Richard Sikes

Richard Sikes Although his family was probably from Yorkshire, he had been living in London prior to coming to New England in 1639. He settled first in Dorchester, MA and there married Phoebe. He moved to Springfield, MA in 1642 and remained there until he died. He was a member of the first board of selectmen, (approximate equivilent of a town council) in Springfield. He we referred to as "one of the foremost of discreet men of the town."

Eighteen grants of land were made in his name. One of them was quite unusual. On March 13, 1660, he was granted "a parcel of land on the west side of ye Great River (Connecticut River) over agenst ye long meadow--which land hereby granted lyeth between two brooks and it is to run westward from ye river to a hill about 40 rods westward." Four land plots, lying north and south along the river were granted to Thomas Bancroft, Abel WRight, John Lumbard and Richard Sikes. They were the share equally the 60 or so acres of land. Can you imagine four men doing that today?