First Lot Deeds of Romney, West Virginia

By Lot Number, Deed Book, Page, Grantee Lastname, Firstname, Date, Grantor

Please note: The determination of the actual first owners of Romney lots is frustratingly difficult. Lord Fairfax apparently overlooked some of the normal paperwork in handing out grants, so when he died the authorities at that time found that records were missing and some grants never filed. The commonly known plat of Romney (click for image) was drawn by John Mitchell in 1790 well after Lord Fairfax had died and Trustees had been appointed for the town. We do not know what happened to the original survey of the town or to some of the early grants. The list of owners shown in the lower left of this image was added sometime well after the plat was drawn. The exact date is not known, but if you notice lot #52 is marked "Colored Church." It is unlikely that this term would be used before the Civil War.

Since this page was first written Mr. William Rice has found a copy of both the first survey of Romney done by David Vance and the earliest town plat and associated list of those individuals who "Spoke for" lots. These two documents are in Richmond in two different archives. Mr. Rice included a facsimile drawing of the plat with names on page 120 in his latest book, Colonial Records of the Upper Potomac, Volume Two, Surveys and Land Claims Before 1757. Note that the listing is of individuals who "spoke for" the lots. Be advised that this does not mean that they had paid for the lot or that any grant was ever issued.

The list of owners shown on this page is the result of research into the early deeds (not Northern Neck grants) for the town as preserved in our local Courthouse. You will notice that most issue dates are 1795 or later, although some original Fairfax grants are listed. The subject of the early grants is one needing further research. In a few cases there is no deed because a Northern Neck grant was issued for the lot.

It is not known what happened to the original survey of April 18, 1754 by David Vance although a copy might have been found by Mr. Rice in the Virginia Historical Society archives; from the wording in his book it is not clear which survey he was thinking of. We only know that in 1790 John Mitchell surveyed the town so that the Town Trustees could issue deeds. That is the survey that had been though of up until now as the first official survey of the Town.

Note on finding references: "DB" is Hampshire County "Deed Book" which can be found in the Courthouse in Romney; "pg" is the page in the deed book. If no Deed Book is shown and the "Grantor" is listed as "Grant" you can find the Grant reference by going to the Library of Virginia Grant search web page and typing in the individual's name. Then when the results page shows, pick the grant whose date is shown here. The Abstract will appear often with a URL link to an image of the grant. There are only 10 results to a page, so you may have to go to "next."

For a more in depth discussion of the land granting and deeding system Click here.