USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818. Vol. I > Part 41
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Thomas Shervington's, Christopher Comstock's, & Mrs. Nathaniel Baldwin's affi- davits followed. Each testified, that upon asking goodwife Knapp, if she knew of any other witch in the town, she replied "there were some or one, that had received Indian gods that were very bright." "The said Mrs. Baldwin asked her, how she could tell if she were not a witch herself ; & she said they partly told her so, & her husband was witness to it, & to this they all swore." The affidavit of Rebecca, wife of Cornelius Hull and daughter of the Rev. John Jones, stated "that, when goodwife Knapp was going to execution, Mr. Ludlow & her father Mr. Jones pressed the said Knap to confess that she was a witch ; upon which goodwife Staples said, why should she, the said Knap, confess that she was not & after, she, the said goodwife Staples had said so, one that stood by said, why should she say so? & then Staples replied she had no doubt if the said Knap were one, she would confess it."
Deborah Lockwood, who was about seventeen years of age, testified " that when goodwife Knap was going to execution between Try's field & the mill,* she heard goodwife Staples say to goodwife Gould, she was persuaded goodwife Knap was no witch. Goodwife Gould said, sister Staples, she is a witch, & hath confessed she has had familiarity with the Deuill. Mrs. Staples replied, I was with her yesterday, or last night, & she said no such thing as she heard."
" The affidavit of Bethia Brundish taken on the 26. of April stated, that while goodwife
* Thomas Morehouse's Mill, near Black Rock bridge.
326
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
Knapp was on the way to execution, with Deborah Lockwood & Sarah Cable, they heard goodwife Gould reprove Mrs. Staples, for saying she did not think goodwife Knap was a witch. This testimony was witnessed by Andrew Ward, signed as follows :
Jurat die et armor pr dicto,
Coram me,
Ro. Ludlowe -
Goodwife Whitlock on the 25. of May testified, that while she with several other women was looking for the mark of a witch upon goodwife Knapp they found none ; but upon some slight blemish being pointed out, goodwife Staples gave in, and said she must have been a witch.
The affidavits of Goodwife Barlow, Mrs. Richard Lyon, Mrs. George Squire & Mrs. John Thompson corroborated this statement.
Mrs. Thomas Sherwood testified before the Court, that upon the day goodwife Knapp was condemned, she with goodwife Odell, Mistress Pell & her two daughters Elizabeth & Mary, goody Lockwood & goodwife Purdy, visited her in prison, & urged her to confess if she knew of any other witches in the town. She also met there on the following day, the Rev. John Jones, Mistress Pell & her two daughters, and others, when she heard Mistress Pell advise goodwife Knapp to do as the Stratford witch did, to confess if she knew of any other witches in the town, & thus receive such consolation from Mr. Jones, as would be for her soul's welfare. Goodwife Knapp replied, " she must not say anything which was not true, she must not wrong anybody, & what had been said to her in private, before she went out of the world, when she was upon the ladder she would reveal to Mr. Ludlow or ye minister. Elizabeth Brewster said if you keep it a little longer till you come to the ladder, the Deuill will have you quick, if you reveal it not till then. Goodwife Knap replied, take heed the devile have not you, for she could not tell how soon she might be her companion ; & added, the truth is, you would have me say that goodwife Staples is a witch ; but I have said enough to answer for already, & I hope I shall not add to my condemnation, & I know nothing by goodwife Staples, & I hope she is an honest woman." Goodwife Lockwood then said "Goodwife Knap what ails you ; goodman Lyon pray speak, did you hear us name goodwife Staples' name since we came here." Lyon desired her to be careful what she said, & not make disturbance between neighbors after she was gone. To this goodwife Knapp replied : "goodman Lyon hold your tongue, you know not what I know. I have ground for what I say. I have been fished withal in private more than you are aware of. I apprehend good wife Staples hath done me some wrong in her testimony . . . but I must not render evil for evil." Goodwife Sher- wood then advised Mrs. Knapp to speak to the jury, for she had not heard Mrs. Staples witness contrary to the other witnesses, & she supposed they would inform her that the last evidence did not convict her. Goodwife Knap then said, she had been told so within half an hour, & requested all to leave the prison, but Mrs. Sherwood & the Rev. Mr. Jones, that she might speak with them in private. She then desired Mrs. Sherwood to state to Mr. Jones, what had been said against goodwife Staples the day before ; who replied that she did not hear goodwife Staples mentioned, & urged her to open her mind fully to Mr. Jones.
Mrs. Sherwood further testified, " that upon coming into the house where the witch was kept, she found only the wardsman & goodwife Baldwin there; & that the latter whispered in her ear & said, goodwife Knapp had told her: " that a woman in the town was
327
APPENDIX
a witch, & would be hanged within twelve months, & would confess herself a witch, & clear her from being pronounced a witch ; & that she asked her how she knew she was a witch, & she told her she had received Indian gods of an Indian, which were shining things, which shine lighter than the day." Mrs. Sherwood then asked goodwife Knapp if she had said so, which she firmly denied ; saying, " that she knew no woman in the town that was a witch, nor any woman that had received Indian gods, but she said there was an Indian at a woman's house, who had offered a couple of shining things, but the woman never told her she took them, but was afraid & ran away, & she did not know that the woman ever took them."
Mrs. Sherwood went out to speak with Thomas Shervington one of the wardsmen, who said he did not remember that Knapp said a woman in the town was a witch & would be hanged ; but heard her speak something about shining things. Kester, Mr. Pell's man, who stood near, said : " I remember, as they were going to the grave, good- wife Staples said, it was long before she could believe goodwife Knap a witch, or that there were any witches, till the word of God convinced her, which saith, thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Thomas & Richard Lyon corroborated the statement of Mrs. Pell, her daughter & Mrs. Ward & Mrs. Lockwood.
Mrs. Nathan Gold, upon oath before the Court testified, that at the time she accom- panied Mrs. Sherwood to see the witch, she advised her, if she knew anything upon good grounds to tell it, but if she did not to take heed that the Divel did not persuade her to sow malicious seed to do hurt when she was dead ; that as she was about to die she should speak the truth. At this goodwife Knapp burst into tears & asked Mrs. Gold to pray for her, for she knew not how she was tempted. Mrs. Gold also stated that while on the way to the execution with Mrs. Thomas Bulkley, Mrs. Thomas Sherwood & Mrs. Staples, she heard Mrs. Staples say, " that it was a good while before she could believe Knap's wife a witch ; & that for a good while she could not believe there were any witches, & it was not until she went to the word of God that she was convinced."
Ensign Bryan then addressed the Court, and asked time to prepare and answer a charge, which he had not heard before. The plaintiff & defendant were then allowed to address the Court, after which the following decision was rendered.
The court having considered what had been said & proved on both sides, though not fully satisfied with the evidence presented by Ensign Bryan, were " willing to receive the testimony given on the other side, yet they could not justify Mr. Ludlow in defaming expressions against Mrs. Staples," although he said, " he considered them not true. .
yet they tended to defamation ; the Court in their sentence shall incline to more favor if Mr. Ludlow were here ; but the third part of the charge being left to another time." " for the former part of the charge they see no cause to lay the blemish of a witch upon good wife Staples, but must judge that Mr. Ludlow had done her a wrong ; & therefore, ordered that he should pay to Thomas Staples, by way of fine, for reparation of his wife's name, ten pounds, & for his trouble & charge in following the suit five more."
At the assembling of the General Court of New Haven on the 18. of Oct. following, Thomas Staples brought forward the third charge against Ludlow, for saying that Mrs. Staples had gone on in a tract of lying," which had been formerly proved by three wit- nesses, whose affidavits were again read before the Court. Ensign Bryan declined to con- tinue the case, having nothing to say against the charge. The Court then decided, " that considering the nature of the charge, & Mrs. Staple's relations to the church at Fairfield,
328
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
& the censure such a course if proved might have brought upon her, by way of sentence, ordered, that Mr. Ludlow pay to Thomas Staples, toward repairing his wife's name so defamed, with trouble & charge in prosecuting, the sum of ten pounds."*
Thus ended this absurd trial, which, according to the testimony given, shows that Ludlow was made to suffer for the sins of others, as well as for his own. Thomas Staples proved himself a right loyal husband in taking time by the forelock, & putting at bay any effort to prove his wife a witch. The decision of the Court produced a happy result throughout the town of Fairfield & its vicinity, by effectually banishing the mania of witchcraft for many years.
APPENDIX NO. III
" A list of ye names of ye freemen of towne of Fairefield. Oct. 1669.
Jno: Odell.
Tho : Jones.
Joshua Knowles.
Danll Frost.
James Bennett.
Mr. Nathan Gold.
John Cable Senr.
Joseph Lockwood.
Math : Sherwood.
Mr. Willm Hill.
Humphry Hide.
John Green senr.
Richd. Hubball.
Willm Ward.
Jno. Hide.
Simon Crouch.
Jno. Wheeler.
Natil Burr.
Peter Coley. Samll Ward.
Ezekiell Sanford.
John Buckley.
Jno Knowles.
John Barlow.
Tho : Morehouse.
Mr. Jehu Burr.
Jno Sturge.
Robert Beacham.
Samll Morehouse.
John Banks.
Danll. Lockwood.
Mr. Wakeman.
NatIl Seely.
John Palmer.
Jno Cable junr.
Henry Jackson.
Robt Turney.
Cornelius Hull.
Mr. Danll Burr.
Henry Rowland.
Tho : Bennet.
Jno. Burr.
Richd Ogden. Thomas Staples.
Oct. 10, 1669
John Sturgis, select man. Peter Clapham, select man. John Knowles, select man. William Ward, Nathaniell Burr, Constables." Col. Rec. Conn. II. 521.
No. IV
A list of ye lots drawn for Sasqua Land in ye New field Feb. 8. 1668/69.
Jno. Odell.
66
Hump : Hide.
29
Js: Wheelr
54
Petr. Coly
26
Ja : Bennet.
47
Jno. Hide.
52
Math : Sherwood
62
Pr. Clapham
20
Rid. Hubbell.
I6
Jno. Knowles. . 61
Jno. Wheelr.
67
Mr. Gold.
56
Rogr. Knapp
57
Willm. Ward.
49
Robt. Turny.
I7
Thos. Benet
36
NathIl. Burr
34
Ja : Beers ..
05
Andrew
Jos : Middlebk
32
Thos. Jones
53
Danll Lockwood 37
55
Mrs Jones
08
Jos. Jennings 45
5I
Ja : Gray
21
Thos. Staples 46
43
Jno. Banks.
68
Thos. Grumon
44
Obd. Gilbert
02
Robt. Meacar
18
Stepn. Hedge.
25
19
Cor : Hull.
69
38
Jno. Burr ..
65
Jno. Sturgis.
I5
Hen : Rowland
35
Jno. Cable jr.
63
Benjn Turny.
S. Drake.
30
Jno. Cable sr ..
28 G. Smith
42
Richd. Osburn
Jno. Barlow sr.
41
Josiah Knowles.
23 Jno. Barlow jr
12
J. Sherwington
03 Samul. Smith.
II
* Col. Rec. New Haven, II. 77-89 & 122.
& 13 06 Ward. 3I Willm. Hill. Francis Bradley Samil
Thos. Wilson.
50
W. Wilson.
Thos. Sherwood.
48
Bulkly
Jehu Burr
33
Rich. Lyon.
Jno. Tompkins
Thos. Lyon
40
Mr. Pell. 58
APPENDIX
329
Robt. Rumsie
24
Jos : Lockwood .
59
Richd. Ogden.
IO
P. Norton ...
39
Danll Frost
OI Mr. Wakeman 60
Robt Beachem.
07 Samll Wilson
og
Couch & Andrus.
22 Danll Burr .. 27
Jno. Green. .
64 Samll Tredwell
04
B. Town Votes p. 15.
No. V
Names of persons who shared in the second division of the Sasqua Lands Jan 30. 1668/69.
Jno. Odell.
J. Green sr
57
Isaac Wheelr.
36
Jos. Lockwood.
15
Jas. Bennet.
69
P. Norton ..
13
Math. Sherwood.
64
Thos. Bennet 26
Ricd. Hubbll
23
Ja: Beers. 12
Jno. Wheelr.
I6
Jos : Middlebrook 20
67
Rob: Turny
Thos. Wilson
Mr. Pell.
08
Willm. Hill.
34
Nathll Burr.
Mr. Gold
21
And. Ward.
Mr. Ward.
24
Danil Lockwood.
56
B. Turny
30 6I
Samll Tred well
50
50
Jno Buckley.
48
Jos: Jennings
02
31
Thos. Staples
14
Josha. Knowles.
28
Ric: Lyon.
og
Jno. Grumon
03
Rob: Meacar.
Peter Coly
06
J. Tompkins.
49
Francis Bradley
58
Peter Clapham
62
Thos. Sherwood ..
46
Jo. Knowles
66
Mrs. Jones
22
Ja. Gray
52
Jno. Sturgis
38 60
J. Banks
Samll. Drake
17
O. Gilbert
G. Smith ..
27
S. Hedge.
J: Barlow Sr.
IO
C. Hull.
47
42
Jno. Burr
35
63
H. Rowland
53
40
R : Beachamp.
41
39
Jno. Andrews.
29
D : Frost
37
B. Town Votes p. 31.
No. VI
The names of those yt. Removed ye building Lots att ye Rear of ye Lots, into ye half- mile Comon, according to ye order ye last meeting. Jan. 17. 1671/2
Michael Try
Sergt. Sely
Peter Coly
Benjn. Turny
Ezek. Sandford old Odell
Jno. Barlow jr
Mr. Harvy
Rog: Knap Samll. Morehouse
Jos Patchin Thos. Staples
Danll. Silleiman
Ens: Turny
Tho: Shervington Cor: Hull
Thos. Skidmore
Ste: Hedge
Hen: Jackson
Jos. Knowles
Jos : Jennings
Hen: Rowland
Hump: Hide
Jno. Hide
Rich; Osborn
Jnº. Grummon.
Samll. Drake
Jno. Barlow sr
Ja: Beers
Robt. Meacar
N. Perry
T. Lyon
Rich: Lyons
Jos; Wakeman
S. Smith
El. Smith
Jno. Aplegate
Jno. Burr
Jno. Sturgis
Jno. Knowles
Jno. Cable jr.
Jno. Cable sr
Sarah Wilson
Ed; Adams
B. Town Votes p. 44.
Feb. 28. 1671/72
No. VII List for Compo Dividend.
Feb. 28. 1671/2
W. Wheeler.
83 Is. Wheeler 68
F. Hall's farm
2
Jas. Bennet.
IOI
Jos. Whelpley.
59
M. Sherwood
97
Jno. Odell ..
60 R. Hubbell.
50
Samuel Treadwell.
6 H. Jackson.
20
44 05
OI
Jno. Hide.
07
Thos. Lyon
33
Jehu Burr.
59
Jno. Cable jr
43 54
25
J: Barlow jr.
Samll Smith.
Rob. Rumsie
R : Ogden
W. Wilson ..
51
Jno. Cable Sr
Mr. Wakeman
Sarah Wilson
130
Richd. Osburn.
Thos. Shervington
Hump. Hide
45
Thos. Jones
Rog : Knap.
4
35
330
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
W. Fry.
95
F. Bradley
E. Sandford.
IO
T. Sherwood
T. Morehouse.
42
H. Hide.
D. Silliman
IO2
Jno. Hide.
T. Oliver.
61
P. Coley
Sergt. Sely
3I
O. Odell ...
44
Sam. Morehouse.
85
Jno. Sturges.
T. Turnie,
74
Jno. Cable Junr
07
T. Bennet ..
98 Danll. Lockwood.
Jnº. Thompson.
23 Ja. Beers.
Geo. Squire.
36
Jo. Middlebrook.
82
Jno. Barlow Snr ..
T. Jones
13
Jno. Barlow Jnr.
49
W. Hill
89
S. Smith
04
Mr. Gold
T. Shervington
21
Sarah Wilson
57
R. Rumsie ..
Benj. Turney
33
N. Burr
87
S. Ward
W. Ward.
I6 Josh. Lockwood
Dnl. Burr
24
Smll. Couch
Mos. Dimon
14
Jno. Andrews
53
Mr. Harvey.
22
R. Beacham.
W. Wilson
Jno. Wheeler.
Jno. Bulkley
63
Hendrick
T. Staples.
37
Ed. Adams
Mr. Wakeman
Jno. Grumon.
86
G. Squire Jnr
R. Meacre
71
Parsonage
Jas. Gray
05
School
Mr. Jehu Burr
32
Mr. Jones.
81
D. Finch.
John Banks
62
Ths. Sherwood
Jos. Wakeman
46
Samll. Goodwin
T. Skidmore
P. Barlow
S. Hedge.
N. Perry
Cor. Huil
9I
Jno. Burr.
03
Jno. Applegate.
O. Gilbert
09
Jo. Jennings.
96
T. Lyon.
Hen. Rowland.
80
R. Ogden.
Jos Knowles
18
Patchin
76
Jno. Cable Sr
94
Jno. Smith
27
R. Osborn
40
B. Town Votes p. 47.
No. VIII
GENERAL INDIAN DEED
Know all men by these presents, yt whereas ye town of Fairfield hath formerly bought of ye true Indian proprietors all ye lands contained within their township bounds, which is seven miles broad upon ye sea coast, & from ye sea at least twelve miles into ye coun- try to ye northward of their bounds, bounds on ye East with ye sd town bounds as ye Court hath setlled, on ye west with town bounds of Norwalke, also Compaw-neck from ye old road to Norwalke to Sagatuck River on ye west, to ye sea on ye south, for which lands ye Indian proprietors have given ye sd . town severall bills of sale, viz : one bill bearing date ye 20th March 1656; and bill dated 21st March 1660 ; ye 3d bill bearing date ye 19. Janty 1670, by all which bills of sale ye above sd. lands are made over to ye sd Towne : yet for ye maintenance of Love & peace between ye sd town & ye sª Indians yt wee may prevent trouble, yt neither we nor or heirs nor successours shall make any further claims to any lands within ye sd Bounds, but only what is sequestred for us: We ye surviveing Indian Inhabitants of Poquonuck, Unceway, Sasqua & Aspetuck doe Cove- nant & agree as followeth : Imprimis, we doe owne & acknowledge all these bills of sale, Dated as above, sd to be just & good, & ye lands contained therein to bee truely bought be ye Sa. Towne of ye lawful proprietors; & therefore doe for ourselves, our heirs & suc-
45 78 56 65
73 08 04 5I
34
Jno. Tompkins
84 19 93
T. Wilson
26
D. Frost.
69 47 IO0 43
H. Sherwood
48
Jno. Green
77
R. Lyon.
75
Samuel Drake
99
55
29
Mr. Thomas Pell.
30 66
Jno. Bennet
35 12 90 4I 15 52
P. Clapham.
Jno. Knowles
72 67 64 92
Sam. Smith
59 54 70 39 I7 38 25 28 79
331
APPENDIX
cessors, confirm all ye sd. lands within ye sa. bounds, unto ye sd towne of Fairfield & their heirs, successours, assignes (& whatsoever of Aspatuck lands is within ye sd boun- daryes was sold in ye sd Bills of sale), both meadowes, uplands, Creekes, Coves, harbours, Rivers, ponds, with all ye privileges & appurtenances thereunto, belonging or in any wayes appertaining : also whereas there is some of ye Poquanocke Lands yt falls within ye sd Fairfield's bounds as above sd : now know ye, yt wee ye sd Indians, & for a valuable consideration to us already paid, doe alienate, assign & set over from us & from our heires for-ever all or Interest, right & propriety in ye sd lands & in every part and parcel thereof, with all ye privileges & appurtenances thereunto belonging to ye sd Towne, their heires, successours & assigns for-ever to enjoy & posesse it as their owne free lands, without any let or molestation from us, our heirs & successours: We also affirm yt wee have full knowledge how ye bounds between sd Fairfield & Stratford runs, as by a Com- Inittee of ye sd towne, they have fully showed us, & wee have marked it jointly with them, as also ye northwest Bounds : Only it is to bee noted yt ye lands yt are provided for Sasquau Indians, & ye lands at ye Wolfepit-plaine, yt ye Courte Granted us, & at ye old field provided for us, Poquanock, Vunkewa & Aspetuck Indians, for our own use to plant on, shall remain for-ever for ye sd Respective Indians to plant on both for themselves, their heires & successours for-ever: It is also to be noted yt ye old Indian feild partaining to ye Indians, as above sd, included noe Medow nor English allotments, but only ye planting land that they have long possessed, & by a Committee of us, ye Indians & ye sd English, is now run setled & staked downe: also wee, ye subscribers hereunto, doe owne & acknowledge yt ye sd. Towne of Fairfield, hath already paid to us & to ye Indians they formerly bought land off, as above sd, what they were engaged to pay, & therefore doe for or selves our heirs & successors for-ever, acquitt exonerate & discharge ye sd Towne of Fairfield & their successours from any further demands to anything due, upon con- sideration of ye sales above sd, Due payment haveing beene already made by ye sd. Towne of Fairfield : Also whereas there is land at ye Wolfepit plaine, & at Sasqua, & ye above sd Land at ye old feild, sequestered for ye use of us, our heirs & successours only to plant on, wee doe by these presents for ourselves, our heirs, & successors, acquitt, exhonorate & Discharge ye sd Towne of Fairfield, their heirs, & successours from any further demands to any lands within their above sd bounds, but ye use of yt wch as above, is sequestered for us : Also wee acknowledge yt wee are to allow a sufficient highway for carting out of ye above sd lands of ye old field, for free egresse & regresse for ye Inhabitants of Fairfield, to make use of to come at their medows, as by a Committee appointed by ye English is already staked & bounded out, & wee doe hereby bind ourselves our heirs & successors to free & Exhonorate ye sd parcell of Lands, Comprehended within ye bounds above Expressed, bought by ye sd Towne of Fairfield of us, ye afore sd Indians, from all former Sales, bargains, Claimes Mortgages or Incumbrances whatsoever yt have been since ye beginning of ye world till this Day: reserving to ourselves Liberty of hunting & getting firewood in any part of ye sd Towne bounds being unfenced : & ye liberty of fishing & fowling in any Rivers or Streames within ye sd Towne bounds : And wee also grant ye sd Inhabitants of Fairfield liberty to pasture upon our Lands, sequestered as above sd. for our use, soe soone as our crop is off, & this to continue for-ever : As witnesse our hand this 6th Day of October 1680 :
Old Anthoney his X his mk Nimrod X his mk Wagregunnasque X her mk
Yeernsqua X her mark Washagunassuk X his mk. Keewop X his mk
332
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD
Crocreco X his mk
Nausouate X his mk
Wesquambe X his mk
Sasqua James X his mk
Poneni X his mk
Neesenpaus X his mk
Youyoewhy X his mk
Crecono X his mk
Patckcock X his mk
Norwake James X his mk
Sasapequna X his mk
Capt. Wittere X his mk
Hetorow X his mk
Aquonke X his mk Panumscutt X his mk
Nascroe X his mk
Pupurah X his mk
Quatiant X his mk
Mamarushocke X his mk
Saicus X his mk
Signed & Delivered in presence of us Witnesses & Interpreters, John Minor. John Sherwood. Acknowledged at ye same time of ye sd subscription & delivered before John Minor= Comissr. Wee Hassahan, Mittacke, Wattonowcanks, Indians, haveing full information of ye contents of ye with in Instrument doe fully subscribe, in witness or full consent thereto, both for orselves, heires & successours, as wit- nesse or hands ye date above said.
Witnesses Nathaniel Bur. John Mansfield.
Kassham X mark. Wattonowcanks X mark Mittacke X mark
Womsoncous X mark
Chickine X mark
Wampam X mark.
Warenot X mark.
Choromoke X mark.
Ye deed is a true copy according to ye originall, compared & recorded this 25, Janary 1685 by mee
Nathan Gold, Recorder .* B. Town Votes-P. 668-670.
No. IX
DEED OF THE OLD INDIAN FIELD
To all people to whom these presents shall come greeting : Whereas there have been severall bills of sale by ye Indian proprietors unto ye town of Fairfield, of all ye lands they possesse within their township bounds, except those particular lands hereafter mentioned sequestered for or use, & by Genrll bill of sale, bearing date ye 6th day of October last past may more fully appeare: And whereas there is in ye sd. gen11 bill of sale an acknowledge- ment of ye old Indian field, in ye east side of Unceway River is under sequestration or kept for us to plant, which accordingly they hitherto have done, wee, ye proprietors of ye sd old field, upon good reasons, best known to o'selves, are resolved to sell ye sd field, & therefore wee made proffer of ye sale thereof to ye towne of Fairfield. Whereupon ye sd. town appointing a committee to treate with us, manifested their desire yt wee ye Indians should keep it for or use to plant on according as was formerly concluded, but nothstanding wee inportuned their bying of it from such reasons as are with us ; And after severall treatyes with ye sd. Fairfield Committee endeavoring to accomplish a sale thereof, at length we came to an agreement about it, & have sold.
Now know yt wee ye true proprietors of ye sd Indian old field, above mentioned, lying within ye common line of their genrll field fence in ye east side of Unceway river, which is surrounded on all sides with ye proprieties of severall of ye sd. towns inhabitants, & ye propriety of ye town their lands next ajoining thereto : wee say we have sold, alienated, assigned & set over & do by these presents sell, alienate and set over from us our heirs, successours & assigns all ye sd. tract or neck of land, called our old field afore mentioned, & every part and parcell thereof yt doth lye to us in ye neck, with
* Also Probate Records, Vol. 1689-1701, pp. 6-13.
333
APPENDIX
all ye privileges & appurtenances thereto belonging, or in anyways appertaining unto ye sd towne of Fairfield, their heirs, successours & assigns, to enjoy & possess it as their own free lands, from ye day of ye date hereof forever. This sale we have made of ye premises for a valuable consideration yt ye sd. towne hath secured to us, & wee doe affirm yt we ye subscribers hereto are ye true proprietors, & have lawful right to sell ye premises : & wee doe free & exhonorate ye sd parcell of land, & every part & parcell thereof from all former sales, bargains & encumbrances whatever, & now they may record it to their use & propriety.
In witness whereof we, ye sd Indian Proprietors, have hereunto set to our hands this 18. May 1681. Also ye sd Indian proprietors hereto subscribing, doe reserve liberty of a convenient footpath yt ye English shall settle, for free egress and regress to come at their fishing in any of ye creeks, both for themselves and successors.
Mamerushee mk Umperenosset's son
Ponees X marke Old Anthoye's X marke Washaganesser X marke Wissawahem X squa her mk.
Robins X marke
Aquanck X marke
Cope X his marke
Sowwahose X squa mk
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