The Records of the Allison Land Deal
Compiled by Steve
Carson
Copyright 2002-2008 All Rights Reserved
The Records of the Allison Land Deal
Compiled by Steve
Carson
Copyright 2002-2008 All Rights Reserved
The Allison Land Deal is named after David Allison of Philadelphia who held mortgages on thousands of acres of land in the Three Forks area of Bedford County. As far as we know this David Allison was not related to any of the Allisons who settled in Bedford County in the early 1800s. The land in question was originally surveyed for John Gray Blount and Thomas Blount of North Carolina. The Blounts sold the land to Norton Pryor who obtained mortgages from David Allison to pay for the purchase. The land consisted of eleven tracts of 5,000 acres each and one tract of 1,364 acres. Norton Pyror had these tracts re-surveyed in his name in June and July 1807 and February 1808. These surveys are recorded in the records of the Second Surveyor's District of Tennessee as surveys 1-8, 53-55, and 187. In 1809, David Allison filed a suit to foreclose on the mortgages. The land was resold with James Patton and Andrew Erwin the eventual purchasers of major portions of it. An additional complication was that the original grants to the Blounts in some cases overlapped grants to other people. This is how a Bedford County Deed from Book J page 84 dated 27 March 1817 explains the land history of one of these 5,000 acre tracts: "... being Part of a 5000 acre tract of land which was granted by the state of North Carolina to John G. and Thomas Blount by patent # 212 and conveyed by them to David Allison, by the said Allison mortgaged to Norton Pryor, by said Norton Pryor conveyed to James Patton and Andrew Erwin..."
In 1811, a flaw in the original foreclosure proceedings was discovered. Another lawsuit followed and in 1823 a final settlement was reached whereby those who had purchased land in the area encompassed by the original grant all obtained clear title for a fee of 30 cents per acre, payable in three installments. This settlement is known as the "Allison Land Deal" and a set of mortgages record the transactions. The land descriptions embedded in these mortgages provide a valuable description of the owners and/or occupiers of these tracts of land in 1823, describing the watercourses the lands were located on as well as the names of neighbors. These mortgages are microfilmed by TSLA and are on the reel entitled “Land Book” that also contains the Bedford County TN Grant Book.
The land descriptions from each of the mortgages are transcribed and presented in Table 1. One complete mortgage is also transcribed. These mortgages were recorded on printed forms and there were several versions of the forms with some minor variations. In a few cases the forms were filled out incorrectly, listing the names of the Trustees in the place where the land description should have been recorded. In this case, the transcription says “[description omitted]” in the “Land description” column.
TSLA, Bedford County Deeds, Land Book, page <illegible>, 27 September 1823
Margaret McMichael to Matt Martin et. al.
This indenture made this 27th day of September A. D. eighteen hundred and twenty three between Margaret McMichall <sic> of the County of Bedford and State of Tennessee of the one part and Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott of the County and State aforesaid, of the other part. Witnessseth, that the said Margaret McMichall in consideration of the sum of fifty four dollars the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged he hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant, sell and convey unto the said Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott their heirs and assigns forever a parcel of land lying in the County of Bedford and State aforesaid on Noah's Fork of Duck River Whereon I now live containing one hundred and eighty acres adjoining the lands of Mrs. Nichols, James Nall, Richard Keele.
To have and to hold the said lot or premises of land with all and singular the rights, profits, hereditaments and appertanances of, and to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining, to the proper use and behoof of them the said and Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott and their heirs and assigns forever, and I the said Margaret McMichell bind myself, my heirs and assigns, and by these presents do warrant and forever defend the aforesaid premises or tract of land unto the said and Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott and their heirs and assigns against the claims of all persons lawfully claiming the same: Provided always that the said Margaret McMichell shall pay the said and Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott Eighteen dollars, on or before the 1st of January 1825, and also Eighteen dollars on or before the 1st of January 1826, and a furthier <sic> sum of Eighteen dollars on or before the 1st of January 1827, with interest on the whole for the last three months which is due by bond from the said Margaret McMichael to the said Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott and which this is intended to secure, bearing date 27th day of September 1823 and payable according to the dates aforementioned, which are sums that the said Matt Martin, John Davidson, William S. Watterson, Stephen Booth, Thomas H. Bernard and John Scott have this day become bound for payment of to James Jackson on their individual responsibility in a settlement made the 19th day of September 1823 between Andrew Jackson and James Jackson and Andrew Erwin, for the compromise of a suit commenced by Andrew Jackson, complainant, against Andrew Erwin and others, defendants. Then this indenture is to be void and of no effect, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue, anything contained here to the contrary notwithstanding. In testimony hereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the day and year above written.
John McMichael for Margaret McMichael <signed>
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of A Erwin, Jr. and Rice F. Ross
State of Tennessee, Bedford County Court, October term 1824
I James McKisick, clerk of said court, do hereby certify the within mortgage was proven in open court upon the oaths of A. Erwin and Rice F. Ross, subscribing witnesses thereunto, and ordered to be so certified for registration. Given under my hand at office this 14th day of October 1824
James McKisick, Clerk
Recorded the 3rd February 1825
Edward Wade, Registrar
Table 1 presents complete transcriptions of the land descriptions in each of the mortgages.
|
|
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River containing fifty acres more or less adjoining the lands of William Ashley, William S. Watterson and John Carigan |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River containing one hundred acres more or less adjoining lands of Joseph Carney, Benjamin Belt, William S. Watterson and John Gregory and Edward Ashley |
|
|
on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River containing one hundred acres more or less and adjoining the lands of Elias Yates, Nicholas Cobb and Allen Knight |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred twenty one acres adjoining the lands of Joseph Conway, William Ashley, John Gregory and Peter Lee |
|
|
whereon he now lives containing two hundred acres twenty one acres bounded by the lands owned by Samuel King, Mrs. Ann McGee, Colonel A. Erwin, Jacob Coble and Doctor Howe |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred seventy acres adjoining the lands of. Blan Moppin, Samuel King and William McGehee deceased |
|
|
situate on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River containing one hundred and thirty five acres adjoining the laws of Joseph [remainder of description omitted] |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I know live containing two hundred acres adjoining the lands of McIntosh and Walker |
|
|
on Nall’s Creek whereon I now live containing twenty one acres adjoining the lands of the Widow Baker and David Patton Sr. |
|
|
on Thompsons Creek containing one hundred twenty eight acres occupied at present by myself adjoining the land of Samuel King, Robert Harrison and William Stephens |
|
|
situate on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River it being the lands whereon William Norville now lives containing two hundred sixty seven acres and adjoining the lands of Jesse Davis, John Davis, the land where James Coldwell formerly lived and the land whereon B. S. Ragsdale lives |
|
|
on the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live, containing two hundred and ninety acres, adjoining the lands of Thomas Kindal, Benjamin Belt, William S. Watterson and William Ashley |
|
|
at present occupied by Ballard Coldwell formerly owned by Stephen Booth on the Wartrace containing one hundred and forty acres |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred and forty two acres more or less adjoining the lands of James E. Patton and Kelly's Tract of land |
|
|
on the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live adjoining the lands of James E. Patton, Matthew and Laben Jones and William Carothers and James Patton |
|
|
on the waters of the Baron [Barren] Fork of Duck River containing two hundred acres adjoining the lands of Elijah Holt, the widow Robbins and others |
|
|
whereon I now live containing one hundred and thirty five acres and all adjoining the lands of William Hannah |
|
|
situate on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River containing one hundred twenty five acres and adjoining lands of James L. Armstrong, Will B. Finch and George Waite |
|
|
whereon he now lives containing four hundred acres adjoining the lands of Vincent Smith, Colonel Edward Hord and Kelly's tract |
|
|
waters of the Barren Fork of Duck River containing four hundred acres adjoining the lands of Duncan Neal, Puree Bullin and others |
|
|
situate on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred and fifty acres adjoining the lands of Will Knot, William Norville and Drury Rogers |
|
|
situated on the Garrison Forks of the Duck River lying between Davises Mill dam on the south east of Col. Neeles land on the east, Shellors on the North and James L. Armstrong on the West containing one hundred and forty acres |
|
|
on the dividing ridge of Knob and Straight Creeks occupied at present by myself containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of E .B. Galalegy and Keller |
|
|
on Noah’s Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing seventy seven? acres and adjoining the lands of Samuel Eaton, William Ellison and William S. Watterson |
|
|
on Noah’s Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred acres Adjoining the lands of John Keele, John Marlowe, Philamon Keele and Enoch Eaton |
|
|
a certain tract where I now live adjoining the lands of Hugh Davidson Esquire containing one hundred fifty seven acres |
|
|
situate on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River it being all that part of land whereon I now live and occupy lying east of the house where I now live adjoining the lands of Ewell Semple on the South, John Ragsdale on the East, same men on the North containing eighty acres |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred acres adjoining the lands of George Hall, William Weaver and Harbert Suggs |
|
|
on Straight Creek whereon I now live containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of Robert Hannah, Thomas Smith and Thomas Drake |
|
|
on Sinking Creek of Duck River whereon I now live containing twenty five and six hundred acres lately purchased of Daniel Davis and adjoining the lands of John Davis, Porter Lewis, Medler Williams and Acres |
|
|
on the Garrison Fork of Duck River containing one hundred and fifty acres occupied at present by Sely? adjoining the lands of Norman Newton, John Scott, Esquires |
|
|
on Dawdy’s Creek whereon I now live containing seventy six acres and adjoining the lands of Elijah Holt and Hugh Davidson |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of the River Duck whereon I now live containing four hundred and fifty acres adjoining the lands of Elias Yates and John Kennedy? |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on Straight Creek whereon I now live containing one hundred and eighty two acres adjoining the lands of William Hannah and Thomas Smith |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork whereon I live containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of John Taylor, William McGee, Mrs. Frazier and Brown |
|
|
on Thompson’s Creek whereon Jacob Burrow now lives containing eighty five acres adjoining the lands of Freeman Burrow, Phillip Burrow and Robert Harrison |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred fifty acres adjoining the lands of Reuben Manly, Stephen Booth and a School Tract |
|
|
a certain tact of land containing one hundred fifty acres lying on Rylies Creek adjoining the lands of Joseph Johnston, William Hodge and at present occupied by myself |
|
|
on the waters of Ryleys Creek containing two hundred and forty acres occupied at present by Elijah Green adjoining the lands of John Hodge and Robert Wilson |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on Knob Creek containing four hundred acres whereon I now live adjoining the lands of John Davidson |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred acres adjoining the land of Hugh Davidson Esquire |
|
|
a certain Tract of land lying at the mouth of Rylies Creek containing two hundred acres adjoining the lands of John A. Hodges, Hugh Davidson, Doctor White, of Georgia and at present occupied by myself |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River containing seventy five acres adjoining the lands of Laben Jones, Thomas Couch, James Tate and others |
|
|
on the waters of Noah’s Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing ninety nine acres adjoining the lands of Samuel Eaton and Richard R. Keele |
|
|
a certain tract of land lying on the Garrison Fork containing one hundred and twenty acres whereon I now live adjoining the lands of Matt Martin Esq., James Hooper and John Scott |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
[description omitted |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred seventy five acres adjoining the lands of Phillip Burrow and the widow McGee |
|
|
lying in the Thompsons Creek containing one hundred and twenty eight acres occupied at present by myself and adjoining the lands of George Kimbro, Jenkin White, Freeman Burrow and Charles Lewis and Samuel King |
|
|
on the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing fifty acres adjoining the lands of Benjamin Belt, Widow Stave and Joseph Jacobs? [smeared] |
|
|
on the waters of the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred and fourteen half [sic] acres adjoining the lands of Samuel King, T.H. Bernard, Esquire, and the heirs of William McGee |
|
|
on Noah’s Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing twenty five acres adjoining the lands of Samuel Eaton, Philmon Keele and William S. Watterson |
|
|
situate on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing sixty five and 1/2 acres adjoining the lands of Stephen Booth, Captain Clay, B. Featherstone and E. Tatum |
|
|
[illegible] |
|
|
on McBride’s Creek whereon I now live containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of Samuel Hannah and Walter Sorrels lands |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork of the Duck River containing two hundred acres at present occupied by myself adjoining the lands of Shaybe Booth, Ruben Manly and Jacob Whitworth being part of Grant # 219 |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing Three hundred and twenty five acres adjoining the lands of Samuel King, T.H. Bernard, William Blanton and others |
|
|
on Noah's Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred eighty acres adjoining the lands of Mrs. Nichols, James Knoll [Nall], Richard Keel [signed “John McMichael for Margaret McMichael”] |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing two hundred and fourteen acres adjoining the lands of Zebediah Payne, William Blanton, Charles Timmons and John Ewell |
|
|
situate on the waters of Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live adjoining the lands of John Tillman, John Wood |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing eighty acres adjoining the lands of James Gibson and Minton |
|
|
situate on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred and forty six acres of land adjoining the lands of Jesse Whorter, John Davis, William Sample and Burwell Featherstone |
|
|
a certain tract of land lying on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing two hundred and fifteen acres whereon I now live adjoining the lands of William Crebbs, Hugh Davidson and others |
|
|
on the Garrison Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred and forty two acres adjoining the lands of Thomas Couch, James E. Patton and John Scott |
|
|
on the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River, Containing one hundred acres more or less adjoining James Patton, James Couch, Thomas Couch and Matthew Jones |
|
|
on Noah’s Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing eight hundred and fifty acres adjoining the lands of Colonel Webster, Neely S. Patton, and William S. Watterson |
|
|
on the waters of Duck River, Noah’s Fork containing eighty five acres adjoining the lands of widow Patton, James Keele, James Nall and others |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing eighty acres adjoining the lands of Zebediah Payne, Jacob Troxler and John Ewing |
|
|
on the waters of the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of John Ewell Esq. Blan Moppin and Sally Payne |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing one hundred acres and adjoining the lands of Will McGee, John Sutton and Wallace |
|
|
situate on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River adjoining the lands of Samuel Clay, Burrow Featherstone and Jesse Horton containing seventy five acres and being the lands whereon I now live |
|
|
on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing eighty acres and adjoining the lands of Harbert Suggs and Edward Sims |
|
|
whereon he now lives containing two hundred and seventy five acres and adjoining the lands of James Patton, Henry Davis, George Whitson and the place at present in possession of James Walker |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
On the waters of the Garrison Fork of Duck River on Knob Creek containing one hundred acres adjoining the lands of George Newton, John Davidson and others |
|
|
on the waters of Wartrace containing one hundred acres occupied at present by myself adjoining the lands of Nathan Frizzle and William Weaver |
|
|
situate on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing seventy eight and one half acres adjoining the lands of Samuel Marr, Stephen Booth and B. Tillman |
|
|
on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River containing eighty seven acres adjoining the lands of Gray Lynch, Samuel Clay and others being part of Grant No. 219 |
|
|
on Shipman’s Creek of the Barren Fork of Duck River containing eighty acres adjoining the lands of Blan Moppin and William Blanton and others |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing six hundred and fifty acres. Occupied at present by myself and children adjoining the lands of John Ewing, Esq. The widow Payne and Richard Wilkins |
|
|
[description omitted] |
|
|
on the waters of the Wartrace Fork whereon I now live containing one hundred and seven acres adjoining the lands of Richard Cunningham, Thomas Merritt, Zadoch Woods and Mrs. Gunn |
|
|
situate on the Wartrace Fork of Duck River containing one hundred seventy three and half [sic] acres [adjoining the lands of] Thomas Merit, Richard Cunningham and Thomas Wharton |
|
|
whereon he now lives containing eleven hundred acres and adjoining the lands of Joseph Carney, S. Hannah, John A. Johnston and Jane Patton |
|
|
on the waters of the Wartrace Fork of Duck River containing one hundred and twenty acres occupied at present by myself adjoining the lands of Herbert Suggs and Nathan Frizzle |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River containing one hundred fifty acres adjoining the lands of Jacob Troxler, J. E. White and others |
|
|
on the Barren Fork of Duck River whereon I now live containing two hundred acres adjoining the lands of Fergus Hall Sr., Kimbros and John Bates |
Return to Bedford County TN Gen Main Page
This page last updated: Sunday, November 03, 2002
This TNGenWeb Project website is hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit web-hosting service solely supported by tax-deductible donations. If this website has provided you with useful information, please consider making a donation to USGenNet to help keep websites like this online.