Mr. Eliot,* in behalf of the Indians, petitioned at the same time for an enlargement of their grant.

In answer to these petitions, the court, on conference with the committee, who established the bounds of Chelmsford, and on examination of a plot of the said plantations and of the tract of land by both parties petitioned for, granted, that the Indian plantation be extended one mile from the north east angle of Chelmsford, abutting on Merrimack and Pawtuckett eastward, taking in John Sagamore's planting ground, and the end of said mile to determine the Indian plantation. For the rest of the land petitioned for by both towns, it was ordered that Chelmsford north and south lines abutting on Zadmuck be extended-(the south to Groton line) the north from the north east corner or angle three miles upon Merrimack river and thence a south west line to Groton. And this whole tract was to remain in community unto the town of Chelmsford and Pawtuckett.'

To this additional grant, which contained all Westford and the northerly part of Chelmsford, the Indians had a common right with the inhabitants of Chelmsford. But whether they availed themselves of this right at all, or made a compromise with the inhabitants of Chelmsford for any particular parcel of land is not certainly known. It is probable however that the Indians gave up their right in this grant in consideration of some parcel of land, or some immunity and privilege. For in 660, the Indians of Pawtuckett and inhabitants of Chelmsford entered into a mutual agreement, which was sanctioned by

*Mr. Eliot obtained in 1654 several parcels of land for those Indians, who should give any just hope of their embracing the christian religion.Gookin reckons the Wamesits among the 7 old towns of praying Indians. Gookin wrote in 1674.

the above description agrees with the petition and with the boun daries afterwards agreed on-tho' it varies from the original transcript, taken from the records of Court.

See Appendix, No. 6.

t

Court to exchange land, and to settle the boundaries between them In this instrument it is mutually stipulated, that all the land lying on the north east side of the line (which they had mutually agreed upon) belonging to Chelmsford, shall henceforth be the proper right and to the sole use of the said Indian plantation; and all the land on the south west side of the said line whether the old or new plantation, excepting only what is hereafter given to James Parker, shall forever be and remain the proper right and sole use of the inhabitants of Chelmsford.

The line abovesaid was perambulated in 1665.

Town Records, Book 1, Page 142.

THE plantation, heretofore called Pawtuckett, is in this and in all subsequent records styled Wamesit. The Indians from various causes rapidly decreased; and having little or no use for land, as opportunity offered sold it to individuals in Chelmsford, until it was contracted to the narrow bounds of the well known pasture, called the Wamesit purchase.'The north west boundary of said 'purchase' began near the head of the Middlesex Canal, and so to the glass manufactory and thence running near the houses of the late Mr. Philip Parker, Mr. Micah Spalding, and Capt. Benj. Butterfield, terminated at Wamesit falls in Concord river, or at the mouth of River Meadow Brook. The first English settlements made on the Indian plantation were on the borders of Concord river, upon a plot of ground much resembling a heater, which gave rise to the name of Concord River Neck, which it still retains.

The 'Great Neck' or 'Neck Land,' so called, includes the whole Indian plantation, lying, north east of original Chelmsford and between Concord river and Merrimack river. Concord river neck' lies between River Meadow Brook' and Concord river,

6

extending south west to the line between Chelms ford and the Indian plantation.

Transactions-1656.

FROM the origin we pass to the transactions of the town. It is among the most instructive and interesting lessons of history to trace the hardships and sufferings,deprivations and solicitudes of the inhabitants of a new country, or settlement, in the attainment of the comforts and conveniences of life, and those advantages, which are the fruit of human industry and exertion, and the ends of civil society. See then the thirty nine first emigrants entering this wilderness, subduing the fallow ground, lying out and finishing roads, erecting a meeting-house for the worship of their God, and a school-house for the instruction of their children and solicitously raising up the foundation of many generations. Scarcely had two years elapsed, from the time they felled the first tree, when they procured an act of incorporation. They had before this obtained a valuable accession to their numbers and wealth in the Rev. John Fiske, and a part of his Church; who were induced to remove from Wenham, to this new settlement.

In this company of holy pilgrims, for they were all holy by profession, the town received an ascension gift, and a church, already formed and conse crated. The first planters, it is said, were greatly assisted by the wealth which the Wenham company brought with them Among these pious emigrants was Dea. Cornelius Woldo, a man of distinguished usefulness, whose house was in the garden of the writer, near to the well, which was discovered and opened, on plowing the ground in seventeen, hundred and ninety two, or three. Thomas, afterwards Major Hinchman, another of the Wenham company was for many years a leading character, and became a large land holder. Deac. Andrew

Spalding, also is said by tradition to belong to the Wenham company

Possessed of a large tract of land, and desirous for its settlement, the early inhabitants of the town were nevertheless extremely cautious of admitting strangers to share their toils and enjoy their privileges. Hence no man was allowed to take up or purchase land of the Committee, chosen by the town for the purpose of selling and laying out land, until he had been approved and formally admitted an inhabitant by a major vote at public town meeting. This caution was proper and even indispen sible to the character of a "plantation religious."

While thus guarding the moral, they were no less attentive to the civil and pecuniary interest of the town. The policy they adopted to encourage and invite mechanics and tradesmen to settle with them was wise and beneficial. The principle should be regarded by every community. They offered lands and accommodations gratuitously to mechanics and artificers, who would set up and carry on their trades in town.

First Weaver-1656.

As early as 1656 at May Meeting, William How was admitted as an inhabitant, and granted twelve acres of meadow and eighteen of upland, provided he set up his trade of weaving and perform the town's work.

First-Saw Mill-July 3.

THE same year, was granted to Saml. Adams, in consideration of his setting up a saw-mill, 450 acres of land upon the south side of the meadow belonging to him, called brook meadow-" provided he supply, the town with boards at three shillings per.

Capt. Samuel Adams, died Jan. 24, 1688.

hundred, or saw one log for the providing and bring*ing of another to be ready to work the next March.'

First Corn Mill.

To this were added a hundred acres in consideration of his erecting a corn-mill, and to give him still farther encouragement, they passed an order, 'that no other corn-mill shall be erected for this town, provided the said Adams keep a sufficient mill and miller.' In 1661 he obtained liberty to set flood gates at Hart Pond to himself and heirs forever.'

Road to Groton-1663.

FOR many years the chief travel to Groton, was thro' this town. Hence a road was laid out by a joint committee of Groton and Chelmsford beginning at Beaver brook-bridge, and running over the north side of Robin's Hill thro' Richard Hildrith's yard to the west end of Heart Pond, over the swamp to Thomas Chamberlin's meadow, and so on towards Groton on the east side of Tadmuck great meadows." The towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Groton, Townsend, Dunstable & Dracut, unitedly built the great bridge over Concord river at Billerica, and for many years jointly maintained it.

THE early attention of the first inhabitants to 1664 the culture of apple trees may be learned from the mention of Edward Spalding's orchard in 1664.

Newfield-1667

WHAT was originally called Newfield was a strip of interval, extending from the mouth of stoney Brook along the Merrimack to Newfield Eddy. It is perhaps the best land in the town, and would have been sooner occupied and improved had it not been for