USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 10
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106
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
universal tradition can be relied upon, and it is not improbable that this may have had some influence in breeding disaffection at last in the town and church. The church book shows the usual amount of success in the ministry. One hundred and seventy-two joined the church, one hundred and three owned the covenant, and six hundred and four were baptized, and thirteen were dismissed to other churches. Cases of Discipline never resulted in expulsion, or if so, no record is made of the fact. Mr. Merrick's labors were not disturbed by the con- troversies of intrusive sectaries till near their close, when the Baptists appeared in the northeast part of the town, organized a society in 1768, and Rev. Seth Clark was settled in 1770. No serious collision appears to have arisen between the churches, however, and the harmony of the town seems not to have been disturbed. One lesson, at least, we may learn from this long struggle: there was trouble among the fathers not less than among us in their ecclesiastical affairs, and no one who reads their records attentively can sigh for the old ways and the times of the fathers."
The following are a few entries copied from the account book of Rev. Noah Merrick. They may throw some light on con- ditions of that time. The book is now in possession of his great-great-grandson, Charles S. Merrick, of our town.
£
S
d
1744. Oct. 9. To Jas. Ball his right to ye overplus land David Cooley
3
16 13 ye Committee for laying out my lot
22 Rachel, Negro, for work
4
6
1746 7 To Shelvan, Negro, some toabcco
1
3
1747 Jan. To Mr. Brecks Negro 4 lbs tobacco Feb. To Mr. Breck toward a Negro
4
Mar.23 To " " in part for a Negro.
100
5
3
Oct. To S. Palmer, pr shoes for my wife and child and mending my Negros.
2
8
0
60
1748 Mar. 7 To my Negro 2 1b flax a 31 pr
6
Apr. 15 To Rev. Mr. Breck in part for a Negro
56
June
6
Aug. 29 To My Negro
66 Sept. 9 To Mr. E. Pynchon recording a marriage
14
2
5
7
6
4
June To my Father's Negro 312 1b tobacco at 16
Dec. 25 To Mr. Breck in part for a Negro To E. Pynchon recording a marriage
2
107
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
(Continued)
£
S
d
1749 Jan. 20 To Sheba Burt for cutting out a great coat for my Negro
2
1749 Feb. To E. Pynchon recording a marriage Apr. To Capt. Stebbins Recording Returns of ye Committee
2
1749 Apr. 13 Mr. Breck for 6 sheep
0
9
6
1750 Aug. 30 To my Negro
2
5
0
Nov. 12 To Edward Pynchon recording a marriage 2-6 " birth h 3
3
9
1752 To Master Barker schooling
2
4
8
4
1751 July To Capt. Pynchon recording a deed Sept. To Aaron Stebbins Junr his head of hair at 2c 5y
-
From the death of Mr. Merrick in 1776, there was no settled minister in the north part of the town till 1787, a period of eleven years. But the people in the south part of the town had so rapidly increased that, as early as 1765, they made applica- tion to the town for money to support preaching among them in the winter, which was promptly refused. At the December meeting, 1767, the town refused the "Southpart" the privilege of having "Two Months Preaching in the Winter Season upon there own cost." Such a vote would not conciliate the Stebbinses and Langdons and Morrises and Chaffees. They rally in 1772, and ask to be set off as a town, but are voted down summarily. In 1778, after a struggle at several adjourned meetings, and the report of a committee, they vote to divide the town into "two parishes;" but it was afterwards reconsidered. In 1780, they again urge their claim to be a parish upon both town and General Court, and press it with vigor till at last they gain their object, and are set off as a parish, June 11, 1782. The line between the parishes from Springfield to Monson was on the south side of David Bliss's farm, those adjoining the line being permitted to choose whichever parish they pleased.
Near the close of this period, January 10, 1780, Deacon Nathaniel Warriner, one of the first four settlers of the town
108
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
died, in the seventy-seventh year of his agc. Hc was called to the most important offices of trust in both precinct and town. Besides the important office which he held in the church from the very beginning, and to which he gave a "full sacramental furniture," he was moderator of many of the precinct meetings, sharing the honor with Thomas Merrick, and almost exclusively moderator of town meetings for seven years to 1770, when John Bliss of the south part appears on the stage, and succeeds for many years to the Deacon's honors. Having no children on whose shoulders the mantle of his virtues and the results of his industry and economy could descend, he gave at his decease £ 400 "Lawfull money" or about $1300 to the town, "to be the one-half given to the support of a Gospel Ministry, the other half to be to the use and Support of Schools in this town, Pro- vided that all other Churches which are or may be in this town of a different Constitution from the Standing order of Churches in this Land Shall Forever be Excluded from Receiving any benefit from the same." He is the first benefactor of the town, who has given a sum for public purposes equalling this donation.
I have procured from the Register of Probate of Hampshire County a copy of the Will of Nathaniel Warriner. And as very few of the people of our town know anything definite in regard to its provisions, it seems advisable to insert it here.
WILL OF DEACON NATHANIEL WARRINER
In the Name of God Amen
I Nathaniel Warriner of Wilbraham in the County of Hamp- shire & State of the Massachusetts Bay in North America Dean Being in a very low State of Bodily Health, but of Sound Mind & Memory Yet Calling to Mind the Mortality of my Body do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament as fol- lows, Viz First I recomend my Soul into the hands of God who gave it; and my Body I remitt unto the Earth by desent Buril at the Discretion of my Executor hereafter Named, As to my Worldly Estate I give Bequeath & Dispose of the Same in the following manner.
Viz To Moses Warriner my Kindsman I Give and Bequeath
109
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
that Lot of Land lying in the Mountain which I Bought of his Brother Nathaniel Warriner & beginning & bounded on the east end of Philip Lyons Lot of Land and extending east within forty rods of the Middle road So Called: also my Scheme Lot of Land at or near Stebbins's Dam So Called which was Originally laid out to Benjamin Warriner Deceasd also one third of all my waring Apperrel the Same to be equally Divided betwixt him and the other partners as they Shall agree.
To Noah Warriner my Kindsman & Brother to the above Named Moses I Give & Bequath my Home Lot of Land be- gining at at Pole bridge Brook So Called & extendeth east to Gideon Burts Land: also all my Building of every kind Standing on the Same: Also all my Ash Swamp Lot of Land begining at the Inward Common line & extending east to within forty rods of the Middle road So Called: also my Desk, Lock & Key: also all my Team Utensils as Cart, Ploughs, Sleads, Harrows, Axes, Hoes &c &c-one Plow Chain only excepted-I Also Appoint the Said Noah to be executor to this my last Will & Testament- also I give him my House Clock & best Bed & its furniture.
To Nathaniel Warriner my Kindsman, Brother to the above Named Moses & Noah I Give & Bequath all that part of my Ash Swamp Lot of Land Bounding on the third road So Called & extending east to Munson line: Also one Cow & Eight Sheap which he hath now in possion by Lease Viz Said Sheep on Con- dition He pay to Hannah Alvord Six pounds of good Mer- chantable Sheeps wool Yearly so long as She remains unmarried : Also I give unto him the Said Nathaniel one Plough Chain & one Third Share of my wearing Apparrel-
To Abner Warriner My Kinds Man & Brother to the above I Give & Bequeath the whole width of my Ash Swamp Lot of Land bounding on the Middle road So Called & extending thence West forty rods; also one third Share of my wearing Apparrel
To my Sister Elisabeth I Give & bequeath a Sufficient Main- tinance out of my Estate during Life in case She hath not enough of her own to Cary her through
To Zebulon Chapin my Kindsman I Give & Bequeath all the east end of my Home Lot beginning at the Middle road So Called and extending thence east to Monson Line whereon he now liveth
To Jacob Chapin my Kindsman I Give & Bequeath all my Scheme Lot of Land lying at or Near Cosey Swamp So Called.
To Samuel Warner 2d of this Town I Give & Bequeath all my Scheme Lot of Land in the Inward Commons & lying South-
110
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
wardly of Mill river near Enos Chapins Saw Mill, and was deedd to me by Moses Church: also any and all other Lands which are my Just property lying in this Town or elsewhere & not otherways Mentioned or Disposed of by this Will
To Gideon Chapin of Chiccupee my Kindsman I Give & Bequeath about Thirty Acres of Land lying in Ludlow near Hadly line
To the Wives of Aaron Bliss, Deacon Edward Chapin, Richard Woolworth each of them being near of Kindred to my Deceased Wife I Give & Bequeath that Chest with Drawers & the Pewter of every kind, likewise the Silver Thimble, Gold and Silver Sleave Buttons all which was my Wifes property at Marriage to be equally Divided betwix them as they Shall agree
To Hannah Alvord my Present Housekeeper I give & Be- queath the Use & Improvement of the North room of my Dwelling House; also a Priviledge She Shall need in my Sellar under my House & in my Kitchin; back room & Meal Chamber & Closet, also in my Garden Plot of Land; also 10 pounds of Flax Yearly also when my Orchard is fruitful She Shall have a Competency of Appels for her own Use, & Two Barrels of Sider Three Bushels of Wheat, Seven Bushels of Rye, Two Bushels of Indian Corn & one Bushel of Malt each of them Flowered & Delivered to her hand with Kenell & Brawn-Zebulon Chapin to find one Bushel of the Wheat & Two Bushels of the Rye- Said Nathaniel to find one Bushel of the Wheat & Two of the Rye-Said Abner to find one Bushel of the Wheat & one of the Rye. Said Moses to find Two Bushels of the Rye-Said Noah Warriner to provide, & find to the Said Hannah Sufficient Fire wood ready Cut fit for the Fire & at the Door of my Dwelling House, & to pasture by grass & Winter by Hay one Cow also find unto her Eight Score pounds of good Pork ready Salted or Pickled also as often as he can conveniantly to Transport the Said Hannah to the House of Publick Worship on Sabbath Days. and all this During the whole Term that the Said Hannah Shall remain unmarried & no longer.
To the Said Moses, Noah, Nathaniel & Abner I give & Be- queath all my Stock or Heards of live Cattle or Creatures to be equally Divided betwix them as they Shall agree
To The Town of Wilbraham I Give & Bequeath the Sum of four Hundred Pounds Lawful Money agreeable or equall to Silver at Six Shillings & Eight pence pr ounce one half of which for the Use & Support of a Gospell Ministry, the other half to be to the Use & Suport of Schools in this Town I order my Executor herein Named or his Successor to Loan out the Same in good
111
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
hands with Suretys upon Interest for the Same purposes and the Interest of the Same Shall be Yearly paid into the Treasury of the Town for the Same purpose & be Subject to recovery Yearly by the Town Treasurer for that or those Uses or other- ways recoverable as the Town thinks fit & the Principle is always to be kept whole & entire & not Diminished-Provided Nevertheless-That if this Town is ever lawfully Divided into two Towns Viz a North & a South; in that Case the North part Shall be only Intitled to the Benefit of any part of the Said Four Hundred Pounds: also it is hereby Provided that all other Churches which are or may be in this Town of a Different Con- stitution from the Standing order of Churches in this Land Shall forever be excluded from receiving any Benefit from the Same.
Furthermore All Moneys Justly Due to my Estate by Book, Bond or Note I Give & Bequeath to all & each one of my Kindred & Lawful Heirs the Same to be paid by my Executor or Successor to each of them in Equal Shares: and if any of my Debtors Shall appear Indigent or needy & unable to pay their respective Dues to my Estate in that Case I order the Debtors to be forgiven and the Debt forever to be relinquished & not recovered
In Witness whereof I the Said Nathaniel Warriner have here- unto Set my hand and Seal this 29th Day of December Annoque Domini 1779
N. B. Four razings & Eight Interlinings before Sealing-
Sind, Seald Published &
pronounced by the Said
Nath11 Warriner Seal
Nathaniel Warriner as his
last Will and Testament in
Presence of us
Jesse Warner
Abel King Asaph King
Hampshire County S. S. Northampton, Mass., July 9, 1913. Registry of Probate.
A true Copy, Attest Hubbard M. Abbott, Register.
I have not found any report of the executor of the Deacon Warriner will, which shows when, or to whom, the legacy of 400 pounds was paid. But it must have been paid previous to September 10th, 1782. For on that date, at a meeting of the North Parish, it was
112
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"Voted that Capt James Shaw Doct. John Sterns Doct. Samuel F. Mirick be a Comttee to agrea with the South Parish respecting Deacon Nathaniel Warriner Donation as Soon as may be and report to the Comtee Chosen to prefer a petition to the General Court for a redress of Grevience."
Also "Voted that Doct Sam" F. Mirick Capt Abel King Capt James Shaw be a Comtee to apply to the General Court for redress of Grevience Concerning the Division of the town as soon as may be in Case the South Parish Dont relinquish Dec" Warriner Donation."
I have not found any report from either of these committees. The South Parish may have claimed, that, as the town was not actually divided, they were entitled to the use of one half of the legacy for the "Support of a Gospel Ministry." When the town was divided in 1878, a committee was appointed by the town of Wilbraham to adjust this matter between the two parishes. But nothing was accomplished.
I have overrun the time limit, or arrangement a little, but it seemed best to keep this record of the church business together.
VALUATION OF WILBRAHAM 1771
In the Stebbins History, Page 230, is a list of the names of one hundred men, taxpayers in the town, with a list of their property, divided into twenty different items.
There were 92 dwelling houses and three tan houses. I have omitted a few of the items, and have condensed several of the others; To illustrate, the four items, "Acres of pasture," "Acres of tillage," "Acres of mowing," "Acres fresh meadow," are all included in one. The number of tons of fresh meadow hay cut was more than four times as much as that cut from the upland mowings, and both are entered here together. By the state census, the population of Wilbraham in 1765, was 491, and in 1776, 1057. Assuming that the increase was fairly regu- lar, the population of the town, in 1771, was about 800. It seems worth while to preserve this ancient account of the products and property of the town.
113
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
TAXPAYERS AND LIST OF PROPERTIES
NAMES
Money at Interest
Horses and Mares
Cows and Cattle
Goats and Sheep
pasture tillage mowing
Acres of Bush.of Barrels grain raised yearly
of cider yearly
Tons of hay yearly
Thomas Mirick
£ 220
2
12
23
31
50
9
John Hitchcock
2
15
12
49
153
7
12
Noah Stebbins
1
18
4
25
31
15
9
Nathaniel Bliss
3
10
16
19
48
25
8
Philip Lyon
2
6
14
16
80
10
8
Moses Warriner
1
8
5
17
32
4
10
Noah Warriner
1
3
4
13
25
5
James Warriner
2
16
25
65
150
5
20
Moses Burt
3
23
22
42
100
20
15
Nath'l Warriner
754
2
18
16
53
154
10
12
Aaron Alvord
2
10
12
30
56
10
10
Daniel Warner
3
10
8
40
100
12
14
Phineas Newton
2
18
10
40
135
20
12
Ezra Barker
4
3
15
50
7
1
Enoch Chapin
50
1
5
9
10
8
2
Isaac Brewer
2
4
7
24
132
6
2
William Brewer
1
1
8
19
40
10
11
Eleazer Smith
1
6
6
58
50
8
5
David Warriner
2
10
12
59
280
4
13
John Sterns
2
6
6
5
66
14
Daniel Murphy
1
4
6
26
120
6
8
Samuel Bartlett
1
5
7
15
28
3
3
Abel Bliss
1
10
8
24
64
4
Nath'l Hitchcock
1
8
8
38
108
15
Benj. Warriner
4
3
35
110
4
9
Nat. Hitchcock, Jr.
1
5
3
22
96
7
David Jones
2
6
8
10
42
2
Elisha Ferry
1
4
10
20
56
3
Samuel Warner, Jr.
1
10
2
30
102
7
Moses Alvard
1
6
4
42
166
17
Samuel Day
1
6
3
31
176
6
Joseph Abbot
1
5
4
17
32
10
Nath'l Bliss, Jr.
3
James Eddy
1
17
14
51
150
14
Caleb Stebbins
2
12
20
39
100
14
Joseph Firmin
2
1
John Crane
1
5
8
1
13
8
Zebulon Chapin
1
4
10
14
70
1
Daniel Cadwell
1
15
15
34
108
5
12
Lemuel Dunham
1
4
5
17
40
3
Paul Hitchcock
1
3
1
James Twing
1
6
10
24
90
5
12
Thomas Dunham
41
6
7
4
12
2
Jesse Warner
3
6
19
72
5
Benoni Atchinson
1
7
6
29
Isaac Osborn
4
4
9
8
35
Daniel Cadwell, Jr.
17
100
8
Daniel Carpenter
8
Gideon Burt
9
13
21
45
2
Samuel Warner
3
14
114
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
TAXPAYERS AND LIST OF PROPERTIES-Continued
NAMES
Money at Interest
Horses and Mares
Cows and Cattle
Goats and Sheep
Acres of Bush. of Barrels pasture tillage grain raised of cider yearly mowing yearly
Tons of hay yearly
John Plumley
1
4
Jonathan Ely
79
2
19
18
37
90
15
15
Joseph Burnham
1
10
26
53
100
18
21
Stephen Bliss
1
5
22
30
7
5
Joel Bliss
8
9
19
30
7
Moses Stebbins
2
24
10
53
130
8
16
John Bliss
2
22
15
39
100
7
16
Enos Stebbins
1
10
6
21
50
10
William Stacy
2
10
14
24
70
3
8
Samuel Sexton
1
12
10
36
100
6
11
John Goodwell
1
5
8
12
60
4
John Firmin
40
1
13
7
31
50
8
8
1
7
8
20
40
6
Nathan Answorth
1
17
57
50
4
12
James Prentice
1
5
12
13
24
5
7
Joseph Jones
1
7
10
30
80
13
Joseph Sharon
1
3
6
10
30
3
Abel King
4
10
20
20
100
7
Jabez Hendrick
4
9
13
15
30
10
Isaac Morris
1
7
5
12
30
7
Joseph Chaffee
1
7
8
16
50
8
Abner Badger
1
13
4
23
60
10
David Perry
1
7
5
30
2
Joseph Butler
1
7
4
6
40
6
Zadock Stebbins
8
6
15
40
7
Simeon Chaffee
8
4
20
50
9
Phineas Stebbins
1
4
12
18
30
12
William King
4
28
18
64
150
28
Thomas King
1
7
10
17
50
8
Ezekiel Russell
1
9
8
23
100
10
William Tailler
1
2
33
122
10
Eldad Stebbins
1
10
16
34
110
4
14
David Burt
1
6
5
16
45
7
Abner Chapin
1
11
16
28
110
6
10
Paul Langdon
1
8
9
30
100
40
13
John Langdon
1
7
10
44
80
6
7
John Williams
2
21
9
93
40
50
22
Jonathan Brown
17
25
10
Gideon Kibby
1
11
12
24
140
6
Aaron Stebbins 2nd
3
12
12
31
130
2
13
Aaron Stebbins
1
10
12
34
140
7
12
Asa Chaffee
1
1
6
7
20
3
Lewis Langdon
1
1
7
8
7
40
1
Jonathan Mirick
3
25
7
74
280
20
25
Names 100
1188
121
850
815
2490
7004
420
825
1
6
13
4
4
13
50
4
- William Wood
2
5
30
2
Thomas Lewis
John Chaffee
2
5
3
25
Joel Chaffee
2
24
24
40
9
Moses Colton
Cary Burdick
Benj. Hutchinson
115
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
It will be remembered that when the Outward Commons were divided, or apportioned among the one hundred and twenty-five original proprietors, in 1674-75, a lot in each division was set for the support of the ministry, and one for the schools.
Each ministry lot was 37 rods and 4 feet wide, north and south, and four miles long, east and west. But as each rod in the width of the lots was only sixteen feet long, we must deduct one rod one foot and six inches, which would leave each ministry lot 36 rods 1 foot and 6 inches wide, and as each rod wide, four miles long, would contain eight acres, there would be about two hundred and eighty-nine acres in each lot, and each school lot would contain about one hundred and forty-four acres.
In April, 1769, it was voted "that the Comtee which was chosen to Sell or Lease the School Lands in this town shall Sell or Lease the same in such manner as is most for the Interest and Benefit of this Town and according to their best skill and Judge- ment and that they give to the Purchasers good Title of or the same by Lease or deed on behalf of this Town on conditions fol- lowing (Viz) that the purchaser or purchasers shall at Bargaining for said Lands pay the Cost for the same, or find two good Sureties with themselves who shall be firmly Bound for Sure payment. further Voted * * * that said Committee make report of their doings to Some future Meeting."
There is an article in the warrant for a meeting, January 1, 1770, "to receive the Report of the Comtee which was chosen to lease or sell the School Lands." Their report is not recorded; but a committee is chosen "to take care of the money which the School Lands were sold for, and to see to it that the same is safe and that the Interist of the same be paid yearly and lodged in the town treasury," etc.
The ministry and school lots were leased year by year until they were sold. In 1768, the school lands were leased as follows: "To James Eddy £ 0. 3. 0; To Sam1 Glover £ 0. 12. 0; To Isaiah Chaffee £ 0.4.0; to Amos Chaffee £ 0.4. 0; To John Bliss £0.6.0; Total £ 1.9.0."
In 1772-73, the town voted to receive 155 pounds 5 shillings 5 pence from former treasurers, Samuel Stebbins deceased, and
116
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Isaac Brewer for money received for Land Tax sales, and sale of overplus land.
In 1773, a committee of seven reported to the town that they had sold the two ministry lots and delivered to the town "nine bonds for Money on Interest Due to said town on account of the sale of the Ministry Lands so far as they have sold of the same, Viz :-
James Ferry, one Dated June 8th 1772, £ 93. 2.0
41. 10.0
Ezekiel Russell
66
1st,
10. 17.8
12. 10.0 Amos Hitchison
May 28,
Joseph Dunham
Benj. Farmin
June 8,
66
27. 8.0
Levi Bliss
66
66
66
66
66 76. 9.6
Caleb Stebbins
for over plus lands
15. 0.0
Total, Lawfull Money
349. 3.5"
If we deduct the £ 15 received for overplus land we have £ 334. 3. 5 from the sale of the ministry lots, with perhaps some additions later, the income from which would be for the "sup- port of the gospel."
In the treasurer's accounts of the North Parish, the first record of interest money received, that I have found, is, January 1st, 1794, "By forty Dollars by the town committee £ 12.0. 0;" 1795, "By thirteen pound ten shillings interest money 13. 10. 0;" 1796, "By forty five dollars Interest money 13. 10.0"
Then forty-five dollars is received each year until 1803. I have not found any account of the treasurer's receipts from 1803 to 1815.
Beginning with 1815 to 1829, $45.00 is received each year, with perhaps one or two exceptions, "from the town for the support of the Gospel." It is sometimes entered, "Interest on loan money."
The Stebbins History says:
"The epic of this period yet remains to be recited,-the words and deeds of our fathers during the Revolutionary War. The
66 31. 18. 3
39.18.0
Oliver Bliss
66
66
66
Jonathan Mirick "
66
117
THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
subject is as rich in inspiration as in instruction for us, the grand- children and great-grandchildren of these men. The records are full of the proceedings of the town,-passing resolutions of sympathy with the suffering city of Boston; sending aid to the families whose members were killed or wounded at the Lexing- ton fight; sending men into the field by the payment of large bounties; furnishing their share of beef to the commissary; giving clothing to the half-naked soldiers; choosing committees to 'take care of persons' inimical to the State; struggling with a depreciated currency; voting one silver dollar in paying taxes to be equivalent, first to seventy-five, then to eighty, then to two hundred and fifty dollars of paper money; filling a draft of every seventh man; and leaving the crops in the field to be harvested, as well as planted, by the old men, the children, and the women. Such is a glance at the deeds I am to rehearse.
"The great cause of the Revolutionary War-taxation without representation-had stirred up a deep feeling of hostility to the mother country, and the indirect manner in which the tax was levied-by a tariff on imported goods from Great Britain and the British possessions-only added fuel to the flame. They could not escape the tax, unless they ceased using the goods imported. If they made no purchases, they would pay no taxes. Accordingly an association was formed in 1769, by the mer- chants in Boston, whose members pledged themselves to import no more of the taxed articles, and the citizens were petitioned to cease trading with all merchants who would not pledge them- selves to import no more of them from England or her depend- encies. This pledge of the citizens was not only circulated in the town of Boston, but was also sent to all the towns in the colony. The appeal from the merchants reached the citizens of this town in the spring of 1770, and at a town-meeting held May 1, of which Lieut. Thomas Merrick was moderator, it was 'Voted that the Marchants not only of our Metropolis but thro' the continent have acted Generous and as becoming Gentlem[en] of a free Constitution and as well wishers of their Fellow Men in that they have Nobly Preferred the Public good to their own private interest, and with a view to obtain a Redress of those Grievances so Justly complained of have by a certain agreement engaged to Suspend their Importations from Great Britain, a Measure which cannot but be approved by every wise and Generous Man, and which we hope will prove Instrumental to Effect the Salutary Design in view.' 'Voted that the above vote be recorded in the Town Book and a Copy
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