A_history_of_the_town_of_Keene_Servant_Name_Not_Listed.pdf

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Part of Servant, name not listed in A history of the town of Keene by Simon Goodell Griffin

extracted text: HISTORY OF KEENE.

270

business, which entirely failed. Davis and two others were
indicted, 'for that they, with others, committed an assault
upon the Justices of the Inferior Court and their clerk, and
compelled them to desist from executing the lawful business thereof.' They pleaded guilty, and threw themselves
upon the mercy of the court, who, 'having taken matters
into consideration, forgave them, and ordered them to be
discharged.' At the same term, Robert Wier was indicted,
for that he, at said time, at Keene, to encourage the rioters, did openly and publicly, with a loud voice, in the
'Col.
English language, speak the following words, viz:
Ashley (meaning the first Justice of said Inferior Court) is
for arbitrary power, and arbitrary power he shall have;
damn the Court and their authority.' He also pleaded
guilty, was forgiven and discharged."
(Annals, page 64.)
It was the custom at that time for the judges and

—

officers of the higher courts to travel from one shire town
to another on horseback, carrying their documents in their
capacious saddlebags. Gen. John Sullivan was then attorney general of the state. In October of this year, 1782,
as the judges, accompanied by Sullivan, approached Keene
to hold a term of the superior court, at which were to be
tried some of the cases referred to above, they were
informed that the town was full of people determined to
compel them to adjourn without trying any cases. The
cavalcade halted in a small wood for consultation. Sullivan had his servant with him, carrying his portmanteau,
which contained his major general's uniform. He put it on,
mounted his powerful grey horse and conducted the court
into town. Some of the inhabitants who were loyal to
New Hampshire came out on horseback to meet them,
and he ordered them to form in double file in rear of the
court. Arthur Livermore, then a youth of sixteen, acted as

his volunteer aid.

The courthouse was surrounded by a crowd of men,
some of them armed. They gave way as the court entered,
but were sullen, and determined not to allow the transaction of business. The judges took their seats, the court
was opened in due form, and the crowd rushed in and
the house.
Sullivan was a

filled

fied

man

of fine personal appearance, digni-

and commanding, and he stood by the

clerk's desk.