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From: "W. D. Allen Sr." <>
Subject: Re: [SCKY] Surveying Land - How Did They Do It?
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2003 11:35:20 -0700
References: <p05210600bb2a974eaa06@[204.255.239.125]> <00c801c3422c$4f4ac400$5034378b@alltel.net>


We ran across an accuracy analysis of early Kentucky pioneer
land surveys. It was at the Filson Club in Louisville.
Selected surveys were redone using modern equipment.
Interestingly, those early surveys were found to be quite
accurate even though done with relatively primitive tools.

In those early days surveying was an important skill [land
was the only source of possible wealth for those early
pioneers]. Those surveyors probably took great pride in
getting it right. So many lawsuits involving early Kentucky
land titles [Daniel Boone lost Kentucky two land titles
before finally leaving for Missouri] illustrate a need for
accuracy in those early surveys.

WDA

end

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald and/or Brenda Moss" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 6:00 AM
Subject: Re: [SCKY] Surveying Land - How Did They Do It?


> Surveying has evolved and improved over the years, of
course, but even 200
> years ago it was a relatively exact science and vocation.
They used a
> transit that would be primitive compared to today's
standards, but they were
> still exact when properly used, similar to a sextant and
compass used on
> early ships. Further, surveyors were as careful in
measuring distances then
> as now, and the length of a pole has not changed. I have
worked with a
> surveying crew in Pike County, Ky so I know how difficult
it is to traverse
> and survey across a mountain, but it can be done,
accurately.
> Legal descriptions were written for the people living
then; ie, the trees,
> the stakes, whatever landmarks were named, were for the
landowner, the buyer
> and/or seller to be able to properly locate the plot of
land. So naming a
> "forked beech tree" or "two sugartrees" was appropriate,
even though those
> trees are long-gone as we try to locate the property
lines. In some cases,
> a corner tree still exists - a 200 year old oak, or the
stump of it -
> landowners usually were careful to never cut down a
"corner tree".
> In most cases, over the years, farmers put up fences on
the property lines,
> and the fences were repaired/replaced over the years and
remnants of those
> fences can now often be found when locating the property
site.
> Some would argue that "magnetic north" shifts over time
and this throws off
> the angles and measurements. I believe this would be
negligble and
> generally would not prevent the location of property
lines, when also taking
> into consideration the fences, roads, and other landmarks.
> I have much respect for those early surveyors, and I would
not want to bet
> that they were off the mark.
>
>
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