spirit of concession and comity between their successors in town affairs to the present day.
While the contents of the Sowams Proprietors' Records contain matter of great interest to our readers, it is possible in this connection to give only a brief outline of these ancient records. Under date of April 2, 1653, eight proprietors agreed to exchange certain common lands with John Brown.
Dec. 28, 1676, an agreement was entered into relative to the undivided lands, the lands obtained by conquest of the Indians, and the laying out of convenient highways.
Dec. 30, 1676, John Allen, Capt. John Brown, John Saffin, and Stephen Paine, Sen., or his son Nathaniel Paine, were chosen a committee to divide the lands, lay out the home lots, establish the bounds and describe the same, "and lay out convenient highways both public and private, as they shall in their judgement think needful."
April 11, 1679, it was agreed on laying out "the home lots butting upon the river," "the great lots extending from the large beach that buts upon the bay or great river," and run to a highway through the Dead Swamp, also, "that the lower part of the neck at the front of the said great lots that shall but upon the said lyne from the long beach, together with the little neck of land lying upon the river near Mr. Allen's meadow shall at present remain in Common."
On the same day it was agreed to draw lots for the division of the great lots at Popanomscutt, and the lots fell in order to the following persons: Lieut. Peter Hunt, Thomas Chaffee, John Allen, Nathaniel Peck, Samuel Newman, Stephen Paine, John Saffin, James and John Brown.
August 28th, the home lots at Popanomscutt were drawn in the following order by Lieut. Peter Hunt, Stephen Paine, John Saffin, Thomas Chaffee, Samuel Newman and partners, James Brown and John Brown, Capt. Willett's heirs, and Israel Peck and partners.
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