USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Records of the town of Braintree, 1640-1793 > Part 16
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Samuel Penniman.
Witness Mary Adams. Peter Adams.
A true copy entred by me Jos. Parmenter
Town Clerk.
[227] May 24th. 1714.
According to the vote past for laying out a Town way, from Joseph Whites, to Benjamin Clarks, as the way now runs, we have this . day been upon it and from the head of ye lane to the corner of Edward Hills land as the way now leads) Whites fence being on the easterly side and at Elbow hill so called, the way that now is to the way extending extending westerly Two Rods or to a con- venient breadth, & so running still as the way leads to an old white oak stump with stones about it, which was an old bound be- tween late Col. Hunt & the whites near their upper corner of land & so by Hunts new frame between an old white oak & said frame & so along to Elder wales Land between a great Rock, with stones upon it & a marked Tree, and so along to Captain Thomas his land, a new fence of posts & Rails being on the west side till we come to a slough, and so ye most easterly way up the hill, and as the way now leads to Samuel Nashes & so to widow nashes & then through or a cross Benjamin Luddens Land to Benjamin Clarks & Joseph Allin, from thence up to cochato as ye way now , runs.
Joseph Allin Nehemiah Hayden. Selectmen.
John Cleverly. Peter Adams.
Braintree, February 15th. 1714/15
We the Selectmen (for the year 1714) of ye said Town have by the Request of sundry Persons, Col. Edmund Quinsey, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Rawson, Joseph Crosby & James Penniman have laid out a Town Drift way (not to ly open) one Rod & half wide from Col. Quinceys Gate next the Road as ye way now leads through Mr. Quinceys Land and so through Joseph Crosbyes, & so through
159
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1714-5.
James Pennimans to the old Road that leads, to the Fourscore Acres, from thence from the said Col. Quinseys Land to the brow of the hill to the gate next to Mr. Wilsons, near his Gate by his Brook, and by said wilsons as the way now leads of either side of his Barn, and from thence by a new log fence near a swamp to a black tree, that is oak Tree, to a causway now in the swamp, which he said Rawson hath already made to Mr. Hinkleys Fence, & so between Mr. Hinckleys and Mr William Rawsons, upon Mr. Rawsons ground to the way leading to Milton.
Leading to the Farms Squantom.
John Mills. Joseph Allin. Nehemiah Hayden. John Cleverly. Peter Adams.
At the request of John French, Nehemiah Hayden, John Lamb and several of ye Inhabitants Living at Menaticut to lay out Town wayes to common Lands through several Mens Properties, we the Selectmen of Braintrey being met together the 16th. Day of Feb- ruary 1690, in answer to their desires we have laid out a Town highe way from the country highe way leading to Bridgewater, beginning upon Caleb Hobarts Land beyond his old Field bounded by a young walnut Tree on the North, and a walnut stump south- erly, and so to run northwest till it comes to Nehemiah Haydens fence and then to run one half upon Hobarts land, and the other half upon Haydens, till it comes to John Ruggles stone wall, then to run along by the wall upon Hobarts Land till it comes to another lot of Ruggles at the end of ye wall, then to go over Ruggles lot & Haydens as the old way goes to the clay Pit, from thence through Thayers land by the fence in the old highway and so through Mr. Sewells Land till it come near the cole Pitts in Aldriges Farm and so through the Farm westerly along by the foot of a great Hill, and so along through a corner of Faxons Farm till it come to the common Lands towards the blew Hills markd. out on the north side of the way by markd. Trees and to be a rod & half wide and more when need required.
This was entered by order.
The other way laid out leadeth from the same Country Road, to the common Lands called Cochato Lands beginning on Mr. Sewall Lands joyning to the lands of Nehemiah Hayden marked out on both sides by marked Trees as the old cart way goeth, over menaticut River through Lands formerly given by Boston for the use of the Iron works, till we come over the Bridge called the fourteen Rod Bridge, marked out all along by marked Trees, on both sides
Transferred by me the subscriber into the Town Book of Records for the Town of Braintrey) the eleventh day of May 1715, by the Order of the then present selectmen (out of Their Book of Records) the then present selectmen, being
৳ Joseph Parmenter, Town Clerk.
Lt. Joseph Neall. Decon Jos. Allin Mr. James Bracket Mr. Samuel French Mr. John Baxter.
160
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1714.
[229] Braintree 1706.
The Selectmen for this present year have laid out the Private Town way from the Country Road comononly called Taunton Road where it now runs into the Country Road leading to weymouth beginning near the corner commonly called Thayers corner and running to the corner near John Copelands Barn as it now standeth
Memmorandam, July 20th. 1713.
the Selectmen of Braintry, laid out a Way from Rock Island Meadow, bounded by Two Oak Trees, blazed on the right hand, next by a rock on the left then by a walnut tree on the right, by the side of a ledge of Rocks, on the same hand other mark't Trees, till they meet with an old path leading towards the meadows of Peter Hobart, also a way laid out leading over the Town land on Rock Island on the south east side of a Ledge of Rocks, until they come to the south east side of a great Rock by & through Ebenezer Thayer's lands, unto the meadow of John Marshall in ye most convenient Place.
Also a cart way laid out through the meadow of John Hollis 12 foot wide as it is staked and from Rock Island Bridge between Samuel Thompson® meadow and Samuel Pennimans 12 foot wide as it is marked by stakes, by the present selectmen, to the old cart path leading to Haughs neck.
Nehemiah Hayden. Jos. Neall. Peter Adams John Cleverly.
May 24th. 1714.
The highway from william Nightingals is one Rod and half wide from the middle of the old beaten Road each till it comes to the heither end of the widow - and from thence to a white oak Tree blazed.
[230] Blazed trees on the west side till it comes to the swamp, and then from the middle of the beaten Road one Rod and half wide each side till it comes to a walnut Tree markd. between the Lot of Caleb Hobart & Joseph Neall and so by markt Trees on the west side to the square & compasses and so by markt Trees on the west side till it comes to the north end of Joseph Pains Fences) and then from the middle of the beaten Road, to cirkuits ordnary, one Rod and half wide on each side, and then to run to Samuel Payns fence at the west end of his House and upon a straight line to the Hill, the way to be three Rod from Samuel Payns Fence, and then to run the middle Road by Bayleys Land till it comes to an highe stump, one Rod & half each side, the stump, and so along the Road, as now it runs three Rods wide till it comes to Moors Farm) and so through that Farm by the consent of William Hunt) and so through Ephraim Jones Farm by his consent) and so to run through Nehemiah Haydens Land by the pond with his consent, three rods wide and so to run the old Road till it comes to a white oak Tree between Thomas French & Samuel, a Rod & half wide
161
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1717.
each side the Tree) and so to a high stump one Rod and half each side) and so to run in the old Road Three Rod wide till it comes to Pen's Hill so called.
Joseph Allin Nehemiah Hayden. John Cleverly. Peter Adams. Selectmen.
1
1717
Benjamin Ludden entred a Bull 11th March 3 yrs Old.
Samuel White Junior the same day entred one of Two year old.
Joseph Adams entred a Bull of Two years old the latter end of March.
John Ruggle entred a Bull the Last of March of 3 yr old
Col. Quinsey Esq entred a Bull of Two year old that was entred ye 1st. April all for yo use of the Town.
ember th 1st 1717 John Ruggle entred another good likely Bull about Two
END OF VOLUME I.
VOLUME II.
BRAINTREE RECORDS.
ANNO DOMINI 1731.
[1] March 29th. Town ways.
At a meeting of the Free-holders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Braintree by adjournment from march 15th. 173º to Mon- day the twenty ninth day of March next following viz 1731. The Selectmen made their Reports in writing to the Town of Several Town ways by them laid out as follows viz' First of a way laid out from Cramberry Brook to Daniel Thayer's House ; and after some debate thereon, The question was put by the moderator, whether the said way Reported as abovesaid should be accepted and Recorded for a way for this Town, and It was voted in the affirmative.
next, of a way branching out of the abovesaid way and con- tained in the Same Report, vizt. from Samuel Bass's eastermost corner, mentioned in the abovesaid Report, running westerly, towards Samuel Nash's fence, and then thorow his land to the cartway that leads to David Eams's, and The Question being put whether this way should also be accepted and Recorded for a Townway, and, it passed in the affirmative.
Next, of away from the Country Road leading to Bridgwater, to, and by Joseph Wales's &c. and the Question being put whether this way should also be accepted & Recorded for a Townway. It passed in the affirmative.
Next, of away leading from the Country Road thorow Coll Edmund Quincy's farm, down to the way leading from Milton to Squantum's neck in Dorchester, and the Question being put whether this way should be accepted and Recorded for away for this Town. It passed also in the affirmative.
The Reports then made to the Town of the Several ways above- mentioned being as follows, vizt. Braintree March 173º
from Cramberry brook to Daniel Thayr's We the subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Braintree, at the request of sundry of the Inhabitants of said Town, on the day abovesaid went on the following ways in order to lay them out, & Run as followeth vizt. Wee began at Cramberry brook, the way to be continued as it is now Improved, till it comes to a White oak Tree, Standing in Nehemiah Haydens Ground by the way side, the way to go on the West Side of the Tree 'till it comes to a Red oak, the way to go on the East Side of the Tree, and so straight thorow Joseph Ludden's Field, and a Lot belonging to Zachariah Thayer's, till it
164
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1731.
comes to the West Corner of Benjamin Hunts Land, and then the way to ly on the West Side of the fence which parts said Hunt's & Richard Thayer's Land 'till it comes to Ephraim Thayer's Lot, and then as the way is now improved, 'til it comes to M' Niles's farm, and then on a straight line, to the East corner of M' Niles's House, the way to ly on the East side of the House. Then from the East side of M' Niles's House, that Jonathan Clark now lives in, and so along by the west side of the Fence 'til it comes to the Hill near Paraketes House ; and so down that Hill upon the East side said House, and to the eastermost corner of Samuel Bass's Land ; then running easterly upon M' Niles's line 'til we come to a great Chesnut-oak Tree with the Top broke off, one rod upon Mr. Niles's, and one Rod upon the Heirs of M' Thomas Holl- brook's Lot, late of Braintree Decd ; and from the said Tree run- ning straight 'til we come to a brook called Tumbling Brook, the lower way, and from the said brook, straight up to Naphthali Thayer's east corner of his Field, and so upon the east side of the said Field, 'til we come near the House, and from the east side of the Well, (near straight) 'til we come to the Corner of Jonathan Clark's fence now standing, on the way now used, and so upon the west side of that field, as the way now runs 'til we come up to the River near the Ridg-hill, and so upon the east side of that Hill, 'til we come near to Thomas Fenton's House, & so along upon that Hill, on the west side of said Fenton's House, & so when we come into the way we Run as the way is [2] now im- proved, 'til we come to Danil Thayer's Land, and so running between said Thayer's house and Barn.
and then came. back & began again, and laid out away from Samuel Bass's eastermost corner aforementioned, westerly towards Samuel Nash's Fence, then thorow said Nash's land on the north side of a great Pine stump, and so straight to the Cartway, that leads to David Eams's ; the way to be Two Rods wide except at the corners or angles in the said way, where it is to be Three Rods wide.
Samuel White. Joseph Crossbey. John Hollbroke. William Hunt.
Braintree, March 17th. 1731.
The way over Coll. Quincy's Farm. This way was voted, ac- cepted &c See page 1st. Whereas, there has been of late, at sundry times a Drift way laid out by the Selectmen of the said Town, thorow the Lands of Coll' Quincy & other persons from the Country Road, and beginning at the entrance into the said Quincy's Farm, and running into the way leading from Milton to Squantom's neck (so called) in Dorchester, which several lay- ings out have proved inconsistent, the same having been done sometimes at the desire & for the use of Private or particular persons Proprietors of the adjacent Lands, and sometimes at the Desire and for the use of the Town, and the said way sometimes said to be or called an open way and Two Rods wide, and some-
165
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1731.
times said to be or called a private way and not to ly open, and one Rod and an half wide ; besides some other inconsistencies and mistakes in the sd layings out, as may more fully appear by the entries thereof made under the late Selectmens hands and of Record in the Town's Book of Records. Wherefore for the pre- venting the mischiefs & inconveniencies that may arise from the premises, & that the said way as it now is laid out may be known and improved or used for the future according to the true Intent of the Town and parties concerned, and the Laws of the Province also attended. Wee the Subscribers the present Selectmen have Judged it necessary to describe and lay out more expressly the said way and do now Report our doings therein to the Town as follows vizt ; that we have laid out a Drift way for the use of the Town from the Country Road, beginning at the entrance of Coll. Quincy's Farm, and running thence thorow said Quincy's Land, one Rod & an half wide unto the said Quincy's Brook, and so up the Hill and over the Hill or Ridg as 'tis now improved or used, until it comes to the lands of M' Joseph Crossbey, over which the way shall be the same wedth, to be taken from the eastermos fence until it comes to the Lands of Ebenezer Crossbey, over which the way shall run as 'tis now Improved or used, and of the above said wedth, and from the said Crossbey's Lands, over the lands of the Heirs of Doct. Wilson late Decd ; along by the Dwel- ling house, and by the swamp straight to the Causey over which the [3] way now runs, and from thence to the way leading from Mil- ton to Squantum's neck (so called) in Dorchester, as the same is now Improved or used over the Lands lately belonging to M'. William Rawson Decd. and in all places to be the wedth aforesaid and not to ly open. Samuel White
a true entry of the Reports of the Select men made to the Town March 29th. 1731. q Benjamin Webb, Town Clerk.
Joseph Crossbey. William Hunt
Richard Thayer. John Hollbrook.
May 17th. 1731.
Representative Pursuant to the precept to the Selectmen for the choice of a Representative, the Freeholders and other Inhab- itants of the Town duly qualified, and having Rec'd Legal warn- ing, assembled on the day abovesaid and after the Reading of the Precept and warrants for calling the meeting, they proceeded to chuse a Representative, and the votes being brought in and exam- ined, It appeared that John Quincy esqr. was chosen Representa- tive by all the voters present.
Moderator. on the same day the Freeholders and other Inhab- itants Qualified to vote in Town affairs assembled to Transact some other affairs of the Town, the particulars being Inserted in the warrants on file, which were first to chuse a moderator, next to Grant money to defray Town Charges &c
Moderator. They then proceeded to Chuse a moderator, and Deacon Samuel White being nominated was chosen (by hand votes) Moderator.
166
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1732.
Voted £70. for town charge Then voted that the Town should be assessed the sum of seventy Pounds, for defraying the necessary charges of the Town this present year.
Voted to B. Webb £3-10-0 for services as Town Tr'. & 308 for services as Town Clerk. Then voted, that Benjamin Webb should have Three Pounds & Ten shillings paid him out of the Treasury, for his service as Town Treasurer the year past then also voted, that the sd. Benjamin Webb should have Thirty shillings paid as aforesd for his services as Town Clerk, the year past.
September 27th. 1731.
The Free-holders and other Qualified Inhabitants of this Town of Braintree, being assembled upon Legal warning to consider of an Extract from the journal of the Honourable House of Repre- sentatives, of Date August 18th. 1731, Exhibited to the Selectmen of the several Towns in this Province, in which ther is a Repre- sentation of some matter of Difficuly lying before them Respect- ing the supply of the Treasury &c and the advice and direction of the several Towns to their Members is desired &c.
Moderator. Mr. Joseph Crossbey being nominated was chosen Moderator for that meeting.
Then Voted, that the thanks of this meeting be Returned to the Honourable House of Representatives for their faithful service in asserting and defending the Just Liberties of this Province (as we esteem they have hither Done, and which we highly approve) and Desire that they would continue strenuously to endeavour the maintaining & defending the same.
[4] A.D. 1732. The anniversary Town Meeting, March 6th. 1731-2.
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town duly Quali- fied (and having had Legal warning) assembled for the choice of all Town Officers, for the year ensuing ; and transacting such other affairs as are Inserted in the Warrant for calling the said Meeting, the Particulars whereof are as follows, vizt. First, to Chuse a Moderator. Secondiy, To Chuse all Town Officers &c. Thirdly, to consider and Determine whether they will Let the Privilege of the stones in the Town's Comon &c. Fourthly To see if such Persons as have had ways laid out thorow their Lands will give them to the Town, or otherwise to make their Demands therefor. Fifthly To chuse a Committee to Run the lines betwixt the Town's Lands, and the lands joining upon them. Sixthly, To consider and Determine whether they will make any allowance to Stephen Cleverly & Jonathan Baxter (Two of the Town's Tenants) for extraordinary fences, they must be forced to make on the Town's Land's. Seventhly, and whether they will allow, as here- tofore Bulls, Boars and the killing of Black-birds. Lastly, To consider whether it may not be convenient to have the Town meetings for time to come sometimes in the midle Precinct &c. which particulars may be seen more at large in the warrants on file.
167
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1732.
And being so assembled, and the meeting opened, They pro- ceeded to the choice of a Moderator.
Moderator. And Deacon Peter Adams being nominated, was chosen Moderator for that meeting.
Town Clerk They. then proceeded to the choice of a Town Clerk, and Benjamin Webb being nominated, was voted Town Clark.
The Question was then put by the Moderator whether there should be Five Selectmen Chosen, and It passed in the affirmative.
The question was also put, whether ther should be Two Select- men chosen in the North Precinct, Two in the middle Precinct and one in the New or Southermost Precinct, and it passed in the affir- mative.
Selectmen. The meeting then proceeded to the choice of Select- men, and the votes being called for, brought in and examined, It appeared that M' Joseph Crossbey, Mr. Samuel Baxter, M' William Hunt, Mr. Richard Thayer secundus and Mr. John Niles Jun". were chosen Selectmen.
Constables. Next, they proceeded to the choice of Constables, and the votes being brought in & examined, It appeared that Sam- uel Copeland David Bass, and John French were chosen Consta- bles ; but David Bass declaring his refusal, they proceeded to the choice of another and John Mills was chosen, who also declaring his refusal, they proceeded to chuse another, and the votes being examined it appeared that Benjamin Veasey was chosen, after which the said Benjamin Veasey agreed with Moses Belcher Jun" to serve in his Room, and said Moses Belcher offering himself, The Question was put by the Moderator, to the meeting, whether they would accept of Moses Belcher Jun". to serve in the stead of Benjamin Veasey, and, It passed in the affirmative
Town Treasurer. They then went upon the choice of a Town Treasurer, and Benjamin Webb being nominated, was chosen Town Treasurer by a Majority of ye voters.
The meeting then proceeded to the choice of other Town officers, and the following persons being nominated were chosen to their respective offices as follows, vizt
[5] Surveyors of Highways To that of Surveyors of High- ways were chosen Peter Newcomb, Nathaniel Owen, Joshua Hay- ward, Zachariah Thayer, Benjamin Clark, Gideon Thayer, & David Eams, and on the fifteenth Instant John George.
Tithing-men. And to that of Tithing-men, were chosen Stephen Cleverly, Nathan Bracket, Richard Faxson, Samuel French & Samuel Niles.
Fence viewers to that of Fenceviewers, were chosen Joseph Neal Secundus Jonathan Baxter, William Peniman, John Curtis, Deering Spear.
Hogreves. To that of Hogreves were chosen Samuel Peniman, Thomas Cleverly, Eleazer Thayer, Edward Faxson, and John Nightingal.
Surveyors of Timber, Plank Clapboards & Shingles. To that of Surveyors of Timber, Plank, Clapboards, & Shingles were
168
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1732.
chosen Samuel Belcher, Ebenezer Field, Ephriam Arnold and Isaac Newcomb.
Sealer of Leather. A Sealer of Leather, John Beale.
after which (the day being spent) the Moderator put the ques- tion whether the meeting should be adjourn'd to wednesday the fifteenth of this Instant, at Twelve of the Clock at noon, and It passed in the affirmative.
March, 15th. A Constable
The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town Qualified To vote in Town affairs, being assembled by adjournment from the sixth Instant, Samuel Copeland who was chosen a Constable on the said sixth of March, manifested that he had agreed with Sam- uel Arnold to serve in his room, and the said Samuel Arnold offer- ing himself, the Question was put by the Moderator to the meeting, whether they would accept of the said Samuel Arnold to serve as Constable in the Room of Samuel Copeland, and It passed in the affirmative.
Concerning the Stones. Next the matter of the stones was De- bated, and the Question being put whether they would sell the Stones of the Town's Common or any of them to such persons as shall appear to buy 'em, It passed in the negative.
Concerning Ways, laid out. The question was then put by the Moderator to the Meeting whether a Committee should be chosen to Treat with the persons who have any demand upon the Town for ways lately laid out thorow their Lands ; and make Report of their doings therein to the Town at the next, meeting. It passed in the affirmative.
Committee. After which the persons following, being nominated as a Committee for the affair abovesaid ; were separately voted & Chosen there for viz. John Quincy s", Deacon Samuel Bass, Mr Benjamin Beale M' Richard Thayer and m' Samuel Wild
Bulls. The Question was then put by the Moderator whether they would allow for the keeping of Bulls for the Towns use, as they did the last year, allowing the same number, and with the like Restraints or limitations & It passed in the affirmative.
Boars. Then voted also, that there shall be the same allowance for the Keeping of Boars as was the last year, the number to be the same and with the same limitations.
Birds Then also voted, that there be the same allowance for the killing of Black birds, as was the year past, according to the Seasons of the year, and in manner as then.
Squirrels Then voted, that Three pence a head be allowed to such as shall kill any Ground Squirrels, they bringing their heads, to the Selectmen.
[6] T. Clerks wages & Town Treasurers Then voted, that Benjamin Webb, shall have Thirty Shillings paid him out of the Town Treasury for Serving as Town Clerk the year past and four Pounds for his service the same year as Town Treasurer.
The Moderator then adjourned the meeting unto monday the
169
BRAINTREE RECORDS, 1732.
Twenty seventh, of this Instant March, at nine of the clock in the morning.
March 27th. 1732.
The Free-holders and other Inhabitants of the Town being met by adjournment from the fifteenth Instant.
Committee to run lines in town Then voted, that the present Select men (or any three of them) be a Committee to Run the lines between the Town's land, and the land of particular persons.
Comtee to run the line. between Weymouth & Braintree The Select-men having presented the Town, a notification of the Select- men of Weymouth to them to Chuse a Committee to Run the line between Weymouth and this Town, It was Voted that mr William Hunt, mr. Richard Thayer Jun". & m" John Hollbrook be a Com- mittee to Treat with the Select-men of Weymouth, about the affair of the line, proposed to be run, and that if they find upon treating with them, that they can proceed to Run or Settle the said Line, where it remains unsettled, without further Instruction from the Town, That then they proceed by all proper methods, accord- ingly to Run & settle the same, always having due Regard to the ancient Records & monuments that refer to the said line any way. Provided that the said Selectmen of Weymouth or others appointed by them, appear with full Instructions from their Town to do the same.
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