USA > Massachusetts > Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts > Part 25
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The Vote of this House Pass'd on the Petition of William Reed Yesterday. Sent down from the Board Pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Novemb. 8, 1717.
Read and Concurr'd.
Provided the Petitioner or his Council prepare a Bill accordingly.
Sent down for Concurrence.
242 Journal of the House of Representatives
A Petition of Ruth Child of Newtown, presented to the House and Read, Pray- ing that she may have Licence to Retail strong Drink in the said Town,
And the Question being put, Whether the Prayer of the Petition be Granted ? It pass'd in the Negative.
The Petition of Nathanael Thomas, sent up to the Board this Day, Brought down again, Pass'd upon there, viz. In Council, Nov. 9th 1717. Read, and Ordered, That the Petitioner serve Messieurs John Partridge, and John Wads- worth Select-Men of the Town of Duxbury, and Mr. Thomas Fish of the said Town, with a Copy of this Petition, That they may be heard before this Court, on Fryday next, if they have ought to object why the Petitioner may not have Re- lief under his present Circumstances. Sent down for Concurrence.
Read and Concurr'd, Provided the Petitioner bear the Charges of the Select- Men occasioned by such Hearing if this Court think it proper. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Plat of One Thousand Acres of Land laid out by William Ward Surveyor, and Chain-Men under Oath, pursuant to an Order of this Court, pass'd in August 1716. upon a Petition of the Select-Men of the Town of Dorchester. Presented to the House for Confirmation.
Ordered, That One Thousand Acres of Land as Protracted and Described in this Plat, be allowed and Confirmed to the Town of Dorchester for the use of a Free-School in the said Town, pursuant to, and in fulfilment of a Grant of the General Court, Anno 1659. of the said quantity to the said Town for that use, Provided, It Intrench upon no former Grant. Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till Monday next three a Clock in the Afternoon.
BOSTON: Printed & Sold by 13. Green. 1717.
[35 ]
Province of the Massachusetts-Bap.
VOTES
of the House of Representatives.
Luna II. Die Robembris, 1717. D. 99.
A Petition of Francis James, and Caleb Barker, Presented to the House & Read, praying this Court to encourage and assist, their Projection of mak- ing Flask & Sand ware.
Ordered, That Col. Thaxter, Maj. Chandler, and Capt. Wadsworth, be a Com- mittee with such as shall be appointed by the Honourable Board, to consider of and lay before this Court, what may be proper to be done, upon said Petition.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of the Inhabitants of the East part of the Town of Norton, Presented to the House & Read, praying that they may be set off and constituted a separate and distinct Precinct, for the Support of the Gospel Ministry.
Ordered, That said East End be a Precinct. And that Capt. John Field, Mr. Ephraim Howard, and Mr. John White Surveyor, be a Committee to run and set- tle a Divisional line, by which it is to be set off, from the other part of Norton, pursuant to an Order of this Court, March 7th. 1710. And to make Report to this Court. Sent up for Concurrence.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act in further Addition to an Act, Intituled, An Act for the Encouraging the Killing of Wolves. Read, and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act for the better Regulation of Fowling. Read and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted. Sent up for Concurrence. And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Martis 12. Die Robembris, 1717. A. m.
A Petition of Joseph Malliston, Presented to the House & Read, Praying En- couragement and Assistance toward the carrying on of Iron-works, by him Erected.
Ordered, That Col. Thaxter, Maj. Chandler, and Capt. Wadsworth, be a Com- mittee with such as shall be appointed by the Honourable Board to consider and lay before this Court, what may be proper to be done upon the said Petition.
Sent up for Concurrence.
The Petition of Joseph Stebbens, Sen. Joseph Parsons, and 72 others, Praying as entred the 31. of the last Month. Read again,
244 Journal of the House of Representatives
And the Question being put, Whether the prayer of the Petition be Granted? It pass'd in the Negative.
A Petition of sundry Deacons of Churches in the Town of Boston, presented to the House and Read, Praying, That a greater number of Bills of Publick Credit of the lower Denominations, may be made, which they find needful in the said Town, where the Ministers are Supported by free Weekly Contributions, to ac- commodate the same.
And the Question being put, Whether the prayer of the Petition be Granted? It pass'd in the Negative.
A Memorial of the Honourable William Dummer Esq; Commander of His Majesty's Castle William, Presented to the House and Read, Shewing that some of the works there want to be Repaired, and moving that a Committee may be sent to view the same.
Ordered, That Capt. Wadsworth, Capt. Dowse, and Capt. Parsons, be a Com- mittee with such as shall be appointed by the Honourable Board, to Repair to Castle Island and view the Works there, and make report to this Court what Repairs are necessary. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for Regulating the Souldiers in His Majesty's Castle William. Read twice.
A Petition of the Inhabitants of Cape Porpus, presented to the House and Read, praying, That Col. John Wheelwright may be impowred to Regulate the Settlements making there, so as to be compact and defensible. And to demand and keep their Town Records.
Ordered, That the Honourable John Wheelwright Esq; be Impowred to Regu- late the present Settlement of Cape Porpus, as to the placing the Houses so as the Inhabitants may be able to defend themselves in case of a War; and that he be further Impowred to Demand [ 36 ] and keep the Records belonging to said Place, until said Town be otherwise Regulated. Sent up for Concurrence. A Petition of Joseph Marion, Deputy Secretary, presented to the House & Read, praying some Allowance may be Granted to him, for his Service in that Office. Committed.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in further Addition to & for the better Explanation of the Act Intituled, An Act for the upholding and Regulating of Mills. Read.
Post Meridiem.
A Petition of Lewis Bane Representative of the Town of York, in behalf of him- self and the Inhabitants of Saco, Black Point, and Casco, Presented to the House and Read, praying this Court to Grant to Humphry Scammon the Privilege of keeping a Ferry over Saco River.
A Message sent up to the Board by Col. Hutchinson, Maj. Savage, Col. Thaxter,
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Journal of the House of Representatives
and Capt. Chambers, Requesting his Excellency the Governour, that His Majes- ty's Ship Squirrel now bound to Barbadoes, may be ordered not to proceed on said Voyage; forasmuch as this House are of Opinion, that this Coast is in danger of being Infested with Pirates. And that his Excellency will please to Issue forth a Proclamation forbiding all Persons whatsoever Trading with or Supplying the Pirates, with Provisions or Stores.
A Petition of the Committee of the Town of Brookfield, presented to the House and Read, praying this Court to Grant to the said Town 500 Acres of Land in lieu of the like quantity, laid out to Col. John Pynchon on Coy's Hill in the said Town, and confirmed to him by this Court in June 1715. as the first half of the Grant made to his Father
Resolved, That Five Hundred Acres of Unappropriated Land be Granted to the Town of Brookfield, in full Satisfaction for the 500 Acres of Land laid out to Col. Pynchon on Coy's Hill, in said Town of Brookfield, confirmed by this Court, June 18. 1715, as the first half of the Grant made to his Father John Pynchon, Esq; Deceas'd, Anno 1659, to be laid out adjoyning to said Brookfield, by a Surveyor and Chainmen under Oath, and returned to this Court for confirmation.
Sent up for Concurrence.
Samuel Thaxter & John Chandler Esqrs; Surveyors, appointed by this Court the 21. of June last, to discover the Bounds of Tracts of Land formerly Granted within the Compass of that which is now the Township of Hopkinston ; and par- ticularly of a grant called White Hall Farm, presented their Report, which was read.
A Petition of Edward Burleston, in behalf of Twenty Proprietors of the Com- mon and Undivided Lands in the Town of Suffield, presented to the House and Read.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Mercurii 13. Die Pobembris, 1717. 9. 99.
T He Report of Samuel Thaxter, and John Chandler Esqrs; relating to White Hall Farm, &c. which was Read Yesterday, Read again, and
Ordered, That Jonathan Remington, Edward Hutchinson, and Francis Fullam Esqrs; be a Committee to prepare and offer to the House, the Draught of a Vote to be passed thereon.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for taking off the Entail and vesting the Fee Simple of certain Lands in Situate, in Thomas Briant, for an Equivalent proposed by Joseph Briant, to whom the said Land was given Entail. Read and pass'd to be Engross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
The following Resolve brought down from the Honourable Board, by Edward Bromfield Esq; viz. Resolved, That John Otis, William Basset, and Peter Thacher
246 Journal of the House of Representatives
Esqrs; Justices for the Indians within the County of Barnstable, or any Two of them, at one time, with any Two of the Justices of the Inferiour Court of com- mon Pleas, on the Island of Nantucket, and no more, be and hereby are Im- powred, and Appointed from time to time, to be Justices of the Inferiour Court of common Pleas, and General Sessions of the Peace, to Hear & Determine, all Causes and Matters of Difference, between the English & Indians, and Indian & Indians on the said Island. And that a Bill be prepared accordingly.
Sent down for Concurrence, Read and Concurr'd.
A Petition of Elijah Danforth and Samuel Danforth, sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there, viz. In Council, Novemb. 13. 1717. Resolved, That the Purchase of the Lands made by the Petitioners of the Punkapog Indians, as set forth in the Petition, and be and hereby is allowed of, and confirmed, so far forth as the said Indians, have Right to Dispose thereof. Sent down for Concurrence.
The Honourable Judge Sewall having this day presented a Number of Books to the House.
Ordered, That Edward Hutchinson Esq; and Mr. Isaiah Tay, Return the Thanks of this House to him for the same.
3 Post Meridiem.
The Petition of Lewis Bane, Praying as entred yesterday. Read again, and Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted.
Sent up for Concurrence. [37 ]
A Bill, Intituled, An Act enabling William Read to bring forward his Appeal, from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex, to the Superiour Court of Judicature, to be held in Charlstown for the County of Middlesex, Read and pass'd to be En- gross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
The Petition of Edward Johnson, Praying as entred the 23d Day of the last Month, further considered, and the Report of the Committee offered thereon, viz. That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted. Provided the said Two Hundred Acres has not been formerly taken up. And the Question being put, Whether the Report be accepted ? It pass'd in the Affirmative.
Sent up for Concurrence.
The Petition of Joseph Stebbins, Representative of the Town of Springfield, Praying as entred the 5th Currant, further Considered.
Resolved, That there shall be a Hearing of both Towns (of Springfield and En- field) upon the said Controversy, before this Court on the 2d Wednesday of the Sessions in May next; And that the present Representatives of Springfield and Enfield, notify their respective Towns cordingly. Sent up for Concurrence. And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
247
Journal of the House of Representatives
Tobis 14. Die Pobembris, 1717. A. M.
T
He Petition of Edward Burleston, mentioned the 12th Currant.
Read again.
Resolved, That the Act, and Determination of the special Sessions, holden at Suffield on January 10th 1715. Reported to this Court, with the Explanation thereof, be accepted and confirmed. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of John Porter, Presented to the House and Read, Praying the Benefit of an Appeal from a Judgment of the Court of Sessions of the Peace in the County of Essex, to the next Superiour Court of Judicature, and Court of Assize to be holden for the County of Essex. Read and Committed.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
-
Deneris 15. Die Robembris 1717. A. S.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in further Addition unto, and for better Explanation of the Act, Intituled, An Act in Addition to the Act for Upholden and Regulating of Mills. Read a 3d time, and pass'd to be Engross'd. Sent up for Concurrence. The Petition of Elijah Danforth, and Samuel Danforth, and the Vote of Council thereon the 13th Currant. Read again, and
A Petition of Robert Spur, Standfast Foster and Samuel Jones, and 46 others, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that a Hearing may be Granted be- fore this Court on the Subject matter of the last mentioned Petition, before the Prayer thereof be Granted.
And the Question being put, Whether the House Concur with the Vote of the Hon- ourable Board in the Petition of Elijah Danforth and Samuel Danforth?
It pass'd in the Negative.
Major How laid before the House a Plat of the West part of Marlborough, &c. Taken pursuant to an Order of this Court, pass'd the 31st day of last Month, upon the Petition of Isaac Amsden, &c.
Resolved, That the Tract of Land contained and described in the said Plat be Erected into a Township to be called by the name of Westborough, The Inhab- itants to have & enjoy all Powers, Privileges and Immunities whatsoever, as other Towns have, and do enjoy, And that the ungranted Lands lying within the same, containing about Three Thousand Acres, be Granted to the said Inhabitants they paying for the same, as the Committee appointed by this Court this Session for setling the Lands of the New Township that is contiguous, shall order, and that out of the said Lands, there shall be reserved a suitable and convenient Lot, for the first setled Minister, which Lot the said Committee shall set out.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Thomas Terry, & Joseph Read Select-men of the Town of Free-
248 Journal of the House of Representatives
town, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that the Sum of Twenty Pounds may for this Year be granted out of the Publick Treasury towards support of the Ministry in the said Town. In answer to the said Petition,
Resolved, That the Sum of Twenty Pounds be allowed and paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury towards the Maintenance of the Ministry in the said Town for the Year coming. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intitituled, An Act, for altering the Time of Holding a Superiour Court of Judicature Court of Assize and General Goal Dilivery, within and for the County of Hampshire: And for reviving all Actions & Process lately depending there, and dis- continued by reason of the Courts not meeting.
Pass'd in Council to be Engross'd and Sent down for Concurrence. Read.
A Message from the Board by Nathanael Norden Esq; That the House now come up to the Council Chamber to attend the Hearing appointed this Day upon the Petition of Samuel Humphry, Josiah Torry and Zechariah Bicknel Agents for the Society in the West part of the Town of Swanzey.
Mr. Speaker and the House went up accordingly, and when the Parties were fully heard returned again to their own chamber. [ 38 ]
3 Post Meridiem.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for altering the Time of holding a Superiour Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery, within and for the County of Hampshire, And for reviving all Actions and Process lately depending there, and discontinued by reason of the Courts not meeting. Read a 2d time.
A Petition of Joseph Buckminster Esq; presented to the House and Read, Praying that his Plat of Three Hundred Acres of Land, laid out at a Place called Whitehall, may continue to be allowed notwithstanding what is objected against it; Or That if a new Survey must be taken thereof, that it may be ordered to begin and determin, where he shall direct, so as to include a Stream and Mill, and other Improvements, for the sake whereof he took up his Grant in that place.
A Memorial of Nathanael Byfield, Nathanael Payne, Henry Mackintosh, and John Rogers Esqrs; Justices of the Peace, for and within the County of Bristol, Proposing that an Orthodox Gospel Minister may be sent by this Court to the Town of Tiverton, and be supported out of the Publick Treasury for one Year, for reasons set forth in the said Memorial. Brought down from the Board by Nathan- ael Byfield and Nathanael Payne, Esqrs; and entred thereon, viz. In Council, No- vember 15th 1717. Read and sent down earnestly Recommended.
Read and Committed.
A Message from the Board, That the House now come up to attend the Hear- ing appointed to be this Day upon the Petition of Nathanael Thomas Esq;
249
Journal of the House of Representatives
Mr. Speaker and the House went up accordingly, and the Hearing being ended, Returned again to their own Chamber.
And then the House adjourn'd till to morrow Morning nine a Clock.
Sabbati 16 Die Robembris 1717 a 99
A Petition of Henry Bridgham, Samuel Bridgham, William Kean, and William Tilley Jun. Presented to the House and Read, Praying that they may be allowed to lay out, and have confirmed to them, 4000 Acres of up Land and Meadow near Quinnebaug, which was purchased by their Predecessors of the Indian Sachems, Proprietors thereof, Anno 1655. before any Law was made to forbid such Purchases.
Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the next Session for consideration.
A Petition of John Spooner, and Four others Inhabitants of the Town of Dart- mouth, presented to the House and Read, praying assistance out of the Publick Treasury towards the Maintenance of the Minister in the said Town.
Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the next Session for consideration.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for altering the Time of holding a Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery, within and for the County of Hampshire, And for reviving all Actions & Process lately depending there, and dis- continued by reason of the Courts not meeting. Read a 3d time, and pass'd a Con- currence with an Amendment. And sent up.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for further Regulating the Souldiers in His Majesty's Service at Castle William. Read a 3d time, and pass'd to be Engross'd.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Memorial Sign'd by Henry Flint Clerk of the Overseers of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge which was sent down from the Board yesterday. Read. Moving this Court to make further Provision for the Reception and Entertainment of the Students in that Seminary, the present Edifices not being sufficient to accom- modate them.
Ordered, That Major Habijah Savage, Mr. Timothy Lindal, and Capt. Jonathan Dowse, with such as the Honourable Board shall appoint be a Committee in the recess of this Court to consider what is proper to be done in answer to the said Memorial, and make their Report at the next Session. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Stephen Stoddard, and John Orcut, Agents for the Society of Little Hingham alias Conihasset, praying that their former Petition to be made a dis- tinct Precinct, and the Report of the Committee of this Court, thereon, may be revived and reconsidered. Sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Novemb. 5th. 1717. Read and Ordered, That the affair of Conihasset be revived, and Reconsidered.
Read and Concurr'd.
Sent down for Concurrence.
250 Journal of the House of Representatives
Resolved, That Nathaniel Blagrove Esq; be added to the Committee appointed to run and settle the Line between this Province, & the Colony of Rhode-Island. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of John Ruck and 17 others Proprietors of Augusta on Small Point, presented to the House and Read, Praying a further continuance of an Officer and Ten Souldiers in the Publick Pay to cover and encourage the Settlement making there
Resolved, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted. Sent up for Concurrence. And then the House Adjourn'd till Monday next three a Clock in the Afternoon.
BOSTON: Printed & Sold By 13. Green. 1717. [ 39 ]
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Province of the Massachusetts Map. VOTES
of the House of Representatives.
Luna 18. Die Pobembris, 1717.
H IS Excellency the Governour having seen meet at the Request of this House to allow the account of his late Interview, and Conference with the Eastern Indians to be made Publick.
Ordered, That the Representatives of the Town of Boston be a Committee to take care, to get the same Printed at the best Rate they can, Reserving for his Excellency such a Number of the Copies as He will please to have, and one Copy for each Member of this present Court.
A Bill Intituled, An Act Enabling William Reed to bring forward his Appeal from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex, to the Superiour Court of Judicature, to be held in Charlstown for the County of Middlesex. Sent down from the Honour- able Board Concurr'd with some Amendments.
Which were Read and Agreed to by the House.
A Petition of Joseph Ryall and Nicholas Sparrow, presented to the House & Read, praying that they may be discharged from paying the Sum of Four Pounds, which they are obliged to pay as Sureties for Rebeckah Philpot when she had Li- cence granted to her to Retail Strong Drink, Anno 1713. She not living to Im- prove the said Licence.
Resolved, That the prayer of the Petition be granted. Sent up for Concurrence.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be and hereby is Directed and Impowred to Issue forth and Emit of the Bills of Publick Credit received into the Treasury the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds, for Payment of the Publick Debts of the Province al- ready contracted, for the Defence & Support of the Government, and the neces- sary Protection & Preservation, of the Inhabitants of this Province, and for the Subsisting of Forts & Garrisons, and Wages arising for their Service, for Pay- ment of Grants, Salaries and Allowances, made or to be made by this Court, ac- cording to such Draughts, as from time to time, shall be made upon him by War- rant or Order of the Governour or Commander in Chief, for the time being, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council. And the said Bills shall pass out of the Treasury, at the Value therein expressed equivalent to Money; and shall be Taken & Accepted, in all Publick Payments, at the advance & after the Rate of Five Pounds per Cent. more.
And as a Fund & Security for the same, There be, and hereby is Granted, to His Most Excellent Majesty, to the Ends & Uses as aforesaid, a Tax of Six Thou- sand Pounds, to be Levied on Polls & Estates, both Real & Personal within this
252 Journal of the House of Representatives
Province, according to such Rules and in such Proportion, upon the several Towns & Districts within the same, as shall be Agreed on, and Ordered by the Great & General Court, or Assembly of this Province at their Session in May 1722. and Paid into the Treasury, on or before the last Day of December, next after. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Message sent up to the Board by Col. Somersby, Mr. Lindal, Mr. Porter, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Freeman, Moving that the Affairs of the Session may be so ex- pedited that the Court may Rise to Morrow, if it may be.
The Petition of Samuel Humphry, Josiah Torrey, &c. upon which there was a Hearing the 15th Currant. Sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Novemb. 18. 1717. Upon a full Hearing had, before the whole Court on this Petition the 15th Currant. Resolved, That Phoebe's Neck, and New Meadow Neck, within the Town of Swanzey, be and hereby is Erected into a Town- ship, by the Name of Barrington ; and the Inhabitants thereof are vested, with all Powers, [ 40 ] Rights and Privileges, that other Towns within this Province by Law have, or ought to have and enjoy. Sent down for Concurrence.
Read & Concurr'd.
The Petition of John Ellis, praying as Entred the 5th currant, Read again, and Ordered, That the Petitioner Serve Simon Rogers the adverse Party with a Copy of this Petition that he may shew reason, if he can, why the prayer thereof should not be granted, on the first Tuesday of the next Session of this Court.
Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Martis 19. Die Robembris, 1717. A. M.
A Petition of the Select-men of the Town of Roxbury, and the Feoffees of the Free-School in the said Town, presented to the House & Read, praying that they may have further time to lay out 500 Acres of Land, Granted by this Court for the use of the said Free-School, the time given for that end being elapsed.
Ordered, That the prayer of the said Petition be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence.
An Accompt of Nathanael Paine Treasurer of the County of Bristol, from April 14th 1716. to October 9th 1717. Examined & Allowed by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace in the said County, Presented to the House for Allowance. Read & Allowed. Sent up for Concurrence.
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