This week's document for transcription is the 1793 land record for Asa Taylor, yeoman of Westminster, Massachusetts, selling one acre of land in Westminster, Massachusetts for £3 to Benjamin Seaver, yeoman of Westminster:
[Worcester County, Mass. Deed - Volume 203, Page 366]:
The transcription of the deed is (from near the top of the left-hand page of image):
To all people to whom these presents Shall come, Greeting.
Know ye that I Asa Taylor of Westminster in the County of Worcester
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman for and in consideration
of the sum of three pounds to me in hand before the ensealing hereof
well and truly paid by Benjamin Seaver of said Westminster yeoman
the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith tru-
ly satisfied and contented and thereof every part and parcel thereof do
exonerate acquit and discharge him the said Benjamin Sever and
his heirs Executors and Administrators forever by these presents have given
granted bargained sold aliened conveyed and confirmed and by these
presents do freely fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell alien con-
vey and confirm unto him the said Benjamin Sever and his heirs and
assigns forever a certain peice of land containing one Acre and
Lieth in the northerly part of s'd Westminster and the Lot is num-
ber seventy four and is taken of at the Northeasterly corner of said
lot beginning at a stake & stones running westerly eight rods to a stake
& stones from thence southerly twenty rods to a stake & stones from thence
Easterly eight rods to a stake & stones from thence northerly twenty rods
to where it first began. To have and to hold the said
granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances privi-
leges and commodities to the same belonging or in any wise apper-
taining to him the said Benjamin Seaver & his heirs and assigns
forever to his and their only proper use benefit and behoof forever
and I the said Asa Taylor for myself heirs Executors and Ad-
ministrators do covenant promise and grant to and with the said
Benjamin Sever and his heirs and assigns that before the ensealing hereof
I am the true sole and lawful owner of the above bargained premises
and am lawfully seized and possessed of the same in my own proper right
as a good perfect and absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple and
have in myself good right full power and lawful authority to
grant bargain sell and convey and confirm said bargained premises in
manner as aforesaid and that the said Benjamin Sever and his heirs
and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times forever hereafter
by force and virtue by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully peaceably
and quietly have hold use occupy possess and enjoy the said demised and
bargained premises with the appurtenances free and clear and freely and
clearly acquitted exonerated and discharged of from all and all manner of former
or other gifts grants bargains sales leases Mortgages will entails Jointures dowries
Judgments Executions or incumbrances of what name or nature forever that
might in any manner or degree obstruct or make void this present Deed. Fur-
thermore I the said Asa Taylor for myself heirs Executors and Administra-
tors do covenant and engage the above demised premises to him the Benjamin
Seaver and his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims or demands of any
person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to warrant secure and defend by
these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal thirtenth
day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.
Signed sealed and delivered his
in presence of us Asa X Taylor {seal}
Abner Holden } mark
Susa Holden } Worcester ss Westminster December y'e 10'th 1793 personally appeared
Asa Taylor the Grantor and acknowledged this instrument to
be his free act and before me Abner Holden Justice Peace.
Rec'd May 10'th 1817 Ent'd & Exam'd p'r O. Fiske Reg'r.
The source citations for this land record is:
"Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 23 May 2021), Worcester County, "Deeds 1816-1817, vol. 202-203," Volume 203, Page 366 (image 545 of 705), Asa Taylor to Benjamin Seaver, executed 10 December 1793, recorded 10 May 1817; citing original records in County Courthouses, and on FHL Microfilms.
This deed is for a one acre parcel of Lot number 74 in Westminster, measuring 8 rods (128 feet) by 20 rods (320 feet). For only 3 pounds for one acre, it probably does not have any buildings or improvements on it. Without a lot map it is difficult to determine the location of this property.
Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816) of Westminster, Massachusetts married Martha (Whitney) Seaver (1764-1832) in 1783, and they had ten children between 1784 and 1812. Benjamin bought this land ten years after his marriage, and six years after his father died and he received land from his father's estate.
Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816) and Martha Whitney (1764-1832) are my 4th great-grandparents, and Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825) and Abigail Gates (1797-1867) are my 3rd great-grandparents through their son Isaac Seaver (1823-1901).
Copyright (c) 2021, Randall J. Seaver
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