The history of Lynn - Lynn Massachusetts Genealogy Project

1780.] HISTORY OF LYNN. 1791780.The town of Lynn granted as much money as would purchasetwenty seven hundred sih'er dollars, to pay the soldiers.Within two years, the town granted seventy thousand pounds,old tenor, to defray their expenses. The principal money incirculation was the paper money issued by Congress, which hadgreatly depreciated. A soldier of the revolution says, that in1781, he sold seventeen hundred and eighty dollars, of papermoney, for thirty dollars in silver.The continental currency, as it was called, consisted of smallpieces of paper, about two inches square. The two dollar billsbore a hand, making a circle with compasses, with the motto,tribulatio dital, trouble enriches. The device of the threedollar bills was an eagle, pouncing upon a crane, who was bitingthe eagle's neck, with the motto, exitus in dubio, the eventis doubtful. On the five dollar bills was a hand, grasping athornbush, with the inscription, sustine vel abstine, hold fastor touch not. The six dollar bills represented a beaver fellinga tree, with the word perseverando, by perseverance we prosper.Another emission bore an anchor, with the words, " Inte Doviine speramus,^^ In thee, Lord, have I trusted. Theeight dollar bills displayed a harp, with the motto, majoraminoribus consonant, united we stand. The Thirty dollarbills exhibited a wreath on an altar, with the legend, si recte,fades, if you do right, you will succeed. I remember that,when I was a child, I had thousands of dollars, of this uncurrentmoney, given me to play with.The nineteenth of May was remarkable throughout New-Englandfor its uncommon darkness. It began about the hour often in the morning. At eleven, the darkness was so great, thatroundthe fowls retired to their roosts, and the cattle collectedthe barns, as at night. Before twelve, candles became requisite,and many of the people of Lynn omitted their dinners,thinking that the day of judgement had come. The darknessincreased through the evening, and continued till midnight. Itwas supposed, by some, to have been occasioned by a smoke,arising from extensive fires in the western woods, and combiningwith a thick fog and clouds from the sea. They who lookto higher causes, see the operations of God in all the changesof nature. " Clouds and darkness are round about Him, whowalketh on the wings of the wind."