USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > History of the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, early known as the Elbow tract : including records of the plantation, district and town 1716-1889 > Part 7
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That Joseph Wright Have a Hundred acre Lot, Sixty acres there- of including the House and Improvements, as it is already laid out. And that Joseph Wright, Jun., Have a Hundred acre Lot, Seventy- two acres thereof, including the House and Improvements, as al- ready laid out. And that Sixty-eight acres to make up the comple- ment of these two lots, be laid out, including half of it on the Northerly part of ye lot laid out to Samuel Bedortha, to extend Northerly and Easterly to make up the complement.
That William Sloan Have a Hundred acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to bound Southerly on Ware River 160 rods, not infringing on Elisha Hall's Improvements, running off from ye River by parallel lines as far Northerly as to make up the complement of the Hundred acres.
That James Dorchester Have a Hundred acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to be laid out in Regular form, 160 rods in length, not infringing on any Lot or Grant already mentioned.
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That John Moor, the assignee of Joseph Dorchester, Have a Hundred acre Lot, to be laid out, extending no further than the Nor-easterly Corner Tree as it was laid out to said Dorchester, nor no further Northerly than to Include his house and Improvements, Westerly and Southerly by square and parallel lines so far as to make up the complement of a Hundred acres, not infringing upon other Grants or Surveys.
That Duncan Quinton, the assignee of Thomas Farrand, Have a Hundred acre Lot, to be laid out according to the order of the former Claimers in their Deed to Farrand. Provided they do not Interfere upon any Lot or Grant already mentioned.
That Andrew Mackee Have a Hundred acre Lot including his House and Improvements (Provided he has not infringed upon the Equivalent Land belonging to Jno. Read Esq.) to be laid out, bound- ing Northerly on the line of said Land 160 rods in length, running square off therefrom in parallel lines so far as to make up the com- plement, Excluding ye Meadow on Ware River.
That Steward Southgate have a Hundred acre Lot, to be laid out on Ware River and Esq. Read's Tract of Equivalent Land, at ye Southeast Corner thereof, extending Easterly and Southerly in regular form so far as to make up ye complement of a Hundred acres. And also a Seventy acre Lot as was Granted to him by the
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
said Claimers, in consideration of his Building a Saw-mill ; Ten acres thereof to be laid out including the sª Saw-mill and Improve- ments thereabouts ; and Sixty acres on ye East side of the mill pond, bounding Easterly on a Three Hundred acre Farm belonging to ye heirs of Henry Dwight, Esq., deceased, and Southerly from ye Southwest Corner Tree of sª Farm to an Island in ye Meadows at ye upper end of ye mill pond, including ye Meadows downward to ye pond ; bounding upon ye pond Westerly ; extending so far Northerly as to make up ye content of Sixty acres.
That Robert Farrall Have a Hundred acre Lot, according to Survey and Deed from ye aforesaid Claimers, Saving that the same be laid out including his House and Improvements, bounding Southerly, not exceeding 160 rods in length, nor infringing upon other Lot or Improvement.
That Elisha Hall and Thomas Farrand Hold one Hundred acres, to bound Westerly on Swift River, and Southerly on Ware River, by two other lines running therefrom, including their Houses and Improvements.
That John Paterson, the assignee of Andrew Farrand, Hold a Sixty acre Lot, as the same was laid out to the sª Andrew Farrand.
That Isaac Magoon, Jun., Hold a Hundred acre Lot, including his House & Improvements, to be laid out according as ye bounds are described in his Deed from ye Claimers, Provided it infringe not upon other grants or surveys.
That Jethro Ames Hold a Fifty acre Lot, including his House, and to be laid out in Regular Order by lines, the length not to ex- ceed twice the breadth.
That Thomas Jennings, the assignee of Thomas Sweetman, Hold a Hundred acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to be laid out as Described in ye Deed from ye Claimers, Provided it interfere not upon other Lots or Surveys.
That William Shaw Hold a Fifty acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to bound Northerly, Easterly and Westerly as already laid out, and to extend so far Southerly as to make up his complement of Fifty acres by a line parallel to ye North side.
That the Widow and Heirs of Andrew Bailey Hold a Hundred acre Lot, bounding Southerly on Quabog River, including their Houses and Improvements, and not exceeding 130 rods in length, and of regular form.
That John Brooks Hold a Fifty acre Lot, to bound Easterly 80 rods front on Quabog River, (In ye spot assigned in his Deed from ye Claimers), to run thence Westerly by square and parallel lines till his complement be made up.
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THE ELBOW TRACT-A PLANTATION, 1726-1752.
That Joseph Brooks the assignee of David Ingersole, Hold a Hundred acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to be laid out according to the order of the Claimers respecting the same, Provided it interferes not upon any other Lot or Survey.
That John Combs, the assignee of Samuel Bedortha, Hold a Fifty acre Lot at ye Southerly end or part of ye Lot laid out to sd Bedortha.
That Joseph Chadwick Hold a Fifty acre Lot, to bound South- erly 80 rods on Quabog River, Easterly on Brookfield Line, in square form.
That Abel Curtice Hold a Fifty acre Lot, to bound Southerly 80 rods on Quabog River, Easterly on said Chadwick's Lot, square form and parallel lines.
That Nathaniel Dewey Hold a Sixty acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to bound Easterly on Abel Curtice's Lot, Southerly on Quabog River, Northerly on the Cooley Lot as laid out, and to extend Easterly to make up the complement.
That there be granted to the wife of Nicholas Blanchard and to his eldest son the Hundred acre Lot that was laid out to Micah Rood, they being under Peculiar Circumstances on the spot, requir- ing Assistance the better to enable them to provide for themselves · and the younger children-They fulfilling the conditions injoined.
That Obadiah Cooley & Obadiah Cooley, Jun., Hold the Hun- dred acre Lot that was laid out to said Obadiah Cooley, Jun.
That Timothy Mack Elwain Have a Hundred acre Lot, to bound Northerly on the line of Cold Spring Township, to extend so far West from the mouth of Swift River that a South line therefrom to Chickerby River will make the complement of One Hundred acres.
That Jonathan Chapin, Jun., Hold a Hundred acre Lot, Forty- two acres as already laid out to him, including his Improvements, and Fifty-eight acres more to be taken up and laid out with the allowance and to the acceptance of ye aforesaid Person or Pro- prietor.
That John King, Jun., Hold the Hundred acre Lot only, called Tamar Spring Lot, as the same was laid out to Richard Combs.
That Benjamin Kilburn Hold a Hundred acres only, to bound Westerly on Samuel Kilburn's Lot, to extend Easterly not exceed- ing 160 rods in width, and in Regular form.
That Peter Backus Hold the Hundred acre Lot only that was formerly laid out to Benjamin Stebbins.
That there be granted to Steward Southgate a Hundred acre Lot, Sixty-seven acres thereof lying on the East side of Ware River, as
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
it was laid out to Moses Olds, and thirty-three acres on the West side of the River against the said survey-On condition of erecting a good and sufficient grist mill for the service of the people, within the space of two years.
AND THAT ALL the aforesaid Lots which have been laid out by the Surveyor imployed by the aforesaid Claimers (as by his testi- mony, Plotts or minutes shall appear) shall stand and be so held and Recorded, excepting where any alteration is expressly made herein.
AND THAT ALL ye aforenamed Persons or Grantees (excepting John King, Jun., Benjamin Kilburn, and Peter Backus), and them only, their Heirs and assigns, Be Intitled to after Rights and Divisions throughout the said Tract of Land, to be divided to and among themselves, in proportion to their grants or first allotments, after such grants or first allotments, or any other grants or Lots hereunder made or ordered, be laid out and satisfied : And also such other conditions as follows be fulfilled and complied with, viz. :
(1) That such of the aforesaid Persons or Grantees as are Non- Residents and their Lots not setled, shall forthwith setle them by their own persons, or by such credible, wholesome Inhabitants as shall be accepted by the major part of the Resident setlers or In- habitants.
(2) That they and each of the aforesaid Persons or Grantees do pay their equal Part of all past charges to support of the Ministry, and all such other Publick charges as have arisen and shall hereafter be agreed upon or allowed by the Setlers or Grantees.
(3) That they and all ye aforesaid Setlers or Grantees be em- powered at a meeting called according to Law, to act as Proprietors, and to make such necessary Rules and Orders for the Regulating the Settlement; To chuse a Committee to lay out necessary Roads and Highways, before any further surveys are made, or any already made be recorded; and also to lay out in some suitable and conven- ient place or places, one Lot, not less than one Hundred acres, to be and for the first setled and ordained Minister; And also two other Lots of the same contents, one for ye use of ye Ministry, and the other for a School-Provided that no record be made of such Highways, Roads and Lots, so laid out. until first presented to and approved of by the aforesaid Proprietors or Grantees; And also until the same Committee be alike impowered to fill up the comple- ment of such Lots as cannot be laid out in the places and form assigned, without interfering upon such other Lots, or Surveys, as may hereby be granted and allowed (if any such there be).
FURTHERMORE WE FIND : That the following named Persons,
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THE ELBOW TRACT-A PLANTATION, 1726-1752.
to the Number of Thirty-one, Having presumed to enter on the Province Land in said Tract without any leave or order from this Court, or under any Pretence of Mistake, or Admission from the Claimers : Yet they having most of them made considerable Im- provements, and expended the chief of their Small Fortunes ; And having paid their proper proportion for the support of the Minis- try among them ; That to Remove them off would reduce them to extreme Poverty :
WE ARE THEREFORE Humbly of ye Opinion, that it may not be Inconsistent with ye Honour of the Province, and yet a sufficient Discountenance to such Presumptuous Setlements; If there be granted to each of them a single Lot, Including their Improve- ments, upon such conditions as are hereafter mentioned, viz. :
That there be granted to Samuel Nevins a Hundred acre Lot in- cluding his Improvements as the same was laid out by the Claimers' Surveyor under No. 3.
That there be granted to Robert Nevins and David Nevins ye Lot of a Hundred acres laid out to John Dorchester.
That there be granted to Samuel Kilburn a Hundred acre Lot including his House and Improvements, to be laid out between his Father Kilburn's Lot and Joseph Right's, to extend Northerly from the River so far as to make up the complement, not infringing upon other Lots or Surveys.
That there be granted and laid out to Alexander Tackels a Hun- dred acre Lot including his Improvements, to bound Southerly on the Lot laid out to James MackClelan, Westerly on Ware River, and Northerly on the River in part, to extend so far East as to make up the complement.
That there be granted and laid out to Thomas McClenathan a Hundred acre Lot, to extend so far Northerly as to include his Im- provements, and not to exceed 160 rods in length, and in Regular form.
That there be granted and laid out to Humphrey Gardner a Hundred acre Lot, to extend no further Northerly than to include his Improvements, Easterly by Ware River and partly Southerly, to extend so far Westerly as to make up the complement of one Hundred acres.
That there be granted and laid out to Elijah Vose a Fifty acre Lot, to bound Northerly on his brother-in-law Andrew Mackee, and on the River Easterly, on David Spear Southerly and to extend so far Northerly as to make the complement of Fifty acres.
That there be granted and laid out to James Lambreton a Hun- dred acre Lot including his Improvements, in Regular form, not
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
exceeding 160 rods in length, nor infringing upon other Lots or Improvements.
That there be granted and laid out to James Shearer a Hundred acre Lot, including his Improvements, to bound Northerly on the Saw-mill Lot, and to extend Southerly so far as to include his Im- provements, and other ways so far as to make up his comple- ment, in Regular form.
That there be granted and laid out to John Henderson a Hun- dred acre Lot, to bound Northerly on Shearer's Lot, Westerly on Lambreton's Lot, and Southerly on Brackenridge's Lot, and to ex- tend so far Easterly as to make up the complement of one Hun- dred acres.
That there be granted and laid out to John Beamon a Hundred acre Lot including his House and Improvements, to bound West- erly on the River, Northerly so far as to include his Improvements by a line parallel with ye line of Esq. Read's Farm, Easterly on ye Farm granted to Coll. Partridge, and extend so far Southerly as to make up the complement ; Saving the Improvements of Robert Thomson.
That there be granted and laid out to the Reverend Mr. John Harvey a Hundred acre Lot including his house and Improve- ments, to bound Southerly by a line as the lot was laid out to Steward Southgate, to extend Northerly to the South end of the Cedar Swamp, and other ways so far in Regular form as to make up the complement of one Hundred acres.
That there be granted and laid out to Joseph Fleming a Hundred acre Lot, to bound Northerly on John Comb's Lot, and to extend so far Southerly as to include his Improvements, and other ways to make up his complement in Regular form.
Also to Andrew Farrand a Hundred acre Lot, to bound Northerly on said Fleming, and Southerly on the Lot laid out to John Thompson, other ways in Regular form to make up his complement.
To James Moor a Hundred acre Lot, between the Rev. Mr. Harvey's and William Shaw's Lot, and Easterly on Andrew Far- rand, and so far Westerly as to make up ye complement of one Hundred acres.
To William Crawford a Fifty acre Lot, to bound Westerly on John Moor's, Northerly on Duncan Quinton's, and Easterly on James Lambreton's, to extend Southerly to make up Fifty acres.
To Matthew Brown a Hundred acre Lot, to bound on the Lines of Capt. Hubbard's [Hobart's ?] Farm, other ways in Regular form to make up ye complement.
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THE ELBOW TRACT-A PLANTATION, 1726-1752.
To William Paterson a Fifty acre Lot, including his Improve- ments, in Regular form, not to exceed 100 rods in length.
To Isaac Magoon, Sen. a Hundred acre Lot, bounding Northerly on Esq. Read's Farm, including his House and Improvements, other ways to extend to make up his complement, not to exceed 100 rods in length.
To George Booth the assignee of James Mack Elwain the Sixty-four acre Lot that was laid out to Joseph Right and Joseph Right, Jun.
To Patrick Smith a Hundred acre Lot including his Improve- ments, bounding Southerly on ye Mill pond and the Mill Lot, saving room for the road. Westerly on Ware River, Northerly on the Lower pond in part, and Easterly on the line of Col. Part- ridge's Farm.
To Daniel Killum a Fifty acre Lot, including his Improvements, bounding Westerly on the River, Southerly on the Lower pond and Patrick Smith's Lot, Easterly on the Ridge Hills, and to extend so far Northerly as to make up Fifty acres.
To Robert Thompson a Fifty acre Lot, including his Improve- ments, to bound Southerly on Patrick Smith's Lot, Westerly on Daniel Killum's in part and in part on the River, Northerly on John Bemon's Lot, and Easterly on the Farm called Col. Partridge's Farm, bounded so that there be no more than Fifty acres.
To Thomas Little a Hundred acre Lot, to bound Northerly on Esq. Dwight's Farm, Southerly on the Sixty-eight acre Lot of Joseph Wright and Joseph Wright, Jun., to extend Easterly and Westerly to make up one Hundred acres in Regular form.
To James Lamont a Fifty acre Lot, to bound Northerly on Esq. Read's Farm, and Southerly on Mack Clenathan's Lot, each other way so as to make up the complement of his Lot in Regular form Including his Improvements.
To Thomas Hill a Fifty acre Lot, including his House and Im- provements, in Regular form, not exceeding 100 rods in length.
That there be granted and laid out to Andrew Rutherford a Fifty acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, to bound South- erly on Samuel Shaw's Lot, and Northerly on William Shaw's Lot, to extend each other way to make up Fifty acres in Regular form.
To James Stephens a Hundred acre Lot, including his House and Improvements, in Regular form, not exceeding 160 rods in length, not infringing upon any other Lot or Survey.
To Thomas Chapin a Seventy acre Lot, to bound Southerly on Quabog River, Westerly on the foot of Cedar Mountain, and to ex- tend Northerly and Easterly to make up the complement.
To Robert Doonlap a Seventy acre Lot, to bound Easterly on
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
Timothy McElwain's Lot, between Cold Spring Township and the River, to extend Westerly to make up Seventy acres.
That there be Granted and laid out to Jabez Umstead's eldest son Jeremiah a Hundred acre Lot, adjoining the said Umstead's Farm, in Regular form, not interfering with any other Lot or Survey.
To Robert Stanford a Hundred acre Lot, to bound Southerly on widow Bailey's Lot, Westerly on the foot of the Mountain, to ex- tend other ways to make up the complement.
AND THAT ALL THE LAST NAMED PERSONS, Settlers or Grantees, according to the Quantity of their respective Lots, Do pay upon equal proportion with the Rest of the first mentioned Settlers in all past charges for ye support of the Ministry and other necessary Publick Charges as shall be allowed and agreed upon by ye Setlers or Grantees affore mentioned.
AND THAT ALL AND EACH OF THE AFFORENAMED PERSONS, OR GRANTEES, both First and Last mentioned (excepting the Rev. Mr. John Harvey) Do pay into the Publick Treasury of this Province, The Sum of Five Hundred pounds, within two years; as also forth- with to pay the further Sum of Sixty-seven pounds, eleven shillings, nine pence, the Charge and Expense of this Committee on the affair, each man or Grantee his equal Part or Proportion of said sums, according to ye quantity of his Grant or first Allotment.
AND IF ANY of the aforenamed Persons or Grantees, either first or Last mentioned, Do not fulfill ye aforesaid Conditions within the term of Time herein Limited; Their Lots to be forfeited, and other ways disposed of as this Court shall order.
AND THAT ALL PUBLICK CHARGES arising for ye future (until they be setled and invested with ye Powers and Privileges of a Township) shall be raised upon their severall Lots according to the Quantity of acres: And that all such of the affore named Persons or Grantees as are entitled to Draw after Rights and Divisions, shall pay a Double proportion to all such Charges, according to ye Quan- tity of the Grants or first Lots.
AND THAT THEY, the aforesaid Settlers & Grantees Do erect & build a suitable House for Public Worship, and setle a Minister within two years :- And that they be allowed to bring in a Bill for erecting and setling themselves off as a Township accordingly.
All which is Humbly submitted in the Name and by Order of the Committee. EBENR BURRILL.
Boston, June 21, 1733.
In Council, June 21, 1733.
Read and Ordered that this report be accepted. Sent Down for concurrence.
J. WILLARD, Secy.
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THE ELBOW TRACT-A PLANTATION, 1726-1752.
In the House of Representatives, June 21, 1733. Read and Concurred. J. QUINCY, Speaker.
June 22. Consented to.
J. BELCHER.
This Report of the General Court's Committee, which was so promptly accepted, and all its recommendations ratified and made of legal effect, signalizes a happy ending of the uncertainties and complications and set-backs of a seven-years' struggle. It carries the evidence of a comprehensive view of things on the part of the Committee ; of the absence of all prejudice from their minds ; of their faithful discharge of a delicate duty, and their scrupulous en- deavor to do exact justice to all the parties in interest. The pre- rogatives of the Province in its right of sovereign ownership are recognized and maintained; and the equitable claims of the settlers, growing out of the erection of houses, and "improvements, " and voluntary support of a Gospel Ministry (and the money unwittingly paid to the syndicate of claimers) are acknowledged and made good. Besides, the Committee appears to have regarded its duty as more than a mere perfunctory one, to be formally discharged, and re- ported on in generalities. They took an inside view of the situa- tion in all its complicated bearings, present and prospective ; they studied the financial, and the social, and the moral, and the political condition of the settlers, and took account of what they had done, and were able to do, and were ready to do, and the con- sequences imminent on a partial or full settlement of the questions at issue to the well-being or the ill-being of the young community. They found matters ripe for a peaceful arbitration ; the foundations well laid for the varied institutions of social order and strength, and for growth and prosperity. By apportioning and setting the bounds of the home lots to each and all the settlers, they determined the vexed question of land titles ; and by establishing the rule and method for apportioning the "Commons and Undivided Lands ; " and by providing how persons in the future shall be admitted to the rights of property and citizenship ; and fixing the basis of taxa- tion and the ratio of assessment of taxable estates for all public charges, they anticipated and rendered unnecessary a special Pru- dential Committee, such as was usually required in similar cases, and which was expensive, and often hampered the free action of the inhabitants. In a word, they set the whole machinery of the Plantation in motion, and gave specific directions for its successful operation. And to crown all, they give leave to the Grantees "to bring in a Bill for setting themselves off as a Township." [Why
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HISTORY OF PALMER.
this last provision was not availed of, and the settlement organized as a township, rather than a plantation, may be inferred from the records of the next few years, particularly those relating to "the 500 pounds debt."]
That the people of the Elbows appreciated the value of the great service rendered by the Committee appears in the following vote :
"At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Common and Undivided Lands in the Elbow Tract, legally convened on the Third Day of June being Monday, 1735,
" Voted, That there be granted and laid out to Eben" Burrill, Esqr., Col. John Alden and Mr. Samuel Bradford who were the Honbl Comtee of the Gen" Court for Viewing and Determining the Grant of this Elbow Tract ; to each of them an Hundred acre Lott in any of the Common Land that was added to the Tract since it was surveyed by ye former Claimers ; as a Grateful Acknowledgmt of their Great and Good Service to the settlemt in Despatching ye . affairs thereof by a full and particular Report, superceding the charge and Difficulty of a Comtee of Regulation."
Though the Committee's report, to the casual reader, may appear somewhat tedious in its details, yet it has been copied in full, be- cause of its important historical value as giving a true picture of the Plantation at that early date. Even its details are invaluable, because they can nowhere else be supplied. It is, in a sense, the Magna Charta of Palmer. 1. It furnishes a list of the then inhab- itants of the place. 2. It confers a title to their landed estates to all the then occupants, and defines the rights and privileges of the individual owners and the general public. 3. It represents each man's taxable estate, and is an accurate measure of his financial and physical ability and his thrift. 4. It shows who of the settlers had built houses and made clearings and were in occupancy of the same ; and by putting these last two items together we get an idea of the social and agricultural status of each family and the several neighborhoods or groups of families. 5. By stating the bounds of each man's home lot-as touching a river, or adjacent town line, or Read's farm, or one of the other granted farms-it gives us the data by which to locate each settler's possessions and construct a plan in detail of the Plantation. And by having each man's home lot delineated we can place his allotments of " Common Land " as they are laid out to him in the several after "Divisions."
FIRST LEGAL MEETING OF THE NEW PLANTATION.
" Hampshire ss.
To Steward Southgate one of the Principal Inhabitants or
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THE ELBOW TRACT-A PLANTATION, 1726-1752.
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