Description:

SETTLING COLONIAL PENNSYLVANIA: LUKENS FAMILY PAPERS
An archive of 38 letters written between members the of the noted Lukens family of Pennsylvania, 1767-1783. Correspondents include JOHN LUKENS (1720?-1789) who served as Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania, 1761-89 and his sons, (and deputy surveyors for the colony and state) JESSE LUKENS (1748-1776) and CHARLES LUKENS (d. 1784). John Lukens was a prominent Philadelphian and an intimate of Benjamin Franklin, David Rittenhouse and Francis Alison among others. He was originally appointed Surveyor-General by the Penn family in 1761 and in that capacity oversaw the distribution of land throughout the colony and was even involved with Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in their work demarking the boundaries between Pennsylvania, Maryland and present-day Delaware. During the American Revolution, the Pennsylvania Land office remained closed for several years, but in 1780 Lukens was elected to the same position and served in that capacity until his death in 1789. Several of his sons, including Jesse and Charles worked for their father as deputy surveyors. Much of the correspondence is from Charles to his father with a couple from Jesse as well as a letter from John Lukens written late in life. Being the final arbiter in disputes over lands, exposed the family to the ire of other prominent Pennsylvanians, Charles writes from York on July 11, 1770 Charles to his father that: "...I am informed by Mr. Crouch that Mr. Physick and Tilghman has taken a vast deal of Pains to furnish themselves with the [illeg.] storys [sic] of a foolish Dutchman, in order to have something to say ag[ains]t. me....The Matter at present is concerning some Islands in Susq[uehann]a which I Surveyed at the Request of James Jack - The Island called Conestogo Island...is not near large Enough, because a Dutchman, (who doen't know what an acre is) says so. They have ordered Bartram Galbraith to Survey them...I suppose he may make a few acres...the Water is now much lower than when I Surveyed them...". The lands west of the Susquehanna were in a great state of confusion according to Charles, on June 19, 1769: "...I sometime ago sent down to you the Deposition of one Temmerman (who owned the Place now Shortley's) which Proves the line that ran for Shortly, to be the very same which was Consentably made by the sd. Timmerman (before he sold)...if those lines which are made by Consent of Parties are to be broke when either Party gets Cross & dissatisfied the Country will be filled with innumerable disputes. There is throughout this County where the lands are not surveyed lines agreed on amongst the People themselves, which if the Can be broke will be of bad Consequence & render Surveying Extreamly [sic] Troublesome...". Charles and Jesse also reference players involved in the Pennamite-Yankee Wars over the Wyoming Valley, including Charles' run-in with Colonel Turbutt Francis who had unsuccessfully attempted to dislodge the Connecticut settlers in July 1770. The Colonel was also a land speculator and when Charles informed the colonel that his tract along Bald Eagle Creek "...fell short of the quantity, about 1500 acres upon which he said I had acted an unjust part, and indeed entered into such abuse, That I believe if I had done as I intended to do and as I ought to have done, I should have been deprived on my living, at least under the Proprietaries...Much more might be said but at this time shall not Trouble you with too much Trifling Circumstances, But hope from what I have said, your opinion of Colonel Francis's will be different..." . In an A.L.S. 1p. to [Fort Augusta], Nov. 3, 1773, Charles Lukens informs his parents about the troubles with the Connecticut settlers in the Wyoming Valley: "...we have had some noise abt the Indians but I believe it has been raised by some designing people...". At some point during the American Revolution Charles Lukens relocated westward to Washington, Pennsylvania, south of Fort Pitt. Writing from there on July 7, 1782 he informs his father, "...We live here Clear of Rent and Militia duties, and indeed Clear of almost Every thing Else..." . Much more fine content. Overall very good condition bearing typical wear including the usual folds (some with separations), some losses from seal tears, and other minor faults.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
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