Jnsi John Bradshoe for Jntertaining mr aron porter from the five & twentieth of may to ye last of Nouember being twenty eight Sabaths at two shillings pr sabath | 02-16-00 |
for jntertainment of ye minister at ye fast | 01-02-00 |
Capt Peter for veall at ye fast | 00-06-3 |
Eben Brooks for neats toong & chese at ye fast | 00-03-6 |
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[p. 32]
The records at this time show a list of the charges for various things, among them charges for the ordination and for the expenses of the fast, from which I quote the the following:—
In May, 1714, the first step was taken toward increasing the territory of the town, by appointing a committee to consult with the Selectmen of Charlestown and obtain consent to a part of the same being set off to Medford.
The remainder of the book contains accounts of frequent town meetings, at which most of the actions taken were relative to repairing the meeting-house, building pews, defining where the people should be seated, and voting to assess for the various expenses; page after page consisting of the lists of the persons assessed, and the amounts.
It seemed to be the custom to spend money before it was raised and then vote to lay a rate to meet the charge or reimburse for the expenditure.
The consequence was that at the town meetings, which were very frequent, action to raise money for some purpose was almost invariably taken, and consequently the almost continual payment of taxes.
The last entry in the book was written by Rev. Aaron Porter, and reads as follows:—
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