1Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the beginning of
2astronomer Charles Mason's and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon's
3project known as the Mason-Dixon Line.

4WHEREAS, The Mason-Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and
51767 by astronomer Charles Mason and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon in
6the resolution of a border dispute going back to 1681 between
7Pennsylvania and Maryland; and

8WHEREAS, The dispute erupted in violence between settlers
9claiming various loyalties to Maryland and Pennsylvania,
10resulting in actual bloodshed in the conflict known as Cresap's
11War of the 1730s; and

12WHEREAS, Starting in November 1763, in Newlin Township,
13Chester County, commanded by the King of England, George III,
14Mason and Dixon determined latitude and longitude from the stars
15and began chaining the line through extreme wilderness and

1weather to solve the land disputes between the Penn and Calvert
2families; and

3WHEREAS, Across the southern boundary of this Commonwealth,
4original milestones and crownstones were set to mark Mason and
5Dixon's journey until coming to Dunkard Creek, where the Chief
6of the Six Nations would not permit them to travel further,
7ending their survey on October 9, 1767; and

8WHEREAS, Mason and Dixon are admired today by surveyors for
9the accuracy of their work, given the instruments of the time
10and their dedication and bravery while cutting their way through
11untamed wilderness and facing incredible challenges and
12hardships; therefore be it

13RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the
14250th anniversary of the beginning of astronomer Charles Mason's
15and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon's project known as the Mason-Dixon
16Line.