377 John Higgins on to President Wadsworth

    Monday Evening Salem Feb. 22 1730

    Reverend Sir

    Being this Night informed by Mr. Marston that the Affair of Merrecaneeg was before the Court and to be Determined on Wednesday Next I thought it my duty to Communicate what further knowledge I have obtained Concerning it and Accordingly herewith Send by Man [Appio?] Twelve Copies from the Records of York which I took partly for your Information but principally for my own Defence haveing a good and prior Right to Thirteen Hundred Acres included in the Great Deed as they say. However I hope so much Light may be Obtained as that Justice may be done between all parties concerned. Mr. Moodey had not received your Letter when I went Eastward and upon my Return was absent from his Home, That I am ignorant of what you requested and how far He has answered your Desire. I shall be glad to have the Copies when you have made the necessary improvement of them and in the Mean Time Shall take all Opportunities to Obtain further knowledge of the Title which the Antient Inhabitants of Merrecaneeg had to it. As also of the Pattent Granted to Purchase and Way. Mr. Purchase was afterwards an inhabitant of Salem and some of his Descendents are still surviveing that Claimed an interest in the Lands Pattented which indeed were sold by a Man that had neither Right in himself nor was Qualified with power to sell the same. I find also by the Records I keep that besides the persons formerly mentioned one Mr. Haines Claimed a Right on the Neck but how much or in whose Right I Cannot understand. I should Gladly have waited on you, but by Reason of my Journey East and the many necessary avocations since, I have my hands full of employment in my Office. The Time of Election thereto being also att hand obliges more especially to be in my place and on my Watch though I dont hear of a Competitor. I hope I have so served as to maintain the good opinion of those concerned.264 Please to excuse my Errors and accept the most dutifull Regards herein presented to You and my Honored Aunt from Your Kinsman and Servant

    John Higginson

    [Addressed:] To Reverend Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth President of the Coll[ege] in Cambridge.

    Merricaneag Neck Papers.