USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Pelham > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Prescott > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 16
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
Wright, Ebenezer
I 2I
Hathaway, Jonathan
9 23
Wright, Gaius
2 19
Hyde, James
3 74
WEST PARISH.
Abercrombie, Isaac
IO 72
Harkness, Joel
4 62
Abercrombie, James
7 14
Houstin, Robert
6 72
Abercrombie, William
2 99
Heyden, Thomas
3 13
Andross, Stephen
4 56
Housten, David
3 29
Abby, Sabin
6 62 Hamilton, Joseph
14
Arnold, Samuel
IO 86
Hamilton, Oliver
4 45
Do Cook Farm
I OO
Harlow, Thomas
: 36
Arnold, Ephraim
I 52 Hamilton, Isaac
I 52
Andross, Asa
32
Inman, William
3 29
Braley, Solomon
4 32
Johnston. Adam
7 50
Baldwin, William
62
Joslin, Joseph
6 67
Bryant, Ichabod
5 28 Janes, Stephen
4 37
1
Stockwell, Peter
4 12
Gray, Jeremiah
52
178
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
Boyington, Silas
5 44
Johnston, Silas
5 57
Brown, Ezra
4 20
Kelley, Wing
8 89
Brown, William
4 70
do Allen Farm
I 80
Butterworth, John
2 42
King, Robert
3 82
Bayington, Ebenezer
62
King, Peter
37
Bayington, Asa
25
Kingman, Henry
II 49
Ballew, Stephen
I 22
do Ormston farm
80
Cook, Silas
I 90
Cook, Eseck
II 17
Lincoln, Isaac
7 44
Cook, James
2
: 53
Cook. Adams
3 04
McColluck, Henry
I 52
Clark, Samuel
4 07
Miller, Moses
3 90
Conkey, Isaac
5 22
Macomber, George
5 02
Conkey, David 2ª
3 40
May, Isaac
I 92
Conkey, Elisha
7 24
Newel, David Jr.
4 37
Cowen, James
7 09
Newel, Levi
3 17
Cowen, George Heirs
5 46
Otis, Isaac Jun.
2 32
Conkey, David
4 86
Oliver, William
3 47
Conkey, David Jun.
3 34
Packard, Daniel
5 07
Conkey, John
4 85
Packard, Elijah
4 72
Conkey, Isreal
4 48
Packard, Thomas
2 75
Conkey, John Jun.
3 19
Packard, Jonathan
6 64
Conkey, Warren
I 52
Packard, Job
6 12
Capron, Otis
I 52
Packard, Eliab
6 17
Crawford, John & Levi
9 50
Peso, Samuel
4 34
Curtis, Oliver
54
Packard, Jacob Jun
4 32
Conkey, Alexander
I 60
Peck, F Jesse
4 85
Carpenter, Daniel
2 12
Potter, Olney Doct
9 12
Cowen, Willard
I 52
Randall, Gideon
I 52
Conkey, Rheuben
I 52
Randall, Ephriam
3 42
Cowen, Josiah
1 52
Rankin, John
8 97
Dwelley, Aaron
2 62
Rankin, John Jun
5 97
Dunlap, William
5 70
Rankin, James
6 32
Dunlap, James
5 70
Reniff, Abisha
7 84
Dunlap, John
4 57
Rider, Isaac
3 91
Danforth, Elijah
7 52
Reniff, Morey
I 52
Davidson, Phineas
6 24
Smith, Oliver
6 66
Dodge, Nathaniel
5 84
Swan, Duty & Robert
3 60
Draper, Lewis
8 89
Sterns, Jasper
: 92
Dunbar, Josiah
I 52
Shaw, Asa
2 77
Dodge, Daniel
2 52
Smith, William
IO 22
Eaton, Marson
7 33
Tower, Isaac Jun
3 77
Do Southerbies Farm
I IO
80
Eaton, Walter
7 52
Turner, Elis
I 52
Edson, Seth
6 87
Taft. Jared
4 92
Failes, Sewel
3 55
Tower, Isaac
I 52
Gilson, Riley
2 90
Thurston, Paul
4 07
Gilson, Nathan
II 21
Thurston, Elisebeth
I 5I
Gilson, Nathan Jun.
2 42
Thomson, James
3 00
Gaskin, William
6 47
Thomson, James Jun
4 27
Griffin, David
52
Thomson, John Heirs
2 60
Griffin, Jonathan
2 37
Thomson, Daniel
4 02
Grout, Joel
8 41
Thomson, Thomas
3 37
Gray, Ebenezer & John
15 58
Terel, Noah
3 27
Gray, John
5 82
Taylor, John
5 24
Goold, Haffield
5 17
Wheeler, Joseph
2 40
Greenwood, Daniel
5 00
Do Baldwin farm
60
Do Washbun farm
2 00
Crozier, Artimus
3 91
Leach, Marvelous
6 17
Leach, Jonathan
5 20
Do Preserved Farm
: 30 2
Miller, Samuel
52
Do Shaw Farm
179
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
Gray, Elliot
5 72
Wood, Jonathan
7 32
Hannum, Plinne
4 34
Wood, Daniel
2 52
Harkness, John
8 12
Waiscoat, Rheuben
2 57
Harkness, David
5 02
Do Southwards farm I 40
Hyde, Samuel
2 80
Ward John
3 52
Hyde, Andrew
3 52
Wilson William
3 02
Hannum, David
2 87
Wilson, William Jun
3 II
Hood, Jonathan
11 09
Wedge, Nahum
5 75
Hall, Lemuel
4 92
Wells, Augustin
2 27
Howard, Joseph
7 23
Williams, Henry
, 82 2
Harkness, Daniel
5 57
The footings of these taxes will not equal the amounts called for in the warrant because of the non-resident taxes which are not given in the above list, but it shows the amount of every man's tax that was assessed that year.
The rate as stated in the tax bills as delivered to the collectors, was two cents on the dollar for the state tax, and four cents for the school tax and the same for town and county tax. Putting it another way, it was $20 on the $1000 for state tax, and $40 per $1000 for school and town and county. A very high rate but the valuation was low.
Fortunately we have the money value or cost of one farm that was taxed in 1809,-that of Samuel Arnold. Mr. Arnold paid $3000 for the farm in the year 1800 and probably that was a fair price for it in 1809 if worth $3000 in 1800. Eseck Cook purchased his farm in 1806 paying $3000 for it.
The price for taxation by the valuation in 1809 was exceedingly low, as appears when we separate the items that make up Arnold's total tax of $11.86. State tax, one poll, 30 cts., real estate $1.64, personal 22 cts., total tax $2.16. This sum less the poll tax is $1.86. As the tax rate is two cents on the dollar, the total of real and personal estate for purposes of taxation was only $93. But there were two rates, one of two cents on the dollar, and one of four cents on the dollar, and three separate taxes were assessed.
The school tax, four cents on the above total valuation of $93, and a poll tax of 61 cents, amounts to $4.35
The town and county tax is the same as the school tax 4.35
State tax as above 2.16
Cook farm, three separate taxes, 20, 40, 40= 1.00 $11.86
An examination of the list of taxes given for the West parish shows that the seven heaviest town tax-payers were Ebenezer and John Gray, $15.58 ; William Smith, $14.79 ; Henry Kingman, $14.29;
180
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
Samuel Arnold, $11.86 ; Nathan Gilson, $11.21 ; Eseck Cook, $11.17 ; Jonathan Hood, $11.09. In the East parish, comprising that part of Pelham which is now Prescott, the seven largest tax-payers were Dr. Nehemiah Hinds, $24.02; William Miller, $14.27 ; John Maklam, $13.94 ; Wilkins Hunter, $12.08 ; Jonathan Miller, $11.17 ; Felton & Conkey, $10.86; Alexander Berry, $10.67. Besides the three taxes above named, there was the parish tax for the support of the Gospel.
MEETING, MAY 7, 1810.
Was for choice of a representative to the General Court for the session opening on the last Wednesday of May instant. James Abercrombie received 69 votes ; Isaac Abercrombie received 67 votes. The defeated candidate had served for several terms but failed of a re-election. His brother, James Abercrombie, being elected by a majority of two.
Both were sons of Rev. Robert Abercrombie, the first settled min- ister in the town. It was a contest that quite likely brought out a full voting strength of the town.
MEETING, DEC. 3, 1810.
The Sixth Massachusetts turnpike corporation was chartered and incorporated in 1799. The company had built a turnpike through the town and had collected tolls from the people, but had maintained the road at their own cost ; for some reason, probably because the travel on the turnpike was not sufficient to make any money for the Company, they proposed to discontinue the part that ran through Pelham. This action was not pleasing to the people of the town and the warrant for the Dec. 3d meeting had the following article :
" To see what method the town will Take in Answer to Order of Notice from the Sixth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation for Discontinueing said road through said town and pass any vote respecting the same they shall think proper."
Action of town on above article, first Major John Conkey was chosen moderator and then it was "Voted Unanimously to Remon- strate against the Discontinuance of that part of the Sixth Massa- chusetts Turnpike road through the town of Pelham. Voted to Choose a Committee of five to Draught a Remonstrance to send to the Gen- eral Court, the selectmen to be the above Committee viz Major John
181
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
Conkey, Isaac Abercrombie, Andrew Hyde, Roland Sears and Jonathan Richardson .- Voted that Mr. James Abercrombie use his influence to oppose the Discontinuance of said road through Pelham."
.
MEETING, May 6, 1811.
This meeting was called to act upon to the proposition to lay out a County road from Amherst through the south part Pelham to Green- wich south line. It was a revival of the project started in 1809, the town opposing it at that time.
The article reads as follows :
" To see whether the Town will Chuse Agents to oppose a County Road being laid from Amherst to Greenwich through the south part of Pelham as the order of notice of John Williams and others shall show."
The opposition was of no avail, and the county road from Amherst to South Greenwich, now Enfield, was built in 1812.
MEETING, MAY 27, 1812.
" Voted, that the town of Pelham as a Town Petition the Execu- tive that both the Militia Companys be reinstated to their former Regiments. Chose Isaac Abercrombie Esq, Capt Henry Kingman and Asa Shaw a committee to draft a petition and forward the same.
JOHN CONKEY, Moderator."
By the action of the town at the special meeting it appears that the town had two militia companies, and that for some unstated rea- son they had been deposed from a connection with certain regiments of militia and the action was to secure their reinstatement.
MEETING, OCT. 6, 1812.
This meeting was called to act upon the petition of Andrew Hyde and five or six other citizens of the town who lived near the west line of the town, near Amherst, who had grown tired of climbing up the hills to the first parish meeting house to attend the preaching of the Gospel on Sunday. They had petitioned before and been turned away, and more determined than ever petitioned the General Court.
The article covering the business in hand is here given :
"Article 2 For the Town to take into consideration the Petition of Andrew Hyde and others to the General Court to be set off with their Estates to the East Parish in Amherst and the Order of Notice thereon and vote and act as you shall think fit when met."
182
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
"Voted that the Selectmen of the town of Pelham be a Committee to Answer the General Court on the order of Notice sent to said Town.
Voted Not to set off Andrew Hyde and others to the town of Amherst as expressed in their petition.
JOHN RANKIN, Moderator."
MEETING, JULY 13, 1812.
The people of the town had began to fear that there would be a draft of men for the war with Great Britain which was now imminent, and the warrant expresses the desire of the people for action in advance of a draft.
" Article 3 To see what Money or Any the town will grant to the Men that are Drafted to go into the service in Case they should be called out, in addition to what is Established by law."
Acting on the above article it was " Voted to Allow Each soldier two Dollars bounty each, provided they are called into actual ser- vice; and make them up ten Dollars per month while they are in the service.
Isaac Abercrombie Esq' was chosen an Agent from the town to meet at Northampton at a County Convention the 14th of July Current. ISAAC ABERCROMBIE, Moderator."
MEETING, Nov. 7, 1814.
The main business for which this meeting was called being to raise the wages of detached soldiers. The article in the warrant was :
" To see if the town will raise the wages of the detached soldiers to twenty dollars per month."
The vote on the above article was "To raise the detached sol- diers wages. Voted to give the detached soldiers five dollars per Month while in service including the want of Provisions in going to the place of destination."
MEETING, MAY 1, 1815.
Was called to act upon several important matters of interest, among them, the disposal of the common lands north of the grave- yard at the West parish :
" Article 4 To see if the town will vote for the Second Parish in Pelham to be Incorporated into a town with the South part of New Salem."
183
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
They voted not to sell the common lands, but ignored the 4th arti -- cle entirely or failed to record the action on that article.
The East parish people having been desirous of being incorporated into a town probably had this article placed in the warrant in order to test the sentiment of the people in the West parish, but were not. gratified. They did not give it up however, for in the warrant for a
MEETING, MAY 17, 1815
the matter was brought before the town again under substantially the same article.
The meeting was called to order and Jesse F. Peck chosen moder- ator. The meeting was then adjourned for half an hour probably for informal consultation. Then met and voted to pass the article which had reference to the East parish being incorporated as a separate town, and chose a committee to remonstrate against it before the General Court where the East parish people proposed to go with their case. William Miller, Henry Kingman and Isaac Abercrombie were chosen a committee to oppose the East parish in the General Court.
From 1816 to 1824.
New Pelham .- Order of Notice From the General Court to Show Why the Prayer of the Second Parish Should Not be Granted, 1819, -The Town Votes Against Revising the Constitution, 1820 .- The Last Act of Opposition to Setting Off the Second Parish .- The Town Rejects All of the Eleven Amendments to the Consti- tution, 1821 .- The East Parish Succeeds in Getting Set Off From the Old Town, 1822 .- Large Number Supported By the Town in 1822 .- Sale of Common Lands and Proceeds Go For Repairs on the Meeting House, 1823.
MEETING, SEPT. 15, 1817.
Following the above meeting is the record of the perambulation of the town lines; beginning at a hemlock tree at the southwest corner of New Salem, going east to the east line of the town of Pelham,
.
184
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
thence south between Pelham and Greenwich formerly Quabbin, until the southeast corner of Pelham was reached. We quote from the language of the record now : " Thence west to A stake at the N. E. corner of New Pelham, a white oak by the brook, S. W. of Abram Packards, from thence to a stone set up formerly for the S. E. corner of New Pelham which is now the corner of Enfield, Belchertown and Pelham-from thence to an oak the corner of Randalls land and Marked it P. B. a chestnut tree in the woods, another in corner of the wall, next a stake on the road S of Elijah Randalls, next a pitch pine Stake Southwest corner of New Pelham; a white oak stake the N W corner of New Pelham ; thence west to a white oak tree on the road N of R Browns .- a stake on the road North of Pettengalls, a chestnut tree in the road, a chestnut tree on the top of the hill, a white oak on the line of the Hyde farm,-closed the line between Belchertown and Pelham at a stake standing W of the road and northerly from John Thayers and marked it P. B. & P. A."
They are now at the Southwest corner of the town of Pelham and we will not follow them further. Have copied that part of their record which speaks of New Pelham. This is the tract of land, being a part of Belchertown that was allowed to become a part of Pelham on petition of the inhabitants living thereon in the year 1786, and which juts out south from the south line of the town, which was a straight east and west line up to that time.
Henry Kingman was the surveyor in charge of the peramble and Levi Crawford was his assistant. The date of this record is Nov. 14, 1817.
The people living in the East parish had not outgrown their ambi- tion to set up for themselves as a separate town. In another warrant from the one calling upon the people to elect a representative to the General Court was the following article calling for action this same 3d of May 1819.
" 2ª To see what the Town will do on the the order of notice from the General Court to show Cause, if any they have why the prayer of the peti- tion of the inhabitants of the East parish to be set off with the south part of New Salem as a separate Town shall not be granted and act and do any- thing touching the same, as the Town may think proper."
" Voted Not to set off the East Parish as a Seperate town.
Voted Capt Henry Kingman, Jesse F. Peck and John Rankin jr a ›Committee to instruct the Representative respecting the East Parish
185
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
getting off as a Seperate town .- said Committee to draw up a remon- strance against the East Parish getting off as a seperate town.
ISAAC ABERCROMBIE, Moderator. ABIA SOUTHWORTH, Town Clerk."
MEETING, JUNE 7, 1819.
The irritation rendering this town meeting necessary arose from the action of the Sixth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation as expressed in the one business article of the warrant:
" To see if the town will take Measures to Oppose the petition of the Sixth Massachusetts Turnpike which is gone forward to the legislature for throwing back upon the Town of Pelham said Turnpike road through said Town, and to act or do anything respecting the same that said Town shall think proper."
"Voted that the Selectmen of Pelham write to our Representative at the General Court to oppose an order of notice which we expect from the General Court through the instigation of the proprietors of the Sixth Turnpike Corporation."
The Turnpike Company had aroused the displeasure of the people long before by continuing to exact toll, and now proposed to throw the road back upon the town, which was accomplished.
Some concessions had probably been made to the people in the way of exemption from toll when on certain necessary business trips, and one of these is said to have been exemption from toll when going and returning from the grist mill. One toll gate was some distance west of the old meeting house, and one day the keeper refused to allow a boy to pass with a load of grain without toll, and having no money the boy was turned back. The night following this outrage, the gate disappeared, and in the morning the toll gatherer found the following poetical notice posted near where the gate had been :
" The man who stopped the boy while going to mill,
Will find his gate at the bottom of the hill."
The notice proved to be truthful,-as the toll man found his gate. a mile or more down the hill toward Amherst.
MEETING, AUG. 21, 1820.
The warrant for this meeting was short :
" Is it expedient that Delegates should be chosen to meet in Convention for the purpose of revising or altering the Constitution of Government of this Commonwealth."
1
I86
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
The action of the town was decidedly against revision or change, the vote standing as follows : For revision 23, against it 52.
There was a sudden change of sentiment among the people on the subject of revision or change in the Constitution, for in the face of the pronounced opposition expressed in the vote given above, the voters were called together on the third Monday of October following to choose a delegate to a constitutional convention.
MEETING, OCT. 16, 1820.
The warrant called the voters together to elect one delegate to meet delegates from other towns in convention in Boston on the third day of November next, for the purpose of revising the constitu- tion of government of this Commonwealth.
Action of meeting: " Did then and there elect Rev. Winthrop Bailey to be their delegate for the purpose aforesaid."
ANNUAL MEETING, APRIL 2, 1821.
The last gasp of opposition to the East parish getting set off and incorporated as a town is shown in the two closing votes of this annual meeting :
" Voted to Instruct the Representative to oppose the East Parish getting off as a town.
Voted that the Selectmen remonstrate against their getting off as a town."
The population of Pelham by the census of 1820 was probably larger than at any other time in its history. And that portion of the town east of the west branch of Swift river being set off in 1822 the old town never increased in population sufficiently after that to come up to the numbers before the division.
According to the census of 1820 there was a population of 1278 in Pelham. Amherst has 1917, Ware but 1154, Northampton 2854, Hadley 1461.
REJECTION OF THE FOURTEEN AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION, MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1821.
Tinkering the constitution was not in favor with the voters of Pelham as shown by the reception the fourteen amendments received at their hands when called upon to vote upon them, every one of them being rejected.
187
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
There were no more town meetings in the town until March 1822. The East parish had succeed in getting set off, and with a slice off from the south end of New Salem had been incorporated as the town of Prescott, Jan. 28, 1822. Consequently the familiar forms and faces of the voters residing east of the west branch, who had been coming to the West parish meeting house all their lives to attend town meetings, were seen no more. The records up to this time since 1738 cover the whole town, but from this date forward are separate and distinct. The number of voters will be less, the appropriations less, the number of officers less, and possibly the num- ber of the poor fewer.
MEETING, APRIL 1, 1822.
" Voted Lemuel Hall, Henry Kingman Esq and John Harkness a Committee to settle the demands against Pelham and Prescott.
Voted To Give the Town of Prescott the offer of supporting what that has gained a settlement within their Limmits, if not the town of Pelham will Support all the Poor and the town of Prescott pay their proportion for their support."
MEETING ADJOURNED TO MAY 1, 1822.
At this adjourned meeting the business transacted was the dispo- sition of the poor of the town for the ensuing year. The system was an objectionable one, but at the time this record was opened upon the town books it was the system adopted and practiced by many towns. Within thirty years all of the burden of the poor had come upon the town,-the pressure was great and the system adopted was for the purpose of making the burden as light as possible and not from any inhumanity or animosity felt toward the unfortunate poor. That there was so many relying upon the town for support in 1822 is something remarkable, and it is not easy to understand how there should be such an increase when in 1790 there was practically no paupers in town. We give the full record of the disposition of the poor for the year 1822. It will serve to fully illustrate the system, so that not so much space will need be devoted to this phase of town management hereafter.
May 1, 1822, Then met according to adjournment. "Voted to set up the Poor of Said town by families.
Voted That the Persons that bids off the poor shall Victual, doc-
I88
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
tor, nurse and clothe them, and return them with as good Clothing as when Received.
Voted that the sale of paupers of the town shall be confined to the town (i. e. no man from out of town would be allowed to bid.)"
There were close upon twenty-five persons supported by the town in 1822.
At the time the East parish was organized in 1786 it became necessary to organize the West part as a parish and to conduct its affairs as a separate organization, but now that the West parish comprised substantially the whole town the subject of returning to the town system of management of church affairs came up for con- sideration, and a parish meeting was called.
PARISH MEETING, APRIL 8, 1822.
" Voted to transfer all the parish papers into the hands of the town officers and do no more business as a Parish.
Voted to Constitute the Parish Committee to settle all demands against said Parish and then transfer all papers to the town officers.
ISAAC ABERCROMBIE, EsQ., Moderator."
TOWN MEETING, MAY 1, 1822.
" Voted to raise $300 for Rev. Winthrop Baileys Salary for the year Ensuing and Voted to raise $25 for Contingencies."
Under this action the parish was abolished and the affairs of raising money for support of the Gospel and contingent expenses restored to the control of the town as of old.
MEETING, JUNE 17, 1822.
The article under which this meeting was called was as follows :
" To see if the town will Condescend to let the Rev Mr Bailey preach in any other town or Towns such part of the time for the year ensuing as shall be agreed upon when Convened."
Recorded action upon above article : "Voted that Rev W Bailey Preach in the town of Prescott or some other town one fourth part of the time for one year from this date.
ISAAC ABERCROMBIE, Moderator."
MEETING, MARCH 3, 1823.
" Voted to Choose a Committee to settle with the town of Prescott concerning the Paupers and divide said Paupers with said Prescott, and our Selectmen be the Committee.
189
TOWN MEETING RECORDS.
Voted To adjourn this meeting till the first Monday of April at two oclock P M. Then met and voted to take off two hours of the adjournment and went on to do the business at 12 oclock at noon.
Voted to Give Martin Kingman leave to occupy eight rods of the town lands for a house.
Voted to choose three of a Committee to consult with the Town of Prescott concerning our Ecclesiastical affairs-and Isaac Abercrom- bie Esq, Dr Abia Southworth and Henry Kingman Esq be said Committee. Adjourned to May 5 .- Met according to adjournment and Voted that the town keep a stock of Powder and Ball on hand, and the Soldiers may not Furnish themselves with powder and ball at our trainings in said town."
MEETING, MAY 28, 1823.
The town was called together to act upon the following article :
" To see if the town will assume the debt of arearages due from the Com- mittee of the proprieters of the Meeting house for repairing the same on Conditions the town will vote to sell the Town and Common lands in said Town for that purpose, and also on conditions and in Consideration of the proprietors of the Meeting house yealding up and giving said town the right. and privilege of holding Town Meetings in the same so long as said Pro- prietors shall Continue the same for a Meeting house."
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