Early Landowners between Reading and Ruscombmanor Township, Berks County, PA (pdf download)

This chapter is based on a Township Warrantee Map of the area between Reading and Ruscombmanor Township and was updated in 2020. This draft map of 81 tracts in the Pennsylvania State Archives includes parts of Alsace, Lower Alsace, and Exeter, Ontelaunee and Maidencreek Townships.  Three maps show the metes-and-bound outlines of each tract and the first owners of each tract who received their land directly from the Penn family or from the state. We have transcribed every piece of information on the map (names of warrantee and patentee, or first owners); size of the tract; dates of the warrant, survey, and patent; and the patent and survey books in which the transaction was recorded. Using the survey book information, you can see the original surveys online. We also added copious footnotes that give additional details for these owners. Three maps are included: the original 1930 map by the Pennsylvania Land Office; the same map, cropped, with atlas coordinates superimposed on it; and the original map superimposed with a modern road map of the township. Most of these land conveyances cover the 1730s to the end of the century. Once the land was transferred from the government to private individuals, all subsequent sales were recorded in the Berks County Courthouse.