Item 75: Letter from Tench Coxe to Conyngham, Nesbitt, and Company (Removed to Legal Box #1), 1800 September 23
Item — Box: 12, Folder: 115
Dates
- Created: 1800 September 23
Creator
- Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Poor. The letter has been separated into three pieces. The paper shows signs of age and is covered in extreme stains.
Measurements:
12 ¾ in. x 7 ⅞ in.
Description:
The following item depicts a letter authored by Tench Coxe to Messers Conyngham, Nesbitt, and Company in Philadelphia. The letter discusses a deed for land within 17 townships that are associated with the Connecticut settlers. Coxe is advising the men on how to best release their titles for the lands in question, as Pennsylvania settlers are being reimbursed for the loss of lands contained within the 17 townships. He writes that according to the act passed on the 4th of April, 1799, the dues owed to Pennsylvania title holders are at $5.00 for these men particularly. Their deed is said to hold 40,000 acres, which would entitle them to £75 under the compromise act by which they are releasing their lands. He mentions that there are further lucrative arrears to be had, and if the finances are regrettable in their first counsel they can require more.
The manuscript includes the term arrear, which is a word meant to describe a debt where money is owed that should have been paid earlier.
These conditions set by the act are of those in item (12.100), “An Act for quieting the disturbances at Wyoming, and for confirming to certain persons called Connecticut claimants the lands by them claimed within the county of Luzerne,” copied by Jacob Shallus, dated March 27, 1788. The act is a legislation that seeks to negotiate a compromise between the Connecticut and Pennsylvania settlers in the state. The act stipulates that previously removed Connecituct title holders are rightfully in possession of claims to tracts of land found in the following seventeen townships: Salem, Newport, Hanover, Wilkes Barre, Pittstown (Pittston), Northmoreland, Putnam, Meshoppen (or Braintrim), Springfield, Clavernack, Ulster, Exeter, Kingston, Plymouth, Huntington, Bedford, and Providence. The act creates means of the Connecticut settlers to bring their titles or evidence to such forward to be reinstated on their lands. The act further acknowledges that Pennsylvania settlers also hold titles to the lands in question and stipulates language for compensating them in the resignation of their lands.
Location:
Lancaster, PA
Transcription:
17 Conn[ecticut] Tps [Townships] of Luzerne [written in the hand of Steuben Jenkins]
Gentlemen If any difficulty arises about the disorder or deficiency of your papers, in regard to your lands within the 17 Townships, I beg leave to recommend the following kind of release. — A general deed from J M N. & D. H. C. to the Comm.th [Commonwealth] of Penns[ylvani]a. for all their tracts and parts of tracts of land in the 17 Connec[ecticu]t. Townships of Luzerne of dates prior to the 31st Dec[embe]r. 1782 agreeably to and upon the terms of the Act of Assembly of April 4. 1799 in consideration of the same & the sum of one dollar. The descriptive list or schedule signed can be made on the back of it. The deed will cover the whole & will admit of every supplementary explanations afterwards. In this form Col[onel] Charles Stewarts heirs have two papers made out. Mrs. Martha Wilson, and Mr. John Wilson have del.d [delivered] one executed, & Mr. S. Stewart has another just on for him & Mr. Cottnam. He assured me the family would all release. The same kind of deed has been executed by the Rev[eren]d Dr. Smith & is del.d [delivered] to me. It will be safe for you to do the same. There may be a proviso (sic) [provision] that no lands out of the 17 Townships shall be considered as released nor will they pass by any deed under the law,
Back:
if actually without the Townships. It is proper to remark that all public monies rec.d [recieved] by the receiver general after April 4. 1799 are appropriated to pay the certificates. The payments of arrears and patenting of Lands as very steady & considerable. There will be others appropriations if these prove insufficient but 40,000 A[c]r[e]s at 5 d[olla]rs are only £75, and 18 months have elapsed already, in which arrears have accumulated. Permit to remind you that the deed must be delivered here, or to the governor, or into Report office before the 2.d of Oct[ober]. That is on or before the 1st of next month. I am, Gentle[man], with great respect your most obed[ien]t. Serv[an]t. Tench Cox Su[rve]y L[an]d off[ic]e. Lanc[aste]r Sept. 23.d 1800.
{back} Mess[e]rs Connyngham, Nesbitt near Walnut in & Comp[an]y Front street Philadelphia
Tench Cox Sept.[embe]r 23.[r]d 1800 Lancaster
Gentlemen If any difficulty arises about the disorder or deficiency of your papers, in regard to your lands within the 17 Townships, I beg leave to recommend the following kind of release. — A general deed from J M N. & D. H. C. to the Comm.th [Commonwealth] of Penns[ylvani]a. for all their tracts and parts of tracts of land in the 17 Connec[ecticu]t. Townships of Luzerne of dates prior to the 31st Dec[embe]r. 1782 agreeably to and upon the terms of the Act of Assembly of April 4. 1799 in consideration of the same & the sum of one dollar. The descriptive list or schedule signed can be made on the back of it. The deed will cover the whole & will admit of every supplementary explanations afterwards. In this form Col[onel] Charles Stewarts heirs have two papers made out. Mrs. Martha Wilson, and Mr. John Wilson have del.d [delivered] one executed, & Mr. S. Stewart has another just on for him & Mr. Cottnam. He assured me the family would all release. The same kind of deed has been executed by the Rev[eren]d Dr. Smith & is del.d [delivered] to me. It will be safe for you to do the same. There may be a proviso (sic) [provision] that no lands out of the 17 Townships shall be considered as released nor will they pass by any deed under the law,
Back:
if actually without the Townships. It is proper to remark that all public monies rec.d [recieved] by the receiver general after April 4. 1799 are appropriated to pay the certificates. The payments of arrears and patenting of Lands as very steady & considerable. There will be others appropriations if these prove insufficient but 40,000 A[c]r[e]s at 5 d[olla]rs are only £75, and 18 months have elapsed already, in which arrears have accumulated. Permit to remind you that the deed must be delivered here, or to the governor, or into Report office before the 2.d of Oct[ober]. That is on or before the 1st of next month. I am, Gentle[man], with great respect your most obed[ien]t. Serv[an]t. Tench Cox Su[rve]y L[an]d off[ic]e. Lanc[aste]r Sept. 23.d 1800.
{back} Mess[e]rs Connyngham, Nesbitt near Walnut in & Comp[an]y Front street Philadelphia
Tench Cox Sept.[embe]r 23.[r]d 1800 Lancaster
Creator
- Coxe, Tench, 1755-1824 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu