Overseers on behalf of Lady Elizabeth Dale on Dale's Gift

[Henry Barraud Hunt, Jr.]

There was a succession of overseers including Henry Watkins, John Taylor, Charles Harmar, among others. The plantation was, for the most part devoted for the raising of cattle. Lady Elizabeth Dale died in March of 1641. One of the overseers, Charles Harmar, , aware of the choice land on this plantation, and aware of the records in 1625 wrote a petition to the Virginia Company and was hopeful he would receive a favorable response. The Council acceded to Harmar's petition. Charles Harmar became the first of many to encroach upon the plantation. In 1628 the Council responded favorably to his petition and gave him 100 acres within the area of Dale's Gift. The Court had this to say-"At this Court was preferred a petition by Mr. Harmar concerning some assurance to be granted him in a parcel of land situate on the Eastern Shore of the Bay and understanding that there hath been an uncertain rumor of a great quantity of land there or near unto the same belonging unto the Lady Dale but considering that for as much as there remaineth here no certain knowledge there of, eyther upon record or otherwise and deeming that it is unreasonable and unlikely that so great a tract of land as from Cape Charles to the said Charles Harmar to plant upon one neck of land there situate and lying upon the mouth of the Old Plantation Creek. The Court taking the same into consideration and understanding that there hath been an uncertain rumor of a great quantity of land there or near unto the same belonging unto the Lady Dale. But considering that for as much as there remaineth here no cerain knowledge there of, eyther upon record or otherwise and deeming that it is unreasonable and unlikely that so great a tract of land  as from Cape Charles to the said Charles Harmar to plant upon one neck of land there situate and lying upon the mouth of the said Old Plantation Creek butting northerly upon sandy barren land, southerly upon a pond called Maggotty Bay Pond, westerly upon the shore of the Bay and Easterly upon the first branch on the south side of the Creek aforesaid, being almost encompassed by the said Branch and not exceeding the quantity of  one hundred acres of land, and to hold the same without molestation or encumbrance of any. But if the same shall appear without all question to appertain unto the Lady Dale then the said Charles Harmar, if he be forced off shall accept of reasonable satisfaction for costs and charges, otherwise to pay to the Publique of an annual rent for the same and enjoy it as to others is granted,"