KING'S GRANT OT JAMES MASSEY, RICHLAND CO., SC 1774

I recently came into possession of this document and transcribed it last night. According to my grand uncle who grew up on this property, James Massey is buried on this land. The grave was still marked and visible in the 1910's with two others whose graves were marked, but whose names are not known.

South Carolina.

George III, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith and so forth, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting; Know ye, that we of our special Grace certain knowledge and mere motion have given and granted and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto James Massey his heirs and assigns, a plantation or tract of land containing 350 acres in Craven County on the branches of Crane Creek on the North side of Broad River bounding North on Joseph Carshaw's land [Joseph Kershaw] the other sides on vacant land. And hath such shape form and marks as appears by plat thereof, hereunto annexed: together with all woods, Underwood's, timber and timber trees, lakes, ponds, fishings, waters, watercourses, profits, commodities, appurtenances and hereditaments, whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining to: together with the privilege of hunting, hawking and fowling in and upon the same and all mines and minerals whatsoever, saving and reserving nevertheless to us, our heirs and successors, all white pine trees, if any there should be found growing thereon; and also saving and reserving, nevertheless, to us, to our heirs and successors, 1/10 part of mines of gold and silver only: to have and to hold the said tract of 350 acres of land and all and singular other the premises hereby granted unto the said James Massey his heirs and assigns forever in free and common soccage.

The said James Massey his heirs and assigns yielding and paying therefore; unto us, our heirs and successors, or to our Receiver General for the time being, or to his deputy or deputies for the time being, yearly, that is to say on the 25th day in March in ev[missing]Three shillings sterlin or four shillings proclamaiotn money for every hundred acres and so in proportion, according to the number of acres, contained herein; the same to commence at the expiration of[missing]reof. Provided always, and this present grant is upon condition nevertheless that the said James Massey his heirs and assigns shall [missing] to clear and cultivate yearly and every year at the rate of 3 acres for every hundred acres of land and so in proportion according to the number of acres herein contained; or if a minute or docket of these our letters patent, in the office of our auditor general for the time being and our said province, within six months of the date hereof: and upon condition [missing] hereby referred, shall happen to be in arrear and unpaid for the space of three years, from the time it shall become due, and no distress can be found on the said lands, tenements and hereditaments hereby granted [missing] said

James Massey his heirs and assigns shall [missing] to clear and cultivate yearly and every year at the rate of 3 acres for every hundred acres of land and so in proportion according to the number of acres herein contained or if and minute or docket of these our letters patent, shall not be entered in the office of our auditor general for the time being, in our said province, within six months from the date here of, that then and in any of these cases, this present grant shall cease, determine and be utterly void and the said lands, tenements and hereditaments hereby granted, and every part and parcel thereof, shall revert to us, our heirs and successors, as fully and absolutely, as if the same had never been granted.

Given under the Great Seal of our said Province:
Witness the Hon. William Bull Esquire Lieut. Gov. and Commander-in-Chief in and over our said Province of South Carolina, this 26th day of August A.D. 1774 in the 14th year of our reign

Signed by his honor the Lieut. Gov. in Council
Thomas William Stanley              Pro. G. G.