USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Report of the record commissioners of the city of Boston, containing the Boston records from 1700 to 1728 > Part 8
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Cap® Sam" Keeling & Capt John Ballentine jun being befor: Chosen to Serve as Overseers of the Poor for this present year & haveing refused to Serve.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.
M' John Ruck and m' Charles Chauncy are chosen to Serve as Overseers of the Poor for the remayning part of this present year.
Wheras M' Bartho" Green was before chosen to Serve as one of the Clarks of the Market & cannot attend the Sd Servicc.
M' Ewd Okes is chosen to Serve as Clark ye market for the remayning part of this year.
[305.] It being represented to the Inhabitants at this mcet- ing That a Committee of the first Church of Christ in Boston haveing Lately purchased the Dwelling House and Land of Capt John Balston Late of Boston deccaced, abutting upon Water street, for the use of ye ministry, and the Said Capt Balston and his predecessors haveing for many years past with the Sª House, held and Enjoyed a Small Strip of Land by Lease from this Town Containeing Nineteen feet in breadth Easterly from the Old Tene- ment, extending in Length from Water Street to Spring Lane as it is now inclosed and within fence, It being by ye Said Committee proposed to the Town at this meeting that they would grant the Sª Strip of Ground to the aforcsaid church forever.
Voted. The grant of the Sa Strip of Ground unto the Said Church forever.
Agrecable to the report now made by the Committee apointed at ye Last meeting to consider about building a meeting House at Rumny Marsh.
Voted. a Grant of One hundred pounds to be raised and Laid out in building a meeting House at Rumny Marsh.
Voted. That the afor Said Committee viz Elisha Cook Esq", Elisha Hutchinson Esq", Samuell Sewall Esq", Pen Townsend Esq", and Edward Bromfeeld Esq" are appointed and impowered to direct, both as to the place and manner of Erecting Sª meeting House.
Voted. that the Town will proceed to Chuse a Committee to veiw and consider of what is needfull for the Town to do in repaireing the platt forms and Carriages at the Southi Battree.
Voted. That Elisha Cook Esq", Capt Timothy Clark & m™ Joseph Wadsworth be the Sd committee.
Voted. That So much as is needfull of the remainder of the money formerly raised for Fortifications shall be applyed to the re- paireing of the Sd Platt forms & carriages at the South Battree and to be drawn out of the Treasury by the Sd Committec & to be by them Layd out in effecting the Same.
At a meeting of the Free holders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and warned According to Law, being Convened at the Town House on monday the 19th of December 1709.
Paul Dudley Esq' is chosen to Serve as Moderator for this present meeting.
Voted. That the Inhabittants of this Town will now proceed unto the choyce of a Committee to Audit the three Sevcrall accots mentioned in the warrant for the Conveneing of this Meeting.
Voted. That Jolin Foster Esq", Samuel Lynde Esq., Captn Thomas Fitch, Capt Samuel Kceling and m' Timothy Lindall or any three of them Attending the Said Service be a Committee
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1709. 63
to Audits the Accots of the Committee for Fortifieations Appointed by the Town in the year 1706. And the Accots of the Committee Appointed in this present year 1709 for repairing the Platforms &c. at the South Battrey, and also the Treasurers Aeeots for this present year.
Voted. That a Committee be chosen to consider of the affaires relateing to the Gramer Free School of this Town, & to make report thereof at the Town meeting in March next.
Voted. That the Town will defray the Charge of an Assistant to m' Nathan" Williams in the Free Sehool untill ye next Town meet- ing in march next.
Voted. That Seven persons be chosen to be of ye Sª Committee.
Voted. That Waite Winthrop Esq", Sam" Sewall Esq', Elisha Cook Esq", Elisha Hutchinson Esq", Isa Addington Esq', John Foster Esq'. and m' Ezekiel Lewise be Je Sd Committee to Consider ab' ve School.
[306.] Whereas m' Thomas Clark of Boston Pewterer hath by his Petition desired liberty at his own Charge to fill up the Doek or Slip at the Lower end of Fleet Street, as far out as to be even with Capt Hayinans wharfe, So as that he may have a Cartway over the Same to pass unto his own wharfe, & the Sª Dock So fild np & a wharfe there made to be also for the Coiron use and benefit of ye Inhabitants. and also that he will allow a free passage from ye Same over his own wharfe unto the out wharfes, as is more fully Set forth in his Said Petition.
And whereas Cap' Oliver Noyes for himselfe and Some other Gentlemen. doth propose at his and their own charge to run out a wharfe from the Lower end of King Street, the breadth of the Sª Street as it now is, down to Low water marke & to Leave Thirty foot of ye breadth thereof free of all inenmbrance, makeing a Convenient gapp to Lett in boats into each Bason with 2 Solid bridg over the Same.
Voted. That a Comittee be chosen to Advise & Consider of the aforesaid l'roposalls of ye Sa m' Thom Clark & Capt Oliver Noyse and to make report to the next Town Meeting of what they Shall thinck proper for the Town to do concerning the Same.
Voted. That the present Select men vizt Capt Ephraim Savage, m' Isaiah Tay, m' James Barnes, Cap' Timothy Clark, m' Richd Draper, m' Daniel Powning. m' Jonas Clark, m' Sam" Marshall and m' Joseph Wadsworth be the Said Committee.
Voted. That in Consideration of m' Sam" Marshall serveing a Select man & Assessor for this present year, his fine for not Serveing as Assessor in ye year 1707 be remitted.
Voted. That the Consideration of building a Fast Bridg over the Creek in Mackrill Lane, be referred unto ye next Town meet- ing & that the present Select men be a Committee to Consider thereof and Lay before ye Town what they Shall thinck proper to be done therein.
Voted. That the Consideration of provideing Chimny Sweepers be referred unto ye Select men who are desired to prepare and Lay befor ye the Town at their next meeting what they Shall thinck proper to be done therein.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
Voted. That a Committee be chosen to advise & consider of Some proper Methodes to prevent damage by the Sea's wasting away ye neek & to prevent the growth of a Town charge there, and to present unto the Town at their next meeting what they Shall thinck proper to be done about the Same.
Voted. That Paul Dudley Esq", Capt Thom8 Fiteh, m" Henry Dereing, m" John George, m" Thomas Cushing, John Clark Esq", Sam" Lynd Esq' be the Sª Committee.
M' Benjamen Walker haveing proposed to the Town that he is willing to to remove & take away liis porch weh lies in next to Queen Street provided the Town will allow him an equivalent of Land out of ye Sd Street to joyn in adition to the whole Length of his Land there.
Voted. That it be left with the Select men to agree wth the Sd m' Walker abt ye Sª Exchange of Land, & wholly to finish that affaire as they Shall thinek best.
[307.] At a Meeting of the Free holders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and warned aeeord- ing to Law, being convened at the Town House the 13th day of March 1709 / 0
Voted. That Samuel Sewall Esq" be the Moderator for this present meeting.
Voted. That the Town will not proceed to ye ehoyee of Assess- 1 ors distinct from the Select men.
Voted. That the Seleet men Shall be the Assessors.
Voted. That nine Select men shall be chosen.
Capt Epliraim Savage, m' Isaiah Tay, m" James Barnes, Capt Tim Clark, m" Riehard Draper, m' Daniel Powning, mr Jonas Clark, m" Joseph Wadsworth & m" Samuel Marshall are chosen to Serve as Select men for ye year ensueing.
Joseph Prout is chosen to Serve as Town Clerk for ye year en- sneing.
Joseph Prout is chosen to Serve as Treasn' for ye year ensueing.
Capt Wentworth Paxton, Messurs Eneas Salter, John Peirse, John Savill wr chosen to Serve as Constables for the year ensue- ing, & w' Sworn.
Humphry Richards, Richard Bill, Benjamen Gibson, Samuel . Clark were chosen to Serve as Constables for ye year ensueing & refused to Serve.
Timothy Prout, Joseph Callender, John Buckley wr chosen to Serve as Constables (in ye Room of the Last mentioned three who refused) & w' lik wise Sworn.
Isaae Lewise is chosen to Serve as Constable (for the distriet of Rumny Marsh) for ye year ensucing.
John Brentnel & Thomas Prat are chosen to Serve as Fenee veiwers within the district of Rumny Marsh for ye year ensueing.
The Committee chosen by the Town the 19th of December Last, to consider the Affaires relating to ye Free Grammer School of this Town, haveing now made their report nnto ye Town as followeth vizt.
Wee have diseonrsed wth m' Williams the present master of whos: qualifications and fitness for that imployment we tak: for
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BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1709/10.
granted every body must be abundantly Satisfied. He expresses a good Inclination to the worke. and his resolution intirely to devote him Selfe thereto, If the Town please to Encourage his continu- ance therein by allowing him a competent Sallary, that lie may Support his family, and Granting him an Assistant. He is Very Sencible of the Advantage of the Assistance Lately afforded him, both with respect to his health and also as to ye Schollars.
We are of opinion the worke of that School do's necessarily re- quire the Attendance of a master and an Usher, and it seems Im- practicable for one person alone. well to Oversee the manners of So great a number of Schollars (oft times more then a hundred) to hear their davly Exercises. and Instruct them to that degree of profitting. which other wise may be wth an Assistant.
[30S.] We Recommend it to the Town to Encourage m" Williams's continnance in the School, by advanceing his Salary to the Sum of One hundred pounds p Annu, which we thinck to be a modest demand, and to grant him the Assistance of an Usher, at the Towns charge. In which we have ye concurrent Opinion and Advice of ye Revrd Ministers.
We further propose and recommend, as of Great Service and Advantage for the promoting of Diligence and good literature, That the Town Agreeably to the Usage in England, and (as wc under- stand) in Some time past practiced herc, Do Nominate and Ap- point a Certain Number of Gentlemen, of Liberal Education, To- gether with Some of ye Revd Ministers of the Town to be Inspec- tors of the Sª Schoole under that name Title or denomination, To Visit ye School from time to time, when and as Oft, as they shall thinck fit to Enform themselves of the methodes nscd in teaching of ve Schollars and to Inquire of their Proficiency, and be present at the performance of Some of their Exercises, the Master being before Notified of their Comeing, And with him to consult and Advise of further Methods for ye Advancement of Learning and the Good Government of the Schoole.
And at their Sª Visitation, One of the Ministers by turns to pray with the Schollars, and Entertain 'em with Sonic Instructions of Piety Specially Adapted to their age and Education. The In- spectors also, with the master to Introduce an Usher, upon such Salary as the Town Shall agrec to grant for his Service, all which is Submitted to Consideration.
Voted. That the Town will proceed to Consider the Said Re- port in the Several Articles thereof
Voted. That m' Nathaniel Williams's Salary be advanced to One hundred pounds p' Annnm to Encourage his continuanc: in the School.
Voted. That an Usher at the Town's Charge be allowed to Assist m' Williams in the Sª School.
Voted. That the Town doth agree to mak: choyce of Inspector according to the aforesaid proposalls.
Voted. That Inspectors be chosen to Serve for one ycar en- suing.
Voted. That five persons be chosen to attend ye Sª Service.
Voted. That the Honble Waitc Winthrop Esq", Sam" Sewall Esq", Elisha Cook Esq", Isaac Addington Esq', & Thomas Brattle Esq"
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.
are desired and appointed to Attend the Sd Servie: as Inspectors agreeable to the Sd proposalls.
Voted. That the Said Inspectors are desired to Introduce an Usher into ye Sª School, and to Agree with him for a Recompence for his Service, not Exceeding Forty pounds p Annum.
Voted. . That the Sd Inspectors do agree wth m' Thayer for his past Service in that worke & allow him for ye Same not exceeding the aforesaid Rate of Forty pounds p Anuu.
Whereas the Seleet men for the year past by a vote of ye In- habitants of this Town at their Publiek meeting on the 19th day of December Last past, were Appointed a Committee to Consider the Proposalls of Capt Oliver Noyes and Some other Gentlemen, about their building out a wharfe from the Lower end of King Street, down to Low Water marke, and to make report to ye next Town meeting, of what they shall thinek proper for ye Town to do Con- cerning the Same.
[309.] The Said Committee have now presented their report thereof unto the Town and is as followeth vizt
Wee are of Opinion that the proposalls made by Doct" Oliver Noyes and other Gentlemen now Signed by them & given in to the town at this meeting, will be a means to have the Out wharfes brought into good repaire, the doing of which with the planting of Guns as proposed, may be a great Safety to this Town in case of the Attack of an Enemie, and will be of Publick and Generall good to this Town, Provided the Undertakers be under Penalty to perform what they have there proposed and what is intended vizt. That the Street Shall forever be Open it's full breadth from the End of King Street to the Circular Line, and be no wayes Incum- bered by them.
Signed by Joseph Prout T. Clerk in ye name of Sd Comittee.
The aforementioned proposalls made by Doct" Oliver Noyes and other Gentlemen, Signed by them and Given to ye Town at this meeting, and being read are as followeth, vizt.
We the Subseribers Some of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston do hereby promise and Ingage, that we and our Associates will at our own Cost and Charge Ereet and build a wharfe with a Sufficient Comon Shore (at the Approbation of the Seleet men) at the end of King Street to the Circular Line as delineated by the Plan, and that from thenee we will Ereet, build and maintaine a Wharfe. the width of the Street between m" Apthorps and mr Fanueills, and Continue the Same in a direet line to the wharfes commonly called the new Wharfes, and unto Low-water marke, leaveing, alwayes a way of Thirty feet wide on one of the Sides thereof as a High way for the use of the Inhabitants of the Said Town and others, and to extend from One end of the Same to the other for ever, and leaveing a gap of Sixteen feet wide (covered Over) for Lighters and boats to pass and repass about the middle of Said wharfe or where the Select men Shall direct, as also a passage way on to the new Wharfes, on each Side for Carts &c. Leaveing the end of Sd Wharfe free for the Town, when they Shall See reason to plant Guns for the defence of Said Town, In con- sideration whereof the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, Shall and do give Grant, Bargaine, Enfeoffe and
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BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1709/10.
Confirm unto us the Sª Subscribers our heires, Assignes and As- sociates forever the Said Wharfe or Flatts to be maintained as aforesaid, unto Low water mark, wth all the Libertyes Priviledges Comodityes and Appurtenanees whatsoever there unto belouging to our only proper & absolute use and be hoofe forever, And that the Town of Boston Shall alwayes defend us in the Possession and Peaceable Improvement of the Granted Premisies from any claim of ye Town &c. and that no wharfe beyond the Sª Cireular Line be permitted to joyn or come nearer to us thien Sixty foot for ever, And we do Ingage and promise to finish sª Wharfe within the space of four years next after the date of the Grant if the Right of re out wharfes for One hundred & twenty foot where the line will fall ean be proeured by us. In witness where of Wee have herennto Sett our hands the twentth. day of Febry Anno Regina Octavo Anno Domi 1709 /10 Oliver Noyes, Daniel Oliver, James Barnes, John George, John Gerrish, Anthony Stoddard.
Voted. A grant to Capt Oliver Noyes and Compa according to their Said Proposalls, and the Committee's Report, So as not to prejudise former grants.
[310.] Voted. That the Select men be empowered on behalf of the Town, to Execute proper Instruments in writeing for the Confirming the afore mentioned Grant to Capt Oliver Noyes & Comp3.
M' Thomas Clark of Boston Pewterer haveing by his Petition Signified his request as followeth vizt.
That the Town would Grant him Leave to fill up the Towns Dock (or Slip at the Lower end of Fleet Street) even with Capt Haymans Wharfe, which he will do at his own charge, and the Same Shall be free for all persons who shall have Ocasion to Ship off, or for Landing any Goods at any time, which will be a great benefit, whereas it is now of no use at all : and this your Petitioner 13 willing to do though it will be more for the benefit of the Mer- chants then for his own proffit, provided he may have a Cart way free forever for himselfe, his heires and Assignes, and he further promises a free Cart way for the Inhabitants of Boston to pass from this wharfe to the Out wharfes or any part thereof, he further Engages to make Such a way or slip at the end of the wharfe as the Selectmen Shall See meet.
And whereas the Select men by a Vote of the Town the 19th of December Last were appointed to advise & consider of mr Thomas Clarks proposalls Set forth in his Petition & to mak: Report at the next Town meeting of what they Shall thinck proper for the Town to do Concerning the Same.
The Sd Select men haveing now presented to ye Town their report thereof as followeth viz'.
That our Opinion is. The proposalls mad: by m' Thom® Clark for runing ont a wharfe at the Lower end of Fleet Street as by him Set forth in his Petition, with addition that he make a good Sufficient Comon Shore the Length of the whole wharfe, that then it will be very comdious and beneficiall to the Inhabitants of this Town, and no wayes Infringeing the Libertyes of any perticuler persons.
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 137.
Voted. A grant to m' Thom® Clark agreeable to his above pro- posalls & the Seleet mens Report.
Voted. That the Seleet men be impowered on behalfe of yo Town to Execute proper instruments, in writeing for the Confir- mation of ye abovesd Grant to m' Clark.
Pursuant to a vote of the Town the 19th day of December Last, The Seleet men have now Offered to ye Town ther proposalls in writeing (containeing a projeetion of Orders) For the more Effeetuall preventing Danger by Fire, arriseing by yo Negleet of, or Carelessness in Sweeping of Chimneys, the weh proposalls are Now lieing on file in the Town Clerks Offiee.
Voted. That the Town doth Aeeept & approve of the Sd Re- port made by ye Seleet men abt Chimnyes and Chimny Sweepers.
Voted. That the Seleet men are direeted & Impowered to present the Said Projection of Orders to ye Court of Quarter Sessions in order to their Approbation thereof, and (if need be) to agree unto alterations or emmendations therein, So as the same may agree with the Seope and intent of the Sª Proposalls and the Same to eontinu: in foree as ye Town Orders.
Pursuant to a Vote of the Town the 18thof Deeemb' Last Re- lateing to the makeing a fast Bridg in Maekrill Lane the Seleet men have now given in their Report as follows vizt.
[311.] That they are of Opinion that it's Absolutely Necessary that a Sufficient firm Bridg fitt for Horse & eart be forth with made over the Creek in Mackrell Lane, and that nothing doth ap- pear to them that the Town hath ever abridged them Selves of that Priviledg, and if those that elaim propriety above the Bridg do See eause to make Sutable provision to draw the said Bridg So as to let Vessells in and out, that then they do, and maintane that part at their own Charge, and become Obliged to defend the Town from any damage which may hapen on their part
Voted. That the Town doth approve of the Sª report made by the Seleet men relateing to ye Sª Bridg.
It being proposed to ye town by, or on ye behalfe of M' Gyles Dyer Sherriff, as followeth, vizt.
Whereas there is a peiee of Land at the South end of ye Town, being part of Wheelers Pond in Pond Street claimed by ye Sd M Dyer by deed on wch he desires to build a Barn wth wood, of Twenty foot in Front & Forty foot Baekward, and the Seleet men of the Town haveing also elaimed a right for the Same for y-e Town, The S' Dyer is willing to avoyd all further controversy, to leave out of his other Land as many feet of his own ground joyn- ing to the Sª Street, and Lett the water eourse which did formerly mueh annoy ye Sd Street, go through his own Land, which will very much aecomodate the Sª Street, both for the breadth and dry- ness of it, and no wayes diseomode the Sª Pond, there being between forty and fifty foot left for a passage to ye sª Pond, which if liberty be granted to him So to build, he will lett lie Open forever, for the Town for a watering place.
The above is what M' Gyles Dyer offers, And wee the present Select men of the Town of Boston, Considering there has been Severall years uneasieness about the Sª Land, And also haveing
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BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1709/10.
had m' Dyers Petition before us for Liberty to Ereet a Wooden building on the Sª Land, which we have not thought convenient to grant without the Consent of the Town, because we judg the just Right and property of the Sª Land belongs to the Said Town, Yet in consideration of what m' Dyer Offers in Exchange, wee desire the Town would give directions for the Isneing this matter.
Dated ye 7th of March 1709 / 10.
Voted. A grant to m' Gyles Dyer of ye Land wch he proposes to Sett his Barn on, on ye Conditions above mentioned.
And the Select men are impowered to Execute Sutabl: instru- ments in writeing for ye Confirmation there of.
The Select men haveing proposed to ye Town, that Seeing Eliakim Hutchinson Esq' is willing to Surrender up the Leas: of ye Town Dock, or Bendalls Dock, upon terms by him proposed, they are of Opinion that it would be Advis: abl: for the Town to take it into their own hands.
Voted. That the Selectmen to gether wth John Clark Esq", Paul Dudley Esqr. Capt Oliver Noyes & Capt Thomas Fitch be im- powered to Treat and Agree with Eliakim Hutchinson Esq' abt his Surrender of ye Sd Lease on Such Terms as they Shall thinek bene- fieial to ve Town.
[312.] Voted. That the Comittee Appointed the 19th day of Dec' Last, to Advise and Consider of proper methodes to prevent the Seas wasting away the Neek, be further Continued to Consider the Same, and to receive the proposalls of any persons who Shall Offer to take part of the Flats and Secure the High way.
Voted. A Grant of One hundred pounds, to be raised and Layd out in paveing on the Neck, in such place or places as is most needfull.
Voted. That this Meeting be Adjourned untill to morrow being Tuesday the 14th of March Currt at two of ye clock after noon to go on and finish the remayning worke of this meeting and to Consider Abt a Fortification on ye Neck.
At a Meeting of the Free holders and Other Inhabitts of the Town of Boston. duly qualified & warned according to Law being Convened at ye Town-House in Boston the 13th of March Anno 1709/0 and Continued by Adjournment to the 14th day of the Same, and then being convened.
Samuel Burnel is chosen to Serve as Constable for ye year ensue- ing in the room of Humphery Richards who being before chosen hath refused to Serv: Sª Burnel sworn.
Votes for County Treasur wr recd in & delivered to Consta. Tim° Prout by him to be given into ye Q'. Sessions.
Voted. That the Town will proceed to chuse Seven Overseers of the Poor.
Thomas Palmer Esq', m' William Welsteed, m' John Boult, m" Grove Hirst, m' John Ruck, m' Charles Chauncey & Capt Habijah Savage are chosen to serve as Overseers of the Poor for the year ensueing.
Jonatan Mountfort, Noah Champney, Seth Dwight, Hopestill Foster, Benja Simpson, Sam" Demming are Chosen to Serve as Clerks of ye Market for ye year ensueing.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 137.
Voted. The Thanks of this Town to ye Overseers of ye Poor for their Last years good Serviee.
Voted. That the Select men and Overseers of ye Poor be a Committee to Consider and prepare what they Shall thinek meet further to be done, Relateing to ye Work-House & Almes-House and well ordering of ye Poor. And also of ye Hous: of Corree- tion and to Lay the Same before ye Town.
Voted. That 1 James Freeman, James Barnerd, 2 Jonatlı" Far- um, Jolin Comer, 3 William Wilson, Samuell Adams, 4 Moses Bradford, John Flagg, 5. Sam11 Plummer, Joseph Green, 6. Thom® Peek, John Green Cooper, 7 Robert Butcher, Capt Richd Gridley, 8 James Moseman, Peter Thomas, do Serve as Tythingmen within this Town for ye year ensucing.
[313 ] Voted. That the Seleet take ye eare of repaircing the Highwayes for the year ensueing both within ye Town & at Rumny Marsh.
Mesurs John Marrion, Thomas Cushing, William Jepson & Silenee Allen are chosen to Serve as Sealers of Leather for ye year ensueing.
Mesurs Samuel Bridg, Peter Wear, John Jepson & Capt Thoma Barnerd are Chosen to Serve as Fence-Veiwers for ye year ensueing.
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