Boxford Town Records 1685-1706
(Pages 41 through 103)
From the Historical Collections of the Essex Institute Volume XXXVI
(The original Boxford Town Records, of which this is a copy, are entirely in the handwriting of Captain John Peabody, the first town clerk and schoolmaster of Boxford. The records were copied by Sidney Perley in 1880. This transcription of Perley’s version is by Linda Bruzzone.

(1) Refaiued of the Conitabul of Boxford Robert Sftielf the fum of twanty fhillingf in Silver which munny waf dew a pon an a grement from the towen of boxford to the towen of Rowly for the year 1685 af doth a pear by an a grement mad by both towens bearing Date the seventh of July 1685. I faye refaivad by me daniel wicom fen r this fierst day of Juen in the year 1696.
Daniell Wicom 1
Witnes John Pabody 1 John Pearsons 1
At a Lawfull and a Genarall meeting of the inhabetanc of Rowly velig the 18o fmay 1685 it was agreead a pon an dvoted by the boue faid inhabetanc that Abraham Radington senr fhall Cary a petefion to boston and enter it in to the Genarall Coart in the name of the a bove faid velig to desier the General Court to grant the a bove fd velig to bee a town by them felves and ordered the Velig to a gree with Rowly whear the bounds of the Velig bee between Rowly and the Velig as attest John Pebody. and a Cordingly the velig fent six men to a gree with Rowly whear the lien should Run to devid betwen Rowly and the Velig and Thoef Six men did Consent that it should be as it is now steated this
seveanth of July 1685. as attest John pebody was one of the Commety Lick wies the Commety of Rowly would not free the
Page 1 (41 in Perley's work)

Velig (until they gave) to Rowly thaier proportion of the ministars Real yearly (until) they Shall obtain a minnister for them selues and instead of the wholl they haue a greead to tack twenty Shillings by he year teall the Velig maintaien a minnester a mong themselves which doth free us from all other Reats for time to come in the Town of Rowly as attest John peabody one of the men

(2) At a lawful town meeting held in Boxford the __________ by the town of Boxford it was then agreed on and voted that a Highway from Andover bounds to Topsfield along by Joseph Boxbes hows and also a nother waye from Zacheus Cortices hous to this a bove faid high waye or road way along by the Works threw Abel Langlyes farm also from the Workes a long by the South sied of the plain and fo to John Stielses and fo in to this a boue faid waye and so from all other places that the men that fhall be Chosen shall see needful for to bee layed out for the ves of hte town in genaral so as to doe af littel damig af conueniantly may bee the men Chosen for this seruis bee af foloweth: their names be Abraham Radington Senr John Pearly Samuel Simonds Mosef Tiler Fenr and John Pabody fenr. These fiue men Chofen or anney three of them a greeing with the men that the hy waies shal ly threw thair lands to be thare: It is alfo further a greead that when the hy ways is to bee layed therew anney men or mans land that al waies such men or man Shal Haue af much power in ordering wher the way Shal gooe af anney on of the Commety tell it bee gone threw his land the way from Andouver to Topsfild is to bee an open way all a long therew the Town not to be inCombrad with gates or bars

23 of Nouember 86 the Commety a bove Chofen to lay out high waies in order to their work layed out a hy waye from mapel medow by John Pebodyes houf and fo a long to Topsfeld Comman land in Bear hill Plainen doing af letal damag af may bee and it doth lye a long in the ould path to John Andrufef Slow and fo af near the hilly ground on the left hand as Can Conveniantly bee layed to Page 2. (42 in Perley's work) the nex Slow and then Stil by the hilles to Thomas Andrufef bearn and fo to Crean broock along the ould path waye to Topsfeld land this way is to bee the open by waye af if aboue menfioned. The Commety a boue faid layed out a way from goodman Bofwels therew goodman Radintons pastuer to John Stiles barn and fo along to the workes on the South Sied of the plainen and fo along to zecheus Cortises bearn al fo the Commety did alfo a gree to lay out a way therew Abel Langlyes farm by the workf to the maien Road way af a boue: as letal to the damig of the farm af may bee yelding to thair Conuenency af much as possible Abell Langly did freely Confent that they should lay a high waye therew his farem af if a boue (recorded) af atteft John pebody one of the committee and Clark that was ordered to record what was done hear in: John Pebody towen Clark.

3) At a legal Towne meting hild in Boxford the * day of March 1687. Sergent Bixbe was Chofen modarator for the prefant meeting. first the Towne choes *5* Selact men for the year infewing and ther names be as foloweth John Peabody fener william Wotfon daniel wood John Andrews Abraham Radington Juner Votad.-2- The Town Choef william Pabody Conftabul for the year in fewing voted -3- Thomas Radington Thomas hazan Jofaph Andruf be chofen Survaiers. -4- the Towne mead an order that all Swien with in the Town a boue -3- monthef ould fhall be wringed from the medil of march to the firft of November yerly a pon the panility of six pence a weeck for every Swien that fhall be found a pon the Comen with out a wring in his noes and half the money fo forfited fhal be for the finder & the other half fhall be for the vest of Towne; Votad -5- The Towen mead an order that all Rambf with in the Towne fhal be Capt up orfolfefiantly yacked from the firft of awguft to the furst of november a pon the penility of Sixpenc a tiem that any Rambe Shal be found doing damig be payed to the owner of the Sheep whear he doth the damig: Votad Page 3. (43 in Perley's work)

-2-July -87- the Select men of this Towne of Boxford have leat the parsoneg medow to Thomaf hazen and daniel wood this prefant year for Six fhillings to be payed in Coren to the Cunstabul for the Ves of the Towen. At a legal Town meting hild in boxford the 19th of Augoft 1687 firft the Town Choes Sergent Bixbe madarator for the prasant meeting. -2- John Pearly Commesenor to Joyen with the Select men in a fafing the Towne a Cording t o the honorad Trafurerf warent. votad by the Town -3- william foster if Chofen to keep an ordenary for the Towne voted also John pebody if Chofen to goe to Rowly to Search the Towne boock abought the lien to Topsfild At a lawful Towne meting hild in Boxford the 5th of September -87 firft the Town Choes Abraham Radington Sener modarator for the meeting. -2- the Towne Choef -3- men to be a Commety for the Town to healp the Select men in making hte Reat af fuen af they Cean geat light to by and al fo to aufwer for the Townf neglecting in not doeing ther duty a Cording to the honarad Trefurarf warent and to give the Refonf of ther fo doing Thinking it bater to doe nothing at prefant then to go by geaf without (anything) to Reat by: alfo that william fosters hous fhal be the place of meting teal the Town Chouef a nother plac

The 12th of June in -88- the Selact men of Boxford met to hear of the pooer & did order daniell Black Juner to help hif father af much af hee head need of in hay time & to give a Count of it to the Select men. The 8th of Jenewary -88/9- the Selact men had a meeting mead a Reat of a bought eaight pound to bee paied in silver for to purches amenition for a touen Stock and have ordered Mofef Tiler & Thomas pearly & Thomas Andruf & * * * * for to Gather the a boe Saied Reat & to lay it out in both poudr and bullets and flentf a Cording to 4 * * * 1daniel Ames leaft his wife in a pooer 1. This record should probably be dated Nov. 4, 1693 Page 4. (44 in Perley's work)

and helpless Condesion and winter Came on She mead her Complant to the Selact men for healp; the Selact men of Boxford for the present year John pebody John Chadwick daniell wood Zacheus Cortes and josaph Bixbee Jun; who being fenfabel that their waf no efteat to be had and for the present to Releuve her and hir Chikldren; did perswade John pebody on of the Selct men to Refarve hir in to his howf and and afford hir fuch nefafary Releff af fhee ftood in need of and hir Children teall the Selact Men or Town fhould tack further Cear in deposing of hir and hir Children this -4th- of november -93- Thus fear the Selact men have dun af thair duty for the time being af attest John pebody Clark of the Selact men and the Town Clark (5) Boston -27- November -1688. Refaived of mr John Hares on a Count of Thomas Pearly Constabul of the Towen of Boxford Eleven pound Seven fhillings and 10d in full for the Country Reat of that Town for Jo * Vshuer Tresurer pr Michall Perrey this is a trew Copey of the Trafurers Refaight af a Teaft John Peabody Clark for the Town Ipfwich -13- May -1696- then Refaived of daniel wod Constable of Boxford 01 (1) --18s--6d for the County in -95- by mee John Appelton trefurer this is a trew copey as ateast John peabody Att a Lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the -21- of May -1688. The Town Choes John Peabody moderator for that meting by a voat. -2- the Town Choes -6- men for Selact men for ye year in fewing by a voat and their names be af foloweth John Chadduck Thomaf Andrus daniell wood Thomas hazen Abraham Radington Juner and John Peabody fender Votad -3- John Pearly for a Commerfiner for the year in fewing by a Voat; -4- Thomaf Perly is Chofen Confatabull for the year in fewing by a Voat At a meeting of the Selact men of Boxford the 16th of Faberary -1689- thay proporfined the minnisterf Reat and alfo mead a town Reat to be payed in money to discharg the Towens deats for that year. Page 5. (45 in Perley's Work)

At a lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the -24- of June -89 the Town Choes John Perley fener to bee the Constabul for the year in fewing by a Vote: Alfo the Choies of the Select men bee af Foloweth: -1- Corporall Josaph Bixbe -2- Coporall Thomas hazen -3- william foster fener -4- Josaph Andrus -5- william peabody. alfo: Nathaniell Brown Jofaph Pebody John Buswell Robard Ames for Farvayers for the year in fewing At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the -24 of June -1689- The Town choes John pearly fener and Samuel Simonds Sener to bee the reprefentatives for the folowing part of this Summer or tel a nother bee chosen only they bee not to Sarve but one at a tiem and not to Confent to Set up any government Contrary to Charter preveliges. (7) At a Towen meeting hild in Boxford may the 6th 1689 theTowen Choes John Pebody fener to bee a represntetiue for the Towen and to Carey thear minds to the Counfel of fifty Relating to the fetelment of Fouerment; and the Townes miends bee Signified in these folouing liens; towet wee the free houelders and in delivering vs from the Tierny and opresion of thes ill men vndr whoes Injustes & Cruelty we have fo long groned with all Rendring our harty thanks to thoes so worthy & honerabul Jentilmen who have been Jngaged in foe good and nacessary a worck as the Confarvation of our peace fine that Revelution yet being also apprehancive of the man in Conveniencies and hazerds of the present vnsetelment of our affaiers doe declear that we doe expact that our honerad gouener & dapety governer and asistane Elacted & Sworn by the free men of this Colony in May 1686 to gather with the dapetyes then sent dauen by the Respactive Towens to the Cort the(n) haulden and which was never legally defolved shall Come and Reafuem and exarcies the gouerment as a genearl Cort a Cording to our Charter on the nienth day of may in Sewing nex & in So doing weee doe hear by promise and ingage to aied and asist (Perley footnote: Page 6 is blank) Page 6. (46 in Perley's Work)

them to the vtmost of our power with our persons and estates praying god to gied them in the manigment of our ardeous affaiers and wee doe hope that all thoes that are Trew frends tothe peace and prosparety of this land will Radely and hartely Joyen with vs hear in voted by the Towne. At a lawful Town meting hild in Boxford June 3d 1689 in answer to an order sent from the honerad president and Councell of Seafty of the peepol and Conseruation of the peece the Town of Boxford haue Chofen John Peabody sener and Thomas Pearly Fener to bee their Representetives teell the gouerment shall bee seatled only that bee to sarve but on at a time: and not to Confent to feet vp aney government Contrey to our Charter preveliges and also to Concur with the other representatiues of this Colony which aer to meet at Boston on the fth day of this enstant June: as a teast John Pebody Clark At a Towen meting hild in Boxfor(d) the -3rd- of June 1689; it was voted that the select men of Boxford fhoueld leat the pasenag medow this presant year and a Cordingly the Selact Men have dun for Seven Shilli(n)gs this year -89- At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the -12- of Defembr: 89 the Town Choes Enfien John Pearly and quartermaster Thomas Pear* and Corperal Thmas Andrus to goe to Rowly fume tiem this winter and to inquire of the town of Rowly if thear bee any agreement betwen Rowly an dTopsfel or Epswich Conferning their lien betwen Rowly and Topsfeld from quartermaster Pearlyes to epswich Revar also John Pebody sener and Ensien John Pearly Corperal Thomas Andrus Robret Ames senr Corperal Josaph Bixbe Josapgh Andrus be Chosen to steat the lien betwen Topsfeld and Boxford this week Aprell and mack return to the town (8) Allfo At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the -12- of desembr 89 the Town voted that thoes men in boxford that doe hear the word despenced at Topsfeld fhall paye this year -15- pound fiue of it in Siluer to the ministre and the Rast of the Town that goe to Andovar Page 7. (47 in Perley's Work)

and bradferd to hear Shall paye proporsonabally whear they doe hear voted by the town; At a Lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the -11- of march 89/90 Ephraham Cortes is Choes to be thaier Constabul fo rthe year in sewing: Voting -2- thaier felect men and thaier names be af foloweth: John Peabody fen Nathaniell Brownen Josaph Pebody Senr; Thomas Radington Thomas Pearly Senr; Voted Mosis Tiler is Chofen for to farve a pon the Juryes of trials and John Andruf is to farve thair grand Juryes for the year in fewing; the naems of the furvaiers be as foloweth: John Chadduck Epharaham Smith William Peabody and gorg Bixbe and John Stiels; be Chosen for Sarvaiers for this year enfewing It is alfo voted that the Selact men Shall let the parsoneg farm for this year in fewing: Voted. Allfo John Pebody fener and Thomas perly fener be chofen for dapeties to Saerve at the general Coart this next year in fewing or tell fum other bee Chosen and they be to faerve but on at a tiem and alfo to give an a Couent to the Commety what nafesity there is of thaier going from tiem to tiem and alfo to have thaier advice whether to gooe or not and when they Shall gooe; the Commety a boue Said bee Abraham Radington fener and Josaph Bixbe fener to gather with the felect men which the Towen Choes for a Commety for that end voted alfo the Town haue a greead and voted to give Six Shillings a weeek to the Souldiers in Country paye that wear fent to the eastward vndr fr edman Andros for all the tiem thay wear gon from thaier feuarell hoems prouided that thay will giue undr thaier hands in writing to return to the town of Boxford as much paye as thay Shall rafaiue if the Contry doe at any tiem after thyer refaving our paye give the paye for thair faruis undr fur Edmon Andrus and in fo doing the Town doth order the selact men to a fess the Town a Cording to the beast of thar light & if nobody bring in bills thay be to goe by the ould Reats movd this year Voted it is to be vnderstod that thay be to keep as much of our mony with what thay fhal resaive of the Contry as fhall fully pay them for thar tiem as othes the Souelders aboue said be Ephriam Smith -17-weecks John Tiler -2- weecks: Jonathan foster -4- Page 8. (48 in Perley's Work) weecks; and in witnes to the a boue Said we have Seat two or hands this 13th of April 1690
Ephraim Smith
Mofis Tiler fener
Jonathan foster (Original signed by these three men)

(9) At a Lawful Towne meting hild in Boxford the l* of March *90/1* the Town choes Corperal Josaph Bixbe Conftabul for the year in fewing -2- Enfien John pearly quartermafter Tiler Corperal Thomas Andrus Samuel Simonds Corperal Kimbal Selact men for the year infewing voted -3- william watfon Robert Ames Juner Jonathen Bixbe John Andruf Seruears for the year infewing voted -4- the Toune Voted to Send fume men (namly John pebody and John hu*) to the Cort at bofton to petefian the General Cort for an a beatment apon the documming the Towen in the ton Reats and two and a half in mony (division sign) thay finding them felus ouer dumed. -5- and for all the damig that fhall come a pon the Selact men for not laying the miftacken mony the Towen haue votet to bear it by a town Reat. -6- that eery foulder in the town fhall eet him felf two pound of powdr a peece and bullets and flints proporfanabul Voted by the Town -7- that Corparel Thomas Andrus is Chozen Clark of the marcet to fee that all meseurs bee Capt in good order a Cording to the ftandard. -8- that Gorg Black and wedow Andrus and After Cary fhall not bee Reated by any felect men teal the Town giue ordr (that is to Say): not in our towne: Voted. The Selact men of Boxford mead the twenty reats in the year -90- and mead them -4(1)-10(8)-00 moer then the warrent did requier and thay haue orderad Epharam Cortes Confatbull to pay to Rowly twenty fhillings as mony and John pebody fener and Thomas pearly fener bee to have the other -3- pound and to laye it out in poudr and fhot for the vs of the Town as fueen af Conueniantly they cean and to giue an a Count to the Town of thaier doing hearin. 15 defembr -91-at a Lawful Town meting bild in Page 9. (49 of Perley's Work)

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