Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/247

PETITIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 195 Neither do the people on " the westward end of Swansea," as a whole, see the matter in the same light as do those on the eastward end, and this troublesome body of would-be se- ceders continues to vex the old town by its suit again pre- sented to the General Court of the Bay in October, 171 7, as appears by the following petition : "A petition of Saml Humphrey, Josiah Torrey and Zachariah Bicknell, agents for the society of the West part of Swansea, showing that the said society are in great Difificulties with respect to their publick affairs, especially as to the supporting of the public worship of God amongst them, that they have long: a^o built a meeting house for that service and for the most part maintained an orthodox minister among them, yet by reason of the Difference of opinion between them, and the most part of the great town of Swansea, and their not being sett off from the said Town as a district Township and Precinct, they are not able to settle a minister among them ; They therefore pray this Honorable Court that their case may be taken into consideration and that they may be sett off as a Township, Containing the lands of Phebe Neck, New Meadow Neck and Brook's Pasture, and for as much as many petitions have been put up by the Petitioners to this Honorable Court, praying the same favor and that in the year 1711 or 1712, a Committee was appointed (whereof the Honorable Nathaniel Byfield was one) who returned their opinion that they ought to have near twice the land that they now pray for, the Petitioners doubt not but that ye Court will think ye Prayer reasonable." "In the House of Representatives read and ordered, that a copy of petition be served on the town of Swansea, that they may be heard before the Court, only the prayer be not granted on Friday next, November i, 171 7. Adjourned hearing from Friday 8, to November 15. Hearing had that day, Nov. 18, 1717." Selectmen Mason, Anthony, Carpenter, Chase, and Allen must again answer the arguments for a division of the tovyn, in the same manner that they had done six years before. A