USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1707-1731 > Part 11
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At a meeting of the Selectmen October 31st 1715 a town rate was made in two lists for the paying of our town debts and charges arising in the same. Viz.
To Constable Thomas Kemball a list amounting to the sum of £56 01s 9d to be paid in unto our town treasuer at or before the first day of January next coming after the date hereof and 17 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish at or before the first of March next coming after the date hereof.
And a list is committed unto Constable Richard Fowler amounting to the sum of £43 10s 4ª to be paid to our town treasuer at or before the first day of January next coming after the date hereof and 13 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish at or before the first day of March next coming after the date hereof and each persons pro- portion of wood is set against his name in both lists and a warrant annexed to each list.
Received of Constable Thomas Tarbox the sum of two pounds 18 shilllings in full of his town rate, Received by me John Porter town treasuer.
December 13th 1715. (A coppy of the original receipt.) Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
At a legal town meeting duely warned and convened of the inhabitants of Wenham on the twelveth day of Decem- ber 1715 Deacon William Fisk is chosen moderator for this meeting
Essex. To Constable Richard Fowler, Greeting.
You are in his magistys name required to warn and give notice unto the inhabitants of our town beloning to your ward that are qualified according to law to vote in town affairs that they assemble and meet together on the 6th day
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
of March next coming after the date hereof at eight of the clock on said day at our Meeting house in the morning on said day.
to choose town officers for the year ensueing
and to see what shall be done that our minister may have his wood paid him according to our town agreement and allso to make good his Salary that our town has allready engaged to pay him some time past
hereof fail not and make return hereof at time and place above mentioned dated in Wenham the 23rd day of Febuary 1715/16 per order of the selectmen.
William Rogers Town Clerk
pursuant to the above warrant I have warned and given notice unto the inhabitants of Wenham in my ward to meet at time and place above mentioned according to warrant March 6th 1715/16.
A coppy of the original compared
Richard Fowler Constable Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
Essex. To Constable Thomas Kemball Greeting.
you are in his majestys name required to warn and give notice unto the inhabitants of Wenham beloning in your ward that are qualified according to law to vote in town affairs that they assemble and meet together on the sixth day of March next after the date hereof at eight of the clock on said day. at our meeting house in the morning
on said day to choose town officers for the year ensueing.
and to see what shall be done that our minister may have his wood paid him according to our towns agreement and allso to make good his Sallary that our town has allready engaged to pay him some time past.
Hereof fail not and make return hereof at time and place above mentioned dated in Wenham Feb. 23rd 1715/16 per order of the Selectmen.
William Rogers Town Clerk
pursuant to the above warrant I have warned and given notice unto the inhabitants of Wenham belonging to my ward to meet at the time and place according to warrant March the 6th 1715/16 by me Thomas Kemball Constable for the town of Wenham.
A true coppy of the original compared
William Rogers, Town Clerk
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a leagal town meeting duely warned and convened on the 6th day March 1715/16 for choosing town officers, Ensign Samuel Kemball chose moderator.
Ensign John Gott, Benjamin Edwards, Thomas Kemball, Thomas White and William Rogers are chosen for Select- men for the year ensueing.
William Rogers Chosen town Clerk for the year ensueing. Lieut. John Porter chosen town treasuer for the year en- sueing and sworn the same day above said.
John Moulton chosen Constable for the west end of our town for the year ensueing and sworn the same day aforesaid.
Benjamin Porter chosen Constable for the east end of our town for the year ensueing by the major part of the votes by proxey. Sworn in on the 19th day of March.
Sergent Samuel Kilham Ebenezer Batchelder chosen sur- veyors of highways. Said Kilham for the east end of our town and said Batchelder for the middle part of our town and both sworn the same day above said.
Joseph Hacker chosen surveyor of highways for the west end of our town and sworn the same day above said.
Caleb Kemball Nathaniel Gott and Timothy Gott chosen tithing men for the year ensueing, the said Patch sworn the same day above said.
Joseph Fowler Theophelus Rix Stephen Patch chosen fence viewers for the year ensueing and all sworn the same day above said.
John Davis and Mordica Larcom chosen to see to the ob- servance of the law about swine.
Voted that the weekly contribution of our town shall be free and clear over pluss above the sixty pounds Salary that the town is engaged to pay to our minister.
Thomas Kemball, Benjamin Edwards, Thomas White, Ensign John Gott took the oath of Assessors on the ninth day of March 1715/16. The said Thomas Kemball, Ben- jamin Edwards, Ensign John Gott and Thomas White being four of the present selectmen and no other Assessor chosen.
Elizabeth Davis wife of John Davis is allowed by our selectmen to keep school to teach children to read, or knit or sew. March 6th 1715/16 in the town part and allso for the neck part of our town
Ruth Dennis
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 19th 1715/16
Benjamin Porter appointed and took the oath of Con- stable he being chosen there unto
Received of Thomas Kemball of Wenham the sum of forty nine shillings 10 pence for the county rate for the year 1715 for the said town.
March 21st 1715/16
by John Appleton County treasuer.
A Coppy of the original Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 9th 1715/16.
Then agreed with William Rogers to keep school and keeping the meeting house and ringing the bell untill the first of next March and he is allowed for his pains the sum of three pounds. £3 00$ 00d
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 9th 1715/16
Then agreed, with that the division of the highways con- serning the surveyors of highways care about mending said ways the surveyor in the town to mend so far through Clafl- in Swamp so called untill it comes to a stump by William Rogers fence near the causway on the south side of said swamp, the next Surveyor to do and take care of the rest.
The 7th of May 1716, at a legal town meeting duely warned and convened for the choosing of a representative and a Constable and some other buisness as is mentioned in the warrant.
Deacon William Fisk is chosen a Representative.
Ensign John Gott Chosen moderator to do the town buis- ness in this meeting.
Phineas Dodge chosen Constable for the east end of our town instead of Benjamin Porter who is removed out of town.
Joseph Herricks petetion was put to vote and the town would not grant it.
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a meeting of the Selectmen May 9th 1716 Phineas Dodge appeared and took the oath of Constable.
August 7th 1716 At a meeting of the Selectmen, John Davis was sworn to the office he was chosen unto at the general town meeting March last past.
July 11th 1716. At a legal town meeting duely warned and convened together on the day above said Ensign John Gott chosen moderator for this meeting.
Voted to choose a committee to see what money hath been received for some time past and how it has been disposed of (for some time past) so that the town may have an ac- count of what has become of our town money, by a report of the said committee.
Ephraim Kemball, Thomas Tarbox, John Friend, or any two of them are chosen a committee for the service above said
Voted to choose two men to join with the above said com- mittee Viz. Ephraim Kemball Thomas Tarbox, John Friend and John Moulton and Thomas Kemball are chosen to join with the above said committee
the major part of them agreeing to adjust the accounts of all the cost and charge of our town agents and the late Selectmen have been at conserning a petetion that was against our late Selectmen to the general Court on the last year 1715 and about all the cost they were at conserning the court coming to our town on the 6th of September and about those matters, and their witnesses in that matter.
Voted to raise twenty, pounds to defray the towns debts and engagements to pay our minister and representative and for the mending of the pound and other charges aris- ing in our town.
At a meeting of the committee to adjust the accounts of the late Selectmen that was in 1714 complained of by a petetion to the great and general Court and their witnesses conserning the matter being empowered by the town as may appear by a vote more largely conserning the matter
and the said Selectmen and the town agents allso met and presented their accounts to us
and having perused the accounts of said Selectmen and the town agents and we do agree and allow unto the said Selectmen and their witnesses for all their costs and charge as followeth
131
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
to the selectmen and town agents about their cost and charge and those witnesses that went to Boston £12 01$ 6d and to the witnesses attending the Wenham Court the 6th of September 1715 one shilling per man. £2 01s 0d
These are to signify to the Selectmen what we have done in the matter. September 24th 1716.
Thomas Kemball
John Friend Ephraim Kemball Committee John Moulton Thomas Tarbox
A Coppy of the committees return to the Selectmen com- pared.
Attest, William Rogers, town Clerk And an order is drawn to the town treasuer to pay said money as may appear more largely upon record.
Received the sum of eight shillings and eight pence of Constable Phineas Dodge in full of the twenty pound rate committed to him.
I say received by me March the 12th 1716/17. John Porter town treasuer
The above in a coppy of the original receipt. Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
Received of Constable John Moulton the sum of thirteen pounds and three shillings four pence in full of a list com- mitted him the 18th day of Feb. 1716/17 John Porter town treasuer the above is a coppy of the original Receipt.
Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham July 24th 1716 a list on poles and estates was made and committed unto Constable John Moulton that was belonging unto his ward amounting unto the sum thirteen pounds three shillings and four pence £13 03$ 4ª and allso a list is made and committed unto Phineas Dodge Constable on poles and estates belong- ing unto his ward amounting to nine pounds eighteen shillings eight pence £9 18$ 8ª with warrants anexed to each list to collect and pay in the same at, on or before the
132
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
last day of August next coming after the date hereof in unto our town treasuer or selectmen or whom they shall appoint to receive the same.
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham September 1716 in pursuance of a warrant from the County treasuer there is two distinct lists made on poles and estates in said Wenham Viz. To Constable John Moulton a list whereof he is to pay in unto the Country treasuer as by his warrant he is directed the sum of £32 04$ 10d and there is allowed him for collecting the sum of fourpence per pound £0 13$ 8d and the remainder of said list is to be paid to our town treasuer or Selectmen or their order, the sum of £8 09$ 2d.
and a list committed unto Constable Phineas Dodge whereof he is to pay the Country treasuer as by his list £32 00s 00d the overpluss is five shillings and 4 pence is allowed him for collecting the same and allowed for lost money, the whole of said Moultons list is the sum of £41 07$ 08d
the whole of said Dodges list is the sum of £32 5$ 4d.
November 5th 1716. At a legal town meeting duely warned and convened Capt. Thomas Fisk chosen moderator for this meeting.
Voted to raise the sum of ninety pounds to defray and pay our towns debts for the year ensueing and present Charges.
The question being put to the town wether the Grape vine bridge and the bridge at Mr. Daniel Dodges and the causway belonging and near thereto are high enough for the towns use or no, voted on the affirmative.
On the 4th of December 1716 then received of Mr. John Porter treasuer, for the town of Wenham on account of my Salary due to me from said town of Wenham for the year 1715 in full I say received by me six pounds Eleven shillings and 3 pence
Joseph Gerrish
The above is a coppy of the original receipt.
Attest, William Rogers, town Clerk
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Wenham the 11th day of the 8th month then received of Constable Thomas Kemball the sum of two pounds in full of his town rate by me. John Porter, Town Clerk.
A coppy of the original, Attest William Rogers T. Clerk At a meeting of the Selectmen November the 30th 1716 A rate was made in two lists for the paying of our town debts and engagements. Viz.
A list amounting to the sum of forty nine pounds 6 shillings and eight pence. £49 6$ 8ª committed unto Con- stable John Moulton to be paid in unto our town treasuer at or before the last day of January next coming after the date hereof and 17 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish at or before the first day of March next coming after the date hereof.
And a list allso committed unto Constable Phineas Dodge amounting to the sum of thirty eight pounds fourteen shil- lings ten pence £38 14$ 10d and 13 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish all to be paid both money and wood to the persons above named at the time above men- tioned respectfully, each persons proportion of wood is set down against their names in both lists and a warrant is annexed to each list for their direction of payment and time and to whom.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 12th 1716/17 it is taken notice by them that this folio is 67 bothi one which is being added to the whole book with 144 makes 145 folio's. Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
We whose names are hereunto subscribed have divided our parts in the fifthi division at the east end of our town having as may appear upon record that the one half of the said division that layeth next to the sixth division and We have divided as followeth, Viz.
the first lot is to Stephen Patch in the right of his brother, Thomas Patch the one eighth part of the said division lay- ing next Phillip Legodys Lot easterly of said lot and untill it cometh to a red oak marked with a heap of stones about it near Obers line thence to a stake and heap of stones half way to Haggetts line and at the road half the way to Hag- getts line.
134
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
The second lot is to Thomas Patch the remaider of said division that layeth between the first lot and Henry Hig- gins lot untill it cometh to a white oak marked on four sides with a heap of stones about it.
The third lot is to Thomas Patch in the right of Charles Gott Junr and it is the one half of the remainder of the one half which two eights part of said fifth division and the other half whish is the one half eighth part of said division and is to Thomas Edwards in the right of Tobias Trow which is the fourth lot as witness our hands on this eighth day of March 1716/17
Thomas Patch Stephen Patch Thomas Patch O his mark The above is truly entered Attest, William Rogers, Town Clerk
March the 18th 1716/17. Received of Constable John Moulton the sum of forty nine pounds six shillings and eight pence a town rate committed to him to collect and five shillings he received as a fine from John Dodge 5$ 0. £49 6$ 08. Received by me.
John Porter town treasuer The above is a true entry, Attest William Rogers Town Clerk
At a legal general Town meeting duely warned and con- vened on the 19th day of March in the year 1716/17 to choose town officers,
Ensign John Gott chosen Moderator for this meeting. Benjamin Edwards Ensign John Gott Thomas Kemball Thomas White and William Rogers chosen selectmen for the year ensueing.
William Rogers chosen town clerk for the year ensueing Lieut. John Porter chosen town treasurer for the year en- sueing.
Theophelus Fisk chosen Constable for the west end of our town.
Daniel Batchelder chosen Constable for the east end of our town.
Thomas Tarbox chosen surveyor of highways for the west part of our town.
135
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Samuel Porter chosen surveyor of highways at the middle part of our town.
Thomas White chosen surveyor of highways for the east end of our town.
Jonathan Moulton Rice Knowlton and Nathaniel Brown
are chosen surveyors of fences.
John Berry John Edwards and Joseph Edwards chosen tithing men.
Benjamin Edwards chosen sealer of leather and sworn the same day abovesaid.
Stephen Patch and Robert Symonds are chosen to se to the observance of laws about Swine.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 19th 1716/17 William Rogers sworn to the office of town clerk.
Theophelus Fisk and David Batchelder both sworn to the office of Constable.
Thomas Tarbox Samuel Porter Thomas White are all sworn to the office of Surveyors of highways each for his division.
Nathaniel Brown Rice Knowlton sworn to the office of fence viewers.
Robert Symonds sworn to the office to se and observe about the law about swine.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 21st 1716/17 the selectmen appeared and took the oaths of assessors.
John Berry appeared and was sworn to the office of tithing man, Joseph Edwards sworn do.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 21st 1717 then agreed with William Rogers to keep school for the town of Wenham for the space of one year next coming after the date hereof to teach persons to read write and cypher.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 21st 1716/17 then agreed with William Rogers to ring the bell and keep the meeting house untill the first day of next March coming after the date hereof and do agree to allow him out of the town treasuery the sum of three pounds for his labour in the work.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 21st 1716/17 then it is agreed upon the mending of the highways from the straights untill it comes to a Stump on the west side of the Causway in the swamp next to Samuel Kilhams land the stump standing in William Rogers Fence is to belong to
136
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
the town part or Surveyor to mend the remainder to the east end of our town or Surveyor.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Wenham on the 7th day of May 1717 assembled and met to choose a man to represent the town at the great and general Court for the year ensueing.
William Rogers chosen Representative.
Capt. Thomas Fisk chosen moderator for the meeting, about the pound the question being put to the town wether the town will build a new pound or no and the town voted on the affirmative.
Voted to make the pound in some new place.
Voted that town empower the Selectmen that they shall se to the building of said pound| and where to set said pound.
At a meeting of the Selectmen May the 7th 1717 then Mr. John Porter of Wenham was sworn to the office of town treasuer he being chosen thereunto at our general town meeting in March last past.
At a meeting of the Selectmen September the 9th then the said Selectmen ordered the town clerk to draw a warrant to the Constable Theophelus Fisk to warn Mary Whipple out of town and that she depart and leave the town she being a resident at the house of Robert Symonds as it is reported and also to notify said Symonds that he do not entertain her or any thing that is hers. And accordingly a warrant was sent bearing date on the 9th of September 1717 to said Constable Theophelus Fisk.
At a meeting of the Selectmen September the 18th 1717 then the said Selectmen ordered the town Clerk to draw a warrant to warn Elinor Williams out of town by Constable David Batchelder that she depart and leave the town she being at the house of Mr. Daniel Dodges a resident as is reported for about a month past and allso to notify Mr. Dodge or any person, they do not entertain her or any thing that is hers and accordingly a warrant was sent to Constable David Batchelder on the 23rd of September 1717.
137
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Received of Mr. Nathaniel Gott Constable for the town of Wenham for the year 1713 the several proportions of wood as mentioned in the rate, I say received by me Joseph Gerrish 12th 10th month 1717.
The above is a coppy of the original receipt
Attest. William Rogers, Town Clerk.
At a legal town meeting legally and duely warned and convened on this 7th day of October 1717.
Voted to raise eighty pounds to defray our towns debts this year it was put to vote wether the town would fence the burying ground by itself and it was voted in the affirm- ative.
It was put to vote wether the town will choose a com- mittee of 3 men to settle the bounds of our burying place and to take care and to see and get it fenced with a stone wall by itself. Voted on the affirmative. Ensign John Gott Benjamin Edwards Ephraim Kimball Chosen a com- mittee for to do said buisness as above.
It is agreed upon by the town and voted that any person or persons shall have the liberty to do his part of fencing said burying place agreeing with the committee then pro- portioning their part to do if done in time by said Com- mittee and it is proportioned according to the Country rate made this year 1717: and if any person or persons shall neglect or refuse to do their proportion within the time that shall be set by said Committee then he or they to pay his parts by the rate made according to the country taxes made this year 1717 :
Voted that for the time to come hereafter that whatsoever overpluss shall happen to be in our country taxes or list more than for paying our province treasuer at any time shall be ordered by our assessors that the constables or collectors shall pay in the same to our town treasuer for the towns use.
Voted to Allow the Constable 4 per cent pr pound for collecting the country tax and the towns rate allso and no more.
At a meeting of the selectmen September the 18th 1717 two distinct lists was made and committed to each Con- stable Viz.
To Constable Theophelus Fisk a list amounting unto £40 04s 00d whereof he is to pay unto the country treasuer the sum of £33 15s 8d and the sum of six pounds 78 4ª to
138
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
our town treasuer or selectmen or their order the rest is for collecting which is * *
To Constable David Batchelder a list amounting to the sum of thirty pounds 18$ 6d and pay to the country treasuer £28 00$ 00d and to our selectmen or their order the sum of £2 18$ 6ª and the remainder is for collecting which is *
At a meeting of the Selectmen Dec. 9th 1717 then ap- pointed and agreed with Mr. Thomas Kemball Sent to see and observe that the laws be kept as the law hath reference unto, and he is to have such allowance as said Kemball and Selectmen shall agree hereafter.
At a meeting of the Selectmen Dec. 4th 1717 two distinct lists was made and is committed unto the Constables of Wenham with warrants annexd unto said lists dated on the 9th day of December aforesaid Viz. to Constable Theophelus Fisk a list amounting to the sum of forty eight pounds three shillings and two pence to be paid in unto our town treasuer at or before the last day of January next coming after the date hereof, and 17 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish at or before the last day of March next coming after the date hereof.
And to Constable David Batchelder a list amounting to the sum of thirty six pounds thirteen shillings and two pence £36 13$ 2ª and to make payment of the same at or before the first day of January next after the date hereof and 13 cords of wood to be paid in unto Mr. Joseph Gerrish at or before the last day of March next coming after the date hereof the whole is £84 16$ 4d
Received of Mr. John Porter town treasuer for the town of Wenham on account of my Sallery due to me from said town for the year 1716 in receipts and bills of credit the sum of thirty six pounds eight shillings and one penney by me Joseph Gerrish March 18th 1717 and on the 19th day of said month received on the account above said from the above said treasuer in receipts and bills of credit four- teen pounds thirteen shillings and three pence by me Joseph Gerrish.
17th June 1717 Received by Mr. John Porter town treasuer for the town of Wenham on account of my salary due to me from said town for the year 1716 in Receipts
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
and bills of credit the sum of seven pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence in full for my Salary of sixty pounds. I say received by me Joseph Gerrish. The above is a coppy of the original receipts.
Attest, William Rogers T. Clerk.
Received of Lieut Porter treasuer for the town of Wen- ham on account of my Salary due to me from said town above said for the year 1717 the sum of sixty pounds in full by me
Joseph Gerrish
March 9th 1718/19. A coppy of the original compared Attest William Rogers T. Clerk.
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