Saturday, July 17, 2010

Pemberton's Branch & the Broadkill River

I've been working on my Patterson book again, here of late (while job hunting, of course). This book is the "big saga" book I've always wanted to write, documenting my Patterson family, and also providing a little "spice" along the way (not just names and dates).

The book is about Robert Patterson, who was born circa 1711. I don't know an exact year he was born, but he bought his first tract of land in 1732, in Sussex Co., Delaware. He was a yeoman, and the custom of that area in those days was one had to be 21 to buy land, at least from what I've read concerning the Harrison family of NY and DE. It seems a safe bet that Robert was 21 when he bought the DE land in 1732. Perhaps more evidence will show up to confirm this at some point.

With that in mind, it sure would be nice to have this book done in time to publish it in 2011, the 300th anniversary of Robert's birth.

The DE tract he bought in 1732 was on the south side of Pemberton's Branch, one of the source branches of the Broadkill River. This land was located just west of Milton, DE, along Burton Rd best I can tell.

G7-030. 7 November 1732 Matthew Ozbon Jr. of Sussex County, Delaware to Robert Patterson yeoman, of same for 50 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pemberton’s Branch, one of the branches that runs into the Broadkill Creek below the county road. Tract was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozbon by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozbon dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozbon and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Bounded by Pemberton’s Branch, by a small branch below the county road. Witnesses: Phil. Russel, Robt. Shankland. Acknowledged: 7 February 1733
G7-287. 7 March 1738 Robert Patterson, yeoman of Sussex County and his wife, Sarah, spinster to John Isaac and Jonathan Dunton, late of Summerset County, now of Sussex for 40 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pembertons Branch below the County Road and was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozburn Jr. by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozburn dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozburn and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Land is bounded by Pembertons Branch below the road, and by the dividing line. Signed: Robart Patterson (his "R" mark), Sarah Patterson (her "S" mark). Witnesses: Jeremiah Claypoole, James Smith. Acknowledged: 6 March 1738
Last night I sent an email query to two men from the DE state DOT regarding the history of that area, in an attempt to locate this land more definitively. Here is the message I sent:

Mr. Kent and/or Mr. Smith,

My name is Wes Patterson and I have an historical question for you. I am trying to locate a particular road that was referenced as the "County Road" - in 1732. This was a Sussex Co DE deed, and the tract contained 212 acres, "South side of Pemberton's Branch... below the county road."

Now I know for a fact that this Pemberton's branch runs west to east, starting around Thicket Rd, and runs east towart Milton, crossing Gravel Hill Rd - all the while running south of and parallel to, Saw Mill Rd. I'm assuming that the tract in question, being on the south side of the branch, was therefore located along parts of Thicket and/or Burton Rd.

Nonetheless, my assumption is that the Milton Ellendale Hwy was not constructed until much later, therefore the old "county road" in this vicinity was most likely what is now called Saw Mill Rd.

Is there anyway this can be verified? Thank you for your time.

Wes Patterson
Winston-Salem, NC

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