What was considered "Pennsylvania" changed often during colonial period.

Anyone who can trace ancestors to pre-Revolutionary War Pennsylvania, needs to pay attention to these land fights. Your ancestors may have records in these states too!

Connecticut "Owned" the Top Half of PA:

Connecticut Western Reserve claimed all the land from the Atlantic Ocean to what is now Ohio. The battles found for this land are called the Pennamite-Yankee War. The dispute wasn't settled until after the Revolutionary War.

Virginia Claimed the Southwest Corner of PA: 

Until 1780, Virginia held authority along with Pennsylvania over the land in what was then Westmoreland County (later divided further into Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties). There were many court battles between the two colonies that went on for decades

Maryland Also Made Claims to PA Land: 

The Mason Dixon line between Maryland and Pennsylvania is perhaps the most famous boundary in the United States. It attempted to resolve the constant fighting and bloodshed between the Maryland Colony and Pennsylvania Colony. Like with Connecticut, the fighting continued until 1790.

Through out this entire period the indigenous peoples who lived here were pushed westward or assimilated within European communities. They were not permitted to make claims in colonial courts for land.

Knowing when and where the land battles occurred help you trace ancestors and help tell the complete history of places.

Denys Allen • PAancestors.com