Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Bouton, Nathaniel, 1799-1878, comp. Town papers. (New Hampshire. Provincial and state papers, v. 9) 1. New Hampshire--Constitutional history--Sources. I. New Hampshire. Constitutional Convention, 1778- Reprinted from an original copy in the collections of Reprinted from the edition of 1875, Concord First AMS edition published, 1973 Manufactured in the United States of America International Standard Book Number: Complete Set: 0-404-07450-2 Volume 9: 0-404-07459-6 AMS PRESS, INC. New York, N. Y. 10003 EDITOR'S PREFACE. The special value of this volume consists in the information which it contains and communicates, relating to Towns in New Hampshire. It will be found indispensable in every Town History. We are little aware, at this period, of the sacrifices, trials, dangers and absolute sufferings which many of the early settlers endured in planting Towns in the interior of the State; where, literally, they often suffered "from savage beasts and more savage men." The border Towns were, for years, open to the incursions of Indians from Canada. Their earnest petitions to the Governor or to the General Assembly for help, clearly reveal to us their dangers and distresses. Besides this source of trial, others arose from disputes about boundary lines, the location of meeting-houses, the settling of ministers, irregularities in town meetings, &c. The volume is of great value, as giving the NAMES of many, and in some cases, all the male inhabitants of the Towns, from which petitions were sent. These will enable descendants to trace their connexion with the early settlers. The volume, also, has an important value, in that, in the APPENDIX, it gives in full, all known facts relating to the Constitutional Conventions in 1778-1783, which resulted in the establishment of the first Constitution after the Revolution, 1784. The Editor is not aware that the facts herein have ever before been published, in connexion. He asks attention to the Note subjoined to the first and second articles of the Bill of Rights, on pages 896-898. In examining these "Town Papers," readers will often do well to refer to the Provincial and State Papers in preceding volumes, of corresponding date, from which, in some cases. additional information will be obtained. GENERAL CONTENTS. The contents of the several MS. Volumes from which the following printed pages are transcribed, are noted and kept distinct herein as in Request of the inhabitants of Souhegan West for a 5-6 6 Memorial of Rev. Daniel Wilkins for like aid, 1744 Proposals of accommodation between Monson and Am- Letter of Rev. Daniel Wilkins, relating to Amherst Vote of Monson for a division and annexation to Am- Petition to be disannexed from Amherst, 1771-names Petition against division of the town, 1771-names Vote of Amherst in favor of annexing Monson, 1766 Petition for a road from Charlestown to Amherst, 1773 Petition of inhabitants of Hillsborough county in rela- 21-24 24-26 (1) Readers are reminded that names of persons in the same town, - |