Town records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1659-1739, Volume I, Part 25

Author: Topsfield (Mass. : Town); Topsfield Historical Society, Topsfield, Mass; Dow, George Francis, 1868-1936
Publication date: 1917-20
Publisher: Topsfield, Mass., The Topsfield historical society
Number of Pages: 460


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Town records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1659-1739, Volume I > Part 25


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At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield ffeb :y 13th 1727-8


I Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen Moderator for this Meeting voted


2 The Town Agreed (& Concurd with the Church) to give the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot a Call to settle with us in the work of the Ministry in Topsfield voted


3 Mr Zacheus Gould is Chosen in behalf of ye Town to Joyn with the Committe which the Church hath already Chosen to give the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot A Call to set- tle with us in the work of the Ministry in Topsfield voted


Topsfield Febry 2Ist 1727-28


Received of Mr Jacob Peabody on behalf of the Town the sum of seven Pounds Ten shillings in full for my Preach- ing at Topsfield to this Day


P me Jacob Eliot


This is a True Copy of the Receipt attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk


The freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Topsfield such as are Quallified as the Law Directs for Vot- ing are hereby Notified and Warned to Assemble and Meet together at the Meeting house in Topsfield On Tusday the fift day of March next at Eight of the Clock before noon on said day


I To Chuse Town Officers as the Law Directs


2 To see if the Town will give Order to Enter the Advice of the Reverend Ministers to wit Mr ffisk & others Concern- ing Mr William Osgood in the Town Records :


Datd Topsfield ffebruary 22: Annoq: Domini 1727-8


288


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


John Wilds Constable for Topsfield


Jacob Towne


Thomas Gould Benja Towne William Reddington


At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield March ye 5th 1727-8


I Ens Timothy Perkins is Chosen moderator for this voted meeting


2 Jacob Peabody is Chosen Town Clerk for the year Ensuing voted


3 Mr Nath"] Porter is Chosen Town Treasurer for the year Ensuing voted 4 Joseph Dorman & ffrancis Peabody are Chosen Con- stables for ye year Ensuing voted


5 Ens Amos Dorman & Zacheus Gould Quartermstr Nath" Bordman Ivory Hovey & William Redington are Chosen Selectmen for ye year Ensuing voted


6 Doct Michael Dwinel John Nickols & Luke Averill are chosen Tythingmen for ye year Ensuing voted 7 Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen scaler of Leather for ye year Ensuing voted


8 John Dwinel & Ephraim Willdes are Chosen Sirveyers of ye highways for ye year Ensuing voted 9 John Burton & Joseph Knight are Chosen field drivers for the year Ensuing voted


10 Mr Daniel Clark & Jacob Robinson are Chosen fence viewers for ye year Ensuing voted


II David Balch & Edmon Towne are Chosen Hogreeves for ye year Ensuing voted


12 Richard Town is Chosen Schoolmaster for ye year En- suing voted


13 The Town agreed to take up with ye Reverend Minis- ters Advice viz Mr ffisk & Others Respecting Mr William Osgood & the Church & Town of Topsfield and Ordred that ye sd Advice should be Entred on the Town Book


voted


The Town Officers that ware Chosen at ye above said meeting of whom an oath is by Law Required ; all appeared at the house of Mr Daniel Clark inn holder in Topsfield im-


289


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


mediatly after said meeting was over & tooke the oath Proper for their Respective Offices before the Selectmen & Town Clerk


We the Subscribers being Convened in Topsfield July : 19th 1728 Att the Instance & Request both of ye Town & church in this place, to give our advice to them refering to ye Difficulty of their Circumstances The Revd Mr William Osgood with whom this Town & Church had Agreed to set- tle with in ye Ministry having Left them


Having had their sd Circumstances Laid before us together with the Reasons of ye Late Conduct of Mr Osgood in De- sistting from ye work of ye Ministry amongst them Do give our thoughts and advice in reference thereto as follows viz I We find there has been a Mutual Covenant Entred into between Mr William Osgood & the Church & Town of Topsfield that he should settle with them in ye Ministry


2 We find there have been unhappy and grievious rumours & Reports spread with respect to Mr Osgood that Carry in them great Detrustion : which Rumours & Reports we dont find ever to have been proved against him or that he has been ever Dealt with in an Ecclesiasticale way, or before ye Civell Magistrate for ye same, which we think Carrys in it a presumptive argument that they are without proof. Other- wise that those who might & whose duty seems to have been Concerned in their setting things in a Clear Light have been to blame yt they have not done it: but suffered things for so Long a time to Continue in ye Dark to ye great Disturbance of ye peace and hendrance of ye Edification of ye People of God in this place


3 We must needs approve & Commend the Church & Town of Topsffeld in the Tender Regard they have manifested both with respect to their own Covenant with Mr Osgood and also with respect to his Reputation


4 Inasmuch as Mr William Osgood has Pleaded as ye Reasons of his Conduct in Desisting from ye work of the Min- istry in this place that ye Obstructions he has met with as to his being Ordained to ye Ministry and the Manifold Reflections that have been Cast upon him are so great a burden upon his mind that upon Experience he finds himself unable to


290


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


bear up under it, so as to go on in his ministerial work with that Chearfullness & freedom which he thinks Necessary, for gods glory, the good of this People, & his own Comfort. And for ye same Reasons still Moves that the Covenant be- tween him & this Church & Town, May by them be relin- quished and disannulled-We do therefore upon the whole Considering the Exhortation Taking ye Oversight thereof not by Constraint but willingly-Advise That this Church & Town fall in with Mr Osgoods motion, he repeating ye same to them in writing under his hand, and Dismise him from the Obligations he has in Compliance with their Call, brought himself under to serve them in the ministry


Finally Brethren in the Bowells of Christ we do Exhort you seriously to Examine into and humble yourselves Deep- ly before God, for whatsoever may have been amist in the Hours of Temptation, that you strive to Abound in Love Each to other, studying and pursueing the things that make for peace & where with one may Edifie another, uniting in your fervent prayers to God that he would give you Peace always & by all means And that in his own due time (& may it be speedily) he would happily resettle ye Gospel Ministry Amongst you; Thus Commending you to gracious Care & guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ the great Shepherd of ye Sheep & Bishop of Souls We remain your Affectionate ffriends and servants in Christ Jesus Samuell ffisk


To the Church & Town


of Topsfield


John Barnard


Benja Prescott Daniel Putnam


This is a True Copy of ye Advice of the above said Rev- erend Ministers To the Church & Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody To: Cler


To the Church & Town of Topsfield Gentlemen


These may Certifie-you that I do freely fully & for- ever aquit and absolve you from all Covenants & Agree- ments that are between you and myself : And I do sincerely Desire & wish your Speedy & Lasting Resettlement in ye Ministry : And pray that ye god of peace wisdom and Order would be with you and specially aid and assist you for that end as witness My hand


291


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


Salem Decr 8: 1727 William Osgood


A True Copy of Mr [Osgood's] Aquitance sent To ye Church and Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler


The freeholders and Other Inhabitants of ye Town of Topsfield such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law Di- rects are Here by Notified & warned to Assemble and meet together at ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 19th of March Currant at 12 of ye Clock on sd Day


I To Choose Jurymen for Ipswich Court according to warrant


2 To see if the Town will Choose one or Two Men to go to Ipswich Court to be holden on ye Last Tuseday of March Currant With a Petition for Money to Defray ye Charge of Repairing the bridge & Causeway adjoyning to ye sd Bridge which is Comonly Called the Town Bridge in Topsfield


3 To see if ye Town will see Cause to reconsider their vote in Concuring with the Church in giving Mr Jacob Eliot a Call to ye work of the ministry in Topsfid


4 To Allow Bills of Charge


Datd Topsfield March ye 14: 1727


Amos Dorman


Zacheus Gould


Nath1] Bordman


Willm Redington


Selectmen of Topsfield


A True Copy of ye Notification Attest Jacob Peabody Town Cler


At A Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield March ye 19th 1727-8


I Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Moderator for this Meet- ing voted


2 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen to serve on ye grand jury at ye next Inferiour Court to be holden at Ipswich voted 3 Mr Daniel Clark & Thomas Gould are Chosen to serve on ye Jury of Tryalls at the next Inferiour Court to be holden at Ipswich voted


4 Quarter Master Nath Bordman & Mr John Wildes are Chosen to Petition to the Court of general Sessions of ye Peace to be holden at Ipswich on ye Last Tuseday of March Currant To see if ye Honourable Court will Please to allow


292


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


any thing towards the repairing of ye Bridge which is over ye River in Topsfield (Commonly Called the Town Bridge) & the Causway adjoining to it voted


5 The Town Allowed To Doct Samuel Wallis of Ipswich the sum of five pounds sixteen shillings & six pence for Curing ye widow Mary Averills knee in ye year 1726


voted £1-16-6


6 The Town allowed to Doct Michael Dwinell one shilling & six pence for perambulating with Wenham men on ye Line between Wenham & Topsfield in May anno; 1727 £o-1-6


7 The Town Allowed to Mr Daniel Clark six shillings for his trouble in keeping and waiting on John Smith when he mended the Meeting house glass in 1727 0 6 0


The free Holders and other Inhabitants of ye Town of Topsfield Such as are Quallified for voting as the Law Di- rects are hereby notified and warned to Assemble and Meet together at ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 2n Day of Aprill next Ensuing the Date hereof at 12 a Clock on sd day


I To see If the Town will Choose three Trustees, to go to ye Province Treasurer for the Towns Proportion of ye 60000 pound Bank of Loan Money and to Impower sd Trustees to Let out sd Money as the Town shall Agree at this present Meeting


2 To See if ye Town will Agree upon a Sallary and settle- ment for the Suport of Mr Jacob Eliot in ye work of ye Min- istry among: us: and to Chuse a Committee to Inform sd Mr Eliot of the Towns proceeding Concerning his Sallary and Settlement with us


3 To see if the Town will Provide Plank to Cover ye Town Bridge


4 To see if the Town will Agree to Set ye swine go at Large this year


Datd Topsfield March ye 20th 1727-8 Amos Dorman Joseph Dorman Constable for Topsfield Zacheus Could


Nath" Bordman


William Reddington


Selectmen of Topsfield


At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield Aprill ye 2nd 1728


293


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


I Ens Amos Dorman is Chosen Moderator for this meet- ing voted


2 The freeholders Agreed to Choose Trustees to Receive of ye province Treasur this Towns Proportion of ye Sixty thousand pound of Loan money Agreeable to An Act Made & Passed in the General Court in 1727 voted


3 Mr Amos Dorman Mr Eliezer Lake & Jacob Peabody are Chosen Trustees to Receive and Let out sd Money ac- cording to such Rules as the Town shall now agree upon


voted


4 The Town agreed that the said Trustees shall Let out sd Money at six pound percent peranum voted


5 The said Trustees shall not Let out above Twenty pound of sd money to any person nor under five pound : And sd Trustees shall not Keep any more of sd Money for their own perticular use then is allowed by this vote to any Other person and not to Let out any of sd money to any out Towns person voted


6 The Town agreed to give to the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot one hundred pounds per annum for his sallary if God in his providence shall settle him in ye work of ye Ministry in Topsfield voted


Amos Dorman Jacob Dorman John Perkins


Elisha Perkins David Commings Jacob Perkins


Benja How Stebbins Comings Jonathan Perkins


Nath11 Bordman Samuel Towne Joseph Dorman


Timothy Perkins Joshua Towne William Towne


Benja Towne Edmon Towne Zacheus Gould


Daniel Towne John Commings John Dwinel


These several Persons here above Named All Entered their Contrary Dissent to the Last vote above written


7 The Town agreed to have ye Town Bridge over ye River in Topsfield Covered with Plank this Summer voted


8 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen to Provide Plank two inches & a half thick and fourteen foot long: good white oak Plank to cover sd bridge as aforsd voted


9 The Town agred that swine should go at Large this year according as the Law gives Liberty voted


IO Mr Thomas Gould Mr Zacheus Gould & Mr Joseph Towne & Jacob Peabody are Chosen to Inform the Reverend


294


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


Mr Jacob Eliot what the Town has Done this Day Respect- ing his sallary for his work in the Ministry in Topsfield voted


Amos Dorman Eliezer Lake & Jacob Peabody being Chos- en Trustees to Receive & Let out the Towns Proportion of the sixty thousand pound Bank of Loan money : were sworn to the faithfull Discharge of their Duty & Trust in that Ca- pacity before ye Selectmen of Topsfield on ye Nineth day of Aprill, Anno Domini 1728


Entred by Order of ye Selectmen Jacob Peabody Town Cler


The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Topsfield such as are Quallified for voting as ye Law Directs are here- by Notified and Warned to Assemble and Meet together at ye Meeting house in Topsfield on Monday ye 29th day of Aprill Currant at Twelve of ye Clock on sd Day


first to Chuse a Representative to go to ye Great and Gen- eral Court to be holden at Boston this year According to Warrant


2 To Recive the Answer which Mr Jacob Eliot sent to Zacheus Gould one of ye Committe men which Made Re- turn to ye sd Mr Eliot ot ye Towns proceedings at our Last Town Meeting


3 By the Desire of Ten or More freeholders of our Town to see if ye Town will Concur with ye Church in giveing Mr Bezaleel Tappan a Call to ye work of ye Ministry amongst us in Topsfield and chuse a Committee to Inform ye said Mr Tappan of ye Towns Proceeding in sd afair also to see what ye Town will give to ye sd Mr Tappan for his sallary and settlement with us if he will be pleased to take up with us and if ye sd Mr Tappan dont see cause to take up with us then to Impower the ye same Committe to Supply ye Pulpitt some other way


4 By the Desire of Ten or more freeholders To see if the Town will give Mr Jacob Eliot a settlement to support him in the work of ye Ministry amongst us and to Choose a Com- mitte to Accompt with Mr Eliot for his Past service Amongst us


5 To see if If ye Town will agree to Repair or Rebuild ye Pound and make it According to Law


6 To allow Bills of Charge


295


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


Datd Topsfield Aprill ye 22 : 1728 Amos Dorman Zacheus gould


Joseph Dorman Constable


Nathaniel Bordman


for Topsfield


Willm Reddington


Selectmen of Topsfield


This is True Copy of the Notification Attest Jacob Pea- body Town Clerk


At a Legall Town meeting in Topsfield Aprill ye 29th 1728 I Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet- ing voted


2 Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Representative for ye Town Agreeable to ye Precept Lately sent to ye selectmen


voted


3 The second & third Perticulars or Articles in ye notifi- cation for the warning this Meeting were brought under Consideration in order : and after Considerable Debate had thereupon they past a vote upon Each of them in order to dismise them as not thinking it Convenient to act anything upon them


4 The Town Agreed to give to the Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot one hundred Pounds in bills of Credit toward his set- tlement & for his Encouragement to settle with us in ye Min- istry to be paid as the Town & Mr Eliot shall agree if sd Mr Eliot shall be Ordaind & settled in ye ministry in Tops- field voted


5 Mr Nathaniel Aaveril Mr Elisha Perkins & Mr John Willds are Chosen a Committe to Adjust Accounts with ye Reverend Mr Jacob Eliot for his past service in ye work of ye Ministry amongst us and also to Desire sd Mr Eliot to give or send his Answer to ye Town in full Refering to his settling with us in the Ministry in Topsfield


6 John Perkins & Jonathan Willdes are Chosed to Repair ye Pound if repairing will Doo: but if not they are to Build & make a good sufficient pound that will Answer ye Law


voted


7 The Town Allowed six shillings to Eben" Nichols for warning Two town meetings in 1726 voted o 6 0


8 the Town allowed Eighteen shillings to Dan Clark for sweeping the meeting house thre Quarters of a year in 1727 voted 00-18-0


296


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


To Mr Joseph Dorman Constable of Topsfield you are hereby Required in his Majesties Name to Warn the free- holders & other Inhabitants on ye north side of the River in Topsfield such as are Quallified for voting as the Law directs To Assemble & meet together in ye Meeting house in Tops- field on Munday ye sixth day of May Currant at two of ye Clock on sd day afternoon


I To Receive Mr Jacob Eliots Answer to the Town


2ly To see If the Town will see Cause to Choose a Com- mitte to Inform Mr Bezabeel Tappan that he has a Call to ye work of ye Ministry in Topsfield : By the Church and a Con- currance by ye Town And to see what the Town will give him for his sallary & settlement if he sees Cause to take up with us to settle here in ye work of ye Ministry: but if ye sd Mr Tappan dont see Cause take up with us


To Give the same Committe Power to supply the Pulpit some other way as the Town may think best: or if ye town dont see Cause to send to ye sd Mr Tappan then to Choose a Committe to supply ye Pulpit as ye Town shall Agree


3 To Allow Bills of Charge fail not to make Return of your doing at time & pl Amos Dorman


Datd Topsfield May ye 4th 1728


Zacheus gould Nath11 Bordman


William Reddington


Selectmen of Topsfield


A proper Return was made & the Inhabitants on ye south side of ye River being likewise warnd the meeting was as folows


At a Lawfull Town meeting in Topsfield May ye 6th 1728


I Dean John Howlett is Chosen Moderator for this meet- ing voted


2 The Town agreed that ye answer which Mr Jacob Eliot has sent to ye Town this Day shall be Entred in ye Town Book voted


3 The Town past a Vote to Manifest their minds for Mr Tappan to be our minister by Proxse voted


4 The Town having brought in their Proxse it Appeared that ye sd Mr Tappan had a great Majority of votes


5 Ens Amos Dorman Mr Nath11 Borman & Mr Elisha Per- kins are Chosen a Committe to Inform the Reverend Mr


297


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


Bezaleel Tappan of ye Town proceeding this day Refering To his being our minister & to give the sd Mr Tappan an Invitation to Preach sometime with us in Order to a Settle- ment in ye work of ye ministry In Topsfield voted


6 But in Case ye sd Mr Tappan shall Decline Comming to Preach amongst us then sd Committe are Impowered to pro- vide some other Minister or Ministers to preach to and Amongst us the four Next Sabbaths voted


7 The Town allowed five pound to Mr. Tobijah Perkins for keeping Mr Eliot & horse Ten weeks in ye winter past voted 5 0 0


Mr Eliots Answer To the Church and Town of Topsfield. Honored and Beloved


After a further and full Consideration of the Call you have given me to the work of the Ministry among you and all the Circumstances thereof : I Cannot see my way clear to accept it; since you were so much divided in your Choice and Remaining so or more so still ; as has been Manifested in some Votes Referring thereto. In hopes therefore of greater peace, Love and Union, among yourselves I do by these presents discharge myself of the Obligations I have been under to supply your Pulpit: & shall not upon ye Present foundation Continue my Ministerial Labours among you any Longer-so praying that you may fully unite in your Affections to one another and in such an one to be your Pastor as may through the glorious Head of Influences be a happy Instrument of Promoting Peace and Holiness Among you ; I Remain a fervent Well Wisher of your Temporal and Eternal Happyness


Jacob Eliot


Boston May ye 2ª 1728


This is a True Copy of Mr Eliots Answer to the Church & Town of Topsfield Attest Jacob Peabody Town Clerk


The freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Tops- field such as are Qualified for Voting as the Law Directs are hereby notified & warnd to Assemble & meet together in ye Meeting house in Topsfield on Wednesday ye 27th Day of May Currant at one of ye Clock on sd day afternoon


first To see if ye Town will see Cause to make Choice of


298


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


Mr John Emerson to supply the Pulpit some time Longer in order to his settlement with us in ye work of the Ministry & to Choose a Committe to discourse with ye sd Mr Emerson in ye sd afair & to make return to ye Town if ye Town do agree as above sd : but if ye Town or Mr Emerson refuses then to Impower ye same or Chuse another Committe to supply ye Pulpit some other way as the Town shall agree


2ly To see if ye Town will Impour ye Comtee to draw money out of ye Town Treasury to pay ye sd Mr Emerson for his service with us


3 To see if ye Town will Impower ye former Trustees to Pay in ye 5th part of ye Towns Loan Money to ye Province Treasurey


4 To Allow bills of Charge


Dated in Topsfield May the 24th 1728 Amos Dorman Zacheus Gould


Joseph Dorman Constable of Topsfield Willm Reddington


Selectmen of Topsfield


At A Legall Town Meeting in Topsfield May ye 27th 1728


first Dean Daniel Reddington is Chosen Moderator for this meeting voted


2 The Town have made Choice of the Reverend Mr John Emerson to supply the Pulpit some time Longer in order to his settlement with us in ye work of the Ministry in Topsfield voted


3 Dean Daniel Reddington Dean John Howlett Mr Elisha Perkins Mr Nath" Bordman & Mr Ivory Hovey are Chosen a Committee to discourse with sd Mr Emerson in sd afair and if sd Mr Emerson shall Refuse to Come as afore sd the sd Comtee are Impowered to supply the Pulpit by some other gentlem four Sabbaths next after he so Refuses voted


4 The Town agreed that ye Contee viz Mr Elisha Perkins Mr Amos Dorman & Mr Nath" Bordman are Impowered to draw money out of ye Town Treasury to pay said Mr. Emer- son for his preaching amongst us four Sabbaths voted


5 The Town agreed & ordred that ye former Trustees shall pay in ye third : fift part of ye Towns former Loan mon- ey to the Province Treasurer by ye first of June next voted 6 The Town Allowed to Dan Clark two shillings which


299


OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.


with Eighteen shillings that ye town hath already allowed : Makes one pound for sweeping ye meeting house three Quarters of a year in 1727 voted


The freeholders & other Inhabitants of ye Town of Tops- such as are Quallified for Voting as the Law directs are here- by Notified & Warnd to assemble and meet together in ye meeting house in Topsfield on Tuseday ye 2nd day of July next at 12 of ye Clock on sd day


I To see if ye Town will Choose a Comtee to Provide Quarters for Mr John Emerson and to agree with him for his service with us in ye future


2 To see if the Town Chuse a Comtee to Joyn with Red- ding Committe to Try if they can git a fish Course Cleared up Ipswich River


3 To see what the Town will do Concerning the families that Petition Not be set of to Wills hill &c.


4 to allow bills of Charge


Dated Topsfield June ye: 1728


Amos Dorman Zacheus Gould


Joseph Dorman Constable of Topsfield


Willm Reddington


Selectmen of Topsfield


At A Lawfull Town Meeting in Topsfield July ye 2nd 1728 I Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Moderator for this meeting voted


2 Mr Elisha Perkins Mr Nath" Bordman & Capt Joseph Gould is Chosen Committe to provide Quarters for the Rev- erend Mr John Emerson & Agree with him for his service in the ministry amongst us for ye future-Until the Town shall otherwise agree voted


. 3 Mr Joseph Towne Mr John Hovey & Mr Benja Towne are Chosen & Impowered A Committe to Joyn with ye Com- mitte yt Redding hath Chosen to Try if they can git a fish course clead up Ipswich River & ye Town will stand by & defend them in all their Lawfull Proseeding in : & of Pros- ecuting the same voted


4 The Town Allowed six pound for Mr Emersons preach- ing amongst us ye four last Sabbaths & Ens Amos Dorman is hereby Impowered to draw money out of the Town Treas- urey to pay sd Mr Emerson for sd service voted


300


EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN


5 Mr Nath" Bordman Mr Benja Towne & Mr Zacheus Gould are Chosen agents for the Town to prefer a Petition to ye General Court at their next sessions that Mr Thomas Robinson Mr Job Averill Mr Paul Averill Mr John Com- mings & Mr Daniel Towne & all the Land Excluded within the following bounds May be again Laid & Restored to ye Town of Topsfield to which they & sd Land did formerly belong voted


The ffreeholders & other of ye Town of Topsfield such as are Quallified for voting as the Law directs are hereby Noti- oed & warned to assemble & meet together on Tuseday ye 23 : Day of July Currant at 12 of ye Clock on sd day first to see if ye Town will see Cause to Concur with the Church in giving Mr John Emerson a Call to ye work of ye ministry with us


2 To see what sallary & settlement ye Town will agree to give to ye sd Mr Emerson for his support in ye work of ye Ministry with us


3 To Chuse a Committe to Inform ye sd Mr Emerson of ye Towns proceeding and to Receive his answer and to make Return thereof to ye Town at ye next Town Meeting




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