Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
And the Deponents further say that the pretext for the Discontents in the said County of Cumberland as given out by some is that many persons were sued for Debts and were at the same Time unable to recover what is due to them in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay and that they believe a design was formed and entred upon for shutting up the Courts of Justice to prevent those who were in Debt from being prosecuted by their Creditors.
Sworn in Council the 22.4 Oxiver CuurcH
March 1775 before me Josrpn Hancock. Dan. Horsmanpen. New York Secretarys Office March 234 1775
City of New York ss. Joun Grirrin of the Township of Brattleborough in the County of Cumberland, farmer, being ° duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God Deposeth and saith that this Deponent on the thirteenth Day of March
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. - 911
last (the Day before the sitting of the Court of Common Pleas and quarter Sessions for the said County of Cumberland) towards the evening came into Westminster the County Town where the Courts for the said County are held. That this Deponent found that a great number of persons riotously assembled, not less he believes than Eighty had taken possession of the Court House & Goal of the said County & a number of persons armed with Clubs 'were guarding the Doors, which this Deponent was informed was - done in order to prevent the Court from Sitting or doing any Business. That the Sheriff went up to the Door of the Court House and ordered the said Rioters to disperse & gave them as the Deponent then understood & verily believes fifteen minutes time to comply therewith. That the Sheriff waited between two & three hours expecting the said Rioters would depart from the said Court house and Goal, but finding they did not he went up to the said Court House a second time attended by some of the Magistrates & a party of Men and repeated his orders that they should immediately disperse which they refused ; declaring that if he or any other person attempted to come into the Court house they would beat out their Brains.