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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
1776-1810
OF
WE
NA
MENONE
S
INCORPORATED SEPT 7. 1643
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
1776-1810
Published by THE TOWN OF WENHAM 1959
NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 1959
PREFACE
Wenham, a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, is rich in historical background. Many of its people have co-operated in collating the records of the Town for easier use. In 1930 The Wenham Historical Society published the early Town Records covering the years 1642-1706. The second volume covering the years 1707-1731 was published by the Society in 1938. In 1940 a Supplement covering the early years of the so called "Swamp Book" for the years 1687-1706 was published. In the same year with the assistance of Roscoe B. Batchelder, Town Clerk, the Society published another vol- ume of Town Records covering the years 1730-1775. Other publications of the Society were the "Notes on Wenham History, 1643-1943" compiled by the late Adeline P. Cole in 1943, the "Notes on the Collection of Dolls and Figurines at the Wenham Museum" published in 1951, and "Wen- ham in World War II" published in 1947.
At the Annual Town Meeting in 1954 Charles W. Davis, (Selectman 1950-59) submitted an article calling for the Town to resume publication of the Town Records. The sum of $1000 was appropriated which was augmented by ap- propriations of $500 in each of the next two Annual Meet- ings. The difficult work of copying the old hand writing into legible form for the printer was done by Louis A. Dodge, a former Selectman and Chairman of the Finance and Ad- visory Board for approximately a quarter of a century. He was ably assisted by Clara L. (Mrs. Robert C.) Jones, our present Town Clerk, and W. Arthur Trowt, Selectman since 1945 and a Town Official whose service to the community goes back more than fifty years. With the publication of the Town Records down to 1810 we approach not only the very legible script of Town Clerk Wellington Pool but also the beginning of regular printed town records. We trust that the townspeople will find this publication useful and interest- ing. We thank all who co-operated in making it possible.
W. Arthur Trowt, Chairman Delano M. Kennard Samuel S. Conary Selectmen of Wenham
October, 1959
Section of Records, Town of Wenham, which follow those as printed by the Wenham Historical Society beginning March, 1776 and ending April, 1796 which is the end of the Town Record Book #3.
In no way has the sense or meaning of the Records been altered or changed.
Louis A. Dodge
March meeting 1776.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham, Duely Warned and Reguarley assembled at our Meeting on Tuesday the Fifth Day of March Anno Domini 1776 for the Election of Town Officers & other business as by War- rant on file may Fully appear, Ensn. Jahn Friend Being Chosen Moderator for sd meeting
The following Persons Were Chosen viz
Joshua Orne
Sworn as Assessors &
Mr Josiah Ober
Selectmen
Mr Edward Waldron
Sworn
Joshua Orne Town Clerk
Sworn.
Ensn John Friend Town Treasurer
Capt. Jacob Dodge
Sworn
Constable
Capt Thomas Kimball
Sworn.
Ensn John Friend Surveyors
Doctr Tylor Porter
of Sworn
Beneamen Edwards
high ways.
Josiah Swett Peletiah Brown
Surveyors of Sworn
Josiah Herrick
Peter Dodge
fencesy. Tithing men
Frances Porter
Sworn.
Leut Richard Dodge - Daniel Herrick Peletiah Brown Ephram Kimball
Hog Reeves. Sworn to their Trust.
(I)
2
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Thomas Fisk 1 Deer Reeves.
Josiah Sweet.
William Webber
all Sworn
William Cleaves
Haywards.
Ebenezer Kimball
Mr Josiah Ober. Sealer of Leather Sworn Sworn
Amos Batchelder Sealer of waits & measures
Daniel Killam, Jr. - Corders
Stephen Dodge
of
John Friend Wood.
Sworn
Josiah Swett
Wardens.
Isaac Porter
Sworn
Voted to Dismess the 3ª article in the warrant
Voted to Continue a Grammar School another year after the Expiration of this
Voted to mak choice of a County Reigstor
Voted to Chuse a School Committe Tylor Porter, John friend, Josiah Swett.
Then the moderator Declared the meeting Dissolved
The Transactions of this meeting is Truly Recorded By me
Joshua Orne Town Clerk.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham Regularly assembled the thirteinth Day of March 1776. Ensn. John Friend being Chosen moderator for Sd meeting in order to take into Consideration the Request of the Coun- sel & house of Representives respecting Chusing a Com- mittee of Safety. Accordingly Voted to Chuse Five. March 13th Committee of Safty
L Ensn John Friend then the Moderator Declaired the meeting
Doctr Tylor Porter
Stephen Dodge Dissolved
Caleb Kimball
Capt. Jacob Dodge
attist Joshua Orne T. Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham March ye 25 1776, then agreed with Ebenezer Kimball to be Pound
3
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Keeper for one year he keeping the Directinong of the Law
Ebenezer Kimball - Josiah Ober Selectmen of
Joshua Orne Edwd Waldron Wenham
An account with Samuel Brown to Keep Esther Boatman At a Meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham this Eighth Day of April 1776 then agreed with Samuel Brown of Sd Wen- ham to Keep Esther Boatman for the Space of one year from the above Date For the Sume of Six Pounds Eight Shill. Dureing which Term the Sd. Brown is to find the Said Esther Boatman Sufficent meet Drink Washing & Lodging and to make her Clothing good as they were when appraised To him, the Town to pay for Doctor & Nirsing in Case of Sickness & In Witness whereunto we have hereunto Set our hand the day & date above. - Samuel Brown.
£6-8-0
Selectmen of
Joshua Orne Edward Waldron Wenham
The Above agrement is Truly recordid
Attest Joshua Orne Town Clerk.
Inventory of the Household Furniture Belonging to Esther Boatman one of the poor of this town taken by the Selectmen April ye 10th 1776
one Featherbed 40 / under Ditto 2 /
one Bolster 3 / £. 2- 5- 0
two pair of Sheats 8 / two Tabel Cloaths 2 / and three Shifts 5 / 0-15- 0
two Bibels 1 /6 one beadstead & Cord 4 / two
Chests 6 / one pr Blankets 5 /4 0-16-10 2 Coverleads 12 / Seven yards of Linning Cloath II /4 I- 3- 4
4 Caps & a Silk handkerchief 6 / two black hoods & two pair mits 3 / 0- 9- 0
one Striped Calminio gown 8 / one yellow Quilted Peticoat 6 / one old Ditto 0-16- 0 one Callico Quilted peticoat 6 / one under Ditto I / one Bonet I / I one pr of Stays 1 /8 0-10- 8
one Rideing hood 8 / one Chenne gound 6 / one
4
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
stripped ditto 5 / one cape Ditto 5 / I- 4- 0
one old gown & Cloak 3 / Seven pair of stockings
2 / one pair of shows 1 /6 - 6- 6
one Low chair I / one Linning wheal 2 / one Silver spoon (E.B). - 9-
one goald Necklace of Ninety beeds 2- 8- o
Barnards Saint Victory 3 / Reesis Tretis 2 / Kidder
on Sacrement I / 0- 6- o
Mathews gospel Truths /8 Coopers Cotton &
Appletons Sermons I / Webb & Morgan Sermon I /6 0- 2- 2
3 towels 1 / two Check handkerchief /8 0- I- 8
Added. LII-II- 6
Esther Boatmans Inventory Continued April 10th I777.
Added to ye above three aprons I pair of ?
shoes & I heal O-II- 4
I3
12-15-10
The above Inventory was approved to Samuel Brown. by the Selectmen for £1 1-2-6
this Inventory is truly recorded by me Joshua Orne Town Clerk.
Dec ? the wife of Mr. Andrews Delivered to Mr Samuel Brown for Esther Boatman one New cotton linen Shift to the value of 10/and I Vescot 3 / - 0 13-0.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham, Duly warned & assembled on the 23th Day of April 1776 Ensn John Friend was Chosen moderator for sd meeting.
Voted that Doctr Tyler Porter be a Deligate to meet the Convention at Ipswich.
Then the moderator Declared the meeting Dissolved.
Attest Joshua Orne
Town Clerk.
May meeting I776 At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham
5
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Duely Warned & Regulaly Assembled this 22 Secnd Day of May 1776, In order to Elect a Representative & other Busi- ness as pr warrant May more fully apear the vote was tried three times Whether the Town would Send a Person to. Represent them at the General Court the Present year & it was Passed in the Negative.
Voted that Josiah Fairfield Esq be Moderator to finish the other business of the sd meeting Voted To give the second article in the warrant to the Selectmen to act upon.
Voted To Dismiss the third article in the Warrant. then the Moderator Declaired the meeting Disolved.
At true Entry attest
Joshua Orne Town Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham May 22. 1776 then Examined & Inspected the Town Stock of Ammunition & we found one Barrel of Powder and part of another con- taining 57 lbs and 306 pound wait of Musket Balls Cart- ridges maid 235 in Number Flints 564 in Number.
Attest Joshua Orne Edw. Waldron
one of Selectmen of Wenham
At a meeting of the Selectmen May 26. 1777 then Ex- amined & Inspected the Town Stock of amunition & Found it as represented in the above Attest
Josiah Ober
Selectmen of
Joshua Orne Wenham
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town Reguarly as- sembled this 20th Day of July 1776 Voted M' Benja Fairfield Moderator for sd Meeting-
Voted Not to act anything upon this Warrant
Attest Josª Orne Town Clerk.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham Assembled this 15th Day of October 1776
Voted Ensn. John Moderator for sd meeting
6
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Vtoed To adjourn Sd meeting to Thursday ye 24th Day of this month at 3 o Clock in after noon
Attest Jos.ª Orne Town Clerk. 1
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham Held by Adjournment Oct 24th 1776 Ensn John Friend moderator
Voted to Raise one hundred and forty pounds for the use of the Town, £140.
2ly Voted to dismiss the Second Article in the warrant.
3ly Voted to Chuse a Commitee of three men to Dispose of a Strip of land to Capt Jacob Dodge Comm: Dea. Tarbox; Ensign Thomas Brown Pellitiah Brown
4ly Voted to Chuse a Commitee of 5 men to look after the Donation money that was contributed in this Town for People in Boston Committee thru Selectmen Dea Tarbox and Ensn Thomas Brown
Then the moderator Declaired the meeting Dissolved
Attest Joshua Orne Town Clerk.
an agreement with Mr Nath Bragg & Selectmen to keep ye Widow Sarar Batchelder
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham Nov 1I 1776.
Then Agread with Mr. Nath. Bragg to Keep the widow Sarah Batchelder for the Space of one year to Come for the Sum of Seven pounds. Six Shillings & eight pense. the on half to be paid in Six months the other half to be paid at the Expiration of Sd term and the Sd Nathaniel Bragg Promises to find the Sd Widow Batchelder sufficent meat Drink Washing & Lodging and to make her Clothing good as when appraised to him. the Town to pay the charge of Doctors & nursing in case of sickness
As Witness his
Nathaniel Bragg X Mark
Josiah Ober
Josa Orne
Edw Waldron
Selectmen of Wenham
7
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham Duly Warned & Regulary assembled this 9th Day of Decm 1776 Dea Samuel Tarbox was chosen moderator for sd meeting Ily. Voted a Bounty for Eatch Soldier who shall inlist into the Servis to be paid out of the Town Treasury for the futer
2ly Voted to Chuse a committee of three men to Estimate what has Done By each man since the present war Began
Voted that Ens" John Friend Doctr Tyler Porter & Ed- ward Waldron be that Committee.
3ly Voted to go back no further than the Concord fite
Voted that ye Comittee make report at the adjournment of this meeting in their Estimation what each man has Done 4ly Voted to Raise the sum of six pounds as a Bounty for Each Solder
three months.
5ly Voted to Receive the Report of the Donation Commet then the Moderator Adjourned the meeting to ye 23ª Day of this Instant Decm.
Attest Joshua Orne Town Clerk.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this Town of Wen- ham Held by adjournment to the 23ª Day of Decm 1776 Dea Sam Tarbox Moderator.
Voted to accept the List laid Before the Town By the Committee Chosen to Estimate what Each man has Done in the war since the nineteenth of April 1775.
Report of the Comee
A list of Services Done & Money Paid by the Inhabitants of Wenham since the 19th of April 1775 estimated at Ten Pounds for 12 months Service
Months Week £
S
D
Josiah Herrick is allowed
9
7
IO
0
Isaac Giddings
-
-
-
7
IO
0
Zacheus Giddings
-
-
Lt. Cornelius Baker
7
5
I6
O
Mr Titcomb
-
-
Moses Titcomb
-
Asa Porter
I7
IO
Issac Giddings J'
9
8
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Months Week £
S
D
Josiah Fairfeild Esq"
Capt. Mathew Fairfeild
I2
IO
0
-
David Harris
8
6
I4
Francies Porter
4
3
4
8
Nathel Gott
8
6
I4
Dea Samuel Tarbox
Samuel Raymond
8
6
14
Benja Fairfield
Joseph Fairfield
Thomas Fisk
John Friend Jr
9
7
IO
Bartholome Dodge
9
7
IO
Isreal Andrews Dodge
6
I
4
Moses Brown
2
IO
Josiah Ober
0
0
Samuel Ober
6
14
Jonathan Fisk
6
I
4
William Webber
6
I
4
Jonathan Moulton
6
I
4
Capt Thomas Kimball
6
I
4
Thomas Kimball Jr
Ebenezer Batchelder
6
I
4
John Batchelder
Josiah Ober Jr
6
0
5
O
Samuel Kimball
6
I
4
John Hooker
James Dodge
Simon Dodge
Asa Kimball
8
6
14
Ephriam Kimball
6
5
0
Lt James Kimball
7
5
I6
Caleb Kimball
4
2
3
15
Ens" John Friend
6
I
14
Richard Friend
Jonathan Goodhue
-
Amos Batchelder
9
7
IO
Isreal Batchelder
I6
I3
6
8
John Dodge
2
3
2
6
8
-
-
modo 3 8
-
Ebenezer Batchelder Jr
-
9
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Months Week £
S
D
John Dodge ye3
I8
Isaac Porter
6
I
4
Ebenezer Porter Jr
I2
IO
Nathaniel Porter
8
6
I4
Jonathan Low
8
6
I4
Ebenezer Porter
-
Josiah Batchelder
Joseph Batchelder
I2
IO
O
Josiah Batchelder Jr
I2
IO
O
John Rogers
-
-
-
-
Daniel Rogers
I6
I3
6
8
Doctr Tyler Porter
9
7
IO
Daniel Herrick
3
2
3
O
Nathaniel Brown Esq
O
O
O
O
0
Ebenezer Kimball
4
3
6
8
Nathanel Ober
8
6
I4
0
John Perkins
John Perkins
9
7
IO
0
Thomas Perkins
2
I
I3
4
Samuel Brown
8
6
I4
O
Wm Gallop
Pelteah Brown
-
2
5
3
2
John Killam
6
I
4
0
Lt Richard Dodge
Simon Dodge
I6
I3
6
8
Ncholas Dodge
2
I
IO
0
Skipper Dodge
6
5
O
O
Josiah Dodge
-
-
-
-
Isreal Dodge Jr
I2
IO
Benj Dodge
9
7
IO
O
James Poland
I2
IO
Benj Edwards
9
7
IO
Abraham Edwards
8
6
I4
Benj. Edwards
-
-
-
-
-
Daniel Killam Jr
7
-
-
-
Edward Perkins
-
Joshua Orne
Isreal Dodge
I
Lent Samel Porter
-
IO
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Months Week
£
S
D
Capt Jacob Dodge
2
2
2
8
O
Wm Dodge
9
7
IO
O
Ely Meservy
2
2
2
8
O
Aaron Lee
6
I
4
O
Benj Haggit
0
O
O
O
IO
O
Edward Waldron
-
-
3
5
I2
O
Nathan Brown
6
5
O
O
Tho. Knowlton
I2
IO
O
o
Abraham Wyett Jr
8
6
I4
O
Samuel Webber
I2
IO
O
Amos Lefavour
8
6
I4
Nathaniel Greenwood
I2
IO
O
O
Nathaniel Bragg
Daniel Killam
I
O
I6
0 0
Andrew Cole
I3
2
II
4
0
Asa Cole
-
John Killard
I2
IO
O
O
Ensn Tho. Brown
2
I
IO
0
James Brown
3
2
IO
o
Abraham Brown
I2
IO
O
O
Peter Dodge allowed expenses for fitting his boy
4
3
6
8
Abel Dodge
6
I
4
O
Sam11 Quarles
3
2
IO
O
Stephen Dodge (?)
3
2
IO
Amos Dodge
5
3
4
O
Nathaniel Poland
I2
IO
O
O
Abraham Knowlton
12
IO
O
0
Amos Knowlton
I2
IO
O
O
William Cleaves
-
9
4
0
Abraham Weyett
-
-
1
Capt Joseph Knowlton
I5
O
O
Capt Richard Dodge
12
IO
O
O
Newel Davison
I2
IO
O
O
Abner Haggit
9
7
Edward Waldron Jr
6
-
-
William Cleaves Jr
II
3 boys
1
Capt Billy Porter
Jonathan Killam
II
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Months Week
£
S
D
Caleb Knowlton
I2
IO
O
O
John Giddings
6
5
O
O
Joseph Webber
I2
IO
O
o
Capt. John Dodge
I2
IO
O
Samuel Patches son Rubin
I2
IO
O
Isaac Patch
6
I
4
Andrew Allen
6
I
4
O
John Edwards
9
O
7
IO
Joseph Fairfield
5
I
4
7
6
Dated at Wenham ye 23ª. Day of this instant
Dec 1776
& Signed by the Committee
John Friend Dr Tyler Porter
Com11
At a meeting of the Selectmen May 17th 1782. Then Ex- amined & Reveived the Towns Stock of Amunition and found Seventy three pounds of powder with the Caps and the balls & flints as when Examined before besides the Cartridges
Caleb Kimball
Stephen Dodge Tyler Porter
Taken up Damages present within the enclosure of the proprietor ship of Manchester woods so called and impound- ed in Wenham Town Pound a read mare with a white face & four white feet and appraised at the sum of thirty shillings reward from Tyler Porter Esq
John. Hite
Wenham may 29th 1795.
John Dodge Jr T. C.
The above requested by Israel Friend
At a meeting of the Subscribers a Comittee Chosen by the Town of Wenham at a Town Meeting held on the 24th Day of October to make inquiry after a Certain sum of money Lately Contributed by sd Town for the Releaf of the Poor Inhabitants of the Town of Boston and make report to the Town of their doings, do report as followeth (Viz) Report of Donation Com.
That Doctr Tyler Porter hath Recd the sum of four pounds of Contributed money. one pound Eighteen Shillings & two Pence of Sd Sum has been expended in Conveying one
I2
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Roberts & his Family to Watertown in the year 1775. the Remaining sum of two pounds one Shilling & two pense the Sd Doctr Informs was laid out by the Selectmens order for cotton & Linning Cloth for the Towns use but there being no occasion for it he the Doctr hath converted it to his own use and is ready to account with the Town for the Same.
Wenham Nov 21 1776
Samuel Tarbox Josiah Ober Thomas Brown Edward Waldron Josª Orne
Committee
A true Record of the origional
Exhibited by ye above named Committee
Attest Joshua Orne
Town Clerk.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Wenham Duly warned and Regulary assembled at our meeting house this 3ª Day of January 1777 for raising money as per warrant on file may more fully appear.
Dea Saml Tarbox was Chosen moderator for Sd meeting. Voted. To adjourn the Busineis of this meeting to Next monday the sixth of this instant January at 2 of ye clock
Attest Joa. Orne T. Clerk
Adjournment.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Wenham held by ad- journment ye Sixth Day of January 1777. Dea Saml Tarbox moderator, it was first tried by a Vote to see if the Town would Raise any Sum of money or not & accordingly
I. Voted to Raise a sum.
2. Voted to Raise the Sum of £200 Pounds on poles & Es- tates to Enable the Treasurer to pay that Bounty yt was Voted to be given to Each Soldier that Should Engage three months; which was vote was obtained ye 9th Day of Decem- ber 1776, then the moderator Declared the meeting Dis- eolved
A True Entry Attest Joshua Orne
Town Clerk.
I3
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wenham duely warned & assembled this 14th Day of February 1777. Dea Samuel Tarbox was chosen Moderator of sd Meeting Ily. voted to raise a Sum of Money as a Bounty for each Soldier
2ly. Voted to give a Bounty of Fifteen Pounds to each Sol- dier who Should inlist into the present Campaign
3ly. Voted to give to those Soldiers that have been in the Continental Service the year past, that shall inlist into the present Campaign three Pounds in Addition to the Fifteen Pounds above mentioned
4ly. voted to raise the Sum of two Hundred fifty Pounds to be assessed on Poles & Estates in order to pay the Bounty now voted to be given to each Soldier also voted to impower Ensign John Friend to hire £250 to pay the Soldiers this Bounty now given.
5ly. Voted that the sum now raised be not assessed this year. 6ly voted that Capt Jacob Dodge pay 68/8ª that rope men- tioned in the Warrant. then the Moderator Declaired the the Meeting Dissolved.
Attest Josª Orne Town Clerk.
At a Meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham March 18th I777.
Then agreed with Thomas Senter To be Saxton in this Town For the Ensuing year for the sum of Forty Shillings
Per Order of the Selectmen
Tyler Porter Town Clerk. At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham March 27th I777
Then Agreed with Josiah Ober Jr to Keep the Pound for the Ensuing year for the Lawful fee.
Tyler Porter Town Clerk.
In Congress July 4 1776
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress Assembled.
When in the Course of human Events it becomes Neces- sary for one People to Dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another & To Assume among the Powers of the Earth, the Separate and equal Station to Which the Laws of Nature and Natures God entitles them,
14
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
a decent Respect To the Opinions of Mankind require that they should declair the Causes Which impel them to the Sep- aration. We hold these truths to be selfevident that all men are Created Equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with Certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Persuit of Happiness : - That to Secure these Rights, Governments are Instituted among men; Deriving their Just Powers from the Consent of Ye Governed, that whereever any form of Government becomes Destructive of these Ends. it is the Right of the People to alter or to Abol- ish it & to Institute New Government, laying its Founda- tion on such Principals and Organizing its Powers in Such form as to them Shall seem most likely to Effect their Safety & Happiness. Prudence indeed will Dictate that Govern- ments Long Established Should not be Changed for light and transient Causes and Accordingly all Experience hath Shewn that Mankind are more Disposed to suffer while evils are Sufferable, then to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are Accustomed but when a Long train of Abuses and unsurpations Pursuing invaribly the Same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off Such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government.
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a his- tory of repeated injuries & usurpations all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyrany over these States. To prove this let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his governars to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance unless suspended in their operation till his assent Should be obtained: and when so suspended he has utterly neg- lected to attend to them
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people unless those people would relin- quish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them & formidable to tyrants only.
15
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable and distant from the despository of their pub- lic records and for the Sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people
He has refused for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, in capable of annihilation have returned to the people at large for their exercise: the State remaining in the mean- time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without and convultions within
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States: for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturaliza- tion of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither and raising the conditions of new appro- priations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices & the Amount and Payment of their Salaries
He has erected a miltitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their sub- stance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdic- tion foreign to our constitution and unacknowledge by our laws: giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation : For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock trial from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world.
For imposing taxes on us without our consent.
I6
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
For depriving us, in many cases of the benefits of trial by jury.
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neigh- boring province establishing therein an arbitary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same abso- lute rule into these colonies
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our govern- ments :
For Suspending our own legislatures and declairing them- selves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.
He has at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complite the works of death, desolation, and tyrany, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely paralled in the most barbarous ages and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation
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