USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town > Part 4
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"The 2d of the 4th mo. [June], 1645, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that Walter Palmer, William Smith, Mr. Newman, Alexander Winchester,
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
William Cheesborough, and Richard Wright, if they will, shall lay down their lots of salt marsh, where it was cast by lot, and shall have their lots in the new meadow.
"Those whose names are above written have layed down their lots, and are appointed to have their lots in the new meadow; and whensoever the town shall dispose of those lots that they leave, whoever shall purchase them shall pay unto them 6d. an acre.
"It is agreed that those men that were chosen the 29th of the 2d mo. [April], 1645, to recompense those that have not sufficient salt marsh and fresh, shall view the new meadow by John [illegible] house, and if they see it meet, shall allow it to Richard Wright in lieu of so much salt marsh.
"It is agreed that Robert Martin shall have the lot in the wood- land plain that was laid out to Mr. Leonard, being the second lot."
"The 9th of the 4th mo. [June], 1645, at a meeting of the town upon public notice given, those seven men underwritten were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town for half a year, viz:
Mr. John Browne, sen. William Cheesborough,
Stephen Payne, Mr. Alexander Winchester,
Richard Wright, Edward Smith.
Walter Palmer,
"The same day lots were drawn for the great plain, beginning upon the west side; and he that is first upon the west side shall be last upon the east."
The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the following order, viz:
1. Stephen Payne, 20. John Cooke,
2. Widow Walker,
21. Mr. Browne,
3. Robert Martin, 22. William Cheesborough,
4. Edward Gilman, 23. Ralph Allin,
5. Ralph Shepherd,
24. James Browne,
25. The Governour,
26. William Smith,
27. John Sutton,
28. Job Laine,
29. Thom. Cooper,
30. Thomas Bliss,
31. John Peram,
32. Joseph Torrey,
33. John Holbrooke,
34. James Clarke,
35. Edward Sale,
36. George Kendricke,
37. Mr. Leonard,
38. Richard Bowen,
8. The Teacher,
9. Will. Carpenter,
10. Robert Titus,
11. Walter Palmer, 12. James Walker,
13. Alexander Winchester,
14. Samuel Butterworth,
15. William Sabin,
16. Thomas Hitt,
17. Edward Smith,
18. Edward Bennett,
19. Thomas Clifton,
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6. Richard Wright,
7. Abraham Martin,
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
39. Edward Patteson,
40. John Reade,
41. John Matthews,
42. Matthew Pratt,
43. Robert Sharpe, 53. John Allin,
44. Ephraim & Peter Hunt,
45. Zachary Roades,
46. John Meggs,
47. John Miller,
48. Thomas Holbrooke,
49. The Schoolmaster,
50. Mr. Peck,
51. Richard Ingram,
52. Isaac Martin,
54. Mr. Henry Smith.
55. Mr. Newman,
56. The Pastor,
57. Obadiah Holmes,
58. Robert Morris.
"The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1645, at a town meeting, it was agreed upon, that a rate of 10s. in every £100 estate should be levied upon every man, upon his land and goods."
"The 29th1 of the 10th month [December], 1645.
"Whereas there was a second agreement made with the Indians for their full consent in their removing from Wannamoiset, and the value of fifteen pounds sterling to be paid them, or thereabouts in several commodities: it was in several town meetings ex- pounded that if any one man would pay that particular purchase, they should have that land, with twelve acres lying at Wache- moquit cove, and so much more land at Wanamoyset as should be thought worth the payment of the same. Afterward Richard Bowen, Robert Martin, Stephen Payne, by the appointment of the rest of the townsmen, viewed and laid out that neck of land called and known by the name of Wannamoyset neck, from the salt water where the Indians had formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water. Whereupon, the 29th of the 10th month, 1645, Mr. John Brown, in a town meeting, did promise and undertake to pay the said purchase in consideration that the said lands to belong to him and his heirs and assigns forever. And it was further agreed upon in the said town meeting that in all divisions of lands that was, or hereafter should be made, that what proportion should fall to his share after the rate of £300 estate should be laid forth to him, adjoining to the aforesaid lands on the farther side of the town, or towards the salt marsh, or so as may be both least prejudicial to the town or to himself, saving that 44 acres upon the Wachemoquit neck already allotted him to be part of the same; and he doth farther agree to accept of ten acres of salt marsh where he mowed this year, formerly allotted to him in full of all meadow land belonging to the town; and doth further promise, that when the rest of the townsmen shall fence the rest of their lands already allotted on Wachemoquit neck, he to fence his part with them, and to bear his part in town charges after the aforesaid sum of £300 estate; and he doth further
1 Baylies says "20th," but incorrectly: the manuscript is plain and cannot be mistaken.
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
promise not to make any such fence so far into the salt water upon the westerly side of Wanamoyset neck as shall bar out hogs from coming, nor fence the south point of the said neck a quarter of a mile on the west side of the said neck."
"26th of the 10th month [December] 1645, at a meeting of the townsmen, it was voted that the house-lot and the rest of the ac- commodations that was laid out for John Sutton, forasmuch as he hath not come to live amongst us, nor fulfilled the order agreed upon, and bearing date the 24th of the 8th month 1643, be granted to William Devell."
It was also voted the same day, "that a fence shall be made be- tween the Indian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, by the last day of the 2d month next, and the fence of five rails to be laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, and they shall begin at the east side of the neck, and so to the west. Walter Palmer shall do the first fence, Abraham Martin the second, and so accordingly as the house-lots fall in order round the town;1 and if any man shall fail, or be negligent to set up his fence by the day fixed, he shall forfeit for every rod not set up, two shillings, to be employed for the use of the town by the towns- men, [one line here illegible] and those that are employed for the setting up the fence shall have an abatement in their fence so much as comes to their labor."
"The 15th of the 11th month [January] 1645, at a general meet- ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that a fence shall be made, to fence in the land upon the neck, that is laid out to be planted, by the 15th day of the 2d month next; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not set up so much as cometh to their part of good sufficient fence, shall forfeit for every rod not set up by the day mentioned, 1 shilling 2d. a rod, and the damage that shall come thereby."
"The 23d of the 4th mo. [June] 1646, at a general meeting of the town, Stephen Payne, William Carpenter and Walter Palmer, were made choice of to view the fence upon the neck; and in case they find any not to be sufficient, that they shall give pres- ently notice to those that own the fence, and give them a sufficient time for mending it, as they in their discretion shall think meet; and, if that it be not sufficiently mended by the time set, then they shall pay 2s. 6d. for every rod deficient, to be employed for the setting up of said fence, and they shall pay all damages that shall come by the defects during the neglect."
"The 8th of the 8th mo. [October] 1646, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed that John
1The town was built in a semicircular form, around what is now Seekonk Common (the south extremity of the plain), with the meeting-house and par- sonage in the center: the semicircle opening towards Seekonk, or Pawtucket River. This circle was afterwards called "The Ring of the town," or "The Ring of the Green."
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Doget shall have all the lands that were laid out for John Megges; and, because there was no lot laid out for him upon the great plain, it was agreed upon, that he shall have both his allotments according to the estate, upon the great plain, and to begin upon the south side.
"At the same time it was agreed that the townsmen shall make a rate to get the town out of debt, and also a rate so much as shall build a meeting-house.
"At the same time it was agreed that whosoever shall kill a wolf or wolves, he shall have 20s. for every wolf, and to be levied upon the heads of beasts, geese and hogs."
"The 13th of the 10th mo. [December] 1646, at a meeting of the townsmen, it was agreed upon, that if any cattle shall be found either in the planting fields of Wachemoquit, or in the wood- land plain, so long as any corn is growing upon it, without a suffi- cient keeper, he [the owner] shall pay 12d. for every beast so found; and it shall be lawful for any person or persons, that shall find any cattle in said fields to bring them to the pound, and take the forfeiture: and if the owner of the cattle shall find any man's fence not sufficient, it shall be lawful for him to recover the damage of him that owns the fence, provided that there be 8 or 10 acres in the field.
"It was agreed that if any man shall take down any general fence, or any man's particular fence, upon any occasion, and shall not set it up again as sufficiently as he found it, he shall pay for every time so left 12d. besides the damage that shall come thereby.
"It was agreed upon that all general fence in the town shall be kept up sufficiently, and whosoever shall be found deficient shall forfeit 12d. for every rod, besides the damages: this order to take place by the first day of the first month next."
"The 7th of January, 1646, John Hazell sold unto William Devill the house which he, the said William Devill, now dwelleth in, and the house-lot," &c.
"The 20th of the 11th mo. [January] 1646, at a general meet- ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that no man shall mow any part of the salt marsh that is upon the Wachemoquit neck; and, if he shall hire, shall forfeit ten shillings for every acre so mowne.
"It was agreed upon that John Peram shall have a platt of meadow that lyeth near Manton's neck, in satisfaction of his meadow, so far as it shall be thought fit by those that are to view the defect of the meadow."
"The 9th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of the townsmen, were made choice of, to view the fence of the town lots, those persons following, viz: William Carpenter and Robert
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
Titus, William Smith and John Dogget, Stephen Paine and Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss and Alexander Winchester.
"The same day it was agreed that Edward Sale, John Dogget, William Sabin, John Peram, and William Thayer, shall have leave to set up a weier upon the cove, before William Devill's house, and one upon Pawtucket river; and they shall [illegible] the [illegible] of them during the [illegible] of [illegible] provided that they hinder not either English nor Indians from fishing at the falls in either place; and they shall sell their alwives at 2s. a thou- sand, and their other fish at reasonable rates; and they shall make their weieres so as shall not hinder the passage of boats, and that no man shall fish above their weier with any draft net: provided if they set not up their weier in a twelvemonth, that it shall be lawful for any man else to set up a weier upon the same terms."
"The 18th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of the towne it was agreed to draw lots for the new meadow, and to be divided according to person and estate, only those that were under £150 estate to be made up 150. They were drawn as followeth:
1. Robert Sharp, 24. William Sabin,
2. Nicholas Ide,
25. Robert Wheaton,
3. Isaac Martin, 26. Thomas Bliss,
4. Mr. Newman, 27. Widow Bennet,
5. Thomas Clifton,
28. Mr. Henry Smith,
6. Ralph Allin,
29. Edward Smith,
8. Edward Sale,
9. Joseph Torrey,
32. Peter Hunt,
33. John Miller,
34. Richard Ingram,
35. Mr. Alexander Winchester
36. George Wright,
37. Zachary Roades,
38. George Kendricke,
39. John Matthewse,
16. Robert Titus,
17. Robert Martin,
18. Widow Walker,
19. George Robinson,
20. Thomas Cooper,
21. Obadiah Holmes,
22. Stephen Paine,
23. James Redwaie,
41. Robert Abell,
42. William Carpenter,
43. Mr. Peck,
44. John Allin,
45. Will. Cheesborough,
46. William Smith."
7. Robert Fuller,
30. Ademia Morris,
31. John Peram,
10. John Fitch,
11. Abraham Martin,
12. Walter Palmer,
13. William Devill,
14. Edward Gilman,
15. Richard Bowin,
40. John Dogget,
"The 28th of the 2d mo. [April] 1647, George Wright sold unto William Dogget, all his rights, privileges and immunities, consisting of his house and house-lot of seven acres, seventeen acres in the woodland plain, a lot upon the great plain, and 15 rods of fresh meadow lying in the forty-acre meadow."
3
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
"The 26th of the 3d mo. [May] 1647, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, Stephen Paine and Walter Palmer were chosen to be committees for the Court. At the same time Thomas Cooper and Thomas Clifton were chosen to be grand-jury-men for this year. And at the same time William Smith was chosen constable for this year; and Thomas Bliss and Robert Titus were chosen supervisors of the highways for this year; and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck, Stephen Paine, Mr. Winchester, Richard Bowen, William Carpenter, and Edward Smith, were chosen townsmen for the present year."
At the same meeting, cattle were prohibited from the planting grounds of Wachemoquit, on a fine of 12d. per head.
"The 28th of the 4th mo. [June] 1647, the towne gave to John Titus the lot before granted to Matthew Pratt; and also gave to John Woodcocke the lot before granted to Edward Pateson."
"The 29th of the 7th mo. [September] 1647, at a general meeting of the towne upon public notice given, the island of salt marsh, that lyeth in the river between the neck of land belonging to the town and Mr. Henry Smith's salt marsh, was given to Richard Ingram, in lieu of an allotment of salt marsh.
"At the same time a parcel of salt marsh that lyeth in Edward Smith's land in the woodland plaine was given to Edward Sale.
"The same day it was ordered that no man shall keep any gotes upon any common, or any man's property but his own, within three miles of the town, after the first day of the 6th month next, upon penalty of five shillings for every gote so kept."
"The 24th of November, 1647, at a meeting of the townsmen it was agreed that every inhabitant that hath a team shall work with his team and one man four days in a year at the highway, and every inhabitant that hath no team shall find a sufficient labourer four days in a year, being lawfully warned by the super- visor of the highway; but if the supervisors in their discretion shall see more need of labourers than of teams, that those that have a team shall send two labourers instead of their teams, being so warned of the supervisor."
"The 4th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, at a meeting of the town upon public notice given, the residue of the allotment that was given unto Matthew Pratt, he not having remained in town, was given unto Richard Bulok" (now written Bullock).
"The 13th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, Ademia Morris, executor to Robert Morris, sold to Nicholas Ide his home lot."
"The 3d of the 12th month [February] 1647, at a general meet- ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that every inhabitant in the town, that hath land upon the wood-
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
land plain, shall meet together at his alotment, and set up suffi- cient stakes for bound marks to his land, upon the second day in the second month next: and it was ordered that the drum shall be beat up near the meeting-house as a signal for each man to repair to his lot."
At the same meeting it was also "agreed upon, Whereas it hath pleased the Court of Plymouth to give us power to try all manner of differences by way of action between party and party, that is under the value of ten pounds, that there shall be four Courts kept every year, upon the several days following, viz: upon the last Thursday of the third month, upon the last Thursday of the sixth month, upon the last Thursday of the ninth month, and upon the last Thursday of the twelfth month. And it is agreed that the jurors shall have sixpence apiece for every case tried by them.
"It is ordered that the constable shall have 6d. for every jury warned by him, and 6d. for attending upon the jury for every action."
"The 12th of the 2d mo. [April] 1648, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, John Allin was chosen constable for the year following, and John Dogget and Robert Titus were chosen deputies for the towne, and Joseph Torrey and Robert Sharpe were chosen grand-jurymen, and John Miller and John Peram were chosen supervisors of the highways, and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowin, Stephen Paine, William Carpenter, William Smith were chosen townsmen.
"At the same meeting it was agreed upon that there shall be added to the row of lots from Thomas Clifton's to Robert Titus's lot 2 rods out of the common; and it shall begin at a notching at the outside of Thomas Clifton's lot, and so go on to 2 rods; but, if it be not prejudicial to the highway, it shall begin at 2 rods wide throughout."
"The 18th of July, 1648, the towne gave to Roger Ammidowne a house-lot between Walter Palmer's house-lot and the mill," besides a piece of salt marsh and other lands.
"The 11th of the 11th mo. [January] 1648, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, Mr. Peck and Stephen Paine were chosen assistants to assist Mr. Browne in matters of con- troversy at Court.
"It was agreed that the townsmen shall make a levy for the finishing of the meeting-house, and for the county tax and to set the town out of debt.
"The lot that was given unto George Robinson, being for- feited into the town's hands, was given unto John Sutton, he pay- ing unto George Robinson his necessary charges laid out upon it."
"The 11th of the 3d mo. [May] 1649, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that
1139160
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
William Devill shall be constable for the next year; Stephen Paine and Robert Titus were chosen deputies for the Court; Thomas Cooper and Obadiah Holmes were chosen grand jury- men; and Richard Bowen and Robert Sharpe were chosen sur- veyors of the highways."
"July 12th, 1649, at a general town meeting upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that there should be a dilligent search made to find out the nearest and most convenient way between Rehoboth and Dedham; and Mr. Browne and Stephen Paine were chosen to compound with the surveyors, and to agree for such help as should be requisite for him or them to have."
"The 24th of the 4th mo. [June] 16501 at a town meeting, those men underwritten were chosen townsmen for this year:
Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck,
Richard Bowen,
William Smith,
Steph. Payne, Tho. Cooper,
Robert Martin.
"At the same meeting the town gave permission to these men chosen to call a town meeting so often as need shall require."
"The 10th mo. [December 1650, the county rate was agreed on."
At the same meeting it was voted "to have a convenient way, four rods wide (to be made by Edward Smith), to be for the town's use, or any that shall have occasion to pass from town to Provi- dence, or to Mr. Blackstone's."
"The 15th day of the 1st mo. [March], 1651, at a towne meeting, it was agreed on that Peter Hunt should accompany Mr. Browne to Plymouth to make agreement about the Indian complaints."
"The 19th day of the 3d mo. [May], 1651, chosen deputies Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen, for the Court at Plymouth; Walter Palmer and Peter Hunt to be grand jurymen. Surveyors for the highways, William Smith and John Read."
"The 18th of October, 1651, these were chosen townsmen, viz: Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen,
Stephen Payne, Peter Hunt,
Robert Martin.
"At the same time Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk."?
"26th of the 12th mo. 1651. It was agreed on that Robert Abell and Richard Bullock should burn the commons round
1 Here a new handwriting appears on the records, and the characters used become much modernized.
" This is the first mention made in the records of any one being chosen for this office. The records back to July 12, 1649, and those that follow the date of Mr. Hunt's election appear to be in the same handwriting.
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EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
about, from the Indian fence, all on the neck, to the new meadow near, and so far about the fresh meadows as may be convenient; and they are to have 20s. for their pains, and to begin the 15th of March next, and to be paid out of the first rate."
"The 3d mo. [May] 1652. The townsmen counted with John Reed for two rates, one for the Indians pay, being £7 10s .; and the other a county rate, being £5 1s. 8d. The Indian rate due in his hand of wampum, at 8 a penny, 18s. 2d. Of the county rate remains due from the town from him 14s. 2d. Then bought of John Reed two muskets for the town's use, cost £2 8s., and to be set off in the rates that he did owe to the town."
"The 24th of the 3d mo. [May] 1652, at a town meeting being lawfully warned, Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper were chosen deputies; Walter Palmer was chosen constable; Henry Smith and Robert Fuller grand jurymen; and Joseph Pecke and Jonathan Bliss way-wardens."
"June the 11th, 4th mo. 1652. It was voted, that by the assent of the town then present, and being lawfully warned, that those lots which lie beyond the lot of Goodman Mathew should remain to the ox-pastor,1 and henceforth not be lotted."
"The 9th of the 7th mo. [September] 1652. At a town meeting being lawfully warned, those men whose names are underwritten were chosen raters, to make a rate of 20 pounds for to buy a barrel of powder and two muskets, 4 swords, match and lead, bandoleers or porchers:
Mr. Peck, Peter Hunt, John Peram, John Allin.
Thomas Cooper, John Reed,
"It was also agreed on at the same time, that wheat should be paid at 4s. 6d. the bushel, or good wampum at eight the penny, for buying of those things above expressed."
"The 28th of March, 1653, it was concluded and agreed upon, that Robert Abell should have three acres of meadow on the north side of the line, next the town, next the line that parteth the land of the purchasers and the town of Rehoboth. This meadow was given them by Mr. Prince, Captain Standish and Mr. Winslow."
"The 13th of the 3d mo. [May] 1653, at a town meeting law- fully warned, those were chosen, viz: Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper, deputies; William Sabin and Joseph Pecke, grand jury- men; Robert Martin, constable; Richard Bowen and Thomas Redway, overseers of the ways."
1This lay northeast of Seekonk Common, between the new road from Seekonk to Pawtucket and the Pawtucket or Seekonk River, and extended as far down on the river as Manton's Neck. It is still known by the name of "the Ox Pastor."
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
"There were chosen at time of training, Peter Hunt for Lieuten- ant, and John Browne for Ensign."
This is the first notice found in the records of the appointment of military officers. This company is said to have been commanded for some years by a Lieutenant, and to have been styled "a Lieutenant's company," the number of members not being large enough to entitle it to a higher officer.
"The 25th of October, 1653, at a town meeting lawfully warned, the following men were chosen raters for the sums of the county pay, viz: Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, William Smith, Wil- liam Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt.
"At the same meeting it was agreed on by the town, that the Indians should have 4 pounds in wampum, in recompence of the damage they have suffered in their corn by hogs and horses, this two years; and the wampum to be paid out of the wampum which remains in Walter Palmer's hands."
"At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 12th of December, in the year 1653, voted that the price of corn should be 5s., wheat 5s., rye 4s., and Indian corn 3s. (provided that the corn be current and merchantable corn.)
"At the same time those men were chosen to be townsmen, viz: Mr. Brown, Thomas Cooper, William Smith,
Stephen Payne, William Carpenter,
Robert Martin."
Richard Bowen,
"The 10th of the 11th mo. [January] 1653. Voted that the Indians that kill any wolves are to be paid out of the rate by the constable."
"The 22d of the 12th mo. [February] 1653. At a town meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, senior, and Thomas Cooper, senior, were chosen deputies, to be present at Plymouth, at the next Court in March, to performe the business there that the warrand doth require, in behalf of the town, with full power in that behalf."
"The 10th of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, Stephen Payne, senior, and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for the Court; Anthony Perry and John Allin were chosen grand-jurymen; for constable, Stephen Payne, jr. or Mr. Peck; for surveyors of the highways, William Carpenter, senior, George Kendricke and Stephen Payne, jr."
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