George Washington Papers

To George Washington from James Gamble, 20 September 1794

From James Gamble

Western Teritory 20th Septr 1794

Sir

Mr Ephraim Kimberly Obtained a resolution of Congress Last session in his favour Granting him Three hundred Acres of Land West of Ohio river being the Amount of his Military Warrent1—the Said Kimberley has made a Survey Of the Same & as I am informed sends the plat forward in Order to Obtain a patant which Survey is made—much to the Injury of myself & others as I had Erected a Mill on the Lower side of Short Creek & said Kimberleys Land is on the Uper side the Mouth of sd Creek2 as your Honour will See by the plat the Shape of which will Shew for it Self being all Bottom & Little or no hill Land the Most South westward corner of said Survey is Where it takes in my Mill.

Although I have no Legal Claim to the Land yet I flattered my self one Day or other to be Able to procure it from the person Who might get it but If said Kimberleys Survey is Establis<hed> As it now is run I shall not be Able to procure it I hope you Excellency will Consider my Case & restrict the sd Kimberly to Some reasonable Bounds as to his Survey I am your Humble Sert

James Gamble

ALS, DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

1The act of 18 April 1794 granted the warrant to Ephraim Kimberly, "Provided, he doth not interfere with any existing claim, location or survey" (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 6:14-15). On 31 March 1795, then-secretary of treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., instructed Absalom Martin "to locate and survey said land warrant" under that restriction (CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Papers). Kimberly’s deed obtained under the act was reputedly the first deed recorded in Jefferson County, Ohio.

2Short Creek enters the Ohio River near Rayland, Ohio.

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