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

404 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1689.
that all vacancies should forthwith be filled up of meet persons
to be nominated by the householders and soldiers of
such company." John King, who that year served as representative,
brought the order. The contention was
whether the old officers—Capt. Aaron Cook, Lieut. Joseph
Hawley, and Ensign Timothy Baker^r-commissioned in
1686, should continue in command, or a new list be chosen.
Major Pynchon, as commander in the county, and in obedience
to the order of the authorities, renewed their commissions,
while the company and the town were in favor
of another election.
M e d a d Pomeroy's Medad Pomeroy took an active part in this
Letter concerniug coutest and addressed several letters to the
the DifSculty. j_t •j_- • j^ e i- i
authorities m tavor or an entirely new se-
lection. In his first letter of July 18"', he represented that
Capt. Cook was no longer a citizen of Northampton, that
Lieut. Hawley was not satisfactory to the company, on account
of the manner in which he obtained ^he office, and
that Ensign Baker had never accepted the commission.
The trouble with the last two named officers dated l)ack to
the spring of 1686. He represented that the captain at
that time promised the company that they would be allowed
to choose their own officers. But that he came with commissions
for Lieut. Hawley and Ensign Baker, without
having consulted the company or the persons whose places
were to be filled. [The vacancy in the office of lieutenant
was caused by the resignation of Lieut. William Clarke,
and the ensign had some idea of removing to Northfield.]
The commission to Mr. Hawley was delivered to him at
that time, "though the company then manifested much
dislike to the same. " The ensign then in commission ' ''
terly refused to deliver up the colors to the Captain's order,
and men's spirits being at that time in such a heat it was evident
it was no season to take the colors away by force." A
petition was sent to the General Court soon after, concerning
this trouble, but the change in government occurred
before any action was taken. When the order came in
1689, he says that the selectmen aj^plied to Mr. Hawley "to
see when or whether he would call a meeting for nomination
of Captain and other military officers, because then
ut