Native American

Jeremiah Moulton, Indian Fighter & Captive DS in 1739

2pp land deed signed by early colonial militiaman Jeremiah Moulton (1688-1765) as "Jer. Moulton" at the bottom of the second page. Dated May 1, 1739, and signed in the presence of Jeremiah's brother Daniel Moulton, who was Justice of the Peace and Registrar of York County in the province of Massachusetts Bay (now modern day Maine). The third page is blank and the last page is docketed. Bearing a red wax and paper seal on the second page. The watermarked cream laid bifold paper is in fair to good condition. The front sheet is almost completely split from the back sheet, but still attached at top. With expected folds and some serious closed tears. Expected toning as well as isolated discoloration and foxing. 7.875" x 12.125".

Jeremiah Moulton signed this handwritten document more than 40 years after being captured by a war band of Abenaki Indians, and almost 20 years after fighting against the French & Indians during so-called Dummer's War. Not much had changed in the intervening years. Even this document, in 1739, specifies that the new landowner must live on the newly acquired property for seven years, "only Excepted but in the Case of a War with the Indians."

Moulton's personal history granted him intimate experience with, and participation in, brutal border warfare. On January 24, 1692, during the "Candlemas Massacre", a combined force of about 200-300 Abenaki Indians and French Canadiens led by a local Jesuit missionary raided the English settlement at York. Moulton's parents were two of approximately 100 English settlers killed in the attack; the 4-year-old Jeremiah was one of an estimated 80 townspeople kidnapped and forced to march into New France.

Jeremiah was later ransomed and returned to the Maine frontier, where he played a pivotal leadership role during Dummer's War (1722-25). This territorial dispute between the English, French, and members of the Wabanaki Confederacy resulted in the 1724 Battle of Norridgewock, when Moulton led an expedition against the Abenaki mission there. The local priest, Father Sebastien Rale, as well as approximately 80 Abenaki converts, were killed by Moulton's men. Sadly, such violence was routine along the contested borders of southern Maine, even well into the eighteenth century.

This document granted 130 acres of land in Phillipstown (now Sanford, Maine) to one "James Chadbourn of Kittery in the County of York Yeoman Settler in said Town called Phillipstown". The sale hinged on Chadbourn's fulfillment of two conditions: the first, that he construct a house, farm, and fence in the property within three years of the land transfer; and the second, that Chadbourn and his family live there for seven years…with one notable exception: Indian warfare.

"And subject to the Provisos and Conditions hereafter mentiond according to the Proprietors Vote at their Meeting aforesaid viz. Provided the said James Chadbourn build an House on the aforesaid Home Lot Eighteen Foot Square and Seven Foot Studd Break up and Fence in Five Acres of Land within Three Years from the Date hereof and Dwell thereon for Seven Years War only Excepted but in Case of a War with the Indians then the said James Chabourn shall settle his Family or Live there within Three Years after the Conclusion of a Peace & Seven Years afterwards…"

In 1745, Moulton commanded a regiment that fought at the Siege of Louisbourg. Afterwards, during a very respected middle age, Moulton served as a probate judge, judge of common pleas, member of the council, and sheriff.

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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