Deed of the Dartmouth Territory, 1652

Detail of 1677 map of Massachusetts

New Plymouth, November the 29th 1652. 

Know all men by these presents, that I, Wesamequen, and Wamsutta my son, have sold unto Mr. William Bradford, Captain Standish, Thomas Southworth, John Winslow, John Cooke and their associates, the purchasers or old-comers, all the tract or tracts of land lying three miles eastward from a river called Cushenagg, to a certain harbour called Acoaksett, to a flat rock on the westerward side of said harbour. And whereas the said harbour divideth itself into severall branches, the westernmost arme to be the bound, and all the tract or tracts of land from the said westernmost arme to the said river of Cushenagg, three miles eastward of the same, with all the profits and benefits within the said tract, with all the rivers, creeks, meadows, necks and islands that lye in or before the same, and from the sea upward to go so high that the English may not be annoyed by the hunting of the Indians in any sort of their cattle. And I, Wesamequen and Wamsutta, have fully bargained and sold unto the aforesaid Mr. William Bradford, Captain Standish, Thomas Southworth, John Winslow, John Cooke, and the rest of their associates, the purchasers or old-comers, to have and to hold for them and their heirs and assignes forever. And in consideration hereof, we the above-mentioned are to pay to the said Wesamequen and Wamsutta as followeth: thirty yards of cloth, eight mooseskins, fifteen axes, fifteen hoes, fifteen pairs of breeches, eight blankets, two kettles, one cloak, 2 £ in wampan, eight pairs of stockings, eight pairs of shoes, one iron pot, and ten shillings in another commoditie. And in witness hereof we have interchangeably set to our hands the day and year above written.

In the presence of
JONATHAN SHAW,
SAMUEL EDDY.
JOHN WINSLOW 
JOHN COOKE 
WAMSUTTA {His Mark}