USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 20
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And while our heart overflow with gratitude, and our mroaths are filled with the profe. of our Benefactor, let us offer our fervent priver to a long-suffering and perdoing Good, Faut he would graciously for 've our manifold aggravated offences, by his chungand onein fa led us to repentance, a. I not filer jorge; to prove of ruin . ... the thief all me pole councils was willem a I drau mit, diale a true Ipint or q. thistime three's al
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11.
GOV. WEARE'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION, 1784.
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dissolved, November 16, 1725. During the closing days of this session he was again temporary chairman.
Referring to the attitude of Mr. Weare at this point of time, Rev. Paine Wingate has written,-
Hle was in doubt as to the expediency of some measures that were adopted: and in the first efforts of the American people to resist the British claims, he seemed not prepared to go all lengths with the spirit of the times. However, when a convention of the state was called and they were about assuming the powers of government, President Weare, in the second week of their sitting appeared as a member of that body and took his seat, as he had occasionally before attended conventions for the appointing delegates to congress. On account of his former distinetions in high offiees, as well as his deservedly esteemed personal character, his now full accession to the American cause was eagerly embraced by the convention and he was immediately placed at the head of the New Hampshire state government.
The student of history will not overlook the fact that Mr. Win- gate wrote with a knowledge obtained from a personal contact with the men and the affairs of this period, and that for thirteen or more years immediately preceding 1:66 he was a resident. and for several years the settled minister, in Hampton Falls. When literally construed, these remarks of Mr. Wingate are not in exact harmony with the record. In all the early meetings of the patriots Mr. Weare was present. A man is known by the company he keeps. If, in the summer of 1725. he attended the last assembly at Ports- mouth, his fellow associates were Woodbury Langdon, Josiah Bart- lett, Nathaniel Folsom, Ebenezer Thompson, and others of equal devotion to the American cause, and when he hastily returned to encourage the patriots in congress at Exeter they attended him, and no evidence of hesitation is recorded of the humblest member. In both assemblies their patriotism was equally conspicuous. At Portsmouth they thwarted the desires of the royal governor, and prevented the passage of oppressive laws. At Exeter they boldly upheld the cause of the people, and devised measures for an instant prosecution of the war. Mr. Weare, by birth and education, was a loyal subject of Great Britain. It is not presumed that his adher- ence to the popular cause, like the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, was an instant change of opinions and purposes. Wisdom is the fruit of thought, and a deliberation that leads to a just conclusion is a growth and not a sudden impulse. Like other patriots, doubt- less, he pondered and hesitated, until the accumulating wrongs of
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his countrymen enlisted his sympathies and satisfied his conscience. The measure of patriotism is by comparison. None of his asso- ciates were earlier or more firmly enlisted in the cause of the Amer- ican colonies.
The provincial congress, May 20. 1775, appointed a committee of safety, consisting of Matthew Thornton, Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple. Nathaniel Folsom, and Ebenezer Thompson. Three days later, Israel Morey, Samuel Webster, Samuel Ashley, and Josiah Moulton were added to the committee, and to them were delegated unusual powers. The committee, however, was not complete with- out Meshech Weare, and he was elected July 5. These are familiar names in the annals of the Revolution. They administered the affairs of a community without a government until the election of a new committee early in the ensuing year.
The fifth congress assembled at Exeter, December 21, 1775. From this assembly the sessions of the legislature of New Hamp- shire have been continuous and uninterrupted. On the 5th day of January the assembled delegates resolved themselves into a house of representatives for the ensuing year, and adopted a form of government to remain in force during the war. This primitive con- stitution provided that a council of twelve members for the ensu- ing year should be chosen by the house of representatives, and that thereafter a council of twelve members and a house of represent- atives should be elected annually by the people, and should convene on the third Wednesday of December. To the council and the house of representatives, acting in concurrence or in joint assembly, were delegated both legislative and executive powers. Under this constitution New Hampshire was styled a colony until September, when the name of state was first employed. Although not provided in the constitution, the legislature during the war continued a cus- tom, inaugurated by the provincial congress, of choosing a com- mittee of safety, to continue in office and to administer the govern- ment during the recesses of the legislature. To this committee were delegated executive powers, and none but members of the conneil or house of representatives were ever chosen to this office. It was an early practice under this constitution to choose a new com- mittee for each recess. A little later the committees were ap- pointed to serve until a new committee was chosen, and after March, 1180, the term of service was continued through the legislative year.
Such was the form of government from January 5, 1776, to June 2, 1784, of which Meshech Weare was the most conspicuous charac-
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ter. In addition to his service in the provincial congresses and to his previous service on the first committee of safety, of which Mat- thew Thornton was chairman, he was continuously a member of the council, and with each election he was made president of that body. Of the successive committees of safety chosen within this period he was a member, and from the beginning to the end he was the chairman of the committee. Within the space of eight and one half years he was honored with nine elections to the council and nineteen appointments to the committee of safety, and as many times was he elected president of the council or chairman of the committee; and, as if to assert the full measure of the esteem and confidenee of his associates, the records often affirm that he was elected unanimously. With each election there were changes in the membership of the conneil and of the committee of safety, but his colleagues, however constituted, were united and constant in his preferment.
Josiah Bartlett, the only man who served an equal time in the council, and other leaders who were accustomed to honors and important positions of trust, were unwilling to accept preferment at the expense of their esteemed associate and beloved friend; and while health suffered him to labor for the people, the most exalted seat in the couneils of the state was reserved with pious care for their respected chief.
During these years of heroism and of sublime achievement, he was at all times foremost among the supporters of the great issues submitted to the arbitrament of arms. The record of his official career cannot avoid the reiteration of associated events, but it will not be complete without the statement that he was one of the com- mittee of fifteen who drafted the constitution of 1726, and that he was a delegate in the convention that submitted a constitution which was rejected by the people in 1728. It does not appear that he was a member of the convention that framed the constitution of 1184.
His public service is nearly completed. A grateful people re- served the highest honor within their power to bestow as the ulti- mate expression of their affection and esteem. A new consti- tution went into operation in June, 1284, and without opposition he became the first governor of New Hampshire. From 1284 until 1192 the governor was at once the chief executive and president of the senate. For eight years the executive of New Hampshire was
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styled " His Excellency the President." By an amendment of the constitution in 1992 this title was changed to "His Excellency the Governor." Referring to the administration of 1784, Dr. Belknap says,-"President Weare, being worn out with public services, re- signed his office before the expiration of the year, and after lan- guishing under the infirmities of age, died on the 15th day of Jan- uary, 1286." This erroneous statement has been repeated many times. Living among and writing within a very few years of these events, it is remarkable that Dr. Belknap overlooked the official record and in a single paragraph misstated the date of death.
With the exception of his resignation as chief justice, the records of May, 1784, contain the earliest references to his failing health. The journals establish the fact that he attended a special session of the legislature, which adjourned April 17. and thereafter con- tinued to meet with the committee of safety until May 21, when, for the first time, his increasing infirmities confined him to his home. At the last session of the committee, beginning May 2? and contin- uing three days, he was not present.
Under the constitution of 1284 the legislature was convened June 2. It was the inauguration of a new government, the found- ing of a free and independent state, and the glad fruition of a buoyant hope that had sustained them through years of gloom and severest trial. The absence of the chief magistrate on this occasion was formally entered in the journals.
After several days of deliberation, the senate on Tuesday of the second week of the session chose Woodbury Langdon president pro tempore, and during the ensuing week he was the acting gov- ernor of the state. Tuesday, June 15, which was the last day of the session, Governor Weare was present, took the oaths of office, and presided in the senate during the day. Through the summer and autumn the governor and council held frequent sessions, com- pleting a great amount of official work, and making an unusual number of appointments incident to the inauguration of a new government. An adjourned session of the legislature convened in October and continued three weeks. The governor was present, presiding in the senate and in the executive council. No renewed suggestion of his illness appears in the records until another ad- journed session of the legislature, which continued from February 9 to February 25. During these sixteen days Woodbury Langdon was again acting governor. The absence of a record of meetings of the
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council indicates the continued sickness of Governor Weare until March 16, when it is stated that a meeting of the governor and council was called, and "his excellency being sick did not attend"; but two days later the record continues, "The council having re- ceived a summons from his excellency, requiring their attendance on him at Hampton Falls, repaired to that place." The man was worn and feeble, and yet the chief magistrate was hale and strong. He promptly discharged all the duties of his office until the close of the official year, although on account of his failing health the later meetings were held at his home in Hampton Falls.
His official career is ended. The public has enjoyed the vigor of his manhood and the wisdom of his declining years. No strength has been reserved for the evening of life. Worn out by incessant application, he was prostrated beyond recovery. Calmly awaiting the presence of the specter of death, his remaining life is meas- ured in months. In December he made a will distributing among his children his meager estate, but leaving to his posterity the price- less inheritance of a noble name. A few days later his death was proclaimed by the solemn voice of tolling bells, and the town clerk of that ancient town opens to an unwritten page of the record and solemnly transcribes,-
The Honble Meshech Weare Esq. and Late President of the State of New Hampshire, departed this Life, at five o'clock, P. M. in his 73d year January 14 1786.
At this time, living and dead, there are forty-three ex-governors of New Hampshire. It is a distinguished array of honored names, and an imposing assemblage of genins and character. With the ex- ception of Mr. Weare, the portraits of all, adding individuality to the influence of noble lives, are now hanging in the council cham- ber. Of Mr. Weare the past has preserved no portrait. Tradition asserts that he was tall, slender, and commanding; that he was incisive in speech, and atfable in manner; that he was erect, and walked rapidly and with a dignity of bearing that is summoned only by conscious strength and nobility of mind.
The records, constituting volumes transcribed in his hand. his state papers, and many letters preserved in the state archives, are an enduring testimonial to his industry. In them are revealed the steadfast purpose of an honest man, and the power of intellectual force and vigor. In a patriot possessing such qualities of mind and character, the quickened instincts of the people discerned a
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leader for troublous times. Happy and fortunate in their first election, the patriots of the Revolution suffered no rival to usurp the powers which they had freely delegated to their ehosen friend and faithful servant.
Meshech Weare, with qualities more solid than brilliant, will be enrolled in history among the great men of his time. If he did not command the ready language and magnetic power that gave John Sullivan an instant command over his fellow men: if he was never driven forward by a hot and imperious temper that raised General Stark to the sublimest heroism; if he had not the courtly bearing and commanding presence that made John Langdon a conspicuous figure in any assembly,-he did possess an equalized force and a measure of intellectual vigor that made him foremost in the councils of the state, and a degree of industry, faithfulness, and honesty, combined with amiable qualities of mind and dispo- sition, that made him first among the people.
At successive stages of his eventful career his associates addressed him as Colonel Weare, as Esquire Weare, as Assemblyman Weare, as Councilor Weare, as President Weare, as Judge Weare, and as Chief Justice Weare; but no title adds dignity to his honored name. As long as the story of the Revolution invites the study and excites the admiration of a grateful people, as long as "Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution," and kindred societies, continue to honor the memory of patriotic fathers, this honored leader in the councils of the state can receive no grander title than Meshech Weare.
Metrech Weare
EDWARD GOVE.
We are unable to tell where he originated. There were Goves in Piscataqua in 1631, and there was a family of Goves in Charles- town. It is presumed that he was from one of these, more likely the former. He was in Hampton as early as 1665. In 16:0 he had a grant of eighty acres (No. 35). He was one of the select- men in 1681 and 1688. and was a member of the assembly in 1682. Governor Cranfield dissolved this assembly January 20, 1683. Edward Randolph gives the following account of Gove's proceedings:
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In a short time after Edward Gove who served for the town of Hampton, A leading man, and a great stickler in the late proceedings of the Assembly, Made it his business to stir up the people into re- bellion by giving ont that the governor, as vice admiral, acted by his Royal Highness commission, who was a papist and would bring popery in amongst them. That the governor was a pretended gov- ernor and his commission was signed in Scotland-He 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 reeover their liberties infringed by his majesties placing a governor over them, further adding that his Sword was drawn, and he would not lay it down till he should know who should hold the government. This he diseoursed at Portsmouth to Mr. Marten treasurer, And soon after to Capt. Hall at Dover, which they diseoursed to the governor, who immediately dispatched messengers with warrants to the constable at Hampton & Exeter to apprehend Gove, and fearing that he might get a party too strong for the Civil power (as indeed it proved for justice Weare and a Marshall were repulsed) The Governor (although mueh dissuaded) Forthwith ordered the Militia of the whole province .to be in arms, and understanding by the Marshall that Gove could not be apprehended at Hampton by himself and a Constable,-But was gone to his party at Exeter from whenee he suddenly returned with 12 men belonging to that town, Mounted and armed with swords, pistols and guns, A trumpet sounding, And Gove with his Sword drawn riding in Hampton at the head of them. Taking horse and a part of the troops it was intended to take Gove and his company-But the governor was prevented by a messenger from Hampton who brought word that he was met and taken by the Militia of that town, and seeured with a guard .- The trumpeter forcing his way escaped after whom a hue and ery was sent to all parts-But as yet he is not taken .- Inis rising was unexpected to the party made up on the 21st day of January last. It is generally believed many considerable persons at whose houses Gove then Either sent or Called to Come out and stand up for their liberties, would have joined with him, had he not discovered his designs or appeared in arms at that time, For upon the 30th day of January. being appointed by the governor as 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 gov- ernor and Couneil, where Gove behaved himself very insolently. They were all committed to custody and Capt. Barefoot having the trained band of Great Island there in arms was ordered to take care of the prisoners and keep a strict watch upon them. because the prison was out of repair. All this while the governor was at great Charge and expense in suppressing this rebellion. And in keeping up guards to secure the peace of the province. We judged it necessary to bring
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them to a speedy trial and to that End direeted a commission of over and terminer to Richard Waldron, Thomas Daniel & William Vaughan Esq for their trial to be had upon the first day of Februray next at which time Gove and the other prisoners were brought to the Court then holden at Portsmouth in the said provinee The grand jury found the bill the next day, they were all arraigned and indicted for levying war against his majesty. Gove pleaded to the indict- ment not guilty .- Then Mr. Martyn treasurer of the province and Capt. Hull both of Portsmouth, with two justices of the peace and a lieutenant of the foot company at Hampton, who was at the taking of them were all sworn in Court .- Then Gove owned the matter of faet. and to justify his taking up of arms pleaded against the governor's power,-That he was only a pretended governor, by reason of his eommisson as he said having been sealed in Scotland, Like- wise that the governor had by his proclamation appointed the 30th day of January to be annually observed and kept a day of humiliation, and obliged the ministers to preach that day .- That the governor had at his house discoursed to Gove and showed him out of the 10th chapter of St. Mark the necessity of children's baptism. This he urged to be a great duty imposed upon the ministry. The other pris- oners pleaded not guilty, but had little to say in defense of them- selves. Further they were drawn in by Gove. The jury after long consideration found Gove guilty of high treason upon the indietment, and all the rest in arms. upon which the Court proceeded to give judgment and passed the sentence of condemnation upon Gove, But in regard to the other prisoners were specially found. The governor ordered the Court to respite their judgment till his majesties pleasure should be known therein, Most of them being young men and alto- gether unaequainted with the laws of England.
Gove received the sentence of death in its usual hideous form and his estate was seized and forfeited to the crown.
The others were eonvieted of being accomplices and respited. The king's pleasure being signified to the governor, that he should pardon such as he judged objeets of merey. They were all set at liberty exeept Gove, who was sent to England, and imprisoned in the tower of London, about three years. On his repeated petitions to the king and by the interest of Randolph with the Earl of Clarendon, then lord Chamberlain, he obtained his pardon, and he returned home in 1686, with an order to the then president and council of New England to restore his estate.
He wrote the following letter while in prison:
From the great island in Portsmouth in New Hampshire, To the Much honored Justices of the Peace, as you call yourselves.
By your indictment in which eleven men's names subscribed namely Ed. Gove, John Gove, Is. Wadley, Robt. Wadley, John Wadley, Ed. Smith, Will. Ely, Tho Rawlings, John Sleeper Mark Baker, John Young .- Gentlemen exeuse me I cannot petition you as persons in
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authority by the names of justices of the peace, for now I am upon a serious account for my life and the life of those that are with me. Therfore pray consider well and take good advice of persons in government from whence you came. I pray God who made the heavens, the Earth, the Seas, and all that in them is, to give you wisdom and courage in your places to discharge such duty as God requires of you, and 2dly, I heartily pray God to direct you to do that which our gracious King Charles the 2d of blessed memory requires of you .- Gentlemen it may be I may be upon a mistake, but accord- ing to what I know and believe. I am falsely indicted, and I am abused notwithstanding by another indietment, by being in irons by Capt. Barefoot's orders, which irons are called bilboes Exceedingly large. Pray consider we are men like yourself, made of the same earth, and I know who made the difference. And I verily believe that the holy, righteous, just God will have an account of you for your justice in the matter. Pray consider when this last charge was. I writ to one man in the province I told him we were onee a happy people, if all was right in the bottom I believed it, but now I see otherwise. Who knows what shall be on the morrow, though it be appointed a solemn day of fasting-I know when it was appointed there was not the election of cries and tears, that will appear when the day comes. If New England ever had need of a Solomon, or David, or Moses, Caleb or Joshua, it is now. My tears are in my eyes I can hardly see .- Yet will I say I do believe how it will come. You and they with siths and groans must outdo the ministry-The ministry must endeavor to outdo you. But if you and they do anything in hipocracy God will find you out, and deliverance will come some other way .- We have a hard prison .- a good keeper, a hard captain, irons an inch over five foot and several inches long, two men locked together- Yet had, I thank God for it, a very good night's lodging, better than I had fourteen or fifteen nights before .- I pray God to direet you and let me hear from you, by a messenger that your honors shall employ, and consider I am your honor's humble servant, in all duty to be commanded-
EDWARD GOVE.
I know those that will have a blessing from God must endeavor to stand in the way of a blessing. This doctrine I heard 32 years ago .- EDWARD GOVE.
Excuse anything writ amiss for the Lord's sake. I would you were all as I' am, and as fit to receive reward for innocency. I humbly beg your prayers to god in our behalf .-
EDWARD GOVE.
If anything be amiss in what is written let the subscriber bear the blame for the rest are surprised with fear
EDWARD GOVE.
T humbly and heartily desire some of your honors would speak to Minister Moody to pray to God in our behalf, of all his poor prisoners
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the world over, and especially for us, the fore named, the men of this provinee who lie under heavy burdens-
EDWARD GOVE.
This letter was dated January 29, 1683.
Gove, in his petition to the king, pleaded "a distemper of mind" as the cause of those actions for which he was prosecuted. He also speaks in some of his private letters of a drinking match at his house, and that he had not slept for twelve days and nights about that time. When these things are considered, it is not hard to account for his conduct. From a letter which he wrote the court while in prison, one would suppose him to have been disordered in his mind. (This is the preceding letter.) His punishment was by much too severe, and his trial was hurried on too fast, it being only six days after the commission of his erime. Had he been indicted only for a riot, there would have been no difficulty in the proof nor hardship in inflicting the legal penalty. Waldron, it is said, shed tears upon pronouncing the sentence of death upon him. There is some doubt whether this account of a drinking match is true.
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