Commandant John D Sloat Letter 2 December 1850
Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
December 2nd 1850
Sir,
I forward herewith Plats of the Hospital and Magazine grounds made by the county surveyor together with that officer’s report and bill for services. I also forward to communications from James Murdaugh & Son containing their legal opinion as to the title of the U States in the property in question.
It will be seen by Misers Murdaugh’s report that in the their opinion there can be question as to the ownership of the land now in possession of the government, that the title of the U States in then, is clear & incontestable. It will also be seen by the report of these gentlemen that the plat made by surveyor Young are incorrect in several very important particulars, for which reason I have not thought it necessary to have copies made. If however you desire copies taken for file in this office be pleased to return them and it shall be done.
Besides the papers above alluded to as being sent herewith, other, and all the documents at all relating to the case are also forwarded.
By the report of the Misers Murdaugh’s it will be fairly seen that surveyor Young charges for services rendered are extraordinarily high. These gentlemen are well acquainted with the usual charge made for such work, a scale of which is accumulated in paper marked B which is a communication from the surveyor lawyer Mr. George F Wallace. I transfer therefore leaving his bill to the discretion of the bureau.
I am Respectfully, Sir
your obedient servant,
John D Sloat
Commandant
Comm Joseph Smith
Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks
Washington
The letter of Commodant John D Sloat dated Navy Yard Gosport 2nd December 1850 encloses the following papers vizt:
No 1 Report of Edward L Young surveyor of Norfolk county dated October 28th, 1850 concerning the tract of land on which is erected the US Naval Hospital and powder magazine on the western side of Elizabeth River and opposite the City of Norfolk.
No 2 Synopsis of records concerning said land (without date).
No 3 Bill for services of surveyor Edward L Young in surveying said land and making examination of records to determine its location dated September & October 1850.
No 4 Communication from Mr. Murdaugh & Son containing their legal opinion as to the title of the US to the land in dispute dated August 28, 1850 with a note from said Murdaugh & Son enclosed dated August 28, 1850.
No 5 Deed of sale from the executors of Robert Tucker to Thomas Newton sent for 64 acres one pole and 2/3 of a link of land and dated 14th March 1794.
No 6 Patent dated eighth of April 1829 granting 23 1/2 acres of land in Norfolk County to Miles King.
No 7 Deed of sale from Thomas Newton & wife to John Adams president of the U.S. for 18 acres of land and dated September 1799.
No 8 Deed of sale from Thomas Newton & wife to the U. S. for 51 acres of land and dated 29th November 1827.
No 9 Communication of legal opinion from Murdaugh & Son dated November 28, 1850 enclosing a letter from James Murdaugh & Son to George F Wallace dated November 6, 1850 and marked A; a letter from George F Wallace to James Murdaugh dated November 9, 1850 and marked B; a scale Surveyor's fees according to the code of Virginia marked C; a communication from William Collins as attorney for the heir giving the boundaries of the land claimed by him (without date) marked D; and a copy of a plat and certificate of survey on file in the Virginia land office on which a grant issued Miles King on the 8th of April 1829 (no date to copy) and marked E.
No 10 Copy a plan of the Naval Hospital grounds and buildings surveyed and drawn by J Haviland and copied by order of Chief of the Bureau of yards in docs (no date).
No 11 Copy of plan of Fort Nelson on the Elizabeth River dated Nov 1819.
No 12 Platt (in accordance with the deed of sale dated 14 March 1794 from Robert Tucker’s exors to Thomas Newton Sr) made by Edward L Young surveyor of Norfolk County dated 26 October 1850.
No 13 Plat of a survey containing 140 acres called Windmill Point or Fort Point opposite Norfolk in Virginia made by Charles Comer the then surveyor of Norfolk county March 6, 1787 and re-surveyed by Edward L Young present surveyor of Norfolk County October 21st 1850.
Copy dated 24 August 1850 of the plat filed among the papers in the case of the United States versus O’chie in judgment decided at the May term 1845, of the circuit court for the Eastern District of Virginia marked P.
Papers sent to Secretary of Navy 2 February 1852 in answer to the letter from WJ Joyner district attorney for Virginia.
Fort Norfolk Documents
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,
1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819
1820,
1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859
1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869
1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879
1880,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
July 11 1850 - April 30 1852
Box No. 156, Entry 5