USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Washington > Washington, Mass., Records > Part 7
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Beginning on the northerly line of the new county road run- ning by said premises, and the Town Line between said Washington and Becket thence running easterly on said town line being one hundred and twenty four rods to the said Allen's southeast corner, which said line we have divided in the center of the same at a white ash stake with stones about it, being sixty four rods from each extremity of said line and the said Allen is to make and maintain a good & lawful fence on the west end from said stake and stones, and said Shaver is to make and maintain a good and lawful fence on the east from said stake and stones, to which agreement and stipulation as aforesaid we bind ourselves and our respective heirs, executors & administrators
Witness our hands this third day of May, A.D. 1845.
In presence of
John J. Allen
kansom Hinman Peter Shaver
Attest Wm. G. Bal lantine, Town Clerk
202nd P.
Division of Fence between Elihu S. Clarke and Harvey Partridge, as follows:
Harvey Partridge beginning at Harvey's southeast corner and running eighteen rods to stake and stones, and said Elihu S. commencing at said stake and stones and running eighteen rods to Elihu S. Clark's northwest corner
Harvey Partridge
Elihu S. Clarke
June 2nd 1839
Attest John S. Noble, Town Clerk
128
Town .
WASHINGTON, MASS.
Agrement of fence between William Bartlett and Harvey Partridge We subscribers oming land adjoining agree to make a division of the line fence as follows, viz:
We agree that William Bartlett shall begin at the southeast corner of the farm that said Bartlett lives on and southwest corner of land owned by Harvey Partridge on lot No 39 that said Bartlett shall build and maintain from that corner a good and lawful fence on the line ruming north or northerly twenty four rods and that said Partridge shall begin at the end of the twenty four rods and build and maintain a good and lawful fence on the same line running north or northerly seventy rods to a Town road and that said Bartlett shall from the Town road on the same line running northerly build and maintain a good and lawful fence thirty eight rods to the northwest corner of land owned by said Partridge on same lot No 39.
In witness whereof we the subscribers have hereunto set our name s
Washington May 25, 1843
Wm. Bartlett Harvey Par tridge
Attest W/m. G. Ballantine, Town Clerk
20 3rd P.
Elijah Thomas, of Lenox appoints Absolom Deming agent on the Sparks lot & wishes said Deming to get himself recorded as agent on the Town Book
Washington May 31, 1831 Absolom Deming
Elijah Thomas Jr. for Elijah Thomas
The above was recorded May the 4, 1831
John S. Noble, Town clerk
Division of Fence between Jonathan Hathaway & G.& L. Strong commencing at the road. Strong's part 70 rods, then
Hathaway's part 70 rods. Jonª Hathaway
Samuel Lyman agt for Strongs. Washington April 22, 1831
Recorded by John S. Noble Town Clerk.
Joseph Abbott, of Chester appoints Henry k. Webb Agent on lot 44 2nd division and wishes him recorded as such on the
129
WASHINGTON , MASS. - Town
Town Book Washington June 8, 1831 Henry R. Webb for Joseph Abbott
The above was recorded June 8, 1831
Attest John S. Noble, Town clerk
Washington April 3, 1848. Division of fence between Horatio Nichols and Amos Abbott. Said Abbott has his first division from road 482 rods to south corner of said Nichols' land, then said Nichols has 80 3/8 rods from the northwestwardly, then said Abbott has 37 5/8 rods to Bell's land
Horatio Nichols Amos Abbott
204 th P. Division of Fence between them Granger and Douglas Hughins. Commencing at a maple tree at the road leading to said Hughins thence 68 rods Granger's part - thence 90 rods to an old brush fence, Hughin's part
Shem Granger Douglas Hughins
washington June 28, 1832 John S. Noble, Town Clerk
Division of Fence between E. A. wells & L. W. Herrick
Washington, March 7, 1834. . We the subscribers having agreement divide the fence on the line between the farms owned by us Respectfully, viz:
Begining on the road or highway on which the lots are bounded to extend easterly on the line between sd farms 85 rods to the west end of the Chafy mowing so called, to be kept in repair, sd E A Wells, & from thence easterly on sd line 85 rods to a Beech tree near the north easterly corner of sd mowing to be kept in repair by sd L. W. Herrick & from thence easterly on sd line 28 rods to a stake to be kent in repair by sd Wells & from thence easterly on sd line 28 rods to the north easterly corner of sd Wells lot also from thence southeasterly 30 rods in the line between sd farms to be kent in repair by sd Herick & from thence on sd line 30 rods to the southeasterly ( corner
130
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
of sd Wells lot to be kept in repair by sd Wells. N.B. Each party is to build a fence where there is none on the part allotted to them.
Elisha A. Wells Levi W. Herrick
Attest John S. Noble, Town Clerk
205th P.
Survey of a road from Becket to Washington
Survey of a highway laid out Sept.15, 1827 leading from Becket line northerly to the road from Washington meeting house to Lenox, viz: Beginning at Becket line thence following the line of lots on Jonathan Hathaway's west line, Lyman White's east line and pursuing the same lime nearly to lot No 27, ranging gradually to the east until it shall occupy 3 rods on the west end of the Strong lot to accommodate Eurota Thorp for water, thence gradually returning west to the line between Elihu Clark and Wm. G. Ballantine's l'nd, pursuing the same line to a small spruce marked near to the northwest corner of J. Morgan's line, leaving the line of lots and bearing a more easter- ly course to a beech tree, thence to a large spruce, thence to a birch on E Haskins land, thence to a birch on do., thence to a beach, thence to a spruce, thence north to a beach, thence to a maple, thence to a beach, thence to a maple, thence bearing N.E. to a spruce to a maple to a large beech at Noble's road on the Reynolds lot, bearing northerly from said road until it again inter- sects said road at a hemlock, thence to a beech on the same road, bearing west of the road to a spruce at said road, thence northerly to a spruce, thence to a beech thence in a similar range to a stake & stones on the road from Washington to Lenox.
Survey of an alteration of the road leading from the County road west of the house of Eben? Porter late of Washington, deceased, towards Mr. Simeon Clapp's To wit - Beginning in the north line of sd county road thence north 23° west 36 rods to a stake & stones in the west line of sd last mentioned road. Sd road is three rods wide
131
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
& laid out on the right hand on east side of the afore said line as surveyed by me this 28th day of April, 1830
Ransom Hinman Surve yor
206th P.
Minutes of a road surveyed by me, beginning at the county road leading near the house of Eben? Porter, late of Washington, deceased, near a beech tree thence running South 9" west 103 rods to one rod west of J. S. Porter's n. w. cor. of house
North 24 east to bars
11
12
19 12/20 to spruce stump
14 west 27 10/20
11
5
30 15/20 to S.Clap's land & J.S.Porter & E. Porter
The above line is run on the east side and at this place changed over on the w. side 3 rods to S. Clap's wall. North 33 west 52 rods through S. Clap'sshed to a stake
11
35 =
75
to a small spruce tree in the edge of the woods of S. Clap's
C
37
11
37
to hemlock tree
27
32
=
spruce stump near B. French's line
=
29
=
23
= maple in the woods
=
9
=
26
=
" stake
11
32
19
34
=
" spruce tree hemlock & rock
11
112 east 16 "
11
15
west
11
19
11
12
=
64
11
11
75
9
=
63
9
n
413
13
9
29
=
18 10/20
tt
23
=
11
11
13}
18
11
11 2
18 10/20
14
28
=
" large hemlock tree
25
21
52
11
bank of brook across brook
48
40
132
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
North 18} East 18 10/20 to rock 21 11 12
= hemlock stump
207th P.
North 23
13 10/20 =
28 11 20 to road by D. Sauger's
The within survey is made from the beginning to Mr. Simeon Clap's line near an old house on the east line of sd road and from thence three rods across the road on the west line of the road so that the road from sd old house will be on the east side of sd line
Dated at Washington April 17, 1827 Fees $2 Ransom Hinman Sur veyor. Minutes made and returned by order of Selectmen. True copies of the originals
Attest E. A. Wells, Town Clerk
Survey of a Highway in the Town of Washington
Beginning at a hemlock stump on the n. easterly side of the new county road, thence north 69º east 12 rods on lands of the Furnace company to James Ward's west line thence North 51º east 273 rods to a hemlock tree, thence North 70° east 29 rods to a dry birch tree, thence north 50° east 163 rods to Ward's east line thence north 50° east 16 rods to the barway on land of Benjamin Porter on the highway lead- ing from Oliver Pease's to Jonathan Chapel The survey is taken on the north side of the road and the road three rods wide.
Surveyed July 10, 1841 John S. Noble ) Selectmen of Wm. Bartlett ) Washington
Absolom Deming, Sur veyor
A true copy. Attest Wm.G. Ballantine, Town Clerk 208th P.
We the subscribers, Selectmen of Washington being met this first day of April for the purpose of laying out a town way from the corner west of Ebenezer Chapel's to William Bartlett's and Harvey Partridge's have attended that service and. la id out sd road for the use of the town as follows, viz: Beginning at Ebenezer Chapel's northwest corner and running east 30 rods to a stake 23 rods south of Ebenezer Chapel's
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
133
house, from thence running east 60 rods straight course to the brook at the place where it is now travelled, from thence easterly following the road that is now traveled 34 rods to a coal pit bottom near a cross way , from thence a southeast course on the new road that is cut out to a barway on the line between E. Chapel & Wm. Bartlett 58 rods, from thence 15 rods south or south east on the road that is now travelled to a beech tree marked from thence south to Wm. Bartlett's house that is now traveled 52 rods from beech tree last described east straight course 38 rods to a stake on the line between B & Partridge near the corner of the woods northeast of Partridge's house. The sd road is described from the center of the road and it is to be 3 rods wide.
Washington April 1, 1830
Submitted by William Bartlett ) Selectman of
Washington
A true copy of the original.
Attest E. A. Wells, Town Clerk
209th P.
This may certify that we the subscribers have this day perambulated the boundary line between the towns of Washington and Becket. We began at the corner between Lee & Washington on the west line of Becket being a stake with a large pile of stones around it with various marks on the adjoining trees, from thence we run on a course North 80 east renewing the various monuments on the said line to the northwest corner of Becket being a spruce tree with stones around it and various marks on the adjoining trees which corner we rene wed. From thence we run east 2º north leaving sufficient marks and monu- ments on said line to the north east corner of Becket being also the south east corner of Washington which is a stake & stones standing on the west line of Middlefield, which corner we also renewed.
Becket, Nov. 6, 1825
Gaius Carter) Selectmen of John Conant ) Be cke t
Jonathan Hathaway )Selectmen of Philip Eames ) Washington
Horace D. Wells, Town Clark
134
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
210th P.
Washington, September 17th, 1821
We the subscribers have Mutual agreement divided the fence on the line between the farms owned by us respectively, viz: Lot No 41 in the first Division owned by Elisha Wells and Lot No 42 in said Division owned by Jasper Morgan Esq. as follows:
Beginning at the road or highway on which said lots are bounded and to extend easterly on the line between sd lots to the third ledge of stone or rocks being about 63 rods to be sd Wells part or share to maintain or keep in repair, and from thence to the northeasterly corner of sd Morgan's lot to be his part or share to maintain and keep in repair
Jasper Morgan Elisha Wells
Washington, March 29th 1822
William Morgan, Town Clerk
Washington, Sept 6, 1825,
This may certify that we the subscribers have this day divided the line fence betwixt us as follows: To William Beard 100 rods on the west end of the line to a beech tree marked W .... and W. B. in capitels on the south side. To Williem Millikan 100 rods from the aforesaid tree to the road.
In presence of William Beard
Aaron Whi ttamore William Millikan
Recorded Sept.27, 1825 by Horace D. Wells, Town Clerk
211 th P. To the Town Clerk of the Town of Washington
You are requested by the subscribers to record the following Division of fence which we have this day mutually agreed upon to wit: That 572 rods in the line between us, beginning at Selinda Sauger's southwest corner thence south 29º east said 57% rods is to be made and maintained by Benjamin Porter and the remainder on said line to Jonathan Chapel's land being also 57% rods to be made and maintained by James Ward and to that effect we have hereunto set our hands this 23rd day of June 1843
In presence of Ben jamin Porter James Ward
han som Hinman
A true copy. Attest Wm.G. Ballantine Town Clerk
135
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
Division of Fence between Isaac Chapel & Flavius P. Noble
An agreement between Isaac Chapel and Flavius P. Noble both of Washington of their division fence on the Lankton lot so called commencing on the road on the south line the said Chapel making 26 rods on the west end and said Noble 26 rods on the east end of said line, then on the east line said chapel making 36 rods on south end of said line and said Noble 36 rods on north end of said line, then on the north line said chapel making 7- rods on the west end of said line and said Noble making 7} rods on the east end of said line both agreeing to build and maintain said fence as divided above
Washington Oct. 30, 1844 Isaac Chapel Flavius P. Noble
A true record. Attest WM. G. Ballantine Town Clerk
212th P.
Washington 10th April, 1826.
This my certify that we the subscribers have divided the fence between us as follows, viz: Beginning at the county road old turnpike thence on the line 33} rods Lewis & Theodore Strong, thence the same number of rods to William Beard, thence 20 rods more to William Beard, thence 20 rods more to L. & T.Strong being all cleared thence twenty more to L.& T. Strong, thence 20 more to William Beard.
Recorded May 19, 1826
William Beard Isaac Whittemore, agent for
Thomas Strongs
by Horace D. Wells, Town clerk
Division of fence between Isaac Brooker and Wm. Beard on the east side of the road viz: 24 rods from the old turnpike to stake Brooker thence 20 rods to a large cherry tree To Wm. Beard thence 26 rods to stake near the end of the wall To Isaac Brooker thence 26 rods to a heap of stones To im. Beard thence 24 rods to stake & stones To Isaac Brooker thence 24 rods to birch tree
We the subscribers agree as above. Isaac Brooker Wm. Beard
Washington 9th April 1828
In presence of Samuel Brooker
A true copy of the original Attest E A Wells Town Clerk
136
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
212 th P.
Division of Fence between Caleb Knight and Levi Bishop
We Caleb Knight and Levi Bishop mutually agree to establish the division of fence on the line between us as follows, viz: Caleb Knight takes the part beginning at the road and running westerly on sd Bishop's north line to a stone set up in the wall being sd Bishop's north west corner thence southerly on the line 6 rods making one half of the Distance on the line between us from this point. Levi Bishop takes the other half part running southerly on the line to his south west corner
Witness our hands this 28th July 1835
Caleb Knight
Levi Bishop
Recorded April 22, 1836 J. S. Noble, Town clerk.
Division of Fence on the line between Caleb Knight & Elisha A. Wells.
We the undersigned Caleb Knight and Elisha A. Wells have mutually agreed on the following division of fence between us. Sd Knight takes the east part beginning at the road & extend- ing west 51 rods, and Elisha A. Wells takes 51 rods still extending westerly on the line. The remainder is undivided This division was agreed on & made more than two years agow
Witness our hands Washington July 27, 1835
Caleb Knight Elisha A. Wells
Attest John S. Noble Town clerk
Washington June 26, 1836 This may certify that we the subscribers E. A. Wells and Asael Pery through his agent Elihu Clark have divided the fence between our lots as follows: Sd Wells is to begin at the highway and support 58 rods to a stake and stones and then sd Pery support the fence for 51 rods westerly from sd stake to a hemlock tree marked
E A Wells Elihu Clark
Attest J. S. Noble, Town Clerk
Note:
The foregoing records have been copies with care, verbatim from a book 8 x 13 inches, in the custody of Alan son B. Pomeroy, town clerk of Washington. A report on loose sheets, of a committee of investigation, consisting of I.S.Brooker,
137
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Town
Seymour Dibble and N.F. Tyler, made apparently in 1858 or 9 has not been copied. It was a committee on the transactions of the selectmen, the assessors and the liquor agent.
The statement was made that only one half of the dogs in town were taxed, that assessors were grossly negligent, that tax bill of 1857 showed errors, that taxes not paid were crossed out, that transactions with Philip Eames were not all straight, that work on roads was poorly done, that jurymen were improperly selected &c. &c. amounting to a criticism on things in general.
Rollin H. Cooke.
Pittsfield, Mass. Sept. 18, 1902.
The book of town records mext to the foregoing begins with the town meeting of 1849, and gives all town officers & c. & c. R.H.C.
138
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Church.
Page 1
RECORD OF THE CHURCH IN WASHINGTON, FORMERLY CALLED HARTWOOD.
This church is Congregational & truly evangelical or othodox
No Record of the Church previous to the ordination of the Rev. William G. Ballantine ( the first settled minister) is preserved. But it appears from votes found in the Records of the Proprietors Township of Hartwood that a Church was formed as early as the beginning of 1772
The following notices including the doings of Council when the Rev. Wm. G. Bal lantine was ordained are taken from the Proprietors Book, as follows, viz:
At a Meeting of the Proprietors, Feb. 19, 1772,
Voted, that the Proprietors do acquiesce and concur with the church formed in sd Township in their call and invitation of Mr. Hez'h. Chapman to settle in sd Township in the work of the gospel ministry.
27th October 1773 Voted that the Proprietors concur with the Church and Inhabitants in the Choice of Mr. Aaron Bliss to settle with them in the Gospel Ministry, & c.
At a meeting of the Proprietors & c. 6th April 1774, Voted that the Proprietors do concur with the church and In- habitants in their choice of Mr. Wm.G. Ballantine as a minister to settle in the Township of Hartwood, #4 on a right for settlement. 45 } salary, for five years, then rise 3} a year till it amounts to } 60 & continue at that during his ministry at Hartwood.
May 2, 1774, To the Church, Inhabitants & Proprietors of Hartwood, Greetings Whereas God in his providence has inclined you to choose and call me to settle in the Gospel Ministry among you I do hereby signify my acceptance of the same: relying upon it
Page 2) that you, your heirs and successors will make suitable addi- tions to the salary, according as my necessities call for, and as God shall give you ability: Also beseeching you to unite in prayer with me to the great shepherd of Israel who leadeth Joseph as a flock, who dwelleth between the Cherubims that he would shine forth, that he would give that wisdom which is profitable to direct at all times, to direct the wisdom of the prescient which is to understand his way; that the spirit of truth would guide me into all truth and enable me to prove all things - hold fast that which is good! and not be tossed to and fro by every wind of
139
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Church.
doctrine by the sleight and sophistry of men, but that the word of Christ may dwell richly in me in all wisdom and apiritual understanding, that I may be mighty in the script- ures, perfect thoroughly, furnished to every good work and being well instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven may, as the good householder, bring out of my treasure things new and old, rightly dividing the word of truth and giving to e very one his portion in due season, that God's strength may be made perfect in my weakness, that wherein I an weak there I may be strong, strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, that I may be harmless, a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, temperate, holy, apt to teach, holding fast the faithful word, that I may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince gainsayers, and finally that you and I may so live in the exercise of faith in Christ, render such a cheerful obedience to all his commands and so dwell together in unity, love and charitable communion, as that Christ will afford us that spiritual presence ofhis, such as he has promised to his faithful church and people, Lo! I am with you always to the end of the world, that he may grant his presence: I say not only to convince and convert sinners among us and edify saints
P. 3
in faith and holiness but in the darkness, difficulties and discouragements that we may meet with in the militant church, to assist, direct and uphold ustill we shall be transported into the Church triumphant, when our faith shall be turned into vision, our hope into fruition, and our watchings, labor and patience shall be rewarded with a crown of glory, which shall never fade away.
I subscribe myself your pastor elect,
William Gay Ballantine
We the subscribers, members of the Church in Hartwood, having for some time attended upon the preaching of Mr. William Gay Ballantine, and being satisfied as to his gifts and qualifications, proceeded to make choice of the said Wm. G. Ballantine to settle in the work of the Ministry among us, and presented our said choice to the proprietors for concurrence
Thomas Beard George Sloan Daniel Foote
Hartwood, June 15, 1774
140
WASHINGTON, MASS. - Church.
At an Ecclesiastical council convened at Hartwood June 15, 1774, in consequence of letters missive directed to us from the church and people of Hartwood, -
Present Rev. John Ballantine Delegate Eldad Taylor Asahel Hathaway 11
Ebenezer Gay
11 Thomas Allen
11 Whitman Welch 11
Eli Root
11 Zadock Hume 11 Isaac Stratton
Aaron Bas com
Nathaniel Kingsley
John Keep
James Hamilton
= Adoni jah Bidwell
Silas Kellogg
Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Gay was chosen moderator by the Council and Thomas Allen, Scribe. After which Mr. William Gay Ballantine presented himself for examination, and after careful inquiry was made of his credentials, and of his knowledge of Divinity in
P. 4
general, his belief of the fundamental doctrines of Christiani- ty, his views in engaging in the work and qualifications in general, It was unanimously voted by this Council, that Mr. Wm. Gay Ballantine is in our opinion duly qualified for the work of the gospel Ministry, and that we proceed to set him apart to it over this church and people according to the holy scriptures.
The council then proceeded to the Meeting house, and after prayer and a sermon preached by the Rev. John Ballantine, adapted to the occasion he was regularly invested with the Ministerial office by prayer and the laying on the hands of the Presbytery Attest
Rev. Thomas Allen, Scribe. Rev.Ebenezer Gay, Moderator.
P. 5
The Confession of Faith Adopted By The Church of Christ in Hartwood.
We do believe that there is one God who is the only liv- ing and true God, who exists of himself withour Beginning or End, Infinitely perfect and glorious and unchangeable in his being and perfections- that he is Independent, all sufficient, and that all things else depend on him as their Creator, Preserver and Soverign disposer- that this one God subsists in a mysterious and incomprehensible manner in three persons, distinguished in Holy Scripture as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, that these three persons are one God & equal in all Divine . perfection & glories.
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WASHINGTON, MASS. - Church.
That God has made a particular Revelation of his will to Mankind in the Holy Bible, which is a perfect, sufficient and unerring rule to be relied on in all matters of religion.
That God exercises a moral government over his creators in giving laws to them and in finally judging them & rewarding and punishing them according to his holy law. That this Law is an eternal and most perfect and unalterable rule of Righteousness requiring perfect, persevering obedience on pain of Eternal Damnation. That God made men at first perfectly holy and happy, and appointed Adam the first Parent of mankind to be the Repre - sent ative of all his posterity, so that they should be happy in his obedience if he persevered in perfect holiness, or fell with him into a state of sin, guilt and utter ruin of he should transgress God's law.
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