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THE TOWN POUND
AT a
meeting of the townspeople, held February 23, 1634, it was ordered that “there
shall be a little house built, and a sufficiently payled yard, to lodge the
Cattel in of nights, at Pullen Poynt Necke” (in the present township of
Winthrop). This was the first Town Pound. In May, 1637, Richard Fairbanks was
appointed fold-keeper, and was allowed three-pence for every trespassing beast
or horse that he brought into the Fold or Pound; and two-pence for every
trespassing calf, goat, or hog so brought in. In the year 1641 it was ordered
that the owners of any goats “found without a keep, should be fined half a
bushel of corn for each goat so found; and three-pence for pounding, where they
are to remain 24 hours, namely, in the pound; and if not owned by that time,
then to be sent to Deare Island, where they are to remain until they have given
full satisfaction.” In April, 1708, George Ripley and Edward Bartles were given
authority to impound any horses, cattle, or sheep which might be found going at
large or feeding upon the common land or lanes of the Town.
In an
“Historic Sketch of the Granary Burying-Ground,” it is stated that a Pound was
built therein, near the present Tremont Building, and just back of its southern
projection. By a vote passed, August 19, 1720, the Pound was established on a
lot just below the site of the Bridewell, on Centry Street, adjacent to the
northern line of the Burial Ground. In a corner of the latter enclosure the
“Town bulls” were quartered.1
In April, 1703, George Ripley was appointed “to
take care of watering the bulls, and to put them by night in the Burrying
Place.” In April, 1777, complaint having been made to the Selectmen that horses
were allowed to roam at large on the common land, public notice was given that
all horses found thereafter upon said land, would be placed in the Town Pound,
near the Granary.
1 Boston
City Document No. 47.
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