Equivalent lands
Encyclopedia
The Equivalent lands were several large tracts of land that the Province of Massachusetts Bay
made available to settlers from the Connecticut Colony
after April, 1716. This was done as compensation for an "equivalent" area of Connecticut-claimed territory which had been inadvertently settled by citizens of Massachusetts. The problem had arisen due to a lack of an adequate survey prior to colonization.
, Suffield
and Westfield
and other areas west of the Connecticut River
, believing themselves to be in lands belonging to the Massachusetts Bay Company. The territory was in fact well within an area then claimed by the colony of Connecticut. Because a change of jurisdiction was unappealing to those inhabiting the area, it was agreed that Massachusetts would retain title to the said lands, and in return, a grant should be made to Connecticut of an equal number of acres, "as an equivalent to the said colony."
The surveys laying out the new tracts were concluded on November 10, 1715. One tract was in the area around Pelham
and Hadley Town; another in the area encompassing modern day Putney
, Brattleboro
and Dummerston
; and another along the east side of the Connecticut River. The commissioners appointed to locate these lands were: Joseph Dudley
, Governor of Massachusetts; Gurdon Saltonstall
, Governor of Connecticut; Elisha Hutchinson and Isaac Addington of Massachusetts; William Pitkin and William Whiting of Connecticut. The equivalent lands were then made available for purchase at Hartford, CT on the 24th and 25th of April, 1716, the proceeds from the sale going to the founding of Yale College
.
, in a section now belonging to Vermont
. The area making up the rest of the equivalent lands eventually fell under the control of other colonial entities based, in part, on the original royal charters. After many boundary permutations, the equivalent lands are now part of present day Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
made available to settlers from the Connecticut Colony
Connecticut Colony
The Connecticut Colony or Colony of Connecticut was an English colony located in British America that became the U.S. state of Connecticut. Originally known as the River Colony, it was organized on March 3, 1636 as a haven for Puritan noblemen. After early struggles with the Dutch, the English...
after April, 1716. This was done as compensation for an "equivalent" area of Connecticut-claimed territory which had been inadvertently settled by citizens of Massachusetts. The problem had arisen due to a lack of an adequate survey prior to colonization.
Creation
When the boundaries between Massachusetts and Connecticut were finally determined in 1713, it was found that of the large grants made available by Massachusetts to its westward bound citizens, 107793 acres (436.2 km²) actually belonged to Connecticut. These settlers had established themselves in and about the towns of SpringfieldSpringfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Suffield
Suffield, Connecticut
Suffield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It had once been within the boundaries of Massachusetts. The town is located in the Connecticut River Valley with the town of Enfield neighboring to the east. In 1900, 3,521 people lived in Suffield; and in 1910, 3,841. As of the...
and Westfield
Westfield, Massachusetts
Westfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
and other areas west of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, believing themselves to be in lands belonging to the Massachusetts Bay Company. The territory was in fact well within an area then claimed by the colony of Connecticut. Because a change of jurisdiction was unappealing to those inhabiting the area, it was agreed that Massachusetts would retain title to the said lands, and in return, a grant should be made to Connecticut of an equal number of acres, "as an equivalent to the said colony."
The surveys laying out the new tracts were concluded on November 10, 1715. One tract was in the area around Pelham
Pelham, Massachusetts
Pelham is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,403 at the 2000 census. It shares the same zip code as Amherst.Pelham is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and Hadley Town; another in the area encompassing modern day Putney
Putney, Vermont
Putney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census.On December 26, 1753 Col.Josiah Willard led a proprietors' petition for a Putney charter which was issued by Governor Benning Wentworth of the New Hampshire Grants under King George II of England...
, Brattleboro
Brattleboro, Vermont
Brattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
and Dummerston
Dummerston, Vermont
Dummerston is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census. Dummerston is home to the longest covered bridge still in use inside the state borders of Vermont.-History:...
; and another along the east side of the Connecticut River. The commissioners appointed to locate these lands were: Joseph Dudley
Joseph Dudley
Joseph Dudley was an English colonial administrator. A native of Roxbury, Massachusetts and son of one of its founders, he had a leading role in the administration of the unpopular Dominion of New England , and served briefly on the council of the Province of New York, where he oversaw the trial...
, Governor of Massachusetts; Gurdon Saltonstall
Gurdon Saltonstall
Gurdon Saltonstall was governor of the Colony of Connecticut from 1708 to 1724...
, Governor of Connecticut; Elisha Hutchinson and Isaac Addington of Massachusetts; William Pitkin and William Whiting of Connecticut. The equivalent lands were then made available for purchase at Hartford, CT on the 24th and 25th of April, 1716, the proceeds from the sale going to the founding of Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
.
Outcome
In 1752, a large section of the grant fell under the dominion of the new Province of New HampshireProvince of New Hampshire
The Province of New Hampshire is a name first given in 1629 to the territory between the Merrimack and Piscataqua rivers on the eastern coast of North America. It was formally organized as an English royal colony on October 7, 1691, during the period of English colonization...
, in a section now belonging to Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The area making up the rest of the equivalent lands eventually fell under the control of other colonial entities based, in part, on the original royal charters. After many boundary permutations, the equivalent lands are now part of present day Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts.