USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Northfield > History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies > Part 11
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Names. deres. Names. Acres.
Enfign John Lyman.
45 Samuel Boltwood 30
Jofeph Parfons Sen.
90 John Taylor. 30
Mr. William Janes
60 John Woodward 35
George Alexander 60 Benjamin Palmer 30
Samuel Wright's heirs
60 Richard Francis 36
John Alexander Robert Lyman.
35 Ifaac Warner 30
William Miller
55 Jofeph Pumery 36
Jofeph Dickinfon's heirs
50
Eleazar Warner 20
Ralph Hutchinfon
40 John Hutchinfon 25
Micah Mudge
30 Thomas Hunt 20
Cornelius Merry
30 Daniel Warner 20
John Hilyard
30 William Gurley 25
Thomas Webfter
35 Zachery Lawrence 25
William Clarke
40 John Marfh
35
Samuel Davis
30 Benjamin Wright.
Nath1 Alexander
40 Ebenezer Wright 30
John Clary Jr. .. 50
Ensign Lyman was to have 15 acres, or its equivalent, in addition to the 45. And in Feb. 1684, "it was then granted to Ensign Ly- man a swamp of 60 acres at the lower end of the Great Meadow, as part of the 15 acres that is in addition to his grant."
John Clary Jr. was entitled to but 30 acres ; and the 20 addi- tional was granted "on condition that he build a grist-mill for the use of the inhabitants."
Joseph Dickinson was represented here by his son Samuel.
Samuel Janes took one of his father's rights, and the home-lot next north of the one on which the Elder built in 1673 was assigned to him.
·
40 Richard Lyman 35
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History of Northfield.
Ebenezer Wright went up with the first company, but did not remain.
Several of the engagers altered their minds, and did not remove to Northfield. Eleazar Warner forfeited his land, both home-lot and meadow, and it was afterwards granted to William Weeks ; Thomas Hunt's land was forfeited and alienated to John Lyman (Robert's son) ; John Taylor's land was forfeited and alienated to Samuel Boltwood ; Samuel Boltwood's first pitch was forfeited and alienated to John Holmes; Joseph Pumery's to Joseph Warriner ; John Marsh's to Richard Lyman, and the lot first assigned to Richard Lyman to Jacob Root; William Gurley's to Joseph Root (both home-lot and meadow).
Some of the above changes, and others of a similar kind, did not take place till 1685 and '86. In the latter year, "the home-lot granted and laid out to Richard Francis, was granted to John Clary Jr., in addition to his home-lot, making it extend north to the Mill brook, in lieu of 2 acres of interval and the Island lying at the turn of the Great River above Ashuelot river."
March 18, 1686, " A grant of a home-lot and that Island com- monly called Mr. Janes's Island, lying a little above Pauchaug," was made to Joseph Janes : and a home-lot and 20 acres of interval was granted to Judah Hutchinson. Hutchinson took up his home-lot, but Janes did not. Samuel King had a grant of 25 acres, Thomas Root of 20 acres, Sam1 Hutchinson and Sam1 Lyman of 15 acres each, which were severally laid out "in the Three Little Meadows below the town plot," and they were " accepted as inhabitants," though they had no home-lots, and put up no buildings. At the same time, grants of 10 acres each were made to William Clarke Jr., Robert Poag, Steven Jennings and Samuel Taylor, which were laid out " on the north side of Four-mile brook." And the names of James Corse, John Kingsley, Joseph Sheldon and Thomas Root Jr. are found on the Committee's records, but no lands were assigned them.
April 1687, Moses Lyman received a grant of " a home-lot and 20 acres of upland." He was here in 1688, but his home- lot has not been identified.
1684. The project made little advance this season, and the Com- mittee met with many discouragements.
Feb. 13, 1684. The Committee then granted to Micah Mudge 6 acres upon the Moose plain.
May 28, 1684. “ We whose names are under written have layed out the highways of Squakeage town plot 10 rods wide through the
97
Resettlement of Squakheag.
town, and a highway on the north side of Micah Mudge's home-lot and the south side of John Alexander's home-lot 10 rods wide to the meadow fence west, and so it runs into the woods eastward.
MICAH MUDGE JOHN BROUGHTON BENJAMIN WRIGHT"
There is reason to believe that some of the grantees spent more or less time upon the ground this year, and that some lands were broken up, perhaps some crops put in, and preparation made for building houses. Probably the meadows were burned over in the autumn, after the custom of the Indians. The last of November was the date fixed by the Committee from which to reckon the four years, at the expiration of which all land grants, not occupied, were to be forfeited.
1685. The spring of this year was the time finally agreed upon to rebuild the town.
" At a meeting of the Committee with the Company belonging to Squakeage, at Enfign Lyman's houfe [in Northampton], April 8, 1685, That where bound marks between men's lots were loft fince the time they were driven away by the Indians, being about ten years fince, we then, both the Committee and Proprietors did agree and order the lands both home-lots and meadow-lands fhould be meafured again, and each man to have his juft due."
April 26, 1685. At a meeting of the Committee, it was then agreed and ordered, that those men that have had lots granted, and are now to have their proportions laid out, shall have what they want [lack] in the Great meadow and Pauchaug in the next meadow, until they have equal with the former inhabitants, and what it wants in quality to be made up in quantity until it be equalized : this order doth ex- tend to all those that shall have lots granted until the number of 40 families be settled.
SAW-MILL .- At a meeting of the Committee May 18, 1685, they then granted to John Woodward, William Clarke Jr. and Richard Lyman and any other that shall join with them, liberty to build a saw-mill, and we have granted to them a stream to improve their mill and so much land as they need to pond on and to lay logs upon, and 20 acres of land near the mill. for pasturing or any other youse what they see mete, and liberty of the Commons for timber what they need to build with ; this [pasture land] is granted to them and to their
98
History of Northfield.
heirs forever, to be taken up where the partners shall judge most convenient. This mill was set up on what is known as the Dea. Janes mill site.
May 23, 1685. William Clarke " in behalfe of those that are pre- paring to resettle the village of Squakeage," sent a statement and petition to the General Court' in which after rehearsing the action of the Committee in fixing the original bounds of the plantation, he proceeds : "and now being streightened for roome at the easterly end, the inhabitants that now intend to resettle the place againe doe earnestly desier and intreate this honnoured Court, if you see mete, to lett the plantation extend about two miles and a halfe lower, unto a little stoney brooke, which is called Fower Miles Brooke, and that yow would grant it to them ; it would greatly encourage those that are to setle there, there being neare about forty familys preparing to setle there within a litle time. There is no intervale nor meadow land in this tract of land that I moove for them, but because it lyes near the toune, and may be usefull for wood and other wayes, and also incou- rage more inhabitants." * *
The Court granted the petition, and extended the southerly bound on the east side of the river accordingly.
The number of families that went upon the plantation this first season, is not definitely known. Evidently it was much smaller than had been expected. It was not over twenty. The terrible remem- brances of the former attempt were fresh in the minds of the surviv- ors, and they were slow to repeat the risk. The temptation of abundance of land and a pleasant dwelling place, was offset by the perils of frontier exposure and distance from help. Micah Mudge, Cornelius Merry, John Alexander and William Miller, of the earlier planters, and Samuel Davis, Benjamin Palmer, John Clary Jr. and Benjamin Wright, resolute men, named in the records as " new comers," were the pioneers, and bore the brunt in this enterprise.
Each settler built on his home-lot, instead of in a common en- closure, as at the former attempt. According to the Rev. Mr. Hub- bard's account, some " put up convenient houses" - probably of framed timber, and covered with rived clap-boards.
FORT .- As one of the first necessities of frontier life, they built a substantial fort. This was placed on the Robert Lyman home-lot, owned in the Third Settlement by Zechariah Field.
' Mass. Colony Records, v, 482.
.
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Resettlement of Squakheag.
GRIST-MILL .- Early in the season a grist-mill was set up by John Clary Jr. He had the mill in Hadley the preceding year,' and was induced to remove hither by the offer of 20 acres of land in Great meadow, and the island situated in the great bend of the river. The mill was located on Mill brook,? on the privilege nearest the street.
Sept. 15, 1685. It is further granted to the "new inhabitants," in the upper end of the Great meadow, as an addition to their lots that they shall run to the brow of the hill, that is to say, where the fence now stands.
An Order for the Preservation of Timber at Squakeage alias Northfield. It is ordered by the Committee of the place, that if any perfon or perfons whatfo- ever fhall fall timber on the Commons, after 3 months its, to be crofsted or cut off ; and after 3 months more to be cleft out or bolted or fquared ; if not, it fhall be forfeited."
Bolts were cuts of sufficient length for shingles or clap-boards, i. e. from 3 to 5 feet long.
APPORTIONMENT OF THE LAND GRANTS .- An important and somewhat difficult part of the Committee's work this year, (not com- pleted till the next), was the apportionment of the granted lands among the inhabitants.
There is nowhere to be found a record of the rule by which the lands at Squakheag were originally granted, at this Second Settle- ment. From an incidental allusion in one of the town votes, it is believed that a sum of money was subscribed in advance by each en- gager, the sum total of which was to be used in payment for land pur- chases, expense of surveying, and other antecedent charges. A cer- tain sum thus put down entitled the subscriber to 30 acres of interval ; more to more, and less to less, in proper ratio. Thus the number of acres set against each man's name in the Committee's list (see ante, p. 95), represented his estate, and was the basis of taxation for public charges. A rate, laid in 1688, for building a meeting-house and bridge, was levied on this list of lands. The home-lots, being of equal size, were not taxed for these public charges.
It is to be borne in mind that the allotment now made, was not in addition to the grants set down in the Committee's list, but was only the filling up of those grants.
" The Hadley mill had been in possession of Robert Boltwood and his son Samuel. Nov. 1, 1683, the town bought out their right, and took possession : but difficulty arising, the town surrendered the property back to the Boltwoods, May 1, 1685.
2 The stream on which the first mill in a town was built, was commonly named Mill brook.
100
History of Northfield.
In this apportionment of outlying intervals, it was the aim of the Committee that each settler should have his just proportion of the more desirable lands, such as Great meadow and Pauchaug, as well as of the distant plains and meadows. To secure a more substantial equality, the larger meadows were first marked off into 2 or 3 nearly equal parts, and each man received a lot in each part, or a lot in one part equivalent in value to the 2 or 3.
Great meadow was divided into 3 parts. The first division em- braced 17 lots, the smallest being 2} and the largest 11} acres ; the second division had 25 lots, varying from 2 to 223 acres ; the third division had 16 lots of from 12 to 5 acres each.
Pauchaug was divided into 2 parts, and each division into 18 lots which were assigned to new comers. These lots varied in size from 6 to 10 acres each.
Bennett's meadow was cut into 2 parts, and each part into 16 lots. These lots were granted in the ratio of I acre for every 10 acres as given in the Committee's list - 30 acres drew 3, etc.
Great swamp was divided into 32 lots, and each grantee of 30 acres drew 5} acres, and so more or less as the case might be. This was the only supply of wood handy to the town, and such as failed to receive a share here, probably were expected to supply their wants from the patches growing on the commons, or on the banks of the streams.
Little meadow, which lay on the west side of the river " opposite the upper end of Pauchaug," contained about 24 acres and was divi- ded into 16 lots, each of which had from I to Ig acres.
Third meadow, on the west side "above Pauchaug," (separated from Little meadow by a wooded ravine) was estimated at 36 acres, and divided into 16 lots, varying from & to 5 acres each.
The Fifth meadow draught or Great meadow west, comprised lands on both sides of the river. . The east division, " lying triangular on both sides of a brook," had 12 lots ; the west division had 19 lots, ranging from 1 to 7} acres each, being in about the ratio of 3} acres to each 30 acre grant.
The Ashuelot draught, comprised the meadow and open lands at the mouth of the Ashuelot, and the meadows opposite on the west side of the Connecticut. The east division contained about 23 acres, parceled into 9 lots ; the west division of about 70 acres was par- celed into 22 lots. The lots varied in size from 1} to 72 acres, the majority containing 22 acres.
IOI
Resettlement of Squakbeag.
A lot of 11g acres, in the meadow on the east side of the Connec- ticut "above the Ashuelot draught," was granted to Cornelius Merry, whence originated the name Merry's meadow, applied in later records to the tract above old Fort Hill.
Moose plain, reckoned at about 120 acres, was divided into 18 lots, ranging from 34 to 15§ acres each.
A year later, Wells's meadow (below the Fifth meadow draught), and Wells's plain (above Moose plain), were apportioned to the settlers.
A home-lot of 73 acres, and 46 acres of interval were reserved for a minister. Meadowlands were also set apart and reserved for "the smith."
BURYING-GROUND. - A piece of land was reserved for a burying- place on the meadow hill,1 and a way to it through Samuel Dickin- son's home-lot (the Joseph Dickinson lot) } " and we have allowed him two rods more than his due for ye way, on the north side of his lot."
This year, highways, or more properly meadow-roads, were laid out as follows : one of two rods wide through the Great meadow by the town, from the south end to the north end across every man's lot ; also a cross highway to the meadow, between the minister's lot and William Miller's lot ; two rods wide through Pauchaug from south to north across all the lots ; two rods wide through every man's lot in the Ashuelot draught west ; also 2 highways one rod wide each, from south to north through Bennett's meadow, one on the plain below the great hill, and one in the meadow ; and " a parcel of land from Parsons's lot to the Rock is reserved to set hay and corn on for conveniency" ; one rod wide through the lots in Little mea- dow, from south to north, with an allowance of space at the south end upon William Clarke's land "sufficient to turn carts on" ; one rod wide through the Third meadow, with conveniency for turning carts ; two rods wide through all that meadow called the Fifth meadow or Great-meadow west, through every man's lot.
THE COMMONS .- All the lands not divided and apportioned, were called Common land, or Town land ; and were open for pasturage without restriction, to all the inhabitants. .
: The tradition is, that Sergt. Samuel Wright was killed on this spot by the Indians, Sept. 2, 1675, and his bones, when found, were interred where he fell ; which circumstance de- cided the location of the cemetery.
102
History of Northfield.
1686. At the town meeting March 18, 1686, the following officers were chosen : Ensign John Lyman and Benjamin Palmer, Supervis- ors of the place. Micah Mudge, Constable for the year ensuing. John Clary Jr. and John Lyman, fence viewers. Micah Mudge and Benjamin Palmer, measurers of land : " And it is ordered that they shall have two pence every acre, if the proprietors be not with them, if they be, they are to have but one penny for measuring."
It is ordered that if any home-lot shall fall short in measure, they shall have it made up elsewhere: and what it is wanting in quality to be made up in quantity.
MEADOW FENCES .- At the same meeting, " ordered, that the fence about the Great Meadow shall be made up by the 16th of April next insuing, sufficient according to law, that is to say, thick and strong according to the judgment of the fence-viewers ; and if any do neg- lect to make their fence according to this order, they shall forfeit for every week's neglect 2 shillings and 6 pence every rod, besides all other damage.
It is ordered that Pauchaug shall be fenced in by the beginning of May next insuing, upon the forfeit of 4 shillings and six pence per. rod for every week's neglect, besides all other damages.
As the matter of fencing was one of the heavy burdens on the new settler, a brief account will here be given. All the cattle and usually the hogs were suffered to run at large. Grain fields and mow lands were thus exposed to constant depredation. For each man to fence around his separate lot would be enormously expensive and was un- necessary. And so " common fences " around " common fields," to be regulated by the town, was the rule adopted. Each proprietor was required to make and maintain fence according to the number of acres he held in the field or meadow, and to have a stake 12 inches high at the end of his fence, with the two first letters of his name, facing the way the fence runs. The home-lot fences were usually made of posts and rails. Meadow fences were sometimes of the same, and sometimes consisted of a broad ditch with stakes and two or three poles set on the bank, making the whole full four feet in height.
FERRY .- A lot 26 rods wide was reserved and laid out upon Moose plain for a highway and ferry. This was what is known as the Prin- dle ferry.
NEW FORT .- A new fort was built early this year on the John Clary home-lot. This was necessary for the protection of the mill,
IO3
Resettlement of Squakheag
and as a resort for the families located at this end of the street. The site of this fort, which was on the height of land south of the Mill brook (now known as the Capt. White lot) was favorable for obser- vation and defence. The tradition is that it was a strong work, built of logs, with a mount at the northwest corner. The stone founda- tion was in place 50 years ago, and the well is still perfect.
May 24, 1686. A new deed of the tract of land between Miller's brook on the south, and Mill brook, on the north, originally pur- chased in 1671 (see ante, p. 52), was taken of the Indians. This implies that the savages were in the neighborhood ; and the fact that their demand for additional pay was yielded to shows that it was thought necessary to conciliate them. And the appointment of John Lyman as ensign of the militia at Northfield this spring, and the building of a new fort indicate the state of apprehension which prevailed. Pro- bably watches were kept at night, and wards in the day-time, from the Ist of May to the time of the " fall of the leaves" - the Indians com- monly choosing this season for their attacks, as the leaves afforded better concealment. All males from 16 to 60, except those exempted by law, were required to train four days in a year, and were liable at all times to be called upon to take their turn in watching, warding and scouting. I
The plan on the next page exhibits the home-lots as located by the Committee, and includes all, except Moses Lyman'sand Judah Hutch- inson's, that had been assigned and taken up as late as the spring of 1687. Several of them were not occupied at this date, and some of them must have remained unoccupied during this Settlement. According to a statement of Micah Mudge and Samuel Davis, "about 25 families" actually built houses on their home-lots. All named on the plan, however, except Richard Francis, were taxed in Northfield, and they or their heirs claimed a title to the lots, at a subsequent time. The records contain no evidence to show that George Alexander, Joseph Parsons, Robert Lyman, Mr. William Janes, Richard Lyman or William Clarke became actual residents in this second attempt - though they paid annual taxes : and it is doubtful if any one to repre- sent Samuel Wright took possession of his home-lot. Deducting these names, leaves (including Moses Lyman and Judah Hutchinson) 29 as the number of actual settlers. And all the 29, except John Hutchin- son and Ralph Hutchinson, are known to have been in Northfield at
" Every town was required by law to provide a suitable watch-house, with candles, and wood. In time of peace, watches were under control of the town constable; in time of war, they were under the military authorities.
Jos. Warriner
Common land
Wm. Weeks
..... Benj. Palmer
Z. Lawrence
Rich. Francis
John Clary Jr.
John Woodward
Thos. Webster
Saml Wright
....
Geo Alexander
John Alexander
HIGHWAY
Micah Mudge
Samuel Davis
Jos. Dickinson
Jos. Parsons
John Hilyard
Isaac Warner
Cor. Merry
John Lyman
Rob. Lyman
J. Hutchinson
Jos. Root
HIGHWAY
Wm. Janes
Ralph Hutchinson
MEADOW ROAD
John Holmes
Town land
...
TOW
Danl. Warner
N
Jacob Root
..
Minister's lot
NORTH
HIGHWAY
Rich. Lyman
N. Alexander
Wm. Clarke
...
Benj. Wright
Ens. J. Lyman
Wm. Miller
...
GREAT SWAMP
١٠
PLAN OF THE TOWN PLOT, 1686.
Town land.
M
SOUTH
STREET
Town land
...
Saml Janes
Sami Boltwood
Town land
IO5
Resettlement of Squakheag.
this time. Thus the statement of Mudge and Davis is substantially corroborated.
A brief sketch of the new comers is in place here.
NATHANIEL ALEXANDER, was the 5th child of George (see Settlers of 1673). His w. was Hannah Allen, dau. of Samuel. Neither of his sons lived to marry : and after the Third Settlement, he sold his home-lot to his nephew Ebenezer Alexander, and went to live with his dau. Hannah, the w. of Samuel Boltwood Jr. of Hadley.
SAMUEL BOLTWOOD. His father Robert was early at Wethers- field (east side) ; afterwards of Hadley. Samuel, known as Sergeant Boltwood, was an engager for Northfield in 1683, but did not go up till '86. . He was a man of remarkable strength, and great bravery, and " a noted wolf killer." He m. Sarah Lewis, dau. of Capt. Wil- liam of Farmington, Ct. When Northfield was deserted he returned to Hadley ; was slain (with his.son Robert) at Deerfield, Feb. 29, 1704. Several of his children married into Northfield families.
JOHN CLARY Jr., was son of John of Watertown and Hadley. He built the first grist-mill in N. 1685. He (with his dau. Sarah aged 15) was killed by the Indians at or near his mill, Aug. 16, 1688. His w. was dau. of the first Nathaniel Dickinson of Hadley and sis- ter of Joseph of Northfield who was k. with Capt. Beers.
SAMUEL DAVIS was the son of William of Roxbury. Was at Northampton 1668. He was a leading man in the Northfield set- tlement, and did not desert the place till the spring of 1690. He d. at Northampton July 26, 1690. Mary Davis of Northampton, dau. of his son John, held a right in his lands and was taxed in North- field 1718.
SAMUEL DICKINSON, son of Joseph, represented his father's rights in Northfield during this Settlement.
RICHARD FRANCIS. Probably from Dorchester, and one of the 16 young men who in 1669 could not prove an "orderly living," and the constables were ordered to look after them. He was clerk of Capt. Turner's company in Philip's war : named in Northampton records 1675 ; took oath of fid. at Nh". Feb. 8, 1679. He was one of the Northfield engagers, 1683; received a grant of a home-lot and 36 acres of interval in 1684 ; received a special grant of 10 acres north of Four-mile brook, Mar. 18, 1686. He did not re- move to Northfield, and his home-lot was given to John Clary Jr. He d. before Feb. 8, 1715.
WILLIAM GURLEY, said to be of Scotch descent. He was brought up in the family of Rev. Solomon Stoddard. Is named as an inhabit- ant of Northampton Feb. 8, 1679. He m. 1684, Esther Ingersoll.
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History of Northfield.
Had grant of home-lot, etc., in Northfield 1684, and special grant of IO acres north of Four-mile brook Mar. 18, 1686, but did not take possession. He was drowned at Northampton May 21, 1687.
JOHN HOLMES, took oath of fid. at Northampton Feb. 8, 1679. He received a grant of a home-lot at Northfield, and built on it in 1686. The place, now owned by Joseph B. Callender, was known as the Holmes lot for several generations. After the desertion of the planta- tion he removed to Deerfield, and d. 1692.
THOMAS HUNT. He was the oldest son of Dea. Jona. and Clem- ence (Hosmer) Hunt of Northampton. Had grant of home-lot and 20 acres of land at Northfield 1684 ; and special grant of 10 acres north of Four-mile brook March 18, 1686; but did not remove thither. He was living in Lebanon, Ct., 1700 : was an original member of the church in Lebanon.
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