This collection of approximately 100 items written between 1818 and 1855 consists of records of the land business of James Moon of Middletown, Pennsylvania, who owned part of Great Lot 4 of Macomb's Purchase in Philadelphia which he sold through his relatives and agents, Daniel, Joseph, and Moses Child. Included in the papers are maps of the lots belonging to Moon, descriptions of each lot, accounts of the payments by buyers, and correspondence between Moon and the Childs. Also included are maps and lists made in 1942 and 1943 of the lots in that area and their early owners. Useful also are references to Quaker affairs of the area, for the Moons and the Childs were members of the Society of Friends.
The library does not hold literary rights to these materials.
Early lot map of the Town of LeRay, Jefferson County
Collection Overview
In 1803, Joseph Child moved to the North Country from Pennsylvania with his three sons, Daniel, Samuel, and Moses as the first wave of settlers in the town of LeRay. They settled in the neighborhood which still bears their name, southwest of LeRaysville. With them came Moses Moon and his son James. Together, they explored the area and purchased lots 629-32 to use as sample lots. When the Moons returned to Pennsylvania, they reported to their friends that this was good land, and a company was formed to make extensive further purchases in the area. M. LeRay, proprietor in the area, set out a group of 25 lots adjoining those described in these papers to be sold to the Quakers with a central lot, #611, to be used for a meeting house. That group of lots formed the village of Philadelphia. The Childs acted as agents in LeRay for the Moons and their company, arranging the sale of their lots.