Odd Names

It is interesting to look through the old deeds recorded in the Courthouse, particularly those deeds and transfers that were made in the last quarter of the 1700's and early to mid 1800's. First of all for about the first twenty years we failed to find a woman's name on a deed. Secondly, practically all the lands were referred to as 'plantations'.

It is also amusing to find so many names spelled as the writer thought they should be without referring to the correct spelling. In one instance we found the local Raystown branch of the Juniata River spelled "Raisetown" and Raestown". In one deed dated 1805 we found a Richland tract was also called by the name of "Reignsburg".

We found many tracts of land listed by the most unusual names, many of which seemed to have no bearing on the then present or previous owners' name. One tract of land in 1815, on the south side of the 'Crossings of the Juniata was called "St. Andrew". Dr. Anderson of Bedford sold this tract of 195 acres to Hugh Dennison for $800.

In 1765 a tract of land in what is now West Providence Township, was warranted to John Allison. It was named the "Great Savannah". Also in 1762 a tract of land was patented to John Friend in Colerain Township. This was named "Friends Retreat". In the same year a tract of land was surveyed in Londonderry Township for William Shaw. It was referred to as the "Diamond Tract".

In 1784 the county sheriff sold a tract of land called "Achney's Bottom", in Cumberland Valley - this tract was actually located in the Flintstone Settlement.

In 1802 a tract of land in "Woodberry" Township was named "Fair Cove". Other tracts in the same township were known as "Broomfield". Two tracts of land in Brothers Valley Township (now Somerset County) in 1786 to 1791, were named "Habitation" and Pious Spring". Gooseberry Hill and "New Castle" were found in Woodberry Township.

We found references to the "Hermit" in Friends Cove dated 1789 and a "Bloomingrove" also in Colerain Township.

We also found tracts named "Old Town", "Union", "Pimlico", "Partnership", "Allum Banck" "Athens" "Crossons Hall", and "Burgs Improvement". There are dozens of Banck", "Athens", other odd names listed in the old deeds.

Why were these plantations or tracts given these most unusual names? Was it for taxing purposes and identification? Was it for prestige? We have made numerous inquiries from some of the members of the local legal profession and even had inquiries made in our State Capital. None of these sources have come up with any plausible answer. We can understand why a farm might be called "Sunny Acres" because it happens to be located in a pleasant location of a hill or valley. We can accept the fact that a farm was called the "Smith Plantation" because a family named "Smith" first took a patent on the land, but we are mystified over the most unusual names.

We are certain the term "plantation" as applied to a tract of land was carried over from the early settlers who came into this county from the southern colonies of Maryland and Virginia in the 1700's. There this term was the customary title given to tracts of land.