USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Ye towne book : two hundredth anniversary, August 25,26,27, 1934, Tewksbury, Massachusetts > Part 4
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1734
Ye Towne Book
1934
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1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
Voted to allow Mr. one pound five shil- lings old tenor for his trouble in getting the 20 pounds the Town promised for bringing up
a poor child to the age of eighteen years.
MARCH 4, 1744. (Noted "& the persons were chosen into office by ye persons then and there as- sembled by ye majority of written votes").
(This is the first mention in the records as to the method of electing town officials).
Voted a consideration of ten pounds old tenor to ye Westwardly part of said Town for their not hav- ing any benefit of ye town school master.
(On page 57 of the first town book appear names of persons and amounts assessed for Ministers' Rate and Town Rate).
SEPTEMBER 23, 1745. Voted to erect a bridge across Shawshin river at the upper end of Mr. Daniel Kittredges meadow.
MARCH 2, 1746. Voted that ye stock of ammuni- tion shall be kept in ye Meeting House in sd town.
MARCH 6, 1748. Voted liberty to Mr. John Need- ham to hange two good gates across his land on Same Meadow road.
Voted to accept several open highways, two poles wide "provided sufficient bonds be given sd Town to secure Town from damages".
MARCH 4, 1750. Voted that would not maintain the fourth part of the bridge over Concord river to Mr. Nicholas Sprakes Mill.
MARCH 4, 1754. Voted ye Committee 8 shillings for erecting steps at the Meeting House door.
In January 16, 1755 page 339 appears testement by John Kittredge freeing his negro man servant Reuben after his decease. Entered by the Town Clerk Noveniber 16, 1756.
1760. The Town Warrants in this period called upon "Freeholders and other inhabitants duly quali- fied to vote".
MARCH 10, 1760. Voted and chose John Hardey and Samuel Trull to take care that the Irish have free passage (this is noted frequently for several years following).
MARCH 10, 1760. Voted that a man shall have 0 2.0 pr day a yoak of oxen 0.1.4 and a cart 0.0.4 till the last of August and from that time to the last of October 0.1.4 pr day for a man 0.1.0 for a pair of oxen and 0.0.4 pence for a cart for work at the Highways.
MAY 16, 1760. The question being put whether the Town will chuse some person to serve and rep- resent them in the Great and General Assembly the present year and it pased in the negative.
June 9, 1760. Paid Mr. Davis Chapman for warning Thomas Haggits Family and John Gould to depart out of town 4 s.
OCTOBER 6, 1761. The question being put whether the Town would chose a committee to pro- vide a school master and it passed in the negative.
(At town meetings of this period it was voted to elect certain officials by vote of Stand. In voting to accept certain highways as laid out by the Selectmen it is noted that owners of land must give same to the town).
OCTOBER 19, 1761. It was voted to chose a com- mittee to provide a school master.
(The Town record book of 1760 to 1791 was pur- chased by Wmn. Hunt for 12 shillings, containing 470 pages).
NOVEMBER 16, 1763 on page 350 appears the following: Straid a large red mare with a large white face and shod before and about ten years old, by sd Eben Whittemore.
During this early period of the Town, with the exception of special votes that have been noted, the main business transacted appears to be taking care
of the poor and unfortunate, warning undesirable persons out of town and those that came from other towns without apparent means of support, collecting and working out taxes, etc.
MARCH 9, 1770. Voted to alow a man three shillings pr day for work on the highways and a yoak of oxen one shilling and six pence and a cart and plow as the Surveyors think proper to alow them.
MARCH 1, 1771. Paid an order to Thomas Kit- tredge for entertaining the year past asesors 0.17.6. (Payments are noted also where the selectmen were entertained, this is somewhat misleading as the se- lectmen were also the assessors).
FEBRUARY 20, 1770. Article to see if the Town will accept of a Rode that was laid out by the former Select Men from the Rode from Daniel Griffins down to Andover line as it was formly laid out if that Andover or the County will meet it with a Rode.
Article to see if the town will discontinue the open Rode across Duttons farm and put it to a bridal Rode.
MARCH 4, 1771. Voted not open the rode from Ezra Kindells house to the Meeting House-then voted to reconsider and continue until next town meeting.
We the subscribers being chosen commity to squadron out the Town of Tewksbury for the con- venancy of schooling and according to our best judgements we have don it in the manner following (viz) to the First Division begining at Billerica line taking in Joshua Clark Kindal Patton (?) Samuell Kittredge Joseph Kittredge jun Andrew Richardson jun from thence to Andover line: and all the familys in Tewksbury southeast of said line: To the Second Division begining at Billerica line taking in John Sanders Silas Marshall from thence to Abraham Stickney jun and Se Kindall to Andover line and all the familys between said line and the First Division. The Third Division Begining and taking in Samuel Marshall from thence to Johnson Brook so called so on to Merrimack. To the Fourth Division begining at Johnsons Brook from thence to Rogers Mears Robert Nicholas to Concord River. Dated at Tewks- bury August ye 31th
Ebenr Temple David Bailey Aaron B (?) Committee
Nathl Clark jur
Solomon French Entered pr JOHN NEEDHAM, Town Clerk.
MARCH 2, 1772. Voted that each squadron draw their equal quota of the money voted for schooling
Article-to hear the report of the committee that was chosen to treat with the Revd Spaulding con- cerning his sallery and vote him some certain sum for his Sallery annually so long as he shall supply the Ministree in the Meeting House in this Town and for him to give a recept in full (when paid) or to act in some other way or meatheard that the Town shall think proper at the Town meeting.
FEBRUARY 15, 1773. Article-to choose person or persons for to Let the Psalm on Sabbath Day and other time of publick worship. March 1, 1773. Voted and chose
Abr'm Bailey ?
Peter Hardey ยง For to late the Psalm
MARCH 1, 1773. Voted to give the Rev'd Mr. Sampson Spaulding 66:13:9 pounds for his sallery this year.
(Throughout this book of records there appear at different times entries of money paid to persons for cost of warning certain persons out of town, also for removing them to other towns and for carrying some out of town).
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OCTOBER 18, 1773. Voted to repair the Meeting House windowers with Diamond Glace and what was needful at present. At this same meeting it was voted against a new addition to the Meeting House, also against new clabourds and new shingles for the Meeting House, also voted against the Select Men acting as a committee for to repair the Meeting House.
EXTRACTS- GALLEY THREE
Entries paying certain persons for mending clothes, making shirts, britches, stockings. (This is presumed to be for the poor) February 15, 1775 paid Benj Burtt for four pairs of gloves for the funeral of And'w Richardsons wife 0-7-5-3.
FEBRUARY 1, 1775. Article-to see if the Town will accept of an open Highway two poles wide (etc).
SEPTEMBER 7, 1774. Article-to see if the Town will provide some fire armes and more animis- tion and to chuse a commitee for to provide the same.
Article-to appoint one or more delegates to at- tend a Provencil Meeting to be holden at Concord on the second day of October next.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1774. Voted to buy more pow- der for a Town Stock. Voted to buy two barrils of powder in addition to the Town Stock. Voted to leave it with the committee to provide bulets and flints as they shall think proper. Voted and chose Elead Worcester Committee Jonathan Brown Aaron Beard
Voted and chose Mr. Jonathan Brown delegate for the said Provincil Meeting.
NOVEMBER 23, 1774. Voted to repair all the windows in the gallery of the Meeting House that the owners of the pues are not obliged to repair and down below that are not against the pues.
JANUARY 23, 1775. Voted and chose Jonathan Brown a delegate for the Provincial Congress Meet- ing at Cambridge on the first day of Feb'y next.
FEBRUARY 20, 1775. Paid Samuel Brown for perembulating the lines of Billerica and Wilmington 4 shillings.
MARCH 6, 1775. Voted to allow Jonathan Brown 4 s 8 pr day going as a delegate to the Congress.
MAY 23, 1775. Voted and chose Ezra Kindell to be a member of the Provincial Congress at Water- town on the 31st day of May.
AUGUST 2, 1775. Voted that the Selectmen shall make a return of what coats the Town doth make for the soldiers on the province service. (This is the first official mention of town soldiers being on province service in the Town Book).
JUNE 24, 1776. Voted that the Selectmen shall provide aminition and shovels spaids peik axes etc according to their descretion. Voted that the Town shall provide bayonetts for the training band in the Town. Voted that the Selectmen shall provide fire armes for those persons that they shall think proper and other necessary Accutrements.
OCTOBER 14, 1776. Voted to chose a committee to make a draught for government. Voted and ac- cepted the committee report and plan of government.
On March 4, 1776 Elenor Putnam was paid for sweeping the Meeting House 16 shillings. (She had served several years prior to this date). In 1779 she was paid 6 pounds for sweeping and taking care of the Meeting House.
MARCH 17, 1777. Voted to let those persons that are twenty one years of age to vote in this meeting. Voted to chose a committee to estimate and see what men have alredy don in towards raising the Army, time past, and to see what will be wanted to precure the men that are now wanting to form the Conti- mental Army. Voted that the committee do make their report about raising money to raise men with and what hath been paid alredy at the adjournment
of this meeting. Then met according to adjournment P M the meeting being opened, past the following votes (viz)
Voted 8 dollers pr man for 45 men going to Cam- bridge the first time. Voted to allow 4 dollers pr man for 13 men going to Roxbury 6 weeks. Voted to allow 40 dollers pr man for 22 men going to Ty- conderoga last summer. Voted to allow 4 dollers pr man for 14 men going to Cambridge two months Voted to allow 10 dollers per man for 4 men going to Dorchester. Voted to allow 44 dollers pr man for 12 men going to New York and the Jersseys. Voted to allow Enoch Merril 2 dollers. Voted to allow to others what appears to be due.
MAY 22, 1777. Voted to chose a committee to settle with Rowley about the maintainance of the wid Mary Hunt.
SEPTEMBER 8, 1777. Voted that the Town Treasurer be empoured to hire money to hire the men that are now being raised.
SEPTEMBER 29, 1777. Voted to raise 200 pounds to what was voted to be raised last town meeting, in raising men for publick service. Paid David Bailey jun for making fifty bayonets for the militia 20 pounds.
MARCH 1, 1779. Voted and chose Mr. Ezra Kin- dell as agent to take care of the Tory farmers in Tewksbury.
MAY 21, 1779. Voted to have a new Constitution of form of government made. Voters in the affirma- tive 20, the voters in the negative 2. Voted and chose Major Jonathan Brown and Mr. Ezra Kindell to in- quire into and Prosecute Roger Dutton and John Stearns for not going into the Continental Service for the Town of Tewksbury for nine months according to their promise. Voted to accept of the proceedings of the Convention that met at Concord to regulate prices. Voted and chose Mr. Wm. Brown Delegate to go to Cambridge the first day of September next to meet in Convention in order to frame a new Con- stitution. (Throughout the period of the war are many entries showing payments for the making of shirts, stockings and shoes for the soldiers, also for salt pork and Indian corn. 9 pounds for one blanket and six pounds and six shi lings for one pair of shoes and one pound ten shillings for a tomehawk for Nath Hunt for engaging in the Colonial Army during the war. This was paid by Baldwin and refunded by the Town in October 26, 1779. In June 1779, an order to Wm. Hill it being for a pair of shoes at 24 dollars. On Feb. 11, 1780, appear payment to dif- ferent persons for paying soldiers and supplying sol- diers' families).
MAY 22, 1780. On the call for the Town meeting it "warns all freeholders and other inhabitants quali- fied by law to vote in town affairs and also all that are free and one and twenty years to vote." Article for the Town to hear the report of the committee that was chose to consult upon the form of govern- ment and accept the same if the Town thinks proper and pass any other votes upon the said form of gov- ernment which shall be proper. Article-to see if the Town will allow Mr. Thomas Kittredge Jun for the fifty dollar bill which he received when he was constable which proved to be conterfit.
MAY 29, 1780. Voted to go through the form of government article by article.
Voted to adjourn accordingly to next Monday. (The records show it was customary to elect certain officers then to adjourn and act upon the articles at a later meeting).
JUNE 5, 1780. The following votes (viz) Voted to accept the form of government all but six articles. Number for the form 37, against it 2. Voted to ac- cept the third article in the Declaration of Rights; for it 18, against it 2. Voted to accept the second
Page Thirty-six
1734
Two Hundredth Anniversary
1934
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Ye Towne Book
1934
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Two Hundredth Anniversary
1734
article in the General Courts Power; for it 18 against t 2. The question being put whether the Seventh Article in the Governors Power should stand as it was and it past in the negative. Voted that the Gov- ernor and General Court shall not march the Militia for more than six months at any one time without their own voluntary consent; for it 12 against it 1. Voted that the general and field officers shall have a seat in the house, 13 to 3. Voted that the Governor chuse the Justes of the Pease 11 to 1. Voted that the Constitution stand but ten years before a new con- vention be called. Voted the Governor shall declare himself to be of the Christian Prodenstant Religion or it 20. Voted that the Hon Convention set the time that the Constitution or form of government takes place. Voted to accept the Constitution or form of government with the above amendments to be made 39 for it against it 2.
JUNE 15, 1780. Adjourned to June 21, 1780. Voted to give the men that shall engage in the Continental Army for six months twenty two bushills of Indian corn pr man pr month sole leathers or stock or Con- tinental money eqnivelant thereto and allowing them pay for twenty miles per day for out and in and the men to give the Town an order for the whole of their wages. Voted to raise 1200 pounds for a Town rate in part to pay the soldiers.
SEPTEMBER 4, 1780. Votes for John Hancock Esq for Governor 26; votes for James Bowdion Esq 5.
DECEMBER 27, 1780. Voted to chuse a commit- tee to assist the Militia officers in procuring the men that are called to engage in the army for three years or during the war (six were chosen).
JANUARY 1, 1781. Voted to give the soldier that shall engage in the army for three years 95 hard dollars per year for the three years or in the same proportion as long as they are in the service under the said three years. (in 1781 appear many accounts and payments to individuals for loans to the town). Item July 16, 1781 an order to Thomas Kittredge for money which he let the town have to pay for beef in the old Continental money to be paid in seventy five Dollars for one of Silver 600 pounds.
MAY 14, 1781. 30,000 pounds of Continental money was voted to defray the charges of the Town, but it was voted to raise 66:13:4 in harde money or the General Exchange to pay the Rev. Mr. Spaulding sallary the present year.
JUNE 24, 1781, Article: Whereas the Town at a town meeting in May 14th voted thirty thousand pounds in the old Continental Currency for a town rate to defray the charges of said Town and it ap- pears that it will not answer the end it was voted for and we now lay it before the Town to see if the Town wont reduce that sum into silver money or the General Exchange or to act in any other way the Town shall think proper at said meeting respecting said rate. (July 2, 1781 the rate was founded on silver money, seventy five dollars of old Continental money for one silver dollar and for the assessors to make the rate at that rate and be paid in the new money).
MARCH 4, 1782. Voted a third part of the front gallery for the use of singers. An order to Wm. Brown the sum of one pound five shillings and six pence for assessing the year past and four shillings for numbering the people and sixteen shillings for taking the valuation and nine shillings for fixing the valuation and sending down to the Court. 2:14:6 (There were other assessors).
JUNE 2, 1785. (Appears an account of whom the pews were struck off to, the bids were in dollars, two items-Lt. Tim'y Rogers pew No one East End struck off 51 .- Lt. Thomas Clark pew No one West End struck off 51).
DECEMBER 19, 1785. Seven pews were struck off, the highest bringing 40 dollars-the lowest 28 dollars. This in accord with Article in meeting November 21, 1785 to see if the town will sell the new pews that are to be built upon the walls in the Meeting House at publick vendue to the highest bidder.
FEBRUARY 24, 1786. Appear five pages of names and moneys paid individuals for work on repairing the Meeting House including bourds and oak Joice, carting of planks and shingles, paying for hinges made for pew doors and hanging the doors, also for lime and motar. Pew that are now sold the first time amount to 123 pounds, pews sold second time 61:10:0; on old pews 39:16:4:2; two new pews sold in gallery 9:6:0. (Notice that currency is mentioned in pounds, instead of dollars).
MARCH 6, 1786. Voted to chose a committee to join with the committees from other towns cercern- ing building a bridge over Merrimack river.
APRIL 11, 1786. Voted to Vendue to the lowest bidder the price of collecting the taxes. Voted and chose Jonathan Brown Vendue Master. Voted that the collectors give sufficient bonds to the town for their performance. The price upon the pound was struck off to Mr. Timothy Brown at three pence half penny per pound.
SEPTEMBER 4, 1786. Voted that there be a post set up south of the Meeting House for the constables to put their papers on to warn the town meetings. Voted that the negros have the seat next to the long pews for their seat to sit in. (In November the same year mention is made that pews are still being sold).
MAY 16, 1787. Voted to allow those men that was drafted and went into the service themselves or paid money to hire a man Eighteen shillings per man.
OCTOBER 1, 1787. Voted to Thomas Kittredge what appear to be his due for keeping Esther Rich- ardson, and if the Selectmen and he cant agree then to submit it to men.
DECEMBER 24, 1787. Voted and elected Newman Scarlett a delegate to meet in convention at Boston at the State House on the Second Wednesday of Jan- uary next to take under consideration the constitu- tion of the United States.
MARCH 1, 1790. Voted to carry on that part of publick Worship called Singing without reading in the afternoon upon the Sabbath Days and other days of publick Worship. Voted to allow Lt. Thomas Wood something as gratis for meeting with the sing- ers to instruct them to sing. Voted to put over what they would allow Lt. Wood to April meeting.
MAY 13, 1790. Voted to move stock of ammuni- tion into Meeting House when said house is made secure. Voted to give Lt. Wood 2:8:0: for his ser- vice in instructing the singers.
(Among payments made in 1779 and 1780 appear a list of persons from whom the town treasurer bor- rowed money for the use of the Town. There were thirty five such persons, amounts loaned from 30 pounds to 1300 pounds, the two largest loans were from Nathan Carlton 1300 pounds and Timothy Rogers 600 pounds, the two smallest were from Thomas French and Asa Livistion 30 pounds each).
On pages 420 to 424 inclusive is written the Dec- laration of Independence, following is this order: Ordered that the Declaration of Independence be printed and a copy sent to the ministers of each parish of every denomination within this State and that they severally be required to read the same to their respective congregations as soon as devine service is ended in the afternoon or the first lords day after they shall have received it and after such publication there to deliver the said Declaration to the clerks of there several towns or districts who are hereby required to record the same in their re-
Page Thirty-seren
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1934
spective town or district books there to remain as a perpetual memorial thereof in the Name and by Order of the Council.
R. DERBY Jun President JOHN AVERY Dep Secy
A true Copy: Attest
Entered pr John Needham, Town Clerk.
(Records of Intentions of Marriage and dates of Marriage appear throughout this old Book of Records, especially in the later part of the book).
On page 448 appear certain marks of individuals for their sheep. The following is the description on one Benjamin Temples mark for his sheep, a Swal- lows tail in the off ear and a slit in the underside of the same ear and a crop of the end of the near ear- Entered June 9, 1770. The oldest mark recorded in this book is David Chapman's August 1764).
Record Book for years 1791-1841 purchased in 1792 price 18 shillings.
MAY 12, 1791. Voted that the Selectmen Vendue the poor that are supported by the town to the low- est bidder.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1791. Voted that the commit- tee paint the Meeting House between the months of April and July next. Voted that the committee in- quire of the paintor which coller is the most durable to paint the Meeting House and make report to March meeting.
MARCH 5, 1792. Voted that the committee that was chose to git the Meeting House painted proceed to do it in the best manner and to the best advantage to the Town, the coller to be stone coller.
MAY 7, 1792. Voted that Cambridge should re- main the Shirtown of this County. Voted to have a day of fasting and prayer in concurance with the vote of the church. Voted and concurred with the vote of the church respecting the Rev gentlemen to be sent for to attend the fast. Voted to have the day of fasting and prayer the Seventeeth Day of this instant May. Voted that the Selectmen should see that there be entertainment for the Rev gentlemen that shall come to attend the fast. (This is the first mention of the word Church in the Town Book).
JUNE 5, 1792. (Rev. Sampson Spaulding having served the Town for many years and with failing health it was)
Voted to concur with the Church in giving Mr. Titus Theadore Barton a call for their Minister. Voted to give Mr. Titus Theadore Barton one hundred and fifty pounds as his settlement. Voted that one half of Mr. Titus Theadore Bartons settlement be paid him in nine months after he is ordained and the other half in fifteen months as above said. Voted to give Mr. Titus Theadore Barton eighty pounds per year during the Rev. Mr. Spauldings natural life and after his decise ninety pounds per year and twenty cords of wood yearly as long as he shall supply the desk. Voted and reconsidered the last vote. Voted to give Mr. Titus Theadore Barton eighty pounds per year and twenty cords of wood yearly during the Rev. Mr. Spauldings natural life. Voted and re- considered the last vote. Voted to give Mr. Titus Theadore Barton ninety pounds yearly and twenty cords of good wood at his door for his sallary as long as he supplies the desk. Voted to chuse a committee to wate on Mr. Titus Theadore Barton with the pro- ceedings of the town. Voted and chose Dec. Kindell Esq. Brown Mr. Bordman. On July 26, 1792 (a town vote to strike out certain words in the previous vote on Mr. Barton's salary and inserted "so long as he shall remain our minister."
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