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BELLOMONT'S BRIEF ADMINISTRATION

The Earl of Bellomont came to New Hampshire and published his commission, July 31, 1699. This event spread joy throughout the province. The people "now saw at the head of the government, a nobleman of distinguished figure and polite manners, a firm friend of the revolution, a favorite of King William, and one who had no interest in oppressing them."

Partridge now resumed his seat as lieutenant-governor, and those councilors whom Allen had suspended, were reädmitted to the board.

Allen and the people brought before the governor their respective claims and complaints, in regard to the proprietorship of the province; whereupon he advised the revival of courts of justice, in which the vexatious but important controversy might be legally decided. To this end, the necessary acts were passed by an assembly that had been called; but before the judges had been appointed, the Earl retired from the province, where he had remained less than three weeks, leaving the appointment of the judges and the administration of the government in the hands of Partridge, the lieutenant-governor. The Earl of Bellomont never returned to New Hampshire. He died in New York the next spring, much to the grief of the people.

COURTS OF JUSTICE REVIVED

The courts were organized, by the appointment of John Hinckes, chief justice of the Superior Court, with three assistants; Richard Waldron, chief justice of the Inferior Court, and Henry Dow, Theodore Atkinson and John Woodman, assistants. Back to previous section -- Forward to next section -- Return to Table of Contents