Information found in these land commission records relates to the appointment of persons (Commissioners) to investigate the requests of land owners or other interested parties (Petitioners) in the establishment, or re-defining, of lost, destroyed or otherwise unknown natural boundary markers (normally trees) of various tracts or parcels of land in colonial Baltimore County (which included part of present day Anne Arundel County and all of Harford County). The names of many early settlers who gave testimony (deposition) to their knowledge of the land and its bounds are available to the genealogical researcher in these records. In almost every case, the age of the deponent is given, and many of the depositions reveal other useful data such as names of fathers and mothers and other family members. This information was abstracted by the late Dr. Richard Miller and donated to the Baltimore County Genealogical Society. His notes were spot-checked by the Publication Committee against the originals. An index to names and places adds to the value of this work.