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Offering a 7 x 12 manuscript colonial quit claim dated May 14th, 1768, involving THOMAS and CHRISTOPHER LESSINGWELL of New London, Colony of Connecticut unto JOHN TRACY of Norwich with extensive details on the location of the land, “to hold the above-described premises and privileges unto John Tracy his heirs and assigns...and neither Thomas nor Christopher...neither under them...shall by any way or means hereafter have claim or demand any state right title or interest or to the privileges or any part thereof...shall be utterly excluded and barred forever...”
Signatures appearing on the verso, include,
THOMAS LESSINGWELL (1703-1793) was a fourth generation Lessingwell and son of Deacon Thomas Lessingwell. The younger Thomas who signed this document was a substantial landowner. Lesssingwell’s mother, Lydia Tracy was a member of the Tracy family.
CHRISTOPHER LESSINGWELL was born in Norwich on June 11, 1734, and became an important entrepreneur. His principal achievement was his paper mill on the Yantic River. At the May 1768 session of the General Assembly, he petitioned the colony, explaining that he had spent considerable money erecting a paper mill in Norwich. The assembly responding by granting him a bounty. This was the first paper mill established in Norwich.
Leffingwell operated or invested in several enterprises, including a stocking factory, a pottery business, a grist mill, a chocolate mill and a tavern and inn along with maritime and mercantile ventures. He had also petitioned against the Stamp Act in 1765.
BENJAMIN HUNTINGTON, JR., TOWN CLERK (1736-1801) was born in Norwich in 1736, the son of Isaac Huntington, though he was referred to as Jr. after his uncle Benjamin Huntington (1736-1800), who was a graduate of Yale College and represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress and the First Federal Congress. Benjamin Huntington Jr. succeeded his father and uncle as clerk of the town of Norwich, serving from 1765 to 1801 (with a one-year gap in 1778-1779).
Toning. Vertical fold breaks reinforced with archival tape.
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