Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.I, p.5

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History of Cambria County, V.1

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 5

much as in 1692 his executive authority over Pennsylvania was taken from him and given to Benjamin Fletcher, governor of New York, who was totally out of sympathy with the people of this province, but upon Penn's release in 1693 his powers were restored.
     While Penn was abroad Thomas Dongan, formerly governor of New York, returned to England in 1691 and succeeded to the earldom of Limerick in 1698.
     Penn's proprietorship of Pennsylvania now being confirmed by William and Mary, he sought to acquire the ownership and control of the Susquehanna river, regarding it as essential to the prosperity of his province. It had been his first thought as early as 1683, and most likely prior to that date, as his correspondence with Markham shows, and his general knowledge of the Province had determined the value of that river. Therefore in 1695 he opened negotiations with Colonel Dongan for the purchase of the interest of the Seneca Indians in the Susquehanna river and its lands, which the latter had acquired in his name in 1683. They were concluded successfully on January 12, 1696, by acquiring a lease thereof for one thousand years, in consideration of the payment of one hundred pounds and the annual rent of a "pepper corn" to be delivered on the "Feast Day of St. Michaell the Arch Angel," is demanded.
     Penn remained in England until September 9, 1699, when he and his family sailed for America to make it their home; however, this was not to be, as he returned to England in 1701 for a visit, and the changed conditions prevented him from ever returning to Pennsylvania. The Province was governed through his deputies until his death in 1718, when his son and other heirs assumed control over Pennsylvania.
     The following is the test of the deed of Colonel Thomas Dongan to William Penn:

     Deed of Thos. Dongan to William Penn, * * * This indenture made the 12th day of January, Anno Dni, 1696, and in the eighth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereign, Lord William, the Third, King of Eng'd. between Thomas Dongan, late Govern'r of New York, and now of London, Esqr. of the one part, and,

William Penn,
Govern'r of the Province of Pensilvania in America, of the other part; * * * in consideration of the sume of one hundred Pounds * * * to him in hand paid by the said William Penn * * * he hath demised and granted * *

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	5
much as in 1692 his executive authority over Pennsylvania was taken from him and given to Benjamin Fletcher, governor of New York, who was totally out of sympathy with the people of this province, but upon Penn's release in 1693 his powers were restored. While Penn was abroad Thomas Dongan, formerly governor of New York, returned to England in 1691 and succeeded to the earldom of Limerick in 1698. Penn's proprietorship of Pennsylvania now being confirmed by William and Mary, he sought to acquire the ownership and control of the Susquehanna river, regarding it as essential to the prosperity of his province. It had been his first thought as early as 1683, and most likely prior to that date, as his correspondence with Markham shows, and his general knowledge of the Province had determined the value of that river. Therefore in 1695 he opened negotiations with Colonel Dongan for the purchase of the interest of the Seneca Indians in the Susquehanna river and its lands, which the latter had acquired in his name in 1683. They were concluded successfully on January 12, 1696, by acquiring a lease thereof for one thousand years, in consideration of the payment of one hundred pounds and the annual rent of a "pepper corn" to be delivered on the "Feast Day of St. Michaell the Arch Angel," is demanded. Penn remained in England until September 9, 1699, when he and his family sailed for America to make it their home; however, this was not to be, as he returned to England in 1701 for a visit, and the changed conditions prevented him from ever returning to Pennsylvania. The Province was governed through his deputies until his death in 1718, when his son and other heirs assumed control over Pennsylvania. The following is the test of the deed of Colonel Thomas Dongan to William Penn: Deed of Thos. Dongan to William Penn, * * * This indenture made the 12th day of January, Anno Dni, 1696, and in the eighth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereign, Lord William, the Third, King of Eng'd. between Thomas Dongan, late Govern'r of New York, and now of London, Esqr. of the one part, and, William Penn, Govern'r of the Province of Pensilvania in America, of the other part; * * * in consideration of the sume of one hundred Pounds * * * to him in hand paid by the said William Penn * * * he hath demised and granted * *