USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1642-1683 > Part 5
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(*page 64) An. Town Meet" Selectmen Constable
* 3d of January 1680
Walter Fairefield William Fiske James Friend Rich- ard Huttn |Richard Dodg| are Chosen for Select men for the yere Insueing.
Tho' Fiske Jun' chosen for Constable for the yere In- sueing.
57
WENNIAM TOWN RECORDS
Voated that the accounts of those that have bin im- ployed about the Settlement of our bounds be referd to a Comitte to take themn & allowe them if they be found alloweable or so far as they shall think meet & the said account to be forthwith taken & transmitted to the Select men to make a Rate forthwith & comit it to the Con- stable to gather forthwith by Comitte is to be under- stood they or the maj' parte of them agreeing shall have power to Issue the matter as abovesaid.
The Comitte Chosen is James Moulton Richard Huttn & James Friend Sam" Kemball & Richard Dodg are the Comittee appointed for the above said worke.
Its voated that the towne shall Shingle our Past" house forth[with] as soon as the towne can doe it.
Captin Fisk Charles Gott & Thomas Patch ar Chosen a Comity with the Select men to se that the abovsaid hous be Shingled with all conveniancie.
Thomas Fisk & Charles Gott excep against the Choice & John Fiske is Chosen in his Brothers Roome & Ezeikle Woodward is also added ..
* Forasmuch as the Select men did make an order for the prevention of wast or spoile of our timber till an other order be made tis ordered that whosoever shall fell any oake timber upon any of our Comon without leave from the Select men shall forfit ten shillings per tree to be taken as a fine by the Constable by warrant from the Select men.
Voated that the Select men have power to see the West Galerie finisht & Seate persons in it always provided that it be dou by the persons Cost that shall sit in it & the other also if they think fitt.
Sam" Fiske Sen' John Knowlton John Abey Juni' John Edwards are Chosen Titheing men for the yere In- sueing.
* At a towne meeting 26th : 11tb : 80.
Voated that the Comites return about moneyes Ex- pended for mony & time is accepted --
that the wholl matter depending betwine the Villiag & our towne is left to the Select men to manage.
Accounts
Pastor's house
(*page 65) Timber on the Common
Meet& house
Tithing men
(*page 42) Accounts
The Village (Salem Village)
58
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
2ª: 11: 1681
Its voated that in Referanc to the matter depending betwine Salem & our towne its left to the Select men to prosecute in a Course of Lawe or to agree with Salem upon such termes as they shall think fitt.
(*page 66) An. Town Meets Selectmen Constable
Agreemt with the Pastor
* At a towne meeting this 2ª daye of 11tb: mo: 1681 John Fiske Charles Gott John Batchelder Tho' Patch & Tho' Fiske Seni' are Chosen for Select men for the yere Insueing
Henery Haget is Chosen for Constable for the yere Insueing.
Whereas our Past' propounds to the towne an abate- ment of ten pounds of his yerly maintainance upon the Condition he maye have twenty pownds in mony & the' other twenty pounds according to the former Ingeagment viz: one £ of Butter for every cow the towne agree to the abovesaid proposition for the next yere Insueing.
For an addition to the townes Ingeagment to our Past" for his wood the towne agree to allowe him fowre Coards more than the last pers Ingeagment which will make thirty Coards in all.
Voated that our Past" outsyd fence shall be repaired for this next yere & its left to the Select men to se it don.
John Edwards Tail' Fiske & Samuell Abbey are Chosen for a comitte to see that our Past" wood be timely Caryed in upon the penalty of Seaven Shillings per Coard ac- cording to the last yers order.
(*page 67) Surveyors of Highways Rate
Lawsuit
Rates
* Richard Dodg Alexander Maxey are Chosen for Sir- rev" for the high wayes for the yere Insueing
Its voated that the mony which is put into the mony Rate which as the Select men saye they disburst for the managment of the Cass betwine Samuell Moulton & Jo- seph Porter in the Cass now depending & is in a Course of Lawe shall be taken out of the Rate-
Richard Hutten and William Fiske and Walter Fayer- field and Richard Dodg doth herby declare their decent against the above written voat Samuell Kimball doth de- cent alsoe.
Suit with Salem
59
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Also that the abovesaid Rate be made over againe by the Select men leaveing out the mony abovesaid which the towne have agred to leave out.
Its voated that for the time to com there shall be noe mixture of Country & towne Rates together unless the Select men have order from the towne to the Conterary-
Its voated that Isack Hull have liberty to Run a fenc from Corner to Corner of his fenc taking in the buiring place upon the Condition that if the towne se cause to fence their buiring place the said Hull shall make one halfe of it ye fenc betwine* the said buiring place & his Land.
Whereas the widow Geare stand in need of the townes help to maintaine or releve hir its left to the Select men to take care for hir maintainance & to make a Rate upon the Inhabitants of the towne for the defraying of the Cost.
At a meeting of the Select men this 4th: of 11tb: 1681 James Moulton John Abbe Seni' John Edwards & Samuel Abbe are Appointed for Titheing men for the yere Insueing.
Delivered a Country & towne Rate to Constable Tho® Fiske this 4tb: 11tb: 81 amounting to 12£-16-9 all to be paid in mony.
* At a towne meetting Jan. 9 1681
Voated that the wholl matter Relating to the Setlment of Bounds betwine Salem & Wenham is left to the Select men| of the towne
Salem 11tb Febr: 1681
This is a true Coppie takn out of the towne | booke| of Salem.
Per John Hathorne Recorder to the Select men
Wee whose names are underwritten being met together to setle the bound lyne betwine Salem or the Viliag & Wenham as an end of all Claimes & Controversies be- twine our townes upon that account have agreed for a full Issue as followeth viz. to begine at Topsfield bounds at
Mixture of Rates
Fence near the Bury" place
(*page 68)
Rate for the Widow Geare
Tithing men
Rates
(*page 46) Salem bounds
Bounds between Wenham and Salem ( Salem Village)
60
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
or neare Wenham Cawswave at a white oake there marked & set with stones & so to take the devisionall lyne betwine Joseph Porters farme & Wenham mens land till it comes to the Eastward end of Wenham Caswave afore said & from thenc to the head or to include all John Leeches farme or land & so from the Eastward parte of the said Leeches land to mak up two hundred and eighty acres from the Eastward end of the caswaye aforesaid to the pine stump at the head of Beverly old lyne & so onwards upon said lyne till ye aforesaid 280 Acres be made up to Wenham in witness whereof we have here unto set our hands-20 Febr: 1681
John Fiske
Thomas Fiske
Charles Gott
Thomas Patch
John Batchelder
Wm Brown Juni'
Samuell Gardner Sen'
Jnº Putnam Israell Porter
Nath : Putnam
Joseph Hutchinson
Daniell Andrew
(*page 12) Bounds of R. Braybrooks 20 Acres
* March 1: 1681
The Bounds of Richard Brayebrooks 20 Acres of land in the right of John White are as followeth-
The Select men being upon the place began to measur at John Whits Southeasterly Bound nere Lovets medow & from the edg of the upland they measured about 60 pole Northwesterly upon John Whits lvne according to the fenc where they made a bound & from thenc turning Northeasterly they made a heape of stones for a bound nere the Southeasterly end of a gravely hill & finding no more bounds any further Easterly towards the Sawe Mill they measured from said heape of stones Northeast- erly & made a Corner bound & from said Corner turning Southerly to a greate white oake nere the gutter & from thenc turning a little more Southerly to a great rock West-
61
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
erly from the Carte path & Several poles Northerly from Richard Bravebrook frame & from said rock with stones at it four| bound lyne was stated to the Southeasterly Corner of John Whites aforementioned exempting the medow to the owner & forasmuch as said Braybrooks* house| was exempted by measure & bounds & left into the Comon the Select men granted him libertie for the standing of it still duering his life time-and the land Adjovning to the Northeast and Southeast of the above- said twenty acres was left for a highwaye as the Cart wave goeth to the brooke belowe the Sawe Mill.
Thomas Fiske Walter Fairefield Wm Fiske Select men.
* Delivered to Constable Henery Haget a Rate in mony for Contry & to buy weights amounting to 3-5-0- Dated 14th: 2: 82
(*page 69) Rate
* 20th: 2ª: 1682
At a towne meetting Walter Fairefield Deacon & Dea- con |Wm| Fiske are appointed to Joyne with the Select men to meet with Topsfield men on frydave come fort- night next & have full power to setle a |devisionall| lyne betwine Topsfield & our Towne.
In Answer to a warrant for sending three men to Quar- termaster Peirkinges tomorrow at 10 of the Clock to give theire Subscriptions on the behalfe of the towne against Mr. Masons Claime of of the pretended Terteñants Walter Fairefield Thomas Patch & Thos : Fiske Seni' are apointed to that end.
John Fiske Richard Huttn Deacon Fiske Charles Gott Thos: Patch Walter Fairefield & Tho® Fiske Seni' are apointed with full power to Seate persons in our meeting howse from time to time till another order be mad to the Conterary-
The question being put |to the towne| whither that land which Thos: Hobbs is in possession of shall be owned to
* The word "frame" erased and "house" written over it in the original.
(*page 70) Topsfield bounds
Mason's Claim
Seats in the Meets house
Thos: Hobbs
62
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
be his lowne! in |Joseph! Robisons or | Mr| Faulkners right was Voated on the negative.
Also twas Voated there shall be 30 Acres of land layd out to Goodman Hobbs Joyning to the howse where he dwell to be for his use till the towne see cause to dispose of it some other wayes & Walter Fairefield Thomas Patch & Thos: Fiske are appointed to laye out the above said 30 Acres of land-
* In persuance of an Agreement between Wenham & Beverly bearing date Oct. 22tb: 1680 Mr Thorndick Ne- hemiah Grover Thomas West & John Dodge being sent with full power from the towne of Beverly meett with with the Select men of Wenham sometime in the 2º: month 1682 to measure out & sett the bounds of six hundred Acc" of Comon to Wenham according to said Agreement: did find about three hundred & sixty Acc"" between Richard Dodges farme and the white oake att the Eastwardley end of pleasant pond Ipswich lyne and the South side of said pond on the one side and longham Meadow on the other side and the Remainder of the above said six hundred Accers they made up Easterly from the above said 360 Acc" & setled bounds thereunto as follow- eth viz: from the abovesd white oake at the end of the pond they marked a white oake with W being in or near Manchester lyne and about Twentey poles more then one quarter part of said lyne from the white oake at the pond end and to Chubbs Creek which by Computations was found to be about one hundred and sixtey & nine poles and from thence to a great white oake which the aboveªd West claimed for his bound which they marked with a W and from thence to another white oake being said Wests bounds & marked it with W. at the Root of which leyeth severall great Rocks: & from thence on South westwardly to said Wests Corner bounds at the Gravelley Ridge and marked it with W:W and from thence so on about Thyrtey & three Rods to a white oake with a heap of stones about it and marked with a W & B and from thence turning towards longham Meadow they marked a red or black oake with W and B & sett a heap of stones
(*page 19) Beverly Wenham 600 Acres
63
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
about it and from thence to a little red or black oake by the edge of the meadow & marked it with W and B. and sett a heap of stones about it and so from thence crossing said meadow to the upland on the other side by longham meadow which is the Three hundred and sixtey Acc" aforesaid-
Memorandum that before the Signing hereof it was agreed as followeth that flaggey meadow with the Island was not measured,-2ly : as to the Three hundred & sixty Acc" & two hundred and fourtey Acc"" expressed in de- vitions wheither said Devitions be exactley computed or not we determine not-3ly: the distance between the white oake at the east end of the pond and the white oake marked with W & expressed, standing in or near Man- chester Lyne wee doe not determine that said tree standeth exactley att such a distance or not : 4ly : that Ipswich lyne is the bound of said Comon from Richard Dodges farme to the west end of the pond (5ly:) The slipp of meadow by Turnup Swamp Included into Wenham by Crossing as abovesaid was not measured In Wittness of what is above written the persons above expressed have hear unto sett ther hands-
Thomas Fiske Charles Gott
John Dodge
Paul Thorndick
Walter Fairfield
Thomas West
John Batcheler
Nehemiah Grover
We whose names are underwritten being impowered by our Respective townes viz. Topsfield & Wenham & met together this 5th daye of the third month 1682 to setle a devisionall lyne betwine our townes; have agreed that from a litle tree nere Joseph Porters medow marked with T & W & set about with a heap of stones & from thence to a plump of maples marked which stood Northward from the aforesaid tree & stands by Charles Gotts medow & from thence towards the river according as the brook runs untill it cometh to an Island by the edg of a swamp Joining to a piece of medow cald Pigtons medow & from the West point of said Island by the edg of the meadow till it comes to the West syde of Pigtons medow afore-
(*page 57) Bounds of Topsfield
64
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
said & so including said meadow to Wenham to an Island caled Hutlbery Island & from thene to the East end of said Island including all Walter Fairefields medow to Wenham by a straight lyne & this agreement to be a full setlement of a devisionall lyne betwine our townes & in confirmation thereof we have hereunto set our hands Tho" Fiske Tho' Baker
Walter Fairefield
Jacob Towne
Charles Got
John How
Tho" Patch William Fiske
(*page 71) Rate Receipt
Recª May 17"> 1682 from Henery Haget in full of Wenhams proportion to ye Rate for the Agent two pounds seaventeen shillings & foure penc
James Russell Treasur® That this is a true Coppie compared with the originall Receipt Attest Tho" Fiske Recorder
Receipts
March 5tb: 82
Recd from Henery Hagget on the accompt of Wenham Rates five pounds & Ten shillings six penc in mony Per James Russell
That this is a true Coppie Compared with the original Receipt. Attest Tho' Fiske Recorder
Recd 26th Febrery 1682: of Henery Haget Constable the sume of fifty five shillings & three pence in full of his County Rate: I saye recd: 2£: 15': 3ª Per me Rob Payne Treasurer
that this is a true Coppie Attests Tho' Fiske recorder Recª November 9th 1682 from Thomas Fiske Juni' in full of Wenham Rates for the yere 1600 eighty & one five pounds fourteen shillings 9ª in mony I saye received
Per James Russell Treasurer
Receipts
65
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
That this is a true entry compared with the originall discharge Attests Thomas Fiske Recorder
Received November 9th 1682 &c from Thomas Fiske Juni". in full of Wenham Rates for the yere 1681 five pounds fourteen shillings 9ª in money : I saye received
Per James Russell Treasurer
That what is above written is a true Coppie of the originall receipt Attests
Tho" Fiske recorder
These are to Signifie that I have received from Tho' Fiske in full the Rate Comitted to him as Constable for the yere 81 I doe hereby Discharge him of the same in witness whereof I have set my hand this 26 Jan : 85/4 Joseph Gerrish
That what is above written is a true Entry of the origin all receipt
Attests Tho" ffiske recorder
At a meetting of the Select men 20th of November 1682 Benjamin Edwards Requesting for liberty to fall about 40 small pines with hemlock & ash trees to make a stage the Select men Refers the answer of his request to be made by the towne at the next Gen" towne metting-
Also Walter Fairefield demanding allowance for his time Expended for the towne for settling of towne bounds &c: the Select men Refers it also to the next towne meet- ting.
11th: 10th: 82
At a meeting of the Select men John Dodg did agree with them to allowe the towne 188 in mony for the rent of the towns right !of land! where his Sawe mill stand : for this present yeere & to pave said 18ª at or before the last dave of march next.
Delivered to Constable Henery Haget one single Country rate with an addition the wholl-6-5-3 to be rayd in mony :
B. Edward's Request as to cutting trees
Accounts
John Dodge's Saw mill
Rates
66
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Dated 19th Dec: 1682
Also a Towne rate in mony for the bell with some Addition being 5£-8-8
Dated 19th Dec: 1682
Also a Rate for our Pasto" maintainance with 30° | 6ª| addition all to be paid in mony: ye wholl 21º: 13: 6 Dated Dec. 11: 1682
Also: our Pasto" paye rate
Dated Dec. 11: 1682 : being with an addition 21:13:7ª
Also: two single Country rates with a County rate all in paye 14€ : 2ª-8d
Dated 20th: November 1682
Also a towne rate for ye widdow Geare with some other towne cost 12 : 10°-0
Dated 26th: Dec 1682
Counstable Haget hath Collected the above said bell rate & paid according to order
As also the widow Geare Rate for 5€
An. Town Meets
Selectmen
Constable
Surveyors of Highways
J. Leech &c. admitted
At a towne meetting the first daye of the 11th mo: 1682 :
William Fiske, Charles Gott Richard Huttn Samuell Kemball & Thos: Fiske Seni': are Chosen for Select men for the yere Insueing
Robert Hibbert Chosen Constable for the vere Insue- ing.
Ensigne John Fiske & John Abbey Juni' are Chosen for Servey" for the high wayes for the yere Insueing
John Leech Tho": Killim Mordicai Larcom & Joseph Batchelder are accepted townesmen to have towne privi- ledg-
John Edwards hath a towne priviledg granted him as an Inhabitant
Also Benjamin Edwards hath acceptanc of a towns man & that there is towne priviledg granted to the howse or sittiuation of his father Rice Edwards
Tho' Kemball is accepted a townsman & hath towne priviledg granted him
Tho" Patch accepted a towns man & to have towne priviledg
67
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
John Abbey Juni' is accepted for a towns man & hath towne priviledg granted him.
* Voated that the towne shall procure one paire of sheets one good blanket & two shifes & two wastcoats for the widow Geare.
Its voated that Edward Dodge shall have that parcill of upland within his stone wall Joyning to his medow neare long ham Bridg being about one acre more or less upon the Condition he pave to the towne three pound in Indian Corne rye or wheate-within one fortnight.
Edward Dodg
his marke
Also its voated that the Select men shall take the above said three pound & there with releive the widow as above said
Upon a proposition made by Mr Gerish for an exchang of his 12 acres of land for the ministry house & land &c: Its left to the Select men John Fiske John Batchelder James Friend |& Walter Fairefield| to be a Comitte to Consider of the matter & make a report to the towne who will give Answer to the proposition.
* In referance to our Past" maintainanc for the yere Insueing its voated that he shall have fifty pound ten pound whereof in mony & the other fortie pound accord- ing to the townes former ingeagment.
Also tis voated that our Past" shall have 30 Coards of wood for the vere Insueing-& John Porter John Barr Benjamin Edwards & Tho' Fiske Juni' are Chosen to see that our Past"" wood rate be paid in & the former order to stand in force both for the time of the payment & upon the same peñalty.
Mr. Newman alleadging that there is Considerab[le] due to him upon the account of rates made for his late, fathers maintainance the Towne hath Appointed Deacon Fiske Walter Fairefield & Thos: Fiske Seni': to se that said rates be paid in & if ther be any parte that is not Capeable to be got in to make a returne there of to the towne who will take further order about it.
* John Dodg being willing to set up a Corne mill where his Sawe mill stand. &c: the towne refers the Considera-
(*page 77) Widow Geare
Grant to Edwd. Dodge
Widow Geare
Exchange with Mr. Gerrish
(*page 78) Pastor's Maintenance
Mr. Newman's Rates
(*page 79) John Dodge's Corn Mill
68
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
tion of his proposition to the Select men who are desierd to Give in theire apprehensions about the matter at the next towne meetting who are to give answer to the said proposition.
(*page 81) Bounds of John Dodge's land
* 2ª Daye of 12th mo: 1682
The Select mens returne of! John Dodg his bounds of his land on the South syd of the river: viz from a white oake marked on 4 sydes standing belowe the mill & so to the brooke & medow till it cometh to John Edwards his Corner next the river being a white oake marked with D & so taking John Edwards his bounds to a tree blowne up by the roots wtb a stake and heape of stones & from thenc to a white oake onwards still about twenty poales marked D which is said Dodge his Corner bounds & so turning about Northeasterly to a red oake marked on 4 syds & a heape of stones about it & from thence to a white oake marked on + syds & D which is the North- easterly Corner & from thenc to a stooping white oake neare the river by the highwaye over at the Grape Vine marked on 4 sydes & D & from thenc Crossing the brook to a litle red oake on the North syd of sayd brook marked on + syds & with D & so takeing the edg |or bottom| of the hill for his bounds till it Com to a white oake marked on 4 syds being the bounds of his 15 acres which lyeth on the North syd of said brooke & so running North- erly to a red oake marked on 4 syds & from thence to a stake & heape of stones about * 12 rod from said red oake & from thenc turning towards John Bares fenc to a stake & heape of stones & from thene turning to a cloven rock neere the river above the mill alwayes provided that the said John Dodg shall allowe an opn road from the ford belowe his mill to John Edwards his land of two poles in bredth as also a conveyant waye from his corner bounds below his mill cross his land on the South syd of the brook to goe to long ham bridg: for carts & sleds &c: & to allowe conveynant barrs or gates to said road: & also to allowe liberty to John & Benjamin Edwards & theire succes" to Goe over said Dodg his land with Carts & Sleds to the Comon: provided they doe not Damnifie
(*page 82)
69
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
him & he |& his succesors| to have the like liberty over theire land: it is to be understood that in satisfaction of high wayes above mentioned & some other removeing of bounds alridy doñ John Dodg shall have all that strip of land from long ham bridg within Richard Dodg his fenc & so betwine the medow & the edg of the land or- dainirly flowed by the mill till it come to the highwaye over the brook by the Grap vine* tis to be understood that twas ntended that land wthin Richard Dodge" fence & from the corner of said fence to a dead white oake marked on four syds & from thenc turning towards the medow to a Red oake wth stones above it marked on four syds North westerly standing by a greate rock & from thenc upon a Square to the brooke.
*Payª to Jnº Leech 1682 by a Towne rate for Widow Geare- -1ª-8ª
It. by our Past"" money Rate -3ª-0-
It. by a mony Country & towne rate 0-10ª
It. by the bell rate
-0-9ª
It. by a County rate -2-0
It by Leuetenant Dodg -13" in money web sª Lech ordered to Thos: Fiske Senir: * 1682
paid to John Leech in paye by Country rate in the bell rate mony 9ª
2ª
(*page 5)
It. to a single Country rate in mony 10ª
to M' Gerisheª mony rate
to widow Geares rate
1ª-₫
* 14 **: 1 mo 1682/3
At a towne meeting our Past Mr Gerish Propound- eth an Exchang with the towne viz. his 12 acres of land sometime Deacon Geares together with that 40€ ingeaged to Mrs Gerish in Cass &c: as also w' he hath bestowd or disburst upon Repaireations of the towne howse &c: for & in Consideration of the Towne howse web he liveth in with the Land Appirtainning thereunto with the Ap- pirtainances
The Towne Being desireous to incourag him in the worke of the ministry amongst us see meett to make the
(*page 83)
(*page 4)
Rates. &c.
(*page 47)
Exchange with Mr. Gerrish
Town House
70
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
above said Exchange being satisfied with w' he declared freely : that he will not remove from us for his Advantag. Voted on the affirmative.
Also tis voated that Mr Gerish shall have the use of the above said Twelve acres of Land so long as he remain- eth our minister the towne being freed of the Cost of fencing of it.
Also tis Voated that said 12 acres of Land shall re- maine in fee simple to the towne & shall not be Disposed of viz: the fee simple of it without the Consent of every Inhabitant of the towne web have Libertie by Lawe to Vote.
* Recª April 24th: 1683 &c from Henery Hagget Con- stable of Wenham by Corne & Disbursments elevn pounds one shilling in Country paye in full of theire Rates wch he was to Collect.
Per James Russell Treasur" That this a true Coppie Compard with the originall Receipt Attests Tho" Fiske Recorder.
(*page 72) Receipt
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