Inn-Keepers.

THERE are usually six or eight inn-keepers, who are situated in different parts of the town on the public roads, to subserve their own emolument and the public convenience.

New County.

THE project of a new county to be formed from the north westerly part of Middlesex, con1729 siderably agitated the minds of the inhabi

6

tants of this and several of the neighboring towns.Committees were chosen in this and the four following years, to meet with committees from other towns, in order to draw up and project a scheme for erecting a new county in the north westerly part of Middlesex.' The contemplated county was to embrace Groton, Townsend, Pepperill, Dunstable, Merrimack,* Dracut, Litchfield, Chelmsford, Westford, Littleton, Concord, Bedford, Billerica and Tewksbury. Merrimack and Litchfield, were then considered as belonging to Massachusetts. But when the line between Massachusetts and NewHampshire atter a long dispute, was finally established, they were taken into N. Hampshire. The subject of dividing the county was revived again in 1763. But was finally given up*

The separation of Westford, excited some uneasiness among the more distant inhabitants in the north east part of Chelmsford; a number of whom petitioned the town for leave to form a separate precinct. Their petition was rejected and the representative instructed to oppose it in the general

court.

ed.

This project for a separation was abandon

*The boundaries between New-Hampshire and Massachusetts, were settled in 1737.

1729.-Pound was built.-1730-Wall built round the Ministry.

We omitted to notice in its proper place, in order to preserve the narrative of the separation of Westford entire, a. circumstance which led to the annexing of the great neck,* or Indian town, to Chelmsford. This land was sold by the Indians in small parcels, and gradually occupied by the purchasers from Chelmsford and other towns, who en joyed equal privileges in the town with the other inhabitants, till the representative, Mr. Stephen Pierce, who had been chosen to represent the town in the general court for 12 years, was denied a seat in the house. The said Pierce lived in the Indian town.† which had never been annexed by act of court to Chelmsford, though the last purchase of the Indians was made in 1686. Mr. Pierce was refused a seat in the house as the representative of Chelmsfo d, because he did not reside in that town, This repulse was followed by a refusal on the part of the inhabitants, residing within the Indian grant, to pay. their taxes to the town of Chelmsford. The confusion, into which the town was thrown, led to

the proper remedy. The The town petitioned the Court, that the Indian town called Pawtuckett, or more commonly Wamesit, might be annexed to the town of Chelmsford. The great neck or Indian town was accordingly annexed to Chelmsford by act of Court 1726. This act included both Concord river neck, and the great neck so called, or the whole Indian township, lying between Merrimack river and Concord river.

Baxter's Works-1730.

SAMUEL HOLDEN, Esq. of London, whose munificence was extended to several other churches and

*See Appendix No. 10.

+His house, the cellar of which is now visible, was between Capt. Isaac Chamberlain's and Mr. Samuel Marshall's houses.

1

incorporations in America,* presented to the church and congregation in Chelmsford, the works of Richard Baxter, in four folio volumes. This donation was made at the desire of Richard Bill, Esq. of Boston. It was the donor's direction that the minister and two brethren of the congregation be accounted the trustees of this gift; that one volume be always kept in or near the house of worship for the use of people on the Sabbath; that the other volumes be lent to the inhabitants of the town, and to neighboring ministers within three or four miles, to be returned at the expiration of 3 months.

Mr. Stoddard's Death-1740.

WE come to another pause in the history of the town, the surprising death of Mr. Stoddard. For three or four years previous to his death, he was exercised with dejection of spirit and a partial derangement, by which he was incapacitated to discharge the public duties of his office. During his indisposition the town partially supplied the desk at their own expence. His sun descended in thick clouds, Aug. 23, 1740†.

On the 13th, Oct. at a public town meeting, it was resolved that the 23d inst. be set apart as a day of solemn fasting, and that the Reverend's Mr. Baxter, Mr. Hancock, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Swan, together

*He bestowed charites in New England, to the amount of £4,847His wife and daughter, £5,585.

+He was found dead in his well.

1733-An order passed to build a house for the poor-The same year the town treasurer paid 11. for the head of a wild cat; and four pounds for the head of a wolf, to be reimbursed by the Province Treasurer according to act of court.

1737-Road from Hunt's to Clarke's ferry, south side of Merrimack, laid out by order of the court of sessions.

1741-The town treasurer paid 477. 10s. for squirrils, crows and black birds squirrils 2548-black birds 522-crows 29.

1742.-paid 334, 19s. for 1922 squirrils and 168 black birds, one

Grow.

with the pall-holders, be invited to attend and give their advice relative to the settling of another minister. At the same time it was voted to pay Mrs. Stoddard, 1327. for the charges of the funeral of her deceased husband, and their lamented Pastor.

SECTION IV.

Mr. Bridge-1740.

MEN never appear with greater dignity than when performing those joint-acts of worship, by which they honor their maker and improve their own minds." Dr. Sumner.

In about four months after the decease of Mr. Stoddard, the town unanimously made choice of Mr. Eb.Bridge,to be their minister.' For his support they granted him 180l. yearly as a salary, and 5007. as a settlement, to be paid in province bills. At a subsequent meeting 201. more in province bills was added to his yearly support.* He was ordained on the 20th of May 1741.

Intermission between the public exercises on the sabbath, was very judiciously regulated for 1741 the accommodation and convenience of all the inhabitants of a country parish or town. It was one hour and a half, during the three spring months, two hours during the summer months; one hour and a half through the fail months, and one hour in winter. This arrangement was re-established in 1816.

*The sum of 2001. in paper currency at that time was equivalent to about $162,68, and 5007. in do. equivalent to $608 70. An ounce of sil ver, or 6-10d. was accounted in 1741, equal to 288. paper currency.See preceeding table,page,28. Wood was 10 shillings per cord, or about 37 cents

1741.This and several successive years, persons were chosen to pre

406