USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Rowley > The early records of the town of Rowley, Massachusetts, 1639-1672 : being volume 1 of the printed records of the town > Part 1
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 1775
THE
EARLY RECORDS
OF THE
TOWN OF ROWLEY
MASSACHUSETTS.
1639-1672.
BEING
VOLUME ONE
OF THE PRINTED RECORDS OF THE TOWN.
.
PRINTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BENJAMIN P. MIGHILL, TOWN CLERK.
AND GEORGE B. BLODGETTE, A. M.
A COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN.
ROWLEY, MASS.
1894.
-
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE Towx.
1136516 To the Memory of
EZEKIEL ROGERS,
FOUNDER AND FIRST MINISTER OF
ROWLEY, MASS.
"He was a man of eminent piety, zeal, and abilities With the youth he took great pains, and was a tree of knowledge, laden with fruit, which children could reach."
This Volume is Respectfully Dedicated.
ACTS
OF THE
General Court Concerning Rowley.
13 March, 1638 - 9
"Mr Ezechi : Rogers, Mr John Phillips, & their company had granted them 8 miles every way into the countrey, where it may not trench vpon other plantations already setled."
4- 7 mo., 1639
"Mr Ezechi : Rogers plantation shalbee called Rowley."
13 May, 1640
"Rowly is granted two years imunity from publike charge in regard of their great losse, & charge by purchasing of land, & hinderance of planting the last yeare."
"It is declared, that Rowley bounds is to bee S miles from their meeting house, in a straight line, & then a crose line diameter from Ipswich Ryver to Merrimack Ryver, where itdoth not piudice any former grant."
PROEM.
The book used for recording the general affairs of the town of Rowley from 1639 to 1672 is much worn, mutilated, and nearly illegible, many leaves are missing, so that nothing remains of record before August, 1647. The printed copy begins on page 51.
Another book, containing the record of the laying out of lands and division of fences, was begun in 1643. It appears herein on the first fifty pages and thence chronologically in connection with the first named record.
There is a third book, styled "Book . No. I" of the town records, into which some matters from the first book have been im- perfectly copied. Records therein, not found in the other two books, appear herein in proper order.
A list of those who had house lots in the first division is here given with a brief account of each :
GEORGE ABBOTT. Death not of record. The will of his son Thomas, dated 5 - 7 mo., 1659, and a deed recorded with the Essex Deeds, I Ipswich, 625, show four sons old enough to have been brought with him in 1639.
WILLIAM ACY. Had wife Margaret and four children all brought with him 1639. His death is not of record. He made his will 22 April, 1689, "being very aged ;" it was proved 30 Sept., 1690.
THOMAS BARKER. Had wife Mary ; no children. He was buried 30 Nov., 1650. His will was proved 25 - I mo., 1651. JAMES BARKER. Had eight children. Buried 7 Sept., 1678. His will, dated 3 - 7 mo. 1678, proved 24 Sept., 1678, mentions himself as "born at Stragewell, in Low Suffolk, in old England."
WILLIAM BELLINGHAM. No mention of wife or children. Death not of record. His will was proved 24 - 7 mo., 1650. He was brother of Gov. Richard Bellingham.
vi
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
MATTHEW BOYES. Had wife Elizabeth ; ten children born here. He went back to England, and in 1661 was of Leeds, and about fifty-two years old.
WILLIAM BOYNTON. About fifty-six years old in 1652. Had wife Elizabeth and seven children. Died S Dec., 1686.
JOHN BOYNTON. Brother of William above. About forty- eight years old in 1662. Had wife Ellen (or Ellenor) and seven children. Buried IS Feb., 1670-1. His will was dated S Feb., 1670-1, and proved 28 March, 1671.
EDMUND BRIDGES. Was a blacksmith. Sold out and moved to Ipswich in 1644. Had wife Alice. One child born here.
SEBASTIAN BRIGHAM. Was captain of the first military com- pany. Had wife Mary. Returned to England about 1657. Four children born here.
WIDOW JANE BROCKLEBANK. Brought with her two sons. Buried 26 Dec., 1668.
JOHN BURBANK. Death not of record. Will dated 5 Apr., 16SI, proved 10 Apr., 1681, mentions himself as being "aged & decreped." Had five children. Descendants in male line now residing here.
EDWARD CARLTON. Had wife Ellen and four children. Returned to England.
HUGH CHAPLIN. Had wife Elizabeth and four children.
Buried 22 - I mo., 1653. Descendants in male line now residing here.
PETER COOPER. Had wife Emma (or Ame) and four child- ren. Buried 15 Jan., 1667-S. Will dated 3 Jan., 1667-S, proved 31 March, 166S.
WIDOW CONSTANCE CROSBY. She was buried 25 Jan., 1683-4. Four children.
THOMAS DICKINSON. Had wife Jenet and six children. Buried 29 - I mo., 1662. Will dated S March, 1661-2, proved 17 Apr., 1662. Descendant in male line now residing here.
JOHN DRESSER. Had wife Mary and five children. Buried 19 April, 1672. Will dated 5 March, 1671-2. Descend- ants in male line now residing here.
THOMAS ELITHORP. Had wife Abigail and four children. Death not of record. His widow petitioned the General Court for probate of his will 14 May, 1654.
WIDOW JANE GRANT. Death not of record. In the settle- ment of he estate of her son an affidavit was filed in Essex Probate
vii
PROEM.
containing so much of history of the family, that it is copied in full as follows :
"I Samll Stickney Sr of Bradford do testify and say That I came over from England to New England in the same ship wth Thomas Grant & Jane Grant his Wife, who brought over wth them Foure Children, by name John, Hannah, Frances, & Ann, whome I was well acquainted with, & next or near neighbours unto in Rowley. And ye said John being deceased, I do affirm that the Sisters of John Grant above named, now by marriage known by ye names of Hannah Browne, Frances Keyes, & Ann Emerson are ye same yt came over wth their Father & Mother, & by them owned wth said John for their children." Sworn to 20 July, 1698.
JOHN HARRIS. Brought with him wife Bridget. Had six children. Died "aged" 15 Feb., 1694-5. Will dated 8 Jan., 1691-2, proved 27 March, 1695.
THOMAS HARRIS. Moved to Ipswich with his wife Martha, 1644.
WILLIAM HARRIS. Had wife Edee or Edith. One child born here. Moved to Middletown, Conn., about 1652.
ROBERT HASELTINE. Married 23- 10 mo., 1639, Anna -, being the first couple married here. One of the three first settlers of Bradford, where he died 27 Aug., 1674. Will dated 25 Oct., 1673 ; proved 29 Sept., 1674. Ten children.
JOHN HASELTINE. Brother of Robert above. Had wife Jane and four children. One of the three first settlers of Bradford. Died in Haverhill, 23 Dec., 1690, aged about 70 years. Will dated 17 Aug., 1689 ; proved 31 March, 1691.
MICHAEL HOPKINSON. Was admitted to the First Church in Boston 6 - 1I mo., 1638 ; dismissed to "ye gathering of a church at Rowley," 24-9 mo., 1639 ; Had wife Ann and five children. Buried 28 Feb., 1648-9.
ROBERT HUNTER. Had wife Mary ; no children. Buried 5-6 mo., 1647. WILLIAM JACKSON. Had wife Joan and four children. Buried 5 May, 1688.
JOHN JARRAT. Had wife Susannah and one child. Buried 11 - 12 mo., 1647. Will dated 11 - HI mo., 1647; proved 27 - 7 mo., 1648.
MAXIMILIAN JEWETT. Son of Edward and Mary (Taylor) Jewett, of Bradford, England. Baptized in Bradford, England, 4 Oct , 1607. Very early a deacon of the church. Had wife Ann and nine children. Died 19 Oct., 1684. Will dated 17 - S mo., 1684 ; proved 25 - 9 mo., 1684. Is on file in office of Clerk of Courts, Salem, Vol. XLIII, page 46.
viii
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
JOSEPH JEWETT. Brother of Maximilian above and bap- tized in Bradford, England, 31 Dec., 1609. Brought with him wife Mary Mallinson, whom he married in Bradford, England, 1 Oct., 1634. Had nine children. Buried 26 Feb., 1660-1. Will dated 15 Feb., 1660; proved 26 March, 1661, and on file in Essex Probate. Descendants in male line now residing here.
GEORGE KILBOURNE. Son of Thomas and baptized at Wood Ditton, County Cambridge, England, 12 Feb., 1612. Had wife Elizabeth and six children. Died 14 Oct., 1685.
FRANCIS LAMBERT. Had wife Jane and six children. Buried 23-7 mo., 1647. Will dated 20 Sept., 1647 ; proved 28 - I mo., 1648. Descendants in male line now residing here.
THOMAS LEAVER, "linen weaver." Married I Sept., 1643, Mary Bradley. Had four children. Died 26 Dec., and was buried 27 Dec., 1683.
THOMAS LILFORTH. Moved to Haverhill before 1649. On Haverhill records he is called "Linforth."
THOMAS MIGHILL. Was first of Roxbury, probably in 1637, thence to Rowley, where he was ordained deacon 3 Dec. 1639, of the church then formed. He brought with him wife Ellen, who was buried 12 July, 1640, and the first person buried here. He married second, Ann Parrat, sister of Francis Parrat. The date of his burial, of record, is 14 - 5 mo., 1654, but as the inven- tory of his estate was taken 24 June, 1654, doubtless the true date of burial is 14 - 4 mo., 1654. Will dated II June, 1654; proved 27 - I mo., 1655. Nine children. Descendants in male line now residing here.
JOHN MILLER. Was a minister and assistant to the Rev. Mr. Rogers, and first town clerk. Had wife Lydia and one child of record here. Moved to Yarmouth 1641, thence to Roxbury. thence to Groton, where he died 12 June, 1663.
THOMAS MILLER. Had wife Isabel, and was a carpenter. About 1652 he removed to Middletown, Conn., where he died 14 Aug. 1683, aged above 70 years
THOMAS NELSON. The wealthiest of Rogers' Company. He married here a second wife, Jane Dummer. Brought with him two children ; second wife had two. Went to England on business and there died Aug. 6, 1648. Will dated 24 Dec., 1645; proved 21 - 10 mo., 1649. Descendant in male line now residing here JOIIN NEWMARCH. Was first of Ipswich, to which place he soon returned.
ix
PROEM.
THOMAS PALMER. Had wife Ann and three children. Death not of record. Will dated 2 Aug., 1669 ; proved 28 Sept., 1669.
FRANCIS PARRAT. Had wife Elizabeth and seven children. Was town clerk and deacon of the church. Went to England on business and there died in 1656. His will. dated 18 Nov., 1655, proved 30 Sept., 1656, mentions himself as "intending to take a journey to England."
JOHN REMINGTON. He was first of Newbury. Lieut. of the military company. Brought his wife, Elizabeth; had five children born here; sold out and left town in June, 1659.
HUMPHREY REYNER. Was "Ruling Elder" of the church from its formation and the only Elder of record. He was born at Gildersome, in West Riding of Yorkshire, near Leeds. Brought with him wife Mary and three daughters. . Buried 14 Sept., 1660. Will dated 10 Sept., 1660.
REV. EZEKIEL ROGERS. Was the founder and first minister of Rowley. Died 23 Jan., buried 26 Jan., 1660-1,in his 70th year.
HENRY SANDYS, (called Sands in town record). Was dis- missed from the first church in Boston "to ye gathering of a church at Rowley" 24 - 9 mo., 1639; Brought with him wife Sybil ; had two children born here. Returned to Boston before 1647.
WILLIAM SCALES. Had wife, Ann, and two (perhaps three) children. Buried Io July, 1682.
WIDOW MARGERY SHOVE. She was the mother of the Rev. George Shove, who was ordained and settled at Taunton 16 Nov., 1665. She sold her lot to Elder Reyner before 1661. I have heard a traditional story that her husband was a minister and in- tended assistant to the Rev. Mr. Rogers ; that he died on the voyage from England, and Mr. John Miller was employed in his stead.
HUGH SMITH. Brought with him wife, Mary, and had six children. Death not of record. Will dated 19 - 9 mo., 1655, proved 20 - I mo., 1656.
JOHN SPOFFORD. Full genealogy in N. E. Historic Gen. Register, vol. viii., page 335.
MARGARET STANTON. No further mention of her found save this entry in the town record, "Anno 1646 Margaret Stanton, buryed the second month the fifteenth day."
WILLIAM STICKNEY. See "The Stickney Family, a Gen- ealogical Memoir of the descendants of William and Elizabeth Stickney, from 1637 to 1869. By Matthew Adams Stickney, Salem, Mass., 1869."
x
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
THOMAS SUMNER. The only further mention of him found is a petition and inventory on file in the office of the clerk of courts for Essex as follows :
"Petition of Robert Coates, Sr., of Lynn, and Jane Coates, his wife and daughter of George Sumner, who died by Small-Pox some forty years since, in Rowley, for administration of estate of Thomas Sumner, her brother, who married and died without issue; his wife is also dead, she having mar- ried twice, and said Jane is only heir living, she being about ten years old when her father died. To the Court to be held ist Tuesday November, 1691.
"Inventory of above estate amounting to £106, returned by Robert Coates, administrator, 3 November, 1691."
RICHARD SWAN. Was admitted to the first church in Boston, 6 - 11 mo., 1638 ; dismissed to ye gathering of a church at Rowley, 24 - 9 mo., 1639; brought with him wife Ann, and here married Ann, widow of John Trumble; had eight children ; buried 14 May, 1678; will dated 25 April, 1678, proved 23 May, 1678.
THOMAS TENNEY. Brought with him wife Ann; had six children ; died in Bradford, 20 Feb., 1699 - 700. Descendants in male line now in Rowley.
RICHARD THORLEY (now Thurlow). Sold out, and in 1651 was of Newbury with wife Jane.
JOHN TRUMBLE. Brought with him wife Ellen ; he married, 6 mo., 1650, Ann, widow of Michael Hopkinson ; he had seven children, and was buried 18 - 5 mo., 1657.
RICHARD WICOM. Had wife Ann and three children ; buried 27 Jan., 1663 - 4.
WILLIAM WILD. He was first of Ipswich, and again of Ipswich in 1661, and probably earlier.
In 1640 Mr. Thomas Nelson had erected a saw-mill where Glen Mills now are, and soon after, certainly as early as 1643, he added a grist-mill.
John Pearson came about this time with quite a company, and erected, near Mr. Nelson's grist-mill, a fulling-mill, the first in this country.
Many of the first settlers were weavers. Johnson, in his "Wonder-Working Providence" (London, 1654) says of the Rowley people :
"These people being industrious every way, soon built many houses, to the number of about three-score families, and were the first that set upon making Cloth in this Western World; for which end they built a fulling mill, and caused their little-ones to be very diligent in spinning cotton-wool. many of them having been clothiers in England."
xi
PROEM.
Gov. Winthrop, under date of 12th of Fourth month, 1643, says :
"Our supplies from England failing much men began to look abou them, and fell to a manufacture of cotton ; whereof, we had a store from Bar- badoes, and of hemp and flax; wherein Rowley, to their great commenda- tion, exceeded all other towns."
Before 1660 other families appear of record as residents-some had come with Mr. Rogers as minors, others to work about the mills.
The following are the new comers who appear to have resided in this village before 1660.
JAMES BAILEY. Had wife Lydia and eight children ; was fifty-one years old 1663 ; buried 10 Aug., 1677; will dated 8 Aug., 1677, proved 25 Sept., 1677. Descendants in male line now residing here.
RICHARD BAILEY. Brother of James above. See "Histori- cal and Genealogical Researches" by Alfred Poore, also "Remi- niscences of a Nonagenarian" by Sarah A. Emery, page 139, and "Northend Family," Historical Collections of Essex Institute, Vol. XII.
SAMUEL, BELLINGHAM. Son of Governor Richard Belling- ham, of Boston, and nephew of William Bellingham (above). Had wife Lucy. Moved away 23 July, 1650.
REV. JOHN BROCK. Harvard College, 1646; was assistant to Mr. Rogers from 1648 to 1650. Tarried here no more.
CHARLES BROWNE. Had wife Mary, daughter of William Acy, and nine children. Buried 16 Dec., 1687. Will recorded with Essex Deeds, 5 Ipswich, 303.
THOMAS BURKBY (now Burpee). He married Martha, widow of Anthony Sadler of Salisbury; and second, Sarah, daughter of John Kelley of Newbury. Had six children. Died I June, 1701.
RICHARD CLARKE. Married here, 6 mo., 1643, Alice -; the second couple married in town. Had five children. Death not of record. Will dated 7 Feb., 1673-4, proved 31 March, 1674.
TOBIA COL.MAN. 1653, then a minor, was a son of Thomas Colman, of Newbury. Removed to Newbury and was there 1673.
ISAAC COUSSINS. 1644, blacksmith. He bought the rights of Edmund Bridges, and 30- I mo., 1652, sold the same to John Pickard and removed to Haverhill.
THOMAS CROSBY. Had wife Jane. Came from Cambridge, Mass. He was buried 6 May, 1661.
xii
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
MARGARET CROSSE. "A widdowe," admitted to the First Church in Boston 6 - 1I mo., 1638; mentioned 5 - 6 mo., 1647, in the will of Robert Hunter as of our church; also mentioned 1650 in the will of William Bellingham. No other mention of her is found. Perhaps she married John Palmer.
JEREMIAII ELLSWORTH. Had three children. Died 6 May, 1704. Descendants in male line now residing here. LEONARD HARRIMAN. Had wife Margaret and five child-
ren. Died 6 May, 1691. Will proved 29 Sept., 1691.
DANIEL HARRIS. Weeelwright ; had wife Mary. One child born here. Moved to Middletown, Conn., in 1652.
EDWARD HAZEN. See full genealogy in N. E. "Historic Gen. Register," Vol. 33, page 229.
ANDREW HIDDEN. Was about forty years old in 1662; had
wife Sarah and twelve children. Died IS Feb., 1702 (Town Record) ; 20 Feb., 1701-2, "an old man" (Church Record): Will dated 18 Feb., 1701-2 ; proved 1 April, 1702.
JOHN HILL. Remained but a short time, see page 70. WILLIAM HOBSON. Was son of Henry and from Yorkshire, England ; married 12 - 9 mo., 1652, Ann, daughter of Elder Humphrey Reyner. Had three children. Buried 17 July, 1659. Descendants in male line now residing here.
RICHARD HOLMES. Millwright. Was eighty-eight years old March, 1692. Had wife Alice and eight children. He died in Bradford at the house of his daughter Elizabeth Pearl. Will dated 15 July, 1695 ; proved 13 Jan., 1695-6.
NICHOLAS JACKSON. Had four children. Died 13 Feb., 1697-8. Descendants in male line now residing here.
ROBERT JOHNSON, JR. Son of Robert Johnson, who came with Mr. Rogers, but settled in New Haven, Conn. Death not of record. Will dated 13 - 7 mo., 1649; proved 26 - I mo., 1650. Legacy to poor in our church.
JOHN JOHNSON. Brother of Robert Johnson, Sr., mentioned above; Came with Rogers' company, but first sat down at New Haven. Had wife Hannah and five children; was captain of the military company. Died 29 Jan., 16S5-6. Descendants in male line now residing here.
HENRY KINGSBURY. Was of Ipswich, 1648, of Rowley 1656 and '63, and of Haverhill, 1668.
ABEL LANGLEY. Had three children, all by his third wife. In a deed dated 7 Oct., 1693, beginning "Joseph Quilter of Ips-
xiii
PROEM.
wich .... in behalfe of his cousin Abell Langley son of Abel Langley of Rowley, deceased." Quilter is called executor of the will of Abel Langley, deceased. I find no record of the will or death of Abel Langley.
WILLIAM LAW. Had eight children. Buried 30 March, 166S.
RICHARD LEIGHTON. Had wife Mary and five children ; buried 2 June, 1632 ; will dated 27 May; proved 26 Sept., 1682.
RICHARD LONGHORNE. Was about forty-five years old, 1662 ; had wife Mary and nine children. He died in Haverhill while there on business 13- 12 mo .. 1668 : will dated 10 Feb., 1668; proved 30 March, 1669.
JEREMIAHI NORTIIEND. Came from Yorkshire, England, with Mr. Rogers' company, then but twelve years old. He re- turned after a few years, and was buried in Rowley, England, 14 April, 1702.
EZEKIEL NORTHEND. (See full genealogy in Historical Col- lections of Essex Institute, Vol. XII).
JOHN PALMER. Married Ruth, daughter of William Acy ; and for second wife married Margaret Northend, sister of Ezekiel above. Had six children; he was about seventy years old, 1693, and died "aged" 17 June, 1695; will dated 23 Aug., 1693; proved 1 July, 1695.
JOHN PEARSON. Had wife Dorcas and thirteen children ; was ordained deacon of our church 24 Oct., 1686, and died 22 Dec. 1693. Descendant in male line now residing here.
REV. SAMUEL PHILLIPS. Harvard College 1650: settled colleague with the Rev. Mr. Rogers as second minister of Rowley June 1651 ; had wife Sarah and nine children ; died 22 April, 1696 ; will on file in Essex Probate.
JOHN PICKARD. "Carpenter." His mother, widow Ann Lume, died here 19 March 1661-2. He had wife Jane and eight children ; buried 24 Sept. 1683. An abstract of his will is printed in Historical Collections of Essex Institute, Vol. IV, page 20. Descendants in male line now residing here.
SAMUEL PLATTS. Had six children. I find no record of his death or settlement of his estate. His widow Philippa married 9 April, 1690.
JONATHAN PLATTS. Cousin of Samuel Platts above ; had wife Elizabeth and eight children; buried 18 July, 1680; will proved 28 Sept., 1680.
xiv
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
MARK PRIME. Had wife Ann and two children; buried 21 Dec., 1683. Descendants in male line now residing here.
JACHIN REYNER. Nephew of Elder Humphrey and son of John, of Plymouth. Had wife Elizabeth and six children ; died S July, 1708 ; will dated I July, 1708; proved 2 Aug., 1708.
HENRY RILEY. Was the village blacksmith ; died 24 May 1710, "in ye S2 year of his age" (gravestone) ; "not in full com- inunion" (church record) ; no children ; will in Essex Probate, Book 10, leaf 123.
DANIEL ROUSE. Had in 1650 an estate valued for taxation £19 - 10 - 00. He soon left town. EDWARD SAWYER. Had wife Mary and four children. Buried 9 March, 1673-4. His nuncupative will was sworn to 31 March, 1674.
JOHN SCALES. Had wife Susannah and one child; buried 12 Jan., 1683-4 ; will dated 9 Jan., 1683-4 ; proved 27 March, 1684.
BENJAMIN SCOTT. Brought with him his wife Margaret. She was the Widow Margaret Scott who was executed in Salem 22 Sept. 1692, as guilty of "certain detestable arts called Witch- craft and Sorceries." He had nine children ; death not of record ; will dated 6 June, 1671 ; proved 26 Sept., 1671 ; inventory taken 14 July, 1671.
HENRY SEWALL. A very early settler ; the ancestor of three chief justices of our highest court; he was buried here the "First Month, 1656."
JOHN SMITH. Married Faith Parrat, sister of Francis Parrat ; had three children, and was buried 19 - 5 mo., 1661 ; will dated 13 July, 1661 ; proved 14 Nov., 1661.
HENRY SMITHI. Was taxed here 1650, when his estate was valued £15 - 03 - 04. I find no other mention of him except the inventory of his estate taken 16 - I mo., 1655; personal property amounted to £14 - 03 - 00; no real estate.
WILLIAM TENNEY. Ordained deacon of our church 3 Feb. 1667-8; had wife Katherine and six children ; died 5 Aug. 1685 : will dated 3 Aug., 1685.
JOHN TILLISON. Had removed to Newbury, before 1651.
JOHN TODD. Had wife Susannah and ten children ; he kept the "Ordinary :" died 14 Feb., 1689-90 ; will dated 13 Feb. 1689- 90; proved 25 March, 1690. Descendants in male line now resid- ing here.
THOMAS WOOD. Had wife Ann and eleven children ; buried 12 Sept., 1687.
XV
PROEM.
JOSEPH WORMWELL. 1642 ; lived a short time on a parcel of ground belonging to Thomas Nelson; not identified with our people and soon removed ; had wife Miriam ; one child born here ; he died in Scituate.
In Great Britain from the 14th century till 1752, the legal and ecclesiastical year began at March 25 (Annunciation Day), though it was not uncommon to reckon it from January 1.
The change from the reckoning of Julius Cæsar to that of Pope Gregory XIII was made by act of the British parliament in September, 1752, the 3d of the month being called the 14th, and from that time the legal year began January I.
The former reckoning is called "old style" and the latter "new style."
Hence the double dating. Thus the revolution of 16SS oc- curred in February of that legal year, or, as we should now say, in February, 1689; and the date will often be found written Feb., 16SS-9.
In this Volume of Records the original has been carefully fol- lowed in words, in letters, in punctuation, and in blank spaces, so that the reader has all the advantages that can be gained from the original, save in handwriting alone.
These marks + + + indicate words illegible.
If errors are found they may aid in recalling the words of Marcus Antoninus :
"Our understandings are always liable to error ; nature and certainty are very hard to come at, and infallibility is mere vanity and pretence."
GEO. B. BLODGETTE.
ROWLEY RECORDS.
The suruey of the Towne of Rowley taken the tenth of the eleauenth Anno Dni 1643. by Mr: Thomas Nelson, Mr: Edward Carlton, Humphrey Reyner, ffrancis Parrat, appointed for that purpose by the fremen of the said Towne who also are to Regester the seuerall lotts of all the Inhabitants granted and laid out, and to leaue theirof a Coppy with the Recorder of the Shire accordinge to the order of the Generall Court.
A regester of all the house Lotts in such seuerall streets, as are formerly mentioned in the booke.
Bradford streete
Imp to Thomas Ellethrop one Lott containinge one Acree and an halfe, bounded on the South side by the Comons ; part of it lyinge on the west side, and part of it on the East side of the street
To John Dresser one lott containinge one Acree and an halfe, bounded on the South side by Thomas Ellethrops house Lott : part of it lyinge on the west side, and part of it on the East side of the streete.
To Hugh Chaplin one Lott Containinge an Acree and an halfe, bounded on the South side, by John Dressers house lott : part of it lyinge on the west side, and part of it on the East side of the streete.
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