429 Agreement with Peter Reynolds

    [1735–1738]

    Sept. 11, 1735 Mr. Peter Reynolds to have the college Farm at Narrhaganset, all the eastern part of it from Horseyard Run, for 14 years from March 25, 1736.

    Said Reynolds to clear and perfectly subdue 5 Acres per annum besides what is cleared allready so that at the end of his term there shall be 70 Acres as near the house as may be convenient perfectly subdued fit for mowing or plowing. That he shall not till the same parcel of land above 4 years at a time, before he lays it down for 4 years more, unless he have leave from the Lessor to plow it longer. Said Reynolds within 4 years after 25 March next, shall plant an orchard, as near the House as may be, of 200 thrifty apple trees at 32 feet distance from each other; the College to pay the prime cost for the apple trees; and shall during his lease dig and open the ground about the roots of the trees, dung ’em well from time to time to make ’em more thrifty, and shall constantly keep out all cattle, sheep, Goats and other creatures that would hurt an orchard, and shall from time to time prune the trees as there shall be occasion, the orchard to be fenced with stone-wall 4½ high, double from the bottom half way up, said Reynolds to have 5s per rod for making it. Said Reynolds shall have libertie to cut wood and timber on said 70 Acres he is obliged to clear, for fencing and such on the Farm, and not elswhere on the Farm till the 70 acres are cleared of timber and wood as aforesaid. Then he may cut wood or timber on the demised premises, for fencing on any part of what he hires, and for fuel as per occasion. He may cut brush for hedge fence on any part of what he hires when he wil. If he shold clear any part of the 70 acres faster than he needs the wood and timber on it for fuel or fencing, such wood and timber and none else, he may sell or dispose of for his own profit. The tenant shall enclose said 70 Acres with good sufficient Virginia fence or post and 4 rails fence, and at the end of said lease shall leave said 70 acres well fenced with such fence. If the tenant shall clear more than 70 acres during his terme, he shall as fully subdue it for mowing or plowing or pasturing as he dos the 70 Acres, and at the end of his Lease shall leave it well fenced as the 70 Acres, if there is timber sufficient on what he hires to do it. The tenant shall not carry, nor suffer to be carried from said farm, any stover, hay, muck or dung that shall be raised on it, but shall spend the same on said Farm for the manuring and bettering of it. The tenant shall pay all Rates, and Taxes, that shall be levied on the premises during his lease. He shall inspect the part of the 500 Acres west of Horseyard-Run, and prevent damages thereon during his lease, or till the College shall otherwise dispose of it. The tenant shall not assign his lease to any one, without leave from the lessor, nor take another tenant without his leave.

    Mr. Reynolds shall build on a convenient place between the River and the Horse-yard-run, an House of 24 feet wide, 20 feet long, 10 feet stud, to be finished as Austin’s was to be, and to have £65 for finding all the materials and doing all the work of said House; only he may have timber and stone from the demised premises for building it. And when he has perfectly finished the House as aforesaid, if Esq. Willet shall judge said Reynolds deserves more for building the House, the Lessor shall pay what Esq. Willet thinks will be just, not exceeding the summ of £5.

    Oct. 27th 1738 Mr. Reynolds says he has built the house 4 feet wider than by agreement and that it has cost him £80 besides the cost of maintaining the workmen and he is willing to allow for the difference of money between this time and the time when he took his lease, and when Mr. Reynolds has finished the house according to articles and Mr. Willet has viewed the house and judged of it value, provided it be within £70 then we may think and talk further of the matter and tis desired Mr. Willet would judg of the value of the 4 feet added to the House.

    Narragansett Farm Papers, p. 4. On August 18, 1735 the Corporation set up a committee to agree with Peter Reynolds. See CSM Publications, xvi. 637. The last portion, dated 1738, is in a different hand.