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| Norfolk County Registry of Deeds: First Deeds 1793-1798 |
Land records at the Registry can shed light on some of the earliest property transactions that occurred in the early years after Norfolk County was established in1793. These legal recorded documents can offer insight into the origins of landownership in the region. The recorded land documents at the Registry of Deeds reveal all kinds of information including the names of early settlers and prominent figures who may have played significant roles in shaping the communities they lived in.
“There is a wealth of historic information in the more than 13.1 million land records recorded in 42,366 Registry books dating back to when Norfolk County was created in 1793 and stored at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and available online at https://www.norfolkresearch.org,” stated Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. “We have also made this research process even easier for you through our History Comes Alive Transcription Program where all the Registry documents written in hard-to-read cursive penmanship from 1793 to 1900 were transcribed into clearly readable print.”
This third of a four-part series focuses on real estate transfers that occurred between December 23, 1793 and February 1, 1798, during the County’s formative years following Governor John Hancock's signing of the legislation that established Norfolk County on June 20, 1793. Governor John Hancock was the first elected governor the Commonwealth of Massachusetts had. He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
The very first document from Bellingham in Book 1, Page 116, was recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds on December 23, 1793, and is a deed from Jacob Darling to Richard Darling, who worked as a husbandman (farmer) and had some carpentry skills. The Darlings were some of Bellingham's earliest settlers and helped establish the town's agriculture.
On January 29, 1794, Ichabod and Elizabeth Holbrook sold property to Francis Dana, recorded in Book 1, Page 201. Francis Dana was a graduate of Harvard University, an opponent of British colonial policy, and a leader of the Sons of Liberty. He also accompanied John Adams to Paris as a secretary and later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts from 1791 to 1806.
Book 1, Page 229, contains a deed from Medway showing the division of land from Henry Harding to his mother, Mary Harding. The deed shows that Henry was a farmer and cider maker. The deed also shows the division of assets on the property, including half the house, barn, and hogs. The deed specifically stipulates that Henry’s mother may have access to half of the cider mill and the cider horse with the liberty to improve them. Henry then goes on to transfer to his “Honored Mother” a portion of swamp land and a parcel of land known as Death Meadow.
The first document from Cohasset, recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in Book 2, Page 300, is a deed from Samuel Oakes to Levi Tower. Samuel Oakes was a shipwright, a type of carpenter who builds and repairs ships. Oakes also served on several town committees and was a key participant in town meetings that helped govern the community of Cohasset.
On October 7, 1794, Joshua and Sarah Nash sold property in Weymouth to Ezra Reed, recorded in Book 2, Page 334. Joshua Nash was the brother of Captain Thomas Nash, who served under General George Washington during the Siege of Boston. Captain Nash was also part of the Continental Army forces that stealthily took Dorchester Heights on March 4, 1776, fortifying the position with a cannon retrieved from Fort Ticonderoga.
Book 1 of the Norfolk County Land Records is not the only treasure trove of interesting land records because in Book 9 on Page 107 is a deed from Daniel and Mary Baker to Abner Guild. Abner Guild is the son of Aaron Guild, a Major in the Massachusetts Militia during the American Revolutionary War, and the Aaron Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is named after him. In addition, Abner Guild, a tanner, is notable in his own right as being the mentor of John Smith, who founded what later became Winslow Brothers & Smith, one of the largest tanneries in the country.
“The primary mission of the Registry of Deeds is always the security, accuracy, and accessibility of our communities’ land records and reliable service to the residents of Norfolk County. Moreover, these legal documents, beyond their importance in establishing ownership of a property, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of early settlers and preserve the legacy of prominent figures who have shaped Norfolk County from its founding in 1793 to the present,” concluded Register O'Donnell.
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/norfolkdeeds. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @norfolkdeeds.
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
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