Hi-- I had posted these earler and thought someone might benefit if these
instructions were posted again. Hope you all are keeping cool. From an
old, blue-haired retired US History teacher. Helen
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 per section). 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. The
numbers on the sections never changed.
As to reading the map--- it is not that hard once you get the hang 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. Some of the older maps may use Roman numerals instead of
Arabic numbers. (like iii or iv).
If you see their name, it may have Jones, B (60A)-- it means B. Jones 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