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| "1626" | There is a tradition, mentioned by Mr. Bayliss [Plymouth Colony historian], that settlers were here as early as 1626; but the tradition fastens upon no names or localities, and has nothing to support it. |
| 1636-7 | In Plymouth Colony Records, vol. i. p. 53, under date of March 7, 1636-37, there is a list of one hundred and twenty-three names, headed, "The names of the Freemen." At the end of the list, enclosed in a bracket, are the following seven names: Mr. William Poole, Mr. John Gilbert, Sr., Mr. Henry Andrews, John Stronge, John Deane, Walter Deane, Edward Case, and against them the words, "of Cohannett." This was the Indian name of the locality, and the name by which the settlement was at first designated. |
| 1637 | ... In vol. xi. of the same records (Laws), p. 27, under date of Oct. 2,1637, in the margin, are these words, "Taunton began here to be added to this booke." |
| 1638 | In vol. i. p. 105, Dec. 4, 1638, is this entry, "John Strong is sworne constable of Cohannett until June next." In vol. xi. again, p. 31, March 5, 1638-39, it is ordered, "That Captaine [William] Poole shall exercise the inhabitants of Cohannett in their armes. "Ancient Cohannett had thus both a civil and military organization. The appointment of constable was a recognition of the settlement as a separate town. No formal acts of incorporation were passed in that early time, as was the custom afterwards, but when a community had acquired the quality of permanence, had sufficient numbers to form a church and support a minister, and a reasonable prospect of being able to defend itself against Indian attacks, it was allowed by the government at Plymouth to have officers and an organization of its own, and was thenceforth treated as a political unit. The only civil officer, entrusted with executive functions also, appointed for the towns for a long time was the constable. He represented the power and authority of the General Court. He was the right hand of the government in each separate community. He performed the duties of a sheriff, of a police-officer, of a collector of public rates and taxes, and was the guardian of the good order and morals of the inhabitants. |