USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 15
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At a meeting of inhabitants of Reading, and our adjacent neighbors of Charlestown and Lynn, voted for a candidate for minister. Persons
.
13I
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
nominated, viz : Mr. Flint, Mr. Mather, and Mr. Williams. Mr. Aza- riah Mather was chosen by a majority of votes, as follows : By Reading, 68 votes ; by Lynn End, II votes (unanimous) ; by Charlestown End, votes (unanimous). Mr. Mather was not obtained. He was probably the son of Rev. Samuel, of Windsor, grandson of Timothy, and great- grandson of Richard, of Dorchester ; was born 1685 ; settled at Say- brook, where he died in 1737.
The inhabitants and proprietors on the north side of Ipswich River and on Sadler's Neck, this year asked the advice of the town where to sett their meeting-house. The town chose Major (Jeremiah) Swain, Left. (Hananiah) Parker, and Capt. (Tho.) Nichols a committee to ascertain the minds of those inhabitants and proprietors, and so advise them accordingly.
Town voted that the town school shall be kept in the Woodend one quarter part of the time this year.
Ordered a Range-way to be sold near Parker's Saw-pit.
1710. - Town voted "that ten acres of land at the Pond Head be fenced for seven years for a pasture to keep the town Rams, if any men appear to fence it at their own cost; only they shall have the grass to mow early in June, and to keep it after for the rams. The rams to be kept from the 16th of August to the 16th of November ; and every man that brings his rams shall pay 2s. a head yearly to them that fence it in, and no creatures to feed there but the rams."
In March, town voted " to invite Mr. Baker to preach on probation as our minister." He came not. Perhaps this was Rev. Daniel Baker, son of Daniel, of Yarmouth, who graduated at Har. Coll. in 1706, and died in 1731.
In July, town voted a concurrence (70 to 7) with the church, in ex- tending a call to Mr. Corwin to the work of the ministry, and offered £80 salary. He was not obtained. This was probably Rev. George Corwin, or Curwin, who became minister of the first church in Salem ; son of Jonathan, of Salem, born 1683 ; Har. Coll. 1701, and died 1717.
Mr. Tompson appointed to keep the town school for 6 mo. at the rate of 30 pounds per year.
17II. - The north side of Ipswich River petition to be set off as a distinct parish. Petition not granted at this time.
In this year and in the preceding, expeditions were formed against the French and Indians at Nova Scotia and Canada. Several regi- ments went from Massachusetts, one of which was commanded by Sir
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
-
Charles Hobby, uncle to Rev. Wm. Hobby, who afterwards settled in Reading. Among those who went in those expeditions, and other suc- ceeding expeditions in the same direction, from Reading, were :-
Lieut. Benj. Poole,
William Brown,
Timothy Goodwin,
Henry Chandler,
Samuel Eaton,
Jacob Clark,
Sergt. Samuel Harnden,
Jonathan Smith,
Samuel Poole,
Thomas Eaton,
Benj. Nichols,
Richard Brown,
Centinel Benj. Burnap,
Adam Brown,
Jona. Eaton, who d, at Annapolis Royal 17II,
John Smith, John Brock,
Samuel Pike,
Moses Eaton (killed,)
James Nichols,
John Parker,
Ebenezer Weston,
James Eitzhenry,
Robert Pierce,
Edward Chamberlain,
John Poole,
Thomas Bancroft,
William Boyd,
Joseph Arnold,
Edward Pratt,
John Boutwell,
Thomas Damon,
Samuel Lampson,
Abraham Foster,
Samuel Hartshorn,
Ebenezer Nichols,
Ebenezer Damon,
Joseph Bancroft,
William Eaton,
Ebenezer Persons,
Benjamin Eaton,
Jonathan Pierson,
Stephen Bryant,
- · Parker.
George Brock,
This year, the town voted, with only four dissenting votes, to invite Rev. Richard Browne, of Newbury, to settle as minister of Reading.
The town chose a committee "to treat with Mrs. Pierpoint about buying her house." It has been already stated (see 1681) that the first parsonage place became the property, partly by gift and partly by sale, of Rev. Mr. Pierpoint, but the town voted to proceed to the erec- tion of a new parsonage.
Voted, " to build a ministerial house of 40 feet long, 19 feet wide and 15 feet stud, with a room on the back side 15 feet square, and to build a barn 20 feet square, II feet stud, and leanto on one side or one end, for the use of the ministry." Voted, also, to " lay a pasture for the min- istry from the Pound Square to the highway." Subsequently voted " that the house shall be 41 feet long, 19 feet broad and 15 feet stud, with a leanto on the back side, the length of the house, 11 or 12 feet broad."
N. B. - This was the second parsonage house, and was a portion of the building long known as, the "Prentiss House," on the corner of
Ebenezer Smith,
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
Common and Lafayette Streets. It was enlarged in 1739 to its latest size and form. It was subsequently sold to Rev. Caleb Prentiss, as will hereafter appear.
There were so many desertions from the military and naval forces be- longing to the expeditions above named, while detained at Boston, that the General Court passed an " Act to punish all such as should entice, harbor, conceal or convey away any soldier, marine or sailor of Her Majesty's land and sea forces raised in the province for the present expedition." This act was read and published by beat of drum, at Reading, at 8 o'clock, A. M., July 5, 17II.
1712. - This year, Rev. Richard Brown was settled as the minister of the town. (See Ear. Sett.) The town voted, "that if Mr. Richard Brown should die and leave a widow here in Reading, the town will upon their own cost and charge transport Mrs. Brown to Newbury."
"Mr. Dodge was chosen Schoolmaster for 3 years at 30 pounds per year." This was probably Daniel Dodge, of Wenham, and brother of Samuel Dodge, who married in 1705, Mary, dau. of Hananiah Parker, of Reading. A Daniel Dodge, perhaps the schoolmaster aforesaid, was of Har. Coll. in 1710.
"The worthy Capt. Herbert being deceased, Francis Smith was chosen Clerk and Selectman in his stead."
1713. - This year, the town voted, "to fence in 32 acres of land for the ministry, to lye between Tho. Bryant's house and the Meeting- house, near the Pond, in the most convenient place, and leave out to the Common, from the back side of Cann's house a straight line to the Draw bars near the horse block."
Then voted, "in lieu of the above, four acres, to be fenced in on the back side of the Meeting-house, and so down to the Pond."
N. B. - This refers to the old meeting-house, which stood in the second burial-ground, near where now is the tomb of Rev. John Mellen, and of course describes the same piece of land, concerning which there was, a few years since, a warmly contested lawsuit, viz. : “Emerson versus Wiley." (See Mass. Law Reports.)
This year, " so much of the territory of the town as lies north of Ips- wich River," together with " Sadler's Neck," so called, was set off as a distinct Parish by the name of the "North Precinct."
At the first meeting of the North Precinct, Nov. 27, Sergt. Geo. Flint was chosen Moderator, and John Harnden, Clerk.
Town voted "to refund to the inhabitants of the new Precinct what they have paid to the Rev. Mr. Browne for the present year."
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
The circumstances and conditions of the north part of the town hav- ing become what was anticipated in 1696 that they would be, this second parish was set off without any opposition.
Town voted "that the town will give something to the new Precinct in convenient time."
1714. - Town voted "to give to North Precinct thirty pounds, one half when they have finished their Meeting-house, and the other half when they build a ministerial house."
Town voted "to procure a new Bell, not to cost over 50 pounds."
1715. - Jonathan Pierpont was appointed schoolmaster at £40 per year.
Thomas Pierpont, brother of the above, only fifteen years old, taught school in the Woodend.
The North Precinct received for schooling this year £2 16s.
1716. - Jonathan Pierpont again appointed schoolmaster.
1717. - Dr. Daniel Felch and others objected to the sale by the town of Range lands.
Hannah Felch, wid. of Henry, one of the very early settlers, died . this year, aged 100, nearly.
John Browne, Esq., an early settler, and one of the most able, useful, and respected, died this year, March 1I, aged 83. He is called " The worshipful John Browne " in the " Indian Deed." He was buried in the most ancient burial-ground, near the site of the old Town House, where his grave-stone has been seen, reading as follows : "To the memory of Capt. John Browne, Esq., who, after he had served his generation by the will of God, fell asleep Mar. 11, 1717, aged abt. 83.
Witty, yet wise, grave, good, among the best, Was he ; (the memory of the just is blest) ; Prudent, a pattern, and more I say,
A hearty mourner for the sins of the day : Bless'd God, when dying, that he fear'd not death,
His pious soul took wings, gave up her breath, Dropp'd here her mantle in the silent dust Which waits the resurrection of the just."
The North Precinct voted this year "to settle a minister amongst them as fast as they can and in the best method they can ; " and "to give him, that shall be chosen, twelve acres of land and fourscore pounds in building and manuring." Voted " not to finish the Meeting- house." N. B. - This unfinished house was situated, it is said, on the
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
ground now or lately occupied by Dr. Grosvenor's garden. It was afterwards used as a school-house, and at last as a cabinet-shop by Wm. Eaton.
1718. - North Precinct voted "to give Mr. Daniel Putnam twenty acres of land, exchanged with Sergt. Flint and Sergt. Eaton, if Mr. Put- nam be our minister."
Also voted " to build Mr. Putnam an house of 28 feet long, 19 feet wide, and 15 feet stud, a 'Lenter ' on the back side 10 feet stud, three chimneys from the ground, and chamber chimney, and convenient par- lor, and a convenient well, in lieu of the 100 pounds, if Mr. Putnam find nails and glass for the house."
Petition of the North Precinct for common land : "To the freehold- ers and other inhabitants of the town of Reading, qualified to vote in town affairs : Hon'd fathers and Christian brethren, Inasmuch as it has pleased the Lord of his goodness to incline your hearts to give us £30, one half when we build and finish our meetinghouse and the other half when we build our minister house, We think it our duty to return you all humble and hearty thanks for your love therein to us expresst. And if it might please the Lord to incline your hearts, now in our be- ginnings, to give us the common land that lyeth in our Precinct, near our meetinghouse, for ministerial use, so we may be a building a min- ister's house, we shall readily accept it and account it an act of your Christian charity and compassion towards us, who are and remain your humble servants.
Ezekiel Upton,
Joseph Upton,
Joseph Upton, Sen!, Ezekiel Upton, Jr.,
John Eaton,
Wm. Flint,
Henry Phelps, his
Ebenezer Flint,
John X Rich or Rice, mark
Geo. Flint, Jr.,
Saml McIntire, his
Joseph Swallow, Saml. Phelps, his
John X Upton, Sen., mark his
Tho. X Burt, Sen. mark his
John X Upton, Jr., mark
Tho. X Burt, Jr.,
Jonathan Parker, his
mark his
Joseph X Upton, Jr., mark his
Jona. X McIntire, mark
his David X McIntire, mark
Joseph Pudney, John Eaton, Jr.
Jona. X Upton, mark his Philip X McIntire, mark
Geo. Flint,
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
See another petition for use of common land in Appendix E.
1719. - Thomas Oliver, of Cambridge, who graduated at the College this year, was appointed schoolmaster, and held the office for three years. (See Rev. Richard Browne's letter on deficiency of salary in the Appendix F.)
1720. - Rev. Daniel Putnam, from Danvers, who graduated at the College in 1717, was this year ordained as pastor of the second church in Reading (the Precinct). There were thirty-nine members of the church when Mr. Putnam was settled.
The town voted "to let the South Easterly part of the town have liberty to set a school house on the Common land, where they think fit, in some convenient place."
The settlement of the territory now constituting North Reading, was probably commenced soon after the laying out of the "two mile grant," in 1666. About 1680 we find located on the territory six families, namely : -
Francis Hutchinson.
Thomas Burt, lived probably in that part of Reading that became a - part of Wilmington.
John Phelps ; " Phelps' Field," on Park Street, near Middleton line, where is an old cellar-hole, was probably the ancient seat of the family.
John Upton, Sen., lived, it is supposed, on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Sylvester F. Haywood.
John Upton, Jr., probably lived on the place recently owned by Charles F. Flint, Esq.
Philip McIntire ; an ancient family seat of the McIntires was in Thos. Rayner's field, northeast of his house, where is a cellar-hole.
In 1682 to 1684 :-
George Flint, occupied a house that stood on the place now owned by Jacob Gowing, and was a garrison house.
Richard Harnden, lived in that part of Reading that was set to Wil- mington.
John Burnap, lived on the place recently occupied by Charles Holt, where the house and barn were burned in 1867.
John Thompson.
David Hartshorn, lived where the late Timothy Hartshorn formerly lived, in what is now Reading.
Samuel Cowdrey.
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
Ephraim Savage owned land in Precinct, but lived in South Parish, and removed to Boston. Thomas Rice. Adam Colson. In 1685 and '6 :
Isaac Hart lived where Mrs. Hannah A., wid. of Peter G. Flint, now lives.
Francis Nurse.
William Russell.
James Kebbe. Samuel Leman.
In 1687 to '89 :
Edward Polly.
Thomas Taylor.
Samuel Chadwick.
Edward Taylor.
David Merrow, William Hooper. John Felch.
Samuel Dix, on the late Barnard place.
In 1691, John Eaton.
In 1692, Samuel Parker. Stephen Weston.
1720. - The following is a list of tax-payers, in the Precinct, at the time of Mr. Putnam's ordination : -
Capt. (Tho .? ) Bryant.
Jonathan McIntire. Samuel McIntire.
Tho. Burt, Jr.
Ebenezer Burt.
Ebenezer McIntire.
Robert Brayford.
David McIntire.
Edmund Chamberlain. Samuel Dix.
John Norish.
Benjamin Damon.
John Phelps.
Mr. John Eaton, Sen. Thomas Eaton. George Flint.
Joseph Pudney.
Lt. Jonathan Parker.
Ebenezer Flint, Sen.
Ebenezer Russell.
Francis Nurse.
Stephen Roper.
Thomas Rich.
John Rich. William Sawyer.
Joseph Swallow. Dacon Taylor.
Ebenezer Flint, Jr. William Flint. Nathaniel Flint. Ebenezer Fish. Stephen Fish. Daniel Gooing. John Harnden. 18
Thomas Nichols.
Henry Phelps.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
Benjamin Harnden.
John Upton, Sen.
Benjamin Harnden, Jr.
John Upton, Jr.
Adam Hart.
Joseph Upton, Sen.
Thomas Hutchinson.
Joseph Upton, Jr.
Edward Hurcom.
Ezekiel Upton, Sen.
Zachariah Howard.
Ezekiel Upton, Jr.
Samuel Leman.
Jonathan Upton.
Samuel Lewis. John Lewis.
Stephen Wright.
A division of the First Parish is talked of.
1721. - Town voted, "in order to explain and strengthen the Com- mittee, viz: Capt. Burnap, Capt. Poole and Mr. Timothy Goodwin, who were chosen to look after the town right in the herbage in Lynn Com- mon, it is our meaning therein that said Committee is fully empowered to prosecute any person or persons that shall fence in land, the herbage of which belongs in Common to the towns of Lynn and Reading ; with power to treat with our Lynn friends in an order to an agreement ; and with power to sell our town right in that land that Atwell and Rhoades have fenced in."
Voted also " to take their share of the Fifty Thousand pounds, issued by the Court." This was an issue by the General Court of what was called " Bills of Credit," and was distributed to the several towns in proportion to their taxes ; the bills to be repaid at a specified time.
Town voted "to let out this money at 'five in the hundred'; and that no man shall draw out more than twenty pounds, and no man less than five pounds, and any sum between the two; that the bonds shall run for one year ; and that trustees shall have a seventh part of the interest on the money that shall be let out, for their trouble."
Voted to choose trustees by a paper vote.
Chose for trustees : Peter Emerson, Thomas Bancroft, and Thomas Poole.
Voted the interest money to pay town charges.
" A catalogue of the brethren and sisters in full communion in the first church in Reading, hereunder followeth : Jan. 3, 1720-I.
Richard Brown, Pastor. Anna, dau. of Peter and Anna Emerson. Martha Brown, his wife. Mary Burt.
Dea. Tho. Boutwell and Abigail his wife. John Pratt and wife.
Dea. Tho. Nichols and Rebecca his wife.
Sarah Pratt, dau. of above.
Joel Jenkins.
Wid. Brown.
John Townsend and Sarah his wife.
Tho. Bancroft and Mary his wife.
Lydia Bancroft.
Wid. Sarah Bancroft.
John Dix and his wife.
Samuel Bancroft and Sarah his wife.
John Batchelder and his wife.
Wid. Batchelder.
Ebenezer Nichols and his wife.
Lt. Swain and his wife.
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OF THE TOWN OF READING.
Raham Bancroft and Abigail his wife. Stephen Weston and Sarah his wife. Phebe Rice.
Joseph Damon and Mary his wife.
Kendall Goodwin and Mary his wife. Hannah Weston.
Wid. Mary Weston.
Mary Felch. John Parker and Elizabeth his wife.
Nathaniel Goodwin and Mary his wife.
Wid. - Parker.
Deborah Temple.
John Boutwell and Sarah his wife.
Sarah Foster.
Abigail Nichols.
Mary, wife of John Fish.
Joseph Parker and Elizabeth his wife.
Joseph Eaton and Mary his wife.
Samuel Lilley and Hannah his wife.
Jeremiah Swain and Sarah his wife.
John Merrow, Jr., and Ann his wife. Deliverance, wife of John Merrow, Sen.
Nathaniel Parker, Jr., and Eliz'h his wife. Dea. Francis Smith.
Wid. Sarah Bryant.
Nathaniel Stow.
Sarah Bryant.
Mehitabel Bryant.
James Nichols.
Sarah Nichols.
Joseph Burnap and his wife.
Tho. Poole and Rebecca his wife.
Nathaniel Parker, Sen., and his wife.
Samuel Damon and his wife.
Wid. Grace Boutwell.
Tabitha Boutwell.
Samuel Lamson and Elizabeth his wife. Jonathan Parker and Barbara his wife. Joanna Nichols. Jonathan Nichols and Phebe his wife. Nath'l Batchelder and Hannah his wife. Timo. Hartshorn, Sen., and his wife. Timo. Hartshorn, Jr.
Eben. Emerson and Mary his wife.
Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Parker.
Goodwife Roberts.
Dorcas Brown. Abigail Roberts. Sarah Poole.
John Woodward and his wife.
Peter Emerson and Anna his wife.
Ruth Boutwell.
Lt. Hananiah Parker and his wife. Ebenezer Parker and his wife.
Susanna Townsend. Susanna Brown.
Anna Brown. Edward Brown and his wife.
John Brown and his wife.
Mary, wife to Samuel Brown.
Serg't Thomas Burnap and his wife.
Mary and Rebecca Burnap.
Jonathan Poole and Esther his wife.
Thomas Weston. Benjamin Poole. Wid. Jeaggles.
Tho. Nichols and Mary his wife.
Capt. Jona. l'oole and Bridget his wife.
Timo. Wiley, Sen., and his wife.
John Wiley and his wife.
Mary Wiley.
John Smith and his wife.
James Smith and Abigail his wife.
Isaac Smith and his wife.
Timo. Goodwin and his wife.
Mrs. Pierpont.
Mr. Jonathan Pierpont.
William Bryant and Rebecca his wife.
Benj. Burnap and Elizabeth his wife. Mary Hodgman.
Kendall Boutwell and Lucy his wife.
Mary Boutwell.
Dea. John Goodwin and his wife.
Tabitha Goodwin.
Mary Goodwin.
William Hay and Abigail his wife. Wid. Rebecca Davis.
John Nichols, Sen., and his wife.
John Nichols, Jr.
Wid. Dorcas Bryant.
Kendall Bryant and his wife. Tabitha Briant.
Tho. Damon and his wife.
Mary and Lydia Eaton.
Jonathan Eaton and his wife.
Lt. Kendall Parker and his wife.
Wid. Taylor.
Wid. Brown. Wid. Cowdrey.
Tabitha, Susanna and Elizabeth Cowdrey.
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
" Members of our Church in our Maulden (Melrose ) neighborhood":
Thomas Upham and his wife.
Elizabeth Upham.
Thos. Green and his wife. Ye wife of James Taylor.
Ve wife of Richard Upham.
" Members of this Church belonging to Lynn End (Lynnfield) not yet dismissed " :
Lt. Jno. Poole and Mary his wife.
Hannah Walton.
Judith Poole.
Wm. Russell (of So. Vill) and Elizabeth his wife.
Kendall Pierson and Lydia his wife.
William Batchelder.
Rebecca Williams.
Goody Wellman.
Samuel Hart.
Isaac Wellman and his wife.
. Sarah Hart.
Joshua Felt and his mother.
Shubail Stearns.
Sarah Hawkes.
"Members of this Church in our Charlestown (Stoneham) neighborhood" :
Wid. Goold.
Judith Gould.
Daniel Gould, Sen., and his wife.
Ye wife of Jno. Goold, Jr.
Ebenezer Knight and his wife.
Timo. Bauldwin and wife.
Naomi Holden.
Mrs. Hay.
Thomas Gary's wife.
Hannah Hay.
Wid. Belcher.
Mrs. Abigail Gary.
Joanna Lawrence.
Goody Cutler.
Mercy Parker.
Of Reading, 184 ; Lynn End, 20 ; Maulden, 7; Charlestown, 25. Total, 236. Recorded by Richard Brown."
There were dismissed from Reading Church in 1720, to join Lynn End Church (Lynnfield) : John Pearson, John Townsend, Samuel Parker, William Eaton, James Pearson, and John Going ; and to join the North Precinct Church : Tho. Bryant, John Eaton, Tho. Taylor, Jona. Parker, Samuel Dix, Samuel Lewis, Caleb Taylor, Tho. Nichols (who returned), Wm. Flint, Benj. Damon, Samuel Leman, and Thomas Burt.
The small-pox prevailed in the town to an alarming degree, espe- cially in the North Precinct.
1722. - The First Parish this year voted that Jona. Poole, Esq., Dea. Tho. Nichols, Capt. Joseph Burnap, and Ensign Tho. Bancroft be a Committee to consider how and where to enlarge the parsonage and to make report.
An extract from first church record : -
" Anno 1722. - There having been sad confusions, which I often have observed for several years past (and did often in the Public mention which trouble and pray might be reformed), in our singing ; some were above others, some before others, and all was, as I apprehended, for want of going more together, which I urged to no purpose.
Sarah Prates.
14I
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
And understanding that there was a Rule, I looked on it, and conceiving ye knowl- edge and keeping of the Rule, would prevent this confusion in that part of our pub- lic worship, I promoted learning to sing to that end ; several public lectures were had to promote it ; then I preached by myself, and 2d by Mr. Wm. Symes and 3d by Mr. Fiske, where much was said to incourage it and in each of which they sang four times exact by the Rule, no man opposing ; a school was set up; many, both men and women, learnt ; some indeed were not so clear in it, (as by mistake) conceiving it po- pery ; but at length having been incouraged by several, as by all the Deacons, Capt. Poole, Capt. Burnap, Ensign Bancroft, Sergt. Tho. Poole, Lt. Bryant and Lt. Kendall Parker, (most of whom came to the school), that learnt, the first night they begun, (they?) sung with the wisht success, (4 of his family) (Kendall Parker's) attended the school, he learnt himself; sang by Rule in his family diverse months together ; and, as I observed, after sung by Rule in the Public, and as I hear set the tune by Rule 3 times in the public, one day when I was sick; and (being) urged by some to bring it into the assembly, and especially by Deacon Boutwell, the eldest Deacon several times ; on Nov. 8, being thanksgiving day, after the public worship was over, I proposed it to the church and congregation to sing by Rule; and by what I had heard not expecting any opposition, I said that if they were all willing, I would take their silence for consent, and no man answered one word, but all were silent and went away."
RICHARD BROWN."
In December of same year, "took up a contribution in aid of Rev. Daniel Putnam, of North Precinct, who is represented to be in great straits."
Amount collected, £5 and 17s.
1723. - Town voted "to sell to John Atwell (of Lynn), Reading right in the land that he has fenced in about his house, twelve acres at 12 pence per acre, which was paid down."
Voted also "to sell to Josiah Rhodes (of Lynn) Reading right in his lot in the 600 acres for 20 shill. per acre."
Voted " that the Selectmen petition the General Court, concerning a free course for the fish to come to Reading."
1724. - First Parish voted "to take up two acres of land distinct, in the low ground below the lower burying place and to add it to Mr. Brown's Parsonage, upon condition, that after it is once fenced, he will maintain the fence so long as he improves the above said two acres of land ; and he does also engage that he will not desire the Parish to find him any more hay or grass as long as he is our minister ; and he quit the ministerial meadow to the use of the town, and engaging to let us have a liberty of passing and repassing in the winter season, with horse and cart over the land, that was formerly Isaac Hart's, from Mr. Hodg- man's corner and so out at Dea. Thomas Nichols' house, that was for-
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GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
merly Landlord Burnap; and upon condition that our friends and neighbors in the Pond Row do the East side of the fence upon their own cost and charge."
N. B. - This is probably the land lying on the west side of Pond Street.
The North Precinct vote this year "to apply to the Governor and Council in relation to Mr. Putnam's troubles "; (his lack of support, it is presumed).
First Parish congregation contributed £9 3s. towards redeeming " Blanchard " children.
1725. - Town voted "that the school money be divided so that the west end shall have what they pay, in proportion as they pay to the Province tax ; and that the west end shall be divided from the town by the families that live nearest to each school house."
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