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

50 History of Swansea
"At a Town-meeting Lawfully warned ye 19th of May, 1670, John
Myles Jur., is chosen Clerk for this present year. John Allen, Senr., is
chosen Deputy, Nathl Chafy constable, Samuel Luther grand jurymem,
Benj. Alby waywarden, for the ensuing year.
"Mr. James Brown, Nicholas Tanner, and John Allen, Senr were
chosen selectmen for ye ensuing year.
1670. "It was ordered yt whatsoever inhabitant shall absent himself
from any Town-meeting to which he shall at any time hereafter be Legally
warned, he shall forfeit for every such absent four shillings.
"It is ordered that all lotts and divisions of land that are or shall be
granted to any particular person shall be proportioned to the threefold rank
underwritten, so that where those of the first rank have three acres, those
of the second rank shall have two, and those of the third rank shall have
one.
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(Those admitted to the first rank are recorded as Mr. ; the others with
no title. These were landholders without rank.)
At a Town-meeting Lawfully warned on ye 11th of May, 1671, Mr.
James Brown was chosen Deputy, and Hugh Cole grand juryman, and
John Martin Constable. Nathaniel Peck, Joseph Carpenter, and Zechariah
Eddy were chosen waywardens, Mr. James Brown, Hugh Cole, and Samuel
Luther were chosen selectmen.
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"At a Town-meeting lawfully warned November ye 8th, 1671, John
Allen, Snr. Hugh Cole, Nicholas Tanner, and Nathan! Peck are chosen
Baters for a Town Bate.
1671. "Those of ye first rank shaU pay three pounds twelve shillings
apiece, and those of the second rank shall pay two pounds eight shillings
apiece, and those of the third rank one pound four shillings apiece.
"At a Town meeting Lawfully warned on ye 21 May, 1672, Mr. Brown
was chosen Deputy and Thomas Barnes Constable. Thos. Lewis grandjuryman,
Nathl. Chafy & Jonathan Bozworth, & Hezekiah Luther, Surveyors
of highways; Mr. Brown, Thos Luis were chosen selectmen.
1674.—John Harding Smith, refusing to sign the "Fundamental agreement,
" was deprived of his land, and warned " to go out of the Town.
Aug. 28, 1693. " The warrant from ye quarter session was read, requiring
the Town to chuse a minister according to law; after some Debate the
meeting was adjourned for half an hour. The church by Lieutnt. Cole returned
and replied thus; that they had a minister they apprehended was
according to Law, viz.. Elder Samuel Luther, and desired the vote of ye
Town to see their assent and approbation, and after som debate ye meeting
was adjourned for half an hour, and then againe after a considerable debate
the Town-meeting was adjourned to ye 3d Tuesday in October, at 9 o'clock
in the morning at the usual place of meeting.
Oct. 17. "Chose Elder Samuel Luther minister for ye Town."
John Pain and John Cole, son of Hugh Cole, to look after & to prosecute
any breache of ye acte made about Horses, the late act published both
civil and military.
1711. Beferring to a petition for division of the town (that a Puritan
minister could be supported by taxation) by inhabitants of the western
part, "it passed in ye negative unanimously. " " If any person would supply
ye selectmen with money for ye present management of sd affairs they
should be reimbursed. " (£29 2s. were borrowed.)
1712. " Granted a fund or bank of £500, or as much more as there may
be occasion of, to maintain and defend ye Town grant and foundation
settlement."
1715. Voted that John Devotion should "teach our youth to Bead
Inglish and Lattin, and write and sifer, as there may be ocation."
1717. On a petition for a tax of "sixscore pounds" to support a Pur-
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