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 II > Part 12
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153
THE TOWN RECORDS.
al things as a good & faithful Servant he shal behave himselfe towards his sd Master or Dame or heires or Assignes, until he shal attaine such age of One & Twenty yeeres: & the sd Samll Terry Sen': that his the sd App'ntice shal be taught wel to read the English Tongue, he doth by these p'sents Covent & pmise for himself, his heirs & Assignes, & that During his app'nticeship he shal be found with meat drinke & Apparel & Lodging Suitable for an AppEntice or Servt, & at the end of his time he shal be sent away with Two Good Suites of Ap- parel, one for working days & the other for holy Dayes in witness the said Parties to these p'sents have hereunto set their hands & seales This Eighteenth Day of Febr: One thou- sand Six hundred & Eighty One.
John Holyoke Joseph Parsons Jonath Burt Jnº Hitchcocke Thomas Day
Selectmen wth their Seale affixt:
Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the prsence of Samuel Glover John Crowfoot Samuel Terry set his hand & Seale: Jan: 13: 1662:
Samuel Terry wth his Seal Affixt:
Witnesses are
John Norton Nicolaus Rust
The wthin mentioned Select men & Samll Terry acknowl- edged this Instrumt to wch their hands are subscribed .
Feb : 6th: 1682. Before John Pynchon Assist:
That this is a true Coppy of the Indenture between ve sd Select men & the said Samll Terry Senior respecting the child of Jnº Matthews.
Febr: 6, 1682. attest John Holyoke recorder.
[III-III.]
Att a Genll Town Meeting, Febr: 6th: 1682:
154
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
The Worshipful major Jnº Pynchon Esq was chosen Mod- erator for this meeting & al other Town Meetings this yeer ensuing.
Samuel Marshfeild & Henry Chapin were chosen a Comit- tee to examine the accounts of the Select men of the yeer foregoing.
Samuel Marshfeild Deacon Parsons, Jnº Dumbleton Japhet Chapin James Warriner were made Choice of to be the Select men to order the prudential affaires of the Town the yeer en- suing.
Joseph Ashley was chosen Constable for this yeer & Sworne Jnº Holyoke was Chosen Clerke or Recorder for the yeer.
Samuel Marshfeild & Leiut Stebbin were chosen measurers for the Towns Land this yeer.
Joseph Parsons Jnº Holyoke were appointed to examine the returne of ye accounts of the Comittee for the meeting house where in they find Eleven shillings due to the Comittee to ballance al accounts: a coppy of wch returne se page 113 & 114 & 115 of this booke.
Obadiah Cooley & Jonathan Morgan were chosen Survei- ors for to se to the repairing of the high wayes for the Towns side:
Haywards for the Genll feilds were chosen, for the Home- lots Benja: Knowlton, for the West side the River Henry Rogers, for Chickuppi Jose: Bedortha for Long medow Jona- than Burt.
It was voted & Concluded that the Surveio's for the high wayes hence forwards should make a returne of their worke to the Select men at Least a weeke before the General Town Meetings.
It was voted & concluded that the fence veiwers of each Genll feild do take effectual care to give notice to al the Pro- prietors of said feilds concerning the time or times for the burning about the fences of the said feilds, & that the Pro- prieto's come together by the beate of the Drum, or oth" suf- ficient notice, & that they unanimously joine together to save one anothers fences belonging to the sev'll feilds, & yt no
155
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Person Proprirtor or any other do offer to set fire about the sd fences, but at the time or times agreed on by the Veiwers on the penalty of paying double damages, or forthwth make- ing the said fences up again good & substantial fence or fences, & the Select men to give it in charge yearly to ye said veiwers, at their choice of them to attend accordingly:
It was further voted & Concluded to allow Ensigne Cooley, Quart'in" Colton & Henry Chapin out of the Town rate made this yeer what doth appeare to be remaining as due to them, for what they divers yeers since have disbursed for, or La- boured for m' Glover or Reverend Teacher his house, viz To Ensigne Cooley fourteen shillings & nine pence. To Henry Chapin four shillings & six pence: to Quart'm' Colton: 28.
It was further agreed & concluded to give the Comittee for mir Glover of Reverend Teachers house, fifty shillings to be equally divided between them & to be paid them out of the Town Rate the next yeer, & so the sd Comittee to be for ever Silent to the Town respecting any promise or engagemt of theirs to Victory Sikes to se him paid any Pay that was ever due to him for his frameing & building or Reverend Teachers house.
[III-112.]
It was voted & Concluded to give the worpp1 Major Pyn- chon Esq Twenty shillings he promising to surrender up his interest in the lease of the Town medow in the boggy medow, that the Townsmen did Lease out to m' Danll Denton.
Whereas Thomas Day hath made Ten rod of fence between his homelot & The Towns Land in ye old Training feild or the burying place, & demand pay of the Town for that worke (viz; 25 shillings) It was denyed that the Town should satisfy the same, it belonging to the proprietors of the homelots as they lye in a genll feild :
There haveing passed some undue & Contradicting votes referring to the Land or Reverend Teacher m' Pelatiah Glov- er now possesses, for wch we have Cause to be humble before the Lord, we haveing first stated it to the ministry & after- ward given it to or Reverend Teacher as his own propriety, &
156
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
yet afterward againe assumed it to the ministry thinking it of Duty so to doe, eyeing of first Sequestration thereof: upon which our Genll Corte hath declared it of Duty to give or Reverend Teacher a due Compensation to the ful value there- of. Considering the p'mises, & or entanglemts thereby, & seing or Reverend Teacher is desirous to enjoy this of Gift to him. We doe Therefore Judge it meet & cheerfully conclude that the Forty acres more or lesse of Town Land of Chickupi, together with the 6 acres & 1-2 of Town Medow, as alsoe about Two acres & halfe by mr Denton's (wch we wil (God willing) purchase) be al set apart & appropriated for the ministry, in Leiu of the former land first stated to the ministry, if we may do so & not sin against God & that the Hono'd Genll Corte be petitioned to allow of this exchange, stating this for the ministery in Leiu of the former, whereby o' Reverend Teach- er may enjoy that Land given him, according to & on the termes of or Grant to him, The Ratification & Confirmation whereof, being allowed by & obtained fro the Genli Corte, we hope may satisfy, & Compose al difficulties about it, It being understood only of one to be stated for ye ministry, the Later takeing place. the other to be void & for the effecting, & ob- taining the hono'd Genll Corte Ratification hereof it was con- cluded Jnº Holyoke should draw up a Petition to the next Genll Corte accordinglie.
It was also further concluded that the Worshipful major Pynchon Esq should give the Select men in behalfe of the Town a Deed of Sale of that Two acres & halfe by mr Den- tons house, & that also the Select men should give the Wor- shipful a Bil of Sixty five pounds to be paid him by the Towne.
The votes for this Exchange was 27: & the dissenters were 23: who though they dissented fro Confirming the Townes gift to or Reverend Teacher, yet they Consented to give him a ful compensation for the Land first set apart for the min- istry.
[III-113.]
157
THE TOWN RECORDS.
The Accot about the New-Meeting house by the Town of Springfeild is Debter
£
S d
Imp'ms: To John Allys for the frame 10
00 00
To raising it as by the paper of p'ticulars
39
2
4
To Carting ye Slitworke Logs & al the Timber OVI ye River 06
To Carting the Tymber, as by Goodm: Ely's accot &c
18
16
7
To Nailes I C G: Sikes had for a square & I C 1-2 Jnº Allys had at Raising
00
2 6
To Nailes which G: Marshfeild had from Had- ley
OI
OI
9
To Nailes 20 M of 6ª at 8$ 9d 8
15 00
4 M of 4ª at 5$ 6d I 02 00
4 M 1-2 Larg 4ª at 6s od I 07
00
I M I C of 8d at 125
6ª O I4
00
1678 4 M of 10d at 15s Od 3 OO
00
To I M of 6ª Nailes wch Goodm: Dorchester procured
00
09
00
To 5 M of 4ª nailes at Lathing : 58 6ª p M
OI
07 6
To Glasse: 323 foot at 6ª p foote, 8£ 065 To drawn lead 4£ IOS 12 II 6
To Jnº Gilbert for workng up
Glasse at 3ª p foot : 4 14 6 5 2 6
Pining the Casemts o 6 o: & for 2 quts of oile: I$ 6ª Peuter for sodder came to 0 7 6
18 OI 8
To I dozen of Iron Casemts
05
IO 00
To I Jar of oile Linseed oile
OI
05 00
To 19 M of shingles at 205 & 125 over for Long ends 19 12 00
14 18 00
00
00
158
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
To Clapboards jointing & shaveing of ym
IO 19 08 To G: Norton, G. Marshfeild: & G: Pope for clapboarding the sides & Territt & shingling the whole roof Iof & for Layng the boardes 30$ on the roofe & Territt
II IO 00
To Goodm: Norton, for planking & floaring the Territt 02 00 00
To Boardes & as p Increase & Victory Sikes their accot this 6th of Jan: 1678.
1015 f. of Inch 1-4 Pine Plank at 5$ 6ª p C is 2
I6 8
360 f. of boards at 4$ 6 d 0
I6 4
530 f. Inchi I-4 planke I
9 0
260 f. Inch I-2 oake planke I
4 9
420 f. Inch & I-4 oake planke I I4 3
3728 f. boards last yeer 1677 8 9 O
16 IO O
To Incr. & Victory Sikes for boards for the doores 0 9 8
To boards fro the saw mil over the River 3 C I-2 O 15 9
I8
I7 II
To G: Jefferys for 5 C of boards I 2 6
26
02 02
To Stone accot as by the Paper of Particulars To several persons carting smal Timber sleeprs &c as p accot
II 19
IO
Paid G: morgan for Hedge on the back side the Meeting house to secure the feild as G Ely agreed
00 06 00
To Samll Stebbein for 5 rod of 5 raile fence to fencing in ye Meeting house yd
Pd Jnº Allis for Laying the foundation of the Stone worke 00 01 00
To Goodm: Steward for worke about Tooles 00 05 06 To Goodm: Dorchester for fetching up Jnº Gilbert & Son Expences & horses & for ferriage of horses 00 02 06
I59
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Pd Goodm: Ely for carring down Jnº Gilbert & Two Horses Pd for carrying down to Hartford 16 bu. & I-2 of wht wych the Town is to allow, bec. it was to pcure a barrll of Porke for Geo. Norton
00 08 06
00 06
IO
To carrying 29 bu: of Ind. Corne to Jnº Gil- bert & Carting it, &c. we Reckon noth- ing for wth Carriage
00
I2
00
for cleansing & loss & 1-2 bu. wht at Hartford To carriage of Ind: Corn & Porke to Hartford for Jnº Allys
00
IO
00
To Benja: Knowlton for 2 M of Lath
00
I9
00
To Ens: Cooley for I barll of Tar for the Territ To Jonath Burt 4 days Laying the floor 9$ to G: Lamb 4ª. 9$ to Sam Marshfeild 4 dayes 9$
00
I3
00
To Samll Marshfeild 2 da. makeng Ladder & altering the floore
00
O5
00
Two da. putting up Glass 45, I da: Lathing be- sides with others 28
00
06
00
For piling Clapboards, & I day fetching boards
00
O3
06
For dieting Jnº Gilbert & his Son 3 weekes, horse pasture &c
OI
IO
00
356
15
OI
[III-114.]
The Meeting house is Further Dr.
£
S
d
Jonathan Burt help'g make the Ladder
00
OI
08
To G: Pope for nailing downe the floor
00
05
00
for the Pulpit Deacons Seate & staires
05
IO
00
Raising the Pulpit floor frame &c
00
15
00
for the upper worke & makeing it tight
OI
IO
00
To Two quarts of drinke for Jnº Gilbert when he made ye Glass
00
04
00
00
02
00
OI
07
00
160
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
To the workmen that were employed in take-
ing down ye Gallery Timbr 00
06 06
To Brasse for ye vane
00
04 00
To hands to raise the Ladder: I qut of Rum
00
02 00
To Goodmn: Steward for Spikes hinges staples &c as by his acot feb : 7, 1679 02
08
06
To Victory Sikes for worke &c
00
I3
00
To Goodm: Mirricke for ladder Poles
00
02
00
To Samll Ely for I M of Lath nails
00
05
00
Two C of nailes Goodm: Pope had for use about the Meeting house
00
02
00
Three C of 4ª nailes G: Pope had more; 7 C Goodm: Marshfeild had
00
0.4
06
I M & 1-2 for the Windows 65 9d more I M 48 6ª
00
II 03
From my Way we had 3 M of nailes cost 328 out of wch we had 75 so it is
OI
05
09
Three yards of broad Sacking for the Tar-poll- ing
00
06
00
To Goodm: Cooley for 4 C of nailes
00
0.4
00
To Goodm: Steward for Rods &c for the Can- ope
01 04
06
Nailes from Goodm: Day
00
06
00
April 16, 79.
3 C of nailes, at 20ª To G: Pope more I C about floor & Seates
00 06 08
To Goodm: Pritchard for showing Jnº Allys the Timber 28
To slit worke used about the Pulpit 5 3 To great nailes from Increase Sikes 3 6
00 10 09
Dec: 1680. Pd to Tho: Gilbert for I pane of Glasse wch ye dogs brake downe 00
03 00
To paimt to G: Pope for Benches in the Al- leyes 135 Timber 12d Apr: 17: 1680. To 1-2 C of nailes to G: Pope, 6d more nailes 18d 00 16 00
1
THE TOWN RECORDS.
To James Mun more then the 20$ allowed him, as in raising accot for his Land to frame on more
00 03 06
To Goodm: Steward due on the Vane, besides the 2£ 6s pd him by the young men, more I pd him 28s
01 08 00
To Gallery Timber & Joice, as p accot of ye p'ticulars
03 15 08
To Samll Allys for turning 6 diz. of bannist's at 4$ I O
4
turning 2 of the grt pillars, at 3$ 6ª O
7 O
turning 7 posts O
7 O
OI 18 00
To Jnº Allys his diet wth 2 da. of Samll Allys makes it 5 weekes OI
00 00
To Jnº Lamb 4 da. worke 85 Jonathan Bush 7 dayes 145
OI
02
00
To Isaac Gleson for 17 dayes at 35 P day
02
II 00
To Nathll Mun; 14 day at 2$ 9d
OI
18
06
To Danll Beamon for 6 da: about the Pillars at 25 3ª
00
I3 06
To 2 Plankes &c 35 6ª
00
03
06
Boards nails &c: fro Phill: Mattoon 2 C 1-2 of of boards JOS 2 C 1-2 slit worke 16$ 6d To I C of nailes 15 6ª I da: Carting fro Sho- mungonuck 6s
OI
06
06
To boards fro G: Thomas al is IIS Carting the boards Is 6ª
00
I2 06
To Cornet Parsons for 3 C 1-2 nailes 5$ 6ª 25 foot 4 Inch planke 35
00
08 06
07 06
pd Goodm: Horton for I M boards & carting ym to ye Meeting house 02 To allowance to G: Pope about the ministers Seate & for mr's Glovers Seat as the Comittee agreed with him, wn he was at Springfeild in 1682 al is 305 OI IO 00
I6I
07
06
00
162
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
To I M I-2 of nailes fro Deac: Burts accot, wch he sayes he had for ye Meeting house freezes on the Window, & so are to be accounted here
00 02 06
To Deacon Burt for worke putting the Freez- es over the windowes
00 02
06
To him 4 da: wth Jnº Allys about the Gallerys To 7 da: of Jnº Burt helping G: Allys about the Pillars
00
06
08
00
I4
00
To 4 da. Goodm: Marshfeild
00
08
00
To Jnº Hitchcocke keeping G: Allys horse &c
00
03
00
43
09
II
Se the next page; &
356
15
OI
400
05 00
next page:
[III-115.] The Town Cr
By a rate of
150£
by rate 1676
200
1678 a rate
050
400£
out of wch take widow Beamon
rates which ye Town
gave her: 13$ 6 & 45 II
00
I8 5
& Goodm: Crowfoots rates Lost &
O
3
2
I 4
02
Timo: Coopers Rates Lost &
4
6
O
17
4
2
19
II
& yn ye Towns Credit is
397
00
OI
By capt Brattle's gift
OI
04
00
By m's Shimpton's gift besides 20$ for Lead for the Territt more
OI
IO
00
399
I4 OI
I
I O
0 12
IO
163
THE TOWN RECORDS.
E
S
d
Townes Debt:
400
5
0
Townes Credit
399
I4
I
Rates
000
IO II
400 05
00
Resting due to the Comittee for the Meeting house
00 IO I4
Febr: 6th, 1682: This accot given in to the Towne at the Town Meeting febr: 6, 1682 P John Pynchon:
the Comittee also prsent: viz.
Jonathan Burt. Samll Marshfeild.
This account Examined by those whose Names are under- written or here subscribed as chosen by the Town.
& we find the Town Dr
400 05 00
& we find the Towns c'dite to be
399 I4 OI
So yr is Resting due to the Comittee for the Meeting house 00 IO II
Joseph Parsons John Holyoke
This is a true Coppy of the accot of charges about the New Meeting house, given in by the Worshipll Major Pynchon Esq to the Town, erro's Excepted.
Jnº Holyoke Record" by the ord' of the Town. [III-116.]
At a Town Meeting: Aug: 15, 1683.
Att this Meeting Deacon Jonathan Burt was chosen Com- issioner to joyne wth the Select men to take a list of the Rate- able Estate of this Town, both p'sonall & reall, & further to attend the shire meeting wth the other Comission's as the Law directs.
Ephraim Colton also was chosen Constable.
At a Town meeting: August 29: 1683.
At this Meeting it was voted concluded & unanimously ap- proved that m" John Richards, as he hath begun to teach the Towns children, so that he should goe on in this good & nec-
164
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
essary worke, & be ye schoolmaster, and the Town doth Leave it wth the Select men to agree with Him about his stipend as also to determine what Parents & masters shal allow for the teaching of their children & servants. & that the supply for the makeing of the schoolmasters Stipend shal be made by the Towne.
And whereas at a Towne Meeting, August 24: 1681 : It was Concluded that an East-line from the Mouth of Longmedow Brooke should be the bound between Springfeild & Enfeild, It was now voted & concluded that Quart'm' Geo: Colton Samuel Marshfeild Isaac Colton and Nathaneel Blisse should be a Comittee to run this dividing line Eastward, & that they doe it some Time the next November.
At the Genll Meeting: Feb: 5th: 83 Since this order of the Towne is not attended It was further voted & agreed that the same Persons & Henry Chapin added to them, should be a Comittee to attend the abovesd worke, & This some time be- tween this & next April, & Samll Marshfeild to give notice to the men of Endfeild, & to determine the Time for the aforesd worke:
[III-117.]
Here followes a coppy of the Record of a Countie Court: (Sept: 25: 1683) respecting Ensigne Benjamin Cooley his Covenanting and giveing bonds to the Town of Springfeild to save the said Town marmles fro al damages that may hap- pen to the Country Rhode to Longmedow, by reason of a drein he hath made thorow it a little above his house.
At a Countie Co'te holden at Springfeild Sept: 25th. 1683 Whereas Ensigne Benjamin Cooley of Springfeild hath made a drein thorow the Country Rhode or high way that Leades to the Long Medow belonging to Springfeild, that he might Lay that low & wet Land behind his house dry. he the said Benjamin Cooley did appeare in the said Corte & set his hand to a bond (wch is on file with the Records of this said Corte) wherein he engaged before the sd Corte for himselfe liis heires Executo's Administrators and Assignes firmely to the said Town of Springfeild, That he wil secure the said
165
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Town of Springfeild harmeles from al damages that may happen to said Country Rhode by reason of said Drein: as followes in a Coppy of said bond here transcribed:
Know al men by these p'sents, That whereas I Benjamin Cooley Sent of Springfeild have made a drein thorow the Country Rhode or high way that Leades to the Longmedow belonging to Springfeild aforesaid, that so I might Lay the Swamp & Low Lands behind my house dry, & make said Land improvable by me & for mee, Therefore by these prsents for & in good Considerations me thereunto moveing. I do bind my selfe my heires Executors Administrato's & Assignes firmely to the said Town of Springfeild (That this said drein shal not endanger or any wayes damnify the said Country Rhode, &) to Secure the said Town of Springfeild from al damages that may happen to sd Country Rhode, by reason of the drein thus made by me, In witnes whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Twentie Sixth day of September, Anno Domini: 1683:
Benjamin Cooley Sen" his marke:
At the Countie Corte held at Springfeild, Septtebr 26th 1683.
Benjamin Cooley Sent above sd appeared in Corte & sub- scribed his hand to this writing or bond acknowledging him- selfe bound as is in the prmises Expressed.
as attests Jn° Holyoke Clerke of sd Corte.
Jan: 23: 1683: Extracted out of the Records of Hamp- shire Courts & Compared therewith & is vera Copia
P Jnº Holyoke Clerke.
[III-118.]
Att the Genll Town Meeting: Febr: 5th: 1683:
At this Meeting the Worshipful Major Jnº Pynchon Esq was chosen Moderator for this Meeting, & for al other Meet- ings for this yeer.
Henry Chapin & Jnº Holyoke were chosen a Comittee to examine the Select mens accounts of the yeere forgoing:
Deacon Jonathan Burt Henry Chapin Jnº Hitchcock Sam-
I66
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
uel Bal and Jnº Holyoke were chosen Select men to order (God Assisting) the prudential affaires of the Town for the yeer ensuing, & to act according to directions page 5th of this booke.
Thomas Mirricke were chosen Constable for this yeer, & sworne:
Samll Marshfeild was chosen Measurer for the Towns Lands this yeer.
John Holyoke was chosen Town Clerke or Recorder for this yeer.
Samuel Blisse Sen' & Samuel Terrey were chosen surveio's to se to the repairing the high wayes for the Towns side.
It was further voted & concluded that the Select men should chuse Haywards to the genll feilds belonging to the Town.
It was further voted & Concluded that the select men should discourse wth any meet person for the keeping a Ferry over the grt River, & haveing found such an one to make re- port thereof to the Town, as also they are to consider the most meet place where it shalbe kept, & signify accordingly:
It was further voted & Concluded that the former Comit- tee chosen Aug: 29, 1683 to Run the East line between Springfeild & Endfeild, wth Henry Chapin now added to them should attend the sd affaire, & this to be done some time be- tween this & the following Aprill, and that Samuel Marsh- feild do give notice hereof to the men of Endfeild & that he determine the line for sd worke:
It was further voted & Concluded, to move the honord Genll Corte by way of Petition to sett the bounds between Springfeild & Hadley & between Springfeild & Northampton, & that Springfeild Towns bounds do joyne to both their Town bounds, as also to settle of East bounds at the brooke comonly called Stony brooke at the foot of the mountains East fro Springfeild; As also yt the same hono'd Corte would consider or poverty, & so difficulty to pay of Country Rates in money, & therefore set for us a price on or Corne for or paymt of or both former & prsent & al other Country Rates instead
167
THE TOWN RECORDS.
of Money, & yt the Select men do gather Ten shillings in Money to go along wth this Petition.
It was further voted & Concluded that the price of cattle in the list for the makeing of the Country Rates should be the price of cattle for the makeing al ye Townes Rates.
The grants of land at this meeting Se in Pa: 193.
Att this meeting the Kings declaration July 26: 1683 was read. [III-II9.]
At a Town Meeting March 14: 1683-4.
Att this Meeting It was voted & Concluded, that if the Constable forbeare to collect the moneys Rates til such time as there be a Returne of the Towns Petition To the Genll Corte that the Town wil beare him harmles fro ye Treasurers warrant:
It was voted to take the accot of the Towns stocke as it shalbe taken in the Country List, & to go by that for the making of all the Towns Rates for this yeer:
The hono'd Countie Corte haveing appointed this Town to consider & state a Place for a Country Ferry, & to procure a person to attend it: & make report thereof to the next hon- ored corte.
The Town did vote & Conclude that the place should be at John Dorchesters & he declaring himselfe willing to attend the Ferry provided he may have liberty to sel drink & be freed fro Military Trainings & to encourage him the Town did vote & conclude him to have Liberty to take nine pence p horse & man of of own Inhabitants a time, he the said Jnº Dorchester declaring himselfe contented that any of the In- habitants use any other way or man or meanes to transport over the River.
Further, whereas many persons are careless of giving in a ful account of their cattle for the making the Country Rates or making the list for sd rates & of Town have Concluded to make all of Townes Rates by the said list; Therefore It is now voted and Concluded that if any person of or Inhabitants be negligent hereof, viz: of giveing in a true & ful account of al their Cattle, horse or swine or sheep, & it appeare in the
I68
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
following part of the year that they had such creatures at the time of taking the Countreys List, That then the said own's of said Creatures doe pay Ten shillings for such fault or for- feit said beasts whereof one third part shal be to the Inform- er: & the other Two Thirds to the Towne:
At a Town meeting: Ang: 13th 1684.
Samuel Marshfeild was chosen Comission' to join with the Selectmen in the taking a list of the Townes Estate, both Personal & real, & to communicate the Same wth other Con- issioners for the worke at the shire meeting, as the Law directs
Samuel Blisse Junor was chosen Constable for the yeer ensuing.
At a Town meeting: Dec: 23: 1684.
At this meeting the Town did desire & appoint Samll Marshfeild & Deacon Parsons to view the ground below the Corne mil & between the Cartway & the foot way over the mil River & to state the highway over the Mil River for the rendering the highway passage there convenient & to free the sd highwaye from Inconveniencys, & any difficultys for thoro- fare for Carting or for Cattle.
At this meeting James Barker is voted an Inhabitant of this Towne & Samll Marshfeild doth acknowledge himselfe bound In the sum of Twenty pounds to the Town to Secure the Town of Charges that may arise to the Town by reason of the said James Barker.
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