![[MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY] Group of documents pertaining to Braintree, the history of the Prescott family, etc.](/sites/default/files/styles/auction_slider/public/images/lots/2022-03-22/1540457.jpg?itok=SbNiNIhr)
Lot Details
Lot 37
[MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY] Group of documents pertaining to Braintree, the history of the Prescott family, etc.
Various places and dates. Includes a resolution of the Townsmen's meeting [of Braintree], 8th January 1652. Written in brown ink an English secretary hand on paper, an order stating that for a grant of land on which the town was founded, Captain William Tyng "his heirs and successors for ever shall freely enjoy to every of his three farms and in particular all liberties and privileges by the grant of the town..."; this signed by Samuel Bass, Martin Sanders, Steven Kingsley, James Penniman and William Allis. These signatories were mostly settlers who came over with Winthrop's fleet in 1630, the last named (Allis) likely on the third voyage of the Mayflower (the document accompanied by an eighteenth century transcription); a near-contemporary stated true copy of a record in the Town Book of Braintree of a second order dated 8th January 1652. This also pertains to Tyng's grant, stating "that all such lands of theirs within their Precincts (being heretofore called and known by the name of Mount Wollaston) shall be acknowledged within the Township of Braintree and liable to pay all common charges in the town forever..."; a true copy written in brown ink in an English secretary hand on paper, signed (and presumably written out) by Richard Brackett, the copy dated 23rd of December, 1655. Brackett, another early settler, was the first deacon of the Church at Braintree, and was made the captain of Braintree's militia shortly after this document was signed (the document accompanied by an eighteenth century transcription); also in the group are early copies of other orders relating to early Braintree (N.B. the originals not present); a detailed manuscript life of Oliver Prescott, about 10 pp.; and various biographical and genealogical notes; and an 18th century plat map of the North Quincy home farm. Expected toning and wear to the first two documents, the plat map partially repaired, and with minor losses, largely to blank areas.
A fascinating collection of papers pertaining to colonial Massachusetts, including two exceptionally early colonial documents regarding land grants. These in particular are of great rarity in commerce, as indeed are all such records from the first quarter-century of the New England colonies.
C
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