Editing Deerfield, Massachusetts (section)

===Settlement and incorporation===

After the [[History of Dedham, Massachusetts, 1635–1699#Praying Indians|"Praying Indians"]] were given {{convert|8000|acres|km2}} in what is today [[Natick, Massachusetts|Natick]], the General Court gave the Dedham proprietors {{convert|8000|acres|km2}} in compensation.{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=84}}{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=63}} The question of how to handle the additional grant puzzled the town for some time.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} There were those who wanted to sell the rights to the land and take the money, while others wanted to find a suitable location and take possession.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}}

The Town sent Anthony Fisher, Jr., Nathaniel Fisher, and Sgt. Fuller to explore an area known as "Chestnut Country" in 1663.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=74}} They reported back two weeks later that the area was hilly, with few meadows, and was generally unsuitable for their purposes.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=74}} After a potential location was claimed by others before Dedham could do so, a report was received about land at a place known as [[Pocomtuck]], about 12 or 14 miles from [[Hadley, Massachusetts|Hadley]].{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} It was decided to claim the land before others could do so.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}}

[[Joshua Fisher (Massachusetts politician)|Joshua Fisher]], Ensign John Euerard, and Jonathan Danforth were assigned by the selectmen to go and map the land in return for 150 acres.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}}<ref>{{cite book |title=The Fisher Genealogy: A Record of the Descendants of Joshua, Anthony, and Cornelius Fisher, of Dedham, Mass., 1630-1640 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kNMAAAAMAAJ |access-date=April 18, 2021 |year=1898 |publisher=Massachusetts Publishing Company |isbn=978-0-608-32125-7 |page=12 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229073637/https://books.google.com/books?id=8kNMAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two weeks later he appeared before the board, demanding 300 acres instead.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} The selectmen agreed, provided that he provide a plot map of the land.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} Fisher's map and report were submitted to the General Court, and they agreed to give the land to Dedham provided that they settle the land and "maintain the ordinances of Christ there" within five years.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}}{{sfn|Lockridge|1985|p=84}}{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=63}}

[[Daniel Fisher (Massachusetts politician)|Daniel Fisher]] and [[Eleazer Lusher]] were sent to purchase the land from the [[Pocomtuc]] Indians who lived there.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} They contracted with John Pynchon, who had a relationship with the native peoples there, and he obtained a quitclaim deed from them.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75}} Pynchon signed a treaty with the Pocumtuck, including a man named Chaulk. But Chaulk had no authority to deed the land to the colonists and appeared to have only a rough idea of what he was signing. Native Americans and the English had different ideas about property and land use; this, along with competition for resources, contributed to conflicts between them.

Pynchon submitted a bill for £40 in 1666 but a tax on the cow commons to pay it was not imposed until 1669.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=75-76}} By that time the bill had risen to over £96, and he was not paid in full until 1674.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=76}}

The drawing of lots took place on May 23, 1670, by which time many rights had been sold to people from outside of Dedham or one of her daughter towns.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=76}} Before that even happened, [[Robert Hinsdale]]'s son Samuel moved into the area and began squatting on the land.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=76}} He was eventually joined by his father and brothers.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=77}}

Hard feelings arose at the distance of the new settlement from Dedham and the fact that the proprietors were not strictly "a Dedham company."{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=76}} On May 7, 1673, the General Court separated the town of Deerfield, with additional lands, provided they establish a church and settle a minister within three years.{{sfn|Hanson|1976|p=76}}