Benjamin Say Deed

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Benjamin Say Deed, Ms2010-044, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
1 Cubic Feet 1 oversize folder
Abstract:
The collection contains a deed between Benjamin Say and Richard Mason in 1787 for the purchase of 5,000 acres of land located on the west fork of the Monongalia River, situated in Harrison and Monongalia counties, Virginia (now West Virginia).
Language:
The material in the collection is in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Benjamin Say Deed, Ms2010-044, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a deed of sale between Benjamin Say and Richard Mason for the sale of 5,000 acres in 1787. The deed describes the land as situated on the west fork of the Monongalia River, straddling the two Virginian (now part of West Virginia) counties of Monongalia and Harrison. The document was drawn up and signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It states that on December 13, the full purchase amount of one hundred and twenty five pounds will be paid. Additionally, it names Samuel Hanway as the land's surveyor.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Say, the seller on the deed, was a "physick" or physician based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purchaser on the deed, Richard Mason, was a merchant who came from the same city. No other information could be found.

Monongalia County, Virginia, where a portion of this deed's land was situated, was founded in 1776. Harrison County, where the 5,000 acres of land were mainly situated, was created from Monongalia County in 1784. It was named for Virginia governor Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and father of future president William Henry Harrison. In 1787, the same year of the deed's creation, the first courthouse was built in Harrison County. During the American Civil War, Harrison and Monongalia counties joined West Virginia, which seceded from Virginia when it seceded from the Union in 1861. West Virginia was admitted to the Union in 1863.

External Sources:

Dilger, Dr. Robert J. "Harrison County History." Harrison County Economic Development. WVU Institute for Public Affairs. Web. 24 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100614213849/www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Harrison/harihistory.html, accessed May 5, 2023.

Dilger, Dr. Robert J. "Monongalia County History." Monongalia County Economic Development. WVU Institute for Public Affairs. Web. 23 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100616235035/http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Monongalia/monhistory.html, accessed May 5, 2023.

Acquisition information:
The Benjamin Say Deed was purchased by Special Collections in 2010.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Benjamin Say Deed were commenced and completed in June 2010.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard