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

470 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1705-1706.
action of the town had its effect so far as taverns were con-
cerned, but did not greatly diminish the number of places
where liquor could be obtained.
Aud the next year After a year's experience with but one livotes
to have ccused tavem, the result proved so satisfac-
tory, that the town determined to abolish
them altogether. At a meeting held in August, 1705, the
following vote was passed : —
"TheTowne taking into serious consideration the ill consequences
that are like to acrue to y'" And to their Children by Reason of multiplying
of Tauerns And tipling houses the Towne voted they desii-ed to
haue no Tauerns or tauerne But that they might haue one vitular and
one retailor of strong drinke," and made choice of a committee "to
communicate y" Towne' s mind to the Hono"^ Court."
Consequently no innholder was licensed for Northampton
in 1705, and there is no record of the appointment of a
victualler or retailer. In September, 1706, the Hon. Court
saw fit to license Ebenezer Pomeroy and Nathaniel Dwight
as innholders. No further vote in relation to this matter
was passed by the town, and two tavern keepers continued
to be appointed for years in succession.
One need of Tav- In tliis matter of granting innholder's li-
®^- censes, the court may have considered its
own convenience, as well as that of the public.
The courts were held at the "ordinaries," unless upon
some special occasion, till 1737, when a Court House was
erected here. Strangers, gathered in attendance upon the
sessions, as well as the judges and other ofiicers of the
court, needed some place of entertainment, and a trial of
one year probably satisfied the authorities that taverns
were a necessity.
Young Men Pre- Notwithstanding the attempt to limit the
sent ed for ca- number of tavems, the evil influences of
intoxicating liquors were visible to a con-
siderable extent among the young people. In March, 170|,
four young men of Northampton, belonging to its most
respectable families, were "presented for being at N.
Dwight's at an unseasonable time on Thursday night after
Decb'' Court," and for abusive words and actions to "a