Do you remember turning the handle of a microfilm reader to view copies of land records? If so, did you photocopy any of those records? And, would those photocopies still occupy space in a notebook or file folder?
I have to admit to having such photocopies in my files. Fortunately, I copied the details of the deed onto the back of the photocopy, since many of the copies in my filing cabinet are illegible. When FamilySearch digitized their microfilm, they must have performed some sort of miracle to enhance the quality since I can read a digital version of one of those illegible deeds in my files.
Todays, Friday Finds, is such a record. I have a photocopy of an Amherst County Virginia deed in my file for the sale of land by Alexander Duggins.
Thanks to FamilySearch’s new ‘United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search’, I was able to do a search for Duggins and locate the deed in question and obtain a transcript of the deed!
Thus, I now have a full transcription and images of the deed that I can actually read. If you haven’t checked out this new Experimental Search, it is worth investigating!
Amherst County, VIrginia
Deed books, 1761-1900,Deed books, v. F-G 1785-1796
Film 30287 DGS 007893712
Deed Book G (1791-1796) [begins on image 335]
382 (image 538 of 702)This Indenture made this Sixteenth day of June in the
Year of Our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety four
Between Alexander Duggins of Amherst County of the one part
and Benjamin Goode of the same County of the Othe Other part
Witnesseth that the said Alexander Diggons for and in con
sideration of the sum of Ten pounds Current Money of Virginia
to him in hand paid by the said Benjamin Goode hath Granted
bargained and sold and by these presents doth Grant Bargain
and Sell unto the said Benjamin Goode and to his heirs
Assigns forever One Certain Tract or parcel of Land Containing
Thirty acres by Estimation be the same more or less & is that
part of a Tract of Land adjoining the Land formerly the
property of Henry Childress on the top of the Blue Ridge and is
the same Land that was Granted to Alexander Duggins by Patent
Bearing date at Richmond the twenty fourth day of July One
Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty seven and now in the possession of the
Benjamin Goode to have and to hold the aforesaid Tract or parcel of
Land together with all and singular the appurtenances thereto be
longing to the said Benjamin Goode his heirs and assigns for ever
the said Alexander Duggins for him self and his heirs doth Covenant
and agree with the said Benjamin Goode and his heirs that he
The said Alexander Duggins & his heirs the aforesaid tract or parcel of
Land and premises thereto Belonging to the said Benjamin Goode
to his heirs and assigns will Warrant and forever defend by these
presents in witness whereof the said Alexander Duggins hath hereuntopage 383
Set his hand and Seal the day and year above Written
Alexandder (his mark) Duggins (seal)
Signed Sealed and Delivered
In the presents of
J WCampbell
Burches Whitehead
William Camden
At a court held for Amherst County the 6th day of June 1794 This
Deed indented was proven by the Oaths of John M Campbell
Burcher Whitehead & William Camdon witnesses thereto and
Ordered to be Recorded
Teste
W H Crawford ClkThis Indenture made this Sixteenth day of June in the year year
Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and ninety four Between
Alexander Duggins of the County of Amherst of the one part and
John Camden [Et] of the same County of the other part Witnesseth
that the said Will Alexander Duggins for and in consideration of the
Sum of thirty pounds Current Money of virginia to him in hand
paid by John Camden hath granted to bargained and Sold and
by these presents doth grant Bargain and sell unto the said
John Camden and to his heirs and assigns forever one certain
Tract or parcel of Land containing by Estimation two hundred and
Twenty acres be the same more or less and is a part of a Tract of
Land that was Granted by pattentto Alexander Duggins at
Richmond bearing date the twenty fourth day of July One Thousand
Seven hundred and Eighty Seven where the corses will more fully
appear the Land Lying and being in the County of Amherst
and on both sides of Pedler River and now in the possession
of the said John Camden to have and to hold the aforesaid
Tract or parcel of Land together with all and singular the
appurtenances thereto belonging to the said John Camden
his heirs and Assigns for ever and the said Alexander Duggins
for himself and his heirs doth covenant and agree with to
Said John Camden and his heirs that the said Alexander
Duggins and his heirs the aforesaid Tract or parcel of
Land and premises thereto Belonging to the said John
Camden and to his heirs and Assigns Will Warrant
forever Defend by these presents In Witness whereof the said
Alexander Diggins hath hereunto set his hand &affixed his
seal the date and year above written
Alexander (his mark) Duggins (seal)
Signed Sealed & Delivered
in presence of
J W Campbell Burcher Whitehead
Wm Camdenpage 384
At a court held for Amherst County the Sixteenth day of June
one thousand seven hundred and ninety four this deed indenture
was proven by the oathes of John M Campbell Burcher Whitehead
& William Camden Witness thereto and ordered to be recorded
Teste W L Crawford Clk
