399 Goldthwaite’s Account of Merricaneag

    [December 14 1732]

    Mr. Boone claims one half of the whole Neck under an Indian pretending he has a Deed for it, but refuses to shew it, came from Rhode Island about the Middle of March last and Brought with him several Servants, hath built an house about the Middle of the Neck.

    Mr. Gatchell in possession of the upper part, went on about four years ago, hath built a house and claims (as he says) under one Cole.

    John Ore in possession of 50 Acres at the Upperpart claims under Capt. James Woodside (now his Landlord) who hath built a small House for him.

    Mr. Smith near the lower part holds under the Pejepscot Co., living in a small House covered with Bark his wife and family with him.

    Richard Jacques in possession of about 300 Acres next to Colonel Harman holds under the Pejepscot Co and is now a building a house, having been there about 3 years.

    William Magnis on the upperpart had 50 Acres given by the Pejepscot Co (as he says) for Clearing and improving 100 Acres, living in a small shed and has been there about 2 years. Colonel Johnson Harman in possession of the lower part claims under the Pejepscot Co and refuses to let any person cut down trees beyond some bounds he hath set, though Mr. Boone hath several times attempted it, said Boone pretending he hath an interest in one half of the whole Neck and that this Half yet lays in common and undivided.

    The Pejepscot Co have built an House for Harman, and He and his Servants are constantly cutting down the trees and have 10s a cord for wood, and Capt. Peter Nowell of York employs Two Sloops and Men to bring off the Wood.

    The whole Neck is about Eight or nine miles in length.

    The 1000 Acres given by the General Court to the Colledge is in possession of one Mr. Clark, Mr. Griffin, and William Spear.

    [Endorsed:] Mr. Goldthwait’s Account of Merricaneag, sent to Cambridge by Treasurer Hutchinson. Dec. 14, 1732.

    Merricaneag Neck Papers. The Corporation voted a power of attorney to Ezekiel Goldthwait on December 5, 1732; CSM Publications, xvi. 606.