Warmest Expressions of Gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, under whose Influence & Direction the Struggles of a virtuous and free People have terminated in a Revolution which excites the Admiration of the World Guided by His alwise Providence, your Country early fix'd her Eyes upon you! And confiding in those eminent Qualities which you possess'd, appointed you to the Command of her Armies. The Wisdom of your Conduct in the Discharge of that important Trust, has given a compleat Sanction to the Appointment, and crown'd the most heightend Expectations. In every Stage of the arduous Conflict, what trying Scenes have you not passed through! What Hardships have you not endured! What Dangers have you not encountered! May Heaven reward your unremitted Exertions! May you long live, beloved by a grateful Country, & partaking largely in the Enjoyment of those inestimable Blessings, which you have been so eminently instrumental in securing for us! While Patriots shall not cease to applaud, that sacred Attachment which you have constantly manifested to the Rights of Citizens too often violated by Men in Arms, your Military Virtues and Achievements will be deeply recorded in the Breasts of your Countrymen & their Posterity, and make the brightest Pages in the History of Mankind" We are with every sentiment of respect & Esteem, in the Name & Behalf of the General Court Y' Excellency's most Obedient & very hble Servts His Exc' Gen' Washington Receipt from William Howard. Hallowell y 25 of July 1783 Sir I have Received of Co' Josiah Brewar fourteen moose skins ten beaver skins wt 1412 lb thirty two sable skins three minks one otter one fishar three musquoshs the above skins I have Shiped on board Sloop hope Tobias Oakman mastar which he will Deliver to you on his arrival in Boston Sir the above mentioned Skins with what I sent to you in the Spring by my brother Sam' Howard is all that I have Received of Co1 Brewar from your Verey Humble Sarvant William Howard Richard Devens Esq State of the Several Accounts of Thomas Child Esq. State of the several Accounts of Thomas Child Esq. Agent to the Estate of Francis Waldo late of Falmouth in the County of Cumberland Esq' an Absentee vizt First Account Paid for the Board of an old lame offensive Negro Man named Scipio, from ye 16th April 1779 to October 21, 1780-79 Weeks at 12/ Do Previous to the 12 Febr' 1779 Sundry Articles of Cloathing for the said Negro at different Times £47.. 8.. 4.16 7.. 16.. 6 12 8 Commissioners & Appraisers Accounts 5- 8 Paid for Extracts for the County Records 3 2 Probate Fees in divers Instances Allowance for Time Trouble & Expence Horse 20 £91. 8. 6 21 .11 . 3 £69.17. 3 Cumberland Ss Allowed by y Judge of Probate for s County Oct. 12, 1780 & recorded p' Sam' Freeman Reg Second Account Cloathing for Scipio Commissions and Storage on Lime in Boston Trespass Scipios Board from Oct 21, 1780 to April 6, 1782-76 Weeks 12/ Allowance for Services as Agent Ballance of first Account Probate Fees Cumberland Ss Allowed by y Judge of Probate for sa County April 6, 1782 & recorded. p Sam' Freeman Reg. Third Account Ballance of the second £106.18. 3 Cloathing for Scipio Scipio's Board from April 6, 1782 to Jan 4, 1783 Allowance for Services as Agent 1.12. 4 26. 2. Probate Fees 1.16. 7 £136. 5. 7 Cumberland Ss. Allowed by ye Judge of Probate for said County Jan 7, 1783 and recorded p' Sam' Freeman Reg. Fourth Account Cloathing for Scipio Scipios Board from Jan 4, 1783 to Aug 30, The said Agents Claim on said Estate as settled His Note to the Courts Committee Probate Fees Cumberland Ss. Allowed by the Judge of Probate for said County & recorded by Sam' Freeman Reg. Petition Selectmen of Thomaston. To the Honourable Senate and house of Representatives We your petitioners humbly sheweth that whereas we are Inhabitants of the Town of Thomaston being a frontier Town upon the Enemy for four years past which were in possession of the Eastern side of Ponobscot Bay and we fronting on the western side of the same Which has greatly Distressed us for virtually we have been Prisoners at their wills & have suffered greatly by them some of our buildings Burnt our cattle killed & our substance greatly wasted and destroyed Likewise our small Navigation & fisheries all taken from us and Many More difficulties too numerous to Relate likewise that our Town is mainly a very new Settlement mainly settled by those who Were put to straits by the late publick Calamity by reason of Other Callings failing were obliged to settle upon the wild lands where We could not get any proper Security of for to Cultivate in hopes to Get bread for our family's & likewise in hopes in some future time we might have the Justice done us not to lose our labor but Either That we might have our lands at what it was reasonably worth When we took it or that we might have the Value of what we made it better by our labor but further more we hope your honors will Consider that by proper Indulgence we may be able to help ourselves And be of Service to the Community in General & therefore We pray that your honors would take it into your wise Consideration Our distresses that we have been in & still Are under and Consider Our heavy taxes that we have not been Able to pay & still are not (not that we are Complaining of any Injustice done us by our Authority but we plead our Distresses & distress for altho' our Enemy has of late been at Peace with us yet we are left strip & wounded and likewise the Disaffected that a few months past had no respect In Appearance to our laws are now Distressing and harrissing Our best Friends Who had their Country's good at heart With their Own laws which still make our Case More difficult That we can see no way that unless your honor's can find out a way for our Relief but our Infant Town will be depopulated so we leave Our Case with you putting our Confidence in your wisdom & we your Petitioners are ever Bound in duty to Pray. Sam' Brown, John Simonton, Select men of Thomaston September 13, 1783 |