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CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.-EXAMPLES OF WARNING OUT.-INHABITANCY.LAND TITLES IN NEW ENGLAND.

The information contained in this book was gathered in the preparation of a paper read before the New England Historic-Genealogical Society. The paper was not printed, because it was thought the subject was of sufficient general interest to warrant its presentation in a book for the use of the public at large. This volume has therefore no claim to merit except that it contains material which has not before been brought together, relating to an interesting chapter in the Colonial and early State history of New England.

I have attempted to tell the story mainly in the language of the records and statutes of the time. I believe that real history is thus best written. As the eminent historian of New England so well said:

The peculiar language of the men whom the historian describes is a substantive part of their peculiar history. It displays the form and pressure of the place and time. The phraseology of the actors is a constant expositor and reminder of the complexion of the thoughts and sentiments that determined the course of affairs.*

In the records of the town of Alstead, New Hampshire, is found this:

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, CHESHIRE SS.

TO SAML. KIDDER one of the Constables of Alstead,

Greeting:

In the name of the Government & people of said state you are hereby Required forthwith to warn Jacob Benton & Hannah his wife, Mabel, Jacob, Reynold, Mary & Samuel Benton, their children to Depart out of this Town Immediately & no longer make

*Palfrey, History of New England, Vol. I, p. xvi.

it the place of their Residence under the pains that will follow. Hereof fail not & make Return of this warrant with your doings thereon as soon as may be.

Given under our hands and seal of office this 26th March 1783. AMOS SHEPARD

April 7, 1783

TIMO FLETCHER

SIMON BROOKS, Jr.

Selectmen.

Serv. this warrant by reading the same in the hearing of sd

persons

SAML. KIDDER

Const.

The Jacob Benton named in this notice was my greatgrandfather, and the Samuel, who was then about five years old, was my grandfather.

In the records of the town of Rockingham, Vermont, there is found this:

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STATE OF VERMONT, To either Constable of Rockingham in WINDHAM COUNTY SS the County of Windham. Greeting.

You are hereby required to summon Joseph Bellows and Mary Bellows his wife and George Bellows, Henry A. Bellows and Fanny A. Bellows, their children, now residing in Rockingham to depart s'd Town.

Hereof fail not, but of this precept & your doings herein due return make according to law.

Given under our hands at Rockingham this 30 day of May 1813.

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The return upon this warrant was that it had been served "by putting a true and attested copy into the hands of the within named Joseph Bellows with this my return endorsed thereon."

In 1791 this warrant was issued in Lancaster, Massachusetts:

You are directed to warn and give notice unto the Hon. John Sprague, late of Rochester, in the County of Plymouth, Esq., a sheriff of the County of Worcester, John Maynard, late of Fram

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