That he this Deponent was present when Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, Robert Cochran, Peleg Sunderland, Remember Baker and others of the Bennington Rioters held a pretended Court for the Trial of Benjamin Spencer Esq™ one of his Majesty's Justices of the peace for the said County of Charlotte, and. saw the said Rioters in part pull down demolish and burn the dwelling house of the said Benjamin Spencer. That the next day this Deponent passing by the dwelling house of Simpson Jennings then Coroner of the said County ; the said Robert Cochran being

in Company with the said Remember Baker ordered this depo- ©

nent to remove the Cribs of Corn which were near the dwelling house of the said Simpson Jennings adding we well send our Boys immediately to set the house in flames, That the Deponent did not think proper to comply with the orders of the said Robert Cochran ; but went to his own house, from whence he saw the house of the said Simpson Jennings in flames which reduced it to ashes. And this Deponent further says, that he has always acted orderly and peaceably towards Government and inoffensively towards his Neighbours. That he hath nevertheless incurred the Resentment of the said Mob who have from

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 901

. time to time threatned to abuse him and turn him out of posses. sion of his Land. And as this Deponent has been informed and verily believes to be true they have also frequently threatned to burn his house over his Head, And this Deponent saith that he was under continuah apprehensions of great danger to his person & property by Reason of the said threats and violent proceedings of the said Rioters and thought it necessary for his own preservation (as in fact he hath done) to keep Fire Arms loaded in his dwelling house that he might be ready to stand on his defence whenever he should be attacked.