) belonging to the Towns above-mentioned, may be
incorporated and erected into a distinct Township, agreeable to
said Bounds, for Reasons mentioned. Read, together with the
Schedule, and _Ordered_, That the Petitioners serve the Towns of
_Lancaster, Groton_ and _Stow_ with Copies of the Petition, that
they may shew Cause (if any they have) on the first Thursday of the
next Session, why the Prayer thereof may not be granted.

Sent up for Concurrence.

Further on, in the same Journal (page 136), December 29, 1730, it is
also recorded:--

The Petition of _Jonas Houghton, Simon Stone_, and others, praying
as entred the 9th. of _October_ last. Read again, together with the
Answers of the Towns of _Lancaster, Groton_ and Stow, and
_Ordered_, That Maj. _Brattle_ and Mr. _Samuel Chandler_, with such
as the Honourable Board shall appoint, be a Committee, (at the
Charge of the Petitioners) to repair to the Land Petitioned for to
be a Township, that they carefully view and consider the Situation
and Circumstances of the Petitioners, and Report their Opinion what
may be proper for this Court to do in Answer thereto, at their next
Session.

Sent up for Concurrence.

_Ebenezer Burrel_ Esq; brought from the Honourable Board, the
Report of the Committee appointed by this Court the 30th of
_December_ last, to take under Consideration the Petition of _Jonas
Houghton_ and others, in behalf of themselves and sundry of the
Inhabitants of the _Eastern_ part of the Towns of _Lancaster,
Groton_ and _Stow_, praying that they may be erected into a
separate Township. Likewise a Petition of _Jacob Houghton_ and
others, of the _North-easterly_ part of the Town of _Lancaster_,
praying the like. As also a Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants
of the _South-west_ part of the _North-east_ Quarter of the
Township of _Lancaster_, praying they may be continued as they are.
Pass'd in Council, _viz._ In Council, _June_ 21, 1731. Read, and
_Ordered_, That this Report be accepted.

Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Concurred.

[Journal of the House of Representatives (page 52), June 22, 1731.]

The original copy of the petition for Harvard is now probably lost; but
in the first volume (page 53) of "Ancient Plans Grants &c." among the
Massachusetts Archives, is a rough plan of the town,