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IRON MINES

About this time, there was some excitement among the inhabitants, on account of a belief in the existence of iron mines, or ores of iron, in some part of the commons, which, it was supposed, might be made to yield some revenue. The commoners, fearing that some of these ores would be carried away without their permission, and to their detriment, appointed the selectmen a committee, to look after their interests; and passed an order, forbidding any person from digging any of these ores, without first agreeing with the committee about the terms, under penalty of 40s. The bubble burst, however, for the mines proved a failure.

SHARES IN THE COMMON TO BE ASSESSED

No taxes appear to have been hitherto assessed on shares in the commons, except to meet expenses incurred in improving or defending them. Now, June 20, 1709, the selectmen and assessors were empowered to assess on these shares, a part of the province tax, that was about to be raised.

At the same time, it was ordered, that the sweepage of the common thatch-ground should be distributed among the poor of the town, at the discretion of the selectmen; but that none of the thatch should be mowed till the latter part of August, and no person, without permission, should mow any of the thatch-ground, under penalty of 12d. per rod.

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