The five basic documents created in the Pennsylvania land process are:

Application - a request for a warrant to have a survey made; usually a slip of paper that does not bear the applicant's signature.

Warrant - certificate authorizing a survey of a tract of land; initiates title of a property and provides the basis for legal settlement, but does not convey all rights to the property.

Survey - sketch of boundaries of a tract of land with exact determination of total acreage.

Return - verbal description of property boundaries; function is similar to that of a patent; internal document sent from Surveyor General to Secretary of the Land Office.

Patent - final, official deed from the Penns or the Commonwealth, which conveys clear title and all rights to the private owner

Transcription:

Surveyed to John Stewart the 31st Day of March 1797 the above described Tract of Two hundred & ninety two acres and forty one perches & Allowance of 6 pr cent situate on the waters of Black Lick adjoining Lands of Charles Stewart[,] William Shaft & others including his improvement[,] in Wheatfield Township[,] Westmoreland County by Warrant of the 13th Day of Febr in the Year 1797.

James Ross, D.S.
Daniel Brodhead, Esqr. S. 6th[?]

A perch is probably one rod. A rod is 5.5 yards.

Transcription of reverse side:

Westmoreland
John Stewart
292 ac 41 ps &c.[and allowances]
Retd &ca[?] 26 March 1799

Transcription:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know ye, that in consideration of the Monies paid by John Stewart into the Receiver General's Office of this Commonwealth, at the granting of the Warrant hereinafter mentioned and of the sum of one pound nine shillings and six pence lawful Money paid by him into the said office there is granted by said Commonwealth unto the said John Stewart a certain Tract of Land, called "Cornfield" Situate on the Waters of Black [Lick] Creek in Wheatfield Township Westmoreland County. Beginning at a Chesnut [Chestnut]

Thence by land of Nathaniel Bryan. North Seventy deg,s West Sixty four perches to a Post.
North sixty degrees West one hundred and four perches to a Chesnut [Chestnut].
North Twenty degrees West sixty perches to a Dogwood.
Thence by land of James Hunkard South fifty degrees West one hundred and eighteen perches to a White Oak.
Thence by land of John Skyles South forty degrees East ten perches to a Black Oak.
South thirty five degrees West one hundred and ten perches to a Chesnut [Chestnut].
South eight Degrees West Seventy four perches to a Black Oak.
South fifteen degrees East Seventy two perches to a Chesnut [Chestnut].
Thence by land of Charles Stewart East One hundred and fifty three perches to a Post.
Thence by land of William Shaff North One hundred and forty six perches to a Chesnut [Chestnut].
North eighty eight degrees East One hundred and Twenty four perches to a White Oak and
North twenty Degrees East forty Perches

to the beginning, containing Two hundred ninety two Acres forty one perches and allowance of six per cent. for roads &c. [which said tract was surveyed in pursuance of a Warrant dated 13th February 1797 granted to the said John Stewart.]

with appurtenances: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract or parcel of land, with the appurtenances unto the said John Stewart and his heirs, to the use of him the said John Stewart and his heirs and assigns for ever free and clear of all restrictions and reservations as to Mines, Royalties, Quit-rents, or otherwise, excepting reserving only the fifth part of all gold and silver ore, for the use of the Commonwealth, to be delivered at the pitt's mouth, clear of all charges. IN WITNESS whereof, Thomas Mifflin Governor of the said Commonwealth hath hereunto set his hand, and caused the State Seal to be hereunto affixed the 28th day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand-seven-hundred and ninety-nine and of the Commonwealth the twenty third.

Inrolled the third day of April 1799

ATTEST James Trimble, Deputy Sec,y
Tho Mifflin (L.S.)

Transcription:

Buffington Township

Was separated from Pine township, in 1867, and was named in honor of Judge Jos. Buffington.

The first settlers were, Joseph McCartney, on the place now occupied by Benson Dill; Michael Campbell, where William Wachol now resides; John McPherson; John Stewart, where John G. Stewart resides; Charles Stewart, on the present property of Joseph Baird; Thomas Bracken; William Clark, who lived not far from David Tombs; the Dills, Hugh Cameron, Glassford, McFeaters, Misner, Strong, and others.

Campbell, McPherson, and the Stewarts, had been soldiers in the army of Lord Cornwallis, in the Revolutionary war. They were natives of Scotland, and long after the cessation of hostilities, wended their way to what is now Buffington township.

[...]

Major James Stewart was born on the place now occupied by John Stewart, in 1796, and was a son of John and Margaret Stewart nee McFarland. The pioneer was a native of Scotland, and came to what is now Indiana county, (in company with his brother Charles, a soldier in Lord Cornwallis' army,) sometime after the close of the Revolution. He served in the Indian wars, being wounded severely in the breast, and made a settlement at an early date, on the tract where our subscriber was born. He died in 1844, at the age of ninety-two--his wife in 1796. John Stewart's children were: Mary, d., m. to William Wilson, d.; James, d. in 1879, m. first to Mary Graham, d., and second to Elizabeth Galbraith, d. James Stewart held the office of captain, major, &c., in the militia, over forty years. His children were: John, m. to Sarah Grove; and James, m. to Elizabeth J. Cole. The warrant of the John Stewart place was dated February 13, 1797, and the patent, March 28th, 1799. The tract was called "cornfield." There are some mounds on this farm, which the old settlers pointed out as Indian graves.

Transcription:

...In 1773 William Bracken build a grist-mill on Black Lick, and near him settled John Stewart, Joseph McCartney, John Evans, Thomas Barr and John Hustin.

Transcription:

The Stewarts of Buffington township were among the first and most respected citizens of the southeastern part of Indiana county. The pioneers were natives of Scotland and came to this country shortly after the Revolutionary war. Two brothers, John and Charles, came here about the same time. Charles was a soldier in Lord Cornwallis's army; John served in the Indian wars and was severely wounded in the breast. They settled in what is now known as Buffington township. Their farms joined. Charles owning what is now known as the Mardis and Auker farms, and John the Rodkey and Stahl farms. The latter tract was called "Cornfield." The warrant of the farm was dated February 13, 1797, and the patent, March 28, 1799. There were mounds on these farms, which the old settlers pointed out as Indian graves. Charles Stewart afterwards located on the McClain farm in White township, which farm he owned until his death. He was buried in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

John Stewart was married to Margaret McFarland. To this union two children were born: Mary, married to William Wilson, and James (Maj. James Stewart), married first to Mary Graham, who lived but eleven years after their marriage, and second to Elizabeth Galbreath.