I have stated this in the past and will repeat it again – Land Deeds can be very useful in researching your ancestors and their extended family. Take the land deed presented here within this blog post. This Land Deed was instrumental in providing the clue need for a distant cousin acceptance into the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). It was used to prove the children of Frederick F. Rivers.
In the mid to late 1990’s a big push by a group of professional genealogist put forth the idea of a Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). Up until this point the “Preponderance of Evidence” ruled in deciding the validity of genealogical research. After much refinement the initial standards were created in 2000 and has been updated and refined several times in the following years.
Land records have been kept form the beginning of a State or County and are the oldest, largest, and most complete record group available for research.
Land deeds can be used to re-construct family composition.
Land Deeds can place your descendant in a specific place at a specific time.
Land Deeds can be used to identify neighbors and adjoining property owners.
Land Deeds can be used to determine the value of property.
Wm. RIVERS and others to B. F. WHITE DEED
Know all men by these presents that we, William Rivers, Sarah Rivers, David Rivers, Eliza Rivers, Calvin Rivers, all of the state and county aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred and sixty seven dollars to us paid by B. F. White of the county and state aforesaid have granted bargained sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and released unto the said B. F. White all that tract and parcel of land formerly owned by F. F. Rivers (deceased). Situate lying and being in the County and State aforesaid on the waters of Thompson Creek, and bounded as follows; viz on the North by lands of the estate of Thompson Powell, on the South by Thompson Creek, on the east by lands of T. W. Robeson, and on the West by lands of Calvin Rivers, containing sixty-nine acres. Together with all and singular the rights, members, hereditament and appurtenances, to the said premises belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining: to have and to hold all and singular the said premises unto the said B. F. White his heirs and assigns forever. And we do hereby bind ourselves, to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said premises unto the said B. F. White, his heirs and assigned against ourselves, our heirs, and all other person lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seal, this the 26th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy and in the 94th year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed, Sealed and delivered} Wm. Rivers {seal}
In the presence of} David Rivers {seal}
G. R. Boatwright} Sarow x Rivers {seal}
P. G. Hinson} Eliza x Rivers (seal)
Calvin Rivers (seal)
{U.S. Stamps amounting to}
{Fifty Cents properly canceled.}
State of South Carolina) Chesterfield District)
Personally appeared G. R. Boatwright before me and made oath that he was present and saw Wm. Rivers, David Rivers, Sarah Rivers, Eliza Rivers and Calvin Rivers sign, seal and deliver the foregoing instrument of writing for the uses and purposes therein contained and then P. G. Hinson and himself witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn before me this G. R. Boatwright
28th day of 5 February 1870}
T. F. Mulloy
Clk
State of South Carolina) Chesterfield District)
I T. F. Mulloy, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions, and Ex Officio Magistrate of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern, that Mrs. Ann Eliza Rivers the wife of the within named William Rivers did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does freely, voluntarily and without any compulsion, dread or fear of any person or persons whomsoever renounce, release and forever relinquish unto the within named B. F. White his heirs and assigns, all her interest and Estate and also all her rights and claims of Dower of in or to all and singular the premises within mentioned and released. In witness whereof she has signed this in my presence. Given under my hand and seal, this 21st day of August, A. D.1872.
T. F. Mulloy {LS} Ann E. Rivers
Clk
State of South Carolina) Chesterfield District)
I, T. F. Mulloy, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions, and Ex Officio Magistrate of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern, that Mrs. Louisa Rivers the wife of the within named Calvin Rivers did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does freely, voluntarily and without any compulsion, dread or fear of any person or persons whomsoever renounce, release and forever relinquish unto the within named B. F. White his heirs and assigns, all her interest and Estate and also all her rights and claims of Dower of in or to all and singular the premises within mentioned and released. In witness whereof she has signed this in my presence. Given under my hand and seal, this 15th day of March, A. D.1873.
T. F. Mulloy {LS} Louisa Rivers
Clk
Recorded 15th March 1873
Origl. Delivd to B. F. White
Land Deeds are a Genealogical Goldmine. They shouldn’t be put aside or overlooked during your research.
The Rivers named are my 1st Cousins 4X Removed
_____________________
1. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, DB 4: pages 263, 264 & 265, Wm. RIVERS and Others to B. F. WHITE; 26 January 1870, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
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