Charles A. Nelson , A. M., Waltham, past, present and its industries, with an historical sketch of Watertown from its settlement in 1630 to the incorporation of Waltham, January 15, 1739.

An Act for dividing the Town of Watertown, and erecting a new Town there by the Name of Waltham.

Where as the Inhabitants of the Westerly Precinct in Watertown, within the County of Middlesex, by Reason of great Difficulties they labour under, have address'd this Court that they may be set off a distinct and separate Township, whereunto the Inhabitants of the East Precinct in said Town have manifested their Consent;

Be it therefore enacted by his excellency the Governour, Council and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the Authority of the same,

That all those Lands in Watertown aforesaid, lying Westward of that Line, sometime since¹ settled by this Court, as the dividing Line between the said East and West Precincts, viz.: Beginning at Charles-River, and to be extended North-eastward, so as to run on the East side of the house of Caleb Ward, and on the same Course, being a right Line, to run on the West side of Thomas Straight's House, and thence to continue a strait Line through said Watertown till it intersect their North Bounds, be and hereby are set off and constituted a separate Township by the name of Waltham. And that the Inhabitants thereof be and are hereby invested with all those Powers, Privileges and Immunities that the Inhabitants of other Towns within this Province by Law are or ought to be invested with.

And be it further enacted, That all such Votes and Agreements, as have been made and entered into by the two Precincts in Watertown, as the Conditions of their Consent to a Division of the said Town into two Townships, be and hereby are ratified and confirmed to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever.