“The observations were made of the Narragansett nation living on the western side of the bay and the Wampanoag of the east side. Both nations were numerous and well practiced in agriculture, fishing and hunting. The houses were the Algonquian wigwams in the form of a bell-shaped beehive, the frame of saplings set in the ground, bent together and lashed at the top, covered with mats or bark. The idyll of Narragansett Bay called to mind the virtuous life of olden times that men of the Renaissance learned from classical writings.” The lands of the Wamponoags, that virtuous group of people, extended to the area of Plymouth Rock. We shall see how the new arrivals and their descendants set about to distribute these lands for the good of all the inhabitants by means of land grants. [Illustration] CHAPTER III. LAND GRANTS At this point perhaps you would be interested in how some families came into possession of additional lands and homesites beyond the central village such as the South Pond area. The thousands of acres of land surrounding the site of the original settlement were held in common by all of the inhabitants, or more accurately the free holders or proprietors. These lands were thus available for distribution and use, so that the colony could grow and support more settlers. The General Court, the ruling body, was made up of the whole body of freemen. At first the freemen were signers of the Mayflower Compact and later such persons as new settlers or inhabitants from other towns moving permanently to Plymouth might be added by majority vote. In a sense the people of Plymouth were a legislative body in themselves. The Court had power to elect officers, make laws, and after paying off the indebtedness owed the English stock company, Plymouth was recognized as a town in 1633. In the beginning land within Plymouth was considered as held in common until legally granted away to specific persons or users. The land in the center, commonly known as the mile and a half strip, was the first apportioned. Land grants were made at various times by the General Court. In 1702 it was voted that a thirty acre lot should be given to each proprietor and ungranted land in the mile and a half square tract should be held for the town and sold from time to time for its benefit.