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    This document is an extraordinary find.  Dated in Kingston, New Hampshire in 1702 it contains the signatures of Thomas Philbrick (son of James, and grandson of Thomas the Emigrant) and his wife, Mehetabel (Ayres) Philbrick.  Not only did the two sign this document, but upon examining the handwriting one can see that Thomas Philbrick WROTE the document too!  Look at the "T" in "Thomas" and compare it to the "T" in "This Bill..." at the beginning of the document.  Also close similarities are found between the letters "h" and "s" in his signature and the "h" and "s" letters found in the document.  Other things to note is that the lower right corner, torn off and missing, once contained the signature of Henry Elkins.  Also the document had been folded several times in a fashion that appears to have it fit into some type of file box.  On the back side, between the fold lines is written, "Henry Elkins" and the word "bill" right below that.

The document reads as follows:  

"This Bill bindeth me Henry Elkins of Kingston in the province of New Hampshire in New England, planter, to pay to the selectmen of Kingston the sum of one pound fifteen shillings in current silver money of New England in consideration of myself being taken in and made a freeholder with all rights and privileges in (said) town: and for the true performance hereof I do bind myself, my heirs, executors, administrator and assigns firmly to pay to the above (said) selectmen of Kingston the sum of one pound fifteen shillings at or before the last of May next insuring the date thereof: and for the consideration of all above written I have here unto put my hand and affixed my seal this 21 of May 1702 and in the fourteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord William the third of England Scotland France and Holland King, signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us witnesses

 Mehetabel Philbrick

Thos Philbrick."

Dan Luparello, Curator of the Kingstown Museum, told us that the document is quite important to the history of Kingston (NH) as well as the Philbrick/Philbrook family.  He wrote, 

"It is important to the town history because it speaks of  a board of "selectman" at a very early date. In 1702, many original settlers were leaving Kingston because of repeated Indian attacks. Only in about 1705 did events calm down enough for settlers to return and increase. In fact, the Henry Elkins of the document was killed by Indians while working fields on the outskirts of the town center in Sept of 1707. (Things hadn't quite calmed down enough!!). Henry was the son of Gershom Elkins, one of the original town founders along with Thomas"  

" Thomas Philbrick was not just an early settler of Kingston, but one of 16 men cited in the 1694 charter given by order of King William and Queen Mary to settle the western part of Hampton as the new town of Kingston. He moved to Kingston, helping to settle it. Kingston is the 5th oldest town in NH."

"Kingston has the original charter, a large vellum document, about 36"x 24" as well as a smaller verified copy dating to 1713.   Thomas' name is prominent as the 3rd person mentioned. His name as written is "Thoms Phillbrook Junr" (Junior). It is very interesting to note the in 1694, the authorities spelled the name Phillbrook, and 8 years later, he signed his name as Philbrick."

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