he
power loom made such towns as Clinton possible, remember the depression
that told where Prescott dug his cellar. The oldest water mill in New
England was scarce twenty years old when Prescott contracted to grind
the com of the Nashaway planters. His "Covenant to build a Corne mill"
has been preserved through a copy made by Ralph Houghton, Lancaster's
first Clerk of the Writs, and is as follows:

"Know all men by these presents that I John Prescott blackssmith,
hath Covenanted and bargained with Jno. ffounell of Charlestowne
for the building of a Corne mill, within the said Towne of
Lanchaster. This witnesseth that wee the Inhabitants of Lanchaster
for his encouragement in so good a worke for the behoofe of our
Towne, vpon condition that the said intended worke by him or his
assignes be finished, do freely and fully giue, grant, enfeoffe, &
confirme vnto the said John Prescott, thirty acres of intervale
Land lying on the north riuer, lying north west of Henry Kerly, and
ten acres of Land adjoyneing to the mill; and forty acres of Land
on the south east of the mill brooke, lying between the mill brooke
and Nashaway Riuer in such place as the said John Prescott shall
choose with all the priuiledges and appurtenances thereto
apperteyneing. To haue and to hold the said land and eurie parcell
thereof to the said John Prescott his heyeres & assignes for euer,
to his and their only propper vse and behoofe. Also wee do covenant
& promise to lend the said John Prescott fiue pounds in current
money one yeare for the buying of Irons for the mill. And also wee
do covenant and grant to and with the said John Prescott his heyres
and assignes that the said mill, with all the aboue named Land
thereto apperteyneing shall be freed from all com'on charges for
seauen yeares next ensueing, after the first finishing and setting
the said mill to worke.

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 da