USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts. 1684-1894 > Part 27
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344
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
breadth. The varied contour of slopes and summits affords un- usual natural advantages for the purpose to which they have been devoted. The valley farther from the entrance was in 1889, by the liberality of Messrs. Charles Flagg and William Howe, at a cost of about $700, beautified with an elliptical basin for water, granite lined, and adorned with a fountain. At an expenditure of $1,800, two daughters of Holden, now residents of Worcester, Mrs. Lucinda R. Cutting and Mrs. Abigail Coes, in 1888, provided an entrance walled in stone, so tasteful that an eminent authority says, they "made the en- trance to Grove Cemetery more beautiful than anything of the kind I have ever seen in a village of its size." 1
1 Hon. B. G. Northrop, in New York Weekly Tribune of February 25th, 1891.
CHAPTER XV.
SOCIETIES.
SOCIETY FOR DETECTING THIEVES. - KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .- TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. - THE ] NONDESCRIPT CLUB. - THE HOLDEN GRANGE. - FARMERS' AND MECHANICS CLUB. - THERON E. HALL POST, G. A. R. - WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS.
HERE is scarcely any need to assert that many societies have been formed in this town, of many kinds and with varied purposes. It has been found practicable, in this work, to give detailed sketches of only a few of them.
SOCIETY FOR DETECTING THIEVES.
A society for detecting thieves was organized with thirty- two members in the year 1818. The purpose of its organiza- tion may be learned from the following extract from the constitution, adopted February 23d, 1818 :
"As energy, vigilance and union are highly expedient to suppress the sons of violence, often found in society, the persons whose names are hereunto annexed, do agree to form themselves into a society for the purpose of detecting thieves and recovering stolen property." 1
This was one of many similar societies which were organized for the same purpose in the towns in this region. This society flourished for sixty years or more, and during this period of
1 Damon History, p. 124.
346
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
almost two generations, it included within its membership nearly all the leading citizens of the town.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
The Worcester County Encampment of Knights Templar was constituted at Holden, December 17th, 1824, working under dispensation until June 16th, 1825, when it received its charter. At that time a public address, which was printed, was given by Rev. Benjamin Wood, of Upton.
" The place of meeting was the hall connected with the Abbott hotel. Holden, at that period, was relatively one of the most im- portant of those thriving business centres which surrounded Worces- ter, and which were not far behind the shire town in enterprise and progress. The Encampment remained in Holden until January, 1831, when it removed to Worcester." 1
"On the 24th of June, 1875, the Commandery 2 celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary of its organization by a visit to the old Asylum at Holden, a public parade in Worcester, and a banquet at the Hall. An assembly was held at in the old Asylum in due regular form, and business pertaining to the day and occasion duly transacted. The hall is [was] in the second story of the rear part of the old Abbott Hotel in Holden, and from the appearance it presented, one would judge that it had not been in use, except for purposes of stor- age, since it was vacated by the Encampment. . . . The
original chandelier, from which light was shed upon the work in ancient days, still held its honored place, and a committee was appointed to negotiate with Brother Chenery Abbott, the owner, for its transfer to the apartments in Worcester, whose duty was success- fully carried out. The chandelier was conveyed to Worcester by the committee, who added to the trophies of the occasion one of the benches in use full fifty years before, and a pair of well used 'log- gerheads.' A substantial repast was provided by Brother Chenery
1 By-laws of the Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templars, 1878, p. 21.
2 In 1869, the name was changed from Encampment to Commandery.
347
SOCIETIES.
Abbott, who catered for the Sir Knights at the banquet of the organization fifty years before." 1
The following citizens of Holden were charter members of the Encampment : George Estabrook, Merrill Davis and Sam- uel S. Stratton ; and the following residents of the town have since been connected with the body : Artemas Dryden, Jr., David Davis, Rev. Preston Cummings, Rev. Horatio Bardwell, Oliver Clapp, Barney L. White, Hollis Ball, Theron E. Hall, Emerson Hubbard, Herbert W. Verry and Alfred Chaffin.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
The first temperance society existing in this town was organ- ized in the year 1829. Rev. Mr. Bardwell and Ethan Davis are mentioned by Dr. Damon as having been especially active in its formation. The third article of the constitution, which was adopted September 15th, 1829, read as follows :
" The members of this Society believing that the use of intoxi- cating liquors is, for persons in health, not only unnecessary, but hurtful, and that the practice is the cause of forming intemperate habits and appetites, that while it is continued, the evils of intem- perance can never be prevented ; do therefore agree, that we will abstain from the use of distilled spirits, except as a medicine, in case of bodily infirmity, and that in all suitable ways we will discounte- nance the use of them in the community."
" If, however, individuals shall deem it necessary to make any use of ardent spirits, they shall report the same at the annual meetings of the Society." 2
The next step which marked the evolution of temperance sentiment, was the Washingtonian movement. Of this Dr. Damon thus speaks :
" When the friends of Temperance made the above agreement, behind them they could see, with Bunyan's Pilgrim, the City of
1 By-laws, pp. 24, 25.
2 Damon History, pp, 148, 149.
348
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Destruction, and the Slough of Despond. Hill of Difficulty, however, was in full prospect before them. For 12 long years they have been struggling up that hill, undismayed by the difficulties of the way. About two or three years since, they caught a glimpse of the Delectable Mountains, ' beautiful with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and fountains, very delec- table to behold.' When the Temperance Pilgrims had advanced thus far, they commenced a discussion respecting total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks. ' They went then until they came to the Delectable Mountains, so they went up to the mountains, to behold the gardens, and orchards, the vineyards and FOUNTAINS of WATER, where also they drank and washed themselves, and did freely eat, [not drink, ] of the vineyards.'
" From a peak of one of the Delectable Mountains, a flag is seen waving in the breeze, and upon its folds are inscribed,
' WASHINGTON TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.
1841. Pilgrims are daily arriving.'" 1
Much was accomplished by the Washingtonian movement, even though not all that at the time was fondly hoped, and much remained to be accomplished in other ways. In the decade from 1860 to 1870, and for some time afterwards, there flourished a Band of Hope for the children and a lodge of Good Templars for older persons. The Good Templar lodge em- braced within its membership all classes, and is remembered to have been an agency productive of much good. Ethan Davis took the chief part in organizing and promoting the Band of Hope, receiving the well-merited title of "Father of the Band of Hope."
The chief work for temperance within the last few years has been accomplished by the local branch of the Women's Chris- tian Temperance Union, which was organized October 12th, 1885. Mrs. I. M. Ball has been President of the society since its organization, and Mrs. Samuel Warren, Secretary. The departments of work which have been taken up are : juvenile, Sunday-school, legislative, and scientific temperance instruction.
1 Damon History, p. 149.
349
SOCIETIES.
THE NONDESCRIPT CLUB.
Some time in the year 1881, a number of persons associated themselves chiefly for social purposes. After a few meetings it was decided to work for some object, so that all money raised should be spent for the public good. A constitution was adopted, article II. of which reads, "Object : to promote social feeling, and establish a fund for public benefit."
The methods adopted were numerous and varied. Every summer the Club held a picnic; in winter it gave suppers ; in summer, lawn parties. February 22d and 23d, 1882, a fair was held by which more than $250 was raised.
The Club secured the digging of the well on the common at the expense of the town, and introduced the water into the Town Hall. The desk in Memorial Hall and some of the dishes kept at the Town Hall for public use were bought by the Club. It also provided many of the street lamps. It may fairly be said to have been the precursor of the Village Im- provement Societies now flourishing in town.
THE HOLDEN GRANGE.
The Holden Grange, No. 78, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized February 9th, 1875, with thirty-one charter mem- bers, as follows : Joseph H. Gleason, Mrs. Joseph H. Gleason, John Adams, Ethan Davis, Elliott Moore, Mrs. Elliott Moore, John T. Abbott, Mrs. John T. Abbott, George S. Goddard, Wil- liam H. Drury, Mrs. William H. Drury, Alfred Bradish, Cyrus P. Phelps, Mrs. Cyrus P. Phelps, Emory Rogers, Mrs. Emory Rogers, Phineas R. Newell, Mrs. Phineas R. Newell, George B. Roper, Sumner Chamberlain, Mrs. Sumner Chamberlain, George Bascom, Mrs. George Bascom, George H. Turner, William H. Walker, Mrs. William H. Walker, Lewis F. Hub- bard, Mrs. Lewis F. Hubbard, John Holden, Eli Hubbard,
350
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Chenery Abbott. Of these charter members, nine have died, and six are still members, the others having removed from town or withdrawn from membership. Since the organization of the Grange, one hundred and ninety-two have joined, and the membership in August, 1892, was one hundred and six.
The following have held the office of Master of the Grange : Ethan Davis, 1875 ; W. H. Walker, 1876; George Bascom, 1877; George S. Graham, 1878; Sumner Chamberlain, 1879 ; Joseph H. Gleason, 1880 ; William H. Drury, 1881; Albert A. Metcalf, 1882-3 ; Isaac C. Richardson, 1884; Walter D. Bry- ant, 1885-6; Albert A. Metcalf, 1887 ; Fred L. Chamberlain, 1888-9; Charles T. Mead, 1890-91 ; John W. Lowell, 1892 ; Albert A. Metcalf, 1893.
The following have been Secretaries : Joseph H. Gleason, 1875 ; Elliott Moore, 1876; Charles T. Mead, 1877-8; Joseph H. Gleason, 1879; George S. Graham, 1880-82; William C. Metcalf, 1883 ; Jonas Hubbard, 1884 ; Mrs. Stephen N. Hub- bard, 1885-93.
The purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry are partly edu- cational, partly financial, partly social. During most of its history, the Holden Grange has paid far less attention to the second than to the first and third of these objects. An annual programme will show how these purposes are carried into effect in the regular meetings of the order.
PROGRAMME FOR 1892.
JANUARY 4th .- Installation of Officers.
JANUARY 18th .- Grange Quarterly. Question : What are the arguments for and against free mail delivery in the rural districts?
FEBRUARY Ist .- Does the agricultural literature of the day bene- fit the farmers?
FEBRUARY 15th .- What constitutes a farmer? Is the farmers' present condition due more to a lack of ability than to circum- stances ?
FEBRUARY 29th .- Social and Leap Year Supper.
MARCH 7th .- Is it profitable for the farmers to set out young orchards, at the present price of apples ?
35I
SOCIETIES.
MARCH 21st .- What is the duty of town officers and their obli- gation to the town they represent ?
APRIL 4th .- Resolved, that the cultivation of flowers is a duty rather than a privilege.
APRIL 18th .- Grange Quarterly. Evening with the poets- Longfellow, Whittier and Bryant.
MAY 2d .- Is poultry, as a specialty, more profitable than other kinds of farming ?
MAY 16th .- Overseers' night.
MAY 30th .- Special children's meeting.
JUNE 6th .- Can weeds on the farm and in the Grange be made useful ?
JUNE 20th. - Flora's meeting.
JULY 4th .- Strawberry Festival.
JULY 18th .- Grange Quarterly. Pests.
AUGUST Ist .- Pound Party.
AUGUST 15th .- Milk making : the cost and comparative profits between making butter, fatting calves and selling milk.
AUGUST 29th .- Special.
SEPTEMBER 5th .- What is the best method of disposing of farm products, and is it best to sell them at times of harvest, or hold them indefinitely for higher prices ?
SEPTEMBER 19th .-- Literary Salad.
OCTOBER 3d .- Harvest Festival.
OCTOBER 17th .- Grange Quarterly. Ladies' Night.
OCTOBER 31st .- Annual Young People's Meeting.
NOVEMBER 7th .- Gentlemen's Night.
NOVEMBER 2Ist .- Thanksgiving Entertainment.
DECEMBER 5th .- Election of Officers.
DECEMBER 19th .- To what extent should a wife interest herself in her husband's business ?
352
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
THE FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' CLUB.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Club was organized in the Town Hall, November 20th, 1860. A constitution was adopted, the first two articles of which were as follows :
" ART. Ist. This association shall be styled the Holden Farm- ers' and Mechanics' Club.
"ART. 2d. Its object shall be to promote the interests of agriculture and the welfare of the Farmer and Mechanic, and to dis- seminate such knowledge, practical and scientific, as shall conduce to that end."
Fifty-four names are signed to this constitution.
Meetings were held once in two weeks, in the evening. Early hours and promptness were among the first lessons taught by the Club. At the third meeting of the Club, December 31st, 1860, it was voted that the next meeting should be called to order at half-past six o'clock in the evening, and that no discussion should be in order after nine o'clock.
In 1870 the annual meeting was not well attended, and it was voted to discuss the question, " Is it profitable to meet to discuss agricultural topics ?" After a spirited debate it was decided in the affirmative. Meetings continued to be held in the Town Hall once in two weeks in winter, with varying interest and success, until 1883. It was then voted to discon- tinue the holding of the meetings at the Hall, and to meet with any member who should invite the Club to his house. This action gave new life and vigor to the Club, and the meetings gained rapidly in attendance and interest. Since that time the meetings have begun at half-past ten in the morning, a collation is served at noon, an hour is then spent in social intercourse, and after the afternoon exercises the meetings close at four o'clock.
Many women have attended the meetings since the change in the arrangements, have been invited to take part in the dis- cussion of questions in which they are especially interested,
353
SOCIETIES.
are admitted as members of the Club by signing the constitu- tion, and have greatly increased the interest and success of the meetings.
The topics for discussion have gradually taken a widening range, and questions of a social, economic and general charac- ter have been canvassed. At the meeting held April 8th, 1891, the question, "Shall we celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Hol- den ?" was discussed, by a unanimous vote decided in the affirmative, and a committee was chosen to call a general meeting of citizens. This discussion and action was the first step taken toward the celebration of this anniversary. Other questions of importance to the town have from time to time come before the Club for debate, and have afterwards been brought before the town at its legal meetings. Not only in these direct results of discussions, but by the intellectual stimulus as well as instruction and correction of debate, and in a quickened, enlightened and elevated public sentiment, the in- fluence of the Club has been felt very widely in the community.
An exhibition of farm and garden products, stock, manufac- tures and fancy articles was held in the fall for many years. The success of these fairs was a matter of just pride to the town as well as to the Club. Public addresses were given be- fore the Club on these occasions by the following gentlemen : Rev. Elnathan Davis, 1861; William P. Paine, D. D., 1862; Rev. Lester Williams, Jr., 1863 ; Major Theron E. Hall, 1865 ; Rev. John S. Haradon, 1866; Merrill Richardson, D. D., 1867 ; Hon. Amasa Walker, 1868; Hon. Henry Chapin, 1869 ; Stephen S. Foster, 1870 ; Rev. Elnathan Davis, 1871 ; Rev. E. Porter Dyer, 1873 ; Prof. C. O. Thompson, 1874; Hon. A. A. Putnam, 1879; Obadiah B. Hadwen, 1880; Charles J. Noyes, 1881 ; William H. Earle, 1882 ; Hon. John E. Russell, 1883; Rev. William M. Hubbard, 1884; Col. Thomas Went- worth Higginson, 1886.
The following members of the Club have filled the office of President : Joab S. Holt, 1860 ; Isaac Damon, 1861 ; Archelaus Putnam, 1862 ; Charles W. Gleason, 1863 ; John Holden, 1864 ;
354
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
John Adams, 1865; Church Howe, 1866; Charles Flagg, 1867-8; Simon Abbot, 1869; Charles Chaffin, 1870; Charles Flagg, 1872 ; William Moore, 1873 ; Joseph H. Gleason, 1874 ; John Holden, 1875; George W. Bascom, 1876; Charles Flagg, 1877; Charles T. Foster, 1878 ; George S. Graham, 1879; Jonas Hubbard, 1880; William H. Drury, 1881 ; Isaac C. Richardson, 1882-3 ; John Holden, 1884-6; Charles E. Parker, 1887-8 ; Edwin J. Miles, 1889-90 ; Frank C. Parker, 1891-2.
The following members have filled the office of Secretary : Joseph H. Gleason, 1860-62 ; David F. Parmenter, 1863 ; Joseph H. Gleason, 1864;1 Abner P. Greenwood, 1870; Joseph H. Gleason, 1872-3 ; Israel M. Ball, 1874; William H. Walker, 1875 ; Joseph H. Gleason, 1876 ; Elliott Moore, 1877 ; Jonathan Moore, 1878-9; Joseph H. Gleason, 1880; Jonas Hubbard, 1881-6; George S. Graham, 1887-8; Elnathan Truesdell, 1889-90 ; Franklin Moore, 1891 -- 2.
Ths following is the list of subjects for discussion for the season, 1892-3 :
NOVEMBER 30th .- A. M., Shall the town add largely to the Poor Farm buildings to satisfy the demand of the Poor Farm Associa- tion? P. M., What will be the results of the election ?
DECEMBER 14th .- A. M., Birds : Friends or enemies. P. M., How can Holden improve her one hundred and thirty miles of road ? Shall the State have the supervision ?
DECEMBER 27th .- A. M., Helps and hindrances on the farm and in the household. P. M., Reading ; What and how.
JANUARY IIth .- A. M., Can the farmers in this vicinity afford to set fruit trees? P. M., The State Dairy Bureau : How will it help the farmer ?
JANUARY 25th .- Ladies' Day.
FEBRUARY 8th .- A. M., In town affairs is the Australian system of voting an improvement? P. M., Game and trespass laws : Are the farmers sufficiently protected ?
1 The records of the society from 1865 to 1869, inclusive, are missing.
355
SOCIETIES.
FEBRUARY 22d .- A. M., Does our large outlay for schools pay? P. M., Taxation as it affects the farmer.
MARCH 8th .- A. M., Silos : Have they come to stay? P. M., Growing and marketing garden vegetables.
MARCH 22d .-- A. M., How shall we save our fruits from insect pests? P. M., Shade and ornamental trees on the highways and about our homes : What shall we plant, and how best preserve ?
APRIL 5th .- A. M., Shall we practice soiling? P. M., What can we learn at the World's Fair?
THERON E. HALL POST, G. A. R.
It is necessary here only to mention the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was organized in Holden, in January, 1869. An account has been given of its history on pages 191, 192.
WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS.
A Post of the Women's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Holden Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, Theron E. Hall Post 77, was constituted April 13th, 1891, with twenty-two charter members. About forty ladies have held membership in this Post, and nearly that number belong to it at present.
Besides more formal participation in the relief work of the Post than had been possible before, and helpful ministrations among their own membership, the Relief Corps, on the anni- versary of their organization, April 13th, 1892, presented to the Post a handsome silk flag.
CHAPTER XVI.
STATISTICS AND OFFICIALS.
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. - MEADOWS. - FIRST TAX LIST. - FIRST CENSUS .- POPULATION. - DIVISION OF LANDS .- PRO- DUCTION OF GRAIN. - VALUATIONS .- CLERKS .- TREASUR- ERS. - SELECTMEN. - REPRESENTATIVES. - SCHOOL COM- MITTEES. - PARTIES.
ANY papers of interest and importance are preserved upon the books of the Town and among the papers collected by Dr. Damon and now in the Library of the American Antiquarian Society. A few docu- ments, for which place could not be found elsewhere, follow :
" Here ffollows 1 the Particular Mens Proprietys in the North Part of Worcestr This 29 July 1724
Thos Palmer Esqr John Ouiton & Cornelius Waldo, In right of Captn Wing 37
John Smith in Right of Gookin
18
Nath11 Hincksman &c in Right of Majr Hinksman 15
Adam Winthrop in Right of his ffather 4
Jonas Rice from Atherton 6
Willm Hutchinson from Jonas Rice and King 3 )
and from Hezek: Bush and Ward 3.
6
James Holmes of Woodstock 4
Joseph Esterbrook Junr of Lexinton from Gershom Rice 5
Eleazr How and Caleb Rice Marlborough from Do Rice 3
Thos Jackson &c of Boston in Right of James Butler 4
1 Proprietors' Records, vol. I., pp. 11, 12.
.
STATISTICS AND OFFICIALS. 357
Nath11 Jones from Isaac Leonard 4
And the Mill Lott 3
Thos Prentice from his Grand ffather 5
Danll Pounding &c from Pain and Eanas Salter
3
Joshua Rice from Briggit Usher
NathIl Moore from Isaac Bull 4 And granted him 3 7
4
Nº 3 The heirs of Peter Goulding 5
Nº 86 Jonathn Waldo from John Ting and Crossby 4 )
8
Nº.38
And from Leonard and Benja Allen
4 )
30 Newton and Britton of Marlborough from Bull and from Bull to Jonathn Moor 4
34 Digory Serjeants heirs to Moses Leonard 6
IS Danll Childs heirs of Watertown from Geo : Ripley and Jams Rice 3
68 Stephen Minott from Henry Lee and James Rice 3 1
51 And from Dauson fforfeited 2
5
13 Abraham Harding of Medfield from Dauson and Goulding 5
37 John Biggelo Marlborough from Do 5
20 Coll1 ffitch from Ditto 5
42 Alexandr Lovell of Medfield Do " 5 20
2 Alexandr Gardner Minister
36 Benja fflagg in Right of Isaac Leonard Estes Hatch from Thos Brown and Lee 3
4
And from Jonathn Hubbard and Lee 3 5 6
Benja fflagg Junr from Thos Brown
3
35 John Hubbard from Sterns and Curtice 5
32 Thos Rice in Right of his ffather Ephraim 3
71 Ephraim Rice Son to Ephraim
3
19 Josiah Rice Son to Ephraim
3
26 Elisha Rice Granted him
3
58 Thos Haggit Granted him
. 2
6 Jams Holden Do
3
64 John Gray from Mr Gleason 3
Thos Leonard from Thos Wheeler and ffletcher Knap 3
Ditto Leonard &
from Danll Livermore
4)
7
DanIl Biggelo
23 Ministerial 4
5 School
2
4
358
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
8 John Marble of Marlborough from Josiah Haywood 3
Dan11 Haywood from his ffather Deacon Haywood 4
70 David Haynes from Thos Newton 3
17 Aaron Adams by Grant 3
53 Thos Binney Allowed Afterwards
4
48 Wm Payn Dauson fforfeited
2
59 Isaac Taylor by Grant 3
63 Deacon Hapgood of Stow Town and Barnes Miller 3
41 Obediah Wards heirs from Button 3
262
" Besides Moses Leonard, Dan" Davis, Leonard Hoar and John Miriam Stand as Grantees from the Committee for Three Ten Acre Lotts Each, but we Cannot find who possesseth them.
"If these ffour be allowed it will make four Ten Acre Lotts Less than The 278 on the other Side Including Moses Leonards three Tenn Acre Lotts."
" Memorandm 1 Here Follows The Names of The Meadows and Numbr of Their Acres in Each belonging to the North half Part of Worcest" as They were Surveyed by James Keyes. Paid for the Same £3 :6. The 29th of January 1723 by vote at the Proprietrs Meeting Sd Day And Are Vizt
Stonehouse Meadow No. I 25 Acres
Merry Meeting Meadow
2 14
Long Meadow
3 25
80 Rods
Middle Meadow
4
16
79
Rock Meadw
5
7
29
Mossy Meadw
6
II
140
West Meadw
7
7
47
Upper Quenepoxit
8
7
51
Nonsuch Meadow
9
54
92
Publick Meadow
IO
5
II3
Beaver Meadow
II
4
16
Lower Quanapoxit
I2
2
66
Trout Meadow
13
17
Total 208 Acres IO Rods"
" Mr Benj Flagg the Surveyor reported that Since the last meet- ing he had found out one peice of Meadow Containing Six acres, and an Other peice containing two acres which together with the
1 Proprietors' Books, vol. 1, p. 10.
359
STATISTICS AND OFFICIALS.
Two Hundred and Eight acres and Ten Rods Surveyed by James Keyes makes Two Hundred and Sixteen acres and Ten Rods which is the whole of the Meadow Yet found out in the North Half which by Calculation was found to allow one Hundred twenty three Rods and five Sixths of a Rod to Each Ten acre Right besides four acres reserved to the first Minister. Ordered Therefore that Mr Flagg the Surveyor accordingly proceed and Lay out the Same to Each Proprietor as soon as may be " 2
The following is the earliest tax list which has been preserved :
" The foloing Rate or Tax is fourty pounds old Tenour granted by the Inhabitance of Holden regurly assembled on the Twenty forth Day of May may Last to Defray ye charges of building ye pul- pit in part and other nescery charges ariseing in Sd Town
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