Poaching on Dale's Gift

[Henry Barraud Hunt, Jr.]

Remember William Burdette was granted a patent for 1050 acres  four years before Lt. Edward Douglas was granted his patent for the same land. In March 1641 Samuel Chandler attorney for the executors of Dame Elizabeth Dale's estate "did this day petition the Board (Virginia Council) for divers land granted by the old Treasurer and Company to Sir Thomas Dale, Knight, long since deceased". We may conclude that Shrimpton through Chandler, had received a favorable response on this seaside patent of 1050 acres. Beginning with the year 1645 with the patent granted to William Shrimpton and concluding with one final patent to Lt Colonel Edward Douglas, just prior to his demise in 1657, for a total of 3700 acres out of a possible 10,000 or more of Dale's Gift  were granted , all becoming patents in the name of Edward Douglas.  Douglas was a tenacious man and would have continued enlarging his holdings except for his untimely death. Then, followed the tragic death of his daughter, Sarah, followed by his son at the age of eighteen. This left a vacuum  and unscrupulous squatters returned to encroach on this ancient piece of land. Burdett persisted in his encroachments on Old Plantation Creek. In 1639 he patented 200 acres in this area, followed by an additional 300 acres butting the first 200 acres. This was in 1641 , before the Virginia Council had responded to the Dale petition. In 1658 Thomas Burdett, son of William Burdett, sold these 500 acres to John Custis ll, who must have been aware there was a cloud on this title, since it had been included in the 3700 acres that had been granted to Colonel Douglas by patent. Almost a half century later , in 1702, William and Ann Willett were to give a quitclaim deed to John Custis lll, "for the land John Custis ll, deceased did possess and enjoy".  In 1714 John Custis lll felt bold enough to say in his will "To to son, John Custis lV, "Arlington House with 250 acres there to belong which I bought of Mr. William Willett and have patent for in my own name for patent dated 1657,"  Arlington House was on Old Plantation Creek, west of Thomas Hunt's plantation. Arlington House had a pier on the Creek. Thomas Hunt had a pier that would accept schooners for a fee. The point on this peninsula was called "Fishing Poynt" and was owned by the Berryman family. Fish around this point were harvested for the Jamestown community. Thomas Hunt purchased this land from the Berrymans and the point was given the name "Hunts Poynt."You will find an occasional reference to Plantation Creek on the signatures of some of those who lived on this creek. Some would put the letters OP after their names, indicating where the lived.