Constructing scaled plots from metes and bounds

What do we know?

We’ve reviewed how surveyors created legal property descriptions using a system of recording the edges of the property by lines and features on the ground (metes and bounds) and surveys done in advance of land sale that created “rectangular parcels and their sub-divided into alquots of square miles.

The lines of metes and bounds were created by running a survey along a straight line with a known angle of inclination for a measured distance. Whenever the boundary turned, or a particularly convenient marker was identified in the line of marking it was noted.

Plotted surveys rendered the surveyed lines into a paper map by converting the distances to a proportion of length in feet to a line length in inches.

The matter of measurements

Surveying Measurements1 yard = 3 ft 1 rod, perch, or pole = 25 links = 16.5 ft4 rods = 1 chain1 chain = 4 rods = 66 ft = 100 links10 chains = 1 furlong1 link = 1/100 of surveyor's chain = 7.92 inches25 links = 1 rod = 16.5 ft100 links = 1 chain = 66 ft1 furlong = 10 chains = 1/8 mile = 220 yards = 660 ft8 furlongs = 1 mile1 mile = 80 chains = 320 rods = 1,760 yards = 5,280 ft league = 3 statute miles

Units of Area1 acre = 10 square chains1 acre = 43,560 square feet1 square mile = 640 acres

Matters of Direction

17th century compass 18th century compass

Trustees to John CoakleyBeginning at a point one hundred and eighteen and a half feet from the intersection of Princess Ann and Hanover Streets, on the west side of Princess Ann Street, thence at right angles with that Street westwardly seventy eight feet, thence at right angles southwardly eight & a half feet, thence at right angles westwardly thirty nine and a half feet, thence at right angles southwardly thirty seven & a half feet, thence with a paling South thirty eight & a half degrees West fifteen feet, to the end of said paling, thence at right angles northwardly fourteen feet, thence at right angles westwardly sixty one feet, thence at right angles, northwardly seven feet, thence at right angles westwardly forty six feet, thence at right angles southwardly ninety nine and a half feet, thence at right angles eastwardly one hundred and seven feet to Jesse Curtis’ line, thence northwardly along said Curtis’ and McWilliams’s lines sixty six feet five inches, thence at right angles eastwardly eight feet thence N.9˚ E ten feet, thence due east seven feet, thence at right angles southwardly seven feet, thence at right angles eastwardly one hundred & ten feet to Princess Ann Street, thence up Princess Ann Street sixty six and a half feet, to the beginning point.

Lot No 1. begins at A, a post at the SE corner of Jos Ficlen’s lot, thence along the edge of the turnpike, about due south 46 1/3 feet to B, a stake, thence S 65° W 116 feet to F a post in the back line, thence N 24¾° W 42½ feet to G the SW corner of the sd Ficklen’s lot, thence with the south line of his lot N 65° E 124 feet to the beginning, containing 18½ square poles.

Lot No 2. begins at B, the SE corner of Lot No 1, thence with the edge of the Turnpike 67 2/3 feet, to the NW corner of a brick house, belonging to Robert Pollock, thence with that house, N 89½° W 34 2/3 feet to D, thence S 73° W 45 1/3 feet to E, thence N 73° W 41½ feet to the post which is the SW corner of Lot No 1, thence with a line of that lot N 65° E 114 feet to the beginning & contains 17½ square poles.Gabriel LongApril 6th 1843