USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Centennial celebration at Braintree, Mass., July 4, 1876 > Part 7
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Mr. Lant, on page 17 of his sermons, says that Cotton Mather, in his account of Rev. Thomas Hooker, remarks that his friends came over the
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year before (he came) to prepare for his reception "; and we learn from Win- throp's journal " that Mr. Hooker arrived Sept. 4, 1633." They remained, therefore, at Mount Wollaston, before removal to Newtown, at most but a few months. This brings us close upon the year 1634. The prepon- derance of evidence shows that if some of the Braintree people did not remain, there were settlers at Wollaston who did, and these undoubtedly acquired the habit of speaking of the Braintree settlement. That the place was referred to as Braintree, after the general removal, seems to be evi- dent from Whitney, page 31, which says, "Mr. Cotton observed in the matter of Mr. Wheelwright, the church gave way that he might be called to a new church to be gathered at Mount Wollaston, near Braintree." This date is supposed to be in 1636. Again, in a note to Hancock's ser- mons, on page 21, where reference is made to a letter concerning Mr. Wheelwright, we find this sentence, "Mr. Wheelwright was a noted preacher of the Congregational way, and so remained as long as he lived. He was a member of the Boston church, was desired by many to be their teacher with Messrs. Cotton and Wilson, but the church being so well supplied, they by vote, Oct. 30, 1636, allowed him to preach to some of their members removed to Braintree for the preparing of a church gath- ering there." Mrs. Hannah Adams, in her "History of New England," says, on page 58, " In 1637 Rev. John Wheelwright preached at Braintree, which was part of Boston." This would seem to be sufficient to establish the fact of a continuous name, after the Braintree colony first planted, if not a continuous settlement, and clearly accounts for the present name of the town.
APPENDIX B. - NOTE 3.
Mr. Adams, in his Town Hall Oration, on page 38, says, "This deed came into my possession with other family papers. How we came by it I know not, but I am sure it has been held for at least two generations." On the back of it are the words, "In the 17th reign of Charles 2d, Braintry Indian Deede given 1655- August 10-Take greate care of it." "My inference is that at a former time, when less value was attached in towns to old documents than is the case now, this was placed in the hands of John Adams for safe keeping. But I do not think he or his successors ever regarded it in any other light than as a trust, and now that this town has erected so noble a depository for it, I purpose to restore it, and after repairing and putting it in suitable frame, to cause it to be placed in the care of the officers of Braintree, for the benefit and for the edification of all future generations of the people of the three towns."
This deed is printed in Whitney's "Quincy."
APPENDIX B. - NOTE 4.
Six thousand acres of land "not to interfere with any grant already made " were granted to the inhabitants of Braintree by General Court in
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October. 1666. This land not having been laid out June 13, 1713, a com- mittee was appointed by the town of Braintree to find the land and lay it out. In 1717 this grant was confirmed to the town by the General Court. At length it was voted that all persons who paid town taxes in Braintree in the year 1715 should be deemed to have an interest in the aforesaid grant, and the land so granted was laid ont, divided, and sold. This land constitutes the town of New Braintree, which was incorporated in 1751 and received its inhabitants from old Braintree, and is well known for a flne farming town. - Vinton Memorial, p. 49.
APPENDIX B. - NOTE 5.
The rise in exchange produced by the imprudent issues of paper-money in Massachusetts was idly attributed to decay in trade, and the colony was almost unanimously of opinion that trade could only be revived by an additional quantity of bank notes. A few saw the real evil and were for calling in the bills that were already abroad, but it was determined by the great majority that either by a private or public bank the province should be supplied with more money, or rather with more paper. The General Court at length resolved to place bills for fifty thousand pounds in the hands of trustees, who were to lend them with five per cent interest, with stipulation that one fifth of the principal should be paid annually. Still trade would not improve. Mr. Shute, who had just snecceded Mr. Dudly, attributed the fact to a scarcity of money, and recommended that some effective measures should be taken to make it more abundant. The specific was therefore doubled. But an additional issue of one hundred thousand pounds so greatly depreciated the value of the currency that the General Court were at last enabled to see the true cause of the difficulty, and the governor, too, when his salary came to be voted in the depre- ciated money according to its nominal amount, began to be somewhat sceptical of his policy. - People's Ilistory of America, p. 350.
APPENDIX B. - NOTE 6.
Whitney, on page 50 of his History, mentions the remains of a furnace bordering on Milton, built two hundred years ago, - 1830. The dam was still standing in Whitney's time, and cinders were to be found around it. Tradition carried it back prior to 1650. Mr. Adams, in his Town Hall Oration, on page 11 of his appendix, says, " There is a brook in Quincy which has ever borne the name of Furnace Brook, in one part of which remains visible to this day the form of a dam and a furnace, and where slugs of iron and cinders have been from time to time found imbedded in the soll. The place had been long abandoned when the development of the stone business in 1826 brought it once more into notice."
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APPENDIX B. - NOTE 7.
Note to page 301, Vinton's Memorial, says Col. John Quincy, of Brain- tree, was born in 1639, "and was one of the most distinguished public men of that period. He was forty years representative of Braintree in the General Court, and many years in succession Speaker of the House. He was also member of Executive Council." It was for him the present town of Quincy was named when set off, the Hon. Richard Cranchi recom- mending it.
APPENDIX C. - NOTE 1.
AN ANCIENT INDENTURE.
The following is a copy of an ancient indenture, preserved among the papers of the late Thomas Howard, Esq. : -
"This indenture witnesseth that Aaron Hayward son of Samuel Hay- ward and Mary Hayward of Braintree, in the County of Suffolk in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England, Hath put himself, and by these Presents doth voluntarily and of his own free will and accord, and with the free consent of his Mother Mary Hayward, testified her hand and seal hereunto set, Put and bind himself Apprentice to John Adams of Braintree aforesaid, Cordwainer, or his heirs to Learn his art, & with him or them after the manner of an apprentice to serve from the day of the date hereof, for and during the term of six years, four months, & sixteen dayes from thence next ensuing, to be compleated and ended. During all which term, the said apprentice his sd Master or his Heirs faithfully shall serve, their secrets keep, and Lawful commands obey; He shall do 110 damage to his Master or his Heirs nor see it done of others, without Letting, or giving notice thereof to his Master, or his Heirs, he shall not wast sd Masters or his Heirs goods, nor Lend them to any without Leave. He shall not commit fornication nor contract Matrimony within sd Term ; at Cards, Dice or any other unlawful Games he shall not play, whereby his said Master or his heirs may have damage. He shall not absent him- self by day or by night from his Master or his Heirs service without their Leave nor hant Taverns, ale-houses, or Play houses, but in all things behave himself as a faithful apprentice, towards his Master and all his during said Term. In consideration whereof the said John Adams the said Master, for himself and his heirs doth hereby Covenant and Promise to teach and Instruct or cause to be taught and instructed the said appren- tice, in the art trade or calling of a Cordwainer, which he now useth, by the best wayes or meanes he can, finding unto the said apprentice good and sufficient meat, drink, apparel with washing and Lodging, and all otlier necessaries both in health and sickness, during the said Term, likewise to Learne him to write and Cipher, and at the expiration of the said Term, to give unto the sd apprentice two Good suits of apparrel, for all parts of
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his body both woolen and Linnen, suitable for such an apprentice, and a seat of good working Geare. In testimony whereof the parties to these Presents, have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals, the twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty-six, and in the twelveth year of his Majesties Reign, King George & :
Signed Sealed and delivered in Presence of
AARON HAYWARD. JOSEPH KING.
BETMAN ADAMS.
MARY HAYWARD."
Dea. John Adams, above named, was father of President John Adams.
E. A.
APPENDIX D. - NOTE 1.
I have thought it worth while to append the transactions of the town from 1640 to 1815 in a condensed form as they appear in the records.
1640 to 1644. Contains reference to school fund, to mill of Richard Right. "and a footway over the old bridge to meeting-house," and a restriction on the sale of houses and lands without consent of authorities.
1644. Orders sale of a part of the marsh for the " Elders use."
1650. Relating to "Townsmen of Braintree," concerning " Cattel" on the Common, given in text.
1653. Restricts strangers from locating in the town "without per- mission."
1656. "Common made free to all inhabitants."
1669. Town vote gives equal rights, by paying equal charges, to the grant of six thousand acres made by General Court in 1666.
1672. House and land " for an orchard " voted to " nse of the ministry."
1673. About laying out the six thousand acres; parties to have 1,500 acres for survey.
1674. Vote regulating Mr. Fiske's salary at eighty pounds.
1674. Action taken about the "old mill." which had been burned.
175. Vote to give schoolmaster thirty pounds a year and an allotment of land, "ordering that each child should carry to the school-master half a cord of wood beside the quarter money every year."
1679. Reference made to lands deeded by Wampatnek.
16-2. Town votes Mr. Fiske ninety pounds.
1690. Mr. Fiske's salary goes back to eighty pounds.
1693. Town officers are five selectmen, two constables, flve tithing-men, four surveyors of highways, eight viewers of fences. Town votes to authorize selectmen to " seat the meeting-house."
1695. Town votes to raise pastor's salary by contribution. Vote given in text.
1:5. Town votes to " repair meeting-house and stop leak on south
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side." Also, to settle in full with the school-master by paying him " ten pounds extra."
1696. Salary of representative fixed at six pounds per annum. "Ten shillings to be paid for looking after boys at meeting." The pastor, on having his salary fixed at ninety pounds, gives a receipt in full "from the begining of the world to this day."
1697. Selectmen authorized to permit " family pews in Meeting House." 1698. "Four Loving Friends " authorized to look after the lands claimed by Boston parties.
1703. Difficulty in arranging the minister's salary.
1704. Minister's salary fixed at ninety pounds, he " finding wood," and on this Mr. Fiske releases again " from the begining of the world."
1707. Vote to recognize the right of the congregation to worship God in the new meeting-house and other matters settled in "peace and sat- isfaction."
1708. Precinct lines established.
1710 Six pounds per annum allowed for the "Keeping of Bulls," and each boy attending winter school was required to bring " a load of wood."
1713. Town acts with reference to having the 6,000 acre grant recon- firmed, "if the time had lapsed."
1714. Voted, To sell land granted by " the Honorable Court," the same having been reconfirmed to the town.
1715. Committee appointed to report on laying out " 6,000 acre grant."
1716. Voted, Not to sell 6,000 acre grant.
1718. A committee of seven chosen to determine proprietorship of 6,000 acre grant. Committee report that the grant "belongs to persons who were freeholders at the time."
1719. The report of committee on 6,000 acre grant was defeated. Vote passed not to sell or lease. This vote was reconsidered, and voted to sell, "proceeds to go to the town."
1720. Action on "Grant," but nothing decided. At later meeting, voted " half proceeds of the land go to the town use."
1721. As a "peacable settlement" the inhabitants paying charges in 1715 were to have property in the "Grant." Town takes its share of " Bills of Credit." This year the movement against the dam and forge for obstructing the Monatiquot commenced.
1723. Town forbids rebuilding of the dam.
1725. Vote to petition General Court for the " demolishment of dam."
1725. Town acts, with reference to leasing the "Common," in the negative.
1727. For the "more peaceful settlement" of the "Grant," Voted, " That the lands be divided between the two precincts " equally, each to dispose of its share.
1728. New precinct made by order of General Court. Town refuses to allow new precinct to have school part of the year, or to abate taxes in case the precinct maintain its own schools. Trouble from trespassers on Common with regard to stones. Town assented to prayer of new precinct for separation.
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1730. Money voted to new precinct for school purposes.
1732. Committee appointed to protect fish in the river. l'oted, That North and Middle Precinct should have two selectinen each, and South one.
1735. Petition to General Court for consideration for loss of 4.000 acres to Milton. More action for free passage of fish.
1736. Voted that town meetings be held half in North and Middle Precincts. Owner of dam refuses to sell; town votes to pull down dam and " defend in law." Voted three hundred pounds to owner.
1738 Price of stones per load fixed at twelve pence. Voted, pay con- stables five pounds per annum. Vote to divide Suffolk into two counties.
1753. Voted to divide the "town commons " by polls. Price of stones doubled to those carrying off the same.
1754. Committee appointed with power to lease " Commons."
1761. Town votes to license innholders.
1762. Lessees of ". South Common " petition " to throw up lease."
1762. A committee was appointed, Jolin Adams chairman, to consider the question of the "Commons." They report in favor of selling lands, and town votes to sell, and finally votes to ratify sales to "use of min- istry." Subsequently, by vote, the " North Commons" were sold.
1765. Committee appointed on the Stamp Act. Report referred to in text.
1766. Town denies its obligations to compensate for "Late Riots.' Afterwards votes to approve " Compensation Bill."
1768. Passes patriotic resolutions, and votes to do withont foreign articles and to join a convention of towns.
1773. Committee report resolutions on " Rights and Privileges."
1774. Town repudiates the charge of persecuting Tories, believing in the right of " private judgment." Report of the committee on correspond- ence adopted. Delegates appointed to Provincial Congress.
1775. Covenant of agreement reported.
RESOLUTIONS.
March 5. 1773. Voted. The committee appointed to take under consid- eration the pamphlet referred to, relative to our rights and privileges, etc., made report to the town as follows, viz :-
" 1. That we apprehend the state of the rights of the colonists, and or this Province in particular, together with a list of the Infringements and violations of those rights as stated in the Pamphlet committed to us, are In general fairly represented, and that the town of Boston be hereby thanked for this Instance of their extraordinary care of the publiek welfare.
"2. That all taxations, by what name soever called. imposed upon us without our consent byany earthly power, are unconstitutional, oppress- Ive, & tend to enslave ns.
"3. That as our Fathers left their native country & Friends in order
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that they & their Posterity might enjoy that civil and religious Liberty here which they could not enjoy there, we, their descendants, are deter- mined by the grace of God that our consciences shall not accuse us with having acted unworthy such pious & venerable Heroes, and that we will by all lawful ways & means preserve at all events all our civil and religious rights and privileges.
" 4. That by the divine constitution of things there is such a connection between civil and religious liberty that in whatsoever nation or govern- ment the one is crushed the other seldom, if ever, survives long after. Of this History furnishes abundant evidence.
" 5. That all civil officers are or ought to be servants to the people and dependent upon them for their official support, and every instance to the contrary, from the Governor downwards, tends to crush and destroy civil liberty.
"6. That we bear true loyalty to our lawful King George the 3d and unfeigned affection to our brethren in Great Britain & Ireland to all our sister colonies, and so long as our mother Country protects us in our charter rights and privileges, so long will we by divine assistance exert our utmost to promote the welfare of the whole British Empire, which we earnestly pray may flourish uninterruptedly in the paths of righteous- ness till time shall be no more.
"7. That Mr. Thayer, our Representative, be directed, & he hereby is directed, to urge his utmost endeavors that a Day of Fasting & Prayer be appointed throughout the Province for humbling ourselves before God in this day of darkness, and imploring divine direction & assistance.
"8. That an attested Copy of the Town's proceedings in this matter be transmitted as soon as may be by the Town Clerk to the Boston Committee.
" All which is humbly submitted by the Town's Committee & humble servants,
"JOSEPH PALMER. BENJ. BEALE. JONATHAN WILD."
Jan. 23, 1775. Voted, That a committee of seven take under considera- tion the resolve of the Congress respecting encouragement of the militia.
Then, Deacon Palmer, Mr. J. P. Adams, Mr. Edmund Soper, Capt. Hayden, Mr. Sawen, Capt. Penniman, and Mr. Azariah Faxon were appointed a committee for that purpose. Said committee offered their report to the town as follows : -
That, whereas much time is generally spent by the militia of this town in perfecting themselves in necessary military exercises, many of whom cannot well afford it, and it being wisdom at all times, especially at this, to put ourselves into a good state of defence, and being desirous to encourage a military spirit in the most equitable manner, do Vote, That from and after the last day of this month until the last day of March next, every person in the militia who shall attend said exercises shall be paid out of the town treasury for every half-day's attendance. Provided, Such person shall be
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paid for no more than one half day in a week, and provided, also, that the captain and clerk of each and every military company do certify to the selectmen for the time being that such person has faithfully attended his duty at said exercises from three o'clock to six o'clock in the afternoon of such days at which hours the roll shall be called, and no person paid who has not attended and answered to both calls on each and every such day, and the parents, masters, or guardians of such as are under age shall be paid for such minors ; and provided, also, that all such as may not be suf- ficiently equipt with arms and ammunition in the judgment of the field ofli- cers shall have his said wages laid out for such equipment, and such as are sufficiently equipt shall receive their said wages in money when the said treasury is in cash.
Voted, That the town allow the militia that attend exercises agreeable to the above report one shilling for each and every half-day.
March 13, 1775. Voted, A committee consisting of nine be raised to consider what encouragement may be proper to be given to such as may enlist and form themselves into companies of minute-men.
Then. John Adams, Esquire, Edmund Billings, John Hall, Jr., Colonel Thayer, Edward Soper, John Vinton, Lieut. Joshua Haywood, Jona. Bass, and Capt. Penniman were chosen a committee for that purpose.
March 15, 1775. The committee appointed the sixth of March, inst., to prepare a covenant agreeable to the association of the Continental Con- gress, to be adopted by this town, offered the same to the town, as follows, viz. : -
1. That we will not import from Great Britain or Ireland or from any other place any such goods, wares, or merchandise as shall have been imported from Great Britain or Ireland nor will we from this Day import any East India [tea?] from any part of the world nor any molasses, syrups, panaly, coffee or peimento from the British Plantations or Domin- ions or wines from Madeira or the Western Islands or foreign indigo.
2. That we will neither employ or purchase any slave imported since the first day of December last; and will wholly discontinue the slave trade and will neither be concerned in it ourselves nor will we hire our Vessels nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those who are con- corned in it.
3. As a non-consumption agreement strictly adhered to will be an effectual security for the observation of the non-importation, we as above, solemnly agree and associate that from this day we will not purchase or use any East India tea whatever; nor will we nor any person by or under us, purchase or use any of those goods, wares or merchandise we have agreed not to import which we shall know or have any canse to suspect were imported since the first day of December last except such as come under the rules and directions of the tenth article of the association of the Continental Congress.
The foregoing assoclation being determined upon by the town of Brain- tree, very unanimously, at a full meeting of the inhabitants, March 15, 1775, was ordered to be recorded in the town book, and that every house-
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holder within said town be supplied with a printed copy thereof by Elisha Niles, town clerk.
The committee appointed to consider relating to minute-men offered their report as follows : "The committee, etc., report as their opinion that it is proper for this town to make provision for three companies of minute- men, each to consist of Forty-one men including officers, one company to be raised in each Precinct & that each man in these companies be allowed by the Town one shilling and four pence per day for one day in every week during the pleasure of the Town : Provided that he shall attend the exercises under arms from two to six o'clock and the clerk of the company & the captain shall certify that he was present at the calling of the roll at two o'clock & at six o'clock in the afternoon of the exercising days : and upon this condition also that he shall be completely provided with arms & ammunition according to the recommendations of the Provincial Congress. Signed by order of the Committee, John Adams, Chairman."
Voted, That the Selectmen in the several precincts in this Town be desired & directed to supply the officers of the minute-men in their respec- tive precincts with money to pay off' said men day by day : And in case there shall be no publick monies which may without prejudice be applied to said purpose, that they borrow money on the Town's credit to effect it.
March 11, 1776. Voted, To choose a committee of safety to take under their inspection & care the publick affairs relative to the unhappy struggle & war we are involved in, agreeable to the resolves of the Genl. Courts, said Committee to consist of nine and to serve the Town without any demands therefor.
March 25, 1776. Voted, That Col. Joseph Palmer, Sam1. Niles, Esqr. & Thos. Penniman Esqr. be a Committee to engage some suitable Gentleman to deliver at our meeting for the choice of a Representative in May next a Political Discourse relative to our national rights, civil & religious.
June 5, 1776. Voted, That Dean. Daniel Arnold, Samuel Niles Esqr. & Thomas Penniman be a Committee to return the thanks of this Town to Revd. Wm. Anthony Wiburt for the suitable discourse delivered by him at our meeting in May last.
July 15, 1776. Voted, To give to each non-commission officer & soldier that shall inlist in the present expedition to Canada, six pounds, six shil- lings & eight pence in addition to the bounty allowed by the Court, to be paid to them on their receiving orders to march out of this Colony.
Aug. 19, 1776. Voted, That one hundred & Twenty-six pounds, thirteen shillings & fourpence be assessed on the Polls & Rateable Estates within said Town for the purpose hereafter mentioned.
Voted, To reimburse the money to those persons that imbursted it to forward the troops on the present expedition to Canada for the north & middle precincts in said Town.
Voted, That the south precinct be allowed 6 out of the above sum which is equal to forty pounds, for the use & expence of hireing men to go on the aforesaid expedition to Canada, out of the said south precinct in said town.
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