Excerpt from Town Records of Topsfield, Vol. 2: Massachusetts, 1739-1778

In the last estimate, however, the following records exhibit their greatest value in the faithful picture they present of the transaction of public business, year by year. The conduct, and and oft-times neglect, of the public schools; the care of the high ways and bridges; the jealous guarding of rights in the common lands; and the many minor transactions. It transpires that rent was paid for a room in our well-known Parson Capen House, in which to keep the common school. The warrant for the annual meeting in March 1745, contains an article: To see if the Town will DO any thing to prevent Sheeps going in the Training field [the present Common] without a Shepherd. The family of French Acadians assigned to the town required con stant attention. The man was sick much Of the time. In 1757, the warrant for the November meeting has an article: To See what measures the Town will Come into for to have the french family in Said town Supported under their Dificult Surcom staates.

The care of the poor and the warnings out of town throw lights and also sad shadows on the customs of the times and when measured by the standards of today sometimes discover a cold temper little short of heartlessness. Yet, when Samuel T utoo, the last Indian living in the town, became sick, the widow Herrick on the south side of the river, cared for him through the ten weeks of his last sickness and the town not only paid her bill of �2134, but paid Doctor Dexter's bill and also supplied a coffin and a grave.

The list of town clerks is here continued from the previous volume. Richard Towne held many Offices and was long in public life. Elijah Porter died suddenly one Sunday evening while in office: a person Of good endowments, natural and ac quired. Capt. Samuel Smith was long active in town affairs and took a leading part at the time of the Revolution.

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