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 26
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At a Town Meeting: January 16: 1694.
Whereas some of the Constables, & in particular Constable Joseph Bedortha & Constable Samll Bliss 3ª have in their ac- counts wth the Country Treasurer give in divers things that we Judge ought to be set of in the Country Rates they were to pay to the Treasurer, or for which they ought to have cred- ite given ym by the sd Treasure, & yet those things are dis- allowed by the Court & the sd Constables are made Debters to the Treasurer or Country to the value of those particulars, Therefore the Town do now vote that a Petition should be formed & sent to the Genll Court that they would accept what those Constables have done to the Com- pleating of the payments of the Country Rates put into their hands to collect & that those Constables [III-258.] may have Credite in the value of those particulars: & that Deacon Burt Thomas Stebbins & John Holyoke should write that Pe- tition in the Name of the Town & send it to the Genll Court:
It was also voted that the Towns mind how they would have the Genll Court addressed by the Countys Petition. that this County might not be required to pay their Country Rates in money, but that they might pay their proportion in
337
THE TOWN RECORDS.
graine to the Constables, & soe be discharged, that this the Towns mind & formerly voted should be written & Sent to the other Towns of this County, & that this be done by Hen- ry Chapin & Lt Wright, the Town Clerke joining with them.
A Coppy of the Province Treasurers receite given to Con- stable James Warriner.
Boston Jan'y 26: 1694.
Received of m' James Warriner Constable of Springfeild. Eighteen pounds eleven shillings & six pence, being in ful of a Warrant for Twenty four pounds nineteen shillings. I say received for m' James Taylor Treasurer.
P Jer :. Allen
£18: IIS: 6d:
Examined & Compd with the original Receite. & vera Copia. attest Jnº Holyoke Town Clerk
At a Town meeting ffebr: 5: 1694.
It was voted that the Arrears of the Purchase rate for the ministry Land, be put into the Constables hands of the yeer, & that they se to it, that wthin a months tyme the whole be payd by the persons yt are behind, or that the Constable to whom it is comitted pay the sd arreares.
It was voted that Ens. Joseph Stebin be impowered To se to it that the Select men & the Constables of the Several yeeres, wrin there are arrears of the Rates of the Revd m' Pel- ati: Glover uncollected, do forthwith attend the Two acts or votes of the Town respecting said arreares in April 3: 1693. & in March 13: 1693-4 & that they finish yr collections; & when any persons are dead or removed, & no estate to be had, that ye respective Select men do give account of the rates such persons to ye Select men of the next choice, & that they shall adde ym the next Town Rate. It was also voted that what is payable to m' Pela: Glover for the unpaid part of the Pur- chase rate be by the psent Select men set wth the Town Rate or added to the sums of the Persons in the prsent Town Rate, yt are behind hand in paying sd Purchase Rate:
It was voted that Deacon Burt John Dorchester & David Morgan do get an account of the Names of those persons
3.38
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
who already are seated in the Meeting house, & yet have no Interest in any Seates, by any former paymt, as also of those Persons who shalbe seated, & have no Interest in any seates as aforesd, & that the Three [III-259.] Persons afore men- tioned do proportion such Seated person the respective Seat Money & gather the said Seat Money of them, & then to pay the said money to Whom it is due.
March 12th 1694-5
At the Genll Town Meeting for Election of Town Officers:
Henry Chapin & Joseph Ashley were chosen to examine the Selectmen Accounts.
Thomas Cooper Capt Tho: Colton Daniel Cooley Charles fferrey Sen' & John Holyoke were chosen Select men to act in & manage the prudential affaires of the Town.
John Holyoke was chosen Clerke for the Town.
James Barker & Isaac Colton were chosen Constables & Sworne.
Ensign Joseph Stebbins was chosen Treasurer for the Towne
Nathaneel Burt Sent John Burt James Tailor Sent John fferrey & Thomas Jones were chosen Tithing men for their Respective precincts.
Thomas Lamb Thomas Day Junior & Samuel Ely were chosen Surveiors of ye high wayes.
Thomas Day Junior was chosen Sealer for Leather.
The Town Clerke was voted Toller for horses, viz John Holyoke.
The fence veiwers for the Several feilds were chosen as follow, viz: for Chickupi feild Samll Miller & John Bag; for the feild over the River on the North side of Agawam, Ebe- nezer Jones & Ebenezer Miller, as also for Paucatucke; for the South side of Agawam James Stevenson & Tho: Miricke Jun'; for the Plaine Increase Sikes Sent, & Joseph Willeston; & for Long medow Joseph Cooley & Nath. Burt Junt; & for the homelots John Warner & David Lumbard:
Nathanel Mun was chosen Clerk of the Market
It was voted that wn we have Town Meetings, yt yr be
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
general notices of the particulars to be acted on in the war- rant for said meetings or at the beginning of said Meetings or otherwise not to be acted on.
Whereas there is considerable worke to be done to make the ministry house & the Land Tenantable, yt is the homelot Land & the medow, It was voted that the Selectmen se to it that the house be forthwith repaired, & the respective fences set up, & that what the Last yeers Rent falls short to pay for we emburse.
It was declared by vote that Capt Germons Time for im- proving the Pine trees for Rosin is expired, & that neither he nor any other stranger shal make use of the Pines for Rosin without their application to the Town, & the Towns consent.
It was further voted that the Select men shal agree among ymselves wch of ym from tyme to tyme shal be moderator at our Town Meetings, & ye sd Select men so agree one shal man- age the carrying on of al matters in each Town Meeting, pre- siding for every mans orderly or quiet demeanor & Speaking, according to Liberty or Leave granted for Speaking One af- ter another, & not to allow more y" one to Speak at a tyme; or any to Speak in a tumultuous maner, & after a vote put by the Moderator, & the debate thereby Issued, Then (onles the vote be doubtfull & need clearing) al to acquiesse & rest y'in, ex- cept the Moderator upon apparent & good reason se Cause again to reassume the matter, & allow further debate, wch is not to be wthout weighty Cause, nor wthout the moderators plain & expresse allownace. And at the genll Town Meet- ing in march for the choice of Town officers, one of the for- mer Select men to manage the affaire of the day, at Least the former part of the day.
It was farther voted That the Select mens accounts of Debts & Credite of the Town for the yeer past shalbe always by them made up, & delivered yeerly unto the Town Treas- urer five dayes before the Genll Town Meeting in March, & by [III-260.] said Treasurer be examined perfected, & brought to a ballance, & be presented & read to the Town at the General Town meeting for their acceptance & what mon-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
ey is due to the Town upon the ballance of the Select Mens acco's they shal from time to time in march yearly pay it in to the Towns Treasurer wthin six dayes after he is chosen yeerly: & for want thereof (except the Select men make it appeare to the Treasurer that it Lyes in the Constables hands, & that he in fault) the sd Town Treasurer shal & hereby is enabled to sue any Selectmen neglecting to pay in the ballance before any Justice of the peace if under forty shillings, & if above forty shillings, at the next Inferior Court of Pleas, so that it shal be recoverable from the neglecting Select men by the Town Treasurer for the Towns use fro time to time. More over the Town Treasurer shal have power to cal in any dues to the Town or the Poor thereof from any Person whatsoever that are not accounted or allowed to the Towne, who they be due by rats rent contract gift forfeitures or any other wayes by ye Laws made payable to the Town, & the Treasur- er for the Town shal have power to recover what ever of Right any Person or Persons officer or Officers of the Town ought to have allowed or aid to ye Town al wch the Treasurer is to pay or allow to ye Select men or yr order.
At a Town Meeting March 27: 1695.
Haywards to the Genll feilds were chosen viz: for Chick- uppi feild on the west side the great River Samll Bedortha; for the feild over the River agt the Town henry Rogers & Nath Dumbleton; for the Plain feild & Three Corner medow ffrancis Ball & Pelatiah Morgan; for the Homelots James Warriner Jun' & Samll Hitchcocke; for Long medow Samll Keep:
At a Town Meeting July 26 1695.
Leiut John Hitchcocke was chosen Comissioner for pub- lique Assessmts.
At a Town Meeting November 4: 1695:
whereas our Neighbors on the West side the great River have made yr Petition to ye Genll Court Last may that may have Leave to procure ym a minister it was voted that there should be something drawn up to send to ye Genll Court to answer that yr Petition, & that Deacon Burt & Lt Abel Wright should draw up the answer yrunto.
341
THE TOWN RECORDS.
At a Town Meeting January 23: 1695
It was voted to give m' Pelatiah Glover a deed to Secure to him the Land that the Town did give him in way of Com- pensation for the ministry Land that he resigned up in the Towns hands; as also that he getting a deed for that and written that ye present Select men or the next chosen do set their hands thereto. It was further again voted that the Town Treasurer should se to the getting the arrears of the rates payable to the Reverend m' Glover his father, & that he so Looke after the matter as that he bring al to an Issue.
There being prsent at this Meeting a List of the Names of the proprietors & other Inhabitants of this Town, bearing date March 1685, to have the comon Lands of this Town dis- posed or divided to them; these Lists being read It was voted that the Right of the Comons Lands be saved to the persons contained in said List.
[III-261.]
At the General Town Meeting, March 10: 1695-6
mr Pelatiah Glover & Henry Chapin were chosen to ex- amine the Selectmens accounts: It was voted to add a 3ª man to the Comittee for examining said accounts & John Barber was y'upon added to sd Comittee.
mī John Pynchon Jun', James Warriner Luke Hitchcocke Edward Stebbin and Benjamin Leonard were chosen Select men to manage ye prudential affaires of the Town for a yeer ensuing.
mr Pynchon Junior was chosen Town Clerke for the yeer ensuing.
Henry Chapin was chosen Comissioner for the publike As- sessmnts.
Ens Joseph Stebbins was chosen Treasurer for the Towne.
Joseph Leonard & Samll Stebbin were chosen Constables, & sd Stebbin was Sworn.
And votes for County Treasurer were given in at this meet- ing, & sd Constables Samll Stebbin received ym to transmit ym to the next Genll Quarter Sessions.
John Burt was chosen Measurer for the Towns Lands.
342
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
Ebenezer Parsons was chosen Sealer for Leather.
Nathaneel Mun was chosen Clerk of the Market.
Samuel Lamb was chosen Packer Gager & Culler.
Samll Bliss 3ª james Warriner Jun' & Nathanel Dumbleton were chosen Surveiors of the high wayes.
Eliakimi Cooley Charles fferrey Sent Benja: Stebbin Senior John Seket & Ebenezer Jones were chosen Tithing men.
Fence Veiwers were chosen, viz for the homelots Tho: Mirick Jun' & Henry Burt; for the Plain feild Jnº Hitchcock Jun' & Tho: Lamb; for Chickupi Ens Stebin & Da: Morgan; for ye North of Agawam Henry Rogers & Jnº Mirick; for South Agawam, James Sikes & James Mun; for the Long medow Nathaneel Bliss & Samuel Keep:
Haywards were chosen, viz: for the Homelots Philip Smith; for the Plain Nath: Morgan; for Chickupi William Craney; for the feild over the River agt the Town Samuel Hitchcock & William Warriner; for the Long medow Jona- than Burt Jun™
It was voted to abate the fines payable from Japhet Cha- pin & Lt Jnº Hitchcocke for yr refusing to Serve as Select men when they were chosen thereto at the foregoing Town Meeting for choice of such officers.
It was voted to allow David Morgan the sum of Tho: Tai- lor deceased his Rate & ye Sum of m' Humbers Rate in the Twenty Rates for the Country Anno: 1691: wch he was to gather
It was voted that the former Select men should forthwth make a rate to paymt Pelatiah Glover the arreares of Sundry Persons who were rated to the Reverend his father deceased, said Persons being dead or removed & haveing Left no Es- tate to be come at, & sd Selectmen are to proportion it on the p'sent Inhabitants, & put the same Into the hands of the Constable or Town Treasurer.
mª Pelatiah Glover p'senting a deed wch he had got drawn for the Securing of The Towns Lands at Chickupi unto him & desiring that, the said deed might be signed by the Town or the Selectmen, It being objected by some that the Land
343
THE TOWN RECORDS.
Could not be disposed away fro the Towns propriety. The Town did appoint a Committee to treat sd m' Glover, what he would accept as the recompence in leiu of the Land & to endeavor an Issue of the whole affair between the Town & m' Glover, & to make return of what they do to the Towne. The Comittee appointed were Colonll John Pynchon, Deac: Jona: Burt & Ens Jose. Stebbin wth the prsent Select Men: [III-262.]
At a Towne Meeting March 19th: 1695-6
Joseph Bedortha Henry Rogers Thomas Day Jun' Samll Miler & Josiah Marshfeild have there desire granted them according to there motion made January 23d: 1695:
Joseph Leonard hath his desire granted him according to his Motion made March Ioth 1695-6 provided hee dos not obstruct the Towns liberty & Freedom for Fishing, & that noe former Grant hath been made.
Itt Being contrary to the method of this Booke to enter Grants in this place, and that the same ordr that hath been formerly, might yet bee continued, The abovesaid grants are removed back to page 209: And the following are the Acts and orders of the Towne. And the end of this Meeting vizt. on March 19th 1695-6: Is to declare unto the Towne that Coll Jnº Pynchon Deacon Jonathan Burt Ensigne Joseph Stebbins & the present Select men beeing a committee ap- pointed by the Towne for that end, did on the 16th of this In- stant meet with & signify unto m' Pelatiah Glover, that since hee had in the last generall Towne meeting freely offered to take Eight score pounds in money in Leiw of the Lnd att Chickuppy, that the Towne would comply with his motion, & speedy care should also bee taken for payment of said money, Butt m' Glover's Answer was that the money was not beeing then paid downe itt would bee to his dammage to accept itt now, whereupon the committee replied that they could not see how the want of such a sum of money for soe short a time could bee soe much to his dammage however beeing unwilling that hee should in the least bee a sufferer they Tendered him besides the Eight score pound in money
344
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
the use of Chickuppy land & the Town Meadow for a yeer, Butt m' Glover not chosing therewith the Select men ap- pointed this day that the Towne might consider what meas- ures to take for the Issueing of this affair, and in order there- unto the Towne made severall propositions which prooving Ineffectual they desired m' Glover to make his own propo- salls telling him that they were very desirous that there might bee a friendly Issue, whereupon mr Glover declared that if the Towne would allow him Nine score pound in money Two Thirds to bee paid in June next & the other Third to bee aboutt September or October, & also let [III-263.] him have the use of Chickuppy land for the yeer ensueing, That itt should bee in full satisfaction for that land of Chickuppy which the Towne voted & m' Glover also accepted, should bee in full satisfaction of the award determining what wee should allow him in Leiu of the ministry land which hee resigned up into the Towns hand, unto which motion the Towne readily yeilded and Forthwith voted & ordered that the present Se- lect men should give Bill for payment of said summ of money according to the time prefixt, and also that a rate should bee made according to the last winters list for the raiseing of said sum of money.
Voted that the ancient Appropriation of Chickuppy land on the west side of the River bee to the maintenance of a Schole in the Towne of Springfeild, Also voted that the six Acres of Meadow bee itt more or less on the East side of the River lying between the Meadow of Colonel John Pynchon on the South East & the Meadow of Edward Stebbins on the North-west side bee appropriated to the same use, and is now granted unto that use, viz: towards the maintenance of a school in The Town of Springfeild forever.
Att a Towne Meeting May 15th 1696.
Serjant Luke Hitchcock was chosen Representative for the next Great and Generall Assembly on the 27th of May 1696.
Att a Towne Meeting May 26th: 1696.
Voted that Serjant Luke Hitchcock who was chosen Rep-
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
resentative for the Towne of Springfeild is now chosen Agent to give in those Reasons & objections which the Inhabitants of Springfeild on the East side of the great River have drawn up to present unto the next great & generall Assembly or Court beginning May 27th: 1696: Showing, why the Inhab- itants on the west side of the River may not have there pe- tition Granted them.
[III-264.]
Mr John Holioke Capt Thomas Colton Daniel Cooley Charles Ferry Deacon Jonathan Burt and Lt Abel Wright were chosen a Committee to draw up the Townes objections & reasons why the Inhabitants on the west side of the River should not have there petition granted them, for the settling of a minister on that side, which said reasons are to bee sent to Boston to bee laid before the general Assembly or Court beginning 27th Instant: And that the Inhabitants on the East side of the River may bee acquainted wth sd objections or resons the abovesaid Committee have appointed the schoole-house to bee the place for there meeting, & that any of the forementioned Inhabitants have liberty att five of the Clock in the afternoon to repair thither & wth freedom bee Informed of sd Reasons or objections that they shall Judge meet to Send Serj: Luke Hitchcock who is made choice of to act in that affair:
Att a Towne Meeting 21st July 1696:
Voted that Colonel Jnº Pynchon Jnº Barber & Nathanael Bliss bee the Assessors for this p"sent Country Tax of 8of ac- cording to an act of the Genll Assembly begun & held 27th May 1696
Deacon Jonathan Burt James Warriner Capt Thomas Col- ton & L' Abel Wright are chosen by the Inhabitants of the East Side of the River to give in there reasons why the pe- tition of the Inhabitants of the West side of the River should not bee granted, unto the Committee appointed by the Gen- erll Assembly to hear the same and make a report thereof at the next sitting of the Genll Assembly or Court.
Att a Towne Meeting 5th December 1696
346
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
(Remainder of Page Blank.)
[III-265.]
Colonel Jnº Pynchon & mr Joseph Parsons haveing at this meeting made some proposals in order to the setting up & carrying on an Iron Mill for the produceing of Iron, and the Towne considering the great benefitt itt will bee to this place have granted them free liberty for the takeing & Improving all & what ever Iron Ore may bee found any where wthin our Towneship (Propriety only excepted) also the free use of wood for Coal any where in our commons provided it bee not wythin three mile & halfe of the Towne, and wthin that compass also if the Select men (who now have power given them frm time to time soe to doo) give liberty soe to doo.
Att the generall Town Meeting March 9th: 1696-7
Deacon Jonathan Burt Henry Chapin James Warriner Sr Samll Bliss Sr & Jo" Warner were chosen Select men for the year ensueing.
Deacon Jonathan Burt was chosen Towne Clerke for the year ensueing.
Ensigne Joseph Stebbin was chosen Towne Treasurer.
John Miller & John Ferry were chosen Constables.
The votes for County Treasurer were brought in & com- mitted to Constable Jo" Ferry to transmitt to the next quarter Sessions as the law directs.
David Morgan John Mirick John Petty Henry Burt & Samll Bliss 2d were chosen Tithing men for the year ensueing.
Nathanael Mun was chosen Clerk of the Market & Sealer of weights & measures for the year following.
Benjamin Stebbin & Thomas Bliss Ist Surveyor for the East side and James Taylor Sent Surveyor for the west side of the great River.
Samll Lamb was chosen Packer Gager & Culler.
John Harmon & James Dorchester fence veiwers for the homelotts.
Samll Lamb & Jehoiadah Bartlett fence veiwers for the plain.
Nathanael Morgan & James Gerald fence veiwers for Chickuppy.
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
Henry Roger & Samll Miller for the North of Agawam are chosen fence veiwers.
Isaac Frost & Samll Cooper fence veiwers for the South of Agawam.
Eliakim Cooley & John Colton Fence Veiwers for the Long Meadow.
Luke Hitchcock was chosen Sealer for leather.
Haywards chosen are Thomas Lamb for the Plain Benja- min Dorchester & John Harmon for the Homelotts, William Mackcranny for Chickuppy, James Taylor jun' & John Day for over the River, John Burt 2ª for Long Meadow.
John Petty & John Burt were chosen Town Measurers for Land.
Colonel John Pynchon Capt Thomas Colton & Japhat Cha- pin were chosen Assessors.
[III-266.]
Att the Same Meeting vizt March 9th 1696-7
Voted that upon Condition Colonel John Pynchon & Jo- seph Parsons of Northampton will not damnify the way for passing over Mill River by there setting up an Iron worke upon the Stream below the Mill now standing upon the place commonly caled the Mill River, also that Colonel Pynchon will allow the takeing of Tole for grinding to bee the four- tenth of Rye, the Sixtenth of wheat, the Twentieth of Malt, Also the fourtenth part of Indian Corne soe long as it holds to bee Two shillings six pence a bushel in money, and when or soe soon as that grain vizt Indian Corne lowers of the abovesaid price of 28 6ª a bushell in money then the Tole for that grain to bee the Twelfth part, That then the above- named Colonel John Pynchon & Joseph Parsons have free liberty granted them to set up an Iron worke or Mill upon the Mill River below the place where the Corne Mill is now standing and when the designe of the Iron worke is wholly laid aside & Ceaseth then the Stream to bee under the same circumstance itt was before this Grantt: Further the said Colonel Pynchon and his Heirs are to keep & maintain a Corne Mill for a Sufficient Supply of the Towne soe long as
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF SPRINGFIELD.
the Iron worke continue unless some overruling extraordi- nary providence dos prevent.
At a Town meeting May 4th, 1698, Jonathan Burt Town Clerk, voted may the 10 1698 that the owners of the Iron mill should mend and repare the high way that is damnified by there seting up an Iron Mill.
Voted to allow Wm Mackcranny Twenty shillings outt of the Rates for his killing four Cattamounts, itt was also fur- ther voted that if any of the Inhabitants of this Town shall hereafter kill or destroy any of the forementioned wild crea- tures wthin the Bounds of this Towne & bring the heads & taile of every one soe killed unto the Select men or Towne Treasurer they shall bee allowed for soe doing five shillings for every such creature soe destroyed.
[In the handwriting of Jonathan Burt.]
At a Towne meeting may 4th 1697.
Serjant Luke hitchcock was Chosen Representative for the next great general Assembly or Court to be held at Boston begining on the 26th of may 1697
Also it was voted that the generall Court may be desired by our representative that there may be but only two Courts holden in on yeare in this Countie.
It was also voted to Alowe m' John holyoke twentie shil- lings in money and twenty shillings out of the Towne rate made in 1695 which is to satisfie him for his being a Deputy in 1692
Also at this Towne meeting Nathaniell Bliss and Benjamin Stebbins were Chosen Jury men for the Court of please to be holden at northamton the first Tuesday in June 1697.
Jonathan Burt Clerk.
[III-267.]
At a Town meeting Desember the 3d 1697
voted and Concluded that al such as the Towne shal be In- debted unto on any tru Account such persons shal give in there account to some of the Select men at or before the month of november yearly or stay for there pay till a nother rate be made.
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THE TOWN RECORDS.
voted that the Select men have liberty to make a rate of ten pound to defray Towne Charges this yeare, but no Towne rate was then made.
voted that James Garrell be exempted from Towne rates this yeare by reason of gods Afflicting hand upon his family.
at a Town meeting ffebuary the 7th 1697 voted that what sume of mony or pay Comitted to Samuell Stebbins to be got- ten in due from the Town rate made in 1697 he shal be abat- ed on therd part if he pay it in mony
At the generall Towne meeting march the 8th 1697-8
Leiutenant John hitchcock Benjamin Stebbins mr Pelitiah glover Leiutenant Abel wright John warner: were Chosen select men for the yeare. Jonathan Burt Senyr was Chosen Towne Clerke for the yeare ensuing.
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