Historical Collections, by John Warner Barber

246

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, Greenfield, 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 associates 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 bargain;" and reserves to the Indians " the right of fishing in the rivers and waters; hunting deer, or other wild animals; the gathering of walnuts, chesnuts, and other nuts, and things on the commons." 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 shillings and three-pence the bushel, pease at two shillings and sixpence, 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.