GTON Secry.

In the House of Representatives

Octo'r: 23th: 1713. Read

[Massachusetts Archives, cxiii, 600.]

The inhabitants of Groton had now become alarmed at the situation of
affairs, fearing that the new town would take away some of their land.
Through neglect the plan of the original grant, drawn up in the year
1668, had never been returned to the General Court for confirmation, as
was customary in such cases; and this fact also excited further
apprehension. It was not confirmed finally until February 10, 1717,
several years after the incorporation of Nashobah.

In the General Court Records (ix, 263) in the State Library, under the
date of June 18, 1713, it is entered:--

Upon reading a Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Groton,
Praying that the Return & Plat of the Surveyor of their Township
impowered by the General Court may be Accepted for the Settlement &
Ascertaining the Bounds of their Township, Apprehending they are
likely to be prejudiced by a Survey lately taken of the Grant of
Nashoba;

Voted a Concurrence with the Order pass'd thereon in the House of
Represent'ves That the Petitioners serve the Proprietors of Nashoba
Lands with a copy of this Petition, That they may Shew Cause, if
any they have on the second Fryday of the Session of this Court in
the Fall of the Year, Why the Prayer therof may not be granted, &
the Bounds of Groton settled according to the ancient Plat of said
Town herewith exhibited.

It is evident from the records that the Nashobah lands gave rise to much
controversy. Many petitions were presented to the General Court, and
many claims made, growing out of this territory. The following entry is
found in the General Court Records (ix, 369) in the State Library, under
the date of November 2, 1714:--

The following Order pass'd by the Represent'ves. Read & Concur'd;
viz,

Upon Consideration of the many Petitions & Claims relating to the
Land called Nashoba Land; Ordered that the said Nashoba Land be
made a Township, with the Addition of such adjoining Lands of the
Neighbouring Towns, whose Owners shall petition for that End, &
that this Court should think fit to grant, That the said Nashoba
Lands having been long since purchased of the Indians by M'r
Bulkley & Henchman one Half, the other Half by Whetcomb & Powers,
That the said purchase b