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

560 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1719.
cieaiiug the Sheep The year previous the town passed a vote
Pastures. providing for the special ^preparation of the
of sheep.
pastures expressly set apart for the feeding
The vote was as follows :—
• • that Every man from sixteen years old to Sixty : Work one or Two
Days (In Each year as the Selectt men for the time being shall Directt)
att clearing the commons for Sheep : the men to work in Small com-
panys, att Snch Time and In such Place, and under the Inspection of
snch men as the Selectt men shall a Point, None To fail of any of the
above Injimcttions tinder the Penalty of fine Shillings forefitttire."
By-Law against A striugeiit vote agaiiist dogs running at
Dogs. large was adopted the following year. In
this vote is recited a bit of history not unlike
that which has since been many times repeated. In
May, 1719
"The town taking into Consideration the Dearness^ of Sheeps Wooll
and cloathing : and so Consequently the Growing nessity of keeping
and Encreasing a Flock of Sheep In the town, and also considering the
Prosperous Success We Have Had In our Small beginning In that affair
and also our Experience Has taught lis How Pernicious and Destructive
Doggs: as well as Wouhies Haue been to Sheep: and altho there Has been
many Endeavours for the Destroying of Doggs out of the town: with
very considerable Success yett some few Parsons Either out of Hope of
Private Gain or Disregard to the Publick Enterest Doe keep and main-
tain Large Doggs Going at Large and are In Great Danger of putting a
Check unto our Growing Endeavours unto such a Designe that is Like
to Prone such a Benefitt and advantage to the Town."'
"The town therefore upon the Day aboiie sd voted that if any Dogg
more than twehie Inches High Sail goe at Large withoiit being with
His Master or Keeper: the Respectiue owner master or keeper of such
Dogg shall Pay a fine of twenty Shillings: for Every time He is found
or seen at lai'ge as aforesd: for the vse of the Poor of the Town of
Northamp'. to T)e Recouerd as the Law Directts."
A New Seating Cora- Seating the meeting house was a matter
inittee cho.seu.
^j^^t was by uo mcaiis neglected, though for
a number of years, there is only an occa-
sional allusion to the subject. The method adopted in 1707,
of entrusting that duty to a permanent committee, seems
to have been quite satisfactory, and only when it became
1 From 1670 to 1681, wool was sold at Is., Is. Sd. and Is. 6d. per lb., from 1683 to 1697,
it varied from 9d., Is., Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per lb., in pay or barter; from 1701 to 1709, the
price in money was Is., Is. 2d., Is. 3d. and Is. 4d. ; in 1718, the price had nearly doubled,
being sold at 3s.