A Buffalo Calf and 500,000 Acres: The Story of Burden's Grant

 

A Buffalo Calf and 500,000 Acres: The Story of Burden's Grant

According to the sources, Benjamin Burden received a 500,000-acre land grant from Governor Gooch in the Valley of Virginia after presenting the Governor with a buffalo calf. This seemingly simple gesture of goodwill had a significant impact on the course of settlement in the region.

The sources paint a vivid picture of how this event unfolded. John Lewis, an early settler in the Valley of Virginia, befriended Burden during a trip to Williamsburg. Lewis invited Burden to visit his home in Bellefonte, where the Englishman spent several months immersing himself in frontier life, hunting with Lewis' sons. During one of these hunting expeditions, the group captured a buffalo calf, which Burden decided to take back to Williamsburg as a gift for Governor Gooch. The Governor, evidently delighted with this unique present, was moved to grant Burden a massive tract of land in the Valley.

This anecdote reveals the importance of personal connections and symbolic gestures in the context of colonial land grants. While the sources don't explicitly state that the buffalo calf was the sole reason for the grant, they strongly imply that this act of goodwill significantly influenced Governor Gooch's decision. The gift showcased Burden's appreciation for the region's resources and potential, perhaps signaling his intention to invest in its development.

The sources further highlight the impact of Burden's grant on the settlement of the Valley of Virginia. Upon receiving the grant, Burden immediately traveled to England and returned in 1737 with one hundred families, fulfilling the condition of the grant which required him to settle that number of families within ten years. The arrival of these families, including notable names like the McDowells, Crawfords, and Alexanders, contributed to the rapid population growth in the Valley, transforming it from a "howling wilderness" to a thriving agricultural region.

The story of Benjamin Burden's buffalo calf and subsequent land grant provides a valuable insight into the complex dynamics of land acquisition and settlement in colonial Virginia. It highlights the intersection of personal relationships, political influence, and economic opportunity that shaped the development of the Shenandoah Valley.