Records, 1629-1799 – 328 Volumes
The Massachusetts Archives Collection (also known as the "Felt Collection") is an important source of records for early Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. The Collection contains original records of the governor, Council, General Court, secretary, and treasurer spanning the 17th and 18thcenturies, with voluminous amounts of Revolutionary era materials. The Archives also holds records on the ratification of the Massachusetts and federal constitutions, Shays' Rebellion, and the early statehood period.
The collection covers topics ranging from international affairs to local and individual concerns. Records reflect the activities of the governor and General Court within the framework of the British empire, focusing on Massachusetts' relations with London, other British colonies, the French colonial government in Canada, and the Indian nations in New England and New York.
Records also document the prosecution of military actions and negotiations for peace. Treasury records, census schedules, tax lists, judicial actions, and legislative orders allow researchers to study the administrative functions of the colonial/provincial government.
Many volumes also trace the General Court's involvement with localities and individuals. Documents range from tavern licenses, divorce petitions, and land grants to records pertaining to the compensation for the loss of a horse or the siting of a meeting house.
The collection also documents the lives of significant persons, such as John Winthrop, Increase Mather, Roger Williams, and Jonathan Edwards. Volumes from the Revolutionary era contain references to the additional major figures of that period, including Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Gage, George Washington, James Otis, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
The records were bound into 328 numbered scrapbook volumes, arranged roughly by topic. Rev. Joseph Felt originally organized the collection in the 1830s, and last third of the collection was added in the late 19th century using a similar scheme. Some of the volumes include material on a particular topic, while others, especially those dealing with the Revolutionary era, contain records with a similar format. Each volume has been carefully disbound and rehoused in archival containers.
Materials on a particular subject may appear in any number of volumes. Most of the volumes have a table of contents and many have been indexed. Digital images of the collection are available online.
Colonial Period (1629-1686)
King Charles I of England granted a charter to the "Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England" in 1629. The charter took the form of a private trading company with twenty-six men named as incorporators. The king recognized Massachusetts as a corporate body, with the right to rule and administer the territory under its authority. The charter set boundaries three miles north of the Merrimack River to three miles south of the Charles River, and from the Atlantic on the east to the south sea on the west. Using creative geography, Massachusetts used these boundaries to lay claim to Maine, New Hampshire, and portions of Connecticut and New York.
The charter provided a general administrative structure for the company, but left many details vague. Four great and general courts, with the governor, lieutenant governor, assistants, and freemen, were to be held annually. These courts were responsible for admitting additional freemen, choosing officers in an annual election, settling the necessary forms of government, and making laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the company, provided they were not contrary to the laws of England. General Court orders dating from the 1630s mandated careful record-keeping practices, thus ensuring that the Massachusetts Bay colony would be carefully documented.
The first General Court was held on October 19, 1630, in Boston. By 1634, the inevitable increase in population and the inconvenience of gathering for a General Court from the outlying areas led to the election of representatives or "deputies." The assistants, a small group of wealthy men who controlled much of the government, and deputies met as a single legislative assembly until 1644 when tensions between the two groups caused the General Court to divide into two bodies, which met separately.
The Puritan settlers, who made up most of the company, faced many practical difficulties as they sought to create a workable society while preserving their religious beliefs. During the first years of the colony's existence, the tension between the idealism of religious beliefs and the practical needs of a small agricultural community tested the colonists' resolve. These tensions led the General Court to exile leading members of the colony who threatened the religious basis of the community. Many of the exiles later settled in other areas in New England.
By 1684, Massachusetts government was based on the provisions of the charter, various legal codifications, and a liberal interpretation of English common law. The colonial charter was withdrawn in 1684, in part because Massachusetts resisted the changes demanded by the developing British imperial system. A strong sense of local entitlement and authority pervaded the colony, leading to repeated policy conflicts with Great Britain. Despite the revocation of the charter, the Governor and General Court continued to govern Massachusetts until May 1686, when a provisional government under Joseph Dudley was established.
Governors
- Matthew Craddock: 1629
- John Winthrop: 1629-1633, 1637-1639, 1642-1643, 1646-1648
- Thomas Dudley: 1634, 1640, 1645, 1650
- John Haynes: 1635
- Henry Vane: 1636
- Richard Bellingham: 1641, 1654, 1665-1672
- John Endicott: 1644, 1649, 1651-1653, 1655-1664
- John Leverett: 1673 -1678
- Simon Bradstreet: 1679 - 1686
Archival Records
- Charter of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay, 1629 (SC1-23x)
- Access to original document restricted
- Exemplification of judgment for vacating the charter, 1685 (SC1-24x)
- Access to original document restricted
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Proceedings of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay, 1629-1686 (CTO-1700x)
- Also known as Court records, volumes 1-5
- Council executive records, 1650-1661 (GC3-327)
- Also known as the Council records, volume 1
- Files of the Commission on the Massachusetts/Rhode Island boundary, 1671-1899 (CO2-109x)
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Transcripts of New Plymouth Colony records, 1620-1691 (SC1-41x)
- Maps and plans, 1629-present (SC1-50)
- Transcripts of treaties and contracts, 1629-1891 (SC1-123x)
- Sheriffs' returns on debt execution, 1657-1732 (TR1-2070x)
Published transcriptions
- Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 1629-1686
- Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 1630-1692
- The Probate Records of Essex County, 1635-1681
- Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1636-1683
- Suffolk Deeds, 1629-1687
- Abstracts of Suffolk County Wills, 1638-1672
- Records of the Suffolk County Court, 1671-1680
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Records of Plymouth Colony, 1620-1692
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850
Inter-charter Period (1686-1692)
The inter-charter years cover the period between the end of the old colonial government in 1686 and the resumption of the Massachusetts government under the William and Mary charter in 1692. Three different governments were in effect during this period, but the documentary record covering the late 17th century is incomplete.
In May 1686, Joseph Dudley established a provisional government, covering Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Plymouth, and the Narragansett Country. The president and Council were royal appointees with the same functions as the governor and assistants. The Massachusetts General Court ceased to function, but the new government had no power to either enact laws or collect taxes.
Sir Edmund Andros arrived in Boston in December 1686 with a commission to establish the Dominion of New England. The new royal province included the same territory as Dudley’s claim, with the addition of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Andros governed alongside a council of royal appointees from the various colonies. The council could enact laws and collect taxes, acquiring those responsibilities from the colonial legislatures. In 1688, Andros added New York and the Jerseys to the Dominion.
Andros' policies, dictated by the British Lords of Trade in London, proved unpopular. The lack of a popularly elected assembly, strict enforcement of the Navigation Acts, uncertainty about the validity of land titles, and the disestablishment of the Puritan church all served to alienate residents. Governor Andros was imprisoned, and his government was overthrown, on April 18, 1689, shortly after the news of the English Glorious Revolution reached Boston.
An extralegal provisional government, known as the Council for the Safety of the People and Conservation of the Peace, was quickly established after the overthrow of the Dominion of New England. This system lasted until government under the old charter could be resumed. Returning to the form of government in effect in 1684, the new provisional government existed until 1692, when the charter for the new Province of the Massachusetts Bay was brought to Boston.
Governors
- Joseph Dudley: 1686
- Sir Edmund Andros: 1686-1689
- Simon Bradstreet: 1689-1692
Archival Records
- Charter of James II, 1687 (SC1-25x)
- Access to original document restricted
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Especially volumes 35-37, 107, 126-129
- Council executive records, 1686-1687 (GC3-327)
- Also known as Council records, volume 2
- Council legislative records, 1689-1692 (GC3-1701x)
- Also known as Court records, volume 6
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Transcripts of New Plymouth Colony records, 1620-1691 (SC1-41x)
- Maps and plans, 1629-present (SC1-50) Engrossed acts, 1687-1996 (SC7-207)
Published transcriptions
- Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 1630-1692
- Suffolk Deeds, 1629-1687
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850
- Records of Plymouth Colony, 1620-1692
Provincial Period (1692-1774)
King William and Queen Mary signed a new charter on October 7, 1691. The charter, inaugurated in Boston on May 14, 1692, officially enlarged the territory governed by Massachusetts to include the old colony of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth Colony, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Maine, and parts of Nova Scotia. The new charter significantly altered many of the forms of colonial government.
The Province of Massachusetts Bay lost its independent colony status, and became more tightly woven into the British imperial structure. The governor received greatly expanded powers, despite being appointed by the king rather than elected. The governor had the right to veto acts of the General Court, as did the king. The charter named the governor as commander-in-chief of the militia, allowing him to appoint all military officials. The governor also the right to summon, adjourn, and prorogue the General Court.
The Council, the successor to the assistants, consisted of twenty-eight men selected from the House of Representatives. They acted as the upper body of the legislature and advisor to the governor. No money could be issued from the treasury without a warrant from the governor and Council. The lower body of the legislature, known as the House of Deputies under the old charter, was now called the House of Representatives. New representatives were elected annually by freeholders; men holding a certain amount of property. The General Court appointed officers, passed laws and orders, organized all courts, established fines and punishments, and levied taxes, all with the consent of the governor. The House alone controlled the salaries of the governor and judicial officers.
The William and Mary Charter was modified in 1725 by the Explanatory Charter, issued by King George I. Further strengthening the governor's office, this charter gave the governor sole power to adjourn the House of Representatives and the right to negate the House's choice of speaker. The charter was modified again in 1774 when the British Parliament passed the "Intolerable Acts" as a result of the Boston Tea Party. Later that same year, a final split between the royal governor, General Thomas Gage, and the House of Representatives resulted in the establishment of the first Provincial Congress.
Governors
- Sir William Phipps: 1692-1694
- Lt. Gov. William Stoughton: 1694-1699 (acting governor)
- Richard, Earl of Bellomont: 1699-1700
- Lt. Gov. William Stoughton: 1700-1701 (acting governor)
- The Council (after the death of Stoughton): 1701-1702
- Joseph Dudley: 1702-1715 (The Council ruled briefly from Feb. - March 1715)
- Col. Elizeus Burgess (commissioned 1715
- Lt. Gov. William Tailer: 1715-1716 (acting governor)
- Samuel Shute: 1716-1723
- Lt. Gov. William Dummer: 1723-1728 (acting governor)
- William Burnet: 1728-1729
- Lt. Gov. William Dummer: 1729-1730 (acting governor)
- Jonathan Belcher: 1730-1741
- William Shirley: 1741-1757
- Thomas Pownall: 1757-1760
- Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchinson: 1760 (acting governor)
- Sir Francis Bernard: 1760-1769
- Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchinson: 1769-1770 (acting governor)
- Thomas Hutchinson: 1770-1774
- Gen. Thomas Gage: 1774-1775
Archival records
- Charter of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay (1691) SC1-26x
- Access to original document restricted
- Explanatory charter (1725) SC1-27x
- Access to original document restricted
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Council legislative records, 1692-1774 (GC3-1701x)
- Also known as Court records, volumes 6-30
- Council executive records, 1692-1774 (GC3-327)
- Also known as Council records, volumes 2-16
- Treasury warrants, 1764-1824 (GC3-772x)
- Committee of War at Albany financial records, 1756 (PS18-1761x)
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Transcripts from the British Public Records Office, 1691-1773 (SC1-43x)
- Maps and plans, 1629-present (SC1-50)
- Secretary's letterbooks, 1701-1872 (SC1-117x)
- Transcripts of treaties and contracts, 1629-1891 (SC1-123x)
- Transcripts of public documents, 1734-1936 (SC1-161x)
- Returns of enumeration of slaves in towns, 1754-1755 (SC1-209x)
- House journal, 1722-1994 (SC1-532)
- Affidavits for shipping rum, spirits, sugar and molasses, 1765-1769 (SC1-1563x)
- Engrossed acts, 1687-1996 (SC7-207)
- Accounts of collectors of excise, 1762-1800 (TR1-679x)
- Sheriffs' returns on tax executions, 1751-1797 (TR1-1459x)
- Sheriffs' accounts, 1769-1786 (TR1-1463x)
- Treasurer's general journals, 1753-1856 (TR1-1510x)
- Treasurer's general ledgers, 1753-1817 (TR1-1511x)
- Assessors' returns of tax valuations, 1763-1797 (TR1-1598x)
- Certificates of debt for Province of Massachusetts Bay loan, 1755-1777 (TR1-1602x)
- Accounts of military expenses, 1755-1787 (TR1-1718x)
- Writs and summons to the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, 1723-1788 (TR1-1730x)
- Sheriffs' returns on debt execution, 1657-1732 (TR1-2070x)
Published transcriptions
- Acts and Resolves of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 1692-1780
- Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1715-1779
- The Massachusetts Tax Valuation List of 1771
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850
Provincial Period (1774-1775)
The 1774 "Intolerable Acts" significantly altered the 1692 charter, closed the Port of Boston, and allowed the quartering of British troops in the town of Boston. In response, the General Court resolved itself into the first Provincial Congress on October 7, 1774, in Concord. Some of its first actions involved appointing Henry Gardner as receiver-general and establishing a plan for the defense and safety of the province.
The new Provincial Congress also organized a Committee of Safety, which functioned primarily as its executive. Despite its provisional nature, the Provincial Congress gained legitimacy over all of Massachusetts, except the area around Boston that was still under British control. The first Congress dissolved on December 10, 1774.
After new elections, the next Provincial Congress met at Cambridge on February 1, 1775, and later at Concord and Watertown. It was dissolved on May 29, 1775. A third newly elected Congress met at Watertown on May 31, 1775, and dissolved on July 19, 1775, on the same day that the new state government was inaugurated.
On May 12, 1775, after the battles of Concord and Lexington (and the subsequent gathering of the Continental Army around Boston), the Provincial Congress applied to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia for guidance on permanent government. Acting on that request, the Continental Congress resolved that Massachusetts was correct in recognizing that the positions of governor, lieutenant governor, and the Council were vacant. They recommended that the Massachusetts towns elect a new Assembly that would choose a Council from among its members. On July 19, 1775, this newly elected General Court "resumed" government under the old 1691 charter.
Governors
- Gen. Thomas Gage: 1774-1775 (royal governor, but disqualified by the Provincial Congress in May 1775)
Archival records
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Especially volumes 138, 140, 146, 156, 157, 180, 193, 194, 206, 283, and 295
- Proceedings of the Provincial Congresses, 1774-1775 (PC1-1704x)
- Transcripts of the proceedings of the Provincial Congresses, 1774-1775 (PC1-1704x)
- Also known as Court records, volumes 31-32
- Minutes of the Committee of Safety, 1774-1775 (PS15-380x)
- Transcripts of letters concerning the Governor's Council, 1774-1776 (GC3-55x)
- Also known as the Mandamus Council
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Transcripts from the British Public Records Office, 1691-1773 (SC1-43x)
- Various series relating to the Treasurer's office (TR1)
Published transcriptions
- The Journals of Each Provincial Congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775
- Province in Rebellion: A Documentary History of the Founding of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1774-1775
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850
Revolutionary Period (1775-1780)
From July 19, 1775, until a new constitution was adopted in 1780, state government derived from a modified version of the 1691 charter. Following the advice of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Massachusetts created a temporary government. Without a governor or lieutenant governor, either the Council or a standing committee sat as the executive. When the General Court was in session, the Council continued to meet as the upper house of the legislature. Although cumbersome, this form of government worked well enough to provide the necessary time for the development of a constitutional government.
Calls to change the provisional government began in 1776, driven by arguments that the Revolutionary War had ended any validity of a British charter-based government. Questions about the process of constitution making revolved around the composition of the constitutional convention and the need for popular ratification.
On June 17, 1777, the General Court resolved itself into a constitutional convention. Early the next year, the Court submitted a constitution establishing the State of the Massachusetts Bay for popular ratification. It failed by a five to one margin. Votes in town meetings offered some explanations for dissatisfaction with the proposed constitution, specifically the absence of a bill of rights, the lack of a constitutional convention composed of the legislature rather than specially elected delegates, the lack of complete separation of governmental powers, and restrictions on the religious backgrounds of office holders.
On February 19, 1779, the General Court again asked the towns to vote on the expediency of drafting a new constitution and the need to elect a special constitutional convention. The resulting constitutional convention convened on September 1, 1779, and met through June 1780. The government under the new Commonwealth of Massachusetts began on October 25, 1780.
Governors
There were no elected governors during the Revolutionary period.
Council Presidents During the Revolutionary Period
According to the rules of the Council, the "eldest" councilor present always acted as the president. Seniority was determined by the length of service in the Council, not the age of the individual. The House of Representatives elected the Council from its members at the beginning of the legislative year in May, and they also determined the order of seniority that point.
- James Otis: July 27 - September 12, 1775
- William Sever: September 21 - October 6, 1775
- James Otis: October 7 - October 16, 1775
- James Bowdoin: October 17 - October 19, 1775
- James Otis: October 20 - October 23, 1775
- James Bowdoin: October 24 - October 25, 1775
- James Otis: October 26 - November 16, 1775
- Walter Spooner: November 29 - December 5, 1775
- William Sever: December 6 - December 29, 1775
- Walter Spooner: December 30, 1775 - January 15, 1776
- William Sever: January 16 - February 12, 1776
- Benjamin Greenleaf: February 13 - February 23, 1776
- William Sever: March 14 - March 29, 1776
- James Otis: March 30 - April 30, 1776
- James Bowdoin: May 1 - May 3, 1776
- James Otis: May 4 - May 7, 1776
- James Bowdoin: May 8, 1776
- James Otis: May 9 - May 13, 1776
- James Bowdoin: May 30 - June 22, 1776
- Jeremiah Powell: June 24 - July 4, 1776
- James Bowdoin: July 5 - July 16, 1776
- Various individuals
- James Bowdoin: August 16 - September 25, 1776
- Walter Spooner: September 26 - October 4, 1776
- James Bowdoin: October 9 - November 16, 1776
- Jeremiah Powell: November 18 - December 2, 1776
- James Bowdoin: December 3, 1776 - February 11, 1777
- Jeremiah Powell: February 12 - July 10, 1777
- Artemas Ward: July 11 - July 21, 1777
- William Sever: July 22 - August 1, 1777
- Artemas Ward: August 2 - August 13, 1777
- Jeremiah Powell: August 14, 1777 - June 1, 1778
- Artemas Ward: June 2 - June 8, 1778
- Jeremiah Powell: June 9, 1778 - June 7, 1779
- Artemas Ward: June 8 - June 10, 1779
- Jeremiah Powell: June 11 - October 16, 1779
- Artemas Ward: October 18 - October 23, 1779
- William Sever: October 25 - November 9, 1779
- Artemas Ward: November 10 - December 1, 1779
- Jeremiah Powell: December 2, 1779 - June 7, 1780
- James Bowdoin: June 8 - August 25, 1780
- Jeremiah Powell: August 28 - September 5, 1780
- James Bowdoin: September 6 - September 16, 1780
- Jeremiah Powell: September 18 - October 13, 1780
- James Bowdoin: October 14 - October 18, 1780
- Jeremiah Powell: October 19 - October 25, 1780
Archival records
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Council legislative records, 1775-1780 (GC3-1701x)
- Also known as Court records, volumes 33-40
- Council executive records, 1775-1780 (GC3-327)
- a. Also known as Council records, volumes 17-25
- Commission on the boundary between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 1671-1899 (CO2-109x)
- Reports of contested elections, 1777-1843 (CT2-1151x)
- Waterways maps and plans, 1774-1971 (EN3.02-1165x)(TR1)
- Council minutes, 1776-1986 (GC3-329)
- Treasury warrants, 1764-1824 (GC3-772x)
- Gov. Council divorce files, 1774-1788 (GC3-1710x)
- State clothier receipt book, 1779-1780 (PS1.10-684x)
- State clothier return of clothing, 1779-1780 (PS1.10-686x)
- Various series relating to the Board of War (PS2)
- Manifesto/proclamation of three commissioners appointed by his majesty, 1778 (SC1-28x)
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Maps and plans, 1629-present (SC1-50)
- Muster rolls of the Revolutionary War, 1767-1833 (SC1-57x)
- Certificates of payment to the Continental Army, 1777-1784 (SC1-58x)
- Secretary's letterbooks, 1701-1872 (SC1-117x)
- Transcripts of treaties and contracts, 1629-1891 (SC1-123x)
- Returns from towns of relief to families/Continental Army soldiers, 1779-1780 (SC1-146x)
- Transcripts of public documents, 1734-1936 (SC1-161x)
- Returns of votes for state representatives, 1778-1866 (SC1-197x)
- Passed resolves, 1777-1995 (SC1-228)
- Passed acts, 1775-1997 (SC1-229)
- House unpassed legislation, 1775-1996 (SC1-230)
- Account books of relief to families of Continental Army soldiers, 1777-1781 (SC1-499x)
- House journal, 1722-1994 (SC1-532)
- Engrossed acts, 1687-1997 (SC7-207)
- Qualification certificates of appointed officials, 1776-1996 (SC8.02-181)
- Register of civil commissions, 1775-1975 (SC8.02-184x)
- Various series relating to the Treasurer's office (TR1)
Published transcriptions
- Acts and Resolves of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 1692-1780
- Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1715-1779
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850
Early Statehood Period (1780-1799)
The new constitution establishing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was ratified on June 16, 1780, and the new government began on October 25. The 1780 Constitution, framed by an elected constitutional convention and ratified by a franchise unrestricted by property requirements, is the oldest written constitution still being used for governance.
The 1780 Constitution has three parts: the Preamble, which discusses the nature of the document and the idea of a social compact; the Declaration of Rights, enumerating the "natural" rights of individuals; and the Frame of Government. Article XXX of the Declaration of Rights establishes the separation of powers within the executive, legislative, and judicial branches "to the end it may be a government of laws and not of men." The Frame of Government divides legislative power between the House of Representatives and the Senate, each with a negative vote over the other. The Senate consists of forty members chosen from electoral districts. Representatives are elected by individual towns, with the number dependent on the town’s population. The legislature is still called the General Court, calling back to both the 1629 and 1691 charters. Executive power resides with the governor and lieutenant governor. The governor holds a qualified veto over the legislature. The Council, no longer connected with the legislature, acts as an advisory body to the governor. The General Court has the power to constitute all courts. Judges are appointed by the governor and hold their positions for good behavior.
As time passed, further modifications to the Constitution were needed. However, there was no specific amending procedure to make changes. The Constitution required that a referendum be held in 1795 to ask voters if they favored holding a constitutional convention. Although a majority of voters favored the convention, it did not receive the required two-thirds majority, and no changes were made. In 1820, after Maine separated from Massachusetts, the resulting population shift provided the occasion to call a new constitutional convention.
Governors
- John Hancock: 1780-1785
- James Bowdoin: 1785-1787
- John Hancock: 1781-Oct. 8, 1793
- Samuel Adams: 1793 (acting governor)
- Samuel Adams: 1794-1797
- Increase Sumner: 1797-June 7, 1799
- Moses Gill: 1799-1800 (acting governor)
- Caleb Strong: 1800-1807
Archival records
- Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1780 (SC1-29x)
- Access to original document restricted
- Massachusetts Archives collection, 1629-1799 (SC1-45x)
- Council legislative records, 1689-1837 (GC3-1701x)
- Also known as Court records
- Council executive records, 1650-1977 (GC3-327)
- Also known as Council records
- Commission on the boundary between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 1671-1899 (CO2-109x)
- Commission on the boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 1784-1899 (CO 4-111x)
- Commission on the boundary between Massachusetts and Connecticut., 1791-1913 (CO5-112x)
- Guardians of Indians - accounts and correspondence, 1788-1865 (CO47-739x)
- Resolves respecting the sale of eastern lands, 1781-1811 (CT0-2032x)
- Proceedings of impeachment hearings, 1788-1825 (CT1-1750x)
- Reports of contested elections, 1777-1843 (CT2-1151x)
- Various series relating to the sale of the eastern lands in Maine (EA1, EA2, EA4, EA5)
- Waterways maps and plans, 1774-1971 (EN3.02-1165x)
- Council pardon files, 1784-1991 (GC3-328)
- Council minutes, 1776-1986 (GC3-329)
- Council files, 1784-1983 (GC3-378)
- Council files of inactive pardons and pardons not granted, 1785-1991 (GC3-771)
- Treasury warrants, 1764-1824 (GC3-772x)
- Council divorce files, 1774-1788 (GC3-1710x)
- Castle Island commitment registers, 1785-1798 (HS9.03-314x)
- State clothier supply ledger, 1780-1782 (PS1.10-685x)
- Various series of records relating to the Board of War (PS2)
- Agreement between Massachusetts and New York re: lands west of the Hudson River, 1786 (SC1-31x)
- Copy of the resolution adopting the US constitution, 1788 (SC1-32x)
- Proposed amendments to the US constitution, 1789 (SC1-33x)
- Transcripts and documents collected in France, 1492-1815 (SC1-38x)
- Maps and plans, 1629-present (SC1-50)
- Muster rolls of the Revolutionary War, 1767-1833 (SC1-57x)
- Certificates of payment to the Continental Army, 1777-1784 (SC1-58x
- Secretary of the Commonwealth correspondence, 1790-1995 (SC1-115)
- Secretary's letterbooks, 1701-1872 (SC1-117x)
- Transcripts of treaties and contracts, 1629-1891 (SC1-123x)
- Transcripts of public documents, 1734-1936 (SC1-161x)
- Returns of votes for state representatives, 1778-1866 (SC1-197x)
- Passed resolves, 1777-1995 (SC1-228)
- Passed acts, 1775-1997 (SC1-229)
- House unpassed legislation, 1775-1996 (SC1-230)
- Senate unpassed legislation, 1780-1996 (SC1-231)
- Account books of relief to families to Continental Army soldiers, 1777-1781 (SC1-499x)
- Senate journal, 1780-1996 (SC1-531)
- House journal, 1722-1994 (SC1-532)
- Unpassed legislation relating to Indians affairs, 1783-1856 (SC1-592x)
- Warrants for taxes and fees in arrears, 1786-1804 (SC1-593x)
- Orders to the secretary of state from the legislature, 1782-1901 (SC1-1012x)
- Bond certificates of employees and organizations, 1787-1890 (SC1-1302x)
- Registers of votes for national/state officers, 1780-1998 (SC5-196)
- Engrossed acts, 1687-1997 (SC7-207)
- Rendition files, 1795-1870 (SC8-176)
- Qualification certificates of appointed officials, 1776-1996 (SC8.02-181)
- Register of civil commissions, 1775-1975 (SC8.02-184x)
- Various series relating to the Treasurer's office (TR1)
- Receipts for interest on US stock paid by Commissioner on Loans, 1791-1792 (TR1-118x)
- Register of tax executions, 1787-1789 (TR1-1094x)
Published transcriptions
- Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts, 1780-1996
- Journals of the House of Representatives, 1780-1994
- Journals of the Senate, 1780-1996
- Reports of the Records Commissioners of the City of Boston, 1634-1822
- Vital Records of Massachusetts Towns to 1850