Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/552

 448 THE HISTOEY OF BAEEINGTON. was mutually concluded that a highway be layed out through the midst of Chachapacassett Neck of two rods wide or as near ye midst as the surveyor may think fit as a common highway for the general use of the proprieters, and that there be left one rod between the bounds of the meadow and the upland or lots for a conveniency of carting hay only or the like, not prejudasing any lot of upland further." This is the present highway on Rumstick or Little Neck. Another highway called the great highway, at the end of the home lots "being four rods broad westerly," " and from the said southerly side of the said home lots there is another highway runs to the west side of Hydes Hole, on a west poynt four rods wide and from thence south down towards the Beach, eighteen chains the same breadth aforesaid." These highways were also at Rumstick, as were also "a. four rod highway to Peck's meadows running towards the East," " another way one rod broad until you come to the bottom of the Neck." There were also two highways two rods wide leading out of the grand highway which cannot be located except by the original deeds. Other highways were voted to be laid out as follows : An eight rod highway from the Rehoboth line to Poke Bottom. This is now known as the middle highway of the town, its width having been reduced by votes of the proprietors and of the town. It is an interesting item of the history of this highway that the north end of it beginning at Samuel Barnes southwest cor- ner (now land of Leander R. Peck) of his home lot thence running northward to Rehoboth line, " was given to Doctor Hezekiah Chaffee forever as a bounty and covenant for him to settle amongst us." This gift of an eight rod highway was made by the Sowams proprietors under date of April i, 1730. Had this road been laid out it would have formed a straight highway from Nayatt to the road running west from Runen's Bridge. Another eight rod strip of land was left for a highway from Daniel Allen's and Peleg Richmond's to the main cove. A portion of this highway is still an eight rod way, from the