Fence Viewers

Fence viewers are Sherwood Chamberlain and Clayton McLaughlin.

Below is from "Fence Viewer." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 4 Feb 2009, 19:17 UTC. 25 May 2009.

"A Fence Viewer is a town or city official who administers fence laws by inspecting new fence and settlement of disputes arising from trespass by livestock that have escaped enclosure"

"The office of Fence Viewer is one of the oldest appointments in New England ."  

"New England farmers clearing their land during the 17th century were confronted with boulders and stones left by retreating glaciers. They cleared their fields of the boulders with horses and built stone walls along the edges of their fields, frequently at the property boundary. Many of these walls still exist."

"A Fence Viewer was needed on those occasions when walls were eroded, moved, or modified illegally. This was a serious offense."

In Vermont:    "Fence Viewers played a more active part in Vermont in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Today they are rarely used.  On occasion, the selectmen will call upon them to examine a fence line between adjoining properties to determine what portion of the fence must be made, repaired, or maintained by each party.   Fence Viewers may also be asked to determine where a fence must be placed when a fence cannot be placed squarely on a property line."   "Fence Viewers examine fences and other boundaries within the town when requested to do so by the selectmen."