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A SHEPHERD'S CONTRACT

April 2, 1714, "in the twelfth yeare of her majesties Reigne Queen Anne" -- Morris Hobbs, Ephraim Marston, Benjamin Lamprey, Samuel Marston, Josiah Sanborn, William Sanborn, and Seth Fogg agree with the selectmen to keep the flock of sheep this following summer, from April 12 to November 10, "without the snow shall come to hinder them from their feed" -- will do it themselves or by those the selectmen shall approve of -- to go with the sheep one day to North Hill way, and one day to Ship Rock way, and one day to Little River way -- no man to go two days of his turn to Little River way -- each man of them to provide a good and convenient pen for the sheep to lie in from the dust and from danger of the wild creatures, -- the sheep to go at no time without a keeper -- to be let out every morning by sun half an hour high -- not to pen them before sunset at night. They give bonds of 40 shillings to perform their equal part in every particular -- to be sued before a justice of the peace by any man who can prove the above articles not fulfilled. Two witnesses. Benjamin Lamprey's name apart from the rest, as if added later, and an additional witness: "Samuel Dow Jr. See Benja. Lamprey Signe this couenant."

JOHN TUCK

On the 20th of June, 1714, Dea. Samuel Dow, the town clerk, died. He had been chosen to succeed his father in that office, at the death of the latter about seven years before. The vacancy now occurring was filled by the election (July 5) of John Tuck as town clerk. The same day he was also chosen clerk of the commoners, these two offices being usually, though not necessarily, held by the same person. Back to previous section -- Forward to next section -- Return to Table of Contents