Deposition of John Dease

Deposition of John Dease

[November 3, 1808]
 
MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY
Washington County
I John Dease do upon Oath say that in the year eighteen hundred I became an inhabitant of Washington County in the Mississippi Territory, that since that period, I have known the lands claimed by the heirs of William Powell deceased and John Johnston Senior by virtue of a Spanish order of Survey issued in the year seventeen hundred and ninety five situated on the east side of Tombigbee River opposite to McIntoshs Bluff to be annually cultivated.
And I do further state that I was one of the committee who had on our possession Treaty made and concluded between the Spanish Government  of West Florida and Chacktaw [Choctaw] Indians, whereby the Chacktaws transferred to the said Spanish government all title to the lands on each side of the Tombigbee Rivers some distance above Fort St. Stephens—(Which said treaty we obtained from Spanish government of West Florida). And I believe that the said treaty was put into the hands of General Wilkinson to be forward to the general government of the U. States.
Sworn to before this 3rd of November 1808—John Johnston Justic of the County Court of Washington County.
[Endorsed] J. Dease’s Testimony
[Enclosure:DS]

In the late 1700, these disputed lands were controlled by the Spanish Government and the Choctaw, Natchez and Chickasaw Indians.  

The Mississippi Territory didn’t exist and the area was known as West Florida. Disagreement and disputes between the United States and the Spanish Government  resulted in an agreement known as the Treaty of Madrid signed in 1795 relinquishing all rights to these disputed lands to the United States.

In 1798, the United States government created what was to be known as the Mississippi Territory.

An excellent map of this newly created territory can be seen here:

   https://www.alamy.com/stock-image-mississippi-territory-map-163230767.html

The lands of John Dease and Bridget Burke (highlighted in yellow) can be seen on this land ownership map.  

We can also see by the above disposition of John Dease that the land was now known as the Mississippi Territory but treaties and agreements to purchase land were still being negotiated between the early settlers and the existing Indian Tribes.

John Dease is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.

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1. THE TERRITORIAL PAPERS OF THE UNITED STATES, Compiled and edited by Clarence Edwin Carter; VOLUME V, Page 669; The Territory of Mississippi (1798-1817}; US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1937

2. https://www.alamy.com/stock-image-mississippi-territory-map-163230767.html

3. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/38873:2179