Treasure Chest Thursday~Mining Genealogical Clues from Land Deeds

On September 1881, John Hinson, Sr. of Anson County, North Carolina gave his 11 year old Grandson Thomas Hinson Brooks a Negro Boy Peter about 16 years of age. This deed can be found in Anson County Deed Book “S”, page 215. 

John Hinson to Thomas H. Brooks
 
Sept 25,1818 .John Hinson Sr. (Anson County) to my grandson Thomas Hinson Brooks, now a minor 11 years on October last; for "high regard and affection" gave a Negro boy Peter about 16 years old on following condition:Peter will remain in "full and complete possession use and service " of myself and my wife Winefred Hinson during our lifetime or lifetime of the one of us that survives the other. if Brooks(for latter statement to make sense this must be-"if Brooks does not arrive at majority") arrives at majority before death of John and Winefred,then Peter is to be placed in the possession of my son-in-law James Streater who will hold Peter until "the majority of said Brooks" when Peter will be good and lawful property of Thomas H. Brooks to be placed in his possession by Streater; in consideration of the benefit allowed him by possession of Peter shall decently cloth and support said Brooks if Brooks arrives at majority prior to death of myself and wife; property of Peter will devolve to Brooks immediately on death of John and Winefred Hinson(signed)John Hinson's mark "P" or "C" with vertical line through it; witness Susannah T.Brooks and Merit Williams: Book S, page 215. ^{1 2}
 
From a genealogical perspective this one land deed provides many clues about the John Hinson family:

• John Hinson was a Senior; therefore there is a John Jr.
• John Hinson, Sr. wife was Winefred
• Thomas Hinson Brooks was his grandson thus one of John’s daughter married a “Brooks”
• James Streater is a son-in-law; thus he is the husband of another daughter of John and Winefred

Ten years later, at age 21, we find the now mature, of legal age, Thomas Brooks as party to a land deed between himself and Vincent Parsons.

In this deed, found in Deed Book “X”, page 398, Thomas‘ position as an heir to the estate of John and Winefred are reaffirmed in that he is selling “all that piece or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Anson aforesaid on the waters of Jones Creek adjoining the lands of the sd. Vincent Parsons it being a lot of land that was on a division of lands belonging to the estate of the late John Hinson, Sr. decd. Among his heirs allotted to Elizabeth Brooks the mother of sd. Thomas Brooks which lot in the plan of division is marked No. 1.“
And we now know that:

• Elizabeth Hinson Brooks is another daughter of John & Winefred and the Mother of Thomas Hinson Brooks

 
Thomas Brooks to Vincent Parsons ³
THIS INDENTURE made this 21^st day of July in the year of our Lord 1828 Between Thomas Brooks of the one part and Vincent Parsons of the other part both parties of the County of Anson and State of North Carolina WITNESSETH that the sd. Thomas Brooks for and in consideration of the sum of twenty eight dollars and 75 cents to him in hand paid by the sd. Vincent Parsons at and before the sealing signing and delivery of these presents the receipt of which payment is hereby fully acknowledged and himself to be therewith fully contented and satisfied hath granted bargained and sold and so by these presents grant bargain and sell unto the sd. Vincent Parsons all that piece or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Anson aforesaid on the waters of Jones Creek adjoining the lands of the sd. Vincent Parsons it being a lot of land that was on a division of lands belonging to the estate of the late John Hinson, Sr. decd. Among his heirs allotted to Elizabeth Brooks the mother of sd. Thomas Brooks which lot in the plan of division is marked No. 1. Beginning at a stake in the field the 6^th corner of a hundred acre tract granted to Crawford and runs So 30 E. to a stake near the lane then So 50 Wt. 5 chs. & 80 links to a stake then No. 30 Wt. 10 chs to a stake in Parsons line then with his line No 59 E. to the beginning containing five acres and three quarters TO HAVE & TO HOLD unto the sd. Vincent parsons and his heirs or assigns all & every of the aforesaid conveyed lands & tenements together with all the advantages hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the sd. Thomas Brooks doth fully by these presents warrant & forever defend unto the sd. Vincent Parsons his heirs or assigns all the rights & titles of the aforesaid lands & premises against himself & his heirs execrs. Admrs.. and assigns and against all persons whosoever lawfully claiming the same IN WITNESS WHEREOF the sd. Thomas Brooks hath hereinto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Thomas Brooks {seal}
Signed sealed and d delivered in the presence of us
Daniel B. McRae ANSON JANY. SESS. 1831.
Samuel F. Knox Then this deed of conveyance was duly proven in open Court by Daniel B. McRae and ordered to be registered.
W. Dismukes, CLK

Land Deed research is a critical component part of genealogical research. If you are not using land deeds in your research process I suggest you pay a visit to your local Register of Deeds office and take a looks at the Grantor and Grantee Index for your family surname.  




 
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[1] North Carolina, Deed Book: DB "S", page 215, John Hinson to Thomas H. Brooks; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
[2] Abstract courtesy of S. Carpenter and J. S. Brooks
[3] North Carolina, Deed Book: DB "x", page 398, Thomas Brooks to Vincent Parsons; Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.