The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia borders Maryland and Virginia. The first European settlers started arriving about 1730.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) began in England in the 1650s, when they broke away from the Puritans. Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn, as a safe place for Friends to live and practice their faith.
The French and Indian War lasted from 1754 to 1763 and was the North American phase of the Seven Years' War.
Edward Stroud was born about 1695.
He married Eleanor Shepherd. She was the daughter of William Shepard and Sarah Cochran.
Susannah Stroud (1721),
Edward Stroud (1723),
Letitia (Letty) Stroud (1725, married Jacob Van Meter),
James Stroud (1727),
John Stroud (1729, married Mary Boyle), and.
Jeremiah Stroud (1732).
Edward was on the 1718-1721 tax list in New Garden
On January 29, 1733, Edward sold 150 acres in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Edward was part of a group who left Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1734-35, when they secured a 100,000 acre grant on Opequon Creek in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, West Virginia). They built a stone fort.
About 1740 Edward bought 360 acres on the Lick Branch of the Opequon River.
7 April 1747 O. S., Frederick County Order Book 2, p. 225
On the petition of Thomas Thornbur[torn]
[E]dward Strode & Others for a Road from the said Thornbury’s Mill to Opecken [Opequon] Creek by Edward Strouds & from thence into the Road that Leads[torn] Jacob Hite’s to Vestal’s ford on Sharando River.
Its Ordered that G[torn] Hobson Junr. & Simon Moon View Mark & lay off the same & make report thereof to the next Court
In 1751, Edward received a 400 acre Fairfax grant which included most of his 360 acre tract. He sold it to John the same year.
In 1752, Strode purchased another 360 acres about 6 miles northeast of his first tract. He also owned a 409 acre tract, about four miles northwest of the first tract.
In 1758, Edward supplied provisions for the army in the French and Indian War.
1 August 1758, Frederick County Order Book 8, p. 89
Ordered that Jeremiah Stroud be Overseer of the Road from Opeckon [Opequon] Creek to Lucas’s Marsh in the Room of Anthony Turner and that the Tithables formerly appointed keep the said Road in Repair according to Law.
On November 19, 1761, Edward and Elinor, his wife, sold land on the Opequon.
On June 10, 1773, for 100£ Edward Strode of Berkeley County sold his son, Jeremiah 360 acres which had been part of a greater tract of land granted to his sister, Martha's husband, Morgan Bryan.
Elinor was still living in 1777 when she witnessed a deed.
On July 26, 1786, Edward was still living when he was referred to in a letter as "the Old Gentleman.."
Opequon Creek is tributary of the Potomac River. It joins the Potomac northeast of Martinsburg and its source is at the foot of Great North Mountain. It is part of the boundary between Frederick and Clarke counties in Virginia and between Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
from Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book No. 6, p. 439
This Indenture made the 29th November in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty One [1761]
Between Edward Stroud of the County of Frederick in Virginia of the one part and Richard Peace & Lewis Pearce of the said County & Colony the Other part
Witnesseth that the said Edward Stroud for & Consideration of the Sum of five Shillings Current Money of Virginia to him in Hand paid by the said Richard Pearce & Lewis Pearce at or before the Sealing & delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged Hath Grants Bargains and Sold & by these Presents doth Grant Bargain & Sell unto the said Richard Pearce & Lewis Pearce a Certain piece or parcel of Land Containing One Acre Lying & being on Opeckon [Opequon] Creek or run in the Parish & County of Frederick in the aforesaid Colony and part of a Greater Tract of Three Hundred & Sixty Acres and Bounded as followeth
Beginning at a white oak Bush and
Running thence twelve poles & a half down to a Black Walnut tree Close by the water side
thence down the Creek twelve pole and a half to a Sycamore bush
thence twelve & a half East
thence Thirteen poles & a half to the Beginning
and all Houses Buildings Orchards ways waters water Courses profits Commodities Hereditaments & Appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises thereby Granted or any part thereof Belonging or in any wise appertaining & Reversion & Reversions remainder and Remainders Rents Issues & profits thereof
To Have & to hold the said One Acre of Land and all & Singular Other the-Premises hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said Richard Pearce & Lewis Pearce their Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day before the date hereof for & diving the full Term & time of one whole year from thence receive Ensuing fully to be Complete & Ended Yielding & paying therefore the Rent of one pepper Corn on Lady day next if the same shall be Lawful demanded to the Intent & purpose that by Virtue of these Presents and of the Statute for Transferring Uses unto Possession the said Richard Pearce & Lewis Pearce May be in Actual Possession of said Premises & be thereby enabled to accept & take a grant & release of the Reversion & Inheritance thereof to them & their Heirs
In Witness whereof the said Edward Stroud hath hereunto Set His Hand & Seal the day & year first above written
Sealed & delivered In the Presence of
Edward Strode (LS)
Basil Magrder, John White
Elioner (her E mark) Strode (LS)
Mary (her + mark) White
American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
