Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Benjamin Say Deed, Ms2010-044, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Benjamin Say Deed was purchased by Special Collections in 2010.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Benjamin Say Deed were commenced and completed in June 2010.

Biographical Note

Benjamin Say, the seller on the deed, was a "physick" or physician based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purchaser on the deed, Richard Mason, was a merchant who came from the same city. No other information could be found.

Historical Note

Monongalia County, Virginia, where a portion of this deed's land was situated, was founded in 1776. Harrison County, where the 5,000 acres of land were mainly situated, was created from Monongalia County in 1784. It was named for Virginia governor Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and father of future president William Henry Harrison. In 1787, the same year of the deed's creation, the first courthouse was built in Harrison County. During the American Civil War, Harrison and Monongalia counties joined West Virginia, which seceded from Virginia when it seceded from the Union in 1861. West Virginia was admitted to the Union in 1863.

External Sources:

Dilger, Dr. Robert J. "Harrison County History." Harrison County Economic Development . WVU Institute for Public Affairs. Web. 24 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100614213849/www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Harrison/harihistory.html , accessed May 5, 2023.

Dilger, Dr. Robert J. "Monongalia County History." Monongalia County Economic Development . WVU Institute for Public Affairs. Web. 23 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100616235035/http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/Monongalia/monhistory.html , accessed May 5, 2023.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a deed of sale between Benjamin Say and Richard Mason for the sale of 5,000 acres in 1787. The deed describes the land as situated on the west fork of the Monongalia River, straddling the two Virginian (now part of West Virginia) counties of Monongalia and Harrison. The document was drawn up and signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It states that on December 13, the full purchase amount of one hundred and twenty five pounds will be paid. Additionally, it names Samuel Hanway as the land's surveyor.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Mason, Richard
• Say, Benjamin, 1755-1813

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Benjamin Say Deed by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).