-5"
UCSB LIBRARY
ty
THE
EARLY RECORDS OF GROTON,
MA SSACH USE T TS.
1662-1707.
EDITED BY
SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D.
G R O T O N :
1880.
The paper on which this edition of the " Early Records of
Groton" known as ''The Indian Rot!" is printed was made in
that town at the " Hollingsworth Paper-Mills" situated in a part
of the Nashua Valley which is full of Indian associations and
traditions.
UNIVERSITY PRESS:
Wn.^ox & SUN, CAMBRIDGE.
OF
RICHARD SAWTELL, JONATHAN MORSE,
JAMES FISKE, JOSIAII PARKER,
WILLIAM LONGLEY, JONAS PRESCOTT,
JOHN PAGE, WILLIAM LONGLEY, JR.,
RICHARD BLOOD, JAMES BLANC HARD,
JOHN MORSE, THOMAS TARBELL, AND
JAMES PARKER, JOSEPH LAKIN,
Cljc Jirst (fourteen ofoti Clerks of 6roton,
OF WHOM THREE DIED WHILE IN OFFICE,
THIS COPY OF THEIR RECORDS IS INSCRIBED
BY THE EDITOR.
INTRODUCTION.
r I ^HE town meeting is an outgrowth of New-England life.
-* It had its origin with the first settlers, and has been
kept up by their successors. Each town was incorporated,
and the freemen came together in public meeting to discuss
and settle questions of general interest. They also chose
town officers, to whom was delegated the power to manage
their civil affairs. The proceedings at these meetings furnish
the basis of our political history, and they give us the best
insight of the forces that developed local self-government.
The following records of the town of Groton are the earliest
extant, and were probably the first made of any meeting held
within its limits. They are copied from the only book of
records kept during the Indian wars, and are now printed in
accordance with a vote of the town. From the fact that the
book was for awhile preserved rolled up, it acquired the name
of "The Indian Roll." It appears to have been lost at one
time, but was subsequently found ; and, when first seen by
Mr. Butler, according to his History, page 33, the wrapper
containing it bore this inscription :
" The Indian Roll,
Found at Dea. Lawrence's, Feb. 21, 1807."
Major Samuel Lawrence was the town clerk from the year
1/96 to 1798, and this book had probably been overlooked
when the other records were turned over to his successor.
The cover has long since been lost ; the leaves are loose and
much worn, and a few of them are missing. The records
extend from the year 1662 to 1707, and contain many inter-
INTRODUCTION.
esting facts in regard to the town. They include the names
of families that have been in the neighborhood through many
generations, even to the present day.
The pages of the record-book are not numbered, though
there are traces of numbering in the part containing the
Land-grants. The entries of the proceedings are made fre-
quently out of place, and sometimes the record of one meeting
is found scattered about, written on the blank spaces of several
leaves. These detached fragments may be' recognized from
the date as belonging to the same meeting, and in this printed
copy such fragments have been brought together. The paging
of the early part of the record-book is indicated by the large
figures enclosed within brackets. This, however, has not been
deemed practicable later than June, 1681, on account of the
want of chronological arrangement.
The Land-grants are given at the end of this volume, and
for the most part are arranged chronologically ; but in some
instances they are not dated. In these cases, the name of
the town clerk who recorded them is given, with his term of
service ; and the date can be approximated near enough for
practical purposes. In printing .them, the capitalization and
punctuation have been made to conform to modern usage, as
it is thought that in this way the different localities might be
more easily identified ; but the spelling remains unchanged.
The first town clerk was Richard Sawtell, an original pro-
prietor of Groton and the possessor of a twenty-acre right.
He came from Watertown, where he was living as early as the
year 1636. He wrote a good hand for his day, and held
the office during three years. His house-lot was situated on
the west side of James's Brook, just below the monument
marking the birth-place of Colonel Prescott. He died Au-
gust 21, 1694, at Watertown, where he went, doubtless in the
spring of 1676, when Groton was burned by the Indians.
In his will, dated May 16, 1692, he mentions his wife, Eliza-
beth, who died October 18, 1694, and a large number of
children and grandchildren.
EARLY RECORDS
OF
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
ATT a generall towne meet[ing,] June. 23. 1662.
It \vas agreed vppon that the house for the Minister should
be set vppon the place where it is now framinge.
Also that the meetinge house shall be sett vpon the right hand
of the path by a small whit Oak, marked at the souwest side with
two notches & a blaze
At a genenerall Towne meeting December, the twenty fourth it is
agreed that Richard Sawtell being Chosen to be the Towne Clark
shall have six penc for Recording & giving a Transcript of every
twenty Acars of land to the severall propriators
Decem : 24. At a generall Towne meeting its agreed that all the
lands that are or here after shall be granted shall be recorded with
these expressions following, viz : To such a one or such a one &c :
Ten or : Twenty Acars so & so bounded be it estemed more or
lesse
Decem. 24 Its agreed by the Towne at a generall meeting That
the wood & Timber that is in the hie-way against any mans house
shall be his provided that he shall not [upon] the penalty of paying
halfe a Crown a tree falle any trees vpon the Com[mon] except it
apeareth they have not amon[gst] these trees such tree or trees as
will suit their necessitie provided also that when they falle they
shall not let lie to the prejuduice of the Towne or any or any one
8 EARLY RECORDS OF
of the inhabitants by hindering the pass[age] of Carts or Horses
&c vpon the penalty of halfe a Crowne if vpon six dayes warning
they shall neglect (within the said tim of warning.) to cleare the
way for full & free passage
Liberty is granted to Timothy Allen to set his House vpon a
knole with out side of his fenc & land is granted him there unto
not exceeding an Acar
Decem. 24 It is agreed that Deacon James Parker James Knop
& John Page shall lay out acording to their discretion the Towne
hie way & the land which any inhabitant wan[ts] of his grant
[Dece]m 24 Deacon James Parker John Lawr[ence, Wm.]
Martin Ric : Blood & James ffi[ske are] chosen Selectmen for this
[year ] are to draw vp som direction [s for the] Towne a ... [1]
W" Lakin Ralph Reed. Joh. Page & Joh Nuttin are chosen Sur-
veyors of the hie wayes. this year, decem. 24. (6[2.]
At a generall Towne meeting. March 18. 1663. It was generally]
agreed, as folloeth
first. That M- Millar is by the Consent of the Towne ma[ni]-
fested by vote to be desired if God inoue his hart there unto to
continve still with vs for our further edification.] Richard Blood
desents from this in regard of the time of o r desiring him. \v c he
would have to be after the gen : Court.
2'; That M" Miller shall haue a Twenty Acar lot layd out to him
acording to the Townes grant to him
Thomas. Tarbole. Senio' vpon his request was granted by the
Towne to haue a knole of vpland containing about an Acar towards
the vper end of Broad Meclow w c is thought advantagious to him
for the fencing of his me clow
[Ju]ne 21 [i6]63 Its agreed by the Towne manifested by vote
that M r \Villard if he accept of it shall be their minester as long as
he Hues w c M r YVillard accepts Except a manifest providenc of God
apears to take him off
These persons folloing doe desent from this former vot. Rich-
ard. Sawtell. Samuell Woods. James Parker : John Xutting James
ffiske
Its agreed by the major part of the Towne that M r YVillard shall
haue their interest in the house . lands that was devoted by the
Towne for the minestry suckcessively. provided they may meete in
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
the house on the lords day &. vpon other ocasions of the Towne on
metings. And these persons {following desent from their act
James Parker Ric. Sawtell Willia Longley John nutting Tho.
Tarbole. Jun.
Richard Blood and John Clary att present
James ffiske. John longly. Joh laran[ce,] Joseph laranc [2]
[Date torn off.~]
... to excercise am ... all Edification in the ways . . . glory
& o r owne everlasting goo . . . vs And further desiring y e Lord
to ... what hath been herein any way offensive] vnto him and to
help euery one of vs to forg[et] & forgiue what hath been any way
offensiue [to] each other as we desire the Lord to forgiue vs
[Sep.] 10 i : It is agreed by y e Consent of the Towne & mani-
fested by vote that M r Willard shall haue for this year forty pounds
and if God be pleased so to despose of his & our hearts to continue
together after the expiration of the yeare (w[e] hope) by o r aproving
of him & he of vs we shall we shall be willing to ad vnto his main-
tenanc as [God] shall blesse vs. expecting allso that he shall render
vnto our pouerty if God shall please to deny vs a blessing vpon our
labours
2. It is agreed & voted his yeare shall begin the first day of July
last past
Sep. 2i 63 It is agreed by y e Towne w dl John Xuttin <\: voted
that he the said John shall keepe cleane the meeting house this
ye[ar] or cause it to be kept cleene & for his labour he is to h[ave]
fourteen shillings
Xovem i. ('63") with the consent of Anthony Pierce its granted
by the Tow[n] that his son Daniell Pierce shall haue the one halfe
of his said ffathers deuission of land viz. ten Acars of his H[ouse]
lot on that side lying next Ralph Reeds &: ten of ... seurall
percells whereof lieth in Broade medow. Halfe-moone medow.
& the Smith mcdow and the rem[ainder] of his said fathers
Hous lot to be reserued and added to the said Daniell in his next
deuision if so much falle to hi[m] & if it prone lesse then his share
he is to haue it made vp [some] where else at the Towns descresion
And hereby it is [dejclared that the said Anthony is no propri-
ator in Groton yet if God in prouidenc shall make \vay for him &
10 EARLY RECORDS OF
mov h[is] heart to com & reside with vs the towne doth promise
... to acomadate him as conveniently as they can
[Novem.] 30 (63) John Mosse of Ipswitch is accepted by
the Towne to pay the alotment of John Lawranc Junif
Its agreed that when all men hav their full allowan of medow
The residue shall be devided to the p r sent inhabitants by lot acord-
ing to every mans proportion
By the Towne its joyntly agreed & manifested by vote That every
man of this Town shall bring a note of all his lands or their lands
Bounded & abutted vnto y e Town-Clark being subscribed by two
that helpt to lay them out and then the said clark shall record them
in the Town Book and giue to each a Transcript of his lands ac-
ording to the Towns record which shall be vieued by the Select
m[en] both originall & coppy and if y e originall Town Record &
y Transcript be found to agree then each mans Transcript shall be
subscribed by the Town Clark
For as much as y' it apeareth that Richard Sawtell his [la]nd was
not equivalent for goodness to other mens . . . who had the same
quantitie. The Towne . . . have consented & by vote manifested
that ... he shall haue that scragy shrubbs . . . vnto Indian hill
. . . som times a ... Indian hill . . . [3]
\_Date torn off.}
[i] . . . Towne from . . . penc provided he th . . . person that
shall here after . . . make any just demand with respect to . . . ve
mentioned p'mises what ever shall be by him . . . them so de-
manded
[2] Due to Ric Blud & Joh. Lakin for laying out the hie-way to
Lankester twenty shillings when they have perfeted the work w c they
Engage to doe soone
3 Due to James ffisk &. Joh. Nuttin twenty shillings for laying
out the hie-way to Chelmsford when they haue perfeted the work w c
they promise to doe as soone as they can
4 Due to Ric. Sawtell five shillings for service done for the
Towne at Cambridg twice
5 Due to Jams Parker. Jam Knop &:. Joh. Page, six shillings for
laying out the Townes hie-wayes & & satisfing men for their land
when it fell so that the hie-way went over any man's propriety
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. II
[Dec]em ... 63 i William Martin Sergeant James Parker
Ric. Bind W m lakin & John Nuttin are for this yeare Chosen
Select men
2 Sam. Davis Sam. Woods Ellis Barns & John lakin are chosen
surveyors of the hie-ways for this yeare
3 To view fences this year are chosen Jams Knop W? Greene
And Joseph Gilson
4 Ric. Sawtell is chosen Towne Clark for this year
November. 23. 1664. John Page is Chosen to be Constable this
yeare : at a generall meeting
2 James Parker William Lakin James ffisk William Martin &
Richard Blood are chosen Select men this yeare
3 Sergeant James Parker Joseph Parker Richard. Blud. Tho.
Tarbole. & Sam. Woods are chosen & impowred by the Towne to
lay out all the hie wayes In the Towne & if there be an absolute
necessiti apearing for them to Run the hie way thro any mans pro-
priety they haue full pow r to satisfie them out of the Towns land to
their best convenienc
4 ffor the surveyors of the hiewayes this yeare are Chosen Joh.
Lawranc Joseph Parker & Jam Knop & Joseph Gilson
5 To view ffences this year are chosen Walter Skiner & Na-
thaniell Lawranc & Jonathan Sawtell
6 The Towne has granted vnto John. Shadock an alotment con-
teining a single mans proportion vpon condityon th[at] he shall
pay the Towne Charges both Ciuill & Eclia[sti]call that heretofore
hath risen or here after [shall] arise as the due proportion of such
an alotme[nt] And. secondly the vse of two [acres] of inedow
lyng vpon Cow-pond Brooke i . . . for seauen yeares. provided he
abide . . . constantly & consionably ... of the wants of each . . .
they making . . . [4]
\_Three lines much torn, and illegible.']
. . . other wise it is ... disposed of at their plesur
November 27 1664 Joseua Whetney and Christofer halle were
this day chosen to Joyn with Johnathan Sattell formerle chosen to
vieue fences
In the Rome of Walter Skener and Nathanell larance whom ar
herby Released
2\y it was this clave voated and granted y' Mathias ffarnworth
12 EARLY RECORDS OF
shall haue fortey polle of land to be layd out agaynst his house next
to James his Broke for a building place puided [it] do not pred-
gedese the hye way
Richerd Elude William laken Mathias ffarnworth and James
Kno[p] William longley being chosen emparsall by the towne and
John Lawrence sener to arbtrate a desp[ute] betwen the above sayd
John lawrence and the town they haue and do her[eby] declare y l
they do thus detarmen y t is to Saye his pro.son of land being furst
mad good acord to his gra[n]te we find y e remainder to be the
towns land acord[in]g as it now bounded
27 of January James fisk is now by the townes apaintment Re-
corded the townes Clarke for this yeare
James Fisk, the second town clerk, was an original proprietor
of Groton, and the owner of a twenty-acre right He was
also one of the first board of selectmen chosen by the inhab-
itants. He wrote a fair hand, and held the office during the
year 1665. His house-lot was situated on the present "Great
Road," perhaps a quarter of a mile south of the First Parish
Meeting-house. He died July 4, 1689 ; and in his will, which
was dated June 14 of the same year, he mentions four sons
and one daughter.
[Not dated.'}
It was this day granted and by voate decla[red] y' John Leaken
shall haue a pece of lande as which is sixe acors mor or lesse
bound[ed] partly on the south and by tene acors of ... land and
aingeler east by his hethermost . . . and on the north by other
tene acors of ... lande on the west by the townes comon As
also ... on the east by the hye way [5]
Here the record is considerably torn, and is probably of a
town meeting held subsequently to the time of the last entry.
It was . . . of M r Willerde our . . . declared by voate y' our time
of ... yerly so longe as god shall please to ... gether shall be-
gine and ende vpon the 29 [d]ay of September
It is furthermor agreed and decleared by voate y* Mr Willerde
shall be alowed in consideration of his labours amonste vs this next
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 13
yere Inseui[ng] the full pposion of fifteye pounds to be payd by
euery Inhabetant acordinge to his pposion and as nere as may be
in y 1 which his nessety requir[es] and furthermor in consideriation
of the tim being betwene the furste of July laste past and y e last of
September next we do herby agree and promise vnto him y* we will
paye him twentey pounds for the first thirde parte of tim at or befor
the last of September next and twentey pounds mor at or befor the
furste of May next and twentey too pounds and 10 shilings more at
or before the last of September next after which will be in y e yere
1666.
At a town metting vpon The 21 of the 7 mo th 1665 It was this
day agred and voated y* they will haue a metting house bult forth-
w[ith.]
It was this day agreed and by voate declard y* Sargent James
Parker and Richerd Blood shall make the couenenant with the
carpenders for the caring one the worke puided y' noe other pay
shall be Requrd of any man puided he will pay his proposon in his
labour giung the carpenders a wekes warng
It was this day granted and by voate declared y' John lawranc
senf shall quiatly posese and Inioye a parselle of land now in con-
trouersey and allredey within his ffenc and a Joyning to his house
lotte contining too acors mor or lesse bounded west and south by
the hye way and north and east by his own land & granted to him
as a grantiuety
It is also granted that eury Inhabetant shall haue the like priuledg
proposonally
It was thise day granted and voated y' Richard Bloode haue lib-
erty to exchang 20 30 or 40 accors of his land prouided he do not
take it vp agayne vpon phibeted land nor to the predges of the hye
way or any predgedes to [a]ny mans propriety
... so y' eury Inhabetant shall haue the li[ber]ty : of exchang-
ing any parte of his land [pr]ouided it be not mor to the damedg
of the town than priuledg to him y' desir an exchang : in the apre-
hedsion of the commet[tee] chosen to lay it out [6]
... & by votte d . . . Consent of the town y 4 noe . . . haue
leberty ... to take vp any lande by [way] of exchange or other
way vpon Sandey pond brooke and between y 1 and the magors
brooke and South brooke till such tim as the milles acomodations
be layd out
14 EARLY RECORDS OF
The 10 of the 8 mo 111 1665. It was this day voated and hereby
decleared at a leagell town metting y' thes persels of land namly,
y e land Comonly called by y e name of the Indian hills as also all
the comon lande between John Lauranc sen his hous lotte and Wil-
liam Grens and Samuell Woods ther medo as also a pece of Swamp
betwen William Longlys and Johnathan Crespes ther lotts shall
from this day forth lye in comone for the vse of the towne and noe
man shall haue leberty to take up any parte ther of as his pperitey
2 It was allso this day agred and voated by the towne y l in con-
sidration of a grattiaty formerly granted to eury Inhabetante anser-
able to John lawranc sen his grante y e 21 of the seaventh mo th 65
y* eury man shall haue liberty to take vp 6 accors to a twentey accor
house lote, and in case it Joine to his house eury man shall take vp
pposonabl ther vnto respectng such as haue eyther the holle or any
part therof alredey, but if mor remote eury Inhabetant shall haue
libert[y] to take vp too for one
It was this day granted to Eleze baron y' he shall haue liberty to
take vp three persels of medow contining too accor mor or lesse
lying on the sowth of the Indeian hills bownded one all poynts by
the towns comon
The Country hye way being determened betwen this towne and
Chel[ms]ford by a commitey chosen Respectiuly by both towns
haue agreed and according layd out thes country hye way from y e
metting house place in the ould carte way to Chelmsford metting
house sixe Rode in width from place to pla[ce] this being testefyed
vndr the hands [of] the commitey at a towne mee[ting] the 10 of
July 65 and excepted by the towne may be suficente to sattesfy aney
home it may heraftr concern
witnesse JAM FFISKE in the nam o[f] the towne [7]
The ii of the [io th month, 1665 ?] . . . Joseph Parker chosen
Cons[table for] this next Insouin Sargent James Parker William
Longley William Hearten William Leaken and Jam Knope ar
chosen Selecte men for this next yer Inseuen.
Richerd Bloode Thorn Tarball ar chosen survayers of the hye
ways for next yere Inseuen.
Sergent James Parker Jam Knop and William Leaken wer chosen
together with y m to determen the seuerall Squadrants and horn
shall worke at each squadron succesiuly
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 15
William Longly is also chosen Clarke Danell Perse and Chres-
epher halle ar chosen to veue fences
Att the same meeting it was, voted that there should be a high
way left out of all and euery additionall lot or lotts for the townes
use as occassion should haue cause to make use of from time : to
time ; thear being lands alowed by the the suruayers [w]hen they
laid out the seuerall additions prouided it be not aboue one high
way and that the high way do not exceed aboue foure poole wide
A country rate for the year 1665
the totall summe being n^ 5 s 6 d
A county rate for the same yeare
the totall summe being i- 15 s 3 d
both, with rates committed into the hands of John Page to gather,
by the order of the Select men [8]
William Longley was the third town clerk of Groton. He
was among the earliest settlers of the town, and was the
owner of a thirty-acre right. He was the son of Richard
Longley, of Lynn, where, in the town records, the name is
sometimes spelled Langley. His handwriting was creditable,
and he held the office during the years 1666 and 1667. He
died November 29, 1680, leaving a will, dated six days before
his death, in which he mentions four daughters and two sons.
A few years later his son, William, was chosen town clerk ;
and the two have sometimes been confounded with each other.
Still later his grandson, John, was chosen to the same office.
16 of the 10 mo th 1665 It was this day agreed and by a vnanams
voatte declared y* for as much as god by his puidanc haue setteled
Mr Willerd our Rauerante Pastor by sole[mn] Ingeagment amunst
vs we do therf [ore] frely giue him y' acomadatione formerle stated
to the minestry to gether with the house and all other apartanances
apertayni[ng] ther vnto to him and his for eur from this day forth
puided he do contineue with vs from this day forth till seaue[n]
yers be xpired. But in cause he shall se cause to remoue from vs
be for the seauen yers be xpired it is ag[reed] by our Rauerant
paster one one par[t] and the town one the other y' he shall leaue
thes holle acomadatione to the town and be aloued what it shall be
Judged by Indeferant men mutally ch[osen] on both parleys and
so the hous and lan[d] to Remayn the towns to despose of haung
16 EARLY RECORDS OF
aloued as aforsayd for what improument he haue mad vpon it But
if it shall pleas god to take him by death then the house and land
... to his eayers frely for euer
and hervnto we do enterchangebly sett to our hands the day and
yer aboue wretten SAM LL WILLARD JAMES PARKER
WILLIAM LAKIN
JAMES KNOP
In the name and with the consent of the towne
A generall towns meeting held. 5 of march 1665-66 Att the
same meetting it was agreed and voted y l the there should be trees
marked for shade for cattell in all common hy wayes : :
A the same meetting it was agreed & voted that the marke
should be a great T
At the same meeting it was agreed and voted [th]at who euer
shall fall or lop any shuch trees [mark]ed by the men apointed shall
pay for eue[ry tree] fallen or lopped shall pay for th . . . tenne
shillings
[Not dated^
It was this day granted and by voate declare[d] that Sergent
James Parker John Page Jam Knope and Thomas Tarball shall
haue libertey to take vp a twentey accor acomadations of vpland
and medow the vpland in that place y* may sute them beste prouided
they do not take it out of y* land which is alredey prohebeted and
the medow partly out of y* which was apoynted for t[he] melle and
the rest wher they can finde it in aney place or places that they
shall make choyc of with all other priueledges apertayning the[reto]
acording to other grants of lik . . . In considriation of the . . .
mill as apere by ac . . . [9]
Entered in the town book It is further ordered y r the . . . shall
not be ratable . . . yere sixty and seauen 67 as ... y e mille shall
stande Reatte fre for the full terme of twentey yeres ferthermor it
is agreed by the consent of the towne y' noe man nor men shall
haue liberty to build anye other mell or mels tell the full time be
xpired expresed in the couenant vndr the hands of the vndertakers
vnless anye man se cause to buld it vpon his own pperitey and only
for his own vse
6th 5 1666 it was this day voted and declared by these foure
men that are aboue mentioned in this order of granting lands to
builde a mill haue also released the towns engagement untc them
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. I/
The following two entries are in the handwriting of John
Morse, the sixth town clerk, and belong some years later.
At a Towne meeting granted by the Towne a five acre acomada-
tion of vpland and medow with priuledg of commonage to such a
psell vnto Thomas Williams wife and children and soe to remaine
theirs without any salle or alteration and if in case they leaue the
town then it is to returne againe to the town the towne paying him
for what nesisary charg hee hau bin at
Upon an exact calculation found seaven hundred and forty acres
of ratable meadow [10]
at a generall town meeting held 26 ... [1666.] ... It was
agreed and declared by vote that our re [verand] Pastor M r Willard
should haue sixty pounds al[lowed] him for this year Ensuing :
beginning at the 29 of Semptember 1666 :
And also euery inhabited, is hereby ingaged to pay vnto our
reuerent Pastor the third pt. of his pption in merchantable corne at
price currant and also to cutt and Car[t] to his house and there to
Cord for him the aforesaid 30 cord of wood at fiue shilling p cord,
betwixt this & the 25th io ffl
Att the same meetinge, Nathaniell Lawrenc and Samuell Woods
now agreed with to lay the planks vpon the meeting and to do
them sufficiently, and they are to haue 43 6 : d p ooo alowed them
in the meeting rate
Att the same meeting, James Knapp & Ellis [Barren] were agreed
with to make 2 doores for the meeting house & to mak 2 p of stares
for i : and to lay the vpper floure for 4 s 6
At the same meating Will Greene and Joshua Whittney where
cohosen, to he[lp] the Glassiar Goodm Grant to bring vp his glasse
and to be allowed for their tim in the meeting house rate
Att a towns meeting held n th : io th 1666 Samuell Woods was
Chosen Constable for the yeare Ensuing.
Att the same meeting Sergeant James Parker John Lakins John
Lawrence James Knapp & William Longley we[re] Chosen select
men for this yeare en[suing.]
Att the same meetting William Longley was chosen town Clarke
for the year Ensuing.
John Longley of Grawton took the oath of fidelity this 24th of
the 2 month 1666
before DANIELL GOOKIN
1 8 EARLY RECORDS OF
Att the same meeting the towne grant[ed] vnto John Morse that
2 acres & a h[alf] that was layed out vnto Tho[mas] boydens in the
general [field.] [11]
n th : 10 1666 . . . the same meeting Benjamin [Crispe] did lay
downe 2 acres & a halfe of w c he purchased of Thomas Boyden in
the generall feild, and he had liberty by the towne to take it vp with
his gratuity y* he purchased of Thomas boyden and the towne
granted vnto the sd beniamin Crispe two acres and a halfe of
vpland to be layed out with the rest abouesd :
A true account of all the pticuler soms of all the work done to
the meeting house frame and other charges as nailes hookes &
hinges glasse and pulpit et :
Inpr for Thatch 5-0 o
It to John morsse for thathing and getting withs i 13 o
It for wages for those did attend the thatcher 5 148
It carting clay & stones for dawing the wall & un-
der pinning 3 o o
It the dawbing of meeting house walls 4 12 s 6
It laths and nailing on 200
It for nailes 3 12 3
It for nailling on the clap bords 7 10 8
It for getting the sleepers and laying of them i 40
It for planks 600 & halfe 2 18 6
It fo seanson bords 700 & 5 foot 2 12 10
It for laying of the lower flore at 4 s 6 d p ooo i 82
It making doores and two payres of stares i o o
It for laying 40382 of bords on the gallery floors 2 o o
It for shutts for the windows and making p'uison
for M r Willard to preach till we haue a pulpitt o 10 o
It making a pulpitt 3 o o
It for glass for the windows 3 5 o
It for 200 of bords and more nails and more work
done by carting & laying seats &c i 8 o
50 16 10
. . . f the meeting house rate Josiah Parker
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 19
Att a Town mee[tin]g held 24 io ra [1666.] It was agreed & by
vote Declared y' all the lower seates in the new meeting house that
now is : should be deuided six for men & six for women, And also
the two front seats of the Gallery : the best prouision that the town
can prouide both for the minister and also for the people to sit
upon, against the next Lords day come seauenight and euery one
to be placed in their places as they shall continue for the future
Att a Generall Town meeting held 31* io m 1666 ffor better pceed-
ing in selling seates for the women as well as for men It was
agreed & by vote declared that the ffront Gallery on the north side
of the meeting house should be devided in the midle ; and the
mens that shall be placed there ; their wiues are to be placed by
their husbands as they are below
s d
1234 A rate made ; 13* 5? 1666 and put in to the hands of
Joseph to colect, to pay these debts follow
Impms i pound 2 10
It to seuerall men fo laying out highwais and other
time spent for the towne use
It t sergent Parker i 3 o
It to richard Blood oo 18 4
It John Lakins oo 12 o
It Tho Tarball oo 18 o
It John Page oo 16 o
It James Knap 01 12 o
It James ffisk . . oo 10 o
It John Nutting oo 10 o
It Joseph Parker oo 06 o
It Joseph for the stocks and Irons to hang . . 120
I Sam Woods oo 02 o
It Will Longley oo 02 o
It rich holdin oo 02 o
It for the for the rate about first meeting falling
short to pay the workers 16 o
11 09 4
It toe black stafife o 3 6
I for beanes, & a halfe bushell peck & halfe o 16 o
12 8 10
[13]
20 EARLY RECORDS OF
Att a meeting of [the] Select men held 22 th . . . [1667.] It was
agreed for the [meriting of vnessary Charges y l might fall vpon the
tovvne, by any Constable or any other men, that shall or may be au-
thorized, by the towne, to gather towne rates yearly It is therefore
ordered for the future, that any Constable or Constables that shall
be legally Authorized from the Towne to gather rates for the vse
of the towne, being Comitted vnto him or th**m orderly; And after
due demand made of each inhabitant of this towne, that now are
or after shall be from time to time : who euer they shall be that
shall refuse to make payment, or to satisfy the Constabls their
respectiues sumns so demanded the s d Constable or Constables are
hereby Impovvered to leuy a distresse vpon the goods or chattells of
any man or men rasing or non paying theirs dues as aforesd ; And
the sd Constable is to take two shillings for euery distresse so leuyed
for his fees always puided that he or they make but one distresse of
any one pson for any one rate, and this order was appued of by the
towne to stand in force till the Towne so cause to repleale the
same
Att a generall Towns meetings held 8 th 3 1667 The Towne hav-
ing further agitations about a mill vnderstanding that Captaine
Clerke of Boston had manifested his willingnesse to build a mill
for the Towne ; It was agreed & by vote declared : that There
should be three men chosen to go to Mr Clerke and power giuen
vnto them at the same meetings to make a firme agreement with sd
Capt Clerke in the behalfe of the Towne, and the Towne did by
vote declare to stand to confirme what should be inacted by them,
puided they attended to the Instructions then agitatted by the
Towne The Three men chosen by the towne as the Trustees are
These Sergeant James Parker Corporall James Knapp & Beniamin
Crispe
Att the same meetings it was declared by vote that the Towne
Clerke, should in the behalfe of the town signify vnder his hand by
writing vnto Captaine Clerke that the sd three men now chosen by
the the towne and had full power Committed vnto them to make a
firme & full agreement with him about his building a mill for the
towns use [14]
[At a to]wns meeting h]eld 6 l , h 6 m 1667. [The t]owne hauing
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 21
another meeting about a mill [it] was agreed & by vote Declared
y l the lands & meadows granted to John prescott : for to build
the towne a mill ; namly the 500 acres of vpland and twenty of
meadow, together with the mill should be freed from all towns
charges whatsoeuer for the space of twenty years : and this was the
vote of the major part of the towne that was present at this meet-
ing : these fouer men as folloeth, manifested their Descent at y'
time
Richard Blood
Will Longley
James ffiske
Thimo Allen
At the same meeting : James Parker, James Knapp John Page
& Ellis Barren were chosen, by the major p* to agree with John
Prescott & full power given them, to make a firme bargaine with
him :
Att a generall towns meeting held 7 th 8 m i66[7,] It was agreed
& by vote declared that the rate that was formerly made for amu-
nition should be made voide : that order was giuen to the select
men to make another and to add to the former i penny vpon the
acre, and the pay to be such as carry it self down to Charles
Towne.
Att a meeting of the select 8 th 8 mth 1667 : a rate made for amuni-
tio" and Committed in to the hands of Joseph Parker Constable
to Colect, and procure the same for the Towne use
the totall i2 oo
Att a generall Towns meetting held io th 9 1667 It was agreed
and by vote declarded to giue vnto Mr Willard our pastor for his
maintenance for this present yeare beginning the 29* 7 should
haue sixty pounds, to be paid at two payments the one halfe to be
paid into to him, betwixt this and the last of March next : and the
other half of the pay to be paid vnto him by the last of September
next after the date hereof. And for quality ; the major pt of the
Towne agreed y' one third p' each inhabitant shloud pay his third
p 1 of his proportion ; in wheat at 5 s p bushell or porke a[t] 3 pence
p pound or butter at 6 pence p pound fo . . . thirds in Indian corne
22 EARLY RECORDS OF
at 3 s p bushelle : or other ... at the price currant as it passeth
betwixt . . . amongst ourseleues [15]
At the same [meeti]ng it wa[s voted that] Sergeant James Parker
should . . . Inhabitant bring in his Just pportion . . . time and
quality of pay as it is stated in the [for]mer order & that the s d James
Parker shall haue full power giuen to him vnder the select mens
hands to force any Inhabitant to mak payment that shall not come
vp to pforme his duty aft[er] due demand and all due means used
to bring him or them as abouesd
Att a generall Towns meetting held n th 9 mth 1667 The towne
agreed with Thimothy Allen to swe[ep] the meetinge house & to
puide water ffor the babtizing of the towns children from time to
time, for this yeare ensuing, and the s d Thimothy alien is to haue
twenty shillings allowed him for his labor in the next townes rate
At the same meettinge it was agreed that the seats in the meet-
inge should be mad in a pleaine and desent and comly manner,
and euery seuerall company (that ar now present inhabitants
and as they are now placed by the towne and the Committey for-
merly chosen,) they should build their seates at their owne charge,
And all the fronteers both aboue and below, shall be at the charge
of the laying the foundation sills for the seates that are behind
them ; And what euer any maior p* of any company that are placed
together in any seat shall agre to build their seats the minor are
hereby inioyned to pay with their neighbors and it was further
agreed that whereas the seates are larger than the present inhab-
itants do fill vp then when any shall placed hereafter in any
seate or seates y* then they are hereby enioyned to pay an equall
pportion to be & with those that haue laid down the pay for the
building of the seates
Att meeting of the select men 2i th 9 th 1667 A rate made for our
Pastor of 60 oo oo
and put it into the hands of Serg James Parker to colect
[At] the same meeting was a rate made for the Count . . . acer ii
and Committed into the hands [of] Joseph Parker to colect
[16]
[At] a meeting [of the select] men the [22 9 1667,] Rekonde
with Joseph Parker both for the towne rate of i2 3* 4 and for the
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 23
Meetinghouse Rate being 19-00-06, he the sd Joseph: paying
all the pticuler bills assigned to him by the select men or stated in
the townes book to be paid as there remaine Due ; to the sd Joseph
Parker 02-^ 15 - 04 of w ch summe io oo oo [,1 ?] is due to him for
2 wolues heads that he paid to the to the Indians for the towne
At the same meetinge was a towne rate made ffor to pay the
Artest and the men that attended him and his diet for himself and
his horse, and for two sheets of parchment, for him to mak two
platts for the towne, and for Transportation of his pay all which
amounts to about twenty pounds and to pay seuerall other town
debts that apear to us to be due ; which sd rate ariseth to 9 pence
p acre vpon the meadow of each inhabitant of this towne, and
Comitted vnto Joseph Parker now Constable to Colect, and to dis-
charg the aforsd debts being ordered to him by the selectmen
due to John lakin 01 oo o
James Parker, for going to boston to search to Coun-
try records and to Captain Clerke oo 15 oo
due to Joseph Parker 02 15 oo
ffor two sheats of Parchment oo 05 oo
due James Knap for going to Cap Clerke oo 05 oo
James Parker hath p r mised to Discount that 2 . 5*
thats due from him to the towne, in that wch
is due from the town to him ; & therefore the
rate was laid so much lesse vpon the towne :
w c h sume abousd is discounted
attest MITHIAS FARNWOR[TH]
due to Thimothy Allen for sweeping the meetinge house 01 oo
ffor to build a seat ffor the deaco" and a seat ffor the
Pastor wife 02 oo
At a towns meeting held the n th io m 1667 Samuell Dauis was
chosen Constable for the yeare Ensuing. [17]
[James] Knop . . . [John] Nutting selectmen for the ...
Item, Jno Page chosen [Town] Clerke:
Item. Rich : Blood & Tho Tarbol Senio r surveyo r s for y e high
wayes.
Item, Tim : Allyn : Sam! Kempe, & Jno Ba[rron] chosen sur-
veyed of fences.
Item, Sam: Wood, & Nath. Lawrence chosen to s[ee] that hogs
bee legall
24 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Page was the fourth town clerk, and held the office
during the year 1668. He was the son of John and Phebe
Page, of Watertown, and removed to Groton in the year 1662.
He was married May 12, 1664, to Faith Durister, by whom he
had five or six children. In the spring of 1676 he returned
to Watertown, where he died probably in the year 1712.
1668. Att a towne meeting held the n of 9 month John Nutting
was Chosen Constable for yeare insu[in]g
att the same meeting James Parker Willa longlye Beam Crispe
Willa lakin Richard bl[ood] wheare Chosen select men for this
yeare and Richard Blood towne Clark
att the same time Willa longlye Joseph Parker Nathaniell
Law[rence] Richard blood wheare Chosen Oveseers for the high
wayes
at the same time Thomas Tarball Juni willia greene Joseph gil-
son was Chosen oversears of fences and that swyne be ordered
according to Court and towne order
At the same time Josefh parker was agreed with for [to] keep
the meeting house Cleane for this y[ear] for twenty shillings
Richard Blood, the fifth town clerk, was the son of James
and Ellen Blood, of Concord. He held the office during the
year 1669, and lived in the district called "Nod," which is sit-
uated in the neighborhood of the cross-roads, just below the
soapstone quarry. He was one of the original petitioners for
Groton, and the largest proprietor in the town, owning a sixty-
acre right. He was also one of the first board of selectmen
chosen by the inhabitants. His wife's name was Isabel ; they
had five children, and perhaps more. He died on Decem-
ber 7, 1683. James, his eldest son, was killed by the Indians
at Groton, in the autumn of 1692.
the 6 of the 10 moth in a towne meting it was voted that . . .
Acommidations with all the visible estat of [the] towne is that
which is to be Rated* for the defraing of publick Charges Civill and
cycle [siastical.]
Richard Blood Willa longlye with sum others refuse to Join
with them but showing theire desent to the Contrarie
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 25
The : 8 of the ro moth It was this day voted by the mayior part
of the towne that the minist[er have] sixty fiue pounds for this
yeare beginning the tewnty nine of September 68 shall shall be
Raysed the one halfe vpon the Accomdations and the other halfe
vpon all the visible estat of the towne will longley Richard blood
and sum others declaring the Contrarie by voyt [18]
[At a gen]erall [town]e meting the ... It was this voted by the
to[wn] . . . County Court shall be ... from the Charges of ...
so to other Courts to efect and to be Chosen for that end
At the same meting it was determined to buil[d a] bridg over
stonie brook fitting for Cart[s to] pass over, as also that James
knop W[illiam] lakin Richard blood ar mayd cho[ice] of to vew
where the best place be for that end and what the Char[ge] may
amount vnto and to haue ther p[ay] when sargent parker and
Richard . . . hath theirs for going to the gener[al Court]
5 of thejirst moth 68 69 At a meeting of the sele[ct] men for
the dividing of heards ar so divided as th . . . yeare onely Richard
Blood and . . lakin shall heard ther Cattell with there neighbors
according to a towne order formaly mayd in the yeare 62
the 22 of march 68 69 Att a towne meting it was [by] vot de-
clared that the deaken should be satisfied for in the Ratt now put
into the counst[able's] hand which is tow pounds three shillings
and six pence. 2 3
the 19 of the second moth 1669 A Rate mayd by the select
men for belerica bridg Contaying the sum [of] sixtene pounds put
now into the h[ands] of John nuttinge Counstable
At the same meting it was o[rdered] that sargent parker and so
to .... lakin shall heard ther Cat [tie] together notwithstanding
any order fonnalie to the Contrarie for this yeare [19]
[At a] town meting the second ... by vote granted to Robert
parish . . . [Park]er and timothy Couper that th[ey shall be] and
now ar free Comoners for wood and timber and for there owne
Cat [tie] as other men of this towne haue paying to all towne
Charges according to there proportion
[Sa]me [meeti]ng formalie being an account taken of all the
26 EARLY RECORDS OF
grants that had bine giuen and granted and the Comitties order
being fulfiled the towne did solemlie determine to take in no more
but a taylear and a smith and Consedering the great Charg that
hath bine vpon the present inhabitants the do now by vote declare
that by way of grant or gift directlie or indirectlie as a towne and
the townes mind herein declared by vote the second of June 1669.
onely a smith and no other
same meting theise men gaue vnto Robert parish sum small
grants of vpland as followeth
sargent parker 4 accors
will longlye 3 accors
Richard Blood 4 acors
John longlye 2 acors
James knop i acors
James ffiske i acors
matt farnworth i acor
John baron i acor
sargent lakin i acor
Thomas tarball senior 2 acors
this not giuen as a towne act but out of everie mans owne
pertikuler Right provided hee Come and settell amonst vs a
townes man and not other wayes
it was voted that our pastors maintenance should be Raysed
the one halfe vpon the Acomidations and the other halfe vpon the
visible estat of the towne and the sum to be sixtie fiue pounds
as followeth
first to pay 30 pounds in Corne and tenn pounds in provision
and what is wanting in provision to be payd in Corne and . . .
tewnty fiue pounds to be payd in ... seasonnablelye or other-
wayes in Corne [20]
. . month [i66]9 . . . Ratte mayd for the . . . [ge]neral
towns dets the sume . . . pounds eighteene shillings and . . . put
into the hands of John nu[tting.]
Att a meting of the select men the night moth 69 it is ordered
that all and eu[ery] inhabitant shall from time to time p[revent]
his swine from doing his neighbor [damage] either in Corne feilds
medowes or a[ny] other pertikuler propritye but if any [man] or
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 2/
men shall neglect his or ther du[ty] herein the shall for the first
traspass [pay] Just damag according to Just valuati[on;] for the
second traspass the shall pay d[ouble] damag according to a Just
valuation for a third traspass a trible damage a[s] aforesayd and
that this order sha[ll] stand in force till this towne se a way to
efect and prevent damag by swine
A Countrie Ratte put into the h[ands] of John nutting Coun-
stable for this yeare 1669 being the sum [of] tenn pounds sixtiene
shillings
the 10 of the 9 moth 69 att a towne meting James . . . was
chosen counstable for [the] yeare next insuing
At the same meting John Mos chosen towne clarke for the y[ear]
insuing
John Morse was the sixth town clerk, holding the office
from the year 1670 to 1676, when the town was burned by
the Indians, and subsequently during the years 1680 and
1 68 1. He was the son of Joseph and Dorothy Morse, of Ips-
wich, and a native of England. He wrote a handsome hand,
and was an accomplished man. At the burning of the town
he was taken prisoner, but ransomed in the course of a few
weeks on the payment of "about five pounds." He removed
from Groton to Watertown about the year 1699.
The 15 of the 10 month 69 At a town meeting chussen [se]lect
men for this year insu[ing] Will martin Sergent Parker Benjamin
Crisp John Nutting John Page James knop John Morse
[A]t the Same meeting for the same year chosen for commis-
sioners William martin Sergent Parke[r] william Longly
for Surveyers Joseph Parker Thomas Tarball senior [21]
for veiwers of fences W Blood and John Barro[n]
. . . Iso at the same tim were chosen Pel[eg Lawr]ance and Joshua
Whitney for [look] ing after swine to be acording to orde[r. At]
the same meeting were chosen [John P]age and John Nutting by
the [town] to see that Mr Willard haue maintenance duely and truly
payd him and that they bring the towne a generall acquitance :
Agreed with Timothy Allen for the keeping the meeting house
cleane for twenty shillings and to be payd in his town charges
28 EARLY RECORDS OF
The Towne voted that the men shold be payd for the laying out
of John Prescots land
and also agreed vpon at the same meeting that the select men
shall haue power to petition to the Court for one to marry persons
in our towne
At a meting of the Select men the 27. December 1669 [I]t is
orderd that all and euery Inhabitant of the Towne shall bring in a
tru invoyce [o]f their pticuler estat to any one of the select men
whensoeuer it is called for (or else it must be left to the discretion
of the select men) or to a town meeting deputed for that end
endepted to the towne from James frisk Thirteen
shillings sixpence o 13 6
This acknowledged to be payd by John nutting
At a meeting of the Select men Decem 27 1669 Agreed vpon
that you are to make a Sufficient cart bridge ouer Sandy brook and
also a Sufficient horse bridg ouer stony brook with a Raille of one
side and to make a firm goeing in and out for a cart at the same
brook and to mend such countrey hyewayes as doe nesisarily fall in
and for pticuler hyewaye working all such as are behind are to be
called vpon by the surveyers to work their due proportion answer-
able to those that haue wrought before and that euery man work
proportionabley according to his estat and that the wayes are to be
mended in the seuerall anggells of the towne and if any man or
men shall willfully neglect working in any part of the hyeway after
three dayes warning by the Surveyers they shall have power to hire
any one in the roume of th[ose] that doe soe neglect and to mak
them to pay three shill a day for euery such defect giuing the man
they hire 2! 6^ for his day and reseruing the other 6 d for the towns
vse. [22]
. . . meeting of the select men Ja 10 i[66g. Or]der about
fences
[T]o the intent that we may preserue loue and peace in the
towne and preserue our corne from unnesisary beeing destroyed It
is ordered according to power giuen to the select men to mak
orders according to their best discretion as in pag n sexion 6 we
order that all the out sid fences about all cornfeilds orchards and
gardens in the towrte shalbe a sufficient fiue Raill fence or that that
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 29
is in the judgment of the veiwers of the fences eqvivolent theirto
and if any man refuse or neglect to mak such fences and theirby
occasion either his owne or his neighbours cattell to an ill haunt
which otherwise would be orderly shall forfeit to the towne for
euery such default legally proued as a fine ten shillings and we doe
expect that the veiwers of the fences shold atend their dutyes herin
according to the law and towne order
according to that law concerning swine in page 74
for the preseruing our medowes from damage as much as may be
from s[wine] that goe vpon the commons shalbe sufficiently
ringed from three months old and vpward with two sufficiently
ring[s] in each swines nose well put in and to be ringed by the first
of Aprill from tim to tim and to be continved so ringed till the last
of September and to that end that they may goe sufficiently r[inged]
doe order that the man or men [who] are to look after swine shold
hau sixp[ence] a swine for euery swine that he or they find vnringed
in the towne that is abo[ve] three months old and mak it apear
le[gal]ly that he or they haue ringed them alre[ady] according to
the intent of this order
we order that if any mans swine in the towne tak any mans
corrrfeilcl beeing legally proued the owners of thes swine shall forth-
with sufficiently yo[ke] them or shut them vp vpon the penalty of
paying double damag at the first time of damag beeing done
The owners of those swine that goe unri[nged] shall pay the
sixpence to thos men that a [re] to look after the swin after legall
demand
At the same meeting The select men of haue ordered for the
dividing of the heard in to three heards one to begin at Witli
Martins and to Nathaniell Lorances taking in peleg Lorance and
Will greenes The second from samvell woods to Mathias ffarn-
worths taking in Richd holden and Joshua Whitney and his
neigbours the Third from \Vill Elluees to Jam[es] Robersons and
Timothy cooper
for the preseruing of wood and ... it is ordered that for euery
tr[ee] . . . that are feeld excepting p . . . within half a mile of
[23] . . . body and top within one ... is not set up or caried
away . . . feit four shilling for euery such ... for the towns vse
and half to the inf[or]mer and euery such tree or trees shalbe . . .
for any man to take and for any pine tr[ee] that is fallen crosse the
30 EARLY RECORDS OF
high way and is not taken away with a week he shalbe lyeable to
the same penalty and these foure. men chosen to look after these
defects Joseph Parker Nathaniell Lorance Daniell pearse and
Thomas Tarball Junior
At a generall towne meeting 12 of the n th month 1669 agreed
vpon voted and agreed vpon that all publik charges excepting the
ministers shold be raised vpon the accomedations till the towne see
good to repeall it
At y e same meting The Town haue voted and agreed vpon that
Mathias ffarnworth shall mak a sufficient cartbridg ouer James
brook beneath his owne house in that place wheir the surveyers
shall Judg it most convenient and to mak the way sufficient as far
as Benjamins Crisp['s] house with a whele against his barn in con-
sideration for which he is to hau a parsell of land of Simon Stones
from the run to rock medow path till it come to his owne line leauing
a highway thorow it of six polle wid till it com to the mill way and
that way that did formerly run thorow Simon Stones is now deserted
and become his owne propriety
[T]he II th o[f] Aprill [i]67o At a meeting of the select men
agreed with Sargent James Parker for himself and his Son John
and with James Knop to run the line betwene chelmsford and our
towne with chelmsford men and they are to hau for the perfecting
of the same sixteene shilling 0160
At a generall towne meeting Novem i [i]67o It is this day
agreed vpon and voted that Mr Willards maintenance and all other
Towne charges shalbe raised for this present yeare the one halfe
vpon accomodations and the other halfe vpon visible estate
At the same meeting agreed vpon that Mr. Willard should haue
sixty fiue pound for this present yeare and a sixth pt shalbe payd in
flesh provision that is to say in merchantable pork beef butter and
cheese betwixt this and chrismas merchentable wheat five shill per
bush barley 45 per bush rye 43 pease 43 and Indian cor[n] flesh
meat to be payd . . . per pound and butter at 6 ... [24]
Town meeting held the i2 th 10 m[i67o] chussen for constable
James Knopp for the yeare ensuing
for select men Serg James Parker William Martin William
Longley John Nutting John Pag James Knopp John Morsse
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 31
for Town dark was chussen John Morsse for the same year en-
sueing
, ( Thomas Tarball ) Seni
for surueyers <
( John Lakin )
for veiwers of fences Ellis Barron : Thomas Tarball Juni James
Roberson and to see that swine be according to town and court
order are chussen Natha lawranc Samuell kemp
At the same meeting agreed with Timothy Allen to keep the
meeting housse cleane for this following year for twenty shill i o o.
At a meeting of the sellect men janev 2 1670 concerning swine
to that end that our medowes and cornfeilds may be preseued from
damag as much as may be we doe order that all swine that goe
vpon the commons shalbe sufficiently yoked and ringed from three
months old [and] vpward from the first of aprill to the last of Sep-
tember and that the owners of the swine shall keep them soe during
the wholle time and those men that are chusen to se that they be
according to the order shall haue six pence p head for eu[ery] tim
that they find them vnyoked and six pence euery time they find
them vnringed half for them seines and the other half [for] the vse
of the towne prouided they giu the owners of thos swine season-
able warning excepting such swine that are turned ou[er] the riuer
if the towne see good
At the same meeting and agreed vpon by the towne. That all
and euery inhabitant of the towne shall pay their due and full pro-
portion to our Reuerd pastor in the seuerall kinds of it according
to the agrement of the town the first half year payment to be payd
at or befor the 25 of march and the other half e to be payd at
or before the 29 of septem : and they are to bring in their accounts
to the Decon or to the men chusen for y l end within the ti[me]
prefixed or else they shalbe accounted delinquents
Ja n 1670 At a towne meeting chussen for [that] end Ser: Willi
Lakin and Nath Lawranc [25]
[F]eb 8 1670 At a meeting of the Sel[ect]men agreed withall
an ... meet with Boston Gentlemen for the renewing of the line
betwene our town and their farmes in Massabog woods and between
mashobo and our town (viz) Sergent James Parker and James knop
and they are to hau 3' p day and with Joseph Parker senior and
32 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Parker, and they to haue 25 6d p day and they are to hau
two qvarts of Liqvors to be giuen them for their refreshment vpon
the towns account
At a general! towne meeting held febr 13 1670 It is this day
agreed vpon and voted that these severall psells of land here
specifid shall for euer hence forward to lye common (viz a peice
of comon land about the meeting house that ly from John nuttings
Samuell kemps James Robersons Timothy cooper unto Walter
Skinners and the hye way
A swamp that lye bounded vpon the land of Will Longleys
Richard Blood and John page and the hye way that ly bye John
Longleys
A peice of land from Samvell Dauis Wills Ellue Will longley
Jonathan Sawtells Richd holden and John Mors
A peice of land that lye between Samvell Woods broad medow
Jonathan Sawtell and the bay hye way
A peice of land that lye from that was Ralph Rieds lot of both
sides y e brook called James brook till we com to the high way that
Run from Will Ellues to the pine medow
All the swamp land lye common between Timothy Allen Josep
gilson Will laken and the bridg y l run to half moon medow
All the common land that lye from Richard blood to the generall
feild that is their layd down from the river to nashaway Road
feb 17 [i]67o At a meeting of the select men for the stating
and recording the hye wayes
i Lanchester hye way from our meeting house to James his
brook sixe poll wide as the Rood now lye ouer James his brook
Bridge and soe to continue 6 po[ll] wide to nashaway meeting
house according to the committees order
[2] A high way from this countrey Road . . . [26] . . . James
his Brook till we com to the cor[ner] of Jonathan Sawtells medow
m[ee]ting with the other high way
3 Iy from the countrey high way by William Ellues and soe by
Richard holclens purchis of Richard holden of two pooll wid for
which he is satisfied for till it meet with the high way which was
purchased of Samuell Dauis
4 A high way goeing out of Lanchester Rood near John pages
of four poll wid so goeing into the way that goe to mill near
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 33
Benjamin crisps which high way was ptly purchased of Samuell dauis
Richard holden Daniell peirce and James Knop butting vpon Wil-
liam Longley John Morse vpon the west and Thomas Tarball
James Knop on the east and the rest of the way goeing through
thos mens lots for mentioned and satisfaction giuen them to their
content by the towne commitee
Perhaps the highway starting from Farmers' Row, near the
" Community," passing by the District School-house, No. 2,
and the late Levi Stone's, as laid down on the map in Mr.
Butler's " History of Groton," into the Harvard road.
A high way goeing out of Lanchester roode of four polle wide
goeing to the south end of the generall field lots next to James his
Brook bounded south with Richard holdens swamp and medow and
John Morsse north with the land of John Sawtell and Richard
holden from which their goe a high way along the generall field till
we com to the common land by Samuell Dauis the said way beeing
four poll wid running between Richard holden and the [general]
feild
The road going toward Page's Bridge.
and near about the midle of that way their goeth a high way of
four [pole] wide downe the generall feild to the neck vpon the
riuer
The "neck" was near the farm of the late Major Amos
Farnsworth.
A high way goeing out of Lanchester Roode by thomas Tarball
Junio= of four poll wid Thomas tarball of the north and Joseph
Blood on the South
The road leading to the Red Bridge and Squannacook,
on the south side of James Lawrence's farm.
A high way that goe out of Lanchester Rood near the meeting
house all the land that lye common vpon the head of Jonathan
Crisps lot between Samuell Kemp and James Robersons lyeing for
common and hy way soe runing from the end of Samuell Kemps
lot between Jonathan Crisps and James Robersons and so down to
the riuer
34 EARLY RECORDS OF
A high way that goe out of Lanchester Rood near the meeting
house and soe between Timothy cooper and James Robersons and
through Timothy coopers land and to James Bloods hous lot till we
com to the common land and common land left for a high way
between Will Longley senio= and Christopher hall and Timothy
Cooper which leadeth into the high way by Jonathan Crisps lot
down to the riuer
A high way that goe out of Lanchester Rood near Samvell Kemp
lyeing between John Nutting and . . . runing to Broad medow
. . . with the end . . . [27] so along the medow till you com to
the high way coming from John Pag towards Benjamin Crisp
A high way of two poll wid goeing from Lanchester Road near
to Thomas Tarba[ll's] between Richard Blood on the south and
Joseph Parker on the north and so runing down to Broad medow
This goes out of some part of Farmers' Row ; perhaps it is
the westerly end of the Broad Meadow road.
And for the mill Road between James ffisk and Samuell Woods
Run a way to the mill of sixe poll wide excepting by the house of
Richard Sawtell from James ffiskes staks to Richard Sawtells house
soe runing of six poll wid till we come to Matthias ffarnworths
land continuing 6 poll wid to the mill leading to the mill
This is the highway leading from the " Great Road," and
passing by the birthplace of Colonel Prescott, thence over
James's Brook toward Harvard.
and out of that way Run a way to Rock medow near to Matthias
ffarnworth and thes wayes runing thorow pt of his land ne[arj the
place wheir thes wayes are now improued
The Snake Hill road, only lately shut up to public travel.
out of Chelmsford Road goe a high way of four poll wide by Ellis
barren thorow his land of four poll wide and then six poll wid into
the countrey Road at way pond
Way Pond is the old name of Long Pond. The road
started, perhaps, from a locality near the Ridges.
And near Richard Sawtells house on the south sid of James his
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 35
Brook a way of foure poll wid in the most convenient place to
broad medow for carting of hay or driuing of cattell which way run
through the land of Richard Sawtels
This road starts from the late Eber Woods's house, as laid
down on the map in Mr. Butler's History, and runs west-
erly over Swill Bridge.
Also a high way runing to Broad medow betweene Richard Saw-
tells house and Samuel Woods thorow that piece of land that [is]
already prohibited
Also a high way of four poll wid going down to Broad Medow
lyeing betwene M r Samvell Willard and William Greene
This is the easterly end of the Broad Meadow road, which
then led only to the meadow. In the year 1752, two rods in
width on the north side of the road was sold by the town to
the Reverend Mr. Trowbridge, who owned the adjoining land.
Out of Chelmes Road goe a high way near to wheir Joshua Whit-
neys first house stood of four poll wid runing of that sid ferney
medow to Brown loaf plain so vnto common
This is the first road below Cady Pond, and runs northerly
from the " Great Road."
Another high way goeing out of the countrey high way near to
Nicolas Cady going between his medow and Ser James Parkers
land winding down towards Jacob Ongs house and so thorow his
land and soe betwene ser Parkers land and James ffiskes land and
to Brown loaf plaine
Cady lived in the neighborhood of the pond named after
him, and Ong, near the late Reuben L. Torrey's house, as
given on the map in Mr. Butler's History. The road starts
from Phineas G. Prescott's house, runs northerly perhaps
sixty rods, to Mr. Torrey's, and then bears off easterly to
Brown Loaf. The first section of it is the southerly end of
Love Lane.
Another high way goeing out of the countrey high way betwixt
M r Willard and William Green goeing by Nathaniell Lawrances
vnder the south sid of gibbet hill into those medows and woods
36 EARLY RECORDS OF
This is the beginning of the present Lowell Road, which
formerly passed only on the south side of the meeting-house.
and out of that way goe another way by Thomas Smith goeing
betwixt Thomas Smith and Nathaniell Lawrance and along by ser
James Parkers land and into that way that leadeth from Nicolas
Cadyes to br[own] loaf plain near Jackob Onges
The northerly end of Love Lane.
And out of that way a way by Natha[niel] Lawrances barne
goeing into the neck . . . gat or a sufficiet pair of draw barrs to
[be] Kept and maintained at the end [of] Natha[niel] Lawrances
feild by Ser Pa[rker] . . . assignes for euer . . . [28]
. . . from tim to tim and at all times previous thos that use it
shut vp the barres or gat
from the meeting house another highway out of the Countrey
Road betwixt William Martins house lot and Joseph Lawrances
house lot of four poll wid lill it com to the medow and then soe
wid as a sufficient causey determin it and from the bridg to by the
half moone medow sid of foure poll wid for the vse of Wifta Martin
and William Lakin
Also from that causey by the pond and medow sid into the woods
to Badacook a hie way
another hye way. for Timothy Allen goeing out of the prohibeted
land thorow Joseph Lawrances land near Timothy Aliens of two
poll wid
Also another hye way out of the Countrey Road by ser William
Lakins befor his Dore thorow his land as it is now stated by the
commitee the town chose
Also a high way out of the countrey Road by timothy Aliens to
Joseph Gilson and soe into the hye way that come from ser Lakins
to goe to Richard Bloods
And out of that way goe a way by ser William Lakins betwixt
Richard Blood and Alexander Rouse and betwixt William Longley
senio= and John Lakins till we com into the common woods
Also a hye way as it is now stated thorow James Parkers medow
to Mr Willards medow Robert bloods and John Nuttings
Also another high way from John Lakins [to] the meeting house
as it is now stated the way by the new bridges from Nod
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 37
The words "from Nod" are in a different handwriting from
Morse's. " Nod " is the old name of the district in the neigh-
borhood of the cross-roads, below the soapstone quarry.
Also another high way from James Bloods house wheir he now
dwell in to the way coming from John Lakins near the place wheir
John Lakins old hous stood
Also another highway turing out of the Countrey Road neare the
meeting house runing thorow Joseph Lawrances land on the south
side adjoyning to Captain Parkers land of two poll wid goeing to
half moone medow which was formerly Timothy Aliens but now
Timothy Coopers and this hye way only for his vse
An agrement betwixt Joseph Lawrance and Timothy Cooper in
the year 1672
That their shalbe a hye way for the vse of timothy Cooper out of
the hye way from the corner of Walter Skiiiers land on the south
side of Joseph Lawrances land to the medow of timothy Cooper
that lye in halfe moon medow
A hye way Runing ouer James Bloods medow of two poll wid
goeing to the Hand in Reedy Medovv [29]
The description of the last three highways appears to have
been written subsequently to the rest, but it is in Morse's
handwriting.
1670 febr 28 Also a peice of land to lye common hence forward
(viz) a hill calld by the name of Sheeplees hill and all the comon
land that lye about it between y e two pathes the one that come
from John Lakins to the meeting house and that which goe from
Jno Lakins to Reedy medow
That highway that come from the bridge to Nathaniell Lawrances
lotend shalbe a open highway of four poll wid from sergent Lakins
medow to Nathaniell Lawrances lot betweene sergent James Par-
kers land and that land that was left out of of the sd sergent
James Parkers by Nathaniell Blods house shalbe layd downe for
the vse of the town and former record of shuting vp of barres shalbe
mad annulle
I think that this highway formerly ran on the west side of
Gibbet Hill, from the present Lowell road to the Martin's
Pond road.
38 EARLY RECORDS OF
Only their is a liberty left for opening or shuting of this high
by the commitee chussen and the neighbourhood when the
towne see case that their is more neadfull for the leaueing of it
open then it is aduantag to sergent Parker or any other they are to
leau it open againe and the commitee hau receiued full satisfaction
for all the coinon land that lye vpon the west and northwest sid of
gibbet hill except the hye way and the hye way is left four poll wid
from sergent Parkers line from the swamp along the medow sid to
the briclg swamp from the medow and that skirt of land that was
sergent Parkers by the meeting housse is determined by the com-
mitee to lye comon for euer
Also a hyeway that lye thorow Joseph lawrances land down to
halfe moone medow is satisfied for
and the hyeway by Nathaniell Bloods is satisfied for
Also the hyeway from Nicolas Cadyes leading to brown loaf plain
is enlarged of of sergent parkers land also half an acre taken of
sergent parkers land at the north east of end of Gibbet hill for the
streitening of Nathaniell Lawrances line [30]
At a meeting of the select men febr 24 1670 Agreed vpon for
the diuision of the heard into three heards one to begin at M r Wil-
lards to Mathias ffarnworths taking in Thomas Boydon and Jackob
onge and Nathaniell Lawrance and they ar to goe out with their
heard 2 dayes in the week by James ffiske 2 dayes by Ellis barron
and 2 dayes by Matthias ffarnworth and so to Rock medow
The second heard to begin at sergent parkers to William Lakins
taking in John Lakin Richard blood and James blods.
The third to begin at Timothy cooper and James Robersons to
William Ellues taking Richard holdens the walk the second heard
is to goe out by Nathaniell Lawrancs and by sergent lakins and
Richd bloods and into vnquetenorset woods all these seuerall
angles of the town are to heard if they can agree to hire a heards
man the major p! so agreeing
At a generall towne meeting febr 27 70 Agreed vpon and voted
that this last order about swine made by the select men shalbe
made voyd and of noe effect
Also agreed vpon at the same meeting that all thos seats that are
yet to build in the meeting house shalbe built in a generall way also
a commitee chussen to treat with thomas Boydon to build them
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 39
(viz) Sergent James Parker corporall Knop John Pag Ellis Barren
and Nathaniell lawrance
At a town meeting held the 23 6 m 1671 It was agreed and by
vote declared that Samuell Scriptur shalbe an inhabitant amongst
vs and for his Incoridgment these men haue giuen him some small
grants of vpland as followeth
Witt Martin i acre
Serg Parker 2 acres
Rich Blood 2 acres & half
Will Longley i acre
Ellis Barron i acre
John Page i acre
Christo hall i acre
John Longley half an acre
At the same meeting agreed vpon that vpon the warning of any
town meeting the seuerall perticulers that shalbe agetated vpon
and that shalbe the work of that day shalbe brought in in writing
and read by the clark at the begining of the meeting [31]
At a Generall towne meeting held October 16 1671 This day
agreed vpon by the towne and voted that Mr Willard shall haue
sixty flue for this year ensueing and that he shall hau his wholl
yeares pay by the latter end of december and the maner of his pay
followeth one third p' of his pay in prouision and english corne and
those that cannot pay in prouision and in english corne they are
to pay their Indian corne at two shill and three pence the bushell soe
as to answer that third pt of their pay which was to be payd in
English corn and prouision and the rest of their pay they are to
pay at prise currant (that is) their Indian corne 3 s per bush
wheat 5 s per bush e11 pease Rye barley at 4 s per bush and pork
and beeffe at 3 d per pond and for the maner of their payment to be
raised as it was the last year the one half vpon the accommoda-
tions and the other vpon the estate
At the same meeting were chusen Sergent william lakin and
nathaniell lawrance and that they shall se that Mr Willards pay
shalbe brought in and faithfully payd to him according to the
agreement of the towne
At a Generall towne meeting held Decem n 1671 chussen for
constable Ellis Barron for that yeare insuing
40 EARLY RECORDS OF
And for select men Sergent James Parker William Martin
William Lakin John Page James Knop Elis Barren John Morsse
and for town dark John Morsse
for surveyers Nicolas cady Thomas Tarball Juni Jonathan
Sawtell and Natha Blood
for veiwers of fences Daniell Pearse Thomas Smith Jonathan
Morss Joseph Lawrance
At the same meeting the towne reserued irv their own hands for
the ordering of the heards And for sweeping the meeting house
agreed with timothy Allen for Twenty shillings for this following
yeare Also agreed vpon at the same time and voted that the en-
voyce shalbe taken the first week of the sixth month and so to
stand for the making of all town and ministers rates
At a meeting of the sellect men janevary 18. 1671 Concerning
the surveyers agreed vpon by the select men for the diuiding of
their seuerall sqvadrons and for the calling out of their men to work
that is within their seuerall sqvadrons as is exprest in their seuerall
papers The dayes they are to work is four dayes for this year
excepting they can mak it apear that they . . . [32]
At aTowne meeting held Sept 16 1672 It was agreed vpon and
by vote declared that their shalbe a commitee chusen by the
towne which Committee shall haue power to seat euery man
according to their best discretion and that euery man shall pay to
the value of the seat they sit in the seates also beeing valued
according to their proportion and disproportion by this committee
chussen and the committee chussen and the names of the men are
these
Sergent Parker ^ f T \
, , , . f \ James Knop /
Sergent Lakin V and < >
Tho- Tarball ) (John Morsse j
Att a generall Towne meeting held Octo 14 1672 It was this
day agreed vpon and by vote declared that Mr Willard shall
haue for this present year eighty pound and the maner of his pay
as followeth a third part of his pay a followeth In english corne
and prouision wheat at fiue shil p bushell Rye barley and pease
at four shill pr bushell pork and beefe at 3 d p pound and all
such as cannot pay his third part of his pay in english corn and
prouision they shall pay In Indian corn at 2 shill p bushell and the
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 41
remainder of his pay In Indian Corn at 3 shill p bushell his fire
wood also aboue his eighty pound
and furder these persons here set downe doe promise and Ingage
to git Mr VVillard hay mowing making and fetching home for eight
shilling p load at a seasonable time (viz) in the midle of Jully
Sergent Parker
Rich* Blood
James ffiske
Tho= Tarball Se
sergent Lakin
Rich= holclen
and
Timothy Allen
Ellis Barron
Thomas Smith
John Morsse
Joseph gilson
Pelleg Lawrance
At the same meeting and by vote declared that Major Willard
shalbe a fre commoner amongst vs for feed for cattell wood and
timber
At a generall towne meeting held The 7 th of the 9 th month 1672
It was this day agreed vpon and by vote declared that all Inhabi-
tans in the towne shalbe seated in the meeting house according to
a rulle of proportion impartially (by the towne or by a committee
chussen by the towne) according to their best discretion and the
seates to be valued and each man to pay according to the seat they
sit in and they are to place in the seats below in the body of the
meeting house sixe persons in a seate and to fill vp the first and
second seat first and to sit fiu persons vnder the window and five
persons in a seat in the front gallery and eight persons in a seat in
the east and west gallery the persons that are first to be seated
are maried persons and also such single persons as may and ought
according to a rulle of proportion be seated with them and the
other young persons to be seated till they haue filled vp all the
seates that are [33] already builded and all such persons as want
seates after this done they haue liberty granted to them by the
towne at the sam meeting to build them themselves or their parents
for them at their owne cost and charge in such a place or places as
are thought most meete and convenient by the towne and those
that are to build them and the towne haue voted to submit to the
comitees order herein
and the commitee chussen by the towne at the same time the
persons are as followethe
Sergent Parker "k T
f James Knop
Richard Blood V- and
Joseph Parker ) J ohn Morsse
42 EARLY RECORDS OF
At a Generall towne meeting held Nouember 13 1672 It was
this day agreed vpon and by vote declared that the remainder of
the pay that is still behind for the building the seates in the meet-
ing house shalbe raised in a generall way notwithstanding all other
actes done to the contrary either by towne or commitee
William Longley seni descenting
At a meeting of the select men no 13 "j\ A Towne rate made
for the defraying of seuerall towne depts and put into the consta-
bles hand to gather (viz)
for shuts for the windows of the meeting house i o o
for pay for the coifiitee chussen to se that non Incroach
vpon the towne common i 16 o
for pay for a woalfes head to John Nutting o 10 o
for taking an Invoyse 030
And for Timothy Allen 050
And for expenses for towne and countrey o 15 o
At a Generall town= meeting decem 10 1672 chussen for consta-
ble for this next year Richard Holden
And for the sellect men
Major Willard "j f j o h n Page
Sergent Parker T ^
}- and ^ James Knop
William Longley
James ffiske [ J ohn Morsse
for surueyers Thomas Tarball senu Nathaniell Lawrance
for veiwers of fences Joseph Gilson & Jacob Onge
for to look after swine to se that they be according to order
James Blood & Joseph morsse [34]
At a meeting of the sellect men Janevary 10 1672 a committe
chussen to meet with concord committe chussen by the generall
court to shew them the south line and the line runing between
groaten and the new plantation and the nam[es] of the men are
these
Sergent Parker = James ffiske
James Knop
At a Generall towne meeting held Janevary 13 1672 This day
agreed vpon and by vot declared that their shalbe a commit chossen
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 43
for to seat the persons in the meeting house according to their best
discretion and at the sam time a commitee chosen and their names
are thess
MatorWillard j ( sergent Lakin
Sergent Parker > and
/ John Lakin
James mske ) \ J
and at the same meeting it was agitated and voted that all the
prohibitated land shalbe proportioned and layd out to the severall
Inhabetants now in beeing proportionable according to what they
pay in their publik charges as shall apear in mr willards rate only
Cornelius Church Peleg Lawrance John Cooll and Samuell Scriptur
are to haue a proportion out of it the surveying of it and the laying
of it out is commited into the hands of a committe and they ar as
followeth
sergent Parker Richard Blood
and John Lakin
Agreed vpon at the same meeting that those men that layd out
the hye wayes shalbe payd 2 6 per daye
At a meeting of the sellect men febr 12 1672 It was this day
agred vpon that their shalbe three heards the catell shalbe diuided
into three heards the one Reaching from Matthias ffarnworths and
so long the neck to James fiskes and along till we come to Pelleg
Lawrances which heard is to goe out by Indian hill by James
ffisks and the south side of Rock medow
The second heard to begin at samuell Woods taking nath = Law-
rances and thomas smith and to goe along till we come at Thomas
Williams and William Longley taking in John Lakins and his neigh-
bors catell and they are to goe out with their heard by Nathaniell
Lawrances and into vnquetenorset woods by Serg lakins and Wil-
liam Longleys and Richard bloods
The third heard to begin at timothy [Coo]pers and along the
west sid of broad medow to Jonathann Sawtells taking in the catell
of Richard holden and Justin and they likewise are to goe into
vnquetenorset woods if the se case [35] These severall angles
are to hire their heards man if the major part of any company
agreeing theirto the minor are to submite
Concerning Swine
At the same meeting: it was ordered to that end our medowes
44 EARLY RECORDS OF .
and cornfeilds should be preserued from damage it is ordered that
all swine that goe vpon the common from three year [month inter-
lined^ old and vpward shalbe ringed with two sufficient rings in
each swines nose well put in and to be ringed by the tenth of
March and so continue from time to time till the last of September
and to that end they may be soe we doe furder order that those
men that are chusen to look after swine shall haue sixepence a swine
for euery swine that they find vnringed itv, the towne from three
months old and vpward and mak it apeare legally that he or they
haue ringed them already according to the intent of this order
And furder we doe order that if any mans swine in this towne tak
any mans cornfield beeing legally proued the owners of these swine
shall forthwith sufficiently secure them by yoking them or shuting
them vp vpon the penalty of paying double damage after the first
time of damage beeing done
At a meeting of the sellect men febr 26 72 Agreed vpon by
the sellect men that this division of land which is granted by the
towne to the seuerall Inhabitants shalbe as followeth by proportion
their shalbe one acre to one shill- disbursement in mr Willards
Rat and we doe also agree that of this land that was prohibited
shalbe only Indian hill and the hill behind Nath= Lawrances
and we doe furder agree that euery Inhabitant shall haue an
equall proportion in these lands according to disbursements in mr
Willard rat and for the rest of their proportion shalbe else wheir
wheir it is most convenient for them either Joyning to their medowes
or of Oake land on this sid the Riuer
only Mr Willard shall haue a proportion to a forty shilling dis-
bursement the town consenting here to
Also agreed vpon by the sellect men at the same meeting that all
such as haue taken in any of the towns land by Incrachment as
haue bin determined by the commitee chussen for that end they
shall turne it out to the comon again by the 25 of march next after
the date heir of vpon the penalty of all charges that they shall put
the town to for the vindecating their own right
and a committe chussen for that end to see it done is Sergent
Lakin Corporall Parker and Daniell Pearsse
At a meeting of the select men Janeuary 10 1672 a commite
chussen to meet with concord men chelmesford men and Robert
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 45
blood to lay out the way to the bay betwene this and the spring
wheir it is most passable and the commite are maior willard sergent
parker James knop The maior hauing not tim to atend it Richard
Blood is chussen by the towne in his roume at a towne meeting
march 17 72-73 [36]
At a Generall towne meeting held March 7 1672-73 It was this
day agreed vpon and by vote declared that diuisions of land
shalb[e] acording to our first grants that all publik charges from
this day forward shalbe raised in that way according to the com-
mites order and our first seauen years payment
Richard Blood and William Longley senior descenting
Also agreed vpon and by vote declared that these seuerall psels
of land here specified shall from hence forward lye comon
1 A peice of comon land about the meeting house Bounded by
John Nuting Samuell Kemp James Roberson Timothy cooper Wal-
ter Skinner and the hye way
2 A swamp that lye by John Longley Bounded by the land of
William Longley se= Richard Blood John Page and Lanchester hye
wry
3 A peice of land that lye Bounded by Samuell Woods Broad
medow Richard Sawtell and the Bay hye way
4 All the Swamp that lye Bounded by Joseph Gilson Timothy
Allen William Lakin and y e Bridge that Run to halfe moone
medow
These last four votes appear to be a repetition of what was
done at the town meeting, held February 13, 1670.
At a meeting of the sellect men Wheiras by the prouidence of
god the Goodwife Onge beeing in a sad condition and her case
requiring constant care and Inspection with present charge and
wheras the select men in whose care it lyes liuing remote and hard
on all ocasions to be caled together theirfor we doe desire and im-
powre Sergent parker and James ffiske as a commitee to Inspect
and tak care vpon nesisary ocasions of the woman and her child
and in case more then ordinary herein they are to acquaint the rest
of the select men that so this sade prouidence of god may bee
caryed on with Christianity and as much ffrugalitye as may be for
the towns ease
This s th : 4 th mo 1673
46 EARLY RECORDS OF
At a meeting of the ssellect men may 28 73 Sergent Parker and
corperall knop wer chussen a comitte to meet with lancaster men
for the altering the high way to lancaster [37]
Wedensday 4 of June 1673 fforasmuch as the countrey hye
way as it was formerly layd out by Lankaster and groaten vpon
seuerall yeares triall, proued to be very insufficient and very difucult
to be made passable in regard it was for the most part lyeing in
the Intervailes wheirin their are seuerall soft places and litle
brookes vpon which bridges and other mater for making the same
passable is apt to be raised and tome vp by floods and vpon
experiance of the same Lancaster made aplication to groaten for
Remouing of the said way to Run more vpon the vpland which
was Readily atended and John Prescott seni= and Roger Sumner
for Lancaster and sergent Parker and corperall Knop for groaten
wer chuse committe by both to townes to lay out the said hye way
as aforsaid which was atended the day aforsaid as followeth (viz)
first within the bounds of groaten they toke their begining at their
meeting house to the mille of Jonas Prescott by Matthias ffarn-
worths his house six Rods wide turning of out of the common mill
way near twenty Rod aboue the mille and then it Runs 4 Rode wid
through the land of the aforsaid Jonas Prescott acording as it is
described by trees marked by the men aforesaid and from the said
Jonas Prescotts land to penicooke Riuer in Lancaster through swan
swamp 6 Rod wide as it is already marked out by the comitte
aforsaid and from the way aforsaid butting vpon Penicook near to
the night pasture wading place, they tak the way as it is left in
width through the Intervayle and ouer nashaway bridge and soe to
the meeting house and as it is to be vnderstood that the way within
lancaster bounds Runes neare the mideway betvveene the brook
medow and plumtrees medovves ouer a hill called Mahaneknits hill
and soe along on the vpland to the pond path as it Runes near to
the Still Riuer medow and Josiah Whits medow vntill it come to
the Swan Swamp path as aforsaid and to the confirmation hereof
the comitte aforesaid haue here vnto put their hands the day and
year aboue said
JOHN PRESCOTT
ROGER SUMNER
JAMES PARKER
JAMES KNOP
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 47
The Twenty shillings due to andrevv the Indian from the towne
for his warre at stonny brook assigned by the sd Indian to Richard
Blood the sd Richard Blood assigne it ouer to Leiftennant James
parker
At a towne meeting no 19 1673 By the agretnent of the towne
Jonas Prescot is to grind the towns come for the towne euery
second day and euery sixth day in euery weeke [38]
At a Generall Towne meeting held no : 19 1673 This day agreed
vpon and by vote declared that Mr Willard rat shalbe raised ptly by
vissible estat and partly by accomodations whatsoeuer votes hau
past formerly to the contrary as also it was agreed vpon that euery
man hence forward shall haue their draughts of land according to
their disbursements and those y* haue them not shall haue them
mad vp and that he shall haue eighty pound for this present yeare
and a fourth part of this payment to be payd in money and the
other sixty pound to be payd in all sorts of graine at price currant
as the court haue determined and in prouision and ten pound for
his firewood which is to be payd in by tim preffixd and if not then
to pay their proportion in corne or prouision and also agreed vpon
that this twenty pound in money is to be payd in to Cap 1 Parker
and to Richard Blood by th last of August or the first of septem-
next as also henceforward he shall haue a quarter of his payment
in money yearly
At a Town meeting nouem= 24 1673 Graunted vnto Alexander
Rousse by the Towne ten acres of vpland
At a Generall Town metting December 10 1673
ffor constable William Longley Seni
ffor Select men
Major Willard 1 John Morss
Capt parker .
_ ... .f , . f and Serg knop
Leif Lakm
Serg frisk . J J ohn P a S e
ffor Surveyers
( Richard holden | , Serg Lakin
( John Page ) John nutting Se
48 EARLY RECORDS OF
ffor veiwers of fences
Corperall Cady Joseph Morse Timothy Allen Justin holden
ffor to look after swine that they be according to law and towne
order Jonathan Sawtell Samuell Kemp
At the same meeting their was a finall agreement betweene the
towne and Samuell Davis concerning the differance that was about
his lands that is to say thus that samuell Davis hau Ingaged to rest
satisfied and niak noe more disturbance about his lands prouided
the bounds doe continue as they were befof they were defaced by
the last committe to wit Richard blood and John pag and that he
doe Inioy those three psells of land in the generall feild in the
south squadron of lots namely that which was John Nutting and
James Knops and Thomas Tarballs seni and simon stones that he
had of captain parker and that samuell Dauis is to shew the com-
mite the markes of these lots the last specified and they are to
renew them and this being done samuell Dauis doe acknowledge
[him]selfe fully satisfied for all diuision [of] lands that was due to
him from the begining of the towne to this present [39]
and now we doe agree to giu him a Record of his lande
SAMUELL DAUIS
John Morsse in the name of the towne
At the same meeting Timothy Alen was agred withall by the
towne to swep the meeting house for the year following for twenty
shil
Decem 13 73 The Towne committe haue condescended vpon
Samuell Dauises request to enterchang two gsells of land specified
in the former agrement to wit that which he had of Thomas Tarball
senior and simon stone and they are to be Joyned to the south sid
of the line of that diuision of land lyeing by his house from the hye
way on the east sid soe downe to the River
SAMUELL DAUIS
JOHN MORSE dark
WILLIAM LONGLEY
JOHN PAGE
RICHARD HOLDEN
marke R
JUSTIN HOULDIN
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 49
At a meeting of the sellect men Janeva 13 1673 It was then
agreed vpon and by vot declared that all such towne hye wayes
regulerly layd out and marked out with the townes marke all the
wood and timber vpon these hye wayes soe marked from halfe a
foote and vpward at the Stub walnut trees and pine trees only
exempted shalbe reserued for mending of hye wayes and other
publik work and that noe man shall ffell any such tree or trees
vpon the penalty of ten shillings a tree
It is furder agreed vpon that that order concerning swine bearing
date the year 69 shall stand for this present yeare
And to the end that each Inhabitant of this towne may Injoy the
benefit of his own medow and prevent censuring of and beeing
troubled each with others for the eating vp each others medows we
doe order that if any of our Inhabitants shall haue nead to let their
catell goe out to feed befor their be grasse vpon the vpland that
they shall keep them vpon their owne medows or any of the towns
comon and not vpon any mans medow that is in propriety without
their leaue who is the proprietors their of vpon the penalty of pay-
ing sixepence a beast euery time .that any catell be found vpon any
mans medow either vnder the hand of a keeper or otherwise and
this to continue till the later end of haytime
for hearcling of Cattell the agreement of the sellect men it is that
the catell in the towne shalbe diuided into three heards as it was
the last yeare and what euer the maior pt of any company agree
vpon the minor part is to consent theirto
At a generall towne meeting held Janevary 16 1673 At the
same meeting William Longley seni was fred and Jonathan Morss
was chussen constable [40]
At the same meeting Cap* Parker Leiftenant Lakin and Serg
Knop were chussen for a commitee to lay out the diuisions of land
on the other sid of the Riuer both of vpland and Enteruaill to euery
man their proportions and to butt it and bound it ssufficiently and
to mark it so as they may see from mark to marke and they are to
haue for their labour one half penny an acre for the vpland and
one penny half penny for the enteruaille
At a Generall Towne meeting held December n 1674 William
Longley sene chusen constable for the year ensueing
capt Parker serge ffisk serge Knop ensine Lawrance Matthias
ffarnworth serge Lakin John Morsse chussen for sellect men
50 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Morsse chussen Towne Clark
Chussen for ssurveyers Thomas Tarbell sen and Samuell woods
for veivvers of fences John Nutting sene and William Greene
At a Generall Towne meeting decem 21 74 Granted to William
Longley ju= that he shall haue liberty to fell those trees that stand
by his fence shading his corn to the sume of 3 or 4 and tha he will
giu the Towne as many trees for mending hye way worke
A Rate made -for the countrey treasurer
the sume containing 14 10 o
and commited into the constable Jonathan Morses his hand to
gather and to giu an account of the principle and how he discharged
the bills to the sellect men to bring an acquitance 1674
A Rat made for the county treasurer the sume containing 4 i 5
and commited into the hands of the constable William Longley
se= to gather and to return the rest of the pay back again to the
towne
Captain Parker payd ten pound the barell of powder
discharging Timothy Allen i o o
for sweeping the meeting house and his own bill discharged at a
meeting of the sellect men 30 10 m 1674
At a meetting of the sellect men febr 1174 for hearding of cat-
tell It was then agred vpon that euery Inhabitant shall heard their
catell that is to heard according to law and that they shalbe diuided
into three heards
The first heard beginning at Samvell Woods reaching to William
Longley and to serg Lakin and his neighbours taking in Nathaniell
bloo[d] with the rest of those that Hue their with Ensigne Law-
ranee and Thomas Smith
The second heard begining at Sergent ffiske and driuing out by
Pelleg Lavvrance taking in cattell belonging to the neck to matthias
ffarnworth taking in the catell of John Barron
The third heard to begine at Timothy Cooper and along the west
side of Broad medo[\v] to Jonathan sawtell takin in the catell [of]
Richard holden and Justin [41] and that these seuerall angles
shall heard prouided they doe their best endeavour to hire a heards-
man and in case they cannot hire a heardman for 12 shill p week
that company is at their liberty whither they will heard or how pro-
uided their cattell doe not exceed abou a 100
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 51
At a meeting of the Sellect men febr 22 74 concerning swine
It was then agreed vpon that the same order that was made in the
year 69 shall stand for this present year
At the same meetting at the request of Matthias ffarnworth thir
was a committe chussen to veiw a piece of land that he desire by
way of exchaung with the towne or otherwis that may be for his
convenience and to bring the report to the towne and the land lye
from the Bridg by his own house along his own land to Justin
holdens land on both sids James Brook and he is to satisfie the
committe for their paynes if they desir any thing
and the names of the committe are sergent Knop Thomas Tar-
ball sen= Benjamin Crispe Ellis Barron se= Daniell Pearse
as also It is agreed vpon that noe man shall put away any of
their catell from any of these seuerall companyes as they are now
stated by the sellect men vntill they haue done their best endeavour
to hire a heardsman as before for twelue shill p week vpon penalty
of paying the full prise as the rest of their neighbours for specya
and tim
At a Towne meeting March 3 74-75 granted vnto Nicolas Cady a
small peice of land by way of exchaung at brown loaf plaine ad-
joyning to his owne land y l he had of Captain parker for a peice of
land the same quantyty at browne loaf medow
At the same meeting graunted to Thomas Smith a peice of land
of forty poll by way of exchaunge below his house adjoyning to his
own land in the corner next to Samuell Woods and William
Greenes land
At a meeting of the sellect men march 3 1674-75 chusen Captain
Parker serg Knop and Justin holden to renew the bounds between
moshobo and our bounds And also chusen to lay out a hye way
betweene Dunstable and this Towne captain Parker and serg
Knop
At a meeting of the sellect men Jully 2 Jully 22 75 a rat made
for the defraying of the charg of the ware and put in to the hand
of William Longley constable to gather the sume 23! 14? 4 added
7 shill more than the Just proportion [42]
At a Generall Town meeting held October 20 1675 Agreed
vpon and by vote declared that our Reuerand Pastor shall haue
52 EARLY RECORDS OF
eighty pound for this present year sixty 1 in Corne and prwisi[ons]
forty pound of it to be payd betwixt this and y e twenty fiue of
December next ensueing and the other 20! to be payd in the spring
of the yeare vnlesse god by some speciall prouidence Doe preuent
and the other 20! to be payd in money the last of august or the
first of September in the year 1676
and 40 cord of wood to be proportioned according to euery mans
proportion to be caryed in now pressently \
At a General! Towne meeting held no= 8 1675 It was this day
agreed vpon and by vote declared that their should be a committe
chussen to treat with Mr Willard about sending down to the gen-
erall court to Enforme and supplicat to them that we may haue
payd to vs what is our due from the countrey and also that the
Billit of the souldiers may be vpon the countreys account and also
agreed vpon that if this would not doe for to stand it out at law
with them
and the commitee chussen was Cap' Parker Leiftenant Lakin
William Longley seni= John Page
At a Generall Towne meeting held Decem 9 75 It was this day
agreed vpon and by vot declared that the soldiers that are still re-
maining in the town shalbe continued in the towne at the town
charg till such tim as we hear a returne from the army goei[ng]
against the naroganset and then the towne to meet againe to con-
sider what is furder to be done
At a Generall Towne meeting held Dec 10 1675 Chussen for
constable for that yeare following William Greene
for sellect men Cap 1 Parker : Leiftenant Lakin William Longley
se= Serg' frisk John Morsse
for surueyers Thomas Tarball sen= Samuell Woods
for veiwers of ffences John nutting sen= Corporall Cady [43]
This is the last record of any meeting held before the de-
struction of the town by the Indians, March 13, 1676. The
inhabitants then were compelled to forsake their homes, and
did not return until the spring of 1678.
At a generall town metting of the inhabitants of groaton warned
by Captin Parcer leftenant lacin insine lorranc and Goodman
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 53
morse and asembled at Concord the (i2 th ) of the (io th ) munth :
1677 : Such as wear present did then and thear agree that if the
prouidenc of god preuent not by death or sicknes or by the Enimy
that then we will goo vp in the spring follooing and begin to Re-
payer our habitations againe if god parmitt and for ye true pur-
phormanc of this agrement we doe ingeage the forfiture of our
wholle Right in groaton unto those that doo goe vp and cary on the
work and to this agrement we heaue hear sett to our hands
JAMES PARKER sen
RICHARD BLOOD
WILLIAM LAKIN
NATHANNIL LAWRENCE
JONATHAN SAWTELL
JOHN MORSSE
JAMES KNAP
SAMUELL WOOD
his i mark
NATHANELL BLUD
his ^ mark
THOMAS TARBALL
JOHN TARBELL
JOHN PARISH
PELEG LORRANC
Voatted that all publick charges for this present year insuing
shall be Raysed vppon the furst deuision of land : grantted or
acomidation of lands :
chosen to warn a town metting goodman blud leftenant lakin
sargent knop Insine lorranc & thomas tarball Seneyer this met-
ting to be the furst thuseday in marche and this metting . . . town
offisers to nominat . . . other publick charges this metting to be
at groaten [44]
The meeting mentioned in the following entry was undoubt-
edly the first one that was held subsequently to the return of
the inhabitants after the destruction of the town. It was
probably on "the furst thuseday in marche," 1677-8, which
day fell on tbe fifth of the month. The record is signed with
the name of James Parker, senior, though neither the record
54 EARLY RECORDS OF
nor the signature are in his handwriting. There is some
resemblance, however, between it and that of his son, Josiah,
who, a few years later, was the town clerk.
[Date torn off.]
At a general towne meeting of the inhabitants of Gro[ton] warned
we did then and thar agre and by desair that the publick charges
should be raised for this present year upon the furst deuishan of
medow and in whaus handes soeuer y c furst deuishan shall apeer to
be he or thay shall pay y e charges that dus arise upon them
Jonathan Morses desent
That pees of land that lyes betwen Samuell Wodes land and the
high way y' goes to y e bay and the highway that gos to sargant
knapes end is granted to Jonas prescot or his brother Jonathan
prescot prouided ether of them come and buld and liue up on it
betwen this and next winter and ther is to be a cart way in it to
broad medow :
JAMES PARKER sen.
in the name of the select men. [45]
James Parker, the seventh town clerk, was one of the orig-
inal proprietors of Groton and a distinguished man in his day.
He held the office during 1678 the year of the return of
the inhabitants who had been driven off by the Indians and
1679. A petition, dated May 20, 1679, is found at the State
House, among the Massachusetts Archives (LXIX. 224),
which is signed by him as town clerk, though his election
does not appear in the records. He was one of the first board
of selectmen chosen by the inhabitants, at which time he is
called Deacon ; subsequently he is styled Sergeant and after-
wards Captain. His house lot lay on both sides of the prin-
cipal street in the village, just south of the small stream which
to this clay is called James's Brook, named after him. The
house was one of the garrisons during King Philip's War, and
it was with Captain Parker that the Indian chief, on the night
of March 13, 1676, talked, as mentioned in Hubbard's "Nar-
rative." In advanced life he married for the second time, and
had a daughter born after he was eighty years old. He died
in 1701, aged about eighty-four years, leaving a will dated
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. $5
May 25, 1700, in which he mentions a large number of chil-
dren and grandchildren, after providing for the daughter of
his old age.
The following names of the original proprietors of Groton
are found on a loose leaf, and appear to be in the handwriting
of the person who made the records for James Parker, given
on the preceding page. For that reason the list is printed in
this place. The figures indicate the number of acre-rights
owned by each individual :
The furst Grant of euery man in this town
>
Cap* James Parker 050
Willam Marting 20
Sargunt Lacken 20
Lef' Willam Lacken 20
Robard Blood 20
Richard Blood 60
James Blood 20
Joseph Blood 10
Thimothey Alen 20
John Page 20
Willam Longely sener 30
John Longly 10
Sam Daues 20
Mat farnneth sener 20
Thomas tarball sener 20
Richard satall 20
James fiske 20
John Lawranc 20
M r Willard 20
Richard holding 18
Simon Stone 18
John Nutting 17
James Knop 15
John Clarey 15
Ralph Read 15
Elas baran 15
Joseph Parker 20
56 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Mors
12
Nathanell Lawranc
10
Danell Pearce
10
Willam green
14
Samuell Wods
ii
Thomas Boyeden'
07
John Baran
07
James Robson
07
Ben garfell
10
Christephor hall
10
Joseph Morse
5
Willam Elue
05
Jonathan Satall
05
Jonathan Crisp
08
Joshua Whitney
08
Jacob Onge
06
Thomas Tarbull Juner
06
Joseph lawranc
05
John Paresh
05
Joseph gilson
09
Water Seiner
09
Thomas Willams
05
Just holding
07
Zachariah Satull
10
groton the. 4. 6. mo"* 1679 at a meeting of y e select men thay
deed agree that all the swine in shall be yoked from this time to
the last of Sabtember next y* are to be yoked, by ye tweluet of
this month, and Joseph parker sen and willam longly Juner are
choues to see y' swine are sofishantly yoked by the time & if y a
find them unyoked y a are to yoke them and to haue six penc a
swine for yoken them to be payed by the oners of y e swine
at the same meeting the select men chouesen willam green and
samuell woods to uiew y e fences in the towene to see whether thay
are sofishant acording to towene order y l is a sofishant fiue raile
fenc or y* which is equelint and thay shall be payed acording to
law [46]
Desember the n 79 att a towne meting in groto[n] it was
agreed for the yeare insuing provided that the towne due bilde a
meting house then fiftie pounds for this yeare
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 57
At a towne meting the 23 Desembr the select Chosen Captayne
parker leiutenant lakin sargin lakin ensgne larrence sargin knop
Richard blud John Mos he being the towne Clarke
December the 30 Att a towne meting was granted to Jonas
prescat six accors of land liing betwene matthias and Justin houl-
den he being liable from this time forward to pay for a ten acors
acomedations
This is to testifie that I Jonas prescot of groton haue Changed
this granted land with matthias farnorth of The same towne for
sicth accors and a quarter more or less ling vpon the indian hill
over against Thomas boyden
The entries from December 1 1 are in Richard Blood's
handwriting.
John Morse, the sixth town clerk, was also the eighth in the
order of succession, holding the office during the years 1680
and 1681.
At a towne meeting Jun 8. 80 it was agred that that meeting
vpon december 30 it was noe town meeting
At a generall Town meeting held June 8 1680 It was this day
declared and by a majer part by vot declared that the meeting
house shall stand wheir the other meeting house or some wheir
their about.
It was also the same day and at the same time voted that the
meeting house shall stand some wheir betwene M r hubards house
and the Brook by the Captains
At the same meeting chusen for surveyors
Nicolas Cady William Green
Jonas Prescot John Parish
for viewers of fences
Samuell Woods John Barron
At a Generall Town meeting held Jun 8 1680 At the same
meeting was giuen to Thomas Beall of linn tanner ten acres of
land by the town prouided he come and Hue among them and
he not alienating nor selling it
58 EARLY RECORDS OF
At the same meeting was giuen to Joshua Wheat the same priui-
ledg that was giuen to Thomas Smith (viz.) that he shall hau a
quarter of an acre on this sid the run Joyning to his own line
A small slip of land granted to William Longley juni : of about
20 poll of land adjoyning to his owne land bounded by the hye
way:
A small slip of land granted by the towne to Samvell holden of
about forty or fifty poll Bounded by a whit s Oak tre which stand by
the hye way sid and soe Run along by the hye way till it com to a
heap of Burches about 2 poll from that which is our proper mark a
walnut tree [47]
June 15 1680 on a training day Granted vnto Jonas Prescot
that hee should tak vp a peice of land at stony Brook in referance
to the siting vp of a mill their and he is to tak it vp on the right
hand of the Bay path adjoyning to the pond and he is not to com
over the path and he is to run from Chelmesford lin to the lin of
Serg' Knop and so much as he tak vp their he is to lay down as
much again at one of the ends of his land that lye wheir the mill
now standeth 2 acres for one at stony Brook and he is to be at the
charg of taking vp and laying downe of the one and of the other
At a meeting of the select men noumbr i 1680 John Pag and
John Morsse chussen to tak the enuoys of the towne [48]
10 of the 10* m 1680 for 81 At a generall towne meetting held
ffor constables chussen
Jonas Prescott William Longley
ffor sellect men for the year ensuing
Ensigne Lawrance John Morss Jonathan Morsse
Jonas Prescott serg Knop William Greene Joshua Whitney
ffor Town clark Jn Morsse
ffor Clark of the writes
ffor Scalier of weights and measurs Jonathan Sawtell
ffor Survyers for this yeare
Henry Willard and Samuell Woods
ffor veiwers of fences and to see that swine bee ringed and yoked
John Nutting and Obadia Sawtell
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 59
A committe chussen to veiw and to giue Instructions to the
ssellect men to act in town affaires, which men are Capt Parker
Richard Blood Leiftenant Lakin Serg 1 Lakin John Page
ffor Tithing men John Pag Henry Willard James Parker ju :
John Barren sworne 22 10 m 80
At the sam meeting it was agred vpo.n by the town that they will
giu to M r Huberd seaventy pound for this year ensueing and to
pay him in corn Indian wheat Rye barley at price curant as the
Court stat it and in other prouission as god blesse vs withall and
30 cord of wood to be proportioned by the sellect men according
to euery mans proportion to be payd by the first of March and hee
that doe not pay him by that tim he is to pay him 6 s p cord in
Indian corne and that euery man is to pay him the first part of
his maintenanc within the first half year and the other half within
the yeare
At a town meeting held 22 of the 10 m 1680 It was then by
vote declared that they will giu to Mr hubert for this present year
fifty pound and a quarter part of it in money
At the same meeting it was agreed vpon and by vote declared
that the differanc concerni the meeting housse should be refferd
into the hands of thes twelv men viz cap* parker Richard blood
leift lakin Ensign lawranc sergt lakin serg Knop John Pag Jonas
Prescot John Morsse Joshua Whitney William green Jonathan
Morss and in cass these twelue men cafiot agree they hau full
power to chuse a committe to put a finall conclusion to Issue the
debat forthwith [49]
An addition to the former Instructions giuen by the committee
chussen by the town in the year 1680 10 of the 10 m
i That the ssellect men shall tak a prudent and spedy coursse
that the meeting housse worke shall goe on and to that end they stir
vp the constable y* he collect the pay that it be in a readyness to
pay the workmen for their work according to couenant made with
them : and that they let out the rest of the work so as it may be
most for the aduantage of the town and the meeting house beeing
finished in y e place wheir now it standeth the ssellect men are to
giu an account to the town at their years end of their receipt of
rates and the Improument of their disbursments
60 EARLY RECORDS OF
2 Morouer they ar to tak an account of the constabl y e rates that
are commited to them of their Improument and disbursments and
that the ouerplust if any it may be Improued to the towns aduan-
tag
3 ffurther mor when their is an occasion for a towne meeting the
ssellect men are to giu seasonabl warning of it and the seuerall
perticulers that are to be discoursed of that day and if their be an
envoyse to be taken the seuerall Inhabitants -are to bring it in that
day either by bill or som other muney and if any person neglect
the sam they must expect to be rated by will and doome
4 And what euer rates that are to be transmited from the ssellect
men to the constables each mans estat shalbe transcribed on the
one sid and their sum on the other
5 And what euer mistakes in any mans Rate that doe apear
heartofor they are to be amended in the next rates
6 And what euer deffect or mistake that doe apear in any thing
that doe concerne the meeting hous they shall endeavour to amend
and rec y the sam
7 And that all rules henc forward that are mad by the sellect
men shalbe set down in the town book with their sumes
7 The ssellect men shall se that the Rates referring for the tim
past made for the defraying of M r Huberds sallery shalbe cleared
and a generall acquitance taken of M r Huberd for the same and
that it be recorded in the town Book and so from year to yeare the
lik car shalbe taken by the ssellect men
8 That the ssellet men shall take care that noe trashant person or
persons coming in to this towne may abid so long in the towne
without warning as that continuing may not becom a charg to the
towne
10 That the ssellect men doe what they can to healle the differ-
ences that are in the towne in their managing the prudentiall affairs
of the town and doe no thing to Increasse and augment the same
JAMES PARKER:
RICHARD BLOOD
WILLIAM LAKIN
JOHN LAKIN
JOHN PAGE [50]
It was agreed vpon by the towne that Pelleg Lawranc shall pay
to a fine acre right from the day it was granted and henceforward
decem. 22 1680
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 6l
Also at the same tim granted that he shall hau an addition of an
acre and halfe right
It was agred vpon and by vote declared that whateuer votes hau
formerly past that they shalbe of non effect now they will for this
present year giii to Mr Huberd fifty flu pound a quarter part of it
money
Also agreed vpon and voted that hee shall haue 30 Cord of wood
for this present yeare
The 24 of the 10 m 1680 The committe chussen by the towne
to end the differanc that was in the town referring to the meeting
house whose names are in the town book haue agreed as followeth
i That we doe forgiue each other wheirin we haue qeen Instru-
mintall of greiuing each other in word or deed referring to the dif-
ferance and that for the tim to com we will doe what we can to
promote and increase lou and doe nothing to break the peace now
mad reffering to our agrement about the standing 2 and goe-
ing on to finish the meeting house in the place wheir now it
standeth and indeuvor to satisfie silence all our Inhabitants
That the persons that drew the timber for the meeting house
from doeing it without order shall haue nothing for their work vn.
less particuler men will alow them any thing on their own good
will
3 That thos that raised the meeting house shall bear their own
cost a charg both for tim and prouision
4 That the wholl towne shall goe on joyntly to gether to finish
the meeting hous with all convenient speed without any regret or
reflexion one vpon another in the place wheir now it standeth
At a meeting of the sellect men febr 8. 1680 for bearding of
cattell
It is ordered by the sellect men that all the neat Catell from one
year old and vpward shalbe hearded in these heard as followeth
The first heard begining at Ensigne Lawrances and so tak in
Samuell Woods and James Roberson and Richard Bloods and all
the Cattell within this Rang this heard is to goe out three dayes in
the week by William Longleys or wheir the company of the heard
shall agree and three dayes in the week from Richard Bloods end
to Ensigne Lawrances and so into the woods Richard Blood is to
bring his catell and James Roberson and others that liue out of the
62 EARLY RECORDS OF
rood of the heard into the way wheir the heard is agreed vpon to
goe out the major part of the heardurs agreeing
The second heard begining at Matthis ffarnworthe and so driu
to Jonas Prescots and John Barron is to bring his Cattell to the
Bridg by Ellis Barrons this heard is to goe out by Pelleg Law-
ranees and so all the catell in this rang and this heard is to goe out
three dayes in the week by Pelleg Lawrance driuing from Matthias
ffarnworths and three dayes in the week by Matthias ffarnworth
driuing from Pelleg Lawrance
The third heard is to tak in all the catell on the west sid of
Broad medow begining at Samuell Kemps and all the Rang of
catell to Justin Holden and Samuell Dauis so driuing out by James
Brok [51]
And It is ordered that all those that refus [to] heard with the
comons of that heard he belong to shall pay an equall proportion
with thos that heard in that heard
ffor the preuenting of damag doing by swine 1680 febr 8 It is
ordered by the sellect men that all swin from three months old
and vpward shalbe sufficiently Ringed in the nose from the first
of aprill till the last of nouember and the owners of them shall
keep them thus Ringed the wholl tim and if any person be deffec-
tiu in not keeping this order their shalbe sixe pence leiued vpon
euery swin soe often as they be found deffectiu and those men which
are chosen to see that swine be according to this order shall hau
halfe of the fine halfe to thes men and halfe to the townes vse
It is furder orderd that all swine shalbe sufficiently yoked from
the last of aprill till the last of September and thos persons who
are to se to this order finding any swine within the habitable parts
of the towne without yok shall haue sixe pence halfe shall returne
to the vse of the towne and the other halfe to the ouerseers and
they must giu the owners of the swine seasonable warning
It is furder ordered by the select men that all fence shalbe set vp
by the fifteene day of aprill a sufficient fence of fiue Raills or ae-
quivolent to it sufficiently done and those persons which are to se to
the performance of this order which shall find any fence Insuffi-
cient and not according to this order they shall giue the owners of
the fence sufficient warning to pay or mak vp this fence and and if
the owners refuse they are to mend vp the fence at their owne charg
and exact double pay vpon the owners of the fence
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 63
A Rat mad for the meeting house frame and truly cast vp by the
sellect men and the Just sume is 32 14 8
The town Rat beeing truly cast vp by
the sellect men to pay for wolues heads
the sume is 864
The Towne rat for the powder and
ammunetion beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men
and the sum is 10 8 8
A Rat made for Mr Hoberd for the year 1679
beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men
and the Just sum is 51 n u
A Rat made for Mr huberd for the year 1680
beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men
and the Just sum is 50 12 4
A Rate made by the sellect men for couering
the meeting house Roof and sides windows dores
stairs and Pulpit and the Just sum is 44 2 5
[52]
At a generall Town meeting febr 18 1680 It was then agreed
vpon and voted that the old Commitee chusen shold perfect their
work in laying out the hye way to Concord
At the same meeting it was voted that the town would haue the
southeast line against Meshobee Run and they would bear the
charges and haue all the profit
At the same meetng it was agreed vpon and voted that M r Hub-
berd should haue all the coition which was capable to male medow
in swan pond medow vp to the vpland for seauen acre and a halfe
for to mak vp his fifteen acres of medow
1681 25 d i m the seleckt men did ordr Jonathan satell con-
stibll too pay Richard blood fiften shilings and sixpens for wolfs
This datt is payd [in Blood's handwriting.']
At a generall town meeting at Groton June 13 th 1681 Then
granted to Jonas Prescot liberty to set vp his Corne mill at stony
Brook on the sid next Concord in any place betweene the spring
and the Bridg and to haue liberty to mak vse of soe much and noe
more of the water as may sufficiently serue for the sayd mill pro-
uided that what damag theirby may be to the towne high way the
sayd Jonas Prescot shall at his owne charg constantly make good
[53]
64 EARLY RECORDS OF
Owing to the want of chronological arrangement in making
the entries, the paging of the record-book after this place will
not be indicated within brackets.
in groten 16 June 1681 thar is layed out for Palig Loranc and
ajoyning too and bounding upon the south by swan pond medow
Eleuen acers and a half lauing Rome Round his medow acordin
too Town order and bounded upon other sids by the Comon
allso 8 ayte ackers and a halfe a litll distant northword and
bounded on all sides by comon land the lins being extant by marked
trees and stackes
thes too parsils of land ware layd out by me John fflint
Recorded by me JOHN MORS Clarke
This aboue written of Peleg Lawrances land by Agreement is by
Peleg Laurance relinquished & yeild to M r Hobart : March 8 th
in y e presence of y e select men
At a generall town meeting at groton Nouembr 14 dy 1681
Then agreed upon and uotid that all bublick chargis shall be leuied
upon all uisibell Estat Catill acording too law and all land shall
be Estemed and Ratid after the uilowation of a hundrid pounds
for a twenty ackres acomidayon and all lands shall pay in hos hands
thay shall be found acording too this purporsion
at the same meting it was then agred upon and uotid that thar
shall be land sould for the finishin of the meting house and for the
procuring of glas and nayls furst
Captin Parker Leftenant Lackins Sargant Knop was chosin
comity for the salle of this land
at the sam toowne meting 1681 it was grantid and uotid that
Nickloas huckin shall haue tenn ackers of land which was formirly
giuen too Tomos wad [Wood ?]
at the sam meting it was grantid that Jams Parkr mit haue a
strayt Linn by his hous aioyning too the country Rode
at a ginnrall Town meting of groton desember 12 d 1681
ffor constibls heniry Willard and Joshawy Whitny
for tythin men John lackins Insin Lorins sargin Kncp Jonathan
morse
for seleckt men Captin Parker Leftenint Lackins John Pnge
sargant Knop sargin Lackins sargin ffisk Richard Blood
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 65
the comity chosin toogiue in struckyons to the seleckt men Insin
lorinc Jonas Preskod Jonathan Mors Willam Longly heniry Willard
Comishinurs too iud small casis in Toown acordin too law Captin
Parkr Leftenint Lackin Insin Lorins
suruaierse for the hi waies Johnethen Satel Josep larense Wilyam
longly peleg larurnz
to ueue the fancese and lok after the swine nicklus huchins Sam
Scriptur James nuting Enosh larrans
The last two paragraphs are in the handwriting of Captain
James Parker.
ffor an adision too former instruckyons giuen by the comity chosin
by the toown 12 d lom 1681 that the seleckt men are to tack
Measures for too call the comity too an acount which was chosin
too seell land for too finish the metin hous thay shall tack an
acount of them of the land they have soolld and too horn and for
how much and for what pay and how thay have desposed of the
pay and entr it in too the tooun Book and give a tru acount too
the toown
2 they are too tack car that there be a cooll or colleg of laming
of children the inglish tung too Red
3 that by rasin of the com playnt of seuerall in habid the seleckt
men are too se and tack spesill car that Jonas Prescod doo full fill
his agrement with the town
Insin Lorinc Willam longly
henire Willird Jonathan Morss
The following "rate" is in James Parker's handwriting
and very hard to read.
a Rate mad for mr hubrd of 55 poundse shels pans
30 of the 10 81
Capten Parkr 232 John mose i i
insin lorense i 9 7 Adorn Gold o 9
Jams blod i 9 10 widow longly i 8
nat buterwth on 9 Zek Hixe 041
Zeckrey parese 0910 Sam dause i i 6
Josep blod o 10 6 Steuen Holde u 2
Richard blod o 16 2 John parsh o 911
66
EARLY RECORDS OF
Jamse knap
o
14
8
Jo larense
o
6
2
Sam Screpter
o
9
8
Enosh larense
5
O
left laken
4
8
Jamse fisk
i
4
2
Josep Parker
I
4
3
Jonethe Satel
i
15
I
John Cady
o
5
o
Jos wet
o
5
O
nat blod
I
3
8
torn Smethe
o
2
Josi parkr
o
8
4
Jo wetny
o
14
Jamse parker
o
8
9 .
Simon Ston
14
John elxsandr
o
ii
o
Simen Ston s
John laken
I
i
2
John Page
I
6
Heniry Wilerd
I
8
8
nik huchen
o
5
John Wilerd
IO
IO
Sam holden
5
nik Cady
18
2
danel Cady
3
Wil gren
I
*3
I
isek larense
o
2
peleg larense
o
10
IO
elx Ruse
o
5
Jams Robsn
o
IO
4
Jamse fisk
o
5
Jonethe larense
o
12
ii
thomas \blotte<T\
o
2
6
Jonse prescot
I
2
3
Zackiry Satel
o
9
IO
Jamse cady
o
5
4
James nuteng
10
10
Crestefr Hale
o
ii
5
John nuteng
o
9
8
Timethy Alen
o
14
9
the proporsn of
wod is
to
set
John Copr
o
5
o
to aite shelings
and so pro-
Eprim filbrek
o
5
o
posnable to gretr and lese
Samu thurstn
o
16
2
somse
mat farnworthe
o
9
8
Josep gilson
o
9
9
'the some
J 3
10
Wily longly
o
'5
i
55
,
6
Sam Kemp
o
12
IO
John baren
I
O
4
John farnworthe
o
9
5
mat farnworthe s
I
o
6
Obed Satel
o
12
7
Just Houlden
o
9
i
Johnethn Mose
o
7
7
Sam Wodse
I
2
2
Jacob Onge
o
6
7
Elze baren
o
8
4
Danel perse
9
10
Robrd blod
o
19
9
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
m Rusel
o 19 9
ben Crespe
070
John longly
098
tho wilyams
o 4 ii
wil sander
o 4 ii
A ratt mayd for mester hulbart of fifti fiue pounds a quarter in
money the other part in Corne and provison to be payd the halfe
by the first of march and the other halfe when his yeare is out and
thirte Cord of wood to pay worthwith by evere inhabitant according
to proportion as in the ratt directs The non Residents exsepted
RICHARD BLOOD 81-82
in the name of the select men
The first of Jen Reciued of Jonathan Sattell a Descharg from
M r hubard for his rates for 79 and 80 the full sum of one hundred
pown and a quarter parte muney acording to the agrement with the
tovvne as full satisfaction for them two yers
Reciued of Jonas Prescotte a descharge of M r hubard for his
reate deue in eightey one whom Do acknowleg himself sattisfyed
with y e town for y e yere
Reciued of William Longley a Descharg from M r hubard for his
reate deue for y e yere in all the full sum of fiftey fiue pownds a
quarter pt muney
the second day of Januarie 81 The towne this day agreed and
voted for Mester hulbard that he should haue for this yeare sel-
lerie fiftie fiue pounds a quarter money and the rest as heretofor
the one halfe to be payd in by the first of march next and the rest
when the yeare is out or before as also thirty Cord of wood within
a fortnith
Captayne parker
Richard blood
leiuetenant lakin
John page
James knop
We whose names ar vnder ritten do ingage to Cleare the last
yeare Rats within tow weakes To M hubbard
The forth of Januar This is to testifie that the select men do
ingadg and promise to stand by Jonathan Sawtell for the recovering
68 EARLY RECORDS OF
of the non residents or any other what the ar behind provided he
acte according to law for all the rates during these tow yeares past
The last two items are in Richard Blood's handwriting ;
but the following three, written on detached pieces of paper,
are in the hand of James Parker.
the paselse of work payed for out these Rats ar as foloue and
thare sumse
for claperdng and shingleng the hous 23 o o
for the sleperse 170
for the underpineng o 10 o
for the stonse to ounderpin the house o 16 o
for laing the flour and dorse making 120
for nailse 490
for bordse 3000 7 10 o
more in nailse 030
and one hing - o i 6
also for makng the pulpet 030
38 14 9
remain 556
Rest doue to the toun frome the to constablse prescot and
longly of the forty four pound Rat mad and cometd into thare
hadse to expend about the metg house 4 18 6
the 5 of genewar 1681
the persons behind :
M r Rusele o 18 9
Rbld o 18 9
Jo longly o 14 o
Jo bid 085
sargnt lakn 184
Will Sandrse 042
Zakry satele 094
torn Smethe 024
. . . refering to the metinge house Rate
Resed of Capten parkr 2 o 9 by Jossia parkr his Rate
payed for insin lorense o 5 6 by Josia paker
payed for insin lorense o 16 o by Joseph parker
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
6 9
12
14
4
5
12
9
16
10
6
by nat buterworth
by nat buterworth
by Jonse prescot
by nat buterworth
by Jamse paker
by Joseph parker
by Joseph Parker
by Sie Parker
by Sia parker
by si parker
by Jamse parker
by nek Cady
by nek Cady
by nat buterworth
payed for Johnethen Mos on 9
payed for Johnethen satle o 10 3
payed mor for lorense o
payed for wil gren o
payed more for gren o
payed for mat farnworth o
payed for ffarnworthse sonse o
payed for John Morse o
payed for wil gren o
payed for Obed Satle o 10 o
payed for Sam Dauis 030
payed for pe larense 030
payed for Sar Knap o 10 5
payed for danle prse 3 5
payed for
. . . refaring to the meting house Rate
[payed to] nat buterworth by wil longly 040
[payed] to Jamse parker o 3 10
[payed] to buterworth in befe o 12 o
[pay]ed to Jamse parker by parash o 6 i
payed to Jamse parker by Henry Wilerd 152
payed to J parker by Enosh lorranse o 30
payed to Jamse and Si by Crestu r Hale 026
payed for Sam thurstho by Jo parker 082
Jnneuary3i 1681 It agred upon by the select men That the
Indanes shall be warned out of the Toune forth with and if the
shall neiglect the warning and if any of them be taken drounke or
in drinke or with drink Then these parsons ar to be sezed and
brout be foure the select men either by counstable or by any other
parson and be pounesed accordin as the law doth direct and the
Informar shall be sattised for his paines
The following list of names is without date, and comprises,
with the exception of Mr. Willard, the heads of families living
in the town soon after its resettlement. An approximation of
the time when it was written may be obtained from the fol-
lowing fact: The name of Widow Longley appears in the list;
as her husband died November 29, 1680, it was made subse-
quently to that date, but probably not much later. Mr. Wil-
EARLY RECORDS OF
lard was not a resident of the town at this time, though a
large land- owner. The first forty-seven names are in the
handwriting of Jonathan Morse, but the others were written
by Captain James Parker.
Jacob Ong 38
Joshuy Wheat 39
Willim gren 40
Richard Satill 41
John Parish 42
Bengiman \_blank~\ 43
Joseph Mors 44
Simon Stoon 45
Justin Holld : 46
Sargin Lackins 47
Zackriah ffars 48
Zackriah Satill 49
Leftenent lackin 50
Thomas Tarbol Jun 5 r
John lacken 52
John Morse 53
John larenc 54
Wilyam Sanders 55
Richrd Hculden 56
Capten Parker 57
Nich Huchesen 58
John baren 59
Joseph larenc 60
Mat farnworth Jun 61
Elis baron 62
James Knap 63
Insin larenc 64
James Cadey 65
Mr Sam Wilerd 66
John Parker 67
James Parker 68
Jonethen Satle 69
Sam Church 70
Widow longly 71
Eles baron jr 72
Joseua Witney 73
Samiwell Kemp
i
Danill Pears
2
Richard Blood
3
Nicklis Cady
4
Obadiah Satill
5
Samiwell Wods
6
Joseph Blood
7
Thomis Tarbll Sen
8
John Nutin
9
Nathanill Blood
10
John Coper
ii
Mastr Rusill
12
Timithy Alin
I 3
adim gooll
14
Jams Robison
15
Jams Blood
16
Joseph Parker
17
Zackriah Hicks
18
William Longly
19
Jams Nutin
20
Samiwell Dauis
21
Thomis Smith
23
Timithy Copr
24
Enosh Loranc
25
Jonathan Mors
26
John ffarnom
27
Jonas Presood
28
John Pag
2 9
Nathan butrwoth
30
Willim gren
31
Cristouer Hall
3 2
Captin Parkr
33
Rubin Blood
35
Matthias ffarnom S r
36
Jonithan Lonnc
37
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 71
Jonathan Morse, the eighth town clerk, was the son of
Joseph and Hester (Peirce) Morse, of Watertown, where he
was born November 7, 1643. He married, October 17, 1678,
Abigail, daughter of William and Susanna Shattuck, and they
had four children. He held the office of town clerk from the
year 1682 inclusive until the time of his death, which occurred
July 31, 1686. He was the first town clerk of Groton who
signed the records with his name, though the practice was not
constant with him.
the in stroucktions giuen by the towns commity in the yere. 1682.
i first that the salackt men doe mak and maintain pase and loue
won with another in the town and aspashaly with m. hubard in in-
coridging him in his work by forwarding won and other in being
wiling to alow him honorabl main tanans as the law darackts in
pag 45 and that thay warn the in habitans to gather till thay be
agreed with. m. h [Mr. Hobart?] and that the salack men mak no
rate till the town be agreed with him M hub [Mr. Hobart?]
2 that upon complaint of som of the in habitans that the reats
mad by salackt men be Justly proporshaned to euery man his Just
dew to pay and no more
3. that the salackt men gat a discharg of m hub for the yere past
as to his last salarey the yere past
4 that the salckt men doe tak spashal care y l all the high ways
be sofishantly mended from hous to hous mill markit and meting
5 that thos laws be rade in the publick meting that is requir and
all other dutys be longing to salackt men as the law darackts be
parformed
6 for as much as there has been complaint of many pore par-
sons that can not pay rats the salackt men are to mak diligant
sarch whather it be so that thay may be eased in the rats and pay
goodman Cadey for a cord of wood
7 the salackt men are to tak spashal care that thare bee a town
book & a sofishant man chosen to racord our lands as may stand
acording to law
8 allso that the salackt men doe atand the law of the contrey
con sarning the indins in this town
9 that the salackt doe giue up a tru acount to the town of all
the disbursments in the town this vere
72 EARLY RECORDS OF
10 and allso that sabath day saruis may bee parformed in the
sason of it that the sabath may not be profained as it is two much
The instructions given above are in Jonas Prescott's hand-
writing.
the 8 of the i month 1682 at a selekt mense meting it is agread
upon by them that al the yoke Catele in the .toune shall be Harded
in thre Hards all that ar aboue on year ould shal be Harded Exsept
such as ar to be fated these may be put out of the town if the oners
of them plese or else thay are to pay to the hard that the onerse of
the Catel Relateth to : The Hardse are deuided as foloweth the
forst Hard is to begen at John farnworthse and to End at Sam
Houldens takeng takeng in John lorences Eprem filbreks and John-
athan laransese Catle
The second hard to be gine at samuele Wodes and to end at
wilyam longlyes tkeng in Elek Ruse Enosh larenenc and insin
larance
The therd Hard is to be gine at Jams Robesens and to End at
Justinen Houldense takeng in sam dauises catel the persens Rela-
teng to Ether of thes Hards ar to order the goeng out of thar hard
both for time and wai of ther Catel walkse : if aney man Refuse or
naglekt to hard thar Catel a cordeng to thes order thay ar subject
to the penelty of the towns order
Richard blod leueng inconuently to hard Has leberty granted to
Him to kepe His Catele on the west sid of the reuer or else to
kepe them out of the towne wich he plesethe if thay be found
on this sid thay ar liabel to pay the penelty of the touns order
by order of the selecttmen JAMES PARKER sene
swine \jn margin"] morouer we do agre that ale swin that are
aboue thre monthse ould shal be sofeshntly Ringed and kept Ringd
from the ferst of aprele tel the last of septembr and yoked or shut
oupe if thay take aney mens Corn or be other waise unruly
Debts deue from thes Persons to the town for lands sould to
them
By Capt Parker n 10 6
out of which he haue payd as foloweth in 2166
reneueng y e town bounds by him selfe and his too sons 2 4
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 73
for quartring the artise and nails
for the melting hous glas and Dors and
for gathering y e invoice 685
The rest Deue to the town 3
Joseph Parker thre hundred ackers 835
of lande bought of the town 15 o 8
wherof payd in money 3 13 o
Ser Leakin one hundred akers 500
henery willard one hundred ack 500
Jonas Prescotte one hundred and ten ackers 5
Peleke lawranc one hundred ackers 500
also deue to the town from Constable Prescott
and Const Longly vpon the acount of the meting
house reate 4 18 6
insin larence for to parcelse of land near his house containeng
foure akhers mor or lese to pay leftenen danforth one pound and
sixe shilengse in silvr or in other pay such as Corne
The last paragraph is in the handwriting of Captain James
Parker.
March 28 1682 two Indian squaws being apprehended In
drinke & with drinke brought to y e select men one squaw Nehatch-
echin swaw being drouncke was sentanced to receive & did receive
ten stripes the other John Nasquuns sway was sentanced to pay
3 s 4 d cash and loose her two quart bottle and the Liquour in
it awarded to Sarg nt Laken who seized them.
growtin the 25 of the 2 1682 25 d 2 m 1682 The Lands of Jonas
Prescott lying att stony brock mill at the other sid swan broock the
east sid begining at stoony brock ponde and soo from the pond too
the high way as the marks dooe dereckt and from the Cuntry high
way as the marks dooe dereckt too Chensford lin and soo too the
pond on the south East East sid of stoney broock and on that sid
the mill is on the bounds of the mill plas is boundid from a whit
ock tree too a burch and soo as thes marks doo direckt from the
cuntry high way : the sum of land is 28 twenty ayt ackers mor or
les : only we did agree that the Town shall haue liberty if thay need
74 EARLY RECORDS OF
too goue too mack eus of the water or too cler the b. ouck on ayther
sid of the Brook if ned be won pole wid not oltring any thing that is
doon as too the mill crick or the gats only the land is for the proper
eus of the sayd Jonas Prescott that is too \_left unfinished.^
for which lands the Town hath as much land tackin ofe the sayd
Jonas Prescott land lying at the old mill plase this land was tiken
ofe by the sam layers out of land this sum of land was takin ofe
that side Jonas Prescott farm at the ould mill plas from mastr ushers
land called the fifty ackers all the land that was Jonas Prescotts
lyinng from mastr ushers northeast corner and soo too Matthias
ffarnoworth medow all the land too mudy brook is tacken ofe for
saytfactyon acording too Towns agreement two ackers for won . .
as witnis our hands
JAMS PARKER
WILLAM LACKIN
JAMS KNOP
At A meeting of the select men Jun y e 5 th 82 agered with sar-
gent John laken to macke a sofishant Pound & Stocks the pound
thirty foots square seuen Railes in a lenth the pound to be sofish-
ant & to mack a gate & hang it the stocks six footes long with 5
hols at y e lest, thes are to be don forth with, for which the sayed
Lackin is to haue 02 15 .00 to be discounted as part of pay for his
land which he bought of the town :
At A metting of y e select men the 5 of y e 4 th mo th 1682 Ke-
ciued of y e Constables henerey Willerd and Joshewah Whettne'y a
descharge from M r hubarde for his reat for his half yere last past
the 2 th 10 mo 1682 The comity chosin by the Town too sell land
sould too insig Nathannill loranc too parsills of land ner his hous
contatayning foure ackers mor or les being and lying as followeth
one pese on the south sid of the high way that goe too flagey medow
lauing the high way say fewer pooll wide from Willam grens land
this land is bounded northerdly by the aforesayd high way eastardly
by the towns Comon land sothardly partlly by Samiwell Woods
swamp and partlly by Willam grenne south wastward ly by the sayd
Lorancis own land the sayd high way too be left out fower pooll
wid continuing the length of Willam grens lyn and then the sayd
loranc lyn dooe Run with a slent by the grat stump too his own
fence ner the Bredg a loowing good man gren a high way too his
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 75
midow too fetch his. hay and the insin Loranc is too mayntayn a
soo fisint bars or gat
2 }y . the other pes aioyning too his own hous loot bownded soth-
ardly by the high way ledihg up in too the Town wastardly and
northardly by the lands of Captin Jams Parkr and eastrdly with
the sayd Lorancis owne land this land beeing payd & by the ac-
knowldgment of the commitee [This last line is in another hand-
writing.^
Reuised compared and confarmed by the seleckt men acording
too the ordr of the Toown
JONATHAN MORS dark 22 d 8 m 1683
at a ginirall Town meetin hilld at grotin n day of desembr 1682
and thar was chosin for constiblls John Page Sargin Knop
and for seleckt men Captin Parker Leftenint Lackens Sarint Knop
John Pag Sargin Lackins Josiah Parkr Jonathan Mors
Comisiners too try small casis acordin too law Captin Parkr
Leftenint Lackins insin Lorinc
for tithin men Captin Parkr Leftennt Lackins Josiah Parkr
timithy allin :
for soueuyrs Jonathan Satill Palig Lorinc Willam Longly
Samiwell Kemp
for too loock aftr swinn Cristuer hall Jacob Ong
for fens uewers Just Holdin Jams Robison
at the sam metin it was uotyd and a gred upon that tha that was
chosin too sell land for the finishin the metin hous was too sell no
mor
at the same Metin it was agred upon and uotid that the land that
is called by the name of Thomis Willimsis land sholld be sowld
and John Pag Samiuell Woods were chosin too sell this Land
at a ginirall Toown metin 12 d 10 month 1682 thes men were
chosin to giue the seleckt men in strucktyon Samiwell Wods
Jonas Prescod John Parish Jams nutyn Heniry Willard
at a ginerall town metyn upon the 12 da 10 m 1682 It was
agreed upon and uotyd by the Town that thay wolld giue Mastr
Hubrd three core pound for this yer sallory in pay and spachy as
followeth that is too say fifteen pound in money and ffiue and forty
pound in corn and prouision : won halfe too be payd by the furst
76 EARLY RECORDS OF
of March and the other half by the next Mickellmas and six and
thurty cord of wood
Thes parsins hos nams are undr writin doo in gag too pay thar
pur porsion too a seuenty pound Rat a cuarter part in money the
other part in corn and pro uision and forty cord of wood
Captyn Parker
Lettenint Lackins
Sargon Knop
John Pag
Jonathan Satull
William Longly
Henory Willard
Jonas Prescod
Enosh Loranc
Nicklous Cady
John ffarnom
at a ginarall Town metyn i : day n m 1682 it was uotyd that
Mastr Huberd shold haue sixty fyue pound for this yers saliry in pay
and spashy as follow that is too say a cuartr part in mony and aite
pound worth of pork and the Reste of his Rat must be payd in corn
and prouision and won half of this pay must be payd by the furst
of march and the other half by the Last of nouembr and forty cord
of wod
at the seleckt mens metyn upon the n moth 4 day 1682 a rat
mad for Mastr hubard contayning sixty five pound and ayght pens
by Jonahan Mors Clark in the nam of the seleckt men
24 d i m 1683 at a seleckt mens metin Sargin Lackins did giue
a tru acount for the seleckt men how he payd for his land pound
and stocks fifty fiue and fiue shilins in siluer at forty shilins in
siluer [this word erased] by leftenint and lefenint haue bayd this
four shilins for Runing he town lyn all but won shilin
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
It is evident from the appearance of the original record that
the preceding entry belongs in this place and not at the end
of the year.
at a ginarall Town meting upon 23 d 2 m 1683 It was agred
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 77
upon and uoted that Mastr : Hubrd shall haue liberty too mack this
pullpit for his eas and comfort soo as he dooe no ways defase the
work now doon and will mack it dasant and comly acquiuilent too
the work undrneath upon his own charg
at a ginnreall Toown metyng upon the 23 d 2 m 1683 it was
Agreed upon and uoted that thay war willing that the land shoold
be soald which is too tack up in Leeu of Neshobey too pay thar
Toown dets
at the sam metyng it was agreed upon and uoted that this land
shold be soould : for forty pound in Corn and Catill soo as too
pay the Toown dets and thay that bye this land shall be att all the
Charg in the laying out of this land
26 d 2 m 1683 at a seleckt mens meting Jonathan Satill was
ordred too pay Timithy allin fiften shilins
At A seleckt men meting 2i d 3 m 1683 Captin Parker and Insin
Loranc was Chosin too met with Chensford comity too Renew the
Lyne
at a gennirall Toown meeting 25d 4 m 1683 A gred upon and
uotyd that the Toown wooll sell land for too pay thar present deews
and the Comity shall sell no land within too mill of the metin hous
and the Comity shall sell no land undr twenty ackr & ecksept it be
furst brought too the Toown at a ginarull Toown meting and if the
Town doo determined too sell such land the Comity may Deed it
lagully
The in habitenc of This Toown have liberty too by land att a
uallowabll Prise of the Comity so noe land shall be soald undr
Twell penc A nacker
Captyn Parker Leftenint Lackins Sargon Knop was chosin a
Comity too sell this land
Samiwell Wood Willam grenn [the last name erased.]
The following vote appears to be the rough draft of the one
that comes immediately after it.
June. 25. 1683 At a genrall towen meeting it was agreed upon
& detarmed by vote y* ther should be Land sould by y e former
Comity Chosen by the towen to sell land for y 6 paymen of towen
78 EARLY RECORDS OF
debts : & y* thay shall seell no land under twelue penc y e acker &
any Inhabatant of this towen hath liberty to by Land agreen with
y e Comity
Jewn 25 1683 At a ginarall Toown meting it was a greed upon
and detarmid by uot that thar shall be land sould by the former
Comity Chosin by the Town too sell land for the defraueing of fore-
mer dets and thay shall sell no land und twell penc the acker and
any inhabitant have liberty too by land agreing with the comity
this latr uot countr maynds the former that is aboue it on Jewn 25
1683
At a ginarall Town meting upon the 25 d 4 m 1683 it was agred
upon a uotid that thay wolde giue Willam Prist teen ackrs of land
and ten to Nath Lawren
at a ginarall toown meting upon the 25 day 4 month 1683 it
was agred upon and uotyd that the Toown wold chos a comity for
tooee pllas the metin house : and thes men war chosen
Captin Parker Lefeninant Lackins Richard Blood Sargon ffisk
insin Loranc
Samiwell Woods was chosen too Joyn with this comity
At the sam meting it was agred upon and uotyd that sargan Knop
and leftenant Lackins and sargon Lackins and Jams nutin and
John ffarnom was chos a comity for too Run the owld lin which
Jonathan Danford Rund too tack in the Land which is due too us
by Neshobey and too mack a return too the Toown
The following " agreement " appears to be the rough draft
of the one that comes immediately after it.
An agreement betwen the town of groton & Jonas Prescot uiz y'
he hath Liberty to set up a sawmill at stony brook upon condishans
as folow furst y 1 he shall acomadat y e town with merchantabell
bords at sixpenc y e hndred cheper then are sould at any outher saw-
mill and for towe pay & y 1 y e towe shall be suplyed befor any outher
porsons & he is to haue this priueliges untell ther may occer som-
thing that may be of greater aduanteg [to the] town . . . ether by
loran works or outher wayes . . . y e saw mill [shall] not hinder y e
corn mill . . .
an agrement mad be twen Jonas Prescod and the Town of grotin
that he the sayd Prescod haue liberty too set up a sawmill att
Stoony Brock and to have the ues of the stream upon con disions
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 79
as followeth furst that he shall a Comindat the Toown with mar-
chindabll Bords at sixpenc a hundred cheaper then are sowlld at
any other saw mills and for Town pay and that the Town shall be
sooplyed befor any other parsin and he is too have this priuilig
untill thar may aper sumthing that may be of g 1 " 3 " aduantig too the
Townn which by lorun woks or any other ways allways prouided
the saw mill do not hindr the corn mill and the sayd Prescod is to
haue the use of the Towns timpr for his own use and the sayd
prescod is too mack and mayntayn a sofisint cart[way?] from tyme
too tyme and at [all times.]
1683 The land of Obadyah Sautell sould too him by
the Towns comity chosin by the Towne too sell sd land
Twenty fower ackers of land mor or les ner the Burnt medow
being boundid as folowth boundid wastwardly by the land of Rich-
ard Sawtell northardly by the land of James Parker sener and
upon all other poynts with the Towns comon land and Jams risks
medow and Thomis Tarballs medow lauing a high way in it for the
use of the medow and thar be need of it
2 thurty ackres mor or lese being and lyeng on the south sid of
Indian hill medow agining too Richard satwalls medow called the
patchis bounded as foloweth north with the bay high way wast with
the land of John barron and northerdly by the land of John baron
and wasturdly and northardly by the land of Nickloas Huchin and
all so wastardly by the Towns Comon and south by the Towns
Comon and east by the land of Jams frisk and so contaying all the
swamp ground and stands with the sayd patchis
24 d 6 m 1683 at a seleckt mens meting Captin Parkr and sargin
Knop was chosin a comity for too met with Bilericy comity for too
trat about the grat bredg
at a ginrall Town metin upon the 28 of 6 m 1683 Jonas Prescod
was chosin comisinur too tack the contry inuoys
the 28 of 6 m 1683 at a ginarall Town meting it was agred
upon and uoted that the Comitys work wh they have done in plasing
the meting hous shall be uoyd and that the dignity of the sats of
the meting hous shall be detarmned by the Town that the Comity
may haue Ruls too plas the metin hous with thar best dis cresion
furst ofis seckently age and thurdly money
It is agred upon and uotyd that when the Comity had plased all
80 EARLY RECORDS OF
thes sats in the meetinghous and it doth aper that thar is som
wiating thar shall be sum mad a boue for the plasing of yong
parsins upon the Towns charg
it was a gred upon and uotyd that the furst be low shod be the
furst sat in dignity 2 ly the forst in the frunt galry shall be the
second sat in dignity the second sat below is the thurd sat in dig-
nity the frunt sat in the East galery is the forth sat in dignity the
thurd sat below is the fift sat in dignity the- second sat in the frunt
galry is is the sixe sat in dignity : the fowerth sat below is the
seuenth sat in dignity the sat by the window is the ayth sat in dig-
nity the second sat in the galory is the ninth sat in dignity
at the same meting it was agred upon and uotyd that the Dackins
sate shall be leuiled with the tabll and that it shall be plased with
parsins acording too the discresion of the Comity
22 day 8m 1683 at the seleckt mens meting the Towns comity
did giue thar acount too the selecktmen of the land sould for the
defrawing of the Toown dus and dets
no ackrs of land sowld too Josiah Parkr and John
ffarnom 5 15 o
2 too Captin Parkr 198 ackrs 8 18
3 too Joseph Parkr and Samiwell adams 200 ackrs 10 o o
4 Mathias ffarnoth and John ffarnoth 40 of land 2
andTnor too mathias ffarnom i ackr 2
5 too Jonas Prescod 13 ackr of land 13
6 too Jams Knop 35 ackr of land i 15
7 too sargin Lackins 10 ackrs of land o 10
8 too Thomis Boydin 100 ackr of land 5 o
9 Jonis Prescod detr too the Town for and by his
acount with the seleckt men 8 d 10 m 1682 33
Captin Parkr dew too the Town 120
by the acount giuin in 3 d lorn 1673
Leftenint Lackin 22 ackrs of land i 2
Captin Parkr haue payd too Jams nutin 060
and too Leftenint Lackins 050
and too sargin Knop 012 o
at a ginora Tovvne meting upon the 29 d 8 m 1683 it was agred
upon and uoted that the souayrs that are too lay out land and
Jonas prescod and Samiwell Woods shall be a comity for the helping
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 8l
of sum parsins namly soe many as ned thar buts and bounds that
thay may be fitid for A lagall record in too the new Town boock
and ho so euer dooe imploy this comity shall bar the chargis euery
parsin for him self for his own land : and the magr part of this
Comity sail determin any thing Refering too the recording of this
land
at the sam meting it was determinid by uot that in Refferenc too
a specioll Rat too Mastr Willard that eury in habitant that is a
propriatur shall haue won ackr of land layd out too him acording
too his furst grant that is too say vz twenty acker Right shall haue
twenty ackrs of land and soo pur porshinably for the smaller
grants and this deuision of land is too be tacken up upon this sid
of the Reuer
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
at a seleckt mens meting 30 d 8m 1683 Captin Parker Sargin
Knop Jonas Prescod was chos a comity too lay out the high way
from dunstabll too grotin
23d gm 1683 at a selek mens meting the constibls was ordrid
too pay too sargin Lackin seuen shilins out of the Rat
i d 10 m 1683 at a selekt mans meting too mack a rat too mend
high ways and to cast up mastr Huberds Rat
thar ware chosen for . . . Town afayrs in the lod lorn 1683
the seleckt men haue tacken speciall car and haue payd all thes
Town dets
29 d 10 m 1683 too Jams Knop o 12 o
2 too Leftenant Lackins 050
3 too Leftanant Lackins 012 o
4 too Josiah Parker for i wollfs hed and pups on
5 too Jams Nutin for 2 wolves hed and 3 days i u
6 too Insin Lawranc i 2
7 too Timothy allin i 10 6
8 too Cristiuer Hall for taking the inuoyc 060
9 too John ffarnworth for i wolf hed 3 dys half 113
10 too bilirica bredg 4 17 o
n too the county Rate 4 17 o
12 to Jonas Prescod for carig the pay biliryk 012 o
82 EARLY RECORDS OF
13 too Thomis boyin for paying him for finishin the
meting hous 3 o
14 too John Pag for his ould arergis o 910
This may sartyfy you that Joshiway Whitney haue prought in his
acwitinc from mastr Hubords own hand that the Rat that was com-
ited in too his hand when he was constabell was payd by me
JONATHAN MORS Clark
A a ginnrall Town meting 10 d 10 m 1683 the Tow haue cho-
sin thar Town offiersers Just holdin and John Parish for Constibls
thos which war chosin seleckt men Jonas Prescod Heniry
Willard Joshuay Whitny William Longly Jonathan Morse Clark
and seleckt men
10 d 10 m 1683 At the sam meting it was agred upon and uotd
that thay wold give Mastr Hubord seuenty pound for this yers sal-
ory and a cwartr part of this must be payd in money and the Rest
of his pay must be payd as it was determinid last yer and forty
cord of wod
at the the sam meting it was agred vpon and uoted that all thar
Toown charges shall be raysed by thar land and estats and if any
parsin haue pourchad any land it shall be Rated at flue pound the
hundred
Att a ginarall Town meting upon the 25 d 10 m 1683 them which
wur chosin souuyrs was Nicklos Huchin Nicklos Cady Jams
Parkr Cristuer Halle fo hog constiblls Samiwell Criptur goodman
Willam green and uewers of fenses
At a ginarall Town meting upon 25 d 10 m 1683 John Page
John Parish Insin Lorinc
.as you are Chosin a comity for and in the behalf of the Towne
you are desiered for too proue the Rit and titill we haue too our
Tooun ship by all the legall testimony which can be procuerid when
the Toown is sent too by aney a Tority and if aney ingins can proue
a lagiall titall too the Remainer of our Town ship you haue power
too by it at as easi a lay as you can and mack it as sur as maybe in
the behalf of the Toown and you shall haue Reasinabll satisfackion
for your payns.
JONATHAN MORS Clark
in the nam of the selckt men 31 d 10 m 1863
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 83
31 d 10 m 1683 4 The Comity did giue in thar acount too the
selelkt men upon 31 d 10 m 1683 of the land sowlld
too Joshiway Whitni 12 ackrs 012 o
2 Nicklos huchin 10 ackrs o 10 o
3 Jonathan satel 17 acks o 17 o
Insin Lorinc 40 acks 200
Just Holdin 4 ack 03 3
Obiadiah ssatill 54 ackrs 2 14 o
Jams Nutin 7 ackrs 070
at A ginnrall Town meting upon the 14 d u m 1683 tne Toown
comity did giue in thar acount of thar chargis for the purchis of our
Town ship with the indins
thar Chargis in money- Eckspencis i 10
2 for thar tym in Town pay twelue
shilins apese which doo amount too i 16 o
uotid that the comity was too entr the ded
in too the cunty records for this sum
This instrument is duly recorded in the Middlesex Registry
of Deeds at East Cambridge, ix. 27.
14 d ii m 1683 at a ginnrall Toown meting it was agred upon
and uotid that this publick chargis con sarning the purchis of our
Toown ship shall be raysed by the furst grants and too horn thay
war furst grantid too
at the sam meting it was agred upon and by uot declarid that if
any parsin doo Refus too pay for the purchis of this irigin titell too
our Toown ship thar pur porsion thar nams are too be entred in
too the Toown buck
at a ginnrall Town meting upon the 14 d n m 1683 4 it was
agred upon and uoted that this Bublick chargis con sarning our
purchis of our indin titll shall be Leuied upon our ffurst grants of
lands and thay shall pay in hose hands thay are found
at the sam metin agred upon and uotid that Crisouer hall shold
lack the inuoyc
29 day ii m 1683 The Town comity did give in thar a count
o the land sould for too procur ry for the Towns us
Thomis smith 2 acks i o o
Nickloas Cady 15 ack o 15 o
84 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Barns 2 acks i o o
John farnom 6 acks 060
nicklos haue payd his purporson which is his pur
porson of a teen ackr grat of the indin titill whch is o 8 4
nathanill blood haue payd for his furs grant land his
money part in this indin purchis 30 da n 1683 084
Jonathan Sawtell have payed his pur porsicn in the
indin purchis and hatfe his fathers pur porcion acording
too the lewey and uote of the Town 084
but not by his fathers ordr as did aper by Kiting undr
his fahers hands
31 d ii m 1683 Richard Sautill haue payd his purporsion in
the ingin purches for A twenty acker Right the full and fast
sum of o 16 8
as atest Richard satill Obadiah Satell Just Holdin Cunstibll
b me JONATHAN MORS Clark
James blood have payd his full purporsion for a thurty ackr
Right too the Indin purchis as atest John parish and Jonas prescod
Groton January 3i th 168^ Att a Meeting of the select men att
the house of Jonathan Morse then Reconed with Capt ne Parker
and all account ballanced concerning the land Capt ne Parker bought
of the the Towne and what the towne ought him upon all pticulars
11 s d
to this day and Capt ne Parker is Debf to y e Towne o = 07 = oo
In y 6 account of Capt ne Parker is payd
for Pal eg Lawrance oo = 09 = oo
for Nicholas Cady 01 = 07 = oo
for Jn Barron 00= 12 = 00
for Luiten : 5 s Sargn 1 K 12 s oo = 17 = oo
for James Nutten oo = 06
JONATHAN MORS Clark
The 3i th day of January 168^ Recconed with Tho : Booden
concerning his worke done in finishing the Meeting house and found
that he hath received of the thirty two pounds that he was to haue
in the pticulars as followeth p Capt ne as p Tho Boodens Acknowl-
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 85
H H
edgement before the select men
1 6 09 = oo :
p Jonathan Lawrance for Peleg
Lawrance 01 =00 = 00
p Sam : Holden for Peleg
01 =05 =00
p Jn Page
oo = 1 6 = oo
p Jn Farworth
02 = oo = oo
p Jonas Prescott
01 = 10 = oo
p 100 Acres of land
05 = oo = oo
p Ensigne Lawrance
oo = 08 = oo
by me
JONATHAN MORS Clark
in
the nam of the clark [selectmen ?]
January 3i th 1 68^ then Rockoned with Sargnt Knop and all
accounts from the begining of the world to this day are all ballanced
upon every accont betwine the Towne and him And due from him
to the Towne oo = 02 = oo
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
in the nam of the seleckt men
Reckoned January 3i th 168^ at the same Meeting with Luiten :
Laken & all accounts in all pticulars clear and ballanced betwine
the Towne and him from y e begining of the world to this day
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
Joseph Parkr dept i 9 o
The Town in Det too patickler men for thar work for seuerall
workes and forcys
1 too Leteninant Lackins 4 days and a half 120
2 too Sargin Lackins 3 days and half 017 o
3 too Sargin Knop 3 days and half and i day too
Biliryca bredg i 5
4 too Captin Park 3 days o 12
5 too Insin Loranc i daye Chensford linn 4
6 too Jams Nutin 3 days and half n 3
7 too John ffarnum 3 days and half 1 1 3
8 too Leftenant Lakins for ould areligis [arrearages?] 12 o
9 too John Pag for ould areligis 9 o
10 too Thomis Boydin for inish met 32 2 6
11 too Jams Nutin in 8 d of Septembr too wolues heds i o o
12 too Thomis Wods and Willam green won wolf hed o 10 o
86 EARLY RECORDS OF
13 too good man wods for bringing up the poudr and
for his sune wachin 040
14 too Jonathan Mors for ceping the Toown book o 10 o
15 too Joseph Parkr for paying too Bilirica Bredch 500
the Town haue payd too Thomis Boyden
by Captin Parkr 16 6 o
by Palig Loranc i 16 o
by John farnworth 200
by Jonas Prescod 150
for 100 ackrs of land 500
when all thes Town dets are payd thar is dew too
the Town 01 16 6
4 d 12 16854 at a selekt mens meting it was determined by the
selek men that goodman allin shold haue won and thurty shillins
and six pens which will be dew in the begining of the march next
grotin the 7 day 12 168^ A trew Resaight that Just holdin
Constibell hath payd too the Towns comity the Just sum of 12-12-0
I saw twellue pound and twellue shilins in cash I say resaiued
by me JOHN PAGE in the nam of the Rest of the comity
the 9 d 12 1683-84
grotin Febriwary 18 1683" Resaiued of Just Holdin Constaball
the Just sum of teenn pound fiue shillins in Corn which was payd
by the sayd Holdin for the purchis of the Toown of Groton of the
Indans
I say Resaiued by me JOSIAH PARKR
Resaiued of Just Holdin Constabll twenty fiue Bushils of India
Corn in the behalf of Captin Linksman
I say Resaiued by me ROBIRT ROBIN
fabrivveri 18
Jons Prescod haue payd for his l[and] which he did purchis ot
the Town comity in the yer 1682 the full aud Just sum of fiue
pound teen shillins for won hundred and ten ackers of land I say
payd for acording too ordr for the Toowns use
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 8/
Jonas Prescod haue payd for his land which he did purchis of
the Town comity in the yer 1683 the full and Just sum of thurten
shillins for thurtene ackrs I say payd for acording too ordr for
the use of the Town
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
Jonas Prescod haue purchised [paid ?] for his land which he did
purchis of the Towns comity in the yer 1684 the full and Just sum
of won pound for twenty ackr of land I say payd for acording too
order for the us of the Touwn
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
Joshuay Whitny haue payd for his land which he did purchis of
the Town comity in the yer 1683 the and iust sum of twellue shill-
ins for twellue ackrs of land I say payd for acording too ordr for
the us of the Town
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
John ffarnworth haue payd for his Land which he did purchis of
the Towns Comity in the yer 1683 the full and Just sum of fiue
pound fiue shillins for won hundred and fiue ackers of land I say
payd for acording too ordr for the us of the Town
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
Captin Park Parkr haue payd upon the Toowns acount won
pound seuen shilins which was his due too the Town upon the Last
acount
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark
Josiah Parkr haue payd for his land which he did purchis of the
Towns Comity in the yere 1683 fifty fiue ackrs
I say payd for acording too ordr for the us of the Town and too
pay town dewes
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark 16 d 12 m 1683
Insinn Loranc haue payd for his land which he did purchis of
the Towns comity in the yer 1684 forty ackers I say payd for
acording too ordr for too pay him in the Toowns dues
by me JONATHAN MORS Clark 24 d 9 m 1684
88 EARLY RECORDS OF
at a seleckt mens meting 24 d nouem 1684 Captin parker did
giue in acount of the land which he had purchised of the Towns
cmity and as he is a comity too sell land for the Toown
too Captin Parkr twelue ackrs o 12 o
the Towns Comity
at a selekt mens meting 24 day 9 moth 1684 Jonas presod
did giue in thar acount too the seleckt men and this is the acount
of the Toown dets
Jonas prescod haue due too him from the Town 115
and thar is dew too Jonathan Mors from the town too
him 103
fifteen pens of this must be payd in money
the Town indetid too William longly from the town 014 o
The Town indetid too heniry Willerd for gathrin
m Wilerds Rat o 10 o
The Town indetid too Joshuey Whitney for constibell 16 o
at a ginnrall Town meting [held on] the 10 d lorn 1684 thay
did chus thar publick ofisers for constabel Jams Nutin for seleckt
men Insin Loranc Captin Parker Leftenint Lackins John Pag Jonas
Prescod Josiah Parkr John Parish Jonathan Mors Clark
Mathias farnworth Constibell Willam Long was chosin too tack
the Cuntry inuoy
for souayrs Samiwell Kempe Samiwell dauis Jams Blood Josh-
uay Whitny
for hog constibls and fens uewers Samiwell Wods and Elis barin
at a ginarall Town metin upon jod jom 1684-5 it was agreed
upon and uotid that thay wolld giue mr Hubord for this yers sallory
seuenty pound won quartr part in money and the Rest of the pay
shall be payd in Corn what Rye and Ingin Corn Beter pork and
won hallf of this pay is too be payd in by the furst of march and
the other hallf of his pay shall be payd in by the ninth day of the
ninth month and forty cord of wood which shall be payd in by the
furst of march nex and if any parsin doo negleckt and Refus shall
pay aftr the Rat of six shillins a cord in corn forth with
at the sam meting it was agred upon and uotid that if any of our
propriators which doo neg leckt or Refus paying thar Bublick
dews Twis in the yer by them selues or thar agent thar lands shall
be sased by the constibell and sould by the seleckt men for too pa)'
thar dus and all due damigis
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 89
... 29 d 10 m 1684 . . . [tith]en men sargin ffisk . . .
mathias ffarnwprth . . . [Chrfjstiuer Hall
The seleckt men which war chosin for the yer 1684-5 naue tackn
car too pay sum of the Towns tets
Samiwell Kemp haue Rsaiued of the seleckt men upon the
Towns count for swping the meeting hous i
Jonathan Mors Resaiued 0-6
too Jonas Prescod
too Willam Longly
too Widow longly Bengiman Crisp
too Samiwell Kemp
too Jams Nutin
too Captin Parkr
too Leftenint Lackins
too John Parish
too Jams Knop
too Heniry Willard
too Joshiway Whitny
too Samiwell Woods
too Josiah Parkr
grotin march 6 1684 Resaiued of Just Holdin the full and Just
sum of sixtenne pound teenn shillins in money corint Coine of New
ingland and in corn thurty six shillins which was payd by the sayd
Holdin for part of the purchis of the Town of grotun of the Indins
I say Resaiued by me John Page in the behalf of the Comity that
Bought the for sayd Town of the Indins JOHN PAGE in the nam
of the Comity
at a ginnarall [town meeting held] The i m 30 d [1685 it was
agreed] upon and uotid that . . . [comm]ity which was chosen to
. . . the use of the Towwn shall . . . mor to no parsin hensforth
shall by any mor land
30 d im 1685 At a ginnrall Town meting it was determined
and uotid that the uote which past in a Town meting in xod lorn
1683 shold stand in fors and if any parsin haue purchisecl any land
oE the Towns comity of the Towns land shall pay all town Dues at
the Rate of flue pound the hundred and soo dubled with the Rest
of the estat of the Town
90 EARLY RECORDS OF
at the sam meting sargin Knop was chosen a comity for too Joyn
with the Rest of the comity for too Reguilat any erior or too Satisfy
sum agreuied parsin in the sating of the meting hous
at a ginarall Town meting held at grotin 27 d May 1685 agred
upon and uotid that thay wold giue Willam Sandrs that small pes
of land lying by John Parshis too set your hous upon considratyon
Willam Sandrs is too haue the hy way foXver poll wid and if he
doo any way damig to the hy way he is too mack it soo fisint
leftniant lackins insin Lackins John Parish
9 d 9 m 1685 : at a ginarall Town meting Josiah Parkr was
chosen an atarny for the Town for too seue and prosicut the non
Residnc too efeckt too help mastr hubord too the pay that is his
due upon the Rat
at the sam meting it was grantid too Nicklas Cady a small pes of
land at the south sid of ingin hill at the ind of his own lot soo he
Dooe in no ways in trench upon the hye way
at the sam meting it was grantid too Robin Robards tenn ackrs
in the furdr sid of the bond agining too Chensford linn and
Neshoby
at the sam meting grantid too John Elecksandr tenn ackr of
land from all thes grants of land Jonas Prescod doo Right his
desent
at the sam meting it was grantid too John Parish teen ackrs of
land
at a g[en]arall Town meting upon lod lorn 1685-6 the Town
did chus thar Bublick ofisers
ffor seleckt men Captin Parkr Jams Knop Leftenint Lackins
Jonas Pescod Josiah Parkr Willam Longly Jonathan Mors dark
ffor Constibll Simon Ston Jams Parkr
ffor souayrs Nicklous Cady John barns Joseph Loranc John
Page
Hog constibls John Cady Obadyah Satall
ffens uewers Joshiway Whitny Enosh Loranc
this Rate must be Raysed as it was the last yer
Captin Parkr Chosin too tak in uycs
at the sam meting it was agred upon and uotid that thay wold
give Mr Hubord for this yer sallory seuenty fiue pound and won
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 91
quartr part in money and ayght pound in pork and the Rest of the
pay is too be payd in whate Rye and ingin Corn Won half of this
pay is too be payd by the last of march next and the other hallf is
too be payd a month befor his yere is out and forty cord of wode
which is too be payd in by the latr ind of the next Feueuery and
thay which doo not pay wood in that tym shall pay in Corn at the
Rat at 5 shillins a cord
at a ginnrall Town meting xod lorn 1685 it was agred upon
and uotid that Obadyah Sautill shall haue a small pes of land
agoyning too his patchis Boundid with his own land and with the
high way
Desembr 14 day 1685 at a ginarall town meting it was agred
upon and uotid that thee Town wolld giue m Hubord ffour core
pound
at a ginarall Town meting lagualy warned desembr 14 day 1685
the inhabitauc of the Town of grotin being ginaraly asembled then
determinid and uotid that thay wold giue M Hubord ffour core
pound this yere and soo from yer too yer and soo not rising any
higr [ The la st four words interlined] anolally in spashie as foloweth
twenty pound in money ayt pound in pork at three pens a pound
and ffifty too pound in corn of all sorts as it plase god too blese
them too be payd at too tarms won half by the furst of march next
and the other half by the tenth day of novembr next and forty cord
of wood which is too be payd yerly by the last of Jeniwary next
and soo anoaly from yer too yere and not too Ris any Hirer
this Record is entr lined the sixt lin
understanding y e porke to be payd in the first halfe years pay I
assent to ye uoat as witnesse my hand
GERSHOM HOBART
The sentence over the signature, as well as the signature
itself, are in Mr. Hobart's handwriting.
i d ii m 1685 the Town desented from mr Hubords asinement
too the uoat above menchened
at a seleckt meting 23 dec m 1685 : Samiwell Kemp was Chosin
too swep the metin hous and he doo in gag too swep the metinhous
92 EARLY RECORDS OF
carefully wuns a week in sumer tym and he is too haue won and
twenty shilins for his labors for this yer
at the sam Timithy allin did tack the oth of a Tithin man
Cristiuer hall did tack the oth of a tithing man
at a ginarall Town meting grotin Desembr 28 d 1685 the inhab-
itnc of the Town being asembled then detarmined and uotid that
m garshom Hubord have set him self at liberty from the sd Town
as too any ingagement from him too them as thar ministr as allso
have fred the Toown from any in[gage]ment too him self by
mr Hubrds Refusing and sliting what the sayd Town ofvered
him for his sallory at Too seuerell Town metings as doo apers by
Reckord in the Town book and that the Town is yet Redi and
willing too agre with him for the futr and if he se case from this
uote thar was no man decented
at a ginarall Town meting grotin desem 28 d 1685 the inhabitanc
being ginarally asembled that they did then agree and by uot declar
that they will giue Mr Hubord this yer a hundrid pound and from
yer too yer as standing wagis in pay as followeth teen pounds worth
in pork and the Rest of the pay shall be payd in such pay as it
plase god to bles us with all the pork is too Be payd at threpanc a
pound and the corn at cort pris
william longley doth desent from this uote Jonas prescod Josh-
iway whitny Dackn Loranc nicklas Cady jr Willam gren
4d ii m 1685
This hundred pound uote was confurmed at a ginarell Town
metin hild at grotin 4d n m 1685 the second time and mr hubords
asinement too the fower cor pound uot was not consentid too
8 d ii 1685 at a seleckt mens meting the seleckt men did mack
a rat of seuenty fiue pound and did laue the Town at thar liberty
too con furm the four cor pound for standing wagis and if thay if
thay se cas be twen this and the day of aleckyon of the Town
ofisers
at a ginarall Town meting i d 12 1685 the Town of grotin agred
upon and uotid that the seleckt men shall mack uoat for mr Hub-
ards yers sallary of a hundrid pound in pay as is expresed in that
uot which pasd 28 d lorn 1685
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 93
at a seleckt mens meting 5 d 12 m 1685-86 Samiwell Kemp was
chosin too swep the metin hous for the yer 1686 and his yer be gin
the tenth day of march next and he is too haue won and twenty
shillins for that work in corn pay
at a genirill Town 21 day 2 m 1686 the nams of thos parsins
which war chosin tithin men Joseph loranc Palig Loranc Nicklos
Huchion Samiwell Wods sener Jonathan Loranc
at the sam meting Josiah Parkr was Chosen Clark of the Rits
at a ginarall toown meting held at grotin July 27 1686 it was
then agred upon and uotid that thay wold giue too mr garshom
Hubord four core pound a yer and soo anoloaly as he continou
the Towns ministr won quartr part in money the other thre parts in
such as it plas god too bless them with all in cas the non Residnc
pay thar purporsion as they haue doon formerly don
but otherwise and if the non Residnc be exemptid we doo agree
too giue the sayd garshom Hubord seuenty pound this yer and soo
anoly won quartr part in money and if any pursin canot paye his
part in money have a liborty too pay his quartr part in corn or
other prouision at half prise
Josiah Parker, the ninth town clerk, was the son of Captain
James and Elizabeth (Long) Parker, and was born in the year
1655. He held the office during the remainder of 1686 after
the death of Mr. Morse, and until the year 1691 inclusive.
His handwriting was good, and he expressed himself well.
He was a Captain, and served in the war against the Indians ;
he was in command at Groton, July 21, 1706, when Nathaniel
Healy, of Newton, one of his company was "waylaid" and
slain, together with Ebenezer Seger, also of Newton, "as they
were going to Meeting On the Sabbath day." His brother,
Joshua, subsequently married the widow of his predecessor.
At a select mens meeting Decembr the 3* 1686 : we y e s d select
men find the town indeebted as foloweth viz
to Cap 1 James Parker for tacking y e towns Invoic in
y e year; 1685 030
to Samuell Kemp for sweping the meeting houes
in y e year 86 his year began on march y e io oioi o
94 EARLY RECORDS OF
to James Parker for worke don at y e highways
in y e year 84 o 06 o
to William longly for Runing the line betwen
this & chelmsford oo 03 o
to Josiah Parker for y e select mens expences mony 026
for y e papr 3 qur o i 6
Decembr: 10: 86 Thes aboue named Deebts ware aproued by
a town voat.
Atest JOSIAH PARKER Clark
this payd to y e aboue sd porsons p order of y e select men :
Decembr. 10: 1686 at a Ginral towne meeting to chons town
ofesers. cap* James parker was Chose modrater for y* day : for con-
stabls Christepher hall : and Nicklos cady sen r
for select men i cap' James Parker 5 James Parker
2 John Page 6 Peleg lawranc
3 Josia Parkr 7 ensi John lacken
4 John Parish
Josiah Parker Clarke for this year
for sauaiers of high ways John Mors John Barron Jonathan
lawranc nathanell blood
a comitey chos to tacke notes of incrochments in to high ways &
towns land lef Willim Lacken sargnt James Knop Copo r John
Page f
and what thay find amis to reglaut &. so to macke ther Report to y e
select men
Corporal page chous to Joyne with the former comity to see that
all y e seats be filed ; in y e meting hous :
Groton. Decmbr : 24: 1686 At a towne meeting Jams Parker
Juner was chos by the town to sue John Page for so much as was
due to M r Gershom hobart in the year that the s d Page was consta-
bell the s d page Refusing to bring an aquetanc from M r Gershom
hobart to the towne and whart charg the sd Parker is exposd to the
town is to mack good to him
Atest JOSIAH PARKER Clark
Decembr 24* 1686 : At a Ginrall town meeting: Joseph parker
sener being Rated for a 28 : acer right for some years past & now
Refusing to pay for. 10. acres of s d 28 acres the town deed then by
voat Detarmen and grant to cap' James Parker the s d 10 acer Right
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 95
with y e same priueligs that outher ten acer Rights haue had that
ware lately granted by y e town y e said cap 1 parker payeng the dues
past & to come that shall arise on a ten acre right with all after
deuishans
JOSIAH PARKER Clark
April 14 th 1687 the Selectmen chose Cap' James Parker &
Peleg Lawranc to Renew the line betwe Chelmsford and groton
which thay atended and are to have thre shilings apiese for the
labor to be payd by y e town 06 oo
April. 14. 1687. Sargnt James Knop Zachriah Parker & Joseph
Gilson ware chose to renew the line betwen mr Jonathan Tyngs
new Plantaton & our Towne. and thay atended y e sd work on June
folowing: 22. & 23 days, for which sd Knop is to Receue fiue shil-
ings p day & sd Parker & gilson three shiling & six penc p day
apece. which is to be payd by y e town. y e total is 01 = 04 = oo
June : 14^ 1687 the comity chosen Decembr: io th 1686 this day
by examanatoun of a high way lying betwen y e lot y' was wilim martins
& Joseph Lawrance find by euedans y* y e incrochment in y e high
way is by the sayd Joseph lawranc except in one Place ouer against
Joseph lawrancs houes & ther is a swamp oack tree so marked within
' Insin lackens fence and eleswher y e high way to Remain & Con-
tinu four pols wid & what it now wants is tacken out of Joseph
lawrancs that he now injoys as y e markes derect : finding him to be
y e incrochr : y e witns
Jams Parkr
Nathaneel blood
Atest JOSIAH PARKER town darke
The Town Dr: 1687 Noumbr. 7
To Corpral John Page for goeng to Salam to fech n
John Longlys Rats oo 07 oo
to Sag' James Knop and corp r John Page for
inspecting incrochments oo 04 o
to Samell Kemp for sweping y e meeting house 01 01 o
To James Knop for Reneweng the line be-
twen m r Tyngs new Pantaton & our towne oo 10 oo
To capt James Parkr for Reneweng the line betwen
chelmesford and our towne i day oo 03 o
96 EARLY RECORDS OF
and betwen m r tyngs & our towne 2 days oo 07 o
to Peleg lawranc for reneweng the line betwen
chelmsford & our towne oo 03 o
to Joseph Gilson for atending Sarg nt Knop in
Reneweng y e line betwen m r Tynge &
our towne oo 07 o
to Purchis a Constabls Stafe in pay 01 01 o
to James Parker for saruing an atachment On
corprall Page oo 01 .6
03 03 6
Decembr. 9. 1687 this aboue writon aocoumpt was Read to the
towne and aproued p y e s d towne :
Attest JOSIAH PARKER Towne clarke
3 3 6
Groton. Decmbr. 9*!* 1687 At a ginrall town meeting to chous
towne ofesers Cap' James Parker chose modrater for that meet-
ing : Constabel for y e year. Elias Barren : Select men
1 Jonas Prescot \_This name erased, .] William green senor
2 Jonathan Sawtall Samvvell Woods senor
3 Joshua Whitny
Wiliam Longly Clarke for y e year.
Surwayers. Zachriah Sawtall
Wiliam Longly Cornelos church
Samull Scriptur Justinen holden
William Longley was chosen town clerk for the year 1688,
though it does not appear that he served for any length of
time. At the first town meeting after his election, Josiah
Parker was re-chosen to the office, as will be seen by the rec-
ords of the next meeting.
A town Rate mad by the selectmen febuery. 28. 1687. contain-
eng 05 18 4
wherof ther is payed to those which y e town was
indeebted to 05 02 6
of which 5" 2 s 6 d was mony oo 07 6
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 97
Groton maye the 21. 1688 at a genarall Town metten acording
to law the town did Chuse for selectmen
Captain Parker Jonah Prescott
Liftenant laken John Page se
Peleg lawranc Josaah Parker
and for a Commishoner Sargant Jeams Knap
and for Constable elias baran Josiah Paker Town Clarck
The record of the meeting as far as this point is in the
handwriting of Longley, but the other entries are in that of
Parker.
for suruayers Zackriah Sawtall
Wiliam Longly Samull Scriptur
Cornelos church Justin holdeng
May: 21. 1688 The inhabtants of Groton Granted to Samull
Adams y e pond that lyes neare buck medo.w which hath its outlet
into the medow known by y e name of Tyngs Couee and the swampy
land adioyeng ther to prouided y e sd land do not exceed fifteen
accers ;
atest ; JOSIAH PARKER Clarke
and sd adams hath liberty to drean the s d pond at y e small brook
that unes in to Tyng's Coue prouided sd Adames macks good all
dameges that shall be don ther by
Groton ; May; 2i th 1688 at y e anueal meeting 23 of the inhab-
tans of Groton then uoated that ther should be land sould to the
uarlow of forty shillings mony at six penc p accer prouided this
land to be Layed out be taken up be four mills from the meeting
hous at lest ;
atest JOSIAH PARKR Clark
at the same time seurell of the inhabtants decented from the
aboue named uoat and entred ther names
JOSIAH PARKER
JOHN PAGE
JAMBS NUTING
Groton : May y e 2i th day: 1688 at y r anueal towne meeting the
Inhabatan of this towne deed then by the maior uoat grant for the
incoregment of such nien as will set up loran works at masabog
pond ; that thay shall haue y e ues & improument of the woods and
timbr y l is now common one the est sid of uncuttanaset brook and
98 EARLY RECORDS OF
so to nashua riuer and groton line est ward & south ward to
good man greens masobog medow for ther incorigment in y e s d worke
allways prouided y e inhabatnts of y e afere s d towne resarue to
y m selus the liberty to cut the wood for y e ues of s d works and also
for carting of y e s d wood or coal'l prouided y e s d workes be up or
seteng up betwen this day and the 2 i th day of may next ; no man
inhabiting with in y e s d town to be hindred from wood or timbr for
his one ues
Atest JOSIAH PARKER Clarke
A sworn declaration of John Lowwell and Thomas Blan-
chard, both of Dunstable, is recorded in the Middlesex Regis-
try of Deeds at East Cambridge (xvni. 488, 489), setting forth
the fact that they were at Massapoag in Groton, on the twen-
tieth day of May, 1689, and did "help both to dige for & to
sett up some part of an Iron Worke." From this record it
would appear that the vote of the town had its desired
effect.
July : 13 : 1688 at a meeting of the select men thay then deed
alow to James fiske Jun r out of the Rate made to Releue the pouer
in pay : 12 s : money : I s : 6 d 00 = 13 = 6 :
butt after refused to Receue it at the towns hands.
A town Rate made by the select men
containeng 9 = I 4 S = 9 d : /^ money ^09 = 14 09
Elias Barron gaue in his acomp te to y e towne and y r Remains due
to y e towne money: 9 s : io d . and pay: o 9 = 10
2 : 12 = 9
and from cap* Parker money o = 08 = o
Cap' Parker payed his aboue s d 8 s in nayels for y* Q =8=0
meeting houes
a a Ginrall towne meeting June. 24. 1689 towne ofeseres chose
for the yeare ensueng
John farnworth Constabelle
select men Jonas Prescott Cap* Parker
John Parish Mathias farnworth
\_These last four names are crossed out in the original^
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 99
June: 24^ 1689 at a towne meeting towne ofesers chose
Cap 4 Parker modrator John farnworth cunstabell
Select men Cap 4 Parker John Paresh
Jonas Prescott Josiah Parker Clarck
John Page
Suruay r of highways Cornelos Church Enosh Lawranc
Stephen holden Mathias farnworth
John Longley
fenc ueiwrs Daneil Cadye James Parker
Ephram Philbrok W m Sandors
august I2 4 ! 1 1689 : at a towne meeting it was then detarmened by
uoat that thay would geeue to m r Gurshom hobart the anueall alow-
anc of aighty pounds p. yeare in specea acordeng to the former
agreemen bareng date august, the. 2: 1686: and: 40: coard of
wood prouided thos men that here after enter ther names do pay
such mens proporshan of money as do bring in corne to them at
y e prises folowing wheat at 2 s 6 d Ry at 2 s Inden corne at i8 d p
bushell good and marchentabell : the persons that are to pay the
money are
Prouided thos men that will "] Cap' James Parker
bring in ther corne do enter ther 1 Lef Jonas Prescot
names within one weeke after j John farnworth
the date hereof ) Josiah Parker
Groton : August the : 12 th : 1689 at a towne meeting it was then
detarmened by uoate that the select men should forthwith mack a
teen pound Rate leued on on euery Inhabetant proposhonably to
maintain soulders at m r hobarts garason : to the number of fouer
untell thay be orderly Remoued from us
Atest JOSIAH PARKER Clarke
August. 12. 1689 Cap 4 James Parker : Sarg Jonathan Sawtall
Decon Lawranc John farnworth
Cornelos church & Josiah Parker
Lef 4 Jonas Prescot
do Respond for the non Resedents Rats to M r hobart for this
yeares solory
Septmbr: 30*: 1689 one singel Rate to the Coun-
S d
trey is 14 = 09 05
100 EARLY RECORDS OF
At a meeting Decmbr. to 1 ! 1 1689 then town ofesers chose for
the year ensueng
Constabelle Josiah Parker
for select men Cap' James Parker Corprall John Page :
Lef Jonas Prescott Lef Wiliam Lacken
Sarg 1 Jonathan Sawtall
Surwayers of highways William Green John Page
lefet Jonas Prt-scott Simon Stone
[/// the margin of the above retard."] decmbr. 9. 1690 The fiue
suruayers chose in y e yer 89 uoted to same for the year 90
fenc uewers Enosh Lawranc Cornelos church
John Paresh John Cady
art y e select mens meeting Decmbr 10: 1689 Joseph Lawranc
agreed with to swep y e meeting house hang out y e flag & carry
water for Baptiseng children for one yere : & is to haue for y'
saruis y e sum of 26 s ^01 06 oo
towne deter to Elias Baron i 02 6
for shingell & shingling y e meeting house, in
decembr. io th 1689 :
more for a lader & y e meting hous 02 o
to Josep lawranc o 09 o
. . . Joseph lawrance pay 17
Decmbr. 20* 1689 : fiue Pay Rates made by the selectmen con-
taineng .72 = 07 = ot
and tow Rates and an halfe money ^36 = 03 = 06
Decmbr. 23. 1689 At a towne metting legaly warned one porpos
to Know the towns mind in what way to Raise Publick charges in
the towne the towne then unamisly uouted and declared that it
should be Raised acording to our former custom as it is Recorded
in the towne book, in the year. 1681 :
at the same meeting agreed & uoted that that no Indein shall
come into our towne to dwell or trad without lisanc from authority :
At y e sam time Jo" Page James Knop and Sam" woods sen r ware
chose by the towne to statte y e bounds betwene the contrey high-
way & m r hobarts land & swamp p y e Request of seuerall of the
naibours : m r hobart allso hauing notes there of
Bounds statted the same day & markes made by y e aboue s a men :
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. IOI
April 8 th 1690 William Green beeing ouer Rated to y e contrey
one hoad to seuen rats and halfe is to be considerd by the select
men the next Rate
p ordr JOSIAH PARKER Clerk
april the 28* 1690 ; tenn Pay Rates ^44 = 14 = 02
Septembr. the : 4^ 1690 tow Rates & halfe money
beeing 36 = 03 = 06
Octobr 27 th 1690 At a ginrall towne meeting it was then uoated
that thay would pay m r Garshom hobart aighty pound p year ac-
cording as it is writen in the towne booke for the yeare insueng ;
prouided ; he come & be with us so that we haue a constant
soply of precheng the word on lords days by himselfe or som
other autherdocks minester of y e gospell :
Decmb r : 9* 1690 towne ofecers chose for y e year ensueng
for constabls Zachriah Parker and John Lackan Jr
Selectmen LeP Jonas Presot Wiliam Longly
Sarg' James Knop Josiah Parker Towne Clark
Sarg 1 John Paresh
Tietheng men Wiliam Green Nicklos huchens
Samuell warner sn r Joshua Whetny sen r
ouer seeres of swine Jonathan Lawranc Sam B Woods senr
Sam u Woods Juner Nat Lawranc
Nick huchens benimn Farner
Steuen holden Joseph Lawanc
decmbr. 9. 1690. at a ginral towne meetting it was then uoated
that master hobart \_The record not completed^
June. i8 th . 1691. At a ginral towne meeting legaly warned the
towne being ginerlay together ded then by uoat declar that thay
would stand to their counant with m r hobart and honestly performe
it to him prouided m r hobart return to us and purforme his duty
amonst us as was promised by him when we entred into counant
with him ; viz ; aighty pounds pur year and so yearly ; one forth part
in money and the other three parts in prouishan as it expresed in
the counant in the newe towne book and forty Cord of wood and
so aneuely
Read and aproued by the maior part of the towne :
attest JOSIAH PARKER Towne Clarke
102 EARLY RECORDS OF
The names of those that decent from the aboue s d towne act but
do promes for to pay their owne proposhans to m r hobart of y*
s d aighty pounds and forty cord of wood
John Page John Paresh
James Knap Sam 11 Wood senr
James Parker Ju r Tho Tarball
Nicolos hutchens John Lacken Ju r
Zachriah Parker Josiah Parker
John Lawranc
Dcembr: io th : 1691 Towne offecers chose for the yeare insueng
Constabls Jonathan Lawrance Thomas Tarball :
Select men Cap' James Parker Lef Willim Lacken
Lef Jonas Prescott Sarg' James Knap
Sarg* James Parker Jun r
Towne Clarke Lef Jonas Prescott
Suruayers of high ways Ensign John Laken John Page Sener
Lef Prescot Simon Stone
William green
Enosh Lawrance
Decmbr. 10: 1691: Chose for I Zach Parker
fence uears & hoge constables f Dan el Cady
Elezear Parker
Zakriah Sawtall agreed with to be saxton for y e yeare
Ensuing for which he is to haue twenty flue shilings i =5 =
agreed upon that a council shall be caled Refuring to y e setl-
ment of a minester amongest us as that y e Charges shall be borne
by the towne ; &c.
Conlisnoers to Try small cases
Cap' James Parker John Page sener
Lef Jonas Prescot
A towne Rate made p y e select men in y* year: 1690$^ : con-
taineng 3 - 3=0
which was desposed on as foloweth
to Joseph Lawrance for sweping y e meeting house
and hangeng out y e flag i = 6 =
to sargn' Knop & Zach Parker
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 103
for Repayring y e pound o =13 6
to Renewing y e line betwen Chelmsford
and our towne 2 days at 3 s o = 06 o
to James Nutting for katchen of woulues 3 o = 9=0
to Joseph Parker for catching of a wolfe 3 s o = 3 =
left in y e constables hands namly
Zach Parker to purches a lock for y e pound 5 - 6
this account was Read and approued by y e towne. Decmbr. 10 :
1691
as attest JOSIAH PARKER Towne Clarke
Jonas Prescott, the tenth town clerk, was the son of John and
Mary (Platts) Prescott, of Lancaster, where he was born in June,
1648. He held the office during the years 1692 and 1696 ; his
handwriting is plain, but his spelling is simply abominable.
He married December 14, 1672, Mary, daughter of John and
Mary (Draper) Loker, and they had four sons and eight daugh-
ters. Two of the sons died young, but all the other children
lived to grow up and have families. The eight daughters,
with one exception, married Groton men, and were blessed
with a numerous offspring. He was the grandfather of Colo-
nel William Prescott, who commanded the American forces
at the battle of Bunker Hill, and who was the grandfather of
the distinguished historian. Jonas died December 31, 1723,
aged 75 years, having filled many important positions in the
town.
groton dasamber 21 1691 at a genaral town meting lagaly
warn & the town being genaraly matt togeth[er] did then uoat that
thay would inuite som meet parson to prach gods word to them
with as much speed as as may be
2 At the same day thay did apoint and by uoat daclare that sa
Josiah parkar and sar John parish & Wiliam longly & sar
James parkar should go down & fach up som meet parsan to
preach to us & the town is to bare the charg
groton dasamber 28. 1691 at a genaral town meting lagalaly
warned the inhabitants did then by uoat daclare that thay would
giue to the minister m r hancock aight pounds money for the first
104 EARLY RECORDS OF
quarter of the yere and pay for his bord besides & this to be payed
by way of Raate
the same day y e town did uoat that the charges Rafaring to the
ministers & rooms m r hobrt & the other minister should be payd
out of the 3 pound of paper bells of cradit in the capt hand that
was giuen for scouting
it was uoated-allso that thay would pay 5 shilins par week in
corn an prouishan for his bord
John Page goodman woods senr & Joseph lawrence John baron
Curnals Church & John farnworth was chosen tything men by the
salackt men for to sarue in the yere 169^ at a meting of ye salact
men genware 26 day 1691
The following entry, from its position in the records and
from the context, evidently belongs in this place.
Groton march : 21 : 1692 at a genaral town meting lagaly warned
the town did then by uoat datarman that thay would giue to master
hancock the full som of sixtey pound one fourth part siluer for a
yers salarey for Preaching in order to ordnation in dew time and
the other three parts in pay corn or prouishon at comon prys &
mr hancocock bord himsalf
JONAS PRESCOTT Clark
daken lawrans John Parish
Jonas Prescott Cornalus church
was chosen to dascors with mr hancock to see if he wil acsapt of
the towns profr
in groton may the: 16: 1692 the inhabitants of the town being
mat togatherthis day to consider of som tarmes Rafaring to mr han-
cocks wadges for praching the word of god to us & thay did this
day by uoat datarman to giue mr hancock fiue pounds in money for
his praching 8 sabath days before the comminsment and pay for
his hording and then if he pleas to acsapt of the towns proposish-
ans in order to satlment in dew time wt the inhabitants of this town
shall Radely acsapt of him for our minister &c
JONAS PRESCOTT town dark
James nuting hath cradit for both his pay Rats
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 105
May 16: 1692 the inhabitants did the same day uoat that the
town charges for this prasant yere shall be Raised by parsons and
astats acording to law &c
at a genaral town meting lagaly warned the: 21 : of ocktober :
1692 : the maiger part of the town then by uoat daclare that thay
would Rais the Rates for this prasant yere both for minister and
town by Rateabl astats acording to law
the same day the maiger part of the town did by uoat daclare
that thay ware wiling for mr carter to com forth with to be our
satled minister in order to ordanation in dew time ockt: 21 : 1692
at the same meeting the town did agree to giue mr Carter for
this prasant yere the som of sixty pounds in manar as foloweth one
fourth money the other part in corn and prouisione at town pryse to
be payed the one half by the first of march and before as he needeth
it and the other half by the 16. of saptem naxt insewing after the
dat hereof ockt 21 : 1692
at a genaral town meting lagely warnid dacember the. 12. 1692
this day the town did chus for constabls this yere
nathanil lawrens and steuen holdin
the salackt men for this prasant yere are these as foloweth
John farnworth Wilim langly
Jonathan lawrans Zackrey parker
Siman Ston
the same day the 12. of dacember the town did then chuse
capt parkr and John Page
laft lakin saner and sarg Knop
and Samll Woods and Wiliam green
Jonas Prescott to seat parsons in the meeting hous acording to
thare best disscrashan and acording to the Ranks & quality of
parsons
Wiliam langly was chosen town clark for this prasant yere
For suruares for this prasant yere are these
goodm huchins corpral Warnr
& Samll Parkar tho tarball
the same day the town did by uaat giue to corpral Warnar a
small quantety of land lying betwen Joseph gilsons lot and his own
as atast JONAS PRESCOTT Clark
the town did the same day uoat to giue for a saxton to swep the
meting hous & put out the flag and doe all the work of a saxton
thay wil alow twenty shilins
106 EARLY RECORDS OF
The Rates mad by the salackt men for the payment of the sau-
eral sames spasifyed in the aboue manshaned sames & commmited
the constabls
a Rat mad by the salackt men & commited to the 2 constables
to Jonathan lawrans constabl money 3 - 3 - 7
& to tho tarball constabl money 2 - 7 - 3
tarbals comon pay 14 i
lauranses comm pay i 12 6
the whol som of money 5 10 10
the whol som of comon pay 2 16 7
The whol som of the Rates in comon pay
Raised in the yere 1692 was 752
of which the captin is payed 6 14 o
thare is still in constabls tarbals hand to
pay to the saxton 051
thes accounts was Rad & aproued by the town the. 12. of da-
cember 1692
as atast JONAS PRESCOTT town dark
James nuting hath cradit for both his pay Rats to the minesters
bord 01 ii
to Wil longly 02 2
corp warner 02 o
William Longley, the eleventh town clerk, was the son of
William and Joanna Longley, and held the office during the
year 1693 and until his death in the summer of 1694. His
father had previously held the same position, and from the
similarity of their names the two have sometimes been con-
founded with each other. The tragical fate of the son's fam-
ily will long be remembered. With the exception of one
boy, they were all massacred by the Indians on the morning
of July 27, 1694. They lived about a mile north of the vil-
lage ; and last autumn the town, in commemoration of the sad
event, erected a monument on the site of their dwelling-
house. William Longley made an entry in the town records
July 19, only eight days before his death, and during the re-
mainder of the year the records appear to have been kept by
different persons. In making his records, he used the new
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 107
style of reckoning so far as to begin the year with the first of
January. His son John, who alone of the family escaped from
the massacre, subsequently was town clerk during several
years.
January i, 1693 at a genaraell town meetting orderley warned
the town did by the maier uote determine y* they would raise all
the charge for this present year on untill y e town see cause to allter
y e waye by Ratable estat as foloweth euery maill head at sixteen
years and upward at one shilline in the single and so to duble with
ratable estate acording to law each horse 40 shillins each ox at 40
shillins each cow 30 shillin sheep and swine 4 pound par scor all
impruf land at 10 shillins par acorexscept pastors and medows that
are with in fenc a 5 shillins par acor euery house y l hath but one
schimney at one peney in y e single and so preportionnall euery
barn with one baye at one peney in the single and so proportishan-
able and Liften prescot for his mills at 50 pound in y e single
as wittness WILLIAM LONGLEY town Clarck.
ienuary the i 1693 tne town did agree for to alow Samuell
Scriptor Se and John gree 20 shillins a peess in town paye and no
more
the same daye the town did agree to alowe goodwife Church 2
shillins in town paye and no more
Fabruary the 6 1693 the inhabitanc being met togather for to
Consider of sum waye for to preuent futar unnessesary charges did
by uott declare that they would petishone unto the genaraill Court
that ther representetiue might be relesed from atending the Sesh-
one any more
the same daye the town did by uott desclare that they would
haue dacon Lawranc for to manidge the portistione for them which
the Comithy hath draw up
March 6 1693 at a genarall town meeting Legally warned Town
ofiser were choosen for this year whose names are under writen
for constables nathanal lawranc and Steuen holden
for selectmen William Longley Samuell Woods sen
Joh fannworth elias baran
Zacarih Parker William Longley town Clarck
for Commishonnor Jeams parker Junor
108 EARLY RECORDS OF
the Commity for to giue the select men in stractione for this
year is Jeams Knap John Page sen and william green
for tiethen men Joseph Lawranc Jeams nuttin
mathias farnworth danaiell Cadey
Samuell parker
for siruars of the hy waye Liftenant Lacken Joshua Whitting se
John farnworth . William green
for fenc fuer ephram Phillbrick nathannaill blood
John green William Lacken Ju
march 6 1693 The orders which the towns Committy gaue to
the selectt men are as followeth
1 that the Select men tack care that all the town deats that
apear for to be due be paied both to minister and town
2 that the selectmen giue orders to the siruars of hy waye that
the Kings hy waye be sophishantly mended and if any comeplaint
be thorow the neglect of the select men they shall bare the blam
and the town be aquited
3 the shall tack speshall care that no parson or parsons whatso-
euer shall abide in this town apone any pretenc whatsoeuer unless
it be such as have paranct frinds or relatione that will Respond
for the towns sequrity
4 that they tack care that all swine be sophishantly yocked and
Ringed for the preuentione of damidg and that all horses that goe
about the Habitable part of the town be fetered and all other
Cretor that be unrully be tacken car of as the Law directs and
that all fensess be Repored acording to Law
5 that the present charges shall be Leuied by the inuoise that the
selecttmen mack the Rate by for the Representetiues shall be the
inuoises for to raise this present charge by which doth apeare for to
be due
6 that the select men tack a inuoise sum time the mouneth
agust for the use of the town or any parson or parson for to seithe
on they shall be aquited at any asessment Layed on them
7 and that the selectmen shall raise all the charg for this year
by Ratable astate as followeth namely euery head at one peney in
a single Rate exsept it be such parsons thatt are nott ender couer
barn and such parsons to be rated at the discrestion of the selectt-
men and all other estats to be rated as followeth one hors at forty
shillins and one ox at forty shillins and a cow at thirty shillins
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 109
sheep and swin at fore pounds pur score and all impruffed Land at
ten shillins pur acor exsept pastors at fiue shillins pur acor
8 and whatsoeuer els doth apear for to be of a prudenshall nator
the select men are Required for to tack care of
JAMS KNAP his / marck
WILLIAM GREEN his -(- marck
JOHN PAGE Seyer
March the 23 1693 at a meetin of the select men Samuell
Woods sener was chosen scalier of waits and mesurs
Groton Aprill 12 1693 Know all peple by thes presenc that
Nathanaeill Lawranc senor hath Reseiued full satisfactione by the
select men and Constables for sarueing the town as a Representiue
at the two first sestione
I saye reseiued by me NATHANNIL LAURANCE
Groton April 12 1693 Know all peple by thes presenc that John
Page senor doth fully and and Clearely acquite the town select
men and constables for sarfing the town as a representetiue at the
first held at boston in ye year 1692
as witness my hand JOH PAGE seneyer
Payed to Nathanail Lawranc se aight pounds in mony
Payed to John Page se two pounds sixteen shillins and nine
penc in mony
Groton May 15 1693 At a genaraell Town meetin order warned
the town did agree that they would for the present time hire mister
hobart house for the minister if they can haue it apone Rashanall
tarms and that they will parchis a piess of Land for the ministree
and build a house apone in conuenant time waiting apone the
prouenc of god as it maye direct and it for to Remaine for the
ministree for euer
as attest WILLIAM LONGLEY Town Clarck
maye 15 1693 the Town being met together ther unto orderlie
warned then the town did by uote declare that they would not send
nor Choose any parson nor parsons for to Represent them at the
great and genaraill Corte or asembley
John page senor Jeams Kemp John Stone and William Longley
se desent from this uote John farnworth and Steuen holden
The Town Resons is they do not iudg themself layable nether
acordind to Law nor Charter
as atest WILLIAM LONGLEY Town Clarck
HO EARLY RECORDS OF
groton august 22 1693 at a genaraell town melting orderley
warned the town did chouse Captaine parker & Liftennant Lackens
& liftenant Prescoctt and John page & John farnworth to be a
Comemitty for to purcish a pease of Land for y e minstry and ther
was fore plases propounded which y e town is willen to purchis
namely m r hobarts Joshua wheels John Lawranses and Jeams
parkers or ether of them
\
October the 2 1693 the town did then by uole chouse Jeams
parker Junor and William Longley Se for lo goe down and see for
a minsler to preach the worde of god lo them and the lown lo
have Ihe charg of il &
as willness WILLIAM LONGLEY town elarck
Grolon oclober y e 9 1693 at a genaraill lown meeting legally
warned the maiear part of the town did by uote declare lhat Ihey
would giue mister garsham hobart a call to be ther settled minnister
if he will lack satisfactione wilh what Ihe lown can doo for him &
for his incoridgmenl Ihe said lown did declare by the maier uote
thai Ihey would giue lo m r hobarl Sixty pound this presenl year
one foulh parl in money Ihe resl in Corn and prouishone al lown
prise & forlhly cord of wood and Ihe said m r hobarl lo rise and faill
wilh -the peple as Ihe prouedanc of god maye be loward Ihe peple
and Ihe said lown will be al y e charge of seeking m r hobarls fame-
lie up againe & Ihe lown will giue fiue pound towards Ihe reparing
m r hobarls house one quarter part of it to be in money and the resl
to be in lown paye
This Record was read in Ihe town meeling and aprased by the
town
as alest WILLIAM LONGLEY town Clark
October 30 1693 at town meeting Legally warned Capt Jeams
Parker was chousen lo Represenl Ihe lown al ye greal and gena-
raeell assembly held al boston Ihe eaighl day of nouember insuing
Ihe date here of
nouember Ihe 14 1693 al a genaraeill town meetting Legally
warned the town did by the maier uoate declar lhat they would
giue m r hobart sixty pound a year to be his standing wages from
year to year in maner as follows one quarter part in money Ihe
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Ill
Rest in Corn and prouishione at town prise indian corn at 3 shillins
pur busheill rye at 4 shillins par busheill wheat at 5 shillins par
Busheill Cow beef 3 penc par pound ox buieff 2 peney half peney par
pound porck at 3 penc par pound this to be his annewell salerey at
forty cord of wood to be paid by the Last daye of Jenuary insuing
& the sixty pound to be paied at tow terms one half by the first of
march next insuing the date hereofe and the last paiment by the
by the first daye of desember
nouember 14 1693 at a genaell town meetting Lagally warned
the town did agree and by the maier uote declare that they would
giue to m r garsham hobart seuenty pound in spesha as folow sixty
pounds for his annuell salerey one quarter part to be paied in money
the Rest in corn and prouishone at town prise to be paied a tow
tarms and one half by the first of march insuing the date herof
and the Last payement to be by the first daye of Desember and the
town to rise as the prouedanc of god maye be towards the peple
prouided that m r hobart will continieu to be our setled minister
we the said town will not faill of thes propersishones
the other ten pound to be in town paye in the the rum of y e forty
Cord of wood
this Record was aprased by the the town
as wittness WILLIAM LONGLEY Town Clank
Desember i 1693 at a town meeting order warned the town did
agree with John page se to fech up a lood goods from miter hobarts
for tweenty shillins in town paye
also they did agree with Samuell Scriptor se and John green for
rashonall satisfactione
William Longley John page Ju Zachariah Parker elias baran
Samuell Scriptor a thomas tarball for to go w* horses to fech us
up his fameley for fiue shillins apice
as witness WILLIAM LONGLEY town Clarck
sum totle 5 = 11 =
Jenuary i 169^ the town this daye did ingage to sequer the
seleck men from any harm or dameidg that they shall meett with
all in Respect of Decon nathanaell Lawranc in that he doth de-
mand thirty 6 shillins in money for to be his dew for sarfing the
said town as a representiue and the town doo Refuse to paye the
said money the seleck men being estemed as the rest of the inhabi-
112 EARLY RECORDS OF
tanc in the mater also the town did by the maier uote chouse Lif-
tenant Jonah Prescot & Jeams parker Ju for to answer in the case
if the said Lawranc should truble y e seleck men or town and they
did exsept of the choiss and they are to haue their paye for their
pains when the said town is able to paye them
as wittness WILLIAM LONGLEY town dark
John page se desents from the aboue mentioned propersistione
March 5 1694 Those parsons that were chosen for town ofiser
Samuell parker and daneill Cadey Constables
for selectmen Captain Parker Obadiah Sawtle
John farnworth Cornelaus Church
Liftenant prescott
\In the record book, these names are crossed out. ~\
for ueyer of ye hye ways Jeams Parker Jr Sephen holden
for hawards Elezir parker & Thomos Woods & for fence uewers
for tighing men Liftenant Lackens Jonathan Lawranc
John Page se John Stone
Samuell Woods
William Longley Town Clarck
Captain parker Simon Stone
Liftenant lakin Zachariah parker
John farnworth Nathanaeill Lawranc
William Longley
\These names are probably intended for those of the selectmen which
are crossed out.~\
a Commeetee to giue the select men instractions for this yeare is
John Page se Jeams Parker & Sargant Knape
the same three men were to tack notes of y* pise of Land which
Samuell Woods desired of the town and their report of the mater
the town will tack satisfactione withall the same men are the com-
mity to exsamin Liftenant prescots Recor
March 26 1694 The town did by the maier uote determine that
the Choise of town ofiseser which was in March the 5 1694 should
be the ofiser for this year both selectmen & Constable tighing men
& all other town ofiser which was chosen that daye
Jeams parker Comistioner
as wittness W'ILLIAM LONGLEY town Clark
KUftftl
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 113
Groton June 6 1694 A Comitey chousen for to meett with y"
Indians to renew the bounds between Nashobah and the town
22 instand at 8 Clock in y e morning is Captan Parker Simon Stone
and William Longley
June the 25 1694 at a town meetting Legally warned the town
did chouse for a comity to condser and wade in the mater depending
between nosobah and the town and they be John page senor John
farnworth and Liftenant Jonase prescott and they are to act in y e
case untill they haue brought it unto a finall issew and they are to
haue Rashanall Satisfactione for their paines
as atest WILLIAM LONGLEY town Clarck
and thes men are chosen to act in y e behalf of the town and as they
do the town will be satisfied withall
July 19 1694 at a town meetting Lacally warned the town did
choose for afesors Liftenan Jonas Prescott John Page se and
Jeams Parker Junor
The entry given above was made by William Longley, only
eight days before he was killed by the Indians. The following
one is in James Parker's handwriting.
at a town meting oupon the therd day of October 1694 it wase
then agreed that the fort aboue M r Hobrds House shold be fin-
eshed by the town eurey man payeng on das worke or to shil-
engse in pay for the daise work tourds the work the Rest of the
Charg of it to be taxed by a Rat leued oupon eche manse estat pro-
porsonabely acordeng an inuoic wich shale be taken for that end as
allso to pay aney or all other town charg that dose apeare to be
legely and justly dou to aney of the inhabitents of these town
dacember the 24 1694 at a genaral town meting being lagaley
warned the town did then by uoat daclare that thay would Rais
thare town Rats for this prasant yer both for minister and town fiue
shilins sartain upon euery head Ratabl acording to law and the
Rast of the sam to be Raised upon Ratabl astat lands and cattell
and improvement
the same day the town did chuse capt parkar and left prescott to
go to the genarel cort to prapar & manidg a patishan Rafaring to
the 4 pound doom which is sant for and to get som other incoridg-
114 EARLY RECORDS OF
ment for the town to stay in the town and the patision is laft with
the salacktmen to draw up for the good of the town and the sam
cap parkr & left prescott is to haue Rasonabl satisfacktion for the
same this was don by the major part of the town then mat decem
24: 94
Fab 1 8 th 1695 the town this day by uoat did daclare that the
patishon that was drawn up and rad in the town meting should be
prafared to the genarooll cort and manidged by Jonas Prescott
with as much prudanc as may be
as at st NATHANILL LAWRANC
in the nam of ye salackt
The records of the last two meetings, including the signature
of Lawrence, were written by Jonas Prescott.
March : 4 : 1695 : Choise for town oficer for the yeare inceuing
for constable Samuell Scripture Joseph Cadey
for select men John farnworth John Stone
Samuell parker Daniell Cadey
Thomas Tarble
Town dark : James Blanchard
for suruaiers of the high waye Samuell woods Simon Stone
Samuell warner
ouerseeers of the swine
John huchin Beniamen farnwo[rth]
John Shatducke Nathaniell Bloode
Thomas wiliames william Lakene
James Blanchard, the twelfth town clerk, was the son of
John and Hannah Blanchard, of Charlestown and Dunstable.
He was chosen to the office in the spring of 1695, and con-
tinued to hold it with the exception of the year 1696
until his death, which took place in February, 1703-04. His
widow, Anna Blanchard, petitioned the Governor and Council,
March 8, 1703-04, to be relieved from the charges of the
funeral. This petition begins, " That whereas y r petition"
Husband is Lately deced occasioned by y e hardships and
difficulties he underwent in y e Late Expedition under Cap*
Tyng, & being taken sick, and dying att Charlestown, thereby
occasioning a considerable charge to Arise." Among the
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 115
items of expenses rendered were : A winding sheet, 18 shil-
lings ; coffin, io 8 ; grave digging 7 s 6 d ; bellman, i 8 ; pall, 5";
gloves, i I 8 ; wines, sugar, and spice, \ 5 s 9 d . The petition
and account are found in the Massachusetts Archives (LXXI. i.)
at the State House. In making his records, Mr. Blanchard
was wont to utilize as far as possible the places left blank on
the leaves, and sometimes the record of one meeting is found
on five or six different pages ; and each entry is generally
signed with his name.
grorton december io 1695 at a town meting legeley warned
the town did then uote that Mr hubarts rate for this year should be
raised seuen shilings apon the haed and the reast to be raised
apon rateable estat acording to law
JAMES BLANCHARD town clarke
march 3 d 1696 Chosed for town oficers the year incewing for
for constables thomas woods and John Green
for selectmen cap parker Samuel 1 Warner
Capt prescott Stephen holding
Leu* Laken
for town dark capt prescott
for suruayiers of the high ways capt prescott James Nuting
fence ueers Joseph cade Nathanell larrance
swinerd Eleazer Green Joseph Laken
Jonas Prescott, the tenth town clerk, was chosen again to
the office in the year 1696.
[Gro]ton dacamber y e io 1696 at a genaral town meting lagaly
war[ned] the town did by uoat daclare by mair . . . that yay
would pay 7 shilins a pees upon ye heed and ye rast of ye salerey
to be paid upon Ratabl astat acording to law and ye inuoys yt was
taken in augast 1696 to mak ye ministers Rate by
atast JONAS PRESCOTT town dark
the acount of ye salackt men in ye yere 1696
one Rat mad for ye contrey ye 28 of march 96 being ye Just
som of 7 = 14 = 8
Il6 EARLY RECORDS OF
a 2 Rate mad for ye minister being ye som of 60 = o = o
be sids wood 40 cord & to John nutin for being a saxton 1=3 = 9
and 2 half Rats more mad by ye salackt men for his
being ye som of 20 = o = o
mad in August 28 1696
all ye Rats mad this yer for town & contry be sids mr
hubrds wood 10 = o = o
as atast JONAS PRESCOTT town dark
for constabls this yere for ye yere 97
sarg elazar parker constabl John huchins consta
salackt men for ye yere 97 James blanchard Samuell Parker
enns John farnworth Simon Ston
thomas tarball
for town clark for ye yere 1697 James blanchard
Capte Parker town tresuer for this yeare
Nathiell Larranc Graniury for this year
Stephen holden Saruaier thomas Williams also
fenc uewer John Green enoch larranc
feeld driuers daniell perce abrahame laken
for tiding men Samuell woods sener deacn Whetny
enoch larrance John Stone
James Blanchard, the twelfth town clerk, after being out of
office for one year, was chosen again to the same position in
the year 1697, and held it until the time of his death.
at a town meting leglely warned . . . 1697 the town did uote and
agree that thay would rais Mr hubarts rate this year seuen shilling
upon the heade and the rest upon the estate
JAMES BLANCHARD town Clark
Crouton October 4, 1697 *he town did uote and agree that thay
would petition the Genrell Corte for help and relefe and easement
of our rates JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
at a town meating captin parker and insigne farnworth shoud
goe and mannige the petition at the gennell corte
at a town meting legelely warned in march i : 1698
for constable thomas williams and Ben farnworth
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 1 1?
for select men Cap* parker James Nuting
Cap 4 prescote John Stone
insign farnworth
for grand iurey Sarg warner James Blanchard Clark
for fenc uewer thomas woode epraham Perce
surueirer of the high ways Eliazer Parker John huchin
for to take inuarce thomas tarble
for hoge constable obadiah sawtell and Samuell Woods
december 21 at a town meting legely warned the town did then
uote and declare that y a will chuse to men for to be the towns agents
for to maniadge the case a bought the brigde and for to imply a law-
yer in the behalfe of the town and that y 3 will raise money for to
bare the charge of said men JAMES BLANCHARD town dark
at a town meting legely warning december: 21 1698. cap3n
Prascott was chosen for to go to chelmsford to meett with the
commety and insign farnworth was chosen for to go with him to
chamesford JAMES BLANCHARD town Clarke
december: 21 1698 at a town meting legelly warned the town
did uote and chuse capt prescott and insign farnworth to go to
Chelmsford to mete with the commete and to act in the towns be
halfe acording to there best discrestion refering to billarca bridg
JAMES BLANCHARD town Clark
December 21 : 1698 : at a town metinge legelly warn the town
did chuse capt prescott and Insign farnworth to be the to men for
to acte in the towns be halfe for to do the work Spock of in the
other uot JAMES BLANCHARD town Cla[rk]
at a town meting legelly warned the town did : uot that thay
would rais a rate of twelue pound six pound in money and six
pound in contrey paye for the paying of towns depts
JAMES BLANCHARD town Clark
[Date uncertain.'} at a town meting legly warned the inhabitenc
did vote that thay would raise the ministers Rate this year seuen
shilling upon the heade and the reast upon the Estate 1698
JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
Sargt Larrnce and Eliazer Parker are chosen for to take the
towns inuoyce for to make mr hubard rate this yeare insuing
Groton march :: 30 1699 at a town metin leagelly warned the
118 EARLY RECORDS OF
inhabitence : did meate and for constabs chosen Samuell Warner
and John Stone
and for town Clark : James Blanchard
and for selectt men Capt Prescott and capt Parker and thomas
tarble James blanchard & Samuell Parker
for suruarers of the high ways : for this yeare Enoch Larrance
and James blanchard
Simon Ston for suruaire
for fence men Joseph laken and Joseph Cade :
for tiding men : Joseph Larrance Samuell Parker insign farm-
worth Samuell Woods Sener :
for to inform the suruair of the high ways where the high ways
is Left Laken Samuell Woods and Samuell Scripter are the
men:
at a town meting legelly warned May 9* 1699 : Capt : Prescot
was chosen for to atende the genrell Cort : for to sarue as a repre-
sintiue JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
grouton augest 22 at a town meating legelly warned capten
prescot was chousen commisener for this yeare and James Blanch-
ard was choesen to tak the inuoyce
august 22 1699 at the same meting the town did uote that thay
would Raise a town Rate of six pounds in mony for defraying of
town charges : at the same meeting the town did uote that thay
would rais the town rate by the cuntry inuoyce
At a town meting leagely warned august 122: the town did
uote : that thay would build a cart bridge ouer Lancster Riuer at
groton
at the same meting the town did uote and declare thet Capt
parker and Captt prescotte and insigne farnworth should be a
commety to uew the place whe the bridge should stand and to agree
with men for to under take and bulde saide bridge August 22 1699 :
Groton decmber:4 1699 at a town meeting leagell warned the
town did uote that thay would rais the minister's rate for this year
seven shilling upon the : head : and the reast : upon thee estae tell
the sum be made up as atest JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
december 4: 1699 the town : did uote: and declare: thay would
giue : mr hubart for this year three score pound as thay did y e last
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 119
yeare one quarter part in mony and the Rast in town pay and forty
corde of woode
At a town meting leagelly warned the town did vote upon furder
consideration that thay give Mr huburt fiue pound more for the
year insuing then he had the last year
March 7 1700 at a town meting legelly warned chosen for gran-
iury for this year daniell Cade Sener for Constables for this year
chosen daniell perce and Abraham : laken
for town this year chosen : town Clark James Blanchard
chosen for Select men this year 1700 thomas tarble Eliazer
parker Samuell parker thomas Willimes James blanchard
for suruaier this chosen epraham and Joseph Laken
fence ueers : Steuen holding and Josep paraham
for hoge constable and John perham and John Shatduck and
Jonathan Keemp
for tiding men : this year Joseph larran Samuell Woods sener:
James Nuting and Samuell Warner:
Groton nouember 12 1700 at a town meting legelly warned the
town did : uote y 1 y a would rais M r huburt rate for this year seuen
shilling upon the head and the rast upon the Estat rateabl
JAMES : BLANCHARD Clark
at the same metting the town did uot and declare that thay
would giue mr hubart our minister sixty seuen pound ten shilling
one querter part mony and the other three quarter in corn and pro-
vesion and forty cord of woode for the yere insuing 1701
JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
at the same meting the town did uot y* ya would rais the town
charg according to to the cuntry rate JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
at the same meting the town did uote that the meting hous
should be mended and that the select men would agree w 1 one fore
to do the work JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
deacon wwhitny Insig farnworth : liften larrance thomas tarbell
danniell Cade chosen for to seat the meting hous
nouember 12 : the town did uote and that Eliazer parker was
chosen for to act in the towns behalfe and sue any that cut or cary
any timber of the towns common or to agree w ! any that shall
trancgres in that nater JAMES BLANCHARD Clerk
120 EARLY RECORDS OF
at the sam meting the town did uot that thommas tarbell daniell
Cade James Blanchard ware chosen for to sell the highg way that
runs to broad madow throw his land JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
at the same meting nouember 12 the town did uot that mr huburt
should haue his pay one halfe by the last of March and the other
halfe by the tenth of nouember next insuing and the forty cord of
wood by the last of Janeury JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
aggust : 13 : 1701 At. a town : metting legely warned the town
did chus Joseph laken to take : the Inuoyce
JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
Groton September = 6 = 1701 Sworn by the Select men ben farn-
worth sworn to the offis of Suruaiere
December io th 1701 At a town meting legelly warned the town
did uote and declare that thay would giue mr hubart our minister
for the year 1702 : Sixty seuen pound tenn shilling one querter
money and the other three querters corn and prouision at town
price and fortye cord of wood JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
at the town meting at the same time the town did uote that thay
rais the ministers rate this year seuen shillings upon the head and
the rest upon the estate JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
December io th 1701 at a town meting legally warned the town
meting legelly warned the the did uot that thay would giue m r
hubart his wood as formerly JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
December 10 : the town did uot that thay would rais fiue pound
In mony for defraying of town charge JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
the town did uot that the commety shall not lay any land to any
pertickeler parson at Nashobah end of the town
JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
The ouer plush of the Rate last made and now in the hands of
Capt Prescote is ninetene shillings whic to be returned to the town
trsuore JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
\_Date uncertain^ At a town meting legelly warnede decem-
ber 29 the town uot and agree that thay wold agree with Indianes
upon reasnable tearemes and the town did uot and chus Cap'
prescot Insign farnworth thomas tarbel and dannel Cady and
James Blanchard
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 121
\_Date uncertain^ at a town meting leagelly warned the town
did chus James Blanchard
at the same meting Capt Preascote was chosen for to acte in the
town behalfe to manadg a petition for the the town in referring to
bilracaci bridge and to get away to Concorde
JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
at the same meting the town did uote that any man in the town
should haue liberty to brake up any out land in the town and to
improue it seuen yeare and then layd down againe . . . stuable
againe : JAMES BLANCH [ARD] Clarke
an acounte of three town rats raised for the defraing of town
charges the sum of the rats apoue mentioned thirty thre pounds
seuen shillings and paid out of said rate by the town tresuer to
seuerell parson to whome : it was dew
In: mony 16 = 16 = n
and In payd out of the same rats 13 = 15 = 10
Ben farnworth debter oo = 02 = 06
Abrahm laken debter Hafe mony 02 = 04 = 09
daniell perce debter In pay oo = 06 = . .
recued febuory 6 th 170)^
at the same meting the select men did alow the tresuer
eightten shillings oo 18
Received of Abraham Laken constable 16 16 n
too pound fouer shillings and ninepence oo 18
halfe mony and the other halfe pay 01 02 4
James Blanchard that being the full oo or 3
of what was behind of his rate 01 oo 10
2 4
[ There are some other figures in the margin of the record book, but
they do not appear to have any connection with the text ; m fact, it
might be difficult to discover any between those that are given and the
text.~\
At a town meting legelly warned march 9 th 1702 the town did
uote and Chuse for Constables Joseph Laken and Epraham Phil-
brook and for town Clark for the yeare Insuing James Blanchard
and for Selectmen decon Whitney Liueten Larrance Samuell Parker
for Survarer of the high way
122 EARLY RECORDS OF
Chosen for gran Jury for the yerar Insu Benjmen farnworth
for select men chusen deacon Whitney liutene Larranc Samuel!
Parker
Chosen for suruaiers of the highway thomas tarbell nath wood
John Chaduck John Perhame for tiding men for the year 1702
Simon Ston thomas Williams James nuting John huchin for
fence uewer Joseph Cade thomas woods for hog constable William
Whitney Nathaniell Woods JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
\_In the original record the Italicised words are crossed out by a line
drawn through them.']
at a town meting legelly warned March 23 1702 chosen for
select men for the year Insuing liften larrance Capt Prescott Sam-
uell Parker thomas tarbell benimen farnworth
JAMES BLANCHARD town clarke
for hog constable Samuell Shatduck and William Shatduck
at a town meting legelly warned the town did uot that thay would
rais a town rate of six pound ten shillings and four pence for the
paying of captin Prescott John nuting Joseph Parker william laken
for runing the line and Insign farnworth whi and James blanchard
JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
at a town meting legelly warned the town did chuse Insign
farnworth lifte larance and thomas Williams for a commity for to
lay out land to thos to whome it is wanting thay makeing it so to
apere JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
groton : Jun : eight' 1702 at a town meting legelly warned the
town : did by uote declare that thay would haue an artis : to lay out
our madow at nashobah line and the land that the town : did grant
to water power [Walter Powers ?] and danell powers
JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
and at the same meting the town did chuse Capt Prescott to
agree with an artise to Do the aboue sd worke and the artis not to
exceede six shillings per day JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
at the same meting the town did uot that the artis shall begin at
the lower end of beuere brook runing up the brook tell he cums
to reedy [mea]dow and then runing up redy mady tell that is ...
and then runing up beauer brook tell that . . . and than Into long
madow
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 123
at a town meting legally warned Jun eighte 1702 the town did
uote that thay would giue Peleg larraness Eairs three acers of
madow whare thay ust to Improue and tenn acers of upland neare
that madow upon the Conditions following that the aboue sd Peleg
larrances heirs do deliuer up that Indian titelle which thay now
haue to the town JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
at a town leaglly warned Jun : eight 1702 the town: did uot that
thay would giue to robart robins Sener three acers of madow where
he uste to Improue : and ten acers of upland near his madow upon
the Conditions forlowing that he aboue sd Robart Robbins doth
deliuer : up that Indian titels which he now hath : to the town
JAMES BLANCHARD town Clarke
Groton december : u : 1702 at a town meteing legally warndid
the town did uote : that y a would giue Mr hubart our minister for
the year 1703 Seuenty pound one quarter part in mony and the
other three quarters In prouition : and ten pound In wood at feiue
Shilling per Cord : the wood to be all payed In by the last of Jneu-
ary or fiue Shilling In pay In the leue of one cord of woode
JAMES BLANCHARD town Clark
At the same meting the town did uot that y a would rais Mr hub-
berts rate for y 1 year 170 [3] seuen shillings upon the head and the
remainder by the Cuntry Inuoyce JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
March : I th : 1703 at a town meting legely warned chosen : for
constable : for the year 1703 chosen for constable thomas Chamber-
lin for the second constable John Perham for the year 1703 : for
town clack for this year James blanchard
for select men for the year 1703 : Samuell Parker James Nuting
James Blanchard for tiding men Joseph gilson Benjmen farn-
worth Samuell Wood Zechriah Satell
for Suruaiers of the high ways for the year 1703 John lagely
Joseph farwell Joseph Perham Eleazer green
for fences ueiwers thomas Williams and John hoar
JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
At a town meting legielly warned April 2i th : the town did uot
that : Insign farnworth should be the Commisinor. to tak the Inuoyce :
with the select men.
at the same meting the town : did chuse Eliazer parker to discorce
124 EARLY RECORDS OF
John Applin of Watertown : to see If he will come : up to groton
and keep scole to tech children and youth to reed and right and to
know his terms and bring his term to the Select men : who are Im-
powered by the town : to agree with sd man : for one year 1703
JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
May 17 1703 at a town metting legelly warned the town did by
uot declare that thay would pay deacon larrance the mony that the
deacon demande for saruing the : town as ane represintiue In the
year 1693
the town did uote and declare that thay would borrow the mony
of thomas Williams for four month and pay for the use of it one
shilling JAMES BLANCHARD Clark
for seating of the meting house capt parker capt Prescott
Insign farnworth leu ten laken Samuell Woods Sener
The following items appear on a loose leaf, and refer to two
children of John and Hannah (Aldis) Farnsworth.
John farns desessed 19 Saptam 1703
Rachall farnswor born 8 desembur 1704
Groton December 20 : 1703 At a town meting legelly warned
the town did uote and declare that thay giue Mr hubart for the first
half of the year 1703 thirty too pound one quarter part mony the
time begining the tenth of december tell the tenth of June next in-
sewing JAMES BLANCHARD Clarke
thomas williams decents from the aboue writen uote nathaniell
woods obadiah Satell decent from this uote
Eliazer parker decents from y e uote
groton Janeuary 25 at a town meting legenly the town did uote :
that thay would rais a town rate for the paying of capt prescott and
other town charge the sume to be raised : IS \Left unfinished^
This fragment is in the handwriting of James Blanchard,
who died a very few days after it was written.
Thomas Tarbell, the thirteenth town clerk, was the son of
Thomas and Hannah Tarbell, and was born at Groton, July 6,
1667. He held the office during the years 1704 and 1705.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 125
His handwriting was fair, but his spelling execrable. He was
the father of the three children carried into captivity by the
Indians, June 20, 1707. His death took place January 24,
1717.
grotton march 8 1704 at a legul town meteng the town did yot
that thay wull met for the futer to chus town ofesurs the fust tus-
day of march anuelly THOMAS TARBELL Clark
groton march y 8 1704 Thomas tarbell town dark Thomas
williams gran gure : Joseph gelcun cunstable Ephrem pers cun-
stable selectmen Samuell parker Joseph laken Thomas tarbell
tithen men John Shaduck Joseph Larrance Samuell Screptur se
Nathanell woods Sauayars hy ways Jonathan laken & John daues
Jonathan farnsworth thomas chamburlen sworn fans yuers Jona-
than boyden william laken Samuell Screptur iu Ephrem felbreck
sworn
grotton march 8 1704 the town ded declar by yot that thay do
imploy capt prascot to go down to the genaral cort to Indeuer to
g[et] an an abatmant of our cuntary rats
THOMAS TARBELL town clarke
Nouember 21 1704 at a town metting legaly warned the town
did chused leftan lawra and John Ston to go to mr dark and mr
estarbrucks for furthar aduic concarn mr hobart and to prosed
from that acording to thar disscracun for the good of the town
THOMAS TARBELL darke
at a town meting legully woorned the town did chus Joseph laken
and thomas tarbell to luck ouer mr hoburds rats and to racun with
thos that ar behind to clear the old arrars 21 nouember 1704
THOMAS TARBELL dark
at a town metting legally warned the town ded chus left lawranc
& thomas tarbell to go to the genarall cort to cary in a petecun for
to Indeuer for to get an abatmant of our tax and so what may be
dun concarning our minestur this is to be dun by the charg of
the town this 19 of desember 1704
atast THOMAS TARBELL Clarke
at a town metting legally warned 22 ganawari 1704 5 the town
deed then uot that thay woold geue mr hobart for the time past 20
pounds on quartar part mony THOMAS TARBELL Clark
126 EARLY RECORDS OF
at a town metting legally warned the town deed chus leftten law-
ranc & thomas tarbell to agree with summ menistur to cum &
prech with us if any can be found 22 Janauary 1704 5
THOMAS TARBELL Clark
A at a town meting legally wared march 9 1705 simun ston is
chose to sarue for the Insuing yer for the graniuri
THOMAS TARBELL dark
the nams of town oficurs for the yere 1705 thomas tarbell dark
Nathanil woods & elezer green sworn as ctmstables for the yere
1705 cap prascot John ston & thomas tarbell as select men for
the yere 1705 sworn sworn samuell shad & danill cady Jonathan
boyd baniemen farnswor as suruayers of hyway for this yere 1705
Samuell Parkar & Samuell Woods as fans yuars for this yere as
fens yaars 1705 sworn Obadiah sawtel & John shattuck tithenmen
John huchins & John Sheply as hog cunstables for thes yere 1705
THOMAS TARBELL dark
At a town metting legalli warned the town did declar by uot that
thay wold haue thomas tarbell go to the gouernur & colinol ting for
to petescun relef for chamburlens mell by on or 2 men And the
said thomas chamburlen bars the charg thar of
THOMAS TARBELL dark
At a town meting legalli warned the town did declar by uot & lat
all the commun madow In our town to William Whetne for sexs
shellings moni the Insuing yere 9 of march 1705
a THOMAS TARBELL dark
at a town meting legali warned t 9 of march 1705 the town did
grant to thomas chamburlen 2 accurs of land on the sutherdly sid
of the pond by his hous mor or las in two parts & the said [Ch] am-
burlen to alow a hy way of 3 [po]ll wid from the hy way to his own
mel In the most conueniant plas and to mak and maintain a breg
at his own cos ouer the buck . . . mel pond
[THOMAS] TARBEL Clark
Groton May y e 8 1705 then capt prascot was chosen to sarue as
a rapresentetife for the yer Insuing THOMAS TARBELL Clarck
the 8 of May 1705 the town did chus a comete to take an
acompt of the town charges that is du to pur teckeurlur men & for
the select men to Rais a rat upon pols & estals acording to the
cuntary euoys (the comety is) sarg nathanell lawranc Samuell Parker
& Joseph gilson THOMAS TARBELL Clarck
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. I2/
At a town metting legally warned this 18 of June 1705 the town
did declar by uoite that thay do desiar mr Odle to continu with us
for sum longer time as we can agre with him for
THOMAS TARBELL Clarck
Att a town meting legulli warned this 18 of Jun 1705 : the town
did chits left lawranc John Ston & Thomas tarbell to disscors with
Mr Odle : & to agre with him for sum farthar time :
THOMAS TARBALL Clarke
groton iun the 25 1705 the selectmen this day haue apoyntted
the hy way from beuer brooke madows along the rod now improued
to the fordway at spactecull brook throu elezer lawrances land whar
the way now gos & is staked out coming out behind the sd lawrances
hous & so contennuing to the towns common in the most conueniant
plasce for the banifit of the in habitants | of fore pol wid & if the
aboue sd elezer lawranc deziers to haue this way oltured he finding
a conueniant way aboue his feld or by his hous to the sattesfacteun
of the select men it shall be alowed
Jonas Prescot
John ston select men Atast THOMAS TARBEL dark
groton Jun the 25 1705 the select men haue this day apoynted
A hy way going out out of the hyway by that gos from goodman
Pages hous by brood madow begening at Danel cades cornur throu
John Longlys land 3 pol wid to to the madow & throu the madow
two poll wid cuming into the hy way that cums throu obadiah satals
land John Longly geues this land & madow thes way is to be capt
with gats or bars THOMAS TARBELL Clarke
The following entry appears to be the rough draft of the
one that comes immediately after it.
the town did uoat this day that thay would giue to Mr Jon Odly
in ordr to satlment to be the towns minister & the churches ofissur
the sam of 60 pound for his sallarey this yere & one TOO p to prouid
him salf a place to satl on
At a town meting legally warned the town did declar by uote this
thurd day of July 1705 that they would giue to Mr John odly in
ordur to satlment to be the towns minister & the churches ofissur
the sum of 60 pounds for his sallarey this yeere & on 100 pounds
to prouid him salf a plase to satel on THOMAS TARBELL Clarke
128 EARLY RECORDS OF
Joseph Lakin, the fourteenth town clerk, was the son of
Ensign John and Mary Lakin, and was born at Groton, April
14, 1670. He held the office during 1706 and 1707, when this
volume ends, and many subsequent years. His handwriting
was intolerably bad, and his spelling as incorrect as that of
his predecessor. He died April I, 1747.
Groton march the 5 = 170$ at a towne meting legally warned to
chuse town officers as followeth to wit Joseph lakin Towne Clark
Jonathan Page constabel and Jonas Prascot iuner constabel for the
year insuing for selact men Joseph lakin Samuell parkar nathaniel
Woods Simin Ston Robart Robin and for saruayars thomas cham-
brlin Samuell Shattuck hazackiah whitcom Samuell Barrand | fane
uewers thomas woods John Sheple | and John longly town seallar
of waits and masurs and Joseph lawrance thomas tarbel tithingmen
JOSEPH LAKIN Town Clark
Groton march the 5 = 1705-6 At a towne meting leagaly worned
to chuse offisors for the year insuing thay did by uote chuse John
huchin garan iuery man and for a commity to lay out land Joseph
lakin Samuell parkar Robert Robin of this town
At a town meting leagly warned in Aprell the 9 1706 this town
did by uot ass you may see on the othar side of this Leafe and all
so did uot that they would giue mr Bradstret one hondred pounds
mor as money to satell him selfe in this towne our minister during
life JOSEPH LAKIN Town Clark for Groton
The following entry contains the paragraph referred to, as
" on the othar side of this Leafe."
Groton At a town meting legally warned this Aprell the 9 1706
the town ded By uot giue Mr bradstret tare scoar pounds thirty
pounds in money and thirty pounds ass money in priuison ass
foloeth indon corne 2 shilings one bushil and ry 3 shilings one
bushil and Wheat 4 shilings and Porke 2 Pance a Pound and Beef
ox beefe 3 hapenc a pound and i fard[ing] a bound for cowbeefe
for Peeas 3 shilin . . . bushil
Groton April this 9 day 1706 at a Town meting legaly worned
the towne did by uot chuse the selact men for a comity to lay out
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
the hi ways betwen insin farnsworth and Eben tarnsworth and so
along betwen indin hill medow and Satwels Patchis and so the most
conuenint place in to the contery rode four pooll wide and this
Rood on the couth sid of half moon madow
JOSEPH LAKIN dark
and at the same meting thay did all so chose Insin farnsworth
Simon Stone Joseph lakin to discorse mr bradstret ass the town
consarnin his satelmant with us this year
JOSEPH LAKIN dark
Groton may the 8 1706 At a town Meting legaly woned thay
ded by uot declare thay would and doe desire that Thomas Cham-
berill mill may bee up helde by a solgar or solgars for the good of
the town by a patition to the cort or athoratie
JOSEPH LAKIN town dark
Groton May the aight day 1706 At a town meting legally worned
for to see consarning M r brodstreets settlement the town ded by
uot declare that thay would make a good house of 38 foot long and
1 8 foot wide and a lean tow of a foot wide all the langht of the
house and thay will finish it comfortably this house to be of 14 foot
beetwen iants JOSEPH LAKIN Clarck
and the same meting ded all so by uot declare thay would buld
a good letell barne for a mr brodsteret
At the same meting tay haue chose a comitie to under take \Left
unfinished, .]
Groton May the 8 = 1706 At a towne meting legaly worned the
town chose a commity to uew that hiway by nathanill woodsis house
and so alttar and turne that way if thay see acauson the men
chosen are
Simon Ston
Samuill Parkar i are the comety chosen to turne
Robart robin j that hiway if thay see cause
Joseph lakin J
attast JOSEPH LAKIN town Clarck
Groton May the aight 1706 At a town meting legally worned to
chuse a repreasantiue the fre hooldars and othar inhabitants quala-
fied acording to law did by the maior uote couse Simin Stone for
this year 1706 a represantetiue JOSEPH LAKIN town dark
130 EARLY RECORDS OF
Groton May the aight 1706 at the same meting the towne did
by not chuse a comity to lat out M r brodstreets hous and barne and
to by a place for the minister to build
the men chose for the same
Thomas tarbol
Joseph lakin
Danil Cady
Samuell Parkar
Nathanil Wods
a comity for 1706
this towne
JOSEPH LAKIN Clark
Groton June the 20 = 1706 at a town meting leagely worned they
did by uot make this way that was arst in Jun the 25 = 175 now maid
uoid
Groton June the 20 day 1706 at a town meting leagaly warned
the toown did declear by uot that thay would cleare and pay with
and to m r Brodstret this halfe year JOSEPH LAKIN darck
Groton June the 20 day 1706 At a town meting legaly worned
the towne did declear by uote that thay woud pay the one halfe of
the purch of that place which We are about to by of Captin Parker
JOSEPH LAKIN Town Clarcke
Groton June the 20 day 1706 at a town meting leguly worned
thay did declar by uot that Captin Prascot shall haue what is his
dew from the town to him JOSEPH LAKIN Town darck
Groton June the 20 1706 at a town meting legaly worned the
town did agre with Zachariah Sawtell and Sargant lawrnc for 12
thousand of marchiantabel brick and 3 thousand of samman brick
the 12 thousand at 18 shilins par thousand and the 3 thousand at
half prise
Groton June y e 20 1706 at a towne meting legaly warned this
towne did by uot giu to Jonathan Kamp that contribuchan money
which m r Bradstrat hath now in hand JOSEPH LAKIN dark
Groton August the 22 day 1706 at a town meting leagaly worned
to see what way to raise the ministers Rate then thay did declair
by thare uote that thay would haue it fiue shilins upon the head
and the rast upon the eastats JOSEPH LAKIN Town Clarck
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 131
Groton January the 8 day 170^ the highway near Nathanill
Woosis hous whear he now dweleth is allowed and turned marked
& layd out Betwext Samuill Parkars land and nathanill Woodses
land away as the marks direct first on the north a black oke
and on the south a white oke ^p marked near said Woodses wall
and then four poll wide as the marks direct betwixt said parkar and
said wood . . . runing into the highway to brown lof plain . . .
commity and select men
attest JOSEPH LAKIN town dark
A LIST
OF
THE TOWN CLERKS OF GROTON,
FROM 1662 TO 1707;
WITH THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE.
THE years are given according to the new style of reckon-
ing. The town was attacked by the Indians in the spring of
1676, and abandoned by the inhabitants until March, 1678.
Jonathan Morse, William Longley, Jr., and James Blanchard
died while holding office, Longley being killed by the In-
dians July 27, 1694. Joseph Lakin, the last one named in
this list, continued to serve as town clerk during many years
after 1707.
RICHARD SAWTELL 1662-1664.
JAMES FISK 1665.
WILLIAM LONGLEY 1666, 1667.
JOHN PAGE 1668.
RICHARD BLOOD 1669.
JOHN MORSE 1670-1676.
JAMES PARKER 1678, 1679.
JOHN MORSE 1680, 1681.
JONATHAN MORSE 1682-1686.
JOSIAH PARKER 1686-1691.
JONAS PRESCOTT 1692.
WILLIAM LONGLEY, JR 1693, 1694.
JAMES BLANCHARD I ^95-
JONAS PRESCOTT 1696.
JAMES BLANCHARD 1697-1704.
THOMAS TARBELL 1704, 1705.
JOSEPH LAKIN 1706, 1707.
EARLY LAND-GRANTS
OF
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
E Colonial governments of Massachusetts and Plym-
outh, as well as the Provincial government of Massachu-
setts, granted from time to time to certain persons tracts of
land suitable for townships. These persons, called proprietors,
frequently had an equal number of shares, but sometimes one
proprietor would have more than another, and they called their
shares by such names and styles as they pleased. In Groton,
these were called " acre-rights ; " but sometimes, as in Bridge-
water, they were called " purchase-rights," and at other times,
as in Nantucket, " cow-commons," or " sheep-commons."
These proprietors organized as a corporation, chose a mod-
erator, clerk, and all needful committees, at their meetings,
and, pursuant to the vote of the majority, allotted the lands
to individuals of the corporation or proprietary, as occasion
required, in proportion to their respective shares. In the
course of time, the lands of the proprietary were all distrib-
uted, as appears by their records, which, for the most part,
have been preserved. These records are of two kinds : first,
those of the votes of the corporation, and secondly, those of
the location of grants to individuals of the corporation, which
last records are analogous to the Registry of Deeds. The
landed history of the old towns in New England is full of
interest, and to these records we must recur to obtain the
early portion of such history.
The township of Groton was equal to eight miles square, or
sixty-four square miles, equivalent to 40,960 acres, and the
134 EARLY RECORDS OF
whole number of " acre-rights " belonging to the original pro-
prietors was 827, owned by 5 1 persons. According to this
calculation, in a general division of the property at the outset,
the owner of a single " acre-right " would have been entitled
to nearly fifty acres of land, and the larger proprietors to a
similar proportion. The division of land, however, was not
made all at once, but at several different times, and the
amount set off to each one was determined somewhat by its
value. Considerable land was sold at the start in order to
raise money to build in part a meeting-house, and to defray
certain other public expenses ; and, even after this was done,
many thousand acres still remained unsold. This undivided
land was generally called the " town's common " or " town's
commons," or the " common land." The proprietors of the town
probably never received from their " acre-rights " or stock,
as we should call it any dividends in money. Their profits
came from the division of lands ; and the current expenses of
the corporation were met by the income from the sales. The
first division was made, doubtless, as early as the year 1661,
when a Committee, appointed by the General Court, October,
1659, to consider certain difficulties that had arisen in connec-
tion with the settlement of the town, made a report recom-
mending :
" i That the old planters & theire Assignes whose names are
John Tincker Rich : Smith. W ra Martyn. Ri : blood Rob* Blood & Jn
Lakin that they reteine & keepe as theire propriety, (of such lands
as they now clajme an Interest in) each of. them only twenty acres
of meadow twenty acres for the house lott tenn acres Intervale
land & tenn acres of other vplands & that the same be sett out by
a comittee so as may not vnequally prejudice such as are or may
be theire Neighbors
" 2 That the neere lands & meadows, be so deuided as may ac-
comodate at least sixty familjes & for that end That the first diuis-
sion of lands be made in manner following viz such as haue one
hundred & fifty pounds estate shall be allowed equal w th old
planters aboue & that none exceed & y' none haue lesse than tenn
acres for theire house lott & flue acres of meadow two & a halfe
acres of Intervale & two & a halfe of other lands for planting lotts
GROTON,. MASSACHUSETTS. 135
in theire first divission & that none be admitted to haue graunts of
lotts there but on Condition 3 following " ... General Court
Records, iv. 371.
The selection of land by the early settlers was governed
largely by circumstances not now clearly understood. A
man's lands were widely scattered, and he might want a cer-
tain piece because it joined his neighbor's, or for some other
simple reason. At times the division was made by lot, which
fact furnishes the origin and explanation of the American use
of the word lot, as applied to a portion of land measured off,
or appropriated to any particular purpose. It is recorded in
the Groton town records, November 30, 1663, that
" Its agreed that when all men hav their full allowan of medow
The residue shall be devided to the p r sent inhabitants by lot ac-
cording to every mans proportion "
It should be borne in mind that the first settlers of the
town did not attach the same signification to the word meadow
which now belongs to it in New-England, where it means low,
swampy land, without regard to the mowing. They called by
the name meadow all grass-land that was annually mown for
hay, and especially that by the side of a river or a brook, and
this meaning of the word was the common one in England,
whence they brought their language. They sometimes spoke
of a swamp, meaning by it what we call a bog, but much of
this kind of land has since been reclaimed, and is known with
us as meadow. As a matter of fact it happened that the lands
which could be mown for the fodder were low lands, and it
would require perhaps less than a generation to transfer the
meaning of mowing lands to the low lands, which were about
the only ones that could be mown in the early days of the
colony. This explanation will make clear the following vote
of the town, passed February 18, 1680:
" At the same meeting it was agreed vpon and voted that M r
Hubberd should haue all the coffion which was capable to mak
medow in swan pond medow vp to the vpland for seauen acre and
a halfe for to mak vp his fifteen acres of medow "
136 EARLY RECORDS OF
Many words in common use in early times have changed
their meaning, and others have dropped out of the language.
Spong, spang, or spung different forms of the same word,
found several times in these grants is a case in point. In
its struggle for existence, it has not survived, because it was
not needed. James Roberts's land-grant speaks of " two par-
cells or spongs ; " William Elluee's, of " the northermost spang
of Buck medow," and John Page's of " severall spongs or an-
gles." It was a local word in England, used in Suffolk, and
meant " an irregular, narrow, projecting part of a field, whether
planted or in grass." (Moor's " Suffolk Words," London,
1823.) Another obsolete word found in these grants is "hole,"
of which the signification is not so clear. The record of
Joseph Parker's land speaks of an acre lying "In a hole neare
the Angle medow ; " and that of Cornelius Church's, of a
tract of "land containing two nolle or three of swampy
medow ; " and Timothy Allen's grant mentions three acres at
" Skull holl." J. C. Atkinson, in his " Glossary of the Cleve-
land Dialect," a dialect spoken in a district of Northumber-
land, England, gives " Holl ; a deep narrow depression in the
surface of the land or place, of no great longitudinal extent."
The preposition through is spelled thorow in these records,
showing its old pronunciation and its kinship to thorough. In
the early records of the town, " angle " and " squadron " were
used to denote districts, and these words are other instances
of the natural changes in the language. At a meeting of the
selectmen, held December 27, 1669, it was agreed upon that
"euery man work proportionabley according to his estat and that
the wayes are to be mended in the seuerall anggells of the towne "
and again at a meeting, held January 18, 1671, it was
" agreed vpon by the select men for the diuiding of their seuerall
sqvadrons and for the calling out of their men to work that is within
their seuerall sqvadrons as is exprest in their seuerall papers "
Both of these words are found in the records during many
years, in connection with the schools, meaning what is now
known by districts.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 137
There was a second division of land made at a very early
date. In the record of Sergeant James Parker's lands, there
is a reference to three acres in Plain Meadow " that was laid
out to James Knop in the second division." This tract of
meadow is mentioned in Knop's or Knap's grant, which is
dated "6 th 5 m 1666," and, perhaps, refers to the division au-
thorized by the town, October 8, 1665.
At a town meeting held in Groton, December 24, 1662, it
was voted that
" all the lands that are or here after shall be granted shall be
recorded with these expressions following, viz : To such a one or
such a one &c : Ten or : Twenty Acars so & so bounded be it es-
teemed more or lesse "
On November 30 of the next year, it was voted that
" every man of this Town shall bring a note of all his lands or
their lands Bounded & abutted vnto y e Town-Clark being subscribed
by two that helpt to lay them out and then the said dark shall re-
cord them in the Town Book and giue to each a Transcript of his
land acording to the Towns record which shall be vieued by the
Select [men] both originall & coppy and if y e originall Town Rec-
ord & y e Transcript be found to agree then each mans Transcript
shall be subscribed by the Town Clark "
In accordance with these votes, the grants of land were
recorded in the book, which contained also the public acts of
the town. This practice was kept up during a period of
twenty years, when it became somewhat inconvenient. About
this time it was customary for the town to choose a committee
to instruct the selectmen in the management of public affairs,
and one of the "instructions " for the year 1682 was that
" the salackt men are to tak spashal care that thare bee a town
book & a sofishant man chosen to racord our lands as may stand
acording to law "
In compliance with this recommendation, John Morse, who
previously had been the town clerk, was chosen as the " so-
138 EARLY RECORDS OF
fishant man." He was probably the fittest person in town for
the position, as he wrote a good hand and was familiar with
the duties of the office, having previously recorded in the town
book most of the land-grants. He began the work in the
autumn of 1683, and in the course of a few months had copied
into the new book from the old one all the grants as they
stood at that time. After the transcript was completed, the
new book was used for the subsequent grants until it was full,
when the record was continued in other volumes.
In the year 1664, a controversy sprung up between the town
and John Lawrence, about some land. In itself, it was of
little moment ; but in its' consequences it affected the whole
town. The question was referred to an arbitrating commit-
tee, which decided against Lawrence, who, of course, was
dissatisfied with the result. The matter afterward came up
at a town meeting, September 21, 1665, and in substance was
reconsidered. It was then voted that
" John lawranc senf shall quiatly posese and Inioye a passelle of
land in controuersey and allredey within his ffenc and a Joyning to
his house lotte contining too acors mor or lesse bounded west and
south by the hye way and north and east by his own land & granted
to him as a grantiuety " ,
At the same meeting, it was
" also granted that eury Inhabetant shall haue the like priuledg
proposonally "
Some additional action was taken in this matter October
10, 1665, when it was
" voated by the town y* in considration of a grattiaty formerly
granted to eury Inhabetante anserable to John lauranc sen his grante
y e 21 of the seaventh mo th 65 y' eury man shall haue liberty to take
vp 6 accors to a twentey accor house lote, and in case it Joine to
his house eury man shall take vp pposonabl ther vnto respectng
such as haue eyther the holle or any part therof alredy, but if mor
remote eury Inhabetant shall haue libert[y] to take vp too for one "
Other instances of gratuities or accommodations, as they
are sometimes called are found in the records. A brook
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 139
and a highway in the neighborhood of some of them, have
taken their names from the word, and to this day are known,
under its contracted form, as "'Tuity Brook," and "'Tuity
Road."
Sometimes land was given in order to induce settlers to
come and abide in the town. At a meeting, held probably in
April, 1669, it was
" by vote granted to Robert parish . . . [Park]er and timothy
Couper that th[ey shall be] and now ar free Comoners for wood
and timber and for there owne Cat [tie] as other men of this towne
haue paying to all towne Charges according to there proportion "
A free commoner was one who had a right to use the
common or undivided lands, free of charge. At the same
meeting
" the towne did solemlie determine to take in no more but a tay-
lear and a smith and Consedering the great Charg that hath bine
vpon the present inhabitants the do now by vote declare that by
way of grant or gift directlie or indirectlie as a towne and the
townes mind herein declared by vote the second of June 1669.
onely a smith and no other "
Immediately afterward, ten of the proprietors gave twenty
acres of land to Robert Parish, which was not done
" as a towne act but out of everie mans owne petikuler Right
provided hee Come and settell amongst vs a townes man and not
other waves "
At a town meeting held June 8, 1680, there were granted
" to Thomas Beall of linn tanner ten acres of land by the town
prouided he come and Hue among them and he not alienating nor
selling it "
The following extracts from the records show to say
nothing of the town clerk's spelling what was done fre-
quently at the early town meetings.
140 EARLY RECORDS OF
Under date of December n, 1682,
" it was uotyd and a gred upon that tha that was chosin too sell
land for the finishin the meetin hous was too sell no mor "
And again it is recorded :
" at a gennirall Toown meeting 25d 4 m 1683 A gred upon and
uotyd that the Toown wooll -sell land for too pay thar present deews
and the Comity shall sell no land within too mill of the metin
hous and the Comity shall sell no land undr twenty ackr & eck-
sept it be furst brought too the Toown at a ginarull Toown meting
and if the Town doo determined too sell such land the Comity may
Deed it lagully
" The in habitenc of This Toown have liberty too by land att a
uallowabll Prise of the Comity so noe land shall be soald undr
Twell penc A nacker"
The law authorized the proprietors of lands lying in com-
mon to dispose of or divide them ; but it was not until March
25, 1713, that an act was passed, prescribing the mode of call-
ing a meeting of such proprietors for this purpose. Under
the provision of this statute, a meeting of the proprietors of
Groton was called, March 4, 1717 ; and, from that time, sepa-
rate records were kept. Before the passage of the act, there
was no distinction between the inhabitants of the town and
the proprietors.
At a meeting held September 5, 1721, by adjournment from
April 28, a division of the common land was made, allowing
two acres to each acre-right, of which one half was to be laid
out on the east side of the Nashua River, and the other on
the west side. Another division was voted January 17, 1726
27, giving the same proportion of land to the owners ; and
subsequent divisions followed, on February 9, 1741, November
14, 1748, and a final one on February 4, 1760. After this last
division, the proprietors continued to hold meetings at varying
intervals until November 28, 1829, when they confirmed the
sale of land made March 21, 1828, to Phinehas Nutting. This
was the last tract of common land belonging to the original
grant, and contained about six acres and a half. It was situ-
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 141
ated somewhere between Cady Pond and Brown Loaf, and
fetched sixteen dollars.
The association known as the Proprietors of Groton is now
dissolved, and the meeting on November 28, 1829, is the last
one that ever will be held.
The following land-grants are copied from " The Indian
Roll," and comprise some that are not found in the proprie-
tors' records. These grants, with a few trifling exceptions,
were made before the town was burned by the Indians ; and
the entries of them in the record-book are now on loose and
detached leaves. Considerable interest and value belong to
them, as they indicate the sites of the house-lots where the
earliest settlers lived, which, in some cases, can be identified.
The families of Allen, Barren, Boyden, Cady, Clary, Crisp,
Elluee, Fisk, Garfield, Knop, Martin, Onge, Parish, and Strat-
ton, names mentioned in these grants, are no longer rep-
resented in this neighborhood by living descendants. Cady
Pond, Knop's Pond, and Martin's Pond, however, perpetuate
three of the names. It is thought that the surname of Elluee
no longer exists in New England. In this word the u had the
force of a v, and the name was pronounced as if written Elvy.
Perhaps it has passed into another form. The surname Onge
is also believed to have died out in New England. It may
have been changed to Young, as it is sometimes spelled Oung
in the County records. The names of certain hills, meadows,
and ponds, familiar to us as household words, are mentioned,
showing that they were given in the earliest days of the town.
Among them are the names of Gibbet Hill and Brown Loaf,
Broad Meadow and Half-Moon Meadow, Martin's Pond and
Baddacook Pond, and others equally well known. Many
places, then called by names which are now forgotten, can be
recognized from the description of them. Cow Pond, Massa-
poag Pond, Sandy Pond, and Spectacle Pond, all were named
at a very early period in the town's history. Nonacoicus was
an Indian name given to a place now included in Ayer. It is
a little singular that Squannacook, also an Indian word, is not
found in these records ; it was in use, however, as early as the
year 1683. I am unable to identify Pine Hill, or Barralock
142 EARLY RECORDS OF
Hill, mentioned in Samuel Woods's grant. Indian Hill, or
Hills, as the expression frequently is, was probably the range
of hills beginning near James's Brook, a mile south of the
village, and running in an easterly direction, on the south
side of the " Great Road " to Boston. Horse Hill, spoken of
in Mr. Willard's grant, lies mostly in Dunstable, overlooking
Massapoag Pond. Cow-pond Brook, Massapoag Brook, James's
Brook, Sandy Brook, Hawtree Brook, and Unqueternorset
Brook, sometimes called Unquety, are familiar to the present
generation. The meadows are more numerous, but not many
of them have kept their designations ; though perhaps a few
are still known by the old names in their immediate neighbor-
hood. Among them are the following : Accident, Angle,
Brook, Buck, Burnt, Cow-pond, East, Flaggy, Flax, Ferney,
Little Half-Moon, Lodge, Long, Maple, Pine, Plain, Pretty,
Providence, Quosoponagon, Reedy, Rock, Round, Sallo (per-
haps sallow, a species of willow), Sedge, Sledge, South, Spang,
Spot, Spruce, Swamp, and Weavers. Angle Meadow and
Plain Meadow were situated in the northerly part of Groton,
and Burnt Meadow in the vicinity of Cow Pond. Cold Spring
was " on y e Left hand of the high way that goe to Reedy
medow," which meadow, also in the northern part of the
town, still keeps its old name. Flaggy Meadow and Ferney
Meadow were near Brown Loaf, and Rock Meadow in the
neighborhood of Snake Hill. Quosoponagon Meadow was
"on the other sid of the Riuer," perhaps toward' Squanna-
cook, and Buck Meadow in the eastern part of the town.
Among these entries, no allusion is made to woodland, for the
reason, doubtless, that wood was so cheap and common.
The " general field," frequently mentioned in these grants,
refers to land owned in severalty by a number of persons, who
turned it into one field, for reasons of mutual advantage. The
terms " sergeants field " and " Sargeants field medow," also
mentioned, I do not fully understand ; perhaps they refer to
Sergeant Parker's field.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 143
EARLY LAND-GRANTS.
A Record of the severall Propriators of Groton, their Names
and Lands, which hath been orderly ^sented to the Towns
Clark. Revised & aproved by the Selectmen, acording
to an Order of Towne bearing date Novem. 30, 1663.
THE LANDS OF WALTER SKINER.
1. His Vplands. To his house lot with som adition therevnto,
twenty & eight acres by estimation, more or lesse, bounded on the
north with the vpland of Timothy Allen, and on the west with
Timothy Allen, and on all other poynts with the hie-way and town's
comon.
2. Three acres & a halfe by estimation, more or lesse, bounded
south-west with the hie-way, north-west w th Joseph Parker, north-east
with comon land, south-east with Timothy Allen and Walter Skiner.
3. His Medow. In fflaggy Medow, six acres by estimation, more
or lesse, bounded on the north with y e medow of James Parker, and
all other poynts on comon land.
4. In Broade Medow, two acres by estimation, more or lesse,
bounded north with the land of John Nutin, east with the lands of
James Parker, south with the lands of John Baron & Benjamine
Garfield, west with the towne comon.
5. One acre of medow, more or lesse, lying in two parsells, bound-
ed west with the pond, & all other poynts with the town's comon.
6. In Maple Medow, two acres by estimation, bounded south-
west with the medow of Samuell Woods, north-west with the medow
of Joshua Whitny, and all other poynts on y e towne comon.
Jan. 21, 1663. Revised, aproved, & confirmed (according to
order of towne) by the Selectmen.
144 EARLY RECORDS OF
This Indenture wittnesseth that Water Skinner hath sold, giuen,
granted, and exchanged, his six acres [of] meadow, more or lesse,
lying in Flaggy Meadow, bounded on the north by the medow of
James Parker, and on all points w th y e town's vplands, to and with
Samuell Woods, his heirs and executors and administrators, for euer.
And also, this Indenture wittnesseth that the sd Samuell Woods hath
sold, alienated, giuen, granted, and exchanged, to and with the aboue-
sd Water Skinner, his three acres of meadow, more or lesse, lying
in Vncattenorset Meadow, bounded west southwardly with Richard
Blood's, and on all other points with the town's vpland and riuer ;
and with three acres, more or lesse, lying in Mapple Meadow, bounded
south west with the meadow of Just. Holdin, and on [all ] other points
with the town's vplands and Wa[lter] Skinner's owne meadow ; for
him, the sd Walter Skinner and his heirs, executors, and administra-
tors, for euer. For the true pformance, the pties abouesd haue entere
... set to their hands, 27* 2 mo 1666.
his marke
WATER (/) [SKINNER],
his ...
SAMUELL [WOODS].
[I]n the psence of vs,
Witt, LONGLEY,
NATHANIL LAWRANCE.
THE LANDS OF CHRISTOPHER HALLE.
1. His Vplands. And ffirst, his hous-lot, with that w c adjoyns to
it, thirty acres, more or lesse, bounded north w l y e lands of Jonathan
Crisp, south w' y e lands of Daniell Metup, east with the hie-way, west
with the town's comon.
2. In the Generall Field, three acres & a halfe, more or less,
bounded north with the land of Allexander Rouse, southerly with y c
lands of James Blud, westerly w' y e river, esterly w' y e hie way.
2. His Medow. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, two acres, more
or lesse, bounded northerly with the medow of Benjamine Garfield,
southerly with the medow of Joseph Parker, esterly with the land of
James Parker, westerly w l y e town's comon.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 145
2. In Pine Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded southerly
with the medow of Benjamine Garfield, northerly w th the medow of
John & Nathaniell Lawranc, or one of them, easterly and westerly
with the town's comon.
3. In fferny Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded westerly
with y e medow of Jacob Onge, esterly with the medow of Daniell
Metup, and on all other poynts with the towne comon.
4. In fflaggy Medow, three acres, more or less, bounded esterly
w' James Parker, westerly with Jonathan Crisp, northerly with y 6
medow of James Parker, and southerly with the town's comon.
5. In Reedy Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded west with
the medow of John Lakin, esterly with the medow of John Baron,
northerly with the town's swamp and vpland, southerly w th the
hieway.
6. Two acres of medow, more or lesse, bounded esterly with
y e medow of Jacob Onge, & on all other poynts w* the town's
comon.
Decem. 2, 1664. Revised, aproved, & confirmed, by the Select-
men, acording to order of towne.
One pcell of thirteen and a halfe acres of vpland, bounded with
[th]ree lines, i on the south, the 2 north east, and the third nor[th
we]st. And also, this writing wittnesseth that Christopher [Ha]ll hath
laid downe for common land, fiue acres & a quarter ... in the Gen-
erall Feild, it being his owne pportion, and an ... quarter that the
sd Hall bought of Elexander [Rouse] . . . act and deed deliuered
into the Towne Clerk hands.
THE LANDS OF CHRISTOPHER HALL.
1. Medows. In fferny Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded
westerly with the medow of Christopher Hall, and on all other poynts
with the town's vplands.
2. In Spot Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded on all poynts
with the town's vpland, and the nearest medow to it is John Clary's,
his Cow-pond Medow, which psell of medow is alienated by Joseph
Morsse for two acres in fflagy Medow which was somtimes the sd
Christopher Hall's, as is speciffied in the record of the sd Joseph.
Morsse, vnto which alienation the wiues of them both doe giue their
consent to the giuing vp their thirds.
146 EARLY RECORDS OF
THE LANDS OF DANIELL METUP.
1. His Vp lands. And ffirst, his houslot, twenty acres, with an
addition, more or lesse, bounded southerly with the land of Benjamine
Garfield, northerly with the land of Christopher Halle, esterly with
the hie-way, northerly w' y e town's comon.
f 2. In the Generall Field, one acre and three roode,
This is !
more or J bounded westerly with the riuer, esterly with the hie-way,
lesse as } southerly with the land of Tames ffisk, northerly with y""
the rest.
t, comon.
2. His Medowes. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, one acre, more
or less, bounded southerly with the medow of Benjamine Garfield,
northerly with the medow of John Baron, westerly with the town's
comon.
2. In Pine Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded north
esterly with y 6 medow of Ralph Reede, southerly with y 6 medow
of Benjamine Garfield, east & west with the town's comon.
3. In fferny Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded westerly
with the medow of Christopher Halle, & on all other poynts with
the town's vpland.
4. In Spot Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded on all poynts
with the town's vpland, and the nearest medow to it is John Clary,
his Cow-pond Medow.
5. One acre of medow, more or lesse, bounded north esterly w* y*
land of John Mos, south west with the town's swamp, & on all other
poynts with the town's vpland.
December 2, 1664. Revised, aproved, & confirmed by the Select
men, acording to order of y e towne.
A further grant vnto these aforsaid lands as a gratuity only, the
aforsaid lands lying in the Generall Feild, being laid downe as
common land for the town's vse, and then the grant is foure acres
and three quarters, bounded on all poynts with common lands.
THE LANDS OF JOSEPH PARKER.
His Vplands. And ffirst, his hous-lot with som additions there
vnto, forty & eight acres, more or lesse, bounded north on the land
of James Roberts, & on all other poynts w* y e hie-wayes.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 147
2. Eleven acres, more or lesse, of vpland & swamp, bounded
southerly on the land of James Roberts, west northerly on the land of
William Longly, & on all other poynts with the town's comon.
3. In the Generall Field, six acres, more or lesse, bounded west-
northerly with the land of James Knop, westerly with the lands of
John Mos, & on all other poynts w* y e hie-wayes.
4. ffourteene acres, more or lesse, bounded north on y e land of
James Parker, south & west w' y e land of William Longly, & on all
other poynts w l y e town's comon.
[This last paragraph is erased in the original.]
2. His Medowes. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, six acres, more or
lesse, bounded southerly with the medow of John Page, north with the
medow of Christopher Halle, east with the medow of James Parker,
west w' y e town's vpland.
2. In Browne-Loafe Hill Medow, eight acres, more or lesse, bound-
ed north easterly with y 6 brooke, & on all other poynts w' y e town's
vpland.
3. At Vnquetenorset Brooke, lyeingon both sides of it, two acres,
more or lesse, bounded north westerly with the medow of Joseph
Gilson, & on all other poynts w* y e town's vpland.
4. Lieing on Vnquetenorset Brooke, one acre, more or lesse,
bounded south-easterly w* y e medow of William Longly, & on all
other poynts w* y e town's vpland.
5 . Lieing on Vnquetenorset Brooke, four acres, more or less, bound-
ed south-easterly w' y e lands of William Longly, & northwesterly
& on all other poynts with the town's vpland.
6. Two acres of medow in Swamp Medow, more or lesse, lying
in two parcels near together, bounded on all poynts with the towne's
comon.
7. In Angle Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded westerly with
the medow of James Parker, & on all other poynts with the towne's
vpland.
8. In a hole neare the Angle Medow, one acre, more or lesse,
bounded on all poynts w t y e town's vpland ; and was given him over
& aboue with respect to the badnes of his other medow.
9. In Swamp Medow, four acres, more or less, [bounded] east with
y e medow of William Lakin, & [on all other] poynts with the
town's vpland.
10. In Prety Medow, four acres, more or lesse, bounded westerly
148 EARLY RECORDS OF
w' y e medow of John Lakin, easterly w' y e medow of James Parker,
& on all other p . . .
ii. Of vpland, fourteen . . . [ much torn. ]
13. One acre of medow, more or lesse, [bounded] south with the
medow of James Parker, west with the medow [of] Benjamine
Garfield, [and] on all other poynts with the town's vpland.
December 2, 1664. Revised, aproved, and confirmed by y 6 Select-
men, according to order of towne.
THE LANDS OF JOHN PAGE.
1. His Vf lands. And ffirst, his houslot, twenty acres, more or
lesse, bounded east with the hieway, west with the town's comon,
north with the land of Joseph Blud, south with the land of Nathaniell
Laranc.
2. Twenty acres, more or lesse, bounded east with the land of John
Page, west with the town's comon, north with Joseph Blud his land,
south w* y e land of Nathaniell Laranc.
3. Seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded east with the land of
Richard Blud, west with the hieway, north with the land of James
Parker, south with the land of Nathaniell Laranc.
4. ffifteene acres, more or lesse, bounded west with the river, east
with the land of Samuell Davis, & on all other poynts with the town's
comon.
5. f i. ffour acres, more or lesse, bounded south west w' y e land of
^ Nathaniell Laranc, and vpon all other poynts with the river.
E \ 2. ffour acres, more or lesse, bounded north east with y e land
I of Nathaniell Laranc, south west w' y e land of John Longly, &
> [ on all other poynts w' y e river.
2. His Medowes. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, four acres and a
halfe, more or lesse, bounded east with y e medow of Timothy Allen
& the medow belonging to the minestry, west with the town's
comon, north w* y e medow of ... Parker, south with the medow of
Richard B[lood].
2. In Rock Medow, six acres, more or less, bounded north with
the medow of Thomas Boyden, south with the medow of John Barren,
east & west with the town's comon.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 149
3. In South Brooke Medow, three acres and a halfe, more or lesse,
lying on both sides of the brooke, bounded south with the medow of
Richard Holden, & vpon all other poynts with the town's comon
& Long-medow way.
4. Lying vpon both sides of Sandy Brooke and vpon both sides
of the Major's brooke, eight acres, more or lesse, bounded east with
the medow of James Knop & Ellis Baron, south with the medow
of William Longly, west with Major Willard's line, & vpon all other
poynts with the town's comon.
5. At Vnquetenorset four acres, more or lesse, lying in several]
spongs or angles, bounded north w' y e medow of James Blud, and
vpon all other poynts with y e town's comon.
[In the margin."] This psell of medow at Vnquetenorset alinated to
William Lakin.
Decem. 2, 1664. Revised, aproved, & confirmed by the Select
men, acording to order of towne ; provided y* if the towne shall
see good to view his acomodation of medowes, & shall finde that
his medowes be not equivolent . . . medowes. Then ... to make
it equiv . . . But if his medowes be found much be [low] eyther for
quantyty or quallyty, then the overplus is by agrement to be desposed
of by the towne, provided allso, that Nathaniell Laranc haue his acre
& halfe (w c is involued with in the eight acres at Sandy Pond &
the Major's brook) made as good for its part as any acre & halfe
John Page hath or shall haue with in the foresaid eight acres. As
John Page hath promised before the Select men. Decem. 2, 1664.
December 27, 1664. It was this daye votted and granted y 1 John
Peage shall haue al his medow confirmed to him acording as it was
layd out by the Survayers, and y' he shall from this day forth, peacably
inioye it without desturbance, not with standing any former ordr to the
contrarye.
JAMES FISKE, in the name of the towne.
THE LANDS OF JOHN PAGE.
His Vplands. Twenty acres, more or lesse, lyeing at Sandy
Brook, bounded with Major Willard's corner tree, south with his
owne medow, and on all other poynts with the town's comons, only
their is a highway of ten polle wid goe in thorow it to mill, and at
the brook two poll wid.
150 EARLY RECORDS OF
2. For Medow. One acre and a halfe, that is at Sandy Brook,
involued in John Pag's medow, which was to Nathaniell Lorance,
and is now layd out to John Page.
2. At Cowpond Medow, layd out to John Page, fiue acres, mor
or lesse, bounded northeast with Thomas Tarbull, Senior, south west
with Nicolas Cady, south east with the broke, and on all other
poynts with y e town's comon.
3. To John Page one acre and a halfe, mor or less, on the east
sid of the broke, bounded south with Jonathan Morsse, and on all
other poynts with the town's cornon.
4. One acre and a halfe, mor or lesse, lyeingnear Simon Stone's
medow in two patches, bounded round with the town's common,
each patch by it selfe.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
J[OHN MORSE], Clark, Janevary 3, 1669.
THE LANDS OF JOHN PAGE.
Medows. Six acres, mor or lesse, in Broad Medow, bounded
south west with Ralph Reed, and south east with Jonathan Sawtell,
north east of the medow of John Page and John Morse, and on all
other poynts with the town's common, which medow John Pag had
of Ellis Barren for sixe acres which was his in Rock Medow.
One acre and a half, more or lesse, bounded north and south
with the riuer, west with his own land, and east with the common,
which acre and half lye pt vpon the necke.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSE, Clark, Febr. 24, 1670.
THE LANDS OF THOMAS TARBOLE, SENIOR.
i. His Vplands. And ffirst, his hous-lot, twenty acres, more or
lesse, bounded north w' the land of Richard Sawtell, south &
south east with the land of Jams Knop, west with Broade Medow,
east with the hie way.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 15 1
2. Ten acres of swamp, more or lesse, bounded north with the
swamp of Richard Sawtell, south east with the swamp of Jams
Knop & Ellis Baron, south with the hie way, north east w' y e
medow of James ffisk.
3. Thirty acres of vpland, more or lesse, bounded north with
the land of Thomas Boydon, Richard Holden, & the town's comon^
west with the land of Justinian Holden, south w' James his brooke,
and east with the hie-way.
4. In the Generall Field, seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded
west with the lands of John Mos, east w* y e land of William Lakin,
south with comon land, north with the hieway.
His Medow. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, fiue acres, more or
lesse, bounded north with the medow of William Longly, & on all
other poynts with vpland, and vp to the town's hye way.
2. In Littell Halfe-mone, two acres, & more or lesse, bounded
east with the Medow of Daniell Pierce, west with the medow of
Ellis Baron, & north & south with vpland.
3. In Littell Halfe-moone, two acres, more or lesse, bounded
north east with the medow of Richard Holden, & on all other
poynts with swamp & the town's vp-land.
4. Lying vpon the South Brooke by y e pond, nine acres, more
or lesse, bounded south-west with the medow of Ellis Baron, & on
all other poynts with the town's vp-land.
5. In Long-Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded east with
the medow of William Longly, west with the medow of James Knop,
north & south with the town's upland.
6. In South Medow, three acres and a halfe, more or lesse,
bounded north with the medow of Justinian Holden, south w' y e
medow of Joseph Blud, west with the medow of William Longly,
& east with the town's vpland.
Decem. 2, 1664. Revised, aproved, & confirmed by the Select-
men, according to order [of the] towne, provided y* if the nine
a[cres] . . . South Brook is to be twenty ... as is reported . . .
Thomas Tarbole doth consent, that if the towne make it vp nine
acres of moable medow, they may dispose of the remainder.
December 27, 1664. It was this daye voated and granted, and
is-herby declared, y* Thomas Tarbole shall hencforth quiately
posese and inioy all his medow acording as it was layd out by the
suruayers, not withstanding any former agremente to the contrarey.
JAMES FISKE, in the name of the town.
152 EARLY RECORDS OF
THE LANDS OF THOMAS TARBALL, SENIOR.
1. Medow. Thre acres, more or lesse, lyeing at Cow Pond
Brook, bounded south with John Page, and on all other poynts
with the town's vplands, which medow he had by way of exchang
with John Prestcoat.
2. Vpland. Seaventeene acres, mor or lesse, bounded south
east sid of Sandy Pond, and on all other poynts with the town's
coinons.
These two last psells of land are annulle, and to be accounted
noe record.
THE LANDS OF THOMAS TARBALL, SENIOR.
1. Medow. Three acres and a halfe, mor or lesse, lyeing at
Cowpond Brook, bounded south with John Page, and on all other
poynts with the town's vplands ; which medow he had by way of
exchang with John Prescoat for three acres and a half in South
Medow.
2. Vplands. Seauenteene acres, more or lesse, lyeing vp on the
south east sid of Sandy Pond, bounded northeast with the way
that goe to Long Medow, and on all other poynts with the town's
comon.
Neare Sandy Pond, seauenteene acres, mor or lesse, bounded on
the north east corner with the high way, and on all other poynts
with the towne's common.
Vpland. Nine acres, more or lesse, bounded with the lands of
Nathaniell Lawrance westnortherly, and westsoutherly with the
land of Nicolas Cady, and on all other poynts with the town's
comons ; which nine acres hee haue of Serg. James Parker, by way
of exchang for the sixe acres that was Simon Stone's in the Generall
Feild, and four pound more which is to be payd in building betwixt
this and May day next.
THE LANDS OF JONATHAN CRISP.
1. His Vplands. And ffirst, his houslot, twenty & eight acres,
(with an addityon therevnto,) more or lesse, bounded south with the
land of Christopher Halle, north with the town's comon & the
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 153
land belonging to the minestry, east with the hie-way, west with
the town's comon.
2. In the Generall Field, three acres, more or lesse, bounded
east & west with y e hie-wayes, south w' y e land of James Parker,
north w' y e land of Samuell Davis.
2. His Medow. And ffirst, in fflaggy Medow, fiue acres, more or
lesse, bounded south with y e medow of James Parker, east with the
medow of Christopher Halle, & on all other poynts w' y e town's
comon.
2. At Massabogue Brooke, three acres, more or lesse, lying on
both sides of the brooke, bounded north with the medow of
James Parker, & on all other poynts with the town's comon.
3. In Angle Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded south-
easterly with y e medow of Ralph Reede, north with the medow of
James ftisk, east & west with the town's comon.
Desember 27, 1664. Compeared and aproued by the Select
men, in the nam and with the consente of the towne.
THE LANDS OF SERGEANT JAMES PARKER.
1. His Vplands. And ffirst, his hous-lot with that which ad-
joyns to it, fifty acres, more or lesse, bounded southward with the land
that belongs to the minestry, esterly and northerly with the Create
Half-moone Medow and with Broade Medow, westerly by John
Nutting's vpland, northerly and on all other poynts with the hie-way.
2. fforty & six acres, more or lesse, bounded west with the
vpland of William Lakin, south east with the land belonging to y e
minestry, north with the land of Joseph Parker, and on all other
poynts with the town's comon.
3. Sixteene acres, more or lesse, bounded south east with the vp-
land of James ffisk, south west with the vpland of Jacob Onge, north
west with the vpland of Samuell Woods & William Greene & James
Parker, & on all other poynts on comon land.
4. Eleven acres, more or lesse, bounded north east with the land
of William Greene, south east with the vplands of Jacob Onge, & on
all other poynts w th the comon.
5. ffiue acres, more or lesse, bounded southerly with y e vplands of
John Nuttin, & on all other poynts w' y 6 hie way.
154 EARLY RECORDS OF
6. Two acres of swamp, more or lesse, bounded north with the
land of William Lakin, south west with the land of Thomas Williams,
& on all other poynts with the towne comon.
7. In the Generall Field, seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded
esterly with the with the \sic\ land of Jonathan Crisp, west with the
lands of James Roberts, & on all other poynts with the hie wayes.
8. Ten acres, more or lesse, bounded with the land of John Lakin,
west with the land of Joseph Blud, & on all other poynts with the hie
wayes.
9. One acre of swamp, more or lesse, bounded north west with the
medow of John Laranc & with the swamp of Joseph Laranc, & on
all other poynts with the town's swamp & vpland.
10. ffiue acres of swamp & vpland, more or lesse, bounded east
with the lands of James Parker, north-westerly with the medow of
John Laranc, south with the vpland of Jacob Onge, east with the
swamp of William Greene, & on all other poynts with the town's
vpland.
2. His Medowes. And ffirst, in the Create Halfe-moone Medow,
medow & swamp fifteene acres, more or lesse, bounded north east
with the medow belonging to y 6 minestry, & with the medow of
William Lakin, north with the medow of Joseph Gilson, Timothy
Allen, & the minestry, south easterly vpon the medow of John
Larance & the town's vpland, & on all other poynts vpon the vpland
of James Parker.
2. In Broade Medow, flue acres, more or lesse, bounded north-
erly with the medow of John Nuttin, westerly with the medow of
Benjamine Garfield, Christopher Halle, Joseph Parker, John Page,
& James Parker, on the west and south with the medow belong-
ing to the minestry, east with the vpland of James Parker.
3. One acre & a halfe in Broade Medow, bounded on the
north with y e medow of Joseph Parker, on the south with the
medow of John Page, on the east w' y e me'dow of James Parker,
& on the west with the town's vpland. This also is an acre by
estimation, more or lesse, & a halfe should haue been said as in
the premises.
4. Six acres, more or lesse, lying in Massaboge Medow, bounded
on the north west with the medow of Jonathan Crisp, southerly by
the river, & on all other poyuts \v t y e town's vpland.
[5.] In flaggy Medow, three acres, more or lesse, bounded
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 155
southerly with y e medow of Walter Skinner, northerly with the
medovv of Jonathan Crisp, & on all other poynts w* y e town's
vpland.
6. In Angle Medow, ffiue acres, more or lesse, bounded esterly
with the medow of Joseph Parker, south westerly with the medow
of John Straton, & on all other poynts with the town's vp-land.
7. In the Create fflaggy Medow, fower acres, more or lesse,
bounded westerly with the medow of Christopher Halle, north west
with the medow of James Parker, & all other poynts with the
town's vpland.
8. In Spang Medow, fiue acres, more or lesse, bounded on the
east with the medow of Thomas Tarbole, Senio r , north east with the
land of Timothy Allen and with Vnqete-norset Brook, on the east
& north west & on all other poynts with the town's vp-land.
9. In the Burnt Medowes, lying in three parcells, in the one
parcell, seauen acres, more or lesse, bounded north w' y e medow of
Richard Savvtell, & on all other poynts with y e town's vpland.
The second parcell is fiue acres, more or lesse, bounded on the
west with y e medovv of Richard Sawtell, & on all other . . .
10. Twelue acres of vpland, more or lesse, bounded on the
south west with the lands of John Laranc, Senio r , & on all other
poynts with the town's comon. This lieth on the north-east end of
Gibbet Hill.
11. In Create fflaggy Medow, three acres, more or lesse, bounded
southerly with the medow of Christopher Halle, south-east w' y e
medow of James Parker, & on all other poynts w' y e town's
vpland.
12. In Angle Medow, four acres, more or lesse, bounded with y e
medow of Jonathan Crisp southerly, and on all other poynts with
the town's vpland.
13. In Maple Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded south-
erly with the medow of Justinian Holdin, northerly \v l the medow
of Walter Skinner, & on all other poynts w* the town's vpland.
14. At Vnquetenorset Brooke, lying on both sides of it, two
acres, more or lesse, bounded with the medow of Joshua Whitney
south easterly, & on all other poynts with the town's vpland.
15. In Prety Medow, four acres, more or lesse, bounded west
& north with the medow of Joseph Parker, & on all other
poynts with y e town's vpland.
1 56 EARLY RECORDS OF
1 6. In Spang Medow, four acres, more or lesse, bounded east
y" medow of John Nuttin, north with the medow of Ellis Baron,
west with the medow of James Parker, & on all other poynts
with the town's vpland.
Reuised, aproued, & confirmed by y e Select men, acording to
order of towne.
[In the handwriting of Richard Sawtell, Town Clerk, 1662-166^. The last
four sections have been crossed out, by drawing lines through them.]
THE LANDS OF JAMES PARKER.
1. ffirst, his Vpland. Eighteene acres, more or lesse, lying on
the north side of Browne Loafe Hill, bounded on all points with
the town's commons. Two and twenty acres, more or \_sic\ lying
at Baddicock, bounded partly by the lands of Samuell Woods, west-
wardly & on all other points with the town's common. Seauen-
teen acres, more or lesse, lying on the east side of the pond called
Goodman Martin's Pond, bounded on all other points with the
town's common.
2. Nine acres, more or less, bounded with the lands of Nathan-
iell Lawrenc west northerly, west southwardly with the lands of
John Clary, & on all other points with the town's commons.
i. His Meadow, ffirst, two acres, more or lesse, in Plaine Med-
ow, bounded northwest by the meadow of William Martin, south
east with the meadow of John Stratton, & on all other points
with the town's vplands.
Three acres, more or lesse, of meadow & vpland, lying on the
south side of John Lawrence, his house lot, bounded by the swampe
and vpland of Nathaniell Lawrence, westerly [southwardly by the
swamp and vpland of James Parker, [eas]terly by the swamp of
Sam Woods, & on all other [points] with the town's common.
[Rev]ised, alowed, & confirmed by the Select [men] accord-
ing to the order of the towne.
6 th 5 1666.
THE LANDS OF SERGENT JAMES PARKER.
i. Of Vpland. Fifteene acres, mor or lesse, lyeing in two psells,
one psell bounded north and east with Nathaniell Lawrance, and on
all other poynts on the town's common, the other psell bounded south
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 157
with the lands of Nathaniell Lawrance, and on all other poynts with
the land of James Parker and the town's common.
i. In Medow. In Prouidence Medow, three acres, mor or lesse,
bounded north with the land and medow of Nathaniell Lawrance,
south with the land of Samvell Woods, east by the town's common,
west with James Parker.
2 ] Y Two acres, more or lesse, bounded west with Samvell Woods,
and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
3'. y Three acres, mor or lesse, lyeing on both sids of Brown Loafe
Brooke, bounded north with M r . Samvell Willard, west with Pelleg
Lawrance, and on all other poynts with the town's vpland.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according to
the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSE, Clark, Novem. 25, i6[7o].
THE LANDS OF SERG. JAMES PARKER].
1. All the comon land that lye on the west and north west sid of
Gibbet Hill, be it more or lesse, bounded southerly with that peice
that was the widow Lawrance's, and ptly with the town's land that lye
by the side of Nathaniell Lawrance's houslot, and northerly by the
high way that leadeth from the bridge into Badacock Woods, west
northerly by the high way that goe from the bridge ouer to Serg.
William Lakin's, and on all other poynts with the land of the sd Serg.
James Parker's.
2. Ten acres, more or lesse, that was the widdow Lawrance's land,
bounded southerly with the land of Natha[niel] Lawrance and Robert
Parish, easterly with the hye way that run from Parish's land and
thorow Nath. Lawrance's vp to Joseph Lawrance's land, and on all
other poynts by the land of Sergent Parker.
3 ! . y Twelue acres, more or lesse, lyeing on the northeast sid of Gib-
bet Hill, bounded southerly with the land of Nathaniell Lawrance, and
easterly with the land of Nathaniell Lawrance's, westerly with his owne
land, and on all other poynts with the town's hye way, and near the
pond.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the sselect men, according to
the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, Janvary 18, 1671.
58 EARLY RECORDS OF
THE LANDS OF SERGENT JAMES PARKER.
1. His Meflows. In Plaine Medow, three acres, more or lesse, that
was laid out to James Knop in the second division, east with William
Martin, west with the medow of James Parker, and on all other
poynts with the town's vplands.
2. In Round Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded southeast
with John Nutten, northerly with William Greene, and on all other
poynts with the town's vplands.
3. Two acres and a halfe, more or lesse, in a medow called fflaxe
Medow, bounded on all poynts with the town's vplands.
4. In Little Bucke Medow, halfe an acre, mor or lesse, bounded
northeast with the medow of Simon Stone, and on all other poynts
with the town's vplands.
5. In Buck Medow Spang, two acres, more or lesse, bounded west
with Joseph Parker, east with Nathaniell Blood, and north and south
with the town's vplands.
6. In New Angle Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded south
with William Longly, and on all other poynts with the countrey's
vplands and medows.
7. In Reedy Medow, one acre, mor or lesse, bounded east with
Rich d Blood, west with William Elvee, and on all other poynts with
the town's swamp and vplands.
8. In Great Halfe-moone Medow, two acres, mor or lesse, layd out
to Joseph Gilson in his first division, bounded west by Timothy Allen,
northeast with the smithe's medow, south with the medow of James
Parker, William Lakin, and the town's vplands, north with the vplands
of James Parker.
9. In Great Half-moone Medow, two acres, mor or lesse, layd out
to the ministry in his first division, bounded east with the medow of
Timothy Allen, and on all other poynts with his own medows and
vplands.
10. One acre, more or lesse, at Weauer's Medow, bounded north-
west with Joseph Parker, and on all other poynts with the town's vp-
lands ; which acre James Parker had of Joseph Morsse for that in
Great fflagy Medow.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according]
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSE, Clark, Janev. . . .
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 159
A bargain and exchang of lands between Sergent James Parker
and Joseph Morse.
Three acres of medow, more or lesse, i-n fflagy Medow, bounded
west southerly with Christopher Hall and Jonathans Crisp's medowes
and the town's vplands, east and north with the medowes of James
Parker, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands ; the which
medow Joseph Morse had of the s d James Parker by way of exchang
and purchase, for which parsell of medow the aforsaid Joseph Morse
is to pa ... like charges hence forward.
Revised, compared, and con[firmed] by the Select men, acording
[to] order of the towne.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
THE LANDS OF RALPH REEDE.
1. His Vplands. And ffirst, his hous lot with som addition,
twenty & one acres, more or lesse, bounded south & east with
the hie-way, north with y e land of Daniell Pierce, west on the town's
comon land.
2. Thirteene acres, more or lesse, bounded west on James his
brooke, north with the land of Daniell Pierce, east & south with
the town's comon land.
2. His Medows. And ffirst, in Broade Medow, three acres, more
or lesse, bounded south with the medow of Daniell Pierce, north
with the medow of Ellis Baron, east w lh y e vpland of Richard Saw-
tell, west with the town's comon.
2. In Pine Medow, six acres, more or lesse, bounded southwest
w th the medow of Daniell Metup, north-east w f y e medow of James
Knop & Ellis Baron, one or both of them, west with the town's
comon.
3. In Long Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded east on
Comon Medow, west w* y e medow of Richard Holdin, north &
south with y e town's comon.
4. In y e Little Halfe-moone Medow, two acres & a halfe, more
or lesse, bounded north with the medow of Ellis Baron, east W
Richard Holdin, south & west with comon land.
5. In the Cow-pond Medow, one acre & a halfe, more or lesse,
bounded with the medow of James Knop, & the town's vpland.
160 EARLY RECORDS OF
6. In Angle Medow, three acres, more or lesse, bounded north
easterly with y e medow of John Stratton, west southerly with the
medow of Jonathan Crisp, & all other poynts with the town's
vpland.
More Vplands. Ten acres, more or lesse, bounded east north-
erly with the lands of Samuell Davis, northwesterly with John Page
his land, & on all other poynts w th y e town's comon.
2. Seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded northerly with the
land of John Mos, easterly with the lands of Daniell Pierce, Richard
Holdin, & Ralph Reede, and vpon all other poynts with the town's
comon.
3. In the Generall Field, flue acres, more or lesse, bounded east
with the lands of Thomas Tarbole, Junio r , west with the land of
Jacob Onge, south with James his brooke, north with y e hie-way.
[In the handwriting of Richard Sawtell, Town Clerk, 1662-166^1]
THE LANDS OF JAMES ROBERTS.
And first, his Medowes. And first, in Spring Medow, flue acres,
more or lesse, bounded on all poynts with the town's vpland.
2. In Sedg Medow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded on all
poynts w l y e town's vpland.
3. In Sallo Medow, one acre & a halfe, more or lesse, lying in
two parcells or spongs near, bounded on all poynts w' y e town's
vpland.
4. In Sargeant's Field Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded
easterly w' y e medow of Allexander Rouse, & on all other poynts
w' y e town's vpland.
2. Secondly, his Vpland. And first, his house-lot w* som adition
there vnto, twenty & four acres, more or lesse, bounded north &
south w* y e land of Joseph Parker, & on all other poynts with the
town's comon.
In the Generall Field, two acres & a halfe, more or lesse,
bounded westerly with the land of James Parker, easterly w
the land of Jonathan Crisp, & on all other poynts with the
hiewayes.
[In the handwriting of Richard Sawtell, Town Clerk, 1662-166^]
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. l6l
THE LANDS OF JAMES FISK.
1. His Vplands. And ffirst, his house lot, with som addition
there vnto, thirty and two acres & halfe, more or lesse, bounded
north esterly with the land of Samuell Woods, esterly with the land
of Joseph Laranc, & on all other poynts with the town's comon
and the hie-way.
2. Seaven acres & a halfe, more or lesse, bounded south west-
erly with the land of Richard Sawtell, south est with the land of
James frisk, & vpon all other poynts with y e land of Richard
Sawtell and the hie-waies.
3. Nineteene acres, more or lesse, bounded north with the land
of James Parker, south west with the land of Joshua Whitny &
Jacob Onge, & on all other poynts with the town's comon.
4. In the Generall Field, seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded
south with land of John Lawranc, north with the land of Daniell
Metup, west with the river, east with the hie way.
2. His Medowes. And ffirst, his Home Medow, eight acres,
more or lesse, bounded south esterly with the vpland of John
Clary & the hie way, south west with the land of Ellis Baron,
Thomas Tarbole, Senio r , and Richard Sawtell, & againe south
east and south west vpon the land of Richard Sawtell, & vpon
all other poynts with the vpland of James frisk and the hie way.
2. In Cow-pond Medow, seaven acres, more or lesse, bounded
south west with the medow of John Lawranc, Senio r , north east
with the medow of John Clary, & vpon all other poynts with the
river & town's vpland.
3. In East Medow, fiue acres, more or lesse, bounded with John
Clary his medow, & on the town's vpland.
4. ffower acres, more or lesse, bounded south-westerly with the
medow of Jonathan Crisp, north with the medow of Joseph Parker,
& on all other poynts with the town's vpland. This medow is
alienated for the 2 acres specified in the new book at Burnt
Medow.
5. One acre of swamp, more or lesse, bounded south easterly
with the vpland of Joh . . . south westerly with the swamp of Ellis
Baron, north westerly with the medow of James frisk, north esterly
with the hieway.
162 EARLY RECORDS OF
The lands of James ffisk. Some of these pce.lls being altered &
some aditions before confirmed and transcribed into another page,
by which these aboue are not to be accorded as any record :
ffurst, his house lot with the addition there vnto, two acres and a
halfe, more or lesse, bounded north [westjerly with the land of Sam
Woods, easterly with [sic] of Nathaniell Lawrance & on the lands
of John Clary, south eastwardly and on the south west with the
countrey hy way.
[2.] Eleauen acres and a halfe, more or lesse, bounded south west-
ward with with \_sic~] the lands of Richard Sawtill, and south west
with his owne meadow and vpon all other points with the lands of
Richard Sawtill and the hy way waies.
3. Thirty eight acres, more or lesse, bounded south west with
the lands of Joshua Whittney & Jacob Onge, north with the hy
way, & on all other points with the town's comon.
1. If is Meadows, ffirst, his Home Meadow, eight acres, more
or lesse, bounded south easterly with the vpland of John Clary,
south the hie way, south west with the lands of Ellis Barron,
Thomas Tarbell, Senior, & Richard Sawtill, & againe south west
with the lands of Richard Sawtill, north with his owne vpland and
the country hie way lying northeast.
2. In the Cow Pond Meadow, seauen acres, bounded south-
wardly with the meadow of John Lawrence, Senior, northeast with
the meadow of John Clary, & on all other points with the brook
and town's commons.
3. In the East Meadow, fiue acres, more or less, bounded with
the meadow of John Clary and on the vplands.
[4.] In Burnt Meadow, two acres, more or lesse, one of which
bounded eastwardly with the meadow of Richard Sawtill, & on all
other points with the town's lands ; the other acre bounded south-
west with the meadow of Thomas Tarball, Junior, & on all other
points with the town's vpland.
5. One acre of swamp land, more or lesse, bounded eastwardly
with the land of John Clary, southwestwardly with the lands of
Ellis Barron, north easterly with the hie way, & adioyning to his
owne meadow northerly.
Reuised and alowed and confirmed by the Selectmen, according
to the order of the towne, 6 th 5, 1666.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 163
THE MEDOW OF JAMES FISKE.
Fiue acres, more or lesse, bounded easterdly with the brok, by
Nicolas Cady, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands ;
and on the west side of the brok, a litle psell of medow lyeing by
it self vndeuided, of about an acre half of it. James ffiske's this
. . . with the consent of ...
[One line torn and illegible.]
THE LANDS OF JAMES FISK.
1. At Jebite Hill, sixe acres of vpland and swamp, more or lesse,
bounded west and south with the town's hye-way, east with the
lands of Jacob Ong, and north with the lands of William Longley,
Senior.
2. Towards the mill, fifteen acres, more or lesse, bounded north
west with the land of Daniell Pearsse, south east with the lands of
Ellis Barren, westerly by the hye way, and easterly with the town's
comon.
3. Vpon Brownloafe Playne, foure acres, more or lesse, bounded
easterly with the hye way that goe vnder Brownloaf Hill, southeast-
erly with the lands of Cap*. Parker and the hye way that goe from
Thomas Boydon, and west with his owne lands.
4. A skirt of land of one acre, more or lesse, lyeing on the
south west side of his own Cowpond Medow, and bounded on the
east with his own medow, and on all other poynts with the town's
comon.
5. Thirty one acres, more or lesse, lyeing of the south side of
Way Pond, neare to Simon Stone's medow, bounded south east
p'ly with the lands of Simon Stone and ptly with the lands of John
Page, northwest taking in a corner of medow lyeing by Richard
SawtelFs patches, and on all other poynts by the town's comon.
6. One acre, more or less, lyeing on the east side of the swamp
of Thomas Tarball, Seni., bounded southeasterly with Ellis Bar-
ron, north westerly with Richard Sawtell, south with the swamp of
Thomas Tarball, the line running from the bound tree that stand by
the line of Ellis Barren that stand close by the swamp, to the corner
tree that stand by the line of Richard Sawtell next the swamp, also
east with his owne medow ; which acer of land he had of the sd
1 64 EARLY RECORDS OF
Thomas Tarball by way of exchange for three acres of land in
the last diuision. Which acre of land, I, the sd Thomas Tarball,
do alienate and bequeath to the aboue sd James Fisk, Seni., to
his heires and assigns foreuer. In witness wheirof I haue set to
my hand.
[These last two sections have been crossed out.]
THE LANDS OF JAMES KNAPP.
i. Upland, ffirst, to his house adioning, 10 acres, more or
lesse, bounded east with y e hy way, west with the end of Broad
Meadow, south with Ellis Barren, and north with Thomas Tarball,
Senior.
[2.] Thirty acres and one, more or iess, bounded [with] the
hyway, south with Ellis, north east with John Clary & Ellis Barron,
& againe noth westerly with Ellis & Thomas Tarball, Seni.
3. ffiue acres, more or lesse, bounded with John Mosse west,
north, & north west with towne land, north east & east with the
hy way, south with Ellis Barron.
4. ffiue acres, more or lesse, in the Generall Feild, being the
thirteenth lot, bounded north with the high way, east with Joseph
Parker, south with John Mosse, west with Richard Blood.
Meadow, ffirst, in Litle Halfe Moone, two acres & a halfe,
more or lesse, bounded north with the a hy way, east with Richard
Sawtill, south with the swampe & pond, west with Daniell Pearse.
[2.] Three acres & a halfe, more or lesse, lying in Pine Meadow,
bounded west with Samuell Dauis, & on all other points with the
town's vplands.
3. ffour acres, more or lesse, in Brooke Meadow, bounded on
both sides the brooke to Sandy Pond, & on all other pointes with
the towne vpland and swampe.
4. In Long Meadow, two acres, more or lesse, bounded east
with Thomas Tarball, Senior, & on all other points with the town's
vpland.
5. Three acres, more or lesse, lying in Cow Pond Meadow,
bounded south with the pond, and on all other points with common
land.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 165
6. Three acres, more or lesse, lying in Plaine Meadow, bounded
east with William Martin, west with James Parker, north & south
with the vplands.
Alow a priuate way to Ellis Barren, or his [heirs] euer, to driue
cart or cattell to his swamp [in t]he convenientest place ouer the
brooke by [his] house ; and Ellis & his heires is to make and
main[tain] . . . wne bars or gates to that way for their owne.
Revised, alowed, & confirmed by the Select men, according [to
the] order of the to wne, 6 th 5", 1666.
THE LANDS OF JAMES KNOP.
Medow. i. Two acres, mor or lesse, lyeing vpon both sids of
Swane Brok, bounded south with Stony Brook Pond, and north
with James Parker and conlon medow, and on all other poynts
with the town's vplands, swamp, and medow.
2. Near to Round Medow, lyeing in the spungs, three acres,
mor or lesse, bounded south with William Greene, and on all other
poynts with the town's vpland ; which three acres I received of
James Parker by way of exchang, for which he had of mee in
Plaine Medow, and this Plain Medow here exprest is that exprest
in page 20.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSE, Clark, Janev. 3, 1669.
THE LANDS OF ELLIS BARRON.
Vplands, ffirst, his house lott ordoying to his house . . . acres,
more or lesse, bounded east with the high way, south with lands of
Daniell Pearse, west Broad Meadow end & the high way, north
with James Knapp.
2. Tenne acres of swamp land, more or lesse, bounded west
southwardly with the lands of James Knapp, south eastwardly with
the lands of James Knapp, northeast with the lands of John Clary,
northwest vpon the meadow of James ffisk, and vpon the swampe of
Thomas Tarball, Seni.
3. Twenty acres, more or lesse, bounded west with the hyway
1 66 EARLY RECORDS OF
vpon James Brook, south with the lands of Daniell Pearse, and on
both sides of the hyway that runs along to John Barrens his house,
part east & pt south west with the lands of John Barron, north
east with the lands of John Clary, & north with the lands of James
Knapp.
4. ffiue acres, more or lesse, bounded with the lands of John
Mosse, north with the lands of James Knapp, east with the hyway,
& south with the lands of Samuell Dauis.
1. Meadow, ffirst, two acres in Litle Halfe Moone, more or
lesse, bounded east with the meadow of Thomas Tarball, SenI,
south with Daniell Pearse, and on all other points with the vp-
land.
2. Six acres of meadow, more or lesse, lying in Rock Meadow,
bounded north with the meadow of Thomas Boyden, south with the
meadow of John Barron, east and west with the vpland.
3. Spruce Meadow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded south with
Sandy Brooke, and on all other points with the vpland.
4. One acre, more or less, lying in South Meadow, bounded
east with the meadow of Richard Holdin, and on all other points
with the vpland.
5. Two acres, more or lesse, lying in Long Meadow, bounded
east with the meadow of Richard Holdin, & west with the meadow
of William Longley, and north and south with the vplands.
6. One halfe acre, more or lesse, lying in two pcells, bounded
eastwardly with the meadow of Thomas Tarball, Senior, westwardly
toward the swamp, and on all other points with vplands.
THE LANDS OF [ELLIS BARRON].
i. Three acres, m[ore or less] . . . meadow, bounded south
. . . James Parker, east with ... of John Nutting, west with . . .
Brooke, and north with the mea[dow of Timothy] Allen, 10 th 8 m ,
1665.
The towne granted to Ellis Barron three psells of meadow, con-
taining two acres, more or lesse, lying on the south of the Indian
Hills, bounded on all points with the town's vpland or common.
Reuised, compared, alowed, confirmed, and that by the Select-
men, according to the order of the towne, 6 th 5 th , 1666.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 167
[THE LANDS OF] DANIELL PEARSE.
[i.] ... with the addition of ffifteene [acres, more or le]ss,
bounded eastwardly with the hy[eway, north]wardly with the lands
of Ellis Barren, west[wardly] with the lands of -James Knapp &
Ellis Barron, [and] on both sides the hy way that leads to Thomas
Boyden & southwardly with the lands of Samuell Dauis.
2. Eleauen acres, more or lesse, bounded westwardly with the
hyway, south with the lands of Samuell Dauis, north with the lands
of Ellis Barron, and east with the town's common.
3. ffiue acres, more or lesse, bounded west with the lands of
Samuell Dauis, east & south with the lands of Samuell Dauis,
& north with Ellis Barron.
4. The iland lying within the meadow called Litle Halfe
Moone Meadow, bounded east with the pond, and on all other
points with the sd meadow.
Meadows, ffirst, foure acres, more or less, lying in Broad Mead-
ow, bounded southward with the lands of William Longley, north-
ward with the meadow of Samuell Dauis, east & west with the
vplands.
2. Two acres and a halfe, more or lesse, lying in Halfe Moone
Meadow, bounded east with the meadow of James Knapp, west
with the meadow of Tho. Tarball, Senl., north with the hyway,
south with his owne iland.
3. Three acres and a halfe, more or lesse, lying in South Mead-
ow, bounded south east with Just. Holdin, northwest with the
meadow of Matthias ffarnworth, & on all other points with the
town's vplands.
4. Two acres, ' more or lesse, lying vpon Cowpond Brooke,
bounded south with Samuell Dauis his meadow, north with the
meadow of Thomas Williams, east and west with the vplands.
Reuised, approued, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
LONGLEY, 6 th 5 ra , 1666.
THE LANDS OF SAMUELL WOODS.
His Vplands. ffirst, his hous lott, nine acres, more or lesse,
bounded southerly with the lands of James frisk, northerly with
l68 EARLY RECORDS OF
the lands of Will Greene, & easterly & westerly with the town's
and country high wayes.
2 Iy Eight acres, more or lesse, bounded easterly with the high
way, westerly with Broad Meadow, notherly with the lands of Will
Greene, southerly east with the town's common.
3'. y Thirteene acres & a halfe, more or lesse, bounded with the
lands of Will Greene, east with the highway, southwardly with the
vpland of James Parker & with the meadow of John Lawrence,
notherly with the town's common.
4 ly Vpon Barralock Hill, thirteen acres, more or lesse, bounded
easterly with the land of Will Greene, southwardly with Litle fflaggy
Meadow, & on all other points with the town's common.
His Meadows, ffirst, in Broad Meadow, three acres, more or
lesse, bounded north with Wirl Greene lands, and southerly with the
meadow of Richard Holdin, westerly with the meadow of James
Blood, Nathaniell Lawrence, & John Morsse, or one of them,
easterly with the vpland [and the] woods.
[Here follows a third of a page, much torn.]
[In the handwriting of William Longley, Town Clerk, 1666-1667.]
THE LANDS OF NICOLAS CADY.
i. His Vplands. About his house, fifty one acre, more or lesse,
lyeing on both sids the countrey high way, the one parsell on the
northeast of the highway, bounded north with James ffiske, and east
with James Parker, and on all other poynts with the highway ; the
other part, on the other sid of the high way, bounded west with swamp
of James ffiske, and south west with Ellis Barren, James Knop and
John Barron, and on all other poynts with the town's cofilon.
1. His Medows. Fiue acres, mor or lesse, adjoyningwith his lot
at horn, westerly and south easterly with Jacob Onge, and on all
other poynts with the town's comon.
2. Fiue acres at Badacock, mor or lesse, lyeing on both sids
the brok, bounded southwest with James ffisk, and on all other
poynts with the town's comon.
3. At the Cow Pond, flue acres, mor or less, bounded south
west with James ffisk, south east with the Cow Pond Brook, north-
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 169
east with John Page, and on all other poynts with the town's vp-
lands.
4. Two acres, mor or lesse, lyeing on both sids Litle Massapog
Brook, south with the litle pond and Richard Holden, northeast
with Boston farmes, and on all other poynts with the town's
vplands.
5. One acre, mor or lesse, vpon the town's line joyning with
Cowell's farme, east with the towne line, north with Ellis Barren,
and on all other poynts with the town's comon.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, 3 of the n th month, 1669
THE MEDOW OF NICOLAS CADY.
Fiue acres, more or less, bounded by the town's vpland on both
sides of the brok from the falls to the foord way, and aboue the
foord way vpward on the east sid of the brook to the pond, and on
the west sid of the broke a litle parsell of madow lying by it self vn-
devided, about an acre in quantity, half of it to Nicolus Cady's.
This record is entred with the consent of both the proprietors,
Aprill 26, 1672.
THE LANDS OF WILLIAM ELLUEE.
i. His Vplands. Twenty fiue acres, mor or lesse, to his house
at home, bounded south with Jonathan Sawtell, west with Richd
Holden, east with the highway, and on all other poynts with the
town's vplands.
1. His Medows. In Plaine Medow, three acres, mor or lesse,
bounded west and northerly with James Parker, and on all other
poynts with the town's vplands.
2. In Reedy Medow, two acres, mor or lesse, lyeing in two
psells, bounded on the west sid with the swamp at Reedy Medow,
and bounded round with the town swamp and vplands.
3. In old Angle Medow, one acre, mor or lesse, bounded south
west with Samvel Kempe, and north east with Samvell Dauis, and
on all other poynts with the town's comon.
I/O EARLY RECORDS OF
4. One acre, mor or lesse, in the northermost spang of Buck
Medow cooue [cove ?], west with Nathaniell Blood, east with the
town's lin, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the town.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, Janev. 10, 1669.
THE LANDS OF JONATHAN MORSE.
1. His Vplands. His house lot, twenty foure acres, more or
lesse, bounded north with the lands of Joseph Morse, east with the
countrey high way, south with Thomas Tarball, west with the town's
vplands.
2. Sixteene acres, more or lesse, bounded east southerly with
Christopher Hall, north westerly with Joseph Parker, and on all
other poynts with the town's comons.
1. His Medows. In Broad Medow, two acres, mor or lesse,
bounded northerly with Joseph Morse, Walter Skiner, and John
Barren, easterly with James Parker, southerly with Joseph Parker
and westerly with the town's vplands.
2. In Pine Medow, foure acres, mor or lesse, bounded north with
Joseph Morse, south with Christopher Hall, west and east with the
town's common.
3. In Plaine Medow, foure acres, mor or lesse, bounded east
with Thomas Williams, and on all other poynts with the town's
vplands.
4. In Pretty Medow, two acres, mor or lesse, bounded southerly
with Joseph Parker, and north west with the smithe's medow, and on
all other poynts with the town's vplands.
5. In Cowpond Medow, two acres, mor or lesse, bounded north
with John Page, north west with the brook, and on all other poynts
with the town's common.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne, Janev. 10, 1669.
JOHN MORSSE, Clarke.
Vpland. Twenty sixe acres three quarters, mor or lesse, vpon
the Pine Playne, bounded northerly with his owne lands, eastward
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
with the lands of Christopher Hall, west with the lands of Jerimy
Morsse, south with the town's comon.
2. Vpon Indian Hill, three acres and a quarter, more or lesse,
bounded west with John Page, north with Thomas Boydon, easterly
with the land of Matthias ffarnworth, and southerly with the ends
of the other lotes, the countrey hye way runing thorow.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne, Decem. 3, 1673.
JOHN MORSE.
THE LANDS OF ZACHERY SAWTELL.
His Vplands. His houslot, with the additions, fifty acres, more or
lesse, bounded south with the lands of Jonathan Crispe, partly west
with the lands of Joseph Morsse, and on all other poynts with the
towne's hieway and common.
1. His Medows. In Rock Medow, foure acres, more or lesse,
bounded south with the medow of Nathaniell Lawrance, north with
John Barron, east and west the towne's vplands.
2. In Halfe Moon Medow, two acre and a halfe, more or lesse,
bounded westerly with the medow of Enosh Lawrance, easterly with
the hye way that goe ouer to the iland, southerly by the iland, and
northerly by the towne's vplands.
3. Neare the hawtrees, two acres, more or less, bounded round
with the swamp and town vplands.
4. In Pretty Medow, two acres and a halfe, more or lesse,
bounded east by the medow of Jonathan Morsse, and on all other
poynts by the towne's vplands.
Reuised, compared, arid confirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, No. 18, 1670.
THE LANDS OF ABRAHAM PARKER, LIVING NOW
AT CHELMSFORD.
i. Vplands, sold to William Sanderson. Twenty acres, more or
lesse, bounded south westerly by the land of Joseph Gilson, north
easterly by the land of John Lakin, west northerly by the land of
James Blood, and easterly by the towne high way.
172 EARLY RECORDS OF
2. Medow. Seaven acres, more or lesse, in Preety Medow,
bounded west northerly by the land of John Lakin, east south-
erly by the land of Joseph Parker, and on all other poynts by the
town's vplands.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSE, Clark, Novem. 25, 1670.
[This entry has been crossed out.]
THE LANDS OF JOSEPH LAWRANCE.
His Vplands. First, twenty one acre, mor or lesse, bounded
south west with the land of James Parker, and on all other poynts
on the town's common.
In Medow. Three acres, mor or lesse, lyeing in Halfe Moone
Medow, bounded south by the medow of James Parker, west by the
medow of Timothy Allen, east by the smith's medow, north by the
vpland.
2'* In Hawtree Brook, fiue acres, more or lesse, lyeing on both
sides the brook, bounded south by the medow of James Parker and
the high way, east by the medow of John Nutten, north by the
town's vpland, and on all other poynts by the brook, and the town's
common.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, 26 of Nouem. 1670.
THE LANDS OF JOHN MORSSE.
1. His Vplands. Twelue acres, more or lesse, to his ho[use] lot,
bounded north with with \sic\ William Longley, east and south
with James Knop and the higeweay, south with Samvell Davis, and
west with the countrey high way.
2. Twenty acres, more or lesse, bounded south and west with
Samvell Davis, and north with William Longley, and east with the
countrey high way.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 173
3. Ten acres, mor or lesse, lyeing at James Brook, bounded
southeast with the way that goe to James Brook, north with the high
way that goe to the Generall Feild, and Samvell Davis and James
Knop, west with Richd Holden, and on all other poynts withe the
town's cofnon.
1. His Medows. In Pine Medow, nine acres, mor or lesse,
bounded east with John Barron, and on all other poynts with the
town's common.
2. At Massabog, two acres and a half, mor or less, bounded
east with Christopher Hall and Jackob Onge, west with Joseph
Morsse, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
3. In Broad Medow, one acre and a quarter, bounded northerly
with James Blood, east with Samvell Woods and Richard Holden,
south with John Page, and on all other poynts with the town's
vpland.
Reuissed, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the town's order.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, No. 26, 1670.
THE LANDS OF JUSTINIAN HOLDEN, PURCHASE OF
JOHN LONGLEY, LYING IN TWO PEICES.
1. Vplands. Ten acres, mor or lesse, lying vp on the west side
of the hieway, bounded north with James his brook, and eastward
with the hye way, and on all other poynts with the town's comon.
2. Two acres and a halfe, mor or lesse, lyeing vpon the east sid
of the hye way, bounded west with the hye way, and east with
Matthias ffarn worth, and on all other poynts with the town's
common.
i. His Medows. Fiue acres, mor or lesse, lyeing in South
Medow, bounded southeast with John Prestcode, northwest with
Daniell Pearse, south west with William Longley, north east with
the vpland.
Revised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, Febr. 17, 1670.
174 EARLY RECORDS OF
THE LANDS OF SIMON STONE.
1. Vplands. Fifty acres, more or lesse, bounded north east
with Ralph Reed, part westerly with Matthias ffarnworth, and on
all other poynts with the town's common.
2. Sixe acres, mor or less, bounded northwest with Matthias
ffarnworth, and southeast with Rock Medow, and on all other
poynts with the town's common.
3. In the Generall Field, sixe acres and a halfe, more or less,
bounded west with the riuer, north with the high way, south with
James his brook, east with Jonathan Morsse.
\_The following is interlined^ This aboue six acors and ^
alnated to Captin Parke for other land.
1. His Medows. Eight acres, mor or lesse, at Long Pond,
bounded south with Long Pond, and on all other poynts with the
town's common.
2. Six acres, mor or lesse, lyeing neare Halfe Pinehill, bounded
on all poynts with the town's common.
3. Foure acres, mor or lesse, lyeing of both sids the mill brook,
bounded east with Joseph Blood, west with Matthias Farnworth,
north and south with vpland.
4. Three acres and a halfe, mor or lesse, lyeing in two spungs near
to Vnquetenorset Medow, bounded east with William Longley, and
on all other poynts with the towne's common.
5. Three acres and a halfe, lyeing in Litle Buck Medow, bound-
ed east with the towne's line, southwest with James Parker, and on
all other poynts with the towne's common.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, Febr. 17, 1670.
THE LANDS OF TIMOTHY ALLEN.
i. Vplands. First, to his houslot, with an addition, forty acres,
more or lesse, bounded south with the lands of Walter Skinner, west
with y e land of Timothy Cooper, north with the land of Joseph
Gilson, and east with the town's conion, swamp, and hye way.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 1/5
2. Thirty eight acres, more or lesse, vpon Chestnut Hill, bound-
ed north with the lands of Mr. Samuell Willard, easterly with the
hye way neare to Christopher Hall's medow and comon, south and
west with the lands of Serg. James Parker.
i. Medows. At Vnquetenorset, ten acres, mor or lesse, bound-
ed north with the medow of Joseph Parker, southeast with the
medow of Joseph Gilson, and on all other poynts with the towne's
vplands.
2 1 Y Three acres, more or lesse, at Skull Holl, on both sides the
riuer, bounded round with the town's vpland.
3'? In Sledge Medow, two acres and a half, mor or lesse, bound-
ed north with the medow of William Martin, and on all other poynts
with the town's vplands.
4^ At Massabog, four acres, mor or lesse, bounded on the east
with the medow of William Greene, and on all other poynts with
the town's vpland.
5^ Two acres and a halfe, at Halfe Moone Medow, mor or
lesse, bounded north with the medow of Joseph Gilson, east with
Sergent James Parker, south with the medow that was Mr. Samvell
Willard's, north west with the town's vplands.
6'? Two acres and a halfe, more or lesse, in Broad Medow,
bounded north with the medow of Mr. Samvell Willard, west with
John Pag, south with Richard Blood, east with y c town's vplands.
Reuissed, compared, and confirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, No. n, 1671.
THE LANDS OF WILLIAM MARTIN.
i. His Vplands. First, to his hous lot adjoyning, sixty acres,
more or lesse, bounded north by the land of Serg e . William Lakin,
east with the comon land, and south with comon land neare the
pond, and also westerly turning by his owne medow till it com to
the hye way that goe down to Halfe Moon Medow, and west and pt
northerly with the hye way that goe to Ser. William Lakin's from the
meeting house.
i. Medowes. Eleauen acres, more or lesse, lyeing Halfe Moone
Medow, bounded south with the town's land neare the pond,
1 76 EARLY RECORDS OF
westerly with the towne's land, and on all other poynts with his own
lands.
2 l ? ffiue acres, more or lesse, in Half Moon Medow, bounded
on the east with the medow of Nathaniell Blood, west with Ser.
Lakin, north and south with the towne's vplands.
3'. y ffour acres, more or lesse, in Plain Medow, bounded west
with the medow of Ser. James Parker, east with Joseph Gilson,
north and south with the town's vpland.
[This section is erased, and the following is interlined.'} This rec-
ord is defaced with the consent of both partyes.
4'r ffiue acres, more or lesse, in Sledg Medow, bounded on a
corner towards the west with the medow of Timothy Allen, and on
all other poynts with the town's vplands.
Wheiras his vpland is sayd to be sixty, it is seuventy two.
Revissed, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSS, No. n, 1671.
1. In Quasoponagone Medow, on the other sid of the riuer,
sixe acres, more or lesse, bounded south with Joshua Whitney, and
on all other poynts with the towne's swamp and vplands.
2. In Accident Medow, one acre, more or lesse, bounded north
with Thomas Tarball, Junior, south with Joshua Whitney, and on
all other poynts with the towne's vplands.
3. One acre, lyeing in a spong of medow, caled Lodge Medow,
bounded round with the towne's commons, which foure acres in
Playne Medow is alienated to Sergent James Parker, for foure acres
of this, which was somtime sd Serg. James Parker's, on the other
side of the riuer, which foure acres is speciffied in the town book
and in his transcript.
Revissed, compared, and conffirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the town.
JOHN MORSSE, Febr. 26. 1672.
THE LANDS OF THOMAS TARBALL, JUN 1 .
i. His houselot, twenty foure acres, more or lesse (the first
diuision), bounded south with the town's hye way, north with
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. I//
the lands of Jonathan Morsse, east with Lanchester hye way. In
the second diuision he taking in the hye way betwixt Joseph Blood
and himself, he doe alow a hye way for the towne of the same bredth
in the most convenient place thorow his owne land.
2. Eleauen acres, more or lesse, bounded west Lanchester hye
way, south with the hye way to Broad Medow, east and north with
the lands of Joseph Parker.
1. Medows. In Burnt Medow, ten acres, mor or lesse, bounded
west, north west, and north with the brook and the pond, and with the
medowes of Richard Sawtell, east and northerly with the medowes
of James ffisk, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
2. In Quosoponagon Medow, on the other side of the riuer, three
quarters of an acre, more or lesse, bounded north with James ffisk,
and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
3. In Accident Medow, halfe an acre, more or lesse, bounded
northwest with the medow of Zachary Sawtell, south with Captaine
Parker, and on all other poynts with the town's vplands.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the towne, Decem. 3, 73.
JOHN MORSSE, Clarke.
THE LANDS OF JOSEPH MORSSE.
Medow. In fflaggy Medow, two acres of medow, more or lesse,
bounded southwest with the town's common, and southeast and
northeast with the medow of the sd Joseph Morsse, and north west
with the medow of Christopher Hall, which psell of medow is
alienated by Christopher Hall for one acre in fferney Medow, and
one acre in Spot Medow, which was somtimes the medow of the sd
Joseph Morsse, as is specified in the record of the sd Christopher
Hall's, vnto the which alienation the wiues of them both giue their
consent to the giuing vp their thirds.
1. Neare the fordway. Vpon the Pine Plaine, twenty seauen
acres, more or lesse, bounded southeast by Jerimy Morsse, west-
erly by Richard Blood and Joseph Parker, northeast with the town's
comon.
2. Nine acres, more or lesse, bounded by Joseph Parker
westerly, and south west by Jonathan Morsse, northeast a hye way
EARLY RECORDS OF
running thorow it by Jerimy Morsse's of two polle wide, and on
all other poynts by the town's comon.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the towne, Decem. 9, 73.
JOHN MORSSE.
THE LANDS OF JACOB ONGE, BOTH VPLAND
AND MEADOW.
Thirty acres of vpland, more or lesse, envoluing his owne medow
next to Nicolas Cady within it, bounded eastsouthwardly with the
lands of Joshua Whitney, westerly with the lands of Nicolas Cady
and pond, south with the countrey hyeway, and northerly with the
hye way that goe to Brownloafe Playne.
Reuissed, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, December n, 1674.
A small persell of land, measured out to Jacob Ong, of about 24
polle, by a commitee chusen by the town, to wit, Corporall Cady,
Ensigne Lawrance, and Joshua Whitney ; which land is bounded
southerly by Joshua Whitney and Samuell Woods, and on all other
poynts by the town's hye way.
THE LANDS OF MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH.
1. Vplands. His houselot, ninty acres, more or lesse, lyeing on
both sids the mill hye way, bounded on the north with the sidhill
by James his brook, westerly partly with Justin Holden and partly
with comon land, south east with the mill hye way.
The other part of his land, on the east sid of the mill hyeway,
bounded with lands of Simon Stone on the north and east, and on
all other poynts with the towne's comon.
2. Sixe acres and a halfe, more or lesse, lyeing on Indian Hill,
bounded west with the lands of Jonathan Morsse, and with the
lands of John Cooper partly on the east and comon land, the coun-
trey hyeway runing thorow, north with Thomas Boyden, south
with the ends of the other lots.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 179
3. Eighteene acres, more or lesse, bounded west with the mill
roade, southeasterly with the lands of Daniell Pearsse, and on all
other poynts with the towne's comon.
4. Seauenty one acre, more or lesse, lyeing on the other side
of the mill road, bounded east with the mill road, west and south-
erly with the medowes of the mill brook, and on all other poynts
with the towne's comon.
1. His Medowes. In South Medow, fourteen acres, more or
lesse, bounded southeast with the medow of William Longley, Sen.,
southeast with the medow of Daniell Pearse, and on all other
poynts with the town's comon.
2. Sixe acres, more or lesse, neare the mille, bounded southeast
with the medow of Simon Stone, southwest with Jonas Prescot,
buting on the southeast with theire owne vpland, and on the north
east with the medow of William Longley, Sen., and on all other
poynts with the town's comon.
3. Fiue acres and a halfe, more or lesse, neare the mille, bounded
south east with their owne vpland, south west with Jonas Prescot,
east with the medow of Richard Blood, and on all other poynts with
the town's comon.
4. At Half Moone Medow, two acres and a halfe, more or lesse,
runing vp to John Barren, butting vp on the pond, bounded south-
east with the land of Benjamin Crispe, and on all other poynts with
the town's comon.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Sellect men, according
to the order of the towne.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark, Decem. 13, 1674.
The record of y e landes granted to Mf Gershom Hubard, at a
ginrall town meeting, June 29, 1678, viz. : All the common land
that lye neare the place wheir the old meeting house stood,
Dunstable hye way runing thorow it, and the hye way runing into
the captain's land, wheir it may be judged most convenient by
them that are to lay it out.
2*7 That peice of swamp and vpland that lye betwene Timothy
Allen, Joseph Gilson, the hy way leading to the hawtree, and Leift.
Lakin's, and John Parish.
180 EARLY RECORDS OF
3 Iy Three hundred acres taken out of the comon land in one or
two places, wheir it is most convenient for him.
4 Iy Fifteene acres of medow, seaven acres giuen by particuler
men, the other to be made vp by the rest of the towne according to
their proportion.
5'. y That he is to haue out of the comon, equall priuiledg of
wood, timber, and comonage, with the rest of the inhabitants of the
town according as he haue mad.
Morouer he is to haue the house that he now liueth in, with all
the fornamed priuiledges, performing the conditions as followeth,
viz. : If he accept of y e call and 'come to settle among us, to be
y e towne's minister, & the churche's officer, then y e aboue mentioned
pticulars to be his, and his forever.
This condition was consented to be written by y e major part of
y e Select men, evidenced by severall witnesses, to be y e voat of y*
towne at y 6 time aboue mentioned.
THE LANDS OF MR. SAMUELL WILLARD, WHICH IS
LAYD OUT TO HIM IN THE TOWNE OF GROTTEN.
1. His houslot, fourteene acres, more or lesse, lyeing on both
sids the hyeway, leading from the meeting house to the bay, sixe
acres of it on the west sid of the hye way, and bounded on the
north with the lands of Cap'. Parker, on the west ptly with the
medow of M r . Samuell Willard, and ptly with the medow of Jn.
Cooper, on the south with a hye way that leadeth down to Broad
Medow, and on the east with the hye way leading to y e bay.
2. On the other sid of the same hye way, eight acres, mor or
lesse, beeing bounded north and east with the lands of Josiah Parker,
south with a hye way that lead downe to Ensigne Lawrance's, west
with the hye way goeing to the bay.
3. One hundred and twenty acres lyeing in a place coiiionly
called Vnquetenorset Woods, beeing bounded north westerly with a
hyeway that goe to Dunstable, east-northerly with the land of Cap'.
James Parker, southeasterly with the towne comon and of Zachry
Sawtell's medow, south westerly by the lands of Timothy Allen,
west northerly with the lands of Cap*. James Parker.
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. l8l
4. At the south east end of Brownloaf Hill, seaven acres, more
or lesse, bounded west northerly with the lands of Cap 4 . James
Parker, and on all other poynts with the town's comon lands.
5. At Indian Hill, sixe acres, more or lesse, bounded on the north
with the lands of Nicolas Cady, easterly with the lands of Justin
Holden, on the south with a hye way coming by Jn. Barron, goeing
toward the bay, westerly by the lands of Joseph Parker, Sen.
6. On the other sid Nashawag Riuer, one hundred and twenty
acres, lyeing on both sids a litle brok, runing out of it into Nasha-
wag Riuer between two ford wayes, the one called Jn. Page's, and
the other Thomas Tarbull, Jun r 's ford way, this lyeing about a
quarter of a mille from the riuer. The first corner tre is a double
black oak at the north east corner sufficiently marked and double
marked with a great S. and W., inward to his owne land, bounded
round with the town's comon, marked at the corners with S. W.,
and at seuerall trees with a great W., and sufficiently marked with
runing markes.
7. Twelue acres of entervaill, more or lesse, on the other sid of
Nashawag Riuer, bounded north with the lands of Cap 1 . James
Parker, east with the riuer, south with the lands of William Eluee,
west with town's comon.
1. His Medows. In Broad Medow, fiue acres, more or lesse,
bounded north with the medow of Cap'. Parker, on the east by his
owne house lot, on the south with the medow of Jn. Cooper, on the
west with the medow of Jn. Page.
2. In Brown Loafe Medow, eight acres, more or lesse, beeing
bounded south westerly by the brook that run thorow the medow,
his medow lyeing all on that sid the brok, bounded on all other
poynts by the town's vpland.
3. On the same brok, downe the brok, three acres, mor or lesse,
lyeing on both sids the brok, lyeing in two or three persels, bounded
easterly by the lands of Nicolas Cady, and on all other poynts by
the town's vplands.
4. In Litle Flagy Medow, foure acres, mor or lesse, beeing
bounded south with the medow of Cap*. Parker and Samuell Dauis,
and on all other poynts with the town's comon.
5. On the south sid of a hill, called Horse Hill, neare Masabeg
Pond, two acres, mor or lesse, bounded round with the town's comon,
1 82 EARLY RECORDS OF
with the head of a litle brok that run out of it into Masabog
Pond.
6. In Hawtree Medow, four acres, more or lesse, beeing bounded
west northerly with the medow of Jn. Nuting, on the east southerly
with the medow of Robert Blood, and on all other poynts with the
town's vplands.
In Mapell Medow, two acres, mor or less, bounded westerly with
the medow of Joseph Parker, Seni., easterly with the town's vpland.
Reuised, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the town, September 29, 1680.
JOHN MORSSE, Clark.
THE LANDS OF JOHN FARNWORTH.
1. Vplands. Four acres of Justin Holden, bounded northward
with the lands of Mathias ffarnworth, eastward with the Mill Road,
and on all other poynts with the town's hyeway and comon.
2. Two acres of swamp, bounded westward with the medow of
Matthias ffarnworth, on the south sid of Halfe Moon Swamp, and on
all other poynts with the town's coinon.
3. Foure acres, more or less, lying in two persells, two acres, a
pece of swamp land, lyeing betwixt the pond at John Page's saw-
mill and the bridg that goe to Nonicoyacus, bounded round by the
town's coinon land.
Reuissed, compared, and confirmed by the Select men, according
to the order of the town.
JOHN MORSS, Clark, Decem. 9*, 1680.
THE LANDS OF CORNELIUS CHURCH.
Vplands. Ten acres, more or lesse, adioyning to Spedtecle Pond,
neare the pond of Pelleg Lawrance's, on the east of a ridge parting
them, which land containing two holle or three of swampy medow,
as is described by the markes, as they are marked by the sides of
the ridges, which ridges are comon land, Spedteckle Pond being on
the south, and the ridges the bounds on all other sids.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 183
THE LANDS OF SAMUELL CHURCH.
Vpland that lye bounded by the highway that goe to Jonathan
Morsse, and bye the hye way that goe into Pine Woods, and by the
buriall place.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, i68i-l
THE LANDS OF JOHN COLLES.
Vpland. Ten acres of vpland, more or lesse, bounded with the
lands of Jonathan Crispe and Zachery Sawtell on the east, with the
lands of Zachery Sawtell and Joseph Morsse on the north, south
with comon land, and west with the riuer, hauing a priuat hyeway
runing thorow it to the ford way.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
A persell of land, of ten acres, mor or less, granted by the town
to Nicolos Hutchin.
1. One acre, mor or lesse, lyeing betwixt South Medow and South
Brook, bounded round by the town's comon.
2. Two acres, mor or lesse, lyeing on the northeast sid of the
hyeway, lyeing vpon a swamp that runs to South Brook, bounded
round by the town's cofnon.
3. Sixe acres, mor or lesse, lyeing southeast of Sandy Pond,
bounded round with the town's comon.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
THE LANDS OF PELLEG LAWRANCE.
1. Ten acres, more or lesse, lyeing on the north side of Sped-
teckle Pond, bounded on all poynts by the towne's comon.
2. Ten acres, more or lesse, lyeing by the Cowpond Medow,
bounded east by the lands of Nathaniell Lawrance, and on all other
poynts by the town's comon.
184 EARLY RECORDS OF
3. Foure acres and 3 quarters, more or lesse, vpon which his
house stoode, formerly layd to Thomas Boyden, bounded southward
by the countrey hyeway, westward by the lands of Matthias ffarn-
warth, Sen., northard by Ferney Medow, eastward by the hyeway.
4. Sixe acres, more or lesse, vpon the Cowpond place, bounded
on all poynts by the town's comon.
5. Thre acres, more or lesse, by the Cowpond Medow, bound-
ed westerly by the lands of Samuell Holden, partly by the lands of
Ensign Lawrance, and on all other poynts by the town's comon.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
THE LANDS OF ALEXANDER ROUSSE.
1. Vpland. Eight acres, more or lesse, lyeing betweene the path
that goe to Sergent Field Medow, and the path that goe to Richard
Blood's, bounded round by the towne's comon.
2. A swamp, containing two acres, more or lesse, bounded round
by the town's common, lyeing betweene the uper end of the gift,
John Lakin's Sledge and Reedy Medow.
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. 185
THE following entries, found on a loose leaf, were omitted,
by an oversight, in their proper places :
THE LANDS OF SAM WOOD.
Fefteen acres, lyeing vpon this sid the riuer, bound west with the
river, p- northerly with Jams Nuten, and on all other poynts with
towns comon.
WILLIAM LAKIN
WILLIM GREEN JAMES KNAP
29 acres, mor or less, in the pin woods, bounded easterly with
Cap' Parker, northerly with James blod and ptly with the comon,
westerly with comon land, southerly with the land of Samuell
Ceaver, and other land
WILLIAM LAKIN
JAMES KNAP
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-1676, 1680, 1681.]
THE LANDS OF JOHN BARRON.
27 acres, mor or lese, bouded north with y e Indian Hill medow.
Six acres lye, bound west with Simon Stone, on the other sid the
riuer, 40 acres medow one acre d half, more [unfinished],
[In the handwriting of John Morse, Town Clerk, 1670-76, 1680, 1681.]
Dabts Due from the Persons folowing
11
James Parker 11 = 10 = 00
[Josia]h Parker 15 = 00 = oo
..... Laken 05 = oo = oo
..... Willard 05 = oo = oo
..... Prescot 05 = oo - oo
Peleg Lawranc 05 = oo - oo
[Jo]nas Prescot 02-01-00
[Wijllam Longly oo 1 1 - 02
[Injsin Lawranc 01 = 17 - 06
[Ste]ven holding oo - 06 - oo
[Joshua Whitjny oo - 03 oo
[In the handwriting of Josiah Parker, Town Clerk, 1686-1691.]
APPENDIX.
THE following papers, with one exception, are now printed
for the first time from the original documents. They are
closely connected with the early history of the town, and fur-
nish some interesting facts in regard to it. . The first docu-
ment is found among the Shattuck Manuscripts in the pos-
session of the New England Historic, Genealogical Society,
and was originally published in the Register of that Society
for April, 1879 (xxxin. 209). All the signatures to the peti-
tion are in the same handwriting as the body of the docu-
ment ; but those of the committee signing the Report on the
back of the petition are autographs. The report itself is in
the handwriting of Joseph Hills.
GROTON'S PETITION.
Bost : 16 : 301 : 1656
To the Right wo r " the Gou, r no r the wo rU Deput Go, r no r and Mag-
istrates with the Worthy Deputies of this Hono rd Court
The humble Peticon of Certain the intended Inhabitants of
Groten,
Humbly Sheweth
That yo r Peticon rs haueing obteined theire Request of a Plan-
tacon from this honored Court, they haue made Entranc there-
vppon, and do Resolue by the Gracious Assistants of the Lord to
proceed in the same (though the greatest Number of Peticon rs for
the Grant, haue declyned the work) yet because of the Remoteness
of the place, & Considering how heavy and slowe it is like to be
Carried an end and with what Charge and difficultie it willbe
Attended yo r Peticon rs humble Requests are
188 APPENDIX.
1 That they be not nominated or included in the Country taxes
vntill the full end of three years from these p/nts : (in which time
they Account theire expenc will be great to the building a house,
procureing and maintaining of a minester &c. with all other nesses-
sary Town Charges : they being but few at present left to Carry on
the whole worke) and at the end of the term, shall be redy by gods
help to yeald thei r Rates according to tliei r Number & abillitie &
what shall be imposed, vppon them
2 That they may haue libertie to make Choyce of an other then
M r Danford for the Laying out their town bounds because of his
desire to be excused by reason of his vrgent ocations otherwise, and
that they be not strictly tyed to a square forme in theire Line Lay-
ing out.
So shall yo r Peticon, be incoridged in this great work, and shall
as duty bindes pray for yo r happiness and thankfully Rest
yo r humble Servants
DEAN WINTHROP RICHARD SMITH
DOLOR DAVIS ROBERT BLOJD
WILL. MARTIN JN<>. LAKIN
JN. TINKER AMOSE RICHENSON
The following Answer is on the reverse of the Petition :
In Ans. to this Peticon wee Conceiue it needfull that the town of
Groton be freed from Rates for three years from the time of their
Grant as is desired.
2 d That they may Imploy any other known Artist in the room
of M r Danforth as need shall be.
3 d That the forme of the Town may A little varie from A due
Square According to the discrecon of the Comilte.
21. 3 d m.(56) DANIEL GOOKIN
JOSEPH HILLS
JOHN WISWALL
The Deputyes approue of the returne of the Comittee in answer
to this petitio & desire the Consent of o r hone rd magists. hereto.
WILLIAM TORREY Clerke
Consented to by the magists
EDWARD RAWSON Secret'
[Endorsed for filing :] Groten's Peticon | Entrd & x s secured
P d 8 | 1656
APPENDIX. 189
The following paper is taken from a book of records kept
by the Reverend John Fisk, of Chelmsford, and now in the
possession of Mr. David Pulsifer, of Boston. The original
manuscript is written with many abbreviations and nonde-
script characters, which it is impossible to represent in type.
The extract now printed gives the proceedings of a Council
held at Groton in order to consider certain dissensions which
probably grew out of the settlement of Mr. Willard as the
minister of the town. The members of the Council were
Major Simon Willard, of Lancaster, the Reverend Joseph
Rowlandson, of Lancaster, John Webb, sometimes called John
Everett, of Chelmsford, and the Reverend John Fisk, of
Chelmsford.
ii of 12 63 Whereas o r Brethren of Groton who re-
moued hence had desired o r Advise, in r [respect ?] of thos straits
they were driven vnto, by reaso" of y e difference there. So as they
could not see how to goe on with them there in y e way they
ppounded about Ch work nor to desert y e worke without sin
Counsel to o r Br at Groto" on this day (y e 3 brethren being with
us, & joyning in a sollemne day of seeking God, ptely upo n this
cause) ptely bee. of y e gnnl sicknes & cold, scarce a family or pso n
\ l had not ben visited, & ptely upo" other occasions, after we had
concluded the day
y e Ch p r sent (fo r y e gnnality) consulted together apte [apart] &
agreed to this following advise, w ch they being called in & declared
it to them, viz
1. (after so m manifestations of o r sympathy & compas. w th them.)
That tho y e Ch would be tender to them as to y e Judging about y e
cause of y e Remoue fro ra us \ et y* we would so far remembr them
of y e same as to wish them to examine themselves about it, & to
looke over the same again betweene God & their owne souls least
there should be any thing therein, whereby God might be offended
with them
2. y t considing at such a time as this, a time of Temptation & a
time wherein the Advers : would watch for them halting they would
be exceeding watchful least in word or in action they should lay
any just scandal or offence before any of them there : for if they
should, we should not be so able to hold up o r heads consistently
190 APPENDIX.
on their behalues, in case we should never so desire to yeeld them
o r Assistance
3. y* seing o r Savio r pnounces them plessed who are peacemakers
& we are exhorted as much as may be to haue peace with all Men,
t. [that?] we advise them to endeavo r to appve themselves men
seeking peace & endevo r g to keep peace with them they had there
to doe with, y* were of a contrary app r hensio n so much as possibly
they might with ye Truth & a good Conscience
4 y* seing Conscience is a Tender thing, & to doe ought esp. in
& about ye wo r p of God contrary to o r psuasio", & when not of faith
is sin : that t. [then ?] They doe take diligent care, not to conde-
scend to y e doeng in y e matter amongst them, in complyance with
them of a contrary psuasio", to the breaking of the peace of their
owne Consciences.
5. y' In case they cannot comply in ought with them (this or
that, or whatever it is,) as concerne the worke of Gods house or
wo r p. of God that then they rather doe sit & waite upo" God observ-
ing & attending such his pvidences as may open to them in the en-
joym' of their desires, with libty of their consciences.
this is the substance of that counsell was dd [delivered ?] to
them, or som other variety of exp r ns, by word of mouth, as gathered
up to be the mind of the Ch. & the same we had discoursed of &
agreed to give them for the p r sent, manifsting o r willingness to
afford them further advise afterward, as occasio" did reqre.
10 of 3. 64 A Counsel being called to attend at Groton
about the differences there
There appeared vpo" this day at that place
Maj r Willard
M r Rowlinson
M r Web
my selfe
The Busines coated to it was this : (by the whole Towne : it
being declared that these were joyntely chosen by the sa m )
That whereas by reaso" of some uncomfortable differences that
had ben amongst them as aboute Church Govern men 1 they had been
hitherto hindred from goeing on with that worke of X [Christ], of
coming into a Church way to enjoy all ordinances amongst them
they Had now resolved to lay downe & to bury all former differences
amongst them, & (had sent to the psons aboue mentioned, to be
APPENDIX. 191
as a counsell to them : to w ch they) submitted themselues to them
to be directed, according to the Rules of Gods word, in these fol-
lowing pticulars.
1. To consider whither there may be found a competent num-
ber amongst them, meetely qualified for the laying a foundation of a
Church there : & In order therevnto to nolate such amongst them,
as may come vpon Tryal to that end.
2. To putt them into that way of Tryal w ch is according to the
word, as according to w ch they might satisfy thems. one in an other,
(& consequently in any others afterward as should desire to joyne
with them.)
3. To giue them advise from the Rule, for the both carrying on
of matters in that p'patory worke, \v ch concerns the coming orderly
into a Church state together, & so the after carrying on Church
worke according to God.
The pceedings of the Counsel in order to the accompl sh g these
things, at that meeting was thus,
i. Together with the 7. w ch had ben by y e consent of the whole
towne formerly in nolation amongst thems. & had ben attempting
to an agreement about Church worke, but hindred, by their disagre-
mnt. 4, others were added as to stand in Nolation : for Tryall
so as there were now n. who now come into Nolation viz. y e 6
Brethren amongst them in full fellowship, with mr. Willard & 4
others of y e towne
viz M r Willard. Jam : Parker. Jam. Fiske. g. Lawrence, G. Salter,
G. Martin. Jo n . Nutting. W m Lakin. Elis Barnes. Rich. Holden.
Mathias Fanmouth.
1. When these were pitched upon. These names were sent to the
whole company of the Towne, being p r sent at a Tra n ying. to be
ppounded to them, to see if any of these were under any offence
amongst them, or any of them.
The Return was in the Neg.
2. These n. being called before the Counsel, p r sented themselues
& being Minded of the greatenes of yf worke, they were now to at-
tend aboute, & som other things as referring to their owne spitual
comfort and peace, & the hono r of X [Christ] & of y e Gosp. were
desired to goe apte, & consider amongst themselues if they could
agree aboute a way of their satisfying themselues each in other, as
to the goeing on together in that worke & in case of agreem' to
APPENDIX.
come to vs-, & make report of it, & of the way they had agreed
upon.
in case otherwise, to let the counsel vnderstand wherein they
dissagreed, & the grounds.
3. Vpon there Returne, they declared they had not agreed, nor
were like to agree.
upon wch, much agitation passed that Euening & with som ad-
vise, they were left to some further consideration of the matter
betweene themselue^s, and to attend ag n together before the Coun-
sel, next morning.
2 Ch. Vpon n. of 3. 64. In the Morning they came before the
counsel ag. & made the same report as before.
After much debate, and advise ag. Giuen vnto them, they being
sent out ag. together. Returned to us There agreem' in these follow-
ing pticulars.
1. That there be a visible pfession made (by each one vnto y e
rest,) of his knowledge in all the fundam'al principles of the Chris-
tian Religion nay [necessary?] to salvation.
2. That each be of an apprued conversation.
3 That Conviction of sin be visible pfessed together with the
meanes, and also thro God hath holp the soule vnto a Christ.
4 That all this be heild forth either before the whole Church (by
who eu r shall after joyne to the church when once it be gathered)
or else before the officer, & those y' the Church shall depute to-
gether with y e officer.
5. That none shalbe p r ssed to give this manner of satisfaction be-
fore the whole Congregation or Towne who is not hims. willing
therevnto, but y l the satisfaction be taken onely before the Church.
These things being thus comfortably agreed vpon, &
The Counsell being by them desired either to take Tryal of them,
or to afford there p r sence with them, in there Tryall each of other.
The Counsell upon consideration y* some of them could not stay
so long upon it, at p r sent, & y' the worke was of Create weight, &
required deliberation &c. Advised, as followeth, in effect.
i. That these n doe set apte a sollemne day to humble them-
selues before God, for there former miscarriages, & to entreat his
p r sence with them in the greate worke they were aboute.
APPENDIX. 193
2. That they together agree aboute the order of pceeding who to
come vpo n Tryal by the rest, i st : & who 2 d & so on, to the last
man.
3. That they attend the way, thems : had agreed vpon with each
one, without ptiality.
4. That upon the day, they agree upon to that worke, they (after
seeking of God,) doe goe abt it in the manner as afore s d & if they
thinke good to send to vs, & the Counsell would then attend them
(if God will) at the time, & after y* is finished (as ye L : may helpe
vs) give them som further advise as occasion may req. [require ?]
5. y' each one submit hiins. to y e satisfaction of y e rest & be will-
ing to sit by if y e rest be not satisfied with him.
6. y' in meane time they acquainte themselves familiarly each
with other, to see how God may psuade them spits to a mutual
closure.
The following petition and depositions are found among
the Shattuck Manuscripts of the New England Historic, Gene-
alogical Society.
To the Right Hondble the Goif and Councell sitting in Boston
The Petition of Daniell Addams Humbly sheweth that yo r Peti-
tione r went out as a voluntear : upon the scout from Concord in
company with some of Concord and some of Lancaster : and they
comeing to Grauton yo r petitione r there killed an Indian : and hath
rec'd no wages from the Country for any service that he hath done :
notwithstanding he hath beene oute upon the same acco 1 several!
times both the Last sumer and the Last winter and is now goeing
out againe under the Command of Leift Curtis :
Yo r Petitione r therefore humbly requests the favo r of your Hono r s
to consider the premises and to grant him an order to the Treasuro r
for his satisfaction according as the Law allows in that case so
shall he be ever engaged to pray &c DANIELL ADDAMS
[Endorsed] "The Petition of Daniell Addams 21 Aprill 1676 "
Att Groton the T4th of march 1676 thire was Daniell Adams whoe
was uary helpefull to the towne of groton with somo thers of Lankstar
and the said Daniell adams did kill one Imlan att M r Willards garason
Witness JOHN CADYE
And SAMUEL WOODS
194 APPENDIX.
we whoe see him fall to the graund and not Rise againe
As witness NICKCOLASS CADYE
Samuell Woodes of Grotten aged aboute forty yers of age witnis
that he saw tooe indens standing upon Captine parkers Land at
grotten and danill adams shote at tham and one of tham falle doune
and the other ran away
17 : day of 2 : month : 1676 : the mark P of SAMUEL WOODES
Alse Woods aged about forty yeares testifieth & saith ; that at
Grooton upon the day that the moste of the towne was burnt by the
Indians ; she heard severall say that Daniell Adams had killed an
Indian ; and she went vp presently into M r Willards Garritt & saw
two Indians stand over a dead Indian about halfe an hour then
they carried him away & further saith not
The mark O of ALSE WOODS
The following instrument is recorded in the Middlesex
Registry of Deeds at East Cambridge (ix. 27), and appears
to have been prompted by the/ action of the town, taken De-
cember 25, 1683, as given on page 82 of this book. It was
certainly to the credit of the early settlers that they recog-
nized the right of the Indians to their native land, and were
willing to extinguish it by purchase. This action on their
part did not make their title to the land any clearer in a
court of law, but it established a principle. During this
time the impending fate of the Charter of Massachusetts
was feared, if not known, and the colonists thought that their
Banded possessions might be forfeited to the Crown ; and this
course, of buying the land from the Indians, might give them
a title rivalling that of the King.
By referring to the proceedings at a town meeting held
June 8, 1702, as given on page 123 of this book, it will be
seen that other persons besides the committee, acting doubt-
less on their own responsibility, had acquired nominal rights
from the Indians.
Co all people to whom these p r sents shall come greeting know yee
Indians to M ' J onn T m Dublit & his wife & their Eldest son little
Jame ffox, alias Gasumbitt, M r Jacob alias Patatuck all
Grotton
APPENDIX. 195
of Weymessit Thomas Waban of Natick all of them Indians &
Inhabitants as afores d and within the Massachusetts Colony in New
England for and in consideration of the full & just sum of /-
twenty and eight pound ten shill. to me well and truly payd for 28 ~ I0
& security given to them according to lawbyCorporall John Page, Ens :
Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh all of the Towne of Grotton. w ch
is to the full satisfaccon & content of the afores d Indians and thereof
and of ever)' part thereof do acquitt, release and discharge y e s d John
Page Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh & their heyrs & Admin-
istrators for ever by these p r sents. (jatoe granted, bargained & sold,
aliened enfeoffed & confirmed, & by these p r sents do fully,
freely clearly and absolutely grant, bargaine & sell, alien,
enfeofe & confirme to the now Inhabitants of the Towne of Grot-
ton afores d and to their heyrs & Associates forever All ail that Pian-
- , r i i i i tation called
& every part of that Tract of land which is called Grot- Groton
ton plantation according to the full Extent of the bounds thereof, on
both sides of Nashaway River, as it is granted to them by the
hon ble Gen" Court of the Massachusetts Colony Co
fratie anti to Mil the abovs d Tract of land with all the
priviledges & appurtenances to the same apperteyning or in any
wise belonging to them the s d Inhabitants of the Town of Grotton &
to their heyrs & Associates forever & to their & their only propper
use and behoofe And they the s d M r John Tom Dublitt & his
wife and their son the Eldest of them, little James ffox & Jacob
Pataatuck & Thomas Waaban for themselvs, their heyrs & Adminis-
trators do covenant, promise & grant to and with the afores d John
Page, Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh (as Trustees for & in be-
halfe of the whole Inhabitants of the afores d Towne of Grotton) &
with their heyrs & Assigns forever, that they the s d M r John Tom
Dublitt & his wife & their Eldest son & little James ffox, alias
Gasumbitt & Jacob Patatuck & Thomas Waaban & each of them
are the true and propper heyrs of the aboues d Tract of land as to all
manner of Indian Title, that either is or may conceived to be.
And that they have good right, full powr & lawfull Authority the
p r mises to grant, bargaine & confirme to them the s d Inhabitants of
Grotton & to their heyrs, Associates & Assigns forever. And that
they the s d Inhabitants of the Town of Grotton their heyrs Associ-
ates & Assigns forever shall and may at all times & from time to
time forever hereafter quietly and peaceably have, hold, occupy,
possess & enjoy the s d whole Tract of land or plantation with all
196 APPENDIX.
the priviledges, profitts & commodityes of the same without the law-
full lett, hindrance, Eviction expulsion, sute, molestation or denyall
of them the s d M r John Tom Dublitt & his wife & their Eldest son
little James ffox, Jacob alias Patatuck & Thomas Waaban their
heyrs or Executors, Administrators or Assigns of them or of either
of them or of any other person or persons whatsoever whither In-
dian or English claiming or having any right, title or Interest
therein or thereunto by from or under them or either of them (as to
Indian Title of land) or by any other lawfull ways or means what-
soever.
In witness whereof, the s d M r John Indian & Tom Dublitt and
his wife & their Eldest son little James ffox, Jacob alias Patatuck
& Thomas Waaban have affixed their hands & seals
ioth Janur 1683 ... r T r
here-unto this tenth day of January, In the year of out
Lord God one thousand six hundred eighty & three, four, and in the
thirty and five year of y e reigne of our sovereigne Lord King
Charls the second
Read,
signd,
sealed
& deliverd
in y e presence of us
THO : HINCHMAN his mark & seale -f- M R JOHN and seale
JOHN FFISKE TOM DUBLITT' his mark and seale
JONATH. DANFORTH Sen r his E wife her mark & seale
JAMES BROWN LITTLE ^) JAMES his mark & seale
JAMES RUMBLY MARSH JACOB 8 PATATUCK his mark & seale
CAP T C TOM THOMAS WABAN & seale
his marke TOM S DUBLITTS SON & seale
mark
Pompequoout, alias M r John, Thomas Neepamimp alias Dublitt
& Sarah his wife. Pasumbitt, alias little James fox & Petatook alias
Jacob Indians of Weymeset & Thomas Waban Indian of Natick,
acknowledged the within written Instrument to be their Act &
Deed
Jan. 1 1. 168^
Before PET : BULKELEY Assis'.
Recorded. 17. 3. 1684
by THO : DANFORTH. R.
APPENDIX. 197
The remaining documents in this Appendix are found
among the Shattuck Manuscripts.
GROTON, July : 16. 1689
To the honred Gouner and councell and Representiues : thes
Lins shew the Request of your humbell sarunts the in habtants of
the towne of groton and ouer presant unsetled and almost des-
tracted conditon ; we mack bold to troubell you once more ; crauing
youer aduice and asistanc if it may be obtained that we may go on
with ouer bisnes ; to gat in our haruest and do other nessary worke :
the barer heare of James Knop and James Parker Jun r are fuly abell
to aquaint the honred councell ouer conditon boath in miletary &
other cases ; in the towne ; ouer ofesers are by the new choice
James Parker sener cap*
Jonas Prescot Lef
John Lacken ensin.
W order of the towne of groton
JOSIAH PARKER, dark
July. 17. 1689. The Comission offic's nominated as above are
allowed & confirmed by y e Gov r & Counsell. and they do order
Cap' Prout to deliver unto James Knop and James Parker for y e
use of s? Town forty pounds of powder and one hundred weight of
Lead taking their bill to repay it again into ye stoar in some Con-
venient time. & do also appoynt y e Major of ye Lowr Regim' of
y' Comd to order y e Impressing of ten soldiers in a meet proportio
out of ye seu r all companyes under his comand. to be sent as soone
as may be for their releife.
By order of ye Gov r & Councill
Is A ADDINGTON, Sec r y.
[Endorsed] Groton military Officers.
Past. 17 July. 89.
To his Excellency S r William Phips Knight Cap n Generall and Gov-
ernour in chief e of their Maf'" Province of the Massachusetts Bay
in New England, and Hon rd Council and Representatives thereof
now assembled in Generall Court sitting att Boston ffebruary 23*
The petition of John Paige of Groton for himself and in behalf of
his son John Paige who was a souldier under the command of
198 APPENDIX.
Major Wade in the Late Expedition to Canada against y c comon
enemy
Humbly Sheweth That yo r Petitio r s son the s d John Paige att
Canada received a Previous wound in his left arme, of which after
his returne home he lay lame und r the Chyrurgeons hand for the
Space of Twelve months and upwards, before he gatt cure, and
ajer he gatt cure was a twelve month more before he could doo or
performe any reasonable bodily Labour to procure himself a Lively
hood.
That yo r petition" sons cure came to Seaven pounds w"* yo r Peti-
tio r undertooke the payment of to the Chyrurgeon, and of wh ch he
hath only rec d from the country thirty shillings, w ch was soe much
allowd and ordered by the Comittee formerly appointed to Inspect
y e affaires of Canada wounded men, his Son being att that time
under cure, but not cured till a very Considerable time aft 1 " and
soe had said thirty shillings allowed him for payment of y e Chyrur-
geon for what he had done to that time.
Now Forasmuch as yo r Petitio r hath formerly made Applycation
to yo r Ex ly and this hon rd Court referring to y e premisses Butt
nothing hither haveing therein been done, yett hopes you will not
deale by his son worse than by others of y e wounded men.
Yo r Petitio r Therefore for himself and in behalf of his said son
humbly Entreats yo r Exc ly and this hon rd Court to take y e premisses
into consideracon. and that you will please to allow and order unto
yo r petition' the remainder of s d moneys for the cure of his son, as
also that you will please to allow unto his son Such compensation
for the loss of his time and for payment of his Dyatt during the
continuance of his afores d lameness, as to yo r wisdoms shall seeme
most meet & requisite.
And yo r Petition' as in,
duty bound Shall ever pray
JOHN PAIGE
This may certifie that John Paige Sone of the petition 1 " was under
the hands of me Jonathan Prescott Chyrurgeon above a twelve
months time, and that his cure pformed by me came to seaven
pounds JONATHAN PRESCOTT
voted that John Page Jun r son of the Petition 1 " shall for the payment
of the Chirurgion and Dyet Dureng the time of his Cure Receive
APPENDIX. 199
out of the publicque treasury of this province Twelve pounds de-
ducting out of s d suiue what he has all ready Reced : passed in the
Affirmative by the House Re. NATH : BYFIELD Speaker
[Endorsed] John Paige of Groton his petition
1693 27 febr Vot d in Council . 12. to be p d deducting &c.
To the honourable his Majesties Justices of the Court of General Ses-
sions of the Peace To be holden at Charlestown within and for y 1
County of Middlesex on the Second Tuseday of March 1717/18
Whereas we the Subscribers Selectmen of Groton have been In-
formed that y* Town of Groton hath been Presented by y* Grand
Jury for want of a School Master which was to have been ans-
wered yl Last Court but the Presentment afores d being vari-
ously Construed it was at Length ordered that y e . Selectmen of
Groton should be apprized thereof & Certify this Court how many
families there is in our Town Now these are to Certify & Informe
Your honours that there is not one hundred families which are
Ratable or able To Contribute anything to y e Publick & we pre-
sume the Grand Jury Niver Intended a Grammer Schoole by said
Presentment. And Ever Since Said Court in December Last we
have been Provided with a Schoole Master To Teach Children To
read & Wright as the Law in this Case provides & Directs. Which
Premises being Considered we hope Groton Will be Discharged
from said Presentment. We have also appointed M r John Ames
to present this to your honours To whom you may Give Credit
from yo^ honours Humble Serv'?
SIMON STONE ^ &/** of
JOHN SHEPLE
JONATHAN BOIDEN
RICHARD WARNER
JOSEPH LAKIN
200
APPENDIX.
FIRST PARISH MEETINGHOUSE, GROTON.
'"T^HIS cut was taken from a drawing made in the year 1838, by
John W. Barber, and originally appeared in his Historical
Collections of Massachusetts. It represents the First Parish
Meetinghouse before it was remodelled in the year 1839, at
which time it was partially turned round, and the north end
made the front, facing the west. The Academy building, on the
right of the meetinghouse, was enlarged in the autumn of 1846,
and subsequently burned July 4, 1868. The fence was built
around the Common in front of the meetinghouse, in the au-
tumn of 1842, the last post being placed at the north-west cor-
ner on October 3 of that year. The trees within the enclosure
were set out about the same time, excepting the row of elms on
Main Street, which were transplanted in the year 1828.
The original sketch of this view and the engraving are now
in the possession of Bradford Kingman, Esq., of Brookline, Mas-
sachusetts, to whom I am indebted for the use of the cut.
INDEX.
PAGE
NAMES OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS ... 55, 56
NAMES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS 70
NAMES OF THE TOWN CLERKS 132
APPENDIX 187
NOTICES OF TOWN CLERKS.
PAGE
JAMES BLANCHARD 114, 115, 116
RICHARD BLOOD .... 24
JAMES FISKE 12
JOSEPH LAKIN 128
SAMUEL LAWRENCE ... 5
WILLIAM LONGLEY . . 15, 96
WILLIAM LONGLEY, JR. 106, 113
JOHN MORSE 27, 57
JONATHAN MORSE .
JOHN PAGE . . .
JAMES PARKER . .
JOSIAH PARKER
JONAS PRESCOTT .
RICHARD SAWTELL
THOMAS TARBELL .
PAGB
71
. . 24
54, 55
93
103, 115
. . 6
124, 125
NAMES OF PERSONS HOLDING LAND-GRANTS.
TIMOTHY ALLEN . . .
ELLIS BARRON . . . .
JOHN BARRON . . . .
NICHOLAS CADY . . .
CORNELIUS CHURCH . .
SAMUEL CHURCH . . .
JOHN COLLES . . . .
JONATHAN CRISP . . .
WILLIAM ELLUEE . . .
JOHN FARNSWORTH . .
MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH
JAMES FISKE . .
CHRISTOPHER HALL . .
GERSHOM HOBART . .
JUSTINIAN HOLDEN . .
NICHOLAS HUTCHINS
JAMES KNAPP . . . .
JOSEPH LAWRENCE
PELEG LAWRENCE . .
WILLIAM MARTIN .
PAGE
174
I6 5
I8 S
168
182
183
183
152
169
182
178
161
144
179
173
183
164
172
183
175
PAGE
DANIEL METUP 146
JOHN MORSE 172
JONATHAN MORSE .... 170
JOSEPH MORSE 177
JACOB ONGE 178
JOHN PAGE 148
ABRAHAM PARKER ... 171
JAMES PARKER .... 153
JOSEPH PARKER .... 146
DANIEL PEARSE .... 167
RALPH REED 159
JAMES ROBERTS .... 160
ALEXANDER ROUSE . . . 184
ZACHARY SAWTELL . . . 171
WALTER SKINNER . . . 143
SIMON STONE 174
THOMAS TARBELL . . . 150
THOMAS TARBELL, JR. . . 176
SAMUEL WILLARD . . . 180
SAMUEL WOODS . . 167, 185
A 000 607 333