Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1636-1705 (vol. 1), Part 17

Author:
Publication date: 1636
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 378


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1636-1705 (vol. 1) > Part 17


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29


3 they do voat and agree that If Aney of the Inhabi- tants of the Towne are minded to bye aney lands that shall be sold out of the Comons belonging to the towne ; that any such persons soe minded shall have the Refusall of such land as shall be sould for the use Above sd


Att this meeting A Committe were Chosen to make saile of Clarks Island Saquosh and the Gurnet together with aney small prsels of uplands or meadows lying in Commonage belong- ing to the Inhabetants of the towne of plymouth as alsoe a Certain seder swomp Caled by the name of Colchester Swomp to help to defray sd Charge.


The Comittee Chosen to make saile of the lands above exprest Were


Serjant harlow John Stirtevant


John Doten senior


Jonathan Shaw senior


Ephraim Morton Junior


John Gray these or aney foure of them agreeing are to act fully in the particulars Abov expresed as also they are to


198


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


take account of the Charges that hath ben Relating to Clarks Island


Att a towne meting held att plimouth on the 9 th of August 1689 Jolm bradford and IsaaC Cushman Were Chosen Deputyes for the Whole year


att a towne meeting held at plymouth the 26th of August 1689 the Inhabetants then Chose A town Councell to act with the Comition offecers According to Court order


The Councell Chosen Were


Serjent harlow Jolin Bradford and Tho : ffaunce


Att a Meeting of the Enhabitants of the Town of plymouth on the 4th of November 1689 they then Chose Raters to make A Rate of sixty pounds acording to the Warrent of the Govenor


The Raters Chosen Were Serjant harlow


IsaaC Cushman Elkanah Watson


[162.] An Agreement Made Betwen James Warren and Joseph Warren both of the Towne of plimouth on the first day of ffebruary 1689 or 90 with Refferance to a devision both of uplands and meadow lands that before was in partner- ship betwen us which said lands was formerly the land of Capt Tho : Southworth and Constant Southworth Lying on the Northwest side of the Eele River betwen the lands of Tho : ffaunce and the sd Rever Wee doe therefore Agree upon a devision as followeth of the above sd lands and medows begining att the lower meadow the first devision belonging to James Warren and is bounded with a stake and a stone att the Rever side and A mapel Tree and A heap of stones by it att the upland side and all the other part of the meadow below the grat Rock by the Rever side by Clam's Island meadow hom to the bound above expresed doth belong unto Joseph Warren ;


199


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


The first devision of swamp and upland belongeth unto Joseph Warren and is bounded att the upland side with an 1 odizar bush and a heap of stones by it and soe Runeth upon A west Norwest poynt to a Red oak tree and a heap of stones by it and soe on the same poynt hom to the land of Tho: faunce and from these bounds to extend southerly to a stake and heap of stones by it standing by Clams Island medow and soe to Run on the same poynt of Compas as is above exspresed to a heap of stones in the swamp and soe to a red oake tree and a heap of stones by it on the upland and so a Cross the lot The Nex devision belongeth unto James Warren and from these bounds last mentioned to extend southerly to a stake and a ston by it by the Rever side and so to a Red oake tree and a heap of stones by it and from that Red oake to Run acros our land on the same poynt of Compas to a Red oake tree and a heap of stones by it and so to another tree and a heap of stones by it The Next devision belongeth unto Joseph Warren and is to extend southerly from the bounds last mentioned to a white oake tree and a heap of stones by it by the Rever side nere over against where the dubble brooke Cometh into the Rever and soe to Run acros our land on the same poynt to another White oake tree and a heap of stones by itt and soe to severall other trees with heapes of stons by itt and soe to severall other trees with heapes And from of stons by them acros the lots. these bounds last mentioned James Warren is to have all the lands to the head of the lotts ; and we do further Covenant and agree with Thomas faunce That hee shall have that slipp of upland that lyeth betwen his owne upland


sence we find the tree mentioned is lower down the river


1 This is a new word in the records, and Mr. B. M. Watson of Plymouth, a competent authority, thinks it a word unknown to botanical nomenclature. The same gentleman suggests that it may mean " osier," the willow.


200


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


and his half aeree of meadow soe Called to begin at a great Rocke at the half acree bars and soe to Run acros to an other grat Rock on the hill side and soe to his own bounds and from thence downward to the Cart way alwayes provided that we may have free pasage for Carting through his land betwen that and the bridg either by Gats or barrs And All these uplands and meadows soe devided and bounded as is herein above exspresed shall stand good and Remaine firme and Inviolable for us and our heirs for ever and In Witnes to our free and full Concorrance herein Wee the above said James Warren and Joseph Warren have set to our hands on the 3ª of ffebruary 1689 or 90 in presence of us Witnesses


Tho : ffaunce Joseph Warren Joan ffaunce James Warren


Att A meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of plimouth July 12th 1690 Isaac Cushman and Thomas ffaunce Were Chosen Surveyors for the Town of plimouth for the measuring of land.


[163.] Att A town meeting held att plimouth on the 10th of March 1690 Leftenant Morton and John Bradford were Chosen by the Inhabitants of the Towne to assist Nathaniel Southworth at the Court Conserning the Whale attached by the Celect men in the Towns behalfe to defend the Towns write therin so far as they Can


Att the meeting above sd the Town did voat to stand by the Celect men of the Town in prosecuting their Intrest In the Whale attach : by the Celect men for the Towns use as above sd but seing serjant harlow & Joseph Bartlet did somwhat decline the Thing there upon the persons above named were Chosen to act with nath : southworth therein in the towns behalfe


At the meeting above mentioned the town Chose 7 Jurors 1 to serve at the County Cort at march and 3 to serve at the Cort of assistants in Aprill


201


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


John Stirtevant Barack Jordan 1 John Mordow and Jonathan Barns


were to serve at the County Court in March 90


were to serve at the


& John Murdo


Ephraim Morton John Doten Cort of assistants in Aprill 90


att the meeting Above sd the Town doe Impower and Request the Celect men to take an account of the late Cunstables that have not yet given in theire accounts to the towne of Rates Committed to them to gather


At a town Meeting held att plimouth on the 19th of May 1690 The Deputies then Chosen were John Bradford and Isaac Cushman to serve att the next Court and att severall adjurnments and for the whole yeare


The Celeet men Chosen were


Lef : Morton


Serjant Harlow


& Thomas ffaunce


John Murdow


& Samuel Harlow were Chosen Cunstables


Barach Jordan


James Warren


Grad Jurors


and John pratt


The surveyors Chosen were


Thomas Clark Georg Bonam


Jonathan Shaw Junior John Gray


& Isaac King


John


Murdock


Att this meeting the Town granted unto John Murdow 30 foot of land square under the hill below John Rickards leaving a Considerable ditch betwen that and JJohn Rickards Ware house


1 John Murdock, whose name is found spelled in the records Murdow or Mordow or Murdo, was a Scotchman, who appeared in Plymouth not far from 1687. He built the house which formerly stood on the north side of Town Square, and which should have been called the Murdock House instead of the Bradford House,-a name by which it has been known to the present and the last generation. Situated as it was on the old Governor Bradford lot the name Bradford House improperly associated the house itself with the Governor. The origin of the name Bradford House is a recent one. In 1767 Thomas Davis came into the possession of the house and occupied it until his death in 1785, when it became the property of his daughter Sarah, the wife of LeBaron Bradford of Bristol, who, after the death of her husband, occupied it until her death in 1821, From her the name Bradford House was derived.


202


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


Att A meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of plymouth December 3ª 1690 They then Chose Raters to make A Rate of for the defraying Chargs Relating to the Warr The Raters then Chos Were Serjent harlow Jolin Bradford & Tho : ffaunce


The bounds of the land that Joseph Howland sold unto Thomas Lazell lying in the township of plimouth at A place Comonly Called and known by the name Colchester the south Corner bound is A white oake marked standing neer a Rock Marked on 4 sides the West bound is A mapel tree marked on four sides the North bound is A white oake marked on 4 sids standing in or neere swampe Ground the east bound is A mapel tree standing in A swamp Marked on 4 sids


Joseph Howland Thos : Lazell (Bounds)


Survied and measured by Georg Bonam surveior to the Town of plimouth


[164.] At a Towne meeting of the Inhabitants of plimouth february the 234 1690 The Towne Joantly voted it was their 91 desire that utmost endeavores should be used to obtaine A 1 Charter of his majesty that wee might be and Continue A distinct Goverment as formerly


Agents


The Towne also then voted that they would bear their proportion of five hundred pounds & more if need Require for the obtaining A charter and at present to Raise their proportion of two hundred pound for that end and purpose to be sent to those gentlemen that shall be Improved as our agents and the Remainder to be Ready upon tidings from them to be delivered for the accomplishment of our desires New Plimouth


Measured and bounded unto Joseph Warren fifty Acrees of land formerly Granted unto JJoseph Warren


1 Plymouth Colony never had a charter, but managed its affairs under the Patent from the Council of Plymouth, and the compact signed in the cabin of the Mayflower. AAfter the revolution of 1688 and the accession of William and Mary, efforts were made to obtain a charter. Sir Henry Ashurst was made the agent of the colony, and he was assisted by Rev. Ichabod Wiswall, of Duxbury. Increase Mather and Messrs. Cook and Oakes were at the same time in England, acting for the Massachusetts Colony. Through the influence of Gov. Sloughter, of New York, it was at one time decided to include Plymouth in the New York commission ; but it was finally embraced in the Massachusetts charter which bears date October 7th, 1651.


203


PLYMOUTHI RECORDS.


Joseph Warren


senior lying att Monnoment ponds on the easterly side of left Ephraim Mortons lot bounded on the Northerly Corner with a Rock neere the bank side and A heap of stones on it thence Rainging south and by west eigh score pole to A heap of stones thence Rainging on a east and by south line fifty pole to A small white oak Marked on 4 sids and from sd oake the line extends north and by east eigh score pole to A rock and A heap of stones upon it by the pond sid and from sd Rock to extend west and by north fifty pole to the Rock first mentioned


Measured and bounded on the 13th of March 1691 pr me Thomas ffaunce surveyor


New Plimouth April 13 th 1691


Where as A knowle of land was formerly graunted to William Harlow senior containing 2 or 3 acrees lying on the southerly sid of his land he bought of samuel hicks Therefore laid out to the above sd William Harlow 2 Acrees begining att the Corner of the sd William harlows fence Rainging eastward 12 pole along the Road to a stone set into the ground neer the bank on the westerly sid of the spring and soe to extend from said bound to A heape of stones by the stone wall fence belonging to Samuel Harlow that is About his meadow and from sd heap of stones to extend along by the detch and fence Aboute the meadow belonging to nathaneel holmes and so home to the fence of William harlow above sd


*


Harlow


Measured and bounded on the day and yeare above mentioned per me Thomas ffaunce, Surveyor to the Towne


[165.] At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Towne of plimouth May the 25th 1691 for the Choyce of Cort and Towne officers


The Deputies Chosen by the Towne to serve at the next Cort and the severall Adjournments were


John Bradford and Isaac Cushman


204


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


the Select men were Serjant Harlow Nathaniel Southworth & Thomas ffaunce


the Grand Jurors were Jonathan Shaw senior William Shurtleff and Elkanah Cushman


the Cunstables were John Gray and Ephraim Coole


the surveyors for the high wayes were Ephraim Morton Junior Joseph faunce John Waterman and John Pratt


At A towne meeting held at plimouth on the 31 day of Agust 1691 The Jurors Chosen to serve at the County Court were John Doty John Murdo Samuel harlow James Warren


Serjant harlow being deceased that was Chosen Select man for the yeare at this meeting the Inhabitants of the Town Chose Leftenant Morton to serve in his place this following year At this meeting the Towne being Informed of some persons that Intended to lay out lands within our Township which were not Inhabetants of our Town The Inhabitants of the Towne then made Choyce of John Bradford Isaac Cushman and John Doty to serv warne oppose and hender any persons that should Attempt to lay out any of the Towns Comons or settle boundarys thereon


Joseph


Bartlett


Senr


At this meeting The Town Graunted unto Joseph Bartlett Senior 70 foott of land along the shore where his warehouse now standeth below John Rickards dwelling house and downe towards the sea so far as he shall se Cause to Whorfe


Att A town Meeting held at plimouth March 9 th 1693 the Jurrors Chosen to serve at the County Court were Ephraim Morton John Stirtevant John Nelson and John Doty ; and for the Court of assistants Abraham Jackson James Warren Nath : holmes and Nathaniel Harlow


At A towne meeting held at plimouth May 30th 1692


Leften Morton and John Bradford were Chosen Deputies to Represent the towne in the grate assembly to be holden at Boston on the eight day of June 1692


John Foster


at this meeting John ffoster had 30 foot square of land granted to him by the towne below the path next the bank sid betwen the sd bank and the highway if it be there to be had and not interfere upon the hig way


Att the Towne meeting on the 9th of March 92 above mentioned John pratt desired that his land


205


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


formerly Granted to him att wenham and laid out on the easterly side of the brook mite be Removed and laid out upon A square on the other side of the brook for his better Convenience of fencing of it which Request was granted him by the Inhabitants then present


John Foster


The bounds of the land granted by the Town of plimouth unto John ffoster are as followeth by a Rock by the high way to the southward end of his shopp and soe alonge the hig way to A stone sett in to the ground and from thence Rainging to a tree standing on the bank marked on 4 sydes and from thence Rainging to an other tree on sd bank marked on 4 sides


Measured and bounded pr me Thomas ffaunce


[166.] Att A Town meeting held at plimouth on the 25th of July 1692 for the Choyce of Towne officers The Select men then Chosen Were William Shurtlef Isaac Cushman and Thomas ffaunce & left Mory was Choysen Commissioner, The Grand Jurors were Ephraim Morton Junior Thomas Cushman and Jonathan Shaw Junior The Constables are samuel Lucas and Eliazar Ring The Surveyors for the high wayes are James Warren Caleb Cooke Samuel Stirtevant Giles Rickard Junior & Robert Ransom Junior


At A Town meeting held at plimouth on the 3d day of october 1692 It was ordered and Agreed By the Inhabitants of sd Towne to make A Rate of 80 pounds for Mr Cotton of which one half is to be paid in money the other halfe in Corrant Cuntery pay sd payments to be made in october and the other half in Aprill ffollowing which sum is ingaged to him for his labour in the Ministry ffor the present yeare 1692


Its alsoe voated that the Select men shall make the Rate for the minester


voated that 5 pounds be Rated for the Repairing the meeting house in sd Rate


voated to pay former Charges to Deputies and Grand- jurors


John Pratt


206


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


voated that the propryetors of Winituxet meadows shall have liberty to sett. A fence one Monponset side of the brook to secure their meaddows


J. Dunhm


At this meting flifty Ackers of land was Granted to Joseph Dunham


At a town meeting held at plimouth September 14th 1693 Johon Nelson was Chosen to be the towns Representative at the Grate and General assembley at Boston the Jurors Chosen were Abram Jackson John Dotey John Mordo & John Sturtevant


voated att this meeting it was voated that the Select men should make the Rate for the Minister for ye yeare Insuing


Cushmans-12 Acres Meadow The bounds of Elder Thomas


The Bounds of the twelve acrees of meaddow belonging to the Elder Thomas Cushman at Wenatuxet is as followeth bounded with a white oake tree at the Northerly Corner sd tree is marked on 4 sides and thence Rainging across the Meaddow westward to a Red oake tree marked on 4 sides which is the bounds betwen the sd Elder Cushmans Meadow and Mr John Howlands meaddow and from sd Red oake Rainging up the Meaddow southward to a pine tree marked on 4 sides and from thence Rainging aCross the meaddow to a bunch of maples standing by the meadow which is the bounds betwen JJohn Dunhams lot and the above sd Elder Cushmans


[167.] New Plimouth


Att A meting held att plimouth the 22th of february 1650 by Mr Howland Mr Willett John Dunham John Cook William Paddy & Thomas Clarke


Wee grant to mr howland Elder Cushman John Cook John Dunham senior Twelve Acrees Apece of meddow ground att Wennituxett To take it on both sides of the River so as others that shall have more grants theare be not prejudiced


Wee further grant that Mr Bradford may have twelve Acrees of meaddow att the above sd River to ly opon both sides of The River


Wee Graunt unto James hust Twelve Acrees of meddow ground Att Winnituxett


The 29 th of the 10 month 1651 Wee grant unto Leftenant Thomas Southworth Twelve Acrees of meaddow ground att Winnituxett


207


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


The 24th of the 10th mon 1651 Wee grant unto Edward Dotey four Acrees of meddow ground att Winnetuxett and If there be any more left undisposed we grant him four Acrees more


We grant unto John Winslow Twelve Acrees of meddow ground att Winnatuxett upon both sids of the brook as the above sd men are granted


Wee Grant unto Jacob Cooke Twelve Acrees of meddow att winnituxett upon both sides the brooke as the other graunts


The 29 th of the 10th month 1651


Wee grant unto Geyles Rickard Senior Twelve Acrees of meddow ground att Winnituxett


Wee further Grant to the above sd Geyles Rickard senior An enlargment of his ground lying Southward of his house provided the neighborhood be willing to it & this upon the view of Mr Thomas Willett and Mr Paddy


The 29th of the 10th 1651


Wee Grant unto Georg Bonam twenty Acrees of upland lying att the head of his lott att the Eyle River above the upper foord


The 29 th of the 10th 1651


wee grant to John morton ten Acrees of meaddow att winnetuxett to be layd out by the measurors


The 17th of march 1654


we grant to good Watson A little slip of medow above the bridge that is upon the Cedar swamp brook att the south- meadow


Wee Grant to Andrew Ring A percell of meadow upon Brooke by Josh Pratt soe it extend not six Acrees


Wee Grant to Samuel Dunham and Giles Rickard


the meadow att Souther Marsh


[168.] The 25th of December 1655


Wee Grant unto George Bonam and Andrew Ring three Acrees of meadow Apece lying att the Southeast end of the Cedar Swamp neer the south meadow


Wee Graunt to Thomas Clarke The Scerts of meddow lying uppon The pond att Monument from the Creieke Round abound


Wee Graunt to Thomas Clarke five Akres of meddow lying in the same meddow with Thomas little Tho : littles being first layed out According to his graunt in the town book


208


PLYMOUTHI RECORDS.


We Graunt to Samuel Stirtevant four Akers of meddow lying upon the North side upon A branch of Jonesriver and that Mr Lee have the Remainder provided that it exceed not foure Akers


Wee Graunt to frances Cooke 3 holes of meddow lying at the Hither end of the Greate meddow Caled Jons River


Wee graunt to Ephraim Tincom three spots of meddow that lyeth next James Hursts at the easter end of James hurst soe that there be not above four akers october 14 1653


The 17th of March 1654


Wee Grant to Goodman Watson A lettle slip of meadow above the bridg that is upon the Ceder swamp brook att the South meadows


This is


Wee grant to Andrew Ring a percell of medow upon Craine brook by Josiah pratts soe it exceed not six Acrees


above


Recorded


We Grant to George Bonam and Andrew Ring three acrees apece of meadow lying att the south- east end of the Cedar swamp nere the south meadows


[169.] The first of february 1648


It is granted That Thomas Cushman Gabrill fallowel and Richard Write shall have an acree of meddow apeece att the West meddow at Edward Dotyes farme


It is further Granted that John Wood Henry Wood and Stephen Wood should have an Acree of meddow apece att the same meddow next to them


Its fur granted That Goodman golden Samuel Downham and John Downham shall have an Acree Apece next to them and these 9 acrees be layed out to the above sd persons betwen Mr fuller and Mr Atwood


Its further granted that the persons following have an Acree of meddow apece lying above Mer Atwood to be devided by *


Andrew Ring


Thomas Whitten


John Morton


Nath : Morton .3


Ephraim hicks


George Watson


Robert Padducke


Edhraim Tinkum


Tho : Letice


John Dunham S 3 John holmes


Will : Nelson


S


3


209


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


Mer Lee


John finney


good Stirtevant


3 Rob : finney


good Kinge


John Thomson


These sd meddows granted to the sd persons to them and theire * soe long as they live in the Town and noe longer and then to Returne to the Town Acording to the directions att the Town meeting


William Paddy John Donnham Richard Sparrow Thomas Southworth


[170.] The Bounds of John pratts Land at Wenham on which his house now Standeth are as followeth bounded by the brook which Cometh out of Dotyes pond on ye sontherly side and soe along as the brook Runeth till it Cometh where the brook turneth an other way and there marked with a maple tree & so from sd tree along the swampe to two white oak saplings marked on 4 sides & from thence across sd land and there marked with a White oak tree marked on 4 sides and from thench Rainging down to sd Dotens pond and marked with severall pine trees in sd Rainge and at sd pond sid there bounded with a pine tree & a heape of stones by it Measured and bounded on the 8th of June 1692 pr mee Thomas ffaunce Surveyor


New plimouth measured and bounded unto Ben pratt on the 8th July 1692 twenty acrees of land Abuting on the path that goeth from John prats to lakenham on the southerly side of said path and is bounded as followeth Neere the path bounded with a white oake bush and A hea of stones by sd bush & from thence Rainging up the plain 4 score pole to a lettle bush & A heape of stones & from thence to extend 40 pole to a pine tree and a heap of stones by it and fron thence to extend towards sd path foure score pole to A pine tree Marked standing Neere sd path & a heape of stones by sd tree


pr mee Thomas ffaunce Surveyor


The bounds of three Ackers of meadow more or less Measured and bounded by George Bonam for Thomas Cushman lying att the head of Jons river meadow bounded by A Red oake att the ffoott marked on four sides thence Rainging to a stake by the brooke and from sd stake to a maple tree standing on the


14


210


PLYMOUTH RECORDS.


southeast side of an Island and from sd tree and stake at the foot Rainging up the brooke on both sides to an ash tree on the east sid of the brooke and A white oake on the west side of the brooke both marked


The bounds of the land of Thomas Cushman lying at the Indian pond the bounds on the Northern side is A red oake tree standing or neere a small Island on the edge of the pond marked on 4 sides thence Runing Eastward to a Red oake marked on four sides and thence Runing southerly to a white oake standing on the ffot of a hill Caled halfway hill marked on 4 sides thence Runing Westwardly to the pond again to a black oake marked on 4 sides standing by a sloaping Rock by the pond side and thenee Runing Northerly to the bounds first mentioned Thirty Acrees more or less This lyeth Joyning to the pond att the Western end


Surveyed and bounded by mee


George Bonam Surveyor to the Town of plimouth


[171.] A list of those nams of those that toke the oath of fidelety at the town meting held at plimouth the 17th day of May 1686


Samuell Downham Junor


John Coob Junor


Abraham Jackson Junor


Robert Bartlet


Nathaniell harlow


Elkiah tincom


Isack King


Joseplı King


Frances Curtes


Francis Cuke


George Samson


Samuel lucas


The bounds of that tract of land which was granted unto Stephen Bryant Junior for Convenience of fenceing his meadow in the woods where he now liveth sd land is bounded as followeth at the uper end it is bounded by a tract of land granted by the towne unto his fath Stephen Bryant senior and on the southeast syde by the meddow belonging to sd Bryant and down along and bounded by sd meddow till it Cometh to a pine tree Marked on




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.