Loudon," January 23, 1773, in answer to a petition from
the inhabitants. (See Vol. XI, page 263 )
The first settlements were made in 1760 by Jethro and
Abraham Bachelder and Moses Ordway.
January 2, 1784, a gore of land which had formerly been
claimed by Rumford, but which was left to Canterbury
when Rumford was incorporated by the name of Concord,
and incorporated with Loudon in 1773, was annexed to
Concord.
January 7, 1853, a small tract of land was severed from
Canterbury and annexed to Loudon.
[6-18 1 ] \^Petition to have a Portion of the Toxvn annexed
to Conco?'d., 1782.']
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly con-
vened
The Petition of Samuel Chamberlain & others Inhabitants
of the westerly part of the parish of Loudon humbly sheweth,
That your petitioners are situated at a great distance from the
Meeting House in said parish which makes it very inconven-
ient for them to be connected therewith — Sensible thereof your
petitioners did in the 3'ear one thousand seven hundred and
eighty petition the said Parish of Loudon to set them off to the
parish of Concord which was granted and a Committee was
chosen for the purpose of settling the line said committee per-
suant to their appointment did attend upon the business &
made report of their doings thereon to the parish of Loudon
486
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
which report was by them Accepted and is as follows Viz Be-
gining on the eastwardly banks of Sowcook River so called
where said river crosses Rumford line thence running up said
river on the eastwardly side within two rods of the foot of the
Great falls so called thence straight across the neck of Land to
the river two rods above said falls thence continueing up by
the river on the Eastwardly side to the hundred Acre Lot No
one hundred Ninety two thence by Ditto North about twenty
two Degrees west two hundred rods to a Pitch pine marked
thence North about thirty six rods to the North side of the
road Leading from Canterbury to Epsom thence North seven-
ty degrees west by said road about one hundred rods thence
North sixty degrees west eighty five rods thence North forty
five degrees west sixty five rods to a Pitch pine Marked thence
North sixty three degrees west sixty two rods to a White pine
marked thence Northwesterly a straight course to the North
easterly corner of Rumford thence south seventy degrees west
to the present corner of Concord
Your petitioners therefore pray your Honours to take the
matter into consideration and if you shall think proper Annex
them to Concord Agreable to the Above described line and
Your petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever pray &c
Loudon March 20*^ 178:
Samuel Chamberlain
Abial Chamberlain
Sam' Chamberlain Jun""
Moses Chamberlain
Benjamin thomson
[A portion of this town was annexed to Concord, Jan. 2,
1784. — Ed.]
[6-183] \^Be)ijamin Sias recommended for a Magistrate^
1785-^
State of Newhampshire Rockingham ss
To his Exelency the president & honorable Council of the
State of Newhampshire.
The petition of the parish of Loudon humbly sheweth that
it apears to us your petitioners that it is Needfull and Benifishel
to the people of this parish to have another Justice of the peace
appointed for s** parish & County we would Kot be understood
to have aney thing against Esq' Bachelder our present Justice but
many times we have business in the Absence of Esq'' Bachelder
LOUDON.
487
which puts us to Extraordinary cost or our Business Must Lay
unsetleci we tharefore Beag that your Exelency and honors
would appoint Cap' Benj" Sias of this parish as Justice of the
peace for s*^ parish & County as we Look upon him to be a
good Member of sociaty a man of a Good Judgment and Edu-
cation More suitable for that office then aney other Man in the
parish of Loudon and your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall
Ever pray
Loudon april y* 30'*^ 1 7S5
Sam' Chamberling
Sam' Chamberling
paul Morril
Abraham Bachelder
William Bachelder
William worth
William Lovering
Osgood Lovering
James Chase
Abner Clough
John hall
Richard Rendail
Solomon Gils
Jonathan piper
Sam' Piper
Aaron hartshorn
Epheram Blunt
Jacob Towle
william Boynton
Moses Lovering
Moses Morill
Timothy Bachelder
Abeal french
Gearshom Merthes
Thomas proctor
Lyonel worth
Joseph Tilton
Celab Pilesbury
Trueworthy Palmer
bene rev Sloper
Ezekiel french
Nathaniel Moore
Jacob Danforth
Josiah Moore
Tliomas Moore
Ezekiel Moore
Jonathan Clough
Joseph Clough
Nathan Clough
Jonathan Clough Ju"'
Thomas Sergant
Stephen pirkins
Jams Morill
Thomas Emerey
Jeremiah Benet
Daniel Levet
Aaron Stephens
Moses ordvvay Ju"'
Sam' Lovejoy
Phinihas Stephens
Daniel Ordway
Daniel Bachelder
Stephen Langmade
Barned Stills
Nathan Tilton
Jonathan Rendail
harvey Blesdail
Isaac Morill
Charles Sias
Epheram Blunt Ju""
olover Blesdail
Isiah harvey
Jonathan hoit
Moses ordway
Sam' Morill
Israel Glins
Joseph Bachelder
Joseph Giles
Jonathan pirkins
David Greeley
william Tilton
william Goein
Ebenezcr french
Moses Stephens
Aaron Moses
Nathaniel hill
william Buswill
obadiah french
Eleaser watson
Jams Cate
Sam' Ela
Jams Gibson
Sam' Shurborn
Jacob Shurborn
Isaac Lovejoy
[6-183] [ ^'^ote relative to Paper Money ^ 1^86.']
At a Legal Town Meeting held in the Parish of Loudon this
24th of Novem' 1786, for emitting a Paper Currency, It ap-
488 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pears that Sixteen of the Inhabitants of said parish, Voted for
receiving the Plan, and Seven against it.
John Sanborn ") Select Men
Josiph Smith >- of
James Thompson ) Loudon
[See Vol. XI, p. 130. — Ed.]
[6-1 86] \ Joseph Smith recommefided for a Magistrate about
To his Excellency the President & Honnereable Councillors of
the State of new hampshire the pottision of Sundrea inhab-
atants of the Town of Loudon most humbaley Sheueth as
thare is a Vacancy for a man viz a Jestus of the peace in said
Loudon in Order to keep peace and good order thare in your
petitioners humbaley Aprehend your Exelleys and honners
greate care and wisdom which you have shewn in grating
Commission of Every kind to suitable persons your petitioners
tharefore pram's your Exellincy and honners would grant L' Jo-
seph Smith of said Louden a Commission for the peace — as
your potishoners ascertained and are Trewley Sensible of his
Character and good Conduct for years past and will Undoubt-
edly give Sattisfaction in said oftes to the Town in general
your Exellincy and honners Complyance with this request will
for Ever be Acknowleadged as a favour and your petitioners
&c Shall Ever pray
Jethro Bachelder Samuel Ayer Joses ordway
willam Boynton Barnard Stiles Joh" Sargent Junr
willam BachLder Jeremiah Clough W" Wiggin
Jeramer Benet Jonathan Chase Jonathan Wiggin Ju'
Lebe Bachelder Moses morss William Clefford
Jonathan Clough J'' Taylor Lovring Ezekiel french
Nath'^' Bacheldr J' Joshua Walls Samuel Chamberlin -
ELisah mouLton moar Lovren Jur John spoksfeeLd
John moor James Chase Willam goan
willam gbson Stephen Cate Ebenezer French
Thomas Bachlder Ebenezer Parker David Bagley
Phinilias Stevans Saml Cate Isaac Pilesbury
Philip Brown Dimond furnald John Stevens
John Clough Abarham bachaLder Cornelius bussal
Samuel Cate Israel gLins David Greeley
Jacob towl nathaneL smith Joshua Sargent
Palfry Downing Abiel Chamberlin Abner Clough
LOUDON.
489
Ebenezer Towl
Daniel Smith
Sam' Piper
Steven fiveld
Moses Ordway Ju
Moses ordway
Daniel ordwav
Ephraim Chamber- Daniel Levet
lin Jonathan Hoyt
Moses Chamberlin Abner Clough
Peter Rollings Ausgood Lovran
Samuel Chamberlain moses Lovren
David Eastman willeby Lovren
daneL true Hanson higfht
[6-188] \_Afiother Recommendation f 07' Jos. Smith.']
A True Copy of the Original Petition of the Inhabitants of
the Town of Loudon.
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss
To his Excellency the President and Honorable Council for said
State Convened.
The Humble Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitants of the
Town of Loudon, Humbly Sheweth that Nathan Bachelder
Esq'' is about to remove out of said Loudon, and as it is neces-
sary there should be a person appointed as a Justice of the
Peace in that part of Said Town, and we conceive L' Joseph
Smith to be a Man of the best Qiialitications for that purpose
and would give the best satisfaction to the People in general,
and we beg your Excellency and Honors would appoint and
Qualify M' Smith accordingly, and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound Shall ever pray.
Loudon April 30"" 1789 —
Jeremiah Clough Moses Ordway Jun
Esq"" Dan' Ordway
Samuel Chamberlin Sam' Ayers
Esq"" Barnard Stiles
Cap' William Boyn- Jethro Bachelder
ton Will"' Bachelder
L' Abner Clough Jeremiah Bennet
L' Palphrey Down- Lebe Bachelder
Jon" Clough
Nath' Bachelder
Elijah Moulton
John Moore
W" Gibson
Tho^ Bachelder
Phin° Stevens
Philip Brown
John Clough
Abr'" Bachelder
mg
Jon° Chase
Moses Morse
Taylor Lovering
Joshua Wells
James Chace
Moses Lovrin
Moses Lovrin Jun
Stephen Cate
Eben'' Parker
David Eastman
Daniel True
Joses Ordway
John Sargent Jun
W" Wiggin
Jon" Wiggin
W" Cliftbrd
Ezekiel French
John Spokesfield
Will'"Goan
Eben'' French
David Bagley
Isaac Pilsbury
John Stevens
CorneP Busiel
David Greeley
Joshua Sargent
Daniel Leavitt
490
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Samuel Gate
Diamond Furnald
Jacob Towl
Eben"' Towl
Daniel Smith
L' Sam' Piper
Moses Ordway
Israel Glines
Nath' Smith
Abial Chamberlin
Eph"^ Chamberlin
Moses Chamberlin
Sam' Chamberlin
Peter Rawlinofs
Jonathan Hoyt
L' Abner Clough Jun
Ausgood Loverin
Willibe Loverin
Hanson Hoyt
Stephen Fifield
Sam' Cate Jun'
[6-190] \_yohn Sanboi'ii recotnmended for a Magistrate^
1789.-]
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. —
To his Excellency the President and Honorable Council Con-
vened, We your humble Petitioners Inhabitants of the Parish
of Loudon prays your Excellency and Honors that you would
so far adhere to our request as to appoint and Qiialify Capt.
John Sanborn of Loudon aforesaid for a Justice of the Peace for
said County, as we think it very necessary and consider him a
Man of the best Qiialifications amongst us, so with your Com-
pliance we your humble Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray Dated at Loudon aforesaid April lo"" 1789 —
James Silver
William Oilman
Eleazer Young
Moses Rawlings
Samuel Jacobs
Stephen Jacobs
Joseph Drew
Ephraim Berry
Joshua Berry
Jethro Bachelder
Jonathan Sanborn
Eli Bickford
Caleb Stevens
Isaac Lowell
Joseph Mathes
Gershom Mathes
John Sargent
Samuel Carter
Moses Morrill
David Hutchins
Caleb Pilsbury
Thomas Procter
Nath' Weeks
Nath' Tilton
William Tilton
Gideon Lowell
Timothy French
Josiah Sargent
Obadiah French
Jacob Osborn
Simeon Stevens
Nath' Hill
Nath' Hill Jun
Stephen VVells
Moses Stevens
John Sweat
Sam' Drew Jun.
Abial Stevens
Limuel Drew
Samuel Drew
Robert Drew
Isaiah Harvey
jethro Bachelder
Sam' French
John Rawlings
Ellet Carr
Dan' Fowler
Josiah Rines
Jonathan Randel
Jeremiah Brown
Oliver Morrill
Benj" Swain
Richard Flood
Phinehas Page
Thomas Sargent
Stephen Perkins
Jon" Perkins
Isaac Clifford
Harvy Blasdel
Isaac Rogers
Oliver Blasdel
Joseph Moulton
Sam' Morrill
Will'" Moulton
Eliph' Rawlings
LOUDON. 491
[R. 2-234] \_List of Soldiers in the Army^ iyy6.'\
Loudon august y* 2""^ ^776
To thos. Stickney Colonel Sir the training band Belonging
to my Company In said Loudon Consisteth of sixty six men
Exclusive of the Commission officers —
the alarm List in said Loudon are twenty men Eight of the
above men are gone with the late Recruts in the Northern army
Namely
Joseph Magoon Sam' Hanes Andrew Nelley
Ezra Blasdel Solomon Huntress Amos Norton
Ephraim Davis John Davis
Benj'' Sias Capt
[R. 2-229] \_Soldiers'' Enlistments, iy8o-8i.'\
State of Newhampshier Rockingham
I the subriah whose name Is under Ritten do Volenterily En-
list myself to save as a Solger for the Parish of Loudon at hav-
erail in Coos until the last day of December Next wich Tarm
of time I Promos abedeance to my offirsors and to be under the
Rules & Rigalitons of the armey As witness my hand dated
at Loudon this 10 day of Juley, 1780
John Gibson
[R. 2-230]
State of Newhampshir ) agrable to ordors To Col° Stickney A
Rockingham ss ) Return of the Solgers that I have Ene-
listed to serve for the Parish of Loudon in the Contennential
armey from the 12 Day of this Instant three months arc as fol-
lows Namely Timothy Bachelder & Dudley Swain Moses
Danford Enoach Bagley of Loudon and Levey Shaw of Gil-
manton & Anthony Potter of Concord a Tru Return from your
Most humbel Servent
Loudon Juley 17"' 17S0 Joseph Tilton Cap*
[R. 2-231]
To Col" Stickney A Return of the men that are Inlisted for
the parish of Loudon to serve in the Contennintel armey three
months unless sunner Discharg are Bejamen Davis & John Bus-
will Jonas wimon this from your humbail Servint.
Joseph Tilton Cap'
Loudon September th 19 y* 17S1
To Col" Thomas Stickney in Concord
492 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-232] \_Soldter's Receipt, iy8o.'\
Received of Joseph Tilton & william Boynton an oblagation
for one hundrood & fifty Bushils of marchable Indon Corn It
being In full Pay as a solgor for to sarve for the Parish of Lou-
don at havirial in Coos untill the Last Day of December and
The s"* Tilton & Boynton are to have the w^ageas that the State
Gives As witness my hand
John Gibson
Loudon Juley the 10 y® 1780
Nathan Bachelder
Job Haskell
[R. 2-233] [^Soldiers' Orders."]
Loudon December 16"' 17S4
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire. —
Sir, Please to pay Dan^ Cook or his order All that is due to
me I having been a Soldier in the 5"* Co of the 2^ New Hamp-
shire Reg' during the War.
Value Rec*^ Witness my Hand. —
bU
Attest Enoch X Dockum
John Godfree -"""
Samuel Gones
Lowden Jan^' 4"* 1785 —
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
Sir, Please to pay John Nicholls or his order all that is due to
me I having been a Soldier in the 3** New Hampshire Regiment
— Value Received,
Attest Witness my hand,
Jonathan Smith hi,
Jethro Sherburne Zackriah X Quinby
LYMAN
This township was granted November 10, i76i,to Daniel
Lyman and sixty-three others. Eleven of the grantees bore
the name of Lyman, which accounts for the name of the
town.
The conditions of the grant not being fulfilled, an exten-
LYMAN. 493
sion was granted July 20, 1769, in answer to a petition from
Abraham Thompson, of Connecticut, agent for the original
grantees.
But few settlements were made in town prior to the Rev-
olutionary war, there being but ten ratable polls in 1777.
By an act approved July 13, 1854, all that portion of the
town lying west of Gardner's mountain was severed from
Lyman, and incorporated into a town by the name of Mon-
roe.
Gold, copper, and lead have been found in this town, and
mined to some extent.
[6-194] S^Petition for an Extension of the C/iarte7-.~\
To His Excellency John VVentworth Esq"^ Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in & over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire in Council —
The petition of Abraham Thompson of New Haven in the
Colonv of Connecticutt, Agent & Trustee for the original gran-
tees of the Township of Lyman in the said Province of New
Hampshire, Humbly sheweth — that your petitioner & his con-
stituents obtained of the Late Governor of said Province, a
Charter for the said Township of Lyman, and have proceeded
to survey & allot the same and have also made some Settle-
ments thereon but your petitioners have been greatly impeded
in their progress bv the unexpected Divisional Line, making
Connecticut River the Boundary between the province of New
York & New Hampshire, as your petitioners were Proprietors
in several Towns on the western Side of said river on which
they had made great Improvements, that this sudden & unex-
pected Determination threw them into great consternation, and
they have been greatly harrassed by the Governor of New York,
which with other expensive Discouragements, they have been
unable to bring forward the Settlement of said Township so
soon as they expected, but are determined to make a progress
therein on the Ensueing Spring — Wherefore your Petitioner in
behalf of himself & his Constituents the other Grantees of said
Township of Lvman, humbly pray that Your Excellency &
the Hon''''' Council would be pleased to renew their Charter for
said Township of Lyman or lengthen out the Time for settling
the same, assuring y'' Excell^ & Honours, that we shall not fail
to comply with the same, and further we pray to be relieved
on the Premises as Y"" Excellency & Hon" in your Wisdom,
494 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
shall think may most conduce to Answer the Prayer of their
Petition, and Your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever
pray—
Abraham thompson
Agent for the Grantees of Lyman
[The foregoing petition was granted July 20, 1769. — Ed.]
[6-1 91] \_Relative to Taxes. ~\
The Honourable Representatives and Counsel of the State of
New-Hampshire, — We the Inhabitants of the Town of Lymon
County of Grafton and State aforesaid, Petitioneth an Abate-
ment in Our Taxes from the year 1776 to this present time
Humblv shewing Reasons why, said Town in 1776 were Eight
in Number and Tax** £ o: — 12. 6, in 1777 the like Number
were Tax** <£6o — 15 — 10, the Same Number in 177S were Tax*^
£121 — II — 8, in the above Mention*^ 177^1 i777) ^'^^^ 1778 Oi-ir
Situation was such and the Number of Inhabitants so Small we
Could not call a Town Meeting, at this time we are Eighteen
in Number and Tax** ^379 — 'O — O1 Ten out of said Eighteen
for three years past have paid Taxes in Other Towns for wdiich
they can produce Lawful Certificates, Consiquently the Eight
Setlers first Mention*^ will have all the tax to pay we have Sent
a True Invoise as Our Polls and Ratable Estate Stood in April
1777, by said Invoise your Honours will find said Taxes too
high as we were Scarcely able to Maintain Ourselves And
Roads through said L3'mon, if your Honours see cause or think
it prudence to abate said Tax according to said invoise we shall
Cherefully pay said Tax if not said Setlers must fall a Sacrifice
to said State, — and as said Town of Lymon is not Incorporated
or said Incorporation lost or Misplac** we your Humble Peti-
tioners Desire you would Appoint Cap* Nathan Hodges of said
Lymon to call a Town Meeting to Chuse Town Officers, that
we may be Enabled to assess s*^ Taxes and Lawfully gather the
Delinquent Tax of s'^ Town as your Petitioners are bound in
Duty and Ever pray —
Solomon Parker Solomon Parker J"" Job molten
Jonathan knap Thomas m'^Connell obadiah Eastman
Abiail knap Evan m^Bean David Hodges ■
Jonathan molton Lemuel Parker oliver hand
Asa fuller
LYMAN. 495
[6-192] \_Town Invoice^ ^777'']
An Invoice of the Town of Lyman Api'il i777
Number of Poles 10 number oxen — 4
num'^ Cows — 5
47 acres plow ground and Mowing 47
Nathan Hodges ) Inhabitants
Thomas m'^Conell ) of Lyman
[6-193] \_Petition for Abatement of Taxes^ ^779-'\
To the Honorable the Representatives and Council of the State
of New Hampshire —
The petition of the Selectman of the Township of Lyman
in the County of Grafton and State aforesaid — Sheweth That
Your
Petitioners being Inhabitants of said Town — In the Year 1776
we were only Eight in Number and Taxed i 2/6 In the Year
1777 being the like Number and Taxed £60, 15s lod, also the
like Number in the Year 1778 and Taxed £121, lis, 8d — In
those Years we were not a sufficient Number to Incorporate or
call Town Meetings so we could not possibly have Constables
Collectors &'' but at this present Time are Eighteen in Number
and Taxed £379, los od for the Payment of which all our Live
and Trading Stock vv'ill not be sufficient to satisfy the same We
own we have been delinquent in the Payment of the above
Taxes not from any Disrespect to the State but from the Pov-
erty which those few Inhabitants endured at that Time we are
and will be always willing to Assist the States in every thing,
great Part of Us having been in the Service, Ten out of the
Eighteen for these Three Years ])ast have paid Taxes for their
Poll for which they can produce Certificates from other Towns
and States, The Consequence will be the Poor People of this
Town must of Course fall a Sacrifice with every thing they
Possess and be brought to Entire Ruin if they are Obliged to
Answer the above Demand Therefore we Your Honours Peti-
tioners hopes you will take the same into your Wise and Seri-
ous Consideration and grant such Relief in the above Request
as in your Wisdom may seem most meet And your Petitioners
as in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray &"
Nathan Hodges \
Thomas m'^Conell > Selectmen
Solomon Parker j
49^ EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
We the Poor Distressed Inhabitants of said Town begs your
Honours will Gratify the Selectmen in the above Request —
Evan m'^Bean Oliver Hand Lemuel Hodges
Asa Fuller Job molton David Hodges
Jonathan moulton Solomon Parker Ju"' Samuel Parker
Lemuel Fuller
[6-195] \_Report of a Co}nmiiiee relative to a Soldier^ lySd.l^
The Committee to whom was referd a Petition in behalf of
the Town of Lyman respecting Continental Soldiers having
considered the same beg leave to report as their Opinion
that said Town be allow'd for Thomas Piper a Continental
Soldier in Gen' Washingtons Guards (furnished agreable to
the requisition of the State) the sum of sixty pounds & the
interest and that the Treasurer Credit the same in settling the
Charge against said Town for deficiency of Soldiers —
By order of the Committee
Submitted per Nath' Peabody
[In H. of Rep., March 2, 1786, the foregoing report was
accepted and adopted. Council concurred. — Ed.]
[6-196] \_Relative to Soldiers furnished for the War.~\
State of New Hampshire —
Grafton ss Jan^ 19"' 1786
To the Hon' Gen' Court of said State to be Conven'd at Ports-
mouth on the first Wednesday of February next by adjourn-
ment—
The Petition of the Town of Lyman Humbly sheweth —
That at the commencement of the Late war with Great Brit-
ain — Notwithstanding the many Imbarrisments we then la-
boured under, by Reason of being Expos'd to our Enemy &"
A number of the Inhabitants of said Town Inlisted and went
into the service for short Campaigns That a number of said
Inhabitants did Inlist into said service for three Years and
Dureing the war — that in the year of our Lord 17S1 your pe-
titioners Received the Apportionment of this States Qiiota of
Soldiers in said service (and Notwithstanding we conceiv'd we
were Doom'd much to high) found we had abundantly more
LYMAN. 497
than our proportion in service — and proceeded to make return
thereof to the Secrety — conceiving that we were not cal*^ on to
send the Number as affixed to us if we had already said num-
ber in the service of the war —
That notwithstanding (and to our Great surprise) we are In-
form'd that thei^e are now an Extent out against us for want of
our proportion of Soldiers in said service when we in fact sup-
pos'd that we had done as much more than our proportion, as
to free us at least from paying any Tax during the war, —
That in addition to our many Distresses — in the Year 1776
Every family and person in Town Had to moove out of the
Town and keept Garrison untill the}' fovmd thev might as well
be Kill*^ by the Enemy as Die by famine, then mooved to Town
again where they have ever since continued — and endeavoured
by every possable means in Honesty to acquire a living —
That if your Honours see fit to grant us some Relief accord-
ing as the Nature of our case Requires it will prevent our leav-
ing Town — as all the personal property in said Town is Not
sufficient to pay the Demand that the State has against us —
Lyman Jan^' 19"^ 17 86
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of said Town
Voted that Captain Nathan Hodges — be appointed an agent
to repair to the General Court at their next Session and the
foregoing petition is voted to be laid before said Court and re-
quest the agen^ of our Representative touching said petition —
and Doubt not but Every attention will be paid thereto that the
Nature of our case Requires, — and your Petitioners will Ever
pray &•=
Sam' Parker Solomon Parker william Clough
Asa Parker J'^er Evan m'^Bean
Abiel Knap Oliver Hand Jon'' Moulton
Sam' Way Solomon Parker Timothv Olmstead
Lem Parker Jonathan Knap Janson Hodges
Robert Barkley Job Moulton
[6-197] \_Petitio7i of NoH- Residents^ ^7^7-'}
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon'® Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court convened at Portsmouth by Adjournment —
The Petition of John Penhallow Samuel Cutts & John Wen-
dell Esq'^ in behalf of themselves and Others Non Resident
Prop""^ of the Township of Lyman in the County of Grafton
unto your Honours humbly shews —
34
498 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That this Hon'^ Court at their Sessions in Feb^ last were
pleased to remitt to the Inhabitants of said Township all their
Taxes for a certain Number of Years by aspecial Resolve for
that purpose — Which Resolve the said Selectmen considered
as a total Exemption of their real & personal property towards
said Taxes in Consideration of Services done by y^ said Inhabi-
tants of which they made no Charge to Government and as
they knew not how to make their proportionable Abatement
they have laid the whole Taxes on the Non resident Lands w'^'*
is considered by them unjust and illegal —
They therefore pray that this Hon''^ Court would appoint a
Committee to determine what is the said Inhabitants Propor-
tion, That the said Non residents may discharge theirs, of said
Taxes, which they are ready to do — and otherways to relieve
your Petitioners as to Justice and Equity belong — And as in
Duty bound they will ever pray —
John Penhallow
John Wendell
Sam^ Cutts
Portsm'' Jan^ 10"^ 17S7
[6-200] \_Petition relative to a Ferry, i/go.^
State of New-Hampshire
Lyman Decern"" 13"^ 1790
To the Hon' General Court of s*^ State to be Convened at Con-
cord on the lirst Wednesday of January next —
Humbly sheweth the Selectmen of Lyman aforesaid, — that
we Your Petitioners & Remonstrants are informed that a Peti-
tion has been prefered to Your Honorable Body by Jacob
Hurd of Bath, wherein he prayed for the exclusive previledge
of keeping a Ferry over Connecticutt River at the Southwest-
erly Corner of s"^ Lyman, which previledge Your Petitioners,
pray may not be granted to s*" Hurd, and as it appears to Your
Petitioners that the s*^ Town of Lyman have, in their Corporate
Capacity, not only a Greater claim to a Grant of the s*^ Previ-
ledge than the s'' Hurd, but a more equitable claim than any
other person, or Corporation, we pray that the exclusive previ-
ledge of opening & forever hereafter keeping a Ferry over
Connecticutt River at the place mentioned in s'' Hurds afore-
said petition, & also any other Ferry or Ferrys against any part
of s** Lyman as occasion may hereafter require, may be granted
to the Selectmen thereof for the time being, for the use & bene-
fit of s'' Lyman under such regulations as to Your Honors may
appear most proper, and Your Petitioners will pray
Joseph Dexter ] Selectmen of
Lemuel Parker J said Lyman
LYMAN. 499
[6-201] \_Petitio7i foi- Authority to tax Non-Residents^
State of New Hampshire
Lyman March ^^790
To the Honorable Senate, and the Honorable House of Rep-
resentatives of said State, to be conven'd at Concord on the
first Wednesday of June next —
Humbly sheweth — the Selectmen of said Lyman in behalf
of said Town, —
that the Inhabitants, therein, are few in number, and in all
probability are for a long time to come likely to remain so, b}^
reason that the greatest part of the lands in Lyman aforesaid
are owned by persons living out of this Town, and many of
them out of this State, —
that by the exertions of Your Petitioners, the lands of the
Non-resident Proprietors are continually increasing in their real
value ; and your petitioners have in a particular manner, made,
and kept in repair. Roads, and Bridges in said Town, beyond
their ability, — Therefore —
Your Petitioners pray Your Honors to pass an Act enabling
the Selectmen of Lyman, for the time being, to Assess, and
order to be Collected, three pence per acre, on all the Lands
of the Non-residents of said Town, for the Sole purpose of
making, and repairing the highways and Bridges therein, or
Grant such relief in the premises as may appear reasonable,
and Your Petitioners will pray
Joseph Dexter ~\ Selectmen of Lyman in
Samuel Way ^ behalf and at the
Lemuel Parker ) request of said Town
[6-203] [ Vote of Town relative to a Ferry ^ lygi.']
At a legal Meeting of the Lihabitants of Lyman legally
warned and held this 15"' day of March 1791 —
Voted to give to Jacob Hurd Esq'' all the right title claim
Interest or demand said Inhabitants have to a certain ferry in
said Lyman which ferry the said Hurd and the Selectmen of
said Lyman hath petitioned for and a hearing to be had on said
petitions before the general Court on the third Wednesday of
their next session
Atst Jon^ Moulton town Clerk
15* March 1791
500 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-204] \_Petition of jfacob Hurd for a Ferry ^ lygj."]
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss —
To the Hon^'* Genei-al Court of s*^ State to be conven'd at Con-
cord in s*^ State on the first Wednesday of June next —
Humbly Sheweth — Jacob Hurd that he owns the Land Ad-
joining Connecticut River in the Township of Lyman in s^
County where Elij'* Hall now lives opposite to Jacob Halls in
the Township of Barnet in the state of Vermont at w'^" place a
public Ferry is very much wanted to accomedate the public, That
the s'' Hurd petitioned the Gen^ Court of s'l State of New Hamp-
shire at their Sessions at Portsmouth the Winter of 17S9 or
the beginning of Jan'^ 1790 for a grant of a Ferry, across y*
River at the place Aforem*^ on which petition the Gen' Court
ordered a Day of hearing in common form that the order of
s'' Court was complyd with by your Petitioner and a day of
hearing was had upon s** Petition all which was Attended with
considerable Expence to him that on the Day of hearing the
Selectmen of s*^' Lyman by their Agent opposed the prayer of
3^our Petitioner being granted upon which the Gen' Court pos-
poned the hearing to their next Sessions and in the mean Time
a Town Meeting of s*^ Lyman was warnd & held for the pur-
pose when it was Voted & agreed the s*^ Town relinquish to
said Hurd all claim to a grant of s'' Ferry a Copy of which
Vote was given s'' Hurd and he again Attended s'' Court agree-
able to their Order — but the s'' Petition was at that time unfor-
tunately lost or mislayed — therefore he prays Your Honors to
take into Consideration the said premises and without any fur-
ther hearing Grant Your Petitioner his Heirs and Assigns for-
ever the priviledge of keeping a Ferry across s'' River extend-
ing up s** River to the Northerly line of s'' Lyman and down s"^
River about one Mile to the first Falls in s'' Lyman under such
Restrictions and Limitations as to your Honors may Appear
proper and your Petitioner as in Duty bound wull ever pray —
Dated at Lyman the 20"" May 1793 —
In behalf of
Jacob Hurd
John Hurd
[The charter for the privilege asked for was granted by
an act approved June 19, 1793. — Ed.]
LYME. 501
LYME.
This township was granted July 8, 1761, to John Thomp-
son and others. Settlements were commenced in the spring
of 1764 by William and John Sloan and Walter Fairfield.
These men came from Connecticut, and named the town
from Lyme in that state.
Twenty-one families were residing in the town in 1770,
which, however, was not enough to comply with the condi-
tions of the grant, which was in reality forfeited in 1769 in
consequence thereof, but was extended on the 21st day of
February, 1770, by the governor and council.
Documents relative to the settlement of town lines, 1780,
may be found in Vol. XI, p. 723.
The name of the town is written " Lime" in the charter,
and that erroneous orthography was perpetuated for some
years, but has been spelled Lyme for the last fifty or more
years.
[6-205] [7/5(9;;/aj Sumner I'elative to the ToxvJt Grants lydS."]
Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Captain General Gov-
ernor & Commander in Cheif in and over his Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire &c in Council.
The humble Petition and Memorial of Thomas Sumner an
Inhabitant and Proprietor of the Township of Lime in the
Province aforesaid — Humbly Sheweth
That your Memorialist is informed that Sundry Persons is
about to Petition your Excellency and Honors for a Grant of
the said Township, supposing the same intirely reverted to his
Majesty for the Nonperformance of the Conditions in the pres-
ent Charter Stipulated — Your Memorialist begs leave to inform
your Excellency & Honors, that there are now Setled, and
setling Fifteen Families, that have made Considerable Cultiva-
tions on their respective shares in said Township, and many
have been resident thereon Sundry Years, and have built there-
on— under these Circumstances if your Excellency should grant
the said Township to other proprietors without having regard
to the present Setlers, it might prove ruinous to them respect-
ively. Wherefore he humbly Prays your Excellency and
Honors that such a Grant mav not be made, without some No-
tice given to the Tenants that they may have an Opportunity of
502 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
giving your Excellency a true State of their Tenure and Condi-
tion— and your Memorialist shall ever Pray —
Portsm" September 8"^ 1768.
Tho" Sumner
also your Memorialist begs leave to inform your Excellency
that there is a Small Island of the Contents of about Thirty
Acres, nearly opposite the South West corner of said Lime,
■which if improved and Cultivated might be of beneficial Con-
venience to the Town — Wherefore your Mem° would humbly
beg a Grant of the said Island, in order to improve it, in such
manner as your ExcelP^ may think fit to grant the same.
Tho^ Sumner
[In H. of Rep., August, 1768, "ordered to lay." — Ed.]
[6-206] \_Cotiditioii of the Towft^ iy68.'\
Province of New Hamps^
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General,
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over his Majestys
Province of New Hampshire & Vice Admiral of the Same in
Council —
The Petition of Thomas Sumner of Lyme in behalf of him-
self and the Grantees of said Township unto your Excellency &
Hon''^ most humbly shews —
That Your Petitioners have so far complied with the Condi-
tions of the Charter of said Township as to make a Settlement
of twenty one of said Rights, tho with great Discouragem'' Ex-
pence & Hardships, being Obliged to carry & fetch their Pro-
visions & Corn from Mills forty Miles Distant from said Town-
ship ; and have now the pleasing Prospects of a fine Settlement
if y'' Excellency & Honours will indulge them with a Contin-
uance of your favovn-s by Lengthning out the Charter of said
Township for three Years from this date, in which time we do
assure Y' Excellency & Honours that this Township shall be
fully Setled, for which we are ready to Obligate ourselves and
all concerned — And your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever
pray—
Tho^ Sumner
Portsm" Ocf 35"> 1 768 —
LYME,
503
f 6-207] \_T'o'wn Inventory^ ^773 ^ names oftly prznted.'\
An Inventory of the Polls and Ratable Estate of the Inhabi-
tants of the Township of Lime —
Wi™ Bell
Wi" Bell Jun'
John Bell
Andrew Bell
Elkanah Billing
John Barron
Nathan Ban^on
Jonathan Child
John Chamberlin of
Thetford
Sam" Gary
Tho^ Dunham
Benj" Day Jun""
James English
Walter Fairfield
Walter Fairfield Jun""
John Fairfield
Benj° Grant
Benj" Grant Jun''
Peter Grant
Tho^ Gilbert
Ebenz"^ Green
Rubin Grant
Noah Grant
Titus Goodell
Natha" Hews
Natha" Hews Jun''
Sam" Hunt
Edward Howard
Edward Howard
Jun^
Daniel Howard
James Hovey
Daniel Howard Jun""
Isaiah Howard
Jonath" Hatch
Richard Limes
Hezekiah May
Charles Nelson
W" Nelson
Jacob Orcutt
Lemuel Peake
Isaac Preston
Tho^ Porter
Elijah Porter
Calvin Porter
the Wid° Thede
Phelps
Luther Porter
Peter Purkins
Jonath" Rich
Seth Roe
Moses Stark
W™ Stark
John Stewart
John Sloan
David Sloan
Elx^ Shield
Joseph Scinner
John vScott
Jesse Strong
Sam" Smith
The above and Foregoing is True Invontory of the Polls and
Ratable Estate of the Township of Lime Taken April the 26"*
1773 By us the Subscribers
Walter Fairfield
Benjamin Grant
VV'Bell
Jonathan Child
Charles Nelson
Select-
y men
of Lime
the Sum Total of the Whole List of the Township of Lime
s d
is £63 19:8
Lime 5"' may 1773 then waiter fairfield Jonathan Child &
Charles Nelson personally appeared and made oath that the
above Inventory was faithfully & impartially made
before me Israel Morey Justice Peace
504 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-20S] [ Vote of Toxvn relative to the Convention at Leb-
anoti^ lyyy.']
at a meeting of the Inhabitents of the town of Lime Leagely
worned and held at the hous of Capt Eben'' Gravs in S** town
on tusday y* fourth day of this februery 1777 —
and the Seventh vote in S*^ meeting was that the Com'* of
Safty of this town Should Join in Conjuncieon with the Com'"
of Safty for the Severel towns in this County at Deecon ord-
ways at Lebenon on thursday y* thirteenth day of this Instant
februry to meet with the Courts Com'® from Exeter and are
Likewise Impowed to act in behalf of the above S*^ town Rele-
tive to there Letter of the tenth Day of Janery Last
the Names of the Com'*
Walter Fairfield Comitees Ch"
John Sloan Clerk
Decen Joseph Skiner
m'' waiter fairfield
m'' thomas porter
John Sloan
[R. 3-235]
A copy of the intelligence Received in Cohoss
Lime 29"' of June 177^ these to acquaint you that this mo-
ment I have Received intiligence that our army is Drove to
Crown point the News Came by M'' Chamberline who says he
saw two men that Came With General Sullivan over the Lake
I hope M"" Whitelaw and company are returned if Not I fear
they are intercepted pray send by the bearer any intiligence
you may have otherwise, also your advice how we had best
proceed
I am in haste S'' your Humble Ser*
to the Honourable Jacob Bailey Esq""
Jonath. Childs
We have now no Doubt of the truth of the first report as
"within therefore we pray the assistance of the Lower towns by
their sending the Alelitia to our assistance
Jacob Bailey
James Bailey
Chairman of the Com. of Haver' and Newbury
LYME. 505
[R. 2-236] \_Petiiion of Capt. Ebenezer Greeti^ Ij8l.'\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon'''* the Council & House of Representatives now
Convened at Exeter, in the State aforesaid.
Humbly Sheweth Your Petitioner That he entered into the
Continental Sei^vice in the beginning of the year 1776 in the Ca-
pacity of a Captain in CoP Timothy Bedles Regiment, raised
by this state & soon after joined the Continental Army in Can-
ada— And that in the month of May in the year aforesaid he
was made a Captive at a place called the Cedars and left in the
hands of tlie Enemy as a Hostage by Gen' Arnold, then chief
Commander in that department, — That after about ten Alonths
captivity, vour Petitioner was permitted to return home on his
parole — That in the year 1779 he was called to New York &
then permitted to return still on parole till further orders. — And
that now he is liable to be called for at any moment, — That
your petitioner has twice made application to Congress in order
to effect his exchange, but to no purpose, — That your petitioner,
since his first engagement, has received no more than the nomi-
nal sum of his wages in paper Currency, and has nowhere to
look for redress but to your honors. — Your Petitioner would
therefore humbly pray your Honors to take his circumstances
under your wise & serious Consideration & grant him such re-
lief as other officers of his rank have been allowed to receive.
Exeter 12"' Jany. 17S1 Ebn"" Green
[He petitioned again the following November, in which
he stated '• That he became an Hostage by order of Gen^
Arnold for performance of the Capitulation Entered into
by said Arnold." And again in June, 1783, in which he
stated that he was " detained about six years a prisoner as
hostage before exchanged," — Ed.]
[R. 2-239] \_^cport of Committee oti Soldiers^ lySd.^
Your Committee on the petition of Plainfield, Lebanon &C
beg leave to report as their opinion, That the Town of Lime
be credited for three Continental men Viz Abner Barlow Hen-
ry Tibbets & James Rosebrooks of Whitcomb's Corps, and
that said Town be allowed the sum of sixty pounds for each of
said men, with interest thereof on the settlement of the ac-
506 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
count the state has against said Lime for deficiency of soldiers,
which is submitted
Josh' Wentworth for the Committee.
[The report was accepted and adopted by the legisla-
ture.— Ed.]
[From Gen. Chase's Papers.]
Lime May 13''' 1777
Sir This may Certify you that Stephen Jinnings & Eph-
raim Jinnings have Enlisted Into the Continental Service for
the Term of three years under the Command of Cap* John
House Co" Starks Reg' & have bin mustered & paid their State
Bounty & Travil money by me
For Cap' Abel Stephens
Jon'' Child M : Master
Lime March 22^ 1781.
S"' these may Certify That Ephraim Dunlap of Plainfield
and Able Parks of hanover served as Sergent in my Comp^ In
the one months sei^vice
CoP Jonath" Chase Charles Nelson Cap'
[6-210] \_Petitio7i for Charter for a Ferry ^ 1^84^^
Whereas the Ferry on Connecticut River opposite to the north
west corner of Lime in the county of Grafton and State of New
Hampshire, has not been chartered by the Government ; And
whereas said Ferry has been occupied by Nathan Mann of
Thetford west of said River, for four years last past, who has
been at very considerable expence in providing boats and keep-
ing the ways thro' his own farm &c. to said Ferry in repair ;
and has during said term, given such attendance to said Ferry
as to gratify and serve the Public in the best manner ; And
whereas 'tis our opinion that s** Mann is the most suitable per-
son to own and occupy said Feriy, his situation and circum-
stances being better calculated to serve the public in this re-
spect than any other person whatsoever — We the Subscribers
therefore wish said Ferry might be granted to the said Nathan
Mann, his heirs, &c. — Dated October 8"' AD 17S4.
Will Simpson John Nelson Benj" Morey
John Mann Ebe"' Green Edward Howard Jr
Jon" Sawyer Amasa Bugbee Isaac Perkins
LYME.
507
Ichobod Palmer
Simeon Avery
Isaac VV. Stanton
Ebenezer Baldwin
John Clark
Sam"" Bell
Thyohry Clark
William Thomson
Edward Sawyer
Samuel Phelps jur
Ichabod Sawyer
Reuben Strong
Thomas Sawyer
Jonathan Bixby
Rob' Simpson
Nathaniel Marsh
Samuel Cole
Asa Tyler
Jon* Darbe
Clement Emery
Simeon Darby
Theodore Dame
Amos Palmer
Mathew Sloan
Asa Preston
Lemuel Sturtevant
Joseph Skinner Ju'
Peter post
Daniel Tillotson Jr
Ichabod Tucker
James English
Elijah Porter
Peter Perkins Junr
William Porter
Israel Newton
Thomas Porter
Calvin Porter
John Bell
John Tomson
Benjamin Wood-
worth
Amherst Coult
Tylly Howe
Daniel Fuller
Tho^ Paine
Jn" Sloan
Joseph Sloan
Oliver farmer
Lebeus Washburn
Edward Howard
Joseph Howard
Jona Franklin
Zebedee Cutting
Benjamin Howard
In orford thirty nine Siners
In lime fifty Siners
Nathan Edson
Abel Skinner
Ephraim Skinner
Joseph Skinner
Tho'* porter Junr
Sam" phelps
Joel phelps
Seth Waterman
Abigay B rotten
ISaiah Howard
Daniel Howard
Enoch Howard
Uriah Howard
Voden tucker
Macy Morey
James Morey
Peter Perkins
Abraham Perkins
Eli Carpenter
David Simpson
Elias Dewey
John Morey
Nath" Phelps
Abr"' Palmer
James Hobart
Stephen Lumbard
Joseph Hobart
[6-21 1] \^Relative to Representation^ etc.']
At A Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Lime Le-
galley Warned and Convened at the house of Ebenezer Green
Esqr on Monday the 25"' of Nov' and Continued by adjourn-
ment to Monday the 2"^ of Dec'' Inst. —
1°' Voted that the phamphlet Lately published by the Com-
mitey of the Towns of Lime hanover Leabonon and plainfield
is truely Expresive of our Sentiments on Representation and
the Unconstituniol Formation and proceedings of the present
Assembly —
2'^ Voted that we Canot Comply with the presept Issued to
this town in Conjunction with 5 other Towns for Chusing a
Representative for the Reasons following Viz —
Because the present plan of Representation is intirely Incon-
sistant with a free State where Every Corporate Town that is
508 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
taxt hath an undoubted Right to act for themselves in Chusing
a Alember for the Legislative Bodey because the Elections are
limited to persons of 200 £ st. of Real Estate for there
Choiese whereas Every Elector in free States is Capable of be-
ing Elected
3*^ Voted that the Clerk be directed to make Returns of our
Reasons for our None Compleyance to the proposed Assembley
that is to Sett at Exeter on the thierd vvensday of Dec'' Next
4'y Voted that we Cannot Compley with the dierection to the
Choiese of a Councelor in Manner proposed in the presept for
the Reasons folowing, first Because that in Ever}? free State the
people have an undoubted Right to there Voice in the Choise
of the whole Councle Either by themselves or there Represent-
ative
2^ Because we Cannot See aney good proposed by Confin-
ning the Elector to Certain Limmits within the State for there
Choiese —
3"^ Voted that the Clerk be directed to Make Return of our
Reasons for Non Compleyance to the Committee apointed for
the Receiving of the Votes for a Councelor and also to Enter a
protest agains the Choiese
Test Jon" Child Town Clerk
[6-313] \_Pctitio}i for the An?iexatio}i of Granfs Island to
the Town^ lySSr^
To The Hon :ble the Gen" Court of N Hampshire to be con-
vened at Concord on the i^' Tuesday of June next —
We would inform the Hon*"'* Court that there is an Island
leying in Connecticut River between the Town of Lyme and
the western Banks of said River containing about Twenty five
acres of Land, — Owned by Benjamin Grant, to him Chartered
by the late Gov'' Wentworth which Island we Request to be
annexed to the Town of Lyme for the following Reasons viz.
I*' Because it appears to us reasonable that it be Taxed it being
prinicapally under improvement & 2'"^ It being owned by an
Inhabitant of the Town it has ever been Taxed by the Select
Men but not Colleable without dificulty — on account of its not
beloning to any perticular Town therefore we pertition that the
above Island (known by the Name of Grant's Island) be an-
nexed to the Town of Lyme, or some other Town in the State
as the Hon" Court in their Wisdom shall See fit
Lyme May 31, 17SS
Jonathan Conant \ Select Men
Jon" Goodell \ of
Amherst Coult ) Lyme
LYNDEBOROUGH. 509
LYNDEBOROUGH.
The township was first granted by the government of
Massachusetts to Capt. Samuel King and others who were
in the Canada expedition in 1690. Some of the grantees
being inhabitants of Salem, Mass., the township was called
Salem-Canada, until it was re-granted by the Masonian
proprietors, Dec. 5, 1753, to Benjamin Lynde, of Salem,
Mass., and thirty others, and named Lynde Borough. (See
Vol. IX, p. 536.) It was incorporated as a town April 23,
1764. Settlements were made in 1750. June 15, 1791, a
portion was taken from the westerly part of the town, joined
with some other tracts, and incorporated into the town of
Greenfield.
The town lost another portion of territory June 11, 1796,
the same being annexed to Temple.
Jan. 5, 1853, the north-easterly portion of the town was
set off and annexed to Mont Vernon.
June 27, 1873, some territory was taken from the south-
erly side of the town and annexed to Milford.
[6-216] \^Recommendatio7i for a Coroner^ jyy6.']
At A Legual Meeting of the Inhabitants of Lyndeborough on
Thursday y*^ 29"" 1776
Then the Above S'^ Town Unanimously Voted that M"" Jo-
seph Herrick be Recommended to the General Coart of this
Colliny ; as A Person worthy to be Appointed to Receive the
Office of a Coroner —
A Trew Coppey Attest P""
And^ Fuller T : Clerk
Lyndeborough August y* 20"' ^776
[6-217] \^Recoin}ne7idatio7t for a JMagistrate^ l'j'jg.'\
at a Legal Meeting of the Town of Lyndeborough on the 26"*
Day of March 177S they Voted to Recomend Cap* Peter Clark
to the Great and General Court of this State and pray he may be
appoinded a Justice of the peace
Lyndeborough June 15"^ '779
And^^ Fuller "J Select Men
Daniel Gould > of
Jacob watamen ) Lyndeborough
5IO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-2 1 8] \_Lcttcr frofn Benjamin Lynde^ ^779'']
Salem 12 Sepf i779 —
Hon'^^^ Sir
Hearing you are President of the Council in your State, I take
the Fredom, from our past Acquaintace & your general good
Carracter ; to Write you, and Petition to your Court, for taking
off a Part of Lyndbor" Called Beavins Corner, & annexing it
with other Lands, into a new Parrish.
There are Certain Facts, that in all Justice & reason must
greatly Influence in such Affairs: — about 12 or 14 years agoe,
when the Inhabitants Proposed a second Meetinghouse, the first
being never finish'd, a Place was agreed on near to the then In-
habitants, but as those who were at Beavins Corner Tho't it hard
as they were some of the first Setlers to have it Carryed furth
from them, It was at last Deter mi n'd only to move it a litle
nearer, tho in the Same Lott, to Favour the Inhabitants in that
part — and Placed it puerly to oblige them — tho far from the
Midle & against the minds of the Majority of the Proprietors,
whose Interest lead to Place it further Northwest, as the Town
by Charter was enlarged West & N West, — so that an Altera-
tion now, would be Attended with great Detriment & an Heavy
Charge —
I am Apt to think, Hon*^ Sir, Your own Observation, I am
Sure mine does, Shows That the multiplying Parishes naturaly
tends to Impoverish the Clergy ; breaks the Union of Society's,
and when the times are so Difficult, will Disolve all but the
richest Parishes —
Such are the Heavy Taxes now. That one had as good Give
away poor Lands as pay the Taxes — especially with you, who
allow no right of Redemption, as is practised in other States —
This will Encourage all Tresspassors who for less than a Shill^,
can purchase an acre of Land
I ask the Favor of your Showing this to Hon" Jacob Abbot
Esq"", of your Board — & if the Facts are such as in Justice must
Stop the Proceeding, I Trust he will Join in it —
I am S' with great Respects to Your Selfe & M'' Weare —
Your Hon""' Most Obed' Serv*
Benj" Lynde
Addressed to Hon. Meshach Weare.
[6-219] {^Petition for a Division of the Town^ 1/80.']
To the Hon'^^'^ The Council and House of Representatives Con-
vened at Exeter State of New Hampshire June 1780
The prayer of vour Humble Petitioners sheweth That your
Petitioners living in Lyndborough and in the Easterly part of
LYNDEBOROUGH. 3II
the Town and upwards of four miles from the meeting House
And badl}^ situated on account of a Road to Said Lyndborough
Meeting House It being a verry large and rough Hill or Moun-
tain to rise which never will admit of a Comfortable road either
to pass or repass to or from Said Meeting House and Cannot be
avoided by us, And as we live but a few rods from Amhei'st
line and but about Two miles from And verry good road to the
place where the People in the Northwesterly part of the Town
of Amherst have agreed to Set their Meeting House, And as we
might be so well Acommodated by being Setoff from the Town
of Lyndborough and annexed with the northwesterly part of
the Town of Amherst and formed into a Town — Therefore we
with the Inhabitants in the Northwesterly part of Said Amherst
who are owners of great part of the lands in this part of Lynde-
borough Pray That you would be pleased to set off from said
Lyndeborough half a mile in wedth at New Boston line from
thence Continuing that half mile in wedth Adjoining to Said
Amherst about four miles and an half Southerly on Said Am-
herst line to a Pitchpine tree marcked which is the Southwest
Corner bounds mentioned in the Petition for a parrish or Town
preferred by the Inhabitants in the northwesterlv part of Am-
herst and pray that the above mentioned half mile may be an-
nexed with the Northwest part of said Amherst and formed into
a Town And your Petitioners as in duty Bound Shall ever
pray—
Lyndeborough June 17S0
Inhabitants of Lyndeborough
his
Benjamin -(- Curtice
mark
Samuel Town
John Case
Inhabitants in the Northwesterly part of Amherst Owners of
Land in the within mentioned part of Lyndborough
Josiah Dodge
Stephen Peabody
[6-221] Rcfuonstrance to foregoing Petition^ i/'8j.~\'
To the Great and General Court or assembly of the State of
New Hampshire —
The Petition of the Select men and other Freeholders and
Inhabitants of the Town of Lyndeborough humbly Sheweth
Whereas we Suppose there will be a petition prefer*^ to this
Honorable Court by a Number of the Inhabitants of the North
512 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
west part of the Town of Lyndeborough praying that they may
be Sett off from Said Lyndeborough as a Town by them Selves
we vour Petitioners pray their Petition may not be granted for
the following Reasons (viz)
Reason hrsttheTown being Laid out in Such a form, Should
Such a piece of the Town be taken off as is Requested by the
Said Northwest part of this Town it will leave the Remainder
of Said town in Such a form that it Cannot be Supposed that it
will long Exist as a Town —
2'y Should they be Contented to Continue in Such an Illcon-
venant form there is so much mountainous Land that will not
admit of Settlement it will make it Very burthensom for us to
Support the Gospel which we have Regularly Settled with
us —
3'y as we have with Zeal and Unity born our parts in a Long
and Distressing War we humbly pray the Court as the Parent
of the State to protect us in Every iit way that lays in their
power from Every Unnessary Division and Expence untill we
have More fully Discharge our proportion of the publick
Debt-
Resting in the wisdom and Litegerity of the Honorable Court
we Subscribe our Selves your Humble petitioners who as in
Duty bound Shall Ever pray —
Lyndeborough December 12 1783
Ephraim Putnam ^ Selectmen
Jeremiah Carleton > of
Jonas Kidder ) Lyndeborough
Peter Clark William Punchard John Kidder
Francis Epes Ebenezer gardner James Boutwell
Levi Spaulding Robert Badger Adam Johnson
Joseph Batchelder Jacob Wellman Nathaniel Phelps
Nath" Batchelder William Barron Samuell Hutchinson
Stephen Richardson Daniel Gould And"' Fuller
Jonathan Whitte- John ordway Sam Chamberlin
more Eleazar Woodward Jacob Cram
Aaron Whittemore Solomon Cram Adam Johnson Jun'
Benj'^ Punchard John Chamberlin Jacob Flynn
James Punchard Samuel Hutchason Aaron Lewis
Samuel Whittemore Jonathan Pearson John Rowe
Nathanel Hutchin- Amos Pearson Josah Dutton
son Walter Ross William Dutten
John Clark Reuben Batchelder
[The following are on another petition of same date and
nature : — Ed.]
LYNDEBOROUGH. 5 I 3
Samuel Huston Richard Butler moses Lewis
Beniamin Dutton Jacob Button John Woodward
Ithamar Woodward John Stiles Andrew Creesy
[6-223] \_Afiother Remonstrance,, lyS^.'l
State of New Hampshire
To the Honourable the Sennate and House of Representatives
In General Court assembled 17S4
The Town of Lyndeborough humbly Sheweth Agreeable to
an Order of the Honourable the Sennate and House of Repre-
sentitives to us directed upon a petition of a Number of the In-
habitance of the westerly part of this Town and others praying
they may be Set off as a Town by them Selves —
The Town of Lyndborough at a Legol Meeting have taken
Said petition under their Consideration and beg leave to offer
Some Reasons why the pra^-er of Said petitioners Should not
be granted —
As to the Town of Lyndborough being Very Larg as is Set
forth in Said petition we would Inform the Hon' Court that it
was at first Laid out but Six miles Square Except a little Cor-
ner that New Boston took off on the North East Corner, after
wards there was a large piece of the Town taken oft' from the
South part of Said Town and Added to Wilton, by Joseph
Blanchard Esq'' who was agent for the Masonian proprietors,
which was a great dammage to this Town, for the piece that
was added to this Town on the north part of it, in Lieu of it,
we Cannot Expect to hold to this Town when they Request to
be Set oft' to Frances-town, it being but about a mile from Said
Frances-town Meeting House —
the South East part of this Town by Reason of their distance
from the Meeting House petitioned the General Court in the
Year 1779 to be taken oft' from this Town and together with
Duxbery School Farm and part of Amharst to be Incorporated
a distinct Town by them Selves, but the Hono" Court Viewing
the plan of this Town and Considering its Circumstances Re-
solved that the Request of Said petitioners ought not to be
granted —
As to the present petition before the Honourable Court their
Request appears to us So Extravigant and unreasonable that it
is a Matter of wonder to us that Men So Zealous for the publick
worship as the petitioners Express them Selves, Should So fail
in the Second branch of Duty (viz) Love to their Neighbour,
for it appears to us that their petition Cannot be granted with-
out the Distruction and aniolation of the Town as your Hon-
35
514 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ours may See by the plan of that part of that Town that will be
left, for not only the unpresidented form it will ly in, but the
large quantity of Land that lays Easterly of the Meeting House
that never will admit of Settlement, will have a tendancy to
break up the Town, and farthermore the Southeasterly part of
the Town have almost as far to travil to the Meeting House as
a great part of the petitioners now have, likewise the North
Easterly part of the Town in which Corner of the Town and
East of the line the petitioners have drew a Crost tlie Town,
and behind the Said Mountain, there is about thirty familyes
that have to go over Said Mountain to Meeting where it is
much More Steeper and Rougher than where the petitioners
Cross it, likewise your Honnours will See by the Plan what a
Cituation the Southwest Corner will be left in. —
Upon the whole we think needless to trouble your Honours
with any thing that is lengthey in this way, the true State of the
Matter will we trust appear So plain by the plans Exhibeted to
your Honnours and what may be Said on the Subiect on the
Day of hearing, that we humbly Refer the Matter to your wise
Consideration and Paternal Care of us trusting that the Matter
will be Settled agreable to Justice and Equity —
permit us fiirther to add that we could wish to Accommo-
date the owners and few Inhabitants of the Said Slip of Land
agreeable to their plan and make that the Center of a fine Town
bounded out as they please Could it be done without So great
Expence as the Ruin of this Town, likewise we think and take
it to be the minds of the Town and that they are heartily will-
ing to allow to their Breatheren the petitioners that belong to
this Town a full Equality of priviledge as to the place of Meet-
ing by Moving the Meeting House, to the Center, or Some
other way that may be thought Best, but we Cannot be Recon-
siled to the thought of haveing the Town torn to pieces accord-
ing to the Request of the petitioners, there fore it is the prayer
of this Town that the prayer of the petitioners may not be
granted, for which the Town of Lyndborough who as in Duty
bound will Ever pray
Levi Spaulding \ Signed by the Committee
Ephraim Putnam ^ in behalf of the Town
Peter Clark ) of Lyndeborough
[6-224] {^Statement fro7n the Petitioneis^ ^784.~\
Whereas the General Court at the Request of us the Sub-
scribers Was pleased to Appoint a Committee of the Court to
come and view the Situation and Circumstances of the Town of
LYNDEBOROUGH. 515
Lyndeborough The Honorable Committee having prosecuted
the busines of their Commisions earnistly Recommended to each
party in Said Town to agree on Sum terms of Accommodation
among them Selves for the Present term and as we wish always
to pay a due Defterance to the Wise and a Proper regard to
their Counsels we are disposed to adhear to their advice, and
notwithstanding we are Consious to our Selves we have asked
for nothing more then reason will dictate to be right, the Natu-
ral Rights of inen Require, and the previleges which the Con-
stitution of our State admits of, yet for the Sake of making
every thing as easy as posable to the minds of our brethrin who
are in opposition to us we Consent to the following proposals
(viz) we the Subscribers being the Major part of the Petitioners
for a Town on the westardly part of Said Town of Lyndeborough
do agree and consent that provided the Inhabitants of said Lvnde-
borough who Dwell on the Eastwardly Side of the mountain at
a Legual Town meeting will agree and pass a Vote that they
Will no more oppose the Incorporation of the Westardly part
of Said Town together with the Slip &c into a Town or Parrish
as the Court Shall See fit agreable to their Petition and the Plan
theirwith Exhibeted to the Court we will withdraw our Petition
now in Court, and will meet with them as usual and will Pay
our full proportion of the yearly Salary of our minister for the
Term of Nine months next insuing from the Date here of, or
otherwise if it Should be most agreable to our Breathren in the
Bastardly Part of Said Town and to our Rev** Paster for him to
Com and Preach with us as many Sabaths in a year as will be
our proportionable Part according to what we pay towards his
yearly Sallary we will consent to remain togeather as we are for
the Term of one year and Nine months or otherwise if it Shall
be most agreeable to our above Said Bretheran of Said Town
we will Draw our mony which we Pay towards the yearlv Sal-
lary of our Rev''* Paster and we will Consent to remain to-
geather as we are for the Term of two years and Nine months
Next to Com from the Date hereof we do not mean however
that if b}' reason of Som adverse Providanc it Should becom
Necessary to Buld another meeting House or any Extraordiary
Expenc Should arise in the Town within Said Term which we
trust will not be the Case, we Say we do not hereby oblidge our
Selves to Such Expence
Lyndeborough December 7'^ 17S4 —
Stephen Burnam John Savage Asahel Stiles
Samuel Stevins Joseph Herrick Stephen Gould
Isaac Day Joseph Elinwood jr Samuel Blasdel
James Burnam Jobn Reynolds George Pearson
Amos Whitemor John Taplain Joseph Elinwood
5l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
David Avril John Smith William Parker
Jon'' Butler Philip Fletcher Nathaniel Batchelder
William Taylor John Grant Thomas Carleton
Robert Day Samuel Punchard Joseph Bickford
Nathaniel Burnam Hesekiah Dunckly Abraham Dinsmore
Joshua Stiles Samuel Punchard jr Ephraim Abbot
Att a Legual meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Lyndeborough on the twenty Seventh Day
of December A : D : 17S4 the fore going Proposals was laid be
fore the Town but not accepted
a True Copy Atts p' Ephraim Putnam T : Clerk
[6-225] \_Another Statement of the Situation^ iy84.'\
State of New Hamshire
To the Hon' the Senate and House of Representatives In Gen-
eral Court Assembled —
Humbly sheweth the Petition of Us the Subscribers being
partlv Inhabitants of the westerly part of Lyndborough and
partly proprieters and Inhabitants of Lyndeborough Strip so
Called and owners of Land on the East of Peterbourough —
Whereas the Town of Lyndeborough is large in its Circum-
ference and lyeth in such form and Situation as renders it Ex-
ceeding difficult for the Inhabitants to meet together for the
purpose of Public & Social worship : and on all other Oca-
sions, the Distance from the abode of your petitioners to the
meeting House in said Town is very great: But that is not all,
the Land in that part is very mountainous and Rough — there is
a hill Called Lyndeborough Mountain lying Southwardly &
Northwardly Cross the Town — Several Miles in Length by
reason of which the Communication of the East & West parts
are rendered exceeding difficult — there not being but one place
that is passable over said mountain for about four miles — and
the rise and fall on each side is very long and Steep — and there
is as much as fifty Seven families on the West Side of said
mountain in said Town and on Said Strip, who have no way
to get to Meeting only in that one place or way (excepting a
few) : and we think we can Safely say the greatest part of said
families are as much as five Miles from the Meeting House and
a Considerable Number are more than Six and some more than
Seven miles distant and many more will be as much as Seven
when the imimproved Lands are Setled which we have reason
to think would soon be, could that place be accommodated as
Towns in General are — But the present situation of that part of
LYNDEBOROUGH. 51/
said Town is such that it discourages the Settlement thereof:
and those who are ah^eady settled there are almost worn out
with their difficulties in geting to meeting and Attending other
public and Necessary Business, — Ever sience they been there
they have always lived in hope that they should be better ac-
commodated when they should increase to such a Number as
to be Able to support a Gospel Minister they suppose they
have the greatest reason to expect it Considering the situation
of the Town, and they alwavs Understood that it was the Opin-
ion of every one that was well aquainted therewith that a Divi-
sion would take place — : It is but a small part of Holy Time
Your petitioners can Attend public worship, and our women
and Children many of them are almost Strangers in the meeting
House, we hope we can truly say not altogether for want of
love to the Divine Ordinances, But are obliged to Neglect Pub-
lic worship from their inability to Attend thro the Difficulties
above mentioned — We do not wish to Injure the Town of
Lyndebourough, it is not for any decension in principles or
manners that we would seperate from them, we have hitherto
lived in peace & harmoney as a Town : and we wish ever to
Cultivate and Maintain such a Temper of Mind toward each
other — But we cannot in our vSituation enjoy these Rights and
previledges which we think belong to a Christian people — and
we are fully perswaded in our own minds and Consiences that
Considering our Circumstances which we bcleive are almost if
not quite unparalled in the whole state, a Separation would be
far more beneficial to us and to our posterity than the disad-
vantage can be to the other part of the Town — and your Peti-
tioners are of humble Opinion, that on the Westerly Side of
said mountain in said Lyndborough and said Strip of Land to-
gether with one Mile Square of the Sosiety land (or what is
called the undivided Land) with the east Range of Lots in
Peterborough (that is) four Miles from the North line — all which
is Contained in a Plan herewith prefered to your Honors — your
Petitioners are of Opinion would be sufficient for a small
Town, and as the Town of Peterborough is very large we un-
derstand not less than Six Miles Square, your Petitioners think
it would not be prejudicial to that Town if said east Range of
Lots Should be vSetoft'to Accommodate your Petitioners and
those who may hereafter improve and dwell on said Lots —
Wherefore Your Petitioners Humbly pray Your Honors to
take their Case with all the Difficulties attending it, into Your
Consideration and Paternal Care, and if in your wisdom and
Judgment you should find it Consistant with Justice and Equi-
ty to accommodate them by makeing them a Distinct Town,
(which we are in full Confidence your Hon" will Do) Then
the prayer of your petitioners is that your Honors Will Incor-
5i8
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
porate into a Town & Body Politic all those who Dwell within
the Limets and bounds with the Lands agreablv to the Plan
herewith Committed — Granting to them all the Rights Previ-
ledges & Emunities Equal to Other Towns In said State — for
which your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
If the Representation of our Atlair herein Given should not
be satisfactory to the Honourable Court ; we would humbly
Ask the feavour that a Committe might be Appointed by the
Hon' Court to Come and View our Situation and make
Repourt thei^eof and we the Subscribers will pay the Charge
thereof if the Hon'^ Court Sees fit we should
Lj-ndeborough May 17S4 —
Amos Whittemor
John Savage
Thomas Carlton
Nathael Burnam
Jon" Butler
Williani Blunt
Willard Leind
Joseph EUinwood J'' Isaac Foster
William Taylor Tn° Grant
Robert Day
Joseph Batchelder
John Reynolds
James Burnam
Joshua Holt Ju"'
Philip fletcher
Ephraim Abbott
Joshua Stiles
Samuel Stevens
Isaac Day
John Aarchar
Joseph Herrick
Stephen Burnam
George Person
Edmund Bickford
Joseph Bickford
Peter Russell
Simeon Fletcher
Samuel Punchard
Hezekiah Dunckle
Samuel Blasdel
William Parker
Stephen goold
David Averil
Asahel Stiles
Joseph Person
Barachias Holt
Abiel Abbot
Joseph EUinwood
John taplein
Asa Dutton
Samuel Cudworth
Abraham Dinsmore
Samuel Punchard J"' Daniel Herrick
John Smith Joshua Holt
[6-327] \_Repo}-t of a Committee of Conference, l/Sj.']
We the Subscribers being a commette chosen by the Peti-
tioners of the North westerly part of the Town of Lynde-
borough to meet a commette Chosen by the Town of Lynde-
borough to see if the too Commettes in behalf of the parties
could come into any method of agreement for the preasant
agreable to the advice of Hon' Commettee from the General
Court conserning A petition witch now lies in the General
Court the prayer of witch petition is that the s'' North west
part together with the strip &cc be incorporated into a town
We the Comette do say in Behalf of the petitioners that we are
willing to Remain together with the Town for the Term of
three years from the 7 day of Next September 1785 Provided
we draw four fifths of what money we pay toward our Revn*^
Ministers Sallery in money or preaching By a Vote of the
LYNDEBOKOUGH. 519
Town — Nevertheless it is to be allways understood that the
Hon' Court Commette at this Session Report that the petition-
ers of the s'' Northwesterly part &cc be set oft" Either as a town
or parish as they shall think Best at the end of the Term we
have prefixed and also tliat the Hon' Court pass a Vote that
our agreement with the Easterly part of s'' town be not altered
by the town within said term, Furthermore that if by reason
of sume advers providence it should be come Necessary to
build another ISleeting house or any Extraordinery Expence
should arise in the town within said term witch we trust will
not be the Case we say we do not hearby Oblige our selves to
such Expence —
Lyndeborough Feb'' 2^ 17S5
Tn° Savage ) ^
T I Ti • 1 r L-ommete
Joseph Hernck j
£6-230] \^ReTno7istrance to a Division of the ToxvnJ\
To the Honorable the Councel & House of Representatives
of the State of New Hampshire in General Court Assem-
bled—
The petition of the Inhabitants of the town of Lyndeborough
by their Committe — Humbly sheweth —
That Whereas the town has been served with a Copy of a
petition of a number of the Inhabitants of this Town Request-
ing that they with a particular part of the town of Lynde-
borough therein Mentioned May be set of & Incorporated with
Duxbury School Farm iMileslip with a part of Amherst into a
Town &c &c And Calling upon the town of Lyndeborough to
Appear & shew Reasons If any they have why the prayer of
said petition should not be Granted At their Next sessions on
the second Thursday Whereupon the town being Legally As-
sembled Voted & Choose a Committe to Appear & Assign
Reasons Accordingly —
We therefore the Committe beg leave in the Name & behalf
of the Town Humbly to Represent the following Reasons why
the prayer of s'' petition should not be Granted & that part of
Lyndeborough therein Mentioned set of & Annexed to Dux-
bury School farm &c.
That in the year 1765 When the Town was Small but few
Inhabitants About 40 families in all when we Attempted to
build a Meeting house & settle the Gospel among us — Fre-
quently when Town Meetings were Called & we attempted to
Agree upon a Particular Spot of Ground for the Meeting house
520 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
to Stand upon — They Voted Against Our proceedings & threw
in Protests oflering the Following Reasons — Viz That the place
Voted is not Commodious for building a Meeting upon — And
that they were not able to Support a Minister — And in 1766
after the Meeting house Spot VVas fixed upon for their Accom-
modation they Cordially Agreed with the other Inhabitants to
proceed in building a Aleeting house & settling the Gospel in
Town — And Accordingly the town did Unanimously proceed
in 176S to build a Meeting house on s*^ Spot to Accommodate
s** petitioners in particular & to settle the Gospel in s'^ Town
which was done with Great Uninimity & which still Contin-
ues— And as s"^ Meeting house stands at a Great distance from
the Center of the Town Not More than two Miles from the East
line Measuring from the Meeting house And at least five miles
from the west line of s** town — And the Meeting house has been
handsomely & Decently finished at the no Small Cost & charge
of the Town, And as the Town is settling fast in the North
North west, West, & South, west part some of the Inhabitants-
have now the Travil of 4, 5, 6 & 7 Miles as their Roads Run
to Attend Publick Worship ; And If s*^ part of Lyndeborough
Sh"^ be set of such Inhabitants from s"^ parts of the Town will
Immediately Call for a Remove of the Meeting house or to be
set ofl' by themselves into Seperate Parishes to the Destruction
of the Town Whereas the Cost & Charge of Building & fur-
nishing the Meeting house & settling the Gospel is hardly Got
Over by the Inhabitants in General as they are Now Compact
together — Altho there has been the Greatest harmony & Con-
cord thro' the Whole Charge Moreover that from the North
East of the Meeting house to the East line of the Town the
Land is poor & not Capable of making Settlements & in all
Probability will Never be Improved And as from this Circum-
stance It will fully Appear that the Meeting house was settled
in its Present Place to Accommodate s"^ Petitioners Your Hon"
will Easily See the Unreasonableness of their being set oft' from
the Town —
Again that in the Northwest part of the Town there is a
Large Range of Mountains About two Miles from the Meeting
house And a Great Number of Inhabitants Now settled on the
West & North west part of the Town beyond those Mountains
And in all probability the whole Tract will be settled in the
Course of a few Years, when it is Likely they will be set off'
by Themselves — And If the Prayer of the Aforesaid Petitioners
Sh^ be Granted & the Land therein Mentioned be set oft' And
in Process of Time the west Part of the Town likewise It will
leave a Poor Parish indeed such an One as Cannot by any
means Support the Gospel & Other Necessary Charges
We therefore Submit these Considerations to Your Hon"
LYNDEBOROUGH. 521
Wisdom to Do therein as to Justice Shall Appertain And as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Levi Spaulding ")
Benjamin Cram ^ Committe
David Badger )
[The project did not succeed. — Ed.]
[6-220] \^Rettirii of Ratable Polls, i/8j.']
To the General Court of the State of New Hampshire —
The Number of Polls from twenty one Years Old and up-
ward paying Taxes in the Town of Lyndeborough is one Hun-
dred and Sixty Six —
Lyndeborough December 1 3 1 7S3
Ephraim Putnam ~) Select men
Jeremiah Carleton V of
Jonas Kidder ) Lyndeborough
[R. 2-240] \_Soldie7-'s Order, i'j84.'\
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire —
Sir please to pay to Cap' Levi Spaiddiug what is due to
Me for My Service in the Army of the United States
Lyndeborough y 27"* 17S4. Benj* Smith
This Certefieth that the above Order was given to Cap' Levi
Spaulding by Benj" Smith
Ephraim Putnam") Select men
Jonas Kidder |- of
Joseph Herrick ) Lyndeborough
[R. 2-241] \_Soldier's Bounty. '\
The Bounty advanced by Lyndeborough to William Shaw a
private i^' Regiment is seven pounds six shillings & six pence,
which has been deducted from his depreciation
Ex"^ per Josiah Oilman Ju""
522 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
\^Lyndeborough Men iti First N. H. Regiment. '\
[Nathaniel Batchelder entered March 20, 1777 ; discharged
March, 1780.
Samuel Barrens entered May i, 1778 ; discharged May
20, 1780.
Reuben Dannel entered March, 1777 ; discharged March,
1780.
Israel Hale entered Feb. 26, 1781 ; discharged October,
1781.
John Mclntire entered March 8, 1777 ; discharged March
20, 1780.
Moses Ordway entered March 8, 1780; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.
John Putnam entered February, 1781 ; discharged De-
cember, 1781.
John Rowe entered April 15, 1777 ; discharged ,
1780.
Benjamin Smith entered March 14, 1777; discharged
December, 1781.
David Smith entered March 14, 1777 ; discharged Jan. i,
1780.
William Shaw, entered July, 1777 ; discharged February,
1778.
Edward Spaulding entered February, 1781 ; discharged
December, 1781.
Joseph Wilson entered Jan. 15, 1771 ; discharged De-
cember, 1 78 1.]
[6-236] \_Relative to Military Affairs., lySj.']
To the Hon'''^ General Court of the State of New-Hampshire
The Petition of the subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
New-Ipswich, Peterborough Temple, Lyndeborough, Wilton,
Mason, Peterboro'-Slip, Hancock & Society-land in behalf of
our-selves and the Towns we belong to
Humbly sheweth
That by a vote of the General Court, passed the last sessions
the Inhabitants of the Towns above mentioned were constituted
the 23*^ Regiment of Militia : and that the Towns of Rindge,
Jaffrey, Dublin, Packersfield, Marlborough and Fitz william
were constituted the 12"^ Regiment, retaining the Number which
they had, when connected with the greater part of the Towns
LYNDEBOROUGH. 523
first mentioned : which we conceive to be injurious, inverting
the order which ought to have taken phice in their numbers.
And presuming that the General Court were not rightly in-
formed, as to the circumstances of those two Regiments, beg
leave to lay before your Honours some facts, in order to pro-
cure an alteration in their numbers, which we think ought to
take place for the following reasons : — The nine petitioning
Towns are the oldest by about twenty years, taking their age
upon an average ; Cap' Woolson of New-Ipswich having a
Commission in the 6"' Reg' Dated in the year 1744; before
there was a single Inliabitant in any of the six Towns above
named ; and many years before a commission was given to any
person within their limits. — By means of being united with
those Towns we lost our number from 6 to I3 ; therefore ought
not to lose from 13 to 23 by dissolving the connection. — By
comparing their numbers and wealth it will appear that we pay
£49-15 to the Thousand : they but £33-135 : that there are elev-
en hundred rateable polls in this Regiment ; and little more than
six hundred in that : — That there are four field officers in this
Reg' who will think them-selvcs degraded by renewing their
Commission in the 23'' Reg' ; and only one in that (& that one
a second Maj"") .
Thus, Gentlemen, whatever we substitute as a Criterion to
determine the right of precedence ; whether Age, Numbers,
wealth, residence of field officers or whatever else we can con-
cieve to operate in the minds of the Legislature, the preference
is most clearly on our side. And as we Avould not be vainly
ambitious for honour, to which we had no title ; so neither
would we be thought so mean as tamely to submit by which we
are degraded below our Inferiors. We therefore apply to your
Honours as the Guardians of our Rights, humbly praying for a
reconsideration of the vote complained of; and that we may be
permitted to retain the original number.
And your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
Jan^y 27"' 17S5
Ephraiin Putnam | Selectmen
Jonas Kidder j of Lyndeboro'
[6-228] \_Nehemiah Rand recommended for a Magistrate^
2786.-]
To his Excellency the President, the Honourable the Council,
within and for the State of New-Hampshire —
Most Humbly Sheweth.
that We Freeholders in Lyndeborough within the Same State,
devoted with the warmest Sentiments of Duty and Affection to
524
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Your Excellency and Honours in your Exalted and distinguish-
ed Characters, inviolably Attached to our present Constitution,
Convinced by the most Affecting proofs of your paternal Re-
gard unceasing and benevolent desire to Promote the happiness
of the faithful Subjects of this State however distant — Beg leave
to Suggest, that in our Humble Opinion M' Nehemiah Rand of
our said Lyndeborough is A Gentleman, a man of real Worth
and Merit, a very Useful Member of Society ; that his Useful-
ness to the Public in General, and to this Town in particular
would be Considerably Augmented and increased if he might
have an appointment in the Commission of Peace
Therefore earnestly pray that it may be So —
And Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
dated August 1786
And^ Fuller Benj" Cram
Benj* Jones Jo^''^ Reynolds
william Thompson Stephen Burnam
Richard towme
David Stratton
Joseph Ellinwood
Moses Stiles
Sam Chamberlin
kneeland Abbot
John Savage
Samuel Blasdel
John Robbe
Thomas Carlton
James Burnam
Nat^ Burnam
vSamuel Stevens
John thopson
George Person
Robert Day
Stephen Gould
David Gould
William Parker
David Averil
Robert Badger
Philip Fletcher
melchisedek Cofee
John Kidder
James Bout well
Jn° Herrick
[6-229] \_Relalive to warning EllsJia Wilkins ont of Town,
1788.-]
To the Honourable General Court of the State of New Ham-
shire assembled at portsmouth in Said State 31 Day of Janu-
ary 178S —
The Petition of Nehemiah Rand of Lyndeborough in the
County of Hilsborough in Said State in behalf of Said Town,
Humble Sheweth whereas Elisha wilkins with his wife and
family Came into the Town of Lyndeborough in the year i773
and hy the Selectmen then beaing according to the Law of the
then province did Issue a warrant to the Constable of Said town
For that year to warn Said wilkins with his wife & famileyto
Depairt the town which warrant was Served by the Constable
and returned to the office of the Clarke of the Sessions in Hils-
borou County as the Law Directed as will more fully appeare
by the affidavit to accompany this petition and whereas when
the then Clark (viz Stephen Holland Esq) Left the office and
another was appointed (viz Robert Fletcher Esq) upon the Re-
LYNDEBOROUGH. 525
movel of the papers belonging to Said office the Said warrant
with maney other papers was Lost and no Record of the Same
to be found whereby the Town of Lyndeborough is Likely to
becom Chargebal with the maintan^ of the Said wilkins & wife
and family.
therefore your petitioner in behalf of said Lyndeborough
Humbly pray your Honors that the Said warrant and Service
and returning may be Good & Established So that the town of
Lyndeborough may have the Benifit of the Laws of this State
in Such Cases made and provided or otherwise as your Honors
in your wisdom Shall think meet and Fit with Regard to the
primises and your petitiner as in duty bound Shall Ever pray
Nehemiah Rand
[6-315] \_Coffzmtitee repoi't relative to foregoing.'\
The Committee on the petition from the Town of Lyndbor-
ough beg Leave to report That in the latter end of May 1773
The Then select men of Lyndborough made out a warrant in
the Following words viz
province of New Hampshire Hilsborough ss
(seal) To James Boutwcll Constable for the Town of Lynd-
borough in said County Greeting
Whereas there is a person come of Late with his wife to so-
journ or Dwell in This Town & last came from wilton in this
County vizElisha wilkins & wife & are not by Law Inhabitants
of this Town therefore are Likely to become too chargeable to
the Town unless Measures are taken to prevent the same.
pursuant therefore to the Laws of this province in That Case
made & provided you are hereby required in his majestys name
Listantlv to warn the said Elisha wilkins and wife to depart &
Leave this Town within fourteen Days from this Date hereof
fail not & make return of this warrant with your proceedings
thereon to the Clerk of his majestys Court of Gen^ sessions of
the peace next to be holden at Amherst Given under our hands
& seals the Day of May 1773
Signed by the Select men
Your Committee also find that the said warning was served
by the said James Boutwell on the said wilkins and wife about
the first of June 1773 and sent by him to the Clerk of the Ses-
sion by Andrew Fuller Esqr with money to pay for Recording
the same & the said Fuller Delivered the said warning &
money to the then Clerk of the Sessions at the sessions of said
526 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Court in July 1773 & the said warrant cannot now be found in
the Clerks office
Therefore your Committee agree to report that upon any
tryal respecting the setlement of the said wilkins & wife the
Town of Lyndborough or any others concerned may ofler in
Evidence the before recited warrant which shall be deemed as
good and Legal Evidence as the original would have been if
the same had not been Lost and shall be considered as Dated
the Last Day of May signed by the then select men and served
on the first Day of June i773
Francis Worcester for the Committee
[In H. of Rep., June 13, 1788, the foregoing report was
adopted. The original report is in the hand-writing of
John Sullivan. — Ed.]
[6-331] \^Petitlon for the Setting Off of the ?iorth-ivest part
of the Town^ ^790-~\
State of Newhampshire Hillsborough ss
To the Honorable Generall Court of the State of New Hamp-
shire
The Petition of the inhabitants of the Society Land So Called
in the state and County Aforesaid humbly Shews — that your
Petitioners Living in S'' Society Labour under many Disad-
vantages and inconveniences By not Being in a Corporated
Town And Cannot Enjoy Such Priviledges as to Render their
Circumstance Agreeable — that it appears to your Petitioners
that the Said Society will never Be incorporated into a town
the Situation thereof Being So inconvenient for the Same —
Wherefore your Petitioners Humbly Prays that that North
west Part of the town of Lyndborough of which the inhabitants
hath for Some years past Ben Desirous of Being Better accom-
idated May Be Annexed to that part of the Society Land Lying
South and Southerly of the Crotched mountain with Lynde-
borough Slip and incorporated into a town therewith and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray, &c
Societyland April ^^ 27"* 1790
Benjamin Pollard william Glover John Waugh
Stephen Gould Duglass Robison Pyam Herrick
Alexander Parker William M'^Crae Samuel Cudworth
Robert Rogers Eben'' Farrington Samuel Weeks
Samuel Farmer Thomas Addison Oliver Holt
LYNDEBOROUGH. 527
William Wilson Timothy Cudworth John M"^master
Robert Alexander Jonathan Gillis Charles Cavander
Thomas Atkison James Ramsey John Ramsey
John Chase Robert Waugh
[6-232] \_Iithabita7tts of Lyndeborozigh Gore for an Incor-
poration^ ijgo.^
To the Honourable the Senate and house of Representatives in
General Court to be Convened at Concord in New Hamp-
shire on the first v^ednesday of June Next
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of a gore of Land
lying between Lyndeborough and Peterborough known by the
Name of Lyndeborough Gore, Humbly Shews —
That your Petitioners have been encorouged to Settle in this
Mountainous part of this State in Expectation of being incor-
porated with some Adjacent Inhabitants into a body Politic
with the same priviledges that other Towns enjoy — that your
petitioners and famileys Consist of Forty one Souls — and live
Seven miles or upward from Lyndborough Meeting house, and
in Addition to the badness of Travel generally Attending New
Settlements we have to Cross the Petit Manadinack Mountain to
Attend Public worship — that we have not power to raise any
money for laying out and repairing highways or Schooling our
Children — that public Instruction in the great duties of life and
the education of our Children we Esteem as a duty and Privi-
ledge, and think it of great importance either in a Religious or
political View, which we are by our local Situation deprived
of, and must so remain or quit our habitation unless releived by
the Hon'''" General Court, that. That part of Lyndeborough
that is Adjacent to us lies west of the Petit Alonadinock Moun-
tains, and that part of the Society land that lays South of the
Croched Mountain and is bounded on the west by Contoocook
River can never be Accommodated in any other wav than by be-
ing incorporated together with us and one Range of Lots in the
Town of Peterborough, and that with them we think ourselves
Able to make every Necessary provision for the enjoyment of
Priviledges & Advantages that other Towns enjoy —
Therefore we pray that your Honours would incorporate us
with the Inhabitants above mentioned into a bodv Politic with
the same priviledges & Emmunities that are enjoyed by other
Towns in this State — or Grant us Releife as you in Your wis-
dom shall See fit — and Your Petitioners as in duty bound will
ever pray —
Lyndeborough Gore May 25"* 1790 —
528 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Batchelder thomas Pevey John Holt
Joshua Holt Nathan Lovejoy John Dane
Peter Pevey John Fletcher Timothy Holt
Joseph Severnce William Blunt
[6-233] [^Consent of Peterborough to foregoing^ i/QO.'}
At a Legal Town Meeting of the Inhabitant of Peterborough
upon the 18 day of October 1790 —
Voted to grant to the persons petitioning the General Court
the east Range of Peterborough in Case they obtain from
Lyndeborough and other places what they have petitioned for
to be incorporated into a Town —
Peterborough October iS day 1790 —
A true Coppy
Attest Thomas Steele Town Clerk
of Peterboro
[6-236J ^^Report of a Committee on the foregoing. '\
The Committee appointed by the General Court at their Ses-
sion in June 1790, to consider of the petition of the Inhabitants
of the Northwesterly part of Lyndbor° &c and to view the situ-
ation of s*^ Inhabitants report as their Opinion
That the prayer thereof be so far granted, as that there be a
Town incorporated beginning at a Beach Tree on the South
East corner of Lyndbor" addition so called and so on the East
& North bounds of said addition unto the Southwest corner of
Francestown then Northwardly on the line between Frances-
town and the Society to a heap of stones on the crotched Moun-
tains so called, then westwardly to Contocook River, then up
said River till it strike Peterbor° North line then Eastwardly on
said line till it come to the West side of the East range of said
Town then Southwardly on said line till it strike Temple
Mountain so called then Eastw^ardly on said Mountain till it
come to the west line of Lot N° 50 in Lyndbor" near the middle
of s*^ Lot thence North by s** line to the South West corner of
Lot N° 63 in Lyndbor° thence on the West line of Lots N° 63,
64 & 81 to the Southwest of Lot N" 82 thence by the South &
East lines of s*^ Lot to the Southwest corner of Lot 98 then on
the South & East lines of s*^ Lot to the South West corner of
Lot 102 then on the South & East line of s** Lot and the East
line of Lot N° 115 unto the S. W. corner of Lot N° 121 thence
LYNDEBOROUGH. 529
on the S & E line of s"* Lot to the N. E. corner thereof thence
on the line between the land belonging to Capt Huesten &
Lieut Whittemore to the N W corner of the Lot belonging to
said Hueston. thence East on s*^ Huestons land to the bounds
first mentioned —
Which is submitted
A true copy
By Robert Wallace for the Court
Attest Joseph Pearson Sec^
[The town opposed the separation by the line recom-
mended in the foregoing report. — Ed.]
£6-246] \_P}-oceedings of a To~jun-]\Ieeting relative to the
foregoing, i/pi.^
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives in
and for the vState of New Hampshire —
The Memorial of the Town of Lyndborough humbly Shew-
eth—
Agreeable to the Order of the Honourable Senate and House
of Representitives upon a petition prefered to them last June by
a Number of the Lihabitance of tlie westerly part of this Town
and Others, praying to be Set off from this Town and Incorpo-
rated into a Town by themselves —
The Town at their Meeting on the 27 Day of December In-
stant took the Matter into their Consideration agreeable to an
Article in the warrant for Said Meeting and Voted as follows
i' that it appears Evident to us tliat if More of this Town
Should be Set oft" to the Petitioners than we Voted to them at a
Meeting of this Town last April it will Intirely break up the
Town and that it Cannot Subsist as Such, after So large a part
of it is taken oft'.
2'y therefore Voted that the Prayer of this Town be presented
to the Honourable Court at their next Sessions at Concord on
the first Wednesday of January next by our Member in Said
Court, praying that the prayer of tlie Petitioners may not be
granted, farther than this Town Voted them at the aforesaid
Meeting —
3'y Voted that in Case the Honourable Courts Committee
Should Repoit different from the aforesaid Vote of this Town,
or Report that more of Said Town be Set oft' to Said Petition-
ers than Said Town have Voted, and if the Reasons that may
36
530 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
be Offered Should not be Sufficient to Convince the Honorable
Court that this Town have Voted off to the Petitioners as much
of Said Town as is Consistent with Reason and Justice, then
Voted to pray the Honourable Court to grant us a Committee
upon the Expence of the Town to take a View of that part of
Said Town Called the Old Town, that the Situation of the
whole Town with all the Circumstances that attend it may be
taken into Consideration as the late Honourable Committee by
the Order of the Honourable Court were Confined to View the
Situations of the Petitioners onlv —
4'^ Chose Peter Clark Levi Spaulding Esq% and Lieut Jeve-
miah Carleton a Committee to Assign Reasons to the Hon*^
Court why the prayer of the Petitioners Should not be Grant-
ed—
A true Copy of the Vote of the Town of Lyndborough at
their Meeting aforesaid
attest pr Ephraim Putnam Town Clerk
Agreeable to the foregoing Vote the aforesaid Committee beg"
leave to Inform the Honourable Court of the Difficulties and
perplexityes (like the present) that have attended the Town of
Lyndborough in years past, as, also, the present Circum-
stances— and the Consequences that will follow, Should the
prayer of the present Petitioners be granted —
And in the first place as to the Town being Very large as Set
forth in the present petitioner, it was laid out Six Miles Square
Except at the North East Corner where New Boston Corner
Came in about two miles Said New Boston holding its Square
Corner being the prior grant, afterwards there was a larg part
of this Town taken of and added to Wilton as may be Seen by
the Plan of Lyndborough) which was a great Dammage to this
Town, for the Land Added on the west and North did by no
Means Compensate for what was taken oft' by Wilton, for the
Addition on the North lay So in with Francestown that they
were Very Sure of having it annexed to them Sooner or later,
accordingly Francestown Set their Meeting House within about
one Mile of Said Addition, and in the Year 1777 Petitioned the
Town of Lvndborough to have the Said Addition Set off' to
them, which the Town of Lyndborough then Refused to do —
however the Land then not having many Inhabitants Settled
upon it, and Francestown being Very Sure that when it had,
they would be for Coming to them, let the Matter Rest untill
last Spring. —
Likewise Duxbery School Farm with part of Amherst and
the Inhabitants on the South East part of this Town in the year
1777 petitioned the Town of Lyndborough and also the General
LYNDEBOROUGH, 53 1
Court to be Incorporated into a Town by them Selves, but the
Honourable Court Viewing the Cituation of Lyndborough Re-
solved that the praver of Said petition Ought not to be grant-
ed—
the Town then had Rest from an Invasion untill the Year
1774 when Lvndborough Slip So Called and Some of the In-
habitants of the westerly part of this Town Petitioned the
Town, also the General Court, to be Set oft' by the Same lines
the present petition Sets forth, and they had a Committee from
the General Court, who after viewing the Situation of the Town
Reported Unanimously that the prayer of Said Petition be not
granted —
thus Matters Rested untill last Spring at which time the In-
habitants that were Settled on the four Lots in the Southwest
Corner of this Town petitioned to be Set oft' to Temple likewise
the present Petitioners to be Set oft' by the Same lines as here-
tofore as may appear by their petition now before the Honoui*-
able Court — likewise the Inhabitants on the before Mentioned
part of this Town lying next to Francestown, again Petitioned
together with the Town of Francestown to have Said land with
the Inhabitants thereon Annexed to Said Town. —
The Town being thus Harass with petitions from So many
quarters at their Meeting Chose a Committee to Consider of
the Matter, and Report to the Town which they did according-
ly, which Report was accepted by the Town, Said Report be-
ing had mav more fully appear —
The next Movement was made by those petitioners who wish
to be annexed to Francestown together with the Selectmen of
Said Town who again petitioned the Town of Lyndborough at
their meeting held on the 30"' Day of August last to be Set oft'
to Francestown by Such bounds as Set forth in their petition
now before the Hono" Court — the prayer of which Petition the
Town at Said Meeting Voted to grant —
Thus by the before going Memorial the Honourable Court
may See how this Town has been Harassed — and to prevent
any farther Difiicultyes in this way the Town has Voted oft' to
the Several Petitioners all the Land that was added on to this
Town to make up for what Wilton took from us amounting to
above Six Thousand Acres and have Reduced the Town to the
bigness of about five Miles and a half one wav and about five
Miles and one quarter the other. Excepting the South East
Corner which brings the Meeting House near the Senter and
Should we be permitted to Reap So much benefit from the
Charter heretofore granted to this town as to only Suffer the
loss of what Wilton took from us and Injoy only what they left
us without any part of the additions we might possibly remain
as a Small Town, but if the lines that the Town has prescribed
532 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
for them Selves and wish to hold to, are broken Over, or if the
prayer of the petitioners is granted farther than the Town has
Voted them, we Expect nothing but Contention Divisions and
finaly the braking vip and Distraction of the Town, to prevent
which we humbly present the prayer of this Town to the Hon-
ourable Court (whom we Esteem as the Guardians of and De-
fenders of our Rites) that the prayer of the Petitioners may not
be granted —
Signed Peter Clark for y'^ Committee
Lyndborough January 5 1791
|_6-337] \_Rejno7istrance of sundry Inhabitants to being set
off. 1791-1
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives in and
for the State of New Hampshier.
The petition of a Number of the Inhabitants of the Town o
Lyndeborough Humbly Sheweth. —
That whereas the Town of Lyndeborough at their meting
on the 30 Day of August last past Agreable to our petition to
them Voted the Following tract of Land being of the Town of
Lyndeborough Should be Set oft" and annexed to the Town of
Francestown with all such of the Lihabitants on said tract that
chuse to be thus Annexed (provided the Honourable Court
would Confirm it) Said tract of Land bounded as follow^s (viz)
Begining at the South east Corner of Ithamar Woodwards
Land then running Westwardly by the North Line of Lt Amas
Whittemor's Land and Enoch Ordway and Noah Lawrence
Land untill it comes to the East line of the East teer of Large
lots so Called then Running Northwardly untill it Comes to the
South Line of the Lot Moses Lewis and John Stiles is Setled
upon, then running Westwardly on the Line of Said Lot untill
it comes to the Southwest Corner of Said Lot then running
North on the Line of Said Lot to Francestown Line, Bounded
Northwardly and Eastwardly on Francestown Line to the first
Mentioned Bounds. Furthermore we would observe that we
have Never Signed any petition or manifested any Disire of be-
ing Set oft' with the Inhabitants of the west part of Lyndeboi*-
ough in the way and manner Expressed in their petition but on
the Conterary have ever Been averse there unto and have Con-
stantly acted Accordingly. Therefore we Pray your Honours
to take the premises into your Consideration and assign us to
Francestown or Otherways Let us Remain as we are Inhabi-
LYNDEBOROUGH. 533
tants of Lyndeborough with all the privelidges we now injoy.
And your petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Lyndeborough January 7"" 1791
Ithamar Woodward Jotham reed Mary Pearson
Jacob Dutton thomas Petterson Nathaniel Batcheldor
William Merriam John Stiles Rubin kimbel
Moulton Batchelder Moses lewis
Andrew Creesye John M'^Clurg
Francestown January 13"' 1791
To the Honorable Senet and House of Representitives in
and for the State of Newhampshire we the Inhabitants of Said
Francestown Humbly Pray your Honors to here & Grant the
Prayers of the above Perticioners
Jon'Fisk I Selectmen
Tabez Holmes C t^
^ ) t rancestown
[In H. of Rep., January 24. 1791, another committee
was appointed " to view the situation of said Inhabitants,"
and the following is their report : — Ed.]
[6-235]
The Committee appointed by the General Court at their Ses-
sions in Jan^ 1791 to consider the petition of the inhabitants of
the Northwest part of Lyndborough, having viewed the Situa-
tion of all the parties concerned in said petition and fully heard
them thereupon do agree to report as there opinion that a Town
be incorporated with the same limits and boundaries as reported
by the committee appointed in June 1790 a copy of which is
inclosed & submitted by
Tim° Farrar ")
— James Underwood > Com''*
Jeremiah Page )
[In June following the matter was disposed of by the
formation of the several tracts mentioned into the town of
Greenfield. See Greenfield papers, page 6i, — Ed.]
534 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[6-244] \^Petitio7t from Inhabitants of the south-west part
to be annexed to Te?nple, ^79S''\
State of New Hampshire
To the Honorable the Senate & the Honorable the House of
Representatives in General Court Convened, at Concord the
first Wednesday of December 1795.
Humbly sheweth Beniamin Killam, Joseph Killam, John
Kidder Jun"" Theodore Barker, Ebenezer Stiles, Joseph Rich-
ardson & Samuel Killam all of Lyndeborough in the County of
Hillsborough in said State of New Hampshire that your peti-
tioners are situated on four lots of land in the southwest corner
of said Lyndeborough viz' Coner's, Flucker's, Lynde's & Mof-
fatt's lots, bounded south & west by the town of Temple — Your
petitioners being situated in a very remote part of the town, six
or seven miles from the meeting house, the road being naturally
very bad, & but little prospect of its ever being made much bet-
ter by reason of the very few inhabitants settled on it which
renders it very difficult & inconvenient for them to attend on
public worship in that place — and as they are situated within
three or four miles of Temple meeting hous having a good road
they have always attended public worship there — And it is like-
wise very difficult for them to school their children, as their
number is too small for a class & no other Lyndeborough in-
habitants living within about two miles, but the inhabitants in
Temple are situated so near as to make it very convenient to
class with them — These motives have urged your petitioners to
request the inhabitants of Lyndeborough to set them oft' to the
Town of Temple or otherwise allow them to pay their minister
& School tax there — but this the}^ refuse. Your petitioners
therefore earnestly pray that your honours would take their un-
happy situation into your wise consideration dl do them that
justice that nature & equity demand by annexing them to the
Town of Temple & your petitioners as in Duty bound &c
Benj'' Killam
In behalf of the petitioners —
[The matter was before the town at a meeting held
March 3, 1795, and was dismissed.
Further action was taken on the 15th. See following
document : — Ed.]
LYNDEBOROUGH. 535
(^6-249] \_Action of Town 071 foregoing Petition.'\
Lyndeborough March the 15 — 1796 —
At a leagual Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of Said Town this Day held by adjournment at the Meet-
ing house in Said Town —
(The artical in the Warrant Stand as Follows) (Viz)
I2ly. to Se if the Town Will take into thier consideration
the petition of Benjamin Killum and others to the Gen' Court
praying to be annexed to the Town of Temple and allso the
■order of Court their on and act any thing respecting the matter
as the Tow^n Shall think fit vviien Mee',
(the Vote on the artical as follow) (Viz)
I2ly. Voted to Choose a Committee to inquire into the peti-
tion of M"^ Benjamin Killum and others to the General Court
and also the order of Court their on — and giv the Representa-
tive of the Town direction respecting the JMater to the General
Court and Make report to the Town at their next Aleeting —
the Votes Stand respecting the petition as foll°
(Viz) in faver of the petition 25 including five of the petition-
ers—
and against the petition — 65 —
Chose Docf Daniel Russell ")
Cap' William Dutton > Commi'
Levi Spaulding Esq*")
a true Copy from the Book
attest William Dutton
T. Clerk
[6-250] \_Rev. j\rr. Goodridge's Statement.^
These May certify whom it may concern, that in the year
1776 ; I was called upon, at that time, as a Minister of the gos-
pel, to attend Several funerals, at the House of M"' Joseph
Hobbs living in the Southwesterly part of Lyndeboro', Ad-
joining on Temple And as there Was then No road from the
Meeting house, directly to that part of the Town ; I was Oblig-
•ed to go thro' a part of Willton and Temple ; and from my own
dwelling at least ten miles, — finding the difficulty So great, I
requested the Rev** M"' Webster then Minister of Temple living
536 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
about three miles And an half from that neighborhood — to
Visit the Sick & attend funerals in that part of the Town —
which he chearfully engaged to do — Since which, the distance
continuing the Same & the road Very, Uncomfortable I have
requested the Rev'' M' Miles — Now Minister of Temple to per-
form ministerial duties there, which he has chearfully consented-
to—
Sewall Goodridge Minister of the gospel
in Lyndeborough
May 30* 1796
[A plan accompanied these documents (6-251), showing-
the towns of Lyndeborough, Temple, and Greenfield, with
the situation of the territory in question, which was an-
nexed to Temple by an act approved June 11, 1796. — Ed.]
M ADBURY.
The territory comprised in this town was formerly a por-
tion of the ancient grant of Dover.
It was erected as a parish by its present name by an act
of the legislature passed May 31, 1755, by which it was
empowered to raise money for the separate support of the
ministry, schools, and paupers, but remained as before
with respect to province taxes, highways, etc., until May
20, 1768, at which time it was invested with full town priv-
ileges by act of the legislature.
The petition for a parish may be found in Vol. XI, page
524.
It appears that the place was called Madbury some time
prior to its incorporation as a parish, and that an unsuccess-
ful attempt was made in 1743 to procure an incorporation
as a parish of the territory now in this town, including a
portion of the town of Durham.
[7-9] \^Petition fo7' the Appointment of a Magistrate.']
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Govener and Comander in Chief in and Over his Majestys.
Province of New Hampshire in New England and Vice ad-
mirel of the same —
MADBURY. 537
The Petition of sundry of the Inhubients of the Perish of
Madbury in s** province Humbly sheweth that the said Perish
of Madbury hath not been favor'' by your Excellency Sence
your taking the chair of Goverment with any person Commis-
sionated to be a Justice of the Peace Residing in s'^ Perish
Your Petitioners and Others of the Inhabitants of the said
Perish find many Inconveniences and Difficultys for Want of
some suitable person so Commissionated as thev are Obliged to
Travel unto Other towns to acknowledge Deeds make Oath to
Accounts make Complaints against Criminal Oftenders & to
have Perish Officers sworn with many Other things
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Excel-
lency would be pleased to Appoint and Commissionate Solo-
mon Emerson Esq'' of said Perish in that Trust a person who
we apperhend has heretofore Executed that Office with fidelity
and Greatly to the Satisfaction of the said Perish and would we
believe in that Office Conduce very much to the peace Qiiiet
and Good order of said Perish and town adjacent and your pe-
titioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Joseph Hicks Richard Jones Sam" Davis Jun'
Joseph Hicks Jun"" John HucUers Joseph Rines
Ebenezer Tasker Thomas Wille Timothy Mores
James Davis John Huckens Junr Thomas Bunker
Job Demeret Jun'' Dennet Wavmouth John Tasker
Remembrance Clark Sam" Cliesley Joseph Libby
James Davis Jun'' J»hn Roberts John Rines Jun
Joseph Pinkham Lyonel Worth Timothy Mores
Thomas Davis Nath" Tchbcts Juner
James Pinkham James Huckens Robert Hill
Isaac PinUham Joseph Bunker John Roberts
Sam" Jones Will'" Demeret
[R. 2-245] S^PcIatiah Daniels^ Soldier^ l'j6o.'\
[In a petition dated May 15, 1760, he stated that he was
of Madbury, and served in Captain Jacob ISailey's com-
pany ; was at Oswego until the " Regiment was broken up
& Dismissed to come home." He further stated that he
was detained to drive teams in the king's service until
Dec. 23 ; was then dismissed, and on the way home froze
his feet, and was laid up at "fort Herchymer or German
fiatts until the tenth of March." He asked for an allow-
ance, which was granted to the extent of ;^5 sterling. —
Ed.]
538 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-246] [^.Daniel Pifzk/ia?n^ Soldier^ iy'/6.'\
[In a petition dated June 5, 1776, Daniel Pinkham, of
Madbury, stated " that he was a Soldier in the American
Service in Cap* Winborn Adams company;" came home
on a furlouo^h in Auojust, 1775, and was taken sick of a
" Nervous Fever." He was attended by Dr. Joshua Brack-
ett of Portsmouth, and Dr. Samuel Wigglesworth of Dur-
ham, and wanted the state to pay the bills. — Ed.]
[R. 2-247] [ Williafn Twombly^ Soldier^ ^779-^
[In a petition dated June 24, 1779, William Twombly, of
Madbury, stated that he was in Col. Wingate's regiment in
the Rhode Island expedition, and lost his horse, for which
he asked the state to pay. — Ed.]
[R. 2-248] [^-Bounty to George Ham.']
Exeter June 20"" 1784.
There is due to the town of Madbury Twenty pounds two
Shillhigs & four pence for a Bounty paid to Geo. Ham a Con-
tinental Soldier who engaged for said Town in the year i777
as appears by the Books
Jos. Oilman
[Receipted for by John Wingate. — Ed.]
[R. 2-249] \_yames Jackson^ s Order. ~\
Madbury Feb^ 12''* 1785.
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire.
Sir please to pay Saml. Oilman or order all that is due to my
late Son Daniel Jackson who was a Soldier in the 2** New
Hampshire Reg' and died at Albany Nov'' 177^-
James Jackson
["Solo Emerson Just of peace" certified that James
Jackson was the father of said Daniel. — Ed.]
MADBURY. 539
[7-10] \_Retur 71 of Ratable Polls ^ ^7^3 •~\
State of New Hamsphire — Straftbrd : ss
According to A Vote of the General Corte to us sent by the
Secryr. of s*^ State we the Subscribs have taken a True account
of the Number of the Pols paying Taxes of the age Acording
to said Vote, in the Parish of Madbury — No : Eighty Seven
Poles — No : 87 poles —
Madbury Decern'' 9"" 17S3 —
Strafford : ss
Joseph Hicks 1 g^j^^^
Benjamin gerrsh \^^^^^
Daniel Meserve j
The above Named Select Men for the Parish of Madbury
personly Apcared & Made Solom oath to the Truth of the
Above written N : of Poles
Before me — Solo Emerson Just Peace
Madbury Dece™ the 10 : 1783 :
[7-12] \_Petition for AiitJiority to elect a Representative.^
1786.-]
To the Hon'''® the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Portsmouth the 23*^ of Dec'
1786—
Humbly shews the Subscribers inhabitants and each one for
himself paying a poll Tax in the parish of Madbury that agre-
ably to the plan of Representation laid Down in the Constitu-
tion said parish has not a number of Legal Voters sufficient to
entitle them to send A Representative to the General Court
and of Course have remaind unrepresented for two years and
as there is no Town or Parish near with which said Madbury
can be joined for Choosing a Representative they humbly pray
that (agreably to a clause in said Constitution) they may have
the privilege of sending a person to Represent them in the
General Court and as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Stephen Pinkham John Edgerly Timothy Hanson jun
Seth Jacobs Joseph Meserve Solomon Pitman
James Pinkham Robert Hill Paul Gerrish
Eben"" Tasker Solomon Emerson Daniel Twombly
John Smith Moses Emerson Samuel Davis ju""
540 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Joseph Pips James Demerit Thomas Gerrish
Solomon Evens Stephen Demerit Ehjah Drew
Reuben Twomblv EH Demerit Sam' Emerson
John Tvvombly Benjamin Hill Solomon Emerson
Daniel Meserve John Carne}' jun''
John Wingate Joseph D Pinkham William Tasker
Eben'' Demerit Thomas Spurling Tho' Hill
John Demerit Eben"" Hill Ezekel Drew
Samu' Kielle James Pinkham jun"" Robert Huckins
David Daniels Jacob Garland Jon'^ Huckins
Jon* Wingate Jacob Joy Clement Meserve 3"^
Thorn' Jones Tho' Airmet Paul Demerit
Jonathan Aleserve Joseph Hicks Job" Demerit Jun''
John Young Eben"' Tasker jun"" Samuel Bodge
William Tvvombly Moses Canney Samuel Edgerly
Jon" Demerit Robert Huckins jun'' Paul Edgerlv
Solomon Demerit Robert Demerit Ezekel Twombly
William Demerit Isaac Canney
Solomon Demerit Maul Hanson
Jun""
[In H. of Rep., Jan. 10, 1787, the foregoing request was
granted. Senate concurred. — Ed.]
Madbury March y' 3*^ 17S6
This may Cartify that the Number of Polls in the Parrsh of
Madbury paying a Poll tax Each one for him Self is one Hun-
dred agreable to the rate List for the last year
John Wingate ) Select men for
Eben' Demerit \ Said Parrish
MANCHESTER.
The township was formed from territory taken from Lon-
donderry, Chester, and a tract of land lying on Merrimack
river belonging to the Masonian proprietors, called Harry-
town, and was incorporated by the governor and council,
Sept. 3, 1 75 1, by the name of Derryfield. The first town-
meeting was held at the house of John Hall, innholder,
Sept. 23, I75i,at which town officers were chosen. As
incorporated, the town was wholly on the east side of Mer-
rimack river.
MANCHESTER. 54I
By an act passed by the H. of Rep., June 17, 1795, and
by the senate, December 4, same year, a gore of land was
annexed to the north side of the town. This was a portion
of " Harrytown," and was intended to be included in the
original incorporation.
In answer to a petition from the inhabitants, the name of
the town was changed to Manchester, June 13, 18 10. It is
said that this name was suggested as a compliment to Hon.
Samuel Blodgett, who constructed a canal around Amos-
keag falls, and who had often asserted that the place would
some day be the Manchester of America. Could he visit
the city now, he would undoubtedly experience even a
greater feeling of exultation than he did on that " May
Day," 1807, when he passed through his canal and locks
around Amoskeag falls for the first time.
An act granting the town a city charter was approved
by the governor July 10, 1846, since which time its growth
in manufactures, wealth, and population has been very
rapid. In 1830 its population was ?>'jj ; in 1880, 32,630.
By an act passed July i, 1853, that portion of the city
since known as Amoskeag was severed from Goffstown, and
that portion known as Piscataquog was severed from ]3ed-
ford, and severally annexed to Manchester.
The city was authorized to construct works to convey
water to the city from Massabesic pond in 1871, which were
completed in 1874.
Manchester at this time is one of the largest manufactur-
ing communities in New England, and its products are used
in almost every civilized portion of the world.
Gen. John Stark, a stern old patriot, whose name will be
forever inseparable from those of Bunker Hill and Ben-
nington, resided many years in the north part of the town,
and died there May 8, 1822, at the age of 93.
[R. 2-250] \_Petitioii of Hadley and Kidder addressed to
the General Assembly^ ly^g.']
The Humble Petition of Benj" Hadley & John Kidder of
Derryfield in said Province, by their Attorney John Gofte Esq'
Shews ^ That your Petitioners, Viz, Benj* Hadley had a serv'
Viz, John Whicherweed, & John Kidder a Brother Viz, Ben-
jamin Kidder, on whose estate the said John has administered,
542 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
who voluntarily Inlisted themselves in the service & pay of this
Governm' under the Command of Cap' Richard Emary In the
year 1757 In the Expedition against Canada, & were at Fort
W" Henry where after a Seige of seven Days, said Fort sur-
rendered, after which the Indians took their Guns from them
stripped them of all the Cloaths they had Excepting what was
lost at the surrender of said fort, & Carried to Canada, and at
the end of four months residence there, & manv Complicated
sufferings they were sent to Rochell In Old France, where they
died In Goal, a perticular ace' of their Losses Is herewith Ex-
hibited.
Wherefore your Petitioners by their Attorney John Goffe
Esq'' Humbly prays That their Circumstances & Losses of so
much Time &c to their master & surviving heirs, may be Con-
sidered & that your Excellency & Honours would in your Great
Wisdom & Goodness Grant thein a Quantum Meruit or such
Gratuity as may In some Measure Compensate for the Misfor-
tunes aforesaid, & they will as In Duty Bound Ever pray &c
John Goffe
In Behalf of Benj" Hadley & John Kidder
[Goffe presented a power of attorney from John Kidder
and Benjamin Hadley on printed forms (Nos. 251 and
252), and the following bills: — Ed.]
[R- 2-253]
Things that Sargent Benjamin Kidder had & Lost at the
Surrender of fort William Hennery which I fitted him out
with
(Viz) one New duble brested Jacot of nub Cloth
D" one flowered Sarge
I pair of Leather briches
1 Gunworth 10 dollars
2 pair of Stockens 3£ old Tenor 2 pair Shoes
15/ new tenor a pair
3 shirts viz one fine £3 2 woolin a 2/4
one pair of Trousers
Hanker chife flowered
Total New Tenor 45-13-0
True accompt Errors Excepted per
John Goffe attor.
which I am Ready to attest to if Required
£
10-
- 0-0
2-
- 0-0
3-
■ 15^
15-
■ 0-0
)hoes 1
1
7-
-lO-O
- S-o
I-
•10-0
I-
1 0-0
MANCHESTER. 543
[Hadley's account is similar, and amounts to ;£,2\, lo, O.
It was sworn to before John Goffe, January, 1759. — Ed.]
[R. 2-254] \_Ebefzezer Newttian^ Soldier^ iY/g.~\
In Committee on Claims, May 7, 17S5. —
The Bounty & Supplies advanced to Ebenezer Newman (a
private in the 3*^ Reg') by the Town of Derryheld in 1779 ap-
pear to be Twenty pounds
Ex*^ per Josiah Oilman Jun''
[7-13] \_Letter frofn Col. yo/itz Goffe to Gov. Wetztworth
relative to Trespasses and some Sharp Practice at an
Election i?z Derryjield, iy66.~\
Derryfield Sept. i'*, 1766.
May it please your Excellency
I went at the Request of Masons Proprietors to the Society
Land between Pettersborah & Hillsborah to see where the
Trespassers had ben at work & whose Lots they had Improved
upon & found they had cleared, at least cut a grate deal of Timber
down, had built a camp upon Solly & Marches* & on Meservey
& Blanchards and your Excellencys Lots on the west side of Con-
tucook River they have don a grate deal of work fenced it all
In with a Considerable Good Runing fence have built a camp
on it & altho' no body w^as their when we were their yet we
are prity sure that Doc' Perry is the man that has Trespassed
upon your lot & petty it is that he should not be prosecuted as
he Is the Ringleader of all the Rest, thc[rc], and as son as they
Git to work again I have 2 men Ingagcd to see them at work
& acquaint me with their names. — The Land is Exceeding
Good but I think your Excellencys is superior to any at that
part of the Society Land and that maid them fellows Covet it
it is certainly worth mony — I intended to have wated upon your
Excellency when the Infer'' Cort set but I hurt my self when up
their with heat and laying out in the Wet so that I have not ben
well sence I came from their. — Your Excellency may Remem-
ber that we In Derryfield petitioned the Gen" Cort for an act
to call a town meeting for the choice of town officers which
when I cal'd John Hall with Col" Barr who have strived all
that is in their power to Injure me of late & at the meeting Col°
* Samuel SoUey and Clement March.
544 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Barr cam on porpos to affront me & Col° Bair Hiered voters
for John hall with Large promises and Webster a Trader at
Chester hall Hierd I have by good Information to come to
Threaten his detters in town, if they did not vote for Hall he
could not stay upon them &c, so that upon the whole with their
Influence hall obtained eighteen voters be side him self and
there was eighteen voters on the opposite side of the most sub-
stantial men in town so that when they had don all they could
that could not git hall any office without voting for himself nor
none that was chosen that day & several Rec*^ Deeds from Col"
Barr & others that day to make them voters which I suppose
held them no longer than that Night for I am confident they
would not Trust them A shilling ever expecting to Git it. —
And as soon as the meeting was over John Hall told Esq'
Sheepard the moderator that he had Beat Gofte now & he would
have a commission of the peace In spite of any body that should
oppose it for Col° Bar & Maj Emerson and M' Webster with
his friends at the Bank w^ould procure it for him — now inay it
please Your Excellency if such an Insulting fellow (for I have
heard him Insult the whol Cover') many times and a man that
has Live 30 or forty years upon a place & could never Raise
half his provision, to Git that post would strive for to make
mony by it and put the people into confusion for work he dont
Incline to & is allway contriving unjust ways to maintain his
Luxery & I am very sure your Excellency never will Give a
commision to a man that wants it for no other end than to Re-
venge and Git mony by it. Therefore I Beg your Excellencys
favour that John Hall nor non for him may prevail in that Re-
spect.
I am your Excellencys most Humble
& Devoted Servant
John Gofte
His Excellency Govenor W^intworth
[If Colonel Goffe stated the truth in the foregoing, the
practice of hiring voters is not so modern as many would
have us believe.
The meeting mentioned in the foregoing was a special
meeting called by virtue of an act of the legislature, passed
July 9, 1766. which act nullified the proceedings of the reg-
ular annual meeting, at which two sets of town officers
were chosen. Said act was passed in answer to a petition
from sundry of the inhabitants, who stated that one party
(probably the John Hall party, as he was town-clerk)
opened the meeting and elected one set of officers before
the usual hour, and their opponents, on their arrival, elected
another set. — Ed.]
MANCHESTER. 545
[7-14] \_yet'emiak Steve7is for Conjirmation of a Grant of
Land^ iy42.']
To His Excel. Benning Wentworth Governoui" In Chef In &
over His Majesty's province of New-hampshire To the
Honou'' His Majesty's Councel —
The petition of Jeremiah Stevens of Salsbury in the County
of Essex : Humbly Shewing That wheras the province of the
Massachusset In the year 1735 for serveces done & more Es-
pecaly In the Eastward parts In the province of new hampshire
under the Comand of Col ; Wolton made a grant to your peti-
tioner of a tract of land of about four hundred & fifty Acres att
a place Called Ammaschage Since which Tim j^our petitioner
hath Cleared Considerable of the land & Built Two Houses
there on & Setled two familys But so It Is that By the Deter-
mination of His majesty In Councel upon the Boundary line
Between the massachusetts & new-hampshire the s*^ grant lieth
to the northward of the Boundary line & In the province of
new hampshire Wherefore your Humble petitioner looking
upon himself a suitable object of faviour & Compasion : would
Therefore pray your Excel & Hono"" to Take his Case Into your
most wise & Just Consideration & alow & Confirm unto your
most Humble petitioner The afore s** grant: & your petitioner
as In Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Essex Salsbury may 12 : 1742
Jeremiah Stevens
II7-15] \_ReIative to the Discontinuance of a Road^ -^TSS-I
Province of New Hamp
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq Governor &c to
the hon''''^ his Majestys Council & house of Representatives
for said Province
Wheaeas at his Majestys Court of General Quarter Sessions
for this Province held in September 1752 on a Representation
of the necessity of a Road by the River thro' Derryfield Order
issued to a Committee to lay it out who proceeded made return
and after all parties in the Town having time to consider &
make their Objections, was Accepted & passed on Record for
an Highway since which we have this Week been inform'd that
Since on the request of some Persons the Hon*"'* the General
Assembly has tho't fit to take Cognizance of the Affair & by
their Committee to view in order for the discontinuance of that
Part of said Road against Namaskeeg falls, Now therefore We
37
546 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Subscribers Inhabitants of this Province & Residents in the
Towns Adjoining to Merrimack River wood most humbly Re-
monstrate That that Part of said Road against Namaskeeg falls
cannot be discontinued without a very great Prejudice to the
Public — For that the River is become of very great Service to
the Inhabitants of this part of the Government that as the new
Settlements above the said Falls as well on all the Arms as the
Main River are constantly increasing & are under necessity of
clearing their Lands where there is great Qiiantities of valuable
Lumber which must be lost with almost equal Charge to Con-
sume as to turn into the River, unless they can be benefited by
rafting down or otherwise using the River, that this Business at
present is very great & must daily increase for a number of
years to come and profitably employ a Multitude of Labourers,
the Land on both Sides for more than Seventy miles to the
Northward of the said Falls & on all the smaller Streams which
woud contain more than a Million Acres with a very small land
Carriage are yet to clear & the Timber not culled except a few
small Towns & they but Lately began in which Merrymac
River will be of Infinite Service, & of Absolute Necessity for
the favour & Protection of the Government in facilitating their
Passages down the River, The Charge of clearing the Falls in
several Places but more especially at Namaskeeg woud amount
to a Larger Sum Than can be Expected to be rais'd this many
years — The great Losses those who venture down the falls meet
with, will constrain them to carry by the falls, by Land, all
such Lumber they can — That there is a very convenient Place
for Landing, the Bank Sutable both at the head & foot of the
said falls, a Level good Road & but about Six Score Rods — and
commodious to lye very near the River — the River not being a
Fence does not increase that Charge, The Land where the Road
lyes, cannot be of great Value, the Owners content all but two
Small Lots One belonging to the Heirs of Alexander M*^Mur-
phy the Other to One M'-'Neal who has lately enter'd there —
That altho' a Road can be had the West side the River, & as
short Travel yet the Draught much heavier but both will be
wanted, the Land is mean sandy Pitch Pine Plain in general
for more than two Miles back the west side, And Inhabitants
Cannot live there Sufficient in the Season to hale by all the
Lumber which Usually must be done by Hay the Easterly side
much better accommodated & will always be — and in freshets
very difficult to carry Teams a cross the River the Principal
Time they are wanted — For these Considerations we humbly
hope the Petition will be dismiss'd without day But if this
Hon'^''' Assembly shoud otherwise determine. We humbly
pray that the Inhabitants of this Part of the Government for
whose Use this Road was design'd may have Opportunity to
MANCHESTER.
547
lav their Grievance more fully before this Hon'''^ Assembly As
not now having had but about twenty four hours Notice of the
Affair, & none before the committee was on the Spot — And
Your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever Pray
July f"^ 1753—
Piiin^ Underwood
John m'^Laughlin
Joshua Follansbe
Samuel matain
Simeon Coffin
Zacheus Lovewell
Will™ Lund
Jonathan Snow
Daniel Searles
Tomas Harwood
William Lund Jun'' Stephen Coffin
Winkall wright Nathan Kendall
John Searls John Goffe
John Lovewell Jun'' Archibald Stark
Isaac powers Nathan Kendall
Jeremiah Colburn Jun
Jonathan powers
John Combs
John Pollard
William Stark
Johua Matin
Robert Rodjrer
Joseph ordwey
Jonathan Cumings
Simeon Cumings
William Parker
Richard Rogers
Archabald Stark Jun'
Samuel Stark
Hugh Sterling
Benjamin Hadly
Moses Wells
Ebenezer Stvens
Thomas george
Joseph george
John Stark
[7-16] \_Relative to the Alexvive Fishery^ ///d.]
Province of New Hampshire — Hillsborough ss
Derryfield Feb"" the 5"' Day 1776 —
This may Certifi the Members of the Gennaral Assembly in
and for said province, that the Alewive fishery in Great Cohas
Brook in said Derryfield would be of Great Service to the
Inhabitants of Said Town, and Likwayes to the Inhabitants of
the Ajasent Towns, alowing that the Incumbrance VV^are Re-
moveed which are on said Brook, therfor We Your Humble
Peteceners, pra3's that Your Plonners, would take the following
Articuls by us Signed unto your Searous Concedration
i'^ that all Incumbrances on said Brook be with all speed
Removeed in order that said fish may have a free Liberty to
pass and repass at all proper Secons in said Brook from Mer-
rimack River to Massepeepek Pond —
7}^ that no seen neat be put in to the Mouth of said Brook or
Near to it in order to each Aney of said fish, and that no scoop
neat poot or wii'e be put in to said Brook, in aney part within
sixty Rodes from the mouth of said Brook, under the paneltyes
of paying three pounds for each fish Cached within said Bounds
3'^ our Disire is that the said fish may have free liberty to
pass and repass in said Brook for the Insuing year without mo-
lestacion that they May increase their nomber, under the above
like penelty. —
548
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
4'y that there be Men chosen and sworn to Inspact and see
that the above Articuls be Ubserved, and that they may have
full power of Substitution to prosecut all and Every aftenders
of said articuls to fineal Judgment and Execution, and your
petitioners as in Dyt Bound Shall Ever pray
The Petitioners for Derryfield
David Starret
william m**^Clintok
Alex"" Macmurphy
Saml Boyd
Samuel Moor
John Dickey
william parham
John parham
Nathaniel Boyd
George Greaham
william Gambell
Bishop Coston
william parham
Charls Emerson
John Harvey
John Hall
Daniel Hall
Abrahem merrill
Nathaniel merrill
Abraham merrill
Juner
Benja Baker Juner
Joseph George
Benja Baker
Ezekiel Stevens
Samuel Stark
Jesse Baker
william Nutt
Jerediah Patee
James Peires
Moses merrill
Samuel Alls
Arch able Macmur-
phy ^
John Clark
Subscribers for Londonderr}^
James Nesmith Ju"" willam Betty Jobn Red
alx' M"Colom Matthev^ Pinkerton
Robert Moor Samuel Marsh
John Bell Rob' Smith
And"" Todd Jobn Holmes
Andrew todd Juner Will'" Eayrs
Robert Willson
William Wier
John M'^clenche
James Thompson
James nesmith 3*^
David m'^Cleary
Joseph Hogg
James M'^Cluer
Rob^' M<=Cluer
Thomas Highlands
Moses watts
Sam" White
Thomas White
John Watts
James Boyes
John Petterson
Hugh Watt
James Boyes
Moses Watt
Ephraim White
Thomas M'=Cleary
Joseph Patterson
Joshua thompson
William Lyons
Isaac Brewster
Robert "' Colom
John Pinkerton
David Pinkerton
Mathew Miller
Samuel Miller
John mac keen
Petter Patterson
Mo' Barrett
Hugh Mongomery
John moor
Samuel Barr
James m'^keen
Thomas Taggart
John Anderson
Will"^ Duncan
Thomas Holms
Robert Moore
Sa" Clark
Sam'^ Allison
William Gregg
Robert Dickey
Samuel morison
Samuel Gregg
John M'^keen Ju''
Robert Thompson
John Nesmith
Joseph Marsh
David Biewster
John Smith
James Gregg
John Hughes
Ephraim Dimond
James Waddell
James Eayers
James Mac Murphy
John iVrchibald
Robert Hodgert
Josiah Duncan
Daniel Runnels
James Doack
John Erving
Andrew Mack
George Duncan Jun'
MANCHESTER. 549
[An act was passed by the legislature, March 23, 1776,
entitled "An act to promote the Increase of the Fish
called Alewives in Great Cohass Brook in Derryfield,"
which contained the following provision :
"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that each & every Person, owning or improving any Mill
Dam on said Brook, shall from the first day of May to the
fifteenth day of June in every year from & after the passing
& during the continuance of this act keep a sluice open in
each Dam, to the end that the said Alewives may pass &
repass into & from the said Massabesec Pond, without in-
terruption and in failure thereof every Person being owner
or improver of such Dam or Dams as aforesaid, shall forfeit
& pay for every offence the Sum of Ten Pounds."
The town of Derryfield was authorized to choose a com-
mittee to see that the law was obeyed. — Ed.]
[1-17] \^Relative to being classed for Representative^ 1/80.']
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon'''^ the Council & Gent" of the Hon^'* House of
Representatives in Gen' Assembly at Portsmouth convened
13"' October 1780.
The humble Petition of the several Persons whose names are
hereto set, and subscribed, Inhabitants of Derritield in the
County of Hillsborough, and State aforesaid.
Sheweth That pursuant to plan of Government, the said
Town of Derrifield was annexed to Goflestown, for the purpose
of chusing annually a person to represent them in General As-
sembly which Union has turned out to be a great Grievance
and highly inconvenient to Derrifield.
That Your Pet" conceive Goflestown to consist of 100 fami-
lies, and therefore not needing the Aid of Derrifield, whitest
the latter contains little more than 50 families, And conse-
quently in every Choice as aforesaid must (if the Inhabitants
CO** possibly be present) be overpowered by numbers, and out-
voted And therefore not fairly represented.
But may it please Your Honors, so it is, that frequently the
said Inhabitants of Derrifield cannot be present at such Choice
as the same is by precept alwavs at Goffestown & at a time ot
Year when many times they cannot pass the River Merrimack
without peril of their Lives.
That your Pet" are sensible, that they cannot stand alone in
representation, but as they are informed by their Neighbors,
550 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Inhabitants of Litchfield, that they also conceive themselves to
be under Circumstances somewhat similar to the above, with
respect to Nottingham West, and that they also are about to
apply to Yo"" Hon" for relief
Your Pet" for the Causes aforesaid, pray leave to bring in a
Bill, whereby they may be declared Seperate from said Goftes-
town and joined in future to said Litchfield for the purpose
aforesaid.
And shall ever pray &c —
Jonathan Russ") q i
John Shelden |-
Samuel Moor )
John Gofie Charles Emerson Asael Smith
John Gofte Jun'' Daniel Hall Nat' Merrel
John Brown Theophles griffin John Griffin J""
John Griffin David Merrell John Harvel
Benja Baker Joseph Sanders William Gambel
Abraham Meril James Garman James Peirce
John Parhani thomas Numan Enoch Thurston
William Parham Joshua Pierce George Dwinell
Joseph farmer William Parham John Hall
Ezekeel Stevens Ebenzeer Stevenes
[The foregoing petition was granted. Derryfield and
Litchfield were classed for representative, and Goffstown
sent one by itself. See p. 33. — Ed.]
[7-18] \_Return of Ratable Polls, 1783.']
State of New Hampshire — Hillsborough ss
The Return of the Number of the mail Inhabent of the town
of Derryfield of twenty one years of age and upards paying
Pole Taxes for them selves is sixty tow
Derry field December y^ lo'*" 1783
Jonathan Russ \ Select men
Samuel Moor > of
Joseph Sanders ) Derryfield
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss
Denyfield December 15 Day 17S3 —
Personally appeared the above Named Select men of Derry-
field and Made Solemn Oath to the above Return by them
Signed
Before me — Joh" Goffe Justicie Paces
MANCHESTER. 55 1
^7-19] \_Relative to Sabbath-Breakitig^ //t?^.]
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives to be
convened at Portsmouth upon the third Wednesday of Octo-
ber AD 1 7S4 —
The petition of the select men of Derrvfield in behalf of the
Inhabitants of said town, humbly sheweth — that the breach of
the sabbath is become so frequent that few hours of that day
passes but repeated instances of it, is to be seen upon any of
our public roads. Not only traveling upon foot and Horse but
driving loaded teams, as if they pursued there secular busnes
upon that day with more alacrity then any other. A practice
not only unjustifiable but the day is not fare past that a single
instance of it, would have been alarming to a whole County,
And that it was Expressly the command of the Supreme Being
that that day should be cearfuly Observed — and stiictlv injoined
upon those who holds the rains of civil Goverment to punish
the aggressor is well known to your Honors. . And the act of
law in this State dos not point out the duty of the several offi-
cers so accurately nor the fine so high as your petitioners wish
for. But we look up to you who are our political fathers who
has the undouted right to pass all Edicts for the Good of the
Subject, to pass such a law as will more Effectually put a stop
to those vicious practises —
Wherefore we humbly pray your Honors to pass a new act
for the observing of that day and the dutey of every officer
clearly pointed out and they strictly injoined to see that the law
be Observed, the fine raised, and any person not in office may
stop travellers on said day. And your petitioners as in duty
bound shall ever pray
John Hall I Select
John Goffe J Men
,[7-20] \_Proportiotwient of Foreign^ Do?nestic, and State
Debt among the Inhabitants^ ^7^7 • The Sums set against
each naf7ie are o?nitted.'\
State of Newdiampshire County of Hillsborough
Agreeable to a Requisition of the General Court Wee Have
Proportioned the same to the Inhabitants of the Town of Der-
ryfield which is as follows
•Gene' John Stark John Perham Timothy Stevens
Samuel Stark Bishop Coston Jonathan Stevens
Thomas Whittiker Cherls Emerson Hugh Thompson
552
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Nathan Whittlker
John Ray
Ephraim Rollf
David Sessions
John Brown
Israel Brown
Ezekiel Stevens
Benjamin Stevens
David Merrill
Nathaniel Merrill
Nathaniel Baker
Theophilus Griffin
Samuel Smith
Samuel Smith Jun''
William Nutt
James Nutt
Enos Webster
Samuel moor
Ruben moor
John goffe
James Garman
Joshua Brodget
Thomas Lancy
Ceaser Griffin
Abijah Emerson
Peter Emerson
Moses Davis
Daniel Davis
John Davis
William Perham
John Colwell Mc-
Neill
Abraham Amey
James Peirce
Moses Merril
Green Symonds
Abel Huse
Isaac Huse
John Little
James Little
John Hall
William Hall
Daniel Hall
Israel Young
Abraham Merrill
Ephraim Stevens
Ebenezer Stevens
Simeon Stevens
James Thompsort
John Thompson
Joseph Farmer
David Rowel
Samuel Hilton
David Hammond
George Amey
Samuel Aves
Archabald Gambel
William Gamble
John Dickey
Luke Withy
John Webster
Israel Webster
David Webster
Asa Heseltine
Stephen Pingree
Edward Clark young
Richard Maberry
Jonathan Heseltine
Abraham Merrill
Jun^
John Green
John Russ
[7-21] \_Petition for the Appointment of a Committee to
settle the North Line of the Tozvn, iy8g.'\
To the Plonorable the Senate and house of Representatives
The Petition of the Select Men of Derryfield Humbly Shew-
eth that their hath ben Great inconveniences & Dam mage
Risen to the Inhabitants of Derryfield by reason of their being
a Dispute how far the North line of the Town Extends up the
River Merrimack —
Wherefore vour Petitioners prays that their may be a Com-
mittee appointed by your Hono^ to Determine & Establish the-
West & North lines of said Derryfield —
and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray —
John Ray | g^j^^^
John green V ^^^^
James Thompson )
Derryfield June 11"' 1789
MANCHESTER. 553
[ Vote of the Toxv7t 7' dative to Lhie.'\
Derryfield May 4 Day 17S9
At a Meeting of the freeholders & other Inhabitants Leagully
Convenied —
Voted &c &c (among Other Articles) third Article
Voted to Petition the General Court to Determine the West
and North Lines of the Town —
Voted Ensign James Thompson to Carry the Petition to the
General Court and to have it Done —
Recorded this fifth Day of April 17S9
A True Coppy from Derryfield Second Book of Records
Examined per John Goffe Town Clark
Derryfield June 11"^ ^7^9
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1789, James Betton, Archibald
McMurphy, and Zachariah Chandler were appointed "To
ascertain and establish the lines on the West and North of
said Town, and report," which they did as follows : — Ed.]
In the house of Representatives June 10"' i790'
The Committee appointed to ascertain and establish the west
and north lines of the town of Derryfield, reported as follows
(Viz) Pursuant to a vote of the General Court directing us the
subscribers to notify the Selectmen of Chester, and then to pro-
ceed to establish and ascertain the lines on the west and north
of the Town of Derryfield, The Selectmen of the Town of
Chester were notified and attended upon the 23"^ day of June
1789. We begun at a place shewed to us, to be the bounds
between Litchfield and Derryfield, from thence we measured
up the Merrimack according to the General Course of the same
eight miles, and there we placed stake and stones, from thence
east-south-east about about one mile and a half to some marked
trees shewed to us by General Starks, and he said it was Ches-
ter line ; from thence upon the same course, we measured twa
miles and an half and fifty two rods, and placed a stake and
stones, which is the north east corner of said Town,
Signed James Betton, Archibald McMurphy, Zachariah
Chandler,
which was read and considered, and received and accepted,
Sent up for Concurrence
Thos. Bartlett Speaker.
In Senate the same day read and concurred
J. Pearson Sec'y
554 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-25] \_Petition for an Incorporation to erect a Bridge
over Merrimack River ^ l'/g2.~\
To the honorable the Senate and the honorable the house of
Representatives of the State of Newhampshire in General
Court convened
Whereas the ei-ecting a bridge over Merrimack river below
Amoskeig falls between the towns of Goftstown and Derryfield
in the County of Hillsborough would be of great public utility
The Subscribers humbly pray your Honors to incorporate them
and such other persons as may associate with them into a so-
ciety for that purpose and to grant them liberty to build a suit-
able bridge at that place and to demand and receive a reason-
able toll or compensation of such as may pass the same and to
have and enjoy such privileges and immunities as are requisite
for such a society and to your Honors shall seem meet and as
in duty bound will ever pray
June I ith 1792
Robert M'^Gregore Nath' Peabody William Blodget
John Langdon Rich"^ Bartlett James Macgregore
E Livermore William Bell John Smith
Nath^ Adams
[The foregoing petition was granted at that session. —
Ed.]
[7-24] \_Relative to Amoskeag Bridge^ ^792-'\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court convened —
Humbly shew the Proprietors of Amoskeag-bridge that they
have at great expence and risk erected the said bridge and have
expended in so doing the sum of six thousand dollars, which is
almost double the sum at first computed and expected it would
cost —
That the bridge is situate a very commodious place for the
public convenience — and is in fact for the goodness of the con-
struction an honor to the State — The mony laid out by your
petitioners in building said bridge has greatly benefited the
Inhabitants of the vicinity — Your petitioners were induced to
the undertaking of the aforesaid business in the presumption no
grant would be made so near as to interfere with their emolu-
ments granted them for building the bridge — They further shew
that a grant made near them would but serve to injure both
MANCHESTER. 555
parties and but little benefit would accrue to the public — They
humbly concieve that as the undertaking has proved so expen-
sive and is even now hazardous — it is an enterprize which in-
titles them to the smiles — not the frowns of the public — They
are perfectly willing (lest any one should apprehend they are
realizing a large property by the Grant) to give up or release
to the State their estate in the bridge, upon a reimbursement of
the money by them expended and a reasonable compensation
for their extra trouble and expence — this they conceive must
silence all objections to their motives being patriotic and for
the public good — Upon all these considerations thev think they
have a just right to make this reasonable request — which is that
Your Honors would secure to them that previlege which they
before building the bridge apprehended they had viz that no
other bridge should be erected so as to interfere with or injure
their dear earned propert}' — Wherefore they most humbly pray
Your Honors that you would grant them liberty to bring in a
bill to secure to them their heirs assigns the exclusive previlege
so far that no toll bridge, shall be granted upon Merrimack
river within ten miles of said bridge — nor anv such bridge be
erected within such limits And as in duty bound will ever
pray—
Exeter Dec 19 1793
Robert M'^Gregore J T. Gilman Nath' Peabody
Nath' Adams John Peirce Rich^ Bartlett
Ed S'Loe Livermore J : Macgregore
In behalf of themselves and the other Proprietors —
[7-26] \^Petitio7i for a Grafit of La7id^ l'/g4.~\
To the Honorable Senate and house of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire convened at Exeter on the forth
Wednesday of December AD 1793 —
The petition of the subscribers citizens of said State humbly
sheweth. That Your petitioners have an intention of begining
a settlement in some uncultivated part of the Cuntry and On
enquiry find that they could be Accommodated with lands in
several of the States, or in the Neighbouring Goverment of
Canada on very Moderate terms, but as they have a particular
affection for their Native State and an entire satisfaction in its
constitution and Goverment would Greatly prefer a settlement
therein, and as the support of the State Greatly depends upon
Agriculture we think that Cultivating the wilderness will ad to
her welth number of Inhabitance and Respectability, and Your
petitioners having been informed that there is in the northerly
556
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
part of this state a tract of unlocated Lands and conceiving
that it might be advantageous to the state to dispose of said
Lands to persons who would make immediat settlement there-
on, and likewise that it would be to the advantage of Your
petitioners to obtain a Grant of part of said Lands on reason-
able terms —
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray Your Honors would
Grant and confirm to them a tract of Land eight Miles Square
(without lakes or ponds being included in the Measure) some
place where it will be Most convenient and joining on the
Grants that has been made on which Your petitioners will
make a settlement as soon as may be and either Give a reason-
able consideration therefore or on any Other conditions as your
honors in Your Great wisdom shall think best, And Your pe-
tioners as in duty bound shall pi"ay —
Derryfield February the 3'''^ ^794
Samuel Moors
Nathaniel merrill
hesekiah youngh
Ezekiel Stevens
isaaC Stevens
Benjan vStevens
John Stark
John Harvey
david Harvey
Jonas Harvey
John Harvey Ju
Daniel Hall
Samel Hall
John Hall the 3^^
Jonathan Greely
Daniel Hall Juii'
Enos Webster
David Webster
Jonathan Palmer
Theophilus Griften John Stark J
James Griflen John Ray
John griften
James Nutt
Samuel Nutt
Elijah Allen Nutt
Joseph Moors
William Walker
William Parham
Archibald Starks
William Gamel
Archibald Gamel
Israel young
Zebedee Rowell
John Stinson
Winthrop Bradbury Isaac Rowell
David Marsh
Joseph Farmer
Juner
William Farmer
John Stark
Charles Stark
Ezekiel Gardener
Job Rowell
John Tufts
William Stevens
David Stevens
Jonathan Starks
Asa Hesetine Jun""
James Masury
Peter Severance
Joseph Little
Abel Huse
Isaac Huse
John parham
John parham Juner
Robert moor
William moor
William Parham Jur
David Rowell
John Gilmore
Israel Webster
[7-37] \_Petitiofz to have a Gore of Land incorporated nvith
Derryjield^ I/PS-^
To the Honorable senate and House of Representatives to be
convened at Hanover upon the first Wednesday in June AD
^795-
The petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth that there is
MANCHESTER. 55/
a tract or Gore of Land Lying between Chester and Derryfield,
upon which some of your petitioners now live, said land was
formerly supposed to belong to Derryfield but the lines being
assertained we find it otherways.
Wherefore —
We your petitioners belonging to the said Town of Derry-
field and said Gore unitedly pray your Honours that we may
be incorporated into one body politick, And your petitioners as
in duty Shall ever pray
Derryfield June i'' 1795
Daniel Davis ) select men of
John parham j Derryfield
Samuel Stark John Dickey John Hall — Junior
James Emerson Theos Griflen Elijah A Nutt
Abel Huse William Nutt Samuel Nutt
David Rowell Ebenezer Stevens Hezekiah young
Daniel Hall William White John Webster
Stephen Pingry Nath'"' Baker David Webster
Israel young James Nutt John Webster junior
Ezekiel Stevens Israel Webster Amos Webster
benjamin Heseltine John perham jr William Perham
Charls Emerson Samuel Hall
[Granted June i6, 1795. — Ed.]
[7-28] \^Samuel Blodgett for a Charter to construct a Ca-
7ial around Amoskeag Falls^ iyg4.~\
To the honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire, the Petition of Samuel Blodget
most respectfully sheweth, —
That a spirit of enterprize and exertion has of late been
wonderfully and successfully displayed by the citizens of a
neighbouring State in the erection of bridges and forming of
canals, even in places, which, not many years since, were
esteemed impracticable — that a canal round Patucket falls is
nearly compleated — that another leading from said falls to Bos-
ton, by a rout not exceeding twenty miles, will be commenced
next spring — that a third carried round the falls at Amoskeag
would, in conjunction with these, open a direct water-commu-
nication with Boston & Newburyport to the inhabitants of an
extensive country on the banks of the Merrimac above said
falls, the wood and timber of whose forests are now of incon-
siderable value, occasioned principally by the loss of immense
quantities of lumber of the most valuable kind in passing over
5S8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the falls ; a melancholy proof of which they at all times exhibit
— that your petitioner is fully convinced that the whole of this
loss may be prevented by a canal — that under this conviction
he has purchased the only piece of ground over which one is
practicable — & has actually entered upon the enterprize, with
an intention to risque his fortune in accomplishing a work of
so much public utility — Your petitioner, therefore, relying on
the public spirit of the honorable Court, requests that your
honors will take the premises into consideration, and grant him
a Charter, by which he may be secured in the peaceable enjoy-
ment of the valuable property, which he is about to invest in
the proposed canal — & assign him a reasonable toll to com-
pensate him for his services ; & give him leave to bring in a bill
accordingly.
And as in dutv bound shall ever pray
Sam" Blodget—
[Granted Jan. 2, 1794. — Ed.]
[7-29] \^Petition for Legislation to protect Fish in Cohas
Brook, lygy.'}
To the honorable Senate & House of Representatives for the
state of Newhampshire Convened at Concord June 1797
The petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of
Derryfield, Humbly shoeth that where as it appears to us that
the Alwives in the great Cohash brook (so Called) in said Der-
ryfield would be of Considerable Consequence if some further
regulations were had for the preservation of them Wherefore
we your Petitioners pray your to pass an Act that no alwives
may be Caught killed or destroved on any day or at any time
within Thirty rods of the mouth of said brook nor within five
rods of any milldam or since way on said brook, under the
same penalty as is by Law now affixed for ketching said fish
on any unlawfull day —
and your petitioners as in duty bound shall Pray
Stephen Pingry Moses merrill Arch*^ Gammel
Asa Haseltine John Webster Charls Emerson
Asa Hesseltine Jun' David Webster Peter Emerson
David Heseltine Amos Webster Richard Hardy
Israel Webster John Webster William Perham
John Dickey John Buswell Isaac Huse
David Young Larence Burkley David Flint
thomas Cheney Abel Huse David Flint Jur
Ebenr Corning Benj Haseltine Daniel Davis
Philip heseltine John Dickey Jr
MANCHESTER.
559
[7~3<^] \_Blodgeti' s Canal, -^79^-^
The Hon'" Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court convened at Concord on the third Wednesday of Nov'
179S-
The petition of Sam" Blodget of Derryfield humblv shew-
eth—
That your petitioner hath expended more than Thirty Thou-
sand Dollors in cutting a Canal erecting Dams, Locks, Mills,
&c. on his own Land near Amoskeag Falls which is nearly
finished and will of course in a few years be a great benifit to
the public, as a property of this kind requires a particular
attention both as to regulation of Toll as well as securitv of
property and the keeping up a good understanding with whom
he may have to do —
Your Petitioner humbly prays that he may with those he
shall sell to be made a Corporate bodv politic by the name of
the proprietor or proprietors of Blodgets Canal — and your Pe-
titioner as in duty bound will pray —
Sam" Blodset—
[7-31] \^Petitio7i for the Incorporation of a Cofnpany to
construct a Canal from Merrimack River to Alassabesic
Pond, ijgg.'\
To the Honorable General Court now sitting at Concord,
Humbly Shews,
The Undersigned, that opening a water Communication from
the westerly part of Massabesick Pond, so called, to Merrimack
River, by the way of great Cohass Brook, by cutting a Canal,
and making locks on certain Falls, and making the same Navi-
gable for Boats and Rafts, would be of Public Utility, as there
is a large Tract of uncultivated Land ajoining said Pond ; the
Timber of which might become valuable ; & would also greatly
facilitate the Transportation of Country Produe to the .Sea Port
Towns for Market. Your petitioners therefore pray, that they
with such others as may become Proprietors with them, be Li-
corporated into a Body Politic and Corporate for the purpose
of Canaling and opening said water Communication, & that
they have Leave to take a certain Rate of Tolage to reimburse
their Expendatures ; and that the same be granted under such
Regulations & Restrictions as you in your Wisdom shall think
propper, and as in duty bound will ever Pray.
Dated Chester June 3'* 1799 —
Joseph Blanchard Ezekiel H : Kelly Samuel Emery
W™ I Folsom James Orr Daniel Emery
560 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Folsom Amos Kent Josiah Underbill
John Melvin Joh" Wingate Benjamin Adams
Alexander Sherley John Weson Samul Sharley
James Sherley Paul Adams
[Dec. 28, 1805, an act was passed authorizing the inhabi-
tants of Derryfield, in their corporate capacity, to construct
locks on Cohas brook to facilitate the passage of lumber. —
Ed.]
[y-33] \_Petitionfor AzitJiority to raise Motiey by Lottery to
co?Hplete the Canal, I'/gg.']
The Hon. the Senate & House of Representatives, for the State
of New Hampshire in General Court assembled, on the
first Wednesday, of the present month, of December, A. D
1799.
The petition of Samuel Blodget of Derryfield in said State
Humbly shews — that your petitioner, many years since saw
that Nature had declared inTavour of an inland Navigation into
the Interior parts of this State, which Now abounds with
Masts, Yards, Timber, Wood, and all kinds of Lumber, which
is beyond Calculation, the Lands are fertile, and the Inhabitants
Numerous, they abound in Cattle, and all other produce in
abundance, all which are in great Demand, in our Sister States,
but the Great distance, the Obstructions, and Impediments, so
many, that the inhabitants, derive but Small advantages, at
present from these goodly Lands, and must Continue So untill
Art Embraces Nature, Your Petitioner Early saw this, that an
inland Navigation would of Course take place. Your petition-
er, Anxtious for the happy day Chearfully began this great un-
dertaking. Although, in the Eve of Life, your petitioner deter-
mined, that Neither age, or the dread of Fatigue, should deter
him from this pleasing & usefull Project, Accordingly on the
first day of April 1793. He began this great Work, of Canal-
ino- & Locking Amoskeig-Falls, on which heretofore, much
property, has been lost, they are Still A great Barrier, to im-
mense property, at this Moment, theirfore it is of the utmost
importance to the inhabitants of these states, that these Impedi-
ments be removed, in attempting this Enterprise, Your Peti-
tioner has Spared, no pains, or property to Effect it, he has
Already expended thirty five thousand Dollars in this Work, —
but in the Course of unforeseen Events, Such times has taken
place, that No right Calculation Could be made, & in the event
MANCHESTER. 561
Exceeded much beyond his expectation, theirfore, to Compleat
this great design, it will Require,
Nine Thousand Dollars, as appears by a Late Survey of Col.
Baldwins. — when these Canals, are Compleat. the Inhabitants
of these states, will of Course receive the greatest advantage by
them. Your Petitioner has had Recourse to his friends in the
Common-Wealth of Massachusetts for assistance, but without
affect, yet Nevertheless the inhabitants of Boston & Nevvbury-
Port. are not insensible of the great advantage that will derive,
as well to the Poor as to the Rich, especially in the Article of
Wood, which at present, is at high price in those Towns,
theirfore all Classes have an Interest in the Canals, and they
have their wishes that may they be finished — and would most
Chearfully Come forward, by way of a Lottery, to finish it —
Your Petitioner, has Such Assurance from many Respectable
Affluent Characters, as well as those in a more hinnble. State.
Both in Boston ; Newbury-Port, &'^ &'' as leaves him. not the
least Doubtfull that if your Honors should please to grant him
One, for the purposes, herein Requested, being fully assured,
those Tickets in the Sale would be ye most Rapid, (and with
much Defterence believe them to be more So,) than any. here-
tofore offer'd to the publick, Theirfore Your Petitioner, Most
Humbly prays that Since he has taken Such pains, as well as
the great Expence, heretofore mentioned of thirty five thousand
Dollars, already, and is desirous to Compleat it, and to Open A
Most Valuable and extensive, well Inhabitated Country ;
abounding with Cattle, and produce, in Abundance, by which
an inland Navigation, of Trade, & Commerce will thrive and
flourish, between the Inhabitants of this, and Our Sister States ;
Interest, & advantage, to a Very great Amount — theirfore in
Consideration of this great Expence — Your Humble Petitioner
has Expended, in the premises affbresaid, Which is unfinished
— he theirfore humbly Solicits your Honors Aid, to grant him
A Lottery, to finish the same, in Consideration, that, when
Compleated, will arise every advantage that an Inland Naviga-
tion to the States. Can Suggest, and in as much as his Friends
in the Common Wealth of Massachusetts, So much Request it
or Otherwise, to grant him Such aid as will Enable him to
Compleat. and finish the work, as in your great Wisdom Shall
Seem Meet, — and as in duty Bound will ever pray —
Sam" Blodget
Derry field 7* December 1799.
[In H. of Rep., December 21, 1799, the foregoing peti-
tion was granted. — Ed.]
3S
562 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-34] [^Relative to Locks and Canals oti Alerrhnack Rivery
etc.'l
Within a few Years past Inland Navigation. Seems to be the
Spirit of Enterprise, the great & Arduous, undertaking, to cutt
the Middlesex Canal, in the state of Massachusetts, from Bos-
ton to Merrimack River, Through an Inland Country of Thirty
Miles has been the work of many Years, the Compleating of
this great Work, has been doubted by some, but he assured, the
Most dificult part of these Works are finished, and Others in
great forwardness, this Work is Executed, in a Manner, that
would do Honor to One of the first European Characters in this
Line, in A word, the Works are So Nearly finished, that it
leavs No doubt in my Mind, of its being Compleated the Next
Season, this Canal, enters Merrimack-River, a little above Pe-
tucket Falls from thence, up the Said River, 29 Miles, to Am-
oskiege — these Falls, are 47 feet 3 Inches 5 Tenth Fall, & are
the Key of the great Country above them, the Locking of
Which, has been underken by M'' Blodget, who has Expended
35000 Dollars in this Enterprise, by A late Survey of Colonel
Baldwin, it will Cost 9000 Dollars more to Compleat this great
Work, According to his late survey, the Next Falls above, is
eight Miles from M"' Blodgets Canal, the next is, 4 Miles farther
up. Called, Garvins Falls, Charters are granted for Locking
them Both, & tlie Toll fixed, & its Supposed 4000 Dollars will
Lock them, Turkey River, & Sewals, are the Only Falls,
above, untill we reach Salisbury, they are Small, & it is Sup-
posed will not Exceed, 600 Dollars to Compleat them, these
being finished. Navigation, will be compleat up as far as Salis-
bury, 100 miles from Boston, the Other Small Falls, between
the Middlesex, & M' Blodgets Canal, will be soon Locked, &
Cleared, So as to make it Navigable for Boats, in the Shoalest.
Water, in the Summer-Season, from Salisbury, to Boston, when
all these are Compleated, the advantage of Inland-Navigation
will take place, which will be beyond discription, these advant-
ages, will not so readily Occur, to every One at the first View,
theirfore it will not be Amiss to mention. Some of them, the
first is —
upon the Subject of Beef-Cattle, the great Loss that attends
the Driving them from A great distance to Market, Report
Says that their ware 7000 Head of beef Cattle, drove from the
States of New-Hampshire, and Vermont, the present. Year,
into Boston and Other Market-Towns, upon vSupposition of its
fact, the Charge & Expence for driving 7000 at 7/6 onely
Amounts to Doll. — — — — 8,750
Supposing Each Creature, lost or Wasted, by long
& Tedious driving, on an Average, 30 lb Tallow,
MANCHESTER. 563
or in the Juices of the Beef, equivalent to it, this
at 9** p' lb amounts to — Dollars — 24,500
Dol 33,250
I am told by Some, that I have rated this loss
two low, however that may be, this sum, is
great, and is A Total Loss to the publick, as
well as to the Owners of the Cattle, & Ought
to be remided. — and this Can be done, as will
more readily appear, by the following Statement ;
Supposing. 7000 Cattle ware Killed and Salted
in Barrels, put up fit for Market, even as far
up as Sanborntown, 100 miles from Boston, each
Neating 400 lb and is two Barrels, this takes
14C00 Barrels, to salt 7000 Cattle, these being
Manufactured, Near the place of Slaughter,
■will Cost but fifty Cents each, and amounts to Doll, 7?ooo
& will take 14000 Bushels of Salt, at One Bushel
p'' Barrel, the Freight, from Boston, to Sanborn-
town, is established — and does not exceed 15/ p""
Ton, which is 8 Cents p'' Bushel this amounts to 1,120
The freight & Toll, on 14000 Barrels of Beef, from
Sanborntown to Boston, at 15 / p' Ton, ten Barrels
to A Ton, is 25 Cents Each, and is Dollars 3.500
added — $11,620
here is the first Cost of the Barrels, the expence
of the Transportation, of the Salt from Boston ; to
Salt the Beef With, and the freight of the Beef,
Safely landed in Boston Market, and all amounts
to no more than — — Dollars 11,620
these Barrels, Although full of Beef, will Sell for
6/ Each Amounts to 14,000
the I r,620$ being deducted ; leaves Neat profits on
the Manufactory of our own Doll. 2,380
and Makes A saving of 33,250 Dollars — 33^250
which would be lost by driving 7000. Cattle to Market,
Total 35, 630
by this Statement it appears, that these Cattle, Can, be Salt-
ed and Barreled, in prime Order, in the Country 100 miles
from Boston, and Transported to that Market, by Water, with-
out the least loss or waste of Beef or Tallow, Trouble, or Fa-
tigue in driving them, but will receive a Neat profit, as above
mentioned on the Casks of — — — Dollars 2,380$
in favour of the drovers ; — thus far upon the Article of Beef. —
it is however. Still worthy of Notice, that the Hides of these
564 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Cattle. Ought to be Computed among the Advantages, result-
ing from Our Inland Navigation, 7000 hides Manufactured, in
this State at 9/ is — — — — Doll. 10,500
the Loss is great to the Inhabitants, here to have So Large A
Number, of Cattle drove from this State and their Hides. Man-
ufactured, at Our Expence, because wee have to repurchas
them again, after they Are Manufactured, in another advantage,
readily Occurs to me, is, in the Article of Wood, the freight,
Toll, &*=, are Considered at 15/ per Cord, from Salisbury, into
Boston, if to Newbury-Port. 7/ at this Rate, if the high price
that. Wood Now^ is. w^hich is 8 doll" p' Cord at Boston & 6}i
Dollars, in Newbury-Port, (wood is now 9^ Dol" in Boston &
8 in Newbury Port) should Continue the advantage, to the In-
habitants of this State, is Incalculable, Especially if wee take
into Consideration, the Articles of Timber, Masts, Plank, and
all Other kinds of Lumber, (when an Inland Navigation. Runs
through Such an Extensive Country,) the Lands, must Settle
Rappidly, as well to increase in Value to Millions of Dollors,
A Calculation was made in Boston, by Gentlemen, of Informa-
tion, Viz. that if this Inland, Navigation, had been Opened,
last Spring, it would have been the saving to the inhabitants
of Boston, in the Article, of Wood Only, — of more than
60000 Dollars, the present year, and it is Supposed 15000
Dollars to Newbury-Port. — Query — would it not have been as
advantageous to the Sellers, as to the Buyers of Wood, — Other
great advantages mav be Calculated from this Inland Naviga-
tion but this is left for time to Discover — Suppose A Person in
Boston consumes 20 Cords of Wood, Annually, at the price of
6 Dollars p"" Cord — -is — — — Dollars. 120
When the Canal is Opened Wood is 5 Dollars — lOO
then 20 Cord, is a Saving to the purchacer at
this Reduced price — — — Dollars 20
and as long as the reduced price of Wood, Continues, of One
dollar p' Cord, p'' year. So that if he advances 20 Dollars One
Year, and the Canals, are opened & in Opperation, in Conse-
quence of it, he then recovers 100 per Cent, p"" Annum, for the
Money be advanced, and Suppose. 20 Dollars are advanced,
and he purchased A Ticket with it, in the Lottery, which is
granted for the finishing of the Canal, he has a Chance of the
highest, or Some Other prize — if they should be all drawn
Blanks, he has Still his 100 p'' Cent, p'' Annum for his Money,
and So long as Wood remains at the reduced price of one Dol-
lar p'' Cord, — for the Money he advanced, — Simular advant-
ages, will be received by all Owners, & Drovers of Cattle, to
the saving of the large Sum of 40,000 Dollars Annually on the
Article of Beef, as has been heretofore Mentioned all Other
MANCHESTER. 565
persons, in proportion, to their Interest and Concerns in this
Inland Navigation, — the Banks of the Merrimack Anticipates,
the happy days, when Trade an Commerce will flourish be-
yond Our Most Sanguine Expectations, Which Time Only can
Develope. —
[7-3S] \_Another Petition for the Protection of Fish in Co-
has Brook^ i8oor\
To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court Convened at Concord on the first wedensday
of June AD — iSoo —
The petition of us the Subscribers, Inhabitants of Derryfield
and the adjacent towns humbly sheweth — That
Formerly Great numbers of Alewives resorted to, and passed
up, the stream known by the name of Cohass-Brook that leads
from Massabeesick Pond to tlie river Merriniac. And for
many years the Inhabitants of this and the adjacent towns drew
ample supplies of these fish from the aforesaid Brook ; until by
means of Mill dams, erected across said stream, their passage
to the aforesaid Pond was wholly obstructed. But application
being made to the Honorable General Court, they with cheer-
fulness and alacrity caused the aforesaid Obstructions to be re-
moved, and from time to time passed such acts as were judged
best calculated to cause the returen and preservation of said
fish ; the salutary effects of which are now plainly perceived by
the return of the fish to their wonted stream. But the water
falls so rapidly for nearly thirty rods previously to its junction
with the river Mcrrimac as to render it convenient for fishing
with dip or scoop nets ; and unless the Public are prohibited
from fishing at the aforesaid rapids, no considerable number of
fish will ever pass them. And doubts have arisen whether the
fifteen rods from the mouth of said Brook and the five rods
from the Mill dam, as now by Law established, will cover the
said rapids —
Wherefore 3'our petitioners humbly pra}' Your Honors would
pass an act to prohibit the fishery for forty instead of fifteen
rods from the mouth of said Brook. And as in duty bound do
pray—
John Stark Philip heseltine John Webster
John Stark Jr Stephen Heseltine Israel Webster
Daniel Hall Asa Haseltine David Webster
Abel Huse Stephen Pingre John Webster Ju
Isaac Huse John parham Amos Webster
566 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John heseltine Israel young Jo^m Dickey Jur
Jonathan Haseltine Josiah Huse David Heseltine
Asa Haeltine Jiuir Job Rowell Timothy Dustine
Mulford Phillips Hezekiah young Nathaniel Merrill
David Rowell Peter Emerson Jacob Smith
William White James young James Major
Sam' Abbot David Flint Richard Hardy
Joseph young William Perham Stephen Chancy
Daniel Hall Jr Jonathan young James Arwine
Eben"" stevens David Dicky Thomas hardy
thomas Cheney Philip Heseltine Jun' Jonathan Stephens
Moses merrill Moses Heseltine
MARLBOROUGH.
The township was granted May 20, 1752, by Joseph
Blanchard, as agent for the Masonian Proprietors, to James
Morrison and thirty-three others, by the name of Monadnock
No. 5. Many of the proprietors and settlers came from Marl-
borough, Mass., and the town was unofficially called New
Marlborough for some years prior to its incorporation,
which occurred December 13, 1776, at which time it receiv-
ed its present name.
A township by the same name was granted by Gov. Ben-
ning Wentworth, April 29, 175 i, to Timothy Dwight and
others, which was located in the southern part of the pres-
ent state of Vermont. That charter, being on record in the
secretary's office in this state, misled John Farmer into ap-
plying it to the New Hampshire town ; and subsequent
writers, who copied from him instead of consulting the
original records, have been led into the same error.
Settlements were commenced in town about 1760 by
Abel Woodward, Benjamin Tucker, Daniel Goodenough,
and others.
By an act approved January 8, 1794, a small tract of
land was severed from Swanzey, and annexed to this town.
December 9, 18 12, two ranges of lots, and a certain gore
of land on the north end of the town, were combined with
portions of Packersfield (Nelson) and Keene, and incorpor-
ated into the town of Roxbury.
The formation of the town of Troy, June 23, 18 15, took a
MARLBOROUGH. 56/
portion of this town, and portions of Fitzwilliam, Swanzey,
and Richmond.
June 13, 1818, Joel Porter, Phinehas Farrar, Jr., and Ezra
Porter, with their estates, were severed from the town of
Dublin, and annexed to Marlborough.
A small tract of land belonging to William Tenney and
Luther Hemingway was severed from the north-east
corner of Swanzey, and annexed to Marlborough, December
15, 1842.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers from this town was
Lieut. Col. Andrew Colburn, who was killed at Stillwater
in September, 1777.
£7-1] \_Petition for an Act of Incorporatiofi^ ^775-']
Monadnock N° five Jun y'' 24 1775
to the Hon' members of the Congris at Exeter A Request
from the inhabantans of monadnock No five Humberly shows
that whare as this Town is Not in Corparated and by that
meanes Never had aney Town stock of Ammonishon of ponder
and ball and are not in aney proper Cappasety to Rais money
for that or aney other purpos Exept the Province and County
by Reason of Not having Town privealegs and as it appeares at
this day to be verey much wanted for we know not how soon
we shall be wanted to Defende oure Contery and Priveliges
■which are much Threatned daley theirfore we Humbeley apply
our selves to this Congress for advise we have som money now
in the hands of mr James Lucas a collecter of this Town that
belonges to the Province and County that was granted for the
year 1774 and is Not yet paid in and when it will be wanted or
Coald for we Cant tell for we Conclude that the County will
JSIot go on with their bulding this year^as was intended theirfore
we Humberly Apply our selves to this Hona' Court or Con-
gress for their advise in that Afare wheather thay Can advise or
give liberty for our taking this money for that youse we oblige-
ing our selves to Return it when ever Called for thease from
your humbel Purtisones appointed by the Town as a Commity
for this purpos
Jonathan Frost")
Benj" Tucker y Commity
Tho° Riggs )
568 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-2] \_Anot/ier Petitioiz for aft Incorporation^ ■^77S-'\
Province of New Hampshire Monadnock N° 5 September 28"*'
1775-
To the Hono''' Congress of Said Province.
Whereas In the month of July last the Congress See fit to
Grant us privilidges which before we was Destitute of, and for
which we do express our gratitude, viz, In recommending to us
to chuse Town officers such as Select men, Constables, and a
Committee of Safety, all which we have don, but as it is a
Doubt whether the Congress Intended we Should Injo}' privi-
lidges equil to Towns Incorporated by a Governer, or not, and
as w^e have a desire to Settle a Minister in this town, and as we
have one a preaching here whome the people universally like,
We theirfore pray the Congress to Incorporate Said N° 5 by the
name of Washington, and appoint a Day for our Annual Meet-
ing.
In so Doing your Honours would much Oblidge your Hum-
ble pertitioners.
Jonathan Frost") Committee In
Eliphalet Stone > behalf of Monadnock
Tho Riggs ) N° Five
[7~3] \_Petition for an Incorporation^ i/yS.']
State of New-Hampshire
To the Hon'''*' the Council & house of Representatives Convend
at Exeter Sep"' 5, 1776. —
Humbly Shews Eliphalet Stone of a place Called New Marl-
borough in the County of Cheshire Gent, in Behalf of the free-
holders & Inhabitants of said place
That your Petitioners under a title from the Purchasors of the
Right of John Tufton Mason Esq'' did Enter into & upon the
premises & have with Great Toil & Labour formd Settlements
for themselves & families. —
That the Said tract of Land is well Scituated for a Township
& of the Contents of about Six Miles Square. —
That your Petitioners have Erected a Meetinghouse for Pub-
lic Worship & had preaching. —
That they Labour under Difficulties for want of an Incorpo-
ration which Coud they Obtain Are perswaded would be for
the Public Good. —
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray that they may be
Incorporated into a Body Politick to have Continuance & be In-
MARLBOROUGH. 569
vested with all the powers Priviledges and Immunities that
Other Towns in this State by Law hold & Enjoy. —
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound Will Ever pray &c. —
Eliphalet Stone
[The foregoing petition was granted, and the town incor-
porated by an act passed Dec. 13, 1776.]
[R. 2-257] \_Petitio7i of Major Andrew Colburn^ addressed
to the Council and Assembly. '\
Humbly Shews,
Andrew Colburn of Marlborough in the County of Cheshire
Esq"" that in the Beginning of the last Campaign he assisted Col**
Reid in recruiting his Regiment, in which he expended consid-
erable sums of Money Afterwards he served as a Voluntier in
the American Army till the arrival of Gen' Folsom, who on Ac-
count of the Irregularity of the new Army, found it absolutely
necessary to have an Officer to act as Brigade Adjutant, in his
Department He therefore applied to General Ward, then Com-
mander in Chief for his Approbation & appointment of y* Peti-
tioner as Adjutant to his Brigade, who approyed & appointed
him to act accordingly That he acted in said Office till Gen'
Washington took the Command of the Army, who issued in
general Orders that every Officer should continue in his respec-
tive Department till further Orders — That he continued in said
office accordingly during said Campaign — That as the Conti-
nental Congress had not appointed Brigade Adjutants for said
Service, General Washington could not grant a Warrant for any
Pay-
That one M"" Brewer who acted in the same Capacity in the
Massachusetts Troops at Roxbury being in like Circumstances
with regard to pay, represented the Case to the Gen' Court of
the Massachusetts Bay & was allowed Eight Pounds ten Shill-
ings L M p'' Month — Your Petitioner therefore humbly Prays
your Honours to take his Case under your wise Consideration,
& to grant him such Recompence for his Services during said
Campaign as in Your Wisdom shall appear adequate and Just
— And as in Duty bound shall pray &c
And^ Colburn
[Andrew Colburn was commissioned lieutenant-colonel
of the Third New Hampshire Regiment, under Col. Scam-
mel, April, 1777, and was killed at the battle of Stillwater,
570 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
or Bemis's Heights, on the 19th of September in the same
year. His widow, Mrs. Phebe Colburn, removed soon after
to Coventry, Conn., her native place, and after seven years
of widowhood, married Ephraim Root. — Ed.]
[R. 2-265] \_Calvm Goodetzow^ Soldier, ly 82. '\
Marlborough January y® 28"" 1786.
These may ceilify That Calvin Goodenow was engaged Dur-
ing the war By the town of Marlborough and Joined the army
in the month of aprile in the year 17S2.
James Brewer Dan" Cutting Silas fife
Selectmen of Marlborough for the year —
David Wheeler Phins Farrar
Selectmen for the year —
[R. 2-266]
I hereby certify that Calvan Goodenough Serv'd as a Soldier
in my Company in the first Newhampshire Reg' at the close of
the war and for Some time before per
Josiah Munro Cap*
Hawk Feby 2^ 1^86.
[7-5] \^R dative to Taxes of Elijah Williams, iy8i.'\
These may Certify that Lots Numbers 37 & 58 in this Town
Belonging to Elijah Williams Esq"" an Absentte was Taxed in
year 17S1 in the Beef Rate £0.12:9:2
and in the soldier & Rum rate — o: 3: i: i
which sums we pray may Be allowed to M'" Silas Fife Consta-
ble for 1 78 1
Marlborough Jany 28"^ 17S6
David Wheeler ) Selectmen of
Phinehas Farrar j Marlborough
[7-^] \_CertiJicate of Nails made, iygo.'\
State of New Hampshire Cheshii"e ss
We the Subscribers Select Men of the Town of Marlborough
in Said County, Do hereby Certify that John Parkhurst of
MARLBOROUGH. 57I
Marlborough afore Said Nailer, has bonafidely made or Caused
to be made at his work-Shop in S"* Marlbo"" Three Hundred
Thousand Four Penny wrought Nails, Encluding Eighty Seven
Thousand that was not Encluded in the other Certificate. And
One Hundred Thousand of Six Penny wrought Nails Sence the
24"" of December last.
Witness our hand and Seals
Dan' Cutting '\ Select Men for
moses Tucker j Marlborough
Marlborough June y^ 17"* AD 1790
I the Subscriber being the Nearest Justice of the Peace in
Said County to the workshop of the above S** John Parkhurst,
Do hereby Certify that the S** John Parkhurst has in fact made,
and caus'd to be made in his works the above mentioned Num-
ber of wrought Nails.
Tho' Baker Justice of the Peace
[7-7] l^A^aiHS^ the Appointynent of William Parker^ iygo.~\
To His Exelencv the President, and Hono''' the Council of the
State of New-Hampshire —
Your Petitioners Humbly Sheweth that We have received in-
formation from Men of undoubted viracety that M'' William
Barker of this Town has lately ben recommended to Your Hon-
oi's as a seutable Person to be a Justice of the Peace. —
We beg the privilidge to inform Your Exelency and Honours
that We have a very diferant oppiniou of the Man, and Do pray
Your Exelency and Honors would be pleased not to grant him
a Justic's Commition. As We in Deuty Bound Shall ever pray
Marlborough January iS"* 1790.
Eliph" Stone '\ Select Men
Phinehas Farrar > of
Ebenezer Temple ) Marlborough
[7-8] [^Relative to JBozindary between this Town a?id Fitz-
william^ lygj.^
To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New
Hampshire to begin and be Holden at Hanover in S'' State
on the first Wednesday of June next —
In behalf of the Town of Marlborough the Petition of us the
Subscribers humbly sheweth that Whereas the Towns of Fitz-
572 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
william and Marlborough have ben in Dispute for a long time
as to the line between S** Towns, and the Town of Marlbor"
have requested the town of Fitzwilliam repeatedly to establish
S^ line, and otiered to leave the matter to Juditious and disin-
trested men to Settle the dispute on Just and equitable terms ;
but they wholy refuse to Comply with our request — Wherefore
your Petitioners pray that your Honours would take our Case
under your Wise Consideration, and appoint a Committee if
you in your Wisdom think fit to vew S^ line or order Some
other means Whereby S*^ line may be established upon Just and
equetable terms — as your Petitioners in Duty bound Shall ever
pray—
Calvin Stone ) Selectmen of
Jonadab Baker) Marlbor"
Marlborough May 30"" 1795
MARLO W.
The township was granted October 7, 1761, to William
Noyes and sixty-three others, at which time it received its
present name. The reservation of five hundred acres for
Governor Wentworth was located in the south-west corner.
The conditions of this grant were not wholly complied with,
and the inhabitants, on the 30th of December, 1771, peti-
tioned for an extension of the charter, which was granted
January 24, 1772. for a term of three years. In the petition
they stated that twenty-eight families were resident in town,
and that five more were to settle the following spring.
The grantees were residents of Connecticut, principally
in the vicinity of the towns of Lyme and Colchester.
Among the first settlers were Thomas and Samuel Gustin,
Elisha and Solomon Mack, Jasper and Nathan Huntley, and
Joseph Tubbs.
By an act passed June 21, 1797, all that portion of the
town, as originally granted, lying east of the curve line of
Mason's Patent, containing some four thousand acres, was
declared to be under the jurisdiction and a part of the town
of Stoddard.
An academy flourished here for some years, which was
largely patronized by the inhabitants of the county and did
a good work in the cause of education.
MARLOW. 573
[7-39] \_Live72tory of 1773.']
A True Inventory of all the Poles and Ratable Estate In the
Township of Marlow Taken this twenty Sixth day of April
1773 by us the Subscribers Selectmen of Said Marlow
Thirt}' four poles — twenty Eight oxen — forty two Cows — fif-
teen three years old — Eight two year old — thirteen year old —
two Horses — one hundred and forty four acers of Mowing Land
— Seventy Nine acers of arable Land — Sixty four acers of pas-
ter Land —
A True List attest
Nicodemes Miller ) Selectmen of
Sam" Canfield J Marlow
province of New hampshire April y" 26'^ ^TJ2>
County of Cheshire ss parsonally appeared Nicodems Miller
and Samuell Canfield Selectmen of Marlow and made Soloom
oath to the above Inventory by them Taken & Signed by them
as above Is Just and True as there set down taken
Before me B Bellows Justice peace
[7-40] \_Relaiive to the Electio7i of Representative^ i7y6.'\
To the Honerabel Counsel & assembelev of the Colony of New
hampshire to be Conveand & assembled at Exeter on the
third wensday of Deember Instant
The Petiteion of the Inhabetitants of the Towns of marlow
Alsted and Surrey Humbeley Sheweth that where as it is the
advice & Deriction of the Contenantel Congrace Reletve to the
asumeing Civel Goverment in this Colonev have advised and
Dericted the Provenshal Congras of this Colony Preveus to
their asuiming a forme of Ceviel Government that they at their
Convenshon Do Grant vvorants for a full and free Election of
Representetves in this Coloney & where as verees Cuppleing of
veraes Towns toGether in the wesetern Parts of Coloney and
allowing but one Representetve to a Cuppling and we being
Deferantly Treted from the Mager Parts of this Coloney v^^ho
are allowed a Representetive to Each Town and where as the
Towns of marlow Alsted & Surrey are Towns InCorprated
with all the Inverabel Priveligeses & Emunities that any other
Town or Towns Do or may In Joy In this Coloney & being
thus Cuppled together as aforeSaid are abriged or Curtailed of
the Privelig of Each EndeviDial Town Eleccting a Represen-
tetive which we Humbely Conceve Can not be Constred to be
a full & free Election or Representation of the Said Coloney
agreabel to the advice of the Contenantal Congress above Re-
574 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
sited we there fore your Humbel Petiteshers would be such the
Honerabel Counsel & House of Representetives that Preves to
the further Preserving the Plan ofCivel Goverment that there
may worants be Granted for a full and free Election or Repre-
sentation of Each of the Endvedial Towns above menchend
Presewent to the advice of the Contenantal Congrace aforesaid
thus Shall your Humbel Petisonors as In Deuty Bound Ever
Pray
Dated Coloney of Newhamsher Marlow December ii"" A :D
1776
Sam" Gustin ^ Come" for
Absalom Kingsbery ! inarlow
Woolston Brockway j Alsted &
Jonathan Smith J Surrey
[7-41] \_Relattve to the East Line of the Toiv?i^ ^777 •']
Marlow Feby y'' 20"* 1777 —
As there is a Report prevails in the Town of Marlow that
one Oliver Parker a Reputed mover of sedition in the Town of
Stoddard hath got a petition Signd by a party to have some
part of the East side of the Town of marlow (by the general
Cort) set to Stoddard
We the Selectmen of marlow in the State of Newhampshire.
Beg Leve to Say Some thing in the Ears of the General Cort
on this matter if y* above Said petition is prefared — viz — that
the incorporation of y* Town of marlow is older than y^ incor-
poration of any Town adjoining to the said marlow — and we
in y" Name of y^ inhabitants of y" Town of marlow humbly
Pray that the General Cort would not by any incorporation
infringe on the Town of marlow without Giving Notice to the
Inhabitants of the said marlow some time before hand —
If the above s'' petition be for paying Taxes only — the Gen-
eral assembley did on the 12"' Day of June 1776 pass a resolve
that all those Rateable persons who live within the original east
Line of marlow and their Estates thir. pay there Taxes to mar-
low untill the Title to the Lands Disputable between the said
Towns of marlow and Stoddard be Decided by Law or by
agreement between the said two Towns
the Cause being So plain we shall not Trouble the Cort any
Longer — Resting assured they will not act Contrary to this pe-
tition without first Notifying the Town of marlow and giving us
a Day to Defend our Selves
Dated at marlow this 4*'' of march AD 1777 —
pr us Nicodemus Miller ^ Select men
Abisha Tubs \ of marlow
MARLOW. 575
[7-42] \_Relative to the Settletnent of the East Line of the
Town^ 1778.']
State of Newhamshere Chesher County Marlow Feberay 3"''^
1778
as there is Still Remaining a Deficalty about the Colecting of
Taxes in our town on aCount of the Clames of woshenton and
Stoder by their Coperations — Laping on our Town and the
Charter and Corperation there of and as the Easter most Line
of Said marlow is Desputed by Said Washenton & Stoderd
and that it may be Setteled with out Deficalty in a Legal Meth-
ard
we the Subcribers Select men of Said Marlow Do Bring our
Requst and Fotition to the Honorabel Counsel and assembely
of this State that they would Derict to Sum method whereby
those unhapey Ueficaltys maybe Removed and if your Hon-
ours Should Think it Proper : w-e Should be Glad that Sum
Soveyor & Chainmen that are Dis Entrested and Inhabtents of
this County be apointed to Run the Loyns of Said marlow
aCording to the Charter of Said Town and Esabilish the Lines
and Bounds of Said Town that Such Desputes may be Remov-
ed for which we j'our Potishenors as In Deuty Bound would
Humbely Pray
Eber Lewis ) Selectmen
William Nud ) of marlow
N : B as marlow is the oldest Charter of any Town that
Joins on it we think it very improper that other Towns Should
InCroach on our Rights & Priveliges &C
the within riten petetion is Excepted and by the town Voted
to be Sent to the Honourable Counsil and Asemby
Jonath Royce town Clark
[7~43] [^Relative to Taxes ^ ^784-^
State of Newhampshire
The Petition of the Town of Marlow humbly Sheweth That
in the Proportion taken in 1777 the Town of Marlow Sent in
their Inventory according to the best of their Knowledge In-
cludeing all within the Original Limitts of Said Town — after
which the General Court by their Special order ResoW that a
certain part of the Land aforesaid with the Inliabitants thereon
so far as the Masonian grant Extended Should pay their pro-
portion another way whereby your Petitioners where Deprived
of a Considerable part of their Strength which they Expected
5/6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
in paying the Quotas of Taxes Laid on them in consequence of
their Proportion and also was Doom"^ their Supose"^ proportion
in 1780 Including- the Land aforesaid Therefore your Petitioner
humbly Pray^ that So much of their Taxes As hath been So
Laid on them may be abated that they may only pay their Just
proportion of Taxes in Said State which they Ever Desire to do
and no more and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever
pray
NatlV^ S Prentice in behalf of Said Town
[7-44] \_Relative to East Line of the Toivn^ i'/q8.'\
To the honarble Senate and hous of Representatives in Jeneral
cort Convened at Concord on the thurd VVedingsday of this
Listant November
your pertisherners humbley Shweth that whereas an act has
Ben past Giving Juresdiction of a part of marlow to Stodderd
to the grate deterament of said marlow and must unavoidable
Ruen said town if Said act is not Reconsedered tharefore
your portisherners humbley prayeth that your honers will
make thare Case your Case and then Consider wheather you
would Be willing to have your towns Cut to peaces without the
Concent of the inhabetents then your portisheners thinks they
Shall be Abel By thare agent to Shew the unreasonable ness of
that act which your portishoners thinks neaver would Ben past
if the honerable Cort at that Time had farly understod the situ-
ation of Both towns that Stoddard is Biger without that Strip
than marlow is with it by Reason of Washington Exersising
Juresdiction over a Considerable part of said marlow and your
portisheners humbley prayeth that they may not Be tore to
peases to Set up thare nabering towns thow they are willing to
suffer with other Towns But not to be tore to peaces to set them
up tharefore your portisheners humbley Requestes that act may
Be Reconsidered and your portisheners as in duty Bound Shall
Ever pray
Marlow November 16* 1798
Elisha Huntley '\ Select
Abijah Mack > Men of
Wells Way j marlow
[7-45] \^Re7nonstrance to the Establishfuent of the East
Line as by the Act of lygy.']
To the Honourable senate & house of Representatives to be
convened at Concord on the third Wednesday of November —
MASON. 577
The Petition of the Proprietors of the town of Marlow hum-
bly shews that the General court at their sessions in June 1797
sett off the southeast part of Marlow containing About four
thousand acres of s'^ Marlow under the Jurisdiction of the town
of Stoddard haveing About twenty famylies on the same which
we concieve was obtained by A Very wrong Representation of
the Matters of fact And we your Petioner not thinking it nec-
essary at that time to send in A written remonstrance against
the town of Stoddard petition fully believing that the honour-
able court would never take off from the lesser towns to put to
the Greater where the town taken off from and the Inhabitants
to be taken off had not Requested it but to their great Disap-
pointment it was done, and we your Petioners being fully
sensible that s*^ Act being carried into effect according to the
liberty the town of Stoddard have taken and mean to take by
taxing our Lands under the Layout of the Proprietors of s**
Stoddard which your Honours will be sensible lays a foundation
for A continered multicipticity of Lawsuits to the Great dam-
age of the publick and to tlie total Destruction of Many of Your
Petitioners Interest on both sides and whereas the Proprietors
of s*^ Stoddard as well as the town have taken the most unwea-
ried paines to Defraud us and Arrest our Lands from us by
every strategem that Depraved human nature could Invent and
we are fully pursuaded your honours when fully possest of the
facts will not uphold them nor strengthen them in their inthu-
siasm but will Repeal s*^ Act and let us peaceably injoy our
Land as other Citizens do which is the humble prayer of your
petitioners as in duty bound shall pray
Marlow June 4"' 179S
Elijah Frink In Behalf of the
Petitioners
[All that portion of Marlow lying east of the curve line
of Mason's patent was decreed to belong to Stoddard by an
act passed June 21, 1797. — Ed.]
MASON.
The township was granted November i, 1749, by Joseph
Blanchard, as agent for the Masonian proprietors, to Will-
iam Lawrence and others, and was called No. i, until, in
answer to a petition, it was incorporated with town priv-
39
578 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ileges August 26, 1768, and given its present name in
honor of Capt. John Mason, the original owner of that tract
of land known as " Mason's Patent."
At a meeting of the inhabitants held June 22, 1768, they
voted to have the town called Sharon ; but Governor Went-
worth, who generally named towns to please himself, named
it Mason.
This town includes that portion of the town of Town-
send, Mass., which was north of the province line as estab-
lished in 1741.
By an act passed June 28, 1872, the north-west part of
the town was set off, and incorporated into the town of
Greenville, and the line between the two towns was estab-
lished the following year.
Joseph Blood, of Mason, was killed in the battle of Bun-
ker Hill. Ebenezer Blood, Jr., was taken prisoner at the
same time, and never returned home.
C7~5°] [^Petition for a Town Charter^ i'/68.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's
Province of New-Hampshire in Council —
The humble Petition of Obadiah Parker of a Place v^^ithin the
said Province called N° i on behalf of himself and the rest of
the Inhabitants there.
Sheweth : That the said Tract of Land is about 5 Miles
Square & is* held by your Pet" under a Grant from the Genf"
Proprietors of Mason's Patent and is bounded as follows Viz'
Beginning at a Stake & Stones on the Province Line, then
running on the Province Line 5 Miles & 20 rods to the S : E.
Corner of New Ipswich Thence running N° on said New Ips-
wich line 5 Miles to a White pine Tree to Wilton Corner Then
running E. on the S° line of Wilton 5 Miles to a hemlock tree
then running S° 5 Miles by the Needle to the Bounds first men-
tioned. That they have now^ Fifty Six Families on the Spot,
and are ripe for Town Officers, a Minister &c
Wherefore they humbly pray a Charter of Incorporation and
that they may be invested with all the Powers & Authorities
Privileges & Franchises which other Towns enjoy within this
Government by such Name as Your Excellency shall be pleased
to appoint.
And your Pet" will ever pray &c
Obadiah Parker pro Se et Caeteris.
[For himself and others.]
MASON. 579
L7-46] \_Relative to a?i alleged Thefts J'TTS'I
To the honorable Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of New
Hampshire —
That whereas Jason Russell & John Tarbell both of Mason
in said Province, did in a felonious Manner on or about the
Twentieth of May last, retire to a Pasture in said Town belong-
ing to Sam'^ Dana of Groton & took from thence a Three Years
old Heifer & killed & converted it to their own Use — Where-
upon early Notice being given to the Committee for said Town,
met & requir'd of the Oftenders full Satisfaction therefor, But
each of them peremptorily refusing to comply therewith the
Advice of Committees from two neighbouring towns being
called in, viz New^-Ipswich & Temple & the Criminals being
cited to appear before said Committees not only neglected to
make their Appearance before us, But as we learn have fled to
the Army & finding ourselves unable to settle the unhappv Dif-
ficulty by Reason of their escape, came into the following Res-
olution viz —
Resolved to refer the Matter to your judicious Consideration,
begging that you will in your Wisdom, take cogniscence, either
of the Oflcnce & deal with the Oftenders or give us Rules how
to proceed with them in this, & such like Case for the future —
Ephraim Adams Chairman for said Committee.
David Blodgett Scribe
Dated Mason June 26"' 1775
[7~47] \^Relative to Paper Currency^ i777-\
To The Honorable Council and House of Representatives of
the State of New Hampshire in General Cort assembled at Ex-
eter on Wednesday the 17"" Day of December AD : 1777 Hum-
bly Sheweth the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of The Town
of Mason in the County of Hillsborough in S** State That the
Calling in and Sinking this States Bills of Publick Credit of the
Square form So Called and giving in Exchange For the Same
Treasuerys notes vipon Loan or Intrest appears to your Honours
Suppliants to be Disadvantegeous and Detrimental to this State
in General and Tends to Sap the Foundation of Prosperity
among the Good People of this State and Embarrass the
Growth of the Commonweth Then Engaged in a very Grevious
and Expencive war the Period of Which is Yet unknown which
will unavoidably Prove noxious to this State as well as others
Wherefore your Potitioners Humbly Pray That a Late act of
the Former House an act Entitled an act For Calling In and
580 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Sinking the Bills of Publick Credit of This State of the Square
Form So Called May Be Repealed and the above Said Bills
Pass as Spacified in the Face of the Same or Untill the above
S*^ Bills May be Called in By a Tax as you in your wisdom
Shall See Fit and your Humble Potitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray
At a Tow^n Meeting held at Mason Dec"" y" 15 : 1777 The
abov Petition Being Read y^ Town unanimously Voted That
S*^ Potition Be Presented to the Gen"" Cort By the hand of y*
Representitive of S'' Town
Attest Benjamin Mann Town Clark
[7-48]
In obedience to a Vote Passed in the general Court Directing
the Selectmen of the Several towns in this state to Return the
number of male Poles from twenty one years old and upward
paying for themselves a Pole Tax in order to apportion the
Representation according to the New Constitution we do here-
by Return for the town of mason one Hundred and forty male
poles paying for themselves a Pole Tax in S'^ mason
mason December y* 5"^ 1 7S3
Elijah Keyes ) o 1 ,.
A T-> 1 • } Selectmen
Amos Dakm )
[Sworn to before Benjamin Mann, justice of the peace. —
Ed.]
[7-49] [ V^oie relative to Pape?' Currency^ 1/86.^
At a Legal Town meeting held in Mason (by adjournment)
on Fryday y* 8"" Day of Dec' 1786
Voted not to have Paper Money on the Plan proposed by the
general Court No. 17 — & not one appeard for it on s** Plan:
No : Eleven Not for Paper Money on any plan : and three for
paper Money on some Plan.
Mason Dec"" y^ 8"^ 17S6.
Coppy Attest William Eliot Town Clerk
To Benjamin Mann Esq"" Representative for
s** Mason & Raby. —
[See Vol. XI, page 130. — Ed.]
MEREDITH. 58 1
[R. 2-267] \_Soldiers' Orders.']
To Nicholas Gilman Esq'' Treasurer
Sir Please to pay Benjamin Mann Esq'' the whole of my
wagers & milage that is made to me on Cap' William Barron
Pay role for a three months Campeign in the year 17S0 and it
shall Discharge you from me
Joshua Richardson
Mason September the 9"' 17S2.
To whome it may concern this may certify that Jn°" Rich-
ardson in my Roole For 17S0 is Joshua
William Barron Cap'
[R. 2-268]
To M' John Taylor gillman Treas' For the State of New
Hamp'
Sir Please to Pay the Bareor Benjamin Mann The wages
that appears Due to me For the months January Feb^ March
& april in the year 1780 as a Soldier in the Continental army in
y* 3*^ new hampshire rcg' L' Coll" Company and his Receipt
Shall be a Discharge For the Same per me, also the arears of
Clothing
David Hall
Mason June y® i^' ^7^4
MEREDITH
The town was incorporated by the governor and council
December 30, 1768, at which time it received its present
name.
Previous to its incorporation it was known by the name
of New Salem, some of its early settlers being formerly res-
idents of the town of Salem.
It was within the bounds of Mason's Patent, and as in-
corporated included the present town of Laconla.
By an act approved December 30, 1799, Stone-dam and
Bear Islands were annexed to this town.
A division of the town took place July 14, 1855, the
south-easterly portion being incorporated into a town by
the name of Laconia.
582 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
By an act approved July 3, 1873, a portion of Meredith
was annexed to Centre Harbor.
[7-51] \_Petitioit fo7- a7i Incorporation^ lydS.']
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"" Captain General
Governor & Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's
Province of New-Hampshire, & The Hon : His Majesty's
Council
The humble Petition of David Lawrence Esq'' and Ebenezer
Smith Gent" in behalf of themselves and others Proprietors &
Inhabitants of New Salem (in the Province aforesaid) upon
Winipisiokee Pond.
Sheweth
That 17 Families have actually Settled and are now resident
in New Salem aforesaid, and four other Families are preparing
to go, & reside there.
That they humbly apprehend they are ripe for an Incorpora-
tion ; and an Investment with Town Priviledges, which will
greatly assist the present Settlement, and accelerate its Com-
pletion as they can thereby make proper Highways, & have
power to chuse Town Officers &c
They therefore pray your ExcelP-^' & Hon" to take the prem-
ises into your Consideration, and that they may be incorporated
accordingly
And your Pet" will ever pray &c
David Lawrence
Ebenezer Smith
Portsmouth 16"' June 176S.
[The foregoing petition was granted, and the town incor-
porated by the name of Meredith, December 30, 1768. —
Ed.]
[7-54] \_SoIdiers' Orders.^
meredith December y* 15'^ ^777 —
S"" Pleas to pay Col" Ebenezer Smith the full Sum of the
Rations Due to me the Subscriber as an Ensign in your Reg-
iment in Gen' Starks Brigade — and you will oblige your Hum-
ble Serv'
Robert Bryant Ensign
To Col° Thomas Stickney — of Concord —
MEREDITH. 583
[R. 2-268]
To the paymaster of the continental men Pleas to pay Eb-
enezer Smith the whole of Pay due to me up to the first of the
year 17S2 I being soldier in the Newhampshire line in Colonel
Reids regiment and you will oblige your Humble Serv'
his
Aron X Rolins
mark
Meredith December the 2^ 17S3.
test Robert Bryant John Kimbel
[R. 2-269]
New Salem January 27"" 17S5
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire
Sir please to pay Daniel Cook or his order all that is due to
my late husband Nathaniel Chase deceased who was a Soldier
in the 2"^ N H R, and was killed in 17S1 —
Attest — Value rec** witness my hand
her
Sam" Oilman Betsy X Chase
mark
New Salem January 27"* 17S5 —
This Certifies that Betsy Chase the above signer is the Widow
& sole heir to the aforesaid Nath' Chase deceased who w'as a
Continental Soldier from New Salem —
Phineas Gorden Town Clarke
[R. 2-270] \_Relative to Williavi Afaloon^ Soldier. '\
The deposition of Nathaniel Wadleigh of lawful Age testi-
fies & Says that William Mallon was in the Service in the Con-
tental Army as one of the six months men in the first New
Hampshire Regiment in Captain Farewells Company in the
year 1781 — & I suppose that he had his discharge at the same
time that I & the Rest had our discharge & he & myself Came
out of Camp together & further saith not —
Nathaniel Wadleigh
Meredith March 12"' 1791
[Sworn before Ebenezer Smith. — Ed.]
584 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-52] \_Petitioti for a Change of Day of Annual Meetings
1784.-]
State of Newhamps'' Straflbrd ss
meredith maixh the 35"' 17S4 at a Legal town meeting this
day holden the Second article in the warning of Said meeting
Voted to Petition the General Court to alter day of holding the
annual town meeting of Said town from the first monday of
april to the Second monday of march for the futer and that Eb-
enezer Smith be a Committee for that purpose
a true extract from the minuites of s'^ meeting
attest Ebene:^er Smith town Clerk
[The date of annual meeting was changed, by an act
passed November 5, 1784, to the second Monday in March.
—Ed.]
[7-56] \_Petition of the Baptist Society for an Incorpora-
tion^ i7g7.'\
To the vSenate and house of Representatives of the state of
Newhampshire Convened at Concord June i797 —
Humbly Sheweth the Petition of the undersigned that they
are and have been a Religious Society in the town of Meredith
for a Number of years Past Known by the Name of the Baptist
Society and have Erected a meeting house and ordained a
Leading teaching Elder But we Labour under Some Disadvan-
tages for Not being Incorporated into a Body Poletick so far as
to manage our Parroshall affairs and Being unconnected with
the other Society in said town we your Humble Petitioners
pray this Honorable Court to Pass an act to Encorporate Said
Society with full Power to transact their own matters as Con-
cern them at any time as are Incident to a Religious Society
we Desire that said Incorporation may be such that any Person
or Persons may hereafter have Liberty at any time to Joyn this
Society or withdraw them selves therefrom as they may see fit
and as in Duty Bound we your humble Petitioners Shall Ever
Pray
Meredith April 1 797
Abraham Swain Jesse Plumer Ju"" William pike
John Mead Jethro Pearson Benjamin Peas
Stephen Mead Nathaniel Plumer Timothy Wamouth
Eben'' Pitman Joseph Goss timothy morrill
MEREDITH.
585
Eben^ Pitman J'
Elias Swain Jun
Edward fox
Elisha Piper
Daniel Piper
Daniel Smith 3''
Samuel Edgerly
Jesse Plumer
Moses Plumer
Amos Plumer
nathan plumer
Ta^'lor Pearson
Levi Leavitt
Joseph Pearson
Joshua Woodman
James Sanborn
W" Randlett
Enoch Gorden
James Gorden
Levi Randlet
Amos Levitt
John Robinson
Nathanael folsom
thomas DolloH'
Joshua Moses
Joseph Moses
Joshua Crocket
thomas Crosbie
David Boynton J'
Jeremiah Pike
John Swain
Samuel Sibley
Benjamin Crosbie
James Peas
Nicholas Smith
Joseph Pease
Jonathan Farrar
Philip Connor
Bradstreet Wiggin
John M'=Daniel
hesekiah swain
David Lawrence
Stephen Farrer
Job Judkins
Jonathan Killey
Gordon Lawrence
Abraham Drake
the under Signed have no objections to the prayer of the
within Petition being Granted we being Inhabitants of said
meredith —
may 1797—
Ebenezer Smith
Daniel Smith
Isaac farrar
Robert Bryant
Eben'' Weeks
Reuben morgin
James Nichols
John Cate
Jonathan Page
Elias Philbrick
John Perkins
Daniel Colby
[A copy of the foregoing was posted at the house of
" David Boynton Inholder," and served on the selectmen.
See following document. — Ed.]
[7-55] [ Vote of Toivn relative to the Baptist Society^ i797-\
Strafford ss Meredith August 28"" 1797
At a Legal town Meeting this day holden at the North Meet-
ing House in said town the fourth article in the Warrant for
said Meeting to Consider of the Petition of the Bai)tist Society
of this town at the General Court of this State Praying for an
incorporation
Voted that they would not uppose the Petition of the Baptist
Society at the General Court praying for an incorporation —
The Above is a true Coppy from record Attest —
Daniel Smith J"' Town Clerk
[The society was incorporated by an act passed Dec.
1797.— Ed.]
14,
586 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
MERRIMACK.
All that portion of this town lying south of Souhegan
river was included in the Dunstable grant of 1673 ; the
north part was a portion of Narragansett No. 5, and was
called Souhegan East for some years.
In 1746 "Old Dunstable" was divided : the north-west
corner was incorporated by the name of Monson, and the
south-east corner by the name of Dunstable, on the first
day of April ; the south-west corner by the name of Holies,
April 3 ; and the north-east corner by the name of Merri-
mack, April 2.
By this charter the latter town comprised that portion
only of its present territory which lies south of Souhegan
river. Col. Joseph Blanchard was authorized to call the
first meeting of the inhabitants of Merrimack.
In 1750 the inhabitants petitioned for an addition on
account of the small amount of their territory ; and on the
first day of June of that year, their request was granted by
the addition of that portion of the town lying north of
Souhegan river.
By an act passed Feb. i, 1755, the town was authorized
to assess and collect a tax of sixpence per acre, on all the
non-resident lands in town, for the purpose of building a
meeting-house.
Hon. Matthew Thornton, who was for many years a resi-
dent of this town, was a member of the first congress, and
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
He died June 24, 1803, at the age of 89 years.
[7-59] [^Sa7'ah Ltitvjyche^ relative to Ferry ^ ■^77S-'}
To the Honorable Congress for the Colony of New Hamp-
shire—
The petition of Sarah Lutwyche Humbly Sheweth that your
petitioner removed from Boston into the town of merrimake
fifteen years ago Last Aprill and hired the farm & ferry of Cap*
Comings whereon I have Lived Ever Sence and my Honourd
father Left me Some Land in Said town, Some Lettel time
after my removal as aforesaid I Exchanged away my Land with
Said Comings for the Said farm I now Live on & the ferry
which farm and ferry I have Ever sence Enjoyed untill the
MERRIMACK. 58/
Latter end of may Last past at which time a number of Gen-
tlemen viz m"" Jonathan Blanchard m' John Neal and others
from merrimake and Letchfeld as I am Informed assembled
and took away the Ferry from me and have Ever sence taken
the profet and Hire thereof to there own use and as I am in-
formed diveded it between the two towns which is depriving
and takeing from me my own Estate for which I paid a valu-
able Consideration and whereon I depended for Considerabel
parte of my Supporte and have ben reduced to many difficultys
and Inconveniences on acct thereof in my aged widowed State
wherefore I humbly pray that your Honors wold be so kind as
to take this matter into your Consideration and order that those
persons that have been so unkind as to take away my property
as aforesaid Shall restore me the same aforesaid and the hire or
use thereof Sence that time and your petitioner as in duty
bound Shall Ever pray —
merrmak oct 20"" i775
Sarah Lutwyche
Gentlemen I am advanced in years and am in a poor State of
helth which maks it allmost imposabel for me to wait upon
you and have no frind near me but what is fearfull to appear at
the Congress for me wherefore I hope you will be So Kind as
to Excuse me in Giving you this trubel as I Know of no other
way of Relief or Redress but this and if any difficulty Siiould
appear why the prayer of my petition should not be Granted
pray your Honors w'ould appint some Gentleman to Speak
for me —
I am Gen' Y^ Hum' Ser'
Sarah Lutwyche
A Coppey of my petition and Lettre to the Gentelman of the
Congress at Exeter
[Mrs. Lutwyche was the mother of Edward Goldstone
Lutwyche. See p. 239, ante. — Ed.]
[7-58] \^Report of Committee oti the ForegoingJ\
In Congress at Exeter Novem'' 2^ 1 775
A petition of Sarah Lutwytche of Merimack complaining
that the profits of a Ferry had been taken from her by the Com-
mittees of Safety for the Towns of Merimack and Litchfield,
(all which is particularly Set forth in her said Petition), being
588 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
read and M'' Jonathan Blanchaid being heard in behalf of said
Committees —
Resolved that the said Ferry ought Imediately to be given
up to said Petitioner, and that the Person who has Improved
the same under the direction of the aforesaid Committees Ac-
count to the Petitioner for the Profits that have arose since he
has held it by order of said Committee.
Extract from the Minutes
attest E Thompson Sec''^
II7-60] \_Re?no?istrance to Petition of Matthetv Thor7iton for
a Ferry ^ i'/84.~\
To the Honorable the Councel & House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire to be Conveen'd at Exeter on
the Last Tuesday of march 1784
the Petition of the subscribers Humbly shew
That we are Inform'd that Matthew Thornton Esq"" Has pe-
titioned your Honors that he may have the Exclusive right of
ferrying people over merrimack river where Col" Lutwyche for-
merly keept the ferry and that a Hearing is Appointed the 2*^
Wednesday of your next session
We Humbly pray that his petition may not be Granted first
Because it wou'd be unjust that he should have the Benefit of
the ferry when the Owners & proprietors of Brintons farm have
been at so much Cost and Exspence in Reserving lands on both
sides merrimack river keeping proper Vesels for & tending the
ferry 3'^ly because that Col" Thornton sence he has Lived
there has paid little or no Attention to serve the publick in that
way and if your Honors Grant his petition the public as well as
your petitioners will be much Injuired as all that are Aquainted
with him know that he never did attend to such matters neither
can it be Exspected he ever will
Therefore we Humbly pray your Honors not to Grant his
said petition all which your petitioners as in Duty bound do
sincerely pray
March 4* 1 784
George moore John M'^Keen James M'^Laughlin
James Betton Joseph Hobbs of Bedford
Robert Nesm"' Josiah Gillis John Parker
Thomas M'^Cleary Tho" Maclaughlin Amos Martin
Wilieam moor Samuel Gofte John Patten
John Thompson James Martin Juner David Patten
MERRIMACK.
589
Robert Dickey
Joseph Harvell
Will"> Campbell
Josiah Jones
John Taylor
Jesse Jones
James Taylor
Reuben Senter
Jacob Nickals
John Campbell
Henry Campbell
Jonathan Gregg
Jacob Kendal
Seth Hadley
Henery Hale iur
Moses Barker
Uriah wright
Daniel Wyman
William Davidson
Isaac Levingston
John Mac keen
Junier
Gideon Butler
Griggs Goft'
Joseph Maclaughlin
Samuel Moor
Joshua Peirce
Zachariah Richard-
son
Nehemiah ordway
Levi Andrew^s
John marshall
Samuel Brown
James Gorman
Edward Pollard
Benjamin Dows
Math"' Patten
Samuel Patterson
James Martin
William m'^allster
James Patten
Adam Smith
Will'" Moor Jun''
Joseph Patten
Adam Dickey of
Bedford
Joseph Bell
Josiah Chandler
Jonathan Parker
William Cambell
William Dickey
Adam Dickey
Stephen Chase
Joseph Tufts
Je' Marsh
David VVoodburn
Samuel Eyers
Joseph Chapman
John march
Moses Towns
Ephraim Dimond
John Nours
Edward Ela
James Rogers
James Gregg
Matthe\v^ Dickey
Samuel Thomson
Robert Lyons
[7-61]
[^Ano^/ier Retnonstrattce to same.']
To the Hon'''* the Councel and House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Conveen'd
at Exeter the last Tuesday of March 1784
The Petition of the Subscribers Humbly shews
That in some of the Late New Hampshire news papers They
have seen it Advertis'd that Matthew Thornton Esqr Hath Pe-
tition'd Your Honers that the Exclusive priviledge of Ferrying
people over Merrimack River might be granted to him as set
forth in said petition and that your Honors have Order'd a
hearing thereon the 2^ Wednesday of Your next session, that
any person may then Appear & shew Cause (if any they Have)
why the prayer thereof should not be Granted — And as the
Granting such Petition may be very Injurious to the publick as
well as to Your Petitioners : they most Humbly beg leave to
Remonstrate and Shew. —
That your petitioners are Owners & Inhabitants of a Farm of
the Greatest part of the farm mentioned in the said Petition
Called Brintons Farm — An Ancient Grant — lying on both
sides of Merrimack River and now known bv the names of
590 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Litchfield & merrimack and principally Included within said
Towns & Conceive themselves Entitled in proportion to their
Intrests to all the priviledges & Immunities within the Bounds
of said P^arm wheither by Land or Water — and Humbly Con-
ceive the public as well as themselves wou'd be Greatly Injured
if the prayer of that Petition should be Granted. As it is not
Likely the ferry will be tended in the manner it Ought to be
while under the direction of Col° Thornton as heithertoo he has
paid little Attention to it Notwithstanding he mentions the ferry
to be the main Inducement to his buying the farm — neither
should we be willing an Exclusive right of Ferrying there
should be Granted to any person in such a manner as to become
a part of his Estate.
it is suggested in said Petition that the Court of General ses-
sions of the peace in the County of middlesex Appointed Jona-
than Cumings to keep said ferry and that Cumings sold it to
CoP Lutwyche.
we dont know that the General sessions of the peace for the
County of Middlesix Granting Licence to Cumings to tend said
ferry Gave iiim a right to the ferry or in any manner Intitled
him to Convey the same to any person whomsoever — we denye
that Cumings sold it to Col° Lutwyche as not the Least mention
is made thereof in Cuminges deed to Lutwyche
it is also mentioned in said Petition that said Lutwyche Ob-
tained from the Governor of New Hamp'' a Grant of said ferry
to him his Heirs & Assigns forever and that the said Petitioner
is the Legal Owner thereof
If so it seems needless to Trouble your Honors with a peti-
tion as he may have remedy at Common Law if he is Dis-
turbed in his property we Cant Conceive your Honors will
Indulge Petitioners in matters that can be properly Decided in
a Leagal way else where and further we beg Leave to Inform
your Honors that Col" Thornton has commenced a Suit against
us on this very matter which is now pending ; and to be Call'd
to Answer at this Court and at a Law court at one and the
same time Appears Rather Vexatious, that should your Honors
make any regulations Concerning the said ferry we beg we
may be Considered and that a ferry may be Established on the
east side of said river for the sole use and Benefet of the pro-
prietors and Owners of s^ Brintons farm
This Petition will be Presented and Inforced by our Coun-
sell who will represent us in what is further needful in the
premises which we doubt not will have a patient hearing all
which is submitted to your wise & Impartial Judgment and
Determination and your petitioners as in duty bound will Ever
pray—
Litchfield march 4''' 1 7S4
MERRIMACK. 59I
Daniel Kendall Benjamin Blodget Wentworth Claggett
Samuel Chase William Reed James Russell
Gershom Harvell Samuel senter Thomas Whittle
David M'^Quig Robert Patterson Simeon Chase
Daniel Bixby Wyseman Claggett Joseph Barnes
Jacob Whittemore Daniel Kendal Jun"' John hildreth
Joseph Chase William Bixby Samuel Brown
James Underwood James Harwood William Hildreth
Josiah Richardson Ebenezer Chase James Nahor y® 3*^
David Cole James Caldwell Sam" Chase Ju'
Daniel Blodget William Whittle
[The exclusive privilege of keeping a ferry at this place
was granted by Gov. Benning Wentworth, July 8, 1776, to
Edward Goldstone Lutwyche, and managed by him until
April 20, 1775, at which time he left the place and went to
the enemy in Boston. His mother, Mrs. Sarah, continued
the ferry until it was taken possession of by the com-
mittees of safety of the towns of Merrimack and Litch-
field ; they were, however, on the third of November, 1775,
directed by the legislature to give up the ferry to Mrs. Lut-
wyche.
The following extract from the records of the committee
of safety of the state, Sept. 10, 1778, indicates that she died
not long prior to that date :
"Appointed Col° Nichols, M"" Underwood & Maj' Chase
to take an Inventory & possession of the Estate of Sarah
Lutwyche, D''."
An act passed April 14, 1784, granting to Matthew
Thornton the exclusive right of keeping a ferry over the
river within the distance of two miles above or below his
house. — Ed.]
[R. 2-271] \_Nathaniel Garjield^ Quarter-Master, 1779 -^
The Petition of Nathaniel Gearfield of Merrimac in the coun-
ty of Hillsborough Gentleman
That your Petitioner in August last went a Volunteer in the
last Campaign to Rhode Island in 177S, and there served as
Qiiartermaster of the Brigade of New Hampshire Volunteers
under the Command of Brigadier Gen' Whipple and expected
to have been made up in a Stall' Roll accordingly, but by some
592 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
means was Neglected, and have never received any pay for said
service * * *
In behalf of the Petitioner —
Moses Nichols
[Nov. 6, 1783, said Garfield petitioned for an allowance
for a mare lost in said service. — Ed.]
[R. 2-273] ^Soldier's Order, 1782.']
Merrimack July S"' 1782.
To the Treas"" of the State of Nev\^ Hampshire
S' For value Rec*^ Please to pay Capt William Barron the
whol of my wages for serving under Col° Jonson at Coos
Witness my hand —
Abel Davis £8, 7, 9
[R. 2-274] \^Relative to Williatn Coiven, Soldier.'\
[In a petition dated June 3. 1784, Timothy Taylor and
Jacob McGaw, selectmen of Merrimack, stated that one
William Cowen, a soldier in the Continental army from the
town of Merrimack, had by mistake been credited to the
town of Amherst. — Ed.]
[R. 2-276] \_Petifion in behalf of fafnes Taylor, lySj.^
To the General assembly of the State of New Hampshire
Humbly shews James Taylor late of Merrymac in said state
that your Petitioner served in the Regim' Commanded by Lieu'
Col° Stephen Peabody at Rhodisland as Qiiarter master of that
Regiment during the Continuance thereof and as Sundry offi-
cers of that Corps have had an allowance of Depreciation (so
called) he prays that he may be Considered in the same way
as others are of that Regiment * *
June 2^ 1785
Tim" Taylor
In Behalf of James Taylor
MERRIMACK. 593
[7-S3] \_Relattve to the Election of Rep7-ese7itative^ I/62.']
To the Gen'^ Assembly of the Province of New Hamp" now
held at Portsmouth in s"^ Prov*
The Petition of the freeholders of Merrim*^ 'in s"^ Province
Humbly Sheweth that on the fourth Day of March Instant the
freeholders of s*^ Merrimac and Monson was assembled at
s** Merrimac to Elect a person to Represent them in the
Gen'' Assembley and Joseph Blanchard Esq'' was Declared
to be Elected Representative for s"^ Towns But the Elec-
tion of him was Illegal for the vots of some persons who
had an Estate in s*^ Merrim'^ where the s*^ Choice was Sufficant
to Qualify them for voters according to Law was Refused and
and others Allowed to vot in s*^ Election who was Not Qiialli-
fied according to Law the Election of s^ Blanchard was not
made by a majority of voters who Had an Estate in s'' Mer-
rim'^ as the Law Requires But by Persons from Monson Hollis
& Amherst who had no Estate in s*^ Merrim*^ our Being joined
with Monson in the Choice of a Representative instead of be-
ing a previlidge Strips us of all that Previlidge which By Law
we ought to Enjoy in that Respect for Being Called to Meet
together and Act Contrarv to a positive Law of the Prov" puts
us in the utmost Confusion when Mett we theirfor pray that s*^
Meeting may be Declared nul and s'' Election set aside because
Illegal and that all the other Elections of the Like Kind may
be set asid as unlawfull Elections and that the Persons thus
Elected Contrary to Law may be dismissed with s"* Blanchard
(viz) John Gofte Esq' Cap' Sam' Grele Cap' Jonathan Cotton
& M'' Jo' Wright that they who are thus Elected Contrairy
to Law May Not Be Suffered to sit in the Hon' Assembly
to pas Laws and votes for others we Dont Beg for favours
without Right but pray that we may be Defended in our Law-
full Rights and Previlidges and for the Due Execution of Laws
so far as lyes in your power that we may Share in the Com-
mon Hapiness of the Province Laws Under the Goverment of
So Good a King as we Now Enjoy And we Desire that the
Carictore and Conduct of s** Blanchard May Bee Enquired into
and Considered which we Judge is Such as renders him unfit
of a Sate in the Gen' Assembly and that he May Be Desmis*^
for that if Not for the other Reasons and we as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever Pray
Merrim" March V 13"^ 1762
Samuel Spaulding Thomas Vickere Jur James Gillmor
William Henry John henery John vickere
Charit}^ Lund James miller James moors junr
Sam" Caldwell William Alld Smith
40
594
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Roby
James Moor
Robart Grifien
Samuel m*'Conihe
John m'^Conihe
David Thomnson
John Thomas
Joseph farmer
Benjamin Vickere
Robert GiHmor
Samuel Gillmor
Thomas vickere
Patrick Taggart
Robert ""'Cormick
William Arbuckle
Samuell miller
Ebenezer Hills
William m'^Elerv
MIDDLETON.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors
March 21, 1770, and incorporated by the legislature March
4, 1778.
In 1785 the inhabitants of the north part of Middleton,
and those of a portion of Wolfeborough, attempted to get set
off from their respective towns and be incorporated into a
separate town. The scheme did not succeed, being strongly
opposed by Wolfeborough and the south part of Middleton.
In 1794 the matter was again brought before the legisla-
ture, and the town was divided by an act passed Dec. 30 of
that year, the north part being incorporated into a town by
the name of Brookfield.
The town was settled by men from Rochester and Lee.
[7-62] \_Petition for an Tncorporatioti^ ^773-'\
Province of New Hampshire
To His Excellency — John Wentworth Esquire Captain Gen-
eral, & Commander in chief in & over said Province of New-
Hampshire &c &c and to The Honorable His Majestys
Council for the Same —
The Humble petition of a Number of the inhabitants & pro-
prietors of the Township of Middletown in the County of
Strafford & province aforesaid being a tract of land granted by
the proprietors of Masons patent so Call'd on the 21st day of
March A D 1770 — Most Humbly sheweth that great progi'ess
is made & is still making towards the Compleat Settlement of
said tract of land, and that the inhabitants & proprietors there-
of have been at great expence & Charge in making public roads
through said Township for the benefit of His Majestys Ser-
vice— Your petitioners therefore prays that your Excellency
and Honours would be pleas'* to incorporate said tract of Land
into a Township with such privaledges as other Towns enjoy
MIDDLETON. 595
within this Province by the bounds and limits containd in s^
Grant and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever praj
Middletown July 7, 1773 —
John Drew Nathaniel Went- John henson
William Hill worth John Tash
Nicholas Tuttle Josiah Johnson Ezekiel Sanborn
Nathaniel Varney Henry Young Isaac Stanon
Isaac Drew Joseph Cook John Gage
[Not granted. — Ed.]
[7~^3] \_Province T'ax.~\
Middletown 1775,
1776,
1777'
7-
4..
4m
6„
6
27,,
H"
4
-£39" 4'' 10
an Extent was Issued & the above Sum of Thirty Nine
pounds four shillings & Ten pence paid in Certificates —
J. T. Gilman
[7-64] \_Petition to be Incorporated.'^
State of New Hampshire
To the Honb'* General Assembly of said State now conven'd
at Exeter
The memorial of Simeon Dearborn in behalf of the Inhabi-
tants of Middletown 6l Leavits Town (so called) Humbly
shews that said Inhabitants are not incorporated into Towns,
but were by the Gen' Court of said State (when under the
former Goverment) Authorized to chuse Selectmen and a Con-
stable for the Sole purpose of Raising a Province Tax — Since
the late distraction of the Times have neglected to chuse said
Officers, by which means they are return'd to a State of Na-
ture— Therefore your Memorilest Humbly prays that said In-
habitants may be invested with Town priveledges, and in such
a manner (if consistant) as to retain the Proprietary prive-
ledges as heretofore — and your Petitioner shall as in duty
Bound ever pray —
Exeter March lo"" 1777
Simeon Dearborn
[In answer to this, Middleton was incorporated March 4,
1778. — Ed.]
596 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 2-277] {^Soldiers' Orders.^
Middletown Ocf 27 1784
To the Paymaster of Cap' Jacob Smith Company in Col° Ray-
nelds Reg' in the year 1781
Sir Plese to Pay Daniel Cook or order all that is due to me
from the State I having been a Soldier in the aforesaid Com-
pany and for the town of Middletown Value Received
Witness my hand Aaron Buzzell
test —
Joseph Plummer Jonathan Oilman
£6, 4, o.
[R. 2-278]
Middletown February 6"^ 17S5 To the Treasurer of the
State of New Hampshire Sir Please to pay Dan^ Cook or
his order all that is due to my late Son William Lear who was
a Soldier in the 2^ Co of the 3'^ New Hampshire Regiment
from Middleton and died in the Summer of 1778 — Value Rec*^
Witness my hand William Lear
[John Chamberlain, town-clerk, certified that said Lear
was the father of said soldier. — Ed.]
[R. 2-279]
M' Treasurer Sir Please to pay Joshua Pickering or order
all the arrears of wages due to me for my service in the late
war in the Second New Hampshire Regiment his receipt shall
be your Discharge —
Witness my hand — Middletown y^ 6"" Augs' 1792
Attest — Jonathan Buzzell
Andrew Bickford
[R. 2-380] \^Petitioii of yohn Barter^ Soldier. "^
[In a petition dated Middletown, Nov, 4, 1788, John Barter
stated " that whiles He was in the Service of the United
States being a Serjeant in Capt Blodgets Company in the
New Hampshire Regiment, He received a dangerous wound
in Battle, was shot through the thigh." He was wounded
Sept. 19, 1777, asked for an allowance, and was placed on
the pension-list at the rate of two dollars per month. — Ed.]
MIDDLETON. 597
[7-65] \_Relative to the Town's ^tiota of Soldiers^ ^7^3 •'\
State of New Hampshire
To the honourable Council and House of Representatives for
said State in General Assembly convened at Concord the 29
Day of October 1783
Humbly Shew the Subscribers Selectmen and other Inhabi-
tants of said town of Middleton Situate in the County of Straf-
ford and State aforesaid that your Petitioners by reason of the
Scarcity of Corn and other Provisions among them Some Fami-
lys have been Greatly distressed and your Petitioners not Have-
ing Provision to sell to procure Aloney have not been able to
get their Proportion of Soldiers nor to pay their tax for the
year ] 7S2 and for their Neglecting to get their Porportion of
Soldiers the Estates of the Selectmen have been attached for
the Sum of £256 pound Lawfull money the whole of which
Sum your Petitioners are not willing to pay by reason of their
having two of said Soldiers in the Sarvice Namely Samuel
Leach and Edward Elles but by Reason of not Laying Claim
to said Soldiers in Season is the Cause of so Large a Sum but
the Reason of their not Laying Claim to said Soldiers in
Season was because the act was not Sent to said town before
the time was Expired for Laying said Claim Wherefore your
Petitioners Humbly Pray that vour Honours would take the
indigent Circumstances of your Petitioners under your Consid-
eration and take of part of said Sum and Grant them Longer
time to procure the money to pav their taxes or Such Relief as
in your Wisdom may be judged Proper and your Petitioners as
in Duty bound Shall Ever pray &c
Middleton October y* 16 — 1783
John Chamberlain \ Selectmen
Jacob Pike > of
Josiah York j Middleton
Nathaniel Perkins Waldron Kinnison Josiah Wille
John Drew Walter Robonson David Durgin
Nicholas Frost Cap' Frances Math- Bart Richards
Nathaniel wentworth ers Nicholas austin
Jethro Horn William Buzzell William Lyford
John Whithous Joseph Elles Jol'>n Wille
Daniel Whithous David watson Isaac Drew
JoShua Guppy Peter stellings Josiah Robinson
John herick Richard Hanson Benjamin Clay
Chas VVegaus W'" Chamberlin Tho' Chamberlin
Samuel Johnson Stephen Lyford Daniel Drew
Josiah Johnson John Furnal Isaac Stanton
598
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Richard
Joseph Bickford
Solomon Perkins
John Kinnison
Ezekiel Sanborn
Moses Perkens
Moses Whithouse
Simon Darborn
Charls Stanton
Willuam Hill
[7-6S] S^Petition for a Division of the Town^ lySj.^
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon*"'^ Senate and House of Representatives in General
Court convened at Concord third Wednesday of Ocf 17S5
Humbly shew the Inhabitants of the Second Division of
Middletown in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid that
they are situated at great distance from the place of holding the
publick meetings in said Town, prevented from going to the
other part of the Town where most of the Inhabitants live,
without travelling into another Town first, thro' roads almost
impassable for great part of the Year — Your Petitioners being
so circumstanced have been and must be deprived of the bene-
fit of all Town Priviledges in Middletown while they belong
thereto — That as your Petitioners can more conveniently attend
the publick Meetings in Wolfborough, should the Meeting
House there be built at the place agreed on — they pray that
they may be disannexed from Middletown and annexed to
Wolfborough, or otherwise relieved from their present griev-
ance— And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
&c—
Nicholas Austin
for Petitioners
John martain
In behalf of John & Andrew Cabbot.
Tho' Chamberlin
David Durgin
Peter stellings
James Chamberlin
Isaac Drew
moses perkins
Samuel Tibbets
Simon Derburn
William Wille
John Fornel Junyer
Ezekiel Sanborn
John willey
Charles Stanton
Josiah Robinson
John Palmer
Walter Robinson
Benjamin Clay
Charls whithouse
David watson
Wiliam whithous
Josiah weggen
Jesse Wiggin
Jos wellea
Richard Hanson
John Stanton
Elijah Stanton
Robert Calder
Sa. kenerson
Jon'' Clay
Jedidiah Drew
For Wolfsboroh
Timothy Johnson Edmon Tibbets Joshua Haines
MIDDLETON. 599
William Cotton Joseph Kension William Triggs
Thomas Cotton Joseph Hainess John Fiirbur
William Cotton Jun'' Samuel Tibbetts Joseph Leavitt
John Pickren Cotton Juner
[7-69] '\_Re77io7istrance to the foregoing.^
State of New Hamp"" Stratford ss —
To the Honorable the General Court of said State —
The Petition of us the Subscribers Freeholders and Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Middletcnvn in said State Humbly Shew-
eth that we your Petitioners are much Surprized to hear that a
Number of People Inhabiting the upper part of our Town have
petitioned to be set off from us in the Infant State of our Town
as we all are but few in number and the State of our affairs
both Public and Private such that if Granted we apprehend
would be a great Disadvantage to the General Welfare and Ad-
vancement of the Town if not Ruin Both Therefore we Hum-
bly pray that their (said) Petition may not be granted or at
least that it may be Suspended to some futer Day and your Pe-
titioners as in Duty bound shall pray.
Middle Town May 28*'^ 1785.—
Nathaniel Perkins Ephraim Eles Josiah Johnson
Solomon perkins John Whithous Ju Samuel Johnson
timothy Hanson Joseph Bickford William Buzzell
Jacob Pike Trustom Richards Benjman york
Joseph Cook John Richards John York
Robert Cook Thomas Garland John Kenston
John Whitehouse Ebnezer Garland John heicks
Paul Whithous Josiah york George Burnham
Thomas Baker Benjamin york Jun' Isaac Stanton
Charles Baker Nathaniel Went- Josiah Miac
Jethro Horn worth Jonathan Whithous
Joseph Eles Moses Wentworth
[The petition was accompanied by two lotted plans of
Middleton, showing the proposed division, which may be
found in the manuscript, Volume 7, Nos. 66 and 67. The
division was made Dec. 30, 1794, the north part being in-
corporated into a town named Brookfield. Other docu-
ments relative to this matter will be published with Wolfe-
borough papers. — Ed.]
6oo
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7~7^^ S^Relative to the Town's ^uota of Soldiers^ iy86.']
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss :
To the Hon'''* Senate & House of Representatives in General
Coui't convened at Portsmouth the Second Wednesday in
December 17S6 —
Humbly Shews that the Town of midleton in said County
had a Requisition made by the Gen' Court of said State for
their Qiiota of men for the Army during the late War — that the
Town in consequence thereof imploied the then Selectmen of
said Town to procure the men, & said Selectmen did actually
procure and hire two, viz. Samuel Lear & Robert Ellis — that
Elijah Buzzell one of the Selectmen & principle actor in this
matter, himselfe also engaged in the Army, & in a Secret man-
ner carried oft' the principle papers Relative to this matter,
with a considerable Sum of the Towns money & hath not as
yet return'd papers, money, or himself That when the town
was call'd on to make return of their men & make out their
claims to such as were disputed, (the Surviving or) Remain-
ing Selectmen, neglected their duty herein — In consequence
whereof an Extent hath taken place against the Town, & the
Selectmen have endeavoured to raise the mone}^ but find it im-
practicable as there is little or no money to be found in the
Town, beside the Town view it as a grievance to pay for the
two men that they have already purchassed & to have them
transfer'd to other towns without any colour of Right — Where-
fore your Petitioners (the Inhabitants of Midleton aforesaid)
Humbly pray this Hon''''' Court to take these their grievances
into their wise & deliberate consideration & grant them such
Relief as their Wisdom & Lenity shall dictate & your Peti-
tioners as in duty Bound shall ever pray
Nicholas austin Stephen Lyford
Isaac Drew Joseph Cook
Jedidiah Drew Epefram Ellis
Moses Whitehous Jacob Pike
Robert Cook
Jonathan White-
house
John Fornel junyr
Charles Stanton
Josiah Robinson
Charles Whitehouse John Drew
Benjamin Clay Timothv hanson
Jonathan Clay
Simon Dearborn
Richard Hanson
moses Perkins
James Chamberlin
William Wille
Isaac Stanten
Solomon Perkens
Nathaniel Perkens
John Whitehouse
Arther Benett
Josiah Johnson
John Kennisson
John York
Francis Mathes
Josiah York
Nathnel Wentworth
Joh hix
Thomas Baker
Charles baker
Jonathan Bickford
John Richards
Trustum Richards
Benj York
Gideon Johnson
Ebenzer Garland
Thomas Garland
MIDDLETON. 6oi
W"* Chamberlin Daniel Whitehouse Joshua Guppy
David Watson Samuel Johnson Joseph Eles
David Durgin William Buzzell
Waldron Kinnison Chase Wiggin
Simeon Dearborn Esq'' in behalf of the Selectmen of midle-
town would further Remonstrate that the Town of Midleton
hath advansed large Sums of money for hiring of Soldiers &
paying wages, and have had no allowance that the Selectmen
were not notified of the Trial Respecting the disputed Soldiers,
therefore prays the Honb' Court to take up the whole matter &
give all reasonable Releaf to the Inhabitants of s*^ Town —
Simeon Dearborn
[7-72] [ Vote relative to Paper Afoney^ lySd.']
At a Legal meeting Held at Middleton the 27 Day of No-
vember 17S6 at which time maid Choisc of Richard Hanson
Modarator of said meeting firstly Voted not to Except the Plan
respecting a paper Currancy as it was recommended to us 2ly
Voted to Have a Paper Currancey Established in said State
and proposed the following Plan Viz to have the Sum of one
Hundred and twenty Thousand Pounds of Paper money made
in s'' State ten Thousand of s*^ money to be Lodged in the
Treasurer to Defray State Charges & fifty Thousand Pounds of
s*^ Money to Redeem the States Securitvs and the other Sixty
Thousand to be Loaned on Land Securitys said money to Pay
Back taxes & to be a Lawfull Tender in all Payments & voted
to Except the above Proposed Plan and Desolved s'^ meeting
A true Coppy from the minets
Attest
Middleton Nov"" the 27 17S6
[See Vol. XI. p. 130.]
John Chamberlain Clark
[7-73] \_Petition yor Abatement of Taxes ^ I'/Sy.']
State of New-Hampshire
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representives for said
State in General Assemble Convened —
Humbly shew the Subscribers Selectmen of Middleton Situ-
ate in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid that we
have had an Extent a Gainst us for Taxes for the years 1775 &
1776 ^ ^777 which Taxes was Layd on the town before we
602 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
were incorporated for your Honours may by inquiring Know
that we was not incorporated untill the year 1778 which Taxes
Sence we ware incorporated we think i-easonable to pay if Pos-
sible but for them three years your honours may also know that
we had no Select-men to assess the Inhabitents which were but
few at that time & some part of them has removed out of town
Sence altho the Extent was not Large yet we would Humbly
pray thatyour Honours would take the indigent Circumstances of
your Petitioners under your wise Consideration (altho we have
paid said Extent) and refund it to some other Tax for we have
had an Extent against the town for Soldiers and it would be
some help to us tow^ards paying that if your honours think it
unreasonable for us to pay the taxes for them three years and if
not we would Humbly pray that your Honours would Provide
means for us to Collect said taxes by Laying the assessment on
the inhabitints that now Lives in said town or such Relief as
in your Wisdom may be Judged Proper and your Petitioners
as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray
Middleton June the 4"" 1787
John Chamberlain \ Select-Men
George Burnham > for
Joshua Guppy j Middleton
C7~74] \_Petitionfor a Magistrate^ ^79^-]
State of Newhampshire Straftbrd ss —
To his Excellency the President and Hon**'^ Council of the State
afor"*—
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Middletown and
other Towns adjacent Humbly represent to your Excellency
and honors that a Justice of the peace is much wanted in s*^
Middletown there being none already appointed Therefore
Your Petitioners beg leave to recommend and nominate Cap'
Archelaus Woodman for said office who we pray Your Excel-
lency & Honors may be appointed thereto and your Petitioners
as in duty bound will pray &c —
Feby lo"" 1790
Joseph Cook George Burnham Moses Wintworth
Robert Cook Ephram Ellis Thomas garling
William Cook Andrew Bickford Benja yorck
Solomon perkins Samuel Johnson John Richards
John Davis Daniel Whitehouse James gerish
Samuel Laighton jur John Whitehouse paul gerish
MILFORD.
603
Josiah york
Joseph Ellis
Jacob picke
Henery picke
Jacob picke
Joseph Cook Jur
John drew
Daniel Drew
Aaron Drew
Andrew Nute
Jonathan Clarck
Samuel Clarck
Wilam Buzell
John Buzell
Wilam Buzell 2
Paul Whitehouse
John whitehouse Jur
Samuel froust
John heix
Jonathan Whithouse
Nicholas Frost
Isaac stanten
Daniel Drew jur
Jonathan Buzzell
John bryant
Timothy hanson
gideon Johnson
Aaron Buzzell
Josiah Jonson
Paul twombly
Stephen Richards
Moses chamberling
Josiah folsom
thomas furber
Nichelaus Harford
John Burgan
James thomas
Calab Wacom
Stephen Harvey
Jonathan Hays
Joseph Larey
Joseph Larey Jur
John yorck
Joshua gupey
C7~75] \^Rclative to Division of State TaxJ\
We the Subscribers Selectmen of Middleton find the pro-
portion of Middleton to be four pounds one Shilling & Nine
pence £4 : is : gd and have Devided the Same and
find the North part to be
and the South part to be
Middleton December : y* 8 : 1794
Attest —
£2
6s : od
15: 9
James Chamberlin
Jacob Pike
Thomas Garland
Select Men
of
Middleton
[See page 599, ante. — Ed.]
MILFORD
The town was formed of territory taken from the north-
west part of Hollis, the south-west part of Amherst, all
that portion of the "mile slip" not included in Brookline,
and an ancient grant made by Massachusetts to the school
at Duxbury, called " Dux bury School Farm." It was incor-
porated Jan. II, 1794, at which time it received its present
name.
The mile slip referred to was a strip of land about one
604 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
mile wide, lying west of the old Dunstable grant ; the
southern portion of which had been incorporated with Raby
(Brookline) in 1769.
An attempt was made by some of the inhabitants resi-
dent thereon in 1779, and again the following year, to get
these tracts of land incorporated into a town ; but it was
opposed by Amherst, and was not successful.
In 1792 the south-west part of Amherst succeeded in
getting erected into a parish, after which the town gave its
consent by vote to its entire separation, which removed the
most serious obstacle to the formation of Milford.
An addition was made to the town Dec. 20, 1842, by the
annexation of another portion of Amherst. Another ad-
dition was made June 27, 1873, of territory taken from
Lyndeborough.
[R. 2-2S2] [_Asa Letvis^ SoIdier.~\
To Nicholas Oilman Esq'' Receiver General for the Colony of
New Hampshire —
In obedience to the Late Congress for this Colony this may
Certify that Asa Lewis of Duxbury School farm was in the
Continental Army in y'' year 1775 and is Inlisted and gone into
the Service this year for which Reason Please to Allow Stephen
Blanchard Collector for the afore*^ farm the sum of Two Shill-
ings six pence and one farthen Lawfull Money it being the sum
one single Pole Pays to the Colony Tax
Samuel Gutterson ] .
T^ . , ^, „ > Assessors
Uaniel Chandler J
Duxbury farm & Mile Slip May 29, 1776
[R. 2-2S3] [^Soldier's Order, 1785.']
For value Rec*^ Sir Pleas to Pay to Josiah Munro all the
wages that is Due to Me as a Soldier in the First New Hamp-
shire Reg' for the three years Service and my arrearage of
Clothing and this order shall be a full Discharge from me
Mile Slip Jan^ 12*^^ 1785—
his
John X M=Intire
mark
Test — Sarah Bridges
To the Treasury of the State
MILFORD. 605
[7-S1] \_Petition for an Incorporation^ ^779-'\
To the Hou^'® the Council and Gentlemen of the Hon**'* House
of Representatives in General Assembly at Exeter convened
March the i779-
The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Duxbury Farm
and Mile Slip in the County of Hillsborough, and State of New
Hamp" whose names are hereto subscribed.
Sheweth That they are not suficiently numerous to settle and
maintain a Gospel Minister, and it is not likely they ever will
That they are situate between the Towns of Amherst and
Wilton but at such a distance from their Meeting-houses, that
the aged and infirm are utterly unable to attend public Wor-
ship, and it is a great Inconvenience to the rest.
That divers of the Inhabitants of said Towns of Lynds-
borough and Amherst, who live near the said Duxbury Farm
and mile Slip labour under the same disadvantage, and as by
reason of the largeness of the said Towns, and number of the
Inhabitants, they can well be spared, are very desirous of being
seperate from their said Towns, and annexed to said Duxbury
Farm and Slip. Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray Your
Honors to take their said Case into your serious Consideration
and that (if in your great Wisdom you shall see proper) your
Pet" may be at liberty to bring in a Bill, in order to annex a
certain part of said Amherst and Lvndborough and the Inhabi-
tants thereof to the said Duxbury Farm and Slip, Viz' in Am-
herst Beginning at the northwest corner of a lot belonging to
William Peabody Ju"'' lying on amherst west line thence an East
point 396 Poles being the width of six lots to the northeast
Corner of a lot belonging to from thence a southerly
point to the East End of the house of John Burn then south to
the south line of amherst then by s'^ line to the east side of the
mile slip
and in Lyndsboro Beginning at the northeast corner of Dux-
bury-school-farm and running a westerly point by the north end
of s** farm and mile slip to the east line of wilton then running
north by s*^ wilton to the northeast corner of s'' wilton thence a
East point to amherst west line thence a southerly point by
amherst west line to the northeast corner of Duxbury school
farm
And that the whole may be Erected into a Township with
such Priviledges and Immunities as are Enjoyed by other
Towns within the said State.
And your Pet" as in duty bound will ever pray &c
6o6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Jonathan Pearson
Jun^
Edward Kerwin
Stephen Burnam
William Wallace
Abner Hutchinson
John Bradford
Richard Gould
Benjamin Temple
Ebenezer Averil
Richard Ward
Jeremiah Burnam
Lyndborough
Nathan peai'son
thomas pearson
John Meeds
Amherst
Thomas Carlton
Elisha Hutchinson
Joshua Burnam
Caleb Jones
Benj* Lewis
David Chandler
Ebenezer parson
Samuel parson
Caleb Jones
Samuel Town
Isaac Marshall
william Parson
Richard Boj'nton
Ben° Lewis Ju"'
Jotham Blanchard
Thomas pearson
William pearson
Juner
Amos pearson
[7-76] \_Remonstrance to foregoing^ -^TTP-^
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
in New-Hampshire
Whereas certain persons belonging to Duxbury School-Farm,
Amherst, Lyndeborough & the Mile Slip in their Petition to
Your Hon""^ of March last, pray'd that they might be Erected
into a Township as in Said Petition expres'd and obtain'd an
Order for a hearing before the Gen' Assembly on the second
Thursday of their next sessions after the ly"* of June AD 1779,
and We being Residents & Proprietors of the said Mile-Slip,
Humbly pray that the prayer of said Petition may not be Grant-
ed at Present, as We think if it should it would Greatly Em-
baras & perplex us. We therefore pray that said Petition may-
be dismissed. —
Stephen Blanchard
Stephen Blanchard Jun''
Benjamin Wright
Stephen Williams
Aaron peabody
Simon Blanchard
6 Persons
N : B : We non Resident Proprietors in the within named
Amherst & Mile-Slip ; join in the prayer of the within Petition,
& pray that said Amherst & Said Mile-Slip may remain as they
are, until some more Convenient season. —
[A similar
—Ed.]
petition was signed by William Peabody.
MILFORD. 607
[7-7S] \_Remonstra7ice fro7n Afnkersf.']
State of New Hampshire
To the Hon"® the Council & House of Representatives for the
State afores*^. —
Whereas the Inhabitants (or certain of them) of Duxbury Farm,
otherwise called Duxbury School-Farm, and Mile Slip in the
County of Hillsborough in this State, in march last, did prefer
a Petition to your Honours praying that they might be erected
into a Township together with certain Parts of Lyndeborough
& Amherst in s'' State in their Petition set forth, &c — We the
Subscribers, being Residents and Proprietors in that Part of
Amherst which they in their s** Petition pray may be incorpo-
rated with, & a Part of, their proposed Townsliip ; humbly pray
that we may not be set of to, & incorporated with, the s'* pro-
posed Township ; but that we may be permitted to remain in
our present State, as we humbly conceive that it is much more
for our Interest & Convenience to remain, at present, as we are,
and not be incumbered and perplexed with the Charges & In-
cumbrances necessarily attending the erecting a new Township
— which is humbly submitted — by
Benjamin Hopkins James Russell Nathan Hutchinson
Benjamin Hopkins Joseph Crosby James hartshorn
junior Josiah Sawyer George Burns
Jonathan Grimes Ebenezer Hopkins Jacob Cram
Josiah Sawyer Ju John Burns of Lyndeborough
'T'l J 1 w r^ • John Burns Tune
i haddeus X Grmies -L / ■. u
„,„!, oamson Crosby
16'®*" with W™ Peabody
[7-79] \^Petition for an Incorporatiott^ lySo.^
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire to be Conven"^ at Exeter on the
first Wednesday of June Next the Petition of the Subscribers
Humbly Sheweth — That Your Petitioners are Inhabitants of the
Southwesterly part of Amherst in the County of Hillsborough ;
that the Inhabitants of the one Mile Slip and Duxbury School
farm labour under many Disadvantages for want of an Incor-
peration, and of themselves are too few in Number at present
to Support a Minister of the Gospel if they ware Incorporated —
and Are at too Great a Distance from the Places of Publick
Worship in the Neighbouring Towns to Attend with any Con-
veniancy — that Your Petitioners live very far from the Place of
6o8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Publick Worship in Amharst and Labour under Great disad-
vantages in our present Scituation that your Petitioners Appre-
hend that if we ware Anexed to the one Mile Shp and Duxbury
School farm Agreable to the following lines, we Should be Able
to Support a Gospel Minister and Should have many Advan-
tages that we are at Present deprived of — and at the Same time
the Inhabitants of the one Mile Slip and Duxbury farm will
have the Same previledges their Neighbours Enjoy, and Am-
harst Receive no Real Injury by it ; Wherefore Your Petition-
ers Pray your Honours to take the Matter Under your Wise
Consideration and if your Honours think fit, to Incorporate the
Inhabitants of the Tract of land Included in the following
Bounds into a Body Politick Giving us all the Previledges and
Advantages that Other Towns Enjoy Bounded as follows Be-
ginning at a White oak Tree Standing on the East line of Wil-
ton it being the Northwest Corner Bounds of the one Mile Slip,
Runing Easterly on the vSouth line of Lyndeborough Six hun-
dred Poles to a Maple Tree it being the South East Corner
Bounds of Lyndeborough, then Runing Northerly on the East
line of Lyndeborough about half a Mile to the Southwest Cor-
ner Bounds of a Lot Own*^ in Part by Joseph Dunklin from
thence Easterly four Hundred and Eighty Eight Poles to a
Stake and Stones Standing in the South east Corner of a lot
Own*^ by Amos Green from thence Southerly five Hundred and
Ninety two Poles to an Oak Tree Marked Standing on land of
Col^ John Shephard by the North Bank of Souhegon River
from thence Southeasterly makeing Souhegon River the North-
erly line till it Comes to a Stake and Stones Standing on the
South bank of Souhegon River on land of Mosses Towns about
tw'o Miles on a Straight line from the Oak tree Mentioned on
Col^ Shephards land, then from said Stake and Stones Runing
Southerly Six hundred and Tw^enty Poles to a Stake and Stones
Standing in the North line of Hollis from thence westerly on
Hollis North line four Miles and one Qiiarter of a Mile to a
Stake and Stones being the Northwest Corner Bounds of Hollis
from thence Westerly one Mile to a Stake and Stones Standing,
in the East line of Mason then Northerly Two Hundred and
forty Eight Poles to a Chesnut Tree being the Southeast Corner
Bounds of Wilton then Northerly on the East line of Wilton
three Miles and a half to the first Bounds Mentioned — And
Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
If an Incorporation with the Destrict Should be Disagreeable
to your Honours we the Subcribers Pray that your Honours
would apoint a Comittee to Come and View our Situation and
your Petitionrs as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Amharst May 31 1 780.
MONSON.
609
William Wallace
Benj* Hopkins junr
Nathan Hutchinson
Nathan Hutchinson
Junr
Calab Jones Junr
Benj" Hutchinson
Ebeneser Hopkins
Josiah Crosby Junr
Joseph Crosby Elijah Averil
BarthoHv Hutchinson Joshua Burnam
John Bradford
Stephen Burnam
Ebenezer averil
Benjamin Temple
Abner Hutchinson
Elisha Hutchinson
John Wallace
an drew Bradford
William Peabodyjur
William Peabody
W" Crosby
Josiah Crosby
[The following names are on a similar petition, dated
Mile Slip, May 31, 1780: — Ed.]
Samuel gutterson
Aaron peabody Jun''
Joseph Wallaas Ben" Lewis Ju'
Benj* Wright David Candler
Stephen Blanchard Caleb Jones
Joshua Mooar Benj" Lewis
Stephen Williams Samuel parson
Stephen Blanchard thomes parson
William parson
David Burnam
William Personjuner
Richard Boynton
Simon Blanchard
Timothy mclntire
[The petitioners did not succeed until 1794. See page
603, ante. — Ed.]
[R. 2-284.] \^Petition of Archelaus Batchelder., Soldier. '\
[In a petition dated Milford, May 26, 1795, Archelaus
Batchelder stated " that he was grevously wounded in the
service of the United States in the time of the late war."
He stated that he expected to be placed on the pension-list,
and asked the legislature to intercede in favor of his being
granted arrears. — Ed.]
MONSON.
This town was incorporated April i, 1746, and comprised
the north-west part of the old Dunstable grant.
It had an existence as a town until July 4, 1770, at which
time, in answer to a request of the inhabitants, about two
miles wide on the north side was annexed to Amherst, and
the remainder to Hollis.
An unsuccessful attempt was made in 1782 to reestablish
the town as originally granted,
41
6lO EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-82] [ Vote of the Town, 1761.']
Att the Annual Meeting in Monson March 23 ; 1761,
Voted to Grant the petition of Hollis namely that a Mile and
half or their about be Sett of to Hollis agreabie to the Petition
of said Hollis —
And Voted the South Side of as above by the Major part of
the North Side-
it, being an artickle incerted in the Warrant for Said Meet-
ing—
Copy, per Benj"^ Kenrick Town Clark
Monson Decern : 2S, 1762
[7-S4] [ Vote relative to locating a Meeting- House ^ ^YS^-"]
Att a Town meeting held in Monson December, 6"" day,
1756,
Voted, to Set the Meeting House in the most Convenient
place nere the Center of the Town —
Monson, march, 16 1763.
A CojDpy p"" Benj" Kenrick, Town Clark
[7-85] \_Hollis asks for a Portion of Monson, 1763. ']
Whereas there was an articall in the warrant for the annuall
Meeting to be held in Holies march the 2'"^ 1761 to see if the
Town would Petition the Town of Monson for one mile and
a half or there abouts on the south side to be annexed to the
Town of Hollis Pursuant to said articall Voted to Petition the
Town of Monson for one Mile and a half or there abouts on
the south side of said Monson to be annexed to the Town of
Holies and Chose Doctor John Hale Francis Worcester and
Jonathan Taylor a Com'^*= to Pefar Said Petition
Holies January the 3"^ 1763 —
A True Coppy —
P' Sam" Cumings Town Clerk of Holies
[R. 2-285] \^Be?ija7nin Hopkins's Bill, 1761.']
Monson June y^ 25 1761
Account of Cap' Samuel Gerrish Company who victualed at
my house and the mens Names —
MONSON.
6ii
Francis allet
Samuel Perkins
John Johnson
Robert Boodey
William Randle
Richard Ransom
Daniel Dealing
Thomas Ransom
Paul Horn
Sider five mogs
True accompt-
Ephraim alle}'^
David Call
Ebenezer Ransom
Daniel alley
Abraham Nute
Samuel kinney
William Berry
Samuel Kenney
Nathaniel Denboe
Cornels Denboe
Ebenezer Hall
William Berry
Seth Thomson
John Field
Willm Rins
Joseph Perkins
20 — o — 10
o_6— 8
20 — 7 — 6
per Benjamin Hopkins
[Sworn to Oct. 15, 1767, before John Goffe. In H, of
Rep., May 25, 1768 "Voted that it be Dismissed." — Ed.]
[7-86] S^Relative to Anitexation of a Po?-tion of Alonson to
Hollis, jry/j.^
Province of New Hampshire
To the Hon**'* His majestys Council & House of Representa-
tives for said Province — Gentlemen —
Whereas by your Vote & Order at y"" Late Session Our Town
Namely Monson may be heard next week if the Court be then
Setting on their vote & Petitions Relating the Setting oft' and
Annexing a part of Our said Town to Holies — But there hav-
ing very Lately been Some New Proposals made by Some of
Our Neighbours (Concerning It) both in Holies & Amherst of
a very pacifick tendency which if Complied with we Appre-
hend will be more Advantageous than Any Measures yet Con-
certed—
Therefore pray that your Hon" Would Suspend the affair
untill the Second day of y' first Session After the first day of
Sep' Next that we may in the Interim Consider & Settle said
Proposals — & We as in duty bound Shall ever pray —
Dated at Monson April the 29'' 1763 —
Benj" Kenrick ")
Josiah Crosby >- Selectmen
Daniel Kenrick )
6l2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-87] \_Petiiion to be annexed to Hollis^ I'j62.'\
Province of New Hamp'^
To His Excellency Banning Wentworth Esq : Gov"" &c
The Hon'^ his Majestys Council & Assembly of said Province
The Petition of us the Subscribers being Inhabitants of the
South side of the Town of Monson in said Province — Humbly
shews that we Can be Much better Accommodated as to Town
priviledges by being Annexed to Holies Than to remain as we
Are That our said Town of Monson Are Desirous of having
the Thing done as may appear by their Vote March the 23**
1 761 We Therefore pray that Your Excellency And Hon"
would Take the premises under your wise Consideration and
Grant it According to the Ten'' of said Vote —
And We as in duty bound shall ever Pray
Dated at Monson Ocf y'= 18* 1762
William Nevins Thomas Nevens Zachariah Shattuck
William Colborn Samuel Hayden Samuel Stearns ju
Jun"" Daniel Kenrick Rob' Colburn
onesiphorus marsh Josep Stearnes William Colburn
Abraham Leman James wheeler
Dan" Bayley Daniel Wheeler
[7-8S] \_Reasons for not granting foregoing Petit ion. '\
To His Exelency Bening Wentworth Esq'' Governer in chief in
and over his Majesties Province of New-Hampshire, The
Honourable the Council, and House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled —
We the subscribers Inhabitants and freeholders in the Town
of Monson in the province aforesaid Humbly shew, that,
Whereas the south of Monson aforesaid has petitioned the
General Court aforesd to be Annexed to Hollis : And as the
Honourable Assembly has seen Cause in Their great Wisdom
and Clemency to send to us for our Reasons, why the prayer
of s** Petition should not be granted so may it please your Ex-
elency and Honours We with the lowest Submission beg leave
to ofler them — and in the first place we look upon the Town of
Monson sufficient to support the Gospell, provided it was set-
tled ; And we Impute the Reason of its not settling to the Neg-
lect of Building a Meeting-House and settling the Gospell : It
also appears to us quite an unreasonable thing that the south of
Monson should be Annexed to Hollis, a Numerous People able
to support the Gospell without them and we Humbly pray that
MONSON. 613
their Requst May ne'r be Granted for if so we are disenabled
to Defray Town Charges and to settle the Gospell, and we are
well Assured that 3'our Exelency and Honours will take no
pleasure in inlarging of one Town by ruining of another and
it apears to vis that the Scheem they are upon to break Monson
has no Heigher ends then Private Interest and an Immence
Damage to the Publick the Consaquence will be either fatal
to Amherst and New-Boston in splitting And taring them to
pieces and puting them to an immence Cost and Bring on a
quarel that perhaps may not soon end or else it will leave us
under very distressing Circumstances by the smallness of our
Number and Scantiness of our Town —
And now may it please your Exelency & Honours we Es-
teem it our Duty as a Body Politick to use those Means which
has the greatest Tendency to promote its Increase and flourish
In order there unto the Town was for Building a Meeting-
House in order for a Gospell Settlement and indeed went so
far as to get a vote for it though afterward when said vote was
laid before the Town they did not see Cause to Comply with it
And if the Laws of the Government oblidges every Town to
have a Meeting-House and an orthodox Minister verily such
Towns or Members thereof as Refus** Cast Contempt on
Authority and we are well asstired that their offence in such a
Wise assembly shall not be their Defence — and as the Building
of a Meeting-House and settling of the Gospell has been an
efl^ectual Means to the Increase of a Society so the Neglect has
proved the Contrary, and as the Chief of the Land is settled on
each side of the Town — so the land that lays wast and Desti-
tute of Inhabitants lies in the ISliddle of the Town which
although perhaps Reputed by some to be Broaken land Infeas-
able for .Settlement yet in our Judgment tis as good Land as
any in the Town except a piece on the River, and is it reason-
able may it please your Exelency and Plonours that Members
of a Society after they have kept back the Increase thereof that
a part of that Sosiet}^ should go of to another town and leave
the Remainder unable to Defray their Charges, as will be the
Case with us if the South sid is set to Hollis being at a great
and Continual Charge to maintain our Poor — (as also the one
half of two large Bridges upon Soughegan River which are a
Constant and very heavy Cherge,) And if we are as Dutiful!
Subjects as others why ought we not to have our Properties
Continued, and if we pay our dues as well as others Subjects
why may we not have our Religious Privelidges Supported,
and as this Honourable Assembly hold the same so undoubt-
edly it will be thought fit to oblidge those that have Refused to
Comply with what duty and Interest Requires as also the pro-
moting the Public Weal and Interest — therefore finally suffer
6l4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
US to suplicale your Exelency and Hon" to lay a Tax upon the
Land in the Town of Monson to enable us to build a Meeting
House in order to a Gospell Settlement and so we as in duty
Bound Shall ever pray.
Furthermore we the Subscribers Inhabitants and freeholders
of the Town of Monson do Impower and desire Benj* Hopkins
and Jose]>h Gould they or either of them to wait upon the
General Assembl}^ and oppose said petition and to shew how
unreasonable the prayer thereof, is ; so that the Same may not
be granted, and also to Petition for such Priviledges for the
Town to forward the settling the Gospell as they shall think
best.
Monson March y" iS"' 1763
Benjamin Hopkins Joseph Gould George Burns
John Burns Jol^i^ Burns Jun' Thomas Burns
Benjamin Hopkns
Jun
[7-92] \_Address expressing Satisfactioti with the Coiuity
Arrange7nent^ iy6^.']
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Cap" Gener" Gov-
ernor and Comd'' &c. the Honorable his Majesties Council
and House of Representatives for the Province of New
Hamsh"^ —
We Inhabitants of Monson in the Province aforesaid take
this Opportunity to Return our most Sincere and hearty Ac-
knowledgements to your Excellency & Honors for the great
Wisdom Exhibited in forming & establishing the Lines of the
Middle County — We humbly beg your Excellency & Honors,
in your great wisdom & Clemency, will Make no Addition to
s^ County, being Sensible, any addition will Cause Confusion
in s'' County — We, likewise, earnestly Desire, that Amherst
may be the Shire Towne, notwithstanding what may have been
Advanced to the Contrary by one in whom we put great Confi-
dence— And We as in Duty bound Shall ever Pray —
April y* ii*^ 1769
Nathan Hutchinson Joseph Gould Samuel Farmer
Josiah Crosby Daniel Kenrick Thomas Towne
Jon" Grimes Will'" Colburn Elisha Towne
Pat Grimes Thomas Powers Bartholomew Towne
Josiah Sawyer Wil"' Nevens Thomas Williams
Caleb Jones Samuel Leman Jonathan Towne
Georg Burns Gardner Towne Stephen William
MONSON. 615
John Burns Jun David Wallingsford Josiah Crosby Juner
Thomas Burns Joseph French Jonathan sawyer
Ames Whittemore moses Hadley Israel Wilkins
Abraham Leman John Dunckle wiUiam trench
Isaac Powers , David Duncl<le Thomas nevens
Josiah Kidder Ju" Nathaniel Dunckle Josiah Parker
W" Kittredge Archlus Towne Benj" Kenrick
John Burns Adam Patson Josiah Kidder
[7-93] \_Itistructio7is to their Represejitative^ lydg.^
To Cap' John Chamberlain of Merrymack in the Province of
New-Ham p'' —
Sir/ As You have been Repeatedly Chosen, b}' the towns
of Merrymack & monson to Represent them in the General As-
sembly of this province, you have the highest assurance of the
Confidence they Place in your integrity and ability and that they
are willing you should Act in general Cases as your Reason
Dictates, Yet in a Matter wherein the Interest of Our Town is
nearly Concerned & that of the County also, We take the free-
dom upon Constitutional Principals to Desire in behalf of our
Town that you would Use your utmost influence in Court to
prevent Londonderry, Chester, Pelham, Plasto, Salem, and
Hamstead &c from being added to this County, because we
think that such a thing if it should be done would end in Con-
fusion or Rather in a Dissolution of Countys ; and as this
County is now full Large enough as to Land as it extends from
the west Line of Peterborough to the east Line of Litchfield
and will soon be Large as to people we expect that you will
Comply with this Our Desire —
Your most Obed'
Arch'"' Towne ") Select men
Joseph Gould >- of
Thomas Burns ) Monson
Dated monson Ap'' y* 15 : 1769
[An'attempt was made to have the towns above named
annexed to Hillsborough county. — Ed,]
[7-89] [ Vote of Monson^ ^770.'}
This may Certifie, that their was a Vote of the Town of
Monson, april y® 9, 1770, to divide the Same laying part to
Amherst and part to Hollis.
attest Benj" Kendrick, last Town Clark
Amherst Novem** 11, 1782.
6l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-90] [^Opposition to reestablishing Mojtson^ 1882 r\
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Hollis
held at said Hollis the 13th day of September 1782 —
Voted that Rich*^ Cutts Shannon Esq wait on the Gen^ Court
in behalf of the Town of Hollis, to oppose the Petition of
Jonathan Lovejoy & others respecting the re Establishing the
ancient Boundaries of monson —
eodem die Voted that the Town will Strenuously oppose the
Petition of Jonathan Lovejoy & others relative to the Ancient
Town of monson's being reincorporated & invested with Town
Privileges as formerly being granted, for Reasons mentioned in
the answer to said Petition herewith exhibited
Hollis Nov 16, 1782 —
Attest William Cuminsfs Town Clerk
MOULTONBOROUGH.
The territory was granted Nov. 17, 1763, by the Maso-
nian proprietors to Col. Jonathan Moulton and others, and
settlements were commenced the following year.
An addition was granted Jan. 24, 1765, by the same pro-
prietors, which was sometimes called Moultonborough Gore.
The town was incorporated by an act passed Nov. 24, 1777,
and received its name in honor of Col. Moulton.
In consequence of disputes arising between this town
and Sandwich relative to the divisional line, a committee^
consisting of John Langdon, Joshua Wentworth, and Ben-
jamin Chadbourne, was appointed Feb. 22, 1785, to settle
the same, its decision to be final.
Long Island was annexed to this town Dec. 30, 1799.
The Ossipee tribe of Indians once resided in this vicinity,
and many relics have been found in years past.
Col. Joseph Senter was one of the leading men, and an
officer of merit in the Revolution, as also was Col. Nathan
Hoit.
[7-94] \_Petition for an Incorporation, ly/J.^
Province of Newhampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esquire captain general
governour and commander in chief in & over said province
of Newhampshire A*^" &'^'' And to the honrable his majestys
councill for the same province.
MOULTONBOROUGH. 617
The humble petition of Jonathan Moulton Esq for himself
& other proprietors of two certain tracts of land granted by the
proprietors of Masons patent so called the first Tract was
granted on the 17th day of November AD 1763 commonly
called Moultonborough. The other tract was granted the
24th of January AD 1765 commonly called the gore or
moultonborough addition Most Humbly sheweth That great
progress is made & still making towards the complete set-
tlement of said two tracts of land and that the inhabitants &
Proprietors thereof have been at great charge in making pub-
lick roads through said two tracts of land for the benefit of his
majestys service. Your petitioner therefore prays that the
inhabitants of the said two tracts of land may be respectively
incorporated into townships with such privileges as other towns
enjoy Avithin this province bv the bounds & limits contained in
the respective grants, and the petitioner as in duty bound shall
ever pray &'^*
January 29 1773.
[Not granted. — Ed.]
Jon" Moulton
[7-95] \^Letter from Col. Joseph Sentcr to the Leglslaturey
7776.^
To the Honarble Councel & Representatives Now Sitting at
Exeter —
Gent" I am grately Obliged to You for the good opinion
You Have of Me and Wish my ability was grater to serve My
Countrey. I am Willing at all Times to Exerte my Selfe to
the utmost to serve the publick and am with Respect Your
Hum**' Servant
Joseph Senter
M Borrough 22** June 1776
[7-96] \_Petition for an Incorporat/on of the Territory into
two Towfts^ ^777 -\
To the Hon''^® the Council & House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly convened —
Humbly Shew
Jonathan Moulton Joseph Senter and Bradburv Richardson
Esq" in behalf of the Inhabitants of that Tract of Land called
Moultonborough situate in the County of Strafibrd in the said
State—
6l8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That the said Inhabitants labour under many Inconveniencies
Disadvantages & Difiiculties by Reason of their unincorporated
State — That the Situation and Extent of said Tract render it
most convenient for said Inhabitants that it be divided and
erected into Two distinct Townships — Wherefore Y*" Petition-
ers in behalf of said Inhabitants humbly pray that the said
Tract may be erected into two distinct Townships, One, within
the following bounds — viz' beginning at the South Easterly
corner of Meredith at Winnepissiokee Pond then running
northwesterly by said Meredith to the North Easterly Corner
thereof thence on a strait Line with the North Easterly Line of
Meredith, to Holderness thence Northeasterly by said Holder-
ness to Sandwich thence Easterl}' by Sandwich and Tamworth
to the South Easterly Corner of Tamworth thence Southwest-
erly to the Northwesterly Corner of Tuftonborough thence
Southwesterly by said Tuftonborough to Winnepissiokee Pond
thence Westerly by the Shore of said Pond, as that lays, to the
Bound first mentioned — and that it be incorporated by the
Name of Moulton — And the other within the bounds following
viz' beginning at the Northeasterly Corner of Meredith thirty
Rods from Winnepissiokee Pond thence running South fifty
five Degrees West by Meredith and Sanborntown to Pemigewas-
set River Thence running northerly up said River by the Mid-
dle thereof to the Southwesterly corner of Holderness thence
running Easterly by said Holderness to the South East Corner
thereof thence running Northerly by said Holderness till it
comes to the Westerly line of that Part of said Tract above
bounded thence Southeasterly by said Line to the said North-
easterly corner of Meredith — and that the same be incorporated
by the Name of Watertown — And that each of said Towns
may be invested with all the Powers and enfranchised with all
the Rights Privileges and Immunities which any Towns in this
State hold and enjoy — And as in Duty bound shall pray &c —
June 13*'' 1777 —
Jon* Moulton
Joseph Senter
Bradbury Richardson
[The town was incorporated Nov. 24, 1777. — Ed.]
[7-97] S^Relative to Rev. Samuel Parley, ^779'"]
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss
To the Hon'''*' Council and House of Representatives in Gen-
eral Assembly convened —
MOULTONBOROUGH. 619
The Petition of Bradbury Richardson Nathaniel Ambrose,
Abraham Burnam, Jonathan Moulton and John Adams a
Committee for and in Behalf of the Town of Moultonborough
in said State ; Humbly shew, that there are great Uneasiness
and dissaft'ection, subsisting in said Town, which has been oc-
casioned, by the Rev*^ Samuel Perley's removing himself and
Family into Town with the Pretence of being the settled Min-
ister of the Gospel here, and by his continuing as such in
preaching and other Administrations ; and by his unjustly
claiming and demanding, publick Priviledges granted to the
first settled Minister of the Town, which he the said Perley
claims by Virtue of a pretended Settlement here, by certain
Persons acting under the Denomination of an Ecclesiastical
Council in October last — which Council this Town avers con-
vened and acted in that Matter without either the Order, Voice
or Concurrence of the Town, and against the general Sense of
the Town, as much the greater part of the People were against
his being settled here : — The Conduct of said Council, has since
by this Town at a legal Meeting been wholly disavowed and
greatly disapproved of, as their Records make appear all which
said Perley has been duly advised of, and treated with to relin-
quish his aforesaid Settlement on equitable Terms ; & has been
legally requested by the Town with the Church to join the
Town in calling a Council to judge of his aforesaid Settlement,
all which he refused to comply with, but still persists in preach-
ing and in his unjust Demands for the same — Wherefore your
Petitioners in their aforesaid Capacity pray your Hon'^' Court
to view the particular Situation of this Town in the Difficulties
they are under with Respect to s*^ Perley and the Inconvenience
that will ever attend the Town in obtaining a regular settled
Minister so long as there is a Person, laying Claim to that
Office and the Pieviledges belonging to the same ; and that your
Honb'® Court wou'd so far interfere in the Matter as to order &
appoint an Ecclesiastical Council to take Cognizance of the
Transactions that have happen'd here with Respect to said
Perley, & to judge and deiermin whither said Perlev has ever
been fairly and legally settled as a Minister of the Gospel for
the Town of Moultonborough and your Petitioners shall ever
pray—
Moultonbor° lo"' March 1779
Jon"' Moulton
Bradbury Richardson
Nathaniel Ambros
Abraham Burnam
John Adams
[Mr. Perley left soon after. — Ed.]
620 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-98] ^Relative to Doomage^ i'j8o.'\
State of New Hampshire Strafford ss.
To the Hon^''' Council & House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened
The Petition Bradburv Richardson. Nath' Shannon. Joseph
Ayres & Jonathan Moulton a Committee for & in Behalf of the
Town of ]SIoultonborough Humblv shew, that the Inhabitants
of said Town humblv conceive, that they are overrated to the
State and Continental Tax, by being doomed upon their Inven-
tory sent to your Hon^'^ Court — which Inventory of the Polls &
improvable Estates your Petitioners aver to be true & exact —
and the Estimation therein of the Value of the unimproved
Lands & Buildings your Petitioners conceive is as high as in
any Town within this State — Your Petitioners impute the
Doomage to some Misrepresentation or Misconception of the
Situation of the Town — which Town since New Hampton has
been incorporated by it self contains by the Division thereof
only Two Hundred Acres to a Right that was thought worth
laying out & but Seventy Nine Rights in the Town ; Fifteen
Hundred Acres of which Land laid out has since been claimed &
settled by Sandwich Proprietors & pays Rates to that Towmi — &
•many other of the Lotts that were laid out are so mean in Qiial-
ity as will forever render them Useless for Settlement ; — With
Respect to the Lands not laid out it is evidently known to be one
Ridge of Mountains unfit for Improvements, So that the greater
part of the Land fit for Improvements are settled upon by small
Farms ; & lavs chiefly in View upon the Country Road, which
tends greatly to raise the Town in the Opinions of People,
beyond its true Value in general — Wherefore your Petitioners
pray that the Doomage to this Town be taken oft' & the town
pav only agreeable to their Inventory & your Petitioners shall
ever pray.
Moultonb" 12"^ Octob"" 1780 —
Bradbury Richardson
Joseph Ayers
Nathan' Shannon
[R. 2-286] [^Enlistment, 1780.']
We the subscribers herebv acknowledge ourselves inlisted
private Soldiers to Serve in one of the three Continental Battal-
lions of the State of Newhampshire to Serve untill the Last Day
of December Next and promies to be Subject to the Rules and
MOULTONBOROUGH. 621
Regulations of the Continental army During Said term as wit-
ness our hands Ji-nie the 2Sth 17S0
test Eben'' Smith Daniel Gary
Robert Glines
Samuel Neale
for the town of moultonborough
[7-101] \_Petition of No7i-Residents^ iygo.'\
State of New Hampshire.
To the Hon*"'^ the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire now in General Court convened at
Portsmouth in said State,
The Memorial of John Peirce and others the Subscribers,
proprietors of Land in Mason's Patent so called, in behalf of
themselves and the rest of said Proprietors, and of other non
resident owners of Land in Moultonbo rough in said State,
Humbly Sheweth,
That an Act has just been passed to tax the lands of non-resi-
dent Proprietors in said Town, founded on a petition which
your Memorialists never heard of till this day ; otherwise they
should have opposed the prayer for such an Act. That the
Masonian Proprietors by express stipulations in the Charter of
this and other Towns are free from the expences to be defrayed
by this Tax, and the Grantees or other Proprietors took them
upon themselves. And when this has been brought into view,
they have been accordingly exenipted in Acts of this general
kind, to prevent their being retrospective, & annihilating form-
er Contracts.
That this Act eases the Town and burdens non-resident
Proprietors, with the expence of repairing all Roads and Bridges
whatever in said town — And the monies raised may be applied
to the building Bridges and repairing highways indefinitely
according to the Terms of the Title, preamble, and Body of
said Act.
That the Lands of non-residents are subjected to Sale for non
payment of the Tax, without any liberty of, or provision for
their Redemption. Wherefore your Memorialists pray your
Honours to take their case into your wise consideration, and
to annul and repeal the said Act, and grant them the priviledge
of being heard on said Petition, and they as in Duty bound
shall ever pray
Portsmouth Jany 7"" 1 790
622 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Dan^ Humphreys Ex"" of Geo : Atkinson Esq'
John Peirce for himself & others whom he Represents
Geo. Jaftrey
Th" Martin
John Penhallow
Woodbury Langdon
Thomas Leavitt Ex' to Jonathan Moulton Esq'
[7-102] [ Vote to change date oj" Annual Aleeting^ iygi.~\
Att a Legal Meeting held by the Inhabitants of the Town of
Moultonborough the twenty Seventh day of June 1791 —
Voted Nathan Hoit Esq' is impower'd to git March Meeting
alter'd for said Town agreable to a petition said Hoit carried
into the General Court The above is a true Copy taken oft' the
Record
Edw"! B. Moulton Town Clk.
Moultonb' Nov' 15'*' 1791
[The legislature changed the date of annual meeting to
the first Monday in March. — Ed.]
NASH UA.
This city occupies the south-east part of that portion of
the old Dunstable grant of 1673 which proved to be in this
state, and retained the ancient name when the old township
was divided in 1746. It was incorporated April first of
that year. In 1748 the citizens of the town had become so
much divided in sentiment that they elected two sets of
town officers, and a new election was ordered by the coun-
cil and assembly, who appointed Thomas Colburne, of Not-
tingham West, us moderator of the meeting.
December 13, 1763, a portion of Dunstable, called "One
Pine Hill," was annexed to Hollis, although so strongly op-
posed by the former as to create much hostility between the
two towns. Another tract, comprising the farms of Daniel
Merrill and Ebenezer Jaquith, was taken from Dunstable
and annexed to Hollis, by an act passed May 14, 1773.
By an act approved December 8, 1836, the name of the
town was changed to Nashua,
NASHUA. 623
Nashua was divided June 23, 1842, by a line commencing
on Nashua river at the line of Hollis, and running down
said river to the Lowell railroad bridge ; thence by said
railroad to the old ferry road ; thence by said road to Mer-
rimack river ; and all that portion of the town lying north
of that line was incorporated into a town by the name of
Nashville, and so remained until June 27, 1853, when the
two towns were united and incorporated as a city by the
name of Nashua, which has become one of the most popu-
lous manufacturing communities in the state.
Artillery pond was thus named because it was included in
a grant made by Massachusetts, October 11, 1673, O. S., to
the Boston Artillery Company. That grant was of one
thousand acres, and included the territory now in the com-
pact part of the city north of Nashua river, and remained in
possession of said company until it was purchased by Col.
Joseph Blanchard about 1743.
Col. Blanchard was one of the leading men of Dunstable,
and for some years agent for the Masonian proprietors.
[7-104] [ Vote of Town relative to Bridge over Nashua
River, 1753.']
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable in
the Province of New Hampshire being meet According to Law
y* i' day of may 1753 and Continued by Ad)ournment to y* 14"*
of Said May
An Extract from the votes of Said Meeting Pasd at Said Ad-
journmeent —
That in as much as the Bridge over Nashuway River in this
Town is of Great expence in Building & keeping in Repair,
latly at a large expence Built and cared away with a freshet —
so much Travilling for the Pui)lick it is of Great nedcessety for
Rebuilding the Heavy charge lying on this Town for their
other necessary affairs has left them of Liabillitv according to
the corse of common Taxes to perform the same with out
further Aide and Where as there is large Qiiantitys of land un-
improved belonging to Residents and nonresidents wdiich are
not Rateable that rise in value by reason of the Lnprovements
and taxes a moungst us —
Therefore Voted that this Town Petition to the Gen" Assem-
bly of this Province shewing our deficultys & pray that the Sum
of one Hundred and fifty pounds newtenor be lev'y'd upon the
624 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
lands in this Town in Equall proportion per acre in such maner
as shall be free of charge for Collecting to be Appropriated for
the Building a Bridge over Nashuway River and no other use
whatso ever & that the Hon^ Joseph Blanchard Esq'' and m''
Jonathan Lovewell be desired to Petition the Gen" Assembly
for their Grant Agreable to the foregoing vote Pased in the
Atiairmative —
Voted that a Bridge be built over Nashuway River the En-
suing sumer at the charge of this Town & That the Hon'^ Jo-
seph Blanchard Esq'' m'' Noah Johnson & m"" Jonathan Love-
well be a Com'^^ Authorized & Impowered in behalf of this
Town to agree & contract with any person or persons at their
discretion to Effect the same and that such their contract or
Agrement be Obligatory & binding upon this Town for pay-
ment—
A True Copy from Dunstable Records —
Exam*^ per Jonathan Lovewell Town Clerk —
[7-103] \_Relative to Bridge over Nashua River^ ^753-~\
Province of New Hamps
To His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq' Governor and
Commander in Chief in and over his majestys Province of
new Hampshire, To the Honorable his majestys Council and
House of Representatives in General assembly Convened
' June 19"^ 1753—
The Petition of Joseph Blanchard Esq' and Jonathan Love-
well in behalf of the Town of Dunstable in said Province most
humbly shews —
That it is necessary that there be a Bridge over Nashuaway
River — That the Town of Dunstable have lately been at great
Cost and Charge to build a Bridge over said River which was
the last Spring carryed away by a freshet — That the Town of
Dunstable have lately passed a vote to build another Bridge
over said River (as will appear by the annexed Copy) for the
Conveniency of Travellers — That there is a Considerable quan-
tity of unimproved lands lying within the Town of Dunstable
which belongs to Residents and Non : Residents which en-
creases in value yearly without any Taxes whatever being paid
for the Same by the owners — wherefore your Petitioners pray
that there may be a Tax of one hundred and fifty Pounds New
Tener (clear of all Charges for Colecting) laid upon all the
lands lying in Dunstable aforesaid whether improved or not
i mproved in equall Proportion, to be improved for and towards
NASHUA. 625
the building a Bridge over the said River and no other use
w^hatever and vour Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
&c—
Jon"" Lovewell for Self & Jo^ Blanchard Esq""
[In H. of Rep., January 23, 1754, the foregoing petition
was granted. — Ed.]
([7-105] \_Relative to Representative^ /y62.'\
To the Gen' Assembly of the Province of New Hampshire now
Setting at Portsmouth in said Province
The Petition of the Freeholders of the Town of Dunstable
in said Province Humbly sheweth, that there are several persons
Returned as Representatives whose choice is Ilegal (viz) Jo-
seph Blanchard Esq"" for merrimac and monson Cap' Sam^
Grele for Nottinghamwest and Litchfield Cap' Jon* Carlton for
Plastow and Hamstead m'' Joseph Wright for salem and Pel-
ham and John Gofie Esq' for Bedford and Amherst and that —
in the Election of Each of said Persons as Representatives
many persons wer Allowed to vote who had no Real Estate in
the Town Parrish or Precinct where shuch Election was. direct-
ly against a Law of this Province Lititled An Act for calling
and Ellecting Assembly men and their Qiiallification and even
the Returns of the writs for the choice of said persons for Rep-
resentatives shew that the meetings for Electing them wer
Illegall and tho' the Town of Dunstable had thirty five families
settled in it in the year 16S0 most of which wer within the
bounds of said Town as now Incorporated in this Province yet
we are omitted and deprived of having any voice in the Elec-
tion of a Representative in this Assembly the said Town Rec*^
a Charter ap"^' i' i74^ from the Governor and Council of this
Province with all the Powers and authorities Immunities and
Franchises with other Towns within said Province or any of
them by Law have and Enjoy and yet other Towns not so long
Settled nor Taxed so much have the previledge allowed them
which we are denied
we pray that these Affairs may be Exam*^ into and Consid-
ered and something determined upon the same so that people
may know how to practice for the future we pray the said per-
sons may not be allowed to set in the Assembly to vote and
Act as assembly men that we may not have any Laws or Votes
passed before the House of Representatives be purged of those
whose choice is Ilegall and that said persons may not be
Allowed to vote or act in any Affair before it be determined
wheither their Election is Legal or not we pray that we may
42
626
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
be supported protected and defended in the Enjoyment of our
Lawful Rights and Previledges as a free people under the Eng-
lish constitution and Goverment so that we and others may not
be Striped of the same and we as in Duty bound Shall ever
Pray
Dunstable march y® 13*"^ 1762
Jonathan Lovewell
John AUd
Joseph French
Jonathan Lund
Jeremiah Blanchard
Thomas Harwood
Joseph Whiting
John Honey
Thomas Lund
his
John X Searles
-^ mark
Jeremiah Colburn
John Blanchard
William Harvey
Daniel Searles
Oliver woods
John Snow
Winkall Wright
Joseph Heall
Medad Combs
Isaac Powers
David Gilson
Eleazer Fisk
Benja Taylor
Nathanel Jewell
Daniel J"'* Shapperd
James Whitney
Benjamin Smith
Zaccheus Lovewell
John fletcher
John W^right
Peter Honey
Jacob Taylor
Cornelius Danaly
William Lund
Joseph Eayrs
Sam" Roby
Thomas Heall
John Lovewell
Jos : Senter
Oliver Farwell
Ebe"" Harris
Ebenezer Harris Ju''
Thomas Butterfield
John Butterfield
Charles Butterfield
John Phelps
Jonathan Powers
Jeams Harwood Ju""
Josiah Butterfield
William JVPluer
abraham heall
Samuel Searles
Benj'* French
Jonathan Whiting
Ephrim Butterfeld
David Alld
Noah Johnson
[7-106] \_T'7'ouble at a Toxv7i-AIeeting^ 1/62.']
Province of N Hampshire Jan'' 19"^ 1762.
Proceedings of a meeting held at Dunstable at the house of
ColP Zaccheus Lovewell's, by the Inhabitance of the towns of
Dunstable and Holies, being assembled by notifications, sign'd
by the Select-men of both Towns, pursuant to a precept direct-
ed to them from the high Sheriff' of said Province, to assemble
the inhabitants of said Towns, Qrialify'd for voting in the
choice of Representatives, to make choice of a Person to rep-
resent them in Gen" Assembly ; and being met, Jon" Lovewell
Esq' One of the Selectmen for the Town of Dunstable Open'd
the meeting in the following manner, (viz) he read the precept
sent up, also read one of the Notifications pursuant to the pre-
cept, sign'd b}-^ the Selectmen for both 'I'owns after which he
address't himself to the People assembled, setting forth what
an vmrighteous and unjust thing it was to Couple these Towns
NASHUA. 627
to make choice of a Representative, and signify'd it was taking
away Our Priviledges &c, and after considerable of Preamble,
said that Holies had no right to vote in this meeting, Only such
as had a real Estate in the Town of Dunstable ; to which One
of the Selectmen for the Town of Dunstable, and the Select-
men for the Town of Holies, made answer, that the Inhabi-
tance of Holies had as good right to vote as the People of
Dunstable, by appealing to the Precept ; and that those Towns
has been Coupeld togather here to fore ; and further appeal'd
to the Notification pursuant to the Precept, sign'd by the Select-
men of both Towns — AP Lovewell said twas Contrary to Law
for both Towns to vote together ; and Desir'd the Inhabitance
of Dunstable to seperate themselves from the Inhabitance of
Holies, (Only such as had real Estate in the Town of Dunsta-
ble) and bring in their votes for a Moderator; upon which one
of the Select men for the Town of Holies, refusd Complying
with, and beg'd there might be no seperation between said
Towns in their Voting, and Desir'd the People of both Towns
to go on peacebly and According to the Precept, which was
directed as much to Holies, as Dunstable, which IVP Lovewell
publicklv refus'd, by ordering the Inhabitance of Dunstable to
seperate themselves from the Inhabitance of Holies, and to
bring in their votes for a Moderator ; upon which the Select-
men of Dunstable and Holies, spake Audibly to the People of
both Towns, to bring in their votes together, for a Moderator
according to the Precept, &c, and the votes being brot in there
was one hundred and two for Deacon Worcester, and there
was sixty five for Jon" Lovewell Esq"" upon which Esq'' Love-
well Immediately declar'd, that the Town of Dunstable had
made choice of himself for a Moderator; upon which the Se-
lect Men of Dunstable and Holies, as aforesaid, Declar'd the
Inhabitance of Dunstable and Holies, had chosen Deacon
Worcester for a Moderator for this meeting, by a great Major-
ity, then Esq"" Lovewell orders the men of Dunstable to bring
in their votes for a Representative ; M"" Worcester Moderator,
Insisted that it was his right to order as a Moderator, requested
the Precept of M"' Lovewell, which m' Lovewell Publickly re-
fus'd to let him have or see ; upon which M'' Worcester (hav-
ing one of the Notifications) said. Pursuant to the Notification
founded upon the Precept &c to the Inhabitance of the Town
of Dunstable and Holies, to bring in their votes for a Repre-
sentative, the votes being brot in, there was One hundred and
two for Doctor Hale, and there was sixty three for M"" Love-
well ; which M"" Lovewell Immediately declar'd the Town of
Dunstable had Chosen himself for their Repi^esentative M'
Worcester declar'd, pursuant to the Notification, founded upon
the precept to Dunstable and Holies, they had made Choice of
628 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Doctor John Hale, to represent said Towns in Gen^' Assembly
&c—
Francis Worcester Moderator for said meeting
Province of New Hamp"" — Dunstable Jan-^' y^ 19"" 1763
We the Subscribers, Testify the within is the proceedings of
the meeting held this Instant
David Hobart Selectman for Dunstable
Sam" Cumings ) Selectmen
Benj'^ Abbett J for Holies
John Boynton
Abel Webster
[7-107] \_Petition relative to the foregoing^ 2y62.'\
To the Gen' Assembly of the Province of New Hamp"" Now
Holden at Portsmouth in s"* Province —
The Petition of the Freeholders of Dunstable in said Prov-
ince Humbly Sheweth that on the 19* Day of January Instant
the freeholders of the Town of Dunstable in s"* Province met in
s*^ Dunstable to Elect a Representative and more than fifty
Freeholders of s"* Town of Dunstable who had a real Estate in
the same of fifty pounds value Chose Jonathan Lovewell Esq'
for their Representative which choice was made by a Great
majority of those present which had a real Estate in s*^ town of
Dunstable of s'^ value. Tho after Reading the Law about the
Qiiallification of voters in s*^ meeting we ware much Disturbed
bv the Select men of Holies and a Great number of people that
Joined them from Holies monson and Pepperel who set up a
meeting without Joining with the Selectmen of Dunstable to
Qualify the meeting accoring to Law, and in their pretended
meeting Declared that Docf John Hale was chose a Repre-
sentative for Dunstable and Holies but among them that voted
for said Hale we Cant find ten persons that had any real Estate
in said Dunstable so that the choice of s"^ Hale was not made by
a majority of the Freeholders of the Town of Dunstable where
the meeting was held but the choice of s'' Lovewell was, we
therefore pray that the Choice of s*^ Hale may be Declared
Null because against a positive Law which says no person
shall have the Liberty of voting in the choice of Representa-
tives other than such who has a real Estate of the value of fifty
pounds within the Town Parish or Precinct where such Elec-
tion shall be and we Desire that the choice of s'^ Lovewell may
be confirmed and accepted because agreeable to Law Except
any fault in the writ and if that should be the case that a new
NASHUA.
629
Writ may be sent to the s'^ Town of Dunstable from the assem-
bly for a New choice without being Joined with any that cant
agreeable to Law vote with us —
We pray that the point may be Determined and Settled so
that we may know whither we shall practice according to the
positive Laws of the Province or not
We pray that we may be Defended in our Lawfull Rights
and previledges as a free people under the English Goverment
and not Stript of them by any power or Number whatsoever
we dont desire to act against the Kings Prerogative, but pray
that we may not Loose our Previlidge as a people and we as in
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
Dunstable Januaiy the 20"' 1762
Zacheues Lovewell Joseph French
Jonathan Combs
Thomas Heall
John Alld
Joseph Whiting
Benja Taylor
John Lovewell
Oliver woods
Sam" Roby
Joseph Eayrs
John Searles
Samuel Searls
Ebenez"' Cumings
Benjamin Smith
Cornelus Danly
Jeremiah Blanchard Thomas Blanchard
Elazar fisk
David adams
Reuben Rousel
Winkall Wright
Noah Johnson
Josiah Butterfield
Ebenezer Harris
Ebenezer Harris
inner
John Blanchard
Thomas Lund
Jonathan Lund
Tho PLirvvood
William Harris
Jeremiah Colburn
Ephr"' Butterfield
Reuben Colburn
William Lund
William Cox
Edward Cox
Oliver Farvvell
Daniel Searles
Thomas Blanchard James Harwood Jun
Jun
pelatiah whittemor
Jun
John Fletcher
John Wright
Nathanel Severnce
Daniel Pike
Peter Honey
Jacob Taylor
Salvenus whitney
David Gilson
James Sawyer
John vSnow
Tho' Butterfield
John Butterfild
Charles Butterfield
william mcluer
John Phelps
Isaac Powers
John Honey
Heni'y Spalding
Jonnathen Parker
Jos Senter
[7-10S]
\_]Votice of Meetings I'j62.'\
Province of New Hamp''
Notice is here by Given to the Freeholders of the Towns of
Dunstable and Holies in said Province, that are Quiallified by
Law to Elect Representatives, that they meet at the Dwelling-
house of Coll" Zacheus Lovewell Innholder in said Dunstable,
on Tusday the nineteenth day of January Currant, at one
oclock in the afternoon ; and being meet, to Elect one Person
630 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Quallified by Law to Represent the said Towns in Generall
Assembly.
Dunstable January y" 4* 1763 —
Jon" Lovewell [ Select" of
David Hobart j Dunstable
Sam' Cumings ^
John Hale > Select" of Holies
Abel Webster J
Province of New Hamp"^ — Holies January the 19"" 1762.
Wee have Notified the quallie'^ voters in the Town of Holies
to meet at time and place, as Expre'^ in the within notification,
by posting this Notification at the meeting House in s"* Holies,
according to the usuall practice of s'^ Town.
Sam' Cumings i o i
T 1 TT 1 ( Select men
ohn Hale > r- tt n
\-[ ^ \\T i <. (01 Holies
Abel Webster J
Province of New Hamp"" —
In persuance of a writ or precept, Directed to the selectmen
of the Towns of Dunstable and Holies, in said provinc Direct-
ing that the said Select men, Cause the freeholders Qiialify'd by
Law, to Elect Representatives to meet at some convenient
place in said Dunstable ; and in Obedience thereunto we the
Subscribers, being the selectmen have caused, the Freeholders
of said Town to be duly notify'd to meet at the house of Coll°
Zaccheus Lovewell Innholder in Dunstable, and met and chose
M"' John Hale Physician, of Holies, to represent the said Towns
in Gen" Assembly ; Furthermore, the Constable of Dunstable,
has notify'd said Hale to appear at time and place, according
to our Directions
David Hobart Selectmen of Dunstable
Sam" Cumings^
Benj" Abbott > Selectmen of Holies
Abel Webster )
Dunstable Janury the 19''' 1762
[7-109] [ Vo^es relative to " One Pine Hill" matters. "l
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Dunstable
Regularley Assembled on the 27"' Day of Nov"" 1758, Contin-
ued by Ajournment to y^ iS"" Day of Decemb"" then next fol-
lowing
NASHUA. 631
Extract from the Votes of y* said Meeting-
Then it Was Proposed that Whereas the Inhabitants of Pine-
Hill are Uneasey with their Paying to the Ministers Rate When
the Meeting house stands so far from the Center and they hav-
ing Requested that they may be set to Holies Proposed by way
of Settlement with them to make them Easev that the Meeting
house be Mov*^ to the Center of Land in this Town Voted in
the Affirmative
The said Meeting was Continued by Ajournment to the 29*''
Day of January 1759
Props'^ That Whereas on the iS*'' of Decemb'' Last the In-
habitance of this Town Voted that the Meeting house be Mov*^
to the Center of Land in this Town hoping that in so Doing
the Inhabitance of Pine-Hill would be Content and ]oyn in
Settling a Minister, But Finding that they nither Come to hear
one Sermon with us nor Appear Content. It is Therefore now
Propos*^ that the said Vote be Reconsider'^ and Voted in the
Affirmative —
Then it was Propos*^ That in Case this Town dos Proceed to
Settle M"" Cotton or any other Gentleman in the Work of the
Ministry and the Inhabitants of Pine-Hill Doth Consent and
Joyn therein That then the said Inhabitants of Pine Hill shall
Annually have their full part of the Preaching In proportion to
their taxes for the same in any Place in said Dunstable where
They Shall Agree to have it Voted in the Affirmative
A True Entry of the Votes Recorded by Jonathan Lund
Town Clerk
A True Coppy from Dunstable Records
Attest Jonathan Lund Town Clerk
Dunstable February y' 4"' 1 763
[See Hollis papers, ante. — Ed.]
|]7-i 10] \^Relative to the for?}iation of Counties^ i'/6g.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq Cap* General Gov-
ernor Commander &c of the Province of new Hampshire To
the Honorable his Majestys Council & Assembly of said
Province
We Inhabitants of Dunstable in said province Beg leave to
Return your Excellency & Honors Thanks for the Prudence
and Wisdom jou have exhibted in forming the Lines of the
middle County, so agreeable to Nature : we are of Opinion that
the thing is done to the best advantage and pray that there may
632
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
not be even one Town Annexed to this County as We think it
■will give Birth to a great Deal of Confusion
We as in Duty bound will ever pray —
Dated lo"" of April 1769
Zacchus Lovewell
Jonathan Lund
Thomas Harwood
Silas Adams
Will'" Hunt
John wright Jun''
Daniel Pike
Ephraim Adams
Henry Adams
Samuel Searles
Thomas Butterfield Winkall Wright
William Robey
William Lund
Jonathan Emerson
Daniel Searls
Nathan Cutler
Reuben
Thomas Lund Ju''
John Searles
Benjamin Smith
Jonathan Lund Ju"'
Amos Eastman
Thomas Lund
William Walker
Elnathan Sherwin
Thomas Cillecut
William Dandely
thomas Blanchard iu Oliver woods
Thomas Blanchard Benja Taylor
John fletcher Jon"* Lovewell Ju
John wright Daniel AVarner
Nicholas youngman
Jo'* Whiting
Joseph french Junier
Jon" Powers Ju*"
William Hastings
Thomas Killecut
John Alld
Medad Combs
John Coxton
Ebenezer Harris
inner
Abel butterfeld
Jonathan Butterfield
James Harw'd
John Snow
John Butterfield
[7-1 11] \_Rclative to Bridge over Nashtia River ^ -^773 •'\
Province of Nevvhampshire
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq captain general gov-
ernour and commander in chief &"^'' &"" and to the honourable
his majestys councill & house of representatives for said prov-
ince.
The petition of W^illiam Nevins agent for & in behalf of the
town of Holies in said province most humbly sheweth that
Nashua river for the length of about two miles from the line of
the province of the Massachusetts bay north ward is the bound-
ary between Holies & Dunstable but comprehended in neither.
And that the country road crosses the said river within that
space. That a bridge was formerly built there by private prop-
erty which is decayed. And there is a necessity of a new bridge
being built for the safety and convenience of his majestys sub-
jects. But the same not being within the bounds of any town
there is no method to compell the building & repairing thereof
without the interposition of this honourable court. Wherefore
your petitioner prays that an act may be passed to oblige the
said Towns of Holies & Dunstable to build & repair said bridge
NASHUA. 633
at their joynt cost, and your petitioner in the behalf aforesaid
shall ever pray &ca
William Nevens
January 25'^ i773-
[7-1 1 2] \^Petition for Autho}'ity to elect a Representative^
State of New-Hampshire
To the hon'^'* the Council & Gentlemen of the hon"" house of
Representatives of said state in General assembly Convend at
Concord Dece"^ ^7^3- —
Humbly apply the Subscribers, Legal Voters of twenty one
Years of age & upwards paying for them selves a poll tax in
Dunstable in said state.
That the new Constitution or form of Government for this
State provides that every Town Parish or Place intitled to
Town priviledges having one hundred & fifty rateable polls
of twenty one Years of age & upwards may Elect one Repre-
sentative.— and such Towns Parishes or Places as have less
than one hundred & fifty rateable polls shall be Classed by the
General Assembly for the purpose of Chusing a Representa-
tive.— and whenever any Town Parish or Place intitled to Town
Priviledges shall not have one hundred & fifty rateable polls &
be so Situated as to render the Classing thereof verv inconven-
ient the General assembly may upon Application of a Majority
of Voters in such Town Parish or Place issue a Writ for their
Electing & sending a Representative to the Gener' Court. —
That the Subscribers conceive that they fall within the last Dis-
cription not being one hundred & fiftv rateable polls &. being
so Situated as to render the Classing thereof very inconvenient.
That they are ready to Contribute to the Support of Govern-
ment, and are willing to have a Voice in raising the agregate
sum. —
Wherefore they pray that in the New Arangement for the
next assembly a precept may issue to the said Town of Dun-
stable for Electing & Sending a Representative under Such
Regulations as Other Towns in the same Predicament. —
Thomas Howard Joi^" Lovewell Jon^ Lovewell Ju"'
Daniel woods Benoni Jewell J^"" Butterfield
Benj* Whitney Benjamin Jewell Sam" Roby
Noah Lovewell Peter Honey Thomus Roby
Benj* Smith Pamiter Honey Ebenr Harris
Henry Adams Zacch^ Alexander Ebenezer Harris Ju''
Samuel Searles Jon" Powers Thomas Clark
634
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Benja Taylor
Benj" Tayler Junr
John Snow
John Snow Jun''
John Sarles
Jo' Whiting
Joseph Heail
Oliver Blodget
John Butterfield
Charles Butterfield
John Lund
Jonathan Harris
Allan Stewart
Noah Lund
David AUd
John Alld
[A second petition contains the following : — Ed.]
Will'" Hunt
Jeremiah Hunt
John Manning
Eleazer Fisk
Benj'' French
Theodore French
Ezekiel Gardner
John Qiieen
Patrick Landagal
John Fletcher Jun""
Thomas Killecut
Medad Combs
Benajah Webster
John Fletcher
Daniel Pike
Thomas Blanchard
ju>-
William Harris
vSimeon Stevens
Daniel Lund
John Wright
Zebedee Wright
John W^right jun''
Ephraim adams
William Honey
Henry Hale
Jacob Adams
Asa more
Thomas Lund Jun''
O Liver Woods
Winkall Wright
Ebenezer Woods
Nathan Cutler
Levi Lund
Oliver Wright
Phinehas Whitney
Thomas Lund
Joel Lund
Rob' Fletcher
[7-114]
\_Rettirn of Ratable Polls ^ J7S3-~\
Pursuant to an order of the General Court for taking the Ex-
act number of Male polls in each Towns paying for themselves
a poll tax in order to Apportion the Representation to the Next
Assembly. — We the Subscribers have taken an exact list of the
Male polls in Dunstable of twenty one years of age & upwards
liable to pay for themselves a poll tax which amounts to one
hundred & Nineteen
Dunstable Dec'^ '7S3. —
Noah Lovewell
John Lund
Joel Lund
Select men
[R. 3-1] \_LieHt. Jo7ia. Eniersoji' s Petition^ ^779-'\
To the Honorable Council & House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire Conveened at Exeter June 1779
Humbly sheweth Jonathan Emerson of Dunstable in said
State — that he was a Lieutenant in the first Battalion of the
Troops raised in this State, for the defence of the United States
NELSON. 635
of America — that in the Battle near Saratoga on the 19"" Day of
September 1777, he was wounded by a Musket Ball from the
Enemy, which went through his Arm, & through his Body,
which caused him great pain & much distress — by means
whereof he is rendered unfit & incapable to serve in the Army
— or to Labour at home — Wherefore he humbly prays, that the
Honorable Court would take his case into consideration, &
grant him such Relief, as to your Honors shall seem fit, & your
Petitioner, as in Duty Bound prays
Dunstable June ai'"' 1779 —
Jon" Emerson
[/?/'. Hale' s Certificate. ~\
I Certify that Lent. Jonathan Emerson of CoP Cillies Regm*
was Wounded at the Battel with the Enemy near Saratoga of
the Ninteenth of Septem'' 1777 and I think he is not Fit to
Serve as an officer in the Cause of the United States by Reason
of the Wounds he Recev'' at that time, an would Recomend
him to the Favour of the Honorabel General Cort of the State
of New Hampshier
I am your Humb' Serv'
John Hale Surgeon
to CoP Cillies Regm' in Gen' Poors Brigade
Holies April 5 1779
[He was allowed half pay until further orders. — Ed.]
NELSON.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors,
and went by the name of Monadnock No. 6 until February
22, 1774, when it was incorporated and named Packersfield,
in honor of Thomas Packer, of Portsmouth, one of the
largest proprietors.
In 1777 an attempt was made to have the name changed
to Sullivan, which was unsuccessful.
By an act passed September 27, 1787, a portion of the
north-west part of the town, about two miles square, was
combined with portions of Keene, Gilsum, and Stoddard,
and incorporated into the town of Sullivan.
636 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The formation of the town of Roxbury, December 9,
1812, took off the south-west corner of this town, and a
portion of Keene and Marlborough.
The name of the town was changed to Nelson, October i,
1814, in accordance with a vote of the legislature in June
previous.
The boundary line between this town and Roxbury was
changed June 15, 1820, a small tract of land being severed
from the former and annexed to the latter town.
June 25, 1835, the farm of Ebenezer Tarbox was severed
from Stoddard, and annexed to Nelson.
Breed Batchelder, a tory during the Revolutionary war,
and Dr. Nathaniel Breed, commenced settling the town in
1767-8.
[7-249] \^Petition for an Incorporation oj" the Toivn^ -^773''}
Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John wentworth Esq'' Captain General-Gov-
oner and Commander in Chief in and over Said Province
and the Honourable his maiestys Council for Said Province
Humbly Shewes Breed Batcheller of monadnock Number
Six in the County of Cheshire and Province afore Said Gentle-
man, as agent for the Proprietors of Said monadnock, that the
Said Proprietors & the Public Labour under many Disadvant-
ages for want of the Said Proprietors being Incorperated into a
Town, & Invested with Town Priviledges The Proprietors of
Said monadnock this year are ordered to pay a Certain Sum, to
wards the Province Tax, which Cannot be assessed upon the
Inhabitants of Said monadnock for want of Town officers to
assess the Same
your Petitioner Conceives that an Incorporation of Said mo-
nadnock, would Greatlv Encourage and faceletate the Settle-
ment, & tend to the Good order thereof. —
Wherefore he in there behalf, prays your Excellency & Hon-
ours, would incorporate Said Proprietors into a Town by the
Name of Packersfield and invest them with Town Privilidges,
and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound will Ever pray
November i"^ 17 73 —
Breed Batcheller agent
[The town was incorporated by the governor and coun-
cil, and named Packersfield, February 22, 1774. — Ed.]
NELSON. 637
[7-250] \_Pefition for Change of the Name of the To-wn^
1777 •'\
State of New-Hampshire
To the Honourable Council & House of Representitives in
General Court assembled.
the Petition of the Inhabitants of Packersfield Humbly Shew-
eth Whereas your petitioners are by Charter obliged to hold
their annual Meeting in august which is a busy time of the year
we desire your honours would order our annual meeting for the
future to be in March, also that the Name of our town may be
altered to the Name of Sui.ivan — Likewise as our town is
Liable to be Divided at the Governours pleasure we pray that
we May not be Divided without the Consent of the Major part
of the town —
and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Packerfield December 22""^ ^777
Nath" Breed in the Name and behalf
of the town
[The H. of Rep. granted leave to " bring in a bill," but it
was finally ordered "to lay for consideration." — Ed.]
[7-252] \^George BrintnalV s 07-der to march^ ijyS.']
m"" george Brintnall Sir
you are hearby ordered to march immedately to the Hon^
Committee of Safty or muster master genral at Exeter there to
Receive your Billiten and Expence money as one Engage"^ in
the Continental Servise for nine months according to the orders
I Reciev"^ from Co' Enoch Hale
Packerfield may ye 5"' 177S
James Bancroft Cap'
[7-251] \_Relative to Taxes^ Totvti Records^ etc.^ iY'/8.'\
To the Honorable the Counsil and assembly of the Estate of
Newhamshire —
We the Subscribers Select Men of the Town of Packerfield
in the Countie of Cheshire Humbly Request Your Honours
that You Would be Pleased to Grant them Some farther Time
for Paying in the State tax for the Reasons following Viz —
first because W^e Receiv'' the act for Making the tax but
638 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
about a Week Past & the Time is too Short to Sell the Lands
Seacondly because Maj"" Breed Batchellor who is Proprietors
Clerk has absconded and Joyned the Enemy (tho we have
Searched) we cannot find the Plan or Records of the Proprie-
tors Rights or the Publick Lotts therefore as the Greater Part
of the Township is Owned by Persons Living Out of Town
and Unknown to us We Cannot Make the Rates according to
Law Without a Plan of the Town We Shall Endeavour to Git
One from the Lord Proprietors Records —
Likewise We Would Request Your Honours to aquaint Us
Whether the Late adition to an Act Entitled an act to assess
Real and Personal Estates Viz all Other Real Estate Either
Lands or Buildings Not Licluded in the first act is Likewise to
be Rated in all Other Town and Parish Rates as Apprehend
Was the Intent of the act but by a Clause in the act Seems
Doubtful to Some what was Intended and Your Petitioners as
in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Packerfield Feby 9"^ 1778
John Brown ] Select Men of
Amos Skinner ( Packerfield
[7-21^3] \_Relative to Estate of T/io?nas Packer, etc., lySo.']
To The Honourable Council and House of Representatives, of
the State of New Hampshire, In general Court Assembled.
May it please your Honors.
The Petition of the Select Men of the Town of Packerfield
humbly Sheweth. — Whereas the last general Assembly of
this State was pleased to pass an Act, to Suspend the payment
of the Taxes of the Lands of mr Thomas Packer, until the Dis-
pute with respect to the last Will And Testament of his late
Father, Thomas Packer Esq', is determined Which Act or
Order of the said general Assembly involves the Town in much
Difticulty. as by this Means We are prevented Settling with
the Treasurer of this State, And receiving the Money ordered
by Law to be paid by Sd Treasurer for the Beef which this
Town has provided And Sent to the Army. Therefore Your
Petitioners humbly pray That your Honors would be pleased,
to pass an Act or Order, That the Sd Suspended Tax, Should
Answer So much with the Sd Treasurer, that the Town may
draw their Proportion of Money for the Beef which the Town
has provided. And your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall
ever pray
Packerfield Decern-" 30"^ 17S0.
William Barker ] Select Men of the
John Brown | town of Packerfield
NELSON. 639
[7-254] \^Retur7i of Ratable Polls, i/8j.^
Pursuant to A Vote of the General assembly of the State of
New Hampshire Directed to us we Return Ninety Male poles
paying a pole tax for them Selves within the Town of Packer-
field
Packerfield November lo'*" 17S3 —
To the General assembly of the State of New : Hampshire —
Samuel Griffin | Select
Consider Ossfood ( men
[7-257 S^Relative to a division of the To-wn for the forma-
tio7i of Sullivati, ij86.^
To the Honourable the Senate and House of Representatives
for the State of New Hampshire in General Court Convean**
At Portsmouth December A. D. 17S6
The petition in behalf of the Town of Packersfeild Humblv
Sheweth that your petitioners have ben Serv*^ With a Copy of
a petition and order of Comt thereon signed by a number of
the Inhabitants of the Towns of Gilsom Stoddard & keen Set-
ing forth in S'' petition that the Situation of a number of the
Inhabitants of the Towns aforesaid Togather with Part of the
inhabitants of the Town of Packerfeild is such that they Can-
not be accomedated with Privileges Equal to the other Inhabi
tants of their respective Towns, one Part of which Ascertion
your Petitioners absolutely Deny Because there is not one
Inhabitant on the Land in packersfeild Praid for in Said Peti-
tion—
Althoug at a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Packerfield in the month of March A. D. 17S4 There was a
Petition Sign'' by a Number of the Inhabitants of the Towns of
Gilsom Stoddard and Keen Preferd in Said meeting praying
that the Town of Packerfeild would Vote oft' a Certain part of
Packerfeild to be Erected into a Town S** part to Contain Two
Miles East and west and Two miles and a half North and South
which would Contain one Eighth Part of Said Packerfeild and
from the reasons oftered at that Time and through inadvertency
of the People the prayer of Said Petition was granted upon
Conditions that all the respective Towns Concern'' ware mutu-
ally agreed thereto (Sence Which Period) not supposing that
the petitioners referd to would obtain their request before the
general Assembly) have proceeded to agree upon a Center for
Erecting a meeting House and have made provision for the
Same therefore if the Praver to the Inhabitants of the town of
640 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Gilsom and others Preferd to the General Court Should be
Granted it will be a means of removing the Present Center and
frustrate our Design in Building a House for Public Worship
and thro the Town into the uttermost Confusion imaginable
and as we look upon your Honours as Guardians of the State
your Petitioners flatter themselves that your honours in your
known Wisdom Will not Erect a New Town on the ruins of
older ones : therefore your Petitioners pray that the prayer of
the petition referd to may not be granted
As in Duty Bound Shall ever pray
Solomon Wardwell i Select men of
Solomon Ingalls > the town of
Pelatiah Day j Packerfeild
Packersfeild Decem^ ist 17S6
[The north-west part of the town was severed, and with
portions of Gilsum and Keene incorporated into the town
of Sullivan.]
ry_25^] \^Petition of Ruth BatcheUer^ concerning her Hus-
band'' s conjiscated Estate^ I'/Sg.']
State of New-Hampshire. —
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives In gen-
eral Court assembled. —
May it please your Honors. The Petition of Ruth Batchellor
of Packersfield, humbly sheweth. That your Petitioner is the
Widow relict of Breed Batchellor Esq'' late of S** Packersfield —
Deceased. Who in the Time of the Controversy with Britain,
was dissatisfied with the Measures the States Adopted, in order
to obtain their Liberties, and delivering themselves from the
hands of the Britons, And therefore Left his Wife, Children &
Estate, and went to the British Army. Upon which the whole
of his Estate, real & personal was Confiscated. And your Peti-
tioner with her Children, was left in distressing Circumstances,
her Children being then Small, And unable to earn their Liv-
ing, tho your Petitioner, by the Indulgence of the honorable
Judge of Probates, has been for some Years past, indulged with
the Improvement of the Home Farm, which when mr Batchel-
lor left it was new And ruff", the Fences made Chiefly of Tim-
ber, which now are mostly rotten And Decayed. And the
Buildings are greatly decayed & impaired. By which our Hab-
itations are rendered uncomfortable, And the profits of the Farm
are greatly lessened and rendered insufficient to afford the Fam-
ily, with all their Labour & Industry a Comfortable Support.
NELSON. 641
Therefore your Petitioner humbly Prays that your Honors
would take into your serious Consideration the Case of a poor
widow And a Number of Fatherless Children, and grant the
•said Home Farm to your Petitioner & her Children And to
their Heirs forever. That they may be encouraged to repair
the Buildings & Fences, by which the Farm may be rendered
Capable of affording the Family a Support, And Your Petition-
■er as in Duty bound, shall ever pray. —
Packersfield June 2d, 1789.
Ruth Batcheller
[In H. of Rep., June 12, 1789, it was voted that Mrs.
Batcheller have the use of the estate free of rent until the
matter was finally settled. — Ed.]
£7-261] \_CertiJicate of Number of Ratable Polls,, iyg4.'\
This Certifies that their is in the Town of Packersfield one
Hundred and forty two Male Poles of twenty one Years of age
and upwards paying a pole tax for them-Selves —
Sam' Griffin ) Select Men
Amos Child J of Packersfield
Packersfield June y" 2'^ ^794
This Certifies that at a legal Town Meeting held in the Town
of Packersfield on the twenty eighth Day of April Last the In-
habitants Voted imanimously that the Selectmen of Said Town
Petition the General Court at their next Session for leave to
Send a Representative
Sam' Griffin T. Clerk
Packersfield June y® 2d i794 —
f 7-262] \_Relative to Representative,, I'/g^.']
To His Excellency the Governer the Honorable Senate and
House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire to
be Convened at Amherst on the first wednsday of June next —
Humbly Sheweth your Petitinors Inhabitants of the Town of
Packersfield have for Some Years past been Classed with the
Town of Dublin for Representation that Said Dublin have now
Come of age and Send a Representative for them Selves by
which means your Petitinors not having a Sufficient Number
paying a pole Tax for them Selves are left Unrepresented —
43
642 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Therefore Pray your Honors to take our Case into your wise
Consideration and grant us releafe in the Premises Either by
Classing or Granting us leave to Send a Representative by our
Selves and your Petitinors as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
&c—
Sam' Griffin | Select Men
Amos Child j of Packersfield
Packersfield June y^ 2^ ^794 —
NEW BOSTON
The township was granted by the government of the
Massachusetts bay, March 20, 1735, O. S., to John Simpson
and others, who were soldiers, or heirs of soldiers, engaged
in the Canada expedition of 1690.
An arrangement was made December 24, 1752, whereby
the Masonian proprietors relinquished their claim on the
territory, including a large tract in addition to the Massa-
chusetts grant, which addition was incorporated with Fran-
cestown in 1772.
New Boston was incorporated with town privileges Feb-
ruary 18, 1763, and Col. John Goffe, of Bedford, authorized
to call the first meeting.
June 18, 1836, the farm of Isaac Parker, situated in the
north-east corner, was severed from this town and annexed
to Goffstown.
Some of the grantees and settlers were from Boston,.
Mass., and named this town in memory of their former
home.
The men in the First N. H. Regt., in the Revolution,,
from this town were John Jordon, Thomas McNeil, Benja-
min Stone, and a negro named Peter Brewer : the latter
died in the service.
[R. 3-9] S^John Bu)-tis^ Soldier^ 1/60.']
The memorial of John Burn of a Plantation called New-Bos-
ton in the Province of New-Hampshire : Humbly Sheweth that
I was an Inlisted Soldier in the Hampshire Regiment for the
NEW BOSTON. 643
last Campaign — viz in the year 1759, under the special com-
mand of Cap* Nehemiah Lovewell. * * *
New Boston March y^ 21'' 1760. uu
John X Burn
mark
[He further stated that he was with the army at Ticon-
deroga and " Chenecdada," where he was taken sick. Lieut.
Ebenezer Lyon, of Amherst, and John Harvell, of Litch-
field, certified to being in the same regiment, and that the
statement of Burns was true. He was allowed ;!^7-io
sterling. — Ed.]
[7-1 16] \^House but'ned^ iyj6.'\
The deposition of James Hunter, of a place Called new Bos-
ton in the province of new hampshire who testifieth and saith
that in the month of march 1756 my hous in new Boston afor-
said was by acedant Burned and all therin destroyed so that
nothing was left that the flams Could Consume and in it was
Consimied Eghteen pounds old tener of the bills of Cridet of
this province which I had in the hous and as I am Informed the
Court make all such good again and further saith not
James Hunter
[Sworn to before Robert Boyes, Justice of the Peace.
He was allowed £,^-\o " out of the money in the treasury
to be burnt." — Ed.]
[7-1 17] \^Pciition for a?i Incorporation^ lydo.^
To His Exelency Bening Wentwoth Govener in chief in and
over his Majesties Province of New-Hampshire & To the
Honourable His Majesties Councill
The Memorial of Thomas Coclu^an and others humbly Shew-
eth That Some Time before the War began about the Year
forty Three a few famelies began to Settle upon a Tract of
Land called New-Boston which Tract of Land was formerly
Granted by the General Court of the Massechusets Bay to a
party of Soldiers Belonging to the Canada Expedition formerly
as a Reward in part for their good Service ; which Tract of
Land is Bounded Easterly upon Bedford and a Tract of Land
called Gofts Town Notherly upon a Tract of Land called Hales
Town Westerly upon a Slip of Land granted to said Proprie-
644 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tors by the Purchasers of Masons Patent As also upon a Tract
of Land formerly called Salem-Canada Latly Lindburrough
Southerly upon a Tract of Land called Soughegan West The
Contents of which is about Six Mild Square as will appear by
the Plan. And altho' those few families that Settled before the
War Commenced ; Descerted the Settlements in the Time of
the War, yet as Soon as the War concluded, immediately took
possession and have made Considerable Improvement. Since
which many More families have Settled upon the Same Ti'act
of Land to the Number of Twenty families or upward — And as
we are all of the Presbeterian Constetution. So we are Solicitous
to Settle a Minister of our own Constetution, that we may quietly
enjoy Christain Privileges, and we think an Incorporation tends
greatly to promote the Same as well as to Advance the Settle-
ment of the Town, and many other Advantages Consaquent
upon it too Numerous to be incerted ; So with the lowest Sub-
mission we beg leave to address your Excellency & Honours
for a Charter of our Township according to the Contents above
Specified and doubt not but that in your great Wisdom & Clem-
ency will answer our reasonable Request. And So your
Memorialist as in dutv bound will ever pray
New-Boston Jun^ i6"^ 1760
thomas Cochran Abraham Cochran Will : McNeil
Nathanel Cochran peter Cochran John Blair
John M'^Laughlen Hugh Blaeir Joh'i macallester
Alexander M'^Colom Henry Person James ferson
Daniel M'^Murphy William Gray Robert white
James Hunter James Cochran
thomas Willson John Cochran
[The plan referred to is very simple. The town was
incorporated by the governor and council Feb. 18, 1763. —
Ed.]
[7-1 19] \_ReIative to Boiitzdary Llnes.'\
The deposition of James Ferson of full age testifieth and
Saith. that he was one of the Chainmen in measuring New
Boston along with m"" Sheepherd and we Gave no alowance for
up hill nor down hill nor Swage of Chain nor fallen Logs nor
Crook of Chain and further Saith not
Jams ferson
[Sworn before Robert Boyes, Justice of the Peace.]
NEW BOSTON. 645
[7-120] \_Relative to the Petition for an Incorporatio7i^
1761.]
To his Exelencv Bening wintworth Esq"" Governor and Co-
mander in Chife in and over his maj' province of new hamp-
shire and to his maj'' Ho'*''* Counsel of said province. —
The humble petition of pairt of the Inhabetanc of that tract of
Land Called new boston in the province of new hampshire most
Humbly sheweth
that your Pettitioners are Informed that pairt of the Inhabe-
tonce of this setelment hath petitioned your Exelance and Hon"
to Incorprait pairt of this settelment shutting out pairt of our
Inhabetance and Land in order to draw the mitting near them-
selves and to draw the mitting hous from other pairt of the In-
habetance and hath sent down the said petition without aquant-
ing a grait pairt of the Inhabtance, and many that signed said
petition understood that the vvhol of the Land and Inhabtance
was in said petition
may it therfor pleas your Excelanc and Honers, not to seprat
our settelment if it should pleas you to Incorprat our settelment
but keep it together that so wee may be able to plant the Gos-
pel among us and not for any party whatsoever to sepreat and
brak us to peaces and your Petetitoners as in Duty bound shal
Ever pray deatted at new boston this fourth day of feberuary
1761
Hugh Gregg Will : M'^Neill John Carson
James ferson Henrv Person John Brown
^ ^ !;'' n John Smitli tomes Brown
Gewet X Kowan a j A\r n c 1 xt- 1 1
n,„,^ Andrew Walker bamuel JNickels
William Blair thomas Smith
T 1 !"'! Til • Samuel Smith
ohn X Blair iir-n- r-
-> ^,y Wdhm Gray
[7-1 21] \_Relative to locating- a Meetitig- House, 176^.']
Province of New hampshire
To his Exelency Benin Wentworth Esq"" Governor And Co-
mander In Cheif In and over His Majesties Province of New-
hampshier And to The Honourable His Majesties Council
and house of Representatives In General Assembly Con-
vend —
The Humble Pettition of the Propretors Freeholders And
Inhabitants of the town of New boston In Said Province Most
Humbly Sheweth —
646 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That The Proprietors of the said Newboston At their Metting
September The Fourteenth 1762 Chose three Men to Choice A
Proper Phice to Build A Meeting House Upon In Said town
And upon the fourteenth Day of July 1763 the Said Men Mett
At Newboston Aforesaid And After Some time Spent gave In
their Judgment that A Place Upon the lot No 79 Near the
South End of Said lot was A Proper Place to Build a Meeting
House for Said town Which Judgment was And Is wrong For
it Is only to Serve one Part of the town Not The whole Not-
withstanding the government had InCorperated the whole of the
town vet they Laid Aside Part of the town to the Amount of
Six or Seven thousand Acres of As good Land As the other
Part of the town And Allowed that No Priveledges of the Meet-
ing house So that Some Part of the town will Bee Above five
Miles from The meeting House And Did Not give the Rest that
Remained A Just Center Paid No Regard to the Town As In-
corperated By the Government But made A town As they
thought fitt themselves which Judgment was Accepted At A
Proprietors Meeting And A meeting House Raised According-
ly which will Brake the town to Pieces if Not quickly Reme-
dyed And Greatly Hinder the Gosples Seteling there And So
Prove fatal to the Peace of the town Therefore wee Pray Your
Exelency And Honours To Take our Distresed Case Into Con-
sideration And Grant Such Relief to Your Petitioners As Your
Exelency And Honours As You In your Great wisdom Shall
think Proper And your Petisioners As In Duty Bound Shall
Ever Pray
Newboston November the 6*"^ 1765
Will : M'^Neill James Gregg Reuben Smith
Hugh Gregg James Gregg Junior Robert Boyes
John Blair Heneryferson Andrew Walkar
James Person William Clark Rob' Clark
John Smith Jesse Cristy William White
Samuel Smith Thomas Brown William white Junior
William Blair John Livingstone Joseph Boyes
william Boyes John Brown
Paul Person Robert Hogg
[The foregoing petition was dismissed. — Ed.]
[7-122] \^Relative to JMinisterial Lot, iy68.']
At A Leagal meeting of the freeholders of the Town of New-
boston held by Ajournment On the third day of December
1767
NEW BOSTON. 647
Voted that the Lott N° 61, Drawed in said Town for the first
•Ordained Minister of the Gospell that Shall be Settled in S*^
Town, be Exchanged for the Lott N° =^3 that was Drawed for
the Benefit of the School in Said Town & that S" Lott N" 53 be
for s^ minister & that S'' Lott N" 61 be for Said School for to
•Continue for Ever hearafter
Newboston March i" 176S
A Coppy Attest p"" William Clark Town Clerk
[7-1 23[ \_Relative to the formatio7i of Counties, I'j6g.~\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq. Captain, General,
Governor, and Commander, in Chief, in and Over his Maj-
esty's, Province of New Hampshire, &c, the Honourable his
Majesty's Council, and House of Representatives, in General
Assembly Convened —
The Petition of the subscribers. Inhabitants in New-Boston
in said Province, Most Humbly sheweth — That your Petition-
ers are informed, that the Province is About to be Divided into
Countys, for the ease and benefit of the Inhabitants, in General,
in transacting their business of a Public nature, and being also
informed that the General Assembly have Voted a small Coun-
ty to be set ofi'. Extending from the westerly line of Peter-
borough, to the easterly line of Litchfield, thinlv Inhabited, and
not Capable to Receive many more, and we Humbly Ofl'er our
Opinion, that the Necesary Expence of said County will Over
Balance the advantages, and the profits, of the Publick Ofiices,
be so trifling, that, no Gent" Equal to said Ofiices will under-
take—
Therefor your Petitioners pray, the Towns of Bow, Chester,
Londonderry, Pelham, Plasto, salem, Hamstead, and sandovvn,
which Conveniently situated, may be Annexed to said County,
and your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound will ever pray &c.
April, 3*^, AD 1769.
Daniel m'^millan Will™ Clark John Smith
Will : M'^Neill Thomas Cochran Davied Wilson
James Person John Burns Will'" Dickey
Thomas Willson James Cochran John Blair
John M'=millan George Cristy Will'" Blair
Hendry Person John Cochran Robert Livingston
John M^allester Peter Cochran Will"^ Livingston
Samuel nichols John m'^millan Jun"" Robert Livingston
Paul Person William Kelcy Jur
James Person Jur Will"" M'^neil Jur Alex'' Gregg Ju""
648 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Abraham Cochran Ananias m'^allaster John Gregg
James Hunter Daniel m'^AUaster Nenian Clark
Solomon Moor vDm Robert Patterson Will'" Boyes
James Caldwell Robert Boyd Samuel Smith
Robert white Tho^ m'^Colom John Livingston
Natheniel Cochran James Gregg Thomas Cochran Jur
David Henderson John mclaughlan Josiah Hitching
John Cochran Jun'' John mclaughlan Ju'' Josiah Warren
James Cochran Jun' Reuben Smith Thomas Warren
[7-124] \^Petition for the Incorporation of a new Town^.
Province of New Hampshire
To his Excellency John Wentworth Esq'' Cap* General and
Governor in Chief in and Over his Majesteys Provence of
New Hampshire And to the Honorable his Majestys Coun-
cil and House of Representatives and General Court Assem-
bled—
The Petition of us the Subscribers Humbly sheweth that
Whereas the Township of New Boston in said Province of
New Hampshire and County of Hills Bonough Lawing in
Shuch A form And Manner that it Very Much Discomodes the
Settlers More Especialv those in the New Addition of said
Township the Meeting House in the Town being in the Center
of the Old Town Cutts of the New Addition from Any Con-
venient Communication, with the Old Town And Where as
there are a Number of Men Settled and About to Settle On
that Part of the Society Land Called the W^allingsfords Right
and Others, who are far Distant from Aney Town Preveledges
•with Respect to the Gospell or with Respect to Roads as there
are two Roads through said Land One Leading from Amherst
to hills Borrough And the Other to Betters Borrough by which
the Inhabeters of said towns Are Sufferers and as the Inhabe-
ters of the Society Land is Onder No Town Goverment, We
your Petitioners Humbly Desire Your Excelency and Honnors
to form that part of New Boston Called the New Addition and'
part of the Society Land Lito a Township Agreeable to the
Plan herewith Exebeted Or Larger if Your Excelency, and
Honours thinks Proper Not Exceeding Six Miles Square Or
Equal thereto your Excelency and Honours Complyance here-
with W^ill Very Much Serve the Interest of your Petisioners
More Especialy the Settlers within the Lemits of said Plan and
Not Disserve Any One and Your Humble Petisioners as in:
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
New Boston July the 22*^ 1771 —
NEW BOSTON.
649
Tho' Brown
Tho* Qi-'igley
Sam'^ Nickles
Sam'^ Nutt
David Lewis
Nathan fislier
John Brown
John Dickey
Addam Dickey
Isaac Lewis
John Qiiigley
James Dickey
Arron Lewis
Will'" Sterret
Will™ Dickey
Will'" Lee
Will"- M'^M aster
Will"' Qiiiglev
Will"" Butterfield
Sam' Butterfield
Rob' Hopkin
Daniel Bigsby
James Hopkens
Will"' Holms
Olever Holmes
Zachariah White
John Hall
Daniel Hall
Sam' Hall
Alex^ Parker
Isaac Butterfield
Sam' Marten
Mosses Lewes
Henerv ]M'=ferson
John Hopkens
Rob' Alexander
John Carson
Rob' Wier
Sam' fisher
[The portion of this town called New Boston Addition
and a portion of Society Land were combined and incorpo-
rated into the town of Francestown, June 8, 1772. — Ed.]
[7-125] \^State7nent fro?n the Committees of Safety of Ne-w
Boston^ Weare^ and Fi'ancestown^ -^775']
To the Honorable the Provincial Congress, Council of War or
Committee of Safety sitting at Exeter in and for the Province
of New Hampshire. Gentlemen —
We the Subscribers being Committees of Safety for our re-
spective Towns think it our indispensable Duty to remonstrate
to You Gentl" as the Guardians of our Province the malan-
cholly and unhappy Scituation of our County by Reason of a
Number of Disorderlv Persons who laying aside all Reason
and Rules prescribed by You Gentle'" and the Wisdom of the
Continent, have set them-selves as it were in Battle Array
against all Order; and pursue with hasty steps the very Road
to Confusion and Effusion of Blood therefore from such un-
natural Behaviour fearing the worst of Consequences if not
speedily prevented and conscious that we have done every thing
in our Power hitherto within our proper spheres of Action to
prevent a Consequence so horrible in its Nature and so utterly
subversive of Peace and Unity and seeing the dreadful Eve of
domestick War now blackening over our Heads we now avail
our-selves of the last Etibrt in applying to You Gentl" in whom
this Province has reposed so much Confidence, humbly be-
seeching You in your great Wisdom to point out Some more
effectual Method than has heretofore been taken, that all Per-
sons who have been fairly and impartially examined and Justly
and honourably acquitted of the odious Names Tories and
•650 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Enemies to their Country may rest in Peace for the future and
have an Opportunity by their future good Behavior to prove to
the World what Malice itself must acknowledge and applaud
and unless some such Method be Speedily taken (in our opin-
ions) our County will soon discover that Committees of Safety
-are but Empty Names and the last Distress of Nations our only
Asylum and Place of Resort If the Above Remonstrances
should appear to you Gentl" Reasonable and worthy of Notice
Your Compliance therewith will conferr very great obligations
■on Gent" Your most obed' h''* Serv'^
New Boston July rS 1775
Charls mellen '^
John Dickey I ^ ... r c r *.
< -r>- 1 Committee 01 Sarety
ames J^isher > r r^ rn
Ti\T.,,. „ , { tor r ranees iown
William m'^master |
Thos M'^Laughlen j
James m'^Farson ~\
William moor > Committee for New Boston
Daniel m'^allester )
William Dustan ~)
Timothy worthly \ r^ -^^ c wt
T^i T-> 1 > Committee tor Weare
Ebenezer Bayley j
Sam Philbrick J
1^7-1 26] [ Concerning Dr. Jonathan Gove^ ^777 ''\
State of New Hampshire — Hillsborough ss
To the Hon'''® the Council and house of Representatives for the
state aforesaid —
The Petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth that
-whereas D"" Jonathan Gove of Newboston of the State and
County afores*^ is Now and for better than three Months last
past has been a Prisoner Closely Con6ned by your Honors we
understand for being inimical to the American Cause and for
Contriving and Plotting the Distruction of this and the other
united States and assisting the Enemies thereof. We beg leave
to assure Your Honors that we have had an intimate acquaint-
ance with him the s** D'' Gove for years before the Commence-
ment of this unhappy and unnatural War, and what his
thoughts have been Respecting the same we Humbly submit
to God alone the only Searcher of Hearts and tryer of the
Reigns of the Children of Men, but as to his Conduct he has
been above his full Proportion in every Respect towards Main-
taining and supporting both the civil and Military Goverment
NEW BOSTON. 65 I
of this State and that the Town is Now Considerably indebted
to him for wliat he has paid over and above his Proportion for
the support and maintainance of the Present War, we wish Not
to Clear the Guilty, or to bernish Crimes but beg leave to say
that we do not nor ever did Conceive of him as A Dangerous
Man to the state but (quite the Contrary) A good generous and
Peaceable subject of Society, and faithful and succesful in his
Imployment as A Physician verey tender of all Commited to
his Care the want of whose assistance we verey tenderly feal
in times of Sickness having scarcely anywhere else to go for
Releif, Not having A Phvsician that we Can Depend upon
within twenty Miles of us and knowing No Evil of him and
being intiniatelv aquainted with him beg Leave to intreat of
your Honours that he may be liberated, and be Relieved from
the Pains of Imprisonment and Restored to his Distressed
Family and Friends again we fully Conclude that your Hon-
ours have No Persanal knowledge of him and that your Opin-
ions must be founded upon the Evidence of otliers and we Can
Conceive of No persons so likely to Evidence for or against
him with Justice and truth as those who have had a long and
intimate Acquaintance with him we have great Reason to
belive that his Present Misfortunes have Reather arisen from
Prejudice than from any good his accusers wish to do to the
State or united States we only wish him Justice and Can't but
think he has been wrongfully accused and Much injured. We
fully Rely on your Honors Humanity and Desire of Doing
Justice according to your Evidence and are fully persuaded
that your Honors wish Not to punish the Innocent any More
than to Clear the Guilty and that Your Honors Judgment will
be swayed by that Evidence which is of the best kind, and
humbly Conceave that no Persons Can be better acquainted
with the General tenor of any Mans Conduct than those who
have had a long and familiar acquaintance with him therefore
we beg leave to Repeat that we do and Ever have Considered
Him as a good Generous and Peaceable Member of Society,
and that his behaviour has been such as Can and ought to be
Justified Therefore we your Petitioners Earnestly pray that he
May again have his Liberty and that he may be again a Benefit
to and Receive benefit from Society in general and those of his
Friends and Family more particularly and we your Petitioners
as in Duty bound will Ever Pray
New Boston August 35'^ 1777
James m^Ferson Gorge Cristey Alexander Patterson
Robart Willson Jesse Cristey John Cochran
James Willson David Stinson Thomas Karr Ju""
John Willson Thomas Cochran James m'^Ferson
652 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John M'^Intosh Allan Moore Paul m'^Ferson
Samuel Petterson Peter Cochran John Gordan
Robert white William moor Robert Patterson
Andrew white William Campbell N" Clark
Daniel m'^Allester John Donovan Tobias Butler
William Kelso Barnebes Meginis David Gregg
Reuben Smith Alexander Kelso
[R. 3-13] \_yohn Hunter^ ivotinded at Bunker Hill.^
To the Hon'^'*' Council and House of Representatives for the
Colony of New Hamp'' —
Humbl}' shews John Hunter of New Boston in said Colony
that your Petitioner was so unhappy on the thirteenth Day of
January Last in the Evening — as to drop his Pocket book at
his fathers door which he found the Next morning in which
was to the Amount of fifteen Dollars and an half which was so
tore by the swine at y^ door as to Render it Qiiite unservicable
which was all the money he was then possess'd of and which
was his waiges he had Receiv'd for his pay as a Soldier in the
Colony service, in Col° Starks Regiment in which service he
was wounded in the Battle at Bunkers Hill — Wherefore your
Petitioner prays your honors wou'd be pleased to order the
treasurer to Exchange his torn bills or Grant him Relief in any
way Your Honors shall think Proper, and your Petitioner as
in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray &i'^
his
John X hunter
mark
June y'^ 7"' 1776—
test — Sam' Gilman jr —
[His claim was allowed. — P2d.]
[R. 3-14] \_R/iode Island SoIdie?-s, jyyS,']
New Boston October y'' 7 AD 1779
Acording to the Orders Received From Coll. Daniel Moor
Dated August 5"' 177S directed to Cap' William Boyes in said
New Boston Wherein order was Given to the Select Men of
said town to pay ten Pounds Lawful Money to Each man that
would go to Rhodisaland as a Volenteer Soldier as a Bounty
and that it Should Be alowed to the town as part of our State
tax and we the Select men of said town has payed ten Pounds
Lawful money to Each man that went to Rhodisland whose
NEW BOSTON. 653
Names folows Viz Cap' William Boyes, Robert Petterson,
Robert Waugh, Josiah Hichings, Archibald A'PAlester, John
M'^Alester, Eliphlet Duston, James Willson, Samuel Calchvell
Ruben Gregg, John APMillin Jur, Elisha Dodge, William
Waugh, James M'^Ferson, John Cochran, James VVaugh Reu-
ben Smith, John M'Millan, Robert Willson William Living-
ston.
P. S. Said money we Received From Alexander Willson
Constable for the year 177S
Robert Campbell
Robert Patterson \ Select Men
Nehemi
Campbell \
; Patterson >
liah Dodge )
fR. 3-15] \_Robertson and ^IcA/illan^ zvoicnded at Btcnker
Hill.']
[Petition of Peter Robertson and Archibald McMillan ad-
dressed to the General Assembly.]
Humbly Shews
That your Petitioners were both wounded at the Battle of
Bunker hill, and in Consideration of that Miss fortune a former
assembly of this State granted the Pention of 20/ per month
each which was then some help in Suporting their Familys,
but by the great Depreciation which the paper Circulation has
Suftered it has now become of but Little Service —
Your Petitioners therefore most Humbly pray that your
Honers will take their Case into your benevolent Consideration
and Augment their allowances so as in some measvne to relieve
them in their Pressing necessitys — and Your Petitioners as in
Duty bound Shall Ever pray —
Peter Robertson
Archabarl m'^melin
Dated at Amherst March i' 17S0 —
Ordered to lay
[R. 3-16] \_yonathan Margery^ ivottnded at Saratoga.'^
[Petition of Jonathan Margery addressed to the Council and
House of Representatives.]
Sheweth —
That at the commencement of the W^ar, he voluntarilv en-
listed into the service of the State, in the Regiment commanded
by Coll Starks, and afterwards in that commanded by Coll
Hale; in which he served untill the 25"* day of July 1777;
654 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when in an Action near Saratoga he received a Ball in his Hip,
which has not 3'et been extracted : That his enlistment was dur-
ing the War, and he being unable to perform duty in a march-
ing Regiment, he returned home, since which, by order of the
Honorable Committee of Safety, he has done duty, as an Inva-
lid, at Port Washington, Piscatiqua-Harbour ; during all of
which time, he has been an obedient, diligent and faithfull
Soldier.
That he has a small Farm in New-Boston in this State partly
improved, on which he could make a comfortable living for
himself, and his Family, should the honorable Court be pleased
to grant him a discharge from the Service ; his pay as a Sol-
dier, has been so small, and not received for so many months
past, that his Family has suffered greatly ; That his House, and
small improvements on his little place, are all going to ruin,
for want of his care and Labour ; and his destitute Family in a
short time must become a much greater burden, and expence
to the community then his poor services as an Invalid-Soldier
can possibely repay.
He therefore most humbly and earnestly intreats your Hon-
ors to take his Case into consideration and grant him a dis-
charge from the Service ; and your humble Petitioner as in duty
bound, shall ever pray.
Jonathan margerrey
Fort Washington Dec' 31'' 17S1
[R. 3-17] S^Relative to yohnston. Smithy 1/82.^
This is to Certifey to all to Whom it May Consarn that
Johnston Smith formerly a Soldier Belonging to Newboston
being for Sum time Desserted is now Given him self up and
Returning to his Duttey Sined by us
James willson \
James Caldwell > Select Men
Jesse Cristey j
Newboston, June the 1^' 17S3
[R. 3-18, 19.]
[Samuel Boyd stated that he was in the service of this
state from New Boston ; that when he left the service there
was j£22 his due, which had been drawn by one Robert
Jones, on a forged order. The amount was allowed him. —
Ed.]
NEW BOSTON. 655
[7-1 27J \_Reti(rn of Ratable Polls^ ^7^3 •']
New Boston Dec"^ 2 AD 17S3
Agreable to the Desire of the General Court we have taken
the Number of Polls Above twenty one years of age and it is
as folows Viz one hundred and fifty two Certified by us
James Caldwell
Josiah Warren \- Select men
Jesse Cristy
[7-1 28] \^Concerning Dr. Gove a/id Silas Hedges., I'j86.~\
State of New Hampshire —
To the hon**'* the General Court for said State humbly shew
That whereas D"" Jon" Gove of New-Boston was convicted
of passing Counterfiet Money knowing the same to be such
(on or about the Month of Oct"" 177S) and was then Sentenced
to pay a heavy Fine — cost of Court and suffer Imprisonment
&c which Sentence was duly executed, altho' we fully believe
that that Conviction could never have happened had it not been
for the Testimony of one Silas Hedges a most atrocious villian
who (we reasonably suppose) to escape deserved Justice him-
self was induced bv perjury and falsehood to saddle another
with that Disgrace and punishment which he himself had most
amply merited, we beg Leave to say that had his Character
then been fully known his Evidence could not have had tiie
least weight either with Court or Jury, and as the Constitution
of this State expresly declares that every person has a Right to
have Recourse to the Laws for Injuries that he has suffered —
and said Gove has petitioned the General-Court for a rehearing
upon that Conviction or upon his proving the perjury of the
Evidence upon which He was convicted that his Sentence may
be reversed and made void — VVe humbly conceive it to be a
most Reasonable Request, and earnestly wish that the praver
thereof may be granted, for We fully believe that excepting the
Matter of that Conviction — his Character ever has been and
still is good — and that in his practice (which by no Means has
been small) he has ever dealt faithfully and inipartially alwavs
endeavoring as much as in Him Lay to afford Relief to Rich
and poor Friend and foe without Distinction wherefore we
earnestly pray that your honors would take his Case into your
most serious Consideration and grant him his Request — and
your petitioners Subjects of said State as in Duty bound will
ipray—
may 25 17S6
6s6
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Robert m'^Calley
John Johnston
Moses Butterfield
Samuel Stickney
Amaziah Pollard
Tho* Cochran
James Crombie
Robert Cochran
Samuel Stickney
And^ Jack
Jesse Cristy Jun'
Samuel Towne
Josiah Abbott
John Cochran
John McLaughlen
Junr
Sam' Dodge
Archelaus Towne
will'" Betty
William Clark
Ninian Clark
Daniel Dane
David Stinson
James Person
Paul Person
James Person Ju''
John Jordan
Peter Cochran
Arthur Denis
William Camiel
John Gordon
Simon Dodge
David Goodell
Robert Willson
Abner Hogg
Ananias M'^Allester
Daniel APAlester J""
Joseph M'^Allester
Samuel Bradford
Rob' Campbell
Joseph Hasleton
Nathaniel Martin
John Davis
Josiah Warren
Allen moor
John Brown
Ninian Aiken
Jesse Cristy
Nathaniel Dodge
Josiah Hutchings
Juner
Tobias Butler
James Adams
Nathaniel Bootman
Thomas Smith
James Smith
Joseph Cochran
William Hogg
John Hogg
John Livingston
William White
Rob' Clark
John Clark
John Burns
James Willson Ju''
Noah Dodge
Daniel m^Allester
John M'^AUester Ju'
John M^A-Ilester
Elisha Dodge
Elisha Dodge Jun'
George Cristy
Rob' White
Robert White Jur
W"' Kelso
Alex"^ Kelso
W"' Livingston
Alexander M'Col-
lom
Will'" White Ju'
Thomas Cristy
Samul Willson
John Kenedy
James Karr
Daniel Kelso
Joseph M'^Kenzie
David McLaughlen
John Lyndsay
David Caldwell
Sam' Betton
Isaac Peabody
Th^ Willson
Robert Willson Jur
Alex'' Willson
Alex"" Willson Jur
Tho' Willson jur
James willson
Sam' Brown
Oliver Shipple
Elias Dickev
Will"' Blair"
John Hammett
Peter Clark Ju^
Nath' Clark
John Smith
[Many other papers relating to this case may be found in
"Miscellaneous File, 1786," in secretary of state's office. —
—Ed.]
[7-1 29J \_Instnictions to Representative^ I'j8'j.~\
To Docf Jon'' Gove—
Sir The Town of Newboston having placed great Confi-
dence in your Abilities and Integrity (by a full and generous
NEW BOSTON. 65/
'Vote) have done you the honor to elect you their Representa-
tive for the ensuing year ; and viewing the present a very dark
and difHcult Day, have also thought fit (through us) to give
you some general Instructions, to regulate your Conduct ; so
far as the Oath whicli will be required of you ; or the good
Reasons which you now possess ; or hereafter may have or
obtain, (relative to any Matters which in General-Court may
come before 3'ou) shall permit. We know Sir ! that if you at-
tend your Duty as you ought, your Task must be hard & diffi-
cult: Wherefore in the Name and Behalf of the Town, we
most earnestly enjoin it upon you (in the first place) to pay a
devout and religious attention to the Constitution, and Laws of
this State ; & also to the Confederation of the United States ;
and manfully oppose every Measure w^iich shall not be conso-
nant thereto ; well knowing that if the General-Court are inat-
tentive to — & Disregard their own Laws — the People will most
certainly treat them with Neglect. & Contempt. You cannot
be ignorant that the good of the People, ougiit to be your great
Aim : And so far as you discharge your Duty in that Respect,
you will merit the fullest Approbation of this Town — and all
good Men. We do not pretend, to give you Directions in
Matters, where it is impossible for us to know the Reasons,
which may be given for, or against them ; but most chearfully
submit them to your own Judgment, & Discretion ; But beg
Leave to Caution you against exercising a party Spirit in any
of your Conduct : But that you ever keep in view the Good of
the Whole, in which the happiness of Lidividuals must neces-
sarily Consist, But as it will be a Duty incumbent on you, (in
.a more particular Manner) to attend closely to the Business of
this State, and the welfare and happiness of it; we intreat you
to strive to promote peace and Unanimity in the General-Court ;
as that will greatly strengthen the hands of Government — give
Courage and Contentment to its Virtuous Citizens, whilst the
flagitious and abandon'd shall thereby meet with every Discour-
agement, and be forced to their Duty ; or depart from among
us. In the next place, we most earnestly enjoin it upon you,
to endeavor to ease the Burdens of the people, so far as you
can consistent with Justice & Equity, not loading them with un-
necessary Taxes, & thereby drive them to a State of Despara-
tion ; nor intermeddle with any Disputes, which neither Justice,
our Constitution nor the Confederation either warrant ; or re-
quire. We further instruct you to use your Influence that our
waste Lands may be appropriated to the payment of our Debts,
in the cheapest & most expeditious manner possible, so as to
encourage & facilitate the settlement of them ; & in all things
•endeavor to promote peace & Unanimity, which are generally
44
658 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
attended with happiness & prosperity : Whilst Division & Dis-
chord tend to Destruction.
And it is our Desire, that the Tender Act may be continued
with this alteration, that Creditor shall either by himself, or
Attorney make a Demand of Monies due, or property, pre-
vious to his commencing his Suit, or in any Stage, thereof, ac-
cept the tender of the Same ; or his Neglect, shall be a Bar to
all cost, which may arise thereon.
And also that a justice of the peace may have full power, to
try any civil Action up to ten pounds ; & that all appeals from
s*^ Justice may be entered up at the Superior Court, & also that
all Actions upwards of ten pounds, may be entered first at the
superior Court, and that the general sessions of the peace may
not be permitted to set in the County of Hillsborough more
than twice in one year —
and lastly that the Officers of Government may Conform to
the Circumstances of the People (respecting Salaries) & not
load them with Burdens exceeding their Abilities.
And now Sir — Sincerely wishing you Wisdom to desern ; &
viprightness to conduct ; in the important Station in which this
Town have placed vou beg Leave to subscribe our-selves your
most obed' h"^^ Serv'^
Newboston March 25"' 17S7 —
Tames CaldwelH ^ .,,
^1 T-w 1 Committee
Solomon Dodge ! r
Tohn Cochran f t i.
T , rj^ instructions
Joseph iowne j
In Town Meeting March 26"' 17S7 — The above Instructions
being laid before The Town for their Consideration (by their
Committee) were unanimously approved of & accepted
attest Jon* Gove Town Clerk
[7—130] \^Relative to Boundary Line betweeti this Town and
Gaff st own ^ I'j88.'\
Dunbarton June y'' 9 : 17SS —
S" I was Desired by the member of Court for Goftston to
inform the Hono''' Committee Chosen to Examin the Report
mad by me and Esq"" Campall Relative to the Settlement of the
Line between Goftston and New-boston — which Report maj""
Gofte strongly opposed in the house Last Satter Day — we as a
Committee took Grat Paines to Sarch all Papers Examine the
Lins and Sitwation of the affaire — and found it imposable for
lis to make a Strat Line from the north west Corner of Bedford
NEW BOSTON. 659
to the northeast Corner of Newboston (which is a white oak
tree) without taking away mens Buildings and a Grat Deal of
work in improvements don by said towns — then by Examining
ower orders from Court, — which is as foloweth ; — a Commit-
tee to Preambelate assertain and Establish a Line between said
Goftston and newboston to Run a new Line Strat, it appeared
to us to be Grat Disadvantage to boath town then Exam*^ the
old Line and the Bounds standing on s** old Line : which was
made near forty years ago by Boath towns ; we Judged the
most safe way to hurt no mans Property to Establish it — and
by advising with the Selectmen of boath town who ware pres-
ent through the whole affaire who was all agreed — that wee
should Establish said Lines as Reported to your bono" as for
majer Goft'e we did not see him nor his son who Lived near
whare we was at work the whole time and very well Knew of
ower Business — if Goflston or Newboston ware so Careliss — as
to Let these old bounds and Line stand untill now — when thare
was a mistake in GoHs Lot we Could not account for that — if a
Strat Line is made Boath towns unavoidbly must be flung in
to a Law Sute —
Gentleman I should have wated on you and Gave my Reason
Personaly had it ben in my Power — as Amharst Court sets this
weak I must attend thare ;
Gentlemen your most humble Sarv'
Jeremiah Page.
P. S : I was Desired bv the member of Goftston to wright
to your honor Consarning the above afaire
J P'^ge
[See page 45, ante. — Ed.]
[7-133] \_Report of Committee on ToiV7i Lines^ i'/88.~\
State of New Hampshire Hillsboro : ss
We the Subscribers a Committee appointed by the Authority
of said State to Preambulate Ascertain and Establish a line
between the Towns of Goftstown and New Boston —
Pursuant to our appointment we have met and being attended
by the Selectmen of each of the said Towns and having Exam-
ined the several Charters and after having obtained what light
we Could into the Aftair we have agreed to report and Do
hereby report as follows (viz) that the line between the said
Towns of Goftstown and New Boston begin at a Hemlock tree
which is the North west Corner of the Town of Bedford from
thence north three Deg^ West about three miles to a rock ma-
660 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
pie tree standing Eigliteen rods from the South Bank of the
South Branch of Piscatiquage River from thence westerly sixty
one rods to a Beetch tree reputed to be the South west Corner
of Whites farm so called said tree standing about nine rods
South of the river before Mentioned from thence north about
four Deg" West about three Hundred & Sixty rods to a White
oak tree which is reputed to be the Southeast Corner of the
Town of Wear and the northeast Corner of the Town of New
Boston which Preambulation Ascertaining & Establishing ap-
pears to be the most Just and Equitable in our Oppinion — all
which is Humbly Submitted by —
Goflstown March 28"^ 17SS
Jeremiah Page ) ^
'k I /--■ 1 11 } Committee
JJan' Campbell )
[7-13 1 ] \^Rcport of Committee on Town Lines^ l'j8S.'\
State of New Hampshire
We Being Appointed a Commitee by the Hon'*' General
Court of said State to Perambulate assertain and Establish the
line between Goffstown and New Boston, Not to Etiect the
Property of any Individual, Beg leave to Report that by Exam-
ing the Grants and Plans of said towns; We find their is a
Strait line from the Southeast Corner of New Boston at Am-
harst line to the Northwest Corner of Goflstown which is the
Southwest Corner of Dunbarton and for our satisfaction we
began at the Southeast Corner of New Boston from thence we
Run a line North about five Degrees West about two Miles to
a hemlock tree which is the Northwest Corner of Bedford and
the Southwest Corner of Goflstown from thence we Run a line
the same Course four miles and one hundred and four Rods
and Erected Monuments theiron to a White Oak tree which is
Called the Northeast Corner of New-Boston and the Southeast
Corner of Weare thence We Run the same Course about one
mile and three Qiiarters to Goflstowm Northwest Corner and
Dunbarton Southwest Corner ; and we find all four of said
bounds standing in a Strait line as Nigh as Can be Expected ;
Wherefore it is our opinions that the aforesaid line between the
said hemlock tree which is Goflstown Southwest Corner; and
the aforesaid W^hite oak tree which is Called New Boston
Northeast Corner is the Right line between said Goflstown and
New Boston ; As to the said line Effecting the property of In-
dividuals the lots that lyeth in both towns on Each Side of said
line Contains about the Number of Acres in them that they are
Called by Estimation without Crosing the said line ; We further
NEW BOSTON. 66 1
Report their is a line that begines at the aforesaid hemlock and
Runs North two Degrees West three miles and forty Rods and
their Stops the End thereof is fifty four Rods East from the
first Mentioned line on which New Boston and Goftstown lots
appeared to be bounded as far as that Went which line would
leave but about half a lot in Goftstown ; and make New Boston
lots as much longer then they are Called as it Does Goftstown
lots Narrower ; which line New Boston has Claimed to ; and
by that Reason their is Sum Individuals Claiming Under New
Boston hes Done Work to the East of the first Mentioned line ;
(viz) one Joseph Leaches Dwelling house falls about one Rod
East oft' the first mentioned line but his House Will Stand on
his own land for he owns land in Goftstown Joyning to New
Boston line against whare said house Stands as We W^are In-
formed ; and their is Sum other persons that has Cut Down
Sum trees to the East of said first mentioned line ; it is our
Judgment that those persons that has Done said labour oft' of
their land should be paid for it b}' the Owners of the land ; the
bounds and line of said towns may more fullv appear by the
Plan herewith Annexed ; the Selectmen of Each of said towns
attended on said business, All which is humbly Submitted —
Jeremiah Page )
Daniel Campbel |- Committee
Aaron Greeley )
December 13*^ 17SS
[7-132]
[This document is the plan, referred to in the foregoing,
of the line between Goffstown and New Boston. — Ed.]
[R. 3-21] \_Petiiion froju Soldiers ivho -were captured at the
Cedars r\
To the Honourable the Senat and House of Representatives to
be Conven'' at Concord on the first Wednesday of December
We the Subscribers once more looks up to our Political
fathers and Guardiens for Redress —
we your loyal and Dutifull Sons Enlisted as Soldiers in De-
fence of our Country in the year 1776 and furnished our selves
with warlike accouterments at a very Expencive Rate but the
fortune of war turned against us we were Captivated at the
Cedars so caled and sufered sevage Barbarity being Striped
and plundered of Every thing and onlv Escaped with the Skin
of our teeth, we have Repeatedly and humbly Petitioned our
662 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Venarable fathers for Redress to which they lent a Deaf ear
and Shut up the Bowels of Compation, now we once more
Request you to open your ears to our Just Call shew Com-
pation to your Dutifull Children by Compensating them in
Some Measure for their loses they Sustained in the Defence of
you and their Country let the words of the Greatest Lawgiver
be your guide Do as you would be Done by that your Sons
from hence forth may have Reason to Call you Blesed and your
Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall ever pray
New Boston Dec' y'= i'' AD 1795
James Caldwell
Robert Campbell
John M'^Neill
Josiah Warren
[Postponed till next session. — Ed.]
[R. 3-20] \_SoIdie}-'s Order, ijgS.']
New Boston November 35* 1798 —
To the Treasurer of New Hampshire —
Please to pay to Robert B : Wilkins all the Depreciation due
to me as a Sargent in the 3'' New Hampshire Regiment in the
late Army of the United States, and his Receipt shall be your
Discharge from me —
Abner Hogg
NEWBURY.
The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors,
February, 1772, to John Fisher, of Portsmouth, and called
Dantzick for some time, and afterwards Fishersfield, until
it was changed to Newbury, July 4, 1837.
The town was incorporated Nov. 27, 1778, and annexed
to Hillsborough county by the same act, previous to which
it was partly in the county of Cheshire.
A portion of the town was taken off, and included in the
territory incorporated into the town of Goshen in 1791-
Two tracts of land have been severed from this town and
annexed to Bradford, one of which was Dec. 6, 1796, and
the other June 22, 1859.
NEWBURY. 663
II7-236] \_ReIative to Tncorporathig the Tozvjt, lyyS.^
To the Hon'^''' the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Convend
May 20"^ 1778.
The Subscribers Inhabitants of the Township of Land Called
Pishersfield in said State Humbly Shew to your Honors — That
Having Seen a Petition to your hon" for a remission or Sus-
pension of the State tax of said Township, and for an Incor-
poration of the same, and also that the same may be wholly
Joined to & Laid within the Count}^ of Hillsborough, Your
Petitioners are Greatly Surprized to see what arguments are
bro't bv the Signers of that Petition to Induce vour hon" to
Grant the praver thereof. Namely That they Conceive your
Hon''* have Unconstitutionally Taxed them &c and therefore pray
that the same may be remitted or Suspended, untill Your hon"
shall Incorporate them with Powers and Privileges to raise
Taxes, lay out and repair highw'ays &c — To which your hon"
now Petitioners beg leave to sav that altho' the Tax on said
Tovs'nship is Heavy Yet as the Greater part of the Lands be-
long to Nonresidents We are willing to pay our equal propor-
tion with others, and think Your hon''* have wisely provided a
way to recover it without Incorporating said Township — and
as to the Charge of Highways &c, we would say that in Case
■we should be Incorporated we fear the whole burthen of the
highways will fall on the Inhabitants (being but about Twenty
familys at most) and whilst Unincorporated we have Great
hopes of help in that matter from the Nonresident Proprietors.
We would further Suggest to Your hon" that several of the
Persons named as Signers of the aforesaid Petition are not nor
Ever w^ere Inhabitants of said Township, & some who never
Signed the same, — The said Township is new and poorly set-
tled, and not Yet well furnished for all Necessary Town offi-
•cers &c —
For all which reasons and many more that might be ot^er'd
"We humbly request and hope your hon" will Wisely Consider
of these matters and Dismiss the aforesaid Petition or not Grant
the prayer thereof, but Let the said Township remain Still
Unincorporated untill Your hon" shall find us better able and
■Qualified to receive such Incorporation —
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray — &c
Fisherfield May 177S.
Jesse Baker Ebenezer Towl John Harvey Jun.
Biley Dudley Jonas Hastings George Emerson
'Caleb Dodge Benja Baker Moses Sleeper
John Lain Joh'^ Harvey
Thomas M^williams Enoch Harvey
664 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[The petition for incorporation is dated Feb. 3, 1778, and
signed by
"Joseph Chandler, William Emery Jun'' George Hadly
Charles Emerson John Clark Paul Towl
Jun'' James Muchmore Samuel Gunnison Jr..
Eliphalet Chandler William Emery Nicholas Dodge."
Zeph Clark Jonas Hastings
Ephraim Bradbury Oliver Emerson
The town was incorporated Nov. 27, 1778. — Ed.]
[7-337] \_Co/>2niiitce to Petition for redress of Grievances.^
This may Certify whome it May Concern that Joseph Chand-
ler and Jonas hastens the Selectmen for fishersfield in the Year
1779 Were Chosen at A Leagal Meeting held at fishersfield on
february the fifteenth AD 17S1 to Petition the Council and
House of Representatives Conveaned at Exeter for A Redress
of Grievances in the Name and behalf of said town
Witness Paul Towl town Clerk
Dated at fishersfield this 19"^ Day of march 1781 —
[7-239] \_Petitio7i of afore-7ia7ned Committee., JJ82.']
State of New Hampshire County of Hillsborough
To the Honourable Council and House of Representatives
Convened at Concord —
May it please your Honours We your most humble Petition-
ers Hereby beg leave to Lay the Grievence of the Town of
Fishersfield and the Cause "thereof before your Honours for
your Candid and Deliberate Consideration Therefore we your
Petitioners who were Chosen and served as two of the Select-
men in said Town of Fishersfield for y^ year i779 which was
the first year the Valuation was taken after our Incorporation,
and being Unaquainted with the Method of Proceedure in such
Capacity in New Settlements and with the advice of some
whome we thought to have more knowledge in such Business
then our selves we took the Valuation on all Lands in said
Town on which Lidean Corn Ry wheet or any other Nessacary
produce Grew a Great part of which lands the Trees was only
fell and the Land but Slightly Burnt over the Logs and Brush
much of them being then on y' Grounds for which Reason we
NEWBURY. 665
now think that it would take more then four acres of such Land
to make it Equel in Value for Produce with one Acre of old
Improved tillage land and on y' account of the Valuation being-
taken and given in order for our being Taxed in Proportion to
our Intrests with other Towns in said State together with there
being Several Polls taken and given in in said Valuation which
did not properly Belong to said Fishersfield We Humbly beg
Libertv to Inform your Honours that we now' think that Not-
withstanding the abatement of Part of our Taxes in y^ year
17S0 that we are still taxed full one third too high when Com-
paired with some other towns within our knowledge —
Wherefore We vour Honours most Humble Petitioners in
the name and behalf of y^ Town of Fishersfield and by the
Earnest Desire of our poor Inhabitants who Complain being
on New Settlements and hardly able to Support their Families
and much less able to pay their Respective Assessments most
Humbly and Earnestlv Pray that your Honours would take the
matter of our Grevience under your Serious Candid and Delib-
erate Consideration and ease us so much of our taxes and such
Number of Soldiers sent to for the Contenental Service as your
Honours shall think Reasonable for the Reason above offered —
And W^e your Honours most Humble Petitionoi^s as in Duty
bound Shall ever Prav —
Dated at Fishersfield March y^ S"^ 1782
Joseph Chandler
Jonas Hastings
[They had sent in a petition the previous year similar tO'
this. — Ed.]
[7-244] \_Petition for AiitJiority to Tax Non- Residents^
7789.-]
State of New Hampshire County of Hilsborough
To The Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court Convened —
We the Subscribers Select Men for the Town of Fishersfield
Humbly sheweth that it is really Nessarv that the roads in
said Town should be Made Passable for Public Use whicli is
Much wanted for the Neighboring Towns to pass to and from
the Seaports therefore we humbl}- pray that the Honorable Au-
thority would be pleased to take the matter under concideration
and if it should appear reasonable to Enact a Law impowring
the Select Men to Tax all the Lands in the Town of Fishers-
field One Penny Per Acre for three year to be worked out on
666 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the Highways to repare and make Passable a Road in s'' Town
for Public Use And we Shall as in Duty bound Ever Pray
Samuel Gunnison ~) Selectmen
Joseph Webster > for
David Webster ) Fishersfield
N B we have Sent a Pertition Last year which Pertition
Past in the House of Representatives but was Postponed in the
Senate Untill June Session at which time the Pertition was not
to be found
£7-242] \^Remo7istraiice to foregoing.^
State of New Plampshire
To the Honorable the Senate and the Honorable house of Rep-
resentatives in General court convened at Exeter
The memorial of John Peirce of Portsmouth Merchant,
Humbly sheweth that in Feb^ 1772, John Fisher Esq'' obtained
a Grant from the Masonian Proprietors for the Township of
Fishersfield, that your memorialist received said Fishers Deed
for one half said Township — That the Settlement has been car-
ried on at the joint expence of said Fisher & your Memorialist,
That immediately after receiving said Grant they were call'd
upon by the Government to clear the Province Road so Called
through said Town, which was done accordingly, & these cost
the said Fisher & your Memorialist £101, 10, 10 L M-^ that
other very considerable sums have been since laid out in repair-
ing & making other Roads — That the whole of the good Land
owned by said Fisher & your Memorialist on said Province
Road, was laid out for Settlers, and actually given away, with
almost the whole north west Qiiarter of the Town besides,
and not less than One hundred Acres of the best Land the Set-
tlers could pick, to any one, — That of the large number of in-
habitants now in the Town a very small part of them, perhaps
not more than five or Six, whose lots were not given for Settle-
ment, and all of whom by agreement expressed or implyed
were forever to support the proprietary Charges.
Your Memorialist would further shew that by their said
Grant they were obliged to settle only twenty five Families —
That they actually gave away Forty lots to settlers very soon
after receiving their Grant, and have since given away lots to
more than ten other vSettlers —
Their only inducement to do so much more than their Char-
ter required, was that the Charges of the Roads should not
be burthensome to the Settlers. — Your memorialist is now sur-
NEWBURY. 66"]
prized at hearing a request from the inhabitants for a Tax by
which they now intend to shift oft' the whole burthen of tlie
Roads on your Memorialist, — and that one branch of the Leg-
islature has actually, so far granted the prayer of a petition for
that purpose as to permit a bill to be brought in. without the
usual Notice in such unreasonable cases. — It is clearly seen that
if the law requested should pass, that it must operate extreemly
unequally — for of the Common Land now owned by your
Memorialist, a very considerable part is Mountaneous & never
can or will be cultivated, whereas Seven or eight thousand
Acres in possession of the Settlers is picked Land, of the whole
Town, and all very good, and is undoubtedlv worth ten times
the sum, the same Quantity of Land like the unsettled Lands
in that Town, for which reason a Tax by the Acre would op-
erate very unequally — Your Memorialist would further Suggest
the possibility if not probability of great injustice in collecting
such a Tax, for by puting it in the power of the Lihabitants to
collect the Tax at will, by advancing the price of Labour above
the Cash value, thev may not only free their own Lands from
the Tax but put money in their pockets —
For all which and many other good reasons Your memorial-
ist most humbly request the Petition of the .Select Alen or In-
habitants of Fishersfield may be dismissed — and your Memori-
alist as in duty bound will ever pray.
Portsmouth Jan-'' 26"' 17S9
John Peirce —
[7-233] \_Petition for the Incorporation of a Ncdu ToiVii^
To the Honrable Senate and House of Representatives for the
state of New Hampshire to be Convened at Concord on the
first Wednesday of June Next —
We the Inhabitants of the Town of Fishersfield Humbly
sheweth that tlie Southwest Corner of this Town Lving upon
the west side of a great Mountain so that it is Imposible
for it to be Commoded by the Center of this Town which is
the Reason of its not being settled before now for they could not
get from the Corner of said Town without going through part
of Wendell to the north End of said Mountain and when
travel'd five Miles* they would be no nearer the Center than
when first set out therefore we think it reasonable and Necesary
that it should be Incorporated with the Corners of several other
Towns agreeable to the prayer of a Number of petitioners who
have petitioned for the same Provided it does not Include
668 EARLY TOWN PAPERS,
Samuel Gunnison farm or otherwise as your Honours in your
Wisdom seem meet and your petitioners as in Duty bound
Shall Ever pray
Fisherfield May zo*"" 1791
Samuel atwood James Gillinham Jur John Hai-vey
Jacob Stevens Bond Little John Harvey Ju
William Brown Thoms Little Jesse Baker
Ebenezer Marshal Sam Little Benga Baker Jun
Jonathan Marshall Joseph Cross Henry Achilles
William Cochran Paul Towl Benja Baker
James Vance Ebenezer Towl Nathan Baker
obadiah Hadley Jesse Ainger Jonas Llastings
Joseph Marshall Joseph Webster Benj'' Critchet
Joshua Maxheld Abraham Wells Jonathan Merrill
James Gillinham David Farmer William Emery
Benjamin Gilinham Lemuel Harvey Simion Stevens
[7-234] [ Vote of Town relative to foregoing^ J /pi.']
Agreeable to a Vote of the Inhabitants of the Town of Fish-
ersfield Held on the Eighteenth of October Last
Voted that the prayer of W™ Story and others be granted
provided that they Leave out Sa'" Guninison and W™ Gunnison
and their Lands Living on the Lots N° 9 & 10 of the 100 acre
Lots in s'' Fishersfield
William Dodge Town Clark
Fishersfield Ocf iS"' 1791 —
[A portion of the town was set off, combined with others,
and incorporated into the town of Goshen, Dec. 27, 1791. —
Ed.]
[7-245] \_Petition of sjindry Inhabitants to be annexed to
Bradford.]
To the Hon''''' Senate and House of Representatives to be Con-
vened at Concord within and for the State of New Hamp-
shire in November AD — 179^ —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the South part of Fishers-
field in the County of Hillsborough begs Leave to Represent
to your Honours, that it is the Desire of said Inhabitants, that
so much of s"^ Fishersfield be set off from s'' Fishersfield &
Anaxed to Bradford in said County as will make a Straight
Line — Viz, Beginning at the Southwes Corner of the Town of
NEWBURY. 669
Sutton in said County, then Running to y® Southwest Corner
of S'' Fishersfield ; and Having Obtained a Vote of Both
Towns, prays your Honours in your Goodness to Enact a Law
for s'^ purpose of Encorporating them with Bradford, and Your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray.
Fishersfield Nov. 21^' 1796 —
John Hog Jr Joshua Maxfield
Jonathan Marshall Joshua Maxfield Jun'
Joseph Marshall Ebenezer Marshall
Obadiah Hadley
[The foregoing was granted Dec. 6, 1796. — Ed.]
[7-246] \_Report relative to Town Lines^ ^797-'\
State of New Hampshire
In the House of Representatives June 20"" 1797 —
The Committee on the Petitions from Wendal & fishersfield
Respecting the Boundarvs of Goshen Report that the lines and
bounds of the said Goshen be as follows Beginning at a Stake
and stons on fishersfield line about 160 rods north of Corys
road so called from thence Streight to the northeast corner of
lot number nine mentioned in Goshens act of incorporation
then to proceed as said act directs untill it comes to the south
East corner of said Goshen thence north untill it intersects
fishersfield line thence on fishcrfield line to the first bounds
mentioned & that Goshen have leave to Bring in a bill to estab-
lish the line as above described
J Blanchard for the Committee
[The foregoing report was adopted, and leave granted. —
—Ed.]
[7-248] [^Relative to Tozuu Lines ^ -^797 •~\
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of
the state of New Hampsliire to be Convened at Concord the
first Wednesday of June Current.
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Fishersfield Humbly
shevveth that whereas the Inhabitants of the Town of Goshen
have Presented a Petition to the Honoui'able Court praying that
970 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the first Mentioned bounds of said Goshen be Established
Either at the North east Corner of Lot N'^ Nine without any
Regard to the line of Fishersfield, or on said line of Fishers-
field at the Place meant to be Discribed in the act of Incorpo-
ration without any Regard to lot N" Nine. Your Petitioners
therefore Humbly Request 3"our Honours Not to Establish the
said Corner of Goshen on Fishersfield line which we Nev'er
Understood to be intended which may more fully appear by
having Reflerence to their Petition for the Incorporation of said
Goshen : Unless said Corner may be Established on Fishers-
field line and thence follow the said Original line of Fishers-
field to the Place where said line of Goshen Intersects said line
of Fishersfield thence following the line of Goshen as Now
stands which they tell us is all they wish to have : Otherwise
it will Injure the Town of Fishersfield greatly by taking oft' a
Number of the Inhabitants of Fishersfield with a considerable
tract of land and cutting a Number of farms which may More
fully appear by the general Plan of the state —
And we your Humble Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall
Ever Pray
Fishersfield June y" 5"^ AD 1797
Samuel Gunnisoi
Phinehas Batchel
Timothy Morse ) Fishersfield
Samuel Gunnison ~\ Selectmen in behalf
Phinehas Batchelder y of the Inhabitants of
NEW CASTLE.
This is one of the oldest towns in the state, and was for-
merly known by the name of Great Island. It was the seat
of government for some years, and meetings of the gov-
ernor and council were held here as late as 1718.
Previous to 1793 the inhabitants were assessed by the
selectmen of Portsmouth, but being dissatisfied with the
assessment made that year they appealed to the governor
and council, who disapproved the assessment; and, in an-
swer to a petition from the inhabitants of Great Island, sev-
ered them from the " Bank," and granted them a charter
with town privileges by the name of New Castle, which
name came from the Duke of New Castle.
The charter was granted by Governor John Usher and
NEW CASTLE. 6/1
his council, is dated May 30, 1693, and included some terri-
tory now belonging to the town of Rye. A settlement was
made here as early as 1623 by one David Thompson, who
soon after built a house on Odiorne's Point, which remained
standing for many years, and was known as Mason's
Hall.
An earthwork fort was built on Frost's Point at an early
date. It was rebuilt in 1704-5 under the direction of Col.
Wolfgang William Romer, one of the queen's engineers, who
came over from England for that purpose, and was called
"Fort William and Mary" for eighty years or more prior to
the Revolution.
A fort was built on Jerry's Point in 1775. An ancient,
crude plan showing its location, and also the locations of
Forts Washington and Sullivan, is in manuscript, Vol. 7, p.
134, from which volume the following documents are copied.
In 1725 or '26 sundry persons belonging to New Castle,
Sandy Beach, Portsmouth, and Hampton, petitioned the
general assembly to be erected into a parish by themselves ;
and an act passed that body on the 30th of April, 1726, pro-
viding " that the great island in the Town of New Castle
together with the Estates of Lieutenant John Sherburne
George Wallis deceased, Tobias Lear John Odiorne Capt
Henry Sherburne James Randall & John Leach be a dis-
tinct parish by their antiant Name of New Castle, and that
all other parts of New Castle be another or second Parish
by the Name of Rye ; " and all the petitioners who lived in
Portsmouth and Hampton were " Polled of to the said Parish
of Rye" for ministerial and school purposes. From this I
think that John Farmer must be in error in his statement
that " Rye was incorporated in 1719."
By an act passed December 22, I79i,all that part of New
Castle situated on the " south-west side of the River" was
severed from the town, and "annexed to the Parish of
Rye."
Ancient New Castle engaged quite extensively in the
fishery business : modern New Castle is engaged somewhat
in entertaining summer visitors, it being one of the pleas-
antest places on the Atlantic coast.
6/2 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-136] \_Relat/ve to settling a Minister^ 168 2. '\
To the hono^ The President and Couucell. now Sitting In
Portsmouth 3 Day of May 1682
The humble Petition and Adress of the Inhabitants of the
Great Island In Portsmouth —
May it please you. your petitioners haveing for a long Time
layen under The heavie Burthen Laboriouse toile and hazard-
ouse goeing to Meeting on the Lords-Day (as wee question not
but your hono"*^ Selves are very Sensible of it,) flbr help and
reliefe wee have made our application To the Generall Court :
who as wee conceive have grannted us the liberty to have a
Minister among our selves : But the Providence of God order-
ing it So, that Before wee could accomplish Our desires The
Government hath changed, And therefore thought it our duty
before wee attempted any farther. To make your Honou''®'^
Selves acquainted therewith ; Humbly begging your allowance
and approbation therein That So wee may have an allowed and
approved minister among us — Whether on the Joint accompt
of the whole Toune, or on our owne which shall bee most ad-
viseable. The Reason of the Necessity of haveing One wee
have given In to the Generall Court of the Mattatusets ftbrmerly :
The Same now, and many more, Wee make Bould briefly to
hint here. —
1. The great Profaning of the Lords Day By those that stay
at home.
2. There beeing but very few, Scarce one third of the Peo-
ple of this Island y' Goe to meeting Abundance of Children
liveing here that never heai'd a Sermon or knew what that
means. So that by degrees they will soone grow heathenish If
there be not a place of worship constituted among us here on
this Island.
3. Our poor Servants, espetially those of an handycraft trade
that expect to have Some ease on the Lords Day, Complaine of
theyr great Labour and toile ; rowing Sometimes against wind
and tide, & that day which should bee kept holy, is by that
means made a day of Greater pains then other week davs.
4. The hazarding of our Selves and Servants and Childrens
healths (if not lives;) And allso the Great Danger of our
houses and goods subiect to ffire and Roberyes by our being ab-
sent and from the Great Island On the Lords day
5. His M)'"*^^ ftbrtification here Lies to the mercy of an open
and Secret enemy ; Scarce One Suffitient man Staying at home
for its Defense & safety These and many other weighty Rea-
sons wee might propose which wee omit humblye Leaveing all
to your Hono'''^ Selves and your Seriouse consideration. —
NEW CASTLE. 6/3
Wee have unanimousely made choice of m'' Nathaniell ftryer
m'' Robert Elliot m'' George Jeftery and m'' John Hinks to pre-
sent this our petition and enlarge upon it as occation Serves.
We whose names are underwritten, are by consent ofy® In-
habitants of y^ Gr' Island appointed in all & every of their
names to present y'' within written Petition to y* Presid' &
Counsel ; & receiv their Answer to y^ same
Nathan ffryer
Robert Elfiot
Geo : JafiVay
John Hinckes
Vera copia from y* Original Petition on file
Teste Ric*^ Chamberlain Seer'*
[Rev. Samuel Moody v^^as settled here soon after. — Ed.]
[7-137]
The humble Petitition of Humphry Spensor to y* honored
President & Council assembled at Portsm" in y* Province of
Newhampshire this third of Octob"" 1682 —
Humbly craveth yo'' bono" favour Concerning a fine that was
laid upon him y* last setting ofy* Council at Portsm" It was
as vo"" humble Petition"' hath formerly endeavoured to show be-
fore in his humble Petition to you'' honors that y* mann'' of his
living & urgencie of incomm" did run him as he humbly con-
fesseth, illegally to sell drink w*'' he would as willingly have
given if his state would have bore it, y^ Temptation of that run
him to do amiss, & doth humbl}' crave yo'' hono"" Pity & com-
passion to remitt w'' yo"' bono"" may of y* last fine imposed upon
him, & doth promise to y" best of his pow"" to be more watch-
full hereaff of committing anv disorder Ifyo"" bono'' can find
any room for tavo'' herein shall still reackon it a farth"" obliga-
tion to pray for his majesties good Government in this place dc
yo'' bono'* prosperity so Serving to yo"" bono' favourable con-
struction, humbl}' subscribe.
Yo'' humble Petition''
Humphrey Spensor
[7-139] \^Petition for a Tavern License^ 1682.^
Great Island 23"' February. 16S2
To the Hono**^ Governo''of The Province of New-Hampsheir —
The humble petition of Henry Russell Sen"^
Whereas by the providence of God your poor petitioner hath
45
6/4 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Lived on this Island and haveing had a permition formei-ly to
entertaine ffisher men and Seamen with Diet and Lodging at
my house And being now well Stricken in yeares — My humble
and earnest petition to yo"' Hono'" is That you would Favoura-
bly Graunt mee your License and leave To give accomodation
to Strangers as ftbrmerly with meat Beer and Lodging and I
shall allwayes pi^ay ftbr your hono" prosperity and Govern-
ment—
Henry Russell.
[7-140] \_yoseph Purtno7-t for Tavern License.^
To y** Hon*'^* the Precedent & the Councell of his Majestys
province of New Hampsheire
The humble petition of Joseph Purmot inhabitant on y'' great
Island,
Humbly Sheweth
That vour petitioner having a wife and family of Children to
maintaine and at the present all trading being very dead, hum-
bly beggeth yo"" honors licence to keep a publiqe house of en-
tertainement there being at present but one on y" great Island
and that very inconvenient for strangers and travellours in theire
journeying through the country
now your petitioner beggeth your honours favourable grant
and he shall always pray for yo'' hono"
Joseph Pormort
[7-143] \_StatemeJit and Petition of yoseph Purtnort^ i'/8j.'\
Apriell the I5'*' 1683
To the Honourable Deputy Govenouer And Honored Counsell
Now Siting At Portsm'' Right Hono''
Your Humbell petitionour seueth ; that He Having formerly
had (from the lat President And Counsell) A Licenc to kep A
Hous of Entertain'"' Then here being none at this End of the
Hand to Suply that plac Which occasioned our mor Diligence
to provid our sellvs for that Imploym* And for the purpos Hath
fited my Hous Accordingly ; and provided My Selfe With
Lodgin and other nesesarys for that Imploym' ; By means of it I
am mutch in Disburs ; Your Poor Petitioner Humbly Prays
that your Honours Would Pleas to take it in to your Considera-
tion ; and Grant him the same privelidg ; he formerly had : of
A Licen to sell Beare ; and other Provisions ; for the refreshing
of strangers ; and others : I should not have desired this of yor
Honours But that trading is very dead ; Espetially for those of
NEW CASTLE. 6/5
my Caling ; and my charg of children great; and no other way
to maintain them but, by my only laubour ; I hop your Honours
will be pleased to take it in to your Charitabell consideration ;
our former licenc proved to our Disadvantag by meanes of the
short time wee followed That Imploym' haveing sutch suden
orders as wee had to desist from selling Bear &c have not in
any measur Reimbursed our selves what have beene out of
pockett ; mutch less have we gott aney thing By it so Hopeing
your Honours will grant this your Pettitioner A Licenc ; and
your Pore Petitioner shall Ever Pray for your Honours and
subscrib my selfe
your Honours most Humbell servant
Joseph Purmort
f]y-i44] \_ReJno?istra?ice of Portsnio2.it /i Selectmen^ 1682. "^
To the Hon™''' The P^'sedent and Counil now Setting in Ports-
m" June the 6"^, 16S3
May it please yo"' Hon"^^
In Obedience to an order of Councill bearing Date the 2^
May, 16S2 Wee Convend the Town, to agitate & Confer about
the Settlment of a Minister Upon the great Island and have
taken notice of the Petition p'sented yo'' Hon" by Some of the
Gent : men of S*^ Island, who Call them-Selves p'"sons Unani-
musly chossen by ye Inhabitants for that End. but Upon Agi-
tation & Conference the Inhabitants of the other partes of the
Town, Culd not See cause to Consent to the motion of those on
great Island at p'"sent, for Sundrye Reasons.
1 : The Gen' of Great Island are equaly ingaged with us to
the payment, of One Hundred pound per Annum to Moody
During his continuance here, we then advancing, to the Utmost
of our abillities. for the promoting of so Good a work, in Ex-
pectation of being Daily Eased by the Increasing of our Inhab-
itants and Estates, but providence of Late hath not So Smil*^
Upon Us, as to admitt of any Addition to our rates, with out
preiudice to our familes.
2 : We think it very Unreasonable they Should be sollicitos
for the setling a new, till all arrears are adiusted with the old
Minisf, which will not be readly Done, by reson of the great
aversion of the inhabitants of the Island, to the payment of the
rats now in the Constable hands as by S"^ Constable Complaints
Doth appeare, when that is Done, together with what, Con-
cerns the Town, we Shall Studiously endevor the Accomidation
of the Great Island, as far as may Consist w"' the Peace and
unety of the Town.
3 : We are very fearfull Should this be admitted it would
6^6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tend to a great Divission in the Town, for Such like reasons
may Greenland Sandy beach, &c : Desier the Same, and then
how far we Shall be able, to Comply w"^ o' Obligation to m"^
Moody, and allow Maintainance to others in the Same Capace-
ty, we Humbly Submittto yo'' Hon" Judgm'^
4: What the Gen' of the Island Dessier is purely for their
own, with out respect to the Towns convenience, but when the
Intrest, of the Whole, and a part comes in Competition, we
leave themselves to Judg which ought to be p''fer'd.
How Ever we are not insensable of the Inconveniency at-
tending the Inhabitants, of the Island, in Coming to meeting,
intimated in theire petition ; & we beg them to be So Charita-
ble to beleive we Sympathise with them, (but to their Reasons
we would Say one word)
I : Concerning the profaning of the Lords Day &c and (2^^)
— abundance liveing with out ever hearing a Sermon So as
they will grow heathenish,
We Say, the Sabath will be profaned by Some whither neare
or farther oft', but one Good help here in will be for masfs of
ftamilies, to teach, & Instruct those Under their care and gov-
ernment, as Christians ought to Doe, and this will be a means
to remedy Heathenissim, and abate much of the profanity of
the Sabath.
ftbr the 3'^ namely Servants Complaining of their Labour ^^
& hazerding health if not lives, we would Say its imposable ;
all in these Scattering towns. Should live Equaly convenient,
to the meeting-house, Sume must Undergoe, more then others,
But the meeting house was Sett where it is, principally for
the Convenience of the Inhabitants of great Island, and we
never heard, and hope never shall, of any lives Lost, in attemt-
ing to come to meeting, if at any time, there Should be any
Danger of that, they well know mercy is to be preferd befor
Sacrifise as to his Maj'^^ fortification being Exposed to an ene-
mie ; Scarce one Sufficient man Staying at home &c.
Wee Humbly leave that to yo"^ Hon'"s in time of wars or Dan-
ger to take Such care as in yo"" wisdome. Shall be thought meet,
of which we presume thev need not Dout.
These with other considerations, which we Culd offer, give
Humbly of Opinion, that the motion of the Gent men of
great Island is at this time very Unreasonable, and that we had
rather Unite both in Church & Town, which if we Doe, Hope
Sume waye may be found out in Due time, to gratifie the
Gent" of great Island with out Dissatisfaction to the rest of the
Town.
Select men in C John ffletcher
behalfe of the < Phi Disbrow iu
rest of the Town ( Samuel Keais
NEW CASTLE. 6'J'J
II7-147] \_Precept for the Election of an Assefnblymait at
Star Island^ i6g4.'\
Hampsh"' To the Constable of Star Island :
Pursuant to a writt from the Presid'& Councile to me direct-
■ed these are in their Majest* Names to require you upon Re-
ceipt hereof to give publick Notice to the freeholders of your
Island that thay Convein on Munday the 29*'' Inst : b}' 10 of the
Clock in the forenoone of the Same day at the Usuall place of
meeting freely & Indifferently to Elect & Choose one fitt & dis-
creet man of the S"* Island (being a freeholder thereof) w'*' full
& Sufficient power for hiinself & the Comunity of the s*^ Island
to be a Generall Assembly for the S"^ Province to be held at
New Castle on thirsdav the first of 9 b' Next Ensueing it being
for their Majest' Service : and to returne the Names of the per-
.son So chosen to me one day before the Sitting of s*^ Assembly
as you will answer the Contrary at your perrill : Gieven und''
my hand & scale at Portsm" Octob"" 24"M694: In the Sixth
Year of their Majests Reigne
Richard Joses sherff
Star Island October the 29"* 1694
According to the within Warrant, the flree boulders of this
Island Did meet and Chuse m"' John tVobes For assembelley
Man with Suftecient power to otletiat in that (Station or)
place
John Bradon
i[7-i48] \_Relative to Toxvn Bo7i7ids.~\
To the Hon*^' Jf^'i" Usher Esq"' his Majis'' Lif Govern'' and
Comander in Cheife in and Over the province of Newhamp-
sheir, and to his Majis'^ Hon*'' Council now Sitting at New
Castle
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Towne of New
•Castle most Humbly Sheweth that we Your Houn" most hum-
ble petitioners doe make bold to lay before You, that whereas
Your Houn" hath bin pleased to grant us to be a Township
Caled by the name of New Castle and we are yet Ignorant of
our boundaries Southerly and westerly therby not Knowing the
number of our Inhabitants by which Cause many mav Escape
their Assesm'^
We Your most Humble petitioners most humbly pray that
your Houn''^ would be pleased to give Order that our South
boundaries may be apointed from the Creek on the South Side
of the little Boares-head and from thence Westerly five miles or
'Untill we meet with the line betweene portsm" and New Castle
6y8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
we being as Yet much Straightned for want of Comonage and
your petitioners Shall Ever pray
Elias Stileman ")
Francis Tucker >■ Selectmen
James Rendle )
[7-149] S^Precept for Election of Asseinblymei:^ idgj.'}
New hampshire To the Constables of New Castle
By Virtue of a presept from the Honorable John Usher Esq'"
Ltt Governor and Comdr in Cheif of sd province & In his
Males'* Name you are here by required and Comanded oa
wedensday next Ensueing at ten of y^ Clock in y^ forenoon to as-
semble all the ftVee boulders of your Town att some useall Place
of meeting then there to make Choice of Two suficient able
men to Represent your Town in a Generall assembly to be held
att Newcastle one the fiveteenth of this Instant Being wensday
next Ensueing att tow of the Clocke in the Afternoon, Thereto
attend his Majes*^ Servis in the assembly and so De diem in
diem, Dureing There Sestion Or Sestions and Make Return of
the Persons Names so Chosen to me on weddensday Next by
on of the Clocke in the after Noon w"" this presept here of faile
not at yo'' Perrill Dated New Castle in the province aforsd
May the 11* 1695
per Theo' Attkinson sheriff
New Castle y" 15* May 1695
Then Att A Generall Town meeting of y^ Freeholders Ac-
cording to the within precept were Chosen For Assembly men
Elias Stileman and James Rendle
per Thomas Marchel Constble
[y-ir^i] S^Smmyions to Assemblymen^ i6g8J\
I have Summands Theoda Atkcason and william Seevy
which are chouse last fridday at newcastell for a simbly men as
witnes my hand
Henry Treuethan constabell
Newcastell De sembarthe 27 : 1697
[7-152] [ Warrant for Militia Muster^ 1^97-^
[Seal]
New Castell December y« 11*'' 1697
By vertue of A warant ffrom John Usher Esq' Lif* Gov' &c.
NEW CASTLE. 6/9
You are hereby Required in liis Majsts Name fforthwith warne
the Soldiers on the Great Island to appeare at his Majsts flbart
William and Mary at one of the Clock in the after noone Com-
pleat in theire Armes there to attend theire dutey untill ffarther
order Given under my hand and Scale
Shadrach Walton Cap*
To Jacob Rendell Ensigne
[7~'^53] \^Ret2i7-n of Assembly 7n en ^ idgS."]
Province of Newhampshire
Pursuant To A precept from The Sheriff' of This province
Dated y^ 23*^ Dec : 169S Directed To The Selectmen of New
Castle To Sumon y* freeholders of The S"* Town To Choose
and Depute one or more men As The Law Directs To Repre-
sent S"^ Town In A General Court or Assembly To be held
and kept Att New Castle on Thursday y^ 5"" Jan'"^ Next Ensue-
ing
These may Certifie That Accordinglv The freeholders were
Sumoned on y*^ 30"' Dec. And Accordingly Mett and Then Did
Legally Choose and Elect James Randell and Theodore Att-
kinson To Represent S'^ Town In S*^ Assembly According To
The precept Above mentioned And That Those Soe Chosen
have been notified Thereof and Sumoned To Appear According
to S'' precept by The Constable of This Town who hath Sub-
scribed This Return As A Testimony thereof
Theodore Atkinson '\
John Foss V Select men
James Leach )
Jacob Rendell Constable
[7-154] [Co/. Romer^ relative to Fort William and Alary ^
1704.']
To the Hon""'^ Her Maj" Councell of New Hampsh* : In Amer-
ica
The Memoriall of Coll : Woolfgang W" Romer Her Majestyes
Cheife Engineer &c —
Whearas It hath pleased his Excellency Gover"" Dudley to
write m"" Secretary Story A leter relateing to Her Maje'^ ffort
W™ & Mary — And the Reasons why It Is highly neccessary that
for Her Maj'" Service and the Security of the Inhabitants of this
province the S*^ ftbrt Shuld be out of hand ffinished and that the
Councell Shuld let me have all such men As I Shuld want, and
680 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
alsoe being Notifyed bv m' Secretary to be this Day w"' the
Honorable Councell, I thought It my Duety to Inform your
Hon"'' that I am not In A Capacity by Indisposednes to Appear
there to Tender this Memoriall to that Hon'''" board
And as his Excellency mentioned in his leter of the ii"^ Ins'
that the tirench tibrces by Sea and land Are Designed to Invade
this part of America and therefore urged In his leter to finish
the rtbrt abovenamed forthwith out of hand And As winter Is
Soe near At hand I hope this board will one And Other take
into Serious Consideration ; If I had had the Dispose of the
Complement of laborers and Carpend''^ As I Demanded Eleven
•weeks Since I beleave the ftbrt by this time had been finished,
and I Dobt not At all If Every body Imployed will Doe his
Duety As I my Self Doe (without Jactance) have don with all
the zeale Imaginable and A Slaveish Service, I Can Doe It
Still and finish It In thirtv laboring Days provided that his Ex-
cellencyes orders be Executed And that the board let me have
thirty six laborers And twelve Carpenders that understand work-
manship— and If m"" Westbrook Doth not Deceve me About
Some small mater of Timber yet behind which he promised In
his last Contract and that Cap' Icabod plaisted Sends me 375
peices for Spiles which Is yet behind of liis promiss to me Elev-
en months Agoe Likewise Cap' Pickrin Is yet behind In his
pi'omis of Spiles some of Seven some Eight feet long ; I have
one thing more to Offer to this board which Is that his Excel-
lencyes order mav be put In Execu"^"" Which he made last time
he was Att S*^ ffbrt Concerning the laborers and work men In
Generall, That they Shuld be Punished In Case they Did not
perform there Duety And behaveed themselves Uncivilly Against
me with five Dayes labor after there ten Dayes was out, soe that
I may not be Exposed to such Rude and Unmanerly behavier
As I Mett with this week — when I told one of them viz. Robert
Smart of Exeter w'^ was ordered on his not Doeing his Duety
he answeared me, he would See Comon law for It first &c : I
hope the board will Observe that I Dont live In this Meletary
Execution of her Maj'*^ Service In building Her ftbrt Under the
Comon law Which would be Altogeather Irronias and Contrary
to the practice of urope & other parts of the world Which Is all
what I have to offer Att present
New Castle y*" 16 Sept 1704
Wolfgang W™ Romer
[7~^5^] [Co/. Romer'' s Afet}2orial, lyOj.']
To the Honb"= Her Maj"" Councill now Assembled at Ports-
mouth.—
NEW CASTLE. 68 I
May it please Yo'' Hon"*
I find mv selff oblidged to notefye to Yo'' Hon'* that there is 6
or 7 weecks worck more to do at Her Maj''^** Fort will'" & Mary
and that all materials in the major part are ready at hand there,
for that finishing part, and whereas the Assembly, by their last
Sessions, could not rayse anny supply of mony for that service,
which is y^ only obstackle that His Excell^ could not resolve on
that head, I therefore by just raysons generously resolved in or-
der to take that obstackle away of no mony in the Treasury to
advance the monv necessary out of my one Estate. —
Now to promote this important atlaire for ower Great Queens
service & the Publick interesst, I therefore desire Yo"^ Hon''^ that
You will please to make an effectuall adres to His Excell-^ that
he may be pleased to order matters thus, that I may under a due
protection finishe the Fort as aforesaid, and to consider that
whereas there is no mony granted: sume worck halfi' finished,
together with y*' damage by the last violent storm & high water
donne, will be of verry bad consequence, if not althogether in
every respect prouve fatall ; (which if should happen the fault
can not be myn :) in cas it should not be finished at present &
the damage as before hinted mended, which all I leave to Yo''
Hon''' Serious considerations, and I shall alwais remain the
Same as have been hittheronto
Yo'" Hon"^'
Most humble Serv'
Wolfgang W' Romer
Portsmout Jun y^ 5 : 1705
[7-156] \_Supplies for Soldiers^ 1703 •'\
Newcastle July y^ 26"' 1705
This Is to sertifie whome it may Conserne that Mr Sam" pen-
hollow Treasurer hath supplyed several labourers att Her Maj-
estys fort W and Mary full allowance Victuals and Drinck one
hundred and twenty six days.
Wittnes
G. Redknap Engener
\.l~^Sl\ \_Relative to a Bridge^ ^7^9-^
Province New Hampshire
To His Excellency Sam" Shute Esq"" Cap* Gen' & Gov"" in Cheife
in & over his Maj''' S** Province & Vice admirall of the Same
& to the Hon''''^ The Councill & house of Representatives Now
Setting in Gen" Assembly —
682 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Memoriall of Sundry His Maj""' Loyall & Good Sub-
jects of y' town of New Castle Most Humbly Remonstrates
That Whereas the Governm' in y'^ Reigne of our Late Sover-
aigne King Charles y*' 2^ of Blessed Memory, Did Under the
wise & good Conduct of Edward Cranfeild Esq"" then Gov"" of
S*^ Province, order Erect & build a Bridge Over y' branch of
Pise" River Cal'd y" ferry or fording place of Little Harbour,
and that for y" Gen" Good & Benifitt of all his Maj'^ Good Sub-
jects, in Saving Six Miles travill at least, from Hampton to
York & So further East, as also a Much better & Safe Road in
time of Warr & also that His Maj'^ Fort on the Island May be
Soon Releiv'd in Case of an Attack from forreign Enemies, as
also to prevent that Common & frequent Practice of Wronging
y'^ King of thee Revenues & P' Duties La3'd on Goods Import-
ed Whereby his Maj'^ Governm' Might (& ought) to be Sup-
ported, & that to Ease to all his Maj''' Well Meaning Subjects in
ye Province, the Which Bridge Did then prevent, (until the
Providence of God did by a Very Great Storme &c break &
Carry away S"^ Bridge,) Since which his Maj'-^ & all his Good
& faire Dealing Subjects hath been Much Impeded & hurt in
their Just Duty & trade by Unfair Dealers Stealing into that
Creek to Defraud the King & y^ Province of y'^ Duty & Impost,
and for as much as our late L' Gov"' & Comand'' in Cheif, ColI°
Usher, with the Consent of y^ Councill, Did Incorporate the In-
habitants of G' Island & Sandy beach into a town Cal'd New
Castle, with Severall priveledges, as per Charter Inrold, where-
by We are Oblig'd by Law to Repair all Bridges and high
Wales within S'' Boundaries, of y* Charter & for as Much as y®
Said Inhabitants found Upon Serch that they Ought to Repair
or Rebuild S'' Bridge, they Did in March 171 3 Raise Mony by
Publick Subscription to Cary on So Good a Work, but finding
y* People So poor y' Could Not Accomplish S*^ Work them-
selves. Whereupon Severall Worthy Gen' of this & y* Neigh-
bouring Province Subscrib'd their hands & Promised large
Mony to help Carry on So Good A Work, & Accordingly y*
Greatest part of y* timber, was Got & brought Nigh the place
on Rafts, but was by Some Wicked & Unwarrantable hand
Cutt Loose & turn'd a Drift, & we his Maj'^ Good Subj'^ & y^
Country in Generall, Much hurt, & was then & hath been Ever
Since threatned y' if we went on, they would Cutt it Down
Even in a Publick Manner & by force & Arms, Upon which
we Remonstrated the Matter to our late Gov'' Coll" Dudley,
whose Act on the Matter we Now Lay before you, where you
will See the first part, or Introduction to ye Petition, we have
been Serv'd With, by S*^ papers, proved to be false & quite the
Reverse
2'^ As to the Qiiery in S'' Petition, its Very Strange & odd
NEW CASTLE. 68;^
for Men to Qiiery wheither a thing Can be Done that hath been
Done, and then to Call that the Main river of Little Harbour,
& to Say its Navigable Up to the Bridge its a Very Great Mis-
take, for that we Do wade Over frequently, & When the tide is
up Swim our horses for want of a Bridge, the ferry Never be-
ing Kept as it Ought to be, & that because the Right thereof is
Disputable, as May Appear if Need be, tho he wdio of Right it
belongs to Does Relinquish it for y® Sake of S*^ Bridge
and for as Much as your Querest there Sayes it's Not Justifi-
able Nor practi'ble to build a Bridge a Cross any Navigable
River, (its plain its both) for that within our own town & Prov-
ince, its Done, particularly at y*" branch Cal'd Sevey's Creek,
Stands, a tide Mill & a fast Dam, which Very Much Incom-
modes y^ Inhabitants of New Castle from Bringing of their
Wood from y* Common Land, but for further Illustration, there
is fast Bridges over both branches of Hampton River which is
More Navigable, & hurtfull to those people, because they have
No Other Way Up to their Estates which these have, as also at
Newberry Lyn & Mistick, & Sundry Others as Cape Anne
Cambridge &c'' and for as Much as this Bridge at New Castle
No Wales hinders Vessells Comming in to the S'' Little Har-
bour for Safety if Need be in a Storm.
And for answer to y*" first Assertion, in S*^ Petition, in Gen'^
terms, its a Mistake for first the ferry as afores'' is Not Setled
on the Person whome they pretend for that it has been Kept
(as they have Kept it) by another & that there Never Was a
high VVay Laid out through, that proprietors land Neither is
that Casway fit for a horse to pass over,
3'^' as to the Inhabitants passing & repassing ferrage free on
Fublick Daies, its wrong, for that the town payes it & that or-
dered by a Publick Vote & tho it is p** by y^ town yet Sundry
y* Inhabitants of New Castle On Sandy beach Side, are as they
have Often pretended (& we beleave Some truth in) So Much
put to Difficulty, to Come over, with themselves & their little
ones that they Chuse Rather to Neglect the Publick Worship of
God, than to Come Over to hear their own Minister, & Even
Wholly Neglect y^ Ordinances App*^ for themselves & Chil-
dren, Unless Some Now & then, to Save being presented Ride
Up to Portsm" tho other Arguments, & false Insinuations, hath
been Used to Insnare Ignorant people to Signe against the
bridge (to wit) that we Intend"^ to hinder boats of Hay wood
&c" to Pass & Repass, & that it was to be a Province Charge,
which Poor people already burthen'd with the Charge of y®
Publick taxes, groons under & that NCastle would have itatole
bridge & Ingross the Benifitt to themselves,
T,^ That y* Want of the Bridge will be a Security in Case of
a War, is Very Inconsistent with reason, and has been Suffi-
684 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ciently ans^ b}' all our former Gov" Masters of y^ ordnance &
Ingineers as also y® having it is a Great advantage to his Maj'^
in y*^ Customs as per Rob' Armstrong Esq"" his Memoriall, Laid
before Coll" Dudly & the L*^** Commissioners at home,
^thiy "Yhat Whereas Sundry persons, have Laid Out, their
Estates, in the fishery Who they Say Must be Unavoidably
Ruined per Stopping their pass'' when its Evedent that they
Could Never Could Come in, that Way Unless Just at high
water, and then it is alwaies as Good & a Much Safer Way for
them to Come in at y" Main Harbour, but were the Case So
we humblv Conceive that two or three private Interests Should
Not abridge y*^ Publick advantage of a Country.
5'y as to the Ice Jamming at y^ bridge its Wrong to Imagine
that, for that the Narrows above alwaies breakes & Shatters
the Ice, So y* it will Run through any one of y® Sluces of y^
Bridge,
6'y As to that Unspeakable hardship, which is So Emphati-
cally Express'd & lookt Upon to be y^ Greatest Injury that y®
Pef^ Set forth as Sufierers by vS** Bridge, is answered in Every
Article for that their Will be ten Sluces fitting for any hay or
Wood boat to pass & Repass,
& that if y'' Excellency & Hon" & Gentlemen of y^ Assembly
had Ever requir'd A Number of hands, to this Remonstrance
We Do Assure you that we Could have had 50 to one for
"building y" Bridge, & those to be Men of Honour, Justice &
Estate & well Dispos'd to Serve the Publick Weal & VVelfaire,
& Not Men out of a private Sinister End Either to Defraud the
King of his Dues, or Else for the Sake of Engrossing y'' trade.
& traffick of y'' Country people
And therefore 3'our Memorialest, humbly prayes. their May
be No Stop or hindrance put to S*^ Bridge
New Castle Aprill ^o"" 1719
Hugh Reed )- Select in behalf of y* Rest
Theo : Atkinson
Jn° ftVost
John Watkins
Jotham odiorne
[7-158] S^Petitio7t of Rev. John Bhint, 1737. '\
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq'' Governour and
Commander in cheifin and over his majesties Province of
New Hampshire to His majesties Council & Hon''''' House of
Representatives in General Court assembled The Petion of
John Blunt Humbly sheweth
NEW CASTLE. 685
That being informed it has been offered bv sundry Gentlem"
as an argument against paying the p'' Annum Due from the
Province to the minister of New-Castle Due (by an act of the
General Court in the 12th 3'ear of King George the first) that It
was what Is never Expected at His first Settling in this Place
He begs Leave to asure y'" that It was what he Expected from
his first Settlem't to be assure to him as his Salary from the
Town or otherwise had never Settled with y™ on Such terms
that he has all along looked on himself as a Common Sufterer
with those to whom the Province has been Indebted for these
Several years Past and y' to be at last denied the Paym' of what
he has been So long Expecting would be a matter truly Sur-
prising and grievouse — That He has given Constant attendance
to the Souldery at y*^ fort as to his Parishoners and tho So small
a Number yet Such has been the Sickess of them and their fam-
ilies for these 2 years past more Especialv that it has taken up
no inconsiderable Part of his time to attend y"' So that if there
had been no act of the Governm't to Pay any thing to him on
that account he cant but think it reasonable that he sh'd have
been Satisfied for his Labour. In as much as no man goeth a
warfare at his own charge and the Labourer is worthy of his
hire, which Is humbly offered to Consideration by the Sub-
scriber—
John Blunt
New Castle march 30"^ i737
Read and I'ecommended
R Waldron Sec-'y
[In H. of Rep., April i, 1737, "Voted to be dismissed."
—Ed.]
[7-159] \_Rev. Stephen Chase accepts a call to the Alinistryy
^750.']
To the Hon''^ Joseph Newmarch and Thomas Bell Esq""^ and
Docf Nath^ vSargent Committee — to Communicate to the
Parish at your Next Meeting —
Gentlemen
Whereas what was thought to be the Intention of this Parish
was sometime ago Signified to me by a Number of its Inhabi-
tants, and Since, this Church and Parish have made Choice of
me for their Gospel Minister, which, with what you have done
for the Support of me and Mine among you, as doth Appear by
your Votes, I have taken under Consideration, and do Chear-
fully Accept your Call ; Earnestly Intreating the great Head of
686 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
all Divine Influences that my Comeing among you may be in
the fullness of the Blessing of the Gospel of Christ — that we
may be helpers of each others Joy while here, and Rejoice to-
gether forever hereafter
I Subscribe yours to Serve in the Gospel of Christ
Stephen Chase
New Castle September 24"' 1750
New Castle May 26"" 1772 a true Copy
Examined — per Henry Prescott T Clk
[R. 3-22] {^Petition of Dr. Nathaniel Sargent., 1746., ad-
dressed to the General Assembly. '\
Most Humbly shews That your Memoralist was in the late
Expedition against Louisbourg as a Physician and Chirurgion
in the Regiinent that went out of this Province, That he was in
the Service Five months and Twenty days. That he had for
some time after landing on the Island of Cape Briton the sole
care and charge of the said Regiment as Physician and Chirur-
gion, That he was oblig'd to tarry in the Camps out of the City
Ten days after it was Surrendered to look after and take care of
upwards of Thirty Sick, and wounded persons having no per-
son or persons to aid and assist him therein That, there is due
unto your Memoralist of his Allowance whilest in the above
service as follows Nam'ly Forty Seven days bread. Twenty
Seven days Meat and peas and his whole allowance of Rum
except One quart and half a pint That your Memoralist made
use of his own Instruments during the whole time of his being
in the said service.
Wherefore your Memoralist most humbly prays your Excel-
lency and Honours to consider this Memorial and to make your
Memoralist such Allowance as may be thought just and reason-
able and your Memoralist as in dutv bound shall ever pray
&c—
May 12"' 1746.
Nath^ Sargent
[He was allowed enough to make ^572 with what had
before been paid him. — Ed.]
[R. 3-23] \_Pctition of Joseph Langmald., Soldier., 1756.,
addressed to the General Assembly.']
The Memorial of Joseph Langmaid a Soldier in the Fort
NEW CASTLE. 68j
William and Mary in New Castle in said Province most Hum-
bly shews.
That your Memorialist has been in said Fort near Fifty years,
and have always endeavour'd to fulfil the Duty in the Capacity
I sustained, and am now render'd incapable of serving any long-
er per reason of my Advanc'd Age, and A very bad Ulcer in
my Legg that has been of long continuance And the Chyrur-
geon that has the care of it is of Opinion that it will never be
cured ; unless I am put into A Salivation or a cource of Physick
that nearly resembles it which will be very expensive and al-
most insupportable for me in my present weekness of Body and
Advanc'd Age ; And if it should be thought that I could under-
go such an Operation I can't in reason expect it because I have
nothing to make any person satisfaction for such great trouble
and expence The necessitous circumstances I am reduc'd to, for
want of the comon necessaries of Life, such as Meat, Drink
Clothing and Firewood mak's my case extreemly miserable.
The Wages I have received from time to time have been quite
insufficient to afford any thing comfortable only a small support
from Hand to Mouth; and being constantly imploy'd in said
Fort have nothing laid up either more or less to depend upon.
Therefore your Memorialist most Humbly prays your Excel-
lency and Honours to consider of this Memorial, And to make
your Memorialist such necessary provision for his future sup-
port as you in your wisdom shall think proper. And your
Memorialist as in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c. —
his
Joseph -f- Langmaid
mark
New Castle Decem"" y® 17"' 1756
[7-161] \^Petition of JoJni Odio7-ne^ Jr. ^ for a Divorce^ ad-
dressed to the Getteral Assembly., i/JQ.^
Humbly sheweth, John Odiorne Jnr of New Castle in the
Province aforesaid Marriner, That on or about the 25"" day of
July 17531 he was Joyned in Marriage with Eunice Seavey of
Rye in said Province Spinster. That on or about the month of
December following the said Eunice was Delivered of a Child
born of her body, which in the nature of things your Petitioner
could not Possibly be the father off, because the said child was
what is called a Molato, and consequently was begotten by For-
nication and is a Bastard — Ever since wich your Petitioner
hath been deprived of the Comforts and Conjugal aftection he
expected by Reason of his Marriage as aforesaid, and hath not
Cohabited with her since — and as the word of God expressly
688 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
says that a man shall not put away his wife save for the Cause
of Fornication so in this case he apprehends it lawfull, and as
he Cannot put her away unless authorized by this Hon''' Court,
Wherefore Your Petitioner prays the advisement of this Hon*"'
Court in the premises — and that he may be enabled to put her
away and have his said marriage disannulled, that he may be
at liberty to marry again if he sees Cause & have liberty to
bring in a bill accordingly, and your Petitioner shall as in Duty
bound ever pray
Dec' i6, 1755.
hi3
John X Odiorne Junr
mark
witness Cutt Shannon
[Said Odiorne presented the following indenture as evi-
dence, and was granted "leave to bring in a bill," but I do
not find any act decreeing the divorce. — Ed.]
[7-160] \_Eiinlce Odiorne binds out her Child; a Unique
Indenture^ iy^4.'\
This Indenture Witnesseth
that I unes odhorn of the parish of Rye in the provance of
New hampshur in Nuengland doth put and bind my melater
Child which is called lushe hamsher unto obdiar masten and
his wife Elisabath of the North parish of hamtown in the
provance aforsaid and the said melater child to sarve after
the maner of an apprintice to dwell and scarve from the day
of the date hearof for and during the full and just term of
twenty life 3'ears which will be Ended in the ^ear of ouer Lord
1779 and on febuarj^ the fust day next insuen the date and fully
to be Compleated and Ended during all which said terme the
said apprentis hur said master and mistress honestly and faith-
fully shorl serve ther secrets keep close ther lawful and Reason-
able Commands Every whear gladly do and perform dameiges
to said master and mistres she shall not wilfuly do hur masters
and mistres goods she shall not waste Embzel purloine or lend
imto others nor sufer the same to be wasted or purloined but to
hur power shall forthwith discover and make known the same
unto the said obdiar masten and his Wife hur master and mis-
tres taverns or ale houses she shall not frequent at Cards disc or
any other unlawful game she shall not play fornication she shall
not commit nor mattimony contract with any person during the
said time frome her master and mistres sarves she shall not at
any time unlawfully absent hur self but in all things as a good
honest and faithful sarvent and apprentice shall bear and behave
NEW CASTLE. 689
hurself towords hur said master and mistres during the full term
of the twenty fife years comminsed as aforsaid and the said ob-
diar masten and his wife Elisabath for themselves doth Cove-
nant promas grant and agree unto and with the said apprintes
in maner and form following that is to say that we will previd
for and unto the said apprentice good and sufficint meat drink
and logen fit for an printes during said time and at the end of
the said term to dismis said apprentis in testimony whearof the
said partis to these present indentures have interchangeably set
thear hands and seals the fust day of febwar}' in the twent}- sev-
enth year of the Reign of ouer Sovereign lord gorge the second
bye the grace of god king of grat britan frans and irland and in
the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty fouer
mark
unes X odhorn
signed sealed and dlivered in presance of
Richard Rand
Molly Rollins
prsh of Rye desinber 24 day 1755
obdiah marsten and his wif Elezbath marsten apered Before
me and mad oth tht on the first day of febwary 1744 the above
syd maisten and wif had a melto women child of unes odern of
Rye Bound to tham and declard to the Bast of their knolag she
was a melato Child
Richerd Jennes iustes peas
[7-162] \_Relative to Tax on Abraha?n Trefethen^s A/ills^
To the Hon'''^ his Maj^ Council & the House of Representatives
in General Assembly conven'd at Portsmouth y*^ 5"^ day of
December 1763
A Petition in favor of the Select-Men of New-Castle humbly
Shews that Geo : Frost Esqr hath Industriously propagated
among the Inhabitants of Said New-Castle, that in the last Pro-
portion made by this Court The Mills owned b}- Cap' Abraham
Trefethen of Said Town were injoyned to pay JE400 — which
has made great Uneasiness in S"* Town And in defiance of all
that can be Said or done, as a Certificate from the Secretary,
Clerk of the House, and what is wrote at the foot of the Pro-
portion, and every other Explanation (for the whole Taxation
on New-Castle is but ;£5oo — for Trade, Short Inventory &*^*)
Yet M"^ Frost insists Still on what he Says to be right and that
some of the Select-Men knows it to be so, which has disturbed
the Peace of the Town to Such a degree that the Select-Men
have Postponed making the Town Taxes till Such an Explana-
46
690 EARLY TOWN PAPERS. •
tion of the Matter from this Court as may convince M' Frost (if
He may be capeable of conviction) and restore Peace and tran-
quility to the Town again : which is what hereby is desired &
prayed for by this Petition & what the Select-Men in Duty are
obliged to ask —
Jos. Newmarch in behalf of y*^ Select: Men
[7-163] [ Vote of Town relative to Alinlsterial fnatterSy
At a Parish Meeting of New Castle, Notified by the Consta-
ble M"" John Pridham, to Call & Settle a Gospell" Minister for
said Parrish, held July 6"' 1750, According to Notification,
mett at Ten A Clock a forenoon,- —
Voted Joseph Newmarch Esq"" Moderator The meeting Ad-
journed 'till thi'ee A Clock afternoon the same Day. —
Jos : Newmarch Mod'
At Three a Clock afternoon Eodem Die the Parrish mett
According to the Adjournment
Voted the Parrish be Supply'd with a Gospell A'linister
Voted ThJlt the Gospell Minister of this Parrish have for his
Support Fifty Pounds Sterling per Annum to be paid him
According to Exchange, Moreover the Parsonage & Contribu-
tion of Strangers. —
The Aleeting Adjourned 'till the third Monday the 20"' Au-
gust Next —
Jos : Newmarch Mod''
At New Castle Parrish Meeting held Tuesday the iS"* Day
of September at 10 of the Clock forenoon 1750 According to
Notification Dated the 15"' Instant 1750 To Choose Call & Set-
tle a Gospell Minister in Said Parrish. —
Voted Joseph Newmarch Esq'' Moderator
Voted The Rev*^ M'' Stephen Chase to be a Gospell Minister
in & for the abovesaid Parrish —
Voted The aforesaid m'' vStephen Chase for his Support Dur-
ing his Ministry in this said Parrish shall have Fifty Pounds
Sterling per Annum to be Annually p*^ him Accoi'ding to Ex-
change, The Contribution of Strangers & the Parsonage House
& Lands Agreeable to a former Vote. —
Voted Joseph Newmarch Esq'' Tho^ Bell Esq'' & Docf Nath^
Sargent a former Committee be Confirmed, and with Power to
Treat with m'' Stephen Chase, to Receive his Answer and
Make Report thereof
New Castle May 23*^ ^772 a true Copy taken from New Cas-
tle Records — Test' — Henrv Prescott T Clk
A NEW CASTLE. 69 1
[7-165] \^Petition for an Allowance for the Privilege of Sol-
diers attendifig CJuirchi ^773-'\
To The Honarable House of Assembly
Gentlemen, as The Town of New Castle was Divided in-
to Two parishes, and the Same Act that Set off the Parish of
Rye From New Castle, granted To the Town of New Castle.
Twenty Four pound p"" Annum to be paid out of The Publick
Excise and as this Honarable. House, Saw meet Last year to
grant to the Town of New Castle Thirty pound in full For Said
Act.
Therefore your petisioners pray that your Honours will Con-
sider us on the great Advantage that the Solders has on At-
tending the publick worship of God at the Meetinghouse in
New Castle and grant us So much as you Gentlemen Shall
think proper, payable to the Selectmen of New Castle towards
Supporting the Gospel Ministry in Said Town
In Behalf of the Town
New Castle 26 May 1773
Tho- Bell , Select Men
John Simpson )
[They were allowed fifty shillings per annum. — Ed.]
[7-166] \_]Ve%v Castle Committee relative to Harbor De-
fences^ iyj6.'\
Colony of New-Hampshire
To the Hon'''* the Council and House of Representatives for
said Colony in General Assembly convened June 5"' 1776 —
The humble Petition of us the Subscribers a Committee in
Behalf of the Inhabitants of New Castle in the County of
Rockingham in the Colony aforesaid — Sheweth That the In-
habitants of s"^ Newcastle being by their Insular Situation at the
Entrance of the only Harbour in the Colony and by their De-
fenceless condition peculiarly exposed to the attacks & ravages
of the Enemy — the last fall did remove themselves and Effects
into the Country, where with great DifHculty & Expence they
procured houses to reside in during the last Winter — In this
Situation having expended in the Support of their Families,
their little Savings Notwithstanding the alarming Aspect of
Public Affairs, were obliged to Return, this Spring, to their
old Habitations, Where they yet remain in a very dangerous &
defenceless Situation, without a Bridge, by means of which a
692 EARLY TOWN PAPERS. •
Retreat might be secured for the Inhabitants and the Colony-
Troops Stationed there in case of any Emergence it should be
found Necessary, & without any Batteries Fortifications or Can-
non for Defence — As Newcastle is the Key to this Colony, the
Securing the Possession thereof, cannot be thought of less Im-
portance to the Colony; than the Acquisition of it must be to
the Enemy, In order to secure the Lives & Interest of the Peo-
ple of the Colony in general & of the Inhabitants of said New-
castle & the Troops there in Particular, we humbly conceive a
Bridge Should be erected across the River from the upper End
of s'' Newcastle to Ward's Island so called & from thence to
Adam's Island so called, which would aftbrd a Safe retreat to
Fort-Washington, & also a Safe direct way to send Reinforce-
ments to the Troops Stationed at said Newcastle when needed
— We likewise conceive that Batteries or fortifications should
be Built at Said Newcastle in some proper places for the De-
fence thereof, & to prevent the Enemy gaining a Stand so ad-
vantageous to them & so detrimental to the Colony — Wherefore
we humbly pray that your Honors would take the Subject mat-
ter of this Petition into your Serious Consideration & being
convinced of the Necessity & Utility of the Measure, that you
would order the s** Bridge & proper Batteries for Defence to be
Built immediately at the Expence of the Colony. And we as
in Duty bound will ever pray
Newcastle 13"' May 1776
Geo. Frost Ju'' | Committee for
Robert White I Newcastle
[7-167] \_Memorial relative to the Fishery btisiness.'\
To The Hon" the Council and Assembly for the State of New
Hampshire —
The Memorial of Henry Prescott in behalf of his Constitu-
ants, the Inhabitants of the Town of New-Castle — humbly
Sheweth
That said Town was almost Intirely Supported by the Fish-
ery in Times past, there not being any Foreign Trade Carried
on in said Town. That on the 20"' of July 1775 the Act of the
British Parliament prohibeting the Fishery took place, at which
time, and after, a British Ship of War lay oft' said Town which
prevented even the Catching of fish in Boats — and in the Month
of October following when Falmouth was Burnt the Inhabitants
were at the Expence of Remooving Back into the Country for
Safety, expecting New Castle would Share the same fate — But
in the Spring following a Considerable part of the Inhabitants
NEW CASTLE. 693
Returned, and at an Unusual Expence fitted out Five fishing
Vessells, Two of which were taken hy the Enemy, and some
of the Hands are yet on Board the Sloop of War which took
them; and Since a Considerable part of the Inhabitants have
Engaged in the Continental Service ; and Others have no trade
to Support them, That they at present are Unable to Support
their Minister or School. — Wherefore your Memorialest would
move that this Court would take their Case into their Calm
Consideration and grant them such Relief with Respect to their
Tax's for 177s & 1776, as thev may think Just & Reasonable in
their present Distressed Situation
and your memorialest as in Duty bund shall ever pray —
Exeter Dec"" 12*'' 1776.
Henry Prescott
[7-168] \^Petition for AutJiority to raise AToney by Lottery
to build a Bridge^ lyyS.']
To the Hon*"' The Council, and House of Representatives for
the State of New Hampshire, Conven'd at Exeter, the Peti-
tion of a Number of the Inhabitants of the Town of New
Castle Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioners, the greater part of them, being Scitu-
ate and Living on an Island, Renders their Communication
with the Inhabitants on the main Extreamly Difficult, and
Many times Utterly Impracticable ; that for want of a Bridge
we are Deprived of Any Markett from the Country Except
what is by water, which is very Precarious and Uncertain ;
that in Case of an Attack from Our Enemys, Assistance from
Our Bretheren on the Main would be Difficult to be Procured,
and if Procured, a Retreat, in Case of a Defeat would be At-
tended with many and great Inconveniences That your Peti-
tioners in this Time of general Calamity have been Deprived
of the Usual means of geting their Livelyhood in a more Espe-
cial Manner, as their whole Dependance was upon Navigation
and the Fisher}', and are therebv Rendered Uncapable of doing
any thing towards Building a Bridge themselves; That The
Hon''' The Committee of Safety for this State did in the year
1776 Direct Col. Long when Stationed on this Island, with a
Body of Troops, to Build a Bridge a Cross the River with the
Materials of the Old One, as far as it would go, and also gave
us some Old Condemned Masts and Booms to work into the
New Bridge, But Unfortunately for Us Your Petitioners, the
Season of the year was so far Advanced before He began that
the work Remains Uncompleated
694
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Your Petitioners Therefore humbly Request your Honoi-'s
would enable them by an Act of this State to Raise Two thou-
sand Dollars by a Lottery to finish the Bridge already began,
and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray —
New Castle February lo"' 1778.
Henry Prescott James Neal
Geo. Frost Ju' Meshach Bell 3<i
John Tarlton Elias Tarlton
Thomas Bell Will™ Stocker
Matthew Bell Juner Benjamin Bell 3''
Benjamin Bell
Jn° Tuckerman
Robert White William Jones
John m'^Colley William Clark
Rob' Lapish Thomas Card
Sampson Bell John Card
Sam' Clarke Henr}' Card
John Seavey John Rand
John Simpson
Meshach Bell Jur
John Shannon
Abednego Bell
Abra : Trefethenjur
Ephraim Amazeen Nath" Jordan
John amazeen J<^hn Randel
Abram Trefethen
Richa** Yeaton
Isaac Smith
Thomas Lake
[In H. of Rep., Feb. 13, 1778, the foregoing petition was
granted. — Ed.]
[7-169] \^Rcpo7-t of Co7n7uittec on Damages to Property by
the Troops J\
State of New Hamp''
In the House of Representatives Nov'' 21'' 1778-
The Committee appointed by the Council & House of Rep-
resentatives to estimate the Damages and Rents of sundry
Houses improved as Barracks in the Years 1775 and 1776 by
Cap' Parr's Rifle men, and other Continental Troops under the
Command of Col' Peirse Long having met for the purpose
aforesaid — & after a full survey of the buildings at New Castle,
at Seavey's Island, and Cap* George Janvrin's Island, do agree
to Report as follows — viz'
To Meshech Bell for his house and damage
To William Vinard for ditto
To Jane Watkins d"
To Henrv Foss d°
To Matthew Bell d"
To John Simpson d°
To Shadrach Bell d°
To Daniel Warner d"
To Thomas Bell d"
To Robert White d"
£45.
10.
20.
12.
28.
24.
90.
o.
o.
o.
o.
o.
o.
o.
56. o.
72. o.
76. o.
NEW CASTLE. 695
To John Tarlton d° 20. o.
To George Frost for his old house & d" 32. o.
To William Trundy d" 12. o.
To Robert Lapish d° 30. o.
To M" Shannon d° 16. o.
To Richard Yeaton d" 6. o.
To Joseph Frost d" 7. o.
To George Frost for New House & ditto 16. o.
To William Jones d° 15. o.
To M^' Moody d" 120. o.
To M"" Chase for Parsonage d" So. o.
To Henry Frescutt d" 30. o.
To Stephen Batson d° 13. o.
To George Jaffrey d° 24. o.
To Samuel Fernald d" 10. o.
To John Fernald d" 12.0.
To Stephen Seavey d" 20. o.
To Stephen Jenkins d" 7.
To George Janvrin d" 65.
£968. o
This Account of nine hundred and sixty-eight pounds ap-
pears to your Committee to be due to the above named twenty
nine persons, for the improvement of their houses & Lands for
the purposes before mentioned, and all their damages — All
which is submitted by George Gains for said Committee —
Which Report being read & considered Voted that the same
be received and accepted, & that the President give orders of
payment accordingly to Major George Gains —
Sent up for Concurrence —
John Langdon Speaker
In Council the Same day read and Concurred
E Thompson Sec^^
[7-170] \_Relative to Legislative Represetitation^ iy84.'\
To the Hon"*'^ the Council and House of Representatives of the
State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of New Castle
Humbly Sheweth —
That by Reason of the late Cruel and Distressing War your
Petitioners have for a long Time been deprived of the Usual
means of geting their Subsistance, and are so Impoverished in
their Circumstances that they have been unable to pay their
696 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Usual Proportion of the Public Expence, or even to Support a
Minister, or School Amongst them, and also that their Num-
bers are greatly deminished, by which Means thev are, at pres-
ent, rendered unable to Support Representation —
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the}' may be disannexed
from the Town of Rye, and not Annexed to any Other Town
for the Choice of a Rej^resentative, they Choosing rather in
their present Circumstances, to Rely on the Justice and Clem-
ency of the Hon''' the General Court of the State —
New Castle March 15"^ 17S4.
Abraham Trefethen Nathan White Jn° Blunt
Jn" Simpson Abra Trefethen Jun'' Nath" Batson
Henry Prescott Sha*^ Bell Stephen Batson
Meshach Bell Abednego Bell archell furnell
Stephen Chase John Randel Elias Tarlton
Geo. ffrost Ju"" Thomas Bell Paul Randall
Same^ Yaton Samuel Frost W'" Tredick
William Vennard Sampson Bell William Jones
Edward White Robert Martin James Neal
Robert White Jobn Simpson Junr Richard Tarlton
John Tarlton Joseph Bell Ephraim Amazeen
Sam" Gowdy Sha'' Bell Jun^
Joshua White Jolii^ Chase
[7-17.2] S^Petition for Authority to raise Aloney by Lottery
to build a Bridge^ i'/8g.'\
To the Honourable Senate, and House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of New Castle,
humbly Sheweth — that the well known Importance of the small
Town aforesaid, Imployed in the Fishing Business, to the
State in General, and that the Increased Prosperity of it, is
greatly Influential to the Fishery in general, that Publick source
of Wealth, thrown into the Lap of the State, surely demands
the Attention of the Legislature — And whereas, the Demolition
of the Bridge, that connected the Island, to the main Land by
means of which a Communication was Opened, and was a
source of Prosperity, has greatly Impoveris'h us, and is still a
hindrance to Our, Increase, Welth, and Prosperity, the Con-
tinuance of this Inconvinience, must, Continue, our Poverty
Weaken and Deminish our Numbers, our Business, and means
of Prosperity, and must in the Issue deminish the Wealth of
NEW CASTLE. 69/
the State in general, and so be a Publick detriment, unless the
Bridge is Restored, and thereby a free Communication Opened
to the Country, — And whereas the Inhabitants of said New
Castle, are by no means Able to the Arduous Task of Rebuild-
ing the Bridge without the help and Aid of the Publick, these
are therefore Earnestly to Pray and Petition that your Honours
would grant us a Lottery, to Raise Fifteen hundred Pounds
Lawful Money, which sum we suppose will take to Rebuild
the Bridge in said New Castle, and afford us Other help and
Aid as you in your goodness and Wisdom may see fit, and we
as in duty bound will Ever Pray &c —
New Castle Dec'' 24, 17S9
Oliver Noble Nathaniel Amazeen John Carrell
Sampson Sheafe Sampson ttrefethen Robert Blunt
Robert White Joseph Amazeen 3*^ Joseph Amazeen
George Bell John Rand Jos. ffrost
David Mitchell William Clarnboul Edward Tredick
Chris"' Amazeen Isaac Smith John Shonnan
Benj" Meloon William Neal Jun'' John Neal
Rich*^ Tarlton Benjamin odiorn Joshua Bickford Ju""
Henry Prescott J"" Samuel Rand Shadrach Bell
william neal William Amazeen Abednego Bell
Rich Neal William Allen Benj'^ Prescott
Ephream Amazeen Geo. Ffrost John Randel
Sampson Bell Jn° Simpson James Neal
Stephen Batson Henry Prescott Joseph Bell
Sinur Thomas Bell Stephen Batson Jun''
Luke Wilkinson WilHam Vennard Joshua White
Andrew Eliot William Jones Nathan White
[7-173] \_Petitio7i f)'om I)iJiabitants of Rye concerniiig the
same.'\
State of New Hampshire —
To the Hon''' The Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court Assembled, at Portsmouth On the 23'^ Day of
December Instant —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Rye Hum-
bly Sheweth — That the Ancient Town of New Castle has been
greatly distressed and Impoverislied by Means of the late War,
and the Bridge a Cross Little Harbour which Connected them
to the Main, has been demolished, and the Inhabitants thereof
are by no Means Able to Rebuild said Bridge, without the Aid
698
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
of the Public — which we Apprehend will not Only be Benefi-
cial to the Inhabitants of said Town, but to the Country in
General, as thereby a Communication will be Opened with the
Only place Conveniently Situated for Carrying On the Fishery
in this State, the Necessity of said Bridge must be Obvious to
all as it will Open a free Communication from the Country to
the Only Fortress in the State — Wherefore your Petitioners
Humbly Pray that your Honors would grant Liberty to Raise
the Sum of fifteen Hundred Pounds LawfuU Money, by a Lot-
tery, for the Purpose of Building a Bridge a Cross Little Har-
bour in New Castle aforesaid, and your Petitioners as in Duty
bound will ever Pray.
Rye December, 1789.
Simon Jenness
Isaac Dow
Richard Jenness
Benjamin Jenness
John Jenness
Francis Jenness
Thomas Jenness
Rand
Levi Jenness
Jacob Beary
Rich"^ Beary
abraham Libbee
James hobbs
John Garland
Bickford Lang
John Lang
Nicholas Dolbeer
Jonathan Brown
Job Jenness
Reuben moulton
Simon Lamper
Simon Lampere Jr
Samuel Elkins
Isaac Jenness
Jonathan Jenness
John Brown
John Marston
Samuel Knowles
Trustham Sleeper
Thomas Sleeper
David Smith
Stephen marden
Joses Philbrick
Joseph Rand
Peter Garland
John Garland iun''
Levi Garland
Jonath Garland
Jonathan Woodman Peter Garland iuer
John Brown
James Perkins
John Perkins
Joseph Perkins
thomas cotten
Sam'^ Jenness
Peter Jenness
John Lock
Joseph Jenness Jur
William Davison
Josiah Davison
Mikel Dalton
Reuben Philbrick
Simon Garland
Joseph Garland
John Garland
Nathan Knowls
John Knowles
Peter Johnson Jun''
Edmund Johnson
Nathaniel Beary
Peter Mitchell
Nathan Goss
Simon Johnson
Thomas Goss
Elijah Lock
Samuel Wells
Simon Wells
James Goss
Benjmin Garland
Benjamin Garland J'
Amos Garland
Huntington Porter
John F. Williams
Josus Philbrick
Jeremiah Berry
Levi Berry
Benjamin Marden Ju
Jonathan Hobbs
Solmon Berry
Nathaniel marden
Ebeneazer Seavey
Mark Lang
George Rand
Amos Persons
Benjamin Marden
Alaxander Salter
Joseph Rand Jun""
Levi Goss
John Goss
Daniel Mason
William Norton
Elexander Lear
Nathaniel Rand Jur
Benjamin Lear
Daniel Fitzgrell
Jonathan Goss
Nath^ Rand
Joseph Goss
NEW CASTLE. 699
Jonathan wedgwood David Lock Samuel Rand
David Wedgwood David Lock junr Thomas Rand
Nathaniel Jenness Jonathan Lock the Samuel Wallis iur
Noah Jenness third Jolin Fry
Stephen Rand EBenezer Berry John Fry Ju
John B. Jennes Merefield Beary Amos Seavey
Jeremiah Brown Jonathan Lock William Seavey
Jonathan Philbrick Jonathan Lock Jur
Daniel Philbrick Rich'' Jenness
[An act granting the lottery was passed Jan. 12, 1790. —
Ed.]
£7-174] \_Petition of sioidry I)ihabitants to be annexed to
Rye, 1791.']
To the Honb''' Senate and the Honorable House of Representa-
tives for the State of New ILunpshire, Convened at Con-
cord—
The Petition of Sundry Lihabitants and Land holders of the
Town of New Castle in said State — Humbly Sheweth that
your Petitioners by Reason of their Local Scituation have Long
Laboured under great inconveniencies in said town by being
detached from the stated place of Public Town meetings and
Schools by a river running between them and the Compact
part of the town which is many times Impassable by reason of
Tempestous weather Ice &c that our Annual town meeting is
by Law on the first Tuesday of March at which Season of the
year the River is often so Obstructed with Ice or wind as to
render it Impossible for Lis to attend, in Consequence of which
we are Prevented from Voting on any Public business thereby
Losing our Small Influence in Town affairs, and when we can
Attend our numbers are so few that we Stand no Chance with
the other Part of the town whereby we are forced to pay for
what they Please to Vote, School masters in Particular without
having any benefit of them. Some of Us Living Upwards of
a mile from the River which if Passable we have another mile
to walk to the School, which we Conceive to be a great Hard-
ship as we are obliged some of Us to put our Children to School
in other Towns, thereby Paying Double taxes for them which
is a great Hardship to Such of Us in Particular who have
tennants on our Land it being a great Discouragement to a ten-
nants Living in such a town — We would also beg Leave to
Suggest that in the year 1703 the Governor and Council Passed
an order Releasing the then Ferryman from his Taxes yearly
in Consideration of his Ferringf over the Inhabitants Living: on
700 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the main on Public days Gratis which Custom was Constantly
Complyed with till Very Lately when the Select men to add
another Grievance to Us have Compelled the Present Occupant
of the Ferry to pay his Tax who now refuses to Let us pass the
River without Pav, for these and many other Reasons your
Petitioners most Humbly Pray your Honors that we may be
Disannexed with our Estates from the town of New Castle and
Annexed to the Town of Rye which is much more Convenient
to us for meetings & Schools
And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
New Castle May 2<f^ 1791
Jn" Blunt
Samuel Rand
Benjamin odiorn
Jacob Sheafe jun'
Jonathan Warner
Geo. Frost
[The foregoing was granted Dec. 22, 1791. — Ed.]
[7-17^] S^George Jaffrey clauus ail Alloivance for Dajiiage
ca7ised by building the J-^ort.~\
State of New-Hampshire
Portsmouth June 8"' 1792 —
To the Honourable Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of New-Hampshire now Sitting at Dover in general
Court, in June 1792 —
The Memorial of George Jaffrey of Portsmouth, in the
County of Rockingham ; and State of New-Hampshire —
Humbly Sheweth
That the Government of the State of New-Hampshire, in
June 1775. began building a Fort on the land of your Memori-
alist at a place called Jerrvs point, in the Town of New-Castle
in Said State ; and that Fort was built of the Sods, earth and
Stone walls of Said place also many valuable trees were cut
down on that place, to be used as materials for building or fuel
for the fort — From the time of building that fort, your Memori-
alist was deprived of cutting the principal part of the hay for
Supporting the Cattle he had upon The farm, containing about
Seventy five Acres by Several years manuring the ground at
Jen-ys Point, by the appearance of the Grass, when the fort
was begun to be built, the Tennant expected to make nine or
NEW DURHAM. 7OI
ten loads of hay on that point of land, — Since that time, have
been obliged to transport hay by water, at an extraordinary ex-
pence, to Support the .Stock on that farm, and the ground on
the point has been of little or no benefit — when the Govern-
ment removed the Platforms Barracks &'^'' from the fort, in ex-
pectation that the Fort would be removed, and the materials
would be replaced, — prevented application to the general Court
for ample and adequate compensation for the Damage to your
Memorialist, by building Said Fort — wherefore he now prayeth
The Honourable General Court would appoint a Committee to
view the place where the Fort is built, examine and enquire
into circumstances respecting the Damage done to your Peti-
tioner, by building The Fort, (fe*^" and to make a full Estimate
of the Same and grant him a full Compensation for the Dam-
age he sustain's and your Petitioner will ever pray &c
Geo : JaflVey
[A committee appointed to examine into the matter re-
ported the damage at ;^50. Said committee was composed
of Moses Leavitt, Jona. Cilley, and James Carr. — Ed.]
NEW DURHAM.
The township was granted to Ebenezer Smith and others
in 1749. and incorporated with full town privileges Decem-
ber 7, 1762. Major Thomas Tash, a brave soldier of the
French and Revolutionary wars, was authorized to call the
first town-meeting.
A tract of land adjoining on the west, for some years
called New Durham Gore, was incorporated as a town by
the name of Alton, June 16, 1796.
The town was settled to some extent by people from Dur-
ham : hence its name. Col. Thomas Tash, a native of the
last named place, removed to this town about the close of
the Revolutionary war, and died here in 1809, at the age of
87 years.
702 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[R. 3-25] \_Petition of certain Soldiers in the Expedition
against Canada : addressed to the General Assembly^
June 14, 1764.']
Shews
That your Petitioners wei'e in his Majestys Service against
his Enemies and did their duty faithfully thro' much hardships
Difficulties — That they have receivd their wages for every years
Service but the Year 1760 for which they have received no pay
tho' for that year their Service vs'as as hard as the rest. —
That they cannot think that their leaving Crown point about
a fortnight before their Dismission (which the}' have been told
was the reason they were not paid for that year) coud be such
an Oti'ence as justly Incvu'rd the forfiture of a Years wages
when their Circumstances there were such as made it greatly
hazzardous to their health to Tarry and their Departure attend-
ed with no 111 Consequences — Wherefore they most humbly
Pray their case may be Considered & their wages paid accord-
ing to Enlistment & time of Service —
Gideon Gould
Timothy clough
Henery frink
Nath" Merrill
Micajah Morrill in y" Rite of Richard Hull
Ebenezer Brow
Robert Pike
Dismist
[R. 3-24] \_Petition of Elizabeth Doe.']
[In a petition without date Mrs. Doe stated " that David
Doe Her Husband went as a Continental Solder in the ser-
vice For the Town of New Durham ;" and, further, " that
she was married in New Durham and her child was born
there." Sworn before Joseph Roberts. — Ed.]
[R. 3-27] \_Petition of Peter Drown., //'Sj.']
[In a petition dated June 6, 1785, said Drown, of New-
Durham, stated that he " served as a Captain in Col" Ste-
phen Peabodys Regiment in the State of Rhode Island in
the year 1778." He asked to have the depreciation of his
pay made up to him. The petition is signed " Tho* Tash
NEW DURHAM. 7O3
In behalf of the petitioner." Capt. Drown was murdered
February 4, 1788, by Elisha Thomas. — Ed.]
[R. 3-29] [^Samuel Runnels'' s Petition^ Soldie}'.'\
[In a petition dated New Durham, December 30, 1788,
the said Runnels stated " that he was a private in Maj""
Norris Company in Col. Scammels Reg* for the term of
three years ; " that by reason of being on detatched service
with General Sullivan he drew no pay from December 31,
1778, until June 30, 1779, at which last date he was appoint-
ed to an office in the Rhode Island expedition. He was al-
lowed regular pay for the six months. — Ed.]
[R. 3-26] \_Soldie7''s Order, i/'S^.'}
Nevvdurham decem"" th 19 — 17S4
Sir please to pay Thomas Tash Esq'' the whole of my wages
& bountey for my Sarvce In the Continentai armev In 1781 In
Cap' Livermores Company and this Shall be a discharge In full
from —
your humble Sarv'
John Bryant
To the pay master of the New hampshire trups
[R. 3-2S] \_Pctition of Elisha Thomas, Soldier, 178J : ad-
dressed to the General Assembly, jfamiary 4, i'j8j.'\
Humbly Shevveth Elisha Thomas of New Durham in the
County of vStradbrd, Yeoman, that in the Year 1776, he inlist-
ed into Cap' John Gordon's Company, as a private Soldier, in
the Regment under the Command of Col Thomas Tash of this
State, in the federal Service, that in the Month of November
in the same year, at the Alarm at Planks Point on North River
State of New York in Discharging his Gun, his Left hand, was
torn 'to Pieces, bv bursting of said Gun, and his Thumb carried
away, and his Fingers & hand rendered almost wholly useless,
by Means whereof, he suffered the most excruciating Pain for a
long Time, & has ever Since been in a great Measure, deprived
of the Means of gaining a Subsistence for himself & a numer-
ous Family of Children — Wherefore Your Petitioner most hum-
704 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
bly Prays this honorable Assembly to take his Case in their
wise and equitable Consideration, and make him such Grant,
or Allowance as Justice and Humanity may dictate, for the Re-
lief of himself & a Poor & Indegent Family and as in Duty
Bound he will ever Pray —
Elisha Thomas
[See Vol. XI, page 547.— Ed.]
[R. 3-30] \_Petitio7i of Richard Colomy^ i/gi.'j
State of New-Hampshire Concord Feb^' 3'^ 1791 —
To the Honorabl the Congress of the United States of Ameri-
ca, most humbly shevveth,
Richard Colomy of New-Durham in said State — that he was
a Soldier in Captain Frederick Bells Company, in Col" George
Reids Reg' in Gen^ Enoch Poors Brigade in the late Conti-
nental Army, — that on the ninteenth day of April i777i — in
Battle at Still-water, he received two wounds, one in his knee,
& the other in his hip and the ball still remains in his hip — by
means of which Your Petitioner and Memorialist is much dis-
enabled—that by reason of his living remote in the Country be-
ing poor, ignorant &'^ he never made application to be enrolled
as an inviled pen'' in this State till the time of enrolling therein
had expired, —
Therefore he most ardently pray Your hon' body to take his
distressed case into consideration, and Grant him such relief in
the premises as may appear Just and reasonabl, — and as in duty
bound he will ever pray —
his
Richard X Colomy
mark
Test : Josh'' Atherton
John Young
[He was put on the invalid roll. — Ed.]
[7-178] \^ReIative to Robert KarsoJt^ Soldier. ~\
State of New Hamp'®
To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives in
General Court convened at Exeter April 7"' 17S4
Humbly shew the Inhabitants of New Durham in the Coun-
ty of Strafford that among the Soldiers they were called upon
NEW DURHAM. 705
to furnish during the late war they hired to serve for that Term
one Robert Karson who joined his Regiment served some time
& then was taken Prisoner or deserted : since which (as 3'our
Petitioners suppose through some mistake) an Extent has been
served on your Petitioners for not furnishing their Qiiota of Sol-
diers of which the said Karson was one
Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honors that
they may be excused from paying the said Extent so far as it
relates to the said Karson, or that they may be otherwise releiv-
ed as in your wisdom you shall judge proper, and as in duty
bound shall ever pray
Tho^ Tash
in behalf of the Petitioners —
[7-179] iReturn of Ratable Polls, ^7^3-']
State of New Hamp'' Strafford ss —
A Return of the Number of all Male Polls from Twenty One
Years of Age & upwards (paying poll Taxes) in the Town of
New Durham Taken by Order of the General Assembly of said
State, which Number is Seventy
New Durham Dec"' 20"" 17S3. —
Tho' Tash I Select
Peter Drowne j Men
[7-180] \_Col. Thomas Tash resigns in favor of his Son,
New durham Jenury th 10 — 179^
dear Sir
this Comes to In forime you that I wrot to Let you know that
I am willing to Resign being appointed a Justice of the peace
In favour of my Son Thomas Tash If the president & Counsel
Sees fite to appoint him In my Room I Suppose that he Is well
qualified for that Commission and will be no dishoner to them
that appoints him. and I Expect that It will be agreeable to the
Town he Lives In which Is all from your friend & most hum-
ble Sarvn'
Tho' Tash
PS I wrote this Letter Least you had not Receivd the
other
47
706 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-1S1] \_Rclative to Library Society^ ^797 •'\
To the Hon'*''' Senate and House of Representatives for the
State of New Hampshire to be convened at Concord, in said
State on the first Wednesday in June next —
The Petition of the Subscribers, a Committee appointed by
the New Durham library Society, for the purpose, at their
Meeting held in said Town on the twelvth day of September
last — humbly shews That said Society consists, at present, of
forty members, each of whom have paid four dollai's a peice,
for the use of said Society which money has been laid out to the
best advantage, in furnishing said library with the best and
most useful collection of books, for the use of the Members —
that said Society is still increasing in number and respectability
and would in their opinion much faster increase, if they were
incorporated and made a body corporate and politic — on a plan
similar to other institutions of the kind now existing in this
State, that said Society at present ai-e subject to inconvenien-
cies, for want of such incoi^poration — And as you are our polit-
ical fathers and Guardians and, we are assured, wish to pat-
ronize and promote useful literature, knowledge and good order
among the citizens at large, which beneficial ends are much fa-
cilitated by institutions of this kind — Your petitioners would
therefore humbly pray, in behalf of themselves and their asso-
ciates that your honors would be pleased to permit them to in-
troduce a bill of incorporation for the purposes aforesaid, under
such regulations and restrictions, as your Honours may deem
just and reasonable And your petitioners as in duty bound will
ever pray —
New Durham May the 25"' A. D. 1797
Samuel Runnals ^
Thomas Tash Jun' ^ Committee
Joseph Jackson )
[The committee was granted leave to bring in a bill. —
Ed.]
NEW HAM PTON.
The territory was granted to Gen. Jonathan Moulton and
others, proprietors of Moultonborough, January 24, 1765,
and was called Moultonborough Addition. It was incor-
NEW HAMPTON. 707
porated as a town November 27, 1777, and received its
present name at that time at the request of General Moul-
ton, in honor of his native town.
By an act passed December 7, 1797, the north-east part
of the town was set off, and incorporated as a town by the
name of Centre Harbour, which name was given in conse-
quence of its containing within its bounds the centre one of
the three principal harbors on the north side of the lake,
said harbor having borne that name for some years prior to
the incorporation of the town. (See Vol. XI, page 277.)
A literary institution, called the New Hampton Academy,
established here, was incorporated June 27, 1821. The
management of the institution was placed in the hands of
three trustees, and so continued until 1826. In June of that
year the name of the institution was changed by law to
"The Academical and Theological Institution in New
Hampton," and the number of trustees increased to eleven,
five of whom were to be appointed by the proprietors, and
five by the Baptist Convention. The principal of the school
was also to be one of the trustees. By an act of the legis-
lature, approved July 6, 1849, the control of the academy
passed into the hands of the Baptist Convention, which was
empowered to appoint all of the eleven trustees. This in-
stitution was removed to Vermont about 1852.
In January, 1853, The New Hampton Literary and Bib-
lical Institution was chartered and organized, under the
auspices of the Free-Will Baptist denomination. It was
liberally endowed by Col. Rufus G. Lewis, of New Hamp-
ton. Since that time it has been in successful operation,
and has performed a good work in the cause of education.
[7-182J \_Bennmg Moulton recommended for a Magistrate^
i78ir[
New Hampton August y* 16"^ 1781
This May Sertify that at a Town Meeting Legally Warned
and Held this Day at the House of M"" Samuel Dollofs in said
Town for the Choice of a Justice of the Peace and the Town
Unanimously Made Choice of M' Benning Moulton for that
office and we Strongly Recommend M"" Benning Moulton to
His Exelency the President of the State of New Hampshire
and the Hon'''^ the Privi Council to be Quallify** as soon as May
7o8
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
be as the Town has been Destitute of a Justice for a Long
time — M"" Ezekiel Morse is Chosen by the Town as an agent to
present this Paper to his Exelency tlie President
The above is a True Record of the Procedings of the Meet-
ing—
Tho^ Simpson T CI*
Ebener Ingals \ Select Men for
Benj" Smith Junr | New Hampton
[7-183] \^Ano^/ier recoDimendation for same^ i'/84.'\
To his Excellency the President of the State of Newhampshire,
and the honourable his Council —
We the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of New hamp-
ton humbly concieving, that it is not only for the Utility of the
State at Large, but highly convenient for Individuals, that one
or more Justices of the Peace should be appointed in each
Town and having for a long Time experienced the want of
one : pray, some suitable Person in said Town may be ap-
pointed to that Office ; and we wou'd beg leave to recommend
M"" Penning Moulton, as a Gentleman most agreeable to the
Inhabitants, and most likely to serve the good Purposes of
Government — and we your Petitioners as in Duty bound will
ever pray for &c'^ —
Newhampton aug' 6, 1784
Ebenezer Chamber-
lain
Ephraim Chamber-
lain
John Pain
James towl
Ezekiel Morse
James Qiiimby
Hosea Sturturvant
Josiah Towl
Amos Pain
Richard Pain
Daill page
Israel Glines
Enoch Cate
Abel Morse
Moses Kelsa
Elisha Cumings
John Smith
Benjamin Smith
John Harper
Isaac Cummings
Elisha Cumings iunr
Nathaniel Comings
John Leavitt
thomas Woodman
Jonathan James
William Plaisted
Juner
Joseph Smith
James Huckins
William Plasted
Samuel Plaisted
deniel Veesay
iohn dollof
David Dolsar
John Smith
John fuller
zadock Sanborn
Benia Sanborn
Joseph Sanborn
Zadock Sanborn Jr
Eben'^'' Ingalls
Oliver smith Blake
Moses Carter
Daniel Harper
Oliver Lyford
James Harper
his
Mark X blacke
mark
Abr. Drake Jun''
* Thomas Simpson was a Revolutionary soldier.
NEW HAMPTON. 709
Joseph Senter Andrew Neele John Hutchins
Ephraim Moore Epheram hacket Robard Smith
Daniel Chamberlain John Boynton Joseph Smith inner
Benj" Huckins Sam' Colcord Abraham Drake
Elisha Smith William Boynton Benj" Smith Junr
James harran Richard Boynton Daniel Ward
Ezra Hacket Nicholas Smith simeon Walton
Levi Drew Jeremiah Ward VVillice much
Daniel Sawyer Onesiphorus Flan- Jonathan Dow
Thomas Harran ders
John harran Samell dollof
[7-185] [ Vote of Toivti relative to setting off the no7'th-east
pa7't, J/96.']
At a publick Town meeting Holden in New Hampton the
Sixth Day of March AD 1796 voted that the N E part of New
Hampton be set off as far as Measley pond thence to Measley
pond Brook thence up the middel of S*^ Brook to Long pond
thence up the middel of long pond to the inlet at the Head of
s*^ pond thence N thirty five Degrees W to New Holderness —
A true Copy —
Attest Ahimaaz Blanchard T. Clerk
[The territory named was set off and became a portion
of Centre Harbor, Dec. 7, 1797. — Ed.]
[R. 3-33] [Soldier's Order.']
Newhampton august 29, 1792.
To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire —
Sir Pleas to Pay to John Nicholl or his order what Ever is
due to me I John Smith having been a Soldier in the i^' N
Hampshire Reg' it being for value Received
Witness my hand
attest John Smith
Jn B Eastham
Daniel Kelly
7IO
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
NEWINGTON.
The township was a portion of the Dover and Squamscot
Patent, and was called " Bloody Point Parish " for some
years. A dispute arose concerning the boundary lines be-
tween this parish and the parish of Greenland, and a com-
mittee was appointed. May 12, 1714, " to ascertain the limits
of said Parishes." (See page 65, ante.) Bloody Point was
named Newington, the same day, by the governor. It had
been separated from Dover as a parish about one year pre-
vious. When it was fully incorporated with town privileges
I am unable to ascertain. Some writers give the date as
1764, but there is no act relative to the matter on record in
the secretary's office in that year, and I am unable to find
any manuscript authority for the statement. In May, 1764,
John Knight and John Pickering, as agents for the town of
Newington, petitioned to have the line straightened between
said town and Portsmouth.
Newington was represented by John Knight, Jr., in the
H. of Rep. in 1755, and by John Fabyan in 1745, at which
time it had a set of town officers, from which I think it
must have been invested with town privileges prior to that
date.
June 26, 1 82 1, a small portion of the town was severed,
and annexed to Portsmouth.
Newington mens names sw^orn.
Joseph Rawlins
Jn° Dam
Jn" Downing
The : Latton
The : Row
Moses Dam
Eleaz'' Coalman
Jn° Hodsdon
Marke Ayers
Sam" Henry
Sam" Thompson
Eben"" Plaise
Jn° Hodsdon
Sam" Nutter
Josiah Downing
Jn° Walinford
Tho^ Row Jun'
Hatevil Nutter
Mathias Nutter
Jn° Carter
Sam" Rawlins
John Quint
John Trickey
Jn° Richards
Jn" Hoyt
Jn° Decker
Thorn : Ayers
Israel Hoyt
Walter Fost
Benj : Fost
Tho : Trickey
Benj : Richards
Joseph Bickford
Jn" Peters
Hatevil Nutter
Benj : Richards
Tho : Ayers
Tho : Trickey
Jn° Davis
Andrew Peters
Jn° Decker
Joseph Spearing
George Coolbroth
Sam" Row
James Place
NEWINGION.
711
*Hatevil Nutter
Joshua Downing
John Latton
Phillip Door
Valintine Nutter
Moses : Furber
Joseph Richards
Christopher Huntris
Edw^ Walker
Jn° Walton
Sam" Maloon
Rich-^ Place
Tho : Roads
Jn" Tomson
Dodiford Bickford
Tho : Follett
Tho Bickford
Nemiah Fiu^ber
Sam" Place
Jn° Warringford Ju""
Edward Row
Benj : Patch
Jno Brock
Edvv<i Walker
Elix** Hodgdon
George Walton
William Furber
Jn° Webber
Henry Nutter
Jn° Nutter
Rich<^ Dam
Jn° Dam
Clem' Meserve
[7-204] \^Coiicerning Irregularities iti a To-wn- Meetings
1737 -']
To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq' Gov'' and Com-
mander In Chief in and Over His Majesty's Province of New
Hamp' the Hon^'' His Majestys Council and House of Rep-
resen, for said Province in Gen' Court Convened —
The Petition of Sundry of the Free-holders & Inhabitants of
the Town of Nevvington in said Province in behalf of them-
selves & others of said Town — Humbly Sheweth —
That on the twenty ninth Day of Alarch Inst' the Annual
Town meeting of the Inhabitants of Newington aforesaid was
observed & held at which meeting there was much Contest and
Disorder.
That such Irregularities & abuses were there Tolerated as
ought not to be Sutl'ered in any Civil Society, many Persons
being Suffer'd to be voters who had neither freehold nor any
other Estate in the Town and others who (afterwards) boasted
they had put in four or five votes to a man — That many Per-
sons objected against for not having Sufficient Estate to Entitle
them to vote were yet allow'd to be qualified voters — whereby
the affairs of the said Meeting were Transacted & Determined
in such a manner as is Contrary to the minds of many of the
Free holders of the Town, and to the Gen' Interest of the said
Town & in Particular in removing a certain high way — Where-
fore your Petition" Humbly pray that in yo'' Great wisdom you
would Explain the Law relating the Qualification of voters in
Town meetings, that we may have no further Disputes of that
Sort — that you would declare the meeting afores^ void, & order
another for the Choice of Town officers & the other matters
•This name was originally Hate-evil.
712 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Transacted at the Same, that so the said abuses may be re-
moved, & Discountenanced — & yo' Petition" Shall ever pray
John Nutter Eleazar Coleman James Colbroth
John Vincent Sam'^ Fabyan John hodgdon
Alexander hodgdun moses furbur James place
Moses Dam John Hoyt
James Nutter Christopher Hunt-
Richard X Plasee
mark
[In H. of Rep., Aug. i8, 1737, the proceedings of said
meeting were declared to be void, and the old board of se-
lectmen were authorized to call another meeting. — Ed.]
[7—205] \_Additioital Petition concerning" the matter. '\
Whereas there was a petition preferred to the Gen" Court
Setting att Portsm" in Newhamp'' on the i^' of Apriel Last past
(by Sundr}' of the ffreeholders & Inhabitants of Newington in
the province of Newhamp'' aforesaid) Setting forth Sundry
Abuses & Irregularitys which were Tolerated att a Town
Meeting held att s*^ Newington on the Twenty Ninth Day of
March Last, And wee the Subscribers Not having An Op-
pertunity of Signing said petition with the then petitioners
Doe now Joyn with them in praying the Assistance of the
j-jQj^bie Court (for the Reliefe of the Town as sett forth in s*^ pe-
tition) and yo"" petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray
Aug»'4"^ 1737
John dam Thomas Leighton Nehemiah furber
Hattevil Nutter Thomas Row Jethro furbur
william furber Henery Nutter John Huntriss
[7-206] \_]\Iore Irregularities in Toivn- Meeting., I'J4^.'\
To the Hon'''® the House of Representatives for the Province
of New Hampshire Assembled the 24"^ Day of Jan^ 1744-5
The Humble Petition of Sundry of the Freeholders & Inhabi-
tants of Newington In Said Province Shews —
That Monday the 21^' Instant was the Day Appointed for the
Choice of A Suitable Person to Represent the said Town in
the General Assembly Pursuant to a Notification Issued by the
NEWINGTON, 713
Select Men of said Town for that Purpose Agreeable to which
a Meeting was held but not Governed & Managed According
to Law Nor Order & Decency —
That two Persons were Nominated Viz George Walton Esq'
and M"" Lemuel Bickford for whom the Voters where Near
Equally Divided Untill two Persons Appeared and put In their
Votes In favour of the said Walton who where not Qualified
Voters to which Several of Your Petitioners Objected & Told
the moderator they were not Voters which He Denied Affirm-
ing They were and Declared the said Walton w^as the Person
Chosen to Represent the said Town the Objectors Demanded
(as Soon As they could Speak) That the matter might be de-
termined by y^ Poll & so Discover'd weither any Persons Voted
who were not Qiialified and tho This was Requested by A
Greater Number Then the Law In that Case Deems Sufficient
Yet it was Absolutely & Arbitrarily Denied & Refused by Him
& Insisted On That the said Walton was the man Chosen —
That Your Petitioners Apprehend it to be a Great Infring-
ment of the Rights of the Voters to Refuse to Have any Doubt-
full matter Determined by the Poll as well as a Breach of the
Law In that Case Provided — And that as this Is an affair of
Consequence to the People Greater Care at Such meetings
ought to be Taken Than In Common Cases & Every Person
has a Right to Be Patiently Heard by the moderator to Pro-
pose His Objection against the Proceedings and the Greater
the Number Is that make any Motion, the Greater Regard
ought to be Had to it and when it Is Suggested tliat Persons
Vote who are not Qiialified It Is a Matter Not Slightly much
Less Arbitrarily to be Pass'd Over — Especially In this Case
where all the Voters ought to be freeholders Wherefore your
Petitioners Humbly pray that the said Walton may not be
Allowed to Represent the said Town that the Management of
the said Meeting may be Inquired into and the Legallity of the
Choice Aforesaid Tried and an Order Past for a New Choice
if it Shall be found to be Illegal and Your Petitioners as In
Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray —
John Knight Jo't"! Huntris Jethro Furbur
Lemuel Bickford Joshua Pickerin Nich' Knight
Moses Furbur George Coolbroth Jethro Bickford
John Downing Jun John Stevens Thomas Leighton
Joshua Downing Samll Fabyan James Coolbroth
W™ Huntries Dependance Bick-
Saml Huntris ford
A Copy Examd per
Hen. Sherburne Cler assembly
714 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[George Walton was dismissed from the H. of Rep. and a
new election ordered, at which John Fabyan was elected. — Ed.]
[7-208] \_Depositio7i of Hate-evil Nutter. '\
The Deposition of Hatevil Nutter of full age Testifieth and
saith that on the 39*'' Day of March Last past being the Anual
Meeting for the parrish of Newington : there was att said Meet-
ing Verry Irrugaler Carrings-on of the Aftars of the business
of s*^ Meeting by Sundry being Tolerated as Voters that two
that never were Rated in the Town and Some that had no
Estate there known by which means they Obtain'd a Vote for
the Choice of the Selectmen And upon the Acco' of Such
Irruglarities Several of the freeholders Desired : a Dissission
of the Matter by a pole but was Denyed that privelidge
[7-307] \_Relative to a Road laid out i?i j6j6.'\
Newington March 5*'' 1748
We the Subscribers Select Men of y^ Tow^n or Parish of
Newington aforesaid have this day perambulated the Bounds of
y^ Road or high way granted by the Town of Dover in the year
1656 — which takes its beginning at or near a place called Jef-
frey Rag his house (as by Dover Town Book will more fully
appear reference their to being had) in manner following viz'
"beginning four poles to the northward of a Stone wall between
the Land of Sam" and Jn° Huntriss and Samuel Rawlins late
of Newington aforesaid Deceased and running as the Fence
runs to the head thereof keeping the distance of four poles
from every part thereof and then South Sixty Six degrees west
to the Road that lead's from Portsmouth to bloody point ferry
then crossing the last mentioned road and running four poles
distance from the fence on the south side of Joseph Rawlins
Orchard and keeping that distance from the Fence through all
the length of Sam" Rawlins Land aforesaid to the north West
Corner thereof and then through the land of y* Honorable John
Downing Esqu"' South Sixty two degrees thirty minutes west
to a hemlock tree standing in the Eastermost Corner of the
Parsonage land which s** Hemlock Stands in the line between
Portsmouth & Dover as it runn's from Canneys Cove to Hogg-
stye Cove and then keeping the line between the said Towns
till it Comes to the old Road leading from Greenland to bloody
point ferry
John Knight ^
Jn° Downing Jun' >- Selectmen
Jethro Furbar )
Copy Examin'd per Geo : Jaftrey CI
NEWINGTON. /1 5
[7-209] \_Depositio7i of Tho77tas TibbettsJ\
The Deposition of Cap' Tho^ Tibbetts of Dover in the Prov-
ince of New Hampshire aged eighty eight years who Testifyeth
& Saith that ever Since his Remembrance the Point of Land
where Jonathan Battishals Dwelling house now stands in New-
ington, in the aforesaid Pro^•ince was Commonly called &
known by the name of Jeflry Raggs Point —
Tho' Tibbetts
[7-210] {^Deposition of Abigail Richa}'ds.'\
The Deposition of Abigail Richards aged Seventy three years
that about Sixty 3'ears ago or thereabouts the Deponant Re-
membered a high way people used down to the water Side on
the Northerly Side where John Rawlingses House Stood and
running down next to where Huntres fence now Stands &
then running on fore side of Sam" Rawlingses Orchard and
from thence down on y^ north of the Spring to the Slip at the
waterside and the Deponant further saith that she very well
I'emembers that people used to hall lumber down to the water-
side by Huntress fence the Deponant being a Daughter of
Rawlings & lived on the place or there abouts for forty years
the mark of
Abisfail H Richards
[7-21 1] \_Deposition of yoseph Richards. "^
The Deposition of Joseph Richards of Rochester aged Sev-
enty nine years testifyeth and saith that he being requested by
Mess" John Knight & John Downing junr to give what Infor-
mation he could concerning a high w-ay lately laid out in the
Parish of Newington by the Said Knight & Downing as Select-
Men of Said Newington, as he is informed, having taken a
View of the Said way where Said Knight Said it was laid out,
Say's that upwards of fifty years Since he the Deponent was
acquainted with the land Claimed by Rawlings and that when
he first knew them lands there was a path used by Samuel
Rawlins the Son of James Rawlins & others thro' the woods
Some places in and others near by where said Road is now laid
out down towards the River till they come to Said Samuels In-
closure and that after the Crop & graising of his field was done
in the fall the Barrs laid open and that path used for carrying
lumber to the River turning of to the northward in the Inclos-
ure before they got y" River wher the way now is laid out &
coming to it at the Slip ab' thirty Rods above the Said Inclos-
7l6 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
ure not lying open in Summer Season & that Since (viz*) ab'
thirty three years ago a division of S'^ Lands was made
among the Heirs of the S"* James who open'd & used a Road
for considerable time more northerly between the lands then of
John Rawlins & Samuel Rawlins down to the River and the
Deponant add's he lived with Samuel Rawlins a son of y" said
Ja^ before this deponant was married who lived at the Same
place —
[Sworn to in court of judicature at Portsmouth. — Ed.]
[7-212] \_l7thabitants of Newhzgton conce^'ning said Road^
1753 ■']
Province of Newhamp''
To the Honorable the Justices of his Majesty' Court of Gener-
all Sessions of the Peace for Said Province holden at ports-
mouth Within and for Said Province on the first Tuesday of
September 1753 —
Humbly Shew the Inhabitants of Newington in Said Prov-
ince—
That in the Year 1656 the Town of Dover in Said province
Granted a Cart way of four Polls or rods wide from the water
Side at Jaflrey^ P-'^gg bis house and So into the wood^ to the
Old Way Which way So Granted was then in the Township of
Dover but now in Newington aforesaid and was many Years
kept open and Used as people had Occation Without Interrup-
tion Untill .Samuel Rawlins Late of Newington aforesaid yeo-
man Deceased Some few years before his Decease fenced up
and Took that part of Said way which Runs by the Land he
Claim"^ into his Inclosure and in the Life time of the Said Sam-
uel at his Majesty^ Sup"' Court of Judicature held at portsmouth
Within and for .Said province on the 24"* Day of August 1748
By adjournment the Said Samuel Rawlins was Convicted and
Adjudged Guilty of fencing Up and Incumbering the Said Way
So far as his Lands run and in and by the Same Judgem' it
was Ordered that the .Said Incumbrance Should be Removed &
the Said Way Laid open but the Judgement of Said Court has
not been Duly Executed and Notwithstanding the Said Convic-
tion and order of the Said Court Allice the widow Relict of the
Said Deceased and Samuel his Son who are in possession of his
Estate Continue the Said Incumbrance and will not Suffer the
Same to be Removed whereby not Only the Said Inhabitants of
Newington but all Other his majesty* Subjects are Deprived of
NEWINGTON.
717
their Right of passing and Repassing at Said place as they have
Occation That the Said Way is Very Necessary and would be
of Great Conveniency to the Publick if Opened for that there is
no publick way or passage to the River from the old way above
mentioned nor aCross the Particular Lotts but this above Grant-
ed for near three Miles and there is no Obstruction to or in Any
Other part thereof than what was made By the Said Samuel
Deceased and Continued as aforesaid Wherefore the Said In-
habitants pray the advisement of the Said Courts in the Prem-
isses that your Honours Would Order the Said Incumbrance to
be Removed that the Said Inhabitants and Others may Enjoy
the Priviledge of Said Way and not Suffer Private Persons to
possess Lands Granted and Appropriated to Such a Necessary
Publick Use By
Moses Furbur ) their
Ellephalett Dam ) agents
A True Copy att' H Wentworth Cle'
[7-213]
A Schedule of The Mens Names Petitioners of The Town of
Newin^ton
Joseph Adoms
John Fabyan
Jam* Pickrin
Eleazer Coalman
Joshua Pickrin
Jam^ Colbroth
Rich'' Downing
John Hoyt
Joshua Trickey
vSam" Fabvan
John Pickrin
John Downing Jun'
John Knight Jun''
Edward Walker
Jonathan Huntris
Joseph Ravvlings
Thom^ Bickford
Sam" Shackford
Anthony Nutter
Jonathan Downing
Harrisson Downing Nehe'" Furber
W' Shackford Moses Furber
Jethro Bickford Jun'' Thorn'' Laighton
Thom" Pickrin Eliphelet Dam
Rich'' Downing Jun'' Rich'' Dam
Joseph Pickrin Josiah Downing
Hatevil Nutter Jun'' Jun-"
Rich'' Furber
Jethro Furber
John Nutter
Jam''' Nutter
Benj" Colbroth
Sam" Nutter
Nich" Night
Lem" Bickford
Jon" Trickey
George Walton
Christopher Huntris
W" Huntris
Seth Ring
Edward Rawlins
Phin* Coalman
Benj" Miller
Jonathan Batteshal
[7-214]
\_Deposition of George Waltour^
The Deposition of Geo Walton of Newington in the prov-
ince of Newhamp''^ Esq'' of ffuU Age Testifieth and Saith that
Some Years past he was att the house of Sam" Ravvlings Late
of Newington Dec'' (and in the time of his Mothers life) and
/1 8 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
was Called there by him and his aforesaid Mother m''' Rebecca
Rawlings in Order to make a Settlement of the Estate amongst
the Childerin of her the Said Rebecca att which time the Said
Deponant Asked the S'' Rebecca the reason of her Son Samuel
haveing a Wider quantity of the Land then the Other Breather-
in, upon which She the S*^ M""^ Rawlings Said there was a
Road or high way to come out of her Son Samuels part, of
four Rodds Wide Whereupon I the I Said Deponant asked S*^
m'^ Rawlings Where abouts the S*^ way was upon which She
came to the Door and pointed her hand toward huntrisses Land
and Said itt was Over upon that Side —
George Walton
[Sworn to before John Downing, justice of the peace. —
Ed.]
[7-220] \_Deposition of Saiuiicl Huntress.^
The Deposition of Samuel LIunttriss of Newington in the
Proviance of Newhampshire aged Sixty Six years of age testi-
fyeth & Saith that he was well knowing to the Land of Raw-
lings & to the Point that is Called Jafl'ry Raggs Point & that
my father and my mother & old mis Rawlings told me that Jaf-
frv Ragg did Live upon the Point Nigh where Jonathan Bat-
teVShill Dwelling house Now Stands & I was with the Sons of
the Said Rebeka in making their Diveding fences and did not
hear any one of them Say any thing about a high way Going
through the Said John or Samuels Land but I Did hear old mis
Rawlings Say theire wos to goe a high way through hir Sons
Joseph Laid from the Point where Jatlry Raggs house Did
Sand and the Depoant further Sayeth That he Rembers when
that old Rawlings old house did Stand over where they have
Laid the high way which is in the middle of the Said way
where it Is now Laid and I Remember that Joseph Richards
had one or two Children born in it & I did help take the Same
Down and did help Cary the Same over and Raise the Same
up between their Dwelling house and learn that it is now
Standing where the Said alice and Samuel hir Son does now
live & further say not
his
Samuel X Hunttriss
mark
[7-215] \_Proceedtngs of Court of General Sessions, ^75^-1
Province of Newhamp""
At his Majesty' Court of Generall Sessions for the Peace Hold-
en at Portsmouth Sep*' the 4"' i 753 —
NEWINGTON. 719
Upon Reading the Complaint of the Inhabitants of Newing-
ton against Allice Rawlins & Samuel Rawlins for Incloseing a
high Way Ordered by the Court that Allice Rawlins, & Sam-
uel Rawlins be Served with a Copy of this Complaint and Or-
der thereon that they May Shew Cause if Any they have why
this motion may not be Granted at the Next Term
Att H Wentworth Clark
And the Said Allice & Samuel Come into Court and Say that
they have no Objection to Make against the High Way Granted
by the Town of Dover in the Year 1656 be Opened and all In-
cumbrances be Removed there from so far as the Same is with-
in the Land* in Possession of the Said Allice & Samuel
per M. Livermore their attorney
Prov** of New Hamp®
At his Majesty^ Court of Generall Sessions for the Peace Hold-
en at Portsmouth Decemb"" 4"' 1753 —
The Inhabitants of Newington Informants adv. Allice Raw-
lins & Sam" Rawlins
By Cont* from Last Term to this by Order of Court that Al-
lice Rawlins and Samuel Rawlins be Served with a Copy of
this Motion to Answer this Term if they See Cause at which
Term the Said Allice and Samuel appeared and Pleaded as on
file and thereupon the Court appointed Samuel Hart and Dan-
iel Pierce Esq" both of portsmouth and Thomas Westbrook
Waldron of Dover Gentleman to open the Said Way Accord-
ing to the Grant as they Shall appreliend it was and to Remove
all Incumbrances thereon so far as the Said way Lies within the
Possession of the Said Allice & Samuel or Either of them and
Make Return of their doeing herein to this Court as Soon as
may be Under this or any two of their hands —
A True Copy att H Wentworth Clark
Prov. of Newhamp*"
Pursuant to the within appointment We the Subscribers
haveing beared the parties and the Evidences opened the way
and laid it Out as follow' Viz' Begining at the Side of Piscata-
qua River four polls to the Nortliward of the Division fence
between the Land of Sam' Huntress & others on the South Side
and allice & Samuel Rawlins on the North Side And Run the
Said Road as the Said fence runs to the Westerly Corner of the
Said Huntress possession keeping the Distance of four Rods
from Every part of Said fence then South Sixty five Degrees
West thro° the Land of Allice and Samuel Rawlins aforesaid
720
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
four Rods wide to the Road that Leads from portsmouth to
Bloody Point ferry then Crossing Said Road and Running four
Rods wide on the North Side of the Said AUice and Samuel
Rawlins their Land to the westerly End thereof keeping the
Distance of four Rods Southward from Every part of the Di-
viding fence between the Land^ of the Said Allice and Samuel
and the Heirs of Joseph Rawlings Deceased N 3 That Samuel
Hart Esq'' was With us when we Divided the Land and heared
the parties & Evidences Contending
D Pierce
Tho« W. Waldron
A True Copy
att' H Wentworth Cle'
[7-216] [^Proceedings of Courts i'/^4.']
Prov : of New Hamps""
At His Majesty^ Court of General Sessions for the Peace Hold-
en at Portsm° In & for Said Province on the First Tuesday in
June being the 4"' Day of Said month 1754 —
Present
The Honb'^ Daniel Warner
Joseph Simpson
Clem' march
Sampson Sheaf V Esq''^ Just^
Josh'' Peirce
Rich*^ Jennes
Tho^ Wibird &<=''
The Inhabitant^ of Newington in the Province of New
Hampshire CompP^'adv^ —
Allice Rawlins & Samuel Rawlins both of Said Newington
in Said Province Respt^ —
at the Term before the Last Continued for the Committee to
make Report of their Laying open the high Way &'^''
at the Last Term Continued to this by order of Court for to
Enquire about the Return of the high Wav —
at this Term ordered by the Court that the Retnrn of the
high Way be and hereby is Received and approved oft' as per
Retin'n on file
It is therefore Considered by the Court that the Report of the
Committee of the high Way is hereby Received and that the
high Way be opened According to Law Iminediately —
A True Copy att' H Wentworth Cle''
NEWINGTON. 721
[7-217] \_Report of Committee on said Road^ 1755 •'\
Province of New Hampshire
Whereas we the Subscribers bein^ of a Committee appointed
by the Hon'^ y* Council & house of Representatives of S*^ Prov-
ince on the 9"' of April i755 to Examine into a way lying in
the Township of Newington in Said Province, concerning
which way Alice Rawlins Wid" and Samuel Rawlins Husband-
man are Petitioners —
We of y^ Committee have accordingly examined into the Way
afores*^ & having heard the Evidences on both Sides and for Re-
port— Say — That the Said Way (being a four Rod Cart Way)
ought to begin at a Point on which the House of one Battishall
now Stands which appears to us by the Return & other Evi-
dences to be the Point formerly called Jaftrev Raggs Point and
from the Water Side there to take its beginning & run upon a
South West & by West Line into the Woods to the old Way
agreeable to the return made by Lieut' Hall and Sargent Furber
anno 1656 were appointed for that purpose by the Town of Do-
ver
Portsm° Sep-" y' 17"^ 1755
Sampson Sheafe ) -■■,
T ^T^T , ; Committee
Jos : JNew march )
m"" Israeli Oilman one of the Committee Consented to the
above report but was not present to Sign it
attest, Sampson Sheafe
[Documents numbered 221 and 222 in manuscript volume
are plans relating to foregoing. — Ed.]
[7-323] \_Relative to Line betxveen this tozv7i a?td Ports-
moitth^ i'/6j.'\
To His Excellency Penning Wentworth Esq' Captain General
Governor & Comm"" in Chief in & over His Majestys Prov-
ince of New Hampshire The Honble His Maiestys Council,
and House of Re})resentatives in General Assembly Conven-
ed, Dec'' 13"' 1763.
The humble Petition of John Knight Esq'' and John Pickerin
Husbandman Inhabitants of, and Agents for, the Parish of
Newington in the said Province Sheweth
That in the year 1713 the said Parish was first legally Set of
& Seperate from Dover
48
722 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
That in 1714, for the better Direction of Constables in Col-
lecting Publick Taxes &c, the General Court upon clue Consid-
eration fixed the Bounds of Newington aforesaid as follows Viz'
From Piscataqua River by the Inhabitants following Viz' James
Gray, Henry Bennet, Joseph Johnson Samuel Thompson and
Thomas Pickerin upon the Great Bay, And Ordered that those
Inhabitants with the Lands and Estates they then lived upon &
whosoever sho'' live upon them thereafter or build within the
Limits aforesaid sho"* pay their parish Taxes to Newington
That the aforesaid Boundarys so determined by the General
Court is so Crooked and uncertain as to be matter of great Dis-
pute between Newington and the Town of Portsmouth, which
matter might be remedied by fixing a Streight Line from Grays
at Piscataqua River to Pickerins Farm at the Great Bay.
That the Owners and Possessors of the Lands and Farms
upon the said Line have not any Objection as your Pef^ appre-
hend to the Line last mentioned.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray your Excellency and Hon-
ours to take the premises into Consideration And that the said
Line last mentioned may for the future be the proper Boundary
between the said Parish of Newington and Town of Portsmouth
And your Pet" will Ever pray &c
John Knight Juner
John Pickreng
[In H. of Rep., May 9, 1764, Simeon Dearborn, of Green-
land, was appointed to make a plan of the boundary line as
it then was, and report. — Ed.]
[R- 3-34]
[Nathaniel Ham, in a petition dated April 4, 1761, stated
"that he enlisted as a Volunteer in the Late Expedition for
the Total Reduction of Canada under the Command of Cap*"
George March," and " did much work in Clearing the Road
from N^four to Crown Point until he broke two of his ribs."'
He was omitted in making up the muster-roll, and asked ta
have it rectified. — Eu.]
[R. 3-35] [^Military Officers chosen^ I'/y 5. '\
Newington Octo i775'
By order of Congress the Commitey of Newington assembled
the people together and chose their officers first Sam' Shackford
NEWINGTON. 723
& Secondly Will™ Furber thirdly Eze' Oilman Adams fovthly
Christopher Nutter they all Deciing to Accept under M' Eph"
Pickering as Second Major the Commishons being Delivered to
us we Still deny accepting them under the said Pickering
Sam^ Shackford
W" Furbur
[7-224] \_J3e?ijamin Adajns's Communication.~\
To the Honourable Joshua Wentworth Esq"" Sir I understand
you have not thought me worthy of your Notic in appointing
me a Justice of the Peace in the County, notwithstanding the
Importunitise of my friends : and If my memory Serveth me
Right you gave me Great Encouragement your Self but all I
find is Subsided : I understand you have had the advise and
Councel of ////■^/^a/; who Counceled against Ahitophel which
has turned against me I understand there has been many Objec-
tions against me by my Enemies I Know them and I Shall Set
a mark upon them as was Set upon Cain when he Slew his
Brother Abel because his ways were Righteous and his wicked :
I understand One Great Objection ni's that I was not friendlv in
the beginning of the Revolution. I Confess I Did not Step for-
ward at first for many Good Reasons which I Could ofier If
time and paper would allow being acquainted with History both
Civil and Sacred. I was afraid to act as forwardl}' as Some
have Done Least I Should ofi'end against God and the Dictates
of my Own Concience my Estate has Done Its part or more Sir
you may Remember twelve Dollers in hard money being in
your hands in a Lottery way you advanced to help the troops
when In distress in Canaday and I was Paid in Paper with a
Considerable Loss : I understand it is Objected that there is two
Justices in Newington It being a Small town two was Sifficient
I may Justly Say that there is not one Properly Specking, for
Richard Downing Esq'' has not Taken the Oath nor will he If
he must Pay a Doller for hisCommision as he told me him Self
and the Other is as the Learned Observeth : Vox Et Preteria
Nihil : I am afraid that you Gentlemen in authority are Runing
into the Old Error In promoteing of men without Knowlage or
Goodnes and Neglecting men of Learning and Religion which
is a great Error When the Righteous are in authority the People
Rejoice ; but when the wicked bare Rule the People mourn,
another Objection is the people in Newington are against me I
know it what is the reason It is not against my morral Carracter
nor Capasity in a Civil or Religious way for I have Served them
as a Church Officer more than thirty years and Near twenty in
a Civil List Sir I will Give you a Short Detail on the matter In
724 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
the year 177S ^^""^ Select men Cam to Pay my father his Salary
for one year which was one hundred Silver Dollers which they
had Paid : for A number of years and no more being onely one
third of his Sallery yearly and they Brought him a hundred pa-
per Dollers in the Lue there of which was onely Seven Pounds
ten Shillings by the Scale and he Refused to Give them a Dis-
charge in full and the town Passed a Vote Not to Pay him any
more Salary till he Did Give them a Discharge in full and they
Paid him no more to the time of iiis Death and I was In duty
bound to Support him to the time of his Death ; and then to
burrey him without any assistance from the town and Some
years Since his Death the town has Compounded with me and
has Given their Security for though an Inferiour Sum which is
the Cause of their Malice against me as to my being an Enemy
to my Countery I Deny the Charge I always was and Ever have
been Redy and willing to Defend it in Person and Estate and
am Now Redy and willing to Support Government provided I
am properly treeted and promoted by those in authority or
Otherwise I Shall be Discouraged and Probeblly may let mat-
ters take their Course without my Intermedling in those matters
I apprehend it is a poor time to mak Enemies against Govern-
ment the Country is full of them alredy to my Certain Knowl-
age and I fear the Consequence If Som thing Is not Done
Speedily : for the President and Counsel to hear the nonsensi-
cal Rabble agains Men of Influenc is Strange and Surpriseing:
I Ever have Given my Vote for Cor'' Wentworth for a Senator
and Ever Expected to Use my Influenc for him in that Office
but If matters turn agains me in this way I have Done. I step-
ed forward the Other Day to Support Government and was the
Second man to Coll Brewster who Stoped the Insurgents at the
Bridg till we were properly Re in forsed by General Silley and
Others to the hasard of my Life and hors against their Naked
bayonets, but the Poor mans Councel and assistance is Dispised
as the Good old mans Councel was, that Saved the City which we
have an account of in Scripture Sir by your Keeping Me out of
power may prevent My Doing a Great Deel of Good to Gov-
ernment and my fellow men which I Should Rejoice to Serve
Provided there is or may be proper Encouragement ; two Jus-
ticies in Newington is too many ; there is four in Greenland
and two in one house and No objection against it but two in
Newington is too many I remember four Coroners appointed
in Newington Successively and not one of them Could Draw
up an Inquisition without my help and Some in the Civil List
are as Insufficient to DisCharge their office without my assist-
ance I think these thing are an Error in those in Comand : Sir
I would not have you think I am Set up for a Dictator to those
in Government I onely wist to show Matters in a Clear light
NEWINGTON. 725
Strictly Specking I Do not want [torn off^ to any Set of men
Onely I wish to be properly Respected by those in authority I
am a free Citizen and am Dependent [torn] I Should think that
the recommendation of John Pickering Esqr and Other Gentle
men in the Neighbouring towns of my acquaintanc migt have
more Influence in the Councel than the Rabble party in New-
ington I fear Government may be Called on again to Disperse
the Insurgent and If that Should be the Caise I believe I Shal
Endevour to Sleep in a whole Skin and not medle where I
have no authority but I hope matters will be to my Satisfaction
I Subscribe My Self a true friend to Government and would
Recommend to my Self and all under my Influence to Remem-
ber the words of the aPostle Paul in 13"* Chapter of Romans
Let Every Soul be Subject to the higher Powers for the Powers
that be are ordained of God and So onwards.
Benjamin Adams —
P S Sir If you Please vou may Communicate these Lines to
the President and Counce when you See them if you think best
or otherwise.
[7-225] \^Relative to the election of Representative^ l'/82.'\
To the Honorable House of Representatives for the State of
New Hampshire in General Assembly Convean'd —
The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants & Freeholders of
Newington in the Countv ofRockingham and State aforesaid —
qualified bv the law of Said State to Vote in Electing Repre-
sentative Humbly Shews that Your Petitioners togather with
Other Inhabitants & freehoklers of Said Newington aforesaid
Qiialified as aforesaid being Notified Agreeable to the Preceipt
to the Selectmen of Said Newington Directed & Agreeable to
the Common Custom Met in Said Newington on Monday the
Ninth Day of December Instant One O'Clock afternoon Two
of the Selectmen being Present Read the Preceipt & then the
Notification & Desired the People to bring in their Votes for a
Moderator to Govern Said Meeting Cap' Ephraim Pickering
Came forward & Said no man had any Right to Vote in any
Matter or thing but such as had Taken a Certain Oath which
he then Produced Said Oath Being Read Many of the People
had Taken the Same Oath — Others Said they had no Objection
Against Taking Said Oath — But to be Deprived of the Privi-
ledge of Voting in Town Meeting Because they Could not
Swallow an Oath at first Sight without Consideration was De-
priving them of One of their Most Valueable Rights that a free
People Ought to Enjoy then the People Proceeded to the
726 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Choice of a Moderator & Voted for Benj* Adams Esq'' & Cap'
Ephraim Pickering Equal Votes but by a Despute arising about
a Moderator — Benj" Adams Esq"" Refused Taking the Seat But
Cap' Eph"' Pickering took the Seat & then Proceeded to the
Choice of a Representative Cap' Eph'" Pickering Being Moder-
ator alow'd on his part any Person to Vote whither Under Oath
or Not — But the Oppersite Party Vv'as Denyed Voteing without
Taking Said Oath by wdiich Means Cap' Eph™ Pickering was
Dechired Chosen Representative in Newington On which Dec-
laration Benj'' Adams Esq"" Came Forward & Requested the
favour of Entering a Dissent against the Proceedings of Said
Meeting as being Conterary to Law & tlie Constitution which
we are now under Said Dicent Being Enter'd by fourteen or
More of the Inhabitants then present therefore we the Sub-
scribers are humbly of the Opinion that the Said Cap' Eph™
Pickering is not Legally Chosen to Represent them in General
Assembly & Ought not to have a Seat in Your Honourable
House & Ought to be Dismised from Said House and we Re-
quest that You Send Out to Said Newington a New Preceipt to
Chuse a Representative to Represent them in General Assem-
bly Your Petitioners wait Your Honourable Decision on Said
Petition as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray
Newington December y^ 13"' 17S3
Benjamin Adams ~) Selectmen
Timothy Dame V of
James Pickering ) Newington
William Furbur Jethro furbur Issachar Dam
Hatevil Nutter jur Joseph Hodgdon Benjamin Hodgdon
Eliphclet Dam Anthonv Vincent Sam" Walker
Hatevil Nutter 3"^ Nathan Huntriss John Nutter
Ebenezer Nutter Joseph Colbath Joseph Qiiint
Nathaniel Nutter John Vincent Thomas Quint
Samuel Dame Ichabod Bickford Nickoles Pickering
Hatevil Nutter Nathan Webb Ad- Sam" Shackford 1
William Vincent ams Samuel Rawlings
Levi Furbur John Shackford
[7-226] \_Petitioti for authority to send a Representative^
1784.-]
State of New-Hampshire
To the hon'''^ the Councel and House of Representatives for
said State in General Assembly conven'd on the 30"' day of
March 17S4
NEWINGTON. 72/
Humbly shew the subscribers being more than a majority of
legal voters in the Town of Newington in the County of Rock-
ingham and State afores**, that, the Inhabitants have had and
exercised the Right and privilege of sending a Representative
to the General Court for more than sixty years past — that tho'
the number of voters for the choice of a Representative is short
of what the new constitution of government requires in order to
send a Representative yet the said Town is so situated as ren-
ders their being classed with any other Town, Parish or Place
very inconvenient Wherefore your Petif^ prav that a Writ
may issue to s*^ Town to elect and send a Representative to the
General Court and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever
pray &c
Rich'' Downing Josiah Downing Joseph Adams 3"^
William Stoodly James pickering Esq''
Samuel Fabyan Jonathan Quint Jonathan W Nuter
John Fabyan Joseph Qiiint Noah Rawlings
John Gee Pickreing Thomas Quint Joseph Hodgdon
Jonathan Trickey John Hodgdon Dudleve Adams
George Laigliton Benj'* Pickring Joseph Hight
Step** J" Thomas Rich'^ Peckering John Adams
Benja Hodgdon Christopher Nutter Joseph Rollings
Valintine Pickering Epheraim Pickering Henrv Hart
William Brassbridge Sam" Fabyan Juner Zebelon Wille
John Hoyt Thomas Nutter George Huntriss
Joseph Adams Sam" Walker Joseph Trickey
John Pickreng Dennis Hight Joseph Huntriss
John Stevens Joel Laighton Joseph Pattinson
Seth Huntriss William Pickring Benjamin Dame
Samuel Rawlings James Nutter Joseph Pattinson
Benj" Hoyt Lem' B. Mason Dame
Joshua Downing Bening Colbath Noah Huntriss
Samuel Downing Thomas Binder Bartholomew Down-
Richard Downing John Pickering ing
Will'" Huntriss Juner Benjamin Miller
[In H. of Rep., March 31, 1784, the petition was grant-
ed, and a precept ordered to be issued. — Ed.]
f 7-229] \^Conitnunication frotn Benjatnhi Adanis^ lySd.']
Newington Dec"' 28 : 1786
Sir I Have been Informed that Some Expressions in the
Letter I Wrote to you some time past when Laid before the
President and Counsel has Given some Umbrace to Some Gen-
728 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
tlemen in Councel which I am Exceeding Sorry for If any
such Expressions were Looked on as aflVontive I am sorry for
It : I Did not mean any such thing. 1 must Confess I felt
some thing warm against Some of my Enemies in my own
town when I wrote s'' Letter and Did not think so prudently
as probably I might have Done All such Expressions as are
Imprudent and aflVontive I am Sorry for and do ask His Exel-
lencies and the Councls Pardon praying that they may forgive
Every thing that has been offered as affrountive and Call it an
error in Judgment or a Peccadillo and not a Crime unPardon-
able I am Redy and willing to Support Government and
Defend it at this Critical time against all Invaders of our Sacred
Rights : and should Rejoice to be Incouraged by authority so
far that I might Do it with the Greatest Charefullness : I beg
your Honours would take my matter Into your Serious Con-
sideration again and grant me my request : I ad no more I
Subscribe myself your true friend and Humble Sarvant at all
times
Benjamin Adams
To Hon'' Joshua Wentworth Esq"^
P S Sir — Be Pleased to Lay the above before the President
and Counsel
[7-331] \_Remo7isi ranee to the Appointtnent of Mr. Adanis.^
To his Excellency John Sullivan Esquire, President of the
State of New Hampshire, &c &c &c —
The Petition of sundry Persons Inhabitants and Freeholders,
of the Town of Newington in said State, subscribing hereto,
Humbly sheweth,
That your Petitioners have been informed that M'' Benjamin
Adams of said Newington has been recommended by some
person or persons, to your Excellency, to be appointed a Jus-
tice of y* Peace. They therefore beg leave with the greatest
deference and submission to inform your Excellency, that said
M'' Adams is quite unacceptable to the Inhabitants of the said
Town in general, and as they conceive, to the People of the
County at large. That it is with regret they thus express their
sentiments of a person whom they do not wish to injure, but
they feel themselves constrained to speak their minds from a
regard to your Excellency, to prevent the effect of mistaken,
or Partial Information, which they have Heard has been
given, and from a regard to the public Good, which they
have the fullest Confidence is the Object of your Excellency's
NEWINGTON. 729
Conduct. They therefore humbly pray that the said M"' Ad-
ams may not be appointed to said Office, but that vour Excel-
lency would be pleased to appoint M'' Timothy Dame of said
Town, or some other suitable person, acceptable to the Peo-
ple, and a Friend to his Country ; as to your wisdom shall seem
good ; and they as in duty bound shall ever pray &c &c &c —
Dated in Newington January first 1787 —
Benj* Coleman Jolm Hodgdon William Furbur
John Coleman Henry Nutter Dennis Hight
John Downing Benja Hodgdon Levi Furbur
James Pickering Sam'' Fabyan Jun'' Stephen Jonas
John Pickering James Nutter thomas
Paul Rawlings Junr Absalom Pickering Hatevil Nutter
Paul Rawlings Benjamin Dame Jethro furbur
Joseph Hodgdon Benjamin Pickring Joseph Hight
Christopher Nutter John Gee Pickreing Hatevil Nutter
Joel Leighton Nehemiah Pickering Wm Nutter
Noah Huntriss Thomas Nutter Nathaniel Nutter
Anthony Vincent Mark Huntriss Jethro Nutter
John Nutter Jo'""! Pickering Junr Samuel Dame
Matthius Nutter Levi Pickering Edward Brassbridge
Juner Jonathan Trickey
[7-22S] [ Certijicate of George Gains relative to Mr. Ad-
ams., iy86.'\
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss Portsmouth Jan""'
17S6—
These may Certifie all Whom it doeth or mav Concern that
Benjamin Adams Esq' of Newington Was some time in the
Year 177S brought before the Committee of Safety for said
State being Charged with Inimical Conduct towards his fellow
Citizans in the Dispute with Brittain and after a full hearing
(before said Committee) of his accusers he the said Adams
Was honorably acquitted the Subscriber at that time had the
honor of being one Said Committee
Georsfe Gains
[7-232] S^Petition for the Incorporation of a Library., ^797 -X
To the Hon'*^ the Senate and House of Representatives for the
state of New Hampshire, in General Court Convened at
Portsmouth December i**' AD i797 —
730 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
The Petition of the Subscriber in behalf of the Proprietors
for forming Newington Social Library — Humbly Sheweth
That the said Proprietors some years ago formed themselves
into a Society and have collected a Considerable number of
Books, to which they are yearly making additions, bv means of
which they hope to promote and increase usefull knowledge
among them, but finding themselves under Some disadvantages
for want of being incorporated into a Body Politic, whereby
they may be enabled to call upon each other. Your Petitioner
therefore Prays your Honours that an Act mav be passed Incor-
porating the said Society into a Body Politic, and as in Duty
bound will ever pray —
Portsmouth Dec' i^' i 797
Ephraim Pickering
[The petition was granted, and the library incorporated.
—Ed.]
NEW IPSWICH.
The township was granted by the government of the
Massachusetts Bay, in 1736, to some inhabitants of Ipswich
in that province, as surveyed by Jonas Houghton. The set-
tlement of the province boundaries in 1741 severed a small
portion of the Massachusetts grant from the township.
The Masonian proprietors' claim, being confirmed in 1745,
annulled the aforesaid grant; but the proprietors under it,
with others, applied to Col. Joseph Blanchard, agent for
said Masonian proprietors, and succeeded in procuring a
grant from them at a small expense, said grant being dated
April 17, 1750. This grant varied somewhat from the
former, but covered much of the same territory.
July 5, 1762, the proprietors chose Capt. Reuben Kidder
to get the township incorporated, which he succeeded in
doing, — a charter being granted by the governor and coun-
cil, dated Sept. 9, 1762, to have continuance until Jan. i,
1766, in which the town was named Ipswich.
Another act of incorporation was granted March 6, 1766,
by the same authority, " to have Continuance during Our
Pleasure by the Name of New Ipswich."
New Ipswich Academy was incorporated June 17, 1789,
and was the second academy incorporated in this state.
NEW IPSWICH. 731
Phillips Exeter Academy, being the first, was incorporated
April 3, 1 78 1.
[7-1 86] \_Petttioii for authority to lezy a special tax to
build a JSIect ing- House ^ iy62.'\
Province of New Hampshire
To His Excellency, Penning Wintworth Esq"" and the Honor-
able His maj^ Counsel & House of Representatives —
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Ipswich Humbly Sheweth
Whereas we, thy poor Petitioners, are Settled in the Wilder-
ness, and Labour under many Inconveniences, which many
new settlements are strangers to ; Our Taxes are very heavy
(considering our Poverty) we have not only a Tax to pay to
the Province but our Minister, and other Taxes, which were
formerlv paid by the Propriety ; must now be paid by a few
poor Inhabitants : And Still our Burden must Infallibly In-
crease, as we are necessitated to Build a JNIeeting House, Since
the House we now meet in will not Serve the Inhabitants. W^e
thy Poor petitioners therefore (Judging it Impossible for us, to
pay the Taxes which will be laid upon us. and Provide Neces-
sary Sustenance for our families) Earnestly Pray, that you
Would Consider us. Groaning under the weight of Our Bur-
dens, and Grant us some Relief, by answering the following
Humble Request (viz) that you would be Graciously pleased
to Grant us a Land Tax, to Enable us to Surmount the afore-
mentioned Difficulties ; i. e. That you would be pleased to Lay
a Tax, of one penny Sterling upon Each acre of Land Con-
tained in this Town (or as much as shall be thought Reason-
able by the Honorable Court) To be paid to the Town Treas''
Annually Dureing the Term of five Years, to Enable us to
Build the afore Mentioned Meeting House; we Likewise pray
that you would Order the same Method of Gathering s*^ Tax as
was formerly Used in the Propriety (viz) by sale of the Delin-
quents Land at publick Vendue, we would Inform the Honor-
able Court that the Proprietors Voted their willingness that the
above Tax should be Laid upon the Lands* We therefore
pray that you would barken to our Humble Petition, the an-
swer of which will Greatly Oblige y"" Humble and Obedient
Servants
Dated at Ipswich Octob' y* 23"^ Anno Dom. 1762 —
* At a Proprietors meeting legally notified at Ipswich ye i8th of Octobr Instant ; the Pro-
prietors of Ipswich voted their willingness To have a Tax of one penny Sterling money Laid
upon each acre of Land Contained in said Ipswich to be paid annually for the Terin of five
years
Jonas Woolson, Moderator
N. B. Sd vote is Signed by the Moderator by reason of the Clerks being absent
732 EAKLY TOWN PAPERS.
Abel Wright Isaac How Benj"^ Hoar
Thomas Fletcher Peter Fletcher moses Tucker
Robert Waugh Andrew Spaulding John Preston
Samu" parker Kendall Briant Robert Crosby
Francis Fletcher Hezekiah Cory Reuben Kidder
William Clary Robbert Cambel James French
Aaron Kidder William Speer Ebenezer Heald
Joseph Kidder Benj" Gibbs Ebene'' Bullard
John Dutton william Sanderson Jonas woolson
Jonah Crosby Joseph Bvillard Benjamin Saflbrd
Asa Bullard Andrew Conn Elias Stone
albe severance Reuben Taylor Samuel whittemore
John Chandler Joel Crosby
[7-1 87] \_Remonst7'afice of Non-Residents to foregoing. '\
To His Excellency Bening Wintworth Esq"" The Honovn-able
His Majestys Councel and House of Representatives of y"
Provence of New Hampshire —
May It pleas your Exelency and Honours we y*" Subscribers
of Ipswich in y*' Provence of y'' Massachusets Bay & Sum of
y" Propriaters of Ipswich In y" Provence of Newhampshire,
have Ben Informed that A Numbar of y*" Inhabitance of the
same Ipswich have Petitioned your Exelency and Honours,
that a Tax of one Penney Starling p'' acer be Layd on all y*
Lands, in s'^ Township for y" space of five years to buld them
A Nother Meeting House which will be A bought Ten Thou-
sand pounds Hamshare Money, v^'hich will buld one Large
A Nough to Acomade them all with Pews with out Aniey Tax
on thare poals personal Estate — or Improved Lands More than
they Desire to have Layd on our Wild Land that Lays on
Rocky Mountains and spruce Swamps — which we Aprehend
Is so Unreasonable, that it Is surprising to Us that aniey
should presume to Aske it of your Honours of whom thay
have no Reason to Expecte aniey thing But what Is A Gree-
able to y^ strictest Justis and Equity — But It will a pear more
Sti'ange when your Honours are Informed that we have Given
y* Inhabetance our best Lotts on Conditions of there settleing
thare on bulding a meeting house &c — which thay have Don &
so Holde thare Lands there for, but now Complain thare House
is two Small, if it be it is thare own folte They should have
Bulte it Biger, and It is our Humble Opinion that it is more
Reasonable that thav should in Large thare House that is so
New then to pool it Down and for us to Buld them A nother,
NEW IPSWICH. 733
Inasmuch as y^ Charge of preaching setleing A Minister Clear-
ing Mending ways Bulding Brigis &c — Haith ben all Defravd
by a Land Tax which Haith ben very Expenceive and of Long
Continuance. Wharefore your petitioners Humbly pray that
your Exelency and Honours would Not Lay so Heaviey and
as we humbley Conceve Unnesary A Burdon on Us, all which
is Humbley Submited by your Exelency & Honours Moust
Humble Servents —
Daited at Ipswich April 35, 1763
Samuel Wiggles- Nehemiah Portor Jeremiah Perkins
worth Thomas Adams Westly Perkins
Francis Choate William Brown
Isaac Appleton Nathanel Satlbrd
[7-18S] \_Relattve to paying- a Co7n7nittee to locate the Aleet-
ing-House^ i'/68.~\
Gentlemen
I am to let you kno\y that the General Assembly are Inform-
ed that you hitherto Neglect and Refuse to pay the Committee
Sent by the General Assembly to Establish the Place where
your Meeting House is to Stand The Cost of which Committee
by the Vote of the Assembly you were Order'd to pay And
your Refusing so to do seems to be in Contempt of that Au-
thority
I am therefore to let you know that the General Assembly
Expect that without Delay you pay said Committee their De-
mands And such Other Charges as may have Arisen in Conse-
quence of your neglect hitherto
Portsmouth New Hamps*
In the House of Representatives May 26, 1768 ^
By Order M Weare CI""
To the Selectmen of New Ipswich
N B. Said Com'*"^^ Acco' is three Pounds Sixteen Shillings
[A committee, consisting of Col. John Goffe, Dr. John
Hale, and James Underwood, was appointed Sept. 22, 1767,
to locate the meeting-house. This was done in answer to a
petition of a portion of the inhabitants. Said committee lo-
cated it " where the Meeting House now is." — Ed.]
734
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-1 89] \_Petition to have Amherst made the Shire Town of
the Coufity^ iy6g.'\
To His Excellency John Wentvvorth Esq, Cap' Gen^ Governor &
Commander &c of the Province of new Hampshire, To the
Honorable his Majestys Council and Asembly of said Prov-
ince
We Inhabitants of New Ipswich in said Province Beg Leave
to Return your Excellency and Honors our most hearty Thanks
for the prudence & Wisdom you have Exhibited in forming the
lines of middle County so agreeable to Nature, We think it is
Done to the best advantage ; and Humbly Thank your Excel-
lency & Honors for appointing Amherst Shire Town as we
think the County may be well accommodated there —
And pray that there may not be one Town more Annexed to
this County, for if it should we think it would give Birth to
Confusion — We as in Dut}' bound will ever pray —
Dated April 10"^
Aaron Kidder
John Preston
Jonathan Dix
Ezra Town
John Cutter
Ephraim Adams
Joseph Bates
Peltiah whittemore
Joseph Kidder
Levi Adams
769—
Kendall Briant
Stephen Adams
John walker
Isaac How
Francis Fletcher
William Speer
moses Tucker
Benj'' Hoar
Jonas VVoolson
Thomas Wright
Benjamin Wheat
John Dutton
Jon'' Davis
Charles Barrett
Simeon Bullard
Benjamin Adams
Edmond Towne
Joshua Thomson
Georg Sterrt
Barnes Dana
[7-190] [ Vote of To~dU7t relative to Lots^ I'j'j2r\
At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Township of New
Ipswich in y'' County of Hillsborough in y® Provence of New
Hampshire — Held at the House of Josiah Rogerses Inholder in
Said New Ipswich on the thirtyeth Day of December A D :
1773
It was Voted to Raise fifty three Pound Lawfull money to pay
those Persons who have Suffered by haveing there Lotts Cutt
by Sliptown & Rindge Linds as Voted to Each Sufferer by the
Proprietors also Voted to Chuse a Committee to Prefer a Peti-
tion to the General Court for to Enable the Proprietors to Col-
ect the money they have Voted to Raise to pay those Persons
who have Suffered by haveing there Lotts Cutt by Slip town
and Rindge Lines and the Charge that Shall arise by Effecting
NEW IPSWICH. 735
that matter to final Determination as His Excellency and Hon-
ours Shall Diecrict
Chosen for Said Committee Reuben Kidder Esq"' Cap' Benja-
min Hoar & Isaac Appleton —
atte" p'' Isaac Appleton Proprietors Clerk
[7—191] \_Petition relative to samer\
To His Excellency John Wentworth Esq"' Captain General and
Governor in Chief in and over His Majestys Provence of New
Hampshir, and to the Honourable His Majestvs Council, and
House of Representatives in General Court assembled at
Portsmouth —
The Petition of the Proprietors of the Township of New
Ipswich in the County of Hillsborough in S"* Provence Humbly
Sheweth —
That your Petitioners at there first vSettlement Lotted out and
Devided the whole of the Land in Said Township and Some
time after it was Discovered that a Number of S*^ Lotts ware
run over the Line of Said Township in to the Township of
Temple and of Rindge the whole of the Land being Devided in
the Said Township of New Ipswich it is not in the Power of S*^
Proprietors to make up those Rights in Land therefore Said
Proprietors at there meeting Leagally Held for that Purpose
Voted to make up those Riglits that had been Partly taken into
Temple and Rindge as afforesaid equal to other Rights bv Give-
ing them that is each Sufierer the Value of the Land so Cutt off
in money and accordingly Voted fifty three Pound Lawfull
money which Sum is as S*^ Proprietors Judge the Value of the
Land which is so Lost as afore Said but as S'^ Proprietors ap-
prehend that they are not able by Law to Colect the money
Voted for the Use above Said therefore you Petitioners Humbly
pray your Excellency and Honours to take there Case under
your wise Considaration and Lay the above Said Tax on the
Lands in Said Township of New Ipswich for the Use above
Said with the Cost your Excellency and Honours Shall Judge
will nessarily arise or other wise Grant Relief as your Excel-
lency and Honours in your Wisdom Shall See meet and your
Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray
Commitee for S"*
Reuben Kidder ^ ^ -^ r i
,, .„ TT \ Commitee tor ;
Beni" Hoar )■ „
T -^ A 1 i. I Proprietors
Isaac Appleton ) ^
N B the Proprietors when they Raised money have made it
there practice that the third and fouth Devetion have paid ondly
736 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Equel to one i^' & 2^ Devision that is 3 66 acre Lett have paid
but one third part of the Taxes of a Right
[7-197] S^Petition for Pay for Service in the IVar.^
To the General Court of the State of New-Hampshire
Humbly shew the Inhabitants of the Town of New-Ipswich
in said State, that they been since the commencement of the late
American War at very great expence, and have been singular
sufterers thereby, without receiving any compensation or con-
sideration whatever, either from this State or this Continent
therefor —
The said Inhabitants therefore humbly offer the Account in
the Schedule herewith exhibited, for the mature deliberation
and allowance of this Honorable Court, as containing not a sin-
gle Article for which they have received the least value — They
are ready, if this Honorable Court should judge necessary, to
produce Vouchers for a further support of the Charges in said
Account, if the Subscriptions and Oaths thereto, or the present
attestations are not sufficient. — And therefore the said Inhabi-
tants humbly pray that this Court would allow the said Account
as it now stands, or that a day may be given as this Hon'ble
Court shall appoint ; and that the proof of the Articles and
Charges in said Account may be admitted and if proved beyond
a possibility of a doubt to this Hon'ble Court, that they would
grant the same, is all the said Inhabitants wish for or desire —
And as in duty bound will ever pray —
Noah Cooke —
in behalf & by order of the Committee of said Town chosen for
the above purpose
[R- 3-37]
Persons that went to Cambridge in April A. D. 1775, on the
alarm of the battle at Concord, their time and expenses :
Days Day3
Thomas Heald, Capt. 13. * Jesse Carleton 13.
* Ezra Town, Lieut. 00. Jno. Brown Jr 7.
Joseph Parker, " 13. Joseph Wright 7.
Hezekiah Corey Ensign 6. * Samuel Soper 13.
William Start Clerk 13. Stephen Davis 5.
Isaac How, Seg't. 13. Robert Cambell 3.
Saml. Whittemore 3. Thos Brown 13.
Simeon Hildrith 7. Jonas Wheeler 7.
Eben"" Brown 2. *Josiah Brown Sgt. 13.
NEW
IPSWICH.
737
Jonas Willson Jr
7
* Benj. Williams
^3-
Simeon Gould
4
*Josiah \Valton
13-
Jona. Davis
4
Leonard Parker
7-
Joseph Pollard
13
Joseph Tinney
5-
Francis Fletcher
10
\Ym Yaris
7.
Nath' Pratt
9
Ephraim Foster
8.
Edm'* Bryant
5
Daniel Foster
13-
William Hodgkins
5
Samuel Foster
8.
James Chandler
5
* Timo. Stearns
13.
Jon. Brookes Serj'
13
Benja Gibbs
8.
Jno. Cutter
1 1
* Supply Wilson
13-
Nath' Swain
9
wSaml. Kinney
^3-
Tim° Wheelock
4
Jno. Melvin
5.
Joel Wheelock
8
* David Melvin
13-
Nath' Reed
5
Josiah Davis
5.
Benja Hoar
7
Allen Breed
^3'
Aaron Chamberlain
9
Jona. Wheet
7-
Rev. Stephen Farrar
30
Whitcomb Powers
13-
Elijah Flagg
6
Joseph Bates
5-
Tim° Farrar
5
Chas. Barrett
I.
Jno. Wilkins
5
Isaac Appleton
5.
Dan^ Mansfield
5
Reuben Kidder
5-
Peter Fletcher
5
Jere'* Underwood
7.
Jno. Sartell
8
Benj. Pollard
'3-
Abel Miles
13
Abr"' Abbott
^3-
W"> Speer
6
Josiah Rodgers
5.
* Elijah Davis
13
Saml Haywood
5-
David Sanders
8
Thos Farnsworth
8.
Joseph Warren
5
Stephen Parker
5.
Moses Tucker
2
Nath' Stone
5.
Thomas Fletcher
5
Timo. Fox
4'
Dan' Clary
6
Nath' Farr
^3-
Isaac Farwell
5
Saml Bartlett
3-
Tim° Farwell
5
James Barr
3.
Nath' Melvin
8
Amos Boynton
7.
Jno. W\alker
5
Elea"" Cummings
5.
W- Kendall
8
Isaac Clark
5.
Danl. Stratton
5
W" Shattuck
3-
James Tidder
13
Eph™ Adams Jr
7-
* Nath' Carleton
13
Robert Harkness
7-
Attest
Tho*
Heald
State of New Hampshire. Hillsborough ss. Ocf 17"* 1785.
Personally appeared Thomas Heald. Edmund Briant and Jo-
seph Parker and made solemn oath that this Account by them
49
738
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
severally subscribed is Just and true according to the best of
their knowledge
Coram Tim° Farrar Just' Pacis
[The whole account amounted to £124, 16. Those mark-
ed with a * enlisted in Capt. Archelaus Town's company,
and were at the battle of Bunker Hill. — Ed.]
Persons that went on an alarm to Royalston State of Vermont,
their time and expenses with hoi'ses,
Edmd Bryant Capt Joseph Stickney Jr.
Isaac Clark Lieut Benj" Adams Jr
Benj Williams Lieut Jn° Adams
Jer*" Prichard
Thos Brown
Josiah Walton
John Brown Jur,
Silas Davis
John Gould
Amos Baker
Sam' Speer
W" Speer Jr—
Jn° Cutter
W" Prichard
Jon" Fletcher
Epli'" Adams Jr
Elijah Davis
Josiah Brown
Tho' Kidder
Tho' Fletcher Jr
W" Clary
Edm*^ Town
Attest Edmund Briant
[They went on horses, were out four days, and travelled
forty-five miles. The account amounted to £34, 10. — Ed.]
Cap Parkers Comp^ that went on towards Royalston on said
alarm
Tho' Hale Lieut Col.
Joseph Parker Cap'
Moses Tucker Lieu'
James Chandler
Ens"
Jn° Brooks Serg'
Leonard Parker
Allen Breed Serg'
W™ Paris
Eben'' Knight
Enos Knight Jr.
Sam' Cumings
Eben"" Fletcher
Tho' Spaulding
Tim" Fox
W" Shattuck
Jon" Twist
W" Hodgkins
Levi Farr
Nath' Farr
Isaac Bartlet
Jotham Hoar
Eph'" Hildreth
Joseph Warren
Jesse Walker
Amos Boynton
Joel Baker
Stephen Pierce
Sam' Fletcher
Stephen Adams Jr.
Jn° Prat
Edw<^ Prat
Nath' Prat
Isaac Farwell
Edm" Farwell
Jn° Gowing
Robert Cambell
Thad Taylor
Reuben Taylor
Hezek*^ Hodg
Jn° Wheeler Jr
[The foregoing were out with horses four days, travelled
thirty-five miles, and the account amounted to ^90, 2. —
Ed.]
NEW IPSWICH. 739
Flower Grain & Meet that was sent by the Town of New Ips-
w^ich to Cambridge on the alarm at Concord which was
turned into the Publick or Continental store there
2000 weight Rie Flower £12 — o — o
3 Barrels of Bread being 300 W i — 16 — o
600 Weight of Pork 20 — o — o
four Bushels of Beans i — 4 — o
300 weight of Chese a 6** 7 — 10 —
42 — 10 — o
to six Oxen and two Men to Cambridge with a cart
& Expences 6 —
Horses lost in the American War
Cap* Charles Barretts horse lost when Tie was evac-
uated £12 —
Jonas Wilsons horse at the alarm when Borgoin
was taken 12 —
Cap' Francis Fletchers horse lost at the same time 12 —
Francis Appletons horse lost at the same time 15 —
W"' Clarys iiorse lost for a year and expences & )
time in obtaining his horse ) '
John Thomas^ Horse taken & impressed into the
Continental Service
A true account attest
Isaac Appleton ^
Tho' Heald ^
T u TD 1 > Committee
Joseph rarker
Josiah Brown J
[The aggregate amount was ;2^328, 8, o. The account
was sworn to before Timothy Farrar. — Ed.]
[R. 3-38] [^Petition of siindry Persons for pay for Horses
lost in the Service^ ^777-']
To the honorable Council and Assembly of the State of New
Hampshire,
The Petition of the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of
New-Ipswich — humbly sheweth
That on the 2^ Day of October last past we began our March
to reinforce the Northern Army, (agreable to the Order of the
General Court) in a Company under the Command of Cap*
Briant : that each of us took an Horse to carry Packs for our-
selves, and others in the Company ; that we joined the Army
740 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
and continued in the service till regularly dismissed ; that, dur-
ing our said service, each of us lost an Horse, which we have
not since heard of, notwithstanding the Pains we have taken.
Wherefore 3'our Petitioners humbly pi'ay your Honors to take
the above into consideration and make such compensation for
the loss we have sustained as you in your Wisdom shall think
fit — and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
New-Ipswich Dec"" 25"" 1777.
Francis Fletcher William Clary
Jonas Woolson Jun"" Ephraim Adams
Exeter FeV y« 19'*^ 177S
the Horse of Francis Fletcher I think was worth £30 Will-
iam JVPClary 28 Jonas Woolson 35 Ephraim Adams 30 the
Horses was ordered forward by me v\"ith the advise of other
officers
Tho' Heald Lent Col
[7-192] \_Peiitiojz to pay ^or a Horse lost in the Service^
n77-'\
To the Hon'''^ the Council and Assembly of the State of New-
Hampshire,
The Petition of the Subscribers, Select-Men of the Town of
New-Ipswich in said State
humbly sheweth
That on or about the first Day of Ocf 1777 we pressed on an
Horse, the Property of Cap' Charles Barrett of said New-Ips-
wich (agreable to the Laws of said State) to carry Packs for
the Men who turned out Volunteers, in Order to reinforce the
Northern Army under the Command of Gen' Gates; that the
said Horse was lost in the Expedition, and has not since been
heard of, notwithstanding the pains taken : which Loss we esti-
mate at sixty Pounds lawful Money.
Wherefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Honors to take
the above into Consideration and order such Compensation for
the said Loss as you in your Wisdom shall think fit and your
Petitioners, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray &c
New-Ipswich 23*^ Oct' 177S.
W"' Shattuck \
Isaac Appleton > Select men
James Chandler )
NEW IPSWICH. 741
Hillsboro' ss Dec' 14''' 177S
The above named W'" Shattuck, I : Appleton and J. Chand-
ler made solemn Oath, that in Appraising the Horse above
mentioned, they have acted impartially & according to their
best Skill and Judgment. Coram
Tim° Farrar Just : Pacis
[7-193] \_Apprazsal of Estate of Absentees^ I'j'j8.'\
An Inventory of the Estate of John Tomlinson and John
Tufton Mason Esq^** (supposed to be Inhabitants of Great Brit-
ain) lying in N-Ipswich in the State of N-Hampshire, taken
into Custody and appraised by the Subscribers, Select-Men of
s** New-Ipswich by Authority of an Act intitled An Act to pre-
vent the Conveyance of Estate &c passed in the Year of our
Lord 1777* w'hich Estate is owned in Partnership, viz
Lot 60 — Acres 80 — Appraised at £420 Taxes due JCi — 2,
" 164 " 66 — " " 160 "• , "• o — 13,
" 163 " 66— " " 150 " " o— II,
Total " 213— " " 730 " " 2— 6,
The subscribers charge for their Trouble in appraising and
renting out the said Land £4-12-0
Isaac Appleton \
W" Shattuck ' Select men
James Chandler )
Sworn to before Timothy Farrar, Oct, 24, 177S,
[7-194] \_Relative to Oath of Allegiance^ ly 8 J. '\
To the Honourable Council and Gentlemen of the house of
Representatives for the State of New-Hampshire,
the Petition of the Town of New-Ipswich Humbly Sheweth ;
that whereas the act of the Legeslature of Said State passed
June 21''' 17S2 which Requires all Voters in Town meetings to
take an Oath of Elegiance to the State, dos not answer the Pur-
poses thereby Intended (but Qiiite the Reverse) for it dos not
Seperate the Enemies of the State, from its friends but has
Greatly Devided and Confusd the People ; Notwithstanding the
arguments that has been use"^ with the People in this Town to
Induce them to Take Said Oath but Sixty-two out of one hun-
dred and Seventy-five has taken it ; they Seem Temorous of
Multiplying Oaths ; the hundred and thirteen that has not taken
742 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
it, have Since the Contest as Cherfully paid Taxes and been as
Ready to turn out on alarms as the Sixty-two that has taken S*
oath ; and are greatly Dissatisfied that they must be Deprivd of
Prevaliges, unless they take an oath to be True when they have
always been so, and Say that if they are Subject to Taxation
they have a Right to Representation ; if Said act Should be
held in force, we much fear the Consequences ; for we Learn
Said act has the Same Etlect in many other Towns in the State ;
and further if People Cannot Recover their Dues they Cannot
pay Taxes ; the Effects of Said act are obvious and plain ; the
Continuance of Said act we apprehend will be very Detre-
mental to the Unity and Safty of the State. —
therefore we your Petitioners Humbly pray for Redress by a
Repeal of Said act ; and that your Honorable Body may Culti-
vate that Union among the People that is Sure to advance a
State: if your Honourable Body Shall grant a fovourable an-
swer to this our Petition, we as in Duty Bound Shall Ever
pray.—
New Ipswich Feb. lo'*" 17S3
Isaac Appleton ) Com**^ for
Isaac How i N. Ipswich
[Read, and ordered to lay. — Ed.]
[7-195] \_ReIative to Militia Regiment^ 17^5 •'\
To the Hon^'* General Court of the State of New-Hampshire.
The Petition of the Subscribers, Selectmen and other Inhabi-
tants of the Towns of New-Ipswich, Peterborough, Temple
Lyndsborough, Wilton, Mason, Peterborough-Slip, Hancock,
and Society-land, in behalf of our-selves and the Towns we be-
long to
Humbly sheweth —
That by a vote of the General Court passed at their last Ses-
sion, the Inhabitants of the Towns above mentioned were con-
stituted the 23** Regiment of Militia : and that the Towns of
Rindge, Jaftrey, Dublin, Packersfield, Marleborough & Fitz-
william were constituted the 12"' Regiment, retaining the Num-
ber which they had when connected with the greater part of
the Towns first mentioned : which we conceive to be injurious,
inverting the order which ought to have taken place in their
Numbers. And presuming that the General Court were not
rightly informed as to the circumstances of those two Regi-
ments, beg leave to lay before your Honors some facts, in order
NEW IPSWICH.
743
to procure an alteration in their Numbers, which we think
ought to take place for the following reasons : — The nine peti-
tioning Towns are the oldest by about twenty years taking their
age upon an average ; Cap' Woolson of N-Ipswich having a
Commission in the 6'^ Reg' Dated in the 3'ear 1744; before
there was a single Inhabitant in any of the six Towns above
named, and many years before a Commission was given to any
person within their limits. — By means of being united with
those Towns we lost our Number from 6, to 12 ;. therefore
ought not to lose from 12, to 23, bv dissolving the Connection.
- — By comparing their Numbers and wealth it will appear that
we pay ,£49-15 to the Thousand; they but £32-13: — That
there are eleven hundred rateable polls in this Reg' ; and little
more than six hundred in that : — That there are four field offi-
cers in this Reg' who will think it degrading to renew their
Commissions in the 23*^ Reg': and but one in that: (and that a
second Maj'')
Thus, Gentlemen, whatever we substitute as a Criterion to
determine the right of precedence ; whether Age, numbers,
wealth, the residence of Field officers or whatever else we can
conceive to operate in the minds of the Legislature, the prefer-
ence is, most clearly, on our side. And as we would not be
vainly ambitious for honour, to which we had no title ; so
neither would we be thought so mean, as tamely to submit
to a sentence by which we are degraded below our Inferiors.
We therefore apply to your Honours as the Guardians of our
rights, himibly praying for a reconsideration of the vote com-
plained of; and that we may be permitted to retain the original
Number. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever
pray &c
Jan-'y 27'^ 1785
r> 1 r> • 1 J ^ Selectmen
Paul Pn chard (_ r
Eph'" Adams i ^t t ^ • 1
^ ) N-ipswich
Tim" Farrar
Josiah Walton
Josiah Rogers
Ebenezer Jones
Daniel Foster
Benj"^ Adams y
Eph"' Hartwell
Benjamin Knolton
Seth Wheeler
Jesse Carlton
Luther Kidder
Nathan Robens
Tho= Noals Reed
Amos Baker
Nath' Hodgkins
Nath' Farrer
John Wheeler
Rich<i Wheeler
James Tickler
Peter Fletcher
John walker
Simeon Wright
John Pratt
Enos goodale
Timothy Fox Ju""
Jonathan Fox
Lazarus "Cary
Elijah Newell
Eleazer Comings
George Start
Isaac Bartlett
Benj" Hoar
Joseph Batcheller
Ithamar wheelock
William Prichard
Nehemiah Stratton
744
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
John Cutter
William Speer
William Speevjunr
Jesse walker
Isaac How jr
John Champney
Samuel Bartlett
Timothy Fox
Peter Shattuck
Silas Adams
John Shattuck
Stephen Adams
Tho^ Spaulding
Thomas Spaulding
John Binney
Joel Baker
Onesimus nevvell
Caleb Campbell
Samuell Fletcher
Robert Campbell
Eben^ Fletcher
James Chandler
Joseph Warren
moses Carleton
Zebulon Conant
Simeon Blanchard
John Wheeler jun
Samuel wheeler
William Wheeler
Samuel Fletcher
Nathaniel melven
Benj° Gibbs
John Pratt Ju""
William Fariss
Stephen Hildreth
Joseph Baker
Reuben Taylor
Tho^ Fletcher
Peter Jones
James French
Joseph Briant
Joseh Fletcher
Thomas Fletcher
Juner
William Wheeler
William Clary
Francis Fletcher
Eben"' Bullard
Josiah Walton ju''
James Walton
Tho* Brown
Jonas VV^oolson Jun''
Jonas Whiting
Sam" Heywood
Sam" Whiting
Fran^ Appleton
Nathan Parker
James Barr
Timothy Wheelock
J'-
Sim''" Goold Junr
Ebenezer Adams
John Champney Jur
Daniel Bartlett
Noah Bartlett
John Prichard
Daniel Mansfield
Ezra Towne
Shurmon Shattuck
Samuel Chandler
Aaron Kidder
Joel Hildreth
Nathan Walker
Joseph Parker Ju''
Ruben Taylor Jr
Zebedee Taylor
William Wheeler Jr
Daniel Clary
David Clary
Ephraim Fletcher
James Tidder
Jonathan Fletcher
William Delap
Enos Knight
David Knight
Ebenezer Knight
Moses Tucker
Benj" Knight
Samuel Parker
Jotham Hoar
Josiah Robbins
Daniel Parker
Samuel Blood
John Preston
Eben'' Parker
Benjamin Procter
Benj" Hoar jun
Nathanel Prentis
[R. 3-40] \_C ertiji cat e of Service of Satmi el Walker^ Ij82.'\
This may certify that I the Subscriber one of the Selectmen
in New Ipswich in the year 17S0 did with the other Selectmen
by order of Court hire Six men to serve Six months in the Con-
tinental army of which Number Samuel Walker of New Ips-
wich was one who marcht off and returned with the others, and
I never heard but that he faithfully Did the Service and was
properly Discharged.
New Ipswich August 27* 1782
Isaac How
NEW IPSWICH. 745
[John Goold certified that he served with said Walker
for the term of six months, and that they came home to-
gether.— Ed.]
[R. 3-43] \_Soldiei-'s Bomtty.~\
The Bounty paid to Hezekiah Sartwell by the Town of New
Ipswich amounts to Eighteen pounds.
Josiah Gihnan Jun'
Exeter Sepf 12"^ 1786.
[R. 3-43] \^Petitiou for John T/wmas, i/Sj.'l
[Ephraim Adams, of New Ipswich, states that John
Thomas was in the Rhode Island expedition in 1778, and
had a horse impressed into the continental service ; and
that said horse was never returned to him. He asked to
be paid for the same. Timothy Fox stated that said horse
was worth ^10. Joseph Parker and Peter Fletcher testi-
fied that they were in the same regiment (Col. Enoch
Hale's), and knowing to the fact as stated by Adams. He
was allowed ;^io. — Ed.]
[R. 3-48] \_Petition of Cap t. Ezra To~j:iie.~\
To the General Court of the State of New Hampshire
The Petition of Ezra Town of New Ipswich in said State
humbly shews that he in January AD 1776 commanded a com-
pany in the Service of the United States, and that his Men went
into Canada then to Albany in the same year and on the first of
December in the same year his company marched to Pennsyl-
vania and continued there untill the first day of Jan' following
and soon after his company was dismissed without rations or
any subsistance money to carry them home. * * *
New Ipswich 30"* Jan' 1 7S6
Ezra Towne
[The petition was dismissed, and he presented another
dated February 4, 1788, in which he stated that his com-
pany was in Gen. James Reed's regiment, and that the men
were discharged February 13, 1777, at Morristown, New
Jersey. — Ed]
746 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[7-198] \_Petitio7i for an alloivance for Bounties f aid Three
Tears Men, lySj-']
Whereas it was Enacted by the Authority of the State of
New-Hampshire upon January — 1781 —
That for every recruit raised and Mustered to do three years
Service in the Continental Army — the Towns who raised said
recruits should be entitled to receive out of the Treasury of
said State Twenty pounds equal in Vallue to Indian Corn at
four Shillings a Bushel for each recruit so raised —
it appears to us that agreable to the foregoing Act the Town
of New-Ipswich raised the following persons for said Service
(viz) John Bullard — Peter Bullard— John Adams — Neh'' Strat-
ten — Joseph Procter — Stephen Adams — Phinehas Adams —
Sam' Walker — Jesse Walker — John Thomas — Joel Baker —
Amos Baker — Sam' Potter — W™ Hewett & W" Scott —
We therefore desire your Honour the Treasurer for said
State to pay the Sums allow'd to the Town for raising the fore-
going recruits to Deacon Ephraim Adams and his receipt Shall
Discharge you for said Sum —
New-Ipswich May 23*^ 17S5
Hon. J Taylor Oilman Esq''
James Hosley ~) Select men
Paul Pri chard )- for s''
Eph™ Adams Jr J New-Ipswich
[7-199] \_Petition for an Incorporation of a School., I'j8g.'\
To the hon''''' the General Court of the vState of New-hampshire
to be holden at Concord in said state on Wednesday 3'' June
1789-
The petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth, that on the
15"* day of Ocf 1787 vour petitioners instituted a School in the
Town of Newipsvvich in the County of Hillsborough, and
from that time to the present have supported the same, with
the assistance of the students, for the benefit of the public ;
that hitherto it has appeared to answer the design of its institu-
tion, and still is in a flourishing condition, being at such a dis-
tance from other public schools and Academies, as not in any
considerable degree to interfere with the same ; which has
encouraged your petitioners to attempt a permanent establish-
ment, For which purpose we have procured by subscription a
fund of five hundred and twenty pounds lawfull money to be
paid in cash or good securities on interest, and three thousand
acres of land in the township of Cambden in the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts bay, valued at about three hundred
NEW IPSWICH.
747
pounds, likewise two hundred acres in Washington in this
state, together with some other lands of less value ; exclusive
of another subscription for erecting a building, which is already
sufficient for that purpose. We have further made choice of
the persons in whose hands we wish to deposit said fund, Viz ;
Rev"* Stephen Farrar, Charles Barrett Esq"" Cap' Ephraim Hart-
well Mr. John Hubbard of Newipswich aforesaid, Daniel Em-
erson Esq"" of Hollis, Rev'' Seth Payson of Rindge, and Jacob
Abbot Esq' of Wilton all of this state. Rev*' Joseph Brown of
Winchendon, Henery Wood Esq"" of Pepperrill, in the State of
Massachusetts bay ; and that vacancies by death or resignation
may be filled by the remaining or surviving members.
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray your Honors to pass
an act, incorporating said School into an Academy by the name
of the Newipswich Academy ; and that the Gentlemen above
named may be appointed Trustees, with all the powers, privi-
leges and immunities usually granted to institutions of that
kind, under such limitations and restrictions as your Honors
may think reasonable, and your petitioners as in duty bound
shall ever pray.
Ezra Towne Isaac Appleton
Georg Start John Warner
Ebenezer Brown John Preston
Daniel mansfield Seth Wheeler
Jon" Locke Reuben Kidder
Eben"' Champney Supply Wilson
Thomas Heald Noah Miles
Benjamin Gibbs Francis Blood
Stephen Farrar
Eph™ Hartwell
Timothy Farrar
Josiah IBatcheller
Jeremiah Prichard
Tho" Fletcher
Enos Knight
Eleazer Cumings
Timothy Fox Ju
Benj" Adams
Ephraim Adams
Samuel Whittemore Charles Barrett
Silas Bigelow
William Prichard
[An act incorporating New Ipswich Academy was passed
June 17, 1789, with trustees as above-mentioned.
This was the second academy incorporated in this state,
and its usefulness to citizens of the town and vicinity can-
not be measured by dollars and cents. — Ed.]
[7-200] \_Petition for authority to raise Money by Lottery
for the use of the Academy^ lygi.']
State of Newhampshire
To the Honourable the Senate and House Representatives in
General Court Convened at Concord on the first Wednesday
of June AD 1791 —
The petition of the trustees of New Ii^swich Academy hum-
748 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
bly shews, that said Academy by the efforts and exertions of
the benevolent founders is now and has been for a number of
years past in a Situation for the admission of Students and
promises under the patronage and direction of your honours
whome your petitioners esteem their poHtical fathers to become
a most useful Seat of litrature
Your petitioners are assured that the legislators of the State
of Newhampshire in imitation of all wise lawgivers will ever
be anxious to promote erudition and Science since by this —
morality Religion and the love of our Country is Inculcated
and established as the only basis on which a republick Can
florish
Your petitioners would further represent that said Academy
is in such a florishing Situation that one preceptor is insufficent
for the purpose of teaching the Students there of, so that an
assistant is become Necessary in Consequence of which the
funds already established are no ways Sufficient for the purpose
of defraying the charges of the same
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that they may have
the previlege of raising one thousand pounds by lottery to be
applied for the use of said Academy and your petitioners as in
duty bound Shall ever pray
Charles Barrett for and in behalf of
the trustees of New Ipswich
Academy
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
\^From Gen. Chase's Papers.'\
A Return of Cap' John Willoughbys Connpany
A List of the Officers and Gentle Volunteers, and Soldiers
under Col" David Webster — Cap'" John Willoughby
Genthn Volunteers
Cp' James Hobbart
Lieu' Thomas Bartlet
Ens" John South mayd
Cp' Gershom Burbank
Cp' Cuttin Feavor
Lieu' Robert Forsith
Lieu' Sam' Haseltine
Privates
Joshua Fletcher
Sam' Mers
Stephen Keys
David Nevins
Israel Brainard
Sam' Worthen
Josiah Brown
Sam' Ambrose
Sum Total 24
Saratoga ocf 10"* i777«
Jonathan Cone
Nason Cass
Josiah Fellows
Naum Powers
Isaac Ward
John Kemp
Darius Willey
Carr Huse
[The follow^ing documents relating to the towns therein
mentioned were found, together with many other state pa-
pers, in a junk-store, since Vol. XI was published. The
originals may be found in Manuscript Vol. XII, collection
of 1880, in office of secretary of state. — Ed.]
[12-24] \_Enlistme7zts^ Boscawen^ iyj6.']
We the Subscribers Do Hereby Engage to sarve in the Con-
tinental Armey at New york till the first Day of Dec' Next
752 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
unless sooner Discharged agreable to order from Col Thomas
Stickney bearing Date Septr i6 1776 —
Boscawen Sepf 17 1776
Peter Kimball Moses Manuel
Samuel Ames Simeon Jackman
Cutting Noyes Sam" Cofin
Bitfield Plumer Moses Burbank Jr
Gentlemen-
\^Relative to yohn Allen^ ^777'~\
Boscawen, March, 7i i777*
Agreable to a Vote of the Committee of Correspondence,
&c, in this Town, I desire you to send us attested Depositions,
(if it can be,) of any weighty Matters against M'' John Allen,
(Itinerant Preacher,) as a dangerous, or inimical Person to the
united vStates.
Our Committee has examined, & search'd him, at a northern
Town ; & not finding him guilty, dismiss'd him, taking his
Promise, upon Hon'' to come to one of them after he had
preach'd three Sabbaths at Grafton, And we have voted to
meet, & try him, at his Return.
From your humble Servant
R Morrill Clerk
To the Committee of Correspondence, &c, at Concord.
[12-26] \_Rcturn of Soldiers., Boscawen^ lyyS.']
To Col Thos Stickney S""—
In Consequence of your orders bareing Date the 23^ of this
Instant I Do here by Return to you Will'" Jackman & Daniel
Carter to serve as Soldiers agreeable to your warrant Please
to muster them for Boscawen —
this from your Humble sarvent Peter Kimball Capt
Boscawen June 27 1778
[12-27] \_Retnrn of Soldiers^ Boscawen^ ^779-]
Boscawen July 13 1779
To Col Tho^ Stickney—
S"" In obedience to orders Receiv"^ bareing Date July 2^ I
have Rais"* 2 men for the Defence of Roadiland to serve Six
APPENDIX. 753
months their Names are as follows Viz Will™ Jackman &
Daniel Carter
this from your Humble Servn' Peter Kimball Cap'
To Col Tho' Stickney
[12-28] [ William Rogers's Complaint^ Bo-i\ 1776. '\
To Colonel Stickney S'
The Complaint of W™ Rogers of Bow Humbly Sheweth
that whereas Cap' Been of Bow aforesaid Yesterday out of
Malice as I supposed Insulted me, at the same time Slighting
the Commission your Honour was pleased to Confer upon me,
in Drafting me to Goto Canada as a Private Soldier Before the
Company you Commissioned me in Which I think is a Great
imposition on me, & will if passed over unnoticed have a tend-
ency to make all Commissions for the future of no Conse-
quence Therefore upon the above Complaint I Report S"^ Cap*
Been, & Desire that he be tryed By a Court martial For his
Conduct
Dated Bow July 9"' 1776 — William Rogers
Col° Thomas Stickney Concord —
[12-29] \_Return of Soldiers^ Bozv^ iy'/6.'\
Sir Bow Sep' 17"^ 1776
Persuant to your Orders Dated y® 16"* Instant I have Raised
three Men, who will appear att your house att the time ap-
pointed and will be Equiped and Ready to March as Soon as
Orders are Given
The men Inlisted are Jonathan Currier Ephraim Kinsman
Ralph Cross Jun'
this from yours &c
Benj" Bean
To Col" Stickney
[12-30] \_Return of Soldiers^ Bow, 1778. '\
Bow April y« 24"^ 1778
Sir—
Persuant to your Orders of y® 13"^ I have used my utmost
Influence to procure the Remainder of our Continental Soldiers
50
754 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
but to no Purpose, and have at Last proceeded to Draught them
whose Names are as Follows Viz —
Edward Russell, paid his Fine
Goen Hemphill
Simeon Heath, paid his Fine
Elijah Colby, paid his Fine
Richard Clough Jun'' paid his Fine
These from your Humble Se'' Benj* Bean
[12-31] \_Soldiers' Eiilistinent^ Boxv^ iy8o.'\
State of Newhampshire Rockingham ss
We the Subscribers whose Names are hereunto Subscribed
do voluntarily Inlist our selves into the Continental Sarvic for
three months from the time we git to the place of Randevose
and we promise and ingage that we Will be obediant to such
officers as may or shall from time to time be set over us and we
also ingage that we will be obidant and subject to all Ruls and
regulations that may or shall be from time to time in s^ Sarvis
Dated at Bow this i Day of July 17S0 —
Reuben Currier
William Walker
Levi Clousfh
[12-32] \_Canterbury ''''Train Ba7id.^''\
A List of the Men Names From fifty to Sixteen back
Callop Heath Sargent Morriell Edmond Kizer
William Glines Abraham Morriell Benjamon Sanborn
Juner Thomas Hoyit Nathaniel Pallet
Samuel Hans Benjamin Heath Joshua weaks
Richard Hans David Foster William Mooi'e
James Maloney Nehemiah Clough Juner
Gidden Bartlet Epharam Carter Stephen Sutton
Richard Ellison Levit Clough Mickel Sutton
Jonathan Gils Henry Clough Robrt Curry
Simen Roberson Hezekiah young Jonathan Weast
Walter Hans Daniel Felcher Jobn Weast
Thomas Gipson Phinehas Flacher Benjamin Blanchard
Richard Glins Joseph Sanborn Jonathan Blanchard
William Miles Jeremiah Ladd Joel Blanchard
Obadiah Clough Benjamin Wicher Nothaniel Moore
Joseph Clough Jonathan Wicher John Moore Juner
APPENDIX.
755
Edmon Colbey Jesse Stiviens
Jeremiah Danford Samuel Colbey
Stephen Hans Asa Foster
John Forrest Juner Benjamin Johnson
Ezekiel vvorthen Jonathan Foster
Daniel Randel
David Ames
Abener Hoyit
Benjamin Simson
James Towle
Samuel Moore
Simon Stevens
William Simons
John Glines
John Foss
Samuel Grrish
Nathaniel Glins
Robert Foss
Baranat Stils
John Been
Humpre Clolbey
William Forrestthe4 Aaron Sargent
Joseph Woodman Simon Sanborn
Totle 76 — in Number in the Second Company in Colonal
Stickney Regment Taken By us James Shepard Cap' Laben
morrill Livt James Glines Livt Jeremiah Hacket En°
the Number of Guns in the Second Company is 36 in Num-
ber
[12-33] [ Canterbury " Train
The following being a retur
Command in Canterbury
Lieu' thomas Gilmon
Leui' Ebenezer Kimbal
Ensign William Sanborn
Sargant Richard Blanchard
Jacob Heath
David Norriss
Willi Perkins
Corper'^ Jesse Cross
Nathan*' Derbon
Gideon levet
Joseph Carr
Fifer Joseph Hancock
Privets thomas Cross
John Cross
George Hancock
Benjamin Collins
thomas Clough
William Kinestone
David Kinestone
John Derbon
Shubal Derbon
W^illiam Glines
Sand'' and ^'- Alarm Lisi.""]
n of the train band under my
Privets William Diah
Peter Huneford
David morrison
Nathaniel Witcher
John mcDaniel
Jeremiah Daniel
Abner miles
Samuel miles
James Soyer
Nathaniel Perkens
James Blanchard
James Perkens
David Blanchard
Jonathon Wodaly
William Kenestone
James Simon
Abraham Derbon
thomas Cross
Jonathan Sanborn
Ezekeil Gilmon
Obediah Davis
William Hancock
Larm Lest Names
William Glines Lieu' Charls Gliden
Benjmin Blanchard Leu' Jonathan Heath
756
EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Shubal Derbon
Ensi Archelaus miles
John Cross
Gideon levit
A true Return
Per Me Edward Blanchard Captain
[12-34] \_Enlistinents^ Canterbury^ ^77^-']
Canterbury September y^ 18* 1776 —
We the Subscribers do hereby Ingage our selves In the Con-
tinental Servis, and forthwith to March to New York and joyn
the Continental Army there and Continue therein untill the first
day of December Next Unless Sunner Discharged
As Witness our hands —
Samuel Gerrish
William clement
Henry Clough
Sargfent Morrill
Joshua Weeks
Nathanaiel pallet
Israel Glines
A Return of the Names of the Continental Soldiers Inlisted
for the Town of Canterbury in the State of New Hamps'' for
the Term of Three Years or During: the War —
John Holden — of Canterbury
Elkins Moore
Parson Eastman
George Sheperd
Robert Hastings
James Hastings
Nicholas Hall
John Rowing
Andrew Rowing
Abner Fowler
Thomas Hoit
Walter Hains
Prince Thompson
Ebenez"' Varnum of Conway inCap'Livermore's Company
Pratt Chase of Concord
Loyd Jones
William Walker in Cap' Fryes Company
Aaron Hale of Boscawen the Captain Unknown
John Mills of Nottingham
The Cap' Unknown
Cap' Robbenson
in Cap' Stones Company
in Cap' Grays Company
in Cap' Livermore's Company
in Cap' Frye's Company
Nath Glines Cap' Frye Comp Continental Soldiers
Samuel Danford Boscawen Ditto
19
APPENDIX, 757
Canterbury July the 2^ I'jJ'j —
Pursuant to the precept from the Honourable Thomas Stick-
ney Esq"" We do hereby make a true Return of the Above
Mentioned Soldiers they being Inlisted for the Town of Can-
terbury and State of New Hampshire —
Tames Shepard ] /-, , ■
■{^ , J T31 1 J r Captanis
Edward Blanchard J ^
[12-36] \^Enlist7ne7its in Canterbt^ry^ i'j8o.'\
Canterbury July 4"' 1780
We the subscribers hereby acknowledge to have Voluntarily
enlisted to serve the United States of America for three Months
from the time we shall Join the Army of the s** United States
at the place appointed for Rendesvous by the Commander in
Chief of said Army
Witness our Hands —
William Foster
Ezekiel moore
Asa Forster
his
Daniel X forster
mark
his
Elkins X Moor
mark
moses davis
[12-37] \_Enlist?nents in Canterbury^ jySi.']
Canterbury 24* July 17S1
We whose Names are imderwritten hereby acknowlege to
to have volentarih^ inlisted to serve as Militia in the Conti-
nental Army for the term of three Months from the time of
our joining said Army On the encouragement given by the
Town of Canterbury at a Muster for the purpose of raising s^
Men, And engage to equip, and march whenever we shall re-
ceive orders.
o ^'\ Ti ^.- peter Blanchard
bamson X Battis v , o 4.^
nCk John Sutton
thomas Curry
758 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[12-38] \_Capt. jfohn Cramps Return, Chichester, lyyS.']
Colony of New Hampshire
To the Honourable Thomas Stickney Esq Colo" of the Thir-
teenth Reigement of Miletery in the Colony Aforesaid —
Percuent to orders I have Received from your honour I have
acordingly Mustered my Company and have Enlisted Eight
Able Bodyed Effective men —
Also An a Count of all the Training Soldiers under my
Command from Sixteen to fifty years Id
Drumer one 001
Sargents and privates Seventy Eight 078
Also those of the alarm List Eighteen 018
Those Gone into the Service for twelve Months four 004
Also the frinds or the People Called quakers Six 006
107
P"" me John Cram Cap'
Chichester July the 12"" 1776
[12-39] \^Concord Enlist?iient, iy/p.'\
Concord July 12"" 1779
We the Subscribers do hereby Enlist as Soldiers In one of
the New hampshire battalians for one year and promise obedi-
ence to our officers and Subject to the regulation of our armey
Nathan Martin
[12-40] \_Concord Efjlistftietits, lySl.'}
Concord, July 17'^ 1781
We the Subscribers do voluntarily Inlist ourselves as Soldiers
in the service of New Hampshire for the Parish of Concord for
the Term of Three Months after our Arrival at the Place of
Rendavous unless sooner discharged and we promise obedience
to our Officers and to be subject to the Rules of the Army dur-
ing said Term —
As witness our hands
Jeremiah Virgin
Jeremiah Chandler
Moses Reed
Phenehas Ayer
Joseph Blanchard
David Eastman
Miller Kimball
APPENDIX. 759
[13-41]] \_Agree77ient betiveen the Toxun of Exeter ajid Ed-
ward Gibnan^ 164'^.']
The 4"" of November 1647 •
The Agreem' of y* Inhabitants of y* Towne of Exiter —
Imp' That we do accept of Edward Gihnan the youngest to be
a Townsman amongst us and do give an grant him liberty to
sett up a saw mill or mills in any River within the liberty of
Exiter, and to have the liberty of y" River for y* use of y' mills
and of y^ pines for Sawing or mast or any other timber for
Sawing, to have the privilege of it w"^ in the liberty of Exi-
ter.—
2 : The afores** Edw"* Oilman do engage himself to come and
live as a townsman among y'" and to sett up a mill bv the last
of march next Ensueing if he can or at the farthest by the last
of August next Ensueing :
3 the sd Oilman doth Engage himself to lett v^ Townsmen
have what boards thay stand in need of for their own use in y*
Town at 3^'' a hundred, and w' two Inch plank thay shall need
for floring at y* same price and to take Cuntry pa}' at price
Curr" if the mill shall saw it.
4: The s'^ Oilman doth Engage himself that what masts he
makes use of to give y"^ as much as if he sawed y"' into boards
and to allow half a hundred in every 2000 to the town.
5. It is Agreed that Anthony Stan ion shall have libertv to
put in a quarter part for a saw mill, provided he do make good
his proportion or quarter part in every respect of charges as a
partner so that the work be not hindered by him, if he doe so
forfeit his share to the afores** Oilman, and to pay w' damage
he shall sustain by it, for the true and sure performance of w*'''
wee do bind our selves in fortie pounds Sterling
In Wittness whereunto we have sett our hands —
Edward Oilman
W™ More
Sam'' Orinfield
hit -, mark
Nath" Boulter
Beltisha : Willex
Edw-i Hillton j
> Townsmen
m' Thomas Dudley as he is a Selectman apeared before me
at Exiter in New Hampsh' & made Oath that this writing is a
true Copie of this grant in the Town book this 3d Xb"" 1694.
Rob' Wadleigh : J : P
vera Copia :
Test W" Redford Clr :
760 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
At a Town meeting the S*'^ day of June 1657 ^^ ^'^^ Ordered
that all the pines upon the Comons from this time forward
shall be reserved for the use of the said mills that are sett up
allready, and for y"' that shall be sett up w'^^ are now Granted ;
Provided that notwithstanding this order there is liberty for
masts, fuel building and Cnnnoes, and if at any time there shall
be any particular grants of Lands made to any : Yet the owners
of Saw mills shall have liberty to Carrie of the Pine Timber
Except before Excepted
vera Copia
a true Copie att' Thos Dudley
Abily Dudley
Moses Oilman
Test : W"^ Redford Clr :
[12-42] \_Deed^ Wadononamin^ alias yoh?i yohnson^ to Ed-
ward Hilton^ i66o.'\
Know all men by these presents y' I Wadononamin In Eng-
lish John Johnson y'^ Indian and Sagamore of VVashucke and
Piscataqua now Living at Washucke w"' in y** Collony of N
Engl'' for y" love I bear to English men and especially to Edw**
Hilton of Piscataqua Eldest son of Edvv** Hilton of y' Same
Piscataqua Oent" of y" s'' Collony as for divers other Reason-
able Causes and Considerations me thereunto Moving have
Voluntarily and freelv given Orant"^ Enfeoff'" and Confirmed &
by these presents do Give Grant Enfeoff' and Confirm with y*
s"^ Edward Hilton Jun'' all my Lands of what Nature Quality
or kind sover they are of lying Bounded between two Branches-
of Lamprell River, Called Washucke being about Six Miles In
Length and In Breadth about some place of it Six Miles being
a Neck of Land together w* all Meadows Timber Mines or
Minerals and all premises and Appurten' To have hold Pos-
sess & Enjoy all & Every part of y* Afores** Land w*"" all y*
Appurten' Rights and privileges thereunto belonging unto y^
s"* Edw*^ Hiiton Jun'' his heirs and Assigns forever In Such
Large and Ample Manner Sort & forme as I y^ s*^ Wadonon-
amin In English Jn" Johnson may Grant Convey and Assure
y^ Same only Excepting y" use and Improvem' of y* one halfe
(if need be) of Convenient Planting Land for & Dureing
my Naturall Life ; y* s"^ Land & Every part thereof as before
Bound'' w"" y'' Appurten' Rights and privileges thereunto be-
longing as Afores'' (Excepting part thereof for life as before is
Except'') then and from thenceforth to be Continue and Re-
maine unto y^ s'' Edw'' Hilton Jun"' his heirs and Assigns for-
ever as is Afores*^ as his and their own proper Right of a good
APPENDIX. 761
perfect and Absolute Estate of Inheritance a Gift w*^ out Any
y" Least Let Molestation or Expulsion of me y* s'^ Wadonon-
amin In English Jn° Johnson my heirs or Assigns or Any
Claiming Any Title Claim or Interest to y^ Same or Any paxt
or parcell thereof from or under me —
In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand 8i Seal this
17"' day of Jan'y In y* year of our Lord 1660 Anoq Regni
Regis Caroli Secundi & H Alias & iii
Wadononamin alias ^
John O Johnson his mk. ^
Sign*^ SeaP & D^ In presence of us
Witness' —
Ed\v<^ Hilton Sen'
• Walter Barefoote
m' W™ Indian
w"" one Eis his —
X N Mark
Wadononamin Alias Jn" Johnson Appear*^ before me & Ac-
knowledged this Deed Above written to be his voluntary Act
& Deed to y^ use of Edw"* Hilton Jun"" this 22" of March 1668/69
Before me —
Samuel Dalton Commiss""
Be it Remembered y' upon y" day of y*" Date hereof quiet &
Peaceable Possession of y" land w"' in Grant"^ was Given & De-
liver*^ by y^ w"* in Nam'' Wadononamin Indian In English Jn°
Johnson unto y^ w"'in Nam** Edw'' Hilton Jun"" In Name &
Possession of all y* Lands In y'' Deed w"* in written Contain"*
To HAVE & TO HOLD unto y* s** Edw** Hilton his heirs and
Assigns forever According to y^ Tennor and true meaning of
y® Deed w"*in written —
In presence of us Jan" y* 14"' 1668 —
flrancis Thornes
Antipas Manerick
Record'^ According to y' Orig" the 10''' of Jan^ 1669
Per Elias Stileman Record'
Pro* N Hampsh' the foregoing is a True Copy from y*^ Pub-
lick Records of y* Pro* Afors'^ in Book N" 3 : Page i 2'" Com-
par"* Nov' 23'' 1731 —
Per Josh : Peirce Record'
762 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
[12-43] \_Documents relative to a Convention of Delegates
frotn sundry Towns ^ Ij8j.'\
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives
in Generall Assembly Convened at Concord in the State of
New Hampshire on the Tvventv Eighth Day of October AD
1783-
Humblv Sheweth your Petitioners trom the purest motives
did early take an Active part in the Support and Defence
of the libertys of the American United States — Despising all
the Bombastick Thunder and hauty threats of Britain — and have
never been Seduced from a firm and steady Attachment to the
Interest of Our Country by All the Allureing Eloquence and
Guileful Sophistry of the Archest of her Emisaries — and it is
no Exaggeration to say that many of your Petitioners have as
Faithfully Served, as Greevously Suffered — and as patiently
Endured the fatigues and Distresses of the Severest Campains,
and faced as many Dangers in the Service of the United States,
as any class of men New-Hampshire can boast of — nor is it
doing of us Justice to suppose that all the true Valour and Vir-
tuous principals of the Army ; were above our humble Sphere,
and onlv to be found amongst those who were Honoured with
Commissions, some of whose characters we should not Injure
should we say they did not excell many to be found in the
Ranks — so much in their mental powers, as in the Glitter of
Dress and Military Parade and though your petitioners have
greatly suffered in the Army by the UnparalleF fatigues of long
and tedious marches — Severe Conflicts — and Miserable Accomo-
dations in Our Cantonements from the want of money and neces-
sary supplys so that many times we were Naked and Destitute,
yet the Glorious prise for which we Struggled and the pleasing
prospect of future happiness in a land of Freedom Excited to
that fortitude and patience So Conspicuous in the Army — nor
Can it be pretended that the Army were the only Sufferers by
the War — many yea very many of our Virtuous Cityzens have
Suffered almost unparalleled Distress by the Desolating Rave-
ges and Barbarous Cruelty of the Enemy —
And those virtuous Patriots who have Served the publick in
Court and Congress ; with but a Scanty pittance for their Im-
portant Services together with those who have Used every
Effort, by loaning their Interest to the publick to make the cir-
cumstances of the Army as Easy as possible and have Suffered
Great loss by the Depreciation of a paper Currency and are
now with us Suffering for their Dues have Justly merited the
Attention of Our Legislature —
Your petitioners therefore beg leave to Unbosom their Poign-
ant Grief to their Fathers and Guardians in General Court
APPENDIX. 763
Assembled (when we find that by the Resolves of Congress the
Ofiicers of the Army are Intitled to half pay for life or five
Years full pav ; as a Reward for their Sufferings — while those
who (to say the least) have as Greatly Suffered are liable to be
Taxed for the payment thereof) and Also to Expostulate a lit-
tle on the Injustice of adding Unnecessarilv to the Miseries of
the Distressed And wherein doth it appear necessary that this
Additional grant, should have been made to the Officers — were
their Sufferings Greater than of those Already Enumerated —
why then should they be thus Distinguished by the particular
favours of Congress hath not their pay been Doubled since the
Commencement of the War — and had the Soldier a propor-
tional Allowance —
If it be said the Grant was necessary to prevent their leaving
the Army — were they not under Equal or Greater obligations
to Continue in the Service than the Soldier (if their Obliga-
tions Rose in proportion to their important trust) or why Doth
the Deranged officers participate the Boon ; while those whose
impared health Caused tliem to Resign are excluded — Can it
be supposed that the murmcrings of the Soldier would have so
Readily procured him a Pension as a place in a Gaurd-house —
Can it then be Just to Raise the Officers to a State of Opulence
at the Expence of the happiness of those full as Deserving —
Will the State of Our Finances Admit of such liberal Dona-
tions— and Amidst the Acclamations of Joy at the Establish-
ment of a happy Peace — how Dissonant must be the Groans of
a Distressed multitude Sinking under the weight of an Accu-
mulated Debt — and we are Confident that the most Deserving
among the Officers of the Army Do not desire any Emolument
which will so grievously Afl'ect their Distreesed Brethren — nor
can your petitioners suppose the afore S'* Resolves of the Na-
ture of an irreversible Decree — Therefore in the most Humble
and Importunate manner We Implore the interposition of Our
Legislature that by a Remonstrance and Petition to Congress —
Accompanied with particular Instructions to our Members they
Endeavour that Congress Recind the afore S'^ Resolves and
that such measures be taken as will be most Eligible for the
Speedy payment of our Wages and for Discharging the Inter-
est on the publick Debt and finally to preserve the States from
Bankruptcy — Or that such other methods be taken as You in
your Wisdom shall think most Efi'ectual for the Accomplishing
those Important purposes, and securing the peace and happi-
ness of the State — And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound
Shall Ever pray —
Ebenezer Drury Michael George Henary
Bunker Clark James Stanford James Moore
Ichabod Perry James Taggart James Haukley
764 EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
Reuben Hosmer Sam' Holt Zillai Sticknee
Benj" Williams Sam' mitchel Lemuel Sticknee
Will'" Prichard John Swan Benj" Smith
Jonas Whiting Georg Cooper Paul Sticknee
Sam' Whiting Ruben Hosmer .Sam' Potter
Jonas Adams Will'" Blair Abner Preston
William Hewitt Thimothev mellone Levi Adams
Benjamin Bary W"' Tompson
[12-49] \_A.ddress froDi aforenamed Cottvention^ J'/8j.~\
To the the Hon**'"^ Council & house of Representatives of the
state of New Hampshire, to be conven'd at Concord on the
Third Wednesday of December next —
May it please your Honours —
W^e the delegates of Twenty Three Towns in said state
having met, beg leave to address & remonstrate to your honors
& say, that the Convention being deeply impress*^ with the im-
portance of the subject wou'd lay the same before your Honors
& permit us to be humbly importunate on the subject — The
Convention at their last meeting remonstrated, and laid before
the Late Hon*"'* Court (in part) their matters of grievance but
the Close of the year & other causes enduced that Hon''''^ body
to dissolve earlier than was Thought they wou'd have done, so
that our desir'd redress cou'd not be Effected in any part.
The Convention assur'd that Hon''''' body of their firm intention
to keep that good order & discipline, which all good govern-
ment most necessarily require — The Convention beg leave
again to assure your Honors of their same disposition & inten-
tion of doing all in their power to keep up that same good
order — And be assur'd the Convention has the greatest abhor-
ence of a state of anarchy (so much to be dreaded) & that they
will be as careful as in them lies, to shun ever}^ act that may
tend that way —
The many Grievances which was laid before the late Hon'''*
House, were, the multiplicity of Lawsuits, the Enormous gra-
tuitys to be given to the oificers who serv'd in the late war, the
Tax on money at interest & the not laying the duty of 5 per
Cent, on all imported Articles so strongly Urg'd & recom-
mended by Congress —
The people, in the late war. have accumulated a learge Debt,
a great part of the people Contracted the Debts they are now
distriss'd for to support the war & many not having the least
idea of the smallness of our finances, lent the Public learge
sums, which the public pledged their faith that the same shoud
APPENDIX. 765
be immediately paid on the expectation of which, they con-
tracted Debts with their neighbours, the Pubh'c still withholds
payment whereby individuals are Cruelly sued perplex'd Har-
rass'd & Brot almost to desparation — The war with all its
Calamitys did not seem near so distressing as the present times
— nothing but gold & silver, (which your honors are sensible
are not to be had) will satisfy the gentleman who laid his plan
to disconcert every measure that the states were taking to gain
the independence they so much desird & which they have
gain'd notwithstanding the many obstacles thrown in the way
The Convention apprehend that still those very men woud
wish to do every thing that wou'd overturne the government &
bring it into a state of anarchy & Distress (so mucli to be
dreaded) & it seems, they embrace the opportunity to call for
private debts which was contracted before & during the war for
the Convention are really sensible those gen' wou'd not lend
the Government one shilling in their distress, nor pay One
shilling any otherways, than was extorted from them — Your
Honors will be pleas'd to take into your wise consideration &
adopt some measure that a medium of trade may be had or that
a stop may be put to distressing Suits that is or may be Bro't —
The Convention Humbly presume a new proportion will soon
be made to levy future taxes by, beg leave to Hint to your hon-
ors the great inequality of the present Tax on money at interest
and stock in trade and that those articles may have due Consid-
eration with you in your new proportion — the Commutation to
be giv'n the Gen' Officers who have serv'd in the late war is
extremely heavy on the people who are to pay it — The people
at home have labor'd hard, have had the war to support in its
other branches, & are now reduc'd almost to an alternative of
giving tlieir all, & flying to some Howling wilderness tSi there
to begin anew. The Convention woud be exceeding glad to
do every thing in their power to compensate those gen*' who
have serv'd in the field & at the same time woud beg you woud
not extort the whole of what is conquered. The war is now
clos'd and they cannot, nay they must not expect to be the only
gainers therefore the Convention begyour honors to remonstrate,
& if any remedy is to be had, that the same may be eflected
which the Convention still hope & trust will be done — The
duty which has been so strongly urged by Congress to be laid
on all imported articles the Convention being fully sensible had
it been done long before this it woud have been a great step
towards raising a revenue and that the States woud by this
time have rec'' great benifit from it as it woud have put it in
their power at least to have paid part of the interest of the na-
tional Debt, and that Other nations woud have lent us money
in our Distress if they cou'd be assur'd even of their interest
"jGG EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
when due — Otlier nations raise leavge sums in this way, there-
fore the Convention prays your honors to take this matter into
your wise Consideration and grant the same as our other states
have done — the present method of collecting the excise the
Convention humbly conceive might be collected in some other
way less disagreable and of greater utility to the government
The Convention wou'd beg leave to suggest to your honors that
they think some person in each Town might be appointed to
collect the excise and be accountable in the same manner as
other Taxes are accounted for — The Convention make no doubt
but your honors will adopt the measure that will conduce to the
good of the whole — The fee-table, the Convention woud beg
leave to remonstrate to your honors that they think a regulation
Ought to take place in many parts of it. Bills of Cost are
mounted at this day to an Enormous sum. Nay, without being
justly due in our humble opinion, therefore beg your honors to
take into your wise Consideration and make such alterations as
may seem to be more equitable and just — The Convention are
Deeply sensible of the great embarrasments the government is
in for want of regular payment of the Taxes call'd for. But
the people have not the money Neither can they get it to pay.
The Convention wou'd beg if it is consistant that those Extents
for moneys due to the government for the Hier of Soldiers may
be postpon'd from being extended, at present — Till the average
can be made — the test Act, so call'd, has caus'd much disturb-
ance with numbers of scrupulous minds, therefore beg your
Honours to repeal so much of the clause of that act as relates
to voters in town meeting — The confession act, so call'd seems
to strike the minds of the people that the same if properly
made will be very salutary and of great utility to the Public \
therefore the Convention beg your hon"' the same may be done
— And that the Debtor have liberty to confess any sum that
may be due and that a reasonable time (giving security for the
personal appearance of the debtor or otherwise payment of the
dept) be allow'd the debtor to make payment before Execution
be issued —
To all which we pray your honors to give that attention that
the necessity of the Case requires, & as in duty bound will ever
pray —
In behalf of Convention —
Amos Dakin Charman
Nov' 27"^ 17S3 —
APPENDIX. ydy
[12—50] \_Another Address fro77i the Chairtnan of the afore-
named Co7ive?ttion.'\
To the Hon'''^ Council & House of Representatives in General
Assembly Convened at Concord in the State of New Hamp-
shire—
May it Please Vour Honours —
The delegates of the Towns of Wilton New Boston Raby
Mason New Ipswich Peterborough Rindge JaftVey Dublin
Packerfeild Marlborough Keen Surrey Chesterfield Marlow
Lyndsborough and Richmond, Beg leave to remonstrate and
lay before your Honors the distressing situation of the good
people of this State, we wou'd Sincerely Wish the greatest
good Order, and beleive us when we say we are determined
(as far as in us lies) to maintain Our Government to the fullest
extent, as we are Sensible Our All depends, On it. We are
fully Sensible of the great embarrasment, and difficultys this
State labours Under, and More especially, Our Hon**'* General
Court and are well assured they would be glad to do every
thing in their power, But the many Objections that Arises to
every method proposed by individuals of the General Court, is
Augmented & therefore every part is laid Aside — we take the
liberty to inform Your Honours we have Addressed and in-
structed the Hon'"'*^ Councilors and Representatives for the Sev-
eral Towns before mentioned that thev lay before your Honours
the greivances, we labour Under — Therefore we must pray
Your Honours to give Some Attention, and that we be re-
dressed. The greivances which the good People that have
Constituted us to Make Known, is the great Multiplicity of law
Suits the Enormous Gratuitys to be given to the Officers who
Served in the late war. The Tax on Money at interest and
The not laying the duty of five per'^' on all imported Articles
as Recommended by Congress and has been so Strongly Urged
Therefore confiding in Your great Wisdom we rest Asured
of Relief, and as in duty Bound Will Ever pray —
Amos Dakin by Order & in Behalf of
the Convention
[12-51] \_Action of the Legislature in the ?natter.'\
State of Newhamps'' In house of Representatives Nov' 6*''
Voted that D' Preston, Maj' White Col" Peabody M' Shan-
non, Col° M'Duftee, Esq' Blood Capt Clement M'"^Barker and
^6% EARLY TOWN PAPERS.
M'' Whipple with such of the Hon^'^ Board as they Shall Join
be a Committee to Consider of the petition of Amos Dakin in
behalf of Sundry Towns — Also the petition of Ebenezer Drury
and Others and all Similar matters and Report thereon
Sent up for Concurrence
John Dudley Speaker
In Council the Same day read and Concurred & M"' Worces-
ter M'' Farrar & M"^ M'^Clary Joined—
E Thompson Sy
The Committee report as their opinion that the President be
desired to direct the Delegates of this State at the Continental
Congress to remonstrate to Congress against their granting the
five years pay to the Officers of the Army and urge a repeal of
the Resolves of Congress already pass'd granting the same —
the Committee also beg leave to recommend that a Committee
be appointed to prepare a Draft of an Act for a more summary
and less expencive way of trying Actions at Law and curtailing
the number thereof and making provision for the ease of Debt-
ors in this scarce time of money, and also revising the table of
Fees and especially the Article of Travel
John M<=Cleary for the Com*^"
INDEX.
ITOEX OF TOWNS, PLACES, ETC.
Academies, Gilmanton i4-'7 Brattleborough, Vt 219
Haverhill 184
Marlow 572
New Hampton. .. .709
New Ipswich. .730, 747
Acworth 396, 463
Adams 288
Alewives 547, 558, 565
Alexandria. . .75, 76, 195, 196, 200
Almsbiiry Peak 85
Alstead 23, 573
Brenton's farm 414, 589
Brentwood 342
Bridge water 195, 202
Bristol 195
Brookfleld 594
Brookline 231, 236, 603
Buck Meadow Falls 237, 238
Bunker Hill. — 167, 243, 292, 318
265, 461, 463, 541, 578, 652, 653
738
Alton 9, 701
Amesbury, Mass 82. 256 ' Camden, Mass 746
Amherst. .. .46, 51X, 519, 604, 606 I Cambridge, Mass.. ..461, 683, 736
Campton 78
Canaan 58, 162, 163, 385
Canals 175, 541, 557, 559, 562
Canney's Cove 714
Canterbury 4S5, 754-756
Cedars, battle at. .53, 462, 505, 661
643
Amoskeag 131, 541, 545
Andover, Mass 344
Antrim 152
Apthorpe 409, 424
Ashland 226
Atkinson 83, 92, 93, 177, 345 | Centre Harbor 582, 707
I Charlestown. . . .214, 316, 320, 367
Barker's Location 351 | 369
Barnstead 8 Chatham 289
Bartlett 288, 289 ! Chelmsford, Mass 212, 415
Bath 177, 180, 363, 364 j Chester.. .25, 28, 195, 443, 451, 540
Bedford 28 553
Belmont 1 Chesterfield 223, 767
Bemis' Heights 570 Chichester 116
Bennington battle. 34, 52, 193, 257 j Chimneys, patent 412
267, 462, 541 I Chiswick 405, 424
Billerica, Mass 415 : Chippewa 360
Bloody Point 65, 710 Cockermouth 73
Boar's Head d"]"]
Boscawen 751, 752, 756
Boston Artillery Co 623
Boston, Mass 424, 642
Bow 256, 258, 451, 753, 754
Colchester, Conn 572
Concord. . . .258, 267, 319, 485, 756
758
Concord, Mass 306, 461, 736
Contoocook 256
Boyle (Gilsum) 18 j Conway 289, 356, 756
Bradford 662, 668 ' Coos county, formation of 356
772
INDEX.
Cornish 56, 57, 369
Counterfeiters 242, 476, 655
Coventry, Conn 1 59
CronnveH's Falls 423
Crotclied Mountain 64
Crown Point. . .6, 91, 122, 141, 288
342, 450, 460, 504, 702, 722
Croydon 56
Dalton 355. 424
Danbury 79, 195, 196
Danville 83, 330, 347
Dartmouth College. .. 159, 160, 170
361, 380
Deering 195
Derry 43°
Derryfield 33, 419, 429, 540
Dorchester 74, 76, 78
Dover 8, 11, 109
Dracut, xVIass 25, 441
Dresden 38 1 , 382
Dublin, 152,314,522,567,641,767
Dummer's Ferry 215, 220
Dummerston, Vt 213
Dunbarton 25, 45, 254
Dunstable.. .231-233, 236, 273, 275
291, 342, 414, 586, 625
Durham 11, 390
Dupplin 396
Duxbury School Farm 513, 519
530, 603, 604
East Kingston 330, 335, 347
Easton 361
Eaton 357
Effingham 5, 7
Enfield 57, 162, 167, 385, 3S8
Epsom 486
Equivalent Land 213
Exeter 105, 107, 759
Fair, town 131, 135
Fever, yellow 269
Fish, protection of.. .280, 549, 558
565
Fishensfield 46, 396, 662
Fitzwilliam..i58, 299, 522, 567, 571
Fort Dummer 212
Edward 342
George 225
Herkimer 537
Sullivan 671
Washington. .. .654, 671, 692
Fort William Henry. ..292, 450, 542
William and Mary. . .111, 671
679
Fowle's Location 288, 290
Franconia 229, 366
Francestown. .61, 62, 513, 532, 533
564, 649
Fremont 49, 56
Gilford I
Gilmanton 1-17
Gilman's Location 289, 299
Gilsum 17-25, 307, 635
Goffstown 25-46, 254, 540, 642
658, 660
Goshen 46-48, 396, 669
Governor's Island i
Grafton 48-56, 162
Grantham 56-61
Greenfield. . . .61-64, 509, 533, 536
Greenland 64-73, 7'°
Greenville 578
Gridley's Location 289, 290
Groton 73-82
Groton, Mass 18
Gunthwaite 357, 363, 405
Hampstead 82-98, 345, 388
451
Hampton 99-130, 330, 671
Hampton Falls. ..99, 130-151, 324
Hancock 1 52-1 58, 522, 742
Hanover . . .159-177, 3S2, 385, 506
507
Harvard College 177
Haverhill 177-189, 319, 356
Haverhill, Mass 82, 177
Harry town 540
Hebron 74, 81
Hebron, Conn 424
Henniker 35, 189-195
Hill 195-203, 230
Hillsborough 203-212, 543
Hinsdale 212-226
Hogstye Cove 714
Holderness 226-230
Hollis 231-252, 291, 411, 586
610-612, 626
Hooksett, 25, 252-255
Hopkinton 195, 255-273
Hopkinton, Mass 256
Huckens's brook 15
Hudson. . . .273-288, 414, 429, 467
INDEX.
773
Indians. . .5, 18. 214, 227, 256, 268
269, 273, 292, 306, 309, 310, 330
344,351,414,542,616
Ipswich, Mass 732
Island Pond 85
Isle au Hooksett 253- 255
Jackson 288-291
Jaffrey..l58, 291-303,314, 522, 767
Jefferson 303-306
Jerr3'''s Point 671
Keene....i8, 22, 24, 142, 306-324
566, 767
Kensington 130, 135, 324-330
Kilkenney 304, 351
Kingston 83, 87, 99, 102, 106
330-350
Laconia 58 1
Lancaster 304,351-361
Landaff 361-367, 405
Langdon 367-369
Leavittstown 595
Lebanon 162, 170, 171, 175
369-3S9, 405, 504, 507
Lebanon, Conn 1 59, 369
Lee 390-395.594
Leicester, Mass 342
Lenipster 46-48, 396-403
Lexington, Mass 181, 239, 459
Lincoln 229, 361, 366, 404
Lisbon 361. 404-414
Litchfield . . .273, 414-424. 550, 643
Little Harbor no, 682
Littleton . . .355, 357, 363, 424-428
Littleton, Mass 239
Londonderry. 87, 189, 273,429-485
540, 548
Lotteries ... .32, 72, 124, 125,223
312, 340, 560, 693, 696, 699, 747
Loudon 485-492
Louisbourg. . 141, 288, 341. 343, 686
Lunenburg, Mass 291
Lyman 363, 492-500
Lyme 74, 78, 160, 162, 501-508
Lyme. Conn 572
Lyndeborough 61, 62, 158
509-536, 606, 742, 767
Lyndeborough Addition. . . .61, 516
Lyndeborough Gore 527, 535
Lynn, Mass 683
Madbury 536-540
Manchester 25.540-566
Mansfield, Conn 1 59, 387
Marlborough.. . . 158, 299, 307, 522
566-572, 767
Marlborough, Mass 189, 566
Marlow 23, 399. 572-577
767
Martin's Ferry 254
Martin's Location 2S9
Mascoma Mining Co 369
Mason. . 158, 236, 522, 577-581, 742
767
Mason's hall 67 1
Masonian proprietors..!, 18, 20, 25
189, 195, 203, 256, 291. 479, 509
513, 540, 543, 566, 572, 577, 594
617, 621, 635, 666, 730
Massachusetts soldiers. . . . 102, 141
Meredith 8, 269, 581-585
Meriden 56, 60
Merrimack 239, 586-594
Middletown.. .5, 7, 9, 291, 594-603
Mile Slip 234, 235, 519, 603
Milford 509, 603-609
Minerals i, 49. 340, 369, 493
Monadnock No. 2 291 , 293
No. 5 567
No. 6 635
Monroe 493
Monson 246, 593, 609-616
Mont Vernon 509
Moultonborough 8, 616-622
Moultonbough Gore 616, 706
Mount Independence 198, 266
267, 462
Mystic, Mass 683
Narragansett No. 5 586
Nashua 622-635
Nashville 623
Nelson 18, 23, 24, 205, 566
635-642
New Boston 25, 32, 45, 513
642-662, 767
New Boston Addition 649
Newbury 46, 396, 662-670
Newbury, Mass 424, 683
Newburyport, Mass 424
New Castle 72, 109, 670-701
New Chester 195, 230
New Durham 7, 9, 701-706
New Durham Gore 701
New Hampton 230, 706-709
Newington 66, 710-730
774
INDEX.
New Ipswich 158, 232, 522
730-748, 767
New Market 288
New Alarlborough 189, 190
Newport 46, 396
New Salem 581
Nora way pond 154
Northfield, Mass 212, 213, 223
North Hampton 99, 119, 122
Northumberland. 180, 353,355, 364
Norway Plai ns 11
Nottingham 273, 756
Nottingham West 273, 414, 419
Nova Scotia 343
Odiorne's Point 67 1
One Pine Hill 233, 622, 630
Orange 162, 163
Orford 78, 177, 424, 507
Oswego, N. Y 90, 537
Oyster liver. . . . 102, 103, 105, 107
Packer's bridge
Packerslield. . .18, 23, 24, 152,
205, 307, 522, 735,
Paper currency.. ..54, 93, 173,
327, 479, 482, 487, 579, 580,
Peekskill, N. Y
Pelham 83,
Pemaquid
Pembroke 228,
Pepperill, Mass
Peterborough.. 61, 91, 152, 158,
517, 522, 528, 543. 742,
Peterborough Slip. . .158, 292,
303^ 522,
Piercy
Piermont 78
Pillory
Piscataquog
Plainlieid... .59, 370, 388, 506,
Plaistow 92, 345,
Plymouth . 74, 78, 201 , 230, 319,
Polls ratable, returns of . . . . 10
40. 59, 149, 171, 199, 209,
298, 321, 327, 352, 397, 422,
521, 539, 540, 550, 580, 634,
641, 655,
Portsmouth. . .64, 66, 99, 100,
319, 320, 671,
Post route 319,
,66
158
767
183
601
•53
451
104
258
747
205
767
300
742
355
, 80
117
541
507
451
359
. 23
228
473
639
705
288
722
320
Raby...23i, 232, 236, 248, 604, 767
Rhode Island expedition. .. .58, 69
91, 203. 205, 268, 464, 538, 591
703
Richmond 567, 767
Rindge 158, 299, 314, 522, 735
747. 767
Rochester 12, 594, 715
Rogers's Location 289, 291
Roxbury 307, 635
Royalton. Vt 52, 738
Rumney 78
Rye 671, 697, 699
Saint John, N. S 166, 413
Salem 345, 451, 581
Salem, Canada 509
Salem, Mass 216, 240, 509
Salisbury 106, 563, 564
Salisbury, Mass 134, 545
Salt-works 340
Sanbornton 7, 8, 563
Sandown 330, 345, 451
Sandwich 5, 9, 616, 620
Sandy Beach 671
Saratoga, N. Y.. .58, 142, 390, 635
(^53' 751
Seabrook . . .99, 130, 138, 150, 151
Sec'y of state, house burned.. .437
Sharon 578
Small-pox. . 123, 142, 161, 311, 316
317, 463
Society Land 61, 152, 154, 157
517, 522, 526, 543, 649, 742
Souhegan East 586
South Hampton 130, 347
Springfield 57
Squamscot 64, 112, 113, 710
Star Island 677
Stark 351
Stillwater 257, 295, 345, 569
Stoddard. .18, 20, 23, 24, 307, 572
574, 635
Stratford 352, 355
Stratham 64, 264
Sullivan 18, 24, 307, 635, 637
Sumner's Bound 389
Sunapee 46, 47, 396
Surry 18, 23, 573, 767
Swanzey 307, 566, 567
Quakers 67, 137, 343, 758 | Tamworth 5, 7, 9
Quebec 460 | Taverns 444
INDEX.
775
Taylor's river 130
Temple 158, 205, 509, 522
534-536, 735, 742
Thornton 359
Thornton's Ferry 239, 414
Ticonderoga..S2, 228,232, 371,418
463, 643
Timberlane 82, 85
Townsend, Mass 578
Tread well's Location 291
Troy 566
Tyng's farm 85
Upper Ashuelot 18, 306
Upper Gilmanton i
Unity 46, 47, 83, 89, 396
Valley Forge 269
Venter's brook 213
Vernon, Vt 213
Vermont controversy. .57, 217, 319
369, 378, 507
Wakefield 7, 9
Wall Creek 64
Walpole 367
Warner 266, 267
Warren 78, 1 77
Washington 396, 568, 575
Washington's guard 464,
Washuke
Watertown
Weare 32, 35, 195,
Wendell 46,
Wentworth 75
Wentworth's Ferry
Wentworth's Location 289,
Westbury, Mass
Westford, Mass
Westmoreland
West Point
Whitefield
Whitehall, N. Y
White Plain, N. Y
Wilmot
Wilton 158, 513, 522, 742,
Winchester 212, 213, 215,
Winchendon, Mass
Windham 429, 448,
Winnicumet
Wire factory
Winter Hill 35,
Wolfeborough 8, 594,
Wolves
496
760
618
649
396
,78
324
291
404
.18
.18
465
359
109
193
196
747
767
22'?
•747
468
•99
, .21
298
598
,292
Yellow Springs 269
Yellow fever 269
INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS.
Abbott, Abiel 518
Abraham 737
Benjamin.. .232, 252, 628, 630
Daniel 253
Ephraim 328, 516, 518
George 73, 252
Jacob 510, 747
Joshua 253
Joseph 253
Josiah 656
Kneeland 524
N.C 253
Nathaniel 253
Peter 347, 349
Philip 253
Samuel 566
Stephen 253
Abell, Elijah 398, 402
Phinehas 398, 399, 402
Sylvester 400, 402
Achilles. Henry 668
Adams, Aaron 191, 192
Asa. 153. 154
Benjamin 336, 560, 723
72(^729, 734, 747
Benjamin, Jr 738, 743
Caleb 97
David 473, 479, 480, 629
Dudley 727
Ebenezer 744
Ephraim... .275, 296, 579, 632
634. 734. 740, 743. 745. 747
Ephraim, Jr yn, 738, 746
Ezekiel G 723
Gideon 263
Henry 275, 632, 633
Jacob 634
James.. 440, 449, 457-459, 480
483, 656
Adams, John.. 8, 92, 289, 291, 619
727, 738, 746
Jonathan 24, 449, 453, 457
458, 475. 479. 483
Jonathan, Jr 475, 484
Jonas 300, 481, 764
Joseph 337, 717, 727
Joseph, 3d 727
Levi 734, 764
Moses 263
Nathan W 726
Nathaniel 554, 555
Paul 560
Phinehas 275, 746
Richard 479
Robert 449, 453. 457, 458
Robert, Jr 458
Samuel 424, 479
Silas 632, 744
Stephen 734, 738. 744, 746
Adams, Thomas 275, 733
William. 440, 443, 449, 452
453, 464, 475. 479. 480, 483
William, Jr 449
Winborn 345, 538
Addison, George, 28, 29, 31, 33, 36
Thomas 526
Aiken, Daniel 4S4
Edward 449, 452, 453
Edward, Jr 449
James 449, 452, 457.458
472-474
John . .449, 452, 457, 458, 470
472
John, Jr 449
Nathaniel.. .440, 445, 449, 452
457. 458
Nathaniel, Jr 449
Nenian 195, 656
778
INDEX.
Aiken, William 440, 449
Ainger, Jesse 668
Ainsworth, Laban 300, 303
Alden, Daniel 386
Aldrich, Abraham 5°, 51
Andrew 54
Charles 50, 51
Nathan 50, 51, 55
William 50, 51
Alexander, Asa 223
Hugh 477, 478,481
Jabez 192
James 481
John 224, 434, 453.481
Jonas 192, 454, 456
Mary 477
Reuben, Jr 223
Robert 527, 649
Ronald 434
William 449,453, 463, 475
477, 478, 4S1
Zaccheus 633
AUard, Job 6
Shadrach 9
Alld, David 625, 634
John 625, 629, 632, 634
Samuel 548
Solomon 445
William 593
Allen, Abel 25
Daniel 28-31, 65
Darius 386
John 65, 480, 752
Jonathan 263, 265
Jonathan, Jr 263, 264
Joseph 224
Phinehas 386
Reuben 224
William 697
Rev. William 64
Alley, Daniel ...611
Ephraim 61 1
Francis 611
Allison, Andrew 466
Samuel 434, 445, 452, 456
459, 466, 548
Samuel, Jr 445, 452
Amazeen, Christopher 697
Ephraim 694, 696, 697
John 694
Joseph 697
Joseph. 3d 697
Nathaniel 697
Amazeen, William 697
Ambrose, Nathaniel 8, 6, 19
Samuel 751
Ames, David 153, 154, 755
Jacob 154
Jeremiah 77, 250
Samuel 14, 480, 752
Stephen 75> 77, 241
Stephen, Jr 76
Amey, Abraham 552
George 552
Amherst, Sir Jaffrey 288
Amsden, Noah 263
Uriah 192
Anderson, Allen 435, 480
Bartholomew 440
Daniel 435, 481
David, 445, 449, 456, 458, 480
James, 440, 445, 449, 452, 453
480
James, Jr 481
John 440, 453, 480, 548
John, Jr 481
Joseph 480
Robert 440, 453, 480
Samuel 440
Thomas 457, 458, 475, 477
478, 481
William 476, 477, 480, 483
Andreas, Philemon 398
Andrews, Benjamin 191
Isaac 205-2 1 2
Isaac, Jr 206, 209
Levi 468, 589
Nathaniel 50, 55
Perkins 209, 210, 212
Solomon 204, 209-211
Annass, Benjamin 401
Annis, Charles 454
Jesse 466, 481
John 457, 458
Samuel 27
Apostle Paul 725
Appleton, Francis 739, 744
Isaac 733, 735-742, 747
Apthorpe, George 424
Arbuckle, Josiah 440
Robert 440
William 594
Archer. Benjamin 22
Benjamin, Jr 312
John 518
Jonathan 312
INDEX.
779
Arbuckle, Michael 194
Archibald, Arthur 457
David 440, 450
John 440, 481, 548
Robert 450, 457, 458
Samuel 449
Thomas 464
Armour, Andrew 454
Gavvn 453
Armstrong, David 452
John 452
John, Jr 452
Robert 684
Arnold, Benedict 460, 505
Jacob 398
Arwine, James 566
Ashley, Daniel 224
Henry 224
John 399
Samuel 216
Aspinwall, Zahnon 372
Atherton, Joshua 704
Atkinson, George.. . .398, 420, 622
Theodore. . .134, 160, 178, 215
303, 424, 683
Thomas 527
Attkinson, Theodore, 108, 109, 678
679
Atwill, John 252
John Jr 252
Atwood, David 366
James 93? 94
John S3, 94, 97
John, Jr 93
Moses 93, 94
Samuel 668
William 287
Austin, Benjamin 252
Nicholas 597, 598, 600
Thomas 234
Averill, David 516, 518, 524
Ebenezer 606, 689
Elijah 609
Avery, Benjamin 4
Jabez 399
James 361, 404, 424
John 6, 239, 399
Jonathan 5
Joseph 4, 12
Josiah 5, 14
Nathaniel 67
Samuel 4, 5
Samuel, Jr 4
Avery, Simeon 507
Ayer, Joseph 480
Phinehas 758
Richard 253
Samuel 488, 489
Ayers, Christopher 450
Edward 66
Elijah 72
James 436, 437, 440
Job 22
John 73
John. Jr 73
Joseph 620
Joshua 71, 73
Mark 710
Obediah 85
Samuel 72. 400, 552, 589
Safnuel, Jr 72
Thomas 710
William 437,449
William, Jr 449
Babb, Israel 392
Babbitt, Nathaniel 1 74
Babson, Isaac 263
Bachelder (see Batchelder).
Bachellor (see Batchelder).
Bacon, Jacob 309
Badger, David 521
John 224
Joseph I, 5-8, II, 12, 14
Joseph. Jr 6, 14, 15, 17
Joseph. 3d 14
Peaslee 11, 12
Robert 512, 524
Stephen 346, 349
Thomas 393
William i
Bagley, David 263, 488, 489
Enoch 491
Orlando 335
Bailey, Abraham 296, 3 14
Capt 193
Jacob 504
James 504
Jasher 294
John 480
Jonathan 71, 73, 320
Jonathan, Jr "j},
Samuel 375-38o, 386
Bayley, Aaron 251
Amos 271, 272
Daniel 247, 612
78o
INDEX.
Bayley, Daniel, Jr 247, 251
Ebenezer 650
Jacob 342, 4o9» 537
James 64, 187
Joel 247, 251
John 229, 409
Joshua.. 84, 256-259, 266, 267
480
Levi 271, 272
Richard 246
Solomon 271
Stephen 84
Timothy 407
Baker, Amos 738, 743, 746
Andover 229
Benjamin. . .548, 550, 662, 668
Benjamin, Jr 548, 668
Charles 599, 600
Elijah 323
Gideon -i"]-], 379, 380, 386
Jesse 548, 663, 668
Joel 738, 744. 746
Jonadab 572
Jonas 355, 557, 359' 360
Joseph 744
Nathan 668
Nathaniel 552, 557
Thomas, 22, 321-323, 571, 599
600
Balch, Benjamin 312
Isaac 61 , 63
Israel 61 , 63
John 312, 319
Timothy 320
Baldwin, Col 193, 420
Ebenezer 507
Heth 355
Jabez 355, 375, ^■]-]
John 168, 169
Loammi 561
Rufus 372, 379, 384
Rufus, Jr 384
Samuel 384
Ball, Joseph 435
Nathaniel 76, 80
Ballard, Sherebiah 379
Bancroft. Asa 223
Ebenezer 223
Thaddeus 223
William 223
Bangs, Joshua 5, 13
Baretbote, Walter 761
Barker, Ebenezer 280
Baker, Eliphalet 399
John 6, 480
Joshua 351
Moses 589
Philbrook 392
Theophilus 534
William 418, 638
Barkley, Robert 497
Barlow, Abner 505
Barnard, Joseph 265
Stephen 349
Barnes, Elisha 263
Joseph 418, 591
Silas 190
William 311
Barnet, James 453, 480
John. . .434. 436, 437, 443, 452
453. 45S, 461, 472
John, Jr 452, 458
Moses, 434, 441, 445, 448, 453
456, 459
Robert, 446, 447, 452, 453, 465
466
Barney, Aaron 49, 5 1 , 56
Jabez B 50-52
Martin 55
Barr, James. . .28, 29, 31, 737, 744
James, Jr 28-31
John 454
Samuel 194, 263, 440, 445
447' 456, 457' 543' 548
Barrett, Amos 1 54, 155
Charles 154, 155, 734, 737
739, 740, 747, 748
Elihu 216
Isaac 216, 217, 281
James 239, 281 , 446, 468
James, Jr 281
Joel 281
John 224
John, Jr 224
Jonathan 217
Moses 281, 446, 468, 548
Moses, Jr 281
Philip 216, 217
Silas 216, 217
Simeon 281, 468
Thomas 154, 281
Winthrop 13
Barron, John 503
Nathan 503
Samuel 522
William 512, 581, 592
INDEX,
781
Barry, Benjamin 764
Thomas 293
Barter, Henry 5
John 596
Bartlett, Daniel 744
Doctor 75
Enoch 180
Evan 77, 81
George 346, 350
Gideon 754
Isaac 350, 738, 743
Jeremiah 344
John 84
Jonathan T] , 81
Josiah..98, 138, 330, 348, 391
393
Nathaniel 198, 224
Noah 744
Pelatiah 76
Richard 554, 555
Samuel Tyj, 744
Seth 346
Thomas 230, 394, 751
Bartley, Robert 480
Basford, Jonathan 192
Joseph 386
Bassett, John 44
Batchekler, Bachelder & Bachellor.
Abraham. . .131, 485, 487, 488
489
Archelaus 609
Benjamin 107
Breed..- 241, 636, 638
640
Daniel 349, 487
David.. 125, 140,143, 147, 148
151, 349
Ebenezer 335, 338
Elisha 346
Francis 336
Henry 116, 118, 119, 129
Isaac 12
James 129
Jeremiah. 326, 328, 329
Jethro 485, 488-490
John .. 1 15, 127, 129, 133, 326
329. 399
Joseph, 117, 129, 131, 136, 146
487, 512, 518, 52S, 743
Josiah, 129, 131, 136, 329, 332
335> 350. 393. 747
Lebe 488, 489
Moulton 533
Batchelder, Bachelder .S: Bachellor.
Nathan 332, 335, 338, 348
489, 492
Nathaniel ..103, 114, 115, 345
348,489, 512, 516. 522, 533
Nathaniel, Jr 114, 115, 488
Phinehas... .332, 335, 347, 670
Reuben > ...512
Ruth 640
Samuel 129, 216
Samuel, Jr 121
Simon 326
Stephen 108, 109
Theophilus 131
Thomas. ...112, 117, 488, 489
Timothy 487, 491
William 487-489
Bates. Jonathan 76, "]"]
Joseph 300, 303, 734, 737
Batson, Nathaniel 696
Stephen 695-697
Stephen, Jr 697
Battis, Sampson 757
Battishail, Jonathan . .715, 717, 718
Bean, Benjamin 753, 754
Caleb 13
Daniel 56, 332
David II, 12
Edward 14
J eremiah 346
John 4, 13, 755
John, Jr 12
Joseph, Jr 336
Joshua 4
Josiah 9
Jude 4, 13
Levi 14
Peter 13
Samuel 332, 336
Simeon 4, 9. 12
Stephen 412
Beary, Ebenezer 699
Jacob 698
Merefield 699
Nathaniel 698
Richard 698
Beard, Elijah 209, 210, 212
Jonathan 1 74
Simeon 442
Beaty, William 548, 656
Beckley, Lawrence 481
Beckwith, Jabez 397-399, 403
Joseph 399
782
INDEX.
Beckwith, Nathaniel 48
Niles 398, 400, 403
Bedell, Moody 181, 184,418
Beebe, Noah 25
Thomas 219
Timothy 219
Beede, Bezabel 13
Daniel, Jr 9
Jonathan 342
Rezia 349
Belcher, Jonathan 131
Belding, Elisha 217
Titus 311
Belknap, Joshua 366
William 407
Bell, Abednego 694, 696, 697
Andrew 503
Benjamin 694
Benjamin, 3d 694
Frederick 704
George 697
John... 33, 440. 449,457,459
464, 469, 473, 483, 503, 507
548
Jonathan 33, 38, 44
Joseph 436, 437, 452, 458
489, 696, 697
Joshua 35
Matthew 694
Matthew, Jr 694
Meshach 694, 696
Meshach . Jr 694
Meshach, 3d 694
Robert 437
Sampson 694, 696, 697
Samuel 507
Shadrach 694, 696, 697
Shadrach, Jr 696
Thomas.. . .685, 690, 691, 694
696, 697
William.. .27, 33, 35. 503, 554
William, Jr 503
Bellows, Benjamin. . .214, 314, 317
573
James 386
Bennett, Abel 355
Arthur 600
Henry 66, 722
Jeremiah 487-489
John, Jr 14
Jonathan 153, 154
Phinehas 73, 74, 249
Phinehas, Jr 249
Bennett, Stephen 5, 153, 154
Tilton 196, 197, 199, 201
William 13, 199, 201
Benton, Stephen 168, 1 73
Berry, Ephraim 490
Francis .... 73
Isaiah 71
James 65, 68
Jeremiah 698
John 109, 112
Joseph 65
Joshua 68, 490
Levi 698
Nathaniel 65
Solomon 698
Thomas 67, 71
Thomas, Jr 67, 71, 73
William 68, 611
William, Jr 68
Betton. James... 450, 452, 455, 553
588
Samuel 656
Bickford, Aaron 395
Andrew 602
Dependence 713
Dodavah 711
Edmund 518
Eli 490
Ephraim 13
Ichabod 726
Jethro 713
J e thro, Jr 717
John 1 10
Jonathan 600
Joseph, 516, 518, 598, 599, 710
Joshua, Jr 697
Lemuel 713, 717
Micah 391
Micajaii 393
Paul 13
Hannah 391, 392, 395
Samuel 229, 393
Tliomas 265, 711, 717
Bigelow, Asahel 358
John 25
Silas 747
Bigsford, Thomas ,266
Bill, Ebenezer 24
Billings, Elkanah 503
Stephen 379, 389
Bingham, Calvin 48, 398, 401
Daniel 400
Elijah 398, 399
INDEX.
783
Bingham, Harris 398, 400
James. . .47, 48, 398, 399, 402
403
Jabez 171, 173
Jonathan 386
Roswell 398
Silas 398
Thomas 379
Vine 398, 401
Binney , John 744
Sarah 287
Bird, Samuel 275
Birdet, Ebenezer 24
Bishop, David 216, 217, 225
Josiah 407
Seth 219
Bixbee, Andrew 204, 207-2 1 1
Andrew, Jr 204
Bixby, Daniel.. .419, 424, 591, 649
Jonathan 507
Thomas 424
William 424, 591
Black, Edmund 484
Blair, Alexander., 479
David 229, 480
Hugh 644
James, 440, 445, 449. 453 459
John. . .436, 437, 440, 644-647
S. L 229
William 453, 645-647, 656
764
Blaisdell, Enoch 335
Ezra 49 1
Harvey 487, 490
Henry 27, 40, 41
John 343
Jonathan 335
Oliver 487, 490
Ralph 332
Samuel 13, 515, 518, 524
William 140, 146
Blake, Christopher 140
Daniel 326
Ebenezer 6
Elijah 22, 309
Elisha 329
Elisha, Jr 329
Francis 6
Henry 147, 148, 264, 271
Hezekiah 329, 346, 348
Israel 1 1 1 , 230
Jeremiah 147, 148
Jeremiah, Jr 149
Blake, John 143, 230
Jonathan. . . .345-349, 363-366
Joseph 22, 312
Joshua 137, 147
Josiah 326, 329
Mark 708
Moses Ill, 115, 328
Moses, Jr 326
Nathan 117, 122, 308, 311
399
Nathan, Jr 320, 322
Obediah 309
Oliver S 199, 708
Paul 328
Philemon 107 114, 115
Philemon, Jr 329
Rial 312
Robert 309
Samuel 114, 115, 127
Sanborn 349
Simeon 128
Thomas 373
Timothy 112, 114
Timothy, Jr 131
Blanchard, Aaron 216
Ahimaaz 709
Augustus 245
Benjamin 754, 755
David 755
Edward 756, 757
James. 755
Jeremiah 626, 629
Joel 754
John 253, 625, 629
Jonathan 20, 182, 587, 754
Joseph 122, 275, 292, 416
5^3' 559' 566, 586, 593, 623
625, 730, 758
Jotham 606
Peter 757
Richard 755
Simeon 235, 744
Simon 606, 609
Stephen 604, 606, 609
Stephen, Jr 606, 609
Thomas 275, 629,632
Thomas, Jr 629, 632, 634
William 234
Blaso, Thomas 67
Bliss. Azariah 372
Azariah. Jr 372
Ebenezer 375, 377
Isaiah 372
784
INDEX.
Bliss, Jonathan i8
Joseph 184, 185
Levi 23
Blodgett, Archippus 355
Asahel 287
Benaiah 287
Benjamin 419,591
Daniel 419, 591
David 579
Elijah 355
Jeremiah 275, 287
Jonathan 287
Joseph 281, 287
Joseph, Jr 287
Joshua 419, 552
Josiah -'355
Nathan 386
Newcomb 355
Oliver 634
Phinehas W 287
Samuel 27, 30-36, 39, 541
557, 560
William 554
Blood, Ebenezer, Jr 578
Elnathan 233
Elnathan, Jr 247
Francis 252, 747
Joseph 578
Lemuel 244
Levi 25
Nathaniel 77
Nathaniel, Jr 77
Reuben 244
Samuel 744
Solomon 75
Timothy 7b, 77
William 77
Blunt, Ephraim 487
Ephraim, Jr 487
John 700
Rev. John 684, 696
Robert ' 697
William 518, 528
Bly, William 393
Boardman, Benjamin 201, 202
Elias 20 1 , 202
Bodge, Benjamin 14, 392
Francis .392
Josiah 393, 395
Samuel 540
Bogel, David 437
Joseph 437
Thomas 434, 437
Bolster, Nathan 24
Bolton, Hugh 435
Bond, Ammi 480
Gilbert 480
John 12, 86. 87, 92, 480
Dr. John 84
Jonathan 480
Joseph 480
Bonner, John 245
Boody, Robert 9, 611
Booth, Epraphrus 398
Freegrace 398, 400
George 204, 206, 208-21 1
Jonathan 400
Joshua 398
Oliver 398, 400
Oliver, Jr 398, 400
William. .. .204, 206, 208-211
Bootman, Nathaniel 656
Thomas 350
Boulter, Nathaniel 759
Boutwell, James 512, 524, 525
Bowers, Jerathmeel 76, 77, 81
244
Oliver 246, 252
Oliver, Jr 252
Bowen, Jeremiah 366
William 51
Bowman, Abather 192, 194
David 263
Jonas 35, 190-194
Boyd, Alexander 480
Joseph 453
' Nathaniel 548
Robert 449, 458, 648
Samuel 44, 548, 654
Thomas 131, 480
William 449, 453
Rev. William 429
Boyes, Alexander 480
James, 434, 449, 472, 479, 480
548
James, Jr 461, 480
James, 3d 461, 472
John 484
Joseph 436, 437, 454, 646
Robert, 430-434, 445- 449, 452
454, 472, 480, 643, 646
Samuel 451, 480
Samuel, Jr 480
Thomas 440
William 646, 648, 652
Boynton, Abram 252
INDEX.
785
Boynton, Amos T^, 738
Asa 184
David 585
John. . . .25, 237, 265, 628, 709
Richard 606, 609, 709
William 335, 487-492, 709
Bracebridge, Edward 729
William 729
Brackett, George 72
James 72, 393
Dr. James 391, 392
Joseph 355-359. 393
Joshua 68, 71, 72
Dr. Joshua 538
Thomas 67
Bradcest, Simon 453
Bradbury, Ephraim 664
John 13
Sarah 285
Thomas 100, loi
Winthrop 556
Braddon, John 677
Bradford, Andrew 609
EJiphalet 208, 210, 212
John 606. 609
Joshua 13
Samuel 204-2 1 1 , 656
Samuel, Jr 206
Timothy 204, 206
William 472
William, Jr 472
Bradley, Jonathan .. .279, 280, 287
Joseph 287
Timothy 253
Bradshaw, John 415, 416
Braley. Samuel 51
Brainard, Jabez 398, 400, 403
Israel 751
Shultael 399
Urijah 398, 399
Brattle, Thomas 231
William. . . .213, 240, 241 , 279
Breed, Allen 737, 738
Dr. Nathaniel 636, 637
Brenton, William 414
Brewer, James 570
Peter .642
Brewster, Ebenezer. . 171, 173, 175
David 548
^saac 450, 457, 459, 548
Briant, John 298
Joseph 744
Kendall 732, 734
52
Brickett, John 93
Bridges, Sarah 604
Bridgman, Abel 169
Gideon 76
John 174
Briggs, Eliphalet 22
Elisha 224, 312
Nathaniel 312
Brigham, Asaph 297
Brintnall, George 637
Kroadneck, William 453
Brock, John 711
Brockway, Woolston 25, 574
Brooks, John 737, 738
Samuel 1S4, 185
William 252
Broughton, Abijah 507
William 169
Brown, Abraham 112
Benjamin 113, 326
Benjamin, Jr 326
Caleb 328, 329
Clark ... .235
Daniel 128, 253, 338, 344
Ebenezer. . .326, 702, 736, 747
Edmund 131
Edward 348
Hlijah 137
Elinda 168, 169, 172
Elisha 128
Eliphalet 253
Enoch 225
Ensley .271
Ephraim 386
Israel 552
Jacob 109. Ill, 129, 131
James. 92, 352, 355, 356
Jeremiah 136, 490, 699
Jethro 328
Joel 172, 173, 175
John.. 2, 92, 94, 97, III, 127
129, 131, 134, 137, 230, 253
450, 550, 552, 638, 645-649
656. 698
John, Jr 736, 738
John, 4th 131
Jonathan. .. 128, 129, 326, 698
Joseph 83, III, 328, 329
Joseph, Rev 748
Joshua 117, 337
Josiah. . ..117, 202, 329, 736
738. 739. 751
Josiah, Jr 201
786
INDEX.
Brown, Moses 71, 93, 94, 127
Nathan 127
Nathaniel 348, 479, 480
Nehemiah 318, 326, 347
Philip 488, 489
Samuel.. 83, 92, 97, iii, 129
234, 281, 589, 591, 656
Samuel, Jr 12
Simeon 336
Simon 125, 12S
Stephen 326, 328
Stephen, Jr 328
Stephen, 3d 328
Thomas.. 129, 131, 137, 168
263, 335, 645-649, 736, 738
744
Titus O 358
William. .1 1 1, 240, 241. 245
253, 329, 668, 733
Zaccheus 128
Zachariah 1 29
Zadoc 172
Bruce, Joseph 357
Phinehas 357, 358
William 357, 35S
Bryant, Andrew 93
Edmund 737, 738
John 65, 603, 703
Mary 392
Robert 8, 582, 585
Robert, Jr 65
Walter 138, 416
Buck, Perley i 72
Bucknam, Edwards. .305, 351, 353-
360
Nathan 309
Buel, Abraham 76, T"]
Asahel 77
Buffum, John 56
Jonathan 50, 51
Bugbee, Amasa 506
Nathaniel 371, 373
Bullard, Asa 732
Ebenezer 732, 744
John 746
Joseph 732
Peter 300, 746
Simeon 734
Bullock, Benjamin 51
Hezekiah 50, 51
Simeon 55
Simon 55
Bunker, David 395
Bunker, James G 393
John 392
Joseph 537
Thomas 537
Burbank, Caleb 271, 272
Enoch 480
Ezra 480
Gershom 751
Moses, Jr 752
Samuel 281, 287
Samuel, Jr 281
Burdoo, Moses 303
Burgan, John 603
Burgess, Jonathan 9
Burgoyne, Gen. John 167
Burke, Magnes 33
Burkley, Lawrence 558
Burleigh. Joseph 392, 395
Josiah 392, 395
Samuel. 393, 394
Burley, Benjamin 6
Stephen 6
William 6
Burnam, Abraham 619
Amos 349
Billy 216
David 609
Ebenezer 393
Israel 394
James 515, 518, 524
Jeremiah ... .606
Jonathan 23, 147, 148, 150
Joshua 606, 609
Nathaniel 516, 518, 524
Offen 216
Pike 67
Stephen 515, 518, 524, 606
609
William 23
Burnham, George 599, 602
John 484
Joseph 265
Joshua 393
Joshua, Jr 393
Burns, George.. 281, 285, 446, 607
614
John . .607, 614, 615, 642, 647
656
John, Jr 607, 614, 615
Burnside, James 355
Thomas 355, 449
Burpee, Nathan 480
Burroughs, Josiah 468
INDEX.
1^7
Burroughs, William 281
Burrows, George 453, 468
Burt, Amasa 216, 217
Jonathan 224
Joseph 404
Robert 273
Bushe, Benjamin 398, 402
Busiel, Cornelius 488, 489
Elias 346, 34S
William 338
Bussell, John. ...196, 198, 201, 202
Moses 349
William 332, 336, 349
Buswell, John 33, 44, 491, 558
Joseph 33, 39, 40, 44
Nicholas 6, 271
William 487
Buzzell, Aaron 596. 603
Elijah 600
John 603
Jonathan 6, 596, 603
William. .. .597, 599, 601, 603
William, 2d 603
Butler, Elijah 224
Gideon 279, 280, 589
John 287
John, Jr 287
Jonathan 516, 518
Joseph 446
Ralph 131, 140, 146
Richard 513
Thomas 224
Tobias 652, 656
Valentine 214
Butterfield, Abel 632
Charles 625, 629, 634
Ephraim 275, 625, 629
Isaac 152, 649
John.. 28-33, 37, 38, 44, 625
628, 632, 634
Jonathan 632, 633
Joseph 275
Josiah 625, 629
Peter 33, 38. 44
Samuel 64, 152, 649
Thomas 625, 629, 632
Widow 27
William 417, 649
Buttrick, Francis 235
Cabot, Andrew 598
John 598
Cairus, James 472
Calcott, Samuel 330
Calder, Robert 598
Caldwell, Alexander. .76, 280-284
287
David 656
James. 280, 283, 285, 287
440-443, 472, 591, 648, 654
655, 658, 662
James, Jr 435
John 279, 280, 447
Joseph 287
Nathaniel 392, 395
Samuel 195, 281, 283, 287
593. 653
Thomas 76, 282-285
William 393
Calef, John 347, 349
John, 3d 349
Joseph 346
Joseph, Jr 346
Samuel 347, 348
Calfe, John 83, 91. 93, 96, 97
Nathaniel .' . 349
William 338
Call. David 611
Joshua 68
Camp, Israel 172
Campbell, Caleb 744
Daniel 46, 660, 661
David 424, 453
Henry 454, 455, 589
James 235, 445, 449
James, Jr 450
Jesse 191, 194, 263
Job 263
John,. 194, 263, 268, 452, 453
589
John. Jr 195
Phinehas 263
Robert... .192, 235, 440, 449
472, 653, 656, 662, 732, 736
11>'^^ 744
Samuel 454, 466
Thomas 449, 453
William 452, 454, 589, 652, 656
Canfield, Samuel ■399> 573
Canney , Isaac 540
James 291
Moses 540
Card, Henry 694
John 694
Thomas 694
Carey, Daniel 621
788
INDEX.
Eleazer 398
Eliott 398
Lazarus 743
Oliver 39S, 400
Samuel 503
William 397-400
William, Jr 400
Cargill. Daniel 430
Carletou, Jesse 736, 743
Jeremiah 512, 521, 530
Jonathan 93, 202, 203, 625
Moses 744
Nathaniel 288. 737
Oliver 472
Peter.. 366
Stephen, 2d. 289
Thomas. . . .516, 518, 524, 606
Carney, John 540
Carpenter, Eli 507
Carr, Elliot 490
James 112, 701
John 253, 437, 475
Joseph 755
Simeon 253
Carroll, John 697
Carsfoot, Jacob 114
Carson, John 645, 649
Carter, Daniel 253, 752, 753
Enoch 131
John 253, 710
Jonas 6
Joseph 253
Moses 253, 708
Nathaniel 424
Oliver 23
Samuel 490
Cartland. Elijah 391, 393, 394
Joseph 393
Tobias 393
Carruth, James 348
Carver, Jonathan 219
Case, John 311
Samuel 104
Casey, William 12
Cass, Amos 131
John 114
Jonathan 114
Joseph 114, lis
Nason 196, 201, 751
Samuel 107, 114
Caswell, Joshua 51
Nathan 424,425, 427
Nathan, Jr , 427
Caswell, Ozias 410
Cate, Andrew 71
Enoch 708
James 487
Jeremiah 72
John.. 65, 66, 452, 458, 472
585
Joseph 67, 73
Joseph, Jr 71
Nathan 71
Samuel 72, 488, 490
Samuel, Jr 490
Stephen 488, 489
William 71
Cavender. Charles 480, 527
Chadbourne, Benjamin 616
Chadwick. David 194
John 194, 256, 269
John, Jr 263
Joseph 194
Chaffin, Reuben 409
Challis, Ezekiel 350
John 347, 348
Thomas 350
William 349
Chamberlain, Aaron 737
Abiel 486, 488, 490
Benjamin 185
Daniel 709
Ebenezer 708
Ephraim 9, 489, 490, 708
James 598, 600, 603
John.. 503, 512, 596, 597, 601
602
Joseph 379
Moses. .223, 486, 489, 490, 603
Nathaniel 485, 409
Richard 1 78, 673
Samuel 485-490, 512, 524
Samuel, Jr 486, 487
Thomas 597, 598
William 597, 601
Chambers, William 192, 263
Champney, Ebenezer 747
John 744
John, Jr 744
Chancy, Stephen 566
Chandler, Daniel 172,604
David 168, 174, 606, 609
Eliphalet 664
Ezra 366
Gardner 224
Isaac 195, 257-259
INDEX.
789
Chandler, James 737-744
Jeremiah 12, 758
John 732
Joseph 92, 664, 665
Josiah 589
Moses 350
Samuel 744
Thomas 253
William 168, 306
Zachariah 553
Chany, Daniel 357
Chapman, Edward 117
James 112
Job 68, 73, 118, 119
John Ill
Joseph 480, 589
Richard 398, 400. 403
Samuel j-^, 111,392,394
Chappel, Daniel 398, 400
Chase, Benjamin 169, 173
Betsey 583
Charles 349
David 329
Ebenezer 591
Elihu 328
Henry 281, 287
Isaac 287
Jacob 456, 458
James. 13, 487-489
John. ..5, 84, 106,137,287,328
527, 696
Jonathan. .55, 58, 137, 168, 169
265, 372, 377. 488, 489. 506
751
Joseph 93. I M' 4i9- 59'
Joshua 140, 146, 281
Moses 260, 389
Nathaniel 583
Pratt 756
Robert 424
Samuel . . . .265, 418, 422, 424
591
Samuel, Jr 424, 591
Simeon 418, 424, 591
Stephen 281, 329, 589, 696
Stephen, Jr 281
Rev. Stephen... .685, 686, 690
695
Stickne)^ 400
Cheney, Daniel 457, 458
David , 81
Elias 204
Isaac 264
Cheney, James. 458
John 207
Thomas 558, 566
Tristram 207
Cherry, Samuel 460
Chesley. Andrew 291
Daniel 392, 395
Dennis 476
Ebenezer 393
John 394, 395
Joseph 391, 393, 395
Lemuel 392
Nathaniel 291
Samuel 392, 537
Sarah 391
Child, Amos 24, 641, 642
Jonathan 170, 503-508
William 113
Choat, Ammi g
Benjamin 332
Benjamin, Jr 336, 338
David 167
Francis 733
Jonathan 9, 332, 337, 338
Christy, James 453
Jesse 434, 449
Thomas 449
Chubbuck, Ensign 44
Church, Ebenezer 23
Cilley, Jonathan 701
Joseph 166
Claggett, Edward 424
Went worth 591
William 424
Wyseman . .242, 415, 419, 591
Clapp, Daniel 168, 171, 371
Samuel 169
Clark, Alexander 481
Amos 86,92,94
Benjamin 192, 194, 392
Bunker 205, 763
Cephas 312
David 75, 484
Elijah 251
Enoch 14, 72, 73
Enoch M 73
Ephraim 202
Ezra 393
George 45°, 457
George, Jr .450
George, 3d 450
Greenleaf 67
Isaac 311, 72)7, 738
790
INDEX.
Clark, Jacob 271
James 440, 450, 480
Jesse 312
John 51, 113, 196, 230, 336, 363
449, 453, 454, 466, 480, 484
507, 512, 548, 656, 664
John, Jr 366
Jonathan 8, 366, 391, 603
Joseph... 12, 73, 204, 271, 272
Matthew 430, 449, 456, 458
475, 480
Nathaniel 44, 452, 656
Nenian 648, 652, 656
Peter.. .509, 512, 514, 530. 532
Peter, Jr.. 656
Remembrance 537
Robert.. 447, 453, 456, 480, 484
646, 656
Samuel... 14, 429, 450-458, 466
479, 548, 603, 694
Sarah. 84
Simeon 313
Thomas. .86. 166, 168, 169, 440
452, 457.458. 633
Thyohry 507
Rev Ward 330
William 154, 192,481,646
647, 656, 694
Wood 44
Zeph 664
Clamboul. William 697
Clary, Daniel 737, 744
David 744
William 732, 738-740, 744
Clay, Benjamin 597, 598, 600
Jonathan 598, 600
Joseph 392
Joseph, Jr 392
Luther 253
Samuel 393
Clayes, Elijah 191, 205
Cleaveland, John .... 198, 199, 201
363
John, Jr 201
Clement, David 271
James 33
Moody 267
Nathaniel 259
Philip 37-45
Richard 366
Thomas 76
Timothy 256, 260
William 266, 756
Clendinen, Andrew 434,445
Archibald 432, 434, 454
David 453
James 466
John 481
John H 484
Robert 451, 466,481,484
William 434, 451, 481
Clifford, Ebenezer 329
Isaac 337, 347, 349, 490
Jacob 104, 106, 112
John 131, 335. 336
John, Jr 335
Joseph II, 12, 329, 336
Richard 332, 335
Samuel 329
Samuel, Jr 326
William 348, 488, 489
Zacharias 114
Clogston, John 27, 31
Clough, Abner 4, 13, 487-490
Benjamin 194
Caleb 335
Cornelius 333, 336
Daniel 338
David 6, 13, 194, 265. 271
Ephraim 754
Henry 754, 756
Ichabod 332, 335
Isaiah 13
James 264, 271, 272
Jeremiah 333, 488, 489
John 394, 395, 488, 489
Jonathan 348, 487-489
Jonathan, Jr 487
Joseph 487.754
Leavitt 754
Levi 754
Nathan 326, 487
Nathaniel 393
Nehemiah 754
Obediah 338,754
Oliver 195
Richard, Jr 754
Samuel 4, 13
Theophilus 335, 336
Thomas 271, 755
Timothy 702
William 395, 497
Zaccheus 392
Clyde, Hugh 452
John 452
Joseph 452
INDEX.
791
Coburn, Isaac 287
Zachariah 442
Cochran, Abraham 644, 648
Alexander 452
Andrew .440
Elijah 452, 472
George 452, 466, 481
Isaac . .453, 457, 458, 475-4S0
Isaac, Jr . . .459
James, 435, 449, 452, 456, 459
466 481, 644, 647
James, Jr 454, 648
John... 419, 422, 434, 440, 449
452, 457, 466, 484, 644, 647
651. 653, 656. 658
John, Jr 459, 648
Jonathan 452, 466
Joseph. 229, 445, 449, 452, 457
458, 656
Moses 481
Nathaniel 644, 648
Nenian 437. 453
Peter. .434, 435, 437, 484, 644
647, 652, 656
Robert 434, 443, 481. 656
Samuel 418, 419, 453, 477
478, 481
Samuel. Jr 4S1
Thomas 253, 435, 443, 452
643, 644, 647, 651, 656
Thomas, Jr 648
William. . . .434, 435. 452, 668
Coffee, Melchisedec 524
Coffin, Amos 1 24
Enoch 253
Henry 314
Peter 338
Samuel 752
Simeon 547
Stephen 125, 547
Cofran, John 452
Cogswell, Jeremy 4, 5, 13
John.. 366
Thomas 11, 14-17
Colbath, Benning 727
Joseph 727
Joseph 726
Colburn, Andrew 567, 569
Asa 372
Benjamin 247, 252
James 76, 8 1
Jerahmeel 246
Jeremiah 547, 626, 629
Colburn, John 373
Nathan 247, 251
Phebe 570
Reuben 629
Robert 247, 387, 612
Robert, Jr 247
Thomas 622
William 77, 613, 614
William. Jr 612
Zaccheus 287
Colby, Abner 266
Daniel 585
David 457, 458, 481
David, Jr 459, 481
Edmund 755
lil'j'ili 754
Eliphalet 192 256
Enoch 195
I^"os 346, 348
Ephraim 253, 264, 265
Humphrey 755
Ichabod 350
Isaac 256, 265
John 27, 94
Joseph 265
Moses 267, 269
Nathan 201, 202
Nehemiah 264
Phill)ricl< 280
Richard 27
Samuel 755
Thomas 350
William 264
Colcord. Daniel 346. 348
Ebenezer 337
Samuel 108, 109. 332, 337
709
Cole, David 591
John 355
Samuel 507
Coleman, Bejijamin 729
Eleazer 710, 712, 717
John 729
Phinehas 717
Collins, Benjamin 75^
Benjamin, Jr 347, 348
Daniel 117
Ebenezer... 269, 332, 335. 338
418
Jonathan 346,349
Joseph 314
Joseph, Jr 348
Nathaniel 21 7
792
INDEX.
Collins, Richard 27. 346, 349
William 349
Colomy, Richard 6. 704
Colquhoiin, Peter 479
Colton, John P 599
Lemuel 58
Samuel 419
Stephen 58
Thomas 599
Ward 124
William 599
William, Jr 599
Combs, Jonathan 275. 629
John 276. 547
Medad 626, 632, 634
Comee, Henry 335
Conant, Asa 223
Benjamin 223
Charles 223
Ezra 224
Joel 424
Jonathan 373, 508
Zebulon 744
Cone, Jonathan 751
Conn, Andrew 732
Connick, William 244
Connor, Elijah 326
Jeremiah 413
Jeremy 13
John T 269
Jonathan 194,265
Joseph 94
Philip 585
Cook. Daniel.. . .391, 492, 583, 596
Ebenezer 315
Jesse 389
Joseph 595, 599-602
Joseph, Jr 603
Moody 230
Robert 599-602
Samuel 'w 230
Silas 22, 213
William 602
Cooke, Noah 322, 736
Simeon 386
Coolbroth, Benjamin 717
George 710, 713
James 712, 713, 717
Cooledge, Nathaniel 204, 207
Paul 208, 210. 213
Uriah .208, 210, 21 1
Cooley, John 6
Cooper, Aaron 217, 219
Cooper, Benjamin 347
Elijah 216, 224
George 764
William 485
Copp, Benjamin 291
Benjamin, Jr 291
David 86
Ebenezer 83. 92, 94, 69
Joshua 84
Moses 86
Simeon 11, 12
William 291
Corbin, Thomas 332
Corey, Hezekiah 732, 736
Isaac 375
Corliss, Joshua 27, 94
Samuel 480
Corning, Benjamin 480
Ebenezer 558
George 480
John 480
Joshua 480
Costar, Ebenezer 33
Coston, Bishop 548, 551
Cotton, John 10
Jonathan 593
Thomas 129, 698
Rev. Ward 124-126, 130
Couch, Stephen 185
William 114
Covven, William 592
Cox, Charles 229, 453, 466, 485
Charles, 3d 229
Edward 629
James 230
John 229
Robert 230
William 227, 229, 453, 457
458, 466, 629
William, Jr 453
Coxton, John 632
Coye, Stephen 224
Vine 224
Craig, Alexander. .. .201, 202, 437
462
David 201 , 202, 452, 456
James 202
John.. 33, 37, 39-45, 434, 437
440, 458
Robert 202. 445, 452
Thomas 445, 450, 452, 459
466
Thomas, Jr 459
INDEX.
793
Grain, Isaac 2ig
Cram, Benjamin. 1 1 1, 137, 521, 524
Jacob 512, 607
Rev. Jacob 270. 272
John 112, 758
Jonathan. . .131, 137, 144, 147
148, 357. 358
Joseph 1 04
Nathan 14°
Nehemiah 147,148
Solomon 512
Stephen 137, 140, 146
Thomas 131, 136, 137
Crane, Dr. John 161, 171, 173
Crawford, John 19S
Jonathan. .. 196, 198, 201, 202
229
Robert 196
Thomas. 83, 197, 201-203, 229
Thomas, Jr. 196
Cressey, Andrew.. 61, 63, 513, 533
Benjamin 267, 270
Daniel 269
Michael 220, 221
Richard.. . 264, 271, 272
Cristie, Jesse 154
Cristy, George. ..... .647, 650, 656
Jesse 646, 651, 654-656
Jesse, Jr 656
Thomas 656
Critchett, Benjamin 668
Elias 393
Crocker, Andrew S.. . 179, 183, 184
David 379
Gershom 21
Crockett, Joshua 8. 585
Crombie, James 453, 466, 656
John . .453, 456, 457, 466, 479
John, Jr 453
Cromey, John 435
Crosbie, Benjamin 585
Thomas 114, 585
Crosby, Alpheus 300
Anthony 1 1 1
Jaasariah ']'] , 80
Joel 73-
Jonah 732
Joseph 300, 607, 609
Josiah 609, 611
Josiah, Jr 609, 615
Robert 732
Samson 607
Thomas 7
Crosby, William 609, 614
Cross. Ephraim 269
Ichahod 371
Isaiah 366
Jesse 755
John 755, 756
Joseph 28 1 , 668
Peter 281, 283
Ralph 264, 271, 753
Simeon 198, 201, 202
Thomas 755
Crow, Jonathan 58
Crowell, David 480
John .• 386
Samuel 480
Cudworth. Samuel 518, 526
Timothy 527
Cummings, Andrew 453
David 280, 287
Doctor 279
Ebenezer 281, 283, 284
629
Eleazer 155, 275, 277, 281
288, 737. 743, 747
Elisha 7. 453, 708
Elisha, Jr 708
Isaac 453, 708
John 153. 235. 249, 416
John, Jr 153
Jonathan 547, 590
Josiaii 274-281
Leonard 417
Nathaniel 708
Reuben 153
Samuel. 234, 237, 241, 6ro, 628
630, 738
Simeon 547
William. .80, 81, 246-252, 281
616
Cunningham, George 28, 31
Robert 449
William 449, 457,458
Currier, Abraham 267, 271, 272
Alvah 270
Asa 84
Beniamin. . . 192, 194, 263, 366
Charles 13
David 28, 31
Ezekiel 93, 94
Ezra 345, 348
Henry 271
Isaac 12
Jacob 1 2, 93
794
INDEX.
Currier, Jeremiah 348
John 263. 348
Jonathan 753
Joseph 93
Reuben 271, 272, 754
Rev. Mr 28
Samuel 93, 271
Samuel, Jr 93
Sargent 264, 266, 272, 366
Thomas 6
Curry, Robert 7S4
Samuel 227-229
Thomas 757
Curtice, Benjamin 511
Jonathan 174
Joseph 488
Curtiss, David 1 67
George 391, 392
Israel 166
James 355
Jonathan 168
Joseph 175
Joshua 168
Thomas 224
William 355
Zebina 169
Curwin, George 240
Cushman, Ephraim 366
Joshua 1 74
Cutter, James 303
John 734, ■]}>■], TZ%, 744
Moses 300
Nathan. 303
Richard 281, 286
Seth 281
Cutter, Nathan 632, 634
Zaccheus 420
Cutting, Daniel 570, 571
Zebedee 507
Cutts, Samuel 497
Dakin, Amos 580, 766-768
Justus 281
Dale, Hannah 309
Dalton, Josiah 128
Michael 125, 698
Philemon in, 112
Samuel 100, 761
Timothy 116
Tristram 424
Dam, Eliphalet 717, 726
Issachar 726
John 710-712
Dam, Moses 710, 712
Richard 711, 117
Dame, Benjamin 727, 729
Hunking 393
Joseph P 727
Theodore 507
Timothy 727
Samuel 726, 729
Valentine 71
William 13
Dana, Burns 734
Samuel 579
William 369, 372-374, 379
384, 385
Dane, Daniel 656
John 528
Danford, Ezekiel 7
Jeremiah 755
Moses 491
Samuel 756
Danforth, Anna 243
Jacob 243, 487
Jonathan 208-211, 247, 442
Joseph 481
Samuel 208-21 1
William 419
Daniels. David 540
Ebenezer 309, 311
Jeremiah 755
Pelatiah 537
Samuel 309
Danley, Cornelius 626, 629
William 632
Danshe, Hugh 453
Darby. Abijah 355, 357, 359
Aseph 357
Isaac 357
Jonathan 507
Simeon 507
Darling, Benjamin B 266
John 94,335
John, Jr 335
Moses 265
Peter 264
Robert 93
Timothy 265, 266
William 266
Darrah, Arthur 277, 453
James 418
Robert 419, 423
Darte, Eliphalet 25
Joshua 21
Thomas 21
INDEX.
795
Davenport, Thomas W 224
William 216
Davidson, Alexander 453
David 481
George 452
James 300
John 452
Josiah 6g8
Robert 449
Thomas 460
William. ... 148, 446, 447, 457
460, 475, 476, 589, 69S
Davis, Aaron 391 , 392, 395
Abel S92
Abraham 39S
Aquilla 263
Asa 280, 284. 286
Benjamin.. . 159, 168, 466.491
Clement 391, 393-39S
Daniel. .6s, 295, 552, 557, 558
David 392.395
Edmund 154, 157, 158
Elijah 737, 738
Eliphalet 92, 94
Ephraim 392, 491
James.. 1 53-1 55, 392, 395, 537
James, Jr 391-395. 537
John ...27, 346, 349, 391, 392
472, 552, 602, 656, 710
John, Jr 392, 393
Jonathan. ...154, 155, 734, t^-]
Joseph 44, 198, 473, 491
Josiah 84, 737
Malachi 13, 348
Moses 393, 552. 757
Moses, Jr 392
Nathaniel 2S1, 291
Obediali 755
Pliilip 349
Phinehas 346, 349
Robert 253
Samuel 46, 65, 253
Samuel, Jr ^^-j , 539
Silas 738
Stephen 736
Thomas 537
Timothy 9
Webster 349
Day, Benjamin, Jr 503
Ebenezer 308, 311,312
Isaac 515, 518
John 312
Pelatiah 640
Day. Robert 516, 518, 524
Dealing, Daniel 611
Dean, Benjamin W 12
Dearborn, Abraham. 68, 71, 73, 755
Benjamin 73
Doctor 1 29
Ebenezer 106, 108
Edward 390
Henry. .1 17-119, 12S, 346, 349
Henry, Jr 349
Isaac 291
Jeremiah 1 16-1 19, 328
John 73, 108, no, 115, 118
119. 755
John J 72
Jonathan 1 14, 117, 128
Jonathan, Jr 117
Joseph. 73, 119
Joseph S 127
Josiah 125-127
Levi 73
Levi, Jr 73
Nathan 328
Nathaniel ..116, 346, 349, 755
Reuben 117, 121, 125
Reuben, Jr 73
Samuel 68, 72, 73, 105-lir
116-121, 286, 329, 330
Shubael 755, 756
Simeon 72, 595, 601, 722
Simon 118, 1 19, 598, 600
Thomas. .68, 105, 108, 114, 121
Thomas, Jr 105, 108
Decker, John 710
DeMarianville, Charles 51
John 51
Demeritt, Ebenezer 540
Eli 540
James 540
Job, Jr 537
John 392, 540
John, Jr 540
Jonathan 540
Paul 540
Robert 540
Solomon 540
Solomon, Jr 540
Stephen 540
William 537, 540
Denboe, Cornelius 61 1
Nathaniel 611
Dennis, Arthur 656
Moses 158
796
INDEX.
Dent, John 343
Dewey. Benoni 171, 173
Ebenezer 21
Ebenezer, ]r 21, 22
Elias 507
Elijah 378
Simeon 169, 171
Timothy 23, 24
William 168
Dexter, Caleb 407, 410
David 92, 94. 97
Joseph 407, 409, 498, 499
Lemuel 407, 410
Diah, William 755
Diamond. Ephraim 548, 589
Israel 346, 348
Israel, Jr 347, 348
Dickey, Adam. ..452, 453, 458, 589
649
David 566
Ebenezer 480
Elias 656
James 649
John.. .452, 458, 480, 548, 552
557, 558, 649, 650
John, Jr 558, 566
Matthew 461,475, 480, 589
Robert 452, 481, 548, 589
Rose 235
Samuel .... 1 152, 436, 440, 446
452
William. . . .436, 440, 449, 452
458, 480, 489, 647, 649
Dimock, Timothy 23
Dinsmoor, John 308
Ruth 308
Dinsmore, Abraham 516, 518
Gershom 217, 219
James 459-475, 479
John.. 28, 29, 31, 33, 449, 453
459' 472
Robert 429, 449, 453, 472
484
William 449. 453, 459
Disbrow, Phi 676
Dix, Jonathan 252, 734
Doack, James. . .445, 452, 481, 484
548
John 452
Dockham, Enoch 492
John 65
Samuel 12
Dodge, Andrew 398
Dodge, Antipas. . . .28, 29. 31, 472
Benjamin 473
Ciileb 663
Elisha 473, 653, 656
Elisha, Jr 473, 656
Isaac 398, 480
John 485
Joshua 484
Josiah 511
Nathaniel i 50, 656
Nathaniel H 140, 146, 150
Nehemiah 653
Nicholas 664
Noah 656
Samuel 656
Simon 656
Solomon 658
William 668
Doe, David 702
Elizabeth 702
Dolbeer. Nicholas 698
Dole, Benjamin 292, 296, 298
John 292, 296, 298
Dolloff, John 708
Samuel 707, 709
Thomas 585
Donaldson, James... .452. 457, 458
462, 480
Donohue, Geoffrey 466
Donovan, John 652
Doolittle, Benjamin 224
Oliver 216, 217
Door, Philip 711
Dorman. Elijah 308
Ephraim 22, 308, 310
Douglass, John 451
Patrick 434, 440-452
Dow, Abraham 131
Benjamin.. .4, 12, 27, 117, 329
589
Daniel 121, 129
David 121, 129
Ezekiel 133, 324, 326
Henry.. 27, 102, 103, 104, 105
106, 108, 109, no
Isaac 698
Isaiah 128
Jabez 105, III, 115
James 1 14
Job 27, 33
John 112, 127, 326
Jonathan 12, 326, 392, 395
709
INDEX.
797
Dow, Joseph. 27, 124, 125, 126, 128
329
Joseph, Jr 27
Josiah..ii2, 12S, 326, 329, 391
392, 393> 394. 395
Lemuel 172, 174
Moses 177, 182, 185, 186
Nathan 329
Nathaniel 6, 1 1, 12, 328
Noah 9, II, 13
Perkins 13
Philip 326
Reuben. ... 127, 237, 242, 250
Salmon 168, 172
Samuel 103, 112, 127, 129
Simeon, Jr 272
Simon 105, 129
Thomas 112
Winthrop 131
Downer, Joseph 372, 379, 380
Moses 114
William 369-380
William, Jr 375-380, 714
Downing, Bartholomew. 727
Harrison 717
John 65, 120, 710, 714, 718, 729
John, Jr... .444, 713, 715, 717
Jonathan. .. .73, 140, 141, 717
Joshua 71 1, 713, 727
Josiah 710, 727
Josiah, Jr 717
Palfrey 488, 489
Richard 213, 717,727
Richard, Jr 717
Samuel 727
Downs, Henry 484
Drake, Abraham. 1 14, 345, 585, 709
Abraham, Jr 121, 70S
John 6, 125
Nathaniel 114
Robert 105, iii, 114
Samuel 124, 127
Draper, William 61, 63
Drew, Aaron 603
Daniel 597, 603
Daniel, Jr 603
Elijah 540
Ezekiel 540
Isaac 595-600
Jedediah 598, 600
John.. 6, 7, 390, 395, 595, 597
600, 603
Joseph 490
Drew, Lemuel 490
Levi 229, 709
Robert 490
Samuel 202, 490
Samuel, Jr 490
Theophilus 5
Thomas 463
Drowne, Peter 702, 705
Drury, Ebenezer 763, 768
Duda, Joseph 392
Nicholas 392
Dudley, Abily 760
Billy 663
John 4, 10, 13
Peter 13
Stephen 4, 6, 13
Stephen, Jr 12
Thomas 759, 760
Dummer, William 213
Dunbar, E 324
Duncan, Abraham. . .452, 457, 458
George. 440. 449, 452, 456,458
George, Jr..452, 457, 458, 548
Isaac 472
James 155, 157, 452
John.. 1 54, 155, 434, 436, 449
452, 457, 458
John, Jr 449, 452
Josiah 461 , 548
Robert 153, 1 54, 452
Samuel 61
William. 255, 449, 452, 457-459
473. 548
Dunalls, Reuben 522
Samuel 195
Duncklee, David 615
Hezekiah 516, 518
John 615
Nathaniel 615
Dunham, Thomas 503
Dunlap. Ephraim 506
Hugh 296
John 28-31,34
Samuel 263
William 28, 31
Durant, Jonathan 204, 206
Samuel 281
Durgin & Durgan.
David 597, 598, 601
Elijah 265
Josiah 391, 393. 395
Josiah, Jr 392,395
Samuel 393
798
INDEX.
Durgin, Susanna 393
Winthrop 6
Dunham, John 434, 451
Durkee, Abijah 172
Hem" 168
John 168, 172
Thomas 164, 170-173
Dustin. Eliphalet 453, 653
Moses 268
John 253
Timothy 566
William 650
Duston, Caleb 471
James 192
Dutch, George 391-395
Jeremiah 393
Dutton, Asa 518
Benjamin. .206, 208, 210, 211
513
Jacob 61, 63. 513, 533
James 206-21 1
John 206-211, 732,734
Josiah 512
William 512, 535
Dwight, Timothy 306, 566
Dwinnell, Abigail 141
Amos 141
Elijah 480
George 550
Thomas 480
Dwyer, Michael 228, 229
Eager, Fortunatus 358
George 171
Joseph 263
Luke 203
Eames, David 252
Jeremiah 353, 356,410
Jeremiah, Jr 355
Thomas 355
Eastham, John B 709
Eastman, Aaron 192
Abner 328
Amos 252, 632
Benjamin. . .328, 336, 347, 348
David 489, 758
Ebenezer 13, 333, 336
Edmund 87, 93
Edward 332
Enoch 265
Henry 264
Ichabod 281
Jacob 350
Eastman, James 264, 480
John.. 192, 256, 264, 270, 271
342, 346
John, Jr 270
Jonathan. .93, 94, 192, 252, 632
Joseph 270. 335, 336
Joseph, Jr 338
Joshua 93
Nicholas 280
Obediah 494
Parson 756
Dr. Peter 84, 86, 87, 94
Samuel. 194, 267, 335, 336, 347
348
Simeon 264
Stephen 347, 34^
Thomas. . . .271, 272, 335, 338
William 6, 190
Eaton, Benjamin 86
David 168, 174.
Ebenezer 266, 366
Enoch 27
Ephraim 217, 219
Jabez 347,348
Jacob , 174
J. H 64
James 27, 33, 38-44
James, Jr 44.
Jeremiah 86
John. .91, 93, 94, 267, 270, 271
293, 294, 418
Joseph T 347, 348
Joshua 264, 272
Nathaniel 264, 271, 272
Samuel 43, 44
Timothy S 328
Eayers, James 453, 479, 548
Joseph 626, 629
William 437, 449, 452, 453
479, 484, 548
William, Jr 449. 484
Edgerly, David 4-
Ezekiel 13
John 13, 539
John, Jr 5
Jonathan 4
Paul 540
Samuel 540, 585
Edgerton, James 368
Edson. Nathan 507
Edwards, Brinsley 366
Ephraim 366
Jonathan 14
INDEX.
799
Edwards, Simeon 366
William 13
Eggleston, Thomas 398, 400
Ela, David 48 1
Edward 481,589
Samuel 487
Eli, Edward 458
Samuel 458
Elkins, David 4
Ephraim 333
Gershom 330
Henry 143
James 12
Jeremiah 347, 349
John 12
Jonathan 13, 106, loS, in
Jonathan, Jr 116
Joseph 332, 338, 346, 350
Moses 106, 108, 333
Nathaniel 4
Peter 346
Samuel 698
Thomas.... 1 1 7, 337, 346, 347
Thomas, Jr 348
Ellinwood, Joseph. . .515, 518, 524
Joseph, Jr 515, 518
Elliot, Andrew 697
Benjamin 392, 393, 395
Richard 391, 393, 394
Robert O73
Samuel 324
William 452, 580
Ellis, Abner 309
Benjamin 24, 307
Edward 597
Ephraim 599, 600, 602, 611
Francis 61 1
Gideon 308, 31 1
Gideon, Jr 312
Henry 312
Joseph. 24, 308, 311, 597, 599-
603
Josiah 312
Nathan 24
Robert 600
Samuel 457
Simeon 24
Timothy 307, 317, 321
Timothy, Jr 312
William 307, 312
Ellison, Jacob 229
Richard 754
Elmer, Hezekiah 216, 219
Ozias 219
Emerson, Abijah 552
Benjamin 84, 94, 247, 252
Caleb 84
Char]es.S48, 550, 551, 557, 558
Charles, Jr 664
Daniel 61, 250, 747
Daniel, Jr 126, 245, 251
David 196-202
Eleazer 27
George 663
Hezekiah 48
James 271, 557
Jeremiah 271
John 271, 272
Jonathan 8, 634
Joseph 393
Mark 12
Micah 392
Moses 265, 539
Oliver 418, 664
Peter.. 347, 349, 552, 558, 566
Richard 466
Samuel 245, 391 , 392, 540
Smith 391, 393
Solomon 392, 537-539
Solomon, Jr 393, 540
Thomas 247, 252
Timothy.. . .246, 251, 271, 272
293
Timothy, Jr 246,251
Watts 94, 97
Emery, Dr. Anthony 122, 123
Benjamin 196, 199
Clement 507
Daniel 559
David S 199
John 197, 481
Moses 93
Noah 35, 138
Richard 193, 542
Samuel 559
Thomas 92, 93, 97, 487
William 300, 664, 668
William, Jr 664
Emmons, Benjamin. . 197, 198. 202
John 348
Joseph 27, 199, 200, 202
Samuel 33 c
English. James 503, 507
Epes, Francis 61, 63, 512
Erskine, John 223
8oo
INDEX.
Erving, John 548
Esmons, Jacobet 287
Estabrook, Joseph 247, 462
Nehemiah 369-374, 378
Samuel 373
Estey, Isaac 312
Joshua. 204, 207, 208, 210, 212
Etheridge, Stephen G 6
Evans, Abner, Jr 12
Charles 219
Daniel 5
Eldad 217, 219
John 217, 219, 224
Peter 447
Randall 379
Solomon 540
Tappan 263
Uriel 217, 219, 222
William 324
William, Jr 326
Everdon, John 224
Everett, Edward 198
Fabyan, John, ..710, 714, 717, 727
Samuel 712, 713, 717, 727
Samuel, Jr 727, 729
Fairbanks, Nathan 308
Nathaniel 309
Fairfield, John 503
Walter 501-504
Walter, Jr 503
Fansher, John 405
Farley, Benjamin 251
Benjamin, 3d 252
Caleb, Jr 252
Ebenezer 247, 251
James 252
Joseph 233
Samuel... 73, 76, TJ, 234, 235
Stephen 251
Timothy 80
Farmer, David 668
Edward 28 1
James 287
John 64, 130, 231, 566, 671
Jonas 44
Joseph 550, 552, 594
Joseph, Jr 556
Oliver 507
Samuel 526, 614
William 556
Fanning, Joseph 104, 107
Farnham, John 264
Farnham, John S 269, 270
Timothy 259, 264, 267, 269
270
Farr, Levi 738
Nathaniel 737, 738
Farrar, Isaac 585
Israel 13
Jeduthan 14
Jonathan 585
Nathaniel 743
Phinehas. 570, 571
Phineas, Jr 567
Stephen 585
Rev. Stephen Ti,"], 747
Timothy. ...533, 737-741, 743
747
Farrington, Ebenezer 526
George 224
Samuel 253, 265
Stephen 253
Farris, William 737, 738,744
Farwell, Edmund 738
Isaac iyi,12,'^
Oliver 626, 629
Timothy 737
Favour, Cutting. 195-197, 201, 202
230, 751
Samuel 345, 346, 349
Faxon, Christopher 392, 394
Hunking 393, 395
Felch, Phinehas 127
Fellows, Abner 197, 201
Ebenezer 332, 335
Isaac 326-329
Jacob 202
John 202
Jonathan 329, 349
Joseph 337, 338, 349
Josiah 751
Moses 202
Nathaniel ». 349
Samuel 76, 348
Ferguson, Alexander 442
John 442
Fernald, Amos 392,394
Archibald 696
Diamond 488
John 695
Samuel 695
Ferren, Ebenezer 33
Jonathan 481
Philip. ...27, 33, 39-42, 44, 45
Timothy 27
INDEX.
80 1
Ferson, Henry 644-647
James 29, 31, 644-647, 656
James, Jr 29, 30, 647, 656
Paul 646. 647, 656
William 29, 31
Flagg. Asa 217
EUjah 7^7
John 217
Jonathan 13
William 217
Flanders, Abner 253
Asa 342, 347, 348
Daniel 271
David 76, 342, 347, 350
Jeremiah 271
Jonathan 5, 12, 328
Joseph 5
Micah 253
Nathaniel 349
Oliver 253
Onesiphorus 709
Parker 256
Richard 253
Thomas, Jr 11, 13
Timothy 271
Fleming. Robert 223
Fletcher, Daniel 754
Ebenezer 738, 744
Elijah 256
Ephraim 744
Francis 732, 734, 737', 739
740, 744
Gideon 74
Gratia 256
John.. 528, 626, 629, 632, 634
676
John, Jr 634
Jonathan 738, 744
Joseph 744
Joshua 751
Peter 732, 737, 743, 745
Philip 516, 518, 524
Phinehas 754
Robert 524, 634
Samuel 738, 744
Seth 99
Simeon 61, 518
Thomas.... 732, 737, 744, 747
Thomas, Jr 738, 744
Flint, David 558, 566
David, Jr 558
Edward 85
Jacob 206
53
Flint, John 152
Flood, Benjamin 314, 315
Humphrey 350
John 147
Richard 490
Flynn, Jacob 512
Field, John 338, 611
Moses D 25
Robert R 254
Thomas 312, 322
Fife, Daniel 570
Silas 570
Fifield, Benjamin. ... 103, 114, 253
David 13
Ebenezer 348
Edward 107, 113.335
George 150, 151
John 13, 332
John, Jr 337, 338
John C 346, 349
Jonathan. ..1 14, 136, 140, 142
146, 148
Jonathan, Jr 140, 146
Joseph 104, 332, ;i37
Nathaniel 75, 263
Peter 346, 349
Samuel 4, 13, 332, 337-339
342, 348
Stephen 4S9, 490
William. . . . 100, loi. 1 10, 253
Fisher, Aaron 309
Daniel 223, 224
Elias 400, 403
Rev. Elias 46-48, 403
Ichabod 311, 315, 322
James 650
John 260, 662. 666
Joseph 309
Josiah 306-309
Nathan 649
Patrick 435
Samuel. 309, 449, 456, 458, 649
William 224, 450, 481
Fisk, Amos 184
Eleazer 626, 629, 634
Jacob 224
Jonathan 533
Fitch, Ebenezer 171, 173
Fitzgerald, Daniel 698
John 92
Fogg, Abner 1 29
Benoni 114
Daniel 121
802
INDEX.
Fogg, James 105, iii, 114
Jeremiah 329
Jeremiah, Jr 329
Rev Jeremiah 324
John 73, 124-126
Samuel 106-109, 121
Seth Ill, 1 14
Seth, Jr 114
Simon 131
Follansbee, James 480
Joshua 547
Follett, John 224
Joseph 39 1' 393. 395
Samuel 12, 395
Thomas 711
Folsom, Asa 392, 393
Daniel 4, 13
David 13
Enoch 391, 392
John 6, 14, 68. 69, 392, 560
Jonathan 13
Josiah 603
Nathaniel 5, 149, 585
Peter 11, 13
Peter, 3d 11
Samuel 325
Theophilus 32S
William 1 559
Foot, Jacob 346, 348
Footman, John 394
Forbes, John 677
Simeon 172
Forsaith, Robert 196, (98, 751
Forrest, John, Jr 755
William, 4th 755
Foss, Henry 694
John 679, 755
Robert 755
Foster, Abiel 16, 182
Amos 308, 31 r
Asa 76, 755, 757
Daniel 737, 743, 757
David 308, 311, 754
Edward 247
Ephraim "]-})■]
George 173
Henry 224
Hezekiah 256
Isaac 51S
James 224
John 153
Jonathan 755
Samuel 300, ']'^']
Foster, Simeon 244, 245
Thomas 13
William 757
Fowler, Abner 756
Daniel 490
Ichabod 164
Jeremiah 271
John 9
Fox, Edward 585
Elijah 391, 392
John 4
Jonathan 743
Dr. Jonathan 243
Timothy.... 734, 738, 744, 745
Timothy, Jr 743, 747
Franklin, Jonathan 507
Freeman, Edmund. . .159, 168, 386
Jonathan. ...159-161, 165, 170
389
Otis 171
Russell 172
Silvanus 168, 172
Freese, Jacob 131
Jonathan 129
French, Abiel 487
Abraham 346, 349, 350
Andrew 398
Benjamin. ..335, 336, 626, 634
Benjamin, Jr 337, 338
Ebenezer 487, 488, 489
Ezekiel 487, 488, 489
Green 264
Henry 347, 348
Israel 13
James 732, 744
John.. ..84, 104, 107, HI, 141
181, 346
Jonathan... .275, 337, 344, 346
350
Jonathan, Jr 344, 346, 349
Jonathan, 3d 346, 350
Jonathan, 4th 346,349
Jonah 311
Joseph 84. 93. 94, 97, 107
246, 275, 292, 615, 626, 629
Joseph, Jr 84, 93, 94, 632
Joshua 287
Josiah 300
Nathaniel. . 104, 107, 332. 336
338
Nathaniel. Jr 332
Nehemiah 246
Obediah 487, 490^
INDEX.
803
French , Robert S 349
Samuel 267, 268, 281. 287
333' 336, 349' 393-49°
Sarah 141
Simon 332
Theodore 634
Timothy 252, 490
William .... 141, 246, 328, 391
392, 395, 615
William, Jr 246
Frink, Calvin 401
Elijah 397-403 ' 577
Elijah. Jr 398, 402
Henry 702
Luther 402
Thomas 318
Frisel, Samuel 192
Frost, Benjamin., 275. 710
George 689, 695, 697, 700
George, Jr 692, 694, 696
John 654
Jonathan 567, 568
Joseph 695, 697
Joshua 217. 219, 224
Nicholas 597, 603
Samuel 603, 696
Walter 710
Winthrop 392, 393, 395
Frye, Elijah igi, 228
John 699
John, Jr 699
Fryer, Nathaniel 673
Fuller, Andrew. .509, 512,524, 525
Asa 494, 496
Benjamin 121, 375, 377
Benoni 116
Chase 198, 199, 201, 202
Daniel 507
Hezekiah 355
Ji'mes 111,375- 377
John 708
Lemuel 496
Nathan 472
Thomas 116
Fullerton. John 6
Fulton, Robert 449, 453
Furber, Eli 393
Jethro 712-717,726, 729
John 599
Levi 726, 729
Moses. ... 71 1-7 1 3, 717
Nehemiah 711, 712,717
Thomas 603
Furber, Richard 717
William. ...711, 712, 723, 726
729
Furnald, Diamond.. . 490
John 597
Gagart, Joseph 204
Gage, Amos 442
Daniel 442
John 265, 595
Josiah 442
Moses 442
Gains, George 695, 729
Gale, Amos 346
Daniel 11
Daniel, Jr 12
Emery 223
Gilman 349
Henry 348
Jacob 13, 335, 348
James 348
Joseph 12
Nathan 316
Nathaniel 13
Richard 223
Stephen 13
Gallop, Benadam 396
Thomas 370
Gamble. Archibald. .552, 556, 558
William. ...548, 550, 552, 556
Gammett, William 204, 207
Gardner, Ebenezer 512
Ezekiel 556, 634
John 219
Garfield, Nathaniel 591
Garland, Amos 698
Benjamin 698
Benjamin, Jr 698
Ebenezer 599, 600
Gideon 393
Jacob 114, 330, 540
James 1 14
John 107, 112, 1 16, 698
Jonathan .. .114, 125-129,698
Joseph 1 29, 698
Levi 698
Nathaniel 346
Peter 698
Simon 698
Thomas 599~6o3
Garman, James 550, 553
Joseph 129
Gates, Horatio 295, 414
8o4
INDEX.
Gates, Isaac 192
Laban 171
Samuel 157
Thomas 370
Gay, Robert 437
Geer, Capt 317
George, Austin 92, 94, 97
David 253, 460
Gideon 348
John 27, 44, 349, 480
Jonathan 93, 461
Joseph 547, 548
Michael 763
Thomas 333, 547
William 84, 348
Gerrish, Benjamin 539
James 602
Paul 539, 602
Samuel 610, 755, 756
Thomas 540
Gibbs, Benjamin. .. .732, 737, 747
Henry 216
Gibson, Bar'' 285
Daniel 204, 207
James 8, 204, 487
John. . .204, 207-21 1, 491, 492
Joseph 263
Samuel 203
Thomas 754
Timothy 192, 264
William 280, 281,488, 489
Giddings, John 138
Gilbert, Samuel -18, 25
Thomas "jd, 503
Gilchrist, Alexander 28-45
Robert 38
Gile, Ebenezer 'id, 87
Moses 86
Noah 192
Jonathan 86
Giles, Benjamin 60
Daniel 332
Ebenezer 472, 480
John 472,480
Jonathan 754
Joseph 487
Paul .....391. 393. 395
Gillingham, Benjamin 668
James 668
James, Jr 665
Gillis, Jonathan 527
Josiah 588
Jotham 76
Gilman, Antipas, Jr 1 1-17
Bartholomew 13
Benjamin 4
Daniel 332, 337, 338
Daniel, Jr 12
Dudley 13
Edward 4, 10, 759
Edward, Jr 4, 11,13
Eliphalet 4
Ezekiel 755
Israel ■ 721
Jacob 337
John 2, II, 332
John, Jr 13
JohnT 555
Jonathan 4, 6, 12, 13, 596
Jonathan, Jr 13
Jonathan, 3d 5
Joseph, Jr 5, 269
Joshua 12, 326
Joshua, Jr 12
Josiah, Jr 205, 521
Jotham 4, 5, 12
Levi 13
Moses 760
Nathaniel 5, 13, 77
Nicholas i, 4. 12, 173
Peter 11, 12, 75, 77
Peter, Jr 76, 77
Robert 33
Samuel 4, 13, 288
Samuel, Jr 13, 652
Samuel F 13, 14
Stephen 12, 338
Summersbee 4
Thomas 13, 755
William 490
Winthrop 4, 13, 14
Zebulon 12, 76, Tj
Gilmore, David 300
James 453, 593
John 28, 297, 299, 445, 447
556
Jonathan 449, 457, 458
Robert 22, 27, 35, 594
Roger. .294, 296, 300, 303. 314
Samuel 594
Thomas 442
William 481
Gilson, David 626, 629
Ebenezer 246, 249
Given, John 434
Robert 435, 437
INDEX.
805
Gleason, Elijah 59
Job 25
Glidden. Andrew 4
Charles 755
John 6, 9
Samuel -39i. 393
William 391 , 392
Glines, Israel — 487-490, 708, 756
James 435, 755
John 755
Nathaniel 755, 756
Richard 754
Robert 621
William 755
William. Jr 754
Glover, David 280
John 392
Robert 280, 281, 287
Timothy 393
William 280, 526
Goan, Samuel 492
William 487, 489
Godfrey, Ebenezer 117
Isaac. 105, 109, 330, 333, 335
James 117-119, 129
John 118, 119, 492
John, Jr 118
Jonathan 117, 118, 129
Jonathan, Jr 127
Nathan 1 29
Tristram 128
William 119, 266, 330
GofFe, Griggs 589
John 25, 91, 123, 213, 303
304, 422,440,541, 547, 550-
553' 593. 625, 733
John. Jr 550
Samuel 588
Goldsmith. Josiah 21
Goodale, Enos 743
Goodell, David 656
Jonathan 507
Richard 86
Titus 503
Goodenow, Calvin 570
Daniel 566
John. 263
William 312
Goodhue, Samuel. , "]"]
Samuel, Jr 81
Stephen 77
Gooding, Simeon 180
Goodridge, Sewall 536
Goodwin, John 92
Nathan 84, 97
Simeon 187, 189
Timothy 92, 94, 97
Gookin, Daniel 73
Dorothy 122
Rev. Nathaniel 118
Goolden, Winsor 201 , 463
Gordon, Alexander 12
Amos 271. 272
David 350, 400, 401
Enoch 5S5
James 585
Jeremiah 12
John 652, 656
Jonathan 272
Nicholas 12
Hhinehas 583
Gorman. James 457, 589
Goss, James 698
John 250, 698
Jonathan 698
Joseph 584, 698
Levi 698
Nathan 698
Nathaniel 71, 72
Philip 224
Philip, Jr 224
Robert 65
Thomas 698
Gotam, Robert 358
Gould, Amos 190
Benjamin 208, 210, 212
Christopher 271
Curtis 224
Daniel 171, 173, 509, 512
David 524
Elias 265
Gideon 265, 266, 702
Ichabod 271, 272
Israel 271, 272
James ■ . .T2,, 76, 166, 171, 173
John.. 271, 272, 314, 738, 745
Jonathan 287
Joseph. .281, 287, 335, 614, 615
Moses 265
Oliver 303
Richard 472, 606
Simeon 737
Stephen 515, 518, 524, 526
Thomas 223
William 224
Gove, Ebenezer 1 1 1
8o6
INDEX.
Gove, Ebenezer, Jr 131
Edward 131, 137
Elijali 329
Enoch 131, 137, 329
John... 103, 104, III, 131, 146
John, Jr 131
Jonathan 131
Dr. Jonathan. . . .650, 655, 656
658
Nathan 328
Nathaniel 131
Gowdy, Samuel 696
Gowing, John. 738
Graham, Arthur i 53
George 548
Hugh 436, 440
John 204
Jonathan 204
Samuel 440, 449, 453, 480
William 453, 468
W. Elener 468
Grandy, Baz' 217
Grant, Andrew 94
Benjamin 5, 503, 508
Benjamin, Jr 503
Daniel 12
John 72, 516, 518
Noah 503
Peter 503
Peters 161
Reuben 503
Graves, James 87, 339
Jeremiah 345
John 326, 329
Rufus 175
Samuel 87, 333, 430
Gray, Aaron 312
Aaron, Jr 312
Ebenezer 504
James 66, 722
John 372, 375, 377, 380
Samuel 291
Samuel, Jr 291
Timothy 209-211
William 644, 645
Grear, Matthew 396
Thomas 480
Greeley, Aaron 46, 266, 661
Andrew 348
David 487-489
Edward 92, 349
Enoch 348
Ezekiel 277, 281, 468
Greeley, Jonathan... .335, 336, 556
Jonathan, Jr 350
Joseph 281, 2S8, 335, 338
Joseph, Jr 335-338
Moses 350
Nathaniel 348
Reuben 275
Samuel. .11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 278
281, 593, 625
Green, Abraham 131, 338
Amos 607
Benjamin in
Bradbury 131, 137
Ebenezer 503-507
Henry 102
Isaac 104, II I
Jacob I ID
Jeremiah 326
John.. .Ill, 114, 115, 128, 131
328, 552
Jonathan 131, 136, 328
Jonathan, Jr 137
Joseph 171, 173
Nathan 137, 140, 253
Nathaniel 76, 253
Samuel 171
Stephen 328
Greene, Sarah 309
Greenwood, Joseph 314
Gregg, Alexander, Jr 647
Benjamin 452, 456, 458
David 452, 652
Ebenezer 481
George 457, 458, 475, 481
Hugh 449,645, 646
James. 152, 430, 440, 449, 452
454, 457. 458, 475, 480, 548
589, 646, 648
James, Jr 481, 646
John. ..152, 440, 450, 452, 457
458, 475, 648
John, Jr 475,481
Jonathan 480, 589
Joseph 452,457, 458, 475
476, 481
Joseph, Jr 475
Reuben 653
Samuel . . . .440, 445, 450, 454
458, 548
Samuel, Jr 457
Thomas 440, 445
William 434, 440, 443, 452
457, 458, 548
INDEX.
807
Gregory, David 33
Grendall, Daniel 400
Grid ley, Richard 28S
Griffin, Cesar 552
Dudley 292
Ebenezer 340, 346
348
Isaac 332, 335
James 556
John 550, ^^6
John, Jr 550
Jonathan 473-480
Moses 326, 480
Robert 594
Samuel 349, 641, 642
Theophilus.332, 335, 550, 552
556, 557
William 93
Griggs, Ephraim 355
John 316
Grimes, Francis 453
Francis, Jr 263, 453
John , , 152
Jonathan 607, 614
Moses 450, 453
Patrick 614
Thaddeus 607
Grindle, Daniel 47
Grinrteld, Samuel 759
Griswold, Isaac 315, 323
Jeremiah 372
John 370, 372
Oliver 372
Stephen 22
Grout, Amasa 355
Daniel 398
John 292
William 206
Guild, Abigail 309
Benjamin 309, 310
Daniel 322
Gunnison, Daniel 272
John 457, 458, 475
Samuel 666, 668, 670
Samuel, Jr 664
William 668
Guppy, Joshua 601-603
Gurdy, Jacob 201
Gustine, Edward 224
Samuel 272, 574
Thomas 572
Gutterson, Samuel 604, 609
Guy, Thomas 44
Hackett, Ephraim 709
Ezra 709
Jeremiah 755
Had]e\', Benjamin. .. .86, 281, 287
541. 547
David 84
Ebenezer 44
Eliphalet 280, 281, 287
Enos 281 , 287
Ezekiel 271, 272
George 27, 31, 664
John 27
Joseph 27, 46. 84, 86
Judith 84
Moses. 278, 280, 281, 285, 615
Nathan 97
Obediah 668, 669
Seth 155, 156, 589
Stephen 287
Thomas 31
Haines, Jacob 71
James 69
John 72, 73
John, Jr 68, 72, 73
Joseph 599
Joshua 66, 68, 71, 598
Josiah 71. y;^
Lewis 72
Matthew 65, 67, 68
Nathan 68
Nathaniel 68
Noah 67, 71, J 2
Samuel 72, 491, 754
Stephen 755
Thomas 117, 121
William 65, y^
William, Jr 73
Hale, Aaron 756
Benjamin 84
David 23' 44' 7^, 82
David. Jr 44
Ebenezer 84
Enoch 293, 314, 637
Henry 280, 634
Henry, Jr 280, 287, 589
Israel 522
John 73, 76, 79, 240, 260
279-283, 287, 628, 630, 635
733
Jonathan 188
Jonathan R 93, 94
Thomas 738
William 245
8o8
INDEX,
Haley, Dennis 466
Hall, Benjamin 22, 320, 322
Daniel. 253, 548, 550, 552, 556
557, 565, 649
Daniel, Jr 556, 566
David 27, •]•], 581
Ebenezer 253, 61 1
Edward 1 33
Elijah 500
Ephraim 316
Jacob 500
Jeremiah 306-3 1 1
Jesse 308, 312
John ...^^, 281, 487, 540, 543
548-552, 610, 649
John, Jr 557
John, 3d 556
Kinsley 104-109
Nathaniel ■},']']
Nathaniel, Jr 379, 380
Nicholas 756
Ralph 291
Samuel 308, 556, 557, 649
Stephen 253, 365
Talmage 465
Timothy 253
Webster 172, 174
William 552
Ziba 379
Ham, George 538
Nathaniel 722
Hambleton. Murray 227
Hamilton Joseph 50, 56
Hammett, Joseph 656
Hammond, Abel 223
David 224, 5.52
Elijah 169
George W 18
Isaak 25
Joseph 303
Hancock, George 755
Henry 363
John 152
Joseph 755
William 86, 309, 755
Hand. Oliver 494, 496, 497
Hannaford, Benjamin 253
Robert 271
Hanson, Aaron 391, 392
John 595
Maul 540
Richard 597-600
Timothy 599-603
Hanson, Timothy, Jr 539
Hard. Isaac 285
Hardy, Daniel 281
Henry ... 285
Isaac 252
John 281
Jonathan 287
Jonathan, Jr 281
Levi 252
Moody 281
Nathaniel 273
Nehemiah 76, 77, 251
Richard 281, 558, 566
Thomas 566
Harford, Nicholas 603
Harkness, Robert 300, ']},']
Harper, Daniel 708
James 708
John 292, 708
Harran, James 709
John 709
Thomas 709
Harriman, Ebenezer 263
John 84, 92, 94
John, Jr 94
Laban 253
Reuben 84, 93, 94
Stephen 271, 272
Harrington, Timothy 311, 469, 479
Harris, Benjamin 424
Ebenezer 626-633
Ebenezer, Jr 626-633
Jonathan 634
Robert 253
Samuel 265
Thomas 112
William 629, 634
Harrod, James 418
Hart, Henry 727
Jabez, Jr 93
John 253, 317, 342, 344
Nathan 13
Nathaniel 393
Samuel 303, 306, 719
Hartshorn, Aaron 487
Ebenezer 233
James 379, 607
Hartwell, Ephraim 743, 747
John 208, 210, 212
Jonathan 355^357
Harvell, Gershom 419,424,591
John.. 419, 550, 643
Joseph 589
INDEX.
809
Harwood, James 591, 626, 632
James, Jr 629
Thomas ... .547, 626, 629, 632
Harvey, David 556
Ebenezer 314, 315, 392
Enoch 663
Ezra 323
Isaiah 487, 490
James 395
John 548, 556, 663, 668
John, Jr 556, 663, 668
Jonas 556
Jonathan 344
Lemuel 668
Stephen 603
Thomas 21
William 626
Haseltine & Haseiton, Asa .... 552
558, 565. 566
Asa. Jr 556, 558, 567
Benjamin 81, 557, 558
David 558, 566
John 74, •]■], 80, 280, 407
409, 566
Jonatlian 552, 566
Joseph 253, 473, 656
Moses 566
Nathaniel 280, 2S7
Peter G 77
Philip 558. 565
Philip, Jr 566
Samuel . . . . 76, 77, 80, 81, 751
Stephen 1^65
Haskell, Job 131 , 492
Joseph 252
Zurriel 51
Hastings, Amos 365
James 756
John 279
Jonas 27, 663-665, 668
Joseph 271 , 272
Moses 272
Robert 756
William 632
Hatch, Jonathan 503
Samuel 4. 64
Hathorne, Ebenezer. 190, 192, 292
John 192
Hawkley, James 763
Hawkins, Daniel, Jr 224
Ephraim 223
Stephen 223
Haws, Daniel 309
Hayden, Samuel 247, 252, 612
Hayes, David 172, 174
Jonathan 603
Robert 168, 172
Samuel 172, 174
Thomas 12
Haynes, Joseph 409
Joseph, Jr 409
Jo.siah 407
Hay ward , Joseph 154
Nathan 25
Samuel -j^, 744
Haywood, James 295
Joseph 252
Nathaniel 206
Hazzen, John. .84, 90, 91, 177, 178
Richard 83, 85, 86
Richard, Jr 84
Sarah 84
Head, Isaac 228
Heald. Ebenezer 732
Thomas 736-740, 747
Heall, Abraham 626
Joseph 626, 634
Thomas 626, 629
Healey, Daniel 224
Ezra 223
Nathaniel 114
Nehemiah 224
Newell 329
Samuel 104, 224
Stephen 136
William 114
Heath, Benjamin 84, 86, 754
Bartholomew.. . .84, 86, 93, 94
Caleb 86, 754
Daniel 201, 202
Elijah 90
Isaac 93
J'icob 755
James 202
Jesse.... 93, 94, 375, 376, 377
379
John 198, 202
Jonathan.. .202, 346, 350, 755
Joshua 192, 194, 263
Josiah..i96. 198, 199, 201, 202
Nathaniel 84, 86, 87
Nehemiah 114
Peter 201 , 202
Richard 85
Sargent 192
Simeon 754
8io
INDEX.
Heath, William 84, 192
William, Jr 84, 90
Heaton, Daniel 480
Nathaniel 172, 174
Seth 306, 309
Hebbard, Asa 398
Milan 398
Hedo;e.s, Dr. Silas 655
Hemingway, Luther 567
Hemphill, Goen 754
Nathaniel 452, 481
Robert 452
Hendee, Joshua 169
Henderson, David 648
William 348
Henry, John 593
William 593
Herenton, William 2;^
Herrick, Daniel 264, 5 1 8
Jonathan 264
Jonathan, Jr 265
John 524, 597
Joseph 509, 515, 518-521
Pyam 526
Stephen 1 72
Hewett, William 746, 764
Hews, Nathaniel 503
Nathaniel, Jr 503
Hickey. James 399
Hickock, Andrew 76
Hicks, Joseph 537-540
Hide, Joh.n 392
Highlands, Thomas 548
Hight. Dennis 724, 729
Joseph 727, 729
Hiland, John 449, 452
Thomas 449, 452, 457, 458
480
Hildrith, Ephraim. .. .64, 267, 270
472, 73^
James 418
Joel 744
John 591
Levi 92, 264
Simeon 736
Stephen 744
William 591
Hill, Asa 172, 174
Benjamin 540
Charles 370, 375-380
Ebenezer 392, 540, 594
Edward 393. 395
Eleazer 169, 172
Hill, Elijah 155, 281
Ezekiel 277
Isaac 196
Jabez. 308, 3 1 r
James 415-417
Jesse 219
John 203, 205, 207, 393
Dr. Jonathan 14
Joshua 348
Mark 395
Moses, Jr 265
Nathaniel. .415, 416, 487, 490
Nathaniel, Jr 490
Oliver 281
Philip 281
Reuben 391, 392, 395
Robert 229, 537, 539
Samuel 223, 393, 394
Thomas 229, 393, 540
Wille 393
Williani 595, 598
Hilliard, Joseph C 326, 329
Hilton, Andrew 393, 395
Edward 759-761
Edward, Jr 760
Ichabod 392
Richard 105
Samuel 552
Hilyard, Benjamin. .. 1 12, 115, 131
136, 137
Jonathan 131, 137
Simeon 140, 146
Timothy loi, 104, 131
Zebulon 140, 146
Hinckes. John 673
Hinds, Jacob 225
Hindsdale, Ebenezer 212-215
Hinkley, David 379, 386
Hinman, Elijah 355, 356
Hitching. Josiah 648, 653, 656
Hix, John 600, 603
Hixon, Samuel 64
Hoag, Hussey 146
Thomas 434
Hoar, Benjamin 732-737, 743
Daniel 306
Jotham 738, 744
Leonard 386
Leonard, Jr 744
Hobart, David 233, 62S, 629
Gershom 77, 233
Jacob 245
James 233, 507, 751
INDEX.
8ii
Hobart. John n
Jonas 73. 77
Jonathan 233
Joseph 507
Josiah 81
Samuel 79, 232, 233. 298
Sarah 345
Hobbs, Benjamin ...116, 118, 119
129
James 117, 698
Jeremiah 127
John 106, 109, III, 116
Jonathan 698
Joseph 468, 535, 588
Josiah 116, 121
Morris 116, 121, 127
Nehemiah 106, 129
Noah 329
Samuel 116
Hodge, Alexander 336
Hezekiah 738
Nathaniel 115
Robert 461, 548
William 65
Hodges, David 494, 496
Janson 497
Lemuel 496
Nathan 494-497
Hodgdon. Alexander 711, 712
Benjamin 726-729
Hanson 328
John 727. 729
Phinehas 357
Joseph 726-729
Hodgkins, Nathaniel 743
Phinehas 355
William 229, 737, 738
Hodsdon 710,712
Hogan, William 229
Hogg, Abner 656,662
Alexander 401
James 263. 452, 462, 480
John 86, 87, 96, 401, 656
John. Jr 668
Joseph. 452, 461, 464, 480, 54S
Robert 646
Thomas 437, 480
William 452, 656
Holt, Enoch 270
Ezekiel 12
Jabez 97
Jonathan 4S7
Joseph B 324
Hoit, Nathan 612, 622
Samuel 271
Thomas 256, 756
Holden, John 756
Zachariah 418
Holderness, Earl of 226
Holland, Jane 471
Stephen 450, 453-457, 465
467, 472, 524
Holies, Thomas Pelham 331
Hollis, Thomas 231
Holman, Stephen 481
Holmes, Abraham 434, 437
Benjamin 265
Chauncey 230
Elijah. 265, 271
Jabez 533
Jeremiah 67
John.. 271, 306, 358, 434, 436
437,453' 477,478, 548
Lemuel 23
Nathaniel 445
Oliver 649
Samuel 230, 306
Thomas 481, 548
William 434, 437, 452,649
Holt, Barachias 518
Fifield 252
John 528
Jonathan 202
Joshua 518, 528
Joshua, Jr 518
Oliver 526
Samuel 764
Timothy 528
Holton, Jonathan 348
Homan, Joseph 347
Honey, John 626, 629
Parmenter 633
Peter 626, 629. 633
William 634
Hood, William 453, 468
Hook, Dyer 344
Humphrey 344, 346, 350
Humphrey, Jr 350
Israel 346, 349
Jacob 346, 348
Hoop, Thomas 436
Hooper, Jacob 473
Hopkins, Benjamin. .607, 610, 611
614
Benjamin, Jr.... 607, 609, 614
David 453
8l2
INDEX.
Hopkins, Ebenezer 607, 609
James. .449,452, 447, 45S, 473
649
John. .449, 451, 457, 458, 470
475, 649
John, Jr.... 449, 457, 458, 475
Noah 319
Robert 454, 457, 458, 649
Hore, Johnson 67
Home, Benjamin 6
Jethro 597, 599
Paul 611
Horton, Jonathan 24
Hosley, James 155, 157, 746
Hosmer, Reuben 764
Hough , David 382
Houghton, Amasa 224
Israel 22, 322
Jonas 730
John 22, 315
House, John 76, 165, 169, 170
173, 371, 372. 506
Obediah 27
Houston, Samuel. . . • 464
Hovey, Ivory 246
James 503
Josiah 375
Nathaniel 361, 363, 364
Simeon 375
How, Daniel • 357
Eliakim 190, 192
Isaac 732-744
Isaac, Jr 744
Josiah 361
Micah. 263
Nehemiah 263
Otis 192, 208-21 1
Peter 265
Uriah 25
Howe, Dr. Adonijah.296, 300, 303
Ebenezer 263
Tilly 173, 507
William 224
Howard, Amos 97
Benjamin 507
Daniel 503, 507
Daniel, Jr 503
Edward 503, 507
Edward, Jr 503, 506
Enoch 507
Isaiah 503, 507
Jeremiah 367
Jonathan 224
Howard, Joseph 507
Joshua 187, 189
Nathaniel 204
Thomas 55, 386, 633
Uriah 507
Howlet, Davis 307, 315, 316
Thomas 192,195
Hoyt, Abner 271, 272, 400, 755
Benjamin. ..194, 263, 271, 272
727
Ebenezer 224
Ezra 265
George 195
Hanson 489, 490
Israel 710
Jacob 266, 271 , 272
John . .265, 710, 712, 717, 727
Jonathan 489, 490
Joseph 49, 55, 56, 201
Moses 195
Samuel 272, 410
Simeon 13
Stephen 267
Thomas 754
Hubbard, Benjamin 349
David 154, 158
Erastus 24
Francis 348
• James 215, 218-221
Jeremiah 333,334, 344
John 337, 747
Jonathan 291
Rosweil 24
Huckins, Benjamin 709
James 537, 708
John 5, 537
John, Jr 537
Jonathan 540
Joseph 12
Joseph, Jr 11, 13 .
Josiah 395
Robert 540
Robert, Jr 540
Sarah 392
Simeon 39-, 395
Thomas 392
Hucy, Henry 2S0, 283, 284, 287
Huggins, Nathaniel 65
j Samuel 68
i Samuel, Jr 71
Hughes. John 45 r, 480. 548
Hull, Eli 39S, 400, 403
i Richard 702
INDEX.
813
Humphrey, Benjamin T 484
Daniel 622
James 4S1
James, Jr 481
John 435
William 223,432, 434, 445
466, 481, 484
Hunking. Mark 65
Hunneford, Peter 755
Hunt, Abel 13
Abner 350
Charles 1 14
Enoch 13
Enos 264, 271
Henry 350
James 22
Jeremiah 634
Jonathan 86
Moses 350
Nehemiah 350
Samuel 317. 503
William 84, 174, 632, 634
Hunter, Daniel . .457, 458, 470, 471
475
David 440
Edward 263
James 473, 643, 644. 648
John.. 450, 457, 458, 484, 652
Robert 457, 458
Huntington, Asa 169
Gam^ 398
Theophilus 371, 378
Huntley, Elisha 576
Hezekiah 398-401
Jasper 572
Moses 401
Nathan 572
Samuel 398
Huntoon, Aaron 347, 349
Eli 348
John 332, 337, 346, 348
Joshua 349
Moses 346, 348
Nathaniel 338
Philip 332- 336
Samuel 336
Stephen 349
Huntress, Christopher. . . ,71 1, 712
717
George 727
John 712-714
Jonathan 717
Joseph 727
Huntress, Mark 727
Nathan 726
Noah 727, 729
Samuel 713-719
Seth 727
Solomon 491
William. . 713, 717, 727
Hurd. Jabez 398, 400
Jacob 363, 498-500
John 179, 186, 500
Shubael 398, 400
Uzziel 39S, 400
Hurlbert. Elijah 172
Nathaniel, Jr 172, 173
Huse, Abel 552, 556-558, 565
Carr 195-202, 751
Isaac 552, 556, 558, 565
James 93, 94, 97
Josiah 566
Moses 192
Samuel 346, 349
Thomas 27, 202
Hussey, John loi
Huston, Alexander . .450, 457, 459
Samuel 275, 277, 440, 450
457, 458, 513
Hutchins, David 490
Ephraim 92
Gordon 167
Hezekiah 84, 92, 94, 97
Jeremiah 363, 364
John 709
Joseph 184, 187, 189
Nathaniel 269
Samuel 71, 177
Stephen 6
Hutchinson, Aaron 175, 389
Abner 606, 609
Bartholomew 609
Benjamin 609
Dudley 12
Elisha 5, 472, 606, 609
Jonathan 5
Nathan 607, 609, 614
Nathan, Jr 609
Nathaniel 512
Samuel 512
Stephen 5
William. .. .204, 205, 207, 209
210, 212
Ingalls, Ebenezer. ... 197-199, 708
Jonathan 196-202
8i4
INDEX.
Ingalls, Jonathan, Jr 199, 200
Luther 171
Solomon 640
Ingraham, Abner 76
Junia ■ 76
Jiinia, Jr 76
Innis, Archelaus 230
John 230
Isham, William 299, 400, 403
Jack, Andrew 454, 656
Jackman, Simeon 752
William 752, 753
Jackson, Andrew 289
Daniel 538
Elizabeth 398
Henry 297
James 538
Joseph 706
Sarah 65, 66
Jacobs, Daniel 168, 1 70
Samuel 490
Seth 539
Solomon 172
Stephen 49°
Jaflfrey, George... 65, 114, 292, 622
673, 695, 700
James 3, 134, I35
James, Benjamin. .4, 106, 108, 112
326,329
Benjamin, Jr 117, 328
Caleb 13
David 328
Israel 326
Jabez 6, 14
Jonathan 6, 708
Thomas 117
Jameson, Alexander 76
Daniel 76
Hugh 461
James 449, 454
John 440
Samuel 407, 410
Thomas 454, 459. 4^6
William 440, 449, 454
Janvrin, George 694, 695
Jaquith, Ebenezer 236, 238, 622
Jefferson, Thomas 304
Jenkins, James 392, 395
John 393> 395
Mark 72, 73
Samuel 291
Stephen 695
Jenkins, William... .61, 71, 73, 392,
395
Jenness, Benjamin 698
Francis 698
Hezekiah in
Isaac 129, 698
Job 73,698
John 698
John B 699
Jonathan 698
Joseph, Jr 698
Levi 698
Nathaniel 699
Noah 699
Peter 698
Richard . . 73, 444, 689, 698, 699
720
Samuel 698
Simon 698
Jenney. Ebenezer 58
Isaac 5S
James 58
Jennings, Ephraim 506
Israel 399
Stephen 506
Jennison, Hopestill 355
Lot 204, 206
Jewell, Benjamin 633
Benoni 633
David 118, 119
John 256
Justus 233
Nathaniel 626
Thomas 256
Jewett, David 410
Ebenezer 248
Edward 314
Jacob 13
Jacob, Jr 252
John 410
Joseph 366, 410
Nathaniel 410, 479
Samuel 13, 264, 275
Stephen 251, 264
Johnstone, Charles. .. 184-189, 389.
405
John 656
Michael 184
Stephen 568
William 453
Johnson, Abraham 68, 93
Adam 512
Adam, Jr 512
INDEX.
815
Johnson, Benjamin 121, 755
Benjamin, Jr 121
Caleb 84
Charles 84
Daniel 84
David 68, 72, -]■}„ 355
Ebenezer 27, 65, 67, 71, 86
Ebenezer, Jr 'j^
Edmond 109, 698
Gideon 600, 603
Henry 93
Jacob 64
James 65, 66, 108, no, 129
214
Jesse 84, 89, 92, 388
John. 65, 68,86, 117, 118, 190
366, 407, 611, 760
John, Jr 51, 68
Joseph . . .66, 93, 94, 116, 202
722
Joshua 68, 72
Josiah 595-603
Jotham 72
Moses 278, 281
Nathan 65, 72
Nathan, Jr , 72
Nathaniel 127
Noah 92, 624, 626, 629
Obediah 326, 328
Peter. .106, 108, in, 129, 167
Peter, Jr 698
Samuel. ..84, 93, 94, 106, loS
352, 355' 3S7, 597-602
Samuel, Jr 93, 94
Simon 698
Stephen 84, 86, 457, 481
Stephen, Jr 86
Thomas.. .67, 72, •]■>,, 177. 179
185
Timothy 27. 38-45, 598
William 355, 357, 359
Winthrop 68
Zebediah 206
Zachariah 84
Johonnet, Prince 44
Jones, Anthony 393, 395
Benjamin 206, 392, 524
Caleb 606, 609, 614
Caleb, Jr 609
Daniel 219
Ebenezer 393, 743
James 206, 208, 210, 212
375-380
Jones, Jesse 480, 589
John 255, 256, 393, 395
Jonathan 347, 348, 480
Josiah 480, 589
Joseph 5, 13, 224
Loyd 756
Mary 393
Matthias 393
Moses 167, 271, 272
Nathan 348
Peter 299, 744
Philip 44
Richard 12, 537
Robert 654
Samuel 206, 537
Thomas 540
William. .. .204, 206, 208, 210
212, 694-697
William, Jr 207
Jordon, John 642, 656
Nathaniel 694
Joses, Richard 101,677
Joslin, James 190, 192
Nathaniel 263
Joy, David, Jr 224
Jacob ^ 540
ludkins, Amos 349
Benjamin Zl)-^ 33^
Caleb 347
Henry 34O, 349
Job 585
John 346, 349
Jonathan 270
Joseph 346, 349
J osiah 342
Samuel 332, 336
Kalley, Peter 481
Karr, James 30, 656
John 454, 457,458, 466
Samuel. .33, 38. 386, 449, 457
458, 481
I homas. 27, 415
Thomas, Jr 651
Karson, Robert 704
Kathan, John. 56
Kay, Robert 407, 409
Keais, Samuel 676
Keene, Benjamin 307
Keep, Michael 472
Keesey, William 481
Kelley, Daniel 709
Ezekiel H 559
8i6
INDEX.
Kelley, Hugh 466
Jacob 12
Micajah 12
Moses.. 35-39, 42, 44, 69, 422
Nehemiah 93, 94, 97
Peter 466
Richard 466
Samuel 94, 97
William 434
Kellogg, Enos 173
Joseph 306
Kelman, Ebenezer 224
Kelsea, Moses 708
Kelsey, Alexander 48 1
Jonathan 481
William 647
Kelso, Alexander 452, 652, 656
Daniel 656
William 652, 656
Kemp, Elijah 263
John 751
Levi. 263
William 29, 30, 46
Zechariah 77
Kendall, Daniel 419, 591
Daniel, Jr 591
Ebenezer 74-77^ 80, 81
Ebenezer, Jr 81
Jacob 81, 418, 589
John W 81
Nathan 547
Nathan, Jr 547
Simeon 424
Timothy 419, 423, 424
Kendrick, Daniel 168, 247, 251
Daniel, Jr 252
Ebenezer 170
Kennedy, Alexander 28
John 656
Joseph 28-3 1
Matthew 29-31
Robert 28-3 1 , 33
Samuel 28-31, 33, 41
Thomas 28-31
Kenney, Amos 273
Israel 252
John 140, 146
Samuel 611
Stephen 279, 280
Kenrick, Benjamin. ..610, 611, 615
Daniel 247, 611, 612, 614
Kent, Amos 560
Job 93, 94, 97
Kent, John 84, 346, 349
John, Jr 349
Kerwin, Edward 606
Ketcham. Nathaniel 168, 172
Zopher 169
Keyes. Elijah 580
Stephen 751
Kezar, Ebenezer 84
Edmund 754
John 84
Moses 271, 272
Kidder, Aaron 732, 734, 744
Benjamin 453, 468, 541
Job 27
John.. 198, 199, 512, 524, 541
John, Jr 534
Jonas 512, 521, 523
Joseph 732, 733
Josiah 615
Josiah, Jr 615
Luther 743
Reuben. .46, 73°, 732, 735, T^
747
Samson 453, 468
Thomas 738
Kielle, Samuel 540
Kilburn, Joel 21, 377-380
John 215
Josiah 18, 25
Killam, Benjamin 534, 535
Daniel 208-2 1 1
Joseph 534
Samuel 534
Killey. Jonathan 585
Killicut, Thomas 632, 634
Kimball, Aaron 256
Abel 256-259, 264
Abraham 193, 256, 264
Andrew 27, 38
Benjamin. . .84, 86, 89, 93,^^94
207-211
Caleb 27
David 264
Dudley 98
Ebenezer 755
Ira 13
Isaac 94
James 256
Jeremiah 256
Jeremiah, Jr 256
John. . .8, 92, 94, 97, 256, 265
583
Joseph 94, 192
INDEX.
817
Kimball, Joshua 192
Miller 758
Moses 84, 271
Nathaniel 12, 265, 266
Peter 752, 753
Reuben 63,256,533
Samuel 192, 263, 265
Smith 264
Stephen 253
Susanna 259
Timothy 44, 236
Kincaid, Daniel 106
Samuel '. 434
King, Daniel 50, 51
Georo;e 138, 144
Samuel 314, 509
Kingsbury, Absalom 574
Daniel 21, 323
Jonathan 373
Nathaniel 312
Kindrick, Benjamin 349
Dudley 349
Kinnestone, David 755
William 755
Kinney, Samuel 737
Kinnison, Aaron 392
John 392, 598, 599, 600
Joseph 599
Josiah 393
Sa 598
Thomas 393
Waldron 597, 601
Kinrick, Dudley 346
Samuel 349
Kinsman, Ephraim 253, 753
Kinston, John 391
Kittredge, Ebenezer 38
James 38
Dr. John 344
Solomon 473
William 615
Knapp, Abiel 51
Elisha 223
Jonathan 494, 497
Peter 172
Peter, Jr 172
Kneeland, Rev. Abner 367
Knight, Benjamin 155, 744
David 744
Ebenezer 738, 744
Enos 156, 744, 747
Enoch, Jr 738
John 710, 713-715, 721
54
Knight, John, Jr 710, 717
Nicholas 713, 717
Knowles, Amos 116, 127
James 6, 7
Jeremiah 128
John 105, III, 117, 698
Jonathan 121
Josiah 121
Nathan 698
Samuel 698
Simon 109, iii, 121
Knowlton, Benjamin 743
Ebenezer 142
Ezekiel 264
Jonathan 142
Robert 264
Ladd, Benjamin 337
Daniel 332
Ezekiel 183, 185, 186
James 12
Jeremiah 391, 393, 754
John 202, 332, 346, 348
Joseph 186
Nathaniel 113
Samuel 4, 9, 13, 14, 185
Thaddeus 271, 272
Truevvorthy 342, 344
LaFayette, Gen 264
Laighton, George 727
Joel 727
Samuel, Jr , . . .602
Lain, John 663
Lake, Thomas 694
Lakin, William 152, 153, 154
Lamb, James 270
Lamkin, Joshua 355
Oliver 355
Lamos, Moses 393
Lamper, Simon 698
Simon, Jr 698
Lamprey, Benjamin 109, 121
Daniel 1 1 1, 127
David 127
Henry 326
John 127, 328
Morris 121, 129
Reuben 128
Landee, John 373
Landegal, Patrick 634
Lane, Isaiah 140, 146, 150
James 127
Jeremiah 147, 148, 1 50
INDEX.
Lane, Jesse 402
John 143
Joshua 114, 329
Samuel 131, 137, 147, 148
Samuel, Jr 147
Simon 127
Simon, Jr 127
William 105, 109
Lang, Bickford 698
Ebenezer 346
George 68
John 698
Josiah 'J2,
Mark 698
Stephen 140, 146
Thomas 63, 73
Thomas. Jr 73
William 47, 140, 146
Langdell, Joseph 473
Langdon, John. . 182, 367, 399, 554
616
Woodbury 622
Langley, Jonathan 392
Levi 39i'394
Samuel 393
Thomas 391, 392, 395
Thomas, Jr 392
Timothy 39'' 393
Langmaid, Joseph 686
Stephen 487
Lannen, Thomas 460
Lapish, Robert 694, 695
Larey, Joseph 603
Joseph, Jr 603
Lary, Jonathan 6
Larrabee, Benjamin 169, 31 1
Stephen 312
Laskey, William 393
Lathrop, Elisha 378
Latton, John 711
Thomas 710
Lawrence, Charles 152
David 278, 281, 453, 468, 5S2
Eleazer 224
Eleazer, Jr 224
Gordon 585
Jonathan 332
Joseph 113
Rev. Micah 314
Noah 532
Oliver 153, 157, 241
Thomas 249
Lawrence, William 18, 577
Layn, John 391-394
Leach, James 679
John 94, 671
Joseph 127, 472, 480, 661
Samuel 597
Leamon, Abraham 612, 615
Merah'" 247
Samuel 614
Lear, Alexander 698
Benjamin 698
Samuel .600
Tobias 67 1
Willliam 596
Learned, Samuel 427
Leathers, Aaron 392, 395
Edward 391, 395
John 392, 395
Paul 392
William 393
Leavitt, Amos 137, 585
Aretas 109
Daniel 487, 489
Gideon 755, 756
James 117
John 1 1 7-1 19, 708
John, Jr 109
Joseph 599
Levi 585
Mary 122
Moses 106, 108, 701
Moses, Jr 113
Nehemiah 9
Samuel 117
Sarah 9
Stephen 13
Thomas. ... 106, 108, 112, 131
622
Lee, Joseph 171
William 649
Leighton, Joel 729
Thomas 712,713,717
Leslie, Alexander 466
Jonas 252, 440
Joseph 252
Lett, Joseph, Jr 114
Lewis, Aaron 512, 649
Asa 604
Benjamin 606, 609
Benjamin, Jr. . . .472, 606, 609
David 649
Ebenezer 575
Isaac 649
INDEX.
819
Lewis, Joseph 192, 194, 263
Moses 513, 532, 533, 649
Rufus G 707
Rufus, Jr 84, 424
Libbee, Abraham 698
Libbey, Abraham 112
Benjamin 10
Ephraim 12
George 73
Joseph 537
Luke 366
Ligget, James 450
Limes, Richard 503
Lincoln, Luther 173
Lindsey, James 440, 450, 453
John 656
Linkfield, Benjamin 224
Lion, Humphrey 25
Little, Benjamin 84
Bond.'. 668
Caleb 33, 40, 43, 44
Daniel 84, 86, 90. 92, 97
Ebenezer 230
Enoch 84
George 33, 38, 44
Geortre, Jr 85, 86
James 552
John .. .28-33, 38, 39, 44, 552
Jonathan 92, 94
Joseph 27, 33, 44. 84, 556
Josiah 185
Lot 44
Micajah 92, 97
Moses. . .27, 33, 36, 38-45, 84
92, 97, 424
Samuel 84, 93, 97, 668
Stephen 84
Thomas 668
Walter 93
William 209, 210, 212
Littlehale, Isaac 442
Livermore, Arthur 230
Daniel 35, 260
Edward 393, 554
E. St. Loe 555
George W 230
Matthew 719
Samuel 79, 226, 228, 456
457
Livingston, Isaac 589
John . .454, 458, 460, 646, 648
656
Robert 647
Livingston, Robert, Jr 647
William. . . .472, 647, 653, 656
Lock, David 699
David, Jr 699
Edward 4, 329
Elijah 698
James 24
John 698
Jonathan 127, 699, 747
Jonathan, Jr 699
Jonathan, 3d 699
Nathaniel 109, 127
Orson 324
Samuel 117. 335
Thomas 19S-202
William 1 14
Logan, Robert 445, 450
Long, Caleb 347
Cesar 123
Ebenezer 338
Enoch 265
Isaac 263
Moses 271
Peirse 694
William 332. 336
Longfellow, Nathan 115
Lord, Charles C 257, 264
Nathaniel 76, 168
Loring, John 422
Lougee, Gilman 4
Jesse 12
John, Jr 5
Jonathan 12
Joseph 5
Nehemiah 12
Pitt 5
William 13
Love, William 204, 209-2 1 r
Lovejoy, Abel 77
Benjamin 204
Hezekiah 472
Isaac 487
Jacob 76
Jonathan 616
Nathan 528
Samuel 487
Simeon 76, 77, 81
Loveland, Jonathan 25
Loveridge, Amasa 401
Levering, Benjamin 329, 349
Ebenezer 129, 329
Moor, Jr 488
Moses 487, 489
820
INDEX.
Lovering, Moses, ]v 489
Osgood 487, 489, 490
Taylor 488, 489
William 487
Willoiighby 489, 490
Lovewell, John 626, 629
John, Jr 275, 547
Jonathan. . .276, 624, 626, 630
633
Jonathan, Jr 632, 633
Nathan 357, 358
Nehemiah 232, 460
Noah 286, 633, 634
Zaccheus. . .277, 547, 626, 629
632
Zachariah 232
Low, Joseph 114
Lowell, Gideon 490
Isaac 490
John 229, 23c
Peter 398, 402
Lucas, Henry 114
James 567
Lucy, George 71
William 67
Lumbard, Stephen 507
Lund, Charity 593
Daniel 634
Ephraim 251
Joel 634
John 634
Jonathan. ...... .626, 629-632
Jonathan, Jr 632
Levi 634
Noah 634
Phinehas 276
Thomas . . . .626, 629, 632, 634
Thomas, Jr 632, 634
William 547, 626, 629
William, Jr 276, 547, 632
Lunt, Daniel 67
John 112
William 112
Lutwyche, Edward G 239, 420
587-591
Sarah 239, 586, 591
Lyford, Oliver 708
Stephen 597, 600
William 597
Lyman, Daniel 492
Tertius 224
Lynch, Maurice 452
Lynde, Benjamin 509, 510
Lynde, William 518
Lyon, David 219
Ebenezer 643
James 480
Robert 480, 589
William . . .216, 462, 472, 477-
480, 548
Mabery, Richard 552
MacCluer, Samuel. . . . 166, 171, 173
Mace, Andrew 348
Joseph 127
Joshua 128
Richard 146
Samuel 1 27
Macdorn, Alexander 434
Mack, Abijah 576
Andrew 469-471, 548
Elisha 572
John 450
Robert, Jr 449, 450, 453
Solomon 572
Mackintire, John 357
Macmurphy, Alexander 548
James 481
John 340, 430, 432
Robert. 453, 468, 475, 482, 484
William 462,475
Macreas, Samuel 7
Magoon, Benjamin 349
Jonathan 6
Joseph . . .491
Simon 349
Major, James 566
Maloon, Samuel 711
William 583
Malony, James 754
Malven, Benjamin 280
Manerick, Antipas 761
Mansfield, Achilles 22
Daniel. 737, 744, 747
Mann, Benjamin 580, 581
John 506
Nathan 506
Samuel 366
Thomas 453
Manning, John 634
Stephen 373
Manuel, Moses 752
March, Clement 73, 543, 720
George 722
Israel 65, 66
James 65
INDEX.
821
March, John 589
Stephen 73
Marchel, Thomas 678
Marden, Benjamin 698
Benjamin, Jr 698
Edward 366, 407, 409
John 306
Nathaniel 698
Samuel 306
Stephen 698
Marr, Daniel 2S-31
James 28-31
Marsh, Daniel 481
David 281, 556
James 281
Jeremiah 589
John 13, 457, 458, 480
Jonathan 281
Joseph .. 191, 195, 263, 268, 548
Mary Ann 475
Nathaniel 507
Noah 12
Onesipherous 612
Perley 222
Samuel 278, 281, 288, 457
458, 548
Marshall, Benjamin. .281, 283, 287
Daniel 280, 281, 453
David 208-2 1 1
Dr 390
Ebenezer 668, 669
Elijah 281
Francis 140, 146
Gideon 146
Henry 283, 287
Isaac 606
John. ...173, 453,468, 481, 589
Jonathan 668, 669
Joseph 201, 202, 668, 669
Philip 453, 468
Richard. 281, 453, 468
Richard, Jr 453
Richard, 3d 453
Robert 125
William 84, 97, 98
Marston, Asahel 127
Benjamin M 1 16-1 19
Benjamin, Jr i iS
Caleb 109, 117, 121, 122
Caleb, Jr 117
Daniel 48, 118, 119, 127
David 121
Elisha 121, 127
Marston, Elizabeth 689
Ephraim... .102, 103, 105, 127
129
Isaac 108
Jacob 127, 129
James 117
Jeremiah 1 12, 1 17, 121, 127
John. .6. 12, 106, 116, n8, 119
698
John, Jr 1 18, 119
Jonatlian.. . . 102, 105, loS, 117
118, 129
Jonathan, Jr 117
Josiah 128
Natlian 71, 117
Nathaniel 73
Nathaniel, Jr 67, 71
Nathaniel, 3d 67
Obediah 117, 121, 688
Reuben M 117
Samuel 1 1 1 , 1 28
Simeon 129
Simon 127
Stephen 127
Thomas.. .67, 73, 99, loi, iii
112, 114, 1 16-119
Thomas, Jr "j-}^
William no, in
William, Jr 253
Winthrop n 7-1 19
Martin, Amos 558
Daniel 2 53
James 5S9
James. Jr 588
Jeremiah 366
John 598
Jonathan 27
Joseph 372
Joshua 27, 36, 40, 547
Luther 398
Nathan 758
Nathaniel 451, 472, 656
Richard 391, 393
Robert 473, 696
Samuel 407, 547, 649
Seth 51-55
Thomas 622
Mason. Benjamin 121
Daniel 698
Jeremiah 67
John 104,330
John T 568, 741
Josiah 127
822
INDEX.
Mason, Lemuel B 727
Nathaniel 51, 55, 117, 121
Perez 51, 55
Robert 169-172
Russell 50-55
Simeon 14
Stephen 9
Masury, James 556
Mathes, Abraham 394
Benjamin 393
Francis 392-394, 597, 600
Gershom 490
Gideon 392, 393
John 392
Joseph 490
Samuel 391 , 392
Valentine 304
Maxfield, Joshua 668, 669
Joshua, Jr 669
Samuel 13
May, Hezekiah 503
Maynard, Stephen 404
McAdams, Samuel 453, 480
William 468
McAllister, Alexander 449, 454
Angus 437
Ananias 648, 656
Archibald 454, 472, 653
Benjamin 196, 472
Daniel 64S-652, 656
Daniel, Jr 656
David 436, 437
George 452, 472, 480
John. . .454, 644, 647, 653, 656
John, Jr 656
Joseph 656
William 436.437, 589
McBean, Evan 494, 496, 497
McCalley, James 203, 208-212
John 207-210
Hugh 27
Robert 33, 656
McCartney, John 452, 456
McCarty, John 463
McCleary, David 44, 452, 548
John . .207, 434, 435. 437, 480
768
Thomas. . . .437, 452, 462, 480
548, 588
Thomas, Jr 480
McClenche, John 480, 548
Joseph 472
McClinten, William 436
McClinto, Michael 436, 437
McClintock, Alexander... .204, 207
John 204, 207, 210
William 440, 548
McCluer, David 28-33
James 548
John 424
Robert. 208, 457, 458,472, 548
William 626, 629
William, Jr 424
McClurg, Charles 437, 440
John 437, 533
McColley, John 694
McColom, Alexander. 437. 548, 644
656
Robert 548
Thomas 648
McConihe, John 434, 594
Samuel 594
McConnell, Capt 35
Thomas 494, 495
McCormick, Archibald 440
James 450
Robert 594
McCoy, Alexander 28-31
McCrea, William 481, 526
McCrillis, John 393
McCurdy, James 434
John 481
Robert 434.443
McDaniels, James 234,249
James, Jr 249
John 585,755
McDoel, William 28-31
McDougal, William 29
McDuffee, Daniel.. . .440, 449, 458
463, 480
John 192
McElery, William 594
McFarland, Daniel 28-31
Nathan 440
Robert 449, 457, 458, 481
Samuel 28-38
McFerson, Henry 649
James 28, 650-653
James, Jr 28
John 28
Paul 652
William 28
McGaw, Jacob 592
McGee, Neil 463
McGilvary, John 424
McGregore, Daniel 440
INDEX.
823
Mcgregore, David 474
James, .430, 445, 447-460, 479
4S3, 484, 554, 555
James, Jr 457, 458
Robert.. .36, 40, 255, 554. 555
Mclntire, John 522, 605
Timothy 609
Mcintosh. Alexander 234
Archibald 234
John 654
McKay, Robert 481
McKeen, Alexander 366
Daniel 309, 481
David 457, 458
James.. 430, 440,457,459, 475
481, 548
John ..440, 445, 450, 457, 458
468, 548, 588
John, Jr. ...457, 45''^- 47o. 473
474, 477,481, 548, 589
Samuel 440, 48 1
Robert 440,457
McKenney, Daniel 440
McKenzie, Joseph 656
McKillips, David 190, 194
McKinley, Thomas 484
McKnight, Robert 464
McLaughlin, David 656
James 58S
John. ..440, 472, 547, 644, 648
John, Jr 648, 656
Joseph 589
Lawrence 263
Thomas 588, 650
McMaster, John 527
Thomas 434
William 434, 649,650
McMillan. Archibald 653
Daniel 647
John 647, 653
John, Jr 473,647, 653
McMurphy, Alexander 449, 475
546
Archibald. .458, 475. 548, 553
Daniel 450, 462, 644
James 449-458, 548
James, Jr 449
John 75
Robert 450
Robert, Jr 475, 485
McNeal, Alexander 440
Daniel 204, 449, 453, 472
John 209-211, 662
McNeal, John C 472, 552
Josiah 449
Robert..457, 458, 469, 479, 483
Thomas 642
William. . . .434, 483, 644-647
William, Jr 647
McQuesten, Simon 419
William 419
McQuig, David 418,419, 591
McWilliams, Thomas 663
Mead, John..i 13, 204-212. 584, 606
Stephen 584
Meader, David 5. 13
Joseph 391, 393
Richard 140
Meginnis, Barnabas 652
Melcher, Benjamin 147
John 5, 328
John, Jr 5
Samuel 104, 107, 112, 137
147
Samuel, Jr 147
Mellen, Charles 452, 650
Henry 256
Mellone, Timothy 764
Meloon, Benjamin 697
Ebenezer 140
Mark 73
Samuel 6
Melvin, Benjamin 314
Benjamin, J r 314
David 737
Ebenezer "]■}), 76. "]"]
Ebenezer, Jr 76, "]"]
John 560, 737
Nathaniel 737
Merriam, Nathan 153
William 533
Merrick, Joseph 94, 97, 281
Merrill, Abel 84
Abraham 54S, 550, 552
Abraham, Jr 548, 552
Daniel 236, 233, 622
David 272, 550, 552
Isaac 28 r , 283
John 84, 287, 363
Jonathan 177, 201, 668
Moses 548, 552, 558, 566
Nathaniel 184, 192, 264,
548-556, 566, 702
Nathaniel, Jr 281, 283
Rev. Nathaniel 274, 275
Paul 5, 12
824
INDEX.
Merrill, Stephen 335
MestTve, Clement. . . .2S8-291 ,711
Clement, 3d 540
Daniel 291, 539, 540
Ephraim 291
Isaac 291
John 291
Jonathan 288-291, 540
Jonathan, Jr 291
Joseph 539
Nathaniel 141
Silas 291
Messenger, Esther 309
Messer, Benjamin 246
Metcalf, Abijah 308, 312
Daniel 379
Ezekiel 77
Ezra 24
John 219
Michael 308
Michael, Jr 308, 31 1
Oliver 308
Samuel ']']
Miles, Abel 737
Abner 755
Archelaus 756
Noah 747
Russell 399
Samuel 755
William 754
Miller, Alexander 453
Archibald 435
Benjamin 717, 727
James 593
John 153, 154, 452
Jonathan 1 50
Lemuel 399
Lemuel, Jr 452
Matthew 548
Nicodemus '^l'^, 574
Robert 131
Samuel 434, 445, 548, 594
Thomas 28-38, 153, 154
Mills, Amos 93
John 84, 88, 473, 756
Thomas .76
Millikin, James 452
Millington, Samuel 375-380
Samuel, Jr 377
Solomon 372-380, 3S6
Milman, Dudley 13
Miltimore, Daniel. ...452, 475, 483
James. .449, 452, 457, 458, 475
483
Miltimore, John 484
John, Jr 484
William. . . .450, 452, 457, 458
475, 483
Miner, Charles 398, 400
Ezra 40 1
Isaac 427
Thomas 172, 399, 427
Mitchell, Bradley .'. ..466
David , 697
Francis 253
Henry .440
James 365
John. ..196, 201, 202, 277, 392
John, Jr 202, 434
Peter 698
Samuel 435, 764
Samuel, Jr 445
Thomas 466, 481
William 365
Moffatt, Zebulon 225
Monahan, John 33
Monroe, Philip 25
Thaddeus 206
Montgomery, David. .445, 449,453
General 460
Hugh. .440, 445, 452, 459, 481
548
John 185, 406, 450
Mooar, Jacob 251
Joshua 609
Moody, Bradstreet 195
Friend 283, 287
Jacob 366
John 4, 9, 13
Philip 332
Rev. Samuel 673, 675
Mooney, Benjamin 6
Hercules 227, 450
John 229
Moor and Moore.
Allan 652, 656
Andrew 484
Coffin 357,359
Daniel 233, 481, 652
Elkins 756, 757
Ephraim 253, 709
Ezekiel 487, 759
Fairbanks 214
George 181, 449, 588
Hannah 84
Harry 365
Hugh 440, 449, 456, 458
Isaac 409
INDEX.
825
Moor and Moore.
James 28-31, 253, 440, 594
763
James, Jr 593
John... 1 22, 153, 154, 429-434
445-469, 475, 488, 489, 548
John, Jr 754
Joseph 449, 556
Josiah 487
Moses 253
Nathaniel 487, 754
Reuben 552
Robert 452, 456, 457, 548
556
Sampson 449
Samuel 281, 445, 548, 550
552, 556, 589, 755
Solomon 648
Theodosius 224
Thomas 487
Timothy 153, 537
Timothy, Jr S37
William 44, 357,359.434
480, 485, 556. 588, 650. 652
759
William, Jr 480, 589, 754
Moores, Edmund 96
Herbert 424
Parker 481
More, Asa 634
Morgan, Edward 216, 220, 224
Isaac 216
James 430
Luther 352
Nathan H 271. 272
Nathaniel 272
Reuben 585
Timothy 131
Morey, Benjamin 506
Israel 424. 503
James 507
John 507
Macy 507
Samuel 177
Morrill, Abraham . ^ 754
Barnes 457, 458, 481
Benjamin 335, 337, 338
David 194, 263, 271
Ephraim 4, 5, 192, 263
Henry 287,347, 348
Hibbard 13
Isaac 487
Jacob 336
Morrill, James 487
Jeremiah 12
John 263,350
Joseph 10, 13,366
Laban 755
Marl 265
Micajah 5, 13, 14, 702
Moses 487, 490
Nathan 5
Nathaniel 346, 348
Oliver 490
Paul 487
Philip 348
Samuel 489, 490
Sargent 754, 756
Simeon 457, 458, 481
Thomas 13
Timothy 584
William 462
Morrison, Abraham. .452, 466, 481
David. .435, 437,454,481, 755
Halbert 434
H ugh 440
James 435, 451, 473, 566
John. ..435, 437, 445,451. 453
462, 466, 472
John, Jr 451. 461
Jonathan 7, 13
Joseph 452, 466
Joseph. Jr 452, 466
Moses 152-154
Robert. . 14, 440, 445-458, 472
480
Samuel . .4, 192, 194, 434-466
480, 48 1, 548
Samuel, [Jr 453
Thomas 434, 445
William 14, 194, 263
Morrow, James 453
John 453, 466
William 453
Morse, Abel 708
Abner 348
Benjamin 91
Edmund 84, 88, 93, 98
Eli 314
Ezekiel . . .708
Humphrey 483, 484
Joshua 264
Micah 48
Moody 155
Moses 93, 488, 489
Peter. . . .84, 86, 87, 91, 93, 94
826
INDEX.
Morse, Reuben 314
Stephen 229
Thomas 23
Timothy 670
Morton, Matthew 131
Moses, Aaron 5, 487
George 5
Joseph 585
Joshua 585
Samuel 5
Timothy 392
Mosher, Michael 201-203
Moulton, Abraham 326
Benjamin. . ..73, 111,137, 147
[48,328
Benning 707, 708
Daniel 12, 109, 330
David... 93, 94, 112, 114, 118
Edward 117
Edward B 622
Elijah 306, 4S9
Elisha 127, 488
Ensign John loS
Ezekiel 128
Henry 109
Jacob 114, 115
James 106, 108, in, 137
Jeremiah 1 29
Job 494, 496, 497
John 109, 129, 330
Jonathan. . .108, 111,494,496
497, 499, 616-622, 706
Joseph. 106, 117, 121, 128,129
490
Josiah HI, 115, 125, 126
Nathaniel 121
Radmund 147
Reuben 698
Richard 147
Robert 11, 12, 112
Samuel 108,349
William. .84, 93, 94, 116, 121
490
William, Jr 121
Much, Willice 709
Much more, James 664
Mudgett, Benjamin i
John I
Joshua 14
Samuel 12
Scribner 5, 13
Simeon 4
Thomas 4
Munroe, Josiah 570, 604
Munsey, David 393
David, Jr 393, 395
Murch, James 174
Stephen 168
Murdoch, William 435, 441
Murdough, Samuel 204
Thomas 204
Thomas, Jr 204
Murray, Daniel 418
James 436, 437
William 201
Muzzey, John 84-89, 279
Thomas 93, 97, 98
Nahor, Hugh 424
James 416, 418, 424
James, Jr 419
James, 3d 591
Naramore, Abiel 224
Nason, David 146
Jonathan 131
Richard 131, 136, 140, 146
Nay. John 103, 114
John, Jr 117
Neal, Andrew 709
Hubartus, Jr 393
James 694-697
John . . .65, 464, 477, 478, 484
587, 697
John, 2d 484
Joshua 72
Levi 483
Richard 697
Samuel 65. 621
William 697
William. Jr 697
Neally, Andrew 491
Needham, Stearns 247
Nelson, Charles 503, 506
John 1 1, 12, 506
Jonathan 13
William 12, 503
Nesmith, Benjamin 449
James. .440, 445, 451, 456, 461
472, 480
James, Jr. . .440, 457, 458, 461
469, 470, 548
James, 3d 548
John. . .450, 457, 458, 463, 475
548
John, Jr 457, 458
Jonathan 472
INDEX,
827
Nesmith, Robert 472, 480, 588
Thomas 449, 458
Nevins, Benjamin 247, 252
David 751
Joseph. . 247, 251
Thomas "j"], 612, 615
Thomas, Jr 76, l"]
William . . . .247, 612, 614, 632
New Castle, Duke of 331, 670
Newcomb. Daniel 323
Newell, Elijah 743
Newhall, Jeremiah 77
Newman, Ebenezer 543
Thomas 550
Newmarch, Joseph.. .685, 690, 721
Newton, Ebenezer 312
Hezekiah 190, 192
Israel 507
John 337
Nahum 191, 192, 195
Nicholle, John 345
Nichols, Alexander 481
Jacob 480, 589
James 480, 481, 5S5
John 10, 492, 709
Jonathan 50, 51, 481
Josiah 264
Moses 244, 267, 592
Samuel . . . .398, 400, 645, 647
649
Timothy 398, 400
Nicola, Lewis 465
Nims, Alpheus 315
David 308, 31 1
David, Jr 320 321
Ebenezer 308, 311, 312
Eliakim 24
Zadoc 24
Noble. Oliver 697
Thomas .392, 395
Norris, David 755
James 372
Jonathan 372
Zebulon 265
Norse, John 481, 589
Northey, David 410
Eliphalet 409
Norton, Amos 491
Benjamin 68,71
Benjamin, Jr 68, 71, 73
David 146
Moses 1 46
Simeon 68, 7 1 , 73
Norton, William. .71, 73, 112, 698
Noyes, Christopher B 184
Cutting 752
Daniel 398, 400
Elijah 75
Enoch "]•]
Enoch, Jr "jd
James 349
Jonathan 366
Joseph 84, 92, 94, 97
Joseph, Jr 93, 97
Joshua H 92, 94, 97
Moses 366
Nathaniel 366
Oliver 194, 263
Philip 27
Samuel, Jr 366
Silvanus 401
Thomas 366
William 572
Nudd, Benjamin (i^
Samuel 67, 73, 106. 108
Thomas 67, 117, 128, 129
Weare . . 328
William 575
Nurse, Benjamin 427
Nute, Abraham 611
Andrew 603
Daniel 291
John 291
Nutt, Elijah A 556, 557
J^^mes 552, 556, 557
Samuel 556, 557, 649
William. ...440, 548, 552, 557
Nutter, Dr. Anthony 142
Anthony 717
Benjamin 8
Christopher . ....... 727, 729
Ebenezer 726
Hateevil. . . .710-714, 726, 729
Hateevil, Jr 717, 726
Mateevil 3d 726
Henry 711, 712, 729
James 712, 717, 727, 729
Jethro 729
John . .711, 712, 717, 726, 729
Jonathan W 727
Matthias 710
Matthias, Jr 729
Nathaniel 726, 729
Samuel 710, 717
Thomas 727,729
Valentine 711
828
INDEX.
Nutter, William 729
Nutting, Benjamin 293, 303
James 235
James, Jr 235
Odiorne, Benjamin 697, 700
Eunice 688
John 671, 687
Jotham 120, 683
Odlin, Elisha 12
John 253
Olcott. Benoni 25
Simeon 317
Oldham, Ahel 223
Oliver, Andrew . . .240, 241
Olmstead, Timothy 497
O'Neil. John 44
Orcutt, Jacob 503
Ordway, Daniel 487, 489
Ebenezer 272
Enoch 532
Jacob 349
John 172, 173, 374, 512
Joseph 547
Joses 48S, 489
Moses. .485,487, 489, 490, 522
Moses, Jr 487, 489
Nehemiah 589
Ormsby, John 398
Orr, Benjamin 359
James 4S1, 559
Jean 475
John 28-31
Orvis, Samuel 224
Osborn, Isaac 169
Jacob 490
Osgood, Abner 355
Benjamin 315
Benjamin, Jr 311;
Consider 24
Ezra 23
Joseph 18
Joshua 24
Reuben 5, '3
Samuel.
5, 13
Osman, Henry 480
Otterson, David 452
Joseph 452
O'Wady, Joseph 27
Owen. Benjamin 373
Timothy 172
Packer, Thomas. . .65-72, 635, 638
Thomas, Jr 69
Page, Abner 127
Abraham , . .279-287, 458
Andrew 12
Benjamin 325,326, 349
Caleb ..85
Charles 328
Christopher 1 1 1, 129
Daniel 249, 708
David ..13, 128, 305, 351, 352
355- 357, 359
David, Jr 351
Elisha 116
Enoch 27, 38-45
Francis loS, 121
Isaac 281, 453, 468
Isaac, Jr 281
James 480
Jeremiah. . . .46, 121, 325, 389
533> 659, 660, 661
Jesse 91
John 46, 116, 18^, 185,327
328, 393
John, Jr 326, 328
Jonathan 128, 585
Joseph 114, 116, 121
Moses... .12, 14, 44, 357, 359
Nathan 329
Phinehas 172, 490
Reuben 453
Reuben, Jr 453
Samuel. .76, 114, 127, 271, 326
Samuel S 127
Simon 350
Stephen 128, 328, 329
Thomas 116, 346, 350
Theophilus 326
True 5
William 413
Winslow 5
Paige, Ebenezer 4, 5, 13, 338
Ebenezer, Jr 13
Ephraim 344
John 340,344
Pain, Amos 708
Benjamin 12
John 708
Philip 4
Richard . 708
Samuel C 396
Paine, Noah. . . 374
Samuel 373
Thomas 507
Pallet, Nathaniel 754, y^G
Palmer, Abraham 507
INDEX.
829
Palmer, Amos 507
Benjamin 485
Christopher in, 117
Ichabod 507
James 484
James, Jr 4S4
John 329, 598
Jonathan. . .121, 326, 329, 556
Joseph 112, 127, 328
Joseph, Jr 12S
Philbrick 326
Samuel 105, 108, in, 117
127-129, 133
Stephen 1 1 1
Trueworthy 487
William 121
Parker, Abel 174
Abraham 80
Alexander. . .61, 152, 195, 526
649
Asa 172, 497
Benjamin 233
Daniel 744
Ebenezer 488, 489, 744
Ezekiel 169
Ezra 224
Ezra, Jr 223
Isaac 25, 642
John 418, 419, 58S
John, Jr 419
Jonathan 419, 589, 629
Joseph 247, 736-739. 745
Joseph, Jr 247, 744
Josiah 615
Lemuel 494, 497-499
Leonard 737, 738
Nathan 223, 744
Obediah 578
Oliver 574
Robert 392, 419, 424
Samuel . . . .496, 497, 732, 744
Solomon 494-497
Solomon, Jr 494-497
Stephen ']Tj']
Rev. Thomas 25
Timothy 172
William. . . .208, 210, 21 1. 419
516, 518, 524, 547, 371
Parkhurst, John 570
Jonathan 58
Jonathan, Jr 58
Nathaniel 58
Parkinson, Robert 445
Parks, Abel 172, 506
Alexander 435, 453
Robert 453
Parrish, Jonathan 263
Parry, Mary 10
Samuel 10
Parson, Ebenezer 606
Samuel 606, 609
Thomas 609
William 606, 609
William, Jr 609
Parsons, John 6, 13
Joseph 10-17
Kendall 299
Thomas 7
William, Jr 13
Partridge, Reuben 312, 322
Patch, Benjamin 711
Patrick, William 194, 195
Win 263
Pattee, Asa 31
Day 366
Jedediah 548
John 31, 33
Savory 366
Patten, David 588
James 589
John 449.452, 588
Joseph 589
Matthew 417, 589
Nathaniel . . . . , 234
Samuel 452
William 346, 348
Patterson, Adam 153, 1 54, 61 5
Alexander 192, 450, 651
David 484
Gawen 73
Isaac 191, 192
James 434, 436, 437, 454
James W 193
John 453, 548
Joseph 191-193, 548, 727
Josiah 192
Peter 419, 454, 466, 548
Robert 450, 453, 473, 591
648, 652, 653
Robert, Jr 473
Samuel 589, 652
Thomas 453, 464, 533
Paul, David 457, 458, 473-475
James 457.458, 475
Payne, Elisha.. .369, 385, 386, 388
John 169, 173
830
INDEX.
Payne, Samuel i68
Payson, Rev. Seth 747
Peabody, Aaron 606, 609
David 453, 468
Isaac 656
Nathaniel . .268, 554, 555, 592
Stephen 286, 511, 702
William 606-609
William, Jr 609
Peacock, James 217
John 217, 219
Peake, Lemuel 503
Pearson, Amos 512, 606, 698
George 515, 518, 524
Jeremiah 131
Jethro 584
Jonathan 512
Jonathan, Jr 606
Joseph 186, 518, 5S5
Mary 533
Nathan 606
Noah 264, 271, 272
Samuel 345
Taylor 5S5
Thomas 606
William 606
Pease, Benjamin 584
James 585
Joseph 585
Pelatiah 21, 22
Peaslee, Jacob 199, 201 , 349
Peavey, Josiah 1 50
Peter 528
Thomas 528
William C 6
Peck, Ebba 372. 386
Israel W so, 55
Matthew 50, 51, 55
Simeon 371, 378
Walter 386
Peirce, Daniel 179, 719
Ephraim 244, 245
James 548, 550, 552
John 555, 621, 622, 666
Joshua. ..65, 66, 132, 281, 550
589, 720, 761
Pemberton, James 287
Pendleton, Bryan 99, loi
Penhallow, John .497, 622
Penney, Oliver 379
Perham, John. . .548-551, 556, 557
565
John. Jr 556, 557
Perham, William. 548, 550-558, 566
William, Jr 556
Perkins, Abraham 507
Abraham, Jr 127
Benjamin 107, 112, 114
Caleb 103, 1 1 1
Daniel 131
David 146
Humphrey 105, 109, 1 10
Isaac 506
Jacob 77
James. .109, 114, 326, 698, 755
Jesse 249
Jeremiah 733
John.. .127, 291, 399, 585, 69S
Jonathan 487, 490
Joseph 136, 472, 61 1, 698
Joseph, Jr 472
Moses. 1 17, 127, 129, 598, 600
Nathaniel . .597, 599, 600, 755
Peter 503, 507
Peter, Jr 507
Robert 247
Samuel 611
Solomon 598-602
Stephen 487, 490
Thomas 65
Timothy 291
Wesley 733
William 68, 755
Perley, Isaac 271, 272
John 27 1 , 272
Samuel 76, 77
Rev. Samuel 618
Perry, Doctor 543
Ebenezer 281
Ichabod 763
Obediah 256
Peters, Andrew 710
James 191, 192
John 710
William 190, 256
William, Jr 271
Pettee. Asa 27, 31
John 30, 31
Pettingill, John 283
Phinehas 480
Peverly, Joseph 355, 356
Phelps, Alexander 424
Barnabas 398, 400, 403
Barnabas, Jr 400
Benjamin 400, 403
Ebenezer 76
INDEX.
831
Phelps, Henry 77
Joel 507
John 252, 626, 629
Martin 185
Nathan 252
Nathaniel 507, 512
Samuel 76, 80, 507
Samuel, Jr ^ 507
Theodore 503
Philbrick, Abner 131, 137
Benjamin 129
Daniel 699
David 128, 329
Elias 585
James 127
James, Jr 127
Jedediah.. . .332-338, 346, 350
Jeremiah 338
John 131, 350
Jonathan 699
Joseph 4, 8
Joseph, Jr 117, 127
Joses 698
Reuben 698
Samuel 127, 650
Samuel, Jr 127
Thomas 114, 330
Thomas, Jr 330
Philbrook, George 72, 73
Isaiah 112
James 48, 109, 127
John 65, 68
Jonathan 103, 11 1, 115
Robert T 71, 73
Robert T., Jr 71
Samuel 67, 71
Thomas 112
Walter 355-359. 393
Zachariah Ill
Phillips, Amos 233
Asa 210
John 148, 149
Mulford 566
Pickering, Abigail 393
Absalom 73, 729
Anthony 391
Benjamin 727, 729
Benning 10
Daniel, Jr 73
Ephraim 725, 727, 730
<^eorge T^
James. 392, 393, 717, 726, 727
729
Pickering, John. . .99-101, 112, 710
717, 721-729
John, Jr 727, 729
John Gee 727, 729
Joh^ 73
Joseph 717
Joshua 596, 713, 717
Levi 729
Nehemiah 729
Nicholas 726
Richard 727
Samuel 71, 73
Thomas 66, 717, 722
Valentine 727
William 68, 72, 727
Pierce, Benjamin 212
Cyprian 216, 224
EUsha 224
Ephraim 252
Franklin 203 ,212
Jacob 292
Simon 252
Stephen 738
Pike, Benjamin 149, 1 50
Daniel 629, 632, 634
Jacob 597-603
James 43
Jeremiah 585
Joseph 326
Henry 603
Robert 328, 702
Uriah 77, 81
William 584
Piilsbury, Benjamin 84
Caleb 487, 490
Isaac 4S8, 489
Joseph 84
Samuel 478
Pindall, John 170
Pinder, Thomas 727
Pingree, Stephen 552, 557, 558
Pinkerton, David. . . .450, 459, 548
John 457, 458, 548
John,Jr 450, 459
Matthew 449, 459, 479
548
Pinkhani, Daniel 291, 538
George 291
Isaac 537
James 537.539
James, Jr 540
Joseph 291, 537
832
INDEX.
Pinkham, Joseph D 291, 540
Lois 393
Rufus 291
Stephen 539
Piper, Benjamin 75
Daniel 585
Elisha 585
John 6
Jonathan 72)^ 4^7
Nathaniel 229
Samuel 75, 487, 489, 490
Thomas 496
William 229
Pips, Joseph 540
Pitman, Benjamin 291
Ebenezer, 584
Ebenezer, Jr 585
John 392
Joseph 291
Samuel 8
Solomon 539
Pixley, Alexander 49, 55
Benjamin 55
Place, Ebenezer 7 10
James 710, 712
Richard 711, 712
Samuel 711
Plaisted, Ichabod 680
Samuel 708
William 8, 229, 708
William, Jr 708
Plum, David 201
Plumer, Jesse 585
Jesse, Jr 584
John 84, 86
Joseph 596
Judith 84
Moses 585
Plumley, Benjamin 172
Plummer, Abel 470
Amos 585
Bitfield 752
Daniel 4S1
Dodavah 393, 395
Nathan 480, 585
Nathaniel 584
Samuel 86, 346, 348
Pollard, Amaziah 656
Benjamin 526, 737
Ebenezer 281, 287
Edward 589
Isaac 349
James 287
Pollard, John 281, 288, 547
Jonathan 349
Joseph 737
Samuel 281, 287
Thomas 283, 287
Pomeroy, Eleazer 314
Dr. Josiah 320. 322
Pond, Jonathan 312
Poole, William 251
Poor, David 92, 94, 97
George 43
John 71
Jonathan 366
Pope, David 190, 192,194
Simeon 194, 263
Thomas 190, 192, 194
William. .. ,204, 206, 208,303
Porter, Asa 1 78, 1 79, 1 86
Calvin 503, 507
Daniel 171
Eleazer M 372
Elijah 503, 507
Ezra 567
Huntington 698
Joel 567
John 230
Luther 503
Nathaniel 369, 370
Nehemiah 291, 733
Peter 399, 403
Thomas 503, 504, 507
Thomas, Jr 507
Vine 403
William 507
Post, Peter 507
Potter, Anthony 491
Ebenezer 329
John 73
Samuel 746, 764
Pottle, Christopher 104, iii
Powell, David . 202
John 6
Moses 192
William 199, 202
Powers, Francis 252
Grant 245
Isaac. 76, j-j, 547, 615, 626, 629
Jonathan 234, 547, 626, 633
Jonathan, Jr 632
Nahum 751
Thomas 247, 614
Walter 14, 15
Whitcomb 737
INDEX.
833
Powers, William 74, 75, TJ, 80
190
Pratt, Edward 738
Henry 223
Jeremiah 224
John 738, 743
John, Jr 744
Nathan 223
Nathaniel T^T , iz'^
Noah 223
Prentice, John 16,484
Nathaniel S..23, 314, 315, 576
Prentiss, John 368
Jonathan 398. -|oo
Nathaniel 744
Presbury, William 190
Prescott, Abraham 329
Benjamin.. .117, 137, 297, 303
326, 329, 697
David 328
Dudley 13
Ebenezer 131, 137
Elisha 131, 137, 147, 148
Henry 680, 690-697
Henry, Jr 697
James.. 102, 114, 147, 150, 330
332
James, Jr 147-105
Jeremiah 335
John 340
Dr. Jonas 296
Jonathan 13, 133, 137, 329
Jonathan, Jr 328
Joseph 117. 329
Joshua... 9, 114, 332,335-341
Martin 329
Nathan 332
Odlin 329
Oliver 303
Samuel 5, 13, 131, 136
147-149, 328
Samuel, Jr 140
Simeon 150
Simon 329
Stephen 13
William 147, 243
Presson , J oh n 179
Preston, Abner 764
Asa 507
Isaac 503
Jedediah.. ..204, 208, 210, 212
John.. 1 54, 155, 732, 734, 744
747
55 .
Preston, Samuel 204
Pressey, Paul 344
Price, William 12, 14
William, Jr 12
Prichard, Jeremiah. ..245, 246, 738
747
Jolin 744
Paul 743, 746
William 738. 743, 747, 764
Pridham, John 690
Priest, Joel 225
Prime, Oliver 25
Proctor, Benjamin 744
Cyrus 252
Ebenezer 346, 349
Ezekiel 249
Jacob 481
John 346, 349
Jonathan 346,348
Joseph 746
Thomas 487, 490
William 349
Prout, Joseph 481
Prouty, John 367
Samuel 368
Putter, William 306
Punchard, Benjamin 512
James 512
Samuel 516, 518
Samuel, Jr 516, 518
William 512
Purinton, Joshua 131
Phebe 326
Purmort, Joseph 674
Putnam, Ebenezer 316
Ephraim. . ..512-616, 521, 523
T , "°
John 522
Joseph 152, 157
Putney, Isaac 194
John 192, 194, 256-259
Jonathan 266
Joseph 257, 266
Joseph, Jr 265, 271
Nathan 1 94, 263
Samuel 256
Stephen 267, 271
William 265, 272
Queen, John 634
Ouigley, John 649
Thomas 649
William 649
834
INDEX.
Quimby, Aaron.. 344, 346, 349, 418
Benjamin 346
Daniel 346,349
David 333, 346, 350
Eieazer 142
Elisha 349
Isaac 264
James 708
Jonathan 264
Paul 349
Robert 131
Samuel 346, 349
Ouinby, Zachariah 492
Quintrjohn 710
Jonathan 727
Joseph 726, 727
Thomas 726, 727
Ragg, Jaffrey 714, 715, 718
Ralston, Abner 312
Ramsey, Hugh 230
James 453, 471, 479, 484
527
James, Jr 453
John 435,445,453, 527
Robert 484
William 453
Rand, Benjamin 47
George 698
John 694, 697
Joseph 698
Joseph, Jr 698
Lemuel 4
Nathaniel 698
Nathaniel, Jr 698
Nehemiah 523, 524
Richard 689
Samuel 697-700
Stephen 699
Thomas 699
Thomas J 698
William 12
Randall, Daniel 755
Ebenezer 393, 394
James 671
Job 392
John.. 392, 395, 694, 696, 697
Jonathan 395, 487, 490
Joseph 391, 392, 394
Miles 391 , 392
Moses 7
Nathaniel 393, 595
Paul 696
Randall, Richard 487
Simon 392, 395
Simon, Jr 392
Thomas 395
William 6ii
Randlett, Levi 585
William 585
Rawlings, Alice 719, 720
Edward 717
Eliphalet 490
James 715
John 67, 490
Joseph 710, 714, 717, 727
Moses 490
Noah 727
Paul 729
Paul, Jr 729
Peter 490
Rebecca 718
Samuel 710, 714-716,720
726, 727
Sarah 392
Rawlins, John 150
Jonathan 393
Thomas 393
William 393
Ray, John 5^2, 556
William "...6, 8
Raymond, Jonathan 25
William 428, 423
Raynolds, Robert 56
Read, Ezra ^t,6^
John 434, 548
Thomas 18
William 251, 418, 419
Reed, Abram 454
Hugh 684
Gen. James. .20, 225, 243, 298
569. 745
Joseph 419
Josiah 317
Jotham 533
Moses 758
Nathaniel 737
Robert 240
Samuel 311
Thomas 97
Thomas N 743
William 224, 415, 591
Reid, Abraham ... 466
George 451, 457, 458, 482
483, 704
James 440
INDEX.
835
Reid, John 451, 466, 481
Jonathan 477, 478, 481
Matthew 440, 453, 466
Matthew, Jr 451
Stephen 481
Redford, William 108, 109, 759
Redington, Enoch 386
Redknap, G 681
Redman, John. .106, 108, 110,128
John B 118
Joseph 127, 129
Tristram 123, 129
Remick, Benjamin 350
Samuel 34
Rendell, Jacob 679
James 678, 679
Renkin, Samuel 452, 457, 458
William 457, 458
Reves, Ezra 357
Reynolds, Daniel 464, 482
John 515, 518, 524
Stephen 485
Rice, Benjamin 76, 159
Charles 318
Daniel 192
Elijah 192
Nathaniel 367
Rich, Jacob 223
James 398
Jonathan 503
Richards, Abigail 715
Bart 597
Benjamin 27, 40, 44, 710
Bradley 95
David 33
John. ..598, 599, 600, 602, 710
Joseph 711, 715, 718
Samuel 27, 33, 35,36
Stephen 003
Tristram 599, 600
Richardson, Asa 309
Benjamin 13
Bradbury 8, 617, 619, 620
Ebenezer 410, 442
Henry 442
Jeremiah 4, 6, 13
Jeremiah, Jr 13
John.... 39, 40, 43, 92-94, 97
Joseph 8, 12, 309, 534
Joshua 581
Josiah 22, 321, 419, 591
Josiah, Jr 419
Luther 405
Richardson, Math^ 44
Moses 93, 94, 97
Paul 223, 314
Robert 27
William 84, 92, 94, 97
Zachariah 589
Richey, Alexander 454, 440
Richmond, Zephaniah 217
Rider, James 306
Riggs, Thomas 567, 568
Rindge, Isaac 305
Rines, John, Jr 537
Joseph 537
Josiah 490
William 611
Ring, Isaac 41
Seth 717
Ripp, William 114
Ripley, Eleazer 224
Levi 224
Sylvanus 171
William 224
Rix, Nathaniel 2^6
Roads, Thomas 711
Robbe, Alexander. 91
John 524
Robbins, Ebenezer 223
Enoch 223
Josiah 743
Nathan 743
Paul 407
Samuel 222, 226
Roberson, Dinah 84
Joseph 393
Simeon 754
Roberts, David 398
Ephraim 6
John 113, 537
Joseph 9, 702
Merebah 84
Robertson, Peter 653
Simeon 468
Smith 206
Robey, Ichabod.105, 108-115, 332
Thomas 103, 105
William , 632
Robie, Henry 131, 137
John 131
Samuel... 37-45, 146, 332, 337
338
Roby, Joh n 594
Samuel 626, 629, 633
Thomas 633
836
INDEX.
Robinson, Daniel 389
David 113
Douglass 526
Eleazer 375, 377> 38°
John 267, 415, 416
Jonathan 113
Josiah 597, 598, 600
Peter 453
Simeon 480
Walter 597. 59^
Rockwood, Micah 217, 218
Nathaniel 306
Thomas 219
Roe, Seth 503
Rogers, Abner 92 , 97
Daniel 179. 288
Hugh 434
Isaac 175. 490
James. .399, 400,440, 449, 463
480, 589
James, Jr 399
John 308, 449, 463
Jonathan 398
Joseph 76
Josiah. 400, 403, 734, 737, 743
Nathaniel 368, 399
Richard 547
Robert. .11, 152, 288, 485, 526
547
Samuel 291
Solomon 245
Thomas 480
William 6, 23, 452, 753
Rolfe, Daniel 206-212
Ephraim 552
Jesse 206
Moses 480
Rollins, Aaron 583
Joseph 113, 727
Molly 689
Moses 113
Peter 489
Thomas 113
Rolstone, Alexander 314
Romer, Wolfgang W.671, 679, 681
Root, Elisha 306
Ephraim 57°
Rosebrook, Charles 357. 3S&
Eleazer 359
James 5^5
John 357, 3S8
John, Jr 358
Ross, Jesse 190, 192
Ross, John 463
Jonathan. II, 13, 192, 195, 357
Lemuel 192
Thomas 77
Timothy 190, 192, 195
Walter 512
Roundy, Alvin 398, 400
Samuel 398, 400
Samuel, Jr 400
Row, Edward 711
Samuel 710
Thomas 710, 712
Thomas, Jr 710
Rowe, Dr. Benjamin 325, 328
Isaiah 142
Jacob 12
James 22, 24
John 21, 23, 512, 522
John, Jr 21
Jonathan 328
Joseph 329
Nathan 140
Pain 137, 140, 146
Philbrick 13
Philip 332
Robert 115, 131
Samuel 329
Winthrop 328, 329
Rowell, Abel 271
Abraham 271, 272
Daniel 13, 335
David 552, 556, 557, 556
Isaac 556
Jacob 272, 348
Job 31, 84, 556, 566
Jonathan 30, 3 1
Moses 333
Nathaniel 265 , 272
Thomas 199, 201, 202
William 12
Zebedee 556
Rowing, Andrew 756
John 756
Rowley, Thomas 121
Royce, Jonathan 575
Royes, Samuel 399
Rudd, Gideon 1 74
Ruff, Benjamin 204
Rugg, David 24
Nathan 314
Rundlett, Charles. .11, 12, 113, 392
David 392
Jacob 13
INDEX,
837
Rundlett, John 393
Jonathan 13
Josiah 5, 13
Nathaniel 332
Runnels, Daniel. 268, 462, 469, 548
Job .391, 393, 394
Jonathan 392, 394
Jonathan, Jr 395
Joseph 6
Miles 391, 392, 395
Nathan 395
Samuel 703, 706
Russ, John 552
Jonathan 233, 550
Russell, Daniel 295, 296
Dr. Daniel 535
Edward 754
Eleazer 432
George 234, 481
Henry 673
James 591, 607
Jason 579
Joel 153
Moor 184
Olive 417
Pelatiah ■•417
Peter 518
Reuben 629
Samuel 234
Thomas 419
Sabins, John 398, 400, 403
Safford, Abraham 481
Abraham, Jr 481
Benjamin 732
John 481
Nathaniel 733
Saint Clair, Widow 84
Salter, Alexander 698
Saltmarsh, Thomas 27
Samson, Zadoc 358
Sanborn, Abner. 1 17. 131, 137, 140
146, 149-151
Abner, Jr 140, 146
Abraham . . . 143, 327, 328, 336
Benjamin. ..1 14, 131, 137, 147
148, 330. 338, 349' 708, 754
Bradbury 71, 72
Caleb 125, 131, 140, 143
146-150
Daniel 1 17-1 19
David 12, 328, 346
Dudley 140
Sanborn, Ebenezer 131, 391
Enoch 115, 131, 140, 349
Ezekiel 595, 598
Henry 328
Jabez 73
James 114, 585
Jeremiah 12, 114, 326
Jethro 346, 349
Jewett 329
John. .4, II, 13, 100, iio. III
114, 348, 349, 487
John Q 347
Jonathan. . . 117, 129, 332, 336
346, 349, 490, 755
Jonathan, Jr 336, 349
Jonathan, 3d 336, 347
Joseph 114, 196, 199, 201
708, 754
Josiah 8, 114
Lowell 13
Mepheboshith 109
Meshech 150
Nathan iiS
Nathaniel. .. 114, 196-202,330
Noah 349
Obediah 349
Peter 336, 338, 346, 349
Peter, Jr 346
Phinehas 393
Reuben. ... 1 14, 128, 131, 137
Richard 107, 114, 328
Samuel 127, 333, 348
Sherburn 201
Simon 755
Stephen 105, 109-1 12
Theophilus. 140, 146, 198,201
203. 328
Tristram ^^7, 338, 350
Tristram, Jr 337
William. . . .105, 112, 114, 117
346, 349, 755
William, Jr 117
Winthrop 127
Zadoc 708
Zadoc, Jr 708
Sanderson. Bradford 357
William 732
Sanger, Abner 322
Benjamin 219
Eleazer 311
Jedediah 300, 303
Nathaniel 217,219
Nathaniel, Jr 224
838
INDEX.
Sargent, Aaron.. 755
Charles 44
Chelles 466, 481
Elias 27, 449
Erastus 224
Jacob 27
John 27, 490
John.Jr 488,489
Jonathan. ... 12, 204, 206, 208
210. 2r I
Joseph 44
Joshua 487, 489
Josiah 490
Nathaniel 115
Dr. Nathaniel 685, 686
Samuel 346, 348, 466
Thomas 224, 487, 490
True 40, 44
Trueworthy 449
William 194
Sartell, John -jn
Sartwell, Hezekiah 745
Saturlay, Jacob 140, 146
Saunders, Daniel 49-52, 55
David 737
James 51
Joseph 27, 550
Oliver 247, 481
Samuel 10, 27, 466
Savage, John 515, 518, 519, 524
Savory, Samuel 4S1
Sawyer, Abner 84, 86, 92
Amos 480
Benjami n 410
Daniel 709
Edmund 38, 40, 43, 84. 86
Edward 507
Enoch. ...33, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44
45. 84
Gideon 350
Henry 291
Ichabod 507
James 350, 363, 629, 755
Jedediah 298
John 91
Jonathan. .. .263, 270-272, 506
615
Joshua 84
Josiah 607, 614
Josiah, Jr 607
Joseph 84
Matthias 4
Reuben 350
Sawyer, Samuel. .271, 272, 391, 393
Thomas 507
William 39, 40, 263
Scales, James 259
Rev. James 256, 258
Scammell, Alexander. .35, 245, 463
569
Scobey, John 440, 450
Scott, Abraham 224
Ebenezer, Jr 224
George 450
Henry 451
James 224
Jesse 224
John 398, 400, 503
William 297, 746
Scoville, Nathan 398, 400
Thomas 399
Scribner, Stephen 6
Seaford, Jacob 76
Searle, Daniel. ..547, 626. 629, 632
John. . .547, 626, 629, 632, 634
Jonathan.. . .278, 282, 283, 287
Samuel 275, 626, 629-633
Seavey, Amos 699
Andrew 281, 2S3, 287
Ebenezer 698
Eunice 687
James 287
John 694
Joseph 55
Nathaniel 283, 285, 287
Stephen 695
William 678, 699
Secomb, Joseph 336, 338
Simmons 350
Senter, Abel 419
Asa 463
Benjamin 453
Edward 229
Isaac 202
James ■ 106, 108
John 434.449
John, Jr 436
Joseph. .229, 616,617,626, 629
709
Reuben 449, 453, 480, 589
Reuben, Jr 480
Samuel 419. 449,453,591
Simeon 249
Sessions, David 552
John 29, 30
Sever, Caleb 346, 349
INDEX.
839
Sever, Comfort 1 69
Elijah 349
Elisha 349
Robert 234
Thomas 349
Severance, Albe 732
Daniel 223
Ephraim 332, 349
Ephraim, Jr 33^
John 349
Jonathan 346, 349
Jonathan, Jr 349
Joseph 528
Nathaniel 629
Peter 556
Samuel 349
Thomas 349
Sewall, Thomas 13
Seward. Josiah 24
Samuel 23
Shackford. John 726
Samuel 717, 722, 726
William 213, 717
Shannon, Cutt 688
John 694, 697
Mrs 695
Nathaniel 620
Richard Cutt 79,616
Shattuck, Benjamin 234
Cyrus 21 7-225
Daniel 216, 217
Edmund 77-82
Gideon 216, 217
Isaac 234
John 744
Jonas 246
Makepeace 216, 217
Peter 744
Sherman 744
William 737-74^
Zachariah 247, 612
Zachariah, Jr 247
Shaw, Abraham 329
Benjamin 105, 125
Benjamin B 127
Benjamin, Jr 114
Caleb 107, 326
Daniel 393
David 328
George 391, 392
Gideon 117
Hilyard 140, 146
John 121, 229
Shaw, Josiah 107, 124, 125
Levi 491
Malachi 140, 146
Moses 128. 326-329
Nathan 329
Nathaniel 399
Roger 106, 108, 1 14
Samuel 104, 114, 115, 131
140
Simeon 124, 127
William 521, 522
Sheafe, Jacob, Jr 700
Sampson 697, 720, 721
Shearman, Ephraim 48
James 409
Jonathan 409
Reuben 410
Shed, Daniel 234
John 206, 209-21 1
Nathan 38-44
Shelden, John 550
Shellis, James 452
Shepard, Daniel J 626
George 756
Israel. 112
Jacob 229
James 93. 97, 98, 755, 757
John.. 4, 13, 14. 226, 229, 450
Joseph 229
Richard 229
Roswell 316
Samuel 5, 227-230
Sherburne, Henry 671, 713
Jacob 487
Jethro 492
John 1 14, 671
JohnS 175
Joseph 134
Samuel 487
Sherwin, Elnathan 632
John 171
Shield, Alexander 503
Shipple, Oliver 656
Shirley, Alexander 560
James 33, 560
Samuel 39, 560
Thomas. .28-3 1, 36, 39-46, 442
Shute. Samuel 429
Sias, Benjamin 486
Charles 487
John 393-395
Joseph 390-392
Sibley, Joseph 25
840
INDEX.
Sibley, Samuel 585
Silloway, Greeley 349
William 336
Silsby. Samuel 403
Silver, James 490
Timothy 44
Simms, William 56
Simonds, James 366
Jonathan 366
Joseph 153
Simeon 195
Simons, James 755
William 755
Simpson, Alexander 454, 466
Benjamin 755
David 6-], 71, 73, 507
George 73
John.. 466, 642, 691, 694, 696
697
John, Jr 696
Joseph 720
Robert 507
Thomas 708
William 67, 68, 466, 506
William, Jr ' 68
Singleton, John 347, 348
Sinkler, Bradbury 6
John 12
Joshua 6
Richard 6-8
Skillen, Benjamin 65
Skinner, Abel 507
Amos 638
Ephraim 507
Joseph 503, 504, 507
Joseph, Jr 507
Slade, Samuel (69, 172, 176
Slapp, Edward 371.373
John 371, 374
Simon 379
Sleeper, Aaron 333
Benjamin 336, 349
Benjamin, Jr 349
Ebenezer 33^, 335
Edward 338, 349
Gideon 196-199
Jedediah 147
John 199, 201, 349
Jonathan 349
Moses 201, 332, 336, 663
Nehemiah 350
Peter 198, 201
Richard 349
Sleeper, Samuel 337
Thomas 698
Tristram 698
William 349
Slingsby, John 484
Sloan, David 503
John 501-507
Joseph 507
Matthew 507
William 501
Sloper, Henry 487
Smalley, Francis 435
John 435
Smart, Benning 265
Caleb 265, 270
Elijah 269, 270
Joseph 265
Smeed, William 308, 311
Smiley, David 453
William 296
Smith, Aaron 146, 169
Abijah 1 70, 1 72, 252
Abraham 12, 335
Abraham, Jr 12
Adam 589
Andrew 227, 229, 466
Ashahel 550
Benjamin. .. 12, 121, 168, 521
522, 626, 629, 630, 633, 708
764
Benjamin, Jr 708, 709
Caleb 355
Chauncy 146
Christopher ... .50, 51, 55, 73
106, 108
Daniel.. 349, 393, 489, 490, 585
Daniel, Jr 349, 585
Daniel, 3d 585
David 270, 522. 698
Ebenezer. ..8, 15, 17. 582-585
621, 701
Edward 172
Elijah . , , 168
Elisha 114, 168, 709
Ezekiel 190, 192
Francis 58
Gideon 175
Hugh 287,453, 468
Isaac 33^^.694, 697
Rev. Isaac 14, 15, 16
Israel. .108, 113, 398, 400,401
Jabez 114, 131
Jacob 8, 566, 596
INDEX.
841
Smith, James 391, 409, 656
Jedediah 217, 219
John. .27, 43, 44, loi, 103, 114
121, 171, 172, 194, 196, 201
230, 285, 287, 453,468,472
516, 518, 539, 548, 554
645-647, 656, 708, 709
John, Jr 121. 195, 287
Johnston 654
Jonathan.. .6, 7, 21, 25, 492, 574
Jonathan, Jr 7
Joseph loi, 104, 107-113
453, 488, 489, 708
Joseph, Jr 709
Joshua 235, 249. 252
Joshua, Jr 249
Josiah 264
Moody 264
Moses 192, 22s
Nathaniel 336, 48S, 490
Nicholas 585, 709
Oliver 217, 269
Page 279, 280, 287
Parker 171, 173
Reuben 646-653
Robert 452. 453, 459. 475
548, 709
Richard 137. 267, 348
Samuel. ...13, 43, 46, 106, 108
III, 116, 191, 192, 280,287
391,392, 394, 503, 552
645-648
Samuel, Jr 5, 287, 552
Samuel, 3d 287
Silas 48
Stephen 117. 265
Thomas. ..29, 30, 287, 453,466
468, 645, 656
Timothy 13, 279, 280, 473
Waldron 342
William. .. .4, 13, 15, 107, 128
219. 335. 348
Smyth, Andrew 230
Caleb 230
James 230
Joshua 230
William 230
Snell, John 392, 395
Samuel 390
Snow, Benjamin 273
Henry 273
James 364, 366
John.. .273, 277, 626, 629, 632
634
Snow, John, Jr 634
Jonathan 547
Joseph 277
Soldger, Joseph H 349
Solley. Samuel 543
Somes, Timothy 7
Soper, Ebenezer 55
Samuel 736
Soule, Ebenezer 216
Ivory 216. 217
Souther, James 108
Southmayd, John 751
Spaulding, Abigail 235
Andrew 732
Benjamin 292
Daniel 355
Ebenezer 399, 417, 446
Edward 357, 359, 522
Henry 235, 629
Jacob 399
Jesse 224
Jonathan 247
Levi. ...154. 155, 512, 514, 521
530, 535
Reuben 281
Samuel 593
Silas 246, 252
Stephen 192. 41 7
Thomas 738, 744
Thomas, Jr 744
William 235
Spearing, Joseph 710
Spear, Robert 28-33
Speer, Samuel 738
William 732,734- 737, 744
William. Jr 738. 744
Spelgreen, Stephen 194
Spencer, Humphrey 673
Robert .'312
Seth 201, 202
Zaccheus 398
Spinney, Mark 393
Spokesfield, John 488, 489
Sprague, Peleg 323
Spurling, Thomas 540
Squire, Daniel 191
Stalbird, Richard 306
Stanard, Charles 114
Jonathan 140, 146
Standley. Joseph 266
Stanford. James 763
Stanley, Dennis 357, 359
Jacob 263
Joab 271
842
INDEX.
Stanley, John 295, 314
Matthew 271
William 264
Stanton. Charles 598, 600
Elijah 598
Isaac 595-600, 603
Isaac W 507
John 598
Stanyan, Anthony 759
Jacob 114, 115, 131
James 104, 1 14
Jedediah 140
Jonathan 140
Stark, Archibald 547, 556
Archibald, Jr 547
Charles 556
Gen. John.. 193, 318, 541, 547
551. 556, 565
John, Jr 556, 565
Jonathan 55^
Moses 503
William 343, 503, 547
Samuel 547, 548, 551, 557
Starret, David 548
George 734. 743, 747
William 649, 736
Stearns, John 247
Joseph 244-247, 612
Jotham 1 68, 1 69, 247
Nathaniel 220, 222
Samuel, Jr 612
Timothy T^
Stebbins, Elihue 216, 224
Steel. David 445, 481
John 435, 451. 453> 481
John, Jr 453
Joseph 453. 468, 472
Moses 209-212, 458
Samuel 192
Thomas 434, 451, 528
William 453
Stellings, Peter 597, 598
Stephens, Abel 506
Jonathan 566
Sterling, Hugh 547
Stevens, Aaron 253, 487
Abel 57-59, 168
Abiel 490
Amos 1 99
Anna 84
Archibald 84
Benjamin.. . .12, 27, 33, 44, 84
86, 336-338, 348, 352, 356
Steven, Benjamin, Jr... .27, 38, 39
40, 44, 349
Benjamin, 3d 38
Caleb 490
Calvin 206, 209-212
Daniel 4, 8, 84
David 556
David, Jr 33
Ebenezer 13, 332, 336-338
346, 547, 550, 552, 557, 566
Ebenezer, Jr 336
Ebenezer, 3d 347
Ephraim 552
Ezekiel 548-557
Isaac 235, 556
Jacob 33, 668
James 297
Jeremiah 545
lesse • 755
John ..349, 370, 391, 392,395
488, 489, 713, 727
John, Jr. 350
Jonathan. . .27, 38-45, 86, 392
395, 551
Joseph 372, 393
Josiah 481
Josiah, Jr 392
Levi 84
Moses 487, 490
Nathaniel 33, 38, 113, 393
395
Nathaniel, Jr 392
Nehemiah 85
Otho 84, 86
Parker 94
Phinehas 487-4S9
Samuel. .84, 333, 515, 518, 524 /
Samuel, 3d 347
Simeon 490, 552, 634, 668
Simon 755
Thomas ...27, 33, 38, 44, 107
Timothy 27, },i, 38-44, 93
94, 551
Dr. Wait 84
William 84, 288, 556
Steward, Charles 131
David 142, 328
Jonathan 131, 142
William 472
Stewart, Alexander 454
Allen 633
John 434, 451, 453, 503
John, Jr 434, 451
INDEX.
843
Stuart, John 466
Robert 287
Samuel 350
Steplien 346, 350
Thomas 194, 466
Sticknee, Lemuel ... 764
Paul 764
Zillai 764
Stickney, Amos 472, 4S0
Daniel 353
Daniel, Jr ... 267
David 267
Joseph, Jr. 738
Moses 292
Samuel 656
Samuel, Jr 656
Thomas 35, 191, 193, 205
253, 263, 267
Stiles, Asahel 515, 518
Barnard 487-489
Barnet 755
Caleb 244, 245, 252
Caleb, Jr 245
Ebenezer 534
Eli 239
Jeremiah 308, 31 1-323
John 513. 532, 533
Joshua 516, 518
Moses 524
Stileman, Elias loi, 678, 761
Stillson, William. .. .260, 266, 267
462
Stinson, Archibald 263
David 651, 656
James 454
John 454, 466, 556
Nathan 454, 466
William 263
Stockbridge, John 169
Stocker, Michael 267
Samuel 270
William 694
Stockwell, David 357, 359
Emmons 351-361
Stoddard, Anthony 213
David 386, 400
Sampson 20
Stone, Benjamin 91, 216, 642
Calvin 572
Elias 732
Eliphalet 568, 571
Ezekiel 190, 192
James 192
Stone, Nathaniel 737
Thomas 192
Stoodley, William 727
Storrs, Aaron 171, 173
Augustus 1 72
Constant 372, 382
Hunking 372
Nathaniel 377
Story, Jeremiah 265
Jeremiah, Jr 265
Joseph 265
Nathan 265
Thomas 265, 266
William .44, 48, 398, 401, 402
668
Zachariah 265
Stratton, Daniel 737
David 303, 524
Nehemiah 743, 746
Richard 275
Straw, Ezekiel 266
Jacob 265, 271, 272
Jacob, 3 271, 272
James 265
John 199
Jonathan 256, 259, 265
Moses 256
Samuel 265, 272
Samuel, Jr 271
Streeter, John 216
Strong, Benjamin 355
Jesse 503
Reuben .... 507
Sturtevant, Hosea 708
Lemuel 507
Sullivan, John 181, 526
Sulloway, Benjamin W. . .346, 349
John 76
Sumner, Clap 386
Rev. Clement 314
Thomas 18, 19, 501, 502
Sutton, John 757
Michael 754
Stephen 754
Swain, Abraham 584
Benjamin 490
Caleb 112,115, 147
Dudley 491
Elias, Jr 585
Hezekiah 585
John. ...12, 115, 131, 137, 147
148, 585
John, Jr 5, 131
844
INDEX.
Swain, Nathaniel 737
Stephen 5, 12, 147, 148
William 104, 147
Swan. Israel 184
John 764
Josiah 275
Sweat, Benjamin 73, 131, 333
Benjamin, Jr. ... 131, 137,342
Daniel 131
David 131
Elisha 5, 13, 332
John 12,332, 349, 490
John, Jr 336
Jonatlian 137
Joseph 103, 104, 114, 115
Moses 104
Nathan 347, 349
Peter 346, 348
Stephen 131
Stockman 174
William 347, 348
Sweeney, Bryan 229
John 229
Sweet, Benjamin 333, 338
Elisha 337, 338, 339
Nathan 337
Sweetland, Daniel 386
Josiah 386
Symonds, Green 552
Joseph 204, 207-212
Nathaniel 209-21 1, 481
Samuel 207-213
William 204, 209-21 1
Taggart, Archibald 203-206
James. .207, 208. 440, 445, 450
457, 458. 763
John 440
Joseph 206
Patrick 440, 594
Robert 207
Thomas 457, 458, 548
William . . . .204, 206, 208, 210
212
William,- Jr 207-21 1
Tallant, Hugh 86
Tappan, James 335, 350
John 350
Taplain, John 515, 518
Tarbell, David 281
John 579
Tarbo.v, Ebenezer. 281, 468, 636
Tarlton, Elias 694, 696
Tarlton, John 694-696
Molly 69, 71
Richard . . .68, 72, J^, 696, 697
Tasker, Ebenezer 537, 539
Ebenezer, Jr 540
John 537
William 540
Tash, John 392, 595
Thomas 342. 701-705
Thomas, Jr 706
Patten, Isaac 398
Taylor, Adam. . .451, 457, 458, 475
481
Benjamin. . .113, 626, 629, 632
634
Benjamin, Jr 634
Chase 8
Daniel 169
David. .398. 400, 457. 458, 475
Eldad 172, 174
Holiis 218, 219
Jacob 626, 629
James 475, 589, 592
John 10, 106, III, 117, 121
124, 449, 457, 458, 475,481
589
John, Jr 475, 481
John, 3d 475
Jonathan .... 10, in, 114, 251
398, 400, 610
Joseph 108. I II, 120, 129
Joseph. Jr 116
Lemuel 224
Matthew 449, 451
Medad 169, 170
Nathan 204, 440
Reuben 732, 738, 744
Richard in, 117, 121
Samuel 451, 457, 475, 481
Simeon II, 12
Thaddeus 738
Thomas 14, 219
Timothy 592
Wiggin 12
Wiriiam..76, 173, 277, 450, 457
458,475,481, 516, 518
Zebedee 744
Tebbetts. Edmund 598
Nathaniel 537
Samuel 598
Temple, Benjamin 606, 609
Ebenezer 571
Templeton, Adam 454
INDEX.
845
Tenney, Andrew 174
Daniel .265, 271
David 172, 173
John 172, 174
Jonathan 287
Reuben 169, 172, 174
Robert 210
Silas 168, 169, 172, 174
William 244. 263, 567
Tevvksbury, John 263
Thacher, Elisha 398
John 400, 401
Thayer, Henry 224
Thing, Dudley 14
Jonathan 14
Winthrop 14
Thomas, Benjamin. .. 106, 108, 114
Daniel 216, 224
Elisha 703, 704
Israel 216
James 121, 603
John 594, 739, 745, 746
Jonathan 118
Nathan 216, 224
Philip 297, 298
Samuel, Jr 216
Stephen J 727, 729
Thompson, Abraham 493
Alexander 277
Benjamin 348, 486
Ebenezer. .10, 35, 78, 138, 140
141, 163, 393
David 594, 67 1
Hugh 551
James. .437, 451, 454, 462, 466
480, 488, 548, 552, 553
John. 48, 71, 229, 449. 452, 454
501, 507, 524, 552, 588, 711
Jonathan 392, 393, 395
Joshua 548, 734
Mr 421
Nathaniel 227, 229
Pelatiah 393, 395
Prince 756
Robert. 392, 429, 453, 470, 548
Samuel. .66, 335, 392, 436, 437
449,454, 463, 589, 710, 722
Seth 61 1
William. .12, 46, 436, 437. 507
524, 764
Thom, Benjamin 453
Isaac 466-484
William 453
Thorndike, Joseph 296, 298
Thomas, Francis 761
Thornton. Matthew. . . 163, 239, 370
445, 449, 452, 467, 469, 586
588
Thurber, Benjamin 264
Francis 264
Thurston, Benjamin 13
Enoch 550
John 12
Joseph 67
Samuel 12
Tibbetts, Henry 505
Robert 6
Samuel, Jr 599
Thomas 715
Tidder, James 737, 743, 744
Tiffany, Benjamin 27
Dr 167, 172
Gideon 1 74. 384
James 172
Tilden, Charles 373, 379, 384
Elisha 373-374
Joel 384
Joseph 372, 379, 384
Joseph, jr... 372, 375, 377, 380
384
Stephen 373, 374, 379, 384
Tillotson, Daniel, Jr 507
Tilton, Benjamin 143, 146-150
329
Caleb 147-150
Daniel 102, 107, 350
David 112, 114, 346, 349
Ebenezer 147
Jeremiah 329
Jethro 1 14, 115
John 13, 131, 137, 201
Jonathan. .. 131, 137, 148,213
228
Jonathan, Jr 146
Joseph. 114, 115, 131,487,491
492
Josiah 335, 350
Michael 147, 1 50
Nathan. 131, 137, 147, 148,487
Nathaniel ....... 13, 350, 490
Peter 147, 150
Philip 348
Richard 349
Samuel 13, 112, 137
Sherburne 199, 201
Stephen 147
846
INDEX.
Tilton, Timothy 131
William 487, 490
Tinney, David 168
Joseph 737
Silas 16S
Tirrel, Jesse 84
Tisdale, Barna 379
Titcomb, Edmund 335
Moses 263
Tobey, Isaac 142
Todd, Andrew. .189, 437, 441, 447
456, 548
Andrew, Jr 548
John 29
Samuel 437
Tolford, Joshua "j"] , 196-199
Tomlinson, John 741
Topliff, Calvin 172
Toppan, Christopher. 124, 126, 128
Torr, Andrew 393
Towle, Benjamin 114, 117
Benjamin, Jr 116
Caleb.. .105, 108, III, 114, 117
129, 344, 346, 35°
Caleb, Jr 116, 344
Ebenezer. . .489, 490, 663, 668
Elisha 127
Elisha, Jr 128
Francis 116, 330
Jacob 487, 488, 490
James ..116, 117, 121, 1 28, 346
349, 708, 755
Jeremiah 117, 349
John 116
Jonathan 116
Jonathan, Jr 121
Joseph. 109, III, 114, 116, 128
129
Joseph. Jr 121, 122
Josiah 708
Nathan 33
Paul 664, 668
Philip 107, 125, 126
Robert 230
Zachariah. ..116, 121, 129, 213
Towne, Archelaus.- . .615, 656, 738
Bartholomew 614
Edmond 734, 738
Elijah 480
Elisha 614
Ezra 734,736.744-747
Francis 314
Gardner 614
Towne, Jabez 453
Jonathan 614
Joseph 658
Moses 589, 607
Nehemiah 317
Richard .524
Samuel 511, 606, 656
Thomas 614
Townsend, Thomas 192, 195
Ziba 202
Tracy, Reuben 349
Train, Ephraim 208, 210, 212
Tread well, Jacob 288
John 131
Treat, Dr. M 371
Tredick, Edward 697
William 696
Trefethen. Abraham. .689, 694, 696
Abraham, Jr 694, 696
Henry 678
Sampson 697
Trickey, Ephraim 291
James 291
John 710
Jonathan 717, 727
Joseph 727
Joshua 717
Thomas 710
Triggs, William 599
True, Daniel 346, 349, 489
Rev. Henry 84
John 92, 97, 98, 350
Reuben 346, 347
Trundy, William 695
Trussell, Henry 86
John 264
Moses 265
Reuben 267
Tubbs, Abishai 574
Tuck, Jesse. ... 143
John. . . 102, 103, 108, 1 14, 115
Jonathan 117
Samuel 143
Tucker, Benjamin 566, 567
Benoni 192
Ezra 264
Francis 678
Ichabod 507
Jacob 12, 266
Rev. Jedediah 17
John 5, 263, 346
Joseph 346, 348
Lemuel 86
INDEX.
847
Tucker, Moses. ..571, 732, 734, 737
738, 744
Richard 342
Samuel 332, 337
Swallow 334
Voden 507
Tuckerman, John 694
Tufts, Henry 392
John 454, 556
Nathaniel 289
Thomas 392
Turner, James 297
William 294, 296
Tuttle, George.. .391, 393, 394, 395
George, Jr 395
John 108, 109
Joseph 393
Jotham 27
Nicholas 595
Simon 27, 38
Stephen 33, 39
Thomas 393
Tuxbury, Benjamin 93, 94, 97
Josiah 349
Twist, Jonathan 738
Twitchell, Benjamin 311
Daniel 311
Twombly, Benjamin 357
Daniel 539
Ezekiel 540
James 357
John 540
Paul 603
Reuben 540
William 538, 540
Tyler, Adonijah 190
Asa 507
Daniel 263
Jeptha 190
Joshua 190
William 264
Tyng, Jonathan 231
Tyson, Thomas 440
Underbill, Josiah 560
Underwood, James. . .419, 420, 422
533, 733
Jeremiah 737
Jeremy 298
Jonathan 308
Phinehas 288, 547
Usher, Gov. John. ... 1 10, 330, 670
John 415
Vance, David 434, 443
James 668
William 456
Varney, Nathaniel 595
Varnum, Ebenezer 756
Veasey, Daniel 708
Vickere, Benjamin 594
John 593
Thomas 594
Thomas. Jr 593
Vinard, William 694, 696, 697
Vincent, Anthony 726, 729
John 712, 726
William 726
Virgin, Ebenezer 264
Jeremiah 758
Vorbach, John 410
Philip 407,409
i Vose, Thomas V 38, 39, 43
Waite, Thomas 114
Samuel 350
Waddell, James. 45 7, 459, 475, 548
John 457, 458
Wade, Edward 150
Wadleigh, John 13
Joseph 329
Nathaniel 583
Robert 259
Wadley, Aaron 366
Benjamin 337
Daniel 349
John 449
Jonathan 755
Joseph 132, 324
Moses 94
Thomas 84, 93
Wadsworth, Samuel 192, 314
Wakefield, William 375, 377
Walcot, Stephen 171
Waldo, Calvin 173
Waldron, Col 65
Ezra 264
Jacob 267
Richard 3, 135
Thomas W 140, 141,719
Wales, George 372
Walker, Alexander 27-30, 34
37-44
Andrew 645, 646
Bruce 253
Col 7,52
Edward 711, 717
848
INDEX.
Walker, James 76, 253
Jesse 738, 744
John 281, 734, 737, 743
Josiah 352
Nathan 744
Peter 172
Samuel 726, 727, 744
Seth 367
Silas 28-31, 472
Timothy, Jr 253
William 556, 632, 756
Wallace, Fernald 392
George 457, 459
James. .194, 263, 436, 437, 440
445> 452, 456-559. 468-471
606, 609
John. ..435. 437,445. 450,453
457, 458, 477, 609
Jonathan 484
Joseph 436. 437, 609
Matthew 292
Robert .194, 434-437, 445, 457
458, 529
Samuel 453
Thomas 435-437, 445
William 194, 436, 437, 445
450, 452, 477, 478, 484
Wallingford, David.. .246, 247,615
John 710
John, Jr 711
Wallis, George 671
Joseph 434
Matthew 234
Samuel, Jr 698
William 69
Walls. Joshua 488
Walton, George 444, 711, 713
714. 717, 718
James 744
John 711
Josiah Tn, 738, 743
Josiah, Jr 744
Shadrach 112, 679
Simeon 709
Ward, Abel 114, 326
Carter 409
Daniel 709
Henly .216
Isaac 751
Jeremiah 709
Jesse 195
Joseph 195
Josiah 190, 192, 195, 223
Ward, Melcher 147, 1 50
Phinehas 192, 195
Richard 606
Thomas 105, 11 1, 114
Wardwell, Solomon. .248, 251, 640
Ware, John 435
Nathaniel 309
Ziba 224
Warner, Daniel 632, 694, 720
John 481, 747
John, Jr 481
Jonathan 393, 7oo
Joseph 361
Nathaniel 481
Warren, Asahel 171, 172
Dr. John 296
Joseph 662, 737, 738, 744
Josiah 472, 648, 655, 656
Samuel 223
J 239
Thomas 648
Washburn, Lebeus 507
Simeon 22
Wason, James.. 280, 283, 285, 287
Samuel 278, 285, 287
Thomas 280, 285, 287
Waterman, Jacob 509
Seth 507
Silas _. 369, 374, 379
Waters, Hezekiah 379
Watkins, Abner 287
Jane 694
John 684
Lewis 224
Watson, Abraham 333
Andrew 391,392
Daniel 256, 395
David 597, 598, 601
Eleazer 487
Nathaniel 65
Samuel 392
Zebediah 13
Watts, Hugh 480, 548
James 480
John . .452, 458, 461, 480, 548
Moses 449, 452, 461, 480
Moses, Jr 480, 548
Waugh, James 653
John 526
Joseph 429
Robert 472, 527, 653. 732
William 653
Way, Benjamin 400, 403
INDEX.
849
Way, John 398, 400, 403
Benjamin, Jr 39S
Nathaniel 398-401
Samuel 497, 499
Thomas 403
Wells 576
William 400
Weare, Daniel 114, 127
Edward 114
John.. 133, 324, 326, 445, 449
Joseph 326
Meshech... . 131, 136, 138, 140
146, 164, 182, 319
Nathan 140, 146
Nathaniel 136, 328
Peter 113, 114, 130, 132
Robert 434, 441
Samuel 125, 140, 149, 150
Webber, John 262, 263, 71 1
Nathaniel 363
Richard 264
Thomas 262, 265
Webster, Abel 232, 628, 630
Amos ^<ij, 558, 565
Andrew 333, 335
Barnum 342
Benajah 634
Benjamin 337-339
Caleb 92, 348
Daniel 106, 256
David 229, 230, 342, 552
556-558, 565, 666
David, Jr 229
Ebenezer. . . 106, 108, 109, 330
332, 335, 33^
Eliphalet 350
Enos 552, 556
Ephraim 199-202
Ezekiel 106
Gideon 349
Iddo 342
Isaac 1 06, 1 1 1
Israel 552, 556-558, 565
Jacob 346, 349
Jeremiah 337, 349
Jeremy 332, 335
John .84. 86-89, 114. 332, 335
342, 552, 557, 558, 565
John.Jr 114, 332, 335, 338
557, 565
Jonathan 333, 342
Joseph 92, 666, 668
Joshua 336, 33S, 344
56
Webster, Nathaniel 13
Samuel 332, 337, 338, 342
Thomas 106, 330
Thomas, Jr 109, 335
William 195, 230
Wedgewood, Daniel 105
David 699
James 73-125
John Ill, 1 17-1 19
Jonathan 699
Weed, Jacob .9
Weeks, Benjamin 4, 13, 14
Brackett .... 64
Ebenezer 5S5
George 7 1 , 73
Ichabod 71, 73
John . . 13, 6j, ji, 73, 124, 142
355-360
John, Jr 71
John L 13
John W 360
Jonathan 65
Joseph 65
Joshua. 65, 66, 71, 73, 754, 756
Josiah 14, 72
Matthias 13
Matthias, Jr 13
Nathaniel 14, 490
Noah 14
Phinehas 68
Samuel 65, 66, 526
William 68, 71, 73
Welch, Aaron 350
Benjamin 333
Joseph 332, 350
Moses 350
Samuel 332
Well man, Jacob 512
Jedediah 312
Samuel 224
Wells, Aaron 27, (50
Abraham 668
Ezekiel 27
Jacob 196-201
John 473
Joseph [46, 150
Joshua. . 489
Moses 27, 547
Moses, Jr 25
Philamon 337
Reuben 196, 201-203
Samuel 698
Simon 608
850
INDEX.
Wells. Stephens 490
Thomas 22, 2or, 379
Timothy 43. 215
Wendall, John 497
Wentworth, Benning 424
Henry 6
Hunking 719
John 6, 134, 455
Major John 226
Joshua 506, 616, 723
Mark Hunking 288, 424
Moses 599, 602
Nathaniel 595-600
Samuel 227
West, Francis 398
John 754
Jonathan 754
Wesson, Ephraim 187
Isaac 297
Lucy 297
John 560
Wetherbee, Samuel 307. 316
Weymouth, Dennet 393, 537
George 14
William 392, 395
Wheat, Benjamin 734
Jonathan 'j-^']
Joseph 252
Wheatley, Andrew 379
John 370, 379, 387
Luther. 373
Wheaton, Simon 55
Wheeler. Abraham 224, 315
Abraham, Jr 315
Cornelius 400, 403
Daniel 612
David 398, 570
Fortunatus 207
James 612
John 348, 743
John, Jr 738, 744
Jonas 154, 736
Josiah 219, 224
Noah 155
Peter.. 232
Richard 743
Resolved 398. 402
Samuel 744
Seth *...743- 747
Solomon 347
Thaddeus 247
Wilder 263
William 744
Wheeler, William, Jr 744
Zadoc 315
Wheelock, Eleazer 169, 171
Rev. Eleazer 1 59
Ithamar 743
Joel 737
John 169
Ralph 173
Timothy ']Ty']
Timothy, Jr 744
Whicherweed, John 541
Whidden, Ichabod 395
James 72
Whipple, Joseph 131, 136, 303
306, 355
General 296
Whitcher, William 335, 336
Whitcomb, Benjamin i8r, 407
409
Charles 192
Jacob 190, 192
John 407, 409
Josiah 407, 410
Reuben 192
White, Andrew 652
Edward 696
Ephraim 480, 548
John 213,272,314
Joseph 181
Joshua 696, 697
Josiah 140
Nathan 696, 697
Phillips 149
Robert 644, 648, 652, 656
692-697
Robert, Jr 656
Samuel 472, 480, 548
Thomas 548
William 392, 557, 565, 646
656
William, Jr 646, 656
Zachariah 649
Whitehouse. Charles 598, 600
Daniel 597, 601, 602
John 597, 599, 600, 602
John, Jr 599, 603
Jonathan. ...... 599, 600, 603
Moses 598, 600
Paul 599, 603
William 598
Whiting, Benjamin 241
John 309
Jonathan 309, 626
INDEX.
851
Whiting, Jonas 744, 764
Joseph.. 138, 626, 629, 632, 634
Leonard 405, 408, 410
Samuel 744, 764
Whitney, Alexander 192
Bengbew 64
Benjamin 633
James 626
Joshua 191
Lemuel 224
Phinehas 634
Silvanus 275, 629
Whitridge, Josiah 192
Whittaker, Nathan 552
Thomas 2S7, 551
Whittemore, Aaron 512
A 61
Amos 515, 517, 532, 615
David 424
Jacob 419, 591
Jonathan 512
Nathaniel 424
Pelatiah 734
Pelatiah, Jr 629
Samuel 512, 732. 736, 747
Whitten, John 229, 230
Whittle, Thomas 418, 591
Thomas, Jr 419
William 591
Whittier, Francis 263
IVIorris 350
Wiar, Adam 452
Robert 649
William 452, 462, 480, 548
Wibird, Richard 433
Thomas 720
Wicar, John 92, 94
Wicher, Benjamin 754
Jonathan 754
Nathaniel 755
Wiggin, Andrew 433
Charles 73
Chase 6, 597, 601
Benjamin 261 , 263, 265
Bradstreet 585
David 67, 72, 392
Jesse 6, 598
Jonathan 73, 489
Jonathan, Jr 488
Joseph 67
Josiah 6, 598
Mark 73
William 488, 489
Wiggin, Winthrop 393
Wiggles worth, Dr. Samuel. . . .395
538, 733
Wilcox, Comfort 398, 400
Jeremiah 357
John 169
Joseph 399
Uriah 402
Wilder, A 324
Elisha 357, 358
Ephraim 357
John 357
Jonas.. 354-35S
Jonas, Jr 357
Joseph 357, 358
Manassah 357
Thomas 316
Tilley 219
Wilkinson, Luke 697
Wilkins, Abel 204
Abijah 472
Amos 472
Andrew 206
Eli 472
Elisha 524, 525
Israel 615
John 713
Nehemiah. ..204, 206, 209-211
Robert B 662
Timothy 204
William 472
Willard, Allen 215-224
Jonathan 367
Josiah 48, 213, 303, 314
Lockhart 324
Nathan. 218, 219, 224, 225,314
Samuel 253
Simeon 314
William 214
Wille, Ezekiel, Jr 393
John 597, 598
Josiah 597
Thomas 537
William 598, 600
Zebulon 727
Willey, Allen 48, 397-403
Allen, Jr 398
Charles 398, 401, 403
Darius 751
David 398 , 40 1
George 206
Nathan 48, 398, 403
Reuben 48, 398
852
INDEX,
Willey, Timothy 263
Willex, Beltisha : 759
Williams, Benjamin. .737, 738, 764
Edward 112, 114, 131
Elijah 320, 322, 570
Isaac 393
Isaiah 392
Jeremiah 50
Joseph. 190, 192, 223, 346, 348
349
John.... 93, 172, 174, 393, 395
John, Jr 393, 395
John, 3d 394
JohnF 698
Dr. John 371
Oliver 50, 51
Peleg 426-428
Samuel 393
Rev. Simon 466
Rev. Simon F 17
Stephen 606, 609
Supply 737
Thomas 84, 86, 93, 94, 614
Walter 131, 146
William 50, 51, 153, 154
William, Jr 153
Willis, Abiel 386
Daniel 386
Hezekiah 224
John 174
William 71
Willoughby, John. . . .233, 252, 751
Jonas 247
Samuel 252
Wilmot, Edward 129
Wilson, Alexander 1.53, 473, 653
656
Alexander, Jr 472, 656
Benjamin . ..154, 434, 437, 453
Daniel 315
David 190, 315, 647
Francis 355, 3^6, 357
Hugh 432, 43+441
James. .434, 436, 440, 457, 458
472, 475, 481, 651, 653, 654
656
James, Jr 656
John... 434, 437, 453,454, 651
Jonas 739
Jonas, Jr 737
Joseph. 281, 287, 449, 454, 522
Joseph B 287
Joshua 35, 2^^, 200
Wilson, Nathaniel. .4, 8, 11, 13, 437
Nathaniel, Jr 5
Robert. .461, 473, 475, 481, 484
548, 651, 653, 656
Robert, Jr 656
Samuel 451, 457, 458, 656
Samuel, Jr 458
Stephen 357
Supply 747
Thaddeus 287
Thomas. . . .194, 441, 445, 450
453, 454, 466, 472,481, 644
647, 656
Thomas, Jr 656
William 64, 527
William. Jr 64
Winchester, E 351
Wingate, John... 73, 538, 540, 560
Jonathan 540
Joshua 113, 1 14
Rev. Paine 141, 151
Winn, Abiatha 281
Abigail 287
Joseph 281, 287, 288
Joseph, Jr 281
Nathan 285
Thomas 281
Winton, William 168, 169
Winslow, Bartholomew 349
Elisha 332, :i37, 338
Ephraim 349
Luther 219
Samuel 6, 339
Wise, Daniel 224
Ebenezer 80
Withington, Elias 194
Francis 192, 194
John 194
Mather. 195
Withy, Luke 552
Wolfe, Gen. James 288
Wolley, David 224
Elijah 172
Wood, Daniel 633
Ebenezer 27, 33, 44, 634
Ed ward 43
Gideon 271, 272
Henry 747
Jonathan 33, 44
Jonas 252
Joseph 375, 379, 442
Joseph, Jr 372
J osiah 27
INDEX.
853
Wood, Oliver.... 626, 629, 632, 634
Samuel 224, 271
William 22, 25 1
Woodbridge, Dudley 396
Woodburn, David. . .454, 480, 589
John ..440, 449' 452, 454
Woodbury, Elisha ,.466
James 472
John 77
Josiah 252
Peter 472
Woodman, Edward 392
John 104-109
Jonathan 698
Joseph 346,349- 755
Rev. Joseph 17
Joshua 336, 338, 585
Moses 346
Thomas 708
Woodward, Abel 566
Bezaleel 171, 172, 384
David 165, 172, 173
Deliverance, Jr 169
Eleazer 512
Ithamar. .6r, 63, 513, 532, 533
Jehial 168
John
Jonathan 168,
Nathaniel
William 168,
Woodwell, David
Woodworth, Benjamin
John
Silvanus
Woolson, Jonas. .523, 731, 734,
Jonas, Jr 740,
Worcester, Francis. .526, 610.
Joseph E
Noah.. .79, 229, 241, 242,
Worth, John
Joseph 137, 140, 146,
Lionell 487,
Obediah 131,
William
Worthen, Enoch 328,
Ezekiel 141,
Jacob
Mehitabel
Moses
Samuel 198, 202,
Worthley, Timothy
Wright, Aaron 217,
Abel 38,
513
170
172
172
256
507
.76
.76
743
744
628
232
250
131
344
537
146
487
329
755
328
.84
198
751
650
219
732
Wright, Benjamin 251, 380, 386
606, 609
Darius 217, 219
David. .168, 172, 174, 206, 208
210, 211
Delano 172
Ebenezer 1 74
Eldad 216
Ephraim 44, 3 1 5
James 315
John... 1 72, 626, 629, 632, 634
John, Jr 172, 632, 634
Jonathan 219, 373
Joseph 593, 625, 736
Joshua 194, 232, 263
Lemuel 252
Matthew 441
Nathan 171
Nathaniel 113, 168
Oliver 634
Phinehas....373, 375, 377, 379
380
Remembrance 217
Samuel 252
Simeon 743
Thomas 734
Uriah 239, 251, 589
Winkall.. . .547, 626, 629, 632
634
Zebedee 634
Wylie, James 480
Robert 1 54
Wyman, Daniel 5S9
Edward 442
Isaac. ..266, 307, 316,317, 462
Jonas 491
Joseph 442
Seth 44, 280, 287
Yeaton, Richard 694, 695
Samuel 696
York, Benjamin, 599-602
Benjamin, Jr 599
Eliphalet 392
Jacob 393,395
James 392
John 6, 599-603
Josiah 597-603
Thomas 392
Robert 393
Young, Aaron 336, 347
Asa 410
Daniel 333, 336
854
INDEX.
Young, David. ...263, 407, 409, 558
Dudley 4, 13
Edward 6, 552
Eleazer 490
Henry 595
Hezekiah...338, 556, 557, 566
754
Hugh 445
Israel 556, 557, 566
James 566
Jesse 407
John. ..171, 291, 332, 338, 405
410, 411, 540, 704
Young, John, Jr 405
Dr. John 154, 155, 296
Jonathan 336, 566
Joseph 5, 13, 14, 332, 333
566
Joseph, Jr 13. 33^
Joshua 184
Nathan 59
Samuel 13, 410, 413, 428
Youngman, Nicholas 252, 632
Peter 287
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