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

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

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428 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1694-1695.<br />

Town Treasurer Dur<strong>in</strong>g the first forty years after <strong>its</strong> settle-<br />

first Chosen, and mBiit tlie towii liad no need <strong>of</strong> a Treasurer.<br />

Register '^<strong>of</strong> The coiistable was tlie collector and the se-<br />

Deeds. lectmen were the disburs<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>ficers. To<br />

the constable the treasurer <strong>of</strong> the colony sent his warrants,<br />

and <strong>from</strong> the constable he received the consignments <strong>of</strong><br />

whatever commodity was found most convenient <strong>in</strong> which<br />

to pay them. The transaction was simple and straightforward<br />

and the <strong>in</strong>tervention <strong>of</strong> the treasurer was super-<br />

fluous. As the volume <strong>of</strong> town bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong>creased, the necessity<br />

<strong>of</strong> another <strong>of</strong>ficer to have charge <strong>of</strong> <strong>its</strong> bookkeep<strong>in</strong>g<br />

became apparent, and <strong>in</strong> 1694, Medad Pomeroy was chosen<br />

Town Treasurer, This was the first time <strong>in</strong> <strong>its</strong> history that<br />

the town made choice <strong>of</strong> such an <strong>of</strong>ficer. Five years afterwards<br />

the General Court ordered that town treasurers<br />

should be chosen annually when other town <strong>of</strong>ficers were<br />

elected.<br />

In 1690, the town clerk was made recorder <strong>of</strong> deeds. The<br />

town "chose Medad Pumry to be Towne Clerk who was to<br />

keep as well the Towne Book <strong>of</strong> grants and town acts as<br />

the book <strong>of</strong> Records who is hereby ordered not to enter<br />

anyth<strong>in</strong>g there<strong>in</strong> but what shall be by order <strong>from</strong> y*^ Select<br />

men."<br />

A Cage ordered to Accordiug to the law <strong>of</strong> 1677, "cages"<br />

be set up. could be Set up <strong>in</strong> any town designated by<br />

the County Court. Action under this law<br />

was first taken at the March session <strong>of</strong> the Court <strong>of</strong> Com-<br />

mon Pleas, <strong>in</strong> 169|. At that time the follow<strong>in</strong>g order was<br />

adopted —<br />

:<br />

"Whereas it is thought necessary that there be a sufficient cage<br />

erected or set up <strong>in</strong> <strong>Northampton</strong> for the speedy security <strong>of</strong> some turbulent<br />

persons. Therefore it is ordered by the court that Joseph Hawley<br />

Esq., cause the same to be speedily erected and sufficiently made<br />

and set up <strong>in</strong> such place <strong>in</strong> said town and <strong>of</strong> such bigness as he shall<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k suitable, at the charge <strong>of</strong> the coimty."<br />

It is not known and there is no record to show, that there<br />

was more lawlessness <strong>in</strong> town at that time than had been<br />

the case previously, or that any special reason existed for<br />

a cage. What action Mr. Hawley took under this order is<br />

not stated. There is no further reference to the cage or<br />

<strong>its</strong> use.

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