USA > Maine > York County > History of York County, Maine, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 82
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There are not, perhaps, in the annals of Indian warfare instances of greater cruelty than was executed towards the prisoners taken at that time. They were compelled to travel through pathless deserts and deep swamps, over craggy rocks and windfalls, in cold, rain, and snow, poorly clad and hungry, their minds depressed by the loss of home and friends, loaded with burdens, pushed forward by the point of the bayonet, tortured or made the victims of instant death. Robert Rogers, being unable to carry the burden which they had imposed upon him, dropped it in the path and went aside in the woods to conceal himself. They found him, stripped him of his clothing, beat him, pierced him with their swords, tied him to a tree, and danced around him. Kindling a fire, they gave him time to pray and take leave of his fellow-prisoners, who were placed around to see him die. They would push the fire towards him, and when he was nearly suffocated would take it away and allow him time to breathe, and thus pro- long his sufferings ; his dying groans were drowned by hideous singing and yelling, they all the time dancing around the fire, cutting off pieces of his flesh and throwing them in his face ; and when he was dead they left his body broiling on the coals. Mehitable Goodwin was taken with a child a few months old ; they dashed the child against a tree and hung it upon one of its branches, telling the mother she might come that way again and have the pleasure of seeing it. This woman was a prisoner five years, and returned home. Mary Plaisted was taken with a child three weeks old, and made to travel through the snow. To ease her of her burden they dashed the child against a tree, and threw it in the river. Mary Ferguson, a girl fifteen years old, was so overburdened with plunder laid upon her back that she burst into tears and said she could not go another step. An Indian led her aside, cut off her head, holding it up, exclaiming, " So I will do with you all if you cry or complain."
In July, 1690, Hopehood, fired with uncommon revenge towards Berwick, appeared with a gang of desperadoes, and proceeded to reduce that ill-fated settlement to utter ruin by shooting the inhabitants and burning their build- ings. As a specimen of his character an instance of his cruelty is recorded : James Keay, a boy five years old, taken at Berwick, in March, had spells of erying to see his parents ; to still the little sufferer they stripped him, lashed him to a tree, and whipped him until he was covered with blood. Soon after the child had a sore eye, which Hopc- hood said was caused by crying ; he turned it from its socket with his thumb, and because the child could not keep up in traveling, cut his head in pieces with his hatchet. In 1697, of four men mowing in a meadow in Berwick, three of them were cut down with tomahawks. This war of ten years ended Jan. 7, 1699.
To reward and encourage the settlers who had suffered privations during this war, the General Court made them an appropriation for the support of the ministry.
The earliest meeting recorded on the books of the town and parish was held Oct. 22, 1701. Captain John Hill was moderator. It was then decided to abandon the old meeting-house as not worth repairing, and build a new one.
294
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
Sept. 26. 1703, five men were ambushed by Indians in the south part of Berwick ; one was killed, another wounded, and Joseph King with two others were taken prisoners. Elated with their success, they attacked the garrison of Andrew Neal, but were repulsed. In their anger at defeat, they burned Mr. King at the stake, after inflicting many bar- barous tortures. Maj. Mason was stationed in Berwiek with 95 men to protect the frontier. On the 25th of April ensuing Nathaniel Meader was shot while at work in his field. Two others were killed soon after by a scout- ing-party while returning from meeting. The people be- came accustomed to going by one path and returning by another, to avoid an ambush. During this summer the settlers themselves tried an ambush, and with such success that the savages dropped their packs and fled in consterna- tion to the woods.
INCORPORATION.
Berwick was incorporated the ninth town in Maine, June 9. 1713, and then included Berwick and North and South Berwick. It was previously a parish of Kittery, and sup- posed to be too poor and low to ever form a separate town. A board of three selectmen was annually elected until the incorporation of the town. The first regular election for town officers was held in the meeting-house. Benjamin Nason was elected moderator, and town officers were chosen according to their needs. Humphrey Chadbourne, a young man of twenty-two, grandson of the first settler from Straw- herry Bank, was elected Town Clerk ; Alexander Gray and Bial Hambleton, Grand Jurymen ; Thos. Butler and William Dyer, jurymen for trials at York County next court ; John Croude and Elisha Plaisted, Surveyors of Lumber ; Roger Plaisted and John Thompson, Viewers of Fences ; Samuel Savery and Alexander Grant, Field-Drivers ; William Wad- ley and Josiah Goodridge, Tithingmen ; Jonathan Stone and Sylvanus Wentworth, Sealers of Leather ; John Croude, James Warren, and William Chadbourne, Surveyors of Land; Benjamin Nason, John Croude, Elisha Plaisted, James Emery, and James Grant, Selectmen ; John Hooper, Treasurer ; James Warren and James Grant, to call the parish treasurer to account ; James Gray, to protect the timber on the ministerial lot and prosecute trespassers ; and James Warren, to search into the matter of the pew-money. There is no mention of collector, but Moses Gowen is named as constable the next year.
In 1706, Capt. Ichabod Plaisted, Capt. John Hill, Lieut. Charles Frost, Humphrey Spencer, Philip Hubbard, James Grant, Benjamin Nason, John Key, and Daniel Goodon were appointed a committee to build in the parish a church 36 feet square. This " town meeting-house" was the place of election for many years. For protection against wolves a bounty of 20s. each, besides what the law offered, was paid by the town as early as 1716, and for many years a bounty was paid out of the town treasury to encourage the keeping of many feroeions bulls. A location for stocks was selected by the General Court in 1720, and from that date the town may be said to have been in the enjoyment of full municipal functions.
All public dnties were filled by appointment at town- meetings, even to ringing the church-bell, and sweeping
the house once in three months. Benoni Bragdon filled that office during the existence of the first town meeting- house.
In 1723, Berwick was the most inland settlement towards Canada, and the inhabitants were in a state of constant alarm. All houses built between 1690 and 1750 were of hewn logs, with long openings above and below, through which to use firearms. Besides, some were built larger and stronger, to withstand a siege. Among those nearest the settlement at the landing, at that time, were the block- house on the western side of Salmon Falls River ; Keay's garrison, a mile below, on the Berwick side ; Wentworth's block-house, near the South Berwick line; the Tozer gar- rison, a short distance north ; Goodwin's ; and later, a fort on l'ine Hill, north of Steep Falls, surrounded by a stock- ade of sharpened poles, 20 feet in height, which was standing as late as 1750.
Two men were killed in May, 1723. Soon after, a Mr. Thompson was killed, Mr. Stone scalped, one of the settlers taken prisoner, one of Mr. Thompson's children wounded, and another carried off. Twelve men were detailed to scout from the Sanford block-house.
There were 150 men of Kittery under William Pepperell, in his expedition against the French. In writing to Maj. Hill, Feb. 21, 1745, Mr. Pepperell says, " Yesterday I heard that Capt. Busted had enlisted 50 brave soldiers at Berwick. This news is like a cordial to me. The com- missioned officers of Berwiek are as brave and as good men as any in the province. Please tell them all that I sincerely value and love them. If any of them wish to go, give them the offer, and tell them to be with me to-morrow."
In 1734 the General Court awarded Richard Tozer 200 acres of land, in consideration of his being a great sufferer by the savages, and others who made application also re- ceived awards.
Flax and hemp were both raised in sufficient quantities to need an inspector in 1730. These products were raised on nearly every farm, and woven upon the primitive woodeu loom, to make the wearing apparel for the family.
Two miles on the river front were the property of lum- bermen, and were known as "interest lands." That part of Berwick lying westward, except the Leader grant, on Great Works River, was made " a common forever" by the town of Kittery. Both the common and interest lands began to be settled as early as 1700.
A portion of the town records, from 1736 to 1748, have been lost. The first meeting recorded after was held Sept. 26, 1748, to see whether the new meeting-house in the town of Berwick shall be for the whole town to meet in for the worship of God.
The meeting-house was then partly built in a little ham- let at the corner, three miles nearly east of Berwick village, and since known as Blackberry Hill. A highway was laid out from Salmon Falls to the meeting-house in 1755.
A vote of thanks was sent the Governor in 1754, for not signing a bill restricting the traffic in liquors!
Elections were held at Tilly Higgins' inn in 1767, and on Blackberry Hill, in the meeting-house, until 1848, when a town-house was built on the same ground. This was moved to the village, and afterwards abandoned.
295
TOWN OF BERWICK.
CLERKS.
PARISH .- Daniel Emery, 1706-8; Humphrey Chadbourne, 1709-12. Towy .- Humphrey Chadbourne, 1710-50," Benjamin Chadbourne, 1751-53; Humphrey Chadhourne, 1754-58; Foxwell C. Cutts, 1759-61 ; Benjamin Chadbourne, 1762-69 ; Nahum Marshall, 1770-90; John Lord, 1791-93; Ichabod Butler, 1794-1806; Na- thaniel Nason, 1807-13, Joseph Prime, 1814-38 ; Oliver Worster, 1839-43, Frederick A. Lord, 1844; Oliver Worster, 1845-54; Frederick A. Lord, 1855; Oliver Worster, 1856-57; Job Harris, 1858-60; William A. Worster, 1861-63; George W. Lord, 1864- 67; Jeremiah A. Farrington, 1868 ; Alvin B. Spencer, 1869-70; Alvin B. Spencer, 1871 ; S. Plimpton Brackett, 1872-73 ; John H. Stillings, 1874-79.
SELECTMEN.
PARISH.
1702 .- Charles Frost, John Hill, James Warren.
1703 .- Daniel Emery, John Hill, James Emery.
1706 .- Ichabod Plaisted, John Hill, Daniel Emery.
1707 .- John Hill, Philip Hobord (now spelled Hubhard).
1708 .- Nathan Lord, James Emery, John Holmes.
1710 .- John Hill, Thomas Hanscomb, Roger Deering, Jr.
1712 .- Ichabod Plaisted, John Croude, Benjamin Nason, Philip Hub- hard, John Key.
TOWNSHIP.
1713 .- Benjamin Nason, John Croude, Elisha Plaisted, James Emery, James Grant.
1714 .- James Emery, James Grant, Elisha Plaisted, John Key. Thomas Butler.
1715 .- Richard Tozer, Deacon Nathaniel Lord, William Chadbourne, James Grant, Thomas Butler.
1716 .- James Grant, Thomas Butler, John Holmes, William Chad- bourne, John Hooper.
1717 .- Capt. Elisha Plaisted, James Grant, John Holmes, Capt. Sam- uel Plaisted, John Cooper.
1718 .- Thomas Butler, John Holmes, John Cooper, John Key, Ben- jamin Libhy.
1719 .- Elisha Plaisted, James Grant, John Key, Thomas Butler, Job Emery.
1720 .- Nathan Lord, Jr., Job Emery, John Holman, Benjamin Libby, Richard Lord.
1721 .- John Holmes, Richard Lord, Joseph Pray, Benjamin Libby, Joseph Hart.
1722 .- James Grant, John Holmes, Richard Lord, Benjamin Libby, Joseph Hart.
1723,-James Grant, Thomas Butler, John Hopper, Humphrey Cbad- bourne, Joseph Hart.
1724 .- Capt. Elisha Plaisted, Eosign - Grant, John Hopper, Humphrey Chadbourne, Joseph Hart.
1725 .- John Cooper, Benjamin Lihhy, Richard Lord, Daniel Emery, Roger Plaisted.
1726 .- John Hooper, John Holmes, John Cooper, Thomas Butler, Job Emery.
1727 .- Richard Lord, Benjamin Libby, John Hooper, Joseph Hart, Joho Thompson.
1728-29 .- Capt. James Grant, John Cooper, Richard Lord, Joseph Hart, Benjamin Libby.
1730-31 .- Capt. James Grant, Joseph Chadhourne, Richard Lord, Joseph Hart, Benjamin Libby.
1732 .- Capt. James Grant, Joseph Chadbourne, Richard Lord, Joseph Hart, William Moore.
1733 .- Capt. James Grant, Capt. John Hill, Moses Butler, Joseph Hart, Roger Plaisted.
1734-35 .- Capt. John Hill, Capt. James Grant, Moses Butler, Joseph Hart, Benjamin Libby.
1736 .- Capt. John Hill, Capt. James Grant, Moses Butler, Joseph Hart, Joseph Chadbourne.
1738-47 .- The records of these years were lost about 1868.
# Mr. Chadbourne was elected town clerk in 1750, but he refused to swear he had "never taken any public Bill of the neighhoring gov- ernment since the last of March last past," and after a long debate the meeting adjourned. Not hearing from the General Court, they again adjourned. There is no record of his taking the oath, although he afterwards served as town clerk during the year.
1748 .- John Hill, John Lord, John Keay, John Morrell, Capt. Moses Butler.
1749 .- John Hill, John Lord, Samnel Brackett, John Morrell, Capt. Moses Butler.
1750 .- John Ilill, John Lord, Jr., Samuel Brackett, John Morrell, Capt. Moses Butler.
1751 .- John Lord, William Gerrish, Thomas Holmes, Jr., Jonathan Hambleton, Benjamin Chadbourne.
1752 .- William Gerrish, John Lord, Jr., James Gerrish, John Thomp- son, Benjamin Chadbourne.
1753 .- John llill, John Lord, Jr., James Gerrish, Daniel Wadlin, Benjamin Chadbourne.
1754 .- Ichahod Goodwin, John Morrill, Jr., Humphrey Chadhourne, Daviel Libby, Jr., Elisha Hill.
1755 .- John Morrell, Capt. Moses Butler, Humphrey Chadbonrne, Jr., Daniel Libby, Jr., John Smith, Jr.
1756-57 .- John Morrell, Jr., Moses Hodsdon, Humphrey Chadbourne, Jr., Daniel Libby, Jr., Richard Shackley, Jr.
1758-60 .- John Morrell, Jr., John Smith, Jr., Capt. John Lord, Jr., Daniel Lihhy, Jr., Richard Shackley, Jr.
1761 .- Capt. John Lord, Jr., William looper, Gideon Warren, Danie Libby, Jr., Richard Shackley, Jr.
1762 .- Capt. John Lord, James Warren, Jr., Gideon Warren, Daniel Libby, Jr., Richard Shackley, Jr.
1763 .- Daniel Libby, Jr., James Warren, Jr., Richard Shackley, Jr., James Brackett, Philip Hubbard.
1764-65 .- Capt. John Lord, James Warren, Jr., Daniel Lihby, Jr., Joshua Roberts, Philip Hubbard.
1766-67 .- Daniel Libby, Capt. Humphrey Chadbourne, Nathan Lord. 1768 .- Daniel Libby, Jr., Capt. Humphrey Chadbourne, Nathan Lord. 1769 .- William Rogers, James Warren, Jr., James Brackett.
1770,- William Hooper, Elijah Jenkins, Stephen IIodsdon.
1771 .- Elder Humphrey Chadbourne, Thomas Hobbs, Jr., James War- ren, Jr., Moses Ricker, Dominicus Goodwin.
1772 .-- Ilumphrey Chadbourne, Thomas Hobbs, Jr., James Warren, Jr., Dominicus Goodwin, Moses Ricker.
1773 .- James Warren, Jr., Dominicus Goodwin, Andrew Austin, Moses Ricker, James Fogg.
1774 .- James Warren, Jr., Dominicus Goodwin, Andrew Austin, James Roberts, James Fogg.
1775 .- Dominicus Goodwin, James Warren, Jr., Andrew Austin, James Roberts, James Brackett.
1776 .- James Warren, Jr., Dominicus Goodwin, Thomas Hohhs, Jonathan llamilton, Jr., James Brackett.
1777 .- Capt. Thomas Hubhs, Col. James Roberts, James Fogg, Capt. Jedediah Goodwin, Deacon John Hill.
1778 .- James Warren, Jr., Deacon John Hill, James Brackett, Capt. Jedediah Goodwin, Col. James Roberts.
1779 .- Deacon John Hill, James Warren, Jr., Isaac Morrell, Moses Ricker, Robert Rogers.
1780 .- James Warren, Deacon John Hill, William Hupper, Jacob Shorey, Humphrey Chadbourne.
1781 .- Deacon John Hill, Elder Humphrey Chadhourne, James War- ren, William Hupper, Moses Ricker.
1782 .- William Hupper, Capt. Elijah Hayes, Capt. Jedediah Good- win, James Warren, Joseph Fogg.
1783 .- John Grant, Jr., William Hall, Thomas Dowos, Richard F. Cutts, James Warren.
1784 .- Joshua Emery, H. Chadhourne, Jr., Dr. Nathaniel Low.
1785-86 .- John Hill, William Hall, Richard Fox. Cutts, Peter Mor- rill, Jr., Jacoh Lord.
1787 .- Humphrey Chadbourne, Jr., Joshua Emery, Capt. Thomas Hodsdon.
1788 .- Joshua Emery. Humphrey Chadbourne, Jr., Joseph Fogg.
1789-90 .- Andrew Austio, Dominicus Goodwin, Richard Fox. Cutts, John Libby, Ephraim Libby.
1791-92 .- Richard Fox. Cutts, Thomas Downs, Andrew Austin, Do- minicus Goodwin, John Libby.
1793 .- Dominicus Goodwin, Richard F. Cutts, John Zitlings, Thomas Downs, John Libby.
1794 .- Richard Foxwell Cutts, Andrew Austin, Thomas Downs.
1795 .- Richard Fox. Cutts, Dominicus Goodwin, Thomas Downs, James Brackett, Jr., William Hobbs.
1796-98 .- Capt. Simeon Lord, Andrew Austin, Richard Fox. Cutts, Thomas Downs, James Brackett, Jr.
296
HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, MAINE.
1799-1800 .- Richard Fox. Cutts, Andrew Austin, Dominieus Good- win, Thomas Downs. James Brackett, Jr.
1801-2 .- Simeon Lord, William Hobbs, Thomas Downs, Richard Fox.
Cutts, James Brackett, Jr.
1803-4 .- Richard Fox. Cutts, William Hobbs, Timothy Weutworth, Simeon Lord, James Brackett, Jr.
1805-6 .- Simeon Lord, Richard Fox. Cutts, Timothy Wentworth, Thomas D. Fernald, William Hobbs.
1807 .- Simeon Lord, James Brackett, William Hobbs.
1808 .- Simeon Lord, William Hobbs, Richard Fox. Cutts.
1809 .- Simeoo Lord, Richard Fox. Cutts, William Hobbs, Thomas D. Fernald, John Hooper, Jr.
1810 .- Richard Fox. Cutts, Jedediah Goodwin, Jr., John Hooper (2d). William Hobbs, Thomas D. Fernald.
1811 .- Samuel Nichols, Jedediah Goodwin, Jr., John Hooper (2d), William Hobbs, Thomas D. Fernald.
1812 .- Samuel Nichols, John Hooper (2d), William Hobbs.
1813 .- William Hobbs, Samuel Nichols, Jedediah Goodwin, Jr.
1814 .- William Hobbs, John Hooper, Nahum Heard.
1815 .- John Hooper, Nahom Heard, William Weymouth.
1816 .- Thomas Ricker, Nahum Heard, William Weymouth. 1817-18 .- Nahum Heard, Jobn Hooper, William Weymouth. 1819-20 .- John Hooper, Nahum Ileard, William Weymouth. 1821-22 .- William Weymouth, Nahum Heard, John Hooper. 1823 .- Joseph Fogg, William Weymouth, Nahum Ileard. 1824-25 .- John Hooper, William Weymouth, Nahum Heard. 1826-27 .- Col. Love Keay, Jr., William Weymouth, Col. Moses Hub- bard. 1828 .- Col. Love Keay, Jr., William Weymonth, John Chase. 1829 .- William Weymouth, Richard Shapleigh, Col. Love Keay. 1530 .- William Weymouth, John Chase, James Lord.
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1831 .- Richard Shapleigh, Charles Tibbetts, Elijah Hayes. 1832-34 .- Col. Love Keay, Richard Shapleigh, Maj. Elijah Hayes. 1835-36 .- Col. Love Keay, Col. Elijah Hayes, Charles C. Bartlett. 1837 .- Col. Elijah Hayes, Timothy Wentworth, Jr., Nathaniel Mur- ray.
1838-40 .- Charles E. Bartlett, Capt. E. Hayes, Samuel Guptil. 1811 .- Charles E. Bartlett, Capt. E Ilayes, John Ilurd. 1842-43 .- Samuel W. Fox, Hiram Varney, Jacob Wentworth. 1844 .- Granvile C. Wallingford, Alexander Junkins, Frederick Hayes. 1845 .- Samnel W. Fox, Hiram Varney, Jacob Wentworth. 1840-47 .- Elijah Ilayes, Jr., Alexander Junkins, Frederick Hayes. 1848 .- Elijah Hayes, Jr .. James Gowell, Samuel Stillings. 1849-53 .- James Gowell, Samuel Stillings, James Clark, Jr. 1854 .- Samuel Stillings, Charles Guptil, Kendall Gibbs. 1855 .- James M. Tibbetts, Mark Wentworth, Gilman Stacy. 1856 .- Keodall Gibbs, Charles Guptil, Luther S. Libby. 1857 .- Granvile C. Wallingford, John Gowell, Hezekiah Fall. 1858 .- John Gowell, Ilezekiah Fall, Edward R. MeIntire. 1850 .- John Gowell, Hezekiah Fall, Michael Tibbetts. 1860 .- James Gowell, Edward R. MeIntire, Freeman HI. Gowen. 1461 .- Thomas Hurd, James Clements, Joseph Brackett. 1×62 .- James Gowell, Freeman 11. Gowen, Moses B. Page. 1863-64 .- John Gowell, Joho Hurd, John HI. Goodwin. 1863 .- John Hurd, John Il. Goodwin, William Emery. 1866-65 .- John Hurd, William Emery, Richard L. Goodwin. 18G8 .- Jeremiah A. Farrington, Edwin M. Ham, George Guptil. 1869-70 .- Richard L. Goodwin, Moses E. Clark, Daniel W. Spencer. 1-71 .- Freeman II. Gowen, Eben R. Bradeon, James D. Cole. 1572 .- Richard L. Goodwin, James D. Cole, Horace A. Hurd. 1.73 .- James D. Cole, Ilorace A. Hurd, Eben R. Bradeen. 1.54-75 .- Moses E. Clark, Edward R. Meintire, Daniel W. Spencer. 1856-77 .- John Gowell, Joseph HI. Downs, James Clark. 1878 .- James Clark, Ilorace B. Tibbetts, Richard L. Goodwin. 1879. Richard L. Good win, Daniel H. Toothaeoc, Moses E. Clark.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, Berwick had been settled one hundred and forty years, and had become a town of some importance and influence, largely engaged in lumbering, fisheries, and other business, with an increasing population which had numbered 2374 inhabitants in 1735.
A letter from the selectmen of Boston, inclosing a report of the proceedings of their meetings, held " Monday and Tuesday last past, upon the melancholy and very alarming circumstances to which the province as well as all America is reduced," was received Sept. 17, 1768, and a town-meet- ing called for September 21st. The 20th of September was set apart as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, " looking to heaven in ye important affairs laying before the town." The town-meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. Mr. Foster, and Hon. John Hill was elected moderator. The meeting then considered the late act of Parliament imposing duties, etc .; the intimation his excellency the Governor had given of his expecting three regiments of troops to be quartered in the town; and then resolved, " the Freeholders and others, inhabitants of the town of Berwick, do at this meeting acknowledge their firm and unshaken allegiance to their rightful sovereign, King George III., and will, with their lives and fortunes, do all they can to support his Royal Family, Crown, & Dignity.
" And whereas the town of Boston did choose a com- mittee to act in connection with others from the several towns, to take such measures as his Majestie's service & the Peace & Safety of his subjects may require in the pro- posed convention to be held at Fenucl Hall, in Boston, Thursday the 22d day of September, at ten of the clock in the morning. Voted, that the town will send some suitable person to agree upon some loyal & Dutiful measure for his Majestie's Service, & peace & welfare of his subjects but in nothing more than in loyal and dutiful Petitions for the removal of these grievances the provinee now labors under."
A series of resolutions was read and approved. Benjamin Chadbourne was chosen delegate, and a vote of thanks for their timely notice passed for the town of Boston.
In 1772 the news that the "judges of the Supreme Court, the attorney-general, etc.," were to be paid out of the revenue which they held was unconstitutionally raised, caused an alarm in which 24 of the leading citizens joined in calling a town-meeting to take measures for the removal of the grievance. These, who were the first to show their loyalty to the people, were Ichabod Goodwin, Samuel Lord, William Nason, Nahum Marshall, Joseph Hardison, James Brackett, Joseph Shorey, John Andros, Philip Hubbard, Joshna Andros, Isaac Brackett, Joseph Lord, William Parsons, Humphrey Chadbourne, Jr., Samuel Brackett, Patrick Manning, Samuel Butler, Thomas Butler, Charles Butler, James Goodwin, Eben Libby, Thomas Abbott, Tobias Weymonth, Samnel Shorey.
Capt. Nathan Lord, Jr., representative, was instructed to use his utmost endeavor for the repcal of the grievances, and unite with other members of the General Court, that the judges of the Superior Court be made as independent of the crown and people as possible.
In January, 1774, addresses were drawn up showing the interest and patriotism of the people.
At a meeting of the freeholders, of which Capt. Ichabod Goodwin was chosen moderator, Capt. Nathan Lord, Capt. Philip Hubbard, Benjamin Chadbourne, Esq., Capt. Wil- liam Rogers, and Capt. Humphrey Chadbourne were chosen a committee to compose some notes and resolves for the town to adopt, and which were accepted, as follows :
297
TOWN OF BERWICK.
" The melancholy state of this province, of which this towa is a part, calls upon us the inhabitants to declare our sentiments, and show how far they agree with those of our brethren in this and the neighboring colonies of North America, relating to the improprieties of the Parliament of Great Britain in taxing North America. But the distance we are from the metropolis of this Province, and the little acquaintance we have with the nature of the dispute, renders it need- less for us to attempt to say much upon the subject ; yet, as the cause is general, we are bound to declare our sentiments, and, so far as we understand it, join with our brothers in opposing the operation of those late acts of the British Parliament subjectiog any artiele sent here from Great Britain to pay a duty for raising a revenue in North America, more especially that relative to the East India teas, which we apprehend is unrighteous and unconstitutional, and has a direct tendency to destroy this and all other colonies in North America ; and if the East India Company are permitted to send their teos and vend them here whilst they are subject to a duty to be paid in this Province, it will fully complete our ruin, and that speedily. We neknowledge and profess true and rightful allegiance to our rightful souvereign King George the Third, and are willing at all times to risk our lives and fortunes in defense of his person and his family, but at the same time must earnestly contend for those rights and liberties we are en- titled to by the laws of God, Nature, and the Constitution of this Province.
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