USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1705-1743 (vol. 2) > Part 18
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Assessors
The Assessors chosen are Capt Benjamin Warren John Bradford Junt & JJohn Dyer
Constables
voted that there be four Constables within the Town of Plymouth one at the North Precinct and one within the Limits of Agawam & Two in the re- maining part of ye Town and the highest in the votes within each part of the Town to be ye Consta- bles for the Ensuing year Haviland Torry James Warren Israel Bradford & Israel Ferring were chosen Constables and Haviland Torry declared his refusal to serve and paid down five pounds in Prov- ence Bills of credit to John Dyer Town Treasurer and James Warren Refused to serve and paid down five pounds to ye sd John Dyer voted that there be
225
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
two Constables more chosen in the Town the North Precinct Exempted and Agawam was also Exempted there being Constables already Chosen within the Limits of those parts of ye Town. The Town pro- ceeded on a New choice for Two Constables & chose Nicholas Drew and Eleazar Churchell and the said Eleazar Churchell refused to serve and paid down five pounds to the sd John Dyer. The Town pro- ceeded on a New choice & chose John Harlow. Nicholas Drew refused to serve & paid down five pounds to ye sd John Dyer and the Town again pro- ceeded on a New choice and the Town made choice of Mr Robert Brown
Town Meeting Adjorned
Voted that the Town Meeting shold be ad- jorned to the Last munday of this Instant March and it was accordingly adjorned by the Mederator
vacancy of a Selectman & Assesor chosen Constable
At an adjornment of the Town Meeting from the second day of March 1723/4 to the Last Munday in March Instant. There being a va- cancy of one of the Selectmen by the decease of Mr John Bradford Jun". The Town pro- ceeded on a New choice and Chose Mr Jacob Mitchell to be a Selectman and an Assessor in the room of Mr John Bradford deceased
Wheras Mr Robert Brown being chose Constable and he have- ing hired Jolin Harlow to serve in his room the Town voted their acceptance of the sd John Harlow to serve as Constable in the room of the sd Robert Brown
Highways
surveyors of Highways
The Highways farmed out
Voted that the Highways in the Town should be farmed out & kept in repair for the year Ensu- ing. Voted that John Gray and Josiah Morton be surveiors of the highways for the year Ensuing and the sd John Gray and Josiah Morton have agreed with ye Town to keep the Highways in re- pair for the Ensuing year and they are to Enter into Bonds to keep the ways in repair according to the Direction of the Law and it is voted that they the sd John Gray and Josiah Morton shall
15
226
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Tythingmen
have twelve pence per head for Every Ratable Pole that is Rated in the Town Rate to be paid out of the Town Treasury The Tythingmen are Simon Lazell Ebenezer Curtis Samuel Foster Benejah Pratt & Samuel Baites
Fence viewers
The Fence viewers are Mr James Barnebe Benjamin Rider Thomas Bartlett Eleazer Holmes Thomas Holmes Jacob Mitchel and John Barnes
Feild Drivers
The Feild drivers are Ebenezar Holmes Caleb Stetson William Barnes Ebenezar Cob Samuel Cornish & Nathan Ward
Swine
Voted that the Swine shall be kept up this Ensuing year
Hog Reves
The Hog Reves Chosen are Caleb Stetson Joseph Mitchell John Faunce Sent John Sturtevant Jun' Joseph Rider George Holmes Thomas Morton Sen" John Cooper and Ebenezar Burges
Town Treasurer
Voted that John Dyer be Town Treasurer for the year Ensuing
[38.] Schools
Voted that the schools shall be under the same Regulation the year Ensuing as they were the Last year
Committe
The Committe chosen to provide suitable Persons to keep said schools are John Watson Esq" Jacob Mitchel John Dyer Capt Warren & Mr John Murdock
Jurors for ye Superior Court
The Jurors Chosen for the Superior Court to be holden at Plymouth on the Last tuesday of April next. The Grand Jurors are Mr JJames Barnebe & Mr John Barnes The persons chosen for ye Jury of Tryals at sd Court are John Dyer Jacob Mitchell Ephraim Cole and John Faunce
Herrings
Voted That Stephen Churchell Joshua Bram- hall & Haveland Torrey do take care to prevent the destroying of the Herrings in the Town
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PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Brooke & that there be suitable provision made for their going up at the Mill Dams
Moderator Representative
At a Town Meeting held at Plymouth in the Court House on the Twentieth day of May 1724 .- At sd Meeting the Town made choice of Isaac Lothrop Esqr to be Moderator
At sd Meeting the Town made choice of Decon John Foster to be Representative for this year
At the said Meeting it was moved to the Town to take a valua- tion of the Town Estate and after some considerable dispute the vote was called whether there should be any valuation taken or no. And the vote passed in the Negative.
Jurors for June Court
At the said Meeting the Town made choice of Jurymen to serve on the Jury of Tryals the next quarter sessions in June next. The persons chosen are Eleazer Morton Samuel Bartlett and Ebenezer Morton.
At a Town Meeting held at Plymouth on the 21th of March 17 10/11
About one acre of Land belonging to William Followell
For and in Consideration of the sum of fifteen shillings by William Followell of sd Plymouth unto John Watson Town Treasurer of said Plymouth well and truely paid for the use of ye sd Town The sd Town hath given Granted Bargained sold made over and con- firmed unto him the said William Followell and unto his heires and Assignes for ever about one acre of Land Lying being and bounded as follows February 8th 1711. Laid out by us the subscribers unto William Followell about one acre of Land lying on the westward side of his meadow near Stephen Totmans & is bounded from the northwest corner of said Followays meadow fence near West about nine pole to a heap of stones thence South and by East about Twenty Pole to a heap of stones standing Square with the North side of sd Totmans Land and thence on a straight Line by said Totmans Land down to sd Followays
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PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
fence and thence by sd Followays fence to the Northwest corner thereof first mentioned. James Warren Nathaniel Thomas
At a Town meeting held at Plymouth on the 21th of March 1710/11
The four Acres of
Land belonging to William Followell
For and in Consideration of the sum of Three pounds and four shillings by William Followell of sd Plymouth unto John Watson Town Treasurer of sd Plymouth well and truely paid for the use of the sd Town The sd Town hath Given granted Bargained sold made over and Confirmed unto him the sd William Followell and unto his heirs and assignes for Ever four acres of Land Lying being and bounded as follows, October 18th 1712. Laid out unto William Followay by us the sub- scribers four acres of Land lying between the Land of Samuel King and the Land belonging to the Ministry and is bounded with a walnut bush with stones about it in the range of ye said Ministry Land being the Northerly corner bounds of Land lately layd out to Ephraim Cole & thence South East by sd Coles range Therty Two pole to the Westerly corner bound of the Land of sd King & thence near North East by sd Kings Land about Therty five pole to the Land lately laid out to James Warren Esqr and thence Westerly by sd Warrens Land to the Easterly side of the said Ministry Land & thence by the sd Ministry Land to the bounds first mentioned Reserving ways through sd Land where they may be wanted James Warren Nathaniel Thomas
[39.] Three acres of meadow was granted to Jolin Doten De- ceased at New Meadows and it was not there to be had therefore Laid out to his son Isaac Doty at John Doten
Isaac Doty
Dotys meadows in swampy Land bounded as fol- lows begining at a stake set into the ground at the corner of Isaac Dotys ditch thence the Line Ex-
229
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
tends west 28 rods to a White oak tree marked on 4 sides thence south 20 rods to a maple tree marked on 4 sides and thence the line Extends East 28 Rods to a Red oak tree marked on 4 sides and thence North to the bounds first mentioned John Bradford Benjamin Warren Surveiors
March 21 17 11/12
Town Meeting Augt 31th
At a Town meeting held at Plymouth in the Court House on the Thirty first day of August 1724 a Bill of what was is necessary to be raised to defray the Town charges for the year 1724 was Read
Towards the schools 34.00.00
To the Representative about 20.00.00
To defray the Town Charges about 19.00.00
To the Assessors about 4.00.00
77.00.00
Jurors for Sep" Court
Voated at said Meeting that the above account of Seventy Seven pounds should be raised & assessed on the Inhabitants of sd Town to defray the Town charge The Jurors Chosen to serve at the quarter Sessions on the third tuesday of Sep- tember next are Thomas Faunce Jun" Solomon Silvester Seth Chipman
Jurors for Decr Court
At a Town meeting held at Plymouth in the Meeting House on the Seventh day of December 1724 for the choice of Jurors to serve at the next Inferiour Court to be held at Plymouth on the third Tuesday of December Instant. The Persons Chosen to serve on said Jury are Capt Josiah Carver Capt Thomas Hatch & Ephraim Cole Jun"
Wee the Subscribers Ministers of the Gospell do hereby signify that we do aprobate Mr John Sparhawk I as a person well Capasi-
Certificate
1 John Sparhawk graduated at Harvard in 1723, and after teaching a short time in Plymouth studied law and settled in Plymouth as an attorney. He owned and occupied the house now owned by A. C. Chandler on Court Street. In 1744 he joined an expedition for the relief of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and returned wounded and sick, and died in 1748. Benjamin Allen was the pastor of the Bridgewater Church, Joseph Stacy of the Kingston Church, and Nathaniel Leonard the Plymouth pastor.
230
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
recommending John Sparhawk as a teacher
tated and qualified to teach a Grammer School & accordingly do recommend him to the Town of Plymouth or any other Town where God in his providence shall see Cause to Call him
Dated at Plymouth Benjamin Allen
this 21st day of Nathaniel Leonard
January 17 24 / 5 Joseph Stacey
Town
Meeting february 15th 17 24 /5 Deacon John Foster Chosen Moderator
At a Town meeting held at Plymouth in the Court House on the fifteenth day of february 17 24/5 The Grand Jurors Chosen for the year are Stephen Churchell Ephraim Kempton & Joseph Mitchell The Jurors Chosen to serve at the Quarter Sessions on the first tuesday of March next are Capt Samuel Drew John Cooke & Robert Finney
John Watson Esqr was chosen an agent to answer ye Towns presentment at ye next quarter Sessions At sd Meeting there was a long; debate about a School or Schools and after some time there was a voate called whether they would have three schools & there being a great assembly it was some- thing difficult to distinguish the voate by holding up the hand and it was thereupon ordered by the Moderator that the assembly should withdraw out of the House & then to to Come in & pass by the Clark & declare whether they were for one or three schools and it was voated by a Majority of voates that there should be one school. And there being a great tumult in the meeting and the people difficult to be settled the Moderator therefore adjorned the present meeting to the first day of March next to meet at ten o clock in the forenoon at the usual place of meeting
about a School
Town Meeting adjorned
[40.] At a Town meeting held at Plymouth on the first day of March 1724/5 at the Court House In Plymouth for the Choice of Town officers and Regulateing
231
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Moderator Town Clerk Selectmen
& fixing the School The Town proceeded to the Choice of Town officers. Mr Josiah Cotton Esq™ chosen Moderator John Dyer chosen Town Clerk & sworn by Josiah Cotton Esqr The Selectmen are Isaac Lothrop Esq" Decon John Foster John Dyer Jacob Mitchell & Josiah Morton
Assessors
Voated that there be five Assessors, and the Assessors Chosen are Isaac Lothrop Esqr John Dyer Decon John Foster Jacob Mitchell & Josiah Morton.
Constables
Voated that there be four Constables. The Constables Chosen are William Bradford Sen" Nathaniel Thomas Thomas Bartlett and Samuel Baites. And the sd Nathaniel Thomas refused to serve and he paid five pounds. And the Town then proceeded on another choice & choose Samuel Bartlett and there being two Samuel Bartlets in the Town it was uncertain which of sd Bartlets should serve by reason many of the voters declared they Intended Samuel Bartlett Jun". Therefore voated that Samuel Bartlett formerly of Duxberough now in Plymouth should be Excused from serving as Constable this present year. And the Town proceeded again to another Choice & Choose Samuel Bartlett Jun' to serve as Constable.
Town Treasurer
John Dyer was Chosen to be Town Treasurer for the year Ensuing.
Surveyors
Josiah Morton Thomas Holmes & William Cooke Chosen Surveyors of the Highways
The Highways farmed out
Voated that the Selectmen of the Town agree with the Surveyors to mend the High- ways within the Town for the term of seven years from this day and that they be paid annually out of The Town Treasury the sum of twelve pence per Head for every Ratable Poll and that the Selectmen take proper Bonds of them concerning the sd affair so as to Indemnify the Town. Bridges to be mended according to Late Agreements.
232
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
And then the Town proceeded to manage the affair about the school
The School
fixed for 7
years in ye
middle of
ye Town
Voated that the Grammer School (in which also is to be taught Writing Reading & Arethmetick as usual) be kept in the middle of the Town near the Meeting House or Court House from the Twentieth of April next for the space of seven years next coming
Voated that John Watson Esq John Dyer & Mr Haviland Torry be a Committe to provide a suitable Schoolmaster from time to time dureing sd space.
And also at the same time Voated that each end of the Town who for some years past had a Womans School among them be allowed to deduct out of the Town Treasury what they are annually voted or taxed for the Grammer Schoole and no more towards the maintaining a School among themselves. Provided they see cause to keep one
Voated the Town meeting to be adjorned to the 29th of this Instant March 1742/3
Adjornment of ye Town Meeting
At an adjornment of the Town meeting from the first day of March 1724/5 to the 29th of March Instant the Inhabitants of sd Town met at the usual place of meeting : At sd meeting Thomas Bartlett appeared and made a plea that he ought not to serve in the place of a Constable this present yeare by Reason that he was at half the Charge in hireing a man to go in the service to the Eastward Last Summer. And the Town voated that the said Thomas Bartlett be Excused to serve in the office of a Constable this present year. And the Town Proceeded to another choice of a Constable and the Town made choice of Robert Finney to serve in the office of Con- stable for the Ensuing year
Constable
Tythingmen
The Tythingmen Chosen are Samuell Cornish William Bradford Jun" Eleazer Morton Thomas Spooner & Joshua Gibs
Fence viewers feild drivers
The Fence viewers Chosen are Thomas Holmes John Barnes Ebenezar Holmes Thomas Clarke
233
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Decons Son and Robert Cushman. And the said Persons are Chosen to be feild drivers
Swine
Voated that the swine be kept up this present year Voated that the North part of the Town so far as to Include Mr John Sturtevant & Josiah Cotton Esqr have Liberty to Let their swine run at Large under the regulation of the Law.
Hog Reves
The Hog Reves Chosen are Benjamin Rider Joseph Bartlett Samuel Marshall Elkanah Chur- chell Jonathan Bryant Inholder Jacob Mitchell Elisha Stetson James Warren and Joseph Warren
Supr Court Grand Jurors
The Jurors Chosen for the Superior Court to be holden at Plymouth on the Last tuesday of April next. The Grand Jurors Chosen are John Dyer & Mr John Barnes to serve at sd Court
petty Jurors
The Persons Chosen to serve on the Jury of Tryals at sd Court are Mr Thomas Morton Decon John Wood Mr Jacob Michell & Mr Josiah Morton
[41.] At a Town Meeting held at Plymouth on the Tenth day of May 1725 in the Court House for the Choice of a Represen- tative or Representatives for the Ensuing year and to consider upon the North Precincts Petition about their being a Township &c Moderator
At the sd meeting the Town made choice of Capt Benjamin Warren to be Moderator for the day
Representative
At sd meeting Voated that they would have but one representative for the Ensuing year and the Town made choice of Capt Benjamin Warren to serve & Represent the Town of Plymouth for the Ensuing year
Jurymen for June Sessions
The Town proceeded and made choice of Jurymen to serve at the next June sessions whose names are as followeth Francis Adams Robert Brown and Quinten Crymble
North
And then the Town proceeded to Consider 1 upon the North Precincts Petition relating to
1 The North Precinct was that in what is now Kingston.
234
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Precinct petitiong about a Township
Committe
Eleazer
Donham grant of 30 feet Land in length and 20 feet in wedth
New Way over Jones River
their being a Township and after a long dispute the voate was called whether they would voate ye said Precinct to be a Township according to their Petition and it passed in the Negative.
Voated that Josiah Cotton Esqr .John Watson Esqr and John Dyer be a Committe to give in reasons why the Town was against granting the sd Precinct their Petition to become a Township
Voated that Eleazer Donham shall have Thirty feet of Land in Length and Twenty feet in Wedth at the foot of the Fort Hill above the way at the head of the House Lotts the sd way to be left Twenty feet wide the sd Land is granted to the sd Eleazer Donham and his heirs so Long as they shall keep a Dwelling House theron and the sd Land is to be laid out by the surveyors of the Town.
Voated that the Coppy of the Laying out and turning the Highway over Jones River be recorded
Plymouth October 29th 1708 We whose names are under written being summoned and sworn on a Jury to lay out a New Highway over Jones River : the former Way being Judged not su convenient where it went as if it were turned higher up sd River: Have turned said Way as followeth viz : We turned out of the Old Road upon the Northerly side of JJacob Michells Land by a Red Oak tree marked Westerly to a Red Oak saplin marked, from thence to another Red Oak saplin marked. And still Westerly to a White oak bushi and heap of stones and so on a straight Line across Eleazer Cushmans Land and Elkanalı Cushmans Land to Bridgewater Road the sd Road to be 40 foot wide and to ly on the Southwesterly side of the aforesd bounds and so along Bridgewater Road to the sd Jones River and over sd River along sd Road to 2 Cedar Posts marked in Jacob Cooks fence and so to an apple tree marked, the
235
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Road to ly on the Easterly side of the sd Posts and Apple tree and along sd Bridgewater Road to a Path which crosses Majr Bradfords Land and leads to Stoney Brook the first mark is a Red Oak bush on Rising Ground on the Easterly side of sd Road : from thence on a straight line to a Red Oak saplin marked standing on descending Ground near the Land of William Bradford on the Easterly side of sd road from thence to another red Oak Bush on the Westerly side of sd Road near William Bradfords Land and from thence straight to Stoney Brook or rather to a Rock wth stones about it on the southerly side of sd Brook the Road to ly on the Easterly side of sd Rock and from thence through the Land which was Major Bradfords late deceased straight to a White Oak bush marked on riseing Ground sd Road to ly on the Westerly side of sd Bush from thence to a White Oak on high land and from thence to a White oak from thence to a Pine tree near the Parting Ways ye Road to ly on the Westerly side of the Last mentioned Trees : from sd Pine tree for a Road towards Boston We Run down Hill to Mile Brook and from sd Brook to a Pine tree marked from thence to a White Oak tree marked the Road to be on the Westerly side of sd Trees, from thence to another White Oak tree the Road to be on the East side thereof and so to a Red Oak Saplin in the middle of the way : and from thence to a White Oak and from thence straight to a Pine tree marked standing on riseing ground and so to a Pine tree and to another Pine Tree from thence to another Pine Tree and to another Pine tree aud to another pine tree and to another Pine tree and to a Red Oak tree standing by the old Road coming up from Duxberough, the Last mentioned Pines and oak all marked and the Road to ly on the Westerly side of sd trees : The way we laid out to lead to Duxberough begins at the last Pine tree we marked on the Hill before we came to Mile Brook from sd Pine along the Path that now leads into
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PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Duxberough about 20 Rods from thence straight to. an oak sapling near a corner of the Dead swamp.
[42.] and from thence on a straight Line to a Red Oake. marked in the Land of Jonathan Brewster by the Duxberough old Road. We being appointed to. Estimate and make Apprisment of the Damage any Persons may sustaine by Laying out sd Ways do Judge Wm Bradford to be Damnifyed 3 £ for the Going through his Land and Israel Bradford Ephraim Bradford David Bradford and Hesekiah Bradford to be Damnifyed equally among them 27 £ by sd Roads going through their Lands and Elisha Wadsworth to be damnifyed 5s all said Dam- ages to be paid in money at 8$ per ounce or Bills of Credit of this Province Michall Ford Edward Thomas Stephen Clap John Rouse William Barstow Nicholas Byram John Hayward his X mark Thomas Tomson Jolm Wadsworth David Perkins John Field Joseph Foord.
The Court do allow approbate and Confirm of the Turning of the way over Jones River where the Jury appointed and sworn to do the same have laid it out and order their Return to be Recorded and order also that the old Bridge over Jones River where the old Way Went be forthiwithi taken down by the Sheriff being dangerous for Travellers to pass over
A true Copy as appears of Record Examined
per Josiah Cotton Cler
Plymouth s s. On the 3d day of August 1725
Then Measured and laid out by us the subscribers for John Watson Esqr a peice of land Lying at the Westerly corner of the Training Green, Rainging Westerly from the Southwest corner of the Land Belonging to the Estate of the Reverend Mr Ephraim Little Deceased as the fence now stands about forty five Feet And to extend Back from the Training Green by sd Littles and sd Watsons Lands about Thirty Feet
Isaac Lothrop Benjamin Warren
237
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Plymouth August 3ª 1725. Then Estimated or apprised the above mentioned peice of Land for John Watson Esq" at Thirty five shillings by us the Subscribers
Isaac Lothrop Benjamin Warren
John Watson
At a Town Meeting held at Plymouth on the 2ª of March 1710/11 for and in Consideration of the sum of one pound and fifteen shillings paid by John Watson Esqr unto John Dyer Town Treasurer for the use of sd Town. The Town have granted and sold unto the sd John Watson his heirs and assignes for Ever a certain peice of Land Lying at the Westerly corner of the Training Green Rainging Westerly from the Southwest corner of the Land Belonging to the Estate of the Reverend Mr Ephraim Little Deceased as the fence now stands about Forty five Feet, and to Extend back from the Training Green by sd Little and sd Watsons Lands about Thirty feet.
Jurors
Chosen
for September Sessions
At a Town Meeting held at Plymouth in the Court House on ye 9th day of August 1725 for the Choice of Jurymen and for the Raiseing of money and other Town business etc. The Jurors chosen to serve on the Jury of Tryals in September Sessions next Ensuing are Thomas Croade Samuel Foster and Timothy Morton.
Josiah Cotton
Esqr Chosen
Moderator
A Bill of what was necessary to be raised on the Town to defray the Town Charges was presented to the Town and read which is as followeth
To the Representative about 20.00.00
To the School about 40.00.00
To the Assessors about
4.00.00
To Keeping the ways in repair
19.00.00
To ye Treasurers Commissions and other uses about 4.00.00
87.00.00
Voated that sd sum of Eighty Seven pounds shall be raised on the Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth to defray the Charges of the Town for this year
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PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Highway
[43.] petition of South part for money from sale of 12 mile Commons
Schools
School
Voated That Major Lathrop be an Agent to answer the Towns presentment about a peice of way at the North End of the Town between Joseph Holmes House and Jones River
At the sd Town meeting before mentioned a Petition of the South part of the Town Relating to the mile and half money about their haveing their proportionable part therof was read and after a long debate thereon the voate was called whether they would grant what they moved for in their petition and it passed in the Negative
At sd meeting it was moved whether the Inhabitants of the South part of this Town at Ele River and Manument Ponds should have a Reading and writing School among them to be maintained by the Town as it was the last year and some years before to be kept for the space of seven years from the 20th of April last and the money to be drawn yearly out of the Town Treasurie for sd seven years or so long a time as they keep school within the sd seven years Provided that it doth not Exceed 20 £ a year with what they are to draw of their Rates by the voat of the 1st of March Last past. Voated in the Negative Voated That Capt Benjamin Warren and Mr Josiah Morton be a Committe to provide a school at Ele River and Manument Ponds from time to time and to draw out of the Town Treasurie what the sd part of the Town pay by way of Rate towards the Grammar School according to ye vote of the first of March Last past
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