USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 22
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"To the selectmen of the town of Derryfield, Gentlemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of said town, We the under Subscribers loking upon our- selves as under a great Disadvantage for want of a pleace of Public Wor- ship, as we have rising fameleys which cannot atend at other places and as it would be encoragement for ministers to Com and preach unto us if we were forward in getting a place for the public worshipe of God ourselves.
87
MANCHESTER.
"Capt. Alexr. McMurphy.
Mickell MeClintock.
John Ilall.
Robrt Dicky.
Robert Anderson.
John mirrall.
James Riddell.
James Piters.
Samuel Boyd.
William Petiers.
John Dickey.
William Nutt.
Binjimin Stivins.
James peirse.
John Riddell.
John Harvey.
James Humphrey.
Wm perham, Jr.
Hugh Stirling.
Thoms Hall."
On the 2d of September, 1758, a warrant was issued for a town-meeting, at the barn of John Hall, on the 21st of the same month :
" To see if the freeholdrs and inhabitants of the town would vote to Imild a meeting-house this present year.
" To see what spot of ground the town would vote to build said meeting- house on.
" To see how much money the town would vote to raise for building the said meeting-house.
" To see what dimensions they would vote to build said meeting. house.
" To see if the town woukl vote to choose a committee to carry on the lmilding of said meeting-house.
" To see if the town would vote to raise any money for preaching this year and how much."
At the meeting Captain Alexander McMurphy was moderator, and it was
" Voted to build a meeting-house this present year.
" Voted to build the meeting-house on John Hall's land joining the road leading to Thomas Hall's Ferry and the Amoskeag Falls.
" Voted to raise six hundred pounds to carry on the building the said meeting-house.
" Voted to raise the said meeting-house forty fret in length, and thirty- five feet in breadth.
" Voted Capt. William Perham and Lt. Hugh Sterling and John Hall the committee to carry on the buikling of the above said meeting-house."
A frame was put up, but nothing further was done. People refused to pay their taxes, and the committee could make no progress.
At a meeting, July 15, 1759, it was
" Voted to collect five hundred pounds old tenor this present year to be applied towards Boarding and Shingling of our meeting-house, said >um is to be taken out of the five hundred pounds new tenor that was voted in the year 1757 for building the above said meeting-house.
" l'oted Capt. William Perham, Lieut. Hugh Sterling and John Hall a committee to spend the five hundred pounds old tenor, towars boading and shingling the meeting-house.
" Toted that John Hall apply to the Gentlemen that have land not cultivated or improved in Derryfield, for money to help us in building our meeting-house in said town.
" Voted that whoever pays any money to the above said meeting-house shall have their names and sums of money they pay recorded in Derry- field town book of records."
The building committee was accused of mismanage- ment, and at a meeting, November 15, 1759,-
" l'oted 3 men a committee to examine the accounts of the committee that was chosen to build our meeting-house in said town.
" Voted Michael McClintock, John Harvey, and David Starrett, the committee to examine the accounts of the meeting-house so far as they have proceeded in building of said house.
" Yoteil to record the six hundred pounds old tenor that was collected in 1758, and the following sums as they are collected for building the aforosaid meeting-house and each man's name and sum what he pays to the aforesaid house.
" l'oted to allow all the committee's accounts, as they brought them in before the town, in time and money spent by them in building our meet- ing-house in said town, so far as they have proceeded in said building.
" Voted not to underpin our meeting-house at present but to make one door this year."
At a town-meeting, December 3, 1759, it was
" Voted not to collect any more money from the town this year to- wards the meeting-house.
" Voted to borrow what remains due for the meeting house to clear off the committee's accounts, and pay the interest for the same.
" Voted that the present Selectmen for the year 1759 borrow money to pay off the committee for lmildling the meeting-house so far as they have
proceeded, and the Selectmen in the year 1760, shall be equally bound to pay the money borrowed as the present Selectmen and shall have full power in law to collect the said money from the freeholders and inhabi- tants of the town."
At an adjourned meeting it was
"Voted to reconsider the vote that the Selectmen borrow the money, and voted that Capt. William Perham, Levt. Ilugh Stirling and Levt. John Hall are impowered by the frecholders and inhabitants of the town of Derryfield to borrow the sum of four hundred and twenty-three pounds six shillings old tenor, and to pay interest such as they can hire the above money for, and all their time and expenses paid by the said town as well as the above sum of four hundred and twenty-three pounds six shillings old tenor.
"N. B .- Till such time as the above sum is paid to them by the afore- said freeholders and inhabitants of said town."
The money was hired and the accounts paid off.
"Agreabel to a vote of the free houlders and Inhabitantes of Derry- field at a meeting held in the meeting-House of Sd town, Novm. 15, 1759, Voted, one ye third artical of the Warrent to Record the moneay that was Corlected In the year 1758 and the following Sounes as they are Corlected for the Bulden the meeting-hones In Derryfield and cache mans name & Some of monay what hie Peayes to the a for Sit meeting- houes which Eache mans and Soum is hiear Set Down In the followe order :
" This first column is
for ye year
for ye year 1758.
1759.
This is for ye year 1760.
"Coln. John Goffe
30 18
19
7
21
13
10
Capt. Wm. Perham . .
18
4
15
=
21
4
23
17
G
Capt. John Starks 10
10
10
7
1
19
2
Lieut. Hugh Shirlea
10
14
Lieut. John Moorrs ..
7
-1
Ens. Daniel Niell .
22
()
13
-T
13
3
G
Ens. Robt. Andrson . .
13
=
13
O
0
18
1
Sergt. Win. MeClintock .
21
12
20
2
0
2.1
Il
=
Sergt. Abraham Miral
30
10
24
7
1
I
0
Sergt. Ebenr. Stivins .
14
12
11
12
13
S
Sergt. James Ridell .
7
Binjmin Stivens
22
10
15
9
4
13
1
2
Binjmin hidley
23
10
18
10
0
=
0
William Quimby
10
=
0
=
John Ridell
13
S
1
7
1)
Mikel McClinto .
8
9
0
1
9
5
Chairles Emerson
11
14
5
11
7
Thomas Russ
9
10
17
5
11
4
10
Elizer Robiens
23
12
19
4
20
William Tagourt
20
15
18
16
S
IS
3
10
William Gemble
15
1-1
1
18
6
John Harve
15
15
17
10
Neehmie McNill
10
15
11
2
12
James I'mphra .
10
15
7
13
1
18
10
Adam Dickey
10
5
=
0
=
=
John Dickey
10
16
9
17
1
8
13
=
(
James Piters
G
lo
14
18
Joseph Gorge
9
5
0
0
S
11
David MeKnight
7
10
=
S
0
William Nutte.
=
14
10
1
-1
8
Robrt Dieky
X
=
8
15
John Cunagham
=
=
=
Moses Carnerd
9
=
19
]
-1
8
Widow Boyd
3
I.S
7
G
8
Alex Met'lintock
10
15
G
8
-1
2
William Perbam
=
3
9
=
=
=
8
Levt. John Hall
16
15
10
12
()
8
Thomas Ilall .
(1
11
=
Levt. John Goffe
()
13
(
17
4
=
19
0
William Smith
-
=
=
11
James Moors Ears (heirs)
0
17
1
1
5
Sizer Grifen
Ezekiel Stevens .
*
0
James Willson . . =
Y
=
0
G
-1 1
John Mirall .
Sammel Quimhey.
K
C
Obide Ilness .
Wm. Willson
4
Stifen Gorge
G
15
4
9
-1 ℃
=
=
10
1
=
0
10
10
9
1
0
=
8
James Pirees
7
17
-1
14
C
=
10
Samuel Boyd .
10
19
17
10
14
1
John Secomb
=
8
10
3
David Stiret
20
s. c.
0
Capt. Alex. McMurphy . 29
0
93
16
19
James McNight
9
2
1.5
Thomas Gillis,
0
8
5
8
John Tagourt
9
88
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
£ 8.
d.
Mr. Thomas Parker of Litchfield
6
0
0
Parash Richordeson
0
6
6
Henry Blasdel
0
7
8
Benjamin Steaviens 0
Ezekile Stivens . 0
0
10
5
Abrham Merrell, Junr
0
7
10
Josephe Gorge
0
7
7
John Grifeng
0
7
4
William Nutte
0
7
7
Capt. John Moors
0
14
11
Conl. John Goffe
1
6
0
Samuel Moorrs
0
7
G
Thomas Newman
0
6
6
William Tagert
0
11
0
James McNight
0
12
1
David McNight
0
OC
5
William Hall
0
G
10
Elizer Robens
0
9
6
William Pirhanı
0
12
11
John Pirham
7
7
Charless Emerson
0
16
Jolın Harvey
0
11
2
William Pirham Junr
0
9
5 5
Samuel Boyd
0
8
1
Nathaniel Boyd
0
7
4
Widdow Marget Boyd
0
0
6
Isabeld McFarlon
0
0
5
Capt. Alixander McMurphy
19
0
James Hornor
0
6
1
Alexander MeClintock
0
7
1
William Gembel
0
13
4
John Heron
0
9
7
James Perces
0
10
6
Sergt. William Mcclintock
0
18
John McClintock
0
8
15
William MeClintock Jun
0
6
0
John Dickey
0
9
5
Davit Been
0
G
0
Davit Been, Junr
0
6
0
James Ramiesy, Londonderry
0
6
2
William Smith 0
6
John Eacken, Londonderry =
0
3
Robt. McCluer, Londonderry .
0
=
4
Capt. John Goffe, Jun. Bedford
0
G
Edward Barry 0
0
10
John Crown .
0
G
0
John McCallon
0
6
0
Joseph Moorrs . 0
6
0
Ebinezer Noyes 0
0
1
6
Joseph Quimby
0
I
6
Samuel Quimby
0
1
6
Joseph Jouens
0
1
But a year of preaching did not produce any better state of feeling, and both parties prepared for a severe contest at the annual meeting in March, 1766.
The quarrel had now become almost entirely per- sonal, and the object of both parties was to elect cer- tain leading men to office. True, these men were in favor of or against certain measures, but the men of one party, at least, seem to have been more cared for than measures. On the 3d of March the annual meet- ing came off at the meeting-house, and the Hall party, taking time by the forelock, were present in force at the time appointed for the meeting, and proceeded to organize and to choose officers.
The following officers were chosen, viz. : John Hall, moderator; John Hall, town clerk; Alexander McMurphy, Ebenezer Stevens, John Hall, selectmen James MeNight, constable. 5
" John Ilall
11
8.
d.
S
Widdow Sarah Andrson
6
Ebnezer Slavens
11 1
Joseph Masten
Levt. Daniel Me Nival
1
samuel Stark
6
3
Ensign James Met
=
Capl. John Stark 8 1
Levt. Archabald stark Q
10
John Riddell
(
G
Jamies Riddell
8
Thomas Russ
10 8
Johnathan Russ
0
James Willson in Lo. Derry, pd. if South 10 0
John Stuard in Lo. Derry, haf a thousand of Boards . 10 0
" Recorded per me, JOHN HALL,
" March ye 2, 1761." " Town Clark.
Still (says Judge Potter, in his excellent " History of Manchester") the house remained unfinished. Meanwhile, Mr. Hall was accused of retaining the money given by the non-resident land-holders, and at a special meeting, held the 15th of December, a com- mittee was chosen "to call John Hall to account for the money that he received from gentlemen that has land not settled in Derryfield."
As this committee made no report, and there was no further action upon the subject, it is fair to presume that they found no such money in Mr. Hall's hands.
Thus there was a continual quarrel kept up be- tween the parties, sometimes one controlling the affairs of the town, and sometimes the other, as the partisans happened to be present at the town-meet- ings, matters pertaining to the meeting-house and to preaching being the subjects of contention. And at an adjourned meeting, held April 2, 1764, the opposi- tion on these subjects was carried so far as to vote not to raise any money for preaching for the year, and not content with this vote, at a special meeting on the 29th of October following, they voted to apply the money already raised for preaching the preceding year, and in the hands of a committee, to pay the debts of the town.
Their opposition to the location of the house not only prevented the finishing it, but they would not have preaching in it! However, the other party mus- tered at the annual meeting, March 4, 1765, in full force, and carried things with a high hand, voting that the selectmen furnish preaching for the current year at the cost of the inhabitants. Thus there was more preaching in the house for 1765 than ever before.
Such continual strife had a most deleterions effect upon the prospects of the town. Emigrants of re- spectable character were very careful to avoid a place of so much contention, and the inhabitants them- selves had less inducement and less time for indus- trious pursuits. What with the spring fisheries, neighborhood canvassing, personal altercations and town-meetings, there was little attention paid to agri- cultural pursuits.
The following is the tax-list of this year (1765) the first one recorded in the ancient town records :
" The copay of the Lieste In Lawfull mony, 1765.
0
9
7
Sergt. Abraham Merrell
d.
En. William Bller 0 0
6
0
Johnathan Mirall
4
6
James Graves.
6
7
David Stiratt
0
14
Michael Mct'lintock
59
MANCHESTER.
After this successful manœuvre in the choice of the principal town officers, the meeting was adjourned for a half-hour to John Hall's tavern. The object of the adjournment is not set forth, but as Mr. Hall kept a tavern, it may be that they adjourned to enjoy some element of rejoicing not found in the meeting-house. The adjournment over, they proceeded to elect
"Mickael MeClintock, Hendry Blaisdel, Charless Emerson, Joseph Gorge, Surviers of Higways ; Joseph Marsten, William Nutt, Taything- men ; The Selectmen, Fence-viewers; Elizer Robbins, James Riddell, Deer-Keepers: Ebinezer Stevens, Survier of Lumber ; Thomas Russ, Sieler of Leather ; Mickael MeClintock, Elliezer Robus, Committee to settle with Selectmen of 1756; The Selectmen, Takers of Invoice Joseph Gorge, John Perham, Samuel Boyd, Hog Reeves ; William Per- ham, Clerk of the Market."
The meeting then adjourned to the 31st day of March. The business was all transacted before the arrival of the other party. When they arrived, there was no little excitement, and they forthwith proceeded to organize the meeting, and to choose officers. After the choice of a complete set of town officers, this meeting was adjourned. Thus there were two sets of town officers. The last set of officers are now un- known, as their names were not recorded in the town records, they being in possession of the opposite party. Both sets of officers entered upon their duties and with a will. The utmost confusion was the consequence. To add to the excitement, a special town-meeting was held on the 27th day of June, at which it was voted to finish in part the meeting-house, and fence the grave- yard near it.
At this time the better part of the community be- gan to look about them in all seriousness and examine the state of things; and well they might. The quar- rel was fast driving people from the town.
The following is a letter from Colonel John Goffe to Governor Wentworth relative to this election :
" Derryfield, September 1st, 1766.
" May it please your Excellency
" I went at the Request of Masons Proprietors to the Society Land be- tween Pettersboralı & Hillsborah to see where the Trespassers had ben at work & whose Lots they had Improved upon & found they had cleared, at least eut a grate deal of Timber down, had built a camp upon Solly & Marches 1 & on Meservey & Blanchards and your Excellencys Lots on the west side of Contucook River they have don a great deal of work fenced it all In with a Considerable Good Runing fence have built a camp on it & altho' no body was their when we were their yet we are prity sure that Doet Perry is the man that has Trespassed upon your lot & petty it is that he should not be prosecuted as he Is the Ringleader of all the Rest, the[re], and as son as they Git to work again I have 2 men In- gaged to see them at work & acquaint me with their names .- The Land is Exceeding Good but I think your Excellencys is superior to any at that part of the Society Land and that maid them fellows Covet it it is certainly worth mony-I intended to have wated upon your Excellency when the Infer Cort set but I hurt my self when up their with heat and laying ont in the Wet so that I have not ben well sence I came from their .- Your Excellency may Remember that we In Derryfield peti- tioned the Gen" Cort for an act to call a town meeting for the choice of town officers which when I cal'd John HIall with Colo Barr who have strived all that is in their power to Injure me of late & at the meeting Col" Barr cam on porpos to affront me & Colo Barr lliered? voters for John hall with Large promises and Webster a Trader at Chester hall
1 samuel Solley and Clement March.
2 Il' Colonel Goffe stated the truth in the foregoing, the practice of hiring voters is not so modern.
Hiered I have by good Information to come to Threaten his detters in town, if they did not vote for Ilall he could not stay upon them &e., so that upon the whole with their Influence hall obtained eighteen voters be side him self and there was eighteen voters on the opposite side of the most substantial men in town so that when they had don all they could that could not git hall any oflice without voting for himself nor none that was chosen that day & several Reed Deeds from Colo Barr & others that day to make them voters which I suppose held them no longer than that Night for I am confident they would not Trust them A shilling ever expecting to Git it .- And as soon as the meeting was over John Hall told Esqr Sheepard the moderator that he had Beat Goffe now & he would have a commission of the peace In spite of any body that should oppose it for Colo Barr & Maj Emerson and MIr Webster with his friends at the Bank would procure it for him-now may it please Your Excel- leney if such an Insulting fellow (for I have heard him Insult the whol Govert) many times and a man that has Live 30 or forty years upon a place & could never Raise half his provision, to Git that post would strive for to make mony by it and put the people into confusion for work he dont Ineline to & is allway contriving unjust ways to maintain his Luxury & I am very sure your Excellency never will Give a com- mission to a man that wants it for no other end than to Revenge and Git mony by it. Therefore 1 Beg your Excelleneys favour that John Hall nor non for him may prevail in that Respect.
"I am your Excelleneys most Humble & Devoted Servant
" JOHN GOFFE.
The following is the tax-list for 1766 :
"The Copy of the List in lawful money for ye year 1766 of the polls and Estates.
£ 8. d.
"David MeKnight
=
8
James Meknight 0 10
John Rand, Esq. . 5
4
John Goffe, Esq. 1 5
9
Samuel Moors -
7
4
Capt. John Moors 0 11 8
William Nutte
John Grifen . =
0
4 313
Joseplie Gorge .
-
51
Sergt. Abraham Mirall .
5
1
Ezekiel Stivens
Benjamen Stivens
3
Thomas Hall
6
4
John Riddell
Sergt. James Ridell
0 17
1.
Capt. John Stark
0
6 10
Ensign Samuel Stark
4 =
John Hutchen
Levt. Daniel MeNieall 11
4
Sergt. Ebinezer Stivens 9 3
6 5
Josephi Masten
1
1
Levt. John Hall
4 51.
Daniel Hall .
Samuel llall 5 8
Alix. MeClintock
4
1/
James llornor
S 512
David Stirrate
William Mcclintock 0 13 11
0 7 412
John MeClintock
0 6 10
Jolın Dickey
0 20 10
William Gembeal
0 11 7
Sammel Boyd
Sergt. Nathaniel Boyd
1
1
Widow Boyd
0 10 X
Mickel Met'lintock
5 0
James Pirceas
William llall
E
Capt. William Pirbam
0
John Pirbam
0
5 4
Benjamin Backer
6 I
Johnathan Mirall
0
Handrey Bllisdal
Thomos Russ
4 6
-1
Ensign James McCawallow
4
Capt. Alexander McMurphy
0 5 11
5 9
" His Excellency, Govenor Wintworth."
90
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
E. s. d.
Elizer Robens
0 7 11
Chrles Emerson
0 13 312
William Pirham, Junr
0
4 0
Robert MeClure, Londonderry
0
0
3
John Eacken, Londonderry
0 0 4
William Smith
0 6
Ensign Alex. Biler
0 9 9
" Recorded Feb. 7, 1767.
"per me
JOHN HALL,
" Town Clark."
From a comparison of the town-lists, it will be seen that during the year preceding the making of the tax- list of 1766 there had been a decrease of twelve polls in the town. The list of 1765 contained sixty-three, while that of 1766 contained but fifty-one. Eighteen men had deceased or left town, and six had been added to thetown. But the case was still worse than this. Two of the men added to the list of 1766, Daniel and Samuel Hall, were men of the town just come of age, or never before taxed, so that in reality there had been a decrease of fourteen polls, or more than one-fifth of the polls of the town.
In this state of things a petition was forwarded to the Legislature for redress. The petition was as fol- lows, viz .:
" To His Excellency Benning Wintworth Esqr & Commander In Cheiff of His Mayestye's Province of New llampshier, the llonorable his majes- tye's Conncell And House of Representatives In General Assembly Con- vened.
" The Pettetion of A number of the freeholders & In Habitants of the town of Derryfield Humbly Sheweth, that the first menday of March annually is appointed by charter to be the Day for chusing of Towne offecers for the Currant year and the usual Costom of sd town has been to warn the Town of time and place and Design of holding said meeting with the Several articles to be acted upon en sd Day, by posting up a C'oppy of Said warrant at three several places in said Town, (viz.) one at John Goffe Esqr's, one at John HIall, & one at Lr. Russes at Nameskeeg, which was a vote of Said Town, but so it was that neither of the places had any Notification Set up, and one of them Particularly Nameskeeg had no Coppy Set up in that part of the town, So that they knew not the time of Day the meeting was to be held; yet notwithstanding two ef the Selectmen and town Clarke did contrary to former Costom, with about ten or a Dozen of the Inhabitants and boys and unqualified voters, did Enter and in about five menuits time Chouse all the principal offecers for the town, Notwithstanding one of the Selectmen and the Constable & Several of the Inhabitants opposed them and told them it was not fair to hold the meetin before the Inhabitants came, and that it was not the usual time of day that the meeting vse to begin & that the inhabitants that must pay the Greatest part of the Taxes that shall com upon the town were not presant & that they would be here presantly, yet they proceeded as afore Said, and at five minutes after cleven o' the clock a considerable number Came & in halle an hour the Inhabitants Cheifly Came & uppon hearing that the principal offecers were Chosen by a Small Number of voters and many of them not Qualified, they Con- cludel as that was the Day by Charter to Chuse town offecers they being the Larger part of the Qualified voters belonging to Said Town, maid proclamation that they were going to hold the town meeting & all were Desired to attend and they went to the meeting house and maid Choise of n moderator & Town Clark & Selectmen & all town offecers, & they were «worn to the faithful discharge of their Duty as the Law Direets, So that their is two Sets of offecers in Said town which makes Confusition ; we most Humbly therefore Pray your Excelency & Ilon'rs to take our Case under wise Consideration and Grant that there may be a Regular town meeting In Said town & that we may have town offerers Cheisen as the law directs and that our Confusion may be brought into order, and might be Inabled to Raise the provence taxes, mend high ways & do the nessesery business
of the town and that your Pettioners may bring in a bill for that End -- & your Petten'ers as in duty bound shall Ever P'ray.
" Dated at Derryfield first of May, 1766.
" John Goffe, James McCalley,
William McClintock, Samuel Stark,
Davin Starrett, Daniel MeNeale,
Samuel Boyd, Thomas Russ,
Nathaniel Boyd, John Rand,
Charles Emerson, John Hervey,
William Nutt, Samuel Meor,
Jehn Griffin,
John Meor."
John Stark,
It will be seen that some of the men who had gen- erally acted with the Hall party signed this petition. They were doubtless dissatisfied with the unfair pro- ceedings of that party at the annual meeting. In fact, Captain W. McClintock was present at that meeting, and told them that they were proceeding in an unfair manner. He was one of the selectmen for 1765, elected by the Hall party, and had hitherto been with them.
While the matter of the petition was progressing, a meeting was called of the town June 27, 1766, at which it was
" Voted to Repear the meeting-House in part thies year.
" J'oted to Lay a good fllor in the Meeting-House and make three Good Dores and Ilinge them one said House and shout upe the ounder windows. and a Commadate the Meeting-IIouse with forms Suitable for to Sit on."
Meantime the petition came up for consideration before the House of Representatives on the 3d of July, and the petitioners had leave to bring in a bill. On the 8th the bill passed the House and was as follows:
" An Act for Vacating the meetings of the Town of Derryfield for the year 1766 held there by the Inhabitants for the Choice of town offecers and for Deriecting & authorizing a meeting & the Choice of town offecers for Said year.
" Whereas Sundry of the Inhabitants of Said Derryfield have Pititioned the General Assembly Respecting that Some designing men of Said In- habitants Having Some purpose to effect Relative to the affairs of Said town which they could not otherwise accomplish, huried on the annual meeting Sooner in the Day then is usual & before many of the principal Inhabitants were Come to the place of Sd meeting whereby a Set of offcers were Chosen who were Disagreabel to the principal Inhabitants that af- terwards when the said Inhabitants Come they maid Choice of another Set of town offcers who on bothe Sides were Swern & have proceeded to act in their respective offces whereby the greatest Confusion was like to Ensue in the town & therefore they prayed that both of Said meetings might be Vacted and maid void and a new meetinge Called for the Choice of town officers for this year which having been Examined and both partys heard thereon and it appearinge that the affairs of Sd town are by this means Invollved in Confusion & perplexity which would Isue in Disor- tion of all the Legal Rights and Privileges of Sd town ;
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