number of lots was only thirteen, so moderate was the expectation in regard to the town; but by the next year it was thought advisable to extend the dimensions of the embryo city, and thirty-one lots were added in 1748. In the divisions of 1747, each lot contained half an acre, as in the plot of 1748. Lot No. I was between Spring Lane and the creek, west of Augusta street. The two squares north of Spring Lane and west of Augusta street were laid off, and each was divided into four lots. Lots 10, 11, 12, and 13 were west of Water street, and between Spring Lane and Frederick street, the north branch of Lewis's creek running through each of them. Beverley retained (in 1747) lots 2, 10, and 11, and sold off the other lots; Joseph Bell purchased No. 3 (southwest corner of Beverley and Augusta streets, on a part of which the Augusta National Bank now stands) for £5, or $16.66⅔. Robert McClanahan purchased two lots, No. 7 (southeast corner of Beverley and Water streets—Old Central Bank, &c.), for £9, 15s. $32.50,[1] and No. 12 (northeast corner of Beverley and Water streets—Lutheran Church, &c.), for £5. Other purchasers of lots were Samuel Wilkins, John Brown, William Lyndwell, Andrew Campbell, John Ramsey, David Stuart, and Patrick McDonal. In the plot of 1748, as recorded, the streets designated are named as at present; in the original plot of 1747, Augusta was called Gooch street. Water was called William, and Beverley was called Cross street. Spring Lane was so called from the first, although now generally known as Irish Alley. The name Staunton was originally often written Stanton. It is generally supposed that Augusta and other parallel streets were intended to lie exactly north and south, but in the original plot those streets are represented as slightly departing from the meridian line.
Twenty five acres heretofore referred to, were conveyed by Beverley to the justices of the peace for the use of the court-house, etc., April 21, 1749.
Why Staunton was so called has been a question for many years. We long ago saw a statement in print somewhere, that the new town was named in honor of Lady Gooch, wife of the Governor, who, it was said, was a member of the English family
- ↑ About one-half of this lot was sold at auction March 5, 1886, for $13,300, the value of buildings being hardly estimated.
