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History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

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302 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1754.<br />

such, cases provided) to be paid by persons refus<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

serve <strong>in</strong> the constable's <strong>of</strong>fice, or any part <strong>of</strong> it,"<br />

Hav<strong>in</strong>g heard the decision <strong>of</strong> Lieut. Strong, the town<br />

forthwith turned <strong>its</strong> attention to the other constable elect r<br />

" Then Cornet John Hunt be<strong>in</strong>g present at said meet<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

the town put the question to him whether he would serve<br />

<strong>in</strong> the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> constable <strong>of</strong> the town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong> for<br />

the ensu<strong>in</strong>g year to which he had been chosen, & he declared<br />

he would not accept said <strong>of</strong>fice nor serve the town<br />

there<strong>in</strong>. The town then made choice <strong>of</strong> Joseph Hawley<br />

Esq. , for their agent to prosecute Lieut. Caleb Strong, Cornet<br />

John Hunt <strong>in</strong> manner as the law directs for the pen-<br />

alty each <strong>of</strong> them had <strong>in</strong>curred by refus<strong>in</strong>g to serve as constables<br />

this year and which they ought to pay by the law<br />

<strong>of</strong> this Government <strong>in</strong> such cases provided, to the use <strong>of</strong><br />

the poor <strong>of</strong> the town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong>."<br />

Major Hawley brought the case <strong>of</strong> Lieut. Strong before<br />

the County Court and a summons was issued for his appearance<br />

before it, but no further record <strong>of</strong> the case has<br />

been found. Apparently Lieut. Strong was let <strong>of</strong>f with the<br />

payment <strong>of</strong> the f<strong>in</strong>e <strong>of</strong> £3, as there is no <strong>in</strong>dication <strong>of</strong> any<br />

subsequent action <strong>in</strong> the case. Cornet Hunt seems to have<br />

escaped without prosecution.<br />

More Difficulty Still further trouble <strong>in</strong> reference to conabout<br />

Constables, gtablcs occurrcd the follow<strong>in</strong>g year ; several<br />

persons nom<strong>in</strong>ated for that <strong>of</strong>fice could not<br />

be elected. At last Ebenezer Clark Jr. and John Baker<br />

Jr., not be<strong>in</strong>g liable to serve, hav<strong>in</strong>g held the <strong>of</strong>fice with<strong>in</strong><br />

seven years, proposed to accept the position for 40s. each,<br />

and they were chosen on that condition.<br />

A New School-House The questioii <strong>of</strong> erect<strong>in</strong>g a new school-<br />

^^*^'- house <strong>in</strong> the center <strong>of</strong> the town had been a<br />

long time <strong>in</strong> agitation. Five years had<br />

elapsed s<strong>in</strong>ce the town had decided to build one, but it<br />

soon after resc<strong>in</strong>ded that order. Its need became more and<br />

more apparent as time slipped by, and <strong>in</strong> 1755, at the March<br />

meet<strong>in</strong>g, a committee was appo<strong>in</strong>ted to consider and report<br />

thereon. They advised that a school-house should be built<br />

" large enough to accommodate the grammar school and

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