USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 1 > Part 3
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Ensi Hen. Phillips, Ensi. Dan: Fisher, and Elea: Lusher or any 2. of them are deputed to procure an Artist for the worke aboue saide
Mr Peter Tilton, Lieft Sam. Smyth, and Cornet Wm Allice are desired and deputed to direct, the Artist aboue mentioned in the worke aboue saide, who are also further deputed, and empowered to order the scituation of the Towne for the most conueaniencie as in thier discretion shall apeere best the whole Tract, and the quallitie of each sort of Land, and other accomadacions considered, and ap- ointing the high wayes layeing out, and a place for the Meeting house, Church officers Lott or Lotts, and what euer else may be giuen them, in further instructions, and to proportion each seuerall sorte of Land ther according to the quallitie thereof that equitie may be at-
16
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
tended to each propriator according to their proportion in every sort of Land deuideable
It is allso agreed that no man shall laye out more then 20 Cow Common rights together in one place
Joh. Pincheon Esqr. is intreated, and empowered, at all his best opportunities to take his time to visit the Committee, and Artist aboue mention and to giue them such aduice in that worke comitted to them, as he shall Judge most conduceable to the good of the plantation who allso is empowered to voate with the rest of the Committee when he shall be prsent:
Ensi: Daniell Fisher is allso deputed to Joyne with the Committee before named-any 3 of which Committee, haue power to proceed in the worke
The Committee before named, are allso empowered to viewe and make tryall of the layeing out of the Lands, allready layed out vpon grante commonly called the Farme Lands, whether they be truely layd out according to thier grants, and to rectifie, what mistakes they shall finde therein
It is further agreed to proceed to drawe Lotts, and prpare accord- ingly, and that in euery deuision of Lands of all sorts (except house Lotts) the length of the Lotts shall runne easterly and westerly, and the begining of layeing out Lotts in particular shall allwayes be on the northerly side, and make an end on the southerly side, and so proceede according to that rule each propriator to holde that order of succession thoroughout
The names of the prsent propriators with the number of Common Rights, and number of Lotts in succession as they wer drawen
No of lots as drawn.
Mens names.
No Cow No Sheep No of Commons. Commons. lots.
IS
16 20
Capt Pynchon
54
4
3
20
M' John Allin
16
0
I
37
Left Fisher
6
I
I
28
Ensi: Fisher
13
O
I
3S
Joh : Haward
S
()
I
24
Joh : Gay
II
2
I
16
Deacn : Chickering
S
3
I
16
16
16
2
4
5
Ensi: Phillips
48
O
3
Sarg' : Fuller
20
O
I
J
Jnh : ffarringion
IS
2
I
25
Isaac : Bullard
II
1
I
19
Joh : Bacon
7
3
1
21
Tho: Payne
6
O
I
S
Robt : Ware and Nath : Fisher (ye first 8) 15
0
I
20
20
20
Pet : Woodward Jr
60
O
3
27
Tho: Mason
I3
I
I
33 Joh : Baker
13
CI
I
3
Nath : Colborn
II
I
I
31 Sargt Auery
13
I
T
32 Mary Haward
O
I
6
Joh : Fuller
C
31/2
I
23
Elea : Lusher
9
I
I
15
Mrs Buncker
I7
3
I
39 29 26
Edw : Richards
7
IO 22
17
TOWN STREET LAID OUT.
16
I4
16
14
30 34 Sam: Hinsdell 9t 20
31/2 3
36 Joh: Stebbin
O
1
12 Sam: Daniels 12
O
I
17 Tymo: Dwight
12
O
I
I3 Rob: Hinsdell
S
O
I
IS Church Lott Tho: Metcalfe
S
O
I
35 Joh: Hubbert
3
O
I
II Samson ffrary
9
3
I
Total
515
35
39
Observe that to prevent mistakes that the figures in the first col- lm in the marg" showeth the succession of place as by the drawing of lotts they are layd out and the uppermost figures in those 3 [4?] men that have each of them 3 Lotts, show how many cow com- mons each of their lotts contain and furder note that whereas Robt Ware and Fisher drew together that Nathaniel Fisher is to have 8 cow commons laid out first in that number in the S place and Rob- ert Ware to have 7 laid out adjoyning to him and so in each division and that the 2 collum showeth the names of propriety: the 3. the number of Cow Commons: the 4 of Sheep Commons: the 5 in how many divisions each mans land ought to be laid in each division."
During the summer of 1670 the committee chosen for that purpose went to Pocumtuck, laid out the town street and the highways; set out two divisions of land most suitable for tillage, and located in each the rights of the several proprie- tors, according to the draft above, and in the spring follow- ing made a full report, as follows :-
"May 16, 1671. Agreed by the Committee chosen by the proprie- tors of land at Pacomptuck for the settlement of the scituation of the Town Plott equalicing lands laying out Highways &c &c by their mutual assent and consent.
I That for the situation of the Town Plott it shall be on that tract of land beginning [at] the Southerly end of it att a little brook called Eagle Brook & so extend Northerly to the banke or falling ridge of land at Samson Frary's celer & so to run from the banke or ridg of land fronting on the meadow Land Westerlie to the mountain Easterlie
2 That there shall be a highway for the common street laid out six rod in breadth about the middle of the tract of land above ex- pressed begining on that side towards Eagle Brook and so to run Northerlie throughout the said tract; on both sides wharon the house lots shall be laid out: one teare of lot fronting on the said common Street Easterlie and another teare of Lotts fronting on the said Street Westerlie: the measure of the house lots to begin on the west range of Lotts att the North end :
3. That there be three highways laid out one at each end of the Towne which shall be each way three rod in breadth running East- erlie to the mountaine or woods and Westerlie leading in to the meadows: Also there shall be another highway running from the
1S
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
middle of the towne three rod in bredth Easterlie into the woods or mountains: and Westerlie it shall run into the meadows; leaving it to be laid out in the most convenient place as may best acomodate the meadows and the fesibleness of the passage into the same: att the reare of John Stebbins Lot it runs four rod on the banke then to runn through the meadow to the river.
4. That as to the more higher sort of Lands called Intervale or plowland we order that [there] shall be two divisions made of the same out of both which all the proprietors shall [receive ] their pro- portion : the first division which we judge best for the qualitie of Land begining Northerlie att the river called pacumptuck fronting Westerlie on the pine hill [and the] land called meadow or mowing land running Easterlie to the mountaine and extending Southerlie to the Town Plott: then to begin againe on the South side of the towne at Eagle Brook and so being fronted by the meadow Wester- lie to runn till it come [to a ridg] of falling land and there to ter- minate and end the which running Easterlie to the [woods ] or moun- taine.
A 2d division to begin att the aforesaid ridg of land where the other ended and [so to run] Westerlie over the river by a ridg of high land which divides between the [intervale] and mowing land there till it comes to the hills or woods and so all the proprietors to have their lotts run through on both sides of the river from the mountains Westerlie [to the] mountaine and swamp Easterlie till the high land on the West side be runn out-the remainder to take their lotts on the East side of the river in the rest of the Intervale land till it be runn out to the wood land.
5 That there shall be a highway two rods in bredth which shall runn through both the divisions above mentioned both Southerlie and Northerlie; the highway running Northerlie to runn to pacom- tuck rlver and so out into the woods [so that each ] proprietor may come to his land which highway is left to be laid out for place as conveniency the best advantage may suite.
6 That there shall be a highway 2 rod in bredth running through the meadow lying on the East side of the river from one end to an- other-Northerlie and Southerlie [so] every man may come to his land.
7 That all the proprietors take up a proportion proportionable in the meadow Lands lying over the west side of the river and that there be a highway 2 rod in bredth run throughout the said meadow in the most convenient place as may best advantage the said [Land and] that every man may come att his land :
Whereas Samll Hinsdell, desiring to Injoy a percell of Land on which [at] present he is resident and saith it was granted him by the town of De[dham] and understanding by Capt. Pynchon (who was then present when it was [asked] for) that he thinks it was in- deed so and finding the piece said to be inconsiderable for qualitie and quantity being about 3 or 4 acres and he abating as much in the 2d of his devisions of plow land; the said tract not also prejudicing any man's lott or lotts; we judg he may Injoy the said percell of land considering his expense on the same; and no damage is done either to the Comons [or] any particular proprietor.
19
HOME LOTS LOCATED.
That from the way running through the meddow on the est side [of the] river at the northelie end there shall be a way left of 2 rod in bredth leading to the river westerlie that there may be a passage to the same from the land lying opposite on the west side of the river.
A list of the houselots drawn by the Committee this 14:3:71: [May 14, 1671.]
Lots
Commons Acres
Roods Rods
Robt Ware, Nat'l Fisher
I
15
00
5
14
712
Eleazer Lusher, Gent
2
9
I
3
-
3934
Timothy Dwight's farm
3
16
O
5
1/2
24
John Hubbard
5
3
0
I
912
Timº Dwight
6
I2
O
Anthony Fisher, Jr.
7
Ensign Phillips
8
16
O
5
1/2
24
Samll Hensdell
9
16
O
5
1/2
24
Peter Wooderd
IO
20
O
7
-
IO
Samson Frary
II
9
3
3
3.4
2914
John Stebbins
I3
20
O
7
-
IO
Capt Pynchon
14
18
0
6
17
John Fuller
15
9
312
3
7
1012
Mary Hayward
17
II
0
3
35
2112
John ffarrington
18
18
2
6
/2
O
Ed Richards farın
19
Church Lott
21
8
O
2
34
12
Leift Fishers farm
Seargt Avery
22
13
I
4
1/2
2534
Thomas Mason
23
13
I
4
25 34
John Bacon
2.4
7
3
2
7
-
IO
Samll Daniell
26
I2
O
4
3/
12
John Haward
28
8
O
2
3 .!
12
Peter Wooderd
29
20
O
7
-
IO
Isaac Bullard
30
II
I
3
3/
33
Rob Hensdell
31
S
O
2
24
12
Natl Coleborne
32
II
I
3
3/
33
Ensine Phillips
33
16
O
5
24
Left Fisher
34
6
I
[2
33]
Samll Hinsdell
35
16
0
5
1/2
2.4
Samll Hinsdell
36
1.4
312
5
3012
Mrs Bunker
37
17
3
6
-
34 12
Ensigne Phillips
38
16
0
5
/2
2.4
John Baker
39
13
2
1
1/ 1/2
38
John Gaye
40
II
2
3
3/
241/2
Ensign Daniel Fisher
41
13
0
4
1/2
[14%]
Thomas Paine
12
6
0)
2
19
Capt Pynchon
43
20
0
7
-
IO
[Total,
515
35]
29 12
Seargt Thomas Fuller
25
20
O
Deacon Chicerins
27
8
3
2
3/
221%
Capt Pynchon
12
16
4
5
28
Peter Wooderd
16
20
0
The town plot laid out by this committee in 1671 is that of to-day. The highways are essentially unchanged. Many of the lines now bounding the meadow lots are those laid out under the "artist" employed by these men. Many of the house lots are changed by bargain and sale to a more con- venient size, while others remain the same.
1/
38
John Allin, Gent
1
38
20
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
The wilderness was now waiting for redemption, and the foundations to be laid for the settlement of Pocumtuck. The ground, as I have said, had already been broken by the plow of Samuel Hinsdale, the pioneer. The Pocumtuck Indians had been swept off by the Mohawks a few years before, un- der circumstances to be related, and few, if any, were now residents here. Those living under the shelter of the white settlements below, who claimed to be the owners of the Val- ley, had been fairly paid for their lands. Though it is true they did not understand the full import of the transaction, they were nevertheless ready and glad to obtain the English- man's wares, at the same time retaining all that was of any use to them, the right of hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruits.
The price paid may seem trifling ; but this matter must be viewed from the standpoint of the men of Dedham at that date. Assuming that the £136 Ios voted to be raised to repay Mr. Pynchon represents the entire cost for the purchase, and allowing a reasonable percentage for expenses, it will appear that the price paid was about four pence per acre. Little enough this seems. But in 1665 two of the " farms " containing 450 acres, some of it the choicest meadow land at Pocumtuck, was offered at Dedham, for "6 pence per acre, 2-5 in corn and 3-5 in cattle," with no buyers. If this be a criterion of value, Dedham paid generously for the land, especially as she had al- ready given one acre at home for four in this far-off region ; and the Pocumtuck Indians were really deprived of nothing which, under the circumstances, could be of any value to them.
Dedham had hardly taken possession of her new estate be- fore Hatfield complained of encroachment. In May, 1672, she petitioned the General Court for redress, claiming that the grant as laid out, extended one and three-quarters of a mile over her north line. The Court appointed Peter Tilton, William Clarke and Samuel Smith, a committee to "regulate and settle," the disputed line. Sept. 20th these gentlemen viewed the premises, and on the 9th of October reported to the Court that they had,-
"Ordered that Hatfield bounds northerly shall extend to a little brooke commonly called, by the English, Sugar Loafe Brook, at the comon place of passage ouer, where there is two trees marked, a
21
SOOO ACRE LINE ESTABLISHED.
little white oake on the west side of the way, and a great white oake on the east side of sajd way; and so to runne by the sajd line east to the Great Riuer, and on the west ljne from sajd riuer two miles into the woods.
Also the sajd Committee have determined that the Proprietors of Pocomtuck for and in consideration of the land taken out of their measure to acomodate Hatfield, they shall receive it as followeth, vizt: on the north side of Pocumtuck Riuer, from the mouth of the ryver called Greene Riuer, a ljne to runne due east one mile, and west one mile, and north three-quarters of a mile; the whole tract of land to be two miles in length and three-quarters of a mile in breath, and for the remainder to begin at Pocomtock Riuer, at the end of there propritjes, and to rune on an east ljne to the Great Riuer, and to extend in a south lyne two miles."
This return was approved by the Court, Oct. 11, 1672. The north line of Pocumtuck as thus established in 1672 is the present north bound of the town-the famous "8000 acre line," for the maintenance of which so many hard battles with Greenfield have been successfully fought by the patri- otic descendants of the original settlers. The addition at the north was doubtless covered by the deeds already given. That at Great River on the east was included in the follow- ing :---
THESE PRESENTS TESTIFIE, That Mashalisk (the old woman, Mother of Wuttawwaluncksin) doth hereby Bargaine sell & allienate a Tract of Land in ye Southerly side of Pacomtuck River & so lying all along by Qvinetticot River side doune to ye Lower Point of ye Hill called Weqvomps & by ye English Sugarloafe hill: all ye Tract of Land between ye greate River Quinetticot on ye east & ye ledge of Mountaines on ye west, & on ye Northward fro Pacomtuck River Mouth, Mantehelant downe southward to Weqvomps & to ye very Point of land where ye hills come to ye greate River called Tawwat or Tawwat [-] Togither wth all ye Islands in ye greate River, called Mattampash, Allinnack, or Allinnackcooke, Taukkanackcoss, or by whatever other names they may be called, all ye whole sd Tract of Land Mantehelant Mattampash downe to Tawwat or Taw- wattuck & so by ye ledge of Mountaines lie fro greate River west- ward.
The sd Mashalisk Doth sell all to John Pynchon of Springfield to him his heires & assignes forever, ffor & in Consideration of a debt of ten large Bevers & other debts of Wuttawoluncksin her sons wch shee acknowledges her self engaged for ye Payment off to John Pynchon aforesd: for the said Just and due Debts & moreover for & in consideration of sixty fada of wampum. 2. cotes some cotton & Severall other small things all weh ye sd Mashalisk acknowledge to haue Rec'd & to be therwth fully satisfied & contented, Doe fully clearly & absolutely give Grant Bargaine & sell vnto John Pynchon of Springfield aforesd, hereby giving granting & resigning up to him all my right Title & interest in ye aforesd land: To HAVE &
.
22
DEDHAM GRANT AND INDIAN DEEDS.
to HOLD all the sd land to ye only proper vse & Behoofe of him ye sd John Pynchon his heires & assigns for ever, wth all ye profits ad- vantages & comoditys thereoff & therevnto belonging whatsoever, & that for ever: And ye sd Meshalisk doth hereby covenant & promise too & wth ye sd John Pynchon, that shee will ye sd Pynchon save harmless of & from all manner of claimes right title & interest of any other person whatsoever vnto ye sd Land hereby sold & will defend ye same from all or any Molestation or Incumbrance of In- dians right to all or any part thereof: & as having full right & law- full Power thus to doe, Doth in witness thereoff here vnto affix her hand & seale this 26th day of August 1672
Mash shalisk her marke (Seal)
This being done & also delid in the Presence off John Holtum Isaac Morgan The marke of Ackki [unbariet? ]an Indian witness her kinsman
The name of the Indian witness is probably the same given in John Pynchon's accountbook as Ackambowet.
CHAPTER 11.
TOPOGRAPHY, LOCAL NAMES, GRAVEYARDS.
Pocumtuck of two hundred years ago lay upon the west bank of the Quinnchtuk-i. c. long, tidal river *- with a shore line of twenty-five miles in length. Its north and west lines were each thirteen miles long; its average width below the great bend at Peskcompskut, was about nine miles. This terri- tory, containing about one hundred and thirty-seven square miles, was bounded by the present towns of Northfield, Ber- nardston, Leyden, and Colrain on the north; by Montague, Whately, and Williamsburg on the south ; on the east the Con- necticut separated it from Northfield, Erving, Montague and Sunderland ; west lay Goshen, Ashfield, Buckland and Charle- mont. From this old township, Greenfield, including Gill, was set off in 1753, Conway in 1767, Shelburne in 1768; and fragments have gone to Whately and Ashfield, leaving only about thirty-six square miles, bounded by Greenfield and Montague north, Whately and Conway south, Montague and Sunderland east, Shelburne and Conway west-which is the Deerfield of to-day. The population of the old territory is given below :-
I 704
1765
I776
Deerfield
300
737
836
1498 2092 1183 6103 1790 I330
1800 I350 1256 2013
ISIO 1570 1165 1784 961 762
1830 2003
1850 2.121
1870 3632
3543
Greenfield
1540
2580
3589
3903
Conway
1563 995
1531 1239
1460 1582
1621
Gill
tt9
86.4
754
653
733
300
1105 3043
6352
6242
6965 8525 10916 11560
1880
368
735 897
1760
Shelburne
575
The topography of the town is quite peculiar. Along the bank of the Connecticut river runs a strip of meadow, about a quarter of a mile wide, extending the whole length of the town. From this rises to the west a range of highlands, from one to two miles wide, including Wequamps on the south line, and Peskeompskut, attaining about midway at Po-
* In 1725, The Abenakis called it the "Gownitigou, otherwise Long River."
24
TOPOGRAPHY, LOCAL NAMES, GRAVEYARDS.
cumtuck Rock, an elevation of 750 feet. This is called East Mountain. From the foot of this range a plain or valley spreads westward, from one to two miles in width. On this, the Dedham Grant was laid out, and here are situated the "Old Street," the villages of Wapping, Mill, Bars, Bloody Brook and Mill River. Still to the west, the surface rises in swelling hills, one above another, to the western bounds, reaching at " Arthur's Seat," near the Shelburne line, a height of 1000 feet. These are the "Sunsick Hills" of the Indians, the West Mountain of to-day, and may be considered foot- hills of Hoosac Mountain. These hills are nearly bare of forest and afford the best of grazing land, while a few good farms are found in the valleys among them. Through the Sunsick Hills the Pocumtuck river has worn a deep, rocky bed, over which it hurries to the valley, entering it from the west, near the center of the Dedham Grant. From the point where the Pocumtuck debouches from the hills, the valley to the north has been scooped out by the action of its waters to the depth of one hundred feet, forming the remarkable basin known as the Pocumtuck Valley. The Pocommegon, or Green river entering from the north, assisted in this work of exca- vation. The valley is surrounded by a deeply indented bluff, the top of which marks the original level. From the top of the bluff on the south the plain broadens, stretching away to the Whately line. On the north it extends to the Leyden hills. According to a theory of Agassiz, at no very remote geological period, this plain was the bed of the Connecticut river, which, pouring its waters around the south point of Wequamps, left the large "pot hole" still to be seen there, as an evidence of its passage.
About the center of the Pocumtuck valley, and abutting against the East Mountain, lies a platcau one mile long and half as wide, surrounded on three sides by the meadows, above which it is elevated some twenty feet. In the middle of this plateau rises Meetinghouse hill, a table of fifty acres, occupying its entire width, and rising about twenty feet above the rest. Here is the natural center of the town. Here was the meetinghouse, the graveyard, the training field and fort. Running over this hill, and across the plateau to the north and south, the "Town Platt" was laid out in 1671, and here is "Old Street " of to-day.
25
TOWN STREET AND NORTHI MEADOWS.
On a smaller plateau, similarly situated at the south end of the valley, lies the village of Wapping. Clinging to the face of the bluff, the village of Cheapside straggles across the northern extremity of the valley. Aside from these localities and Pine Hill, the whole valley is subject to inundation by the overflow of the Pocumtuck.
A minute description of the town will be convenient for reference and will save much repetition. Local names will be given freely, especially when descriptive or personal. The affixed figures indicate the year in which the older names are first met with. To some these names and dates may have no significance, while others will find in them landmarks of ownership, or the key to historic events. The view will be by sections, which agree substantially with the old school districts. The time is 1884 :-
No. 1. Old Street, 1671. This contains one hundred and seven dwellings, two meetinghouses, Town hall, Memorial Hall, Dickinson Academy and Library, schoolhouse, postof- fice, two depots, hotel, Grange Hall, three stores, shoe shop, blacksmith shop, livery stable, grist and lumber mill, pickle factory and two graveyards. From the Old Street as a start- ing point, Memorial Lane leads eastward to the depots and over East Mountain to Great River and Pine Nook. To the west Hitchcock's Lane-the new Academy Lane-leads to the old graveyard, the meadows, and across the Pocumtuck by a ford to Wisdom.
North Mcadores, lies on the north and west of the Street. Some of its subdivisions are Plain Swamp, Pine Hill, 1671 ; Little Plain, 1686; Pine Hill Plain, 1701 ; Tim's Kiln, 1735 ; Poag's Hole, 1735; Neck, 1675; White Swamp, 1701 ; Great Meadows, 1688; Little Meadows, 1688; Harrow Meadow, 1701; Pine Hill Island, 1671 ; Field's Island, 1735; Great Pasture, 1725 ; Meadow Pasture, John Broughton's Hill, 1701. Some of the ponds scattered about the meadows are : Broughton's 1693 ; Beaman's, 1728 ; and Belding's, 1755. Frary's bridge is named in 1703.
The most notable feature in this tract is Pine Hill, near its center. This is about forty feet high, and covers thirty acres. It is doubtless a remnant of the original plain, pre- served from denudation by a ledge of rock at its west base ; in shape, an oblong square, rounded and scalloped at the
26
TOPOGRAPHY, LOCAL NAMES, GRAVEYARDS.
ends, its contour is as symmetrical as many of the western mounds. The top is occupied by two level terraces running lengthwise.
South Meadows, 1671, lies south of the Street, with Eagle Brook Plain, 1690; Log Meadow, 1701; Beaver Dam, 1735; Wells's Pasture, 1701 ; Harrow Meadow, 1701 ; and Second Division Hill, 1671. This hill marks the south bound of the First Division of plow land, 1671. Beyond this is Second Division Plain, 1671 ; New Field, 1729; and Indian Orchard.
On the bluff east of the valley, ranging from south to north, are Fort Hill, 1688; Martin's Hill, 1688; Burying Ground Hill, 1801, now occupied as its name indicates ; Woodchuck Hill and a Second Fort Hill, 1710.
No. 2. Cheapside, 1689. From the north end of Old Street a road skirting North Meadows on the east leads across the Pocumtuck to Cheapside, which occupies the territory be- tween that river, Sheldon's brook, and Greenfield line. Here are one hundred and forty-seven dwellings, two schoolhous- es, extensive machine shops, two stores, Hoyt's Meadow, 1805; Fort Hill, 1755; Town Swamp, 1750; West Meadow, 1755; Judith's Point, 1755; Clesson's Swamp, 1710; Petty's Plain, 1714; and Behind Noon, 1805. Three railroad bridges and four highway bridges are partly or wholly in Cheapside -two over the Connecticut, three over the Pocumtuck and two over Green river.
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