MIDDLESEX COUNTY BRIDGES. I39 



The following reference to the Chelmsford highway is 

 found in the printed edition of the Groton records: — 



The Country bye way being determened betwen this tovvne and 

 Chel[n')s]ford by a commitey chosen Respectiuly by both towns 

 haue agreed and according layd out thes country bye way from y'^ 

 metting house place in the ould carte way to Chelmsford nietting 

 house sixe Rode in width from place to pla[ce] this being testefyed 

 vndr the hands [of] the commitey at a towne mee[ting] the 10 of 

 July 65 and excepted by the towne may be suficente to sattesfy 

 aney home it may heraftr concern 



witnesse Jam ffiske in the nam o[f] the towne 



(P. 14.) 



MIDDLESEX COUNTY BRIDGES. 



The following paper is copied from the original report in 

 the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and 

 found in a volume (p. 60) of miscellaneous manuscripts 

 marked on the back " Letters & Papers 1632-1678." It shows 

 the early period when the inhabitants of Groton were taxed 

 for the support of a county bridge. All the signatures at- 

 tached to the paper are autographs ; and " Wipsufifridge," 

 one of several forms of an Indian word, is now known as 

 Marlborough. 



May . I . 1660. 



Wee of the Comitie for Bridges in the Countie of Midlsex at our 

 Second meeting (by Order of the Countie Court) vpon the 1 7 day 

 of the 2'' m .' 1660 : whose names are hervnder written, vpon 

 farther Informacon ; Inquisicoii ; disscussion and Consideracon 

 haue Cleerly Conceiued and Concluded ; That the Town of 

 Concord haue no iust ground of Complaint or Allowance from 

 the Countie in respect of their Bridges ; for the Reasons herafter 

 Expressed. 

 I The three Bridges they soote and plead vpon are for their own 

 proper ; Specal and perticuler Concernments for their Saw Mill ; 

 Iron works and other occasions ; and not necessarie for the Countie 

 or Countrie ; and may at their pleasure be deserted. 



