Division of Lands - Old dartmouth
Introduction
How did the colonists start distributing and owing land? The land had not been previously owned, and it wasn’t a free-for-all land grab like in the western states in later years. How did it specifically start? While there are many stories for each community, Old Dartmouth, and indeed the whole of the South Coast of NE is unique. Its uniqueness is in its geography (the farm coast), its well documented history, and the many generation of families of the early settlers that are still here.
The story of land distribution in Old Dartmouth is as fascinating as it is complicated. While we have many records, understanding the timelines and the interactions of individuals and communities is a puzzle worthy of the time and effort to explore.
Sally Aldrich has put together that puzzle. While there are still unknown details, the basic story is presented here thanks to Sally’s thesis work.
This is the story of the distribution of lands in Old Dartmouth.
The story of land distribution in Old Dartmouth is as fascinating as it is complicated. While we have many records, understanding the timelines and the interactions of individuals and communities is a puzzle worthy of the time and effort to explore.
Sally Aldrich has put together that puzzle. While there are still unknown details, the basic story is presented here thanks to Sally’s thesis work.
This is the story of the distribution of lands in Old Dartmouth.
Congdon letter 1867 - Explains the status of the Proprietors records - From work by Sally Aldrich
Record of Meetings of Proprietors from 1725/6 to 1821. This existed in one tattered manuscript volume in the Registry of Deeds. I transcribed it into a personal typed copy, modernizing the spelling and punctuation for readability. These minutes chronicle the Proprietors’ efforts to deal with the situation arising from the tragic loss of their pre-1726 records and also their attempts to finish apportioning the common lands to individuals. - Sally Aldrich
Proprietors Records
Vol A pp 1 - 36 not indexed. Are recordings of land claims recreated by the Proprietors after the 1725 fire
Vol A PP 77 - 90 not indexed, not extracted. Consist of land quantities already laid out.
Vol A PP 77 - 90 not indexed, not extracted. Consist of land quantities already laid out.
Handwritten copies by the Proprietors of survey's from Benjamin Crane's field notes and other surveys starting 1711 to 1846. These are large PDF files.
Introduction to Index Index correction form
Index to Volume A Revision 1, 4/2/2018
Volume A Records pp 37 - 100 pp 101 - 200, pp 201 - 300, pp 301 - 400, pp 401 - 549,
Index to Volume B Revision 1, 4/28/2018
Volume B Records pp 1 -100 pp 101 - 200 pp 201 - 300 pp 301 - 400 pp 401 - 525
Introduction to Index Index correction form
Index to Volume A Revision 1, 4/2/2018
Volume A Records pp 37 - 100 pp 101 - 200, pp 201 - 300, pp 301 - 400, pp 401 - 549,
Index to Volume B Revision 1, 4/28/2018
Volume B Records pp 1 -100 pp 101 - 200 pp 201 - 300 pp 301 - 400 pp 401 - 525
