DEERFIELD. the interval lying on Pocumtuck or Deerfield river, and the plain southerly as far as Hatfield bounds. The proprietors first met at Dedham in 1670; at which. time it was agreed to lay out the lots at Pocumtuck. By subsequent grants it comprehended within its limits the present towns of Deerfield, Conway, Shelburne, Green- field, and Gill. Whether the whole was purchased from the natives does not appear. A deed, however, of a part of the early grant, is still extant ; it was made to John Pynchon, Esq., of Springfield, "for the use and behoof of major Eleazer Lusher, Southern view of Deerfield, (central part.) ensign Daniel Fisher, and other English at Dedham, their asso- ciates and successors," by Chauk, alias Chaque, the sachem of Pocumtuck, and his brother Wapahoale, and is dated Feb. 24, 1665, prior to the grant by government. The deed is witnessed by Wequonock, who "helped the Sachem in making the bar- gain;" and reserves to the Indians " the right of fishing in the rivers and waters; hunting deer, or other wild animals; the gath- ering of walnuts, chesnuts, and other nuts, and things on the com- mons." The first settlement at Deerfield commenced in 1670, and within four years a considerable number of buildings were erected. In 1686, the Rev. John Williams was settled as minister of the place, on a salary of £60, to be paid in wheat at three shil- lings and three-pence the bushel, pease at two shillings and six- pence, Indian corn at two shillings, and salted pork at two-pence halfpenny the pound. Deerfield is finely situated on the west bank of Connecticut river. Deerfield river, a large and beautiful stream, meanders through the center of the town, and on its banks are large tracts of interval land, the quality of which is equal to any in the state. The principal street runs north and south on a beautiful elevation above the meadows, which spreads out from the foot of East or Deerfield mountain.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.

New England towns usually set aside land for the use of the church. These meetinghouse lots were typically located in or near the center of the town. The general court of Massachusetts had, since 1631, required each township to set aside land for a training field for a weekly militia drill. The open area in the center of the town often met this purpose. As time passed, this open area outlived its original uses. It became a place to graze sheep and cattle, to walk, and to picnic. It was also the space upon or around which the town located public buildings such as the meetinghouse and the center district school. Although the town militia still trained here, the parcel acquired a new name more in keeping with the many peaceable activities it now supported: the "town common." Its new name defined its ownership. It was indeed a piece of land owned "in common" by the proprietors of the town. Remnants of such commons survive in many New England towns to this day.

William Barber made this woodcut of the Deerfield, Massachusetts, town common in 1839. Deerfield's common was typical of many New England town commons in the early nineteenth century. Its military associations receded in importance, although the town militia still mustered here on "Training Day" in the fall and spring. A park-like atmosphere attracted pleasure seekers like the couple depicted strolling amongst the carefully planted shade trees. A brick schoolhouse to the pair's left served the children of the town's central school district. The school also hosted lyceums, lectures, and town meetings. A new brick meetinghouse, the first built "solely for worship," replaced the old meetinghouse torn down in 1826.

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