What public duty arose from living in close proximity in New England?

Public duty arising from living in close proximity in New England, particularly during the colonial period and into the early years of the United States, revolved heavily around community involvement and mutual responsibility. A key public duty was the concept of "common good", which meant that individuals were expected to actively participate in the maintenance and improvement of their community. This included things like:

1. Participating in town meetings - These meetings were a fundamental part of New England democracy where citizens would gather to make decisions on local issues, laws, and the community budget.

2. Engaging in communal work - Collective efforts, such as barn raisings, road building, and maintaining common areas, were part of the responsibilities shared by the community.

3. Serving in the local militia - In times of conflict, the colonial and early American periods required local men to serve in the militia to defend their communities.

4. Managing the commons - Communities often had shared land for grazing livestock, gathering wood, or other communal resources, and residents had to cooperatively manage these for sustainable use.

5. Church participation - In many New England communities, religious observance was tied to civic responsibility. Attendance and participation in church affairs were expected.

6. Educational involvement - Many communities placed a high value on education, and citizens oftentimes were involved in the establishment and operation of local schools.

Living in close proximity enforced a need for cooperation and communal decision-making, creating strong, tightly-knit communities that relied on the active participation of their citizens for functioning properly.