Have you ever recorded an event in your family tree that seems out of chronological order? While most of us have encountered a child being born prior to a marriage, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a sale of land before the land was purchased.
However, that’s the data I currently have for my fourth great grandfather, James Evans, who resided in Warrick County, Indiana. Below is a summary of the land transactions I’ve found using the
| Event | Date | Desc | Section | Twp | Range |
| Sold | 19 Jan 1830 | S1/2 E1/2 1/4 NW 1/4 | 4 | 6S | 8W |
| Patent | 21 Apr 1835 | NW 1/4 SE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
| Purchase | 23 Apr 1836 | SW 1/4 SE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
| Sold | 16 July 1836 | SW1/2 SW 1/4 SE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
| Patent | 20 March 1837 | E 1/2 SE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
| Sold | 28 Feb 1849 | SE 1/4 SE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
| Sold | 1 Mar 1849 | NE 1/4 SE 1/4 and NW 1/4 NE 1/4 | 36 | 5S | 9W |
The parcel of land that is in the 1830 deed isn’t even one of the parcels James Evans’ patented! A search of the First Landowners Project site ($) on History.geo shows three groupings of EVANS land in Warrick County.
The green circle with ‘5’ in the middle represents the land patented by Robert M. Evans. While the green circle with a ‘4’ in the middle is near section 36, it is in township 6 South and not 5 South. This land in section 36 of township 6 South was patented by Henry H. Evans. It is the green circle with a ‘2’ in section 36 of township 5 South that was patented by James Evan.
Since the parcel of land that James sold in 1830 was in section 4 of township 6 South of Range 8 West, I can expand the first landowners map to see who patented that land.
The land description in the deed is a little confusing when it states
south half of the east half quarter of the north west quarter of section 4
This Indenture made and entered into this day of January Eig
Indiana, Warrick County Indiana. Deed records. Film #1443659 DGS 8219115. James Evans, 19 Jan 1830; Vol. 1: page 320 (image 442); Digital images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 June 2023.
hteen hundred and thirty between James Evans and Sally his wife of the
County of Warrick and State of Indiana of the one part and Joseph R
Van of the county and state aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that for
and in consideration of fifty dollars in hand paid tot he said James Evans
and his wife the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have granted bar
gained aliened conveyed and confirmed and these presents do grant bargain
sell alien convey and confirm unto the said Joseph R Van his heirs and
assigns forever forty acres of land lying and being in the county and state afor
said it being the south half of the east half quarter of the northwest qu
arter of section number four in township number six south of range eight
west in the district of lands offered for sale at Vincennes to have and to
hold the said granted and bargained premises with all privileges and appur
tenances tot he same belonging or in any wise appertaining to the only proper
use benefit and behoof of the said Joseph R Van his heirs nd assigns forever
further more the said James Evans and Sally his wife doth covenant and
bind themselves his heirs executors and administrators to warrant and defend
the above discribed premises to him the said Van his heirs and assigns against
the lawful claims of any person or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to war
rant secure and defend by these presents in testimony whereof we said Ev
ans and wife has herewith set their hands and seals the day and year
first above written
James (his mark) Evans
Sarah (her mark) Evans
Sealed and [delvered]
in presence of us
William Hammond
Richard T Leach
However, I think that description is for part of the land in the NW 1/4 of section 4 patented by James H Conditt in 1826. This suggests that there should be a transfer of land from James H Conditt to James Evans that I’m missing.
Turning to section 36, James Evans patented two parcels in 1835 and 1837.
Certificate
No. 5793
The United States of America
To All to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, James Evans of Warrick County Indiana
has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Vincennes
whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said James Evans
according to the provisions of the act of Congress of he 24th April 1820, entitled “An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,” forthe north west quarter of the south east quarter of section thirty six in township
United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online October 2018), James Evans.
five south of range nine west in the district of lands subject to sale at
Vincennes Indiana containing forty acres
according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been pur-
chased by the said James Evans
Now Know ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the
several acts of Congress, in such cases made and provided, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant, unto the said James Evans
and to his heirs, the said tract above described:
To have and to hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities and appurtenances of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said
and to his heirs and assigns forever
In testimony whereof, I, Andrew Jackson
President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto
affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twenty third day of April in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five and of teh Independence of teh United States
the sixtieth
By the President: Andrew Jackson
Certificate
No. 8719
The United States of America
To All to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, James Evans of Warrick County Indiana
has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Vincennes
whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said James Evans
according to the provisions of the act of Congress of he 24th April 1820, entitled “An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,” forthe East half of the South East quarter of section thirty six in Township five south of
Range nine west in the district of lands subject to sale at VIncennes, Indiana contianing
eighty acresaccording to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been pur-
United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online October 2018), James Evans.
chased by the said James Evans
Now Know ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the
several acts of Congress, in such cases made and provided, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant, unto the said James Evans
and to his heirs, the said tract above described:
To have and to hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities and appurtenances of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said
and to his heirs and assigns forever
In testimony whereof, I, Martin Van Buren
President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto
affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the twentieth day of March in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and of the Independence of the United States
the sixty first
By the President: Martin Van Buren
In 1836, James Evans purchased the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 36 from Isaac Williams.
This Indenture made and entered into this 23 day of April in the year one
Indiana, Warrick County Indiana. Deed records. Film #1443659 DGS 8219115. James Evans, 23 April 1836; Vol. 2: page 145; Digital images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 June 2023.
thousand eight hundred and thirty six between Isaac Williams and Jane Williams
his wife of the county of Warrick and state of Indiana of the one part and James Evans
of the said County of Warrick of the other part Witnesseth that the said Isaac Williams
for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to him in hand paid by the said
James Evans the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained
sold conveyed and confirmed and doth by these presents grant bargain sell convey
and confirm unto the said James Evans his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcel
of land lying being and situate in the county of Warrick aforesaid known and desig
nated as the South west quarter of the southeast quarter of section no thirty six in township
no five south of range No nine west supposed to contain forty acres be the same more or less
in the district of land sold at Vincinnes together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging and
the revisions remainders and profits thereof and all the estate title and interest of the [Isaac]
Williams is lawfully seized in fee of the premises aforesaid that they are free from all incumbrances
and that he has good right to sell & convey the same in manner and form aforesaid and [?]
ther that he and his heirs executors and administrators shall and will warrant and
defend the said premises to the said James Evans his heirs and assigns against the
lawful claims of all and every other person or persons whatsoever And the said Jane Williams the wife
of the said Isaac Williams doth hereby relinquish all her right and title of
dower of and in the premises aforesaid In witness whereof the said Isaac
Williams and Jane Williams his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals
the day and year above written
Isaac Williams (seal)
Jane Williams (seal)
In July 1836, James Evans sells 20 acres out of the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4. Since the SE 1/4 is the 1/4 patented by James Evans and Isaac Williams, the description ‘SW1/4 of the SE 1/4′ places this 20 acres of land in the portion purchased from Isaac Williams in April of 1836. (Note: The patent date for this Isaac Williams’ land is 1837.)
This Indenture made this sixteenth day of July in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six between
James Evans and Sarah Evans of the County of Warrick and
State of Indiana of the one part and Matthew Norwood, of the
same county of the other part witnesseth that the said James
Evans and Sarah his wife for and in consideration of the sum
of fifty dollars current money of the United States to them in
hand paid the receipt they hereby acknowledged have granted
bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain sell
and confirm unto the said Matthew Norwood his heirs and assigns
all that tract or parcel of land situate and being in county of Warrick
containing twenty acres of land be the same more or less
and bounded as follows to wit Being the south west half of
the south west quarter of the south east quarter of section no
thirty six in township no five south of range no nine west
in the district of lands sold at Vincennes
Together with all and [lovingness] the premises with the appurtnances
there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining to have and to hold
the land hereby conveyed with the appurtenances unto the saidpage 531
Indiana, Warrick County Indiana. Deed records. Film #1443659 DGS 8219115. James Evans, 16 July 1836; vol 2: page 530; Digital images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 June 2023.
Matthew Norwood his heirs and assigns forever and the said James Evans
and his wife for themselves heirs executors and administrators the aforesaid tract
of land and premises unto the said Matthew Norwood his heirs or assigns
against the claim or claims of all and every person or persons whatsoever
do and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.
In witness whereof the said James Evans & his wife have hereunto set
their hands and seals the day and date first above written
James (his mark) Evans
Sarah (her mark) Evans
Then in February 1849, James Evans sells the SE 1/4 of this quarter section of land to Samuel Wilder.
This indenture made this twenty eight day of February in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine between James Evans and
Sarah Evans his wife of the County of Warrick and state of Indiana of the first
part and Samuel Wilder of the county of Warrick and state of Indiana of the
second part witnesseth that the said party of the first part for and in consid
eration of the sum of three hundred dollars current money of the United
States to the said party of the first part by the party of the second part in hand paid
the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained aliened
sold and by these presents to grant bargain alien
sell convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part his heirs and
assigns forever all the following described piece of parcel of land; lying and
being situate in the said County of Warrick and known designated and descri
bed as follows to wit The south east quarter of the south east quarter of
section number thirty six in township number five (5) south of range num
ber nine (9) west in the Vincennes Land District Also another piece or
parcel of land in the south west quarter of the aforesaid quarter section bounded
and described as follows to wit, commencing at the north east corner of the
said south west quarter of the south east quarter and from thence westpage 350
Indiana, Warrick County Indiana. Deed records. Film #1443662 DGS 8219118. James Evans, 28 Feb 1849; Vol 8: page 349; Digital images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 June 2023.
along the northern boundary thereof to the north west corner thereof at the half wide
line of said section from thence running south east diagonally across the last said
quarter quarter section to the south east corner thereof from thence running north to the place of beginning and lying a three square or triangle together with all
the rights privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to have and to
hold the above described premises with all the improvements and appurtenances
to the same belonging to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever
and the said party of the first part for themselves and their heirs do hereby covenant
with the said party of the second part and his heirs that they are lawfully seized
in fee of the premises aforesaid and have good right full power and lawful author
ity to sell and convey the same in manner aforesaid: that the premises are
free and clear from all incumbrances whatsoever; and that they will
forever warrant and defend the same and the quiet and peaceable possession
thereof together, with the appurtenances to the same belonging or appertaining
with the said Samuel Wilder and his heirs and assigns against the lawful
claims of all persons whomsoever. In witness whereof the said James Evans
and Sarah Evans his wife who hereby relinquishes her right of dower to the above
described premises have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first
above written.
James (his mark) Evans (seal)
Sarah (her mark) Evans (seal)
In March 1849, James Evans sells the northeast 1/4 and the north west 1/4 of this quarter section of land.
This indenture made this first day of March in the year of
Indiana, Warrick County Indiana. Deed records. Film #1443662 DGS 8219118. James Evans, 1 Mar 1849; vol. 9: page 118; Digital images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 5 June 2023.
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine between James Evans
of the county of Warrick and State of Indiana of the first part and
William Alexander of the county of Warrick 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 four hundred dollars to the said party
of the first part by the party of the second part in hand paid the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained aliened sold and by these
presents do grant bargain alien sell convey and confirm unto the said
party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever all the following
described piece or parcel of land The north east quarter of the south
east quarter and also the north west quarter of the north east quarter
of section thirty six in township five south of range nine west
in the district of lands sold at Vincennes Indiana containing
eighty acres more or less together with all the rights privileges and
appurtenances thereunto belonging to have and to hold the above
described premises with all the improvements and appurtenances to the
same belonging to the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns
forever and the said party of the first part for his assigns and his heirs
do hereby covenant with the said party of the second part and his heirs
that he is lawfully seized in fee of the premises aforesaid and have
good rightfull power and lawful authority to sell and convey the
same in manner aforesaid that the premises are free and clear
from all incumbrances whatsoever and that he will forever
warrant and defend the same and the quiet and peaceable
perception thereof together with the appurtenances to the same belonging
or appertaining unto the said William Alexander his heirs and assigns against
the lawful claim of all persons whomsoever In witness whereof the said James
Evans and Sarah Evans his wife who hereby relinquishes her right of dower
to the above described premises have hereunto set her hand and seal the day
and year first above written.
James (his mark) Evans
Sarah (her mark) Evans
Thus, for section 36, I am missing a deed for 20 acres of the land purchased from Isaac Williams.
I doubt I would have uncovered these missing deeds if I would not have created the table for the land transactions and then placing them on the plat maps.