Do you ever get lost in the ‘half of quarter of quarter’ language in a deed or will? I know that I did when reading and transcribing the will of James Marshall Ricketts.
The land in question was purchased by James M. Ricketts in 1883.
Book Q Page 143
Deed RecordThis Indenture, made this 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three, between J. M. Baldwin and Hannah A Baldwin his wife of Liberty in the county of Woodson and state of Kansas of the first part and J. M. Ricketts of Everett in the County of Woodson and State of Kansas of the second part:
Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part, in consideration of the sum of two thousand dollars to them duly paid have sold, and by these presents do grant and convey to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land situated in Woodson County, and State of Kansas, and described as follows to-wit:
The SE 1/4 of Section 35 Township 23 South of Range 15 East 160 acres more or less
With the appurtenances, and all the estate, title and interest of the said parties of the first part therein. And the said first part do hereby covenant and agree, that at the delivery hereof they are the lawful owners of the premises above granted, and seized of a good and indefeasible estate of inheritance therein, free and clear of all incumbrances and that they will Warrant and defend the same in the quiet and peaceable possession of said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims of all persons.
In Witness whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year above written.
James M. Baldwin
Hannah A BaldwinState of Kansas, Woodson County, ss.
On this 1st day of November A.D. 1883, before me a Probate Judge in and for said County, came J. M. Baldwin and Hannah Baldwin his wife to me personally known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument, and duly acknowledged the execution of the same.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal, on the day and year last above written.{I] S Jones
Probate JudgedFiled for Record this 1st day of November 1883, at 4 o’clock P.M.
W. N. Bailey, Register of Deeds
By J F Bell Deputy
A 1904 plat map of Woodson County, Kansas shows where the land was located in Liberty Township.
To figure out how the land was divided in the will, I used Excel to draw a square 16 cells by 16 cells to represent the section. I then divided that square in fourths to identify the Southeast 1/4.
I then divided the SE 1/4 into fourths. From there, I divided the bottom two (Southern) squares into half. I now had the boundaries for the land described in the will. This allowed me to color in each of the items from the will.
Drawing out the land helped me understand how the land was passed down to the children.