USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > Town records of Topsfield, Massachusetts, 1659-1739, Volume I > Part 3
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Leftenant Pebody is chosen Clarke for the yeare inseuing voted.
John how is Chosen Constabel for the yeare insuing voted.
the towne hath granted to John how a slip of land to John how of two rod and half brod at his barn and to Com to nothing at his stak at his bond stak to wards the bridg bi goodman Clarks.
Ensigne goold sargen towne decon perkeings John Redington and frances pabody ar Chosen selactmen for the yere in suing - - - - voted.
John Comings is Chosen to sarue on the Juri of trials the naxt Cort at Ipswich - - - - voted.
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EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
John french and John Robeson are Chosen seruares for hiwas to see that thay be mad pasabel as the law requires - - - - voted.
the seruares haue powr and here by ar impoured to tak or destrane there fines for not atending the mending hiwaes after legall warning two shilings six penc for eueri dayes neglact thay hauing two dayes warning - - - voted.
John Houey and Samuel Howlat ar Chosen to see to the mending fences that thay see that thay be as town orders Require
the town hath agreed to Chang a bout half anacor of vpland for somoth madoo with Edman towne decon perkeings and frances pabody ar Chosen to see it don - voted
Receued october the 22th 1676 from John how Constabel of Tops- feeild for the yeare 1675 the som of Eleuen pownd ten shilings and three pence in some that being in full of that townes singel Rate for the a for saide yere as witnes mi hand as Exectetor to my honored father Richard Rusill late tresarer James Rusill
This is a trew Cope of the Constabel John how his Recet that he brot from the tresarers Excecttor. pr mee frances pabody Clarke 1676. thare is a towne Rate made the three and twenteth of februari for the defraing of all towne debtes as alsoe whot is yet oing to mr. gilbrt.
At a lawfull towne meeting march the 7. 1676-77 the towne hath granted to william perkeings iunar two acores of vpland liing betwene his one house and the swamp that strip of land that was axchanged for- mali with william perkeings for land that John how had of t[h]e towne and the for sayd willi perkeings is to pay three pownd in Corant pay to the towne voted.
the towne hath agreed with John Robeson to sweep the meeting hows and he is to haue twenti five shilings a yeare.
also he is to dig graues for such as shall Requir him and he is to haue three shilins six penc for al graues abou for foot long and two and six penc for al vnde[r].
the town granted to exchang a smal strip of land with sargen towne at alawfull towne meeting march 2 1676-77 the towne made Coyse of decon perkens and frances pabody to see it don and thay the afor said men on the sixt of aperill did goe and see it don and it is thus don from a whit oke marked on the southe sid of the sad Edman townes madoe land to a small popeler in a line or strait Corse and that popeler is his bound Cornar tree next to the Coweman and from that popeler strat to the Reuer where there is a small Red oke marked.
In august 1676 thare was a Rate made and Comited to John how Con- stab[el] to gather vp and pay into the tresarer or his asignes the Rate is six singel Contre Rates which som amontes to fifte three pound and thirteene shilins.
at a meeting of the select men Januari 4 1677 ther is Comited to Jo how Constable two Rates on is the singel Contre Rate which amountes to nine pound two shilens and Eight penc the other Rate is the moni Rate which is two singel Contre Rates which amountes to Eighteene pound
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OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
five shileings and fore penc which Rates the Constabel is to gather vp of the saueral parsons Ratabel and pa it in to the Contre tresarer or his asignes.
where as the towne mad Coyse of sargen Redington and John wiles seenar and frances pabody to agree with mister baker about exchange of a small strip of land about three acores and a half which the afor- named men haue don the land that mister baker hath of the townes land lieth against his hous in part as it is layd out and the bredth at the Est end is ten Rod wide and a half from the Cornar of his wall which is the bounds of it at the Est ward Cornar and his lin is to Ron from that Corno[r] of his land to a grat whit oke about twente and fiue Rod distanc souwest ner to the hiwa that lieth or ledath from the falles bridg to the meeting howse and from that whit oke vp the hill as the fence Rones that is now standing which is a hadg and to go strat from the End of that fenc to a grat Rad oke which is marked and at that tree the land mr baker hath of the towne comes to a poynted wedg, now the bowndes of mr bakers land is neer along bi the way from the for sade oke to a small oke marked neer the hiwa as goes or comes from or to the meeting hous and from that small oke twente and on Rod towardes the meeting hous wher the afore named men did agree with mr baker that his bound Cornor of his farm should be now this on and twente Rod from the small oke to the bound stake and from this bound stak fifte and fore Rod strat on in mr bakeres line west ward from the meeting hous where was a stak sat and a heap of Rokes lad about the stake Rit in a beaten hi- way and from this stak and heap of stones Rit in a line to the afor named small oke now this is the land the towne hath of mr baker twente one Rod brod fifte and for Rod long Coming to a poynted wedg at the end of fifte fore Rod now the boundes of mr bakeres land from the bound stake and heap of stones that is at the End of the land the towne hath of mr baker from that stak and heaps of stones Rit in a line to a marked tree at the foot of the bridg nere to Ephrom dormans hous. 20 June 1677.
the seclect men of Topsfeild doe aLow a blake rone horse of John Gould to bee alikely horse aCording to Law to rune apon ye Commons. June 1677.
John Comings is Chosen graniure man for the naxt Cort heeld at Ips- weech.
August 26 1677.
John french is Chosen to sarue on the Juri of trialls the naxt Cort hild at Ipswich.
Kno al parsons by these presants that I doe acquitt and discharge the towne of topsfeild of and from thare three first Rates of sixte pound pr anom for my labors in the ministrey thare I sa I doe fulli acquitt thare three Rates for ann 72, 73, 74, and haue receued them trewli and fulli as wittnes my hand Jerimi hobart.
may 3da 1677 in presence of Thomas baker John how who ware apoynt- ed by the selct men to acount the Rates aforesaid with my selfe as tha say. Boston this: 17: of march : 1678.
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EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
Receued of franses Pebody the just sum of foure pounds in mony and is in full to pay the subscription to the contribution for the new buleding for the Colledge j say Receued by me william Manning: wittnes Henry Bartholmew. which for pownd j frances pabody Receued of the Constabel Samuel Houlat witnes my hand frances pabody.
at a Meeting of the freemen the 22 of the 2 mo 1679, Sargen John Red- ington was Chosen gran Juriman for the yeare Insing voted
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men the 14 iune 1679. thay haue worke at mr hubba[rts] to make a hage fence shall pay two shiling six penc a day from sixteen yeare ould and vpward as the law doth not free.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men John how was Chosen to sarue on the Jurie of triales the naxt Cort that is to be held at Ipswich, 13, da of saptember 1680. voted
at a lawfull meeting of the select men 13 of the 7 month 1680, a writ- ing to John hunkin to fore warne him of Coming to be an inhabetant in oure towne.
at a lawfull towne meeting the forth of may 1681, Isack este senar was Chose to be graniure man fo the [y]eare insuing voted.
We whos names are under writen hauing power from the Towne to settell bounds with those that Joyne on our Common : we haue a cordingly agreed with mr Timmothy Pirkins; that all the upland and medow : that is within his fence at this time Jenuary ye 5th 1686: in the field by the meeting hous nere bare hill : shall be and Remaine to him and his heirs foreuer, and the fence as it now stands shall be his bounds and that it shall be entered in our Towne book; for the which he the said Tim- mothy Pirkins doth in iage to pay two pounds eleuen shilings
Thomas Baker John How Jacob Towne
one and twenty of that a boue mentioned is mony I am sertenly in- formed by Mr Thomas baker and Mr Timmothy Pirkins. Ephraim dorman.
Decn Isaac Comings Constable of Topsfield for the yeare one thousen six hundred and eighty six, I say reseued of him ye full of that rate which was made for my use for ye year aforesaid and commited to him to collect I say reseued of him for that yeare in full for what was com- mited to him to gather by me Joseph Capen.
dat Jan 26: 1691-2
this is a true coppy entered pr me Ephraim Dorman
Recorder for Topsfield.
reseued ye full of ye rate 85 by the hand of Elisha Pirkins constable, witnes my hand
Joseph Capen
May 21:88 this is a true copy entered pr me Ephraim Dorman Clarke. Charlstowne 18th march 1690: or 91.
then Reseued of mr John Towne Constable of Topsfield three twenty shilling bills of creadit and thirty six shillings in mony and is in full of ye two mony rates and a halfe of said Towne ye wholl was the remainder four pounds sixtene shillings I say
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OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
reseued pr John Philips Treasurer
Copia Vare-Ephraim Dorman Towne Clarke. Charlstowne ye sixt of may 1691.
Reseued of mr John Towne Cunstable of Topsfield eighty pounds in bills Charged on said Constable and bills of Creadit as mony in full of ye ten rates which he was to Colect of ye inhabitence of said Towne by worrent bareing date ye 2 of Aprill 1690. I say reseued pr John Phillips Treasurer. Copia Vare-atest Ephraim Dorman Towne Clarke Charls Towne ye 16 desember 1692
the[n] Reseued of mr John Towne Cunstable of Topsfield ye sum of ninety pounds fiue shillings and one penny as mony in pt of ye twenty Rates of said Town. I say Reseued pr John Philips Treasurer
Copya Vare-atest Ephraim Dorman Town Clarke. Boston fabraruy 22 1693-4.
Reseued of mr John Towne Constable of Topsfield ten shillings and six pence bill of Creadit and four pounds four shillings and five pence by discount for my master James Tailor Treasurer in full of ye twenty Rates of said Townes asesment 04: 14: 11 pr Jaremiah Allin
Copya Vare-atest Ephraim Dorman Clarke.
at a meeting of the selact men the forth of Januari 1677. there was a Rate Comited to Ensigne goold and John how for to gather vp and pay in to the ministar mister hobart. tha ar to pay to the ministar sixte pound and tha are to pay John Robeson twente and fiue shilings and thay ar to haue the Rest for thar paynes or for gathering vp the ministeres due and John Robesons due.
this Rate her spesified is sixte fiue pound nine shilings and ten penc.
at a lawfull Town Meting the fourth of March 1678-7 Left. ffrancis Pabody is chosen clark to kep the town Book this yere voted:
samuel howlat is Chosen Constabel for this year insuing voted.
Ensigne goold mr thomas baker [I]sack Co[m]ings John houey and frances pabody ar Chosen selactmen for to order the prudacal afares of the town for this year insuing voted.
John french and John Robeson ar Chosen soruaares for hiwas this year insuing. voted.
John Wiles and danil borman are Chosen to vew fences this yeare in- suing. voted.
John Robeson is agreed with for to sweep the meeting hous and to fasen the dores and is to haue twente fiue shilens for his payenes voted
the towne hath granted to tobiiah perkens to be a Comanar for feed and failing timbe[r] as his nibors ar.
tobiiah perkens is Chosen to sarue on the Jure of trials the naxt Counte Cort hild at Ipswich voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting march 5, 1677.78 the towne granted to mr hobart the pond that lieth on the southside or south est end or side of the meeting hous and three ackeres of land aioyening to it voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting 5 march 1677.78. the towne for the preseruing of thare timber on the south sid the Reuer haue agreed that no man hance forward shall fal ani trees or timber without leue from
24
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
such men or man that t[h]e towne shall impoure to giue leue if ani shall fall ani treese with out leue he shall pay for eueri tree ten shilins to the towne.
this order is for the timber on the south side the Reuer onli voted.
Isack Este senr is Chosen and impouered to grant liberti to such of our towne as need ani timber and to take the penalti of ani that shall fall ani timber without leue voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting march 5, 1677.78. the towne granted to Isack Este senr and Jacob towne and John Robeson a small strip of vpland and swamp ling by the Reuer on the south side the Reuer and the aboue sade men are to giue to the towne whot the selact men and thay shall agree vpon for the prise of it. voted.
march 5, 1677-78.
the towne granted to mr william perkins senr liberti to remoue his fence on the south west end of his feeld to the vpland side sowwest ward hee paying for it to the towne as the selact men and hee shall agree prouided it be no predegidis to the parsonidg land voted.
the towne granted to william perkins Juner a strip of land aioyning to his one land bounded with a letel Ron of water in part on the west side of it and the sade william perkins is to pay to the towne Eight pound for it excapt the selact men Judg it worth more its laft to them and himself to agree for the prise of it voted.
Receued march 17th 1676-7: from Isack Este by a noat from mr siman broadstreet ecquire the som of two pounds and six shilings in full of Topcfeilds rate for the yeare, 1664. I say Receued as Excecutor to my honored father Racherd Rusil Esquir late tresurar desesed James Rusill.
at a lawfull towne meeting march 5, 1677-78 the towne granted to John how fiue Rod of ground to be lade out at the norwest Corner of his howslot by his barne. voted.
the 19 of aperel 1678 this aboue mencioned fiue Rod of ground grant- ed to John how is lade out by the selact men the extent of it is about fore Rod nor ward from a great oke that is now standing nere the way against John hows barne.
this is a recet of whot william perkens hath payed to the towne in part of the three pound he oeth to the towne for his first parcil of land he boote of the towne.
Receued of william perkens, iuner, sixteene shilings for the uce of the towne of topcfeeld by the order of insigne John goold selact man in the yeare 1677. 2 aperell 1678. Joseph bisbe.
this sixteene shilings aboue mencioned and payed to Joseph bigsbe to him for worke he did about mr hoberts windoe or for shingel for it. at a lawfull meeting the thirteth day of aperell 1678, sargent John Redington was Chosen to sarue on the graniurie this year in suing voted.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men 23 Juli 1678 wee doe order that thare shall be noe Rames ore Rame to Rune vpon ani ground that is with
25
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
out fence after the first of august next Insuing tell a month after mickellmas vpon the forfeture of one half of the Rames or Rame soe taken vp and it is ławfull for ani man to take ani Rames ore Rame that is seene to ron vpon ani vnfenced ground within the time aboue sayed.
at a lawfull towne meeting 27 of august John Redington is Chosen Comisioner to Joyne with the selact men to mak the Contre Rate and to Care it in to salam as the law diracts voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting 27 august John Comines is Chosen to sarue on the Juri of trials the naxt Counte Corte held at Ipswich voted.
boston october 10, 1678.
Receued of Constabel John how of topcfeeld in part of the moni Rates forteene pound
no. 305. John hull tresurar. I allso acknoledg that the first ten Rates mad in the yeare, 1666, are fully paid John houll tresarer.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men in nouembear 1678. theare was Comited to samuell howlat Constabel two Rates the one is a Counte Rate the third parte of a singel Contre Rate which amountes to three pound fiue shiling which the Constabel is to gather vp and pay in to marshall scare of salame the other Rate is al to be payed in moni it is the Coledg Rate which is in the whol som fore pound and seuen shilings fore pound of it is to be payde at Cambredg and Eight shilings to Ensigne goold.
also decan perkens william nicalles Isack Este and f[r]ances pabody are Chosen and apoynted to be tithing men to Inspect ani parson ore par- sons that shall profane the saboth and to proseed against ani that shall be falte as the law diractes.
desamber 1678. ther is two Rates Comitted to samuell howlat Consta- bell to gather vp and pay in to the Contre treserar or his asines the on Rate is a singel Contre Rate to be payde all in moni and the other is adobel Contre Rate it mabe payed in Corne or moni on Rate amountes to nine pownd forteene and a leuen penc the other amountes to nineteene pound thirteene shilings and a leuen penc.
1678. Januarie the leuenth ther is the ministeres Rate Comited to sam- uel howlat Constabel to gather vp and pay in to the minister his due is sixte pownd but the Rate the full som is sixte one pownd forteene shil- ings and on pence.
at a lawfull towne meeting in Januari 1678 the tow[n]e hath agreed that the selact men shall haue pouar to set vp a galere and those that sit in it shall pay for the seting vp the galere and the townes men shall haue the first profer of the seates in bying of them.
this was voted by mee samuel howlat Constabel.
where as the towne granted william perkens Junar a small strip of land liing and ioyning to his one land liing on the sowest and a small Rone of water on the west and soe from John howes vp the Ron of water tel the Ron of water partes in to two where thare is a small tree marked and soe from that tree to the Cornar
26
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
of his fenc as it now stands where ther is a tree marked alsoe this strip of land here mencioned was laft to the selact men and william perkens to agree about the prise of it and thay did agree for fifteene pound to be payed in three yeare fiu[e] pound a yeare in Corn and Catil to the towne In neete Catil and marchantabel Corne at prise Corant the on half Corn the other Catil.
Januari 31. 1678. the selact man mat.
where as william perkens was indated to the towne three pownd for a small parsil of land that he bought of the towne befor this fifteen pownd perchas the said william perkens hath payed that three pownd as he was ordered by the selact men for the townes vse and alsoe he hath payed twente and two shilings and six penc more [t]orwards of his first fiue pownd.
At A Lawfull Town-Meeting of the Inhabitants of Topsfd. on the fourth of March 1678-79. Lieut Pabody was chosen Towne-Clarke for this year, 1679.
at a lawfull towne meeting the forth of march, 1678-79, william perkens iuner is Chosen Constabel for this yeare Insuing voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting march the forth 1678-79 Ensigne goold, mr thomas baker, sargen Redenton, Jacob towne and frances pabody ar Chosen selact men for this yeare insuing.
the towne doth prohebet t[h]e selact men from alinating ani of the townes land nor make any new Rates to pay owld detes formarli put into Rates with out the townes order. voted.
Isack Comins Is Chosen to sarue one the Juri of trials at the naxt Cort held at Ipswich. voted.
Isack Este is Chosen again to giue liberti to such as haue need of ani timber for bul[d]ing and fencing and the liberti he giues shall hold good but one yeare voted.
John french and Joseph towne senr ar Chosen for to be seruaerers and for to look to the fences this yeare that both hiwas and fences be repared as need Require voted.
John andros hath liberti giuen him to set his fenc ouer a letel nack of land to straten his fanc and if the towne see it Conuiant to Chang it with him after wardes voted,
Jacob towne and goodman wiles and Isack Este ar Chosen bi the towne to Ron the line betwene the Cow Common and lots voted.
at a lawfull towne meeting the forth of march 1678-79 Ensigne goold and frances pabody ar Chosen to Record the lotes that are layd out on the south side the Reuer the lanth and bredth as tha war layd out voted.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men march 14th 1678.79. thay haue ordered and here by declare that wher as thare was a way layd down bettwene mr perkenes orchard and william averis land which thay Con- ceue to be Coman land no man shall fence it in for thare propor vse but it shall Remain Coman still tell the towne do order it other wase voted.
Ensigne goold desentes from this order.
27
OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men march 14eth 1678-79. there was two Rates made for to procure powder and buletes as the law diractes the on Rate Comited to samuell howlat Constabel to gather vp and bring in to the selact men the wholl som of that Rate Comited to samuel how- lat is fourtene pound six shilings and he is to gather vp but the on third of it for the other parte is al redi payde in porchesing that stock of powder and buletes that is in hand.
the other Rate is Comited to John Comines Clarke to gather vp of the villidgers that haue lad them salues to topcffeeld Compeni for to traine with them thare Rate the som of it is foure pownd ninteene shilins both these Rates ar to be payed in moni or indian Corne at two shilins a bushil al to be brought in to the selact [men] of topcffeeld.
29 of aperel 1679. mr thomas baker was Chosen moderater for that meeting.
at a lawfull towne meeting 29. 2 mo 1679 the town agreed that the selactmen shall procure and by a cow for the vce of luck wackle [Luke Wakeling] and the towne will pay for her voted.
the towne of topcfeeld at a towne meeting the 29eth of aperel 1679 hauing heard an order Rad that was made by the Counte Corte at Ips- wich Conserning oure being Required to pay a som of 60 pound to mr Jarimiah hobart which as the said order seemes to expres was promised for his Incorigment to Com to topsfeeld wee being in the darke about it and not knoing of ani towne act that euer past nor ani towne Record that houldes forth ani such thing we doe Conceue it need full to suspend vntil thare be a forder opertuniti to be batter satse- fied by making inquire at the naxt Connte Court vpon whot groundes mr ier hobards petision was made and also how the towne Comes to be 60 pounds in his deat. voted.
boston, aperel 10th 1679.
Recd on act of samuel howlat and pament in full for the three last Rates due from the towne of topcfeeld to the Country. John Hull treserar. No. 391 this is samuel howlates Recet from the tresarer.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men of topsfeeld the 14th June [1679] thay haue agreed thay that doe not Com to worke at mr hobartes to make a h[age] fence shall pay two shilings and six penc a day from sixteene yeares and vpward that the law doth not free.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men the fourth of iuli 1679 th[ay] hauing Receued a warant from the Contre tresarer whear in thay ware Requirered to gather of theare saueral inhabetants Ratabel foure singel Contre rates that amountes to thirte Eight pound ninteen shilings & for that end thay haue made a Rate and Comited it to the Consta- be[I] william perkeings iuner to gather vp and pay in to the Contre tresarer in boston the whol som of the Rate that is deliuered to the Constabel is thirte nine pound twelue shilings 4d. al don in the forth of iuli.
28
EARLY RECORDS OF THE TOWN
at a lafull meeting of the selact men the 27 of august 1679 thare war an order giuen to Ensigne goold and mr thomas baker for to demand and Receue of samuel howlat that moni Comited in a Rate to samuel howlat to gather vp for to by amonision as the l[aw] diracts the whol Rat is about feifteene pound the third part is onli to be gathered.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men ienuari the on and twenth [in] the yeare 1679. Receued of william perkeines iuner six pownd three shilin[gs] in part of pay of that deapt he eth the towne for land he bought of the to[wne] twente two shilings 6d of this six pound three shilings is entered in ano[ther] place in the booke.
at a lawfull meeting of the salact men the 21eth of Januari 1679 th[are] was a rate made for the minister which amounts to sixte pound an[d] sixteen shilins and ten penc which is delivered to william perkines iun[er] being Constabel for him to gather vp and pay in to the minestar or cau[se] to be paed in to him or his asignes and to take a sofisiant discharge for the towne from the ministar of sixte pound which is due from the towne and bring that discharge to the selact men.
daniel borman and John how and Epheram dorman and John nical[s] are Chosen tithing for this yeare insuing the ninth of februari thay beegan theare yeare 1679.
at a lawfull meeting of the free men the 13 aperel 1680 samuel how- let was Chosen graniuri man for the yeare in suing. voted.
at a lawfull meeting of the selact men Janari 7 1680 thar ware mad three Rates mad two for the Contri Containing fore singel Contri Rates and one Rat for the Counte Containing half a singel Contre Rate it amountes to about fiue pound six shilings, also the Contri Rates on is to be played in moni and that Rate is twente two pound three shilings twente pound forteen shilings is to be payed to the Contr[i] treasurer and fiue shiling a deet to the selact men which tha laid out for the biing and gating mesures for the townes use as law reguire, the other Rat amountes to twente pound forteen shilings for the Contri and the Ra[e] amountes to one and twente pound three shilings and six penc. thes Rates are Comited to william smith Constabel to gather vp in ianari 1680.
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