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CONIHASSET PARTNERS

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The first establishment of bounds was done by a 7 Mar 1642 court order. Scituate was bounded on the northwest by the boundary line between Plymouth Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony and the exact location of this boundary was the subject of much dispute. Indian Head River and its continuation, the North River, provided an eastern boundary. Within the bounds of Scituate was a large tract known as the Conihassett Grant that had been granted in 1637 to four gentlemen, known as the Merchant Adventurers of London: Mr. James Shirley, Mr. John Beauchamp, Mr. Richard Andrews and Mr. Timothy Hatherly. This grant was also subject of much dissension as there were already many settlers within its boundaries. Mr. Hatherly purchased the grant from the other three adventurers, reserved a quarter, and divided the rest into 30 shares which he sold for £180 to the "Conihassett partners". As many of these partners were settlers who were already resident, this represented an amicable solution.

Conihasset Partners

Mr. Charles Chauncey	Thomas Chambers	John Williams, Sr.	James Cudworth	Joseph Tilden	Henry Merritt	Thomas Rawlens
Thomas Tarte	John Hoar	Richard Sealis	Thomas Ensign	Thomas Chittenden	John Stockbridge	John Allin
Thomas Hiland	John Whetcomb	John Woodfield	Edward Jenkins	John Hallett	Ann Vinall	William Holmes
John Whiston	Gowin White	John Daman	Rhodolphus Eellms	Richard Man

The partners acted as a separate entity, maintaining their own roads and a minister. Their first clerk was Richard Garrett; they kept records until 1767.

In 1656 Mr. Hatherly was granted a three-square-mile tract for his dealings with the Conihassett Partners and shares were sold to John Otis, Matthew Cushing, John Thaxter and Edward Wilder.

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10-Jan-2024