Bonds for settlers at Paquoig and Ashuelot River [Massachusetts General Court Committee to Settle New Western Towns]
Bonds for settlers at Paquoig and Ashuelot River, 1734.
Call no.: CO91/2265X
Scope and Content: Resolves 1732-33, c 125 provided for the appointment of a committee of the General Court of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay to survey lands at Paquoig (now Athol, Mass.) and on the upper and lower Ashuelot River (now Swanzey and Keene, N.H.), for the purpose of establishing towns on those sites. An additional committee was to be appointed to admit settlers to the towns (Resolves 1733-34, c 125 and c 198). Such settlers were to live on their land within three years of admission, to build a house according to specifications, to till or fit for mowing eight acres, and to give bond of twenty pounds to the committee to be paid in case of failure to perform these requirements. Series consists of completed printed forms stating this obligation, and signed/sealed by the settler and signed by witnesses. All three localities are represented. All documents (19) are dated June 26, 1734. For additional (4) bonds see: Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Massachusetts archives collection ((M-Ar)45X), v, 114, p. 99-102. For additional legislation relating to these settlements see Resolves 1733-34, c 82, 182, 184, and 210.
Restrictions: Restricted as fragile; access by permission of state archivist or curator of Massachusetts Archives only
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