Aug 25 1784

We the proprietors of an Indian grant made in the month of June 1784 by the several Indian Nations in and about Detroit in favour of Mr Mcfee, Wm Caldwick, Mathew Elliot and Henry Bird esq., Mr Anthony St Martin Mr Chas McCormack, Mr Robin Surphleet, Mr Thos Mcfee and Mr Simon Girty, do herby consent and agree that the tract of land directly opposite the island of Bois Blane be divided into four parts and that the upper or north division be allotted to the above mentioned Henry Bird as his share and that the said fourth part allotted to the said Henry Bird shall run back as far as the small river or creek which empties itself into the lake, seven miles more or less, coating from the lower end of Bois Blane, or, as much more on the other side of the land as the majority of the proprietors make consent to, or allow to as much as a mark of our consent we hereunto set our hands this twenty fifth day of August in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty dour in presence of each other.

A Mcfee; Mathew Elliot; Anthony St Martin

Sept 11^th 1805

Made copy for Major Bird

One side bookhouses

Second Doc as first then continues:

Be it known to all whom it may concern that Henry Bird late Capt in the Kings Regiment of Foot do give unto Agnes Hazel of Detroit and unto Judith Hicks, sisters the southernmost of my two houses and the lot of land situate between the two runs or creeks on the east side of the river of Detroit opposite the isle of Bois Blane which they may cultivate of themselves or their assigns. I do give the said house and land aforesaid Agnes Hazel and Judith Hicks until such land and house be reclaimed and demanded by me the said Henry Bird, or my heirs executors or assigns on which claim or demand the aforesaid house and land is to Be delivered and given up as property appertaining to Henry Bird or his heirs – and it is to be delivered, that is the house and lot given for a term as above premised and mentioned) is to be redelivered free from all charges for buildings, labour or costs of any kind that may have been erected or furnished by the aforesaid Agnes Hazel or Judith Hicks or their assigns, but they may remove any such buildings at the delivery of the lot that may have been erected after the date of this deed. And if they or their assigns should have a crop of the land when it is redeemable and claimed they are to have the advantage of such crops further the said house and lot is not to be suddenly abandoned or left without proper persons to take care that the house be not damaged or destroyed.

In witness that this is my free will and deed I thereunto set my hand and seal in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four and on the 31^st day of August in presence of

Barnaby M Eudding – X

Henry Bird

We Agnes Hazel and Judith Hicks do consent to receive the house and lot mentioned and described in the premises on the conditions therein proposed and do mean God willing ti conform to the above spirit and meaning of this deed.

Signed:

Agnes Hazel; Judith Hicks

Witness:

Alex McCormick

I Edward Hazel do agree that my wife Agnes Hazel shall receive her part of the house and lot on the conditions proposed in the deed contained in this paper: signed Edward Hicks

Witness:

Barnaby Mc Edding

W Powlett

T???

New York October 27 1788               

sent to Cpt. H Bird Goytre Nr Pontypool

Dear Sir

The pleasing period being at length arrived when u were to touch the fortune left you. I have taken the liberty of sending your bond and account carried to my friends Mrs Phelps Ellias of no. 27 Mark Lane London for payment and request you will pay to them and their discharge shall be an acquittance from Alex Macomb, the amount of our demand 1^st May back is £1135 2s 11d New York currency to which interest until payment will be added.

We need not urge the cheerfulness with which we advanced this money nor the patience with which we have waited your convenience as motives to prompt you to repay us. We are perfectly assured of your honourable intentions and do not ? and doubt of your inclination to discharge our demand if you probably can we shall say no more on this matter.

The politics of this country have for some times been very fluctuating while the state were undecided on the subject of the new constitution in the place while peace and longevity appear throughout the union during the important deliberation at present things have every appearance of making that peace and tranquillity permanent from the above general concurrence of the states towards the new states of government which is to be organised in this city the first Wednesday in March next.

We promise ourselves much from its consolidation and energetic principals and we hope it will make the country respected as a nation and perhaps may be the means of inducing many respectable families from Europe coming to reside among us, in the number perhaps Capt. Bird.

I visited Detroit last summer and left in August last year – things are very much changed- indeed since your departure – half the houses in the main street empty and three fourths of the merchant banks and supply – your farms at Fredericksburg being very little advanced from what they were when you saw them tho Mr Hazel still lives there he has not enough clearing. The new settlements made by government on the Lawrence have increased astonishingly further sugar loaf increased in Lake Eve to Toronto. In lake Ontario is closely inhabited and from sixty miles west most of Cadgruguy?. Cedars is equally so and all thriving.

At Detroit farms on the same principal are laid out as far as point Pelee but few of them yet in occupation.

I shall be happy to hear from you & make my compliments to Mrs Bird and family,

I am, D^r Sir, yr ob^ed serv^t

 Alex Macomb

T???

May 14^th 1790 – Capt. Bird.    Mouth of the River Detroit.

Sir,

I have been informed by D Harffy of your kind intention of sending me a few goods to assist me in the support of my family.

I did not accept of your kind offer after last summer as I had some hopes of having the pleasure of you being in this country. At present I shall be much obliged to you to complete the Miland order that Mr Macombe has been good as to write for me and who has during your absence paid me and my family great attention. You will please to him the goods packed in small bales mkd with your own name HB and consigned to Robert Ellis HD merchn^ts Detroit who will take the trouble of paying the inland navigation and delivering the goods to me and then I can see them. I will deliver the package to Mr Macomb on your order. (I have not been able to clear more than about 30 acres of land on the 2 farms as you will know without money or assistance little can be done in this country. If you send me the above goods I shall be able to make some improvements on the land situated on the back creek.)

I have wrote you several letters and am happy to hear that yourself and family enjoy good health.

I have 3 children, Beth, Sally and Richard and if I have good luck this summer will produce a fourth.

My wife joins with me in your grand wishes to yourself, Mrs Bird and family

I remain Sir and with R

Your obedien^t serv^t

 Edward Hazel

T???

Detroit 11 June 1797

Mr Major Bird’s American Claim

Mr Little forwarded to me some time ago power of substitution from you to act in Cpt. Bird’s matters here which I shall attend to.

I shall state to you the situation in which they now stand and shall be glad to have your advice in the business.

In the first place the lot of land of the mouth of this river claimed by Cpt. Caldwell, Col. Mcfee, Cpt. Elliot viz on an old morain grant and I believe verbally confirmed by the commander chief that at least I have never heard of any deed that was obtained from it. The front of Cpt. Bird’s farm unfortunately comes within the lines of defence of the garrison of Heratbury? Which also takes in three fourths of Cpt. Caldwell’s farm. Mr Hazel was disposed about 12 months ago when the fortifications were first about to be erected and both Cpt. Bird’s houses have been turned to military purposes, one of them is occupied by the Barracks Master and the other by an officer of the Rangers – Col Mcfee and Cpts Elliot and Caldwell finding that their Indian deed were insufficient have lately petitioned the administrator for a new deed which has been granted to the two first but 200 acres in the front of Cpt. Caldwell has been reserved until the Comm^dr Chief’s pleasure shall be known. Within a yard of the confines of the garrison. Capt. Bird’s land however lays nearest to that reserved for governm^t and it is not probable that he will get a deed for that part as the blockhouses are built upon it. The back land will however be valuable but might be well obtained by the government for that the compensation for 200acres in point taken for the use of the gov^t. I am to ask of the four lots contains 1000 acres. This house and lot in this town stands in this situation, it was until by W Macomb to a Mr Tarry? Then who died, soon after let by his heirs to a Mr Martcliffe – Mr Macomb’s sudden death and the interval which was equally sudden, a person was empowered to act for his estate and rent being regularly made his affairs were put into the hands of Mr Macintosh a merchant who had made a demand some considerable time ago of rent from Mr Martcliffe who since the late change of Govern^t. In this place not only refused to pay unto or leave the house but won disputes. Capt. Birds letter to Mr Roux alleging that it was built by the Detroit Goods and belonged to Wm., states Mr Macintosh bought at auction against him but for the singularity or particularly of these counts such was suspended.

(The page now has pieces missing)

Must go to the Supreme Court

Alex Duff

Letter to Charles Blake