Help. I think I have been transported somewhere near the Atlantic Ocean (perhaps Georgia or Florida)
Living in PLSSia, I don’t get to play with too many descriptions similar to the one I have been challenged to locate. Here we go:
“All that part of the east half of the northwest quarter of ( a specific section in a specific county) lying south of the following described line: Commencing at a stone marked X located 34 rods south of the stone at north side of section, running westward about 28 rods to stone marked X, thence southwest to a similar stone on brow of bluff, said stone standing just south of a marked elm tree, thence westward following the bluff to another X marked stone standing on brow of bluff just east of a large detached boulder, thence northwest about 10 rods to another X stone standing north of a certain pool or stream, thence southwest to point where west line of said east half of northwest quarter crosses bluff”
This description first appears in 1883 and his been used continuously since then by the owners on both sides. I am certain the marked elm tree no longer exists although there may well be a few hundred other trees somewhere in the general vicinity, but would expect darn few to be anywhere near the brow of the bluff (once we decide what brow actually means today compared to what it may have meant to the writer in 1883). Trying to get a picture in my head as to what to expect when looking for said large detached boulder with a X marked stone some short distance to the east thereof. Surely the detached boulder is just below the brow with the X marked stone being on the brow.
The first challenge will be to break down the section to determine where the east and west boundaries of the east half of the northwest quarter may be. Joy of joys this happens to be a Section 6 with Field Notes indicating a north line mile of only 76.30 chains, a south line mile of only 76.10 chains, an east line mile of 83.30 chains and a perfect west line mile of 80 chains because they started at the township corner and went south. The center corner has never been established by survey but I’m sure I will find a fence corner post that everyone believes to be said center corner. Did they really mean this is in Government Lot 3 and the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter or did they mean the east half of what would be considered to be the northwest quarter? All perimeter section corners and quarter corners were limestones of specific dimensions in 1866. There are at least 300 trillion limestones in and near said section, most being visible from an aerial view following a prairie fire. There is a county “road” along the east section line that requires a four-wheel drive vehicle if more than a sprinkle occurs. There has never been a road along the north or west section lines. The south section line sports a nice county road that once upon a time was paved (but you would never know it now) as it was an early version of a State Highway that now runs a few miles to the northwest. We will not be going onsite until after the absolute last day of rifle season for deer as the adjoining property to the north is owned by some silly LLC formed of crazy hunters with a mailing address in a state that abuts the Gulf of Mexico. These wandering people are the reason for the survey. Apparently they like to wander over everyone else’s property and this one neighbor is not very happy about that.
Anyone want to come help with the search for rocks with an X on them? I have been assured that the resident rattlesnakes have packed their clothes and shoes and headed further south for the winter but did not receive any similar assurances about the resident copperheads. The tarantulas probably accompanied the rattlesnakes.
Almost forgot to mention a minor title issue as for about the last four or five conveyances the line somehow has been moved into the northeast quarter of the section instead of the northwest quarter. Silly people. Words don’t really mean anything.
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