USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1743-1783 (vol. 3) > Part 31
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
2nd If they claim as Individuals how can their Right
365
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
(if they ever had any) be ever Ascertained; who can tell how many Inhabitants lived within their bounds and ours at that Day? and must not this be known in order to make a just Division ?
Claiming then as Individuals must by no means be admitted. An uncertain Right is no Right. A Doubtful Claim must expire in the Birth. Lawyers that have some years ago been consulted in the case, who were fully of the opinion that it was clear in our Favour, are Mr John Adams, Coll Otis & James Otis Junr and Mr Leonard.
Then Chose Colo Theo Cotton, Majr Joshua Thomas & Eph Spooner a Committe to Enquire into the Circumstances of Law Resptctg Sd Land.
Then made Choice of Messrs Stephen Doten James Doten & Majr Nathaniel Goodwin Assessors
John Cotton Esqr Chosen Town Treasurer.
Then the Votes for a County Treasurer were brought in & sealed up in Town Meeting by Mr John Goddard Con- stable & Delivd to him to Keep.
Then Made Choice of Capt Thomas Nicholson Capt John Gray Mr James Drew & Ephraim Spooner Were Chosen a Committe of Correspondence &c
Then voted that this Town Inasmuch as Capt Thomas Nicholson our Presant Representative is returnd from sea, and it is likely will attend his Duty at sd Court the remainder of the year, That they will not choose another Representa- tive at this time.
Majr Nathaniel Goodwin Mr. Samuel Bartlett Junr were chosen overseers of the Poor.
Then this meeting was Adjournd to Monday the 15th day of March Currant to ten a Clock in the forenoon.
[400.] At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Assem- bled & held at the Court house in Plimouth on Monday ye 15th day of March 1779 by Adjournment from ye 8th Cur- rant. Then Voted to choose a Committe of 15 persons to Consider of the matter of Regulating the takg alewives in ye Town Brook, they to Report at the Adjournment what they think best for ye Town to do in the affair, & then made choice of
Ephrm Spooner
Capt Thomas Davis
William Watson Esqr
Thomas Jackson
Colo Watson Ichabod Holmes
366
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Nathl Morton Junr
Capt Robert Finney
Ebenr Samson John Harlow
Capt Sylvanus Harlow
Capt Benjamin Ryder
Colo Cotton
Capt Stephen Churchill
Capt Nathl Carver
to be sd Committe
Then voted to take Quantity of Alewives for sail not Ex- ceeding 200 barrels out of the brook runing out of half way pond.
Messrs Sylvanus Bartlett, Joseph Bartlett Junr Caleb Howland Seth Morton John Cornish John Bartlett were chosen Surveyors of Highways
Messrs Thomas Nicholson Timothy Goodwin Joseph Howland John Cotton ye 3d Nathl Lewis Isaac Barnes John Goddard Caleb Howard Amaziah Harlow George Ellis Capt John Bartlett were Hogreeves.
Then the Act for the observation of the Sabath & Regu- lating the Choice & Duty of Wardens :
Majr Joshua Thomas Deacn William Crombie Capt Wil- liam Harlow Mr. John Goodwin Mr. Thomas Bartlett Capt Zacheus Bartlett were chosen Wardens.
[401.] Then voted to choose a Committe to Consider (a) Petition of Capt Thomas Turner Praying this Town would pay him the bounty he paid to two continentall soldiers that went in his company for this Town. Then voted to choose a Committe to Consider of sd Petition. Ac- cordingly made choice of
Majr Joshua Thomas Capt Thomas Nicholson Mr James Symms to be sd Committe & to report at the Adjurnment.
Then chose Capt Zacheus Bartlett Mr. Benjamin Cornish Capt John Bartlett Mr. James Wright a committe to take care of Halfway Pond brook.
Messrs Seth Morton Ezekiel Morton were chosen a Com- mitte to take care Ellriver Herring brook.
Messrs James Drew Thomas Jackson & Stephen Churchill were chosen Gaugers of Cask & Packers of Fish.
Messrs Seth Morton David Lothrop Benja Drew were chose tythegmen.
Messrs Benjamin Drew Thomas Spooner were chosen sealers of Leather.
Messrs Thomas Southworth Howland Ichabod Holmes & Ebenezr Nelson were chosen cullers of Fish.
367
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Messrs William Watson Esqr Samuel Cole were chosen clerks of the market.
Sylvanus Bartlett Capt Thomas Nicholson Mr Caleb Howland Branch Blackmer Thomas Jackson were chosen fence viewers & field Drivers.
Messrs General Warren Elkanah Watson Ichabod Holmes Thomas Jackson & Ephraim Spooner were chosen firewards.
Messrs John Waterman Lemuel Drew James Doten Junr were chosen Surveyors of Lumber.
Messrs Thomas Jackson James Drew Stephen Churchill & Lemuell Drew were chosen viewers & cullers of staves & hoops & surveyors of clapboards & shingles.
[402.] Messrs Seth Mendall Deacn William Crombie John Cotton Junr Seth Morton were chosen Deerreeves.
Messrs Generall Warren Nathaniel Morton Junr Phillip Leonard Josiah Morton Junr Samuel Bartlett & George Ellis were chosen to take care of Plymouth Beach agreeable to the Laws of this state.
Messrs William Watson Esqr Nathaniel Lothrop & Eph- raim Spooner were chosen a Committe to hire a sexton on the most reasonable terms they can.
Messrs Thomas Davis Thomas Nicholson & John Wat- son were chosen a committe to hire a Collector for the whole Town except Manument Ponds Precinct & report at the Adjournment.
Messrs Branch Blackmer Josiah Clark were chosen a Committe to hire a Collector for Manument ponds & report at the Adjournt.
Messrs John Waterman Jonathan Diman were chosen Grand Jurors for the year Ensuing.
Messrs Lemuel Bartlett William Lebarron were chosen to serve on the Petit Jury at next April Court.
Then this meetting was Adjournd to Tuesday ye 23d Cur- rant at ten a Clock in the forenoon.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth on Tuesday ye 23d March 1779 by Adjournment from ye 15th Currant.
The report of the Committe appointed to Consider the Re- quest of Capt Thomas Turner of Pembrook Praying this Town would pay him the bounty of sixty pounds he paid or obligated himself to pay over & above the Continentall & state bounty to two Soldiers now in the Continental Armey
368
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
who Inlisted with him sd Turner and were Determined by the Generall Courts committe they shall serve for this Town, was read & is in the words following viz-
That it does not appear to your Committee from any Pa- per Exhibited by Capt Thomas Turner, that he ever paid the Soldiers any Bounty, neither is their any proper petition to the town, for the reimbursement of the sums aforesaid, it is our opinion therefore that the matter subside for the present
Joshua Thomas pr order.
Then a vote was Called to know if the Town will accept said report, it Passed in the Affirmative.
[403.] At said Meeting the Report of the Committe chosen to consider the matter of takeing the Alewives in the Town Brook & propose what method the town had best take in that matter reported as follows viz:
We the subscribers being appointed by the Town of Pli- mouth at their meeting ye 15th March A D 1779 to Con- sider what methods the Town had best to come into respect- ing the Alewives that usually Pass thro the Town Brook up to Billington Sea to Cast their spawn. After considering of the matter are Clearly of opinion that
it
is
Highly necessary that
Effectual
care should
be taken that the fish should not be Stop't in their Passing up & down this sd brook so as to Allter their usual Course and since Provisions are Exceeding scarce in this Town at Presant & are likely to be scarcer, The Com- mitte propose (In order that all the Inhabitants may have an opportunity to get for Each family a Proper Quantity) That none of the sd fish shall be taken below the Bridge that leads over the brook at the upper side of Deacon Crombies Tanyard, unless the Committe for takeing care of the brook see fit to alter the place, and by no person whatsoever exceptg those. the town or their Committe shall appoint. The Com- ittee would Propose that some suitable persons should be hired to catch the herrings for the whole Town, they to have a proper reward for their Trouble, which Expence shall be Defrayd by the sale of sd fish, and for the Effectual putting into Execution the method Proposd abovesd. The com- mitte advise that a respectable Committe be chosen to see that no person breaks over the sd Regulation under the pains & Penaltys of the Laws of this state regulateing the Herring brooks therein, sd Committee to Procure sutable
PLYMOUTH RECORDS. 369
persons to catch sd Fish & to Watch sd brook. Allso to agree with them what shall be allowd to salt & barrell up for sail any of sd fish under the pains & Penalty of twenty pounds for each barrell he or they shall Catch & barrell up for sail as abovesd & in the same proportion for a less Quan- tity than a barrell, which Forfeiture or fine shall be sued for & recoverd by sd Committee or any freeholder in this Town, one half of which shall be for the Prosecution & the other half for the Use of the Poor of this Town sd Committee would. further propose, that the Town in Town Meeting or the Committee for taking care of sd brook shall Determine how many Herring or Alewives, each family shall have & at what time, Giveing the Prefferance to the Distressed & needy & those That are not able to buy their Proportion of said fish shall have them given to them. Furthermore the sd Committee Recommend it to all the Good people in this Town to do all in their Power that sd Fish may be made as Beneficiall to all the Inhabitants, the Poor & needy in speciall as Possable. All which is submited by
Thomas Davis Nathl Morton Junr
William Watson
Ephrm Spooner
George Watson
Sylvanus Harlow
Ichabod Holmes
Stephen Churchill
John Harlow Thomas Jackson
Ebenezr Samson Nathl Carver
Plymouth March 17th 1779.
Then voted to accept the Report of said Committe.
Then the late order of the Generall Court was read re- specting supplying the Soldiers Familys, after which The Town Voted to choose a Committe of three persons to pro- cure necessarys for the Soldiers Familys in the absence of Capt Jesse Harlow the Towns Agent for the purpose. Ac- cordingly choose
Capt William Weston
Mr Samuel Bartlett Junr & Capt Thomas Davis
for that purpose.
[404.] At said Meeting the order of the Generall Court for supplyg of the Soldiers familys was read Then Voted to choose a Committee of three persons to Procure necessarys for the soldiers familys & see that the Necessarys are De- liverd by Capt Jesse Harlow the Towns Commissioner or otherwise. Accordingly made choice of Messrs William
24
370
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Weston Samuel Bartlett Thomas Davis were chosen sd com- mittee.
Then voted the Committee for hireing a Collector or Col- lectors for the Preasant year be Desired to continue their Endeavours to procure a Collector or Collectors on the best terms they can & report at the Adjournment. Then the Meeting was Adjournd to Monday ye 29th March Currant at two a Clock in the afternoon.
At a meeting of the Town of Plymouth March 29th 1779 by Adjournment from the 23rd Currant.
Then Voted to Reconsider the vote for the choice of over- seers of the Poor for the Preasant year & of choice the Pres- ent Selectmen are Dismissed from said office at their De- sier.
Then voted to choose 7 Selectmen the present year
Messrs William Weston Andrew Croswell Nathaniel Goodwin Nathaniel Morton Junr Josiah Clark Thomas Jack- son, Benjamin Drew were chosen selectmen.
The letter of Mr. Martin Brimmer of Boston Informing of a Present of a Cask of Bread was read is as follows.
Plimouth 29th March 1779
Gentn
I beg leave to present you with a hogshead of Bread, which I desire you to distribute among the Poor, of whom you are chosen the overseers. I would wish to distinguish, at all times (more especially at this present Scarcity of Corn) those who are proper objects, I mean the old, who are past labour, the poor widow & the orphan. The lazy & the sottish it is not charity to support, but I need not men- tion this to you Gentn who are so well calculated for all the wise purposes of the Institution.
I am Gentn Your most Hble Servt
M Brimmer.
The Bread will be delivered you at Colo Watsons store. Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Plymouth.
Then voted that the thanks of this Town be Presented to Mr Martin Brimmer for his Generosity & kindness shewn to this Town in making said Present which is a verry Great service to the Town at this time of scarcity & accordingly made choice of
Messrs Thomas Nicholson &
Ephraim Spooner
said Committee.
PLYMOUTH RECORDS. 371
[405.] Then voted to receive the Report of the Commit- tee Respecting the beach as Enterd January 19th See folio page 395 was twice read. Then voated accept sd report & accordingly Messrs James Drew Peter Shurtleff Ichabod Holmes were chosen sd Committee to Procure the stuff & do the business as mentiond in sd report. Voted sd com- mitee allso be added to the Number allready chosen to take (care) of the beach agreeable to the Law of this state regu- lateing the same.
Then voted to choose a Committee of 19 Persons to take care of the Herring brook agreeable to the Town vote & ac- accordingly made choice of
Messrs William Crombie
Ichabod Holmes
Ephraim Spooner Nathaniel Carver
William Harlow
Sylvanus Harlow
Ebenezer Nelson
Stephen Churchill
Andrew Croswell
Nathaniel Morton Junr
Thomas Jackson
Thomas Nicholson
John Harlow
Samuel Bartlett Junr
James Drew
Ebenezer Samson
Ezra Burbank Sylvanus Bartlett
Robert Finney
Then this meeting was adjournd to Monday ye 5th of April next 3 a Clock P M
At a meeting of the Town of Plymouth April 5th A D 1779 by Adjournment from ye 29th past.
Then voted their should be nine Selectmen the Preasant year 3 allready chose viz :
Messrs Nathaniel Morton Junr Andrew Croswell Josiah Clark, and then chose Messrs Ephraim Spooner Thomas Nicholson Samuel Bartlett Junr Isaac Symms James Drew William Watson Esqr were chosen selectmen which com- pleats the number of nine.
Then Voted that three of the said Selectmen shall be a Quorum.
Then voted to add 3 Persons to the Committee for procur- ing a Collector the Present year, the Committee to make En- quiry what is the Lowest sum they can Procure a Collector for & report to the Town what they think Proper for the Town to do as to Geting a Collector at the Adjournment.
Messrs Ephraim Spooner Nathaniel Morton Junr Andrew Croswell were chosen said committee.
372
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Then voted that the Town will allow & pay out of the Town Treasury to Manument ponds Precinct all the money they pay towards the support of the Grammer school & their Proportion of the Intrest money, that is appropriated for the use of the school, Provided they will lay out the same in mentaining a school in sd Precinct to which all the Inhabi- tants shall have a right.
Allso Voted as to the other schools at the ends of the Town. This Town will do what is Just & right in support- ing any schools therein whenever they are Requested by any Considerable number of the Inhabitants.
[406.] Then voted to choose a Committee of three Per- sons to Examine & settle all the accounts this Town hath against the severall soldiers that went for this Town into the Continental army and Exhibit the same to the Genll Court agreeable to their order.
Then Messrs Eleazr Stephens William Crombie James Drew were chosen sd committee.
Then choose Messrs Nathaniel Goodwin Samuel Bartlett Junr & Isaac Lothrop Esqr a Committee to examine the Town Treasurers books obligations & accounts & report ye state of the same as soon as may be.
Then voted that the Town Treasurer shall Call upon all the Delinquent Collectors that have been Indebted to the Town for more than two years & if they dont pay their debt, to issue execution or Commence sute against all such as dont pay as soon as may be.
Then voted & Choose Capt Thomas Davis William Crom- bie & John Watson a Committee to supply the Grammer school with a sutable schoolmaster.
Then voted the Selectmen be Directed to procure some sutable person or persons to supply the Soldiers familys with the Assistants of Capt Jesse Harlow & Nathl Carver on the best terms they can.
Then the meeting was adjournd to ye 19th Currant at 3 a Clock in the afternoon.
At a meeting of the Town of Plymouth Legally Assem- bled & held at the Court house in Plimouth on the 10th March A D 1779 by Adjournment from ye 5th Currant.
Then voted & choose Mr. John Goddard to be Constable & Collector for the Presant year for the whole Town Except- ing Monument ponds Precinct for the Premium of 12d pr
PLYMOUTH RECORDS. 373
pound for Collecting & paying in the Towns money & the Further allowance of one hundred & fifty pounds Lawfull money he to Give bonds to save the Town harmless on his accot, sd Goddard appeard in meeting & consented thereto and allso agreed that If the Committee for Procureing a Col- lector could Get one on Better Terms for the Town he would surrender up said office to such person.
Then made choice of William Rider Constable & Collec- tor for Monument Ponds. Then voted to allow the Col- lector for Monument ponds the same Premium of 12d on the pound as abovesd & In the same Proportion an Extraordi- ary Premium for Collecting in that part of the town that shall be Given for Collecting the money in Town the Present year.
Then this meeting was Adjournd to ye 10th of May next to 3 a clock in the afternoon.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth April 19th 1779.
John Cotton Esqr chosen Moderator. Then voted to al- low Jonathan Harlow Junr thirty two shillings & 4d being so much counterfit money he Recd for taxes as Collector for 1778, & cant tell of whom. And the Town Treasurer is hereby Directed to Disct the same with sd Harlow.
[407.] At said Meeting made choice of William Watson Esqr & Mr. Isaac Symms a committe to Examine the Coun- terfitt money that Mr. John Goddard Collector for 1778 Prays an allowance for, being what he took for rates & cant tell of whom They to certify the amount thereof to the Treasurer & he to Disct the same with sd Goddard out of the Town tax.
Then voted to sell the Fort on Coles Hill for the most it will fetch either at vendue or otherways. Accordingly made choice of Messrs James Drew Benjamin Drew & Sylvanus Harlow a committe for that purpose.
Then voted to raise the sum of three Thousand pounds to- wards Defreyg the charges of the Town the Currant year.
Allso voted that the Assessors in makeing the next Town Tax are Directed not to lett the surplussage Exeed two hun- dred pounds.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally Assem- bled & held at the Court house in Plimouth May 10, 1779.
Voted to choose but one Representative the present year.
374
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Then made choice of the Honourable James Warren Esqr to be our Representative at the Great & Generall Court the Currant year.
Then John Cotton Esqr was chosen Moderator. Then the order of the Generall Court was read requesting the sev- erall towns in this state to Declair their sentiments respect- ing a state convention Drawg up a Constitution or form of Government for Governing the Inhabitants of this state for the Future was read. After which a vote was Called to know whether the town chooses at this time to have a new form of Government made. 'It passed in the Negative fifty- nine votes against it, and two votes for it.
Then voted to choose a committe of five men to repair to the Corn or Grist Mill on the town brook and Direct the mil- lers to procure Good & Sufficiant Scails & weights at their respective mills & to weigh all the Grane they receive in & weigh & Deliver out all the meal they grind agreeable to Law.
Said Committe allso to Inspect the mill & see that they make Proper meal, and In case of Failyer they to Inform the Town that they may take such order thereon as they shall think Proper. Then made choice of Messrs Stephen Sam- son Sylvanus Bartlett John Watson William Crombie & John Bartlett Junr said committee.
[408.] Voted & Directed the selectmen to procure a suteable person to transact the business of supplying the Soldiers Familys agreeable to the order of the Generall Court.
Then this meeting was Adjourned to ye 17th day of May Currant.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth May 17th 1779.
Thomas Mayhew Esqr chosen Moderator. Then voted that the Honourable James Warren Esqr our Presant Repre- sentative be & he hereby is Directed with all Convenient speede, to Petition the Great & Generall Court of this state, Praying them to allow this Town a part of the herrings or alewives that run through the brook in the Town of Sand- wich into what is called Herring Pond, to Cast their spawn, which pond lyeth mostly in this Town & the remainder in the Town of Sandwich, or otherways to allow us Liberty Annually to sein sd fish in that part of said pond that layeth in this town, as they shall think proper.
375
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally Assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth June 7th A D 1779.
Ephraim Spooner the Town Clerk being absent Capt Thomas Nicolson was chosen Clerk for the Day. Messrs Thomas Nicolson Ichabod Shaw
Eben Nellson Nathaniel Goodwin &
Stephen Samson Stephen Churchill
were appointed to serve on the Jury at the meratime Court to be holden at Plimouth the 16th day of June Currant.
And Messrs Jonathan Harlow Junr & Seth Holmes were appointed to serve on the Petit Jury at the Next Inferiour Court &c to be holden at Plimo on the first Tuesday of July next.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled and held at the Court house in Plimouth on Monday ye 5th day of July A D 1779.
John Cotton Esqr was chosen moderator.
Then voted to choose one Dellegate to represent this Town in a Convention of Committees from the several Towns in this state Proposd to meet at Concord on the 14th day of July Currant agreeable to a request by Letter from the Com- mitte of Correspondance &c for the Town of Boston to the like committe for this town, To take into Consideration the verry alarming circumstances of the Depreciation of our Currancy & the verry high Prices that the necessary's & con- veniences of life & all matters of merchandize &c are sold for at this day to advise what is Proper to be done in those Im- portant matters, or any others that may
[409.] come under their consideration.
Then voted & directed the committe of correspondance &c for this town to choose one of their number to meet in Con- vention at Concord as aforesd.
Then voted the Town will choose one more Delegate to meet in Convention at Concord as aforesd & Deferd the choice of him untill the adjournment.
Then this meeting was adjournd to Thursday ye 8th of July Instant to be held at the meeting house in the first Pre- cinct in Plimouth at 5 a Clock P M.
At a meeting of the town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth the 8th day of July by Adjournment from the 5th currant. John Cotton Esq the Moderator being Absent Colo Theophilus Cotton was chosen Moderator.
376
PLYMOUTH RECORDS.
Then made choice of Colo Theophilus Cotton a Delegate to Joyn with Ephraim Spooner one of the members of the Committe of Correspondance &c for this town both which are to Represent this Town at the Convention of Commit- tes from the Severall Towns in this state, to meet at Con- cord on the 14th day of July Currant for the Purposes as Entd ye 5th Currant.
At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth July 13th 1779.
John Cotton Esqr was chosen moderator.
Isaac Lothrop Esqr chosen clerk for the Day E Spooner the clerk. being out of town.
Then the meeting was Adjourned to Fryday ye 16th cur- rant 3 a Clock P M.
The Town met according to Adjournment. And voted that whereas the Generall Court of this state in their Late order for new Levies for the Continental Army, have en- gaged that such Towns as raise their proper Quotas shall be allowd one hundred & twenty pounds for each able Bodyd man so Raised, to be Deducted out of their next State Tax. It is voted by the Town to pay said sum (as soon as it can be raised & collected) To each able bodied man or their or- der, that have Inlisted for & Dureing the whole war, and the selectmen are Directed to Give notes to the several men so Inlisted payable in six months.
At a meeting of the town of Plimouth August 4th A D I779.
Voted that whereas this town, at their meeting ye 16th of July last, Directed the selectmen in the towns behalf to Give notes to each of those soldiers that shall Inlist into the Continental army dureing the war (and be acceptd accord- ingly) for the sum of one hundred & twenty pounds payable in six months without intrest, which is the sum allowd as pr the Resolve of the Generall Court in June last. Now Inas- much as the Selectmen were obliged to Give notes on Intrest, or Demand for sd sums, the town approves of their conduct & Hereby Promises to pay sd notes accordingly & save the selectmen from all charge & Damage about the same.
[410.] At a meeting of the Town of Plimouth Legally assembled & held at the Court house in Plimouth Augt 4th I779.
The Honourbl James Warren Esqr was chosen Modera-
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.