1786  DEED * KITTERY, MAINE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

SALE OF FAMILY LAND AT SPRUCE CREEK 

In this deed, John Fennix (usually in records as PHOENIX) yeoman and wife Katherine of Kittery sold 5 acres of land in Kittery to Thomas Huchins Lewis, yeoman of Kittery.

Of special note is the fact that Hutchins paid Fennix ten pounds and seven shillings. While the Revolution was over and the former colonies had begun printing their own state money, pounds and shillings were still acceptable with each state determining its own rate of exchange. Massachusetts, of which Maine was a part, had a rate of 6 shillings for each continental dollar.

John Fennix, grantor, was the son of George Fennix and Hannah Jones. John Fennix married Katherine Lewis who also signed with her mark. Thomas Hutchins Lewis, grantee, was the son of Thomas Lewis and Susanna Hutchins.

Hutchins, Lewis and Fennix-Phoenix and the other signatories' family genealogies are covered in both Stackpoles Old Kittery and Her Familes and the Genealogical Dictionary of New Hampshire. 

While Spruce Creek that runs through Eliot (until 1810 part of Kittery) and Kittery, is not mentioned in the deed, the Fennix, Lewis and Hutchins and Haley families were early, large families that lived along Spruce Creek.

The deed was signed by John Fennix and wife Katherine on 18 December 1786. It was witnessed by Diman Lewis and Benjamin Parker and was acknowledged by Edward Cutts and recorded by John Frost, Reg.19 December 1787. 

The script is dark and legible, and the paper seals are present.There are no breaks, splits or pinholes. Really nice condition for the 18th century.

The deed will be mailed first class carefully folded along an existing fold. I will be listing more 18th and early 19th century Maine and New Hampshire documents as time permits. I will always combine shipping. Please ask any questions you have. Thank you.