History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register, Part 11

Author: Temple, J. H. (Josiah Howard), 1815-1893
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Framingham, Pub. by the town of Framingham
Number of Pages: 822

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 11

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

EDMOND RICE, JOHN How.

"At a County Court held at Cambridge, Oct. 7, 1662, Edmond Rice and John How, appearing in Court, acknowledged this above written to be their act, according to the appointment of the General Court.

DANIEL GOOKIN, SYMON WILLARD, RICHARD RUSSELL.

" The Court allows & approves this return."1

1 Mass. Col. Rec., Iv. pt. 2, pp. 67, 68.

Land Grants.

This grant covered most of the Framingham territory on the westerly side of Sudbury river, and between the river and Southborough line.

Thus it appears that for the ten pounds money paid out, Mr. Dan- forth received a tract of about 14,000 acres. Adding the 450 acres previously set off to him, and the Wayte and Russell farms, he held in all, by gift and purchase, not less than 15,500 acres of land within the limits of the old Framingham plantation.

As a matter of historical curiosity, the deed given by the Indians to Mr. Danforth is here inserted. So far as is known, it is the only release of lands he received from them, and covers only the Wayte and Russell farms. As before stated, these farms were included in the Natick plantation, and consequently are signed by the leading Indians then dwelling there.

To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know yee that wee Great John, alias Wuttaushauk, John Mooqua, John Awoosamug, Senr and his sons Thomas Awoosamug, Samuel Awoosamug, Joshua Awoosamug and Amos Awoosamug, Thomas Waban son of old Mr Waban deceased, John Speen Senr and his sons, James Speen and Abram Speen ; also wee the daughters of Robin Speen deceased, vizt Sarah the wife of Daniel the Minister, Betty the wife of Pahanumpanum, Mary the wife of Samuel Williams, Hannah the wife of Samuel Uptowanum, Also wee the sons of Thomas Speen deceased, vizt Thomas Speen Senr and his brother Thomas Speen Junr, Indians all of Natick in the County of Middlesexx and Massachusetts Colony in New England, for and in con- sideration of the sum of forty shillings in current money of ye New England, to them in hand payd at and before ensealing and delivery of these presents by Thomas Danforth Esqr of Cambridge in the above Colony and County, have granted bargained and sold, aliened Enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargaine and sell, alien enfeoffe and confirme unto him the Said Thomas Danforth, all that tract of land to him the said Thomas Danforth belonging and appertayning, Scitt- uate, lying and being on the Southerly or South Westerly Side of Sudbury River, counting by Estimation Eight hundred acres more or less, and was the grant of the General Court of five hundred acres part thereof to Richard Russell Esqr deceased, and three hundred acres to Marshall Richard Wayte, late of Boston deceased, to him the said Thomas Danforth, to have and to hold the above granted tract of land and every part and partes thereof, together with all the priviledges and appartenains thereunto be- longing or in any wise appertayning to him the said Thomas Danforth, his heyrs and assignes forever to his and theire only proper use and behoof.

Signed etc, this first day of October in the year of our Lord sixteen hundred eighty and four.

NICHOLAS DANFORTH, the father of Thomas, was a native of Framlingham, Suffolk County, England, who came over to New Eng-

History of Framingham.

land in 1634, bringing with him six children. His wife, Elizabeth, had died in England in 1629. He settled in Cambridge; was admitted freeman March 3, 1635-6; was an original member of the church in Cambridge; was chosen representative in 1636 and 7, and died April, 1638. His children were Elizabeth, born in 1618, married Andrew Belcher, Sen., of Cambridge, and was grandmother of Governor Jonathan Belcher; Anne, married Matthew Bridge, of Cambridge, and was great-grandmother of Rev. Matthew Bridge, second pastor of the church in Framingham; Thomas; Samuel, born September, 1626, graduated at Harvard University, 1643; was pastor of the church in Roxbury, colleague with the apostle Eliot; Jonathan, born February 29, 1628, settled in Billerica; Lydia (perhaps next younger than Thomas), married William Beaman.

THOMAS DANFORTH, son of Nicholas, was born 1622, and came over with his father in 1634. He was admitted freeman 1643; was representative from Cambridge, 1657 and 8; was chosen one of the assistants, 1659 until 1678; was Deputy Governor from 1679 to 1686, and again after the close of Andros' usurpation, till 1692; was president of the Province of Maine, 1679-80; and associate Judge of the Superior Court, 1692 till his death. In addition to these political and civil offices, he held others of honor and trust. He was presi-

dent of the Board of Commissioners of the United Colonies; was treasurer of Harvard University, 1650-1669. He died November 5, 1699, leaving no descendants in the male line, but leaving two daughters, sixteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Hutchinson speaks of him as one who had " a great share in managing the public affairs in the most difficult times." Fudge Sewall describes him as "a very good husbandman, and a very good Christian, and a good counsellor." "He had, as Judge of the Court, a chief hand, under God, in putting an end to the troubles under which the country groaned in 1692." The comprehensive plan which he projected, for the advantage and prosperity of the settlers on his Framingham lands, and the town as a corporation, and which was in part frustrated by his death before these provisions and reservations had been fully carried into effect, evinces a man of large views, generous impulses, and great foresight.

Mr. Danforth married Feb. 23, 1644, Mary, daughter of Henry Withington, of Dorchester; she died at Cambridge, Mar. 26, 1697. Their children were: Sarah, born Apr. 16, 1645, died Oct. 29, 1645; Sarah, born Nov. 11, 1646, married Rev. Joseph Whiting, of Lynn, and Southampton, L. I .; Mary, born Apr. 20, 1649, died young ; Mary, born July 28, 1650, married first, Solomon Phipps of Charlestown, second, Thomas Brown, of Sudbury; Samuel, born Oct. 5, 1652,

Land Grants.

graduated at Harvard University, 1671, died unmarried, of small-pox, in London, Dec. 22, 1676; Thomas, born Dec. 16, 1654, was probably killed in the great Narraganset Swamp fight, Dec. 19, 1675; Jonathan, born Feb. 27, 1657, died in a few weeks; Jonathan, born Feb. 10, 1659, graduated at Harvard University, 1679, died unmar- ried, at Cambridge, Nov. 13, 1682; Joseph, born Sept. 18, 1661, died Oct. 2, 1663; Benjamin, born May 20, 1663, died Aug. 23, 1663; Elizabeth, born Jan. 11, 1665, married Oct. 3, 1682, Francis Foxcroft, of Cambridge; Bethia, baptized June 16, 1667, died next year.

The surviving children and heirs of Governor Danforth will come into prominent notice, at a later date in our history, as plaintiffs in suits against Joseph Buckminster, for violating the terms of his lease in regard to reserved lands.

WILLIAM CROWNE'S GRANT. - "Oct. 8, 1662. This Court, as an acknowledgment of the great paines of Col. William Crowne in behalf of this country when he was in England, judge meete to grant him five hundred acres of land in any place not legally disposed of."

"Layd out, in the year 1663, by me, underwritten, & exactly measured according to rules of art, the five hundred acres of land granted unto the Honbl Col. Wm. Crowne, at a place neere the cold spring, neereunto the roade which leadeth from Sudbury unto Con- ecticot, on the south side of a branch of Sudbury River, being about nine miles from the toune of Sudbury, at a place called by the Indians Magnaguncok Hill, beginning at the south side of the said hill, and from thence a line upon a north northwest point three hundred rods, butting on a branch of Sudbury River; and from thence a line upon a south southeast point by the river's side three hundred and sixty rods; and from thence a circular line by the said river and by a brook one hundred and sixty rods, a line from the said brook upon a west northwest point two hundred and forty rods; and from thence a line upon a south southwest point one hundred and fifty rods, and from thence a line upon a west northwest point one hundred thirty four rods, ending where we began, adding four acres of meadow upon the said brook, and three acres of meadow joining to the south line of the said farm, and all which said land and meadow so butting and bounded as is described by a plat under, make up the full complement of the above said five hundred acres.

" Signed THOMAS NOYES, Surveyor. " The Court approves of this returne. May 25, 1665."

This farm, which lay on the southerly side of Hopkinton river, and covered what is now the village of Ashland, was included in the Framingham plantation and town, till it was set off to Hopkinton, at

History of Framingham.

the incorporation of that town, Dec. 13, 1715. The heirs of Col. Crowne sold it for £30, July 4, 1687, to Savil Simpson of Boston, cordwainer, to whom the Indians gave a deed of release June 20, 1693.

Col. William Crowne came to Boston 1657, bringing a patent, in conjunction with Sieur de La Tour and Col. Thomas Temple, of the territory of Nova Scotia. He was to have in the division of this grand province of Acadia, all west of Machias for thirty leagues including Penobscot, and up Machias river 130 leagues on its west bank. This country being ceded to the French by the treaty of Breda, the patentees were obliged to surrender all claim to it. He was made freeman in 1660; and was in Boston at the restoration. When Goffe and Whalley arrived there, it is related that they were visited by the principal persons of the town, and among others they take notice of Col. Crowne's coming to see them. On returning to England, he rendered important services to the Colony of Massachu- setts. Lord Say and Seal, writing to the Governor in 1661, says: "I must say for Mr Crowne, he hath appeared as cordially and really for you as any could do; and hath allayed ill opinion of your cruelty against the Quakers, etc. Wherefore I must request you will really own and accordingly requite Mr. Crowne his love, care and pains for you." It was in consequence of this service, and this letter, that he received from the General Court the grant of 500 acres of land. He died at Pisquataqua about the year 1686.

GRANTS TO THOMAS EAMES. - "Oct. 17, 1676. The Court, having read and considered the petition of Thomas Eams, doe order & appoint Major Daniel Gookin, Capt. Daniel Fisher & Capt. Goodenow tobe a committee to view the place desired by the petitioner for his. accommodation with a habitation, & make returne to the next Court."

"May 23, 1677. This Court, on sundry considerations them mooving thereunto doe grant unto Thomas Eams two hundred acres of land, to be laid out in any free place, not prejudicing the laying out of a plantation."

The following, copied from the MS. Court Records of June 2, 1715, tells the history of this grant: "Upon reading a petition of John Brigham of Sudbury, praying a confirmation of 200 acres of land granted by this Court in the year 1677, to Thomas Eames, and purchased by him of John Eames son and heir of said Thomas Eames, and laid out by the said Brigham in the year 1686, viz., Laid out 200 acres of land in the wilderness adjoining to Lancaster line being the southerly bounds at an Old Indian Field, northerly of a pond

Land Grants.

commonly called Rocky Pond, as it is signified in the Plat, as is bounded every way by the country land only as it adjoins to Lancaster line.

" Ordered that this Plat be allowed and confirmed as the 200 acres of land granted by this Court to Thomas Eames of Framingham the 23d of May, 1677 - provided it doth not interfere with any former grant.

Consented to J. DUDLEY."

Jan. 24, 1676-7, Mr. Eames asked the Court for a grant of the Indian lands at South Framingham, near his former home. The following deed recites all the particulars of this grant:

WHEREAS in Court at Nonantum January 24th 1676 Thomas Eams pro- pounded to have a parcel of land belonging to Natick that is encompassed by ye lands of Mr. Thomas Danforth, John Death and John Stone on three parts, and the Indians then consented that in exchange of lands between Sherborn and Natick the above said parcel of land desired by Thomas Eams should be included in ye lands that Sherburn men have in Exchange from Natick, as attested by a copy of that Court record under ye hand of Major Daniel Gookin deceased : Also whereas in answer to a motion made by Thomas Eams to ye General Court held at Boston ye 28th day of May 1679 the Court did there allow and confirm the grant and Exchange made of ye lands above mentioned, as appeared by ye record of ye said Court : Also whereas Sherburn in ye Exchange by them made with Natick did omit to include the above said lands therein, so that to ye day of ye date hereof ye said Natick Indians have had no consideration in money or lands for their above said lands that was propounded by Thomas Eames as above : Also whereas Thomas Eames before his decease was peaceably seized of said lands, and did settle ye same by disposeing some part thereof to his children that now are dwelling thereon with four families, and did also sell to others sundry parts thereof that are now dwelling thereon, all which to dispossess would be very great injustice ; Now know all men by these presents, that we Peter Ephraim, Thomas Waban, Daniel Tonawampa Minister, Jonas Mottahant, Joseph Tabamomoso, Indians of Natick with ye consent and by the order of the rest of ye Indians of that plantation, for and in consideration of the premises, as also not forgetting the great suffering of ye said Thomas Eames by those Indians that burnt his house, barn and cattle, and killed his wife and three children, and captivated five more, whereof only three returned, who are now dwelling on ye said lands, whome now to ruine a second time by turning them off those lands we are not willing to be any occasion thereof; Also, we well knowing, that although the above said Thomas Eames by reason of his being impoverished as above said, did not procure a legall conveyance of ye said lands, yet for sundry years, until his death did give releife to John Wansamug Cheife proprietor of those lands; WE the above named Peter Ephraim, etc. for and on ye behalfe of ourselves as also the rest of ye Indians, that can claim any right or title in ye above said tract or parcell of land ; for and in further consideration of Ten pounds, current money, to us in hand paid before ye

History of Framingham.

sealing and delivery hereof by John Eames son of ye above named Thomas Eames deceased, who dwelleth upon part of ye said lands, the receipt whereof we do acknowledge by these presents ; as also for twelve pounds more current money for ye use of ourselves, and ye rest of ye Indians of ye said plantation to be by us disposed of as the Governor or Leiut Governor for the time being shall order, for ye true payment of which twelve pounds, the said John Eames hath given a specially under his hand and seal bearing date with these presents ; have given, granted, bargained, sold, enfeiffed and confirmed, and do by these presents, freely, fully and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeiffe and confirm unto him ye said John Eames and his heires and assignes, forever, all that tract and parcell of land that ye said Thomas Eames did propound to have at ye Court held at Nonantum as above said January ye 24th 1676, with all ye rights and priviledges thereunto belonging, To Have and to Hold and enjoy the same and every part and parcell thereof, more or less to him ye said John Eames and unto ye only proper use, benefit and behoofe of him and his heirs and assignes and other ye assigns of his father before his decease, and to their heires and assignes respectively from ye day of ye date hereof forever. And we ye above named Peter Ephraim, etc. Indians belonging to Natick, do for ourselves and our heires &c covenent, promise and grant to and with the said John Eames, and his heires and assignes, by these presents in manner and form following, and with and to ye assignes of his father, Thomas Eames, deceased, that the premises and every part thereof, are free and clear and clearly acquitted and discharged of and from all former grants, titles and incumbrances whatsoever, and the same to warrente and defend against every person that shall lawfully claim any right, title or interest in or unto ye same, or any part or parcell thereof. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals on this seventeenth day of April, in ye Seventh year of the reign of our Soveraign Lord William, by the grace of God of England, Scotland France and Ireland, King, Defender of ye faith &c, And in ye year of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred, ninety and five.

Signed, sealed and delivered by ye above named Indians in presence of us.

JOSEPH WHITE

JONATHAN RICE

JOSEPH TABAMOMOSO

R. GOULDING.

PETER EPHRAIM, his mark and seal. THOMAS WABAN

DANIEL TAPAWAMPA 66 66

JONAS MATTAHANT 66 66

On this Seventeenth day of April 1695 Peter Ephraim, Thomas Waban, Daniel Tabawampa, Jonas Mattahant and Joseph Tabamomoso appearing did own this deed or conveyance to be their act and deed.

Charlestown, August : I: 1695 before me Thomas Brown, Justice of ye peace. Entered by Samuel Phipps, Recorder.1

This farm was bounded north by Sudbury river, from the point where the Eames brook enters to a point near the north side of the Agricultural grounds, thence the line ran easterly to the northeast

1 Mass. Archives, xxx. 366.

Land Grants.

corner of the State Muster grounds; the east line ran from this point by a southerly course to Beaver Dam brook, which brook was its southerly bound; the west bound was the Wayte meadow and Farm pond. The eighty acres already granted to Edmund Rice was excepted out of the grant, under the title vested in John Death.

Mr. Eames also received a grant from the town of Sherborn, of a home-lot of thirty acres. This was located on Chestnut brook, about half a mile up the stream from the Hunt place, and adjoined the home-lot of Thomas Awassamog.

THE BELCHER OR LYNDE FARM. - This was not a grant from the General Court, but a gift from Thomas Danforth, dated Mar. 6, 1672- 3, "to his loving kinsman " Andrew Belcher, Jr. The farm contained 150 acres, and was bounded south on the Corlett farm, north on the highway, east and west on Danforth's own land. The northwest corner bound, which became historic in after years, was situated a short distance to the southwest of the old Frost house, which stood near the west line of what is now Liberty Chadwick's farm, and about . twelve rods from the Joel Tayntor house. Belcher sold this farm to Simon Lynde, of Boston, whose son sold, May, 1703, to Joseph Buckminster, who sold, Mar. 16, 1704, ninety acres to Capt. Isaac Clark. "Lynde's Rocks," just west of Brackett's Corner, is a well- known ledge in the northerly line of this farm.

GOOKIN AND HOW'S PURCHASE. - In a deed dated May 19, 1682. is this description and sale : "To all people, etc. Know ye that we. Waban, Pyambow, Tom Tray, John Magos, Peter Ephraim, John Awassamug, John Macqua, all now inhabitants of Natick, for and in consideration of a valuable sum of money secured to be paid to us by Samuel Gookin of Cambridge, and Samuel How of Sudbury, do, with the consent and approbation of the rest of the proprietors, by these presents acknowledge to be fully satisfied and contented, and thereof and every part thereof, do fully, clearly and absolutely acquit, exoner- ate and discharge them, the said Samuel Gookin and Samuel How, their heirs, executors and administrators forever, by these presents have granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeofed and confirmed, a parcel of land lying and being in the bounds of Natick, containing by estimation 200 acres, more or less, bounded with Sherborn line southerly, with John Bent and David Stones land northerly, Henry Rices land and Catchechauitt Pond easterly, to have and to hold the above granted premises, be the same more or less, with all the privileges and appurtenances to the same appertain- ing."

100

History of Framingham.

This deed was duly executed and acknowledged. And a committee of the General Court, specially appointed to oversee the transaction, report : "We being at Natick the 19th of May, there was presented unto us the deed of sale hereunto annexed, from the principal men of Natick, which they acknowledge before us, made to Samuel Gookin and Samuel How, for a parcel of remote and waste lands belonging to the said Indians, lying at the utmost westerly bounds of Natick, and as we are informed, having seen the plat thereof, is for quantity about two hundred acres more or less, being mean land, and for the most part encompassed with lands belonging to the English; and having inquired into the matter, we conceive it will be no prejudice to the Indians or their plantation of Natick to sell the same to the persons concerned, which, at request of both Indians and English, we offer to the Court for their confirmation of the said sale.

Signed WILLIAM STOUGHTON JOSEPH DUDLEY

" The Court doth allow and confirm what is above desired, as here thus recorded

EDW. RAWSON, Secret." 1

It will be noticed that the westerly bound is not specified in the deed, and the clause " 200 acres more or less," when applied to " waste land," was understood to give the purchaser a wide latitude. And under this deed and grant Messrs. Gookin and How took possession of all the unoccupied lands lying between Cochituate pond on the east, Cochituate brook and Sudbury river on the north, Sudbury river on the west, the Eames land and Sherborn line on the south. They sold as opportunity offered from time to time, considerable parts of the tract to bona fide purchasers, who built upon and occupied the same.

But the Indians became dissatisfied; and in a petition to the General Court, dated Dec. 13, 1695, complained that encroachments had been made on them by Messrs. Gookin and How in taking a large quantity of land over and above what was granted in the deed of 1682. In answer to the petition, the Court says: "To the intent that the Indians may not have cause to complain of their suffering wrong or injury, it is ordered that Capt. Joseph Morse of Sherborn, Left. David Fiske of Cambridge and Joseph Sherman of Watertown, be a committee to survey all that tract of land claimed by the said Gookin and How, and others deriving from them by virtue of any grant or grants from said Indians, and to set forth unto the said Gookin and How and their assigns, the 200 acres expressed in their deed full measure. And all those that have made any im-

1 Mass. Col. Rec., v. 354.

IOI

Land Grants.

provement upon the said lands, or that now hold and enjoy the same, Be and hereby are licensed to agree with and purchase the Indians' right and title thereto, by the assistance and consent of the said committee (at a reasonable and equal value) who are to receive the moneys to be paid for the same, which shall be employed by direction and order of the Governor and Council, firstly to reimburse the said Gookin and How so much as they have advanced unto the Indians with reference to the said lands more than the purchase consideration for the 200 acres, and the charge of this committee; and the remainder to lye as a Fund for the relief of the Poor of the said Plantation of Natick."

The committee notified all parties in interest to appear before them. Gookin and How presented the deed of 1682, and also a writing under the hands of some of the Indians for a further enlargement of the said grant, and for moneys received in consideration thereof. They also presented the following paper :

AN ACCOMPT of payments to several Indians by direction of my Honored Father (Maj. Gen. Daniel Gookin) and Mr. Eliot for a parcel of land bought of the Natick Indians in the year 1682, viz.

To Waban 42s. Id. To Piambow 42s. Jno. Magos 47s. 4d. £6 II

To Jno. Moqua 47s. Anthony Tray 35s. 8d. . 4 2 8

To Nehemiah 25s. 6d. James Speen 25s. 6d. Abra. Speen 25s. 6d. 3

To Andrew Pittame 27s. Nehemiah for his father 25s. 2 12

To Capt. Awassamug 43s. Peter Ephraim 25s.

3 8

To Sam Nawonot for himself and father

2 O

To Jno. Speen 2os. Great James for himself and son .

2 12

To Ben Boho 18s. Tom Waban 15s. Tom Dublet IIS. To James Rumneymarsh 23s. Jno. Nasconit 18s. 2 I

2 4

To Israel Rumneymarsh Ios. Jno. Awassamug Jr. Ios.

I 0

To Joshua Awassamug Ios. James Acouche 9s

Sam Umpetomen 18s. Eleazar Pegan 3IS

To Zacheriah Abraham 17s. Job 5s. 11d.

2 II

To Jno. Sompeegun IIS. 6d. Daniel the Minister I IS. 6d.

I 3

To Sam Boman 20s. Jno. Aquiticus 9s. 6d. .

Allowed Jno. Magos being the principal actor to make the bargain by the Indians order

7 O

My partner Samuel How saith he hath paid more .

10 O

Said How paid to Maj. Gookin per order of an Indian .

0 0

£60 I 6

By my Fathers order who had the care of the Indians committed to him, I was with my horse two weeks to help defend the Natick Indians from the Macquas who killed some of them at Magungog and never had any

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register, Part 11

Author: Temple, J. H. (Josiah Howard), 1815-1893 Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Framingham, Pub. by the town of Framingham Number of Pages: 822

Author: Temple, J. H. (Josiah Howard), 1815-1893
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Framingham, Pub. by the town of Framingham
Number of Pages: 822