HISTORY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, CONNECTICUT,
WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF ITS PIONEERS AND PROMINENT MEN.
COMPILED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF D. HAMILTON HURD
J. W. LEWIS & CO., PHILADELPHIA, 1882
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA

[transcribed by Janece Streig]

CHAPTER X. NEW LONDON - (Continued). Pages 144 - 148 EARLY RULES AND REGULATIONS. Townsmen in 1648-Town-Meeting of 1648-50-Vote Concerning its Pioneer Grist-Mill-"Cardes and Shuffleboards"-Early Accounts-Goodman CHEESBOROUGH's Trouble-Voted that the Town be Called London-Minutes from Societies' Records-Fort Hill-"Making of Bread and Brewing of Beere"-Holding the Contribution-Box-The Jail-Imprisonment for Debt-Sale of Powder to Indians-Church Regulations-Inhabitants Fined-The Stocks-Rev. Mr. BUCKLEY-The Ferry-Sale of Liquors-Ministry Rate-Lists-Excluding Colored Persons from the Town. Early Rules and Regulations.-The first record n the old town-book is as follows: "It is agreed by the inhabitants of Nameeug 1 [1. New London.] that the land liing between the oxe Pasteur at the end of the field by John ROBINSONS and so between the highway and the great river aloung to alwife brooke shall be for a coren (corn) field for the use of the town to make a generall filde. "The 17 of Desember William MORTONS meadow was recorded and the same day Robert HEMPSTEEDS plot by the cove 2 pole." The ox-pasture was on the river north of Winthrop's Neck. "John STUBENS and Robert HEMPSTEED are chosen to view the fences for this year [1647]." "25 of februarrie, 1647 [1648, New Style]. "The inhabitants of Nameeug did chuse with a joynt consent Mr. John WINTHROUP, Robert HEMPSTEED, Samuell LATHROUP, Isarke WILLIE, and Thomas MONOR to act in all Towne affaires as the other fouer did the last yeare with Mr. John WINTHROUP having the same power as he did have the last yeare only no planting grounde must be granted or laid out for this yeare but in the generall coren (corn) fielde at foxens hill the other side of the great river we may lay out, by lot only must it be laid out. "the same day Isarke WILLIE was granted by the said inhabitants to have a planting lot at the other side of the cove by Mr. deane WINTHROUPS lot." It is evident that the fathers of the town looked with care to the morals of new inhabitants, as the following vote shows: "It is ordered the 2 of march [1648] whosoever from this time forward shall take up any lot that if he com not in six months time to inhabit his lot shall be forfite to the Towne-and further it is agreed that no prsons or pson (person) shall have admittance into the Town of Nameeug there to be an inhabitant except the pties or ptie (party) shall bring some testimonie from the magistrates or Elders of the place that they com from or from some neighbor plantations and some good Christian, what their carriage is or have been." Town-Meetings.-In the early days the inhabitants were obliged to attend town-meetings under penalty of :two shillings and six pence," and when at the meetings not to "voate without the companies leave," etc. "It is agreed by the inhabitants that any man being lawfully warned to apear at any generall towne meeting, that refuse, or that do not com at the time appointed, or within half an houre of the appointed time, if he be at home, or have notice of the citation, that man shall pay to the constabell two shillings and six pence for the use of the towne, or if any person do voate after the companie be come to vote, or before the meeting be ended, without the companies leave, that partie shall likewise pay two shillings and six pence for his disorder; and further it is agreed that if any failes in either of these two things before mentioned, and refuse to pay the penaltie, when the constabell demands it, the constabell shall be power to distraine. "March, 1648. It is agreed if any persons do kill any wolfe or wolfs within the town of Nameeug, he that kills the wolf shall have of everie familie in towne six pence conditionaly that he bring the head and the skin to any two of the townsmen. "The 16 of Januarie, 1648 [1649]. "It is agreed by the townsmen of Nameeug that Mr. John WINTHROUP is granted to set up a were and to make juse of the river at poquanuck at the upper end of the plaine for to take fish and so to make improvement of it, to him and his heirs and asigns. "The 17 of februarie, 1648. The meadow that Robert HEMPSTEED did formerly mow liing by quittapeage Rocke is granted to Andrew LOUNGDON and giles SMITH from the great Rock at the north end and so to hould in breadth of the pon as far towards the plombeech as any was mowed by Robert HEMPSTEED." "22 Feb. 1648 [1649]. The inhabitants of Pequit plantation have chosen by a joynt consent Mr. John WINTHROUP, Lobert HEMPSTEED, Carie LATHAM, John CLARKE and Thomas BERCHARD of Seabrooke should goe to Pequot and vewe the said parcel of land there given to the souldiers and taken up by Pequoet as before, and then goe to Naihanticot and lay out there unto the said souldiers such as so much land, as may be fully equivalent to there former grant of land at Pequoet. "And for the inhabitants of Pequoet the Court grants that there bounds shall come to Bride Brook (the former grant excepted) provided that it doth not come within the bounds of Seabrooke, and provided that what meadowe or marsh there is above 200 ackers it shall be reserved for the countries use and for their dispose." TOWN MEETING, 1650. "At a town meeting at Namearke, the 25th of Feb. 1649 [1650] these fower men chosen for townsmen: Mr. John WINTHROP, Mr. Johnnathan BREWSTER, Robert HEMPSTEAD, William NICHOLLS. "At the same meeting John STUBBINES is chosen Constable for the towne Namearke. "Mr. BREWSTER must have been chosen clerk or recorder about the same time. The succeeding records of that year are in his hand, and he adds to his signature, 'Clarke of the Towne of Pequett.' His business as an Indian trader kept him much abroad, and he held the office but one year. "WINTHROP and BREWSTER were made freemen of Connecticut colony in May, 1650. IN September of that year Mr. BREWSTER and Thomas MINER appeared at the General Court as the first deputies from Pequot. "The first town grants to BREWSTER were in September 1649. He established a trading-house with the Mohegans at a point on the east side of the river, opposite to their principal settlement. At this place, which is still called by his name, Brewster's Neck, he laid out for himself a large farm. The deed of the land was given him by Uncas, in substance as follows: "April 25, 1650. I, Unquas, Sachem of Mauhekon, doe give freely unto Jonathan BREWSTER, of Pequett, a tract of land, being a plane of arable land, bounded on the south side with a great Coave called Poccatannocke, on the north with the old Poccatuck path that goes to the Trading Coave, &c. For, and in consideration thereof, the said J. B. binds himself and his heirs to keep a house for trading goods with the Indians. "'[Signed by the Sachem and witnessed by William BAKER and John FOSSIKER.]' "This deed was confirmed by the town, Nov. 30, 1652, and its bounds determined. It comprised the whole neck on which the trading-house stood, '450 acres laid out by the measurers.' "The General Court in May, 1650, censured Mr. BREWSTER for the steps he had taken in establishing this trade. "'Whereas Mr. Jonathan BREWSTER hath set up a trading house at Mohegan, this Court declares that they cannot but judge the thing very disorderly, nevertheless considering his condition, they are content he should proceed therein for the present and till they see cause to the contrary.'" THE PIONEER GRIST-MILL. Nov. 10, 1650, the following persons held a meeting to arrange with Mr. WINTHROP in establishing a mill to grind corn: "Mr. WINTHROP, Mr. PARKE, Jonathan BREWSTER, Robert HEMPSTED, William NICHOLLS, John GAGER, Thomas STANTON, William BARTLETT, Peter BLATCHFORD, William COMSTOCK, William TAYLOR, Mr. BLINMAN, Samuel LOTHROP, John LEWIS, William MORTEN. "The inhabitants were to make 'the dam and heavy work belonging to the milne.'" It was further agreed that "no person or persons shall set up any other milne to grind corn for the town of Pequett within the limits of the town, either for the present, nor for the future so long as Mr. John WINTHROP or his heirs do uphold a milne to grind the towne corn." At the session of the General Court, in May, 1649, the following regulations were made respecting Pequot: 1. The inhabitants were exempted from all public country charges-i.e., taxes for the support of the colonial government-for the space of three years ensuing. 2. The bounds of the plantation were restricted to four miles each side of the river, and six miles from the sea northward into the country, "till the court shall see cause and have encouragement to add thereunto, provided they entertain none amongst them as inhabitants that shall be obnoxious to this jurisdiction, and that the aforesaid bounds be not distributed to less than forty families." 3. John WINTHROP, Esq., with Thomas MINER and Samuel LOTHROP as assistants, were to have power as a court to decide all differences among the inhabitants under the value of forty shillings. 4. Uncas and his tribe were prohibited from setting any traps, but not from hunting and fishing within the bounds of the plantation. 5. The inhabitants were not allowed to monopolize the corn trade with the Indians in the river, which trade was to be left free to all in the united colonies. 6. "The Courte commends the name of Faire Harbour to them for to bee the name of their Towne." 7. Thomas MINER was appointed "military Sergeant n the Town of Pequett," with power to call forth and train the inhabitants. "Cardes and Shufflebords."-In 1664 "cardes and shuffleboards" were prohibited, and its inhabitants warned "not to entertane strange young men." EARLY ACCOUNTS "1691.-To Sam'll RAYMOND 5 days for fetching ye guns-he went by land w'th his horse, 16s. "To Capt. WETHERELL, 5 days do,--w'th expense for himself and RAYMOND and provision for those yt went by water, £2,, 4s. 3d. "To John PRENTIS, Jeremy CHAPMAN, Oliver MANWARING, Nath'l CHAPPELL, Will'm MINER, Thomas CROCKER, Thomas DANIELS,--for fetching ye guns from Seabrook (from 15 to 18s each). "To Mr. PLUMBE for his horse boat to fetch ye guns. &c., £1 10s. 6d. To Jonathan HALL pr himself and sloop for ye guns, £3. "To widow Mary HARIS for 15 gls rum and 6'lb sugar when the guns were fetcht, £1 2s 10d. To John RICHARDS for searching ye guns," etc. "October, 1651. "John PICKET, Mr. STANTON enformed me (3 or 4 years agoe), desired a lott-now desires to renew it, and desires a lott by the Dutch Captins, a seaman,--granted. "Mrs. LAKE requests for upland and meddo to her house lott. "Cowkeeper expects pay for Cowes he desires to know from us what every one must pay. "About 6b. to make up the mill dam. "Another rate for the ministry. "A rate for the new meeting-house. "For the Lords days he is to keep them every 4th Lords day and to give one days notice to him that hath most cattle first to keep them upon the Lords day and whoever hath one more than another to warn him before he that hath fewer to keep them a Lord's day and after he that hath but one cow shall keep them his day, then to begin again with him that hath most, twice warning them that have double the cattle that their neighbors have before once warning him that hath but half that his neighbor hath. "The keeper for his paines is to have 12s. a weeke-for his pay he is to have 1 pound of butter for every cow, and the rest of his pay in wompum or Indiane Corne, at 2s 6d. p. per bushel in the moneth of October." The waste marsh, generally overflowed, was given to a company of undertakers, viz., Mr. DENISON, Hugh CALKINS, John ELDERKIN, and Andrew LESTER,--who undertook to drain it, and were to have all the land "now under water forever." It was added: The undertakers have liberty to make a weare. They are to leave it open two nights every week for the coming up of the alewives. The town to have freedom to take what they please at the usual place, or to buy them at the weare at 20 alewives for a penny for their eating." "The salt marshes were esteemed as the first class of lands by the planters. Those near the harbor's mouth were known by the Indian name of Quaganapoxet, and were mostly granted to the settlers from Gloucester, as a kind of bonus to induce them to remove, and as furnishing a ready-made food for the cattle they brought with them. They are often referred as 'the marshes given to Cape Ann men.'" "May 20. "Water [Walter] HARRIES of Dorchester desires a house lot beyond the plot of land by John COITES. Granted." "Aug. 29. "John STODER [STODDARD} hath a house lot given him at Foxen's hill,--6 acres highways to be allowed to common land and to fetch stones. The order for a town-meeting was given by the townsmen to the constable, who gave notice to the warner and drummer. The warner left a summons at every house; the drum began to beat half an hour before the time for business, and if a constable, two townsmen, and fifteen inhabitants appeared it was a legal meeting. "June 2. Goodman HARRIES is chosen by the Town ordinary keeper. "June 20. Capt. DENISON is chosen Commissioner and to him is chosen Mr. BREWSTER, Mr. STANTON, and Hugh CALKIN to make a list of the state of the towne and the inhabitants, and to make the Country rate of Twenty pounds." Aug. 28, 1652. The former law granting a tax of sixpence from every family for the killing of a wolf was repealed, and a bounty of twenty shillings substituted. "The Towne having nominated and chosen Goodman CHEESEBROOKE, Obadiah BRUEN, and Hugh CALKIN whom to present to the Court, desire that they may have power, together with Mr. WINTHROP and Capt. DENISON, or any three of them, for the ending of small causes in the town." This petition was not granted, and the inhabitants were obliged for some time longer to carry their law cases to Hartford for adjudication. "Nov. 6. "John ELDERKIN was chosen Ordinary Keeper. "An order from the Court forbidding the sale of strong liquors by an by persons licensed by the court was published. "Widdo HARRIS was granted to voat also to keep an ordinary if she will. April 9, 1653. The order was re-enacted enforcing attendance upon town-meeting, and a fine of one shilling imposed upon absentees when lawfully warned. "The aforesaid fine also they shall pay if they come not within halfe an howre after the beating of the drum and stay the whole day or until they be dismissed by a publick voate." "April 25, 1653. "Captain DENISON, Goodman CHEESEBROOKE, Mr. BREWSTER, and Obadiah BRUEN are chosen to make a list of the male persons in town 16 years old and upward, and a true valuation of all real and personal estate of the said persons according to order of the Court. Goodman CHEESEBROOKE is chosen Commissioner to carry th list to the Court in September next." This was the first list of the town returned to the General Court, the inhabitants having been heretofore free from the colonial tax. The list amounted to £3334, which ranked the town sixth in the colony; the five river towns-Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, Farmington, and Saybrook-took the precedence. GOODMAN CHEESEBROUGH'S TROUBLE. "whereas Goodman CHEESEBROUGH is as we are informed hindered of John LEIGHTON to fetch home his haie wee the townsmen of Pequot doe order that the said Goodman CHEESEBROUGH shall have liberty to goe any way he shall see most convenient for him to bring it home without any let or hindrance from the said John LEIGHTON. This is determined by us until the Towne shall take further order to dispose both of the way and land. "O. B., for writing and recording for the Towne, orders, agreements, petitions, letters, Court grants, rates, gathering and perfecting rates, writing before, at, and after town-meeting, covenants of cow-keeper and smith, £6." "Feb. 6, 1660. "For the settling, perfecting, and fairly recording of all records for the town's use and good of after posterity, wee agreed that there shall be a towne booke, with an Alphabet in it, wherein all acts passed, orders or agreements, shall hereafter be fairly recorded, whether past or to come, for the effecting hereof, we agree that all the old bookes of records shall be searched into for what is material concerning the public good, to be drawn out into a booke provided and paid for by the Recorder, who shall have 6d. paid out of the town rate for every act, law or order recorded." [Signed by the townsmen, Obadiah BRUEN, Hugh CALKIN, James ROGERS, James AVERY, William NICHOLS.] "May 28, 1651. "It is ordered that all damage done by goates is to be vewed by three indifferent men, and as they shall judge the real damage, double damage is to be allowed. "Aug. 15th, 1651. "It is agreed that there shall be a common field fenced in; the fence beginning about Greene Harbor, and to run through the woods to Robin Hood's Bay. "The Towne have sent to the Court by there Deputys Hugh CALKIN and Thomas MYNOR that the Towne's name may be called London. "And to know there enlargement to Pockatuck. "Also about Indians powther." The second application concerning the name of the town was no more successful than the former had been. The court, in September, while it confirmed the enlargement of the bounds to Pawkatuck River, called the town by its old name, Nameage. Memoranda for Town-Meeting, Sept. 20. "To propound buying of Mr. PARKS barne. "A rate for Mr. BLYNMANS half year: chuse rater. "Speak about new drum. "Chuse one to run the lyne to Pockatuck. "Read the Towne grant from the Court. "A training day. A rate for the book of lawes. "Amos RICHERSON is to have a lot. Minutes from Society Records. "Mr. THOMSON to be cleared" [freed from paying rates]. "Mr. TINKER, James MORGAN, and Obadiah BRUEN are chosen to seat the people in the meeting-house, which, they doing the inhabitants are to rest silent." "Dec. 1, 1661. The towne have agreed with Goodman ELDERKIN and Goodman WALLER to repare the turret of the meeting-house, and to pay them what they shall demand in reason. "To know what allowance Mr. TINKER shall have for his tyme spent in exercising in publique. "To return an account of contributions. "May 5, 1662. Thomas BOWEN hath given him by the towne forty shillings of the contribution wompum." FORT HILL. "Jan. 6, 1661-62. "The highway to the water by Mr. MORTON's is voated to be 4 pole wide." [Now Blinman Street.] "All the military officers are to lay out fort hill by the next meeting." "Fort Hill was an elevated upland ridge on the eastern border of the present Parade, with an abrupt projecting slope to the water-side, which caused it to be called also a point. In the course of time it has been graded and rounded, so as to be no longer either a hill or a point. It was expressly reserved on the first laying out of the town for the purpose of fortification." "Sept. '61. "Mr. THOMSONS request of 3 pole of land by the water side upon Mill Cove." "Oct. 24. Mr. LORDS request in writing. "Mr. SAVAGES request in writing. "Mr. LOVELANDS request in writing. "A DUTCHMAN and his wife request of the towne." "Dec. 1. Three men (MORGAN, LATHAM, AVERY) chosen by the town to vew the point of land and confirme it to Mr. LOVELAND, Mr. TINKER, Mr. LANE, and Mr. STALLON, in the best way they can, leaving sufficient way to the Spring for all neighbors." "Sept. 23, '62. "Mr. PINSIONS request for a place for wharfage and building and out land. "Hugh MOLES request for a place by the water side to build vessels on, and a wharfe. "Consider to do something about the townes landing place." "Jan. 26, '62-3. Mr. PINSIONS request per Mr. James ROGERS,--the towne doe give him three pole out of yt sixe pole yt is allowed for the town a landing place, neere Sandie point, provided he build and wharfe within one yeere after this grant; the landing place to be but three pole wide." MAKING OF BREAD AND BRUING OF BEERE. "25 Feb., '61-2. Mr. ADDIS granted to sell beere." "5 May, '62. Goodman CULVER is chosen and allowed of by the towne for the making of bread and bruing of beere for the publicke good." HOLDING THE CONTRIBUTION-BOX. "15 Aug. 67. Myselfe [DOUGLAS] chosen to hold the box for the contributions and this is to be propounded to Mr. BRADSTREET to have his advise therein. William NICKOLS is also chosen for that worke. "It is voated that the men chosen to call the collectors to account shall have a letter of Aturney to impower them to do their work, and that Mr. MERYT shall write it." THE JAIL. "30 October. John PRENTIS chosen Townes attorney. "9, December. It is voted that the prison-house shall stand by ye meeting-house." IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. "No man's person shall be kept in prison for debt but when there appears some estate which he will not produce." [See code of 1650 in Col. Rec., vol. I.] "1 July, 1669. "Alexander PIGGIN hath given him some land at the head of Mill Cove, enough to make three or four pitts for dressing of leather amongst the springs. "It is voted and agreed that Clement MINER have sold him sixe acors upland over against his house upon the north side the highway that goest to Maintick, and 8 acres of swampy land near Goodman HOUGHS, which land is for consideration of 8 wolves by him killed. And the towne doth order the Townsmen to give him a deed of sale for the same." SALE OF POWDER TO INDIANS. "Nov. 20. "Left. AVERY, Mr. ROGERS, James MORGAN, Sen., and John MORGAN chosen to lay out the King's highway between Norwich and Mystick. "Wm. HOUGH, John STEBBINS, Clement MINER, and Isaac WILLEY to lay out the King's highway between New London and the head of Naintick river. "John KEENY is appointed to sell powder, shot, and lead to any Indian or Indians, he having purchased his liberty therein at 33s. to be paid to the town." "Feb. 28, 1669 [70]. "Charles HILL chosen Recorder. "Manasse MINOR is admitted an Inhabitant in this Towne." CHURCH REGULATIONS. "16 Jan., 1670-1. Mr. Edward PALMES hath liberty granted to make a seate for himself and relations at ye north end of ye pulpit. "Voted that there be 2 Galleryes made on each side ye meeting-house-[the width of two seats]." "The towne desire Mr. TINKER to be ye court confermed assistant for this year, and Oba: BRUEN for the taking of oaths and making of warrants and attachments. "The Book of Lawes is voted to be called for by the constable, Peter BLATCHFORD, and to be delivered to O. BUREN, recorder, for the use of the towne." INHABITANTS FINED. "31 March 1663. "James ROGERS, James MORGAN, John PRENTIS, and Peter BLATCHFORD, are chosen to draw a petition to the Court representing the grievances of the town. "Whereas, Cary LATHAM and Mr. DOUGLAS are by the Court fined for not fully presenting the town list, anno 1662, the town see cause to petition the Court as a grievance, not finding wherein they have failed except in some few houses. Voted, also that the rate of £358 s. 9d. as overrated £1500, by the Court in March, '62-3." "The fines were remitted in May, 1663." THE STOCKS. "16 April. "The town agree with Robert BARTLET for the making of a pair of Stocks with nine holes fitted to put on the irons for 13s 4d." "May 7. John CULVER is chosen for this next yeere to drum Saboth days and as formerly for meetings. "Francis HALL 1 hath given him two pole of land by the water side, if it be there." [1. HALL was of Stratford, but had commercial dealings in New London.] "June 9. Cary LATHAM, Mr. DOUGLAS, and Ralph PARKER were to make the Country rate by the list they made of the Town Rate in '62. Our rate according to our list being about 29l. 3s 9d. Court says 35l. 8s. 9d. "Cary LATHAM, with myself. O. B. voted to speake with the committee from Court sent to heare the Case, depending (as the Court expresseth it), betwixt Uncas and the Inhabitants of New London." "July 20. Order from the Court to make the rate 31l. 5s. and to be sent by October next." "16th Sept. "Mr. WITHERELL, Lieut. SMITH, James MORGAN, and Oba BUREN chosen to hear the grievances of the inhabitants of wrong done by the Indians and draw a petition in the towns behalf." "26 Oct. This being the town meeting, James BEMAS should have acknowledged his offence against the Major-he came not to it. "Mr. SKILLINGER propounded the sale of his land and house this day,--none offered anything." "Dec. 14. "Mr. WINTHROP hath all his land at Naihantick given him rate free for tyme to come. Also he hath given him a pond of water betwixt his land at Naihantick and the land now in possession of John PRINTICE. John PRINTICE objects against this town grant of ye pond. "George CHAPPLE hath given him 6 acres of land for a house-lot betwixt the neck fence and Jordan river, part of it buting on Jordan river." VOTES CONCERNING REV. MR. BUCKLEY. "15 Jan: '63-4. James ROGERS. Levt. SMITH, Cary LATHAM, John SMITH, and William HOUGH, are appointed to goe to Mr. BUCKELY for the settling him amongst us." "25 Feb. Old Mrs. BUCKLEYS request to be read. "Mr. BUCKLEY for enlarging maintenance yt he may keep a man and also take the getting of wood into his owne handes-if not let 10l. more be added to our town rate for wood cutting and carting, and 4l. for raising the pulpet. "Inhabitants not to entertane strange young men. Vide country order read. "The order of cardes and order of shuffleboards:--I read. "It is agreed by the towne that henceforward Mr. BUCKLEY shall have sixe score pound a yeere, in provision pay, good and merchandable, he freeing the town from all other ingagements." "April 18. "A Country rate sent to us from Hartford,--this day was the first day I herd of it; 29l. 18s 9d. "3 or 4 Listers are to chosen, one of them a Commissioner; Mr. WETHERELL, Commissioner." "Sept. 21. "To determine a more certain way for the ministry to be upheld amongst us. "The Towne have agreed that there shall be a petition drawn in the behalf of the Towne, Mr. James ROGERS, Ensigne AVERY and Mr. WETHERELL are chosen to see it be done with reference to Pockatuck pay of rates to our towne as formerly they did." "Nov. 21. "At this towne meeting it was voated that there should be Atturnye for the towne to see to the coming in of the ministers rate and other towne rates. Peter BLATCHFORD chosen Atturney." "Jan: 9, 1664-5. Peter BLATCHFORD to be paid for a voyage to the River's Mouth, about the guns, 12s." "The General Court, in May, 1660, had ordered that two great guns, with shot convenient, then at Saybrook, should be lent to New London. The above charge was doubtless connected with the removal of these pieces. Under the same date is noticed a debt of 15s. to Richard HARTLEY, for providing a 'seat for the guard in the meeting-house,' an item showing that men still went armed to the house of worship, and that the fear of sudden attacks from Indians had not subsided." THE FERRY. "Goodman BURROSE chosen ferryman for Mistick river, to ferry a horse, and a man for a groat." THE SALE OF LIQUORS. "Goodman CULVER is allowed by the towne to sell liquors, provided he shall brew also, ells not: provided also the court allow of it, ingaging always to have good beere and good dyet and lodging for man and horse, to attende alsoe to good order." "At a town meeting Feb. 25, 1664 [1665]. "The towne being desired to declare there nyndes conderning Mr. BULKLEY, it was propounded whether they were willing to leave Mr. BULKLEY to the libertye of his conscience without compelling him or enforcing him to anything in the execution of his place and office contrarye to his light according to the laws of the commonwelth. "Voated to be there myndes." "At a towne meeting, June 10. "The Towne understanding Mr. BUCKLEYS intention to goe into the Bay have sent James MORGAN and Mr. DOUGLAS to desire him to stay until seacond day com seventnight which day the Towne have agreed to ask againe Mr. FITCH to speake with him on order to know Mr. BUCKLEYS mynde fullye whether he will continue with us or no to preach the gospel." "July 10-'65. In towne meeting. "If it be your myndes yt Mr. James ROGERS shall goe in the behalfe of the towne to Mr. BREWSTER to give him a call and to know whether he will come to us to be our minister, and yt he shall intercead to Mr. PELL first to be helpful to us herein, manifest it by lifting up your hands. Voted." The person to whom this application was made is supposed to have been Rev. Nathaniel BREWSTER, of Brookhaven, L. I. 1665. "24 July. John PACKER desires that Lieftenant AVERY and James MORGAN may issue the business yt is now in contest betwixt him and the Indians at Naiwayuncke and to compound with them in the best way they can with land to satisfaction of the Indians and Goodman PACKER. Voted." "9 October. Mr. DOUGLAS by a full voate none manifesting themselves to the contrary, was chosen to goe to Mr. WILSON and Mr. ELLIOT to desire there advise and help for the procureinge of a minister for the towne." "Nov. 24. A town meeting concerning what Mr. DOUGLAS hath done about a minister." "Nov. 24, 1665. It is agreed at this town meeting that a letter be writ and sent from the town to Deacon PARKE of Roxburye to treat with Mr. BROADSTREET in the behalfe of the towne to come to us for this end to supply the towne in the works of the ministry, in which letter sent full power be given to Mr. PARKE to act in our behalf, the town expressing themselves willing to give 60 lb and rather than that the work seas, to proceed to ten pound more, giving our trusty friend liberty to treat with others in case our desire of Mr. BROADSTREET faile. "A Court order for a brand-mark and horses to be branded, this day read. "Mr. DOUGLAS confermed in his place for the Townes packer of meat. And also he was voted and chosen to brand mark all horses with L on the left shoulder and is to record all horses soe branded.: "Jan: 12, 1665 [1666]. "The return of Mr. BRODSTREET;s letter to be read. "Thomas ROBINSON to propound [for an inhabitant]. "A rate to underpin the meeting-house. "Concerning messengers to goe for Mr. BRADSTREET. "Also for a place where he shall be when he comes. Also for provision for the messengers,--some course to be taken for 5 lb for them. "The Town rate for Nihantick part . . .£26 6s 6d. "The East side ye River . . . £35 6s. 10d." "Feb. 26. It is voted that Leftt. AVERY and James MORGAN be chosen messengers to fetch up Mr. BRADSTREET as soon as moderate weather presents. "John SMITH and Goodman NICHOLLS shall receive Contribution every Lords daye and preserve it for ye publick good. "It is voated and agreed that the townsmen shall have power to provide what is needful for the Messengers that are sent to Mr. BRADSTREET and also to provide for him a place to reside in at his coming. "Mr. DOUGLAS and Goodman HOUGH are voted by ye Towne to demand the 80 pound of Mr. BUCKLEY which he stand ingaged to pay to ye towne. "Voted by ye Towne that Leifft. AVERY and James MORGAN have power to agree with any person that hath a serviceable horse to be employed in fetching up Mr. BRADSTREET and what agreement they make the towne to allowe and make good the same.: [In the Towne accounts of the next year appears due "To Goodman PRENTICE for his horse, 10s. To Goodman ROYCE for ye ministers dyet, 15lb."] "Voted that a towne rate of 40lb. Be made immediately for ye payment of Towne depts. And providing to acomadate a minister and repareing the meeting house. "It is voted and agreed that Mr. BUCKLEY for his time and paines taken in preaching the word of God to us since the time of his yeere was expired shall have thirty pounds to be gathered by a rate." "June 1, 1668. Voted by a Vnanimous consent that Mr. BRADSTREET is accepted in ye worke of ye ministry amongst vs, and that he have 80lb pr. yeare to encourage him in the worke, to ve gathered by way of rate. "Voted by the Towne that there shall be a house immediately built for ye ministry, the dimensions to be 36 foote in length and 25 in bredth and 13 studd betwixt ye joynts with a stack of stone chimneys in the midst. The house to be a girt house. "The towne are free to give for ye building of the house one hundred pound and also to father paye ye masons for building a stone chimney and glaze ye house windowes. "Voted by the towne that the house now agreed upon to be built for the ministry, and also the house and land bought of Mr. DOUGLASS together with ye land which hitherto hath been reserved for the ministry shall so remaine both houses and lands for the ministry, both to us and our succeeding generations never to be sold or alienated to any other vse forever.: Minority Rate Lists.-In the list of 1664 the number of names is one hundred and five. This includes non-residents who owned property in the town. In this list the amount of each man's taxable property is given, and the rate levied upon it is carried out. The assessment of James ROGERS is nearly double that of any other inhabitant. He is estimated at £548, and his rate £7 19s. 10d. "John WINTHROP Squire," who heads the list, is set down at £185, and his rate at £2 14s. He was at this time a non-resident. Mr. PALMES, £224; John PICKET, who is next highest to James ROGERS, £299 10s.; James MORGAN, £252; Robert BURROWS, £246, James AVERY, £236; Cary LATHAM, £217; George TONGUE, £182; John PRENTIS, £176; Andrew LESTER, Sr., £170; Edward STALLION, £169; Robert BOYCE, £163. These are all the estates over £150. Between £75 and £150 are thirty-two. It must be remembered that land at this period was of little value, and estimated low. In the list of 1666 the number of names is one hundred and sixteen, and in that of the next year hone hundred and twenty-seven. Of the whole number, four are referred to as deceased, viz., Sergt. Richard HARTLEY, Thomas HUNGERFORD, William MORTON, and Mr. Robert PARKE. About seventeen may be marked as non-residents, consisting principally of persons who had removed, or merchants of other places who had an interest in the trade of the port. Mr. BLINMAN, the ex-minister, Mr. THOMSON, the former Indian missionary, and Mr. NEWMAN, minister of Wenhan, are on the list. Mr. James RICHARDS, of Hartford, is among the number. He was probably a land-owner by inheritance from Wm. GIBBONS, who was his father-in-law, and had bought land at Pequonnuck. Mr. FITCH (probably Samuel, of Hartford), Samuel HACKBURNE, from Roxbury, and Robert LAY (of Lyme) are enrolled, as also LORD, SAVAGE, STILLINGER, REVELL, RICHARDSON, who have been heretofore notices. EXCLUDING COLORED PERSONS. "In town meeting, April 15, 1717. "Voted that this town do utterly oppose and protest against Robert JACKLIN a negro man's buying any land in this town, or being an inhabitant within s'd town and do further desire the deputies yt shall attend the Court in May next yt they represent the same to the Gen. Assembly that they would take some prudent care that no person of yt colour may ever have any possessions or freehold estate within this government. HOME