USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Town records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1659-1739, Volume I > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 T62t v. I 1128290
yt6 10 10
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
THIS BOOK WAS PURCHASED FROM FUNDS CONTRIBUTED IN 1927
BY THE FOLLOWING NAMED MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY:
Kate R. Andrews
Hannah Almy Babcock
Thomas S. McLane
Edward L. Ballard
Percy S. Mallett
Philip Golden Bartlett
Mrs. Charles C. Marshall
Mrs. Lawrence P. Bayne
Herbert T. Mayo
Mrs. William D. Bloodgood
Edwin D. Morgan Mrs. James L. Morgan
Frank S. Bosworth
Mrs. James Moses
Jane E. Brewster
Mrs. Charles A. Nicola
Stanley F. Brewster
Mrs. Alton Brooks Parker
Dr. Ethel Doty Brown
William R. Pitcher
Rollin Browne
Mrs. Edward Eri Poor
Edwin N. Chapman John D. Chapman
Dorothy W. Potter
Sara L. Chase
Linda D. Puffer
E. Mabel Clark
Mrs. Henry Cole Quinby
Mrs. James Bliss Coombs
William E. Reed
Jacob Dolson Cox
Ella Lee Requa
Howland Davis
R. Russell Requa
George E. Devoll
Leonard Schultze
Joseph Dowd
Mary A. Sharpe
Mrs. Oren C. Dunn
Owen Shepherd
Emily L. Fellows
Augusta P. Slade
Harry Potter Fish
Charles H. Snow
Mrs. John J. Gibson
Mrs. Butler Smith
Mrs. Cass Gilbert
Frederick Swift
Mrs. James J. Goodwin
Mrs. Henry F. Tarbox
Mrs. Richard Henry Greene
John P. Tilden
Mrs. William B. Hale
Dr. Charles H. Vinton
George B. Hardie
Mrs. John M. Walker
Mrs. George A. Hollister
Mrs. Daniel Jennings
Mrs. Dwight A. Jones
Col. Charles E. Warren
Mrs. Martin S. Watts
Herbert S. Kellogg
Helen H. Whiting
Mrs. Howard F. Whitney
Mrs. Charles C. Worthington
Mrs. George Dallas Yeomans
Miriam D. Walker Allen Wardwell
Mrs. J. Lester Keep
Wm. Mitchell Kendall Robert S. Kilbourne
Emma H. Lockwood
Lucius M. Boomer
Ida A. Porter
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 9044
TOWN RECORDS
OF
TOPSFIELD
MASSACHUSETTS
VOLUME I
1659-1739
NEW
S
OWS
0
TO
5
TOPSFIELD, MASS. THE TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1917
ONE HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED
THE PERKINS PRESS Copsfield MASS.
1128290
INTRODUCTION.
The town of Topsfield, without doubt derives its name from the parish of Toppesfield, in the county of Essex, England. Samuel Symonds, the Assistant and Deputy Governor, who owned land in Topsfield and lived in Ips- wich, had emigrated from the English parish and his children had been baptised in its church-St. Margaret's. The name "Toppesfield" was applied to this locality as early as March 21, 1642 when John Winthrop, jr. sold land lying near Mr. Symonds grant, to Henry Parks of London. The deed describes the land as lying partly in "the Hamlett Village or place called Toppesfield in the parish of Ipswich." *
The several acts of the Great and General Court relat- ing to the founding and incorporation of the town are as follows :-
"Whereas the inhabitants of Salem have agreed to plant a village neare the ryver wch runs to Ipswich, it is ordered, that all the land neare their bounds, between Salem & the said ryver, not belonging to any other towne or person, by any former grant, shall belong to the said village." Mass. Colony Records, 5 Nov. 1639.
"Whereas, at the Cort houlden at Boston the 4th, 7th mº 1639, there was certaine land lying neare Ipswich Ryver granted for a village, eithr to some of the inhabitants of Salem, or to some of the inhabitants of Ipswich, who have farmes near unto the said land, to bee enjoyed by those who first setteled a village there; they both ppounding for it togethr ; howsoevr the ordr mentioneth only Salem inhabitants, & forasmuch as the said inhabitants of Ips- wich have for neare this two years pcured & maintained one to dispence the word of God unto them, wch they intend to continue, it is therefore ordered & granted, that
*See Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, Vol. VI, pp. 40-41.
vi
INTRODUCTION.
Mr Jno Endecott & the said inhabitants of Ipswich, viz., Mr Bradstreete, Mr Symonds, Mr Whittingham, Mr Willi : Paine, Mr Robrt Paine, & such othr of Ipswich or Salem as they shall associate to themselves, shall have librty to settle a village neare the said ryver of Ipswich, as it may bee most convenient for them, to wch the foresaid land shall belong, viz., all that wch lieth neare the said ryver (not form'ly granted to any towne or pson), pvided that any of the inhabitants of Salem, who have farmes neare unto the said land now granted, shall have liberty for one yeare next comeing to joyne wth the said village, & to have their equall & pportionable priviledge in the same."
Mass. Colony Records, 17 Oct. 1643.
"Upon Zacheus Goulds petition, it is conceived to be for the gen'all good, & very convenient there should be a village about that farme, & that the towne of Ipswich should further them therein."
Mass. Colony Records, 29 May 1644.
"Forasmuch as ys Cort hath form'ly granted yt yr should be a village upon Ipswich Ryver, at or neare a place called ye New Medowes, & forasmuch as crteine of ye in- habitants of Ipswich who have farmes impved neer yr unto, & do desire yt a ministr might be settleed yr to dispence ye word to ye psent inhabitants & such othrs as shall plant ymselues at ye said village, whom yet notwthstanding they are no wayes able in any comfortable mann" to mainetaine a minister, & to defray othr necessary charges of ye place, if wthall they should be lyable to all other rates & pub- like charges of ye towne of Ipswich.
"This Cort doth therefore hereby order, yt either ye whole towne of Ipswich shall equally contribute (wth such othr in- habitants as have lands in or neere ye said village) to ye maintenance of a minister, & all other publike charges in- cident to such a village, or else ye foresaid inhabitants, yt have lands neer ye said village, & shall contribute to ye maintenance of a minister yr & othr necessary charges, shalbe freed from all mann" of rates, charges, or contributions to ye towne of Ipswich for their land or stock in or belonging to ye said village."
Mass. Colony Records, 1 Oct. 1645.
vii
INTRODUCTION.
"The Cort haveing considred of ye great expence of time occasioned by sevrall psons bringing their suites to ye Cort to be tryed here, thinke it meete that Capt Smyth should pay twenty nobles for defraying ye charge of ys Cors, & ye towne of Ipswich & ye petitionrt of ye Newe Medows should pay 51 for ye time their cause tooke up in ys Cort, fifty shillgs ye towne, & fifty shillgs ye petitionrs."
Mass. Colony Records, 18 Oct. 1645.
Petition to the General Court,
"Wee Humbly Intreate this honored Court that you wold bee pleased to bestowe a name Vpon oure Village at the new medowes at Ipswich Which wee suppose may bee an Incoragment to others to Come to liue amongst vs: and alsoe a meanes to further a ministry amongst vs wee thinke hempsteed wile bee a fit name if the Court plese to gratifie us herewith
Will Payne, Brian Pendleton, Zacheous Goold." Mass. Archives, 112. 9*
"The village at the newe medowes at Ipswich is named Toppesfeild." Mass. Colony Records, 18 Oct. 1648.
"Vppon the request of those whom it most concernes, the village at the New Meddowes at Ipswich, shalbe hence- forth called Toppesfeild."
Mass. Colony Records, 27 Oct. 1648.
"In answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Tops- feild it is ordered by this Court that from henceforth they shalbe a towne & have power within themselves to order all civill affayres, as other townes haue."
Mass. Colony Records, 16 Oct. 1650.
"In ans" to the request of Zacheus Gould and William Howard, in the behalfe of Topsfield, the Court doth graunt that Topsfeild shall from henceforth be a towne, and haue power within themselus to order all civill affajres, as other townes haue." Mass. Colony Records, 18 Oct. 1650.
*The deputies granted this petition, but the magistrates set the action aside and thought fit "it should be called Toppesfield." To this decision the lower court then agreed.
viii
INTRODUCTION.
TOWN CLERKS OF TOPSFIELD. 1651-1739.
WILLIAM HOWARD,
1651-1657
JOHN REDINGTON, 1657-1676
FRANCIS PEABODY,
1676-1682
JOHN GOULD,
1682-1686
EPHRAIM DORMAN, 1686-1702
SAMUEL STANLEY,
1702-1717
NATHANIEL PORTER,
1717-1720
JACOB PEABODY, 1720-1735
JOHN HOVEY,
1735-1737
JACOB PEABODY,
1737-1739
The first book of town records unfortunately was destroyed when John Redington's house was burnt in 1658 .* The first book of clerk's original records now in exist- ence, begins with the year 1675. That an earlier volume of records was in existence at that time is shown by the following extracts from the clerk's records :-
"At a lawfull meeting 7 march 75-76 it is ordered that the selact men shall see that the olde book the towne book shall be transcribed into the new book and that the land on the south sid the Reuer that was layed out by deuisians to the seueral inhabetants the selact men shall see that ther lots be Recorded according as tha ware lade out
voted.
"At a lawfull Towne meting the 7th of march 1681 or 82. The Towne has Voated that ye old Towne Booke shall be Transcribed in to ye new Towne Booke all that is needfull to be don & that is not all redy don. Voated. "Lliut pebody & John Gould are Chosen to Transcribe all ye old Towne booke in to ye newe Towne booke as is Needfull to be don Voated."
These earlier records were transcribed from time to time into "the new book," and are found incorporated in the records of the current years of 1675 to 1683. In the following copy these fragments have been arranged in chronological order.
GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.
*See Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Vol. II, p. 268.
TOPSFIELD TOWN RECORDS.
March 25, 1659.
Wee hose names are Vnder Wrighen being Chosen and Impowred by the Inhabitants of Salam and Topsfeild to rune the six miles Extent and also the deuisional Line betwene the two Townes haue thus agreed and determined, namly that wee haue rune the six miles Extent Vpon the nore west and by nore Which ends in the edg of a Swamp of John putnams Comonly Called the great ashing Swamp next Vnto a hill Com- only Called by the name of Wallnut tree hill neere Vnto perie Wiggwamb and from thence haue thus fare agreed Vpon the deuisionall Line Which runs Souwest Westerly to the riverside Commonly Called by the name of Ipswich riuer Where Wee marked trees by a rock towards the Est and a neck of Land Commonly Called Crumwels neck westwardly of the said trees marked and from thence souwest one mile and a quar- ter and so on according to the rule that Mr. Joseph Gardner rune the aforesaid deusionall Line, and from the six miles extent toward the nor est esterly as it is bounded and marked one mile and a quarter end- ing at a swamp by a hill Called Smith hill and from thence toward the est norest ending Vpon a hill neer Vnto Whenham Casway, and so toward the est and by nore one hundreds rods ending at wenham medow side. Thomas Putname, Abraham Redington, Joseph Huchenson,
Nathanill Putname, John Redington, John Wildes, William Euans.
at A Lawfull Towne meeting the 3 day of ye 12 m 1659 it is ordred and a greed Vpon that Mr. Perkins shall haue ffifteene acres of Land medow and Vpland Lying on the south side of a hill Commonly Called bare hill the Vpland of the said Land is by way of exchang with ye Towne for a per- cell of Vpland Lying betwene Mr. Perkins ffield and Mr. Baker house and also a percell of swampie Land aJoyneing to Mr. Perkins ffield at home Voated.
At a lawful Towne meeting ye 14 of march 1661. Whereas Zacheas Gould at a Towne meeting in february 23 1658 ded then joyne himselfe with his estate to ye Towne of Topsfield for seuen yeers or terme of his life or Vntell a minister be setled in Rowley Vilage doth now at a Towne meeting giue in his feirme of three hundred acres which he bought of Mr. William Paine that he now lius Vppon to Topsfield the said Zacheas Gould by these presants doth for himselfe his Excetutors Administra- tors or asignes giue in the aforesaid farme into the sad Towne for euer with all the prieuledges and apurtinances thereunto belonging.
Witnes my hand, Zacheas Gould.
Voated.
At a lawfull Towne meeting the 14 of the 10 m 1661 The inhabitants of ye Towne hath made choyce of Ensigne Howlett ffrances pabodye and
6
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
John Redington, they are chosen for selectmen for the yeer folowing to order the prudentiall afaires of the towne and to setle the bounds of the towne betwene Salem and Topsfield and also to setle the bounds between the Comen (partage?) and Vs and also where they shall se any wrong done to the towne by any they haue power to rectifie by sute or otherwise Voted.
It is further ordered and herby they are impowred to lay out fiue hundred acre [s] of land on the other side of the riuer to remaine common to perpetuity for the Vse of the inhabitants prouided none of it be me- dowland Voted.
It is further ordered that the aforsaid fiuehundred acres of land is stated to the inhabitants of the Town excepting Ensigne Howlet as one to share in the said common notwithstanding any former order Voted It is also ordered and the said selectmen are impowred to deuide the other parte of the common both medow and Vpland on the other side of the riuer into three equall deuisions Voted.
The names of the commoners that shall share in it.
Mr. Bradstreet Tho' Perkins Isacc Cumings senr ffrances Bates
Mr. Perkins Tho' Browning Isac Cumings jur John How
Zacheas Gould Jacob Towne Ensigne Howlet
Edmond Bredges
Mr. Baker
Isacc Estey
Willi' Smith
Willi' Nicholse
Tho' Dorman Willi' Towne Mr. Endicoat Vseltone lot
ffrances Pebody Edmond Towne John Wiles Lumpkins farme
Willi' Euens Matthew Standly John Redington Rob't Andrews land
Daniell Clark Anthony Carell Voted.
At a meeting of the selectmen march, 10, 1661-2 Whereas Zacheas Gould at a Towne meeting in february ye 23. day 1658. ded then Joyne himselfe with his estat to ye Towne of Topsfield for seuen years or terme of his life or vntell a minister be setled in Rowley Vilag doth now being at a meeting of the selectmen of Topsfield giue his Feirme of threehundred acres wh'ch he liue vpon into Topsfield foreuer with al the priueledges & apurtenances thereunto belonging-Zacheas Gould.
At a lawful Towne meeting ye 14 of march 1661
Whereas Zacheas Gould at a Towne meeting in february 23, 1658 ded then joyne himselfe with his estate to ye Towne of Topsfield for seuen yeers or terme of his life or Vntell a minister be setled in Rowley Vilage · doth now at a Towne meeting giue in his feirme of threehundred acres which he bought of Mr. William Paine that he now liues Vpon to Topsfield. the said Zacheas Gould by these presants doth for himselfe his Excetutors or Administrators or asignes giue in the aforesaid farme into the said Towne for euer with all the priueledges and apurtinances thereunto belonging-witnes my hand Zacheas Gould. Voted.
At a Lawfull Towne meeting the 15 of Jenuary 1663 the Inhabitance
7
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
of Topsfield hath granted ther right in a percell of Common Land by way of exchange for Land of John How aquiualant to the said percell of Land to Lye Conuenant to the Common for Common, and the said Inhabitance hath Chosen ffrainces pebody John Wilds and Thomas perkins to Lay out the a boue sd Land Voated.
The Inhabitance hath a greed With Thomas Baker to Exchange two acres of Land neere to the meeting house for Land aqueuelante there vnto neere the sd Thomas Baker house, the Towne hath Chosen ffrainces pebody and Daniell Houey and the sd Thomas Baker hath Chosen John Gould and John Wilds to Lay out the aboue said p'rsells of Land-Voated.
At a lawfull Towne meeting the 7. march 1664. It is ordered that the timber of the fivehundred acres of common lands on the other side of the river which is to remaine common to perpetuity is to be deuided by John Wiles Willi Auerell Thomas Baker & edmond Towne or either three of them into three equall proportions as two foure & six according to that rule to be deuided voted
It is also ordered that al the commonors of the Towne shall haue a share in the common on the other sid of the riuer with the timber which is to be deuided accordin[g] to the rule as is here expressed namely that thos which pay to the minesters rat[e] made in the year 1664; fiuty shilings & upward shal haue one of the greater shares and vnder fiuety shilings to twenty, shal haue a midle share and vnder twenty shilings one of the least shares voted
now these are the names of those men that ware then Rated that yeare 1664 and thar saueral soms as tha ar in that Rate and rite in this land Zacheus and John goold 04-03-03 John wiles 01-12-10
mr thomas baker
03-17-05 william smith 00-13-08
01-04-05 Edman bridges 00-15-03
danel Clark 03-03-00 Jacob towne
01-04-05
frances pabody
04-05-02 Isack Este
00-19-06
decon houey
01-03-08 william towne 00-04-02
william Eeuens
02-11-00 and Joseph towne 01-08-05
Isack Comings senr
00-13-08 Edman towne 01-08-09
Isack Comings iunar
01-08-00 mathew stanle
00-15-08
Ensigne howlat
01-08-09 william nicoles 01-12-09
antoni Carol 00-11-01 mr. William Perkeings 02-03-09
thomas perkings
02-19-07 mr Endicot
01-02-00
thomas aueril and thomas 01-14-02 John how
00-19-00
hobes on mr brodstreets land01-03-00 Robart andros
00-12-00
John Redington 03-05-02 frances bates
thomas browning 01-06-00
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 9 desmber 1664. It is ordred and a greed Vpon that ye Inhabitance of the Towne hath apoyented the first third day of march next and so ye first third day of march the next
00-09-00
thomas darman senr
8
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
yeare folowing and so from yeare to yeare to Continue Vntill such time as the Towne shall see Causes to alter it, for to Chose ofecers for the Carying on ye Townes afares and other matters of Concerment which nesesarly fales in to be don on that day Voated
At a Lawfull Towne meeting on ye 6 day of march 1665
Ensigne Howlett and Liut Pebody are Chosen to Exchange some of the Townes Common Land neere to Luke Weaklins with Thomas Per- kins for Land of his to make his Line straight for his Conueniance of fencing and not to damnifie the Towne Voated
frances pebody Thomas perkins and John Redington are Chosen by the Inhabitance of the Towne to Lay out fifty acres of Land for the Vse of the ministrey at Topsfield Wee accordingly haue don it Wee haue Laid out fifty acres in medow and Vpland: where as there is sence two e[a]crs of this ffiafty it being medow Lying between mudey sprieng and Luke Wakling giuene to Mr. Capen sence at a ginerall Towne meeting by a ginerall Voate of the Towne: and a stripe of medow one ye norwest side of bare hill wee Layed it for eaight eacrs be it more or Less: and a Leuen eacres of Vpland one the south side of bare hill a Jodinging to the house and twenty nine eackres of Vpland Liing one ye south of mr perkins field that is by ye meeting house and a plaine Commonly Caled the bare hill plaine one ye nore west end and ye Towne Common one ye southwest side and ye Towne Common one ye east or southeast end to mr perkins Land.
ffrainces pebody Thomas perkins and John Wilds Deputed by the Towne to Vew A percell of Land Which Edmond Bridges desiered to haue of the Towne Wee haue so don and bounded it as followeth from the Riuer About A Valey that is in the Island according as the trees are marked A tree that stands in A poynt of rockes Close by the Riuer and so from tree to tree as thay be marked ouer to the sid of the Vpland to the other sid of the swamp so wee haue marked trees all a Long as the swamp goeth as the trees are marked to the Riuer Againe at the Vpper end of the medow next the Bridge, for and in Consideration of this Land the said Edmond Bridges is to aLowe the Towne thurty five shillings the fift 11 m 1665 Edmond Bridges
At a Lawfull Townemeeting the 19 of march 1666-7 ordred by the Inhabitance that all fences about Corne ffeilds with in ye bounds of the Towne shall be made of fiue railes and thay shall be well plased and what other fence is set Vp by any shall be equiuelant to a fiue raile fence and to bee set Vp and in good repare by ye twenty of apriell next and so to Continue from time to time Vntel such time as ye Towne see Case to alter it on penaltie of paying one shiling a day as a fine for euery day defect Isacke Estey and William Smith are Chosen to Vew the sd fences and take the fines the one halfe for the Townes vse the other halfe for themselues not withstanding any former Towne order. Voated
9
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
Thomas perkins ffrancies pebody and John Gould are Chosen to Vew and a gree with Daniell Borman for a hie way between William Aueriel house and the mill throw his ground as they shall see most Conuenyant Voted
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 8 of Apriell 1667
The Towne hath granted Liberty to William Aueriell and Daniell Borman to make a dame at the mile brooke a rode and a halfe aboue the bridge to float there medow prouided it be no damige to the Towne Voted.
ffrainces pebody John Gould and John Redington are Chosen to Vew and Lay out a hie way from the meeting house to Mr Endickat farme soficant for Carts Voted
At a Lawfull meeting ye 29 of Apriell 1667 It is ordered that ye house and land apionted and Laid out for ye Ves of ye ministerey shall so remaine as aboue said for Euer and that this order be recorded in ye County records Voted
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 9 of July 1667 The Inhabitance of ye Towne hath Left to ye descretion of the selectmen or maior part of them to Lay out a hie way from ye Common ground Which Lys on ye south sid of mile brooke ouer againts Goodman Dorman and sargt pebodys to Ensigne Howlett brooke notwithstanding any for- mer Towne order Whatsoeuer Voted
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 31 desember 1667 The Towne hath a greed that homesoeuer shall ether fale or lope any tree great or smale within twenty pole of the meeting house shall pay to ye Townes Vse twenty shilings for euery such defalt Voted
The three men namly ffrancies pebody Thomas perkins and John Wilds which were chosen by ye Towne to Exchang a percell of Land with John How, according to our order we haue Exchanged about three acres, wee haue Layed out eaight rods Wide at one end next John How and almost nine rods at the other end, at ye end of Mr per- kins Land next John ffrench bordering Vpon the Common.
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 13 day nouember, 1668. ffrainces pebody John Gould John Wilds Thomas Baker and Edmon Townes are Chosen thay or ye maior part of them to Lay out and deuide the Com- mon on Salam side of the Riuer all that Which is to be deuided notwith- standing any former Chouse or Towne order according to the Towne order made in the yeare 1664. Voted.
At a Lawfull Towne meeting ye 15 Jenewory 1668, The Inhabitance of the Towne hath giuen Samuel Howlett an inuitation to Come in to the Towne and set Vp his trade of smithing to doe ye Townes worke Voated.
apon Considration yt Samuel Howlett promiseth to ye Towne to Come and set Vp his trade in the Towne and doe there Work thay haue giuen to him four eacrs of Land Vpon the Common hill next to William Smith and John ffrainch Land Voted.
10
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Thomas perkins John ffranch & John Redington are Chosen to Lay out the a boue said fouer eacrs of Land to Samuel Howlett
Wee Whose Names are Under Wrighteen being Chosen by the Towne ye 13 of Nouember 1668 to deiuede ye Comman one Salam side of ye Riuer all that Which is to bee deiuded not withstanding any former Chouch or Towne order according to the Towne order made in ye yeare 1661: and according to the Rule ye Towne apiunted in ye yeare 1664. to deuide ye Common by wee haue don et as foleth in to three Deuisions as ye Towne ordered in ye yeare 1664 and as there seuerall proportions was by there Rate to ye minister in ye yeare 1664 hee that paid ffiuty shilings one of ye great shares and hee that paid vnder ffiuty to twenty one of ye midell shares and hee that paid vnder twenty shilings a singell share:
The Land Lyes in two parcell the forst part is Bounded Twowards ye West with mr Endickat Land and Twowards ye south with ffarmer porters Land and Twowards the east with Joseph Porters Land and Salam Line and Twowards ye North with ye Cowe Comman belonging to Topseild. The seckond parcell is bounded with Mr Endickat Land Twoward ye North and Twowards ye Weast with ye Riuer Commonly Caled Ipswich Riuer and Twowards ye south with Land that Lliut Thomas Putnam Layes Clame to & Land of William Hobes and easterly with ye land of ffarmer porter & William Hobes his Land: and where wee did find parson or parsons that ware Dead or had sould them selves out of ye Towne before wee deuided ye Land we Layed ye deuistion of Common Land that was ordered to be deuied to ye Inhobatants in ye yeare 1661 to ye Land of those that ware entred in ye Towne Booke Namely Zacheus Gould was Dead wee Layed his deuision to his Land and seuerall others that ware ether Dead or eles had sould all there housing and Land in Topsfield wee Layed out noe Land to any that was gone out of ye Towne but to ye Land that they had or did Liue one in Topseild when the acte was past by ye Towne in ye yeare 1661.
The Bredth of ye Lots in the yt first deuistion is as foleth beging at mr endichat Land
1 forst lot is six rod short of ye 11 lot is ten rod & ahalfe brod Bound tree betweene ye Cow 12 lot is ten rod broad
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