Today’s Monday’s Diggings find is an 1814 Randolph County, North Carolina deed in which Frederick Briles sells land to Ansel Pearce. At first glance, it appears to be a routine land transaction—just another deed tucked into the courthouse records.
A closer look, however, adds an important layer of family context. Ansel Pearce was Frederick Briles’s son-in-law, having married his daughter Mary Briles. Viewed through that lens, this deed becomes more than a simple exchange of property; it offers insight into how land was transferred within families and how kinship ties can be embedded in seemingly ordinary legal documents.
Below is an AI-generated summary of the deed, followed by a full transcription of the original record.
Summary of Deed: Frederick (Fredrick) Briles to Ansel Pierce
Randolph County, North Carolina
Grantor:
Frederick (Fredrick) Briles / Broyles, of Randolph County, North Carolina
Grantee:
Ansel Pierce, of Randolph County, North Carolina
Date of Deed:
17 December 1814
Date Proven & Recorded:
May Term 1815, Randolph County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
Consideration:
$200 (two hundred dollars), paid by Ansel Pierce
Property Description
- Location: Randolph County, North Carolina
- Waters: On the waters of the Uwharrie
- Original Grant: Originally granted to Matthew Scott
- Acreage:
- 320 acres, “be the same more or less”
Metes and Bounds (using poles):
- Beginning at a pine and red oak
- North 300 poles, 12 degrees, to a pine
- East 190 poles to a pine
- South 300 poles to a pine
- West to the beginning
(Poles are used throughout as the unit of measurement.)
Rights Conveyed
The deed conveys:
- The land itself
- All woods, waters, ways, and watercourses
- All appurtenances
- Reversions, remainders, rents, issues, and profits
- All right, title, interest, claim, and demand of Frederick Briles
The land is granted in fee simple, to Ansel Pierce, his heirs and assigns forever.
Warranty
Frederick Briles:
- Warrants and defends the title
- Against himself, his heirs, and all other persons whatsoever
Execution & Witnesses
- Signed: Frederick Briles (seal)
- Witnesses:
- John Bailes
- I. Clark
Court Action
- Proven in open court by John Bailes
- Ordered to be registered
- Certified by Jesse Hoover, Clerk of Court (CCC)
Genealogical Notes
- Confirms Frederick Briles was a landowner in Randolph County by 1814
- The connection to an earlier Matthew Scott grant may help trace the land backward
- The use of Uwharrie waters places this tract solidly within a known settlement area for Briles/Broyles families
- Witness John Bailes/Boyles may indicate a family, neighbor, or FAN-club connection worth exploring
“Randolph, North Carolina, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Q-7HBZ?view=explore : Jan 24, 2026), image 413 of 717; . Image Group Number: 007517637
455
This Indenture Made the 17th Day of December in the per of Our Lord 1814
Between Fredrick Bryles of the County of Randolph in the sttate of No Carolina
of the one part & Ansel Pierce of the County & state affsd of the other part [witness]
that the Sd Fredrick Broyles for inconsideration of the Sum of $200 fifty
Dollars to him in hand paid by the Sd Ansel Pearce the receipt wherof
the Sd Fredrick Brayles Doth hereby acknowledge hath given granted
bargained & sold aliened & confirmred and my these presents doth
give grant bargain & sell alien & confirm unto the sd ncel Pearce
his Heirs & assigns forever all that tract & parcel of land of [first rate]
page 305
lying & being in the County of Randolph the Watters of Uharee[Originally]
granted to Matthew Scott Begrat a pines & Red Oak & Runing No 300 12deg to
a pine then [E] 190 po to a pine then S 300 po to a pine then west to the
Begg Containing three Hundred & Twenty acres be the same more or less
& also all the woods ways Watters & Better courses & all & welly the appertines then
unto belonging as in any wise appertaining & the Revertion & Revertions
Remainder & Remaainders Rents Issues & profits of the assd lands & premises
& my part thereof & all the Estate right title interest Claims property *
Demand Whatsoever of the sd Fredrick Broyle of in & to the Land [& there] is
hereby Granted To Have & to hold the affsd lands & premises with the apputenances
unto the Sd Ansel Pierce his heirs & assigns to the only proper use & Behoof
of the Sd Ansel Peirce his heirs & assigns forever & the Sd Fredrick Broyd
for himself & his Heirs the affsd land & premises & every part thereof against him
& his Heirs & against the Claim or Claims of all & every other person or persons
Whatsoever to the S Ansel Pearce his Heirs & assigns Shall & will forever warrant
& Defend by these presents in witness whereof the Sd Fredrick Broyle doth
hereunto set his hand & affixed his seal the day & year first above Written
Fredik Broyles (seal)
Sealed & Delivered in presents
of John Boiles I Clark
State of N Carolina ⎬
Randolph County }
Court of Please & Quarter Sessions
May Term 1815
The Execution of the within Deed was duly proven in Open Court
by John Bailes & ordered to be Registered
a Copy Teste
Jesse Hooover CCC