USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > History of the town of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883 > Part 6
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1748. In the History of Northfield, Massachusetts, p. 267, there is a description of Serg. Thomas Taylor's en- counter with the Indians near Fort Dummer. Henry Chand- ler, of Westford, it is stated, was killed in that skirmish, which occurred July 14, 1748. He was the son of William and Susanna Chandler, and was born in this town (at Brook- side) March 29, 1727. He was 21 years of age. Fort Dummer stood a short distance below the present town of Brattleborough, Vt. It was built in 1723.
1754. In Capt. Phinehas Osgood's company, Col. Winslow's regiment, in defence of the eastern frontier,
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Hezekiah Corey, of Westford, served from April 23 to November 8, 1754. He was born in Chelmsford in 1736, and was the son of John and Ruth Corey. He removed to New Ipswich about 1762, and was one of the early settlers of that town.
1755. In Capt. Jonathan Butterfield's company, in the expedition to Crown Point, Robert Butterfield was a ser- geant. He was the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth, and was born in 1716. He died near Lake George, October 23, 1756, at the age of 40.
1755, September 18. In Capt. Samuel Dakin's com- pany (Col. Brown), on the same expedition, was Ebenezer Hildreth, of Westford.
1755, September 21. In Capt. Daniel Fletcher's com- pany, under the command of Col. John Cummings, were Daniel Brooks, Paul Fletcher, Ezekiel Procter, Jr., Benjamin Kidder, Hezekiah Corey, Francis Leighton, Joseph Hooker and James Blodgett. Also, at Lake George, Isaac Patch, Zachariah Willis and Oliver Procter.
1756. Ephraim Fletcher was taken captive at Oswego, at the time (August 14) when Forts Oswego and George surrendered to the French under Montcalm. Fourteen hundred men belonging to the regiments of Gov. Shirley and Gen. Pepperrell were then taken prisoners. In the Fletcher Genealogy (p. 18) it is stated that Ephraim Fletcher enlisted in the French war and never returned home; and of his brother, Zechariah, it is said he enlisted with his brother Ephraim in the French and Indian war, and like him, never returned. At Lake George, Benjamin King.
1757. In Capt. Thomas Hartwell's company were Samuel Blodgett and Richard Russell.
In Capt. Samuel Davis' company, John Bigelow, Eben- ezer Hildreth, Samuel Wright, Timothy Fletcher and Simon Hunt.
In the alarm list, whereof Samuel Davis was captain, Mark White, Jr., Samuel White and Daniel Brooks.
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
In Capt. Samuel Bancroft's company, Samuel Fassett. 1757. " A Muster Roll of the Company in his Majesty's Service to Springfield, under the command of
Jonas Prescott, of Westford, Captain.
Gershom Fletcher, Clerk, of Westford.
Samuel Parker, Sergeant, of Westford.
Thomas Wright, Sergeant, of Westford.
John Wright, Private, of Westford.
Oliver Wright, Private, of Westford. Moses Burge, Private, of Westford.
Samuel Adams, Jr., Private, of Westford.
Joel Wright, son of Ebenezer, Private, of Westford.
Peter Butterfield, son of William, Private, of Westford.
John Robbins, Private, of Westford.
Nathaniel Hill, Private, of Westford. Joseph Cummings, Private, of Westford.
Joshua Fletcher, Private, of Westford.
Hezekiah Corey, Private, of Westford.
John Hadley, Private, of Westford. Nathaniel Barrett, Private, of Westford.
The above muster Roll is for pay for an alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, for August 15, 1757. Capt. Jonas Prescott made solemn oath that the several officers and soldiers did duty according to the time therein set." The distance travelled, as appears on the roll, was 180 miles, and the time of service one week and six days. (Massachusetts Archives, Volume 96, p. 3.) Fort William Henry was taken by Gen. Montcalm, August 9, 1757. Before hearing of its surrender this company started for its relief, and went as far as Springfield. After learning the fact, it seems to have returned home.
1758. In this year three expeditions were planned ; one, under Gen. Amher'st, against Louisburg, which had been given up to France, in 1748, by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle; one, under Gen. Abercrombie, against Ticon- deroga and Crown Point; and one, under Gen. Forbes, against Fort DuQuesne. Gen. Amherst was successful in taking Louisburg, July 26; and Fort DuQuesne was taken November 25, and named Pittsburg. But Gen. Abercrom- bie was repulsed at Ticonderoga, July 8. He sent Col.
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
Bradstreet to reduce Fort Frontenac, on Lake Ontario, which he accomplished, August 27.
These achievements were very significant and they effectually dispelled the gloom which rested upon the colo- nies at the close of the previous year. In the expedition against Ticonderoga men from Westford bore an active part. These are their names: Jonathan Sprague, Benja- min Pollard, Aaron Blood, Richard Wyer, Caleb Huston, James Blodgett, Amaziah Hildreth and Thomas Mead; and- they were probably connected with the company of Capt. Thomas Lawrence, of Groton, who was killed in that campaign.
At the battle of Half-Way Brook, July 20, Simon Wheeler was killed and Joel Crosby was taken cap- tive. Oliver Wright was reported missing. He was a ser- geant in Capt. Lawrence's company. In that company, also, were Leonard Spalding (Second Lieutenant, afterwards promoted First Lieutenant). Joseph Hartwell, Josiah Butter- field, Benjamin Farmer, Benjamin Nutting, Benjamin Rich- ardson, Zachariah Willis and Simon Wheeler.
1759. In Capt. Daniel Fletcher's company, for the reduction of Canada, were Thomas Hildreth, Cæsar (negro servant of Gershom Fletcher), Josiah Prince and Benjamin Pollard.
In Col. William Lawrence's regiment, Capt. Leonard Whiting's company, under General Amherst: Isaac Cum- mings, aged 17, son of Thomas; Reuben Wright, aged 19, son of Thomas ; William Parker, aged 17, servant of John Wright; Joseph Pollard, aged 21 ;. Benjamin Pollard, aged 17, son of Joseph ; Aaron Blood, aged 19, ward of Ephraim Chandler; Jonathan Sprague; Richard Wyer, aged 21 ; Isaac Patch, ward of Joshua Fletcher ; Caleb Huston, aged 18, ward of Nathan Procter ; Thomas Hildreth, aged 18, son of Benjamin ; James Blodgett, aged 25; Zachariah Willis, aged 18, servant of Philip Robbins ; Amaziah Hildreth, aged 21 ; Thomas Mead, aged 56; Oliver Procter, aged 38; Ben- jamin King, aged 37.
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
" Worcester, April 30, 1759.
" Billeting of Capt. Leonard Whiting's Co. in the first Battalion, Brig. Gen. Ruggles Reg. from the day of enlistment. Men's names :
Leonard Whiting, Captain.
Richard Wyer,
Aaron Blood,
James Blodgett,
Isaac Cummings,
Caleb Huston,
Amaziah Hildreth,
Benjamin King,
Thomas Mead,
Joseph Pollard,
Benjamin Pollard,
Isaac Patch,
Obadiah Perry,
Jonathan Sprague,
Reuben Wright,
Jonas Wright,
Zachariah Willis."
In his Genealogy of the Early Families of Billerica, Rev. H. A. Hazen states that Capt. Leonard Whiting was in command of a company at the surrender of Quebec.
1759. Another billeting roll of this company, having the name of Oliver Procter added, bears date, May II, 1759 ; and from this the names of Wyer, Blood and Mead are wanting.
Reuben Wright was in the hospital at Albany from November 23 to December 9, and discharged. Thomas Mead was there for the same length of time, and also dis- charged. Ephraim Fletcher, from May 31 to June 14, and discharged. Isaac Patch, from October 17 to October 20; and Caleb Huston, for the same period. Oliver Procter from September I to September 25; also, from September 30 to October 14.
1760. Muster Roll of Capt. Leonard Whiting's com- pany. The return made out and signed, Boston, February 27, 1760. The following names appear : Richard Wyer, Aaron Blood, James Blodget, Isaac Cummings, Caleb Hus- ton, Amaziah Hildreth and Thomas Hildreth.
Probably Captain Whiting's company were paid off at this time. If so, the names of several men from Westford who enlisted in it, are not found in the list above. Perhaps some of them were transferred to other companies, and some had died.
9
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
1760. In Capt. Oliver Barron's company were Benja- min Read, son of Joseph, who died at Crown Point, October 1760 ; also, Silas Wright, son of Ebenezer, who served at Crown Point.
1760. Caleb Gleason, of Westford, servant of Thomas Adams, was in Capt. Aaron Willard's company from Feb- ruary 20 to December-forty weeks.
1761. Muster Roll of Capt. Jonathan Butterfield's com- pany : February 28, Leonard Spalding, First Lieutenant ; Hezekiah Corey, Sergeant ; William Reed, Abraham Butter- field and Peter Butterfield.
Richard Whitney, servant to Cummings, was also in Capt. Aaron Willard's company, April 2nd.
1762. January. List of officers commissioned - First Company, in Westford : James Pollard, Captain ; Timothy Fletcher, Lieutenant; Amos Fletcher, Ensign. Second Company : Samuel Fletcher, Captain ; Joseph Read, Lieu- tenant ; Zachariah Robbins, Ensign.
1762. Abijah Procter served twenty-four weeks and six days in Capt. Farrington's company.
1762. In Capt. Leonard Whiting's company were John Dunn, Joseph Darling, George Crowder, Josiah Blood, Ephraim Craft, [reported] dead, Samuel Fassett, [reported] dead, Samuel Foster, and Joel Fletcher, son of Timothy.
1763. In the same company as reported this year, were Joshua Parker, William Pierce, Benjamin Adams, James Blodgett, Abraham Bennett, Nathan Boynton, Amos Boyn- ton, Samuel Clark, Salmon Dutton, Joseph Darling, David Fish, David Keyes, John Meeds, Joseph Parker, Leonard Parker, Joseph Robbins, Thaddeus Read, Jonathan Rob- bins, David Rumrill, Ebenezer Willis.
By the conquest of Montreal, in 1760, the entire reduc- tion of Canada was accomplished and the British forces were triumphant. As peace was not yet established, the military organizations were kept up in order to be ready for any call. In 1762 fears were entertained lest Canada and the American fishery might be restored to the French, and an addition was made to the quota of Massachusetts, making
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
the number of men 3,270. On the Ioth of February, 1763, a definitive treaty of peace was signed at Paris, and soon after ratified. By the second article, France renounces and guarantees to Great Britain all Nova Scotia, or Acadie, and likewise Canada, the island of Cape Breton, and all other islands in the gulf and river of St. Lawrence. (Holmes' Annals.)
1771. At this date there were two military companies in Westford, belonging to the Sixth Regiment. Their officers were as follows : First Company - Amos Fletcher, Captain ; Jonas Prescott, Jr., Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Boynton, Ensign. Second Company -Jonathan [Joseph ?] Boynton, Captain ; Moses Parker, Lieutenant; Jonathan Carver, Ensign.
EXTRACTS FROM THE TOWN RECORDS.
Plan for a New County. In the year 1734, the project was agitated of making a new county which should comprise the towns in this vicinity. This town passed the following vote in regard to it.
" September ye 2nd day, 1734.
" Voted to choose three men for a comity to Joyne with the comity of the negibrin [neighboring] towns in pertiso- ning the grate and ginril cort of this province to be erected into a county in such manner as they agree on, provided that this town be not charged with any cost of sd comity or of manigen of sd petison. Mr. Joseph Underwood, Capt. Thomas Read, and left. Samuel Chamberlin chose a comity to act in behalf of this town in this affair.
JONAS PRESCOTT, Town Clerk."
Previous to the establishment of the State line between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in 1740, several towns now in New Hampshire, were regarded as belonging to Middlesex County. Nottingham West, now Hudson, passed the following vote :
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
" September 7, 1734.
" The Town by vote signified its desire that if a new County is obtained, the Shire town may be at Chelmsford or Dunstable."
The reason why the plan was not carried out may be found in the fact that soon after, by the running of the line between the two States, several towns were assigned to New Hampshire, and the necessity for a new county no longer existed.
In 1763 a similar project was agitated, and it was kept before the people for several years. In 1767 this town passed the following vote in regard to it :
" May 21, 1767.
" Voted that Capt. Jonas Prescott, Capt. Jabez Keep, and Capt. William Fletcher, agents for the Town of West- ford in behalf of a new County, shall still Proceed for some Releaf either for a new County or that Concord may be the Shire Town." 1
New County Road. "August 9, 1736 It was put to vote whether they will joyne with severil of the nabring towns for the contery Rode they have petisoned for . and it past in the negatife. Chose Capt. Jonas Prescott, Dea. John Comings, Thomas Read a Commity to meet and treet with ye Hond Cort's commity who ware apinted by said Cort to inquire into the Nesesty of the way petisoned for from Westford meeting House thrugh part of Chelmsford, . Billerica, Bedford, Lexenton, and the said Commity are directed to do what they can to prevent and hinder the way petisoned for from coming to Westford."
" September 28, 1736.
" Voted to alow the Cometty 2- 15-4 for time and money expended in going to bedford."
" February the 7th, 1736-7. Pay Capt. Jonas Prescott, Dea. John Comings, and Thomas Read for time and money expended in going to bedford to meet the Court's Comety."
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Fishways. "March the Ist day 1735-6. Voted to chos two men for a comity to vew the dams across stonne brook with the cost of making conveaninces for the fish to run and report to the selectmen of what the cost may be. Benjamin Robens and Jonas Prescott Jun. Comity for said work."
This seems to be the first vote of the town in regard to the passage of shad and alewives from the Merrimack River to Forge Pond. In those days when fish were abundant, it was an important matter to have them pass the dams and reach the pond.
" September 28, 1736.
" Voted to be at further cost for the fish coming up in the spring. Chose Mr. Benjamin Robens and Mr. Jonas Prescott a Comety to prosacout the matter aboght the fish and to agre with John Richardson to make a convanent sluse for the fish to com up in the spring."
John Richardson owned the mill at the mouth of Stony Brook, in North Chelmsford.
The practice of choosing a Fish Committee or Fish Wards, every year, continued until the year 1826- almost a century. Nahum H. Groce, Zaccheus Read, and Benja- min Osgood were chosen for that year, and they appear to be the last committee appointed.
Deer-Killing. In 1739, December 7, Jabez Keep and William Fletcher, Jr., were chosen "to inform of all breeches of act of law that is relating to kiling of deer." After this, two men were annually elected deer-reeves until the year 1773. Thomas Adams and Pelatiah Fletcher were chosen in that year.
Land Bank. The origin of the Land Bank is thus explained in Hildreth's History of the United States :
" Two companies were started [in 1740]; one, known as the ' Silver Scheme,' proposed to issue £ 150,000 in notes redeemable in silver at the end of fifteen years ; the ‘ Man- ufactory Scheme' or 'Land Bank' undertook to circulate
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
double that amount to be redeemed at the end of twenty years in colonial produce. The Silver Scheme was patro- nized by the merchants and traders ; the Land Bank by the farmers and mechanics. The notes of the Land Bank were largely pushed into circulation. That company had eight hundred stockholders and held complete control over the House of Representatives. The Manufactory scheme remained unsettled for several years and proved ruinous to many persons." (History of the United States, Vol. II., p. 380, seq.)
" Westford May 25, 1741.
" At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants Reguerly assembeled at the meeting hous in said Westford Whereas the town of Westford have taken under consideration the grate diffikelty they labor under for want of a meedom of trade by reason of the provence bills being so skase amounge us,
" Therefore Voted and mutoally agreed that the Land Bank or Manificttery Bills, so cald, shall pass and pay all town debets that shall arise in said town for all servis don in public afaires the year current in said town on all accounts what so ever except spicashall contracts.
" Voted for the ese and benfit of the town that who so ever shall be choes to serve and Represent them at the grat and generll court shall have no pay out of the provences Treasury, but bring a list from the Clark of the house of Representives atested what his serves for time travel and atendance come to and he shall Receve the land Bank or Manifictirye bills, so called, as they now pass or shall pass for and shall give the town a discharge therefor."
Bounty on Squirrels and Blackbirds. "An account of the number of squirrels and Blackbirds killed in this town in the year 1741 : The number of gray and ground squirrels is 4762; The number of old blackbirds is 403 ; The number of young blackbirds is 339; and their has been paid out of our town stock for the above named squirrels and blackbirds the sum of £85-15-10, and the Selectmen
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
have given Dea. Henry Wright, Town Treasurer, a certifi- cate to Mr. William Foye Esq. provence Treasurer, for to Receive the above sd sum of £ 85-15-IO."
" February 1742. At a meeting of the Selectmen it appeared that their has been paid out of our town stock this present year the sum of £ 115-3-8 for 6554 gray and 10 [ground] squirrels and for 345 old blackbirds and 393 young blackbirds ; and the Selectmen Did Draw a Certificate to Mr. William Foye Esq. Provence Treasurer to Receive the sd sum of £ 115-3 -10 into our Treasury again."
The Province tax of Westford for the year 1742 was £ 53. 13 s. 4d., less than half the bounty-money drawn from the county.
No 'Supper. "September 13, 1742. Voted that, the Town Officers shall have no supper at their annual meeting upon the town's cost."
It would hardly seem a proper time to be niggardly when so many squirrels and blackbirds had been killed. But eight years later the restriction was made more oppres- sive.
"September 17, 1750. Voted that the town officers should have no subsistence at the annal meeting in March for seven years to come from this Date on the town's cost."
What that long-suffering body of men, the town officers, had done to deserve such treatment does not appear ; but perhaps the following order of the Selectmen helps to explain it.
" February 27, 1750. Pay to James Pollard the sum of IOS. 5d. for 13 Dinners Last March meeting of town officers."
It was only an item of reform in the early civil service.
Training Field. " May 21, 1744. Voted and chose Capt. Thomas Read, Lt. Jonas Prescott, Jr. and John Abbot as a Committee for to treat with Mr. Joseph Underwood about bying a piece of Land for the Convenancy of a training
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
field Round the meeting house half an acre more or less as they see fit."
" March 24, 1748. Pay to Mr. Joseph Underwood the sum of 5 £ for the land which the Comtee bought of Mr. Underwood for a training field."
The land so acquired is now the Common in the central village.
" March 2, 1767. Voted to purchase the piece of land Latly added to the training field in Westford on the east of the meeting house."
Bounty on Wolves. "May 22, 1749. Voted to give one pound more than the Law gives to any Person of West- ford that shall kill a grown wolf in sd Westford or take the track of any wolf and follow sd wolf till he or they kill it, and If Groton Littleton Dunstable Hollise Townshend Lunen- burg and Harvard will Joyn with us to give something to the incouraging any Persons for kiling the wolves as the Select- men of the above sd towns have agreed viz Groton 2 £ Littleton £1-2-6 Dunstable 12 s. - 6d. Hollise 10 s. townshend Ios. Lunenburg £ 1-5-0, Harvard £I. · then the town of Westford agreed to give one pound to any person of the above sd towns that shall kill a grown wolf or take the track of any wolf in any of sd towns and kill it where they will, upon a certificate under the hand of the Selectmen of the above sd towns or either of sd towns that there has been a grown wolf killed and the ears cut as the Law Directs."
Tony's Island. "In the year 1751 Enoch Cleaveland with his whole family, also Sarah Tony with her child, were all warned to depart."
In Rev. Willard Hall's Record of Baptisms occurs the following :
" 1751 Nov. 24. Sarah Tony [negro] adult. Frances Tony Daugh" of Sarah."
This Sarah was perhaps a servant in the family of Enoch Cleaveland, who lived near the old mill-site in
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Providence Meadow. An island in the meadow is still known as Tony's Island.
Warning out Strangers. By a law of the Province, enacted in 1692-'93, it became necessary to warn all strangers to leave the town; and if such warning was not given within three months, then all such persons were to be reputed inhabitants of the town, and if any of them became sick or poor then the town was obliged to aid them. Great care was taken to comply with the law, as the lists of persons warned clearly show. If any person duly warned by the constable did not depart in fourteen days, he was conveyed out of town by the constable or by his order.
" Sept. 1756. Be it remembered that Edmond Marble of Stow . was warned out of our town and old Mr. Kemp of Billerica. Also Lydia Stratton and Lydia Stratton Jun. and one child more."
" 1757 Lydia Russell, Sarah Willis, Mary Patch and Anna her Daughter were warned out of town."
" 1759 John Wright and Sarah his wife, Sarah and Mary their children, Isaac Kent and Mary his wife ; Mary, Elizabeth, Abigail, and Isaac their children. Also Eason Dix and Daniel Dudley and Hannah his wife & Daniel their child. Also hannah Blanchard and Sarah, Daniel and Moses her children, and Josiah Kemp Jr."
" Sept. 1760 William Park, Margaret Brown and William, James, and John her children ; Eleazer Taylor, Sarah Love; also Mary Lawrence, Jacob Ames and his brother."
" 1761. Isaac Holt and Mary his wife, Obadiah and Mary their children ; Jonathan Fish and David Fish.".
" 1762. John Bigelo & Grace Bigelo his wife, and Lucy, Bulah, Sarah, Silas, Simeon, Molly, Grace, and Eunice Bigelo their children, and Judah Wheeler, all which came from Acton. Isaac Patch and Elizabeth his wife, & their son, John Avery Patch, which came from Groton."
10
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HISTORY OF WESTFORD.
" 1762. Hugh Smylie and Mary his wife, Thomas, David, William, Alexander, Sarah, and Mary their children, all Lately came from Willton in Newhampshire. Dorcas Wheeler, wife of Samuel Wheeler, of Acton; and Mary French who lately came from Shrewsbury ; and Theophilus Mansfield."
" 1763. Nowel Dodge and Prissilla his wife, Joseph, Elijah, Sarah, hannah, Deborah & Delileth their children, lately came from Groton; Lucy Turner from Pepperill, Eleazer Fish from No. I, so called in Newhampshire, Lucy Avery from Townsend, Mary Searls and Experience Har- wood from Dunstable, Zerviah Lawrence Anna Lawrence from Pepperill, Isaac Parker from Groton; Ephraim Wheeler and Rebecca his wife, Lucy, Oliver, Rebecca, Lois, Jesse and Mary their children, all from Acton ; Thomas Perry from Lexington, Lydia Perry from Acton, Samuel Farnsworth from No. 4 in Newhampshire."
In many cases the persons so warned remained and became useful citizens. The vigilance and care of the early inhabitants for the welfare of society in the punishment of idlers and vagabonds were always apparent; while the deserving poor were provided for according to the dictates of a genuine philanthropy. The fathers believed in all proper restraints and correctives of immoral conduct, and did not hesitate to punish offenders with a just severity.
" 1762. Pay Ephraim Hildreth Jun. for making a New pair of Stocks."*
Meeting-House Bell. " March ye 1, 1762. Voted to raise a sum of money sufficient to Purchase a meeting House bell with what is Raised by subscription."
" September 20, 1762. Voted and chose Capt. Jonas Prescott, Capt. Samuel Fletcher and Deacon John Abbott a Commt to Purchase a meeting house bell for sd Westford.
* Stocks : A machine consisting of two pieces of timber in which the legs of crimi- nals are confined by way of punishment .- Webster.
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INCORPORATION TO BEGINNING OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Voted that the sd Committe shall Purchase a bell for sd Town of about five hundred and fifty pound weight."
"November 25, 1763. Voted to Receive the meeting house bell lately purchased by a Committee chosen by the Town for that purpose. Voted and chose Capt. Jonas Prescott, Capt. Samuel Fletcher, Dea. John Abbott, Capt. Jabez Keep, and Nath! Boynton as a Committee to hang the sd meeting house bell. Voted the bell shall be hung south- westerly from the meeting house bordering on or twelve feet in Mr. Eben" Stone's Land. Voted that the bell shall hang fifteen feet high and the Belfrey be as wide as the Commit- tee shall think proper. Voted that the Selectmen shall ap- point a man to ring the sd bell."
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