USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records, 1687-1706 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 W485ua 1796657
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 5745
WENHAM Mass.
TOWN RECORDS
V. / Supplement to Vol. I
1687-1706
This Supplement was the beginning of the so-called Swamp Book, 1687-1731
Vol. II of Town Records, 1707 - 1731 is the remainder of the Swamp Book
Published by WENHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY Printed by TOWN OF WENHAM 1940
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1796657
F WENHAM, Mass.
844953 Wenham town records ...
mand Auch tWenham, Moss. ; Te ........
.78 historical society, 1930- SV.
Ge 994.402 Contents .-- tv.1j 1642-1706 .-- v.2. 1707-1731 ."- W485m (V.3) 1730-1775.
Rack - Supplement to vol. I. 1637-1706 ... Wass. Nenhum historical society, 1940. sun. 1. 119p.
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NL 39-6357 - --.
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NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1 City Hall Avenue, Salem, Mass. 1940
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/wenhamtownrecord04unse
At a general Town Meeting - June 2 - 1687 for the preventing of controversias between the town and par- ticular persons about grants of land lying within the limits of said town and for the confirmation of every man in his possessions and proporty the town does make choice of Liet. William Fiske Charles Gott Sargent Walter Fairfield Thomas Patch and Thomas Fiske - to be a committee fully empowered or the major part of them to take a survey of all lands granted by or lying within our town and the said grants and possessions with the bounds thereof which said committee or the major part of them shall allow of and make an entree thereof in the town's book of records to the possesor being the proper owner with the quantity and bounds thereoff all such lands so allowed and entered as af forsaid shall be ac- counted good and lawfull tittle to them and their heirs forever.
The bounds of Nathaniel Waldron's House lot the marks are as follows - 1st a stake and heap of stones being the northeasterly corner nigh by land sometime in the possesion of Richard Hull and from thence northerly to a red Oak which stands in the fence and from thence westerly to a walnut standing at the gap and from thence turning Easterly to a broken top red oak till it comes within one furlough and two polls of said Oak thence turning a little southerly towards said Oak thence two polls northward and from thence turning southerly to the first bounds -
Thomas Fisk Charles Gott William Fisk Thomas Patch
The bounds of about ten acres of land which the above Nathaniel Waldron bought of John Abbot, which said Abbot had granted of the town lying on the north side of the above and is bounded as follows, The Easterly corner of joining his twenty polls of land which his house stands on which is a stake and heap of stones and from thence southerly to a large walnut tree marked on four sides,
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
from thence turning North easterly as the fence now stands about twenty polls and thence turning easterly as the fence stands, thence to an Oak tree marked on four sides being A cornor bounds, thence turning northerly by the fence to a stake and heap of stones and from thence northerly along in the line between him and Richard Dodge - it cometh to a great maple marked standing in the Ipswich line being also a corner bounds and thence turning Southerly along by and as the bounds of the tuenty acres of land next adjoining which tuenty acres belongeth to the sucessors of John White until it cometh to meet a line drawn along by the side of John Deniss his tuenty polls of land aforesaid the said line being ex- tended to the line of the aforsaid tuenty acres, thence turning easterly along in said line untill it comes to the boundaries mentioned
Thomas Fisk Jun- William Fisk Thomas Patch.
The bounds of Samuel and Thomas Kimballs farm on which their house standeth on 21st day of March 1678/9, we whose names are under written, being desired by Samuel Kimball and Thomas his brother to measure their farme on wich their house stands and state the bounds therof, which we did as follows - On the South side a white Oak tree, standeth at the Southeast corner of their fence to the meadow called Mr. Fisk's and so to a white Oak before their house, which trees are both marked, from thence to. a heap of stones lving in the fence near the meadow called the home meadow, and so to the fence on the west, Samuel & Thomas Kimball from the heap of stones by the fence side to an oak tree marked which joineth to the land called wildman's near the little pine swamp on the north, from thence to an oak tree by the swamp side, marked - and from thence to a little Oak marked at the corner of the swamp's most easterly bounds, and from thence going as the swamp goeth untill you come to a bound tree marked, which is either a red or black Oak tree, and standeth near to John Perkins
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
his land, and from thence on said line to a little white Oak marked near the side of the pond, and so to the white oak tree first mentioned at the south east corner of their farm, which bounds we have renewed and made for the above Kimball by virtue of a town order made in January 1678 -
and the subscribers being appointed Walter Fairfield
by the Selectmen to renew the bounds Charles Gott
between the town's common and Sam- John Batchelder uel and Thomas Kimballs Land we William Fiske have accordingly renewed the several
bounds as above mentioned this John Newman? 14th of March 1691-2 witness John Porter 5 Selectmen our hand
In persuance of an agreement bearing date June 14 - 1689 with relation to setting of convenient highways at the westerly end of said town of Wenham through the several proprietarys we have agreed this 21st of June Instant as follows that it shall be a convenient highway for carting & viz. beginning at the Beverly line by land of Epheriam Kimball and so to go along to goodman Sewards house as the way now goeth except the propritors shall make the said way to be better and more convenient by removing the same. And then from said Sewards house upon a gore- between a black Oak tree and a great white Oak Stump marked and standing near by line be- tween the land of Samuel Fisk and Taylor Fisk and land of the heirs of E/M Alpheuis Newman late of said Wen- ham deceased and from thence to go down the hill to the great road going down into the town as the way now go- eth till it comes to the land of Samuel Moulton adjoining to his house,
And for the way to go to the causeway to go from the Black Oak tree and white Oak Stump to a heap of stones in the lane by said Taylors Fisks house about six rods to the corner of William Fairfields fence, from thence to go on a line to a stake standing in the fence between William Fairfields land and the land now in the possesion
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
of Taylor Fisk and from thence turning westerly to go on a line to the corner bounds between the land of Wm Samuel & Taylor Fisk and so to go to the causeway as the way now goith and has formally gone.
And for the way to Salem Village from said Taylor Fisks house it shall begin at a heap of stones in the lane aforsaid and so to run along as the lane now goith taking so much of said Taylor Fisks field as may make the way convenient. And so to go along by Wm Fairfields fence as now it standeth till cometh to a great white oak being the corner bounds of said Wm Fairfield land and from the said White Oak to go as the way now goith untill it cometh to goodman Leaches line. And in case any one who is a propritor shall make any allteration of any of said ways it shall be removed where it may be more con- venient which shall be regulated by the judgment of a majority of the propritors as witness our hands as here- unto subscribed this 21st day of june 1689
William Fairfield Charles Gott
John Seward James Moulton 2₫
John Leach William Fisk
John Newman Thomas Kimball Thomas Kimball
The above with what is on the other side embodies (except the preface) a true coppy of the original agreement which was Submitted and made by the propritors to have en- tered in the towns books as witness my hand.
John Newman
That the aforsaid entre is a true coppy of the original agreement made by the propritors as Witness
Thomas Fisk Recorder
At a meeting of the Selectmen June 218t 1689- in refference to laying out town highways in the west of said town having allso obtained a writing with several of the inhabitants, propritors of the land and having left the matter to them to effect, who then jointly and unani- mously agreed and made a written covanent which was
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
by their agreement to be entered into the towns books as follows (together with an agreement allready by them made)
We whose names are herunto subscribed being met to- gether this 14th day of June Anno Domino 1689 with relation to setting and staking of convenient ways through our several propritories being at the westerly End of the town of Wenham begining at Samuel Moultons land adjoining to his house we having agreed and made a vote that the said way shall be appointed and regulated by a majority of us the subscribers. Viz. to the great Meadows by the causeway and Beverly by land of Ephraim Kim- ball and allso as far as said line shall go towards Salem village when it may be made without legal damage to the propritors and we having mutually agreed to meet to- gether the 21st day in order to the completing of the same as within we do conclude that it shall be conformed and finished by a majority of the Subscribers that shall appear as within
John Batchelder Samuel Fisk Thomas Fisk jun
his
Samuel O Moulton Walter Fairfield mark
Thomas Kimball
John Seward Ephraim Kimball Thomas Billings
William Fairfield Caleb Kimball John Batchelder
John Newman John Leach James Friend
Charles Gott James Moulton
At a town meeting March 1st 1691-2 voted that John Coys shall have and hold in fee simple that twenty five acres of land which his house stands on together with a strip of upland lying between his fence and the path which goith to Turnup Swamp, and that strip to be made up of six acres in said swamp to him and his heirs for- ever upon condition that he pay the town thirteen pounds silver money forth with and twelve pounds more in the same specia on or before the first day of March next ensueing.
March 8, 1691-2 Then paid by John Coys thirteen pound silver money to the constable according to an order
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
made by the town March 1st of the said thirteen pounds the Selectmen received three pounds to purchase ammu- nition Allso April 24th 1693 John Coys then paid to the Selectmen eight pounds and two shillings for the towns use -
At a general Town meeting April 12th 1692 The town by their vote declared their consent that the lease of the towns land which the Selectmen made with Thomas Patch Josiah Dodge and Nathaniel Waldron dated March 14th 1691/2 should be made void and the above Thomas Patch Josiah Dodge and Nathaniel Waldron did then consent to make void said lease upon condition that they be reimbursed again what they have expended in care about said land, and hereunto set their names -
Thomas Patch
To which condition the Town consented Josiah Dodge Nathaniel Waldron.
Also voted that Walter Fairfield Thomas Patch and Thomas Fisk are fully empowered as attorneys for the town in their name, and for their use to appear in any of their Magistrays Courts to sue and prosecute against Jonathan Hobbs for that said Hobbs have taken into his improvident a parcel of the towns Common in a place called the Neck lying within the township of Wenham the said Parcel of land contains 24 acres or thereabouts · be it more or less and allso to defend in any court as aforesaid and allso to use any other lawfull demands thereby to recover the towns right in said land out of said Hobbs his possession or improvement as fully and amply as the town in general any way can do ratifying & con- firming what the above attornies shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises.
Dec. 8th 1692 - John Coy then paid 3 pounds silver money by order of the town Oct. 5th Instant for the use of Isgn Fairfield for his services at general court, part of it being allready due and the rest for his services which the town made choice of him to do at the next general court.
This 10th of Oct. 1692 then receuved three pounds in
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
money of Coperal Fisk which is in consideration for serv- ices done for the town and to be done
Walter Fairfield -
At a Town Meeting Jan 1st 1692. Voted that whereas there are several parcells of land (swamp) in the com- mon which are not benificient for the public for herbage it is agreed that such swamp shall be lotted out to every free holder in said town to every man an equal share to be laid out to every person as convenient as may be by the Selectmen Lieut. Charles Gott and Thomas Patch. Allso voted that John Waldron and Zacheus Goldsmith shall have their lotts in said swamp with the freeholders-
Thomas Fiske jun his bounds of thirteen acres of land are as follows. beginning at the ash tree, which is the northeast corner of his farm which he bought of E/M Newman and from thence to Walter Fairfields corner and so taking said Fairfields bounds and E/M Newmans bounds 127 polls or there about from the aforsaid ash tree to a heap of stones near E/M Newmans head line and from thence turning northerly crossing a strip of the Swamp about 22 poles to an ash tree marked on four sides being the north east corner of said land from thence turning westerly to another ash tree marked on four sides standing at the point of the upland and from thence on. road toward the great meadow crossing a strip of swamp to another ash tree marked on four sides standing at an- other point of upland and from thence as the upland goeth to the great meadow and so taking the edge of the meadow till it comes to the corner bounds first mentioned and allowed April 27th 1693 Thomas Fisk William Fiske Charles Gott -
Attest Thomas Fisk Town Clerk -
Dec. 23rd 1693. John Coy having paid to the Selectmen several payments in all the full and just sum of five pounds ten shillings money in consideration of a parcel of swamp which the selectmen have sold said Coys ac- cording to a town Order 5 acres and 1/2 acre be the same more or less according to the several bounds hereafter
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
mentioned . viz beginning at his dam at the southeast end of it and so to a little white Oak marked on two sides about 3 rods from said dam and so to a small red oak marked on two sides and from thence to a birch allso marked and from thence to a white pine allso marked and from thence to a hemlock at the Edge of the swamp marked on four sides for A corner bounds and thence crossing a point of the Swamp to a maple marked on 4 sides standing on the east side of the swamp and from thence to a white oak bush marked on two sides and so to turnup Bridge as the trees are marked on the edge of the upland and to the west end of the bridge which is said Coys bounds of his six acres formerly sold to him by the town.
Jan 1st 1687-8 Lands in the possession of Thomas Patch in his own right being about fifty acres is bounded as follows. first at the northwesterly corner joining land in the possession of Thomas Hobbs with a red oak marked standing in the line between Ipswich and Wenham, and from thence along Easterly by Ipswich line untill it meetith with Richard Dodge his bounds which is a marked maple in the aforesaid line and from thence turning Southerly along by Said Dodge his land untill it meeteth with John Powlands ditch in the meadow and so taking the said ditch for the bounds untill it cometh to a white oak tree marked and from thence southerly along by the ditch untill it cometh to the end of it and so on further about two poles to a stake and heap of stones and from thence turning westerly on a line to a stump standing in the gutter which is in the fence about two poles North- ward from William Knowltons house, and from thence a little northerly to a stake and heap of stones which is the abovesaid Patches Northerly corner bounds and thence northerly to the red Oak first mentioned standing in the Ipswich line. the above said Patch allso having about two acres in addition lying on the westerly (side of the above said land and from his westerly corner) in breadth
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
about ten poles and in length about thirty-two poles ac- cording as his fence standeth
allowed by
Thomas Fisk William Fisk Waltor Fairfield
At a Town Meeting March 4th 1689.90
Voted that E/M Joseph Gerrish and his heirs shall have and enjoy that house and five acres of land be it more or less where he liveth upon the conditions expressed in writing under said E/M Gerrish his and his wifes their hands and seals dated March 1st 1687/S together with all other lands which they possess in the town right to have and to hold all the above said house and land to the aforesaid Joseph Gerrish and his heirs forever
I do by these presents for myself heirs Executors or assignes forever discharge aquit and exonerate the town of Wenham from any claim by me or mine to be made now or any time forever hereafter for my disbursements on that house and land where I now live and do free and discharge them from due or duties by them to be done in order to their providing me a house and allso engage by these presents, and I nor mine from by or under me shall claim challang or demand by an obligation by said Towne of forty pounds to be paid by them to my widow in case &c and this to stand in force against me and mine forever, in case and on consideration that the inhabitants of said Town of Wenham - - shall quit claim to any right title or grants by themselves made or to be made now or at tyme forever to, part and parcel of lands now in my possession and occupation with the housing fence yard and all and singular the privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging whereof I have sett to my hand and seal March 1st 1687
Joseph Gerrish Anne Gerrish
Copied (verbatim) of the original
under the hands and seals of E/M Joseph Gerrish and D/M Anna Gerrish
Attest John Newman Town Clerk -
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Several lots granted at pleasant pond by John Coys each person under written an acre - Jan. 5th 1693
beginning at the Ipswich line on both sides of the brook not exceeding 13 poles and not under 13 poles where there is ten rods of swamp from the west side of the brook to the upland are as followeth To Sergt Thomas Patch an acre beinning at the Ipswich line at a maple near the brook marked with a Marking Iron from thence upon the Ipswich line southeasterly to another maple marked with a marking Iron about twenty poles and from thence in breadth Southwesterly four poles to a little maple marked on four sides and from thence turning across the brook westerly to a white oak about twenty poles to the maple first mentioned. next to that Waltor Fairfield an acre six poles in breadth lying on both sides of the brook joining to the upland at the west- erly End next to Thomas Fisk sergt six poles in breadth lying on both sides of the brook, being bounded by the upland westerly and on the easterly end bounded by a maple tree marked on four sides. next John Dodge jun six poles in breadth allso lying on both sides of the brook bounded by the upland at the westerly end, and at the easterly end by a maple marked on four sides next Josiah Dodge six poles in breadth bounded by a white oak marked on four sides standing upon the upland at the westerly · end and at the easterly end by a stake 6 poles in breadth from John Dodge his bounds-
next John Edwards 6 poles in breadth from Josiah Dodge's stake at the easterly End to a maple marked on 4 sides and lying the same length of Josiah Dodges 6 poles from his white oak bounds at the westerly end to a maple marked on four sides
next Benjamin Edwards six poles in breadth from John Edwards to a birch marked on 4 sides standing at the edge of the pond at the westerly end, and at the Easterly end bounded by an old Hemlock marked on 4 sides stand- ing. at the edge of the upland 6 poles in breadth from John Edwards bounds. next Benjamin Edwards in the right of Mordeca Larcom 9 poles in breadth from Ben-
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
jamin Edwards aforsaid at the Easterly end to a hem- lock marked on 4 sides at the edge of the upland and from thence to an angle at the aforsaid birch at the Edge of the pond
next John Barnes from the aforsaid Benjamin Ed- wards Hemlock at the easterly end about twelve poles to a hemlock marked on 4 sides standing on the upland at the edge of the pond and from thence to a maple marked standing at the edge of the pond about eight rods in breadth from Benjamin Edwards line and from said maple to Benjamin Edwards birch aforsaid
next Benjamin Edwards in the right of John Newman from John Barnes hemlock at the east end to the brook that cometh from Manchester into the pond, taking the brook for his bounds till it cometh to the pond and then by the pond side till he come to John Barns bounds. Jan 4th 1693 Ensign Walter Fairfield doeth hereby own that he having the day above said, sold and conveyed to Benjamin Edwards of Wenham his acre of Swamp as twas granted and laid out to him said Fairfield by the committee being marked on the other side to have and to hold to him the said Benjamin Edwards and his heirs forever, for which acre of swamp he allso owns himself fully paid according to bargain as witness his hand.
Walter Fairfield. Attest Thomas Fisk. Town Clerk -
Jan 5- 1698- We whose names are underwritten did then layout town lotts of Swamp - To John Gott Joseph Herrick John Herrick and Thomas Kilham in that swamp which runeth from Goodman Leaches meadow bounded by John Gotts land beginning at a pine stump about 50 poles southerly from said Gotts northerly corner bounds and from said pine stump it runneth 17 poles in breadth to an ash tree marked on four sides and from thence turning northerly to an alder marked on four sides 17 poles southerly from John Gotts corner bounds afor- said Alls: then laid out four lots more to four several persons viz. Thomas Kimball, Ephraim Kimball Caleb Kimball and Joseph Batchelder the like lots laying on
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
the southerly side of the aforsaid lott bearing the same breadth and length according to the bounds there marked Thomas Fisk William Fisk
Thomas Patch
Samuel Kilham
At a meeting of the committee to grant and lay out swamp according to a town order made formerly Jan 1st 1692 Imprimis Granted one acre of swamp to E/M Gerrish lying east from his two acres formerly laid out to him in the swamp in the neck joining to Goodman Clafflins land on the south End and on Mr. Smiths meadow on the north end, according to the bound marks next to that granted to Nathaniel Waldron. one acre on the south of E/M Gerrish's acre joining to Goodman Clafflins Line on the south end and on the north on E/M Smiths meadow from E/M Gerrish corner to a pine tree marked with S being E/M Smiths corner bounds of his meadow
next granted to John Porter one acre laying east from Nathaniel Waldrons acre and so running to Thomas Whites farm five poles and six feet wide and on the South end the like breadth joining and upon Common next granted to Robert Hibbert one acre of land 5 poles and ten feet wide next Thomas White's farm and the like breadth on the south end joining to common -
next granted to John Abbot one acre on the east side of John Porters five poles and six foot in breadth join- ing to Thomas White's farm and the like breadth on the south end joining the common.
next granted to Samuel Kilham one acre and one acre more in the right of Lieut Charles Gott which two acres join together lay joining to Thomas Whites farm on the north end from Robert Hibbert's acre to John Dodge his bounds and so taking said Dodges line untill it come to the brook on the northeasterly corner of the two acres and from thence crossing westerly to Robert Hibbert's corner bounds -.
Feb. 3ª 1703 - Then laid out to Theopholus Fisk one acre more or less to commence at the edge of the great
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
swamp next his own land 18 poles in length and 10 poles wide on the easterly end next his fathers land and 14 poles northerly laying on an angle and then laid out to Samuel Fisk Sen - one acre of swamp in the swamp adjoining. to Leaches meadow adjoining to Thomas Fiske's line 9 poles and at the west end 8 poles and in length 18 poles - Thomas Fisk William Fisk James Friend
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Beverly on 8th day of April 1691 Whereas there was then presented a note to said Selectmen with the name of Capt. Theopholus Fisk subscribed there to said note bearing date 3rd April 1691 whereas it was sighnd to the Selectmen of Beverly that they would send some meet persons with full Power to meet with Wenham men at the house of Lieut John Dodge on tuesday at eight of the clock it being the fourteenth of this instant April to go with them on perambulation bounds between the Town of Wenham and Town of Bev- erly have desiered and appointed Capt Paul Thorndike Lieut John Dodge Lieut William Dodge Sargent Zachery Herrick E/M Nehemiah Grovier Eben' Woodbury and Robert Brisco with some of the Scholars to go on peram- bulation of the bounds between said Town of Wenham that doeth appear appointed for that work, said commit- tee respectfully for each town above said do agree. Thomas West by Appointment of the rest of the Select- men of Beverly to meet with those Gentlemen of Wenham on this 14th day of April 1691 to perambulate bounds between Wenham and Beverly did accordingly meet in order thereunto and by mutual consent renewed a heap of stones with a stake on the north side of longham meadow which heap of stones is agreed to be in the line from a white oak at Alfords hill to a white oak marked formaly at the east End of Pleasant pond, which line is mentioned in the agreement between the above said towns bearing date Oct 2214 1680 as allso revised the westerly bounds formally stated in pursuance of said agreement
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