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Subject: Excerpt Of History
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:36:46 EDT
"In Woburn, Massachusetts in 1676, the officials took steps to break up all
those irregular and vicious habits, which usually terminate in pauperism, or
lead to confirm depravity and spiritual ruin. The solution manifests itself in
the form of Tithingmen,whose office it is to have oversight of their
neighbours, and see that they keep good order in their houses. To ensure its
effectiveness all families in Woburn have been assigned to their respective Tithingman.
Among specific duties of these officers are that of preventing disorderly
conduct in private families and public houses, suppressing or checking profanity,
Sabbath breaking, idleness, intemperance and sundry other immoralities."
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