Before 1752, the English government observed the Julian calender and March 25 as the first day of the new year. On March 25, 1752 the English government and the American colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar. On Sept. 14 1752 the following day was Sept. 2, 1752. You lived 13 days over again. This adjustment was necessary to sync the calendar with the religious holidays which were getting out of wack due to the errors in the Julian time keeping system. There are many expert explanations of both the calendar systems on the internet. Just type Julian calendar or Gregorian calendar into Google or any internet search engine. Or look in the help files of most genealogy software. To the question: So if the Julian date is 29 7 mon 1683. The Gregorian date is 29 Oct 1683 by my calculation. I just add 3, this may not be exactly the right to do it.

Hi Al, Your question: Was John Neild on the boat with William Penn?? According to "The Historical Society of Pennsylvania" Mr. John Neild arrived PA on 29 7 mo 1683 on the ship "Endeavr" of London, Geo. Thorp the Master of the ship. About 20 families are listed as passengers on this ship. Neild is listed this way: Tho: Janeway (Janney) & Margaret his wife, late of Pownell in Cheshire, husbandman: Children, Jacob, Thomas, Abel & Joseph Janeway: servants, John Neild, Hannah ffalknr. The "Welcome" arrived Oct. 27, 1682. Neild arrived about a year after Penn. Now, I suppose he could have been on the boat with Penn, returned to England and returned again. The passengers sailing with Penn have been studied for years and some variations of the passenger lists are out there. I would venture to say this may be the only reference to this gentleman you may every find. The only answer I know is the information the HSP has. Many us are looking for that one tidbit of information, just like this, and would be happy to find it to help solve the many unknowns of our ancestors. This information and much more like it is showing up on the internet and CD's with very little about the original sources. You never know what to believe, if the source is listed you can always go verified it, and then you either trust it or reject it. If it is the only know source, then the organization's reputation is examined. I'd say the reputation of the HSP is excellent. The old passenger lists that survive are owned by the HSP, right or wrong, good or bad, that's all there is. The Historical Society of PA publication "The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography" at one time published an article, or a series of articles, Emigrants to Pennsylvania 1641-1819, which were many different lists of passengers arriving between the mentioned years using the original lists for reference. They have a large collection of the original old written records from the colonial era. So they are the keepers of the archives of everything, or a lot things old pertaining to PA. I doubt if we would have easy access to see any of these original records, so for most of us the closest to the seeing original lists, is to have a copy of this magazine. I have no idea what issue or date it was published. The magazine has been in circulation for at least 150 years and subscriptions are available here http://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=132 . So, to make it easy for many of us to see the old issues or excerpts from old issues they have allowed or licensed Genealogy Publishing Co. to republish some of there magazine articles in books & CD. The Emigrant List book is available here http://www.genealogical.com/item_detail.asp?ID=5740 and is also offered on a couple of different CD along with other old PA publications. Some public libraries and historical societies may have some of these books and CD's. Let me assure you Al, I am no authority on PA history. I am very much a student of history, its interesting sometimes. Anyway, I hope you find some of this information useful and helps in your search.

In 1893 Dr. William H. Egle edited for publication as Volume XIX of the Second Series of the Pennsylvania Archives the Minutes of the Board of Property beginning with Book C, the earliest extant volume of the Minutes which was legible. It begins with the session of 13 3rd month 1687 and ends with the session of 30 3rd month 1732, naming thousands of persons--tenants and owners--associated with various land holdings. The proceedings of the Board of Property affected a considerable number of early Pennsylvania settlers; collected in book form, the Minutes of the Board constitute a formidable body of land records and must be considered one of the most valuable compilations in Pennsylvania genealogy as a whole. In reference to the way the books are indexed with letter (A, B, C etc) which Sharon just recently pointed out, the earliest are not available. Even in 1893 the author was unable read or find book A & B. The book is available here http://www.genealogical.com/item_detail.asp?ID=7512 on a CD with another 10 books of old PA information for $19.95 +. It may be a worth while purchase for PA history researchers. The book was reprinted in recent years by a commercial company and may be available under ISBN # 0806307234 or maybe eBay.

http://home.earthlink.net/~howardorjeff/i8.htm#W and http://www.co.dane.wi.us/regdeeds/defini.htm Now I hope they work for you. Sharon

Sorry about that. The emails appeared to me as if the web site address was included. I will send them through. I believe I sent an email about a month ago about land records in Chester County. It appears that several people are doing some really deep digging for land records. I hate to disappoint those involved but I can tell you any Land Record that is referred to the following "Patent Book A" will not be found. This patent book A has been missing for a number of years. I do not know how many. I know it is not in West Chester, Philadelphia or Harrisburg. I myself have never seen it. I have been doing Property searches in Chester County for 10 years now. Those doing this early land record searching may want to check with Delaware County resources about Patent Book A, but I doubt you will find it there. Sharon

Orville, this is such great background and a great help in understanding my ancestor's entries in the Penn Archives! And I thank you! My ancestor, John Henrich KIRSTEN/KERSEN/KEARSTEN/KUIRSON came to PA with a deed he got in England from Frederick DeRedegelt in 1704, an agent for Wm Penn, I presume. I had found this in the Minute Book G of the Pennsylvania Archives: The first occurrence of this family line in Pennsylvania and America, was when John KUIRSON, woolen draper and citizen of LangereSalza, Thurengia, Germany, appeared before the Pennsylvania Commissioners 9/19/1705 and 'produced a deed, translated and certified by Daniel Pastorius, dated 8/5/1704, from Frederic de Redegoldt, Colonel and Essay Master Generall of the Province of Pensilv'a and Terr's annexed, in America (so runs ye Deed), for 750 a's of Land, Part of 10,000 acres purchased of the Prop'ry, as is said, in England, by the said Redegoldt, to be taken up between the Rivers Susq'a and Delaw'e, Rent Free for 7 years.' Another person had a 'like deed' for 250 acres which quantities they desire Warrants to Take up. Ord'd Warrants and that before any Confirmat'n, Redegoldt's Deeds or Copies of them be produced, Warrant to Dan'l Powell and Is. Taylor both. The Penn. Commissioners must have been skeptical of these deeds, as they ordered warrants, but wanted proof, even though the deed had been translated by Pastorius, Wm Penn's buddy!! The next land item I found for him was in Germantown, in 1709 where he bought land of the widow of Dirck OpdenGraf and a Reinert Sisen. I presume he was in Germantown for a time, until settling in Oley. Then in 1717 he went back to the Penn Commissioners and here is an entry: (Minute Book H, meeting of 1/18/1717 of Commissioners Isaac Norris, Richard Hill and James Logan.) Then, 'John Henry KIEURSEN having formerly purchased 100 [sic 1000 acres - see Minute Book I] acres of Land, Part of the 10,000 acres granted by the Prop'r to Coll. Rhedegelt, obtained a Warrant for laying of it out and afterward a Patent; but the Grant to Rhedegelt being then disputed, a Bond was taken of Kieursen to pay --- if the Grant to Rhedegelt did not appear Good, and now the s'd Kieursen supposing the same to appear Satisfactory, desires his said Bond may be deliv'd up to him.' Appearantly after 12 years, he assumed his warrant was good, and asked for refund on the bond he must have had to post in 1705! In 1718 they agreed, partially, to 300 acres in Oley: (Minute Book I, meeting of Commissioners Isaac Norris, James Logan, Richard Hill on 1/18/1717-8.): John Henry Kuirson having purchased 1000 acres, part of 10,000 ac granted by the Prop'r to Coll. Rhedegelt, formerly obtained a warr't for laying out the same and afterwards a Patent, but the grant to Rhedegelt being disputed, a Bond was taken from Kuirson to Pay &-- if this grant from Rhedegelt did not appear Good, and now the said Kuirson supposing the s'd grant to be sufficient, desires his bond may be delivered to him cancell'd, which is left to the consideration of the Commissioners next meeting. (Minute Book H, Commissioner meeting 1718): Agreed with John Henry Kiursen for 300 acres of Land at Oley, at &14 p. C't and 1 shill. Ster. quitr't, for w'ch a Warr't is signed and dated 8/2/1718.' John Henry Kirsten signed petition in 1720 5th of 7br to make a township of Oley, to include Pike, Earl, and Rockland. Others who signed were Gorge Boon, Anthony Lee, Peter Bertolet, John Joder, Yost Joder, Hans Schneider, Isaac DeTurk, Jonathan Herbein, Jorg Reider, Abram Zimerman, John and Benj Longworthy... all residents in that area. source: The Petitioners, 1991, compiled by James Biedler, p 22-23. He had a mill in Oley, eventually, and died there in 1725. But your information about the early land distribution surely helped me understand what my ancestor had to go thru in getting his land! Thank you for this background! Diana in AL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Orville Mock" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 2:43 AM Subject: Re: [PACHESTE] Early Warrants for Penn settlers > The explanation of the land distribution in PA after William Penn became > the > owner is a complicated subject and probably will require the help of > several > Philadelphia lawyers to explain. Here's my explanation, maybe not the > best. > > Penn had brochures published and distributed in England & Europe > explaining > to interested emigrants the rules for land distribution in PA. Basically > there were three groups; the purchasers, the renters and the servants > (indentured servants). Also, for their use, the Penn family and heirs > were > reserved more then 500,000 acres in the province by a formula which in > Chester County directed the county surveyor to layout 500 acres sections > for > Penn for every 5,000 acres surveyed for purchasers in each of the > townships. > This formula wasn't applied as originally defined as later studies by the > historians say the Penn family didn't own one tenth of the land in Chester > Co. > > The purchasers and in particular the "first purchasers" were buyers of > sections that were divided into 10,000 acres that were apparently only > sold > in England. These were buyers who purchased the right to land not yet > seen > or surveyed; only the promise that the land was there. The first > purchasers > might be called the wholesalers and then they retailed the sale of smaller > lots and rental property. The purchase price was £100 per 5,000 acres plus > 1 > shilling quit-rent per 100 acres per year. The quit-rent started several > years after the purchase to provide the proprietors with a steady income > plus the taxes to pay the government. The original first purchasers were > given additional incentives that were not extended to all eventual land > purchasers. How many purchasers are defined as first, I don't know. Some > first purchasers were friends of Penn and given large tracts of land and > only paid the yearly quit-rent. Another incentive was a free lot in the > city of Philadelphia with a major land purchase in the country. > > The renters paid one penny per acre per year on a lot limited to 200 > acres. > > To encourage the poor to settle in PA a method was provided through the > servant plan to gain land ownership. Once there 4 or 7 or 11 year term of > service was completed a 50 acre lot was offered for rent at a rate of ½ > penny per acre per year. I've seen different lengths of service mentioned > in documents and may depend on the amount of money to be paid back for the > boat trip from Europe. This deal was apparently only offered for a period > of time as the "first purchasers" were immigrating. > > Eventually the renters and servants were able to save the money to > purchase > some land. The original land purchasers were free to sell the land to > whoever then wanted. Some or many of the big wholesale purchasers never > set > foot in PA. They had agents to collect the rents and quit-rents and to buy > and sell land. If the agents were honest they sent the money to the > owners > in England. There were a list of rules that governed the people including > the regulation of land ownership and the right to sell > > A lot of land deeds are on film at Chester County archives and with a lot > of > perseverance and detective work you might be able to track down were the > old > homestead was located. I was able to locate several land sales and > purchases by my ancestors from the early 1800's in Vincent Township. They > have a very detailed description of the property boundaries and acreage. > From those documents there is no way to go find that piece of property. > The > boundaries where listed as other farm boundary lines, trees, post and > other > objects long gone. I suppose that you could track the sales forward in > time > and eventually determine where that property was located. Then in another > case I was able to located an existing 225 acre farm in West Vincent > Township that was sold in 1929 by my 1st cousin, several times removed, > that > was first purchased by my 4th great grandfather in 1766. His father > arrive > in Philadelphia from Germany in 1733 and 33 years later the family bought > some land and by about 1825 had most of the land purchased and three sons > had separate farms going and these farms remained in the family for 163 > years. > > I hope this was some help. > > ______________________________

There is the title of a book out there somwhere: Minutes of the Board of Property and other references to lands in Pennsylvania / ed. by William Henry Egle, M.D., 1830-1901. The Subjects: Pennsylvania. Board of Property. Pennsylvania (Colony) Land office. Land grants--Pennsylvania. Real property--Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. Publisher: Harrisburg: C.M. Busch, state printer, 1894. Series: Pennsylvania archives. Third series ... ; v. 1-2 Call Number: Va.3 v.1 at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia. http://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=30 There is a seachable index of the holdings for all things Pennsylvania and more at the above site. The book can be found at the above street address if you are within driving distance of Phila., this is the place to visit. Its probably also somewhere in Harrisburg.

Be aware that not all of the landowner's listed on the early land owners list for PA from 1682 at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~GENHOME/lnd1682.htm actually came to the Colonies. Many just bought the land as an investment for resale. For instance: 46 Francis ROGERS, George ROGERS, were Irish merchants of Cork, they purchased 5000 acres of land from PENN 22 & 23 Mar 1681, they never came to the Colonies and later sold the land to George COLLETT 01 Apr 1683 who 23 May 1696 granted 2000 of those acres to Christopher PENNOCK and in his 29 Nov 1696 will bequeathed all his land in Pennsylvania to Joseph PENNOCK & Nathaniel PENNOCK. Nathaniel PENNOCK d: w/o issue and the balance of the 5000 acres was confirmed to Joseph PENNOCK, formerly of Tuppurary, Ireland and by this time of Springfield, PA.

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, was settled in 1681 by Capt. William Markham at the junction of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. He was a cousin of William Penn and was his Deputy Governor and represented him in the province of PA. He was in PA about a year before Penn's arrival taking care of family business. Also, about 1690 he was appointed a commisioner of property along with several other men who were authorized by Penn to sign patents and grant warrants for land in PA. The Commisioners of Property office was located in Philadelphia. By your document he apparent was empower to approve land sales earlier then 1690. Since he was the Deputy Governor he must have the top man in the province. The following films of Chester land deeds may offer some help if you have a FHC near by you. I would think that the Chester Couty Archives in West Chester would have the same information. Locating property deeds can be a time consuming project. First you go through the index by the last name and find the film number for one of the other 153 films. The total of films is 165. If don't see any listing at this time for any earlier records then 1688. One of the historical societies in Philadelphia or Harrisburg may have other records. Title Deeds 1688-1903 ; Index to deeds 1688-1922 Grantor index A, B, C 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20874 ] Grantor index D, E, F, G 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20875 ] Grantor index H, I, J, K, L 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20876 ] Grantor index M, Mc, N, O, P 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20877 ] Grantor index Q, R, S, T 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20878 ] Grantor index W, Y, Z 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20879 ] Grantee index A, B, C, D, E 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20880 ] Grantee index F, G, H, I, J, K 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20881 ] Grantee index L, Mc, M, N, O, P, Q, R 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20882 ] Grantee index S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z 1688-1922 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20883 ] Miscellaneous index, Grantor 1688-1852 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20884 ] Miscellaneous index, Grantee 1688-1860 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 20884 ]

Here is another list that may have different terms on. I found the term "Land Warrent" on this list. Sharon Click here: Definitions of terms found in Land Records

On this web site are just definitions of property deed terminology. You will find "patent" and "Warrenty deed" in the list. The list is alphebetical. Sharon Click here: Genealogy Definitions

http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/maps%201.htm

Chester Times: 3 September 1884 Jottings From Upland Meeting of the Young People - Improvements About the Borough The Young Men's Association of Upland Baptist Church, held a very interesting meeting in their room on Main street last evening, President Henry FLOUNDERS in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, after which were some very good recitations and readings. The most interesting part of the evening's programme was the debate. It was a failure in one sense owing to the fact that a large number of those who were to have taken the affirmative were absent. Some of the regular debaters were also unable to attend on account of other engagements and therefore the debate was a one-sided affair, but no doubt the negative had the best men as they seemed to be in good trim and knew their parts well. The subject debated was a very interesting one and had there been a full attendance of the members a lively time would have been had. There was a fair attendance of the boroughites and the question for the next meeting, which will be held on next Tuesday evening, will be "Resolved, That farmers are more independent than menchanics." A lively time is expected and those who belong to the society would like all the young men that are members of the Baptist Church to consider this amttter and join the society, as their meetings are alwasy of benefit. The Blue Cap base ball club will play the Wilmington team at the Park on Saturday afternoon, game to commence at 4 o'clock. J. Lewis CROZER is having a water course constructed along Summit Street which carries off all the spare water from upper part of the hill. Miss Nannie WRIGHT of Germantown is spending a few days with Maggie REA of Main street and she seems to be greatly pleased with the borough. The painters are still at work on the office of S.A. CROZER & Son, painting and repairing it and they expect to be through with their work in a few days. Mr. and Mrs. James BOTTOMLEY of Philadelphia are spending a few days at the residence of J. GREAVES on Sixth Street. An oyster saloon has been opened on Eighth street by a couple of colored men from Chester where they will keep a full supply of all kinds. This is the only oyster saloon in the borough at this time. Mrs. Charles VAN RIPER of Main street is still visiting in Philadelphia but expects to return home this week.

Karen; Yes, we Must find those Minutes of the Board of Property, they must be a very important link in the process. If anywhere, they would probably be in Harrisburg, Pa, Does anybody know for sure?? For your 2nd question about limiting of 50 acres, I don't believe that is so, as my ancestor had 100 acres surveyed. Your 3rd question about the Survey, I did a BAD thing & forgot to note on it where I found mine but I'm quite sure it was among the Taylor Tapes in the Philadelphia History library. It says: "Surveyed & laid out the 22 of the 2nd month by virtue of a Warrt from Capt William Markham & Commissioners dated the 9th of the 7th mo 1682 unto Tho Garret Re 100 acres of land in the County of Chester lying on the east side of Namans Creek between two branches of sd creek beginning at a corner marked white oak standing by a branch in the forke from thence along the several courses of the sd branch to a corner marked beech tree standing by the other branch from thence a long the several courses of the said branch to the first mentioned white oak. Returned according to which above said survey & bounds into the Proprietary's Secretary's office ye 22d of ye 5th mo 1684" Where was Capt Markham? Was he in England or America at that time -- how was this Warrant issued? Where would the papers from the Proprietary's Secretary be found?? I don't know Where in England my Thomas Garrett came from, and thus this search. Thank you, Carol

I'd say you have an interesting document. Does this warrant describe a seller, financial terms and acreage by landmarks and boundary description? Or that someone is entitled to 100 acres of land in a township? In the old history of the land sales starting in 1682 and into the late 1700 on up to the revolution only two documents are mentioned in connection with land sales that I remember, warrants and patents. In several Chester Co.land sale transactions in the very early 1800's by my ancestors they were titled "Deeds", although it mentions the land belonged to his father before him and his father obtained the land from "The West New Jersey Society" and it was now free and clear to sell to the next purchaser. I haven't attempted to find out any more about these land deals yet since the microfilm copying machine at the FHC I have access to is broke, and has been for over a year, and I would like to copy these old documents before I look at any more film. The words warrant are mention first and patent second. The word deed is not used. It's like you receive a Warrant for Survey". The surveyor executes the warrant. He actually measures some land somewhere and certifies the boundaries and your land does not encroach on someone else's land. Now, do you now receive a "Warrant of Survey" and then the purchaser could obtain a patent? Does the words "of" and "for" mean two different documents? If your document does not describe this land and only indicates the purchase of 100 acres, then where is the land? It seems there's a lot more questions then answers. I suppose we could ask the experts at Century 21? Some early history books mention that first purchasers who paid for the land in England had "Warrants of Survey" that apparent defined the exact location of the land and that a better title was not needed, but the smart buyer would obtain a patent. My guess is that once the new immigrant arrives in PA and moves onto his property he would, by English custom, go to the local court house and register the land. The patents or deeds I've look at have a numbering system used by the court clerks and were written on the documents and entered in ledger books with duplicate documents. This way the land transactions were traceable. Was this the procedure in 1682? I don't know. Also, land purchases were financed by large land holders in England and warrants were given which did not give title to the first purchaser until the mortgage was paid off. Many of these early settlers sold the land using these warrant's along with the property improvements, like build a house, made some money and bought other land or headed west. The new purchaser then had to deal with the mortgage holder. The first purchaser never had title to the land, it remained with the original proprietor. Were all these deals made fair and square? I doubt it.

In a message dated 2/20/2004 8:39:39 AM Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > Thank you for your Excellent explanation of the procedure. It clears up > for > me why my ancestor's name was not listed with the Original Owners, yet he > Was > an original owner of Penn land -- he evidently purchased his small 100 acre > tract from an Owner of a larger tract. > > He Warrant for Survey was dated 1682, and I would really like to know if he > arranged for the 100 acres while still in England -- it isn't likely he > would > have come to America without knowing where he was going. > > Any further thoughts on this subject? > Carol > > Carol, I think you might say that ALL of the Penn settlers came to the Americas without knowing where they were going -- besides to Penn's Province, that is! (What a leap of faith!) Even folks who bought land while still in Europe didn't know what land they were going to end up with! Below is a summary of information from T.M.Potts about one of my ancestor's Penn purchase. After reading Potts' references to the Carters' purchase of his Penn land, I was left with questions, the most practical ones being: (1) Can someone could tell me what the "Minutes of the Board of Property" are? Do they still exist? If so, where they are located? (2) Carter's application for land suggests that he, his wife, and people whose rights to apply for land sold them to the Carters were each entitled to 50 acres of land. Does that tell us anything about the circumstances or conditions under which he might have emigrated/immigrated? Or, was everyone who had not purchased one of the very large plots while still in Europe limited to 50 acres per person after arriving in the Province? (3) Does anyone know what Potts refers to when he says a survey was filed for Carter in the surveyor's papers? Do these papers still exist? If so, where? Summary of Jeremiah Carter's land purchase from Penn: Thomas Maxwell Potts' book (pp. 28-30), "Bi-centennary Memorial of Jeremiah Carter. . ." which was published in 1883 describes Jeremiah's application for his Penn land. The Carters arrived in PA in 1862. Yet, they did not apply for their right to purchase Penn land until 1715 (33 years after arriving). It could not have been because he was simply saving up for it; he had purchased other land during the previous 33 years. So, I wonder about the delay but suppose I'll never know! Potts reports that on page 83 of the Minutes of the Board of Property is a record of Jeremia (sic) Carter's application to obtain a Warrant to lay out 250 acres of land. Based upon their early settlement in the Province of Pennsylvania, Jeremiah and Mary Carter were entitled to purchase 100 acres (50 acres each?), Henry Swift and his wife were entitled to purchase 100 acres (ditto?), and Richard Whigsted was entitled to purchase 50 acres. The Swifts and Whigsted sold their rights to Carter. The minutes report that the Warrant for 250 acres was granted and signed. Potts further stated that a Warrant for the survey was issued, dated "24th, 3 mo. 1715," and was on file (as of 1883 when Potts wrote his book) in the Department of Internal Affairs at Harrisburg. Since this date was listed prior to the colony's adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752 when first month was changed from March to January, this warrant presumably was issued on May 24, 1715. Finally, Potts noted that a survey dated November 4, 1715, was filed among the surveyor's papers which showed 250 acres in Sadsbury Township for Jeremiah Carter. (Potts also reported that there was a family tradition that a lot in the City of Philadelphia was granted to Jeremiah Carter as well. However, considering it of little value, he never secured a title for it. Since all original purchasers of land in the Province were entitled to a lot in the City, the tradition was probably correct since Jeremiah Carter's name does not appear as a landowner in Philadelphia.) Any thoughts on this information and how it merges with other information about Penn land purchases which have been a topic of conversation on the list recently? Karen Carter Minneapolis, MN

Hi listers, can anyone direct me to a site that has early maps? I am looking for this location: Brandywine Creek, near Chaddsford, Chester Co., PA circa 1683. Much thanks, Janice

Thank you for your Excellent explanation of the procedure. It clears up for me why my ancestor's name was not listed with the Original Owners, yet he Was an original owner of Penn land -- he evidently purchased his small 100 acre tract from an Owner of a larger tract. He Warrant for Survey was dated 1682, and I would really like to know if he arranged for the 100 acres while still in England -- it isn't likely he would have come to America without knowing where he was going. Any further thoughts on this subject? Carol

The explanation of the land distribution in PA after William Penn became the owner is a complicated subject and probably will require the help of several Philadelphia lawyers to explain. Here's my explanation, maybe not the best. Penn had brochures published and distributed in England & Europe explaining to interested emigrants the rules for land distribution in PA. Basically there were three groups; the purchasers, the renters and the servants (indentured servants). Also, for their use, the Penn family and heirs were reserved more then 500,000 acres in the province by a formula which in Chester County directed the county surveyor to layout 500 acres sections for Penn for every 5,000 acres surveyed for purchasers in each of the townships. This formula wasn't applied as originally defined as later studies by the historians say the Penn family didn't own one tenth of the land in Chester Co. The purchasers and in particular the "first purchasers" were buyers of sections that were divided into 10,000 acres that were apparently only sold in England. These were buyers who purchased the right to land not yet seen or surveyed; only the promise that the land was there. The first purchasers might be called the wholesalers and then they retailed the sale of smaller lots and rental property. The purchase price was £100 per 5,000 acres plus 1 shilling quit-rent per 100 acres per year. The quit-rent started several years after the purchase to provide the proprietors with a steady income plus the taxes to pay the government. The original first purchasers were given additional incentives that were not extended to all eventual land purchasers. How many purchasers are defined as first, I don't know. Some first purchasers were friends of Penn and given large tracts of land and only paid the yearly quit-rent. Another incentive was a free lot in the city of Philadelphia with a major land purchase in the country. The renters paid one penny per acre per year on a lot limited to 200 acres. To encourage the poor to settle in PA a method was provided through the servant plan to gain land ownership. Once there 4 or 7 or 11 year term of service was completed a 50 acre lot was offered for rent at a rate of ½ penny per acre per year. I've seen different lengths of service mentioned in documents and may depend on the amount of money to be paid back for the boat trip from Europe. This deal was apparently only offered for a period of time as the "first purchasers" were immigrating. Eventually the renters and servants were able to save the money to purchase some land. The original land purchasers were free to sell the land to whoever then wanted. Some or many of the big wholesale purchasers never set foot in PA. They had agents to collect the rents and quit-rents and to buy and sell land. If the agents were honest they sent the money to the owners in England. There were a list of rules that governed the people including the regulation of land ownership and the right to sell A lot of land deeds are on film at Chester County archives and with a lot of perseverance and detective work you might be able to track down were the old homestead was located. I was able to locate several land sales and purchases by my ancestors from the early 1800's in Vincent Township. They have a very detailed description of the property boundaries and acreage. From those documents there is no way to go find that piece of property. The boundaries where listed as other farm boundary lines, trees, post and other objects long gone. I suppose that you could track the sales forward in time and eventually determine where that property was located. Then in another case I was able to located an existing 225 acre farm in West Vincent Township that was sold in 1929 by my 1st cousin, several times removed, that was first purchased by my 4th great grandfather in 1766. His father arrive in Philadelphia from Germany in 1733 and 33 years later the family bought some land and by about 1825 had most of the land purchased and three sons had separate farms going and these farms remained in the family for 163 years. I hope this was some help.

What a marvelous discovery you've made !!! Thank you so much. The words and intent are so clear, and such a lovely invitation!! Thank you!! Dori