USA > New Hampshire > Colony, province, state, 1623-1888: history of New Hampshire > Part 8
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Thus ended a war of three years duration. The Massachu- setts government carried it on without appealing to the King for assistance, and took upon themselves all the expense. Through it all they conducted themselves as an independent State. Contemporary authority states that the Indians were
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KING PHILIP'S WAR.
1678]
supplied with arms and ammunition by the Baron de St. Castine, who occupied a plantation on the east side of Penobscot Bay, where the town of Castine is situated, but this was never cor- roborated. The settlers themselves had furnished the Indians enough ammunition for the campaign.
3
CHAPTER IV.
ROYAL PROVINCE, 1680- 1692.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS-JOHN CUTT - COUNCIL - ASSEMBLY - LAWS - CAPITAL OFFENCES - PENAL OFFENCES - GRANTS CONFIRMED -RAN- DOLPH - BAREFOOTE-MASON -RICHARD WALDRON-TAX-PAYERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE - CRANFIELD - EDWARD GOVE'S REBELLION - LAW- SUITS - APPEAL TO KING -RIOTS-JOSHUA MOODEY - DUDLEY - AN- DROS -REVOLUTION -UNION WITH MASSACHUSETTS - KING WILLIAM'S WAR.
THE people of the four towns of New Hampshire were incorporated as a Royal Province without being consulted as to their wishes. They had become accustomed to the laws enacted by the Bay Colony, and their deputies had assisted in framing them. They enjoyed many privileges under the republican government which had been over them, which they could foresee were to be abridged ; and they knew that the new government was imposed upon them to help Mason perfect his claim to the Province. During the union, the Massachusetts settlements had spread out over the State across the Connec- ticut river ; while the four New Hampshire towns, save for the natural increase within their borders, remained in statu quo, from the fact that there was no competent authority to grant townships or lands. They had become attached to their homes and farms, their hills and valleys, with a patriotism natural to the Saxon race, had defended their possessions from savage Indians, and were united and determined to hold them against any claimants. They made no claim to the wild lands, but demanded peaceful possession of what they had reclaimed from the wilderness, had occupied over half a century, and had defended with their best blood.
93
ROYAL PROVINCE.
1680]
When the four towns of Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter and Hampton were taken from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and elevated to the ambitions condition of a Royal Province, they included within their bounds two hundred and nine qualified voters -less than are now registered in many of the smaller towns of the State -and they would be now entitled to only two representatives in our present Legislature. Their export trade consisted of masts, planks, boards, staves and other lumber, of great bulk and little value. The fishing business had sought other ports. There was not enough grain raised for home con- sumption, and the people were slowly recovering from their losses incurred by the disastrous Indian conflict, in which houses and barns had been burned, stock killed, fields laid waste, and many of the most promising of the rising generation had fallen victims to the fatal tomahawk and scalping knife. Taxes, under the circumstances, were very burdensome.
There was a fort, for the protection of the harbor, erected on Great Island during the Dutch war of 1665, which mounted eleven six pounders. There was also a battery of five guns at Portsmouth for the defence of the town against Indians.
The records of the port for the year 1680 show that twenty- two ships, twenty barks and brigs, and five smaller vessels entered the harbor, mostly unladen, and seeking a load of lumber.
For a number of years the inhabitants had been accustomed to the confinement and inconvenience of garrison life, and at the first indication of danger would hasten to the protection of a neighboring block-house. Arms were kept in readiness at all times for instant use, and were generally carried on all occa- sions, -in the field, at church, at town meeting and at all social gatherings.
The commission constituting a president and council for the Province of New Hampshire was issued by Charles II, and passed the Great Seal, Sept. 18, 1679, and went into effect Jan. 21, 1680. The jurisdiction of Massachusetts was declared illegal, and John Cutt of Portsmouth was named the first presi- dent. With him, as a council, were associated Richard Martin,
94
HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1680
William Vaughan and Thomas Daniel of Portsmouth, John Gilman of Exeter, Christopher Hussey of Hampton and Rich- ard Waldron of Dover. In accordance with the commission from the King, they chose to join them in the council Elias Stileman of Great Island, who had been a clerk of the county court, and whom they appointed secretary ; Samuel Dalton of Hampton, and Job Clements of Dover. The president nomi- nated Waldron as deputy or vice-president, Richard Martin was appointed treasurer, and John Roberts marshal.
The administration included the leading men in the four townships. The president was one of three brothers, John, Robert, and Richard Cutt, from Wales, who settled on the Piscataqua before 1646. Richard at first carried on the fish- eries at the Isles of Shoals, and was afterward in command of the fort on Great Island. He died in Portsmouth in 1670. Robert Cutt located at Great Island, and afterwards at Kittery, where he carried on ship building. President John Cutt settled at Strawberry Bank, where he acquired much wealth from mer- cantile pursuits, but was aged and infirm when appointed to office. He was of acknowledged probity, and held in high esteem in Portsmouth. His daughter, Hannah, married Colonel Richard Waldron, son of Major Richard Waldron of Dover. His widow, Ursula Cutt, was killed by the Indians, in the summer of 1694, at "The Pulpit," a few miles up the Piscata- qua. President Cutt died in March, 1681. The Cutt brothers were the largest landowners in Portsmouth in their generation.
Of the council, Richard Martin was a man of good character and great influence, and had been very active in procuring the settlement of a minister in the town. He died thirteen years later.
William Vaughan was a wealthy merchant, generous and public spirited, and of undaunted resolution. He was of Welsh extraction, but had been bred in London. He died in 1719.
Thomas Daniel was a person of much note and importance He died three years after he was appointed to office.
John Gilman was a leading and influential man in Exeter, and the ancestor of many men of note in Province and State. He died in July, 1708, at the age of eighty-four years.
95
ROYAL PROVINCE.
1680]
Christopher Hussey was a principal man in Hampton. He died four years later, at the age of seventy-five years.
Major Richard Waldron of Dover, was a native of Somerset- shire, and one of the early settlers on the river. He had been especially prominent in military affairs, a justice in the Court of Associates, and many years a member of the Massachusetts General Court. According to Brewster, the "Rambler" of Portsmouth, his son was elected to the council the following year, and succeeded Cutt as president. Belknap and Farmer state that it was the father who succeeded Cutt.
The commission was brought to Portsmouth by Edward Ran- dolph, whose caustic report of the causes and results of King Philip's war were noted in the preceding chapter, but three weeks elapsed before it was published. Dr. Belknap is of the opinion that the council accepted their offices with reluctance, and only to prevent others from being appointed whose aims might not be to the best interests of the commonwealth. "This change of government gratified the discontented few, but was greatly disrelished by the people in general, as they saw themselves deprived of the privilege of choosing their own rulers, which was still enjoyed by the other colonies of New England, and as they expected an invasion of their property soon to follow." When writs were issued for calling a General Assembly, the persons in each town who were judged qualified to vote were named in the writs, and the oath of allegiance was administered to each voter. A public fast was observed, to ask divine blessing on the approaching Assembly, which met at Portsmouth about the middle of March, and was opened with prayer and a sermon by Rev. Joshua Moodey.
Portsmouth, with seventy-one qualified voters, sent as depu- ties Robert Elliot, Philip Lewis and John Pickering ; Dover, with sixty-one voters, sent Peter Coffin, Anthony Nutter and Richard Waldron, Jr .; Hampton, with fifty-seven voters, sent Anthony Stanyan, Thomas Marston and Edward Gove; and Exeter, with twenty voters, sent Bartholomew Tippen and Ralph Hall.
Their first act was to acknowledge the royal favor of the
96
HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1680
commission creating a distinct government ; their next, to address the authorities of Massachusetts, excusing their acts of independence ; and then they proceeded to frame a series of laws for their future government. They discovered sixteen crimes worthy of capital punishment, and twenty-one penal offences. Among the former were idolatry, blasphemy, treason, rebellion, murder, witchcraft, perjury, man-stealing, cursing parents, and rebellion against parents ; among the latter were swearing, profaning the Lord's day, contempt of God's Word or ministers, forgery, bribery, defacing records or landmarks, lying, burning or breaking down fences, gaming, lottery, drunkenness, and firing woods.
The first act in the new code provided " that no Act, Imposi- tion, Law or Ordinance be made or imposed " without the approval of the Assembly, council and president.
All charters and grants of land were confirmed ; the General Court were a supreme court of judicature ; law cases were to be tried by juries, and inferior courts were constituted at Dover, Hampton and Portsmouth :.
The military establishment of the Province consisted of one company of foot soldiers in each town, one company of artillery at the fort, and one troop of horse, all under the command of Major Waldron.
The authorities were especially jealous of their rights and resolutely withstood any encroachment of their privileges by Randolph, who had been commissioned collector, surveyor and searcher of the customs for all New England. Captain Walter Barefoote was the deputy collector at Portsmouth. In the exe- cution of his commission, Randolph seized a vessel belonging to Mark Hunking of Portsmouth, bound from Maryland to Ireland, which put into the harbor for a few days. For this he was sued at a special court and had to pay damages and costs. The dep- uty collector was also indicted and fined "for disturbing and obstructing his Majesty's subjects in passing from harbor to harbor" in requiring that all vessels should be entered and cleared with him.
In December, Mason, the claimant, came from England with
1
97
ROYAL PROVINCE.
1680]
a royal command requiring the council to admit him to a seat on the board. Having become a member he commenced to make demands, persuading some of the people to take leases of him, threatening others, forbidding them to cut firewood and timber, asserting his right to the Province, and assuming the title of lord-protector. The people became very uneasy, and petitions came into the Assembly from every town. At length Mason was indicted for an offence which was deemed "an usurpation over his Majesty's authority" as established in the Province, but escaped arrest by flight to England, in March, 1681, about the time of President Cutt's death. Another vacancy was caused in the council by the death of Samuel Dalton of Hampton, and Richard Waldron, Jr., of Portsmouth and Anthony Nutter of Dover were elected to the office. Richard Waldron was presi- dent of the council from the death of Cutt to the arrival of Lieut .- Governor Edward Cranfield early in October, 1682. Wal- dron died in June, 1689, aged eighty.
TAX PAYERS IN HAMPTON, IN MAY, 1680.
Nathaniel Bachilder. James Samuel, Philbrick .* Godfre, Thomas,
Jacob, Tho., Ben., Jon., Browne.
Joseph Palmer.
Nath'l Boulter, Sen. & Jr. ~* Henry Roby.
John Blake. * Jon. Redman, Sen. and Mark Baker. Jr.
- * Moses Cocks (Cox). Tho. Row.
Edw. and Sam'l Colcord. Joseph and Sam'l Cass.
Jon. and Will. Sanborne, Sen.
Richard and Jon. San- Francis Jennis.
Abraham Drake, Sen. and Jr. Alexander Denham.
born, Jr.
* Ant. and Jon. Taylor. Samuel and Daniel Tilton.
Gershom Elkins.
* Will. and John Fuller. Sam'l Fogg.
- Phillips Towle.
- John Tuck.
Ben. and Will .* Fifield, Tho. Thurtten. Sen.
Henry and Abra. Greene.
Mr. Tho. Wiggin.
Jon. and Isaac Godfree. Edw. Gove.
Nath'l Weare.
Tho. Warde.
Jon. and Jacob Garland. Tho. Webster.
born. John Hussy.
Jon., Nehemiah and Morris * Hobs, Sen. and Jr. Tim. Hilyard. James Johnson.
John Knowles. Aretus, * Tho. and Ilizrom Lovitt. Daniel Lamprey.
Samuel Sherborn.
Benj. and Jos. Swett.
Mr. Andrew Wiggin.
* Anthony and Jno. Stanyen.
* Robard Smith. Jon. Smith, tayler.
Jon. Smith, cooper.
* Between 70 and 90 years.
Caleb and Jacob Perkins. Hen. and John Dear-
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HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [1680
Isaac, Jon. and Eph. * Thomas, Will. and James Marston.
Henry, Jon., Joseph and Benj. Moulton.
Tho. Rachel and James Chase.
* Jon. Marion. Jon. Masson.
Abra'm Isaac, Cole.
Joseph Mead.
Benj. and Tho. Cram.
Tho. Nud.
Israel, * John Clifford, Sen. and Jr.
John Sanborne, Henry Moulten,
*Abra. and Isaac Perkins.
Francis and Tho. Page.
Elias Crichitt.
Henry, Jos. and Daniel
Nathaniel Weare, John Smith,
Christopher Palmer and sons.
Dow.
Selectmen.
TAX PAYERS AT EXETER, IN APRIL, 1680.
Imp. Gov. Robt. Wadlee. George Jones.
Robert Stewart.
Mr. Moses Gillman.
Jona'n Robinson.
Humphrey Wilson.
Mr. John Thomas.
Jeremy Canaugh.
Robert Powell.
Mr. Barthol'w Pipping.
Eleazer Elkins.
Andrew Constable.
Mr. Edward Hilton.
Alexander Gorden.
Nic. Listen.
Mr. Sam'l Hilton.
Robt. Smart, Sen.
John Bean.
Mr. Richard Scamon.
John Young.
Tege Drisco.
Mr. Wiggin's mill.
David Robinson.
Joell Judkins.
Major Sharpleigh, for Hil- ton's mill.
Sam'l Hall.
Theop. Dudley.
Major Clark, for his mill.
Ralph Hall.
Thos. Mekins. Biley Dudley.
Peter Follsham.
John Sinckler.
Robt. Smart, Jun'r.
Christian Dolhoff.
William Moore.
Rich'd Morgan.
Sam'l Leavitt.
Phillip Cartey.
Thos. Tidman.
Moses Leavitt.
John Wedgewood.
John Clark.
David Lawrence.
Henry Magoon.
James Kid.
John Follsham, Jun.
Jonathan Thing. Joseph Taylor. Anthony Goff. Charles Gledon.
James Perkins.
Ephraim Follsham. Nat. Follsham.
Edward Gillman.
Edw'd Sowell.
John Gilman, Jun.
Jonathan Smith.
Trustees of Exeter.
Samuel Dudley, Jr.
COCHECO TAX PAYERS.
Major Richard Waldron. Left. Peter Coffin.
Isaac Hanson Widow Hanson.
Rich. Nasson. Jno. Ellis.
* Between 70 and 90 years.
-
Will'm Hilton.
Ephraim Marston.
Nic. Norris.
Kinsley Hall.
Nad. Lad.
Sam. Follsham.
[ John Gillman, Sen.
Ralph Hall, [Edw'd Smith,
Cornelius Larey.
Jonathan and David Wedgwood.
Ralph Welch.
Nath'l Wright.
>* Tho. Sleeper. > Jos. and Ben. Shaw. - Will Swaine. Joseph Smith. Will Sanborne, Jr. Jon. Sleeper.
George Swete. L Samuel Dalton,
Tho. Philbrook, Jonathan
1681]
ROYAL PROVINCE.
99
Jno. Ham. Will Horn.
Capt. Jno. Gerrish. Jonathan Watson. Ralph Twomley. Tho. Austyn.
Rich Seamon.
Wmn. Yerington.
Zacherie Field.
Jno. Knight.
Joseph Sanders.
Maturin Ricker.
Jno. Windicot.
Ezekill Winford.
Tho. Douns, Sen.
Will. Gifford.
Sam'l Wentworth.
Nathan'l Stephens.
Jno. Church. Mark Goyles.
Tho. North.
Phillips Chesley.
Gorshem Wentworth.
Mr. John Evens.
Tho. Chesley.
Jno. Heard, Sen. John Heard, Jr.
Will Harford.
Stephen Ottis.
Tho. Hanson.
James Stagpoll.
Jno. Michill. Edward Eayers.
Will. Tomson. James Hawkins.
DOVER NECK TAX PAYERS.
Jno. Dam, Sen. Jno. Cox.
Jno. Roberts, Sen.
John Hall, Jr.
Edward Allin.
Tho. Roberts, Jr.
John Hall, Sen.
Tho. Perkins.
Widow Tibets.
John Tuttle.
Isaac Stokes.
Jeremy Tibets.
Rich. Rich.
Tho. Young.
Wildrum Dam. Abraham Nutt.
Joseph Beard.
Mr. Will. Henderson.
Joseph Canie.
Jno. Cooke.
Nathan IIall.
John Meader, Jr.
BLOODY POINT TAX PAYERS.
Iccobad Rawlins.
Isaac Trickie.
Jno. Hudson.
William Shackford.
Widd. Cattor.
Nicholas Harris.
Jno. Bickford, Sen.
Joseph Hall.
Michael Brown.
Luke Mallune.
Henry Longstof.
William Gray.
Widd. Trickie.
Benjamin Rawlins.
Joseph Trickie.
Eframe Trickie.
PORTSMOUTH TAX LIST, SEPT., 1681.
Jno. Cutt. Jno. Dennet. Geo. Hunt.
Jno. Partridge. Jno. Fabins. George Fabins.
Robt. Rousley. Antho' Elms' Estate.
Edward Cate.
-
John Dam, Jr. John Bickford, Jr. Samuel Rawlens. James Rawlens.
John Pinkham.
James Nutt, Sen.
Will. Willey.
James Nutt, Jr.
Peter Masson.
Harvey Hobbs.
Robert Evens.
Rich. Ottis, Sen.
Rich. Ottis, Jun.
Jno. Roberts, Jr.
Mr. Goff.
Nath'l Kene.
Abraham Clarke.
Edward Tayler.
Tobias Hanson.
Timothy Ilanson.
Jno. Frost. William Kim.
James Derry.
Elder Wentworth, George Ricker. Tho. Paine.
Humphrey Barney.
Mr. Will. Partridge.
Will. Tasket.
Jno. Derry.
Jinkin Jones.
Tho. Downes, Jr. Benjamin Herd.
Phillips Cromwell. Tho. Whitehouse.
William Furber, Sen, William Furber, Jr. Richard Roe, Left. Nutter.
Job. Clements, Esq.
Thos. Roberts, Sen.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [1682
Mr. Rich. Walden.
Jno. Pickering. Wm. Sheller.
Jno. Shipway. Wm. Vaughan, Esq.
Mr. Otsella Cutt.
Rich. Watts. and negro.
Jno. Jackson, seaman.
Ja. Treworgie.
Mr. Jno. Huckins.
Jno. Bartlet.
Wm. Williams. Crafts.
Wm. Ham.
Wm. Pitman.
Tho. Gill.
Rich. Jackson and sons. Wm. Earle.
Wm. Brookin.
Lodwick Fouler.
Jno. Cotton.
Nat. White.
Edward Holland.
Ruben Hull.
Tho. Stevens.
Jno. Seavie.
Rich. Martyn, Esq.
Rich. Monson.
Robt. Williams.
Jno. Seward and man.
Francis Jones.
Wm. Mason.
Francis Mercer.
Jno. Bandfield
Mr. Moody, for Mary Cutts' land.
Sam'l Case.
Dan. Duggin.
Dan'l Westcot.
Jno. Frenchman, smith.
Ja. Jones.
Ephriam Linn.
Phil. Severet.
Wm. Cotton.
Jno. Wakan.
Obad Moss.
Neh. Partridge and 2.
Jno Baker.
Edward Melcher.
Rich. Webber.
Jno. Chevalier & man.
George Loveis & Son.
Tho. Ladbrooke.
Wm. Rocklief.
Jno. Fletcher.
Tho. Jackson.
Nico. Walden.
Jno. Cutt, mariner and man.
Jno. Light.
Hubertus Matton.
Jno. Tucker and three heads.
Sam'l Whidden.
Phil Founds.
Tho. Harvey and man.
Jno. Whidden.
Ja. Levet.
George Snell.
Tho. Gubbtail.
Wm. Roberts.
Sam. Clark.
Jno. Presson.
Jno. Muchmore.
Mat. Nelson.
Leo. Drown.
Robt. Almonie.
Tim. Davis.
Wmn. Richards.
Tho. Daniel.
Jean Jose and Richard.
Hugh Leer.
Jno. Jackson, Sen.
Rich. Door.
Hen. Savage.
Jno. Jackson, Jr.
Peter Ball.
Wm. Walker.
Tho. Pickering.
-Mark Hunckins.
Wm. Cate.
Peter Harvey.
Rich. Shortridge,
David Griffith.
Francis Huckins. [Signed by ]
Jno. Brown.
Jno. Jones.
Elias Stileman
Rob't Pudington.
Joseph Jewell.
William Vaughan. .
Rob't Lang.
Roland, at Hunt's.
Thom. Daniel.
Rich. Waterhouse. Anthony Furbur.
Robert Elliot. 1
Cranfield had been commissioned by the King, and instructed by the English authorities to sustain the claims of Mason. He arrived in New Hampshire in October, 1682, and published his
I P. P., vol. i, 424-28.
Mrs. Elenor Cutts.
Walter Ell.
Alexander Denet, Jr.
Tho. Wakan.
Jno. Hardy.
Phil Tucker.
Geo. Bramhall.
Rich, at Jno. Tucker's.
Hen. Kerch.
Ditto Journaman.
Lewis Williams.
IOI
ROYAL PROVINCE.
1682]
commission. His council consisted of Mason, styled proprietor, Waldron, Daniel, Vaughan, Martin, Gilman, Stileman and Clem- ents, of the old board, and Walter Barefoote and Richard Chamberlain. Mason had mortgaged his whole interest in the Province to Cranfield, who made no secret of his intention to reap a rich harvest. Within a week after his arrival, Waldron and Martin were suspended from the council, Cranfield having the supreme authority. When the Assembly, which had been summoned, met about the middle of November, Waldron and Martin were restored to their seats in the council, and conciliation was attempted by both parties. The Assembly voted the governor £250 and adjourned. At the next session, in January, 1683, there was an open rupture. He vetocd the bills of the Assembly and they would not accede to his wishes, so he dissolved them, after he had suspended Stileman from the council and from the command of the fort. Stileman's offence was in allowing a vessel under seizure to go out of the harbor. Barcfoote was made cap- tain of the fort in his place. The dissolution by the governor of the Assembly, a thing before unknown, aggravated the popular discontent and secured him the ill-will of the men of New Hampshire; and soon the feeling of resentment rose so high as to result in a rebellion. In a report made to the Board of Trade by Randolph, there is an account of this rebellion :
A short time after [the dissolution], one Edward Gove, who served [in the Assembly] for the town of Hampton, a leading man and a great stickler for the late proceedings of the Assembly, made it his business to stir the people up to rebellion by giving out that the governor, as vice-admiral, acted by the commission of his royal highness, who was a Papist, and would bring Popery in amongst them; that the governor was a pretended governor, and his commission was signed in Scotland. Ile endeavored, with a great deal of pains, to make a party, and solicited many of the considerable persons in each town to join with him to recover their liberties infringed by his Majesty's placing a governor over them; further adding that his sword was drawn, and he would not lay it down till he knew who should hold the gov- ernment. Ile discoursed at Portsmouth to Mr. Martyn, treasurer, and soon after to Captain Hall of Dover, which they discovered to the governor, who immediately dispatched messengers with warrants to the constable of Exeter and Hampton to arrest Gove; and fearing he might get a party too strong for the civil power (as indeed it proved, for Justice Weare and a marshal were repulsed), the governor forthwith ordered the militia of the whole
IO2
HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1683
Province to be in arms : and understanding by the marshal that Gove could not be apprehended at Hampton by himself and a constable, but had gone to his party at Exeter (from whence he suddenly returned with twelve men mounted and armed with swords, pistols, and guns, a trumpet sounding, and Gove with his sword drawn riding at the head of them), was taking horse, and with a part of the troop intended to take Gove and his company; but the Governor was prevented by a messenger from Hampton, who brought word that they were met withal, and taken by the militia of the town, and were secured with a guard; the trumpeter forcing his way escaped, after whom a hue and cry was sent to all parts, but as yet he is not taken. This rising was, unexpectedly to the party, made on the 21st day of January, 1683. It is generally believed that many considerable persons, at whose houses Gove either sent or called to come out and stand for their liberties, would have joined with him had he not discovered his designs, or appeared in arms at that day. For upon the 30th of January being appointed by the governor a day of public humiliation, they designed to cut off the governor, Mr. Mason, and some others whom they affected not. The governor sent a strong party of horse to guard the prisoners, then in irons, from Hampton to Portsmouth. They were brought before the governor and council and examined, when Gove behaved very insolently.
When arrested, Gove and his companions were put under the charge of Captain Walter Barefoote at New Castle, so the record quaintly says, "In regarde that ye prison was out of repaire." While in custody there, Gove wrote a letter to the justices who were about to try him, and in. it he describes his condition. He
If says : "My tears are in my eyes, I can hardly see. * *
ever New England had need of a Solomon or David it is now. * We have a hard prison, a good keeper, a hard Captain, irons an inch over, five foot seven inches long, two men locked together, yet I had, I thank God for it, a very good night's rest." On the 15th of February, 1683, a special court was called to try Gove and his comrades, and " after long consideration the jury found Gove guilty of high treason, * * and all the rest in arms. * * The governor ordered the court to suspend its judgement (on the latter ) till His Majesty's pleasure should be known therein ; most of them being young men and unacquainted with the law." The judge, Richard Waldron, who, it is said, shed tears while sentencing Gove, pronounced the dreadful sentence that he should be hung, drawn and quartered, -- that being the punish- ment for the offence.
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ROYAL PROVINCE.
1683]
Most of Gove's companions were pardoned ; and Gove himself, after being sent over to England and confined in the Tower for some years, was pardoned and sent back to Hampton. There is on file in the State Paper Office in England a petition of his wife to pardon her husband. She gives as his excuse that he was intoxicated at the time, and hints at a streak of insanity which ran in his family. After his return to America he lived but a short time, and always contended that a slow poison had been administered to him in prison. His house, a part of it, still stands in Seabrook, and there is growing on the premises a pear-tree which it is said he brought from England with him. His descendants became Quakers, and some of them still wor- ship in the old Quaker meeting-house in Seabrook, which was formerly a part of Hampton ; and it is near this old church that Gove's remains lie buried.
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