USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1636-1705 (vol. 1) > Part 2
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[2.]
*
Mris ffuller a half cut out behind the right eare.
Christopher Waddesworth a swallow forke * * and a sn'p not cut out.
Georg Soale a peece cut out like a + of the under side of the right eare downewarde.
Josias Cooke a half round cut out upon * and a peece cut out round upon the back side of *
Experience Michell cutt with this mark A *
John Tilden cutt with this mark ± in the right *.
* Alden a peece like a long round cut * *.
2 John Dunhame two scotches upon the right eare *. John Cooke the yonger a peece cutt out from the top * of the eare almost upon the outside of the right eare.
1 Sliced off at the top.
2 This line is erased in the records by lines drawn through it.
PLYMOUTHI RECORDS.
ffrancis Cooke a hole in the left care and a shit in the right eare downe the middest of the care.
[3.] Mr Thomas Prence three marks in the outer side of the eare thus
Leiftennant Willm Holmes foure marks in the fore side of the far eare thus
Jonathan Brewster a crop upon the nar eare and * of fur care cutt of.
1653. Nathaniell Morton the markes of his mare two holes in each eare her naturall markes of a black couller * tending to an iron gray being whit on the * the topp of her head downward and for his other cattle an hole in each eare. Nehemiah Smyth a slit into the middest of the left eare the under peece cutt forth toward the root.
Steven Bryants marke a slit in the le_t eare on the topp of the eare.
Thos : Popes marke the topp croped of the farr eare and out of the same eare on the right side.
Mr Atwood cropt npon the left eare and a hole in the other.
Abigaill Clarke a halfe moone on the right eare.
Mr Browne a round hole in the nar care and on the right eare * * on both sides thus (o).
1653. John Mortons marke a peece cut out of the neare eare and a snipp kutt of the same eare my Mare conlte a starr of white in the forehead and two hinde feete white the horse coulte * and a tipp of white on the Nose and for cattell the Marke aforesaide.
John Wood a hollow cut out on the top of right yeare. Giles Rickett the top of the left veare cutt of and a slit
upon the same yeare.
[4.] Leiftennant Southworth the marke of his Cattle is a cropp on the left earo.
John Dunhame senior the marke of his Cattle is a croch on the left eare.
3
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
[5.] The last day of March 1637.
It is concluded upon at a Townes meeting that Nicholas
I shall repaire the Hering ware and draw and divide the Hering this yeare and shall have foure and fourty bushells of Indian corne for his paynes but the Town shall pay him for the boards used about the repaire thereof. And it is agreed also
that * shall bring the corne to his house which shalbe due for * of hering as he hath by the last day of January upon * that he that shall make default herein shall pay a fourth more and shall pay the officer for distraining for *
William Nelson is hyred to keep the cowes this yeare at the same wages he had the last year wich is 50 bushells of Indian corne and is to keep them untill the middle of November next.
[7.] Mr Prence Gov".
At a meeting of the Townesmen of New Plymouth held at the Govnors the XVIth day of July 1638 all the Inhabitants from Jones River to the Eele River being * thereunto To consider of the disposition of the stock given (by Mr James Shurley of 2 London merchant) to the poore of Plymouth who had playnely declared by severall letters in his owne hand writing that his in- tent therein was * wholly to the poore of the Town of New Plymouth * wordes of the said Ires recorded it doth most playnely appear. And whereas there was some difference how farr the Town of New Plymouth doth now pperly extend because some have extended the same as farr as betwixt the said Rivers in regard the constablery and liberties of the said Towne extend themselves so farr yet after much agitation and allegations made It was concluded that the Inhabitants of the said Towne of New Plymouth dwelling betwixt the houses of Willm Pontus and John 3 Dunham on the south and the outside of the new streete on the north side have power to order and dispose of the said stock of cowes so given as aforesaid And have thereupon nominated and appointed Thomas Prence gent Govr. Willm Bradford and Ed-
1 Probably Nicholas Snow.
2 In March, 1623-4, Edward Winslow returned from England in the Charity, bringing with him the first cattle introduced into the Colony, and a letter from James Shurley, one of the merchant adventurers, presenting a heifer as a gift, with its increase, for the benefit of the poor of the town.
3 The house of Wm Pontus was near the farm of Thomas O. Jackson and the house of John Dunham was near what is now called the Poor-house pond The New Streete was what is now called North Street.
4
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
ward Winslow gent and Assistants of the Gov'nt. Stephen 1 * John Done and Thomas Willet gent and John Dunhame * to have the power and authoritie for there foure next years to put forth and dispose the said stock of cowes to * the Inhabitants of the poore of the sd Towne of Plymouth as shalbe thought, fitt to ptake therein, and by such * in their Judg nt and discretion shalbe thought meete and according to the mind of the Donor in his fores'd letters declared And also by way of curtesye to supply the wants of some others wch doe inhabite wthin the liberties of said Towne if they shall thinke fitt.
[9.] 26th July 1638.
The stock at this tyme was thus disposed.
John Shawe-foure shares ffrancis Billington sixe shares Mrs Hodgkinson two shares Mr .John Holmes sixe shares Mr Thomas Hill foure shares Ralph Wallen two shares Josuah Pratt foure shares Thom Atkinson foure shares & wch was Henry Howlande.
in the pyde cowe 2 wch was Goodman Shawes.
in the browne back
cowe was at Georg Soules.
in the black heiffer
Samuell Eddy foure shares j In the Red cow wch
Mr Raph Smith six shares Natha" Sowther six shares S was Mr Smyths.
Mr Hellot six shares In the browne back cowe
Thom Lettice six shares wch came from Henry Howland. There remayned more to the stock at the same tyme Two steers in goodman Dunhams hands.
One red steere in goodman Shawes hands.
One browne steere in Mr Smyths hands and a bull calf.
One bull calfe in Georg Soules hand.
One cowe calf wch came from Henry Howland.
One old cowe in goodman Dunhams hands. In money due to the stock £4 10s.
The cow calfe was put to Goodman Dunhame for as long as the farm cowes are and a yeare longer upon the same conditions that the cows are.
1 Probably Stephen Bryant.
2 Pyde for pied meaning spotted or speckled.
5
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
[10.] At a Townes meeting held the VIth day of February This order was 1638 Mr Thomas Prence Govnor
Richard Willis is hyred to keepe the Townes cattell for fifty Bushels of Indian corne and is to keepe them from the first of Aprill to the iniddest of No- vember following wch must be paid by eich man according to the number of his cattle pportionally and according to the tyme they are kept by him. But if the want but a month or VI weeks of the whole tyme then they are to pay as if they had remayned the whole tyme and if any do refuse to pay because his cattle went not with the heard ; yet notwithstanding he is to pay his pportion as if they had beene hearded with the rest.
It is also agreed upon that onely the milchi cows and workeing beasts shalbe kept about the Towne * and the rest to be remooved from the Towne in May and he that doth not remoove his other cattle then to forfeit tenn shillings a peece for every beast remayneing here.
It is likewise agreed upon that none shall suffer any calves to goe without a keeper upon penalty of five * a peece to be forfeit- ed to the Townes use except they to be kept in enclosed grounds.
It is ordered also that none shall suffer any goates to goe without a keeper upon penalty to forfeit five shillings a peece for every default to the townes use.
It is ordered likewise that the Milner shall observe such order in stoping and loosening of the water as shalbe given by the overseers of the hering ware.
Jolin Dunhame and Willm Pontus doe undertake to poure the hering ware repaired and drawne and what they agree for with any that shall doe the worke shalbe payd by the whole Towne according to eich in pporcon of shares.
[12.] It is lastly agreed upon That if any shall refuse or neglect to make theire fence about theire gardens betwixt his neighbour and himself whereby any losse or detryment doth accrue to his neighbour upon warning thereof given hee that hath the damnage shall cause the said fence to be made and thother to pay him what he shall disburse aboute it and if he refuse to pay it then his goods to be distrayned for it,
agreed upon to stand this year March 17th 1639.
C
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
At a Townes meeting held the xix March 1639,
It is ordered and agreed upon That Thomas Atkins and John Wood shall repaire the hering ware this yeare and shall draw and deliver the herings to eich man according to his shares due to them and shall have iis p thousand for their paynes of the Towne and after the same rate of the country for those the shalbe allowed to eate and for bayte and to be payd either in money or corne at Harvest at such rate as it doth then passe at from man to man.
It is also agreed upon that whosoever shall take any herings either above or below the ware after the ware is sett or shall robb the ware shall forfaite five for one.
[13.] At a Townes meeting the xviith December 1640
The ffreemen wthin the Towne do genally consent That 1 Mr Chauncey shall have the place that he desireth to be graunted unto him if no way can be found for his staying at Plymouth but if any do goe wth him that should have lands elswhere and take them up there then there shalbe a ratable pporcon abated of the land he shall have elswhere.
Whereas there is iiiibb and xxx bushells of corne for a rate levyed upon Plymouth and Greens Harbour The Towne 2 appoynt That John Winslow Thom Willett and Thom Clarke shalbe added to the committee to levy men equally for the pay- ment of it.
It is ordered That the Gov" Mr Thom Prence and Mr John JJenny wth the foure committees and Josuah Pratt shall dispose of lands for the Towne this yeare.
[15.] At a Townes meeting held the 25th March Anno Dom 1640.
It is ordered and agreed upon That all swine above three months old shalbe ringed from the first of Aprill next untill the last of October following upon the penalty of vid a swine as often as they shalbe found runing during the said terme prided that if any shall loose their ringes upon warneing ringe them
1 Rev. Charles Chauncey came to Plymouth in 1638, and was associated with Rev. John Rayner, of the First Church, until 1641 when he removed to Scituate, where he remained until 1654, when he became President of Harvard College.
2 After the capture of New York from the Dutch, in 1664, Thomas Willett was made its first mayor,
7
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
again psently and if any swine be complayned of to be unruly or break into mens grounds that they be yoaked also.
It is ordered that no oxen shalbe kept about the Towno except when they are wrought, upon the penalty of xd a peece.
The like penalty for any young cattell that shalbe kept about the towne except they be kept on the south side the towne with a keeper.
It is ordered and agreed upon that Willm Pontus Thomas Lettice and John Greemes shail repaire the hearing ware and draw yt and deliver out the shares and to have xviiid p thousand and are to hold yt three yeares save that in regard of the charges this yeare in repaireing the ware if they shall not be sufficiently paid for their paines for this first yeare and make it appeare to the Govr then at his discretion to allow them iid p thousand on so much as he shall think fitt, but if any of them misbehave himself therein the Towne shall choose another in his steade.
[16.] At a Townes meeting held the xxith Aprill 1641 Concerneing the killing of wolves It is agreed upon that every housholder wthin the Towneship shall pay a half penny for every pson in his famyly to him that shall kill a woolfe for every woolfe that is killed wthin the liberties of this Towneship (except poore psons that have not cattell) and shall bringe the skinn to Mr John Jenney and there receive corne for his pay but Mr Jenney shall have the skin for his paynes in delivering forth the corne.
Whereas Clarkes Hland is graunted to the Towne of Plymouth and Mr John JJenney is desirous to set up the makeing of salt there The Townesmen of Plymouth to further the said worke doth graunt the said John Jenney and his assignes the wood upon the said Iland for makeing of salt there, and liberty to make use of the said Iland for planting so long as he or his assignes shall make salt upon the said Iland and that none shall cutt wood there wthout consent of the said John Jenney or his assignes and shall sell the Townesmen of Plymouth good salt for two shillings the bushell pvided that the said John Jenney shall not hereafter assigne the said salt works to any man weh not of the Towne of Plymouth wthout the Townesmen's consent.
The Committees for the count are
Mr John Jenney Mr JJohn Atwood Mr John Howland Mr Wm Paddy
8
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
At a Townes meeting held the xxvith November 1641
It was agreed that Mr Willm Paddy Thom Willett Thomas Clarke John Dunhame & John Winslowe shall make and assesse the Rate for the publike charges of this Towne this yeare.
[Then considerations were pposed about hemp and flax dressing. ]
[17.] At a Townes meeting held the second of May 1642,
It is agreed upon that Mr Bradford will fynd a Bull for the Towne Cowes this summer hee shail have vid a head for every cowe in the heard that is in the Bill and likely to take proofe.
It is agreed That all that will not remove their yong cattell and oxen and all others that give not milk by the ixth day of May next shall pay xd a head ymmediately to the Townes use as oft as they shalbe found about the Towne during the Summer (except the oxen whilst they work and those to be payed for their keeping according to the Rate for the Townes cowes.
Willm Baker is to keepe the Townes Cowes this sumr. and is to have xxxvi bushells of corne and a paire of hose and shoes and his tyme to begin the fourth of May and to continue to the last October following.
The xxiiith of May 1642
At a towns meeting It is agreed that Mr Winslow shall have power to sell the two oxen at Josias Winslowes (so that he take good securitie for the payment for them and the comodities received for them to be brought to Plym to Mr Paddys house to be disposed by him the rest appoynted for the overseeing and ordering the poores stock.
[19.]
1642
At a Townes meeting held the viith July for disposeing of the Townes stock of cattell called the Poores Cattell before Mr Bradford Mr Thomas Prence Mr John Jenney Mr Willm Paddy Mr Thomas Willett and John Dunhame appoynted with some others to dispose thereof.
The Browne Cowe Mr Holmes had
had 1 two yere old i yere old steere and a steere and calf. The yeare- ing steere and the calf with xd was set against the two yeare steere,
9
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
And Mr Holmes had the yereling steere and the calf and the 10d and the two yeare old steere remained to the stock.
The Pyde Cowe wth John Shawe was dead
The Brown black Cowe Mr Hellot Thom Lettis had is dead
-
her encrease was onely a yeareling heiffer valued at 4€ John Shawe had the heiffer and is to pay the stock xxd and to bring in her hide to Goodman Hurste to be tanned. lier encrease is a three old steere and i yeareling heiffer The heiffer and 27d were set against the steere and Thomas Lettis had the heiffer and 27d and the stock had the steere
Josuah Pratts black heiffer
her encrease is i three yeare old heiffer and i cow calf. Josuah had 40.d and the cowe calf and the stock had the heiffer.
The Red Cowe in Mr Smythe's hande is dead
her encrease is one two yeare old heiffer valued at 54.s Mrs Smyth is to have the heiffer and to pay the stock 27.s.
The Cowes set forth this yeare are these three.
Josuah Pratt
Thom Savory
Anthony Savory
The heiffer they had and Josuah is to have thone half of the benefitt and Thom and Anthony Savory thother half.
Mr Holmes
The browne Cowe and Mr Holmes
Willm Hoskins
}
to keepe her.
ffrancis Billington
Edmond Tilson - the black cowe Josuah had.
John ffinney
[20.] The account the division of the stock The stock hath oweing to yt $ by Mrs Smyth
1 by John Shaw 01. 02. 0 01. 07. 0
02. 08. 0
10
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
to Mr Hohnes 00. 10. 0
To Thom Lettis 01. 07.
To Josuah Pratt
02. 00. ()
To Richard Sparrow 00. 12. 0
for keeping a steer
To Mr Bradford and
Thom Willet for carry- ing a yoke of steers to
greens harbor 00. 02. 3
To Mrs Smyth 00. 05.
more to Richard Sparrow 01. 00. 0
05. 16.
more to JJosias Winslow for wintering a yoke of steers 01. 10.
The stock oweth in all 7. 06. 3
There is in the stock at this Division July 7th 1642 Three cowes in the hands of Josuah Prate Mr Holmes and Edmond Tilson as before.
It i yoake of oxen in hands of Josias Cooke
It i yoake of steeres came in this yeare
It i cowe in the hands of John Dunham
It i yoke of oxen in the hands of Josias Winslowe It ili hides to be dressed by James Hurst.
The yoake of oxen in Josias Winslowes hands were sold by Mr Paddy for xviť and the cowe in JJohn Dunham's hand for iiii£ 10.s
The totall account
ffor the yoke of oxen and the cowe 20. 10. 0
It oveing to yt by Mrs Smyth and John Shawe 2. 09. 0
S
22.
19. ()
The stock oweth
07. 06. 3
S
remayneing to the stock
15. 12. 9
The stock oweth
11
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
€ S
proofe
22. 19. ()
In the stock now
There is i yoak of oxen three cows i yoak of steeres 3 hides
In money £15. 12. 9 -
[21.] At a Townes meeting held the xxth September 1642,
It is agreed upon by the genrall consent of the whole Towne that a fortyfycation shalbe made about the ordinance and another peece mounted and that Gov" Mr Prence, Mr Atwood Mr Jenney and Mr Paddy shall agree wth workmen to have it donn speedyly and to repaire the watchouse and make a brick chimney to it. And afterwards to make a rate for all throughout the Towneshipp.
Mr Atwood Mr Jenney Mr Paddy John Winslow Manassalı Kempton Thomas Clarke and John Cooke Jur : are appoynted to make the rate for the payment of the Clark and messengers wages.
It is agreed upon that the Gov" Mr Prence Mr Jenney Mr Paddy Mr Done John Winslow and John Cook or the major pt of them shall dispose of lands for the Town on munday come fortnight wch will be second munday in October.
September 26th.
Whereas Richard Willis by his long sickness is growne very weake and in great want It is agreed that there shalbe a contribucon gathered for him throughout the Towneship and that Manassah Kempton and Thomas Clark do it for that side of the Towne towards the Eele River and Mr Paddy and John Cooke do it in the town and thother side thereof and to take a note what every man will give him.
It is agreed that Mr JJenney Manassah Kempton and John Dunhame shall be added to the comittees to conferr and conclude with the generall Court about the war.
It is agreed that every man shall bring two peeces more of viii foote long to finish the fortyfycacon on the fort hill 1 and that Richard Church shall speedyly make the carriage for another peece of ordinance.
1 Burial Hill was called Fort Hill exclusively until 1698.
12
PLYMOUTHI RECORDS.
[22.] At a Townes meeting holden at Plym the xiiii th of January in the xviith yeare of his mate now Raigne 1642.
Concerneing the placeing and disposing of ffrancis Bil- lingtons children according to the Act and order of the Court,
It is ordered and agreed upon that John Cooke the yonger shall have Joseph until hee shalbe of the age of twenty and one years (being now about vi or vii years old) and fynd him meat drink and apparell during the said terme.
It is ordered that Benjamin Eaton his eldest Boy shalbe wth. John Winslow upon these conditions untill he shall accomplish the age of xxi years being about xv years in march next and is to fynd him meate drink and apparell during the said terme and pay tenn pounds for his service or xxxiiis iiiid yearely pvided that if he dye before thend of said terme that then the said John Winslow shall pay pportionably to the tyme he lives and no more and the payments to be made in Countrey2 pvided that if any man els will take him upon these condicons he may wth the approbation of the Governor and Mr. Prence.
It is ordered and agreed also that Gyles Rickett shall take another of his children a gerle aboute five years of age and shall keepe her and find her meat drink and apparell untill she shall accomplish the age of twenty years or be married with consent first so that she marry wth consent of the matrate and shall have xxx s in hand with her towards the apparelling of her payd him wthin a month after she comes to him.
It is ordered and agreed likewise That Gabriell ffallowell shall have another of his children a gerle about years of age and shall have her untill she shall accomplish the age of twenty yeares or be marryed (first happening) so that she marry with consent of the matrate then being and shall fynd her meate and drinke and apparell during the said terme. And shall have wth her xxx s. payd him wthin one month after she is come to him towards the apparelling of her and shall also have xxxiii s. iiii d for the first three years next after the takeing of her to be payd out of that weh JJohn Winslow is to pay yearely for Benjamin.
It is also agreed upon that the money remayneing of the poores stock shalbe to buy corne to releeve the psent extreme necessities of such as are ready to pish 2 for want of bread. And
1 Country pay is here intended.
2 " Pish " is an abbreviation of " perish."
13
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
that those that have to do in disposeing the yeares cattell shall pvide the Corne and dispose it where neede is according to their best discretion.
The Towne graunted xxx acrees of the lands of Clarks Iland to the five that make salt for xxi yeares paying a bushell of salt yearely to Josuah Pratt dureing the said terme if it be demanded.
[23.] At a Townes meeting held the xix Aprill 1643,
It is agreed upon that John Smyth shalbe the Cowe Keep for this yeare to keep the Townes Cowes and shall have fourty bushells of Indian Corne for his paynes and a paire of shoes to be equally levyd upon every man according to the number of Cowes that they shall have kept by him and he is to keepe them untill the midle of November next.
It is agreed that no oxen be kept amongst the Cowes longer than they are in worke upon payne x. s. a peece to be levyed to the Townes use.
It is ordered also That the yong cattell shalbe kept wth John Barnes and Georg Watsons cattell on thother side the brooke.
Its ordered That those that keepe two or three Bulls to serve the cattell wthall shall have two cowes kept freely for eich Bull.
The Corne levyed for the Cow Keeps psent use.
The Gov" i peck and a pottle
Mr Prence i peck and a pottle
Mr Paddy i peck and a pottle 1
Nath1 Sowther ? Mr Hanbury i peck
Robert paddock i peck
Mr Jenney i peck and half in biskett [bread]
Mr Done & peck
Thom Southwood & peck
Rich : Sparrow ¿ peck John wood & peck
Mr Willett & peck
Sam Hicks & peck
Mr Reynor & peck
1 A pottle is a measure of two quarts.
14
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Josias Cooke i pottle Rich : Knowles i pottle Jolmn flinney i pottle Mr Hopkins i pottle
[24.] Ata townes meeting holden the xxixth May 1643
1 It is agreed upon that all housholders wthin the Towne- ship shall forthwith pride sufficient Armes according to the act of the Court for themselves and their servants able to beare armes wthin month after the 5th June next on wch day they are to trayne viz Muskett either wth snaphance 2 o1 matchlocks with match callivers3 and carbines wch are allowed and also fowling peeces not above foure foote and a half long and of reasonable bore And that Mr Thom Prence Mr Wm Paddy John Barnes and Mathew ffuller to view all such Armes and to certefye such as are defective And those that want either to putt in a sufficient sum or goods to peure them or els the fyne by the said act to be extended upon them.
Those that contributed to buy Drumheads.
Mr Bradford 6 d James Cole 6 d
Mr Prence 6 d John ffinney 6 d
Mr Jenney 6 d Thom Pope 6 d
Mr Attwood 6 d Richard Sparrow 6 d
Mr Paddy 6 d Robert Paddock 6 d
Mr Hanbury 6 d Gabriell ffallowell 4 d
Nath Sowther 6 d Richard Wright 6 d
Thom Southwood 6 d Thom Cushman 2 d
Mathew ffuller 6 d Willm Nelson 2 d Manasseh Kempton 6 d
It is agreed upon that - Russell shall have 4£ 10s to make the Causey + on the marsh to Joanes River bridge and to
1 On the 2d of January, 1632-3, the Colony Court passed the following law: In regard to our dispsion so far asunder and the inconveniency that may befall it is further ordered that every freeman or other inhabitant of this Colony provide for himselfe and each under him able to beare arms a sufficient musket and other serviceable peece for war wth bandeleroes (bandoleers boxes con- taining charges of powder) and other appartenances wth what speede may be; and that for each able pson aforesaid he be at all times after the last of May next ensuing furnished wth two pownds of powder and ten pownds of bullets and for each default in himselfe or servant to forfeit ten shillings.
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