Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-05
Ntest treasure in the shane Of a relic

~ test treasure in the shape of a relic
is iginal deed for tract Of land
cal. 'Braddock's Field" 1t was
made out on March 4, 1871, nearly century
ago, and was patented by the Commonwealth
Of Pennsylvania to George Wallace, Esq.
The tract, which comprised 32s acres of land,
was conveyed to Mr.. Wallace by George
Thompson for an allowance of less than half
dollar sn acre.
WHO MR.. WALLACE WAS.
A good many persons will wonder who
George Wallace was. A hundred years or
more ago be resided where Mr.. Allen Kirk
patrick now lives, which place, after being
vacated BY the former, was converted into,
and for many years afterward known as, the
'old Female Seminary" 1t latterly came
into the possession of Mr.. George Bell, the
father of Mrs Allen kirkpatrick. Mr..
Wallace is said to have been an eminent
lawyer, and it was he who so Hospitality en-
tertained General Lafayette at these very
headquarters at time when the latter was
passing this point, and stopped to take
General Washington's chief of staff; also
his personal friend.
The deed which furnishes the subject for
this sketch, later fell into the hands of Mr..
A. F. Marthens, of Avalon, Pa, under just
what circumstances he is unable to tell.
Hearing that be was in possession of the
deed, Mr.. Andrew Carnegie opened a CORES
pondence with him, with view to obtaining
the relic for his Braddock Library. He
was successful, and several days ago it was
forwarded to Mr.. James Gayley, President
of the Library Association, who will have
il suitably framed. 1t will then occupy a
conspicuous place on the walls in the in
terror of the library building. The quaint
old instrument, written on sheepskin parch-
ment, is copied as follows:
PATENT.
Brdddocks FfeId
GEORGE WALLACE, ESQ,
S2s acres Allegheny county,
The Commonwealth or Pennsylvania-To all to
whom these presents shall come greeting;
Know that in consideration of the sum of
f4S los 4d, lawful money, paid by George Wal.
lace, Esq, into the Receiver Generals office of
this Commonwealth, there is granted by the
said Commonwealth unto the said George Wal
lace a certain tract Of land called "Braddoek's
El6luT on LQ6 NOTIQ BlQe OF IQe hlVeT
MonOngahela, at Braddock's Field in Pitt
township, Allegheny county: Beginning ar a
locust on the bank of the said river, thence by
land supposed to be vacant, north 80 degrees,
west Y perches to white oak. thence by land
of Peter Rolleter soUth five degrees, west rs
perches to white OK, south 20 degrees, west
l29 perches to walnut tree. south SO degrees,
west 36 Derches to a Spanish oak on the bank
of said river, and thence up the same. bounding
thereon, containing 3S acress and allowance
of per cent. for roads, etc., with appurten-
Rncee (which said tract was surveyed in pursu-
ance Of a special application, No. IS entered the
first day of April, 1769. by Robert Thompson,
who by deed dated December, 17SS conveyed
the same to George Thompson, who, by deed
dated March instant, conveyed the same to
said George Wallace, for whom warrant of
acceptance issued the second day of March,
iustant) To have and to hold the said tract or
marcel Of land with the appurtenances unto
the said George Wallace and his heirs to the
use of him, the said George Wallace, except
jnr and reserving only the fifth part of all gold
and silver ore, for the use Of this Common
wealth. to be delivered at the pits mouth, free
of ali charges In witness whereof, Thomas
MifIin. Governor Of the aid Commonwealth.
hath hereto set his hand and caused the State
seal To he hereto affixed, the fourth day of
March. in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-one, and of the Com
monwealth the fifteenth.
THOMAS MIFFLIN.
A DALLAS, Secretary.