There are 49 scanned, original documents in total that will be posted over the course of the month. These documents, once thought to be lost, were discovered by the University of Notre Dame. The translations/summaries included with each document are provided by a Documentation Specialist at Notre Dame. Check back to see more!
1. A memorandum recording the proceedings of a Swansea Town meeting on
December 5, 1684 at which the townsmen unanimously voted to retain a
Mr. Barnett (Barnet) as minister (THIS WAS AFTER THE DEATH OF
REVEREND JOHN MYLES - Reverend of the First Baptist Church John Myles,
1621-1683)
2. A memo documenting a survey of land purchased by Swansea From the
Town of Taunton, conducted jointly by committees from each town, the
document bears the signatures of John Richmond and John Hathaway,
December 20, 1686
3. Document signed by Israell Harding, indication the receipt of ten shillings in
town money from Hezekiah Luther Swansea Town Treasurer, May 13, 1703
4. Document signed by Nathaniel Luther, John Thomas and Richard Harding,
all residents of Swansea, petitioning the Town Selectmen on the church’s
behalf to convene a Town meeting to ratify the of choice of Elder Ephraim
Whetton as minister February 13, 1718-1719
5. 5a and 5b - Document written and signed by Anthony proprietor’s clerk,
recording the selection of William Chase, Joseph Winslow, and Hezekiah
Luther as agents to manage a gore of land belong to the proprietors by
"setling or emproving the same”. Each agent is to receive twenty acres of
land- situated between Taunton and Rehoboth in Bristol County for his
Trouble. October 31, 1722
6. 6a and 6b - Document signed by Hugh Cole acknowledging receipt of 24 shillings
from the Swansea Trustees for "Service done for the Town.” On the
reverse is what may be a Swansea Treasurer’s memo, including one
column of figures headed "use money of our proportionable part of the
Loan money 442 pound” with amounts for the years 1722 to 1726.
7. 7a and 7b - A warrant issued by the Swansea board of selectmen , directing
the constable to give public notice of a town meeting on 10 November
1727 to elect a representative to the general court in Boston. With the
endorsement of Joshua Eddy constable November 2 1727 written by
Palatiah Mason and Esek Brown.
8. 8a and 8b - A memo dated 23 September 1728, showing itemized expenditures
and income of the Town of Swansea for 1728, signed by treasurer Benjamin
Cole. The figures on this sheet included payments to the town totaling
15pounds made by individuals who had refused to serve as constables. The
account shows a balance of 34 pounds, 3s,4p. On the reverse are
memoranda pertaining to several distinct issues entertained at recent town
meetings,, including 1) the "granting of Town debt”, detailed on the recto,
and 2) Massachusetts Governor William Burnet’s salary. There is also a
draft memorandum , presumably later that the above texts and in a distinct
hand, describing surveys for a highway across Toweset Neck( now none as
Touissett Neck).
9. 9a and 9b - documents giving public notice to the proprietors residing in
Swansea to meet at Hezekiah Luther Jr’s house on 18 November 1728, to
elect a committee to lease out lands belonging to the proprietors. The
minutes of the 18 November meeting, with the names of those chosen for
the committee, are recorded on the reverse, there are also brief
memoranda from what appear to be several subsequent proprietors
meetings.
10. 10a and 10b - documents signed by Edward Luther, committee treasurer,
showing receipt of payments totaling 42 pounds, 5s, 6p made to the Swansea
town proprietor’s account by Edward Slade, Samuel Chase, the Showamett
properties, Thomas Bowen, and John Kelley. A second table on the reverse,
dated 15 July 1730, records sum of 76 pounds out by the p15 proprietors
committee. January 28, 1729/30 July 1730.
11. 11a and 11b - An unsigned draft report giving the results of a highway
undertaken by a committee selected at the Swansea proprietors meeting of 17
December 1729. On the reverse is a notice written and signed by Samuel
Lewis, dated 14 May 1745, alerting the board of selectmen that he has taken
in William Higgins and family, who arrived from Dighton on 26 April 1745.
12. 12a and 12b - A warrant issued by the Swansea board of selectmen directing the
constable to give public notice of a town meeting Christopher Mason’s house
on 16 May 1732 for the purpose of electing a representative to the General
Court in Boston. The endorsement of Abraham Baker, constable, appears on the reverse. May 9 1732.
13. 13a and 13b - A document issued by the Swansea Board of Selectmen directing
the constable to warn out Oliver Eddy and family from (Bristol) and Richard
Bonjoy and family (from Dighton). Constable Abraham baker’s endorsement
appears on the reverse, along with cancelled notes from 22 November 1732
Swansea Town meeting.
14. - Town Meeting Warrant - May 3 1735 - a warrant issued by the Town of Swansea Board of Selectman,
directing the constable to give public notice of a town meeting on May 12 for construction on the Myles Bridge and the
need to choose a new constable for the west end of town. Aaron Clark being judged unfit for the post. The endorsement of
Theophilus Luther, constable.
15. - A document written and signed by Hezekiah Luther Jr. town clerk, giving pubic notice of the
intended marriage of Samuel Bieathen and Elizabeth Perry February 21, 1735/36
16. 16a and 16b - A document written and signed by Hezekiah Luther Jr. as proprietors clerk,
giving notice to the proprietors of Swansea to meet at the home of Christopher Mason on the first Tuesday in November 1738.
17. 17a and 17b - A document recording votes taken and various committee reports delivered at one or
more Swansea proprietors meetings. The memoranda on the recto all derive from a meeting held on February 1, 1738/39,
those on the verso are of uncertain date. The document is signed on the verso by moderator Richard Harding.
18. 18a and 18b - A warrant issued by the Swansea Board of Selectmen directing the constable
to give public notice of a Town meeting on December 4, 1744, for the purpose of selecting tow constables. Constable
Oliver Mason's endorsement appears on the reverse, along with a later record of votes taken at a town meeting on November 25 1745
19. 19a and 19b - Written on the Authority of Swansea Selectmen Hezekiah Luther Jr, Edward Head and Esek Brown
and signed by Michael Eddy of Swansea, binding Godfrey Sheldon "Son of Ephraim and Rebeka Sheldon a poor Child” to Eddy as an
apprentice servant for a term of 15 years and 6 months. The terms of the indenture show that Sheldon is to be trained as a weaver,
and will be taught "to read write and cypher sufficient to be capable of keeping a book of accompts”. The endorsements of Bristol
County justies Samuel Holand and Joseph Russel appear on the reverse April 18, 1746
20. 20a and 20b - This contains 2 unsigned cop of separate petitions addressed to William Shirley,
Royal Governor the Massachusetts Bay Colony, by the Swansea Board of Selectmen. The first dated May 28, 1746, reports
that Joseph Mason, constable for the western portion of Swansea, failed to collect a tax due to the general treasury of
the province, Mason claiming that he never received a warrant authorizing him to do so. The petitioners seek the governor’s
permission to designate an individual to collect the tax in question. On the reverse, a second petition dated late 1748 (the
sheet is torn so that "ber” is all that remains for the month) seeks relief from the "very great hardship” brought upon Swansea
by a 1736 General Court directive requiring the town to fund reconstruction of the Myles Bridge, on the road to Barrington.
A fragment of an unrelated third petition, citing difficulties in collecting a tax also appears on the reverse. May 28, 1746-1748
21. 21a and 21b - Document issued by the board of Selectmen directing the
Constable Andrew Cole to give public notice of a town meeting on
September 2, 1746 For the purpose of selecting a tax collector. Cole’s
endorsement appears on the reverse.
22. 22a and 22b - A manuscript sheet recording votes taken during at least 3 separate
Swansea town meetings ranging from May 1747 to February 1747/48/
An actual tally appears on the recto of the sheet, revealing the choice
of Esek Brown as Bristol County registrar with 21 out of possible 39
votes the remaining 18 votes were split between 3 other candidates.
23. 23a and 23b - November 18, 1749, Document from the Board of Selectmen
directing the constable to warn out George Baker and his family, who
have come from Warrentown, Rhode Island "without liberty from the
Selectmen and contrary to Law” the endorsement of Ephraim Salisbury,
constable, and Timothy Fales, Bristol County clerk of the writs, appear
on the reverse page.
24. Warrant issued by the Swansea board of Selectmen directing the
constable to give public notice of a Town meeting on March 1, 1747/48.
The agenda is to include the choice of "Select men assessors Town clerk
constables and all other town officers" the repair of the Myles Bridge
and a bounty for the killing of foxes.
25. 25 and 25b - Memorandum recording expenses incurred by the town treasury
between December 20, 1749 and March 24, 1749/50, to conduct the
1750 town lottery. Expenditures represented in the account include the
cost of printing the tickets, various travel expenses, and payments to
several individuals for time spent selling tickets and paying out
winnings. The total cost is figured at 259.18 pounds. A note at the
bottom of the sheet dated January 16, 1753 indicates that the account
was finally settled for the lesser sum of 226.9 pounds.
26. May 8,1750 Document written and signed by Andrew Cole,
petitioning the Swansea board of Selectmen for aid in caring for
Elisabeth Bushe, a poor woman staying at the Cole’s house. Cole
reports that Bushe is sick” and not likely to Gitt well in any little time if
Ever. Although she hath been dockter a burdane which hath Been a
great charge.”
27. 27a and 27b - Memo recording loans made from the Swansea treasury to Edward
Slaid, Elisha Mason, and Nicholas Thomas totaling 12.16 pounds.
Febuary 19, 1752/53.
28. 28a and 28b - Memo signed by Elnathan Walker and Ephraim Atwood, selectmen
of Dighton and Elisha Mason, Nicholas Thomas and John Anthony,
selectmen of Swansea, recording a joint survey or perambulation of the
boundary between the 2 towns. The verso of the document contains 2
drafts of a Swansea selectmen’s ruling on a complaint by several
townspeople regarding a "high way laid out in the ten acre Division” of
the town, the second of the drafts is dated March 11, 1755.
19. An unsigned directing Edward Luther constable to levy a tax on the
residents of Swansea and authorizing him to attach the property of any
who refuse to make payment to the value of the taxes owned. June 24,
1757.
30. 30-1 and 30-2 - Document written and signed by Hezekiah Luther Jr town clerk
giving public notice of intended marriages between Enoch Chase and
Deliverance Mason both of Swansea, and between Daniel Barney of
Rehoboth and Rachil Boomy of Swansea
31. 31a and 31b - Document issued by the Swansea board of Selectmen giving public
notice of a town meeting for the purpose of raising a company to
"Guard the shores for the safety and defense of the good people of the
town ..... at this time[of] Eminent Danger” An endorsement over the
names of the same three selectmen appears on the reverse. May 5
1779.
32. 32a and 32b - A warrant issued by the Swansea board of selectmen (Edward
Stead, Charles Stead, and William Brown) directing the constables to
give public notice of a town meeting for the purpose of settling town
accounts. The endorsement of Daniel Barney constable appears on the
reverse.
33. A warrant issued by the Swansea board of selectmen (Edward
Stead, Charles Stead and Jonathan Wood) directing the constable to
give public notice of a town meeting at the house of Caleb Hill, for the
purpose of electing a special representative to the General Court to
rectify a” mistake in the last tax bill” the endorsement of Daniel barney
constable appears on the reverse. June 4, 1783
34. Document signed by Constant Smith, professing “that times have
turned hard against me in the Business that | have carried on for
upwards of two years” and petitioning the Swansea board of selectmen
35. Document issued by the selectmen of Swansea directing the
constable to warn out James Simmons” a black man” of Somerset lately
arrived with the intention of “abiding therein not having obtaining the
towns consent.”. Constable Amos Kingsley’s endorsement appears on
the reverse. May 14, 1791
36. A committee report, signed by Samuel Buffington and Hezekiah
Kingsley settling the Swansea treasury accounts for the period 1791-
1795 showing a total of 615 pounds 15 shillings 9 % pence in taxes due.
37. A committee report signed by James Luther and David Brown
settling the Swansea treasury accounts for the period 1793-1797
Showing 1.23 pounds to the town treasurer a total of $1,766.75 in taxes
owed to the town and taxes paid to the treasurer in the form of notes
totaling 97 pounds, 19 shillings 5 pence. May 1797
38. A document issued by the Swansea board of selectmen directing
the constables to give public notice of town meeting for the purpose of
choosing a committee to survey landing sites and highways in Swansea.
The endorsement of Royal Chase, constable appears on the reverse.
April 22, 1803 written by Aron Wood
39. A committee report signed by Christopher Mason and Reuben Chase
settling the Swansea treasury accounts with Amos Kingsley town
treasurer for the period 1800-1803 showing $.470wnd to Kingsley and
total of $991.95 in taxes owed to the town. June 1803
40. A document signed by ten Swansea residents petitioning the board
of selectmen to convene a town meeting for the purpose of drawing up
school districts February 25, 1807
41. A document issued by the Swansea selectmen directing constable
Royal Chase to give public notice of a town meeting for the purpose of
electing a representative to the U.S. Congress from the district of
Bristol. Chase’s endorsement appears on the reverse October 26, 1804
42. A document issued by the Swansea selectmen directing the
constables to give public notice of a town meeting for the purpose of
electing town officers and casting votes for governor, Lieutenant
governor and two U.S. senators. Constable Royal Chase’s endorsement
appears on the reverse March 20, 1805
43. This document and the two following(MSN 2718-45 and
MSN/COL2718-46) are updated survey records detailing the laying out
of lots and roads during Swansea’s formative years in the early 1670's.
the present record describes the adjacent lots of Samuel Luther and
Thomas Easterbrook( of 40and 20 acres respectively) the document
bears two signatures of John Butterworth--- one of five persons given
responsibility for the disposal of land in the new town---as well as those
of Luther, Easterbrook and Nicholas Tanner. All four men were among
the 55 “first signers” admitted to Swansea 1669—1670. This particular
document may well date from the time the survey was made c 1671
44. This document and the ones preceding and following (MSN/ COL
2718-44 and MSN/COL 2718-46) are undated survey records detailing
the laying out of lots and roads during Swansea’s formative years in the
early 1670's This present document copied from the town record book
by clerk Joseph Mason is a survey for highways at Metapoiset made by
order of James Brown, John Allen and Nicholas Tanner Swansea’s
three selectmen in 1670-1671. Mason writes that the roads
were laid out “ in the 12 month 1671” (i.e. in February
1670/71. The copy would appear to date from the first decade
of the eightieth century.
45. This document and the two preceding (MSN/COL 2718-44
and MSN/COL2718-45) are updated survey records detailing
the laying out of lots and roads during Swansea’s formative
years in the early 1670’s The present document in a survey of
the “house lott” of Thomas Easterbrook (or Eastabrook) on the
Mattapoisett River this particular copy was made from the
town land records probably by clerk Joseph Mason in the early
eighteenth century. Not Dated
46. This document and the one following (MSN/2718-48) each
contains a variant of a committee report on the re-routing of a
highway dividing lots owned by William Cohoon and Richard
Sharp. The activities described in the report were undertaken in
response to a petition made by “several of the inhabitance of
Swanzey” to the town selectmen claiming that the original
highway route was impassable. On the reverse of the sheep is
an unrelated note lacking signature and date acknowledging a
debt of 200 Rhode Island currency to Hezekiah Luther jr. Not
Dated
47-48. This document and the one preceding (MSN/COL2817-
47) each contains a variant of a committee report on the re-
routing of a highway dividing lots owned by William Cohoon
and Richard Sharp. The activities described in the report were
undertaken in response to a petition made by “Several of the
inhabitance of Swanzey” to the town selectmen claiming
directing the constables of Swanzey to collect a tax from town
residents. Not dated
49. An unsigned fragment from a warrant directing Hezekiah
Luther constable to collect taxes from the residents of Swansea
and authorizing him to attach the property of any who refuse
to make payment to the value of the taxes owed. Not dated
