Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 , Part 1

Author: Braintree (Mass.); Bates, Samuel A.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: D.H. Huxford, printer
Number of Pages: 958

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Benjamin H. Woodsum 1016 Washington Street SOUTH BRAINTREE, - MASS.

THIS BOOK BELONGS TO andrew Furlong

RECORDS

OF THE

TOWN OF BRAINTREE,

1640 TO 1793.

EDITED BY SAMUEL A. BATES.

RANDOLPH, MASS. : DANIEL H. HUXFORD, PRINTER. 1886.

Braintree incorporated May 13, 1640, O.S.

Quincy

February 22, 1792,

Randolph

March 9, 1793.

Holbrook, a part of Randolph, incorporated February 29, 1872.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

The Towns of Braintree, Quincy, Randolph and Holbrook, which formerly composed the Town of Braintree, at their several annual meetings held in the year 1885, voted to print the records of the Town of Braintree from the date of the incorporation to the year 1793, and severally selected the following persons to carry said vote into effect :

CHARLES F. ADAMS, Jr.,

GEORGE L. GILL, of Quincy.

EBENEZER W. UNDERWOOD, -

FRANCIS A. HOBART,

SAMUEL A. BATES,

of Braintree.

HORACE ABERCROMBIE,

ROYAL T. MANN,

JOHN B. THAYER,

of Randolph.

RUFUS A. THAYER,

GEORGE W. PAINE,

SAMUEL L. WHITE,

of Holbrook.

ABRAM C. HOLBROOK,

Samuel A. Bates, town clerk of Braintree, was selected to take charge of the publication of the records, and they have been printed under his personal supervision.

They were printed from the copy made under the direction of the Town of Quincy in 1876, and the proof read from the original, of which they are intended to be an exact transcript. It was found impossible to index all the various ways in which names were spelled, and they are therefore placed under their proper orthography, as far as known.

Words in brackets were supplied by the editor.

Braintree, June 17, 1886.

CONTENTS.

TOWN RECORDS,

Page 1 to 625

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS,

" 628 to 890

INDEX OF NAMES ON TOWN RECORDS,

" 891 to 911

66 SUBJECTS,

912

TOWNS, 918

LOCAL PLACES,

919

MARRIAGES,

921

INTENTIONS OF MARRIAGE,

925

66 BIRTHS,

929

66 DEATHS,

935

TOWNS, &C.

938

ERRATA,

· 940

BRAINTREE RECORDS.

THE SCHOOLE LAND

[1] A. 1640.

The Deed of the Land recoverd of Mr. Coddinton.

James Peniman Thomas Matoson Steven Kinsly Gregory Baxter Samuel Crane and William Chesebrough Deputed for towne affairs it was Covenanted between the town of Brantree and Richard Right that the sayd Richard Right shall put the town of Brantrey in full possession of one hundred and [ acres more or less of land lying in the [necke] formerly called Mr Coddintons necke [by the ] sayd towne to be held for [ever] fourty acres Bounded by the land of [William] Potter one the northwest of Mr Tinge one the east one the south west belonging [ Tinge aforsayd & a march being [ Gregory Baxter and Samuel [ southeast and seaventy five acres [more or] less bounded on the north west by [ Tinges lands and one the south east by [lands] of Edmond Quinsey and one the south west by the salt water upon the mill river [ upon the north est upon medow or belonging to the third company of [ twenty and eight acres lying betweene [ up land in consideration of all the said [lands] the sd Towne of Brantree hath given [to the] sd Richard Right ninety eight pounds [ shillings and eight pence being [ ground allowed by the Courte to [ of Brantree out of the goods of [ Coddinton [

3mo 1641 Concerning the Mill.

It is ordered that their shall noe other mill be built in the plan- tation without the consent of Richard Right or his heires so long as the mill remains in ther hands which was built by the sd Rich- ard Right, unless it evidently appear that the sd mill will not serve the plantation, and that he or they will not built another in con- venient time

Delivery and seisin of Richard Right.

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1648.

Delivery and sezesing acknowleged of the land bought of Rich- ard Right the 10th of 5th mo 1640 delivery and sezeing we acknowl- eged by the sd Richard Right unto the towne of Brantree.

There is a footway to ly from the laine of Goodman Penimans ' where it is markd one the paills and two ladders appointed to be made for a stile and from thence upon a straight line to the met- ting house over the old Bridge.

91120 1641 Against any inhabitant selling yr Land without offer- ing of it first to the selectmen to a stranger

It is ordered that noe inhabitant shall sell or dispose of any house or land to any that is not received a inhabitant into the towne without it be first offered unto the men that are appointed to dispose of the towns affairs ; and in case it be not bought by them within twenty dayes after the first offer ; that they shall have liberty to dispose of it, only to such as the town's men shall ap- prove one, and therefore it is Agreed that evry acre of land or house so disposed one without the [townsmens consent shall pay] [3] the whole sume of nineteen shillings and seven pence :

4th of the 2mo 1641.

Moreover it is furder ordered that noe man that is not received an inhabitant into the town shall have liberty to build any liouse or cottage within the libertys of the towne without the consent of those that are chosen to dispose of the towns affaires.

The 19th. 10mo. 1642 Highway.

At a meeting their being present Samuel Bass John Albee Steven Kinsly Martin Sanders Thomas Madson Thomas fflat- man Peter Brackitt It was ordered by one consent that a high- way for a cart should be at William P [Ennes ] hedge end one Wil- liam Potters land one [rod] wide to goe into the old field and that [them] that make use of that way should be at the charge to hang a gate at the [hedge end]

1th : 11mo : 1644 A Ladders to be provided for Chimneys.

The same day it is ordered that every [house] holder in this towne shall by the first day of March next insuing shall have a ladder of his to stand up against his chimney to secure them and the town from fire or else shall be lyable to pay what penalty the town's men shall impose one them.

The 29th 10mo. 1645 Town march to the elders.

At a town meeting there being present Welde James Peni- man Martin Sanders Thomas Mekins, Samuel Bass Peter Brack- itt It is ordered that the fourteen acres of town March shall be improved to the elders use, Mr Tompson and Mr. fflint, [to] such time as the townsmen shall [see fit] otherwise to dispose of it.

[4] 9mno 1648 Mr fflints acknowledgment of the sale of the Schoolehouse.

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1651.

This day Mr fflint made acknowlegment of the sale of the house and lote which was latly John Paflins and since his death sold unto the said Henry fflint by William Penne by virtue of an exe- cution sued out by him in the presence of all the townsmen the said Henry fflint doth acknowledge himselfe fully satisfied by Mr. Doctor John Morly for the said house only the said Mr. Doctor doth promise that if he should be called forth off the towne to sir- render backe againe the sd house to Mr fflint at the same rate of seaven pounds which he paid being allowed at the discretion of indifferent men for such charges as he has bine attin witness herof the sª Henry fflint and Mr. Doctor have herto set their hands the day and year above written in the presence of

Samuel Bass Richard Bracket

Moses Paine Thomas Blanchar Matthew Barnes. William Allis, Martin Sanders.

Henry fflint John Morly.

[5] 4th 10mo 1651 The sale of Dudatus Curtises Land sold to Thomas Barrit

This day Martin Sanders and ffrancis Eliot made acknowleg- ment of the Sale of the Land which was latly Goodman Curtises which he sold to sd Martin Sanders and ffrancis Eliot which the sd Martin Sanders and ffrancis Eliot have sold now to Thomas Barrit being seaven acres more or less lying next to Thomas Burt on the West side and next the common one the south side and next Barnabas Derrifall of the north side and next Nathanil Her- man one the east side and in the presence of these men the sd Mar- tin Sanders and ffrancis Eliot doe acknowlege ourselfes fully satisfied by the sd Thomas Barritt and in witness herof the sd Mar- tin Sanders and ffrancis Eliot have set to our hands witness

Richard Brackett ffrancis Nucome

Martin Sanders ffrancis Eliot.

6th 10mo 1651. James Couveys acknowledgment of his sale of his land to William Veza

This day James Couvey made acknowlegment of the sale of the land that was Henry Neales and his owne land which his house stands upon which the sd James Couvey has sold to William Veza being nintenne acres more or less and all the houses which stand upon the sd ground with all the sd premises belonging to the sd house and ground, the ground lying next to the common one the [ ] and next to William Owen upon the South and next the brooke upon the West and next Charles Grigses, upon the North in the presence of these Witnesses the sd James Couvey does ac- knowledge himself fully [satisfied] William Veza [ J

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1652.

[6] and in Witness herof the sd James Couvey have set to his hand

Wittness. Richard Brackett Samuel Bass. Petter Brackett.

the mark of

James x Couvey

29th 11mo 1650 A petetion of David Mattaks to the selectmen of Brantry.

To our loving Brethren and neighbours the Townesmen of Bran- tre these are to certifie you that all we whose names are under written doe stand to a Joint and equall purchase of the Common one to pay as much as another and to have every man alike èquall part or share of it not that we intend hereby that any man not hav- ing Cattell of his owne answerable to his share of Common shall either directly or indirectly take in from any other Towne or Townes any maner of Cattell to sumner them upon the Common thereby to wronge the Towne (we profess against it) provided this hinder not any of us the inhabitants aforsayd to hire oxen or cows for our owne proper use or servis.

Steven Kinsly in the name of the rest.

10th 9mo 1646 : A grant of taking timber off of the common for a mans own use, But not to sell out of Towne.

At a meeting being present Samuel Bass James Peniman Gregory Belshar Henry Adams Samuel Addams, It is ordered that every man that is an inhabitant of the Towne shall have Liberty to take any timber off the Common for any use in the Towne (provided) so they make not sale of it out of the Towne and in case any shall make sale of it out of the Towne either in boards or bolts or any other wayes whole or sawne they shall pay for every tunne of tim- ber five shillings a tunne to the Towne

BRANTREE.

8th 1mo 1652 The grant of the Townesmen of Brantree to Mr. William Tinge.

In consideration of Chapt William Tinge his interest with Boston men in all the lands of theirs within their precincts wherof they have made a grant to this Town dated 20th 8mo 1647 which was de- livered to remaine in his hands untill he was satisfied for yeelding his farmes to be thierein comprehended and in consideration of his consenting thereunto and delivering them up the sª grant, it is agreed and ordered that the sª William Tinge his heires and sucseedors shall forever freely injoy to every of his three farmes in particular all libertys and privileges By the sd grant to the Towne as fully and annually as any one inhabitant their or party purchasers thereof and shall also enjoy all other privileges which this Towne in any wise that doth or may pertaine unto their towne and it is also agreed and ordered that noe way for swine shall be required through the grounds of the sª William Tinge but such dwrift way as George [Spear] hath of late in part or whole layd

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1653.

out for [driving] of Cattell nor noe way for carts but the sd dwrift way when it is made conveniant for the passege theron by the Judgment of foure [men] indifferently chosen by both partys : - Wittness the hands of the Townsmens meeting

Samuel Bass Martin Sanders Steven Kinsly James Peniman William Allis

[6] 12mo : 1652 A highway to the Common

There being present the selectmen of Brantree as Martin Sanders James Peniman, Samuel Bass William Allis Richard Brackitt : Have ordered and set out a high way for our heard the way as followeth that is to say att the uper-end of Thomas Mekins ground going to manati-cutt in the country high way to ly be- tween Thomas Mekins ground and Thomas Mattsons foure rods wide and so to rune to James Penimans ground & so to rune between Goodman Penimans and Goodman Mattsons foure rods wide while it comes to the way leading to Goodman ffaxsons.

Samuel Bass James Peniman William Allis Martins Sanders Richard Brackett

9th : 11mº: 1652 A highway layed out through George Rug- gells ground. -

There being present att a meeting Samuell Bass and James Peniman William Allis Martin Sanders Richard Brackett the Selectmen of Brantree have ordered and set out a highway ni Georges Ruggells ground begining in the highway that lead from Robert Permanters to waymoth ferry this way to begine twenty rods or theirabouts from the South east end of Robert Permanters Barne and so to the lower side of this way to rang uth three blacke Stobbes and so to run two rods through the sª Georges Ruggells ground while it come to Richard Brackitt ground and so through Richard Brackitts ground to rune two rods wide, in the common highway while it come to Peter Brackitts ground and so to rune through his ground while it come to Martine Sanders ground

[There is here a mutilated marginal note. - Copyist. ]

Samuel Base James Peniman William Allis Martin Sanders Richard Brackitt

[7] 6th: 12mo: 1653 An Order Aganst Strangers Cominge into Towne without consent of the Selectmen.

There being mett together Martin Sanders Samuel Base James Peniman Richard Brackit William Allis : - Upon Consideration

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1651.

of great ill conveniencyes that may come to the Towne of Bran- tree by parsons coming into inhabite amongst us ; It is there- fore ordered that noe person or persons shall come into inhabite amongst us without the Selectmens consent upon the penalty of ninetene shillings fine for every three dayes they shall stay amongst us ; and it is furder ordered that noe inhabitant shall receive any person or inmate into ther house above three dayes without the Townesmens consent upon the forfiture of ninetene Shillings and eleven pence : -

And it is furder ordered that noe man shall build house or cot- tage within the Towneship of Brantree uthout the Townsmen con- sent upon the forfiture of such penalty as the Selectmen shall see cause to put upon them

Martin Sanders Richard Brackit William Allis

11th : 12mo : 1655 A highway layed over the Brooke by Deacon Eliots

Upon the same day ther is layd one footway to ly from the Rocke by George Ruggells [street] over the fresh Brooke in the convenientest place and so straight along by the foreside of ffranis Eliots Barne and so straight over his Lot in the convenientest place and so to the end of the highway that goes up by Mr. fflints : : - :

[8] 23th 12mº 1651. A highway layed out to the Common through Richard Hardiers ground and Martin Sanders Junior.

At the Selectmens meeting ther being present Samuel Base and Martin Sanders Steven Kinsly James Peniman : William Allis : They have ordered and layed out a highway to the Common the way to begine att the uper-end of Martin Sanders Juniors ground next the highway going to the mill twelfe foote of it to ly in Martin Sanders ground and twelfe foote of it to ly in Thomas Mekins ground the high way to be foure and twenty foote broad and so runing to the pich of the hill after the pich of the hill to run a rod in Goodman Richard Hardiars ground and a rod in Thomas Mekins ground two rods broad and so to run foure and twenty foote wide in Thomas Mekins ground upon a straight line to the uper end of his ground and then to run from thence into Richard Hardiars ground foure and twenty foote wide up to the common.

It is furder ordered that the Towne shall provide two gates sufficiently hanged ; And then Richard Hardiar and Martin San- ders Junior doe promise to maintaine them or cause them to be maintained by them and ther heires and sucseeders ever after : - Upon which condition the Selectmen of Brantree doe give these sd. men mentioned Richard Hardiar and Martin Sanders Junior thirty Shillings to provide gates to hang up ; - and the sd. townes men doe give them twenty shillings upon these conditions as aforsayd that they shall maintain these sd. gates for ever ; And

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1656.

they have liberty to keep them lockt from the first of Aprill to the first of October, but to let any of the Towne to make use of the highway in this time they coming for the key: And the rest of the yeare the gates are to stand open : -

[9] 29th : 8mo : 1656 : A vote passed att a publike meeting about the common.

The Inhabitants of Brantrey having publike notis given six weekes before the Vote passed to give a publike meeting for the ordereing and disposing of the Common, for future times)

At which meeting the inhabitants that were their meet voted the Common for to lye as a free Common unto all inhabitants of the Towne, that are legally taken in by the Selectmen : and such to have the like priveleges as the grand purchassers : But when it was voted att the sd meeting their was but foure men that dis- cented or voted against it: which were by nam as is here under written

Robert Stevens John Harbour Sen. William Veza Samuel Tompson.

2th : 11mo : 1656. A highway layd out in the old feild for good- man Hoydin to bring his corne out or any that shall have cause to bring any that way.

A high way layd out by the Selectmen in the old feild for good- man Hoydin to carry or bring his corne out of his land by John Dossits land, Senior, which way is layd and appointed to lye in the line betwene Deacon Bass and John Dosset Senior, downe the hill and then to lye by goodman Webbs swamp and so along be- twene the two hills : and so to come in the way as Deacon Bass brings out his corne only for harvest time this way to be made use of) and in case any shall brack downe gate or raills they shall make it good againe ;

[10] 2th: 11mo : 1656. A highway layed out into the Common upon Henry Neals land from Barnabus Derifalls

This way was layed out into the common by goodman Grisers and James Couveys formerly going up the rockes straight from the runnill of water in the country highway ; but upon the request of Henry Neal & uth the consent of the Selectmen it was altered and layed by the sid of Henry Neals planting feild one the south sid of the country way and by the side of the hill a great rocke lying one the lower side before you goe over the runnell, and when you are over the runnell a little to the right on a steep pich of a hill and then into the common this way turning out of the country high way before you come to goe downe the hill where the water runs downe into a swamp one the north west sid of the country way : -

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1658.

[11] 25th : 12mº : 1640 The Country highway layed through Brantry

At a Towne meeting there being presant Capt William Tinge Samuel Base Steven Kinsly Martin Sanders Benjamin Allbee & Mathew Barnes ; - At a meeting this day it was agreed by us, and by Thomas Hoolbrooke and Henry Kingman Nathanill Ad- ams a committee from waymoth to lay out the Country way through Brantry to Dorchester : That the sd. highway shall lye the full breadth of foure rods wide from waymoth to Brantree meeting house, and wheras att the sd meeting house the way can- not conveniently be had att one end, we apoint two rods att one end therof, and two rods at the other end, and then to fall to foure rods againe att a marke stumpe a litle beyond the meeting house and so that breadth to a stump of a tree, att goodman Neals house and then to be carryed the sd breadth to the Lot called Hudsons Lot; rectifiing the present way which now is by taking it off by severall [nouck ] as we have marked the same att the same breadth to the going downe of the hill ; and toward the brooke, from which hill to the brooke six rods ; and so runs one foure rods to Dorchester bounds as it is already set out by severall marke trees for that purpose, and this we present to the Honered Courte to be recorded for the country high way for ever : -

[12] A grant to Sam. Kinsly by the inhabitants upon a train- ing day. (1657)

A grant to Samuel Kinsly of Brantrey upon a training day about the 8th 12mo. 1657. By the whole inhabitants granted to the sayd Samuel Kinsly that he should have twenty rods of the Townes Common before his door ; so as it may not damnifie noe man for a highway coming out of the common ; which land is to seet a barne one and a yard about it; and to be sett out by the selectmen : which was so sett out according to the grant :

The highway lying against John Milles house how it is layd out into his Lote. -

At John Millis house the country high way going up the hill of Rockes being to straite ; and therefore presented) the selectmen of the Towne therefore has layd it about foure rods into John Milles lote which is to two Rockes allmost together one great rocke and one litle one and so to a blacke stumpe. and from thence to rune into the high way againe : -

28th : 12mo : 58 At two meetings agreed by the inhabitants to exchange so much land with Deacon Base as Chapt. Brackitt Moses Paine Deacon Allis Willi Nedam should Judge reason- able. -

Agreed by the inhabitants of the Towne of Brantry att two meetings that Chapt. Richard Brackitt Deacon Allis Moses Paine William Nedam these persons should goe uth Deacon Base and see his demands of the Towne in way of Exchange of some land of his in the chaptaines plaine so called and as these persons could agree the Towne did consent ; wheras the sd. persons have agreed

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1669.

and consented that Deacon Base shall take in for his propriety of the Townes Common land twelve rods wide att the head line upon the rockes southward ; and leave out to the Townes Common for their propriety twelve rods wide of the said Deacon Bases land one the other side next the furnis in lew therof: the ledge of rockes that runs at the head of the captaines plaine, and so to abound tree att the corner of the swamp towards the mill pond in his old line

[13] Sould by me John Mills Senior unto Tho. Thathson of Brantry this first day of Aug: 1658 sixteen rodes of land lying next unto the meeting house bridge be it more or lesse bounded by the [fist louth] of Rayles from the brooke as it now stands so to runn to the outside of the house and from thence to a stump by the brooke the sd Tho : Thathson to make and maynetayne a suf- ficient fence (he and his hayers for ever) between the sd John Mills and Tho : Thathson the sd John Mills having received tenn shillings in full payment for the same as wittnes my hands the day and yeare above written

Teste

Peter Brackett.

John Mills Tho. [Thathson his mark

24th December. 65

A highway layd out into the Common by John Mills through [Hunes ] lot

This highway layd out by Deacon Base Capt. Brackitt Moses Paine & William Nedam ; which way is layd out from the bridge going up the hill before John Milles so ranging with a ledge of great rockes on the lower side next the swamp ; to lie two rod wid upward from the rockes ; and so to goe along to pass through the swamp where themselfes have formerly made it ;

ffeb : 68 At Towne meeting this Vote passed for schoolmaster :

That the Towne of Brantry did consent to lay the Schoole land ; that is to say the Annuall Income of it ; for a salliry for a Schoole master, and to make it up twenty pounds besides what every child must give.

19th Decemb : 1670

At a Towne meeting being publike notis given, and the towne being meet at Steven Paines there was a vote passed by the in- habitants, that the towne land meadow and upland should be dis- posed off by the Selectmen then in being ; for the townes use and best advantage, but not to let out any above 7 yeares Capt Brackit Deacon Base Thomas ffaxon Wn Vesy Edm. Quinsey.

[14] March 69 A vote passed by the towne at a generall meetting. -

In year (67) the grant

The Honle Generall Courte in way of answer to a Petition per- sented by the Deputy of our Towne granted six thousand acres of

BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1670.

land to the towne of Brantrey ; In case this sayd grant be layed out and confirmed by the Court, it is the vote of the towne that every accepted inhabitant wch is an household or in the Towne of Brantry shall have an equall interest in the land granted, and that every such an inhabitant and householder shall bear his equall & protion of charge in the seeking of it and laying of it out, and al other charges as shall follow, and every man shall bring in his twelve in money at this present time, at or before the 8th day of this instant march.

27th Dec 1670 A lease Josiah Chaffin and John Baxter. £ 5. acres meadow and 40 acres upland.

Be it known to all men by these presents ; that we the Select- men of Brantrey Deacon Base Richard Brackit Thomas ffaxon William Vesy and Edmond Quensey of Brantrey by virtue of a power given at a publike Towne meeting ; Have set and let unto Josias Chaffin and John Baxter all the Towne land lying at home next the Towne being bounded one the north upon Edmond Quin- seys land and the swamp one the south west and Deacon Base salt marsh on the south east, to occupie and improve the full tearme of seaven yeares for a pasture only and peculiarly to make all fences therto belonging ; to cutt noe wood upon the sayd land but for fencing of the same ; ffor wich land the sayd Chaffin and Baxter doe covenant and Bargine to pay yearly to the sayd Towne of Brantrey twelve pence the acre or forty shillings by the yeare in corne at prise current by the first day of January by the assign- ment of the Selectmen yearly within the Towne of Brantrey. But in case the towne shall share occasion to make use of some of the pasture for the accomodating of a minister they shall sumer two cowes and a horse in the same land or any other as convenient place for reasonable satisfaction to be discounted off from the rent ; Witness our hands iosiah chapin John Baxter

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Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 , Part 1

Author: Braintree (Mass.); Bates, Samuel A. Publication date: 1886 Publisher: D.H. Huxford, printer Number of Pages: 958

Author: Braintree (Mass.); Bates, Samuel A.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: D.H. Huxford, printer
Number of Pages: 958