supported by funds were in a progressive decay.-Officers and Soldiers of the army, with all civil officers were paying the price of this depreciation in a most injurious desproportion.' So violent was the effect of it upon the clergy, to whom the parishes were tardy in making up the deficiency in the value of their salaries, that the Governor informed the general court, that it seemed probable, that many of them would be necessitated to betake themselves to secular employments, for a livelihood.'

Minot's Con. vol. 1, page 84, &c. Such was the reluctance of the legislature to increase by new taxes, a burden already insupportable, that a scheme was formed to raise a capital upon the security of individuals and with the profits to provide for the annual charges of Government.They emitted 50,000l. at first, and afterwards 100, 0001. more in bills of public credit, which were deposited in the hands of trustees, chosen by towns to be loaned to private persons, who should be obliged to repay it at stated times with interest, and this interest was to defray the public expences.

1740

ANOTHER Scheme was projected to supplant a paper currency by silver coin. The loan was to consist of 60,000l. and the borrowers were held to replace it with specie. In this and the 50,000l.* loan the town of Chelmsford became interested by choosing certain persons to receive their proportion of the 60,000l. and loan it to individuals in the town. It was agreed that no one should bor

row more than 201. nor less than 5l. To ex1748 tinguish the paper currency, which had be

come extremely oppressive and embarrassing to the people, an act was passed in parliament for re-embursing the colonies in specie. The General Court considered it their duty to provide by law for the rate at which the bills of credit should be re*In the 50,0001, loan the town took 1401-10.

deemed, and fixed it at one fifth less than their lowest current value, i. e. at fifty shillings for an ounce of silver, which was valued at 6s. 8d.

Origin and value of the old Tenor.

THIS was the origin of the old tenor reckoning. (An ounce of silver valued at 6-8d. or an English crown,) was equivalent to fifty shillings paper currency. (See Appendix No. 21.) As the design of this law was the abolition of the paper currency, and as the grant of parliament was insufficient to redeem the whole mass of paper money, that the government had issued, the remainder was liquidated by a tax of 75,000l.* payable in bills at the rate above mentioned, i. e. fifty shillings in bills were accounted equal to six shillings and eight pence in specie, or one ounce of silver. And all future debts after March 31, 1750, it was enacted, should be understood to be contracted on silver coin at 6-8d. per oz. And all debts after that time were made payable in such coin accordingly.† This also was the origin of lawful money. Three ounces of silver was equivalent to 17. lawful money, or twenty shillings.

Third Grist Mill-1695.

DANIEL WALDO, had leave to set up a grist mill, at the mouth of stoney brook, below the way that leads to Dunstable between Merrimack river and the bridge.' He was obliged by contract to 'grind the corn and malt of the inhabitants of Chelmsford, except on the fourth day of each week, which was

*Of this 75,000l. Chelmsford paid 1305-15 besides 129-7-6 to their representative.

†See a more particular account of paper currency in Douglass, vol. 1. Belknap, vol. 1, chap. 5.

This ad

appropriated to the use of Dunstable. vantageous situation has been constantly occupied by a mill under several successive owners. The pres

ent proprietor, Wm. Adams, Esq. rebuilt the sawmill, 1815, and in 1814, the grist mill on an improved plan. It contains three runs of stones, each of which is moved by a tub wheel. The wheels are placed at different elevations, that the uppermost may be used when the water in the Merrimack is at its greatest height, and either covers the other wheels or impedes their motions. As the water in the river falls to its common level, either or all of the wheels may be used at pleasure.

Other improvements deserve notice. The run of stones designed principally for corn has a small fanning wheel, fixed near the mouth of the shoe, to which motion is communicated by a band from the stone, and which impels a current of air against the grain, as it falls into the eye of the stone, and blows off chaff and other light substances. The bottom of each of the shoes of the other runs of stones is a tin sieve, through which fall sand, sorrel seed and other impurities in the grain,which is to be ground. These improvements deserve the attention of all millers.

This brings us to another memorable period, the death of the Rev. Mr. Clarke. After a peaceful ministry of 27 years, he was called to give an account of his stewardship, Dec. 7, 1704.

Mr. Waldo, was 'to grind the town's corn and malt for half toll, except a small quantity as a bushel or the like, and according to turn as much as may be.'

SECTION III.

1706

Mr. Stoddard.

THE first house of public worship, erected like Jacob's stone at Bethel, almost before they had provided houses for their own shelter and convenience, had now survived the two first Pastors, who ministered at its altar. It had been standing just half a century, at the death of Mr. Clarke. Two great objects occupied the thoughts of the people, the settlement of a new minister, and the building of a new house of worship. Still retaining the character of a religious people, they were unwilling to dwell in sealed houses, while the Lord's house was neglected,' or to give sleep to their eyes until they had re-established the stated ministrations of his word and ordinances.

In about a year and a half from the decease of their last pastor, another was sent, who was most cordially received, as the following minutes taken from the town records, will shew.

June 26-1706.

'Ar a general town meeting, the church did then and there declare that they had made choice of Mr. Samson Stoddard to be their settled minister, if he shall please to accept.'

1706. The first iron works were set up by Jona. and John Richardson, on stoney brook. Voted to give Mrs. Clarke a cow of the value of 3/ $10. Depreciation 1-75-8-25.

"On the same day the inhabitants of the town did unanimously concur with the vote of the church.'

'It was also agreed and voted to give Mr. Stoddard, seventy pounds yearly as a salary, and one hundred pounds as a settlement. On the twenty fifth of the next month, four pounds were added to provide him with wood.'

The quantity of wood allowed Mr. Clarke, was thirty cords: the same was also allowed to Mr. Bridge. If we suppose therefore that four pounds were considered equivalent to thirty cords of wood, and allowing for depreciation about one shilling for every 6s. and 10d. according to the foregoing table, it will make wood at that time about 2s. 2 1-2d. per cord.

Division of Common Lands.

"THE Colonial Government frequently granted townships. to certain persons designated in the grant by the name and title of select-towns-men, with express or implied authority to grant and dispose of land to encourage settlements and provide for the support of the gospel ministry. The policy of the Colonial government in making such grants, seems to have been well understood to be, to people the then wilderness and provide for the support of the gospel ministry.— The effect of such grants therefore was rather a power in the original grantees to dispose of lands gratuitously, than to hold them as their private estates. At any rate, such was the usuage, whether arising from necessity or policy."

"A very ancient practice, perhaps in the very onset, of the orignal grantees and their assigns, obtained-to dispose of a five acre right, a ten acre right, a twenty acre right, a thirty acre right, in the common and undivided lands of the township. This was generally done in town-meeting, and divided by a majority of votes without regard to the interests of the proprietors. In this way it is apparent that the greatest proprietor could have no greater influence by his vote than the smallest."