Dublin Core
Title
Survey Map - 1762
Description
A survey map of the area long before Maynard was incorporated. The actual bounds of the map are still being researched, but initial analysis points to parts of Stow.
For three reasons the document is likely preliminary work product that led to one or more final products. Firstly, the borders of the four parcels have been perforated by a needle to allow the parcel lines to be traced to another piece of paper. Secondly, the body of the document references four surveys done on various dates in 1761 and 1762. And thirdly, the presence of numerous mathematical calculations spaced randomly at odd angles suggest that the surveyor used whatever open space he found on the document to calculate distance (rods) and area (acres.)
Context: Stow in 1762
In 1762, the southern portion of Stow’s western border adjoins Bolton, with Bolton having been formed in 1738 from Lancaster. And in 1762, the northern portion of Stow’s western border adjoins Harvard, with Harvard having been formed in 1732 from Stow, Lancaster and Groton.
Despite having lost some land to Harvard in 1732, the Stow of 1762 is far larger than it is at the turn of the 20th century. Portions of Boxborough, Hudson and Maynard will be carved from Stow after 1762.
Because Stow’s western border changes after 1762, it may be a challenge to nail down where the surveyed parcels are.
Illustrations/Attachments:
Map Front (approximate visual representation)
Map Back (approximate visual representation)
Map Front (enhanced contrast)
Map Back (enhanced contrast)
Map Front (enhanced contrast, borders outlined)
Watermark #1
Watermark #2
Document Conservation Report
For three reasons the document is likely preliminary work product that led to one or more final products. Firstly, the borders of the four parcels have been perforated by a needle to allow the parcel lines to be traced to another piece of paper. Secondly, the body of the document references four surveys done on various dates in 1761 and 1762. And thirdly, the presence of numerous mathematical calculations spaced randomly at odd angles suggest that the surveyor used whatever open space he found on the document to calculate distance (rods) and area (acres.)
Context: Stow in 1762
In 1762, the southern portion of Stow’s western border adjoins Bolton, with Bolton having been formed in 1738 from Lancaster. And in 1762, the northern portion of Stow’s western border adjoins Harvard, with Harvard having been formed in 1732 from Stow, Lancaster and Groton.
Despite having lost some land to Harvard in 1732, the Stow of 1762 is far larger than it is at the turn of the 20th century. Portions of Boxborough, Hudson and Maynard will be carved from Stow after 1762.
Because Stow’s western border changes after 1762, it may be a challenge to nail down where the surveyed parcels are.
Illustrations/Attachments:
Map Front (approximate visual representation)
Map Back (approximate visual representation)
Map Front (enhanced contrast)
Map Back (enhanced contrast)
Map Front (enhanced contrast, borders outlined)
Watermark #1
Watermark #2
Document Conservation Report
Creator
John Gage (presumed)
Date
1762
Contributor
Donated by Paul Boothroyd
Terry Jones: Research and Restoration Sponsor
Irwin Paper Conservation LLC
Maynard, MA
Maynard, MA
Watermark analysis by Julia Saint-Amour
Research Services Assistant
Special Collections Department
University of Delaware Library, Museums & Press
Research Services Assistant
Special Collections Department
University of Delaware Library, Museums & Press
Identifier
2026.217
Document Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Iron-gall ink on watermarked paper, 37.5 cm x 30 cm
Watermark Analysis
The watermark that closely resembles the Arms within a circle, crowned on the top here: ARMS.132.1
https://memoryofpaper.eu/gravell/record.php?&action=GET&RECID=1562
This appears on a newsletter dated 1704 in London, England and seems to be a variation of the British royal coat of arms, most identifiable by the harp motif in the bottom left quadrant of the shield. The writing around the edge may be "Honi soit qui mal y pense", or "shame on him who thinks evil of it", which is the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 by King Edward III.
The second watermark, with the initials "CB", is similar to the entry INIT.261.1, and in general fits into a tradition of serif initial watermarks, sometimes with a crown underneath, which seems to be common in entries from London in the early to mid 1700s.
https://memoryofpaper.eu/gravell/record.php?&action=GET&RECID=1674
Both of these linked entries are found specifically within "Newdigate newsletters" housed at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
It was not uncommon in the early 18th century for England to import paper from the Netherlands, where the quality of the paper was held in high regard. This led to Dutch papermakers using watermarks to appeal and adapt to the British market (through the use of imagery like arms and crowns). This supports a hypothesis that the paper was imported from England, with a possible additional piece of the puzzle that the paper could have been originally manufactured in the Netherlands and then brought to England.
Watermark Analysis
The watermark that closely resembles the Arms within a circle, crowned on the top here: ARMS.132.1
https://memoryofpaper.eu/gravell/record.php?&action=GET&RECID=1562
This appears on a newsletter dated 1704 in London, England and seems to be a variation of the British royal coat of arms, most identifiable by the harp motif in the bottom left quadrant of the shield. The writing around the edge may be "Honi soit qui mal y pense", or "shame on him who thinks evil of it", which is the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 by King Edward III.
The second watermark, with the initials "CB", is similar to the entry INIT.261.1, and in general fits into a tradition of serif initial watermarks, sometimes with a crown underneath, which seems to be common in entries from London in the early to mid 1700s.
https://memoryofpaper.eu/gravell/record.php?&action=GET&RECID=1674
Both of these linked entries are found specifically within "Newdigate newsletters" housed at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
It was not uncommon in the early 18th century for England to import paper from the Netherlands, where the quality of the paper was held in high regard. This led to Dutch papermakers using watermarks to appeal and adapt to the British market (through the use of imagery like arms and crowns). This supports a hypothesis that the paper was imported from England, with a possible additional piece of the puzzle that the paper could have been originally manufactured in the Netherlands and then brought to England.
Storage
FF4