We have shown that the lands belonging to this town were originally purchased of the native Indians, by the Dutch West India Company, in 1640. Their next proprietor was John Richbell, who appears from the following document to have been united with two others, all at that time residents of the Island of Barbadoes, W. I., in the purchase and settling of a Plantation in the south-western part of New England, A.D. 165 7 :

" Instructions delivered Mr. John Richbell in order to the intended settlement of a Plantation in the south-west parts of New England, in behalf of himself and of subscribers :"

"God sending you to arrive safely in New England our advice is that you informe yourself e fully by sober understanding men of tbat parte of land which lyeth betwixt Connecticott and the Dutch Collouy and of the seacoast belonging to the same and the Islands that lye bettwixt Long Island and the Maine, viz. : within what government it is, and of what kinde that government is, whether very strict or remisse, who the Chiefe Magistrates are, on what tcrmes ye Indians stand with them, and what bounds the Dutch pretend to, and being satisfyed in these particulars, (viz.) that you may with security settle there and without offence to any. Then our advise is that you endeavor to buy some small Plantation that is already settled and hath an house and some quantity of ground cleared and which lyeth so as you may enlarge into the woods at pleasure in each, be sure not to fayle of these accommodations.