Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/269

 THE TOWX VS. PELEG HEATii. 213 raise one hundred pounds to defend themselves against the execution obtained by Mr. Heath against the town. The in- habitants also voted "to allow all reasonable charges that shall arise by imprisoning any person or persons for not dis- charging the said execution." Mr. Heath obtained judgment against the town, and on the town's refusal to pay the exe- cution, the sheriff made arrest of James Adams and James Smith, who were confined in the jail at Bristol. The town then chose John Read, John Adams, and Hezekiah Tiffany to go to Boston to the General Court, to secure redress for the town, and the release of Messrs. Adams and Smith, select- men, now prisoners "in his Majesty's prison at Bristol." Mr. Tiffany declining to serve, Matthew Watson was chosen to take his place. In August, 1739, the town voted not to pay Mr. Heath's salary of ;^i20, this year, seeing he still neglects and refuses to preach at the place the town hath appointed him. Again Mr. Heath brings action against the town for refusal to pay his salary, and the town voted to spend ;^I4 in answering the suits at Court at Bristol. December 31, 1739, ^^ ^^^^ voted to allow Mr. James Smith and Mr. James Adams ^25 each, for imprisonment at Bristol, and Joseph Allen and Josiah Humphrey are made a new Committee to appear at Bristol to answer trial, on the second Tuesday of March, 1740. The next two town meetings are instructive lessons of the varying moods of men, and the variable judgments which enter into town legislation. The opposing factions of the town were in terrible conflict. The Heath and Anti-Heath forces worked with all their powers to accomplish their pur- poses, and victory at last crowned the efforts of the pastor and his supporters. At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Barrington, held February 11, 1740, Lieut. Joseph Allen, a Heath man, was elected Moderator. These interesting votes follow : I. Voted, "not to clear the Baptists from paying their proportion of the charges that arise by an execution Mr. Peleg Heath obtained against the town."