EXTRACTS

RECORDS OF COLCHESTER,

WITH SOME TRANSCRIPTS

FROM THE RECORDING OF

MICHA.ELL TA.INTOH, OP "BRAUVFORD," COM.

Transcribed, "by

CHARLES M. TAINTOR.

HARTFORD: PRESS OF CASE, LOCKWOOD AND COMPANY.

1864.

PREFACE,

THE beginning of the settlement of a Township is an important and interesting epoch in the history of a country : and its gradual progress is marked by events, a record of which is well worthy of being preserved in an available form, for all those who would pause for a moment, in this life's hurried journey, and reflect upon those who have gone before them, and occupied their places, and assumed the responsibilities that are now incumbent on themselves, in the highly favored place of their earthly abode : what their characters were, the influence they acquired and exercised over the minds of their contemporaries ; the amount of knowledge they possessed ; and the degree of intelligence that guided and characterized them in all their pursuits and relations in life ; what the motives were by which they were actuated in forming a new settlement and the objects in the far distant future that determined their courses and inspired their hopes : the many trials they experienced, the dangers they cheer- fully braved, the obstacles that presented themselves in various forms, the opposition they had to encounter, the hardships and pri- vations they nobly endured ; the energy, perseverance and courage with which they at length overcame all untoward circumstances ; and the full measure of success that ultimately crowned their un- wearied efforts. The voluntary association together of a body of men of the highest respectability, and of the first families from dif- ferent parts of the country, in the planting of a Township, is a guaranty that something of great public benefit, something durable and far-reaching, something of high National importance and perma- nent utility is contemplated and viewed through the medium of long intervening time by the self-sacrificing and energetic men who thus forego the comforts and refinements of life, which have hitherto glad- dened their pathway, for the noble and exalted purposes which inspired them. There is something extremely narrow-minded, un- natural and ungrateful in us of the present generation, who feel no interest in the shining lives and noble acts of our ancestors, through whose agency all of our high and invaluable rights and privileges were compassed and established ; who were instrumental in laying'

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broad and deep and firm the foundations of our long-cherished insti- tutions, and the whole enviable fabric, religious, social and educa- tional which pervaded and distinguishes New-England from other countries; and under her benign influence many others of the United States, through her sons and daughters who have settled in them. New-England is to the rest of America what Greece was to the surrounding nations of antiquity, the seat of science and the arts, learning, refinement, general intelligence and piety ; and shall the names, lives and memories of her illustrious and noble founders, whose descendants many of us are, be lost, unrecorded and forgotten, and ignominiously suffered to mingle in the waters of oblivion ? They were truly deserving of much at the hands of their descend- ants, for their lives were of as much importance as the lives of kings and the titled ones of the earth ; their history would be as absorb- ing, and marked with events of as much consequence ; and the his- tory of the townships with which their history is identified is as interesting as the history of kingdoms. How little do we consider how largely we are indebted to our worthy progenitors for the inheritance of these beautiful towns and cities, and the whole surrounding country, adorned and beautified as it is, and rendered so attractive by the marks of cultivation, with our school-houses, meeting-houses and high seminaries of learning, wise, humane and equal laws, and the order, industry, general intelligence and virtue which characterizes the whole population, compared with that of many other parts of the world. All of these inestimable privi- leges, rich blessings, that so highly exalt us as a people, are the results of the wisdom, courage, perseverance and virtue of our fathers, who, in the dawn of learning and civilization in the New World, were the chosen agents for the establishment and dissem- ination of th.ose elements.

To come nearer to the Township to which the following pages chiefly relate, one hundred and sixty-six years ago, Colchester was a primeval wilderness, with nothing to disturb its profound solitude but the Red man in quest of his game and fish, of which, there is no doubt, the forests, streams and ponds afforded a liberal supply for his simple necessities ; and the whole adjacent country, from Mas- sachusetts on the north to New London and Lyme on the south ; and from Middletown, Glastenbury, Hartford, Windsor and Enfield on the west, to Norwich and Windham, was then one vast hunting- ground, over which roamed the savages in procuring their means of subsistence, and in traversing from one remote point of their lands to another, with an occasional village of wigwams, as the traces of them long subsequently afforded evidence. 'Here, at that period, the Indian held undisputed sway ; but an era in their history and that of the white man was about to dawn. When our ancestors erected their habitations and commenced their permanent abode here, then was Colchester, in its unrivaled attractions, in its peerless beauty, and surpassing loveliness ; with her far-famed and richly

endowed seminary, her elegant meeting-houses and private resi- dences, her extensive manufactories and elevated society and refine- ment, in embryo — then was planted the germ that has since grown up and expanded into what we behold of Colchester at this day. All will feel constrained to acquiesce in the opinion that our forefathers possessed no small degree of good sense, penetration and foresight in selecting so naturally charming a site for their future abode : so highly susceptible of being beautified and adorned.

The Connecticut State Records at the Office of the Secretary of State furnish us with the date of the Grant and settlement of Col- chester, and contain much in relation to the troubles that the planters of Colchester experienced, and the difficulties they met with in establishing the boundaries of the Township, and the opposition and perplexity they encountered from Owaneco and Joshua, the Mohe- gan Chiefs, who were the sons of the great warrior, Uncas, and froin the Masons, Major Palmes and many others, who claimed large tracts of land within the Grant, by virtue of titles and grants ob- tained from the heirs of the great Mohegan Sachem, Uncas.

" Att a Generall Court Holden at Hartford Octobr the 13th: 1698 : This Court upon the petition of Divers of the inhabitants in the Countie of Hartford Grant Libertye for a plantation at or near the place Called Jeremiahs farme upon the Rode to Newlondon. and Captn Danll Wetherell Captn John Hamlin Mr Will Pitkin Captn John Chester Mr Richard Christophers and Captn Samll fibsdick they or the Majr part of them are by this Court appointed to be a Comittee to lay out a town Ship there beginning at the North bound of twentie mile River and So to Extend Southward to a River Called deep River And to Extend Eastward from the bounds of Haddum Seven miles" —

"Att a Generll assembly Holden att Hartford May llth 1699— Ordered and Enacted &c that, the north bounds of the new Planta- tion Lately granted at or neer Jeremies farme upon the Roade to Newlondon Shall be (as formerly at twentye mile River, and the South bounds ioyne to the North bounds of Lyme, and the west bounds to Joyn to the East bounds of Middltown and the East bounds of Haddum and the East and North East bounds to Rune to the bounds of Lebanon and Norwich" —

"A Generall Assembly Holden at Hartford Octor 13,, 1699 — Michael Taintor Saml Northam and Nath,l Foot appearing in this Assembly in the behalfe of the New plantation called Colchester and complaining that they are obstructed in the improvement and settle- ment of said plantation by reason of severall persons that claim con- siderable tracts of land within the grant of said Township, and par- ticularly severall of the inhabitants of Saybrook, This Court do therefore order that all persons claiming any lands there shall ap- pear at the Generall Court in May next and make their claims ap- pear, that so the Grantees may not be further obstructed in their settlement of said plantation and that the name of that plantation. 1*

shall be called Colchester and belong to the County of New London, and further that this act be transmitted to the severall towns where any persons claiming land, there doe reside that so they may have reasonable notice thereof."

" Att a Generall Assembly Holden att Hartford Octobr the 10th: 1 700 Whereas the Inhabitants of Colchester and those designed to gpe and Settle there, meet, with much discouragement in their Planting and Settling By Owaneco and the Moheags, that Claim Land within that township. This assembly being Sensible of the difficulties they meet with and being desirous to promote the Quiet and Comfortable Settlement of the Plantation Doe desire the Hon- ble Governr with his Councill to treat with the Moheags and to agree with them to Quitt their Claim to the Lands within that town- ship, upon as Reasonable termes as may be obtained and also to ad- vise the people and to direct them in going forward in their Planta- tion worke, and the Worshipfull Captn Samuel Mason is desired to improve his Interest in the Moheags to Promote their Compliance with the Interest of the people of Colchester — The Charge to be defrayed by the Inhabitants of Colchester — "

Thus the whole Township of ancient Colchester, embracing the present Township, and portions of Salem (in olden time called Paugwonk) and Marlborough, was granted to the original planters, and by them subsequently shared with their associate planters. Then followed divisions of the Township at intervals of time amongst the proprietors, a certain portion of the territory being included in a division. A division was then subdivided into allotments or Rights, consisting of fifty, one hundred and two hundred pound rights for which the proprietors cast lots, the number in the Draught determining for each proprietor his claim to a corresponding number in the allotments. In this way half a century, or more, elapsed before the whole Township had been divided amongst the original planters and proprietors, and the heirs of those of them who had deceased.

The lands, of little value comparatively, at the beginning of the settlement, gradually increased in value as the population and de- mand for land increased : and those of the proprietors and their descendants and heirs, who retained their rights in the divisions of lands, became substantially wealthy and prosperous. Colchester was a highly popular settlement, and the early planters were a supe- rior set of men, belonging, as they did, to many of the first families in New England : and it early attracted a brilliant array of names and genius from various parts of the country. Its location was desirable, being near Hartford, Middletown, Norwich and New London.

Micaiell Taintor, Esq., whose recording comprises the chief por- tion of these pages, was born in Brainford, Oct., — A. D. 1 052, being the second son of Capt. Michaell Taintor and his wife Elizabeth. We have no knowledge of his youthful history. We find him in

Windsor in A. D. 1 679, where he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Loomis, and after her decease Mabel (Olmstead) Butler, widow of Mr. Daniel Butler of Hartford, in A. D. 1697. He was one of the leading men in Windsor, as appears by the records of that Town, holding some of the highest offices in that Township. He was, doubtless, one of the most active in procuring the Grant of Col- chester, being in the prime of life when he removed to that place to settle. He was the first, and for a long series of years the only Justice of the Peace in Colchester ; Town Clerk for the space of thirty years, member of Conn. General Assembly twenty-six ses- sions ; Commissioner, Selectman, &c. It should be borne in mind that in those days honors and offices were conferred with reference to worth of character, only the best and most fit men being found in high stations. Then men honored an office, unlike the present day, when we find mankind seeking offices and honors through mercenary channels, to patch up characters obnoxious to scrutiny under the eternal standard of rectitude, the immutable law of Justice, and our Saviour's Golden Rule. He died Feb.,— A. D. 1731, in his 79th year.

His father, Michaell, was also a man of sterling worth and integ- rity of character, having acquired and exerted a high-toned influ- ence over his contemporaries. He was the son of Charles Taintor who was in Wethersfield in A. D. 1643, afterward Deputy to Gen. Assembly, two years, from Fairfield, and who was lost at sea with Mr. Jeremiah Jagger in Oct., A. D. 1654. Michaell was Master of a Ketch, trading out of Brainford to Virginia previous to A. D. 1650, and for several years subsequent. He was Commissioner, Judge, Deputy to Gen. Assembly. Recorder, Select-man, &c. He died in — A.D. 1672-3.

Rev. John Bulkley was from Glastenbury, son of Rev. Gurshom and his wife, (who was a daughter of President Chauncey) and grandson of Rev. Peter Bulkley, from England. " Isaac Bigloo" was from Watertown Mass. " John Bigloo a son of Joshua Bigloo of Watertown, which John Bigloo now dwells in Hartford on the east." Thomas Carrier and his sons, Richard and Andrew, were from Andover, where Martha, wife of Thomas, was executed for a witch, in A. D. 1692. Thomas Carrier had belonged to the body guard of King Charles 1st of Great Britain, and was notorious for fleetness of foot, even after he was more than one hundred years old. It is said that he killed the king of England. If so, he must have been the executioner of King Charles the 1st, in A. D. 1648. He was a Welshman. It is said by his descendents that he was one hundred and thirteen years of age at the time of his decease in A. D. 1735. Daniel Clark, " Locksmith," was from Hartford — Samuel Dickinson from Hadley — Jonathan Dunham from Haddam — Foots were from Wethersfield— Samuel Gilbert from Hartford — Benja- min Graves from New London, doubtless, originally from Hatfield — Josiah Gillet and Josiah Gillet Jan., from Windsor. The wife of

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Josiab Sen., was Joanna, daughter of Michaell Taintor of Brain- ford. She died in Colchester, in Jan., A. D. 1735, aged 83 years. John Hitchcock from Springfield — Evan Jones from Windsor ? — Kelloggs from Hatfield — Loomises from Windsor — James and Israel Newton from " Kingstown in Naraganset" — " Samuel Niels" of Kingstown (1709) — Northams from Hatfield — Nathaniel Otis from Scituate — Josiah Phelps from Windsor — " Joseph Pumery" from Northampton ? — William Shipman from Saybrook, went to Hebron about 1705, where he soon after died in conse- quence of a fall. — Skinners from Hartford ? — Deac. ." Micaell" Taintor from Windsor — James Treadway, " Malster," from Water- town — Welleses from Hatfield — Joseph Wright from Glastenbury — Israel Wyatt from Hatfield.

In conclusion, the compiler would say that Colchester and its his- tory present more than ordinary attractions to him, inasmuch as it was the home and the birth-place of many of his ancestors besides of those whose surname he bears. He traces his descent from " Quar- ter-Master Nathaniel Foot," who took an active part in promoting the settlement of Colchester; from Nathaniel Loomis, Sen., and from Nathaniel Loomis, Jr., (the schoolmaster) — from Samnel and

Ebenezer Northam — from -Skinner — from Lieut. Noah Welles

who died in A. D. 1713, and Lieut. Noah Wells who died in A. D. 1753, and Col. David Wells; and from Lieut. Israel Wyatt the son of John Wyatt of Haddam, and grandson of Edward Wyatt of Dor- chester.

CHARLES MICAIELL TAINTOR.

COLCHESTER, CONN., Feb. 13th, A. D. 1864.

THE RECORDING OF MICAIELL TAINTOR ESQ.

" JENEWARY the 28th 1715 = 16— then Jonathan kilburn of Colchester presented a mare and coult to Record as straise — the mare is of a Dark Brown Coulour Branded with Leba- non town Brand a half penne Cut on the vnder side of the of or Right eare — the Coult is a hors Coult of a Bay Couler a star in the forehead near foot white — taken Dammage fezant : & now aprised both at fowr pounds — By James Mun & Josiah Phelps — the mare & Coult Aboue mentioned is owned By Joshua Tilleson of hebron & Delivered to him by sd kilburn this 1 Day of March 1715-16

June 12th 1716 then taken vp By Ebenezer Spencer of Colchester A yong hors of about two or thre years old of a blackish Brown Couler Branded with : 4 : marked with a half pennee Cut on the under sid of the Right eare: of foot behind white — Taken vp in a sufering Condistion : & ap- prised this eighteenth Day of June abouesd : at twenty five shillings by William Worthington & Daniell Clark Junr

May 1716 Josiah Gate killed 18 Rattell snakes

at the meeting mentioned on the other side viz. Decembr 28 : 1713 Samull Northam thomas Day & ebenezer Colman ware chosen a Comittie of the school for the year insueing.

Decemb : 31: 1712: at a legall town meeting held in Col- chester—Capt Gilbert Left Wiat & Mr Dainell Clark ware Chosen Selectmen : Decembr 28 : 1713 : Micaiell Taintor was

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Chosen towne Clerk for the year insueing : at a legall town meeting held in Colchester the date aforesaid : at the same meeting selectmen wai-e chosen Namely mr Daniell Clark senr: mr Joseph Wright & Micaiell Taintor — Constables Chosen ware Nathaniell Kellogg & ebenezer Skiner — sworn — Colecterors to Colect the minestors Rate & town rate John Bigloo Noah wells & Jonathan kellogg — fence vewers Chosen ware John hitchcock & william Chamberlin — Surueyers Chosen ware : John Johnson sworn — Andrew Carrier sworn — Ephream foot sworn — Ephream Wells sworn — John homes & Samll Spencer — Listers chosen ware thomas Day Richard Skiner & John hubberd — all sworn — enspectors Chosen ware ebenezer Colman & Daniell Clark Juner — both sworn — Grand Jury men Chosen ware John addams sener Nathanll Lomis — both sworn — " further at the meeting aforesaid the town granted a Rate of 3d pence on the pownd of the ratebl estate of the towne — at the meeting aforesaid the towne granted to the Reuerant Mr Bulkly for his salery the year past sixty and five pownds — at the same meeting a Comitie was Chosen to setell the Line with hebron men betwixt hebron and Colchester — namely ebenezer Skiner Left Wiat eusine Skiner ebenezer Colman Nathanll foot —

February the 24th: 1713—14:

taken vp as strays by Josiah Gillet of Colchester a mare & Coult : the mare is Counted about seauen or eight years old of a sorrell Couler a white face & a streak of white downe the houf on the left foot — Branded on the left shoulder with MM : the Could is one year and vantage old of a sorrell Couler a White face 2 hind feet white no mark nor brand —

apprised at four pownds ten shillings By Daniell & Nathaniell Clark

July 13th 1716— Sold a black stone hors of thre years old brought in by thomas perrin of Lebanon : as forfit by law : & Condemned By us the subscribers selectmen : as not being so

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high as the law Requiers : sold to ensign Nathanll lomis for thre pownds six shillings : Micaiell Taintor — Samull Lomies

Micaiell Taintor Junr Creded for seruing thre writs : (viz.) on bakon gates & homes — 00—06 00 one on sergt Rowle : 6d : for half my Jorney & exspences to Wethersfield to fetch nailes — 00 04 00 by two shillings Guien to bye Boards- 00 02 00*

1713 Mr Thomas Alleson Credet to the town for nailes for the meeting hows Doars— 00 03 06

December ye 8th 1729 Micaiell Taintor was chosen Town clerk Ensign Foot Ensign Wells & Israel Newton ware Cho- sen Selectmen — Constables Chosen Ware Joseph Chamberlin & he to gather the Contry Rate & Isaac Jones — Way War- dens Chosen Ware John hitchcock Samuell Lomis John big- low Joseph pratt Junr pelatiah bliss andrew Carier — grand jurymen Chosen ware Jonathan Gillett & noah pumery— Listers Chosen ware mr Nathanll Otis John holms noah Clark timothy Carrier and John skiner Junr — fence viewers Chosen ware thomas adams & nathaniell kellogg Junr — tithing men Chosen Samuell fuller Josiah strong — a town Rate granted of a half penne Rate — yt is to say a half pene on ye pownd to be Raised as the law directs — Colecters to gather sd rate ware Ebenezer kellogg & Daniell Worthington,

at a town meeting held in Colchester Aprell 28th : 1730 en- sign Nathaniell foot was Chosen moderator of sd meeting — at tho meeting it was voated that swine shold be Confined from going at larg in the Comons as the law directs and prouids in yt behalf for this present yeare — further voated yt shepe may go in the Comons without a keeper for this present year — the meeting is adjorned untill the monday before the election (viz ye eleauenth Day of May next at twelue of the Clock — the town met acord- ing to adjornmt — & voated & granted to ye Reuerend mr John Bulkley that thre acers of land lying at the rear of his home lot (formerly granted for a term of years : but now the town

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grant it to him for euer on Condistion that he giue up so much as that is of his other land) to be & Remain to be Comons for euer — further at ye same meeting the town voated to Remit the towns part of the fine of ebenezer harthaway Samuell Day John Dale John Adams ye 3d & Daniell Adams — at the same meeting it was voated yt wharas at ye meeting abuesd (above- said-c. M. T.) viz Aprell 28th 1730 Ensin Nathanll foot John Bulkley Junr & William Roberds ware Chosen a Comitie with power to treat with a Comitie from labanon Respecting such Controuersis as are now Depending in ye law or other wise betwen the proprieters of this town & the proprieters of laba- non & finally to determine the same & to agre upon a line be- twen us & them & wharas ye sd Comitie haue on the eighth Day of this Instant may treated & Com to an agrement with a Comitie from labanon & now make Report thareof to this meeting — it was voated yt ye sd agrement be exsepted & yt in all ye parts thareof it be Complyed with & yt it be entered on ye town Records —

A list of the freemen of ye town of Colchester — Micaiell Taintor Micaiell Taintor Junr James Newton Samll Northam Thorn Day Richd Carrier Ebenezr Skiner Danll Clark Danll Clark Junr Lef Isreall Wyat Decon Lomis Wm Roberds Nathll Lomis Jos Wright Josiah Gellet Josiah Gillet Junr Ebenezer Dibell Capt Gilbert Jno Adams Jno adams Junr Decon Skiner Richd Skiner Nathanll Skiner Benjamin Skiner Jos Prat Nathll Kellogg Ephrem Foot Jos pumery Thorn Brown Noah Wells Jos Chamberlin Josiah Foot James mun ensign Jno Skiner Ebenezer kellogg James Brown Andrew Carrier Richard Church Mr Bulkley Jno Day Jonathan Gil- let Jonathan Kellogg Nathll Foot Ebenr Coleman Charles Williams Clement Cithophell John Chapman Senr Ephream Wells Josiah Phelps John holms William Roberds Josiah Gates Joseph foot John Johnson^ —

At a Legall town meeting held in Colchester Nouembr the

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9th : 1714 : the towne voated that whearas we formerly granted our lands to perticqler persons by a towne voat we now Do voat that for the future The granting of the undeuided lands in Colchester shall be wholy and solely in the power of the proprietors of Colchester — at the same meeting the town made Choice of Mr James Newton Samuel Northam Samll Lomis Joseph Wright & Ebenezer Coleman to be a Committ'ie to prosecute in the law & eject any & euery person that doe or shall trespass or make enterance uppon any of the Deuided or undeuided Lands within the township of said Colchester

Decembr ye 27 1714 was a towne meeting & Micaiell Tain- tor Sen was Chosen town Clerk for the year Insueing — Select- men Chosen ware Mr Daniell Clark Senr Mr James Newton & ensign Jno Skiner — Constables chosen and sworn ware Thomas Day & nathaniell Kellogg — Colectorors Chosen to gather the minesters Rate & town rate ware Jonathan Nor- tham James Newton Junr and Richard Church — granted to the Reuerant Mr Bulkley for his salery the year now almost past the sum of seauenty & thre pownds Curant Mony — ondly eight pownds of it is to find himself firewood for the year In- sueing— Listers chosen ware Benjamin adams Nathaniel Gil- bert Samuell Lomis Junr — Inspecters Chosen & sworn ware John Bigloo & Noah Weles — Surueyers Chosen & sworn ware Capt Gilbert John biglo Isreall Newton William Rob- erds Junr Jonathan Kellog & Daniell Clark Junr — Grand Juremen Chosen and sworn ware Left Isreall Wyat Nathanill foot — fenc vewers Chosen & sworn ware Josiah Gillet Junr & Isaac Dauice Ephream foot & Josiah phelps — further the towne voated & Chose a Comitie to settell the Bounds Betwixt east haddam & Colchester the Comitie Chosen ware ensign John Skiner Mr James Newton & Mr Daniell Clark senr — and also the same Comitie to settell & run the Bounds Be- twixt Midell Towne & Colchester — at the sam meeting afore- said the towne voated & Granted to Nathaniell Lomis six 2

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pownds more then that forty & one pownds which the Comitie Couenanted with him tor the makeing the seats of the meet- ing howse & other work mentioned in the sd Couenant — at the same meeting the towne granted a rate of two penc on the pownd to defray the town charges to be raised & Leuied by the list giuen unto the generall Court in October last past — at the same meeting Joseph Chamberlin John Skiner and Na- thaniell Kellogg ware Chosen a Coraitie for the schole for the year Insueing — at the same meeting leften.t Wiatt Capt Gil- bert Mr James Newton Joseph Pumery & Joseph Chamber- lin ware chosen seators to seate persons in the meeting hows — Jenewary the 4th 1714—15 was a legall town meeting & whearas theare was a towne meeting dec 27-1714 & there was seators Chosen to seats the Meeting howse : : but no ruels (rules c. M. T.) giuen them as to do the work neigehther haue the towne Dignefied the seats of the sd howse — therefore the towne haue now Dignefied the first pue next the pulpit to be the first in dignety the next behind it to be the 2d in dignety & the foremost of the long seats to be the third in Dignety : the 4th In dignetie is the second long seat & the third pue these two to be equall in estemation : the third seat to be the next In Dignety — the fourth seat to be next In dignety : the next seat in Dignety is the fourth pue : the next in dignety is the fifth long seate — the next thing is the Rules in seating & the Rules are now agreed & voated as foloweth — first the 12d : & 3d Rate for buelding the meeting hows to be Considered in Conjuntion with the present List of estates — further in the next place age with other quallefiecations to be considered — at the same meeting abouesd Ephream wels & John Bigloo : further it was voated that the seators shall also Consider the last years List with ye other abouernentioned — at the same meeting abouesaid the persons : Chosen for the seating persons in the meeting howse are the same persons chosen formerly .(viz) in Decembr 27th : 1714 are Also now againe Chosen to

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yt work : who are to do it acording to the Dignifieing the Seats & the Ruels of seating abouementioned — at the meeting aforesaid the towne voated to guie for the Incoragement of per- sons to kill wolus to guie twenty phillings a head .for wolues killed in the Bounds of the towne : the heads Bought as the law directs — whearas the towne at the meeting mentioned on the opposite side did Dignefi the seats in the meeting hows : & the Comitie haue presented to the town a draught with alteration in the sd Dignefieing the seats the town now being met together: Jenewary ye 10th: 1714—15 Did exseptofthe alteration mad By said Comittie which is as followeth : the pue next ye pulpitt to be the first — 2d in dignety is the 2d pue & the fore seat to be equall In Dignetie. 3d in Dignety is tho second seat — 4th : : is the third seat equall with ye third Pue — 5. is the fowrth seat equall with the fowrth Pue — next the fifth seat : next : 6th-7th-8th —

Colchester June 28 1715 at A meeting of the towne & pro- prietors of Colchester the sd towne & proprietors chose mr Jams Newton Ensign John Skiner & ebenezr Colman A Comittie to Joyne with a Commitie of east haddam to make exshang of Land — for the beter Conuenienc of both places — to make Alteration of the bounds Lately Run By the County Surueyer as thay shall se Cause & the sd town & proprietors do agree to abide by such alterations as shall be agreed upon By the sd Comities of Both parties — at the meeting aforesaid the town voated to glue the select men the Power to appoynt the place whare all persons shall Cut bushes that the Law Re- quiers to work in that seruice

at A Legall town meeting held in Colchester the 26th Day of Decembr 1715 the town granted a Rate of two penc on the povnd to be raised on all the poles & Ratable estate acording to the present List of this present year : to be paid in or as mony: to Defray the town charges — at the said meeting Micaiell Taintor was chosen Town Clerk — the select men

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Chosen ware Left John Skiner Micaiell Taintor senr & Decon Lomis — Constables Chosen were Daniell Clark Junr & Josiah Gillett Jun — Colecterers Chosen to gather the Minesters & town Rate were Jonathan Gillett and thomas Lomis : & that Each of them shall gather & be Responcable for the Rats in that part of the town where they Dwell : the Decision Be- twene them to Be acording to the Deuiding Line betwixt the two train Bands of the towne — Surueyers or way wardens Chosen ware Jonathan Kilbun Josia foot Thorn Jones John Day Jno hitchcock Ebenezer Coleman — Listers Chosen & sworn ware Nathaniell Lomis Junr Thomas Day Junr & Jo- seph Pepoon — fenc vewers chosen were Ephraim foot & Clem- ent kithophell — grand-Jurymen Chosen & sworn ware Sergt Joseph Prat sergt Nathaniell kellogg — at the Same Meeting the town granted to sergt Nathaniell kellogg thirty shillings pr year for sweeping & looking after the meeting bowse as it ought to Bee — at the aforesd meeting the town Granted the Reuer-t Mr Bulkley for his salery the year Past eighty pownds mony or prouision as mony — at the same Meeting the town Chose the Select men Now Chosen to Be a Comitie for the School for The year Ensueing —

at a town meeting June 12th 1716 it was voated to finish the echole hows whare the foundation of the said hows now stands — We the select men Comittie for the schooll as abouesaid haue agreed with Nathaniell Lomis Juner to keepe school twelue month & to giue him twenty and fiue pownds ten shillings — 25-10-0 & he began to keep schooll ye 17th Day of Jenewary : 1716 — the minesters Rate: & town Rate Deliuered to the forementioned Colecterors to gather & pay acording to order.

Jenewary the 8th : 1716 : 17=was a towne meeting & Micaiell Taintor senr was Chosen town Clerk for the year ensuing=at the same meeting : Benjamin Lewes John Clother Isaac Biglow John hitchcock Thomas Jones Benjamin Graues John Jonson ware exsepted and admitted Inhabetanc on Con-

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elision that thay now declareing that thay do not nether will not hearafter Claime any Right to the vndeuided Lands in Colchester neighther to the stated Commons : by this admition — which they haue now declared & Consented to — Select men Chosen ware capt Newton .Jos: Chamberlin & Left Skiner : Constabels Chosen and sworn ware Daniell Clark Junr & Jo- siah Gillet Junr — Colecterors to Gather the minesters & town Rate ware Andrew Carrier & Benjamin Graues — .Listers chosen and sworn ware : John hitchcock Isaac Rowlee — Sam- ell kellogg not sworn — Grand Jury chosen & sworn ware en- sign: Weles & Ebenezer skiner — fenc vewers chosen ware Jonathan kilburn & John Adams Jur — Way wardens Chosen & sworn all but : ware James Roberds Jno Clother william Chamberlin not sworn — William harris Thomas Jones Ebene- zer Dibell John Chapman senr & Ensin Lomis — At the meet- ing aforesaid : Daniell Clark Juner was chosen & sworn sealer of waits & Measurs — At the meeting Aforesaid the town Granted to the Reuerand Mr bulkley for his sallery for the year past the sum of eighty pownds in mony or in prouision pay as mony — at the meeting Aforesaid the town voated to Raise a Rate of one penne on the pownd to pay the town Debts — further at the same meeting it was voated to maintain a school the whole year: and that It be kept at thre seuerall places (viz) in the town plat & at the hill as it is Called (& amongst the southerly farmers) each Inhabetant in euery part to Joyne to which part or place as he shall chouse : and each seuerall place whare the school is kept shall haue the school^ kept there so long as their proportion of estates is in the Comon List — & each place To prouid a sutabell place or hows to keep school in — & If eighther place Neglect to Comply with these Artecles then the Comittie hearafter named shall haue full power to order the afair of the school as thay in thair prudence shall se Cause & the present select men are now Chosen a Comitie for the school this year.

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At a Legall town meeting held in Colchester Decernbr 30th: 1717 Micaiell Taintor was Chosen town Clerk — at the same meeting Mr Joseph Chamberlin Sergt Ebenezer Skiner & eergt Nathaniell foot ware chosen select men — Constables Cho- sen & sworn ware Sergt Joseph Pratt & ephraim foot Joseph Pratt to gather the Country Rate — Thomas Addams & eben- ezer Northam Ware Chosen Colecterours to Gather the Town & Minesters Rate — Listers Chosen ware Isreall Newton James Roberds & Samuell Brown — sworn — Grand jure men Chosen ware John Addams Junr & James Newton Junr — sworn — fence vewers Chosen ware Jonathan Northam & John hitchcock — sworn Way wardens Chosen ware ensign Nathaniel Lomis Richard Church sworn Thomas Jones John waters William Chamberlin Josiah Gates Richard Carier & Josiah foot — sworn — Clement kithophell Chosen to Digg Graues — further at the same meting the town Granted To the Reu.rt Mr Bulkley tor his salery for The year Past eighty Pounds in mony or prouis- ion Pay as mony — further voated to Giue Benjamin Chamber- lin ten shillings for beating the Drum ye year Past — further voated that sergt Prat shall haue twenty shillings for sweeping and taking Care of the meeting hows the year ensueing — At the meeting Aforesaid it was voated And agreed that thare should Be Galeries Buelt : in the meeting hows with all Con- uenient Speed — & Mr Charels Williams mr Samuell Northam & Sergt Nathaniell kellogg ware Chosen a Comitie to Carie on the work of buelding & finishing the said Galleries — further the town Granted a Rate of three half Pennys on the Pound to Defray town Charges — and finally it was voated that the surueyors of high waies shall haue Power to Call forth labour- ers to make a Bridg ouer the North meadow.

Decembr ye 22 : 1718 wras a Legall town meeting held in Colchester : Micaiell Taintor Senr was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensueing — Selectmen * * * William Worthington Joseph Chamberlin & John Skiner — Constables * * * Sergt

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Joseph pratt & Ephreaim foot — Sergt Joseph prat to gather the Country Rate — Colecterers * * John Day & thorn Jones — Listers Isaac Jones & John Northam — Grand Jurimen Decon Lomis & ebenezer kellogg — Way wardens John Johnson John biglow Noah Weles Eobart Ransom Samuell Lomis Jvnr Sam- uel brown & lef holmes — farther at ye same meeting James Newton Jvnr was chosen brander for the town of Colchester — fenc vewers Chosen ware Benjamin adams & samuel kellogg— at the same meeting Left— nt holms Leftent harris Dan iell Jones thomas Carier Samuell Knight Joseph Dalee : Dauiell galutiah ware voated Inhabetance : on that Condistion that Benjamin Lewes & others ware exsepted :

at a town meeting held in Colchester Jenewary ye 8th: 1716=17: further voted that the select men be the school Comittie for ye year Insueing — At the meeting mentioned on the other side the town voated and granted to the Reuerend mr John Bulkley for his sallery for the yeare now almost past eighty pownds in mony or prouision pay as mony — further voated to giue and grant to the Reuerand Mr bulkley for his sallery for the yeare ensueing eighty pownds in mony or pro- uision pay as mony prouided he Continue in the work of the minestry Amongst us the yeare ensuing abouesaid — further at the same meeting the town voated that euery person to whome the towne is Indebted that if thay do not bring in thair acoumlt to ye select men at the hows of Joseph Chamberlins this Day fortnight : thay shall not be paid the yeare now ensueing — fur- ther the town granted to Sergnt pratt twenty shillings : to take ye care of the meeting hows & sweep it sutabley : for the year ensuing — further at the same meeting the town voated to oblige euery person in the town of sixteen years of age and upwards to kill one Duson of blackbirds or wood peckers or gay burds : & bring thair heads to the select men : & what are killed in the months of march aprell or may: six shall be Counted as a duson : : & if any person kills more then his Duson he shall be alowed one penne pr head — & he that doth not kill his dusen

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as abouesd shall pay to the town Rate one shilling — this order to Continue for the year next ensuing — further voated that no ratell snaks shall be paid for exsept thay Can satisfie the select men that thay were killed in the months of aprell or may.

Colchester Janewary the 26th: 1718=19 was a Legall town meeting : & it was voated that Mr Liyn (?) : chool master shall be paid for keeping school for the time past : that which is Due : which is about six pounds — the one half out of the town tresury ifc the other half to be payd by the Scollers that went to the Said School — further at the same meeting the town voated to keep a school this whoole year — & that it shall be keptremoued unto thre seuerall parts of the town at the Discrestion of the select men — further at the meeting aforesaid it was further voated : that All the children from five years oald to the age of ten years that liue within one mile and half from the place whare the school is kept, shall pay to the sd school as the law Directs : whether thay go to said School or nott — & those that are aboue ten years of age shall pay ondly for the time as thay do go — further it was voated that the Colecterours shall be acountablc to the town : their proportion in gathering the min. esters & town Rate : in perticqler that is to say John Day to gather or Colect the Rates all that are within the limits of the bounds of Capt wrights train band : & thomas Jones : to gather all within the bounds of Captain Newtons train band : which the sd Colecterours define — further the town abated benjamin graucs Jonathan Cutlers & benjamin foxes minesters & town •Rats : which he was to gather.

at a legall town meeting held in Colchester Nouember ye 3d 17 19= we being Informed that at a town meeting held at hebron the sd town voated to Choose a Comittie of thre men of thair town as a Comitie to settell a deuiding line betwixt ye sd town of hebron & the town of Colchester prouided said Col- chester will also choose a Comitie of thre men of our town to Joyne with the Comitie of said hebron to settell ye line and

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to End that Controuersi — it was now voated by the town to Compile with the motion of ye town of hebron — & now to proseed to Choos a Comittie to Joyne with a Comitie that the town of hebron shall Choos to Consider & Isue yt matter of the line as abouesaid & Leftent John Skiner : Sert Nathaniell foot & Sergt Ebenezer Skiner ware chosen a Comitie to Joyn with a Comitie of the town of hebron in selling the line aboue- said— & further it was voated to stant to and abide by the line that may be agreed upon by the Said Comitie.

December 16th: 1719 : a Legall town meeting held in Col- chester for the choice of town offecers (as followeth) Micaiell Taintor was chosen town clerk — Select men, Capt Newton Lef Skiner & Cap wright — Constables Sergt Joseph pratt & Noah Wells — sergt prat to gather the Contry Rate & make up acounts with the tresurer — grandjurimen Joseph pumery & william worthington — Colecterers ebenezer dible & Isreall Newton — ebenezer dible to Colect the Rats of the Persons be- longing to Cap Wrights Company acording to the bounds in the diuision of the train bands : betwixt Capt Newtons Com- pany & said Capt Wrights Company : & Isreall Newton to gather the Rats of ye Persons belonging to Capt Newtons Company acording to the bounds abouesd=Way Wardens — Nathaniell foot Ensin Lomis Samuel knight Daniell Jones John Day John Wells ebenezer spencer — Listers — James Tredway & Joseph prat Junr — fenc vewers John Jonson & Cornelia Roberds — sealer of measurs Micaiell Taintor was chosen — sealer of waits Daniell Clark Juner was chosen — at the meet- ing mentioned on the other side Decon Lomis was Chosen Leather Sealer — further the town voated & chose a Comitie to treat