Buried deep in my BRILES folder was a fascinating find—an 1816 deed for land owned by a man named Jacob Briles in Randolph County, North Carolina. As anyone who has researched this family knows, Jacob is a remarkably common given name among the Briles clan. That means identifying exactly which Jacob owned this tract requires more than a quick glance; it calls for careful land research, map work, and a closer look at the surrounding community.
In today’s Monday’s Diggings, I’m sharing my original notes, a hand-drawn plat of the property, a transcription of the deed, and the image of the record itself. Each piece helps bring this little corner of Randolph County—and the Briles family who lived there—into sharper focus.
Randolph County, North Carolina
Deed book 10
page 414“Randolph, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Q-3S1Z?view=explore : Nov 29, 2025), image 485 of 514; . Image Group Number: 007517636
Image 485 of 514
State of North Carolina , No .2367
To all to whom these presents shall come greeting
Know Ye , That We , for and in consideration of the
sum of Fifty shillings for every hundred acres hereby
granted , paid into our treasury by Jacob Briles
have given and granted , and by these presents do give and
grant unto the said Jacob Briles a tract of land
containing One hundred & fifty acres , lying
and being in fifty the County of Randolph on the waters
of Uharee Beginning on a Black Oak runs South 43 degrees [Wt]
33 Chs to a post oak then North 5 1/2 Chs to a White Oak
then Wt 15 chs to a Black Oak Fouts Corner then north
22 1/2 Chs to a Black Oak then Et 11 chs & 22 links to
corner pine then North 20 chs to a white Oak
then Wt 15 Chs to a P Oak said Briles [old] corner then
Wt 43 degrees North 19 Chs & 30 links to a hickory then Et
20 Chs & 35 links to a Sassefross then North 6 1/2 shs to a stake
in Lans line then Et 29 1/2 Chs to a stake in his own
line then South 6 1/2 Chs to a W. O . then Wt 15 1/2 Chs . to a B Oak
then South 35 Chs . to a White Oak . then to the Begining
No 220 Entered 25h Febry 1810
No. 221 Entered 25 Febry 1810
as by the plat hereunto annexed doth appear ; together with
all woods , waters , mines , minerals hereditaments , and appur
tenances to the said land belonging or appertaining . To
Hold to the said Jacob Briles his heirs
and assigns forever . Yielding and paying – to us such sums of
money , yearly , or otherwise , as our General Assembly from
time to time may direct . Provided always , That the said
grantee shall cause this grant to be registered in the Register
Office of our said County of Randolph within 12 months from
the date hereof , otherwise the same shall be void & of no effect .
In testimony whereof , We have caused these our letters to
be made patent and our great seal to be hereunto affixed .
Witness , Benjamin Williams, Esquire , our Governor ,
Captain – General and Commander in Chief , at Raleigh , the
17 day of Decr in the41th the year of our indepen
dence , & in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
& thirteen
By command, Wm Hill [Lutry] Will Miller
Working through this 1816 deed reminded me just how valuable land records can be when sorting out families with repeating names—especially in a community like the Randolph County Briles clan. While this document doesn’t immediately solve the “which Jacob?” question, it adds another piece to the puzzle and offers important clues for future research. By preserving the transcription, plat, and image, I can revisit this deed as new information surfaces and gradually refine my understanding of the Briles landholdings in early nineteenth-century North Carolina.
As always, Monday’s Diggings turned up more questions than answers—but that’s exactly what keeps genealogy so engaging.