The Association Test
was a declaration of independence by the New Hampshire people, and proceeded
the national Declaration by several months. It was a bold move to resist the
authority of King George. If the cause had not been won, these men quite
possibly would have been put to a cruel death as traitors.
This declaration, by the
order of the General Congress, was sent on April 12, 1776, to the inhabitants of
New Hampshire:
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"We
the subscribers do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we
will, to the utmost of our power, at the risque of our lives and
fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British
fleets and armies against the United American Colonies." |
This was signed by 8199 persons in the state; 773 refused to sign. Not all who
did not sign were against the cause; some were Quakers and their religion
prevented them from doing so; and some were not brave enough.
Some of the names from Carroll County that answered the call were: Enoch
POOR of Exeter, Benjamin TITCOMB of Wolfeborough, Elkanah
DANFORTH of Tamworth, David COPP of Wakefield, James OSGOOD of
Conway, Joseph BADGER of Wolfeborough, Nathanial AMBROSE of
Moultonborough, Stephen MASON of Tamworth, Joseph SENTER of
Moultonborough, Isaac WYMAN of Keene, Joseph LEAVITT of Wakefield,
John FULLERTON of Wolfeborough, Pearson HUNTRISS of Conway,
John GARLIN of Moultonborough, Elisha WINSLOW of Sandwich,
Moses PAIGE of Sandwich, Bradstreet TAYLOR of Wakefield, James
MASON of Moultonborough, Enoch THOMAS of Wolfeborough, James FLAGG
of Sandwich, Joseph AMES of Tamworth, John ROW of Moultonborough,
James CLARK of Wakefield, Rueben LIBBEY of Wolfeborough, Carr
LEAVITT of Effingham, and Josiah BEAN of Sandwich.
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The following is from New Hampshire 'Provincial Papers', Province of
New Hampshire from 1738 to 1749; Vol. V, pp. 450-451.
"Whereas ye
following Persons Voluntiers in ye late Expedition against
Louisbourg have petitioned ye General Court for some allowances in
Consideration of their Losses sickness &c. suffer'd in said
Expedition as represented in their respective Petitions on File,
Voted, That there be allow'd to said Persons ye sums as carried off
to each man's name following Viz-"
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