NOTE BY THE EDITOR. It was known that a census of the inhabitants of this province was ordered by Gov. Wentworth in 1773; but search was made for it in vain. Neither Dr. Belknap nor John Farmer, Esq., discovered the returns. Recently, however, they were found on file in the library of congress by the Hon. A. H. Cragin, senator from New Hampshire, and by him copied and generously presented to the New Hampshire Historical Society. The following is a copy of Mr. Cragin's letter to the society, accompanying his presentation of the census: CENSUS OF 1773, TAKEN BY ORDER OF HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN WENTWORTH, GOVERNOR. SIR: United States Senate Chamber, I take pleasure in presenting to the New Hampshire Historical Society a correct copy of the first census* of New Hampshire, taken by direction of Governor John Wentworth in the year 1773, as appears by original manuscript papers on file in the library of congress. There are some minutes of proceedings of council, with other manuscript papers, which, in part, I am unable to read; but as they may at some future time be deciphered, I suggest that several blank sheets be bound with this book, so that the whole may be copied in this volume. The recapitulation, with index, &c., the officers of the society can make when the work is arranged for binding, as that can better be done under their direction. Respectfully, A. H. CRAGIN. Rev. N. BOUTON, Sec. N. H. Historical Society, Concord, N. H. The following is a copy of the order sent out by Gov. Wentworth to the selectmen of each town in the Province, in relation to the census which they were to take: *A census of the province was taken in 1767, according to which the number of inhabitants was 52,700. (See Prov. Pap. N. H., Vol. VII, pp. 168-170.)-Ed. SIR Portsmouth, October 15th, 1773. I am to request an exact list of the number of inhabitants in the town of· -, distinguished into different Ranks or Classes, according to the schedule below, which I shall be glad to have returned to me, authenticated as soon as possible. JOHN WENTWORTH. Selectmen [It appears that the returns from the several towns were made in exact conformity to the above schedule. But inasmuch as it is unadvisable to repeat the order and form of schedule for each town, the editor has judged it sufficient to arrange the returns in tabular form, according to the schedule, with the names of the selectmen, and such remarks as are needful for explanation, as made on the returns.-ED.] 143 Andrew Buntin, John Leonard, John Hayes, Ass". 663 Abram Fitts, Moses Baker, Walter Robie, Selectmen 5 600 Jereh Clough, Jr., Asa Forster, Selectmen; sworn, before Archelaus Moore, J. P. 571 246 31 327 Eliphalet Sanborn, Selectman; sworn before John McClery, Just P. 1714 Sam! Brooks, Ephm Robinson, Peter Coffin, Selectmen 402 Sam Stevens, Nath1 Bachellor, Jacob Gale, Selectmen 731 Wm. Weeks, John Haven, Nathan Johnson, Selectmen. 728 Thomas Walley, Burt. Heath, John Calfe, Selectmen. |