USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1642-1683 > Part 3
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Henry Kemball Chosen Constable for this following yeere.
Constable
Juryman
Charles Gott chosen to serve on ye Jury of trials at ye next Court.
Grant to Thos. Patch
Walter Fairefield & Thomas Fiske Chosen to laye out & set ye bounds of 40 Akers of land to Thomas Patch in the Right of Marke Batchelder & W" Geare.
Wood Rate
Also its ordered that the same order that was made the last yeere about our Past"s wood is nowe in forc for this Instant veere & the same persons Chosen to see the execu- tion of it by the last daye of the next month.
Highway
Walter Fairfield Charles Gott & Thomas Fiske are impowered to laye out a highway over Goodman Maxeys farme & apoint the plac where to make a bridg over the river into the neck :
(*page 31)
* 3ª of January 1669
At a towne meeting John Fiske Richard Kemball & Tho : Fiske chosen for Select men for this following yeere.
Grant to Robt Macklaflin
Granted to Robert Mackclafflin the towns Right in that parcill of upland formerly Granted to him (upon Condi- tion) (alwaves provided it be onely to himself for his owne proper use for the time of his continueance in the towne & then to Returne to the towns Disposeing.
Common Land at the Neck
mark Robert X Macklaflin his
John Abey Seni' Walter Fairfield Marke Batchelder & Charles Gott are chosen to |Joyne with ye select men|
An. Town Meeting Selectmen
31
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
to take notic of what Comon land there is in the neck undisposed of & to make a Returne of what shall Appeare to the towne: & it is also voated that in the Cass there doe Appeare there is land enough that John Abey Juni' shall have it upon exchange for that lott which he now posesseth & that to be laid downe to the towns use & also to state Thomas Patch his Bounds of 40 Akers in the right of Marke Batchelder & Wm Geare & the former order about the land of Thomas Patch is voated void.
Grant to John Abey Junir and to Thos. Patch
* 10th of 11 mo: 1669.
Whither all our Comon shall be equally Devided be- twixt the settled Inhabitants in the towne viz. to the Dweling howses now inhabitants by eaquall portions to be & Remaine to the use of such Habitations alwayes pro- vided that no person nor any after him in his right fenc in his or theire propriety for pasture but shall ly opne to the use of publique for feeding onely that which is capeable of Breakeing up or makeing meadowe which may be fencd in at every mans discretion nor shall any person or persons in our towne have liberty or any after them in his or theire right sell or convey any such their portions to any person without the Consent of the towne from time to time-Voated on the Afirmative & for efecting the abovesd Devision Walter Fairefield Marke Batchelder Charles Gott & Richard Huttn are Chosen to Joyne with the Select men to doe it.
Its voated that Samuell Fiske & John Soolard Juni" shall have each of them halfe a share.
Its also voated that John Abey Juni' shall have 15 Akers of land for his lott & the Comity to devid the Comon shall lave it out.
Also its voated that John Beaman shall have ten akers of land out of the Comon in the Neck in Cass it be there to be fownd & the Comitie Chosen to laye out the Comon shall laye it out [only] Thomas White shall be in Richard Huttons Steade-
Goodman Abey Seni' & Walter Fairfield are chosen for Sirvey" for this following yere.
(*page 60) Division Common Land
John Abey's Grant
John Beaman's Grant
32
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
* 10th 11 mo: 1669
John Knowlton upon the condition he alloweth 4" per yeere Contribution to the Ministry shall have liberty to Joyne in partnership in a galery & in the mean time to have liberty of a scat belowe in witness where of he have set to his hand.
John Knowlton John Edwards also upon the condition of 10° per yeere. John Edwards
Richard Lee upon the condition of 5ª per veere as long as he use it & then to leave it to ye towne
Richard Lee
John Edwards doth ingeage 55 per yeere to our min- isters Rate on the Behalfe of his Brother Thomas Ed- wards for liberty of a seate according as liberty given them by the towne-& Coporall Killim 108 per yeere for his two Sons Daniell & Thomas for theire liberty in the building of the same & John Denise also: for his liberty ingeage 5ª per yeere :
his marke Daniell Killam
Seni™
John Edwards John Dinnil
Thomas Edwards appearing himselfe to ingeage the towne [accepts] thereof for 5° per yeere [&] hereunto set his hand
[ ] 1 mo: 72 Thomas Y Edwards his marke
Question being put whither Abraham Martin Black- smith shall have two acres of land lying on the back side of Robert Macklaflins lott upon the Condition he cometh to our towne & there continue seaven yers following his Trade but in Cass he removeth within the space aforesd then the land & shop to Returne to the towne it was voated on the 11th of 1 month 1670: on the affirmative.
(*page 61) Meet® House
(*page 62) Grant to Abraª Martin
33
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
11th of 8 mo: 70:
William Fiske Chosen Constable for the following yeere.
& Thomas Fiske Chosen to serve on the Jury of Tryalls for the next Court at Salem .-
Walter Fairefield & Mark Batchelder Chosen to Joyne with ye Select men to make the ministers Rate: for this Instant yere.
Its voated that the order made on the 23ª of 8 mo : 1668 about our ministers wood is in full force for the present yeere & old Goodman Moulton & Thomas Patch to see to the Execution of the sd. order.
2ª of 11 mo: 1670:
Richard Kemball John Fiske & Tho: Fiske chosen for Select men for the following yeere.
Sergent White Walter Fairfield Charles Gott & Tho: Fiske are impowered to Demand sue for & rec[eive] of Richard Dodg Seni" his Dues to our Minister according to his Ingeagement under his hand & in Case they doe it not they are to Give seasonable notic befor Ipswich Court to the Select men whoe then are betrusted with the matter.
* Its ordered that the Select men are impowered to call the Constables to account that have bin or are Defec- tive in not Gathering in such rates as have bin are or shall be Directed by warrants to them |& prosecute in lawe against them & this to be the Select mens Care from time to time.
Sergent White Walter Fairfield & Richard Huttn are Chosen to Joyne with the Select-to Run out the lyne westward |betwixt Ipswich & us| & state the bound ac- cording to lawe.
Its ordered that no person or persons whatever shall have liberty to fall any oake timber upon our Comon unles for theire owne partickulare use without leave from the Select men Charles Gott & Thomas Patch upon the forfiture of ten shillings per tree.
Also Granted to John Abey liberty to live in his howse & to improve two Akers of land Joyning to the same | two years| leaveing a Conveniant high waye according to the
Constable
Juryman
Min' Rate
Wood Rate
Am. Town Meet& Selectmen
Richard Dodge's Rate
(*page 63) Constables Accounts
Bounds of Ipswich
Timber on the Common
J. Abbey, grant to
34
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Discretion of the Select men alwaves provided he shall leave the land sown with hayseed fowre bushels per Akre at the end of the aforsd terme.
Town Meetings
Also its ordered that the Selectmen now Chosen shall have power to call & appoint towne meettings for this fowling yeere.
Grant to Abner Ordway
Granted to Abner Ordway and wife fowre or five Akers of land which was John Abeys at the discretion of Sergent White John Killim Tho: Patch & Thomas Fiske for the terme of theire lives onely.
Abner Ordway
Grant to Rich₫ Goldsmith
(*page 32)
Its Granted to Richard Goldsmith fowre Akres of land upon the hill be hind Charles Gotts lott for the terme of seaven yers always [provided] he shall sowe it with | hay] seed sufficiantly at the end [of the aforesd term] * & old Goodman Abey is Joynd with the Comity which is Chosen to laye out ordwayes land to laye out the afor- said land to Richard Gooldsmith.
Grant to John Fiske
Its Granted that John Fiske shall have three Akres of swampe nere the broad medow at his choic for the term of foureteen yers & then to Returne it to the towne.
Jo Sussisk
Timber in the Cedar Swamp
Its ordered that no person or persons whatsoever shall Cutt any timber or trees Greate or Small in the Seader Swampe without leave from the Select men & old Good- man Moulton & Marke Batchelder upon the forfiture of ten shillings per tree to be taken by the Constable by warrant from the Select men.
Surveyors
Richard Dodg & James Friend are Chosen for Sir- vey" for the followeing yeere.
27th of 8th mo: 1671
Min' Rate
Charles Gott & Marke Batchelder Chosen to Joyne with the Select men to make our Ministers Rate for this In- stant yeere.
Constable
& John Abey Seni' is Chosen for Constable for the fol- lowing yeere.
Juryman
& Tho: Fiske to serve on the Judy of Tryals at the next Court.
35
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Its ordered that every Inhabitant of our towne shall Attend to Cutt & Cary our past" wood for this yeere with what hands & cattle they have & in default to pay three shillings per hand & ten shillings for six oxen & eight shillings for fowre & fowre shillings for two oxen* & the time of meeting for ox men is to be by the Sun halfe an houre high & for Carters by Sun one houre high and in Case any person shall be Defective every ox man 6ª per howre & carter with 6 oxen two shillings & 4 oxen 18ª & 2 oxen one shilling all which forfits aforesd: to be added to the ministers Rate: & John Batchelder & John Abey Juni' is Chosen Sirvey" to see to the fullfilling of this order & they have full power to Judg of the defects of the time according to their discretion & to make a Returne to the Raters & its agreed that the first two faire dayes of the next weeke shall be the time for the worke doeing & whosoever doe not attend the first daye shall have liberty till the 2ª daye & the place of meeting to be at our past" howse.
Its ordered that Marke Batchelder shall have liberty to take three trees upon the Comon in Consideration of 5 shillings which the towne oweth him.
Thomas Patches Bounds of his 40 Acres are as fol- loweth viz: it begins at a Red oake in Ipswich lyne marked on fowre sides being Thomas Hobbes Bound also & so downeward to a stake & heape of stones eighty poale nere Thomas Hobbes Howse & from that corner to a stump standing nere John Abeyes howse on the South syd of the gutter & from thenc to a stake nere the corner of John Powlands ditch & from thenc takeing in all the upland |& swampe| to a maple in the swampe marked on fowre sydes & so to a greate maple North east & from thenc takeing in all the upland betwixt [the] swamp as the upland goes rounding to Ipswich lyne.
Wood for the Pastor
(*page 33)
Trees on the Common
Thos. Patch's 40 acres
* 12th 10th mo: 71 delivered to Constable Abey a towne Rate for the Aminition of 6€-11ª-8ª.
* 12th 10 mo: 1671 Delivered to Constable John Abey a towne Rate of 6£ :- 11' :- 8ª: for there Aminition the
(*page 34) Rate
(*page 26) Ammunition Rate
36
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Rate to be gathered in money or elc in wheate mault or Butter at mony pric.
1 of January 1671
At a towne meetting Marke Batchelder Walter Faire- field & Charles Gott are Chosen for Select men for this following yeere.
It was voated that the wood that was cutt for our past" this yeere on the land in Controversie was upon a towne account & for theire use.
It that as there is a sute comensed by the proprietors of Mr. Fiskes farme about the Cutting of the wood abovesd the towne doe owne the Cass as theire owne & doe ingeage to trye the said Cass to effect.
Its voted that the Select men are impowered to prose- cute the Sute abovesd in the towns| name |or to agreel & to act about it as they think fit & the |towne to stand to wt they shall doe in the towns Behalfe & Tho: Fiske is impowered to Joyne with them.
It Richard Gooldsmith & Tho: Patch are chosen for Sirvey" for the following yeere.
(*page 25)
Bounds of Mr. Fiske's Farm
* Persuant to an order of the towne of the 1st of January 1671
We whose names are hereunto subscribed being a Com- itte appointed by the towne to setle a Differance betwin the propriet of Mr. Fiskes farme & our Towne about the bound of said farme did in the month of March in the beginning of the yeere -1672 meet with Mr William Dodg of Beverly who then was propriet of said farme & did upon the place agree & setle the bounds of said farme by mutuall & Joynt Consent as followeth viz: that beginning at the Northwesterly corner of Mr Newmans land which he bought of Edward Kemp & from thenc on a straight lyne Northerly to a lopt tree nere the Edg of Goodman Batchelders medow & so to said medow & said persons above said: Mr. William Dodg on the one parte & we the subscribers for the towne did Joyntly agree that all the land betwin said lyne Easterly & Goodman Batch- elders land shall belong to Mr. Newman & upon that
An. Town Meets Selectmen
Land in Controversy
Mr. Fiske's Farm, Suit as to
Surveyors
37
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Condition agreed that the land in Controversie where the wood was cut should belong to said farme.
Tho" ffiske Walter ffayrefield Charles Gott
* 4th of 1 mo: 1672: there is full power Comited unto the Celect men together with Richard Kemball & Thomas White to Gather in the remainder of the meeting howse Rate & forth with to bestowe it upon the meeting howse to finish it so far as it will goe.
Its voted there shall be a horse Bridg over the river Neare Goodman Abeys.
* Samuell Nowlton hath liberty Granted him of a seate with John Edwards & Compayne upon Condition of Con- tributing five shillings per yecre to the ministry & in witness whereof he have here unto set his hand 7th of 1 mo: 72- Samuel Nowlton 0 his marke
* At a Generall Towne meeting on the 6th of January 1672. Richard Kemball Marke Batchelder & Thomas Fiske chosen Select men for the veer following-
Its ordered that whosoever shall not come & attend the towne meettings being orderly warned thereto viz: at our Generall towne meeting on the first Mondaye in January by nine of the Clock & to all other towne meettings at the houre that from time to time shall be appointed shall forfit 2"-6ª for our General meetings & 1-6ª for every other meeting to be paid upon demand of the mod- erat" or elc such Defects to be entered upon Record at such towne meettings & forthwith to be gathered by the Constable by warrant from the Select men for the townes use.
Walter Fairfield & Richard Huttn are chosen to Joyne with the Select men to make a Bargaine in the Behalfe of the towne with Robert Mackelaffin about his howse & land & to lave him out land of the towne Comon in Con- sideration of it or ele upon other termes according to theire discretion. As also to agree with him about that parcill of land formerly Granted to him which the towne
(*page 29)
Meet& House
Bridge
(*page 34) Meeting house
(*page 36) An. Town Meeting Selectmen
Attendance at Town Meetings
R. Macklafin as to agreemt with him
38
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
exchanged with the farmers for a parcill of land on the Back side of Mr Newmans Hortyard.
Also its Granted to John Abey Junir. an Akre of land at his howse to plant an Ortchard upon always provided he doe noe Injury the townes passage to the Comon.
*Richard Huttn & John Killim are Chosen for Sirvey" for the yere Insueing to make & Repaire such Bridges & highwayes as the towne have layd out & agreed to doe & are hereby impowered to Cale the towne together to that end & in Case they do not attend upon orderly notic then the sd Sirvey" have power to hire others for the Carveing on the worke which Cost shall be defrayed by the de- linquents who shall forfit 2ª-6ª- per daye to be Gath- ered by warrant from the Select men to the Constable.
Grant to Alex" Maxey
Its granted to Goodman Maxey twenty Akres of lands in our Comon to be layd out to him at the Discretion of the Select men Walter Fairefield & Richard Huttn upon the ten' as followeth viz: for his owne use to Dwell upon alwayes provided that when he or his wife & children shall leave it it shall Returne to the towne to be at theire disposeing.
(*page 38) Minister's House
As written his hand marke Alexander Maxey his
* 18th of 5th mo: 1673
At a towne meetting twas voated to Build a ministers howse & Richard Kemball John Fiske Ezeikle Woodward Charles Gott Thomas Fiske Richard Huttn & Walter Fairfield are chosen to carry on the worke & to make a Rate for the defrayeing of the Cost.
29th of the 5th mo: 73
The towne voated to Build a howse of 18 foott square & 13 foott stud to be added to Roberts howse & the Com- ittee above mentioned are to cary it on & the order about any other kind of howse is hereby Repealed.
(*page 30) Grant to Robt Macklaflin
* Granted to Robert Macklaflin fifteen Akres of upland & swamp lyeing |in| the neck be it more or less according
Grant to John Abey Jr. (Way) (*page 37) Surveyors of Highways
39
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
to the severall Bownd markes viz: a little walnut tree on the Southeast corner & on the Northeast with a small ash tree & so Runing to the North to a greate pine stump eleven poall from the medow & so keeping the range to the medows syd |thirteen poles from said stump to a litl maple marked! & on the Southwest Jovning to Richard Gooldsmiths land takeing also the two Akres cald goodman Hagets lott & so to Charles Gots Northeast Corner |viz. a burtch blowne up by the roots upon an Exchange for his howse & three akres of land Jovneing thereunto :- with Hortvard & fences thereunto belonging as witnese his hand this 6th of 6 mo: 1673.
marke Robert R Macklaflin his
* At a towne meeting this 5th of January 1673 John Fiske Marke Batchelder & Tho: Fiske are Chosen for Select men for the following yeere.
& Thomas Hobbs Seni' Chosen for Constable for the yeere Insueing.
Also for the incouragment of Mr Gerrish to setle amongst us its voated that Duering the time that god shall continue him with us he shall have fifty pound |within the towne| per yere & twenty coard of wood : to- gether with the use of the Iministers| howse & land with the Appirtainances & its further agreed that the towne shall set up theire proportion of an outside fenc belong- ing to the said land. Also its voated that Mr. Gerrish shall have two pownd of Butter for every milch cowe as parte of pave from veere to veere |of the abovesaid fifty pownds! & for the Rayseing or Gathering of the abovesaid sume of 50€ its agreed that the towne shall goe on in our Sabothly Contribution & in Cass any person or persons shall not come up to his or theire proportions of the said sume he or they shall be liable to be rated takeing the County Rate for a rule & whosoever shall neglect to pave in his ( Dues or! Contribution at or before the first Mon- dave of January from vere to yere it shall be gathered
(*page 32) An. Town Meet: Selectmen
Constable
Mr. Gerrish Agreemt with him
40
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
by the Constable by warrant from the Select men soe to doe.|
Tho: Patch is chosen Colector with John Fiske for the yere Insueing.
* William Fiske James Friend & Robert Macklaflin are Chosen for Sirvey" for the highwayes for the yere Insucing .*
Grant to Mr. Williams
There is Granted |or sold| to William Williames 3 Akres of land |for work don! upon our Comon such as shall be usefull for tillage & also Granted him three| or fowre Akres of swamp or vacant land more alwayes provided he useth |that! him selfe.
and to Goodman Hobbs to Wo Fiske
Charles Gott Walter Fairefield & Richard Huttu are chosen to Jovne with the Select men to laye out the land to William !Williams| & |thirty| Akrs to Goodman Hobbs.
Granted to William Fiske three Akers of swamp in the Great Swamp below Mr Newmans land upon a square always provided he Clers it in three vers.
Surveyors of Highways
William Fiske James Friend & Robert Macklafin Chosen for Sirvey" for the Highwayes.
* This paragraph is crossed out in the original.
W= Fiske's 3 acres
William Fiskes 3 Akrs of swamp was layd out to him !by the Select men| & Bounded by the syd of Mr New- mans farm lyeing 11 poales 1/2 in bredth & the length from a Great white oake upon the end of the pointe of upland by the medow wch tree was Antiantly marked & so to a pine tree for the Southeast Corner marked on 4 syds.
(*page 27) Rate
* 3ª of 12 mo: 1673 there is a towne Rate of 76£ : 6°- for the defraying of the cost of our Ministers howse Delivered to Constable Hobbs.
*page 26 Rates
* Delivered to Constable Richard Dodge a towne Rate of |about| 7º: 0°: 0ª: to be Gathered in money or elc in Butter or wheate at money price for the procuring of Glass & Nails for our ministry howse, it being a part of the Gran[d] Rate it was taken out of his hand & Deliv- ered to Constable Hobbs.
Collectors
(*page 33) Surveyors
41
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
* 2ª March 1673/74
At a towne mectting the question being put whither the swamp & land |formerly Granted| to Mr. Newman| the towns Entrest should be owned & the Grante stand Good twas voated in the Afirmative.
Upon Mr Epps his Request to the towne in Behalfe of Mrs Newman for the exchange of a parcill of land lying within hir fenc the towne have voated to exchange the said land for medow & have impowered Richard Kem- ball Richard Huttn & Thomas Fiske to make & compleate the said exchange.
19th of 5th mo: 74:
The Towne made Choice of Charles Gott & Walter Fairefield to Joyn with ve Comity (formerly Chosen to laye out the high waye in the neck to the Comon) to set the Bounds of Goodman Dodg his fifteen |acres of land & Goodman Bravebrooks land in Cass they cañot shew the old bounds.
Also tis voated that theire shall be ten pounds bestowed upon a Barne for the ministery & its loft to the Comitie for the Ministers howse to Carry it one in Cass Mr Ger- rish doe not doe it.
* 1Sth of 6 mo: 1674
James Moulton Juni' is Chosen to serve on the Gran- juery for the following yere.
& Whereas the church hath manifested their desire to Mr Gerrish to take for accept the; office of a past' |amongst us the Towne have agreed in Cass he shall so doe they have voted as followeth
first with Respect to the kind of payment of his yerly maintainanc! they will paye the one halfe in porke & Inglish graine oats excepted & the other halfe to be in butter according to a former order & Indian Corne all which payment is to be at pric currant.
Also wt soever our neighb" have or shall ingeage to Contribut to him it shall be the Select mens Care to see that it be paid in.
(*page 34) Grant to Mr. Newman
Exchange with Mr. Epps
Highway & Dodge & Braybrook grants
Minister's Barn
(*page 38) Juryman
Agreemt with Mr. Gerrish
42
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Also the towne doe agree to Cover the old house with boards & lea [ve] it to the former Comity to see i[t done].
* Also in Cass he shall Continue in ofic| five yers amongst us & then God take him awaye by death the towne doe ingeag twenty pound to his widow and if he Continue ten vers then forty pound
Also the Towne land (lyeing neare M" Newmans | lott| is voated to be layd or added to the ministry house.
Rate
15th of October 1674 delivered to Constable Hobbs a towne Rate Asignd to him by the Select men to gather : amounting to the sume of 30€-9º-7ª.
(*page 35) Rate
* 15th of October 74 there was a towne Rate of 30€- 9-7 delivered to Constable Hobbs to be gatherd accord- ing to his warrant from the Select men in provisions oats excepted.
9th of Dec: 74 a Country Rate Delivered to Constable Hobbs of 5º-13º-7ª.
An. Town Meet" Selectmen
4th of Jan: 1674
Richard Kemball, Walter Fairefild & Thomas Fiske Chosen Select Men for the following yere.
Thomas Patch Chosen Constable for the following yere. John Abey Seni' & John Batchelder Chosen for Sir- vey" of the high wayes for the following yere.
Constable Surveyors of Highways Min's Rate
Its ordered that the last yeers Rate for the minister from time to time shall be a rate for the proportioning the ministers wood for the yere Insueing & whosoever shall not bring in to M' Gerrish his parte of wood by the last of March from yere to yere shall paye a fine of double the price of his parte of wood & the said fine to be added to his Rate for that yers Contribution-& Charles Gott & Richard Huttn are Chosen to Joyne with the Select men to make our ministry Rate for the yere Insueing.
Meetz house
Whereas John Fiske & others have layd a foundation for Galeryes in our meeting house the Towne have Voated that the Select men together with Charles Gott William Fiske & Richard Huttn shall be & are Chosen as a Com-
Min" house (*page 39)
43
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
ittio* to order & dispose of the said Galeryes as they thinke meett.
Granted to Richard Kemball Juni' twenty akres of land in our Comon upon the same ten' that Alexander Maxey : his land was granted upon-as witness his hand. marke
Richard his Kemball
Granted to Thomas Fiske that parcill of land betwixt his land which he bought of John Killim Joyning to Pleasant Pond & the brook| takeing the beaver hole brooke for the bounds in Consideration of service don for the towne.
Its Voated that there shall be a Comittie Chosen to setle bounds betwixt the towne |Comon! & particulare persons & for the Comitie there is the Select men & John Fiske Richard Huttn Marke Batchelder & John Batch- elder Chosen.
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