USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > The history of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham country). 1719-1883. A Scotch settlement (commonly called Scotch-Irish), embracing nearly one third of the ancient settlement and historic township of Londonderry, N.H > Part 23
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Francis Bartley, from 1869 to 1871. Benjamin O. Simpson, from 1872 to 1877.
Leverett J. Griffin, from 1877 to Oct. 1881.
HI. M. Bugbee, appointed Oct. 1881. James Cochran, appointed May, 1882.
POSTMASTERS IN WEST WINDHAM.
D. Blaisdell, from 1844 to 1851.
M. S. Palmer, from 1852 to 1857. 1872.
Francis A. Marden, from 1858 to 1865.
Edward Titcomb, from 1866 to
J. W. Sherry, 1872. Charles Smith, from 1873 to 1881.
200
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
POSTMASTERS AT WINDHAM JUNCTION.
Benjamin HI. 1Inghes, from 1867 Edwin N. Stickney, 1870, and from to 1870. 1872 to the present, 1882. James Bartley, 1871.
POSTMASTERS AT FESSENDEN'S OR NEAL'S MILLS.
Robert B. Jackson, from 1852 to Robert B. Jackson, 1869, and dis-
1857. continued. In 1874 changed to
Stephen Fessenden, from 1857 to Golden Brook Mills.
1869. George S. Neal, from 1874 to 1881.
The mail facilities at present are good, the mails reaching town on nearly every train, and a through mail is carried by team from Windham Junction to Lowell and return, every day. There are four post-offices : Windham (Centre), Windham Junction, West Windham, and Golden Brook Mills.
201
TOWN OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.
CHAPTER XIX.
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES. - VOTERS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE 1775 .- TOWN OFFICERS OF LONDONDERRY, OF WHICH WINDHAM WAS A PART, BEFORE THE INCORPORATION OF WIND- HAM, FROM 1719 TO 1742. - TOWN OFFICERS OF WINDIIAM FROM THE TIME OF INCORPORATION, 1742, TO 1883. - ORGANIZATION OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT, 1776. - TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED UNDER REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT. - PERMANENT GOVERNMENT ESTAB- LISHED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1784.
THE town officers who were to be chosen at each annual town-meeting, were moderator, clerk, selectmen, constables, fence viewers, field drivers or hay-wards, surveyors of highways, of lumber, sealers of weights and measures, tything-men, hog reeves, deer inspectors, pound-keepers, overseers of the poor, and over- seers of the house of correction. For information of the two latter lists of officers, see chapter on Pauperism.
The Moderator then, as now, was elected to preside in and govern the town-meeting.
The Selectmen's duties were similar to theirs at the present day. The number could be three or more. For the first three years of our corporate existence, we had a board of five selectmen. In 1746, and subsequently, the board has consisted of three mem- bers. The selectmen received no pay for their services for several years. The selectmen have usually acted as overseers of the poor.
The Constables collected the taxes, posted the warrants for meetings, and warned transient people from the town. There were two constables for many years. Each had his list of taxes to collect. One was for the east side of the town, the other for the west side.
Fence Viewers were to settle disputes between parties in regard to division fences.
Field Drivers, generally called " Howards " upon our records. Their duty was to take up and impound all neat cattle or other domestic animals running at large upon the highway.
Surveyors of Highways. - Their duties were similar to those at the present.
Tithing-men. - This office has long since become obsolete, and the fear occasioned by these officials in the minds of breakers of the Sabbath, and persons who did not observe proper decorum during religious worship, has passed away. It was their duty to prevent the profanation of the Sabbath, and to help correct any
14
202
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
violations of morality. A black staff two feet long, tipped at one end with brass or pewter, was carried as a token of their office.
Hog Reeves. - In 1719, a province law was passed, prohibiting swine from running upon the highway between the first day of April and the first day of October, unless they were yoked and ringed in the manner prescribed by law. The yoke was of wood, and was to project above the neck of the hog as far as the depth of the hog's neck was deep, and half as far below. The ring was of strong, flexible wire inserted through the top of the nose, and the ends twisted together, to prevent rooting.
Deer Inspectors. - Deer were plenty in early times, and their flesh and hides were of great value. To prevent their utter extinction, laws were passed for their protection during such seasons as would aid in their increase. A law was passed in 1741, making it a crime to kill deer between the last of December and the first day of August, and subjected the offender to a fine of £10. Two officers were to be chosen each year to carry this law into practical effect.
VOTERS AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE 1775.
Before the Revolution, a person qualified to vote for town offi- cers was required to be a freeholder, or to have the worth of £20 of other taxable property. To fix the salary and to settle a min- ister, the voters were limited to owners of real estate. Taxes for the support of the minister were assessed on personal estate and polls. A candidate for the General Court, in order to be eligible to the office, was required to be an owner of real estate to the value of £300. To be a legal voter required the ownership of real estate in the town of £50 value.
The following is a list of officers who governed Windham from the time of the first settlement of Londonderry, in 1719, to 1883.
TOWN OFFICERS OF LONDONDERRY, OF WHICH WINDHAM WAS A PART, BEFORE THE INCORPORATION OF WINDHAM, FROM 1719 TO 1742.
New Hampshire was then a Province of England, of which George I was king, having succeeded Queen Anne in 1714.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
1719. - James McKeen, moderator; John Goffe, clerk ; David Cargill, James McKeen, James Gregg, Samuel Graves, John Goffe, selectmen. 1720. - John Goffe, clerk. Rest of record is lost.
1721. - James McKeen, moderator; John Goffe, clerk ; Samuel Moore, James Gregg, James Alexander, James McNeil, Samuel Graves, John Cochran, John Goffe, selectmen.
1722. - James Gregg, moderator; John Goffe, clerk; Elias Keyes, John Wallace, John McMurphy, James Lindsay, Allen Anderson, Hugh Mont- gomery, James Gregg, selectmen.
203
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1742 TO 1883.
1723. - James Nichols, moderator; John MeMurphy, clerk; Robert Boyes, Samuel Moore, James Nichols, John Blair, Benjamin Wilson, selectmen.
1724. - Robert Boyes, moderator; John MeMurphy, clerk; William Cochran, James Alexander, John Blair, Benjamin Wilson, selectmen.
1725. - John Blair, moderator; John McMurphy, clerk; James Morri- son, James Aiken, Robert Boyes, John Mitchell, selectmen.
1726. - Robert Boyes, moderator; JJohn McMurphy, clerk; Robert Boyes, James Alexander, Samuel Graves, John Moor, Abraham Holmes, selectmen.
1727. - Robert Boyes, moderator; John McMurphy, clerk; Samuel Graves, John Moor, Thomas Steel, t Alexander Rankin, John Woodburn, selectmen.
This year King George II ascended the throne of England.
1728. - No record of moderator; John MeMurphy, clerk ; James Lind- say, Allen Anderson. John Archibald, James Reid, John Wallace, select- men. This clerk and board of selectmen served till 1733.
1729. - James MeKeen, moderator.
1730. - James Nesmith, moderator.
1731. - James McKeen, moderator.
1732. - Robert Boyes, moderator.
1733. - Robert Wear, moderator; John MeMurphy, clerk ; James Gregg, James Reid, Andrew Todd, ; John Archibald, James Rogers, selectmen.
1734. - Robert Boyes, moderator; John McMurphy, clerk; James Gregg, James Rogers, John Morison, Jr., P. Douglass, Andrew Todd, selectmen.
1735. - Robert Boyes, moderator; John McMurphy, clerk; James Aiken, James Clark, John Gregg, Robert Boyes, Thomas Wilson, select- men.
1736. - John Blair, moderator; John McMurphy, clerk; James Clark, John Gregg, James Aiken, James Blair, Samuel Barr, selectmen.
1737. - Nathaniel Weare, moderator; John Wallace, clerk; Robert Weir, Thomas Wilson, Andrew Todd, Robert Boyes, Hugh Wilson, selectmen.
1738. - Andrew Todd, moderator; John Wallace, clerk; Robert Weir, Hugh Wilson, Moses Barnet, Thomas Wilson, Andrew Todd, selectinen.
1739. - Robert Boyes, moderator; John Wallace, clerk; Andrew Todd, Allen Anderson, Moses Barnet, Thomas Wilson, Hugh Wilson, selectmen.
1740. - John Morison, Sr., § moderator; John Wallace, clerk ; Andrew Todd, Allen Anderson, Moses Barnet, Thomas Wilson, Hugh Wilson, selectmen.
1741. - Andrew Todd. moderator; John Wallace, clerk; John Barnet, David Vanee, Robert Cochran, Robert Mccurdy, Thomas Cochran, select- men.
Windham is no longer a parish, but a town.
TOWN OFFICERS OF WINDHAM FROM TIME OF INCORPORATION, 1742, TO 1883.
March 8, 1742. - Samuel Morison, moderator; William Thom, clerk; Robert Dinsmoor, Joseph Waugh, Robert Thompson, Samuel Morison, William Gregg, selectmen; Nathaniel Hemphill, constable.
* Ancestor of the Windham Morisons.
+ Ancestor of the Steeles of Peterboro', N. H.
Ancestor of the Todds of Peterboro', N. H.
Ancestor of the Morisons of Peterboro', N. H.
204
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 8, 1743. - David Gregg, moderator; Samuel Morison, clerk ; Samuel Morison, William Gregg, Thomas Morisou, James Dunlap, Alex- ander Park, selectmen; James Gilmore, constable.
March 8, 1744. - William Gregg, moderator: Samuel Morison, clerk ; Thomas Quigley, John Armstrong, Samuel Campbell, Robert Park, Hugh Graham, selectmen; David Gregg, constable; William Campbell, John Gilmore, inspectors of dears.
March 8, 1745. - William Gregg, moderator; Samuel Morison, clerk; Nathaniel Hemphill, William Thom, James Caldwell, selectmen; Alexan- der Park, constable.
March 8, 1746. - Robert Dinsmoor, moderator; Samuel Morison, clerk ; John Dinsmore. John Stuart, Alexander Ritchey, selectmen ; John Kyle, Jr., constable.
March 9, 1747. - Robert Dinsmoor, moderator; William Gregg, clerk ; Daniel Clyde, David Gregg, John Dinsmoor, Jr., selectmen; John Vance, constable.
March 8, 1748. - William Jameson, Sr., moderator; William Gregg, clerk ; William Jameson, Hugh Brown, John Cristy, selectmen; Joseph Waugh, constable.
March 8, 1749. - Robert Dinsmoor, moderator; William Gregg, clerk ; Robert Hopkins, William Campbell, Joseph Clyde, selectmen ; Francis Smilie, constable and collector.
March 8, 1750. - Robert Dinsmoor, moderator; William Gregg, clerk; Robert Hopkins, Joseph Clyde, John Wilson, selectmen; Daniel Clyde, constable.
March 8, 1751. - John Armstrong, moderator; William Gregg, clerk ; Samuel Campbell, Hugh Brown, George Davidson, selectmen ; Joseph Clyde, constable.
These are the persons elected, but in the controversy the fol- lowing year, the persons alluded to as selectmen for 1751 by the State government, are James Dunlap, Hugh Brown, and Joseph Clyde.
March 9, 1752. - John Armstrong, moderator; William Gregg, clerk ; William Gregg, Joseph Clyde, James Caldwell, Jr., selectmen ; John Campbell, constable. This meeting was illegal. Another one was held, called by Peter Gilman, an appointee of the State Government.
Legal officers for 1752, elected at a legal meeting, March 6, 1753: Peter Gilman, Esq., moderator ; John Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk ; John Tufft, Samuel McAdams, Hugh Smilie, selectmen ; William Thom, constable.
March 28, 1753. - JJohn Cristy, moderator; John Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk ; Robert Spear, Gawin Armour, William Smilie, selectmen ; John Morrow, constable.
March 8, 1754. - John Cristy, moderator; John Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk ; William S. Thompson, John Dinsmoor, William Dinsmoor, selectmen ; John Stuart, constable.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF TITLES TO TOWN OFFICERS, MARCH 8, 1755.
Samuel Morison, Gent., is the first town officer who appears upon the records with a title. He also appears as Lieut. Titles will be given as found upon the records.
.
205
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1755 TO 1773.
March 8, 1755. - Samuel Morison, Gent., moderator; John Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk ; Robert Park, Gawin Armour, Hugh Clyde, selectmen; James Dunlap, constable.
Murch 8, 1756. - Samuel Morison, Gent., moderator; John Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk; John Cristy, William Gregg, Samuel Morison, Gent., select- men ; lIngh Brown, constable.
March 29, 1757. - John Cristy, moderator; Jolin Dinsmoor, Jr., clerk ; Samuel Morison, William Gregg, John Cristy, selectmen ; IIngh Graham, constable.
March 21, 1758. - John Armstrong, moderator; John Dinsmoor, clerk ; Henry Campbell, Samuel Thompson, John Gregg, selectmen; Robert Hopkins, constable.
March 2, 1759. - Samuel Morison, Gent., moderator; John Dinsmoor, clerk : William Smilie, John Davidson, Joseph Park, selectmen ; William Gregg, constable.
1760 .- This year King George III became king of England, and reigned over the colonies till the termination of British authority.
March 7, 1760. - Samuel Campbell, moderator; John Dinsmoor, clerk ; John Davidson, William Smily, Joseph Park, selectmen; George David- son, constable.
March 16, 1761. - Samuel Morison, Gent., moderator; Samuel Camp- bell, clerk ; John Davidson, John Tufft, David Gregg, selectmen; Robert Park, constable.
March 22, 1762. - Samuel Morison, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk; John Cristy, Andrew Thompson, William Gregg, selectmen ; Alexander Simpson, constable.
March 24, 1763. - Capt. David Gregg, moderator; Samnel Campbell, clerk; John Cristy, William Gregg, Alexander Thompson, selectmen ; John McCoy, constable.
March 8, 1764 .- John Cristy, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; James Vanec, John Clyde, David Gregg, selectmen ; Thomas Quigley and John Davidson, constables.
March 21, 1765. - John Cristy, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; Capt. John Cristy, Lient. Samuel Morison, Samuel Campbell, select- men ; Henry Campbell, James Jameson, constables.
March 13, 1766 .- Samuel Morison, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk; Samuel Morison, John Cristy, Samuel Campbell, selectmen ; Hugh Clyde, Samuel MeAdams, constables.
March 12, 1767. - William Gregg, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; Samnel Morison, Samnel Campbell, Gawin Armour, selectmen; William Dinsmoor, Robert Hemphill, constables.
March 24, 1768. - Lieut. John Dinsmoor, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk; James Betton, Ensign James Gilmore, Lient. John Dinsmoor, selectmen : John Morison, Alexander Wilson, constables.
March 14, 1769. - John Dinsmoor, moderator; Samnel Campbell, clerk; Robert Hemphill, John Wilson, John Dinsmoor, selectmen; William Waugh died, James Galt succeeded him, John Morison, constables.
March 20, 1770. - John Dinsmoor, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; John Dinsmoor, John Wilson, Jr., Nathaniel Hemphill, Jr., selectmen ; Robert Smith, Alexander Park, constables.
March 26, 1771. - JJolin Dinsmoor, moderator; Samnel Campbell, clerk ; John Dinsmoor, John Wilson, Jr., Nathaniel Hemphill, Jr., selectmen ; David Smiley, John Campbell, constables.
March 10, 1772. - John Dinsmoor, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; John Dinsmoor, Nathaniel Hemphill, Jr., John Wilson, Jr., selectinen ; Adam Templeton, James Betton, constables.
206
HISTORY OF WINDIIAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 11, 1773. - John Dinsmoor, moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; John Dinsmoor, Nathaniel Hemphill, Jr., William Gregg, Jr., selectmen ; Matthew Templeton, Hugh Brown, constables.
March 15, 1774. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk; John Morison, James Betton, Esq., William Gregg, Jr., select- men ; John Wilson, Benjamin Thom, constables.
March 8, 1775. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; Samuel Campbell, clerk ; John Morison, James Betton, William Gregg, Jr., selectmen ; Thomas Wilson, John Dinsmoor, constables.
June 2, 1775. - John Dinsmoor was chosen first delegate to ye Con- gress at Exeter.
June 22, 1775. - James Betton, Esq., was chosen a delegate to repre- sent this Parish at the Congress at Exeter at their next sitting.
Aug. 18, 1775. - Chose James Betton, Esq., delegate to attend the Con- gress at Exeter on the 22d of August.
Oct. 20, 1775. - Chose James Betton, Esq., delegate to Congress at Exeter, which meets Oct. 31.
1775 .- The British government terminated in the thirteen colonies.
ORGANIZATION OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT, 1776.
1776. - Republican Government was instituted, the Province becomes a State, kingly authority vanishes, and the People govern themselves. The United Colonies declare their Indepen- dence of Great Britain July 4th of this year. From 1776 to 1788 inclusive, the Continental Congress was the supreme goverment of the United States. From 1776 to 1783 inclusive, Meshech Weare was Governor or President of the State. * He was President of the Council, and to this high office he was annually elected during the Revolutionary war. He was President of the Committee of Safety, was the highest executive officer in the State during these years, and was governor or president of the State de facto, if not in name.
TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED UNDER REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT.
March 18, 1776. - Dr. Isaac Thom, moderator; John Morison, clerk ; Alexander Wilson, Samuel Morison, Nehemiah Hadley, selectmen; John Armstrong, Jr., Thomas Jameson, constables.
Nov. 14, 1776. - Chose James Betton, Esq., Representative to Congress which meets at Exeter the third Wednesday of Decem- ber next. Term of office, one year.
March 13, 1777. - Lient. Nathaniel Hemphill, moderator; John Mor- ison, clerk; James Betton, delegate to Assembly ;+ Alexander Wilson, Nehemiah Hadley, Dr. Isaac Thom, selectmen ; John Clyde, Alexander Park, constables.
March 9, 1778. - Dea. Samuel Campbell, moderator; John Morison, clerk; Lieut. John Dinsmoor, representative; David Gregg, Jr., Samuel
* Belknap's History of N. H , vol. i, p. 488.
t The representatives were not chosen at the annual meetings till 1784, but usually in the fall; but for convenience the name of representative will be inserted with the officers chosen at the annual meetings.
207
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1779 TO 1785.
Morison, William Dinsmoor, selectmen; John Anderson, William Simpson, constables.
March 8, 1779. - Dr. Isaac Thom, moderator; John Morison, clerk ; James Betton, representative; William Dinsmoor, Benjamin Thom, James Davidson, selectmen ; Henry Campbell, Isaac Cochran, constables.
March 14, 1780. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; JJohn Morison, clerk ; James Betton, representative; John Anderson, John Morison, James Davidson, selectmen; William Gregg, Jr., Joseph Corliss, con- stables.
March 8, 1781. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; John Morison, clerk ; James Betton, representative; James Gilmore, Alexander Wilson, Peter Merrill, Jr., selectmen : John Karr, James Cochran, constables.
March 12, 1782. - Dea. Samuel Campbell, moderator; JJohn Morison, clerk ; James Betton, Esq., representative; Members of Constitutional Conventions, Dea. Samuel Morison, Lient. John Dinsmoor; Capt. James Gilmore, Ensign Alexander Wilson, Lieut. Nathaniel Hemphill, select- men ; Alexander McCoy, Gawin Armour, constables.
March 13, 1783. - Nathaniel Hemphill, moderator; John Morison, clerk; Dea. Gawin Armour, representative; Lieut. Nathaniel Hemphill, Capt. James Gilmore, Ensign Alexander Wilson, selectmen; David Gregg, Jr., Robert Morison, constables.
PERMANENT GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1784.
The Constitution was adopted, and the new government was inaugurated the first Wednesday of June, 1784. Meshech Weare was elected President of the State. I give in full the votes for president or governor of the State from the foundation of the goverment, and the granting of the elective franchise, to the present, 1883. These votes will show the position of the people of Windham in all the fieree political contests of the past and present. They show the character of this people. This town has always, by its vote, spoken loudly in favor of progress, right, and liberty; always against ignorance, oppression, slavery, or rebellion.
Soon after 1784, the people divided into parties, and persons are designated by their party affiliations. Candidates of the old Republican party, which existed till 1824, will be marked R .; candidates of its successor, the Jackson party, from 1824 to 1834, will be marked J. The successor of this was the Democratic party; candidates of this party, from 1834 to the present, will be marked D. The Federalist party existed till 1824 ; candidates of this party will be marked F. From 1824 to 1834, it was succeeded by the Adams party ; the candidates of this party will be marked À. From 1834 to 1856, its successors, the Whig, marked W .; the Free Soil, marked F. S., and Liberty party, marked L. The Republican party was the successor of those parties, in 1856, and candidates of this party will be marked R.
Among the names of candidates for president or governor, the person's name at the bottom of the list, and printed in italics, is the one elected governor.
Annual meeting, March 15, 1784. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; John Morison, clerk. Representatives now elected at the annual meet-
208
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
ings : James Betton, representative. Lieut. Nathaniel Hemphill, Capt. James Gilmore, Ensign Alexander Wilson, selectmen ; David Armstrong, John Simpson, constables. Windham votes for the first time for Presi- dent of the State, and Meshech Weare had 53 votes.
Annual meeting, March 18, 1785. - Lient. Nathaniel Hemphill, moder- ator; John Morison, clerk; James Betton, representative; Samuel Morison, Capt. James Gilmore, Lieut. Nathaniel Hemphill, selectmen ; James Anderson, Joseph Smith, constables. For President of the State, George King Atkinson (F.), had 22 votes; John Langdon (R.)*, had 7.
March 16, 1786. - James Betton, Esq., moderator; John Morison, clerk ; James Betton, Esq., representative; Samuel Morison, Benjamin Thom, James Davidson, selectmen; Henry Campbell, Jr., James Dinsmoor, constables. For President, John Langdon had 13 votes; George K. Atkinson (F.) had 6 votes; John Sullivan (F.), none.
Annual meeting, March 20, 1787. - Capt. Nathaniel Hemphill, modera- tor; John Morison, clerk; Col. James Gilmore, representative; Capt. Nathaniel Hemphill, James Davidson. Lient. Benjamin Thom, seleetmen ; David Campbell, Philip Haseltine, constables. For President of N. H., Judge Livermore (D. ) had 3 votes ; JJohn Sullivan* (F.), 23 votes.
The " Articles of Confederation," which had held the States together during the great struggle for independence, were not strong enough for the time of peace, nor were they satisfactory to the people of the several States. They had answered their purpose, but in order that " a more perfect union " between the States might be attained, delegates from all the States (except Rhode Island) were sent to a national convention, which met in Philadelphia in May, 1787, for the purpose of considering the subject of the reorganization of the National government. John Langdon and Nicholas Gilman were delegates from New Hamp- shire. On the 17th of September the convention reported a " Federal Constitution." This Constitution was to be submitted to the several States, to be ratified or rejected. The Conven- tions of nine of the thirteen States must ratify this Constitution to make it effective.
Jan. 15, 1788. - At a special meeting the Federal Constitution was read in meeting, and the town voted to adjourn the article till the last Tuesday of the month, and a committee of the fol- lowing persons to consider it and report : -
Maj. Asa Senter. James Betton, Esq. Dea. John Dinsmoor. Dea. Samuel Morison. James Davidson.
Dea. Samuel Campbell. James Cochran.
Dea. David Gregg. John Morison.
Jan. 29, 1788 .- Adjourned meeting. How the committee reported, the records do not state. Chose Dea. Samuel Morison to attend the Convention in behalf of Windham, but who could not attend, when James 'Betton, Esq., was chosen to attend the Convention at Exeter on the second Wednesday of February. This committee ratified the Federal Constitution, June 21, 1788.
56 votes were cast for ratification. 46 votes against ratification.
* Elected by the Senate.
209
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1788 TO 1794.
James Betton voted Yea on the adoption of the Federal Con- stitution, probably in accordance with the instructions of the town.
The ratification of the constitution by New Hampshire was an event of National significance. It was the ninth State to ratify, eight having done so previously, and the event was hailed with joy and satisfaction throughout the land. The National Consti- tution having been adopted, the States were no longer hekl together by "a rope of sand." They were bound so firmly together that the recent four years of rebellion were powerless to break the bond.
Annual meeting, March 6. 1788. - Capt. Nathaniel Hemphill, moderator ; John Morison, clerk ; Col. James Gilmore. representative; Capt. Nathaniel Hemphill, Lieut. Benjamin Thom, Dea. Samuel Morison, selectmen ; James Davidson, Eliphalet Ladd, constables. For President of the State, John Sullivan (F.) had 37 votes ; John Langdon (R. ) had 4 votes.
Dec. 15, 1788. - Windham first votes for President of the United States. Five electors were to be chosen by New Hamp- shire, and thirteen persons were voted for by Windham, and the highest vote any received was seventeen. George Washington was elected and inaugurated at New York, N. Y., April 30, 1789.
Annual meeting, March ye 12, 1789. - James Betton, Esq., moderator ; James Davidson, clerk; James Betton, Esq., representative; Dea. John Anderson, Dea. William Gregg, James Dinsmoor, selectmen; Abner Campbell, John Dinsmoor, Jr., constables. For President of the State, John Pickering (R.), 3 votes; JJohn Sullivan* (F.), 23 votes.
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