F 44 
 .P8 P73 
 Copy 3 
 
 1645—1656 
 
 PORTSMOUTH RECORDS 
 
 cr. 
 
 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 
 
 
 A TRANSCRIPT 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 OF THE 
 
 
 
 FIRST 
 
 THIRTY FIVE PAGES 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 -y^ 
 
 r^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EARLIEST TOWN BOOK 
 
 PORTSMOUTH. NEW HAMPSHIRE 
 
 It 
 
 WITH NOTES 
 
 FRANK VV HACKETT 
 
 PORTSMOUTH 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED 
 1886 
 
 c 
 
 ^...,.-A :S . 
 

 N 
 
 o.Z^A. 
 
 R. O. POLKINHORN, PRINTER, 
 
 WASHINGTON, D. C. 
 
INTRODUCnriON 
 
 'he early town records of Portsmoutli, New 
 Hampsliire, at least those coming down as late 
 as the close of the Revolution, richly deserve to be 
 printed. Like the records of our oldest New England 
 towns, they have been growing each year more and 
 more valuable, until now their historic importance 
 justifies the outlay of a reasonable sum to secure 
 them against possible destruction by fire, or other- 
 wise. Boston has taken the lead by printing in 
 full not only her early town records (together with 
 those of other towns now included in her limits), 
 but also the first three volumes of deecls in the 
 Suffolk registry, under the supervision of a Board 
 of Commissioners — a wise example that should be 
 followed wherever practicable. 
 
II Introduction 
 
 In the hope of awakening an interest in the sub- 
 ject that may do something towards bringing about 
 a like result, I have been at the pains in vacation 
 time to copy the following pages from the earliest 
 town-book, and print them, sparing no labor to en- 
 sure accuracy. We ought to be thankful that 
 Portsmouth has any early records at all, for they 
 just escaped being burnt up in the great fire, on the 
 night of 22d December, 1813. The town-books and 
 papers were then kept in a wooden chest at the 
 Selectmen's office, in the brick school-house on 
 State Street, and they would surely have been lost, 
 had not one of the selectmen (Hunking Penhallow) 
 made his way into the building, and taken them to 
 a place of safety. So says Brewster, who probably 
 knew the incident from tradition, in a valuable and 
 interesting sketch of Jefferson Hall, that forms the 
 opening chapter of his second series of Rambles 
 About Portsmouth. 
 
 The town-books of a date prior to 1833 are five 
 in number. The first contains a record of town- 
 meetings and doings of the selectmen from 1662 (or 
 earlier) to March, 1696; the second, from 16 
 March, 1695, to 13 April, 1779; the third, from 
 29 June, 1779, to 27 April, 1807 ; the fourth, 
 
 I 
 
Introduction iii 
 
 from 4 May, 1807, to 26 March, 1821, and the fifth, 
 from 16 April, 1821, to March, 1833. 
 
 Our interest naturally centres upon the first, or 
 oldest book. The page (eleven and a half by seven 
 and a half inches) is smaller than that of the suc- 
 ceeding volumes. The entries are closely written, 
 for the most part on both sides of the leaf, and the 
 pages number three hundred and fourteen. For a 
 long time, half a century perhaps, the unbound 
 pages of this book (as I am told by the Honorable 
 Marcellus Bufford, formerly city clerk) had been 
 laid to one side, tied up in a paper parcel, and 
 almost never touched. In its stead, a copy was used 
 that had been transcribed under the direction of the 
 late Abner Greenleaf, in compliance with a vote of 
 the Selectmen, passed 15 February, 1827. The 
 handwriting is that of Daniel Huntress. This copy, 
 which is well, even handsomely written, no doubt 
 answers better than the original for ordinary pur- 
 poses, but rigid scrutiny discovers an occasional 
 error, due perhaps to the recurrence of a word with 
 which the copyist was not familiar. In 1866 the 
 original went to the binder, w^ho put it into sub- 
 stantial covers, though he appears to have got a 
 leaf or two out of its proper place. There are also 
 
IV Introduction 
 
 bound up with it the leaves of a small index of 
 names. 
 
 The first town clerk (of whom we know), or per- 
 son to whom was entrusted the keeping of the town- 
 book, was Renald Fernald, "chirurgeon," who came 
 over in company with others sent out by Capt. John 
 Mason, about 1630. After Fernald's death in 1656, 
 the town chose Henry Sherburne to keep the book, 
 at twenty shillings the year. Elias Stileman suc- 
 ceeded Sherburne, in 1660, and held the office of 
 town clerk until 20 October, 1681, when it was 
 ordered that John Fletcher "keep the towne book, 
 and to have for his paines, as the sellect men shall 
 think fitt, and this to continue till the towne take 
 further order." Richard Martyn followed (April, 
 1693-March, 1696), and after him, Samuel Keais, 
 who, though an indifferent penman and a some- 
 what original speller, evidently gave general satis- 
 faction, for he "kept the towne booke" from 1696 to 
 1714. Joshua Peirce had the honor of filling the 
 ofiice for no less than twenty-nine years (1714-43). 
 His successors were Hunking Wentworth (1743-59); 
 John Penhallow (1759-80); Jeremiah Libby (1781- 
 m)\ John Evans (1785-92); George Wentworth 
 (1792-1806) ; Samuel Fernald (1806-09) ; Joseph 
 
Introduction v 
 
 Seaward (1809-17); Thomas P. Drown (1817-26); 
 Daniel P. Drown (1826-32), and John Bennett who 
 was the last town clerk, serving from March, 1832 
 to 1849, at which latter date Portsmouth had be- 
 come a city and Mr. Bennett was chosen the first 
 city clerk. 
 
 The first settlement of New Hampshire was made 
 at Portsmouth, at a very early date. David Thom- 
 son, of Plymouth, England, having sailed from that 
 port, in the ship Jonathan^ arrived in the spring of 
 1623, off the mouth of the Pascataqua. He came, 
 with perhaps not more than ten men, to put up 
 houses for carrying on fishing, trading with the 
 natives — in tine, to begin a settlement. This was in 
 pursuance of a contract between Thomson and three 
 merchant adventurers, also of Plymouth, named 
 Abraham Colmer, Nicholas Sherwill and Leonard 
 Pomeroy. The founder of New Hampshire landed 
 at the Little Harbor mouth of the Pascataqua, on 
 what is now called Odiorne's Point, in the town of 
 Rye, formerly a part of Portsmouth. The Indians 
 called the spot "Pannaway." Here, on a slight 
 eminence that commands a beautiful view, Thom- 
 son built a stone house, whose ruins in 1680 were 
 plainly seen when Hubbard wrote, and traces of 
 
Yi Introduction 
 
 whose foundation wall are not wholly obliterated at 
 the present day. Thomson himself removed to Mas- 
 sachusetts Bay in 1626, but it is thought that the 
 settlement was not abandoned. 
 
 The little we know of this infant enterprise is 
 well presented in a timely monograph, by the late 
 John Scribner Jenness, entitled The First Planting 
 of Keio Hampsliire, privately printed at Ports- 
 mouth, in 1878. Upon sufficient historical data and 
 with much force of reasoning, this interesting writer 
 disproves the claim, sometime asserted, that to the 
 Hiltons at Dover Point (six or seven miles up the 
 Pascataqua) is to be credited the first settlement of 
 the State. In the light of the result reached by 
 so accurate and otherwise competent an authority, 
 the question of prior locality ought surely to be 
 treated as forever put to rest. Whatever possible 
 doubts may have hitherto retarded the project, there 
 seems now to be no good reason for delaying the 
 erection of a plain, granite shaft at Odiorne's Point, 
 to mark the site of the founding of New Hampshire. 
 
 It is proper, likewise, to acknowledge that New 
 Hampshire is indebted to Charles Deane, of Cam- 
 bridge, Massachusetts, for bringing to light and 
 annotating the original indenture, dated 14 Decern- 
 
Introduction vii 
 
 ber, 1622, by the terms of which Thomson had 
 bound himself to enter upon the venture. Dr. Deane 
 discusses, with his usual learning, the bearings of 
 this instrument upon the history of our first settle- 
 ment, contributing information of special value 
 upon a point long involved in obscurity. His re- 
 marks are the more welcome, because they clear the 
 subject of errors to be laid to Hubbard's door, to 
 whose statements hitherto a credit has been given 
 that now appears unwarranted, errors to be dealt 
 with by no less an authority than Dr. Deane, since 
 even so careful and just a writer as Belknap adopted 
 them without suspicion. (^Notes Relating to David 
 Thomson, etc. Reprinted from proceedings Mass. 
 Hist. Society, May, 1876 ; Cambridge, 1876). 
 
 In 1630, and the two or three years following, 
 Captain John Mason, the life of the Laconia Com- 
 pany, sent over planters, stewards, servants, etc., to 
 the number of about forty, who, besides settling at 
 Newichewannock (Berwick Falls) up the river, occu- 
 pied the land at Great Island (Newcastle) and at 
 Strawberry Bank (Portsmouth), as well as the stone 
 house at Little Harbor. Mason's death in 1635, led 
 to a disintegration of the colony, as a private enter- 
 prise under one head. Somewhere between 1635 and 
 
VIII Introduction 
 
 1640, the inhabitants, feeling the need of an organ- 
 ized government, entered into a "Combination," or 
 mutual agreement for local purposes to govern them- 
 selves. The original document, doubtless signed by 
 all the planters, was preserved as late as 1680, 
 though not known now to exist. Perhaps it is not 
 too much to hope that a copy of it may yet be 
 brought to light among the State Papers in London, 
 or from some other source. 
 
 The earliest public act found of record in the 
 town books is the grant of the glebe in May, 1640. 
 Belknap prints the names of the signers, while 
 Adams in his Annals of Portsmouth (1825) gives 
 the instrument in full. It was not copied into the 
 record until February, 1664, when the selectmen 
 finding the original on file, "nearly worn in pieces 
 by passing through many hands," ordered that it 
 be transcribed, "soe it may be preserved and kept 
 to posteritie." 
 
 A matter of pure conjecture, I am disposed upon 
 the whole to believe that about 1640 (though it may 
 have been as early even as 1635) they began to 
 keej) a town record. There are instances prior to 
 1040, where Mason's stewards executed leases to 
 tenants for a long term of years, but they do not 
 
Introduction ix 
 
 appear to be have been made a subject of record. 
 The earliest recorded grant is found among the 
 court records at Exeter, bearing date 20 January, 
 1643, a lease by Thomas Wannerton, for the Pat- 
 tentees, to Roger Knight, of a piece of marsh in 
 consideration of his faithful services and for one 
 shilling yearly, if demanded. The court records 
 begin in 1640, just before Massachusetts assumed 
 jurisdiction over the Pascataqua. 
 
 Whenever the custom may have sprung iip to 
 enter of record private grants (which, it is well 
 known, was not done in England) we may feel sure 
 that as soon as the planters came together, and 
 made public grants of land, or special privileges, to 
 individuals, they adopted the plan of entering the 
 grant in some public record. In vain, however, do 
 we look in the town books for any but the scantiest 
 memorial of what was done here before 1651 or 1652. 
 Nor is it hard to find the reason. We may read it in 
 the following entry : 
 
 "January the 13th 1652. At the housof geordge walton. This 
 
 night the Selectmen exsamened the ould Town Booke and 
 
 what was not aproued was crossed out, and what was aproued 
 
 was left to bee Recorded in this Booke and to be confermed 
 
 by the present Selectmen." 
 2h 
 
X Introduction 
 
 After the town officials had thus deliberately muti- 
 lated the records, Renald Fernald (himself one of 
 the Selectmen) began a new book, that which has 
 come down to us, and is referred to in the above 
 extract as "this Booke." He seems to have inserted 
 here and there entries copied out of the old book, 
 as suited convenience, a method that sets at defiance 
 chronological order, and lends to the opening j)ages 
 a look of irregularity. 
 
 That this extraordinary procedure on the part of 
 the Selectmen deprives us of many details of the 
 early settlement, which, could they be restored, 
 would prove interesting and valuable, does not ad- 
 mit of a doubt. The examiners spared but little. 
 Four lines from the record of a town meeting in 
 August, 1645 (a faint ray of light out of the dark- 
 ness), comprise the earliest entry, and all that 
 marks that year. For the year following two very 
 brief fragments alone survive, while nothing what- 
 ever is left to us of the date of 1647. In a note, to 
 be found in the Appendix, I have pursued the sub- 
 ject, and made an attempt to ascertain what could 
 have prompted the work of spoliation, and what 
 was the probable character of the missing entries. 
 
Introduction xi 
 
 It has been my aim to present the record as it is; 
 and I have tried to adhere to the spelling and 
 punctuation as closely as possible. Where a signa- 
 ture is an original, it is printed in small capitals. 
 In some instances I have ventured to supply a word 
 that is missing (generally at the end of a line, where 
 the leaf is torn or worn out), but this applies to 
 cases only where the right word plainly suggests 
 itself. 
 
 Obliged as I am to confine the copying to a few 
 pages, I have selected the first thirty-five, extend- 
 ing to 1656. To this is added a list, recorded 
 a little later on, of those inhabitants who subscribed 
 from 1658 to 1666, to maintain Mr. Joshua Moodey, 
 the minister. I have also copied from the records 
 of the First (North) Parish the names of rate pay- 
 ers in 1711, the date when two meeting houses had 
 become needful. Such lists are prized by the genea- 
 logist, and I am led to find room for them because, 
 so far as I know, they are now for the first time 
 printed. 
 
 To Doctor Charles Deane, and to the Honorable 
 Charles H. Bell, of Exeter, each eminent in his 
 knowledge of early New England history, I owe 
 much for wise and friendly suggestions. My thanks 
 
XII Introduction 
 
 are due Mercer Goodricli, Esquire, the present city 
 clerk, for facilities extended to me in consulting 
 the records under his charge. It gives me pleasure 
 also to mention the Honorable Marcellus Bufford, 
 and Samuel P. Treadwell, Esquire, gentlemen whose 
 long and intelligent acquaintance with town affairs 
 has enabled them readily to put me in possession of 
 facts, that I could hardly have got elsewhere. 
 October, 1886. 
 
PORTSMOUTH RECORDS 
 
 At a Toune meeting hild the 5th of Aprill i6[52] . . It is 
 
 ordered that the Towns men chosen for this Mr Briant 
 
 Pendilton. John Pickringe. Renald Fernald. Henry Sherborn : 
 & James Johnson, shall haue full Power to... and lay 
 out, land acordinge as they thinke Beste for the conueninsy of 
 the Toune : And wee do fully agree, that theas befor named 
 Towns men shall have full power, to order all our Towne 
 affaj^rs. as though our selues the wholl Towne wear Presente. 
 vide. To calle into question or ffine anny mane in cace of 
 ... or any breach of order : And to make all such Ratts 
 .... shall be nessisary for Publiqu Chargis whether minister 
 or other. And also that it shall be w[ithin the] Power of 
 the select men, to call the Town together [to con] suit about 
 any nessisary affaiers, for the wellfar[e of the] Towne: giuinge 
 LawfuU warninge ... of a paper three days befor, upon the 
 meetinge . . . And also that thear be two Publique meetings in 
 . . . And more, if ocation bee. at any Publique [meeting] the 
 Power, Remains to the wholl Towne : In [witness] whearof 
 wee the Inhabitants doe hearunto . . . And that the Summons 
 was Lawfull for .... day for our Publique meetinge 
 
 William. Seavie Anthony. Bracket 
 
 Roger. Knight francis. Trike 
 
 Ellixander. Bachiller George. Walton 
 
 Ollivere Trimings John. Jackson 
 
 Robert. Mussell John Sherburn 
 
 William. Brookin Thomas. Peverlly 
 
 Robert. Davis William, frethy 
 
 Walter. Abbite Robert. Pudington 
 
 Francis. Rand Thomas Walford 
 
 Thaddeus. Riddan Richard Cut [2] 
 
 John. Jones 
 
14 Portsmouth Records 
 
 A cppy of an order of the Court hild at Boston th. yth mon 
 1643. 
 
 Whearas it apeareth to this Court that the commishoners 
 apoynted to lay out the Bounds between Douer and Strawbery 
 Bank Did not consider the sayd Strawbery Banke, as a Towne, 
 nor so exactly veued the land on that side the Riuer, as was 
 needfull and thear upon layd out certine lands to Douer which 
 was most conuenient, for Strawbery Banke, and certine lands 
 for Strawbery Banke whis is most conuenient, for Douer, 
 so acknowliged to be by on of the sayd commishoners in this 
 present court : It is thear fore finally ordered, that all the 
 marsh and medow ground lyinge against the great Bay, on 
 Strawbery Banke side shall belonge to the Town of Douer to- 
 gether with 400 ackers of upland ground adioyninge, and lyinge 
 near to the said medow to be layed out in such a forme, as may 
 be most conuenient for the improuinge and fencinge in of the 
 sayd medow : The Remainder [of] the sayd ground to be- 
 longe to Strawbery Banke. Reseruinge the [due] right to 
 eaury on, that hath properieties in the same. 
 
 Subscribed Incrase. Nowell Secritary [3] 
 
 At a Toune metinge hild at Strawbery Banke the : 4 : of 
 March : 1646. 
 
 It was granted that John Sherborn should haue a hous [lot] 
 And apourtenancis. belonging thear unto, at the head of ... . 
 betwene William Sevy and Henry Sherborn : 
 
 At a metinge the : 20 of May : 165 1. 
 
 This day John Sherborn is granted hime three ackers of . . . 
 at the Sandy Beach : which is not yeat apropriated if ... . thear 
 to be had 
 
 At a generall toune meetinge the . 7 . of aprell : 165 1 
 It is granted that John Pickringe shall have ... of marsh, in 
 case he can find any voyd not yeat .... or mad youse of by 
 
 any of the said inhabitants : of the said marsh thought 
 
 to lie voyd before the me .... house which John Pickring 
 haue promised to fence 
 
 At a meeting hild the : 11 : of August : 1651 
 
 It was granted this day by the common consent .... Allix- 
 sander Bachelor shall haue a lotte- upon called pom- 
 
Portsmouth Records 15 
 
 fres poynt : so that he hinder not any .... of former priuihdge 
 of landing upon the g[reat Island] 
 
 At a meeting hild the . 25 . of August : 1645 : 
 
 It also granted this present day that the Illand . . called 
 Clamperinge Illand, shall wholly belong [unto] Thomas Wil- 
 liams with all its aportenancies as ... . and marsh. & 
 
 At a meeting hild the August the : 15 : 1646 : 
 
 it is granted Renald ffernald is to haue fouer [acres] of 
 marsh at the great house, which marsh lieth .... gutter on the 
 south olliuer trimings .... he ... . north, goodman Bartton on 
 the east ; and also h[ave] fouer acers of marsh more at the 
 fresh .... be both marked out at this present 
 
 At a meeting hild the : lo : of Jully : 1648 
 
 this day in presence of the town William B[erry hath] giuene 
 unto Anthony Ellins : possession of his .... house and eaight 
 
 ackers of land lyinge said house and also all his right 
 
 and tit[le at] the date hereof in the fresh [marsh] 
 
 Renald [Fernald] [4] 
 
 [At a meeti]ng held . . . Day of . . . 1648 
 
 It is likewise granted this day that Henry Sherborn may 
 mow in the fresh marsh that lyeth beyound william Sevys west- 
 ward about 2 mills, not befor mowed he is to have twentie 
 Ackers of the sayd marshe. 
 
 At a meettinge hild the : 7 : of aprell : 165 1 
 
 It is granted this towne meetinge that mr Ambrose Lanne 
 or his assignes shall haue free libertie to fall any timber lieinge 
 in common, for the uese of his mills in Sagamor Creke : and to 
 lett any perticuler man in the limmits of Straberry banke towne. 
 to haue boards on shilling in a hundred ffoot cheapper than 
 the prise that he selleth unto others, prouided that it be for 
 their own particuler ues : except building of ships and barks, 
 or boats, thay are to pay the prise curante. 
 
 [5] 
 
 At a Towne meetinge hild the : 20 : of may : 165 1 
 
 It is granted this Towne meeting : that John : webster shall 
 
 haue, the huse sould by Jaffry. Ragge : to Roger knight on the 
 
 great Illand. and likewise eaight ackers of land near ajoyninge, 
 
16 Portsmouth Records 
 
 to be laied by the Touns men. fower Rods at the watter side 
 and the Rest to goe bake : 
 
 At a Towne meetinge hild the : 7 : of JuUy : 165 1 : 
 
 1 It is agred on at this Town meetinge that whearas thear 
 hath bine a foot path usually made viz : ouer John pickrins 
 grounds from ouer his mill dame, and from thence allonge by 
 the mill path unto his next path and so derecte as conuenien . . , 
 may towards the present meetinge house : to [be] continued for 
 the more ease of the Inhabitants and others that shall have oca- 
 sion to trauill that waye at all time and times : hereafter with- 
 out leave of the sayd John pickringe. ore any man ells to be 
 continued for euer. 
 
 2 It is likewise agreed one this Toune meetinge that Jerimy 
 walford shall haue twenty acres of land lienge near his house 
 one the great Illand and one the easter side of the sayd house 
 
 At a meeting hild the 11 : of August : 51 
 
 It was granted unto mr Pindelton in the behalfe of mr wil- 
 liam. Paine, a parsill of land for a husse and gard . . between the 
 ould docters feilde and the poynt upon the east sid of the coue 
 next below wottons necke [7] 
 
 Aprill the 5th 1652 
 
 1 It is ordered this day that all grants formerly granted and 
 Rec[orded] although thay be not signed by the Towns men, 
 neuer the lesse the s[aid] grants and possessions shall bee of 
 force : and the present Towns men shall haue power to con- 
 ferme what shall bee proued to be grants : so that it be no 
 mans former properite 
 
 2 It is granted this day that mr Richard Cut is to haue a 
 Lotte between the fresh marsh creke and the next freshet be- 
 low the fall, and so upward toward his marsh, all which is to 
 be layed out. at the present Towns mens discression for a 
 ffarme 
 
 3 It is ordered this day that francis Trike is to clear his 
 hous of goodman greene, and his wiffe, and children, in a 
 munths time, and for euery day that the .sayd francis Trike, 
 shall entertayn them aboue the sayd time, he is to pay twenty 
 shillings 
 
 signed mr Brian. Pendelton Renald. Fernald Henry. Sherburn 
 John. Pickringe James. Johnsone 
 
Portsmouth Records 17 
 
 At a meetinge hild the 3 of may 1652 
 
 ... It is ordered that the greate lUand, shall bee left . . . 
 mon espesially the land by the watter side. To each Lott be 
 granted, thay shall note exsed on Acer of Land : ... as haue 
 bine former planters, at the Touns disposinge 
 
 2 It is ordered this day that each Inhabitant of this Towne 
 [provide himself] with arms, mett for a foot company : within 
 the space [of one month] after the Date hearof vid. by the 
 third of June next . th . . . for our defense if ned Requier 
 
 Signed by mr Brian [Pendelton] Renal[d Fernald] Henr[y 
 Sherburn] John [Pickering] James [Johnson.] [8] 
 
 At a toune meetinge hild the 14th aprill 1650 
 It is ordered this town mettinge that euery ordnery keeper 
 in this town shall pay for euery pipe of wine thay drawe shall 
 pay to the town twenty shillings — this is a trew copy out of 
 the ould booke 
 
 At a Town meetinge at Strawbery banke the 15th of August: 
 1646: 
 
 It is ordered that John Pickringe shall haue fower Ackers of 
 marsh in the fresh marsh, which fower Ackers liethe at the en- 
 tery of the marsh, upon the south side of the Creeke as it is 
 marked out : & also fouer of salt marsh at the great house 
 ajoininge to the great paund on the south sid. and next to 
 James Johnson on the east side and Anthony brakit on the 
 west : 
 
 Signed by : John. Renals ^ 
 
 John. Crouther > Taken out of the ould Booke 
 & William. Berry ) 
 
 Att a Towne meetinge hild the tenth day of Jully 1648 
 Whearas thear was, by a former acte of the Town granted 
 unto the parssonage house, the full tenth parte of the fresh 
 [ma]rsh, with upland to belonge thearunto, and as yeat, the 
 tenth [parte] cannot be knowne ; by Reson it is not yeat mes- 
 sured nor [laid] out ; wee whos names are under wrighten do 
 assign unto [the par]ssonnage house : fower ackers of the be- 
 fore named fresh [marsh] next westward of the marsh of mr : 
 francis williames .... in his time hee mowed : and upon the 
 south sid of [the fre]shet or brooke : the which marsh was 
 neuer mowed .... in wittnes whearof wee do hear unto sett our 
 hands. 
 3h 
 
18 Portsmouth Records 
 
 Signed by — Renald Fernald William Seauy Robert Puding- 
 ton 
 
 Taken out of the ould booke May (: 52 [George Wa]lton is 
 
 granted six ackers of lande within on disorderly closed 
 
 in upon the great Illand ackers is to be taken upon the 
 
 south side e foot pathe : this was granted at the great 
 
 Hand 
 
 Brian. Pendlton Jams. Johnson John, pickring Renald. Fer- 
 nald [9] 
 
 At a generall mettinge hild the 17th of May 1652 
 
 1 mr Ambrose Lanne and James Johnson, are chosen Com- 
 mishoners [unto] the next Courte at boston for an anser unto 
 the petitione made in October 165 1. and to atend any other oca- 
 tion at the nexte generall courte that is nedful for the Toune 
 acordinge unto thear Commishon 
 
 2 The Commishoners are desired to presente unto the next 
 Courte. mr Richard Leader, mr Ambros Lane and mr Pendil- 
 ton to be confermed asosiats hear at Strabery Banke 
 
 3 It is also desired that mr Thomas Bellingum may be pre- 
 sedent at this Courte at Strabery Banke 
 
 4 It is farther ordered that the sellect men haue power to 
 Draw the commishone 
 
 5 mr Briant Pendillton is chosen this day commander of the 
 Trayn Band 
 
 6 mr Theados Riddan is chosen clarke of the courte 
 
 7 It is granted this day that Ellixsander Bacheller is to 
 keepe the ferry, from the great Illand, unto the Randavow. or 
 the great house to reseve for each singell persone, fouer pence 
 to the great house — and from goodman sherborns poynt, unto 
 strabery banke, six pence the man ; and two pence the man 
 from the great Illand unto goodman [Sher]borns poynt 
 
 mr Brian Pendilton Henry Sherburne Renald Fernald James 
 Johnson 
 
 At a meeting hild the tenth of August, 1652 
 
 1 It is ordered that John pickringe and henry Sherb[orn 
 go] up unto Doner with george walton to acoumpt with [them] 
 
 about the Differense betwin us and the Inhabitants 
 
 court charges 
 
 2 It is ordered that thare shall bee a Rate made .... for 
 the towns youse 
 
Portsmouth Records 19 
 
 3 . . . goodman Sherborn is chosen tresuerer for this 
 year to be accountabull unto the sellect men on ... . 
 
 4 It is ordered that mr Briant Pendilton and J . . . are 
 apoynted to vvright a letter unto .... respect of an anser of 
 the gener[al court] [lO] 
 
 5 . . . . goodman pickringe : and goodman Sherburn haue 
 power for to take an accoumpt of the late tresseuerer, william 
 sevey and to call in all former Rates 
 
 Renald Fernald Henry Sherburn Brian Pendilton John 
 Pickringe James Johnson 
 
 At a towne meetinge hild the 13th of September 1652 
 
 1 It is ordered that from hence forth all lisensed persons 
 shall giue a juste accoumpt of what wine they .shall take into 
 ther house for sayll within three dayes after the Reset of the 
 same, the which acoumpt is to be giuen unto the Towne 
 Tresurer; mr Henry Sherborne, upon forfiture of such wines 
 as shall be neglected, for frensh wines the Ratte is fiue shilling 
 the hhead, and for all other wines ten shillings the hhead and 
 for all other smaller caske porporshanabuly 
 
 2 It is granted unto Joseph Pendilton on full acer of Land 
 upon the great Illand by the common consent 
 
 3 It is granted unto georg walton upon the great Illand on 
 acer of Land neare unto his house at the discretion of the 
 Towne men to be layed out 
 
 4 george walton hath agreed with the Towne this day for 
 all the wine he hath Draune befor this day, and is to pay un- 
 to the Towne the full sume of six pounds. 
 
 [5] John Webster hathe agreed with the Towne for all the 
 wine he hath drawne befor this day, and is to pay fifty shillings 
 
 Brian Pendilton Renald Fernald John Pickring Henry Sher- 
 burn 
 
 [II] 
 At a meeting hild the 7th of Desember 1652 
 
 1 Henry Sherborn and Renald ffernald are sworn commis- 
 honers for the yeare 
 
 2 It is ordered that upon teusday next thear is a Courte 
 keept by the commishoners at strabery banke, for the ending 
 of small causes 
 
 3 It is further ordered that the commishoners haue agreed 
 to take a list of the visabull estates of the inhabitants of Stra- 
 bery Banke by teusday next, being the 14th. of this present, 
 so that a Rate may be made, and forthwith levied of 30 L for 
 publick chargis 
 
20 
 
 Portsmouth Records 
 
 4 It is ordered that george walton is to take Doune and Re- 
 moue his fense which he disorderly set up, and to compound 
 with the Right ouners of the marsh, which he inclosed, as be- 
 for is sayd whether it be Thomas walford or Elixsander Jones 
 is . . 
 
 5 It is granted unto Richard Seward : a lott upon the 
 norther sid of Strabery Banke creek ouer against mr Campions 
 hous: and between the two freshits westward: so that he build 
 thear up . . within on year after this grante 
 
 At a meetinge the. 13th of January 1652 
 
 I It is granted that each Inhabitant is to haue out Lotts of 
 
 acuruiiig uiiLu liic uiuci uii 
 
 acers 
 
 UCl WllgllLCll 
 
 acers 
 
 unto mr Briant Pendilton 
 
 30 
 
 Henry. Sherborn 5 
 
 
 mr Richard. Cut 
 
 45 
 
 William. Sevy 5 
 
 
 mr Leaders houss 
 
 45 
 
 William. Berry 3 
 
 
 Richard, Commons 
 
 45 
 
 Thomas. Sevy i 
 
 
 for Ro. Kn. Arcullus humpkins 
 
 50 
 
 OUyuer. Trimings i 
 
 
 Walter. Abbit 
 
 30 
 
 James. Johnsone 4 
 
 
 William. Cotton 
 
 20 
 
 Allixsande. Bachelor . 
 
 
 John. Jackson 
 
 10 
 
 Jerrimy. walford 
 
 
 William. Hame 
 
 50 
 
 Francis. Trikee 
 
 
 Edward. Barton 
 
 20 
 
 George. Walton 
 
 
 Nicholis. Row 
 
 50 
 
 Rober. Mussell 
 
 
 John. IMoysis 
 
 15 
 
 John. Wotton 
 
 
 mr Ambros. Lane 
 
 25 
 
 John. Pickringe 
 
 
 William. Brookins 
 
 10 
 
 John. Jones for fr 
 
 
 Thomas Walford 
 
 50 
 
 John Hart [?] 
 
 
 Thomas Beverly 
 
 20 
 
 [12 
 
 ] 
 
 John. Sherborne 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 Antony EUins 
 
 25 
 
 Captin Champernon 5 
 
 
 
 Renald ffernald 
 
 50 
 
 Antony Brakite 3 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 Richard Seward i 
 
 
 
 Robert. Pudington 
 
 10 
 
 mr Masons house i 
 
 5 
 
 goodman Chaterton house 
 
 ; 10 
 
 mr Campions house i 
 
 
 
 henry Becke 
 
 10 
 
 Joseph Pendilton i 
 
 
 
 William Euins 
 
 10 
 
 granted unto Mr. Richar 
 
 d 
 
 Cut tene ackers in the fresh 
 marsh if it be thear to be 
 had. not hindring John 
 Pickrings grant 
 
Portsmouth Records 21 
 
 2 It is granted unto mr Richard Commins ten trees and un- 
 to William Cotton ten trees 
 
 January the 13th. 1652 At the hous of geordge walton 
 
 This night the select men exsamened the ould Town Booke 
 and what was not aproued, was crossed out, and what was 
 aproued, was left to bee Recorded in this Booke and to be 
 confermed by the present select men 
 
 Signed by mr Brian Pendelton henry, sherburn Renald. Fer- 
 nald John. Pickringe James. Johnson 
 
 it was granted unto georg walton : 30 : foot of land at the 
 watter sid for the buildinge a store house upon the caster side 
 of the grauilly coue next his house, so that it be not upon 
 another mans former Righte 
 
 Att a Towne meettinge held ye 28th of (9) 1653 
 
 That wher as ther was an order made at a towne meetinge 
 the 13th of 7ber 1652 that all Licensed psons within this towne 
 should Bring in an acco : of what wine they shall tacke into 
 draw within three dayes after itt be recaued by them, on for- 
 fiture of sd: wines & also pay for the drawinge of all such wines 
 to the tresurer for the towne's use, as is expressed in ye afore 
 sd. order: that is to say for all frensh wines, fiue shillings p 
 hodghead, & all sorts of sacke at tenn shillings p hodghead ; & 
 for all other vessell biger or leser pportionally 
 
 Wee the psent select men of the towne doe conferme the 
 aboue sd order for the use & good of the towne 
 
 Brian Pendleton Richard Cut Renald Fernald John 
 Sherburne [13] 
 
 At a generall meettinge hild the 14th of march i[652] 
 It is generally agreed that theas men under named a . . 
 chosen Towns men for this present year inseuinge. vidillis mr 
 Brian Pendelton : mr Richard Cut : Samuiell Hains. Renald 
 ffernald & John Sherborn : and haue granted unto them the same 
 power that was granted the year past: further it is agreed up- 
 on that the magor part of the sayd sellect mens acte: shall 
 stand: witnes our hands 
 
 Henry. Sherburn Richard. Tucker James. Johnson William. 
 Euins Anthony. Brakit Ellixsander. Bachiller Thomas. Sevy 
 William. Berry francis. Rand francis. Trickee Robert. Puding- 
 ton William C'otton Walter. Abbit Richard Commins Thomas 
 Peuerly Oliver Trimings 
 
22 Portsmouth Records 
 
 granted unto Olliver Trimmings ten trees for making of 
 pipstaves 
 
 1 It is generally agreed upon that euery wolfe that hereafter 
 shall be killed in this Towne : the partie shall have twenty 
 shillings of the Town stocke 
 
 2 It is ordered that thear shall be a Court keept, for the 
 ending of small causes : upon the 28th of this present month 
 
 3 Renald ffernald it this day chosen for to keep the Towne 
 Booke, and to haue for his paines. twenty shillings for the year 
 and for all coppeis he shall be paied by whom shall Imploy 
 hime 
 
 4 It is farther granted by the commone consent : that mr 
 Richard Cutt Renald ffernald and John Sherborn are to go to 
 morow, or the next fair day : unto the fresh marsh alr[eady] 
 granted : unto John pickringe : and unto mr Richard C[utt] 
 vidi. to each of them ten acers : and the Rest to be Di . . . . 
 to : William Cotton : Walter abbit : franscis Rands : John 
 [Jones] to whom shall bee thought fitt by them, and Recordid 
 seuerall lotts shall be laied out 
 
 5 It is also agreed upon that mr Brian Pendilton is made 
 ... for our Depeiity unto the next generall courte a . . shipe 
 and to have power granted unto him . . . under the Consta- 
 buls hand. [14] 
 
 6 It is lickwise agreed upon that mr Briane Pendilton : mr 
 Richard Cutte, and Renald ffernald : are Requested to confer 
 with our naybors of Douer and kittree about sendinge unto 
 the generall courte ai:)out forttifyinge the Riuer for our defence 
 
 7 It was farther ordered that Robert Pudington : with : 
 Philipe Lewus : or sum other is to serch out the nearist part, to 
 cut out a hey way. to meet that that our naybors of hamptone 
 haue made 
 
 8 The aboue named Touns men are at the next fitt time to 
 lay out the land unto the peopell of the Sandy beach vid. unto 
 William Berry. Anthony Brakit. Thomas Sevy franci.s Rand 
 and James Johnson 
 
 1653 Toune meetinge . 5th (10) 
 
 At a publicke Townmettinge hild the 5th of Desember 1653 
 
 1 It is generally agreed upon that from hensforth the min- 
 isters wagis shall be paied, by way of Ratt of the visabull estats: 
 the Invoys shall be taken within two months after the dat 
 hearof 
 
 2 It is farther ordered yt the plains shall be laied out at the 
 first opertunitie by theas men under named vid. mr Richard 
 
Portsmouth Records 
 
 23 
 
 Cut: Renald Fernald : Thomas Walford and : William Cotton: 
 and what theas men shall doe in this matter acording unto 
 thear best skille. shall not herafter be questioned but shall 
 .stttnd ferm and good 
 
 3 It is generally agreed and grantd unto Robert Puding- 
 ton, yt he shall haue on hundred ackers of land ajoyning unto 
 his house : leaving a hey way ; conuenent for cattell to goe to 
 feed in : the which land shall be meseured by the befor named 
 men at the next conuenent time 
 
 4 It is granted unto Walter neall a lot of eaight ackers to 
 his house upon the neck of land by winacont Riuer commonly 
 called John heards necke. 
 
 Brian Pendleton Rich Cutt Renald Fernald 
 
 [5] It was farther ordered that the plains next unto goodman 
 pudingtons should be laied out acordinge to the form follow- 
 inge, the first squardron. is to begine at the southeaste corner 
 of the sayd plaine and soe to take the cours of the sune leauing 
 a hey way betwen the fower [squajdrons, to Rune diu north- 
 weste and southeaste [15] 
 
 The first squadron by lott 
 the first is 
 
 acers 
 10 
 
 16/3 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 en 
 
 1. John. Sherborn 
 
 2. William. Hame 
 
 3. mr Pendilton 
 
 4. William sevy 
 
 5. Anthony Brakit 
 
 6. Jerimiha. Walford 
 
 7. John Jackson 
 The second squadron is 
 
 1. Thomas Walford . . 
 
 2. Richard. Sayward 3^ 
 
 3. Richard. Commins 15 
 
 4. James. Johnson 15 
 
 5. Anthony. Ellins 8^ 
 
 6. Alix : Bacheller 3^ 
 
 7. Edward Barton 6^ 
 
 8. John. Webster 5 
 
 9. Rendald. ffernald 16^ 
 10. John, moysis 5 
 
 The third squadron, begin 
 at the norther co[rner] of the 
 sayd plaine and to con[tinue] 
 easterly 
 
 1. William. Brockins 
 
 2. Henry. Sherborn 
 
 3. George. Walton 
 
 4. Thomas. Sevy 
 
 5. Thomas. Peuerlly 
 
 6. Roberte. Mastell 
 
 7 harculis. humpkins 
 8. William. Cotton 
 
 acers 
 
 5 
 
 3/3 
 
 3/3 
 
 1654 
 
 6^/3 
 
 9. Captin. Champernon 16^^ 
 
 3/3 
 
 13 M 
 
 10. francis Trikee 
 
 11. John. Jones 
 The fourth squadron 
 
 1. Walter Abbit 10 
 
 2. Olliuer. Triminges 3^ 
 
 3. mr Leadder 15 
 
 4. William Berry iq 
 
24 Portsmouth Records 
 
 acers 
 
 upon the souther sid of the 5. mr Ambris Lann 8^ 
 
 hey way 6. John Humpkins 3^ 
 
 7 mr massons hous 5 
 
 8. John Wotton 6yi 
 
 9. NichoUs Row 16^ 
 
 10. John Pickring 16^ 
 
 11. the widow mansfield 3[^?] 
 
 6 Whearas thear was formerly granted unto, mr Richard 
 Cut ; a lote to extend from his marsh, lyinge at the easter 
 corner of the fresh marsh ; unto the next freshet, bellow the 
 fall, not spesefiing what quantity it should bee, it is this day 
 granted : that the sayd Lott shall amounte unto on hundred 
 acers ; and to take its begining from the easter eand of the 
 sayd fresh marsh ; from the alders upon the souther sid of the 
 brooke, and to extend from the sayd alders ; east and by 
 north, unto a littell guter between the fall, and the common 
 landing at the cart path, upon the norther, sid of the sayd 
 path, and from the poynte ouer againste the said guter, to ex- 
 tend along the norther sid of the creeke. 55, poll unto a littell 
 guter. freshitt below the fall : between the befor named east 
 eand of the fresh marsh, and guter. mr Richard Cut to leave 
 a hey way for catell ouer the brooke . . former ffeeding, up on 
 the north side ; the sayd [way] is to be left six poll broud if 
 need Requier 
 
 [16] 
 
 This day it is aproued of by the toune that what was don 
 by mr Richard Cut, Renald ffernald and John Sherborn towns 
 men about laying out lotts in the fresh marsh unto John Pick- 
 ringe. mr Richard Cutt. william Cotton. Walter Abbit Renald 
 ffernald. francis Rand. & John Jones & the Rest yt wear laid 
 out acording unto the form following in march the. 15th. 1653 
 
 1 goodman hams marsh doth extend from the freshit upon 
 the easter sid of the parsonage marsh easterly full thirty ])oll 
 up unto the wood side — to the northward two and twenty poll, 
 and from the wood sid southward thirty poll, aii it is marked : 
 so that his lott is 30. poll deepe & 22 poll broud 
 
 2 John Pickrings lott doth extend from william hames north- 
 ward fiufty fine poll, acording unto the bredth of goodman 
 hams, and thirty poll easterly and westerly as it is laied out 
 and marked. 
 
Portsmouth Records 25 
 
 3 mr Richard Cuts his lote of medow Doth begine next nor 
 weste of the parsonage lott upon the nor westen sid of the 
 broouke thirty polls from the woodesside along the saied 
 broouke eastward short of a litell. hill of birchen trees and 
 from thence it doth extend northward fiuty fiue polls and at 
 fiiuty polls eand thirty polls to the wood westerly as it is laied 
 out and marked 
 
 4 William Cottons lott doth begine : from mr Richard Cuts 
 east by north corner of his lott, and doth extend towards good- 
 man pickrings west by south corner, ten poll and at ten polls 
 bredth it doth extend north ward as mr Cuts doth upon the 
 said northerly line untell it com unto the upland or woodsside 
 bearing the said bredth lo poll 
 
 [5] waiter Abbits lott doth extend upon the same line from 
 mr Cuts, unto John pickrings ward eaight polls, and north- 
 ward as William Cotton doth untell it com up unto the upland 
 or woodside bearing eaight polls bredth 
 
 [6] Renald ffernalds lot is next unto waiter Abbits six polls 
 easterly and to cary the same bredth unto [th]e norther extenth 
 to the upland as waiter Abbit and [Wiljliam Cotton doe 
 
 [17] 
 
 7 francis Rands or John humpkins lot doth extend to the 
 
 eastward as Renald Fernald doth, fouer poll and caryeth the 
 same bredth to the norther upland as the befor named william 
 Cotton and waiter Abbit do. 
 
 8 John Jones doth head upon the same line easterly fouer 
 polls, and doth cary the same bredth northward to the woods 
 sid. vid. 4 polls unto the upland as william Cotton, waiter Ab- 
 bit Renald ffernald and ffrancis Rand doe 
 
 9 John Webster is to haue the marsh that liethe betwin 
 goodman hames lott and the parssonage lott the which is com- 
 passed with a gutter next unto goodman hames and the brouk 
 next unto the parssonage, and upon the norther sid, the heads 
 of william Cotton, Walter abbits, Renald ffernald, ffrancis Rand 
 and John Jones is. lotts do begin and extend northerly as is 
 before saied. 
 
 ID The persons befor named except John pickring wer all 
 present at the time at meseuring the sayd lotts, and wear there- 
 with contented. 
 
 march the 17th 1653. thear was granted at the Sandy Beach 
 vid : unto James Johnson of medow 20. ackers unto OUiuer 
 Trimmings 04. ackers unto Thomas Sevy of medow 08. ackers 
 4h 
 
26 Portsmouth Records 
 
 and upland 08. ackers unto William Berry of medow unto his 
 ould hous that is by william Sevys 06. ackers unto Anthony 
 Brakit upland 30. ackers adjoyninge unto his hous. and of 
 medow 20 ackers mor unto William Berry from the littell creek 
 next unto Goodman Brakits so much as sh[all] amount unto 
 ten ackers of medow bet[ween] the sayd creke and the creeks 
 mouth upon the south sid thearof, and 4 ackers of . . whear he 
 hath alredy ploued upon the north sid of the creeke, mor up- 
 land to ajoyn u[nto] his house upon the necke 26, ackers 
 
 unto francis Rands, medow. 08. ackers [and] upland 20 ackers 
 for a lotte. 
 
 at the fresh medow aboue goodman Sevys was also [granted] 
 this day march the 17th 1653 unto Henry Sherborn of medow 
 16 ackers 
 
 after at an other meetting was grant[ed] 4 ackers ajoyning 
 unto the sayd. 16. 
 
 unto John Sherborn in the sayd medow granted 12 ackers 
 
 At the sand beach granted unto John Sherborn grant, the. 
 20. of May. 165 1 three ack[ers] 
 
 [18] 
 
 When the lots befor named at the Sandy Beach granted be- 
 ing laied out. the ouer plus is to be Distribeuted unto waiter, 
 abbit. william. Cotton, nicholis. Row John. Jackson and Robert 
 mustell. 3 acers apese if it be thear to be had 
 
 Thease lands before specified both upland & medow beinge 
 layd out & the plaine not yet layde oute : wee hose names are 
 underwritten doe thise. 30. of January 1653 Confirme 
 
 Brian Pendleton Richard Cut Renald Fernald John 
 Sherbuern 
 
 At a towne meeting hild the 30. of January 1653 
 
 1 It is ordered that mr Pendelton and John Sherborn are to 
 take a not of the visabull estats of the Inhabitants blow — and 
 mr Richard Cut and Renald ffernald are to take nottis of the 
 stats of the Inhabitants aboue the which is to be don by the 
 midell of the next month 
 
 2 It is granted unto : nicholis Row: that he may mow in the 
 fresh marsh ajouning unto the plains, whear goodman Walford 
 and goodman Pudington and thomas peuerly haue formerly 
 mowed prouided he do not mow what was formerly cleared by 
 them the said marsh is to be laid out at the next opertunity 
 
Portsmouth Records 27 
 
 [3] It is farther granted that : harcullus Humpkins : is to 
 have a lott in the fresh marsh creeke next unto : mr Richard 
 Cut : upon the south sid of the said creeke, and upon the west 
 side of the hey way from the meettinge house, the which lott is 
 to be three ackers into the three ackers the poynt next west is 
 to bee incleuded. 
 
 [4] It is granted unto : mr John Cut : a lott next unto : 
 harcullus humpkins : westward from the said poynt. up unto 
 the next fresh gutter upon the said side the sayd two lotts. are 
 to extend from the creek sid backe unto the hey way : which 
 is to be laied out at the next conuenent time by : mr Richard 
 Cut : harckulus humpkins : John Webster : and Renald ffer- 
 nald. 
 
 [5] It is farther granted unto mr John Cutt in the fresh 
 marsh or whear he can find it, not yeat mad yous of ten 
 ackers of medow 
 
 [6 It] is granted unto Renald ffurnald in the said fresh marsh 
 creek [upo]n the poynt next west of goodman Seward, twelve 
 ackers of land. 
 
 Brian Pendleton Richard Cutt Renald Fernald John 
 Sherbuerne 
 
 [19] 
 
 At a generall towne mettinge hild the 14th of march 1654 
 
 It is ordered by the common consent that theas men under 
 named are apoynted to lay out the hey wave by goodman Pud- 
 intons to the plains, vidi. Captin Champernon. John Pickring. 
 Samouel hains Renald ffernald 
 
 2 It is ordred by the towne the men whos times are expired 
 at this psent haue pouer giuen them to make the Ratte for the 
 ministers wagis. the which is to be don by this day sen night. 
 
 3 It is granted unto houbert Mattean, a lott of eaight ackers 
 in the fresh marsh creke next eastward of : mr Richard Cute : 
 upon the north west sid of the said creke 
 
 Brian Pendleton Richard Cutt Renald Fernald 
 Samuel Haines John Sherbuern 
 
 It was & is this day generally agreed upon that the wine 
 sellers shall all pay for thear drawinge of wine acordinge unto 
 the orders formerly mad. by the seliect men, and the sellect men 
 are hearby ordered that they forth with, yous mens for the 
 proceuringe of the same, for the yous of the Towne 
 
 At a generall town meeting held the. 27th. of march i6[54] 
 
28 
 
 Portsmouth Records 
 
 . John l^cV.on^^nGeor,eW.,t«^^^^ B-^der 
 
 :f;r:rrb1te^C^: ™e^^^et/tt\.fa.,n, up Of 
 
 this year insuinge "^^ ^^^^^f^t^^^. ^^^ William Cotton and 
 -;^;rautrHUe^;^wer E^;^'&„s .en ha.e ... 
 
 formerly in eauery P»y"' J^"" jlf^^h Renald Fernald in 
 
 trhlbSfl rf th re th^ ifciL keep in] cust.e this Towne 
 
 look and to haue for his pains as formerly was granted ^^^^ 
 
 Tthf to;Vh|\poynted for the ordring ^e sea. ,n^ 
 
 Ttf hf dr:tte";™: d;%e"a'nit,?h''':n exped.sion that 
 
 """y'"^ A „., that Tames Tohnson. shall acoumpt 
 
 5 it is farther agreed upon that J a™«s J """=" ; . jj,^ ^n 
 
 with the tresurer, and ^^^at wa d,u befo tte day _^^^^^^^ 
 
 half is to be deducted f "f „^J^°™^Xg „"'« '°™" """ 
 ^olurlnTcouS^t-of w^h^t^he stall tafe in for sayll 
 
 IZXSr^mo. is chosen treseror for th,s year by the 
 ^RrHArTucKEK W.LUAM X CoT.oNS mark JOHK X P.CK. 
 RINGS mark 
 
 , Lis this day the ' 7th : of ApriU 54 : o^^^^^^^^^ 
 sented to by the Se eet XVhal^ull power oTue for & re- 
 trtrrSteTS' th^t'oirf™^" U-'such men as shall not 
 
 pay the same upon a "'"'"I' 'Jf"';'"'' Richard Cut : John Pick- 
 % It is ordered 'his day that^ 'of the "habitants in thear 
 
 •^TSday mr henry sherborn tresurer hath giuen inacoumpt 
 "' £'5 ^iris ?:rer o^drSat hensforth thear shall be granted 
 
Portsmouth Records 29 
 
 l^^^.^^^- ^'^"^- '° -=^- 'h= -™ Shall 
 
 [5] It IS granted unto ffrancis drake : a housse lott unon th^ 
 
 S:;eek;^°^^" '-''''''' '''''' ■ '' ^^^ -o^th of"trf"es'h 
 
 [21] 
 
 do^f r'> '^ f '^''' ''^^"'^ belonging unto the meeting house 
 doth take Its begai.ng from the great pine by the sayd house 
 
 whi■h'h"i^^'""'A'""^^^^ •■ ^^°^'^-^ humpkLs^hs hous 
 
 of he savtT^'o" ''r''"^^'."-,^"^ ^°-- P°"' f-- the end 
 ot the saved . 30 : polls up the hill : north & by west-full • c6 • 
 
 poll: from the sayd : 56 : polls end, diu east : 46 un o aLked 
 
 pme marked with three nochis. from the said forked one 
 
 south ^ by east full : 44 : polls unto the befor menshoned ^eat 
 
 ni n^f".r^''''' ^""^ '^?'^ ''"^'" •• ^t the north and by east cor- 
 ner of the parsonag lott : leaving a way and doth evt^nri 
 towards the springe : north & by east : ^a'^oH from he s^S 
 22 : pols end towards : mr: Cuts, diu northwest and by nor h- 
 15 : poll, unto Mr Cuts his fenc^ : from the sayd end of Mr 
 Cuts fence : 64 : polls, and at the sayd : 64 • polls end it doth 
 extend dm east as the parsonage land dot1. :^56 poh eavu I 
 a way between the parsonage ground & his ^ ^ 
 
 Mr Richard Cutt: his lot doth extend from. John AVebster 
 bythewatter sid: to mr Rains his hous: full- 60 poll and 
 
 by we t%7ooir.1.f hJ°'" r""'"''' ^^"-- -""hS-f :; d 
 Dy west. 64 poll: as John websters doth to a pin then marked 
 
 th'eTe?h' mar h"'''T^ f '^°" '''' «^^^ nfarked pin n o 
 tne tresh marsh creeke: leaving a way be betwixt- Hirrnln^ 
 
 maTh'criek""' "^ ^"'^^' ""^'^ ^°"^ ^-- thf sayd'resh 
 m^^^^'^r^^^^:-^' -^ by order of the select 
 
 Atapubliqu Town meetinge hild the: 12: of September- 
 1663 granted unto Samuell Hains ten ackers of land at 4e 
 so thTt It be n^"' ""'l °."^^ '-^^^""^^^ Captin. Champe?nuns 
 book "''°'' '^^ ^'P'"'' land-taken out of the ould 
 
 it was granted unto william urin, a lott upon the nerk nf 
 l^meiuTa"" '°''"^" ^^^'^^^"^ ^"^ wUliamroLn'wkh con- 
 
30 Portsmouth Records 
 
 At a publiqu Town metting hild the : 5th. of June 1654 : 
 
 1 it is granted unto Mathew Hame a lott in the coue next 
 unto his father now duelUng house, to be laid out at the next 
 convenent time 
 
 2 John Jackson is chosen to be dark of the market by the 
 common consent of the towne [22] 
 
 Theas present do witnes that I Robert Pudington doe herby 
 acknolidge and confese that I have Rescued from Thomas 
 Sevy full satisfaction for all my hous housis and land both in- 
 fensed and out of fence which I formerly did Inhabit and 
 make yous of : next unto the habitation of William Berry ner 
 the litell harbor : & do herby Resign all my Right and titell 
 for euer, unto the said Thomas Sevy his hiers & assignis. in 
 witnes whear of 1 doe herunto sett my hand this fourth of June 
 in the year of our lord, on thousand six hundred & fiuty & fine 
 witnes Renald Fernald William Sevy R. P 
 
 the mark of Robert 
 a true coppy taken from the originall Pudington 
 
 by me Renald Fernald. [23] 
 
 This presente wrightinge witnesseth that whearas thear is a 
 condition fully concleuded, betwene mr Clemment Campion of 
 Strabery Banke of the on party : and Roger knight of the sam 
 place of the other party: That is to say the said Clemment 
 Campion, hath fully and Rally, deliuered into possesion unto 
 the sayd Roger knigh. the house housses and lands thearunto 
 belonginge. which hath bine in former time the house housses 
 of mr francis Raines, and sould unto the sayd clemente by 
 ffrancis Raines: so longe as the said Roger and his wiffe anne 
 doth Hue or ether of them, and in case thay both die. befor 
 the sayd clemente then the said clemment campion is to inioy 
 the said place as fully and ampully as beffore the date hearofe: 
 and likwise in case the said clemment campion, doth die before 
 the said Roger and his wiffe anne. or ether of theme, then the 
 said Roger or his wiffe anne. the longest liuer of ether partie 
 to possess and inioy the said plantation befor menshoned for 
 euer. whearunto wee haue both of us sette our hands the : 23: 
 day of desember : 1652 
 
 witnes Clement campion 
 
 ffransis : champernowne the mark R of Roger knight 
 
 Henry sherburne 
 
 a true coppie compared with the originall by mee 
 
 Renald Fernald 
 
Portsmouth Records 31 
 
 January the : 12: 1652 
 
 know all men by theas psense that I Thomas ffurson and 
 Roger Knight are agreed for the Illand befour the house of 
 master Clement Campione. which is called by the name of fur- 
 [sons] Illand : and 1 Roger Knighte ame to giue unto Thomas 
 furson for the before named Illand on whight and bl[ack] 
 heffer, and to winter hir, and to giue Thomas ffurson twelue 
 shillings. & sixpence the first of Jeun next after the date hearof 
 
 witnes. william Palmer. John webster, the younger 
 Thomas furson. John, pickring 
 compared with the originall a true coppy by: Renald Fer- 
 
 NALD [24] 
 
 Jane Drake the relict of Wm Berry with ye con .... hus- 
 band Nath : Drake for a valeuable consideration where- 
 with they are fully satisfied hath giuen up her thirds unto Anto 
 EUins of the land her husband Berry sold unto sd Ellens men- 
 coned this 6th of December 1670 before me Elias Stileman 
 
 [25] 
 
 At a toune meeting hild at Strabery Bank the last of Jenuary. 
 1648 
 
 1 It is granted by the commc^ consent that william Berry 
 shall haue a lott upon the neck of land upon the south sid of 
 the littell Riuer at the Sandie beach : 
 
 2 It is ordered by the common consent that Robert puding- 
 ton is to haue a lott upon the north side of the littell Riuer at 
 the Sandie beach : 
 
 3 It was also granted unto Robert Dauis by the common con- 
 sent a lotte in Sagomors creeke next poynt west of John 
 moysis: 
 
 4 It is likewise granted Edward Bartton that no man shall 
 sit doune betwen him and John Crouders: Raylls 
 
 At a metting hild the : 11 : of June : 1649: 
 
 This day Thomas Williams hath Resigned all his Right and 
 titell unto Clampering Illand, into the hands of Richard kinge. 
 and what marshis the toun befor the dat hearof had granted 
 unto hime: 
 
 At a metting hild the : 13 : of Augost : 1649 : 
 
 It was granted by the common consent that Anthony Brakitt 
 shall haue a lott betwen Robert Pudington and william Berry, 
 
32 Portsmouth Records 
 
 at the head of the Sandie beach fresh Riuer at the wester branch 
 tharof : 
 
 At a meeting hild the . 22 : of October : 1649 : 
 It is acknoliged this day by Thomas walford that hee hath 
 freelly giuen all his Right and tittell [which] he hath inioyed 
 upon the great Illand unto his sonne Jerimy walford : exepting 
 what former[ly he] hath giuen unto allixsander Jones : 
 
 At a generall meeting hild the : 7 of aprell : 165 1 : 
 
 It was granted this meetinge that Anthony Ellins ha[ve] 
 
 giuen unto hime the Illand betwen John wottons and Clamper- 
 
 ing Illand ; 
 
 [27] 
 
 At a Towne meetting hild the : 20 : of October : 1651 : 
 
 It is gennerally agreed upon that John Jons Shall haue 
 twenty shillings for the year for making clean the mettinge 
 hose 
 
 Be it knowne unto all men by theas presents that I Roger 
 knight of Strabery banke . haue granted, bargained & sould 
 unto Hirculus Humpkins a plantation lyinge in Strabery banke 
 with all Right titells and privilidgis and possessions, that I 
 the sayd Roger Knight haue belonginge unto the sayd planta- 
 tion, for the sume of three score and ten pounds of good and 
 lawfull mony of nine England, ten pound to be paied the 
 twentieth day of nouernber, next insuinge the date hearof, and 
 ten pounds the : 20th : of the next insuinge Jeune, and twenty 
 pounds to be paied the next springe sesone after the date hearof 
 which will bee : 1653 : and thirty pound the next Rock, sesone 
 after the former date (: 53) and hear unto I haue inter chan- 
 gabull put my hand the eaightenth of the seventh month : 
 1652 : the mark R of Roger Knight 
 
 witnes Huphry Humber the mark HHof Harculus 
 
 Hum[pkins] 
 
 A triue coppie taken from the originall 
 
 by mee Renald Fernald [29] 
 
 At a publike tour^ meeting hild the : 8th : of March [1655] 
 
 I the Inhabitants haue chosen this day for thear present 
 
 select Towns men & untell others be chosen : vidi ; Thomas 
 
Portsmouth Records 33 
 
 walford : Anthony. Brakite : William Sevy : Jams Johnson 
 John Webster : and theas men aboue named haue the same 
 power in eaury poynt as the former towns men had in witnes 
 whear of we do hear unto set our hands 
 
 2 It is ordered by the comon consent that theas three men 
 under named haue power to make choys of a place to set up a 
 house for the minister or ministers youes with all conueninsy 
 for euer : vid. John pickringe . Thomas walford, and Robert 
 Pudington, and whatsoeuer theas three men shall doe in this 
 mater shall be Recordid, and stand firm as the acte of the whoU 
 towne for euer and the sayd three men are to signe thear acte 
 under thear hands 
 
 3 It is farther granted unto mr Brian Pendilton so much land 
 as lieth disused between the ould Docters fild and the water sid 
 leauinge fouer polls for a way between goodman mustells fence 
 and the sayd land upon the great. lUand 
 
 4 It is farther granted unto hirculus humpkins that he shall 
 hau a lott upon the great Illand about forty foot squar to set 
 up a stor hous so that it bee not what belongeth to any other 
 person 
 
 [5] It is farther ordered that theas three under named hau 
 full power to lay out all the land medow formerly granted unto 
 the inhabitants vid Thomas walford Robert Pudington & Ren- 
 ald ffernald theas lands are to be laid out after the ministers 
 land is laid out acording unto the order abou wrighting 
 
 Brian Pendleton Rich Cutt Renald Fernald in the 
 behalf of the rest. [30] 
 
 by verue of a Towne grant & order at a publique meetinge 
 hild the. 10: of July. (55) wee whos nams are under wrighten 
 have mesured as followeth: vid . unto. 
 
 1 waiter Nealle this . 22th of July. 1655: his home Lott 
 doth extend from goodman hayins his house due north and 
 by east unto winicont Riuer. leauing a way for the Captin 
 Champernoune betuene his housses . whear he formerly wente 
 
 2 goodman Hayns his home lotte beinge mesured is on hun- 
 dred sixty and one. polls aboute which is by oure estemation. 
 tene ackers 
 
 3 Capt. Champernouns Lotte doth extend from the marsh 
 within his fence next winicont Riuer: 245: polls suth east, 
 and at the end of the sayd line to extend south west the same 
 distance: vid; 245 polls, and at the sayd south west lins end 
 to extend north west the same distance and so to finish the 
 
 5h 
 
34 Portsmouth Records 
 
 same square, which is by ouer estimatione the full complement 
 granted unto the said Captin. vid. 300: ackers, the Cptin is 
 to allowe the waye through the sayd lott to be seuen pols 
 wide and to be commone unto his naighbors 
 
 4 goodman drakes lott doth Rune as the captins Lotte doth: 
 vid. : 40. poll northeast and south west, and : 24 : polls south 
 east and north west : also goodman drake is to haue a small 
 parsill of Land at the ester end of the Captins out lotte. to make 
 up what is wantinge of his Lotte next unto it. 
 
 5 Seuen polls being lefte for Hampton way next unto good- 
 man Drake. Walter Nealls lotte doth extend : 91 : poll square 
 acordinge unto the line befor spesified : vid : soyth east and 
 north west, and north east & south west: which .91 poll . 
 squar is by our estemation his complement of : 50 ; ackers . 
 alowed unto him by the towne. 
 
 6 Richard Sawards lote at the mouth of the fresh marsh 
 creeke doth begine at the head of the littell creeke next east- 
 erly of Renald ffernalds necke of land, ouer against the wester 
 poynt of Campions necke and doth extend, north easterly to 
 the next freshit so that it doth incompass the Raged necke of 
 land and doth finish whear it begane . vid : at the head of the 
 said creke next Renald ffernald and the sayd Richard Sawards 
 is to satisfie goodman drake for whatt pains he hath been at 
 upon the sayd necke 
 
 Confermed by the Selecte men the 20th . of march . 1656 vid 
 Thomas, walford william. seavey Anthony : Brackit Jams 
 Johnson, & John Webster 
 
 [31] 
 
 At a publique metting hild the eleventh of aprill. 1655 : 
 
 1 It is generally concluded and agreed upon that mr Brian 
 Pendilton and John pickring haue full power to meet with the 
 peopell of hnipton to confer and agree if they see caus with 
 them about the bounds of our towne and also with Douer 
 
 2 Mr Richard Commins is this day chosen suruayer of the 
 hey ways 
 
 3 The Inhabitants doe generally acknolidge that they are wil- 
 ling that mr Browne Should continue thear minister as he hath 
 bin, if he bee so plesed. 
 
 William Seauey Thomas walford James Johnson John 
 Webster 
 
 At a publike town meeting hild the . loth. of Jully : 1655 : 
 
Portsmouth Records 35 
 
 1 It is generally agreed upon and granted unto Captine 
 Champernoun. three hundred acers of upland and medow 
 ajovning unto his now dwelling house at grenland for a farm, 
 and the sayd land is to be bounded out at the first oportunity 
 after . what hath bin formerly granted is mesured and Laid out 
 
 2 It is farther granted unto waiter neall for an out Lot fiuty 
 acres of Land to be laid out by the Captins Lott so granted 
 
 3 It is granted unto fransis drake a Lott [of acers] to Joyn 
 unto waiter nealls out lott near winicont Riuer at the botom of 
 the great bay 
 
 4 It is generally agreed upon that theas three men under 
 named are to lay out all the lands and medow formerly 
 gr[anted] vid . Thomas walford . Richard. Tucker: & Renald 
 ffernald and thear Land is first to be mesured that first Doe 
 giue satisfaction unto mr Brown for what is his Due befor this 
 
 [33] 
 
 Jully the loth: 1655 
 
 5 It is ordered that mr Brown our minnister is to giu an 
 acoumpt of what is his diu from the inhabitants before this day. 
 and the Selecet men are to giu order unto the Constabuls to 
 make a legall Demand and in case of non pament at the time 
 apoynted by the Select men then pouer is to be giuen to the 
 Constabuls to Distrain upon the goods of such as shall be slak 
 in payment as aforsayd 
 
 William Seavey Thomas. V walford his marke Anthony. 
 A Brakit his marke 
 
 At a fozvn meeting hild the : 14th : of August : 1655 
 
 [The words italicised have a line drawn through. The entry is evidently the 
 beginning of a record that was not followed up.] 
 
 At a publick Towne metting hild in feberary. 1655 
 It is this day granted unto John pickringe that hee shall 
 haue the land lying betwen swadens creek and pincombs creek 
 in the great bay so that it bee no mans former Right or prop- 
 erity. the sayd land is to extend into the swamp and no far- 
 ther 
 
 John webster anthony A rraikit his marke thomas M 
 WALFORD his marke james I johnson his mark William 
 Seavey 
 
 [33J 
 
36 Portsmouth Records 
 
 Att a Toune meeting hild the : 20 ; of march 1656 
 
 1 It is granted unto Anthony Brkit that hee shall have fifty 
 acers of land mor then his former grant to ajoyn unto his hous 
 to lye in such a form as it may inclos his marsh — so that it be 
 not in any mans former grant 
 
 2 It is ordered that Jams Johnson . William Seuvey and An- 
 thony Brakit . shall end the dilTerense between. Edward Barton. 
 &. Nicholis Row : conserning ther land in differ [ence] 
 
 3 It is farther ordered thai the sayd men shall have power 
 to lay out unto fransis Rand fouer ackers of marsh at the Sandy 
 Beach which was formerlv granted unto him . also unto olliuer 
 Trimmings foure ackers of marsh at the sayd Sandy Beach 
 formerly granted 
 
 4 It is granted unto Thomas walford two ackers of land upon 
 the great Illand so that it bee not upon any mans former Right 
 or properiety 
 
 5 It is granted that no man shall take mony for ferry age 
 from goodman sherborns neck to the great Illand . except 
 Allixsand Bacheler. nor Irom goodman Johnson 
 
 6 It is also gr;?nted unto John Webster on acker of land 
 upon the great Hand ajoyning unto his last house or frame 
 near unto forte poynt in the swampe 
 
 William Seavey Thomas M Walford is mark James F. 
 Johnson his mark Anthoni A Brakit his mark John 
 Webster 
 
 Wee the Select Towns men of the town of Portsmouth whos 
 names are under wrighton. do conferm & grante unto John 
 Jackson and his hirs and assignes for euer. the houses and 
 land and the Hand which was formerly possesed by John 
 Crowder : 
 
 Dated this : 20th. of march : 1656 
 
 a tru coppy by me Renald Fernald 
 
 Signed by . . . william: Sevy John, webster Jams. Johnson 
 Thomas, walford Anthony. Brakit [34] 
 
 At a publique Towne mettenge hild the: 27th : 1656 of march 
 The Town haue this day chosen for thear sellect men for the 
 year insuing and untell others be chosen theas. men whos 
 nams are under wrighten. vidilisit Richard Commins. Jams 
 Johnson, mr Henry Sherburn Renald Fernald & John Jack- 
 son, and wee do farther make choys of nathaniel drak. and 
 John Pickringe. and wee whos nams are under wrighten in 
 the behalf of the Rest Do giue unto theas men now chosen in 
 
Portsmouth Records 37 
 
 all poynts the same power which any Towns men hau had be- 
 for the Date hear of in witnes whear of wee haue herunto set 
 our hands 
 
 John Webster The marke of Thomas M Wallford Wil- 
 liam SEUEVY Anthony. A Brakit his mark fran. Champer- 
 NOWN William ham George walton John Jones his mark. 
 Anthony Ellins francis F D drake his mark Samuel 
 Haines Phillip Lewis Jeames L Leach his mark Walter W 
 Ahbett his mark Thomas X Seavey his mark mathw H Ham 
 his mark Walter Neale 
 
 [35] 
 
 At a meeting hild the 14th of Aprell 1656 
 This day mr Sherburn hath promised to entertain mr Brown 
 John Webster is this day permitted to keep an ordinary 
 It is farther ordered that the visabull estats are to be brought 
 in by the first monday in may next and then to make the Rate 
 for the year (55) for ministers wagis : wee are to meet at Jams 
 Johnsons house 
 
 It is farther granted that mr Richard Cut is to haue two 
 hundred ackers of land which he hath purchised by a mor- 
 gage from mr Thomas wannertons desesed. prouided that the 
 sayd two hundred ackers do not pregidis any former Inhabitant 
 in any other grant befor the date hearof 
 
 Renald FernaLd Henrie Sherburne Jams I Johnson 
 his mark Nathaniel Drake John Jackson Richard R C 
 CoMMES his mark 
 
 At a meetinge hild the : 17th. of May : 1656 
 It is this day granted that Captin Champernoune shall haue 
 liberty to mak yous of any Timber of pine, within the space of 
 on miell of winacont Riuer within the bounds of this Towne so 
 that it be for his owne perticuler youse but not to sell the timber 
 unsawn unto any and so to leave to the preiedus of him self 
 and the Towne 
 
 It is farther granted unto mr Richard Tucker the neck of 
 land commonly called musketto hall upon the great Illand so 
 that it do not apeer any other mans formor Right, which was 
 formorly the land of John wottons and so reputed to bee 
 Renald Fernald Henrie Sherburne John. G Pickerings 
 mark Nathaniel Drake Richard. R C Commes his mark 
 John Jackson James I Johnson his mark 
 * *********** 
 
38 
 
 Portsmouth Records 
 
 [From Page 57.] 
 
 A true transcript of those that subscribed in the years 1658 
 1666 to the maintenance of ye Minister 
 At a Gen. Towne meeting 14 : 12 mth. 
 
 J no Moses 
 Wm Brookin 
 James Leach 
 ffran Ran 
 Ano Brackett 
 Walr Neale 
 Geo Walton 
 ph : Griffin 
 Jno Jacksons 
 Tho Onyun 
 Wm Ham 
 Tho : ffurzen 
 Tho : Auery 
 Wm Morris 
 Tho : Hinckson 
 Allexsa Batcheler 
 Jos : Walker 
 Tho : peuerly 
 Robt Dauis 
 Rich : Jackson 
 Jos. Atkins 
 Charles Allen 
 Jno Jones 
 Jno Hall 
 Wm Seauy 
 Toby Lantjdon 
 Edw Barton 
 Jno Sargent 
 Jno ffoss 
 Nathl Drake 
 mr Mason 
 Tho Wallord 
 Hen : Sherburn 
 Rich : Cutt 
 Jno Sherburn 
 Rob : puddington 
 ph : Lewis 
 Jno Hart 
 
 I 
 
 ffran Drak'e 
 
 16 
 
 I 
 
 Ano. Ellins 
 
 1-06 
 
 ID 
 
 Wm Cotton 
 
 I 
 
 15 
 
 Hen. Beck 
 
 05 
 
 I-I5 
 
 Rich: Abbett 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 Leon. Weeks 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 Robt Elliot 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 Edw Clarke 
 
 10 
 
 1-05 
 
 Jer : Waliord 
 
 06 
 
 I 
 
 Watr Abbett 
 
 15 
 
 I 
 
 Sam' Haynes 
 
 I-IO 
 
 05 
 
 Tho Wedg 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 Quince Smith 
 
 10 
 
 ID 
 
 Her. Hunking 
 
 I-IO 
 
 ID 
 
 Jno Hunkiiig 
 
 I 
 
 14 
 
 James Johnson 
 
 2-10 
 
 12 
 
 Mr vail : Hill 
 
 I-IO 
 
 14 
 
 mr Ric. Martin 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 Rich. Sloper 
 
 15 
 
 I 
 
 Rogr Knight 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 Hen. Sauidg 
 
 I 
 
 10 
 
 Nic. Row 
 
 05 
 
 15 
 
 Ric : Saward senr 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 Jno. Webster 
 
 I-IO 
 
 2-10 
 
 Math Ham 
 
 10 
 
 I 
 
 Robt Mattoone 
 
 I 
 
 15 
 
 Jno. Lock 
 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 Edw Melcher 
 
 10 
 
 ID 
 
 Dan : pauU 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 mr Eyers 
 
 15 
 
 I 
 
 Bar. Square 
 
 10 
 
 I-IO 
 
 Jno Odiorne 
 
 
 2 
 
 Jno pickeri ng " 
 
 
 5 
 
 Rob : Mussell 
 
 
 I-IO 
 
 Widow ffernald 
 
 
 5 
 
 Tho : Seauy 
 
 
 I-IO 
 
 old chanler 
 
 
 15 
 
 Ric : Saward Junr 
 
 
Portsmouth Records 
 
 39 
 
 Jno Cutt 
 
 Capt Bry pendleton 
 
 Rich Comings 
 
 Mr Th : Broughton 
 
 Jno Johnson 
 
 5-10 
 
 5 
 2 
 
 2-10 
 10 
 
 Allex Jones 
 Wm Lux 
 Geo Jones 
 Jos : Roger 
 James Pendleton 
 
 At a Gen Towne Meeting ye 8th march 65 | 66. 
 
 The names of those that subscribed towards mrmody that 
 came since ye yeere 58 or did not then subscribe & of such as 
 have Lessened wt they then Gaue 
 
 Marke Hunking 
 Siibsc in 58 Rich Sloper 
 Jno Bruster 
 Tho : Dennis 
 phil : Benmore 
 Edm. Greene 
 Rich : Stileman 
 Charles Gleeden 
 mr Wm Vaughan 
 Sub 68 James Johnson 
 phi : Nick 
 Jos Moss 
 Tho Jackson 
 Jno Clarke 
 Jeff: Curry er 
 Jno Kennestone 
 Jno Ameiiteene 
 
 10 
 08 
 
 I 
 06 
 
 I 
 
 13 
 I 
 
 2-12 
 I 
 
 05 
 10 
 
 15 
 I 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 mr Abra. Corbett 
 
 Mr Rich. Tucker 
 
 Jno partridg 
 
 Sub 58 Jno Sherburne 
 
 Jno pickering Junr 
 
 Jno Kettle 
 
 Wm Earle 
 
 Steuen Grassum 
 
 Jno Marden 
 
 mr Geo. Wallis 
 
 Edw West 
 
 Sub 58 Jno Jackson senr 
 
 Ro. Shores ^ day worke 
 
 mr Nath ffryer 
 Dermont Ushr idayes 
 Sub 58 Jno Lock 
 
 I-IO 
 
 10 
 10 
 I 
 
 ID 
 
 10 
 
 ID 
 
 10 
 
 09 
 
 I-IO 
 
 I-IO 
 
 I-IO 
 
 oS 
 
 2-10 
 
 4 
 
 1717. 
 
 {From North Parish Records.) 
 
 List of persons rated to ye old meeting-house 
 
 John Pickering 
 William Cotton 
 George Walker 
 James Lovett 
 Ephraim Jackson 
 John Preston 
 
 Samll Pitman 
 Walter Abbott 
 Henry Jaquith 
 John Roberts 
 p:iiza Pitman 
 Robert Bushbee 
 
40 
 
 Portsmouth Records 
 
 Hugh Banfield 
 Henry Beekford 
 John packer 
 Alexander Miller 
 Peter Abbott 
 Natha Melcher 
 Thomas Barnes 
 Solomon Cotton 
 James Moses 
 George Banfield 
 Peter Ball 
 Charles Banfield 
 Sam : Waterhouse 
 John Lang 
 Jos Pannnig 
 Thomas Manie 
 John Shores 
 Jabis Pitman 
 W'm Cotton jr 
 John Abbott snr 
 Jos Miller 
 John Abbott junr 
 James Abbott 
 VVm Knowles 
 Henry Brown 
 John Adams 
 Nicholas Browne 
 WiUm Walker 
 Samll Sevey 
 Anthony Roe senr 
 Anthony Roe junr 
 Laz holmes 
 Roger Swaine 
 Abram Jones 
 William Spregg 
 hen Tout 
 Joseph Meade 
 hen: Beck 
 Selvenge Scott 
 John Parkes 
 Zach Leach 
 Joseph Sweet 
 William Barnes 
 Thomas Wright 
 
 Prudence Tapley 
 John Sherburne 
 James Sherburne 
 Nath Odderhorme 
 Noah dodge 
 John harnson 
 Edw Wells 
 Edwd phillip 
 Joseph Ballech 
 William Amos 
 Wm Bladen 
 Thomas Cotton 
 Thomas Moore 
 John Kilos 
 William Fosse 
 John Moulton 
 William Warren 
 Abraham dent 
 Benjamin Maxfield 
 John Partridge 
 James Stewart 
 Robert Ward 
 Stephen Greenliff 
 Abraham Barnes 
 Edwd Sherburne 
 Steph Lange 
 Michaell Lovett 
 daniel quick 
 Francis Raye 
 Stephen Noble 
 John Davis 
 John Snell 
 Thomas Greley 
 John Savidge jun 
 William peavee 
 Nathl Gearish 
 Snow 
 widder denerson 
 Benjamn Cotton 
 Peter Bab vede 
 John Furburn 
 Tho. Snow 
 Robert pickern 
 William Beckman 
 
Portsmouth Records 
 
 41 
 
 Richd Waterhouse 
 
 
 John Ford 
 
 
 Captn Jones 
 
 
 Joseph Pitman 
 
 
 Adam peacock 
 
 
 Ambrose Sloper 
 
 
 William White 
 
 
 William hunkins 
 
 
 Sampson Ball 
 
 
 John Wesbrous 
 
 
 John Clarke 
 
 
 Walter Stears 
 
 
 John denerson 
 
 
 Charles Jos 
 
 
 Robert Lang 
 
 
 RATED TO 
 
 THE NE 
 
 Maj Wm Vaughan 
 
 15 
 
 Capt Saml Winkley 
 
 I 
 
 Saml Penhallow Esq 
 
 I-I2 
 
 Michael Whedden 
 
 I 
 
 Wido Hatch 
 
 5 
 
 Geo Jaffrey Esq 
 
 1-17 
 
 Wido of Nathl Jackson 
 
 5 
 
 Splan Lovell 
 
 17 
 
 Elisha Briard 
 
 17 
 
 Jno Plaisted Esq 
 
 I- 5 
 
 Jacob Lavers 
 
 5 
 
 Richd Wibird Esq 
 
 I-IO 
 
 Thos Packer Esq 
 
 I-IO 
 
 AVido Mary Martyn 
 
 5 
 
 Wido Eliza Eburn 
 
 5 
 
 Mr Ed Ayres 
 
 I- 5 
 
 Capt Josha Pearce 
 
 I- 8 
 
 James Spinny 
 
 10 
 
 Geo : Marshall 
 
 17 
 
 Wido Sarah Jackson 
 
 5 
 
 Saml Clark 
 
 10 
 
 Benja Miller 
 
 17 
 
 mr Ephr Dennet 
 
 I- 6 
 
 Jno Gilden 
 
 10 
 
 Ed Toogood 
 
 17 
 
 6h 
 
 
 Ralph burne 
 
 John Lear 
 
 James Pitman 
 
 Richd Shortridge 
 
 Timothy davis 
 
 George Vaughan 
 
 Benjamin Lucey 
 
 Willm partridge 
 
 Thomas walden 
 
 Rec'd the afore mentioned List 
 
 signed p ye hands of 
 
 John Pickering 
 
 William Cotton 
 
 Geo Walker 
 
 James Libbey 
 
 Richard Parsley 
 
 Wm Parker 
 
 Capt James Jeffries 
 
 Solo Hewes 
 
 Mr Richard Gerrish 
 
 Capt Henry Sherburne 
 
 Daniel Jackson 
 
 Richd Martyn 
 
 Jno Jones 
 
 Wid Man 
 
 Timo Waterhouse 
 
 Moses Paul 
 
 Axwell Roberts 
 
 Mr Sam Hincks 
 
 Mr Clement Hewes 
 
 Wid Eliz Dennet 
 
 Capt Thos Pearce 
 
 Oliver Dennet 
 
 Bn Akerman 
 
 Josha Brown 
 
 Ed Pendexter 
 
 Madn Story 
 
 Capt Jno Knight 
 
 Capt Joseph Sherburne 
 
 17 
 
 I- 
 I- 
 
42 
 
 Portsmouth Records 
 
 Capt Saml Hart i 
 
 
 Capt Henry Sloper 
 
 12 
 
 Obadh Morse 
 
 lO 
 
 Capt Jno Kennard 
 
 15 
 
 Capt Thos Phipps i 
 
 
 Geo Walker 
 
 8 
 
 Bn Dunnel 
 
 12 
 
 Russell 
 
 8 
 
 Henry Sewerd 
 
 lO 
 
 Richard Tobey 
 
 17 
 
 Mr Bridgeman 
 
 lO 
 
 Richd Elliot 
 
 17 
 
 Ed Cater 
 
 12 
 
 Jno Cutts 
 
 17 
 
 Wm Loud 
 
 17 
 
 wido of Jno Cutts 
 
 17 
 
 Thos Letherby junr 
 
 8 
 
 wido Mary Hunking 
 
 8 
 
 mr Wm ffellows 
 
 i8 
 
 Tobias Langdon junr 
 
 18 
 
 Joseph Molton 
 
 17 
 
 Jno Davis 
 
 12 
 
 CaptArchd Mackpheadrisi- 
 
 -lO 
 
 Saml Swan 
 
 10 
 
 Haddon ye Joyner 
 
 7 
 
 Josiah Clark 
 
 10 
 
 Jere Calef 
 
 
 Abraham Ayers 
 
 8 
 
 Robt Almery 
 
 lO 
 
 Elberd Elberdson 
 
 5 
 
 Caleb Grassam 
 
 6 
 
 Thos B lash field 
 
 8 
 
 Thomas Harvey 
 
 15 
 
 Nathl Robinson 
 
 8 
 
 Francis Ditte 
 
 12 
 
 Thos Cole 
 
 12 
 
 Wm Lewis 
 
 12 
 
 Saml Rymes 
 
 8 
 
 Thos Landell 
 
 12 
 
 Capt Paul Gerrish 
 
 12 
 
 Jno Shackford 
 
 17 
 
 Jenkin Lewis 
 
 10 
 
 Moses Ingram 
 
 10 
 
 Jno Drew 
 
 10 
 
 Jno Pray 
 
 10 
 
 Jno Young 
 
 
 Wido Allcock 
 
 10 
 
 Jno Williams 
 
 
 mr Jno Field 
 
 18 
 
 Humphrey Marshall 
 
 
 mr Benjn Gambling i 
 
 
 George Smith 
 
 
 Saml Shackford 
 
 17 
 
 Jno Churchill 
 
 
 mr Willet 
 
 3 
 
 James Cod 
 
 
 Thos Ayres 
 
 12 
 
 Richard Cutts 
 
 10 
 
 Wm Cotton 
 
 17 
 
 Thos Mayn 
 
 
 Capt Richd Waterhouse 
 
 17 
 
 Jno Almery 
 
 
 Jno Skilton 
 
 12 
 
 Richd Cross 
 
 
 Joseph Berry 
 
 10 
 
 Thos Crocker 
 
 5 
 
 Jno Hill 
 
 IS 
 
 Saml Brown 
 
 8 
 
 Jno Ham 
 
 10 
 
 Henry Nicholson 
 
 10 
 
 Capt Thos Sherburne 
 
 12 
 
 Richd Jos & mother 
 
 10 
 
 Joseph Buss 
 
 12 
 
 Henry Keese 
 
 10 
 
 Nathl Mendom 
 
 12 
 
 Stephen Rose 
 
 10 
 
 Capt Gatchel 
 
 12 
 
 Saml Sherburne 
 
 8 
 
 Jno Libbey 
 
 14 
 
 Reuben Abbot 
 
 6 
 
 Laza Noble 
 
 10 
 
 Bn ffoster 
 
 10 
 
 Jere Libbey 
 
 9 
 
 Robt Armstrong jr 
 
 12 
 
 Wido walker 
 
 'T 
 
 
 
 Geo: Knight 
 
 10 
 
Portsmouth Records 
 
 43 
 
 George Pearce 17 
 
 Sanil Manson 12 
 
 Jno Jackson junr 7 
 
 Ed : Cole 15 
 
 Henry Sherburn 1-2 
 
 Henry Sherburn jr 8 
 
 Jno Peverly 12 
 
 Nathl Peverly 10 
 
 Win Ross 7 
 
 Wido Nelson 12 
 
 Thos Westbrook Esq 1-5 
 
 Capt Langdon 1-5 
 
 Nathl Tuckerman 12 
 
 David Gardner 15 
 
 Jere Carter 8 
 
 Wido Almery 3 
 
 Amos ffernald 12 
 
 Joseph Mosses 10 
 
 Moshes Caverley 12 
 
 George Ayres 10 
 
 Doctor Pike 15 
 
 Mr Harry Johnson 12 
 
 Jno Marden 8 
 
 Geo : Townsend 12 
 
 Joseph Miller 12 
 
 Wm Watson 12 
 
 Joseph Allcock 12 
 
 Wm Bennet 8 
 
 Matthew James 10 
 
 Richd Ward 10 
 
 Mr Eleazer Russell 10 
 
 Mr Grindall 12 
 
 Jno Olliver 7 
 
 Saml Ham 12 
 
 Richd Elliot junr 10 
 
 James Studley 10 
 
 Wm Sewerd 12 
 
 Walter Warren 10 
 
 Doctr Bowie 12 
 
 Doctr Draper 10 
 
 Wm Hart 12 
 
 Mr Richd Waldron 15 
 
 Alexr Wyal 10 
 
 Wm ffairweather 10 
 
 Capt Jno Robinson 12 
 
 Thomas Hamet 10 
 
 Wm Pevey 12 
 
 Michael Whidden junr 8 
 
 Thos Simpson 10 
 
 Jno Peverley junr 10 
 
 Saml Brewster 10 
 
 Matthew Nelson 10 
 
 Thos Sherburne junr 7 
 Montgomery ye Joynr 6 
 
 Thos Wilkinson 5 
 
 Jno Sherburne 15 
 
 Jno Brewster i 
 
 Geo Almery 10 
 
 Joseph Holmes 6 
 
 Ezekill Pitman 8 
 
 Thos Harris 7 
 
 Philip Woodhouse 8 
 
 Abraham Center 7 
 
 Mr Nathl Shannon 10 
 
 Jno Carter 5 
 
 Mr Bishop 10 
 
 Joseph Downing 8 
 
 James Leach 7 
 Capt Walter ffenlayson 10 
 
 Moses Dennet 7 
 
 Ed Kate junr 7 
 
 Thos Langley 7 
 
 Thos Moor 5 
 
 Jona Studley 6 
 
 Jno Brewster junr 5, 
 Dd Jere. Calefe Constable. 
 Jan 15, 1717. 
 
y 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 NOTES 
 
 The following abbreviations are used : 
 
 PR P Provincial Papers of New Hampshire. „ . ^ r i-. j„ „* 
 
 MS c' R Manuscript Court Records, in Rockingham Registry of Deeds at 
 Exeter There are six volumes, the earliest beginning with a list of smts en- 
 ured hi i67o in the Court of Dover and Strawberry Bank, and ending with deed 
 recorced'Hovember, 1653, George Smyth, Recorder. ,1-.l;ef„-f .^J^^.^^// X?e 
 nally kept at Portsmouth, but for safety were removed m 1775 to fcxeter, %vliere 
 
 '^14^'Dor'l^TntcHpts of original Documents in the English Archives, re- 
 lating to the Early HTsto% of New Hampshire ; Edited by John Scribner Jenness, 
 New York: Privately Printed, 1876. 
 
 On a fly leaf of the earliest town-book some one has written 
 the following lines (the handwriting resembles that of Elias 
 Stileman) : 
 
 ' If you will end youre worke in peace 
 Then look to god & doe not sease 
 To Gide you all from first to last 
 Till good thereof you all do tast." 
 
 Page 13. The binder has inserted the first leaf out of its proper 
 place. The entry is a copy, signatures and all, in the neat and 
 legible hand of Renald Fernald. The last two figures of the 
 year being torn off, I have supplied 32 as the date. 
 
46 Appendix 
 
 " William Frethy" is the only name that does not elsewhere re- 
 cur, and it is likely that he was but a temporary resident. He 
 was of Georgeana (York) in 1640. Fohonis Saco &> Biddeford, 
 56. His name is among the signers of the instrument of sub- 
 mission to the Massachusetts at Agamenticus, 22 November, 
 1652. William Frethy, fisherman (and Elizabeth, his wife), 
 was of York in 1671, 1681, and 1688. He had sons — John 
 and Samuel — and the name is found in that town in the last 
 century. York Co. MS. Records. 
 
 P. 14, /. I. This order is printed in i Pr. P., lyi. 
 
 lb., I. 34. The site of the meeting-house was upon what is now 
 Pleasant street, just below Court, on the west side. The grant of 
 the glebe describes the south part of the twelve acres adjoining 
 the parsonage house, as " abutting on the edge of the salt creek 
 marsh." The little chapel that became a "meeting-house" 
 must have occupied the extreme southeast corner, and the par- 
 sonage was probably north of it. The marsh is here spoken 
 of as lying before the meeting-house, from which we may infer 
 that the building faced the south. 
 
 lb., I. 38. Later in the town records, 19 November, 1658, an 
 entry recites the laying out of Bachelder's lot of eight acres, 
 " with the neck of lande & meadow called formerlie by the name 
 of pumphrey's poynt, hee purchasinge the meadow of Jeremiah 
 walford." The record at Exeter of a deed of i April, 1661, 
 mentions the house of Alexander Bacheler, in the possession of 
 Ann, deceased, "on the west side of the Great Island." The 
 southwest corner of Great Island, opposite the mouth of Saga- 
 more creek answers the description of "Pomfrey's Point." 
 The name may have come from William Pomfret, an early 
 owner of the Francis Raines house at Strawberry Bank, who 
 was of Dover in 1640. 
 
Appendix 47 
 
 F. 15,/. 5. Thomas Williams in June, 1649, released ^^^ island 
 to Richard King. Page 31. I am satisfied that by Clampering 
 Island is meant what is now known as Leach's Island. I have 
 looked in vain for Clampering, as'a geographical, or family name. 
 It may have been the name of a locality in England. 
 
 lb., I. 14. See also page 31 At the edge is a memorandum, 
 made some years later by Stileman (to judge from the hand- 
 writing) as follows: " * * of her husband e right of dower 
 in fo II Com'iser." Consult Rockingham County History 
 (1884), Article Rye, p. 456. 
 
 lb., I. 22. The word " twentie " is overwritten; it may be 
 " sixtie." 
 
 lb., l. 27. The millswere on the northeast side of Sagamore 
 creek, ii MS. C. R., 50. On the 22. i . 1649, Sampson 
 Lane granted to Ambrose Lane, among other property, " one 
 saw mill now in building at Sagamores creeke in Pascataq . 
 river." i Suffolk Deeds, 137. The transaction is minuted 
 at Exeter. A Strawberry Bank petition of May, 1653, com- 
 plains that while other towns had saw mills, " there is none in 
 this Towne, but only one which was never perfected nor like 
 to bee." I Pr. P., 208. 
 
 The charter of Newcastle (1693) speaks of a point of land 
 on the south side of Saggamore's creek, called " Sampson's 
 Point." May not the name have been derived from Sampson 
 Lane, one of Mason's stewards, vvho owned land in that neigh- 
 borhood, and probably lived there ? 
 
 P. 16, /. 20. The northwest comer of Great Island, called 
 " Musketo Hall," appears to have had several owners. Francis 
 Matthews had a lease of it in 1637. i Pr. /*., 98; 11 MS. C. R., 
 8. The town 17 May, 1656, granted to Mr. Richard Tucker 
 the " neck of land on great lUand called Mosketto Hall . . . 
 which was formerly the land of John Wottons and so reported 
 
48 Appendix 
 
 to be." Pa^e^"]. Thomasine, widow of Francis Matthews, 
 " entered her caution " for it, 23 July, 1653, as bought by her 
 husband from John Hurde, of Sturgeon Creek. George Wal- 
 ton also claimed to own it, by sale from Hurde, and entered 
 a similar caution 25 July, 1653. 
 
 The old doctor's field belonged to Renald Fernald. Tradi- 
 tion says that he resigned the post of surgeon in the British 
 navy, to come over with Mason's company. 
 
 P. 16, /. 21. There is reason to believe that page one origi- 
 nally began with this entry of April 5, 1652. 
 
 F. 17, /. 17. This is a second extract from the record of 
 the town meeting held 15 August, 1646, the first, on page 15, 
 reciting a like grant of four acres each of fresh and salt 
 marsh to Renald Fernald. 
 
 All that is now left of the "great pond," on the south side of 
 the Great House, is what in later days has borne the name of 
 Puddle Dock. There was a time doubtless when the waters of 
 the South Mill Pond and Puddle Dock united at high tide. 
 That there was a ford somewhere across this outlet appears 
 from an entry at Exeter, 2 October, 1644. It is " Ordered that 
 the inhabitants of Strawberry Banke shall make a sufficient 
 ffoote Bridge at the wading place beyond the great house be- 
 fore the last of May next upon payne of S £•" i ^■^■^- C. 
 P., 26. 
 
 In a deed by John Pickering, of house and land at Picker- 
 ing's Neck (a part of this town grant) to his daughter Mary, 
 wife of John Plaisted, 23 January, 1691, mention is made of 
 running a fence " toward ye creek going in by ye great house 
 to ye burying place & so eastward to ye water side." iv AfS. 
 C. P., 33- 
 
 P. 18. The petition of 20 October, 165 1, will be found printed 
 in I Pr. P., 192. Consult also pages 205 and 207. 
 
Appendix ^^ 
 
 //; / 27 The "Randavow" was what is now Odiorne's Point. 
 The Earliest mention I fuKl of a ferry is late in 1643 or early n. 
 164^. in the MS. Court Records, at Exeter, vol. I, p. i4 • 
 <^ Henry Sherborne ordered by the court to keepe a fferry & to 
 have for his paynes from the great house to the great Island 2d 
 And to the prouince xad. To Rowes 3d to Strawberry banck 
 6d for one man And if there come 2 or more to have 4d a 
 pts to Strawberry Banck 8d a pts to the Provmce & 2d a pts 
 for all the other fferrys And tis further ordered that he shall 
 keepe an ordinary qt. 8d meale And this order to contmue 
 till the general Court take further order." 
 
 "To Rowes" may refer to the house of Nicholas Row, one 
 of the grantors of the glebe, 1640. , , , . ,, 
 
 " Sherborn's Poynt," I should say, was the land lymg on the 
 north side of Sagamore creek, where the old Wentworth mansion 
 
 stands. . „ . , 1 1 ^ 
 
 On the south side of the creek was Sanders Pomt, the oldest 
 English name on the Pascataqua. It was the site of a bridge 
 from Great Island as early as 1663 (vm N. H. Hist. Soc, 
 133) which a great storm broke in the middle 22 February, 
 
 1683-4. I i'r. P., 531- ^ ^ , 
 
 A letter from Mason and others, dated London, 5 December, 
 1632 to their factor Ambrose Gibbins, at Newichewannock, 
 says,' " You desire to settle yourself upon Sanders' Point. The 
 adventurers are willing to pleasure you, etc " i Pr. P., 69. 
 Tohn Elwyn, a descendant of Gibbins, says that Gibbon (as he 
 calls him) " lived till he went Upstream in Captain John 
 Mason's Garrison house at the mouth of Witch creek," another 
 name for Sagamore. Gibbins signed the glebe grant at Straw- 
 berrv Bank in 1640, and later was a selectman of Dover. Elwyn, 
 who'knew every foot of ground in the neighborhood, and its 
 every association, gives us reason to believe that his ancestor 
 was laid to rest at this spot, which is not far from where the 
 f^rst settler landed. "There is a good many graves since a 
 few rods from our Garrison houses cellar, will 1 guess once a 
 
50 Appendix 
 
 little churchyard, will I half guess too that we brought Gibbon 
 down and buried him here, a Saunder's Point the mouth of 
 the creek." Some Piscataivay Things And A Good Deal Else, 
 P- 47- 
 
 The present bridge from The Wentworth crosses to Sanders' 
 Point. The name is preserved there as late as 1757. ix Pr. 
 P., 567. 
 
 P. 20, /. 7. "Strawberry Banke creek," afterwards Islington 
 creek, and now the North Mill Pond, is sometimes called "The 
 Fresh Marsh creek." Clement Campion owned eight acres, on 
 " Campion's Neck," which comprised what stretches from the 
 North burying-ground to Raynes' ship-yard. Richard Sew- 
 ard's grant lay upon "Christian Shore." Campion bought a 
 house of Francis Raines, that stood probably not far from 
 what is now the corner of Green and Market streets. See page 30. 
 
 P. 21, /. 3. Whoever applies himself to a study of the Ports- 
 mouth records will surely find in the brief entry that recites their 
 mutilation, a source of almost never-ending perplexity. George 
 Walton, whose name often recurs, kept an ordinary at the Great 
 Island, where he was licensed to draw wine. Under his roof, 
 on the night of the 13th January, 1652 (1653, N. S.), the select- 
 men met and proceeded to examine the old town-book. They 
 were Bryan Pendleton, Henry Sherburne, Renald Fernald, 
 John Pickering and James Johnson, men of force and charac- 
 ter, and all of them prominent in our early annals. So much 
 of the contents as did not meet their approval they " crossed 
 out," and the little they deemed worth saving they directed 
 should be recorded in a book to be begun anew (the "first 
 book" we now have) and to be confirmed by themselves. 
 
 This extraordinary performance appears not even to have had 
 a vote of the inhabitants to justify it. On the contrary, the 
 fathers of the town of their own arbitrary notion deliberately 
 set themselves at the work of spoliation, leaving behind them 
 as a memorial of the deed two or three lines that not so much 
 
Appendix 61 
 
 as hint at a pretext for their conduct, or in the faintest way re- 
 veal the purpose that inspired it. Tampering with a pubhc 
 record is treated as a criminal offence at the present day, but 
 here the open and avowed manner of its perpetration shows 
 that it must have been regarded as a mere incident of official 
 duty. A procedure so strange to our eyes cannot fail to arrest 
 and fi.x attention, as we interest ourselves in the story of the first 
 settlement of the Pascataqua region; and once enquired into, 
 the mystery that envelopes it but stimulates a desire to fathom 
 its meaning. 
 
 Doubtless much that is now apparently past finding out will 
 yield some day to further study, aided, as it surely will be, 
 by the papers that are coming to light both here and in Eng- 
 land, as a reward of the faithful labors of the antiquarian. 
 Whatever progress we may make to-day, we cannot hope to 
 reach the true character of this transaction, unless we take into 
 account and rightly estimate the relations subsisting between 
 our town authorities and the Massachusetts, who since 1642 
 had held sway over the settlements at the Pascataqua. 
 
 The wording of the entry leaves it an open question whether 
 the selectmen actually made way with the old town-book itself, 
 or kept it, perhaps in a mutilated condition, as a part of the 
 town records. This uncertainty is enhanced by the fact that 
 there seems to be found no trace whatever of the book 
 at the present time. I am disposed, upon the whole, to 
 doubt whether its disappearance is necessarily to be assigned 
 to this memorable act of the 13th January, 1652. In saying 
 this I do not overlook the fact that Dr. Belknap speaks of the 
 book as "destroyed." His statement has been uniformly fol- 
 lowed, and yet he cites no authority other than the entry itself 
 that is under consideration. 
 
 The manuscript history by the Rev. Jabez Fitch, of which 
 Belknap had the use, now in the library of the Massachusetts 
 Historical Society, is silent on this point. A writer to whose 
 opinion great deference is due, is the late John Elwyn, of 
 
52 A2)pendix 
 
 Portsmouth, a man without a superior in his knowledge of what 
 pertained to our early history. Speaking of his ancestor, 
 Henry Sherburne (one of the selectmen, as we have seen), 
 Elwyn styles him, "A church warden of our little English 
 chapel the Bay broke up, All there is left of our Fasti earlier 
 than the Bay puritans got ours burned and the Saco ones both, 
 this is the instrument of Forty." {Some Fiscaiaqua T/iifigs and 
 a Good Deal Else, 1870, p. 48.) The Saco records, it may be 
 added, are lost prior to 1653, the date when the Massachusetts 
 took possession. Curiously enough Bryan Pendleton removed 
 in 1665 from Portsmouth to Saco, where the selectmen in 1672 
 were ordered to procure a town-book, and Pendleton was re- 
 quested to transcribe the records into it. Says Edward P. 
 Burnham, who is familiar with the early history of that locality: 
 "The Saco records prior to 1653 were probably destroyed. 
 It is too late to ascertain what discretion Pendleton exer- 
 cised as to what was unfit and what was suitable to be tran- 
 scribed, or what became of the former record books." Letter 
 of 21 August, 1886. 
 
 A reason for hesitating to believe that the selectmen de- 
 stroyed the book itself is this : A new book was begun in De- 
 cember, 1664. Into it was copied everything that the town- 
 book contained, and thereafter all entries made in the town-book 
 were carefully copied into the "new book," the two being 
 kept side by side. The record thus reads : 
 
 " At a meeting of the selectmen the 27th of December 1664 
 it was agreed upon by a joynt consent as followeth : That the 
 Toune Booke shall be carefully copied out into a new Booke, 
 which coppie of the original being compared by the selectmen 
 now in being shall be as authentick as the originall and that 
 all the town acts which are to be recorded for the future shall 
 be from year to yeer transcribed into the sayd Booke the 
 ground of which agreement is to prevent all confusions which 
 for the future may arise through any casualtie by fire water or 
 otherwise that may happen to the said originall Booke & being 
 
Appendix 63 
 
 compared by the selectmen for the time being shall be as au- 
 thentick as the originale booke ; as is aforesaid." Rec. 92. 
 
 At intervals thereafter the selectmen certify over their signa- 
 tures that they have correctly transcribed the entries " from 
 this Booke into the new Booke." The last certificate, at the 
 close of the first book, is as follows : " Thus farr transcribed 
 into ye new book to ye last of March 1694 and compared ac- 
 cording to towne order Win Vaughan, John Pickering, Tobias 
 Langdon, Geo. Snell, Selectmen." 
 
 Now upon turning to page 121, we read under date of 22 
 April, 1667, the following entry, in the well known hand of 
 Elias Stileman, town clerk and one of the selectmen : " The 
 present selectmen motioning to have the town boo . . in their 
 hands for the better management of the town affa . . which the 
 Towne grants viz the two ould bookes." 
 
 Of course, the reader does well to be on his guard lest the 
 the brevity of the entries mislead him. It seems to me, how- 
 ever, that the expression "the two ould bookes" points to the ex- 
 istence of another old town-book than that which has come down 
 to us, and which, as we have just seen, became an old town- 
 book in 1664, when by order of the selectmen a new book was 
 opened. Not unlikely is it that the original book was left in 
 existence, shorn of authenticity, at least in regard to what had 
 been crossed out. Besides it happens that the signatures to 
 the entry of 13th January, 1652, are not originals but copies, 
 in the handwriting of Renald Fernald. This fact indicates 
 that the five selectmen may have signed their names to an en- 
 try in the old, original book, so that what we have is only the 
 town clerk's version of that entry. If this be so, it strengthens 
 the belief that the book itself did not perish. 
 
 Again, among the theories that have presented themselves 
 is this, and it is not wholly lacking in plausibility. There were 
 certain entries in the town-book, which the party in control 
 wished to get rid of. To effect their purpose, the authorities 
 cut out the leaves on which the entries had been written ; and 
 
54 Appendix 
 
 wherever a leaf chanced to contain another entry, to which 
 they had no objection, the town clerk saved it by copying it 
 into the present first book. This hypothesis would account 
 for the meagre number of items transcribed, and yet leave the 
 record, thus curtailed, to stand as theretofore. It is an objec- 
 tion well nigh fatal, however, that the extract from page 92 
 just given speaks of "the town book," as if there were but 
 one. 
 
 The above entry, I ought to explain, is the sole reference I 
 have come across lending probability to the suggestion that 
 crossing out did not go to the extent of destroying the book 
 itself. The enquiry is perhaps after all rather curious than 
 important; lor the main fact remains that the public record 
 was despoiled, and its sanctity violated. Even if we come to 
 believe that the book was kept, with the obnoxious portions 
 crossed out in ink only, this would not materially change our 
 estimate of the character of the proceeding, or mitigate the 
 censure to be visited upon so high-handed a transaction. A 
 knowledge of the precise truth might modify, it is likely, our 
 views of the purpose with which the act was committed. More- 
 ovtr the discovery would serve to keep alive a spark of hope 
 that by some miracle of fortune the b. )ok itself may yet be 
 brought to light. 
 
 There is indeed a mere possibility that this town-book was 
 still in existence in the early part of the last century. We find 
 from an entry of 25 March, 1725, that Mr. William Vaughan 
 was thought to have in his possession a book, or books of the 
 town, and the selectmen were empowered to demand them of 
 him, or of any person suspected ; and if need be to employ 
 attorneys to recover them. There appears to be no furtl er 
 mention of the subject. It is to be expLiined that carrying ofT 
 the record books and hiding them was a trick not unknown in 
 some of the stormy times of the Province. John Pickering is 
 a prominent figure in this kind of work ; and later Major Wil- 
 liam Vauyhan tries his hand at it. In 1699 the latter hid certain 
 
Appendix 55 
 
 books, probably the court records of 16S2-1684, and when 
 he deUvered them up in June, 1702, to Mr. Penhallovv, it was 
 discovered that twenty-four leaves, covering the judgments in 
 Mason's suits, had been cut out. ii Fr. P., 303; in Jb., 298. 
 But it is time to enquire what motive governed the select- 
 men — what was it that they had determined to suppress in the 
 record. Here, it must be confessed, we straightway enter a 
 region of speculation. Of one thing, however, we may be 
 certain, that the act accorded with the views of the Massa- 
 chusetts, if not done at their actual dictation. And this leads 
 us to glance at the relation that had subsisted between Straw- 
 berry Banke and the Baycolony, todivineif we may how it could 
 have served the latter's purpose to have our earlier records con- 
 signed to'bblivion. 
 
 It is not easy to recite how it was brought about that the Pas- 
 cataqua settlements in 1642 passed under the control of their 
 more powerful neighbors, for the devious paths pursued by the 
 Bay authorities in claiming jurisdiction here under their patent, 
 are every now and then lost in obscurity. \Ve have no records 
 of our own to recur to, and the Massachusetts people took good 
 care that at every turn events should be represented in a light 
 most favorable to their interests. Besides, with slight excep- 
 tion Massachusetts has written the history. 
 
 Was the movement to come under the Massachusetts govern- 
 ment a spontaneous one, or was it an encroachment, artfully 
 planned and as artfully carried out ? So far as I can discover, 
 after the most thorough examination that 1 have been able to 
 make, not a petition, or other document, is now accessible that 
 bears a list of names, or sets forth reasons, from which we may de- 
 termine how large a proportion of the planters favored the union, 
 or what was the real sentiment that prevailed here. We are 
 obliged to depend almost exclusively upon brief records of Mas- 
 sachusetts origin. We may indeed catch a glimpse of Hugh 
 Peters, after his visit to the Pascataqua region, exclaimir.g with 
 true missionary fervor, in a report to Winthrop, that the people 
 
56 Appendix 
 
 are "ripe for our Government. They grone for government 
 and Gospel all over that side of the country Alas poore bleed- 
 ing soules." (vi. Mass. Hist. Col.., 4th Series, 108.) But Win- 
 throp's own account of " those of the lower part of Pascataqua" 
 in 1642, reckons above forty of them who, having been "pro- 
 fessed enemies to the way of our churches," became con- 
 verted by the teaching of the Rev. James Parker, of Weymouth, 
 " a godly man," who labored with them, most of whom, how- 
 ever, fell back in time, embracing this present world. (11 Vol. 
 93.) In 1643 the inhabitants sent Mr. Parker as their deputy 
 to the General Court at Boston, humbly saying, " in the state 
 we now stand we know not whether any of us may be admitted 
 to a Deputy." i Pr. P., 167, 
 
 The Reverend Jabez Fitch was pastor of the North Church 
 from 1724 (when he came from Ipswich) until his death in 
 1746. His historical manuscript above referred to consists of 
 about threescore small leaves closely written. He cites few au- 
 thorities. A fair sample of his style is afforded by the follow- 
 ing extract, which embraces all he has to remark upon this par- 
 ticular point: 
 
 " These combinations continued not long ; for the number 
 of the People increasing and enormities prevailing to such a 
 degree that they could not be suppressed by so feeble a gov- 
 ernment, and the Inhabitants being uncapable to defend them- 
 selves in case of a rupture with the Indians about the year 1642 
 they petitioned the Massachusetts to take them under their 
 Jurisdiction & Protection by whom they were kindly received 
 and admitted to the same privileges with themselves. Repre- 
 sentatives were sent from hence to their General Court and 
 Major Waldron of Dover was frequently chosen speaker of the 
 House of Deputies. Mr. Thomas Wiggin Proprietor of 
 Swampscot was then chosen one of the Magistrates. Courts 
 of judicature were erected in Dover and Portsmouth. But 
 Exeter was annexed to the County of Northfolk which was 
 then a County of the Massachusetts consisting of the towns on 
 
Appendix 67 
 
 Merrimack River and Hampton belonged to the said County, 
 who had put themselves under the Massachusetts from the be- 
 ginning of their settlement 
 
 " It was a very favorable Providence which then brought 
 this People under the Government of the Massachusetts, for 
 by this means Prophaneness & Immorality were discounte- 
 nanced, and a Learned Ministry encouraged to settle with them, 
 without which they would have been as ignorant and heathen- 
 ish as some other parts of the Kings Dominions in America." 
 
 Felt characterizes the change as " agreeable to those who 
 were for the revolution in the mother country, and offensive to 
 such as were opposed to it." i Ecd. Hist., 452. 
 
 The late John Scribner Jenness has traced with a vigorous 
 hand the progress of the Massachusetts towards an assumption 
 of full control over the Pascataqua, in a contribution to the 
 early history of his native state, entitled The Piscataqua 
 Patents (Portsmouth, Privately Printed, 1878). " The planters 
 on the upper Piscataqua," he concludes, " were torn and par- 
 alysed by civil and religious disensions, and those on the 
 lower plantation, who since Mason's death had laid claim to 
 the ownership of the lands on which they had resided, though 
 without any legal title, and now lived in terror of Mason's heir, 
 even they, though antipodal in every sentiment to the Bay puri- 
 tans, were inclined to seek protection for their property from 
 the strong arm of the Massachusetts." Page 47. 
 
 This view, from a writer well qualified to treat of the subject, 
 may perhaps be accepted as upon the whole just and rea- 
 sonable. How far a well grounded fear of dispossession at 
 the hands of the heir of Mason may have operated, it is diffi- 
 cult if not impossible to discover. Perhaps it tended in indi- 
 vidual cases to make easier an acquiescence in the plan of 
 aggrandizement; but a doubt yet lingers over the origin of the 
 movement, whether it began with the planters themselves ; and 
 if so, how large a number favored it. Herein, it seems to me, 
 
 lies the significance of the silence of the Massachusetts records. 
 
 8h 
 
58 Appendix 
 
 According to Belknap, " the affair was more than a year in 
 agitation;" and it seems that the planters were tenacious of 
 their privileges, the union being effected only upon a conces- 
 sion that the Bay people must have found it hard to allow. I 
 refer to an order that dispensed with church membership as a 
 condition precedent to the right of voting. In 1631 the Bay 
 colony had restricted the franchise to such only as were church 
 members; and says Lechford in 1640, three parts of the people 
 of the country remain out of the church. {Flame Dealing, 73.) 
 As late as 1676 five-sixths of the men in the colony were non- 
 voters because not church members, i Mem. Hist. Boston, 156. 
 
 Of the exception made in favor of the Pascataqua settlers, 
 Felt says ingenuously : " Could the Bay authorities have had 
 the submission of Piscataqua without such liberty, they would 
 undoubtedly have preferred it, rather than granted this indul- 
 gence, which tended to weaken its opposite and continued rule 
 for their previous jurisdiction," \ Eccl. Hist. 502. 
 
 One ground for deploring the loss of our earliest records is, 
 that it deprives us of an opportunity of tracing the origin and 
 growth of the town meeting. It would be highly interesting 
 to know when the first meeting was held, how it was conducted, 
 and particularly what proportion of the inhabitants at the pe- 
 riod of union with the Massachusetts had exercised the right 
 of freemen. We are told by Belknap that Francis Williams, 
 sent over by the adventurers, was continued as Governor " by 
 annual suffrage." \Vol. i.,J>. 47.) Williams signs the grant 
 of the glebe in 1640, as "Governor," and it is perhaps fairly 
 inferential that he had held the office continuously, but I fail 
 to discover upon what evidence Dr. Belknap bases his state- 
 ment that there was an annual election. 
 
 Cranfield, writing in 1682, speaks of the old record book of 
 the Province, from which it appeared that in Captain John 
 Mason's life time the inhabitants entered into a combination to 
 govern themselves by His Majesty's laws as well as they could. 
 "A copy of which I have herewith sent, " he adds {Jenn. Doc, 
 
Appendix 59 
 
 127), but what he sends turns out to be a copy from the orig- 
 inal of the Dover combination of 1640, with all the signatures. 
 (/<^., 36.) Hubbard, in 1680, speaks of this instrument as " left 
 upon record." If Cranfield had before him the record of com- 
 binations bearing an earlier date than 1640 (and he could not 
 have been ignorant of the fact that Mason died about Novem- 
 ber, 1635,) ^^ 'S ^ P^ty that he did not transmit a copy that 
 would have borne out his statement. He is to be understood 
 as giving the Lords of the Committee information in the line 
 of contention made by the opponents of the Mason claim. A 
 Letter from the Council of New Hampshire to the King, t,i May, 
 1 68 1, indicates the existence at that date at Portsmouth of 
 the Strawberry Bank Combination : " We were possessed of 
 the Soyle long before the Massachusetts medled with us. In- 
 deed we at length desired them to govern us, when experience 
 had taught as yt by our Combinations where into we entered 
 (the originals of which signed by the Inhabitants are yet ex- 
 tant) to prevent the confusion of Anarchy we could not govern 
 ourselves " {Il>., 100.) It may be added that George Burdett, 
 in a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 29 November, 
 1638, urges that measures be taken to settle His Majesty's 
 Government in the Pascataqua, "there yet being none but com- 
 binacons ; because ye several! patents upon ye river are thought 
 to comprize no commission of jurisdiction." (//>., 32.) In the 
 first volume of the records at Exeter, of the courts held at 
 Dover and Portsmouth, page 14, is an entry "John Pickering 
 inioyned to deliver the old combination at Strawberry banck 
 the next Court." The next court was holden at Dover 5. 5 
 mo., 1643. 
 
 There are reasons, therefore, to believe that Cranfield spoke 
 correctly, when he said that as early as the life time of Mason 
 a combination was in force. The town meeting must have 
 sprung into being about the same period, so we may not be far 
 wrong, even were we to assign 1635 as the year when our town 
 records were begun. 
 
60 Appendix 
 
 Upon Cranfield assuming the office of Governor of the 
 Province in 1682, Captain EUas Stileman delivered up the books 
 and papers on file in the office of secretary to the new incumb- 
 ent, Richard Chamberlain. Among the Province records there 
 appears to have been a book, bearing date 1640, and certain 
 "old records before Capt. Stileman's time." This early book 
 long ago disappeared. We are left to gather most of the history 
 of the first ten years of the union from the Massachusetts 
 colonial records, where reference to events at Strawberry Bank 
 is infrequent, and details are extremely meagre. A few facts 
 are to be got from the court records at Exeter, but they per- 
 tain rather to individuals than to political history. There is 
 nothing to show how the Church of England party fared, or 
 what were their numbers ; but such signs as we have tend to 
 establish the fact that those of the Puritan way of thinking kept 
 themselves in power, and managed affairs pretty much after 
 their own fashion. 
 
 It was between 1638 and 1644 that the agents and stewards 
 of Mason took possession of the buildings and improvements 
 belonging to his estate, and divided among themselves his goods 
 and the cattle. The Great House, whose possession was in 
 some sense the insignia of authority passed in 1647 into the 
 hands of Richard Cutt, a strict Puritan, while the extensive 
 lands adjoining (covering what is now the heart of Portsmouth,) 
 were parcelled out among the selectmen of the town, of whom 
 Cutt was a leading spirit. It is a curious fact that the same 
 George Walton, at whose house the spoliation of 1652 was com- 
 mitted, gave his deposition in 1685, at the age of seventy, re- 
 citing, among other seizures, the fate of the Great House; and 
 saying that "to his particular knowledge the servants sent over 
 by Capt. Mason, of which some are living, and those descended 
 from them which are many, have been and are the most violent 
 opposers of the now proprietor, Robert Mason, Esquire." 
 
 Whatever some future disclosure may reveal of the methods 
 adopted by the Bay leaders to bring under subjection the 
 
Appendix gl 
 
 settlement at Strawberry Bank, it is quite apparent that a sub- 
 mission once had, those wary and resolute magistrates enforced 
 a rigid rule, never for a moment relaxing their etTorts to render 
 the lease of power indefinite in duration, by the simple expe- 
 dient of entrusting administration to a few only of the inhabi- 
 tants, selected because they were zealous Puritans. The strug- 
 gle in England, resulting in the ascendancy of Cromwell, was 
 not without its share of influence upon the project of supplant- 
 ing here such as were known to stand by Church and Kino- It 
 must have been no slight task, however, to imbue with Puritan 
 sentiments a community so hostile to the Massachusetts polity 
 as were the settlers of the lower Pascataqua. In 1642 Richard 
 Gibson, the incumbent of the parsonage for whom the glebe had 
 been granted two years before, fell under the displeasure of the 
 Bay. - He being wholly addicted to the hierachy and discipline 
 of England, did exercise a ministerial function in the same way 
 and did marry and baptise at the Isle of Shoals, which was now 
 found to be within our jurisdiction." So says Winthrop. ( Vol 
 II., page 79.) The Court charged him with denying their title' 
 and summoned him to Boston, but they forbore to administer 
 punishment upon his submission, "being a stranger and about 
 to depart the country." ^\-Ith such a beginning as this it be- 
 came a question of time how long it would take to convert the 
 people to new ways of thinking. 
 
 The Mason claim, as may well be supposed, played an im- 
 portant part in the course of events that followed the assump- 
 tion by the Bay colony of territorial jurisdiction over the Pas- 
 cataqua. Owing to the civil war in England active measures 
 had ceased for asserting the rights of the Mason estate until 
 at length in 1650 Robert I'ufton Mason, the heir, became of 
 age. The next year found Joseph Mason at Strawberry Bank 
 sent over by Mistress Ann, the widow and executrix of Captain 
 John Mason. His presence here while taking steps t6 enforce 
 the title of those whom he represented as agent, must have 
 created something of a stir. The party in power, we may well 
 
62 Appendix 
 
 believe, threw every obstacle in his way ; but as he was disposed 
 to enter into some reasonable arrangement with those who had 
 lived upon the land and improved it, there were some, it is 
 likely, who though poor stood ready to recognize the rights of 
 Capt. John Mason's heir, and to make terms for a title. 
 
 At least, Champernowne and others who had not abandoned 
 their church, and who chafed under the Puritan rule, could not 
 have been slow to treat the agent of the Masons with courtesy, 
 and to listen to hear what proposals he had brought. For 
 those who had long and patiently endured a government they 
 bitterly disliked, Joseph Mason's arrival in the Pascataqua, 
 it is more than probable, was a signal for venturing upon a 
 scheme of relief. While I know of no proof that Mason was 
 connected with the scheme, it happens that just about this time 
 (in the summer of 165 1) the discontent of the planters bore 
 fruit, and certain daring spirits made the attempt to rise and 
 free the settlement from the domination of the Bay. The little 
 we are permitted to know of this outbreak is to be gathered 
 from the urgent language of a letter despatched from Boston, 
 under date of 6th September, i65i,bythe Governor to that 
 sturdy helper of the Bay, Captain Thomas Wiggin, " at Swamp- 
 scot, in Piscataqua." The malcontents had gone so far as to 
 call a town meeting " to joyne together in their way to appoynt 
 a governor." This coming to Endicott'sears, he promptly en- 
 joins his alert and ever-trusty Wiggin to find out who are in 
 the design, and who is to be named Governor. The principal 
 actors, says the despatch grimly, must be forthwith sent to 
 prison at Boston, to answer their rebellion at the General 
 Court, (i Fr. F., 195 ; iii Col. Fee, 443.) The record is si- 
 lent as to further proceedings ; but we need not question that 
 the strong arm of the Bay government easily quelled the dis- 
 turbance. 
 
 To test the right of the heir in the courts, Joseph Mason 
 brought an action of trespass against Richard Leader for en- 
 croaching upon lands at Newichewannock. After delays the 
 
Appendix 63 
 
 plaintiff got a verdict ; but the sequel shows it to have been of 
 little avail in settling the question of title. The pendency of 
 this suit, or a knowledge that it was to be instituted, appears 
 to have had the effect of precipitating the action of the Bay 
 colony in regard to the northerly bound of their patent. 
 
 Perhaps a single word of explanation is necessary to make 
 this statement intelligible to a reader not familiar with the story 
 of the Mason patent. 
 
 The patent to the Massachusetts gave them "all the lands 
 which be within the space of three English miles to the north- 
 ward of the river called Merrymack, or to the northward of any 
 and every part thereof." There seems every reason to believe 
 that this language was intended to be applied to a river run- 
 ning east from west, as does the Merrimack for some dis- 
 tance before falling into the sea; and as it was supposed to run 
 throughout its entire course. So the Massachusetts themselves 
 at first thought, when in 1631 they built a bound-house, three 
 miles north of the Merrimack, in what is now the town of Sea- 
 brook. Such at any rate was the interpretation given by the 
 Lord Chief Justices, and approved by the King and Council, in 
 1677, in proceedings that led to the establishment of the Prov- 
 ince of New Hampshire, after a determination that Portsmouth, 
 Dover, Exeter and Hampton were out of the bounds of Massa- 
 chusetts. I Bc/knap, 137. 
 
 But the Bay leaders with great ingenuity and equal perti- 
 nacity insisted upon the forced construction that the terms 
 of their patent gave them a right to go three miles north of 
 the source of the Merrimack (Lake Winnepiseogee,)and thence 
 run an east and west line as the northern limit of their territory. 
 This construction they formally voted to adopt 31 May, 1652, 
 and sent commissioners to run the line from that point to the 
 sea, who did their work and reported in October following. 
 The boundary thus marked swept in the Mason patent, and 
 that part of Maine lying south of Clapboard Island in Casco 
 Bay. 
 
64 Appendix 
 
 Though they did not scruple to assert a claim to the terri- 
 .tory clear to the Pascataqua as early as 1641, and indeed 
 made it a ground for extending their government hither, it is 
 worthy to be noted that the Massachusetts authorities re- 
 frained at that time from pushing the claim into an undue 
 prominence. The preamble of the order announcing the union 
 simply says " it appearcih that. . . .the ryver of Pascataquack 
 is within, etc." i Pr. P., 158; i Col. R. 319. 
 
 Ten years later, it seems to have been suffered to remain as 
 a point not yet settled, if we may judge from the expres- 
 sions found in a petition, bearing date October, 1651, that 
 came up from Strawberry Bank, humbly praying to be laid 
 out as a township. The signers (five in number) were friendly 
 to the Bay, yet they speak as if in doubt as to the jurisdiction : 
 " If soe we are yours by streching of ye Line "; and again, 
 " If by stretching of the Lyne the Lands bee within your juris- 
 diction ; if not then to leave both our persons, lands & all 
 freelye to our selves, as formerly we were before you took us 
 into your Governt." i Pr. P., 192. 
 
 It is perhaps not too much to say that the Bay people dis- 
 played great shrewdness in the mode of setting up their claim 
 at the outset, and then in biding their opportunity to enforce 
 it by a formal vote, and by running the line. 
 
 This same year the Bay brought under their rule the towns 
 of Kittery and York (Agamenticus) in spite of the vigorous 
 opposition of many under the lead of Edward Godfrey. The 
 year 1652, therefore, marks a new era in the conduct of the 
 Massachusetts towards their neighbors to the eastward. To 
 quote from Robert Mason's Title (drawn up in 1674) which to 
 be sure reads like an indictment: " They did in the yeare 1652, 
 in a hostile manner invade the County of Hampshire, compell- 
 ing the Loyall Inhabitants to a submission, imposing taxes 
 upon them for to supporte their new acquired greatness, etc." 
 Jenn. Doc, 57. See also i Belknap, 304. 
 
Appendix 65 
 
 We find too the author of New Ent^land's Vindication, 
 printed at London in 1660, writing' in the following;strain of the 
 ambitious designs of the Boston people: " Let it be observed 
 that if in ten years they came to this height, what in these 
 twenty, having so inriched themselves in Wealth, Strength, 
 and Fortifications, that if they Fortifie Piscataqua River for 
 themselves as they have subjugated it, and now Arm against 
 the Dutch new Neatherland, with their united CoUonies, they 
 may be invincible States of America." Page 7. 
 
 That a connection exists between this march of events and 
 the spoliation of our town records has no doubt occur- 
 red to the reader. He can scarcely avoid a conviction that 
 it must have been vitally important for our energetic and ag- 
 gressive neighbors to be able, while asserting claim of title 
 beyond their conceded borders, to remove all fear of being 
 confronted by evidence at variance with their pretensions, 
 drawn from the local records. It is by no means unlikely that 
 the pages of the old Strawberry Bank town-book revealed a his- 
 tory that invited its destruction. There are some who think 
 they discern in the general conduct of the Massachusetts to- 
 wards the other settlements, a studied plan of seizing upon ter- 
 ritory and following up the occupation of it by a suppression 
 of every recorded entry that might make against their claim. 
 Such views can hardly be dismissed as distorted or unjust, in 
 face of the fact that as new-comers in distinct localities the ad- 
 vent of the Massachusetts authorities is attended almost im- 
 mediately with a disappearance of early records. 
 
 But leaving to future exploration the interesting question 
 how far the spoliation of 1652 is to be attributed to the settled 
 policy of the Massachusetts to fortify their claim of title, let 
 us try to account for it by reasons lying within a somewhat 
 narrower compass. We observe that after ten years the au- 
 thorities had come at last to feel the ground firm under their 
 feet. Everything tends to show that from henceforth nobody 
 
 is to question the character of their title to the soil. Certain 
 9h 
 
66 Appendix 
 
 it is that all the signs of the time point to a determination by 
 the rulers of the Bay to begin a new order of things. They 
 were ready to treat the disaffected with a yet firmer hand. 
 vSome individuals there doubtless were to whom the town had 
 voted grants, which though entered upon the town-book had 
 not as yet been laid out. These grants should be rendered 
 null. Acres of outlying land awaited the order of the authori- 
 ties to be parcelled out among the townspeople — marshy 
 meadow and forest as yet uncleared. 
 
 Is it not likely that to this critical period much is justly ap- 
 plicable that is complained of thirteen years later to the King 
 at the restoration, complained of by such men as Champer- 
 nowne, Corbet, Sherborn, Sloper, Hunking and Atkinson, 
 not to mention others? For several years past (such is the 
 burden of their petition in 1665) five or six of the richest men 
 have ordered all offices, denying us the benefit of freemen and 
 church privileges ; managing to get into their hands the lands 
 for themselves, so that " honest men who have been here a 
 considerable time have no lands at all given them, and some 
 that have lands given and laid out to them, the said contrary 
 party have disoumed the grants and laid it ont to others y 
 Je7in. Doc. 48 
 
 Let the reader turn to the entry in the town-book which has 
 furnished the subject of this note, and he will see recorded on 
 the same date a list of " outlots granted to the inhabitants." 
 {Page 20.) Not many months before this (in April 1652,) the 
 selectmen had ordained that all grants previously made should 
 be subject to their power to confirm or not, as they should see 
 fit, an exercise of authority that tells its own story. {Page 16.) 
 By resorting to the early records in the Suffolk registry 
 of deeds, we find at least one instance where a grant by Straw- 
 berry Bank to a settler was made in 1645, yet there is no trace 
 of it in the entries copied into "the new book ;" so we may infer 
 that these entries do not embrace every grant made by the 
 town previous to January, 1652. Nicholas Shapleigh, late of 
 
Appendix 67 
 
 Strawberry Bank grants to Thomas Beard, of Dover, by deed 
 acknowledged 22 May, 1645, house and land at Strawberry 
 Bank, to wit, foure Acres enclosed & six score Acres more or 
 less granted by the towne together with the marsh thereto be- 
 longing & all his Right to any lands yet to be divided, (i Suf- 
 folk Deeds, 60.) Nicholas Shapleigh was a Quaker, and an op- 
 ponent of the Bay people. 
 
 Till better explanation be reached, are we not brought to the 
 conclusion that the inroad made upon the town records was 
 designed in part to cut off grants and privileges from certain of 
 the settlers who were out of favor with the party in power ? A 
 summary and convenient way was thus presented of throwing 
 into the hands of the selectmen the whole body of outlying 
 land, to be parcelled out in conformity with a new order of 
 things, irrespective of what had been the relative prominence 
 and dignity of the planters, as shown upon the pages ot 
 the old town-book. Perhaps, too, there were those who 
 had taken part in the seditious movement of 1651, and who 
 should thus be made to feel how futile it was to attempt to resist 
 the power of the Bay government. In fine, so far as the old 
 town-book spoke of chartered rights belonging to any one who 
 was in disfavor, it should be silenced. 
 
 Not that this in many instances afiected the tide of lands in 
 possession, but the disposition of lands not already occupied 
 was of great moment, and could be used with telling effect. 
 The book was kept in the hands of Puritan selectmen, and it 
 was not in the nature of the times probably to lay it open to 
 such general inspection as would be the case in these later 
 days. 
 
 I do not indulge in any reflection upon the character of the 
 motives that may have prompted this act, nor do I forget that 
 it is to be judged, if at all, by a standard far different from that 
 of the present time. 
 
 That the book may have contained entries favorable to the 
 Mason title, and that these were suppressed to keep tliem from 
 
68 Appendix 
 
 being used by Mason's agent, is a conjecture unworthy, it seems 
 to me, of even a passing consideration. 
 
 P. 32, /. 9. The island granted to Anthony Ellins, between 
 John Wotton's (Muskito Hall) and Clampering (Leach's) 
 Island must have been what is now called Pest Island. The 
 former name of Pest Island appears to have been Anihoyiy — 
 possibly dating back to the ownership of Ellins. There was a 
 pest house on Anthony Island in 1740. v. Pr. P., 60, 124. 
 
 P. 36, /. 26. This confirmation appears to include what is 
 now Noble's Island. There is a record of June, 1650, of a 
 conveyance by Ambrose Lane (who got title from Sampson 
 Lane) to John Jackson, cooper, of " all that house and oute 
 houses Inclosed lands and commons with sixe acers of marsh 
 belonging unto the same lying between the ould doctor's marsh 
 [See page 15, 1. 8] and the Creeke beinge the marsh sometime 
 belonging to the great house comonly called by the name of 
 the plimmoth plantation with the appurtenancies thereunto be- 
 longing beinge the houses and lands wherein on John Crouther 
 lived in and commonly called Crowther's house lyinge and 
 beinge within Strawberry Banke aforesaid except the Hand ly- 
 inge and being on the norther side of the saj'd house by esti- 
 mation eight acres or thereabouts." 11 MS. C. R., 5. John 
 Jackson (and his wife Joan) conveyed the Hand 25 June, 1660, 
 to Thomas Jackson, cooper, and speaks of it as " confermed to 
 the sd John Jackson by the selectmen of Ports in 1656 signed 
 under their hands & annexed to ye said deed of Mr Lane's 
 aforesaid." The grant was " together with all the trees and 
 wood fallen & unfallen." I[>., 37. 
 
 The entries at pages 29 and 31 indicate that the island for 
 a while bore the name of other occupants, viz: Thomas Furson, 
 and afterward, Roger Knight. 
 
INDKX 
 
 Abbett Richarrl 38 
 
 Abbil Waller 20. 21, 22, 23. 24. 25, 
 
 26, 37, 38, 39 
 Abbite Walter 13 
 Abbot James 40 
 John sr 40 
 " jr 40 
 Peter 40 
 Reuben 42 
 Adams 8 
 
 John 40 
 Agamenlicus 46, 64 
 Akerman Bn 41 
 Allcock Joseph 43 
 widow 42 
 Allen Charles 38 
 Allmery John 42 
 Robt 42 
 widow 43 
 Amenteene John 39 
 Amos William 40 
 Anthony Island 68 
 Armstrong Robert jr 42 
 Atkins Joseph 38 
 Atkinson 66 
 Avery Thomas 38 
 Ayres Abraham 42 
 Ed 41 
 George 43 
 Tho8'42 
 Bab Peter vede 40 
 Bacheller Alex 23, 28, 86, 38. 46 
 Ann 46 
 
 Bachelor Allixsander 14. 20 
 Bachiller Ellixander 13, 21 
 Ball Peter 40 
 
 Sampson 41 
 Ballech Joseph 40 
 Banfield Charles 40 
 George 40 
 Hugh 40 
 Barnes Abraham 40 
 Thomas 40 
 William 40 
 Bartton Edward 17 
 
 goodraan 15, 23, 31. 36, 38 
 Bay Colony The 55, 58, 63, 64 
 Beard Thomas 67 
 Becke Henry 20. 38, 40 
 Beckman William 40 
 Beekford Henrx' 40 
 Bell Charles H'll 
 Bellinuura Thomas 18 
 Belknap 7. 8,51, 58, 64 
 Benmore Philip 39 
 Bennett John 5 
 
 AVilliam 43 
 Berry Joseph 42 
 
 William 15. 17. 20, 21, 22, 
 23, 26, 30, 31 
 Berwick Falls 7 
 Biddeford 46 
 Bishop mr 43 
 Bladen William 40 
 Blnshtield Thomas 42 
 Boston 1. 14, 56, 61. 62,65 
 
70 
 
 Index 
 
 Bowie Dr 43 
 Bracket Anthony 13 
 Bracliit Anthony 17. 21, 22. 23. 26, 
 31,83,34,35,36, 
 37,38 
 Brakite Antony 20 
 Brewster Chark-s W 2 
 John 39, 43 
 " jr43 
 Samuel 43 
 Briard Ellsha 41 
 Bridgeman mr 42 
 Brookiu William 13. 20. 23, 28 
 Brougliton Thomas 39 
 Brown Henrj"^ 40 
 
 Joshua 41 
 
 Nicholas 40 
 
 Siiniuel 42 
 Browne mr 34, 35, 37 
 Buliord Marcellus 3, 12 
 Burdett George 59 
 Burne Ralph 41 
 Buruham Edward P 52 
 Bushbi e Kol)erl 39 
 Buss Joseph 42 
 Calef Jere 42, 43 
 Campion Clement 30, 31, 50 
 
 mr 20 
 Campion's Necke 34, 50 
 Canierbury 59 
 Carter Jcre 43 
 
 John 43 
 Casco Bay 63 
 Cater Ed 42 
 Caverley Moshes 43 
 Center Abraham 43 
 Chamberlain Richard 60 
 Chaiiipernon Capt 20, 23, 27, 28, 
 29 33. 35. 37 
 Francis 30, 37, 62, 66 
 Chanler old 3S 
 Chaterton goodman 20 
 Christian Shore 50 
 Churchill John 42 
 Clampering Island 15,31, 42, 46, 68 
 Clapboard Islund 53 
 Clark Josiah 42 
 
 Samuel 41 
 Clarke Ed war.! 38 
 
 John 41 
 Cod Jatnes 42 
 Cole Edward 43 
 
 Thomas 42 
 Colmer Abraham 5 
 Combination at Strawberry Bank 
 
 8.59 
 Commins Richard 21, 23, 34, 86, 
 
 37, 39 
 Commons Richard 20 
 Corbett Abraham 39, 66 
 Cotton Benjamin 40 
 Solomon 40 
 Thomas 40 
 
 William 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 
 25, 26, 28, 29, 38. 
 39, 41, 42 
 jr 40 
 Court R.icord8 45, 49, 59, 60 
 
 Street 46 
 Cranfield 58, 59, 60 
 Crocker Thomas 42 
 Cromwell 61 
 Cross Richard 42 
 Crouther John 17, 31, 68 
 Crowder John 36 
 Curryer Jeff 89 
 Cut John 27, 89 
 
 Richard 13, 16. 20, 21, 22, 23. 
 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 
 33, 37, 38 
 Cutts John 43 
 
 Richard 42, 60 
 Davis John 40, 42 
 
 Robert 13. 31, 38 
 Timothy 41 
 Deane Charles 6, 7, 11 
 DenersoQ John 41 
 
 widow 40 
 Dennet Elizabeth 41 
 Ephraim 41 
 Moses 41 
 Oliver 43 
 Dennis Thomas 39 
 Dent Abraham 40 
 Ditte Francis 42 
 Dodge Noah 40 
 
 Dover 14, 18, 23, 34, 45, 46, 41), 
 56 59, 63, 67 
 Point 6 
 Downing Joseph 43 
 Drake Francis 39, 35, 37, 38 
 goodman 34 
 Jane 31 
 Nathaniel 31, 36, 37, 38 
 
Index 
 
 71 
 
 Draper Doctor 43 
 Drew Jobn 42 
 Drown Daniel P 5 
 
 Thomas P 5 
 Dunnel Bn 42 
 Earle William 39 
 Eburn Eliza 41 
 Elberdson Elberd 42 | 
 
 Ellins Anthony 15, 20, 23, 31, 32, I 
 37, 38, 68 
 Richard 42 
 
 jr43 
 Elliot Robert 38 
 Ellos John 40 
 Elwyn John 49,51, 52 
 Endicott 62 
 Euius William 20, 21 
 Evans John 4 
 Exeter 56, 60, 63 
 
 Records 9, 45, 47, 48, 49, 59 
 Eyers mr 38 
 Fairweather William 43 
 Fanning Joseph 40 
 Fellows William 42 
 Felt 57, 58 
 
 Fenlaysim Walter 43 
 Fernald Amos 43 
 
 Renald 4, 10, 13, 15, 16, 
 17, 18.19,20,21, 
 22,23.24, 25,26, 
 27,30,31, 32.33, 
 34, 35, 36, 37, 45, 
 48, 50, 53 
 Samuel 4 
 widow 38 
 Field John 42 
 
 The Old Doctor's 16, 31, 48 
 Fitch Jabez 51, 56 
 Fletcher John 4 
 > olsom 46 
 Foot b lid <fe 48 
 Ford John 41 
 Forte Poyut 36 
 Foss John 38 
 
 William 40 
 Foster Benjamin 50 
 Fresh Marsh Creek 42 
 Frethy Elizabeth 46 
 John 46 
 t^amuel 46 
 William 13. 46 
 Fryer Nathaniel 39 
 
 Furbur John 40 
 Furson Thomas 31, 38, 68 
 GamblinfT Benjamin 42 
 Gardner David 42 
 Gatcliel Capt 42 
 Gearish Nathaniel 40 
 Georgeana 46 
 Gerrish Paul 42 
 
 Richard 41 
 Gibbins Ambrose 49, 50 
 Gibson Richard 61 
 Gilden John 41 
 Glebe grant of 8, 17, 29 
 Gleeden Charles 39 
 Godfrey Edward 64 
 Goodrich Mercer 12 
 Grassam Caleb 42 
 
 Stephen 39 
 Great Bay 14, 29. 35 
 
 House 15, 48, 00, 68 
 Island 7, 15, 16, 17,19, 46, 
 
 47, 49, 50 
 Pond 17, 48 
 Green street 50 
 Greene goodman 16 
 
 Edmund 39 
 Greenland 35 
 Gieenleaf Abner 3 
 
 Stephen 40 
 Greley Thomas 40 
 Grilbn Ph 38 
 Grindall mr 43 
 Haddon 42 
 
 Hains Samuel 21, 27, 29, 33, 37 
 Hall John 38 
 Ham John 42 
 
 Samuel 43 
 Hame goodman 24. 25 
 Mathew -SO, 37, 38 
 William 20, 23, 24, 37, 38 
 Hamet Thomas 43 
 Hampshire 64 
 Hampton 34. 57, 63 
 Harris Thomas 43 
 Harrison John 40 
 Hart John 20. 38 
 Samuel 43 
 William 43 
 Harvey Thomas 42 
 Hatch widow 41 
 Haynes Samuel 38 
 Heard's Necke (John) 23 
 
72 
 
 Index 
 
 Hewes Clement 41 
 Solomon 41 
 Hill John 43 
 
 Valentine 38 
 Hilton 6 
 
 Hincksim Thomas 38 
 Holmes Joseph 43 
 
 Laz 40 
 Hubbard 5, 7, 59 
 Humher Huphrv 33 
 Humpkins Arcullus 20, 23, 27, 29 
 good man 29 
 Hercules 32, 33, 38 
 John 24, 25 
 
 Hunking 66 
 
 Mark 39 
 Mary 42 
 Hunkins William 41 
 Huntress Daniel 3 
 Hurde John 48 
 Ingram Moses 42 
 Ipswich 56 
 Islington Creek 50 
 Jackson Daniel 41 
 
 Ephraim 39 
 Joan 68 
 
 Johnl3, 20.26,28. 29, 30, 
 36.37,38,68 
 " senior 39 
 " junior 43 
 Nathaniel 41 
 Richard 38 
 Sarah 41 
 Thomas 39, 68 
 Jaffrey George 41 
 James Matthew 43 
 Jaquith Hemy 39 
 Jefferson Hall 2 
 Jeffries James 41 
 Jeiiness John Scribner 6, 45, 57 
 Johnson Harry 43 
 
 James 13. 16, 17, 18, 20. 
 21, 22, 23, 25. 28, 
 33. 34, 36, 37, 38, 
 39, 50 
 John 39 
 Jonathan The 5 
 Jones Abram 40 
 Capt 41 
 
 Ellixsander 20, 32, 39 
 George 39 
 
 John 13, 20. 22. 23. 24, 25, 
 32, 37, 38, 41 
 
 Jos Charles 41 
 Ricliard 42 
 Kate Ed junr 43 
 Keais Samuel 4 
 Keese Henry 42 
 Kennard John 42 
 Kennestoue John 39 
 Kettle John 39 
 King Richard 31, 47 
 Kiltery 22, 64 
 Knigh Anne 30 
 
 George 42 
 John" 41 
 
 Roger 9, 13, 15, 20, 29. 30, 
 31, 32, 38, 68 
 Knowles William 40 
 Laconia Company The 7 
 Landell Thomas 42 
 Lane Ambrose 15. 18, 20, 24, 47, 68 
 
 Sami)son 47, 68 
 Lang John 40 
 
 Robert 41 
 Langdon Capt 43 
 
 Tobias 53 
 
 " junr 43 
 Toby 38 
 Lange Stephen 40 
 Langley Thomas 43 
 Lavers Jacob 41 
 Leach James 37, 38, 43 
 
 Zach 40 
 Leach's 'sland 47, 68 
 Leader mr 20, 23 
 
 Richard 18. 62 
 Lear John 41 
 Lechford 58 
 
 Letherby Thomas junr 42 
 Lewis Jenkin 42 
 
 Phillip 22, 37, 38 
 William 42 
 Libbey James 41 
 Jere 42 
 John 43 
 Libby Jeremiah 4 
 Little Harbor 5. 7 
 Lock John 38, 'i'} 
 London 65 
 Loud William 42 
 Lovell Splan 41 
 Lovett James 39 
 
 Michael 40 
 Lucev Benjamin 41 
 Lux William 39 
 
Index 
 
 73 
 
 Mackpheadris Archibald 42 
 Maine 63 
 Maine Thomas 40 
 Man widow 41 
 Mansfield widow 24 
 Manson Samuel 43 
 Maiden John 39, 43 
 Market Streei 50 
 Marshall George 41 
 
 Humphrey 42 
 Martyn Mary 41 
 
 Richard 4, 38, 41 
 Mason Ann 61 
 
 Capt John 4. 7, 8, 47, 48, 49, 
 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 
 61,02,63 
 Joseph 61, 62 
 mr 20, 24, 38 
 Robert 60. 61, 64, 67, 68 
 Massachusetts Bay 6, 9, 51, 52, 
 55, 56, 57, 58, 
 59, 60, 61. 63, 
 64, 65 
 Hist'l. Soc. 51 
 Mastell Robert 23 
 Mattean Houbert 27 
 Matthew James 43 
 Matthews Francis 47, 48 
 Thomasine 48 
 Mattoone Robert 38 
 Maxfield Benjamin 40 
 Mayn Thomas 42 
 Meade Joseph 40 
 Meeting House The 14, 16, 46 
 Melcher Edward 38 
 
 Nathaniel 40 
 Mendom Nathaniel 42 
 Merrimack 57, 63 
 Mill Dam 10 
 
 Pond 48, 50 
 Miller Alexander 40 
 Benjamin 41 
 Joseph 40, 43 
 Mills 47 
 
 Molton Joseph 42 
 Montgomery 43 
 Moodey Joshua 11 
 Moor Thomas 43 
 Moore Thomas 40 
 Morris William 38 
 Morse Obadinli 42 
 Moses James 40 
 
 Moss Jos 39 
 
 Moulton John 40 
 
 Mosses Joseph 43 
 
 Moy sis John 20, 23, 31.38 
 
 Musketlo Hall 37. 47, 68 
 
 MuHsell Robert 20, 26, 38 
 
 Moulton John 40 
 
 Mustell goodman 33 
 
 Neall Waller 23, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38 
 
 Nelson Matthew 43 
 
 widow 43 
 Newcastle 7, 47 
 New Hampshire Council 59 
 First settlement of 5, 6 
 Province 63 
 Provincial Papers 45 
 N(;w Nelherland 05 
 Newichewannock 7, 49, 62 
 Nicholson Henry 42 
 Nick Phi 39 
 Noble Laza 42 
 
 Stephen 40 
 Noble's Island 68 
 North burying ground 50 
 
 Parish records 11 
 Northfolk 56 
 Nowell Increase 14 
 Odderhorne Nath 40 
 Odiorne John 38 
 Odiorne's Point 5, 6, 49 
 '-.OUiver John43 
 Onyun Thomas 38 
 Packer John 40 
 
 Thomas 41 
 Paine William 16 
 Palmer William 31 
 Pannaway 5 
 Parker James 56 
 
 William 41 
 Parkes John 40 
 Parsley Richard 41 
 Partridge John 39, 40 
 
 William 41 
 Pa?cataqua 5, 6, 9, 49, 51, 55, 56, 
 
 58, 59, 61, 62, 64 
 Pascataquack 64 
 Paull Daniel 38 
 Peacock Adam 41 
 Pearce George 43 
 Joshua 41 
 Thomas 41 
 Peavee William 40 
 
74 
 
 Index 
 
 Peirce Joshua 4 
 Pendexter Ed 41 
 
 James 39 
 Pendilton Joseph 19, 20 
 Pendleton Bryan 13, IG, 17, 18. 19 
 20,21, 22, 23, 26, 
 27, 28. 29, 33, 34, 
 39, oO, 52 
 Penhailow James 39 
 
 Huuking 2 
 John 4 
 mr 55 
 Samuel 41 
 Pest Island 68 
 Peters Hugh 55 
 Peverly John 43 
 John jr 43 
 Nathaniel 43 
 Peverlly Thomas 13, 20, 21, 
 
 38 
 Pevey William 43 
 Phillip Edward 40 
 Phipps Thomas 42 
 Pickering John 13, 14, 16, 
 19. 20, 21, 
 25, 27, 28, 
 33, 34, 35, 
 38, 39, 41, 
 53, 54, 59 
 Eobert 40 
 Pickern Jolin jr 39 
 Pike Doctor 43 
 Pincomb's Creek 35 
 Piscalaqua 57, 62, 65 
 Pitman Eliza 39 
 
 Ezekiel 43 
 Jabis40 
 James 41 
 Joseph 41 
 Samuel 39 
 Plaisted John 41, 48 
 
 Mary 48 
 Pleasant Street 46 
 Plimmoth 68 
 Plymouth 5 
 Pomeroy Leonard 5 
 PomfresPoyntlS, 46 
 Pomlret William 
 Portsmouth 1, 2, 5, 6, 45, 52, 56, 
 57, 59, 60, 63 
 Ann ah Of 8 
 /(ambles About 2 
 Pray John 42 
 
 23, 26, 
 
 17, 18, 
 22, 24, 
 29, 31, 
 36. 37, 
 48, 50, 
 
 Preston John 39 
 Province The 49, 60, 63 
 Puddle Dock 48 
 
 Pudington Kobert 13, 18, 20, 21, 
 22. 23, 26, 27, 
 30, 31, 33, 38 
 Quick Daniel 40 
 Ragge Jaffry 15 
 Raines Francis 30, 46. 50 
 Rains mr 29 
 Rand Francis 13, 21, 22, 24, 25, 
 
 26, 36, 38 
 Randavou The 18, 49 
 Raye Francis 40 
 Raynes 50 
 Records Court 45 
 Reuals John 17 
 Riddan Thaddeus 13, 18 
 Roberts Axwell 41 
 
 John 39 
 Robinson John 43 
 
 Nathaniel 42 
 Rockingham County 45, 47 
 Roe Anthony seur 40 
 " junr 40 
 
 Roger Joseph 39 
 Rose Stephen 42 
 Ross William 43 
 Row Nicholis 20, 24, 26, 36, 38, 49 
 
 Russel 42 
 
 Eleazer 43 
 Rye 5, 47 
 Rymes Samuel 42 
 Saco 46, 52 
 
 Sagamore Creek 15, 31, 46, 47, 49 
 Sander's Point 49. 50 
 Sandy Beach 14, 25, 26, 31, 32, 36 
 Sargent John 38 
 Savidg Henry 38 
 Savidge John jr 40 
 Saward Richard senr 38 
 " junr 38 
 
 Scott Selvenge 40 
 Seabrook 63 
 
 Seavie William 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 
 23, 26, 30. 33. 34, 
 35, 36, 37, 38 
 Seaward Joseph 5 
 Seward gondman 27 
 
 Henry 42 
 
 Richard 20, 23, 34, 50 
 
 William 43 
 Sevy Samuel 40 
 
Index 
 
 75 
 
 Thomas 30, 21, 22, 23, 35, 30, 
 37.38 
 Shackford John 42 
 Samuel 42 
 Shannon Nathaniel 43 
 Shapleigh Nicholas 66, 67 
 Sherborn James 40 
 
 John 13, 14, 30, 31, 33, 
 23, 34, 30, 37, 38, 
 39, 40, 43 
 Joseph 41 
 Samuel 43 
 Thomas 42 
 Thomas jr 42 
 Sherborn's Poynt 18, 49 
 Sherburn mr 37 
 Sherburne Edward 40 
 
 Henry 4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 
 17, 18, 19, 20. 21,- 
 23, 36, 28, 30, 36, 
 87, 38, 41. 43, 49, 
 50, 52, 66 
 Henry jr 43 
 Sherwill Nicholas 5 
 Shoals Isle of 61 
 Shores John 40 
 
 Robert 39 
 Shortridge Kichard 41 
 Simpson Thomas 43 
 Skilton John 42 
 
 Sloper 66 
 
 Ambrose 41 
 Henry 42 
 Richard 38, 39 
 Smith George 43 
 Quince 38 
 Smyth George 45 
 Snell George 53 
 John 40 
 
 Snow 40 
 
 Thos 40 
 Spinny James 41 
 Spregg William 40 
 Square Bar 38 
 Stears Walter 41 
 Stewart James 40 
 Stileman Elias 4, 31, 45, 47, 53, 60 
 Story Madam 41 
 
 Strawberry Bank 7, 14. 15, 17, 18, 
 
 19.30,45,46,47, 
 
 48, 49, 55, 59. 60, 
 
 61,64,65,66,67 
 
 Creek 50 
 
 Street Joseph 40 
 Studley James 43 
 
 Jonathan 43 
 Sturgeon Creek 48 
 Suffolk Registry 1, 47, 66, 67 
 Swaine Roger 40 
 Swan Samuel 43 
 Sweet Joseph 40 
 Tapley Prudence 40 
 Thomson David 5, 6, 7 
 Tobey Richard 42 
 Toogood Ed 41 
 Tout Henry 40 
 Townsend George 43 
 Treadwell Samuel P 12 
 Trickee Francis 21, 33 
 Trike Francis 13, 16, 30 
 Triminifs Oliver 31 
 Trimmings Oliver 13, 15, 30, 33, 
 
 33, 35, 36 
 Tucker Richard 31, 28, 29, 35, 
 
 37, 39, 47 
 Tucker man Nathaniel 43 
 Tufton 61 
 Urin William 29 
 Usher Dermont 39 
 Vaughan George 41 
 
 William 39, 41, 53, 54 
 Walden Thomas 41 
 Waldron Major 56 
 
 Richard 43 
 Walford goodman 26 
 
 Jeremy 16, 20, 23, 32, 38 
 Thomas 13, 30, 33. 28, 33, 
 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 
 38 
 Walker George 39, 41, 43 
 Joseph 38 
 widow 42 
 William 40 
 Wallis George 39 
 Walton George 9. 13, 18, 19, 30, 
 21,23, 28. 37, 38, 
 42, 50. 60 
 Wannerton Thom is 9, 37 
 Ward Richard 43 
 
 Robert 40 
 Warren Walter 43 
 
 William 40 
 Waterhouse Richard 41, 42 
 Samuel 40 
 Timothy 41 
 Watson William 43 
 
76 
 
 Index 
 
 Webster John 15. 19, 30. 23, 25, 26, 
 29. 33. 34, 3o, 36, 37, 
 3S 
 the younger 31 
 
 Wedg Thomas oS' 
 
 "VTeeks Leontird oS 
 
 Wells Edward 40 
 
 Wentworth 49, 50 
 
 George 4 
 Hunking 4 
 
 West Edward 39 
 
 We^tbrook Thomas 43 
 
 Westbrous John 41 
 
 Wevmouth 56 
 
 Whedden .Michael 41 
 
 Whlddtn Michael jr 43 
 
 White William 41 
 
 Wibird Richard 41 
 
 Wiggin Thomas 56, 63 
 Wilkinson Thomas 43 
 Willet mr 42 
 Williams Francis 17. 58 
 
 John 43 
 
 Thomas 15, 31, 47 
 Winacont Kiver 23. 33, 35, 37 
 Wiuklev Samuel 41 
 Winnepiseosree 63 
 Winthrop 55. 56, 61 
 W:tch Creek 49 
 WooiUiouse Phillip 43 
 Wotton John 20, 24, 37. 47, 68 
 Wottoii's Neck 16 
 Wright Thomas 40 
 Wval Alexander 43 
 York 46, 64 
 Young John 42 
 
 CORRECTIONS: 
 
 Page 29, line 7 from bottom, for "1663," read "1653." 
 " 40, line 4, for "Odderhorme, ' read "Odderhorne." 
 
TQDQRY OF CONGRESS 
 
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