1774, Dracut, Massachusetts, John Varnum signed document, plus others

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1774, Dracut, Massachusetts, John Varnum signed document, plus others:
$68.00

This is a wonderful, original document group, Dracut, Massachusetts, first dated 1774, a writ for Jonathan Griffin to appear before the court to see why he has not paid a certain debt, signed by John Varnum as Justice of the Peace. Second, dated 1789, is a payment of all accounts, signed by John Sargent...and third, undated in a small note signed by Benjamin Farwell for a payment to Stephen Kimball. Documents vary in size and condition, writ is approximately 4x6 inches, toning and folds, else in overall fair condition. .

John Varnum (1710-1785) was born and lived in Dracutt on the farm of his father. He became the most prominent man of his day in North Eastern Massachusetts.

In 1725, when he was twenty-one years of age, he joined the company commanded by the celebrated Capt. John Lovewell, which went to Pigwackett, now Fryeburg, Me., on snow shoes to hunt for Indians. They surprised and killed a party consist ing of nine Indians and a boy. These they scalped in order to get the bounty then offered by the Bay State Colony for such evidences of slaughter. For this prowess he, with the com mand, received the thanks of the General Court, and an award* as the law provided.*

He served as Town Clerk of Dracutt for many years ; from 1726 to 1729 and from 1735 to 1712. In 1711 he headed a Committee on behalf of the town, which presented a protest against the decree of the King (George II.) ordering the running a new bound- ary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts. This cut off a large portion of Dracutt, and threw into the former State much land belonging to him and his family. He labored earnestly and assiduously, in connection with Committees from the other towns affected, against the consummation of the un- just and arbitrary act of the King, and it was proposed to send an agent to England to lay their grievance before the King\'s Council ; but the Colonial Governor resisted all importunities, and with his Council issued an order against interference.

He held appointment as a member of a \" Commission to sell forfeited Estates \" from 1782 to 1785. He was also a member of a Committee under \" Act for taking up and restraining persons dangerous to the Commonwealth.\"

Please view the other historical and Civil War related documents I\'ll be listing this week.SEE SCAN.I now accept PAYPAL but PREFER other forms of traditional paper payment. Buyer pays shipping(usually FREE within the US and $12 for International),payment must be received within 5 days.