What’s a proprietor? (and why does it matter?)

When Connecticut gave land to colonial settlers, it did not do so – as other colonies did – by issuing patents to individuals. Instead, it gave a group permission to settle on a certain area of land. These individuals, referred to as “proprietors” were responsible for establishing town governance and dividing the land among themselves (and deciding whether to hold it or to sell it to others).

To find the list of proprietors for a certain town, look for the proprietors’ records held by the town clerk (often their own book or the first section of the land records) or review the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut.