USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Andover Massachusetts town meeting records 1656-1709 > Part 1
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Town Meeting Records (Transcripts) 1656-1709
:20 0317 is blank
320 appears to be a small piece of paper stuck in the first part of the book which, apparently, was used as scratch paper. It contains two or three calculations and one or two odd notes, as well as what appears to be Dudley Bradstreet's signature, followed by the letters "T.C. " (Town Clerk) for Anuover. The other side is just scribbling.
Reet 3 - Machala
ANDOVER
Massachusetts
31330007454287 Andover Kcom K 352. 7445 And 1656- 1709
TOEN MEETING RECORDS
1656 - 1709
Frciphered by
Corinne Remick (Ars. Howard)
Jane Whitehall (Mrs. Walter M. )
Caroline Stevens ('irs. Horace N. )
Mercia Siegel (Mrs. Jules J.) Gloria Murphy (Mrs. Charles F.)
Glenmore F. Clark (Dr. )
Checked by
Henry J. Stevenson C. Robert Smith
Typed by Elizabeth Senechal (Mrs. Joseph A. )
Edited by
Forbes Rockwell
Note - Original in Andover Town Clerk's Vault. Facsimile copy at North Andover Historical Society. Microfilm copy at North Andover Historical Society. Andover Public Library and "Graphic Microfilm" in Waltham.
North Andover Historical Society North Andover, Massachusetts
August 1961
S. Forbes Rockwell, Jr. 370 Summer Street North Andover, Mass. 01845
٠
321
This has a couple of lists, one on each side of the page, or actually, I expect the one on the right follows the one on the left, and the one on the left has a column of numbers just after the names with a little dash coming out to each one, and about the longest name in that list is William Chandler.
Ar.
John Osgood
7
Robt Russell
4
Goodhan Abbot
4
Tho. Johnson
4
Mr. Bradstreet
6
and 2-thirds of a 4 acre lot 22
Joseph Parker 10
6
Ralfe Farnum 4
John Aslet
7
Mark Graves
Henry Jaquis
5
Rich: Barker
Daniel Poore
7
Mr. Ballard
John Stevens
12
Goodman Rowheelo
5
Solomon Martin
5
John Johnson
4
Thomas Farnum
4
William Ballard-
5
Andrew Allin
5
Goodmen Foster
5
John Lovejoy
5
Thomas Chandler-
8
William Chandler
4
Goodman Hoult
15
Goodman Fry
12
Goodman Barnard
5
Mr. Faulkner
6 53
Goodman Russe
4
George Abbot Jr. 4
Thomas Poore
5
203
33 more added
2402
Mr. Bradstreet 2 ar. of a houselot only
George Abbot junr.
2 ar. of a houselot also.
denry Ingalls 7 ar. and and half of meddow only more or meddows and upland to a 5 ar. lot wch he bought
5
of Tho: Chandler wch makes his accomodation (beside what he bought of Goodman Holt) a full 5 acre lott
STHE TOP PART OF THE LEFT-HAND COLUMN WAS WRITTEN BY DUDLEY BRADSTREET. THE WRITING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT-HAND COLOIN APPEARS TO BE IN STAN BRADSTREET'S WRITING, AS DOES THE RIGHTHAND COLUMN. )
33
Mr. Bradstreet 20
20
Richard Barker
Goodman fyler
John Lovejoy
Nathan Parker
322
THE WAVES OF ALL THE FIRST HOUSEHOULDERS IN ORDER AS THEY CAME TO TOWNE.
Mb. Bradstreet John Orgood Joseph Parker 11chard Barker John Stevens Nicholas Holt Benjamin Woodbridg John Fry Ednund Faulkner Robert Barnerd Daniel Poore Nathan Parker Henry Jaques John Aslett Richard Blake William Ballard John Lovejoy Thomas Poore George Abbot John Russe Andrew Allen Andrew Foster Thomas Chandler
(THIS LIST IS IN EDMUND FAULKNER'S HANDWRITING. SINCE HE WAS, HIMSELF, A FIRST SETTLER AND FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH AND SINCE MOST OF THE FIRSTCOMERS YERE ALIVE WHEN HE WROTE ITS *** HE DIED JANUARY 18, 1687 **** IT MAY BE PRE- SUMED TO BE CORRECT.)
(323 IS BLANK.)
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/andovermassachus00unse
0324
Att a general town meeting holden at John Osgood's house 9th Ist 1656, chiefly warned & intended for the entering & recor(?)-/ding of tom orders now in force & particular men's grants of land in a new town book, the old being rent and in many places defective & some grants lost.
Imp. It was agreed upon & Voted that the order and agreement mede at first planting of this place. VIZ: that all persons should pay to the rates & charges of the town, & church according to their Land (which way we have practiced ever since and upon such termes we have granted out lands to all new comers) should be entered in the first place in this new booke.
This above written was disannulled by the major part of votes at a lawful tom meeting the 2 of December 1661.
0325
At a general Town Meeting 1th of March 1660.
The Tomm taking into consideration the great damage that may come to the tom by persons living remote from the town upon such lands as were given them for ploughing or planting and so by their hogs & cattle destroy the meadows, adjoining thereunto, have there- fore ordered and do hereby order that whosoever inhabitant or other shall build any dwelling house in any part of the Town but upon such house lot or other places granted for that end without express (?)/ (This denotes the end of a line in the original. HJS) leave from the town shall forfeit twenty shillings a month for the time he (?)/ shall so live in any such prohibited place provided it is not in- tended to restrain any person from building any shed for himself or cattle that shall be necessary for the plowing of his ground or fencing of his corne but to restrain any from their constant abode there, the town having given houselots to build on to all such as they have received as inhabitants of the town.
At a lawful town meeting the 17 October 1661, it is ordered that every male person of sixteen years and (over?) shall upon three or four days warning by the surveyor attend the mending of the high- ways upon forfeit of double damages for every day neglect by any person and so likewise every team. That is every man four shillings a day and every team ten shillings a day so neglected.
0326
(Top of page is missing.)
Agreed that his other six acre lot shall pay a third part of rates, which is eight shillings the year and further agreed that there shall be street division laid to it and no more. Our meaning is to (?) last till they continue in this way of rating.
At a lawful town meeting the third day of February 1661, it is or- dered that all grants of land and meadow, already granted and to be granted shall be entered into that book. Also Edmond Faulkner is chosen to enter these aforesaid grants and to be allowed two shillings of every particu- lar man for his house lot and accommodations provided every man bring in his grants to him within seven years.
Af, a lawful town meeting the 17th day of the sixth 1661 whereas there have been different apprehensions between the town of Andover and Mr. Francis Dane about his rights and privileges in the town, it is firmly agreed and ordered and granted on the 17th day of ffebr 1661, that Mr. Dane's lots shall be accounted for an eight-acre houselot and to have all privileges belonging thereto the rights thereof at all times to be taken before the rights of George Abbott Sr. according to the constant order and proceedings of the town. Granted (?) (?) all those aforementioned rights and privileges without exception to have and to hold to him and his heirs forever. This is the true meaning of the town and Mr. Francis Dane whereto the said Francis sets his hand and three of the townsmen in the behalf of the rest of the town of those aforesaid eight acres six acres with all the privileges thereto belonging the inhabitants doe ack- nowledge rate free during his abode in the commi(?). The other two acres with the privileges according to a two-acre houselot are to pay rates from this time forward, Francis Dane, John Osgood, Edmond Faulkner, Thomas (torn).
327 not used 0328
At a lawful town meeting the 24 Nov. 1662, granted to Ralph Farnum 30 rod of land at the south end of his lot.
Granted to Andrew Foster eleven acres of land on the east side of the highway and on the southwest side of the land of Timothy Stevens.
Granted to John Ruse three acres of land adjoining to his nine acres by that new field gate, which is for his new field division.
At a lawful town meeting the 28 December 1663, granted to Robert Russell two acres of meadow in a little meadow about half a mile on this side of Richard Barker's Beechen meadow on the left- hand of the cartway.
At a lawful town meeting the ll of February 1663, granted to William Chandler a gore of land on the east (?) side of Shawsheen River, by the old clay pit, whereof two acres is granted him for public charges and if there be abovetwo acres, he is to allow the town for it what they shall so meet and in case, the town shall afterward see occasion to build a mill there, he shall resign to them so much of the convenience of it as shall be judged convenient to set a mill thereon, and allow him so much land elsewhere for it.
Granted to John Frye, Jr., two acres and a half of swamp land at the southwest corner of his lot for public charges past, and four shillings and fourpence now paid already.
Granted to Andrew Foster senior five acres of swamp land for public charges joining to the northeast side of the lot of Andrew Foster, Jr. in case John Lovejoy, Thomas Chandler and Thomas Johnson, who are to lay it out, shall think it convenient for the town and him: whereas he is take it elsewhere. This grant is allowed by this tomn.
0329
Att a general town meeting 20th Decr 1664, it was ordered and agreed that at any town meeting orderly warned, any seven or more authorized by law to vote shall have power to act and make order (?) and the same to be authentic and valid as if the whole town were assembled and further it is agreed that whosoever shall have legal notice of any town meeting and shall not attend the said meeting (?) at the time and place appointed shall forfeit the sum of (?) to the use of the town for every such default (?) collected by such as the town shall appoint, (?) shall satisfy the town or such as they shall depute that they had inst and necessary cause to be absent and now are to dept without leave of the town till the meeting be dissolved and so declared by the selectmen or the major part of the in- habitants then assembled.
Mr. Bradstreet, John Frye, Sr., Richard Barker, Daniel Poore and Thomas Chandler are chosen selectmen for the year following 65.
Granted to Nathan Parker his swamp land adjoining to the east end of his own land behind the pond being nine acres and a half provided it be swamp (?) land according to order or equivalent thereunto.
Granted to Samuel Martin five acres of swamp land and his street division land adjoining to the land of John Farnum and on which side the lot layers shall see most convenient.
Granted and laid out to Andrew Allen five acres of swamp land adjoin- ing to his houselot and the swamp land of William Chandler bounded on the northwest corner with a white oak, on the southwest corner with a white oak, on the northeast corner with a stake.
Granted to John Frye, Sr., a slip of land between the upper end of his claypit meadow and the river, as part of his swamp land.
Granted to Marc Graves 16 of upland adjoining to the south end of the land of John Lovejoys and Shawsheen River on the west, which is for his third division. All other former grants thereof be void (?) of that third division of
0330
At a general town meeting the 15th of January 1664, it is or- dered that whereas there was the last town meeting an order made that whosoever should not come to town meeting according to day and time appointed after legal notice and at this present day all failing herein except Mr. Bradstreet, Richard Barker, George Abbott, Sr. and John .Johnson, were to pay to the tom for the use thereof sixpence a man for this present days neglect and from that days forward whosoever shall neglect to come at the day and time ap- pointed after legal notice given him by the constable or his deputy shall forfeit to the Town twelve pence for every such
neglect except ( ?) and the constable is appointed to gather up all such fines and is to have a fourth part for his pains.
Also it is ordered from this day forward that whosoever shall not, from year to year, bring into the town or selectmen their public charges due by them before the town rate be made shall (?)ose i.t.
Given to John Ruse, Jr., half an acre of land adjoining to the south end of his other land by the field gate.
It is agreed by the town for incouradgment that such persons as shall undertake to build a corn and a saw mill shall have liberty to cut timber upon any part of the common provided it is not within two miles of the meeting house, only on the west side of Shawsheen River on any part of the common.
At a general town meeting the 27th of February 1664, granted to William Ballard all the parcel of flaggy or rubbish meadow ad- joining to his other land and the pond, which he had of Richard Barker on the west side of Shawsheen River.
0331
At a general town meeting the 27th February 1664 it is ordered that whereas there was formerly a mistake in an order written in the town's book concerning Mr. Dane's yearly maintenance that the Select- men shall have power to speak with him to the determining of it.
At a general town meeting the 15th January 1665.
Granted to John Frye, Sr. a little parcel of meadow adjoining to his last division, which is the remaining part of the whole meadow.
Sold unto S: muel Blanchard a neck of upland or as much as he shall desire there adjoining to the east end of his crane meadow not exceed- ing ten acres, he paying after five shilling an acre to the town for it. Granted to him at a town meeting 9th February 68, two acres more to make his ten acres to twelve for all which he is to pay but fifty shillings to the town.
It is ordered that all that have any right or interest in any meadow for the conveniency of fencing of it shall have liberty to fence such corners or necks of land adjoining to it for the running of this fence straight, they paying after five shillings an acre to the town for it. The meaning is so much and no more than is only for running the fence straight and as shall be judged by the lot layers.
Whereas there have been formerly agreements between Mr. Dane and the town concerning his hay that was to be provided for him, it is now mutually agreed between him and the town that instead thereof, he shall have four pounds yearly added to his rate and the other agreements con- cerning it to be void.
At a general town meeting the 11th of March 1666.
Granted liberty to JJohn Aslett liberty to exchange his twelve acres of land that joins to Stephen Osgood's lot for twelve acres ad- joining to his own land on the east side of the pond.
Granted to Christopher Osgood the liberty to take up seven acres and a half of swamp land adjoining to the west side of the land of John Frye, Jr., which was formerly by the town sold to his father, Thomas Rowheel.
Granted to Henry Engalls liberty to take up what land is wanting of the fifteen acres that was granted Nicholas in the new field to take up the remaining part adjoining to his four acres granted to him on the east side of Cochichewick River.
0332
At a general tom meeting the 4th of February 1667.
Whereas there was by the town the 15th of January 65 sold unto Samuel Blanchard a parcel of land not exceeding ten acres, he hath at this present meeting accepted of just ten acres for which he is indebted to the town the full and just sum of fifty shillings. Granted to him 9th Feb. 68, two acres more to make it twelve acres for all which he is to pay but fifty shillings to the tomm.
Granted to Stephen Johnson two rod of land adjoining to his fence and by his saw pit.
At a general town meeting the 10th of January 1669. Whereas there have been formerly granted to Edward Whitington twenty acres of land behind the pond, it is now granted him liberty he laying it down to the town to take up so much on the west side of Shawsheen River and also to take up ten acres more adjoining to it as part of Mr. Bradstreet's last division.
The twenty acres above is granted upon the same terms as that behind the pond.
0333
At a general tomme meetinge the 7 off ffebuearry 1669, Sgt. Henry Ingalls wase chosen constable for this year. Daniell Poor wase chosen grand jury man. John Lovjoy and William Chandler were chosen ffence vewers ffore the southerly parte of the towen. Samuell Martin and Nathan Stevense ffor the northerly parte off the towen and Nathan Parker & John Aslett are ffence vewers ffor the new feeld and Daniel Poor and Gohn Farnam ffor the ffeeld over Shawsheen.
It is ordered that theare shall no rames bee suffered to goe att liberty after the first off Aguste too the ffirst off November upon the street or common, in any parte off the towne upon the penalty off ffive shillings ffor every such rame suffered goeinge att liberty exepeing any Ram that shall acsaidintaly stray ffrom willeam balard & where they are to be kept the finder taking care presently to take him up & secure him shall not be liable to the penalty aforesaid.
Ittem It is agreed and voted that the selectmen with three more joined to them, that is, Nathan Parker and George Abbott Sr. and John Lovejoy shall and are hereby empowered to make sale of a certain parcel of land as they in their discretion shall see meet, not exceeding a hundred pounds for the defraving the charges about the new meeting house, and they have liberty to take in two or three inhabitants if they see cause in the making sale of the aforesaid land.
At a general town meeting the 22 March 69, Thomas Chandler is chosen to carry the vote to Salem.
Granted to Mr. Simon Bradstreet on the south side of Boston Brook 40 acres of land whereof twenty
i
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- 1
0334
Sold and granted formerly to William Barker twenty acres of land by Rowley bounds, to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the tom towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the tom or Church the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said William Barker is received as a townsman and to have liberty and privilege of the common for feeding cattle and use of wood and timber as his occasions will require.
Sold and granted formerly to Alexander Sessions twenty acres of land by Rowley bounds, to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the town towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the town or Church, the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said Alexander sessions is received as a townsman and to hath liberty and privilege of the com- mon for feeding cattle and use of wood and timber as his occasions may require.
Granted and sold to Lawrence Lacy twenty acres of land by Rowley bounds to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the town towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the town or Church the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said Lawrence Lacy is received as a towns- man and to have liberty and privilege of the common for feeding cattle and the use of wood and timber as his occasion may require.
Sold and granted to Joseph Parker Junior twenty acres of land by Rowley bounds to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the town towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the town or Church, the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said Joseph is received as a towns- man and to have liberty of the common for feeding cattle and use of wood and timber as his occasions may require.
0335
Sold and granted to John Abbott twenty acres of land between good- man Fosters ground and Joseph Ballards or thereabouts so it prejudice not other men, and to enjoy to him and his hairs forever, paying to the town or Church towards all charges the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said John Abbott is received as a tomsman and to have the liberty and privilege of the common for feeding cattle and use of wood and tim- ber as his occasions may require.
Sold or granted to William Blunt or exchanged for a sale of grant he had before over Shawsheen, twenty acres of land in some convenient place near Joseph Ballards and to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the town towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the town or Church the sum of ten shillings yearly and the said William Blunt is received as a tomsman and to have liberty and privilege of the common for feeding cattle and use of wood and timber as his occasion may require.
Granted to Samuel Holt one acre privilege upon the common, he paying four shillings by the year to the town forever.
Sold or granted to Hugh Stone four acres of land near to his other land, not to the prejudice of highways or other men, to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, he paying two shillings by the year to the town for- ever.
16: 9th: 1675:
Received of Nathan Parker & Jno Lovejoy Constables for Andover in full of their double rate ye sum of thirty-six pounds and five pence I say received ye day above dated by me
Daniell Russell
-
1
0336
Granted, allowed and voted that the bridge on this side of the sawmill shall from hence forward be counted a town bridge and be made and maintained by the tom ingeneres. Only those that last made the bridge are to be excused so many days of themselves and their cattle as they wrought at making that bridge in the common in work that is to come only to each of 2s a day
Sold and granted to Edmond Faulkner twenty acres of land upon the hill next Joseph Robinsons by Rowley line, to enjoy to him and his heirs forever, paying to the town towards all charges and in lieu of all rates to the town or Church, the sum of ten shillings yearly and in case the said Edmond shall at any time put such to lime upon it as the town shall approve, or have no just matter against them, he is to be admitted to be a townsman and to have all the same privilege in the common equal to the other twenty acre grants.
At a general town meeting 9th of January 1670, granted liberty to Mr. Walker and John Haselton to get 15 or 16 thousand of cedar shingle or so many as will cover their meeting house, provided they cut down no trees but take such as are cut down already and so to have them freely.
It is ordered that no man shall have liberty to cut or make any shingles to sell out of town until they have liberty from the select- men of the town.
Lt. Osgood and John Stevens are chosen to see that the highway towards Salem to be mended and made passable, that lie within our bounds and to be done before the next court to hold at Salem.
-
0337
Whereas there was formerly granted to Robert Barnard five acres of meadow beyond far woodchuck meadow and by him sold to Mr. Bradstreet, it is now granted liberty to Mr. Bradstreet to lay it down to the town and to take up so much more in any common meadow he can find.
It is ordered concerning Mr. Danes wood: due unto him from the town that all allotments that pay rates to him shall pay and bring in unto him from this day forward, a load for every six acre allotment, and those that have not carried in all for time past, are to carry it into him within a month after this time, or else to pay him after two shillings the load in wheat and Indian corn and so forward for time to come .
Granted to Lt. Osgood thirty acres of land for his swamp division adjoining to his house lot on the north side of the mill river.
Granted liberty to Mr. John Rogers, minister of Ipswich to get so many cedar shingles as will cover his house provided he cut down no trees but take such as is already cut down.
Granted liberty to George Abbott Sr. to exchange part of his last division on the west side of Shawsheen for so much as he shall lay down to the tom, to take up so much more for it on the same side of the river where it is to be laid out by John Frye Sr. and Nathan Parker. Also he is to have four acres of swamp land laid out and adjoining to it.
Given to Steven Johnson a gore of land lying on the west side of his swamp land before his house containing about one acre and not to go farther than will bring his farm straight to the corner of John Fryes farm.
Given to John Frye Sr. the side of the hill that lies to the north side of his meadow by the clay pit with a slip of land lying between the meadow and Shawsheen river.
Granted free liberty to Thomas Poor to sell his house and the land belonging to it.
1
0338
Mr. Bradstreet, John Frye Sr. Richard Barker, John Stevens and Lt. Osgood are chosen selectinen for this year, and to have the same powers as the last year in all respects.
William Chandler is chosen constable and Steven Osgood, grand jury
Joseph Marble is received in to be a townsman and to pay four shillings per the year to the town.
At a general town meeting the 2 of March 70, it is ordered and voted that whereas there is now a difference between our town and the tomm of Woburn concerning the bounds between them and us, the town hath given full power to the selectmen to order and prosecute all means whether by law or otherwise to the ending all such differences and all charges to be borne by the town.
Whereas there have been formerly granted to William Chandler four score acres of land for his last division and lying upon goodman Fosters brook, it is now granted him liberty to exchange about ten acres or so much as may be with convenience and not prejudicial to others, and to take up so much as he lay down at the swamp that is on the left hand of of the way going on to the pine plains.
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