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

lira.J POLITICAL MATTERS— CENSUS— JAIL—NEW TOWNS. 333
contribute Sumthing for the incorraigment of the Same Espeatially if
no more that you would Grant that we may haue our minister raits
alowed iis that we Shall be the better able to Support the word preacht
among our Selves—and that you would order Sumthing relitive to
Schooling as you in your wisdom Shall See fit—the other things we
leav at your Disscretion nothing Douting but you will grattify us in
this or sum other way as may be tliot proper as your petitionors Shew.
•' And as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray."
This document was signed by Josliua Claflin and fifteen
otlier persons, residents in that section of the town. The
above modest thougli ill spelled request was granted on
condition that the money allowed should be applied to pay
for preaching among themselves. At the next annual
meeting £8 were appropriated to the ''4 miles of Long
Division " for preaching. Again in the following year £9
were granted to the inhabitants of " Westhampton/' viz. :
"those who live on Long Division, within four miles east
of the west line of Division for preaching and schooling."'
Though the name Westhampton is upon the records, the
new town was not incorporated till four years after. Every
year an appropriation was made ; in 1776 one of £9, and
the next year another of £15.
A Meeting Protracted In 1772, the Marcli meeting was adjourned
by Adjournment. fj-Qm the 3^ to the 23^ then to the IS''' of
May, and then to the first Monday in
July. These meetings were mainly occupied with the laying
out of roads and the settlement of damages. While
this meeting was thus carried forward by adjournment,
another was called in May and that was adjourned till
July 6'".
The Pauper Ques- Every tovvu eudeavored to relieve itself of
tion Agaiu. ^he care of ijaupers whose legal settlement
was elsewhere, and summary methods of
removal were often used. The selectmen in 1772 were
'' desired (as occasion may from time to time require) to
use their Discretion in endeavoring a removal of all such
persons who have no legal settlement here as they are apprehensive
may become chargeable to the town or who are
likely to prove bad or troublesome neighbors, altlio they
may be members of the church here." Many persons had