{"product_id":"1767-colonial-virginia-land-office-application-5-000-acre-frontier-survey-indian-path-wigwam-pre-revolutionary-manuscript","title":"1767 Colonial Virginia Land Office Application – 5,000 Acre Frontier Survey – Indian Path \u0026 Wigwam – Pre-Revolutionary Manuscript","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"151\" data-end=\"309\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis is an original manuscript \u003cstrong data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"227\"\u003eVirginia frontier land office application\u003c\/strong\u003e requesting a survey of \u003cstrong data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"266\"\u003e5,000 acres\u003c\/strong\u003e in the western lands of colonial Virginia.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"cd6f896b-5015-41eb-866f-3baee7fb9ab7\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2792\" data-end=\"3123\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eOriginal colonial Virginia manuscript land application dated \u003cstrong data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2869\"\u003eMay 15, 1767\u003c\/strong\u003e, requesting the survey of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"2911\"\u003e5,000 acres\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Great Valley of western Virginia. Signed by \u003cstrong data-start=\"2963\" data-end=\"2978\"\u003eJohn McNutt\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2983\" data-end=\"3000\"\u003eRoger McNeill\u003c\/strong\u003e, the document represents an early stage in the acquisition of frontier lands only nine years before American independence.\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3594\"\u003eThe application provides a vivid description of the proposed tract using natural and frontier landmarks rather than surveyed boundaries. It locates the property near the \u003cstrong data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3319\"\u003ehead of Beaver Creek\u003c\/strong\u003e, where \u003cstrong data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3366\"\u003ean Indian path crosses Willing Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e, beginning at \u003cstrong data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3409\"\u003ea large limestone spring\u003c\/strong\u003e, continuing over the mountain, and specifically notes the location of \u003cstrong data-start=\"3480\" data-end=\"3500\"\u003ean Indian wigwam\u003c\/strong\u003e before directing completion of the survey according to the terms of the Virginia Land Office.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3596\" data-end=\"3959\"\u003eManuscripts documenting the opening of Virginia's western frontier are increasingly scarce, particularly those preserving contemporary references to Native American travel routes and settlements. Unlike the more commonly encountered engraved land patents, this is the original application requesting the survey itself—a significant survival from the colonial era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3961\" data-end=\"4363\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eWritten on laid paper with a contemporary docket on the reverse reading \u003cstrong data-start=\"4033\" data-end=\"4078\"\u003e\"Survey for 5000 [acres], May 15th 1767,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e this manuscript is an outstanding artifact of colonial land speculation, westward expansion, and early American frontier history. An excellent addition for collectors of colonial Virginia, land grants, Native American history, Appalachian settlement, and eighteenth-century Americana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"333\"\u003eThe document is dated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"353\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"353\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"353\"\u003eMay 15, 1767\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"387\"\u003eand is signed by the applicants:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"483\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hkscvy\" data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"406\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"391\" data-end=\"406\"\u003eJohn McNutt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"gfy0yu\" data-start=\"407\" data-end=\"483\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"409\" data-end=\"426\"\u003eRoger McNeill\u003c\/strong\u003e (surname spelling varies slightly in period handwriting)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"ir7acx\" data-start=\"485\" data-end=\"507\"\u003eText (essentially)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"509\" data-end=\"941\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"511\" data-end=\"941\"\u003e\"An application given by John McNutt and Roger McNeill for five thousand acres of land in the Great Valley within three or four of the Head of Beaver Creek where an Indian path crosses Willing Hill, beginning at a large limestone spring to the left hand... over the hill above mentioned where there was an Indian wigwam and down the north side of the mountain till the survey be completed, complying with the terms of the office.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"983\"\u003eThe reverse bears a contemporary docket:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1032\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1032\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1032\"\u003e\"Survey for 5000 [acres], May 15th 1767.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1037\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"ery58m\" data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1060\"\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1171\"\u003eThis document belongs to the great period of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1107\" data-end=\"1171\"\u003eVirginia's western expansion before the American Revolution.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1233\"\u003eSeveral important features increase its historical interest:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1643\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14yrcj9\" data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1296\"\u003eDated \u003cstrong data-start=\"1243\" data-end=\"1296\"\u003enine years before the Declaration of Independence\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ocqpv2\" data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1347\"\u003eRequests a very substantial \u003cstrong data-start=\"1327\" data-end=\"1347\"\u003e5,000-acre tract\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1fwumbq\" data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1422\"\u003eDescribes the land by natural landmarks rather than surveyed coordinates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1kjqzsr\" data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003eReferences:\n\u003cul data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"gbl9cl\" data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1457\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1457\"\u003eBeaver Creek\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"4sculb\" data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1482\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1462\" data-end=\"1482\"\u003eThe Great Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ub0qbk\" data-start=\"1485\" data-end=\"1502\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1502\"\u003eIndian path\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1jgiawf\" data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003eIndian wigwam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"129qpx3\" data-start=\"1527\" data-end=\"1549\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1529\" data-end=\"1549\"\u003eLimestone spring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"lwrlb7\" data-start=\"1552\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1554\" data-end=\"1566\"\u003eMountain\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"a0emct\" data-start=\"1567\" data-end=\"1643\"\u003eRepresents the first step toward obtaining a western Virginia land survey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1792\"\u003eThese applications were submitted before official surveys and patents were issued and are considerably scarcer than the later engraved land grants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"2039\"\u003eThe reference to an \u003cstrong data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1829\"\u003eIndian path\u003c\/strong\u003e and an \u003cstrong data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1854\"\u003eIndian wigwam\u003c\/strong\u003e is especially desirable because it documents how frontier settlers identified land using Native American travel routes and habitation sites immediately prior to large-scale settlement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2041\" data-end=\"2044\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2058\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2220\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1wnqpjk\" data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2095\"\u003eOne page manuscript on laid paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1g4e7pd\" data-start=\"2096\" data-end=\"2106\"\u003eComplete\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hqlecj\" data-start=\"2107\" data-end=\"2123\"\u003eOriginal folds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"mr4zfh\" data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2141\"\u003eMinor edge wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"jul4a4\" data-start=\"2142\" data-end=\"2165\"\u003eVery legible dark ink\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1mopl5d\" data-start=\"2166\" data-end=\"2190\"\u003eReverse docket present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1q1onvz\" data-start=\"2191\" data-end=\"2220\"\u003eVery good condition overall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default 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