at SIMON DABY’S southerly corner, thence northeasterly on said SIMON DABY’S line to a pine tree marked, thence northerly to a heap of stones on a ledge of rocks; thence northerly on said SIMON DABY’S line to a heap of stones on a large rock; thence northwesterly still on said SIMON DABY’S line to a stake and stones in the roots of a pine tree, fallen down, in a valley, said SIMON DABY’S northeast corner and SAMUEL CHASE’S southerly corner, thence northerly on said SAMUEL CHASE’S line, to the road leading to ABIL MORSE’S mill, at a heap of stones on the north easterly side of said road, thence northeasterly on said SAMUEL CHASE’S line by said road to a heap of stones, thence northeasterly on said CHASE’S line, to a stake and stones at the end of a ditch at a brook; thence down said brook to Nashua River, thence up said river, to the bounds first mentioned, together with the inhabitants thereof, be, and they are hereby set off from the town of Groton and annexed to the town of Shirley, there to do duty and receive privileges in the same manner as other lands and inhabitants of the said town of Shirley.

SECT. 2. Provided nevertheless, and be it further enacted, That the said tract of land and the inhabitants thereof shall be liable to be taxed by the town of Groton, their full proportion in a tax to the amount of the debts now due from said town of Groton, in the same manner as if this act had not been passed:  Provided such tax be made and assessed within one year from the time of passing this act; and shall also be liable to pay their proportion of all state taxes that may be assessed on the town of Groton until a new valuation be taken.

     [This act passed February 6, 1798.]

All the changes of territorial jurisdiction thus far noted have been in one direction,—­from Groton to the surrounding towns; but now the tide turns, and for a wonder she received, by legislative enactment, on February 3, 1803, a small parcel of land just large enough for a potato-patch.  The annexation came from Pepperell, and the amount received was four acres and twenty rods in extent.  The following is a copy:—­

     An act to set off a certain parcel of land from the town of
     Pepperell, in the county of Middlesex, and to annex the same to
     the town of Groton, in the same county.

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That a certain tract of land, bounded, beginning at the end of a wall by the road leading by Zachariah Fitch’s, in said Groton; thence running easterly, by land of Jonas Fitch, to the Nashua River, (so called;) thence up said river to said road, near the bridge over the same river; thence, bounding by the same road, to the bounds first mentioned, containing four acres and twenty rods, be, and hereby is set off from said town of Pepperell and annexed to said town of Groton forever.

     [This act passed February 3, 1803.]