USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > The History of Rehoboth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, 1836 > Part 4
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Ralph Alin,
Joseph Torrey, James Clark,
Thomas Bliss, George Kendricke,
Ephraim Hunt, Peter Hunt,
John Allen,
William Smith, John Peren,
William Sabin,
Thomas Cooper.
Zachery Rhoades, Job Lane,
" The 12th of the 5th mo. [July, ] 1644. At a meeting upon public notice given, it is ordered that such as shall have allot- ments in the three divisions of lands presently to be laid out by Mr. Oliver and his partner, Joseph Fisher, and shall not pay the surveying of it, by the 28th of the 8th month [October,] next, at Boston or Dedham, according to the proposition of Mr. Oliver, shall forfeit all such lands laid out in the three aforesaid divis-
29
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
ions, into the hands of the nine men entrusted with the town affairs, who are desired to undertake with Mr. Oliver to satisfy him for the laying out of the aforesaid divisions."
"It is further ordered, the day above written, that Will. Cheesborough is to have division in all lands of Seakunk for a hundred and fifty-three pounds besides what he is to have for his own proportion, and that in way of consideration for the pains and charges he hath been at for setting off this planta- tion."
" At a general meeting of the town of Seacunk, being the 9th of the 10th month [December], 1644, at lawful warning given, by reason of many meetings and other strong causes for the easing of the great trouble and for the [illegible] and the deciding of controversies between party and party, as well as the proposing of men's levies to be made and paid, and for the well ordering of the town affairs, as may stand with future equity, according to our former combination, the inhabitants of said place have choose these men here named :"
Alexander Winchester,
William Smith,
Richard Wright,
Stephen Payne,
Henry Smith,
Richard Bowen,
Edward Smith,
Robert Martin.
Walter Palmer,
The first meeting of these townsmen, as they were styled, was on "the 3d day of the 11th mo. [January] 1644," when they voted to give Robert Morris, " in consideration for the spare lot he hath taken," the first lot in the next division.
"The 26th of the 10th mo. [December,] 1644, at a meeting of the town it was ordered, that, for time past, and for time to come, that all workmen that have or shall work in any common work, or shall work for any particular men, shall have for their wages for each day's work as followeth : for each laborer, from the first day of November until the first day of February, 18d. a day, and for the rest of the year 20d. a day except the har- vest, that is to say while men are reaping harvests."
"It is ordered that the work of 4 oxen and a man for a day [torn off,] shilling and sixpence ; and that for 6 oxen and a man seven shillings ; and for eight oxen and a man, eight shillings."
" The 10th of the 11th mo. [January,] 1644, at a meeting of the townsmen it was agreed upon that all those that are under- written have forfeited their lots for not fencing, or not removing
30
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
their families according to a former order, made the 24th of the 8th month, 1643 ; therefore we do enter upon them for, and in the behalf of the town, to be disposed of as the town shall think meet, only paying them for their necessary charges, according to a former order :"
Ralph Shepherd,
John Meggs,
James Browne,
Thomas Cooper,
Mr. Leonard,
John Sutton,
Mr. Peck,
Edward Gilman,
Obadiah Holmes,
Tho. Holbrooke,
James Walker,
John Holbrooke,
The Governour's lot,
Mr. Browne,
Matthew Pratt,
Edward Patteson,
Thomas Dunn,
Ephraim Hunt.
" It is ordered, the day and year above written, at a town meeting, that all men that have lots granted upon the neck of land, shall fence so much fence as the number of his acres com- eth to, by the 15th day of the 2d month, or pay 2s. for every rod that shall not be fenced."
" It is ordered that no man shall fall any tree or trees within the space of eight rods of the road and of house-lot, upon the for- feit of 6s. 8d. for every tree fallen without the consent of the owner of the lot."
" It is agreed that Edward Bennett shall have the ground that his house standeth upon, and so much of the breadth of the ground as he hath railed in to the edge of the hill towards the brook."
" The 17th day of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a town meeting it was agreed upon, that whoever hath not con- venient land to plant, for present getting of corn, shall be al- lowed to plant so much as they can break up this year, and shall have it six years, and then to fall to the town again, either upon Manton's neck or else upon the back side of the lots on the south-east side of the town."
" The 26th of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a meeting of the townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Alexander Winchester, Walter Palmer, William Smith, Edward Smith, being present, it is ordered that the recording of any man's land in the town book shall be to him and his heirs a sufficient assu- rance forever."
31
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
" The same day it is ordered that no man's lands shall be re- corded until he shall bring to the Town Clerk a note for his lands, butted and bounded."
It will be observed that the records thus far bear the date of " Seacunk " or " Seakunk." Though the proprietors purcha- sed their land of the Plymouth Colony, yet it appears from the compact signed by them on becoming " inhabitants of Seacunk," that they considered themselves independent of any jurisdiction but their own, though they were afterwards claimed by both Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. In 1645, they submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the Plymouth Court, or, rather were assigned to that by the Commissioners of the United Colo- nies, and were incorporated by the scripture name of Reho- both,-a name selected by Mr. Newman ; for, said he, " the Lord hath made room for us." *
Next on the town records follow the registers of the lands of the proprietors. Here we find the following names : Mr. Alex- ander Winchester, Mr. Howard, Peter Hunt, William Chees- borough, Ralph Allin, John Holbrooke, John Peram, the Schoolmaster, Matthew Pratt, William Carpenter, Samuel But- terworth, Edward Patteson, James Browne, Richard Bowen, Mr. Samuel Newman, Mr. Peck, Abraham Martin, John Sut- ton, Robert Morris, John Matthewes, John Fitch, Robert Titus, George Kendricke, Robert Sharp, Thomas Bliss, The Pastor, Stephen Paine, Edward Smith, James Clarke, William Smith, The Governour, Edward Bennett, Obadiah Holmes, Mr. John Browne, Thomas Cooper, Thomas Holbrooke, Thomas Hett, John Allin, John Meggs, William Sabin, Henry Smith, Zach- ary Roades, Edward Gilman, senior, Thomas Clifton, Joseph Torrey, Widow Walker, Richard Ingram, (now Ingraham,) The Teacher, Thomas Loring, Ralph Shepherd, John Reade, John Miller, Richard Wright. 1
Baylies, in his Memoir of Plymouth Colony, has inserted Robert Fuller in the above list, but the date of the registry of
* The Hebrew word sim [rehob] noun, signifies a broad way or street, platea or forum. The same word and also the form niam [rehoboth] is applied
as a proper name to several cities, places or districts ; probably as a mere ex. tension of the more appropriate meaning of the common noun.
,
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
his land is not till 1652, though it stands on the record in the place he has assigned to it. The name of Thomas Wilmot, (now written Willmarth,) is also found in the same list, though I am confident that there were none of that name in town at so early a period as 1645 ; and another name appears to have been erased, and this written over it in a handwriting of more modern date.
"The 16th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, at a general meet- ing of the towne upon public notice given, it was agreed that all the fence in the general field shall be fenced by the 23d of this present month ; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not repair or set up his fence by the day above written, shall pay sixpence for every rod deficient, and the damage that shall come to any man by the same."
" The same day, the men after mentioned were made choice of to view the fences and to judge of the sufficiency of them, viz : Richard Bowen, Robert Titus, William Smith, Captain Wright, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Bliss, Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper."
" The same day were made choice of for townsmen those men whose names are underwritten, for one whole year, viz :
Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper,
Stephen Payne,
William Carpenter,
Mr. Henry Smith, Robert Martin,
Edward Smith."
" The 16th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, it was agreed upon by the towne that the towne shall be divided into two parts for the making of the foot bridges and the keeping of them, and the highways leading to them to be done by the whole town ; the division to begin at the Widow Walker's and so on to Will. Carpenter's and so on to half; and Robert Martin and Thomas Cooper were made choice of to be surveyors to oversee the work."
" 29th of the 2d mo. [April,] 1645, at a town meeting it was agreed upon that if any person or persons shall be lacking in [illegible] to the number of six months shall pay 12d. for every default, to be laid upon their goods and chattells."
" The same day, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Stephen Payne, Robert Martin, William Carpenter, and Peter Hunt were made choice of to hear the grievances of all those that their meadow is defective, and give allowance to every man ac-
33
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
cording as they in their discretion shall think meet, both in fresh meadow and salt, when they have viewed the meadows that are yet unlotted, and shall give to every man as they shall fall by lot."
"It is agreed that they shall lay out lots to those that have not according to their estate. That they shall begin at the upper end of the meadow next to the fresh water. That if there shall not prove fresh meadow enough to satisfy all that want fresh meadow, that then for them to give salt for fresh. It is agreed that these six, or any four of them, shall determine of any of those particulars above mentioned."
" The 28th of the 3d mo. [May] 1645, at a meeting of the townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Winchester, William Smith, and Ed- ward Smith being present, it is ordered that a levy shall be made and forthwith gathered, of 12d. on each £100 estate, to be paid either in butter at 6d. a lb. or in wampum : and it is also concluded that Robert Titus and William Sabin shall be collect- ors of said revenue."
"The 31st of Maie,* 1645, at a meeting of the town upon public notice given, Stephen Payne and William Carpenter were chosen to go to Plymouth, to the Court, to certify the town's minds."
" The 2d of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that Walter Palmer, William Smith, Mr. Newman, Alexander Win- chester, William Cheesborough, and Richard Wright, if they will, shall lay down their lots of salt marsh, where it was cast by lot, and shall have their lots in the new meadow."
" Those whose names are above written have layed down their lots, and are appointed to have their lots in the new mead- ow ; and whensoever the town shall dispose of those lots that they leave, whoever shall purchase them shall pay unto them 6d. an acre."
" It is agreed that those men that were chosen the 29th of the 2d mo. [April] 1645, to recompense those that have not sufficient salt marsh and fresh, shall view the new meadow by John [illegible] house, and if they see it meet, shall allow it to Richard Wright in lieu of so much salt marsh."
" It is agreed that Robert Martin shall have the lot in the wood- land plain that was laid out to Mr. Leonard, being the second lot."
* This is the first place the name of the month is written in the original records. I have preserved the orthography of the original.
5
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
" The 9th of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a meeting of the town upon public notice given, those seven men underwritten were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town for half a year, viz :
Mr. John Browne, sen.
William Cheesborough,
Stephen Payne, Mr. Alexander Winchester,
Richard Wright,
Edward Smith."
" The same day lots were drawn for the great plain, begin- ning upon the west side ; and he that is first upon the west side shall be last upon the east."
The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the follow- ing order, viz :
1. Stephen Payne,
2. Widow Walker,
3. Robert Martin,
4. Edward Gilman,
15. Ralph Shepherd,
34. James Clarke,
6. Richard Wright,
35. Edward Sale,
36. George Kendricke,
37. Mr. Leonard,
38. Richard Bowen,
39. Edward Patteson,
40. John Reade,
41. John Matthews,
42. Matthew Pratt,
43. Robert Sharpe,
44. Ephraim & Peter Hunt,
45. Zachary Roades,
46. John Meggs,
47. John Miller,
48. Thomas Holbrooke,
49. The Schoolmaster,
50. Mr. Peck,
51. Richard Ingram,
52. Isaac Martin,
53. John Allin,
54. Mr. Henry Smith,
55. Mr. Newman,
56. The Pastor,
57. Obadiah Holmes,
29. Thom. Cooper,
30. Thomas Bliss,
31. John Peram,
32. Joseph Torrey,
33. John Holbrooke,
7. Abraham Martin,
8. The Teacher,
9. Will. Carpenter,
10. Robert Titus,
11. Walter Palmer,
12. James Walker,
13. Alexander Winchester,
14. Samuel Butterworth,
15. William Sabin,
16. Thomas Hitt,
17. Edward Smith,
18. Edward Bennett,
19. Thomas Clifton,
20. John Cooke,
21. Mr. Browne,
22. William Cheesborough,
23. Ralph Allin,
24. James Browne,
25. The Governour,
26. William Smith,
27. John Sutton,
28. Job Laine,
58. Robert Morris.
Walter Palmer,
35
HISTORY OF REHOBOTHI.
" The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1645, at a town meeting, it was agreed upon, that a rate of 10s. in every £100 estate should be levied upon every man, upon his land and goods."
" The 29th * of the 10th month, [December,] 1645.
" Whereas there was a second agreement made with the In- dians for their full consent in their removing from Wannamoiset, and the value of fifteen pounds sterling to be paid them, or thereabouts in several commodities: it was in several town meetings expounded that if any one man would pay that par- ticular purchase, they should have that land, with twelve acres lying at Wachemoquit cove, and so much more land at Wana- moyset as should be thought worth the payment of the same. Afterward Richard Bowen, Robert Martin, Stephen Payne, by the appointment of the rest of the townsmen, viewed and laid out that neck of land called and known by the name of Wan- namoyset neck, from the salt water where the Indians had formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water. Whereupon, the 29th of the 10th month, 1645, Mr. John Brown, in a town meeting, did promise and undertake to pay the said pur- chase in consideration that the said lands to belong to him and his heirs and assigns forever. And it was further agreed upon in the said town meeting that in all divisions of lands that was, or here- after should be made, that what proportion should fall to his share after the rate of £300 estate should be laid forth to him, ad- joining to the aforesaid lands on the farther side of the town, or towards the salt marsh, or so as may be both least prejudicial to the town or to himself, saving that 44 acres upon the Wache- moquit neck already allotted him to be part of the same; and he doth farther agree to accept of ten acres of salt marsh where he mowed this year, formerly allotted to him in full of all meadow land belonging to the town; and doth further promise, that when the rest of the townsmen shall fence the rest of their lands already allotted on Wachemoquit neck, he to fence his part with them, and to bear his part in town charges after the aforesaid sum of £300 estate ; and he doth further promise not to make any such fence so far into the salt water upon the westerly side of Wanamoyset neck as shall bar out hogs from coming, nor fence the south point of the said neck a quarter of a mile on the west side of the said neck."
* Baylies says " 20th," but incorrectly : the manuscript is plain and cannot be mistaken.
36
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
" 26th of the 10th month [December] 1645, at a meeting of the townsmen, it was voted that the house-lot and the rest of the accommodations that was laid out for John Sutton, forasmuch as he hath not come to live amongst us, nor fulfilled the order agreed upon, and bearing date the 24th of the 8th month 1643, be granted to William Devell."
It was also voted the same day, " that a fence shall be made between the Indian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, by the last day of the 2d month next, and the fence of five rails to be laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, and they shall begin at the east side of the neck, and so to the west. Walter Palmer shall do the first fence, Abraham Martin the second, and so accordingly as the house-lots fall in order round the town; * and if any man shall fail, or be negligent to set up his fence by the day fixed, he shall forfeit for every rod not set up, two shillings, to be employed for the use of the town by the townsmen, [one line here illegible] and those that are employed for the setting up the fence shall have an abate- ment in their fence so much as comes to their labor."
" The 15th of the 11th month [January] 1645, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that a fence shall be made, to fence in the land upon the neck, that is laid out to be planted, by the 15th day of the 2d month next; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not set up so much as cometh to their part of good sufficient fence, shall forfeit for every rod not set up by the day mentioned, 1 shilling 2d. a rod, and the damage that shall come thereby."
" The 23d of the 4th mo. [June] 1646, at a general meet- ing of the town, Stephen Payne, William Carpenter and Wal- ter Palmer, were made choice of to view the fence upon the neck ; and in case they find any not to be sufficient, that they shall give presently notice to those that own the fence, and give them a sufficient time for mending it, as they in their discretion shall think meet; and, if that it be not sufficiently mended by the time set, then they shall pay 2s. 6d. for every rod de- ficient, to be employed for the setting up of said fence, and they shall pay all damages that shall come by the defects during the neglect."
* The town was built in a semi-circular form, around what is now Seekonk Common (the south extremity of the plain,) with the meeting-house and par- sonage in the centre ; the semi-circle opening towards Seekonk, or Pawtucket river. This circle was afterwards called " The Ring of the town."
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
" The 8th of the 8th mo. [October] 1646, at a general meet- ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed that John Doget shall have all the lands that were laid out for John Megges ; and, because there was no lot laid out for him upon the great plain, it was agreed upon, that he shall have both his allotments, according to the estate, upon the great plain, and to begin upon the south side."
" At the same time it was agreed that the townsmen shall make a rate to get the town out of debt, and also a rate so much as shall build a meeting-house."
" At the same time it was agreed that whosoever shall kill a wolf or wolves, he shall have 20s. for every wolf, and to be levied upon the heads of beasts, geese and hogs."
"The 13th of the 10th mo. [December] 1646, at a meeting of the townsmen, it was agreed upon, that if any cattle shall be found either in the planting fields of Wachemoquit, or in the woodland plain, so long as any corn is growing upon it, without a sufficient keeper, he [the owner] shall pay 12d. for every beast so found; and it shall be lawful for any person or persons, that shall find any cattle in said fields to bring them to the pound, and take the forfeiture : and if the owner of the cattle shall find any man's fence not sufficient, it shall be lawful for him to recover the damage of him that owns the fence, provi- ded that there be 8 or 10 acres in the field."
" It was agreed that if any man shall take down any general fence, or any man's particular fence, upon any occasion, and shall not set it up again as sufficiently as he found it, he shall pay for every time so left 12d. besides the damage that shall come thereby."
" It was agreed upon that all general fence in the town shall be kept up sufficiently, and whosoever shall be found deficient shall forfeit 12d. for every rod, besides the damages : this order to take place by the first day of the first month next."
" The 7th of January, 1646, John Hazell sold unto William Devill the house which he, the said William Devill, now dwel- leth in," and the house-lot, &c.
" The 20th of the 11th mo. [January] 1646, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that no man shall mow any part of the salt marsh that is upon the Wachemoquit neck ; and, if he shall hire, shall forfeit ten shillings for every acre so mowne."
38
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
" It was agreed upon that John Peram shall have a platt of meadow that lyeth near Manton's neck, in satisfaction of his meadow, so far as it shall be thought fit by those that are to view the defect of the meadow."
" The 9th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of the townsmen, were made choice of, to view the fence of the town lots, those persons following, viz : William Carpenter and Robert 'Titus, William Smith and John Dogget, Stephen Paine and Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss and Alexander Winches- ter."
" The same day it was agreed that Edward Sale, John Dogget, William Sabin, John Peram, and William Thayer, shall have leave to set up a weier* upon the cove, before William Devill's house, and one upon Pawtucket river; and they shall [illegible] the [illegible] of them during the [illegible] of [illegible] pro- vided that they hinder not either English nor Indians from fisli- ing at the falls in either place ; and they shall sell their alwives at 2s. a thousand, and their other fish at reasonable rates ; and they shall make their weieres so as shall not hinder the passage of boats, and that no man shall fish above their weier with any draft net : provided if they set not up their weier in a twelve- month, that it shall be lawful for any man else to set up a weier upon the same terms."
"The 18th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting of the towne it was agreed to draw lots for the new meadow, and to be divided according to person and estate, only those that were under £150 estate to be made up 150. They were drawn as followeth :
1. Robert Sharp,
11. Abraham Martin,
2. Nicholas Ide,
12. Walter Palmer,
3. Isaac Martin, 13. William Devill,
4. Mr. Newman, 14. Edward Gilman,
5. Thomas Clifton, 15. Richard Bowin,
6. Ralph Allin,
16. Robert Titus,
7. Robert Fuller,
17. Robert Martin,
8. Edward Sale,
18. Widow Walker,
9. Joseph Torrey, 19. George Robinson,
10. John Fitch,
20. Thomas Cooper,
* These were for catching fish. I have followed the orthography of the original, as in most of the quotations where there is any thing singular. I have written proper names as I found them in the original, in all cases.
39
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH.
21. Obadiah Holmes,
34. Richard Ingram,
22. Stephen Paine,
35. Mr. Alexander Winchester,
36. George Wright,
37. Zachary Roades,
38. George Kendricke,
39. John Matthewse,
26. Thomas Bliss,
27. Widow Bennet,
28. Mr. Henry Smith,
41. Robert Abell,
42. William Carpenter,
43. Mr. Peck,
31. John Peram,
32. Peter Hunt,
45. Will. Chee borough,
33. John Miller,
46. William Smith."
" The 28th of the 2d mo. [April] 1647, George Wright sold unto William Dogget, all his rights, privileges and immunities, consisting of his house and house-lot of seven acres, seventeen acres in the woodland plain, a lot upon the great plain, and 15 rods of fresh meadow lying in the forty-acre meadow."
" The 26th of the 3d mo. [May] 1647, at a general meeting of the town upon public notice given, Stephen Paine and Wal- ter Palmer were chosen to be committees for the Court. At the same time Thomas Cooper and Thomas Clifton were chosen to be grand-jury-men for this year. And at the same time Wil- liam Smith was chosen constable for this year; and Thomas Bliss and Robert Titus were chosen supervisors of the highways for this year ; and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck, Stephen Paine, Mr. Winchester, Richard Bowen, William Carpenter, and Ed- ward Smith, were chosen townsmen for the present year."
At the same meeting, cattle were prohibited from the plant- ing grounds of Wachemoquit, on a fine of 12d. per head.
" The 28th of the 4th mo. [June] 1647, the towne gave to John Titus the lot before granted to Matthew Pratt ; and also gave to John Woodcocke the lot before granted to Edward Pateson."
" The 29th of the 7th mo. [September] 1647, at a general meeting of the towne upon public notice given, the island of salt marsh, that lyeth in the river between the neck of land belonging to the town and Mr. Henry Smith's salt marsh, was given to Richard Ingram, in lieu of an allotment of salt marsh."
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