Unit Central Question:
How did the cultural characteristics, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and economic conditions of the French, English, and Indigenous people contribute to the growth of inter-group hostilities, fighting, and attacks in the late 17th and early 18th centuries?
Key Content Ideas Taught in this Lesson and Teacher Background
- The English concept of exclusive individual rights to land came into conflict with the Pocumtuck concept of land ownership in Deerfield.
- The origin of this particular conflict can be traced, in part, to the granting of land in Deerfield to English settlers from Dedham, Massachusetts, as compensation for land that was taken from them to create a mission for the Native people in that area.
- Pocumtucks and the English had different views on land ownership, religion, and the use of the land for economic gains.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Understandings
Students will understand that:
- a small number of Indigenous people, appointed by the English, made the decision to transfer land in Deerfield to the English. These “representatives” were not selected by their own people, and did not represent their wishes in the transaction.
- even though the English of Dedham were given land in the Deerfield area, they did not all choose to live there. Many of Deerfield’s inhabitants came from south of Deerfield.
- the Dedham deeds (a total of 5) and increased English settlement in the area resulted in conflict between the Pocumtuck people and the English and caused hardship for the Pocumtucks by restricting their ability to maintain their migratory lifestyle and economy.
- through the signing of the deeds the English were negotiating for “complete control” of Pocumtuck land.
- the Dedham deeds were an official sign of English ownership for land in Deerfield given to the Dedham residents who were forced to move so that a mission could be established for that area’s Native peoples.
- many of the Dedham residents sold their rights to Deerfield land to others. They were not interested in relocating to a remote and dangerous area.
- the English settlement at Deerfield was an isolated outpost, vulnerable to attacks.
Skills
Students will be able to:
- identify the locations of Deerfield and Dedham.
- read and analyze a 17th century map and deeds to extract information from them.
In Preparation for Teaching
Activity 1
- Copy Map of New England in 1677 (Foster).
- Make certain each student has red and blue crayons.
Activity 2
- Copy “Deed of Pacomtuck land granted by Chauk to Dedham residents” (Chauk Deed/Dedham Deed), Transcript of “Deed of Pacomtuck land granted by Chauk to Dedham residents” (Dedham Deed), Personal Deed Worksheet, and modern (sample) deed (optional).
- Gather flip chart paper and marker and paper for student essays.
Activities
Activity 1 – Where is Deerfield?
- Distribute the map of New England in 1677.
- Ask students to locate the towns by drawing a “red star” on Deerfield and a “blue star” on Dedham (note: on this map Dedham appears as “Deda”).
- Ask students to note where other settlements were near Deerfield. Were there settlements to the north? Tell them that the nearest town to the west was Albany in the colony of New York.
- Ask if students think Deerfield was in a good location to be safe from attack. Ask them to point out other towns that might have been safer and discuss why.
Activity 2 – The Dedham deed and transfer of land – simulation activity
- Distribute both the transcription and original copy of the Dedham deed. Ask students to attempt to read the deed in its original format. Then ask them to read the transcription.
- Distribute the Personal Deed Worksheet. Ask students to prepare a deed in which they allot a portion of their bedrooms to a relative or friend for a short period of time.
- Distribute a copy of a modern-day deed for students to examine. Discuss as necessary. (optional)
- Hold a discussion about how the English acquired Deerfield from the Pocumtucks. Make a list or chart on the board of ideas and responses. Be certain that all students understand that:
- the Pocumtucks believed that they had agreed to share this land with the English.
- the English believed that the Pocumtucks were giving up all rights to the land in Deerfield. This was in exchange for English land in Dedham that was taken from them to make a mission for the Indigenous people in that area.
- the Pocumtucks did not select the men that represented them in the transaction. These men did not represent the Pocumtucks’ wishes.
- although the English of Dedham were given land in the Deerfield area, they did not choose to live there. Many sold their rights to Deerfield land to others. They were not interested in relocating to a remote and dangerous area.
- the Dedham deeds (a total of 5) caused an increase in English settlement in the area. This resulted in conflict between the Pocumtucks and English and caused hardship for the Pocumtucks by restricting their ability to maintain their seasonal migratory lifestyle and economy.
- Ask students to write a “mini” summary essay comparing and contrasting the Pocumtuck and English views on land ownership, religious beliefs, and the use of the land for economic gain. Remind students to use their source materials and notes from the lessons “Pocumtucks in Deerfield” and “English Perspectives”) to help them with this assignment. This may be continued as a homework assignment.
Assessment
Use the students’ essays to assess the degree to which they achieved the intended learning outcomes for this lesson.
