To the readers of the Native American Deeds:
I am very excited to have the opportunity to share some of the most historically
significant documents ever recorded in Essex County. We refer to them as the "Native American Deeds
Collection". They link us to the days when the Native American Indians
traveled and lived on this land. We are very fortunate to have this collection of ancient land transfers which are the only "evidence" we have of the interaction between two conflicting
cultures in the 17th Century. These records document that every town in Essex County has a Native American heritage. This project presents each deed town by town, using
fascimilies
of "as recorded" deeds and printed text. It is a fascinating story about property rights, but simultaneously, it brings the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its most politically
influential county into focus and describes how the first American nation was replaced by another.
Some time ago I asked Tom O'Leary (the Registry's former GIS Director) to conduct the necessary research and to put the story together, and Robert Dawe (Printing Consultant) to assist
in preparing it for publication. Using our Native American Deeds and early town records & maps, it was possible to place these documents in a new cultural context.
Our intent is to make this
available on our website for everybody, but in particular to stimulate interest and for use in all local school curriculums. This would be our first collaboration to use original source
documents to help teach a lesser-known piece of our Native American history. As the project evolved, I was amazed at the growing anticipation exhibited by teachers and others.
After reading the deeds and the companion focal points, one will be able to make a stronger connection with the ancient
Native American places and also their names and lifestyles. It is very interesting that the "Native American Deeds" show
that property rights were hereditary and thus created a mini-genealogy of the "royal"
Native Americans of our region. Now, as I look at old maps or travel the main roads and back roads of Essex County, I can
imagine the Native American trails which once connected their villages and hunting and planting grounds. Today, as one drives along the coastline, or near our rivers, it is easy to think of Native Americans who
might have fished, camped and celebrated there long ago. I invite you to take this journey over our landscape "in the moccasins of the first American society, which lived here until
their people had to sell their lands as part of their survival." The "Native American Deeds" will lead the way.
The Essex County Registry of Deeds has been maintaining a continuous chain of land ownership records for over 350 years, beginning in 1639. I especially commend my predecessors for their diligence in taking
custody of all the records, but in particular for preserving the"Native American Deeds" to make this project possible.
I would like to especially thank Secretary of State William Galvin without whose constant support and encouragement I would not be able to provide you with this "Historical Journey Through Time."
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