Branch A - Charlestown township (Part of Manor of Bilton)
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
John Parry
John Jones
11/15/1739
526a
G-226; see below for 280 of the 526 acres; see Table 2 for another 201 acres.
G-226 Deed. On 15 Nov 1739 John Parry of Haversford, Esq. & Hannah his wife, to John Jones of Charlestown, yeoman. Whereas William Penn by deed dated 23 Oct 1681, granted to William Lowther & Margaret Lowther a tract of 5000 acres, recorded in Philadelphia, Book G, vol 2, Page 109. Whereas William Lowther died, John Nichols & Margaret his wife, the only daughter of Margret who survived the said William Lowther, by deed dated 24 Sep 1731 granted 5000 acres to Joseph Stanwix. Joseph Stanwix by deed dated 14 Jan 1731 granted 5000 acres to John Simpson, recorded Book F, vol 5, Page 557. Whereas William Penn by deed dated 23 Oct 1681 granted to John Lowther & Ann Sharlot Lowther 5000 acres in the province. Whereas Ann Sharlot died intestate & without issue, John Lowther by deed dated 13 Aug 1731 granted to Joseph Turner the 5000 acres. By virtue of a warrant 4,920 acres was laid out John Simpson called Bilton Manor & by virtue of another warrant 4,920 acres was laid out to Joseph Turner. Whereas 1/2 of the said Bilton Manor was resurveyed & was bounded by the Schuylkill River, Valley Creek, the manor called Mount Joy, land formerly of Charles Pickering & Company & land of William Moore containing 2850 acres. Whereas John Simpson by deed dated 9 Mar 1737 granted to William Allen a half part of Bilton Manor containing 2850 acres & whereas Joseph Turner deed dated 23 Feb 1736 granted to William Allen all the last mentioned 5000 acres. William Allen & Margaret his wife by deed dated 25 July 1739 granted to John Parry a tract of 2850 acres, recorded in Chester, Book F, vol 6, Page 4. Now John Parry & Hannah his wife for £95 granted to John Jones a tract in Charlestown bounded by Valley Creek, land of Thomas James & Company, Widow Mathias & Schuylkill River, containing 526 acres being part of the Manor of Bilton. Signed John Parry & Hannah Parry. Delivered in the presence of John Parry, Jr. & Richard Jones. Recorded 15 Jan 1747/8.
John Jones & Jane his wife
Stephen Evans, Daniel Waler (sic), & Joseph Williams
12/16/1742
100a (part of 526a)
£35
F-326; also Phila. G5-130 -137; A tract in Charlestown bounded by Valley Creek & Philadelphia Road. See Table 1 for previous deed history
John Jones & Jane his wife
Stephen Evans, Daniel Waler (sic), & Joseph Williams
12/18/1742
101a (part of 526a)
£41
F-332; A tract in Charlestown bounded by land of David Mathias, Nathaniel Davis, John Thomas, & Jenkin Thomas, Griffith John, & other land of John Jones.
See Table 1 for previous deed history
Witford Riddle, administrator of the estate of J. B. Carter
Julius Wellner
11/20/1905
part of 113a 11p
$13,500
Mont. 545-269; Valley Forge Mills
Julius Wellner
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
10/19/1906
½ part
$4,000
Mont. 563-108
Julius Wellner
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
7/15/1908
$4,650 and mortgages
Mont. 596-385
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
William & Ebenezer Lund
11/2/1908
Lease. Trading as William Lind & Son, 2nd & Erie Streets, Camden
Thomas Cutler
1912
75a
Map
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
4/24/1916
69.955a
$14,000
Mont. 747-155 purchased by 563-108 and 596-385
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
7/15/1918
1.531a
$10,000
Mont. 777-122; Potts-Dewees House. purchased by 563-108 and 596-385
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3/1/1919
5.827a
$20,000
Mont. 783-441; Overlaps purchase from Robert H. Hey 0.149a; Mill. purchased by 563-108 and 596-385
Equitable Trust
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
20/4/1911
1.432a
$2,500
658-332
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
1/24/1916
1.432a
$5,500
738-543
Jesse Hannis Perot
Edward J. Mc C. White
6/5/1918
quoted in 770-306
Edward J. McC White
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
6/6/1918
7a 16p
$1
Mont. 770-306; Hotel or restaurant, Dwelling house, 8 tenant houses
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
10/27/1923
not stated
$2,000
Mont. 1117-119
Madeline B. Hoy
Frederick W. Focht
1/6/1906
Mont. 548-69
Frederick W. Focht
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
10/28/1910
80a 79p
$32,000 - mortgage
Mont. 640-360, messuage, tavern
Ellen P. Shaw et al
3/1/1911
Mont. 647-277
Thomas & Anna Maria Cutler
William A. Hayden
7/20/1915
80a 69p + 1a
$10,750
Mont. 736-246
Branch B.2
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
John & Rebecca Rogers
George W. Hill & Jason Waters
5/7/1836
113a 11p
$37,500
Mont. 52-565 and Chester County deed N4-100. Description: messuages, tenements, factories, and mills.
Sheriff (estate of George W. Hill)
Samuel Harvey
6/13/1841
113a
Mont. 59-527
Samuel Harvey
Charles H. Rogers, gentleman of Valley Forge
7/18/1844
$30,000
Mont. 67-116 and Chester County deed B5-324
Charles H. Rogers
Sarah Shaw
5/22/1868
50a 143p
$5,000
Mont. 160-161
John F. & Anna Brinton
Sarah Shaw
7/13/1870
29.58p
$300
Mont. 181-456
Sarah Shaw
1/20/1900
died
John A. Shaw, exec. of Sarah Shaw
Thomas Kendall
5/7/1903
145.25p
$15,000
Mont. 502-115
John A. Shaw, exec. of Sarah Shaw
Carrie D. Shaw
7/31/1905
9,327.5 ft2
$1,150
Mont. 543-10; next to Washington's HQ
Thomas Kendall
David Vorhees
5/2/1908
145.25p
$20,500
Mont. 591-330
David Vorhees
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8/30/1923
1.031a
$24,000
Mont. 1046-403
Branch C - Charlestown and Upper Merion townships
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
Pennsylvania Gazette
9/26/1751
2/3 of 375 acres
200 acres from Branch A (part of Manor of Bilton) and 175 acres from Branch B (Upper Merion)
Pennsylvania Gazette 9/26/1751 On the 7th day of the 8th month, commonly called October, will be sold by auction, or public vendue, by the subscribers, 2/3 of about 375 acres of land, joining and near the mouth of Valley Creek and Schuylkill, most of it uncleared; with 2/3rds of a forge or iron works with the said land, also 2/3rds of a sawmill on the said premises. The said forge and sawmill stand on a very convenient place for custom and timber; and both stand to a public road leading to Philadelphia. Any person or persons inclining to purchase the above premises, by applying to the subscribers, may know the terms of sale before, or at the day of sale. The title is indisputable. Stephen Evans and Joseph Williams
Joseph Williams
John Wilkinson
2/1/1753
1/3 of 100a & 101a
£200
H-518; mortgage
Daniel Walker
Abraham Williams
2/10/1755
1/3 of 175a?
?
Abraham Williams & Daniel Walker
Henry Pawling
7/12/1755
100a, 101a, & 175a (one third part)
£100
K-91; mortgage
Sheriff (Joseph Williams having not paid mortgage)
John Potts
2/15/1757
100a & 101a (one third part)
£57
K-367
Sheriff (Estate of Joseph Williams)
John Potts
3/11/1757
1/3 of 175a
Philadelphia Sheriff’s deed A1-205
Abijah & Mary Stephens (executors of Stephen Evans)
John Potts
3/12/1757
1/3 of 175a
Philadelphia deed I6-228?
Sheriff (estate of Abraham Williams)
John Potts
2/20/1758
1/3 of 175a
Philadelphia Sheriff’s deed A1-243
Sheriff (Benjamin Davis; Abraham Williams having not paid mortgage)
John Potts
5/12/1759
1/3 of 100a, & 101a
L-277
L-277 Sheriff’s deed. On 12 May 1759 Benjamin Davis, Sheriff of Chester County to John Potts of the City of Philadelphia, Esquire. Henry Pawling in the Court of Common Pleas recovered against Abraham Williams of Upper Merion in the County of Philadelphia, shopkeeper, a debt of £350 & 72 shillings damages to be levied on the lands of Abraham Davis in the County of Chester. Benjamin Davis, sheriff, for £42 granted to John Potts one full equal & undivided third part of land late of John Jones, the Philadelphia Road containing 100 acres & the other tract bounded by land of David Mathias, Nathaniel Davis, John Thomas, Jenkin Thomas, Griffith John & land late of John Jones containing 101 acres. Signed Benjamin Davis, sheriff. Delivered in the presence of E. Price & John Kerlin. Recorded 3 July 1759.
Together with the full, free and uninterrupted use, benefit and of command of the aforesaid dam and water course mentioned and described in the conveyance from Philip Shambough and wife to David Potts [deed not found] and all other rights and privileges in the said deed mentioned.
ALSO the free and common use and privileges of the said way or road from the said mills to the River Schuylkill and of a landing thereof for any articles whatsoever (except for wheat and flour which are entirely prohibited from being brought to the said landing and landed thereon) at all times hereafter as the same hath heretofore been or can be used or enjoyed by the owners or occupiers of the hereby granted premises.
Ralph & Mary Peacock
George Suckley
10/17/1807
336a
$6,970
C3-138 (Montgomery 25-123)
George & Catharine Suckley
Rebecca Robbins
2/25/1808
366a
$22,000
C3-139 (Montgomery 25-125)
Rebecca Robbins
Jacob Vogdees
3/10/1814
321a & 15a
$22,000
M4-247 (Montgomery 30-150)
Jacob & Mary Vogdees
John Rogers & Joshua Malin
3/10/1814
113a 104p
$25,750
K3-422 & Montgomery deed 30-587
John & Rebecca Rogers, Joshua (iron master) & Catharine Malin
James McFarlan, Sheriff, debt of H. & B. F. Bean to Nicholas Bean (deceased)
George W. Bean
3/29/1880
7a 18p (tract #4)
G9-552; see Bean purchase and sales
George W. & Annie Bean
Benjamin Franklin Fisher
6/19/1901
7a 109.75p
$192 15c
E11-451
George Hill
Jason Waters
1839
113a
$15,000
Mortgage; quotes various pieces of equipment for cotton processing
Sheriff (estate of Geo. W. Hill)
Samuel Harvey
6/13/1841
113a
Mont. 59-527
Samuel Harvey
Charles H. Rogers
7/18/1844
Mont. 67-116
Charles H. Rogers
1851
map
Charles H. Rogers
1873
Witmer’s atlas
Charles H. Rogers
1883
Breou’s atlas
James B. Carter
Ella McKnight, sister
died
Ella McKnight
Fred Ramsey
died
Fred Ramsey
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9/26/1935
10a
$1
S18-527
Branch D - Grist Mill & Washington’s Headquarters, Montgomery County
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
Joseph Potts
Isaac Potts
9/30/1773
Montgomery deed 3-416 (not in Chester County)
Isaac Potts
Benjamin Rowland
12/31/1784
1/8 of 105a
Mont. 65-68
Isaac Potts
Norris Jones
12/31/1784
3/8 of 105a
Mont. 65-59
Benjamin Rowland
Norris Jones
9/1/1787
1/8 of 105a
Mont. 65-78
Norris Jones
9/2/1787
died
Isaac & Martha Potts
Jacob Paul, miller
12/16/1793
½ of 105a
Montgomery deed 9-243; quoted in O4-482
Thomas Harrison & Isaac Lloyd, executors of the will of Norris Jones
Jacob Paul, miller
4/1/1795
½ of 105a
Messuage, grist mill and land in Upper Merion. Montgomery deed 9-2115; quoted in O4-482
David & Mary Potts
Jacob Paul
10/1/1796
9a 113p
Q2-226; Valley Forge meadow
Jacob Paul
Joseph Paul, son
3/8/1806 (will); 4/10/1814 (probate?)
115a
died; Mill & Plantation of 115a to my son. Will Phila. #144
Joseph Paul of Germantown and Elizabeth, his wife
Joseph Thomas of Northern Liberites, Doctor of Physick
1/30/1826
105a + 9a
$10,000
O4-482 (and Mont. 54-101), includes Grist Mill
Joseph Thomas of Northern Liberites and Mary, his wife
James Jones
8/19/1826
114a 115p
$10,000
O4-485 (and Mont. 54-105)
James Jones
Nathaniel, John & Caleb Jones, Hannah Ogden, Ann Chrisman
Probate 7/30/1849
died; Mont. will 9-52
John P. & Margaret Jones
Nathaniel, & Caleb Jones, Hannah Ogden, Ann Chrisman
10/13/1852
65a 62p
$2,000
Miscellaneous 8-60; Montgomery 85-398; release
George & Ann Chrisman
Nathaniel, & Caleb Jones, Hannah Ogden
12/29/1852
65a 62p
$2,500
Miscellaneous 8-61; Montgomery 85-400. Release
Reading railroad
1854
pump house
Reading railroad
1855
reservoir
Caleb Jones
Nathaniel Jones & Hannah Ogden
6/16/1865 (will)
died; Mont. Will 11-258
Hannah M. Ogden
Nathan H. Jones
4/21/1866
82.46p
$100
142-538
Nathaniel and Elizabeth Jones & Hannah Ogden
Isaiah Knauer
4/4/1870
4a 83p
X7-312; mill
Nathaniel & Elizabeth Jones
Hannah Ogden
1/13/1871
½ part of 94.5p
$1
V7-125
Isaiah Knauer’s Paper Mill
1873
Witmer’s atlas
Isaiah Knauer
Matthias Pennypacker
6/20/1876
2a 46p
$12,000
U8-176
Jacob Tyson, sheriff, debt of Matthias Pennypacker
John Hoy
3/6/1880
2a 46p
$10,000
L9-58; paper mill, water power & machinery; Samuel Clugston tennant
Hannah Ogden
8/14/1882 (probate)
died
American Palm Pulp Paper Co.
1883
Breou’s atlas
Isaiah Knauer
Martha J. Bean
7/16/1892
4a 82p
$500
Mont. 373-487
Joseph Dodgson & wife
Robert Hey
5/9/1906
Mont. 557-173
Robert & Emma Hey
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
3/20/1908
2.46a
$6,500
O13-42 Mill
Branch D.1 Washington’s Headquarters
James Jones
Ann Jones, wife
7/30/1849
RW3209 & OC9388
Ann Jones
Hannah Ogden
9/23/1850
½ of 2a
Mont. 77-632
Hannah Ogden
William Holstein for the Centennial and Memorial Association
5/1/1879
22a(?)
Mont. 252-83; Washington’s HQ; see Valley Forge - Making and Remaking a National Symbol by Lorett Treese
Hannah Ogden
William Holstein
2/4/1880
1a
Mont. 252-88
William & Anna Holstein
Centennial and Memorial Association
11/9/1886
1a
Mont. 306-67
Joseph L. & Mary Thomas
James Jones
8/19/1826
114a 115p
$10,000
54-105; messuage and grist mill
Nathan H. Jones
Centennial Memorial Association of Valley Forge
4/19/1890
1.498a
$1,200
345-339
142-53?
Nathan H. & Elizabeth Jones
Robert Crawford
2/26/1886
2a?
$4,000
296-157; messuage
Robert Crawford
Centennial Memorial Association of Valley Forge
1/6/1894
1.249a
$3,000
397-292
Centennial and Memorial Association
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6/1905
3.7a
Condemnation
Branch D.2
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
Charles H. Rogers
Sarah Shaw
5/22/1868
50a
Mont. 160-161
Mrs. S. A. Shaw
1883
Breou’s atlas
John H. Shaw, exec of Sarah Shaw
Thomas Kendall
5/7/1903
145p
Mont. 502-115
Thomas Kendall
David Vorhees
5/2/1908
145p
Mont. 591-330
David Vorhees
Comm. of PA
8/30/1923
Mont. 1046-403
Branch D.3 - miscellaneous deeds in Washington's HQ area
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
Hannah H. Ogden
Nathan H. Jones
4/21/1866
82.46p
$100
142-538
Isaiah Knauer
Martha J. Bean
7/16/1892
421p, part of 4a 84p
$400
373-487
James Jones
2/17/1848 (will)
died
Nathan H. Jones
Charles J. Johnson
4/17/1893
$710
413-494
Charles J. & Susanna Johnson
Charles J. Johnson junior
8/7/1893
7a 16p
$710
413-485
Charles & Hattie Johnson
Susanna M. Johnson
8/7/1893
7a 16p
$710
393-419
Sheriff
Charles J. Johnson
6/18/1892
Sheriff's deed J-94
Charles J. & Hattie Johnson
George W. Pawling
6/18/1892
½ interest
369-184
Isaac Sharpless
John Sharpless
3/24/1842
1a 45p
$45
71-436
Joseph B. Walker
John Sharpless
3/28/1837
76-102
John Sharpless
William Anderson
3/30/1840
$575
61-248
Joseph & Martha Johnson, Joseph & Catharine Anderson, William & Lydia Decket, Samuel & Ann Buley, Joseph & Sarah Owens, joseph Henry, Charles & Sarah Megonigal
Bridget McMenamin
1/30/1865
3a 22p
$381
151-89
George W. Pawling
Bernard McMenamin
4/30/1894
7.3591a
$1
408-373
Samuel Fetters, assignee of James & Elizabeth Robinson
Robert T. Robinson
3/31/1879
2a 112p + 2a 112p
383-475
Samuel & Sarah Harvey
Charles Homer Rogers
7/18/1844
67-116
Executors of the will of Abijah Stephens
Isaac Miller
1/10/1835
Isaac Miller
Isaac Sharpless
1/12/1839
2a 119p
56-497
Isaac Sharpless
William Holloway
9/9/1839
2a 119p
56-496
William & Elizabeth Holloway
Samuel F. Jarrett
9/28/1865
2a 119p
139-429
John Smith et al, assignees of Jacob Vodges
Abraham Brower
8/28/1816
1a 116p + 3a 104p
$747 30p
96-329
Charles Shepard & Joseph Brower. administrators of the estate of Abraham Brower
Edward B. English
5/7/1874
3a 104p
$456 98c
217-432
Rebecca Robins
Jacob Vodges
30-150; see Branch C for earlier history
Jacob Vodges
Alexander Crawford
10/21/1814
2a 2r 32p
$570
31-193
John Smith et al, assignees of Jacob Vodges
Alexander Crawford
3/26/1817
35-334
Alexander Crawford
died intestate
Isabella Crawford
Jacob Massey
1/1/1855
5a 60p
$350
95-324; 2 lots
Abijah Stephens
17a 35p
died; woodland
David & William M. Stephens, executors of Abijah Stephens
Henry Schultz
1/1/1835
4a 142p
$668 8c
54-178; lots 3 & 4
Henry & Anna Schultz
Mahlon Ambler
3/4/1842
4a 142p
$855 31c
59-647;
Michael & Letticia Sisler
William Wetherell
12/16/1834
2a 77p
50-431
Above deeds listed in deed V59-464
Branch E - Charlestown/Schuylkill townships
Branch E.1 Southern Part of Forge tract
From
To
Date
Area
Cost
Reference
Joseph & Sarah Potts
Samuel P. Broome
7/12/1806
~400a
$12,500
B3-49
John Smith, Marshall by writ of the President of the United States
Jacob Vogdes
4/29/1808
400a
US Circuit Court, District of Pennsylvania deed G-412; quoted in F3-494
Jacob Vogdes of Philadelphia (house carpenter)
Jacob Taylor of Charlestown
6/8/1808
16a 38p
$983
C3-368; see Branch E.1.1 for continuation
Jacob & Mary Vogdes
Matthias Fitzgerald
4/5/1811
3a
$247 18.5c
H3-144; see Branch C.5.2 for continuation
Jacob (house carpenter) & Mary Vogdes of Philadelphia
1) Thropp Mill
3) Tredyffrin - Griffith John Patent
4b) Bilton line southern boundary
4c) see deed O10-292 for purchase (Sandstone quarry)
5) See Y10-260 for purchase
6) Purchased from Edwin Suplee 8/1/1892
8) See K11-92 for purchase