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

CHAPTER XXXVI.
HATFIELD BOUNDARY—OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Boundary Line with The bouiidarv betweeii Northampton and
Hatfield in Dis- Hatfield was tliG causG of a lengthened dis-
^" ^'
agreement between the towns, and the oc-
casion of several suits at law between certain of their citi-
zens. It commenced in 1694, and was not settled for a quar-
ter of a century. This controversy seems to have been occasioned
by a proposition from Northampton to perambu-
late the boundary line. From the Hatfield records it ap-
pears that the dissatisfaction was mutual, though subsequent
entries upon those of Northampton, indicate that an
examination of the old line was all that was then in-
tended. Hatfield, in reply to this suggestion, stated that
application had already been made to Northampton for an
alteration in the line, at the same time demanding that
they "must have more full satisfaction where the line shal
go before we run the line," and specifying the desired
changes. Northampton, however, insisted upon a survey
of the existing line. Hatfield ofl:ered to run the line according
to the grant of the General Court. Apparently no
attention was paid to this overture by Northampton, and
in February, 169^, a sharp letter was forwarded to the selectmen
of this town, in which Northampton was accused
of neglecting to settle the bounds. Hatfield was willing to
run the line according to the records, from Capawonke
meadow nine miles on a west line, arguing that
"as to your pretended settlement of bounds with Hadley, there was
not then, has not been since any grant of court of such bounds to you
or Hadley ; and laying out such line can give you no title to the land.
Hatfield had the first grant of said land, and we are wronged by your
cutting wood and timber on said land. Your neglect may occasion
much disturbance and law siiits, and be of ill report. We desire to
know whether you will run the line according to the Coru't's grant
or no."