USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1696-1706 > Part 2
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Voated that the Towne makes Choyce of Sergt Thomas Patch M' John Newman & Ensigne John Porter as a Comittey fully Impowring them or the major part of them to make sale of any or all the aforesaid percells of land in the towns name: & the towne will rattify & Conferme the said sales by them made to any person or persons
Voated that for as much as John Dennis who was one of the Constables the last yeare has absented himself & has not Collected that part of M' Gerrishes rate yt was Comitted to him to Collect: the Towne now makes Choyce of Constable Richard Dodge for the Collecting of what is Remaining due of sª List & paying the same into the reverend Mr Gerrish forthwith; and accordingley a war- rant was granted to sª Const for Collecting ye same
(*Page 128) Moderator
Land to be
sold
Constable John Dennis
Constable
150
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Att a meeting of the Select men August the 24th 1697
Account
Then Received of John Dodge Jun" for a small per- cell of land sould to him adjoyning to his own land by the Comittey above mentioned being to make sª Dodges line streight from his white oake tree to the Corner of his fence neare the Grape Vine, in money £1.10.0 Paid out of said money for the townes vse: To Good- wife Woodward for the Select mens Expences in make- ing the lists of assesments for the Countrey Rate in money thirteen shillings: 0.13.0 To M' John Newman which the towne owed him for money he had Exspended & layd out & paper for the Townes vse: five- teen shillings £0.15.0 -
*On the in- side of the cover at the | end of the - book Goodwife Woodward
* Goodwife Woodward Cr. for Exspences May 24th 1697: seven shillings - x Aug 20: more six shillings which was paid her in mony
(*page 129)
* Att a meeting of the Select men August the 20th 1697-
By vertue of a warrant from M' James Taylor Coun- trey Treashure"
Rate
A Rate was made on the Poles & Estates in and belong- ing to the towne of Wenham in two Lists & Comitted to the two Constables (Viz)
Constable James Freinds List amounted tol £22.7.6 Twentey two pounds seven shillings & 6ª 5 out of which he was ordered to pay to Mr. James Taylor Countrey Treashurer Twen- tey two pounds seven shillings 6ª £22.7.6 Constable Richard Dodges List amounted Twentey pounds Twelve shillings 8ª £20.12 8 out of which he was ordered to pay to the Countrey Treashur' seventeen pounds twelve shillings & 6ª 17.12.6
151
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
the remainder of his list being Thre pounds & 2ª the said Constable was ordered to in to the Select men for the Townes use by the first day of November next Ensuing
3.0.2
£20.12.8
which Lists ware delivered to the two Constables
Att a meeting of the freholders & other Inhabitants of Wenham assembled in Towne meeting Nov 2ª 1697
Ensine John Batcheler was Chosen to serve on the Grand Jurey : att the next Superior Court to be holden at Salem: & Sam11 Kemball & William Fayrfield to serve on the Jurey of Tryalls at said Court.
Att a meeting of the freholders & Inhabitants of Wen- ham
Novb 15. 1697
Ensigne Fayrfield Chosen moderator for this meeting - Voated that the Towne will make Choyce of Assessors for makeing the list of Assesment
Voated that the Towne will make Choyce of thre men for Assessors.
Voated that the Towne makes Choyce of Captt Fiske. Lt Wm Fiske & Ensigne Porter for Assessors
Ensigne John Porter refusing to accept as an Assessor Ensigne Walter Fayrfield is chosen assessor in his stead.
Voated that all those of our Inhabitants that did not give in true bills of ther poles & estates to the Select men in the sixth month: shall now bring in true bills of ther poles & estates that they had in ye sixth month to ye Assessors by the 19th of this Instant or they shall be rate[d] will [doome]-
* Voated that noe person or persons in our towne shall fall or Cutt any green tree or trees upon our towne Comon for firewood till the first day of March next ensuing the date heareof on the penaltey of five shillings for everey tree so fallen or Cutt: also voated that whoe so ever of our Inhabitants shall fall or Cutt any Timber tree or trees upon our Towne Coñon orderley that is by leave from the Select men shall forthwith Cutt up the
Jurymen
Moderator
Assessors
Assessment
(*page 130) Order as to cutting trees on the Common
152
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
topp of said tree or trees into firewood fitt for the fire within six days after the falling sd tree or trees & if said wood be not Caried away within one month after the falling of said tree or trees sd wood shall be free for any of our Inhabitants to Carey away: & if any of our Inhabitants shall not cutt up the topps of such tree or trees by him fallen within a week as aforesaid such per- son or persons shall forfitt five shillings for every tre so fallen -
The Towne makes Choyce of John Dodge JunT & Samuel Kellum to looke after the Comon at the East- wardley part of our town & Samuel Kellum & William Fayrfield for to looke after the Comon on the other part of the towne to se that the above said orders be not Trans- gressed.
Voated that the penalties before expressed shall be one half to the persons before mentioned that are ap- pointed to looke after the Comon for ther prosecuting the same & the other half to the use of the towne which said penalties shall be taken by distress by warrant from the Select men by the Constable
Assessors
The Assessor Chosen & mentioned on the other side refused to accept to make the said List of assesment for the Countrey Rate .-
Order as to
Att a meeting of the Select men November 15th 1697- Then agreed that the Towne Clerke to grant a warrant to Constable Richard Dodge for Collecting the Remain- der of the List for Mr Gerrishes Rate for the yeare 1696 that was Comitted to Constable John Denniss to Collect and he haveing absented himself & not Collect the same & the Towne haveing made Choyce of Consta Dodge for Collecting the Remainder of said List.
Rate com- mitted to John Dennis
(*page 131) Rate
* Att a meeting of the Select men November 23th 1697 -
A Towne rate was made on the Inhabitants in Wen- ham for the paying of the Reverend Mr. Joseph .Ger- rishes Salerey for this Instant yeare 1697: in two dis- tinct Lists and Comitted to the two Collectors with a warrant on each List which Rate was to be paid two
153
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
thirds parts of it in pay & one third part of it in money or as money
Samuel Kemball Sen" Collectors list amount- ed to in pay Twenty one pound four shill- ings & 9ª
£21.4.9
& in money or as money Ten pounds seven- teen shillings £10.17.0
Also a list for a wood rate of sixteen Cords & five foott with a warrant on it.
out of which list he was ordered to se paid in to Mr. Gerrish in pay Twenty one pounds four shillings & 9ª
21.4.9
and in money or as money Ten pounds. eleven shillings 3ª
£10.11.3
& to allow to Joseph Herrick out of his rate in money two shillings
00.2.0
& to John Herrick out of his rate in money thre shillings
00.3.0
Mr. Thos. Fiske Jun' Collector's List amount- ed to in pay eighteen pounds thirteen shill-} ings 10ª
£18.13.10
& in money or as money nine pounds nine teen shillings 6ª
9.19.6
out of which he was ordered to se paid in to M' Gerrish in pay eighteen pounds thir- teen shillings
£18.13.0
& in money or as money nine pounds eleven shillings 6ª 09.11.6
and to allow to John Dodge by the mill out of his rate in money four shillings 00.04.0
& to Josiah Dodge Thre shillings in money out of his rate 00.03.0 they & the Herricks being by mistake over charged in ye last Countrey rate
Also there was a list for a wood rate of Thirteen Cords & four foott with a warrant on it which was to be paid in to Mr. Gerrish. said Collectors ware ordered to se said rates both *of pay & money paid in to said Mr. Ger- rish by the first day of Jan'y next Ensuing & to Isue & Cleare ther accounts with the Select men by the first
Rate
(*page 132)
154
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
day of Februarey next & the wood rates to be paid in by the first day of Aprill next Ensuing -
Att the same meeting of the Select men - November 23th 1697 -
A Rate was made on the poles & estates in & belong- ing to the towne of Wenham for our proportion to the Countrey & Countey Charges: by vertue of a warrant from the Treashurer & from the Clerke of the Sestions of the Peace. and an addition for some towne Charges which rate was made in two destinct Lists & Comitted to the two Constables.
Constable James Friends List amounted tol Twentey seven pounds thirteen shillings & 2ªS 27.13.2
out of which he was ordered to pay to the Treashurer of ye province seventeen pounds six shillings
£17.6.0
To the Treashurer of ye Countey thre pounds nine shillings
03.09.0
To Ensigne John Batchelder for ringing ye bell & keeping the meeting hous one pound six shillings according to Agrement
01.6.0
To Mr. John Porter for money lent to Captt Fiske representative 128 & for nailes & a bell rope for ye meeting hous 48 6ª & for money pd. Goodwife Woodward for the Select mens Expences in makeing the lists of Assesments eleven shillings 6ª in all Twentey eight shillings
To Joseph Herrick for himself & Peter Tompsons rate he paid eight shillings 6ª: John Batcheler Junr. two shillings 10ª John Berrey 28 11ª: Samuel Fiske Senr. six shill- ings 4ª Charles Gott Junr. 38 6ª Joseph Hacker 28 7ª John Leach 48 5ª John Moul- ton 18 11ª & John Newman 38 in all one pound sixteen shillings which sums are due to said persons for money they paid to the towne rate in the yeare 1696. that was made for ye buying the land caled Wildmans Necke which was not purchased
1.8.0
1.16.0
Rate
Rate
155
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
To Captt Thomas Fiske Town Treashurer for the Townes use Thirtey eight shillings 1.18.0
Carried over leafe £27 .. 04.0
(*page 133)
Brought from below on the other side of what Const Freind was ordered to pay out of his list £27.04.0
the remainder of said List being nine shill-) ings 2ª was allowed sd. Constable for Col- lecting
0.9.02
£27.13.02
Constable Richard Dodges List amounted to/ Twenty five pounds one shilling 10ª out of which List he was ordered to pay to Mr. James Taylor Treashurer of the prov- ince in money Twentey four pounds four- teen shillings the remainder of said list being seven shill- ings 10ª was allowed said Constable for Collecting
£25.1.10
24.14.0
00.7.10
£25.01.10
And said Constables ware both ordered to make the sev- erall payments so as to Isue & make & Cleare there Ac- counts with the Select men by the first day of March next Ensuing
Att a Towne meeting of the freholders & Inhabitants of Wenham assembled December ye 20th 1697
Zacheas Goldsmith John Edwards and Theophilus Rix Chosen to serve on Jurey Att the next Enferiour Court of Pleas to be holden at Salem
Jurymen
Att a meeting of the Select men November 23th 1697 (*page 79)
Libertey Granted to Thomas Kemball to gitt Thre pine Trees & two hemlock Trees one the towne Comon for board & planke & Two hundred of Rayles & fivety posts & one oake tree for Gice Thre small Trees for Sleepers -
Liberty to get timber &c. on the Common
156
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Nathaniel Walderne Six hundred of Rayles & one hun- dred & fivety posts and Timber for building an end to his barne of Twenty foott long -
Sergt. Patch Thre hundred of Rayles & Timber for plank for a barne floare
Ensigne John Porter one hundred of Rayles & six pine Trees for board & fivety posts.
John Newman one hundred of Rayles fivety posts & four pine trees for boards.
* Att a meeting of the Select men for granting Libertey to the Inhabitants to gitt Timber on the Towne Comon for ther owne use in the Towne Dec. 27. 1697
Libertey granted to Benj:ª Edwards for Timber for building an end to his barne of fourteen foott long and for one hundred of Rayles
Mordichai Larkum Two hundred of Rayles and fivety posts : for fenceing his land
John Gott six pine Trees for to make board and shingle for a Leantoo to his hous
John Browne Two hundred of Rayles and fivety posts and libertey for Gurts for his barne & slepers to lay a floare on in his dwelling hous
Goodman Cue Thre score posts & one hundred of Rayles & thre pine Trees for boards
Sergt. James Freind Pine Timber Trees a nuff to make one Thousand of board for finishing his dwelling hous - & Two hundred of Rayles & fivety posts -
Robart Hebbart one hundred of Rayles & fivetey posts for fencing his land
Theophilus Rix Two hundred of Rayles and fivety posts for fenceing his land -
Caleb Kemball one hundred & half of Rayles & fivety posts & two pine Trees
Ephraim Kemball Tenn pine Trees for to make board & shingle for finishing his Dwelling hous six oake Trees for slepers & one hundred of rayles & fourty posts
Josiah Dodge foure hundred of Rayles & for two hun- dred of posts Thre Trees to make sleepers for a barne floare six pine & hemlock Trees for to make planke & shingle
Sorgt. John Batcheler two hundred of rayles & fivety
(*page 80) Liberty to get timber on the Common
157
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
posts, & a little pine Timber to make up what he hath already gott for building a barne & four pine Trees for boards
John Dodge one hundred of Rayles & Timber to make planke for a barne floare - - one walnut Tree for to make Coggs for the Corne mill
Charles Gott Junr. Two hundred of Rayles & fivety posts & Timber for building of an end to his barne of four- teen foot long and six pine Trees for boards -
Lt. Charles Gott three hundred of Rayles
John Edwards sixtcy posts & Timber for a Leantow for his barne
Captt Fiske Thre hundred of Rayles & thre pine Trees Lt. Thos. Fiske pine| Timber for building his hous & for planke & board
Goodman Fowler Timber for building an end to his hous two hundred of Rayles
David Maxey Thre hundred of Rayles one hundred of posts
* At a generall Towne meeting of the freholders & other Inhabitants of Wenham Assembled March 1st 1697/8 Captt Thomas Fiske Chosen moderator
Voated that ther shall be five Select men chosen for this yeare : Captt Thomas Fiske Deacon William Fiske Ensigne Walter Fayrfield Samuel Kemball & John Newman Chosen Select men for the yeare Ensuing.
Ensigne John Batcheler Chosen Const. for the West- wardly end of the towne
Sergt. Thos. Patch Chosen Constable for the Eastward- ley part of the Towne
John Newman Chosen to Continue in the office of Towne Clerke for the year Ensuing
Robert Cue Chosen Survey' of the highways for the Westwardley part of the towne
John Browne chosen Survey" of the highways for the middle part of the towne
John Coy Chosen Surveyr. of the highways for the Eastwardley part of the towne called the neck Eastward of ye great pond brooke
William Fayrfield & Ephraim Kemball Chosen fence vewers for ye westwardley part of the towne -
(*page 134) An. Town Meetg Moderator
Selectmen
Constables
Town Clerk
Surveyors
Fence- viewers
158
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Robart Hebbart Senr. & Sam" Kellum Chosen vewers of fences for the Eastwardly part of the towne for ye yeare ensuing
John Pirkins & Charles Gott Jun Chosen for fence vewers for the middle part of the towne for ye yeare Ensuing -
Voated that ther shall be two Collectors Chosen for ye gathering in of our ministers late for this year En- suing
William Fayrfield Chosen Collector for the gathering in of our ministers rate of that part of the towne west- ward of ye Countrey road for ye year Ensuing -
Nathaniel Walderne Chosen Collector for the gather- ing in of our ministers rate of that part of the towne Eastward of the Countrey roade for the yeare Ensuing-
Saw mill bridge &c.
Voated that whereas ther is a difference betwene the Towne & the proprietors of the Saw mill about the repair- ing of the bridg & Causways going over to the neck which said bridg is flowed by the waters being stoped by said proprietors of the Saw mill :- the Towne Eastward of the Straits doe Agre to allow every man a day worke towards the repairing of said bridge & Causways which shall be attended at the Survey's warning
(*page 135) Mercy Fiske
* Voated that the Towne will make Choyce of Thre persons to goe and treat with Doctor Edward Wells about the Cost which he demands & has recovered Judgment for as haveing bin exspended about Mercy Fiske while she lay sick & lame, & also to agre with him said Wells on the townes behalf if they can or els that the Appeale that is entered to be prosecuted on the townes behalf
Lt Wm Fiske L' Thomas Fiske & Ensigne John Porter are Chosen a Comittey to goe & treat with Doct" Wells, & agree with him about ye Cost above mentioned, & what they shall doe in the matter the towne will stand by : & Conferme
The Towne meeting is adjourned till to morrow being ye 2ª of this Instant att twelve of the Clock to meet at the meeting hous -
Adjournment
Collectors
159
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Att the adjournment of the Generall Towne meeting March ye 2ª 1697/8
Thomas Edwards now of Chebacco in Ipswich is accepted a townes man in our towne as an Inhabitant & ther is the priveledge of a Comonage granted to the live- ing which he bought of his brother John Edwards -
Voated that the weekley Contribution for our Pastor Mr Gerrish shall be duley attended and kept up and the Inhabitants what mony they shall contribute shall be bound up in a paper with the persons name ritten thereon
John Gott & John Moulton are Chosen for haywards or feild drivers for the year Ensuing
Voated that ther shall be some peice of our Comon att the East end of the Towne sold to procure money to pay Doctor Weld and that there shall be three men Chosen for a Comittey who shall have full power to make sale of some land att the Eastwardley end of our Towne of the Comon for the end aforesaid -
Lt Thomas Fiske Sergt Thomas Patch & Samuel Kem- ball Sent are Chosen for the Comittey aforesaid who have full power to make sale of land as aforesaid on the Townes behalf :
Voated that the towne will pay the widdow Small of Salem fourtey shillings money in full for her nursing, and attendance on the widdow Mercy Fiske while she lay sick and lame att her hous
* Att a Meeting of the freholders & Inhabitants of Wenham assembled for Choyce of a Representative for the next Generall Court or assembley to be held att Bos- ton ye 25th May next & also for choyce of Jurors for the next Superior Court: May ye 9th 1698
John Newman Chosen for Representative for the next Generall Court or assembly to be held att Boston for his Majtys service
Samuel Fiske Sent Chosen to serve on the Grand Jurey and
Benjamin Edwards Ephraim Kemball and John Batch- eler Jun" are Chosen to serve on the Jurey of Tryalls att the next Superior Court to be holden att in May next -
Thos. Edwards admitted
Weekly Con- tribution for the Pastor
Haywards
Land to be sold to pay Dr. Weld
Widow Small, for care of Mercy Fiske
(*page 136) Representative
Jury men
160
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Voated that whereas Ensigne John Batcheler was Chosen a Constable for the Westwardley part of the Towne and said Ensigne Batcheler haveing hired Sergt. Thos Patch to serve in his stead who was chosen Con- stable for the other part of the towne: the Towne Ex- cepts of Sergt. Thos. Patch to serve as Constable for the whole towne for this yeare Ensuing
N. Waldern
Voated that Nathaniel Walderne shall be Excused from fencing the high way over a Cross his land which he bought of Zacheus Goldsmith for this yeare Ensuing upon Condition that he shall make two Conveniant hors gates for the townes use and hang them upon the land of Joseph Fowler & Zacheus Goldsmith where the high- way is to goe over ther land by Agrement by the 21th day of this Instant May & also to keep conveniant hors gates where they now are upon his said Walderns land :
* Boston June 17th 1698
(*page 133) Receipt
Rec'd. of Mr. Wm Gidney Serriff for the Countey of Essex eleven pounds eight shillings & 8ª by ye hands of Mr. Grove Hirst it being in full of an Execution upon John Denniss Constable of Wenham recd. for Mr James Taylor Treasur. £11.8.8 per. Jer : Allen
(*page 137) Rates
* Att a meeting of the Select men July ye 20th
1698
A List was made on the poles and estates in & belonging to the Towne of Wenham for our proportion to the Tax of the Province with an addition for paying the Repre- sentative for his service att Generall Court: which List amounted to ye sum of Twentey eight pounds two shill- ings 8ª money £28.2.8 which list was Comitted to Con- stable Thomas Patch to Collect with a warrant upon it - and said Constable was ordered to pay out of it as fol- loweth Viz .-
Constable
Gates
161
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
To Mr. John Taylor Treasur' of ye province or his successor in said office According to his warrant Twentey Two pounds Tenn shillings money
£22.10.0
04.10.0
To Mr. John Newman for his serveing ye Towne as Representative at Generall Court four pounds ten shillings att or before the sixteenth day of August next Ensuing To Goodwife Woodward for ye Select mens Expences Ten shillings 6ª 00.10.6 The remainder of said list he was ordered to pay in to ye Select men so as to Isue his accots. with them by ye 1st day of November next Ensuing
Att a Towne meeting of the free holders & Inhabi- tants of Wenham Assembled : Octor 25th 1698
Voated that upon the request of Mr. Abraham Tilton Sent of Ipswich for libertey to build or sett up a small seate in our meeting hous at the Eastwardley end of the pulpitt for himself to sitt in the towne grants his re- quest : alwais provided that when he shall leave of use- ing of it himself it shall returne to the towne to be att ther disposall
Att a Towne meeting of the freholdrs and Inhabitants of Wenham Assembled Novb 2ª 1698 for Choyce of Jurors for the next Superior. Court of Judicature to be holden att Salem
Sergt. Richard Hutton Chosen to serve on the Grand Jurey & Mr. Isaac Hull Sent & Ensigne Fayrfield to serve on the Jury of Tryalls at said Court -
* Att a meeting of the Select men December ye 1st 1698 (*page 138) Rate
A towne Rate was made on the poles & estates in & belonging to the towne of Wenham for paying the Rev- erend Mr. Joseph Gerrishes Sallery for this Instant year 1698 & other Towne charges as Ringing the bell & keep- ing the meeting hous &c: which rate was made in two destinct lists & Comitted to the two Collectors with a
Seat in the Meets House
Jurors
162
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
warrant on each list & was to be paid one third part of it in money or as money the other two thirds in Currant pay : according to Agreement
William Fayrfields Collectors list amounted to in the whole Thirtey four pounds ten shillings 1ª
£34.10.1
and he was ordered to make payment out of said Rate to the Reverend Mr. Gerrish Thir- £32.5.0 tey two pounds five shillings
To Ensigne John Batcheler for Ringing ye bell & keeping the meeting hous Thyrtey shillings
1.10.0
To Thomas Fiske Jun" for the Select mens
Expences in mony ten shillings 0.10.0
The Remainder of said List being five shill-
ings 1ª was allowed for Collecting 0.5.1
£34.10.1
Also a wood Rate of seventeen Cords each mans propor- tion of it being entered in the Margent of said Rate against each mans name which wood was also to be paid in to Mr. Gerrish
Nathaniel Walderne Collectors List amount- - ed to in the whole Twentey eight pounds 28.3.0
thre shillings
and he was ordered to make payment out of said Rate to the Reverend Mr. Gerrish £27.15.0
Twenty seven pounds fiveteen shillings - said Collectors ware ordered to Isue & make up ther accotts of the money & pay parts of said Rates by the Last day of Februarey next Ensuing with the Select men
Also ther was a wood rate of Cords each mans proportion in it being entered in the Margent of said Rate against each mans name which wood was also to be pª into Mr. Gerrish
(*page 136)
Warrant for Town Meeting as to Common
* Att a meting of the Select men December ye 16th 1698 -
Then Agreed & ordered that the Towne Clerke doe give out a warrant to ye Constable to warne the fre-
163
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
holders & other Inhabitants qualified to voate in towne affaires to assemble & meet together at ye meeting hous on fryday the Twenty third of this Instant att about ten of ye clock in ye forenoon to Consider & agree of some sutable way for proserving & improving of ye townes Interest in the Comon land leying at ye Eastwardley end of our towne between Turnup Swamp so called & Mª Wests farme Ipswich & Manchester line & so to Bev- erly line together with some comon land leying adjoyn- ing to Rack Coone marsh so called as also that peice of comon land leying at the Westwardly end of our towne near Lords hill so called either by deviding the same or some other sutable way that the towne agree on ----
* Att a Towne meeting of the freholders & other In- habitants of Wenham assembled December ye 23th 1698: according to the order of 16th of this Instant December Ensigne Walter Fayrfield chosen moderator Voated
Blank
This Towne meeting is adjourned |by the moderator to the first seconday or monday in January next to be attended att the meeting hous att about Ten of ye Clocke in the forenoon - also notice was given by the modera- tor then present to the Inhabitants to consider of: that so att the adjournment of this meeting they might agree of some sutable way for the preservation of the wood & timber upon other of the Coñon land belonging to this towne & perticulerley the great swamp either by devide- ing the same or otherwise as the Towne shall agree to -
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