This part of Clif's Hinds collection concerns Brookfield, MA Regards, Nan [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------ The following are: Early Records of Brookfield, Massachusetts Please keep in mind that colonial Massachusetts at one time included a large portion of New England that today comprises various states. The following information was found in a book about Abstracts of Surveys of land in Augusta and Rockingham counties from 1751 - 1791. Page 90 - John Hinds, 330 acres. Muddy Creek and Dry River. Mentioned Janes Anderson, William McMullen. September 3, 1767. The following is a Topographical Description from the Affluents of Quabaug River. "Horse Pond Brook was the outlet of Horse Pond into Five-Mile River (See Connecticut/Rhode Island just below the Massachusetts border - my note/Clif Hinds 1995). John Hinds, Jun., built a mill on this stream as early as 1738; sold to his son Seth, who sold to Joseph Bartlett, who sold March 3, 1761, to Rufus Putnam. The small stream that enters Five-Mile River, next south of Horse-Pond Brook is called in the early grants Wigwam Brook. (The type mill, ie. grain or sawmill is not mentioned.) The Second Settlement 1686-1718 First Saw Mill page 175 for the year 1710 has this entry. 1710 - There is evidence from the records that this year opened with brightened prospects and large plans, to the Brookfield settlers - to be darkened by sore disappointments before its close. "At a meeting of the committee in Quabaug Mar. 7th 1710, they then considered the several titles of every particular persons of what they then stood possessed; and altho several of their Grants were lost, yet receiving good satisfaction to their title thereunto; they ordered all the foregoing parcels of land to be recorded; to be to them and their heirs forever." The list (nearly complete) of the grantees referred to is found by consulting the preceding pages, beginning with 1686, and adding those termed New Comers, in each succeeding year. Since the winter of 1704-5, a considerable number of the inhabitants had been kept in the employ of the Province, as "standing guard," or garrison soldiers; and other young men who were stationed here as soldiers, had resolved to become inhabitants. To insure this result, and to hold out inducements to the sons of the first planters to remain, the Committee, at the meeting held Mar. 8, 1710, granted ....... ......The following received grants of 40 acres of upland and 20 of meadow, on the terms above-named ....John Hinds (from Lancaster) .... The same book Second Settlement, 1686-1718 Wood Feeding- Land Holders beginning page 193 Land Holders portion reads: Land Holders. - The following list of land holders in Brookfield, in the hand writing of Samuel Partridge, is preserved. It has great intrinsic value; and taken in connection with the list of new comers of this year, furnishes the names of the tax payers, and the comparative value of the real estate of each, at the time of the incorporation of the town. (In other words - they are assessing a property tax.) "A Rate made this 22d day of April, 1717, for the paying the minister of Brookfield & Meeting-house & other Necessary charges in said place, made the day above said by us the Committee for Brookfield: Among those listed were the following Hinds: Enoch, Hopestill, and John. Brookfield Record, 1718-1786 Items of Interest page 200 recorded the following information concerning public schools. "...Wording of this vote implies that a public school had already been established, by authority of the selectmen, and the town now assumed the responsibility for the teacher's wages.' 'The following votes give an outline of the town's action respecting schools. "Jan. 23, 1728, voted that a school shall be kept at four several places in town, the town to be divided into four parts by a committee consisting of Wm Old, Ephm Hayward, Wm Ayres, Saml Barns and John Hinds. Voted to agree with a school master for but half a year at first, and to be left with the selectmen to agree with a man as cheap as they can; and to appoint a place where the children shall meet in order to be scoolde. Voted to raise 20 pounds to pay said schoolmaster, or some of it, as the selectment agree with him." Brookfield Records, 1718-1786 Last French and Indian War page 210. 1754, June 21 Gov. Shirley issued orders to the commanders of regiments, to make a thorough inspection of the state of the militia and report to head-quarters. The several towns were also required to supply themselves with the full stock of ammunition required by law. ...... 1755. Four military expeditions were planned in the spring of this year: one against the French in Nova Scotia; a second against Fort Du Quesne; a third against Crown Point: and a fourth against Niagara. Brookfield furnished her full quota for the Crown Point expedition. ......The following men enlisted in Sept under Col. John Murray: ..(List includes Jason Hinds). Second Precinct - North Brookfield. Petition for Distinct Precinct. page 248 Dec. 5, 1748, this paper was handed to Thomas Gilbert, Esq. Town Clerk of Brookfield: "These are to inform you, that we the subscribers within mentioned, have agreed to go off as a distinct precinct, and have agreed to build a Meeting-House upon the road Northeast from Mr. Jabez Ayres', between the brook and Mr. Daniel Potter's, and we desire you to enter our names upon the Town Book, according to the vote of the Town: Among those listed were Seth, Corlis, and John Hinds. Second Precinct - North Brookfield Schools in Second Precinct. page 254. Dec. 26, 1753. John Cutler was chosen first Deacon, and Jason Biglow the second. Building Pews, and Seating the Meeting-House. After the meeting house had been covered in and a floor laid, a committee, viz. Eden Witt, Dea. Jason Biglow, Thomas Hale, Dea. Samuel Gould and Nathaniel Woolcott, was appointed, to mark out and value the pew spots, and notify the tax payers, who from their age and amount of taxable estate were entitled to privilege, to make choice of their several pew spots, and give security for building their respective pew. The valuation of pew spots varied from 5 pounds to 1.6.8 pounds according to location. And it was voted that the several persons who accept said pews, shall build the same at their own cost, and ceil the side of the house against the same up to the foot of the windows, and case the windows against their respective pews, and give security to the Treasurer for the sums they are set at, within ten days, as aforesaid, payable within twelve months from this day. Twenty-two pews were laid out, around the walls of the house. The Minister's pew was on the right of the pulpit. The others were taken, in order of their value, beginning with the highest (John Hinds was number eight and Corlis Hinds was number sixteen). (Also mentioned) The floor of the house inside the pews, was laid out into twelve seats, six on each side of the broad aisle, the left hand row for women and the right hand for men, each seat to hold seven persons. These were plain benches with backs. The deacon's seat was directly in front of the pulpit. The pew owners occupied each his own pew: all others were assigned their respective places by a committee. The first "seating the meeting-house" took place in 1757; and the committee was instructed to assign each one his place, according to age, station in life, and what he paid for real and personal estate on the last two years tax lists. Voted, that the seating continue but three years. Second Precinct - North Brookfield. The First Town Meetings page 266 Listed John Hinds as village blacksmith in the east part. The year was 1798. Brookfield Vital Statistics (Generally prior to 1800) lists: 26 Hinds marriages 58 Hinds births 15 Hinds deaths