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OUTLINE SKETCHES OF THE
tributed by the committee 6258 acres. The remainder, amounting to more than 15,000 acres, was owned, controlled, and divided
by and among these proprietors, as the majority directed. In 1682, sixty-two proprietors were
heads of families, thirty-four unmarried; and some of these were boys. Sixteen others, including the committee, none of whom settled here, disposed of their rights and franchises to admitted inhabitants and permanent settlers.
Deacon John Hanchet, who died Oct. 23, 1744, aged Ninety-five, was the last survivor of the original
"proprietors " of the town of Suffield.
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE.
The second meeting-house was erected between Aug. 26, and Dec. 16, A.D. 1700.
Its site was "on the top of the hill against the Burying Place." The same substantially as that of the present congregational church edifice.
Its master-builder is unknown, but he was probably from one of the
upper towns."
It was "40 foot square, clapboarded and shingled." It had a gallery, and probably two rows of windows, although the height of the structure is not recorded. The sum of sixty pounds, one half in silver money, and one half in town pay, was voted to defray the cost.
It was ready for use Jan. 7, 1702, when difficulties occurred about the seating, and the services of Col. John
Pynchon were required to adjust this formidable question, a matter that caused our ancestors a deal of anxiety, and is not yet altogether at rest.
The first meeting-house was probably located, and built upon the common, as a temporary structure, and was used about
twenty-two years.
The second was a more imposing affair, and with but few external changes, stood until April 25,
1749, when it was taken down to give place to a more modern structure.*
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SETTLERS AND FOUNDERS OF FAMILIES.
1682-1715.
Jacob Adams, son of Robert of Newbury, Mass,, was born there Sept. 13,
1651, married Ann Allyn, April 7, 1677. Children: Dorothy, born June 26. 1679; Rebecca, born Aug. 26, 1680; removed to Suffield, had children: Jacob, Daniel, John, Abraham, born Nov. 10,
1687;
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*See town acts, 1699, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1708, 1710, 1711, 1722, 1723, for building and seating the meeting-house.
This page update Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Copyright September 1999 ©, Kathy
Camp
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