USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1707-1731 > Part 17
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Lieut. John Porter chosen moderator for the meeting. for Selectmen Lieut. John Porter William Dodge Capt. William Rogers Nathaniel Brown and William Fairfield are chosen. For town clerk William Fairfield is chosen for the year ensueing.
For Constables Jonathan Porter for the west ward and Joseph Edwards for the east are chosen for the year en- sueing.
For town Treasuer Stephen Patch is chosen.
For Surveyors of highways John Herrick westward of the straights. Thomas Brown for the middle part of the town and Josiah Dodge for the part called the neck. then for tithingmen Ensign John Batchelder and Edward Waldron were chosen Phineas Dodge was allso added to them.
For fence viewers Josiah Fairfield Jonathan Kemball and Richard Dodge were chosen.
For Sealer of Weights and measures David Batchelder and for Sealer of leather Walter Fairfield where chosen.
For hog Reeves Josiah Kemball and Humphrey Piere were chosen.
In answer to the motion made in the warrant about Mr. Wards Salary. Voted to allow him out of Town treasury the sum of ten pounds for the year ensueing.
Voted also that Rice Knowlton has liberty to hang a gate on the highway leading to Manchester on this side of Tur- nip Bridge during the towns pleasure.
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a meeting of the Selectmen on the above said day William Fairfield as town Clerk John Batchelder Phineas Dodge Edward Waldron Josiah Fairfield and Richard Dodge all took the oaths of their respective offices. David Batchelder Sealer of weights & Measures Sworn. Josiah Dodge and Josiah Kemball took the oaths of their respective offices. Jonathan Kemball Sworn as a fence viewer. Walter Fairfield and Humphrey pire both sworn.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 10th 1729 Jonathan Porter Sworn as Constable. John Herrick sworn as Surveyor of Highways.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 12th 1728/9 Joseph Edwards was Sworn Constable.
May 16th 1729 At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants convened by warrant for Choosing a represent- ative and ordering Ebenezer Kemballs Estate to the best ad- vantage for his maintainance and disposing of their interest money &c. William Fairfield chosen moderator.
William Fairfield chosen Representative.
Voted that the interest money belonging to the town in the hands of the trustees shall be disposed of by the selectmen to pay the town debts.
Voted that the Selectmen shall treat with the relations of Ebenezer Kemball Jun. to see if the towns trouble may be prevented. if not, then to take care of him and his estate disposed of and improved to the best advantage.
We the Subscribers being appointed and empowered by our respective towns to purambulate between Manches- ter and Wenham accordingly have met on the 28th day of April 1729 and have renewed the bounds formerly men- tioned beginning at a tree marked W and M formerly a white oak but now a white pine growing out in the roots of the said oak or stump thereof thence to a red oak stump thence to a clump of stumps with some sprouts growing out of said stumps thence to a hemlock tree thence to a hemlock Standing two feet to the Eastward of the pine formerly a tree but now a stump thence to Dodges Stumpt as witness our hands
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Nathaniel Waldron
William Dodge
For Manchester
Mathew Coy
Richard Coy For Wenham Nathaniel Maisters
The above purambulation is truely recorded as it is re- turned under the hands of the above named persons.
as attest William Fairfield Town Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen May 19 th 1729 it is agreed and ordered the division for the surveyors of highways for the present year that the Surveyor for the Neck shall have under his charge all beyond the bridge over the brook by Edward Waldrons the towns Surveyor to go to the Straights and the west Surveyor all westward of the Straights
Then allso agreed with Nathaniel Brown to keep a school in our town to teach to read and write for the year ensueing and he to have reasonable satisfaction for his service he keeping and rendering an account of what the scholars pay and that to be accounted as part of satisfaction.
Then allso Andrew Senter was agreed with and appointed to take the charge of the pound for the impounding of creatures which should be brought to be impounded.
November 3rd 1729 - At a meeting of the inhabitants and frecholders of Wenham duely warned and convened for the granting a tax to be raised on the inhabitants of said town and others who have lands in said town to defray the towns debts.
William Fairfield chosen moderator.
Voted to raise by a tax one hundred and thirty pounds for the town and County Charge.
Voted that the representative petetion in the name of the town to the general court for some enlargement to our town in County land in consideration that our township is to small for a town.
Boston Augt. 4th 1729 Received of Mr William Fairfield of the treasuer of the 6. loan of Wenham nine pound nine shillings and eight pence a years Interest to the first of June 1729 the towns proportion to the £60 000 granted
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
November 1727 pr Jeremiah Allen Treasuer £9 9$ 8d. The above receipt is truely recorded.
Attest William Fairfield Town Clerk
At a meeting of the Selectmen November 10th 1729 A province tax was made on the poles and estates for the paying the province tax in two lists
one in the hands of Constable Jonathan Porter amounting to £50 10$ 8d. of which the sum of forty eight pounds eight shillings £48 8$ 0ª is payable to the province treasuer and the remainder being two pounds two shillings and eight pence is left in his hands to be accounted for.
The other list is in Constable Joseph Edwards hands the whole amounting to £38 9$ 9d to be paid to the prov- ince treasuer £36 00s 0d there is left in his hands to be accounted for the sum of £2 8$ 9d
Allso then a town tax was made amounting in the whole £131 175 6ª of which Constable Jonathan Porter by his warrant was to pay £72 10s 0d and Constable Joseph Ed- wards the remainder being £59 6$ 9ª for which they have both warrants to pay in to our town treasuer as the law directs at or before the first day of June next ensueing.
Wenham December 19th 1729 - Received of Benjamin Herrick Constable five pounds sixteen shillings and six pence upon the accounts of rates which was due to the town in full, I say received by me
Stephen Patch town treasuer
At a general town meeting of the inhabitants of Wenham March 3rd 1729/30 warned and convened for the choosing of town officers and other buisness according as expresed in the warrant.
William Fairfield Chosen moderator.
For Selectmen Lieut. John Porter Capt. William Rogers Nathaniel Brown William Dodge and William Fairfield are chosen. William Fairfield chosen town Clerk for the year. Samuel Gott chosen town treasuer for the year.
For Constables John Batchelder Jun. chosen for the west and Edward Waldron for the east.
For Surveyors of Highways Josiah Fairfield for the west Nathaniel Fairfield for the middle part and Thomas Dodge for the neck.
209
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
For fence viewers John Porter Jun. Samuel Porter and Benjamin Edwards were chosen for the year ensueing. For tithingmen Ebenezer Fisk Thomas Brown and Stephen Patch was chosen for the year ensucing. For Sealer of leather Jonathan Kimball was chosen and for sealer of weights and measures David Batchelder is chosen and for hog reeves Nathaniel Bragg and Nehemiah Dodge were chosen.
Then voted to allow Mr. Ward ten pounds for the year above his Salary which is stated.
Voted that whereas the relations of Ebenezer Kemball demand debts out of his estate it is left with the selectmen to do as they think best for the town.
Then allso the question was put to the town wether they would give order to the selectmen about a school in our town and it passed on the negative Then allso it was put to the town wether they would choose a committee to look after encroachments on the highway and it passed. then allso Voted to advance and pay out out twelve pounds out of the town treasnery towards the supplying the agents of the house of representatives in Great Britain money in the service of the province.
At a meeting of the Selectmen March 3rd 1729/30 the several persons hereafter named took the oath of their several offices whereunto they were respectfully chosen this day. Viz. William Fairfield Edward Waldron Sam- uel Gott Nathaniel Fairfield Josiah Fairfield Thomas Dodge Ebenezer Fisk Stephen Patch Thomas Brown Sam- uel Porter John Porter John Porter Jun. Jonathan Kem- ball David Batchelder John Batchelder Jun. Nehemiah Dodge and Nathaniel Bragg.
We the Subscribers being chosen and appointed by the Selectmen of Ipswich and Wenham to meet at the house of Mr. Walter Fairfield on the 24th day of this Instant May 1725 to purambulate on the line and renew the bounds be- tween the said Ipswich and Wenham'
We have accordingly met at the time and place above mentioned and have renewed the bounds as followeth. Begining at the brier bush at the end of the stone wall at the west side of an apple tree in the last row in Nathaniel Browns Orchard with a heap of stones about it and so on to a white Oak tree Standing in Nathaniel Fairfields pas- ture marked with a Marking Iron, So on over the brook to
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
a walnut tree Standing between William Dodge and Thomas White so on to a white Oak tree standing in the Stone wall between William Dodge and Timothy Patch. So unto a white oak tree standing between Samuel Poland and Thomas Patch : So on to a heap of rocks near a yellow Oak tree marked between Samuel Poland and Stephen Patch. So on to white oak tree between William Dodge and Benjamin Knowlton near the gate. So on to a walnut Stump Standing in Rice Knowltons Stone wall. So on to a red oak Stump newly cut down so on to a old pine Stump Standing on the northward of Rattle Snake hill, so over the swamp to a hemlock by a pine stump marked, So on to a Small white oak tree growing of a Stump near the path about 17 poles of the hemlock. so on to a hemlock tree next the swamp by the edge of the upland so over the brook and small point of upland and so through the swamp to Dodges stump with a small pine growing out of it with stones about it.
as witness our hands the day above said.
Nathaniel Brown
Samuel Kilham
For Wenham
William Dodge Thomas Burnham 1 Joseph Whipple 5
For Ipswich
The 30th March 1730. We the subscribers being a com- mittee to purambulate a line between Ipswich and Wenham accordingly we met at time and place Appointed and agreed the within written bounds to stand as they are Marked Witness our hands
Joseph Kingman Thomas Brown Thomas Burnham
(No Wenham name on record)
Gentlemen. This being the year of purambulation of lines the Selectmen of this town pursuant to law have and hereby do appoint you or any two of you to purambulate and renew the bounds between the towns of Salem and Wenham with such persons as the town of Wenham shall appoint and are to meet on Monday the 27 Currant at ten in the morning at the Widow Andrews for that service. (enclosed is a copy of the bounds) and make return of your doings. Salem 6th 1730 by order of the Selectmen
To Ensign Daniel Rea Mr. John Clark
Thomas Barton T. Clerk Mr. Israel Andrews Mr. John Cabot Jun.
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Pursuant to the law of the province
We the subscribers being met by appointment of our res- pective towns Viz. Salem and Wenham to purambulate on the line and renew the bounds between our said towns have accordingly attended the said service and renewed. the white oak northward of Wenham Causway and the stake and heap of stones at the southeasterly end of the same the black oak formerly Daniel Andrews corner bounds, the white oak in the stone wall towards John Herricks and the white oak in Nathaniel Raymonds pasture all which are ancient and standing marked bounds which we renewed by laying of stones &c.
The three bounds added in the agreement settled between said towns June 26th 1721 relating to the twenty acres out of Mr. Herricks farm Viz. the apple tree in John Herricks land and the heap of stones in Joseph Herricks land and the heap of stones in James Meachens meadow they being some thing precarious and depending upon the point of com- pass and a measuring line and We having none with us we renewed the letters S and W marked on the Apple tree in John Herricks Orchard being the fifth tree in the second row in the old Orchard. Northward of the second south- ward wall and a heap of stones in the pasture formerly Joseph Herricks a heap of stones in James Meachems Pas- ture which we take to be the same entered in the agreement between our towns.
As witness our hands this 27th April 1730.
William Fairfield
William Rogers
Two of the Selectmen of Wenham Daniel Rea For Israel Andrews Selectmen John Cabot Jun. of Salem
Boston Dee 3rd 1729 Received of Mr. Thomas Patch Con- stable of Wenham pr William Rogers one pound twelve shillings and eight pence in full.
£1 12$ 8ª
For Jeremiah Allen Treasuer pr me James Allen
March 3rd 1729/30 Then received of Constable Thomas Patch of Wenham the sum of thirteen shillings and four pence in full of all his rates that he was to pay me. Stephen Patch Town treasuer
212
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Wenham duely warned and convened for choosing a representative and other town buisness according to warrant. William Fairfield chosen Representative. William Fairfield chosen moderator for the other service of this meeting.
The question being put to the town wether they would pay Capt. Kemballs accounts about Ebenezer Kemballs keeping and it passed on the negative. Voted to have the comput- ing or making up of accounts conserning the above men- tioned debts to the Selectmen.
At a meeting of the Selectmen May 18th 1730 then the Selectmen agreed with Nathaniel Brown to keep a school in our town for the year ensueing to teach children and youth to read and write and the town to pay him so much as may make him a reasonable satisfaction for his service he keeping an account of what each scholar pays to be accounted as part pay for his service.
To the Selectmen of Wenham pay to William Fairfield the sum of five pounds nineteen shillings 7d which is in full of your towns County rates his receipt shall be accepted upon April 9th 1730
by John Appleton County treasuer
June 29th 1730 Then received of Samuel Gott town treas- uer (by order of the Selectmen) the above said sum of five pounds nineteen shillings 7ª I say received by me William Fairfield
The above is truely entered William Fairfield T. C.
Wenham May 18th 1730 - To the Selectmen of Beverly or those appointed by them to purambulate the line between Wenham and Beverly on Wednesday 20th of May current these are to certify you that Mr Robert Cue John Dodge and Jonathan Porter they or any two of them are appointed to meet and perform the said service with any that shall be appointed by you and to meet at the house of Mr. Robert Cue at 9 of the clock of said per statement thereunto per Order of Selectmen May 20th 1730.
William Fairfield Town Clerk
We the subscribers have purambulated the line between the town of Wenham and Beverly according to the within said Entre bound
213
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
John Dodge
Robert Cue
For Wenham
Jonathan Porter
Nathaniel Raymond Benjamin Balch John Balch William Trow
For Beverly
At a town meeting of the inhabitants of Wenham this 6th day of July 1730 being assembled by a warrant from the Selectmen to make choice of some person or persons to represent the town in making answer to a presentment against said town to be heard and tried at Salem next (as they say) for not having a school in our town.
Lieut. John Porter chosen moderator.
Voted William Fairfield is appointed and chosen and fully empowered and authorized in the name and behalf of said town of Wenham to appear make answer and defend at the said Salem Court or general sessions of the place or any other court or courts whereunto the said Cause may be Continued brought or tryed and to use all lawfull means and ways the said town to defend relating to the premises as the said town might do if personally present.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Wenham duely warned and convened for the granting of a town tax to be raised on the inhabitants of the same for the defraying the towns debts this present year.
Voted that the sum of four hundred and twenty pounds is granted for the ends above said, William Fairfield being chosen for the meeting.
November the 2nd 1730 a province tax was made in two lists for the paying the province treasuer and the charges of collection and abatements in the rates for this year the one of which is in the hands of John Batchelder Jun. Constable of the west ward in Wenham amounting to £37 12$ 6ª of which sum there was ordered into the prov- ince treasuer the sum of £32 11s Od the other sum of five £ 1 shilling and 6 pence to be accounted for as above said.
The other list in the hands of Constable Edward Waldron amounting to £31 6$ 2ª of which £26 10s is ordered to the province treasuer the remainder being four pounds 16 shillings 2 pence is left to be accounted for as above said. Then allso a town tax was made and ordered the said Con-
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
stables with warrant to collect the same amounting to £119 11s 2d of which sum £44 9$ 9d is in Constable Batch- elders list. £55 2$ 5ª is in Constable Waldrons list with warrants to collect and pay in the same to the town treas- urer or others who shall be authorized to receive the same at or before the first day of May next ensueing.
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham the 7th of July 1729 being the time appointed to sell the living of Ebenezer Kimball according to the order of the Judge of Superior Court. Then agreed with Nathaniel Bragg for £200 00s and to pay it so as to discharge the debts and the remainder as the said Ebenezer wants to use it.
and in case the said Ebenezer shall decease before the money be expended and so the heirs come to inherit the remainder of the money then what is behind shall be paid to his heirs
and this bargain be consumated at or before the middle of November next and the interest of what is not then paid is to go on towards keeping the said Ebenezer
and in confirmation of what is above written we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above said.
Nathaniel Bragg
John Porter
William Fairfield
William Rogers 1 -Selectmen
Nathaniel Brown
William Dodge
The above written bargain being confirmed by both parties signing and sealing Instruments on the 26th day of August 1729 and November 17. following Nathaniel Bragg entered the premises and paid the sum of £40 00s 0d
Received of Samuel Tarbox for the rent of the living 1729 £4 16$ 4ª,
December 10th 1730 Received of Nathaniel Bragg of the money for Kimballs living he bought for principal and Interest £29 12s 00d making the sum total £74 8$ 4d
We whose names are under written being appointed by the Selectmen of our Several towns Viz. Wenham and Tops- field to renew and purambulate bounds between our res- pective towns as the law directs have accordingly attended
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
said service and have renewed the bounds according to the settlement agreed upon by the two towns in the year 1682 dated Topsfield May 20th 1730
Theophelus Fisk For
Ebenezer Fisk S Wenham Michal Dwinnell Jonathan Wildes For Topsfield William Redington
Boston Augt. 19th 1730 - Received of Mr. Jonathan Por- ter Constable of Wenham by Mrs. Hannah Kimball forty eight pounds eight shillings in full. £48 8$ 0d per Jer. Allen Treasuer
January 25th 1730/31 At a meeting of the freeholders of Wenham for choosing a representative according to warrant Capt. William Rogers chosen Representative
November 17th 1729 paid of the money received of Nathaniel Bragg as pr accounts the following Sums. The account of Samuel Tarbox
For Keeping Ebenezer Kimball from Nov. 21st 1728 to May the 20th 1729 £9 2$ 0d
From the 20th of May to November 21st 1729 £9 2$ 0d For fifty 4 hole posts £1 13$ 4d
For twenty three posts and one hundred forty got of the place £1 0s 0d
To a pair of Linnen Briches £0 4$ 0d
To a pair of Stockings and footing 2 pairs £0 8$ 0d
For mending his cloths
£0 15$ 0d
For 41/2 yds of all wool cloth to make Vest and coat & Briches at 8 shillings pr y'd £1 168 0₫ to making of them and a pair of shoes £0 17s 0d
For two days going to Ipswich £0 12$ 0₫
£25 9$ 4d
November 17th 1729 then received of the Selectmen of Wen- ham the sum of £25 9$ 4ª including the six pounds rent for the living in full of accounts for Keeping Ebenezer Kim- ball from Nov 21st 1728 to the day of the date hereof as allso for his clothing mentioned in the said account I say received by me Samuel Tarbox
216
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
The account of the charges of the Selectmen in obtaining the order of Court and sale of the living at several meetings as by acpts & receipts £3 16s 0d
May 19th 1730 paid to Benjamin Fisk by order of the Selectmen £5 45 .6d
Expenses paid out of that money £0 5$ 6ª
At a meeting of the Selectmen December 14th 1730 ordered and paid out of the money belonging to Ebenezer Kimball for his keeping his sister Marys debts and other expenses the following sums. to wit
To John Herrick for a years board and some clothing £21 7s 0d
Ditto to a pair of stocking and board sometime £0 13$ 0d
To Benjamin Fisk administrator on Marys
estate for debts £8 00s 0d
To Capt. Samuel Kimball as guardian for debts £6 00s 0d
To Doct. Benjamin Gott £1 10s 0d
To Charges in obtaining an order to sell Marys part and expense £1 18$ 0d
To a coppy of the Courts order 2s 0d
Sum total £74 6$ 4ª
January 25th 1730/31 Then accounted with the Selectmen conserning Ebenezer Kimballs estate as to their receivings and disbursments and have by accounts and receipts bal- lanced and received all allowing the 2 shillings wanting in the ballance of accounts for entering the accounts, we say accounted and accepted by us John Kimball Ebenezer Kimball
At a meeting of the propritors of the great Meadows this 4th day of January 1724. the whole propriety being warned according to agreement under the hands of the major part bearing date December 28th 1724.
It was agreed and concluded that the fence about the great meadows shall be continued according to the former agreement bearing date January 10th 1714/15 only bring- ing the fence at the west end of Wenham Causway to begin at Salem line on the Edge or corner of our meadow and so taking the edge of our meadow untill it cometh to Topsfield line and so on said line as formerly and allso to
217
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
remove the fence on that side next the great swamp from the ditch to the place nere William Fairfields fence now stands in the division between the swamp lotts and the meadow and from thence straight to John Severits fence at the end of his lot as it now standeth and from thence to the meadow hill at the stake and heap of stones at the corner of the lott formerly Capt. Fisks and every were else to be made according to the former agreement refered unto both for place and manner
and that Lieut. Samuel Kimball. Theophelus Rix and William Fairfield shall be a committee to measure and stake out every propritors proportion of fence as equally as they can according to the place of their former proportions : and in case said proportions shall overrun the measure to abate every man by a proportion and if it shall fall short to add to every one so as to make up the fence complete. and allso the committee or the major part of them shall lawfully represent the whole proprietry in any agreement with any adjoining propritors lands that shall fence against us, and in every respect relating to improving of the Sur- veyor to make up any defective fence belonging to any propritor either belonging to the propriety or propritor adjoining and the cost and charges accruing there by shall be born by the whole proprity.
Then William Fairfield was chosen and appointed clerk to the propritors,
his William Fairfield Daniel Fisk
John S Severetts Theophelus Fisk Joseph Robertson
mark Ebenezer Fisk John Porter
his William Rogers Thomas Kimball
Jonathan 6 Moulton Benjamin Fisk
John Moulton
mark John Porter Jun. Caleb Kimball
Theophelus Rix Samuel Gott
Samuel Kemball John Gott
(18 in all)
At several times in the month of Febuary 1724/25 We the subscribers hereof pursuant to an order and agree- ment of the propritors of the great meadows Wenham dated Febuary 4th 1724 having measured the lines laid out and proportioned each propritors share as followeth begining at the west end of Wenham Causway at a great Ash tree and stones about it in Salem line.
first lot to John Porter Jun. 17 poles to a stake and heap of stones
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
2nd lot of fence to Jonathan Moulton 6 poles and five feet 3rd lot of fence is to Ebenezer Fisk and is 19 poles and a half of fence to stake and stones about it.
the 4th lot is to John Moulton and is 7 poles and 12 foot coming to a fast rock in the old fence at the edge of the swamp.
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