Today in Family History: Should I stay or should I go?

What happens when farm land is running out in your area and your livelihood is threatened? How will you support your family?

The town of Roxbury, Massachusetts was founded in 1630. Just 50 years later, farm land was getting tight. The town of Roxbury bought land that was 70 miles southwest as an outlet for its "crowded" population and called it New Roxbury, later renamed Woodstock. Who should populate New Roxbury? The would-be residents voluntarily divided into two groups: the Goers and the Stayers.

Goers

The Goers would move to New Roxbury as soon as arrangements could be made. They were given the southern half of the town and were promised £100, to be paid by the Stayers over the first few years as funds for the first meeting house and public improvements. The Goers would divide up the land among themselves.

Stayers

True to their name, the Stayers would stay in Roxbury for a time. Land lots were assigned to them and set aside in the northern half of New Roxbury from the outset. The size of their lots were at the rate of ten acres for each shilling contributed toward the £100 promised to the Goers.

What would you do? Are you a Goer or a Stayer?

My 8x great-grandfather, Henry Bowen, was a Goer.

Family member name: Henry Bowen
Years of life: 1633 - 1723
Tree branch: Pearson
Lived in: Wales, UK; Roxbury, MA; Woodstock, CT

Relation: My 8x great-grandfather (my dad's dad's mom's mom's mom's dad's mom's dad's dad's dad)

Grandpa Henry is listed on the town sign in Woodstock, Connecticut as one of the original 13 Goers who settled the town.

The Stayers didn't inhabit their side of town until 15 years later.

Woodstock is a beautiful New England town and sparsely settled today. It indeed gave the Roxbury families room to spread out. The Goers arrived April 5, 1686 - 335 years ago today.