USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 7
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tRegister of Deeds, Cambridge, Book 26, p. 277.
ĮBook A, p. 170.
54
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
of going with his father, when a boy, to haul timber from the bed of the pond. Thus it remained for more than a hundred years, until Gen. Leech, in 1824, filled up the old breach in its banks and it was again filled with water.
HIGHWAY TO JOHN RICHARDSON'S MILL.
In 1707, the year that John Richardson's iron works were established, at the mouth of Stony brook, a road was laid out to it, which is thus described:
"February the: 21: 1707
A high Way Laid out from Stony Brook to John Richardson mill bounded as foloweth begining at the high Way that Leads from John Snows to the meting hous this sd way bounded 2: Roods wide by marked trees and so a Long to Dunstable Road near Stony Brook bridg."* I think this is the road which starts near the house of Patrick Savage, near Dist. No. 7 schoolhouse, passing the present house of A. M. Blaisdell and near that of the late E. F. Richardson. Mill street in North Chelmsford is probably a part of this old road. One object of this road at that time may have been to obtain a shorter route to their supply of bog ore, for Allen in a note written after his book was published speaks of "An ineshaustible bed of bog ore on the farm of Robert Richardson, late Mr. Andrew Spalding's."
Robert Richardson, at that time, lived upon the place now occupied by the family of the late Henry R. Hodson, and a narrow road runs directly from their premises to the road above described.
HERDING OF CATTLE AND FENCING IN COMMON.
In the early days of the Town, before each farm was enclosed by fences, the cattle were allowed to range over the common lands, under certain restrictions. Each neighborhood had a prescribed range for its herd, which must have had a keeper to protect the cattle from wild beasts and to prevent them from encroaching upon planted fields. The term Field Driver may have originated from this custom. The Colony passed laws especially protecting the Indians' planting-fields, ordering that "the English shall keep their Cattle from destroying the Indians' Corn."
Large fields, in one case over two hundred acres, were fenced and used in common.
*Second book, copy p. 72.
55
THE BEGINNING
All these communal arrangements served to bring the people into closer relations one with another, and furnished a strong reason why only such should be admitted as inhabitants of the town as would work in harmony with such necessary regulations.
The vote relating to herding reads,
"7: 1: [16] 71 its ordred Concerning herding of Cattell that From Cros Bridge to henry Bowtells shall bee one herd
2 From Cros brige to Moses Barrons shall bee an other herd
3 From Thommas Barrets to Robertt procters And John backe shall bee an other herd
4 From George Biams to Arthur warrens shall be an other heard and that if Any person shall Neglect to put ther Catell to the herd they shall pay ther preportion of herding and twelve pence a beast over and Above"*
The first range mentioned in this order was from the center of the town to Stedman street, where the line between Chelmsford and Lowell crosses that street.
The second was from the Center to where the road to Concord branches from the Boston road.
The third was from the present residence of Chas. W. Byam, on the south side of Robins hill, around the hill towards Geo. A. Byam's.
It is impossible to define the limits of the fourth range because we are unable to locate the habitation of Arthur Warren in 1671, except that it was in the "West end" probably beyond Geo. A. Byam's towards Heart pond.
A former vote passed in 1667 provided that "such as Live remoat shall have Liberty to choose their heards and have Cows and working cattell exempted."t
The management of the swine seemed to be the cause of a good deal of trouble owing to the destructive tendencies of those useful animals.
Hog Reeves were annually chosen whose duties were, as described in one entry, "to oversee swine and keep them in order." Swine were allowed to run at large but the number that any one man was allowed to keep upon the public lands depended upon the amount of land which he possessed. In 1683 "it was voated that eury inhabitant beeing an house holder shall have librty to keep to swine vp on the Common and eury tenne Acer loot the propriettors ther of haue liberty to keep Four swine on the Common And so eury man Acording to his enlarged loott to keep swine to *First book, p. 106.
+First book, p. 173.
56
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
ther privilege Acording to A boue a tenn A cer lott And hee that keeps more swine then Acording to this order on the Common shall pay fiue shillens evry swine so fownd on the Common as a penalty for his trespas"*
The regulations made to prevent damage by a too free use of piggy's snout must have been very annoying to that humble creature.
In 1681, "ordered that all Swine Aboue three moth old shall bee soffitiently Ringed in the midell of the Nose Constantly and Youcked From the tenth day of Aprill ontill the Twentith day of octobor: soffitiently on penalty of sixe pence a swine for wante of either youck or Ringe and twellue pence a Swine for wante of boath and this penallty to bee paid to the officer Appointed or to Any other on the empownding of such swine with all other damages For empownding or leagall Conuiction of the owners of the swine."t
And these regulations were enforced. On account of trespass done by Abraham Parker's eight swine, they were impounded "Fouer times in the same year"
Owners of horses or cattle that do damage to meadows must pay such sum as may be appraised.
In order that the breed of horses might not deteriorate, stallions must be approved by the selectmen.
"28 the 12 mo 1670 mr John Fiske pastor presenting a sorell stone horse with a white face which for said horse the selectt men Do Aprove of to Answer the law wittnes in the Name of the selectt men
Sam Adames cler"į
Henry Bowtell's white stone horse was also approved the same year.
With cattle, sheep and swine running at large, fences required much supervision. Sometimes as many as eight fence viewers were chosen.
The selectmen ordered, 1677, that all fences should be made "sofitient Against great cattell."
Such fences would not be a protection against sheep, and in 1681 it was ordered "that No Sheepe shall goe vp on the Common of this towne with out a Kepper" [Keeper].
*First book, p. 175.
+First book, p. 158.
įFirst book, p. 103.
57
THE BEGINNING
Wild beasts, particularly wolves, caused such destruction to the flocks and danger to the people that a bounty of ten shillings was paid for each wolf killed.
In 1692 the town paid for seventeen.
The largest number taken by one person was by Moses Parker, "seven wolfs."
In 1690 the town set apart a large tract of land in the north part of the town, extending from the Merrimack river westward to Groton, and in width from Deep brook to the Dunstable line (now Tyngsboro), "for to kepe a dri herd of chattells [cattle] and Shep"*
SHEEP PASTURE-ROBINS HILL.
In 1697 it was proposed to use Robins hill for a common sheep pasture. Three men,
"Cap bowers Ephrem hildreth and samuell foster are Chosen a commity to draw up Artickels in order to the keping a flock of shep in a publick way upon Robins hill-and prasent them to the town the next town meeting" t
NEWFIELD.
A common field was laid out much earlier than those last mentioned, upon the Merrimack interval, north of Stony brook. It consisted of 214 acres, in lots of six acres each. It was owned by 22 proprietors, some of whom owned several lots. The largest owner was Benjamin Butterfield, who held seven lots, 42 acres.
The field was enclosed by a fence, and, doubtless, used in common, by these owners, for pasturage. It was called Newfield, and that name came to be applied to all that part of the town now North Chelmsford. In 1667 a committee consisting of Lieut. Foster, Daniel Blodgett, and Jacob Parker were appointed by the Selectmen "to state to euery propriator in the New field there proportions of fence." The committee reported: "Acres of Land: 214: Length of fence: 555. due to A Lott of: 6: Acres: 2 pole &: 10 foot of fence"# In 1659 a committee was appointed "to state the fence one the other parts of the said feild & they did find 2 pole and 6 foote to euery Acre Lying in the same order that the other doth *">
*First book, p. 184.
+First book, p. 233.
#First book, p. 110.
58
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
MILLSTONES.
Some of the Town's action, calculated to restrain individual enterprise, would, at first view, appear to be prompted by a narrow spirit, thus:
"Millestones [in margin] 26 March 1678 the selectt men orderd as Foloeth For the good of the towne thatt if Any person what so euer shall take to worke or worke vp Any stone for a mill bee it for Corne or sider or Any other mill and make [s]all of the same stone or stones to Any other person then of this towne such person so selling shall pay to the vse of the towne the sum of twenty shillens a stone in money For euery stone so sould out of the town and no stone or stones as Aboue is to bee transported out of this township vntill this order bee satiffied datted the 26 March 1678 by order of the selecttmen: by Samell Adames"
Clerke*
And in 1689 it was "agred that no bordse or timber sho[u]ld be sovld ovte of this tovne comon land vpon penalltie of painge one shiling for evj hvndred of bord"t The common lands being held for the benefit of the community in general, nothing must be taken from them, for private profit, which would impair their value. Millstone hill is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the present town of Westford.
As timber came to have a money value, upon the stump, it was voted, 1698, "that the owners of all saw mills in our towne execpt the first that improue the Towns Timber into bords shall pay two shilings a thousand in corn for the use of the Towne"
LAW AFFECTING TAVERNERS.
Our forefathers had their temperance problems no less than we of the present day. The Colony passed laws forbidding tippling at inns, and fines were prescribed for drunkenness, and, lest the attractions of the tavern might cause some to neglect their religious duties, It was ordered "That in all places where Week-day Lectures are kept, all Taverners, Victuallers and Ordinaries, that are within one mile of the Meeting-house to which they belong, shall from time to time clear their Houses of all persons able to go to Meeting, during the time of the exercise"#
*First book, p. 146.
+First book, p. 185.
#Laws and Liberties, p. 83.
59
THE BEGINNING
It is to be feared that this provision fell into disuse, for it appears, from the diary of Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, at a later period, that at one time he discontinued the weekly lecture, on account of the bad conduct of those who went to the tavern upon lecture days.
"LICKERS" TO INDIANS.
The people in the early days consumed much rum and strong beer, but they soon discovered that such drinks were bad for Indians and sale to them was prohibited. One case of the en- forcement of that law appears upon our town records (First Book, p. 150).
"the 24 day of march 1678-9 Abraham Parker senior with his tew sonnes moses an Isack weare Acused for seling of strong lickers to seuerall endians Contrary to the law established thay doe each of them frely Acknolege ther Faulte ther in And doe heare by bind them selues severaly vnto the selectt men of Chelms- ford neuer hear after to sell Any more stronge lickers to Any Indians"
The oldest tax list that has been preserved is that of 1671. It contains sixty-two names, the minister not being included. This shows that in the first sixteen years after the incorporation of the Town the number of families had increased three fold. The record seems of sufficient interest to be given in full
30th 3 mo 1671 The Selectt men of Chelmsford madde this Rate as Foloeth for the payment of the Townes Ingagement to the m'nester
Thomas Adames
2
14
0
Thomas Chamberlin sen
1
13
0
Thomas Chamberlin jun
0
19
Beniamin Spaulding
0
19
8
Joseph Spaulding
0
18
0
Joshuah Flecher
0
13
4
George Biam
1
11
0
John perham
1
01
8
En will Flecher
3
1
0
John Battes
0
16
0
Robert Coborn
0
16
0
Edward Coborn
0
15
4
Thomas Coborn
0
12
9
Edward Coborn sen
1
18
9
John wright
1
05
0
James Richenson
1
05
0
John Coborn
0
14
0
60
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
John Sheply Jun
0
12
8
Beniamin Buterfeild
2
05
4
Jonathan Buterfeild
1
05
0
Daniell Bloggett
1
10
2
Nathaniell Buterfeild
0
19
4
Robertt Procttor
2
09
10
John Barrett
1
19
8
George Robines
0
13
0
Edmond Chamberlin
0
13
0
Thomas Corry
0
12
0
John Bauke
0
14
6
John wadell
0
17
6
John Sheply sen
0
14
6
John Blanchard
1
10
4
will vnderwood
1
07
4
Edward Spaulding
0
16
0
Richard hildreth
1
16
2
Sarah parker
1
05
8
Samuell varnum
1
16
0
Joseph Barrett
1
10
4
Abraham parker
2
15
4
Jacob warren
0
09
0
Left Samuell Foster
2
12
2
william woodhead
0
07
0
Andrew Spaulding
0
13
4
Jerathmell Bowers
0
07
[ ]
Thomas Copper
0
06
4
mr Thom Hinchman
2
16
4
Joseph perkis
0
17
8
Joseph Farwell
1
09
8
John Stevens
0
12
4
John parker
0
09
4
John Spaulding
1
14
10
Ambros Swalow
0
10
4
Francis Goold
0
13
0
James hildreth
1
09
0
mr Cornelios walldow
3
03
4
Samuell Fletcher
1
01
8
Henry Bowtell
1
01
8
Moses Barron
0
17
10
Mr John Fiske Jun
1
04
0
Josiah Richenson
1
19
4
Thomas Barrett
1
00
2
Samuell Adames
1
12
5
Solomon Keies
1
01
8
15
0
To so much ped over by the last yers Ratt 0 Totall is 80
01
3
0
19
4
John Burge
61
THE BEGINNING
At the time of Mr. Fiske's settlement as pastor he was promised, as we have seen, fifty pounds for the first year and "to pay his maintinence as the Lord shall enable us for the future." The above amount, eighty pounds, shows that the Lord had enabled them to make a very substantial increase in their minister's salary.
In the tax list of the following year, 1672, there appears against nearly one-half the names an enumeration of the stock and real estate assessed. About an average estate is that of George Byam "2 heads 2 mares 4 Cowes 2 of 2 yer old 8 sheepe 1 swine 8 Acres land howsing." The land was probably only that which had been improved and "howsing" included all the buildings.
CARE OF POOR.
But little appears upon the records to show what provision was made for the support of the poor. John Martin at the "South end" applied to the General Court for assistance, receiving the reply that the "Court declares yt ye releife of poore persons concernes the toune to wch they doe belong * = *
They preferred to relieve the wants of the needy by individual contributions rather than levy a tax for the purpose. In 1696-7 "the inhabitance are not wiling to grant mony to releue the por to be raised by way of reat but promis to do it by a Contrybution -- "
Later the destitute were cared for in families at the expense of the town, but not until 1820 did the town purchase a farm and house for the support of the poor.
CLUBS IN MEETING HOUSE.
In 1671 we find the first intimation of danger from the Indians, with whom the people had thus far been at peace. Evidently, the Indians were manifesting symptoms of uneasiness at the growing strength of their white neighbors, whom they attempted to destroy in the conflict which broke with such fury upon the colonies four years later in King Philip's war.
The men were ordered to bring clubs with them to the meeting house. The record reads:
25 the 5th mo 1671 It is ordred by the Selectt men For severall Considerations espetialy For the preservation of peace That with in one moneth After the Date hear of euery malle person
62
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
with in our towne Above the Age of Fiueten years shall prouid a good Clube of Fouer or Fiue Foot in lingth with a knobe in the end and to bringe the same to the meeting house ther to leaue the same vntill ocation fore use of it.
sicmed the Name of the Rest By
Sam Adames clerke*
TOWN'S HOUSE ON ROBINS HILL.
Two years later, the Town built a house upon Robins hill, the purpose of which is not clear. It was neither sufficiently large nor substantial for a garrison house, being of one room, 16 x 18, covered with but a single thickness of boards, and with but one window. The fact that Indian troubles were brewing, and that the committee appointed to select its location, Lieut. Samuel Foster and Ensign William Fletcher, were both officers in the "foot company," would indicate that it was intended to serve some military purpose. The place was admirably adapted for a lookout from which to discover and warn people of approach- ing danger.
STOCKADE-SIGNALLING.
Several years before, the friendly Wamesits had built a stockade upon Fort hill, now Rogers park, in Lowell, to protect themselves from their dreaded foes, the Mohawks. There was a tradition, related to me many years ago by an old man, that these Indians signalled across from Fort hill to high points in Chelmsford.
ROBINS HILL HOUSE.
The following is the wording of the contract for the house upon Robins hill:
7 of octtobor 1673 Att a general metting Acording tv the towne order thes Foloing * *
Articls of agreement made the seventh Day of october on thousand sixe hundreth seventy and three bettwine the inhabitants of Chelmsford and Joseph barrett of the same place
1 The said Joseph barrett Doth promis and Ingage to buld a house of eighten Foott longe and sixten foott wid and eight Foott stud and to Do all the worke belonging to the same From the stump to the finishing of the same and to Find *First book, p. 108.
63
THE BEGINNING
bords For the hole house and lay the Flowers and Dobell bord the Roofe and bord the sids and ends and to make the Chemly and Dore and window and to Find stones and Clay and to Finish the said house att or beefore the last Day of March Next insewing the Date above
2 The inhabitants of Chelmsford Do promise and hearby ingage to pay vnto the Forsaid barett in full satiffacttion for the house Aforsaid the Just sum of twelve pownds in towne pay that is such as the towne Can produce and to pay the same twelve powds att or beefore the tenth Day of octtobor in the yeare onthousand sixe hundreth seventy and Foure as wittnes in the behalfe of the towne the Date above
Allso it was agreed vpon that the towne shold Find Naills for the whole house
Sam Adames Clerke*
Upon the same date "It was voated that all male persons From the Age of Twelve years to sixtey shall every one worke one Day in the yeare For the Clearing of Robins hill" the selectmen to "Apoint a man to lead on the worke either ther or else whear"
JOSEPH BARRETT.
Joseph Barrett had a double motive for doing faithful work when he built the house for the town, for, when completed, it was promptly occupied by Francis Gould, whose daughter, Martha, the builder had married the year before.
GOOLE.
Goold, or Gould, signed an agreement with the selectmen, stating that "I have taken to hier the house and land that I now live in of the selecttmen of the towne For which house and land I Do couenatt with thm to pay yearly the sum of one peck of endian Corn For the towns use as wittnes my hand this last tuseday in Desembor 1673" Francis Goold
his mark
Gould and his wife, Rose, had a family of five small children, and others older, to occupy this one room cottage, which had but a single thickness of boarding to protect its inmates from the blasts of winter. Francis and Rose Gould have many descendants living today, one of whom is Hon. Samuel L. Powers.
The fact that only a nominal rent was required, sufficient only to acknowledge the Town's ownership in the property, plainly *First book, p. 116.
64
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
implies that the occupant was to render to the Town some service as an equivalent for the use of the property, or else that the family were in circumstances requiring aid from the Town.
The most reasonable supposition is that he was to maintain a lookout and warn the inhabitants in case of any discovered peril.
GALUSHA.
Gould remained in the house until his death, March 27, 1676. In October, following, his daughter, Hannah, married Daniel Galusha, a Dutchman, who paid the Town the peck of corn due for rent and leased the house and seven acres of land for the term of seven years for which he was to pay as an acknowledgment of his grant from the Town "say one peck and halfe of Corne yerly" The one condition stated in the contract was "that he distorbe not his mother Gools peaceabl living in the house"*
Galusha remained in the house three years when, his mother- in-law, Gould, having died, his request to leave the house was granted. Later he removed to Dunstable, where the family had a sad experience. At the assault upon that town, by the Indians, on the night of July 3, 1706, his house, upon Salmon river, was attacked and burned. Galusha escaped and one of the women of the household fled from the flames and saved herself from the savages by hiding in the underbrush, but his daughter, Rachel,t was killed.
INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Difficult as were the conditions of existence in this new settlement the people maintained a lively interest in public affairs.
After the accession of King Charles II, when his displeasure was manifested toward the Colony and the Charter was felt to be in danger, Chelmsford was among the towns which sent petitions to the General Court, declaring their satisfaction in the present government, and expressing their earnest desire that the same might be continued.
MIGRATION.
About 1690, and for several years after, there was quite a migration of families to Connecticut to found the new town of *First book, p. 131.
+Born at Chelmsford, Sept. 14, 1683.
PLAN of the TOWN OF CHELMSFORD -in the County of MIDDLE SEX Surrey'd in 1831 by John & Hales.
SCALE
820 R.da
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0
1
SCHE
564R
T
T
W
D
7º
C
t
u
L
Due East 49GR
e
L
(
R
SZIE 884K
A
Hart
1
D.
R
E
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No. 6
PLAN OF CHELMSFORD IN 1831
65
THE BEGINNING
Canterbury. They were Capt. Joseph, Samuel, David and David Adams, Samuel and Josiah Cleveland, Jacob Warren, Joseph, William and Edward Spaulding, Eleazer Brown and probably others. Some of these became prominent in the affairs of that town. Jacob Warren, Joseph Spaulding and Saml. Adams were chosen on the first board of Selectmen, and Eleazer Brown was Deacon of the church.
DEATH OF MR. FISKE.
After twenty years of faithful service the aged pastor, Rev. John Fiske, became physically unable to carry the burdens of his labors alone, and the town took measures to procure him an assistant in the ministry. The following is the wording of the record :
The 13 Day of the 10 mo 1675 att a Genorall metting of inhabitants of Chelmsford was voated as Foloeth
lly in Consideration of mr Fisks Age and infermitis Acompaning the same ther is ned of sum hilpe to Joine with mr Fiske in the woorke of the minestry
2ly that besids the eighty pownds Formerly grauntid yerly to the minestry ther shall be Fourty pownds more Raised- yearly For the obtaining of mr Clarke to bee a help in the worke Aforsaid if hee may bee Attained
of the selecttmen the 28 10 1675
Recorded by order
Sam Adams clerk*
Mr. Fiske now rapidly declined in health, although he con- tinued his labors notwithstanding his weakness.
"On the second Lord's day of his confinement by illness, after he had been many Lord's days carried to church in a chair, and preached as in primative times sitting * * on January 14, 1676-7 he saw a rest from his labors."
Mr. Fiske's will is dated June 18, 1674. It is a lengthy document written by himself in an excellent hand. His library was appraised at £60, and the entire estate at £703-3-10, including 154 acres of land, 1 pair oxen, 4 cows, 1 mare, 12 sheep, carpet, 7 quishions and 4 silver spoons.
His gift, or legacy, of a silver communion cup to the church has been in use to the present time. The cup was made by John Dixwell, Jr., son of the regicide Judge of that name. He was a goldsmith at Boston. On the bottom of the cup is stamped *First book, p. 129.
66
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
the maker's mark, a fleur-de-lis, and his initials, I. D., and sur- rounding it the letters, I. F. L. C. C .- John Fiske's Legacy, Chelmsford Church.
He is buried in "Forefather's" cemetery, but the exact spot is not known, as there are no inscriptions of so early a date.
A memorial cenotaph has been recently erected in the cemetery by the Fiske family of Chelmsford, to commemorate the life and virtues of the First Pastor of the Chelmsford Church, the Rev. John Fiske.
SETTLEMENT OF REV. THOS. CLARKE.
Rev. Thomas Clark, who had been Mr. Fiske's assistant, was now, upon the death of the latter, called to the pastorate. And, as a settlement in the ministry was, in those days, expected to continue during the pastor's life, the relation was entered into with great deliberation and a thorough understanding between pastor and people, as the following, from the records, will show:
Articls of Agreement bettwine mr Thomas Clerke And the inhabitants of Chelmsford in order to mr Clarks settellment in the ministry for time to Com in Chelmsford are as Foloeth
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