Chapter II No registration of immigrants were recorded until 1727. That year the Province of Pennsylvania began to record the arrival of Europeans in America. Following that date the records of Pennsylvania German Pioneers recorded the following entrants; 09-26-1741, Christaffel Stump; 09-30-1743, one Michael Stump; 09-24-1753, Peter J. Stump; 08-24-1799, Karl Ludwig Stump. On the same day that Peter J. Stump arrived, it is recorded that John Christopher Stump entered. It is believed that John C., and Peter J. were brothers, because of their passage upon the same ship and at the same time. Peter J. Stump travelled from Philadelphia where he landed south and settled on the South Branch of the Potomac, while John Christopher Stump followed the migration trail westward, crossed the mountains and entered a patent for a thousand acres of land at the head of Droop Mountain, 12-03-1796. Evidently there was little if any, relationship between Peter J. Stump and Michael Stump by whom he located, for there are several records of marriage between their families. Some of these Stumps pushed on westward into other states, locating in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. The earliest permanent settlers in West Virginia were of German origin. They came from Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, and Eastern Virginia. They forded the Potomac River at the old "Pack Horse Ford" near what is now Shepherdstown. There they founded a settlement which they named New Mechlenberg. The name was later changed to Shepherdstown in honor of Thomas Shepherd who surveyed and laid out the town. Their settlement began prior to 1730, and within a very few years, they established settlements on Opequon Creek and the South Branch of the Potomac in many places. Mechlenburg now called Shepherdstown is the oldest town in the State of West Virginia. Fast and Maxwell's history of West Virginia names a number of these early families. Among them were the Stumps, Straders, Hites, Brakes, and Minears. There is some evidence that might lead one to believe that some of these settlements were made prior to Morgans settlement on Mill Creek. Michael Stump and Catherine (Neff) Stump came westward with this group of settlers, and took up residence on the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac. Being young, they gave little thought consideration as their permanent home site. All the Northern part of what is now West Virginia was then claimed by large Land Companies, and most of this territory was included in the land grant made by the Crown of England to Lord Thomas Fairfax. These land proprietors were exerting all their power and influence to secure land tenants within their grants. Land titles were the least of their worries. Michael and Catherine Stump took up their residence on what has ever since been known as Stump Run, a small tributary of the South Fork Of the South Branch. Here they lived with only what was called a "Tomahawk" title for their home. All indications signify that Michael Stump and Lord Fairfax or his land agent had a verbal and definite understanding between them. In those days a man's word was better than his signature is today. This under- standing is assumed from a notation found in the diary of George Washington which reads "Michael Stump and veneable Henry needs surveys for lands settled prior to 1748". Evidently this fact was so reported to Mr. Fairfax by Mr. Washington when he returned from his Western trip. As a result of this notation and report, we find soon afterward the following contract and title registered in the proprietors office in book G., file 227. To be contined...Chapter III..LAND GRANT OF LORD FAIRFAX TO MICHAEL STUMP (Posted by Evelyn)