USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Records of the town of Newark, New Jersey, from its settlement in 1666, to its incorporation as a city in 1836 > Part 3
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1
John Bruen.
Mr. Obadiah Bruen's Motion in the Behalf of his Son Jno. Bruen, was taken into Consideration and Granted,
that he should have Six Acres of Upland, Somewhere in the Neck adjoining to his Fathers second division ; he Taking of his share of Fence, and paying in to The Treasury Sixteen Shillings, for all Charges past To This day.
Item, The Town for the Better Satisfaction of them- Viewers and Sizears of the selves in General, about the sizeing and Equalizing of Mens first division of Meadow already Laid out, with Meadow. the due care of Making Drains, and Highways into their Meadows; they have again renewed the Choice of Four of the Former Committee, viz: Lieut. Saml. Swain, Mr. Samuel Kitchel, Serj Edw'd Rigs, and Thomas Johnson, and Added Four more to Them, viz: Serj. Rich'd Harrison, Henry Lyon, John Catling, and Mr. Robt. Treatt as their Co'mitte : fully Impowered by them To finish and perfect the first division of Meadow, in the most Just and Equal way they Can in their Best Skill and ability attain unto, as may Tend to the most hopefull Satisfaction of all it may be, and to Relieve and Supply any that want Meadow for their Inheritance ; and To do their Indeavour to Supply any with Grass for the present, that Have their proportion of Good Meadow, and for the want of drains, or highways, Cannot for the present Come at it ; and also, to Take a Thorough and Effectual View of the several places in the sd Meadow, where and how many drains, with the Length of them Needful; and also To View and Survey all the Boggy Fresh Meadow that are in Com- mon, Undivided, adjoining to our Meadows.
Item, they have full power to set out the Highways Laid out a Cross any Mans Meadows, and any Four of the Com'itte have full Power to Act herein, to the Alienating and disposing of any Meadow Lott Lying Vacant ; Except the Elders Lott. Seamans and Boatmans Lott, Mr. Websters, Goodman Cole, and The Taylors Lott.
Item-The Town Agreed and Order'd, that every Land Marka. Man shall se that Their be sufficient Stakes and Land Marks, both to Their upland and Meadow Lotts for the present ; and that every man that hath a division or divisions of Either Meadow or upland, shall be Injoined by Virtue thereof, within One Year after the date hereof, on perfecting their Lotts to set up and Maintain, under the Penalty of Five Shillings for every default, Two, or More if their needs, Sufficient stone Land
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RECORDS OF NEWARK.
[1668-9.
Marks, to every Parcell of upland and meadow that he or they stand possessed of; with the Two Letters of Men's Names Le- galy Engraven thereon, about a foot Above the Ground-To be set at each End of Their Lotts.
Item-The Town hath Chosen and deputed Nath'l Burning the Woods. Wheeler and John Curtis, to Take the Care of Burning the Meadows and upland for this Year, and to take pay for it out of the Town Treasury.
D. Wards
Exchange.
Item-Liberty was Granted to Deacon Ward, to Lay downe his own division of Land in the Neck, and to take up that was Formerly Given to John Wilford. Item-Deliver'd Crane hath Granted to him, an Acre of Land Lying on the Hill, adjoining his Home Lott.
De Cram.
Jonathan Sergant and Dan' Dod, have Each of them Jonathan Sergant and D. Dodd's Lott. Granted an Acre and Half of Land to Build upon, near Hauns Albers Lott, where Serj. John Ward and Stephen Davis shall appoint ; who are impowered by the Town to set out the same.
Item-Hauns Albers hath Granted him, a Little knoll Hauns. of Land against the middle of his Lott to Build upon, about a rod wide to a Black Oak and so to run of to Nothing, the Corner of his Lott.
Item-The Town saw Cause, for the Incouragement Motion about & Mill, of any amongst them that would Build and Maintain a Good Mill, for the supply of the Town with Good Grinding, To offer and Tender freely the Timber Pre- pared for that use, Twenty Pounds Current Pay, and the Accom- modations Formerly Granted Belonging to the Mill, viz: 18 Acres of upland and 6 of meadow, with the only Liberty and privilege of Building a Mill on y Brook ; which Motion was Left to the Consideration of the Town Betwixt this and the 12th of this Mº Current at Even, and the Meeting is adjourned to that Time : And in Case any desire sooner or in the mean Time, to have any further Treaty or Discourse, about his or their Under- taking of the Mill, they may repair to Mr. Treat, Deacon Ward, and Lieutenant Swain, to prepare any Agreement between the Town and them.
TOWN MEETING, 12th March, 1668-69. None appearing to accept of the Town's Motion and En- couragement to build and maintain the Mill, they agreed to set upon it in a general way, and moving to Lieut. Swain about the matter, he made some propositions to the Town, Order about and at Length the Town agreed with him for 20s. by the Mill. the week or 6 working days, and three Pounds over for his skill, unless he shall see cause to abate it, which if he shall see Cause to do the Town will take it thankfully ; for the which
17
RECORDS OF NEWARK.
1669.]
he engaged to improve his Time and skill, for the best Advantage and carrying on to an End the whole Work, with all that shall be implied by him, so far as belongeth to his Art and Trade of a Millwright ; as also to give his best advice about the Dam, or levelling the Ground, as the Town shall need him, and this to be done as soon as conveniently he can : and the Town promisethi to help him with Work in part of his pay as he needs it, so many Days Work as he works at the Mill; common Labourers at two shillings by the Day, and Carpenters at 2s. 6d. the Day. And for the carrying on of the rest of the Work about the Mill, for making the Dam, with other Necessaries, the Town hath made Choice of a Committee, to be with Lieut. Swain improved for the carrying on of the Work, viz: Mr. Robert, Treat, Heury Lyon, John Brown, Stephen Davis, who are to appoint and over. see the Work, and that as near as they can in an equal and pro- portionate Way, and to keep a clear and distinct account of every mans work and Layings out about the Work. And the Town hath chose Thomas Pierson and George Day, to call men forth to Labour as the Committee shall agree upon ; and the Town hath agreed with Zachariah Burwell and John Baldwin, to saw about half the Timber that's to be cut, and for the Boards they are to have 6s p the Hundred foot, and for the Two inche Plank they are to have 6d more in the Hundred. Item, the Town agreed to send some men forth upon the Discovery, to see if they can find any sutable Stones for Milstones.
TOWN MEETING, the 30th March, 1668-69.
At which meeting it was agreed, that the matter of Bollens Letter. Capt. Bollens Demands in his Letter, should be whoily refferred and left with Mr. Camfield, Lient. Swain, Henry Lyon, and Thomas Johnson, to act and do in it as they shall see cause.
Item, the Town Agreed with Thomas Luddington Meeting House raising and standing. and Thomas Johnson, to raise the Meeting House for five Pounds; the Town having shewed their willingness to be helpfull upon moderate Terms, and to lend them Things as they needed that was within their Compass, to carry it on : and for the Place where it should stand, it was agreed to be set up in the Place where it now lies, and to stand near fronting on a square with the Street; which for the verry Place and more direct manner of standing, it was left to the advice of Mr. Pier. son, Deacon Ward, and Mr. Treat.
John Rock well's admittance
Item, the Motion of John Rockwell was fully con- sented unto, that upon Consideration that he doth this very Spring Season, come and Settle here in our Town and maintain this or such like sufficient Boat for the use of the Town, or particular Persons in the Town on 3
18
RECORDS OF NEWARK.
[1669.
Considerations for his Boat and Time in going with her as he or they agree, so long as the Lord shall enable him thereto. The Town hath declared their renewed Acceptance and Admittance of him into our Town, with the Gift of his former accommodations to him, upon the Conditions afore said ; as also that they will forbear him for some Time, the present Rate of his Purchase money.
TOWN MEETING, the 17th April, 1669, when they agreed to provide Nails, for the closing the Meeting House, in a voluntary Way, to see what every man would do in a voluntarily ; and they chose Brother Tompkins and Good'n Johnson to and know, what the Rest of the Town would ingage upon such Accounts, for such an End ; and they are all to be paid out of the Town Treasury-all which Nails are to be paid into Broth. John Brownes, as soon as they can.
Item, the Town agreed, that the common fence that Viewing of Fences. lies down should be mended up speedily, and that the Third Day the next week, the Viewers of the Common Fences should go forth, and view the Fence ; and then every man that is found defective is liable to pay his Penalty, and they are to give every man Notice of his or their defective Fences, and re- turn their Names to the Next Town Meeting.
Item-they agreed that all Cattle whatsoever that lve Clearing of the Necks from Cattle. in the Neck, should be fetched out between this and the fourth Day of the next week, by the owners of them : and that all Cattle of what Sort or Kind soever, that shall after that Day be found in any Part of the Neck or Necks, with- in the common Fence, without a sufficient Keeper, they shall be liable to pay Poundage and Damage ; with such Penalty for their leaving the Cattle in the said Neck, according to Order, if any shall prosecute against them for the same.
.
Item-the Town agreed with John Catling, to hang out and sufficiently fasten some Poles or Young Trees in the River, at the end of or adjoining to our common Fence, and to turn them out and up the River about a Rod or two, and some what back again, after the manner of a Pound, to prevent Hogs swiming round the Fence into the Neck ; and upon his so doing that they stand for this summer, he is to be allowed Ten Shillings out of the Treasury for his Pains.
via !! TOWN MEETING the twenty fourth of May 1669-The Matter begun the last Meeting, about a voluntary Collection of Nails for the closing the Meeting House was again propounded, and issued ( !!!!!. 7.3) as on the Day Book the Particulars thereof may appear-and it was agreed that they should be paid for them, out of the Town if only Treasury.
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-
Keting
2
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1669.]
RECORDS OF NEWARK.
Doud's Letter.
Item, it was agreed that Mr. Samuel Kitchell should send, and answer to the Widow Doud of Guilford, about her demands of fifty Shillings from the Town.
Townsmen. Item, the Town agreed unto and chose five Towns. men, for the Remainder of this Year, or untill the first - of January next ensuing. And the Men chose were Mr. Cam- field, Sarj. John Ward, Sarj. Richard Harrison, Sarj. Edward Riggs, and Robert Denison, who are impowered and betrusted with the Care of finishing of the Meeting House, all the Matters about the common fence or fences in the General Line, ordering or setting out of High ways in the fields or elsewhere expedient, and about the Hearding of Cows, or driving out of the dry Cat- tle in the Town-and what they shall agree upon herein, the Town will Act accordingly.
· High Way a Cross the Neck.
Item, The Town agreed, that Their shou'd be a High- way of two rods wide at Least, Quite a Cross the Great Neck from Meadow to Meadow, in the most Convenient place the Town Men shall Agree upon ; and what land they make use of for that End which Belongeth to particular men, they are to be allowed for it Again so Much Land else where, as the Town or Town Men and they shall agree upon.
Item-Robert Denison is Chosen pound keeper, and he is to have a penny by the Head for Turning the key, or Reception of any Cattle Trespasing, into The said Pound.
Item-The Town Ordered and Agreed, that for all 5s. pound- age for unruly Cattle. unruly Cattle, or Horses, Oxen, and Cows that are turn- ed in or voluntarily Left in the Neck, or Com'on Field, they shall pay Five Shillings by the head Poundage ; halfe to the pounder and half to the Town, besides all damages that they shall do to any Man in his Corn, Grass or Hay, or Otherwise : and for all Cattle that are not unruly, Horses, Oxen, or Cows, Four Pence by the Head Poundage, Besides any damage.
. Item, its Ordered, that for all Hogs that shall be pounded out of the Com'on Fields, shall pay six pence
Hogs and Calves Poundage. the Head Poundage, Besides Damages; and Calves four Pence, and Sheep at a penny the Head.
Azariah Bush Lott. Item-the Town agreed that Azariah Bush [Beech] should be admitted a Planter, as others have been, and to be accommodated according to his Estate, upon Condition of his maintaining a good sufficient Boat or bigger Vessel, for the Use and Commodity of the Town as they may need, and can agree with him for the Use thereof. And he is granted to have three Acres, or four, for a Home Lott, if the Place will afford it, by the Side of the Miller's Lott.
Rogers' Change.
John Rogers had Liberty granted him, to lay bis own Lott in the Meadow, and to take up that which was granted to his Son Eleazer Rogers.
20
RECORDS OF NEWARK.
[1669.
Item-William Camp hath Liberty given him, to Camp's Lay down his Upland Lott in the Great Neck, and to Change. take it up in the Point of Goodman Roberts Neck, near Sarj. Riggs his Wolfe Pit, if it be there to be had.
TOWN MEETING, 10th June, 1669-It is ordered and Town Meeting agreed upon, that the High Way through the Great 10th June. Swamp shall be mended, and that those that have given in their Names to work at it shall work a Day for a £100. Item, it is further agreed on, that every one shall speedily, either in the said Swamp, or in Ditching the Meadow into the Creek at Maple Island, and on the further side of the Great Swamp where the Surveyor and those
High Way Work begin shall agree upon, shall Work a Day for £200; and that for every two Rod of Ditching that any Man
or order for Ditching.
doth according to Order, viz: 2 foot broad and so much in Depth, and near a foot Wide in the Bottom, he shall be allowed a Days Work, and so in Proportion for half Days or other Quantities, as Men's Estates given in amounts unto : and they are to begin this Work at two Places, and carry it so on successively as they shall be warned, or called forth by the Sur- veyor, or he that is to give Notice ; and over Night for the next Day, is looked upon sufficient time of Notice. And in Case any Man or Men shall refuse to go when warned, without satisfying Reasons to the Surveyor, he or they shall have full Power to hire others in their room, though it be for double or treeble Wages, if they cannot obtain it other wise ; which shall be paid by he, or they, that are the Refusants to work when called. And Sarj. Ed. Rigs is to begin the work at Maple Island Creek, and Sarj. Rich. Harrison at the other Place. The one part of the Town where the said Sarj. Rigs dwells, is to take it by Succession, or to the Captains, and from him to Good. Frec- mans and so to Good. Tompkins, and so round to the other Side of the Street, where Good. Brown and every Man is to warn his next Neighbor, passing by them that have done their Share at the Swamp; and so in like manner for those or that part of the Town where Sarj. Harrison dwells, from his House round, according to order.
And the High Way across the town, from the Capt. to Mr. Crane's is that way where it's agreed for parting.
And it's further agreed, that every one shall inform himself from the Rate, or any other perfect list of their Estates, what their share of work or Ditching comes to: and every one that ditches is to set up a stake, marked with the two first letters of his Name legally set on, at the End of his Work or Ditch, so that the Surveyor may view whether every Man hath done his Share, ac. cording to Order or no ; who are to keep a true account of the
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RECORDS OF NEWARK.
1669.]
Work that every one hath done, that every Thing may be reduced to a Rate and Rule of Proportion, in Time convenient when it shall be thought meet.
Item-The Men appointed for the Sizing or Resurveying of the Meadow of such as complains of the badness of their
Sizers of Meadows. Meadow, or for Grass for their present supply, gave public Notice ; that those that desired Consideration from them in the Premises that would make their case known to them, and attend as they need upon the next Second Day come Seven night, which is the Time appointed by them to set upon that Work : or else, if they attend not, or be not supplied, it will be their own Default.
TOWN MEETING 23rd June 1669 .- It was agreed, that in Case any Man shall desire to take his Amends for the first Division of Meadow, out of the boggy Meadow against the front of his own Meadow ; the Men deputed for the perfecting the Siz- ure of the Meadow, (to wit) : the Division ; they have
Men that desire boggy Meadow full Power to lay out to them what they Judge meet of for Amends it-they sitting down and resting satisfied in what they do.
Item, the Town by their Vote declared their willingness to re- ceive Eleazer Rogers, and John Bostick ; and to possess their accommodation with them in the Town; in case they do come to the actual Possession of them and so remain according to Order ; at any time between this and the first of October next-but not afterwards.
Item-it was consented and agreed, that if Need did require and no other way did appear more Likely, that Then dispose of Vacant Lotts the Sizers of Meadow shou'd have full Power, to dis. pose of all, or any of the Vacant Lotts of Meadow to those that are in want, Either of their division of Meadow, or Amens to that they have; except That which was Mr. Leet's, Mr. Webster's and that set apart for an Elder.
Item-allowance was made that John Brown Jun'r., should without deduction be accommodated, after the Propor-
Jno Brown tion of an Hundred and Fifty Pound Estate. Item, Azariah Beech hath Given His Estate, to Have accom- odations for a Hundred Pound Estate.
TOWN MEETING, 28th July 1669-the Town made Choice of Mr. Crane and Mr. Treat, to take the first opportunity to Goe over to York, to advise with Col Lovelace Concerning our Stand- ing, Whether we are designed to be Part of the Duke's Colony, or Not; and about the Neck, and Liberty of purchasing Lands up the River, that the Town Wou'd Petition for.
Item-the Town by their unanimous Vote, declared their Free.
MT
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RECORDS OF NEWARK.
[1669.
ness to desire and call upon Mr. Abraham Pierson Ju.
Mr. Abraham nior to be helpful to his Father, in the exercising his Pierson desired to help his Gifts in the Ministry for the space of a Year; and for Father
his Encouragement they are willing to allow him Thirty Pounds, for this Year.
Item-the Town declared their Confirmation of what the sizers of the Meadow had done, in laying out of the Bogs; and saw not cause to alter it.
TOWN MEETING the Third of December 1669-The Town assem. bled, agreed that the Letter prepared should be eoppyed out, and sent to Col. Nicholls in the Town's Behalf-and signed by Mr. Treat in the Name of the Town.
Mr. Jasper Crane hath confirmed and granted to him, all the Land in his Home Lott that is within Fence, to him Mr Crane's and his Heirs forever, viz : his own S acres and two Grant and acres that he took in of Mr. Leet's Lott, and the addi- Exchange tion to the Front, of the same Measure that it was laid out by at the First.
Item-Mr. Crane hath granted him, full Liberty to lay down to the Town his Upland Lott in the Neck, and to take it D. Crane's Lott up partly where late Deacon Ward hath laid down, and to be made up of that was formerly laid out for John Gregory, if he had come to our Town. Item, Delivered Crane was willing to take up his Upland Lott of Gregory's, next his Father.
Item-Liberty is granted to Stephen Freeman, to remove his Lott nearer homeward out of Gregory's, so much of it
Freeman's Grant as is left; provided he lays down of his own to the Town lands, so much as he takes up.
Item-Henry Lyon had confirmed again, all the Land that was formerly laid to Greg. .. . Lott, and that he hath now within Fence. Item-The whole Meeting jointly agreed, that there should be a Record made in our Town by Mr. Robert Treat, of Record of Lands all the Lands laid out in our Town, of what sort soever ; beginning first with the Home Lotts, as soon as may be. And the Treasurer is forthwith ordered to do his best En- deavor, to procure a Book for the Records of the Lands.
.
Item-it is agreed upon, that Mr. Pierson's Rate for the Year past, shall be levied and raised as in Manner follow- Way of rating for the ing-for every Male Person, not freed or disabled to a single Rate Is. 4d. by the Head, that is 16 years and Minister upwards ; for every Acre of Land lying in the Home Lotts under Fence, 3d. by the Acre ; and for all other upland and Meadow, lotted out and enclosed, 1d. by the Acre; And for all Horses and Mares of three Years old and upward, 3d. by the Head ; and so for all two Year old Horses and Mares 2d. by the Head ; and for all Yearling Horses 1d .; And for all Oxen of five Years old and upward at 6d. the Head; and for all four Year old
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RECORDS OF NEWARK.
1669-70.]
Steers at 5d. the Head ; and for all Three Year old Steers and Heffiers at 3d. the Head ; and Two Year olds at 2d. the Head ; and Yearlings at Id .; and for all Cows of four Year old and np- ward at 33d. by the Head ; and for all Swine of a Year old and upward at 1d ; and for all vacant or deserted Lotts or Lands . . appropriated to the owners dwell in another Town, they shall pay to Mr. Pierson's Rate one Third as much as they did for the purchase, by their Lands one third ..
No Farm to be set up near our Bounds.
Item-The Court ordered and desired Mr. Robert Treat, to write to Mr. Ogden and Mr. Bond about our Bounds, and signify to them that it is the Town's Mind fully, to have no Farm settled near our Line or Bounds, if their Town will do the like-whereto our Town consented unto long Since.
TOWN MEETING, the first of January, 1669 .- Mr. Magistrates chosen. Jasper Crane, Mr. Robert Treat, and Mr. Matthew Camfield, are chosen Magistrates for our Town, for the ensuing Year. Item-the said Mr. Crane and Mr. Treat are chosen Deputies for the General Assembly, if there shall be any ; and Lieut. Sam'l Swain is chosen Deputy, to assist the Magis- trates in our Town Courts.
Officers
chosenl.
Item, Mr. Robert Treat is chosen Recorder in our Town, for the Year ensuing, and the Salary is the same as it was last Year.
Item-Thomas Johnson is again chosen Constable in our Town, for the Year ensuing. Item, Henry Lyon is also chosen Treasurer for the Year ensuing. Item-Sarjeant John Ward, Sarj. Richard Harrison, Lieut. Swain, and Stephen Davis, are chosen Surveyors of the High Ways for a Year.
William Camp and Nathaniel Wheeler are chosen, for to view the fences in our Town, for the Year ensuing.
Item-Josiah Ward and George Day are chosen, to warn the Town Meetings appointed by any of our Magistrates in our Town, for the Year ensuing.
Thomas Johnson or one of his Sons for him, is chosen to be Pounder of any Cattle trespassing, according to Order, any where within our common Fence, for the Year ensuing.
John Bruen hath given and granted to him upon his
Bruen's Grant. Father's Motion, the five acres of Upland next Mr. Bruen's Lott that was formerly laid out as Part of Mr. Leet's Lott, and the other are promised to him ; he is to take it + up with his Father Bruen's next Division of upland.
Thomas Johnson hath given and granted to him by the Court, for one of his Sons, the Lott and whole ac-
Themas John- son's Grant of Bostick's Luft. commodations of Upland as well as Meadows, that was formerly granted to John Bostick; he paying all just charges for it.
+
24
RECORDS OF NEWARK.
[1669-70.
William Camp hath Liberty granted him, to lay down his own Lott of Meadow, and to take up that Lott of Meadow with all the Amends laid to it, for his own Meadow and Propriety, that was formerly given to, and again laid down by John Rogers into the Town's Hand.
Item-Sarj. John Ward hath upon his Motion, given Sarj. John Ward's Grant and fully granted to him by the Court, that Parcel of upland that was formerly granted to the Boatman, which lies adjoining to his own Division of Land in the Great Neck.
+
Item-they agreed that the Division of Meadow, Divjaion of entered in Part Page the 6th, be by Lott, and Micah Meadow. Tompkins was to draw the Lott for those absent; and Mr. Bruen, and so onward was to draw first. And the Lotts as they fell were as followeth :
The Number Mr. Obadiah Bruen 42
John Curtis 24
and Places of
the Lotts. John Rogers . .. 64
John Baldwin, Sen'r .. 54
Mr. Robert and.
Thomas Staples. 56
Mr. Samuel Kitchel together. 66
John Baldwin 14
Mr. Peck .. 59
Stephen Freeman. 43
Ephraim Penington
Samuel Rose 49
Benjamin Baldwin 15
Thomas Huntington. 23
Martin Tichenor. 19
Mill Lot. 35
William Camp. 46
45
Boatman 1
Thomas Pierson.
32
John Crane .. 60
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