USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Springfield > The first century of the history of Springfield; the official records from 1636 to 1736, with an historical review and biographical mention of the founders, Volume I > Part 21
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250
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
chase out ye Indians right & to treate wth the Indians for the purchase of ye rest.
Decembr roth (58) Jonath & John Gilbert having for- feited theire right to land aforesd, renew theire request & de- sire advantage may not be taken agt them of forfeiture wch is yeilded to pvided they build there & also make Impvmnt of ye land before Midsummer next. & continue it 5 yeares fro: this tyme: And we desire a full & sufficient cartways thorough theire land wch shall be most convenient for Pas- sadge fro: ye further farmes as we shall Judge most fitting & by us theire portion to be bounded & set out.
The 2d Portion of Land on this side of woronoco River granted to Tho Coop: pvided he build & make Impvmt of the land there by ye end of Aprill next come 12 Mo & con- tinue so to doe 5 years reserving Highways throu it & this portion of land to be set out & bounded by us Jo Pynchon Eliz Holyoke Geo Colton: Benja Cooly. Granted Decembr 10, 1658.
John Clarke, Wm Brooks & Jno Sackat have ye land ye further side of woronoco wch is granted ym pvided they each of them build & make impvment of the land by Aprill come 12 mo. & continue so to doe 5 y. else to forfeit it. Granted Jan: Ioth 1658.
[I-15]]
[In the handwriting of Thomas Cooper.]
Att a town meetinge november the fourth, 1656, it was agreed by the inhabitants that thease 4 men, vidz Deacon wright, decon chapin mr hollyocke, Henry Burtt, should have twelve pounds alowed them by the town for there la- bour formerly spent amongst us in the lords worke on the Sabothe and the sayd twelve pound to be disposed of to each particular by the Seleckt men.
it was further voted that the inhabitants would alow of these £50 pr yeare to such as did labour in the same worke amongst us for future till such time as we should have a set- tled ministry amongst us and the sayd £50 likewise to be disposed of by the seleckt men answerable to quantiety of each mans particular labours.
251
THE TOWN RECORDS.
[In the handwriting of Elizur Holyoke.] [I-152]
At the same Town Meeting Nov. 4th 1656. There was a choyce made of Select men for Ordering the Prudentiall affaires of the Towne vizt Thomas Cooper, George Colton. Thomas Gilbert, Benjamin Cooley and Robert Ashley.
William Warrener is chosen and desired to continue in his office of a Constable and thereto aggreed.
And Samuel Marshfeild doe continue as Deputy:
David Chapin was chosen to ye Office of a Sealer for weights and measures: who took his Oath accordingly.
Elizur Holyoke was chosen for the Recorder till mr Pynchons returne or for the yeare insuing:
John Harman was chosen to ye office of a Presenter to prsent breaches of ye Lawes of the Countrey or of Town Orders & to wch service he took his oath:
Samuell Marshfeild and Nathaneel Pritchard were chosen surveyers of the Highwayes for ye yeare ensuinge: And for veiwers of the fences for the yeare ensuing were chosen An- thony Dorchester and Lawrence Bliss for the Lower end of ye Town from the Meeting house downward & from the meeting house & upward being the Hyer end of ye Town were chosen Thomas Miller and Benjamin Munn:
At this Same Town Meeting there was granted to Row- land Thomas a peece of meddow Land on the Mill River on ye further Branch thereof a little above the falls ich are above the 16 acres, which peece of meddow contaynes about an acre:
[1-153]
[In the handwriting of Thomas Cooper.]
Att a meetinge of the Select men Desember 5th (1656) itt was granted to Ben: coley the use of the westt end of the meeting house chamber for the sayd yeare painge 7s
Alsoe it was granted to Tho: Cooper the north syde and the east end of the same chamber painge 13s
ffebruary 13th 1656.
it was granted to Abell wright alattmentt of 20 acars
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
which hath formerly beene in the hand of Rowld Thomas lyinge in the great plaine over the greate river called chick- pee plaine providen he continue 5 years in towne.
Likewise there was granted unto Anto: Dorchester 10 acars of upland on the Sowwest side of chickepee plaine begininge att the litle springe and soe to run South east till it make up 10 acars previded hee continue 5 years.
Likewise there was granted to lawrance Bliss liberty to exchange the lott of meddow in his presentt possession for that which was formerly decon wrights but now fallen into the hand of the towne and likewise 2 acars over the mill river amonge the small lotts which formerly was given to decon wright : previded he continue 5 years.
Likewise there is granted to george coulton a persell of land lyinge by the great river side on the east side about 3 quarters of a myle below longe medow bridge all betwixt the brow of the hill wheare the carttway now goeth and the great river downe to the brow end of the swampe neere about a dozen acars previded hee continue 5 years in towne.
[I-154]
by the Select men desember 5th (1656)
it is ordered that noe person within this township shall suffer any of his Swine above 3 months ould to goe abroad out of his yard from the first of march next unto the last of november exceptt they be sufficiently runge upon penalty of 6d pr time for any swine soe found that is above 3 months of adge exceptt such swine as are under a constant keepers charge abroad in the woods: and for the well execution of this order wee have appointed John Steward twise every weeke duringe the sayd time that is to say betwixt the first of march and the last of november to goe thorough the towne to take notiss what swine are unrunge accordinge to the intent of this order and to demand of the owners for ev- ery such swine and in case any shall refuse to pay upon his complaints warrant be granted by the seleckt men to the con- stable to distraine who shall have for his pains upon every
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
distress soe made 3d and nott withstanding wee have apoint- ed him to goe thorough the towne but twyse a weeke yett hee is nott thereby prohibited to goe as often hee seethe good but less than twyess he is not to goe.
by the Seleckt men december 5th (1656)
Itt is lykewise ordered that noe Swine shall goe at liber- tye on the other side of the greate river above two months in the yeare vidz from the middle of december to the middle of february upon penaltye of 12d for every Swine so found and for every time hee is soe found which sayd 12d shale be demanded by the grand jury man whose care it is to see to the breach of this order and if any shale refuse to pay war- rant shale be granted to the constable to make distress who shale have Is syxe pence for his paines for every such dis- tress and hereby is declared that good information by any shall bee of equall forse as if the grand Jury man had seene it himselfe
[I-155]
by the Selecktt men december 5th (1656)
it is ordered that during and all the inhabitants betwixt mr John Pynchons and to the brow syde of Ben: parsons who are proprioters of any partt or parsell of the wett med- dow before our doares shale take course to cleare and scoure the brooke soe far as their lott or lottments is in breadth in the same medow and that it be done sufficiently to the apro- bation of the Seleckt men and that by the last of June next upon penalty of 35 4d per weeke for every parsell that is found undone at that time and soe to continue 3s 4d pr weeke till the worke be ffullye donne the which fines shale be dulve levied by the constable and im . . for publique use.
[I-156]
Att a Towne meetinge ffebruary the 18 (56) it was voted that mr Hollyock and Henry Burt Should carry on the work of the Sabboth in this plase but in case that thowrough any providence of god other of them should be disenabled that decon chapin should supply that presentt vacantye:
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
more over this Towne voted to allow them £50 a yeare that is to say from the 4th of november last the time they be- gane and to continue till the towne have another Suply or shale see cause to alter theyer acts in that particular but they would acksept but of £40 unto which the Towne assented.
it was alsoe voted that they would allow to Decon wright decon chapin mr Hollyocke Henry Burt £12 for there la- bours the last soomer which they spentt in that worke.
[I-157]
at a Towne meetinge ffebruary 18th 1656 it was voted by consentt that whosoever within this Township shale kill any ffox or ffoxes within the bounds of this Township shall be allowed 3s ffor every foxe soe killed previded they bring either the body or head unto any of the Seleckt men.
This order was afterward repealed & only 12d apce allowd for every fox killed in ye bounds of ye Towne.
march 9th (1656) it was voted that for the cornefeilds whensoever any towne meetinge is warned by the Seleckt men or by towne apointmentt there shall be the major partt presentt before any ackt that passeth shall be byndinge to the whole but when the major partt is assembled they shall have liberty to ackt in what concerns those presentt meet- inge and the rest shall stand to such ackts soe pased: and it was further voted that is to say 3 days warninge and was likewise voted that of those 3 days the Towne meetinge day is one of the three: and the day before is another, and the day before that is understood to be the three days: and if any per- son which is an inhabitant shal nott be presentt when the clossing is desired provided the major part of the inhabitants be presentt before the moderator doe begine the meetinge then any such inhabitant shal be lyable to a fine of 3s 6d or if any shale withdraw without leave or departt before the meet- inge be concluded by the moderator shale be lyable to the same fine which sayd fine shale be distrained to such as doe atend the meetinge in due time previded they are the major partt which shale attend by there constable who shall have Gd for his pay for every particular fine
255
THE TOWN RECORDS.
[I-158]
march 6th (1656) it was voted that for the cornefeilds here about the Towne that if they be well fensed at each ends of the severall feilds downe into the greate river it was ac- counted sufficient fense for such parts of the feilds the intent of this order is to free men from fensinge alonge the river bank from the lower wharfe to the head of the plaine
it was likewise voted that for every swine that is seene in any inclosed ground about the towne as the home lotts meddows before the doores 3 corner meddow or the plaine above shal pay Is for every swine soe found besides all dam- adge that may be done by such swine the which Is is to be paid by the owner of the swine to the informer provided this order take plase before the 10 of Aprill next.
it was likewise voted that for swine over the greate River should be for to goe at liberty from the time that Cattle are at liberty to goe there provided they be sufficiently runge & in case they are found unrung from the Ist of March to ye Ist of Decembr yearly to pay 2s 6d apeice halfe to ye Inform- er & halfe to ye Towne they are to be Rung sufficiently to pvent Rooting. This clause added by ye Select men De- cemb' 31, 1660.
[I-159]
[In the handwriting of John Pynchon.] At a Towne meeting November 3d 1657.
There was a choise of five Select men for ordering ye prit- dentiall affaires of ye Towne, viz,
Robert Ashley, John Dumbleton Thomas Gilbert :
Miles Morgan, Jonathan Burt:
Sam Marshfeild was chosen Constable for this yeare & was sworne by ye commissioners ye day abovesd according to ye order: Anthony Dorchester was chosen his deputy:
Tho: Bancraft & Tho: Miller were chosen p'senters to p'sent breaches of laws of ye Country or Towne orders to wych service they tooke theire oaths:
John Lumbard & Reice Bedortha are chosen Surveyours for repairing of ye Highways for this yeare ensuing.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
The veiwers of fences chosen for ye yeare ensuinge are Benja Parsons & John Mathews for ye lower pt of ye Towne fro: ye meetinghouse downeward, & Wm Wariner & Symon Sackut fro: ye meeting house upwards.
[I-160]
November 9th 1657. At a Towne meeting there was grant- ed to Mr John Pynchon in lew of his want of land ni his lot over ye grt river wch upon measure now appeares to be but 26 rod broad, when as it was 30 rod, in lew of his want the sd 4 Rod of ground in breadth: there is granted to him what va- cant ground is at ye west end of yt his sd lot betwixt it & ye 3d devission flank & ye brow of ye hill, as also all the common ground at ye west end of Mr Holyokes lot & at ye west end of Mr. Smiths lot fro: ye reare of theire lots to ye brow of ye hill agt ye meddow, & Joining agt Mr Pynchons meddow, being foure or five acres more or less.
At ye same meeting it was agreed yt the Select Townesmen for ye yeare ensuing shal have power to give out, & dispose of land, as in theire best discression is fitt:
There is liberty granted to Symon Beamon to dig a sellar to worke in for this winter in ye Towne lot pvided he fill it up againe in ye spring:
Mr Holyoke is made choise of to carry on ye worke of ye Sabbath once every Sabbath day wch he accepts of. Mr Pynchon is made choise of for one pt of ye day once a fort- night wch he will indeavor to attend sometimes by reading notes & somet by his owne meditations till March next: Deacon chapin & Henry Burt are made choise of to carry on ye other pt of ye day once a fortnight ffor wch theire Paines they are allowed after forty pound a yeare for ye disposing whereoff to each pty: Tho Coop: wth ye Townesmen are to act therein
[I-161]
at a meeting of the Townesmen the 18th of December Rob- ert Ashly was chosen Sealer by the Towns men and the Con- stable for this year.
it is agreed upon by the Townsmen having taken in to
257
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Consyderation the great damig that acrue to the towne by swine it is therfor ordered that if any swine shall be found in any Corne feilds or meadows or any inclosed ground the said swines not being rung the owners shall be lyable to pay two shillings for every such default besides paying all damyges that may be done by such swine Also if any swine be found in any inclosers the swine being rung the owners of such swine shal be lyable only to pay the damige theare of that such swine may doe but al swine going in the Street shal not be lyable to any fine also if any mans swine be in his own inclosed ground whear as no man is wronged but him selfe he shal not be lyable to breach of order of tow shil- lings.
March 4th 1657. There is a dispensation for this yeare of ye order yt cattle shall not goe at liberty after March over ye river, allowing Liberty for all cattle (except swine) to goe at liberty there, till ye first of Aprill pvided in case any shall be damnified due satisfaction be allowed him.
[I-162]
[In the handwriting of Thomas Cooper.]
November 2d: 1658: There was granted by the Towne unto Rowland Thomas a parsell of woodland at the rear of mr Hollyocks woodlott: not exceedinge six acars the breadth whereoff was to be the breadth of mr Hollyocks and to run in length soe far as to the rear of mr Pynchons.
[I-163]
[In the handwriting of John Pynchon.]
At a Town meeting held the 4 of January 1657 thes high- ways which followeth: being agreed upon, & laid out (for- merly) by ye Select men were publikely declare, & setled: Impr: Ordered & agreed, that there shall be a highway on ye west side of ye greate River fro: Agawam river mouth on ye South along by ye grt River side Northward untill it come into ye Common conteining Three rod in breadth fro: the top of ye Bank by the greate River side: Also yt at ye Common Landing place usually called ye Hay place against Miles Mor- gans, Wm Brookes, & Symon Sackcuts lots: The Highway
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
shall be at least five rod broad there, for a place to set hay on for ye use of any pson : it is to be a common Hay place.
2. Ordered & Agreed That there shall be a highway fro: ye Comn Hay place aforesd, to ye flank of ye third devision conteining two rod broad, one rod of it to be taken out of WVm Brookes Lot & ye other rod out of Rowland Thomas Lot u.ch now Symon Sackcut posesseth (Satisfaction being already made ym by allowance of Land in other places) This Highway when it comes to ye flank of ye 3d devision is then to turne & run southward at ye reare of ye 2d devision lots & by je flank of ye 3d devission: & This Highway is to run southward downe to ye front of ye Third devission & then to turne westward & run ye front of ye 3d devission, between ye 3d devission & ye further side of Mr Smiths 3d devission wch now Mr Pynchon Posesseth:
3. Ordered & agreed that there shall be a highway [I-164] of one rod & halfe broad run fro: yt Highway at ye front of ye 3d devission, all along ye Towne Lot downe South- ward into Agawam river, this Highway to be taken out of ye Towne lot wch lyeth betwixt Mr Holyoke & Sam chapin, & to ly on yt side of ye Towne lot wch is next to Sam Chapin : This rod & halfe of ground aforesd is still to belong to ye Towne lot so as yt whosoever hath it of ye Towne shal have ye grass or what ever may grow upon it allowing liberty for a Passable highway; noe other man being to claime any other priveledge here, but only for a Passable way of one rod & halfe wide:
4. Ordered & agreed that there shall be a highway allowed of a rod broad, at ye end of Rowland Stebbins, Thomas Mill- ers Jonath Burts & Robert AAshlys meddow lots by Agawam river (viz) at that end of theire meddows next to Mr Smiths Pikle meddow, & so to run at ye end of Mr Pynchons med- dow that Joines to Mr Smiths & betwixt Mr Smiths & John Clarks straight to ye highway at ye front of ye sd devissions: [I-165]
At a Town Meeting Novembr 2d 1658. There was a choise made of ffiveSelect Townesmen, for ordering ye pru-
259
THE TOWN RECORDS.
dentiall affaires of ye Towne for this yeare ensuing. The psons chosen are
Tho: Cooper
Benj Cooly
Jonath Burt Wm Warriner, & Robert Ashly:
John Harmon & John Lamb are chosen Survyours for re- paring of ye Highways yt belong to ye Towne: for ye yeare ensueing.
Serjant Stebbins & Serj Morgan are chosen veiwers of fences for ye upper pt of ye Towne fro: ye meeting house up- wards. Lawrence Bliss & Nath Pritchard are chosen veiw- ers for ye lower pt of ye Towne fro: je meeting house down- ward.
[In the handwriting of John Holyoke.]
Nov. 2d There was granted by the Towne unto Rowland Thomas a parscel of wodland, at the Reer of m' Holyokes wood lot, not exceeding six acres the breadth wheroof was to to ye Reer of m' Pynchons (viz) woodlot.
[I-166]
[In the handwriting of John Pynchon. ]
At a Town meeting Jan. 10 1658. It was fuly agreed & ordered That the Gate at the higher Wharfe shall be set in repaire agt ye Spring of ye yeare: & yt ye sd Gate shall be kept in repaire & well hung fro: yeare to yeare & after fences be made up in ye Spring yearly the sd Gate shall be always kept shut till all feilds about it be broken up: & if any pson shall throw open or leave open ye sd Gate fro: ye tyme of mak- ing up fences in ye Spring till liberty of laying all feilds Co- mon, such pson shall forfeite five shillings to be pd to him y-t shall take notice thereoff who is to call for it & Receive it. one halfe to himselfe & ye other halfe for ye use of ye Towne & toward keeping ye sd Gate in repaire
It is further agreed & ordered That ye Great River is & shall be accounted a fence, & shall stand for a fence, both for us on this side, & also for ye Land Meddows, & Cornefeilds on ye other side of ye grt river, And the People shall not be
260
TIIE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
compelled to fence in theire meddows & cornefeilds any where on ye west side of ye great River, by any other fence, But yt ye sd River shal serve for yt end to preserve cornfeilds & meddows & to prevent & ease ye greate charge of fencing. Only there is liberty granted to ym yt dwell on the west side of ye greate River: That if [I-167] they will secure all ye Cornefeilds & meddows on ye west side of ye grt river, from receiving any dammadge by any of theire Cattle: They shall have liberty to Impve ye Common there (for feeding of theire cattle) by fencing it out fro: mens allotmts there & those yt live on this side of ye River are not to put over theire Cattle to feed on yt Common & to opprss yt Common wch they shall be at charge to fence out, without theire Consent unless they will Joine wth ym in theire charge of fencing it, or allow ym for there Cattles feeding as indifferent men shall Judge And this priveledge & liberty is granted ym for 12 yeares fro: this yeare 1658 .- Repealed Dec. 29th 1664.
It is ordered yt Cattle of all sorts belonging to this Towne, shall be marked wth some distinct knowne marke, for wch end every owner of any cattle shall repaire to Mr Pynchon & fro: tyme to tyme to ye Recorder: to take a keepe upon rec- ord each mans particular mark, & this to be done by ye Ist of March next or else ye owner of such Cattle shall forfeit 5s to ye Towne: And every man is to marke all his cattle ac- cordingly by ye March next And it is further ordered that fro: tymne to tyme hence forward every mans Cattle shall be mark- ed by yt tyme they are 3 months old, & If any psons cattle shall be found unmarked at or after Three months old he shall pay 12d apce to him yt shal Informe agt him There is Liberty granted to Tho Cooper to keepe a fferry at ye Lower wharfe & to land people below ye mouth of Agawam river, & none are to carry over any psons, horses, or cattle over ye [I-171 Error in number] great River to take any pay except they allow & pay it to ye sd Tho Cooper, unless it be such as Pass over ye River to theire worke & in theire owne & neighbours vesseles. And the Priveledge of this ferry is granted to him for 21 yeares fro: this yeare 1658:
261
TIIE TOWN RECORDS.
And ye sd Tho Coop is to pvide a good boate & cannoes & to carry over persons at the Rates following: a single pson at 3d a tyme: all above one 2d a peice: horse & man at &d yt is to say 6d a horse, only the Inhabitants of this town are to be caryed over when they pass wth a horse, for od horse & man, & when ye Inhabitants of this Towne put over cattle a Yoake of oxen are to be caryed for 6d & any of this Towne yt shall pass as troopers are to go free when upon trooping occa- sions.
There is granted to John Leanord 40 acres of land on ye highland adjoyning to Tho Miricks meddow over Agawam: also Two acres next to it is granted to Tho Mirick prided it pve noe inconvenience to Jnº Leanord grant.
There is granted to Mr John Pynchon over Agawam River upon ye upland agt ye howse meddow & middle med- dow 40 acres of land, adjoyning to ye howse meddow & mid- (lle meddow upon ye highland on ye South side thereoff to Run towards ye grt River.
There is granted to Benja Cooly yt his land at ye hither end of ye long meddow shall run to ye Brow of ye hill on the east.
Tho Noble & James Warriner have liverty to Posess & injoy ye Two acrs of wet meddow on this side of ye round hill formerly granted David chapin & forfeited to ye Towne. This 2 acres by agemt betweene James wariner & Tho Noble is wholy to belong to Tho Noble & is absolutely his ye sd Tho Nobles to dispos off.
The Smiths shop was given to John Stewart as his own for- ever.
[I-172] At a Towne meeting ffebr 7th 1658
There was a ful & unanimous acceptance of Mr Hooker to dispense ye word of God to us, & whereas he at prsent will not certainely ingage to us longer than 3 Months the Towne doe agree & ingage to give & allow him £20 for ye sd Three months & wthall manifest theire desire & hopes of his further continuance among us, being willing to continue ye like further allowance upon his further Continuance with us.
262
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
And Mr Pynchon Mr Holyoke & Deacon chapin were ap- pointed to signifie ye Townes mind & desires to Mr Hooker, who accordingly did it. & Mr Hooker manifested his willing- ness to help us Three Months as aforesd, & for prsent could resolve noe further but his coming to a resolution should take rise from this tyme. It was further agreed yt there shall be a Rate of £20 made and gathered for Mr Hooker in Satisfac- tion for his paines till May next, And in case for allowance for ye next quarter there shall be occasion to allow him (or any other) another complete £20. That it shal then be raised & gathered according to this first rating wthout new prizing of estate & making of new rate. And this to stand good by virtue of this Towne act. It was further agreed yt Town Rates shal be made in ye same manner as formerly without any alteration: further it was agreed by ye Towne. That for them who have Caryed on ye worke of ye Sabbath hithertoo, they shall be allowed after £40 a yeare.
There being some consideration about Ten acres of land in chikkuppy plaine over ye grt River wch was granted to Sam Terry about Three years agoe: It appearing by an or- der made in March 1653-54 That yt land was otherwise dis- posed of & yt it ought not to have bin given away; & besides ye land being otherwise forfeited: The Towne conclude yt grant void & doe reasuine ye land to its former use & appoint for the Townes use according to ye afore recited order: And that Sam Terry may have noe wrong by any Rates uch he may have pd for ye land, it is ordered & agreed yt what Rates he hath pd, that hath bin raised on ye sd Land, The Townesmen shal take notice thereoff, & pay ye same back againe to Sam Terry:
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