This deed, copied from the Washington County (TN) Registrar of Deeds Office, involves my 4th great-grandfather John Stephenson.
Deed
Elias Bowman
To
John Stephenson
This Indenture made on the fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten Between Elias Bowman of the one part and John Stephenson of the other Part both of the County of Washington and state of Tennessee
Witnesseth that the sd Elias Bowman for and in consideration Of the Sum of twelve hundred Dollars to him in hand paid by the said John Stephenson the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged he the said Elias Bowman hath bargained and Sold and by these _______ doth En__ off and convey to the said John Stephenson a certain tract of land lying and being In the County afforesaid on the waters of big limestone creek And bounded as followeth (To Wit) Beginning at a white oak dogwood and gum thence South eighty Eight Degrees West one hundred and thirty six poles to a black Oak and poplar thence north one hundred and twelve poles to a white oak thence West one hundred and forty poles to a black oak and post thence South eighty three poles to a post oak and black Oak thence South thirty five East two hundred and twenty six poles to a to a white oak and stake thence north fifty degrees East one hundred And ninety two poles to a stake thence north thirty six poles To the Beginning Containing two hundred and twenty Eight acres be the Same more or less which tract of Land with all the appurtenances therunto belonging the said Elias Bowman for himself and his heirs doth warrent and will forever Defend unto the said John Stephenson his heirs and assigns as an Indefensible inheritance in fee simple In Witness whereeof The said Elias Bowman have herunto set my Hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written
Signed Sealed and Delivered
In preasence of Elias Bowman {seal}
Wm Tyler }
M. Stephenson} State of Tennessee} February Sessions 1811Ebeneazer Frain } Washington County} Then this deed was provenIn court and recorded let itbe registeredTest Jas Sevier Sheriffby his dept Jn_ C HarrisState of Tennessee
Washington County
Thereon duly registered in the registers office John Adams
of said County _____ County register
Notes
The land Stephenson purchased lay east of the Big Limestone Creek, most likely in the area south of Leesburg (where two of his daughters lived) and north of Washington College. Stephenson and his wife, Elizabeth Cloyd Stephenson, were members of Salem Presbyterian Church and are buried in the Salem Church graveyard at Washington College.
Source
Washington, Tennessee, Deed Books, 12: 337, Elias Bowman to John Stephenson, 5 Nov 1810.
