USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > Quarter millinnial celebration of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 1889 > Part 18
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Before me, THOMAS LEONARD justice.
235
APPENDIX.
Memorandum That on ye 17th day of September 1701 before me ye subscriber Judge of Probate for ye County of Plimouth personally ap- peared the above named George Hunter and ye abovesd Betty his sister and Isaac Wanno & acknowledged the above written Instrument to be their voluntary act & deed. And I do approve thereof & order ye same to be recorded.
WILLIAM BRADFORD Entered & recorded October 28th 1701 pr SAML SPRAGUE Register.
This Indian squaw Betty seems to have had an unenviable notoriety, for previously she was indicted for the murder of her child, and also of her husband, though not convicted of either charge as appears from the following record of the trials :
At a General Court held at Plymouth, in July 1683, it was ordered that
"Whereas Awashunkes, and her daughter Bettey, and her son l'eter, were brought to this Court on suspition of theire haueing a hand in the murthering of a young child the said Bettey had, this Court, on examination of the case, the said Awashunkes & her son and daughter sollemly affeirming the said child to be dead before it was born, and nothing as yett appeering to the contrary vnto the Court, they therefore were dismissed; yett in regard to theire ill carriage in the management of that affaire concerning a woman to be whippt for reporting said Bettey was with child, when soe it afterward appeered to be really soe, the Court therefore order that the two Indian squaes, that were appoint- ed to search the said Bettey, affeirming that she was not with child, wherby Sames wife was whipt for the report aforsaid, shall pay, each of them ten shillings in good current pay to the said Sames squaw ; and the said Bettey to pay to her the sume of twenty shillings in good pay; and each of the three, viz: Awashunkes, Bettey, and Peter, twenty shillings a peece towards the charge of theire bringing and imprisonment; and the said Bettey to be whipt by the Indians at Saconett, for her fornica- tion; and the Indians there to do what they can to find out any further grounds of suspition of said suspected murder, and if there appeer fur- ther just grounds of such a fact comitted by any of them, them to cecure and send to the English authoritie, to be dealt with all according to Jaw. (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI. Page 113.)
At a General Court held at Plymouth, March 5, 1684, this order was passed :
Att this Court an Indian squa, named Betty, was indited for killing her husband, named Great Harry, with a stone; att the first, being ex-
236
QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
amined by the honered Mr. John Walley, shee denyed it, but afterwards owned the fact, but said shee did not intend to kill him, but by throw- ing of a stone at a bottle of liquore and missing the bottle, shee hitt the said Indian, her husband, on the side of his head, whereof hee died. The case being put to the grand jury, they brought in billa very. This being referred to the petty jury, they found the said Bettey, Indian squa, for the said fact, guilty of homiside by misadventure. " (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI. Page 153.)
APPENDIX B.
[Page 32.]
The account of this journey in Mourt's Relation, probably written by Winslow himself, is in these words :
"It seemed good to the Company for many considerations to send some amongst them to Massasoyt, the greatest Commander amongst the Savages, bordering about us; partly to know where to find them, if oc- casion served, as also to see their strength, discover the country, pre- vent abuses in their disorderly coming unto us, make satisfaction for some conceived injuries to be done on our parts, and to contine the league of Peace and Friendship between them and us. For these, and the like ends it pleased the Governour to make choice of Steven Hop- kins & Edward Winsloe to goe unto him and having a fit opportunitie, by reason of a Savage called Tisquantum (that could speak English) comming unto us; with all expedition provided a Horse-mans coat, of red cotton, and laced with a slight lace for a present, that both they and their message might be the more acceptable amongst them. The mes- sage was as followeth: That forasmuch as his subjects came often and without feare, upon all occasions amongst us, so wee were now come unto him, and in witness of the love and good will the English beare unto him, the Governour hath sent him a coat, desiring that the Peace and Amitie that was between them and us might be continued, not that we feared them, but because we intended not to injure any desiring to live peaceably; and as with all men so especially with them our nearest neighbours. Bnt whereas his people came very often, and very many together unto us, bringing for the most part their wives and children with them they were wellcome; yet we being but strangers as yet at Patuxet, alias New Plimmouth, and not knowing how our Corne might prosper, we could no longer give them such entertainment as we had done, and as we desired still to doe, yet if he would be pleased to come himselfe, or any special friend of his desired to see us, comming from
237
APPENDIX.
him they would be wellcome; and to the end we might know them from others, our Governour had sent him a copper Chayne, desiring if any messenger should come from him to us, we might know it by bringing it with him, and hearken and give credit to his message accordingly. Also requesting him that such as have skins, should bring them to us, and that he would hinder the multitude from oppresing us with them, and whereas at our first arrival at Paomet (called by us Cape Cod) we found there Corne buried in the ground, and finding no inhabitants but some graves of dead new buryed, took the Corne, resolving if ever we could heare of any that had right thereunto, to make satisfaction to the full for it, yet since we understand the owners thereof were fled for feare of us, our desire was either to pay them with the like quantitie of Corne, English meale, or any other Commodities we had to pleasure them withall; requesting him that some on of his men might signifie so much unto them, and we would content him for his paines. And last of all our Governour requested one favor of him, which was that he would exchange some of their Corne for feede with us, that we might make tryall which best agreed with the soyle where we live.
With these presents and message we set forward the tenth June, about 9 a clocke in the Morning, our guide resolving that night to rest at Namaschet, a Towne under Massasoyt, and conceived by us to be very neere, because the Inhabitants flocked so thicke upon every slight occa- sion amongst us; but wee found it to bee some fifteen English myles. On the way we found some ten or twelve men women and children, which had pestered us, till wee were wearie of them, perceiving that (as the manner of them all is) where victuall is easliest to be got. there they live, especially in the summer; by reason whereof our Bay affording many Lobsters, they resort every spring tide thither: & now returned with us to Namaschet. Thither we came about 3 a clocke after noone, the Inhabitants entertaining us with joy, in the best manner they could, giving us a kind of bread called by them Maizium, and the spawne of Shads, which then they got in abundance, in so much as they gave us spoones to eate them, with these they boyled mustie Acorns, but of the Shads we eate heartily. After this they desired one of our men to shoote at a Crow, complaining what damage they sustained in their Corne by them, who shooting some fourscore off and killing, they much admired it, as other shots on other occasions. After this Tisquantum told us wee should hardly in one day reach Pakanokick, moving us to goe some 8 myles further, where we should finde more store and better victauls than there. Being willing to hasten our journey we went, and came thither at Sunne setting, where we found many of the Namas- chencks (they so calling the men of Namaschet) fishing uppon a Ware which they had made on a River which belonged to them, where they caught abundance of Basse. These welcomed us also, gave us of their
238
QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
fish, and we them of our victuals, not doubting but we should have enough where ere we came. There we lodged in the open fields; for houses they had none, though they spent the most of the Summer there. The head of this River is reported to bee not farre from the place of our abode, upon it are, and have been many Townes, it being a good length. The ground is very good on both sides, it being for the most part cleered: Thousands of men have lived there, which dyed in a great plague not long since: and pitty it was and is to see so many goodly fields & so well seated, without men to dress and manure the same. Upon this River dwelleth Massasoyt: It commeth into the Sea at the Narrohiganset Bay, where the French men so much use. A shipp may go many myles up it, as the Salvages report and a shallop to the head of it: but so farre as wee saw wee are sure a shallop may.
But to returne to our journey : The next morning wee brake our fast, tooke our leave and departed, being then accompanied with some sixe Salvages, having gone about six myles by the River side, at a knowne shole place, it beeing low water, they spake to us to put off our breeches, for we must wade thorow. Heere let me not for get the vallour and courrage of some of the Salvages, on the opposite side of the River, for there were remaining alive only 2 men, both aged, especially the one being above threescoure; These two espying a company of men enter- ing the River ran very swiftly & low in the grasse to meet us at the banck, where with shrill voyces and great courage standing charged upon us with their bowes, they demanded what we were. supposing us to be enemies, and thinking to take advantage on us in the water; but seeing we were friends they welcomed us with such foode as they had, and we bestowed a small bracelet of Beades on them. Thus farre we are sure the tide ebbs and flows.
Having here againe refreshed ourselves, we proceeded in our jour- ney, the weather being very hote for travel, yet the country so well watered that a man could scarce be drie, but he should have a spring at hand to coole his thirst, beside small Rivers in abundance; but the Salv- ages will not willingly drinke, but at a Spring head. When wee came to any small Brooke where no bridge was, two of them desired to carry us through of their owne accorde also fearing we were or would bee wearie, offered to carry our peeces, also if we would lay off any of our clothes, we should have them carried; and as the one of them had found more speciall kindnesse from one of the Messengers, and the other Salvage from the other so they shewed their thankfulnesse accordingly in afford- ing us all helpe and furtherance in the journey.
As we passed along wee observed that there were few places by the River, but had beene inhabited, by reason whereof much ground was cleare, save of weeds which grew higher than our heads. There is much good Timber both Oake, Walnut-tree, Firre, Beech and exceeding great
239
APPENDIX.
Chestnut-trees. The country in respect of the lying of it, is both Champanie and hilly, like many places in England. In some places its very rockie both above ground and in it: And though the country bee wilde and over-growne with woods, yet the trees stand not thicke, but a man may well ride a horse amongst them.
Passing on at length, one of the company, an Indian, espied a man, and told the rest of it, we asked them if they feared any, they told us if they were Narrohigganset men they would not trust them, whereat, we called for our peeces and bid them not to feare: for though they were twenty, we two alone would not care for them: but they hayling him, he proved a friend, and had onely two women with him: their baskets were empty, but they fetched water in their bottles, so that we dranke with them and departed. After we met another man with two women, " which had beene at Randevow by the salt water, and their baskets were full of roasted Crab fishes, and other dryed shell fish, of which they gave us, and we eate and dranke with them: and gave each of the women a string of Beades and departed.
After we came to a Towne of Massasoyts, where we eat Oysters and other fish. From thence we went to Packanokick. "
Although this account says they set forward on the tenth of June, &c., other writers, such as Bradford's "History of Plymouth Plantations " and Morton's "New England Memorial," p. 69, give July 2, as the day of departure. Mourts Relation by Prince, p. 106 and 107, says. "Tuesday July 3d." June 10, 1621 was Sun- day, and it is improbable that they started on such a journey on the Lord's day.
APPENDIX C.
[Page 33.]
Among the notes of the town, showing the payment to the Indians, is this :
March 11, 1642. Imprimis. Whereas there was a rate of two shil- lings for an acre laid upon the inhabitants' home grounds, for the pay- ment of the purchase of the lands of the township to the Indians, and other persons being received since for inhabitants, were not rated there- unto.
It is therefore ordered that the said latter inhabitants, or others that shall hereafter be received for inhabitants, shall pay for their house lots
240
QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
that shall be granted unto them by the town, the said proportion of two shillings for an acre, and the said money to be kept for a public stock for such used as shall be requisite for the use of the plantation.
APPENDIX D.
(Page 33.)
There seems to be much uncertainty about the names of the first purchasers.
The list given in Baylies' "Old Colony Memoirs, " Vol. I. page 286, with the shares of each, is as follows :
Henry Uxley, 8.
John Bryant, 6.
Richard Williams,
12.
Anthony Slocum, 8.
Joseph Wilson,
8.
John Gengille, 8.
Benjamin Wilson,
8.
Francis Streete, 8.
William Coy, 8. Hezekiah Hoar, 8.
George Hall, 12.
Walter Dean, 12.
David Corwirthy,
12.
John Dean,
12.
Mr. Wm. Poole.
12.
John Strong,
12.
George Macy,
8.
Henry Andrews,
12.
William Harvy.
8.
Thomas Cooke,
6.
Richard Paull,
6.
John Smitlı,
12.
Richard Smith,
12.
Mr. Thomas Farwell,
12.
Mr. John Gilbert,
12.
Edward Case,
8.
Wm. Phillips,
8.
John Kingsley,
12.
Wm. Hailstone,;
8.
Hugh Rosseter,
S.
Wm. Parker,
12.
John Gilbert,
12.
John Parker,
8.
Thomas Gilbert,
12.
John Richmond, 6.
Robert Hobell,
6.
Wm. Holloway,
12.
Richard Burt,
8.
The widow Randall, 6.
Jolin Crossman,
6.
Francis Doty,
12.
John Luther,
6.
Wm. Dunn,
8. John Drake,
12.
Wm. Scadding,
12.
Mr. John Brown,
-
This list contains only forty-six names, while the list found on the Proprietor's Records is as follows :
IIenry Uxley.
John Gengille.
Richard Williams.
Francis Streete.
Joseph Willson.
Hugh Rosseter.
241
APPENDIX.
Benjamin Willson.
John Gilbert.
William Coy (or Toy .* )
Thomas Gilbert.
George Halle.
Robert Hobell.
Daved Cerwithy.
Richard Burt.
Mr. William Poole.
John Greenman.
George Masy.
John Luthur.
William Harvy.
John Drake.
Hezekiah Hore.
Mr. John -(Illegible. )
Walter Deane.
Clement Maxfield.
John Deane.
Edward Rue.
John Stronge.
Thomas Harvy.
William Dunne.
William Hedges.
William Scaddinge.
William (Illegible. )
John Bryant. Anthony Slocum.
Aron Knap. John Gollap.
Thomas Joanes.
Thomas Linkon, junior.
Thomas Linkon, senior.
Richard Smith.
Giles Gilbert.
William Phillips.
Robert Crosman.
William Hailestone.
Robert Thornton.
William Parker.
Henry Andrews.
John Parker.
Thomas Cooke.
John Richman.
John Smith.
William Holloway.
Mr. Thomas ffarwell.
The widdo Randall.
Edward Casce. -(Illegible.)
This list includes sixty names, but it is not certain that even this is perfect, for in a memorandum book, now in the possession of Edgar H. Reed, Esq., of Taunton, believed to be in the hand- writing of Brig. James Williams is found this record : "Richard Williams was one of the eighty purchasers of the tract of land, being called the "Eight Mile Square," and received the name of Taunton at the time of its incorporation. "
DIVISION OF LANDS.
What ever may have been the exact number of the " first pur- chasers, " so called, the division of the land among them, and those
*NOTE. This name is usually printed " Coy " but the first letter is quite like the other " Ts " in the records.
John Kingslo.
Richard Paull.
Joseph Gilbert.
Mr. John Gilbert.
242
QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
who afterwards became proprietors, gave rise to much considera- tion and discussion in the town. Apparently the first purchasers took possession of a lot of land for a "home lot" of more or less extent, which was to be charged to them, as it were by way of an advancement, in the final and complete division of the whole terri- tory among them, which did not take place for many years after the first settlement. For we read that in 1641, when the General Court granted to the first seven freemen forty acres each for their very valuable services, they declared that this was "in addition to their proportion of lands in other places, as the other inhabitants have, when the said lands shall come to be divided hereafter." (2 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 18.)
We append the action of the town upon this subject of divi- sion, so far as it can now, in the loss of our public records be sat- isfactorily ascertained.
Nov. 28, 1653. At an orderly town-meeting warned by the constable it is acted and voted that there shall be a general division of land to every inch, and to whom rights of division shall belong.
2d, It is agreed that the rule for dividing of land shall be by lots, heads and estates, according to the last rate made, which was a rate of eight pounds made for public charges for the country, charged upon every inhabitant by the raters that. made that rate, and in the division three acres to be laid to each head, and three acres to every shilling that is charged in that rate, contained in this order, and three acres to the house or home lot, and those that are single men to be looked upon as two heads. [This said agreement was changed February 20, 1654, to be the one-half of the proportion in the division.]
It is voted and granted that such as possess the lands of those that removed from the plantation, or have been received since, shall have their divisions that doth belong to their lots only, their persons and estates being departed hence, which said division to a six acre lot, apper- tains two acres and a half, and twenty-six pole.
It is agreed concerning other inhabitants that have not had division shall have (right) to future divisions in the lands yet undivided, provided they pay their twelve shillings apiece to public use, as former inhabi- tants have done, according to town agreement in that case.
Dec. 28, 1659. The names of those inhabitants within the Town- ship of Taunton, who are to have their division of land now agreed upon, Dec. 28, 1659, whose proportion is to be according to the rate here following, together with the quantity of land, lots, and heads, at two acres to the head, two acres to the shilling, and two acres to the lot,
243
APPENDIX.
The rate.
(The lots are alike.) Heads. Acres.
Msris Winnifred Gilbert,
1
10
6
3
James Walker,
1
5
7
8
96
John Tisdill,
1
10
10
9
82
Richard Burt,
18
2
4
46
James Burt,
12
6
38
Francis Smith,
1
7
4
6
61
Msris Jane Gilbert,
9
0
7
55
Fransic Street,
6
7
5
25
John Briant,
6
9
2
19
Christopher Thrasher,
5
2
7
26
John Hathaway,
10
7
7
37
Jonah Austin, Sr.
19
11
12
46
William Parker,
15
3
2
36
James Phillips,
13
4
2
3I
Peter Pitts,
1
00
7
6
55
William Haylston
5
4
2
17
Aaron Knap,
7
9
2
32
Thomas Lincoln, Jr.
14 .
8
6
43
Edward Bobbit,
10
8
4
29
James Wiatt,
1
8
11
2
64
George Macey,
18
3
7
52
William Witherell,
7
10
5
28
William Harvy,
14
00
7
44
Thomas Lincoln, Sr.
2
00
3
6
94
Capt. Poole,
1
2
3
8
62
John Macomber,
7
00
4
24
Edward Rew,
7
00
2
20
Joseph Wilbore,
14
7
3
37
Samuel Howard,
4
4
0
9
Thomas Caswell,
11
3
9
42
Widow Woody,
5
7
2
17
Shadrach Wilbore,
12
6
3
33
Robert Crossman,
9
8
7
33
John Cobb,
12
00
2
30
Henry Andrews,
18
3
3
44
John Deane,
1
8
10
8
76
Walter Deane,
13
1
8
44
Hezekiah Hoar,
12
1
5
36
Anthony Slocum,
19
4
6
53
George Hall,
1
15
3
7
86
Richard Williams,
1 13
6
10
91
Thomas Jones,
4
3
3
16
S.
d.
244
QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The rate.
(The lots are alike.)
S.
d.
Heads.
Acres.
Robert Thornton,
3
10
0
10
William Shepard,
5
00
10
32
James Leonard,
18
00
10
58
Nathaniel Woodward,
2
00
0
6
Timothy Holloway.
Jan. 5, 1659. It was agreed by a free vote of the town that all orphans or fatherless children shall have their rights in all divisions of lands which are due unto them according to proportion.
Dec. 9, 1662. Voted that all lands that are yet undivided belonging to the town shall for future time be divided by way of purchase. For- mer act of dividing lands by heads and estates canceled.
In 1662, some complaint was made to the General Court about the method pursued of dividing the lands in Taunton, which produced the following order :
Att this Court, this following order was directed to the towne of Taunton :- Vpon the complaint of some of the inhabitants of Taunton that some there haue gone about to alter the ancient way of distribution of lands in that towne formerly settled and long practised, wherby, besides many other inconveniencyes that doth arise therby, some Indians that by the leause of the towne had libertie to plant corne in the remote ptes of the townshipe are disturbed in the improvement of the said lands, to theire great impouerishing by such psons theire taking vp such great quantities of land, which is ill resented by vs; wee doe therefore require them to desist from any such practice as that which we fear may create much trouble and inconveniencye, vntill wee haue further inquired into the same. (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. IV. Page 34.)
Jan. 10, 1669. It is voted and agreed upon by the town, and these ten men following are chosen to draw a list of the purchasers or free inhabitants here in town as followeth: James Walker, William Harvey, Richard Williams, Walter Dean, Lieut. Macy, Ensign Leonard, Aron Knap, John Hall, Joseph Wilbore, John Richmond.
2d, That an exact list be taken of the names of all such inhabitants amongst us that have rights in divisions of lands, and also that a list be taken of all the rest of the inhabitants, to the intent that we may know who are by Court order allowed to vote in to En-meeting, and who not.
3d, And in the beginning of each town-meeting the list of all the free inhabitants or purchasers shall be called over, and if sixteen of them with the clerk do appear at the time and place appointed, it shall be lawful for them to proceed to the enacting of such things as for which the town-meeting was appointed, but not to distribute our lands although it be due, except sixteen of the purchasers appear.
245
APPENDIX.
Jan. 8, 1674. It is voted and agreed by the town that the committee chosen formerly, the 10th, January, 1669, them or the major part of them have full power to draw up a list of the purchasers or proprietors of this town, and how lands shall be settled and confirmed to the pur- chasers or proprietors so that the town may be freed from future damage, and also no man barred of his just right, and whatsoever this committee, or the major part of them, shall agree upon or do in or about the premises shall stand firm and good.
In Jan. 21, 1678, another Committee of seven, including five of the last named Committee were appointed with similar power and duties, and also to ratify their supposed lost grants and town orders. This Committee consisted of William Harvey, Walter Deane, Samuel Smith, John Richmond, James Walker, Thomas Leonard & William Witherell. By the vote creating them they were to report in "a year's time after the date hereof." But their report not being ready in that time, the town voted, on Dec. 1, 1679, to give them until the last day of May, 1680, which was then made as follows:
" To our beloved brethren and neighbors, the Inhabitants of the town of Taunton, in the government of New Plymouth;
" The committee chosen by the said town for to ratify town orders and grants, and to bring them into a formal body so that they may stand in force, and also to determine how lands shall be recorded that they may be confirmed, both to ourselves and to our posterity.
" The committee wisheth grace, mercy, and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Amongst the many mercies that we enjoy here in this wilderness this ought to be accounted none of the least that we enjoy such rulers chosen from amongst ourselves (in the Commonwealth) and live under such Government, by means wherof, wc as well as the rest of the towns in this Government, enjoy liberty and power to make such town orders from time to time as we shall find needful for the ordering and man- aging our prudential affairs and the maintaining the worship of God amongst us, Provided that no town order do infringe or be repugnant to any order of our Government, and considering that God is a God of order and not of confusion, and that he hath in some measure put us into a capacity to observe and be guided by good and wholesome orders, it hath been looked upon as great pity and neglect that our town orders have not before now been brought into a formal body, distinct from the records of our lands, which our town having well considered and chosen us to do such a needful work. Although we are sensible of our own weakness and of the many difficulties in the work, yet considering the great necessity that something of this nature ought to be done and that the records of our lands may not lie in a confused manner, we have
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