you go in";
Benjamin Eaton's place is "between minister's stairs and west door";
while Peter West is ingloriously, and for what reason we know not,
relegated to the gallery "in the front, next to the stairs, behind the
women."

It is significant to note (1728) that seats are built at each end above
the galleries for the Indians and negroes.

Fish laws, rewards for killing wild cats, bickerings with the minister,
and brief mention of the death of many women at an early age--after
having given birth to an incredible number of children--fill up pages
and pages.

The eye rests upon a resolution passed (1771) to "allow Benjamin Cook
the sum of 8 shillings for a coffin, and liquor at the funeral of James
Howland." They might not believe in prayers for the dead in those days,
but there was evidently no reason why the living should not receive some
cheer!

How is this for the minister's salary? The Reverend Doctor Willis (1780)
is to receive eighty pounds a year, to be paid partly in Indian corn,
rye, pork, and beef. Ten cords of wood yearly are allowed him "until he
have a family, then twenty cords, are to be allowed, the said wood to
be delivered at his door."

Mr. Levi Bradford agrees to make the whipping-post and stocks for nine
shillings, if the town will find the iron (1790).

The wage paid for a day's labor on the highway (1791) was as follows:
For a day's labor by a man, 2 shillings, 8 pence; for a yoke of oxen, 2
shillings; for a horse, 1 shilling, 6 pence; for a cart, 1 shilling, 4
pence. One notes the prices are for an eight-hour day.

However, the high cost of living began to make itself felt even then.
How else account for the statement (1796) that Mr. Parris, the
schoolmaster, has been allowed fifty shillings in addition to his salary
"considering the increase in the price of provisions"?

There seems to have been a great celebration on the occasion of raising
the second meetinghouse in Kingston (1798). One old account reads:
"Booths were erected on the field opposite, and all kinds of liquor and
refreshment were sold freely." After the frame was up a procession was
formed of those who were employed in the raising, consisting of
carpenters, sailors, blacksmiths, etc., each taking some implement of
his trade such as axes, rules, squares, tackles and ropes. They walked
to the Great Bridge and back to the temporary building that had been
used for worship (the Quail Trap) while the new one was being planned