USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
By order of the Selectmen Benjamin Webb, Town Clerk. The return
Braintree May 10th. 1728.
I have warned the Inhabitants of the North Precinct of Brain- tree to appear at the time & place and for the business within mentioned John Adams Constable.
There being another Warrant verbatim with this for warning the south Precincts committed to Ephraim Jones Constable & by him Returned, the Returne being to the same effect with that above written.
128
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1728-9.
On December 30th. 1728, The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town assembled In a Town Meeting, being called thereto by a warrant given out by order of the Selectmen, Dated Decem- ber 18th. 1728, the contents whereof were as followeth, vizt.
first To choose a Moderator. Secondly To consider of & do what may be needful and proper to be acted & done to prevent the great Damage the Town suffers by some particular persons, who (without Liberty from the Town) Digg & carry off the stones from the Towns Common.
Meeting about Stones. Thirdly to consider and determine whether it may not be for the Towns advantage to demise or Let the said comon or a part thereof, and if so, to proceed thereon accordingly.
Lastly To consider and determine whether they will allow a way (heretofore layd out by the Selectmen, at the desire of sundry of the Inhabitants of the Town) thorow Colle. Quinceys Farm, to be a town way &c as may bee seen more at large by the war- rants on file. [18]]
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants being met as abovesaid, the warrants with their Returns being Read. They proceeded & chose Capt. Peter Adams moderator, after which they proceeded to act upon the first article or clause in the warrant, and after sundry votes were passed, Preliminary or Introductory to an or- der or by-law concerning the stones, which seemed by those votes to be thing design'd, a vote for confirmation of what had passed was called for, but it passed in the negative, and so the whole affair was brought to a non pluss. The other articles in the war- rant were discoursed on, but no vote passed thereon. After which some persons declaring their judgments that it was im- proper or at least unnecessary to Record the votes that had passed, seeing the things could not be effected ; a vote was asked whe- the votes that had passed should be put on Record, and it passed in the negative.
On January 31st. 1728/9 About dividing the town.
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Brain- tree assembled in a town meeting, Pursuant to warrant therefor Issued out by order of the Selectmen, The contents whereof are as follows, vizt. First to choose a Moderator, nextly To consider & Determine whether it may be for the advantage of the Town to be divided into Two Towns, and if it shall be so concluded & deter- mined by the major part of the voters then present, Then to pass such farther votes or acts as shall be proper & needful for the effecting and compleating the same, in such manner as shall be least prejudicial to the whole when so divided.
And being so assembled they proceeded to bring in their votes for a moderator, which being examined, it appeared that Mr. Thomas White was chosen moderator by a major part of the votes, who accepting & taking his place, after some Debate upon the matters contained in the warrants, It was then voted, that a Committee be chosen in behalf of the Town to confer & agree
129
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1728-9.
upon methods for dividing the Town and the interests thereof, and to lay the same before the Town at their next meeting for their acceptance, the said Committee to have consideration of the di- viding line
Committee Then also voted that a Committee of eight men (foure in the North Precinct & foure in the other Precincts) be chosen for the affair abovesaid after which major John Quincey, Lt. Joseph Neal, Mr. Benjamin Beale, Mr. Joseph Crosbey, Mr. Thomas White, Mr. Nehemiah Hayden, Mr. Benjamin Ludden and Mr. Richard Thayer Secundus being nominated were separ- ately voted to be of the Committee abovesaid, after which, a vote being passed therefor, the meeting was adjourned until the last. monday in february next, at one of the clock afternoon.
[182] 1728/9 On February 24th. 1728/9
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town, being as- sembled by adjournment from January 31, last past, to Receive the Report or agreement of the committee chosen at their meeting on the said thirty first day of January to agree upon method for dividing the Town &c.
The said Committee appeared & presented their agreement. thereabout in writing, subscribed by all the said Committee (& being now on file) containing eight articles, which was publickly Read in the said meeting, after which, upon a motion made the question was put whether the agreement of the committee should be voted article by article, and it passed in the negative.
The question was then put whether all the articles thereof should be voted upon at once, it passed again in the negative.
The Question was then again put, whether they would accept of the Report of the said Committee. It passed again in the nega- tive.
After this upon a motion made, The Question was put, whether they would Reconsider their last vote vizt. of non-accept- ance and it was voted in the affirmative.
Then again, The Question was put, whether they would accept. of the Report of the Committee, and it passed in the negative
Upon which the meeting was dismissed.
Braintree March 3ª. 1728/9 The Anniversary Town Meeting 1728/9.
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town duly quali- fied (& being Legally warned) assembled for the choice of Town officers for the year ensuing (with other matters Inserted in the [183] Warrant for calling said meeting, the contents whereof are as followeth vizt. First, to chuse a Moderator. 2. To chuse all Town-officers as the law requires & directs. 3 To Grant money (if it be thought needful) to defrey necessary Town charges. nextly. To determine whether they will allow as here- tofore for Bulls & Boars that shall be kept for the Towns use, and also for the destroying of Black Birds
Town Clerk. And being so met and the meeting opened, they
130
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1728-9.
proceeded to bring in their votes for a moderator, upon examina- tion whereof it appeared that Major John Quincy was chosen mod- erator by a majority of the votes, who accepting & taking the charge thereof asked a vote for a Town Clerk, and Benjamin Webb being nominated was accordingly chosen by a Major vote and im- mediately sworn to true & faithful execution of said Office.
Selectmen. The Selectmen next chosen, who are Mr. Benjamin Beal, Deacon Samuel White, Dec. Samuel Savel, Mr. William Hunt & Mr Joseph Crosby.
Choice of Constables. five refused & paid. Constables Eph Jones, Benja. Hayward, Sam1. Bass Jr. N. Precinct. The meeting then proceeded to the choice of Constables and the votes being brought in & examined, it appeared That Thomas Bolter, John George and John Allen were chosen constables, but these all declaring their non-acceptance, the meeting proceeded to another choice, and by a majority of votes Peter Newcomb & Benjamin Hayward were chosen (there being a Tye between Samuel Hayden & Nathaniel Littlefield, but Peter Newcomb declaring his refusal to serve they again proceeded to the choice of Two, and the votes being brought in & examined, it appeared that John Ruggles & John Hollbrook were chosen, but John Ruggles declaring his Refusal, they again proceeded to the choice of one, and by a majority of votes Samuel Bass was chosen & accepted after which John Hollbrook having agreed with Ephraim Jones to serve in his Room, presented him to the meeting for acceptance, who accord- ingly voted their acceptance of the said Ephm. Jones to serve for the said John Hollbrook.
Town Treasurer. Treasurers allowance for ye year past £3. The Moderator then asking of the meeting their votes for a Town Treasurer, the votes being brought in it appeared that Benjamin Webb was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing, who having served In the year past, in the said office, The Moderator put the Question to the meeting whether they would allow the said Benjamin Webb for his service the last year as Town Treasurer, Three Pounds, and it was voted in the affirmative. £3.0.0 [184]
They then proceeded to the choice of other Town Officers, and the following persons were chosen, by hand votes, to their Respective offices as follows, vizt.
Surveyors of Highways
Tithingmen
Fence Viewers
Moses Belcher Jun". Ebenezer Crosbey Caleb Hobart Richard Thayer Sen". John Curtis & Joseph Wales. John Spear. Jonathan Webb.
Ebenezer Thayer William Noys.
Joseph Brackett. Ebenezer Field Ebenezer Newcomb. John Hayden.
131
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729.
Hoggreves
Nathan Spear. Nathaniel Belcher Deering Spear. Hezekiah Thayer William Penniman
Sealer of Leather, Surveyor of Clapboards & Shingles
John Beale. Samuel Belcher Moses Payn Jun'.
Thomas Copeland Thomas Vinton.
[185] 1729. Bulls.
Then voted, that whosoever of the Inhabitants of this Town shall enter with the Town Clerk a good sufficient Bull of Two years old at least, before the first day of May next ensuing, to be kept for the Towns use till the Twenty ninth day of September next, following, shall be paid out of the Town Treasury the sum of Twenty shillings, Provided there be not above eight in number, so entered, Two whereof to run at large.
Boars. Then also voted that whosoever shall enter as above said a good sufficient Boar of six months old at least, within the term abovesaid for the use of the Town, and to run at large, the year ensuing shall be paid out of the Treasury the sum of Ten shillings Provided there be not above four so entered.
Birds Then also voted that whosoever shall kill any grown Black- birds within the Town, before the last day of May next ensuing shall be paid out of the Treasury three pence a head and for all young ones within that time a half penny y head, and from the said last day of May to the last day of November next, one penny q head for all so killed ; they bringing the Heads of all, to any of the Selectmen or Constables.
Representation of the Selectmen concerning the bounds between this Town & Abington.
Being Represented to the Town this Day by the Selectmen that the bounds between Abington and this Town lately said to be run out & marked by the Hon. ble Colle Samuel Thaxter to the intersection between Weymouth & Braintree are Really not so far run out & marked by means whereof, the selectmen of this Town are rendered uncapable at present of prosecuting according to law, the renewing thereof, and so Damage may ensue there- upon to the Town :
A, vote thereon. Voted, that the Selectmen or any three of them be a Committee in the Towns behalf to present a memorial to the General Court at their next sessions, praying the Courts consideration of the premises and Relief therein.
Clarks allowance for the year past, 30/ - Then also voted that Thirty shillings be allowed to Benjamin Webb, for his service the year past as Town Clerk.
[186] May 20th. 1729
Pursuant to the Precept directed to the Selectmen of the Town Requiring them to assemble the Freeholders and other qualified
132
. BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729.
Inhabitants of the Town for the choice of a Representative &c they accordingly Issued out their Warrant for calling a meeting of the Freeholders &c To chuse a Representative (with other matters inserted in the warrants) who (having been regularly warned assembled on May 20th. the day appointed and being so assembled, and the meeting opened.
Representative. They proceeded to bring in their votes for & Representative, which being examined it appeared that Maj" John Quincey was chosen Representative having all the votes except one.
Moderator The meeting then proceeded to the choice of a moderator, and Majr. John Quincey being nominated, was chosen (by hand votes) moderator for that day, after which the matter of Granting money to defrey Town Charges was considered and then also.
Town tax [91 & 49] £140 Voted that one hundred & forty Pounds should be Raised by assessing the Town, for defreying the ordinary charges of the Town & paying Major Quincey for his service as Representative the last year.
A way thorow Coll. Quinceys farm &c. Then voted, that the way laid out by the Selectmen Octob. 28, 1723, thorow Coll1. Quincey's farm & the adjacent farms or lands, to the way leading from Squantum's Neck in Dorchester, to Milton, be continued to be a drift way for the use of the Town, and to be a Rod & a half wide, and that the proprietors of the lands thorow which it lies, shall have liberty to hang Gates for their security.
The matter of dividing the Town reconsidered. The question being then put by the Moderator, whether the meeting would re- consider the report or agreement of the Committee laid before the Town on Feb : 24, last past, about dividing the town, & It, passed in the negative.
[187] Petition of new Precinct Upon the petition of John Niles, Thomas Wales and Samuel Bass in the behalf of the New, South Precinct in Braintree, to, be sett off a distinct & Separate Township, for the reasons therein inserted : It was Voted (in case the Great & General Court will set them off as a distinct Township, with the addition of some Stoughton Lands and the farms belong- ing to the Haywards adjacent) that the prayer of their Petition be Granted.
Petition of Wm. Taunt. William Taunt also presented a Pe- tition to the Town, wherein he set forth that by breaking his legg, & being long lame and uncapable of business he was reduced to low circumstances : and therefore desired of the town the loan of five Pounds for a year. It was,
Voted, that the said William Taunt shall receive five Pounds out of the Town's Treasury, for his relief not to be Repaid.
Selectmen & Treasurer accts presented to ye town. Then also, the Committee Chosen May 15th. 1728, to take an accompt of the Selectmen, of their disposal of the Towns money &c and to ad-
133
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729-30.
just accts. with the Town Treasurer, Presented their accompt to the Town Dated June 3d. 1728, The acceptance whereof was voted. Then also
Treasurer Discharged of 267: 8: 5 Voted, That Benjamin Webb, Town Treasurer be discharged of the sum of £267-08-05, being the sum total of his disbursements in the said accompt.
Committee to adjust accompts &c. Then voted That Mr. Ben- jamin Neal, Mr. John Hollbrook & Mr. John Adams bee a Com- mittee to examine & adjust accompts with the Selectmen and the Town Treasurer, and present their doings therein to the Town, at their next meeting.
The warrants for calling the meeting in which are contained the particulars voted on, are on file.
1729/30 On February 4th. 1729/30. [188]
The Particulars of ye Warrant. The Inhabitants of the Town being assembled in a Publick Town meeting upon legal warning, the contents of the warrants by which they were called Together being First, to chuse a Moderator, after which to consider and determine, First whether they will comply with the Proposal made & sent by the Town of Scituate to this Town to joyn with them and some other Towns in order to the making a new County.
Secondly Whether they will comply with a motion or desire of the House of Representatives (Recommended to all such as have a Regard to New Englands welfare) to raise money for the supply of Francis Wilks and Jonathan Belcher, Esqrs. agents for the said house in the Court of Great Britain to enable them to sollicite the affair & perpetuate the peace and tranquility of this country, and prevent the mischief, that is likely to ensue on the want thereof. Lastly, whether they will demise or let the Towns Com- ons or any part thereof, and if not whether they will do any thing to restrain or prevent the carrying off the stones of the said comon as has been done of late to the great prejudice of the Town.
Moderator. They then first chose John Quincey Esqr. Moderator
The Proposal of Scituate voted on- Next, after some consider- able Debate upon the thing proposed by the Town of Scituate concerning a new County, The Question was put by the Moderator whether the meeting would come into the Proposal made by the Town of Scituate about the matter aforesaid, so far as to chuse agents to treat with their agents thereabout, and it passed in the negative.
The Question was then put by the Moderator, whether It were the mind of the meeting that the Select men with the Town Clerk should notify the Town of Scituate of this vote, and that it should be left with them to answer the aforesaid proposal, it passed in the affirmative.
The affair of raising money for the agents dismissed The second article in ye warrant was then discoursed upon, and the meeting being sensible that they could not (as a town) Raise money upon
134
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729-30.
that Head, the thing was Dismissed and the Inhabitants left to subscribe as they pleased.
Next the matter of the comon being a while Debated The Question [189] was put whether it was the minds of the meeting to chuse a Committee to consider of some method for regulating the comon, and make Report thereof at the next Town meeting, and it passed in the affirmative.
Then also voted that the said Committee should consist of seven Persons (any five of which should be a Quorum to act in the said . affair.
The Committee then voted seperately, were Coll. Edmund Quin- cey Maj' John Quincey, Mr. Thomas White. Mr. Joseph Crosbey, Mr. William Hunt, Mr. Nehemiah Hayden, & Benjamin Webb.
Then also voted, that the same Committee (or any five of em) should have power to prosecute any such person or persons as shall carry off any stones from sd. comon before the next Town meeting.
The Anniversary Town Meeting 1729/30.
Braintree, March 2ª. 1729/30.
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town Qualified by Law to vote in Town affairs (and having had Legall warning) assembled for the Choice of all Town Officers for the year ensuing and for the transacting such other affairs or business as are insert- ed in the warrants, for calling said meeting the particulars whereof are as follows.
First, To Chuse a Moderator, nextly, to chuse all Town officers which by Law are Required to bee annually chosen. After which to consider and determine, First whether they will allow as here- tofore to such as shall keep Bulls & Boars for the Towns use, and also for the killing of Black birds.
Secondly, whether they will allow & order, that the Highways in the Town shall for the future be mended or repaired by a Town rate. Thirdly, whether they will Grant Deacon Samuel Savel a small piece of the comon for the advantage of shortening his fence. Fourthly, whether they will renew Mr. Moses Belcher's Lease and let him that part of the Towns Land in his improvement for a longer term.
[190] Lastly. To receive the report of such Committees as have been improved in any business or affair of the Town, and (if they see cause) to pass any further necessary acts, for the Regulat- ing or better Improvement of the common Lands in the Town.
Moderator. And being so assembled and the meeting opened they proceeded to the choice of a Moderator and the votes being brought in & examined, it appeared that Mr. Benjamin Neal was chosen Moderator who accepted &c.
Town Clerk. A vote was then asked for a Town Clerk, and Benjamin Webb, being nominated was accordingly chosen and immediately sworn to the true and faithful execution of said office.
Selectmen The meeting then proceeded to bring in their votes for Selectmen which being examined, It appeared That Mr. Joseph
135
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1730.
Crosby Mr. Benjamin Neal, Mr. Jonathan Hayward, Ensign Sam- uel Baxter & Mr Benjamin Allen were chosen Selectmen by a majority of votes
Constables John Vesey - Joseph Spear Sam1. Hayden Jun" Memorandums - Joseph Spear refused to take the oath and paid the fine five Pounds. Then the meeting proceeded to the choice of Constables, and the votes being brought in and Collected it ap- peared that John Vesey, Joseph Spear and Nathaniel Littlefield were chosen Constables, But Nathaniel Littlefield declaring his refusal, they proceeded to the choice of another and their votes being examined It appeared that Samuel Hayden Jun'. was chosen.
They then proceeded to the choice of other Town officers and the following persons (being nominated) were chosen by hand votes to their Respective offices as follows, vizt
Town Treasr. his allowance for the year past £3. 10-0. To the Office of Town Treasurer was chosen Benjamin Webb : who hav- ing served in that office the year past, the moderator put the question to the meeting whether they would allow him for his ser- vices the year past three Pounds and ten Shillings and it was voted in the affirmative.
[191] 1730.
Surveyors of Highways. To the office of Surveyors of High- ways, was chosen Joseph Neal, Secundus, John Marshall, Thomas French, Samuel Wild, Christopher Dyer and Samuel French.
Tithingmen. To the office of Tithingmen, Samuel Tompson, Ebenzer, Crane, Nathaniel Wales, & Ephraim Thayer.
Fence Viewers To the office of Fence Viewers, Christopher Webb, David Bass, Ephraim Arnold, Joseph Thayer and Samuel Bass, Quartus.
Hoggreeves To the office of Hoggreves, . Jonathan Baxter, Richard Bracket, Benjamin Hunt, Nathaniel Spear Jr, & Moses French.
Sealer of Leather. To the office of Sealer of Leather, John Beale.
Surveyor of Clapboards & Shingles. To the office of Surveyor of Clapboards and Shingles, Ephraim Arnold, William Field, Samuel Belcher & Thomas Vinton.
Bulls Then voted, that whosoever of the Inhabitants of this Town shall enter with the Town Clerk a good sufficient Bull of Two years old at least before the first day of May next ensuing to be kept for the Town's use 'till the 29th. day of September next following shall be paid out of the Town Treasury Twenty shillings, Provided there be not above twelve so entered six whereof to be in the North Precinct : Four of the abovesd. number to run at large. Two of which Foure to be in the sd. North Precinct.
Boars. Then also voted, that whosoever of the Inhabitants of this Town shall enter as abovesaid a good Sufficient Boar, of six months old at least before the first Day of May next To be kept for the use of the Town the year ensuing to run at large shall be paid out of the Town Treasury Ten shillings Provided there be
136
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729-30.
not above foure so entered. Two whereof to be in the North Pre- cinct.
[192] 1730. .
Birds. Then also voted that whomsoever shall kill any black bird old or young (within this town shall be paid for them as in the year past, according to the seasons in which they shall be killed.
The affair of mending or repairing the Highways came next under consideration and after some considerable Debate thereon the matter was Dismissed.
The matter Relating to Deacon Samuel Savel He saw cause at that time to let fall &c.
That relating to Moses Belcher, after some debate thereon was Dismissed.
Next the Committee chosen by the Town on February 4th. last past, to consider of some method for Regulating the Comon, made their Report thereon in writing as follows vizt.
Report of Committee Wee whose names are hereunto Sub- scribed being a Committee chosen by the Town at a General Meeting on February 4th. 1729/30 to consider of some method for Regulating the Comon and to make Report thereon at the next Town-meeting, Did pursuant thereunto, on the ninth Day of February aforesaid meet for the business abovesaid and after some considerable Debate thereon, wee concluded, and are of opinion, First, that no Person be allowed from henceforth to take stones for his own use from off the comon for building fencing or the like, without first giving notice to a Committee (by the Town appointed) of his so doing; and Rendering a true accompt of their quantity, and how he disposed of them. Secondly, That the Herbage of the said common, and a certain quantity of stones, to be taken off yearly, be let to suitable persons that shall appear to hire the same, as they and a Committee appointed by the Town shall agree, for a certain term of years, all necessary ways being Reserved thorow the same to the adjacent lands. 3d.ly That all the wood on the said Comon, be preserved by a Restraining clause in the Lease &c. Or otherwise wee are of opinion. that it is absolutely necessary, that the Town make some order or orders to prevent the unreasonable Digging up, breaking or carrying off the stones
vera Copia,
Examd. ap Benjamin Webb,
Town Clerk.
Edmund Quincey John Quincey Benjamin Webb. Thomas White Joseph Crosbey. William Hunt.
1730 [193] Then the Moderator adjourned the meeting 'till mon- day the ninth Instant, at nine of the Clock in the morning.
March 9th. 1729./30
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town qualified to
137
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1729-30.
vote in Town affairs being met by adjournment from the Second of this Instant March & the affair of Regulating the Towns Comon being lay'd before them, The question was put by the Moderator. Whether they would accept of the Report of the Committee as it was? & it passed in the negative.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.