380 Report of Tutor Flynt

    July 15th 1731 I went in Company with Mr. Prince, Col. Willet,267 Mr. Torrey, Capt. Alsbury on the College Farm of 500 acres.

    The lower point of the Farm is a plain of thin barren Land but beares tollerable feed for horses and cattle in a seasonable manner. We saw about 20 horses and as many cattle feeding on that and Mrs. Coles Land of the same Nature. Its said twil not bare Corn because under the soyl is a flowing sand which drinks in what is necessary to make it fruitful.

    A Swamp and a small river runs across the Land about 150 rods from the west end. We veiwed the Land on both sides the river found it generally good Land capable of pasture and some of it of mowing and tillage about 20 acres or 30 or more to the east of side of the swamp and about as much to west side.

    The farm is a mile and three quarters in length from the point to the west end and 200 Rods in width. About 30 Rods to the east of the swamp and about 30 or 40 rod from the high way on the south side of the farm we thought a convenient place for a house.

    On the North side of the point is Mrs. Coles Land, to the southward of said point is Captain Alsbury farm of about 400 acres, to the south of the body of the farm is [Astin?] house on Sanfords Farm, a 1000 acres over against the place we talkt of for a house. To the North of the body of the farm is Whitman 130 acres and Gardner 500 acres and Norwest is Gold about 200 acres. To the west is the School land, 500 acres. A brush fence runs thro the farm which fences of[f] about 150 acres of the farm with the point next Mrs. Coles Land, in which part of 150 acres runs Chepuxet river about 100 between the […] fence and the swamp. The farm is fenced round with a hedg fence to keep in young cattle.

    A house 22 feet in length and about 76 foot wide and 10 foot studd, which will take 2500 of bord oak or pitch pine oak the best at £6 per 1000 at the place, £4 10sh. at the mills, 2300 shingled at 30 shill, per 1000, 500 Clapboards at 10 or 12 sh. per 100, paint with clay the inside of the bords with [ballancing?] to cover the painting, 2500 bord Nayles at 23/30sh. per 1000, 3000 shingle Nayles at 13/15 shil. per 1000, 2500 Clapbord Nayles 15/20 shill, per 1000, Chimney £5 Carpenters work.

    Total £34 besides Carpenters Work which is generally at 7/10sh. per day. No Cellar is usual but the Tenants find one out a doors for [themselves?].

    Proposed as to a Tenant that he have the farm (excepting other Tenants be settled in the meantime) 10 or 12 or 14 years as is found practicable with men, to have 2 load of hay the first year and one the Next and one the 3d year at £3 per load.

    3 acres per year cleared and entirely subdued, 200 apple trees pay for by the Landlord at 3d per tree and planted by the Tenant. Of this farm about 4 acres cleared by Gardner who by his lease is obliged to clear 50 acres. As to the plain at the point tis clear by Nature and Gardner has done nothing to clear any Land there nor any where els except 3 acres for Corn and 1 acre more the wood and brush cut of. The point and adjacent Land about 150 acres within fence and joyning on Mrs. Cole convenient for her for feeding horses and cattle, more especially because of Chepuxet River which runs thro that part of the farm for watering cattle and fencing stuff on the upland near said point to fence the Land withall.

    Gardner run a cross hedg fence cross the farm to make a particular pasture for cattle of the point and adjacent Land.

    Mem. That Col. Willet be writ to to undertake the care of the building and to get a Tenant if the Corporation see cause.

    Mem. That Mr. Willet be put in mind of what he said that 100 acres or 150 was sufficient to let a servant with the care of all.

    Narragansett Farm Papers, p. 3. The Corporation voted on April 21, 1731 that Tutor Flynt view the Farm; he was joined by Tutor Prince, as well as local persons; CSM Publications, xvi. 592.