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III.
History of the Precinct.
1732
In 1732 the inhabitants of the northwesterly part of
Cambridge were by an act of the legislature formed into a distinct and separate Precinct.
The particulars of this transaction, as far as relate to the proceedings of the
State, are already given.
The
Cambridge.
Northwest Precinct Book, containing the record of votes and orders, which passed in the said Precinct, since the 28th of Dec. 1732, at which time the same was set off by the
Great and General Court, has the record of the first meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the precinct, warned by warrant of
William Brattle,
Esq., and held Jan. 29, 1732-3, at the school-house within the said precinct.
At this meeting
John Cutter was chosen moderator, and
John Cutter, the same individual, was chosen Precinct clerk, and sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of that office.
Joseph Adams,
Henry Dunster,
James Cutler,
Ephraim Frost, and
Jonathan Butterfield, Jr., were chosen a committee to assist in calling meetings.
At a second meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants, on Mar. 5, 1732-3,
Henry Dunster,
James Cutler,
Ephraim Frost,
Joseph Adams and
Jonathan Butterfield, Jr., were chosen the prudential committee of the Precinct, the ensuing year.
Ephraim Frost,
Joseph Adams and
Jonathan Butterfield, Jr., were chosen assessors.
John Winship was chosen collector of the Precinct, and
John Fillebrown, treasurer.
At this meeting it was put to vote ‘whether our inhabitants would desire our neighbors in the adjacent part of
Charlestown to join with us in settling the gospel ministry among us;’ and it passed in the affirmative, and arrangements were made accordingly.
At a third meeting (April 16, 1733) a committee was chosen to provide for preaching for six months after May 1, and ninety pounds were to be raised for support of preaching for one year.
An attempt was commenced which lasted many years to secure their portion in the ministerial privileges of the mother town.
