The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

302 HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
John Stiles had his last year's rate remitted, on
account of the burning of his house.
1737. This year the school was provided with
wood by the town. It had long been the custom
for parents or guardians to furnish it, at the rate of
two feet of wood for each child.
At the desire of Mr. Thomas Trott, lessee of the
ministerial land, it was voted that the pear trees
thereon be cut down and sold. It appears that
these were native seedling trees, which in later years
were found worthy of propagation. The beautiful "iron pear" trees, now on the town's land at
the Alms-House, were taken from that place, which,
after 1662, was included in the town of Milton.
1738. Nothing of importance transpired this
year.
1739. In January, Robert Spur, Esq. died, aged
78 years. He had been one of the Selectmen eight
years, and representative four years; also a Lieutenant Colonel-" all which posts he managed with
fidelity and applause," says Blake. He appears to
have been quite a popular man in the town, and
unusually liberal in his religious opinions. This
latter trait frequently brought him in contact with
the church authorities. His wife Elizabeth died July
27th preceding. His residence was in the south
part of the town, on the upper road to Milton, and
near the estate owned by the late Rev. Dr. Codman.
Several inhabitants of the town having petitioned
to be set off to Dedham, it was agreed to, and the
bounds fixed on the south side of the Church lot, it
being the 41st lot in the " 3d division and a quar