”Lebanon Newhampshire July 27 1779
To the Honbl Meshack Ware and the Honbl Councel of the State of Newhampshire—
Gentlemen: your petitioners desire to inform your Honers of A late disturbance in this town: against all Laws both Humane and divine— and in defyance of the authority of the States a number of men went to the dwelling House of mr. Jams Joans in the evening of the 22d inst. And by force and Violence tooek him from his bed and bound Him on a horse with his face to the Horses tall: and he was obliged to ride in that maner four or five miles—to a tavern—they following him with Bells horns &c—at the tavern they abused him in a most Shocking maner with words and blows: then Returned about half a mile made a halt and abused him as before: Even threatening with death till He was obliged to Comply with their Treasonable Demands, your petitioners are Very much threttened if we Say anything against Such Conduct . therefore we pray your Honers to take the mater into Considderation and Afford us Such assistance as you in your wisdom Shall think best
Jesse Heath
Saml Bailey
Charles hill”
Reference Data:
History of Lebanan, N.H., 1761-1887, by Charles Algernon Downs, 1908, page 138

My goodness…what a dastardly deed this was. According to their spelling, they had all been in the tavern a bit too long. 🙂