This marker commemorates one of the first recorded events in the area. It was a deed given to Israel Friend by local Native Americans in 1727. Friend had been a fur trader and was of Swedish ancestry. He and his family migrated to the American Colonies (at that point) in 1648.
According to legend, the deed was recorded on a piece of birch park. It was later recorded on the deed book for Prince George’s County.
The Native American signatures consisted of pictographs. One chief was from the Iroquois Nation, and five were from the Conestoga tribes. This deed marks one of the earliest incursions by white men into the area.
Friend didn’t hold the property for long. It was confiscated by the State of Maryland in 1734.
Historical Marker Inscription
Israel Friend in 1727 secured a deed from the Indian chiefs of the Five Nations. Beginning “at the mouth of Andietum Creek thence up the Potomack River 200 shoots as fur as an arrow can be slung out of a bow” thence “100 shoots right back from the river” then “squared till it interceeds with the creek.”
Location
39° 24’ 59.850” N, 77° 44’ 31.770” W
Harpers Ferry Rd, Sharpsburg, MD 21782, United States
Near Antietam at the intersection of Limekiln Road and Harpers Ferry Road.
Historical Markers of the World 