Climbing My Family Tree » Land Records

Nancy Moorman’s Widow’s Allotment, Bedford Co., VA, 1804

Jenn — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:00:57 +0000

Nancy Moorman was my 5th great-grandmother. Her husband, Charles Clark Moorman, died in 1804. This is her widow’s allotment.

Transcription follows the images.

The thirds of Mrs. Nancy Moorman
Beginning at an Old Willow Stump on the _ bank of little Wolf Creek in the Plantation of Charles Moorman Dec’d near where the Spring branch formerly emptied into said Creek at A thence off a new line from A to B N16 W 162 poles to a W. Oak in the Edge of a small road in Hobson’s lines thence with his lines from B to C N 50 W 23 1/2 to a red Oak on same Road from C to D N 17 W 41 1/2 to a large W. Oak at Hobson’s and Derrett’s corner thence with Derretts line from D to E S 83 E 200 to pointers in said line thence off from E to F new line S 15 E 76 to a R. Oak from F to G S 20 E 50 to Pegrams corner B. Gum on Wolf Creek aforesaid and down the same as it meanders to the beginning.

In obedience to an order of the Court of Bedford to us directed we have assigned to Mrs. Nancy Moorman 197 acres of Land which we are of Opinion is one equal third part of her deceased husband Charles Moorman’s Lands and that the same is bounded as above. Given under our hands this 21st day of December 1804

David Crenshaw
Dan’l Pegram

In a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse the 24th day of December 1804. This allotment of the Thirds of the Lands of Charles Moorman Dec’d to Nancy Moorman the widow of the said Decedent was exhibited in Court + Ordered to be recorded.
Teste J. Steptoe CBC

The Most Confusing Land Division I’ve Ever Come Across!

Jenn — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:00:49 +0000

I am sure that this isn’t the most confusing land division out there, but it’s the most difficult one that I’ve come across in my 12 yrs of research. It’s from the estate of my 5th great-grandfather, Charles Clark Moorman. He died in Bedford County, Virginia in 1803. His land was divided into little pieces after his death. This document was dated 1811.

Just look at this drawing of the land….

This is my transcription project for this month – and it’s probably going to take me all month. There is a description of the division of each individual piece of land and who it goes to – 2 pages worth. I think I need to brush up on my land records terminology!!

I understand the poles and the different types of trees that are used as boundary lines. The question I have for you readers – because I know that some of you are way more experienced than I am – is what do “pointers” mean? Is this different than a “stake”. What exactly are pointers? Thanks for your help!

After Ginger’s comment, I decided to add the text of this land division also so that you can see what I mean by “pointers”. I haven’t transcribed it yet.

The above map was right here in the document.

Village Deed Record: Sally & A. Agee, Ringgold County, IA, 1922

Jenn — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:03:19 +0000

Ari and Sally Agee were my great-great grandparents. They lived in the small town of Delphos, Iowa. I emphasize the “small”.

Here is a Google map of the entire town:

View Larger Map

I find it interesting that Sally is the first one listed on the deed, instead of her husband.

I wonder why they decided to sell their land in town. Ari was a blacksmith and would have been about 68 in 1922. Perhaps he sold the land, because he retired and was passing his shop onto another person. Just a guess. In the 1925 and 1930 census, Ari and Sally were still living in Delphos, so it doesn’t look like they moved far.