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

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

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458 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1782.<br />

like sum for his keep<strong>in</strong>g the peace and be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Good Behaviour<br />

for the term <strong>of</strong> three years, pay the costs <strong>of</strong> Pros-<br />

ecution and to stand committed till this sentence is performed."<br />

He was committed to jail <strong>in</strong> Spr<strong>in</strong>gfield.<br />

aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong>. He records — " : A<br />

Mobb <strong>in</strong> town. They Center at Major Pomeroys. * * *<br />

went among the Mobb <strong>in</strong> the Afternoon. Sam'l Ely's<br />

Bondsmen took him out <strong>of</strong> the Mob and carried him to<br />

court, he was then sent to Goal under a Strong Guard.<br />

Ely's Imprisonment made the Mobb very mad, but they<br />

could do noth<strong>in</strong>g, and mostly dispersed at Night. A Guard<br />

kept at Night. " When Ely was brought up for trial, fears<br />

were enterta<strong>in</strong>ed that a demonstration would be made by<br />

the malcontents and the prisoner spirited away. Consequently<br />

precautions were taken to protect the court and<br />

A Mob Gathers. On the first day <strong>of</strong> May, Mr. Judd was<br />

secure the culprit. These forebod<strong>in</strong>gs were not groundless,<br />

and on the day named for the trial, people swarmed <strong>in</strong>to<br />

the town, some with arms <strong>in</strong> their hands, to release Ely and<br />

break up the court if possible, others to see the fun. The<br />

position <strong>of</strong> affairs at this juncture is graphically described<br />

by Mr. Judd, who writes :<br />

—<br />

"Monday 6"', went to <strong>Northampton</strong>, f<strong>in</strong>d the Inhabitants under<br />

Arms, others <strong>from</strong> Hadley & Hatfield come <strong>in</strong>. A Mob is Collected at*<br />

Williamsburg armed, the Militia were Kept under arms all day. Ely<br />

was brought to the Barr and pleaded Guilty and Confessed his faults <strong>in</strong><br />

writ<strong>in</strong>g, after which he was Sentenced to pay £50, be imprisoned 6<br />

Months and then on pay<strong>in</strong>g costs and giv<strong>in</strong>g Bond for his Good Behaviour<br />

for 3 years to be liberated."<br />

Ely Released by When their leader had been disposed <strong>of</strong> by<br />

the Mob. the obnoxious court he and they were fight-<br />

<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st, the discontented element <strong>in</strong> the<br />

county determ<strong>in</strong>ed that they would forcibly release him.<br />

Accord<strong>in</strong>gly on the 12"' <strong>of</strong> June, a mob which eventually<br />

numbered one hundred fifty men, mostly <strong>from</strong> towns above<br />

<strong>Northampton</strong>, set out to accomplish that design. Early <strong>in</strong><br />

the morn<strong>in</strong>g nearly one hundred <strong>of</strong> them marched through<br />

the town <strong>in</strong> an orderly manner, though bound on a very<br />

disorderly errand. In a short time about fifty citizens <strong>of</strong><br />

this town, supporters <strong>of</strong> the government, hastily followed.

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