USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Andover Massachusetts town meeting records 1656-1709 > Part 5
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Sols to Samuell Preston an acre of swamp land lying on the left hand of the way leading to John Abbott's, he paying according to a town order: Thirty shillings in English and Indian corn at the current price, it lying in the meantime as security to the town for the payment thereof.
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Voted and passed that the committee that was chosen in the year (82) shall still continue in force, and hereby are obliged to go about the business relating to meadows, and to make return of what they have done the next town meeting the town paying them for their time.
Voted and passed that the major part of the selectmen for the time being and from time to time shall be a committee for the ordering where each person male and female shall sit in the meeting house, by male and female is meant from 18 or 20 years old and upward and persons that are disobedient to this order shall pay ten shillings per diem for their dis- order.
Voted and passed that the constable from year to year shall the last Monday in August at nine of the clock in the morning call all the in- habitants of the tom by name ( by inhabitants is meant all householders and persons that have the management of any estate and hired servants) and if any such person shall not then appear at the meeting house and bring the bills of their rateable estates, they shall pay five shillings to the use of the town the selectmen making the constable a reasonable allowance for his care and pains.
At a town meeting of the town lawfully assembled this llth of October 1686.
Lieut. Thomas Chandler was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Voted and passed that the town will give Mr. Barnard some land for his own inheritance.
Voted and passed that Mr. Barnard shall have the land which is between the way leading to Shawshin field and the way leading to Cochichawick field and northerly to the line where the Common fence formerly stood.
Voted and passed that Mr. Barnard shall also have three score acres of land out of that four score acres of land which was John Johnson's great division, and liberty given to him the said Johnson to change it for another place as appears upon record, and Lieut. Chandler and Goodman Poor and Thomas Johnson to lay it out.
Voted that those that catch wolves in the town of Andover and act therein as the former law of the country did direct, shall have ten shill- ings for each wolf, to be paid by the town unless the authority of the country take some other order about such things.
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At a lawful town meeting this 3rd day of January 1656
Capt. John Osgood was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Capt. John Osgood, Richard Barker, Sr., Daniel Poor, Sr., Stephen Osgood and Christopher Osgood are chosen selectmen for the year ensuing.
Francis Faulkner is chosen constable for the north end of the town for the year ensuing.
John Chandler was chosen constable for the south end of the town for the year ensuing.
Voted that Richard Barker Sr., shall have a parcel of meadow in Wades meadow, on the easterly side of Ensign Stevens his meadow, being bounded with the Cedar swamp and the upland it being in full satisfaction for a high way for the inhabitants of Andover over his the said Barker's Wades meadow and the grant in the year (79 - 80) is hereby made void.
Voted and passed that for the future the tom shall change no land with any man, but with the consent of eveny inhabitant of the town; they having sufficiently experienced the damage thereby, already.
Voted that Mr. Barnard's wood shall be paid in long wood and to be proportioned as the town shall afterwards agree.
Voted and passed that the selectmen for this year shall be a committee for this year for the proportioning of each man's share of wood to be paid to Mr. Barnard according to every man's rate for this year which they are forthwith to do, and to signify to the inhabitants.
At a town meeting this 7th of March, 1686/7
Capt. John Osgood was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Voted and passed that Deacon John Frie shall go down to Boston and in- quire of the authority there how they understand the meaning of their pro- clamation about the selectmen and constables continuing in place till farther order: informing them of our actions herein and to make report to Capt. Osgood, who shall inform the town thereof.
Voted and passed that the hill called the Ware Hill beginning on the north with the land of Stephen Barker and Stephen Parker and going southerly to the land of Henry Ingalls Sr., and the lands and meadows already laid out and westerly with land already laid out said hill to remain for (torn) sheep pasture forever the wood and timber for the inhabitants.
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Voted and passed that a tract of common land lying betwixt the land of Christopher Osgood and the land of John Chander and so between that way and the farther clay pit meadow shall always lie as a sheep common not prejudicing any way.
Voted and passed that a parcel of land lying between the land of Wil- liam Ballard, Sr., and the pond called Ballard's pond and so to the end of the pine plain, and so between the land of Joseph Ballard, Hugh Stone and William Blunt, and so to John Abbott shall for ever lie for a sheep pasture.
Voted and passed that all the common land betwixt the land of Stephen Johnson, Andrew Foster, Joseph Lovejoy and so to Lt. Chandler's land, shall always lie for a sheep common the abovesaid sheep commons being free for all commoners both for fire wood, timber and the feed of other cattle, horses or otherwise, but not for others.
Voted and passed that no fish called alewives shall be stopped by any person whatsoever in their going up into the pond, but what shall be caught at the mill in their passage except for eating in their families upon the forfeiture of five pounds, and said person to be suable that shall so do, by any that finds themselves aggrieved.
Voted and passed that the act about the way going through Goodman Blanchard's land made the 4th of January, 1685 shall be of no value, it being done upon wrong information.
Voted that whereas a way was allowed through the land of Goodman Love- joy and Samuel Blanchard they have chosen mutually and the tom allowed of Capt. Osgood, Lt. Chandler, Ens. Stevens and Cpl. John Chandler, and Deacon Frie to be a committee lay the way through said land; and to do it by the last of this instant March and the town to be at no charge about it.
Sold Stephen Barker an acre of land adjoining to the land of said Stephen, he paying after the rate of thirty shillings per acre according as we formerly sold land.
Sold to Ephraim Foster a parcel of land at the northeast corner of said Foster's land he paying according to former usage (viz.) thirty shill- ings per acre.
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Andover the 2d day of January, 1687: at a lawful town meeting there according to town agreement
Capt. John was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Capt. John Osgood, Daniel Poor Sr., Christopher Osgood, John Aslebee and Joseph Ballard are chosen selectmen for the year ensuing.
Stephen Parker was chosen constable for the north end of the town for the year ensuing and Samuell Blanchard was chosen constable for the south end of the town for the year ensuing.
Granted to Sgt. Samuel Martin two acres of land in the wolf swamp adjoining to the land that is now in in the possession of Samuell Marble, it being in con- sideration of an acre of meadow he lost by Sgt. Fuller's lines he laying it in a long square.
Voted and passed that whereas William Barker hath got the lotlayers to lay out a parcel of land that lies betwixt his own house, Sgt. Barker's house and Lawrence Lacy his land and the land of Alexander Sessions, the town declares that act void and confirmes the said land to the neighborhood for a sheep common for ever.
Voted and passed that the town will allow such encouragement both of wood land and mine toward the setting up of iron works as may be most convenient for the same and least of judicial to the town and not to damnify the mill upon Shawshein river provided the owners agree with the committee according to the town order. The sawmill in said order excepted.
Granted liberty to Robert Eimes Moses Tyler & the neighborhood thereabouts to set up a house for their convenience for their families and horses on sabbath days to join to the south end of Goodman Phelps his house and so rang- ing with Capt. Bradstreet his line ...
Granted liberty to Hope Tyler to set up a shop in the street near his house, provided he exceeds not fourteen foot from the wall nor about two and twenty foot in length.
At a lawful town meeting May the 21st 1688
Capt. John Osgood was chosen moderator for this meeting.
Voted that the number of selectmen from time to time shall be six.
Capt. Bradstreet, Capt. Osgood, Lt. Janm Stevens, Christopher Osgood, Cpl. John Aslebee, and Cpl. Joseph Ballard, are chosen selectmen for the year ensuing.
Capt. Thomas Chandler was chosen commissioner for this year.
Stephen Parker was chosen constable for the north end of the tom for the year ensuing. Samuel Blanchard was chosen constable for the south end of the town.
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Voted and passed that there shall be an addition mace to the meeting house as soon as conveniently can be done, the selectmen to observe the lex about it, the addition to be for igness as the selectmen think meet.
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Upon consideration that there was a small corner of lawu on the north side of Joseph ovejoy's land, which is no ways beneficial to the sheep common there granted as the neighbor- cod informs, the town have therefore sold the said Joseph Lovejoy two acres of said land on the north side of his own land he paying thirty shillings per acre in specie as usual.
Whereas: Abraham Moor hath irregularly set his house upon the common, the town with his n consent hath fined him ten shillings and also sold him an acre of land where his house now stands he paying to the town within a twelvemonth thirty shillings for it in specie usual.
At a general town meeting the 20th day of May 1689
Capt. John Osgood was chosen moderator.
It was voted and declared by the inhabitants of the town of Andover no man dissenting, hat it is their mind and desire that the Governor, deputy Governor and assistants chosen in the year 1686 (with the addition of such gentlemen as shall be chosen by the major vote of he inhabitants of this Colony, to make up the number according to charter) and the deputies hen sent by the Freemen of the said colony should be the Government settled n this Colony according to charter rights, until the Government be more orderly settled by the Crown of England.
Capt. John Osgood was chosen as a representative of the town to carry the abovesaid vote of the tom to Boston and also the votes for such magistrates and others, as are wanting in the former choice, in the year (86).
At a town meeting legally warned to be this 15th July 1689:
Samuel Blanchard was chosen moderator for this meeting.
It was voted and passed (that whereas the time for choice of constables and selectmen mas lapsed) the last year that the choice of said officers should be only till our usual town meetings for choice of such officers (viz:) the first Monday in January next.
Voted the number of selectmen shall be but five for this choice.
Capt. Dudley Bradstreet, Capt. John Osgood, Cpl. John Aslebee, John Osgood, Jr., and Ichard Barker, Jr., are chosen selectmen till the first Monday in January next.
Daniel Poor was chosen constable for the north part of the town for the time abovesaid.
Francis Dane was chosen constable for the south end of the tom for the time abovesaid.
It was voted that an acre and half of land be sold to Andrew Peters Sr. out of a gore of land between Capt. Chandler's and Walter Wright's, he having affirmed that the neighborhood werr Filling though they were not present. Joseph Ballard objected against this vote and lerired his dissent might be entered.
Co, t. Chandler and Steven Osgood were appointed to lay out the said land.
Told to Ephraim Stevens three quarters of an acre of land against his own house adjoining the land of Nathaniel Dane and Stephens at the usual price.
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. Voted that t.s twenty acres of land granted to a mill on Shawshin river shall be enjoyed by Joseph and John Ballard and their heirs so long as they shall keep up a grist and fulling mill for the good and benefit of the town, and in case by the providence of God said mills or dam should come to such casualty as to be wholly spoiled and they repair it not within three years after such casualty then said land to revert to the town and in case said Ballards see cause to sell said land, they shall first offer of it to the town and shall sell it to no other persons as the town shall accept and for the use and terms abovesaid.
Timothy Abbott a gore of land lying at the east end of his house
north side of his land at the usual price. Joseph Ballard Holt to lay it out and go give account to the selectmen utity.
full and general town meeting this 6th of January 1689 as Chandler was chosen moderator for this day. adstreet, Cap. Chandler, Sgr. Joseph Ballard, John and Henry Holt were chosen selectmen for the year ensuing.
Walter Wright and Ephraim Foster were chosen constables for the town of Andover for the year ensuing.
Whereas there has been divers complaints of several persons that have encroached upon the town common both in meadow, upland, swampland and also in the improvement of timber by carrying it out of town contrary to the or- der of the town, which duses the town is very sensible of & have therefore appointed a committee to hear said complaints and make return thereof to the town the next town meeting, with what they judge the damage to be, and the town to pay them for their pains, and all persons are desired to make report to said committee of what defects or abuses they know of the above- said nature that so we may be freed from the like complaints for time to come. This was voted and passed the 6th January 1689.
Lt. Parker, Cpl. John Aslebee and Joseph Marble were chosen for this committee, the town having voted that there should be the committee.
It was voted and passed that henceforward the minister's rates shall be made distinct from the town rate, and both at the time formerly agreed upon by the town (viz)* in September.
Sold to Mr. Andrew Peters what land lieth on the south side of what land he bought of the town formerly, up to the high way leading to John Abbott's, he paying after the rate of thirty shillings per acre, Capt. Chandler and Steven Osgood to measure it to him.
Granted liberty to Samuel Marble to change a parcel of land upon the gravelly ridge near his barn and to join it to Sgt. Nathan Stevens his lot, Sgt. Nathan Stevens and Sgt. John Bridges to measure said parcel of land, and to acquaint the selectmen of what the difference in worth is, and to give under their hands the bounds of said land that a record may be made of it.
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and the overplus to be paid to the town by said Marble in such pr.' as the town pays the ministers rates in.
Sold to Nathan Stevens Jr. half an acre of land on the east side of the land which was Lt. Stevens he not prejudicing any way now in use, and he paying after the rate of thirty shillings per acre, and Sgt. Stevens and Sgt. Bridges are to lay it out.
Sold to Robert Eimes of Boxford eight thousand short shingles in the cedar swamp next the maple meadow he paying one shilling and six pence to the town per thousand all the said shingles to be old stuff already fallen down, by eight thousand short shingles is meant stuff to make them of and cpl. Ephraim Stevens to take a view of them and make return thereof to the selectmen.
Voted and passed that a committee be chosen to appoint the several inhabitants that shall belong to the several sheep commons granted to the several parts of the town and to state the bounds of it and as to others that may hereafter settle within the said precincts.
Capt. Bradstreet, Capt. Osgood, Capt. Chandler, Lt. Parker, Christopher Osgood, Deacon John Frie, John Abbot Sr. are appointed for a committee for the end abovesaid and are empowered accordingly.
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The particular grants of land and meadows granted to William Chandler.
granted to him ten acres of land on the hill on the south side of his house, five acres whereof was granted to William Ballard, for a house lot and four acres to himself for his house lot and one acre for his new field division bounded on the west with the house lot of Andrew Allen, on the southwest with a great red oak on the southeast with a white oak and on the east with the land of Mr. Dane, on the northeast corner with a stump.
Granted to him seventeen acres of land for his division land above little Hope bridge bounded on the north with a brook and a high red oak stump, on the west with a hill, on the south with a great clump of rocks, close by the river and on the east with Shawshin river.
Granted to him two acres and a half of meadow: on the south side of Shawshin river against Bilrekay meddows, between the meadow which was John Remington's and the meadow of George Abbot Senior.
Granted to him all the meadow between George Abbot Sen. and the brook which runs out of the meadow of Andrew Foster in the east of Shawshin River, with all the meadow on the south side of that brook from the river to a clump of asps, where the brook and the. upland meet, with the meadow on the north side of that brook from the river to the where the brook and the upland meet with a bit of meadow on the east side of Shawshin ijver against Pole Hill. All these parcels are granted for three acres and a half be It more or less.
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Att a Gen'l towne meetir g ye 3d of March 1689:90 Left. John Barker was chosen moderator for this psent meeting.
The towne order for je vear ensuing were read att this meeting & ye returne of ve committee about dividing the sheep commons:
Sold to Walter Wright all the land he hath fenced in more then his due (which ye Committee appointed for that end) judged to be three quarters of an acre, he paying to the use of ye town after ye rate of thirty shillings an acre, within a twelve month and to pay fifteen pence for a year for every year since he hath fenced it, tell this time that he hath bought it which he oms to be five year.
Granted to John Marstone and Nathan Steevens junr: libertie to improve eight or tenn acres of upland upon he bear hill, leaving ye same in english stuble and sowing it suf- ficiently with english hay seed at ye end of ye term of seaven years, the time to begin from ye date hereof: and to use noe fencing timber about it but what grows upon ye land they fence in, but to take none of ye common for that end.
Graunted libertie to William Lovejoy & Saml Preston to improve tenn acres of land upon he top of he hill on ye left hand of ye way leading from sd Lovejoy his house to towne, and to have it seaven years from ye date hereof, as ye above sd. John Marstone & Nathan Steevuns have it soe to sowe it with english hay seed sufficiently as aforesd.
Sold to Robert Grey a parcell of land he formerly bought of ye towne but not being able to pay for it he resigned it up to towne, and has now bought it again, & Saml Holt hath engaged to pay five pounds a year for three years in such pay as the towne usually sells land for.
George Abbott senr is Grand jury man for ye year ensuing.
John Osgood junr was chosen jury man for trials for ye year ensuing.
Att a lawful Towne meeting this 5th of January 1690:
Left. John Barker was chosen moderator for this meeting:
Capt. Thomas Chandler, Left John Barker, Serjnt Jno Chandler, John Abbott senr, & Henry Holt were chosen select men for ye year ensuing.
George Abbott junr is chosen constable for ye year ensuing & alsoe William Johnson is likewise chosen Constable for ye year ensuing.
Vote, ye deputy now in being shall goe noe more to the Genll court as a deputy tell there be a new choise according to law: unless upon his own account.
Sold to Nathan Stevens junr. half an acre of land adjoining to ye north part of ye land formerly belonging to his father Left Jno Steevens & so joined to ye land of Richard Enrker senr, ye wood that is now growing upon it to be free for ye neighborhood: he ye sd Nathan paying to ye towne within a twelve month fifteen shillings.
Sold to Joseph Emery one acre of land adjoining to ye Northeast part of ye land he bought of Capt Bradstreet, he paying to ye towne within a twelve month thirty shillings ns man used to pay that (torn) land of ye towne.
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.od to William Abbott thirty rodds of' ground on ye west side of the land he formerly ; Fimard Whittingtoi he not njudining any way, & paying within a twelve month for it "y" rite of thirty shillings per acre:
.. Je to Joseph Robinson half an acre of swamp lying on ye west side of ye land he it crossed out and had substituted) of ye towne, he paying fifteen shillings to ye ne Ho within a twelve month.
Food and passed that he selectmen for this year shall give warrant to ye constables tor ve several sums, due from deliquent persons, brought to ye towne by ye committee went to inspect such as have incroached upon ye towne common or carried any time out of " Contrary to tomme orde, and alsoe they are to give orders to have all fence putted up -:: ir set upon ye common land: and to improve what money sd selectmen receive, for ye · we use.
Voted and passed that in case ve inhabitants bring not in their pportion of wood to ye minister for this last year, & what was formerly due, by ye next tome meeting, ye selectmen Mall orde ye constables by warrant unde their hands, to distreine upon each deliquent after yo rate of three shillings per load, & provide said wood themselves out of said fines, ye teminder to be to ye use of ye towne.
Att a lawfull towne meeting this 2d of March 1690:91
Captain John Osgood was chosen moderator for this meeting-
Voted that there shall be but one towne meeting in a year (except upon urgent occasion) and that meeting to be ye first Munday in March yearly. Voted that a committee be chosen for ye new setting of ye meeting house. Voted yet ye above sd committees for setting ye meeting house, be Capt. Dudley Brad- street, Capt Jnº Osgood, Richard Barker senr: Left Jnº Barker, Decon John ffrie, & oe ; overend elders, Mr. Dane and Mr. Barnard are desired to joyne with sd committee, for ye md above sd.
Sold to Mr. Andrew Peters a parcell of land as it shall appear by measure for thirty shillings ye acre, sd land to lye on ye north side of Capt Chandler Llolt and joining to ye mosterly side of some of Carpll Thomas Johnson land: soe on a straight line from Walter Fright northly bounds to ye lower end of sd Corp. Johnsons swamp.
William Lovejoy was chosen Grand jury man for ye ensuing year:
Serjnt Henry Ingalls was chosen for ye jury of trials for ye year ensuing:
Thereas ye committee for passing of graunts, formerly graunted and ye grants lost, or "vrelessly entered, ye most of them being dead, ye tome have chosen Capt Dudley Bradstreet, .4. :. Thomas Chandler, Left John Barker, Deacon John ffrie, & Corp- Thomas Johnson to make · ci committee, being impowered as ye sd committee was att first.
Voted and passed that Left Christopher Osgood, Serint John Chandler, Corp- Johnson & rt .: 7 Holt, be a committee to vieue and measure out soe much land of Benjamin Abbotts, (ac- ':'n ;; to his desire) as shall be beneficial for ye corn mill & for ye iron works intended . bo set up there and to
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lay soe much to him ye sd benjamin Abbott in a parcell of Comm between ye land of Saml Ward- well & ye Thomas Carrier.
Sold to Richard Barker junr seaven thousand of shingles out of the farthermost cedar :wamp, ye meaning is short shingles, and to pay to the tome within a twelve month one shill- ing & six pence per thousand.
Sold to Quartermaster Moses Tyler eight thousand of short shingles in ye same swamp and .tt ve same prise.
Voted that whereas Corp- Joseph Pobinson hath lost ye return of ye bounds of his twenty acres of land granted by ye towne, ye towne have appointed Left Jnº Barker & Corp- Thomas Johnson to review ye bounds, and to make return under their hands:
Sold to Andrew ffoster three quarters of an acre of land out of that land which Sam- Preston had formerly fenced out of ye common, the Lott layers to lay it out.
Voted and passed that ye proprietors in wades meadow shall have libertie to fence in sd meadow acrosse the neck of land from Goodman Barkers spong & soe by ye west side of bullrush meadows to ye cedar swamp, and on ye north side of wades meadow brook soe far as sd: meadow roes, and in case att ye end of tenn years this fence prove prejudiciall to he tomme, if ye tome soe oder it shall be thrown up again to ye common; this sd fence yearly to be layd open by ye middle of August, on that side next to ye towne, and all cattle that shall be taken within sd fence (when it is in good repair) either propretors or others shall be lyable to be impounded by any inhabitant
Sold to Quartermaster ffrie a parcell of land on each side of his house by his fence side, part of which he hath already fenced, he paying to ye towne after ye rate of thirty shillings per acre, the lott layers to measure it and make return of it.
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