It must have been difficult to move to a new town unless someone who lived there could "vouch" for you........ ---------------------------------------------------------- NO spelling has been changed or corrected....... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- This is taken from the "History of Springfield" by Green, page 48-9: <<quote>>In Springfield there were very full orders in regards to the admission of inhabitants. In 1638, it was provided that no man shall sell his lot to another inhabitant that had a lot, and that no man shall possess two lots without the consent of the town till he had been an inhabitant five years; and that, if any man desired to sell his lot to a stranger, he might do it if the town did not "disallow of ye sd stranger", and if it did disallow the admission of the stranger, then it should buy the lot at an appraisal within 20 days, or it should be deemed that the town allowed purchase by the stranger. This order was later changed so as to provide that no inhabitant should sell or let his land to any stranger without notifying the selectmen who the stranger was, and they allowing the admission of the stranger as an inhabitant, under the penalty of twenty shillings or forfeiting the land, and if the townsmen disallowed the admission of the purchaseer, then the town might within 30 days bury the land at an appraisal, or if they did not, then the land might be sold to the stranger who "should be esteemed as entertained or alowed of by the towne as an inhabitant"<< In 1642, the following vote was passed: it is agreed with the generall consent and vote of the inhabitants of Springfield; That if any man of this township shall under the colour of friendship or otherwise interayne any person or persons here, to abide or continue as inmates, or shall subdivide theyr house lots to entrtayne them as tenants or otherwise, for a longer tyme than one month or 31 days, without the generall consent and allowance of the inhabitants [children or servants of the family that remayne single persons excepted] shall forfeit for the first default xx shillings, to be destrayned by the constable of their goods, cattell, or chattails, for ye publique use of the inhabitants; and alsoe he shall forfeit xx shillings per month for every month that any such person or persons shall soe continue in this township, with out the generall consent of the inhabitants: and if in ye tyme of theyr abode after ye limitation they shall neede releefe, not being able to mayntayne themselves, then he or they that entertayne such persons shall be lyable to be rated by the inhabitants for ye releife and maintenance of said party or parties, as the inhabitants shall think meete. " >> Cynthia Moderator of : Ct-River-Valley-L@rootsweb.com CTHartfo-L@rootsweb.com MANorfol-L@rootsweb.com Ma-Bay-Colony-L@rootsweb.com Rootsweb sponsor