Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 4
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Cor: Grand Jury.
vs. Paxton Rioters
Mark Heardbefore the vendue break the Road, at Landlord Snow.
Reuben Sternswith a mug of Flip in his hand says to his brother
Nathl.here’s a health to all the brave Tories & to George our King then
Nathl. took the mugg, Danl. Witt says as big a Tory as I am I would not take the mugg in such a manner
Thomas Pollard3d. Feby. a Vendue at Paxton: I had sued the Town & had an Exn. vs. Treasurer, & his pr. oxen & cows were taken by Coroner to pay it: at Mr. Snows Tavern, Wait the Consble. had distrained for Taxes & the Cows were to be sold at the same time:
John Davisof Worcester sd. if any bid more than a Copper for a Cow they shall go away with a Sore head; Asa Sterns’s cow was taken for Taxes & he sd. if he pd. the 5. Doll for Taxes he shd. have no money to buy flip:
Reuben Sterns, Asa Sterns John Davis, David Peirce, Jona. Wheelerappeared on head
Nathan Wheeler, Abijah Bemisshad sticks & in the time of the Vendue opned the Barn & drove away the Cow: some that were freindly to Gov: drove them back
John Fessenden Esqr.Saturday eving. before Sale, I was at Snow’s in Paxton. on Monday the 3d. at Vendue people collecting with Clubbs: I tryd to compromise
David Peircewhose cow was taken sd. he had paid as long as he cd. & wd. pay no longer: then
Asa Sternssd. the same of his Tax: 262 at Vendue sd. whosoever bids bids at his peril: Somebody else sd. who bids more than a copper it won’t be wholesome. this cow was sold & dd. to Capt. Ph. Newall:
David Peircebd. the Consbl. go to Hell for proposing to accomodate
Ebenr. WaitI was Collector abt. a fortnight before
Asa Sternssd. he wd. pay no more taxes, the 1st Cow of Danl. Snow was sold to Phin Newal &
Asa Sternsattempted to stop her being put into the barn & sd. she shall not stay there long: David Peirce’s Cow was next put up
Peter TaftSaturday before Vendue I was
Eb. Boynton Jno. Dennisthere, they askd is the Cattle will be sold, they sd. no. no body will bid, wd. you bid if you see half a doz. stand round with Clubbs to knock yo. down: I saw all the list there with Clubbs & in the mobb:
Boyntonsd. they intended to have prevented the Taxes being pd. by bidding off the cattle at /6d.
Abraham Smith junr.Saturday before Vendue
NathanSnow at Danl. Bemiss, told who the cattle was taken from guess’d they wd. not be sold, there wd. be eno. to stop it. a No. of good hearty fellows coming from Holden. ask’d me if I wd. not come & see em he sd. he that bid first wd. be knockd Down, that he was then going after hands, he ask’d Danl. Bemiss if he wd. not come up & help kill some of them. I was at Vendue. it was
James Snowpulld the Barr down
Josiah Livermore.
Nathan Snowcame over on Saturday to my Father’s to get me & my brother to come over & stop the vendue. he sd. a No. of good fellows coming from Holden: he sd. Oliver Witt sd. they wd. carry clubbs: he sd. if he was put to Goal & they did not come & help him he hoped Thunder & Lightning would strike at Vendue: Lt. Browning bid
Abijah Bemisssd. you shall have whipping for this—the Cow was drove out,
James Snowpulld down one Barr,
David Peirceanother.
Nathan Wheelersd. if he cd. get at Frink he wd. settle him
Bradley LivermoreSaturday before vendue Nathan
Snowat our house; he askd me to go, sd. he hoped some wd. be killed, at Vendue the list there, unusual Clubbs.
Bemisscame to me sd. he had some thing to do & meant to do it: the cow turnd out of the yard.
James Snow & David Peircepulled up barr & tryd to stop the Cow being drove back
James BrowningI was at Vendue.
Oliver Earlon Vendue day
Nathan Wheelerhad a very large Clubb sd. he was going to lick Frink
John Davissd. they wd. not be sold for more than 6d—some body sd. lads turn her out of the Yard
James Snowlet down barrs &
Reuben Sternsdrove out the Cow. she was drove back:
David Peircethen pulld out a
Asa Sternssd. if he had been a mind to he cd. have had 1000 men
Aaron MorseThursday night before vendue.
James Snowsd. his cow was taken to pay Rates, but they wd. not make out to sell her & he wd. buy Stone Buttons & pay his Rates wn. he could, at Vendue
David Peircesd. if they had not been D——d fool they might have drove their Cattle out.
Nathan Wheelersd. Frink shold. have as bad a bruizing as my brother.
Asa Sternsendeavoured to pull the Barrs down
Nathan Brigham NewtonVendue day, they sd. they had paid Taxes long enô.
Reuben Sternssd. damn the Authority. Asa Sterns sd. he’d keep his money to buy flip.
Jona. Wheelertold Silas Newton to hold his tongue or he’d split his head open. this was before sale, all the list there
Capt. Phineas Morsethe list went out wth. their Clubbs:
Abijah Bemisthreatn’d to flogg me this was after Cow sold—
Nathan Wheelersd. Frink shd. have a d——d flogging with the Clubb, before he gets home.
Asa Sternssd. to me if we get the day will use you well & your
Pliny Mooreat Vendue wn. Lt. Browning bid.
Ab. Bemissd. J:G:D. him he shall have his head broke:
Jona. Wheelerchuck’d Lt. Frink under his chin & Frink struck him with his Fist
Heza. Newtonjr. at Vendue
Jona. Wheelersd. the first man that bid he’d knock his brain out, & bid Mr. Wait set her up if he dared—after Cow sold I saw
Jona. Wheelerspit on Lt Frink & he struck him—afterward I saw
Jno. Wheelerchuck Frink under the Chin then Frink struck him with his Fists—
Reuben Sternssd. to Esqr. Fessenden damn Civil Goverment: have often heard him speak contemptble of Govt.—Friday before at Worcester
John Davis&
Asa Sternstalked of opposing the Vendue.
Samll. Mooresd. people were sick of Genl. Washington—the
2 Snows& 2
Wheelersset down the Barrs
Daniel Witt. before Vendue.
Reuben Sternsdrank a health to K. George & all his loyal Subjects.
Heza. Ward Esq. just after Vendue,
Asa Sternssaid he cd. have had 1000 men here to day: