To say I was delighted to find this deed is an understatement! Moses Linton, Captain John Hancock Linton’s father, gave the use of 330 acres of land in Prince William County, Virginia, to John Graham.  Moses did not sell this land but allowed Graham and his family to live there for the natural life of Moses Linton.  Graham had use of the land, premises, appurtenances, woods, orchards, gardens, buildings, edifices, waters, water courses, easements, profits, etc., during the term of Moses’ life.  The only request or requirement was that Moses Linton could have some of the fish that should be caught in the rivers and streams. 

Moses Linton was always termed ‘gentleman.’  Moses’ father was John Linton, who died in Stafford County in 1728.  Prince William County was formed from Stafford in 1731.  Moses’ mother was Anne Barton, daughter of Edward Barton and Anne Green. Prince William County was formed from Stafford in 1731.  Counties changed boundaries fast and furious during this time period. What started out as a portion Stafford County became Prince William, then part was taking to form Fairfax County in 1742, then a part in 1757 to form Loudoun County. Since my Captain John Linton was born in 1750, he was born in Fairfax, and that portion became Loudoun in 1757.

When this deed was written November 25, 1751, Moses Linton had less than a year to live.  John Graham didn’t have long to enjoy the new property since at Moses’ death it reverted to his heirs.  Captain John Linton was 1-2 years of age when his father died.  There was a younger son, named Moses, and an older daughter, Catherine Jennings Linton.  Moses’ widow was Susannah Hancock, daughter of John Hancock and Catherine Smith.  Moses was first married to Susanna Harrison, who died before 1747.  Two sons were born to this marriage, William and Thomas, but both were deceased before 1775.  Son Moses was also deceased before this time.  This was an age when people were married several times due to deaths being so common. One of Ritchey’s ancestors was married five times!

I love reading this deed.  It gives valuable information but also gives an idea of what life was like during that time period.

Deed of Moses Linton, Gentleman, to John Graham

Prince William County Virginia Deed Book M

Pages 216-217

This Indenture made the twenty fifth day of November in the twenty fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the second of Great Britain and France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith and in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred fifty one between Moses Linton of the parish of Cameron in the County of Fairfax, Gentleman, of the one part and John Graham of the parish of Truro in the same county, Gentleman, of the other part.  Witnesseth that the said Moses Linton for in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds sterling money of Virginia, to him paid by the said John Graham, the receipt whereof the said Moses Linton doth hereby acknowledge and thereof of every part and parcel thereof doth hereby acquit and forever discharge the said John Graham, his heirs and administrators and every of them by these presents, hath granted, bargained, sold and confirmed and by these presents doth fully, clearly and absolutely grant, bargain, sell, confirm unto the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns, a certain pact or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the parish of Dettingen in the County of Prince William containing by estimation three hundred and thirty acres be the same more or less, it being the land and plantation on which the said Moses Linton lately dwelt on the Bay of Occoquan, together with all houses, out houses, edifices, building yards, gardens, orchards, ways, woods, underwoods, waters and water courses, easements, profits, communities, advantages, emoluments and rights, members and appurtenances whatsoever to the said land and premises

Belonging or in any wise appertaining or which now was or formerly have been taken, known, used, occupied or enjoyed to or with the same was part, parcel or member thereof, to have and to hold the said tract of land and premises with the appurtenances above mentioned unto him, the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns for and during the full term and space of the natural life of the said Moses Linton and the said Moses Linton doth hereby covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns, that he, the said Moses Linton, hath good right, power and authority to grant and convey the said land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns for and during the natural life of the said Moses Linton and that the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns shall  and may now and at all times hereafter during the life of the said Moses Linton, have, hold, use, occupy and peaceably possess and enjoy the said lands and premises with all and singular the benefits, liberties, advantages and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any sort or wise appertaining without the lot, suit, trouble, molestation, eviction, interruption or denial of him, the said Moses Linton, or of any other person or persons for him or by his or their means, assent, consent, privity or procurement and the said John Graham, for himself and his heirs and assigns doth covenant and agree to with the said Moses Linton that at the end determination of the above grated estate the said John Graham, his heirs and assigns, will leave the said plantation, land and premises in such good order and repair as the same are now in and during the time the said John Graham shall be possessed thereof shall from time to time to all sufficiently repair and uphold the same and during the fishing season the said John Graham doth covenant and agree with the said Moses Linton to allow him a sufficient quantity of fish for the use of the said Moses Linton’s family if such shall be caught, but for no other us, intent or purpose whatsoever.  In witness whereof the said Moses Linton hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day, month and year first above written.

Moses Linton, his seal

Sealed and delivered in presence of

No witnesses listed

Received the day and year above mentioned of John Graham one hundred pounds current money of Virginia, being considered for the lands and premises above mentioned of which I have put the said John Graham in actual and peaceable possession to hold according to the tenor, intent and meaning of the above deed. 

Witness my hand, Moses Linton

Witnesses present

No witnesses listed

At a court held for the County of Prince William 25^th November 1751

Moses Linton, Gentleman, acknowledged this lease and script which are admitted to record.

Peter Wagoner, County Clerk