Manuscript Estate Documents of Samuel Hyde of Pelham Massachusetts.

Two manuscript documents, one on folio sheet (12" x 7"), about 21 lines of text, signed; the second on half sheet, Larger document is torn at the sold, almost separated, a few small holes at folds (no loss of text), remnant of paper seals, numerous calculations on reverse; smaller sheet has signature neatly removed, both show normal aging and browning, and foxing and staining, a couple of minor repairs. Overall very legible. Samuel Hyde of Pelham in the county of Hampshire (Massachusetts) appears to have prepared these documents in his later years to leave some of his estate to his sons. To Samuel (junior) he gave 60 pounds, which he was to receive on his twenty-first birthday. To his son Andrew, who sometimes spelled his name the same as his father, but other times did not, he left his farm. The document is interesting in that it defines the boundaries of the farm, by indicating whose property it bordered. Since the elder Hyde was still alive, he was to have use of the farm until he died. The manuscript is signed by Samuel Hyde. The Hyde family appears to have had a long history in New England, and is probably among its earlier settlers.