USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Indian deeds of Hampden County : being copies of all land transfers from the Indians recorded in the county of Hampden, Massachusetts, and some deeds from other sources, together with notes and translations of Indian place names > Part 7
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
Sighned and Sealed and Delivered in
the Presants of
Neuque his * mark & Seale
William Clarke Sen
Bohomitz his mark * and Seale
Masemet his mark * and Seale
Caleb Pumery
Ebenezer Pumery Wookenet his mark * & Seale
Ebenezer Miller Chanchquego his mark * & Seale
Benony Jons Whenonkca his mark * and Seale
Wee that are witnesses saw the Same indions mentioned in the Deed sett their marks heare unto allthough their names are not alike Spelld byreson that it was one of the
INDIAN DEEDS
107
indions that did wright som of them but thay did all one there Names as thay are in the Deed and sett to there sealls.
as witness William Jean and Micah Mudg Peter Jothro *
by mesemett & Pompmohock which ware the too indions which gave the agent Posession of the land as a bove expresed
Georg Alexander saw masemett and Pompmohock give posession of the Land above mentioned to Joseph Parsons Sen.
Memorandum that there was formerly as thay acknowl- eg and owne before wittnesses a Peacable Posession was given to the agent of Squakeheag, which was Joseph Par- sons Sen.
Notes to the Preceding Deed
ICoasock .- Koash-ock, "pine trees place." Modern name is Mill Brook.
2Quanatock .- Modern name is Miller's Brook.
-
108
INDIAN DEEDS
Parts of Granville and Southwick, Massachusetts and Granby, Connecticut
HAMPDEN COUNTY RECORDS
Liber A; Folio III
This present writing made the tenth day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Six hundred eighty Six Betwene James Cornish Senior of or belonging to Westfeild in the county of Hampshiere & in the Collony of the Massachusets of the one party & Toto an Indian Captaine now living neare Hartford in the collony of Connecticut, of the other party witnesseth that the said Toto Indian captaine being the true & lawfull heyre of certayne tracts of land in severall parts of this countrey as being derived unto him from his Grandfather, Nassajcowan & Taquiamson & Unquiram his father hath by these Presents given granted aliened & con- firmed & doth by these Presents give, grant, alien establish & confirme unto the above named James Cornish for good & loving considerations him hereunto mooving a certayne tract & parcell of land (lying & being now in Massachusets Collony) so supposed but never purchased from him or his predecessors contayning six myles square or the contents thereof, or thereabouts (bee it more or lesse) bounded by the land granted by the said Toto unto William Leet Esq. Southerly & by the land granted by him also unto John Williams of Windsor Northerly & runs Westerly towards housatunnick bounded by the mountaynes & Easterly by the land belonging to Westfeild or Springfeild by the high- way or Road running from the lower end of the Ponds 1 unto two Myle Brooke 2 neare Westfeild on a straight lyne all which the premises with all appurtenances previledges conveniencyes & immunities whatsever thereunto apper- tayning & belonging as Ponds, Rivers, Brookes, Springs streames marshes, swampes Trees, Bushes, Stones Rockes, mynes Mineralls & whatsoever shall any wayes appeare to be thereunto belonging] I the said Toto doe give grant con-
109
INDIAN DEEDS
firme establish & ratify unto the said James Cornish his heyres executores assignes for ever to have hold possesse & enjoy as his & their owne propper right title & interest lawfully quietly & peaceably without any lett hindrance disturbance or molestation & doe hereby declare (at the ensealing & delivery hereof) my just & true right & title thereunto & every part & parcell thereof against all persons whatsover for by or under mee or under any pretence what- soever shall lay any clayme or challenge any right or title to the premises or any part thereof. And I doe hereby acquit the said James Cornish his heyres & assignes & dis- charge & otherwise well & truly save harmlesse the said James Cornish his heyres & assignes * ' * of & from all & all manner of all former & other gifts grants bargaines sales Leases mortgages joyntures Dowryes extente judg- ments executions forfeitures fynes or amercents & from all other titles troubles charges demands & incumbrances what- soever had made committed suffered omitted or done by mee the said Toto my heyres or assignes or by any person or persons what soever clayming right by from or under us or any of us or by any of our meanes act consent privity or procuremt & lastly I doe give unto the said James Cor- nish his heyres & assignes full right to enrowle & record the premises & every part & parcell thereof to himselfe & his heyres & assignes for ever. In witnesse whereof the said Toto have signed sealed & delivered this writing with my owne hand even the day & yeare first above written.
* The mark of wth seal affixed in the presence of - Toto
Signed Sealed & DIld.
Bartholomew Barnard John Allyn
Totoe personally appeared in Hartford June 28th 1686 & acknowledged the above written to bee his free & volun- tary act & Deed before mee John Allyn Assist of his Majies collony of Connecticutt
This is a true Record recorded by mee James Cornish Clerk of Hampshire this 25th of March 1689.
S
)
S -
1
7
T
IIO
INDIAN DEEDS
Notes to the Preceding Deed
ICongamuck Lakes.
Modern name is Great Brook.
1
t
0
III
INDIAN DEEDS
Part of Brimfield, Monson, Palmer and Warren [?]
HAMPDEN COUNTY RECORDS Liber D; Folio 237
Know all Men By These Presents that we John Magus Lawrence Massowanno, attorneys to Annogomok Sachem of the tract of land Called Wombemesscock; James & Simon, Sons & heirs of black James Sachem of the Nipmug Coun- trey For divers Good Causes & Considerations us thereunto moveing; and more Especially for & In Consideration of ye Sum of Twenty Pounds Currant money of New England to us In hand Paid by Joshua Lambe, Nath. Paige, andrew Gardiner, Benja Gamblin, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtis Richard Draper, & Samuel Rugglesof Roxberry In the County of Suffolk; In New England ye Receipt whereof we do here- by acknowledge our Selves therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid; have given granted bargained Sold aliened Enfeofed & Confirmed and by these Presents, do fully freely & absolutely give grant bargain Sell alien En- feosse & Confirm Unto sd Lambe, Paige Gardiner, Gamblin, Tucker, Curtis, Draper Ruggles their heirs & assignes a Certain tract or parcell of land Containing by Estimation Twelve miles long North & South; & Eight miles wide East & west Scituate lying & being Near Quabaug Com- monly known by the Name of Wombemesiscock: being butted & bounded Southerly upon the land of Joseph Dud- ley Esq' lately Purchased of the Indians, Easterly the Southernmost Cornor upon a Pond called Sasagooka Paug & Soe by a brook which Runneth Into the sd Pond & Soe up Northerly unto a place Called Wequaes I & Soe still Northerly untill It meets with a River Menamesick & westerly by the River untill it come Against Quabaug bounds and Joynes unto their bounds, or however; or however otherwise butted & bounded; Together with all & Singu- lar ye rights Commodities Liberties Privilidges & appur- tenances whatsoever: to the Same belonging or however otherwise appertaining To Have & to Hold the sª tract or
II2
INDIAN DEEDS
parcel of land Scituate, Containing & being as aforesd Lamb paige Gardiner Gamblin Tucker Curtis Draper & Ruggles their heirs & assignes In Common tenancy ; to their only propper use behoofe for Ever: and the ª John Magus lawrence Nascowanno attorneys as afored James & Simon heirs of Black James as aforesd Do Covenant Promise & Grant for themselves heirs Executors & administrators, to & with the sd Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Paige, Andrew Gardiner Benjamin Gamblin, Benjamin Tucker, Richard Draper & Samuel Ruggles their heirs & assignes, that they will the above Granted & Bargained land & Every Part & Parcel thereof with their & Every of their appurtenances warrant & defend from all & Every Person & Persons what- soever Claiming any Right or title thereto or Interest there- in by or under us. In Witness whereof the d John Magus, Lawrence Nascowanno attorneys of afored James & Simon have hereunto Set their hands & Seales This Twenty Sev- enth day of December Anno Domini One Thousand Six hundred Eighty & Six Annoq" Jacobi Secundi Angliae vea Secunda.
Signed Sealed & delivered In Presence of Us John Gardiner Samuel Auay
John Magus and Seale Lawrence (his * mark) Naso- wanno & Seal a
James his * mark & Seale Simon his * mark & Seale Anogemag his * mark & Seale
John Magus, James & Simon Indians, Subscribers to this Instrument Personally appearing acknowledged the Same to be their act & deed, June 25 1687 before me William Stoughton
on the: 7th day of May: 1723: This deed was Received; & was then here Registered from the original
John Pynchon Regt.
II3
INDIAN DEEDS
Notes to the Preceding Deed
It is impossible to accurately locate this tract. Menamesick, the north- ern boundary, is Ware River, and if the tract was twelve miles from north to south it must have been west of Brookfield. This evidence is strengthened by the fact that the purchasers of the land began a settlement near Palmer. The purchase was made without the sanction of the General Court, and although in 1626-7, a petition was presented to the Court, confirmation was refused. After various petitions, in 1732, a grant of a tract six miles square was allowed which corresponds with the territory occupied by the town of Hardwick. This accounts for the fact that this deed is recorded in the Proprietors Book of that town. In the copy in the Proprietors Book, Wombemesiscock is given as Wombemesiscook; Wequaes as Ueques and Menamesick as Nenameseck.
In 1750, the territory occupied by the town of Hardwick was challenged by Hendrick Kequoquau, Adam Mahtaunkaumut and Mhtockaumunt, three Stockbridge Indians who claimed the land through Brookfield Indians. It was shown that they had no interest in the Hardwick land, but had in mind a tract about Coy's Hill in the north part of Warren.
"Wequaes or Ueques .- "The end."
II4
INDIAN DEEDS
Part of Bernardston, Northfield and Warwick, Massachusetts, Vernon, Vermont and Winchester, New Hampshire
FROM THE TOWN RECORDS OF NORTHFIELD
THE INDIAN DEED
To All Christon People to Whome this Presants Shall Come know yee that Nawelet Gongequa Aspiambemett had- dar awanset Meganichcha wee the Indions Mentioned and for Good Consideration Moveing us heare unto and in Par- tickelor in Consideration of the Sum of fortey five Pound in Trade Goods all Redey in hand payd or secured to satis- faction the Said Indions Above exprest Doe for them selves there executors and administrators doe Give Grant Bargin and Sell and by the Presants firmly pass over a sarten Par- sell of Land Lying in the bounds of Northfield unto William Clarke Sen' and John King Sen' both of Northampton being Agents for the propriators of Northfield which is bounded as foloweth. viz-Southerly Againstt a River Called Cowas I being one the east Side of the Great River and soe Running Directly over the great River the Northerly Side Running to a river one the West Side of the Great River Called wanascatok. 2 Lying twelve miles wide Six Mills Wide one each side of the Great River All which Parsell of
Land Acording as it is heare bounded With All the prive- liges benifitts advantages Commodateys and a Purtenances there one and there unto bee Longing the Said Nawelet Gongequa aspiambemett Haddar awansett Meganichcha Doe by these presants for them selves there heirs executors Administreators freely and fulley Give Grant bargain alinat sell and pass over unto William Clarke and John King as agents for Northfield Proprietars to bee to them theire heirs executors Administerators and assighns To Have And To Hold Fore ever Quietly and Peasabley Posess and With out aney Lett Trouble Hinderans or Molestation by throu
II5
INDIAN DEEDS
or under us or our Heirs executors Administrators or from or by aney parson or Parsons throu Means heare by Relin- quishing and yelding up all Right Tittle Clame and Interist to the Said Land or aney Part thereof heare by Giveing to the Said William Clarke and john King Quieat and Peasable Posession of the Premises and further the Said Nawelet Gongequa Aspiambemett haddarawanset Meganichcha Doth Covenant Promis and Ingaege that the Lands are free and Cleare from all former bargins Sales leases tittles or inherit- ants Judgments Condemn * executions or Any other Incumberans What so ever and at the time of the salle heare of wee ware proper and Lawfull owners of the premises the * * * the said William Clarke and John King may * * to themselves or make over by Will or Deed * * other and to further Wee ingage to acknoleg this bee our act and Deed beefore athoratey when called there unto And further May bee Needfull to Confirm this our act and Deed of Salle that wee will readely and Cheare- fully Doe it and for the Confiermation heare of the said Nawelet Gongequa Aspiambemett haddarawanset Meg- anichcha have heare unto Sett there hands and Sealls this thirteenth Day of August in the Yeare of our Lord one thousand Six Hundered and eighty Seven.
Sighned Sealed and Delivered in the Presants of
Jonathan Hunt
Preserved Clap Wm Clarke Jun
Peter Jethro
Joseph Atherton
Isaac Chauncey
Nawelet his * mark and Seale Gongequa his * mark and Seale Aspiambemett his * mark and Seale Haddarawansett his * mark and Seale Meganichcha his * mark and Seale
Notes to the Preceding Deed
ICowas .- This is the same as Coasock. See note on page 107.
2Wanascatok .- "The ending stream." This is Broad Brook which enters the Connecticut river near the north line of Vernon, Vermont.
II6
INDIAN DEEDS
Sheffield, Great Barrington and part of Stockbridge and Lee
FROM THE BOOK OF RECORDS OF THE LOWER HOUSATONIC PROPRIETARY
Know all Men by these presents that we, Conkepot Poneyote Partarwake Naurnauquin Waenenocow Nawnaus- quan Cauconaughfeet Nonamcaunet Naunhamiss Sunk- hunk Popaqua Taunkhonkpus Tartakim Sauncokehe Can- cannap Sunkiewe Nauheag Mauchewaufeet John VanGilder Pinaskenet all of Housatonack allias Westonook, in New England, in ye province of ye Massachusetts Bay : for & in consideration of a valuable sum well secured by bond viz Four Hundred and Sixty Pounds Three Barrels of Sider & thirty quarts of Rum: bearing date with these Presents, under ye hand & seal of Capt John Ashley of Westfield in ye County of Hampshire ; we have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed & confirmed, and doe by these pres- ents, fully, clearly and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, allinate, convey & confirm unto Col John Stoddard, Capt John Ashley, Capt Henry Dwight & Capt Luke Hitchcock, Esqrs, all in the County of Hampshire, Committee appointed by ye General Court to purchase a certain Tract of land lying upon Housatonack River, allias Westonook, in order for the settling two towns there, and unto such as ye Com- mittee have or shall admit in order for ye settling of said Towns, to them, their Heirs & assigns a certain Tract or parcel of land, Meadow, swamp & upland lying on ye River afore- said butted & bounded as followeth, viz: Southardly upon ye divisional line between the Province of Massachusetts Bay: and the colony of Connecticut in New England West- ardly on ye patten or colony of New York, northardly upon ye Great mountain known by ye name of Manskuseehoank
II7
INDIAN DEEDS
and Eastardly to run Four miles from ye aforesaid River and in a general way so to extend Furthermore it is to be understood that ye abovesaid Indians reserve to themselves within the aforesaid Tract of land, described by bounds and butments, Southardly on a Brook on ye west side Housa- tonack River, known by the name of Mannanpenokcan and Northardly to a small brook lying between ye aforesaid Brook and ye River called Wampanikseeport allias White River: viz All ye land between ye aforesaid Brooks from said Westonook River extending unto ye patten of the Colleny of New York Together with a clear Meadow, be- tween the aforesaid small Brook extending Northardly unto ye aforesaid White River; viz, the aforesaid Indians reserve to themselves all ye land between ye Brooks running due West line from ye mouth of sd Brooks unto ye patten of ye Colleny of New York aforesaid And we ye aforesaid Indians doe for ourselfs, our heirs Executors & Administrators, Covenant promise and grant to & with the aforesaid Com- mittee & such as they have or shall admit of for Planters of sd Townships That before the ensealing hereof, we ye sd Indians are ye true, sole & lawful owners of ye aforegranted premises and are lawfully seized and possessed of the same in our own proper right, as a good perfect & absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple, and have in ourselfs good right, full power & lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, convey & confirm sd bargained premises in manner aforesaid And ye sd Committee & such as they shall or may admit for In- habitants of sd Townshipps to them their heirs and assigns shall & may from time to time and at all times hereafter by virtue of these Presents, lawfully & peacibly occupie, Possess and enjoy the said bargained Premises with all ye appurtenances, free & clear, and clearly & freely acquitted & discharged of, from all & all manner, former & other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, Jointures, Mortgages, Wills, De- vises & Incumbrances whatsoever And furthermore We the sd Indians, for ourselfs and for sd Heirs, Executors & Ad- ministrators doe covenant & engage to secure & defend ye sd bargained Premises unto them the aforesaid Committee, and to such persons as the sd Committee have or shall admit
I18
INDIAN DEEDS
in order to ye settling sd Towns, to them or their Heirs & Assigns forever against ye the lawful claims & demands of any Person or Persons whatsoever In witness whereof, we the aforesaid Indians have hereunto set our hands and seals this 25th day of April, in ye tenth year of his Majisty's rign and in ye year of or one thousand seven hundred & twenty four:
Signed, sealed & deld
in presence of us
Conreat Borghghart
Benjamin Smith
John Gun Jun
Samuel Bartlett
Conkepot,
his mark * seal
Poneyote,
his mark * seal
Pota wakeont,
his mark * seal
Naunausquan,
his mark * seal
Wanenocow,
his mark
* seal
Naunauquin,
his mark * seal
Conconaughpeet,
his mark * seal
Nonaucauneet,
his mark *
seal
Paunopescennot,
his mark
* seal
Covconofeet,
his mark * seal
Naunhamiss,
his mark * seal
Sunkhonk,
his mark
* seal
Popaqua,
his mark
* seal
Taunkhonkpus,
his mark * seal
Tatakim,
his mark
* seal
Saunkokehe,
his mark * seal
Cancanwap,
his mark * seal
Saunkewenaugheag,
his mark * seal
Manchewanfeet,
his mark * seal
John Vangilder,
his mark * seal
Ponaskenet,
his mark * seal
The aforesaid is a Copy of ye Deed given by the Indians for ye Housatonack Land Examined by me
Ebener Pomroy by order
Acknowledged before John Ashly, J. P.
I19
INDIAN DEEDS
Notes to the Preceding Deed
It is unfortunate that it is impossible to accurately locate the bounds of this deed as it is the key to the bounds of many of the Berkshire county deeds. At this date the bounds of Connecticut as well as New York were unsettled. New York claimed all the land to the Connecticut River, while Massachusetts claimed to within twelve miles of the Hudson. The granted land was to be seven miles wide, and as the deed describes it as being four miles on the east side of the Housatonic River it must have run three miles west of the river which would make the New York line five miles further east than it now is.
The reserved land was bounded on the north by Green River (Wam- panikseeport) which at that time entered the Housatonic quite a little south of the present mouth, and the north line of the town of Sheffield is approxi- mately the north line of the reserved land, while the south line was about five-eighths of a mile below.
The Connecticut line was supposed to be about where it now is, but if the territory bought was only the fourteen miles granted by the General Court the south boundary was quite a little north of the present Connecticut line as the north boundary was Rattlesnake Mountain (Manskuseehoank) in Stockbridge.
I20
INDIAN DEEDS
Charlemont and parts of Ashfield, Buckland, Colrain, Florida, Hawley, Heath, Monroe, Rowe and Savoy
HAMPDEN COUNTY RECORDS Liber H; Folio 406
To All People to whom these Presents Shall come Greet- ing Know ye That we Mauhammetpeet wife of Fiahpuhcau- min and Mequnnisqua Indian Women of the Scauhtecook Tribe for and Consideration of the Sum of Fifty Pounds in Bills of Credit of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay to us in hand before the Ensealing hereof well and truly paid by John Stoddard Esq. and Capt Israel Williams a Comittee Appointed and Authorized by the Great and General Court or Assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England to Bargain for and Purchase the Land here- after mentioned and Described The Receipt whereof We do hereby Acknowledge and our Selves therewith fully Sat- isfied and Contented Have Bargained Sold Conveyed and Confirmed and Do by these Presents Sell Convey and Con- firm to Jeremiah Allen Esqr. of Boston in the County of Suffolk in the Province aforesaid Treasurer of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid and to his Successor or Successors in Trust for the use and Benefit of sd. Province a certain Tract or Parcel of Land lying and being within sd. Province West of Deerfield and is upon the Main Branch of Deerfield River or as it is commonly Called Deerfield River And is Bounded as follows (viz) East at the mouth of North River So Called where it Empties it Self into Deer- field River Extending up said River, or west to the Great Mountain and is Bounded west at the foot of the mountain that Seperates and Divides the waters that flow from thence East into Connecticutt River and West into Hudsons River And it is about Ten Miles from the mouth of North River to the foot of Said Mountain Extending north five miles
I2I
INDIAN DEEDS
from Said River South also five miles from Said River which Tract of Land Descended to us from our Grandmother Ohweemin an Indian of the Scauhtecook Tribe To have and To hold to him the said Jeremiah Allen Esq'. and to his Successor or Successors in the Capacity aforesaid in Trust for the Use and Benefit of Said Province for ever the aforesaid Tract of Land with all the Priviledges & Appur- tenances whatsoever to the Same belonging or in any wise appertaining Hereby avouching We are the true Owners of the Same and have in Our Selves good Right to Sell Alienate and Convey the same hereby relinquishing and forever quitting Claim to all the right Title and Interest that we have or may have to the Premises And we the said Fiahpuhcaumin and Weesauwiah & Pauch-Tauwaypeet Children of the said Fiahpuhcaumin And Mauhammetpeet aforesd. Do hereby Consent to the Aforesd. Disposition of Said Land Relinquishing all the Right Title Challenge and Interest that We have or may have to the premises by any Descents whatsoever. In Witness of all which we have here- unto Set our hands or marks and affixed our Seals this Sixth day of August in the Ninth Year of the Reign of George the Second King &c Annoque Donnique 1735
Signed Sealed and Delivered to John Stoddard Esq. and Capt Israel Williams for the use and Benefit
of the Province aforesaid
In Presence of us Ebenezor Hinsdell Elijah Williams Tho'. Wells 2nd Jno Hastings
her Mauhammetpeet * and Seal mark
her Mequnnisqua * and Seal mark his Fiahpuhcaumin * and Seal mark his Weesauwiah * and Seal mark
his Pauch Tauwaypeet * and Seal mark
I22
INDIAN DEEDS
Hampshire SS. Fort Dummer Aug 6th 1735
Then the Subscribers to the above written Instrument personally appeared before me and Acknowledged the above- said Instrument to be their Act and Deed
Coram Joseph Kellogg Justice of Peace Recª Sep' 3ª 1735 And Recorded from the original
123
INDIAN DEEDS
Confirmation of the Preceding Deed
HAMPDEN COUNTY RECORDS Liber H; Folio 408
To All People to whom this Present Writing Shall come Greeting We the Subscribers Indians of the Scauhtecook Tribe whose Ancestors habitations were by or near unto Connecticutt River in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay Do hereby Acknowledge Testifie and Declare that Mau- hammetpeet wife of Fiahpuhcaumin and Mequnnisqua Indians of the Scauhtecook Tribe are the true Sole and rightful Owners of the Land hereafter described Bounded as follows the Said Land lying upon Deerfield River so called East at the mouth of North River So called where it Empties it Self into Deerfield River Extending up Said River or West about Ten Miles and is Bounded West at the Bottom of the Great Mountain that Seperates the Waters that flow from thence East into Connecticutt River and West into Hud- sons River Extending North five Miles from Deerfield River South also five Miles into the Wilderness Which Said Land Descended to the Said Mauhammetpeet and Mequnnisqua from their Grandmother Ohweemin of the Scauhtecook Tribe And We Do further Declare to our Certain Knowledge that no Indian or Indians of what Name or Nation Soever has any Just right Challenge or Interest to or in the above- said Tract of Land In Witness of all which We Set to our Marks and affix our Seals this Sixth Day of August Anno- que Domini 1735
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.