USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > History of the town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886 : with genealogies of the families that held real estate or made any considerable stay in the town during the first two centuries > Part 8
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
The old minister's son never seemed to be a favorite as a preacher, however well he succeeded as a schoolmaster ; and, when it came to a final choice, Mr. White received fifty-nine votes, and John Wilson only twelve. Mr. White supplied the pulpit during the next winter.
1692. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, John Plimpton, Benjamin Clark, and Joseph Clark, Sen.
V Edward Adams and John Harding, Representatives.
At a meeting February 7, Mr. John White was called to the ministry by a general vote. For some reason, he did not accept the call; and it is said there were thirty-two candidates employed before another settlement was effected.
WITCHES.
This was the year in which the "witchcraft delusion" flourished. There are no evidences of its having affected this town, though, no doubt, the general belief in witchcraft was shared by many here. Traditions exist of persons called witches, one of whom, living near the south school- house, was visited and rebuked by the minister. She retal-
1
105
REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
iated by turning herself into a black cat, which scratched his heels as he walked home across lots near the Boiling Spring. So the old story went. Another is reputed to have lived in the north part of the town, at the foot of the hill beyond A. E. Mason's. But these tales long ago ceased to obtain credence, and are mentioned only to show the current superstitions of the times.
1693. Selectmen, Edward Adams, Samuel Barber, Joseph Daniel, George Fairbanks, and John Fisher, Sen.
John Harding, Representative.
£52 raised for the ministry.
The "church lot and orchard" was let to John Fisher, Sen., for ios. in money or 20s. in country pay. This was the Frairy homestead, given by Theophilus Frairy, of Bos- ton, to the town and church.
1694. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, Elea- zar Adams, John Metcalf, and John Plimpton.
This year, assessors were first chosen, as it is said, "ac- cording to law." Before this, the taxes or " rates " had been made by the selectmen.
1695. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Edward Adams, Benjamin Clark, Joseph Daniel, and Eleazar Adams.
John Harding, Representative.
Joseph Clark, Jr., was chosen sealer of leather, the first mention of an office which was continued for a century.
MINISTER CALLED.
The church and town gave a call to Joseph Baxter to settle in the work of the ministry, with £60 a year salary ; and an "encouragement " of £50 in money, to be paid within one year after his coming.
The Long Causey was made a town way: before this, it had been a way for the accommodation of the owners of meadows.
1
106
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
1696. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Benjamin Clark, John Metcalf, Joseph Clark, and Edward Adams.
Joseph Clark, Representative.
Voted to sell the house that Mr. Frairy gave to the town and church, all excepting brick and clay, and lay out the money in fencing the land belonging to said house.
The burying-place was let to Joseph Metcalf for a term of fourteen years, he "to make a good and sufficient fence around it, and to suffer such graves to be dug as there may be need of."
PROCEEDINGS IN RELATION TO MR. BAXTER'S CALL.
To MR. JOSEPH BAXTER :
Reverend Sir: wee the Subscribers who weare chosen by Church and Town to aquaint your self with the act and vote of Church & Towne, in giving you a Call to settlement in the work of the ministry in this town, & in order to office on the Churches part having understood tht some of our church & Town have by writting intimated to youre self tht things weare not represented to you as they are or weare. These lines are to give you a more particular account off the Severall steps of the Church and Town took in calling one to be helpfull to them in the work of the ministry & to settlement in tht work.
December, 1695. At a church meeting it was agreed upon to lay down and let fall all matters conscerning Mr Tomson. And to call som other man to settelment in the work of the ministry, the town was aquainted with itt.
Som objected tht they weare not ready to call one to settlement but in order to settlement first to which the Church complyed, & at a church meeting the 6th agreed to proceed and go before in ye nomination of a man in order to settelment in sd work, as the Law and advice of Elders did direct. The Church did vote. And all the votes except one or two weare for Mr. Joseph Baxter, the Town weare aquainted with wt the Church had done & weare desired to show their consent by bringing in theire votes & when it was done the number was esteemed to bee but a bare major part of the Town without the Church. Severall of the Town declared their dislike of what the Church had don in acting by themselves and before the Town. And said if the Church would let fall their former vote, & Church and Town mite act together they would vote to call a man in order to settellment in the work of the ministry. upon this the Church by theire messengers did ask the advice of severall Elders wt to doe, & the Elders som if not all of them tht weare desired
107
REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
to advise in tht matter did seme to favor the acting together rather than to breake love & peace for which cause the Church did Comply to acte together, notice was given and time apinted, the votes weare given in sorted and tould, theare was abut 60 votes 50 odd for Mr Baxter two men weare chosen to aquaint Mr. Baxter with the vote of the Church & Town and to desire him to help us in the work of the ministry: accordingly he did for about six weekes. It was moved by many of the Church and town to call Mr Baxter to full settlement in the work of the ministry. The Church & Town weare stayed after meeting on a sabbath day & it was proposed whether they would call Mr Joseph Baxter to full settlement in the work of the ministry among us non objected, it was put to vote by desiring them that weare for itt to hold up theire hands no question was made of its being a vote of the majar part conscerned, it was then proposed whether we should doe it the next sabbath day after meeting non objected then it was voted so to doe. And when said time came it was proposed tht such as ware for caling Mr Joseph Baxter to full settelment in the work of the ministry in this town & in order to office on the Churches part would manifest itt by holding up theire hands, which was don by so many as tht non did object against the vote. Some time after about one month the selectmen gave order to the Con- stables to warn the town to Consider what to propose to Mr Baxter for his incoragment in case he take up with us & settell in the work of the ministry in this town, at the time appointed theare was a meet- ing, & something acted and voted to doe for him in case he should so do. And three men weare chosen and desired to aquaint Mr Baxter of the call to settelment & wht was voted for his incoragment.
JOHN HARDING, SAM'L MORSE, ELEAZAR ADAMS, the committee above said.
1697. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, Eleazar Adams, John Plimpton, and John Bullen.
John Thurston, Representative.
Judge Sewall, in his Diary for 1697, speaks of visiting Medfield, calling upon Mrs. Wilson, viewing Mr. Baxter's house, and "the orchard that Mr. Frairy hath given to the ministry, which hath a living brook running by it and through Mr. Baxter's." He had bought the old homestead of John Bullard on Main Street, nearly opposite the head of Spring Street, and built a house upon it, which is still standing. He was settled April 21, 1697 : having been
-
108
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
BAXTER HOMESTEAD.
called to the pastorate at the age of nineteen. The church waited two years for him to come of age before ordination. 5
MEMBERS OF THE PARISH CHURCH IN 1697.
Men.
Mr. John Wilson, Physician.
James Fales, Sen.
Dea. John Harding.
John Thurston, Sen.
Capt. Thomas Thurston.
Ens. Edward Adams.
John Turner, Sen.
Samuel Wight, Sen.
Isaac Chenery, Sen.
Joseph Clark, Sen.
Benjamin Clark.
Nathaniel Allen.
Ephraim Wight, Sen.
Joseph Daniel, Sen.
John Fisher, Sen.
John Partridge, Jr.
Eleazar Adams.
John Richardson.
Samuel Rockwood.
Peter Adams.
Joseph Bullen. John Bullen.
John Adams.
Joseph Bullard, Sen.
Joseph Allen.
Women.
Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Fairbank.
Sarah Hamant, wid. of Francis.
Abigail Bullen, wf. of Joseph. Judith Bullen, wf. of John. Hannah Rockwood, wf. of Samuel.
1
109
REBUILDING AND PROGRESS, 1677-1699.
Alice Clark, wid. of Joseph. " Widow Clark, the younger." Priscilla Morse, wid. of Joseph. Rebecca Turner, wid. of Isaac. Hannah Wight, wf. of Samuel. Hannah Allen, wf. of Joseph. Bethiah Fisk, wid. of Benjamin. Mary Allen, wf. of Nathaniel. Dorcas Clark, wf. of Benjamin. Mary Thurston, wf. of John. Mary Clark, wf. of Joseph.
Elizabeth Adams, wf. of Eleazar. Mary Johnson, wf. of Dr. Return. Rebecca Pratt, wf. of John. Sarah Partridge, wid. of William. Widow Margery Stacy.
Elizabeth Harding, wf. of John.
Experience Warren, wf. of Joseph. Abigail Mason, wf. of Robert. Lydia Wight, wf. of Ephraim. Sarah Bullard, wf. of Joseph. Sarah Wheelock, wf. of Samuel. Hannah Fisher, wf. of John.
Joan Ellis, wid. of John. " Widdow Wheelock."
Lydia Lovell, wf. of Alexander. Mary Metcalf, wf. of John. Susannah Fairbank.
Elizabeth Allen, wf. of William. Rebecca Richardson, wf. of John. Experience Adams, wf. of Peter.
Mary Clark, wf. of John.
Widow Clap.
Wife of James Fales, Sen.
A few of the members of the Medfield church lived in that part of Dedham which is now Walpole.
1698. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, John Harding, Ben- jamin Clark, Edward 'Adams, and Eleazar Adams.
Samuel Barber, Representative.
The first couple on record married by Mr. Baxter in this town was Jonathan Boyden and Rachel Fisher, in 1698.
1699. Selectmen, Benjamin Clark, John Metcalf, Edward Adams, and John Fisher, Jr.
Benjamin Clark, Representative.
Three pounds of the money raised for schools was to be expended for those living on the west side of the river.
Ichabod Harding, John Harding, Joseph Allen, Joseph Bullen, John Bullen, and Samuel Rocket were granted a spot of land near the meeting-house to build a horse-shed upon. It was to be "near the town brook, between the shop of John Fisher, Sen., and said brook, down stream of the way."
Dr. Return Johnson kept school again at 7s. a week. Peter Adams had £2 9s. Ild. for his wife's keeping school on the west side, the first instance on our records of the employment of a female teacher.
CHAPTER IX.
ANNALS OF THE TOWN DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, 1700-1764.
TT has been well said that the early history of New Eng- land is very naturally divided into three periods : -
The first, or Puritan period, continued during the life- time of the first comers, whose education had been acquired and whose tastes had been formed in England.
The second, or transition period, commenced when the sons and grandsons of the original settlers came to the front in local and colonial affairs. The generation reared in this new country had standards of culture and mental habits differing widely from those of their fathers. They were, however, good and loyal subjects of the crown.
The third, or Revolutionary period, commenced with that series of events which culminated in the independence of the American Colonies.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the second period may be considered as having commenced. The fathers had now left the scenes of their former active life, and a new generation occupied their places. Of all the men who came to Medfield during the first ten years of its ex- istence, only six remained ; namely, Robert Mason, John Partridge, Alexander Lovell, Edward Adams, John Turner, and John Pratt. None of these except Edward Adams now took any part in public affairs. They lingered yet a little
1
III
ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
while in the decrepitude of age, but the duties of active life were performed by other men. But few new names had appeared in town, and those who held office for the next half-century were most of them from the families of the first settlers.
1700. Selectmen, Henry Adams, Edward Adams, Ben- jamin Clark, John Harding, and Samuel Barber.
Samuel Barber, Representative.
Henry Adams was chosen the first town treasurer. Prior to this date, the selectmen received the rates and other in- come of the town, and paid the bills as they were presented. A large part of the early records consisted of selectmen's accounts.
Land was granted for a burying-place on the west side of . the river. It was not laid out till 1714, and was the old part of the cemetery in East Medway.
Dr. Johnson kept school again. Sergeant Joseph Daniel was schoolmaster on the west side. £15 raised for school purposes.
The old meeting-house now needed extensive repairs, and there began to be talk in town-meeting about building a new one.
1701. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Edward Adams, Henry Adams, Samuel Morse, and Benjamin Clark.
John Harding, Representative.
Isaac Baley began to keep school September 22. Benja- min Clark "went down " after him, from which we infer that he was from the college at Cambridge. It was the duty of the selectmen to procure teachers in those days. Mr. Baley kept school six months, for which he was paid £13 10S. in money.
The town laid in a stock of ammunition,- a barrel of pow- der, sixty-three pounds of bullets, and three hundred flints.
1702. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Ed- ward Adams, Joseph Metcalf, and John Adams, Jr.
Edward Adams, Representative.
112
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Two men were deputed to go to Mendon and agree with Mrs. Wilson concerning arrears due to Mr. Wilson, and take a receipt in full.
PROPRIETORS OF 1702.
The "black swamp" land was laid out, and the following is the recorded list of proprictors, embracing all the land- holders at that time in Medfield, both sides of the river. Those on the west side are marked with an asterisk.
Mr Baxter
Solo Clark
En Edwer Adams
*Theop Clark
*John partredg Nath1 partredg
Eleas' Adams
*Timo Clark
Henry Adams
*Ebenez" Daniel
*Sam" partredg wido partredg willm partridge
*John Adams Ed son John Adams mil'
*Sergt Daniel John Dwight Eleazar Ellice
*Zecha partredge Jonath plimpton
John Adams min
Josep plimpton
*Jonath Adams se
*John Ellice se
Jose plimps heirs
*Jonath Adams jr Joseph Adams Mary Adams
· Samuel Ellice Math Evans
*John Richerson
*peter Adams Sam" Adams
*george fairbank
*widow Richerson
*John Rocket
*Sergt Adams
*Jonath fisher John fisher se John fisher jr
*Josiah Rocket Sam" Rocket nehemy Sabin
*Benj Allin se Benj Allin
John fisher min widow fisk
*vincent shettleworth
Joseph Allin jr
*Henry gernsey John Hamant
Daniel Smith
*willm Allin
Timo Hamant
Henry Smith
John Barbers heirs
*Abrah Harding decon Harding Henry Harding Ichabod Harding
Sam" Smith Sarah Smith
John Bower
Jonath Boyden se
*Sam" Hill Dr Return Johnson
John Bullard
Elea Laland
Elisha Bullen
allexandr lovel
John Thurston jr John Turner se John Turner jr widow Turner
Joseph Bullen Sam11 Bullen
Joseph mason Joseph medcalfe
Eleazar whelock Sarah whelock
Benja Clark
mical medcs heirs Sergt medcalfe Jeremy morse se
Eleazar wight
Joseph Clark
Ephra wight se
Joseph Clarks heirs
Jeremy morse jr Joshua morse
Ephra wight jr
Mary Clark
Josha wight
Nath" Clark
Lieut morse
Joseph wight
Noah Clark
widow morse
Sam" wight se
Sam" Clark
Eleazar partredge
Sam1 wight jr
1
ens John Bullen
Nath Lovel
Ebenez' Mason
Joseph warren
Joseph Chaney
Isaac whelor
*John Clark
Abigail Smith
Sam1 Barber
Zecha Barber
* Ebenezr Thomson Daniel Thurston Decon Thurston
Jonath Boyden jr
Joseph Ellice
Sergt plimpton
John pratt
Joseph Allin se
Nath" Allin se
*Joseph Daniel jr
*Jasper Adams
113
ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
A road was laid out near John Hamant's house, over a stony brook to " rail-tree neck." This was a portion of what is now High Street, near its junction with Granite Street. Mr. John Odlin, who graduated from Harvard this year, had £15 for keeping school ; and £12 was granted to settle with Mrs. Wilson. At a town-meeting, December 21, it was voted "that the meeting be moved from the meeting-house to the ordinary." There is no clew to the location of the "ordi- nary," except that Eleazar Wheelock was called "innholder." If this indication is reliable, the public house at that day stood on the site of the present town hall.
1703. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Eleazar Adams, Benjamin Clark, John Plimpton, and Samuel Morse. John Thurston, Representative.
The March meeting was "moved to the ordinary," which was doubtless a much more comfortable and attractive place than the dilapidated old meeting-house.
Voted, That such inhabitants as will build a new meeting-house for the town's use shall have liberty to set it where the school-house stands, or where the old one stands, or near it; and shall have the old one and what appertains to it toward building and furnishing the new one.
From this vote, it appears that a better meeting-house was desired by some of the people, and that there was talk of building one by private enterprise.
1704. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Ben- jamin Clark, Eleazar Adams, and John Metcalf.
John Metcalf, Representative.
Mr. John Odlin kept school again.
John Fisher, Jr., was appointed coroner,-the first men- tion of the office.
Israel Rockwood, a soldier, died in service, probably against the French and Indians.
1705. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Joseph Ellis, Joseph Warren, "John Adams, Peter's son," and Eleazar Wheelock. John Metcalf, Representative.
1
114
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
A NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
Voted, To build a new meeting-house, and set it where the old one standeth, or where the school-house standeth, as the committee that shall be chosen shall decide.
Voted, That whereas Several people Neighboring to this Town with- out the bounds thereof, and in the bounds of our Neighboring Towns, have had free liberty and priviledg in time past to join with us in the publick worship of god, being Constant Dwellers and Constant Commers and thare in Distinguished from Transient strangers, and they may Injoy all such liberties and privilidges with us for the futer in all Respects Relating to the publick worship of god so long as they shall bare a Due proportion with us according to there known ability in building a New meetting-house very near whare the old one standeth and in maintaining the Same and so long as they shall bare a due proportion with us in our pastors Sallary according to there Known ability from time to time. But such of said Neighbours as shall neglect to Do such Dutys from time to time shall have no farther Right in such priviledges with us.
The building committee consisted of Deacon John Hard- ing, John Metcalf, George Fairbanks, Benjamin Clark, Joseph Daniel, Coroner John Fisher, Henry Adams, Ser- geant Jonathan Boyden, and Samuel Barber.
Voted, That those living west of the river shall have back half of what they pay toward the meeting-house, in case they build one on that side within twenty years.
The town voted to raise £120 by taxes for the purposes of building, one-half to be paid in money, the rest in labor and materials at money prices.
1706. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Cor- oner John Fisher, Eleazar Ellis, and Benjamin Clark.
Henry Adams, Representative.
Voted, To lengthen out the meeting-house.
The first plan appears to have been deemed too small.
Granted, To Lieut. Samuell morse libertie to flow a small percel of the Towns Co"on Swamp for the use of a fulling mill and also the Towns Right in the stream near the Cowpen so long as there shall be a fulling-mill maintained there.
This mill, built for the purpose of fulling hand-woven cloth, was the first of the kind mentioned in this town. Its
1
115
ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
location was not far from the present stone mill on the Ded- ham road.
The meeting-house was built this year, as we learn from the bills that were paid ; and from them we also learn that it was clapboarded and shingled. Besides the town car- penters, Comfort Star of Dedham and Robert Pond of Wrentham, workmen of acknowledged ability, were engaged for some of the more important parts. These two received each three shillings a day for their labor. The glazing was done by Ephraim Cutter, at a cost of £11 18s. There is no account of mason-work. In fact, there were no chim- neys to be built, though the house may have been plastered. It is said there were two galleries, and that the "upper gallery " was occupied by the negro slaves. But we have no definite description of that house. It lasted eighty-three years, and stood, without doubt, on the spot where the old one stood.
Voted, That the Comittee may sell all such board, plank, and timber as did belong to the old meetting house as they judge not fitt to be improved about the new meetting house or Repairing the School house.
A piece of rudely carved oak is still preserved, which was taken from the front of the gallery when the meeting-house of 1706 was pulled down. It bears the date 1656, the year when the first pulpit was made. This ornament was prob- ably a part of that piece of furniture, and was put into the second house as a memento.
Men were drafted to go against the French ; and Vincent Shuttleworth, Jr., was impressed for that service from Med- field. He went to Port Royal and to the fort at Casco, whence he was sent on service into the country, where he was overtaken by a fire in the woods and seriously burned. Being disabled from labor, he obtained help from the State, forty years afterward, in consequence of the disaster.
1707. Selectmen, Henry Adams, Benjamin Clark, Coroner John Fisher, Samuel Wight, Jr., and "John Adams, Peter's son."
Samuel Morse, Representative.
-
I16
HISTORY OF MEDFIELD.
Henry Adams was chosen town clerk. He held the office in all seven years.
£30 more appropriated to finish the meeting-house.
A leading way was laid out "at the house of Solomon Clark from the common road to the swamp: turning in between the house and the well, and leading along to the brook, and over the brook" to the swamps of John Fisher and others, "providing that the occupiers thereof do lay up such fence or railes as are needful to prevent damage to the lands it leadeth through." That leading way is still in use from the house of Thomas S. Clark to the meadows near " Devil's-foot Island."
The names of those who attended church here from out of town are mentioned, with the sums they paid toward Mr. Baxter's support : Joshua Clap, 9s .; Eleazer Clap, 7s .; William Robbins, Sen., Ios .; William Robbins, Jr., 5s .; Benjamin Chenery and Ebenezer Vales, amounts not given. These lived in a part of Dedham, now Walpole.
John Draper gave 8s .; and John Mason, 5s. They lived in another part of Dedham, now Dover.
1708. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Jonathan Boyden, Benjamin Clark, Joseph Ellis, and Nathaniel Partridge.
Samuel Barber was Representative.
At town-meeting, Jonathan Boyden was appointed "to assist in managing the affairs of the day wherein the con- stables were wont to assist."
£25 granted this year to finish the meeting-house.
1709. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Samuel Rockwood, Jonathan Adams, Jr., and Eleazar Ellis. Henry Adams, Representative.
Voted, That the committee for placeing persons in the meetting house shall have liberty to alter some seats below if they se cause, the charge of altering them not to exceed {1 Ios. upon the town's account.
SEATS FOR WOMEN AND FOR MEN.
Voted, That half the meetting house Shall be for women to Sitt in the northeast end of it; and the southwest end of it for men except in the new pews.
1
117
ANNALS OF THE TOWN, 1700-1764.
1710. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Ebenezer Mason, Sergeant Jonathan Adams, and Samuel Rockwood.
Henry Adams, Representative.
Dr. Johnson, the first physician, had died in 1707, and Dr. Samuel Adams appears.
Voted, That there shall be ten pounds Aded to Mr baxters 60 pound Sallary this present year with what the neighbors in Deadham bounds Day in.
ARREARS IN MR. BAXTER'S SALARY.
The town empowered the treasurer to sue for and recover the arrears in that £50 promised to Mr. Baxter for his "encouragement" at the time of his settlement, also for the arrears in his salary in subsequent years.
Joshua Morse, having been chosen constable, was excused from serving by the Governor. In those days, men elected to office were required to serve or pay a fine, unless excused by high authority.
1711. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Henry Adams, Benjamin Clark, Coroner John Fisher, and Jonathan Adams, Sen.
Henry Adams, Representative.
Three constables were chosen to collect the taxes,- Jonathan Boyden for the south end, Jonathan Plympton for the north end, and Timothy Clark for the west side.
Thomas Chaney kept school six months for £12 and his "diet." He was a recent graduate of Harvard College, as were most of those mentioned as schoolmasters about that time.
1712. Selectmen, Samuel Barber, Coroner John Fisher, Henry Adams, Benjamin Clark, and Samuel Rockwood. Samuel Barber, Representative.
Voted, That no person shall box any more pine trees in the common Lands in the Town for turpentine pitch or Rossin without leave from the Town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.