Meshech Weare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meshech Weare
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| 1st President of New Hampshire | |
| In office June 15, 1784 – June 1, 1785 |
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| Succeeded by | John Langdon |
| 1st Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature | |
| In office 1776–1782 |
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| Succeeded by | Samuel Livermore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1713 Third Parish, Province of New Hampshire, British America |
| Died | January 14, 1786 (aged 72) Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, United States |
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Meshech Weare (born June 16, 1713 – died January 14, 1786) was an important leader in early America. He was a farmer, lawyer, and statesman from Seabrook and Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. He became the first "President of New Hampshire." This job was like being the governor of the state. People sometimes called him "The father of New Hampshire."
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Meshech Weare's Early Life and Family
Meshech Weare was born in what was then called the Third Parish of New Hampshire. This area is now part of Seabrook. His parents were Deacon Nathaniel Weare and Mary Waite. The house where he was born burned down in the early 1900s.
He was baptized on June 21, 1713, in modern-day Hampton Falls. Meshech was the youngest of 14 children! He had many older brothers and sisters, including Elizabeth, Abigail, and Nathan.
Meshech Weare went to Harvard College and graduated in 1735. He first planned to become a minister. However, his plans changed when he married Elizabeth Shaw in 1738. He wanted to work on the land they bought together, but Elizabeth sadly passed away. He then married Mehitable Wainwright in 1746. Around this time, he started studying law. He used law books passed down from his father and grandfather, who were judges.
The house where Weare lived was built in 1737 by Samuel Shaw. Today, it is a famous historical place listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Important figures like George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, and James Monroe visited this house later on. Part of the house burned down after Weare's death, but the front half was saved. It still stands in Hampton Falls, next to a park named after him.
Meshech Weare's Political Career
Meshech Weare began his political journey in 1739. He became a town moderator, helping to lead town meetings. For the next 35 years, he held many different political jobs. He served as a selectman and represented Hampton Falls in the Assembly. He was also the speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives three times. In 1754, he was a delegate for New Hampshire at the Albany Congress. This was an important meeting where colonies discussed working together.
The Pine Tree Riot and American Independence
In September 1772, Weare was one of four judges in a trial called the Pine Tree Riot. This was an early act of rebellion against British rule. People were upset about laws that said certain tall pine trees belonged to the King. Even though the people on trial were found guilty, the judges gave them very small fines. This encouraged others to protest British rules, like the famous Boston Tea Party.
On January 5, 1776, New Hampshire became the first American state to create its own official constitution. Meshech Weare was a key leader in writing this important document. This constitution guided the government for eight years. It was replaced by a new one in 1784.
Under this first constitution, New Hampshire did not have a single governor. Instead, a group of leaders called the Committee of Safety handled the state's executive power. This committee could make decisions when the main legislature was not meeting. Meshech Weare was chosen as the chairman of this Committee of Safety. He led this group throughout the entire American Revolution.
Leading New Hampshire During the Revolution
Besides being New Hampshire's first "President" (like a governor), Weare also served as the chief justice of the state's highest court. This court was called the "Superior Court of Judicature." He held this position from 1776 to 1782. He also led the Council, which was part of the state's legislature. He managed to keep this important role during the whole American Revolution. In 1782, he was honored by being elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The Committee of Safety, which Weare led, was a very interesting part of the government. It worked at both the state level and in local towns. This committee had a lot of power when the main legislature was not meeting. Its jobs included:
- Managing military affairs in New Hampshire.
- Finding soldiers and supplies for the war.
- Controlling the state's militia (citizen soldiers).
- Taking care of prisoners of war.
- Watching ships entering and leaving Portsmouth Harbor.
- Regulating privateers (private ships allowed to attack enemy ships) and captured prizes.
- Keeping an eye on Loyalists (people who supported the British King).
- Controlling trade and money, including stopping counterfeiting (fake money).
- Supervising price controls to keep things fair.
Honoring Meshech Weare
The town of Weare in New Hampshire was renamed in 1764 to honor Meshech Weare. Before that, it was called Hale's Town or Robie's Town. The town was renamed because of his service as its first clerk.
In Hampton Falls, a park was built in the early 2000s right next to his old house. This park is named after him. Meshech Weare's grave is in a small cemetery a short distance down the road.
