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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS & EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD,
INCLUDING THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND OTHER STATISTICS,
.
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FOR THE YEAR ENDING
FEBRUARY 1. 1870.
MEDFIELD. STILLMAN J. SPEAR, PRINTER. - 1870.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS & EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD,
INCLUDING THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND OTHER STATISTICS,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
FEBRUARY 1, 1870.
MEDFIELD. STILLMAN J. SPEAR, PRINTER. 1870.
IN IO EWOT
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1869.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.
CHARLES HAMANT, WILLIAM C. ALLEN, ALONZO B. PARKER.
Town Clerk.
HENRY J. EVERETT.
Treasurer. Collector.
ISAAC FISKE. MARTIN BAILEY.
Constable.
CHARLES HAMANT.
School Committe.
CHARLES C. SEWELL,
IIENRY J. EVERETT,
CHARLES HAMANT.
Surreyors of Highways.
HAMLET WHITE, EBEN. T. SEARS, ALONZO B. PARKER,
CHARLES H. RUSSELL, DANIEL D. HAMANT, WILLIAM F. GUILD.
·
Fire Wards.
CHIARLES HAMANT,
FRANCIS RHODES,
H. F. BULLARD.
Auditor of Accounts. SAMUEL ELLIS.
TREASURER'S REPORT OF THE
RECEIPTS & EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEB. 1. 1870.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury Feb. 1, 1869,
$1,152 60
Received on taxes for the year 1865,
66 13
1866,
51 25
،،
1867,
108 65
..
..
1868,
1,101 09
6.
1869,
6,583 00
interest on taxes for 1866, 1867, 1868,
30 59
corporation tax,
738 11
State aid to pensioners,
216 00
interest on school fund,
227 16
State school fund,
130 41
Boston, Hartford & Erie R. R., damage by fire,
200 00
produce and milk from Town Farm,
24 94
cows sold,
100 00
hay sold from Cemetery,
16 00
State for Dog licenses,
91 34
Luther Guild for plank,
1 50
Money borrowed,
154 00
$10,992 77
6
EXPENDITURES.
SCHOOLS.
Paid Mary B. Wilder, for teaching, $75 00
Laura Clark .. 165 00
Lucy M. Lane ..
161 50
Miss S. M. Damon
166 00
Mrs. A. A. Mason
120 00
Miss L. B. Keith ..
190 00
.. M. E. Morse ..
180 00
" Jane A. Esty
119 00
.. S. J. Wood ..
161 50
$1,338 00
CARE OF SCHOOL-HOUSES, FUEL, & REPAIRS.
Paid, wood for North School, $57 50
sawing wood, making fires,.& supplies, North School, 39 50
wood and coal, Centre School, 86 57
making fires and care Centre School,
18 50
wood for South School,
24 25
sawing wood and making fires South School,
18 04
repairs on North school-house,
109 15
Centre ..
20 50
.. South
2 50
$376 51
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid E. T. Sears, Highway Surveyor,
$75 40
Hamlet Wight, "
137 23
.. removing snow and repairs, 13 45
A. B. Parker, Highway Surveyor,
160 00
Amount carried forward,
$386 08
7
Amount brought forward. Paid C. H. Russell, .. ..
8386 08
214 15
.. removing snow and repairs, 6 50
extra work on Causeway St.
100 00
D). D. Hamant, Highway surveyor, 105 00
Win. F. Guild,
96 58
for plank. 7 35
Wm. C. Allen, removing snow,
7 00
Geo. W. Kingsbury, removing snow, and repairs.
7 40
Warren Plimpton, for gravel,
1 00
Geo. Fiske, labor on Main St. 3 00
66
.. covering stone for bridge, 10 00
H. P. Bruce, lengthening culvert, 23 50
T. S. Clark, drawing stone for bridge, 14 00
Smith & Bramble, 300 yards of gravel on Mill St.
22 50
$1.004 06
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
Paid sundry tax-bills for the year 1865. $23 04
1866,
6 50
..
1867,
6 48
Henry O. Noyes, Poll tax,
2 00
$38 02
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid Wm. C. Allen, services Selectman and Assessor, $32 00
Charles Hamant, 66
..
100 00
A. B. Parker, ،٠
100 00
H. J. Everett, .. Town Clerk,
25 00
66
Collector, 1865
44 56
Martin Bailey, .. 1865,
3 94
Orion Wight,
.6 1867 & 1868. 91 76
Geo. Fiske,
Auditor 1869. 4 00
Stationary and postage for Selectmen. 3 00
3404 26
PAUPER EXPENSES OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for JJ. W. Coltman, $189 50
for Jane M. Ellis.
249 80
for Mrs. John Hayford,
59 50
for Mary Peters,
108 51
for Noah P. Clark,
16 00
for Rachel Clark,
40 28
funeral expenses.
25 50
$689 09
PRINTING.
l'aid for 250 copies of Town Report,
$20 00
for 275 copies of School Report, John Cox, Tax bills &c.
31 00
10 00
II. O. Hildreth.
4 00
$65 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid F. Rhodes, care of Engine and repairs,
$12 00
S. G. Cheever, repairing hose,
2 75
T. L. Barney, lantern for Engine,
1 25
$16 00
CEMETERY.
Paid Martin Bailey for labor,
$28 00
STATE TAX.
Paid State Treasurer, $1650 00
State Aid.
$332 00
9
NOTES AND INTEREST.
Paid James Foley Note and interest, $54 00
David Maney, " 105 88
Charles Hamant, 131 72
Charles Hamant, Trustee,
114 72
individuals as interest,
84 00
$490 32
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid Daniel D. Curtis for use of Hall one year, 20 00
.. care of Town clock, 25 00
A. W. Cleavland, damage from defect in highway, 10 00
Wm. Henshaw, exchange in Geographies, 25 00
E. L. Ward, in full for services, care of Town Farm, recording 11 marriages ; 19 births : 13 deaths,
9 95
H. F. Bullard, stock and labor on Hearse house,
27 23
Appraisers of property of School District .- ,
17 25
Geo. W. Kingsbury, for grinding 62 bushels of corn,
4 96
Clark & Leatherby, for lumber,
198 04
Boston, Hartford & Erie R. R., freight on lumber,
9 80
for 4 Rattle-snakes killed, 4 00
H. F. Bullard for labor, 36 00
Walpole tax, 4 28
(). Clifford for cow, 50 00
J. A. Newall, balance on cattle, 55 00
George A. Ellis, survey and plan of Avenue,
20 00
J. C. Lovering, services as Surveyor, 14 50
W. C. Allen, expenses to Bernardstown, 14 50
D. Hoisington, 6 21
Committee on Roads,
12 52
for labor on Town Farm,
40 00
I. Fiske, Merchandise and postage,
164 76
$854 91
85 91
10
RECAPITULATION.
Paid for Schools,
$1338 00
care of school-houses and repairs.
376 51
roads and bridges,
1004 06
abatement of taxe.,
38 02
Town Officers.
404 26
paupers out of Almshouse.
689 09
prin ing.
65 00
fire department.
16 00
cemetery.
28 00
State tax.
1650 00
Sta o aid to pensioners.
332 00
notes and interest.
490 32
incidental expenses.
854 91
$7286 17
Total amount of receipts.
$10.992 77
..
payments.
7.286 17
Balance in Treasury. Feb. 1st 1870
$3706 60
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Nearly due for Winter schools, about
$450 00
Trusted's school fund note. 6 per cent.
800 00
..
..
66 53
..
..
350 00
Trustee's ministerial fund. ..
141 00
..
330 00
G. W. Shumway. ..
60 00
60
100 00
G. W. Oliver, ..
50 00
Stephen Turner.
60
200 00
66
100 00
Caroline B. Phillips.
500 00
Amount carried forward.
83147 53
11
Amount brought forward,
$3147 53
Mary C. Keith,
66
500 00
David Maney,
50 00
Prudence Lovell, ..
170 00
William Crane,
50 00
$3917 53
RESOURCES OF THE TOWN.
Balance in Treasury, Feb. 1. 1870,
$3706 60
Due on Taxes 1867, exclusive of interest
64 64
1868.
156 52
.. · 1869,
989 40
Due for State aid for pensioners,
408 00
from Town of West Roxbury,
300 00
sale of wood by auction,
60 75
$5685 91
Resources exceed liabilities,
$1768 38
ISAAC FISKE, Treasurer.
MEDFIELD, FEB. 1. 1870.
Vouchers examined, and account found correct.
SAMUEL ELLIS Auditor.
12
REPORT,
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
-
RECEIPTS.
Received for Furniture sold.
$1 50
potatoes,
15 67
milk,
46 94
calves,
85 25
butter,
187 86
eggs.
2 64
board of travellers.
146 37
cranberries,
26 00
pork,
24 63
lard,
5 30
meadow hay,
47 14
labor off the farm,
20 75
rags .31, tobacco .10,
41
barley,
2 50
chickens,
4 96
boards and shingles,
2 55
beef,
36 54
hide and tallow,
9 70
boards sold D. D. Curtis,
10 12
Boston, Hartford, and E, R. R. damage by fire,
200 00
milk sold by E. L. Ward,
24 94
cows sold,
100 00
cash of Town Treasurer,
616 77
$1618 54.
PAYMENTS.
Paid blacksmith's work $26.49 ; hay 20.56 847 05
muzzles .75 ; seed corn 1.17, 1 92
labor on the farm 116.97 ; balance on oxen 10.00,
126 97
thread 1.63 ; brooms 2.05,
3 78
shavings .15 ; eggs .35,
50
pork barrel 2.90; wheel and rope 3.55,
6 45
mending boots .55 ; paper .25,
80
tin ware .20 ; beef 2.00, 2 20
medical attendance 11.25 ; use of roller .30,
11 55
in part for cow 45.00 ; grinding 1.24,
46 24
seive .50 ; matches .60,
1 10
pail 1.50 ; tub .50,
2 00
seed potatoes 3.10 ; fish 33.83,
36 93
bread 12.82 ; skimmer .25,
13 07
tin dish .06 ; yeast .27,
33
soap .25 ; cash to inmates 9.00,
9 25
lemons .29 ; whip .30,
59
shoe-strings .10 ; oil 1.00,
1 10
shorts 4.25 ; sweet potatoes .75,
5 00
shoes 1.80 ; medicine .45,
2 25
tobacco 3.10; ice 1.45,
1 53
2 galls. vinegar 1.00; 1 1-2 bushels of rye 3.00,
00
shovel .25 ; combs .57,
82
tomato plants .70; clock 1.00,
1 70
bed cord .75 ; spectacles 1.25,
2 00
elastics .15 ; plaster .90,
1 05
plank 2.41 ; 3 table spoons 1.25
3 66
tea 2.25; whitewashing 7.50,
9 75
mustard .28; rake 1.00,
1 28
6 pans 2.40 ; halter 2.50,
4 90
camphor .65 ; wheelwright work .50,
1 15
axe-handle .30 ; whip .20.
50
cream pail .92 ; ox yoke 4.00.
4 92
tea pot .40 ; use of plough .20.
60
filing saws .45 ; slabs 1.20,
1 65
Amount carried forward,
$361 61
14
Amount brought forward, $361 61
Paid 4 shoats 24.00 ; bill-hook 1.50, 25 50
wash bowl .50 ; sleigh bells 1.00,
1 50
Stove brackets, 1 75
T. L. Barney's bill of merchandise, 236 31
E. L. Ward, balance, 85 91
grinding, 4.96 : Clark & Leatherbee 198.04, 203 00
freight bill 9.80 : labor H. F. Bullard 36.00, 45 80
stock 105.00 : Town Treasurer 324.94, 429 94
W. P. Hewins for meat 80.30 : I. Fiske's bill, 141.24 221 54
Balance in hands of Overseers,
$1612 76
5 78
$1618 54
APPRAISAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, FEB. 1. 1870
2 oxen $185.00 : 6 cows 390.00, $575 00
1 horse 200.00 : 4 shoats 40.00, 240 00
14 fowls 7.00 : 8 tons English hay 200.00, 207 00
8 tons meadow hay 78.00 : corn fodder 8.00, 86 00
Barley straw 10.00 : 75 bushels corn 93.75, 103 75
2 bushels rye 2.50 : 17 bushels barley 21.25, 23 75
1000 shingles 7.00 : 21 cords wood 105.00, 112 00
2 bbls. vinegar 16.00 : 150 bush. potatoes 90.00, 106 00
1
6 bush. turnips 3.60 : 15 small do. 3.75, 7 35
100 lbs. beef 14.00: 500 lbs. pork 100.00, 114 00
180 lbs. ham 36.00 ; 100 lbs. lard 25.00, 61 00
25 lbs. butter 11.25 : 1-2 bb !. flour 5.00, 16 25
11 40
3 bushels beans 9.00 12 lbs. apple 2.40, Can .75 : wash tubs 100, 1 75
Brass kettle 5.00 : 3 meat barrels 5.00,
10 00
3 stone jars 1.50 : cook stove 25.00, 30 milk pans 5.00 : churn 7.50,
12 50
Boards,
20 00
Clothes wringer,
10 00
Amount carried forward,
26 50
$1744 25
15
Amount brought forward,
$1744 25
6 hay forks 2,50 ; manure forks, 2.50,
5 00
Potatoe digger .25 ; 3 hoes, and iron bar 2.50
2 75
Ploughs and horse hoe,
16 00
Wagon and draught harness,
18 00
Horse hay wagon, 70.00 ; 2 ox carts 50.00,
120 00
Ox wagon 40.00 ; ox wagon wheels, 2.00,
45 00
Buffalo robe 2.00 ; sleigh 5.00,
7 00
Wood saw and horse 1.75 ; saw, shave and augur 1 00,
2 75
4 meal bags .80 ; measure .50,
1 30
Scythes and snathes 2.25 ; axes 3.00,
5 25
Cranberry screen 1.00 ; cranberry rakes 3.00
4 00
· Adze and square .50 ; corncutters and rakes 1.00, 3 stake chains .75 ; log and draught chains 2.50
3 25
Express wagon 140.00 ; 2 ox yokes 5.00.
145 00
Horse hay rake 7.00; mower 80.00,
87 00
Haycutter and trough 8.00 harrow 3.00,
11 00
Ox sled 4.00 ; ladders 5.00,
9 00
$2.225 05
Appraisal February 1. 1869.
2.095 88
Gains,
$129 17
Receipts,
' $1618 54
$1747 71
Deduct received from Treasurer,
259 97
Balance,
$1487 74
Due for sale of wood,
60 75
from Town of West Roxbury,
300 00
.. "E. T. Sears for labor,
11 50
Income of Farm,
$1859 99
Amount of Payments,
1612 76
$247 23
Nearly due, Keeper's salary,
300 00
Balance against the farm,
$52 77
1 50
16
Whole number paupers, Average number of paupers,
4 4
viz. Name.
Age.
Where born.
Silas Allen,
75
Medfield.
Harriet Leland,
80
Sherborn.
Thomas Floyd,
74
Medford.
Susan Floyd,
78
Sutton.
At Hospitals,
J. W. Coltman, at Worcester.
Boston.
Jane M. Ellis,
at Taunton.
Ireland.
179 meals furnished transient persons.
CHARLES HAMANT. ALONZO B. PARKER. WILLIAM C. ALLEN. Overseers of the Poor.
MEDFIELD, FEB. 1. 1870.
17
REGISTRAR'S REPORT.
Number of births during the year 1869, 19 - males, 11 ; fe- 'males, 8. Marriages in 1869, 10. Deaths recorded in 1869, 12. Average length of life, 47 years 5 months.
DEATHS IN MEDFIELD FOR THE YEAR 1869.
Name.
Age.
Disease.
Place of birth
Henrietta Schlusemeyer,
21
Child birth.
Hinsdale Fisher,
82
Heart disease.
Obed Allen,
86
Augusta Clark,
43
Consumption. ..
Julia A. Smith,
26
Orion Wight,
70
Disease of Kidneys.
Angenette Noyes,
42
Consumption.
..
Hannah A. Fairbanks,
35
Disease of brain.
Boston. Medfield.
Susan F. Cole.
25
Consumption.
Sherborn.
Arthur S. Turner,
11
..
Medfield.
Eliza H. Smith,
75
Apoplexy.
Eastham.
The whole number of births recorded from the incorporation of the town in 1651 to January 1. 1870, 4000. Average for the 218 years, 18. Deaths recorded during the same perio:1, 2233. Aver- age, 10. Thus it will appear that the births and deaths during the year 1869, vary but little from the average number of yearly berths and deaths recorded since the incorporation of the town.
HENRY JJ. EVERETT.
Registra :.
..
Medway. Medfield.
Dover. Medfield. ..
Mary J. Turner,
43
Lung fever. ..
1×
STATISTICS OF MEDFIELD.
Area of Town, 9205 acres. Covere l by water, 28 acres. Taken for Highways, 147 acres.
Total length of highways, 37 1-4 miles.
Acres of land taxed, 7,933 1-2.
Total value of Real estate, 468,897.00.
.. Personal estate, 263,546.00.
No. of dwelling-hous ., 2.5. Horses, 169. Cows, 421. Sheep, 6. Town incorporated May, 23. 1651.
POPULATION AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
1764
1790
1800
1810
1820
1830
1840
1850
1360
628
731
745
786
892
817
883
966
1082
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The financial year which has just closel has been one, in some respects, of extraordinary interest, forming an era in the history of the town, that will not, as we trust, be without its favorable influence upon our future growth and prosperity. We now have railroad fa- cilities, second only, to comparatively few towns in our Common- wealth.
A new and pleasant Avenue, about one mile in length, has been laid out from the central village, commencing at Cottage Street, and terminating at West Mill Street, opposite the junction of the Boston, Hartford, and Erie, and Mansfield and Framingham Railroads ; and we cannot dismiss this last mentioned improvement, without gratefully remembering the generosity and true public spirit of the several owners of the valuable lands through which this avenue passes, viz. Messrs. John J. Adams, William P. Hewins, Samuel Ellis, Amos E. Mason, and Daniel D. Curtis, who freely gave their -lands for the public use ; and though the first cost of grading, may seem somewhat burdensome to our tax payers, yet we believe that ultimately the town will be fully compensated for the outlay.
.
19
MT. NEBO STREET.
The subject of an appropriation for specific repairs of this street, was referred in general terms to our Board. No directions were given, or funds voted for this purpose. The question arose among some of our citizens residing near this locality, whether or not, a new and better road, could be laid and graded, to accomodate the publie travel, from some point on Main St. near the house of F. S. Wight, (taking an old road, a portion of the distance,) and inter- secting Foundry St., near the house of Mrs. Joseph Hardy. Ac- cordingly we made a careful survey of the proposed new road, measuring the distances of both, and noting the necessary repairs on the old street, to make it safe and convenient for travel. A very full verbal report of our investigations was made at the November meeting ; but no directions were given for any action in the premises. We are decidedly of the opinion, that as a question of economy, merely, there should be some prompt action in relation to this subject,
RAILROAD CROSSINGS.
The Mansfield and Framingham Railroad, crosses our highways at nine different points. With reference to all crossings of this kind, the Railroad Commissioners of the Commonwealth, in their Report to the present house of Representatives, say, "The control of this matter rests with the County Commissioners, but this Board will take the liberty to suggest that in future, crossings at grades should not be allowed when it is possible to avoid them, and all roads should be carried over, or under the railroads where it can be done." The Railroad Corporation while constructing their road, petitioned our County Commissioners, to direct the manner of our several crossings, as provided by law. At the meeting subsequently held for that purpose, we appeared in behalf of the town, and the ad- judication then and there determined upon, we believed would be perfectly satisfactory to our citizens ; and though it has not as yet, to our knowledge, become a matter of record, we are assured by the Chairman of our County Commissioners, that their order will b. " substantially enforced." This order will render it necessary for the Company to raise their bridge at Frairy St., higher than now
laid ; also to raise the track at Main St. to very nearly a level with the general grade of the street ; both, improvements so obvious, as to require no arguments favoring them. We have not desired to throw unnecessary burdens upon the Company, but have felt the im- portance, at the commencement, of having these crossings such as would be generally satisfactory to this and succeeding generations.
TOWN MEETINGS.
For many years it has been customary to hold two publie meet- ings for town business, one in March. the other in April. We can see no good reasons why a second meeting should be held, when all the usual business could be accomplished at the Annual meeting, and in many respects. if necessary, it would be far better to adjourn the March meeting, than to issue a new warrant. We merely sug- gest this subject for your consideration.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
Appended to this report, will be found some interesting statistics relating to the origin and settlement of this town, gathered, so far as is proposed to publish herewith, mostly from our first records by the late Herman Mami, deceased.
In doing this we have introduced a new feature in our annual re- port, which if approved, may be continued in future reports, until brought up to the present time ; thus aiding the future Historian of the town, in furnishing some material for his work. Ours, is one of the ancient towns and the lapse of time but adds interest to its early history.
It will be seen by reference to the Treasurer's, Report that our finances are in a good condition. After the entire payment of all our indebtedness we have a surplus of more than Seventeen hundred dollars in the treasury ; and when we consider how recently we were burdened with extraordinary expenses, and the large number of cities and towns that are still indebted for expenses incurred during the late civil war, thus increasing their rate of taxation to a per centage much greater than our own,-the excellent condition of our public buildings, the most of them nearly new,-our well graded
21
roads,- om beautiful and healthy location,- our railroad facilities. and the general character of the population, we offer superior induce- ments to " the retiring man of business," the artisan, and the labor- er, to become permanent citizens of MEDFIELD.
CHARLES HAMANT. WILLIAM C. ALLEN. ALONZO B. PARKER.
Selectmen.
MEDFIELD. FER. 1. 1870
SETTLEMENT OF MEDFIELD.
In the year 1649, it was determined to commence a settlement near Bogastow, now the town of Medfield. A petition of the inhabi- tants of Dedham for the grant of a tract of land, "towards the ac- comodation of a Town to be erected and set up in or near that place commonly called Bogastow," having been granted by the general court, the ". 22d of the 8th month," corresponding to the first day of November, a general meeting of the inhabitants was held on the 24th day of November, for the further consideration of the subject.
At this meeting, there was " granted for the accommodation of the villiage so much land within the west end of the bounds of Ded- ham, next Bogastow, as is or may be contained within the extent of three miles east and west, and four miles north and south -the form and lines in laying out to be varied and altered as in th. judgement of such men as shall be deputed thereunto shall seem for the most convenient accomodation both of Dedham and the said villiage."
The question respecting the conditions upon which this grant of lands was made, having been fully discussed, it was resolved by vote, that " the said land is by some intended to be freely given, and by others, in consideration of part of the meadows, to have such satis- faction for their right therein as in the division of one hundred pounds divided by common rules of division to those of the
22
inhabitants of Dedham that remove not to the villiage may come to their share ; but that part of the estate of them that remove, that abides in the town, shall receive dividends, as other estates do."
A committee was chosen by the town to have the management of affairs at Medfield, " until there is such a company of men engaged in that plantation and associated together as the town of Dedham shall judge meet for that work and trust."
This committee immediately proceeded to the work of forming a company to occupy the new settlement. By virtue of the authority given them by the town of Dedham, they adopt the following regu- lations for the present government thereof : -
" For as much as for the further promulgation of the Gospel and the subduing of this part of the Earth, amongst the rest given to the sons of Adam, and the enlargement of the bounds of the habitations formerly designed by God to some of his people in this wilderness, it hath pleased the Lord to move and direct as well the much honor- ed General Court as also the inhabitants of the Town of Dedham, each of them in part to grant such a tract of land in that place called Bogastow and the adjacent parts thereabouts, as is adjudged a meet place for the erecting and settling a Town, we the persons whose naines are here underwritten being by the inhabitants of Ded- ham. elected, chosen, and authorized, for the ordering and managing the said Town, or villiage, to be erected for the due settling thereof. as also for the preventing of questions, mistakes, disorders and con- tentions that may arise, do order, determine and resolve as followeth ;
" 1st. That all persons whatsoever that shall receive lands by grants from the said Town now called Meadfield, shall become sub- ject to all such orders in any part or points of Town government as are at present, or hereafter by the authorities of said town shall be made and appointed for the ordering, regulating, or government thereof, provided they be not repugnant to the orders, or any order, of the General Court, from time to time, and that every such grantee shall for the firmer engagement of himself and his successors, their use, subscribe his name to our Town Book, or otherwise his grants inade to him shall hereby be made void and of none effect.
" 2d. That if differences, questions, or contentions shall fall ou or arise, any manner of ways in our society, or between any parties therein, that they shall really endeavor to resolve and issue the same in the most peaceable way and manner, before it shall come to any place of public judicature, except it be in our own town.
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3d. That we shall all of us in said town faithfully endeavor that only such be received to our society and township, as we may have sufficient satisfaction in ; that they are honest, peaceable, and free from scandal and erroneous opinions.
4th. That none of us, the inhabitants aforesaid. or our success- ors at any time hereafter for the space of seven years from the date hereof, upon any pretence whatsoever, without the consent of the selectmen for the time being first had and obtained, shall alienate as- sign, and set over for the space of one whole year, any part or par- cel of land formerly granted to him or them by the town, except it be to some formerly accepted of by our society ; always provided, that this shall in no sort hinder any heir at common law."
Signed by
HENRY CHICKERING.
RALPH WHEELOCK,
JOHN DWIGHT,
THOMAS WIGHT.
PETER WOODWARD.
ROBERT HINSDALE,
ELEAZER LUSHIER.
Selectmen.
Three only of this committee, viz. Messrs. Wheelock, Wight, and Hinsdale, removed to Medfield.
The following are the names of the persons who subscribed to form the Society for removing to Medfield :
Ralph Wheelock
Joseph Daniels
Benjamin Crane
Thomas Wight
John Wight
Thomas Mason
John Frary
Robert Hinsdale
Edward Adams
John Plimpton
Benjamin Albee
Alexander Lovell
John Allin
Henry Smith
John Metcalf
Timothy Dwight
Abraham Harding
Peter Adams
Daniel Morse
Thomas Thurston
Joshua Fisher
Thomas Ellis
John Bullen
Joseph Allen
Samuel Bullen
Josph Morse
John Partridge
Richard Wheeler
Henry Adams
John Warfield
Joshua Pratt John Ellis
John Fussell
Gershom Wheelock
Joseph Clark
John Bowers
Robert Mason
George Barber
John Frary JJr.
John Turner
Francis Hammant
Nicholas Rocket
William Partridge
Thomas Thurston Jr.
Of the above number, eighteen subscribed the paper by making their mark ; from which fact it is fair to infer that they were not all of them writing masters, but their particular occupation is not stated.
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On the " 25th of the 10th month 1649," (Jan. 4, 1650, new style,) a meeting of the aforesaid committee was held, when Eleazer Lush- er was chosen to keep the Records of Medfield, until another person should be chosen for the purpose. Rules are adopted for an equi- table division of lands among the settlers, among which is the following : . It is ordered that in laying out House Lotts, Teaching and church officers shall be first provided for."
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