USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > History of the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, early known as the Elbow tract : including records of the plantation, district and town 1716-1889 > Part 17
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The Lexington Alarm. The movement of the town March 28 was none too soon, and the Minute Men were quickly called into active service.
It is believed that the news of the marching of the British troops upon Lexington and Concord, on the morning of April 19th, reached Palmer late in the evening of that day, and that the com- pany of Minute Men was mustered and started for the scene of action early the next morning. The names of these patriots, ever to be cherished by our citizens, are preserved in the State Archives, and the Roll is here presented in full. It will be seen that the number who actually marched was 44, instead of the 26 specified in the town vote.
A MUSTER ROLL of Capt. David Spear's Company of Minute Men that marched from Palmer, on the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775.
Names.
Days Out. 22
Wages and Travel.
Capt. David Spear
£6 4s. 9d.
Lieut. Robert Hunter
13
3 1 10
David King
9
2 5 10
168
HISTORY OF PALMER.
Names.
Days Out.
Wages and Travel.
Sergt. Samuel McLanathan
9
£1 2s. 3d.
Samuel Buel
22
2
4 6
Stephen Blackmor
10
1 4 0
John A. McElwain
22
2 17 10
Corp. Erwin Shaw
13
200
Daniel King
12
1 18
5
Joseph Shaw
5
1
5
" Luke Hitchcock
13
105
John King
5
1 62
John Shearer
15
2 0 10
Thomas McLanathan
22
2 10
5
David Bratten
9
1 11 11
Joshua McMaster
12
1 16
2
Jonathan Tyler
11
1 14
9
Daniel Dodge
6
1 7
7
Joseph McNall
11
0 15
8
Simeon Graves
22
2 10
5
Eleazar Bishop
9
1 11 11
Seth Bishop
23
2 10
5
David Shaw
11
0 15
8
Robert Burns
22
2 10
5
Gideon King
22
2 10
5
William Shearer
22
2 10
5
Josiah Tinney
22
2 10
5
William Sloan
22
2 10
5
Asher Cooley
11
1 14
9
Simon Barrouge
5
1
6
2
Henry Thomson
5
1
6
2
Moses Lammon
22
2 10
5
Obadiah Brown
6
0 14
3
John A. Smith
8
1 10
5
John Gardner
16
2
1 10
Nathaniel Rogers
11
0 15
8
Gideon Graves
14
1 19
0
Urijah Ward
11
1 14 9
Rufus Thomson
6
1
7
John Morse
21
2 9
0
John Gibson
14
1 19
0
Adonijah Jones
22
1 17
1
Solomon Cummings
9
1
6
2
£86 19 2
Dr. Benjamin Trask, afterwards of Palmer, marched in Capt. James Sherman's Brimfield Company of Minute Men.
Three days later, i. e., April 22, the constables were sent from house to house throughout the District, to warn the inhabitants
Andrew Brown
11
0 14
9
7
7
169
PALMER A DISTRICT, 1752-1776.
" To meet on the 24th, at the publick meeting-house, at 8 o'clock in the morning, to act upon the following article, viz. To come into some method of procuring and providing bread, meat, peas, &c., for the support of our Minute Men and others, who are marched for the relief of our distressed brethren, who are suffering in the common cause of their country, and to act thereon as shall be thought proper."
"You are desired not to fail attending said meeting, as we are informed stores are short, and our men may greatly suffer by the least neglect."
"At the meeting April 24, Elder Seth Shaw was chosen modera- tor.
Voted, That the provisions needed for the support of our Minute Men and others, already marched, be provided at the cost of the town, by a common Rate.
Voted, To procure 1 barrel of peas, 1 barrel of biscuit, 1 barrel of pork, and 1 barrel of flour, all from Lieut. Ebenezer Jones.
Voted, That John Quinton and John Hill procure a team and carry down the stores to our men.
Voted, That the said Quinton and Hill draw out of the treasury ten dollars, to bear their expenses, and to be accountable to the town for the same.
Voted, That Joshua Shaw, James Smith, Jun., and Francis Breakenridge be a committee to receive such provisions and stores as the inhabitants may bring in, and keep a fair account of the quantity and quality of the same."
The bounty offered at the meeting in March to encourage the Minute Men, and paid in October, amounted to 17 pounds, 16 shil- lings and 8 pence.
Capt. David Spear was chosen a delegate to the Third Provincial Congress, to be held at Watertown May 31, for which he was paid the sum of 10 pounds, 1 shilling and 4 pence.
"In his Majesty's name." Up to this date, according to law and custom, and from the dictate of reverence for the authority of the reigning sovereign, all Palmer District meetings for the transaction of public business were warned in his Majesty's name. The last time this formula was used, was in the call for a meeting issued May 16, 1775. After this date, the formula used was, "In the name of the General Court and of the people of this Colony." Thus our District cast off her allegiance to royal authority in less than one month after the British troops fired on the American yeo- manry at Lexington, and before the issue of the impending conflict was fairly defined.
170
HISTORY OF PALMER.
"In Provincial Congress, May 1, 1775.
Whereas the Inhabitants of Boston have been detained by Gen. Gage, but at length (by agreement) are permitted to remove with their effects into the country ; and it is believed that about 5,000 of sd inhabitants are indigent & unable to be at the expense of re- moving, Resolved that the towns named be requested to take the number specified in this skedule, and provide for them, and other towns be desired to contribute, etc .- To be reimbursed out of the publick Treasury." The number assigned to Palmer was 25. Our records make no allusion to the matter.
The Eight Months' Service. The Minute Men who responded to the alarm call of the 19th of April, and drove the British troops back into Boston, by that exploit fulfilled their duty, and could not be held for further service. In the strict sense, they were vol- unteers, and not soldiers, either by draft or official summons, and were at liberty to return home when they chose. The moment was critical, and the situation grave. The lion had been driven into his den ; but how was he to be kept there ? The far-sighted patriots were equal to the emergency. The Committee of Safety had sum- moned the Provincial Congress to meet April 22; and they earnestly entreated the Minute companies to hold the ground till more per- manent companies could be enlisted. The next day, April 23, the Congress resolved to call on Massachusetts to furnish 13,500 men to be enlisted for eight months service.
The next day the Committee of Safety selected from among the officers on the ground such as had seen service in the French and Indian wars, and were otherwise qualified, and tendered to them commissions as colonels of regiments, and desired them to find among their acquaintances men of experience and popularity who would recruit companies with promptness, and to whom commis- sions as captains could be given. What were known as " beating papers " were issued to these prospective captains. The following is a copy of one of these papers :
In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, Apr. 24, 1775.
To Capt. Sylvanus Walker, Sir : You are hereby empowered immediately to enlist a company, to consist of 56 able-bodied and effective men, includ- ing sergeants, as soldiers in the Massachusetts service for the promotion of American Liberty, and cause them to pass muster as soon as possible.
JOSEPH WARREN, Chairman.
The same day, April 24, nine sets of beating papers were issued to Col. David Brewer, then a resident of Palmer. He was a man of military spirit and bearing, and appears to have had an extended acquaintance with men like himself, as is shown by the rapid filling
171
PALMER A DISTRICT, 1752-1776.
up of his prospective regiment. And that he inspired confidence in his associates is proved by the fact that on June 10 the nine cap- tains united in signing the following petition : " We the subscrib- ers beg to be indulged in joining Col. David Brewer's regiment, in preference to any other."
Col. Brewer was a native of Framingham, born Dec. 24, 1731. He had resided in Brookfield 1757 to 1765, where he held the office of highway surveyor, and where he married, (1) in 1757, Mary Smith, (2) May 8, 1763, Elizabeth Smith.
He distributed his beating papers in part to men from this imme- diate neighborhood, and in part to men from distant towns. These officers recruited their respective companies largely from the Minute Men then present at Cambridge, and were so successful that they reported for duty June 10 with nearly full numbers.
" In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 15, 1775.
The committee appointed to consider the claims of the several gentlemen who suppose that they have just grounds to expect of this Honorable Congress that they should receive Commissions ap- pointing them severally to be chief colonels in the Massachusetts Army, report : Col. David Brewer has levied nine companies amounting, inclusive of officers, to 465 men, 307 of whom are armed with effective fire arms, and all, except 34 men on the way, are now posted at Roxbury, Dorchester and Watertown."
"In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 17, 1775.
"These certify the Honourable Congress, that Col. David Brewer has satisfied this Committee that there are in the nine companies mentioned below, near 500 men :- It is therefore recom- mended to the Congress that the said Brewer's regiment be com- missioned accordingly."
"In Congress, June 17, 1775.
Ordered, that commissions be delivered to the several officers within named :
Field and Staff Officers :
Col. David Brewer of Palmer
Lieut. Col. Rufus Putnam of Brookfield
Major Nathaniel Danielson of Brimfield
Adjt. Thomas Weeks of Greenwich Quar. Master Ebenezer Washburn of Hardwick Surgeon Estes How of Belchertown Asst. do. James Bradish of No. 5.
172
HISTORY OF PALMER.
Chaplain Amos Adams of Roxbury (who died Oct. 4.) [John Trotter was clerk of the regiment. ]
Company Officers :
Capt. Amos Walbridge of Stafford, Ct.
Lieut. Jehiel Munger
Ens. James Blodgett 61 men, 51 arms.
Capt. Isaac Colton of Palmer
Lieut. John Wright of Granville
Ens. Nathaniel Alexander of Springfield 46 men, 38 arms.
Capt. Peter Ingersoll of Barrington
Lieut. Silas Goodrich
Ens. Thomas Burnham 49 men.
Capt. Jonathan Bardwell of Belchertown
Lieut. William Gilmore
Ens. Moses How 60 men, 57 arms.
Capt. Levi Rounseval of Freetown
Lieut. Henry Pierce
Ens. Lemuel Tabor 60 men, 57 arms.
Capt. Abiathar Angell of
Lieut. Isaac Warren
Ens. Simon Larned 48 men, 9 arms.
Capt. Malcom Henry of Murrayfield
Lieut. John Gray
Ens. David Sacket 50 men, 20 arms.
Capt. John Packard of Brookfield
Lieut. David Brewer, Jun.
Ens. Jona. Allen of Bridgewater 54 men, 50 arms.
Capt. Jonathan Danforth of Western
Lieut. Joseph McNall of Palmer
Ens. Levi Bowen 45 men, 31 arms.
This regiment-afterwards known as the Ninth Massachusetts- had headquarters at Roxbury and was in camp there through the
173
PALMER A DISTRICT, 1752-1776.
summer and fall. Col. Brewer was in command as late as October 18 ; and as his name does not appear in later returns, the inference is that he died in camp. Very few deaths and casualties of the eight months service are found on the records preserved in the State House.
Indeed the list of these Eight Months men, officers and privates, preserved in the State Archives, is very incomplete. They were in the best sense, patriotic, and brave, and self-sacrificing ; the service they performed, including the battle of Bunker Hill, was of vital consequence to the country's cause, and deserves to be known and remembered ; but a large part of their names, and the work they did, were unrecorded, and cannot now be ascertained. They were state troops-really volunteers ; and in the unsettled condition of affairs and poverty of the treasury, many of the pay-rolls did not find their way to safe hands which cared to preserve them ; perhaps some were not properly filled out ; often, men would enlist, and serve only for a part of their term, and their names would be omitted in the final settlement. The deficiencies in the records of this date are very perplexing to the historical inquirer. Fortun- ately, the Continental Army Rolls, kept from and after 1776, are more complete.
The following Rolls contain the names, so far as is known, of the Palmer men who served in the Eight Months Campaign of 1775. These Rolls, embracing the quotas from various towns, are in- serted in full, because of their special historic value, as well as to account for the fact that some of our men appear later in the war as residents of distant places, and others, then non-resident, are afterward credited to Palmer.
MUSTER-ROLL of Capt. Sylvanus Walker's Co., Col. Timothy Danielson's Regt. Eight Months Service.
Capt. Sylvanus Walker,
Palmer,
mustered Apr. 24, 1775.
Lieut. Asa Coburn,
Sturbridge,
66
Sergt. Isaac Warner,
66 Solomon Walker,
Brookfield,
66
May 1, 66
66 Samuel Pike,
Thos McCluer,
Brimfield,
June 15,
Palmer,
Apr. 29,
Brookfield,
May 1, 66
John McElwain,
Palmer,
" 18,
66
fifer, Henry Evins,
Sturbridge,
Brookfield,
66
4,
66
drummer, John Warren, Moses Ainsworth,
6,
Elemuel Ainsworth,
2,
John Brown,
Palmer,
Apr. 29, 66
Corp. David Shaw,
66 Ebenezer How,
4, 66
174
HISTORY OF PALMER.
Woodbridge Belcher,
Palmer,
mustered May 16, 1775.
Obadiah Brown,
Apr. 29,
Joseph Mcclintock,
66
66
May 28,
Israel Conant,
66
" 13,
66
David Davis,
Roxbury,
66
May 26,
66
John English,
Palmer [prom. corp.]
" 13, 66
Peter Elexander,
Brimfield,
June 15,
66
Judah Ferry,
66
May 4, 66
John Guest,
Sturbridge,
66
" 8,
66
John Gardner,
Palmer,
18,
Abijah Hide,
Sturbridge,
1,
66
Josiah Holbrook,
Eli Hitchcock,
Brimfield,
66
June 15
66
Eldad Hitchcock,
66
66
Abner Hitchcock,
Palmer,
66
Apr. 29,
66
John Marble,
Brookfield,
May 1,
James Murray,
Palmer,
66
9,
Thomas Marsh,
Brookfield,
66
10,
Daniel Moore,
66
66
10, 66
Abner Old,
66
66
4,
Ebenczer Phillips,
Sturbridge,
5,
Jonas Streeter,
Brookfield,
66
1,
66
Josiah Stone,
Oliver Smith,
Sturbridge,
66
5,
John Wolcut,
Brookfield,
10,
David Wood,
Sturbridge,
66
21,
Thomas Young,
In Capt. Jonathan Bardwell's Co., Col. David Brewer's Regt. Alexander Tackels, Palmer, enlisted May 23.
Capt. Isaac Colton of Palmer, took a set of beating papers Apr. 24, and raised a company of 54 men, belonging to Ludlow, Mon- son, Springfield, etc, which joined Col. Brewer's Regiment.
John Moor of Palmer enlisted July 24, in Capt. Abel Thayer's Co. Col. John Fellows' Regt.
Luke Hitchcock of Palmer enlisted May 29, in Capt. Jo. Thomp- son's Co., Col. T. Danielson's Regt.
MUSTER ROLL of Capt. Jonathan Danforth's Co., in the Ninth Mass. Reg., commanded by Col. David Brewer. Return dated Roxbury, Oct. 7, 1775.
Capt. Jonathan Danforth, Western Sergt. Adonijah Jones, Palmer
Lieut. Joseph McNall, Palmer
Nathan Hill, Brookfield
Ens. Nahum Ward, Shrewsbury
Ebenezer Horton, Rehoboth
1,
3,
66
Edward Walker,
66
2,
66
5,
66
Ebenezer Jones,
66
Abner Cooley,
Apr. 29,
*
175
PALMER A TOWN, 1776-1812.
Sergt. Sylvanus Cambell, Rehoboth Corp. William S. Brown, Swansey Arthur Thresher,
Samuel Rounds, Rehoboth
" Samuel Brown, 66 Noah Thresher, 66
" Peter Brewer, Southborough Joseph Thresher, 66
" Joshua Danforth, Western
Benjamin Wheeler,
Fifer James Hill, Brookfield
Simeon Wheeler, 66
Bartholomew Hill, Brookfield Aaron Bartlett, Palmer
Daniel Hastings, Belchertown
Thomas Bartlett,
James Allen, Western
Shadrack Chapin,
Nathan Allen,
John Douglas,
Edmund Washburn, Western
John Gibson,
Thomas Whipple,
Elias Rogers, " d. Sept 21.
Henry White,
66
Nathaniel Rogers, 66
John Brown, Swansey Nathaniel Lewis, “
Daniel Bullock, Rehoboth
Ezra Luther, 66
Joseph Bullock, 66
Denis O'Brient,
Joseph Bowen,
Daniel Rioden, 66
Israel Goff,
Berry Bowen, Brookfield
Daniel Hix,
Moses Bowen,
Stephen Ingalls,
Stoddard Bowen,
Abiah Jenkins,
Benjamin Hill, 66
Richard Lee, 66
Pomp Lorum, 66
Wheaton Luther,
Jonathan Ralph, 66
Isaac Martin, 66
Benjamin Baker, Dartmouth
Elisha Mason, 66
Miles Jordan, Ware, d. June 11
Aaron Millard,
1776-The Committee of Correspondence chosen in Palmer March 19, were : Ebenezer Jones, Joshua McMaster, Aaron King, Robert Ferrell and Daniel Graves.
THE DISTRICT OF PALMER ASSUMES FULL TOWN RIGHTS .- The following reciprocal action of the State and our District marks the beginning of a new era in the political status of Palmer.
" MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, May 10, 1776.
Resolved, as the opinion of this House, That the Inhabitants of each town in this Colony ought, in full meeting warned for that purpose, to advise the person or persons who shall be chosen to represent them in the next General Court, whether that, if the Honourable Congress should for the safety of the said Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage with their lives and for- tunes, to support them in the measure.
SAMUEL FREEMAN, Speaker."
-
Micah Dougherty, Framingham
Daniel Cady, Roxbury
176
HISTORY OF PALMER.
The First Representative. " At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Palmer, legally convened on Thursday the 23d day of May, 1776, Capt. David Spear was chosen Representative to serve at the General Assembly to be held at Watertown, May 29th.
PHINEAS MIXER, Moderator."
" TO THE CONSTABLES OF PALMER
Greeting :
These are to require you in the name of the General Court and of the people of the Colony, to notify and warn the whole of the inhabitants of Palmer, to meet and assemble themselves together at the Publick Meeting-house, on Monday the 17th day of June current, at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there
To advise and instruct the Representative of this town, Whether, should the Honourable Congress, for the safety of the Colonies, de- clare their Independence of Great Britain, they the said inhabitants will engage with their lives and fortunes to support them.
Given under our hand and seal at Palmer, the 13th day of June, A. D. 1776.
THOMAS KING, - Selectmen.
JAMES SMITH, JOSHUA SHAW.
INSTRUCTIONS .- At a very full meeting of ye Inhabitants of Palmer, legally met at ye publick Meeting-house, on Monday, the 17th day of June, 1776, at one of the clock, ye meeting being opened, Robert Ferrell was chosen moderator : and then proceeded & Voted ye following instructions to the Representative of this Town, now at the General Assembly of this Colony, as ye sentiments of this Town :
That, Whereas, the Court of Great Britain hath by sundry acts of Par- liament, assumed the power of Legislation for ye Colonies in all Cases whatsoever, without the Consent of the Inhabitants ;- Have likewise, exerted ye assumed power in Raising a Revenue in ye Colonies without their Consent : we cannot justly call that our own, which others may when they please take from us against our wills :- Hath likewise, appointed a New set of officers to superintend these Revenues, wholly unknown in the Charter, and by their commissions, invested with powers altogether unconstitutional, and destructive to ye security which we have a Right to enjoy. Fleets and armies hath been Introduced to support these unconstitutional officers in col- lecting these unconstitutional Revenues :- Have also altered the Charter of this Colony, and thereby overthrown the Constitution, Together with many other grievous acts of Parliament too grievous to be borne :- The peaceable Inhabitants being alarmed at such repeated inroads on ye Constitution & gigantick strides to despotick power over ye Colonies, Petitioned the King for Redress of grievances separately :- finding that to fail, Petitioned joyntly-begging as children to a Father to be heard and Relieved, But all
interactions to the Remotentative of this town Now at The general offamily ofthing Colony - It where as the Court of great Britain thath by Sunny acts of parlement afumat The power of degestation var for the Colonies In all Cafer what farver without the Content of the · Inhabertants Have Likewrite Exer ted in Power, In Parking aon which estroy a Revenues in Salony with out their content . we cannot Luft by Call their othery may when ya please take from an against our will -. Hoth sike wife apointed a New Let of oficery to Super intend thefe Revenues Whalley une knowen in the (houten, and by their Commisions In wetter with growers, altogather unconstitutional, and Destructive to ydecurity which we have a right to Enjoy. Flesta & armies hath be Introduced to Support thise un Constitutional offices In Collecting That's unconstitutional Revenue: Have alters the Charter of the Colony and there by over thrown the Constitution, Together with many Previous acts of partement toPrevious to be 2000 : The realable In habitants bing alarme at fuck Myste In road on of Constitution & Gigantiske Strada to Diprotech power over Malonier, Petition the Home for Rarely of Pirciency: finding that to fail, Petitioned royally, Beginy of Child to a Rother to be hend te Released, But all to No purpose the Petitions being Treated with content: The united Colonies finding that No Medreh Could be had from threat Britain, unitaly agrees to. argaste Hope an appropriation In the move Paoloble way They Could Contrive, being willing to Try Every Deafable measure y Popably Could the Invente Rather Then Brake with Great Meritano. Great Britain Berry Bent on her favourite Scheen of Enflowing Malonius Declared Mim Rebbel + greeted them or fuch
The Colonial, Very Driven to a take off fare from the Left Release from them were obliged by of Law of Self prefervation to take up army In their own Defence and ment boule thim only as fuck: But the Dipinto has arope to A great a though that it is
Inopable for the Colonies, Quer to be goyne with Great Britain ajain with thedeaf Security & Sally to themselves opportunity The Inhabitants ofthis Town to beleave it absolutely Nothing fatty of of united col be quependant from Great Britain, IfDeglace them Selves an i Dileguing ombre or Independence_ Internety artenezato state, as we Cande no alternative. but the Central But as there is a General Congress of if united Colonies of Campofe of Honorable wife & Good men, who fet at The Head of affairs, Conputting creatures which will be mole for the Jolly For Properity of the whole Sales & have the means of Inteligente If information In this land, Submit The whole affairs to their wife Consideration & Determination andifthey These unite In Seperation from Great Britain, we go unanimously Determin Delow we will Support Them with our dire x fortunio to day These walls
We Do Direct the Representative of this town before the hands Hon General afiembly of this Coloney. To Enable them to Comunicat Our Sentiments to the Home Continental Congress
лев Rob Ferrell ) Moverator
177
PALMER A TOWN, 1776-1812.
to no purpose, the Petitions being treated with ye utmost contempt. The united Colonies finding that No Redress could be had from Great Britain, unitedly agreed to an opposition In the most Peaceable way they could con- trive, being willing to try every peaceable measure yt possibly could be in- vented, rather than Brake with Great Britain. Great Britain being bent on her favorite scheme of Enslaving ye Colonies, declared them Rebbels & Treated them as such. The Colonies being driven to a state of Dispare from the least Reliefe from them, were obliged by ye laws of self-preserva- tion, to take up arms in their own Defence, and meant to use them only as such. But the dispute has arose to so great a height that it is Impossible for the Colonies ever to be Joyned with Great Britain again, with the least Security & Safety to themselves or posterity.
We, therefore, the Inhabitants of this Town, do believe it absolutely Necessary for the safety of the United Colonies, to be Independent from Great Britain, & Declare themselves Intirely a Separate State, as we can se no alternative but Inevitable ruin, or Independence .- But as there is a General Congress of the United Colonies, composed of Honourable, wise and good men, who sit at the Head of affairs, consulting measures which will be most for the Safety and Prosperity of the whole ; & have the means of Intelligence and Information in their hands, we submit the whole affair to their wise Consideration & Determination :- And if they shall unite in a separation from Great Britain, we do unanimously determine & declare we will Support them with our Lives and Fortunes !
We do Direct the Representative of this Town to lay these votes before the Honourable General Assembly of this Colony, to Enable them to com- municate our Sentiments to the Honourable Continental Congress.
Pr. Rolt Cherell Moderator
ROBERT HUNTER, Clerk."
This paper, issued on the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, and seventeen days before the Congress adopted and sent forth its famous "Declaration," has been appropriately called The Palmer Declaration of Independence. It needs no explanation ; and it is its own best commentary. But as showing the self-sacri- ficing patriotism and cool courage of our fathers of that day, it is worthy of everlasting remembrance.
This series of public transactions, done in accordance with the letter and spirit of a Resolve of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, constitute the beginning of the de facto town life of Palmer. The Legislature authorized the inhabitants of all towns in the Colony to do a specific act : the inhabitants of Palmer, "in the name of the General Court," did this specific act, viz.,
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