Complex sentence: As early as the year 1772, settlers began locating their lands near where Clarksburg now stands, and in 1773 Major Daniel Davisson (1748-1819) took up, upon which the principal part of the town is now located.
Split into simpler sentences: As early as 1772, settlers began locating their lands near where Clarksburg now stands. In 1773, Major Daniel Davisson (1748-1819) took up, upon which the principal part of the town is now located.