The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-09-11
LETTER PROM BALTIMORE.
BALTIMORE. Aua. 2a. 1874

1 ,
ny effusion more. The labora Of on in
estigation Of this nature are pimply
normous, the uninitiated can form no
'dequate idea Of the immenAe amount ot
york embraced in handling and cunning
ver the rusty musiy old books enbrac.
ng the time from the first settlement 81
p-~~;,cs oF N,vvland" 'b-
present date, covering = period Of owes
..etr>. .hy s.Ita.. t,4stei ..ts Js...s
ecurds have as yet been partial failure,
rom the fact that the Commisaioner's
'ffice is at this time undergoing exten.
I've repairs, and the building il simply
'napproachable. A few Of the old books
hat were placed in the State house, ans
come Of the papers the Clerk managed
q reach around the protruding corners
rom amongst the piles Of desks, hook
'aseH and boxes, in the old office, wers
u il waa my privilege 10 examine. /
.btained clues however, from Annapolis,
hat are by no means unimportant.
The fact seems apparent to us, that
John Chilcote, of "ye olden time" was
ouly dealt with as far M the first pur-
hnRe Of land was concerned. The rom
.urrent testimony from every branch of
he family is, that James and John Chill
'ote each procured letters patent for 100
'creE of land at the same time. One In
avor Of James IL readily found. hearing
late Of 1927, which was two years priOT
o the birth of Baltimore town aud not
until the year 1850, does the name Of
Iohn appesF y, and then it ia a lease from
Lord Baltimore for SO acres. for 80 years;
true, there may he yet found after tho
egistrar's office IL fully reconstructed,
The original patent and tie certified re-
cord, all properly authenticated, but
here seems TO be prevailing opinion
that the patent has been destroyed, and
he record defaced or Obliterated, among
he State department officers here, a.
veil aa by my Baltimore attorney, and
it will cost us another trip, no doubt, to
furnish the proofs in regard 20 this mat
ter as 70 when, how and by whom this
york Of vandalism was perpetrated; !
was not able to obtain a copy Of the sur
vey Of the 80 years lease, for reasons
ifnre mentioned; 70 that my plate ofsur-
geys and abstracts Of titles will refe-
more Immediately to the II acres Of land
heretofore spoken Of; although doubtless
hey will be Of great help in forming "a
correct idea of the approximate location
of all those may subsequently be call
ed upon 10 trace. There can be no quea.
tion Of doubt aH to the title la those II
acres, and their locality will he deter
mined shortly. but the evidences Telat.
ing 10 the two 100 acre tracts, canno; vel
be pursued farther, until the Tepairr on
the State Office are campleie, Of which
:ime / will be duly notified, and il will
not exceed three weeks from this time,
according to the opinions Of those WIN
arc experimenting the work. The heavi-
er portion of our labor in record search
ing ia over, ~ have the abstracts Of all
titles in any way referring 10 our claim
from Baltimore county embraced within
the period Of time heretofore mentioned,
md az intend bringing my papers hOme
with me, all who are interested are in
yited TO call and examine for themselves,
and they will see evidences that my trip
was emphatically one Of business and not
Of pleasure. I can show abstractS from
over 40 titles with q plat or survey o.
each, alsO index notes and reference os
many more, besides the condensed ax-
animation Of my two days work at An
iapOlis, saying nothing Of my eHamina-
iions in the Historical Society, City En-
zineeT's Office and county surveyR which
reach back as far M 1874.
The investigation ] am now engaged
in, could have been made quarter of
century ago, with fourth the
cost; as many Of the living Witnesses o.
that day are gathered unto their fathers,
Ind we are compelled 10 trace mp in T.
roundabout way, much of the evidence
that could then have been easily obtain
I'd from the lips Of parties who were eye
witnesses to much that il Of intense in
terest to us who are seeking TO unfold the
past record Of this family's early history.
I fully bplieve that the descendants Of
Iohn Chilcote are entitled 60 all the ex-
D etat ons ufth most snngtin although
the road il not smooth one, perhaps,
and il may require a few inches Of back
bond" and hard labor, as we'll as perse-
verance, hut
"1 he reward Is sura
To all that endure"
And | fully believe there h enough
Spartan blood in the family to fully re-
deem itself, for have letters In my poe
session from sOme of the generous cone
tributors to the investigation fund. who
have already contributed literally, and
are willing TO double tie amount IL ne.
cessary, and say they will stand up, 70
this work TO the last, until they are full
ly satisfied as to their rights Of POssss-
sion.
am fully aware that a large number
of the expectani heirs TO this claim, have
shown a quiet. retiring and modest dir
position, as far as any risking Of money
is concerned, 20 aid in lining the bar
den when heaviest. or meeting dangers
when thickesi, but after the heavy work
ia done and the smoke Of the hattie is
cleared away, and the victory Is won.
will not be Astonished then, 70 zee those
uuOdest, refirirg once stalking in she vnn-
guard, with the stereotype Phraaea, y
told you so," didn't ~ do Il uuw?" ~
minding us Of the hy on the coach wheel.
what dust we're kicking mp" lmPc-
cuniosity, however. may eNcuse many
whoee feelings we profoundly respect,
and We are glad 20 know that many such
will be in the no very distant future re-
Iieved from much anxiety, toll and care
~ 20 the evidences we now have, 80 %
show clearly that they have unjurtiy
been deprived Of their rights, and thae
there is good prospect Of = speedy ~