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 15
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1715. Eleazar Mattoon was the only addition to the settlers this spring. In view of the hindrances and inequality arising from the re- fusal of non-residents to sell or inhabit, the Committee made applica- tion to the General court for new powers ; and at its session June 10, 1715, the following order was passed : -
"On Petition of Sam1 Partridge and John Stoddard Efq' & Mr. Henry Dwight,
" Ordered - That the order of this court pafsed Feby 1714 for the fettlement of the town of Northfield be further continued for 3 years more :
136
History of Northfield.
NORTH GATE
HIGHWAY
3 rods
HIGHWAY
3 rode
HIGHWAY 2 rods wide.
CENTRAL HIGHWAY 3 rods wide.
..
HIGHWAY 2 rods wide.
HIGHWAY
3 roda
HIGHWAY
3 rods
SOUTH GATE
I 37
Permanent Settlement.
" That the Committee be directed 10 fettle the town in the moft regular and defenfible manner that may be :
" That all Town T'axes in Northfield for the fpace of 5 years next coming be raifed on polls as the law directs, and on the lands that are or fhall be di- vided or allotted out, and that when a General or Common Field is agreed upon to be fenced in for improvement, the proprietors of the enclofed land fhall pay their juft proportion towards the charges of making and maintaining the fence, whether they improve their land or not. And if any fuch proprietors are out of the Province, then their enclofed lands fhall ftand chargeable therewith until it is paid."
This act of the court met the case, so far as legislation was con- cerned ; but the immediate effect was not apparent.
In order to carry out the wish of the court relating to the " regular and defensible manner " of building the town, the Committee decided upon a plan, which, while offering greater security yet entailed in- conveniences and expense, which more than counterbalanced the ad- vantages. The first comers had severally taken the home-lots which they held by right or purchase, and were thus much scattered. Eleazar Mattoon was north of Mill-brook. Peter Evens built near the north, and Zechariah Field near the south end of the street. There was yet no fort or garrison house. And as a measure of defence as well as supposed convenience, a plan was adopted by the Committee, with a view to bring all the dwellings of settlers into a small compass, and surround the whole with a stockade, as was done in the Settlement of 1673. This would necessitate the removal of houses already erected outside the proposed limits ; and was in its nature a temporary expedient, and unequal in its working. Whoever (except the owners) built on the designated space, must expect soon to remove, or re- build on their own land.
THE PROPOSED STOCKADE .- " At a meeting of the Committee for Northfield at Northampton, July 12, 1715, it was agreed - In order to make the place more defenfible, that the town-plot for prefent building, fhould begin South- wardly about 4 rods upon the fouth fide of John Hilyard's lot, and 10 extend up the ftreet northwardly 60 rods, and 30 rods in width eaft and weft. And the highway being 10 rods in width, and fo to take out of the front of each man's lot for the 60 rods inclufive, on the eaft and weft fides refpectively, 10 rods in width - the faid plot being in the form following, viz : [see opposite p. ]
" And whereas, In the aforefaid Plot, there is land taken out upon the weit fide of the Town ftreet 10 rods wide from the front of John Hilyard's, Joseph Brook's, Thomas Taylor's, and Hezekiah Stratton's lots, and upon the catt fide as much out of Capt. Benj. Wright's, Ebenezer and Increafe Clark's and Nath1
138
History of Northfield.
Alexander's lots, the Committee do conclude and agree that, during fuch time as the front of faid lots are improved as aforefaid, the owners fhall have reafon- able fatiffaction for the fame ; and upon the confideration aforefaid the feveral owners do acquit and releafe their rights in the faid land for the ufe aforefaid, for fuch time as the Committee or Town fhall agree."
This plan, which gave 24 building lots, was agreed to by the owners of such lots as were included within the proposed stockade (except Hezekiah Stratton), but was rejected by all the rest, and the project was abandoned. I
At their meeting July 12 (as above), the Committee appointed town officers, as follows: Benoni Moore, surveyor or town measurer in the room of Lieut. John Lyman ; Zechariah Field, sur- veyor of highways; Hezekiah Stratton and Eleazar Mattoon, fence viewers ; and order, That they cause the fence about the Great meadow to be put in repair.
The Committee alfo order,
That the furveyors meafure out the feveral allotments in Bennett's Meadow and bound them according to their feveral quantitys of acres, and make report to the Committee, and to render an account of what land remains : And that they meafure and bound men's allotments in Pachage Meadow, and make re- port of what remains : And that they meafure men's allotments in the Great Meadow by the Town, and report what common land remains, and place boundaries where they find none between men's lots ; And that they find a convenient place for a Home-lot for Benoni Moore, and a quantity of meadow land fuitable for his accommodation, and give an account of the refpective places and the feveral dimenfions of the particular parcels to the Committee.
SAMEL PARTRIDGE Comtee for
JOHN STODDARD
SAMEL PORTER Northfield.
1716. The Home-lots granted this year, and the " new comers " with families, were, Benoni Moore, Remembrance Wright, Jona. Patterson, and Dea. Benj. Janes ; and Jonathan Janes and Daniel Wright, without families. John Hannum was here through the summer. Dea. Janes took possession of his father's (Elder William Janes) rights ; Jonathan Janes took his father Samuel's rights, which he ex- changed Aug. 25, 1718 with Joseph Petty for the Ralph Hutchinson lot, where he and his descendants have since resided.
* This proposed stockade took in the space from a little below the south line of Jonathan Belcher's home-lot, to where the Parson Mason house stands, and the corresponding space on the west side of the street. The enclosure or stockade of 1673, was probably fashioned on much the same general plan, but was smaller, and located a little to the south.
139
Permanent Settlement.
March 8, 1716. At a meeting of the Committee, town officers were appointed as follows :
Peter Evens, constable and collector.
Zechariah Field and Hezekiah Stratton, fence viewers.
Eleazar Mattoon, surveyor of highways.
Remembrance Wright, field driver :
" And it was ordered, That the Town Meafurers proceed to apportion the common fence about the Great Meadow, fetting out to each man one rod and a half per acre for his land in faid Meadow, each man's feveral quantities being fet out and ftaked, in the following order of fuccefsion - beginning at or in the River at the fouth end of fd meadow, running to or into the River at the north end of fd meadow, not accounting the northwardly half of the fence at the rear of each man's Home-lot in the fuccefsion, the proprietors of fu home-lots being obliged by law to make fu half as their dividend fence."
" A lift of the Fence about the Great Meadow by the Town, taken March 31, 1716, beginning at the South end. Capt. Wright's fence being, forty-four rods twelve feet and fix inches, eight rods is allowed for the water-courfe, which leaves to
r. ft. in.
r. ft. in.
Capt. Benj. Wright. 36 12 6 Ralph Hutchinfon's heirs 18 8 10
Common fence .
12 12 0 Wm. Janes's heirs 14
3
6
John Hutchinfon
5 4 0 Saml. Janes's heirs. IO 13
6
Jofeph Root S
4 O Zechariah Field. IO 4
O
Jacob Root 6 O O Ifaac Mattoon. IO
Samuel Curtis
I 6 2
Jona. Arnold.
IO
I
O
Ebenezer and
Ralph Hutchinfon's heirs 2
Increafe Clarke $
I2 3 º
Ifaac Warner 6
48
Jona. Arnold.
5
6 8 Jofeph Brooks IO
Charles Williams. 4
8 3 Thomas Taylor I
John Hylier.
7 7 8
Hezekiah Stratton Mary Davis II
5
0
Wm. Janes's heirs
SIS O
Peter Evens .. 8 9
Town Fence
29
14 0 Jona. Patterfon acrofs the N. high-
Wm. Miller Sen. heirs.
28
Nathl. Alexander
17 3 3
Sergt. Thos. Taylor, acrofs Miller's brook ..
Jos. Alexander Saml. Curtis
IO
I
O
Nathl. Alexander
2
5
4
4
8
Peter Evens 20
2 6
John Clary's heirs 27
Eleazar Warner.
4
8
5
Lt. Jona. Hunt.
6
12 4
Jofeph Brooks
26
o
I Jofeph Clary 8
3
O
Mary Davis
I
Ifaac Mattoon
2
7
8 Jona. Patterfon IO
Zechariah Field
2 II 5 Hezekiah Stratton 3
6
3
Common Fence
13
I
6 Eben. Boltwood. 6
O
Minifter's Fence
7
5
Jofeph Brooks
Remem. Wright and
Jofeph Severance.
6
O
O Eleazar Mattoon, the water courfe at the River on the North
Benoni Moore, acrofs the S. high- way except the Gate.
9 2 6
Thos. Taylor, the S. Gate
6 Jos. Lepingwell. II
3 0
2 9 way except the Gate . 9 2 0 Jos. Alexander, the N. Gate.
IO
I
0 Eben. Wright 10
I
Jos. Lepingwell
Eben. Wright 8
5 2
O 6 Remem. Wright and Eleazar Mat- toon, acrofs Mill brook
6 Minifter's fence ; IO O O
7
9
Enoch Randall
IO II 4
John Hylier
2 8 Minifter's Fence 10 13
140
History of Northfield.
Memorandum : Capt. Benj. Wright is appointed to maintain the water-courfe at the S. end of the Meadow, in confideration of eight rods abatement of his proportion of fence :
Sergt. Thomas Taylor is appointed to maintain the S. Gate and the water- courfe in Miller's brook, for which he is abated fourteen and a half rods, four feet and feven inches :
Jofeph Alexander is appointed to maintain the N. Gate, for which he is abated cleven rods one foot and three inches of his proportion : Eleazar Mat- toon and Remembrance Wright are appointed to maintain the watercourfe in the Mill brook and the North watercourfe at Connecticut river for the whole of their proportion of fence, being thirteen and a half rods."
The foregoing list and memoranda are valuable, as showing the method of apportioning the fences around common fields ; and also, it contains the names of most of the resident and non-resident land owners at this date.
In the course of this year, the Ralph Hutchinson heirs sell their lands to Joseph Petty of Coventry, Ct. : Cornelius Merry's heirs sell to Robert Cooper of Deerfield ; and the Joseph Parsons lot is sold to Lt. Jona. Hunt of Northampton.
GARRISON SOLDIERS .-. " June 10, 1716. On Petition of the Committee and proprietors of Northfield, Ordered, that ten men in the public pay be allowed for the covering and encouragement of the plantation of Northfield, until the session of this Court in the next Fall, who are not to be of the Inhabitants there. [Gen. Court Records.]
THE FIRST MINISTER .- " At a meeting of the Committee for Northfield, Oct. 3, 1716, Ordered, That a house of about 16 foot long and 12 foot wide be forthwith built in Northfield, for the present accommodation of a Minister : and that it be set near or adjoining to the dwelling-house of such inhabitant with whom the Minister shall lodge : And that Capt. Wright, Serg'. Thomas Taylor and Zechariah Field be a Committee to order and inspect the building of sª house, to appoint and procure workmen and materials, and take an account of all service and expense about sª building, and render their account to the Committee to be by them allowed.
" The Committee did then desire Mr. James Whitmore to carry on the work of the Ministry at N-field for the space of half a year, and for his encouragement have agreed to give him twenty-five pounds and subsist him and keep his horse."
It is not known where this house stood. Probably it was placed in the street, near the largest dwelling-house then erected, in the
141
Permanent Settlement.
kitchen of which the Sabbath services could be held during the cold season.
W. H. Whitmore Esq., of Boston, has kindly furnished the follow- ing sketch of the minister then employed : - " The Rev. James Whitmore was the third son of Izrahiah and Rachel (Stow) Whit- more of Middletown Conn., and was born there 31 Dec., 1695. His grandfather was Thomas Whitmore of M. : and though the spelling Wetmore has been adopted for the last century by most of his de- scendants, it is undoubtedly a local corruption of a very respectable and well-known English family name.
" James Whitmore was of Yale College, A. B. in 1714, and A. M. in 1717. In 1718 he was ordained minister at North Haven, Conn., where he remained about four years. In 1722, he joined Rev. Timothy Cutler (Rector of Yale College) and others in a public statement of doubt as to the validity of Presbyterian ordination : and with two or three others Mr. W. went to England, and joined the Episcopal Church. He was ordained priest by the Bishop of London in 1723, and was sent back to New York as assistant to the Rev. Mr. Vesey, Rector of Trinity Church. In 1726 he was called to the parish of Rye, West-Chester Co., N. Y., where he remained over 30 years till his death, 15 May, 1760."
Oct. 3, 1716. The Committee appointed Mr. Timothy Dwight of Northampton to be surveyor or town measurer for Northfield, which office he held for many years.
GRIST MILL .- Up to this date the Northfield families had to sup- ply themselves with bread-stuffs, by carrying their grain to Hadley, and bringing back the meal and flour. And as all teaming was done with oxen (horses were kept solely for the saddle and pillion) it was a heavy burden. But now they felt strong enough to have a mill of their own. The following document will explain how they got it :
" Dec. 17, 1716. Conditions of Agreement betwixt Steven Belden of Swamp- field and the Inhabitants of N-field, with the confent of yº Committee for N-field, are as followeth : - The fu Belden fhall have 15 Acres of land in Bennett's Meadow, and Labour, as below faid, Provided y" fu Belden builds a fufficient Grift-mill and maintain it forever ; If fª Belden neglect or fail to maintain, or refufe f" Mill for the Town's ufe, then fu Mill with iron and itone and with all appurtenances thereto belonging to return to the town; and fu Mill to be going by next Michaelmas.
Labor - Thomas Taylor fix day's work Peter Evens fix day's work
142
History of Northfield.
Ifaac Warner fix day's work Jonathan Patterfon, fix day's work Jofeph Alexander fix day's work Remem. Wright fix day's work Hezekiah Stratton four day's work Benoni Moore four day's work"
Thus encouraged, Mr. Belding bought out the John Clary heirs, both home-lot and water privilege, and set his mill on the old dam, which was a little nearer the street than the one now existing.
1717. Feb. 17, The Committee issued an order declaring all prior grants of land, not settled on this year, to be void.
March 4. At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of Northfield, by order of the Committee, for choosing town officers for the year ensu- ing : Chose Maj. John Stoddard of Northampton, town clerk.
Sergt. Thomas Taylor, constable and collector.
Capt. Benj. Wright, surveyor of highways.
Benoni Moore, Joseph Alexander, fence viewers for Great meadow. Isaac Warner, Eleazar Mattoon, fence viewers for Pachaug.
Benj. Janes, tything man.
Jona. Patterson, Daniel Wright, hawards.
At the same meeting, the town voted that they would have a com- mittee to take care of the town land and minister's land, to improve it to the best advantage to bear public charges, and chose Capt. Benj. Wright, Serg' Thomas Taylor, Benoni Moore sd committee.
" The above mentioned officers are approved of and allowed and confirmed, for the year ensuing this 7th day of March, 1717." Signed by Samuel Partridge, John Pynchon, Same Porter."
Up to this date, the Committee had appointed the town officers ; but this year and henceforth, the inhabitants were permitted to make an election of their officers, subject to the approval and confirmation of the Committee.
As will be seen, two new offices were filled this year, viz., tything man, and hawards. It was the duty of the former to inspect the con- duct of liquor sellers, Sabbath breakers, night walkers, tipplers, and keep order in the meeting house during the Sabbath services. The man most venerable for character and years was commonly chosen. The duty of the hawards was to drive out and impound all cattle, horses and hogs found at loose in the meadows and common fields. The law allowed them 2 shillings for taking up a horse, I penny for a sheep, and 12 pence each for cattle and hogs, to be paid by the owners.
143
Permanent Settlement.
SAW-MILL .- Mar. 4, 1717, a grant of 12 acres of upland on the back side of Bennett's meadow, was made to Jonathan Belding of Hatfield, on condition that he build a saw-mill, to be going by Michaelmas next. The saw-mill was put in a short distance below the grist-mill. Stephen and Jonathan Belding were brothers, and appear to have owned the saw-mill and privilege in equal shares till 1728, when Jonathan bought out his brother's rights. This mill privilege was held by Jonathan and his descendants till 1812-95 years - when it was sold to Ezekiel Webster. Jonathan Belding first took the Joseph Root home-lot, [now Timothy Field, C. H. Stearns and Mrs. C. O. Lane] which he exchanged in 1725 for the Jacob Root lot, where he lived and died.
May 25, 1717, Samuel Partridge sent a communication - semi- official - to the governor, which is valuable for its historical data, as well as its suggestions :
" The Committee is enjoined to fettle 40 families, compact as much as may be ; efpecially to have refpect to the former inhabitants and their defcendants- upon which we meet difficulty to feitle the place, inafmuch as the moft and the beft part of the land is claimed by the defcendants of fuch former inhabitants who neglect to go and inhabit : - I humbly propofe whether faid claimants ought not to fupply thefe lands with fettlers or quit their lands at leaft upon eafy terms, inafmuch as faid place hath been recovered once and again from the enemy at the charge of the public. I am of opinion it would foon be fup- plied with inhabitants, were the lands at liberty. There is 12 families there now, and fome are going : but the place gets on flowly. As to the garrifon that hath been there about 10 months - it confifts of a ferg !. and 9 men with him, which keep in the place without any defenfive fort ; only abide there well fixed in arms and ammunition, to man the place and encourage the prefent inhabitants. I am of opinion if fufficient means was ufed to ftir up thofe that claim lands as aforefaid, to fupply their lands with fettlers, and the garrifon men continued (and peace) for one year more, the place might be fettled to good advantage."
What action - if any - was taken by the governor is not known. But the effect of the movement, following up the order of Feb. 17, was soon apparent. In the course of the season, Isaac Mattoon gives up his right in the John Lyman land to his brother Nathaniel, and sells the Zachery Lawrence lot to Hezekiah Elmer : the Bolt- wood heirs sell to Joseph Burt of Hatfield : Thomas Leffingwell sells the Micah Mudge land to Zechariah Field : Samuel Curtis and wife sell the George Alexander.lots to Lt. Jona. Hunt : Peter Evens sells the John Woodward land to Thomas Holton of Northampton (retaining the Thomas Webster home-lot and grants) : Lt. Jona. Hunt sells the John Hutchinson lands to Lt. Eliezur Wright of Northampton : the heirs of Wm. Miller sell to William Holton
144
History of Northfield.
(brother of Thomas) ; Jacob Root sells his rights to Lt. Eliezur Wright ; and Stephen and Jona. Belding purchase lots, as already stated. Edmund Grandee receives a grant of a home-lot ; and Elie- zur Wright Jr. and Azariah his brother become inhabitants.
This sudden transfer of estates from non-residents to substantial inhabitants gave a fresh impulse to the new town. The erection of grist and saw mills gave assurance of convenient buildings and com- fortable subsistence ; the presence of garrison soldiers, sent by order of the state authorities, gave a new sense of protection and security ; and the employment of a minister, while it gave them the much coveted "soul food," also carried the idea of permanency. For "it is as unnatural "- writes Capt. Edward Johnson - " for a right New England man to live without an able ministry, as for a smith to work his irons without a fire."
The soldiers were withdrawn in June : and a petition was sent to the General court at the opening of the fall session, setting forth that " a small garrison in the town of Northfield, would give great en- couragement to the settlers in sª town, and secure them against the assaults of the Indians who often resort there ;" and Nov. 9, an order was passed, " that 10 men be allowed for one year next coming, provided they be not of the present inhabitants."
REV. BENJAMIN DOOLITTLE .- After the close of Mr. Whitmore's half-year, in April, no minister was employed till late in the fall. But the numbers and ability of the inhabitants already there and now about to come, appeared to require and to warrant a permanent ministrv. With this view the Committee made an engagement with Mr. Benjamin Doolittle' of Wallingford, Ct., to supply for the winter, and he commenced to preach the second Sabbath in Novem- ber ; - beginning what proved to be a long and prosperous pastorate. It is very likely that the engagement of Mr. D. was brought about through the influence of the Mattoons, who came from Wallingford, via Deerfield. And his settlement in the ministry at Northfield brought hither the Merriman and Blaksley families, with which his family was connected by marriage.
Dec. 17, 1717. " It was agreed by the Committee for N-field to raise a Tax of six shillings on the poll, and twelve pence per acre on Meadow-lands, and six pence per acre on uplands lately granted : Capt. B. Wright and Ens. Z. Field to take ye List."
1 Abraham Doolittle was of New Haven, 1640. His son John settled at Wallingford; m. for 2d w. Grace Blaksley. Their son Benjamin was b. July 10, 1695; Grad. Y. C.
J.
145
Permanent Settlement.
As this is the first town tax levied, and contains a reliable exhibit of resident and non-resident land holders at the close of this year, it is printed entire.
A Town Rate or Assessment, for defraying necessary charges arising within ye Town of N-field.
Names.
Poll
Lands.
Total.
Names.
Lands.
Capt. B. Wright Peter Evens
12/4
8
o
5
o
0
Daniel Wright
O
10
O
Ebenezer Clarke
2
13
IO
Hez. Stratton
611 16
2
2
2
2
Judah Hutchinson
do
O
9
2
Jos. Alexander
6/2
3 II
3
9
14
3
Samuel Hutchinson, Lebanon
0
6
6
Isaac Warner
6|1 18
I
2
4
I
Mary Davis, Northn.
O
8
O
Ens. Z. Field
64 11
514 17
5
Eleazar Warner, Hadley
9
4
Elear. Mattoon
6 2 17
10
3
3 IO
Joseph Burt, Hatfield
I
6
8
Joseph Petty
6 2 11
12
17
I
Elder Presd. Clap, Northn.
O
5
O
Benj. Janes
6 2 4
0/2
IO
O
John King, Wm King & ye
Jona. Janes.
62 11
6 2 17
6
rest of ye chiln. of Capt. King decd.
0
5
0
Jona. 'Beldin.
6 2
5
8 2 11
8
John Holton's chiln. Saml. Holton & rest of ye heirs of Dea. Wm Holton
o
5
O
Thos. Holton.
6/2
4 72 10
7
John Clarke's chiln. Saml. Clarke & ye rest of Lt. Wm. Clarke's heirs
o
5
O
Wid. Th. Taylor.
6 3
I
11 3
7
II
Charles Williams
I
9
I
Robt. Cooper.
6 1 18
9/2
4
9
John Stoddard, Northn.
3
O
Hez. Elmore
6/1 9
3|1
15
3
Nach. Mattoon
6
O
6
O
£ 91 3 3
Wm Holton
Approved by
Elear. Holton
SAML. PARTRIDGE
Lt. Jona. Hunt of Nhn.
8
16
8
SAML. PORTER
( Comtee for
Elier. Wright Sen.
5
IO
7
JOHN STODDARD
N-field.
Elier. Wright Jr."
o
0
Hatfield Jan. 29, 171g.
Azah. Wright
11.
5.
d.l.
s. d.
s. d.
6 3 17 104
3 10
Increase Clarke
Thomas Root, Lebanon Ct.
0
7
O
Remem. Wright
6 1
8
3
I
9
9
Benoni Moore
6/0 19 01
5
O
Jona. Patterson.
63
2 0 3
8
O
Isaac Mattoon, Deerfield
2
5
3
II
I
2
5
8
5
1718. This year opens with plain indications that the plantation is about to take on more of the characteristics of a town. The set- tlers take hold with a will, and lay plans, looking beyond the present necessity, to future enlargement. Four years ago, the work of the eight families was mainly to find the old marks and paths. The old lines were reestablished ; the old highways accepted and followed. The main street through the village was ten rods wide, and was laid from Miller's brook to where they went down into Pauchaug. When a settler made the journey to Hadley, he struck off near where the south road to Warwick now leaves the street, and went west of Dry swamp, across Beers's plain and so down over what was called the
6
3
3 9 3
Stephen Beldin
5.
Northampton
146
History of Northfield.
" common road to Sunderland" - though this path was not then a public highway. The south lane to the Great meadow and Ben- nett's meadow ran near its present location. The north lane to the meadow was where it now is, and was laid ten rods wide from the top of Meadow hill to the woods east. These ways were all estab- lished during the earlier Settlement. The path from the entrance to Pauchaug to the Moose-plain ferry probably varied with the season and condition of ground and crops. This year, the 8 settlers are in- creased to 26 ; and they begin to lay out new highways, and plan other new things " for conveniency."
A HOME FOR THE MINISTER. - Mr. Doolittle had married a month before commencing his labors at Northfield ; and the 16×12 tene- ment built for Mr. Whitmore, was not commodious for a parsonage. And the first business of the Committee this year was to find a home for the new minister and his wife. At a meeting Feb. 19, " Mr. Dwight was desired to treat with Dea. Eliezur Hawks about an ex- change of lots so as to accommodate the minister ; and Capt. Wright and Ensign Field were instructed to endeavor to hire Lieut. Taylor's house for Mr. Doolittle for the present." It will be re- membered that a home-lot and other lands were reserved for a minister ; but neither had been located. Lieut. Thomas Taylor - one of the most promising young men of the new plantation - was drowned the preceding autumn ; and the plan was to hire his house of the widow (a daughter of Dea. Hawks of Deerfield) as a temporary expedient. The house was secured, and Mr. D. and his wife took possession early in the spring, though it was not till October that an exchange of lots was finally agreed on. The Taylor lot where Mr. Doolittle lived and died, was the present L. T. Webster lot ; the Minister's lot, was the one known in later years as the Dr. Blake lot.
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