202 FACTS RELATING TO GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 



On February 6, 1776, an Act was passed removing the 

 November term of the Court of General Sessions of the 

 Peace and Court of Common Pleas from Charlestovvn to 

 Groton, presumably on account of the disturbances of the 

 War. Two years later, on September 23, 1778, this Novem- 

 ber term was transferred to Cambridge, to take the place of 

 the May term, which in turn was brought to Groton, where it 

 remained until June, 1787. The sessions of the Court were 

 held in the First Parish Meeting-house ; and the Court was 

 sitting there during the famous dark day of May 19, 1780, 

 when candles had to be used. 



The following notice adjourning the Court of Common 

 Pleas, appointed to be held at Groton, appears in " The 

 Boston Gazette, and the Country Journal," May 12, 1783, and 

 is signed by three Justices of that Court. It is impossible 

 now to learn the circumstances under which the adjournment 

 took place, but they may have been similar to those men- 

 tioned in a Resolve, here reprinted immediately after the 

 advertisement from the newspaper. On the docket at East 

 Cambridge no explanation is given, but under date of May 20, 

 1783, it is there recorded that the Court, by proclamation of 

 John Tyng, and James Prescott, Esquires, two of the Justices, 

 was adjourned to the first Tuesday of June, which fell that 

 year on the third day of the month. 



WHEREAS some Circumstances that must happen will render 

 it necessary that the Court of Common Pleas, by Law 

 appointed to be holden at Groton, within and for the County of 

 Middlesex, on the 3d Tuesday of May Inst, should be adjourned 

 to some future Day : All Persons concerned are to take Notice, that 

 the same Court will be adjourned to the first Tuesday in June next, 

 then to proceed to Business Jurors Parties and Witnesses will govern 

 themselves accordingly. 



By Order of Three of the yustices of the same Court. 



N. B. As the Court of Common Pleas will adjourn as above, it is 

 probable that the Court of General Sessions of the Peace will be 

 adjourned in like Manner. 



