History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY
A true copy of the grant of this township of New Swansea,
lying on record at the court of New Plymouth, 1667:
"Whereas, Liberty hath been formerly granted by the Court of
Jurisdiction of New Plymouth, unto Captain Thomas Willett and his
neighbors of Wannamoisett, to become a township there if they should see
good, and that lately the said Capt. Willett and Mr. Myles, and others,
their neighbors, have requested of the Court that they may be a township
there or near thereabout, and likewise to have granted unto them such parcels
of land as might be accommodate thereunto not disposed of to other
Townships; this Court have granted unto them all such lands that lyeth
between the salt water Bay and coming up Taunton River (viz.), all the
Land between the salt water and river and the bounds of Taunton and
Rehoboth not prejudicing any man's particular Interest, and for-asmuch as
Rehoboth hath meadow lands within the line of Wannamoisett, and
W annamoisett hath lands within the line of Rehoboth, lying near the south
line of Rehoboth—if the two townships cannot agree about them among
themselves, the Court reserves it within their power to determine any
such controversy. Oct. 30, 1667.
" 1667, M arch. The Court hath appointed Captain Willett, Mr Paine,
Sen'r., Mr. Brown, John Allen, and John Butterworth, to have the trust of
admittance of Town Inhabitants into the said town, and to have the disposall
of the Land therein, and ordering of other affairs of said Town. The
Court doe Allow and Approve that the Township Granted unto Capt.
Willett and others, his neighbors, at Wannamoisett and parts adjacent,
shall henceforth be called and known by the name of Swansea.
"The Enterys above are a Copy taken out of the Court Records at
Plymouth, Nath'I Clark. And above Entrys hereof by William Ingraham,
Town Clerk.
"Whereas, Capt. Thomas Willett, shortly after the grant of this township,
made three following proposals unto those who were with him, by the
Court of Plymouth, empowered for the admission of inhabitants, and of
granting lots, viz:
"1. That no erroneous person be admitted into the township as an
inhabitant or sojourner.
"2. That no man of any evill behaviour or contentious person to be
admitted.
" 3 . That none may be admitted that may become a charge to the place.
"The church here gathered and assembling did thereupon make the
following address unto the said Capt.Willett and his associates, the Trustees
aforesaid.
"We being engaged with you (according to our capacity) in the carrying
on of a township according to the grant given us by the honored Court,
and desiring to lay such a foundation thereof as may effectually tend to
God's glory, our future peace and comfort, and the real benefit of such as
shall hereafter join with us herein, as also to prevent all future jealousies
and causes of dissatisfaction or disturbance in so good a work, doe in relation
to the three proposals made by our much honored Capt. Willett,
humbly present to your serious consideration, before we proceed further
therein, that the said proposalls may be consented to and subscribed by all
and every townman under the following explications:
" 1. That the first proposal relating to the non admission of erroneous