Town Meetings - 1686 to 1712
Extracted from
Copy of the old records of the town of Duxbury, Mass.,
from 1642 to 1770 : made in the year 1892.
Plymouth: Avery & Doten, book and job printers, 1893,



[Transcribed by Dave Swerdfeger]

TOWN MEETINGS. 1686. From old pamphlet Book A 1686 to 1700. Page 4. At a Town meeting held in Dusburrough February 16th, 1686 The Town made choice of Seth Arnold & John Soule to serve on the petty jury, & John Partridge & Thom. Dllaney to serve at the Court of assistants. At this Town meeting, The Town agreed to give Abraham Samson Junior liberty to improve three acres of land lying upon the South side of the way that goes to Bluefish river, as long as he sees cause to improve it by planting or sowing. At this Town meeting the Town did give unto Samuel Dillaney, & Caleb Samson, each of them, thirty acres of land on the Northerly side of Green harbor brook & a swamp that goes to Dingley's wolf trap, to them and to their heirs forever, provided that they settle upon it, otherwise it is to return to the town again. Also, the Town have granted unto Seth Arnold that the line between the land of Capt Thomas which he purchased of Edmond Weston, and the land of Seth Arnold, shall be continued from Green Harbor brook until it meets with the land of Abram Holmes, and so bounded by said Holmes land until it meet the line that is between Marshfield & Duxborrough, though it comprehends more land than formerly did belong to Seth's lot, and the above said line to remain good to said Arnold and his heirs forever. 1686. From Bound Vol. Page 6. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough May 24th 1686, The town granted to John Simons 4 or 5 acres of land, or thereabout, lying between his father's land, and William Thomas's land. Recorded by ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. Same date. According to a grant of land by the Town, given to John Simmons at the head of his land, to run his lines until he meets with the land of Mr. William Thomas, it was accordingly done by us, from his corner marks on the South West side, which was a white oak tree, to a white oak tree, to a swamp, and by the said swamp to the land of Wm. Thomas on the North East side, by the line of said Simone's land, until we came to the land of William Thomas returned by us. THOMAS DELANO. John SouLE. ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. 1686. From Pamphlet. Page 5. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough Aug. 25th 1686. The Town made choice of Robert Barker jun. and Edward Southworth, to serve in the petty jury at the County Court. Josiah Kaine Jun. took the oath of fidelity Aug. 25th 1686. At this Town meeting, the town made choice of David Alden and William Hobes to serve ye petty Jury at the Court of assistants to be in Oct 1686. 1687. June 2. Page 5. From Pamphlet. The Town made choice of Sergent Bartlet, Ensign Trasey and John Wadsworth, for their select men for this year. The town chose Isaac Barker and Joseph Howland for their constables for this year; Wrestle Brewster, Robert Barker jun. and Elnathan Weston, surveyors for this year. 1687. June 2. Pamphlet. Page.6. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough June 2d/67 The town gave to Joseph Chandler's son John, who by Gods Providence has lost his hand, 50 acres of land, lying on the Easterly side of the South river, and Northerly side of the place called the Rocks; Provided that his father shall have liberty to sell, or otherwise improve the land for the benefit of the afore said child. 1687. Aug. 12. Page 7. At a Town meeting (by virtue of a warrant from John Usher treasurer) The town made choice of Mr. Alexander Standish to be their Commissioner for assessments. Also at this meeting, the Town of Duxborrough agreed that no grass should be cut at the Common Meadows until the 18th day of this instant month upon the penalty of the loss of all the grass that any man shall cut before the time afore said upon the Common Meadow. Aug. 12. Page 8. Know all men by these Presents, That the Town of Duxburrough has agreed to let, lease and set over unto John Thomas and Peter West, a certain tract of meadow, and we, the inhabitants of the town, do by these Presents, Let, Lease, and Set over unto John Thomas and Peter West afore said, the tract of meadow between Gotum river and the Cut river, the full time of seven years from the date hereof: Provided that said John Thomas & Peter West do pay or cause to be paid Thirteen Shillings pr Annum to the Town of Duxburrough, or their order without trouble, and further, said men do hereby debar themselves from cutting any grass any where else upon the Common Meadows, during the term of this lease, And hereby John Thomas and Peter West aforesaid, do engage to keep the afore said Meadow sufficiently fenced during the full term of seven years from this Twelfth day of August. One thousand Six hundred Eighty seven. The above written was the mutual agreement of the parties within named and Recorded by their orders by me, RHODOLPUUS THACHER, Town Clerk. 1688. May 21. Pamphlet. Page 9. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough, 21st of May 1688, Lieut. Alden, Francis Barker and Mr. Edward Southworth, were chosen by said town for Select men, and added to the former for this year. At this town meeting, the town made choice of Mr. Alexander Standish to be their Commissioner for this year; Wrestle Brewster, Joseph Turner and Boger Glace, surveyors. John Soule and Joseph Rogers were chosen constables for this year. At this Town meeting the town agreed to raise their minister's salary by a Rate, as in times past, and have also appointed the Select men to make their minister's Rate this year. At this meeting May 21st 1688 the town granted that the two acres of meadow, formerly called Moses Simonson's, and lying below Jaynes Thomas is upon the South river, that it shall be laid forth and recorded to John .Simonson. The Town at this meeting have agreed to lay out a piece of meadow, formerly called Bumps meadow, to be improved for the benefit of their minister, as the house and upland that was set apart for that use formerly. At the same town meeting, the town did also by vote, agree to leave the disposal of the Common Meadows for the benefit of the Town, to the Select men, that is to be understood, by hiring it out, provided they do not exceed the term of Seven years, and to be let to such as are inhabitants of the town, and do empower the above said Select men to take some effectual course for the preservation of the Town timber, bark, and cord wood. At this town meeting the town did vote to give to Thomas Dillancy, that part of the swamp before his door that was Common, But so as that the high way is not damaged thereby. 1689. Meh 1. From Bound Vol. marke A 1644. Page 6. At a Town meeting in Duxburrough a piece of land was allotted to he layed out and sold by Samuel Delano and Peter West, to Edward Southworth, and their return to be made to the Town, which was accordingly done, and does run as follows: From a red oak marked by end of Samuel Wests ground by a straight line to a red oak between the swamp marked, and from the tree by a straight line to a bound marked tree by the lower marsh, which was valued to be worth twelve shillings, which was paid to the town by the aforesaid Edward Southworth in Silver money. Transcribed by me, ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. April 30. From Pamphlet a. Page 10. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough, April 30, 1689. The town made choice of Benjamin Bartlett Sen. and Deacon Wadsworth to be their agents, (upon the request of Mr. Thomas Hinkle) and together with the agents of other towns, to settle a Council to consider of such things as may be expedient for us under the present juncture of Providence until our former time of election, which useth to be on the first Tuesday in June. We the inhabitants of the town of Duxburrough do desire that Mr. Hinkle and the rest of the old magistrates that do yet survive may be present Council according to the former limitation, and no other, and farther, our desire is that all those that have liberty to vote in our town meetings for the choice of deputies and others, may have liberty to vote in choice of Governor and Assistants, and if the Countys continue that all such may have power to choose their County assistants. We do also desire, that all our records may be recalled and secured by the present Council for us. May 28. Pamphlet. Page 11. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough May 28, 1689 The town chose Mr. Edward Southworth and Mr. Seth Arnold, to be their deputies, Lieut. Alden, Ensign Tracy, and Mr. John Wadsworth to be their select men. Roger Glace and Francis Barker, to be their Constables for this year. Josiah Wormall and Josiah Kaine to be their Grand jury men, Joseph Wadsworth, John Simonson and John Russel, to be their surveyors for this year. Aug. 8. Pamphlet Page 12. Roger Glace, Joseph Chandler, Thoms. Dillanoy and Abraham Pears desiring to take up their freedom, were approved by the Town, May 28, 1689. 1689. From Phamphlet a. Page 11. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough the 8th of August 1689, The town made choice of Mr. Edward Southworth, and Mr. Seth Arnold, to be their deputies for the following Court, and the remaining part of the year. From phamphlet a. Page 12. Dec. 13/89. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough the 13th of December 1689—The town did agree to empower the Town Council to make an order as firmly as they can against the Stray of all Town wood and timber, by sending it out of the town, and to empower men to see that the order so made is executed. And farther, the town does forbid any man to presume to cut either cord wood, or timber, except for their own particular use, upon the town Commons, from this day, until the town Council have published their order, upon the forfiture of all such wood, or timber so cut. The town did engage to Wrestling Brewster, that if he in courtesy did take Nathaniel Cole into his house, they would secure him from being burdened with keeping him, said Cole. 1690. from Pamphlet. Page 12. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough May 21St 1690. The town made choice of Sergt Bartlett, Ensign Tracy and Deacon Wadsworth, for their select men; Mr. John Wadsworth, and Mr. David Alden, for their deputies, James Partridge, James Bishop, and John Trasy jun. for surveyors. The town chose Stephen Samson and John Russell for their constables for this year, Josiah Holmes and Josiah Woman were chosen grand jury men. Jurors for the County Court, John Russell and John Thomas, and the town chose for the Court of Assistants, John Simonson and Joseph Turner to serve upon the petty jury. Dec. 9. 1690. Page 13. Pamphlet a. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough the 9th of December 1690 — The town made choice of Ensign Trasy, Ensign Barker and Thomas Dillanoy for their raters. At this meeting the Town did agree, and determine, that young men, such as are for themselves, and not house keepers, shall be Rated at ten pounds a head for their heads, and add their estates to it. The town also agreed that, such as have cut cord wood upon the town Commons this year, shall be rated —1s-6d upon the cord, as the town raters have information thereof; and for bark, rails, cooper stuff, timber, to be rated for at half the value thereof, and to be valued by the Raters. 1691. Feb. 18. From Pamphlet A. Page 13. February 18th 1691. The town of Duxburrough being met together, the majority of the town by vote, did agree to send to England in order to obtain a charter, by manifesting their willingness so to do. The town did agree that if the select men of the town, or any number of men in the town, will lend the town Twenty Pounds in Silver money, to be repaid in the same specie in one year's time from the date hereof, then the town do engage to see the select men of the town, or any such men as shall be helpful therein, paid to their content the sum above expressed, at the time before mentioned, Or the Town does engage, that if the select men can and do borrow Twenty pounds in their behalf, to send to England towards procuring a charter, that then the town will see them repaid in a twelve months time, (in the same specie,) understand it from the date hereof, which is, this, the 18th day of February 1691-92. The town have made choice of the Rev. Mr. Ichabod Wiswell to be their agent, and desire that power may be given him to improve whom be sees cause to gather with himself for the end above mentioned. This town meeting above mentioned was, in obedience to an act of Court holden 11th February, to consider what they would do in order to the procuring of charter, and also what instrument they would improve, and money they could raise toward the Public charge, which was thought to be £700 in New England money. Sept. 10. 1691. From Page 15. Pamphlet. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough Sept. 10/91 The town made choice of Ensign Barker and Josiah Holmes to serve as petty jurors at the County Court, of Mr. Alexander Standish and Phillip Dillantoy to serve as jurors at the Court of assistants. At this town meeting the town did agree, that Goodman Boney should have a pair of shoes, bought with part of the rent due for the Common Meadows. 1692. Page 19. Pamphlet. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough Nov. 24th 1692 The town agreed to raise Mr. Wiswell's maintenance, viz 50 pounds as expressed in the Town agreement, by rating the inhabitants of the town, in order there unto. At this town meeting the town agreed that the rent due to the town for the use of the Common Meadows this year, should be improved to procure wood for Mr. Wiswald, by the select men. Town charges for this year, as follows: Ten Shillings for sweeping the meeting house, To Mr. Wadsworth for 23 days at Court-4 12, To Peter West for three days as Grand juror, 7; To Mr. South worth at Court, 1 00 00 1692. Nov. 24. Pamphlet. Page 19. The town reconed with Mr. Southworth at this town meeting, and his acco. with them is balanced, that is concerning Mr. Wiswald's house, and the glassing of the meeting house also. 1693. Nov. 24. Phamphlet. Page 20. At a Town meeting in Duxbury May 10th 1693, May 10th 1693, The town made choice of Mr. Edward Southworth for an assembly man for this year. Of John Simonson and Samuel Seabury to serve as petty jurors, at the Quarter Session. At this meeting, the town have given liberty to Robert Barker, his heirs and assignes, to make a Dam, and raise a pond upon Pudding brook, about a place commonly called Beaver Dam, and to keep it up during the time that they, or either of them shall see cause to keep up the mill. At this meeting, The town do hereby empower their present select men, to run the line, and settle the boundry between the town of Plymouth and themselves, and do promise to defray all necessary charge that shall arise about the premises. At this Town meeting, the town do commit to the Select men, the making of prudential laws for preservation of the timber upon the Towns Commons. At this Town meeting, the town do agree, that if the fisher men of Duxbury, shall clear Island Creek brook, that said men shall have liberty then to get herring for bait from time to time, without molestation; and to that end the town do agree, that if any, either English or Indian, do hinder them herein, by making of weirs, or hindering the fish from coming to the Pond, or going down, they shall thereby forfit five shillins for every time they so do, to be taken by distraint (from the person so transgressing) by the Constable, which the complainer shall have for his pains. At this meeting, the town are agreed that, if any man of the town do dig of the Towns Iron ore on the Commons, they shall give an account thereof to the Select men of the town, giving Six pence a ton for all ore so dug, to the town's use. 1694. Oct. 24. Pamphlet. Page 28. At a Town meeting, October 24, 1694. The town have made choice of Ensign Barker, Lieutenant Arnold and Lieutenant Barker, or any two of them, to join with Marshfield to make division of the land between Duxburrough and Marshfield. Therefore, we the town of Duxborrough, have voted and ordered that no person whatsoever shall cut any wood or timber, on the land belonging to Marshfield and our town, until those lands be divided, on penalty of twenty shillings a tree, or part of a tree, one half to the informer that shall sue for the same, and the other half to the town, provided the land be divided by the last of April next, provided the owner does not infringe the liberty of any former grant. 1694. Dec. 17. Pamphlet. Page 38. The town made choice of Samuel Bartlet and William Brewster for Grand jury men. Also the town have made choice of Thomas Thacher and John Prior to serve upon the petty jury. Also at the same time Dec. 17th 1694, Mr. John Wadsworth Sen. made his demand of £6, 155 due to him from the town for serving the town in the Assembly at Boston. 1695. May 20. Pamphlet. Page 31. The town have made choice of Captain Alden and Mr. John Wadsworth to give Mr. Wiswald a deed of the town house, and land, he now lives in, and to settle the bounds. And at the same town meeting the town have given to Mr. Wiswald, half the meadow belonging to the ministry, to him and his heirs forever, and the use of the whole, his life time. Oct. 29. Pamphlet. Page 30. At a town meeting the town have agreed with Wrestling Brewster for the feeding of Thurston Clark, a quarter of a year, for fifty shillings, and what clothing he is at charge for him, the town does engage to be responsible for it. Also at the same town meeting, the town have appointed the select men to enquire into Thurston Clark's estate, and the. town to defray the charges. The town have appointed the town treasurer to provide 20 cords of wood for Mr. Wiswald for the ensuing year. 1696. Mch 5. Pamphlet. Page 38. At this town meeting, the town chose Thomas Thacher and James Magoone, constables, Elnathan Weston, Wrestling Brewster and John Keine surveyors of the high ways, William Brewster town treasurer. The same town meeting empowered Wm. Brewster still to provide wood for Mr. Wiswald, and engage to pay him the next town rates. 1696. May 17. 1696/7. Bound Vol. a. Page 6. The town have granted to John Weston Sen., eight acres of land between the head of Steven Sampson's land and Joseph Chandler's land, in exchange for the land the town gave him at the ---- marshes. 1695. June 26. From Bound Vol. Page 31. We whose names are underwritten being appointed as agents for the town of Duxburrough to run ranges, and settle bounds of land belonging to the town of Duxburrough, do hereby declare what we have acted and concluded in reference to the land formerly granted unto Henry Sampson, deceased, and to the land formerly granted to John Russell, both of the town aforesaid, viz. We began at the meadow of Robert Barker, deceased, now in the possession of his heirs, and measured out half a mile, by the supposed line of Robert Sprout of Scituate, making some small allowance for meadow land that lay within the said land of Henry Sampson finding the line of the aforesaid Sprout to run East South East half a point Southerly, ye line of the aforesaid Sprout, being the Northerly bounds, according to the grant of the town of Duxburrough, half a mile as aforesaid, to a black oak tree, marked on four sides, and then for -the head line, we did run South, South West half a point westerly, and marked several trees, until we came to the South East corner of the 3 allotments of the land of Joseph Holmes where we marked a small pine tree, for the corner bounds, or South East corner bounds of the land granted to Henry Sampson, John Russell and the land of Josiah Holmes exchanged with the town of Duxburrough, the 3 allotments being 126 rods in breadth westerly from the line of Robert Sprout of Scituate. This 26th of June 1695. SETH ARNOLD. ABRAHAM SAMSON. Transcribed by ALEXANDER STANDISH, T. C. 1696. May 18. From Bound Vol. Page 32. At a town meeting held at Duxburrough, the town have granted to Abraham Sampson 30 acres of land that the town gave formerly to Peter West, upon the westerly side of South river. ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. 1697. May 17. From pamphlet. Page 39. The town have granted to John Weston 7 or 8 acres of land between ------- in exchange for the land the town gave at the fresh marshes. The town have appointed Josiah Holmes, with the consent of Marshfield, to lay out the land to Abram Peirce that the town promised him, in consideration of a high way. The town have appointed John Holmes and John Keine Jun., two acres of land the town granted them. 1698. Mch 1. From Pamphlet. Page 40. Ensign John Trasie was chosen Grand juryman to attend the Superior Court. Joseph Rogers and Elnathan Weston are chosen Grand jurymen for the whole year. 1698. May 23. Pamphlet. Page 40. At a Town meeting, the town have appointed the Select men to get the gutters of the meeting house mended. 1698. Nov. 28. Bound Vol. Page 33. Laid out to Abram Peirce Sen., a small parcel of land containing fifteen acres, by estimation, fifteen acres, more, or less, as it is bounded viz, Begining at a small rock, leaving a large high way between the head of Abram Peirce's his land, and the above said rock, and so with a straight line surveyed, sixty rods to the Northward of the West, and there marked a white oak tree on four sides, and from the said white oak tree, thirty five rods Easterly, to a white oak tree marked, and from the said white oak tree, to the Southward of the East, sixty rods to a couple of red oak trees marked, standing by the path side that goeth to James Bishop's, and to the Westward of the South, Forty rods, more or less, to the first named tract. This was done by me, JOSIAH HOLMES. Recorded by ALEXANDER STANDISH, T. C. 1699. Meh 7. Pamphlet. Page 40. The town have appointed Josiah Holmes and Francis Barker, to sell and lay out a small lot of land to Aaron Soule, lying at the South end of his lot, if he and they agree. 1699. July 17. At a town meeting held at Duxburrough July 17/99 The town have voted to make choice of a Committee of town to determine who are the proprietors of the towns Commons in Duxburrough. 1699. Nov. 16. Bound Vol. Page 34. At a town meeting held in Duxburrough on the 16th day of November, the proprietor of the Common and undivided land in said town, have agreed by a major vote, that the rights and proprieties of each proprietor, shall be settled and stated, as followeth, that is to each proprietors of a dwelling place. erected before the year 1662, with twenty acres of land granted by the Court, shall have two shares, or proprieties, and to every hundred acres granted as afore said, shall have two shares or proprieties, and so proportionable for all, such lands so granted, provided always that no odd quantity under twenty acres shall give the proprietors a right to vote relating to the premises aforesaid, but yet to be considered in partitie of the land according to proportion, and twenty acres shall have the privilege of a vote as aforesaid, and also, that this following list now being drawn according to the rules above mentioned as near as may be, with the number of each man's right placed against his name, which list with the above written we the above said proprietors pass to an act refering to any person that is under apparent wrong according to the rules above written, liberty to make his claim, and set forth his right at town meeting, within Six months and not after; and also that each proprietor of 20 acres of land, or upward, which hath been dwelt upon 20 years before the date of these presents, let it be under any grant what-so-ever, such shall have a single share with what they have received of the town, and not otherwise. by ALEXANDER STANDISH, Clerk. 1700. May 7. Pamphlet. Page 45. At a town meeting held in Duxburrough upon the 7th day of May 1700. The town made choice of Capt Seth Arnold for their representative. Thom. Delanoe Jun., Ebenezer Standish, and Joseph Wadsworth are chosen petty jurors, to serve at the next inferior Court of Common Pleas. Sam. Seabury and John Sprague are chosen to give Mr. Wiswalle a deed of the land which the town did formerly grant unto him, in consideration that the men which were formerly chosen to do it, did neglect it. 1699. July 17. Bound Vol. a. Page 269. At a town meeting the town made choice of Lieut. Barker, Mr. Wadsworth and Mr. Southworth, to be a Committee to take a view of the town Commons and to bring a report to the town what they judge dividable. Dec. 4. At a town meeting held at Duxburrough, the town have voted to choose a Committee to annex the numbers of such proprietors rights in a list against his name bearing dates 1699, and also to enter such proprietors as are not yet entered, and make their return to the town, what they have done. ALEXANDER STANDISH, T. C. Also the town made choice of Mr. John Wadsworth, David Alden and Ensign Francis Barker to act as a Committee in the town's behalf as above expressed. by ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. 1699. Sept. 12. Vol. a. Page 276. Where as, the town of Duxburrough by their order bearing date of July 17th 1699 made choice of us, the subscribers to determine who are the true owners or proprietors of the Commons or undivided land lying within the township of Duxburrough, and we having met with the inhabitants of said town at their usual meeting house, this the twelfth day of September 1699 and heard their several allegations and seen their records relating to the same, do determine as follows-- That to say that the Commons or undivided lands in the said town, do belong unto the proprietors of the farm as lots, and other lands granted to particular peons by the Court, lying within the said township, to which determination we have subscribed our hands. NATHANIEL THOMAS. ISAAC LITTLE. JOHN BRADFORD. Recorded by me, ALEXANDER STANDISH, T. C. 1699. Dec. 4. Vol. a. Page 4. At a Town meeting held in Duxborow, The widdow Abigail Alden, did by her agent David Alden forwarn and forbid the neighbors and inhabitants of the town from carting through her land by accounting it a high way, but only by sufferance. pr ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clerk. 1698. June. Vol. a. Page 274. This Court have settled the Easterly bounds of the town of Duxburrow to the sea near Greens harbor where the lines cut between Marshfield and Duxburrow to the Gurnet house, excepting the Gurnet, Clarks Island and Saquaquash, which are not to be within the jurisdiction of Duxburrow, saving also every man's propriety and right to him that is now in possession of any Lands or meadows within the bounds, whether by grant, or purchase, without disturbance as touching propriety by virtue of this grant, yet to be within the jurisdiction of Duxburrow township. Extracted from, and compared with the Court Records by SAMUEL SPRAGUE, Clark. Recorded by me, ALEXANDER STANDISH, Town Clark. 1700. Sept. 2. Vol. a. Page 279. At a Town meeting held at Duxburrough upon the second day of September 1700 The town made choice of Samuel Bradford, Elisha Wadsworth and John Soule for Petty Jurors, to serve at the next Inferior Court of Common Pleas. At this town meeting, the town voted to call Mr. John Robinson to the work of the ministry here. They also voted to give Sixty Pounds a year annually towards his maintenance in the afore said work, one half Silver money, and the other half Corn or provisions at the Common price. They also made choice of Mr. Seth Arnold, Mr. Edward Southworth, Mr. Saml. Seabury and William Brewster, as their agents to acquaint Mr. Robinson with their proceedings here in, and also to discourse him concerning his acceptance thereof, in order to his settlement amongst us in the above said work of the ministry. Pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1700. May 7. VOL a. Page 279. At a town meeting held in Duxburrough May the 7th 1700, Mr. Samuel Seabury and John Sprague were chosen to give Mr. Ichabod Wiswell a deed of land which the town formerly granted unto him, in consideration that the men which were formerly chosen to do it, did neglect it. Pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1700/1. Mch 21. Vol. a. Page 279. March 21st Anno 1700/01. At a Town meeting in Duxburrough, Capt. Seth Arnold with some other partner or partners who he may take into partnership with him, having an intention to build a Saw Mill on Greens harbor brook, the said town did by vote, give free liberty to the inhabitants of the said town of Duxbury to cut, and carry off any timber from the Commons of the said town, to the said Saw Mill, to keep said mill in Employment. Pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1701. May 19. Vol. a. Page 279. At a Town meeting in Duxburrough, upon the 19th day of May Anno Dom 1701. The said town Voted to give Mr. John Robinson, in order to his settlement here in the work of the ministry, Sixty Pounds, in money, the said money to be raised by selling some part of the towns Commons land, and said money to be his if he live and die here in the aforesaid work of the ministry, but upon his removing from us, he is to return the said money to the town for their own use, and the town have authorised the select men to sell the afore said land, for the afore said use. At this town meeting, the town granted to Lieut. Thomas Barker a tract of land being about 15 acres or 16 acres lying between the head of his own lands, and Josiah Holmes which was formerly the said Holmes the which he exchanged with the town for land elsewhere, and so it was now at the town's disposal. pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1701. July 15. Vol. a. Page 280. Upon the fifteenth day of July Anno Dom 1701, At a Town meeting in Duxborrough, the said town Voted to purchase a convenient place for a Parsonage for the use of the ministry in this town, by selling some part of the Common lands, or exchanging the same for some other land which may be convenient for the said Parsonage, the town also Voted to choose three Agents to act for the said town in the said concernment, and chose Mr. Edward Southworth, Capt. Seth Arnold and Ensign Samuel Seabury, their agents, and empowered, and authorised them the said agents to act in the sale or exchange of said Common land for the aforesaid use. The town also chose Ensign John Tracie, Mr. David Alden, Mr. William Brewster and Mr. John Sprague, to inform Mr. Robinson whom the town have called to the ministry here, of their proceedings here in, and further to treat him and take his answer concerning his settlement here among us. The town at this meeting, granted to the widdow Deborah Tracie, twenty acres of land joining to the land which the town formerly granted to Joseph Chandler which is now in possession of Thomas Bourne. JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1701. Aug. 22. Vol. a. Page 280. August the 22d Anno 1701. At a Town meeting in Duxburrough, the town gave their consent to Mr. Despar to purchase about fourteen acres of land within this township, of an Indian called Jeremiah. pr JOHN WADSWORTH, T. C. 1702. June 15 Vol. a. Page 281. Duxburrough June the 15 Anno 1702. At a Town meeting the town voted to give to Mr. Robinson the three score pounds in order to his settlement, which was formerly given him and the half of the meadow which formerly lay to the Ministry the one half of which is given to Mr. Wiswell, and the improvement of the meadow which was offered to John Partridge in exchange called Rouse's point, so long as he continues with us, the money and the first piece of meadow is his own perpetual, if he settles among us in the ministry and takes office in the church. At the town meeting, the town have appointed and empowered Capt. Arnold and Mr. David Alden, to sell and lay out to Samuel Hill of this town, about twenty acres of land of the town's commons, they returning the money to the town. The town have also granted to James Boney an enlargement of a lot of land now in his possession, which was formerly granted to William Boney, being about twenty or thirty acres, lying between John Boney's land and Edward Wantons, the said lot of land being laid out by Ensign Francis Barker and Josiah Holmes as agent for the town. the said lot not being laid out so big as the said grant, the town have authorized Josiah Holmes to lay out of the town's common land, if it be there to be had, and to make up the said lot with what was formerly laid out thirty acres. The town have given liberty to Ensign Seabury to make a dam upon Island creek pond brook, provided, that he leaves a sufficient and free passage for the herrings up, and down, and also makes a sufficent cart way over the said brook. At this town meeting the town have voted that no person shall cut any wood, timber or bark upon any part of this towns commons, other than logs to be brought to the saw mill formerly granted by the town, upon the penalty of forfeiting to the town's use, twenty shillings for every tree of a foot over and upward, and ten shillings a tree for every tree under a foot, except such person or persons shall enter into bonds to the town treasurer, that the same shall not be transported out of town, Also that no person shall cut any green cedars out of any of the Cedar Swamp belonging to the town, for the space of ten years next, on penalty of paying one shilling for every stock so cut. It is also enacted, that all timber trees that shall be cut or fallen after this time, and not be cut off and drawn within a year after said trees are cut or fallen, the said trees shall be free for any inhabitant of this town to cut and draw for their own use. And Ensign Seabury is chosen agent to prefer this act to the County Court for their approbation. Pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1701. May 21. Vol. a. Page 35. Duxburrough, May 21 1701. We the subscribers, have by the request of Sundry of the inhabitants of the town of Duxburrow, laid out a high way of thirty foot wide, from North River, at a place commonly called Bick Kilms. to the county road, allowing the proprietors of the land through which the way goeth, liberty to erect gates. The bounds of said way on the Easterly side are as followeth. Beginning at a red oak tree marked, standing by the side of said river, and running from thence to the upper corner of the land purchased for a landing place, and from thense- by the side of said landing place to a stake, and from thence to the bars, from thence to a white oak sapling, from thence to a white oak tree, from thence to a red oak sapling, and from thence the old path to the county road. SETH ARNOLD. FRANCis BARKER. ABRAHAM SAMPSON. Allowed by the Town of Duxburrough to be here recorded. by me, John WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1702. July 20. Vol. a. Page 282. Duxburrough, July 20 1702. We whose names are here unto subscribed, have laid out to the Widdow Track Twenty acres of land granted to her by the town, as followeth. Beginning at a maple tree standing in the edge of a swamp, and marked on four sides, and From said tree on a North west line 46 rods, to another Maple tree, standing in a swamp, and from the last named tree, South west by West a little Westerly 68 rods, to a stake set into the ground, and from said stake, on a South East line 46 rods to a red oak tree marked on four sides, and from said red oak tree on a straight line, to the Maple tree first mentioned, said land lyeth near to the land of Thomas Bourne, formerly granted to Joseph Chandler by said town. SETH ARNOLD. ABRAHAM SAMPSON. Allowed by the Town of Duxburrough, and recorded by me JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1702. July 9. Vol. a. Page 56. Duxburrough July the 9th 1702. We whose names are here unto subscribed, being Agents for the town, have sold unto Samuel Hills, and laid out to him, a certain parcel or tract of land containing Twenty acres more or less, bounded as followeth, Begining at a small birch tree marked on four sides, standing in the edge of a swamp, and from thence by a line between Duxburrough and Marshfield till it meeteth with a large Pine tree standing in said line, and from said tree, on a Southerly line to a maple tree standing in the side of a swamp marked on four sides, and from that maple tree on a straight line, to a Pine tree marked, standing a little within the swamp on that side next to Phillip Leonard's land, near said Leonard's range, and from the afore said Pine tree, directly to said Leonard's range, and by said range to the end of Leonard's land, and .extending from thence about Six rods till it meet a red oak tree marked on four sides, and from said tree till it meet with the afore said Birch tree marked. SETH ARNOLD. DAVID ALDEN. 1702. May 14. Vol. a. Page 82. Know all men by these Presents. That we, Capt. Seth Arnold, Lieu. Francis Barker and Sergeant Abraham Samson, being constituted, ordained and appointed, and fully empowered by the town of Duxburrough to sell some parcels of the town's Common land to raise money for the town's use, hereby, we the afore said Capt. Seth Arnold, Lieu Francis Barker and Sergeant Abraham Samson, all and every one of us inhabitants of the Town of Duxburrough, do hereby declare that we the afore said parties have sold Twenty acres of land of the said Town's Commons, Twenty acres of land as it is bounded, unto Josiah Holmes of Duxburrough, and his heirs forever. Bounded Westerly by the lands now in possession of the said Holmes, Northerly by the lands of Robert Sprout of Scituate, with a red oak tree on four sides, standing at the Northeast corner of the lands formerly granted to Henry Sampson of Duxburrough, and from the said red oak tree Eastward, or towards the South East, bounded with the lands of Robert Sprout aforesaid, Seventy two poles to a white oak tree marked on four sides, and from the last named white oak tree with a straight line South Westerly, Forty nine poles, to a white oak tree marked on four sides, and from the last named white oak tree with a straight line to the North of the West, to a red oak tree marked on four sides, and the same line to the head of the lands now in possession of Josiah Holmes, bounded with the head of the said lands North Easterly to the first named red oak tree. The above bounded Twenty acres of land, We the aforesaid Capt. Seth Arnold, Lieu. Francis Barker and Sergeant Abraham Sampson, have sold to Josiah Holmes and his heirs, forever, and do hereby own and acknowledge that we have received Ten pounds in Silver current money of New England, of Josiah Holmes in full satisfaction for the above said Twenty acres of land, and do hereby forever exonerate, acquit and discharge the said Josiah Holmes, and his heirs. This 14th day of May 1702. SETH ARNOLD. FRANCIS BARKER. ABRAHAM SAMSON. Recorded by me. JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. June 15th Anno 1702. 1701. Nov. 20. Vol. a. Page 282. We the suhserihers being requested by some of the neighbors of Mattekeset, to lay out several high ways for the convenience of the inhabitants there, and seeing necessity for the same, have accordingly done, the account of which is as followeth, Begining at the end of the high way that leads through Scituate, two miles on the East side of North River running Southerly as the way now goes, till it comes to a hound marke standing in Josiah Holmes' range, and from thence to Robert Barker's corner bounds and by the said Robert's land, till it comes to the great road that leads to Boston. The said way is thirty foot wide. Also a high way from said road to Marshfield, through Robert Barker's land, as the way now goes, also of thirty foot wide. Likewise we have laid out a high way from said great road to Mattekeset as the way now goes, till it comes to a white oak tree marked, standing by the road on John Keins ground, which tree is the Northerly bounds of said road running Southerly to the corner of Samuel Barkers fence, and from said corner as the way now goes, up to the furnace at the herring ponds month, which way is thirty foot wide. Also we as aforesaid have laid out a high way from Mattekeset brook to the Mill brook as the road now goes. SETH ARNOLD, FRANCIS BARKER, SAMUEL BRADFORD, Selectmen. Ordered by the town of Duxburrough to be here recorded. JOHN WADSWORTH, T. C. November 30th Anno 1702. 1703. May 17. Vol. a. Page 284. The remonstrance of divers of the freeholders, and inhabitants of the Town of Duxburrough who claim considerable interest in the Common and undivided lands in said Town, to be presented to the consideration of the said town at their next towns meeting, the subscribers, who conceive the present method the said town are about to take in refference to a division of said Common land to be wrong, and injurious to said town we conceive there was an error in the first step taken in order there unto, viz In choice of the Committee, who by agreement of said town, were to be persons uninterested, and not inhabiting in said town, but contrary there unto, two of the said Committee now make claim to right of Commons with said town, and thereby shew themselves incompetent Judges in that matter. 2d Whereas in their return they find, or judge, that every one that holds land in said township by virtue of Court grant, hath right to Commons, and that said Commons of right pertain to such, which implies that no others have right or interest therein, which resolve of said Committee is very erroneous for the reasons following, 1st Because the Common lands were never granted to the owners of Court grants, but to the inhabitants of the town, which must necessarily be understood to such for the time being, in perpetual succession, and not to particular persons. 2d Because it can by no means be made to appear, who had Court grants, and the quantity of land granted, for divers of said town, who undoubtedly had farms granted by the Court, have no record for the same, and to exclude any such is wrong, and erroneous, which the said Committee have implicitly done by said resolve. 3d The said action or resolve was never accepted, nor allowed or approbated by any vote of the said town, but suspended to further consideration, and though through the weakness of any officer, the said return be entered on record yet it being done without order of said town, be rendered null and void. Nextly, it is manifest that all grants to towns, intend all settled inhabitants that have orderly been admitted into said towns, and have freeholds by purchase, or gift of the inhabitants of the same, and are not excluded by act of the general Court of this Province. Lastly. The present method taken, or intended to be taken though not pursuant to the resolve of the Committee, yet in many respects will prove very injurious to many of the inhabitants, and town in general, as may easily be made to appear, if time would permit, and though a town vote may have been had, and obtained therefore, yet such vote is not unalterable as the laws of the Medes & Persians—but by vote of said town at their next meeting may be altered and modified. May 17th Anno 1703. We whose names are underwritten protest against the acting of the pretended proprietors in Duxburrough. THOMAS BONEY. THOMAS SOUTHWoRTH. EDWARD SOUTHWORTH. PETER WEST. THOMAS DELANOE SEN. JOHN GLASSE. PHILLip LEONARD. JOSEPH CHANDLER SEN. JOHN DELANOE. EDMUND CHANDLER. STEPHEN SAMSON. NATHANIEL COLE. CABEL SAMSON. JOHN WESTON. JOHN SIMONS. BEN DELANOE. ELNATHAN WESTON. ABRAHAM SAMPSON. JOSIAH WORMAVAL. Wm. TUBBES. JONATHAN DELANOE. JOSHUA TURNER. JOHN BISHOP. BENJ. PRIOR. ISAAC OLDHAM. ISAAC PEIRCE SEN. THOMAS DELANOE. 1705. May 29. Vol. a. Page 190. May 29th Anno Dom 1705. A record of the bounds of the lands between Mr. John Robinson, the one party and Josiah Wormaval Sen., and Josiah Wormaval Jr. the other party, within the town of Duxborrough, — the said bounds are as followeth viz. Begining at the foot next the Bay, the first is a small black oak stump with stones, about it the roots, and some living suckers, from, thence on a straight line to a stone set in the ground at the head of the old orchard, and from thence on a straight line to a stone set in the ground on the West side of the brook, near the house of the said Warmaval's, and thence on a straight line to a stone set in the ground at the head of said Warmaval's lot near an old black oak stump. Recorded by me, JOHN WADSWORTH, T. Clerk. 1703. From Leaflets in Vol. a. Not paged. At a Town meeting held in Duxburrough, Feburary 28th 1703-4 The said town chose Samuel Bartlet, Elisha Wadsworth Grand Jurors, and Lieu. Francis. Barker and Mr. David Alden petty Jurors, all to, serve at the next Superior Court. Josiah Kein, Jr., and Benjamin Peterson, are chosen Grand Jurors for the year ensuing, and Edward Arnold and Phillip Delanoe Jr. petty Jurors, to serve at the next Inferior Court. At this town meeting, the town gave liberty to Mr. Southworth to fence the beach for defence of his meadow adjacent thereto. Recorded by JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1706. From leaflet. At a town meeting in Duxburrough March 20th 1705-6. The said town meeting was adjourned to the third day of April next, to consider of some way of raising of money to defray the charges of repairing, and enlarging their meeting house, either by selling some part of the Common lands, or by way of rate, and also any other business that coneerns the said town. 1706. leaflet. April 3rd Anuo 1706. At a town meeting in Duxburrough the said town chose Mr. Seabury Town Treasurer, the select men also appointed Mr. Seabury a viewer and guager of casks. At this town meeting the said town agreed, and voted to build a New Meeting House, forty foot long and thirty three foot wide and seventeen foot high in the walls, and that the said meeting house shall be set up within three or four rods of the old meeting house now in being. And the said town also ordered that some part of their common lands should be sold to raise money to defray charges about building the said new meeting house. These persons whose names are subscribed, did protest against the order of selling the town's land for defraying the charges about building the said meeting house. LIEUt. FRANCIS BARKER. ROBERT BARKER. JOSIAH BARKER. JABISH BARKER. SAMUEL BARKER. JOHN RUSSELL. FRANCIS BARKER JR. 1706. April 10th 1706. At a town meeting in Duxburrough, the said town voted to choose two Agents, and chose Capt. Arnold and Mr. John Partridge to act for them, the said town, on their account, and at their charge, in building their New Meeting house already voted to be built, that is to say, to agree and bargain with a workman, or workmen to build the said Meeting house and also to provide whatever is necessary for the said building. 1706. leaflet. No page. The town also voted that the common lands, lying on the Southwesterly side of the old Bay road that goes from North river to Mill brook that runs into black water, and so down to the head of the lots, and also the common lands on the Easterly side of said Bay road lying between Mill brook running into Pudding brook, and Phillips brook, should be sold to defray the charges of building the new Meeting house. That is to say, so much of said common lands as is necessary or needful. The town also voted to choose three agents to act for them in selling the said common lands, and chose Capt. Arnold, John Partridge and Thomas Loring. Lieut. Barker, John Russell, Robert Barker, Jabish Barker and Josiah Barker, all of them protest against the town act above said, in disposition of common lands. 1706. Dec. 11. leaflet. No Page. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough, The said Town chose Thomas Delanoe Jun., and Robert Barker, petty Jurors for the next court. 1706-7. Feb. 25. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough Feb. 25 Anno 1706-7. The said town gave liberty to Benjamin Prior to remove his fence between the meeting house, and his own house, up to the road, and so for a time to use that part of the Town's Commons, provided he keeps up the bounds where his former fence stood. The said town also chose Capt. Arnold and John Partridge their agent to sell the old Meeting house, but not to be delivered before the new meeting house is finished, and excepting mens particular rights there in. 1706-7. May 24. leaflet. No Page. At a town meeting in Duxborrough May 24 1706. The town made choice of David Alden to be their Clerk for the day, and was then sworn at the same town meeting May 24 1706. The town voted that Four Pounds and ten shillings abated by the Court of Despars Province rate, should be payed by the town treasurer to the select men. The town also voted to pay JacOb Thomson ten shillings, and to Thomas Loring two shillings on account of lying out, land. May 24th 1706. DAVID ALDEN, Clerk for that day. Recorded by John WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1707. Sept. 12. Vol. a. 286. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough September 12th 1707. The said town granted to Moses Soule, about Six or Seven acres of land of the town's commons joining to the lot he now dwells on, and empowered Samuel Sprague and John Partridge to lay out the said land. The said town also voted to Abraham Booth a confirmation of Four acres of land which the town agents laid out to him, the said land being without the tract which the town's Agent ordered to be sold by the said agents to defray town charges. At this town meeting the said town voted and granted to every freeholder, that is a house keeper, within this town, twenty acres of land of this town's commons, viz. To such as never yet had a grant of any, and to such of said freeholders as have had a grant of land less than twenty acres, to have so much as to make up their former grant twenty acres of said land granted, to be bounded above the South River from Marshfield line to the head of the spring of the said South river, and from thence on a straight line to the head of the brook called Brewster's brook, and so down to Plymouth line, and so below the Mill brook, and upon the West side the old bay path to the Indian head river. 1707-8. Feb. 16. leaflet. No Page. At a town Meeting in Duxborrough February 16th 1707-8. The town being informed that the inhabitants of Plymouth, and others, intend to take down the bridge at, or over Jones River, and turn the road, or highway further up the said river, which if obtained will prove very injurious to the said town of Duxborrough, as well as some other towns, for preventing of the same the said town at their said meeting, do unanimously declare their dislike thereof, and desire that the said bridge and way may continue as formerly. 1706. Sept. 16. Vol. a. Page 60. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough the 16th of Sept. 1706. Whereas the town of Duxborrough made choice of Capt. Arnold, Mr. John Partridge and Mr. Thomas Loring their Agents, to sell common lands to defray the charges of building the said town's Meeting house, and the said Agents having sold sundry parcels of land, and received part of the money for the same, and no confirmation of said lands yet given, the said town have therefore voted that the aforesaid Agents making their return to the town clerk of the bounds of the land they have sold, or shall sell, and take security for the money, that the Town Clerk shall record the same. (These sales are recorded in copy of deeds.) G. E., Copyist. 1708. Vol. a. Reconed with the Town's Agents Feb. 25th Anno 1707-8 then received of said Agents, the sum of one hundred and Eighty pounds in full for building the Meeting house in Duxborrough. I say received by me. SAMUEL SPRAGUE. Aug. 18, 1708. recorded by JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1708-9. Mch. 16. Vol. a. Page 86. At a town meeting in Duxborrough March 16 1708-9 The town gave to Robert Stanford one acre of land to the Southward of his house, on a point of land to the Westward of the way from said house to the meeting house, and appointed Capt. Arnold and Mr. Edward Southworth to lay it out to him. pr SAMUEL SPRAGUE, T. Clerk. 1708. Mch. 16. Vol. a. 287. That whereas formerly the town sold to Joseph Stockbridge, A certain parcel of land of about fifteen acres joining to his old lot at the Easterly end, the town reserving a way through the lot, have voted that the way shall be adjoining to the land which was formerly John Boney's, and so down to the road, the said Stockbridge allowing a way through his old lot, to be the way aforesaid. March 16th 1708. The town voted the above written to be set on record. Pr SAMUEL SPRAGUE, Town Clerk. 1708. Nov. 18. leaflet. No page. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough, the said town ordered the school to be kept at the Southerly part of said town for the four next months. 1708. Dec. 15. leaflet. No page. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough, the town chose Caleb Stetson and Benj. Alden petty jurors for the next Inferior Court. The said town also voted to petition the General Court for a continuance of the road or high way over Jones' River bridge, where it hada been formerly, and authorized the select men to procure a petition drawn, and act in said town's behalf in petitioning the said Court. At this time the said town gave Abraham Peirce Sen., his rate for the year 1707, viz, so much of it as is not yet paid, and ordered the Town Treasurer to discount the same. 1708/9. Jany 19. leaflet. No page. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough Anno Dom 1708/9 Jany 19. Whereas the Court of quarter sessions sends to the select men of said town to make a rate to defray County charges, of £9, 135, 00, and also for a fine of five pounds for want of a school master, The said town considering the trouble and charge of making the said rate at present, do desire and order the select men to borrow on their account, viz, Said town's account of Mr. James Partridge, the sum of £14, 13s 00 to pay the above said rate and fine, and in consideration that the said Partridge do lend the said money as above said, the said town do engage to pay to the said Mr. Partridge, as principal and interest, on the first of October next, the sum of £15, 00s, 00d. The said town also chose Lieut Saml. Bradford to carry the said £14, 13s, 00d and pay it at the next County Court, if upon further consideration, the said. Court do not reverse the sentence of paying the said fine, and in case they do, then the said five pounds to return to the said town again. Pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1708/9. Feb. 21. leaflet. No page. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough Feb. 21, 1708/9 The said town chose Jonathan Delanoe and Thomas Fish petty Jurors for the next Inferior Court, and Stephen Samson and John Boney Grand Jurors for the year ensuing. The said town also chose Capt. Arnold their agent to petition the General Court in their behalf, for a continuance of the road or high way over Jones' River bridge, as formerly. They also chose Mr. John Partridge and Saml. Sprague their Agents to answer to the next Inferior Court, the complaint against said town for not keeping in good order and repair, their part of Jones' River bridge, and also to pay their County rate of £9, 13s and a fine of five pounds which the said town was by Court sentenced to pay for want of a school master, if said Court do not reverse, upon further consideration, the said sentence. 1709. Sept. 29. leaflet. No page. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough Sept. 29th 1709 The town voted that a School house shall be built at the charge of the lower end of the town, and set on the towns's Commons, on the Westward of Joseph Chandler's lot near Plymouth road, and the dimensions of said house as followeth, 18 feet long, 15 feet wide and six feet between joints, and also the town made choice of Mr. Seabury to get said house built as soon as may be. pr me, SAMUEL SPRAGUE, Town Clerk. At said meeting the town voted the school shall be kept the first third to the Northward of hounds' ditch or till the school house be built. 1709/10. Jany 30. Vol. a. Page 292. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough Jany 30, 1709/10 The town Voted to every proprietor of farm or lot lying in the town of Duxbury, granted by the Court, which hath a dwelling house now erected on it, and hath borne charges in said town for ten years past from the date hereof, that hath never had any addition or lot by gift from said town, shall have laid out to him, forty acres of land, and if any of said proprietors of farms, or lots granted by the Court, have had a smaller quantity by gift from said town, it shall be made up forty acres, and also to every proprietor of farm or lot granted by the town, and hath now a dwelling house erected on it, and hath borne charges ten years last past from the date hereof, and hath never had any addition or lot by gift from said town, shall have twenty acres laid out to him, and if he have received a less quantity, it shall be made up Twenty acres, to take it by lot, and in laying out all the aforesaid land, the surveyor is to have respect to quantity and quality, and after the above said allotments are laid forth and lotted for, All the rest of the upland and meadow land which shall then remain in said town's Commons to be equally divided to all freeholders in said town. Also, that if the above lotments belonging to Court grants and Town grants, and the other divisions above mentioned be voted and accepted, then all other and former acts of said town relating to division of said town's Commons, shall be void and of no value. 1709/10. Vol. a. Page 293. At the same Town meeting adjourned to Feb. 1St, 1709/10 The said town made choice of Lieut. Bradford, John Partridge and Joseph Storkbridge, or any two of them, to procure a surveyor to lay out the Common lands and meadow in said town, and assist him in the same. by me, Saml. SPRAGUE, Town Clerk. At the same meeting The town made choice of Lieut. Barker, Lieut. Bradford and Samuel Sprague, to determine who have Court grants, and who have Town grants, and what each man hath had by gift from the town, and what he shall have relating to the act for dividing, and if any man be aggrieved, he is to apply himself to the town, and if the town don't relieve him, he hath the remedy at law. By me, SAMUEL SPRAGUE, Town Clerk. The Petition of the young men of the Town of Duxbury at said meeting That if the Town will grant, that all the Town born white children that are now inhabitants in said town, that are excluded in the former act, of Twenty years old and upward, shall come in for half a share in the first division of said Commons, or a whole share in the last division, that then we will rest contented, and be yours to serve. Voted, the young men above said to come in in the last division. Saml. SPRAGUE, T. C. At said Town meeting Mr. Loring, Benony Delano, and Benony Dilano, against the act for dividing. Israel Silvester, Benjamin Chandler, Caleb Thomas, Aaron Soule. Thomas Fish entered the protest against the young mens coming in in the last division. Pr SAMUEL SPRAGUE, T. C. At said meeting The town voted that the town's land lying near the fresh marshes, should be and remain to be for the use of the Ministry for ever. By SAMUEL SPRAGUE, T. C. The Committee chosen to lay out the Town's Commons is to begin in the body of the said land, and to lay forth as they shall see best. Pr SAMUEL SPRAGUE, T. C.. 1709/10. Mch 7. Vol. a. Page 296. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough March 7th Elnathan Weston, Joseph Peterson, John Simons Sen., Thomas Dilanoe Sen., Josiah Kein Junr, Mr. Edward Southworth and Saml. Chandler entered their protest against all the acts made at a Town Meeting in Duxborrough Jany 30th 1709/10 for dividing the town's Commons, the said meeting being continued by adjournment till the 7th of March above said. Pr SAMUEL SPRAGUE, Town Clerk. 1711. May 16. Vol. a. Page 297. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough May 16th Anno Dom, 1711. Where as the said town of Duxburrough at their meeting hearing date of January 30th Anno Dom 1709/10 Voted a division of their Common lands and meadow in two divisions, and the first division of said lands being laid out, Anno Dom 1710, the town now voted that all their salt marsh Common meadows, with all their salt and sedge Islands, and sedge flats that ly above the Cove of the beach so called, should next be laid out as followeth— viz. Five shares in a lot, and when the said meadows with the premises are laid out, and lotted for the charge of laying the same out, shall be payed by the proprietors thereof in equal proportion at the time of drawing the said lots, and if any of the said proprietors shall neglect to pay the charge of laying out their respective parts according to their interests, when the said lots are drawn, then the layers out of the same, or their assigns shall have the use or improvement there of till they do pay the said charges, and if Lieut. Bradford who was formerly chosen to assist in laying out of said Commons, shall refuse to act in laying out the premises, then Mr. John Partridge and Mr. Joseph Stockbridge are hereby authorised to precure any others whom they see cause, to assist them there in. pr JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1710-11. Vol. a. Page 298. Jany 8. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough January 8th Anno 1710-11 The town voted that the money part of Mr. Robinson's_ yearly salary, which is thirty pounds, shall always for time to come, be raised and payed him at the Seventeen penny weight. They also voted that whereas for five years past the money part of the above said yearly salary hath been raised and payed at fifteen penny weight, there shall be twenty pounds raised next year and added to the next years rate, for Mr. Robinson and paid him with Thirty pounds, which is the money part of his yearly salary. pr JOHN WADSWOItTH, Town Clerk. 1711. Vol. a. Page 298. Spt. 4. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough Sept. 4th Anno 1711 The town chose Thomas Boney and Saml. Sprague Jun. petty Jurors for next Inferior Court. They also chose Saml. Seabury their Agent to answer in the town's behalf, to the plea or action of Lieut. Francis Barker against said town, at the said Court. 1711. Dec. 12. Vol. a. Page 298. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough Dec. 12th Anno Dorn 1711 The town chose Joshua Cushing and W. Sprague petty Jurors for next Inferior Court, and Capt. Arnold their Agent at said Court to answer in their behalf relating to Barstow's bridge which stands presented to said Court. They also chose Mr. Saml. Seabury their agent at said Court to act in said town's behalf in relation to a plea, or action of Lieut. Francis Barker against said town, which said action was continued from last Inferior Court at Plymouth, either to impliad said Barker, or to agree with him in said town's behalf. The said town also chose Capt. Arnold and Lieut. Bradford their agents to meet the Committee appointed by the General Court, to view the tract of land which our neighbors of Mattakesit petition should be taken into their desired new township, and make a report of the circumstances thereof to the said General Court in order to the settlement of the bounds of said new township, to show reasons why the said Mattakesit men may not run their line so far or so low down as they petition for. 1711-12. Feb. 18. Vol. a. Page 299. At a Town meeting in Duxborrough Feb. 18th A D 1711-12 The town voted that the Committee chosen to lay out the second division in their Common lands, should allow or leave of said Common lands, so much as they the said Committee shall judge to be needful and convenient for high ways through any part of said Common land. They also voted, that all the cedar swamps in said Commons, should be laid out in the same method that they agreed upon for laying out their salt marshes. At this town meeting Benoni Delanoe and Abram Samson Jun, demanded of the said town, each of them forty acres of land belonging to the first division of said town's Common land. Abraham Samson Sen., and Benoni Delanoe protest against the above said votes of said town, likewise Mr. Joseph Mallinson protests against the young men's having any part in the above said second division.