In 1745, the Kennerlys divided their land into three parts. Thomas received the central part, adjacent to and south of the Rush River and containing the land that would become the town of Washington. Thomas sold his land to Henry Gambill in 1753 and moved to South Carolina. Gambill divided the land: in 1754 he sold the western part, which contained what became the western portion of the town of Washington, to John Minor; in 1761 he gave the eastern part, which contained what became the northeastern portion of the town, to his son William Gambill. The border between these two parts would become part of the original road to Chester Gap and, later, Gay Street when the town of Washington was established.