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From: "Jerry Garrison" <>
Subject: RE: [PALANCAS] Revolutionary pensions and bounty land
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 10:04:56 -0500
In-Reply-To: <3E6C209E.9CF70067@optonline.net>


Again, from the PHMC holdings (sorry about the length):
IX. Records of Donation Lands in the Purchase of 1784

The General Assembly used the Purchase of 1784, or Last Purchase, as an
opportunity to implement new land laws and procedures. Land located west of
the Allegheny River and Conewango Creek was set aside for Depreciation and
Donation lands while land east of these rivers was opened to settlement as
soon as preemption applications for squatters already living in the area
between Lycoming Creek and Pine Creek were settled. The initial sale of land
in the eastern portion of the Last Purchase took place through the
Northumberland Lottery. The southern portion of the northwestern land was
offered for sale in 1785 as Depreciation Land to redeem certificates given
to Pennsylvania's Revolutionary War soldiers to compensate them for having
received pay in depreciated currency. Lying just to the north of the
Depreciation Lands, the Donation Lands were set aside to provide tracts to
donate to each Pennsylvania Line soldier and officer who served in
Continental service to the end of the war. Donation land tracts occupied
parts of the present day counties of Lawrence, Butler, Mercer, Venango,
Crawford, Warren and Erie. The Donation Land records document the process by
which these Donation lands were distributed to veterans of the Pennsylvania
Line. For related records see also Donation Certificate Accounts, 1777-1809
{series #4.19}and Return Book of Pennsylvania Line Entitled to Donation
Lands, undated {series #4.50} in the Records of the Office of Comptroller
General.

Pennsylvania Line Entitled to Donation Land,
[ca. 1780-1794]. (1 volume) LO 25.35 PLR 167 {series 17.165} [Holdings]
Arranged alphabetically by surname of claimant.
A list of the names of Pennsylvania Line veterans entitled to Donation lands
giving their rank, regiment, number of acres to which they were entitled,
and whether a lot was drawn. Occasional comments give the names and dates
applications were made in the right of others, whether the veteran was
killed in action, or other unusual circumstances.

Donation Lands Granted Pennsylvania Line,
[ca. 1780-1830]. (1 volume) LO 25.35 PLR 166 {series 17.166} [Holdings]
Entries grouped alphabetically by first letter of last name.
A list of the names of Donation Land claimants giving their rank, regiment,
lot number, and district where lot was located.

Muster Rolls (Actually Lists of Unpaid Militia fines for Absentee Soldiers),
1782-1834 (2 folders) LO 21.2 {series #17.167} [Holdings] Unarranged.
Despite the title given to this series in Donna Munger's Pennsylvania Land
Records, A History and Guide for Research, it primarily contains lists
compiled by regimental captains of the names of absentee soldiers whose
fines were not paid. Entries proving honorable service on Revolutionary War
muster rolls were used to qualify applicants for Donation and Depreciation
lands. Information generally given on the absentee militia fines lists is
the date the list was compiled, the name of the captain who submitted the
list, the name of the regiment, the name of the soldier who was absent, and
the amount of the fine. Also present are letters submitted concerning
conduct unbecoming an officer and similar items that were apparently filed
with the Land Office to challenge or disqualify potential applicants.

Donation Claimant Papers and Miscellaneous Patents,
[ca. 1785-1810]. (4 cartons] LO 8.1-4 PLR 165 {series #17.168} [Holdings]
Arranged alphabetically by surname of claimant.
Patents and miscellaneous papers pertaining to Donation Land claims
including deeds of conveyance, discharge certificates, power of attorney
certificates, and application forms. Information given varies with type of
document but usually gives name of claimant, location of tract, and date of
application.

Donation Land Patents,
[ca. 1785-1810]. (23 folders) LO 8.4 PLR 166 {series #17.169} [Holdings]
Arranged chronologically by date of patent.
Patents for district number 10 that were surrendered to the Commonwealth in
return for patents to land in other districts. Information given is the date
of the patent, name of patentee, tract number, county, acreage, and a
description of the boundaries. Among these are several patents taken out in
the name of land speculator and Pennsylvania Comptroller General John
Nicholson who was impeached for mishandling state funds.

Register of Donation Land Patenting Fees,
1786-1796. (1 volume) PLR 166 {series 17.170} [Holdings]
Arranged chronologically by date fee was paid.
Account book kept by Donation Land Clerk James Trimble of fees received for
surveying Donation tracts drawn under the Act of April 6, 1792. Information
given is the date the fee was paid, name of the claimant, lot number,
acreage, name of the person for whom drawn, and the amount paid. Also
present is a priority list of the names of Donation Land applicants giving
the priority of choice, name of the claimant, lot number drawn, district
where located, and the acreage.

Lists of Donation Land Lots Lying in New York,
1791-1796. (1 volume, Binding 135) PLR 166 {series #17.171} [Holdings]
Grouped chronologically by date list was compiled.
Several lists giving the lot number and acreage of land that was
subsequently found to actually be located within the boundaries of the state
of New York. The first of these is a list of the lot numbers for which
claimants were given a choice of equivalent land. Information given is the
district number, lot number and name of claimant. The second is a list of
the names of claimants together with their lot number and the acreage to
which they were entitled. This is followed by transcripts of correspondence
of the Surveyor General concerning the drawing of lots for replacement
lands. The remaining lists generally give the name of the claimant, the
acreage to which they were entitled, the district where located, the lot
number drawn, and occasional notations revealing the name of the patentee
and the date of patent.

Donation Land Book,
1791-1808. (1 volume) LO 25.35 PLR 167 {series 17.172} [Holdings] Various
arrangements.
Partially indexed internally by Donation District number.
Copies of supplements to the Act for distributing Donation Lands dated
September 30, 1791 and April 6, 1792 are found in this book, along numerous
lists of the names of applicants. Information generally given is name of the
claimant, rank, lot number, and acreage. The indexed lists at the back of
the volume are grouped by Donation District number and give the date of the
patent, name of the claimant, lot number, name of the person to whom
patented, and the amount paid. Another list is a record of patents granted
giving name of patentee, acreage, patented, location of tract, district
number, county where located, and date of the patent. The list for the
second drawing of Donation Land held on September 10, 1788 gives the date of
the patent, name of claimant, lot number, name of the person to whom
patented, and the amount paid. A list of survey fees received gives the date
of receipt, name of the person paying the fee, lot number, acreage, and the
amount paid.

Claimants for Donation Lands
[ca. 1792-1799]. (1 volume) LO 25.35 PLR 167 {series 17.173} [Holdings]
Grouped alphabetically by first letter of surname.
Five lists providing information on Donation Land claimants and giving
information on war casualties and on second, third, and fourth conveyances.
Information given on the lists is as follows:
List #1 - Name of claimant, rank, regiment, name of applicant, and date of
application.
List #2 - Name of soldier, rank, regiment, discharge number, name of person
to whom tract was first conveyed, date of first conveyance, name of person
to whom tract was next conveyed, date of second conveyance, and information
on any interfering claims.
List #3 - Name of claimant, rank, regiment, name of applicant, date of
application, and "casualty" and comment categories that record such types of
information as whether the soldier was killed, date of discharge, whether
deserted, where a record was found, or whether proof of service was wanting.
List #4 - Return of the names of those claimants whose lots fell within the
boundaries of the state of New York, giving their respective ranks and the
number of acres to which they were entitled.
List #5 - Name, rank, regiment and acreage.

Donation Land Register,
[ca. 1794]. (1 volume, Binding 34) LO 7-, Reel 3428 PLR 166 {series #17.174}
[Holdings]
Tracts are grouped by Donation Land district.
Indexed internally alphabetically by surname of patentee.
Patent register and related lists concerning to the Donation Land program
bound together with information concerning the Donation Land Lottery held on
December 20, 1794. This is the current register in use for searching
Donation Lands and contains the following:

A list of tracts arranged by district giving name of individual to whom
patented, where the survey and patent are recorded, and the date recorded in
the surveyor general's office.
An alphabetical index to the above list.
A list giving the claimant's regiment, rank, and number of acres if drawn.
A list of the names, ranks, and regiments of claimants in district 10 whose
tracts were found to actually by located within the boundaries of New York.
A list of lots found to be located partly in Pennsylvania and partly in New
York, together with the lots afterward drawn in their place.
A list of lots drawn for widows and children.
A list of the names of individuals entitled to Donation Lands "for whom
there was no number in the wheel."
An account of fees received by James Trimble, clerk of the Donation Land
program, in 1792.

Transmittals of Patents for Donation Lands,
1803-1809. (1 folder) PLR 165 {series #17.175} [Holdings]
Arranged chronologically by date of patent transmittal.
Transmittal forms that accompanied Donation Land patents sent to the
governor for his signature. Information given is date, name of patentee, lot
and district numbers, county where located, and number of acres patented.

Lists of Donation Lands for the Pennsylvania Line,
1813. (1 volume) LO 25.29 PLR 166 {series 17.176} [Holdings] Unarranged.
Indexed internally.
A list of donation tracts granted to officers and soldiers of the
Pennsylvania Line in the Continental army. Information given is the name of
patentee, district number, lot number, number of acres, and date tract was
returned for patenting.

Applications for Donation Land Lots,
1813-1868.(3 folders) LO 24.29-32 {series #17.177} [Holdings]Unarranged.
Applications for Donation lots. Information given in name of applicant, date
of application, Donation Lot number, acreage and location of tract and
occasionally a description of any improvements thereon erected.

Lists of Donation Land Claimants
undated. (1 volume, Binding 136) PLR 166 {series #17.178} [Holdings]Various
arrangements.
Five lists of the names of land claimants bound together. The first list
gives the claimant's rank and regiment, the acreage to which he was
entitled, and whether a lot was drawn. The second list gives the date of the
claim, name of the claimant, and occasional notations indicating whether the
claim was just or doubtful or providing greater detail on such matters as
the Nicholson lands. The third list gives the name of the claimant, the
acreage claimed, and name of person to whom patented. The fourth is a
unified list of Donation lots of 200 acres, both drawn and not drawn
pursuant to an Act of the Assembly in the Surveyor General's office on
September 7, 1802. These give the district number, lot number, either the
number of acres drawn but not applied for or the number of acres to which a
claimant was entitled but for which a lot was not drawn. The fifth list
gives the name of the claimant, the lot number, either the number of acres
drawn or the number of acres not drawn, and occasionally the dates of the
return and patent.

X. Records of Depreciation Land Program
Land in that portion of the Purchase of 1784 located west of the Allegheny
River and Conewango Creek was set aside for Depreciation and Donation lands.
The southern portion of the northwestern land was offered for sale in 1785
as Depreciation Land to redeem certificates given to Pennsylvania Line
soldiers to compensate them for having received pay in depreciated
continental currency. Under an act passed by the General Assembly on
December 18, 1780, three auditors were empowered to estimate in specie the
value of all sums of continental money received by officers and soldiers of
the Pennsylvania Line. Each officer and soldier was then given certificates
good for reimbursement of the difference between the depreciated value of
the currency and the value if paid in specie. These certificates were
thereafter to be considered as equal to specie in payment of confiscated
estates of those persons who were attainted of treason and also accepted by
officers of the Land Office for the purchase of land. This act also provided
for money collected from the sale of confiscated estates to be paid into the
treasury and to be reserved for redemption of the certificates. Under an act
passed on March 12, 1783, western lands were set aside for the specific
purpose of redeeming or paying the certificates. When these tracts were
surveyed and began to be sold at auction it was discovered that they only
brought in about two shillings and one-half pence per acre instead of the
expected six shillings per acre. For this reason, the Supreme Executive
Council soon abandoned the plan of selling them at public auction. The
remaining unsold tracts were finally opened to settlement and improvement
under the provisions of the act of April 4, 1792, and subsequent acts for
the sale of vacant lands passed in 1811 and 1813.

Journal for Depreciation Lands and Philadelphia and Beaver Town Lots,
1783-1796.(1 volume) LO 25.78 PLR 152 {series #17.179} [Holdings]
Grouped by location and hereunder arranged chronologically by date of entry.
A record of town lots sold under the Divesting Act of 1779, which allowed
occupants of unpatented lots in Philadelphia, Reading, York, Carlisle,
Easton, Bedford, Sunbury and Hannah's Town who had previously warranted
their lots sufficient time to follow through on their warrants. Under the
legislation, warrantees were given seven years to complete purchases on
pre-1733 and ten years to complete purchases on post-1733 warrants.
Occupants of proprietary town lots completed their titles by purchasing
their lots outright from the wardens or justices of the peace and these
records will be found in the county jurisdiction with the wardens or
justices listed as grantors.

Depreciation Land Drafts,
1785-1789. (15 folders) LO 24.14-24.17 {series #17.180} [Holdings]
Arranged numerically by district number.
Original drafts of Depreciation districts constructed from surveys. Many
drafts give details concerning the acreage and soil quality for each tract.
The original draft of Alexander McClean's surveys of the first district is
missing but a linen tracing survives and contains information recorded
during the first survey. Also present is a very fragile schedule of lots to
which access is restricted.

Depreciation Certificates Canceled, No. 1
undated. (1 volume, Binding 137) PLR 162 {series #17.181} [Holdings]
Arranged randomly.
A record of Depreciation Certificates redeemed and returned to the Office of
the Register General. Information given is the certificate number, the name
of the person making the payment, and the amount of principal paid.

Depreciation Land Ledger,
undated.(1 volume)LO 25.35 PLR 162 {series #17.182} [Holdings]
Grouped by district and arranged hereunder numerically by tract number.
Ledger documenting returns for tracts sold to redeem Depreciation
Certificates. Information given is the sequentially assigned tract number,
name of the purchaser, number of acres returned, amount paid, date returned,
and name of person for whom returned.

Depreciation Ticket Book,
undated. (1 volume) LO 25.36 PLR 162 {series #17.183} [Holdings]
Grouped by district and arranged hereunder numerically by ticket number.
A record of tickets issued for the purchase of lands appropriated for the
redemption of Depreciation Certificates. Information given is the
sequentially assigned ticket number, the district number, name of purchaser,
a confirmation that the ticket represents a warrant to accept a survey, and
the date the warrant to accept was issued.

Depreciation Land Register,
undated. (1 volume) Reel 3429 {series #17.185} [Holdings]
Grouped by district and arranged hereunder numerically by assigned number.
A nineteenth-century working register of the sales of lands appropriated for
the redemption of Depreciation Certificates. Information given is the name
of the surveyor, survey district number, survey map number, a sequentially
assigned tract number, name of the purchaser, number of acres and perches,
date of patent, name of patentee, and the volume, book and page numbers for
both the patent and the survey.
For related materials on the Depreciation Land program see also Depreciation
Certificate Accounts, 1781-1792{series #4.17}; Specie Day Book and Waste
Book, 1775-1790 {series #4.53}; Specie Journals, 1775-1790 {series #4.54};
Specie Ledger, 1775-1790 {series #4.55} and Specie Ledger Balance Books,
1775-1790 {series #4.56} in the Records of the Office of Comptroller
General. These series include loose redeemed depreciation certificates and
bound ledgers documenting the amount of interest incurred for soldiers who
received depreciation pay giving the veteran's name, regiment and amount of
interest.

Jerry Garrison


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