Early Pennsylvania Land Records
Originally published as Volume XIX, Second Series, Pennsylvania Archives Harrisburg, 1893. Reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1976. Forward by George E. McCracken.
Following are some excerpts related to ROBERTS.FORWARD
Not long after King Charles II granted to William Penn on 4 March 1680/1 the vast tract now known as Pennsylvania, the great Quaker began to lay plans for his new property. Uppermost in his mind was doubtless the desire to provide for his Friends a refuge from persecution, but along with this must have gone a wish to convert his new assets into cash.
This last aim was implemented, not by selling land outright, in which case conveyances would be delivered to the purchaser with a description of the land described in terms of metes and bounds, but by offering "rights" to a specified number of acres, the purchaser receiving for his money a warrant. This would prove his right when, after he had come to America and selected desirable land not yet taken up, he applied to the Surveyor General for a survey. The surveying done, the purchaser might then apply for a patent when he could afford to pay the fee.
Those who purchased rights while Penn was still in England have come to be known as "First Purchasers." A number of lists of such purchasers have been printed at various times, but most recently and most reliably by Mrs. Hannah Benner Roach in Welcome Society Publications, Vol. I (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970), pp. 195-208, where previous printings are listed.
The "rights" were originally offered in lots of 5,000 acres, but a few persons purchased 10,000 acres, and many in fractions of 5,000 acres, the minimum number of acres accepted being usually stated as 250, but there is evidence of some purchases of only 125 acres, and a few of odd sized lots, e.g. 300 or 400 acres. Many of the First Purchasers appear to have bought only for investment and never came to America but sold to others who did become settlers.
As might be expected, a great many problems arose calling for decision by proprietary authority. Penn had sent on ahead as lieutenant governor his first cousin, William Markham, and when at London on 25 October 1681, he appointed as commissioners of property his trusty and well beloved Friends, William Crispin, William Haige, John Bezer and Nathaniel Allen. Crispin, however, died on his way to America and a new commission was issued by Penn at Gravesend on 31 [sic] 2nd month called April 1682, in which Crispin's name was replaced by Thomas Holme, actually the first Surveyor General. Upon his arrival on the Welcome on 28 October 1682, Penn took over control, which lasted until he departed on the Endeavor on 16 August 1684.
So far as is known to me, these four men were still in office when on 21 11th month 1686 at Worminghurst, Penn issued a new commission to William Markham, Thomas Ellis and John Goodson, stating that the unnamed former commissioners had served long enough.
In 1893 Dr. William H. Egle edited for publication as Volume XIX of the Second Series of the Pennsylvania Archives, here reprinted, the Minutes of the Board of Property beginning with Book C, which is stated by Dr. Egle to have been the earliest extant volume of these Minutes which was legible. Though many of the volumes of the Pennsylvania Archives were prepared for publication by persons not skilled in palaeography, this volume appears to be well done. It begins with the session of 13 3rd month 1687 and ends with the session of 30 3rd month 1732. The series continues in Volume I of the Third Series, but this is not being reprinted because it lacks a volume index, though included in the index for the whole Third Series.
The volume now offered to the public is invaluable for any research into early Pennsylvania genealogy. In each case the history of the property on which the Board is asked to pass is given in detail, often providing a great deal of genealogical information about the family owning the land. This is not a work of abstracting, for the whole of the information has been transcribed.
At a Session of the Commissioners at Philadelphia the 18th 11th Month, 1702.Present, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story, James Logan, Secretary.
(p.350)
The Prop'ry, by Patent, dated 31, 5 mo., 1684, Granted to Wm. Wood, Purchaser, 100 acres joynnig on the Land of Wm. Sharlow and Company, and the river Skuylkill, and by another Patent of the same date, granted to William Sharlow and Wm. Wood, Purchasers, one hundred Acres, beginning at a Corner Tree of John Bowles' Land, and joyns on the river Skuylkill and the other recited Tract, both which Several parcels the said Wood and Sharlow having Conveyed to Hugh Roberts, his 3 Sons Rob't, Owen and Edw'd, by Edw'd, request a Resurvey and new Patent. Ordered a Resurvey forthwith and a Patent when the Deed to Hugh Roverts is produced, and 'tis fully agreed among the said Brethern in whose name the said Patent shall be granted both in Blockley Township.(p.599)
Signed a Warrant to Edward Roberts, of the County of Bucks, for 250 acres of Land in the Tract called the great Swamp, for £37 10s, the whole.(p.609)
Signed a Patent to Edward Roberts for 250 acres in the Tract called the great Swamp, in Bucks County mentioned page 84, dated 21st 9ber, 1716.(p.631)
The Proprietor, by Lease and Release, dated the 16 and 17th days of 7ber, 1681, granted to Thomas Bailey, of Bristol, in Great Britain, 250 acres of Land in this Province, quitrent 1sh sterl'g p. C't. The said T. Bailey, by like Deeds, dat. Ye 8th and 9th days of May, 1713, for £5 granted the said 250 acres to Edward Roberts, of Philad'a, who now requests Warr'ts to take up the same with the Lott and Lib. Land.(p.649)
Signed two Warrants to Edward Roberts for the Land and Lott mentioned in Page 107, dated 4th 1st month, 1717-8.(p.684)
The said Thomas Bayly, by like Deeds dated the 8th and 9th days of May, 1713, for £5 granted the said 250 acres to Edward Roberts of Philad'a, who now desires warr'ts to take up the same, with the Lott and Liberty Land.
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