Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

JEFFERSON HALL. 27
retained his popularity with the people. Col. Gains was
an honest, upright man, somewhat self-willed; but a high
sense of justice was his predominant trait. With a single
eye to the public good, he would readily take responsibilities which others would be slow to assume-doing himself
the business which belonged properly to a whole board.
He was in fact the Selectman.
As he never abused the confidence placed in him, to
promote his own pecuniary interest, the public kept him
continually in office. For thirty years he was regularly
elected a Selectman, and as many years a Representative
to the General Court. One of the keys to his popularity
may be found in the above matter. Leaving the town to
fix his compensation, instead of bringing in a bill-which
if ever so small some might object to-shows that he
knew how to promote his own interest as well as preserve
the public favor.
In November, 1800, we find the Market is ready for
occupancy, and Richard Billings (who had been a clerk to
John Hancock) was appointed Clerk of the Market. He
gives public notice that he will be happy to accommodate
all his country friends with convenient stands in the new
Brick Market, and insure them good prices and quick sales
for their provisions. " This Market," he says, " has been
built at great expense to shelter people from the weather.
He is sorry to observe at this inclement season persons
shivering in their open sleighs, when they could be more
comfortable in the house-and he is sorry to observe
gentlemen of the town hovering round the sleighs, when
they ought to recommend the general use of the Market,
and prevent forestalling."
Mr. Billings, a citizen of some distinction, was clerk but
one year, when his place was filled by Deacon Samuel
Bowles, who died in 1802.
Forestalling, to which Mr. Billings refers, was in those