Is it OK to sell a parcel of land before one has completed all of the processes of acquiring that parcel of land? One would think the answer to that question is NO. However, that is apparently what Nelson G. Crawford and his wife Martha did.

In 1836, they sold a parcel of land to Henry Hall for $102.50. According to the deed, this parcel of land is described as

South East fourth of the North East Fourth of Section no. thirty five in Township No. Twenty Two North of Range No. Nine West, in the county of Warren Indiana

As described in my earlier “Nelson Crawford Land Entries” post, Nelson Crawford deposited in the federal land office a certificate for

South East quarter of North East quarter of Section Thirty five, in township Twenty two North of range Nine West in the district of lands subject to sale at Crawfordsville Indiana containing forty acres

Even though it seems highly irregular to complete the purchase of land AFTER selling the same parcel of land. However, the documents indicate that this is what happened.

Below is a transcription of the 1836 deed from Warren County, Indiana.

Warren County Indiana
Deed Book Vol. 10
page 204-205

This Indenture made the twenty-eighth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Nelson G. Crawford and Martha his wife of the county of Warren and State of Indiana of the first part, and Henry Hall of the County of Warren and State of Indiana of the second part, Witnesseth that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and two dollars & fifty cents lawful money of the United States, to them in hand paid, by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, by the said party of the first part, have granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever all that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Warren and State of Indiana, to wit It being the South East fourth of the North East Fourth of Section no. thirty five in Township No. Twenty Two North of Range No. Nine West, in the county of warren Indiana. To have and to hold the above described premises hereby sold and conveyed unto the said Henry Hall his heirs and assigns forever, together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining, to his own proper use and behoof. And the said party of the first part, for themselves their heirs, executors and administrators, do covenant, grant and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, that the said party of the first part are the true and lawful owners of the said premises, and have good right, full power and lawful authority, to sell and convey the same in manner & form aforesaid And further, that they the said party of the first part, for themselves their heirs, executors and administrators will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid tract of Land, with the appurtenances, and every part thereof, to the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, against the legal claim or claims of all and every person or persons whomsoever. In testimony whereof, the said Nelson G. Crawford and Martha Crawford his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Nelson Crawford (Seal)
Martha Crawford (Seal)
Signed Sealed & delivered
in the presence of

State of Indiana, Warren County, SS
Before me William Cunningham an acting justice within and for said county, personally came Nelson g Crawford and Martha Crawford his wife the above named grantors and acknowledged the above deed of conveyance to be their voluntary act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. And also personally appeared Martha Crawford the wife of the said Nelson G Crawford and being by me examined separate and apart form her said husband, and the full [pusport] and meaning of the above deed being fully made known to her, she acknowledged that she signed sealed and delivered the same, and relinquished her right and dower in the above described premises, of her own free will and accord, and as her act and deed, without any coercion or compulsion from her said husband. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 11th day of September 1837
William Cunningham JP
Recorded January 22 1849 by R Boyer Recorder Warren Co Ia
by C R [Bogenscapy]