On the southeast of Groton, and adjoining it, was a small township granted, in the spring of 1654, by the General Court to the Nashobah Indians, who had been converted to Christianity under the instruction of the Apostle Eliot and others.  They were few in numbers, comprising perhaps ten families, or about fifty persons.  During Philip’s War this settlement was entirely deserted by the Indians, thus affording a good opportunity for the English to encroach on the reservation, which was not lost.  These intruders lived in the neighboring towns, and mostly in Groton.  Some of them took possession with no show of right, while others went through the formality of buying the land from the Indians, though such sales did not, as was supposed at the time, bring the territory under the jurisdiction of the towns where the purchasers severally lived.  It is evident from the records that these encroachments gave rise to controversy.  The following entry, under date of June 20, 1682, is found in the Middlesex County Court records at East Cambridge, and shows at that time to re-establish the boundary lines of Nashobah:—­

Cap’t Thomas Hinchman, L’t.  Joseph Wheeler, & L’t.  Jn’o flynt surveyo’r, or any two of them are nominated & impowred a Comittee to run the ancient bounds of Nashobah Plantation, & remark the lines, as it was returned to the genall Court by said m’r flynt at the charge of the Indians, giving notice to the select men of Grotton of time & place of meeting, w’ch is referred to m’r flint, to appoint, & to make return to next Coun Court at Cambridge in order to a finall settem’t

Again, under date of October 3, 1682 ("3. 8. 1682."), it is entered that—­

     The return of the committee referring to the bounds of Nashobey
     next to Grotton, was p’rsented to this Court and is on file.

     Approved

The “return” is as follows: 

We Whose names are underwritten being appointed by y’e Hon’rd County Court June:  20’th 1682.  To run the Ancient bounds of Nashobey, haue accordingly run the said bounds, and find that the town of Groton by theire Second laying out of theire bounds have taken into theire bounds as we Judge neer halfe Indian Plantation Seuerall of the Select men and other inhabitants of Groton being then with us Did See theire Erro’r therein & Do decline that laying out So far as they haue Inuaded the right of y’e Indians.

Also we find y’t the Norwest Corner of Nashobey is run into y’e first bounds of Groton to y’e Quantity of 350 acres according as Groton men did then Show us theire Said line, which they Say was made before Nashobey was laid out, and which bounds they Do Challenge as theire Right.  The Indians also haue Declared them Selves willing to forego that Provided they may haue it made up upon theire West Line, And we Judge it may be there added to theire Conveniance.

     2:  October:  1682. 
     Exhibited in Court 3:  8:  82: 
     & approved T D:  R.