(23) December 22, 1652...
Mr. Norcros is to keepe ascoole upon the same pay and the same building as he had the last yeeare.
James Cuttler and John Traine are Chosen Survayers for high wayes for this yeare.
John Sherman did present a plot of the great dividents the 22/9/1653
(24) At a Meeteing of the Select men the 8 (9) 1653. ... Ordered that the Cunstable Thomas underwood shall reserve in his hand of the Towne Rate 13 bushells of Indian Corne and 3 booshells of peaze for Thomas philpot and Deliver him every weeke one peck of Corne and every month one peck of peaze.
[These commodities had been paid into the town treasury (as taxes), and were to be reserved by the "treasurer" (then, the Constable) for this case of "poor relief." Wages and salaries also were commonly paid in commodities (at legal rates) in New England. Thus,—
Att a Townemeeting held att the meeting house att Plymouth the * day of July 1667; It was agreed and concluded as followeth, viz:
"That the sume of fifty pounds shalbee alowed to Mr. Colton [the minister] for this present yeare and his wood To be raised by way of Rate to be payed in such as god gives, ever onely to be minded that a considerable parte of it shalbee payed in the best pay; and William Clarke and William Crow are appointed by the Towne to take notice of what is payed and brought in unto him and to keep an account therof. Joseph howland and ffrancis Combe are agreed with by the Towne to find the wood for this yeare for the sume of eight pounds."
The difficulty was to get "good pay." It is recorded in the accounts of Harvard that one student, afterward president of the college, paid his tuition with "an old cow," which, good or bad, had to be accepted at a fixed rate for coins.]
At a Meeting of the Select men the 13/10/1653