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In the spirit of exploring Norfolk County's rich history, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell has set out to discover some of its earliest deeds recorded from various communities throughout Norfolk County.
Land records at the Registry can shed light on some of the earliest property transactions that occurred in the early years after Norfolk County was established, offering insight into the origins of landownership in the region. It is possible to reveal the names of early settlers and prominent figures who may have played significant roles in shaping the communities they lived in.
On December 3, 1793, Roger Braley sold property in Franklin to his son Solomon Braley for the sum of four pounds, recorded in Book 1, Page 79. Roger Braley was a prominent figure in the Quaker community, serving in Rochester town offices from the late 1740s to the late 1760s. He later moved to Franklin, a Congregationalist stronghold, where he became a staunch supporter of the town, so much so that despite being exempt from serving during the Revolutionary War as a Quaker, Roger Braley and his two sons, Israel and Elijah, were listed in the 1777 military census and prepared to serve if needed.
“There is a wealth of historic information in the more than 13.1 million land records recorded in 42,297 Registry books dating back to when Norfolk County was created in 1793 and stored at The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and available online at https://www.norfolkresearch.org,” stated Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell. “We have also made this research process even easier for you through our History Comes Alive Transcription Program where all the Registry documents written in hard-to-read cursive penmanship from 1793 to 1900 were transcribed into clearly readable print.”
This second of a four-part series focuses on real estate transfers that occurred in the Fall of 1793 between November 5th and December 3rd, during the County’s formative months following Governor John Hancock's signing of the legislation that established Norfolk County on June 20, 1793.
Other Early Gems from the County Record Books
The very first document from Dover in Book 1, Page 28 was recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds on November 5, 1793, more than 43 years before the community officially became a town. The deed shows that Thomas Larrabee purchased land on Strawberry Hill from Kazia Morse. Larrabee settled in Dover on his return from the Revolutionary War in 1778 after serving under the command of George Washington during the crossing of the Delaware and at Valley Forge. He, along with his fellow veterans, built a home on the property, which stayed in the Larrabee name until 1865, when the home was willed to “the inhabitants of Dover forever for the relief, comfort, and benefit of the poor persons who have a legal settlement in Dover.”
On November 11 in 1793, Jacob and Lydia Parker sold a portion of their land to their son Jacob Parker, Jr. for 60 pounds, recorded in Book 1, Page 33. In this first deed from Needham, the Parkers state that their son is allowed access to one room in the house, a third of the cellar, a third of the barn, and the privilege of baking in the oven. They also permitted him the liberty of using the well. This deed highlights the practical arrangements some families may have needed to make at the time and also provides a glimpse into the daily lives and domestic setups of early settlers in Norfolk County.
Book 1, Page 39, contains a deed from Brookline that transfers property from Ebenezer Davis to Jonas Tolman. This deed provides clues about Jonas Tolman and the property. Jonas Tolman was a shoemaker working with new leather, and the property was located on Watertown Road, which was paved and renamed Washington Street in 1840. These clues indicate that this Jonas Tolman, mentioned in the deed, is the original owner of the Tolman House on the corner of Washington and Cypress Streets. The Tolman House, still standing today, was built in 1795 and is a Brookline landmark.
Book 1 of the Norfolk County Land Records is a treasure trove of interesting land records because, in addition to the notable deeds mentioned so far, on page 43 of Book 1 is a deed from Elkanah and Mary Thayer to future President of the United States John Adams, who at the time was serving as President George Washington’s Vice President. The deed, dated November 19, 1793, describes a property with portions of the land situated in both Braintree and Quincy.
In Book 1, Page 44, is a deed from Samuel Vose to Captain Isaac Tucker, recorded November 22, 1793, for property in Milton. Isaac Tucker served in the Revolutionary War and was called to muster on December 25, 1775. He eventually became the captain of a company in the 6th Regular Militia, with his commission signed and recognized by Governor John Hancock.
“The primary mission of the registry is always the security, accuracy, and accessibility of our communities’ land records and reliable service to the residents of Norfolk County. Moreover, these legal documents, beyond their importance in establishing ownership of a property, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of early settlers and preserve the legacy of prominent figures who have shaped Norfolk County from its founding in 1793 to the present,” concluded Register O'Donnell.
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The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities, and others with a need for secure, accurate, and accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website, www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101 or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
