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Pennsylvania Land and Property (view source)
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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Pennsylvania]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[ | ''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[United States Land and Property|U.S. Land and Property]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Pennsylvania]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Pennsylvania_Land_and_Property|Land and Property]]'' | ||
[[{{Amish Farm}}]] {{Adoption PARoots}} | [[{{Amish Farm}}]] {{Adoption PARoots}} | ||
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=== Introduction === | === Introduction === | ||
In [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] the initial distribution of land to individuals was a complex process which resulted in an amazing volume of records. An indispensable guide to understanding the process and records is Donna Bingham Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records: A History and Guide for Research ''(Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, 1991), {{FHL|364977|item}} book 974.8 R2m. [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pennsylvania-land-records-a-history-and-guide-for-research/oclc/22707760&referer=brief_results Other libraries with this book]. | In [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] the initial distribution of land to individuals was a complex process which resulted in an amazing volume of records. An indispensable guide to understanding the process and records is Donna Bingham Munger, ''Pennsylvania Land Records: A History and Guide for Research ''(Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, 1991), {{FHL|364977|item}} book 974.8 R2m. [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pennsylvania-land-records-a-history-and-guide-for-research/oclc/22707760&referer=brief_results Other libraries with this book]. | ||
This work divides Pennsylvania land settlement into five periods: | This work divides Pennsylvania land settlement into five periods: | ||
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In the period before the grant to William Penn, Sweden, The Netherlands, and England established settlements along the Delaware River in what is now Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the state of Delaware (called the three lower counties). | In the period before the grant to William Penn, Sweden, The Netherlands, and England established settlements along the Delaware River in what is now Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the state of Delaware (called the three lower counties). | ||
Land and other records for this area may be in the archives of these countries (Sweden, The Netherlands, and England) and in New York (see [[ | Land and other records for this area may be in the archives of these countries (Sweden, The Netherlands, and England) and in New York (see [[New York Land and Property|New York Land and Property]]). Delaware had its own colonial government after 1701 and became a state in 1776. | ||
Some records for this time period are in Pennsylvania Archives, series 2. vol. 5 and vol. 7 pp. 485-873. {{FHL|485590|item}} book 974.8 A39p ser. 2 v. 5; also film 823995 item 1. [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pennsylvania-archives-second-series/oclc/2905093&referer=brief_results Other libraries with this book]. | Some records for this time period are in Pennsylvania Archives, series 2. vol. 5 and vol. 7 pp. 485-873. {{FHL|485590|item}} book 974.8 A39p ser. 2 v. 5; also film 823995 item 1. [http://www.worldcat.org/title/pennsylvania-archives-second-series/oclc/2905093&referer=brief_results Other libraries with this book]. | ||
=== Proprietorship of William Penn and his Heirs | === 1682 to 1776 - Proprietorship of William Penn and his Heirs === | ||
In 1681, William Penn received a charter from King Charles II declaring him absolute owner of the land that is now Pennsylvania. As such, he had the authority to dispose of the land with little restriction. He recognized the claims to the land held by the Native Americans and maintained a policy of purchasing land from them before selling land for settlement. This same policy was mostly adhered to by his heirs. William Penn also purchased the area that is now Delaware, and he and his sons distributed land in Delaware during their entire proprietary period. | In 1681, William Penn received a charter from King Charles II declaring him absolute owner of the land that is now Pennsylvania. As such, he had the authority to dispose of the land with little restriction. He recognized the claims to the land held by the Native Americans and maintained a policy of purchasing land from them before selling land for settlement. This same policy was mostly adhered to by his heirs. William Penn also purchased the area that is now Delaware, and he and his sons distributed land in Delaware during their entire proprietary period. | ||
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The system developed by the proprietors to distribute land was unique in the colonies and lasted nearly 100 years, producing voluminous records. Because of the controlled nature in which land was sold, the proprietary was unable to meet the demand for new land. Many individuals settled on land, including Indian land, without a proper title. This created problems with the native inhabitants and with the proprietors. | The system developed by the proprietors to distribute land was unique in the colonies and lasted nearly 100 years, producing voluminous records. Because of the controlled nature in which land was sold, the proprietary was unable to meet the demand for new land. Many individuals settled on land, including Indian land, without a proper title. This created problems with the native inhabitants and with the proprietors. | ||
A major portion of the proprietor's work was to attempt to resolve Indian concerns and persuade the squatters (settlers with no title to the land) to obtain title to the land. They met with some success. The Revolutionary War brought an end to the proprietary period in Pennsylvania. | A major portion of the proprietor's work was to attempt to resolve Indian concerns and persuade the squatters (settlers with no title to the land) to obtain title to the land. They met with some success. The Revolutionary War brought an end to the proprietary period in Pennsylvania. | ||
=== The Commonwealth | === 1776 to 1990 - The Commonwealth === | ||
With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Pennsylvania became owner of all unsold land in the state. It was unprepared for this, so it continued the proprietary land distribution practices for many years afterwards. | With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Pennsylvania became owner of all unsold land in the state. It was unprepared for this, so it continued the proprietary land distribution practices for many years afterwards. | ||
To the state came the responsibility for solving boundary issues with other states (see [[Pennsylvania Historical Geography|Pennsylvania Historical Geography]]), purchasing the remaining Indian lands in the state, awarding land for military service, disposing of unsold land, and assisting in settling disputes over incomplete titles. | To the state came the responsibility for solving boundary issues with other states (see [[Pennsylvania Historical Geography|Pennsylvania Historical Geography]]), purchasing the remaining Indian lands in the state, awarding land for military service, disposing of unsold land, and assisting in settling disputes over incomplete titles. | ||
=== First Title === | === First Title === | ||
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PATENT: A written first title to the property conveying ownership to the individual submitting the application. | PATENT: A written first title to the property conveying ownership to the individual submitting the application. | ||
Subsequent transactions involving the property were conducted usually, but not always, on a county basis. | Subsequent transactions involving the property were conducted usually, but not always, on a county basis. | ||
=== Land Office Records === | === Land Office Records === | ||
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A description of the Bureau of Land Records is in Pennsylvania Bureau of Land Records, in ''Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly,'' vol. 8, no. 4, May 1982 (Family History Library book 974.8 B2wg; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=151821&disp=Western+Pennsylvania+Genealogical+Societ++ 2024355]). | A description of the Bureau of Land Records is in Pennsylvania Bureau of Land Records, in ''Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Quarterly,'' vol. 8, no. 4, May 1982 (Family History Library book 974.8 B2wg; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=151821&disp=Western+Pennsylvania+Genealogical+Societ++ 2024355]). | ||
The State Archives also sells warrantee township maps. These show the original land grants within present-day township boundaries. The maps include the names of the original warrantee and patentee, the number of acres, and the dates of warrant, survey, and patent. | The State Archives also sells warrantee township maps. These show the original land grants within present-day township boundaries. The maps include the names of the original warrantee and patentee, the number of acres, and the dates of warrant, survey, and patent. | ||
=== Indexes of Colonial and State Records === | === Indexes of Colonial and State Records === | ||