found, volume I., page 205, under date of the 13th of March preceding the incorporation, in the words following. "Plum-island is to remain in the Court's power; only for the present, Ipswich, Newbury, and the new plantation between them, may make use of it, 'till the Court shall see cause otherwise to dispose of it."

The next thing is the incorporation act, as before stated. Under date of the 13th day of the 3d month (May), 1640, the Court "Ordered, that Rowley be granted two years' immunity from public charges, in regard of their great loss and charge by purchasing of land and hindrance of planting the last year."

Under the same date, "It is declared, that Rowley bounds is to be eight miles from their meeting-house in a straight line; and then a cross line diameter from Ipswich Ryver to Merrimack Ryver, where it doth not preiudice any former grant."

Under date of the 7th day, 8th month (October), [1640,] (to correct a mistake), it is ordered, that the neck of land on Merrimack, near Corchitawick, be added to Rowley. The line to run from the outermost part of that neck, to Ipswich River, by the end of their eight mile line to be run from their meeting-house parallel with Ipswich line; provided that all former grants upon the side of Ipswich River shall be excepted out of this grant; particularly reserving John Endicot's grant on said Ipswich River. Rowley agreed to the above." The alteration made in the line was at the particular request of Mr. Rogers. He at first supposed the eight mile line would include the neck; * but on finding it would not, he personally applied to the General Court

*

* Meaning the neck of land in Bradford, near Gage's Ferry.

for such alteration as should include it. The Court were doubtful what course to pursue, they having formerly granted a plantation at Corchitawick (Andover), and so did not at first yield to his request. He then pleaded the justice of his petition, and their former promises "of large accommodations," when he was on the point of going to New Haven, and in warmth left the house, saying he would inform the elders. This behaviour being menacing, as it was taken, gave cause of offence to the Court, so as he was sent for, not by the officer, but by one of the Rowley deputies. Before he came, he wrote to the Governor,* wherein he confessed his passionate distemper, declared his meaning in those offensive speeches, as that his meaning was, that he would propound the case to the elders for advice, only, about the equity of it, which he still defended. This would not be accepted; but the Court would have him appear and answer; only they left him to take his own time. So the next day he came, and did freely and humbly blame himself for his passionate distemper; and the Court, knowing he would not yield from the justice of his cause (as he apprehended it), accepted his satisfaction, and freely granted what he formerly desired. Winthrop.

In 1652, the General Court again altered the westerly line of Rowley, by taking from the northwesterly corner, by Merrimack River, about five hundred acres, and adding at the southwesterly corner, by Ipswich River, about the same quantity of land. This was done, (as the record says,) to accommodate Andover. The line, as thus altered, is presumed to be the same that now divides Bradford and Boxford from Andover.

* Thomas Dudley.

In 1653, the Court appointed Ensign Howlet and Corporal Gage, (probably Thomas Howlet and John Gage, both of Ipswich,) a committee to settle the line between Rowley and Andover.

1649, on the 17th day of the 8th month (October). Upon the petition of Newbury, the Court thinketh meet, to give and grant Plum-island to Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury, viz. Ipswich to have two parts, Newbury two parts, and Rowley one fifth part.

In 1655, the Court appointed Deacon Whipple, of Ipswich, Mr. Hall, of Salisbury, and Ensign Howlet, a committee to settle the line between Newbury and Rowley.

1653, March 25. The town appointed Francis Parrot, Joseph Jewett, and Hugh Smith, to join with committees of Ipswich and Topsfield, to agree on and bound out the line between this town and theirs.

In 1643, Massachusetts was divided into four shires (counties). Salem, Lynn, Enon,* Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Gloucester, and Corchitawick,† composed the shire of Essex.

The names of the other three shires were Suffolk, Middlesex, and Northfolk.

Suffolk contained the towns of Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Waymouth, Hingham, Deadham, and Brain

tree.

Middlesex contained the towns of Charlestown, WaterTown, Cambridge, Concord, Sudbury, Wooburn, Reading, and Malden; and

Northfolk the towns of Salsbury, Hampton, and Haverhil.

Suffolk and Middlesex each contain a regiment, Essex and Northfolk another.

Major Edward Gibbens was appointed to the command of the Suffolk regiment.

Major Robert Sedgwick was appointed to the command of the Middlesex regiment; and

Major Daniel Denison (of Ipswich) was appointed to the command of the Essex and Northfolk regiment.

Each town, named in the several counties, contained a company of soldiers. The soldiers of each town chose their own Captain and subalterns by a major vote. The officers, when chosen, were installed into their place by the Major of the regiment.

Captain Sebastian Brigham commanded the Rowley company.

The Court order, that all the souldiers belonging to the twenty-six bands in the Mattachusetts government, shall be exercised and drilled eight daies in a yeare, and whosoever should absent himself, except it were upon unavoidable occasions, should pay 5s. for every daie's neglect.

Each regiment is to be exercised once a year.

After the inhabitants of the town had caused their streets and house lots to be laid out, as has been already described, they proceeded directly to make and ordain all such by-laws, rules, and regulations, as they deemed necessary for the well-being of the town; a few of which have been transcribed with care from the original records, and are as follows, viz.

"The prudential men (selectmen), during the time of their being, shall have full power to order and transact all the common affairs of the town of Rowley; to make orders, and impose fines, for the better managing the

affairs of said town. Provided they do nothing contrary to the order of the General Court. Provided also, that they dispose of no land for inheritance without the consent of the town, and let no town's land but for their present year.

"Ordered That all the commons, which belong to the town of Rowley, shall extend five miles from the town every way, where the town has property, which shall not be laid out to any particular person.

"To the end every man may have an equal share in the commons, according to purchase,* it is agreed, "That every 1 acre house lot shall have 11 gates + (in the common pastures).

1673-4. It was ordered and agreed by the town, that two thirds of their town commons should be divided in the following manner, to wit: Every person in town, owning one or more gates (or rights), and living within the aforesaid five mile common, to be entitled to receive two acres for every 20s. he had paid in the last country tax; and those keeping house within the five miles, and paying rates, (if less than 20s.) also to have

two acres.

Ordered That all house lots, that are or shall be laid out, shall fence against all common pastures.

*This has reference, no doubt, to the £800 paid to previous grantees.

† Same as cow rights. Other lands were laid out in much the same proportion that these rights bear to the house lots.