When we talk about the history of Warner Hall, we often refer to it as the home of George Washington’s great-great grandfather. As a country bed and breakfast on the bank of Virginia’s Severn River, established in a 1642-land patent. As “Austin’s Desire,” for founder Augustine Warner. If you’re like us, you’d love to read the actual language in the land grant.

In our book, Warner Hall: Story of a Great Plantation, by Dave Brown and Thane Harpole, we do write out the actual words. And now we’re sharing it here. Enjoy (and when you come to visit, let us know if you’d like a copy of the book, which we gladly sell on site).

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Augustine Warner I’s 1642 Land Patent for Warner Hall

To all & Whereas & Now Know yee that give and grant unto Augustine Warner six hundred acres of land lying and being in Sevourne in the first river in Mobjack Bay beginning at a [blank] on the North Side Sevourne called Austins Desire—–and from a branch of the Small Creeke it runs North and by West Severn hundred and twentie poles to the corner of the Land of Surveyed—–for John Robins and from thence North [blank] two hundred and twenty poles unto a Small Creeke that devides this Land and the Land of Humph. Hammond and thence downe the Creeke and downe the North branch of Sevourne—–unto the Creeke where it begann. The said Six hundred acres of land being due until him by and for the transportation of twelve psons unto this Colony whose names are in the records mentioned under this patent. To have and to hold & to bee held & Yielding and paying & which paymnt is to bee made Seven years after the date here of and not before. Dated this [blank] day of [blank] 1642.

Martine Barnes William Reynolds & others