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The
History of The standard reference on the history of Norwich, Connecticut is Frances Manwaring Caulkins’ History of Norwich Connecticut From Its Possession By the Indians, To the Year 1866 (1660-1866), published in 1874. It can be found at most genealogical libraries, and is also available electronically from Digital Editions <http://www.digital-editions.com/NORWICH.htm> and on microfiche from Ancestor Spy <http://www.ancestorspy.com/ct/fiche/0619.htm>. An online version of the book (incomplete) can be found at Google Books. For reference and links on the various surnames and families
of The deed for the town of Norwich (originally
“Mohegan”): Know all men that Onkos, Owaneco, Attawanhood, Sachems of Mohegan have Bargained, sold, and passed over, and doe by these presents sell and pass over unto the towne and Inhabitants of Norwich nine miles square of land lying and being at Mohegan and the parts thereunto adjoyneing, with all ponds, rivers. woods, quarries, mines, with all royalties, privileges, and appurtenaces thereunto belonging, to them the said inhabitiants of Norwich, theire heirs and successors forever--from thence the line run nor north east nine miles, and on the East side the afores’d river to the southward the line is to joyne with New London bounds as it is now laid out and soe to run east two miles from the foresd river, nor norwest nine miles to meet with the western line. In consideration whereof the sd Onbkos, Owanexo and Attawanhood doe acknowledge to have received of the parties aforesd the full and juste sum of seventy pounds and doe promise and engage ourselves, heirs and successors, to warrant the sd bargain and sale to the aforesd parties, their heirs and successors, and them to defend from all claimes and molestations from any whatsoever. In witness whereof we have hereunto set out to our hands this 6th of June, Anno 1659. Unkos Owaneco Attawanhood Witness hereunto, John Mason, Thomas Tracy The thirty-five
original proprietors of Norwich, Connecticut:
The Patent of
the Town of Norwich: Whereas the General Court of Connecticut have forever
granted unto the proprietors and Inhabitants of the Towne of Norwich all
those lands, both meadows and uplands within these abuttments (viz.) from the
mouth of Tradeingcove Brooke the line to run as the Brooke to the head of the
Brooke to a white oake marked N: and from thence west nortwesterly to a great
pond to a black oake marked N: wich stands neere the mouth of the great
Brooke that runs out of the pond to Norwich river, which is about seven miles
from the said Tradeing Cove; and from thence the line runns North noreast
nine miles to a Black oake standing by the river side on the south of it, a
little above maumeagway, and from thence the line runs south southeasterly
nine miles to a white oake standing by a brooke marked N: and then the line
runs south southwesterly nine miles to a white oake neere Robert Allyn &
Thomas Rose's Dwelling houses, which tree is marked N: and from thence
westerly as New London Bounds runs to Mohegen river, the whole being nine
miles square, the said land haveing been by purchase or otherwise lawfully
obtayned of the Indian natives proprietors. -- And whereas, the said
Inhabitants and proprietors of the sd Norwich in the Colony of Connecticutt
have made application to the Governor and Company of the sd Colony of
Conecticutt assembled in Court May 2th, 1685, that they may have a patent for
the confirmation of the aforesd land, so purchased and granted to them as
aforesaid, and which they have stood seized, and quietly possesd of for many
years late past without interuption. Now for a more full confirmation of the
aforesd unto the present proprietors of the sd Towneship of Norwich in their
possession and injoyment of the premises, know yea that the sd Governour and
Company assembled in Generall Court according to the Commission Granted to
them by his magestie's charter, have given and granted and by these presents
doe give, grant Rattifie and confirme unto Mr. James Fitch senr, Capt. James
Fitch, Mr. Benjamine Brewster, Lieut. Thomas Tracy, Lieut. Tho. Leffingwell,
Mr. Christopher Huntington, Mr. Simon Huntington, Ensign Wm. Backus, Mr.
Thomas Waterman, Mr. John Burchard and Mr. John Post, and the rest of the
said present proprietors of the township of Norwich, their heirs, suckcessors
and assigns forever; the aforesaid parcell of land as it is Butted and
Bounded toghether will all the woods, meadows, pastures, ponds, waters,
rivers, islands, fishings, huntings, fowleings, mines, mineralls, quarries,
and precious stones, upon or within the said tract of land, and all other
proffitts and comodities therunto belonging, or in any wayes appertaining;
and Doe also grant unto the aforesaid Mr. James Fitch senr, Capt. James Fitch
Mr. Benjamine Brewster, Lieut. Thomas Tracy, Lieut. Tho. Leffingwell, Mr.
Christopher Huntington, Mr. Simon Huntington, Ensign Wm. Backus, Mr. Thomas
Waterman, Mr. John Burchard and Mr. John Post, and the rest of the
proprietors, Inhabitants of Norwich, their heirs, successors and assigns
forever, that the foresd tract of land shall be forever hereafter deemed,
reputed and be an intire towneship of itself -- to have and to hold the said
tract of land and premises with all and singuler their appurtenances,
together with the priviledges and immunities and franchises herein given and
granted unto the sayd Mr. James Fitch senr, Capt. James Fitch, Mr. Benjamine
Brewster, Lieut. Thomas Tracy, Lieut. Tho. Leffingwell, Mr. Christopher
Huntington, Mr. Simon Huntington, Ensign Wm. Backus, Mr. Thomas Waterman, Mr.
John Burchard and Mr. John Post, and other the present proprietors,
Inhabitants of Norwich, theire heirs successors, and assignes for ever, and
to the only proper use and behoofe of the sayd Mr. James Fitch senr, Capt. James
Fitch, Mr. Benjamine Brewster, Lieut. Thomas Tracy, Lieut. Tho. Leffingwell,
Mr. Christopher Huntington, Mr. Simon Huntington, Ensign Wm. Backus, Mr.
Thomas Waterman, Mr. John Burchard and Mr. John Post, and other proprietors,
inhabitants of Norwich, their heirs, successors, and assigns for ever
according to the Tenor of East Greenwich in Kent, in free and common soccage
and not in capitto, nor are they capable according to the custom of the
country, yielding, rendering and paieing therefore our sovereign Lord the
king, his heires and successors, his dues according to Charter. In witness
whereof, we have caused the Seale of the Colony to be hereunto affixed this
twenty-first of May, 1685, in the year of the reigne of our sovereign lord
James the Second, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and
Ireland, King, Defender of the faith. Robert Treat, Governor. {SEAL} March 30th, 1687, pr order of the Govr &
Compony of the Colony of Connecticut. Signed pr John Allyn, Secrety. Entered in the pub. records, Lib. D: fo. 138, 139, Novr 27th, 1685 pr John Allyn, Secrety. |