Series Description

SERIES I: Cape Ann Deeds, 1663-1898

This collection is made up of land deeds and other legal papers acquired by the Cape Ann Historical Association and cover the period from 1663 to 1898, with the greatest number being from the 18th century. The dates and sources of the acquisitions are largely unknown making a chronological arrangement of the papers the most efficient.

Most of the deeds show the date, book and page of their registration at the Registry of Deeds in Salem, MA. A few were never registered. The vast majority involve the transfer of land and buildings from one individual to another (including the setting off of the widow’s one-third) but there are also anywhere from one to five of each of the following types of agreements:

• sale of vessel or share in a vessel

• sale of a church pew or burial plot

• sale of berth for ship

• grant of right to the use of land or building

• indenture (i.e. mortgage)

• grant of land from the town

• sale of “livestock and a negro boy.”

The printed finding aid shows in columns the date of the transaction, the name of the buyer, the name of the seller, and a brief description of the action, including in some cases the name of the witnesses. An additional list, grouped by folder, is included showing all the names found on the deeds, i.e. “land bordered by . . .” or “Admin. of estate” or “Rights in estate . . .”

SERIES II: Cape Ann Deeds, Additional 1668 – 1971

City Engineer John E. Griffin probably compiled the larger part of this collection. Many of the papers are handwritten in pencil on scraps of paper. There are also original early deeds and official handwritten and typed copies of deeds, plus plans with details of land measurement and ownership. Many deal with property taken by the city in the process of creating a water delivery system: Magnolia, West Gloucester, Dike’s Pond, Haskell’s Pond, the Water Commissioners, and drains.

They have been separated into like categories as far as possible and then arranged chronologically.