Town Meetings - 1757 to 1770
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]

1757. Mch. 21. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough March 21st 1757, The Town made choice of Town Officers for the year ensuing Mr. Blanie Phillips and Thomas Weston were, chosen to see and take care of the herring brooks and to see that no persons catch any herring upon any days this year only excepting Mondays and Fridays, and then between Sun rise and Sun set that herring are allowed to be caught, and then only by or near the tails of the Mills. 1757. May 16 At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough May 16, 1757. Col. Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator, and Colonel Gamaliel Bradford was chosen representative for the year. And said meeting voted that the select men should draw out of the treasury to pay Robert Stanford for keeping Jane Delanoe 14 weeks last year to the amount of Twenty nine Shillings one penny half penny. June 6. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough June 6, 1757 a vote was called to see if the Town would choose a representative, and the vote passed in the Negative. At this meeting Jurors were drawn. 1757. Aug. 29. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough Aug. 29th 1757, and said meeting was to adjust the Towns debts, and raise money to defray the same, and the particular charges are as follows, And Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator [all amounts are £, s, d] To Mr. Charles Turner's Salary 73 6 8 Ehen Sampson for Keeping Old Jane Delanoe 14 weeks 0 19 02 John Chanler 2d for Keeping Old Jane Delanoe 14 weeks 1 9 10 Gamaliel Bradford For Keeping School Master 13 weeks — making rates 4 7 4 Phillip Delanoe Town Treasurer 2 0 0 Saml.Seabury making rates 0 16 0 Saml. Alden 3 1/2 days making rates 0 14 0 Briggs Alden Boarding School Master 13 w if he makes it up 3 9 4 George Partridge Boarding School Master 10 weeks 2 13 4 Robert Stanford Keeping Jane Delanoe 30 w & Widdow Daws 4 w 3 13 7 David Delanoe Keeping Mary Daws 19 weeks 2 0 6 Abner Weston 25 weeks Keeping Widow Daws, & 1 w Keeping Old Jane 2 15 6 Benjamin Prior sweeping the Meeting house 1 0 0 Oliver Seabury Copying the rate bills 0 10 0 Abner Weston One week boarding Old Jane Delanoe 0 2 2 Thomas Weston 48 w Keeping Hannah Wormal & Sundries 6 4 02 John Wadsworth Town Clerk 13 4 0 Anthony Samson Keeping Fear Simmons 6 weeks 0 12 10 Money for the use of the schools 20 0 0 And the Town ordered that the select men should forthwith make a rate to raise these the above said sums of money, and that they were allowed to tax the Town, £4 exceeding the above debts. Voted that the £6 note of the Province treasurer that Colonel Bradford had, be given into the Treasurer of our Town, and at the same time the Town allowed Colonel Bradford four shillings for his trouble in the procuring of it. And the Town voted their acceptance of Joseph Freeman to serve as Constable in the lieu of Levi Loring who was sworn the same day to excuse said office. And the town did by vote excuse Joseph Brewster of paying his son Trueloves rate the last year, that was drouned. And the Town did by vote excuse Isreal Silvester of Paying his son Seth's rate the last year, who died, and the town did by vote excuse Nathaniel Soule from paying of James Morfews rate, provided the said Morfew who has gone away, and said Soule can never find him nor take hold of him or his estate again. And voted that Capt. Samuel Alden, Capt. Briggs Alden and Mr. Saml. Seabury be a Committee to make up accounts with the Town's trustees, about the Town's stock of School money, and make their report to the Town at the next town meeting of what there is due to the town of the interest money that is for the use of the Grammar School. 1757. Dec 12 At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough December 12th 1757. At the said meeting Colonel Bradford was chosen Moderator, and Jonathan Peterson and Thomas Southworth were drawn out of the box to serve on the Petit Jury at the next Inferior Court at Plymouth and at said meeting the town chose Jonathan Peterson their agent for to do their proportion in repairing the North river bridge. 1757. Record No. 5. Page 76. We the subscribers, Select men of the Towns of Duxborrough and Marshfield on the 27th day of October 1757, did meet and perambulate the line and renew the bounds in the manner following Viz. Begining at a large rock flat on the top near Ebenezer Fishs house, and from thence run North near 47 degrees West, by a range of marked trees, until we came to a heap of stones, being the easterly, corner of the township of Pembrook, and the northerly corner of the township of Duxborrough, and from said great rock first mentioned we run South about 47 degrees East, to a flat rock with stones on top, about 3 rods to the westward of the highway which leads by the widow Joanna Arnolds, and from said rock the same course on a straight line to said high way, and by said highway where it formerly went to a stake and stones on the Easterly side of the brook near Ezra Arnolds, about a rod up stream where the bridge now goes over said brook and from said stake and stones on a straight line to a stake and stones standing where there was formerly a great Oak tree called Poles, and from thence on a straight line to a stake and stones on the top of a hill called Duck hill. JOHH CARVER THOMAS WATERMAN SETH BRYANT Select men of Marshfield. GAMALIEL BRADFORD Saml. SEABURY JONA PETERSON Select men of Duxborrough. 1757. Nov 7. Record No. 5. Page 76 We the Subscribers Selectmen of the Towns of Duxborrough and Pembrook being met together in Record order to perambulate the line, and renew the bounds between the said Towns of Duxburrough and Pembrook, have perambulated said line and renewed the bounds as follows Viz. I begineth at a stake and stones standing on, the line in the North East side of Marshfield uplands, bearing South. Easterly about 104 rods from the Easterly corner of the land that was formerly Robert Stetsons, and from thence East South East in the range of the land that was known by the name of Marshfield Uplands, to a red Oak tree standing near a brook called Pine brook, and so on the same course to the said brook, and then returning to the afore said stake and stones it rangeth North East and by North nearest, agreeably to the former record, to a heap of stones in the Marshfield line. Ichabod BONNEY JOHN TURNER Select men of Pembrook. GAMALIEL BRADFORD Saml. SEABURY JONATHAN PETERSON. Select men of Duxborrough. The line between Duxborrough and Marshfield uplands is West North West 2 degrees West. 1758. Mch 1. Record No. 5. Page 77. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough March 1St 1758 Capt. Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator for said meeting and the town made choice of town officers for the year ensuing, and the town voted that there shall be no herring caught upon the Saturday or Sabhath day this present year, and voted that Joseph Russel should take care, and keep the herring brook clear, and to see that this vote be observed. And the town voted that Jacob Dingley should be paid for boarding the school master one quarter of a year the last.year. And Joseph Soule, Benjamin Bartlet, Thomas Hunt, Judah Delauoe, John Chanter 5th and John Wadsworth, and Select men, and Joseph Freeman man Jr are all sworn. John Phillips and Joseph Russle are sworn Abner Dingley was sworn. 1758. May 17. Record No. 5. Page 77. At a Town Meeting on: the 17th of May 1758 Mr. Samuel Seabury was chosen representative for the present year. And on May 21st the same choice was again made. 1758. Aug. 21. Record No. 5. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough Aug. 21st 1758 Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator for said meeting. And said meeting was to adjust the Town's debts, and the select men were ordered to make a rate to raise money to pay the same amounting to £115.9. 1/2. 1759. Mch. 26. A Town Meeting was held to appoint Town Officers for the ensuing year. 1759. Sept. 5. Record 5. Page 79. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough September the 4th Anno Domini 1759. Said meeting chose Gamaliel Bradford Moderator for the said day. And said meeting was to adjust the said Town's debts, amounting to £128. 4s. 3d, and then ordered that the assessors forthwith raise the afore said sum to pay the town's debts. 1760. Mch. 4. Record No. 5. Page 79. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough March 4, 1760, Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator. And the town then appointed Town Officers for the present year. 1760. May 23. Record No. 5. Page 80. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough upon the 23d of May Anno Domini 1760. Capt. Briggs Alden was chosen Moderatoi for said day and Mr. Samuel Seabury was chosen representative. And Ichabod Simmons, Elnathan Weston, Thomas Weston and David Delanoe to take care of wretched boys on the Lords day. At a public Vendue held at the meeting house in Duxborrough on June 10th 1754. And the Vendue was to sell the new pews in the said meeting house, and said pews were sold to the highest bidder. £ The Pew by the Pulpit stairs sold to Joshua Stanford 19 9 4 The Pew on the right hand of the broad aisle John Samson Jr 14 0 0 The Pew on left hand of broad aisle Israel Selvester 15 6 8 The Pew ou left of front door Nathan Brewster 20 13 4 The Pew on Right front door Joshua Loring 19 9 4 The Pew on next to this Joseph Freeman 13 6 8 The pew Next to the Samsons Gamaliel Bradford 17 9 4 The Pew Corner opposite Womans side John Huut 12 2 8 The Pew In Galery over broad aisle John Hunt 6 5 4 The Pew In Galery middle Saml. Seabury 5 9 4 The pew Corner Pew middle Thomas Southworth 5 12 0 Both hind pews in gallery Peres Loring 6 16 0 Middle Pew on Mens Side John Hunt 11 12 0 Corner Pew on Mens side Nathaniel Simmons 12 0 0 The Committee sold the refuse boards to Israel Selvester. 1760. July 28. Record No. 5. Page 81. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough July 28th 1760. Capt. Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator for said day, and John Wadsworth Clerk of said meeting. The meeting, was to adjust the town's debts, and to raise money to defray the same amounting to £132.19.3, And voted that the assessors tax the town for the above mentioned sum. Voted that the assessors make the County tax with the town's. Voted that Thomas Weston keep Jane Delanoe a year as he promised to do for 3 shillings pr week which is, £7.16.0. Voted that Jonathan Peterson, Ezra Arnold and Joseph Freeman be a Committee to regulate the Jury box and that the Committee have power to put the select men for the time being in to said list of Jurors. Voted that Mr. Judah Delanoe Town Treasurer or his successors in that office, be empowered by the Town, to settle with the present Trustees upon the Bonds for the money and interest for the support of the school, and to take the Bonds into his own hands, and to collect the interest that is yearly due there on, and to be accountable to the Town for the same. Voted that Eight foot of the second seat of the womens side in the upper end, be partitioned off for the use of deaf people. Voted to give Nathaniel Samson 3 shillings pr week to keep Mary Daws 7 weeks longer which he promised to do which is £1.1s. 1761. Mch 16. Record No. 5. Page 82. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough upon the 16th of March 1761 Gamaliel Bradford Esq was chosen Moderator for said day. The Town then chose John Wadsworth Town Clerk, and was sworn accordingly to do his duty. Town Officers and Grand Jury men were then chosen. May 18. At a town meeting May 18th, 1761 Capt. Briggs Alden was chosen Representative for the year ensuing. 1761. Aug. 3. Record No. 5. Page 83. At a town meeting held in Duxborrough Aug 3d 1761 Gamaliel Bradford Esq was chosen Moderator, said meeting was to adjust the towns debts and the charges amt to £156.11.3. Voted to make the County tax with the towns. Voted liberty to the select men to make the rates bigger by £8. Voted that the select men forthwith make the rate. 1762. Mch 22. Record No. 5. Page 84. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough March 22d 1762. Gamaliel Bradford Esq was chosen Moderator and John Wadsworth Town Clerk. The town then appointed the other town officers, and adjourned to the 31st of March. March 31st At the adjourned meeting the Town chose Town Officers. 1762. May 17. Record. NO. 5. Page 84. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough May 17th 1762, Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator, and Major Briggs Alden was chosen Representative for the year ensuing and Col. Bradford, Major Briggs Alden, Capt. John Southworth, Mr Samuel Seabury and Mr Jonathan Peterson, a committee for said town to prepare a draugh and give an answer, and the reasons why the prayer of the petition that is now subsisting in the General Court by Amos Ford and sundry other inhabitants of the North End of Duxborrough, why the prayer should not be granted. And MajOr Briggs Alden was chosen Agent by the town, to give in to the General Court the reasons and manage the affair and why the petition of Amos Ford and sundry other inhabitants of the North End of Duxborrough, that is now subsisting at said Court why the prayer thereof should not be granted. 1762. Sept 16. Record No. 5. Page 85. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough September 16th 1762, Jonathan Peterson was chosen Moderator, and said meeting was to adjust the Towns debts and raise money to defray the same. Amt £147.12s.71 and voted that the Select men should forthwith make a rate, and Voted that the Selectmen should lay out a high way along by the mouth of Island Creek Pond as they think proper, and is wanting, and said meeting the Town gave full power to Mr. Judah Delanoe, the town's treasurer to sue Out the several bonds the town has against or of several persons, for the Money they had of the town, that was appropriated for the nse of a Grammar School. 1763. Mch 14. A Town meeting for the choice of Town Officers. 1763. May Record No. 5. Page 86. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough May 1763. Major Briggs Alden was chosen Representative. 1763. Sept 12. Record No. 5. — 86 At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough Sept. 12, 1763. Said meeting, was to adjust the Towns debts and raise money to pay the same amounting to £184 7.5 and the town voted to raise said sum by a Town tax. 1764. Mch 5. A Town Meeting for the choice of Town Officers. 1764. Recorn No. 5. Page 88. Where as the Town of Duxborrough at a meeting in said town on September the 16th 1762 voted that the select men should lay out the way for the use of the Town, as the way now goeth by the mouth of Island Creek pond, as they shall think proper and convenient for the use of said Town, Agreeably we began as follows, Begining at Plymouth road On John Wadsworths land near the north corner of the Widow Deborah. Thomas farm, ranging North 67 degrees West, 4 rods to a black oak tree standing on said Wadsworths land, thence North 67 degrees West, 20 rods, thence North 60 degrees West 34 rods, to a stake and stones in a Valley, about 6 paces to the North of the Middle of the road, thence West, 1 degree South, 10 rods, to a red oak tree standing on the same side of the road about 10 paces from Ureith Wadsworths corner of his wood pasture, thence North 77 degrees, 42 rods to a red oak sapling marked on four sides, when the road turns to the Southward, thence South 37 degrees West, 38 rods, to a stake and stones standing on Joseph Brewsters land, about 5 paces on the North side of the road, thence South 87 degrees West; 43 rods, to a stake and stones, standing on John Hunts land just on the descent of a hill, thence South 55 degrees West down the hill 27 rods, to a white oak standing close to the swamp at the foot of Tobys Garden hill on the same side of the way, thence South 35 degrees West, 11 rods to a stake and stones near where the roads part, and where one goeth down to Wadsworths wharf, thence North 82 degrees West, 26 rods to a pine tree standing close to said road on the same side, thence North 59 degrees West, 18 rods to a stake and stones, thence North 88 degrees West 24 rods to a stake and stones by it, Thence South 72 degrees West 24 1/2 rods to a red oak tree with a great stone by it, thence. North 69 degrees West, 9 rods to a Black oak tree marked, near three great stones, thence South 63 degrees Wrest 13 rods to a small rock on the West side of the pond brook 1 rod and 7 links, to the West of said brook, thence West 8 degrees South 4 rods to a great rock on the North side of said road, and from said great rock North 71 degrees West 54 rods to a Stake and Stones by the fence that Paul Seahury lately set up, thence North 88 degrees West, 37 rods to a red oak tree standing close by said road on the North side, thence North 51 degrees West 6 rods, to a black oak tree; thence North 33 degrees West, 6 rods to a black oak tree, thence North 51 degrees West 20 1/2 rods to a red oak tree, thence North 56 degrees West, 32 rods to a sapling Pine tree on Oliver Seabury's land within 1 rod of Elephalet Bradford's range, thence North 10 degrees West 6 rods, to a white oak stump on the North side of the road where said road comes to the old County road at the school house standing at a point of land belonging to Joseph Freeman, and all the above bounds stand on the Northerly side of said road, and the road is to be on the Southerly side of said bounds, and to extend in width the space of 30 feet and to continue and remain for a highway for the use of the town, for time to come as it has been for many years past, which way was laid out by us the subscribers in Nov. 8th 1763. In witness where of we have set our hand. PELEG WADSWORTH. WAIT WADSWORTH. 1764. July 30. Record No. 5. Page 90. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough July 30th 1764 Colonel Bradford was chosen Moderator, and said meeting was to adjust the Town's debts, and to raise money to defray the same, amounting to £173.1s.1d. And at said meeting the Town chose Major Briggs Alden their Agent to join the other Agents to act for them in repairing the bridge at North river, and the Town by their vote show their willingness to have the bridge built or repaired with wooden work as needful provided the other committee comply with it. 1764. Sept 26 At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough Sept. 26, 1764. Briggs Alden Esq. was chosen Moderator, and the town voted to raise £9.07d lawful money towards repairing North river bridge. Jurors were drawn at this meeting. 1765. Mch 25. Record No. 5. Page 91. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough, March 25th 1765, Gamaliel Bradford was chosen Moderator, John Wadsworth Town Clerk, and took the oath of a clerk. Also the Town officers were chosen at this meeting. Deacon Peleg Wadsworth and Thomas Chanler were chosen to take care of Island Creek Herring Brook, and the laws they are to see that they are observed about the herring, but the town voted that the water may be stopped till the 15th day of April, and no longer, and the town voted that the herring must be caught no where upon the said brook, but within 10 rods of the mill tail, and but one day in in the week during the time limited by law, and that is every Monday in the week in the day time between Sun rise and Sun set, and Amiziah Delanoe and William Simmons are chosen to take care of the herring brook upon the Grist Mill Stream, and the stream is to be opened for herring to run, by the 10th of April next, and no herring to be caught during the time limited by law for herring to run, but only on every.Monday during said time, in the. day time and only between Sun rise and Sun set,. and only to be caught below the country road, and not below the old Waste Way, and said Agents are to see that the herring have a passage down. And said Town voted to give Major Arnold £2 136.4: for to find. and provide the Town School with fire wood for the year ensuing. May 13. At a Town meeting held in Dnxborrough on the 13th of May 1765. Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator and their agent to answer the Towns presentment about the gates that were erected upon the highways, at the next Superior Court, and Representative for the year ensuing, and the town did by their vote give up all their right title and part of the fine money that was due to the town from Joseph Freeman, Benjamin Loring, Oliver Seabury and Paul Seabury for transgressing the law relating to the herring brook at Island Creek Pond, and then said town proceeded to draw Jury men. 1765. July 24. Record No. 5. 92. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough July 24, 1765 said meeting was to adjust the Town's debts, and to raise the money to defray the same amts to £215.17.11. And at said meeting Jury men were drawn. THE STAMP ACT. 1765. Oct. 21. Record No. 5. 93. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough October 21st 1765, Major Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator. The said meeting was to see whether or no the Town would willingly comply or unite with the late act of parliament and rest contented with the stamp act as it now stands with the English Empire in America, or else show their resentment against said act, and to use any measures or means that they shall think proper for to prevent said acts being imposed upon us, by giving their representative instructions to stop said act, or to use any other means they shall think proper. And then the vote was called by the Moderator to see if they would receive the Stamp act, and it was voted in the Negative, and the Town chose Capt. Wait Wadsworth, Capt. John Wadsworth, Ebenezer Bartlet, Isaac Partridge and Ezra Arnold their committee to prepare a draft, and to give their reasons why the Town would not accept of said act, and to show so far as they were capable of it. And then the meeting was adjourned to the 23d. inst. And then the said Town met, and the said Committee prepared a result with their reasons against said Act, and gave their representative the following instructions, and voted it should be here recorded, which is as follows, To Briggs Alden Esq Representative of the inhabitants of the Town of Duxborrongh in the Great and General Court of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England. SIR, Whilst all America is in a ferment, and every patriotic Breast is glowing with resentment at the heavy and intolerable burdens imposed upon us by the late Act lately passed in Parliament of Great Britian, We your constituents, the free holders and other inhabitants of the ancient and first incorporated Town of Duxborrough, think it their incumbent duty to inform you of their sentiments upon this important and alarming affair, that you, Sir, may be able in the approaching session of the Great and General Court, to act according to their declared minds: We esteem the said Stamp act to be unconstitutional and subversive of the rights and privileges of his Majesty's American Subjects, contrary not only to the Royal Charter granted to our Ancestors, and to Magna Charter, the great Charter of British liberty, but likewise to the grand prerogative of human Nature, and to that liberty wherewith Our Blessed Lord hath made us free: We likewise think that if this act should take place in this Province in the present distressed condition, we should be involved in inevatable ruin. We do now therefore enjoin and instruct you that you neither directly nor indirectly be aiding, favoring, countenancing, assisting or any other ways instrumental in promoting the putting the said Act in execution, but that you oppose the same with all the eloquence and address you are master of, and that you use your utmost endeavors to vindicate our precious rights and privileges, those privileges for which our fore fathers bled, for which those Heroic spirits bid adieu to the tyranical government to the ill boding name of the Stuarts, travelled the vast Atlantic, and sat down in these then deserts of America, and for which Sir, we their descendants esteem dearer to us than our lives. We likewise enjoin it upon you to oppose in the strongest manner any motion or motions that may be made in the General Assembly, to make a relation or compensation for the riotous proceedings at Boston. 1766. Mch. 31. Record No. 5. Page 96. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough March 31st 1766 Colonel Bradford was chosen Moderator. And the Town then chose the town officers for the year ensuing. The town gave liberty to Joseph Drew and his partners to build a dam and Gristmill on Blue fish river, and to keep up said dam so long as he shall keep the Mill in good repair for grinding corn or grain provided said Drew and partners shall make good and save the Town harmless from all damage that may arise or happen by said Mill Pond flowing the marshes or land of the owners, lying above said dam. And the Town voted to give away, and that half the Town's stock of powder shall be used in rejoicing that the Stamp act is repealed. And voted that their town treasurer prosecute all persons that have or do bring in any persons unto this town, by receiving them into their houses or enclosures, and have not followed the direction of the law thereunto belonging. And the town voted to accept of the high way that the select men have laid out in the Captain's Nook up to Plymouth road. And the town voted that Col. Gamaliel Bradford should prefer or present a petition to the General Court in order to prevent the distraction of the Bass in North river in the winter season, and that Col. Bradford should present a petition to the General Court in order to prevent the cattle from feeding on the beach in order to secure or save the harbor, and said Col. Bradford was chosen Agent for the above said purposes. 1766. May 19. Record No 5. 97 At a town meeting held in Duxborrough May 19th 1756. The town voted that their Select men should inspect and see whether or no there is any thing yet due her as a part of her legacy out of her farthers estate, or her portion which may be yet coming to her, because she is at present maintained by the town, and the person so maintained by the town is Content Simmons, July 31 A Town Meeting was held to adjust the Towns debts, and to raise the money to defray the same amt to £192.18.10. And the same day John Hanks took Elnathan Weston to keep 39 weeks at 3 shillings pr week. Benjamin Simmons took the widow Fear Simmons at 2 shillings pr week, and the Select men have agreed with the widow Glass to keep her mother 35 weeks. Where as we the Select men of Duxborrough being required by sundry of the inhabitants of said Town to lay out a high way from the Captains Nook up to the Plymouth road, which we have done in the following manner, Viz Begining at a large stone pitched in the ground in the line between Capt. Wait Wadsworth and Ebenezer Bartlets, thence North 12 degrees East, to the line between the Brewsters and Said Bartlets land, thence North, 7 degrees West, to the South Westerly corner of the land belonging to the heirs of Thomas Prince that lies on the East side of said way, thence North 10 degrees West, 52 rods to said Princes heirs, North West corner on the East side of said way, and in the line of Israel Silvester, thence North 14 degrees West, 46 rods to a stone set in the ground, thence North 27 rods to the East end of the Nook Gate, thence North 8 degrees West, 18 rods to a stone set in the ground, thence North 3 degrees West, 10 rods to a stone set in the ground, thence North 12 degrees West 8 rods to the South West corner of a yard made of board fence adjourning to said Silvester's Northermost house, thence North 24 degrees West, 16 rods along close by said Silvesters Shop or small building, by said way to a stone set in the ground, thence North 16 degrees West 10 rods to a stone set in the ground, thence North 304 rods, to a stone set in the ground, a little to the Southward of the Southwest corner of Joshua Cushing's Cooper Shop. And now it is to be understood that this above said highway is to be 30 foot wide, and it is to be on Westerly side of this the above said line as the courses and distances are run, and the way is allowed through Gates from the Nook gate downward or Southerly from the Nook gate so far as we have laid the way out, and further, there is a way through Capt. Wait Wadsworth's land, down to the salt bay, where it may be the most beneficial and least prejudicial to each other, forever. And then we began again where we left off, at a stone set in the ground near said Cushings Shop, thence North 62 degrees West, along by the North east side of Jacob Peterson's Smith Shop, and his shed house 64 rods to the corner of land, thence North 25 degrees West, 2 rods to the corner of Benjamin Prior's land, thence North 62 degrees West, 24 rods, thence North 83 degrees West, 10 rods to Jacob Petersons corner, thence. North 79 degrees West, 54 rods to a stone set in the ground, thence South 72 degrees West 4 rods, thence South 57 degrees West, 5 rods, Thence South 81 degrees West, 5 rods, thence North 75 degrees West, 6 rods, thence North 56 degrees West 20 rods, thence North 67 degrees West, 14 rods to a marked tree with stones about it thence North 80 degrees West, 10 rods to John Wadsworth's corner, thence South 85 degrees West 24 rods to a stone pitched in the ground by the King's highway. And this said way is 30 foot wide from where we began again at a stone pitched in the ground, near said Cushing's shop, and the road is to go upon the North East side of this line aforesaid up to the King's highway, and is to be an open town road quite down to the Nook Gate, and from the Nook Gate downwards to the Southward, it is to be a town road through gates. This above said way was voted and accepted at a Town Meeting Mch 31st 1766 and is now recorded. EZRA ARNOLD JOHN WADSWORTH pr Select men. JOHN WADSWORTH, Town Clerk. 1767. Mch 24. Record No. 5. 99. At a town meeting held in Duxborrough March 24th 1767. Col. Bradford was chosen Moderator, John Wadsworth Town Clerk, and was sworn. The town then elected the various Town Officers, and also voted Briggs Alden Esq, Capt. Wait Wadsworth and Mr. Ezra Arnold for the Committee to go and examine the claim of General Winslow and Col. Thomas, and to see what titles they have unto Duxborrough beach, and make a report of, what they find relating there unto, at next May meeting. And at said meeting they voted that the select men should hire a work house and to drive the poor of the town into it, and to see all the business relating to the poor carried on in it according to the laws of this Province. Jury men were then chosen and drawn. And the town also voted that the select men should build a place in the South East end aloft in the meeting house, to keep the Town's powder in. And at said meeting, the Committee appointed by the Town of Duxborrough at their meeting in March 24th 1767 to confer with, and examine the claims that General and Edward Winslow have to the beach commonly called Duxborrough beach, have attended that service and are of the opinion that the said Winslows have no legal claim or title to said beach. BRIGGS ALDEN, EZRA ARNOLD, WAIT WADSWORTH, Committee. 1767. July 27. No. 5. Page 100. Record At a Town Meeting held at Duxborrough July 27th 1767. Major Alden was chosen Moderator and said meeting was to settle the towns debts, and to raise money to pay the same amts to £155. 15s.10 1/2d. And Wrestling took Elnathan Weston to keep one year. 1767. Nov. 30. Record No. 5. Page 110. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough, November 30th 1767. Isaac Partridge was chosen Moderator, and the town chose Major Briggs Alden their Agent to answer the presentments made by the Grand Jury relating to the defective ways in said town, and the town voted that the select men should lay out the way that leads from Plymouth into Powder Point. Voted to concur with the town of Boston relating to a vote there lately passed to encourage the manufactures of this Province. Voted to allow John Sprague 15 shillings old tenor per week for keeping Zenobia Bartlet 7 months. 1768. March 14. Record No. 5. Page 101. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough March 14th 1768, Major Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator, John Wadsworth Town Clerk, and was sworn. The town then elected town officers for the year ensuing. The town voted that Major Alden be allowed to set up a gate across the high way that leads to Powder Point near the dwelling house of Amaziah Delanoe's, provided the said Alden gives or allows a good cart way through his way as is usual, into Powder Point and no longer. And the Town voted that their Representative should use all the interest that lies in his power to procure an act made for levying an excise upon spirituous liquors, at the next sitting of the General Court. Voted to come into a new method about taking care of the Poor of the town, and to have the excise laid upon spirituous liquors as in the years 1764 & 1765. And the Town voted that Jemima Weston should take her husband away from Wrestling Alden, for the term of one year, and put him where she pleases, provided the said Jemima can get him kept as cheap, as Wrestling Aldens agreed with the town to keep him, and then the meeting was adjourned to the last Monday in the month at 3 o clock in the afternoon. Said meeting met again upon said adjournment, and Jurymen were drawn. And the Town voted that the select men do discharge Zenobia Bartlet from the care of the town, provided she produce a person whom the select men shall judge sufficient, that will enter into bonds that she, shall not be chargable to the town for the space of one year, and whensoever she becomes chargable, the things she now possesses shall be produced as good as they now are, except what they are impared by proper usage to be deducted, and Jacob Peterson and Robert Samson were chosen Sabhath Wardens. May 16. John Wadsworth was chosen representative. 1768. July 25. Record No. 5. Page 102. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough July 25, 1768, The said meeting was held to adjust the Town debts, and to raise money to pay the same amts. £221.198.3d. Voted that Zenobia Bartlet should take away all her household goods and things from Wrestling Alden's and use them to her best advantage. And the same day at night Judar Delanoe Content Simmons at Public Vendue to keep this year for 18s old tenor pr Week one year is £13.18.01 and John Simmons was Vendued to Ebenezer Delanoe for 59s pr. Week old tenor which is a year £20. 16s and Elnathan Weston was Vendued to Mary Weston for 39s old tenor pr. Week which is for a year £13.18.01. 1768. Sept. 19. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough Sept. 19, 1768 Colonel Bradford was chosen Moderator, and Capt. John Wadsworth was chosen to join the Committee of Convention on the 22d day instant to consult with the Convention for the service of the Province. 1769. May 25. Record No. 5. Page 102. At a Town Meeting in Duxborrough May 25th 1769 Colonel Bradford was chosen Moderator and John Wadsworth was chosen Representative for the year ensuing. And Colonel Bradford, Major Alden and Mr. Ezra Arnold be a committee to make up accounts with the Town treasurer. 1769. Mch. 20. Record No. 5. Page 103. At a Town Meeting held in Duxborrough March the 20th 1769, Col. Bradford was chosen Moderator and John Wadsworth Town Clerk, and was sworn in. Other town officers Were then elected, and the meeting adjourned to Tuesday next at four o clock. And then the Town met again, and passed laws for the protection of herring. Also voted to build a powder house. 1766. Mch. 4. Record No 5. Page 103. Where as we the subscribers, select men of Duxborrough being requested by sundry inhabitants, to lay out a high way on the West side of South river through the land of Bazaleel, and Wrestling Alden's land and so upward, and we began at a heap of stones on the Westerly side of the said river, to the Southerly side of a cart path that is now used, thence North 85 degrees West, 6 rods, thence South 67 degrees West, 36 rods, thence South 53 degrees West, 8 rods, thence South 65 degrees West, 38 rods, thence South 53 degrees West, 8 rods, thence South 65 degrees West, 38 rods, thence South 53 degrees West, 11 rods to Abner Samson's corner, thence South 41 degrees West, 20 rods, thence South 59 degrees West, 6 rods, thence South 76 degrees, 14 rods, thence South 87 degrees West, 7 rods, thence South West 13 rods, thence South 56 degrees West 24 rods and thence South 65 degrees West, 14 rods, thence North, 84 degrees West, 4 rods 16 links, a little to the Northward of Nathaniel Samson's well and dwelling house, and we have laid out the way 30 foot wide upon the Northerly side of said line, and then we laid out the way further by the Northerly side of Nathaniel Samson's fence as it now stands until it takes the old road, and then the way to be continued as the way now goes, 30 feet wide until it comes to Boston road at the four mile hill. In testmony whereof we have hereunto set our hands March 4th 1766. BRIGGS ALDEN, EzRA ARNOLD, JOHN WADSWORTH, Select Men. 1770. Mch 20. Record No. 5. Page 114. At a Town meeting held in Duxborrough March 20th 1770, Major Briggs Alden was chosen Moderator, and Mr. John Wadsworth Jr. Clerk for said day. This meeting was for choice of Town Officers. Also voted to receive William Loring and family for inhabitants of this town. May 25. Capt. John Wadsworth was chosen Representative for the Year ensuing.