Ran across a deed yesterday at the land records in Cambridge, Vermont. Edward Hutchins conveyed D.M. Dickinson "my right to land granted me as a soldier in the late war of rebellion by United States." I believe this to be a very unusual conveyance for Vermont or eastern U.S., at least I've never run across anything like it. It would be interesting to know more about the circumstances.
I believe this to be a very unusual conveyance for Vermont or eastern U.S., at least I've never run across anything like it.
Willard,
Very common, at least around NY. Here is an original deed signed by Gov. George Clinton and Simeon Dewitt as Surveyor General for a military tract lot. Basically since there was no cash to pay you for fighting, you were paid in land. If your side won, you survived, could produce this uncompleted deed
given to you upon enlistment, letters of rank etc. you would be granted various acreage depending upon rank. This deed contains the great seal of NY from 1776, only in existence for one year and very rare as even the state archives doesn't have one but wasn't issued till 1791. This deed is signed 1791 so obvously it took some time to win the war, have the land surveyed and approved by the legislators etc.
Respectfully,
Jim Vianna
