[
21]
changed.
Hitherto, all the legal voters had met, from month to month, to manage their public affairs.
Power was now delegated to a few individuals, at first styled “Townsmen,” and afterwards “Selectmen,” to transact “the whole business of the town,” until the next November, when a new election might be had.
1
Feb. 3, 1634-5.
At a general meeting of the whole town, it was agreed upon by a joint consent, that seven men should be chosen to do the whole business of the town, and so to continue until the first Monday in November next, and until new be chosen in their room: so there was then elected and chosen John Haynes, Esq., Mr. Symon Bradstreet, John Taylcott, William Westwood, John White, William Wadsworth; James Olmsted, Constable.
It is further ordered, by a joint consent, [that] whatsoever these Townsmen, thus chosen, shall do, in the compass of their time, shall stand in as full force as if the whole town did the same, either for making of new orders, or altering of old ones.
Further, it is ordered, that whatsoever person they shall send for, to help in any business, and he shall refuse to come, they shall have power to lay a fine upon him, and to gather [it].
Further, it is ordered, that they shall have one to attend upon them, to employ about any business, at a public charge.
Further, it is ordered, that they shall meet every first Monday in a month, at [ ] in the afternoon, according to the former [order].
Another important board of officers was elected, at the same meeting:—
Also, there was then chosen, to join [with] James Olmsted, Constable, John Benjamin, Daniell Denison, Andrew Warner, William Spencer; which five, according to the order of Court, [shall] survey the town lands, and enter the [same in] a Book appointed for that purpose.2
