During the calendar year 2024, the Middlesex County Museum was gifted two original land grants from the late 1700s. Both were signed by the seated governor of the commonwealth at the time as awards to two different residents of the county of Middlesex. Both were awards for service preformed during the American Revolution.
One is signed by Virginia Gov. Patrick Henry to Abraham Chapline in 1785 for 330 acres for land that is now in Kentucky. The second is signed by Virginia Gov. Beverley Randolph to Ralph Wormeley Jr. in 1790 for 200 acres in what is still Middlesex.
The original certificates are dated, signed, and filed in individual folders along with any supplemental papers presented with the claim other than those actually proving military service. The certificates were numbered 1-9926 and cover the period July 14, 1782-Aug. 5, 1876.”
This donation was a valuable asset to the museum’s permanent collection, as it directly meets the mission of the organization and is an original document. The museum currently does not have any other such land grant pieces in its document collection.
New display
It will be part of the new display area within the Middlesex County Historic Courthouse in Saluda, whose first exhibit will highlight the life and stories of our local soldiers during the Revolutionary War. It will be opening to the public within the next month.
The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society is open to the public Wednesday and Friday 1-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-3 p.m. It is in Saluda at 777 General Puller Highway (Route 33).
