In witnes whereof wee haue herevnto put our hands this 20th day of
the 9mo. In the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred
fifty and three.

THOMAS JAMES
WILL'M KERLY SEN'R LAWRENCE WATERS
JNO PRESCOTT EDMUND PARKER
JNO WHITE RICHARD LINTON
RALPH HOUGHTON RICHARD SMITH
JNO LEWIS JAMES ATHERTON
JACOB FARRER WILL'M KERLY JUN'R

In six months from that date the mill was done, and Prescott "began
to grind corne the 23d day of the 3 mo, 1654."

The commissioners, appointed by the General Court to oversee the
prudential management of the town, met at John Prescott's in 1657 and
confirmed "the imunityes provided for" in the above covenant specifying
that they "should continue and remayne to him the said Jno. Prescott his
heyres and assignes vntil the 23d of May, in the yeare of our Lord
sixteen hundred sixty and two."

The corn mill was located a little lower upon the brook than the
extensive factory buildings now utilizing its water power. The half used
force of the rapid stream, and the giant pines of the virgin forest then
shadowed all the region about, were full of reproach to the restless
miller. His busy brain was soon planning a new benefaction to his fellow
citizens, and when his means grew sufficiently to warrant the
enterprise, his busy hands wrought its consummation. As before, a formal