USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > Annals of the town of Dorchester > Part 3
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1687.
Selectmen. Samuel Clap, Timothy Tilestone, Lt. Hall, Wm. Sumner & Henry Leadbetter. Recorder, Samuel
32
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Clap. Constables, James Blake & Isaac Royal. Births 33. Deaths 10. This Year ye Town Passed a Vote that ye Selectmen should be Raters this Year. This Year was Drowned one John Douse of Charlestown, at Neponsit Riuer on ye 23d of Novr. and was found cast upon Thom- sons Island Shore ye 19th of March after.
There was no Deputies Chosen this Year, it being in ye Time of Sir Edmond Andrew's Gouernment. This Year Isaac Royal gaue a Receipt for £200 for ye new Meeting-house & was discharged of ye work.
1688.
Selectmen, John Breck, Saml. Clap, Timothy Tilestone, Henry Leadbetter, Saml. Robinson & John Withington. Constables, John Minot, John Blake. There was no Deputies nor Raters Chosen this Year. Births 32. Deaths 20.
This Year Apr. 30th James ye Son of James Blake Junr. was Born.
1689.
Selectmen, Samuel Clap, Timothy Tilestone, John With- ington, Henry Leadbetter & Richard Hall. Recorder, Samuel Clap. Raters, Sanıl. Paul, James Foster & Saml. Topliff. Deputies, Samuel Clap & Timothy Tilestone. Births 31. Deaths 13. This Year Samuel Paul was Chosen Clerk of ye Writs. There is no Record of any Constables Chosen this Year.
1690.
Selectmen, Saml. Clap, Timothy Tilestone, Hopestill Clap, Henry Leadbetter & James Foster. Raters, Saml. Topliff, John Minot & Ebenezer Williams. Deputy, Samuel Clap. Constables, Standfast Foster & Charles Davenport. Births 15. Deaths 28.
This Year Apr. 4th Died Serjt. William Pond. And this Year Febr. 17th Died Capt. John Breck, and Janr. 26th John Minot Died, of ye Small Pox.
33
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1691.
Selectmen, Samuel Clap, Henry Leadbetter, Timothy Tilestone, Hopestill Clap & Saml. Topliff. Deputy, Saml. Clap. Constables, Desire Clap & Philip Withington. Births 26. Deaths 20. This Year June 23d Died Lt. Richard Hall. There is a memorandum in my Fathers Book, which was ye Account which he kept, that from ye first of April 1690, unto ye last of July 1691, that is one year & four months, there died in Dorchester 57 Persons, 33 of them of ye Small Pox, the Rest of a Feaver; the most of them of a middle age. About ye same time [that is in 1690] lost at Sea 46 Soldiers* that went to Canada ; in all 103. By which it appears that all ye Deaths were not brought to Record these years, more especially in 1690.
1692.
Untill this year ye Selectmen were Chosen in December, but those that were Chosen in December 91, served untill March 92-3, and then there was a new Choice for ye year 1693. Raters, none. Deputies, none. Constables, Wm. Royal, Isaac Humfrey. Births 21. Deaths 16.
This Year Died Capt. John Capen : he was also Dea- con of ye Church, & had been Selectman 16 years & Re- corder 13 years ; and wrote more in the Books than any one man by far ; keeping ye Books in good order. He wrote about 246 Pages in both Books.
1693.
Selectmen, Enoch Wiswell, Saml. Robinson, John Tol- man, James Bird, Increase Sumner. Town Clerk & Re- corder, Robert Searl. Constables, Samuel Jones, James Baker. Deputies, none. Births 35. Deaths 13.
This year July 29th Died Sarah ye widow of Clement Topliff, aged 88 years. And Thos. Trott Junr. by a fall from his Cart, Janr. 13th. And Elizabeth ye wife of Elder James Blake, Janr. 16, 1693-4.
* See Appendix, Note II.
34
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1694.
Mr. Thomas Tilestone Died June 24th 1694, aged 83 years.
Selectmen, John Tolman, John Bird, James Foster, James White & Saml. Capen. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Note, when Assessors are not Chosen, the Selectmen are Assessors. Constables, Samuel Wales, Increase Sumner. Births 25. Deaths 12. Representatiue, Lt. Tilestone. And Commissioner, Capt. Saml. Clap. This year ye School-house that now is, was built, John Trescott Car- penter, Cost 22 pounds.
1695.
Selectmen, John Tolman, James Foster, John Bird. James White & Samuel Capen. Town Clerk, Robt. Searl. Deputy or Repres. Capt. Clap. Constables, Robt. Spur Junr. & Eben. Jones. Births 31. Deaths 9.
This year Decr. 31st Died Mrs. Ann Pierce, Widow of Mr. Robert Pierce, being about 104 years old.
1696.
Selectmen, Saml. Capen, Ens. Foster, John Bird, James White, Dea. Topliff. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Con- stables, Eben. Davenport, Joseph Withington. Repre- sentatiue, Capt. Clap. Assessors, Capt. Saml. Clap, En- sign James Foster & Deacon Topliff. Births 29. Deaths 7. This year Died July 28th Thos. Trott, aged 82 years. And Purchase Capen was Killed by ye accidental firing of a Gun, Sepr. 9th, a young man about 20 or 21 years old.
1697.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Dea. Topliff, Dea. Clap, Samuel Capen, Ens. Foster. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Town Treasurer, Capt. Clap. Representatiue, none Recorded. Constables, Ephraim Payson, Saml. Paul. Births 26. Deaths 6. This year Aug. 9th Died Lt. Timothy Tiles- tone.
35
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1698.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Dea. Clap, Dea. Topliff, Saml. Wales, Samuel Capen. Clerk, Robt. Searl. Representa- tiue, none Recorded. Constables, Saml. Payson, Oliver Wiswell. Births 33. Deaths 7. This year Decr. 16th Died Saml. Pierce, Son of Thos. Pierce Senr. with a broken Legg by ye fall of a Tree. He was a young man.
This year was Finished ye laying out ye 12 Divisions of Land, so called, in ye new Grant.
1140281
1699.
Selectmen, Dea. Topliff, Dea. Clap, Saml. Wales, James Foster, Daniel Preston. Clerk, Robt. Searl. Representa- tiue, Capt. Clap. Constables, Noah Beman, Samuel Trott. Births 27. Deaths 11. This year Sepr. 11th Died Wm. Trescot aged 84 years 8 months. And Wid. Elizabeth George Novr. 8th, aged 98 years. Increase Blake, Son of James Blake, born this year June 8th 1699.
1700.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Daniel Preston, Charles Dauen- port, Samuel Wales, James Blake. Clerk, Robert Searl. Deputy, none Recorded. Constables, Roger Billing, Hum- phrey Atherton.
Births 34. Deaths 15.
This year June 28th Died Elder James Blake, aged 77 years. He was first a Deacon of ye Church in Dorchester about 11 years, & then a Ruling Elder of ye same Church about 14 years, unto his death.
1701.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Daniel Preston, James Blake, Samuel Wales & Charles Davenport. Clerk, Robert Searl. Representatiue, Mr. Samuel Robinson. Consta- bles, Jonathan Hall, Humphrey Atherton. Births 35. Deaths 19. This year July 26th Abby Christian was drowned & Cast ashore upon Dorchester neck of Land.
This year Died Richard Withington Senr. Decr. 22:
36
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
aged about 84 years. This year July 7th Died ye Honble. Wm. Stoughton Esqr. Lt. Govr. & Commander in Chief of this Province: Upon his Tomb is thus written .*
GULIELMUS STOUGHTONUS, ARMIGER Provincia Massachusettensis In Nova Anglia Legatus, deinde Gubernator ; Nec-non Curiæ in eadem Provincia Superioris Justiciarius Capitalis, Hic Jacet. Vir Conjugij nescius,
Religione Sanctus,
Virtute Clarus,
Doctrina Celebris, Ingenio Acutus,
Sanguine et Animo pariter Illustris,
Æquitatis Amator, Legum Propugnator, Collegij Stoughtoniani Fundator,
Literarum et Literatorum Fautor Celeberrimus, Impietatis et Vitij Hostis Acerrimus.
Hunc Rhetores amant Facundum,
Hunc Scriptores norunt Elegantem,
Hunc Philosphi querunt Sapientem,
Hunc Doctores Laudant Theologum,
Hunc Pij Venerantur Austerum,
IIunc Omnes Mirantur ; Omnibus Ignotum, Omnibus Licet Notum.
Quid Plura Viator ! Quem perdidimus- STOUGHTONUM ! Heu ! Satis dixi, urgent Lachrymæ, Sileo.
Vixit Annos Septuaginta ; Septimo Die Julij Anno Salutis 1701 Cecidit. Heu! Heu ! Qualis Luctus !
* See Appendix, Note I.
37
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1702.
Selectmen, Dea. Hopestill Clap, Dea. Daniel Preston, James Blake, Saml. Wales, Charles Davenport. Clerk, Robert Searl. Deputy, Mr. Saml. Robinson. Constables, Jolın Blackman & Thomas Lion in ye Room of Eben. Bil- ling who Refused to serue. Births 31. Deaths 14.
1703.
Selectmen, James Blake, Charles Davenport, Saml. Wales, Dea. Clap, Dea. Preston. Clerk, R. Searl. Re- presentatiue, Dea. Hopestill Clap. Constables, Samuel Clap, John Minot. Births 35. Deaths 8.
This year Janr. 5th, 1702-3, Died Mrs. Foster, widow of Capt. Hopestill Foster, aged 83 years. And Eben. Bird by a fall from his Horse. And Robt. Spurr Died Aug. 16, aged 93 years. And John White was killed with his Cart, Novr. 3d.
1704.
Selectmen, Lt. Foster, Capt. Foster, Serjt. Capen, Dea. Clap & James Blake. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Deputy, none Recorded. Constables, Nathl. Butt & John Pierce. Births 40. Deaths 12.
1705.
Selectmen, Dea. Preston, James Blake, Dea. Clap, Saml. Capen, John Blake. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Deputy, none Recorded. Constables, Eben. Mawdsley, John Tol- man, & John Puffer for Punkapaog. Births 41. Deaths 6.
This year Died Feb. 6th Old Mrs. Wiat, Widow, being 94 years of age, having as a Midwife assisted ye Birth of one Thousand One Hundred & odd Children.
1706.
Selectmen. Votes.
Saml. Wales 58 Town Clerk, Robert Searl
Char. Davenport 43 Deputy, Dea. Clap
Capt. Spur 43 Ralph Pope
Lt. Paul 36 Jos. Leeds Jun. Constables.
Sam !. Payson 34 James Fales
4
38
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Births 38. Deaths 10. This Year Novr. 28th Died Mr. Enoch Wiswell.
1707.
Selectmen. Votes.
Capt. Spur 62 Town Clerk, Robert Searl Senr.
Saml. Wales 59 Deputy, none Recorded.
Saml. Paul 49 Henry Leadbetter
Saml. Payson 47 Jonathan Clap Constab.
Edwd. Breck 44 Eben. Billing Jun.
Births 31. Deaths 12. This year Died widow Max-
field, aged 86 years. And Dea. Preston Senr.
This year Punkapaog Plantation with some other of ye Inhabitants of ye New-Grant were set off a Precinct by themselues, as far as Mashapaog Pond & Moose-hill. And ye Meeting-house ordered to be sett where it now stands upon Packeen Plain.
1708.
Selectmen, Capt. Robert Spur, Saml. Wales, Saml. Paul, Edwd. Breck, Hopestill Humfrey. Town Clerk, Robert Searl. Deputy, Dea. Hopestill Clap. Constables, Increase Leadbetter, Nathl. Glover Junr., John Foster. Births 33. Deaths 14.
This year Died Octr. 16th Elder Samuel Clap, who had also been a long time Captain, & often a Representative, a very worthy man ; he was Ruling Elder of ye Church of Dorchester almost 7 years ; aged abt. 74 years.
1709.
Selectmen. Votes. Selectmen. Votes. Serjt. Hopestill Humfrey 76 Char. Davenport 50
Saml. Wales 65 Ens. Edwd. Breck 41 Saml. Paul 65
Town Clerk, Samuel Paul. Representatiue, Elder Hopestill Clap. Constables, Joseph Bird, Robert Field, Thos. Tolman Jun., Robert Field & Thos. Tolman Refus- ing Saml. Robinson Junr. & Henry White were Chosen. Births 48. Deaths 11.
39
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
This year Janr. 30th, 1709-10 Died Mr. Thomas Bird. This year Dea. Hopestill Clap was Chosen Ruling Elder of ye Church & Ordained.
1710.
Selectmen, Samuel Paul, Edward Breck, Hopestill Humfrey, Saml. Wales, & Philip Withington. Town Clerk, Saml. Paul. Deputy, Elder Hopestill Clap. Con- stables, Ebenezer Clap, Abraham How for Capt. Tilestone, Jacob Shepard. Births 39. Deaths 10.
1711.
Selectmen, Hopestill Humfrey, Edwd. Breck, Philip Withington, Saml. Paul, Saml. Wales. Town Clerk, Saml. Paul. Deputy, Hopestill Clap. Constables, Obediah Swift, Joseph Weeks, Henry Crane. Births 35. Deaths 14.
1712.
Selectmen. Votes.
Ensign Edwd. Breck 58 Town Clerk, John Blake
Serjt. Hopestill Humfrey 43 Repres. Mr. Hopestill Clap Philip Withington 39 S Joshua Pumery
Samuel Wales
33
Constables
3
Eben. Holmes
Samuel Clap 33 James Puffer
Births 38. Deaths 16. This year Mar. 9th Joseph Bird died by a wound in his fore-head occasioned by his Gun flying out of ye Stock when he fired it at Fowl, being upon ye water in his Cannoo. And Saml. Wales died Janr. 20th.
1713.
Selectmen. Votes.
Serjt. Hopestill Humfrey 66
Town Clerk, Lt. Saml. Paul
Ens. Edward Breck 53 Deputy, Mr. Hopestill Clap Serjt. Samuel Clap 54 Capt. Thomas Tilestone 45 S Noah Beman
Constabl. } James Trott
Ensn. Char. Davenport 45
Rich. Hixon
.
40
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Births 27. Deaths 13. This year Sepr. 3d Died Ens. Edwd. Breck. And Novr. 11th Died James White.
This year Majr. Robert Spur, Roger Billing, Capt. Oli- ver Wiswell, Capt. Thos. Tilestone & Capt. Saml. Paul Committee, & James Blake Junr. Surveyor, began in ye month of May to measure ye Cedar Swamps &c. This year ye Proprietors, Incorporated into a distinct Body from ye Town. And ye Colony Line Run & Settled by ye Gen. Court.
1714.
Selectmen. Votes.
Hopestill Humfrey 60 Town Clerk, Saml. Paul
Samuel Clap 56 Deputy, Eld. Hopestill Clap Thomas Tilestone 46 Joseph Hall
Samuel Paul 43 Constables 3 John Robinson
Charles Davenport 41 John Wintworth Births 36. Deaths 22. This year ye line between Dorchester & Wrenthem was Extended from Station Tree ye most S. W. Bounds before made, unto near ye Pattent or Colony Line.
1715.
Selectmen, Hopestill Humfrey, Saml. Clap, Capt. Thos. Tilestone, John Blake, Nathl. Glover. Town Clerk, John Blake. Represen. Eld. Hopestill Clap. Constables, Smith Woodward & Joseph Hall in his stead, Joseph Blake, Samuel Davis. Births 35. Deaths 13. This year Apr. 29 Died Mr. Saml. Blake at Barnstable.
Selectmen.
1716. Votes. Town Clerk, John Blake
Hopestill Humfrey 64 Deputy, Eld. Hopestill Clap. Thos. Mawdsley
Capt. Paul 34
Capt. Tilestone 31 Mr. Nathl. Glover Jun. 40 John Blake 61
Constables
Thos. Trott Saml. Bullard Saml. Lane
Births 47. Deaths 10. This year Febr. 7th, 1716-12 Died Robert Searl, who was Town Clerk about 16 years.
41
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
This year abt. ye 19th of Febr. fell ye remarkable great Snow, after a moderate Winter.
Selectmen.
1717. Votes. Town Clerk, John Blake
Philip Withington 52 Represen. Eld. Hopestill Clap Remember Preston John Blake 51
Hopestill Humfrey 45
Consta. Saml. Leeds Capt. Thos. Tilestone 38
Nathl. Glover Junr. 31
Obadiah Haws Jona. Billing
Births 28. Deaths 15. This year Died Capt. Roger Billing Janr. 27th, Capt. Eben. Billing Esqr. Janr. 25th, and Mr. John Blake, who was Town Clerk about 4 years at several times, & Deacon of ye Church not many weeks, died Mar. 2d, 1717-18.
1718.
Selectmen. Votes. Town Clerk, Saml. Paul
Hopestill Humfrey 81 Deputy, Capt. Thos. Tilestone
Philip Withington 90 Preserved Capen Thos. Tilestone 79
Saml. Paul 78
Saml. Capen 74
Consta. Jerijah Wales Joseph Tucker Saml. Billing
Town Treasurer, Jonathan Clap.
Births 37. Deaths 23. This year Sepr. 16th Died Mr. Saml. Robinson Senr. & John Minot Mar. 21st, and Thomas Tolman Senr. Sept. 12th in ye 85th year of his age.
1719.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Thomas Tilestone 97
Samuel Paul 94
Standfast Foster 76
Ebenezer Mawdsley 75
Col. Robert Spur
69
Eben. Billing
50
Nathl. Hubbard Esqr. 47
Town Clerk, Saml. Paul Deputy, Capt. Tilestone Matthew Pimer
Consta.
Edwd. Foster Philip Liscom John Hixson
4*
42
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Births 34. Deaths 11. This year Febr. 1st Died Charles Davenport often Selectman : And Elder Hopestill Clap, often Selectman, & Representative about 15 years ; and Dea. of ye Church about 17 years, & Ruling Elder about 10 years. Upon his Graue-Stone is written by his Pastor Mr. John Danforth as follows.
" Here lies Interred ye Body of Mr. Hopestill Clap, who Deceased Sepr. 2d, 1719, aged 72 years.
His Dust waits 'till ye Jubily, Shall then Shine brighter than ye Sky ; Shall meet & join to part no more, His Soul that's Glorified before. Pastors and Churches happy be
With Ruling Elders such as he : Present Useful, Absent Wanted, Liv'd Desired, Died Lamented."
1720.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Votes.
Samuel Paul 89 Nathl. Hubbard Esqr. 73
Eben. Mawdsley 83 Standfast Foster 65
Thos. Tilestone 80 Ebenezer Billing 65
Col. Robt. Spur 74
Town Clerk, Samuel Paul. Representatives, Majr. Thos. Tilestone first, and at a new Court in June or July Col. Robt. Spur. Constables, James Bird Junr., Israel Leadbetter, Edwd. Bayley, Saml. Man.
Births 27. Deaths 8. Town Treasurer, Eben. Mawds- ley.
1721.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Ebenezer Mawdsley 125 Town Clerk, Eb. Mawdsley
Jonathan Clap 92 Town Treas. Jona. Clap
Samuel Capen 80
Deputy, Col. Robt. Spur
Hopestill Humfrey
Joseph Blake 72
Robert Searl
Consts.
Collec. &
Robt. Spur Jun. Thos. Spur
John Gay
43
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Births 53. Deaths 12.
This year ye Small Pox went through Boston, & it was in 29 families in this Town, whereof 13 Persons Died, two of them being Strangers. This year died Mr. Saml. Pay- son, & Nathl. Butt, & Edwd. Payson of ye Small Pox.
1722.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Deacon Jona. Clap 76
Town Clerk, Saml. Paul
Majr. Thos. Tilestone 70 Treasurer, Dea. Jona. Clap
Col. Robt. Spur 67 Deputy, Col. Robt. Spur Robert Searl
Capt. Paul 65
Joseph Blake
46
Isaac How
Consta.
Elias Monk Jeremiah Ruggles
Births 43. Deaths 14.
This year July 6th Died Mrs. Elizabeth Danforth, ye wife of ye Revd. Mr. John Danforth, in ye 59th year of her age. And Apr. 20th Mr. Henry Leadbetter Senr. And Octr. 12th Elder Samuel Topliff: He was a man of Piety, parts & worth, and was Ruling Elder in this Church about 21 years : he died in ye 77th year of his age.
1723.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Jonathan Clap 110 Town Clerk, Saml. Paul
Joseph Blake 110 Town Treasr. Jona. Clap
Samuel Paul 99 Repres. Col. Robt. Spur
Majr. Thos. Tilestone 95
Eben. Williams
Eben. Paul
Consta.
Eben. Warren Solomon Hews
Births 45. Deaths 22.
This year Died Dea. Jonathan Clap, Janr. 2d, and Lt. Samuel Clap, Janr. 30, who was also Chosen Deacon but Refused ; they were both of them very Picus and usefull men & much lamented. There died also Several other middle aged Persons about ye same time of a Feaver,
Col. Robt. Spur
94
44
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
James Bishop, Barnard Capen, James Bird Senr. & his Wife & Daughter, &c.
1724.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Votes.
Joseph Blake 102 Saml. Paul 82
James Blake Jun. 89 Col. Robt. Spur 6:2
Majr. Tilestone 88
Town Clerk, Saml. Paul. Town Treasurer, James Blake Junr. Repres. Col. Robt. Spur. Constables, Samuel Withington, Charles Redman, Samuel Scott, Eben. Williams for Francis Price.
Births 43. Deaths 15.
1725.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Votes.
James Blake Junr. 90 Joseph Blake refused )
Majr. Thos. Tilestone 45 & Preserved Capen 70
Philip Withington 30 Chosen
Joseph Hewins 30 Town Clerk, Jas. Blake Jun.
Treasurer, James Blake Junr. Deputy, Majr. Thomas Tilestone. Constables, Benja. Bird, Robert Royal, Wm. Crane, Eleazer Rhodes ; Robert Field & Wm. Billing pd. their fine. Births 53. Deaths 13.
This year died Richard Evans March 10th, aged about S6 years. And this year also Died Elder Daniel Preston March 13th, 1725-6. He was Ruling Elder about 6 years, & Died in ye 77th Year of his age.
The Elders of this Church have been,
Elder Henry Withington, Died Febr. 2d, 1666, aged 79 years.
Elder George Minot, Died about Decr. 24, 1671, aged Elder James Humfrey, Died May 12th, 1686, in ye 78th year of his age.
Eld. James Blake, Died June 28th, 1700, in ye 77th year of his age.
Eld. Saml. Clap, Died Octr. 16th, 1708, aged about 74 years.
45
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Eld. Hopestill Clap, Died Sepr. 2d, 1719, in ye 72d year of his age.
Eld. Samuel Topliff, Died Octr. 12, 1722, in ye 77th year of his age.
Eld. Daniel Preston, Died Mar. 13, 1725-26, in ye 77th year of his age.
1726.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
James Blake Junr. 105 Clerk, James Blake Junr.
Mr. Philip Withington 77 Treasurer, Jas. Blake Jun.
Majr. Thos. Tilestone 60 Dep. Maj. Thos. Tilestone
Mr. Preserved Capen 54
Mr. Eben. Clap 49
Constables
John Beighton Abraham How, & he Removing to Boston Matthias Evans chosen in his Room Samuel Hartwell James Draper John Andrews, Paid his fine Richard Withington, Paid his fine
Births 44. Deaths 9. This year Died Aug. 25th Capt. Saml. Paul, who had been often Selectman, & he was Town Clerk 11 years.
This year Punkapaog or ye South Precinct with ye Lands beyond it in ye Township of Dorchester were sett off a Township by themselues, by ye Name of Stoughton, leaving Dorchester but a Small Town, being narrow, and but about 9 or 10 Miles in length, ye upper part being wood land & unsettled ; which before was about 35 miles in length & in some places 6 or 8 miles wide ; the length being Reckoned from Dorchester-neck to Angle-Tree, as ye Road goeth.
1727.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Votes.
James Blake Junr. 79 Mr. Ebenezer Clap 44
Majr. Thos. Tilestone 78 Elijah Danforth Esq. 36
Mr. Preserved Capen 55
46
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Town Clerk, James Blake Junr. Town Treasurer, James Blake Junr. Representative, Majr. Thos. Tiles- tone.
Constables
Thomas Evans Richard Haws John Maxfield & dismist Thomas Bird & paid his fine.
Births 28. Deaths 6. This year Octr. 29th about 10 of ye clock at night a terrible Earthquake, Continuing by times for several months. See 1744.
1728.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Majr. Thomas Tilestone 78
James Blake Junr. 78
Benja. Bird 63
Thomas 'Trott 61
Elijah Danforth Esq.
& Refused S 55
Town Clerk, James Blake Junr.
Town Treasr. James Blake Junr. Representatiue, Majr. Thos. Tilestone
Capt. Robert Spur Jun. 41
Constables S James Foster Junr.
Daniel Tolman. Births 39. Deaths 10.
1729.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Votes.
Mr. Benja. Bird 69 Col. Thos. Tilestone 42
James Blake Junr. 68 Capt. Robt. Spur Junr. 40
Mr. Thomas Trott 57
Town Clerk, James Blake Junr. Town Treasurer, James Blake Junr. Representatiue, Mr. Benjamin Bird. Constables, Joseph Bass, Samuel Tolman, Ebenez. Jones Junr. Paid his fine, Saml. Capen Junr. Paid his Fine. Births 26. Deaths 9.
This year Aug. 4th Died Hannah ye Widow of William Blake, formerly ye wife of George Lion, in ye 91st year of her age.
This year ye Revd. Mr. Jonathan Bowman was ordained
47
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Colleague Pastor with ye Revd. Mr. John Danforth (he being aged) Novr. 5th.
1730.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
Mr. Benja. Bird 77 Town Clerk, James Blake Junr.
James Blake Junr. 78
Lt. Thos. Wiswell 61 Treasurer, James Blake Jun.
Mr. Preserved Capen 55
Mr. John Robinson 45
Representative, Mr. Benja. Bird. Constables. John Wiswell, John Trescot Junr., Humfrey Heman & Paid his fine, Eben. Withington & Paid his fine, John Capen & Refused & Paid his fine. Births 38. Deaths 11.
This year May 26th Died ye Revd. Mr. Jolin Danforth, who had been Pastor of this Church about 48 years ; in ye 70th year of his age. He was Sd to be a man of great Learning, he understood ye Mathematicks beyond most men of his Function. He was exceeding Charitable, & of a very peacefull temper. He took much pains to Eternize ye Names of many of ye good Christians of his own Flock ; And yet ye World is so ungratefull, that he has not a Line Written to preserue his memory, no not so much as upon his Tomb ; he being buried in Lt. Govr. Stoughton's Tomb that was covered with writing before. And there also lyeth his Consort Mrs. Elizabeth Danforth.
1731.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
James Blake Junr. 52 Town Clerk, James Blake Mr. Benja. Bird 47 Junr. Mr. John Robinson 41 Treasur., James Blake Jun.
Lt. Thos. Wiswell 40 Deputy, Mr. Benja. Bird
Mr. Preserved Capen 37
Constables, John Wales, John Trescot.
Births 44. Deaths 16. This year Died Mar. 22d 1730-31, Mr. Hopestill Humfrey, often Selectman, in ye 82d year of his age. And Rebecca ye widow of Richard
48
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Evans in ye 85th year of her age. And Mrs. Susannah Clap, widow of Elder Hopestill Clap, March 2d, 1731-32, about 80 years of age. And ye Honourable William Tai- lor Esq., Lt. Governor &c. Died March 1st, 1731-2, and was buried in Govr. Stoughton's Tomb.
1732.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes.
James Blake Junr. 42 Town Clerk, James Blake
Lt. Thomas Wiswell 36 Junr.
Mr. John Robinson 30 Treasur., James Blake Junr.
Mr. Preserved Capen 29 Repres., Mr. Benja. Bird Mr. Benja. Bird 28
Constables, John Blackman Junr., Hezekiah Barber, Stephen Badlam & paid his fine, Ralph Morgain & paid his fine, Daniel Preston & paid his fine. Births 36. Deaths 19. This year Octr. 4th Died Mr. James Foster, often Commissioner & Selectman, in ye 82d year of his age. And his wife Mrs. Anna Foster died about 5 Days before him. And this Octr. 22d Died Deacon James Blake, in ye 81st year of his age, he having Languished about 7 years with an ulcerous Leg very painfull ; but at last died of an Epedemical Cold that then carried off many aged People. He was a Deacon in this Church about 23 years, and once Chosen Elder but Refused it.
Upon his Graue Stone is thus written.
" Here lyes Buried ye Body of Mr. JAMES BLAKE, who departed this Life Octr. 22d, 1732, Aged 80 years & 2 months.
He was a member in full Communion with ye Church of Christ in Dorchester aboue 55 years, and a Deacon of ye Same Church aboue 35 years. Seven years Strong Pain doth end at last, His weary Days & Nights are past ; The Way is Rough, ye End is Peace ; Short Pain giues place to endless Ease."
There died also Several other aged People this year- as Mr. Ephraim Payson, James Barber, Mrs. Royal widow
49
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
of Isaac Royal, Ebenezer Holmes his wife, and Mr. John Bird Aug. 2d, aged 90 years & Six Months.
1733.
Selectmen & Assessors. Votes. Voters 77.
James Blake 73 Town Clerk, Jas. Blake
Capt. Thos. Wiswell 66 Treasr. James Blake
Capt. Preserved Capen 59 Deputy, Mr. Benja. Bird
Col. Thos. Tilestone 42
Mr. John Robinson 42
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