This word is used differently in different parts of the United States. In Pennsylvania and some other of the middle states, it signifies a village or a city. In some of the northeastern states it denotes a subdivision of a county, called in other places a township.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In English law. Originally, a vill or tithing; but now a generic term, which comprehends under it the several species of cities, boroughs, and common towns. L Bl. Comm. 114. In American law. A civil and political division of a state, varying in extent and importance, but usually ‘one of the divisions of a county. In the New England states, the town is the political unit, and is a municipal corporation. In some other states, where the county is the Unit, the town is merely one of its subdivisions, but possesses some powers of local self government. In still other states, such subdivisions of a county are called “townships,” and “town” is the name of a village, borough, or smaller city. Town agent. Under the prohibitory liquor laws in force in some of the New England states a town agent is a person appointed in each town to purchase intoxicating liquors for the town and having the exclusive right to sell the same for the permitted purposes, medical, mechanical, scientific, etc. He either receives a fixed salary or is permitted to make a small profit on his sales. The stock of liquors belongs to the town, and is bought with its money. See Black, Intox. Liq.