Burlington and the Allen’s (1760’s-1770’s)
In the 1760’s the Burling family purchased land from New Hampshire governor Benning Wentworth. The Burling’s were land speculators and had hoped to make money by re-selling the land to others who were interested in settling in the recently established New Hampshire Grants. Unfortunately for the Burling’s, the King of England ruled that New Hampshire did not have the right to sell any land west of the Connecticut River, so the Burling’s were worried that their large land investments were illegal and worthless. The Burling’s sent representatives to England in hopes of convincing the King that he should reconsider and recognize the New Hampshire Grant land titles. However, the King did not agree with the Burling’s. This meant it was unclear as to who really owned the land east of Lake Champlain and west of the Connecticut River. Was the land New York’s or New Hampshire’s to sell? The Burling’s were worried that they would […]