Marsh Lots 70-75 and Vicinity
Marsh Lots 70-75
Although most of the Denson Grant lay east of today's Hwy 2, the marsh lots lay west of today's Hwy 2 and north west of the Nappan River. In the map below, from the papers of Ernest Coates, Lot 70 and Lots 71-75 west of the Limestone Marsh, are clearly marked. Lot 71 lay across the river from where Henry Ripley settled. Why have I spent so much time investigating the Marsh Lots? Because they were part of the 1000 acres that Robert Ripley leased from Robert Fletcher and it's possible that Robert Ripley lived on the "island" that Cochran's heirs sold to Francis Caleb Smith.
Although most of the Denson Grant lay east of today's Hwy 2, the marsh lots lay west of today's Hwy 2 and north west of the Nappan River. In the map below, from the papers of Ernest Coates, Lot 70 and Lots 71-75 west of the Limestone Marsh, are clearly marked. Lot 71 lay across the river from where Henry Ripley settled. Why have I spent so much time investigating the Marsh Lots? Because they were part of the 1000 acres that Robert Ripley leased from Robert Fletcher and it's possible that Robert Ripley lived on the "island" that Cochran's heirs sold to Francis Caleb Smith.
Amherst Township Lots 1, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24
Lots 1, 21, 22, 23, and 24 were part of Amherst Township and lay north and west of Lot 70. When grantees drew lots within the township, they were usually assigned an upland lot, a marsh lot, and sometimes a wood lot. In the 1780's and 1790's, owners of these lots included Thomas Coates (Lots 1 and a portion of Lot 23), Stephen Read (a portion of Lot 23), Hugh Logan, John Young and James Douthwait, who married James Young's widow Margaret (Lot2 22 and 24). Thomas Cochran was involved in a dispute with Douthwait and Read over 135 acres of these lots that lay north of the Nappan River. Thomas's son William bought Lots 22 and 24 in 1816. The portion of lots 22 and 24 that lay south of the Nappan River were involved in the Gmelin Line dispute. See Stephen Read and James Young and James Douthwait on this website for a discussion of those properties.
Constantine Doherty was allocated the 500-acre Lot 23 on 23 May 1767. However, this land was escheated back to the crown 5 May 1773. (Old Book 6, p. 667). Lot 23 was then allocated to Henry Denny Denson on 9 May 1773. (Old Book 10, p. 244). Denson's son-in-law Robert Fletcher sold portions of Lot 23 to Thomas Coates and Stephen Read.
1786 to 1795 Amherst Township Common Lots Dispute
On the map above, a large blank area north of Lots 20, 23, 24 and Denson's lots 71-75 and the Limestone Marsh, shows an area of ungranted marsh informally shared by Amherst Township grantees. Thomas Cochran was involved in a dispute for years with Amherst residents over these lots. See Amherst Common Lots Dispute on this website for details.
Lots 1, 21, 22, 23, and 24 were part of Amherst Township and lay north and west of Lot 70. When grantees drew lots within the township, they were usually assigned an upland lot, a marsh lot, and sometimes a wood lot. In the 1780's and 1790's, owners of these lots included Thomas Coates (Lots 1 and a portion of Lot 23), Stephen Read (a portion of Lot 23), Hugh Logan, John Young and James Douthwait, who married James Young's widow Margaret (Lot2 22 and 24). Thomas Cochran was involved in a dispute with Douthwait and Read over 135 acres of these lots that lay north of the Nappan River. Thomas's son William bought Lots 22 and 24 in 1816. The portion of lots 22 and 24 that lay south of the Nappan River were involved in the Gmelin Line dispute. See Stephen Read and James Young and James Douthwait on this website for a discussion of those properties.
Constantine Doherty was allocated the 500-acre Lot 23 on 23 May 1767. However, this land was escheated back to the crown 5 May 1773. (Old Book 6, p. 667). Lot 23 was then allocated to Henry Denny Denson on 9 May 1773. (Old Book 10, p. 244). Denson's son-in-law Robert Fletcher sold portions of Lot 23 to Thomas Coates and Stephen Read.
1786 to 1795 Amherst Township Common Lots Dispute
On the map above, a large blank area north of Lots 20, 23, 24 and Denson's lots 71-75 and the Limestone Marsh, shows an area of ungranted marsh informally shared by Amherst Township grantees. Thomas Cochran was involved in a dispute for years with Amherst residents over these lots. See Amherst Common Lots Dispute on this website for details.
1826 to 1859 Marsh Lots Allocated and Sold
Thomas Cochran died in 1801, but his estate wasn't settled until 1826. In that year, agent William Hill divided the marsh lots between William Cochran and his sister Isabella Cochran. Lot 70 west of the creek went to numerous owners. The marsh lots 70-75 plus the limestone marsh went to just 3 recipients. The northwest section was sold by Isabella Cochran to Francis Caleb Smith in 1837. William Cochran died in 1857 and left his property to his brother James to sell. In 1859, the northeast section was sold by James Cochran to James Read and the southern section was sold to Thomas Bacon. See Francis Caleb Smith, Lot X James Read and Thomas Bacon on this website for details on these properties.
Thomas Cochran died in 1801, but his estate wasn't settled until 1826. In that year, agent William Hill divided the marsh lots between William Cochran and his sister Isabella Cochran. Lot 70 west of the creek went to numerous owners. The marsh lots 70-75 plus the limestone marsh went to just 3 recipients. The northwest section was sold by Isabella Cochran to Francis Caleb Smith in 1837. William Cochran died in 1857 and left his property to his brother James to sell. In 1859, the northeast section was sold by James Cochran to James Read and the southern section was sold to Thomas Bacon. See Francis Caleb Smith, Lot X James Read and Thomas Bacon on this website for details on these properties.
Additional Properties in the Vicinity of Smith Road
In 1837, William Moffat created a plan of lots that had been inherited by Isabella Ramsay, daughter of Thomas Cochran. Lots north of Smith Road were sold to Thomas Smith and John Smith. A property immediately south of Smith Road was occupied by Dorothy (Shipley) Smith, widow of John Smith. Lots 10-15 south of widow Smith's properties were sold to Cornelius Smith and John Keiver and numerous Shipley family members. See Smith Road: The Moffat Lots on the website for details.
In 1837, William Moffat created a plan of lots that had been inherited by Isabella Ramsay, daughter of Thomas Cochran. Lots north of Smith Road were sold to Thomas Smith and John Smith. A property immediately south of Smith Road was occupied by Dorothy (Shipley) Smith, widow of John Smith. Lots 10-15 south of widow Smith's properties were sold to Cornelius Smith and John Keiver and numerous Shipley family members. See Smith Road: The Moffat Lots on the website for details.