Person:Andrew Dunlap (3)

Records of Andrew Dunlap

• 1733/4 - September 3rd, Andrew Dunlap for himself and Son Joseph Dunlap, 400 acres (this place is in dispute with John Black). On a Westely Branch of the Conegochege Called Clouds Branch about three miles North East from Edward Parentls.

• 1733/4 - September 3rd, John Harris, 400 acres. About half a mile Below Andrew Dunlap.

[Source: The Blunston License Book]

Information on Andrew Dunlap

I had an ancestor that is mentioned in the book several time by the name of Andrew Dunlap. He was actually living near what became Mercersburg in Peter's Twp., Franklin Co. Not far from Tuscarora Mountain. I have collected much on him and can prove this. Well, Andrew Dunlap died an old man in 1764 and left a will in Cumberland County which it was at that day.

He had much trouble over his land and even went to England to dispute the matter. A letter in the Pennsylvania Archives has survived and attest to the earlier settlers being burned out. Concerning Dunlap, 1735 - From Penn. Arch. 2nd Series Vol. VII, p. 179,

"Honoured Sir: I have just now received an account that Cressap has spirited up a number of poor infatuated people to sign a Petition to the King against me for burning their houses and for doing some acts of Injustice to one Andrew Dunlap, who with his son as it is said, is to go to London and present their Petition. He is gone to Virginia for that purpose, being much encouraged by some of their good men; perhaps Lord Fairfax. As to the burning of the houses, (Burnt Cabins) the Treatise with the Indians and particularly their last Treaty setting forth their complaints against these trespassers, the solemn engagement of the Governor to them removed them, the sundry Proclamation before removal, My report of my Proceedings, approved by Govenor, Council & Assembly, all which you have, will fully set this matter right.

As to the old man, Andrew Dunlap, I have, for a true compassion for ye great injuries he suffered from one John and Robert Black, assisted him with my advice and money from time to time and endeavored to obtain satisfaction for him from those iniquitous people, but as he is a very weak old body, they always got the better by ye mans ignorant management, and at last, by law suits and other expensive proceedings, they reduced the poor man to beggary. In this condition he again applied, I think, in the year 1732, for redress to ye Govenor, who told him he was sorry for him, but it was not in his power to help him, in this, as the Blacks have some land for which they had not taken our warrants. he applied for their land by way of reprisal, and it was thought a good expediant to oblige them to make him satisfaction, but it was never proposed by him as he had no money to pay for the land, yt any other use should be made of a grant yn only to induce the Blacks to do him injustice, and then all was to be cancelled. On this the Governor signed Patents to Dunlap for Black's land, and I kept ye Patent...in my hands; but the Blacks dying and their lands going into thier widow' and children's hand, who had made considerable impovements and nothing being to be done. I cancelled all the proceedings agreeable to what was concluded on before they issued. I heard no more of Dunlap till I went over the hills, and there I heard he had made a settlement contrary to ye proclamations, and I afterwards saw him there and was much concerned at his hard fate. He voluntarily entered into a Recognace and bond and came away and I, gratis, put him on one of my own Plantations, that had cost me near 300 Pounds and I thought he was there now, but to my surprise three Justices of Peace, Mr. Allison, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Maxwell, have sent me a Letter ye such a Petition is signed, and he is to have the charge of it to London: and that in the body of it he complains of me as if I had sided ye Blacks or did something by wch he was kept out of his Right all absolutely false, as will be made appear by numbers, however, I am answerable to you, and nobody else; and I must stand or fall in all this proceedings by your judgment, wch is a mighty comfort. Tho' I don't know whether this wrong headed wretch will go over or not, or yt any gentleman con be so base as to support him, yet I think it necessary to apprize you of what I hear, yt you may not be surpised in case it proves true."

Andrew Dunlap and his son, Joseph had trouble with the Blacks over this farm of 400 acres and they fought over it for a lifetime without success. He considered himself much abused by the authorities and got up a petition to London and presented it at Court. In the opening sentences of his petition, he state as follows: "That coming from beyond seas to settle in the Province of Pennsylvania he did so long since as the year of our Lord 1734 obtain a license in usual manner," etc.

Well, eventually in the land was won and passed on to the third generation.

[Source: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/RIFFLE/2000-07/0963714407]