The Joseph Dow trunk archive · Document gallery 56

Leases, ministerial salary, worship articles and land returns

20 photographs · 8 document groups

Photographed by Whit from the recovered Joseph Dow collection. Descriptions draw on visible names, dates and subjects; uncertain readings remain provisional. Reading copies are turned upright, and each image links to the unchanged full-resolution original.

JDT-D420 · Fifield family lease and covenant

The endorsement reads “Lease Fifield to Fifield.” Mary and Jane Fifield lease premises to Stephen Fifield under stated conditions, including use of the crops and surrender of the premises; signatures and marks close the agreement.

2 photographs

JDT-D421 · Fragment of a numbered proprietors’ list

The surviving fragment numbers named shares and includes Perkins, Marston, Johnson, Dow and Palmer entries. A note below refers to the committee and to shares, preserving part of the administration of common land.

1 photograph

JDT-D422 · Minister Cotton: proposals for settlement and salary

The letter welcomes the unanimity of the call and explains the need for a convenient house, a few acres or money to buy them, adequate annual salary and firewood. It argues that a minister should live according to the dignity of his office. The wrapper identifies Cotton’s salary propositions.

3 photographs

JDT-D423 · Private religious society for young men — 1742

The articles prescribe Sabbath-evening meetings, prayer, singing, reading scripture and mutual correction with meekness. Members promise to return directly home and avoid vain company. A closing exhortation hopes the two societies of young men will benefit the church; signatures are dated Hampton, 21 February 1742. An associated written side also contains note drafts and a house-raising memorandum.

4 photographs

JDT-D424 · Unfinished lease of parsonage land

The wrapper labels this a lease of parsonage land, unfinished. The agreement sets restrictions on cutting or wasting the property and includes Samuel Prescott’s name in the concluding covenant.

2 photographs

JDT-D425 · John Boulter’s bond concerning Bryan Jones

The bond binds John Boulter and his heirs and administrators under a stated obligation concerning Bryan Jones. Folded endorsements repeat the parties’ names; signatures and witness names close the written side.

3 photographs

JDT-D426 · Deposition concerning proceedings in open court

The statement recounts testimony and words spoken before the bench, including a request involving another man’s liberty and a refusal followed by commitment as a prisoner. The surviving text is fragmentary and needs a fuller transcription.

1 photograph

JDT-D427 · Hampton committee return of land allotments — 1722

Four numbered pages record allotments in common-land divisions, with acreages, roads and bounds described by marked trees, rocks, fences and adjoining owners. Names include Joseph Palmer, Samuel Palmer, Deacon John Tuck and Seth Fogg. The return concludes with a committee date of 9 July 1722.

4 photographs

Collection photographs supplied by Whit. Descriptions are finding aids, not full transcriptions. Names, dates and associations remain provisional where the handwriting is uncertain.