This question is a frequent one, so it may be of interest to many.

----- Original Message -----
From: jbduffer
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 3:55 PM
Subject: colonial land grant language


I have been transcribing a land grant dated 1748.  Of course, I am
reading from a copy, but there are some terms that I do not understand.  Any help
would be appreciated.

In measuring the boundaries of the land "then along his line south twenty
degrees east two hundred and thirty eight poles".  In our survey language today,
what would this mean?  Similar measurements are used for the entire property.

Thanks for any clarification.

Betty Duffer
****
Means that the line runs generally south along someone's line, but to be precise the line lines 20 degrees east from south. On a clock laid over the map that would be top to bottom from approximately 11:00 to 5:00.  A "pole" is the same as a "rod", and if squared is also equal to a "perch" and equals 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet.

The description you have is called one of "courses and distances", while a description that might reveal such as "...from a stone in a creek bank along a line of marked trees to the Meeting House road.... etc." was and would yet be known as a description by "metes and bounds".  We have used the former methods from the 18th Century down to now, and the latter for many centuries before that.

Genealogy without documentation is nothing.
                     Paul Drake JD
                Genealogist & Author
            <www.DrakesBooks.com>




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