This evocative image captures the early morning tranquility of Schoharie Kill, New York, in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War. As part of British efforts to secure loyalty and settlement, Crown land petitions were granted to discharged soldiers, many of whom chose to remain in the colonies. The soft dawn light illuminates a verdant homestead—symbolic of these land grants—framed by autumn foliage and a winding stream. This historic landscape reflects the promise of new beginnings on former frontier lands, now peacefully cultivated by veterans who helped shape early American rural life under the Crown’s colonial policy. (Jeffrey Campbell, Dawn Over Crown Grant Lands – Schoharie Kill After the Seven Years’ War, 2025)
Land Petition in Behalf of Lieutenant John McTavish, 78th Regiment
To His Excellency, The Right Honble. John Earl of Dunmore Captain General & Governor in Chief in & over the Colony of New York and the Territorys thereon in America, Chancellor & Vice Admiral of the Same
The Petition of Simon McTavish in behalf of His Father John McTavish Lieut. in the late 78th Regiment Commanded by Colo. Simon Fraser.
Humbly Shewith that your Petitioners father served His Majesty in North America during the late War there as a Lieut. in the late 78th Regiment Commanded by the Honble. Colo. Simon Fraser, and as such is entitled (by His Majestys Royal Proclamation given at St. Jamess the 7th day of October 1763, in favour of reduced Officers & Soldiers of the Army) to a grant of the quantity of Two thousand acres of Land in some of His Majestys unapropriated Lands in North America.
That your petitioners father some time in the year 1766 prefer'd a petition to His late Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet for His Majestys letters Patent for the said lands, but nothing has ever been done as yet towards issuing such letters Patent.
That your petitioner has discovered a Tract of vacant Land lying in this Province in the County of Albany near a Settlement called Schoharry Kill, and East of the Schoharry Kill, or Creek, and South of the Schoharry Settlements. He therefore prays that your Excellency will be favourbly pleased to Issue a Warrant to survey the said Quantity of Two thousand acres, at that place above described; in order that His Majestys Letters Patent may be granted for the same to the said John McTavish, his Heirs & assigns, on such terms and Conditions, as other Lands are granted in this Province in like Circumstances; & your petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray ~
February 2d. 1771
[signed]
Simon McTavish
28 : 45
Cover sheet:
To his Excellency, The Right Honble. John Earl of Dunmore &c.
The Petition of Simon McTavish for two thousand Acres of Land in the County of Albany~~
Presented Feby. 2d, 1771
1771 Feby. 8: Rec'd and referred to a Comm
1771 April 1st: Certificate wanting
1771 May 31: Rec'd in Council and granted [four words illegible]
28 : 45
No. 5
Notes:
1. "The Calendar of N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers; in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York, 1643-1803" (Albany: 1864) lists all documents on the first series of "Land Papers" as they were rearranged in 1819. There is an index to the personal names and to land tract names or geographical locations at the back of the volume. The series consists of applications for grants of unappropriated land by letters patent from New York Colony and State.Works Cited:
New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XXVIII, p. 45. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2020.
