Deed
William D. Cozart Heirs to Narrell Spraggins
Registered April 3, 1866
Madison County Deed Book 24, pages 51-52
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 3
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #12
Copied by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
The sale of this Cozart property took place on October 28, 1865, six months after the close of the Civil War. There was a 5-month delay in registering the sale. Tennessee was readmitted to the Union on July 24, 1866. She was the last State to secede and the first to be readmitted.
The sellers were listed in birth order. They were the three oldest children of William Davis Cozart and Susana Boals — Robert “William” about age 29, Joshua James about 27, and Gilbert about 25. The other children who shared in the $2325 were: Henderson about age 24, Newton about 23, and Jasper about 20.
Their dad bought the original tract of 100 acres in January 1838, registered in March. In September 1844 he sold it to his brother Gilbert. In January 1847 Uncle Gilbert Cozart returned the parcel to their widowed mother. He stipulated that the boys were to inherit the property and share alike. In 1848 William D., posthumously, was awarded a State grant of another 50 adjoining acres. It was the whole 150-acre tract that was now being sold.
By the 1860 U.S. Census their mother had remarried. Oldest son Robert “William” had wed Catherine “Fanny” Powell. The boys lived in different households. In 1861 the Civil War began; in 1862 the Union Army began occupation of West Tennessee; in 1865 the Civil War came to a close. The boys had hopes and plans. It was time to get on with their lives and claim their inheritance.
On the deed registered April 1866, we learn that the property was in the 18th civil district of Madison County. In 1871 this area became civil district 3 of Crockett County. Gadsden was the big town of the district.
The land in this deed was measured in poles and acres:
1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 link = 7.92 inches
1 mile = 320 poles = 5,280 feet
1 acre = 160 square poles = 43,560 square feet
1 square pole = 272 1/4 feet
640 acres = 1 square mile
41
R. W. Cozart
J. Cozart and
G. Cozart
To: Deed
Narrell Spraggins
Register April 3, 1866
We R. W. Cozart, J. Cozart and G. Cozart have this day bargained and sold and do hereby transfer alien, convey and confirm to Narrell Spraggins, his heirs and assigns forever for theconsiderationof Twenty-three hundred twenty-five Dollars to us in hand paid, the Receipt which is hereby acknowledged, a certain parcel of land situated lying and being in the 18th civil district in the county of Madison and State of Tennessee containing one hundred & fifty acres “more or less” and bounded as follows to wit. Beginning at Madison Cozarts North West corner, a Black Walnut & 3 white ash pointers. Thence East 178 1/10 poles to a Stake. Post oak, Black Gum pointers. Thence North 89 1/2 poles to a Stake. Black oak & Post oak pointers. Thence West 178 8/10 poles to a Stake. Hickory and Post oak pointers. Thence West 90 poles to a Stake. Hickory & 3 white oak pointers. Thence South 88 2/10 poles to a Stake. Maple, Ironwood, Hickory & white oak pointers. Thence East 90 poles to the Beginning.
To have and to hold the same together with all the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said Narrell Spraggins his heirs and assigns forever We do covenant with the said Narrell Spraggins that we are lawfully Seized of said land have a good right to convey it and that the same is unencumbered. We do further covenant and bind ourselves our heirs and representatives to warrant and forever defend the title to said described land and every part thereof to the aforesaid Narrell Spraggins his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whatever.
Witness our hands and Seals
This 28th day of October 1865 R. W. Cozart seal
G. Cozart seal
J. Cozart seal
Executed & delivered in our presence
date given above
attest SamlS. Watkins
J.M. Bledsoe
State of Tennessee
Madison County
Personally appeared before me P. C. McCowat Clerk of the County Court of such County the Subscribing Witnesses Saml E Watkins and J M Bledsoe who being first Sworn, deposed and said that they are acquainted with the bargainors and that they acknowledged said Instrument in their presence as their act and deed on the day it bears date.
State Tax 1.50
County .75
paid
Witness my hand at Office This 3 day of April 1866.
P. C. McCowat clerk
State of Tennessee
Madison County
I J. R. Chappell Register of Said County do certify that the foregoing Deed with Clerk’s certificate and $2.50 in USR Stamps therein was duly filed in my Office this day about 10 o’clock AM & noted in Minute Book 4 on page 186.
Witness my hand at Office this the 3 day April 1866.
J. R. Chappell Register
A very special thank you to Denise Cozart, who transcribed and contributed this document for use on this web site.