USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 24
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
in town meeting that John Clark be allowed to live in the watch house the coming winter, but no action was taken. In 1729, George Cowan wanted to live there, but no vote on the question appears on the records. From time to time it was proposed to sell the watch house and in 1736 William Reding- ton having taken bricks from the building, the town voted he should pay twenty shillings for them and at the same meeting the watch house was sold to Nathaniel Capen for forty shill- ings. Two years later, neither sums having been paid, the selectmen proposed bringing suit, which seems to have brought about a settlement.
The meeting house interior must have been unfinished and severely plain. In 1682, after an agreement had been reached with Mr. Capen, the selectmen agreed with Samuel Symonds to build a pulpit at a cost of £10, half to be paid in corn and half in neat-cattle, "and if anybody payes in money is to haue one thurd part of his proportion abated." The pulpit was to be ten feet long, and to be "a wainshote pulpit." There were to be stairs leading to it and the selectmen were to supply the boards and nails. This pulpit was removed to the new meet- ing house on the Common in 1703, where Mr. Capen varnished it in 1705 and was paid £1.6.0 for doing the work. After he died and Rev. John Emerson was about to be ordained in his place, Nathaniel Capen was paid five shillings "for Cullouring the pulpit."
The building of a gallery was agreed upon in January 1678-9, those that might sit in it to pay the cost, "the townes men shall have the first profer of the seates in bying of them." It was not built at that time, however, for the selectmen agreed with Ensigne Gould, and John Hovey, Mar. 10, 1680-1, to "sat up a galari in the meeting house the wholl length of the hous and to make it three seates wide the lanth of the house and tha ar to be paid by those that shall sit in tham." Later the towne "granted liberti to the vilegeres to bi a third part of the galeri to sit in." The next year the selectmen agreed with Samuel Symonds to build across the east and west ends. Symonds to collect his pay from those who might sit there. He also was given liberty to alter the stairs going up into the long side gallery and make other stairs leading to the galleries about to be built. He was to remove the window over the door where he was to set up a gallery "leveing one Lite be Low." This door was in the west end of the meeting house. The gal- leries were to have "three seats apece in them." For some reason Symonds did not build the galleries, possibly the ad- vance rentals did not warrant the cost and in 1694 "upon the
249
THE MEETING HOUSES
request of sauerall young men" the town voted them permis- sion "to set up seates upon ye beames on thare owne cost." Liberty was also voted to anyone to set up at their cost a gallery at the east end of the meeting house "for wimmin and maids", but not to darken the windows. It does not appear that these end galleries were ever built.
In the spring of 1682 the selectmen were directed to repair all breaches in the meeting house and make seats therein and that fall a committee of eight, the selectmen and three others, undertook the seating of the people. This was a highly important matter requiring much diplomacy as men prominent in the town must be given favored seats, and great age was to receive favor over monied possessions in younger men. The county rate was to apply to the rest and Boxford men must not be overlooked. The town itself did honor to Abraham Redington, senior, an early settler in Boxford, by desiring him to come and sit in the fore seat and goodman Nichols, who lived near the Salem Village line was invited to sit in the second seat. On December 25, of that year, the town gave Mr. Capen liberty to set up a seat at the upper end of the pulpit.
On March 2, 1685/6, Isaac Peabody was given the right to "set up a seat by the gallery stairs." A year later a com- mittee was appointed to join with one from Boxford "to seat people in those seates as weare set up by a publick Towne charge." The arrangement with Boxford apparently was not satisfactory and in 1690 "upon information of some discontent among some of our neighbors and frinds of Boxford, about seates in the meeting house", the town of Topsfield chose a committee to meet with them and find out their grievances. This committee was given full power to "seate people of our Towne and thare Towne to content a cording to agreement as nere as may be that peace and love may be continued between the Towns." In 1695 it became necessary to set up more seats and it was again agreed that Boxford members share equal privileges with Topsfield. Later Job Averill and others were given the right to "raise ye hinde seat in ye back sid of ye meeting hous under ye gallery provided thay fill it with Towns men."
The second meeting house had been in use for some forty years when it became too small and out of repair. Measures were taken by the town for the erection of the third house of worship. As early as 1687, it was necessary that "the fore side of the roof shall be mended whare it is leaky." The mat- ter of a new meeting house was discussed at town meetings for two years. The first vote taken Jan. 14, 1700/1 shows "the
250
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
maior part of ye town declared that thay was for haveing ye new meeting house placed on the plain by Mr. Capens." It was agreed the building should be two and forty foot wide and four and forty foot long. The next year it was voted to set it on the hill that was to be leveled for that end of the plain. This was known as the common and was the first building placed on the site of the present Congregational Church.
Not much information is found in the records regarding the building. It was finished in 1703, for on November 5, of that year it was voted to adjourn the town meeting to the new meeting house. The cost was to be levied on the people, and the town agreed to pay the carpenters in three installments, "the first third is to be payd next Mickell Muss, and the next third ye next Mikell Mus come twelve month and ye last third ye next mikel muss com two yeare from ye dat here of all to be paide in current money of New England." The old build- ing was sold to "Sargent John Gould for five pounds, he to have the glass." Tradition says it was moved to a field on the western side of the turnpike at Springville and used as a barn. Mr. Tilton was given 7 or 8 planks from the women's seats in the old building for moving the pulpit which was to be placed on the north side of the new building. All that had particular rights to seats in the old building were allowed to take them away.
The question of the arrangement of the seats brought forth much discussion. It was first decided to place them in the manner of those in the Rowley meeting house, five seats in front of the pulpit, sixteen feet long, with a Minister's pew next to the pulpit stairs. Then it was thought it would be better to have the four front seats only 12 feet long. Some may have visited the new meeting house in Ipswich and de- cided the seating arrangements were better there so in 1703, it was voted to build seats in that manner.
For the next fifty years the records are filled with votes concerning the seating of the people. Committees were chosen from time to time for this purpose and privileges were given to various members or groups to erect new seats. It was agreed in 1703 that the vacant room on both sides of "ye Pulpit should be for Puese, & agreed that Mr. Baker should have liberty to set up a Pue behind Mrs. Capens Pue, & agreed that Mr. Bradstreet, Lieut. Perkins & Mr. Isaac Peabody have liberty to set up three Pues on the west side of the Pulpit, the town reserving all rights."
Dea. Samuel Howlet, Lieut. Thos. Baker, Lieut. Tobijah Perkins, Sarg. Daniel Redington and Corp. Joseph Towne,
251
THE MEETING HOUSES
were appointed a committee to seat people. Their report was accepted and instructions agreed upon; "first men from 60 years & upward to be respected for their age before money in younger men; 2d the meeting house rate in 1702 & the County rate in 1703 to be the rule to seat the rest of the people by." Sargt. John Gould, Corpl. Jacob Towne & Ebenezer Averell were later added to this Committee.
Liberty was granted to Joseph Andrews "to get the Pue finished, in the N. W. Corner, he paying for making said Pue & have liberty to improve it so long as he is a constant hearer of ye word of God with us, & doth yearly pay ten shillings as he hath promised, towards Mr. Capens Salery, & when said Andrews doth leave Town the Pue may be disposed of by the Town."
On March 6, 1704/5, liberty was granted to Abraham Howe, Jacob, Daniel and Caleb Foster to set up stables. At the same time those seated in the front gallery were given "liberty to raise ye front of that seat according to their minds." Three years later, some young women were allowed to "make a hind seat in ye East Gallerie" and still later the young men raised the "hinde seat in the West Gallerie" and also the 4th seat in the front gallery next to the wall. In 1716 some young people were permitted to "set up a seat over the Women's Gallery Stares." The latter were to make windows against each seat under the plate at their own cost and keep them in repair.
In 1718, Nathaniel Porter was given permission to build a pew in the western corner of the meeting house at his own ex- pense. He paid Joseph Whipple one pound 2 shillings for doing the work. The next year the town allowed some young persons to build a seat "over ye gallery stairs in ye southwest corner provided yt thay Seet in the Seat and Trobule no other seat" and not put it in the way of people going into the gal- lery. Ivory Hovey, Nathaniel Borman and Jacob Robinson were allowed to put seats next to Nathaniel Porter's.
When the new minister was installed in 1728, William Town and Daniel Clark were appointed to find a suitable person to build a pew for the wife and family of Rev. John Emerson on "ye right hand of the coming in at the south door." Stephen Johnson was paid £5 for furnishing the materials and doing the work. The town also paid for repairing "ye seats yt were broken at ye ordination of Mr. Emerson."
After fifty years of use and occupation, the condition of this building became a matter of general public concern. There were many bills approved by the town for repairs to the building, the last one reading, "to stop leaks in roof and make
252
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
it more comfortable for the people." It seems as if the officials felt it was costing too much for repairs and at the meeting on May 19, 1757, a committee was appointed "to search the meet- ing house and see if it was worth repairing." They reported it was not. Nearly two years after the report of this com- mittee, on February 13, 1759, the town of Topsfield voted to build a new meeting house "fifty four foot in leingth and forty two foot in Bredth and Twenty Six foot stud . .. with a perpornable Steeple" and that it be located "where the old meeting house now stands," that is upon the present site on the Common.
Then came the necessary votes, and plans were started for the erection of the fourth meeting house, the second to be located on "the common." Several meetings were held and various committees appointed. Deacon George Bixby, Jacob Averill, Thomas Symonds, Nathan Hood and Stephen Perkins comprised the building committee. Another committee was appointed and instructed to get the timber hewed and framed and other necessary material such as clapboards, shingles, and nails. On May 24, 1759, a committee of five men was chosen "to take Down the old Meeting house," presumably to super- intend its demolition, and the church records certify, under date of June 3rd, that Rebeckah, the daughter of Thomas Per- kins was "ve last child baptized in ye old Meeting house."
On the 26th of the same month, a meeting was called at the house of Daniel Clark, inn-holder, and it was voted to raise the frame of the church on Wednesday, July 4th. The prep- arations made by the town, and recorded in its books, give some faint idea of what a great raising was in those days. It was indeed, an event long to be remembered-for the entire population, men, women, and children with multitudes from the towns adjacent came together to perform, or else to behold and rejoice over the mighty work. To lift those huge oak timbers high in the air, and there to place and to secure them, was no child's play, but demanded every stalwart arm for miles around. No mention is made in the town vote, of der- ricks, or pulleys. They depended, it seems, on their own strong sinews, with, perhaps, some slight assistance from heavy ropes. What amount of it was deemed necessary in the pres- ent instance, may be gathered from the instructions given to the Committee, who were ordered to "provid vietuls and Drink ... for the Laborers before supper time," namely, one barrel of "Rhum", fifty weight of "Shuger", and twelve barrels of "Sider", to celebrate the event. They also appoint- ed a committee to provide a dinner for one hundred men.
....
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THE MEETING HOUSES
Deacon Bixby appears to have been in charge of the erection of the meeting house. The original pages from his account book tell the story of gathering the material and the finishing of the building after it was raised. He chronicles trips "to Chebacka woods for steple posts;" to Haverhill for "clabords & shingle"; to Beverly Common "with thirteen temes that went to hule the Stones for under pining"; "to Bradford fary & Andever with six temes to hull Bords & Slitwork"; to Box- ford woods "with my teme cutting eight pine trees on Elieser Goulds Land & hulling them with the help of his son Elieser with two oxen & Drafts sd trees being fourty two feet long for the steple." The total cost of the building was £743.10s. 73/4d.
August 14, 1759, a town meeting was called to meet at the new meeting house to consider the matter of furnishing the inside, and probably not long after, the building was occupied for religious services. This large and respectable edifice was decidedly in advance of its predecessors. It contained when first opened for use a number of pews in the body of the house and a row of them quite around the side. These were all sold to the wealthier members of the Congregation.
At once the town found itself face to face with the momen- tous problem of seating the worshippers who had no pews. The attempt to follow the old principle in the order of their age and standing in the community was unsuccessful. A new order of things had begun. The following lists, one made in 1762, and the other in 1771, enumerate the inhabitants of the town, almost as closely as the census of the modern time, and because of the lack of detailed information of that early period, are of great value to the historian and genealogist.
May 20, 1760, the town appointed a committee of twelve men to seat the townsfolk in the meeting house "according to there Best Skill and Judgement." In due time their report was presented to the town in town meeting assembled and it "passed in the Negative." May 5, 1761, another committee, of five men, was appointed and they were instructed to "have Respect to age and money." Sept. 22nd of the same year, Daniel Bixby, Dan Clarke and Zaccheus Gould were chosen "to assist the committee that did refuse to seat," and the fol- lowing report is probably the one that was presented to the town May 18, and July 13, 1762, and not adopted.
Dan Clark, Simon Gould, Zaccheus Gould and Daniel Bixby, members of a committee appointed to "seat the Inhabitants of said Town in the Meeting house," prepared a report dated May 17, 1762, as follows :---
254
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE ELDERS SEAT
Mr. Jacob Dorman
Mr. William Perkins
Capt Nathll Avriel
Mr. Luke Avriel
Mr. Matthw Peabody
THE MENS FIRST SEAT BELOW
Mr. Eliezar Lake
Capt Benjm Towne
Capt Tobijah Perkins
Mr. David Balch
Mr. Ephraim Wilds
Mr. Jacob Perkins
Mr. John Davis
Mr. David Commings
Mr. Aaron Easty
Mr. Samuel Bradstreet
Capt Thos Baker
Doct Richard Dexter
Mr. Phillip Neland
Mr. John Batcholer
Mr. Samuel Perkins
Mr. John Perkins
THE MENS 2ND SEAT BELOW
Mr. Jacob Averil
Mr. Stephen Foster
Mr. Stephen Towne
Mr. Samuel Towne
Mr. John Gould
Mr. Michal Dwinel
Mr. Jeremiah Towne
Mr. Dan Clark
Mr. Elijah Porter
Capt John Bordman
Mr. Thos Perkins
Mr. Joseph Hovey
Mr. Jabez Towne
Mr. Phillip Towne
THE MENS 3RD SEAT BELOW
Mr. Elisha Towne
Mr. Nathan Hood
Mr. Benjamin Ierland
Mr. Jacob Dwinel
Mr. Nathaniel Towne
Mr. David Towne
Mr. Zebulon Wilds
Mr. Jeremiah Averil
Mr. Elisha Wilds
Mr. David Perkins
Mr. Pelatiah Commings 2
Mr. Joshua Towne
Mr. Enos Knight
Mr. David Balch, Jun.
THE MENS 4TH SEAT BELOW
Mr. Samuel Harris Mr. Simon Bradstreet
Mr. Phillip Neland, Jun.
Mr. John Cree
Mr. Joshua Balch
Mr. Benjn Woodbury
Mr. Isaac Perkins
Mr. John Lefavor
Mr. Jacob Averil, Jun.
Mr. Nathan Wilds
Mr. Nathaniel Low
Mr. Jacob Kimbel 2
Mr. Samuel Towne, Jun.
2 Name crossed out in ink.
Mr. Ricd Towne
Mr. Solomon Gould
Mr. Thos Gould
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THE MEETING HOUSES
THE MENS 5TH SEAT BELOW
Mr. John Hood
Mr. William Gallop
Mr. Benjn Bayley
Mr. Joseph Lesley
Mr. Enoch Perkins
Mr. William Hood
Mr. William Perkins, Jun.
THE MENS 6 SEAT BELOW
Mr. John Holgat Mr. Nathan Perkins
THE 1ST SEAT IN THE FRONT GALLERY
Mr. Thos Symonds
Mr. Samuel Smith
Mr. John Balch
Mr. Abraham Hobbs
Mr. Solomon Dodge
Mr. Eliezar Lake, Jun.
Mr. Zaccheus Gould
Mr. Simon Gould
Mr. John Bradstreet
Mr. John Baker
Mr. Joseph Andrews
Mr. Joseph Gould
Mr. Daniel Bixby
Mr. Daniel Lake
Mr. Joseph Towne
Mr. John Perkins, Jun.
Mr. Samll Commings
Mr. Benjn Bixby
Mr. Pealatiah Commings
THE MENS 1ST SEAT IN YE WEST GALLERY Doctr Joseph Bradstreet Mr. Thos Perkins, Jun.
Mr. Robert Perkins
Mr. Stephen Perkins
Mr. Thos Mower
Mr. Samuel Bradstreet
Mr. Archelus Rea
Mr. Stephen Adams
Mr. John Herrick
Mr. Nehemiah Herrick
Mr. Benjamin Dwinell
Mr. Moses Perkins
Mr. Amos Perkins
Mr. John Peabody
Mr. Jacob Towne
Mr. John Jacobs
Mr. Thos Howlett
Mr. Daniel Towne
Mr. Thos Gould, Jun.
Mr. John Baker, Jun.
Mr. Thos Emerson
Mr. Daniel Clark
Mr. Jacob Kimbal
THE FRONT BACK PEW
Mr. Daniel Averil Mr. Samuel Perkins
Mr. Joseph Perkins
Mr. Isaac Averil
Mr. Jacob Peabody Mr. Francis Towne
Mr. Elijah Clark
Mr. Nathaniel Dormon
Mr. Thos Wilds Mr. Davis Howlett
Mr. Richard Cree
Mr. Bartw Dwinell
Mr. Zebulon Perkins
Mr. Othniel Thomas
Mr. Elijah Towne
Mr. Daniel Easty
Mr. Stephen Hovey
Mr. David Balch, 3rd
Mr. Stephen Foster, Jun.
Mr. Joseph Baker
Mr. Daniel Reddington
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THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE NORTH HIND PEW IN YE WEST GALLERY
Mr. Ephraim Dorman
Mr. Asa Gould
Mr. Moses Wilds
Mr. David Neland
Mr. Abraham Hobbs, Jun.
Mr. Elijah Dwinel
Mr. Moses Gould
Mr. Daniel Porter
Mr. John Towne
Mr. Jacob Towne, Jr.
Mr. William Monies
Mr. John Balch, Jun.
Mr. Henry Bradstreet
Mr. Philemon Perkins
THE SOUTH HIND PEW IN YE WEST GALLERY
Mr. John Clough 3
Mr. John Batchelor, Jun.
Mr. Dan Clark, Jun.
Mr. Samll Balch
Mr. Nathn Hood
Mr. Daniel Hood
Mr. Jacob Dwinel, Jun.
Mr. Stephen Towne, Jun.
Mr. Ellexander Tapley
Mr. William Perkins, 3rd
Mr. Elijah Towne, Jun.
Mr. Nathaniel Porter
Mr. Samll Harris, Jun.
Mr. Asahal Smith
THE SECOND SEAT IN THE FRONT GALLERY
Isaac Hobbs
John Shereion
Elnathan Hubbard
Zaccheus Gould, Jun.
Jabez Ross, Jun.
Samuel Cree
Oliver Perkins
Benjn Jonson
Nathaniel Low, Jun.
Samuel Tapley
Jacob Hobbs
Asa Stiles
Phillip Thomas
David Towne, Jun.
Absalom Towne
Jeremiah Towne, Jun.
John Hubburd
Robert Balch
Seth Peabody
THE WOMENS FIRST SEAT
the widow Rebecca Peabody the widow Elisab'h Bradstreet the widow Hannah Edwards Mr. Eliezar Lakes wife
Mr. Jacob Dormons wife Deacon George Bixbys wife Capt. Tobijah Perkins wife Capt. Benjamin Towns wife the widow Mary Dwinel the widow Mary Perkins the widow Elizabeth Perkins Mr. John Davis wife the widow Doritha Riggs
the widow Anna Hovey
the widow Phebe Wilds the widow Mary Gould the widow Susanh Commings the widow Mary Dwinel
Mr. Aaron Eastys wife
the widow Abigail Dormon the widow Joanna Curtis
3 Name crossed out in ink.
Mr. Ephram Wilds, Jun.
257
THE MEETING HOUSES
THE WOMENS 2D SEAT
the widow Elisab'h Redington Mr. Michael Dwinels wife
the widow Hannah Perkins the widow Abigail Porter
Mr. John Perkins wife the widow Elisabeth Perkins
the widow Mary Rea Mr. David Commings wife
Mr. Samuel Perkins wife Mr. Richard Towns wife
the widow Abigail Commings
Mr. Philip Nelands wife
Mr. Ephraim Wilds wife
Mr. Thos Symonds wife
Mr. Stephen Fosters wife
THE WOMANS 3RD SEAT
Mr. William Perkins wife Mr. Jacob Averil wife
Capt. Nathanel Averil wife Mr. John Goulds wife
Mr. John Balchs wife Mr. Thos Symonds wife 4
Mr. Jabez Towns wife Mr. Stephen Towns wife
Mr. Matthew Peabodys wife Mr. Samuel Towns wife
Mr. Jeremiah Towns wife Mr. Benjn Ierlands wife
Mr. Jacob Dwinels wife
Mr. Zebulon Wilds wife
the widow Sarah Kittery
Mr. David Balch wife
THE WOMENS 4 SEAT
the widow Mary Clark Mr. Eliezar Lakes Jun. wife
Mr. John Cree wife
Mr. John Lefavors wife
Mr. Abraham Hobbs wife
Mr. Nathaniel Towns wife
the widow Lidia Standly
Mrs. Sarah Towne
the widow Mary Hubbard
Mr. Isaac Perkins wife
Mr. Enos Knights wife
the widow Abihal Tapley
Mr. Samuel Towne Jun. wife
THE WOMENS 5 SEAT
Mrs. Sarah Gould Mrs. Hannah Willard
the widow Dorithy Pritchard
Mr. Simon Bradstreets wife
Mr. Richard Crees wife
Mr. Phillip Neland Jun. wife
Mrs. Sarah Averil
Mr. William Gallops wife
Mrs. Catherine Perkins
Mr. Samuel Harris wife
THE WOMENS 6 SEAT
the widow Hannah Masties Mr. Enoch Perkins wife
Mr. Joseph Lessley wife
Mr. Benjn Bayley wife
Mrs. Jemima Towne
Mrs. Mary Louden
Mrs. Kesiah Perkins
Mrs. Anna Wallas
Mrs. Elisabeth Perkins
4 Name crossed out in ink.
258
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE WOMENS I SEAT IN YE FRONT GALLERY
Mr. Samuel Smith wife the widow Mary Town the widow Sarah Hovey
the widow Martha Bradstreet
Mr. Philip Towne wife
Mr. Solomon Dodge wife
Mr. John Baker wife
Mr. Samuel Commings wife
Mr. John Baker Jun. wife
THE WOMENS I SEAT IN YE EAST GALLERY
Mr. Benj. Woo(d) bury wife Mrs. Catherine Wildes
Mr. Amos Perkins wife
Mr. Thos. Perkins Jun. wife Mr. Thos Gould Jun. wife
Mr. Joseph Towne wife Mr. Elijah Clark wife
Mr. Othniel Thomas wife Mr. John Peabody wife
Mr. Francis Towne wife Mr. Moses Perkins wife
Mr. Benjamin Dwinel wife
Mr. Thomas Howletts wife
Mr. Daniel Towne wife
Mr. Stephen Adams wife
Mr. John Herrick wife
the widow Lidia Chapman
THE WOMENS BACK PEW IN THE FRONT GALLERY
the widow Hannah Ramsdal
the widow Martha Dwinell
Mr. William Hood wife Mr. David Balch 3rd wife
Mr. Wm Monies wife Mr. Isaac Averill wife
Mr. Daniel Averil wife
Mr. Davis Howletts wife
Mr. Stephen Hovey wife
Mr. Thos Wilds wife
Mr. David Neland wife
Mr. Bartw Dwinell wife
Mrs. Luce Perkins
Mrs. Susannah Commings
Mrs. Mercey Bradstreet
Mrs. Aphia Perkins
Mr. Daniel Redington wife
THE WOMENS BACK PEW THE NORTH SIDE OF THE DOOR
Mrs. Vashty Smith
Mrs. Lidia Averil
Mrs. Elisabeth Perkins Mr. Abraham Burnam wife 5
Mrs. Elisabeth Bryant Mrs. Hannah Towne
Mrs. Ruth Symonds Mrs. Mary Porter
Mrs. Sarah Towne
Mrs. Abigail Foster
Mrs. Anna Batchelor
Mrs. Martha Balch
Mrs. Sarah Hobbs
Mrs. Ruth Dodge
Mrs. Sarah Perkins
Mr. Joshua Balch wife
Mrs. Ruth Andrews
Mrs. Rebecca Perkins
Mr. Jacob Averill Jun. wife
Mr. John Jacobs wife
Mr. John Clough wife 5
5 Name crossed out in ink.
259
THE MEETING HOUSES
THE WOMENS BACK PEW THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DOOR
Susannah Smith
Mary Redington
Mary Gould
Anna Esty
Molley Hooper
Mary Lefavor
Sarah Perkins
Sarah Perkins
Ruth Towne
Mehitible Towne
Sarah Cree
Dorithy Perkins
Phebe Porter
Mary Wildes 6
Mary Perkins
Anna Symonds
Molley Wildes
Sarah Hood
THE WOMENS SECOND SEAT IN FRONT GALLERY
Rachal Lefavor
Sarah Hood 6
Mary Averil
Priscilla Averil
Abigail Towne
Susannah Gallop
Hepsabah Wilds
Mary Hovey
Dorcase Towne
Susannah Hood
Note :- Mrs. as used above, means Mistress, an unmarried woman.
At town meeting held May 16, 1771, Zaccheus Gould, Capt. Samuel Smith, Jacob Dwinell and Thomas Symonds were appointed "a Comtee to seat the Inhabitants of the Town in the Meeting house," and Oct. 15th, following, Capt. John Boardman and Abraham Hobbs were added to the committee. It does not appear upon record that any report was ever pre- sented in town meeting, but the following list was probably prepared by this committee :-
THE ELDERS SEAT
Mr. William Perkins Cap. Thomas Baker Mr. Aaron Estey
Cap. Nathaniel Averell
Let. Luke Averell
Doct. Richard Dexter
Cap. Tobijah Perkins
THE MENS FIRST SEAT BELOW
Mr. Jacob Perkins Mr. Stephen Towne
Mr. John Perkins
Mr. Abraham Hobbs
Mr. Mathew Peabodey Mr. Thomas Perkings
Mr. Jacob Averell Mr. Jeremiah Towne
Mr. Stephen Foster
Mr. Nathan Hood
Mr. Thomas Symonds Cap. John Bordman
Mr. Symond Gould
Mr. Davied Baltch
Mr. Samuel Smith
Mr. Elijah Porter
Mr. John Baltch
6 Name crossed out in ink.
260
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
THE MENS SECOND SEAT BELOW
Mr. Phillip Towne
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