Sharp Family Land Purchase, Pope Co., IL, 1852

On 2 October 1852, William C. Sharp purchased 80 acres of land consisting of the North West 1/4 of the North East 1/4 and the North East 1/4 of the North West 1/4, Section 11 in Township 14 South, Range 6 East, near the town of Tansill in Pope County, Illinois from John Smith for 300 dollars [1]. A transcription of the deed and maps showing the location follow the image.

[MS page 399]

This Indenture made and entered into this second day
of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and fifty two Between John Smith of the County of Pope and State
of Illinois of the first part and William C. Sharp of the same
County and State of the second part Witnesseth that the said
party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of
Three Hundred dollars current money of the United States, Hath
granted bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents do
grant bargain sell convey and confirm unto the said party of
second part his Heirs and assigns all of the following described
real estate lying and being in the Said County of Pope and State
of Illinois, being all of the right title and interest in said real
estate of the said party of the first part, and known and described
as follows to wit; the North West quarter of the North East quarter,
and the North East quarter of the North West quarter of section
Eleven, in Township fourteen South of Range Six East in the district
of lands subject to sale at Shawneetown Illinois containing in all
Eighty acres more or less, being the same land that was patented
to the said party of the first part on the 28^th day of July A.D. 1838
by two separate patents a refferance[sic] to the said patents will more
fully apear[sic].   To Have and to hold the said described real estate
with all the priviledges[sic] and appurtenances thereunto belonging
or appurtaining[sic] from him the said party of the first part to him
the said party of the second part his Heirs and assigns forever
and the said party of the first part will warrant and defend the
title to the same against all lawful claims whatsoever
Attest In Testimony whereof the said party of the first
JWilliams part has hereunto set his hand & seal day and year above written
Jno Raum John Smith{seal}

State of Illinois } _sct
Pope County} On the date hereof personally appeared before
} me the undersigned clerk of the Circuit Court
in and for said county John Smith who is known to me as the
identical person who executed the foregoing deed of conveyance and
acknowledged the signing sealing and delivery of the same as of
free and voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein expressed
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court at Golconda
this 2^d day of October A.D. 1852
Jno Raum  Clk

Recorded this the 31st day of January A.D. 1853
Jno Raum Clk Circuit Court
& Exofficio Recorder of Pope County Illinois

Reference Notes:

[1] Pope County, Illinois, Deed Records, Series A, 1816-1883, E:399, John Smith to William C. Sharp, 2 October 1852; recorded 31 January 1853; Pope County Clerk & Recorder, Golconda.

[2] U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Topographic Map: Illinois-Kentucky, Brownfield Quadrangle, 7.5' series,  1962.

[3] U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Topographic Map: Illinois-Kentucky, Brownfield Quadrangle, 15' series,  1917.

Commentary:

The location of the property is clearly shown on the U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Maps [2][3]. The section grid lines are superimposed on these maps and they are 1 mile by 1 mile. Below are two snippets of the maps showing section 11. The property described in the deed is outlined by the red-dashed rectangle. The North East 1/4 of Section 10 (the adjacent section to the west), would become their home in 1855.

Section 11, T14S, R6E, Pope Co. IL (1962)

The older map [3] below, shows the roads existing in 1914-15.

Section 11, T14S, R6E, Pope Co., IL (1917)