Robert Treat Paine Papers, Volume 4

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From Seth Padelford

1 September 1783

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Resolve Directing the Attorney General to Surcease Any Prosecution Against Beriah Norton

3 October 1783

261

Commonwealth versus Asa Stearns and others on the charge of causing a Riot at Paxton

On February 3, 1783, up to a dozen men of Paxton and other towns in Worcester County instigated a riot when they attempted to liberate cattle that had been confiscated as tax payments. Ten of the men were arrested—Asa and Reuben Stearns, John Davis, David Peirce, Ebenezer Boyinton, Nathan and James Snow, Nathan and Jonathan Wheeler, and Abijah Bemiss—and indicted for disorderly conduct, prevention of tax collection, and rioting. The men appeared before the grand jury in April. They were found guilty when the case went to trial before the September session of the Supreme Judicial Court in Worcester.

Grand Jury notes

RTP

Supr. Jud. Court Worcester April 1783

Cor: Grand Jury.

vs. Paxton Rioters

Mark Heard before the vendue break the Road, at Landlord Snow. Reuben Sterns with 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 Pollard 3d. 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 Davis of 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. Wheeler appeared on head Nathan Wheeler, Abijah Bemiss had 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 Peirce whose cow was taken sd. he had paid as long as he cd. & wd. pay no longer: then Asa Sterns sd. 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 Peirce bd. the Consbl. go to Hell for proposing to accomodate Ebenr. Wait I was Collector abt. a fortnight before Asa Sterns sd. he wd. pay no more taxes, the 1st Cow of Danl. Snow was sold to Phin Newal & Asa Sterns attempted to stop her being put into the barn & sd. she shall not stay there long: David Peirce’s Cow was next put up Asa Sterns next: all the list there Peter Taft Saturday before Vendue I was Eb. Boynton Jno. Dennis there, 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: Boynton sd. they intended to have prevented the Taxes being pd. by bidding off the cattle at /6d. Abraham Smith junr. Saturday before Vendue Nathan Snow 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 Snow pulld the Barr down Josiah Livermore. Nathan Snow came 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 Bemiss sd. you shall have whipping for this—the Cow was drove out, James Snow pulld down one Barr, David Peirce another. Nathan Wheeler sd. if he cd. get at Frink he wd. settle him Bradley Livermore Saturday before vendue Nathan Snow at our house; he askd me to go, sd. he hoped some wd. be killed, at Vendue the list there, unusual Clubbs. Bemiss came to me sd. he had some thing to do & meant to do it: the cow turnd out of the yard. James Snow & David Peirce pulled up barr & tryd to stop the Cow being drove back 263 James Browning I was at Vendue. ~~I was~~ the list all there, some of them sd. to Lt. Frink wt. business have you to order us Damn’d Congress officer: Jonathan Wheeler spit at Lt. Frink & he struck him Oliver Earl on Vendue day Nathan Wheeler had a very large Clubb sd. he was going to lick Frink John Davis sd. they wd. not be sold for more than 6d—some body sd. lads turn her out of the Yard James Snow let down barrs & Reuben Sterns drove out the Cow. she was drove back: David Peirce then pulld out a Rayl & after word sd. Damn the Authority. Asa Sterns sd. if he had been a mind to he cd. have had 1000 men Aaron Morse Thursday night before vendue. James Snow sd. 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 Peirce sd. if they had not been D——d fool they might have drove their Cattle out. Nathan Wheeler sd. Frink shold. have as bad a bruizing as my brother. Asa Sterns endeavoured to pull the Barrs down Nathan Brigham Newton Vendue day, they sd. they had paid Taxes long enô. Reuben Sterns sd. damn the Authority. Asa Sterns sd. he’d keep his money to buy flip. Jona. Wheeler told Silas Newton to hold his tongue or he’d split his head open. this was before sale, all the list there Capt. Phineas Morse the list went out wth. their Clubbs: Abijah Bemis threatn’d to flogg me this was after Cow sold—Nathan Wheeler sd. Frink shd. have a d——d flogging with the Clubb, before he gets home. Asa Sterns sd. to me if we get the day will use you well & your country Pliny Moore at Vendue wn. Lt. Browning bid. Ab. Bemis sd. J:G:D. him he shall have his head broke: Jona. Wheeler chuck’d Lt. Frink under his chin & Frink struck him with his Fist Heza. Newton jr. at Vendue Jona. Wheeler sd. 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. Wheeler spit on Lt Frink & he struck him—afterward I saw Jno. Wheeler chuck Frink under the Chin then Frink struck him with his Fists—Reuben Sterns sd. to Esqr. Fessenden damn Civil Goverment: have often heard him speak contemptble of Govt.—Friday before at Worcester John Davis & Asa Sterns talked of opposing the Vendue. Samll. Moore sd. people were sick of Genl. Washington—the 2 Snows & 2 Wheelers set down the Barrs 264 Daniel Witt. before Vendue. Reuben Sterns drank a health to K. George & all his loyal Subjects. Heza. Ward Esq. just after Vendue, Asa Sterns said he cd. have had 1000 men here to day:

MS .

Indictment

RTP

April 15, 1783

Worcester Ss. At the Supreme Judicial Court begun and holden at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester on the third Tuesday of April in the Year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and Eighty three

The Jurors for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts upon their Oath present, that Asa Sterns of Paxton in the County of Worcester Joiner Reuben Sterns of Holden in the same county yeoman John Davis of Worcester in the same county yeoman, David Peirce of Paxton aforsaid yeoman Ebenezer Boyington of said Paxton yeoman, Nathan Snow of said Paxton Labourer, James Snow of said Paxton Labourer Abijah Bemiss of said Paxton Labourer Nathan Wheeler of said Holden Labourer and Jonathan Wheeler junior of said Holden yeoman, together with a number of other persons to the Jurors unknown, being disorderly and riotous persons and minding and endeavouring to obstruct the due Execution of Law and to prevent the public Taxes of this Commonwealth Constitutionally and legally ordered by the Legislative Body of the Same to be assessed upon the subjects of the same for the defence and support of their Liberty being collected on the third day of February in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and Eighty three at Paxton aforsaid with force and Arms unlawfully riotously & routously did assemble and gather together for the evil purposes aforsaid and to disturb the peace of this Commonwealth aforsaid and then and there unlawfully riotously and routously did attack and beset a certain Barn and the enclosure thereof in said Paxton belonging to one Seth Snow in which was then legally detained a certain Cow destrained according to Law by Ebenezer Wait a collector of Taxes for the said Town 265 of Paxton & then & there to be sold by him at public vendue according to Law, and did then & there with force & arms riotously routously & unlawfully drive out the said Cow from the same Barn & the enclosure thereof for the purposes & intentions aforsaid & with an Intent forcibly to rescue the said Cow so as aforsaid legally detained in Terror of many of the good subjects of this commonwealth in contempt of the Laws of this Commonwealth and against the Peace and Dignity of the same And the Jurors aforsaid upon their Oath aforsaid do further present that the said Asa Sterns Reuben Sterns John Davis, David Peirce Ebenezer Boyington, Nathan Snow James Snow, Abijah Bemis Nathan Wheeler and Jonathan Wheeler joint together with a Number of other persons to the Jurors unknown on the same third day of February at said Paxton being disorderly and riotous persons and minding and endeavouring as much as in them lay to obstruct the due Execution of Law and to prevent the Collection of the public Taxes of this Commonwealth legally assessed on the Subjects thereof for the defence of their Liberty and happiness with force and Arms riotously routously and unlawfully did assemble and gather together for the destructive purposes aforsaid and to disturb the peace of the Commonwealth and being so assembled and gathered together, did then and there unlawfully riotously & routously remain and continue together in a tumultous manner for the space of one hour in evil Example to others to offend in like manner & against the peace & Dignity of the Commonwealth aforsaid

R T Paine Atty pr. Repub a true bill Job Cushing { Foreman

Worcester Ss. April Term AD. 1783 The said Asa Sterns, Reuben Sterns, John Davis, David Peirce, Ebenezer Boynton, Nathan Snow James Snow, Abijah Bemiss, Nathan Wheeler & Jonathan Wheeler Junr. are set to the Bar & have this Indictment read to them they severally say that thereof they are not Guilty & thereof for Trial put &c

Att. Chas: Cushing Cler

DS (Suffolk Files, no. 153487. Massachusetts Judicial Archives, Boston, Mass.).

266

Trial Notes

on the adjoumt.

RTP

Cmnwlth vs. Asa Sterns & 9 als Rioters at Paxton on the 3d. of Feby. 1783.1 Ebenr. Wait I distrained a Cow of Danl. Snow, young cattle of blank Steward a Calf of Asa Sterns. he sd. he wd. bring her up. a Cow also of David Peirce. at Danl Witt John Davis Asa & Boynton told me to go & sell the Cows & not continue the sale a no. of men. Reuben Sterns sd. my Warrant good for nothing. I put Snows Cow up Browning bid 10D. ~~Boynton~~ a rattling at the Barrs. Boynton pulled the Barr. She was struck off to Capt. Newall, she got out. Asa Sterns attempted to stop her being put into the Barn. sd. she shd. not be there long: Asa Sterns sd. a few days before the vendue that he shd. pay no more Taxes & that the reason the sold ’em at Holden was because it was for an old Rate that almost every body had paid—the list there, the Wheelers had terrible Clubbs & Swore what they would do John Fessenden Esqr. Saturday Evg. preceding Sale Mr. Wait Constable there desired me to attend & assist I went on Sunday no. appeared with indecent Clubbs, Parker the Coroner there & Russell the Dpty Shff I spake to the accused, the sd. they had paid Rates as long as they were able & would pay no more. Asa Sterns said he wanted a little money to buy Flip: Asa Sterns sd. it wd. not be healthy for any body to bid, some sd. it will not be for any body to bid above a Copper. Newall bid 3£ Asa Sterns appeard confused & went about & sd. where are they all she was drove away & barr let down & brot back & sold to Capt Newhall David Peirce: Cow set up & accomodated by his paying his Taxes; bid the Constable go to Hell for proposing to accomodate—Jona. Wheeler Jr. was wounded—Dav: Peirce sd. he was fighting for liberty but it was become Tyranny & he wd. support it no longer they sd. the money went to support great men: Mr. Wait had offered if they wd. give Notes for the Taxes he wd. wait. 267 Thos. Pollard.2 I had an Exon. vs. Paxton Cattle was taken from Town Treasurer: I went there 3 Feby. people Collected as I understand to prevent selling cattle taken for taxes. Davis sd. if any man bids more than a Copper he will go home with Scab on his head, they had large Clubbs. I got on to Scaffold saw the Cow drove, the 2 Wheelers held of the Barrs. I cd. distinguish the mobb from the others all the Indicted there among the mobb kepeing together & their clubbs except Boynton but heard his name called: Asa Sterns sd. he wd. pay no more Taxes if he did he shd. have no more money to pay Taxes: Hezh. Ward Esqr. I saw Indicted there some with unusual Clubbs, a Cow belongd. to Dl. Snow the Father of the 2 Snows, one of Indicted whispered to Wheeler & they went into the Barn, then James Snow let down Barr, Wheeler Boynton Davis & some others push’d the Cow over the Barr, all this was before she was knockd off: Reuben Sterns & Nathan Snow came up to Barn Door just as it was shut: Davis & Boynton talk’d rough with me I told em they were & sd. they did not turn the cow out. After Cow sold Asa Sterns said he been try’d for this at Bolton. I sd. it was a Tax on his Land, he sd. he cd. 500 people there to assist. Peter Taft Saturday before Vendue I was at Boynton they asked me if I was going to Vendue. John Davis there he asked if I thought Cow wd. be sold he asked if I wd. bid enuff if I saw half Doz person stood with Clubbs knock me down I went saw all 10 there, Nath. Wheeler had a Clubb. Asa Sterns day before they were taken Boynton askd if he shd. be present they intended the Cattle sd. have been sold for /6d. & returned to the owners. Abraham Smith jr. Saturday before Vendue I saw Nathan Snow & Dl. Bemis sd. Wait had taken Cow from his father, he guest they wd. not be sold, there wd. be eno. there to prevent there being sold, a number of good hardy fellows from Holden, he was going to Abijah Bemiss Mr. Livermore for Josh. & Bradley he asked me to come up & see them, he sd. the first that bid he guest would be knockd down, he asked Danl. Bemiss if he wd. come up & help kill some of them sd. he was then going after hands it was James Snow let the barrs down, I saw the 10 there stand for a party by themselves Abijah Bemiss & Asa Sterns run before the Cow to stop her being drove into the barn. 268 Bradley Livermore,3 Saturday Nathan Snow came to our house, he called me out of Doors he sd. a Cow taken from Father & were to be Vendue I guess there is to be some fighting abt. it. he askd. me if I would list up. he wanted a parcel of hearty Lads there—by G I hope some of em will be killed. said he was going to Bemiss Saturday in with Abijah: at Vendue, a no. came with Clubbs & Sticks they whispered; A. Bemiss shook hands & said I am afraid you are against me. I have something to do and I intend to do it. I saw Jno. Wheeler, James Snow & John Davis & Jo. Prout: David Peirce came along in a Rage took a Bar & threw it over the fence, David Peirce came & took hold of the Barrs again. I saw Abij. Bemiss have hold of the Bar. then Bemiss came to me looking very angry & sd. Freind Livermore I’ll settle with yo. for yr. conduct here to day—I heard the spitting in Lt. Frinks face—Nathan Wheeler lifted up his Clubb & sd. If I cd. have come at Frink I wd. have suppled his head for him, it was a very large Clubb, Ebr. Boynton & Jona. Wheeler had long large sticks, And Struck Lt. Frink with it. I saw Asa Sterns step in between Cow & Barn door. & sd. he guess’d she wd. not stay there long: it was said the Cow was sold for all, Nathan Wheeler said we shall see which way she will be drove to night. Josiah Livermore Nathan Snow came to our house on Saturday, asked me to come to Vendue, sd. they were a going to have a No. of good fellows from Holden; it would not me to be put to Goal, if they did not help I swore Thunder & Lighting would strike me the next minute at Vendue large Clubbs A Bemiss sd. he found I was against him, he sd. he had business to do. Cow set up Browning bid, Bemiss I know you Mr. Browning you will get yr. hide liked for this: Nathan Wheeler sd. if he could have got at Lt. he wd. have suppled his head Saw all 10. there. James Browning I was at Vendue, saw all 10 there, Wheelers & Bemiss hung at Barrs. Lt. Frink sd. t’would be as well to let the Barr stay up. Jona. Wheeler sd. what authority have you to order the Barr yo. are a Congress officer, Frink sd. he wd. keep an eye & Jona. Wheeler spit in his Face. Frink said so you mean to spit in my face & Wheeler sd. he ment to spit in his A—— Frink sd. if yo. spit again Ill strike you with my cane, then Wheeler spit again. Frink struck him. Wheeler struck again. they Closed in, David Peirce tryed to get the barrs down at another place, both Wheelers try’d to get barrs down all of them there sd. Cows should not be sold for any more not wait 269 Oliver Earl Friday or Saturday before Vendue Danl. Steward came to me & desired me to go over to Vendue: Monday David Peirce asked me to go Nathan Wheeler came to me with an uncommon Clubb, he sd. I am going to lick Frink: John Davis sd. I dont think these Cattle will be sold, if they are, not for more than /6d. /8d. or 1/— in barn yard I heard a voice behind me James Snow let down the Barrs, the cow turned out & drove back David Peirce pulled out a Bar & threw it over the fence—I saw Jona. Wheeler spit juices at Frink & Frink struck him: Asa & Reuben Sterns went to stop the Cow going into the Barn, I ask’d Esqr. Fessenden what we shd. do abt. Taxes for I reply to the Authority David Peirce sd. Dam the Authority Asa Sterns said he could have had 500 or 1000 men there if he had been a mind to Aaron Morse Friday night before Vendue James Snow sd. his Fathers Cow was taken & to be sold at Vendue. he sd. Ill buy Stone buttons & pay Rates when I can, he sd. they wd. not make cost to sell her—at Vendue Snow came to me & sd. I might be of another mind then to bid—I saw Asa Sterns striving to pull barrs down David Peirce sd. he had pulled the barrs down 3 times & if they had not been damd fools they might have drove ’em out, sd. I was a d——d Rascall for putting them up Nathan Wheeler sd. Lt. Frink had given his brother a hard blow but he sd. have as bad a one—James Snow tryed to pull Barrs and said he would pull the whole yard down if he could: Abijah Bemiss sd. he was very sorry to see me in such a bad scrape it might be my fathers turn next to have his Cattle sold, he said it was time to leave off paying Rates Heze. Newton Week before I spoke to Artemas How to bring help to support Vendue at Vendue aWhispering. J Wheeler sd. Wait set up the Cattle if you dare. Reuben Sterns pulled out one barr. Boyinton & Snow Davis Wheelers, David Peirce: Lt. Frink sd. the Barrs Shd. be kept up. J. Wheeler spit at him several times Frink struck him Reuben Sterns sd. Dam Civil Govemt. Friday before at Worcester John Davis & Asa Sterns Capt. Phineas Morse I was at Vendue there 10 there with Clubbs. Concealed, associated together, they walked 2 & 3 & did not break their Eyes looked very wild, a hubbub at the Barrs—Nathan Wheeler sd. Lt. Frink shd. have a flogging before he gets him. I warnd Bemiss to let alone, he cursed me & threatned to flogg me. Asa Sterns said if we give the day we will use you well & if you do you shall us. 270 Pliny Moore Wheeler clubd Frink under Chin: wn. Browning bid for Cow. Bemiss sd. Jes. G. Dam him4 he shall have his head broke Mr. Linkoln for Deft. Daniel Witt Asa Sterns offered Wait his Colt Wm. Earl I saw a tumult among the people Capt. Phineas Newell Daniel Bemiss I did not hear Snow ask Smith to go & kill ’em:

MS .

The case was tried before the Sept. session of the Supreme Judicial Court in Worcester. William Cushing sat as chief justice, with Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant, David Sewall, and Increase Sumner as associate justices. At the same session, there was a case against Moses Williams, Robert Horn, Silas Ball “& another upon an Indictment for Rescuing Aaron Stow from Lawful Custody”; another against Daniel Arnold and others “for a riot at Douglass”; against Josiah Walker, John Phillips, Luke Harden, and others “for a Riot committed at Sturbridge”; against William Wakefield, Solomon Wakefield, David Gaskill, John Harrenden, and Jonas Brown “for a Riot at Dudley”; and against Elisha Flagg, Ebenezer Hammond, John White, Nathan Woodward, Amos Briggs, and Jeremiah Gallant “for a Riot committed at Peterham.”

The judgment on the Paxton riot read:

and now in this present Term the said Asa, Reuben, John, David, Ebenezer, Nathan Snow, James, Abijah, Nathan Wheeler and Jonathan Wheeler Junr. are set to the Bar for their Trial, a Jury thereupon is Impannelled & sworn to Try the issue viz. John Waite Foreman & fellows, namely, John Lyscom, Hannaniah Parker Jonathan Champney, Edmund Brigham, William Onthank, Cyrus Rich, Benja. Hinds, Abiel Sadler Daniel Clap, Thomas Newell & Abijah Gale who after hearing all matters and things concerning the same, return their Verdict & upon their oath do say, that the said Asa Stearns is Guilty, that the said Reuben Stearns is Guilty, that the said John Davis is Guilty, that the said David Pierce is Guilty, that the said Ebenezer Boynton is Guilty, that the said Nathan Snow is Guilty, that the said James Snow is Guilty, that the said Abijah Bemiss is Guilty, that the said Nathan Wheeler is Guilty & that the said Jonathan Wheeler Junr. is Guilty. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said John Davis Pay a Fine of Four Pounds for the use of said Commonwealth, pay Costs of Prosecution & stand Committed untill sentence be performed that the said Ebenezer Boyinton pay a Fine of Four Pounds for the use of this Commonwealth, recognize as principal in the sum of £60 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the Term of one year, pay cost of prosecution & stand committed ’till Sentence be performed—that Abijah Bemiss pay a fine of £5 for the use of sd. Commonwealth, 271recognize in the sum of £50 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the Term of two years, pay cost of prosecution & stand comitted ’till Sentence be performed—that the sd. Reuben Stearns pay a fine of £6 for the use of the sd. Commwealth recognize in the sum of £50 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of two years, pay cost of prosecution & Stand committed ’till Sentence be performed—that the sd. Nathan Wheeler Pay a fine of £7. for the use of sd. Commwealth, recognize in the sum of £60 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties, in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of two years, pay costs of prosecution & Stand committed ’till sentence be performed—that the sd. Asa Stearns pay a fine of £7 for the use of sd. Commonwealth, recognize in the sum of £50 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of three years, pay cost of prosecution & stand committed ’till Sentence be performed—that the sd. David Pierce pay a fine of £10 for the use of said Commwealth recognize in the sum of £60 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum, for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of two years, pay cost of prosecution & stand committed ’till sentence be performed—that the sd. Jona. Wheeler pay a fine of £10 for the use of sd. Commwealth, recognize in £80 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behavior for the term of three years, pay cost of prosecution & stand committed ’till sentence be performed—that the sd. James Snow pay a fine of £10 for the use of sd. Commwealth recognize in £80 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like Sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of two years, pay costs of prosecution & stand committed ’till Sentence be performed—& that sd. Nathan Snow Suffer three months Imprisonment, Pay a fine of £10. for the use of sd. Commwealth recognize in £80 with Sufficient Surety or Sureties in the like sum for his keeping the peace & being of the good behaviour for the term of two years, pay costs of prosecution & stand committed ’till Sentence be performed. The sd. Ebenr. Boyinton as Prin Phinehas Newhall of Leicester of sd. County Gent. as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to the Sentence against the sd. Ebenr.

The sd. Reuben Sterns as Prin. & sd. Phinehas Newhall as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to the Sentence against the said Reuben

The sd. Asa Stearns as Prin & Daniel Witt yeoman & Ezekiel Bellows Gentlemn. both of Paxton in sd. County as his Surety recognize in court agreeble the sentence agt. sd. Asa.

The sd. Jona. Wheeler as prin & sd. Phineas Newhall as surety recognize agreeable to his sentence against him said Jona. Wheeler. N.B. to the remainder of the Paxton Rioters who recognized in Court in Folo. 12th after Douglass Rioters.

The remainder of Paxton Rioters who recognized in Court as follows viz. The sd. Abijah Bemiss Junior as Prin. & Abijah Bemiss of sd. Paxton yeoman as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to Sentence against him the said Abijah Bemiss Junr. The sd. David Pearce as prin. & David Davis of Paxton in sd. County Tanner as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to sentence ags. him sd. Pearce. James Snow as Prin. & Daniel Snow of sd. Paxton yeoman as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to Sentence agt. him sd. James Snow. Nathan Wheeler as Prin. & John Davis of Worcester in sd. County Tanner as his Surety recognize in Court agreeable to Sentence agt. him sd. Nathan.

(Supreme Judicial Court Minute Books, Worcester County, Sept. 1783. Massachusetts Judicial Archives, Boston, Mass.)

Increase Sumner’s case notes call him “Mr. Solo: Pollard” (Increase Sumner Papers, 1746–1799, MHS).

Sumner’s notes give “Brady Livermore.”

Sumner’s notes spell out “Jesus, God damn him. . . .”