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56038

Town Records of Dover, New Hampshire 1641-1807.

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Town Records of Dover, New Hampshire 1641-1807.
<B>Town Records of Dover, New Hampshire 1641-1807. </B></I> An important set of three manuscript volumes recording the affairs of Dover, New Hampshire - the state's oldest European settlement and the seventh oldest in the United States. The nearly 1,100 pages of manuscripts command a broad sweep, chronicling the development of an early Puritan settlement of saw mills and block houses into a mature, costal community of nearly 2,000 by the time of the American Revolution. The records detail the minutes of town meetings and the actions of the Selectmen on a tremendous range of concerns; from issues related to land, water and wood rights to determining boundaries of land grants from the town commons and the election of officials and similar business. <BR><BR>The records are particularly vivid and dramatic during the American Revolution. The minutes of town meetings include lengthy, significant and eloquent references to the Boston Tea Party and the closure of Boston Harbor as well as New Hampshire's <I>de facto</B></I> Declaration of Independence of January, 1776. The records also detail: the appointments of committees of correspondence and safety; the selection of delegates to the first and second Continental Congresses; Arnold and Montgomery's expedition against Canada; consideration of the Articles of Confederation. They record the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the town's participation in the first federal elections -- contests that would ultimately elect George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson to the presidency.<BR><BR>___<BR><BR><B>Volume I</B></I>, Manuscript ledger, 197 pages (with additional loose fragments), folio (8.5" x 12.75"), primarily 1647-1660 but with entries dating as early as 1641 as well as additional entries from as late as 1753, kept by town clerks <B>William Waldron</B></I> (1641 to 1646), <B>George Smith</B></I> (1646), and <B>William Pomfrett </B></I>(1647-1685). Parchment covers with linen backs with losses, pages loose and worn with moderate dampstains and significant marginal wear. Housed in a custom slipcase with ribbed leather spine and marbled boards.<BR><BR>The town of Dover, New Hampshire was first settled as Hilton's Point in 1623 at the confluence of the Cochecho, Bellamy, and Piscataqua Rivers. The town grew slowly, consisting of only three houses by 1631. A group of English Puritans, sponsored by a group of proprietors, arrived in 1633 adding to the population and renaming the hamlet Bristol constructing a meetinghouse and a jail. The plantation changed hands (and names) several times more before being sold to the colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1641. At that time it was named the town Dover. (New Hampshire did not become a separate colony until 1679.) The first volume includes the text of the act of the General Court establishing regular government in the settlement that reads, in part: "<I>By the General Courtt </B></I>[sic]<I> It is Now Ordered by the General Courtt holden at Boston the 9th of the 8th Mo 1641 and with the consent of the Inhabitants of the Piscataway</B></I> [an archaic name Dover]<I> as forthwith...from hereforth the said...Inhabitants...under the government of the Massachusetts as the </B></I>[illeg.]<I> of the Inhabitants with in the sayd [sic] Town...and also that they shall have the same order and way of Administration of Justice...</B></I>" There are hints in the records that this new situation did not sit well with all the town's inhabitants. In 1642 the town meeting resolved <I>that if any turbulent person shall molest any of the Townsmen appointed, or quarrell</B></I> [sic] <I>with them, or contest against any of their lawful erronds </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>],<I> done according to Town order...shall be first admonished and the second time fined, 5s</B></I>[hillings]<I>, and the third time 10s...</B></I>". <BR><BR>The first regular records begin in 1647 in which at a town meeting tax rates were set: "<I>...It is this day ordered...that the Inhabitants of Dover do and shall...agree unto a form of setting of Rates and Assessments for raising of publique </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> charges According to an order of Court made and held at Boston dated 13 of the 9 mo...that the Select men and one man more chosen by the Inhabitants aforesaid, shall have full power and authority to make Rates to following this forme </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>] <I>and followith: that they shalt and make an Exact and perfect List of all the Male Inhabitants, w</B></I>[h]<I>ite in this Township from the Age of Sixteen years...According to a fare Valuation and Estimate of all Estates...reall </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> and personall </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I>..." </B></I>The text continues defining the valuation of livestock and other personal property. At the rear of the first volume there appear tax lists, detailing the names of the residents and their share of tax, for 1648, 1649, 1657, 1658 and 1659. <BR><BR>The town, not having a church with a bell tower but a simple meeting house, resolved on the "<I>27th of the 9th mo. </B></I>[16]<I>48 It is this day ordered at a publique Town meeting that Richard Hinkome shall beate </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> the drummes </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I>, on Lords days to give notice for the time of meeting...for which he will be allowed 8 bushels of Indian Corne </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> for his pay this yeare </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I>...</B></I>" <BR><BR>One of the town's more famous residents, Richard Waldrone, appears early in the first volume in 1642: "<I>Given and granted...unto Richard Waldrone fifty Rods of upland...the said land joyning </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> to the fall of the fresh River and the River on the South Side of the same...</B></I>" Waldrone was best known for tricking about 400 Indians (many of them refugees form Massachusetts) into surrendering to colonial troops in 1676. Half of them were marched back to Boston and either hanged or sold into slavery. Tensions mounted over the next decade. In 1689 several Indian women managed to infiltrate the blockhouses constructed by the English settlers, including Waldrone's, allowing Indian warriors to surprise and attack the town, killing 52 colonists. Waldrone himself was overpowered and tied to a chair where he was brutally mutilated before he was forced to fall upon his own sword. (John Scales, <I>History of Dover New Hampshire.</B></I>, 1913.) Interestingly enough, this period (1670-1690) is covered in the first volume, but not regularly, being testament to the town's instability. <BR><BR>The volume captures a happier time in Waldrone's life when he was busy establishing himself as an important resident of the town and colony. In 1648 the town granted, "<I>...at the request of Richard Waldrone... fiftenne </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> hundred of Trees, either oak, or pine for the accommodation of a Saw Mill, which he intendith shortly by gods permission to erect and Sett up...to be erected...uppon </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> the Lower fall at the River of Cochecho...</B></I>" In 1652 Waldron appears again, this time he "<I>hath sett upp </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> Saw mill works at the lower fall of Cochecho...Mr Richard Waldron...shall pay to he Towne of Dover the Sume </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> of twelve pounds pr year in boards and plank at price Current so long as he or thay </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> shall Continue any work in the said place for sawings...</B></I>" Waldrone was not the only person setting up saw mills, in 1647 the town meeting ".<I>..agreed...Elder Nutter and Elder Starbuck And have given and granted unto them...lands...for the Erecting and Setting up of a Saw Mill and what timber wood shall be necessary for the said use, and...to fall either Oak or Pine for sawing by said Mill...</B></I>" Indeed, the most overriding concerns reflected in the first ledger were the most abundant commodities in North America: land and timber. The town operated in much the same manner as many New England towns of the seventeenth century. Socially and religiously homogenous, towns like Dover were particularly egalitarian and communal: what Kenneth Lockridge in his pioneering study of Dedham, Massachusetts called the "Christian Utopian Closed Corporate Community." Land, held in common was distributed only to members of that town (Lockridge, <I>A New England Town: The First Hundred Years, </B></I>1970, 1985, p. 16-19.) The town, in meeting, held ultimate authority for land distribution. Much of the land was held in common, only parceled out on the request of inhabitants as their families and farms grew in size. The meeting also managed potential disputes over usage of the common. The numerous saw mills operating by the 1650s were using enough timber for the town's selectmen order: "<I>...that in all Grants that had formerly bin </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> granted to any person or persons for the accommodations of Saw Mills or what shall hereafter grant...that all the Inhabitants shall have full Liberty & privilege to fall Timber for Staves...likewise for Timber to Saw by hand Liberty to fall Timber also four building...& firewood in any in any of the aforesaid Grants without any Molestation...</B></I>" <BR><BR><B>Volume II, </B></I>Manuscript ledger, 460 pages (approx.) with separate 15 page index, folio (10.5" x 16"), 1693/4 to 1757 kept in a variety of hands. Covers extremely worn, spine missing, binding loose and separated in numerous places, marginal wear including tears and minor losses, light dampstaining to some pages. Housed in a custom slipcase with ribbed leather spine and marbled boards.<BR><BR>The second volume captures a maturing New England town. The records of the town meetings encompass details on more public offices as the population grew -- both through birth and immigration. Whereas a town meeting in the mid-seventeenth century simply chose selectmen and tax assessors, by the mid-eighteenth century the town government had grown significantly. By the 1750s the town employed auditors, lot layers, tithing men, fence viewers, constables, surveyors of highway, sealers of leather, sealer of weights & measures, corders of wood, field drivers, hog reeves, deer keepers and a pound keeper. The town was also becoming religiously, if not ethnically, diverse. The first Quaker missionaries to arrive (in 1662) were ordered whipped and banished (Scales, p. 224). By 1680, the Society of Friends were tolerated and allowed to construct a meeting house. Their growing presence is reflected in this volume: On page 111: "<I>Voted and granted unto the Inhabitants of this towne Commonly Called Quakers Ten Acres of Land for a pasture...</B></I>" Later, the town's surveyor "<I>Laid out unto the Society of the Quakers Ten Acres of Land which was granted them in March the 30. 1733...</B></I>" By the eighteenth century, even town meetings were occasionally being held in the Quaker's meeting house, demonstrating their acceptance by the larger community. <BR><BR>The communal nature of the town was evolving as well. By the 1730s the town had grown in population while its available supply of land dwindled rapidly. On June 4, 1733 the town meeting resolved to parcel out what was left of the town's common land: <I>"...a Committee at a Publick Town meeting...to Consider of Some proper Method to be taken to Dispose of the Common Lands within the Town of Dover to the Inhabitants of Said Town...that the Proportioning of the Common Lands...amongst the Inhabitants thereof, as it was perform'd and offered,...should be good and Valid...</B></I>" The following pages list several classes of freeholders, each eligible to receive a certain amount of shares in the common. The first class was to "<I>have a full Shar</B></I>e" which included most of the earliest family names including Gerrish, Waldron, Cushing, Coffin, Hodgdon, and others. The next list names those eligible for two-thirds of a share, representing later arrivals to Dover. Another list is for those eligible for a third of a share, then those eligible for a sixth of a share. The following pages note specifics on how each person could mark out their claim from the commons, an enormously complex process. Coupled with the end of "free land" for the inhabitants, came the issue of poverty. As the successive generations of Dover residents inherited smaller and smaller parcels, their ability to make a living from the land decreased. (Indicative of this growing financial constraint is the presence by the mid-eighteenth century of references to the poor and how they should be managed.) <BR><BR><B>Volume III</B></I>, Manuscript ledger, 454 pages with separate 16 page index, folio (10" x 15.5"), 1757 to 1807. First page titled "<I>Town Book No 9: 1757.</B></I>" Bound in leather with some loss over parchment bound boards. Spine frayed but binding relatively intact. Pages mostly clean with good dark ink, usual marginal wear. <BR><BR>This is the most dramatic of the three volumes, covering the period of the American Revolution. The first mention of a crisis comes somewhat late, in 1774, following the Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773, and it garnered a profound response:<BR><BR>"<I>At a legal Meeting of the qualified Voters of the Town of Dover this Tenth Day of January 1774 convened at the Friend's Meeting house in said Town on purpose to consider the Innovations attempted to be made on American Privileges...Although we deprecate every thing which in its infant motions tends to alienate the Affections which ought to subsist among the Subjects of the same King; yet we cannot longer behold the Arts used to curtail the Privileges purchased with the blood and Treasure of British America, and of New England in particular, for their Posterity without bearing our Testimony against them -- As these Colonies have ever recognized the protestant Kings of Great Britain as their Lawful Sovereigns, and WE in this province the Man whom the King has pleased to send us as his Representative -- We acknowledge, this Representative from our first formation into a Government has had a Negative Voice on all Bills proposed for Laws in the manner his Majesty has at home -- And as it doth not appear that any Parliaments have been parties to any Contracts made with the European Settlers in this once howling Wilderness, now becoming a pleasant field - WE look on our Rights too dearly bought, to admit them now as Tax masters -- Since (by Laws as firm as the honor of crowned heads can make them, and which we have no apprehension so good and gracious as King as we obey, will suffer to be abridged) we have parliaments of our own -- who always with the greatest Cheerfulness furnished his Majesty such Aids as he has been pleased to require from time to time according to the Abilities of the People, and even beyond them of which, none but themselves could be adequate Judges. Why the Kings Subjects in Great Britain should frame Laws for his Subjects in America, rather than the reverse we cannot well conceive, as we do not admit it to be drawn from any Part made by our Ancestors, or from the nature of the British Constitution, which makes Representation essential to Taxation -- and this supposed Power of Parliament for taxing America is quite novel, some few Instances for the better Regulation of Trade excepted, which no more prove their supposed Right, than the Tortious </B></I>[injurious]<I> Entry of a Neighbour into the Infant's field does that of the Intruder -- but if Superior Strength be the best plea, how would they relish the Alternative? which if political Arithmetic deceives not advances with Hefty Strides; tho' nothing but downright Oppression will ever effect it --- Therefore Resolved first that any attempt to take the Property of any of the King's Subjects for any purpose whatever where they are not represented, is an Infraction of the English Constitution; and manifestly tends as well to destroy it; as the Subjects private property, of which, recent proofs are plenty. -- Resolved 2.ly that We, and our American Brethren, are the liege People of King George the Third, and therefore have as full, and ample a Claim, to all the Privileges & Immunities of Englishmen as any of his Subjects three Thousand Miles distant -- the Truth of which, our Demeanour clearly evinces. --- Resolved 3.ly That the Parliament in Britain by suffering the East India Company to send us, their Teas Subject to a Duty on landing, have in a Measure testified a Disregard to the Interest of Americans, whose liberal Services ill deserve such ungenerous treatment. --- Resolved 4ly That we are of Opinion that any seeming Supineness of this Province in these very-- very interesting matters, hath proceeded from a Consideration of their Smallness among their Brethren, rather than from any insensibility of impending Evils. --- Resolved 5ly that this Town approves the general Exertions and noble Struggles, made by the opulent Colonies through the Continent, for preventing so fatal a Catastrophe as implied in Taxation without Representation viz. Slavery than which to a generous Mind, Death is more Eligible-- Resolved 5ly that We are, and always will be ready in every constitutional Way, to give all the Weight in our Power to avert so dire a Calamity--- Resolved 7ly That a Dread of being enslaved Ourselves, and of transmitting the Chains to our Posterity (by which we should justly merit their Curses) is the Principal Inducement to these Measures.--- And Whereas our house of Commons have a Committee for corresponding with those of the Several Colonies on these matters, and Committees of the Several Towns in this government to correspond with each other at the necessary Times, may be subservient to the common Cause -- Therefore resolved that a Committee to consist of five persons be chosen for that purpose -- Voted. -- that Col. Otis Baker Esqr. Capt. Caleb Hodgdon, Catp. Stephen Evans, Capt. Joshua Wingate, & John Wentworth Junr. or either three of them be the Committee of Correspondence for this Town. Voted that the proceedings of this Meeting be entered in the Records of this Town and that an attested Copy thereof, be sent to the Committee of Correspondence at Portsmouth to assure them, and all concerned that our Hearts are knit with those, who wish the Weal (as it is constitutionally fixed) of our most gracious Sovereign, and all his Numerous Subjects-- These Votes and Resolves after being maturely considered were unanimously passed by the Voters present at said Meeting -- After which, followed a Dissolution.</B></I>"<BR><BR>As the crisis deepened, the town resolved to send delegates to Exeter to choose delegates to the First Continental Congress: "<I>To the Town of Dover Whereas the Colonies In general, upon this Continent, think it highly Expedient & necessary, in the Present Critical & alarming Situation of their public Affairs, That Delegates should be Appointed by & In behalf of each, to join a general Congress, proposed to Meet at Philadelphia the first Day of September next, to devise & Consider what Measures will be most advisable to be taken & pursued by all the Colonies for the Establishment of their Rights & Liberties upon a Just & Solid Foundation & for the Restoration of Union & Harmony between the Mother Country & the Colonies -- And Whereas the Members of the Late House of Representatives for this Province, now met, to deliberate upon the Subject, are Unanimously of Opinion, that it is Expedient & necessary for this Province, to Join Said Congress for the above Purpose, -- & Recommend it to the Town in this Province respectively, To chuse </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I>& impower </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> one, or more Persons, in their Behalf, to meet at Exeter the 21st Day of this Instant, at ten of the Clock in the Fore noon, to join in the Choice of Delegates for the General Congress...</B></I>" The subsequent town meeting chose Captain John Waldron, Caleb Hodgdon, Joshua Wingate, Stephen Evans and Nathaniel Cooper to represent the town at Exeter and approved the £6 10s requested by the province of New Hampshire for travel expenses for the delegates. New Hampshire ultimately appointed Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan to represent the colony in the First Continental Congress. <BR><BR>The residents of the town were supportive of the town of Boston where the port had been closed by the British government in response to the Boston Tea Party. On October 29, 1774, the town resolved "<I>Whereas the Boston Port Bill so call'd by its Operation there prevents the merchants & others from Employing the Labouring Poor as Usual & as said bill appears calculated to strip the Americans of their Civil rights many donations have been sent & are sending for the Support of said Poor & it having been recom</B></I>[m]<I>ended by the general Oppinion</B></I> [<I>sic</B></I>]<I> of the Provincial Congress held at Exeter that each Town should follow those laudable Examples...</B></I>" The Selectmen called a meeting for November 7 to discuss "<I>...a sum of Mon</B></I>[e]<I>y In Mon</B></I>[ey]<I> Fatt </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> Cattle or sheep as shall be thot </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> Proper may be Voted & sent to be distributed among said Poor by a Com</B></I>[m]<I>ittee the Town of Boston hath for that Purpose...</B></I>" <BR><BR>The winter of 1774-5 witnessed increasing political instability. In response the town appointed a committee charged with keeping order: in effect, a committee of safety. On December 16, 1774, following a motion to support delegates to attend the Second Continental Congress, resolved: "<I>The Designs of the Continental Congress holden at Philadelphia being so humane & benevolent the Result of their Proceedings so salutory </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> & effective as Justly to attract the Notice of the Millions of freemen in America This Town on mature Consultation are fully convinced that nothing (under Heaven) will so Evidently tend to preserve the Rights of Americans or frustrate the Attempts already made for their Destruction as Carrying the same into full Execution for Which Purpose Voted That Mrs. Otis Baker Shadrach Hodgdon Stephen Evens Joshua Wingate John Waldron Jr Caleb Hodgdon John Wentworth Jr John Kielle & John Gage be A Com</B></I>[m]<I>ittee Voted They have the following Instructions...1st. We Expect that to the utmost of your Power you Carefully intend the Preservation of Peace & good order In the Town so far as the same may be endangered by a disunion of Sentiment Relative to Political Matters. 2ly We Enjoin you that by Every lawful Means You See the recommendation & Proceedings of the Continental Congress Strictly complied with by the Inhabitants of this town...3drly As Examples you are to encourage every kind of Temperance Frugality Industry & Oeconomy & to Discountenance Every Species of Vice Immorality & Profaneness Neither to use any sort of Gaming or unlawful Divertions </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> you selves nor Suffer it to be done within your knowledge...4tly Whereas Hawkers Pedlars & Petty Chapmen are Continually Strolling through the Country with Goods wares & Merchandize (much of which was undoubtedly forwarded by the Enemies of America)...to Vend the same to the Great Hurt & Decay of Trade & in Defiance of a good & wholesome Law of this Government You are therefore not knowingly to harbour Conceal or Entertain any one of them nor Purchase any of their Wares...5ly Notwithstanding any Persons may be So daring & hardy as to Counteract the Sence </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>] <I>of the town Expressed in these Instructions, you are by no means to suffer any Insult or abuse to be offer'd to either their Person or Estates but use your utmost Endeavours to prevent the Same...</B></I>" Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, events began to move more rapidly. The town again called a meeting in order "<I>A Choose</B></I> <I>a Com</B></I>[m]<I>itee of Safety & give them such Powers as shall appear most Salutatory...Tis Desired that there may be a General attendance...that the united opinion of the Town may be had at this time of General Trouble...</B></I>" <BR><BR>In November 1775, Dover was called upon to "<I>elect two Persons...to represent them IN general Congress to be held at Exeter on the twenty first Day of December next...for the term of one Year from their first meeting...In case their </B></I>[<I>sic</B></I>]<I> should be a Recommendation from the Continental Congress that this Colony assume Government in any particular form, which will require a house of Representatives, that they resolve themselves into such a house as the Said Continental Congress shall recommend...</B></I>" Royal Governor John Wentworth abdicated his authority in August 1775 by boarding a British man-of-war for protection. Prominent rebels filled the political vacuum left by his departure. By the fall, it was clear that a new government needed to fill the void. In January, 1776 the Congress (called in November 1775) drafted and approved a constitution that was to remain in effect for the duration of the hostilities. This was the first constitution to be framed by an American commonwealth. <BR><BR>In fact, the 1776 New Hampshire constitution amounted to nothing less than a <I>de facto</B></I> Declaration of independence and the residents of Dover were quite apprehensive at the prospect. "<I>...That in times not so Distressing as the Present & matters of Less Importance than are now agitated; Wisdom Prudence & Moderation are Qualifications essentially requisit</B></I>[e] <I>among the Rulers: to whom, the Sentiments of but a small Part of the Community whereof they are members can at no time by Disgusting if conveyed in a mode not liable to censure. With the suffrages of your Petitioners the Delegates from this Town had (tho no tin writing) full Instructions respecting their conduct in the alteration of Government to which we doubt not they have Duly attended. The Assuming Government in any Form at This Crisis would in our opinion be a Measure Fraught with evils too considerable to be passed over with silent approbation. The Friendship of many respectable Inhabitants of Great Britain who We fondly hope are assiduous in their Endeavours to free us from Troubles Already but too sensibly felt, & to ward off others ...impending is Richly worth the Cultivation of Every one Sincerely attached to the Rights & Interests of his Country and the least appearance of Disunion among our Selves an Evil to be Depreciated; as a Circumstance highly Displeasing to all but the Planners of such a Design. Your Petitioners (many of whom till lately were unapprised of the Intention to assume government) cannot but be apprehensive of the many Injuries which may probably result from an immediate alteration & which through a little precipitancy may prove irreparable. The power vested in you we humbly conceive fully enables such Necessary Regulations as may best tend to prevent Anarchy which for the Present ought principally to be had in view as a step farther (tho' undesigned) may appear enough like Independency to frustrate many friendly attempts in our favour. Your Petitioners therefore Humbly Pray that as a Congress you would yet transact the Necessary affairs of the Colony & Defer the intended alternation to some future Day when the making it may less tend to disorder & Confusion & a turn of times with greater Propriety admit of it..."</B></I><BR><BR>This passage is a most remarkable piece of political speech... reflecting mixed emotions of most Americans as the independence movement gained strength. In the end, it appears that the town was accepting of their new independent status, as the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 did not even merit passing mention or debate in the town meeting. The town actively provided men and material to the Continental Army. On July 15, 1776 the town meeting considered an "<I>an advance bounty to the Soldiers that enlist for the Town in the Present Expedition to Canada...</B></I>" They resolved to give two shillings to each volunteer. The subsequent years are peppered with comments on the ongoing struggle. In May 1777, the state's committee of safety requested the town to <I>Call a meeting of the Inhabitants of said Dover Immediately, as the Times Looks Very Dark & Distressing -- amongst us For it is generally supposed that we shall have the enemy upon us Immediately or some part of our borders & we have nothing in Comparison to Defend our selves with we are in Immediate necessity for Armes </B></I>[sic]<I> Especially therefore we Desire the Town to be called Together to Choose a Committee of Safety...to supply the Town with all Necessary Articles that is fitting for a Soldier to have to Defend his country is so good as a cause as we have Engaged in...</B></I> " On June 13, 1778 the state informed the <I>town that </B></I>"<I>...Colo Stephen Evans has Lately received orders from the Honble Committee of Safety for said State for thirty men to be raised out of his Regiment & Sent forward immediately to serve as Soldiers & to Reinforce General Sullivan's Division in the State of Rhode Island at Providence...</B></I>"<BR><BR>The minutes also chronicle other important events in the founding of <I>both</B></I> the state <I>and</B></I> the nation. On February 14, 1778 the state of New Hampshire requested the town "<I>...to give their Representatives their Opinion Respecting the articles of Confederation...with Instructions how to act thereon...</B></I>" After several years of war and struggle, the state of New Hampshire resolved to strengthen it's constitution: "<I>In the House of Representatives April 5, 1781, Whereas the present Situation of Affairs in this State makes it necessary that a full and free Representation of the Inhabitants thereof should meet in Convention for the sole Purpose of forming and laying a permanent plan or System of Government for the future Happiness and well being of the good people of this State. And this house having received Instructions from a considerable part of their Constituents for that purpose: Therefore voted & Resolved That the Honorable the President of the Council issue to every Town, Parish and District...a Precept recommending to them to elect and choose one, or more Persons...to convene at Concord in said State on the first Tuesday of June next...to represent them in said Convention...And such System or Form of Government as may be agreed upon by such Convention, being printed, and sent to each and every Town, parish & District in this State, for the approbation of the people, which System or Form of Government being approved of by such...</B></I>" <BR><BR>The records report a similar movement on a national scale to amend the Articles of Confederation that would result in the drafting of the federal Constitution of 1787. On May 28, 1787, the town received notice that "<I>a Public Town Meeting will be held at the meeting House in said Town on Monday the 7th of Jany. next </B></I>[1788]<I> at Two Clock P.M. To see if the then Convene will Elect-one Suitable Person to meet the Convention to be held at Exeter the second Wednesday of Feby. Next, to Consider the proceedings of the Federal Convention Transmitted to the General Court Through the Medium of Congress & act there on.</B></I>" The town's first presidential and congressional election is also recorded "<I>State of New Hampshire This is Notify the Legal Voters of Dover that a public Town Meeting will be held at the Meeting House in Said Town on Monday The 15th Day of Decemb</B></I>[e]<I>r Next at one o'Clock P.M. Then and there to Vote for three Persons to Represent this State in Congress agreeable to the Constitution -- Also to Vote for five Electors with Electors are to Meet in Someplace in the State to Vote for a President and Vice President of the United States...</B></I>" The voting is detailed on the opposite page. The winners in Dover, Samuel Livermore (107 votes) and Nicholas Gilman (90 votes) fared as well in the rest of the state and went to Congress. Dover's third choice, Benjamin Bellows (80 votes) nor were any of the others including Nathaniel Peabody (21), Paine Wingate (10), Christopher Tappan (1), nor Pierce Long (1). The winners for elector ran as follows: John Sullivan (30), John Parker (28), John Pickering (27), Judge Dudley (20), Josiah Barlett (17). The records include the results of the subsequent federal and state elections of 1790 onwards. <BR>-<BR>Taken together, these three volumes constitute a remarkable piece of history, providing a record of tremendous importance on a variety of levels. From a documentary perspective, the 1641 acknowledgement of Massachusetts' jurisdiction and the establishment of town government in the 1600s coupled with the appointment of committees of correspondence safety in 1775, amount to nothing less than founding documents. As a body of work, these records help evidence an important piece of social and economic history -- allowing historians to examine the development of an early New England town. They further facilitate a greater understanding of the lives of America's early European colonists. For the political historian, the passages surrounding the American Revolution are particularly interesting: bringing into full relief the passions surrounding the struggle for independence. <BR><BR>Town records covering such a tremendous span almost never appear in the market. A record of this breadth and detail, concerning one of the oldest settlements in the United States, tracing its history from it's early founding years into the years of the early republic is particularly desirable. This is a unique opportunity to own a <I>real</B></I> piece of history valued by collectors and historians alike. <BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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