Description:

Cononial Connecticut
Stonington, CT, ca. 1673; 1730s
1673 Land Purchase in Colonial Connecticut
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[CONNECTICUT.] Joseph Palmer, Autograph Document Signed, Copy of Land Record, May 5, 1673, copy ca. 1730s, [Stonington, Connecticut]. 1 p., 7.5" x 6.75". Mounted to another sheet; some separations along folds; small loss at intersection of folds, affecting one word; general toning; irregular edges.

This copy from the 1730s records a land transaction first recorded in May 1673. John Stanton sold Thomas Wheeler one hundred acres of land in Stonington, Connecticut, which was surveyed or viewed by Selectmen Samuel Chesebrough and John Gallup. Wheeler had moved to Stonington six years earlier and acquired nearly 4,000 acres through grants and purchases like this one. He soon became the largest landholder in the town.

The original transaction was recorded by Recorder Thomas Minor in 1673, and Town Clerk Joseph Palmer made this copy between 1729 and 1742.

Complete Transcript
The 29th day of Aprill 73 A hundred Acors or Land Layed out to Mr Thomas Whelar Pirchesed of Mr John Stanton it is Bounded as followeth beging at an Ash Tree Marked on four Sids & So Runing four Score Rods to a grate white oak tree Marked on four Sids and So Runing North and be East Nearest Eaight Score Rods to a white oak Tree Marked on four Sids and from thence East and be South Nearest four Score Rods Neare to the Minorr Line and from thence South and be West Nearest bounded by the Minor Land Eaight Score Rods to a White oak Tree Marked on four Sids and from thence bounded by Stoney Brook four Score Rods to an Ash Tree marked on four Sids & from thence West Norwest nearest ten Rods to the afor Said ash tree all [Concurant?] hig Ways Exempted as Witnis our Hands
Saml Chesbrough } Town
John Gallup } Salmain [Selectmen?]
This Tracts of Land was Recorded ye 5th of May 1673
? Mr Thos Minor Recorder
A trew Coppy of Record
Test Joseph Palmer Town Clerk

Historical Background

Thomas Wheeler (1602-1686) was born in Bedfordshire, England. In 1635, he married Mary Beckley (1620-1674) in England and migrated to the American colonies. They had at least three children while living in Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1667, they moved to Stonington, Connecticut, where he received several large tracts of land and purchased more until he owned nearly 4,000 acres, making him the largest landholder in the Stonington Township. He was elected constable and selectman and was one of the Stonington representatives to the General Court in 1673. He was also one of the nine organizers of the First Congregational Church of Stonington in 1674.

John Stanton (1641-1713) was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Around 1651, his merchant father moved the family to near Stonington, Connecticut, to trade with the Pequots. In 1664, he married Hannah Thompson, and they had at least six children. Also in 1664, he became the first Recorder of the town of Southertown, Massachusetts (Stonington, Connecticut, after 1666). He served as a captain in King Philip's War (1675-1676), studied for a time at Harvard College, and became an Indian interpreter for the Connecticut colony. He served as town clerk for Stonington from 1666 to 1669 and again from 1674 to 1699.

Samuel Chesebrough (1627-1673) was born in Lincolnshire, England, and emigrated in 1630 to Boston. He lived there and in Braintree and Rehoboth, Massachusetts, before moving to Stonington, Connecticut. There in 1655, he married Abigail Ingraham in 1655, and they had seven children. He was one of the founders of Stonington in 1659, signed the Pawcatuck Articles of Association in 1658, and was elected Constable and Selectman in 1660. He served as deputy to the General Court for six terms (1665-1666, 1670-1673).

John Gallup (1620-1675) was born in Dorset, England, and migrated to Boston in 1633. He was engaged in the coastwise trade with his father. In 1637, he fought with the Massachusetts forces in the Pequot Wars. In 1651, he received a grant in New London, Connecticut, where he built a house. He later received 700 acres of land for his and his father's services to Massachusetts. He was one of the early settlers of Stonington and served as a selectman (1664-1668, 1671, 1673) and represented Stonington in the General Court (1665, 1667). During King Philip's War, he served as captain of the first company of Connecticut forces at the Great Swamp Fight in Rhode Island, where he was killed.

Thomas Minor (1608-1690) was born in Somerset County, England, and migrated aboard the ship Arabella in 1630. He married Grace Palmer (1612-1690) in 1634 in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and they had at least seven children. In 1636, they moved to Hingham. Several years later, they moved south to the Wequetequock area of present-day Stonington, Connecticut. In 1653, he bought land west of Stonington, near Mystic, and built a house there. In 1669, he was chosen as a selectman, town treasurer, and town recorder. He was elected as Stonington deputy to the General Court four times. His diary, covering the years from 1653 to 1684, was published in 1899 and is an important and unique source for life in New England in the seventeenth century.

Joseph Palmer (1717-1791) was born in Stonington, Connecticut Colony, and became a doctor, famous for his skill. He was also well-versed in legal processes and did a large amount of legal work. He served as town clerk for Stonington from 1729 to 1742. In 1738, he married Zipporah Billings (1715-1765), and they had at least nine children.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.5" x 6.75"
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