Rowan County, North Carolina
Land Records

Summary of John Crook's Land Holdings in Rowan County, North Carolina
Date Acres Total     Reference
10th November 1790 640 640 Book #16, p. 486
27th November 1793 123 763 Book #13, p. 885
Before 1794 150 913 Book #17, p. 284
2nd January 1801 -200 713 Book #21, p. 863
29th September 1806 -150 563 Book #21, p. 384
23rd September 1808 -123 440 Book #21, p. 852
29th October 1808 -440 00 Book #21, p. 837
  
Register of Deeds - Rowan County, N.C.

State of North Carolina No 2235
To all to whom these presents Shall come Greeting Know Ye that we for & in Consideration of the Sum of Ten Pounds for, every Hundred acres hereby Granted Paid Into our Treasury by John Crook have Given & Granted &, by these presents do give & grant unto, the Sd John Crook, a Tract of Land Containing one Hundred & Twenty three acres Lying & being in our County of Rowan on the waters of Lick Creek Beginning at the South west Corner of A lot Surveyed for the Heirs of, Michael Ritter & in the line of Hardy Davis's lot thence Running west twenty five chs & Sixty links to a black Oak thence north nine chs & fifty links to a Sassafras Leonard Ellers line thence East with Said line two chs, & forty links to a post Oak Ellers Corner thence north Sixteen chs to a hicory thence East Sixteen chs & Seventy links to Sd Ritters Old line & thence with Said line to the Beginning AS' by the plat hereunto annexed Doth appear Together with all woods waters mines minerals hereditaments & appurtenances to the Said land belonging or appertaining to Hold to the Said John Crook his heirs & Assigns forever Yielding & 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 John Crook Shall Cause this Grant to be Registered in the Registers Office of our Said County of Rowan within the time Limited by Law otherwise the Same Shall be Void & of no Effect In Testimony where of we, have Cause these our letters to be made patent & our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed Witness Richard Dobbs Spaight Esqr &C, at newbern the 27th day of November in the 18th Year of our Independence & in the Year of our Lord 1793
By His Excellys, Comd                                   Richd Dobbs (Seal) Spaight      No 2235
J Glasgow Secretary
John Crook 123 acres. Rowan County
Recorded. In the Secretarys Office                           Richard Sheppard D Sece
Reference 1, Volume No. 13, Page 885, November 27, 1793

This Indenture made this November the tenth day One thousand seven hundred and ninety (blank space) Between Michael Ritter now deceased then of Rowan County North Carolina of the one part, and John Crook of the County and State aforesaid of the other part, Witnesseth for & in Consideration of the Sum of three hundred pounds Current Money to the said Michael Ritter in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby fully Acknowledged by the True and Rightful Heir of the Said Michael Ritter above named & his son Michael Ritter the heir will Maintain the Covenant in the room of his Deceased Father to the said John Crook Hath sold one Certain tract or parcel of land Containing Six hundred & forty Acres of land lying & being in the County of Rowan & State aforesaid on the waters of lick Creek beginning at a White Oak in Hardy Davis' line, thence running North eighty four Chains to a post Oak John Reis thence East fifty three Chains & fifty links to a pine then South twelve Chains to a Hicory thence East fourteen Chains to a Oak thence South Nineteen Chains to a Black Oak thence East Seventeen Chains & fifty links to a Stake thence South fifty four chains to a Post Oak & thence West eighty five Chains to the Beginning. Together with all woods, waters mines minerals hereditaments appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining, To hold to the said John Crook his heirs and Assigns forever. From me my heirs & assigns forever and the said heir Michael Ritter for himself his heirs Excr & Admr doth Covenant & agree to & with the said John Crook his heirs & assigns that he the said Michael Ritter his heirs & assigns the said land and premises & every part & parcel thereof unto the said John Crook & his heirs and shall & will forever defend against the lawfull Claims of any person or persons Whatsoever In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the day and year above written.
Signed Sealed & Delivered                             Michael (x) Ritter  (Seal)
In Presence of   P Wright                                John (x) Ritter       (Seal)
                         Philip Garner                         Elizabeth (x) Ritter (Seal)
                         John Crook Junr.
N Carolina Febry Sessn 1799
Rowan County
This certifies that this deed was duly proven in open Court by the oath of John Crook Junr Recorded and ordered to be Registered
                                                                      Test A J Osborn CC
Reference 2, Volume No. 16, Page 486, November 10, 1790?

State of North Carolina No 2681
To all to whom these presents Shall come Greeting Know ye that we for & in Consideration of Thirty Shillings for every hundred Acres hereby Granted paid into our Treasury by John Crook have given & granted & by these presents do Give & Grant unto the said John Crook a tract of land Containing One hundred and fifty Acres lying & being in the county of Rowan, On the Waters of Toms Fork, Begining at a Black Oak the North West corner of Clement Laniers Lot and Runs South with Laniers line thirty eight Chains and fifty links to a Post Oak in the line of said Laniers Homested lot thence West with said line in part Thirty Nine Chains to a hicory thence North thirty eight Chains & Fifty links to a Stake and thence East to the Beginning as by the plat hereunto Annexed doth appear together with all woods, waters, mines, minerals, hereditaments & appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining. To hold to the said John Crook his heirs & assigns forever Yielding & 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 Registers office of our said County of Rowan within twelve months from the date hereof otherwise the same shall be void & of no affect In Testimony whereof we, have caused these our letters to be made patent & our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed Witness Benjamin Williams Esquire our Governor Captain General and commander in Chief at Raleigh the 24th day of May in the 24th year of our Independence & in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred.
By Command Will White Secretary No 2681                         B. Williams
John Crook 150 acres. Rowan County
Recorded. In the Secretarys Office                                 Thos Tell CSecr
Reference 2, Volume No. 17, Page 284, May 24, 1800

This Indenture made this eighteen day of December one thousand eight hundred & three in the twenty seventh year of american Independence, Between James Riley of Rowan County N. Carolina of the one part & Allen Crook of the County & State aforesd of the other part Witnesseth for & in consideration of the sum of fifty pounds in hand paid Current Money of the state aforesd the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged by the Sd James Riley to the Sd Allen Crook hath sold one certain tract or parcel of land containing seventy three acres lying & being in the County Rowan & State aforesd on the waters of Lick Creek, Beginning at a Post Oak in his old line on the east side homestead plantation & south side a small branch thence running east four chains & fifty links to a white Oak thence North six chains to a pine thence East ten chains to a hickory thence North crossing sd branch forty nine chs to a Stake thence west fourteen chains & fifty links to the old line & thence south with sd line fifty Five chains to the Beginning. Also al the land I hold on the east side of lick creek Joining the above mentioned land supposed to be sixty acres be it more or less to this I Legally bind myself & with the land above mentioned & bounded together with all Woods, Waters, Mines, minerals hereditaments appurtenances to the sd lands belonging or appertaining to hold to the sd Allen Crook his heirs & Assigns forever from me my heirs & Assigns forever & the Sd James Riley for himself his heirs Excecutors & Administrators doth covenant & agree to and with the Sd Allen Crook & his heirs shall and will forever defend against the lawfull claims of any person whatsoever. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal the day & year above Written.
Test                            Clement Lanier                          James R. Riley (Seal)
                                  John Crook
Rowan County Feby 1804
This deed was duly proven in open Court by John Crook recorded & ordered to be registered
                                                                                  Test A J Osborn CC
Reference 3, Volume No. 18, Page 855, December 18, 1803

This Indenture made this twenty Ninth day of September the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Six Between John Crook of Rowan County and State of North Carolina of the one part, and John Marshall of Surry County and State aforesaid of the other part, Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of fifty Pounds Current Money in hand paid to the Sd John Crook the receipt whereof is hereby fully Acknowledged by the Said John Crook to the said John Marshall hath sold One Certain Tract or parcel of Land Containing One hundred and fifty Acres lying & being in the County Rowan and State aforesaid on the waters of Toms Creek Beginning at a Black Oak the North West corner of Clement Laniers Lot and runs South on Laniers line thirty Eight Chains and fifty Links to a post Oak in the Line of said Laniers Homested Lot thence West with said line in part thirty nine Chains to a hickory thence North Thirty Eight Chains & fifty Links to a Stake and thence East to the Beginning together with all woods waters mines minerals hereditaments and appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining to hold to the sd John Marshall his heirs and assigns forever from me my Heirs & assigns forever and the Said John Crook for himself his heirs Excecutors Administrators Doth Covenant and grants to and with the Sd John Marshall his heirs and assigns that he the Sd John Crook his heirs and assigns the Said Land & premises and every part and parcel thereof unto the said John Marshall & his heirs and shall and will forever Defend against the Lawful Claims of any person or Persons Whatsoever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the day and year above written.
Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the Presence of us           Henry Stuart                        John Crook (seal)
                                           John Crook Junr
N Carolina November Sessions 1808
Rowan County
This instrument of writing was proven in open Court by Henry Stuart, recorded and ordered to be registered.
                                                                                       Test A Osborn CC
Reference 4, Volume No. 21, Page 384, September 29, 1806

This Indenture made this twenty ninth day of October the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Eight between John Crook senior of the county of Rowan & State of N. Carolina of the one part, & Richard Cox of the same County & State aforesaid of the other part witnesseth for in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds currency to the sd John Crook senior in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully Acknowledged by the said John Crook senior to the said Richard Cox hath sold one tract or parcel of Land containing four hundred & forty Acres lying & being in the county of Rowan & State aforesaid on the waters of lick creek Beginning at a White oak on Hardy Davises line thence running North Fifty four chains to a Stake Nobletts corner thence East on said line eighty five chains to a Stake on the old line thence South fifty four chains to a post oak & thence west Eighty five chains to the beginning together with all woods waters mines minerals hereditaments appurtenances to the same land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said Richard Cox his heirs and assigns forever & the said John Crook senior for himself his heirs Excecutors administrators doth warrant & forever defend the said Land & premises to the said Richard Cox his heirs & assigns in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year above written.
Signed Sealed & Delivered   John Marshall senr
In the Presence of us             Henry Stewart                           John Crook (seal)
                                             John Ball
State of North Carolina    August Sessions 1810
Rowan County
I hereby Certify that the written Deed was duly proven in open court by the oath of Henry Stewart, Recorded and ordered to be Registered.
                                                                                       Test Jn Giles CC
Reference 5, Volume No. 21, Page 837, October 29, 1808

This Indenture made this twenty third Day of September the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Eight between John Crook Senior of Rowan County & State of North Carolina of the One Part and Richard Cox of Iredell County & State aforesaid of the Other Part Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of Sixy Pounds good trade in Hand paid to the Said John Crook Senior the Receipt is hereby fully Acknowledged by the Said John Crook Senior to the Said Richard Cox hath Sold one certain tract or parcel of Land Containing one hundred & three Acres lying and being in the County of Rowan & State aforesaid on the waters of Lick Creek Beginning at the South west Corner of a lot Surveyed for the Heirs of Mitchel Ritter and in the line of Hardy Davis's Lot thence Running west twenty Chains and sixty links to a Black Oak thence North nine Chains and fifty links to a Sassafras in Lenoard Ellers line thence East with Said line two Chains and forty links to a Post Oak Ellers Corner thence north thirty two Chains to a Red Oak Ellers Corner thence East Six Chains to a Post Oak Ellers Corner thence North Sixteen Chains to Hickery thence East Sixteen Chains and twenty links to Sd Ritters old line and thence South with Sd line to the Beginning together with all woods waters mines minerals hereditaments and appurtenances to the Said Land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said Richard Cox his heirs and assigns forever from me my Heirs and assigns forever and the Said John Crook Senr for himself his heirs and assigns Excecutors and Administrators Doth Covenant and Grant to and with the Sd Richard Cox his heirs and assigns that he the Said John Crook Senr his heirs and assigns the Said Land and premises and Every Part and parcel hereof unto the Said Richard Cox and his heirs and will warrant & forever defend against the lawful Claim of any person or persons whosoever in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year above written.
Signed Sealed & Delivered   William Cox
In the Presence of us             John Marshall senr                           John Crook (seal)
State of Carolina    August Sessions 1810
Rowan County
I hereby Certify that the written Deed was Duly proven in Open Court by the oath of William Cox, Recorded and ordered to be Registered.
                                                                                       Test Jn Giles CC
Reference 5, Volume No. 21, Page 852, September 23, 1808

This Indenture made the Second day of January in the year of Our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and one Between John Crook of the County of Rowan & State of North Carolina of the one part & Robert Noblett of the County of Chatham and State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for & in Consideration of the sum of Sixty pounds to the said John Crook in hand given by the said Robert Noblett the receipt and payment whereof is hereby Acknowledged hath granted Bargained Sold aliened & enfeoffed & by these presents doth grant bargain sell enfeoff convey & confirm unto the said Robert Noblett his heirs & assigns forever all that piece parcel or track of Land lying in Rowan County on the waters of Lick Creek & Toms Creek Beginning at a post oak the Northwest corner of the said John Crooks track of 640 acres running thence South thirty two chs to a Stake thence east thirteen chains to a Hickory grub thence South two chains to a Rock then East ten chains & fifty links to a Black oak thence North two Chains & fifty links to a Hickory grub then east sixty one chains & fifty links to a post oak on the Original line thence along the same North fifty links to a stake then west Seventyn chs & fifty links to a Black oak then North nineteen Chains to a rock then west fourteen chs to a hickory then north twelve chs to a pine then west to the Beginning Containing two Hundred Acres being part of a track of land granted by the State of North Carolina to the said John Crook containing Six Hundred & forty Acres which appear on Record with the appurtenances situate lying & being on aforesaid with their & every of their rights members appurtenences whatsoever with the reversion & reversions remainder & remainders all & Singular the said Land & teniments Hereditaments & premises & all rents Issues Services & Rights of the Same belonging or appertaining & also all the Estate & Estate rights title claims Interest or demand whatsoever of him the said John Crook his heirs executors or administrators into or out of the said land teniments & premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted & of every part & parcel thereof to have & to hold the laid land & teniments Hereditaments & premises hereby granted with their appurtenances to the said Robert Noblett his heirs & assings forever & the same John Crook for himself his heirs Executors & administrators doth hereby promise coventant & agree that the he the said John Crook shall & will at all times warrant & forever defend the said land and premises to the said robert Noblett his heirs & assigns forever against all Lawfull claims or demands whereby the above mentioned premises might or may be affected or encumbered contrary to the free intent & meaning of these presents  In witness whereof the said John Crook hath hereunto set his hand & seal the day & year above written..
Signed Sealed & Delivered   John Crook Junr
In the Presence of us            Thomas Stewart                           John Crook (seal)
State of North Carolina    August Sessions 1810
Rowan County
I hereby Certify that the written Deed was Duly proven in Open Court by the oath of Robert Stewart, Recorded and ordered to be Registered.
                                                                                       Test Jn Giles CC
Reference 5, Volume No. 21, Page 863, January 2, 1801


Plot of John Crook's major land holdings in Rowan County, North Carolina

John Crook's Rowan Land


Sources:
(1)North Carolina, County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Rowan County).
Deeds, Vol. 12-13, 1790-1802; Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962, Salt Lake City, Utah; Microfilm of original records at the state archives, Raleigh, North Carolina;  
Family History Library Microfilm No. 0313548

(2)North Carolina, County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Rowan County).
Deeds, Vol. 16-17, 1798-1801; Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962, Salt Lake City, Utah; Microfilm of original records at the state archives, Raleigh, North Carolina;  
Family History Library Microfilm No. 0313551

(3)North Carolina, County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Rowan County).
Deeds, Vol. 18, 1801-1817; Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962, Salt Lake City, Utah; Microfilm of original records at the state archives, Raleigh, North Carolina;  
Family History Library Microfilm No. 0313552

(4)North Carolina, County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Rowan County).
Deeds, Vol. 21, 1807-1811; Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1942, Salt Lake City, Utah; Microfilm of original records at the state archives, Raleigh, North Carolina;  
Family History Library Microfilm No. 0019797

(5)North Carolina, County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Rowan County).
Deeds, Vol. 21, 1807-1811; Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1942, Salt Lake City, Utah; Microfilm of original records at the state archives, Raleigh, North Carolina;  
Family History Library Microfilm No. 0019798

Based on my analysis of the deeds for the 123 acre plot, both deeds contain errors.   The original deed transferring the land to John Crook was a type written copy of the original.  It omitted one leg of the description. The description should have read: "... post Oak Ellers Corner thence north thirty two Chains to a Red Oak Ellers Corner thence East Six Chains to a Post Oak Ellers Corner thence North ...".  As described, the parcel would only be for about sixty acres.   Adding this leg makes the parcel about 123 acres.  The deed transferring the land to Richard Cox incorrectly has the first leg as twenty chains and sixty links instead of twenty five chains and sixty links even though both go to the Black Oak.  It also incorrectly states the parcel is for 103 acres.  As described, the parcel would only contain 97 acres.  Making this corrections results in a parcel of land with about 123 acres.

Last updated August 07, 1999
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