USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Rowley > The early records of the town of Rowley, Massachusetts, 1639-1672 : being volume 1 of the printed records of the town > Part 18
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Laid out vnto mrs mary Rogers as the Right of hir former hus- band Thomas Barker one Thousand acres of Land bounded on the east by the line that parts it from the three thousand acres of the townes land and by the land of the small Lots William Stickney William Tenney and the Rest the north side bounded by heseltines and hadley meadow the west side bounded by John Jonsons land the south bounded by the high way betwene Topsfeild and andever the meadow belonging vnto this land lyeth within the bounds of it
Laid out vnto John Jonson Sixty Seauen acres of Land be it more or lese lying on the west side of mrs mary Rogers land the south end 5S Rod bounded by the land of dorman Commins and stilles the north end bounded by John Hezeltines meadow
To Charles Browne Sixty Seauen acres be it more or lese lying on the west side of John Jonsons land the South end being fifty three Rod wide buting against the foresaid dorman Commins and stilles there land the north end buting on the foresaid John Hezeltines meadow
To Richard Wickam Sixty Seauen acres be it more or lese lying on the west side of Charles Brownes land the southerly end being forty seauen Rod wide buting against the line betweene An- dever and the village land the northerly end bounded by John hezel- tines meadow and John pickards land
To John Spoferd Sixty Seauen Acres of land be it more or lese lying on the westerly side of Richard Wickams land the southerly end being forty seauen Rod wide bounded by the line betweene Andeuer and the said village land the north east end by John pick- ards land or a line that Runeth streight from a tree marked in John pickards line to tree that parts m' Nelsons land and John Dresers land
To Richard Swan as the Right of Micaell Hobkinsons lot one hundred acres be it more or lese lying on the north west side of John Spoferds land the westerly end being seauenty two Rod and a halfe wide buting against the line the easterly end buting as the said Spoferd land doth
To Joseph Chapin as the Right of his father hugh Chapin lot Sixty Seauen acres be it more or lese lying on the north west side of the said micaell hobkinson land being at the westerly end fifty three Rod wide buting as the said hobkinsons land doth at both ends
To John Dresser Senior Sixty Seauen acres of land be it more or lese lying on the north west side of hugh Chaplins lot being at
198
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
the westerly end fifty three Rod wide at both ends buting as the said Chaplins land doth the north west side bounded by mr Nelsons land
To Robert Andrew there was laide out in the village about four or fiue Acres of meddow more or less liinge in two places. thre whereof doth ioine to his owne meddow bounded runing up on a spange to Abell Langleys meadow, bounded north and south as trees are marked the other two Acres liinge in land of leaftenant Remington being bounded round by vpland.
Laid out vnto m' Nelson as his Right in the village land two Thousand acres of land be it more or lese bounded by the Line betweene Andever and Rowley on the south west the line that parts mearrimacke land and the village land on the north west to a bound tree Neere the south west end of the litle pond the north east side bounded by land laid out vnto m' John Sandys as the Right of his father mr Henory Sandys the south end bounded by John dressers land all the meadow in this land belongeth to the said mr Nelson (excepting) three percells that are Recorded laid out vnto m' Joseph Jewets land in the neecke of land by mearrimacke and a small per- cell that lieth at the westerly end of that meadow by the pond at the south end of the foresaid land Next toward Andever line if it be soe that this litle percell fall with in the said land when the line of its knowne betwene John dresers land and it
To John Trumble as the right of an Acre and halfe lot there was laide out seauenty Acres by estimation be it more or less, liinge at the west side of John Pickards farme at Johnsons pond begininge at a white oake tree marked with . I . P . and . J . T . from thence southwest four score rod, to a white oake With . I . T . southerly of a great rock, from thence westerly to land laide out to Thomas Leauer bounded by a black oake marked with . I . T from thence northerly to a white oake marked with . T . L. I . T . which is the saide Leauers east corner bound.
£
The Town Rate for this year 1668 is. 30- 14 - 3 And the fines and debts coming to the Town. 3- 12 -10
The Totall is 34- 7 - I
At a Generall and legall Towne Meetinge held the 24 day of December 1668 it was agreed and uoted that mr Philips should haue for the present yeare fourscore pounds for his worke that he had spent in the ministrye.
199
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
December: 30: 1668
for the better keepinge and preservinge of the trees in the streets of the Towne of Rowley, that they may be of that use and benefit to the towne, that they have bene formerly intended for, it is from hence forth ordered and agreed that whatsoever person or persons shall any way barke girdle loppe or fall any tree in any of the towne streets, without the consent of the select men, they shall pay for euery tree that they shall barke loppe or girdell fiftene shill- ings to be improved to the use of the towne.
75 77 SI 82 83 90 91 63 99 700 1701 :
These presents doe witnes that I John Bointon of Rowley in the County of Essex in New England doe owne my selfe to the in- debted unto the Towne of Rowley the somme of eight pounds which some I doe bind my selfe my heirs or Assignes to pay unto the Towne of Rowley, or there Assignes, either in good cattell of the cowe kind, not to excede aboue seauen years of age, bulls and bullsegs exempted, or if not in cattell as before expressed, then in good merchantable English corne, and soe longe as I the saide John doe keepe the saide eight pounds in my hand I doe engage my selfe my heirs or Assignes to pay yearly eight shillings for the rent of the saide mony to the towne and to the true performance hereof I doe bind my selfe my heirs or Assignes as doth witnes my hand this : 7 : day of January 1668
Read Signed and Delivered in the presence of us
John boynton
Philip Nellson Tho Leauer John Dreser James Dickinson
This bill was paid in to the hand of John Tod and he acknowledgeth himselfe debtor to the towne acording to the contents therof
John Tod payd of this bill by 1000 bords : ·3-10-0 he payd to doctor benit for the towne · I - 10 - O John Tod payed of The bill or ingagementt aboue written in Seruice dun for The Towne thre pounds this seventh day of ffeburwary 1681
200
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
These presents doe witnes that I George Killborne of Rowley in the County of Essex in New England doe owe and am Debtor vnto the Towne of Rowley the somme of one pound ten shill- ings to be payed to the Towne of Rowley, or there Assignes either in a young beast of the cow kinde, or else in good marchant- able English corne and soe longe as I the aforesaide George Killborne doe keepe this thirty shillings in my hand I doe promis to pay yearly eightene pence to the Towne of Rowley as Rent of the saide money, and to the true performance hereof I bind my selfe my heirs or Assignes unto the Towne of Rowley as doth witnes my hand this :7 : day of January (1668) his
Read Signed and Delivered in presence of us Philip Nellson Tho Leauer John Dreser James Dickinson
George K Killborne
marke
£ d S
this I 10 o in the hand of Gorge Kilborne was paid in to the select men and by them let to Caleb Boynton the beginning of may in the year 1672 for the towne Smith work dun by calleb boynton this + + + + + cometh to + + + + +
At a Leagall Towne meeting held January the eight 1668.
Ther was Chosen by the towne to serue as Constables for the yeare ensueing Ezekiell Northend Abell Langley Also They are chosen for towne marshalls to gather fines
for Sellect men Samuell Plats Edward Hasen Leaonard Harri- man Samuell Mighill Jonathan Plats
Overseers for the east end of the Towne James Bayley John Acie
Overseers for the West end of the Towne James Dickinson Ezekiell Mighill
Pinder for the north east feilld on the east side of Satchwell Brooke James Barker Junior Gorge White
for the west side of Satchwell Brooke Richard Swan
for Clarke to Call Towne Meetings Thomas Leaver
for Judges to here the case of delinquents not comeing to towne meetings
201
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
for the east end of the towne, James Bayley William Tenney
for the west end of the towne James Barker Senior Gorge Kilborne
for Seallers of Leather Maxemillion Jewet John Dresser Senior
At a Generall and legall Towne meetinge held the first day of February in the yeare one Thousand six hundred sixty and eight, it was agreed and noted, that every one that had gates upon the com- mons should have liberty to keepe two sheepe upon euery gate if they did see cause so to doe besides other cattell that there gates were improued with, and that this liberty of keepinge two sheepe upon a Gate should continue for the space of four years.
desenters frö ye voat vnles ye may have ye same liberty for other catle Tho Leauer John Scails John Acie Tho Tenny John Grant
At a Leagall Towne meeting held the first of february 1668 it was granted That John pearson should haue foure Rod of land giuen him that lieth betwene his Tenters and the Riuer that soe he may fence it in to the Riuer to gether with the Rest of his land formerly granted
At the same Towne meeting it was Agreed and voted that the land belonging to the towne by the Warehouse Riuer should be fenced in by the towne in generall with a three Raile fence or that which is equiuelent
At the same towne meeting it was granted that William Boyn- ton shall haue as much land on the north side of his house as he shall haue need of to set vp a conuenient leaneto to his house and when he hath set vp his leanto that then his fence to be streighned from the corners of his leanto both wayes as shallbe judged conuen- ient by John dreser senior Leaonard harriman and Samuell Brock- lebanke who are chosen for +
+ + + + +
At a leagall Town meeting held the first of flebewary in the vear 1668 It was agreed that if any inhabetant of the Town of Rowley kill any wolues or woulue he shall haue Twenty shilings for euery woulfe he so kils within the bounds of the said Town
At a Leagall Town meeting houlden the 17 of feb : in 1668 It was granted That Joseph Boynton should hane as much land aded to his house of the comon as the bredth of his house for his mor conuenent diging of a seler vnder his house.
at the same Town meting it was agreed that if there apeared moo owner before the 26 of feb; in sam year to that lot comonly
202
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
caled Joseseph Horsly lot to mak and mayntayn the fence belong to it the other proprieter of the fence should take up theire fence and lay it to the comon
At a generall and legall Towne meetinge held the seauenteth day of march, in the yeare one Thousand six hundred sixty eight, it was agreed and noted that John Spofforth if he would goe to the thre thousand Acers that he shoulde haue the benifit of penninge the cattell, for the terme of seauen years, he keepinge the herde of the younge cattell as carefully and as cheape as any other should doe.
Dated March : 19: Anno Domini 1668 - 69
Be it knowne unto all men by these presents, that John Pick- ard, John Pearson Ezekiell Northen, Thom Leauer, John Dresser, John Johnson, James Dickinson, and Philip Nellson all of us of the Towne of Rowley, in the County of Essex in New England, haue to farme lette by the order of the Towne of Rowley, unto John Spoforth of the same Towne and County, his heirs and Assignes thre score Acers of Land sittuate in Rowley aforesaide at the Pen where the younge cattell of the Towne haue beene hearded, this last yeare, called by the name of Grauelle plaine. Bounded upon the South East neare to a thick swampe, upon the North East, about twenty Rods below an old path, upon the North- west by a greate rocke, upon the South west upon a red oake neare to a Runlet of water, and allso thirty Acers of meddow more or less liinge by the old path that goeth to Andever called by the name of the halfe moon meddow
TO HAVE AND TO HOVLDE to the saide John Spoffoth his heirs and Assignes, the saide sixty Acers of upland Bounded as aforesaide, and allso the thirty Acers of meddow called Halfe moon meddow, for the terme and space of twenty and one yeares the terme of years to begin at the day of the date herof, the first fiue years he is to pay no rent nor any rates to ministry or Towne rates, exceptinge thre hundred of good white oake two inch planke, sometime within two yeare, to be delivered at the metinge house. and the rest of the twenty and one years, he is to pay ten pounds yearly, for the saide Land and meddow, and thirty shillings for all stocke on land that he shall improue yearly, and is for the Gates of the saide Land and stocke, and the ten pounds is yearly to be payed at or before the nintenth of March, any where in Rowly, where the
203
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
select men that are yearly chosen shall appoint the one halfe of the saide rent is yearly to be payed in English corne at price currant, the other halfe in fat cattell or leane at price current as they shall be priced by indifferent men if he pay in leane cattell they are not to excede aboue seauen years of age, or in indian corne if he pleas, what he doth pay in fat cattell he is to pay at or before mihilmas. and he is to make use of any timber for building or other necessa- ryes for farminge, and he is to make use of by way of saile of no timber but to the Towne of Rowly, and he is to sell no hay exced- inge aboue fiue loads yearly, and all dunge that shall be made year- ly to be laidle upon the saide Land, none to be giuen or sould and what buildings he shall erect upon the saide Land to uphold them, and leave them tenantable, at the end of his lease, and allso all fences that he shall make to leaue them in good and tenantable repaire, he is to pay yearly cuntry rates. at the last yeare he is to liue in the house untill may day. that so he may spend his fother upon the saide land, and the Towne shall haue liberty upon the ninetenth of march to enter upon the saide Land or other necesaryes as entertainment into house and barne, for them and theirs, family and cattell, and to the true and sure performance hereof the saide John Spoforth hath hereunto set his hand and seale the day and veare aboue written. his mark
Read Sealed and Delivered, John O Spofard [seal]
in the presence of us.
Philip Nellson
Thomas Leauer
John Dreser Seneor
John Johnson
James Dickinson
I John Spofforth senior doe assigne ouer all my right and inter- est in this lease aboue written unto my two sons John Spofforth Junior and Samuell Spofforth this. 16. th of march 16 27 as doth wit- nes my hand his
John
Spofforth senior
marke
We whose names are under written beinge appointed by the Towne of Rowley for to allter or change the conditions of the aboue saide lease, and to let it for longer time, we have agreed with John Spofforth and Samuell Spofforth, sons, and Assigns to John Spofforth senior that the time of there lease shall be lenghened out thre score years from the day of the date hereof, and that they are to
204
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
pay yearly eight pounds in such pay as the lease aboue written doth specifie, and they are yearly to pay to the ministry rate for what stocke they keepe upon the saide land and for all broke up land, and unbroke land as the inhabitants of the Towne doe pay. they haue liberty to pay in porke there rent if they see cause. and duringe the times of the indians wars the rent is to be abated according to the judgment of indifferent men, if they be hindered in carriinge on the saide farme. at the end of there lease they are to be allowed for all buildings on the said farme. to be uallued by indifferent men, soe that they are not to excede aboue twenty pounds, as doth witnes our hands : march : 16 : 16 27
John his marke
Spofforth senior
it was agreed at the lenghteninge of this lease to John Spofforth Junior and Samuell that they wase not to pay any Towne rates. Ezekiell Northen
Sammuell Plats Senior
John Baly
Ezekiell Mighill
Philip Nellson
John Person
Daniell Wicom
John Pickard senior
Richard Holms
William Tenny
Receued the 10 of June 1669 of the cunstables of Rowly in full of theire Town proporsion to the cuntry rate for the year past ffiufty punds foure shiling and one peney I say receued in full of your warat acording to the generall courts order 506 - 48 - IP
P mee Richard Rusell Treaserar
Its ordered that for this year that noe lot layers shall haue any power to Lay out any Lands within the Townshipe of Rowly but by vertue of some express grant in writing both for place and quan- tyty June 23 in 69 not Read for 77
+ + + 30: 1669
At a Leigall Town meeting it was ordered and agreed that all the Inhabitants within our bounds dweling upon that land commonly caled the uilidg shall pay to all Rats as wee doe who dwell in the Towne. And that theire part of the Town Rate shall bee for the defraying all nessery charges about the said uilidg and the Remen- der shall be Imployed for puting that farm caled the ministers farm into a way of Improuement at the discresion of the select men And It is further ordered that the benefit of the aforesaid farm
205
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
shall belong to the Minister at that place when the haue an orthadox minister setled there And at all other times the benefit shall com to the vse of the Minister at the Town of Rowly
Red & voted the 2th of July in the Town meeting that this order should be a standing order till the Town see cause to alter it. 69 82 83
officers Chosen for the seruice of the towne for the Remaneing part of the yeare (69 and 70) this 10th of January 1669
for Constables Jeremiah Elseworth Richard Hollies and mar- shalls
for Sellect men Ezekiell Northend Thomas Leuer John Pearson John Pickard Leaonard Harriman
Querseers for vuiing fences and hywayes and vuiin Chimneys Thomas Tene Edward Hasne James Dickinson Samuell Pallmer
It is ordered and this day declared that if any person whatsoe- ever shall fall cut out or lead away any tree of those yt are within half a mill from the towne ends such person or persons shall pay fifteen shillings ten shillings to the informer & 5 to the towne
Aprill ye 4th 70 Read 1671 Red 72 So 88
its ordered further yt all sheep that goe on ye Comans or be found ther at any time whill a sheeperd is in being shall pay to ye sheepard as if ye said sheep had been as if with him all ye tyme
The Towne Rate for the yeare 1670 is. 7- 10 - 2 The debts due by fines and for meadow and mony let and in the Constables hand is to the towne .... 4-13-9 the Charges of the Towne for the said yeare (70) is. . . 5 - 10 - 7
Receaued of Jeremiah Elsworth in full of his County Rate for the yeare 1670 the some of eight pounds one penney I say Receaued P me Robert Paine Treassurer
Receaued the 7 of maie 1670 of the Towne of Rowley vpon account of ther Country rait the some of Thirty three pounds seuenteen shilings & two pence being in full of my warrant as by Court order : I say receued in full of the towne proportion for the yeer past of Jerimiah Elsworth.
By me Richard Rusell Treasurer
206
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
At a Leagall Towne meeting Held the 17th of January 1670 were chose by the towne for the yeare ensuing
Constable Jeremiah Elsworth
ffor Sellect men Thomas Tenney Samuell Brocklebanke John Jonson John Trumble John Pallmer
Overseers for west end of the Towne John Burbanke Danniell Wickam
ffor the east end Richard Hollmes John Acie
Overseers for Newbery fence Mr Nelson John Grant
Pinders for the North east field James Barker Junior Thomas Wood and his son John Joseph Boynton
Pinders for the west end of the towne Timothy Pallmer John Boynton Junior
At a leagall Towne meeting held the tenth of ffebruary 1670 it was Agreed and voted and ther were chosen by the towne Sam Brocklebanke Richard Swan and Ezekiell Northend for to consider determine and set of what meadow John Lambert and seuerall other of the neighbours to him did lay downe in crane meadow for which the say they had salt marsh that soe the busines may be setled and brough vpon Record
at the same Towne meeting it was voated that william boynton should stand a scoolemaster and the towne to giue him ten shillings by the year
Wheras it is apparent that ther was formerly some land and meadow Laid out vnto William Boynton in and a bout the medow Called litle meadow and not Recorded the Select men Considering the omision ther of might be in Convenient and truble some vpon the best information of the Certanty of the bounds thereof gaue order for the entry of it the claimes is for meadow he had laid out ther. for amendment of meadow according to his neighbours, that lieth at the oyster point meadows. and for his Riget acording to his neighbours for land giuen them at the New plaine and for dreaineing it through in the oxe pasture and it is bounded on the south and south east by severall bounds where was formerly Set vp a fence deviding it from the towne Common to a great maple tree with in the Land Commonly Called oxe pasture Runing from that tree to a stake in the meadow with in the said oxpasture and from the said stake vnto the Corner of batcheler feild where it was aucuratly fixed
207
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
the said batcheler feild being the west bounds of it. ordered to be entered by the Sellect men
Thomas Tenney John Jonson
John Pallmer John Trumble :
A Record of Merrimack lands survayed by mr Jonathan Danforth : Anno : 1670
To Faith Law widdow as the right of William Law there was laide out ninety Acres of Land, abatinge about thre acres for meadow of mr Phillips laide out in it, it lyeth six hundred and sixty pole in length, and fourtene pole wide at the riuer, and seauentene pole wide at the midle range, and thirtie one pole wide at the uper end, the bound corners at that end is a great red oake at the south- west end, and a white oake stump at the southeast end. :
To James Baley laid out to him eighty and Two acres of land (abatting about eight acres for meadow formerly laid out in it to mr Rogers and mr Phillips it is bounded by William Hutchins on the North east : by Joseph Pallmer on the south west; by the Riuer North west where it is fifteen polle wide a pine tree being his North west corner by the River side at the midle Range he is about Thirteen polle wide and at the upper end Twenty and sixs pole wide his South east corner is a white oake his South west corner a great ash in the Swamp
To m' Nelson I lot laid out to him Two hundred and fifteen Acres of land bounded on the : N : E : by Newbury line reaching from merimack Riuer to the brooke that coms out of Craine pond which is Three milles and : 140 pole: (only Nicolas Wallinton : interveins Near the : S : E : end : S2 : pole : one hundred and sixty Acres of the same lyeth with in the bounds of the first grant : being Twenty and two pole wide at the South east end : and Sixty seauen pole wide at the : N : W : end upon mirimake Riuer : and : 658 pole in length : bounded by Nicolas Wallinton on the South west : the hedge as it now stands being the bounds between them near the Riuer : there being an ash marked at the uper end of the hedge : and from this ash it runs in a streight line to the head bounds of the lotts as they weare at first layd out : Also fifteen Acres more of the same Number Adjoyning to the former land at the : N : E : end and bounded by Newbury line as before on the North east by Nicolas Wallinton : on the South west the line continueing streight between them from the ash at the hedge 136: beyound the head of the lotts unto a wallnut Tree marked about Thirty pole before you com at the first meadow
208
ROWLEY TOWN RECORDS.
Also Twenty and sixs Acres more lying onward toward the South east bounded by Newbury line as before : 140 pole : by his own meadow on the South east: Twenty four pole : at that end bounded by Nicolas Wallington on the South west and by his former land : 15 pole : Nicolas Wallington : 15 pole : Joseph Baley seauen pole : all the North west it being : 37 pole wide : in all at that end
Also fourteen acres of wood land of the former Number lying the farthest from the Riuer : and Ajoyning to the former brooke being bounded by Newbury line as before : eighty Two pole there being a white oake marked in Newbury line and from that a range of trees marked from Newbery line to the brooke aforesaid: So that all these four perticulars containe the first Number of Two hundred and fifteen Acres
Also at the same time the meadow that lyeth on the North east side of craine pond brooke was deuided between : mr Nelson and Nicolas Wallinton : And all that part of the medow : that lyeth lowest toward the south east and untill you com up to the Narowest part of the meadow : i: e : where the brook coms the nearest the upland (where there is a stake set downe by the brook side and a white marked with : N : W : at the nearest point of the upland) belongs to m' Nelson which containes thirteen Acres more or less the which the said Nelson accepted as his half of the meadow on that side of the brooke : the rest remained to Nicolas Wallington
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