USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1636-1705 (vol. 1) > Part 16
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185
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
water & that Cartway is to be alowed and it Roneth along one the west side of a letle Round Swamp and to a small white oke by deep water swomp March ye 11 1683+
The bounds between John Gray and Caleb Cooke are as folloeth Att the East end a small Rocke and a heap of stons about it and ffrom that bound to the Common Rode & ther bounded by a Walnut tree marked one fouer sides and a heape of stons att the foot and from that bound to a Run astraite Corse to A heap of stons by the Cart way that goeth up to Joneses River medow and to John Grais land from that bound Last Expresed Raingeth With Samuell ffullers land to A heepe of stons one the southward side of the above sd way to the Red swamp and ther bounded by a heape of stons and from the wester Cornor bound which is a pine tree marked one four sids standing uppon 1 Reyboth hill these bounds last Exprd is the Raing between Caleb Cooke and John Grais land at the head of sd Grais land Rainged and bounded the 9th day of March 168586 pr mee Ephraim Morton senor surveior to the towne of plymouth
[151.] Att a town meting heild att plymouth the 17th day of may 1686
The Celect men Chosen were Leftenant Morton serjant harlow & Joseph warren senor
The Deputies were Leftenant morton and Joseph warren senor
The Grand Jurymen were Isack Cushman and Eliazur Churchill Isak Lobdell
The Constable is John Doten
The survairs Chosen were Samuell Rider John Doteu samuell sturtevant and Jonathan Shaw ;
John Att this meting the towne granted unto JJohn Doten Doten senr senor of plymouth ffouer acrees of medow lying uppon mahuchet broke and the sd Doten shall take it one both sides of the broke and the sd Doten shall hold it by vertew of the towns Wright
in Respect to William hoskins and Ephraim tilsons Request for the towne to stand by them to defend theire wrights of lands that John tomson and John soule Challenges to be the
1 " Reyboth hill," sometimes in the records called Rehoboth and Raabath hill is on the southwest side of the old road round Spirit's pasture at Rocky Nook.
186
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
propriators of a sertain tract of land purchised by Captain Thomas southworth of Josiah Wompatuck the towns answer is that they are Resolved to stand for ther Whrits which they have both from grant of the Court and alsoe by posession above this 40 years
Att A towne meting held at plymouth the 9th day of June 1686 major Bradford and Leftenant Morton Were Requested and Impowered by the towne to goe along With those Gentellmen appointed by the Court to setle the northerly bounds of the towne At this meting the towne Requested Major bradford to answer the towns presentment for the Want of a pound as alsoe the towne agreed with John Rickard senor to build a pound of forty foot square 6 foot hy the posts to be white oake the Rails to be substainshall sedor Rails Every top Raile to be pined and to set this pound above the Rode at the head of 1 new streete End
John Prat
Att a towne meting held at plymouth the 19th day of July 1686 the town graunted unto John pratt twenty acres of land lying upon the westerly side of Dotens pond and to be laid out by the descresion of the survaior so as to take in his now dweling house att this meeting the towne granted to Robert Ransom twenty foot of land square nere to the ware houses below John Rickards
Robt
Ransom
John Rickard
Junior
At this meting the town graunted unto John Rickard Junior thirty foott of land square below the hill by the shore side nere to the Ware houses
Thos Hewes
Att this meting the towne granted unto Thomas Hewes the Improvement of five acrees of upland att saaquash for five years provided that he Carry nothing to prigudice the medows there nor Cut downe the wood Within forty foot of the bank on the southerly side therof
Major Bradford Elder Cushman Leftenant morton Isack Cushman and John Bradford these or aney 4 of them are authorized to act for the town as agents in there behalf With Reference to the northerly bounds of the town
[152.] Att a towne meting held at plymouth the 30th of august 1686 Gorge Morton is graunted ten acres of
1 New Street was North Street.
187
PLYMOUTHI RECORDS.
Geo : Morton
land at a place Comonly Caled & Known by the name of the 1 hy Ridg together with a small percell of swamp land Joyning to it be it 3 acres more or Less At this meting Jonathan Barnes and Robert Ransom had the towns aprobation to keepe ordenarys for this present yeare Att this town meting Elkanah Cushman Was graunted 4 acres of meddow be it more or less Joyning unto the brook that comes out of Jons river meddow on the northerly side of the brook
Elka Cushman
Measured and bounded unto Elkanah Cushman foure acrees of meddow Which was graunted unto him by the towne Which sd meddow lyeth on the northerly syd of the brook that Cometh out of Jons river meddow the bounds of the sd meddow are as followeth begining at a stake & a lieape of stones it being the south bounds by the brook and soe Runing porwest to a Red oake sapling which being Crows bounds and soe Runing along the side of the Iland to a mapell bush marked on 4 sids which sd bush standeth in the meddow being the West Cornor and soe from thence northeast to a white oake tree marked on 4 sides standing on the upland and soe Runing down East to a white oake tree marked on foure sids standing upon the upland and soe from thence southeast to a stake and heap of stons by the brook and soe Runing down the brook to the stake and heap of stons first Expresed the brook being the bounds on the southeast end September the 2 1686
pr mee Gorge Bonami senor
An agreement Made between Isac Cushman and John Gray and Jacob Cooke each of them Inhabetants of the towne of plymouth as Respecting the setteling the bounds of their lots of meddow lying on the Westerly end of Jons River meddow is as followeth the Corner bounds on the south side of the meddow between sd Jacob Cooke and sd John Gray is a Red oake marked on fouer sydes standing on the upland and soe Rainging from thence to the north side of sd meddow to a small Red oake marked on 4 sids With severall staks standing in sd Raing also on the other side of the sd Grays loot the Corner bound between
1 The " High Ridge" here referred to was near the nook at the head of Hobs Hole Brook,
188
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
the sd gray and the said Cushman on the south side of sd meddow is a Red oake marked on fouer sids standing on the West side of a small Iland or hummach of npland & soe Rainging northward to a stake standing on the meddow in the Westerly side of sd Cushmans 1 loot : of meddow which he bought of Mr Joseph bradford of plymouth with severall stakes standing in sd Raing and soe Rainging from that sd stake Westerly to a white oake marked on fouer sids standing on a point of upland unto Which Agreement Wee the above Written have set to our hands the Eighteenth day of august 1686
Isac Cushman Joh Gray Jacob Cooke
[153.] Leftenant Houland John Sturtevant and Nathaniell Southworth were Chosen by the town to serve at the County Court upon the Jury
John Downham William Shortly Elkanal Cushman and John Briant Junor Were Chosen to serve at the Court of assistants
At a town meting held at plymouth the 27th of September 1686 the town voatted and ordered the Removeall of Sarah Downhams houce and to be set up at the house of Giles Rickards senior
At this town meting 2 James Cool Jonathan Mory senior Abraham Jackson senior John Rickard and the Widdow Rickard had each of them the towns aprobation to keep ordenaryes for this present veare
At this meting the town agreed With Samuell Downham Junior for the Ringing the bell and sweeping the meting house for this present yeare and the towne is to alow the sd Downham twenty five shillins for his worke
The Bounds of the land settled betwen Steven briant senior and Nathaniel Southworth by Georg Bonham survayor as ffolloeth first a stone set up by a stump which was the antient bounds upon the Eastward side of the high Way upon the south side of the Brooke 2 and so it Runneth upon a west southwest poynt a little southerly to a hummuck that stands upon A hill at the head of the afore: sd Steven briants loot and soe to Run
1 " Loot " evidently means lot.
2 James Cool means James Cole, who kept a tavern in Leyden Street, on the site now occupied by the house of W. H. H. Weston.
189
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
upon the same poynt from that humack Eighty pole further to a Red oake tree upon the north syde of the brooke which is the uppermost head bounds Betwixt them
At A town Meting held at plymouth the 9th day of febuawary 1686 87 Joseph Bartlet John Bradford & Ephraim Morton Were Chosen to serve upon the Jury at the County Court
The Bounds of a Certain tract or neck of land Graunted by the town unto Gorg Bonam senor lying near unto fresh lake is as followeth the northermost bounds on the south side of the brook is a mapell tree marked on four sids and from thence to a smal Red oake southward standing upon a point of land lying on the North side of the Cart Way that goeth into the above sd neck of land and soe Rainging southward to a spruce tree stand- ing by 1 lout pond side and so from sd spruce tree Runeth along the pond side to a swamp that lieth betwen lout pond and fresh lake the pond being the bounds on the West side and the brook that Cometh out of fresh lake is the bounds on the North side
[154.] At a town meting held att plimouth the 6th day of June 1687
The Celect men Chosen by ye town Were
Leftenant Joseph Howland
Joseph Warren senor
and Isaac Cushman
Mr William Clarke Chosen Constable
The survairs Were
Abraham Jackson senor
John Gray
Jams Warren
Jonathan praat
The 9 th day of June 1687 8
It is Agreed Betwen Gorge Bonan senor as overseer unto Ruhamah Willis estate and Jonathan Barns both of plimouth before Major bradford serjeant harlow & Joseph Warren senor That the bounds betwen Jonathan barnses Ware houce and the land of Ruhamah Willis That the sd Barnes shal Com no farther upward towards her houce then three foott from his Ware houce at the Easterly Cornor Wher A stone is sett into the ground and
1 " Lout" is an obsolete word derived from the Latin word " lutum," and means probably " muddy."
190
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
soe to Run towards the southwest to Another stone set into the ground Against the sd barneses fence and then the sd barnes is to Run upward to the Cornor of his fence where is another stone set into the ground and soe from thence we are bounded by goodman Watsons garden spot where is a stoone set into the ground 4 foott or therabouts at the Southwest Cornor of the sd barnes ground unto Which Agreement the above sd Gorge Bonam and Jonathan Barnes have meutually set to there hands
Gorge Bonam Jonathan Barnes
The bounds betweext ye land of John Doty and John holmes Is as folloeth A stone set into the ground by the Water side and Another stone sett into ye ground forty pole up West southwest And on the same point to the Comon Rode and there bounded With A Walnut tree marked
Ephraim Morton
Joseph Warren Joseph houland
[155.] At a town meting held at plimouth the 15th day of august 1687
Leftenant Morton Was Chosen Comisioner by the town to act With the Celect men of said town with Referance to orders from the Counsell Respecting the Celect men of the town of plimouth
Att this meting the town Imployed Joseph Bartlet senor to provid the Measures Scales and Weights for ye towns use accordding to order of the Councell Relating to the town of plimouth Which the sd bartlet doth promise to do Within A month after the date above Written and to Return an account of the Cost thereof unto the town and the town doth promise to Repay the sd Bartlet With all Convenient speed
At this meting Samuell Downham senor deClared himself sattesfied for his servise in Ringing the bell the last yeare
At this meting Leftenant Morton and serjant harlow were desiered by the towne to take the acount of the Constable of the Rats Committee to him to gather
At A town Meting held att plimouth the 24 th day of August 1687 At this meeting it was propounded to the town whether they Judged them selves able to pay to Mr Cotton the summe of 90 pd as they had done of late years the affirmative
191
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
being put to voate but som hands were held up the Negative vote being Called for many more hands were held up upon which it Was farther voted that the maintenance of the minester for this present yeare 1687 should be by the free subscription of Every one & those promises to be ackowlidged A dew debt and that the sd summes promised are and shall be duly paid in october and Aprill as was in former years promised
It was further voted that the prises of grain shall be Wheat at 4 shillings a bushell ; Ry and barly at 3 shillings Indian Corne at 2 shiling 6 pence
The men appointed by the towne to see what persons would give) (for Lakenham Wenatuxet and munponset Jonathan Shaw & Robert Ransom senor ; for the north end of the towne John Bradford and Elkanah Cushman and from the town brook southward Ephraim Morton Junior and Thomas ffaunce
The Towne have made Choice of the Celect men to make the Rate Relating to the town Charges
[156.] New plimouth ffebruary the 10th 1679
Measured and bounded unto Joseph Warren senior twenty Acrees of land granted him by the towne of plimouth Lying and being on the southward side of Ephraim Mortons land att the elleriver and on the Eastward side of a Cart way that Leads to the Hering pond att the Westward End and Northward side thereof It is bounded with a stone set into the ground betwene and nere the Kings Road and the aforesd waie that goes to the hering pond Also by Which is a Red oake tree marked from Which stone the Line Extends east southerly Nineteene degrees one halfe unto A stone set Into the ground on the Westward sid of the shingle brooke from which stone the line is soe to Extend liome to the sd brooke as the brooke Runeth to be the Eastward End bonnd of the said land and on the Westward end and south- side of the sd land It is bounded With a stone set into the ground in the duble Brooke swamp on the Eastward side of the aforesd Cart Way that goes over the afore said duble brook and from the said stone in the swampe the line Extends Eastward to a stone set into the ground Aboute the midle of the
192
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
south side line from which stone the line extends to A stone set into the ground on the Westward side of the shingle brooke and so home to the Brooke and this land is at the westward end therof to butt home to the Cart way or path that goeth to the afor sd heren pond; Within the Compasse of these bounds is alowance made for the Kings Road that lyeth through the land The East end is Broader then the west end by Reason of the swomp
for this grant se page 91
per William Crow surveior
The dimentions of the bounds of the Elder Thomas Cushmans six lotts of land lying betwen Samuel fuller on the south side and Joseph Bradford on the North side by an old diteli att the foot and by a stake and a heap of stones att the head being twelve score pole from foot to head and from sd ditch att the foot or scirt of the squar Raing six score pole to the North- ward to A white oake Marked on 4 sides & thence terning About and Runing twelve score pole to A pine tree Marked on 4 sides thence Runing directly six score pole to the heape of stones and stake Above mentioned
The ditch and heap of stones first mentioned is the mutually Ackowledged bounds betwen Thomas Cushmans land & Samuel ffullers land & the bounds last mentioned are the bounds Mutually Acknowledged betwen sd Cushman and Insine Bradford the land Abuting on the saltmarsh at the Easter end. March 22ª 1686 Bounds setled by me Ephraim Morton senior ther survior for the Towne of plimouth for the Elder Thomas Cushman of plimouth
[157.] Att A towne meting held att plimouth the 23d day of January 1687, 88
1 Att this meting an order from his Excelency was published Whereon hee did Require the sd towne of plimouth to appere before his excelencey To make out there title to Clarks Island Whereupon a voat being Caled for to know the towns answer The towne haveing Considered thereof do Answer that they are Resolved to defend there Rite in the above sd Iland to there utmost according to law and therefore Chose a Committey
1 Sir Edmund Andros declared the titles of all public lands vested in the crown. The town expended so much money in resisting the claim of Andros to Clark's Island that it was finally obliged after the accession of William and Mary and the deposition of Andros, to sell the Island.
PLYMOUTH RECORDS. 193
to Consider of and fully to act in the towns behalfe to defend there Rite in the above sd Iland Ither by sum one of them or by sum other person Whom they shall think meete to Improve therein and the towne doth promise to take Care to defray the Charge therof And thereupon did Agree that a Rate of ten pounds in silver should be forthwith made
The Committy Chosen to act in the towns behalf to defend the towns Rite In Clarks Iland Were
Leftenant morton
Joseph houland
Joseph Warren Senor
Isaac Cushman Nathaniell Southworth
Joseph Bartlet Jolın Bradford
Att the above sd meting on the 23 d of January Serjant Harlow was Chosen by the Celect men and Cunstable to be the Scaler of Weights and measures for the towne of plimouth
Att This meting the towne ordered that the Records of sundrey psels of uplands and medow lands should be Trance- scribed Into the towne book That was formerly granted by a Committe Chosen to graunt lands & lay in loose papers
The bonds of fifty Acrees of land Graunted by the Towne to Mr. Thomas Cushman is as followeth lying in the Towneship of plimouth and on the northerly side of a lettle brooke Comonly Caled and known by the name of Colchester brook the southermost bound att the East end is A maple tree Marked on 4 sides and soe along the brook 6 score pole to A Red oake tree Marked on 4 sides and from sd tree Rainging North- wards 78 pole to A white oake tree Marked thence Rainging Eastward 6 score pole to A birch tree Marked on 4 sides standing in a swamp
Survied and measured By Georg Bonam Surveyor to the Towne of plimouth
The bounds betwen the meadows of deacon Nathaniel Wood and John Barrows which sd meadow Lyeth at the south meadow & is bounded as ffolloweth from A pine tree Marked on 4 sides on the south side of the meadow & soe staked across the meadow to a stump on the North side
I3
194
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
the medow lyes where Robert Lathum mowed upon monponset meadow
[158.] These are to Witnes That John harman have sold to Edward Gray my Grant of upland & medow given mee by the towne Thirty acrees of upland and Two Acrees of medow lying about monponset pond upon Consideration of A Reckning betwen him and I; and so do by these presence Resigne up unto goodman Gray all my Rites and Intrest of my grant above mentioned unto all Which I John hermon do sett to my hand this 11th of June 1667 John Hermon Witnes Will : Hoskins
This was Acknowledged the 22 th of September before Thomas Prence Govr
Two acrees of meadow Laid out for John harmon att turkey swamp Below Mr William Bradford below that which was laid out for Joseph Houland and is bounded on the north with a white oake standing in upon the Iland and on the west with a white oake standing in a swompe and lyes by the swomp syde to the bounds of Samuell Stirtevant and on the north with a seder and a stake on the side
Ten acrees of land lying on the Northwest syde of Wenetuxet and is bounded with a Red oake on the foot and on the East with A white oake by the River side and with a white oake on the north Corners with a white oake Twenty acrees on the northwest end of Turke swomp Round about with the swomp and a white oake marked on the west end
Gorg Bonam survair
New plimouth laid out to Ephram morton on the 12th day of March 1691 forty Acrees of upland lying on the southerly side of the shingle Brook and is bounded as followeth bounded at the northerly Corner with a Red oake tree Marked on four sids and from sd tree the line extends south souwest eigh score pole to A white oake tree Marked on 4 sids and a heap of stones by it which is the northermost Corner bound at the southerly end and from sd tree the line to extend east southeast forty pole to a small pine tree marked on four syds which is the eastermost Corner bound at the southerly end and from sd tree the line extends North and by east eigh scor pole to A standing pine tree
195
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
on a hill side marked on four sids which is the easterly Corner bound at the Northerly end and from sd tree the line to extend west and by north 40 pole to the Red oak tree first mentioned Surveyed and Measured pr me Thomas ffaunce Surveyor
[159.] Att a Town meting of the Inhabitants of the Town of plimouth on the 21 th of May 1688 The officers Chosen for the town of plimouth were
The Select men Were Joseph Waren senor Isaac Cushman
Serjant William harlow and John Bradford
Elkanah Watson Comitioner
John Stirtevant Cunstable
The surviors were Jacob Cooke
Benony lucas
Robert Bartlet and John Pratt
The men appoynted to go to see What persons would Contrebute towards Mr Cottons Support for his Labour in the ministree for this present year Were Jonathan Shaw senior Robert Ransom senior
Thomas Cushman
Jacob Cooke Josiah morton
and Tho : ffaunce
and that what is promised by each person shall be payed both as to time and Specey as Was Agreed on the last yeare
At A towne meeting held att plymouth May the 28th 1689 for the Choyce of Court and towne officers The Deputies Chosen Were Isaac Cushman and John bradford
The Grand Jury Were Jonathan Shaw senior Thomas Cushman & Elkanah Cushman The Select men
Serjeant Harlow Joseph Bartlet & Nathaniel Southworth
The Cunstables Chosen Were Josiah Morton & Wiliam Shirtleif
196
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
The town agreed that the surveyes of the high wayes the last yeare Chosen should serve this yeare again
Att this meeting the towne doe agree that there shall be a declaration presented to the Generall Court that the Cuntrey mite help to beare theire proportion of charge to Relive those persons that have ben Grevios sufferrors for defending the 1 Comon Write
Att this meeting the Towne voated for two Cunstabls to be Chose to serve this yeare At this meeting the Towne do Impower the Celect men to take care for the Reparation of the Meeting house
[160.] An Agreement made betwen Robert & Josiah finney both of The Town of plymouth in New England Respecting a division of those lands that was given to us by our uncle Robert finney of plimouth deceased as doth appeare by his Will to be devided eaqually betwen us both Wee doe therfore Thus Agree mutualy that The Lane that now is that leadeth downe to the sea side along by The dweling house shall be the bounds betwen us and Robert is to have all the lands from the above sd laine home to Thomas Mortons land on the north sid of the above sd lane excepting A Certain peece of land That which by oure agrement Josiah is to have out of the foot of Roberts part which is att the foott of Roberts land att the southeast end of sd land hom to the water side and is bounded next the Water sid upon the banke With A heap of stones and soe Runeth up to another heap of stones standing att the head of the Above sd pece or tract of land and thence Croseth over to Another heap of stones by the above Expresed laine and we doe further Agree that Josiah Shall maintain the head fence and half the side fence of this land soe bounded and this pese of land soe bounded Together with all That land that was our uncles on the southward sid of the above sd laine hom to the land of Mr Wiliam Clark is to belong to Josiah and this division of land betwene us is to extend in heigte to the head of the above sd laine where wee have mad a heap of stones and from thence to square of both Wayes and wee doc further agree that If we find the laine two narrow for oure use there to leave out on both sids our proportion to make it wider that so we may have Cumfortable egress and Regres to
1 The " Common Right " here referred to was the title to land which it was necessary to defend against the claim of Andros.
197
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
our housing and wedoe further agree that Robert shall have all those persels of medow that was our uncls both at small gains and att the Ealriver head excepting a certain peece Comonly Caled and known by the name of knolesses medow which is to belong to Josiah
This devision of Lands above expressed we the above sd Robert and Josiah doe Agree shall be binding both to us and our heires for ever as Witness our hands and seales on the fift day of June 1689
In presence of Robert ffinney 0
Thos : ffaunce
Josiah ffinney
Joshua flinney
and there seales
[161.] Att a meeting of the Inhabitants of the towne of plimouth on the 22d of June 1689 They did then voat and agree that all Nesessary Charges that hath ben expended about defend- ing the Towns Wright in Clarks Island shall be Repayed
2 they doe voat and agree that some of the lands in Commonage belonging to the Towne shall be sold for to defray the Charges above expresed
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