Hassanamisco Indian Deed to 40 Massachusetts Bay Families, 1727/28. Manuscript Document Signed with the marks and small paper seals of Hassanamisco Indians Ami Printer, Moses Printer, Andrew Abraham, Peter Mukamug, Sarah Mukamug, Christian Misco, Joshua Misco, and Ami Printer Junior, 3 pages, 15 x 9½ in., Hassanamisco, Suffolk County, March 19, 1727-28. The Indians, who were "Owners and proprietors of One Seventh part each of and in the Indian Native right of Land in Hassanamisco in the County of Suffolk…." grant the right "To purchase the Lands at Hassanamisco…containing about Seven thousand and five hundred acres…for the Settlement of Forty English families….[for] the Sum of Two thousand and five hundred pounds…." The Indian proprietors were to be given "An equal Dividend in sd. land with each of the purchasors…." The names of the 40 men buying the land are listed. Five men witnessed the Indians making their marks. The deed was recorded in Boston on July 2, 1728. The two sheets are bound with yellow thread. Overall toning and light soiling. Old tape repair at horizontal fold (split) on pages 2 and 4, affecting one line of text on pages 1 and 2 and one signature on page 3; right margin is tight and a bit tattered, but the script is bold and easily read. Hassanamisco was a Puritan Praying Indian Town, meaning that its inhabitants were Christian converts. Eight years after this deed was signed, Hassanamisco was incorporated as the town of Grafton.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 2,000.
Colonial and Revolutionary America
