INDIANS TO JOHN Howland ET AL. [Initial Deed for Saconesset]

 1661; DPL 11(2):61

                                                                 Prence Gov^r:

A Deed appointed to bee Recorded

     To all people to whom these p^rsents shall Come Quachatasett Kesepitt and Webcawett Indian Sagamores sendeth Greet &c

     Know yea that wee the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett Doe acknowlidge that for and in Consideration that for and in Consideration of the sume of fifty pounds to us in hand payed by m^r John howland seni^r : of Plymouth Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome of Barnstable; Capt: Nathaneell Thomas of Marshfeild and Abraham Peirse of Duxburrow all in the jurisdiction of Plymouth in New England in America wherwith wee the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett Doe acknowlidg ourselves Satisfyed Contented and fully payed; and therof and of every pte therof Doe exownarate acquitt and Discharge the aforsaid John howland Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraham Peirse them and every of them theire and every of theire heires and assignes for ever by these p^rsents ; have ffreely and absolutely bargained alianated and sold enfeofed and Confeirmed and by these p^rsents Doth bargaine sell enfeofe and Confeirme from us the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett and our heires to them the said John howland Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraham Peirse theire and every of theire heires and assignes forever all that Tract of land bounded from a place called Saconkquahunkcanett on the west side and upon a straight line to a tree marked by us the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett ; which said line is from the head of the pond as wee the said Sachems have marked it with our owne hands which said place is Called by the Name of Tataquett [Now Teaticket] ; and the lower bounds extend etc itselfe unto the sea; To have and to hold the aforsaid Tract of land with all and singulare the meddowes Marshes woods woods waters Rivers and Rivoletts heredetiments profitts privilidges & appurtenances belonging therunto or to any pte or pcell therof unto the said John howland Anthony Anable Isack Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraham Peirse to them and every of them theire and every of theire heires and assignes for ever; excepting a pcell or Tract of land within the above said Tract of land which is bounded on the westward side by a brooke and on the Eastward side by a Ceader Swamp and soe to the head of the pond the Generall Name of this above said Tract of land is Called and knowne both by English and Indians by the Name of Saconeesett ; The sd p^rmises with all and sin­gulare the appurtenances belonging therunto to bee holden as of his Ma^tie his mannor of Eastgreenwich in the Countey of Kent in ffree and Comon Soccage and not in Capite nor by Knight service by the Rents and services therof and therby Due and of Right accostomed with warrantice against all people whatsoever; that by our Right and title might Claime any Right title or enterest unto all or any pte of the above mentioned Tract or tracts of land excepting that which is excepted ; as abovesaid ; ffurthermore wee the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett Doe heerby Covenant promise and graunt that wee will make sale of Certaine meddowes and upland of a place that is neare to the abovementioned Tract of land which said place is Called by the Name of Oungowam ; and in the mean time Doe heerby promise and graunt That the aforsaid John howland Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraharn Peirse shall and may have free libertie ; they theire heires or assignes to Improve the the meddowes and Timbers theron for theire use; and likewise upon the head of theire line; and Doe heerby engage as aforsaid not to make sale therof nor of any pte therof to any pson whatsoever save onely unto the abovesaid John howland Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraham Peirse they or theire heires or assignes ; and not to allianate it to any pson or psons whatsoever from them morover wee the above said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett Doe heerby give liberty and graunt that it shall and may bee lawfull for the said John howland Anthony Anable Isacke Robinson Samuell ffuller Peter Blosome Nathaneell Thomas and Abraham Peirse they or any of them to Record these p^rsents or cause them to bee Recorded or enrowled in the Court Records att Plymouth aforsaid or in any other Court or place of publicke Records according to the usuall maner of enrowling evidences; In witnes wherof wee the said Quachatasett Kesepett and Webcawett have heerunto sett our hands and seales This first of Aprill Ann^o : Dom : 1661

Signed Sealed and                                                                                                               The marke of

Delivered in the                                                                                                                   Quachatasett

presence of us                                                                                                                      And a (seale)

Thomas Clarke

Thomas howes                       

[NOTE: This deed was followed up by a second, originally dated 2 Aug 1662, that was not officially acknowledged by the Colonial Court until the Indians had presented themselves before the Court on 9 Jul 1674 - images of the second deed and a translation follow]