land

Early settlements such as Dorcester grew from grants of land from the British Crown. Some of the land was reserved for public use. The rest was divided among the settlers, who received lots for a house, a garden, and fields to farm. Towns govern themselves.

Most settlements have a grist mill to grind grain into flour or meal; a blacksmith to make and repair tools; a cooper to make barrels; and skilled carpenters and shoemakers.