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8
HISTORY OF FALMOUTH.
didn't you know that such sudden heats and colds would never do?" An Indian called "Tob" retained a tract of about 50 acres long after the natives around him had sold out.
It is an interesting question, -- How did our fathers acquire and establish their titles to the soil? It appears from the Old Colony records that when new settlements were commenced the lands were purchased of the natives with the consent of the court and each one squatted or settled where it best suited his convenience, having the greater part of the lands "in common." Owing to this loose way of doing things, controversies soon sprang up between companies living near each other, to obviate which, application was made to the government at Plymouth for grants establishing the boundaries and confirming to the settlers the various tracts they had obtained. But did our fathers deal truly and honorably with the Indians in the purchase of the soil? The following extract is from a letter of Gov. Winslow dated Marshfield, May 1, 1676, and found in Holmes' Annals. "I think I can clearly say that the English did not possess one foot of land in this colony but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors. We first made a law that none should purchase or receive of gift any land of the Indians without the knowledge of our Court. And lest they, should be straightened, we ordered that Mount Hope, Pocasset and several other necks of the best land in the colony, because most suitable and convenient for them, should never he bought out of their hands." * * -- The following record also illustrates the regard that was held for the rights of Indians: At a meeting held Aug. 23, 1704, Wequamquissett Neck was given to John Weeks, his heirs and assigns forever, "provided and on condition that the sd. John Weeks, his heirs and assigns, do forever hereafter save harmless and indem nitize the sd. Proprietors from the just claim of the heirs or generation of Weqecoxett, an Indian deceased, respecting a fformer liberty that was granted unto sd. Indians, or by them reserved for cutting of firewood on the common or undivided lands in sd.. Falmouth." [E. H. J.]
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