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During the time of Queen Anne's War, the town records are very scanty; and no allusion is made in them to the distresses and sufferings from the enemy except the following, viz."Groton, May 8, 1706. At a town meeting legally warned, they did by vote declare, they would and do desire that Thomas Chamberlain's mill may be upheld by a soldier or soldiers for the good of the town, by a petition to the Court or authority." By other documents, however it appears, that the town came near being deserted by the inhabitants, and again abandoned to the enemy. The following are copies of documents in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

"To his Excellency the Governor at Roxbury (in her Majesty's service.)" On a lecture day, Groton, July 9, 1707. May it please your Excellency (that) I have read your Excellency's order to the inhabitants, and the law against deserting the frontiers. I could do it no sooner, for several of the inhabitants were gone to Plainfield, and returned yesterday, only two stayed behind. One of those that designed to remove is the bearer, and a selectman, and lives on the outside of town. I thought good to send him, who can acquaint your Excellency who is removed, and who is meditating the same. "Capt. Bulkley and half his men, are gone to Lancaster, and the other half here, and do expect a release, they being men of considerable husbandry, the most of them. All the people, that will work in companies, have guards to cover them, to their content. If your Excellency please, I should be very glad of a release. I am
"Your Excellency's most humble servant,
Josiah Parker."

p.98
"May it please your Excellency.
According to your Excellency's commands, we have sent an account of those, that are either actually removed, or are meditating of it. Our people are reduced to that degree that they find themselves unable to subsist any longer - would pray your Excellency either to grant liberty for their remove, or that they may be reduced here entirely to garrison of the town militia for the preserving the frontiers. We thankfully acknowledge your Excellency's great care of us hitherto, and would pray the continuance of your regards, without which we are an undone people. We take leave to subscribe, (may it pleas your Excellency,)
"Your Excellency's most obedient servants,

John Farnsworth, Selectman
Jonathan Boyden, Selectman
Joseph Lakin, Selectman
Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk."

"John Stone
Jonathan Page
Nathaniel Woods
Daniel Lawrence
John Shattuck
Nathaniel Parker
Benjamin Lakin
Jonathan Boyden
John Hutchins
Zachariah Chamberlain
John Hall
Samuel Shattuck
Zerubbabel Kemp
Zachariah Sawtell
John Gilson
Abraham Lakin
Josiah Lakin
William Lakin
William Shattuck
John Farnsworth

Of the persons that are a considering of going."

"Joseph Perham
Samuel Davis
Daniel Cady
John Cady
Samuel Farnsworth
Joseph Boyden
Josiah Whitney
Cornelius Whitney
Joseph Lawrence
Ebenezer Nutting

Of persons gone."

"Joseph Lakin, Selectman
John Farnsworth, Selectman
Jonathan Boyden, Selectman
Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk for Groton."

Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
Used with permission by Janice Farnsworth