II: Hopkinton Records, 1700-ca. 1880s
Scope and Contents
This series contains correspondence, deeds, petitions, legislation, committee reports, Trustee votes, tenant and acreage lists, and legal records relating to the founding and management of the town of Hopkinton, Mass, and some records relating to the town of Upton. The documents delve into the Trustees' rule as municipal administrators and touch on issues related land purchases, the Hopkinton Register of Deeds, and rent and tax collection.
Records of the Trustees dating from after 1800 are listed in the finding aid, but have not been fully described.
Dates
- Creation: 1700-ca. 1880s
Physical Description
4.2 cubic feet (16 flat boxes, 1 legal document box, 13 folders, and 5 volumes)
Researcher Access
The Records of the Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins are open for research with the following exceptions: Harvard University records in this collection are restricted for 50 years from the date of creation. Personnel and student records in this collection are closed for research through 80 years from the date of creation. Specific restrictions are noted in the inventory.
Extent
12.77 cubic feet (20 flat boxes, 14 volumes, 3 document boxes, 13 legal document boxes, 2 half legal document boxes, and 6 oversized folders)Biographical / Historical
The Trustees purchased land from the Natick Indians between the towns of Sherborn and Mendon, and the Sudbury River in Middlesex County, Mass. as an investment property on October 11, 1715. On December 13, 1715 the land was incorporated as the town of Hopkinton. In 1735, 3,000 acres of land were set apart as the town of Upton. With the authorization of a December 3, 1719 state law, the Trustees began leasing Hopkinton land for ninety-nine year terms. The Trustees were involved in the management of the town and contended with non-payment of rent, a costly agreement to pay three quarters of the Province taxes, legal disputes with tenants, and periodic state legislation that altered the terms and payment methods of the Hopkinton leases. Finally in 1832, the Commonwealth and the Hopkinton tenants paid $10,000 to the Trustees for full releases on the land.
Arrangement
This series is arranged in five subseries:
- Subseries A: Records relating to early land purchases and interactions with the Natick Indians, 1700-1724
- Subseries B: Plans, 1714-1824
- Subseries C: Records relating to town administration and rent collection, 1715-ca. 1880s
- Subseries D: Indentures, 1720-1768
- Subseries E: Abstracts of probate and land records, ca. 1830s
Former call number
Formerly classified as UAI 15.520.25 vt Land records, [c1828]
Creator
- From the Collection: Trustees of the Charity of Edward Hopkins. (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461
archives_reference@harvard.edu