more their trusted commander, and the instinct of obedience was
working strongly in the mass, who felt his presence and involun-
tarily obeyed the motions of their old chief. With dignity he
took off his cocked hat, disclosing a profusion of white powdered
hair, unbelted his long sword and deliberately laid them on the
table. Having gained their attention, and silence ensuing
after considerable disturbance, he demanded of them why
they had come before the court in such a turbulent manner.
He was answered by many voices: "The petition! the peti-
tion ! " and a committee stepped forward with a huge roll of
paper which Sullivan received and presented to the court. The
clerk having read it, Sullivan addressed the people, courteously
but firmly, on the impropriety of any attempt to influence, even
by the appearance of violence, the deliberations of the court;
told them their petition would be considered ; and directed them
to withdraw. They obeyed with reluctance, whereupon the
court adjourned until the next day, in hope that the mob would
disperse. In the afternoon Sullivan addressed them on the sub-
ject of their complaints, and advised them to return to their
homes. On the opening of the court the next morning the
house was full of people, impatient for the answer to their peti-
tion. Sullivan, now in citizen's dress, with grace and dignity
said that he was instructed by the court to inform them that the
court would continue all causes on the civil docket in which
either party was not ready for trial, as the court was due in another
county. Upon which announcement the people withdrew with
cheers for General Sullivan. The mob had effected its puv-
pose, and the dignity of the court had been sustained. At
1784] STATK UNDER FIRST CONSTITUTION. 411
this time Keene ami the towns bordering on tlie CtHinecticut
were lukewarm in their allegiance to the New Hampshire au-
thorities.
In Massachusetts a similar condition of things led, in 1786,
to Shays's rebellion ; and in this State, at an earlier period of
that year, events seemed fast tending to a like dangerous issue.
Many town and county conventions were held, and petitions for
a redress of grievances were presented to the legislature. Del-
egates from some of the conventions assembled in Concord
during the June session, where they were assisted to organize
by several active young men, some of whom were afterwards
distinguished in the service of the State, who, although not prop-
erly chosen members, conceived the idea of turning the pro-
ceedings into ridicule. Having been admitted without question,
as delegates from their respective towns, they at once took a
leading part, taking different sides to avoid an appearance of
concert, and vied with the true members in their zeal for reform.
After a debate of several hours the convention adopted a series
of resolutions, and appointed a committee, of which William
Plumer, one of the eleven young conspirators, was chairman, to
report a petition to the legislature. This petition, which was
reported the next morning, embodied the substance of the reso-
lutions, and was unanimously adopted by the convention. Among
other things it requested the legislature to abolish the Court of
Common Pleas, to establish town courts, to restrict the number
of lawyers to two in a county, and to provide for the issue of
State notes to the amount of three million dollars, the same to
be legal tender in payment of all debts. The issue of paper
money by the State was the favorite measure of the discontented
and debtor party, and the mock members of the convention
could hardly keep pace with the real ones in the extravagance
of their suggestions. Dr Jonathan Gove, of New Boston, who
represented ten towns in Hillsborough county, proposed to raise
the amount named to twelve millions of dollars, to pay all debts
public and private. The convention went in a body to present
their petition, and were gravely received by the legislature.
The speaker showed them ceremonious attention, and, as one of
412 HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [l/SS
the delegates said, treated them "with superfluous respect,"
laying their memorial on the table. Having again assembled at
their place of meeting, Mr. Plumer addressed them and showed
the absurdity of their proceedings ; after a heated discussion
the convention broke up in disorder : and for sometime the very
name of a convention became a term of reproach. ^
The dispute between the people of New Hampshire and the
inhabitants of the Hampshire grants and the authorities of New
York as to the western boundary of New Hampshire had been
settled by the Continental Congress admitting into the Union the
new State of Vermont. About this time several New Hampshire
towns situate in the Connecticut valley were tempted to throw
off their allegiance to New Hampshire ; but happily more pru-
dent counsels prevailed and the separation did not take place.
John Langdon, who was elected second president of the State
in 1785, after Meshech Weare had declined to serve, was born in
Portsmouth in 1740, was a merchant, shipbuilder, and a patriot.
He helped seize the ammunition at Fort William and Mary in
1774, built the Ranger for John Paul Jones, was a delegate to the
Continental Congress in 1775 and 1776, served with Stark at
Bennington, was again elected president of the State in 1788, a
delegate to the convention which framed the constitution of the
United States, and to the State convention which accepted it.
He was the first United States senator elected, and was chosen
president of that body, and as such informed General Washing-
ton of his election. After he left Congress he was elected gov-
ernor five times. From a Federalist he became a Republican, and
later a Democrat.
General John Sullivan was chosen president of New Hampshire
in 1786. The want of money and the depression in business
were evils too deeply rooted to be removed by ridicule, mock
conventions, or idle talk. The people were in distress, especially
the veterans of the Continental army. New conventions were
called in different parts of the State. In the Rockingham con-
vention, held in Chester, it was resolved to send to E.xeter,
where the legislature was to meet in September, a body of
â– William Plumer, Jr.
1786] STATE UNDER FIRST CONSTITUTION. 413
armed men to enforce their claims. Accordingly about two
hundred men, under command of Joseph French, of Hampstead,
and James Cochrane, of Pembroke, some armed with muskets and
others with clubs, marched into Exeter, and sent in their petition to
the General Court for a redress of grievances, declaring their inten-
tion, if it was not granted, to do themselves justice. They sur-
rounded the house in which the legislature was in session, and,
placing sentinels at the door and windows, demanded an imme-
diate answer to their petition. The House appointed a com-
mittee on the petition ; but the Senate, under the influence of
Sullivan, who was now president of the State, and as such had
a seat in the Senate, refused to act on the subject while they
were thus besieged by the mob, and proceeded with their ordi-
nary business.^ A party of the friends of order armed them-
selves, and called upon all good citizens to disperse the mob and
thus set the members of the legislature at liberty. General
Sullivan came out, accompanied by Nathaniel Peabody, Ebenezer
Webster, and other officers of the Revolution and friends of gov-
ernment, and ordered the mob to disperse. Armed citizens in
their rear, pressing on them and calling for the artillery to ad-
vance, the mob began to retire ; and French, finding that the
legislature was not frightened by threats, withdrew with his
men some distance from the village for the night. Sullivan
summoned the militia, and on the following morning nearly two
thousand assembled and were led by General Cilley against the
insurgents, who made some show of resistance. Upon being
ordered to fire by Major Cochrane they broke and fled in disor-
der, and the militia captured thirty-nine of their number. The
question now arose as to what should be their punishment.
They had been guilty of treason or of some high offence. The
leaders were brought before the two Houses in convention.
French made very humble supplications for his life. Cochrane,
who had been a soldier in the Revolution, pled for pardon with
some self-respect. Both stated that they had been encouraged
in their course by men in high standing, some of them members
of the legislature, who now repudiated all connection with their
â– William Pkimer, Jr. i
414 HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [l/S/
acts. The leaders now became as an.xious to get rid of their
captives as they had been the day before to capture them. Most
of them were indicted, but allowed at the next term of court to
escape without punishment. Such as were church members
were dealt with by their churches ; militia officers were dis-
missed from the service. It was deemed good policy, as no
blood had been shed, to treat this first attempt at armed resist-
ance to the Government with lenity, yet so as to vindicate the
violated authority of the law, thus attacked at the fountain head.
Littleton is a part of the territory originally granted as Chis-
wick.^ Subsequently it was called Apthorp. In 1784 it was
divided, forming the present towns of Littleton and Dalton.
The first town meeting in Littleton appears to have been
held on the 19th day of July, 1787, at the house of Nathan
Caswell, the first settler in the town, the same having been-
called by John Young, by authority granted by the legislature,
who by the same authority served as moderator. At this meet-
ing Robert Charlton was chosen clerk, Samuel Larnard, John
Chase and Perley Williams, selectmen, and Sargent Currier,
constable. Until 1809 the town was classed with various others,
the arrangement being changed at different times, for the pur-
pose of choosing a representative to the General Court. The
first resident of Littleton chosen representative was James Wil-
liams, in 1794. The next was James Rankin, in 1798; then
David Goodall, from 1800 to 1806 inclusive, the class then in-
cluding Littleton, Dalton, and Bethlehem. -
The year 1787 is memorable as that in which the constitution
of the United States was formed. Highly as that instrument is
now prized, it was not received with much favor by the people
on its first promulgation. It met, in all the States, with many
' It has been a central point in While Mountain travel ever since tourists and pleasure seekers com-
menced visiting this now celobrnted region. Even before the construction of the railroad, it was, in
the summer time, a great stage depot, where centred the various lines to the mountains from the wes-
tern approach. It is, however, since the construction of the White Mountains Railroad, which was
completed to this point in 1853, that the growth of the place in population and business importance has
mainly occurred. From 1S53 until 1S70, when the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad, having
come into possession of the White Mountains road, extended the line to Lancaster and Fabyan's,
Littleton enjoyed the advantage of being a railroad terminus, which contributed materially to its
development as a trade centre.
2 H. H. Metcalf.
4l6 HISTORY- OF .NEW IIAMl'SHIKE. ['"88
opponents ; and in several it was adopted only after repeated
trials, and by small majorities. '
In more than half the States its ratification was accompanied
by proposed amendments, without which it would probably have
been rejected. A government for the Union was proposed by
constitution for the first time. The votes of the Revolution-
ary Congress had no legislative authority ; even the articles of
confederation, which went into operation in 1781, merely formed
a league or alliance between independent States. The people
who believed in establishing a strong central government were
called Federalists; those who believed in State rights were soon
called Anti-Federalists. After its ratification the friends of the
first two administrations retained the name of Federalists,
while their opponents took that of Republicans. The Federal-
ists were succeeded by the Whigs, and later by the Republicans
the Anti-Federalists became Republicans, and at length
Democrats ; the two great political parties into which the people
of the United States are divided at the present time. In gen-
eral the Federalists were in favor of a liberal construction and
e.vercise of the powers of the general government ; and the Re-
publicans, in theory always, and to a considerable extent in prac-
tice, were for narrowing down those powers to their least possible
extent. The election of delegates to the convention, which was
to accept the proposed constitution or to reject it, drew into two
parties the people, who became thoroughly familiar with its provi-
sions from frequent private and public discussions. Men equally
honest and intelligent belonged to both parties.
The convention chosen to accept or reject in behalf of the
State the Federal Constitution met at the Court House at
Exeter, February 13, 1788. That instrument had already re-
ceived the approval of six States. Upon the meeting of the dele-
gates it was found that there was a powerful opposition to the
proposed form of government, many of the members from the
. smaller towns having been instructed to vote against it. The
convention included many of the leading men of the State. The
leading Federalists were John Sullivan, John Langdon, Samuel
â– \Villi.im Plumer, Jr.
1788] STATE UXUEK EIKST CONSTITUTION. 417
Langdoii, Samuel Livermoie, Josiah Bartlett, John Pickering,
John Taylor Oilman, and Benjamin licllovvs. The leaders of tlie
opposition were Joseph Badger, Joshua Atherton, William Hooper,
Matthias Stone, Abiel Parker, and Jonathan Dow. During the
early debates it seemed that the opponents of the constitution had
a majority in the convention. The friends of the Union did
not dare to let a decisive vote be taken, and after a session of
seven days brought about an adjournment, in order to let those
delegates whom they had won over return to their constituents
for different instructions. The convention again assembled in
June, at Concord, and in the meanwhile two more States had
voted to accept the constitution. Thus devolved upon New
Hampshire the responsibility of casting the ninth or decisive
vote, which would put the new form of government in operation.
New York and Virginia were considering the measure, in con-
vention, at the same time. June 21, by a vote of 57 yeas to 47
nays the New Hampshire convention voted to accept the federal
constitution, but at the same time proposed several amendments.
A messenger was sent post haste to notify the convention then
sitting in New York, and undoubtedly caused favorable action
in that body.
Tradition asserts that one delegate, of pronounced Anti-F"ed-
ei'al convictions, was being "dined and wined" at the house of
Judge Walker at the time the decisive vote was being taken,
and failed to have his vote recorded.
At the meeting of the legislature in the fall of 1788 the choice
of two senators to the first Congress of the United States under the
new constitution devolved upon it. The two Houses refused to
meet in convention and accordingly voted separately by ballot.
In the House John Langdon had all but three votes, where-
upon William Plumer offered a resolution declaring that Mr.
Langdon was duly elected, and called for the yeas and nays, thus
putting every member's vote on record. His object did not ap-
liear at the time, but was understood, when the ballot for the
second senator was taken, to establish a precedent. The two
candidates were Josiah Bartlett and Nathaniel Pcabody ; and the
latter, an AntiT'^cderalist, had a considerable majority, which
4l8 HI6TUKV OI" NEW HA.Ml'SIUKi;. [^7^8
was rctluced to two on tiic roll call, Mr. Plunier, in a plain and
forcible speech, having denounced Mr. Peabody as unfit for the
office, and extolled Dr. Bartlett. It had the desired effect on
the Senate, which sent down the name of Dr. Bartlett : and he
was finally elected. Dr. Bartlett declined the honor, however ;
and Paine Wingate was chosen in his place. Mr. Peabod}'' felt
mortified and provoked at the result, talked loudly of his vio-
lated honor, and threatened to chastise his assailant. A prompt
intimation that more or worse would be said if he moved far-
ther put an end to his threats, though not to his hostility.
At the December session of the legislature to count the votes
for electors and announce the result it was found there had
been no choice by the pcojile. Again the Senate refused to
meet the House in convention, causing an exciting and angry
controversy ; but the House at the last moment yielded the
point. President Sullivan violently opposed the claim of the
Senate, while William Plumer favored it.'
2 p\-w if an\' of the original thirteen States had an abler or more
influential rc^jresentation in the various Continental Congresses
by which the war of the Revolution was directed tiian New
Hampshire, a representation which was continued, in point of
ability and influence, in the various congresses which met under
the Articles of Confederation, until the constitution was adop-
ted, and the first Congress met at New York in 17S9. From the
meeting of the first Continental Congress at Philadelphia, Sep-
tember 5, 1774, to the adjournment of the last Congress under
the Confederation, at New York, October 21, 1778, New Hamp-
shire was represented by eighteen of her wisest and most
prominent men. Several of these, as for instance Nathaniel
Folsom, John Langdon, Samuel Livermore, and John Sullivan,
serv'ed for several terms, having been engaged in other patriotic
service in the intervals between their terms of service.
When the first Continental Congress met at Philadeljihia,
September 5, 1774, New Hampshire had two representatives,
Nathaniel Folsom and John Sullivan.
â– Williaiii PUiiiiLT, Jr. = W. V. Wlii-.ch.:r.
1788] STATE UNDER EIKST CONSTITUTION. 4I9
Nathaniel Folsom was born al Exeter, in i7-'6. lie early evinced ability
^vhich gave him prominence in the aftairs of the Province. In the Seven
"i'ears" War he served as captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel
lilanchaid. He was active in militia affairs, and commanded the 4th
regiment at the outbreak of the Revolution. He was a delegate to the
first Continental Congress at Philadeljihia. In April, 1775, he was appointed
brigadier-general to command the State troops sent to Massachusetts, and
served during the siege of Boston. He was subsequently major-general. He
was again a delegate to the congresses which met at Lancaster, Penn.,
Philadeli)hia, York, and Philadelphia, serving the whole time in the first
three of these congresses, and about a year, 1779-S0, in the last. In each of
these he was regarded as a valuable member. In 177S he was a member of
the New Hampshire Executive Council, and was the President of the State
constitutional convention which prepared the first constitution of the State
in 17S3. He died at E,\eter, where, for the greater part of his life, he had his
home. May 26, 1790.
jolin Sullivan.
Josi.ili Bartlett.
John Langdon, born in Portsmouth, June 25, 1741, was one of the most
active citizens of the Slate in the movements leading to the Revolution. He
was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, and was appointed con-
tinental navy agent. Largely at his own expense he equipped General
Stark's regiment which won the battle of Bennington. He was elected to the
Continental Congress in 17S6; was for a number of years a member of the
State House of Representatives and several times speaker. He was elected
president of the State in 17S8, and United States senator in 17S9 and in 1795.
He was elected governor in 1S05, 1S06, 1S07, iSoS, and 1810. He declined the
office of secretary of the navy offered to him by President Jefferson, and the
office of vice-president tendered by the Democratic delegation in 1S12. He
died in Portsmouth, September iS, 1819, mourned as one of the most honored
and distinguished citizens of the State.
Woodbury Langdon. an older brother of John, was born at Portsmouth
in 1739, and, like his brother, early engaged in mercantile pursuits. He
served for about a year, 1779-17S0, in the Continental Congress, rendering
valuable service in the councils of the time. For three years, from 17S1 to
1784, he was a member of the State Executive Council. In 1782 he was ap-
pointed one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State, serving but a
short time, however. In 1786 he was again appointed, serving till 1790. He
died at Portsmouth, January 13, 1805.
One of the most honored names in New Hampshire's early history is that
of Matthew Thornton. He was born in Ireland in 1714, and came, when a
mere lad, to America, living for a while at Wiscasset, Me. Removing to
Worcester, he received an academic education, studied medicine, and
began his practice in the historic town of Londonderry. In the famous
expedition of Sir William Pepperrell against Louisburg he served as
surgeon, and was afterward prominently connected with the colonial militia,
420 IIISTORV OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. [ 1 788
hoUling for several years a commission as colonel. lie was a member of the
convention which declared New Hampshire to be a sovereign State. He served
in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778, and in the latter year resigned
to accept the chief justiceship of Hillsborough county. He held this position
only about two years, resigning to accept an appointment on the supreme
bench of the State. In 17S3 he was a member of tlie Stale House of Repre-
sentatives, and the next year of the State Senate. The yearfollowing he was
a member of the Executive Council, but soon afterward removed to Massa-
chusetts. He died at Newburyport, Mass., June 24, 1804, in his ninety-
first year.
William Whipple, born at Kittery, January 14. 1730, received his education
on board a vessel, being bred a sailor, and was in command of a vessel in the
African trade before he readied his twenty-first birthday-. During the Seven
Years' War he retired from a seafaring life and engaged in mercantile
pursuits, at Portsmouth, in which he was remarkably successful. In
1775 iie was elected a member of the Continental Congress, tak!ig his
seat in May; was re-elected in 1776, talking his seat in February, in time to
immortalize himself as one of the signers of the Declaration. He was again
elected in 177S, but did not take his seat till some time after the opening of
the congress, as in the meantime he had accepted the command of a brigade
for the defence of Rhode Island. He declined further re-elections to Con-
gress which were tendered him, and resigned his militar_v commission, June
20, 17S2. He was a member of the State Assembly, 17S0-1784; superinten-
dent of finance of the State, 17S2-17S4. In 1782 he wasappointed a judge ot
the State Supreme Court, holding the position till obliged to relinquish it on
account of disease. While captain of a vessel in the African trade he engaged
to some extent in the slave-trade, but after the opening of the war of the
Revolution he emancipated all his slaves, and refused to assist General Wash-
ington in the recovery of a servant of Mrs. Washington, who had run away
and taken refuge in Nev^ Hampshire. Captain Whipple, as he was familiarly
called, died suddenly, of heart disease, November 28, 17S5.
George Frost was born at Newcastle, April 26, 1727, and after receiving a
public school education, entered the employ of his uncle, the celebrated mer-
chant, Sir William PepperrelKat Kittery Point. For several years he followed
a seafaring life as supercargo and captain, but in 1770 abandoned the sea and
removed to Durham. He was made a judge of the Strafford county Court of
Common Pleas in 1773, and served till 1791, for several of these years being
chief justice. He was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1777,
and served, rendering good service, till 1779. For the three years 1781-1784 he
was a member of the Executive Council. Resigning his seat on the bench
at the age of seventy, he retired to private life, and died at Durham, June 21,
1796, in his seventy-seventh year.
Little needs to be said of the Wentworths, a familyof the first prominence in
the colonial and early history of New Hampshire, and the list of members of
the Continental Congress could hardly be said to be complete unless it em-
braced the name of a Wentworth. John Wentworth, Jr., was born at Somers-