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

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 31
of the territory subject to their control was early
surveyed; the salt marsh, fresh meadows, arable lands,
&c., were divided into lots, and a portion of each,
suitable to the wants and condition of the individual,
was allotted him. There is no mention made of payment for lands to the plantation by any individual.
They were doubtless regarded as the inheritance of
such persons as intended to occupy them and remain
permanent inhabitants. Lands allotted to persons
who shortly left, appear to have been granted to
others by the plantation; all speculation was thus
prevented. In November, 1634, it was ordered that
"no man shall sell his house or lot to any man without the plantation, whom they shall dislike of."
This and many other orders show the great anxiety
felt by the first settlers to control the question of
membership of their community, a feeling which
continued to manifest itself for many years.
The affairs of the plantation were at first controlled by the clergymen, aided by the advice of the
Magistrates Ludlow and Rosseter, until the spring
of 1631, when a considerable number of the inhabitants had become freemen; and in May, of that year,
a meeting of the plantation took place (referred to
in subsequent records) to make and confirm orders
for the control of their affairs. Previous to October, 1633, every order was voted upon by the
freemen, and no special town government was organized except the appointment of a committee to
sign land grants, consisting of the two clergymen
and deacons.
In October, 1633, the following order passed,