Romney Lots Spoken for in 1763
Romney was the first town approved by the Virginia Legislature in the area that was to become West Virginia. The exact details of the establishment of Romney are somewhat sketchy. An article on the Founding of Romney can be found here. According to Mr. Rice whose work is mentioned in footnote #1 of the referenced article, Lord Fairfax was a powerful man who sometimes did not need to adhere exactly to the rules. The names shown on this chart of the original 100 lots of Romney were the men who "spoke for" the lots - not necessarily having paid for them and gotten a grant. When Lord Fairfax died in 1781 it was discovered that the records of ownership were in disarray, so the Trustees of the Town quickly issued deeds for lots which seemed to have no owner of record.
Click here for the next chart of owners.