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LETTERS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA

CLAIMANTS.

Memorial of Josepth Wharton.

The Memorial and Representation of Joseph Wharton, of the City of Phladelphia, to the honorable William Irvine, Thomas Boude and Andrew Porter, Commissioners appointed by law, to adjust and ascertain the value of Lands in the Seventeen townships, in Luzerne County, belonging to Pennsylvania, setteth forth:

1st. That your Memorialist was one of the earliest purchasers of land, after the treaty at Fort Stanwix, on the North East and Easterly sides of the river Susquehanna, formerly in Northumberland County, and of other tracts which lay on a path leading from Wyoming to Onaquaga town, but now in Luzerne County.

2nd. That 12 of the said tracts are on the said river. 3d. That 10 of these 12 tracts were surveyed the 23 Septem', 1773, In pursuance of Order dated the 23d April, 1769. One other tract the 23 September, 1773, Order of the 3a April, 1769, and that the 12th tract on the river was surveyed the 25th August, 1774, in pursuance of an order dated the 9th day of May, 1774.

4th. That the two other tracts situated on the creek Micheanga or Red Bank creek (but is laid down, I am told, in Reading Howells map to be Wappasining creek), and empty themselves into the Susquehanna, were surveyed the 15th and 16th days of August, 1774, on Warrants dated the 9th May, 1774, lying within the Seventeen Townships aforesaid.

5th. That 8 tracts are on a path leading from Wyoming to Onaquaga town in the names of Thomas, William, Solon, Isaac, Carpenter and James Wharton, and of Charles Jervas and John Shaw, Jun'., and were all surveyed on or about the 18th or 19th of September, 1774, on Warrants dated the 9th May, 1774. 6th. That the whole of your memorialists Land in Luzerne County aforesaid, consisting of twenty-two tracts, were surveyed by Charles Stewart, Deputy Surveyor, and are herewith handed to you in regular Drafts taken from the Land office, and all of them distinctly and separately laid down on a Sheet

of paper with the dates of Surveys, respective Boundaries, and names of the adjoining proprietors, so that your Memorialist apprehends the descriptions are so clear, as to render the discovery of each tract eligible and pleasing to the Commissioners. 7th. That the two tracts in the names of Jac. Burkholder and Samuel Lefever, situate, the one about mile above the mouth of Meshawping creek, and the other about 1 mile above the mouth of said creek, are caveated, I have been told by Colonel Hartley, but I am assured by Mr. Hall and the other quondam officers of the Land office, that the Col's. Lands are on the other side of the river, and consequently that his claim cannot affect me. You will, however, be pleased to examine the two tracts and ascertain the value of them according to law, leaving the title hereafter to be decided by the Board of Property, if this is the right mode of procedure.

8th. That 19 tracts were patented by me in Mr. Reed's administration, and the remainder under Governor Mifflin, and that these as well as my Deed of Conveyance to the State of Pennsylvania are duly lodged in the proper office at Lancaster, observing, however, that my Conveyance was the 1st made to the State, under, and conformable, to the Wyoming Law.

I believe, Gentlemen, I have given every description necessary respecting the Situations and titles of my Lands. It remains for me to mention that my claim is evidently unquestionable, and from their being nearly the first which were located and surveyed after the Indian purchase at Fort Stanwix, the Lands must, in general, and on the Micheanga or Red Bank creek, be of the 1st quality; and hence I confide, will be entitled to the highest legal valuation (altho' to my sorrow **** inadequate to their worth after a 30 years villainous detention from me,) by your equitable allowance. I am aware of the industry and insinuations which the Connecticut people will make against the quality of the Soil, and their hope to have each tract divided and subdivided, so as to be able if possible, to reduce the valuat" to their great benefit, and to my extreme injury, but your knowledge of Land, your characters, and the sacred trust reposed in you by the State, dispel every fear and apprehension from their evil suggestions and machinations.

Whether the Eight tracts lying in the path leading from Wyoming to Onaquaga will fall within the limits of any or either of the 17 towns, I cannot tell. If they should not, and my presumption may not be too great, I shall hold it a singular favor in you to enquire their Quality and exact Situation with the probability of a Speedy sale, and at what price, and to honor me with your answer verbally or by Letter.

There is one thing more I am anxious to engage your attention upon and Compliance with, and that is that you will indulge me in proceeding to and estimating the Northernmost land in the 17 townships first.

My reason for this Solicitation is that I have repurchased the remainder of my Estate from certain obdurate Assignees, who are as flexible to ill as they are cruel by nature, and to these men I am constrained to pay Interest of at least £400 p' Annum, until your honorable Board make your return into the office, and thereby enable me to discharge my Contract. There is no other Pennsylvanian in this unhappy predicament, nor any man whose misfortunes have been more calamitous, and whose deprivations of fortune has been so great, and for so many years so afflicting as mine, by these men, "if men they can be called." Therefore, I cast myself on your Justice and Kindness, and remain,

Gentlemen,

Your obedient, humble Servant,

Philad., Mar. 28, 1800.

Jo. WHARTON.

Generals William Irvine, Thomas Boude and Col. Andrew Porter, Commissioners.

P. S. the Map of my Land is delivered to

Memorial of Isaac Wharton and Others.

To the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the Act of Assembly, entitled "An Act for offering compensation to the Penn ylvania Claimants of certain Lands, within the 17 townships, in the County of Luzerne, and for other purposes therein mentioned."

The Memorial of Isaac Wharton, Samuel Howell, Samuel Pleasants and Caleb Foulke, surviving Assignees of Joseph Wharton, Philadelphia, merchant, respectfully sheweth, That the said Joseph Wharton, on the third day of November, 1774, made a general assignment to your memorialists, together with Rees Meredith, Thomas Wharton and John Shaw, who are since deceased, of all and singular his Lands, tenements & hereditaments, in trust for the paymt of his debts, among which were the following tracts of Land, viz: Three certain tracts or parcels of Land, situate near a path leading from Wioming to Annaquaga township, in the County of Northumberland, in the said State of Pennsylvania, one of them called "Wharton's Lake."

Beginning at a Maple tree, in a ne of John Shee's Land, thence by the same and by lands of Benth, Shee, N. 45°, East

200 perches to a post, a corner of Charles Stewart's Land, thence by the said Charles Stewarts land N. 45° West 290 perches to a Maple, a corner of John Wharton's Land, South 45° W. 200 perches to a Beech, a corner of William Jones's Land, thence by the said William Jones's Land S. 45° East 290 perches to the place of beginning, containing 342 acres, besides the usual allowance of 6 per Cent. for roads, &c. One other of them adjoining lands, surveyed to Samuel Richards and others, Beginning at a Maple, in a line of vacant Land, thence by the same S. 45° East 180 perches to a Maple, the corner of Isaac Wharton's Land, thence by the said Isaac Wharton's Land and Lands of John Shaw, Jr., N. 45° E. 312 perches to an ash, in the line of William Jones's land, thence by the said William Jones's land and land of Judah Foulke N. 45° West 180 perches to a post, a corner of the said Samuel Richards Land, thence by the same S. 45° W. 312 perches to the place of Beginning, containing 331 acres and the usual allowance aforesaid, and the other of them adjoining land surveyed for John Wharton. Beginning at a Beech tree in a line (words here erased) * * * * Land, thence by the same N. 45° East 160 ps. to a post in the line **** (words here erased) * * * Land, thence by the same and Land of Thomas Wharton N. 45° W. 320 perches to a post in a line of Isaac Wharton's land and Land of * * * (words here erased) *** S. 45° West 160 perchs to a Maple, thence S. 450 East 320 perches to the place of Beginning, containing 302 acres, besides the usual allowance of 6 per Cent. for roads, &c. ; one other of them called "Constitutional right," containing 310 acres, and allowance of 6 per Cent. for roads, &c. ; one other of them called "Wharton Farm," containing 280 As. & allowe aforesaid; One other of them called "Independence," containing 324 as., 31 p. & allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Revolution," containing 3224 and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Washington Farm," containing 336 As., 130 p. and allowance aforesaid; one of them called “Rochambeau," containing 317 acres and allowance aforesaid ; One of them called "Congress," containing 302 acres and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Bancroft Hall," containing 2863 as. and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called “Bromley Farm," containing 342 as. and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Great Meadows," containing 305 and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called “Luzerne Farm," containing 342 as. and allowance aforesaid; One other of them called" Westover," containing 253} as. & allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Bunker's hill," cont'g 263 acres and & allowance aforesaid; One other of them called "Whigs Delight," containing 3013 as. & allowance afores; One other

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