2

12

Fits

16

Measles

Casualty

5 Elephantiasis

31

Neurosis

1 [ Suicide

*Malignant Rheumatic

3

Jaundice

BOSTON VOTES.

The following regulations, adopted on the 30th November, 1635, I have transcribed from the third page of the first volume of Records of this town, as fairly exhibiting the views of the earliest settlers. To such sources, which have not been exhausted even by the unequalled diligence of Hutchinson and Hazard, must every man resort, who would thoroughly investigate the causes of modern customs, the cunabula gentis nostrae. The last item will be duly appreciated, when the reader recollects, that Vane, who was next year chosen governour, had arrived in our colony only in the preceding month.

"AT a general meeting upon publique notice,

Σ.

Imprymis it is agreed that noe further allotment shall be graunted unto any new comers, but such as may be likely to be received members of the congregation. Item that none shall sell their houses or allotments to any new comers, but with the consent and allowance of those that are appointed Allotters. Item that all such as have allotments for habitations allotted unto them shall build thereon before the first of the first month next, called March, or else it shall be in the power of the allotters to dispose of them otherwise. Item that Mr. William Hutchinson, Mr. William Colborne and Mr. William Brenton shall set pryses upon all cattell, comodities, victualls and labourers and workmens wages and that noe other prises or rates shall be given or taken. Item that none of the members of this congregation or inhabitants amongst us shall sue one another at the lawe before that Mr. Henry Vane and the twoe Elders, Mr. Thomas Ollyver and Thomas Leverett have had the hearing and desyding of the cause if they cann."

A DESCRIPTION OF BRIDGEWATER, 1818.

BRIDGEWATER, which is now one of the largest towns in the commonwealth, was originally a plantation belonging to Duxbury. Soon after that town was incorporated, the inhabitants applied to the Court at Plymouth for a grant of lands, or, as they expressed it, "an extension to the westward." The first order of court respecting it was in August 1644, as follows.

"Upon the petition of Duxbury men, it is thought good by the Court, that there be a view taken of the lands described by them, namely, seven miles up into the woods from Plymouth bounds at Jones' river. And if it prove not prejudicial to the plantation to be erected at Teightaquid, nor to the meadows of Plymouth at Winnytuckquett, it may be confirmed unto them; provided also the herring or alewife river at Namassachusett shall be equally between the two towns of Duxbury and Marshfield."

The next year, 1645, the grant was made as follows. "The inhabitants of the town of Duxbury are granted a competent proportion of lands about Saughtuckquett towards the west for a plantation for them, and to have it four miles every way from the place where they shall set up their centre; provided it entrench not upon Winnytuckquett formerly granted to Plymouth. And we have nominated Capt. Miles Standish, Mr. John Alden, George Soule, Constant Southworth, Joseph Rogers, and William Brett, to be feoffees in trust for the equal dividing and laying forth the said lands to the inhabitants."

The whole number of inhabitants in Duxbury at that time, who were entitled to this grant, was fifty-four, each of whom, "by agreement among themselves," had one share, and they reserved two shares, one for a minister to be settled among them, and one for a miller, mak

ing in the whole 56 shares. The names of the proprie

The two last, Mr. James

Keith, who was afterwards their minister, and Samuel Edson, their first miller, were neither of them inhabitants of Duxbury, or originally proprietors, but became so afterwards when they settled in the town. Mr. Keith was from Scotland, and Edson from Salem.

This grant was considered as a preemptive right only, and before they entered therefore upon the lands they, by the approbation and appointment of the court,

purchased the soil of the natives agreeably to the followdeed.

ing

"Witnes these presents, that I Ousamequin Sachim of the Contrie of Pocanauket, have given, granted enfeofed and sould unto Myles Standish of Duxborough Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth of Duxborough aforesaid in the behalf of all ye townsmen of Duxborough aforesaid a tract of land usually called Saughtucket extending in length and the breadth thereof, as followeth, that is to say from y" weare att Saughtuckett seven myles due east and from the said weare seven (miles) due west, and from the said weare seven myles due north and from the said weare seven myles due south; the wch tract the said Ousamequin hath given granted enfeoffed and sould unto y said Myles (Standish) Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth in the behalfe of all y townsmen of Duxborough as aforesaid wth all the emunityes priveleges and profitts whatsoever belonging to the said tract of land wth all and singular all woods underwoods lands meadowes Rivers brooks Rivelets &c. to have and to hould to the said Myles Standish Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth in behalfe of all the townsmen of the towne of Duxborough to them and their heyers forever. In Witnes whereof I the said Ousamequin have here unto sett my hand this 23 of March 1649.

Inconsideration of the aforesaid bargain and sale wee the said Miles Standish Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth doe bind ourselves to pay unto yo said Ousamequin for and in consideration of ye said tract of land as followeth 7 Coats a yd and half in a coat

The above is a literal and exact copy of the original deed in the hand writing of Capt. Standish, which is now in the possession of the writer of this article.