USA > Massachusetts > Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts > Part 27
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Resolved, That the said Report be accepted, and that the Treasurer be Dis- charged of the Sum of l. 10475 4 s. 4 d. accordingly. Sent up for Concurrence. A Petition of John Bacon Representative and Agent for the Town of Barnsta- ble, Presented to the House and Read, Praying this Court to confirm and ratify an Agreement made in and by the said Town, for the Division and Partition thereof into two distinct Precincts, for the maintenance of the Gospel Ministry in each of them, according to the Bounds of Partition set forth in the said Petition.
Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted, and that the said Town be Divided and parted into two distinct Precincts, according to the bounds agreed on by them and set forth in the said Petition, each of them to enjoy and exercise all Powers and Privileges, necessary for, and belonging to a Precinct, for upholding and supporting the Gospel Ministry. Sent up for Concurrence. And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Deneris 7. Die Februarii, 1717. A. S.
T He Report of the Committee entered Yesterday, relating to Erecting addi- tional Buildings at Harvard College, further considered, and
Ordered, That the said Committee be desired to prepare and lay before the Court a Projection of such additional Buildings, as they think necessary to be
264 Journal of the House of Representatives
Erected at present, [ 47 ] and a computation of the Charge it will probably amount to, that further consideration may be had thereof
Sent up for Concurrence.
His Excellency's Speech Read again, and that Paragraph thereof relating to the Bills of Credit Debated.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in Addition to the Act Intituled, An Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer. Read a first time.
The Honourable Mr. President Leverett and Thomas Fitch, Esqrs; Two of the Trustees of Mr Hopkins's Legacy, upon a motion being made, came in and acquainted the House that great Strip and Waste has been lately made of the Timber on Whitehall-Farm, and they are taking care to Prosecute the Offenders, pursuant to the Order of this Court, and mov'd that they may not be Intercepted in their Proceedings. And withdrew.
A Petition of Joseph Buckminster, Praying that he may be favoured with a hearing of his cause relating to Whitehall Farm, before this Court, Sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there viz. In Council, Feb. 6 1717. Ordered, That the Prayer of the within Petition be Granted, and that the Petitioner be heard thereon, on the 2d Wednesday of the next May Session, and that he serve the Committee of the Trustees, of Mr. Hopkins's Legacy with a Copy of the Petition, and that in the mean time no Strip or Waste be made on the Farm called White- hall Farm within mentioned.
Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Non-Concurr'd.
Upon a Motion being made, Mr. President Leverett was again admitted into the House and Informed them of the great necessity of further Buildings being speedily made for the Entertainment of Students at Harvard College. And with- drew.
A Message from the Board by William Tailer, Nathaniel Byfield, Nathaniel Paine, Benjamin Lynde and Addington Davenport, Esqrs; That the Council had Concurr'd the Vote of this House of this Day, on the Report of the Committee, relating to additional Buildings to be made to Harvard College, and desired that the Committee might meet thereon forthwith.
The Petition of Philip English which was pass'd upon in this House the 20th of Novemb. last. Sent down from the Board pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Feb. 7. 1717. Ordered, That the Committee be continued, and that they make Report as above at the Session of this Court in May next. Sent down for Concurrence.
Read and Concurr'd.
3 Post Meridiem.
A Petition of Penn Townsend Esq; in behalf of himself and Thomas Palmer and William Hutchinson, Esqrs Executors of the last Will and Testament of Peter
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Sergeant, Esq; Deceased, Presented to the House and Read. Praying, that they may be Discharged from a Bond for l. 105. 2. s. 8. d. Bills of Publick Credit which the said Sergeant, & Townsend, gave to the Treasurer for the said Sum which they borrowed of the Publick & paid the whole thereof to Sixteen Artificers, that were Imprest here, and served in the Train of Artillery in the Expedition design'd against Canada, Anno 1711. for reasons assign'd therein.
A Message from the Board by William Tailer, Nathaniel Byfield, Addington Davenport, Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Fitch, and Adam Winthrop, Esqrs with the Report of the Committee concerning an additional Building to be made at Harvard College, A Draught of such Building and a Computation of the Charge, Shewing the present necessity thereof, and moving the House now to Proceed in the affair: And Left the further Report of the Said Committee which was Read, viz. In Pursuance of the within Order, The Committee are humbly of opinion, that as it's the most frugal method of Building, So it will best answer the present Occasions, to Erect a double House, somewhat conformable to the Draught herewith exhibited, to be plac'd pretty near the Southwest Corner of Stoughton College, and thence to extend it's length Westward in a parallel Line to Harvard College. The Charge thereof by what we gather from Skilful Workmen, may probably amount to Three Thousand Pounds, or thereabouts.
A Petition of Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridge and Jonas Eaton, on behalf of the Town of Framingham, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that they may be enabled to Prosecute their Appeal, from the Judgment of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace holden in Concord in August last, Ordering the said Town to maintain one Margaret Allen, a poor Woman belonging to the Town of Weston, at the next Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery to be holden at Cambridge, from which they are now through a Mistake precluded in the Law. [ 48 ]
It being Represented to this House that Onner Thomas, a poor and helpless Widow Woman driven in from the Eastern Parts in the late War, at present re- siding in the Town of Lynn, stands in need of Relief; and it not appearing that she belongs to any Town, from whom she can have Support.
Resolved, That the Sum of Forty Shillings be allowed and Paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury to Mr. Speaker Burril to be disposed of by him for her present Re- lief. Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Sabbati 8 Die Februarii 1717 A. M.
T He Petition of Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridge, & Jonas Eaton, Praying as Entred Yesterday, Read again, and.
Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted. Sent up for Concurrence.
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A Petition of Cyprian Southack Presented to the House and Read, Praying That he may be Reimbursed the Sum of Twenty Pounds, three Shillings, which he Paid for the Ransom of Silas Newcomb and Andrew Simons, out of the hands of the Indians. And that he may have consideration for the loss he sustained of at least l. 450, in the Year 1715. when he had a Warrant from the late Governour Dudley, to preserve the boundaries between this Province and the French. And for a Sail that was taken out of his Sloop in May last by Williams the Pirate worth l. 80 or l. 90, when he had ordered the said Sloop to come to him to Cape Cod, to take in and Transport the Goods that were saved from the Pirate Ship which was wrecked there. In which Service he was improv'd by his Excellency the Governour.
A Petition of Richard Pierce of Marblehead, Presented to the House and Read, Praying, The Loan of l. 150 in Bills of Credit, out of the Publick Treasury, upon the Security of a Tract of Land he owns at Misconcus beyond Pemaquid, to en- able him and others to advance a Settlement on the said Lands.
Ordered, That the said Petition be Dismist.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in Addition to An Act Intituled, An Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer, Read a 2d time.
A Message from His Excellency the Governour by Penn Townsend, Esq; mov- ing the House to consider the Request of the Eastern Indians for a Wigwam to be built at Arrowsick for their Entertainment when they come there.
Resolved, That the Sum of Fifty Shillings be allowed and Paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury to Henry Bright, for his Service as Messenger of this House, to carry Warrants to several Members to attend the Court.
Sent up for Concurrence.
The Petition of Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridge, Jonas Eaton, on which a Vote was pass'd in this House, this Day. Sent down from the Board. Pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Feb. 8th Concurr'd, and that the Petitioner bring in a Bill accordingly. Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Concurr'd.
And then the House Adjourn'd till Monday next three a Clock Afternoon.
Luna 10. Die Februarii, 1717. D. M.
O Rdered, That Edward Hutchinson, Esq; be desired to take Care to have a small Building erected at George Town, on Arrowsick-Island, for the Recep- tion, and Shelter of the Indians, when they come there, to prevent their incon- venient Intrusion on the English Inhabitants. The cost not to exceed the Sum of Twenty Pounds. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Joseph Crocker, Barnabas Fuller, Josiah Crocker and Ebenezar Crocker of Barnstable, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that a Com- mittee may be appointed to come, hear and determine the Difference between them and the Indians of Mashpeed, as to the Bounds of their Lands. Sent up.
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Resolved, That the Sum of Four Pounds be allowed and Paid out of the Publick Treasury to James Scolly, for his Service as Messenger of this House, to Summon several Members to attend His Majesty's Service in this Court.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of John. Sheple and John Ames of Grotton, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that a Plat of the said Town therewith exhibited, taken by Samuel Danforth Surveyor, Decemb. 3. 1713. may be Confirmed. [ 49 ]
The Petition of Joseph Crocker, &c. praying as entred this Day, sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. In Council, Feb. 10th. 1717. Read & Ordered, That Samuel Sturges, and Melatiah Bourn Esqrs; and Mr. Samuel Jennings, Rep- resentative of the Town of Sandwich be a Committee appointed, and Impowred by this Court, to go upon the Land, and view the same, and to determine the Controversy, and Settle the Boundaries, between the English, and the Indians mentioned in the Petition, and make Report to this Court at their next May Ses- sion for Confirmation. Sent up for Concurrence Read & Concurr'd.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Martis 11. Die Februarii 1717 A. M.
A Bill Intituled, An act in addition to an act, Intituled, An act for the Partition of Lands. Read a first time.
A Bill Intituled, An act in addition to an act, Intituled, An act for the better Pres- ervation and Increase of Deer. Read a 3d time, and pass'd to be Engross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An act to enable Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridges & Jonas Eaton on behalf of the Town of Framingham, to bring forward their Appeal from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex, to the Court of Assize & General Goal Delivery, to be held in Cambridge for the County of Middlesex. Read a first time.
The Petition of John Sheple & John Ames, praying as entred Yesterday. Read again, and
Ordered, That the prayer of this Petition be so far Granted, that the Plat here- with Exhibited, altho' not exactly conformable to the Original Grant of Eight Miles Square, be accounted, Accepted & Confirmed as the Bounds of the Town- ship of Grotton, in all Parts except, where the said Township, Borders on the Township of Littleton, where the -Bounds shall be and remain, between the said Towns, as is already Stated & Setled by this Court. And that this Order shall not be Understood, or Interpreted, to alter or infringe the Right, and Title which any Inhabitant or Inhabitants, of either the said Towns have or ought to have to Lands in either of the said Townships. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Antony Young, Innholder in Dorchester, near Billings's, presented to the House & Read, praying, That he may have granted to him his Sale of
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Strong Drink, as an Innholder from July last past till the Expiration of the present Act, for Regulating the Excise without paying any Excise, for reasons therein exprest.
And the Question being put, Whether the prayer of the Petition be Granted? It pass'd in the Negative.
A Petition of Thomas Smith of Rhode-Island, John Budd, and Rebecca his Wife Children and Representatives of John Smith of Bristol, deceased: Shewing that they have a Right to Three 16 Parts of Eight Miles Square of Land at Assanamis- cock, which they are Deprived of by the Acts of this Court relating to the said Lands, Praying Relief; Sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. Feb. 10th 1717. Ordered, That a Hearing be had on this Petition on the Second Friday of the next Session of this Court, and that the Petitioner Serve some of the Principal of the other Parties concern'd with a Copy of the Petition.
Sent down for Concurrence. Read.
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 Upholding & Regulating of Mills.
Read a first time.
A Bill Intituled, An act in addition to an Act Intituled, an act, providing in case of Sickness. Read a first time.
3. Dost Meridiem.
A Bill Intituled, An act to Enable Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridges & Jonas Eaton on behalf of the Town of Framingham, to bring forward their Appeal from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex to the Court of Assize & General Goal Delivered, to be held in Cambridge for the County of Middlesex. . Read a 2d & 3d time, and pass'd to be Engross'd.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Richard Pierce, and Mary his Wife, presented to the House and Read, praying the Confirmation of their Title to a certain Tract of Land, con- taining Twelve Miles, lying at Misconcus beyond Pemaquid, which they bought of Somerset an Indian, Anno 1641. And the Question being put, Whether the prayer of the Petition be Granted?
It pass'd in the Nagative.
A Petition of John Higginson, & 79 others, presented to the House & Read, praying, That a Tract of Land, lying between Grotton & Lancaster, may be Granted to them, and made a Township. [ 50 ]
Ordered, That Samuel Thaxter, Jonathan Remington, and Francis Fullam Esqrs; be a Committee to go upon and view the Land Petitioned for, and report what they think may be proper for this Court to act in answer to this Petition: And in- form themselves of the Condition, and Circumstances of the Petitioners, whether they are like speedily to bring forward a Settlement thereon. And that no person presume in the mean time, to take up any private Grant in the said Lands.
Sent up for Concurrence.
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Journal of the House of Representatives
Isaac Winslow, and Adam Winthrop Esqrs; brought down the Petition of John Usher Esq; referr'd to a Committee the 20th day of Novemb. last, and the Report of the said Committee thereon.
A Petition of James Lowden in behalf of Jane Chamberlain, Widow, one of the Daughters of John Cole, and Henry Wilson, for himself, and the rest of the Chil- dren of Mary Wilson, deceased, one of the Daughters of the said John Cole; Pre- sented to the House and Read, Praying this Court so far to make void their Order pass'd in June, 1714. that Confirm'd Three Hundred Acres of Land, (which John Wampas an Indian gave to John Cole) unto Wiggleworth and Ursilla Sweeter, as that the Petitioners may not be thereby Barr'd from obtaining such part of the said Land as of Right belong's unto them.
Ordered, That the Petitioners Serve Wigglesworth Sweetser, and Ursilla his Wife with a Copy of this Petition; And that a Hearing be Granted thereon before this Court, on the Second Wednesday of their Sessions beginning in May next, unless the Parties shall agree and issue their Difference in the mean time.
Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Mercurit 12. Die Februarii, 1717. A. M.
T He Report of the Committee for making an Addition to the Buildings of Harvard College, entred the 7th Currant, read again.
Upon Consideration, of that part of His Excellency's Speech, which relates to making additional Buildings to Harvard College.
Ordered, That the Thanks of this House be returned to His Excellency the Governour for his Care to promote good Literature, without which Religion will not be upheld amongst us:
But inasmuch as the charge of the said Buildings is like to be very considerable, and a great part of this House is absent.
It is further Voted, That the Consideration of the said Affair be Referr'd, to the Session of this Court in May next, when a full House may be Expected.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an act Intituled, an act providing in Case of Sickness. Read a 2d time.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an act Intituled, an act for the Partition of Lands. Read a 2 time.
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 Upholding & Regulating of Mills. Read a 2 time.
A Petition of Savil Simpson, presented to the House & Read, Praying, That he may be heard upon the said Bill, before it is pass'd.
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The Bill Intituled, An Act to enable Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridges & Jonas Eaton on behalf of the Town of Framingham, to bring forward their Appeal from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex, to the Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery, to be holden at Cambridge for the County of Middlesex. Sent down from the Board Concurr'd with an Amendment.
The said Amendment, Read and Agreed.
A Petition of Jonathan Jackson of Situate, Presented to the House and Read, praying Consideration for a Wound he received in his Shoulder in the Service against the Indian Enemy formerly.
Resolved, That the Sum of Ten Pounds be Allowed and Paid out of the Publick Treasury to Jonathan Jackson, for his Relief. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for Altering the time for Holding the Superiour Court of Judicature Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery, within the County of Ply- mouth. Sent down from the Board for Concurrence. Read a first time.
A Petition of Samuel Richmond and Christopher Thresher, and 31 others Inhab- itants of Middleborough Sixteen Shilling Purchase so called, and of several Inhab- itants of Taunton, presented to the House and Read, Praying, That they may be made a Separate Township or Precinct, That they may be enabled to Maintain the Gospel Ministry amongst them. [ 51 ]
The Vote of the Council on the Petition of Thomas Smith of Rhode-Island, &c. entred Yesterday. Read again. And Concurr'd.
3. Post Meridiem.
A Petition of John Higginson Esq; Presented to the House and Read, Praying, That a Strip of Land containing between Twenty & Thirty Acres lying between a Farm belonging to him, and a Farm called Printer Green's Farm, near Dracut, may be Sold to him.
Ordered, That the prayer of the Petition be Granted, Provided the Quantity of Land Exceed not Thirty Acres; the Petitioner paying in to the Publick Treasury after the Rate of Five Shillings per Acre for the same. Sent up for Concurrence.
Penn Townsend and Adam Winthrop Esqrs; brought down the Bill, Intituled, An Act in addition to the Act Intituled, An Act for the better Preservation and In- crease of Deer. Concurr'd with Amendments.
The said Amendments Read & Agreed.
A Petition of Hopestill Brown, Josiah Hayden, and 22 others Inhabitants of Sudbury, dwelling on the West Side of the River in the said Town, Presented to the House and Read, Praying, That the said River may be declared to be the di- viding Bounds between the two Precincts in the said Town: That they may be enabled to proceed to Build a Meeting House, Pursuant to former Votes of this Court.
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Journal of the House of Representatives
A Bill Intituled, An Act for calling in of Province Bills of Credit, outstanding of former Plates, sign'd by three hands only. Read twice.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an Act Intituled, An Act for Holding Courts of General Sessions of the Peace. Read a first time.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Tobis 13. Die Februarii, 1717. A. M.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for altering the Time of Holding the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery within the County of Plymouth. Read a 2d & 3d time. And pass'd a Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for calling in of Province Bills of Credit, outstanding of former Plates, sign'd by three Hands only. Read a 3d time.
And Pass'd to be Engross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Thomas Edwardson, Jonathan Young and Thomas Varney, Pre- sented to the House and Read, Praying relief for such as have entred into Bonds, to pay the Currant Money of the Province, where they Borrowed, or Owed, and by the Bond was intended only Bills of Publick Credit: But the Obligees take the unjust advantage of Suing for Silver Money.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an Act Intituled an Act for the Partition of Lands. Read 3d time, and pass'd to be Engross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
half an hour past 3. Post Meridiem.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act in addition to the Act, Intituled, An Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer. Read and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill Intituled, An Act to enable Joseph Buckminster, Benjamin Bridges, and Jonas Eaton, on behalf of the Town of Framingham, to bring forward their Appeal from the Sessions of the Peace in Middlesex, to the Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery, to be Held in Cambridge for the County of Middlesex.
Read and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act for Altering the Time for Holding the Supe- riour Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery within the County of Plymouth. Read and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock. [ 52 ]
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Deneris 14. Die Februarii 1717. A. M.
A
Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an act Intituled, an act, Providing in Case of Sickness. Read a 3d time,
And Pass'd to be Engross'd.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Letter from Elisha Cooke Esq; Directed to Mr. Speaker, to be Communi- cated to the House, Shewing, That John Bridger Esq; having received a Com- mission from His Majesty, for Surveying the Woods in North America, under colour of putting the same in Execution, is strenuously endeavouring by wrong Insinuations and Threats, to compel the Inhabitants of Kittery and Berwick, and the Neighbouring Towns, to Pay him Forty Shillings per Team for each Team they send to Log, and get Timber. Read and sent up.
A Petition of John Colman, Administrator to the Estate of William Hobby late of Boston, Merchant, deceased, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that he, and such other Persons with him as shall be thought proper may be Enabled to make Sale of the real Estate, of the said Deceased, in order to the Distribution of the Produce thereof among the Interested, who are several of them Minors, and want it for their Maintenance and Education; It being impracticable with any Convenience to divide the said Real Estate into so many Parts, as the Interested.
Ordered, That the said Petition be Referr'd to the next Sessions for Considera- tion.
The Bill Intituled, An Act for Calling in of Province Bills of Credit, outstanding of former Plates, sign'd with three hands only. Sent down from the Board with Amendments; which were Read and Agreed to, and Sent up.
Resolved, That the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds, be further Allowed, and Paid out of the Publick Treasury to His Excellency SAMUEL SHUTE Esq; Captain General and Governour in Chief of this His Majesty's Province, for his Support in Managing the Affairs of the Government, in Consideration of the extraordi- nary dearness of all necessaries for House keeping. Sent up for Concurrence.
Penn Townsend Esq; Brought down the Letter of Elisha Cooke Esq; relating to the proceedings of John Bridger Esq; which was sent up this day, with a Message, That this House pass thereon first, It being Directed to them only.
Ordered, That the said Letter be sent up to the Honourable Board, with a Mes- sage Requesting his Excellency and Council, to inquire into the Grievance men- tioned therein, and to do what is proper and necessary to remedy it. Sent up.
The Bill Intituled, An Act in addition to an act Intituled, an act, providing in Case of Sickness. Sent down from the Board Concurr'd with an Amendment, which was Read, and Agreed.
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