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 27
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In obedience to the Great and General Court's orders of October 9, 1779, we have paid out of the Town Treasury the sum of seven hundred and eighty pounds as a State bounty to 26 men who belonged to Brook- field, inlisted and marched for Clavarack for 3 months, i.e. thirty pounds each.
Brookfield, Nov. 10, 1779.
MOSES JENNINGS
OTHNIEL GILBERT { Selectmen.
DANIEL GILBERT
The men are as follows : Caleb Loomis, Joseph Hamilton, Ebenr Miller, Thomas Wedge, Thomas Hincher, Silas Newton, Thomas Ham-
I The late Isaac Ranger said: " The Powder House or Arsenal stood where Alvin Howe's house now is. After the Revolution the powder was divided among the three parishes, and stored in the meeting-houses under the pulpits. North Brookfield's share remained under their pulpit till 1815, when one Sunday afternoon, a terrific thunder shower came up, and a heavy bolt struck a rock just back of the house, and parted, one streak running under the Church. The people took the hint, and removed the powder to a less public place."
24I
THE REVOLUTION.
ilton, Simon Rice, Wm Hamilton, Jude Adams, Judith Stevens, Isaiah Bowen, Benj. Jennings, Jr., Samuel Walker, Ezra Tucker, Jonas Biglow, Richardson Dunham, Thomas Tucker, Nathan Moore, John Gilbert 2d., William Peso, Elijah Barns, Thaddeus Dodge, Joseph Brown, John Pollard, Andrew Banister, fifer.
These men were attached to Capt. Joseph Richardson's Co. in Col. Samuel Denny's Reg., Mass. Bay Militia, in the U. S. Service. Capt. J. R. was of Brookfield, as were also Lieut. Joseph Thurston, Israel Aiken, Isaac Abbott, Oliver Gilbert, Noah Hatch, Thomas Lampson, Asa Par- tridge, already in the field.
In Dec., the following Brookfield men were in Capt. Thomas Fish's Co., R.I. Service at Tiverton : Sergt. Ephraim Cutter, Benj. Bragg, Anthony Cutter, Abner Rice, Isaac Sever, Obadiah Wait, Ebenr Witt.
Dec. 21. The selectmen are allowed transportation for the above named companies, and also for 31 men to Boston, and 9 men to Dor- chester. And same date, on a requisition for clothing, Brookfield is credited with 12 blankets, 95 shirts, 96 prs. shoes, 94 prs. stockings. [Worcester received credit for only 62 shirts, etc.]
[Robert Young, a laborer, resident in Brookfield, was convicted by the Superior Court of Worcester county, at the October term, of the crime of Felony and Rape, committed in B., and was executed at Wor- cester Nov. 11, 1779.]
1780. - June 12. An order was issued for raising men for six months service in the Continental army. And at a meeting of the Second Pre- cinct, June 20, "Voted, the sum of £252 be assessed on the polls and estates of this Precinct, for the purpose of hiring 15 soldiers into the Continental Service for six months - the aforesaid sum to be paid in Beef at 24 shill. per cwt. - Rye at 4 shill. per bush. - Indian Corn at 2 shill. 8 pence per bush., or in paper currency equivalent thereto.
Voted, that the collector shall receive continental money on the assess- ment lately granted, at the rate of 72 for I.
Voted, to authorize the Precinct Treasurer to give security for such sums as shall remain due to the soldiers aforesaid ; and that Lt. Thomas Hale, Lt. Joseph Bush, Benj. Adams, Jr. and Lt. Wm Ayres be a com- mittee to assist the treasurer in giving security as aforesaid."
The other Precincts passed similar votes ; and the following men were enlisted and sent to the North River, out from June 30, to Jan. 1, '81 ; Jona. Willis, Abner Witt, Wm Kimball, Joseph Ranger, Asa Gilbert, Josiah Cutler, WVm Peso, John Pollard, Thomas Dodge, Jr., Caleb Willis, Buenos Ayres, Solo. Livermore, Thomas Lampson, Isaac Wetherbee, Ichabod Stockwell, Aaron Forbes, Ezekiel Hardy, Silas Barns, Lewis Witt, Nathan Moore, Shadrack Wetherbee, Thomas Hathaway, Jr., Nathaniel Sabin, Jacob Hatfield Deland, Thomas Wedge, Jr., John Bowen, Levi
242
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
Rice, Amos Rice, Nathan Rice, Silas Newton, Benj. Jennings, Jr., Never- son Hastings, Abner Hebery, Thomas Wood 3d., Nathan Davis, Thomas Young, Eben' Marsh, Aaron Forbes.
On the call issued June 22, 1780, for 4,726 men - New Levies - to re-enforce the Continental army in R.I. for 3 months -the Second Precinct by a committee, agreed with Joseph Kimball, Jason Ayres, Jedediah Deland, Jesse Ayres, John Cox, Job Hinckley, Benjamin Dane, David Chamberlain, Jude Stevens, William Forbes, Eli Watson, Jeremiah Dewing, Levi Kendall, and Martin Bridges, 14 in number, for the term of service aforesaid, at the rate of three pounds each per month - this sum to be paid in Beef at 24 shill. per hund., Rye at 4 shill. per bush., Corn at 2s. Sd., or in paper currency equivalent thereto, viz. at the rate of 90 for I.
Of the New Levies, for six months Service, that marched from Brook- field for Clavarack Aug. 30, were : Moses Dorr, John Brown, Wm Posy, Scipio Witt, John Pollard, Moses Walker, Amos Wheeler, Elisha Whit- more, Peter Barton, Silas Morse, Timothy Armstrong, Samuel Lewis, Levi Stockwell, Wm Richardson.
At a town meeting in May, Brookfield voted 143 in favor of the new Constitution, and II against it. And at the election Sept. 4, the vote stood
For Governor, John Hancock I38
66 James Bowdoin I
For Lt. Governor, James Warren .
8 I
James Bowdoin 54
For Senators, Artemas Ward . 69
Moses Gill 71
Samuel Baker . 7I
66 Joseph Dorr 7I
Gen. Eben' Learned
57
November. In a requisition for Beef for the army, Brookfield fur- nished 52 head ; and for clothing, 33 blankets, 67 shirts, 67 prs. shoes, 67 prs. Hose.
Dec. 2. A resolve was passed calling on the towns to furnish their several quotas of men for the army, to be enlisted for three years. Brookfield's quota was 33 ; No. furnished, 33.
In pursuance of this order
" At a meeting Jan 17, 1781, the Second Precinct appointed a com- mittee, viz. Capt. John Lyscom, Capt. Ebenr. Newell, Capt. Daniel Gil- bert, Major Peter Harwood, and Samuel Haskell, with full powers to agree with the men on the best terms they can, and that the Precinct will support them in their trust.
243
LAST THREE YEARS MEN.
" Voted, That the soldiers who may engage in the 3 Years Service shall have liberty to take their security of individuals whom they shall choose, and that the Precinct will indemnify such persons in giving their securi- ties in behalf of the Precinct.
" Voted, the sum of £1080 in hard money, to be assessed upon the polls and estates within said Precinct, for the purpose of hiring 12 sol- diers into the 3 Years Service, at the rate of £90 to each.
" Voted, I. to give said men the said sum of £90 each in hard money, or 20 young cattle, three years old, middling for bigness, to be delivered May 1, 1784.
2. Mutually agreed, if the war be at an end, the soldier draws only his proportion of the £90, according to his time of service. If he deserts the army, he forfeits the whole.
" Names of the soldiers, together with the names of the persons chosen to give security.
Joseph Bartlett, age 21 : to have £30 down, the rest in cattle. Spon sor, Eli Howe.
George Townsend, age 35 : £30 down, the rest at expiration of term. Sponsor, Maj. Peter Harwood.
Joseph Kimball, age 21 : £5 down, the rest in cattle. Sponsor, Oliver Grosvenor.
Silas Whitney, age 23: £10 down, the rest in cattle. Sponsor, Theoph. Potter.
Ezekiel Hardy, age 19: £6 down, the rest in money. Sponsor,
Capt. John Lyscom.
Abijah Potter, age 21 : one-third money, the rest cattle. Sponsor, Charles Bruce.
Asa Gould, age 27 : £15 down, half the rest cattle. Sponsor, Capt. Samuel Hinckley.
Samuel Stevens, age 18: £9 down, the rest cattle. Sponsor, Capt. Daniel Gilbert.
Jesse Watson, age 21 : £6 down, the rest cattle. Sponsor, Lt. Joseph Bush.
Amos Leonard, age 26 : £6 down, the rest cattle. Sponsor, Lt. Wm. Ayres.
Scipio Witt, age 20: £12 down, the rest in money. Sponsor, Lt. Jonas Brigham.
John Rice, age 16: fro down, the rest in money. Sponsor, Lt. Thomas Bond.
"In addition voted, If the soldier is not furnished clothing by the State, he shall be clothed by the Precinct."
The Three Years men furnished by the First Precinct, 11 in No. were as follows : Thomas Dodge, age 27, John Eveleth, 21, Amos Gilbert,
244
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
17, Jonas Gilbert, 19, Elisha Gill, 21, Eliphalet Hamilton, 18, Salma Keyes, 19, Samuel Pike, 44, John Smith, 27, Samuel White, 19, Jona. Willis, 49.
The Third Precinct furnished 10 Three Years men as follows : Jesse Banister, age 27, Thomas Banister, 21, Moses Bragg, 16, John Bowen, 17, Joseph Hamilton, 20, Levi Rice, 21, Simon Rice, 18, Jabez Upham, 32, Jacob Deland, 18, Josiah Cutler, 19.
1781. - A valuation of Brookfield, taken this year, showed :
Number of polls
615
66
of Dwelling houses
364
66
of Barns
·
318
of stores
95
66
of Mills, Tanneries, etc.
14
66
of horses
468
66
of oxen
524
66 of cows
.
I294
of sheep
3306
66 of swine
330
66 of oz. of gold,.coined or uncoined
45
of oz. of silver,
675
Money on hand or on interest .
. £,2412
Goods, wares and merchandize .
£1000 .
Jan. 8. On requisition, the selectmen procured for the use of the army, 12 horses, and were allowed £11824. 18 old currency, equal to £295. 12. 5 new currency.
Col. Rufus Putnam was in command of the 5th Mass. Regt., Jona. Stone, pay-master. Officers of the 3d company : Capt. Nathan Good- ale, Lieut. Zibeon Hooker, Ens. Benj. Gilbert.
Capt. Seth Banister commanded a Co. in the 4th Mass. Regt, Col. Wm Shepard, stationed at West Point.
The privates in the above companies were largely of the last Three Years men.
Feb. 5. Brookfield sent to the army, 33 blankets, 67 shirts, 67 prs. shoes, 67 prs. hose ; cost 1041 1 pounds.
At a meeting of the Second Precinct July 19, " a bounty of £9 was offered to each man that shall engage to serve in R.I. for 5 mos., and f3 per mo. to those who shall serve at the Westward for 3 mos. ; and £90 hard money was granted, to be assessed upon the polls and estates within this Precinct, for the purpose of hiring the soldiers now to be procured."
Oct. 31. Brookfield filled a requisition for 31 blankets, 62 shirts, 62 prs. of shoes and 62 prs. of hose, and 15,450 lbs of beef.
.
of barrels of Cyder made
I293
245
SHAYS' REBELLION.
The surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, Oct. 19, virtually closed the war ; though enlistments continued on a small scale.
1782 .- Feb. 22. Brookfield supplied to the army, 31 blankets, 62 shirts, 62 prs. shoes, 62 prs. hose.
Mar. 6. The Second Precinct voted, "That the Militia officers, and the committee be authorized to raise soldiers for the service, when called for by authority, and the Precinct will support said committee in their trust."
1783. - The treaty of peace was signed Sept. 30 ; and the army was disbanded Nov. 3.
1784. - The first celebration of Independence in Brookfield was held July 4, 1784. The following account of the affair was given by Eben! F. Newell, then 9 years old, who was present : "The celebration was held on West Brookfield plain. An Ox, neatly dressed, and perfectly roasted, with hoofs and horns on, was sliced, and the pieces laid on tables, with piles of bread, and plenty of rum and water. The people passed in order between the tables, each taking bread and beef in their hands, and helping themselves to the rum and water. Scipio Witt, a colored man, who had served in the army, bored holes in 13 large chestnut logs, loaded and primed them, and so fixed the slow matches that a regular salute of 13 reports was heard by the people on the plain, who were taken completely by surprise. We children were greatly pleased to hear the noise, and see the fragments of broken logs fly up in wild confu- sion."
SHAYS' REBELLION. - This outbreak of popular feeling, which grew out of the oppressive taxes, the heavy individual and town debts, and other burdens and enactments incident to the War, has a peculiar interest to Brookfield, because Daniel Shays, who played an important part in it, was for a time a resident, and in 1772 married Abigail Gilbert of B. Our records furnish little information of value. It is known that the cause had many sympathizers and some active supporters in the town. It is well understood that Capt. Francis Stone really furnished the brains of the movement ; and however sharply he was condemned by the patriots of his day, the cooler judgment of the next generation seems to have given him credit for acting conscientiously. It is certain that he never repented his course. His brother Jonathan was active in putting down the insurrection.
At a town meeting in Brookfield Dec. 26, 1786, a Report was adopted and forwarded to the governor, praying for an Act of Indemnity in favor of the Insurgents. Jan. 20, '87, a Protest, signed by 96 of the inhab- itants, was sent to the State House.
Capt. John Potter's Brookfield Co. was called out on two several occasions, to suppress the tumult.
246
BROOKFIELD RECORDS, 1718-1786.
A Co. of Infantry from the South Parish was called for, and attached to Col. Crafts' Regt. of Cavalry ; and a large Co. of Volunteers, from the town at large, under the command of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin, as captain, Col. Seth Banister and Maj. Nathan Goodale, as lieutenants, was with Gen. Lincoln's force, Jan. and Feb. 1787.
..
F
NORTH BROOKFIELD VILLAGE, LOOKING NORTHERLY FROM FOSTER'S HILL.
CHAPTER VI.
THE SECOND PRECINCT-NORTH BROOKFIELD. 1748-1886.
MOVEMENT FOR A NEW PRECINCT. - NAMES OF MOVERS. - ACT OF INCORPORATION. - MEETING-HOUSES. - MINISTERS. - SCHOOLS. - THE TOWN INCORPORATED. - Ec- CLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. - EDUCATION. - INDUSTRIES. - PROFESSIONAL MEN. - WAR OF THE REBELLION. - SAVINGS BANK. - RAILROAD. - STATISTICS. - MEMO- RIALS OF REV. DR. SNELL, HON. CHARLES ADAMS, JR., HON. FREEMAN WALKER, ETC.
A S stated in the preceding chapter, the first movement for the for- mation of a Second Precinct in Brookfield was made in the spring of 1748. It was originally an alternative proposition, · either that the town should build a new meeting-house in the territorial centre, or that the northeasterly inhabitants should be set off into a sep- arate parish. Both propositions were negatived at a town meeting, Mar. 14, 1748.
Oct. 17, 1748. A petition, signed by John Watson, Wm Ayres, Josiah Converse, Ebenr Witt, John Woolcott, Paul Deland, Noah Barns, Benj. Adams, Joseph Stone and others, in all 66 tax payers, was presented to the town, asking that a new meeting-house may be built "in the most convenient place on or near the road between Mr. John Green's and the bridge at the west end of Slate hill plain, or on the highland near the road nearly opposite to where the new road and Slate hill part." At a meeting held Oct. 24, " the Question being put, whether the town would build a meeting-house anywhere on Green's Plain (so called), or on the high land between the pole bridge and Coy's brook -And it passed in the Negative."
Nov. 8, 1748. A petition signed by Ebenr Witt and 34 of the former petitioners, asking that " the North East section, comprising one-third of the township, might be erected into a separate Precinct," was presented to the town. And at a meeting held Nov. 28, the town voted, "That the petitioners and such others of the Inhabitants of the Northeasterly Part of the Town who shall signify their Desire under their hands to the clerk of said Town therefor, within three months from this day, pro- vided their possessions do not exceed a Third Part of the said Town for
1
248
SECOND PRECINCT-NORTH BROOKFIELD.
quality & quantity of land, be set off a distinct & separate Parish." Immediately, 29 other tax payers handed in their names to the town clerk, making 63 in all.
Dec. 5, 1748, this paper was handed to Thomas Gilbert, Esq. Town Clerk of Brookfield : "These are to inform you, that we the subscribers within mentioned, have agreed to go off as a distinct Precinct, and have agreed to build a Meeting-House upon the road Northeast from Mr. Jabez Ayres', between the brook and Mr. Daniel Potter's, and we desire you to enter our names upon the Town Book, according to the vote of the Town :
1
Ebenr Witt
Ephm Cutler
Abner Tyler Benj. Batcheller
Noah Barns
Samuel Gould
Benj. Gilbert
Samuel Pickard
Ammiel Weeks
Thomas Bartlett
John Patterson
Joseph Bartlett
John Watson
William Hair
Benj. Adams
Corlis Hinds
Abram How David Barns
John Hamilton
Charles Adams
Jona. Gilbert
Ichabod How Jabez Ayres
Wm Ayres, Jr.
Joshua Dodge, Jr.
Moses Barns
Peter Lampson
Aaron Barns
Josiah Hincher Seth Hinds
Thomas Taylor Isaac Cutter
Joseph Stone
Moses Ayres
Joseph Bartlett, Jr.
William Witt
Benj. Kimball
John Watson, Jr.
Samuel Gould, Jr.
John Witt Arthur Tucker
Andrew Kimball
Wm Ayres Uriah Gilbert
Wm Wright
Ephm Cutler, Jr.
Amos Smith
Jason Biglow Daniel Newhall
Joseph Witt Thomas Tucker
Daniel Potter
William Watson
Nathan Stevens
Edward Wright Noah Bartlett
John Patterson, Jr. Jacob Caldwell
John Hinds
Thomas Ball
Thomas Hale
Samuel Ware
Isaac Gibbs
249
PETITION FOR DISTINCT PRECINCT.
During the winter, timber was collected and prepared for a meeting- house frame ; and in April a petition was sent to the General Court, reciting the facts above stated, and asking for an act of Incorporation as a distinct Precinct with Parish privileges. Apr. 18, 1749, the Legislature ordered the petitioners to serve the usual order of notice upon the town ; and May 17, the town appointed Josiah Converse, Esq., Joseph Dwight, Esq., Capt. Thomas Buckminster, Capt. Wm Old and Thomas Gilbert, Esq. a committee " to make answer in behalf of the town." This com- mittee opposed the project, and it was defeated.
The next winter another petition was sent to the General Court, reciting :
That your Petitioners under our unhappy and remote situation from the place of Publick Worship in said town, Having often petitioned the town for relief, either by building a Meeting-house at or near the Centre of the town as it now lies, or to set us off as a Distinct Parish, as per our former Petitions may appear: but being often denyed our request, which we tho't most reasonable : The Town at last made a grant to the Inhabitants of the said part of the town, that they with such as would joyn with them - they entering their names or sending them to the Town Clerk in writing within the space of three months from the date of the grant, should be set off as a Distinct Parish - Provided they and their possessions did not exceed one-third part of said town for quantity and quality, as per the vote or grant of the town may appear : Upon which vote or grant, we agreed to build a handsome frame for the Publick Worship of God; and in April last we preferred a Petition to this Hond Court, so agreeable (as we tho't) to the Town's vote that none would oppose it; But to our surprise we found such opposition from the Town and some of our Petitioners as caused us to desist the Proceeding : And being willing to do any thing reasonable to satisfie our disafented breth- ren, we covenanted and agreed for their satisfaction to be at the cost of a Committee of uninterested worthy Gentlemen,' mutually chosen, who have been upon the spot and heard the pleas, and viewed the proposed Parish, and have returned their judgment that the house stands just and reasonable to accommodate them as well as ourselves, as per their return and the covenants we entered into may appear -
Therefore your Petitioners pray that this Hond Court will incorporate us who have returned our names to the Town Clerk, agreeable to the vote of the Town, into a Distinct Parish, and invest us with Parish privileges : Granting also a liberty of others joyning with us (not to exceed one-third part of the Town as above said) for the space of two years or eighteen months, or as this Hond Court shall think meet: And your Petitioners further pray that one-third part of the Lands in said Town Sequestered to Ministry & Schools use, or the Incomes thereof may be set over and secured to us : And also that the Town of Brookfield abate or reimburse to your petitioners and such as joyn with them their proportion of a tax lately
I This committee were Col. Ebenezer Larned of Oxford, Maj. Daniel Heywood of Worcester, and Dea. Thomas Wheeler of Hardwick.
250
SECOND PRECINCT-NORTH BROOKFIELD.
assessed on our polls and estates for the settlement and ordination charges of the Rev. Mr. Elisha Harding, and the repairs of the old Meeting-house, amounting in the whole to about twelve hundred pounds old tenor currency more or less - And yr Petitrs as in duty bound shall ever pray. Signed by
Thomas Hale, William Ayres, Ebenezer Witt, and 54 of the former petitioners.
IN THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES, MAR. 28, 1750.
Read, and Ordered, that the prayer of the Petition be so far granted, as that the Petitioners with their families and estates, together with such persons and their estates who shall within three months from this time signifie that desire therefor under their hands to the Clerk of the Town of Brookfield, be and they hereby are set off a Distinct Parish, and are endowed with all the Privileges, and subjected to all the Duties which the other Inhabitants of Parishes are by the Laws of this Province endowed with or subjected to - Provided their possessions do not exceed one-third part of the said Town of Brookfield for quantity and quality.
THOS HUBBARD, Spk pro tempore.
In Council March 29. 1750 Read and Concurred
SAMI HOLBROOK, Dep. Sec'y.
Consented to S. PHIPPS.
These signifie our Desire to enter our Interest of Lands in the North- easterly quarter of the original Township of Brookfield as belonging to the Second Parish in sd town, agreeable to the order of the General Court -
BOSTON, June 12, 1750. JEREMIAH ALLEN JOSHUA WINSLOW
THOMAS GREEN THOMAS CUSHING
JOHN BARNS WILLIAM AYRES, attorney to the heirs of Matthew Leeds, decd
These are to Desire you to enter the Lands that were my father Benjamin Woods decd lying in the Northeasterly part of Brookfield as belonging to the Second Parish in sd town agreeable to the order of the General Court.
JUNE 28, 1750
BENJAMIN WOODS.
By a subsequent Act, passed Nov. 8, 1754, the bounds of the Second Precinct were established as follows: "All the lands in sd town lying northward of a line beginning at the northeast corner of George Har- rington's land upon Spencer line, and running westward by the said George's lands to Five-Mile river bridge at the Country road ; from thence westerly on the most southwardly parts or lines of the lands of Thomas Slayton, Capt. Nathaniel Woolcott, Thomas Moore, Eben' Jennings, Obadiah Rice, Wm Parks, Josiah Converse, Francis Dodge,
25I
SECOND PARISH ORGANIZED.
Paul Deland, the heirs of John Green decd, Stephen Green and Joseph Ranger ; and from said Ranger's southwest corner to the southwest corner of William Ayres' meadow on Coy's brook (so called) near the place where the old School House stood ; and from there northward on the most eastward parts or lines of the lands of John Tuff and Josiah Gilbert, and on the most westward parts or lines of the land of Jeremiah Woodbury and John Hill to Abner Tyler's land ; and from thence on the most eastward parts or lines of the lands of Jacob Abbott and Joshua Dodge and Joshua Dodge, Jr. to the centre line of said town ; and from thence all the lands eastward of that part of said centre line which is northward of the place where the above described line meets with the said centre line to New Braintree District.
Second Parish Organized. In accordance with a warrant issued by John Chandler, Jr., Esq., " At a meeting held at the house of Mr. Jabez Ayres, Monday, May 21, 1750, Chose Capt. Wm Ayres, moderator ; Capt. Wm Ayres, Precinct clerk ; Capt. Wm Ayres, Capt. Eben' Witt, Samuel Gould, Noah Barns and Benj. Adams, Precinct committee, to order the prudential affairs thereof, warn meetings, etc. ; Thomas Bart- lett, Precinct treasurer ; Joseph Stone, collector ; Wm Ayres, Samuel Gould, Wm Witt, Jason Bigelow and Moses Ayres, assessors. At a meeting held Sept. 21, 1750, it was voted, That Capt. Wm Ayres repre- sent the Precinct upon any exigencies whatever, either seen or unseen. "
Meeting-House. As before stated, a frame of a meeting-house was raised April 5, 1749. At a parish meeting Sept. 21, 1750, Capt. Eben Witt, Samuel Gould and Benj. Gilbert were appointed a committee "to secure a title of Capt. Wm Ayres of the land whereon the meeting-house stands, with conveniency about the same, in the name and for the use of the Precinct." It was found that in all, the sum of £60. 12. 10 had been expended for " services done towards the meeting-house frame and other charges," which was allowed and paid.
The process of "finishing the meeting-house," was a slow one. In addition to 40 pounds granted at the first parish meeting, 53 pounds 6 shill. 8 d. was granted in 1751 ; in 1754, a committee was ordered "to procure materials for clapboarding the backside of the house, laying the gallery floors, building the gallery stairs and the front seats around the galleries - and render an account ; " in 1756, 30 pounds was raised for finishing the meeting-house, and the committee was directed " to color the clapboards of the same, and procure boards, lath, lime, slit work and all materials for finishing the same, except the seats in the gallery." In 1757, 25 pounds more was raised ; and in 1764, the parish voted, "to take the shingles off the roof of the meeting-house, and to repair the same."
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