Signed, sealed and delivered, in ye presence of us,

Joshua Knap, David Waterbury.^

Katonah ><^ his marke.

RocKAHWAY tsj his markc.

Segotah t^ his marke.

Jovis \x his marke.

CoHMACOYYoH ci his marke.

Yannape O* his marke.

Kakenoud t> his marke.

'^ Lambert's Hist, of New Haven.

b Original document in possession of the Hon. W. Jay, Bedford.

8 HISTORY OF THE

The same year there appear to have been no less than twentytwo proprietors of the Hop grounds, and from the town records we learn that £43 10s 6d, had been paid for its purchase.

Upon the 1 1th of October, 16S1, the proprietors of the Hop ground agreed that no one might be admitted as an inhabitant, nor should have power to sell or exchange the land that might be allotted to him, nor should he have any voice in disposing of lands, but that any inhabitant on paying forty shillings should have an equal share with the proprietors in all the undivided land.

At a court of election holden in Hartford, May 11th, 1682, the following license was granted to the people of the Hop ground.

" Upon the petition of the people of the Hop ground, this court doth grant them the privilege of a plantation and do order that the name of the town be henceforth called Bedford, and this court doe appoint Joseph Theall to be the present chief military officer for the train band of Bedford, and Abraham Ambler is also empowered by this court to grant warrants to swear officers and witnesses, and to joyne persons in marriage according to law, and they doe free the sayd towne of Bedford from county rates, for the space of three years next ensuing.^