Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

292 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
$1,400; J. Stephenson, .$62; Noah Frost, $590; Samuel Sikes, SSO; Moses Par-
sons, $150; Marsh Bissel, $1,280; Consider Bement, $1,280; Benoni Chapin, Jr.,
$1,280; Luther Smith, $1,280; Moses Hancock, $1,280; John Baxter, $200;
Beriah Howard, $370; Jonathan Felt, $350; H. Brooks, $360; Noah Warner,
$1,280; Zenas Bliss, $1,280; Justin Bliss, $1,280.
Here is a short list, endorsed: " Return of the Mens Names &
the Sums of hire Each Man has Received in the Continental Service
in the fourth Company of foot in Springfield Com'' by Cap' Ephram
Chapin :
—
John Frink, £() ; Thomas
Frink, £12 ; George Chapin, £6 ;
Josepli Chapin, £3 ; Paul Chapin, £3 ; Justus Moore, £12 ; Simon
Moore, £12." In 1781 there seems to have been some contention
about the beef quota, and after several adjournments it was agreed
(February 5) that the appropriation be raised. A month later the
poll-tax of those in the army was remitted.
In May, 1777, the General Court recommended the towns to
authorize the next Legislature to frame a constitution for popular
adoption. The towns agreed. Accordingly, in February, 1778, the
General Court, sitting as such a convention, drew up a constitution ;
but it was rejected by a large majority, both on account of the in-
strument itself and the body framing it, — assuming, as it did, both
legislative and constitutional functions. After due formalities the
Legislature provided (June, 1779) for the assembling of another con-
vention which latter adopted both a constitution and a bill of rights
in March, 1780, and this was ratified by the people. This constitit-
tion was declared the fundamental law in June 1(5, 1780.
The representatives of 1776 were Dea. Edward Chapin, Moses
Field, and Maj. William Pynchon, Jr., as we have seen. The fol-
lowing year Maj. William Pynchon, Mr. Hale, and Dea. Edward
Chapin went down to the Bay. Luke IJliss and William Pynchon,
Jr., were there in 1778, and Col. Jonathan Hale, Jr., was substituted
for Bliss in 1779. There was trouble the next year, probably ou
account of differences of opinion as to the State constitution. Pynchon