Westmorland County GenWeb
A reprint from We Lived (A GENEALOGICAL NEWSLETTER OF NEW BRUNSWICK SOURCES published by Cleadie B. Barnett,
included on this site with permission of Ms. Barnett))

Moncton Township Settlers 1788

        The following item is taken from an old typed record found in the Reference Section at the Provincial Archives. It is very much deteriorated, and there is no indication where the original document may be found. The mini census at the end of this item has a Jacob Trites, Sr. listed, yet there is no individual statement about him as there is about the rest of the settlers. This indicates there may be a page missing, as each settler is recorded on a separate sheet, or two to a page.
TOWNSHIP OF MONCTON  18 Mar 1788
        Westmorland, March 18th, 1788.
Sir,
        I have the Honor to send you herewith a Return of the survey of the Township of Monkton. After I had finished the business of Joshua Geldart, I convened the people and they subscribed the letter to me, which I have taken the liberty to inclose: In consequence of which I have been enabled to represent on the plan, as well the claims of several occupants, conformable to the Warrant, as the vacant and uncultivated lands.
        Halls Creek being the Lower boundary of the Township, I began at the mouth and traversed up to a pine tree, marked on it in a former survey, as the upper boundary of lands laid out for Reuben Mills. I then measured up the South Branch of this Creek, so far as I was informed it was practicable to bring the Marsh into any state of cultivation. The land above tho' extensive, is too low to be rendered profitable, without much greater expense and labour than any person in this part of the country is able or willing to bestow.
        The uniform complaint of the settlers in this township is a want of hardwood, and from my observation in traversing up those Creeks, I believe they are justly founded, - small pines, fir and hackmatack, with a few white birch trees were to be seen, which I am informed (with very few exceptions) is the situation of the land, as high up as the land claimed by the Wortmans', for three or four miles back from the River. The next and only Creek of any consequence, is Jonathans' Creek, the marsh on each side of which I surveyed, and have represented on the plan. On this Creek, above the tide, I am informed for some distance, a small quantity of interval is to be found.
        The several courses and distances of the River from the mouth of Halls to Geldarts Creek, I have also taken the liberty to inclose, beginning at, and describing each boundary, according to the Sheriffs and subsequent Deeds to the present occupants, to which I have annexed the mode in which the people pray to receive grants.
        I have measured the improved marsh of each person and also the upland, where I supposed the quantity would exceed 7 or 8 acres, and in my return, opposite the names of each person I have mentioned the contents. In the course of this survey, whenever I measured any part of the High Road, I made a memorandum in my Field Book, and in protracting, I have endeavoured to connect the whole of it through the Township, - and I believe I have accurately annexed to the present plan a general view of all my surveys in this part of the County.
        The people of this Township settled under Sheriff's Deeds obtained by a due course of law about 8 years since, in a manner similar to the Hopewell people; but their improvements are more general and carried to greater perfection. As you will be pleased to observe by the plan, the greater part of the Marsh in the several purchases, except on Hall's Creek, has been in dyke upwards of five years, and now produces abundance of wheat. Some part of it particularly in front of Christian Trites and Andrew Summers is not yet brought to such perfection, but even of this, part will be plowed next autumn.
        But one grist mill, and not one saw mill, has been erected in this Township, since the settlement of it; the grist mill you will be pleased to observe, I have represenred, on Mill Creek, and was built about 6 years ago by John and Henry Jones; it has hitherto been used, and last Fall made a quantity of flour. It was originally built of logs and for want of proper repairs the house is now of little value, but I am informed the dam, made to stop the water, is still of importance as an improvement. The inclosed is an estimate of the present value of it, by two impartial persons, which I imagined it would not be improper to produce, as they are the (Jones') intend to Memorial His Excellency for the exclusive privilege of the Stream.
        A chain of high land commences about four miles back (of) the mouth of Hall's Creek, and runs nearly parallel to the River, until about three miles of the upper Boundary of the township, where it gradually terminates. This Mountain, I am informed, is covered with birch, beech and maple and the land of a superior quality to any in this part of the County.

... (This is where there may be a page missing? C.B.B.)

CHRISTIAN TRITES:
        Came to this country a lad (with the above Jacob Trites), his father, in the year 1785. Reuben Mills gave up every idea of dyking the marsh of the present tract according to the above agreement and in October the proprietor conveyed it by Deed to the present occupant on condition that he should "give him during the life of himself or his wife, 100lbs meat, half beef and half pork; six bushels of wheat ground to meal; six cords of firewood, laid at the door, and one cow to be kept summer and winter, to be paid annually." The tract in this Deed is described, - "Beginning at the lowermost corner at a stake, that now stands upon the Marsh upon the bank of the River Peteudiack, and running up the said River to the mouth of Jonathans' Creek, and up the said Creek to a stake upon the upland and extend back to take in 1064 acres Marsh and upland." - He has hitherto complied with the Conditions & it is the prayer of both his father and himself that he may receive a grant for the tract whereon his improvements are represented.

JACOB TRITES, JUNR.:
        Jacob Ricker commenced a suit at law against William Smith, Esqr. one of the proprietors of this Township for damages, and recovered Judgement for £15'17'3, - The present tract was sold and Ricker became purchaser as described by the Sheriffs Deed now in his possession, - "of the following Real Estate (viz.), being on the heirs of Matthew Summers land, beginning at a stake, from thence extending down the River to a stake up Jonathans' Creek, on the East side marked No. 8, and then extending back to an equal square, containing 1900 acres of Marsh and upland." In October 1786, the said Ricker sold 1200 acres of this above described tract to the present occupant Jacob Trites, and at that time intended the remaining 700 acres for his son, but as Trites has dyked the whole of the Marsh (on the River) and made the other improvements on the tract, as per plan, Ricker for a certain compensation from him has agreed to resign any further claim he may have to any part of this tract, and wishes a grant may come out for the said Trites, for the whole or as much as his improvements may entitle him to.

ANDREW SUMMERS:
        The Heirs of Matthew Summers prosecuted John Hughs of Philadelphia, one of the original proprietors, and obtained Judgement including costs of Court for the sum of £57'17'3, and procured a Sheriffs Deed of 2100 acres of Marsh and upland: "Beginning at a stake marked No. 7, thence extending down the River to a stake marked No. 7, Bearing Co. No 8o W extending back to an equal square to contain the above quantity." Jacob Ricker married the widow of the said Matthew Summers, paid the Expenses of the lawsuit, and undertook to settle this Division of the Estate, between one son and five daughters; the son therefore (present occupant) has deed signed by the said Ricker for "one half of that message or tenement of land, known by the number 7, to begin at the lowermost Corner of a stake marked No. 7, and run up the Peteudiack half the distance across the aforesaid lot to extend back to take 1050 acres with the Marsh thereunto belonging," - for this Deed the present Andrew Summers has obligated himself to pay Ricker a certain sum of money.
        The other (or remaining tract) of 1050 acres described in the Deed to the Heirs o the Matthew Summers, the said Jacob Ricker has sold for a consideration to Liffee Chapple, but as he has made no improvements upon it I did not think it necessary to mark his name on the tract, which bounds on the lower part on Andrew Summers and on the upper by a birch tree.

CHRISTOPHER HORSEMAN:
        Purchased from & settled by Deed from Michl. Lutz.

MICHAEL LUTZ:
        Came into this country with the first emigration from Pennsylvania, and settled in this Township on the tract now claimed by Andrew Summers where he resided about five years, from thence he removed to Hills'bro, and remained about 12 years. - He is one of the number who recovered judgment against Proprietors of Monkton for £62'5'0, and purchased at Sheriff's sale (for which he has a deed) "Nineteen hundred acres of Marsh and upland bounded on Mr. Charles Bakers lands now sold to Abraham Trites; Beginning at a spruce tree marked No. 6, from thence extending down the River Easterly to a Little Creek and a stake marked No. 6 and then to extend back to an equal square, to take the number of acres above mentioned." This Deed is dated 9th of November 1780. In June 1784 the above Christopher Horseman purchased the tract, whereon his improvements are represented, the whole to contain 5000 acres for the sum of £55 and received a Deed from Mr. Lutz, who obligated himself that the tract with present front should run back as far as to contain the above quantity. On the plan I have represented the upper & lower boundary of this tract & also the improvements.

ABRAHAM TRITES:
        He came a young man to this country, with the first settlers from Pennsylvania and has resided in this Township about 21 years. Charles Baker, Esq. recovered judgement against Messr.s Clarkson and Company, Merchants, Philadephia, for the sum of £51'10 and the tract whereon the present occupant now resides, was sold by execution when he became purchaser and received a Sheriff's Deed for "1580 acres of Marsh and upland, beginning at the Red Bank from thence extending down the River till opposite a spruce tree marked No. 5 and heap of stones and then to extend back to an equal square, to contain the number of acres above mentioned."
        On the plan I have marked the improvements on this tract and represented the several boundaries by which the Marsh and upland have been hereto fore held.

JOHN JONES and HENRY JONES:
        Two sons, the only male heirs of Charles Jones, who came to this country about 20 years ago, in order to settle lands under John Hughes, Merct. of Philadelphia. Charles Jones died about 14 years since, and left his family unsettled, the proprietor not having performed his agreement with him. At the time the present and principal occupants of this Township, commenced lawsuits, the present John and Henry Jones being on the number obtained a Sheriff's Deed of "2263 acres of Marsh and upland, Beginning at Island Creek, joining to Mr. Steef, from thence extending down the River to a pine tree marked No. 4, to extend back to an equal square to take in the number of acres above mentioned." The debt recovered was for the sum of £68'10. The boundaries as above described and the improvements are as marked on the plan.

FREDERICK STEEVES and CHRISTIAN STEEVES:
        Two sons of Henry Steeves, who came to this country with the first settlers from Pennyslvania, and resided 5 years in this Township whence he removed to lands in Hillsborough then owned by Messr. Hoops and Cummins; about 5 years after he purchased a tract of land from Ebenezer Burnham. At the time that all those people commenced lawsuits against the proprietors he (the said Henry Steeves), was amongst the number, whereby he became possessed by Sheriff's Deed of the lands whereon the above two men at present reside and is described by the Deed for the consideration of £65, "- 2163 acres of Marsh and upland, Beginning at Steeves' Point, from thence extending down the River to the Island Creek, joining to the heirs of Charles Jones, and then extending back to an equal square to take the number of acres above mentioned." When he died he left seven sons to inherit the two estates of Hillsbro', and the present one of Monkton, they executed certain Instruments of writing, by which it was agreed, that five of the sons should possess the lands in Hillsbro' forever - and that the two other sons, the present occupants should in like manner become the owners of this tract. They have accordingly improved as per plan agreeable to a former division of the tract the boundaries of which I have also represented.

WILLIAM WILSON:
        John Copple came to this country with the others and settled on the place now occupied by Andrew Summers, where he remained about 12 years, when he recovered judgement against the Proprietors and was the highest bidder for 1760 acres of Marsh and upland, received a Sheriff's Deed and removed to the present tract; about six months after which his wife died and left one child, a daughter. It is a practice with the aged Germans of this country to make an agreement with some one of their children, (if they have any), or some other person in whom they can confide, to enjoy the property with which they are possessed at the time of such agreement, and maintain them suring their lives. About the time of the death of Copples wife the present occupant, William Wilson, lived with him, and an agreement before evidences was entered into, similar to above. Wilson, obligated himself to maintain Copple so long as he should live, and to support the child until she should arrive at the age of 18 years: until which time he was to enjoy the profits of the land & stock &c., giving up at the expiration (if the child should require it), and resigning to her use, all or the value of so much as he might receive at the time of the agreement. About 15 months after, Copple died, and Charles Dixon, Esqr. became Administrator to the Estate, and Guardian for the child, then 4 years old, and leased the farm with the stock & utensels to the present, William Wilson, for the Term of 14 years for £10. per annum which sum was intended for the maintaince of the child. About 18 months ago the child died, and no heirs or any person appear to claim under the said Copple. The Marsh was diked and the improvements made at the expense of William Wilson.

JACOB WORTMAN, MARTIN WORTMAN and JOHN WORTMAN:
        George Wortman the father of those three persons came to this country about the same time with the others to settle in this Township, but was disappointed by the proprietors and removed to Hillsbro', after remaining about four years in Monkton. He remained in Hillsbro' until his removal and settlement on the present tract, for which in Novr. 1780, he obtained a Sheriff's Deed, for the damages of £36'15 of "1166 acres of woodland and Interval; Beginning at the first Creek from the Town line at the highest end of Monkton Township, thence extending down the River to the Lowermost end of the Great Interval, then to extend back in a square form to take the number of acres above mentioned." Shortly after he received this Deed he sold to Joshua Geldart the tract described and bounded as per plan, and about four months since the said George Wortman died, leaving the stock of cattle herein described, and the three sons.

 Signed, Stepn. Millidge, Depy. Surveyor

 1. Names                     6. Cows
 2. No. years settled         7. Oxen
 3. No. acres cleared upland  8. Young cattle
 4. No. acres diked marsh     9. Sheep
 5. Horses
1                        2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9

Jacob Trites, Sr.       22  31  32   -   2   -   1   4
Christian Trites        22   6  87   1   8   5  11  24
Jacob Trites, Junr.      8  14  59   2   6   4   9  24
Andrew Summers           8  26  38   3   4   4  13  13
Christopher Horseman     3   3  21½  3   6   4   6   3
Michael Lutz            4½  25  60   1  51   5   5  25
Abraham Trites          14  33  55   1   8   6  11  37
John Jones & >                   8    1   6   2   5  14
Henry Jones  >           8  14  60½  1   7   4   7  14
Frederick Steeves        7   7  64   2   6   2   9  15
Christian Steeves       13  40  30   2   8   5   7  16
William Wilson           8  20  24   2  10   5  15   8
Jacob Wortman & >
Martin Wortman &>        6   5  21   -   8   6   5   3
John Wortman    >
                        --------------------------------
                            224 582  19  84  56  104 200

(Note from C.B.B.: The typing was not too good in the copy I used so I do not know if the errors in it were mistakes or direct copies. This appears to be the type of report that might be found in the Surveyor Generals papers, but I have not had time to search to see if the original is indeed there.)