USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 1 > Part 35
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Per JOHN HUSTON, Surveyor.
Et. 20d. So. 520 Chains.
Wt. 20d. No. 520 Chains.
Houseatunnick River.
Large Brook.
Heatunnick River.
Stake and Stones, first Corner So. Et. V
No. 20d. Et. 462 Chain 31 link -.
Hem w& Inc. SF Center.
28
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Hamsh., Ss. SPRINGFIELD, October. 4th, 178%.
John Huston appearing, made oath that in Platting and Surveying the land Described in the platt aforesaid, he acted therein Indifferently and Impartially, according to his best skill and Judgment. Before me,
Examd. Per Ebene. Burrill.
W.M. PYNCHON. JUNR., Just. Pea. Plat accepted and allowed. Deer. Sth. 1735.
The plat included the six miles square granted to Boston, the thou- sand acres given to Colonel Stoddard and a strip on the west side, sixty rods in width, to compensate . for the waste ponds comprised in the township."
Two years later deeds were exchanged by which Colonels Wendell and Stoddard, and Philip Livingston. of Albany, became joint and equal proprietors of the township. The deed from Wendell to Livingston, after quoting the patent from the province. thus briefly recites the mutual agreement :
" Whereas the said John Stoddard hath not only a just and complete title to the thousand acres aforesaid, but hath also, at great expense, purchased several grants and leases from the natives, of the lands above described; and afterwards, this very day (March 29, 1741), the said Jacob Wendell and the said John Stoddard, for an amicable settlement of their mutual claims and interests in the township aforesaid. agreed that the said Jacob Wendell should have two-thirds of the thousand acres aforesaid, and that the said John Stoddard should have one third of the rest of said township *
* and whereas, also, the said Jacob Wendell, in all these transac- tions, purchased as well for Philip Livingston of Albany, in the Province of New York (by agreement not mentioned therein) as for himself, in equal halves, and, in his first purchase and after gratuities to the natives for their satisfaction and other charges upon the premises, disbursed the suin of fourteen hundred and sixteen pounds, three shillings and threepence, and for that now hath two third parts of that whole tract of land surveyed and platted as aforesaid: now, therefore, know ye. that the said Jacob Wendell, in faithfulness to his trust aforesaid, and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred and fifty-eight pounds one shilling and sevenpence half- penny in hand, received of said Philip Livingston in full of his part of said purchase money and other disbursements aforesaid, doth hereby convey to the said Philip Livingston one half of his above mentioned interest."
Sixty-four lots were set out in 1738, of as nearly 100 acres each as was practicable ; each lot having a front of eighty, and a depth of two hundred rods. The territory thus laid out included about one fourth of the township, and it has now a greater value than all the rest. The northern boundary of these lots would be indicated by an extension of Burbank street, and the southern by a line drawn through South Monn tain street, at its intersection with South, passing a short distance north from Melville Lake.
Two roads, each seven rods in width, crossed each other near the cen- ter of the township. One of these, now East and West streets, was laid out from boundary to boundary : the other, in that part of its course which is now North street, extending 200 rods above the crossing, and, on
285
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
the old direct line of South street, 406 rods below it. Two hundred and two rods south from the first another road, four rods in width was laid out. East of its intersection with South this is now Williams street.
The lots were laid out along the first and last of these roads in three tiers, those in the northern tier had their south fronts on East and West streets. the north fronts of those in the middle tier were on the same streets, and the north fronts of those in the southern tier were on Wil- liams street.
After the terms of the joint proprietorship were determined. in 1741. Livingston brought to the township to Dutchmen, whom he endeavored to induce to purchase these lots, and determine the proprietorship of each by lot. On learning the terms they peremptorily refused " even so much as to accept the lands if they were offered as a gift, unless they might select each his hundred aeres where he chose."
After this failure, Captain Huston, the surveyor of the lots, induced a number of his acquaintances in Westfield and its vicinity to visit and examine the place. The result was that they sent Captain Huston. Jo- seph Root, and John Lee to Albany, "empowered to agree with Mr. Livingston for forty of the aforesaid Dutch despised lots." An agree ment was entered into in November, 1742. by the terms of which each of the grantees was to begin a settlement on his lot during the next spring or summer, and continue it. unless in the meantime war should ensue be- tween France and England. in which case the settlement was to be com- menced within one year after the declaration of peace. In accordance with these terms the forty pioneers, to whom the lands had been distributed by lot, took possession in the spring of 1743, and entered on their prepara- tions for a permanent settlement. In the autumn of the same year, hav- ing learned that the commencement of hostilities was imminent, they aban- doned their labors, not to resume them for six years. The names of most of those who attempted this first settlement here are not certainly known, but from the few deeds, or copies thereof that have been found. it is learned that lots were conveyed to Samuel Root, jr., of Westfield. David Mosely, " gentleman." Aaron Dewey, Hezekiah Jones, and John Tremain, " gentleman," the consideration in each case being $30. Wil- liam Williams, who was afterward so prominent a person in the place. became also, in 1743. a proprietor of one of these lots by an agreement with Colonels Wendell and Stoddard. Mr. Williams afterward held the most important offices in the town and county : sometimes being at once chief justice of the Common Pleas, judge of Probate, colonel of militia, representative, selectman, assessor, moderator of town meeting, clerk, hog reeve, etc. His active and eventful career during the French war that prevailed between 1743 and 1748 furnish the material for a volume.
During this interval, or in 1946, Captain Huston, to whom Living- ston had given three lots, sold one to Zebediah Stiles for 940 ; one to El- dad Taylor, gentleman, for 457: and one to Thomas Noble, saddler. for 549 -- all the purchasers being of Westfield. The advance in prices was
286
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
in consequence of the depreciation of the currency. instead of the ap- preciation in valne of the lands.
The brief and troubled peace that followed the treaty of Aix-La- Chapelle enabled the settlers of Poontoosuck to gain on its soil a foot- hold which was never wholly relinquished. Time had wrought some changes among the original purchasers, but a portion of them, and the three who purchased Huston's lots returned, in the summer of 1749. to "find that their clearing and girdling were of little or no advantage to them, as the young growth had covered the ground in a surprising man- ner."
Col. Oliver Partridge, of Hatfield, was made the agent of the propri- etors, and he sold several lots to different parties, among whom were David Bush and Jacob Ensign. Colonel Williams had received a lot by gift as before stated.
Among those whom tradition says were engaged in the settlement in 1749 were David Bush, Solomon Deming, Nathaniel Fairfield. Gideon Gunn, Timothy Cadwell. David Ashley, and Samuel Taylor. Probably Daniel Hubbard, Stephen Crofoot. Simeon Crofoot, Jesse Sackett, Josiah Wright, Hezekiah Jones, Abner and Isaac Dewey, and Elias Willard were among the pioneers, as well as others whose names cannot be learned.
In the summer of 1752 some of the settlers had log cabins prepared for their families. In this summer Solomon Deming brought hither from Wethersfield, on a pillion behind him. his wife, Sarah, who was the first white woman that made her home here. In the same summer, Judith, the wife of Nathaniel Fairfield, came here, as did also Zebediah Stiles and wife and Charles Goodrich, the latter afterward becoming one of the most conspicuous men in the town.
On the 23d of June, 1753, a petition was presented in the General Court "from the inhabitants of the township on the Honsatonick River, commonly called Poontoosuck." In response the court incorporated them under the name of "The Proprietors of the Settling lots in the Township of Poontoosuck," with power to assess and collect taxes only on the sixty settling lots.
On the 30th of July, Simeon Crofoot, Charles Goodrich, Jacob En- sign, Solomon Deming, Stephen Crofoot, Samuel Taylor, and Elias Wil- lard requested Joseph Dwight. Esq .. of Stockbridge, to call the first meet- ing of " the Proprietors of the Settling-lots in the Township of Poon- toosuck," to act upon certain articles specified in the request. That magistrate accordingly issued his warrant to Stephen Crofoot, "one of the principal proprietors, etc .. " directing him to warn the meeting. to be held at the house of Elias Willard at two o'clock in the afternoon of September 12th, by posting up the request and warrant twenty days at least before the day of the meeting, in some public place in the township.
28
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
PLAN OF 1752.
%
COL. J WENDALL
CHE COOOR DOE!
1 FRAMINGHAM FOND
LY MOSES GRAVES
CHAS GOOCR DGE 756.5 A.
COL.J.WENDALL 1275 A\'50 P.
1226.25 A.
COL. JACOB WENCALL 2049 A. 70 P.
ELISHA. JONES 382 A
CH.GOODRIDGEI IC:J A 66 P.
P
COL.J. STODDARDS NE 75
ASHLEYS POND
ELISHA. JONES
LINADE.ES
LIEUT. M. GRAVES
0
VINCENT
CHAS. GOODRIDGE
A
COL.O. PARTRIDGE 3:3.3A.6E.
COL. WILLIAM'S 372.5 A. 5 P.
WILLIAM'S
SO. PARTRIDGE
M
COL. EPH. WILLIAMS 339 A 95 P.
CANDE MORDOW.
CHAS. GOODRIDGE |
L
MINISTER LOT
HEISS OF COL. JUHN STODDARD DECD 5067 ACRES
MINISTRY LOT
SCHOOL
LOT
B
.
C
D
E F
G H I
K
This is a Plan of the Township of Poontoosuck as it was taken by the Committee some time in December. 1752.
A, A large Mountain the line ran upon. near
half way from the settling-lots to the southwest corner.
B, A large Brook.
C. Ye foot of Mountain.
D, The top of the Mountain.
E, A small Brook.
F, Foot of a large Mountain.
G. Ye Road.
H, Stockbridge Road.
I. The River.
K. The foot of the Mountain.
L. The corner of the 9,000 acres.
M. A large Brook.
O, Northampton Road.
P, A small Brook.
S. The River. X. Mountain Land from here to River.
* A large Pond.
The proprietors met at the appointed time, and, General Dwight pre- siding, chose Hezekiah Jones as moderator : after which the plantation was organized by the choice of the following officers: Clerk. David Bush : assessors, Deacon (Stephen) Crofost. Hezekiah Jones, Jacob Ensign ; treasurer, Charles Goodrich : collector, Samuel Taylor. 2d.
It was voted to assess a tax of three shillings upon each lot " for the support of preaching among us," and to raise, in lawful money, $40 for building a meeting house, and £15 for making highways, building bridges. and " for other necessary expenses that shall come upon us."
Deacon Crofoot, Charles Goodrich, and Jacob Ensign were appointed "to agree with some suitable person or persons to preach among us : " Jacob Ensign, Josiah Wright, and Abner Dewey " to dispose of " the ap- propriation for bridges and highways; Hezekiah Jones, Israel Dewey. Elias Willard. Deacon Crofoot, and Charles Goodrich " to manage the whole affair of the meeting house," which last did not prove an affair to be easily " managed."
Test. BENJA. DAY, Surveyor.
288
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Future meetings were provided for "by posting np notifications at the house of David Bush in the township at least fourteen days before they were to be held." Proprietors' meetings were held in March, May, and August, and some progress was made in the plantation. Deacon Crofoot had built a bridge a little east of the Elm street iron bridge, for which it was resolved to give him 89, 1s., 4d. This was the first public work in Pittsfield. Rev. Cotton Mather Smith had been hired to preach " as a probationer," but no progress had been made in building a meeting house. Money was voted for highways and bridges, and Jacob Ensign, Josiah Wright, and Abner Dewey were chosen to dispose of it. but it does not appear what roads or bridges were constructed. Ox carts, which could traverse the forests with facility, were then in common nse.
In August, 1754, the plantation of Poontoosuck had made reason- able progress. Most of the sixty home lots had been taken np. though the dwellings were as yet all of logs. The settlement was attracting men of substance, and its future was promising.
Prior to this, during the uncertain peace that followed the treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle, emissaries of the French had sought, with some success, to create among the Indians disaffection toward the English, and some slight acts of imprudence on the part of the latter had fa- vored these efforts.
On the 29th of August news was brought that a settlement at Dutch Hoosuck had been destroyed by savages, and by the 31st several hun- dred men, some of them from Connecticut, had assembled under arms at Stockbridge. Horses were sent to the people at Poontoosuck, and , on the 31st they fled to the stronger settlements south from Stock- bridge. On their way they were fired on by prowling Indians, and one Stevens or Stearns was killed. The settlements above Stockbridge were abandoned, except as stated in the general history of the county.
Tradition is garrulous of encounters in the township, both before and after the breaking ont of the war, between the white man and the Indian, with fatal results to the latter ; but these stories must be taken with large measures of allowance. Probably the impression that the sur. rounding woods were full of hostile savages has some foundation in fact.
During this last French war several regiments, destinel for various expeditions, passed through and halted for rest at Poontoosuck. and many who afterward became citizens of Pittsfield made their first acquaint . ance with the place on these marches. Names afterward familiar to its history are found on the muster rolls of Westfield. Springfield, and Northampton. Among those from Westfield were David Noble, who or- ganized and led the company of minute men which marched from Pitts- field on the news of the Lexington fight, and Oliver Root, a noted officer of the Revolution, son of Samnel Root, one of the forty pioneers, who died before completing his arrangentents for removing to Poontoosuck.
After an interregnum of four years the civil government of Poontoo- suck was resumed, in 1758. On the 16th of September in that year Hez-
.
289
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
ekiah Jones and David Bush, the old assessors, issued a warrant for a meeting of the proprietors, to be held at the house of Nathaniel Fairfield, on the 24 of October. Stephen Crofoot was moderator of this meeting, Eli Root was chosen collector of taxes, Hezekiah Jones and David Bush were continuel in offices as assessors, Deacon Crofoot, Sergeant Jones. and Ephraim Stiles were made a committee to hire a minister, and a tax of six shillings was laid on each lot to pay him.
Another meeting was held January 29th. 1759, at which Jesse Sackett was made treasurer, and David Bush. Jacob Ensign, and Josiah Wright were substituted for the former " committee to hire a minister." On the 30th of May. 1759, a meeting was held, at which Colonel William Wil. hams was made proprietors' clerk. Charles Goodrich. Stephen Crofoot. and William Williams were appointed " to hire some man, from time to time, to preach among us."
At this meeting the first division of "all the public and private roads" into highway surveyors' districts was made, with the following bounds ; and the surveyors, whose names are given, were assigned to them for the following year :
No. 1 .- From the west line of the township to the West River. Daniel Hubbard, surveyor.
No. 2 .- Between the East and the West Rivers, including the two bridges, east and west. Sylvanus Piercey, surveyor.
No. 3. --- All the roads east of the East River. and the county road. William Williams, surveyor.
A partition of " common lands." or those without the bounds of the settling lots, had been made, and afterward annulled on an appeal to the General Court. Changes had, from time to time, been made in the pro- prietorship of these lands, by sale and inheritance. At the September term of the Superior Court of Hampshire the following commission was appointed to make partition of these lands :
Major John Ashley, Capt. Ebenezer Hitchcock, Capt. Nathaniel Dwight, John Chadbourne, and Daniel Brown. The warrant for division was dated-pro forma at Boston-October 20th, 1750. The Commission- ers' Report, according to the plan given on the following page, was re- ceived at the Registry of Deeds in Springfield, February 6th, 1761 ; and recorded by Edward Pynchon, in Book 2, page 510.
200
HISTORY OF RERKSHIRE COUNTY.
PLAN OF 1750.
FRANÇAIGHAN PCNO:
T
34
35
36
37
38
40
42
43
44
39
33
32
3
30
29
A
27
26
25
2.4
23
- U
12
13
4
1:5
16
17
18
19
20
22
BA
.
11
10
9
00
7
6
5
4
3
2
G
LOTS
B
ASTHEVIERE CET CONBY CAST HUSTEN
71
1
47
46
45 33
49
51
52
53
34
1C 55
57
58
53
70
69
68
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
ISJUTH PORD
HE. VEIO VIS
A Plan of the Township called Poontosuck, in the County of Hampshire and Province of Massachusetts Bay, viz: of all the settling-lots, as they were surveyed by Capt. John Huston: and also a lands in said township were surveyed and bounded out by Nathaniel Dwight. in of the year 1759, and as it was set out to each pro- prietor in January, in the year 1960, with each proprietor's name set on his lot, with the number of the lot, and the number of acres therein contained, by John Ashley, Esq .: Capt. Eben Hitchcock: Nathaniel Dwight, Esq .: John Chadwick: and Daniel Brown .- a Commit- tee appointed for that purpose by the Court of Assize, held at Springfield in September last. Planned on a scale of one hundred and twenty perch in an inch.
Per Nathaniel Dwight. Surveyor. Signed, NATHANIEL DWIGHT, by order of the Committee. Jan. 4, 1760.
[On the original plan, each square is marked with the name of the proprietor to whom it was assigned, the number of acres it contained, and the quality of the land. These par- ticulars are transferred to the table below. Some other inscriptions, added by a later hand, are included in parentheses. ]
Square No. 1-Mr. Charles Goodrich. 230 acres, I rod, 24 perch. ed rate. .. 2-Col. Elisha Jones, 230 acres. 1 rod. 24 perch. ed rate.
3-[This space, and part of adjoining land, were suludivided, for reasons which are explained in the text. The subdivisions are explained by letters. ] A-Col. Jones, 35 acres. B -- Col. Partridge. 19 acres. C-Col. Eph. Williams's heirs, 21 acres.
D-Goodrich. 31 acres.
E-Col. Win. Williams, 25 acres. 2 rolls. F-Goodrich. 17 acres. G-Wendell and Sol, Stoddard. 100 acres. 66 4-Charles Goodrich, 230 acres. 1 rod. 24 perch. 1st rate. 5-Col. Jacob Wendell, 220 acres. 1 cod. 21 perch. Ist rate. (sold Dickinson.) .. 6-Sol. Stoddard, 230 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch.
41 1
-
28
WEST POI.D
0
291
TOWN OF PITTSFIELD.
Square No. 7-Ministry, 115 acres, no rods, 32 perch.
66
Minister, 115 acres, no rods, 32 perch. Ist rate. 8-Col. Partridge, 230 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 1st rate. 9-Col. Jacob Wendell, 222 acres, 1 rod, 20 perch. Ist rate. (I. W.,-E. R.) Col. Williams's heirs, $6 acres. 1st rate. 10-A -- Mr. Lerael Stoddard, 10 acres. Ist rate. B-Mr. Sol, Stoddard. 69 acres, I rod. 24 perch. 1st rate. 11-Mr. Sol. Stoddard. 230 acres, I rod, 24 perch. 2d rate.
66 12-Col. Jacob Wendell, 230 acres, I rod. 24 perch. 2d rate. (1. M. W .- O. W. x.
66 13-Mrs. Prudence Stoddard. 230 aeres. 1 rod. 24 perch. Ist rate.
66 11-Sol. Stoddard. 230 acres. 1 rod. 24 perch. Ist rate.
.. 15-Col. Jacob Wendell. 129 acres, excluding pond. 3d rate. (J. W.)
66 16-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 acres, 1 rod. 21 perch. 1st rate. 66 17-Col. Elisha Jones, 230 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 1st rate. 18-Col. Jacob Wendell, 230 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 1st rate. (Sold Easton X.) 66 19-Israel Stoddard, 230 acres. 1 rod. 24 perch. 1st rate.
66 20-Lieut. Moses Graves, 230 acres, 1 rod. 24 perch. 1st rate.
21-A-Mrs. Prudence Stoddard. $5 acres, no rods. 35 perch. B-Sol. Stoddard, 55 acres, no rods, 35 perch. C -- Lieut. Moses Graves. 66 acres.
22-Sol Stoddard. 230 acres, 1 rod. 24 perch. 2d rate. 23 -- Col. Stoddard. 242 acres, 1 rød. 24 perch. Ist rate.
24 -- Mrs. Prudence Stoddard. 212 acres. 1 rod, 24 perch. 34 rate.
66 25-Prudence Stoddard. 242 acres, 1 rod. 24 perch. 26-Col. Jacob Wendell. 242 acres. 1 rod. 24 perch. let rate. (O. W. cleared 60 acres.)
66 27 -- Prudence Stoddard, 242 acres, 1 rød. 24 perch. 66 28-1st rate. A-Lieut. Moses Graves, 310 acres, 2 rods, 21 perch. B-Col. Elisha Jones, 103 acres. ? rods. 21 perch.
66 29-Col. Jacob Wendell, 242 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 2d rate. (H. N. W .-- O. W. x.)
66 30-Lieut. Moses Graves, 252 acres, 3 rods, no perch. 2d rate.
66 31-Col. Jacob Wendell, 242 acres, 1 rod. 24 perch. Ist rate. (J. W. M. P.)
66 32-Col. Jacob Wendell, 242 acres. 1 rod, 24 perch. ed rate. (J. W. J. W .. Jr's. heirs.)
33-Col. Wendell. 223 acres, 2 rods, 25 perch. 3d rate. (J. W. A. & S. W .- m 6 -100.)
66 34-3d rate. A-Col. Partridge, 23 acres. B-Lieut. Graves. 67, acres. C-Col. Eph. Williams's heirs. 119 acres, 2 rolls, no perch.
35-Lieut. Moses Graves, 254 acres. 3d rate.
66 36-Mrs. Prudence Stoddard, 254 acres. 2d rate. (Janes & Brown.)
66 37-Colonel Jacob Wendell. 296 acres. 3 rol-, no perch. ed rate. (J. W .-. & S. W.) 38-Mrs. P. Stoddard. 251 acres. 2d rate. 39-Col. Win. Williams, 103 acres, 2 rods, 21 perch. 1st rate.
.€ 40-Win. Williams, 245 acres. 1st rate.
66 41-2d rate. A-Sol. Stoddard, 90 acres. B-Col. Wendell. 163 acres. (E. M. V. O. W. X.
66 42-2d rate. A-Partridge. 207 acres. B-Col. Jones, 26 acres.
292
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Square No. 13-School-land, 262 acres, 3 rods, no perch. 3d rate. 66 44-3d rate. A-Ministry, 112 acres. no rols. S perch. B-Minister's Lot, 151 acres. 2 rods, E perch.
66 45-Mr. Charles Goodrich, 150 acres. Ist rate.
6. 46-Mr. Israel Stoddard. 240 acres. Ist rate.
47-Mr. Sol. Stoddard. 240 acres. Ist rate.
66 48-Lieut. Moses Graves, 210 acres. Ist rate.
49 -- Mr. Charles Goodrich, 230 acres, 1 rod, 21 perch. 24 rate.
. . 50-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 acres, I rod. 24 percb. 1st rate. (Sold X)
51-Lieut. Moses Graves, 239 acres, 1 rød. 24 perch. Ist rate.
52-The heirs of Col. Eph. Williams, 239 acres. 2 rods, no perch. Ist rate.
66 53-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 aeres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 2d rate. (Sold.)
66 51-Col. Jacob Wendell, 230 acres, 1 rod. 24 perch. 3d rate. (I. M. W .- O. W. X.)
66 55-Col. Elisha Jones, 230 aeres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 2d rate.
66 56-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 acres, 1 rod, 21 perch. 1st rate. (I. M. W .-- O. W. x.) 57-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 acres, 1 rod, 21 perch. 1st rate. [N. B .- Across lots 56 and 57 is the following: "Col. Wendell's meadow in- einded in these two lots, chiefly valuable."]
66 58-Mr. Sol. Stoddard. 230 acres, 1 rod, 24 perch. 2d rate.
66 59-Col. Jacob Wendell. 230 acres. 1 rod, 24 perch. 20 rate. (I. M. W .- O. W. X.)
·
60-Col. Jacob Wendell, 298 aeres. 3 rods, S perch. 24 rate.
(J. W .- S. H.)
6: 61-Mr. Sol. Stoddard. 298 acres. 3 rods, 8 perch. 3d rate.
66 62-Col. Jacob Wendell. 298 acres. 3 rods, S perch. Some meadow in this lot. 1st rate. (J. W.)
63-Mr. Israel Stoddard. 298 acres, 3 rods, & perch. It is meadow included. 1st rate.
.. 64-1st rate. A-Mr. Charles Goodrich. 248 acres, 2 rod -. 32 perch. B-Lieut. Graves, 49 acres, 1 rod. 11 perch.
.. 65-Mr. Israel Stoddard, 295 acres. 3 rods. S perch. 24 rate. 66-Mrs. Prudence Stoddard. 298 acres, 3 rods, S perch. 3d rate.
.. 67-Lieut. Moses Graves. 311 acres, 2 rods, no perch. ed rate.
68-Col. Jacob Wendell, 298 acres. 3 rods, 8 perch. 1st rate.
66 69-Col. Jacob Wendell, 272 acres. 1 rod. 24 pereb. 2d rate. (I. M. W. O. x .- Sold part.)
70-Mr. Sol. Stoddard, 287 acres, 3 rods, 24 perch. 1st rate.
The mode of division adopted was this: the land was divided into squares, generally of from 230 to 326 acres. These squares were then classified as first, second, and third rate, according to their arable quali- ties, and were apportioned among the proprietors in proportion to their respective interests. The spots on which some of the proprietors had made improvements were included in their allotments, and it does not. appear that there was any dissatisfaction with the award of the commis- sioners. This division opened these lands for settlement, and population soon began to extend among them.
The limitation to the proprietors of the sixty settling lots of corpo- rate powers and duties gave rise to evils and inconveniences, as the pop- ulation extended beyond the limits of these lots It was therefore represented to the General Court, in 1761, that incorporation as a town
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