Historical Town Documents

Purchase of land from Indians

Index of Deeds
Shows first land purchases of "Hassanamisco" from Indians
Copies of the deeds are said to be on deposit at the Massachusetts Archives.
Source: Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, Boston (Index Book 10, Page 92)

___________________________________________

The treaty and exact copy of original deed in which the"40 Petitioners" purchased 7500 acres called Hassanamisco from the Indian natives in 1727 for 2500 Pounds.
8 years later in 1735 this land was incorporated as Grafton.
Source: "History of Grafton"

Page 36/37

Page 38/39

Page 40/41

Page 42/43

___________________________________________________________

Town Incorporation Document
Chapter 20 of the Acts of 1734-1735

Photograph of the ACTUAL DOCUMENT
The curator of the Massachusetts Archives in Boston (where it is on deposit)
allowed us to photograph it for this website in July 2000.
It is on animal skin, folded and about 6 inches wide by over 2 feet long when opened.

Text Photo of document

Detail of embossed seal at top (Greatly Enlarged) Also illegible on document __________ Below are detailed views of the photograph at left. *Click to enlarge*

___________________________________________________________

The Naming of the Town

Until 1732 the incorporators would typically choose a name, but after that time an incorporation would pass in blank, to be named by the governor.
Governor Belcher chose "Grafton" after Charles Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton

Charles Fitzroy

Charles Fitzroy Biography
( It is NOT what you're expecting to read )

___________________________________________________________

Guardians of Indians
Lists of accounts and correspondence
From the Massachusetts Archives - 2 pages found that pertain to Grafton

Home