USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. Preceded by an account of old Quabaug, Indian and English occupation, 1647-1676; Brookfield records, 1686-1783 > Part 22
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A SETTLED MINISTER. - Nov. 22, 1715. " The inhabitants of Brook- field agreed with Mr. Thomas Cheney to carry on the work of the Min- istry in said place for 26 pounds for half a year, and to have the use of the Ministry house and lot, and land belonging or appropriated for the Ministry in said place ; and so in proportion for a longer time ; and in case he stay, and continue in the work of the ministry, to pay him at the end of every half year."
" Also voted, to clear, fence and break up two acres for an orchard for the Minister, and likewise to finish clearing and fencing a pasture which is already begun for the Minister."
Mar. 28, 1716. "The Committee for Brookfield did this day grant to Mr. Thomas Cheney, now Minister in said place, the land lying be- tween Mr. Wilson's and Mr. Younglove's land, and the 20 acres of meadow belonging to said lot; and also 8 or 10 acres on the plain ; and also 100 acres, to be taken up free from former grants where he shall chuse - always provided Mr. Cheney become a settled Minister in said place."
April 5, 1716. "At a meeting of the inhabitants of Brookfield, voted, that Edward Walker, Sen., Joseph Banister and Elisha Rice do further discourse Mr. Cheney as to his proposal in order to a settlement in said place to carry on the work of the Ministry. Having considered Mr. Cheney's proposals, the inhabitants voted, I, to give Mr. Cheney for his Salary 52 pounds yearly for three years, and to rise 40 shillings a year untill it comes to 70 pounds, and there to stay. 2. Voted, that Mr. Cheney have all the land that the Committee proposed to give him. 3. Voted, to build him a house and barn, according to the dementions that he has given, Mr. Cheney providing glass, nails and iron. 4. Voted, to break up and fence and fitt to sow 8 acres of land, 4 acres upon the Hill ; two acres to be planted out with orcharding this year ; and 4 acres to be broken up on the plain this year ; the other two acres to be done within four years. 5. Voted, to get Mr. Cheney 25 cords of wood yearly his lifetime. 6. Voted, to give Mr. Cheney each man one day's work yearly, for six years. His house and barn to be built in four years - always provided Mr. Cheney be our ordained Minister." "Approved
191
REV. THOMAS CHENEY.
by the Committee, May 16, 1716 - Provided Mr. Cheney be their set- tled minister three years."
Mr. Cheney's Proposals. "Gentlemen : as to the Dementions of the House and Barn you propose to build for me, In case I should settle amongst you, it is my mind and desire with respect to my House, that the length may be 42 foott, the width 20 foott ; as to the stud, 14 foott stud. And as to the Barn, that it may be 30 foott long, and 20 foott wide with a lentow on one side. As to the glass, nails and iron, I will provide and procure myself so far as is necessary to said House and Barn. This from your Servant, Thomas Cheney."
Oct. 12, 1716. "Sold to Mr. Thomas Cheney our present Minister, the Town's house, and about six acres of land it stands on, for which he is to set off and allow unto the inhabitants 30 pounds of the first Rates that are due to him or will be due."
As definite arrangements appeared to them to be unreasonably de- layed, the Committee prepared a warrant and sent an order June 28, 1717, to Brookfield, for a meeting of the inhabitants. The meeting was held July 16, Thomas Gilbert moderator. " Voted, that said meeting is legal to prosecute the ends of said warrant received from said Commit- tee for said Town.
Voted, that the Reverend Mr. Thomas Cheney shall be ordained min- ister for the Town.
Voted, The third Wednesday in October next is appointed and set apart for Mr. Cheney's ordination.
Voted, that Mr. Tilly Mirick and Joseph Banister acquaint Mr. Cheney with the Town's mind, and as to the day agreed upon for his ordination.
[The committee promptly reported that Mr. Cheney consents thereto.]
Voted, that Tilly Mirick, Joseph Banister, Thomas Barns, Thomas Parsons, do take care that suitable provision be made for such Elders and Messengers as may be called to assist in our ordination.
Voted, that the Town celebrate and set apart a day of Fasting and Prayer to implore God's presence with us in this solemn and weighty matter- which day is left to Mr. Cheney to appoint. Full and Clear votes.
Test, THOMAS GILBERT, moderator.
July 28, 1717. We the subscribers, having given order for said meet- ing, do well approve of the votes aforesaid, And rejoice in their unan- imity in so good a work, and hope to have further ocation to rejoyce in their good settlement.
SAMLL PARTRIDGE SAMLL PORTER EBENR PUMROY
Committee
192
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
Oct. 16, 1717, a Church was organized, and Mr. Cheney was consti- tuted its pastor. The Sermon preached on the occasion was printed, and is entitled, "The duty of GOSPEL MINISTERS to preserve a PEOPLE from CORRUPTION, set forth in a sermon, preached at Brookfield, Octo- ber 16, 1717, being the day wherein the Church was gathered, and Mr. THOMAS CHENEY was ordained Pastor. By SOLOMON STODDARD, A.M. and Pastor of Northampton."
CHURCH COVENANT. - " You do now in the presence of the great and holy Gop, the elect Angels, and this assembly of witnesses, enter into a solemn and perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten, never to be broken.
You sincerely and cordially give up yourself to that GOD whose name alone is JEHOVAH ; taking GOD the Father to be your GOD and Father, GOD the Son to be your only Saviour and Redeemer, GOD the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier and Comforter.
You submit yourself to Christ, and accept him as the Prophet, Priest, and King of your soul, the Great Head of the Church, and the only Mediator of the covenant of grace : promising that by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, you will keep the covenant of the Lord inviolably ; that you will cleave to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and Gospel obedience ; and will endeavor to reform your life as to all known sin, whether open or secret - will live in the conscientious discharge of all duty towards GOD and man -walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly ; that you will endeavor that the inward temper of your mind be conformed to GOD's will and word; and that you will follow the excellent example which Christ has set you for the rule of your life.
You also give up yourself to this Church in the Lord; and freely covenant and bind yourself to walk as a regular member of Christ's Church ; to obey them that have rule over you in the Lord; to read GOD'S word, and to live in the practice of social and secret prayer, and in diligent attendance on the word preached, and ordinances admin- istered : - relying on the grace and all-sufficiency of Christ, which are sufficient for you- you promise to walk according to what you now know, or shall know to be your duty.
Do you sincerely and cordially consent to the covenant now proposed ?
We then receive you as a sincere disciple of Christ, and a member of the same church with ourselves, - promising, so long as GOD shall continue you among us, to watch over you with meekness and brotherly love : - and may the Lord add to the numbers and graces of his church, and finally bring us all to join the general Assembly and Church of the First-born, whose names are written in heaven. Amen."
MINISTRY LANDS. - March 8, 1716-17, "The Committee taking into
193
WOOD FEEDING-LAND HOLDERS.
consideration a former grant in the ancient Manuscripts of Brookfield, of some land sequestered for the Ministry - now find that there is about thirty acres of land between the land formerly Younglove's and Millett's ; which land we the Committee do now sequester for the Ministry in said place, with the meadow adjacent lying at the end of said thirty acres.
" At the same time, sequestered So acres of land upon the north side of the River, and as many on the south side the said River, for the Ministry." The 80 acres, north of the River, was laid out, and bounded " South on Joseph Banister, King's, Hovey's and Joseph Brabrook's, East on John White, decd., and Sam1 Owen, Jr., North on Capt. Thomas Baker, West on the great Rocky hill to the foot of the hill."
1716. - The new comers this year, were David Wedge, perhaps from Sudbury ; Benjamin Knowlton, from Springfield, who had a grant of 60 acres ; Joseph Knowlton, from Springfield, who bought out Joseph Rice ; William Biggerton, who had a grant of a 30 acre home-lot, and later of 210 acres ; John Morse ; Thomas Bartlett, who had a grant of 60 acres.
1717 .- The new comers this year were : Arthur Tucker, (Tooker) a turner, who was of Lancaster 1690, received a grant of 60 acres, and later in all of 245 acres ; Tilly Mirick, from Springfield, tanner, bought the Prichard place of Jos. Jennings ; James Aiken had a grant of 80 acres north of the Jabez Olmstead place ; John Hitchcock of Spring- field had a grant of 30 acres, but did not come to reside till later ; Jonathan Davis, shoemaker, had a grant of 60 acres on condition that he set up his trade ; Josiah, Jr., John and Simon Beamin had grants, and settled.
Wood Feeding. "The Committee, taking into consideration the necessity of sequestering some land in Brookfield for Wood Feeding, &c., Therefore have sequestered a piece for the use aforesaid, which land is bounded as followeth, viz. : Westerly upon the old Country Road, southerly upon Joseph Brabook's land, easterly upon the Ministry and School land, northerly upon Benjamin Knowlton, Joseph Knowlton and Arthur Tucker's land ; being a Rocky Piece of land -the aforesaid is to be a perpetual Common for the use aforesaid, forever."
SAMLL PARTRIDGE Comtee LUKE HITCHCOCK of
EBENR PUMROY Brookfield.
LAND HOLDERS. - The following list of land holders in Brookfield, in the hand writing of Samuel Partridge, is preserved. It has great in- trinsic value ; and taken in connection with the list of new comers of this year, furnishes the names of the tax payers, and the comparative
194
SECOND SETTLEMENT, 1686-1718.
value of the real estate of each, at the time of the incorporation of the town.
" A Rate made this 22d day of April, 1717, for the paying the Min- ister of Brookfield & the Meeting-house & other Necessary charges in sd place, made the day above said by us the Committee for Brook- field :
f. s. d.
£. s. d.
Ayres, Benjamin I. 4. 6. Gilbert, Ens. Thomas . 2. 3. II.
Edward . 0. 12. 6.
66 Thomas 0. 12. 6.
John, Sen. 4. II. I. Goldsbury, Robert .
- -
66 John, Jr. . I.
4. 6. Goss, Lt. Philip . 2. 5. 9.
66 Joseph 0. 12. 6. Green, John .
0. 12. 6.
Mark . 12. 6. Hamilton, John, Sen. . 3. 17.
66 Nathaniel 0. 12. 6. John, Jr. 0. 12. 6.
Thomas 0. 12. 6. Hawley, Ens. Joseph . 0. 12. 6.
Baker, Capt. Thomas 3. I. 0.
Banister, Joseph 2. II. 6.
Eben', heirs of 0. 12. 6.
Barns, Noah . 0. 12. 6. Hinds, Enoch 0. 12. 6.
Samuel I. 16. 0.
Hopestill I. 4.
6.
66 Thomas 4. o. 8.
John . I. 2. 0.
Barrus, Joshua 0. 18. 3.
Bartlet, Abijah, heirs of 0. 13. 0.
Capt. Luke 0. 12. 6.
Benjamin I. 3. 6. How, Jeremiah . . I. 5. 9. Jennings, Benj., heirs of 0. 12. 6.
Beamin, Josiah . 2. 8. II.
Simon, Jr. . . 0. 12. 6.
66 Joseph ·
3. 4. II.
6. King, -, heirs of . o. 9. 5.
Knowlton, Benjamin I. 5.
0.
Brabrook, Joseph I. 17. o.
Bush, Samuel
I. 5. 2.
Joseph, Jr. . I. 4.
6.
Coy, Richard o. 9. 5. Morse, John . 0. 9. 5.
Davis, Benjamin.
Samuel, Sen.
2. 16. 0. Olmstead, Jabez I. 5. 4.
Samuel, Jr. 0. 12. 6. Owen, Samuel, Sen. I. 4.
Dwight, Lt. Henry . 0. 18. 9. Samuel, Jr. I. 9. 4.
Emmons, Robert I. 9. 0. Parsons, John 1. 18. 3.
Ferry, Gershom . o. 9. 5.
Thomas . I. 5. 9.
Gibbs, Thomas . I. 4. 6. Partridge, Col. Samuel 0. 15. 8.
Gilbert, Ebenezer I. 4. 6.
Goldsbury Land. 0. 12. 6.
Henry
3. 13. 9.
John .
I. 4.
6. Perry, John . 0. 14. 2. I. 3. IO.
Nathaniel
0. 12. 6.
66 Joseph
Samuel
I. 4.
6. Peters, Henry
o. 6. 3.
8.
66 Thomas . I. 4. 6.
Jonathan . . I. 14: I.
Bettys, Thomas, heirs of 0. 12.
Biggerton, William . . 0. 12. 6. Marks, Joseph, Sen. I. 6. 7.
0. 12. 6. Old, William . I. 4. 6.
6.
Hayward, Ephraim 0. 12. o.
Hitchcock, Ens. John. I. II. 3.
195
LIST OF LAND HOLDERS.
E. s. d.
Pomrov, Capt. Eben" . 0. 12. 6. Taylor, Henry, heirs of
Porter, Samuel, Esq. . o. 18. 9. Wait, John, Jerre, Jo- ) seph,
Pynchon, Col. John . 0. 15. 8.
his Farm 3. 18. 4.
Capt. John . 0. 12. 6. Walker, Benjamin 0. 12 6.
Rich, John
0. 12. 6.
Edward, Sen. . 2. 15. 8.
66 Thomas
I. 4. 6.
Edward, Jr. 1. 4. 6.
Thomas, Sen., heirs Joseph 0. 12. 6. of. 0. 13. 2. Wedge, David 0. 18. 3.
Rice, Amos I. 4. 6. Wheeler, Samuel I. 9. 4.
Azariah I.
Cyprian I.
5. 7. Williams, Lt. Samuel . 0. 17. 5.
Elisha 1. 16. 0. Woolcott, John . . 2. IO. 9.
" Pelatiah I. 4. 6.
Shepherd, John . I. 4. 6.
£121. 3. 8.
Stoddard, Maj. John . 0. 15. 8.
£. s. d. o. 4. 2.
Price, Daniel 2. o. 2. John Belding & Jos. [ Smith
0. 15. 8.
4. 6. White, John, heirs of . I. 5. o.
CHAPTER V.
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
SECOND INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. - MEETING-HOUSE. - MINISTER. - SCHOOL. - BURYING GROUNDS. - FATHER RALLE'S WAR. - OLD FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. - LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. - THE REVOLUTION - SHAY'S REBELLION. - THE SPOONER MURDER. - FIRST CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
T HE last chapter brought our narrative down to the date when Brookfield had built a meeting-house and settled a minister - a preparation then regarded as essential to the prosperity and per- manence of a town. The present chapter opens with the commence- ment of the formal steps needful to a legal organization which should give the inhabitants all township rights and privileges.
"To his Excellency, Samuel Shute, Esq., and the Honbl Council and House of Representatives, convened in General Court the 28th of May, 1718-
We undersigned, the Committee for Brookfield, after many Disappoint- ments by warr and otherwise which for a long time the people have laboured under, by the good providence of God are now so increased that they are now near fifty families on the place, have near finished a very convenient meeting-house, have settled a church and ordained an orthodox & learned Minister - We humbly propose that they be made a Township, to order all the affairs of a Township, according to the directions of the Law by them- selves, & said Committee released, - which we submit to the Court's deter- mination. And for your Excellency and Honors shall ever pray.
SAML PARTRIDGE
SAMUEL PORTER
LUKE HITCHCOCK
Committee for Brookfield.
" In the House of Representatives, Nov. 12, 1718, Read, and Ordered, That the prayers of this Petition be granted: and that the Inhabitants of the Town of Brookfield be invested with all the powers, privileges and authorities to direct, order and manage all the affairs of the said Town- ship that other Towns are or ought to be invested with ; And that the Com- mittee be dismist from their care of them, with the thanks of this Court
197
FIRST TOWN MEETING-LANDS GRANTED.
for their good & faithful service. The said Town to lye to the County of Hampshire.
In Council, Read and Concurred.
Consented to
SAML SHUTE.
First Town Meeting. "A meeting duly warned," was convened Dec. 15, 1718, and Left. Philip Goss was chosen moderator for said day, and Thomas Gilbert town clerk and Treasurer. The work of the day not being finished, the meeting was adjourned to the next Monday, when Capt. Thomas Baker was chosen moderator; Thomas Barns, Left. Philip Goss, Elisha Rice, Samuel Barns and Thomas Gilbert, assessors ; Tilly Mirick, Joseph Brabrook, Thomas Parsons, committee to examine town debts ; Ens. Joseph Jennings and Joseph Banister, measurers, they to have 3s. 6d. per day for their service ; Elisha Rice, Thomas Gibbs, and Jonathan Jennings, committee to take care & see that the Grants made by the former Committee do pay equal proportion to the Rate committed to constable Walker to collect for the meeting-house, &c. Voted, that Thomas Gilbert now chosen town clerk, do receive of the former clerk the Town Book and all other writings belonging to the Town of Brookfield. Voted, that Samuel Owen, John Perry and Daniel Price be freed from paying rates for their heads. Voted, that Tilly Mirick, Henry Gilbert, Edward Walker, and Ens. Joseph Jennings, do take care about the 'grist-mill that the Town may be supplied with meal according to the bargain made with John Hayward."
LANDS GRANTED. - Among the earliest acts of the new town, [and the haste of the action clearly evinced the wisdom of the General Court in keeping the people so long under the restraint of a cool-headed Com- mittee] was the confirmation of previous grants, and the apportionment among the then inhabitants of the valuable lands not already taken up.
" At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Brookfield on January ye 5th 1719-20, Voted, that the Town are of the opinion that the power is wholly in the Town to make Grants of Land."
" At a legal town meeting May 31, 1720, Then voted, that the land be laid out by a committee, which committee is to lay out said lands to sute every man's interest as near as may be ; and in case said committee cant sute every man in quality, may and are hereby impowered to make it up in quantity. The committee are, Left. Philip Goss, Dea. Joseph Jennings, Samuel Barns, Thomas Gibbs and Left. Thomas Gilbert." Sub- sequently there were added to the committee, John Woolcott, Robert Emmons and Hopestill Hinds, for the east part of the town, and Thomas Parsons, for the west part, and William Old, Elisha Rice, Jona. Jennings and Amos Rice, for the south side of the river.
This committee acted promptly and efficiently ; and between the date
198
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
of its appointment and the next March, had made and recorded grants amounting in all to 12,883 acres. This included grants to the old Committee : To Col. Sam1 Partridge, Sam1 Porter, Esq., Capt. John Pynchon, Luke Hitchcock, Esq., Henry Dwight, Esq., each 60 acres, and to Maj. John Stoddard, 40 acres. The Committee had previously, with the consent of the inhabitants, granted to themselves as follows : Col. Partridge, 100 acres, Esq. Porter, 60 acres, Capt. Pynchon, 80 acres, Esq. Hitchcock, 140 acres, Esq. Dwight, 40 acres, Maj. Stoddard, 100 acres.
Some of the larger grants were : Joseph Ayres, 250 acres, Joseph Banister, 140 a., Capt. Tho. Baker, 350 a., Tho. Barns, 380 a., Jos. Bra- brook, 170 a., Rev. Tho. Cheney, 172 a., Dea. Henry Gilbert, 259 a , Tho. Gilbert, 346 a., Left. Philip Goss, 246 a., John Hamilton, 340 a., George Hayward, 167 a., Eben' How, 164 a., Dea. Jos. Jennings, 343 a., Tho. La Rich, 210 a., Tilly Mirick, 390 a., Elisha Rice, 161 a., Edw. Walker, Sen., 202 a., John Woolcott, 187 a., Josiah Wood, 165 a.
MINISTER and MEETING-HOUSE. - In addition to Ministry Lands, 160 acres, and the 172 acres to Mr. Cheney as an inhabitant, the town voted £146, to build a house for Mr. C .; and when he decided to remain in the Town's house, opposite the Ayres tavern stand, voted to dig and stone a well for him there, and give him the improvement of the Ministry home-lot.
At a town meeting, legally warned, and held Jan. 5th 1718-9, Voted, Tilly Mirick moderator. Voted, to make a Rate of 250 pounds for paying the Minister, and other town charges, & the overplus to be laid out in finishing the meeting-house.
The meeting-house was not finished for several years ; but prompt action was taken to assign the pew ground to men whose taxable estates entitled them to such distinction.
At a town meeting Jan. 5, 1719, Voted, that Capt. Thomas Baker have a pew in the meeting-house, on right hand of the South door, he paying 3 pounds ; he has already paid 3 pounds in money. Voted, that Thomas Gilbert have a pew at the right of the East door, he paying 2 pounds ; each pew to be eight feet square. At subsequent meetings, pew room was granted to Left. Philip Goss, John Woolcott, Joseph Banister, John Hamilton, Joseph Ayres, Dea. Henry Gilbert, Edw. Walker, Sen., Tilly Mirick, Dea. Joseph Jennings, Thomas Barns, Sam- uel Barns, Hopestill Hinds. Voted, to build a Ministry pew on the right hand of the pulpit. Voted, to build a pew on the left hand of the pulpit, to be for the Deacons' wives, and said wives to sit in the pew during their natural lives. Voted, that he that hath a pew granted in the meeting-house, do pay in to the town treasurer 40s., or else forfeit their pews. Voted, to build up the seats in the body of the meeting-
199
SEATING THE MEETING-HOUSE - SCHOOL.
house with strong plain seats. Voted, Joseph Jennings, Jr., Daniel Bowker, Comfort Barns and Daniel Walker, liberty to build a pew upon the back-side of the front gallery, provided they build the same upon their own cost, and move the windows against their seats to the plate ; and when any one or all of them shall be brought forward, or seated elsewhere, then to sell their right in the aforesaid pew to those that appear to buy it.
Seating the Meeting-house. The committee, viz. Elisha Rice, Sam- uel Barns, Jos. Brabrook, Thomas Gilbert and Samuel Wheeler, were instructed "to have regard to age, where it is honorable, and to estate ; taking the list that Mr. Cheney's Rate was made by as a rule ; having also regard to men's servicefulness in the town. Voted, To seat seven or eight in a seat in the body of the house below, and in the front gallery ; and fourteen in a seat in the side gallery. Voted, that the fore seat in the front gallery shall be equal in dignity with the third seat in the body ; and the fore seat in the side gallery shall be equal with the fourth seat in the body of the house."
"Voted, that the selectmen do take care and get a man to sweep the meeting-house, as cheap as they can." In 1733, the town voted, "that the women that set in the front gallery in the meeting-house, be seated in some other convenient place in said house, the pews only excepted."
SCHOOL. - The new town made early provision for the education of the children. "At a legal meeting held Jan. 5, 1719-20, then granted for a School, 40 acres, on the north side of the river." The town had in 1717 sequestered two other " School Lots " of 80 acres each, making 200 acres in all. These school lands were leased by the selectmen to such inhabitants as would pay the highest rent for their use, and this income was applied by the selectmen (without an express vote of the town) to the payment of teachers' wages.
In most of our towns, at their beginning, and till the meeting-house was finished, and the minister ordained, and the leading highways laid out, no public school was established and supported by a tax. There were usually some men and some women, with sufficient education to teach the rudiments of reading, spelling and arithmetic, who would receive scholars at their homes, and charge 2d. to 6d. per week for in- struction. The unfinished room was used by the Dames in summer, and the capacious kitchen, well warmed, was used by the Masters in winter.
Sometimes the town would agree to pay a fixed sum to the teacher, in part for his services, and he would charge a part to the scholars ; and in such case the records make mention of a school. But when teachers' wages came wholly from the rent of school lands and private tuition, no such record is found. The first mention of a school in the Brookfield
200
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
records is under date, Dec. 12, 1726, when "the town voted to give Left. Eleazar Warner the sum of money that the selectmen agreed with him for keeping the school." The wording of this vote implies that a public school had already been established, by authority of the selectmen, and the town now assumed the responsibility for the teacher's wages.
The following votes give an outline of the town's action respecting schools. "Jan. 23, 1728, voted, that a school shall be kept at four several places in town, the town to be divided into four parts by a committee consisting of Wm Old, Ephm Hayward, Wm Ayres, Saml Barns and John Hinds. Voted to agree with a school master for but half a year at first, and to be left with the selectmen to agree with a man as cheap as they can ; and to appoint a place where the children shall meet in order to be scooled. Voted to raise £20, to pay said schoolmaster, or some of it, as the selectmen agree with him."
Dec. 1728, the town " voted to build one scool house in the most convenient place to sute the most inhabitants. Voted, to set it in the most convenient place between Tucker's old place and the new country road where it comes across Coy's brook. The following persons entered dis- sent against the site of the school house : Ephm Hayward, Philip Goss, Jr., Jonathan Jennings, Timothy Brown, Jos. Davis, Peter Rice, Tho. Rich, Cyprian Rice, Edw. Ayres, Jos. Walker." The vote was afterwards reconsidered ; and the school house was not built till 1733. It stood close by the line between W. and N. Brookfield, near Coy's brook, a short distance west of where the road from Foster's hill joins the new country road. This was the geographical centre of the town.
The usual annual grant for the school was £20.
May 15, 1732. Voted, that the selectmen be desired and directed and impowered to hier and Improve fouer wimen to keep scholl : in the most convenant places to accomodate the most Children for fower months from the time they begin to keep sd scholl. Granted for the support of the school for the future £50.
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