It’s Called the Common

The town usually accepted Henry Bowen’s alterations/improvements, and the financial support that accompanied them. Sometimes, however, he went too far. On a few occasions he fenced in the common without consulting the town, and the town would order the fences removed—the common was not his to fence. In a letter to his family, he makes it clear that he considered the common his property, which was the town’s fear: “It is nearly as valuable practically to Roseland as though it was a part of the property. On no account lose its entire control. If once possession is lost no money could obtain it again. Kept in order it cannot be taken away from the possession of my heirs.”

Image courtesy of the Woodstock Historical Society