February 13, 2015 was the 350th anniversary of the signing of the Articles of Agreement in 1665 between representatives of the plantation area called East Saybrook on the east side of the Connecticut River from the parent Colony of Saybrook on the west side to amicably separate from each other. Two years later in 1667, East Saybrook would be officially recognized by the Colonial Court in Hartford as a town and named Lyme. This agreement remains an historic link in the 21st century between five towns — Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, East Lyme, and Salem — the last four having separated from the original area of Lyme by the mid 19th century. A planning committee of representatives from the five towns planned public events for celebrating the anniversary with the logo shown above.
Transcription* of the articles of agreement between the Saybrook Colony and East Saybrook (later Lyme) executed on February 13, 1665
“Wharas thar hath been several propositions betwixt the inhabitants of east side of the River and the inhabitants on the west side of the River of the towne of Saybrook towards a Loveing Parting:
“The inhabitants on the east side of the River desiring to be a plantation by them selfe do declare that they have a competency of Lands to enterain thirty familyes.
“They declare that they will pay all areres of rates past and all rates dew by the first of May next ensuing to the later end of January next ensuing, the town do consent thar unto; and in case they have not a minister selected amongst them, then they are to pay Rates as for the future to the minister on the west side as formerly until a minister be settled amongst them.
“In reference to the lands of Hamanasuk, they on the east side of the River doe fully and freely resine up all thar rights, titells, and clames to all and every parcel of the land to the inhabitants of the west side, engaging them selfs to afford what help they have amongst them for the recovery of those lands, they being raisonably considered for their pains.
“That the Indians at Nehanick have the land agreed upon by the covenants made betwixt the inhabitants of Saybrook and them.
“The above said articles being agreed upon by the committees chosen on both sides of the River, the inhabitants of the east side have Liberty to be an plantation of them selfs. In witness whereof , the committee chosen on both sides have set their hands..
“John Waldo, William Pratt, Robert Lay, William Parker, Zackeriah Sanford, For the West Side. “
“Matthew Griswold, William Waller, Renold Marvin, John Lay. Richard Smith, John Comstock, For the East Side. “
*This text of the Loving Parting document can be found in the Lyme Tercentenary publication The Ancient Town of Lyme.
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