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Vault
RECORDS
of ye Towne Meetings of Lyn 1717 - 1730
H
IT
A FORGED IRON DOOR LATCH From the old Hood house, - the earliest known piece of Lynn artistry, - made by Zaccheus Collins. It bears the initials "H-R T" (Richard and Theodate Hood), and the date "1726."
LOCAL HISTORY
Published by LYNN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 125 Green Street, Lynn, Massachusetts
Price $2.00
RECORDS
of ye Towne Meetings of Lyn 1717 - 1730
Published by LYNN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 125 Green Street, Lynn, Massachusetts
PART THREE
The Society has in manuscript the records of the Town Meetings for several decades following 1730, and expects to publish them in this format in several volumes at a later date.
1960
SAUGUS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1
1 Gift 1971 1. Lynn, Mass - History 71 -2867
Foreword
Our Society has already published Volumes One and Two of the records of the Town Meetings of Lynn, covering the period 1691 to 1717. These publications had a gratifying reception from State and University Libraries and Historical Societies all over the United States. Genealogists have found it very valuable, since the descendants of the early Lynners are now in every state in the Union. Scholars in the subject of American History found it to be important original source material.
Lynn in those days comprised a territory which is now divided into five municipalities : Saugus, Swampscott, Lynnfield, Nahant and the present City of Lynn. Residents of all these communities will, of course, wish to read about life in the little farming village within whose borders now live over one hundred and thirty thousand people.
We are pleased to be able to present with this volume an index. The index will be of great assistance to scholars and genealogists. The general reader who gives the index careful scrutiny will find it an ad- venture, for therein are the references that will lead him to the people and the life of those olden days.
Publications Committee Lynn Historical Society Charles F. Haywood Chairman
74 75
At a Town Meeting held in Lyn May: 16th 1717 John Burrill was chose Representative to serve at the Generall Court according to warrant Essex ss to Joseph Jacobs Constable in Lyn Greeting. Whereas ye Selectmen of Lyn are informed that sometime in ye Month of Aprill Last past: 1717 William Tarr & Elizabeth his wife came in to the Town of Lyn & came from the Town of Gloucester where they properly belong & had their Last Residence - Therefore at a Meeting of the selectmen of Lynn: May 24th 1717: you are appointed to warn the sd William Tarr & Elizabeth his wife to Depart out of sd Town of Lynn with their family forthwith or they shall be proceeded with as the Law Directs: failenot & make Return of your Doings therein: By order of the selectmen
John Burrill Clerk
pursuant to the above warrant I have warned the above Named William Tarr & Elizabeth his wife to Depart out of sd Town of Lyn with their family forthwith or they shall be proceeded with as the Law Directs. Lyn May ye 28th 1717
By me Joseph Jacobs Constable in Lyn.
76
Essex ss To Joseph Jacobs Constable in Lyn Greeting. Wereas the Selectmen of Lyn have informed that sometime in the month of May instant William Cooke & Margarit his wife came in to the Town of Lyn & came from the Town of Boston where they properly belong or had their last Residence - therefore at a meeting of the selectmen of Lyn May: 24th 1717: you are appointed to warn the said William Cooke & Margarit his wife to Depart out of sd Town of Lyn with their family or they shall be proceeded with as the Law Directs - failenot & make Return with youre Doings herein
By order of ye Selectmen John Burrill Clerk
Pursuant to the aboue warrant I haue warned the aboue named William Cooke & Margarit his wife to Depart out of sd Town of Lyn with theire famaly forthwith or they shall be proceeded with as the Law Directs By me Joseph Jacobs Constable in Lyn
Lyn May ye 28th 1717
[3]
77
At a meeting of the Town of Lyn the New Precinct of farmers so caled onely Excepted the 26th August: 1717
John Burrill Chose Moderator
Wheras Mrs Rebecca Taylor has this day petitiond for that place in the Meeting house betwix the stares going up to the pulpit & the Deckens pew & for halfe somuch roome out of his pew as that may advance forward the which being granted the sd Mrs. Taylor resignes up to the town the place where their pew nowis
Voted that the aboue request be granted by the Committy for the Meet- ing house to order the selling of sd pew to said Mrs Taylor to maintain the glass windows against the same
At the same Meeting
Voted that the womens seats be brought forward about as far as the mens & that somuch be taken of the Ministers pew & the pew formerly granted to Left Burrill & John Burrill as will make asutable allyway & the place betwixt the pulpit & the pew formerly granted to Lt Bligh to be divided for the Ministers pew & the said Burrills pew as shall be thaugh sutable by the Committy chose for the Meeting house the Ministers Pew to be joyning to the Pulpit
78 At the same meeting August 26 1717
Voted that the vacant places In the gallaries be for women to set in and made into seats
and whereas severall persons petioned for pews below in the Meeting house more then there was places for therefore John Burrill Theo Burrill John Breed Theo ffarrington Edward ffuller John Newhall clerk & John Ivory chose to consider the rates paid by each petitioner & their other circumstances & report to the Town at their next meeting
at a meeting of the select men of Lyn September 13th 1717 John Burrill sworn an assessor for the Town of Lyn
79 at a Town meeting held in Lyn September 26th 1717 John Burrill chose Moderator at the same meeting
Voted that our Minister Mr Shepard shall have for his labour in the Ministry for this present year which will Vp the Eighth day of January next the sum of ninty pounds in bills of credit in luie of the fourscore
[ 4]
pounds granted by the Town the 2 of March 1680/81 the contribution to be kept up as before
at the same meeting
Voted that therebe three Porches built one at each doore in the Meeting house with such alterations of the doors in all respeck as the Commity towit Capt Theo Burrill Capt John Breed & Lt Theo ffarrington shall judge best: provided any person or persons shall appeare to pay the cost at present who shall be reimbust by the Town out of the next rate granted by the Town after this day
at the same meeting
Voted that a rate be raised of one hundred & fifty pounds to pay for the school finishing the Meeting house and to pay all proper & necessary town debts & this & what is now granted to the Minister be assessed in one assessment
at the same meeting
Voted: that Deacon Burrage hath liberty to set Vp a pew on the south side of the Meeting house next the mens stares & to begin at the window at the back part of the sque of the pew formerly granted to Henry Collins & soe to come Vpon a square forward sofar as to leave a sutable alle way as the Committy for the Meeting house shall order provided he maintain the glass window against sd pew
80
at the same Meeting Septeme 26-1717
that whereas there was a Pew formerly granted to Henry Collins Jenr & the Town now being informed he had given the same to his son Henry Collins Eleazer Collins & his sons in Law Viz: Mosis Hudson & John Newhall amongst them & there being four families therfore Voted: that the said Henry Collins Eleazer Collins Moses Hudson & John Newhall hath liberty to enlarge that pew beginning at the back part of the sque next the window & so Vpon a square forward sofar as to leave a suitable alleway as the Commity for ye Meeting house shall order & to maintain the windows against it
at the same Meeting
Voted that about somuch shall be taken of the Easterly End of the pew formerly granted to Capt Marshall as shall be added to it next the south doore & on the front part as shall be ordered by ye Commity for the Meeting hous
at the same Meeting
Voted that Benjamin Potter shall haue Liberty to set up a pew in the Meeting house next the pew formerly granted to Capt Marshall as it is
[5]
this Day Voted: to be alterd (on the Easterly side) of about fourfoote & halfe wide in the front as shall be ordered by the Comitty for the Meeting house provided he maintaine the glass wondows against it
81
at the same Meeting Septeme 26 1717
Voted that Richard Mower & Thomas Chever shall haue Liberty to setup a pew in the Meeting house next the pew this Day granted to Benjamin Pottere & so to the womens stares about six foote front as shall be ordered by the Comitty for the Meeting hous: provided they maintain the glass windows against the same
at the same meeting
Voted that the pew formerly granted in ye Meeting hous to Joseph Newhall may be braught forward sofar as to leave a sutable alleway as shall be ordered by the Committy for the Meeting hous: provided the owners of said pew give Liberty to take of the whose sque that is now in said pew
at the same Meeting
Voted that Joshua Rhoads shall haue Liberty to setup a Pew in the Meeting house next the said Newhalls pew as now altered so to the womens stares as shall be ordered by the Commity for the Meeting hous provided he maintaine the glass windows against the same
at the same Meeting
Voted that the Mending the highways for this year be paid out of the Town Rate them cald the farmers excepted
82
at the same Meeting Septeme 26th= 1717
Voted= that persons be seated in the Meeting house sofar as shall be thaught best at present by a Committy Namely John Burrill Cap Theo Burrill Capt John Breed Lt Theo ffarrington Hery Collins Junr Danll Hichins Junr Thomas Stocker Lt. Graves & Richard Johnson at the same meeting
Voted that if John ffuller Junr would release his right & interest in that piece of land granted him by the town on the Mill Hill so cald then he to haue what he gave for it againe
83
at a Town Meeting held in Lyn March 3d 1717-18 John Burrill chose Moderator at the same Meeting John Burrill was chose Town Clerk for the year ensewing
[ 6]
at the same Meeting
Capt Theophilus Burrill Left John Poole Theophilus ffarrington Ens Danll Mansifeld John Ivory Richard Johnson & John Burrill chose Selectmen for the year ensewing
at the same Meeting
Benjamin ffuller William Collins & George Nurss chose constables for the year ensewing
at the same Meeting
Jonathan Rhoads Thomas Graves William Curtis & William Gray chose Titheing men for the year ensewing
at the same meeting
Samuel Stocker & Joseph Edmons Junr chose fence Vewers for Rumney marsh for the year ensewing at the same meeting
Jacob Newhall Daniel Brown David Johnson Benjamin Collins Junr Thomas Eaton & Elijha Newhall chose fence vewers for the year ensewing
at the same Meeting
Richard Johnson Richard Mower William Eaton & Kendal Pearson chose surveyors of highways for the year ensewing at the same meeting
Benjamin Alley Samuel Newhall tertius Samll Breed ffrancis Norwood Walsingham Chilson Joseph Hauven Samll Newhall Junr Nathall Gowing Jun chose hawards to take care swine be yoakd & ringd as the Law Directs
at the same meeting
Benjamin fuller chose leather sealer
84
at the same Meeting March 3 = 1717/18
Daniell Browne Nathall Potter Samll Newhall tartius & Benjamin Alley chose & fully impowred to prosecute any breach of that town order that prohibits gees going Vpon the Commons at the same meeting
Eleazer Rhoads Junr Moses Hudson Nathaniel Collins Junr & Ebenezer Tarbox chose & fully impowered to prosecute any breach of that town order that prohibits Rams going at large for part of the yeare they or any two of them to prosecute & if either of them neglect or refuse then: to pay a fine of twenty shilling for the Vse of the poore of the Town
at the same meeting
Ebenezer Tarbox chose shepard at the same meeting
Thomas Burrage chose clerk of the Market
[7]
at the same meeting
Voted that the Widdow Newman haue the Nine pound paid by the Town for her: & that such of the former select men that had the land she lives on signd to them doe quit the same to her: that shee keep sd land her life for her owne Vse Vnles shee has the approbation of the Town or selectmen to dispose the same or any part thereof
at the same meeting
Voted that Daniel Hichins Junr Ebenezer Burrill Lt James Pearson Left Potter & Willm Ballard be a Commity to obtein a schoole master agree with him & settle the schoole as shall be judged best by them: & in their agreeing with him to haue relation to some help for Mr Shepard in preaching
85
at the same meeting March: 3 = 1717/18
Voted Mr Townsend fifty shillings for five sermons already Preached by him March: 24: 1717/18 payd ye above fifty shillings
at the same meeting
Voted that Ens Daniel Mansfield Thomas Rand & Samll Mansfield to haue that Land which is the highway betwixt said Mansfields & Rands Lands in Equall parts the Northerly end to Samuel Mansfield: the Middle to Thomas Rand the Southerly End to Ensigne Mansfield they paying five pounds to the Town for the same
1718 the aboue Daniel & Samuel Mansfield paid: 3-6-8 28=1718/19 Rand paid: 1-13-4
at the same Meeting
Granted to William ffarrington Allin Breed William Curtice & William Ballard that piece of Land Lying from the southerly corner of Newhalls Land so cald & soe on till it comes neare to Needhams barn so joyning to their own Land as it shall be Divided by themselves or if they cannot agree to Divieit then by the selectmen: they paying to the Town Eight pound pr acre & so in proportion for the same if one part be better then another that to be proportioned by the selectmen & so Each to pay as the wold be paid for as aboue sd Nov:20th=1718: the aboue granted peice of Land to Willm ffarrington & others is laid out in all respects as aboue described & is as followeth to Willm ffarrington has one acre & has paid nine pound five shillings Said Allin Breed has one hundred & one pole & has paid five pound Eleven shillings: said William Curtice has one acre & forty five poles: & has paid Nine pound two shillings: sd William Ballard has one acre & sixty four poles and has paid ten pound & twelve
[8]
shillings: all which is eight pound pr acre one with the other according to Town Vote -
86
at the same Meeting March:3=1717/18
Voted Joshua Rhoads to haue thirty five pounds in full satisfaction for what is remaining of his brother Eleazer Rhoads Decest his Right in the Town Commons when laid out: provided sd Joshua cleer the town of the same
October: 21th =1718: Received of the town of Lyn thirty five pounds in full satisfaction for what is remaining of my brother Eleazer Rhoads Decest his Right or Interest in Lyn Town Commons when Divided & laid out and doe hereby for my selfe heirs Execute & administrate acquit and discharge sid Town of Lyn from all claims & Demands whatsoever in any waies relateing therto at any time hereafter: witness my hand
Joshua
signe his Rhoads
at the same Meeting
Thomas ffarrar & Richard Johnson to vew a peice of Land Willim Basset & Edmond Lewis desire to Exchange & report to the Town
at the same Meeting
Capt Theo Burrill & Joseph Burrill to vew peice of Land John Ivory desires where the Old Meeting hous stood & report to the Town
87
at a Meeting of ye Selectmen of Lyn April: 15th 1718
Pursuant to an order from the Selectmen of Salem Capt John Breed Lt Benja Potter & Crispus Richards or any two of them are appointed to pambulate and renew the bounds on the Lower part of the line betwixt Salem & Lyn & to meet at the house of Mr Joseph Sibley on Monday the twenty eight of April currant at Eight of the clock fore noon to Joyne with such as Salem has apointed for that service & to make return of their Doings
at the same Meetingn
Lt James Pearson Thomas Newhall & John Bancroft Junr or any two of them are apointed to pambulate & renew the bounds on the Vper part of the Line betwixt Salem & Lyn & to meet at the house of Mr Joseph Sibley on Monday the twenty Eighth of April currant at Eight of the clock fore noon to joyn with such as Salem has apoined for that service & to make return of theire Doings
We whose names are aboue written met at time & place with Lt Abel
[9]
Gardner & Jonathon Nurs & so proceeded on the Line from station to station Vp to Ipswich River to a white oake wee marked: S:L: James Pearson John Bancroft Jun Thomas Newhall Abell Gardner Jonathon Nurs
We whose names are hereto subscribed being apointed to Renew the bounds between Salem & Lyn accordingly met & Renewed ye bounds begining at the heap of stones to the southard of Joseph Sibleys alies Twiss or Joenes & from thence along from heap to heaps of stones to the heap of stones nearbye water side to the southard of Capt Smiths acording to ye former returns
Aprill 28th 1718
for Lyn
for Salem Robert Buffam John Procter Wm Pickering
88
89
at a Town Meeting hld in Lyn May: 14 =1718
John Burrill was chose Representative to serve at the Generall Court according to Precept
at a meeting of the selectmen of Lyn May:14 =1718
Capt Theo Burrill Ens Danll Mansfield Richard Johnson & Joseph Jacobs apointed to Vew the Country Road in the Sluce plaine & the Land there that is about to be fenced in & take care the highway be good & not Damnifid by fenceing: & to Vew a peice of Land there proposed to be changd for a peice of Land on the other side the Sluice & to Vew that & make report of all theire doings therein to the Town at some proper Meeting
at a meeting of the Selectmen July 7th - 1718
John Burrill Theo Burrill & John Ivory was apointed to Layout a Higway thoug the Belchers Land as agreed Vpon & on Record June 17th 1703
this of No Vse because recorded in the same words in the next following leafe & not proper here
90
at a Meeting of ye Selectmen of Lyn May:15th=1718
Whereas Mr Thomas Cheuer & severall of the neighbours there about haue Enformed they haue no highway from their houses down to the Town nor Vpwards into the Woods: & desire that a highway of a pole & halfe wide (Except from Jonathan Wait barn to the Bakers Land
[ 10]
that to be as the fence now stands) may be Laid out for a Town way beginning at the Country Road near Ens Edward Bakers hous so to run Vpward as the way is now Vsed till it comes to the place in Mr Belchers farm where it is already reserved for a town way: and if the selectmen doe lay out the aboue way as desired then we the subscribers doe freely alow somuch Land for sd way as it shall goe through our Land without any satisfaction for the same at any time hereafter We reserve Liberty at all times hereafter to fence cross sd way & keep sufficient gates in such places as we shall think best at our owne cost & charge: & for the confirmation hereof we haue here vunto set our hands: Lyn May 15th 1718
Edward Baker
Thomas Baker Thomas Chever John Wait Jonathon Wait
Ebenezer Merriam
Theophilus Merriam
John Brown Sarah Paull
91 in answer to the before request we the Selectmen of Lyn met at the house of Ens Edward Bakers in Lyn May 15th 1718 & did then Layout a town highway beginning at the Country Road near Ens Bakers hous so Vpwards to the Belchers farm to Lye in the same place all along whereit is Now Vsed of one pole & halfe wide (Except from the parting of the Bakers & Waits Lands to Jonathan Waits barn there to be as the fence Now stands: and neare Sarah Pauls celler to be a pole & quetor wide
John Ivory Richard Johnson
John Burrill
Theo Burrill Theo ffarrigton
at a meeting of the Selectmen of Lyn July 7th 1718 John Burrill Theo Burrill & John Ivory was apointed to Lay out a highway through the Belchers Land as agreed Vpon & on Record June 04th: 1703 We the Subscribers being apointed by the Selectmen to Layout a highway as aboue sd met at the place July 9th 1718 (Wherewas Joseph & Edward Belchers the owners of sd land) & did Layout a Town highway of two poles wide through the Belchers Land begining at the way at Sarah Pauls Land and so runing to the Countey Road that Leads from Lyn to
[ 11 ]
Reading as pr agreement on Record June 17th 1703: said way to Lye all along in the same place where it is now Vsed
John Burrill Theo Burrill John Ivory
92
at a meeting of the Selectmen July 31: 1718
John Burrill sworn an assessor for the Town of Lyn as the Law directs at the same meeting
John Burrill sworn as by the act for the better Inquiry into the ratable estate
93
at a Legall Town Meeting held in Lyn Septeme: 29th = 1718 Deacon John Pearson chose Moderator
at the same meeting
Voted that our Minister Mr. Shepard shall haue for his Labour in the the Ministrey for this present year which will be Vp the 8th of January next ahe Sum of Ninty pounds in bills of credit in Lue of the forescore pounds Voted by the Town the 2 of March 1680/81: the Contribution to be as heretofore
at the same Meeting
Voted fifteen pounds be paid by the town for repareing high ways for this present year: the farmers or New precinct Excepted
at the same meeting
Voted one hundred and Eighty pounds be Raised to pay for th Schoole Repareing the meeting house & to pay all proper Town Debs & this and what is granted this Day to our Minister be brought into one assessment
At the Same Meeting
Robert Potter petiond for a bit of Land near the hous Rowland formerly lived in Left Graves Joseph Jacobs & Richard Johnson to Vew sd Land & make report to next March meeting
at the same meeting Septembe 27-1718
the Town being sensable of their great want of grinding & the grant made to Edmond ffarington the 28th of 10 mo 1654 not being per- formed (as we apprehend) whereby the Inhabitants are great suffers through his sucksessors not seasonably grinding the towns grist as by said Vote may appeare
Therefore Voted that John Burrill Capt Theo Burrill John Newhall Junr Benjamin Potter Richard Johnson John Ivory John Lewis and Jacob
[ 12 ]
Newhall are a Committy fully Impowered to act in behalfe of the town as they or the major part of them shall judg best Eithere by agreeing with Mathew Farrington whoe is the sugsessor of the said Edmond ffarrington in that matter of the Mill forthwith or assoons as may be to repaire the sd mill whereby the Town may be suplyed with grinding according to the same intent of the afore Recited vote or to prosecute the sd Mathew ffarrington for his Deficienly Neglect or none performance of the condi- tion of the above sd grant by opening the stream or in such other way or manner as sd Committy or the Major part of them (by best advice & counsell they can obtain) shall think best or if the said Committy shall think it best to set up another Grist Mill (the Major part agreeing) any where upon that River where sd ffarringtons Mill now stands
95
Vpon or any part of that River that Runs through the Great Bridge so cald Either by themselves or such others as they shall take in with them as they or the Major part of said Committy shall think best and such persons as shall so Erect a grist Mill they their heirs & sucksessors haue the full Liberty and priviledg of all the Towns Right & Interest as to water & water courses for any such Mill so Erected: & if the afore sd Grantees soe cauld so setup a grist Mill as aforesaid to haue it erected as soone as maybe with conveniency & to keep said Mill in good repaire from time to time so as to doe the Towns work both well & seasonably but if said grantees shall neglect to perform the conditions afore sd that then the said streame belonging to said Mill shall revert to the Town againe
96
Pursuant to the apointment of the Selectmen May: 14th = 1718
We the Subscribers haue on this 9th Day of June:1718 Vewed the Lands & highways, also agree with the propreators of sd Lands to Report to the Town as followeth: Viz: That refering to the Country Road in the Sluce plaine and the Lands there that is about to be fenced in that sd fence Runn from about the Middle of the garding fence at the Easterly End of the house lately Richasons: Northerly under the hill aboue the upermost oto highway as is is now bounded and so turing more northerlyy & northwesterly as it is still bounded out about two poles aboue the bridg at wallnut tree gutter and so joyning to Daniel Browns fence and all the Lands Lying Easterly & Northeasterly of said bounderies formerly Laid out to Joseph Newhall sucksessors and John Ivory & now in the possession of Daniel Mansfield Junr. Andrew Mansfield & Jona-
[ 13 ]
thon Mansfield to Lye for the better accomadateing sd Country Road & for ye Towns Vse: and in Consideration whereof the afforenamed Jonathon Johnson to haue about two acres of Land lying on the other side of the Sluce at the Southermost End of the Land formerly possessed by Richard Richason and now by sd Johnson abutting on the highway of two poles wide left betwixt said two acres: and the Land laidout to Smiths hill as it is now bouned out and that the sd Johnson Do make Due satisfaction to the sd Andrew Mansfield and Jonathon Mansfield for what interest they haue in the aforenamed Lands in sd Sluce plains Theophilus Burrill Danll Mansfield Joseph Jacobs Richard Johnson
acceped by the town Septeme: 29:1718
and granted to the sd Johnson also a small goare of Land containing about halfe an acre Lying betwixt sd two acres & the Rainge of small lots lying norward of sd goare as it shall be Laid out by Capt Theophilus Burrill & Joseph Jacobs: the persons consernd being present accepted thereof
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