Taunton North Purchase of 1668

Date: 1668 [unknown]
Location: Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States

Taunton North Purchase of 1668

This purchase refers to land purchased from Plymouth agents by the men of Taunton in 1668. This tract of land included the current towns of Norton (a shortened version of North Taunton), Mansfield and Easton (East End).

See also Space:Original_46_Purchasers_of_Taunton and Space:Additional_35_Purchasers_of_Taunton

From the History of Easton
"At the beginning of the year 1668 the town of Taunton, Massachusetts...with the strong desire for new territory...Taunton men began to cast longing eyes toward" a largely unoccupied 50-square mile tract of land to the north on the border between the Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies. (with the Rehoboth North Purchase to the west (now Attleborough) and Bridgewater to the east)

Taunton North Purchaser

1. Henery Andrews - Henry Andrews Jr. (abt.1629-1676) - son of original purchaser of Taunton Henry Andrews Sr. (abt.1608-aft.1652)
2. Jonah Austine Senr. - probably Jonas (Austen) Austin (bef.1630-1676)
3. Edward Bobbit - Edward Bobet Sr. (bef.1627-1675) an original purchaser of Taunton
4. Jonathan Briggs (1635-abt.1690)
5. John Bryant - probably John Bryant (-abt.1641) - son of original purchaser John Bryant (1592-1638), but the profile requires expansion
6. James Burt - probably James Burt (abt.1622-1680) who was one of the 35 additional purchaser but can't confirm from profile
7. Richard Burt Jr. (bef.1628-1685) - son of original purchaser Richard Burt (bef.1583-bef.1647)
8. Thomas Caswell (1620-1697)
9. John Cobb (abt.1604-1691)
10. Robert Crossman (abt.1620-bef.1692)
11. Allice Dean -Alice (Unknown) Deane (abt.1620-aft.1667) “the wife of John Dean, deceased" John Deane (abt.1600-abt.1660) an original purchaser of Taunton
12. Walter Deane (abt.1602-) an original purchaser of Taunton
13. Israel Deane (-aft.1677) - son of Alice and John Deane
14. Gorge Hall - George Hall (1603-1669) an original purchaser of Taunton
15. John Hall (1635-) - son of George above
16. Samuel Hall (1644-abt.1688) - son of George above; also son-in-law of Nicholas White Sr (1618-1697) below
17. William Harvey of Taunton (1614-1691) an original purchaser of Taunton
18. Thomas Harvey the Elder - Thomas Harvey (abt.1643-1726) - son of Thomas Harvey Jr. (1617-1651) one of the 35 additional purchaser and who may have been a half brother William Harvey above - see Thomas 1617 profile for discussion of DNA results.
19. Thomas Harvey Junr. Thomas Harvey (abt.1669-) - son of Thomas the Elder above
20. John Hatheway - John Hathaway (1629-1705) son of additional purchaser Nicholas Hathaway (1595-1640)
21. Hezekiah Hoar (1608-abt.1693) an original purchaser of Taunton
22. Mistress Jane Gilbert possibly Jane (Rossiter) Gilbert (abt.1614-1691) wife of Thomas Gilbert (abt.1612-abt.1676) an original purchaser of Taunton
23. Thomas Leonard - Major Thomas Leonard (abt.1641-1713) son of additional purchaser James Leonard Sr. (abt.1621-abt.1691)
24. James Leonard Senr. - James Leonard Sr. (abt.1621-abt.1691) an additional purchaser of Taunton
25. Thomas Linkon Senr. - Thomas Lincoln (abt.1603-bef.1684) an additional purchaser of Taunton
26. Thomas Linkon Junr. - Thomas Lincoln (bef.1630-bef.1696) also an additional purchaser of Taunton and son of above
27. George Macey (abt.1623-1693) an original purchaser of Taunton
28. John Macomber (1613-1688) an additional purchaser of Taunton
29. John Parker - profile not found Apr 2021 by possibly son of original purchaser John Parker (1601-1667) whose profile doesn't currently include his children
30. Samuel Paule - probably Samuel Paul (1639-1690) son of original purchaser Richard Paul (1610-bef.1654), however Samuel's current profile does not mention Taunton
31. James Phillips - James Phillips Sr. (abt.1624-bef.1677) son of original purchaser William Phillips (aft.1583-aft.1654)
32. Peter Pitts - probably Peter Pitts (1625-1692) whose profile mentions he was one of the 1672 South Purchase which later became Dighton, MA.
33. John Richmond Jr (abt.1627-1715) son of original purchaser John Richmond (1594-1664)
34. Encrease Robinson - Increase Robinson Sr (1642-bef.1699)
35. Edward Rue - Edward Rew (-1678) one of the additional purchasers of Taunton
36. John Smith - profile not found Apr 2021; possible son of Richard Smith (abt.1610-abt.1666) original purchase of Taunton whose profile doesn't include children. The other Smith original purchaser John Nant Smith (abt.1595-abt.1646) removed to RI and his children to Hempstead, Long Island so doesn't seem likely.
37. Samuell Smith - profile not found Apr 2021.
    Possible son of Richard Smith (abt.1610-abt.1666) original purchaser of Taunton whose profile doesn't include children. The other Smith original purchaser John Nant Smith (abt.1595-abt.1646) removed to RI and his children to Hempstead, Long Island so doesn't seem likely.
38. Nathaniel Thayer (abt.1640-aft.1716) son-in-law of William Harvey of Taunton (1614-1691) an original purchaser of Taunton above
39. Christopher Thrasher (bef.1628-abt.1679) one of the additional purchasers of Taunton
40. John Tisdall Senr. - John Tisdale (abt.1614-1675) one of the additional purchasers of Taunton
41. John Tisdall Junr. John Tisdale Jr. (1642-1677) son of additional purchaser John above
42. John Turner (abt.1612-aft.1690) one of the additional purchasers of Taunton
43. James Walker (abt.1620-abt.1691) one of the additional purchasers of Taunton
44. Gorge Watson - no profile found Apr 2021; does not appear to be George Watson (1602-1689) who was of Plymouth
45. Nicholas White Senr. - Nicholas White Sr (1618-1697)
46. Nicholas White Junr. - Nicholas White Jr. (abt.1646-1728) son of above
47. Joseph (Wilbore) Wilbur (abt.1616-1691) brother of Shadrach below (Shadrach's son Joseph b 1670 was not old enough to participate)
48. Shadrach (Wilbur) Wilbore Sr. (1631-1697), son-in-law of Walter Deane (abt.1612-aft.1693) above
49. Richard Williams (bef.1607-abt.1693) one of the original purchasers of Taunton
50. Nathaniel Williams (1639-1692) son of Richard above
51. Thomas Williams (abt.1645-bef.1706) son of Richard above
52. Samuell Williams - Samuel Williams (bef.1637-1697) son of Richard above.
    He was also the son-in-law of Thomas Gilbert (abt.1612-abt.1676) one of the original purchasers of Taunton and his wife Jane (Rossiter) Gilbert (abt.1614-1691) probably Mistress Jane Gilbert listed above

Original Copy of Deed

From the History of Easton
"Thomas Leonard, of Lawfull age, testifieth that when Governor Prince, Major Winslow, Capt Thomas Southworth (Plymouth Agents) sold the lands to Taunton called Taunton North-Purchase, they came to Taunton on a training day, and several of our ancient men then met with said Gentlemen at the house of William Harvey in Taunton, and I was there sent for to come to them. The said Gentlemen did tell us that they had sold part of the land purchased of the Indians by Capt. Willit, to Rehoboth men, and if Taunton would they might buy the rest of it. Then it was asked how much it was and how it lay: said Gentlemen answered it was all the land between Taunton bounds and Rehoboth bounds, and between Taunton bounds and the bay line home to Bridgewater Bounds, excepting two parcells that was granted unto others before. So we made a bargain accordingly with said agents or committee, and ten of us became bound for the payment of what we gave for said lands, & a deed was then written and left with said William Harvey; but we then not knowing all who would be proprietors in said lands,” etc.

Forty-three other persons joined with the ten alluded to in this statement; and this company of fifty-three Taunton men paid to the Plymouth Court the sum of £100 for the tract of land already specified. The following is a copy of the original deed of sale: —

"Whereas the Generall Court of New Plymouth have impowered Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth to take notice of some purchases of land lately made by Capt. Thomas Willett, and to settle and dispose the said lands for the Collonies' use: Know therefore all whom it may anyway concern, that the above named Mr. Thomas Prence, Capt. Thomas Southworth, Mr. Constant Southworth, and Major Josias Winslow, by vertue of power by and from the said Court derived unto them, have and by these presents doe bargaine, sell, grant, allien, allott, confer, and make over unto Richard Williams, Walter Deane, George Macey, James Walker, Joseph Wilbore, William Harvey, Thomas Leonard, John Turner, Henery Andrews, John Cobb, Gorge Hall, John Hall, Samuel Hall, James Leonard, Senr., Nathaniel Williams, Thomas Williams, Nicholas White, Senr., Nicholas White, Junr., Hezekiah Hoar, Allice Dean, Israel Deane, Robert Crossman, Shadrach Wilbore, Thomas Caswell, John Macomber, John Smith, Edward Rue, John Parker, Samuel Paule, Thomas Linkon, Senr., Thomas Harvey the Elder, Nathaniel Thayer, Thomas Linkon, Junr., Peter Pitts, Jonah Austine, Senr., John Richmond, Samuell Williams, Christopher Thrasher, Mistress Jane Gilbert, Gorge Watson, Samuell Smith, James Burt, Richard Burt, John Tisdall, Senr., John Tisdall, Junr., James Phillips, Edward Bobbitt, John Hatheway, Jonathan Briggs, Encrease Robinson, John Bryant, Thomas Harvey, Junr., Proprietars of the town of Taunton, and to their heirs forever, a certaine tract of land lying and being on the northerly syde of Taunton aforesaid, and is bounded as followeth, viz. : beginning on the northwest, at the bounds of the lands formerly sold by us unto the Town of Rehobeth, and to be bounded on the northerly syde by the Massachusetts line, untill it Cometh to beare with the western bounds of the town of Bridgewater, and soe from the said Massachusetts line by a south line home to the bounds of Taunton, and thence by a westerly line until it meets with the bounds of Rehobeth aforesaid, and so to follow the said bounds of Rehobeth until it comes unto the bounds first mensioned upon the Massachusetts line, — all the lands within this compas, excepting onley a small parcell granted unto John Bundey, and alsoe a grant made unto Thomas Briggs (the son of Clement Briggs), together with the meddows, woods, waters, and all other benefitts, privileges, emoluments, profitts, and ennuities thereunto appertaining and belonging."

" To Have and to Hold," etc. [Dated June i, 1668.]

1 The above is from a document in the handwriting of Thomas Leonard, and is one of the numerous and interesting historical papers preserved by the late Rev. George Leonard, of Marshfield, but now the property of the city of Taunton.

Sources

• Chaffin, William. History of the Town of Easton, Massachusetts (J. Wilson and Son, Cambridge, 1886) page 20