0- -Ni~ • • * \ ^ .r^^ V ^ 1 1 '/■■'■' ' . » * ,0 r5 Sv/- A ^0^ rO '■^^o* -t^-o^ ./^.::;^':.^\. cor.^.:^.:.> ^^^v:.^',\ .^-••^ o V ^0 ^^'^^. -\ .^ ^• ^^-^^^ 4 O ^ T .0 .. "^^. '"" ,\^ ,.„ ^-^^ o^ ,.. ^^ '"-^ v^' ^^ ''- ■'■ ,/'% '--^iia^rv ,'^''''"'^, °->'^V:-v" ,/'\. '--^K-' v''''^ t.^ A^ -0^ ■'\/\'-^/y"\ ''^/ /\ •-_., c° " " -» O ^oV V '^f^ y v-- •^^0^ i>^' 'V :^ \/ :»v \,.^ ••'"--■•^ \/ •'^^'- -- --^ L'^c^jjj'^ ^> ^c^ ^' : %/ :>^^^ %-c^' ^:^^^^ %^ >P-^^ '.^ ll^\\c^- RE0O!^DS -OK 27u' first tcni.'/! clerk of BRIDGEV/ATER, MASS, -FROM 1656 to 1681. PUBLISHED BY XjOI^IiTO -^J^. E»T7E'I^E:R,, Broclstcii, ^vdCass. BROCKTON: \VM. L. J'UKFIiR, STEAM, IJOOK AND lOB PRINTER. 1889. V.S To Ike numerous family in DiME^IC:^ hearing the honored name of C:^^RY, this record is respectfully dedicated, by LOmNG H\ TUFFRm. Brockton, July /, 1889. Stale Ui5^^^^ r^ NOTE.. John Cary, or Carew as it was once spelled, the immigrant, came to New England from Somersetshire, England, and settled in Duxbury, Mass., in 1639, being then 25 years old. He married Elizabeth, daughter jof Francis Godfrey, in 1644 and by her had in Duxbury, John, 1645; Francis, 1647; Elizabeth, 1649. He then removed to Braintree, and had James, 1652, and finally settled in Bridgewater where his remaining eight children were born. He was one of the fifty four original proprietors of the town of Bridgewater. He removed from Braintree to Bridgewater in 1654. In 1656 he was chosen Constable, being the first town officer and only one elected that year. He was the first town clerk, serving until 168 1. ^ He lived in what is now West Bridgewater, and about one fourth of a mile \i^5t of the old church. He died in 1681. His wife died in 1680. TOWI? RESORDS From the Licorporation of the town m i6§6. The children of John Gary; Eleventh whose name is Sarah was Borne the second of August 1667. The twelfe whose name is Mahitabell was born the twenty-fourth of the last month, 1670. See loth page for record of 10 first children. The day and yeare of the Birth of the Children of John Gary Junior heare in the towne of Bridgewater is as followeth. And his marriage was the 7th of De- sember 1670. Imprimis, his first borne whose name was John was brought forth into the world the first November 167 1, and the Lord took hime to himselfe, and was buried thenineand twentieth of Desem- ber '71. The second whose name is Seth was borne the 28th of January 1672. The third whose name is John was borne the 9th of Desember 1674. The fourth whose name is Nathaniel was born the 24th of November 1676. The fift whose name is Eliazer was born the 27th of September, 1678. The sixth whose name is James was born the i6th of June 1680. The marriage of James Gary which was solemnized the 4 day of January in the year of our Lord 1681. His first born being a daughter who was borne in the sixt of November in 1 683 of the same month son whose name [The residue torn off.] to the world 5 Lands laid out for Experience Michell in the towne of Bridgewater, as follow- eth: seventy six Acars of upland liing between Thomas Heyward seynior but- ting upon Johns river on the North side, runing in length about South West and North East, m A parcel of meddow land laid out in the Great meddow liing upon the North side of Nunchketatesett River lying between Goodman Browne's lott & George Partridge's lott in the same meddow. 6 It is Ordered and Agreed upon by the Towne, the tenth of July 1660, freely And willingly to give to Mr. Buncker if he shall come Heyther to supply the place of A minister, the sum of twenty pounds & his diet. It is Inacted by the Towne this 22d. of february 1660, that all cattle that goith upon the Gommon till a midsum- mer day, whether it be their own or other folks, are to be rated for. Be it knowne unto all men by these presents that Nathaniel Willis and Law- rence Willis Inhabytants of the Towne of Bridgewater do bind ourselves to free the said town of Bridgewater from any charge or Damage upon said Towne by the keeping their brother Jonathan Willis, and to the which Ingagement we the aboved named Nathaniel Willis and Lawrence Willis have Hereunto sett our hands this eighth day of January 1656. Nathaniel Willis. Lawrance Willis. It is agreed upon by the Towne of Bridgewater the twelfe of March 1656, that there shall be live woulfe traps made and completely finished, the first tow traps by Goodman Bassett and Goodman Heyward Junior and Good- man Goodman Heyward Senior Goodman Harris & Goodm Lawrence Willis John Goodman Lathrope & Goo finish another and that Goo Edson and Goodman Foabs & that Goodman Willis Goodman Goodman Richmond and Goodman Ames finish another, and these traps to be by the last of March Insuing the date if any shall be found defective in not these said traps they are to pay tow for every day they do neglect the work the aforesaid time is expired. [ The residue on the right side is torn.] 8 June the 3 1657. Whereas this Gen- erall Court taking into theire serious Consideration the great defect that either is or like to be in severall Town- shipes in this jurisdiction for want of an able Godly teaching ministrey, and the great preiudice to the soules of many like to sufifer, and being desirous accord- ing to our dutyes that such defects should not be for want of due Incouragement to such as either are or shall be Imploy- ed in so good a worke of the Lord, for his honner, and the good of soules, and in consideration that inasmuch as the severall townshipes granted by the Gov- ernment was that such a Company might be received as should maintaine the public worshippe and service of God, there doe therefore judge that both church and town are mutually en- gaged to support the same: and there- fore do order and agree, That in what- soever towne there either is or shall be an Able godly teaching ministiey, which is aproved by this Government, that then fowre men be chosen by the In- habitants or in case of their neglect, chosen by and three of the mayjisstrats to make an equal and just proportion upon the estates of the Inhabytantes according to their Abylytyes to make up such a convenient maintainance, for his comfortable attendance on his worke, as shall be agreed upon by the church in each townshipp, where any is with the concurrence of the Inhabitants if it may be had, or by the maygesstrates aforesaid in case of theire apairante neg- lect, and that destress according as in other just cases is due be made upon such as shall refuse to pay their propor- tions, which is in justice due, but in case there be any other way whearby any townshipp Doe or shall agree that may effect the end aforesaid, this law not to be binding to them. [The above is a transcript of a law of the General Court of New Plymouth Colony, enacted at Plymouth June 3d, 1657-] by the Towne meet together that those that made the weare at have the fish theare for this year made the ware in Towne are to have fish there for this present yeare Afore- mentioned. About the holsters bought of Good- man Hill, Goodman Hey Seynior and Goodman Harris having Ingaged for the payment of them being twelve shillings, the town was willing to pay it them again in their rate, in the best of their pay which they shall fee amerced to pay out of their rates. 9 Lands laid out for Goodman Harris the town of Bridgewater 20 Acares of land upon Johns river 3 length about South West and North East tween John Gary's and the highway on the river acres of land being his house lott but- ting the river Runing in length about North And South liing between Goodman Brett's house lott and Goodman Willis house lott which Goodman Harris bought of Goodman Willis, which also is six Acares running in length as above mentioned. more A parcel of land graunted to Goodman Harris butting upon the river liing between e the said house lott which was John Willis & then running in length up to the cartway and there bounded m 2 Acares & 1-2 of meddow liing between Goodman Gannett's lott of meddow and those lots that fell to Goodman Godfrey &John Gary butting upon the river and Goodman Foard's meddow neer to Cutting Cove. m 2 Acares & i- 2 of meddow be it more or less liing between the minis- ter's lott & Mr. Willis being in the meddow which was formerly called the name of Goodman Fobes his mead- ow. m 2 rood of land which Goodman Harris bought of Goodman Brett liing before his Doore between his owne land and Godman Brett's house lotts but- ting upon the river runing in length to the highway. 10 The Day And Birth and year of John Gary's Childrens: 1645. Imprimis, John Gary being his first the fourth of November in Duxborroiigh the second being Francis was borne And place the nineteenth of January the third which is Elizabeth was Twentiety day of Desember 1649, ^ The fourth whose name is James was born at Braintree the eight and twenti- eth day of March 1652. The fift whose name is Mary was born at Bridgewater the eighth of July 1654. The sixt whose name is Jonathan was born at Bridgewater the fourth and twentieth day of September 1656. The seventh whose name is David was born at Bridgewater the seven and twentieth day of January 1658. the eighth whose name is Hannah was born at Bridgewater the last of Aprill 1661. The ninth whose name is Joseph was born at Bridgewater the eighteenth of Aprill 1633. The tenth whose name is Rebecka was born the thirtieth day of March 1665. 1 1 The thirteenth of November 16 Whereas certaine lands graunted by the Countrey to the Inhabitants of Duxbourrough at Massacquoetuccut now being graunted A Townshipp and called Bridgewater, these are to informe and declare the manner of laying out these lands. Wheras Constant Southworth, Wil- liam Paybody and William Brett in the Behalfe of the rest of the fefues which weare appointed by the Court for the Disposing and laying out of these lands: they having laid out divers shares of lands in the place: now in and upon A third division having laid out fifty Acares to a share to the number of twenty and two lots. But finding that it will be prediditiall to the town, and it being desired by the Inhabitants of Bridgewater to have their lands, namely the present division of fifty acares to a lott to lay by them- selves — We the above named fefues have agreed that the inhabitants of Bridge- water shall have their lands liing by themselves within themselves, to have power to lay out so much lands as shall In quantitie so much upland Laid out to the Inhabitants of Dux- bourrough namely twenty acare Lotts fiftie acares to a share That they come no nearer to namly the hous lotts then the other Acare lotts do which their being thirty and four lotts yet to be made up in whole or in part. 12 In any place within this Government under the penalty of forty shillings a time for every speaker, and ten shillings a time for every hearer, and forty shil- lings a time for the owner of the place that permits them so to meet together. And if they meet together in their silent meetings so called, then every person so meeting together shall pay ten shil- lings and the owner of the place where they meet shall pay forty shillings A time. Lands laid out by Samuel Edson Sey and John Gary sey,for Goodman Alden at his house the 15th of March 98 or 99. 36 pole 1-2 in breadth & 80 pole in length runing North and South for its length or thereabouts. 13 The 15 of October 1658: It is agreed upon by the towne that every man shull have fourty poule in length at the head of their six Acars lotts, only there must be left a suffitient hieway between the four score poule and the fourty poule now graunted, and that there is liberty graunted if they that are willing may take in a common feild at the head of this six score rods. It is agreed upon the r4th of October 1658 at a town meeting Goodman Edson have brought In Ac- cording to the Court Order his marks of his Cattle with the rest of the towne the twentieth of Desember 1658. Im Goodman Edson's marke It is Inacted by the Towne the i6th of May 16 that Goodman Edson and Goodman Brett have libertie to call a town meeting as they shall see occation for this present year. 14 A Child born to John Washburne Sen, the fifteenth of May, one thousand six hundred and seventy tow in Bridge- water, whose name is James. The marke of the cattle of John Ames seneor, being a slitt in the topp of the right eare, and bookt the first of Jan- uary 1680. A Child born to John Robbins the nth of January 1667 In Bridgewater, whose name is Zeduthun or Jeduthun. The marks of 2 colts of Goodman Alden 's being both of them a bay, the mare being in her 3d yeare having A peace cutt out of the" hind part of her right ear, her left hind foot being some- what white, with the town mark T. B. on her left fore shoulder: the other being A Breeding in her 4th yeare, with a little spott of white haires A little within the Inside of her hind left legg with the towne's brand mark T. B. on the left shoulder, with the same marke on the hind part of her right eare as the mare has this being the mark of Joseph Alden 's cattle. The marks of Joseph Alden's horses & a gilden of a darkish bay coullerwith a noch in the foreside of his right eare about the middle and branded with T. B. upon hisneare shoulder, and another of a darkis bay couller with the same brandmarks as the other. 15 Lands laid out for of Bridgewater as followeth; Imprimis, twertty Acares of upland on the south side of Johns river runing in length About North East & By East butting upon the river liing betweene old Mr. Bradfoard's & George Russell's twenty Acare lott. m fifty acars of upland being next beyond Nathaniel Brewster's butting upon South brooke bevelwayes opposite against George Sols on the East side of the said brooke runing in length About South West & by South. m tow acares and a halfe of meddow lands or thereabouts liing at the mouth of a Cove, the one end butting upon Goodman Harris meddow neer Cutting Cove, and the other upon John Gary's meddow, being the middle lott of the aforesaid Cove. m A parcel of meddow which lieth in the great meddow Runing from the river tO' the wood, liing between John Starre & John Washborne Junior. John Carey senior, inhabytant in the town of Bridgewater deceased the the last day of October in the year of our Lord 1680. And his wife whose name is Elizabeth Deceased the i of November 1680. The clay and year of the birth of the children of Samuel Allen Senior heare in the towne of Bridgewater: Imprimis, his second borne whose name is Samuel who was borne the 4th of December 1660. the third a daughter whose name is Essiel who was borne the ist of March 1662 or 63. 4, a daughter whose name is Meheta- ble who was borne at duxborough 20 of January 1664. 5, a daughter whos name is Sarah who was born in April the 14th day 1667. 6, The sixt a daughter whose name is Bethiah who was born 12 of May 1669. 7, A son whose name is Nathaniel who was borne loth February 1672. 8, a son whose name is Ebenezer who was born 14 October 1674. 9, a son whose name is Josiah who was borne 21 of April 1676. 10, a son whose name is Elishah who was born 8 february 1678. 11, a son whose name is Nehemiah born 5 January 1680. 16 The Constable namely John Ames Received the warrant for this present year The fourth of Desember 1662, and the town meeting was upon the 8th day of the same month. samle that fell of lands graunted to Thomas Heyward Junior Adjoyning to his hous lott & land laid out by the towne's appointment by Samuel Edson & John Cary, and then we found it to be poule wide or thereabouts * * [N.B. One quarter part of this page is gone at top.] William Snow John Heyward Sey y. Standish* Mr. WilHs Goodman Lathrop Guy Bayley Joseph Bassett John Heyward Ju Joseph Alden Samuel Allen James Allni* John Willis Ju Goodm Latham Goodm Birum Goodin Turner Nathaniel Heyward Goodm Whittman Goodm Baken* Goodm Packer John Carey Sey John Robins* Goodm Leach Thomas Snell Samuel Packer Ju Goodm mil* Isaac Harris Samuel Edson Junior William Brett Junior John Carey Junior Samuel Lenderson John Lenderson John Ames Junior John Washborne John feild Joseph Lappum Edward foabs Elkanah Willis Thomas Washborn William Foabs Elisha Hayward T7V0 more names torn so as to be unin- telligible. ♦These names printed in italics, were written in the ori: ,■*- . o .^ 7; 1 <* At'%', .0^ .•^:j:«. "0-, ,-^'^ .'J^^v'^-^ rO'^.^i^^L^, "^ 0^ ^ ^" 5;:^>^' %, _. ' ^fm^-r. ^ ^ \'^ .- ~i> ^-/i-H/-"^ >p'^^ ' « o > .^' 'vP^.,?.V -, ^,. /.^«^', \^/ ,^, ^^^^,^ ; ^^