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The Dartmouth Purchase

Tract of lands now called the Towne of Dartmouth was bought and purchased of Wosamequen and Wamsutta the Indian Sachems as by a writing Dated November the 29th one Thousand six hundred fifty and two

MD 4:3:185+
Transcribed from the Original Records,
by George Ernest Bowman

A writing appointed to bee Recorded as followeth Att a generall meeting of the Purchasers att Plymouth the seaventh of march 1652 It was ordered and fully agreed unto and Concluded by the whole that all that Tract and tracts of lands lying from the Purchassers bounds on the west side of Acoughcusse to a river called Accusshaneck and three miles to the Eastwards of the same; with all Lands meadows woods waters rivers Creekes and all appurtenances therunto belonging

Should bee given to those whose names are heerunder written Containing thirty four shares and was then given alloted Assigned and sett over to them by the whole to have and to hold to them and their heires and Assignes for ever; to Devide and Dispose of the same as they should see good; and they are to Satisfy the Indians for the Purchase therof and to beare all other Due Charges that shall any way arise about the same
According to their severall proportions

Wheras these Purchasers whoe by agreement of the whole had theire proportions of Purchase land falling unto them in the places above mencioned whoe by agreement had theire severall names entered into a list (together with some other old Comers) under the hand of the honored Govr: late Deceased they Did Desire that the list of theire Names might bee recorded; but the above written originall list of Names and the agreement Could not bee found in some yeares; soe that it was Judged lost These purchasers notwithstanding still Desiring that what was theire right might bee recorded; wherupon order was given by the aforsaid Govr that it might bee Done; in which record for want of the originall list; the Names of some are entered Contrary to the originall graunt and agreement of the Purchasers . as appeers by it; and alsoe by Divers other purchasers as well as themselves; which is an occasion of some Difference already; and may bee of more; Therfore it is ordered by the Generall Court held att Plymouth the 8th of Jue 1660: that the abovesaid originall List should bee entered and the other to stand in the booke not Defaced but to bee void null and of none effect

* (Bowman) A careful study of the Dartmouth records and the Plymouth Colony Deeds shows that this grant was not made to a living Peter Brown, but to the heirs of "Peter Browne deceased."

The names of those whoe by order of the Purchasers mett att Plymouth the seaventh Day of march 1652 whoe by Joynt consent and agreement of the said purchasers are to have theire prtes shares or proportions att the place or places commonly called and knowne by the names of Acushena alias acquessent which entereth in att the westeren end of Neckatay and to Coaksett alias acoakius and places adjacent; the bounds of which Tract fully to extend 3 miles to the Eastward of the most Easterly prte of the river or Bay called Acushena aforsaid; and soe alonge the seaside to the river called Coaksett; lying on the west side of point prrill and to the most westermost side of any branch of the aforsd river and to extend eight miles into the woods; The said Tract or tracts of Land soe bounded as abovesaid which is purchased of the Indians which were the right proprietors therof; as appeers by a Deed under theire hands with all the mershes meadows rivers waters woods Timbers; and all other profitts privilidges emunities comodities and appurtenances belonging to the said Tract or Tracts above expressed or any prte or prcell therof to belonge unto the prties whose names are underwritten (whoe are in number thirty four whole prtes or shares and noe more) to them and their heires and assignes for ever;