The Sheffield Patent, dated January 1, 1623 (Julian calendar) is a land grant from Edmond Lord Sheffield (Sheffeild in the original) of England to Robert Cushman and Edward Winslow (residents of Plymouth Colony[1]) and their associates. It granted them the use of Cape Ann (in present-day Massachusetts) and the neighboring bay and islands, allocating 500 acres for public buildings and 30 acres for private use for each settler arriving withing the next 70 years. Events August 6 - Pope Urban VIII is elected to the Papacy. ... The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, taking force in 45 BC or 709 ab urbe condita. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... The Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 until 1691. ... Cape Ann is a rocky peninsula located in northeastern Massachusetts on the Atlantic Ocean. ... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Senators Edward Kennedy (D) John Kerry (D) Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th)  - Land 20,317 km²  - Water 7,043 km² (25. ...

Cape Ann was subsequently settled by members of the Dorchester Company, which was later absorbed into the Massachusetts Bay Company. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (sometimes called by the name Massachusetts Bay Company, for the institution that founded it) was the direct predecessor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay and then the state of Massachusetts. ...

External links

• The Charter for the North Shore of Massachusetts Bay. known as the Sheffield Patent Jan 1, 1623 [Reprint]. [2] - A image of a typeset version, hosted by the Library of Congress. The original copy of this version is reportedly in the possession of the Essex Institute of Salem, Massachusetts.
• Picture of the original, in the possession of the Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum.