The Amherst Township Common Lots Dispute
See Marsh Lots 70-75 and Thomas Cochran's Map on this website for context.
The Common Lots Dispute
In a 1786 Petition, several residents of Amherst Township, including Stephen Reed and John Young, stated that 15 years previously they had divided the common area of a sunken swampy marsh into 2-acre lots. They petitioned for grants to those lots and for a grant of a 400 to 500- acre marsh west of Amherst Township. The former part of the petition was granted and the latter deferred. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Inhabitants of Township-1786-Cumberland County).
In a 1792 Petition, the residents renewed their request, stating that it had been granted to them by General Parr but no action had been taken. Another petition in 1790 had also been decided in their favour. Although the common marsh lots had been in their possession for 25 years, it seemed that an order to survey had been given instead to Thomas Cochran for 4500 acres including the common marsh. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Inhabitants of Township-1792-Cumberland County)
In a 1795 Petition, the residents again pleaded their case for the 120 acre parcel of common marsh lots to be formally granted to them. Charles Morris replied that the land had been granted to the Hon. Thomas Cochran in exchange for lands he gave up for settlement of loyalists. However, if the residents did have proof of a grant the matter should be considered. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Common Lots-1795-Cumberland County)
A grant to Samuel and William McCulley clearly shows the location of the Common Lots. (Family Search Grant Registers Book O, p. 91 film 8632288 Img 302)
In a 1786 Petition, several residents of Amherst Township, including Stephen Reed and John Young, stated that 15 years previously they had divided the common area of a sunken swampy marsh into 2-acre lots. They petitioned for grants to those lots and for a grant of a 400 to 500- acre marsh west of Amherst Township. The former part of the petition was granted and the latter deferred. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Inhabitants of Township-1786-Cumberland County).
In a 1792 Petition, the residents renewed their request, stating that it had been granted to them by General Parr but no action had been taken. Another petition in 1790 had also been decided in their favour. Although the common marsh lots had been in their possession for 25 years, it seemed that an order to survey had been given instead to Thomas Cochran for 4500 acres including the common marsh. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Inhabitants of Township-1792-Cumberland County)
In a 1795 Petition, the residents again pleaded their case for the 120 acre parcel of common marsh lots to be formally granted to them. Charles Morris replied that the land had been granted to the Hon. Thomas Cochran in exchange for lands he gave up for settlement of loyalists. However, if the residents did have proof of a grant the matter should be considered. (Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800. Amherst, Common Lots-1795-Cumberland County)
A grant to Samuel and William McCulley clearly shows the location of the Common Lots. (Family Search Grant Registers Book O, p. 91 film 8632288 Img 302)