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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.10408 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0002] 1744-1748 |
| Title | John Fairfield's declaration regarding a settlement near Witchcassett |
| Date | 27 February 1746 |
| Author | Fairfield, John (fl. 1747) |
| Additional authors | Waldo, Cornelius (fl. 1747) Grant, James (fl. 1747) |
| Document Type | Land transaction document |
| Content Description | John Fairfield offers an affidavit regarding Witchcassett, "four miles from Sheepscott and thirty four miles from St. George River, in the County of York" (present-day Maine). Attests that he moved to Witchcassett in 1738, commenting that at the time, forty families and householders lived in the settlement. Remarks on additional settlers in later years and sawmills located in the area. Recounts that in 1744, settlers felt vulnerable after hearing of the war that broke out in Europe between Britain and France, and many moved away from the settlement. In 1745, some settlers moved when Native Americans broke a peace agreement, and others joined an expedition to Canada. Attests, "... by the number of the Inhabitants being lessen'd & forced into Garrison as aforesaid the Settlements in Generall lye waste, and the few remaining Inhabitants are not able to make Improvements unless under Cover of the Garrisons aforementioned, that they are reduced to great straits & Difficulties & under great Discouragements." [Cornelius] Waldo, Justice of the Peace, signs a note dated 27 February 1746/7 in Boston, attesting to the veracity of Fairfield's declaration. James Grant, captain of a militia company in Witchcassett, signs a separate note attesting to the truth of Fairfield's statement. Another note signed by Cornelius Waldo on the same date confirms the veracity of Grant's claim. |
| Subjects | Immigration and Migration Mill Industry Forestry French and Indian War Military History Canada Peace Treaty Wartime Pillaging and Destruction Fortification Militia Waldo Patent Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs France Refugees American Indian History |
| People | Fairfield, John (fl. 1747) Waldo, Cornelius (fl. 1747) Grant, James (fl. 1747) Waldo, Samuel (1695-1759) |
| Place written | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Theme | Merchants & Commerce; Agriculture; Native Americans; French & Indian Wars; Industry |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | James Grant's militia company belonged to the regiment in the lower Division of the County of York commanded by Brigadier General Samuel Waldo. Dated 1746/7, 1747 reflecting the present-day calendar. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |