History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 5

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 5


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89


Eleazer Snow, jr. 2


Thomas West


I


Stephen Pettingill


I


Caleb Phillips I


Ezekiel Southworth


I


Isaiah Fuller


I


Nathaniel Reynolds I


Philip Reynolds


1


Jonas Reynolds


I


Timothy Reynolds


I


Eleazer Cole.


Joseph Porter.


Thomas Reynolds 3


Ephraim Willis


I


Samuel Dike.


I


Jacob Rickard


Demetrius Rickard I


Jesse Perkins


I


Charles Richardson I


Fobes Field


I


Jacob Packard, jr ..


I


Samuel Brett, jr


I


Moses Cary.


I


I


Josiah Hayden


2


Abiah Keith


2


John Richards


Constant and Nath. South-


worth


I


Edward Southworth. 2


Mark Ford


I


Ephraim Cole


Thomas Hendry, estate.


Lieut. John Howard 2


Adam Howard


0


Lieut. Henry Kingman. 2


Matthew Kingman.


I


Henry Kingman, jr. I


John and Adam Kingman I


John Kingman, jr I


Levi Keith


.2


Lemuel Southworth I


Benjamin Southworth I


William Shaw


3


Jesse Dunbar


I


Joseph Sylvester. 1


Thomas Thompson 2


Seth Thayer 2


Jonathan Perkins


Cornet Charles Snell 2


Samuel Sturtevant I


William French I


Capt. Eliphalet Phillips I


Edmund Soper


I


I Jacob Thayer O


Jacob Noyes.


I


Samuel Noyes O


David Porter O


Zechariah Watkins, jr


Lieut. Daniel Noyes O


Ens. Issachar Snell


I


Zebedee Snell


2


Barnabas Packard


I


Capt. Robert Howard 2


George Packard. T


Dr. John Staples Crafts I


James Edson


I


Jacob Edson.


Ebenezer Edson 2


Isaac Fuller.


David Packard


2


Seth Bryant


Jeremiah Beal 2


Elisha Dunbar, jr I


Abia Packard


Joseph Cole, jr.


I


Ephraim Churchill. 2


Jonathan Cary


Capt. Barnabas Howard


T


Enoch Thayer


" General list of all Dwelling Houses which, with the Out Houses appurtenant thereto and the Lots on which the Same are erected, not


18


HISTORY OF BROCKTON.


exceeding two Acres in any Case, were owned, possessed, or occupied, on the first day of October, 1798, within the Assessment District, No. Io, in the Sixth Division of the State of Massachusetts, exceeding in value the Sum of One Hundred Dollars."


Reputed Valuation Reputed Valuation


Reputed


Valuation


owners. in dolls.


owners.


in dolls.


owners.


in dolls.


Daniel Alden -200


Timothy Ames


-230


Seth Keith.


Jeremiah Keith


Jonathan Snow


200


Silas and Widow Snow


550


Zechariah and Oliver Snow.275 Daniel Manley, Jr. IIO


Thomas Macomber


.200


Hayward Marshall


175


Ephraim Noyes


500


Josiah Packard.


500


Eliphalet Packard.


150


Nathaniel and Leonard Or- cutt. 135


Silas Packard.


.625


Jonathan Perkins, Jr


150


Ames Packard


IIO


Eben'r, Lot and


Robert


Packard


360


Jonas Packard


150


James Porter.


120


Josiah Packard


200


Lemuel Packard


650


Jonathan Perkins


IIO


Nathan Packard


325


Jesse and Zadoc Perkins


625


Rebecca Perkins. }


Noah Packard,


120


James Perkins


600


Thomas Packard


130


John Porter


Luke Perkins


-200


Shepard Perkins,


Widow Abigail Perkins, -275


Zebedee Snell.


175


Issachar Snell


400


Joseph Snell.


IIO


Joseph Sylvester


120


Joseph Sylvester, Jr


-350


Benjamin Southworth


.105


Shepard Snell 150


William and Micah Shaw 300


Nathaniel Snell.


275


Perez South worth


210


John Tilden ..


.275


Thos. and Thos. Thomp- son, Jr. 460


James Thompson


Seth Thayer


IIO


Jeremiah Thayer TIO


Enos Thayer


230


John Wales


- 130


Thomas Willis


500


Ephraim Willis


.250


NAHUM MITCHELL, Assessor.


JOHN WHITMAN, SOLOMON HAYWARD, DANIEL CARY,


JONATHAN COPELAND, DANIEL FOBES,


Seth Snow


.105


Ephraim Sturtevant


.275


Noah Ames


-225


Job Ames.


-225


Joseph Alden.


IIO


Daniel Alden


-230


Philip Bryant


-500


Amzi Brett.


IIO


Job Bryant.


-200


Sam'l and William Brett


-275


Japhet Beal. .250


Ephraim Cole.


500


Jonathan and James Cary -- 325


Jonathan Cary, Jr


200


Simeon and Howard Cary -- 325


Caleb Hayward


.125


Ichabod Howard


.625


John Howard


500


Alfred Howard_


230


Robert and Robert How- ard. Jr


400


Ichabod Edson 250


Seth Edson


-105


William and William Edson_120


David Edson


-730


James and Josiah Edson


-120


Josiah and Elisha Eames ___ 200


James Eaton


105


Fobes, Jabez and Daniel Field .. 500


William Field -175


Asa Ford


175


Mark and Samuel Ford. 150


Jeremiah Beal.


175


Isaac and Joseph Brett.


._ 620


Samuel Brett.


-150


Rufus Brett. .IIO


Daniel Cary_ .35c


Thomas Craft.


-550


Ephraim Churchill . 105


Barnabas Curtis.


.I2C


Joseph and B. Crosswell.


Moses Cary


.IIO


Samuel Chesman .175


Benjamin Keith -275


Shepard Keith -150


Seth Kingman


- 500


Matthew Kingman.


275


Matthew Kingman.


-325


Guardian of Isaac Packard.


Abel Kingman


150


Nathan Keith .I20


Josiah Pratt


Jonas Reynolds


150


Widow Elizabeth Reynolds_150


-500


Daniel Howard 2d -300


John Hunt. ,180


Oliver Howard


-350


Gideon Howard


-400


William Jameson.


Asa Jones.


-175


Ephraim Jackson. -230


Jonathan Keith


.230


Levi Keith


-350


Luke Perkins


and Isaac


Porter


Josiah Perkins


120


Benjamin Packard 450


Joseph Packard_


105


Widow Content Packard


.150


Mark Perkins


175


Levi Packard.


-325


Widow Dorothy Packard .275


Cyrus Packard


175


Thomas and Elijah Packard. 175 Abiah and Howard Pack- ard. -250


Henry Kingman


.150


Solomon Keith


Daniel Keith and Son


Edward Keith


Samuel Keith


Nehemiah Lincoln .175


Nathan Leach


130


Nathaniel Manley


730


Daniel Manley


.230


Bezaleel and Bethuel Field_200


Zechariah Gurney,


-105


Zechariah Gurney, Jr.,,


Silas Sturtevant,


Ephraim Groves, 200


Jacob and Eben'z'r Dunbar-220


Jacob Dunbar, Jr


-150


Samuel Dike, Jr _.


.120


Mannasseh and Sam. Dick- erman_ -. 325


Mary Howard, 1 .200


Solomon Hill,


Waldo Howard.


IIO


Asaph Howard


200


Asaph Hayward


275


Joseph Hayward.


-175


Barnabas and Jonas Hay- ward


FAssistant Assessors.


BRIDGEWATER, March 5, 1799.


19


EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.


CHAPTER IV.


EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.


Social Life-Parties-Spinning Machines-Raising Flax-Process of Manufacture- Dress of Men and Women-Amusements-Raisings-Style of Architecture-Use of Cranes -- Tinder-Boxes-Food of the Early Inhabitants -- Drinks -- Well-Sweep -- Rising and Retiring Early -- Attendance on Church Worship.


T HE people of Brockton, in its earliest settlement as a parish, were on a footing of remarkable equality. Their social manners and customs were very simple, friendly, and unceremonious. Visiting was common and frequent among neighbors, and without the formalities of invitation. When a company of neighbors were invited the women went early, taking their knitting and babies with them, and spent the afternoon ; and the men went in season to take supper and return in the evening. Many of the social gatherings partook of the useful as well as the agreeable They joined together to help their neighbors husk their corn or to raise a building; and occasionally some neighbor- ing housewife had a quilting party in which all the good housewives gave an afternoon to make a covering for a bed. In the social gather- ings of the young people dancing was a favorite amusement, and a fiddle or violin was the instrument in general use. If that could not be had they used to dance by whistling and singing the tune. Spinning matches, at one time, were quite common, and the people made their own cloth and yarn, and hence were obliged to raise their flax. Nearly every farmer in town owned and cultivated a patch of ground devoted to that purpose.


We here give an account of the method of preparing it for use. The quantity of seed required for an acre varied from one-half to three bushels. The stalk or stem when grown was of a pea- green, and from two to three feet in height, bearing a blue blossom, which ripened into a ball that contained the flax-seed. When the flax was ripe it was pulled carefully by the roots, tied into small handfuls, left to dry on the ground a day or two, then set up in small stooks, and,


7


50


HISTORY OF BROCKTON.


after becoming well dried, was stacked in the field a fortnight or more. Then the seed was threshed out, and sometimes dipped in water for a week or more, and evenly and thinly spread out on the grass to be rotted. This being sufficiently done, it was packed away for the win- ter ; and, as soon as the fair days appeared in spring, there was a gen- eral turn-out of men for dressing flax, which consisted of separating the fibrous thread from the stalk. This had to be done by several imple- ments, called the brake, the hatchel, the swingling board and knife. A smart man dresses nearly forty pounds a day. After the process of dressing and twisting it into bunches, it was handed over to the good woman and her daughters to spin, weave, whiten, and convert into thread, cloth, and neat, beautiful garments. We shall describe the pro- cess of manufacture, as follows : first, the hatchel was brought and fast- ened into a chair with a string or stick, and the mother, with her checked apron, and a handherchief pinned about her neck, and another handker- chief tied about her head to keep off the dust, sat in another chair. Winding one end of the flax tightly around the fingers of the right hand, and holding it, she drew the flax through the hatchel till it was thor- oughly combed ; then, changing, she combed in a similar manner the other end. Next, it was snarled or wound on the distaff, and spun into thread or yarn upon the foot or linen-wheel. That drawn out by hatchel- ing was called tow, which was carded by hand, with hand-cards, and spun upon the large wheel. That was called tow-yarn. From the wheel it went to the reel ; from the reel to the loom, which nearly every family had, and every woman knew how to use, although some families let out their flax to be made into cloth and yarn.


Thus we see our ancestors were independent of foreign looms and spindles for their ordinary dress ; and for mere decorations, such as are common at the present day, they had but little regard ; and, indeed, a showy costume would have excited contempt rather than emulation. Their attire on the Sabbath, as well as on working-days, was plain. The father's common dress consisted of a woolen coat, a striped woolen frock, tow frock, and woollen, velvet, tow, or leather breeches. These, with long stockings, were fastened at the knee by a buckle ; in winter they wore woolen or leather buskins, and thick cowhide shoes, fastened with buckles on the instep. Their best hats were what are now called


51


EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.


" cocked-up hats," turned up with three corners ; and the more noted men wore wigs.


The ordinary outer dress of the women, in summer, was tow and linen gowns, checked " tyers," or " aprons," and in winter, woolen gowns and aprons, thick woolen stockings, and cowhide shoes. The clothing was all of their own manufacture, and every house might properly be called a " home factory." They not only spun their own flax and wool, but wove their cloth in a hand-loom. They also made garments for fathers, sons, and brothers with their own hands. They disdained no kind of domestic labor; they needed no help. Contentment and happiness reigned in their abodes, and amid all their laborious toil, personal wants were few ; and, even with their limited means of supply, few remained unsatisfied. Boys and girls (for such they were till married) were early taught to work, and as soon as they acquired muscular power, were taught to make the most of life, and apply it to some useful purpose ; and none was allowed to waste it in idleness and dissipation. There was no distinction between the laborer and employer, no difference be- tween the kitchen and the parlor ; for that was almost unknown, and generally shut up, except on public days, as Thanksgiving-days, fasts, and the like. Balls, concerts, and places of amusement, scenic exhibi- tions, and the long list of modern devices for killing time were unknown. A sing, a bee, a raising, a husking party, or a domestic circle, a sleigh- ride in the winter, or a cherry ride in the summer, were sufficient for all the purposes of recreation and social intercourse ; and for those that wished for enjoyment of a more questionable character, the means and associates were to be found in other localities. The amusements and recreation of young men were mostly of the athletic kind, as "playing ball," which was always practiced, and is now kept up in spring and fall. Wrestling was very common, especially at raisings and social and public gatherings. When at the raising of buildings the labor was over, and the men stimulated by the treat all had received, they usually com- menced raising or lowering one another. This sport commenced by two young persons getting inside of a ring formed by spectators, then older persons joined in the same exercise. Wagers would be laid, and a little more stimulant taken to give elasticity and strength to the par- ties. In course of time parties would get in earnest ; angry words and


.


52


.


HISTORY OF BROCKTON.


defiant gestures would be made, and it generally ended in a fight. These wrestling matches, we are happy to say, are gone by. It may be said here that at the raising of buildings, it was customary to call the men of the town together, and the owner was expected to furnish the drinks and lunch, and, as soon as the ridgepole was fairly in place, for the master workman to dedicate the whole by dashing a bottle of rum upon the frame, followed by three hearty cheers from the company present.


We will now give the reader some idea of the early customs in regard to living, the dwellings, and other ancient matters. First in or- der are the


DWELLING-HOUSES .- The first were built of logs, and called log cabins, erected on land which was usually laid out in lots and ranges. Next, after the introduction of saw-mills, came the frame house, of one story in height, and about sixteen by twenty four or five feet on the ground, and containing from one to three rooms. The next in order of architecture was a two-story house, with gambrel roof; and some were two story in front, with a roof slanting back to one story at the back part. The third order of houses was the " hip roof," and was introduced soon after the Revolutionary War, and consisted of a two-story house, with two front rooms, a door in the middle, with a hall running through the center, and generally a one- story L, on the back side, for a kitchen, such as the house of Benjamin Kingman, the late Eliab Whitman, David Cobb, Mrs. Nathaniel H. Cross, in the village, and Josiah W. Kingman at Campello, that was burned in 1853. The windows in the earliest dwellings were either of mica or diamond-shaped glass, set in tin or lead. The chimneys were first built of stone, with mammoth fire places, and an oven on one side running back, which, with the chimney, occupied nearly as much room as a modern bedroom. In the chimney, running from end to end, was a lug-pole, usually made of oak, from two to four inches in diameter, on which were hung hooks and trammels of wrought iron, so constructed as to be raised and lowered at pleasure to suit the various sized kettles, which were hung over the fire for culinary uses. In the course of time these lug-poles gave way to the old iron crane, on account of their liability to burn, which was made to swing into the room, or to hang over the fire. Cranes were first used in this


53


EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.


town about 1750. The fire was made of large logs, one large one, called a back-log, being placed on the back side of the fire-place, usually from two to four feet in length; two stones were used for andirons, and a large fore-stick resting on the stones to keep up the fire, besides a back- stick or the back- log; then a sufficiency of smaller fire-wood was piled up; a pitch-pine knot being placed under the fore-stick and lighted, made a rousing fire. At each end of the fire places were small benches or stools, on which the children usually sat, warming one side and then the other till they were thoroughly warmed through, while the old folks were seated in front upon a "settle," enjoying the full blaze. With this they needed no modern gas-light, no oil, nor candles ; for in the even- ing pitch-pine knots were used, which gave a strong and brilliant light. Splinters were used to carry about house, or into the cellar for cider and apples, instead of lamps and candles. Previous to the introduction of friction matches, which are of a recent date, every family was supposed to have a " tinder-box," which consisted of a round tin box, about six inches in diameter, two inches deep, with a flat cover of tin, on the outside of which could be inserted a candle. The box contained tinder, made of burnt linen cloth or pieces of punk. By the use of a piece of flint upon the corners of a file or steel, a spark would catch in the punk ; and then a stick, with brimstone on the end, coming in contact with the spark, set the stick on fire, from whence the kindling in the fireplace was lighted. Another method in general practice was, to cover live coals in the fire place with ashes, so as to keep the fire alive on the hearth till morning. When this failed, the tinder-box was resorted to.


FOOD .- The morning and evening meal usually consisted of bean or pea porridge, dipped out with a wooden spoon into a wooden bowl, with bread and butter. Coffee and chocolate were added upon extra occa- sions. Tea was seldom used, especially by the children. The bread consisted of rye and Indian meal ; occasionally wheat bread. The dinner consisted of salt beef or pork, with vegetables boiled. Fresh meat was a rarity. Potatoes are an article of recent cultivation.1 For pudding they had baked or boiled Indian meal. The dishes used in early days were mostly of wood. The plates were called trenchers. These wooden


1 Introduced into this country in 1732.


.


54


HISTORY OF BROCKTON.


utensils were the first used; they gradually gave way to pewter, and still later to crockery and earthen ware.


DRINKS .- Malt beer was a very common drink in the early settle- ment of the country, which was made from barley, and was raised by nearly every farmer. Next came cider, which soon supplanted beer. This was a universal drink, morning, noon, and night, each family lay- ing in from ten to thirty barrels for a year's stock. So common was the use of cider, that it was considered a mark of disrespect not to pass it round when a neighbor or traveler called. Another very common drink was flip, which was made of beer sweetened with sugar, with a "loggerhead," or red-hot iron, thrust into it ; a little new rum was then poured in, and nutmeg sprinkled into it. Toddy was another favorite beverage, made of rum and water, well sweetened. A stick, flattened on the end, for crushing the sugar and stirring it up, was called the " toddy-stick." The ring of the tumblers, as it hit the sides in mixing, had its peculiar music, with which nearly every one was familiar.


Skillful men made graceful flourishes in making another excellent drink, called " egg-nog," otherwise known as " Tom and Jerry," which was composed of sugar, milk, and spirits, mixed with a beaten egg, stirred in rapidly till the whole was made into froth, and drank hot. There are many now who have not forgotten how it tastes, and relish it quite well.


Having mentioned many of the drinks that were stimulating, we will now describe another kind-cold water. This is obtained from the earth, and is a natural production. Various means have been in use for obtaining this liquid. The most ancient is the well- sweep. A well was usually dug at a distance of from ten to fifty or more feet from the house ; and but a few feet from the same a post was erected, having a crotch on the top end, in which a long pole was so nearly balanced and swung upon an iron or wooden pin, that when a bucket suspended upon the end of another smaller pole that descended into the water was filled, it could be easily drawn out. There are but few of this kind of appara- tus for drawing water now to be found, only here and there a solitary one. Another means of obtaining water is by a windlass erected di- rectly over a well, turned by a crank, the bucket being fastened to the end of a rope that passes over the windlass, and even this has given


55


EARLY HABITS AND CUSTOMS.


place to the pump and pipe. Here and there is a natural spring, from which water is conducted by pipes to houses, supplying pure, unadul- terated liquid.


The custom of retiring and rising early was universal. The time of retiring was eight to nine o'clock ; that of rising at dawn of day.


The attendance on church worship was also a custom which nearly all practiced. Elderly people who owned horses rode double. The wife was seated behind her husband upon the pillion, with her arm around him. In summer the young men went barefoot, or with shoes in hand ; the young women wore coarse shoes, carrying a better pair in hand, with stockings, to change before entering the meeting-house. Going to meeting on foot was not confined to young people; many women walked three to five miles to attend church. In winter it was custom- ary for the women to carry small foot-stoves, which were usually made of perforated tin, fastened in a wooden frame, about eight or nine inches square, in which were placed hot coals. These stoves were all the warming allowed in church. The usual time for church service was one and a half hours-from half past ten to twelve o'clock, or one glass and a half long, as hour- glasses were their time-pieces in the absence of clocks. The intermissions were short, being one hour in winter and one and a half in summer. The interval was generally spent in the nearest neighbors' houses, who always had a good blazing fire in winter, and plenty of coals with which to replenish their foot-stoves. This inter- mission was a grand opportunity for the people of the remote portions of the parish to meet every week and become acquainted, as it promoted social union and good feeling throughout the society. Every new and interesting event was discussed ; and while partaking of their lunch they had brought with them, the father would request the boys to bring in and pass round the cider. The afternoon services being over, people might have been seen gathering around the horse-block that stood a short distance south of the church, on the green, which was a large flat- topped stone for the use of women in mounting and alighting from their horses. The means of locomotion in the days of our fathers consisted of an ox-cart, or the back of a horse. A chaise or wagon was a curios- ity. A journey of forty or fifty miles was a great undertaking, requir- ing much preparation ; while now, many travel by steam hundreds of miles in a day, and think it nothing compared to that in early days.


56


HISTORY OF BROCKTON.


A journey from the North Parish to Boston was the labor of two days with oxen and cart. The same journey is now performed in one day, and nothing thought of its being hard. It is thirty to forty minutes' ride in a steam train from Brockton to Boston, and the trains run in such a manner that a person can leave home after dinner, go to the city, and return in the evening train, and have several hours for business.


CHAPTER V.


First Meeting-House in the North Parish-Its Appearance-Second House- Description-Sale of Pews-First Bell -- Seating of Colored People-Third Meeting- House -- Pew-Holders-Clock -- First Stoves -- Erection of the Fourth Meeting-House in 1854 -- Dedication-Description of the Same -- Sale of Pews.


M EETING. HOUSES OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL PARISH .- The first meeting-house in the North Parish was built in 1737, on or near the spot where the present edifice now stands. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Dunbar, of Stoughton, from Solomon's Song viii. 8: " We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for ?"


From the best information gained, it was a small, plain structure, in keeping with the times, facing south, without steeple, bell, or chimney ; the windows had diamond shaped glass, walls plastered, but not warmed by stove or furnace.


Our meeting- house, -- our meeting-house, -- It stood upon a hill, Where autumn gales and wintry blasts Piped round it loud and shrill. No maple-tree with leafy shade, Nor tall, protecting oak, Stood near to guard the ancient house When tempest round it broke.


No steeple graced its homely roof With upward- pointing spire, -- Our villagers were much too meek A steeple to desire, -- And never did the welcome tones Of Sabbath-morning bell Our humble village worshipers The hour of worship tell.


57


THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE.


To this place the people of the parish gathered from Sabbath to Sabbath, with commendable regularity, on horseback or on foot. They "kept the Sabbath and reverenced the Sanctuary."


At the time of the incorporation of the parish the house was " Erected and Inclosed," but not finished. At a meeting held March 12, 1739, " Timothy Keith, Benjamin Edson, David Packard, Daniel Howard, Edward Curtis, were chosen a committee for the finishing of the meet- ' ing-house in sd Precinct ;" also " voted to raise two hundred and fifty pounds for the finishing of the same, to be paid by the last of August;" chose Abiel Packard " Recever of stuf and meterels." March 26, 1736 :


The committee appointed to finish the meeting-house made demand of the several inhabitants how they would pay their Reats, or what they would percure tords the prosecution of the work of finishing the meeting-house. In order to pay their Raits Whare upon a number subscribed what they would percure, as first :




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.