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Early New Plymouth Colony Descendants 1667 / 1669 True Copy Wampanoag Native American Land Deed Document From Tuspaquin (Black Sachem) Land Sale

(HENRY WOOD) (About 1619 - September 30, 1670 in Middleboro, Plymouth, MA, at about 76 years of age). REF: Mayflower Descendants, Volume XIII, Plymouth Colony Vital Records, page 86, "Henry Wood and Abigail Jenney the xxiiith April 1644", son of Johanem John Atwood. Henry and brothers Stephen and John came to Plymouth, Massachusetts in either 1641/43 with John Jenny and family and used the surname "Wood".

c. 1670 Manuscript True Copy Document Signed, "Nathaniel Morton" as Secretary of the Plymouth Colony, in confirmation of a "1667 but recorded 1669" Land Sale Deed Record, Fine. This Document is 1 page, measures about 9.5" x 7.5" where early Plymouth Colony member Henry Wood had purchased Six Acres of meadow from Namaskett (Namasket) (now Middleboro) to Agawam (now Wareham) from Tuspageen (Tispaquin) the Black Sachem. "This was bought August the 9th, 1667 but recorded in 1669" and Signed, "Nathaniel Morton" as Secretary. Also states at top Governor Prince (Thomas Prence, IV also known as "First Governor of the American Colonies," who arrived at Plymouth September 11th, 1621 on ship "Fortune"; 1st Governor of Plymouth with terms of, 1634-5, 1638-9, 1657-73, 4th, 8th & 12th Governor of New Plymouth Colony from (1634-1635, 1638-1639, 1657-1673). Also signed at its conclusion, by Samuel Tyley as Clerk. Docket notation on the blank reverse reads: "Henry Wood".

Though the exact date is not known when this true copy was made, Henry Wood's son Samuel and son-in-law John Nelson were appointed administrators of his estate, October 29, 1670. On March 4, 1673, four of his children, with his wife Abigail, were summoned into court to dispose of lands that they might contribute to the support of the widow Abigail. This Document appears to be properly executed as related to that circa 1670 timeframe. It is on extremely old watermarked ("GR" above an image of a British Royal Crown) laid period paper, having remnants of its original red sealing wax with a small tear in the paper corresponding to where opened, which is far away from any text the and near bottom edge. There is light expected tone and folds with no loss of the deep brown ink easily readable text. Today, the locations of the land mentioned approximate on the "path" now relate to Highway 495 between modern Middleborough and Wareham, Massachusetts, which partially runs along the nearby Myles Standish State Forest. An important early Plymouth Colony Descendants and Wampanoag Native American Indian, "Black Sachem" related Massachusetts Land Deed record. It reads, in full:

"1669 Prince (sic) Govr. --

Bought by Henry Wood dec.d of Tuspageen (sic) the black Sachem according to order (with other Land) Six Acres of meadow lying on the Fourth Side of the path that goeth from Namasskett (sic) to Agawam -- This was bought on the 9th of August 1667 but recorded 1669 as above written -- Sess me (Signed) Nathaniel Morton Secretary". (Further Noted & Signed) "A true Copy -- Examd by Saml. Tyley Cler(k)".

NATHANIEL MORTON. SECRETARY OF PLYMOUTH COLONY, 1645-1685.* GEORGE MORTON, father of Nathaniel, was a resident of Austerfield, Northern England, and came to Plymouth, Mass., with his family, in 1623. His wife was Sarah, sister of Governor Bradford, and their children were Nathaniel, John, Patience and Ephraim. Nathaniel Morton was born in England in 1612; died at Plymouth, Mass., June 23, 1685. Author of 'THE NEW ENGLAND MEMORIAL... SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE FIRST COLONY THEREOF, CALLED NEW PLYMOUTH... BY NATHANIEL MORTON, Secretary to the Court for the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth." Morton came to America with his father in July, 1623; in 1645 he was chosen clerk, or secretary of the colony court.

REF: Doneva Shepard:

Henry Wood married twice. He married an unknown person. He married Abigail Jenny 28 April 1644 in Plymouth, Plymouth, MA. Abigail was born 16 April 1619 in Leyden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands. Abigail was the daughter of John Jenney and Sarah Carey. Abigail died 1690 in Plymouth, Plymouth, MA, at 71 years of age. Henry sailed from Leyden, Holland in company with John Jenny and family. They arrived at Plymouth in the Bark "James", 44 tons, together with the "Ann", brig of 140 tons. Henry was in Plymouth as early as September 16, 1643, when he bought a house and land from John Dunham for 7 pounds. He removed to Yarmouth where his first two children were born. In 1649, he returned to Plymouth. In 1665, he settled at Middleborough. He was not among the twenty-six original purchasers, but received the share set out for John Shaw, and part of that original homestead is still in the possession of his descendants. He was admitted a freeman of Plymouth Colony in 1648; was grand juror 1648-56-59-68 and often on other juries. His son Samuel and son-in-law John Nelson were appointed administrators of his estate, October 29, 1670. On March 4, 1673, four of his children, with his wife Abigail, were summoned into court to dispose of lands that they might contribute to the support of the widow Abigail.

REF: "Genealogical Register of Plymouth Families" by William T. Davis, page 294

Lists only 7 children (David, 1651; Sarah; Samuel, 1647; John; Johathan, 1649; Isaac; and Abiel)

REF: "History of the Town of Middleboro" by Thomas Weston, pages 61 & 62, "HENRY WOOD".:

The first mention of Henry Wood is in September 16, 1641, when he, residing in Plymouth, purchased of John Dunham, the younger, his house and land lying in Plymouth for seven pounds, but the time of his arrival and the time of his birth are unknown.

He married Abigail Jenney, a daughter of John Jenney, who at one time owned land in Lakenham, now Carver, April 28, 1644. At or about the time of his marriage, he moved to Yarmouth, where his daughter Sarah and his son Samuel were born. He moved to Plymouth before 1649, where his other children were born, and to Middleboro about 1655. (note: Middleboro was not set off from Plymouth until 1669)

Tradition has placed the site of his residence as not far from that of the late General Abiel Washburn. He was not among the Twenty-six Purchasers, but received the share that was set out to John Shaw, a portion of which subdivision has always been in the possession of his descendants. He was an original proprietor in the Little Lotmen's Purchase.

He was propounded as a Freeman in 1647, and admitted in 1648. Before the incorporation of Middleboro he was a member of the Grand Inquest in 1648, 1656, 1659, and 1668, and often served as a juror in different trials in the colonies. He was a surveyor of highways in Plymouth in 1655 and in 1659, and was one of the complainants to the General Court against the rates which had been established in Plymouth.

In 1665 he had one share of the thirty acres of land on the westerly side of Nemasket River. He was one of the ancient freemen to whom land was granted in Taunton "which should be hereafter purchased, which purchase should not be prejudicial to the Indians."

He is mentioned as one of the Freemen of Middleboro in 1670, with the mark "deceased" after his name. One of the records of Plymouth Colony refers to him as Henry Wood, alias Atwood. His name occurs as one of the commandant's council for the garrison in Middleboro, and evidently by a mistake, the name was continued on the list of those who took refuge within the fort upon the breaking out of the war. He died in 1670, and John Nelson, his son-in-law, and Samuel Wood, his son, were appointed administrators of his estate, October 29, 1670. His inventory, taken under the oath of Abigail Wood, his widow, by John Morton, Jonathan Dunham, Francis Coombs, and George Vaughan, amounted to sixty-three pounds, three shillings, and three pence, and is recorded in Plymouth Colony Records, vol. vi, p. 142.

March 4, 1673, four of his children, with his wife Abigail, were summoned into court to dispose of his lands that they might contribute to the support of the widow. His children were: Samuel, John, David, Joseph, Benjamin, Abiel, James, Sarah, Abigail, Susanna, and Mary.

His sons were probably in the garrison house, although no mention is made of them, and they were not married until after the resettlement of the town. Abiel and Samuel were among the original members of the "First Church."

Also SEE: [S92] Mayflower Descendant: A Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History, (Name: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1899-, (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010); Location: Boston, MA;), Vol 13, Plymouth Colony Vital Records, [Marriages in the Court Orders], page 86. "Henry Wood and Abigail Jenney the xxiiith April 1644".

[S132] The Great Migration Begins, Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volumes I-III. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010), Robert Charles Anderson, (Name: New England Historic Genealogical Society; Location: Originally Published: Boston; Date: 1995;), p 1091.:

In his will, dated 28 December 1643 and proved 5 June 1644, John Jenney of New Plymouth bequeathed to "my eldest son Samuell Jenney" a double portion of all his lands; to "Sarah my loving wife" for life "my dwelling house and mill adjacent with all the lands thereunto belonging"; and to the rest "of my said children John, Abigall, Sarah and Susann" a single portion; "whereas Abigail my eldest daughter had somewhat given her by her grandmother and Henry Wood of Plymouth aforesaid is a suitor to her in way of marriage my will is that if the said Abigaile will dwell one full year with Mr. Charles Chauncey of Scituate before her marriage ... that then my said daughter Abigall have two of my cows and my full consent to marry with the said Henry Wood." [MD 6:169-70, citing PCPR 1:50].

Additional Information:

Tuspaquin (Black Sachem) - (Died 1676)

Tuspaquin (Watuspaquin) was the son of Pamontaquask, the Sachem of the Wampanoag at Nemasket. He succeeded his father's leadership role inheriting significant tracts of land. His family gained significant prominence with his marriage to Amie, the daughter of Massasoit. The couple had at least two sons, Benjamin and William and lived with a principle residence in Assawompsett, what is present-day Lakeville, Massachusetts.

Through the marriage, Tuspaquin became brother-in-law to Metacom (Philip) and served faithfully to him during King Philip's War. With his status as a Powwau, many Indians believed Tuspaquin to be impervious to bullets.

Tuspaquin led forces against the English at Scituate, Hingham, Weymouth, Bridgewater, Middleborough, and Plymouth. In mid-summer of 1676, Captain Benjamin Church captured a number of Tispaquin's men and some members of the Wampanoag's wife and children, holding them to negotiate the possibility of having Tispaquin lead Church's forces against the Abenaki. When Tuspaquin did surrender himself, Church being absent, he was tried and executed. Benjamin Church, The History of King Philip's War (Boston, MA: John Kimball Wiggin, 1865), 32. Pierce, Indian History, Biography, and Genealogy, 187-201. Bodge, Soldiers in King Philip's War, 386. Nathaniel Philbrick, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War (New York, NY: Pequin, 2006), 255, 309, 338-339.

The Plymouth Colony originated as a land grant issued by the London Virginia Company to a group of English religious separatists who had fled to Holland to avoid religious persecution. Their migration to the New World in 1620 aboard the Mayflower was funded by the Merchant Adventurers, who sent additional settlers to engage in profit-making activities in the colony.

The settlers had intended to establish a colony near the mouth of the Hudson River, within the bounds of the London Virginia Company's territory, but conditions on the crossing led them to establish it instead on the shores of Cape Cod Bay at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. The colonists eventually acquired a land grant from the Plymouth Council for New England in 1621, but its early governance took place under the terms of the Mayflower Compact, a document drafted by the colonists aboard the Mayflower before they landed. In 1630 the colony acquired a formal charter with authority to govern from the Plymouth Council, but it was unsuccessful in attempts to acquire a royal charter that would guarantee its territory against other claimants.

The colony held annual elections for its offices. Between 1620 and 1680 the colony was ruled by a governor, who appointed a temporary replacement if he left the colony. In 1681 they began also electing a deputy governor, who would serve in the governor's absence. The colony's rule was dominated by William Bradford, who served more than thirty terms as governor. The colony was incorporated into the Dominion of New England in 1686.

After the dominion was dissolved in 1689, the colony temporarily reverted to its previous rule. In 1691 it was incorporated by charter into the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which took effect in 1692 with the arrival of the new royal governor, Sir William Phips

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