USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The history of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 1638-1889 > Part 13
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Hedges were sometimes made use of. Mention is made of fences that were to be made up " of good rails well set three feet and one-half high or otherwise good hedge well staked or such fences as would be an equivelant the fences to be attended to by April 1st if the frost give leave if not then ten days after." After a certain date all the field fences were to be closed, as is indicated by the following: "It is ordered, that all the fences that are in general fields, in this town of Sudbury, shall be shut up by the 10th May or else to forfeit for every rod unfenced five shillings."
STAPLE CROPS.
Some of the staple erops were Indian corn, - sometimes called by the one word " Indian,"- rye, barley, wheat, peas and oats. Hemp and flax were also raised.
Hay was early a great staple article ; this, as we have noticed, the river meadows bountifully produced. To such an extent did this erop abound, that the settlers not only kept their own stock, but they received cattle from abroad. (See Chapter I.)
The time for cutting the meadow grass is indicated by such statements as these. When Sergant John Rutter hired the Ashen swamp meadow, "he was to cut the grass by the 10th of July, or else it shall be lawful for any other man to eut the said meadow." He was to pay for it that year 4s. and 6 pence. Such prices as the following are also mentioned : two bushels of wheat and one bushel of Indian corn for Long Meadow. Strawberry Meadow was let out the same year, 1667, for one bushel of wheat; also the minister's meadow in Sedge Meadow was let out for eight shillings to be paid in
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
Indian corn ; Ashen Swamp Meadow was let out the same year to Ensign John Grout for three shillings, to be paid one-half in wheat, the other in Indian corn. The meadow on the southeast side of the town was let out to Henry Rice for a peck of wheat. These, we think, were probably com- mon meadows of the town, and let out from year to year.
Measures were taken from time to time for improving the meadow lands. In 1645, a commission was granted by the colonial authorities (Colony Records, Vol. II., p. 99) " for ye bttr & impvng of ye medowe ground vpon ye ryver running by Concord & Sudberry." Later, also in 1671, a levy of four pence an acre was to be made " upon all the meadow upon the great river for the clearing of the river; that is, from Concord line to the south side, and to Ensign Grout's spring."
MODE OF TRAVEL.
The travel by vehicle in those early times was, for the most part or wholly, by means of the cart, as we infer from the mention of this term in connection with bridges and ways ; as where the Court orders that Sudbury should make cartways, and as in a contract for a cart-bridge over the river, and a cart-bridge at Lanham. This was probably a clumsy conveyance, and used for farm work and freight, rather than for passenger travel.
Travelers probably went on horseback or on foot ; in early times the pillion was used, by which two could ride on one beast. To keep people from danger in passing over the causeway, stakes were arranged along the roadside, and we read about 1742 of staking the long causeway for a guide. In 1730, the following article is found in a warrant : " To see if the town will take care and order that the fences on the north side of the Long causeway be taken or struck down so as to prevent the snow from drifting thereon."
CLIMATE.
The following records will serve to indicate the character of the climate at that period compared with the present. It was at one time ordered by the town that the fences should
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
be set by the 1st or the 10th of April. In 1642, "it was ordered that no cattle were to be found on the planting fields and all the fences were to be up by March 1st."
Tradition says the snow-fall was formerly greater than at present. If this is so, the fact may be due to the removal of a great quantity of timber. The same cause might also lessen the fall of rain. Greater rain-falls and the retention of mois- ture in the vast forest tracts may have enlarged the small streams, and rendered them more efficient for mill - power than they are now. The same cause may have made exten- sive river floods. This may also explain the fact that for- merly there were freshets, notwithstanding the absence of dams along the river course.
But if the temperature was ordinarily about the same as it is now, there were seasons of unusual severity.
" In ye year 1667 from ye middle of November until ye mid- dle of March was the tereblest winter for continuance of frost and snow and extremety of cold that ever was remembered by any since it was planted with English ; and was attended with terebell coughs and colds and fever which passed many out of time into eternity, and also through want and scarcity of fother multitudes of sheep and cattle and other creatures died. It is a duty incumbent on all those that call themselves the people of God to consider his great works and the opera- tions of his hands. JOHN GOODNOW Clerk."
" Feb. 7, 1763. There has been no rain this Winter nor sence the snow came, and the springs is low and they grind but two bushels in a day at this mill. the snow is on a leavil 3 foot and 3 inches in open land." (Stearns' Collection. )
With great snow-falls came the necessity of " breaking out the roads." In early times this was done with ox-teams. Most of the farmers had one or more "yokes of oxen " or "steers." Perhaps a dozen of these were attached to a stout ox-sled, and thus the roads were ploughed through. Often a plow was attached to the sled's side, the more effectually to widen the path. Sometimes strips of road were abandoned entirely for the season where the way was unusually blocked,
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
and the fields used instead. A very merry morning it was for the men and boys when all hands were called out for this work. The train starts out with a single ox-team, but is joined by others as house after house is reached until rein- forcements make a long train.
CARE OF THE POOR.
In 1649, it was ordered that certain persons " have power to speak with Mrs. Hunt, about her person, house [or home] and estate, and to take some care for her relief." The fol- lowing vote was recorded years afterwards : that " Mrs Hunt shall have fifty shillings, out of a rate to be made this present February 1665, this in respect of her poverty." In 1669 [or 7] Mrs. Hunt was to have fifty shillings pension paid out of the town rate. In 1673, " because of the poverty of her famely, it was ordered that Mr. Peter Noyes do procure and bring sergeon Avery from Dedham to the Widow Hunt of this town to inspect her condition to advise, and direct, and administer to her relief, and cure of her distemper." Ten pounds were also to be put " into the hands of Peter Noyes with all speed to assist Mrs. Hunt with."
About 1663, a contract was made with Thomas Rice to keep a person a year, "if he live as long," for which he was to have five pounds sterling ; and if the person kept had any, or much sickness during the year, the town was to give Mr. Rice "satisfaction to content, for any physic, attendance or trouble." In 1663, £7 were added to the present rate, " for the use of Thomas Tfling's sickness, and to pay for intend- ance of him." In 1664, John White was "exempted from paying his present rate to the town, and also unto the minis- ter." Dr. Loring, in his diary, gives repeated instances of collections taken for the afflicted in the time of his ministry ; as, for example, in 1750: " Lord's day, had a contribution for Thomas Saunders, laboring under a severe and incurable cancer ; collected £16-8-0." In 1757 or '59, " had a contri- bution for our brother, Tristam Cheeny. £31 was gathered." About 1762, October 7th, public Thanksgiving: " A contri- bution was made for the wife of Asahel Knight of Worcester. £18 was collected."
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
LAWS FOR THE PREVENTION OF POVERTY.
But, while the people, as shown by such instances, were generous to the deserving poor, as a town they took strin- gent measures for the prevention of poverty. This it did, both by discouraging its importation, and by encouraging what tended to thrift. In the records we find the following : "In consideration of the increase of poor people among us, : : : as also considering how many poor persons from other towns come in to reside, Ordered, That not any one who owned houses or lands in town should either let or lease any of them unto any strangers that is not at present a town- dweller, without leave or license first had and obtained of the selectmen in a selectmen's meeting or by leave had and obtained in a general town-meeting or otherwise shall stake- down, depositate, and bind over a sufficient estate unto the selectmen of Sudbury, which said estate so bound over unto the said selectmen, that shall be in their the said selectmen's judgment sufficient to have and secure the town of Sudbury harmless from any charge that may so come by the said lands so leased, and if any person notwithstanding this order shall lease any houses or lands unto any stranger as above said without lisence and giving good security as above said, shall for every week's entertainment of a stranger into his houses or lands, forfeit the sum of 19 shillings 6 pence to the town of Sudbury ; and any person bringing a stranger presuming to come as a truant contrary to order as above said, shall for every week's residence forfeit 19 shillings 6 pence to the town of Sudbury."
In 1683, Mathew Rice was to be warned to come before the town clerk, for admitting to some part of his land Thomas Hedley, who brought his wife and child. Thomas Hedley was also to be warned to quit the town. Another person was censured for " taking in and harboring of Chris- topher Petingal, who is rendered to be a person of a vicious nature, and evil tongue and behavior, and otherwise discour- aging enough." In 1692-3 a law was enacted by the prov- ince, by which towns were allowed to warn away strangers. If the warning was not given within three months, then the
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
parties so far became residents, that, if in need, they were to receive assistance from the town. If persons warned did not leave within fourteen days, the constable could remove them by law. The town repeatedly made use of this power.
ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRY.
About 1663 the town voted to grant "Mr. Stearns of Charlestown, ironmonger and blacksmith," certain meadow lands, and "firewood for his family use, and wood for coals for to do the smithy work." He was also to take timber in the commons " to build his house and shop and fence." A little later Joseph Graves was allowed to take timber to build a house, and part of the land formerly given him to erect a smith shop upon. Also there was granted to Rich- ard Sanger " six acres of meadow, on the west side of the river, upon the condition he stay amongst us to do our smith's work for four years, the time to begin the twenty- fourth day of August, 1646."
EDUCATION.
The following records afford some information concerning early educational advantages in Sudbury. In 1664 "the town promised to give answer at the next meeting whether or no they will accommodate Mr. Walker [with] any lands towards his encouragement to keep a free school in Sud- bury." We infer that Mr. Walker was encouraged in his project by the following report on educational matters ren- dered in 1680 : -
"And as for schools, tho' there be no stated school in this town, for that the inhabitants are so scattered in their dwell- ings that it cannot well be, yet such is the case that, by hav- ing two school dames on each side of the river, that teacheth small children to spell and read, which is so managed by the parents and governors at home, and prosecuted after such sort as that the selectmen who distributed themselves did within three months last past so examine families, children, and youth, both as to good manners, orderly living, chate- chizing, and reading, as that they returned from all parts a comfortable good account of all these matters, and render
-
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
them growing in several families beyond expectation, rarely reprovable anywhere, encouraging in most places, and in others very commendable, so as that the end is accomplished hitherto. And for teaching to write or cypher, here is Mr. Thomas Walker, and two or three others about this town, that do teach therein, and are ready to teach all others that need, if people will come or send them."
From the report rendered the court for the county of Mid- dlesex, in reference to education in morals, we infer that attention was early turned to that matter. In 1655 persons were " appointed for to take pains for to see into the general families in town, to see whether children and servants are employed in work, and educated in the ways of God and in the grounds of religion, according to the order of the General Court." The same year John How was "appointed by the Pastor and Selectmen to see to the restraining from the prof- anation of the Lord's day in time of public exercise."
The stocks were employed as a means of punishment. In 1651, "John Rutter promised to mend the stocks." They were used as late, at least, as 1722, when it was voted "by ye town to grant five shillings to bye to pad Locks for ye pound and stocks." This old-time appliance was for a period near the meeting-house, as the records state that, in 1681, "Samuel How was to build a new pair of stocks," and was " to set them up before the meeting-house." In subse- quent years, tything-men were appointed, and duly sworn before the selectmen, as the law directed. All these agencies were made use of to maintain a wholesome morality. That they succeeded in accomplishing something, the following from the foregoing report of 1680 indicates: " And the select- men having also been made acquainted that the court expects their inspection touching persons who live from under family government, or after a dissolute or disorderly manner, to the dishonor of God, or corrupting of youth, the selectmen of the town as above having personally searched and enquired into all families and quarters, in and about this town, do return this answer, that they find none such amongst us."
Not only were the youth in colonial days instructed in intellectual and moral things, but also in the use of arms.
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
In 1645, " it was ordered that the youth from ten to sixteen should be instructed upon ye usual dayes in ye exercise of armes, as small guns, halfe pike, bows and arrows, provided the parent did not object."
It was expected in early times that the children of believ- ing parents would be presented in baptism. These children were usually baptized the Sabbath following their birth, and, if born on Sunday, sometimes on the day of their birth.
Besides the ordinary Sabbath exercises, religious services were held on some secular day of the week, which was called " Lecture Day." A Friday afternoon meeting was held in the Sudbury Orthodox Church until about the beginning of the last quarter century. In 1652, when a bargain was made with John Goodnow to beat the drum twice every Sabbath, he was also to beat it for service on "Lecture Day." (See Chapter VI.) "Training Days " were sup- posed to be opened and also closed with prayer. Fast days were more frequent than now. In some of the New England towns they were observed at the haying and planting sea- sons, and at the close of the harvest. Private fasts were sometimes observed. As late as July 4, 1749, there was a fast observed at the Widow. Winch's, "on account of one of her daughters having a cancer. Mr. Mudge prayed and Mr. Stone preached." (Extracts from Loring's Diary.) Special seasons of prayer were also sometimes observed. "Apr. 10th, 1757, Lord's day, the church voted that they would spend a part of the last Thursday of every month in extraordinary Prayer to God, on account of the calamitous war with our enemies the French."
LAWS RELATING TO LABOR.
It was ordered "that one shall take for mowing by the acre fourteen pence for every acre, or one and thirty pence a day." It was "ordered that all Carpenters, Bricklayers and thatchers, shall have one and twenty pence for a day's work, and common laborers eighteen pence a day." It was " ordered that a yearly covenanted servant, the best of them, shall take but five pounds for a year's service, and maid servants, the best, shall take but fifty shillings the year's service." As
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
late as 1751, the town voted that " for highway work, eight hours be accounted for a day's work, and two shillings shall be the price of a day's work, one shilling for a yoke of oxen, three pence for a good cart."
Commercial relations were not always carried on by pay- ments in money, but sometimes wholly or in part in produce. Edmund Rice, in 1654, " for service as deputy," was to have " six pounds to be paid in wheat at John Parmenters senior, and so much more as shall pay seven pence a bushell for the carraige of it, to be paid within one week after next Michel- mas." For work on the meeting-house, about the year 1688, "he was to have country pay, at country price." The country pay was to be "in good sound merchantable Indian corn, or rye, or wheat, or barley, or malt, or peas, or beef, or pork, or work." At a meeting of the selectmen, Oct. 25, 1678, it was ordered that "Mr. Peter Noyes, Peter Kinge and Thomas Stevens or any of them are appointed to collect of the Inhab- itants of this town what may be wanted of the sum granted by any person or persons towards the new college at Cam- bridge in building according to an order by the Gen C* **. " This being attended to, the town received its discharge, of which the following is a copy : -
"Discharge. Received then of several persons of the town of Sudbury several parcels of corn amounting to (with the transportation from S. to Cam.) the full sum of what was there subscribed to contribute to the new building for the college.
" I say received by me, WILLIAM MANNING."
Sometimes payments were promised either in produce or money, as, in 1696, Benjamin Parmenter was to sweep the meeting-house, from April 1 of that year to April 1 of the next year, "for ten bushells of Indian corn, or twenty shil- lings in money." Whether Mr. Parmenter was to take which he chose, or the party engaging him was to give which they chose, is not stated. Sometimes the produce was rated, or paid for town rates, in accordance with what the produce was rated or paid for in county rates; as, in 1673, it was
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
ordered that " all corn or grain, paid into the towns rate for this year, shall be paid in at such prices as the county rate is paid in at for the year." We conclude that the town had the liberty to establish the value of produce that was to pay the town rates; as, for the year 1686, wheat was rated at five shillings per bushel, peas at four shillings, oats at two shillings, Indian corn at two shillings nine pence.
SERVANTS.
Jan, 9, 1653, "it was determined that the land last granted to the town by the court shall be divided to the inhabitants, according to their several estates and families, counting the family to be husband, wife, children and servants as men have, that they have either bought or brought up." In Mr. Loring's Diary is the following, dated 1758, March 1: " Died Toby, negro servant of Col. Brown."
In Vol. LXXIX., p. 247, State Archives, is a petition from Richard Heard, to the effect that he had a negro man in His Majesty's service ; that he was in Captain Nixon's company, and was taken sick in Deerfield on his way home, and remained there sick for a long time ; and that he had to take his two horses and go after him. He asks that the court will take his case into consideration ; and the commit- tee reported " twenty-five shillings in full to be paid to Col. John Noyes for the use of the Petitioner."
It is stated (Temple's History of Framingham) that in 1733 Thomas Frost of Framingham bought of Jonathan Smith of Sudbury, for sixty pounds current money, a negro man named Gloster, aged about thirty years. Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham disposed of five slaves by his will, one of whom, named Nero, he gave to his son-in-law, Ebenezer Roby of Sudbury. In 1764, Josiah Richardson of Sudbury sold a negro girl named Phebe to Elizabeth Balch of Fram- ingham, and the following is the bill of sale : -
Know All Men by these Presents, that I, Josiah Richardson Jun. of Sudbury in the county of Middlesex, Gentleman, for and in considera- tion of the sum of 1 Pound 6 shillings and 8 pence, lawful money, to me in hand well and truly paid at the ensealing hereof by Elizabeth Balch of Framingham Widow, the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge,
.
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
and for the consideration thereof, Do Sell to the said Elizabeth Balch and to her heirs and assigns forever, A Negro female Child named Phebe, of about two years old, with her wearing apparel she now hath. And I the said Josiah covenants to and with the said Elisabeth Balch and her heirs and assigns that the said Negro Child is my slave For Life, and that I have good right to sell and convey her in manner afore- said for the term of her natural life; and that by force and virtue hereof the said Elisabeth Balch shall hold her the said Phebe for a slave for the term of her natural life. In Witness whereof, I the said Josiah Richardson Jun., have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of August 1764. JOSIAH RICHARDSON, JUN. [Seal.]
In presence of SAMUEL JONES.
Colored people were sometimes held in high esteem by the town's people, as is indicated by an entry made in the diary of Rev. Israel Loring, April 30, 1755, where he speaks thus of Simeon, a negro who was born and bred in his household, and a short time before had arrived at the age of freedom : " April 30th, 1755. This morning Simeon was taken ill of colic, but soon recovered. May 10th, Simeon died aged 21. Altho" he partly recovered he grew worse again. He was greatly beloved by the family and has drowned us in tears. In the evening we committed the remains of Simeon to the grave. A great number of the congregation attended the funeral." Mr. Loring preached a sermon on his death the Sabbath following, from Psa. lxxxix. 48.
A century and a half ago but few negroes were living in Sudbury, as is shown by the following statement : -
Number of white people in town, on both sides of the river . 1,745
Number of negroes, males ·
15
Number of negroes, females 12
Total number of blacks . 27 . (Memoirs of Sudbury.)
In early times titles were quite commonly used ; and terms designating military positions, such as " corporal," " cap- tain," " ensign," "sergeant " or " sargeant," are not infre- quently met with on the town records. The terms " Mr."
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
and " Mrs." are seldom found, except when applied to the minister and his wife. The term " esquire " is almost un- known. The term "goodman " was in quite common use. It was employed to designate a person of excellent charac- ter, rather than one of exceptional gentility. The following is its use in a record of the Town Book dated 1640: "It is ordered by the town that Goodman Hayne shall have the remainder of the meadow which Mr. Brown the Pastor divided up, except one acre that is to be divided between Goodman Knight and Goodman Hayne, if it be there."
But not alone by the application of titles was there a rec- ognition of merit and respect shown where it was due. In 1666, the Town Book states, " We have chosen, constituted and appointed our trusty friends Mr. Joseph Noyes, Sar- geant John Grout and Corporal John Rutter to read, issue and determine all matters of difference ensuing about suffi- ciency of fence." It was customary to " gratulate " some- times for service done for the public. In a single list in the Town Book' are the following persons, who were " gratu- lated " for some service done by them, and the quantity of land given : -
Brian Pendleton,
14 acres meadow.
George Munning,
10 66
10 of upland. 10
Walter Haynes,
10
John Parmenter, Sr.,
10
Edmund Brown,
15
Peter Noyes,
John Bent,
4 acres meadow,
Edmund Goodnow,
6 4
William Ward,
12 "
20 of upland. 20 6 66
Another way of showing respect was in the appointment of seats in the meeting-house. The following rule was made in 1687-8: "The most considerable rule for seating of persons in the meeting-house (the new one) shall be by what they pay to the building thereof, excepting in respect to some considerable persons as to age and other considera- ble qualifications."
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HISTORY OF SUDBURY.
The following records show that the town was not care- less in collecting its dues : " November, 1670, " Ordered that Jon. Stanhope do see that the minister's rate be duly paid, and in case any neglect or refuse to pay their proportions to said rates when due, he is appointed and impowered by the town to summons such persons before a magistrate, there to answer for their neglect." In 1683-4 it was voted, "That whereas certain proprietors and inhabitants of the town have neglected to pay their proportions to the minister's rate, and added to the evil by not paying the proportion due upon the two six months' rates made since, to the dishonor of God, contempt of his worship, unrighteousness to their neighbors, as if they : : : slyly intended they should pay their rates for them again, and to the disturbance in and damage of this town, after so much patience used, and to the end this town may not longer be baffled : . : In his majesties name you are therefore now required forthwith to [collect] by distress upon the monies, neat cattle sheep or other beasts, corn, grain, hay, goods or any other estate movable (not dis- allowed by law) you can find so much of each person herein named so greatly transgressing, the several sum or sums set off against each man's name."
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