USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1636-1705 (vol. 1) > Part 22
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Signed sealed and declared to be
John Nelson 0
the agreement of the three partiys
John dotey sen 0
abovenamed in presence of
Samuell Lucas 0
John Cotton John Mordo
Att a towne Metting held at plimouth aprill ye 11 th 1698 the Inhabitants of said towne did very unanimosly agree to give Mer Ephrame Litle 1 a Call to setle in said towne to Carrey on the Worship of god as ther Minister of sd towne and did apoynt William Shirtlef John Rickard John Mordo Nathaniell Thomas & Thomas ffaunce to signifie the desire of said Inhabitants to sd Mer Little as also It was voated at sd Metting to alow to sd Mer Litle 60 pound for his sallery for the yeare insueing
[35.] New Plimouth May 11 th 1698
Laid out to Abraham Jacson 10 acres of upland at the south meadows adjoyning to his land that buts hom to liis Meaddow at the Cove at the head of Barnses Neck begining at sd Jacsons bound mark wth a forked Red oake and Raingeth from sd oake down along the Med 40 pole and there bounded with a
1 Rev. John Cotton left Plymouth in 1697, and died in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1699. Rev. Ephraim Little of Marshfield, a graduate at Harvard in 1695, was his successor.
259
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
small white oake tree Marked on 4 sides and from thence Raing- ing Norward 40 pole to a Red oake tre Marked on 4 sids and thence Rainging Eastward across to the sd Jacsons boundery of his other land and bounded by it; with alowance for the fencing of the Meadow upon the upland and for A Cart way Either through gats or barrs through sd land to the Meadows lying against sd land
A Record of the Renewal of the boundaryes of Mer Nathaniel Mortons lott of Meadow in the lower south Meaddow bounded on the Northerly end att the East side with a smal white oake tre Marked on 4 sides and on the northerly End on the west side with a grat pine tree Marke the River turning in at that place Nere to the upland and soe Rainging down the meaddow to a white oake sapling standing a lettle to ye Northward of a cartway that Coms out of amy Willisses Meaddow sd sapling being marked on 4 sids ; standeth by the edge of the meadow and thence Rainging acros the meadow to the mouth of the Cove and there bounded with a grate pine tre Marked on 4 sids and from sd tree athort the mouth of the Cove to an other pine tree marked is to be understood to divide betwen the Med lying on the River and the Meaddow in the Cove
plimouth May 11th 1698 laid out unto abraham Jacson in the New Mead 6 acrees of Meadow begining at a grat pine tre Marked on 4 sids and thence Rainging southeast & by south aCross the Meaddow 40 pole to a stake Neere to the Iland and thence Rainging North East and by North 24 pole to an other stake and from sd stake 40 pole to the upland & there bounded with a stake by the Meaddow side and a pine tree Marked on 4 sids being on the shore.
May 11 th 1698 then laid out to William Harlow upon Jonathan prats Right 6 acrees of Meaddow Joyning to abram Jaeson six acrees above Mentioned on the Northerly sid there of and Raingeth from Jacsons boundarey on the shore 40 pole down along Jacsons Raing to his bound stak and from thence on a straite Raing 34 pole to a stake standing in the Meadow about 4 pole from the point of an Iland in sd meadow and from sd stake Rainging to a point of upland on the North side and acros that point to the Northerly part of it and there bounded with a pine tree Marked on 4 sids and from thence Rainging to abraham
260
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Jacsons Corner bound next sd Harlow which is a pine tre standing on the upland
[36.] May 11th 1698 then laid out to George Morton 4 acres of Meaddow formerly granted to Samuel dunham in the New Meadow soe Called which is laid out adjoyning to William harlows 6 acres in Record mentioned begining at the stake standing in the Meadow about two pole from the upland at the Island in sd harlows Record Mentioned and soe Rainging aCross the pint of upland into the Cove and aCross the Cove to a pine tre Marked and from sd tree Extending farther Northward to the botom of an other Cove and thence Rainging Northwestward to another pine tree Marked on 4 sides and from thence on a straite line to William Harlows Corner bounderey in his Record Mentioned all these meaddows and lands of Jacsons harlows and Mortons last Entered on Record were Measured and bounded by Thomas ffaunce Surveyor
to the towne of plimouth
New plimouth May 11 th 1698 then laid out to Richard Cooper 10 acres of land at the South Meaddows at the southwest side of the Cove upon benijah pratts Right and sd land is bounded by William Rings land and soe Rainging from sd Wilm Rings Corner bound which is a Red oake standing som distance from the meadow and so Rainging 40 pole SouthEasterly and there bounded with a stake standing about 4 pole from the Meadow nere 2 pines growing by the Meadow side and thence Rainging west and by south 42 pole to a pine tree Marked on 4 sids and from thence Rainging Norwest & by North 40 pole to William Rings head Corner bound being a stooping pine tree Alowance is made for all to have fre pasag to theire Meadow through sd land Either through gats or barrs at all times Surveyed and Measured per Thomas ffaunce surveyor
to the Towne of plimouth
At a towne Meeting held at plimouth May the 10th 1698 for the Choyce of A Representative the first Choyce fell on Ephraim Morton but he making his Refusal of sd service for sd towne they then proced to a new Choyce which fell on Jonathan Mory Senior
261
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
[37.] New plimouth Aprill 17th 1698
Measured and bounded unto Ephraim Morton twenty Eight Acres of land lying in the township of plimouth on a plaine above Lettle Towne Comonly Caled Lout pond plaine which sd land the said Ephraim Morton bought of severall persons as per deeds under theire hands and seals doth and May Appeare sd land is bounded as follows begining at a white oake sapling & a heape of stones by it sd tre being Marked on 4 sides and from thence Rainging southeast and by East 72 pole To an other White oake sapling Marked on 4 sides and from sd tree Rainging southwest and by south 66 pole to a young Red oake sapling standing in a valy Marked on 4 sides and a heape of stons about it and thence Rainging Norwest and by West 72 pole to a white oake sapling standing on the North East side of a hill a lettle to the Eastward of lout pond being Marked on 4 sides and a heape of stones by sd tree and from sd tree on a strait line to the white oake tree first above Mentioned Measured and bounded as above Mentioned pr Thomas ffaunce Surveyor to the Towne of plimouth
January 28 169g
An acount of the lots of upland upon the 1 Gurneett
1 The first lot being about seaven acres and a quarter lyeth on the Southerly End of the said Gurnet and the Northerly side of the said lot Is bounded from a heap of stones from at the Westerly End Thereof Next the Marsh to a small hornbeam tre Marked at the East End Next the sea which tree bath a heap of stones about It ;
2 The second lot being about six acres and & Is bounded on the southerly side thereof by the first lot and on the Northierly side thereof It is bounded from a soft forked Wood tree Marked standing Next the Marsh to a Walnut tree Marked With a heap of stones About It standing at the Easterly End Next the sea ;
3 The third lot being about six acrees and three quarters Is bounded on the southerly side thereof by the second lot and on the Northerly side thereof from a Cedar tree Marked standing at the Westerly end Next the Marsh to a Walnut tre Marked With a heap of stones about It at the Easterly End Next the sea
1 The description of these lots is interesting on account of the information it gives concerning the character of the trees growing on the Gurnet. The "soft forked wood tree," mentioned in the description of the second lot, means a "forked soft wood tree,"-perhaps a poplar tree.
262
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
[38.]
4 The fourth lot being about six acres and three quarters Is bounded on the southerly side Thereof by the Third lot and on the Northerly side Thereof It Is bounded from a Cedar tree Marked at The Westerly End Next the Marslı To a heap of stones Att the Easterly End Next the sea ;
pr Jacob Tomson Surveigher
Att a towne Meting held at plimonth on the 13th of June 1698 The Towne voated that all Nessesary Charges that shall A Rise Relating to The setteling of the Townes bounds As Also in defending the Towns Write within theire township from The Intreusion of strangers shall be borne by The Inhabitants of The Towne The persons Chosen and Impowered in sd Work Rendring an Acount To the Towne of theire Reasonable Charges Therein
Att sd Meting The Juriors Chosen to serve at The County Court Were John Waterman Nathaniell Thomas John pratt & frances Cooke
New plimouth July 13th 1698
Then Measured and staked ont to John Rickard 30 foot of land Each Way or square for nerly granted to said John Rickard by the Inhabitants of the Towne of plimouth Where his Warehouse Now standeth below the hill by the Water side and begining at the Warehouse Corner Next the sea side and so Ranging allong the shore Towards Mer Nath Thomas his Ware house 30 foott and there bounded with a stake and from thence Rainging up towards the upland or hill 30 foot and there bounded with a stake and from thence Ranging to another stake set or drove into the ground standing 30 foot from the lower corner of sd Ware- house dore
pr Thomas ffaunce surveigher To the towne of plimouth.
[39.] on the day and yeare afore mentioned then Measured and bounded out to sd John Ricard 20 fott of land which sd Rickard bought of Robert Ransom late of plimouth deceased & adjoyneth Nere sd Rickards Ware house aforesd which land Was formerly granted to sd Robert Ransom by the Inhabitants of the Towne of plimouth as pr Towne Record doth & May appeare sd land Is 21 foott in length and there bounded with a stake
263
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Which stands about a foott to the south of the Ware house that stands on sd land and sd land It something Interferes on sd Rickards land aforesd It Is laid out 21 foot square and bounded With staks next the hill and from sd stakes to Extend the length of sd Ware house
pr Thomas ffaunce surveyor to the Towne of plimouth.
New plimouth July 13 1698
Then Measured and bounded unto Mer Nath1 Thomas thirty foot of land squar below the hill by the Watter side Where his Ware house nowe standeth which sd land Was formerly granted by the Inhabitants of the Towne of plimouth unto John Murdo as per towne Record doth and May apeare and soe begining at the south- ermost corner of sd Nath Thomas his Ware house and so Measured 30 foott square and staked it out and there Is Remaining betwen Mer Rickards bounds and Mer Thomas his Ware house 17 foot in breadth of common land
pr Thomas ffaunce surveyor To the Towne of plimouth
Att a towe Metting held att plimouth august 6 th 1698
The Towne voatted that the Common Meadows lying upon sampsons brook towards Rochester and sampsons pond in ye Township of plimouth Which sd Meadows the agents of plimouth aforesd have lett out to sundry persons shall stand good for this present yeare
Att sd Meetting the towne voated that With Referance to the Contest bettwen giles Rickard & Jonathan barnes With Refer- ance to a former grant about a percell of Meadow at the south Meadows in the Township of plimouth, that the said giles Rickard shall have 2 acres next to the Meadow formerly the Meadow of Josiah Cooke & then the said barnes to have 4 acres & then ye said Rickard to have two acres More of Meadow or Meadowish land
[40.] Att sd Metting Mer Joseph bartlett Engaged to ffinish & Compleatt the setting the greatt guns upon Carraiges With Iron Work and all other Things suttable for said Work by the last of october Next Ensueing this date for three pound ten shillings the town also Improved the sd Mer bartlett to agree with a Workman for ye Repareation of the Metting house
264
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
1 Att a towne Metting held att plimouth September 10th 1698 for the Choice of Juriors to serve at the County Court Which Were John Stirtevant Nathaniell Morton Benim soule & Eliazer Cushman ;
Att a towne Metting held att plimouth on the 3d day of october 1698 The town voated to allowe to Mer Ephraime Little their present Minister fifty five pounds towards the building of an house and one Acree of land that Is to say : one half acre Neare about the pound If It be there to be bad upon the towne Commons & the other half acree as Neare the abovesd place as Can be Con- veniently had provided that the sd Little Continew some Consider- able Terme of years Not less than ten in the Work of the Minis- trey in sd town then sd land and Money abovementioned to him the sd Little & to belong to him & his heirs for Ever And in Case the sd Little should decease in the Work of the Ministry in sd town before sd terme of years be Ended then the sd land & Money to belong to sd Littles heirs for Ever ;
Att sd Metting the towne agreed unto the Makeing of a Rate for the defraying of town Charges & Is as followeth
£ S d
viz for the Representative ten pounds 10 00 00
for keeping John Andros one yeare
10 00 00
for the Constables fifteen shillings
00 15 00
for the towns Agents for running the line betweeen sipecan & plimouth 01
for James Warren for obtaining Rec- ords from Court 00
13 00
06
00
to the select Men for making Rates fifty shill 02 10 00
Nath
Thomas
[41.] Att the town Metting last Mentioned Mer Nath1] Thomas James Warren & samuel stirtevant Were Chosen & appoynted a Committy In the towns behalf To take an account of the late Cunstables selectmen & town treasurer of What Moneys are in theire hands
1 At this time there were three Courts established by the Province Laws- "The General Sessions of the Peace," held by the justices of the peace of each county, and " Inferior Court of Common Pleas," which was also a County Court, and the " Superior Court of Judicature," which was a Province Court. Besides these Courts, justices of the peace had judicial power "in all manner of debts, trespasses and other matters not exceeding forty shillings in value, wherein the title of land was not concerned,"
265
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
James Warren
belonging to the sd town ; Att sd Metting the town granted to Mer Nath" Thomas Jr to Whorfe from the southerly side of his owne Whorfe to the southerly side of Mer bartlets If he shall give him liberty to Joine thereunto Att sd Metting the town granted to James Warren 30 foot square Each Way of land With liberty to Whorfe downe into the sea or bay against sd land as May be Con- venient & to take sd land aney Where by the shore side betwen the lands formerly laid out to Ephraim Cole & the New stretts End so Called provided he take sd land below high Water Mark so as to leave a suffichant Cart way betwen sd land and the hill or bank & also Not to Come No Nearer towards the New streets End then shall be thought fitt by Men apointed to Judge What Roome May be thought Convenient to be left for publick use ;
John Church
Att sd Meting before Mentioned the Towne granted to John Churchill sen 30 foott of land square liing at Wellensly Nere Nathaniell Holmeses Ware house
Memorandom on the 4th of March 169& Then was the Rainge Run and settled betwen Eliazar Churchill and Robert Bartlett both of plimouth of lands which sd bartlett bought of Nathaniel Harlow lying adjoyning to said Elizar Churchills land on which his house Now standeth & is bounded as followeth begining at the lower End of sd land Next the sea upon the banck and there bounded with A Rock and a heape of stons upon sd Rock Now the Midway betwen the foot boundery and the highway sd Rock lyeth across the Range and from thence to Extend to the fence Neere the highway and there bounded wth a heape of stons
[42.] Att a towne Metting held att plimouth december 19th 1698 for the Choce of Juriors to serve at the County Court december 20th 1698 Which Were John foster Ephraime Cole Jolin Cole Eliazar Morton Nathaniel Jackson and Richard serees
Att sd Meting the town agreed with Abraham Jackson sen to Ring the bell & sweepe the Meting house & to see to the keepping the doores & Windowes of sd house shutt for one yeare & are to allow to sd Jackson one pound ten shillings for
266
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
his sallery for one yeare Att sd Metting voated that Eight pounds should be Raised to be added to the Charges before mentioned at a towne Metting held at plimonth october 3 1698 as also one pound ten shill to Sam dounham for his service in keeping the Metting house & Ringing the bell
Att a town Meeting held at plimouth March se 6th 1698 for The Choice of town oficers The select Men Chosen are William Shirtlef James Warren & John Waterman The Cuns- tables Chosen JJames barnaby & frances Cooke The grandjuriors Chosen for the yeare Were Caleb Lorein Jonathan Shaw Junior Eleazer Ring & Joseph faunce The surveighers for the high Wayes Chosen Were Nathaniell holmes Will harlow John gray Jolin pratt & Richard Cooper. The Tithing Men Chosen are deacon Nath Wood & John foster The fence veiuers Chosen Were John dotey sen & samuell harlow The grandjuriors Chosen for the Supor Court in March 169§ Were Ephrame Morton James Warren Nath Warren Samuell Stirtevant & Lev Jolin bryant The pety Jury for the Superior Court are Nath Southworth John Waterman Nath Morton benjamin Warren & John Rider The pety Jury for the County Court are Will Ring Robert bartlett Ephrame Cole & Sam fuller
Att sd meting the towne granted to Jolin barnes 30 foot front of land betwen the towne pond in the township of plimouth and the Cart Way that goes downe by barnsses Ware house & soe to Extend towards the Town pond and to his heirs for Ever
At sd Meting the towne granted to Thomas ffaunce all that poynt of land lieing betwen the Ele River and the 20 acres of up- land formerly given to James barnabe from the Cart way that goeth out of blackmurs feild athwart the Ele River to barnabes westward corner bound on the Northerly End and so Ranging down and bounded by his Rainge to the double brooks and soe downe the double brooks home to the sd River Leaveing a suffiish- ant way through sd land to the River Through gates or bars for Ever
[43.] At the sd Town Meeting March 6th 169§ The towne granted to Nathaniel Warren 50 fot frunt of land below 1 Coles Hill soe Caled by the shore side and soe to Run down from High Water Marke in to the sea to whorf out soe farr as may be Convenient
1 This is the first mention of Cole's Hill in either the Plymouth Colony or Town Records.
267
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
the sd Warren alwayes leaveing A sufficent way for Carts to pass along the shore between the banck & the sd land to be taken upp
Att sd Meeting the town Granted to Abiall shurtlif 30 futt of land square below sd Coles hill by the shore s de he leaveing also a sufficent Cart way betwen the banck and sd land
March 5th 169& Then laid out to Nathaniel Holmes and Nathaniel Morton the forty foot of land formerly granted to them by the town of plimouth at Wellensle wher their Ware house Now standeth sd land is bounded at Each Corner with heaps of stons and leaveing ten fut of Comon land
Then bounded out to John Churchill thirty foot of land next to Nathaniel Holmes above sd which sd land is bounded out by four heaps of stons. surveyed and bounded pr me
Thomas ffaunce surveyor.
Att a towne Meeting at plimouth Aprill tenth 1699
The Inhabitants voated that the present select Men of 1 sd Town doe in some Convenient time Run the line betwen plim- outh and Middlebery Towneships and are herby appointed as agents or trustees for and in behalf of the town with full power to agree with the agents of other towns and settle boundarys and In sd Town's behalf to defend what land fals within sd Town's line from any that shall make Intrusion upon it.
2 voted That the select men are to Rent oute the Mead- ows lying in Comonage for the use and benifitt of the town for this Vere
3 voted That the select men are to be the assessors to nake be Rats for this yeare.
4 voted That Mer William Clarke haveing as was alledged formerly a grant of forty acrees of land on the southerly side of the eale River and the Record Not to be found of the grand but only of the bounds The Inhabitants therfor herby grant a Confirm- aty of sd land formerly laid out to sd Clark
6 voted To Joseph Bartlet Juner ffiftene acres of land lying on the Easterly side of Mer bartlets brook at Manement ponds for thre pounds To be paid for the use of the Towne by said Joseph Bartlet or his order.
[44.] voted That what Interest of swampy or Medoish ground was formerly granted to Benijah pratt late of plimouth deceased shall be taken up by his sons at the Horse Neck soe Caled at the south Cuntery in plimouth Township.
268
PLYMOUTH RECORDS
voted & granted to John Rider forty foot of land to Run up from his barne towards the highway and then to Run square of against his house for his Convenience of building
Granted to Eliazar dunham 60 foot of land square on the North side of the way leading to Lakenham on the hill side above followels medow
Granted to John dotey ffifty foot of land square betwen the 1 grate gutter & the half acre of land laid out to Mer Little on the uper sid of the way Nere the pound.
The bounds betwen Robert bartlets Meadow & swamp Lying on the southerly side of the Elereiver & the Land of Ephraime Morton begining at sd Mortons landing place so Called at the head of the Meadows and there bounded with a stake & a Clump of brush by the River side and from thence East Northerly to a Red oake sapling sproutting out of a stump & from thence Rainging Northerly to a White oake sapling Marked on 4 sides standing on the Easterly side of sd swampy ground and soe down to the River and ther bounded with a stone sett in to the Ground.
New plimouth Aprill 7th 1699
Then measured and bounded to Mer Ephraime Litle Junior half an Acre of Land formerly granted unto him by the Inhabitants of the Town of plimouth att Th . head of The 2 New street soe Called begining at a ditch and There bounded with a stake & so Running North Westward 8 pole and There bounded With another stake & so Running up the hil side from the sd stakes That standeth Neare The Common Road that Leadeth out of town ten poles in Length and there bounded with another stake & then running southeast- ward 8 poles & there bounded with another stake & from thence Extending to the stake first mentioned Measured and bounded on the day and yeare first above Written
per Mee Thomas ffaunce surveier to the Town of plimouth
[45.] Memorandom Whereas Mer John doone had a grant of one hundred Acrees of Land at Joans River in the yeare 1637 & haveing sold sd land to Govener bradford and now in the posesion of Joseph Bradford & the boundarys of sd land being lost ;
1 The "grate gutter" was what is now Court Square.
2 This half acre lot included the two estates opposite the head of New or North Street, owned and occupied by William P. Stoddard and the heirs of Mrs. Isaac L. Hedge. Mr. Little sold the lot in 1700 to Isaac Lothrop, who built the Lothrop house, which was taken down about the year 1830.
269
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Nesesitats a new surveighing and Measuring Therfor Measured and bounded out sd land to sd bradford on the 23ª of May 1699 & is bounded as followeth bound att the fot of sd lott by Joans River and begining where the brook Cometh into Jons River Comonly Caled The trout brook and is bounded by sd brook & Raingeth up along sd brook 2 hundred pole in length & bounded at the head with three Maple trees standing all together in one Clump which sd Maples are all Marked on 4 sides & stand prety neere to sd brook & from sd trees Rainging west and by North Nerest foure score pole and there bounded with A Red oake sapling Marked on 4 sids standing Neere a valley that leads to 1 Causon's pond so Caled & from sd sappling Rainging down towards the River 6 score pole to a white oak marked About four score pole in bredth from the Abovesd brook & from sd oake to Raing on a strait Corse to A stake and a heape of stons A little to southward of the sawmill & soe to Extend to the River
Measured and bounded on the day and year above written pr me Thomas ffaunce survier
At a town Meeting held at plimouth on the 10th of May 1699
The Inhabitants Made Choyce of Mer Nathaniel Thomas Junior for to serve as theire Representative at the Grat and Gen- erall Cort on the 31 day of May & at the severall adjornments of it
New plimouth May 27th 1699
Then Measured & staked out To John Morton and to Sam- uel Lucas 30 foot front of land square to Each of them along the shore by the shore side to the Northward of Joseph Bartlets Ware house betwen that and William shurtliffs warehouse There being 12 foot of Comon left betwen Every lott & free Egres and Regress for Carts along shore as ocasion may be Measured and bounded out on the day and year above Written pr Thomas ffaunce sur- veior To the town of plimouth.
1 Causons pond is probably the pond known as Crosman's Pond. It has been supposed in recent years that the name Causon was the result of a vulgarised evolution from the name Crosman, and this supposition was reinforced by a story that a man by the name of Crosman was once drowned in the pond. It is probable, however, that Causon is correct, and that Crosman, as laid down on recent maps, is wrong.
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