Today’s find from my BRILES folder is a Randolph County, North Carolina deed where my third great-grandfather, Alexander Briles, sold land in 1857—just before his move to Kansas. Along with the original deed, I have a summary that I compiled and a hand-drawn plat of the property created by my father.
This particular record holds a special place in my collection. Not only did my father sketch the layout of the land, but he also located the deed himself—either during one of our family research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City or while my parents were visiting Randolph County. It’s a wonderful example of how family collaboration helps bring our ancestors’ stories to life, one document at a time.
The 1857 deed provides both a legal and a geographic snapshot of Alexander Briles’ life in North Carolina before his westward move. Recorded in Book 31, page 42 of the Randolph County deeds, it details the sale of 240 acres on the waters of Little Caraway Creek to Robert Laughlin for $1,000. The language is formal and detailed, as was typical of the time, carefully describing boundary lines marked by oaks, pines, and the main road.
Below is a full transcription of the deed, followed by the plat drawing that helps visualize the land Alexander once owned.
Randolph County, North Carolina
Record of Deeds, 1779-1963Deeds, v. 30-32 1855-1865
Film 470234 DGS 7560693Book 31 page 42
Vol. 31 begins image 294
page 4 – image 328No 47
This Indenture, made this the first day of September in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred fifty seven; between Alexander Briles of the County of
Randolph and state of North Carolina of the one part; and Robert Laughlin of
the County of Randolph and State aforesaid of the other part; witnesseth that for
and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars to him in hand paid
by the said Robert Laughlin the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by the
said Alexander Briles and hath this day Bargained and sold and delivered
unto the said Robert Laughlin a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being
on the waters of Little Caraway bounded as follows Beginning at a black oak
and running East 146 poles to a post oak, thence south 26 degrees East 160 poles to a pine
thence South 53 poles to a pine at the main Road, thence south 40 degrees west
along along the Main Road to the Creek to a spanish oak 92 poles, thence west
65 poles to a hickory, thence south 10 poles to a spanish oak thence west 20 poles
to a hickory thence south 8 poles to a white oak, thence west 60 poles to a
gum thence north 260 poles to the place of Beginning in all 240 acres be the
same more or less; Together with all woods ways waters mines minerals
and appertances there unto belonging or in anywise appertaining to him the
said Robert Laughlin his heirs and assigns to his and their own proper use
and behoof in fee simple forever and the said Alexander Briles and his
heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend from the
lawful claim or claims of any and all persons whatsoever, and lastly the
said Alexander Briles for himself his heirs executors administrators has cov
ented and agreed and by these presents doth covenant and agree to an
with the said Robert Laughlin his heirs and assigns that he the said
Alexander Briles is now at the time of Executing these presents seized
of a good sure and indefeasible estate on inheritance in the aforesaid land
and premises and that he has full power and laughful authority to
convey the same in manner and form aforesaid and that the said Robert
Laughlin his heirs and assigns shall hence forward have and hold peaceable possession
and quiet enjoyment of the same, In testimony whereof the said Alexander Briles
doth here unto set his hand and seal the date first above ritten,
Alexander Briles (seal
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
John S. [Been]
Wm Laughlinpage 43
North Carolina
Randolph County
Court of please & quarter sessions
November Term 1857
The due execution of this deed
is duly registered execution is proved in open court by the oath of
William Laughlin one of the subscribing witnesses to the same
recorded and ordered to be registered
B. F. Hoover, CCC
(Registered November 24th 1857)
This 1857 deed marks the end of Alexander Briles’ time in Randolph County and the beginning of a new chapter on the Kansas frontier. For me, it also bridges generations—linking my third great-grandfather’s decision to sell his land with my father’s careful work in documenting and mapping that same property more than a century later. Each time I revisit records like this, I’m reminded that genealogy isn’t just about names and dates—it’s about the connections that endure across time, from one researcher’s hands to the next.