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

34 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1724-1725.
any town in the valley, but tlie Indians, constantlj^ on tlio
alert, fell upon such, small unguarded companies of the settlers,
engaged in their daily tasks, as came in their way.
No Fortifications Very little seems to have been done in the
deemed Nee es- way of fortification during this war. But
^^^^'
a single item of that nature appears upon
the town books. In December, 1724, among the accounts,
allowed and paid by the Treasurer, is one for five loads of
"poles" for "M'" Stoddard's fort, 2 lbs. of candles and
wood and poles for the watch," the whole amounting to
46s. 8d. Mr. Stoddard's fort must have been either a pali-
sade about his house, or a tower or place of rendezvous for
the guard. The former method of enclosing the town with
palisades was not again employed. A few years afterwards,
during the next French and Indian war, a system of fortified
houses was adopted. Other " forted houses " may have
existed at this time, but in all probability the fortifications,
if any, were erected by their owners and not at the public
expense.
Schoolmaster's
No material interest of the town was neg-
Wages Increased, lectcd ill coiisequeiice of the unsettled state
of affairs, Though the citizens quarrelled
among themselves, they were apparently united in carrying
forward the work of sustaining those institutions that were
vital to the welfare of the com^lunit5^ For a number of
years the schoolmaster had been paid at the rate of £40 per
year. An increase of £5 was voted in 1725, wlien Mr. Allis
was employed. That sum was to be paid him for two
years " provoided He Continue in the School among us."
Mr. Samuel Allis ^ lived in Hatfield, and there is an entry
of 3s. paid "for going to Hatfield after the schoolmaster,"
The next year he was paid £48.
The Sewer contro- A divisiou of Sentiment of some yearsversy
Becomes a standing, existed ill the community, arising
Political Factor. . . .
^ , ,. ,^ , n.
troni questions growing out of the acts of
the sewer commission appointed to change the channel of
1 Samuel Allis was the son of Ichabod Allis of Hatfield. He was graduated at,
Harvard College and ordained at East Enfield in 1737.