Rainsford Island is granted to Edward Rainsford.

Rainsford uses the island for grazing cattle. A skeleton next to an iron sword hilt is subsequently unearthed here, prompting speculation that it may have previously been visited by Norsemen. The island is subsequently used for farming and as a cemetery by both Native American and European settlers. After Rainsford’s death in 1680, ownership passes through many hands. The island is purchased by the town of Boston for a quarantine hospital in 1737,* by the state for an almshouse by in 1852,* and by the city for the same purpose in 1872.*