2 I O HIS rOR Y OF CO HA SSE T. 



the iron smelter and forge were established on Turtle 

 Island. A cart track of some sort connected them with 

 the other settlers at Cohasset plain, but it was not in the 

 highway located on Fisher's plan. That highway was im- 

 passable by any vehicle broader than a wheelbarrow, for 

 there were ledges in it that filled up the whole width of 

 three rods. 



In May, 171 7, the town attempted to make the matter 

 right by getting the surveyor, Captain John Norton, to mark 

 out a way, accompanied by the selectmen.* The old way 

 lying between lots seventeen and eighteen was marked by 

 little heaps of stones on each side for the whole distance 

 "except that part in Captain Hawke's pasture," where it 

 was necessary to depart from the original location. 



But the men who would have to travel that road de- 

 murred and demanded a more easy access to their homes. 



Another committee was appointed to view the situation, 

 and they advised the exchange of the whole highway for 

 some other strip of land more convenient. 



Accordingly, two years later, 17 19, a committee, this 

 time men of Cohasset, was appointed to view the way 

 and to locate a better one. This they did in land of 

 Joshua and James Hersey, lying north of the old way. 



Their settlement of the affair was not wholly satisfac- 

 tory, for John Lewis complained that he would be com- 

 pelled to build too much new fencing where the highway 

 touched his land. 



For three or four years longer the matter was in sus- 

 pense, and the Beechwood settlers got into their premises 

 across men's lots by some old wood roads while they 

 waited for the town to cut through a practicable public 

 way. 



There is now to be seen at the south edge of Jacob's 

 Meadow, below Sunset Rock, leading out of Spring Street 

 east of the railway crossing, the remnant of an old cart- 



*'rhey paid Capt.iin John Norton eight shillings for this work. 



