Land: Thomas Barnard et al., to George Groesh, 1764: Douglass Twp, Berks Co Copyright © 1997 by Betty J. Burdan. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. bjburdan@postoffice.ptd.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. _________________________________________________________________ Johann George Groesh/Gresh came to America in 1749 and was the first Gresh to settle in Douglass Township, Berks County, PA. This indenture for the 261 1/2 acre Gresh homestead is believed to have been for land which comprised a portion of the village that became known as "Little Oley". When the Colebrookdale Foundry moved from Colebrookdale Township into Little Oley, Douglass Township, the area also became known as the village of Colebrookdale. Both names survive to the present. The Gresh families were extemely industrious and founded many of the early businesses in the area. A short distance from Little Oley Johann Adam Gresh, son of George, founded the village of Greshville, where he operated a tavern, a distillary, and was a merchant. Throughout the generations, members of the Gresh family contributed much to their communtiy, as public officals, school board members, justices of the peace, and post masters. A study of the history of Douglass Township, Berks County would not be complete without noting the significanct role played by this family. The deed for the original Gresh homestead is presented here as it was written in the language of the time in which it was written. It is part of ongoing research into the Fritz Cemetery and those who rest there. Johan George Groesh/Gresh and 10 additonal Gresh family members interred there. In at least one early reading of the headstones of the Fritz Cemetery, it was referred to as "also known as the Gresh family burial ground". THOMAS BARNARD et al GEORGE GROESH DB Volume 5, p 20-21 Berks County, PA December 18, 1764 This Indenture made the 18th day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand and seven hundred and sixty four Between THOMAS BARNARD of Chichester Township and County of Chester Yeoman of the one part and GEORGE GROESH of Douglass Township and the County of Berks turner of the other part: Where as OWEN OWEN Esqr. Late Sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia by his Deed Poll Bearing date the 3rd day of December Anno Domi: 1726 Recorded at Philadelphia in Book H: Vol: 2: Page 414 Pursuant to the laws and usage of this Government Reciting as therein is recited for the Consideration therein mentioned did grant and confirm unto THOMAS BARNARD late of Aston, Chester County aforesaid deceased (Father of the above named THOMAS BARNARD party hereto) A certain tract or parcel of land situate in the County of Philadelphia at a place now called Berks County containing three hundred acres with the appurtenances to hold to him the said THOMAS BARNARD his heirs and Assigns forever by force and Virtue of which said recited Deed and of other good Conveyances and Assurances in law duly had and executed the said THOMAS BARNARD became in his life time lawfully seized of the said three hundred acres and also Sundry other tracts of land in his Demesne as of [unreadable] and being so thereof seized died intested leaving Issue (namely) JACOB BARNARD his Eldest Son, ISAAC BARNARD, MARY BARNARD and THOMAS BARNARD party hereto Amongst whom all his lands Tenements and real Estate recorded in such shares and proportions as the law of this Province directs. And whereas the said JACOB BARNARD, ISAAC BARNARD, JOHN HEWS and MARY his wife (the said JOHN HEWS being the son-in-law of the said THOMAS BARNARD deceased) and THOMAS BARNARD party hereto by their Deeds Indenture bearing date the 6th day of December Anno: Domi: 1751 and Recorded at Philadelphia In Book H: Vol: 3: page 473 and made Partitions to and amongst them of all the Lands whereof the said THOMAS BARNARD (ye father) died seized as aforesaid whereby the three Hundred acres of Land above recited fell to the share of the said JACOB BARNARD his Heirs and Assigns who being thereof Lawfully seized in his Demesne as of fee made his last will and Testament in writings dated the 23rd day of February: Anno: Domini:1754: whereby did give and devise in these Words (to wit) Item I give unto my Brother ISAAC BARNARD to my Brother THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) and to my Sister MARY wife of JOHN HEWS (after my just Debts and funeral charges are satisfied) all and singularly Estate Real and Personal Lands Tenements Goods and Chattels to be equally divided between them. Thence their heirs and Assigns share and share alike and the Testator soon after died seized of his said land and Promises in his Estate aforesaid: after whose decease the said Testament was duly proved and remains in the Register Generals office at Philadelphia: may appear And where Vide Vol 4 page 184 as the said Isaac BARNARD and ISABELLE his wife JOHN HEWS and MARY his wife by their Indenture of Release bearing date 24th day of February Anno: domi: 1755 for the Consideration therein mentioned did grant release and confirm all the above recited Three hundred Acres of Land unto the above named THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) in [unreadable] as in and by the same Indenture of Release Relation there unto had doth more fully appear Now this Indenture Wittnesseth that said THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) for an in consideration of the sum of One Thousand pounds current Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to him well and truly in hand paid by the said GEORGE GROESH at or before the sealing and delivery hereof the Receipt where of is hereby acknowledged and the said GEORGE GROESH his heirs and Assigns thereof forever acquitted and discharged by these present hath granted bargained sold released and confirmed and by these present doth rant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said GEORGE GROESH and to his heirs and assigns A certain piece or tract of Land situate in Douglass township and County of Berks afForesaid (a part of the said three hundred acres above recited) Beginning at a white Oak marked for a corner thence by land of MATHIAS HOLLABACH south east forty-two perches to a post thence north east thirty-one perches to a post thence South Sixty three Degrees East thirty five perches to a post thence South twenty four Degrees West forty one perches to a post thence South East Ninty-seven perches to a post thence by Land of VALENTINE KEELEY South forty degrees West forty perches to a post and South East fifty perches to a Post in a line of McCALLS MANOR land Thence by the same North 40 degrees East two hundred perches to a Chestnut Oak thence North West two hundred and sixty nine perches to a large black Oak marked for a corner thence South forty Degrees West one hundred and sixty perches to a place of Beginning containing two hundred sixty one and one half [261 1/2] acres of land (be it more or less) Together also with all and singular the Building Improvements ways woods waters water courses Rights Liberties Privileges Hereditaments and Appurtenances what so ever there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Revisions and Remainders Fronts Issues and Profits there To Have and to Hold the said above described piece or tract of Land Hereditaments and Premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with the Appurtenances unto the said GEORGE GROESH his Heirs and Assigns to the only proper use behoof of him the said GEORGE GROESH his heirs and Assigns forever Under the proportional part of the yearly Quit rent hereafter accruing for the hereby granted Premises to the Chief Lord of the fee thereof And the said THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) doth covinent for him and his heirs to and with the said GEORGE GROESH his Heirs and Assigns that he the said THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) and his Heirs the said above described piece or Tract of Land Hereditaments and Premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with the appurtenances unto the said GEORGE GROESH his Heirs an Assigns Against him the said THOMAS BARNARD (party hereto) and his Heirs and against all and every other Person or the sons whom soever Lawfully Claiming or to Claim by from or under him them or any of them shall and will warrant and forever defend by these Presents In Witness whereof the said parties to these presents have Interchangedbly set their hands and Seals hereunto dated the day and year first above written THOMAS BARNARD {SEAL} Sealed and delivered in the presence of us MATH. RICHARD, NICHOLAS BUNN received on the day of and date of herein written Indenture of the within named GEORGE GROESH the Sum of One thousand pounds it being the full consideration Money herein mentioned I say received by me THOMAS BARNARD Witness present at signing MATH. RICHARD, NICHOLAS BUNN (Indorsed thus) be it remembered that on the 1st day of July in the year of our Lord 1765 before me THOMAS RUTTER one of the Justices of the Peace for the county of Berks came MATHIAS RICHARD and NICHOLAS BUNN the Evidences and upon their Solemn Affirmation did declare and say that they were personally present and saw here within named THOMAS BARNARD Sign Seal and as his act and Deed deliver within Conveyance and that the names of MATHIAS RICHARD and NICHOLAS BUNN subscribed there names as Evidence thereto and that it were of [unreadable] hand writing as Witness my hand and Seal the day and Date above. THOMAS RUTTER {SEAL} Recorded and of Record and these original diligently compared and found to agree exactly word for word and figure for figure the 2nd Day of August. Vide Vol 4 page 184