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 24
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289
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Also yrs grannted to him a parcell of land for a way up the great hill from the outside of his owne little meddow afore- said.
Also there is granted to Rowland Thomas 24 acres of land lying on the west side of ye great River about halfe a mile below the highest falls in ye great River yr wch land lyes by ye great River. Provided he pay for ye purchase thereof as ye Select men shall lott ye price & provided that the Corte confirme it to be wthin the bounds of this Towne: And he is to pay ye measurer for measuring it.
There is also granted to Samuell Terry Two little peeces of land above the brook at the head of chickuppe plaine on the West side of the great River wch parcells of land con- teyne Seaven Acres more or less: (See below)-Memoran- dum that the above mentioned grant of land to Samuell Ter- ry is upon condition that he doe quitt & release all or any right wch he p'tends to have in any land which lyes toward the lower end of the said Chickuppe playne wch land he pleaded to have been granted to him by the Plantation:
There is granted to William Brooks a parcell of upland at the higher end of chickuppe playne on ye West Side of ye great River: on ye back side of the playne being the low land under ye hills & is to run from the brook on ye North to ye lotts on the South: about ffourteen or fifteen acres.
[I-208]
There is granted to Jonathan Burt a parcell of wett med- dow lying on Cow Seek brook between Nath Pritchards meddow and ye meddow of Lawrence Bliss wch parcell of meddow contayne two acres more or less:
August 12th 1661.
At a Town meeting m' John Pynchon was chosen for ye Commissioner to joyn wth ye Select men in making the Coun- trey rate & to doe therein as the Law enjoynes.
Jan: 3d 1661.
At a meeting of the Proprietors of the land on ye West Side of the great River:
290
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
It was agreed by the Proprietors of the land from the up- per side of Abell Wrights lott to the Lower end of ye neck to runn a fence from Agawam River to the great River for the securing of that feild: the fence to be a good sufficient fence of posts & rails, & this fence to be up & finisht by the middle of Aprill next: hereto agreed the Major part of the Proprietors of those lotts: vizt Samll Marshfeild, Nath: Ely, Rich Sikes, Jonath Burt, Lawrence Bliss, Abell Wright, Charles fferry, Nath Pritchard, Anthony Dorchester, John Lumbard, Widdow Bliss, John Matthews:
And on the same day it was by vote concluded & agreed by the Proprieto's of the land from that feild to the higher end of ye 2d Divission & between [I-209] the said two Riv- ers to sett up a sufficient fence according to Order, from ye great River to Agawam River: the fence to be sett up by the last of May next : and who soe shall be wanting in setting up his proportion of fence by yt tyme he is to make at the flatts over Agawam River soe many rods of sufficient fence as he is defective in: this as a penalty fr his neglect: & yet also if he shal not sett up his proportion of fences as above said wthin a week after the last of May next he is to double that proporton of fence on ye flatts: that is he is to doe twice soe much fencing on ye flatts as is wanting in his proportion of fencing between ye said two Rivers, in way of penalty for his neglect.
And John Dumbleton & Thomas Miller were appoynted to measure the length of ye ground between ye two Riv's where the fence must run : & to cast up & tell every man what their proportion of fence is: As also to appoynt where such as are defective shall doe their fences on the flatts: as also to see yt all the fence be sufficiently done: And every man is to sett up his fence, according as he dwells: they yt live lowest in ye Town, to begin first next the great River & Soe all y! live on this side are to take yr proportons successively: & . then John Scott & Soe all upward to fall in according to yr Order of dwellinge.
[I-210]
291
THE TOWN RECORDS.
At a Meeting of the Select men Jan. 9th 1661.
It is by them Ordered that the high way by Goodman Cooleys lott at the higher end of the Long Meddow shal be ffoure rodd broad from the top of the banke by the great River.
Also it is ordered that the high way to the Round hill shal be Six rod broad at the South end of yt hill: that is to say Six rod broad from the top of ye bank or upland by the Hassoky meddow to ye end of the Vpland lotts: And the Westerly range of ye Said high way is to runn uppon a straight Course from ye Round hill to ye North end of the ditch fence of those lotts wch were Thomas Dayes.
Samuell Marshfeild propounding to & desiringe of the Select men for a confirmation of his deed of Mortgage from the Indians of theire lands wch deed ye Indians granted him for his security of certayn debts yt the Indians owe him: The Select men doe approve of Samuell Marshfeilds deed to all intents & purposes in ye law in such case:
Theere is granted to m' Hollyoke thatt small parsell off vacant land which Lyeth betwixt the small parsell off med- dow which he bought off Thomas day Lyinge att the South end off 3 corner meddow what vacantt land Lyeth betweene thatt & the river off the upland lotts against the Same is granted to m' Hollyoke.
[I-2II Blank]
[I-212]
At a Gen'll Town meeting ffebr: 4th 1661, being the first Tuesday in ffebr: the day Ordered for ye Gen'll towne meet- inge every yeere.
Mr John Pynchon was chose Moderator for yt meetinge & for all Town meetings if he be prsent for ye yeare ensue- ing:
Capt. Pynchon & Nathaneel Ely are chosen a Comittee to examine the acco of ye Select men yt now expire. And The Select men yt were chosen for the yeere ensueing were:
Capt John Pynchon, Nathaneell Ely Elizur Holyoke
292
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
George Colton & Miles Morgan who are to order the pru- dentiall affaires of ye Town:
Elizur Holyoke is chosen Town Clarke or Recorder for the yeere ensueing.
Capt. Pynchon is chosen Treasurer for ye Town for ye yeere ensuinge.
Lawrence Bliss Constable being desired to stand in his office till next August consented thereunto at wt tyme he is to be dismissed of his office: And then another Constable is to be chosen for ye yeare ffollowing from that tyme, And so yearly at ye tyme of choosing ye Comiss for Court. And Benjamin Parsons is chosen Constable for this yeere from this 4th of ffeb' 1661. And it is voted & concluded yt theire shall always be two Constables in ye Town. One chosen every halfe yeere at the tymes above mentioned. And Ben- jamin Parsons took ye Constables oath at this gen'll meet- inge.
Samuell Marshfeild & Jonathan Burt are chosen Survey- ors of ye high wayes of ye Town & p'cinct yr of:
[I-213]
Samuell .Marshfeild & Jonathan Burt are also chosen Measurers of land for the yeer ensueinge.
John Dumbleton is chosen for a Surveyor of the high wayes to joyn wth ye two former.
Certayn proprietors of lotts in ye wett meddow on this side ye Round hill desiring that the Town lotts wth theire lotts may be Soe altered or remooved for ye Townes & yr own convenience, that their lands may lye together: & that the Town lotts there in ye meddow may also lye together: En- signe Cooper Deacon Chapin & Miles Morgan were chosen a Comittee to veiw those lands & make report to ye Town what they judge Convenient to be done therein for ye Town :
The Select men chosen for this yeere have the Same power conferred upon them as the Select men of the last yeere had wych was the same as was granted in ffeb' 1659:
The Town by vote concluded that the Select men yt went out of their places this 4th of ffeb' 1661 shal notwith Stand-
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
ing ye expiration of yt Office, make a rate for defraying suchi charges or debts, as are due fro: ye Town to this tyme: & yt they shall gather it in & deliver their acco. to ye Select men chosen this day for ye yeere ensueing: AAnd it was further vot- ed that the said rate now to be made by the form" Select men for charges already due Shal be made according to the acco of the last yeere prizing Stock & State for ye Ministers rate:
See ye next leafe for more Town Acts of this day vizt: ffeb' 4, 1661.
[I-214]
At a meetinge of ye Select men, ffebr: 7th 1661.
Consideration beinge had in ye first place about the rate for m' Glover:
In order thereunto there were chosen for the prizinge of the liveing Stock of the Plantation: Ensigne Cooper John Dumbleton & Tho: Gilbert.
William Brookes having felld a parcell of trees for fenc- inge stuffe (last winter) between the two brookes on this side Chicuppe playn, by reason of his weakness at the be- gininge of winter, he could not work them out, whereby the tymber is forfeited: It is ordered that such of ye trees as noe other man hath bestowed work on shall remayne firm to ye said William Brookes for two monthes from this tyme after w.ch Space of tyme it shal be lawfull for any man to take them in case he cleare them not away:
There is granted to Rice Bedortha Miles Morgan & Fran- cis Pepper to each of them Six acres of land in y' playne on this side Chickuppe playne: these lands are grannted for house lotts: also they are granted upon Condition yt the said Parsons build & dwell there or if they or eyther of then shall sell or any ways dispose of their lotts they shall not soe dispose of them but to such as will dwell there.
[I-215]
ffebr: 4th 1661.
And it is also Ordered & concluded that hereafter from yeare to yeare, the Selectmen shall cleare their accounts to ye Town uppon the Genll Town meetinge in ffebruary: And
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THIE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
before they shall be accounted discharged of their trust, they shall soe performed such workes as for the Towne they have taken in hand though their yeere be expired: & yt they shall take care to satisfy & pay such Debts as are due from ye Town to particular persons wch debts they are to discharge by making a Town rate for yt purpose if they have not oth- erwise of ye Townes estate in yr hands to doe it: And there- fore they are also to gather in such debts as are due to ye Town & to be paid. wthin yr yeare:
And it was further voted & concluded that their shall be but one prizing yeerely of Stock & estate for making of all Town rates: That prizing in ffebr or March yeerly for mak- inge ye Ministers rate by, shall stand for those Select men to make the Town rate by, wch is to be made wth their yeere:
And it was further agreed yt the way wch the Town the last veere concluded of for making of rates, the Same shal be attended by the Select men this yeere & for future till ye Towne doe alter it.
[I-216]
At a meetinge of the Select men ffebr. 19th 1661.
vizt Capt Pynchon, Nathaneell Ely, George Colton. Miles Morgan & Elizur Holyoke.
Liberty is granted to Abell Wright to build on his land bought of Wm Branch on ye West Side of ye great River.
Likewise to Henry Chapin liberty is granted to build on his land on ye South Side of Chickuppe River.
There is liberty likewise grannted to Miles Morgan to build on his lott between ye two brookes below Chickuppe playne on ye west side of ye great River.
There is grannted to Sergeant Stebbin a parcell of land of Six acres over the pond on the back side of the long meddow u-ch land is to joyne to ye Southward of the meddow yt was Samll Wrights, between the hills & the pond: if there be Soc mitich there undisposed of.
There is grannted to Robert Ashley a house lott of ffive acres between ye two brookes below Chickippe playne on ye West side of the great River provided that he build & dwell
295
THE TOWN RECORDS.
there, or that he dispose not of the lott but to such as shall build & dwell there:
There is granted to Thomas Miller two & twenty acres of land over Agawam River above the 2d brook that is above Goodm: Leonards: also Eight acres more in the same place: this 8 acres is granted on condition that he resigne into the Towns hand his lott in ye playne that is above 2d brooke: [I-217]
ffebr. 19, 1661.
There is grannted to Griffith Jones Twenty acres of land if he like to take soe much over Agawam River neere thie land of Thomas Miller last mentioned this land lyes up the River fro: Tho: Millers land.
There is granted to John Dumbleton Richard Exell John Scott & Jnº Henryson wt land is between Agawam River & the 3d division & their lotts by ye Cold Springe & the fence yt is to be sett up from ye great River to Agawam River. Jnº Dumbleton & Richard Exell are to have three acres a peece to the others two acres apeece: Obadiah Millers lott neere ye Cold Spring being the uttermost bounds Eastward of these grannts. John Dumbleton is towards ye great River John Scot next him John Henryson next him Rich Exell next by Agawam River only high ways are to be allowed through these lands as need shall herein require in the judgmt of ye Select men.
There is granted to Charles fferry Six acres of land in ye (lingle called Tho: Thomsons dingle at the reere of Benja- min Parsons & Widdy Bliss their wood lotts:
There is granted to Goodman Colton along the Strappet of upland between the two ponds on ye backside of the long meddow, lying on the West side of his own wett meddow there. Also there is granted him an acre & halfe or two acres of wett meddow lying over the pond at the Long Meddow. over the knap of the hill, that is by his own wett meddow, & it is to lye by Long meddow brook side.
There is grannted to William Morgan a house lott of ffoure acres, between ye two brookes below Chickuppe playn
. 296
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
on ye west side of ye great River: provided hie build & dwell on the lott, or that he dispose not of it but to such as shall build & dwell upon it. Also theres grannted him 20 acres of land fro: ye River to the Hill. uppon this grant Wm Mor- gan surrendered his land in the playn above end brooke: [I-218]
ffeb. 19th. Rice Bedortha & Thomas Miller are appoynt- ed to be veiwers of the fences for the higher end of ye Town from the meting house & over ye River: And Jnº Clark & Samll Ely for ye Lower end of the Town & down to ye Long meddow:
Ensigne Cooper & John Dumbleton are appoynted to lay out the high ways from ye 2d division Lotts to Chickuppe playne according to their discretion they are to doe it for place where & for the breadth thereof: Also a high way thorow ye playne for convenency of ye Proprietors of the lotts in yt playne: also they are to examine whether any high ways on that side ye River are prjudiced by fencing or plow- ing or otherwise: And they are to make return of their work to the Select men vizt of the wayes they lay out & how much they app hend any way is prejudiced as afore said:
It is Ordered that the high way from ye Town bridge by Thomas Bancrafts to Goodman Cooleys lott at the higher end of the Long meddow shall be ffoure rod in breadth: And the way is to lye where carts doe usually go: only it is to turne to ye right hand on this side the first bridge & Soe yr is to be made a bridge ovr that gutter to make ye way more Straight & to Save charge of repayring those bad places where ye way has usually been :
Also the high way from ye long meddow gate to ye lower end of ye Long Meddow shall lye where carts doc usually goe & is to be 4 rod in breadth from ye gate till it turne from ye River in to ye lotts & thence to the bridge running the way mens lotts it is to be two rodd in breadth: this way is apoynt- ed to be there on Condition that any supposed grannt of a way all along by the River side shall be voyd: And every man
297
THE TOWN RECORDS.
is to have the priviledge of the herbage of the high way agaynst his lotts.
[I-219]
ffebr. 19th 1661. Benjamin Cooley & Benjamin Parsons are chosen to veiw & lay out a high way where they judge most convenient for a passage from ye Mucksy meddow bridge at ye long meddow to ye woods on the backside of the said Long medow: And they are to lay out ye way a sufficient breadth & to stake it out on both sides. Also they are to consider where George Colton may have convenient passage to his lott on ye back side of the pond & to Stake it out for him.
There is granted to Cap. Pynchon Robert Ashley & George Colton that share of upland & meddow at Worro- noco that was form'ly grannted to Jonathan & John Gilbert who forfeited their grannt of the Islands: these lands thus grannted are all the low lands between ye River & the hills on ye Northeasterly side of woronock River. And this grannt is upon condition that those lands be confirmed to ye Town by the Genll Corte: & that the Grantees doe buy out the Indians right in the said lands here granted:
There is granted to Rice Bedortha a wood lott of ffoure acres adjoyninge to ye west side of his house lott grannted him between ye two brooks below Chickuppe playne: this being in leiw of a wood lott wch he challenges on this East side of ye great River.
It being necessary that tymber for Coopery ware be se- cured till it be Seasoned & dry: It is therefore Ordered that what tymber John Matthews shall provide for drying such tymber as aforesaid shal be allowed to lye in ye woods halfe a yeere longer before it is forfeited than other tymber may: [I-220]
At a Town Meeting ffebr. 26, 1661
Vpon conference & Serious consultation, the Town by vote concluded it convenient & necessary that there should be all due consideration, concerning Settling the Townes in
298
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
1
this Western part of the Collony into the forme of a County: In Order whereunto Capt Pynchon Leiut Holyoke & En- signe Cooper.
[I-22]]
ffebr: 26, 1661. At the same Town Meeting considera- tion being had of making more roome in the meeting house for better convency of peoples sittinge: It was voted & con- cluded yt a gallery should be made in ye chamber & that therefore the middle row of boards & justs are to be taken up & Seates made on both sides wth as much conveniency as may be wch is left to ye Select men & for an increase of Seates on the South side of ye house the South doores are to be stopt up & two Seates made there for ye women.
At a meeting of ye Select men ffebr: 26: 1661 in ye After- noone vizt Capt Pynchon George Colton Nath Ely Miles Morgan Elizur Holyoke
There is granted to Rich Sikes a house lott of 6 acrs be- tween ye two brookes below Chickuppe playne, to lye next upper brooke together with a wood lott of 6 acres more these grannts being on condition yt Rich Sikes doe build & dwell there or yt he dispose not of ye land but to such as shall build & dwell upon it.
Also there is grannted him 60 acres of land in Chickuppe playne next above Willm Morgan & ye brooke
Next above Rich Sikes theres granted to Joseph Crow- foote 30 acrs fro: ye River to ye hill, if it be there to be had vizt between Rich Sikes & ye brooke:
There is granted to Edward ffoster a house lott of 4 acres between ye two brookes below Chickuppe playne on Con- dition yt he build & dwell there or yt he dispose not ye lott but to such as shall build and dwell there.
[I-222]
At a meeting of the Select men: March 12th 1661-1662 vitz of Capt John Pynchon. Nathaneell Ely George Colton Miles Morgan and Elizur Holyoke.
Whereas William Morgan had a lott of 4 acres grannted to him between ye two brookes below Chickupe playne on
299
THE TOWN RECORDS.
the West side of ye great River. This lott being laid out both inconveniently & contrary to ye intent of ye Select men in ye said grannt They do further Order that Wiliam Mor- gans lott of 4 acres shall ly in length from the Northward to ye Southward as the other lotts there laid out doe lye wch ffoure acres is to ly next to ffrancis Peppers lott & to range at the Northerly end of ye lott with ye other lotts in yt little plaine: & is to be 16 rod broad at that end next the brooke & Soe broad at ye River as to make up the 4 acres: & the Southerly end of this lott is to ly off from ye brook as ye other lotts doe yt'y' may be a way to ye next lott.
There is granted to Richard Sikes the rest of ye land be- tween William Morgans lott & ye River to runn fro: ye brook to ye Reer of William Morgans lott.
Also yrs grannted to Rich: Sikes about an acre & 1-2 more or les being a little peece of lowland on the South side of ye first brook between the hil & ye brook provided ye high way be not p'judiced by it: Also there is grannted to Rich Sikes five acres of land by the brook at the South end of Chickuppe playn the end of this 5 acres is to butt on the way by Edward ffosters land in the bottom & is to be about Io rod broad: These grants are on condition that he build & dwel on one of ye lotts or yt he dispose not of the land but to such as shall dwell on ye lott.
Theres grannted of the Swamp land over Agawam River over agt the Indian ffort to Lawrence Bliss 7 acres to Elizur Holyoke 3 acre [I-223] to Richard Sikes flour acres & to Miles Morgan 3 acres: provided there be soe much und's- posed of otherwise they are to abate according to each mans proportion : Lawrence Bliss his share to lye first next to Tho: Bancrofts land: Elizur Holyoke in ye 2d place Rich Sikes 3d Miles Morgan 4th: this grannt Lawrence Bliss is partly in- reference to a grant to him Dec: 1659.
What land remaynes in ye higher end of Chickuppe playn on ye west of ye great River above former grants is granted to Abell Wright & James Taylor provided it exceeds not 50 acres: This grant to Abell Wright is on condition he re-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
sign up his lot over the great River agt the long meddow, vizt his 15 acres there: wch if he doe that 15 acres is granted to John Clarke.
In these lotts at the higher end of Chickuppe playn high wayes are reserved wch are to be laid out for tyme & place as need shall require in the judgmt of ye Select men:
It is ordered that there shall be a high way laid out to ye house of Correction yt is to be built ovr ye Meddow: & from thence to ye lott that is next to Tho: Thomsons Dingle: And Capt Pynchon & Nathaneell Ely are appointed to lay out the said way, for place & breadth as they shall See cause.
There is granted to Symon Bemon 6 acres of land at Skip- mtick for house lott neere his own land in ye neck provided it be soe laid out as in the judgmt of the Select men it doe not prejudice the laying out of other lotts in those lands there- abouts.
[I-224]
[In the handwriting of John Pynchon.] June 4th 1662.
At a Towne Meeting Purposely to Settle Some things about ye Mill.
It is agreed that Mr Holyoke or his assignes shall well Grind wheat Corne of this Towne of Springfeild shall be brought to his Mill, & thereby furnish ye Towne with Good meale for Ten yeares: except Something extraordinary doe Intervene to hinder, as fire or floods or extreme drought that makes water to faile thereby when as ye defect is not by reson of ye Banks or ditches being faulty, or the like & in case People are damadge to get meale from other Places by reson of this Mill being defective he ye sd Mr Holyoke to allow for it: In consideration whereoff je Towne doth ingage to allow ye sd Mr Holyoke ye twelveth part of whatever Corne shall be ground at ye sd Mill for ye terme of Ten yeares as aforesd:
And heretoe Mr Holyoke did Ingage himself in ye Towne meeting viz to pforme what in this agreemt concernes him- selfe his heires or assignes: AAnd ye Towne did also by a full
30I
THE TOWN RECORDS.
& cleare vote declare theire asent to what in this agreemt Concernes themselves: Moreover ye Towne ordered this Agreemt to be thus entered in ye Towne book [I-225] And that Mr Holyoke should set his hand to it, thereby ingage- ing himselfe & his heires: And ye Towne Deputed Mr. John Pynchon Geo: Colton: Robert Ashly Miles Morgan & Sam Marshfeild to set theire hands to it in ye behalfe of ye Towne, & theire hands being to it this Ingagemt is firme to all intents & constructions in Law. According hereunto ye aforemen- tioned psons have hereunto Set theire hands this 4th day of June 1662.
Elizur Holyoke
John Pynchon Georg coulton Robert Ashly, his Marke In behalfe of ye Towne.
Miles Morgan, his Marke.
Samuell Marshfeild.
The Towne ordered & appointed Benjamen Parsons, Sam Marshfeild & Robert Ashly the Sealer, to make a Tole dish true & exact to ye twelfth pt of ye bushell, & to Seale it wth ye Towne seale.
[1-226]
[In the handwriting of Elizur Holyoke.] June 4th 1662
Thomas Mascall of Windsor being by the Commissioners of this Town admitted into this Collony, is by the Select men admitted to be an Inhabitant of this Town.
[In the handwriting of John Holyoke.] August 14th 1662:
At a Towne meeting warned by ye Constable according to law: Deacon Samuell Chapin was chosen for ye Commission- er to Joyne wth ye Select men in making ye Countrey Rate, & to doe thierein as ye Law Injoynes.
The Towne having ordered that at this meting in August yearly they would choose a Constable for ye yeare ensueing: Did accordingly pceed to choise. And choose Ensigne Tho: Cooper Constable for ye yeare Coming:
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
In refference to ye order of ye Gen Cort last May That the Inhabitants of these Townes on Quinectticot should pay theire Corne to ye Countrey Rates not as ye Court sets ye price yearely but at such price as it passes among them- selves The Towne conceiving it more hard for us than for other Townes in ye Collony, & not to be according to Law, voted to send a petition to ye next Gen Court for easing our Paymt & yt it may be according to Law: & Mr Holyoke is appointed to draw it up:
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