I welcome help in understanding the meaning and implications of the following language:

I have a deed from February 1785 in which the grantors "doth hereby Acknowledge and thereof and Every part and Parcel thereof Doth Exonerate a Suit and Discharge the Said [GRANTEE] his Heirs Executors administrators and assigns and Every of them forever…” The venue was southwestern Pennsylvania. A short time earlier the area was in the jurisdiction of Ohio Co., Va. The record reposes in Washington Co., Pa.

Does this suggest the land transaction settled an earlier suit? If so, which party was the plaintiff, which the defendant? Who was exonerated? What does that mean? When the grantee was “discharged”—what does that mean? 

Thanks!

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