• Revolutionary War
• Civil War
• World War One
• World War Two
• Vietnam Era

• Home
• About
• Contact
• News
• Links
• Blog
• Guestbook

---

Berks County Land Deed

Trading for Land

Once the settlers had come to America, they had to negotiate with local inidan tribes for lands, in which to build their settlements. As far as Berks County went, the lands were deeded to William Penn's sons-John, Thomas and Richard. It's amazing to look over the original land deeds and see even in the begining throes of a nation, that the indians got the short end of the stick.

According to Montgomery in Historical And Biographical Annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania:

There are two deeds for lands in Berks County. The first, is dated Sept. 7, 1732. It is from Sassoonan, alias Allummapis, sachem of the SchuylkIll Indians, alias Joe, on behalf of themselves and all the other Indians of the said nation, unto John Penn, Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn. The territory contained in the grant is described as follows:

All those tracts of land lying on or near the river Schuylkill, in the said province, or any of the branches, streams, fountains or springs thereof, eastward or westward, and all the lands lying in or near any swamps, marshes, fens or meadows, the waters or streams of which flow into or toward the said river Schuylkill, situate, lying and being between those hills, called Lechay Hills, and those called Keekachtanemin Hills, which cross the said river Schuylkill about thirty miles above the said Lechay Hills, and all land whatsoever lying within the said bounds; and between the branches of Delaware river, on the eastern side of the said land, and the branches or streams running into the river Susquehannah, on the western side of the said land, together with all mines, minerals, quarries, waters, rivers, creeks, woods, timber and trees, with all and every the appurtenances, etc.

In consideration for the lands mentioned above, the Tribes were to receive the following:
20 brass kettles, 100 stroudwater matchcoats of two yards each, 100 duffels, 100 blankets, 100 yards of half tick, 60 linen shirts, 20 hats, 6 made coats, 12 pair of shoes and buckles, 30 pair of stockings, 300 lbs. of gun powder, 600 lbs. of lead, 20 fine guns, 12 gun-locks, 50 tomahawks, 50 planting hoes, 120 knives, 60 pair of scissors, 100 tobacco tongs, 24 looking-glasses, 40 tobacco boxes, 1000 flints, 5 lbs. of paint, 24 dozen of gartering, 6 dozen of ribbons, 12 dozen of rings, 200 awl blades, 100 lbs. of tobacco, 400 tobacco pipes, 20 gallons of rum and 50 pounds in money.

The other deed is dated Aug. 22, 1749. It is from nine different tribes of Indians unto Thomas Penn and Richard Penn. Their chiefs, who appeared and executed the deed in their behalf, represented the several tribes. The consideration was L500 lawful money of Pennsylvania. The tract of land conveyed lay north of the Blue Mountain and extended from the Delaware on the east to the Susquehanna on the west. It included the whole of Schuylkill County. Conrad Weiser was the Interpreter for the Indians in this transfer.
The lower section of the county, lying southward of the South Mountain (or 'Lechay Hill'), had been released by the Indians in 1718, it having been included in previous purchases of territory.

Sources/Credits:

Internet Archive/Cornell Univeristy Library: Historical & Biographical Annals of Berks County PA."

---

RevWar Sitemap | Back | Geller Bio |