Chancery Court Abstracts

At a sale of confiscated property, John HARRISON purchased 
a lot which adjoins part of the same tract where Juliana 
KELLER, a self-described "poor old Dutch Widow Woman", had 
lived for 28 years.  At this same time, the lot where Mrs. 
Keller lived was also sold to highest bidder, William TYLER 
of Prince George's County, but afterwards he refused to give 
bond and did not want the property.  It was to be placed at 
auction again.

Mrs. Keller wanted to buy the property because it had been 
her home for so long, but was afraid she would not be able 
to afford it.  Harrison approached Mrs. Keller regarding 
the purchase of the lot where she lived; she wanted only 
the upper part where she lived and he claimed to want 
only the lower part adjoining his property.  They agreed 
to a joint purchase with Mrs. Keller bidding only if Harrison 
was overbidded, as he felt people would take pity on an old 
widow and they might purchase it cheaper.  Then, Harrison 
and Keller had a dispute on the division (from Monocacy back 
to the Woods).  So, Harrison proposed Col. Joseph SIM and 
George MURDOCK should divide the land and give the difference 
in value to Mrs. Keller; but, Keller objected to Sim & Murdock, 
feeling two county farmers would be more suitable.  Thus, 
she selected Benedict STONER, leaving Harrison to name the 
other person.  The agreement was made; but, after the sale, 
with Harrison being the highest bidder, Harrison now claimed 
he knew nothing of the agreement and stated Mrs. Keller would 
have to move out or he would burn her barn and destroy her 
cattle and horses; and she also was not to plant any grain. 
   
Mrs. Keller had two sons who had left home and had gone into 
the American Army; the eldest died very early in the war in 
the Battle of Long Island; the younger had been spared and 
returned.

Land - tract part Addison's Choice.  

(not recorded - and no final resolution in file)