DEERFIELD.
the interval lying on Pocumtuck or Deerfield river, and the plain
southerly as far as Hatfield bounds. The proprietors first met at
Dedham in 1670; at which. time it was agreed to lay out the lots
at Pocumtuck. By subsequent grants it comprehended within its
limits the present towns of Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne, Green-
field, and Gill. Whether the whole was purchased from the
natives does not appear. A deed, however, of a part of the early
grant, is still extant ; it was made to John Pynchon, Esq., of
Springfield, "for the use and behoof of major Eleazer Lusher,
Southern view of Deerfield, (central part.)
ensign Daniel Fisher, and other English at Dedham, their asso-
ciates and successors," by Chauk, alias Chaque, the sachem of
Pocumtuck, and his brother Wapahoale, and is dated Feb. 24,
1665, prior to the grant by government. The deed is witnessed
by Wequonock, who "helped the Sachem in making the bar-
gain;" and reserves to the Indians " the right of fishing in the
rivers and waters; hunting deer, or other wild animals; the gath-
ering of walnuts, chesnuts, and other nuts, and things on the com-
mons." The first settlement at Deerfield commenced in 1670,
and within four years a considerable number of buildings were
erected. In 1686, the Rev. John Williams was settled as minister
of the place, on a salary of £60, to be paid in wheat at three shil-
lings and three-pence the bushel, pease at two shillings and six-
pence, Indian corn at two shillings, and salted pork at two-pence
halfpenny the pound.
Deerfield is finely situated on the west bank of Connecticut
river. Deerfield river, a large and beautiful stream, meanders
through the center of the town, and on its banks are large tracts
of interval land, the quality of which is equal to any in the state.
The principal street runs north and south on a beautiful elevation
above the meadows, which spreads out from the foot of East or
Deerfield mountain.
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