Author: Kris Hocker

In 1786, Henry Hoover of Fayette County, Pennsylvania finalized a deed for two tracts of land in Washington County, Maryland between his father Andrew Hoover’s estate and Jacob Shank of Washington County, Maryland.¹  These tracts were purchased by Andrew in 1779 from Francis Deahnis and William Deahnis Jr. of Montgomery County, Maryland as part of the “Resurvey on What You Please.”

The deed reads as follows:

“At the request of Jacob Shank the following deed was recorded Feb. 24th 1786 to wit

This indenture made this twentyeth day of February in the your of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five between Henry Hoover of Fayette County and state of Pennsylvania son & heir at law of Andrew Hoover formerly of Washington County and State of Maryland but late of Fayette county and State of Pennsylvania deceased of the one part and Jacob Shank of Washington county and state of Maryland of the other part Witnesseth that whereupon the aforesaid Andrew Hoover in his lifetime did bargain and sell to the aforesaid Jacob Shank two tracts of land herein after mentioned described and received payment and satisfaction for the same and neglected to giv [sic] a Conveyence to the said Jacob Shank Now This Indenture Witnesseth that for and inconsideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds current money well & truly in hand paid to the aforesaid Andrew Hoover in his lifetime and for and in consideration of the further [amount?] of ten shillings current well and trule in hand paid to the aforesaid Henry Hoover by this aforesaid Jacob Shank the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged [here?] the said Henry hath granted bargained sold aliened released [??] and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien release [??] and confirm unto the aforesaid Jacob Shank his heirs and assigns two tracks or parts of tracts or parcels of land situate and being in Washington County and State of Maryland one tract being the resurvey on cold weather and part of Huckleberry hall now called warm weather beginning at the end of four perches in the fifth line of said resurvey and running with the lines thereof north forty five degrees and one hundred and thirty one perches then with said lines north seventy three degrees west sixty four perches then by this division line between said land and Jacob Good Senior south twenty three degrees west one hundred and ten perches to a white oak then to the place of beginning south forty eight degrees and one half degree east fifteen perches containing twenty eight acres and one fourth of and acres of land more or less, the other tract being part of a tract called the resurvey on what you please beginning at [??] the end of eighteen perches in the second line of the said tract and running thence with the lines thereof north thirty five degrees west one hundred and seventeen perches south twenty six degrees west seven perches north eight degrees west one hundred and fifty three perches north seventy two and a half degrees west forty perches south forty five degrees west one hundred and thirty five perches south seventy three degrees east twenty perches south eighty perches to the end of third line of what you please it being the original tract of the resurvey on what you please then north seventy eight degrees east ninety five perches south forty three perches then by a straight line to the beginning containing one hundred and forty and a half acres of land more or less together with all improvements profits priviledges [sic] and advantages to the said two tracts or either of them belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the state right little property claim and demand whatever of him the said Henry Hoover of in or to the said two tracts of land or any part thereof to have and to hold the aforesaid tracts of land and premises unto the aforesaid Jacob Shank his heirs and assigns forever to his and their own proper [??] benefits and behoof[?] & to or for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever, and the said Henry Hoover for himself his heirs executors and administrators doth hereby covenant promise grant and agree to and with the aforesaid Jacob Shank his heirs and assigns that he the said Henry Hoover and his heirs the aforesaid two tracts of land and promises to the aforesaid Jacob Shank and his heirs assigns from and against persons claiming or to claim from by or under him the aforesaid Henry Hoover his heirs executors and administrators or any of them shall and will warrant and forever defend, In Witness whereof the said Henry Hoover hath hereto set his hand and seal the day and year aforesaid.

Signed and delivered
In the presence of    Henry Hoover
Note the words “between said land” and the word “perches” being first interlined[??]”