Squatters on George Washington’s Land — Pennsylvania and Virginia’s Overlapping Colonial Land Claims

National Genealogical Society Conference

Session Number: F204

Long before significant settlement occurred in present-day western Pennsylvania, the French, British, and Native Americans claimed the land west of the Allegheny Mountains. Even among the British, boundary disputes between Pennsylvania and Virginia lasted until 1780, affecting settlers in the modern Pennsylvania counties of Greene, Fayette, Washington, Westmoreland, and Allegheny. In this session, Megan discusses the series of events that led to this dispute. She explains how this led to competing parallel governments, court systems, and land offices that were established in the same jurisdiction, often resulting in duplicate land claims. Megan shares, as an illustration, an ejectment suit brought by Gen. George Washington against a group of twelve “squatters” (two of whom are Megan’s ancestors). She also shows where to find the pertinent records.

This is In-Person. Registration to the NGS Conference is required.