USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Holliston > Genealogical register of the inhabitants and history of the towns of Sherborn and Holliston, 1856 > Part 40
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sherborn > Genealogical register of the inhabitants and history of the towns of Sherborn and Holliston, 1856 > Part 40
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Sherborne granteth to such as shall make a sawmill on a Brook [Bog- istow, where the cotton mill stands in Hol. ] about half a mile on this side the corner [Jasper] rock that was Natick bounds, the sum of 50 Acres of upland adjoining to that brook, and 3 or 4 Acres of Meadow, if it may be found upon that Brook as may be convenient-also 10 Acres of Swamp, the Cedar timber excepted. This sawmill to be built by the end of 12 months, and be continued three years, or as the Selectmen then in being, and the owners shall agree. So the Land to be settled to the owners. This offer seems to have been accepted by Samuel Lind of Boston, who early built a corn mill upon it.
'79-9mo. 29-Thomas Sawin is accepted as one of the new inhabi- tants at Chestnut Brook, to take up a first Lot, as may be convenient for building a Sawmill on it. This is where the late Galim Bullard lived. This mill stood a few rods below the mill of Mr. Isaac Cozens.
1679 .- Daniel Morse, sen., and Joseph Morse and another, were chosen to treat with a minister for settlement.
1680 .- Ensign Saml. Bullen & George Fairbanks, refusing to take the oath of Tytheingmen, the Selectmen, in obedience to the Law, do choose Thomas Holbrook to have inspection over those families at the widow Lcaland, Hopestill Lealands, &c., 10 Families. And Joseph Morse as tytheingman to inspect over Eleazer Fairbanks and 5 other Families.
Difficulties of a serious nature had now arisen, the nature of which we are left in part to infer from the action of the Court. The inhabitants at the S. end had insisted on the place first staked, for the meeting-house and roads referred to on proprietors' records, had been laid from that place to remote parts of the town. They had as yet obtained no minis- ter, and the condition on which they had been exempted from rates had not been complied with. A few lots appear to have been illegally as- signed. Daniel Morse, senr., Dea Benoni Learned and others, in 1680 petitioned the G. C., imploring " aid that they may be relieved of their difficulties, professing a desire to settle a pious and able minister, without which their hopeful plantation would be ruined, and they and their wives and children be forced either to live like heathen, without God's Sabbaths and ordinances, or remove."
G. C. Rec., May, 1680 .- " In answer to the petition of the inhabi- tants of S., Maj. Thos. Savage, Mr. Bartholomew Gedney, Capt. Hutch-
285
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
enson, Mr. Joseph Lind and Mr. Joseph Cook, are appointed a Com- mittee, and required to repair to S. and settle all differences depending among said inhabitants, and give such directions as to them shall seem meete for ordering of their prudentials ; and what any four of them shall agree upon, shall be valid for the determining of such controversies as are among them, and what they shall do herein they are to make return thereof to the present session. (" Which they did, and is on file, not perfected.")
1680 .- June 2d-At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Sherborne to attend the consultation of the honored Committee, Major Savage, with the other Gent. of that Committee-did then agree before them and en- gage to lay down of their lands for needful highways for the use of the Town, and to choose a Committee to lay them out.
On the return of the Committee, and the rendition of their report, the . G. C., June 11, 1680, say :-
There appearing something necessary to be further donne with refer- ence to the settlement of Sherborne Towne, and the well ordering the prudentialls thereof, and some dissatisfaction with reference to the placing the meeting-house, this Court, judging it necessary to remove all obstructions that may hinder their quiet and peaceable proceeding, doe appoint and impower Wm. Stoughton, Tho. Savage, and John Richards, Esqs., a committee to order and governe the prudentialls of the said towne for three years next commencing, as to laying out lotts, and raysing of taxes.
From the above date until June 11, 1684, the town was placed under loving guardianship, and submitted like an affectionate and dutiful ward.
October 12th .- Reckoned with Thomas Sawin for his work about the Meetinghouse for framing the Meetinghouse and provideing Boards, Shingles and Clapboards, and making Windows and Doors according to bargain about the Meetinghouse, - £50 0 0 For Boards and his work laying the Floor of do. 300
Daniel Morse, sen., John Hill, Benj. Bullard, John Death with the Selectmen, are chosen to seat the Meeting when seats are made.
1680 .- 9th mo. 15. The Committee that formerly was chosen and impowered to act as the town for the settling Mr. Gookin or some other Minister as God should direct, making their return to the town that ex- cept the Inhabitants do agree to what was done by that Committee in '79, 7 mo. they see no likelyhood of obtaining Mr. Daniel Gookin to settle among us.
Voted, that John Hill, Thomas Holbrook & George Fairbanks is de- sired to assist a Committee to settle a gospel Orthodox Minister on the place obtained for a Minister according to what is voted by the town for Ministers maintenance, &c. Edward West chosen Town Clerk.
1681 .- Voted, that Daniel Morse, senr., Joseph Morse, and Edward West are chosen to treat with Mr. Cusheon or some other Minister to settle in Sherborne. And Thomas Holbrook was chosen to go to speak
286
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
to Mr. Cusheon for an answer from him in reference to his settleing in * * *
Sherborne. * *
*
1681 .- April 29. Whereas we the Inhabitants of Sherborn having formerly applied ourselves to the Rev. Daniel Gookin to be our settled Minister of Sherborn, he was pleased to give us his mind and word and writing to be willing to come amongst us, provided that we could agree to have the Meetinghouse on that place appointed by Capt. Prentice, but some not willing for it, did put us upon further trouble and the im- peding that work amongst us wherefore having a meeting of the inha- bitants & proposals being made if ***** would adhere to the settling a Minister on that place commonly amongst us called the Lot place, we, being desirous of not only the settleing a Minister amongst us, but also peace and concord, did yield to the motion, and made choice of some of those that did oppose our former proceeding to act accordingly ; but now we perceiving their fruitless endeavors in that respect, and being desircous, if God permit, to have one amongst us to break the bread of life to us and ours, and especially the Rev. Mr. Daniel Gookin, do if authority permit of it, bind ourselves to these particulars under written in the full sum of Ten pounds Sterling to be paid by us upon every wil- ful neglect or refusal.
1st, That application be made to the Rev Mr. Daniel Gookin, to be the settled Minister of Sherborn, by those three Men the town have lately made choice of to Settle a Minister in Sherborn, viz. : Daniel Morse, senr., Joseph Morse & Edward West, with as much speed as may be.
2d, That in case Mr. Gookin do agree to come amongst us, we do engage to pay to him annually as the Town in general have voted, viz. twenty pounds in money, and twenty pounds in country pay, such as we raise among ourselves, and such as the Minister wants, at such prises as go from man to man amongst ourselves : as also when the Minister hath a family or the people increase in the Town by the addition of new Families considerably, then to augment his allowance and this to continue with the help of such as may by Law be brought in to pay, during our abode in Sherborn.
3d, That the house for the Minister, in the place where it now stands, be fitted and finished conveniently to dwell in, and one Acre of Land to be broken up and fenced in a town charge ; and this House and Land as it is now in part lotted out shall be given to him the said Mr. Gookin, and his heirs forever, provided he do engage himself to us to be our set- tled, constant Minister, together with his interest in common Lands as other inhabitants.
4th, We do agree that when we do build our Meetinghouse it shall stand where it was ordered and agreed, near Edwards Plain.
Finally, We do agree that all those above written charges shall be raised according to the Town vote viz. by heads & estates ratable in the country Invoice, and do also agree that all forfeitures that shall be made as above said shall be paid to the Minister towards his yearly mainte- nance. To these above said particulars we do bind us and our heirs in
287
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
the sum above said firmly and do make of the Men above written to see to the execution of this agreement of ours according to the true intent thereof. In witness whereof we have putt to our hands, dated 29th April 1681.
DANIEL MORSE, SENR.
THOS. GLEASON.
JOHN HILL,
EDWARD WEST,
THOS. HOLBROOK,
JOSEPH MORSE,
MOSES ADAMS,
BENONI LEARNED,
EPHRAIM BULLEN,
NATHL. MORSE,
JOHN DEATH,
DANIEL MORSE, JR.,
THOS. SAWIN,
EBENEZER LEALAND,
JOHN EAMES,
JONATHAN MORSE,
ISAAC LEALAND,
JOHN PERRY,
ZACHARI PADLEFORD,
JONATHAN WHITNEY,
OBADIAHI MORSE,
EBENEZER FAIRBANKS.
Benj. Bullard objected to the 4th Article.
I whose name is here subscribed do freely and fully engage to remain . in the work of the Ministry at Sherborn so long as I can live in said place so as to attend my work without distraction.
DANIEL GOOKIN, JR.
This note has no date but was pr. written soon after Apl. 29, 1681.
1681 .- July 4th-George Fairbanks proposed to resign up to the Town all his rights and Interests in Sherborn with all his former charges from the first petitioning provided they would free him from Sherborne.
1681 .- 8 mo. 27-Voted by the Inhabitants that there shall be a division of so much of our common Land as is judged meet for a divi- dend by Daniel Morse, Thomas Holbrook, Jonathan Whitney, John Death, and Joseph Morse, If our honored Committee approve of it. Also a Committee was chosen to acquaint the honored Committee with the state of the Town as to the accommodation of the new Inhabitants, and intreat their power and advice which way this Dividend shall be laid out. Also the Committee to obtain a Survey to lay out this Land. Each man shall choose his Lot : and if 2, 3, 4 or more shall pitch upon one place, then they to draw Lots who shall have that Lot. Each man that shall take up Land shall pay the charges of the laying out his Lot. If any Man do mislike his Lot : then he to choose his Lot out of any part of any of the Towns upland without circumference.
BOSTON, Nov. 3d, 1681.
Having perused and considered the first vote above written concern- ing a division of common Land in Sherborne, We the Committee for that Town do approve and confirm the same, And for the way thereof We advise that it be first divided into 4 parts, to lye to each quarter of the Town according as they shall find it most convenient as to vicinity, respect being had to the quality of the land, that there may be an equality
288
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
in each quarter as much as may be ; Then each quarter or squad- ron of the Town to divide their part amongst themselves by lot. We fur- ther order, that before any division be made of upland, such new inhab- itants as have not had proportionable meadow already allowed them, shall have due shares alloted and laid out to them. And according to a former vote of the Town, we adjudge the new Inhabitants to pay two shillings per Acre upon their home lots, towards public charges, and then for the future to be equally rated with the rest.
(Signed,) THOMAS SAVAGE, JOHN RICHARDS, WILLIAM STOUGHTON.
1682 .- Granted to John Awasamug 20 acres of Land, to clear all Indian Titles that concern the Land exchanged between Natick and Sherborne.
A list of persons admitted to be Inhabitants of Sherborn since its in- corporation with the dates of admission :
Ensign Samuel Bullen,
Thomas Pratt, sen., 2 mo. 1679
Edward West,
William Sheffield, May 1679
Jos. Morse,
Zacry Paddleford, 2 mo. 1679
John Perry,
John Eames,
1679
William Allen,
Isaac Learned,
1679
Thomas Eeames, Jan. 4,
1674 Thomas Pratt, Jr. " "
1679
John Death, 11 mo. 1.
1677 Thomas Sawin, 9 mo. 29
1679
Thomas Gleason, 8 mo. 5.
1678 Jonathan Whitney,
1679
Hopestill Lealand. 11-1
1678 Will. Goddard, «
1679
Ebenexer Lealand " "
1678 Bononi Learned, "
1679
Joseph Twitchell, "
1678 Will. Rider, 66
1679
G. C. Rec., Oct. 11, 1682. Whereas there is about 50 soldiers at Sherborne, in probability they will increase to a greater number in a short time, and they having no higher officer than a Sarjant, it is or- dered by this Court and the authority thereof that Sargeant Edward West be Leiftenant to the said company and Jonathan Morse, Ensign ; and they are to choose two sarjants, a drummer and clark for the said company according as the law directs ; and that the said company do be- long to the regiment of Maj. Gookin and ye secretary is ordered to issue both commissions for them.
G. C., Rec .. May 17,1684. " In ans. to the petition of Tho. Hol- brooke, Edward West, selectmen for the towne of Sherborne, it is ordered that the grant of land unto the inhabitants and others at or near Boggestow shall be and hereby is confirmed unto them according to the plat now before the Court dated, 25 (3 mo.) 1677, signed Thos. Thirston, provid always it doe not intrench upon former grants to any toune or particular persons, and it is ordered that the name of the toune be Sherborne and that it belongs to the County of Middlesex."
N. B. The great delay of the usual act of confirmation doubtless arose from the confused state of the town and their tardiness in comply- ing with the conditions of their incorporation.
1684 .- Decem. 8 .- Voted by the Inhabitants of S., being assembled,
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HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
that the difference that is now between John Hill, J. Eames & John Death for catching Wolves, it shall be referred to the Hond. Deputy Governor and Major Gookin to issue the Cause between them.
1694 .- June 4-Edward West was chose Schoolmaster for S.
1695 .- Feb. 3d-At a meeting of the Inhabitants of S. for to con- sider and conclude of a inlardgment of our Town bounds by our * * of some of Naticks land that joins to the farm of Henry Rice to make one Township.
It was concluded by the Inhabitants, met this day, that we shall go on to lay that tract of land that is taken in platt with a inlargement to the farm of Henry Rice, and those Farmers that are willing to join in our Township according as offers have been made to themselves as also to procure a surveyor to run a straight line from the south Corner of Henry Rice's Farm to the Cartway crossing Cochituate Brook near where Course Brook meets with Cochituate Brook the charges of the whole to be borne by the Town of S. The Selectmen are chosen a Committee to see this work carried on for the benefit of the Town.
1700 .- June 25 .- The town of Framingham was incorporated and seventeen Families belonging to Sherborn were annexed to that Town. " A controversy soon arose between S. and F. respecting certain rights and privileges, which was at last settled without legal process."-[See Barry's His. of Fram.]
1705-6-Jan. 8th .- Was granted £20, for the repairing and better finishing the Meetinghouse. The Committee chosen were Sergt. Sawin, Lt. Joseph Morse, Deacon Benoni Learned, Corpl. Isaac Learned and Richard Sanger.
1707 .- May 28th-Ordered, That whosoever should take bring or convey any Cattle from other towns to feed on the Commons in S., and such Cattle being taken up ; the Person or persons who conveyed the said Cattle into Town, or the owner of them sd pay a fine of 5s. per head, the one moiety to the person who took them up and the other moiety to the use of the Town.
These orders were allowed of by the Court of quarter Sessions at Concord, June 17th, 1707, till further order.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
Public worship was first set up at the house of Cpt. Joseph Morse, and there continued until the meeting-house was finished ; and he received a grant from the town for accommodating the congregation.
The existing records of the Church begin Oct. 27, 1734. They give no account of the formation of the Chh. ; but the MSS. of Judge Sewall contain the following notice of its origin :
" Thursday, Mar., 1685. Went to the gathering of the Church in Sherborne, & ordaining of Mr. Daniel Gookin, their Pastor. But six Brethren & three of the name of Mors .* Mr. Willson [of Boston,] Mr.
* The other three brethren were pr. Renj. Bullard, Tho. Holbrook & Benoni Learned.
4
290
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
Adams [of Dedham,] Mrs. Nathaniel Gookin [of Cambridge,] managed the work. Mr. Nathl. Gookin, ye younger, introduced ye elder- a happy type of ye calling of ye Jews ; Mr. Torry [of Weymouth,] Brinsmeade [of Boston,] Fisk [of Braintree,] Esterbrook [of Lexing- ton, ] Mann [of Wrentham, ] Moody [of Boston, ] Hubbard [or Hobart, of Newton,] Nehemiah Sherman [of Watertown,] Woodrop [of Lan- caster,] Rawson, Grendal [of Mendon,] Willson, Junr., [of Medfield,] there, and the fellows of the College. Only Maj. Generall & self of the magistrates. No relations were made, but I hope God was with them."
1707 .- May 29. At a meeting of the Selectmen it was ordered, that each person in town, for the Pool or Pools he or she is rated for, shall cut and carry to the house of the Rev. Mr. Gookin, one half Cord of wood per poll ; and each and every person who neglect to perform as aforesaid shall pay a Fine of 2 Shillings per poll to the use of said Minister.
Oct. 23 .- Voted to hire a minister while March next and that Mr. Baker be the man to supply Mr. Gookings Pulpit, now in the time of his restraint, if he may be obtained.
1708-9 .- March 7th-At a Town meeting, &c. It was then mani- fested to the town what had been offered to the Hon. General Court by our Representative Saml. Bullard concerning the seventeen Families on the north part of the Town : with the acceptance and Concurance of the Court therewith : and was consented to by a general vote.
G. C. Rec., June 3, 1715 .- Upon the reading a petition of Joseph Morse, representative and the selectmen of the Town of Sherborn in be- half of the said town, praying that a Platt of 4,000 acres of land there- with exhibited, laid out and protracted by Thomas White, surveyer, pur- suant to a grant of this Court at their session in June, 1710, on the West side of Mendon may be confirmed to the said Town. Voted a concurrence with the order passed thereon in the House of Representa- tives, viz : The plat having been presented for confirmation and viewed and inspected by this House.
Ordered, that the land therein described be allowed and granted and confirmed to the town of Sherborn as an equivalent for the 17 families laid to Framingham, mentioned in the plat provided it intrench upon no former grant. Consented to. J. DUDLEY.
Sh. June 17, 1715 .- Voted, That the Invoice of Polls and ratable Estate taken in August 1714, shall be the Rule whereby the said 4000 Acres of Land granted and confirmed to the town by the G. C., shall be proportioned to and among the present Inhabitants being freeholders and such other inhabitants that have lived upon hire in the Town for some years past.
The above-mentioned New Grant was divided amongst 105 Persons " being Freeholders and such other Inhabitants that have lived upon hire." December 29th, 1721, the proprietors granted to Ephraim Hill and his heirs forever, 20 acres of Land in the said 4000 acres, in con- sideration of his being the first settled Inhabitant there.
291
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
Two further grants of 6700 acres, now in Douglas, were obtained of the General Court by purchase. In 1730, these Lands were divided among the Inhabitants of S. in the same manner as the other Grant had been.
1710 .- Dec. 11. At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Sherborn, Capt. Joseph Morse & Deacon Benoni Learned, Moderators.
Then it was put to the Inhabitants by the said Moderators that inas- much as the work of the Ministery is apparently two hard for our Rev. and worthey Pastor, Mr. Daniel Gooking, he being a Crazie and infirm man and well stricken in years, whither they were willing to give the Rev. Mr. Baker a call or invitation to settle with us in this Town in the work of Gospel Service as an assistant to our Rev. Pastor aforesaid ; and after some debate on the matter it being put to try the minds of the inhabitants it was voted verry fully on the affirmative to give the Rev. Mr. Daniel Baker a call to settle in Gospel Service as an assistant to our Rev. Pastor aforesaid. Voted on the affirmative.
Also it was voted at said meeting To give the said Mr. Baker a year- ly salary of 50 pounds money during the life of our Rev. Pastor and after his decease to augment Mr. Baker's Salary if need be .- Voted in the affirmative.
Attest, Jos. MORSE, BENONI LEARNED, Moderators.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Sherborn, April 2d, 1711. Then the Rev. Mr. Daniel Gookin was pleased to exhibit the following :
" I have formerly as is well known, and several of the leading Men of the Town can testifie, yielded to sink ten pounds of the country part of my Salary for the encourageing of the Town to proceed in yt. weigh- ty design that they have been lately upon, and are not yet come to a full conclusion about-But it hath been signified to me that what I did (and that freely) would not be accepted of by those to whom the offer was made, or at least it would not be accepted of by the Town : but if I thought it would not be imagined that I had a mind to force the Town to an acceptance of it, I would say that I do freely give back to the Town ten pounds of the country part of my yearly Salary, which they may improve for the encouragement of the Rev. Gentleman whom they are treating withall with reference to a settlement : in case they canob- tain him, otherwise if I must still carry on the whole work, as formerly, I do desire, and it is best meet that it should return to me and be paid to me as formerly-thus wishing Heaven to guide you in what is this day be- fore you, I take leave and rest your assured friend,
DANIEL GOOKIN."
This being publickly read at the said meeting it was gratefully ac- cepted of by the Town.
· Attest, WM. RIDER, Town Clerk.
1711 .- Sept. 17. At a meeting to consider upon some proposals that the Rev. Mr. Baker hath made to said Town about the advancement of his sallary after the Rev. Daniel Gookins decease. Voted to advance Rev. Daniel Bakers Sallary to the sum of seventy Pounds per Annum immediately after the decease of our Rev. Paster.
.
292
HISTORY OF SHERBORN.
These, with other inducements, as 1st, the sincere concurrance of ye Rev. Daniel Gookin, with the church & Town in ye above mentioned affair ; as also the generosity of the good People of said Sherborne, in subscribing liberally towards building and settleing of the Rev. Daniel Baker aforesaid, together with the land yt is offered to him for a settle- ment, and the good Council and advice of several of the Rev. Elders, our common friends and well wishers, hath prevailed with the Rev. Gentleman to give the following Answer to the Invitation given him to settle in the Gospel service in said town.
To the Committees of the Church and Town of Sherborn, To be communicated to the Church and Town.
Reverend and dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is now a considerable time since you have given me an invitation to settle with you in the glorious Gospel of peace, and it is with no small importunity that you have for some time pressed for an Answer to your desires. The weightiness of the work you have asked me to engage in, with some other things I have had under consideration, will atone for my delaying an answer so long. I hope I have not been backward in seeking direction from the All-wise Counsellor, nor have I been wanting in asking the advice of several of the Rev. Elders, our common Friends and well- wishers, whose Counsel I highly esteem. I am at length (though not without a deep sense of the weightiness of the work you have called me unto, and my own utter insufficiency therefor, and to answer what possibly you may expect, for who is sufficient for these things !) persuaded to accept of and embrace your Invitation, acknowledging the encourage- ment you have proposed. And do signify to you my resolution (in convenient time) to come and abide with you in Gospel service, so long as you shall afford me gospel Encouragement, which, as you will doubt- less conclude, I should charitably believe you will not fail to do, so you will not take it amiss that I assure you that I expect it.
Thus promising myself that you will not fail to ask for me at the throne of Grace all suitable and seasonable enlargements of the holy Spirit of Grace, that I may come to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel, and that all my ministrations amongst you may be continually accompanied with the allpowerfull influences of God's Spirit as a means to the conversion and edification of Souls. To the gracious guidance of the same holy Spirit I commend you, and rest yours in Gospel service.
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