Massachusetts Spy And Worcester Advertiser

Portsmouth Journal
Olden Times -The following extracts, from an interesting historical work, recently published in New Hampshire, by N. Adams, Esq. will afford amusement to the reader.--In the year 1649, the Governor, Deputy Gov. and magistrates formed an association for the purpose of preventing the wearing of long hair, and the following was one of the articles which they signed.

"Forasmuch, as the wearing of long hair, after the manner of ruffians and barbarous Indians, has begun to invade New-England, contrary to the rule of God's word, which says it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, as also the commendable custom generally, of all the godly of our nation until these few years: we the magistrates who have subscribed this paper (for the shewing of our own innocency in this behalf) do declare and manifest our dislike and detestation against the wearing of such long hair, as against a thing uncivil and unmanly, whereby men do deform themselves, and offend sober and modest men, and do corrupt good manners. We do therefore earnestly entreat all the elders of this jurisdiction (as often as they shall see cause) to manifest their zeal against it, in their public administrations, and to take care that the members of their respective churches be not defiled therewith, that so, such as shall prove obstinate, and will not reform themselves, may have God and man to witness against them."

"1662, Sepr. 25th. At a town meeting, ordered that a cage be made, or some other means invented by the Select men, to punish such as sleep, or take tobacco on the Lord's Day out of the meeting, in the time of the public exercise."

"1672, March 12. Voted that if any shall smoke tobacco in the meeting-house, at any public meeting, he shall pay a fine of five shillings, for the use of the town."