One of my own ancestors, Christopher Needham, landed in Maryland from England in 1651 and received a land grant of 1,000 acres, for transporting himself and his wife, sons Edward and Thomas, and six servants, from England to America. He later settled in Elizabeth City County, in what is now known as the city of Hampton, VA:
"Jan. 15, 1651, Christopher NEEDHAM demandeth one thousand acres of land within this province for transporting himself, his wife and Edward and Thomas, his sons, and six servants. Warrant: to lay out one thousand acres for -Christopher NEEDHAM upon the Potomack River... Tho's Matthews, John Hil... -- Warrant Ed: To lay out one thousand acres for Christopher NEEDHAM upon the Potomack River, between Little Cedar Point and the Great Marsh-- there or elsewhere upon the Potomack River, or some Branch or Creek thereof not formerly taken up...”
This sort of thing is what I find so fascinating about being a title examiner in one of the Original Thirteen. I get a history lesson almost every day on this job.
Bedford County, which at one time encompassed almost the entire southwestern portion of Pennsylvania, is an area rich with history and tradition. The Jean Bonnet Tavern, used a gathering place by local farmers during the famous Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, is still in operation to this day.
One of the first deeds recorded in Bedford County was from a George Croghan to John Campbell Esq, merchant of Fort Pitt, dated 29th November, 1770. It recites that:
"Whereas Johonoissa, Scanayadia, and Caseantinica, chiefs or sachems of the Six Nations of Indians, did by the deed duly dated August, A.D. 1749, sell to the said Croghan in fee a certain tract of land on the south side of the Monongahela River, beginning at the mouth of Turtle Creek, and thence down the said river to its junction with the Ohio, computed to be ten miles…”
Great stuff, Leigh, thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Scott Perry
to post a reply:
login - or -
register