This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SFk.2ACIB/1300.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: The only letter I can locate in House Heirs Files, is one that is often mentioned. It is dated December 18, 1899 as is as follows: The House records and estate of Andrew House by metes and bounds was first ceded to Count Frederick Edward Van Hautzen by Pudshers from the English Government, in the 16th Century, being attached as part of the Commonwealth of Maryland to the Calvert Government, which with the Estate of Lord Baltimore, it reverted back to the Crown, being regranted in the 17th Century to Andrew House, who was the Great Grandson of Count Frederick, from the latter Frederick County was named. This land was given to Andrew House as a birthday present, if he would enter this grant: he was also given the coat of arms: signatures and seals ( a different House Mediveael Coat of Arms) (Igout by you and me), cord and dagger. >>from Andrew House it decended to John Valentine House, the eldest child and his heirs. Neither patent or grant was ever recorded in Maryland, but a search of the British Colonies Offices in the 17th and 18th Century will reveal the Grant and old will of those records. The search for you will cost about ten pounds, or fifty dollars. But before coming to England, it might be well to satisfy that there was no assignment or quit-claim from John Valentine House, who was son of Count Frederick Edward Van Hautzen, who was a son of Andrew Van Hautzen, in times the last of the Counts of the Barony. Now this land coming from one country to another as a present, especially a present from the Royal Family, can never be taken away by time. If there is no assignment shown from Andrew House or John Valentine House, the estate is yet the property of their heirs by proving the grant which is in the records of the Colonial British Office of the 18th Century. No limitations laws passed by the States can bar title of grant, as the Law of Comity between Nations will demand that the grant be respected, unless assigned. If assigned it will become subject of limitation. If this is not yet assigned, it still remains an estate granted to Andrew House, his heirs, and assigns. Note: This a typewritten copy of a letter received from a London Law Office, which is often mentioned as the basis of the Andrew House/John Valentine House lawsuit which covered a vast estate in Maryland. This is posted just as the letter reads.