USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > The early records of Groton, Massachusetts. 1662-1707 > Part 5
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JAMES PARKER Sen. in the name of the select men. [45]
James Parker, the seventh town clerk, was one of the orig- inal proprietors of Groton and a distinguished man in his day. He held the office during 1678-the year of the return of the inhabitants who had been driven off by the Indians - and 1679. A petition, dated May 20, 1679, is found at the State House, among the Massachusetts Archives (LXIX. 224), which is signed by him as town clerk, though his election does not appear in the records. He was one of the first board of selectmen chosen by the inhabitants, at which time he is called Deacon ; subsequently he is styled Sergeant and after- wards Captain. His house lot lay on both sides of the prin- cipal street in the village, just south of the small stream which to this day is called James's Brook, named after him. The house was one of the garrisons during King Philip's War, and it was with Captain Parker that the Indian chief, on the night of March 13, 1676, talked, as mentioned in Hubbard's "Nar- rative." In advanced life he married for the second time, and had a daughter born after he was eighty years old. He died in 1701, aged about eighty-four years, leaving a will dated
55
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
May 25, 1700, in which he mentions a large number of chil- dren and grandchildren, after providing for the daughter of his old age.
The following names of the original proprietors of Groton are found on a loose leaf, and appear to be in the handwriting of the person who made the records for James Parker, given on the preceding page. For that reason the list is printed in this place. The figures indicate the number of acre-rights owned by each individual :
The furst Grant of euery man in this town
Capt James Parker 050
Willam Marting 20
Sargunt Lacken 20
Left Willam Lacken 20
Robard Blood 20
Richard Blood 60
James Blood 20
Joseph Blood
10
Thimothey Alen
20
John Page 20
Willam Longely sener 30
John Longly
Sam Daues 20
Mat farnneth sener 20
Thomas tarball sener
20
Richard satall
20
James fiske 20
John Lawranc
20
M' Willard
20
Richard holding
18
Simon Stone 18
John Nutting
17
James Knop
15
John Clarey
15
Ralph Read
15
Elas baran
15
Joseph Parker
20
56
EARLY RECORDS OF
John Mors
12
Nathanell Lawranc
10
Danell Pearce 10
Willam green
14
Samuell Wods
11
Thomas Boyeden
07
John Baran
07
James Robson
07
Ben garfell
10
Christephor hall
10
Joseph Morse
05
Willam Elue
05
Jonathan Satall
05
Jonathan Crisp
08
Joshua Whitney
08
Jacob Onge
06
Thomas Tarbull Juner
06
Joseph lawranc
05
John Paresh
05
Joseph gilson
Water Sciner
09
Thomas Willams
05
Just holding
07
Zachariah Satull
groton the. 4. 6. month 1679 at a meeting of ye select men thay deed agree that all the swine in shall be yoked from this time to the last of Sabtember next ya are to be yoked, by ye tweluet of this month, and Joseph parker sen and willam longly Juner are choues to see yt swine are sofishantly yoked by the time & if ya find them unyoked ya are to yoke them and to haue six penc a swine for yoken them to be payed by the oners of ye swine
at the same meeting the select men chouesen willam green and samuell woods to uiew ye fences in the towene to see whether thay are sofishant acording to towene order y' is a sofishant fiue raile fenc or y' which is equelint and thay shall be payed acording to law [46]
Desember-the 11-79 att a towne meting in groto[n] it was agreed for the yeare insuing provided that the towne due bilde a meting house then fiftie pounds for this yeare
57
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
At a towne meting the 23 Desembr the select Chosen Captayne parker leiutenant lakin sargin lakin ensgne larrence sargin knop Richard blud john Mos he being the towne Clarke
December the 30 Att a towne meting was granted to Jonas prescat six accors of land liing betwene matthias and Justin houl- den he being liable from this time forward to pay for a ten acors acomedations
This is to testifie that I Jonas prescot of groton haue Changed this granted land with matthias farnorth of The same towne for sicth accors and a quarter more or less ling vpon the indian hill over against Thomas boyden
The entries from December II are in Richard Blood's handwriting.
John Morse, the sixth town clerk, was also the eighth in the order of succession, holding the office during the years 1680 and 1681.
At a towne meeting Jun 8. 80 it was agred that that meeting vpon december 30 it was noe town meeting
At a generall Town meeting held June 8 1680 It was this day declared and by a majer part by vot declared that the meeting house shall stand wheir the other meeting house or some wheir their about.
It was also the same day and at the same time voted that the meeting house shall stand some wheir betwene M' hubards house and the Brook by the Captains
At the same meeting chusen for surveyors
Nicolas Cady William Green
Jonas Prescot John Parish
for viewers of fences
Samuell Woods John Barron
At a Generall Town meeting held Jun 8 1680 At the same meeting was giuen to Thomas Beall of linn tanner ten acres of land by the town prouided he come and liue among them and he not alienating nor selling it
58
EARLY RECORDS OF
At the same meeting was giuen to Joshua Wheat the same priui- ledg that was giuen to Thomas Smith (viz.) that he shall hau a quarter of an acre on this sid the run Joyning to his own line
A small slip of land granted to William Longley juni : of about 20 poll of land adjoyning to his owne land bounded by the hye way:
A small slip of land granted by the towne to Samvell holden of about forty or fifty poll Bounded by a whit Oak tre which stand by the hye way sid and soe Run along by the hye way till it com to a heap of Burches about 2 poll from that which is our proper mark a walnut tree [47]
June 15 1680 on a training day Granted vnto Jonas Prescot that hee should tak vp a peice of land at stony Brook in referance to the siting vp of a mill their and he is to tak it vp on the right hand of the Bay path adjoyning to the pond and he is not to com over the path and he is to run from Chelmesford lin to the lin of Serg' Knop and so much as he tak vp their he is to lay down as much again at one of the ends of his land that lye wheir the mill now standeth 2 acres for one at stony Brook and he is to be at the charg of taking vp and laying downe of the one and of the other
At a meeting of the select men noumbr 1 1680 John Pag and John Morsse chussen to tak the enuoys of the towne [48]
Io of the Ioth mº 1680 for SI At a generall towne meetting held ffor constables chussen
Jonas Prescott William Longley
ffor sellect men for the year ensuing
Ensigne Lawrance John Morss Jonathan Morsse
Jonas Prescott serg Knop William Greene Joshua Whitney ffor Town clark Jnº Morsse
ffor Clark of the writes
ffor Sealler of weights and measurs Jonathan Sawtell
ffor Survyers for this yeare
Henry Willard and Samuell Woods
ffor veiwers of fences and to see that swine bee ringed and yoked John Nutting and Obadia Sawtell
59
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
A committe chussen to veiw and to giue Instructions to the ssellect inen to act in town affaires. which men are Capt Parker Richard Blood Leiftenant Lakin Sergt Lakin John Page
ffor Tithing men John Pag Henry Willard James Parker ju : John Barron sworne 22 10 mº So
At the sam meeting it was agred vpon by the town that they will giu to M' Huberd seaventy pound for this year ensueing and to pay him in corn Indian wheat Rye barley at price curant as the Court stat it and in other prouission as god blesse vs withall and 30 cord of wood to be proportioned by the sellect men according to euery mans proportion to be payd by the first of March and hee that doe not pay him by that tim he is to pay him 65 p cord in Indian corne and that euery man is to pay him the first part of his maintenance within the first half year and the other half within the yeare
At a town meeting held 22 of the 10 mº 1680 It was then by vote declared that they will giu to Mr hubert for this present year fifty pound and a quarter part of it in money
At the same meeting it was agreed vpon and by vote declared that the differanc concerni the meeting housse should be refferd into the hands of thes twelv men viz capt parker Richard blood leift lakin Ensign lawranc sergt lakin serg Knop John Pag Jonas Prescot John Morsse Joshua Whitney William green Jonathan Morss and in cass these twelue men canot agree they hau full power to chuse a committe to put a finall conclusion to Issue the debat forthwith [49]
An addition to the former Instructions giuen by the committee chussen by the town in the year 1680 10 of the 10 In°
I That the ssellect men shall tak a prudent and spedy coursse that the meeting housse worke shall goe on and to that end they stir vp the constable y he collect the pay that it be in a readyness to pay the workmen for their work according to couenant made with them : and that they let out the rest of the work so as it may be most for the aduantage of the town and the meeting house beeing finished in ye place wheir now it standeth the ssellect men are to giu an account to the town at their years end of their receipt of rates and the Improument of their disbursments
60
EARLY RECORDS OF
2 Morouer they ar to tak an account of the constabl ye rates that are commited to them of their Improument and disbursments and that the ouerplust if any it may be Improued to the towns aduan- tag
3 ffurther mor when their is an occasion for a towne meeting the ssellect men are to giu seasonabl warning of it and the seuerall perticulers that are to be discoursed of that day and if their be an envoyse to be taken the seuerall Inhabitants are to bring it in that day either by bill or som other muney and if any person neglect the sam they must expect to be rated by will and doome
4 And what euer rates that are to be transmited from the ssellect men to the constables each mans estat shalbe transcribed on the one sid and their sum on the other
5 And what euer mistakes in any mans Rate that doe apear heartofor they are to be amended in the next rates
6 And what euer deffect or mistake that doe apear in any thing that doe concerne the meeting hous they shall endeavour to amend and recy the sam
7 And that all rules henc forward that are mad by the sellect men shalbe set down in the town book with their sumes
7 The ssellect men shall se that the Rates referring for the tim past made for the defraying of M' Huberds sallery shalbe cleared and a generall acquitance taken of M' Huberd for the same and that it be recorded in the town Book and so from year to yeare the lik car shalbe taken by the ssellect men
8 That the ssellet men shall take care that noe trashant person or persons coming in to this towne may abid so long in the towne without warning as that continuing may not becom a charg to the towne
10 That the ssellect men doe what they can to healle the differ- ences that are in the towne in their managing the prudentiall affairs of the town and doe no thing to Increasse and augment the same
JAMES PARKER : RICHARD BLOOD
WILLIAM LAKIN
JOHN LAKIN JOHN PAGE [50]
It was agreed vpon by the towne that Pelleg Lawranc shall pay to a fiue acre right from the day it was granted and henceforward decem. 22 1680
61
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
Also at the same tim granted that he shall hau an addition of an acre and halfe right
It was agred vpon and by vote declared that whateuer votes hau formerly past that they shalbe of non effect now they will for this present year giù to Mr Huberd fifty fiu pound a quarter part of it money
Also agreed vpon and voted that hee shall haue 30 Cord of wood for this present yeare
The 24 of the 10 mº- 16So The committe chussen by the towne to end the differanc that was in the town referring to the meeting house whose names are in the town book haue agreed as followeth
I That we doe forgiue each other wheirin we haue qeen Instru- mintall of greiuing each other in word or deed referring to the dif- ferance and that for the tim to com we will doe what we can to promote and increase lou and doe nothing to break the peace now mad reffering to our agrement about the standing 2 and goe- ing on to finish the meeting house in the place wheir now it standeth and indeuvor to satisfie silence all our Inhabitants
That the persons that drew the timber for the meeting house from doeing it without order shall haue nothing for their work vn. less particuler men will alow them any thing on their own good will
3 That thos that raised the meeting house shall bear their own cost a charg both for tim and prouision
4 That the wholl towne shall goe on joyntly to gether to finish the meeting hous with all convenient speed without any regret or reflexion one vpon another in the place wheir now it standeth
At a meeting of the sellect men febr 8. 1680 for hearding of cattell
It is ordered by the sellect mnen that all the neat Catell from one year old and vpward shalbe hearded in these heard as followeth
The first heard begining at Ensigne Lawrances and so tak in Samuell Woods and James Roberson and Richard Bloods and all the Cattell within this Rang this heard is to goe out three dayes in the week by William Longleys or wheir the company of the heard shall agree and three dayes in the week from Richard Bloods end to Ensigne Lawrances and so into the woods Richard Blood is to bring his catell and James Roberson and others that liue out of the
62
EARLY RECORDS OF
rood of the heard into the way wheir the heard is agreed vpon to goe out the major part of the heardurs agreeing
The second heard begining at Matthis ffarnworthe and so driu to Jonas Prescots and John Barron is to bring his Cattell to the Bridg by Ellis Barrons this heard is to goe ont by Pelleg Law- rances and so all the catell in this rang and this heard is to goe out three dayes in the week by Pelleg Lawrance driuing from Matthias ffarnworths and three dayes in the week by Matthias ffarnworth driving from Pelleg Lawrance
The third heard is to tak in all the catell on the west sid of Broad medow begining at Samuell Kemps and all the Rang of catell to Justin Holden and Samuell Dauis so driving out by James Brok [51]
And It is ordered that all those that refus [to] heard with the comons of that heard he belong to shall pay an equall proportion with thos that heard in that heard
ffor the preuenting of damag doing by swine 1680 febr 8 It is ordered by the sellect men that all swin from three months old and vpward shalbe sufficiently Ringed in the nose from the first of aprill till the last of nouember and the owners of them shall keep them thus Ringed the wholl tim and if any person be deffec- tiu in not keeping this order their shalbe sixe pence leiued vpon euery swin soe often as they be found deffectiu and those men which are chosen to see that swine be according to this order shall hau halfe of the fine halfe to thes men and halfe to the townes vse
It is furder orderd that all swine shalbe sufficiently yoked from the last of aprill till the last of september and thos persons who are to se to this order finding any swine within the habitable parts of the towne without yok shall haue sixe pence halfe shall returne to the vse of the towne and the other halfe to the ouerseers and they must giu the owners of the swine seasonable warning
It is furder ordered by the select men that all fence shalbe set vp by the fifteene day of aprill a sufficient fence of fiue Raills or ae- quivolent to it sufficiently done and those persons which are to se to the performance of this order which shall find any fence Insuffi- cient and not according to this order they shall giue the owners of the fence sufficient warning to pay or mak vp this fence and and if the owners refuse they are to mend vp the fence at their owne charg and exact double pay vpon the owners of the fence
63
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
A Rat mad for the meeting house frame and truly cast vp by the sellect men and the Just sume is 32 14 8
The town Rat beeing truly cast vp by
the sellect men to pay for wolues heads
the sume is
8 6 4
The Towne rat for the powder and
ammunetion beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men and the sum is 10 8 8
A Rat made for Mr Hoberd for the year 1679
beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men
and the Just sum is 5I II II
A Rat made for Mr huberd for the year 1680
beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men
and the Just sum is 50
I2 4
A Rate made by the sellect men for couering the meeting house Roof and sides windows dores stairs and Pulpit and the Just sum is 44
2 5 [52]
At a generall Town meeting febr 18 1680 It was then agreed vpon and voted that the old Commitee chusen shold perfect their work in laying out the hye way to Concord
At the same meeting it was voted that the town would haue the southeast line against Meshobee Run and they would bear the charges and haue all the profit
At the same meeting it was agreed vpon and voted that M' Hub- berd should haue all the comon which was capable to mak medow in swan pond medow vp to the vpland for seauen acre and a halfe for to mak vp his fifteen acres of medow
1681 25d Im the seleckt men did ordr Jonathan satell con- stibll too pay Richard blood fiften shilings and sixpens for wolfs hed
This datt is payd [in Blood's handwriting.]
At a generall town meeting at Groton June 13th 16SI Then granted to Jonas Prescot liberty to set vp bis Corne mill at stony Brook on the sid next Concord in any place betweene the spring and the Bridg and to haue liberty to mak vse of soe much and noe more of the water as may sufficiently serue for the sayd mill pro- uided that what damag theirby may be to the towne high way the sayd Jonas Prescot shall at his owne charg constantly make good [53]
**.
64
EARLY RECORDS OF
.
Owing to the want of chronological arrangement in making the entries, the paging of the record-book after this place will not be indicated within brackets.
in groten 16 June 16SI thar is layed out for Palig Loranc and ajoyning too and bounding upon the south by swan pond medow Eleuen acers and a half lauing Rome Round his medow acordin too Town order and bounded upon other sids by the Comon
allso 8 ayte ackers and a halfe a litll distant northword and bounded on all sides by comon land the lins being extant by marked trees and stackes
thes too parsils of land ware layd out by me John fflint Recorded by me JOHN MORS Clarke
This aboue written of Peleg Lawrances land by Agreement is by Peleg Laurance relinquished & yeild to M' Hobart : March 8th 16812 in ye presence of ye select men
At a generall town meeting at groton Nouembr 14 dy 1681 Then agreed upon and uotid that all bublick chargis shall be leuied upon all uisibell Estat Catill acording too law and all land shall be Estemed and Ratid after the uilowation of a hundred pounds for a twenty ackres acomidayon and all lands shall pay in hos hands thay shall be found acording too this purporsion
at the same meting it was then agred upon and uotid that thar shall be land sould for the finishin of the meting house and for the procuring of glas and nayls furst
Captin Parker Leftenant Lackins Sargant Knop was chosin comity for the salle of this land
at the sam toowne meting 1681 it was grantid and uotid that Nickloas huckin shall haue tenn ackers of land which was formirly giuen too Tomos wad [Wood ?]
at the sam meting it was grantid that Jams Parkr mit haue a strayt Linn by his hous aioyning too the country Rode
at a ginnrall Town meting of groton desember 12 d 1681
ffor constibls heniry Willard and Joshawy Whitny
for tythin men John lackins Insin Lorins sargin Knop Jonathan morse
for seleckt men Captin Parker Leftenint Lackins John Page sargant Knop sargin Lackins sargin ffisk Richard Blood
65
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
the comity chosin too giue in struckyons to the seleckt men Insin lorinc Jonas Preskod Jonathan Mors Willam Longly heniry Willard Comishinurs too iud small casis in Toown acordin too law Captin Parkr Leftenint Lackin Insin Lorins
suruaierse for the hi waies Johnethen Satel Josep larense Wilyam longly peleg larurnz
to ueue the fancese and lok after the swine nicklus huchins Sam Scriptur James nuting Enosh larrans
The last two paragraphs are in the handwriting of Captain James Parker.
ffor an adision too former instruckyons giuen by the comity chosin by the toown 12d rom 16SI that the seleckt men are to tack Measures for too call the comity too an acount which was chosin too seell land for too finish the metin hous thay shall tack an acount of them of the land they have soolld and too hom and for how much and for what pay and how thay have desposed of the pay and entr it in too the tooun Book and give a tru acount too the toown
2 they are too tack car that there be a cooll or colleg of larning of children the inglish tung too Red
3 that by rasin of the com playnt of seuerall in habid the seleckt men are too se and tack spesill car that Jonas Prescod doo full fill his agrement with the town
Insin Lorinc Willam longly
henire Willird Jonathan Morss
The following "rate" is in James Parker's handwriting and very hard to read.
a Rate mad for mr hubrd of 55 poundse shels pans
30 of the 10 81
Capten Parkr 2 3 2
John mose I I
insin lorense
9 7
Adom Gold 0 9
Jams blod I
9 10 widow longly I
S
nat buterwth O II 9
Zek Hixe 0
4
I
Zeckrey parese 0 9 10
Sam dause I
6 Josep blod 0 10 6 Steuen Holde II I
Richard blod 0 16 2
John parsh 0 II
66
EARLY RECORDS OF
Jamse knap
0 14 S
Jo larense 0
6
2
Sam Screpter
0
9
8
Enosh larense
0
5
0
left laken
O
4
S
Jamse fisk
I
4
2
Josep Parker
I
4 3
Jonethe Satel
I
15
1
John Cady
O
5
0
Jos wet
0
5
0
nat blod
I
3
S
tom Smethe
Jo wetny
0
14
Jamse parker
0
8
9
Simon Ston
0
14
John elxsandr
0
0
Simen Ston s
O
John laken
I
I 2
John Page
I
6
Heniry Wilerd
8 8
nik huchen
0
5
John Wilerd
0 10 10
Sam holden
O
5
nik Cady
18
2
danel Cady
O
3
Wil gren
I
13
I
isek larense
0
2
peleg larense
0 10 10
elx Ruse
0
5
Jams Robsn
0
IO
4
Jamse fisk
5 0
Jonethe larense
0 12 II
thomas [blotted]
2
6
Jonse prescot
1 2 3
Zackiry Satel 0
9 10
Jamse cady
0
5
4
James nuteng
10 10
Crestefr Hale
O II
5
John nuteng
C
9
8
Timethy Alen
O
14
9
Eprim filbrek
5
O
Samu thurstn
0
16 2
mat farnworthe
0
9
8
Josep gilson
0
9
9
Wily longly
0 15
I
Sam Kemp
0 12 10
John baren I
0
4
John farnworthe 0
9
5
mat farnworthe s I
0
6
Obed Satel
0 12
7
Just Houlden
0
9
I
Johnethn Mose
7
7
Sam Wodse
I
2
2
Jacob Onge
C
6
7
Elze baren
8
4
Dancl perse
o
9 10
Robrd blod
19 9
the proporsn of wod is to set to aite shelings and so pro- posnable to gretr and lese somse
John Copr
5
0
the some
13 10
55
I 6
8
4
2
Josi parkr
O
67
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
m Rusel 0 19 9
ben Crespe
0
7 0
John longly 0 9 8
tho wilyams 0 4 II
wil sander
4 II
A ratt mayd for mester hulbart of fifti fiue pounds a quarter in money the other part in Corne and provison to be payd the halfe by the first of march and the other halfe when his yeare is out and thirte Cord of wood to pay worthwith by evere inhabitant according to proportion as in the ratt directs The non Residents exsepted RICHARD BLOOD 81-82
in the name of the select men
The first of Jen Reciued of Jonathan Sattell a Descharg from M' hubard for his rates for 79 and So the full sum of one hundred pown and a quarter parte muney acording to the agrement with the towne as full satisfaction for them two yers
Reciued of Jonas Prescotte a descharge of M' hubard for his reate deue in eightey one whom Do acknowleg himself sattisfyed with ye town for ye yere
Reciued of William Longley a Descharg from M' hubard for his reate deue for ye yere in all the full sum of fiftey fiue pownds a quarter pt muney
the second day of Januarie SI The towne this day agreed and voted for Mester hulbard that he should haue for this yeare sel- lerie fiftie fiue pounds a quarter money and the rest as heretofor the one halfe to be payd in by the first of march next and the rest when the yeare is out or before as also thirty Cord of wood within a fortnith
Captayne parker Richard blood leiuetenant lakin John page James knop
We whose names ar vnder ritten do ingage to Cleare the last yeare Rats within tow weakes To M hubbard
The forth of Januar This is to testifie that the select men do ingadg and promise to stand by Jonathan Sawtell for the recovering
68
EARLY RECORDS OF
of the non residents or any other what the ar behind provided he acte according to law for all the rates during these tow yeares past
The last two items are in Richard Blood's handwriting ; but the following three, written on detached pieces of paper, are in the hand of James Parker.
the paselse of work payed for out these Rats ar as foloue and thare sumse
for claperdng and shingleng the hous
23
0
0
for the sleperse
I
7
0
for the underpineng
0 10
for the stonse to ounderpin the house
0
16
for laing the flour and dorse making
I 2 0
for nailse
9
0
for bordse 3000
7 10
0
more in nailse
0
3
0
and one hing
0
6
also for makng the pulpet
0
3
0
38 14 9
remain
5 5 6
Rest doue to the toun frome the to constablse prescot and longly of the forty four pound Rat mad and cometd into thare hadse to expend about the metg house 4 18 6 the 5 of genewar 1681 the persons behind : -
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