Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/168

144 HISTORY OP same ; but whether this was before or after he came to the Delaware is unknown ; probably after, and it is supposed that while engaged in this undertaking, he, from some cause, made a selection of the land upon the Ouleout, and upon which he removed his family. Previous to moving his family, he had made some improvements, as putting up a log-house, (near Mr. Taylor's,) the covering, or roof, as well as the under and upper floor of which were composed of elm bark. This is believed to have been in 1785. THE WATTLES PAMILY, ETC. The narrative of the Wattles family, and other incidents in the present number, are substantially as received from Col. Dewey and Mr. Sluman Wattles, of Sidney, one of the surviv- ing sons of Judge W. Col. John and Alexander Harper, after the war, bought of the Indians their right and title to a large tract of land — they sold their contract, or part of it, to a company. This com- pany, consisting it is believed of four partners, Livingston and one or two Harpers, the others not recollected. They peti- tioned the State for a grant of a patent of land, and obtained it. The patent was granted to Peter Yan Brugh, Livingston, ^nd others— known as the L. patent, or better for a long time as the ^Wattle's patent' — the Judge having bought out one of the four proprietors. Judge W. superintended the survey, which was intended to be made into lots of 243 acres each. They then made a division of the lots to each — and it is thought drawn by lottery. The survey and division were then filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and each proprietor had separate deeds made out for each of their lots, called Patent Deeds," or from the State. According to the contract, the sum of money due to the State, was to be paid at a specified