"1789 deed transfer the beginning of modern Port Deposit"
 February 14, 1789
 

John Creswell
Isaac Decoo Watson Deed  Transfer
 

On this Date, John Creswell purchases 88 ˝ acres of land and other holdings from Isaac Decoo Watson for 130 British pounds.

Both men are from Cecil County in the State of Maryland from and appear on the 1790 Cecil county census. This 1789 deed transfer describes most of the land along the Susquehanna River known today as the town of Port Deposit, Maryland.
 

It is interesting to note that if Watson had returned within 5 years (by 1794) and paid Creswell 130 pounds with 5% interest that the property would have reverted to Watson again. 

Note also that the “Great Road” referred to in the  deed is present day Port Deposit’s “Main Street”. Paralleling the Susquehanna river, the Great Road was the old Susquehannock Indian trail going North into Pennsylvania. 

Watson was at this time also landowner of “Watson Island”, which was formerly “Palmer Island” and is known today as “Garrett Island”.  Located on the Susquehanna river at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, this island had long history of serving as a major trading post for goods produced upriver. (See River Arks)

 An additional contract is detailed for the contents of the Estate; document transcribed below. 

This Indenture made this 14th day February in the year Seventeen Hundred And Eighty Seven. Between Issac Decoo Watson of Cecil county and State of Maryland of the one part and John Creswell of the County and the State aforesaid of the other part. Witness that the said Isaac Decoo Watson for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds specis to him in hand paid by the said John Creswell before the on sealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof the said Isaac Decoo Watson doth hereby acknowledge. Hath given, granted bargained sold aliened, release on deeded and confirmed and by there doth present give, grant bargain sold alien release endeeded and confirm unto him the said John Creswell his house and assign all that parts or parcel of a tract of land lying in Cecil County aforesaid and rears or adjoining to Susquehanna River called Sinklors Purchase. Beginning at a marked Spanish Oak Standing by a branch at the River side being a Southwesterly bounded tree of a tract of land laid out for Damie English and running from the said Spanish Oak Tree North west thirty three perches [181.5 yards] to a marked Popular Tree by the River side, then north east until it intersects the Great Road loading from Captain Robert Porters to the lower ferry on [the] Susquehanna then with said road until it intersects the fourth or given line of said land and then with that line to the place of beginning, containing by estimation Eighty Eight and a half acres of land. Together with all and singular the houses buildings gardens (Hay Prives?) logs or advantages, promises and apportioned to the same land belonging or apportioning and the Reversion  and Revisions Remainder or Remainders, Rents absent of profits thereof and of every part or parcel thereof also all the estate, Rights, Tithes and Interest, also Trust, Profit, Property claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Isaac Decoo Watson of is and to the same tract or parcel of land and every part and parcel thereof. To have and to hold said tract or parcel of land with the promise and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances to him the said John Creswell his heirs and (assigns) to this only proper use and behalf of him the said John Creswell his heirs and assigns forever provided always and upon consideration that if the said Isaac Decoo Watson his heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns do shall will and truly pay or caused to be paid to the said John Creswell his Executors, Administrators or Assigns the aforesaid sum of one hundred and thirty pounds in specis and interest thereon at or upon the first day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four, then this indenture and every clause therein to be of no effect. And the said Isaac Decoo Watson. his heirs Executors or Administrators shall and will well truly pay or cause to be paid to the said John Creswell his Executors, Administrators Assigns the aforesaid the sum of One Hundred and thirty pounds specis and interest thereon at or upon the said first day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four without fraud or delay and that he the said Isaac Decoo Watson his Heirs, Executors and Administrators the said land promises or with the appurtenances to him the said John Creswell his Heirs and of person and persons whatsoever, shall and will forever hereafter warrant and defend by those present. In Witness where of the parties to there represents have hereunto interchangeably set their hand and affixed their seals the day and year first above written~

 Isaac Decoo Watson, 14 February 1789 {SEAL}
John Creswell, February 14, 1789 {SEAL}
 

Page two details Property Contents

February 14 1789

John Creswell Property transfer Isaac Decoo Watson

PROPERTY CONTENTS
Know all men by those present that I, Isaac Decoo Watson of Cecil County in the State of Maryland for and inconsideration of the sum of One hundred and Fifty pounds in specis to me in hand paid by John Creswell of said County and State have bargained for and sold unto him the said John Creswell One Schooner called Fresh Water Nancy, together will all her tackle such as sails, roping anchor, cable and the gear. A Row Boat, one Negro man named Joe, two (Irons), one case of Drawers, one Chest, three Feather Beds and Bedding three Iron Pots, one Tea Kettle, two Iron Pott-Racks, one Frying Pan, two Smoothing Irons, one pair of Fire Tongs & two Shovels on set and Iron plow and gear, three Hoes, two Asces, one Grubbing Hoe, one Dung-Fork, two dung shovels, one cupboard, one Iron tooth harness, Three milk cows, six head of grazing Cattle, nine head sheep,  twelve head hoggs, two mairs, one gun, two Walnut tables & six chairs. The whole of which articles as above mentioned inventories; I do hereby declare to be from the day of the date hereof the property and Estate unto him the said John Creswell one Gun as above mentioned in the name of the whole. In Testimony of which I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this Fourteen day of February 1789

 BEARING WITNESS
On this 14^th day of February 1789 Came Isaac Decoo Watson before the subscribers two of the Justice of the peace for Cecil county and acknowledge the within instrument of writing to be his act and deed and the Negro slave Joe, the schooner every and other articles therein mentioned to be the Rights title, Property Estate of the mentioned John Creswell and his assigns according to the true intention and meaning and the act of assembly in such case made and provided. Taken before & recorded this February 14^th 1789 and Examined by T William Es, Nat. Ramsey, Jeremy Baker