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late war, as it hath been a great charge to the whole Colony, so to us in particular, both in our estates and persons, by loss of life to some, and others wounded and disabled for their livelihood, besides all our other great charges in building of our meetinghouse and of late enlargement to it, as also our charge to the minister's house.
And, as you know, the Lord took that worthy person from us in a little time, and now in great mercy hath raised up another in the place, who hath a house in building for him, which requires assistance: As also we are now, by the great mercy of God, so many families that a school is required for the education of our children according to law, besides our public charge of the place.
Yet, notwithstanding, this last year, the Townsmen of Cambridge have imposed a tax upon us, amounting to the sum of three country Rates, without our knowledge or consent, which we humbly conceive is very harsh proceeding for any Townsmen of their own will and power to impose upon the inhabitants what taxes they please, and to what end, without ever calling the inhabitants to consider about such charge.
Nevertheless, for peace sake, the inhabitants of our place did meet together and jointly consent to give the town of Cambridge the sum of one hundred pounds, and to pay it in three years, without desiring any profit or benefit from them of wood, timber, or common lands, but only our freedom, being content with our own proprieties, which some of us had before Cambridge had any right there: which tender of ours they having rejected, as also to grant to us our freedom from them, we do most humbly commend our distressed condition to the justice and mercy of this honored Court, that you will please to grant us our freedom from Cambridge and that we may be a township of ourselves, without any more dependence upon Cambridge, which hath been a great charge and burden to us; and also that you would please to give the place a name, and if there should be any objection against us that the honored Court will admit our reply and defence.
So hoping the Almighty will assist you in all your concerns, we rest your humble petitioners.
Mr. Edward Jackson. Capt. Thomas Prentice. John Fuller, senr. John Kenrick, senr. Isaac Williams. John Ward. Joseph Miller. Thomas Prentice, junr. John Kenrick, junr. John Mason. Wm. Robinson. Thomas Greenwood. John Parker (south). Humphrey Osland.
