History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

224 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1674-1680.
was that they were in pursuit of more meadow land.
Having absorbed all that was available at home, they
sought new fields, some undoubtedly with a view to the
establishment of their sons, but most of them for their
own pecuniary advantage. Northfield was but an out-settlement
of Northampton. Important town officers were
non-residents, and for many years its record books were
kept here.
Contributions for Harvard College, fostered, protected and
Harvard College, sustained by the government, had not only
received repeated grants of land and money,
but voluntary subscriptions throughout the colony, for its
benefit, were continued for years. ^ In 1669, when appar-
ently its further usefulness depended upon the erection of
a new college lauilding, the system of town donations was
resumed, and from 1672, pushed with renewed vigor. These
"voluntary contributions" were enforced by statute. The
Commonwealth held the contribution box and ordered the
people to cast in their gifts. As might have been expected,
considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining returns
under this system of compulsory generosity. For eight
years or more the matter lingered, and those who did subscribe
were dilatory in making payments. It should be
considered, however, that during this period occurred King
Philip's war, and that the devastated towns had little to
pay with, however good their disposition might have been.
Several statutory hints were required before the purses of
the people could be opened to any great extent, or their donations
made available. An order was issued in 1678, to
levy by distress upon all persons who refuse to "make payment
of what they have subscribed."
Northampton on the Two ycars aftcrwards the selectmen of the
Black List. Several towns were ordered to inquire into
the matter, and make return "" of what is don
or to be donn," under penalty of £20. A list of the names
1 In 1652, the General Court ordered that a " voluntary collection be comended to
the inhabitants of this jurisdiccon for the raising of such a some as may be jmplojed
for the maintenance of the prfesident, certajne ffellowes and poore schollers in Harvard
Colledge." Every town was to choose some one to " take the voluntary sub-
scriptions." Evidently the people did not respond in a satisfactory manner, for in
1654, the towns that had not complied with the recommendation, were again ordered
to appoint collectors for the college.