Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/110

76 and sixty acres. The land was surveyed and divided on this plan, the length of the lots extended east and west, and they were numbered one, two, three, etc., commencing on the south line of the grant. The fresh and salt meadows adjoining the creeks and rivers, were divided into lots of ten acres each, as far as could be. Sometimes the share of meadow lands was in two localities, in order that an equal quality as well as quantity might be assigned to each.

While carefully consulting for their business prosperity, the early settlers did not forget that the highest success of their undertakings depended not only on the planting of good settlers as the basis of a thriving town, but also in the encouragement of education, morality, and religion as agencies in sustaining its truest interests; hence, we find their first acts were to establish a godly ministry and an efficient system of public schools. In order that the pastor and teacher might receive a part of their support, independent of the usual contributions of the people, certain lands were set apart, called "the pastor's and teacher's lands," and "school lands," the proceeds of which aided in their maintenance. These lands were set apart and used as funds for these noble purposes, until, by a multiplication of church interests, the establishment of several churches, and the divisions of the old town, they have been sub-divided and sold for the benefit of each particular interest which claimed them.

Besides the "home lots," as they were called, "the meadow lots" and "pastor's and teacher's lots," the remaining patches of undivided lands, lying in parcels of a few acres each in different parts of the town, were called "common lots," subject at any time to the disposal of a majority of the proprietors, and the proceeds to be used for their common benefit.

The proprietor's records of Sowams are of great value to Barrington, relating as they do to the acts of the first settlers, and the land divisions of the town of Barrington. This book of records is in the office of the town clerk of Barrington,