Hi, sorry about the original e-mail, but had my computer set on rich
format and mail list do strange things to rich formats---- here it is,
hopefully more readable. Helen
Hi
Here is a little history and instructions on how to read a plat map of
the Northwest Territory (IN, OH, IL, MI, WI). The US got this territory
and all the lands south of the Ohio River (KY, TN, etc.) from the British
after the Revolution in 1783. Land north of the Ohio was to be slave-free,
and parceled into 1 mile sections (640 acres). 36 sections (6 sections by
6 sections) would make a township--- which is the smallest unit of
government (has an advisory board and trustee). The sections would be
numbered 1-2-3-4-5-6 from right to left, then down 7-8-9-10-11-12 from left
to right, then down13-14-15-16-17-18 right to left, etc. Sorta like a
snake curling around. I am a retired US History teacher and taught this to
my students when we would be on that chapter. Now, what often is confusing
is when you look at a plat map today and see the township boundaries, the
numbers are all jumbled. Over the years township lines were moved. A
county might be originally divided into 6 townships, then later on twelve.
As to reading the map--- it is not that hard once you get the hand of
it. First you have to find an old map with coordinates on it. And you
will have coordinates like the following:
W 1/2 E 1/2 S3 T4S R 11 W
This translates to the person living in the western half of the eastern half
of section 3. Which section 3? You look along the eastern or western
sides of the map (the sides) and you will see something like town 4 south,
or T4S or T3S. The T's mean townships--- so you find the area that is T4S
and put a finger on it. Now look either north or south (top and bottom)
for the range markers-- you will see Range 11 west or Range 10 west or R11W.
Put a finger on your other hand on the R11W. Now bring the range finger
either up or down (NOT DIAGONAL!!!!), bring the T finger either left or
right (NOT DIAGONAL!!!) and they should touch. In that touched area you
should find section 3. In section 3, the person lives in the western half
of the eastern half.
If you see there name, it may have Jones, B (60A)-- it means he owns
60 acres. On a modern map, there may also be a little arrow pointing
from his section to an adjoining section with 30A and no name. B. Jones
also owns 30 acres in that section.
Originally, land in the NW territory was sold from anywhere to $1.00 to
2.50 an acre and a person was required to buy in half, quarter, or eighth
sections (320, 160, 80 acres). Of course, they could buy more. But 80
acres at $2.00 per acre would be $160 and in the early 1800's, I doubt if
anyone made over $100.00 per year. So it is all relative.
Hope this may help someone. Anymore question, e-mail me privately.
Thanks. Helen Zuber Keusch in southern IN
and forever snooping in the EAKINS, FORD, SANDEFUR, MELTON, HANDLEY, EZELL,
THOMASSON, ZUBER, GOODART-GUTEKUNST, ANTHIS, LAND, EDWARDS, WOFFORD,
FERRELL, REEVES, HARMON, GRIGSBY, CRABTREE, BENNETT, GOODWIN, CHAPMAN,
JOHNSON families