USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Historical celebration of the town of Brimfield, Hampden County, Mass > Part 20
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243
APPENDIX.
PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME.
To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq Captain General & Governor in Chief in & over her Majest" Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in America and to the Honorble Members of the Great and General Court or Assembly to be held at Boston upon Wednesday the twenty fifth of May 1709
May it Pleas your Honn's
The subscribers hereof humbly present to youer Considerations of a grant of a Tract of land to several of the inhabitants of Springfield for a Plantation about fourteen miles Eastward of Springfd in the veare Seventeen hundred & one by the Great & General Court or As- sembly then held at Boston on the twenty eaighth of May In Observ- ance of which Grant the Committee then appointed in order for the Settling of a Plantation there proceeded so far as to lay out the plat- form of a town & granted out many Lottments to divers persons who proceeded so far as some did plant orchards there and many ware pre- pareing to build there but the war hapning in this term of time did hinder the proceedings of us so that we Could not full fill the Condi- tions of our Grant by Reason of the Great danger we should be in of the los of our lives. Now we humbly Crave that this Great & Gen- eneral Court or Assembly would Pleas to grant us further time Con- sidering how the war has hindered us from makeing it a Plantation and if It seem meet that your Honnours grant us four years or more for the setling of Inhabitants there We humbly desire it might begin the time from the sessation of this present ware we had so far pro- ceeded as to make records of what grants we had given with other of our proceedings and have called the towns name by the name of Brim- field We also Humbly begg Haveing lost the Honbe Coll John Pyn- chon that Major John Pynchon may supply his place in being one of the Committee with us we Pray God Bless this Honble Genl Assembly Your Humble Petitioners
JOSEPH STEBBINS DANIEL MORGEN
THOMAS COLTON SENR JAMES WARRENER SENR PELATIAH GLOVER by order of the Towne of Springfield
WEDNESDAY June 15, 1709 )
ACTION OF COUNCIL.
A Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of Springfield referring to a Tract of Land about fourteen miles Eastward of Springfield, Granted
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APPENDIX.
them for a Plantation by the General Assembly Anno 1701, under certain Limitations & Conditions. Weh they have not been able to per- form hitherto, by Reason of the Distress of the War, Praying for En- largement of the Time, and that Major John Pynchon may be added to the Committee for the affair in the Room of his Father, Coll Pyn- chon Der! was Read, & the Order passed thereon by the Representa Concur'd, Viz,
Ordered that the Prayer of the Petition be granted, that Major John Pynchon be added to the Committee in the Place of Coll : John Pyn- chon Decd and that the Term of Four Years after the Conclusion of the present War, be allowed to the Petitioners to Comply with the Condition of their Grant
Consented to J. DUDLEY
THURSDAY June 10, 1714 >
ACTION OF COUNCIL.
On petition of the Committee for the township of Brimfield praying the grant of three miles of land Easterly.
Upon Reading a Petition of the Committee for the Township of Brimfield Praying the Grant of Three Miles of Land further Easterly to but on Brookfield Bounds, with the Order passed thereon in the House of Representatives : Viz.
Ordered that Joseph Parsons Esq", Mr. Daniel Marsh & Mr. John Patridge be a Committee to view the Land petitioned for & the Con- veniences thereof ; and make Report to this Court what they shall think best to be done thereupon at the Charge of the Petitioners :- Coneur'd to & Major Joseph Buckminster & Cpt. John Chandler added to the Commtee in the affair aforesaid
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
Wee underwritten having been appointed by the Honble Genl Assem- bly of this Province, 1714, June 10, to view a tract of land adjoining to Brookfield on the South and to Brimfield on the East extending from Brookfield S. W. Corner Eastward 3 miles in order to its being added to the Town of Brimfield whose bounds are straitened on the South by the Partition Line of this Province and the Colony of Con- necticut, and make report thereof
Having strictly measured said Brimfield West line which we find to be 7 miles and 16 perch as it bounds on Springfield, though not so much, square off from the said Partition Line and also the Distance between Springfield and the S. W. Corner of Brookfield which we find to be 8 miles 1 qr and 22 perch and . o more. Which
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APPENDIX.
said tract is short of the contents of S miles square and withall very mountainous and uncapable to entertaine a suitable number of families without an addition at the East end
Are therefore humbly of opinion that unless three miles be added . to said town of Brimfield as described on the subjoined map, it will not be Inviteing nor capable to entertaine a suitable number of fami- lies according to the direction of the Court relating to the settlement thereof the said Easternmost end only being capable to entertaine In- habitants to settle in a Desirable Manner
April 20th 1715
JOSEPH PARSONS (only not present at the measurement) JOHN PARTRIDGE JOHN CHANDLER
In the House of Representatives
1715 May 31
Read and Accepted and Ordered That all the land between the Province Line and the South line of Brookfield for the space of three miles from the East End of the town of Brimfield be granted and added to the said Town of Brimfield Provided it intrude not upon the four miles square ordered to be surveyed for Waitstill Winthrop Esq nor upon any other former Grant*
Sent up for Concurrence JOHN BURRILL, Spkr.
* Not granted in Council
Dec. 5, 1719, In the House of Represenves the Question being put whether the above vote be revived, it passed in the negative.
On the Petition of the Inhab's of Brimfield
The Commtee are of Opinion that the Town of Brimfield be extended three miles more Eastw4 according to the Projection in the Platt and Return of a former Comme under their hands, Saving alwaies to the Heirs of ye Honble Wait Winthrop Esgr Decd & M John Elliott Deed their Right laid out within sd Tract or any other former Grants that have been made & surveyed in this Additional Grant to the Town of Brimfield WMI DUDLEY
In the House of Representatives, June 16. 1721 Read and Accepted. Sent up for Concurrence JOHN CLARK, Speaker
In Council June 16, 1721 Read & Concurd
J. WILLARD Secry SAM" SHUTE
Consented to, A true Copy from the Files Examined J WILLARD Secry
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APPENDIX.
STATEMENT OF GRIEVANCES.
Province of the Massa Bay
To His Excellency the Governour the Honble Council and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled at Boston December 2 1722
The Petition of Several of the Inhabitants of Brimfield in the County of Hamshire hereto subscribed most humbly sheweth That your Petitioners upon the Encouragement given them by the Honor- able Committee of this Great and Generall Court were induced to set- tle themselves and families within the sd Township
That notwithstanding the Great Charge and fateague which your Petitioners justly expected to find in setling 54 Plantation yet assured that this Great and Generall Court intended sd Township should be to or among sixty or seventy families only who should settle there they were the rather Encouraged to encounter the difficulties of the now settlement having a prospect as they conceived to secure an estate in lands to themselves and posterity
But so it is may it please your Excellency and Honours that the Honde Committee being advanced in years some of them being Dead and others declining : the Publick Interest and business of sª planta- tion is very much retarded and Discouraged many more grants (as we humbly conceive) have been made in said Plantation than this Honble Court ever intended many Lotts have been laid out by persons either unskilful or unfaithful which will prove of ill Consequence if not corrected. Also many Lotts have been granted without any condi- tion of settlment as we also conceive and great Omissions have been Respecting the Records and many of our Lotts not put on Record un- til this day nor the Clerk under oath for those Recorded we further Remonstrate that altho we erected a fraim of a meeting house yet under the Present situation of affairs with us we have no view of cov- ering the same much less of finishing it or building a Ministers House & until there be full authority to assess to assess the Petitioners & Proprietors weh the present Comte have hitherto neglected & we ques- tion their Power in the premises.
One other greivance arises for want of M' Winthrops Survey at the Lead mine Grant being compleated & his Bounds made certain We have Reason to fear to fear said Grant intrenches upon our Addition wch if allowed will be exceeding prejudicial to the Plantation
These things with many others not here innumerated Constrains yr Petr to lay their deplorable Circumstances before your Excellency & Honours where fore we most humbly pray a proper Inquiry made of
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APPENDIX.
the Mannagemt of the Honby Committe's respecting our greivances in such Way & Manner as in your Great Wisdom you shall see meet & that such methods may be taken for the future as may by the blessing of God tend to the Encouragmt of sº Plantation & Peace & Good Or- der of the same & your Pet" as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c.
NATILL HITCHCOCK
THOMAS STEBBINS
DELIVERANCE BROOKS
JOHN MIGHELL
DAVID HITCHCOCK
JNº BURT.
BENJA COOLEY
MARK PERRY
JOHN LUMBARD
BENJA COOLEY JUNR
LEONARD HOAR
SAMLL ALLEN JUN"
DAVID LUMBARD
EBENEZER SCOT
SAMLL HUBBARD
NATHLL MILLER
WILLX WARRENER
EZRA KING
JAMES TOMPSON
SAMIL KING
SAMLL BLISS
HENRY BURT
ELEAZER FOOT
EBENEZER GRAVES
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE.
In the House of Repti es December 29, 1722 Read & Ordered that M' John Chandler M' Joseph Jennings M' Henry Dwight be a Com- mittee to enquire into the Reasons of their Greivances at the Charge of the Petr & make Report to this Court in the May Sessions Sent up for Concurrence
JOHN CLARK Spkr
In Council Dec' 31, 1722 Read & concurd & Ordered that such of the former Committe as are now living be directed to attend the Comtte hereby appointed at Brimfield at such Time as they shall direct Sent down for Concurrence
J WILLARD Secry
In the House of Reptive December 31, 1722 Read & Concurd JOHN CLARK Spkr
Consented to
W DUMMER
REPORT OF COMMITTEE AND ACTION OF COUNCIL ON THE SAME.
WEDNESDAY June 12th 1723 5
The Committee in the Affair of Brimfield Gave in the following Re- port, Viz.
248
APPENDIX.
The Committee appointed by the Great & General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, begun & holden at Boston, Novr 15% 1722 Having Repaired to Brimfield, and being attended there former Committee, Via: Capt Tho Colton Mr: Stebbins. M. Glover & M' Morgan & having Enquired into the Reasons of the Greivances of the petitioner (the Inhabitants of Brimfield) & Examined the Several Articles of the sd petition, & the Replies of the sd Committee are of opinion, That the said Committee have not Duely, pursued the Powers & Directions of the Hond Court in Granting Lots & Settling s' Plan- tation, and that there were just Grounds of Complaint as Set forth in s" Petition ; Particularly the Committee are of opinion that a Greater Number of Grants have been made out than, the Generall Court In- tended The Former Committee Acknowledge Eighty or upwards, But the petitioners Instane in above an hundred, But the Committee Exeuse themselves, by Saying they shall Declare many Lots forfeited, Which they have not yet Done, because the time Limited to fulltill the Conditions not yet Expired, Also. the Committee, Find near Twen- ty Grants, made out to Non Residents, Besides one to Each of the Committee, where in the Grantees are not obliged to bring forward a settlement, but some of sd Grants are by the peoples consent-
Yet the Quantity of Acres Agreed on are Greatly Enlarged by the Committee, to the prejudice of the Planters,
It also appears there have been Divers Measurers of Land Employed there and that a Due Regard has not been had that Justice might be done, in the Surveys there made : The Records are as Imperfect, as set forth in the petition and Many Grants, (if not the most of them) are only in Loose papers as Mr. Glover the Clerk informed this Com- mittee (For they saw not the papers, altho they desired Mr Glover to Bring them with him) and many of the Grants &cª are Signed only in his name as Clerk or Register of the Committee notwithstanding he is under no Oath for any such Service, A Fine Frame of a Meeting House, raised in the Summer past has Received Great damage, by being uncovered, & it So continues to this day, Which the Planters Attribute to the Committees Neglecting, to raise money by a Tax to defray the Charge thereof which Tax they promise to make in May last, but is not yet Done, Tho' Mr Glover the Register Says It wanted but an Hours' Work, to finish it Ever Since September last ; But Mr Stebbins says they were Loth to rate some persons, Viz .. Such as would be likely to forfeit, Lest they should make an Advan- tage of it & thereby hold their Lots, Altho' the Conditions in other Respects were not full filled in which they had Dr. Shermans Opinion) as also that the Planters were not agreed Among themselves, how
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APPENDIX.
Great a Sum Should be raised, And that for those Pearsons, it is not finished Asto M' Winthrops Survey, The former Committee Expressed themselves to be wholly of opinion with the Petitioners & Je other Planters, That if the sa Survey Should be Confirmd: It would tend very much to the Discouragement of the people and Compell severall of them to remove from their Settlements & Labour, & So far Weaken the Hands of them that yet might be Induced to Stay, that they will not be able in a Long time to Carry an End the Religious Settlement of the place accord" : to what the Honoured Court & what the people Seem Sincearly to desire, & they are in Good hopes M' Winthrop may be Well Suited, with another Survey, without prejudice to the planta- tion & more Agreeable to the Grant of the Court & have taken pains with M' Winthrop about it, though without Success, Finally the Com- mittee are Humbly of Opinion that if the difficulties the Plantation now Labour under, with Respect to the above named particulars, were removed It would be a very fine & Flourishing Plantation all which is Most Humbly Submitted by-
P: S. Some of the Committee Ex- pressª themselves desirous to be dis- charged being grown into years & uncapable to manage the affairs of the Plantation
JOHN CHANDLER HEN : DWIGHT Jos : JENNINGS
Committee
In the House of Representatives Upon Reading the within Report & the Petition of William Hammilton and others Inhabitants of Brim- field -Voted, That the whole power, Trust & authority reposed by this Court in Cpt Thomas Colton, M' Stebbins M' Glover & M Morgan as a Committee of the Town of Brimfield and hereby is declared Null & Void.
And That John Chandler & Henry Dwight, EsqT & M' Joseph Jen- nings be a Committee and hereby are Constituted & Appointed Trus- tees in the Room & Stead of Cpt. Colton & others the former Committee to Carry on & perfect the Settlement of Said Town in all Respects according to the True Intent & Meaning of the Generall Court in Making Brimfield a Township Anno 1702. Having Special Regard to the Originall Proprietors; & that the Committee Report to the Court the Number of Grants & the names of the Grantees that Ex- cred the Limitation made by the Generall Court, and That M' Pela- tiah Glover of Springfield, the present Clerk of the s4 Town who has the Book & all papers of Grants &cª of st Town be & hereby is di- reeted, & ordered to Deliver the Said Book and papers to the above s" Committee That So a fair Record may be made of all proceedings.
32
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APPENDIX.
made by & in Behalf of Said Town. The Charge of the Committee. to be born by the Inhabitants of Brimfield,
In Council Read & Concurr!, and the SA Committee are Impowered & directed, to Appoint a Clerk of the Said Town, who Shall be under Oath :
In the House of Representatives Read & Concurrd
Consented to WM DUMMER
MEMORIAL OF WAIT WINTHROP.
To the Honbk William Tailor Esq. Lieut. Gov. & Comander in cheif,
The Honte Council & House of Representative of His Maj's Prov- ince of the Massachusett Bay in New England in Gen' Court as- sembled Nov 23 1715
The Memorial of Wait Winthrop Esq
Sheweth
That in the session of this Honble assembly in May last he preferred his Memoriall relateing to a Tract of Land belonging to him at Tan- tuisques or the black lead Mine hill praying that the Committee ap- pointed to lay out Brimfield, may be forbidden to proceed therein so as to encroch upon his said Land, & did humbly propose that he would take a platt thereof by a Surveyor at his own charge which was a part granted by this Court : and persuant to the Order of this Honble As- sembly he has employed at his own charge an able Surveyor with Chainmen under oath to lay out the Contents of Four mile square of land which does include the said Black Lead Mine Hill as by the Platt thereof herewith presented may appear.
And whereas from the East bounds of the sd Platt extending to Quenebang River the land on that side, as well as on the South side running to the Partition line of this Province & the Colony of Con- necticut is mountanous rocky barren land. He therefore humbly pro- poses that the said partition line may be the bounds of the South & that the Eastermost End may extend to Quenebaug River in addition to the said Platt & be the bounds thereof & that the North side may run upon a Streight line from the East & West corners of the said plan and that from the Northernmost corner thereof a straight line may run South to the aforesd line of Partition, and thereupon he will release all other his right in the lands at Tantuisques lying within this Province.
And your Memorialist shall ever pray &c
WAIT WINTHROP
The petition has this note: " The Comitee are to set out the 15th of April next if faier wether or the next faier day."
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APPENDIX.
In Council FRYDAY Novbr 22, 1723 )
A Petition of John Chandler, Esq. & others (a Committee for Brimfield) Shewing that the Tract of Land belonging to the Estate of Wait Winthrop, Esq. has been Laid out not according to the treu In- tention of the said grant, and so as will very much Prejudice the Settlement of the Town of Brimfield, the lines of the said tract (as it is now surveyd) running Down to Quineboag River, & taking in the meeting House & Divers of the Dwelling Houses in the said Town, and therefore Praying that the said Grant to the said Wait Winthrop, Esq'. may be Surveyd a New. That so no Encroachment may be made on the town of Brimfield but the people go on Quietly in their Settlement.
In the House of Representatives,
Read and
Ordered, That John Winthrop, and Thomas Lechmore, Esqrs. be servd with a Coppy of this Memorial, that they may shew Cause to this Court, on tuesday the third Day of December Next Why the Platt presented by their Honoured Father should not be reformed and part of the Land Contained in the said Plat granted to the possessors of the Town of Brimfield.
In Council,
Read and non Concurd.
PETITION OF JOHN CHANDLER AND OTHERS.
THURSDAY, January 5, 1726
A Petition of John Chandler, Esq: & others, a Committee for the Town of Brimfield, Showing that the Survey made by the late Wait Winthrop Esq : of a grant of land at Tantuisques or the Lead Mines is made very irregular & not according to the true Intention of the said Grant & that it runs in upon the said Town of Brimfield, so as to take in the Meeting House, Minister's House, & a great number of the Inhabitants' Allotm." So that unless the said Survey be recti- fied many of the Inhabitants of the Said Town of Brimfield will be ruined by it : and therefore praying such Relief in the Premises as to the Justice and Wisdom of this Court shall seem meet.
In the House of Representatives, Read and Ordered
That the further consideration of this Petition be referred to the next May Session, & that in the mean time Coll. William Dudley Major Thomas Tileston with such as the Honde Board shall appoint,
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APPENDIX.
be a Committee to repair to the Town of Brimfield. & view the Lands surveyed & laid out to the Honte Wait Winthrop, Esq. & report their opinion Whether it be convenient that a Reform of the said Survey should be made & that if a Reform should be had, an Equivalent in Lands adjoining to the Remainder thereof be made to the heirs of the said late Honbe Wait Winthrop Esq. decd and that the Petitioner serve Thomas Lechmere, Esq : with a copy of this Petition, & order that he be present (if he see Cause) when the Committee proceed in the Business & make any Objections against taking a Reform of the said Survey.
In Council, Read and Non-concurred and Ordered
That the Petitioners cause Thomas Lechmere, Esq. to be served with a copy of this petition & an other copy to be left at the House of John Winthrop Esq. of New London, That so they give in their answer thereto, (if they see cause) on the first Friday of the next Session.
In the House of Representatives,
Read and Concurred. Consented to, W. DUMMER.
ACTION OF HOUSE AND COUNCIL.
MONDAY June 19, 1726 S
On the Petition of the Committee for Brimfield as entered Jan 5 1726
In the House of Representatives Read, together with the answer to the said Petition & the Reply to the said Answer, and the same be- ing duly considered-
Ordered That Coll. William Dudley & Major Thomas Tileston with such as shall be joined by the Honbre Board be a Committee to repair to the Town of Brimfield & view the lands surveyed & laid out to the late Honbk Wait Winthrop Esq' & report their Opinion as soon as may be, Whether it may be convenient that a Reform of the said Survey should be made, and if it should be thought convenient that a Reform of the said Survey should be made, that an Equivalent in Lands lying & being in the Township of Brimfield & adjoining to the Remainder of the lands within the aforesaid Survey be made to the heirs of the said Honble Wait Winthrop Esq' deceasd.
In Council Read and Concurrd, and John Stoddard Esq' is joined with the Committee of the House in the affair above sd.
Consented to-
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APPENDIX.
PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
To the Honourble William Dummer Esq Lieut Governour & Comander in Cheif in & over His Majtys Province of the Massachusetts Bay & to the Honble The Councell & House of Representatives in General Court assembled.
The Petition of Thomas Lechmere, Esq. & Ann his wife, as the said Ann, is the only Daughter and coheir with her Brother, John Winthrop, Esq. to Wait Winthrop Esq. deceased. Most Humbly Sheweth,
That in the year 1715 yr Petitioners said Father exhibited his Petition to a great & Gen" Court then setting and for the Consideration therein sett forth, praying as in said Petition a Coppy of which is herewith presented to Your Honours. That at a session of this Honble Court held in May last, The Town of Brimfield petitioned for part of a Tract of Land called The Tantuisques or Black lead Mines and a Comittee was appointed & Ordered to make their Report there- of this Fall session, but nothing thereupon is further done, & inas- much as Platts of the Land were taken by a Skillful Artist & Sworne Chainman at the Cost and Charge of yr Petitioners s4 Father & how lodged in this House Court vor Petitioners therefore pray yor Hon" would take into you wise & serious Consideration the substance of their sd Fathers petition as also into y' Examination the sd plans so as to ascertain by proper bounds the Right of your said Petitioners Father in said Tract of Land that yo' Petitioners therein may the better be enabled so sett off by a Partition their proportionable part or share thereof in order to improve the same in severalty That yor Honours will in yor great Wisdom act therein so that yor Petitioners may reap the Benefitt of yor Honours Justice before yor Petitioner Tho' Lech- mere departs from hence for Great Brittain where his affairs call for his speedy presence.
And yr Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray
THOS LECHMERE ANN LECHMERE
In the House of Representatives, January 12, 1727.
Read, and in Answer to this Petition, Ordered That Major Tile- stone and Major Quiney with such as the Honourable Board shall ap- point be a Committee to repair to the Town of Brimfield & view the Lands Surveyed & laid out to the late Honourable Waite Winthrop. Esq. and report their opinion as soon as may be Whether it may be convenient that a Reform of the said Survey should be made, that an
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APPENDIX.
Equivalent in Lands lying and being within the Township of Brim- field and adjoining to the remainder of the lands within the aforesaid Survey be made to the heirs of the late Honourable Wait Winthrop Esq deceased.
Sent up for Concurrence,
WM DUDLEY Spker
In Council Jan 15 1727
Read & Coneurred and Saml Thaster Esg is joind in the affair.
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