History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

88 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1738.
meeting-lioiise hill, and it was found necessary to cart away
considerable sand before the foundation was laid. Undoubtedly
it was placed very nearly on the site of the
school-house that had been removed. It faced the stores
recently known as " Kirldand block,"' at one time the residence
of Hon. Lewis Strong, now Lambie's block. The
door was in the center of the south front ; it had four windows,
and on each side of the room were seats or benches
for spectators, facing inwards. The judges occupied a platform
on the side opposite the door. ^ Ebenezer Pomeroy
had been High Sheriff, and had charge of the erection of
this building. His account shows that the structure cost
£203.13, and Northampton, according to agreement, paid
one half the amount as well as its taxable proportion of
the other half. This was the first town hall, as well as the
first court-house, ever built in Northampton. It was occu-
pied jointly by both parties for about twenty-seven years,
when it was superseded by another structure built by the
county, expressly for a court-house, in 176 J.
Southampton Taxes Straugers and otlicr persons not interested
Voted to that Pre- i^ the meadows, were prohibited from
turning their cattle into the common field,
in 1738. The same year the money assessed at the "new
place," Southampton, was appropriated "for the ministry
or building a new meeting-house, except what was needed
for highway purposes." No meeting-house, however, was
built there for several years.
A Plurality Rule iu Heretofore all elections for town oflicers
Elections Adopted.
i;^y,(j heen decided by a majority vote. In
173^, this method was changed and a
plurality deemed sufficient in the election of selectmen. It
was decided that those "five men that have more votes
than any others," should be declared elected. No explana-
1 This building was square, a story and a half in height, with what is known as a
hip roof, rising from each of the four sides, and coming to a point at the apex. Th©
lumber used iu its construction was nearly all brought down the river from Deerfleld
and Bernardstou. After the second court-house was built it remained unoccupied
for about three years, when it was sold iu 1783— the town and county joining in the
transfer—to Robert Breck, for £8,17. He removed it across the road, to the vicinity
of the site of the First National Bank, and for a long time it was occupied as a store.
Finally it was removed to Market Street, fitted up and used many years for a dwelling,
but has since been demolished.