William Pynchon Heir Founder Springfield 1702

Document Signed "Wm Pynchon", the document is a record of an approved land grant awarded to Thomas Horton of Springfield. 1p, measuring 7.5" x 3.5", Springfield, Massachusetts, dated March 9, 1702/3. With docketing on verso, the record has flattened folds, with small separations and holes in places. Toning, foxing, and small stains throughout. Slightly rough edges. Boldly sighed by Pynchon. Overall, very good. From a recently discovered collection that has not seen the light of day for over 70 years!

Horton had made a petition "Att a meeting of the Freeholders of the town of Springf…to Grant him fifteen acres of Land, on Stoney Hill on the North side of Skipmuck River…" The document states this petition was granted at a subsequent meeting on March 9, 1702/3. 

Colonel William Pynchon (1689-1741/2) was the great-grandson of Governor William Pynchon. Born in Ipswich, he was the son of Lt. Col. John Pynchon and Margaret Hubbard. On May 15, 1721, he married Catharine Brewer, daughter of Rev. Daniel Brewer and Catherine Chauncey. He would go on to continue to live in Springfield and serve as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

His namesake, William Pynchon (1590-1662) was an English colonist and fur trader in North America, best known as the founder of Springfield, Massachusetts. He also served as a colonial treasurer, original patentee of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the author of the New World's first banned book, "The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption." The book, which critiqued Puritanical Calvinism, was burned on the Boston Common (only 4 copies survived), and was promptly banned. Officials of the Massachusetts Bay Colony formally accused Pynchon of heresy and took him to court. Rather than retract his arguments, Pynchon quietly transferred his land holdings to his son John — who would become an equally large influence in Springfield — and returned to England in 1652, where he remained for the rest of his life.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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